• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1015-1025
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• 2019

Objectives: There have been many studies reporting the clinical value of Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx, but few systematic studies of the changes that may occur after taking such herbal medication. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the patient group, possible changes in blood test and InBody test results, and to discover the current state and future direction of clinical use of Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx. Methods: This study investigated patients who were hospitalized at Kyung-Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital for at least two days from 1 March 2016 to 1 March 2019, specifically evaluating patients aged 19 and over who underwent blood tests, including an electrolyte test and an InBody test before and after taking Euphorbia kansui Radix or Melonis Calyx. Results: Among a total of 134 patients, 72 patients (53.7%) were treated with Euphorbia kansui Radix and 62 patients (46.3%) were treated with Melonis Calyx, in the context of previously diagnosed abnormal weight gain. Laboratory findings were that Na and K levels were significantly reduced in both groups. In an InBody test, body mass index (BMI), intracellular water, extracellular water, protein, mineral, and skeletal muscle were significantly reduced in both groups. Conclusions: From these results, we suggest that, although Euphorbia kansui Radix and Melonis Calyx may not induce serious adverse effects, attention should be paid to the electrolyte level with the use of these treatments. In terms of syndrome differentiation, more clinical uses will be available in the future.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2011

Purpose: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of pelvic insufficiency fracture (PIF) in patients with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Between July 2004 and August 2009, 235 patients with non-metastatic cervical cancer were treated with definitive chemoradiation or postoperative radiotherapy. Among 235 patients, 117 (49.8%) underwent the first positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) within 1 year after radiotherapy. The median radiation dose was 55 Gy (range, 45 to 60 Gy). Medical charts and imaging studies, including PET/CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT. bone scintigraphy were reviewed to evaluate the patients with PIF. Results: Among 235 patients, 16 developed PIF. The 5-year detection rate of PIF was 9.5%. The 5-year detection rate of PIF in patients who underwent the first PET/CT within a year was 15.6%. The median time to development of PIF was 12.5 months (range, 5 to 30 months). The sites of fracture included 12 sacroiliac joints, 3 pubic rami, 3 iliac bones, and 1 femoral neck. Eleven of 16 patients having PIF complained of hip pain requiring medications. One patient required hospitalization for pain control. The significant risk factors of PIF were old age, body mass index less than 23, bone mineral density less than -3.5 SD, and the first PET/CT within a year after radiotherapy. Radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy had no impact on PIF rate. Conclusion: PIFs were not rare after pelvic radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients in the era of PET/CT. Timely diagnosis and management of PIF can improve quality of life in patients with cervical cancer, in addition to reducing unnecessary medical expenses.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2020

Background: The indication of denosumab for osteoporosis was expanded from second-line to first-line therapy in 2019. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of denosumab as both first- and second-line therapy in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia with risk factors by using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). Methods: We conducted a medication use evaluation of denosumab in 98 patients who had been treated three or more times for osteoporosis or osteopenia at Chungnam National University Hospital from July 1^st, 2017 to January 31^st, 2020. Risk factors were identified using quantitative N-gram analyses of FRAX estimations. Patient information, including menopause status and results of bone mineral density tests (T-score), was obtained from electronic medical records. Results: Age, body mass index (BMI), prior medication use, and T-score were identified as risk factors and were included as variables in the evaluation of denosumab use. Since no significant differences were detected between groups, denosumab is likely effective regardless of age or BMI. In addition, no significant difference was detected in T-scores following denosumab treatment, between groups who took bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with denosumab as first-line therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Denosumab may, therefore, be effective as second-line therapy. Conclusion: Efficacy of denosumab was evaluated in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Denosumab may be used as first- and second-line therapy regardless of age, BMI, and prior use of bisphosphonates and SERMs.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2019

Pond ash is a mixture of mostly coarser fly ash and bottom ash. The recycling rate of pond ash is low because pond ash is mixed with seawater and deposited in ponds. The pond ash is also subjected to natural weathering over a period of time. In this study, we investigated whether pond ash can be used as a raw material of geopolymers, without any purification process or through a minimal purification process. In addition, we investigated whether synthetic basalt made by adding foaming agent to geopolymer or casting it into a mold can show the surface of the natural basalt as it is. The highest 7-day compressive strength in geopolymers from pond ash without purification process was 26 MPa. The highest 7-day compressive strength in geopolymers from pond ash with impurities removed through dry sieve analysis was found to improve to 80 MPa. On the other hand, synthetic basalt made with geopolymer was shown to be more advantageous aesthetically when produced by casting it in a silicone mold rather than by adding a foaming agent. Non-purified pond ash can be made into geopolymers having low strength. Pond ash purified by sieving can, without use of an aggregate, be made into geopolymer having high-strength. Also, it is possible to produce synthetic basalt with the same appearance as natural basalt and sufficient strength for commercialization. This process will contribute to the mass consumption and recycling of pond ash.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.512-520
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• 2019

Statistical experimental methods were used to optimize the medium for mass production of a novel laccase3 (Lac3) by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae TYEGLAC3-1. The basic medium was composed of glucose, casamino acids, yeast nitrogen base without amino acids (YNB w/o AA), tryptophan, and adenine. A one-factor-at-a-time approach followed by the fractional factorial design identified galactose, glutamic acid, and ammonium sulfate, as significant carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources, respectively. The steepest ascent method and response surface methodology (RSM) determined that the optimal medium was (g/L): galactose, 19.16; glutamic acid, 5.0; and YNB w/o AA, 10.46. In this medium, the Lac3 activity (277.04 mU/mL) was 13.5 times higher than that of the basic medium (20.50 mU/mL). The effect of temperature, pH, agitation (rpm), and aeration (vvm) was further examined in a batch fermenter. The best Lac3 activity was 1176.04 mU/mL at 25 ℃, pH 3.5, 100 rpm, and 1 vvm in batch culture.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.84-93
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• 2015

