• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2024

Hydronephrosis, characterized by dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces due to urine flow obstruction, poses a significant clinical challenge. Although often asymptomatic and capable of spontaneous resolution, surgical intervention is necessary for specific scenarios such as febrile urinary tract infections, deteriorating hydronephrosis, or declining renal function. The efficacy of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing urinary tract infections remains controversial. Yet, it may benefit high-risk patients, emphasizing the importance of individualized patient selection, as surgical treatment methods for patients with hydronephrosis have become less invasive than in previous decades. However, long-term follow-up outcomes are lacking, necessitating further clarification. This review presents an overview of the etiology, natural progression, and modern management of hydronephrosis, encompassing advancements in minimally invasive procedures.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 1998

Between 1988-1998, cytogenetic analyses were performed for 1,476 couples and 162 women with recurrent abortions. We applied GTG-banding, high resolution-banding and FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) techniques in this study. The frequency of balanced translocations was 3.6% (112/3114). Of them, 74 cases (2.38%) were reciprocal translocations and 38 (1.22%) were robertsonian translocations. Chromosome aberrations were more frequent in women (80 cases) than in men (32 cases). No phenotypical abnormalities were found in all carriers who had experienced recurrent spontaneous abortions or experienced giving birth to malformed offsprings. Prenatal cytogenetic analyses were carried out on 40 subsequent pregnancies for carrier couples with balanced translocation. The fetal karyotypes showed that 13 cases (32.5%) were normal, 25 (62.5%) were balanced translocations, and two (6%) were unbalanced translocations. It is believed that the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion is higher than that of the normal population. Most of the fetal samples showed normal karyotypes or balanced translocations matching that of one of their parents. Although the incidence of chromosomal imbalance in the fetuses was relatively low in prenatal cytogenetic analysis, individuals with balanced translocations are predisposed to giving birth to malformed offsprings with partial trisomy or monosomy. Therefore, we recommend the cytogenetic and the prenatal cytogenetic analysis for those who experiences recurrent abortion as well as in case they become pregnant, to prevent the birth of offsprings with chromosomal abnormalities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2003

Ion channel inhibitors are widely used for pharmacological discrimination between the different channel types as well as for determination of their functional role. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) could affect the large conductance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel ($BK_{Ca}$) currents using perforated-patch or cell-attached configuration of patch-clamp technique in the rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. Application of 4-AP reversibly inhibited the spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs). The reversal potential and the sensitivity to charybdotoxin indicated that the STOCs were due to the activation of $BK_{Ca}$. The $BK_{Ca}$ currents were recorded in single channel resolution under the cell-attached mode of patch-clamp technique for minimal perturbation of intracellular environment. Application of 4-AP also inhibited the single $BK_{Ca}$ currents reversibly and dose-dependently. The membrane potential of rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells showed spontaneous transient hyperpolarizations (STHPs), presumably due to the STOC activities, which was also inhibited by 4-AP. These results suggest that 4-AP can inhibit $BK_{Ca}$ currentsin the intact rabbit vascular smooth muscle. The use of 4-AP as a selective voltage-dependent $K^+$ (KV) channel blocker in vascular smooth muscle, therefore, must be reevaluated.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2014

Introduction: Persistent vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), a major cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children, can result in serious renal complications, such as reflux nephropathy and chronic renal failure. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of VUR. Methods: From December 1993 to May 2011, we examined 117 children with vesicoureteral reflux who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics and Urology, Chungbuk National University hospital for a UTI. The patients were managed medically or surgically. Results: Male patients had a slightly higher prevalence of VUR than female patients (55%). The degrees of the 161 refluxing ureters, as classified by the International Reflux Study Committee, were as follows: grade I, 15 ureters; grade II, 32 ureters; grade III, 54 ureters; grade IV, 26 ureters; grade V, 34 ureters. One hundred and sixty-one renal units (115 cases) underwent a 99m TC-DMSA renal scan, and 62% showed abnormal findings. The incidence of renal cortical defects showed a direct correlation with the severity of VUR. Ninety-four refluxing ureters were followed up medically, and 66 ureters (67%) either disappeared or improved. However, 9 refluxing ureters persisted. The spontaneous resolution rate of VUR seemed to be higher in younger patients with lower grades of reflux, and without renal cortical defects. Sixty-seven refluxing ureters (41%) were treated surgically, 62 refluxing ureters (92%) disappeared, and 5 refluxing ureters (8%) persisted. Conclusion: The incidence of renal cortical defects in patients with UTIs was 62% (in a 99m TC-DMSA renal scan), and showed a direct correlation with the severity of VUR. The spontaneous resolution rate seemed to be lower in the patients with higher grades of VUR, older age (over 4 years old) and diffuse renal cortical defects.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2009