Objectives: The present study was conducted in order to examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and osteoporosis prevalence in Korea and to assess whether different associations are found in single-person households. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 2008 to 2011. The study subjects were people aged ${\geq}50$ years with osteoporosis as defined by bone mineral density. Multivariate logistic models were used to estimate prevalence odds ratios (pORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Gender differences in the likelihood of osteoporosis were analyzed based on household income, education level, and residential area. Results: There were 8221 osteoporosis patients aged ${\geq}50$ years, of whom 927 lived in single-person households. There was a gender-specific association between osteoporosis prevalence and all three SES factors that we analyzed: income, education, and residential area. After adjusting for age, SES, and health behaviors, including body mass index (BMI), low household income was only significantly associated with osteoporosis in men, whereas education level had an inverse relationship with osteoporosis only in women (p=0.01, p<0.001, respectively). However, after controlling for age and BMI, rural residency was only associated with osteoporosis in women living in single-person households (pOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.43). Conclusions: The Korean adult population showed a gender-specific relationship between SES and osteoporosis prevalence, with a different pattern found in single-person households.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.34-43
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• 2010

The fate of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in ground water is highly affected by the distribution and property of the carbonaceous materials (CMs) in subsurface sediments. CMs in soils consist of organic matters (e.g., cellulose, fulvic acid, humic acid, humin, etc.) and black carbon such as char, soot, etc. The distribution and property of CMs are governed by source materials and geological evolution (e.g., diagenesis, catagenesis, etc.) of them. In this study, the distribution and property of CMs in subsurface sediments near the Imjin river in the Republic of Korea and HOC sorption property to the subsurface sediments were investigated. The organic carbon contents of sand and clay/silt layers were about 0.35% and 1.37%, respectively. The carbon contents of condensed form of CMs were about 0.13% and 0.45%, respectively. The existence of black carbon was observed using scanning electron microscopes with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The specific surface areas (SSA) of CMs in heavy fraction(HFrCM) measured with N2 were $35-46m^2/g$. However, SSAs of those HFrCM mineral fraction was only $1.6-4.3m^2/g$. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that the mass loss of HFrCM was significant at $50-200^{\circ}C$ and $350-600^{\circ}C$ due to the degradation of soft form and condensed form of CMs, respectively. The trichloroethylene (TCE) sorption capacities of sand and clay/silt layers were similar to each other, and these values were also similar to oxidzed layer of glacially deposited subsurface sediments of the Chanute Air Force Base (AFB) in Rantoul, Illinois. However, these were 7-8 times lower than TCE sorption capacity of reduced layer of the Chanute AFB sediments. For accurate prediction of the fate of hydrophobic organic contaminants in subsurface sediments, continuous studies on the development of characterization methods for CMs are required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake, diversity and prevalence of diseases according to noodle consumption using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) of 2010. Korean adults (>20) were classified into two groups, noodle group (NG) and non-noodle group (NNG). NG was found to have higher intakes of protein, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, and niacin. The DVS and DDS according to noodle consumption were found to be 21.76 and 3.51 for NG, and 18.56 and 3.40 for NNG, this result was thought to show that the diet of NG was more satisfactory than that of NNG in terms of dietary diversity. In the bone mass of entire subjects, NG showed higher figures in the femoral neck and lumbar spine than NNG. For bone mineral density, NG exhibited higher figures in the femoral neck, and for T-scores, the values of NG was significantly higher in the femoral neck than those of NNG. However, the prevalence of osteoporosis of NG and NNG was 11.6% and 9.5%. The prevalence of osteopenia of NG and NNG was 43.0% and 51.7%. Thus, these results showed that overall bone health of NG was better than that of NNG. Dietary balance and quality were also more satisfactory in NG. These results showed that noodle consumption may have an impact on the prevalence of chronic diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2013

A biofertilizer, BIOACTIVE, was manufactured by N-acetyl-thioproline (ATCA) and mineral phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The growth promoting effect of the biofertilizer on lettuce was evaluated under three different pot conditions, and its stability was assessed in the field. According to the results of the pot experiments, plant growth was improved compared with that of control: 128%, 122%, and 153% for the leaf number, leaf length, and leaf mass, respectively. Applying the manufactured biofertilizer increased the concentration of phosphate: 118% and 132% in the cultivation soil and plant cells, respectively. These show that BIOACTIVE may have potential as an effective biofertilizer in agriculture.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.27-35
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• 2009

To solve resource exhaustion and waste management problems caused by mass consumption, there are many efforts to change from resource consumption system to recycling system. Specially, interests about management of construction waste have increased, but efficient recycling system of waste concrete is not established yet. In this study, high quality recycled aggregate processing circuit was developed to recycle waste concrete. From the waste concrete which is a hydrated compound with coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and cement material, high quality recycled coarse aggregate for concrete making was produced by autogenous milling and heat pretreatment method. After then, refinement process was performed to separate fine aggregate and cement material from waste concrete fines by sink float separation and hindered-settling separation. As a result, high quality recycled aggregate was produced from waste concrete by developed processing circuit.