GaN-based nitride semiconductors have attracted considerable attention in high-brightness light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) covering from green to ultraviolet spectral range. LED and LD heterostructures are usually grown on (0001)-$Al_2O_3$. The large lattice mismatch between $Al_2O_3$ substrates and the GaN layers leads to a high density of defects(dislocations and stacking faults). Moreover, Ga and N atoms are arranged along the polar [0001] crystallographic direction, which leads to spontaneous polarization. In addition, in the InGaN/GaN MQWs heterostructures, stress applied along the same axis can also give rise to piezoelectric polarization. The total polarization, which is the sum of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarizations, is aligned along the [0001] direction of the wurtzite heterostructures. The change in the total polarization across the heterolayers results in high interface charge densities and spatial separation of the electron and hole wave functions, redshifting the photoluminescence peak and decreasing the peak intensity. The effect of polarization charges in the GaN-based heterostructures can be eliminated by growing along the non-polar [$11\bar{2}0$] (a-axis) or [$1\bar{1}00$] (m-axis) orientation instead of thecommonly used polar [0001] (c-axis). For non-polar GaN growth on non-polar substrates, the GaN films have high density of planar defects (basal stacking fault BSFs, prismatic stacking fault PSFs), because the SFs are formed on the basal plane (c-plane) due to their low formation energy. A significant reduction in defect density was recently achieved by applying blocking layer such as SiN, AlN, and AlGaN in non-polar GaN. In this work, we were performed systematic studies of the defects in the nonpolar GaN by conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2093-2097
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• 2016

Background: HCV is a major global health problem. IL-27 is a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family with a broad range of anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies highlighted the effect of a SNP in the IL-27 promoter region on modulating the progression of infectious diseases and individual responses to therapy. Aim of the work: The present study investigated the potential role of (-964 A/G) SNP in the promoter region of IL-27p28 gene (alleles rs153109) on the outcome of HCV infection among genotype 4a infected patients. Materials and Methods: HCV genotyping confirmed that all of the HCV-infected patients had genotype 4a infection. Genomic DNA was extracted from 111 patients with chronic HCV infection, 42 spontaneous resolvers (SR) and 16 healthy controls. IL- 27p28.rs153109 genotyping was assessed using PCR-RFLP then confirmed by DNA sequencing. Results: The frequency of IL-27-p28.rs153109AA, AG, and GG genotypes among chronically infected subjects were 74.8 %, 25.2%, and 0% while among the SR, they were 57.1%, 35.7%, and 7.14%, respectively. Our data show the unique presence of G/G genotype in the SR group (3 patients; 7.14%). Moreover, the "G" allele frequencies among chronic and resolved subjects were 12.6% and 25.0%, respectively (p=0.0136). Importantly, subjects with the GG genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection than those with the AA genotype (p=0.0118). Conclusions: HCV genotype 4a subjects with the IL-27-p28.rs153109 A/G and G/G genotype were more likely to clear their HCV infection. Therefore, we propose IL- 27p28.rs153109SNPas a genetic biomarker for predicting HCV infection outcome.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.42
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• pp.143-165
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• 2022

This study is a novel attempt at a fusion of female-authored Chinese poetry and Daesoon Thought. Notably, this has style of fusion has never been attempted in classical literature studies or in studies on Daesoon Thought. This study will also clarify the the key concept of grievance-resolution (解冤 haewon) in Daesoon Jinrihoe through comparison with classical works. Choi Song-seoldang's poetry that was composed in the early 20th century, contemporaneous the emergence of Daesoon Thought, is analyzed here via the concepts of 'tranquility (平 pyeong)' and 'harmony (和 hwa)' under the framework of grievance-resolution for women. An effort is made to find a point of progression towards familial harmony (家和 gahwa) and Mutual Beneficence (相生 sangsaeng). Resentment (恨 han) from the perspective of a woman was expressed in her works such as Wang So-gun's Resentment (昭君怨 sogunwon), Self-Report (自述 Jasul), and An Original Rhyme of Song Seol-dang (松雪堂原韻 Song Seol-dang Won-un). Works such as Wishes on the First Day of New Year (元朝祝 wonjochuk) and A Spontaneous Poem (偶吟 Ueum) expressed the contents of wishing for familial peace. In the process of trying to resolve the grievances (冤 won) of her family, Song Seol-dang faced limitations, and felt resentment (恨 han) for her inability to become a man. She strived her whole life to embody 'tranquility' and 'harmony' as both are crucial components of achieving familial harmony. This thesis has an important significance in terms of academic expansion via the convergence of literature and ideas. In terms of Daesoon Thought, it is meaningful to examine concepts and literature within a context of fusion because this goes beyond research that focuses only on theory or ideology. It is also meaningful to confirm aspects of Daesoon Thought through the life and culture of the still traditional early modern era and to reveal how it still has the present-day significance that transcends time.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.390-402
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• 2023

Objective: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a neurological complication following clipping surgery. However, the natural course and ideal approach for the treatment of clipping-related-CSDH (CR-CSDH) have not been clearly established. We aimed to investigate the course of CR-CSDH using chronological radiological findings. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 28 (3.8%) patients who developed CSDH among 736 patients who underwent surgical clipping using pterional approach for unruptured aneurysms at our institution between December 2010 and December 2018. Patients underwent follow-up CT scan 6-8 weeks after clipping surgery and decision to pursue surgical intervention rests upon the patient's symptom based on the Markwalder's grading scale (MGS) and numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: Of the 28 patients, 3 patients (10.7%) underwent surgery, while 25 (89.2%) showed spontaneous resolution of CR-CSDH. Eighteen patients (64.2%) had mild headache with MGS of 0-1. The mean maximum hematoma volume was 41.9±30.9 ml (5.8-135 ml), and 26 patients (92.8%) had homogeneous hematoma. The mean time to hematoma resolution was 126.7±52.9 days (46-228 days). Comparing group of CR-CSDH volume ≥43 ml or a midline shift ≥5 mm, the difference in presence of linear low-density area (p=0.002) and age (p=0.026) between the conservative and operative groups were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Most CR-CSDH cases spontaneously resolved within 4 months. Therefore, we suggest that close observation should be performed if patient's symptoms are mild and special radiologic findings are present, despite its relatively large volume and midline shifting.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.215-219
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• 2007

Background: Due to the advancement of video assisted thoracoscopic techniques, an operation for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is now considered a common procedure. However, whether a preventive operation is necessary when a contralateral bulla is found on High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) at the time of the first primary spontaneous pneumothorax attack is still unknown. In this retrospective study, it was our intension to find whether contralateral bullae are related to the occurrence of pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between January 1999 and April 2006, 550 patients were admitted to the Chungnam University hospital with primary spontaneous pneumothorax, which was confirmed by the HRCT scans in 190 patents. In these 190 patients, 159 had not received a bilateral operation after their first primary spontaneous pneumothorax attack. In these 159 patients, the relationship between the presence of contralateral bullae and the occurrence of pneumothorax was measured. Result: In these 159 patients, 67 had contralateral bullae confirmed inform the HRCT scan, and 92 had no visible contralateral bullae, During the follow up period, 6 patients (8.9%) with contralateral bullae had an occurrence of contralateral pneumothorax, and 5 patients (5.4%) without contralateral bullae had an occurrence of contralateral pneumothorax. (p=0.529 [Fisher's exact test]) Conclusion: In patients with unilateral primary pneumothorax, an HRCT scan is a useful way of confirming contralateral pulmonary bullae. However, the presence of bullae is not a significant predictive sign of an occurrence of contralateral pneumothorax. Also, surgery for pneumothorax is not completely uncomplicated, and bilateral surgery is still doubtful. A further prospective study will be required to find the relationship between the bullae found on HRCT and the occurrence of pneumothorax.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1832-1836
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• 2006

Mesorhizobium sp. LUK, which utilizes 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid as the sole source of nitrogen with high enantioselectivity (E(S)>100), was isolated using enrichment culture. The enzyme involved in the utilization of (S)-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid was confirmed to be a transaminase and was purified by 235-folds with a specific activity of 0.72 U/mg. The molecular weight of the purified protein was ca. 47 kDa and the active enzyme was determined as a dimer on gel filtration chromatography. The N-terminal sequence was obtained from the purified protein. Spontaneous decarboxylation of produced ${\beta}-keto$ acids was observed during the chiral resolution of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid.