• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2004

Background : Interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) is a critical cytokine in the defense against a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Even though IFN-${\gamma}$ has occasionally been used in the treatment of refractory multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with some promising results, there is still some controversy regarding the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}$. This study was performed to examine the effect of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ in the treatment of MDR-TB patients. Methods : Six patients with refractory MDR-TB were enrolled in this study. Two million IU of IFN-${\gamma}$ was administered subcutaneously three times a week with the concomitant administration of antituberculous drugs for at least for 28 weeks. During the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy, the sputum smear and culture, radiological and clinical evaluations were performed every 4 weeks throughout the study period. Results : The mean age of the 6 patients was 37 years (ranges, 15-61 years). The drug susceptibility test to standard antituberculous drugs revealed resistance to an average of 6.8 (${\pm}1.2$) agents including isoniazid and rifampicin. An average of 10.8 (${\pm}1.3$) antituberculous drugs were prescribed before IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. The culture became negative in 2 patients (33%) after initiating IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy; one at 8 weeks, and the other at 24 weeks. Finally, after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy after 28 weeks, the culture became positive again in the two patients who were culture-negative. The other 4 patients who failed in the culture conversion are still on antituberculous treatment except for one who died of tuberculosis. Conclusion : Even though 28 weeks of subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy in combination with antituberculous drugs was successful in inducing the culture-negative conversion in some patients with refractory MDR-TB, the culture became positive again after stopping the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy. This suggests that subcutaneous IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy may have suppressive effect on tuberculosis only during the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy period in some patients. Further studies will be needed to determine the optimum dose, the administration route, the duration of therapy, and the predicting factors of the response to adjuvant IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2009

Purpose : The rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in children is an indicator of the effectiveness of TB control programs in the community. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DR-TB in children and evaluate TB management. Methods : Between January 1999 and July 2007, drug susceptibility tests for anti-TB drugs were employed for patients aged less than 19 years with culture-positive TB. Results : A total of 607 cases (16.6%) were resistant to at least one anti-TB drug as follows: isoniazid (INH; 13.8%), rifampin (8.9%), pyrazinamide (4.2%), streptomycin (3.7%), ethambutol (EMB; 5.9%), and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS; 1.9%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB was found in 276 cases (7.6%); extensive drug resistant (XDR) TB, in 5 cases (0.2%). The rate of resistance to at least one anti-TB drug in children aged >15 years (16.1%) was significantly lower than that in children aged <15 years (20.5%) (P=0.016). The rate of resistance to at least one anti-TB drug and multidrug-resistance in this survey decreased significantly (P<0.001) as compared to the previous survey (1987-1995). The rate of resistance to INH, EMB, and PAS also significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion : The rate of DR-TB in children in Korea has decreased over time; however, it remains higher than that in other countries. MDR-TB and XDR-TB are the emerging problems in Korean children. Therefore, the selection of effective drugs through drug susceptibility tests and evaluating risk factors of resistant TB is essential to successful therapy and a decreased incidence of DR-TB.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.9-24
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• 1997

Surfactant-aided in situ soil flushing has been proposed as an alternative for the expensive and time consuming 'pump and treat' technology in remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater Injected surfactants can effectively solubilize contaminants sorbed to the soil matrix or nonaqueous phase liquids(NAPLs) in residual saturation. The contaminants solubilized in groundwater are recovered and treated further. The theoretical background of the technology and the results of the field operations, mostly in the US. were summarized. In addition, the factors crucial to the successful application of the technology were discussed. Cost analyses and technical limitations in current applications were also discussed. In conclusion, it is likely that in situ surfactant flushing become a viable option for soil remediation in limited cases. Currently, further advances with respect to operation cost and to treatment efficiency are required for more extensive application of the technology. However, the current trends in soil remediation, specially the growing emphasis on risk based corrective action and natural attenuation, will increase the competitiveness of the technology. For example, removal of easily washable contaminants by short term soil flushing followed by long term monitoring and natural attenuation can greatly reduce the operation cost and time.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.443-454
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• 2008

Statement of problem: A clinically successful color match is one of the important factor to get an esthetic dental restoration. Dental shade guides are commonly used to evaluate tooth color in restorative procedure. But numerous reports have indicated that common shade guides do not provide sufficient spectral coverage of the natural tooth colors. To address issues associated with the shade guide, distinct avenues have been pursued objective spectrophotometric / colorimetric assessment. Purpose: This study compared the accuracy of tooth color selection of spectrophotometer with that of human visual determination. Three main factors were investigated, namely, the effect of light, the individual variation and the experience of the observer. Material and methods: At the first experiment, on ten patients, one operator independently selected the best matching shade to the unrestored maxillary central incisor, using a Vita Classical Shade Guide in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon. The same teeth were measured by means of a reflectance spectrophotometer. At the second experiment, on ten patients, ten operators (5 experts, 5 novices) selected and measured by the same method above at noon. At the third experiment, the results of the second experiment were divided into two groups, expert and novice, and analyzed. Results: 1. There was significant difference between visual and spectrophotometric assessment (mean ${\Delta}E$ values) in experiment 1, 2, 3 (P < .05). 2. There was no significant difference between experts and novices group, when comparing with each visual and spectrophotometric assessment (mean ${\Delta}E$ values). Conclusion: Spectrophotometer could be used to analyze the shade of natural tooth objectively. Thereby, this method offers the potential tominimize considerably the need for corrections or even remakesafter intraoral try-in of restoration. Furthermore, to achieve its advantage, both the shade-matching environment and communication between dentist and technician should be optimized with use of visual and instrumental shade-matching systems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1615-1634
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• 2004

A review was undertaken to obtain information on the sustainability of pig free-range production systems including the management, performance and health of pigs in the system. Modern outdoor rearing systems requires simple portable and flexible housing with low cost fencing. Local pig breeds and outdoor-adapted breeds for certain environment are generally more suitable for free-range systems. Free-range farms should be located in a low rainfall area and paddocks should be relatively flat, with light topsoil overlying free-draining subsoil with the absence of sharp stones that can cause foot damage. Huts or shelters are crucial for protecting pigs from direct sun burn and heat stress, especially when shade from trees and other facilities is not available. Pigs commonly graze on strip pastures and are rotated between paddocks. The zones of thermal comfort for the sow and piglet differ markedly; between 12-22$^{\circ}C$ for the sow and 30-37$^{\circ}C$ for piglets. Offering wallows for free-range pigs meets their behavioural requirements, and also overcomes the effects of high ambient temperatures on feed intake. Pigs can increase their evaporative heat loss via an increase in the proportion of wet skin by using a wallow, or through water drips and spray. Mud from wallows can also coat the skin of pigs, preventing sunburn. Under grazing conditions, it is difficult to control the fibre intake of pigs although a high energy, low fibre diet can be used. In some countries outdoor sows are fitted with nose rings to prevent them from uprooting the grass. This reduces nutrient leaching of the land due to less rooting. In general, free-range pigs have a higher mortality compared to intensively housed pigs. Many factors can contribute to the death of the piglet including crushing, disease, heat stress and poor nutrition. With successful management, free-range pigs can have similar production to door pigs, although the growth rate of the litters is affected by season. Piglets grow quicker indoors during the cold season compared to outdoor systems. Pigs reared outdoors show calmer behaviour. Aggressive interactions during feeding are lower compared to indoor pigs while outdoor sows are more active than indoor sows. Outdoor pigs have a higher parasite burden, which increases the nutrient requirement for maintenance and reduces their feed utilization efficiency. Parasite infections in free-range pigs also risks the image of free-range pork as a clean and safe product. Diseases can be controlled to a certain degree by grazing management. Frequent rotation is required although most farmers are keeping their pigs for a longer period before rotating. The concept of using pasture species to minimise nematode infections in grazing pigs looks promising. Plants that can be grown locally and used as part of the normal feeding regime are most likely to be acceptable to farmers, particularly organic farmers. However, one of the key concerns from the public for free-range pig production system is the impact on the environment. In the past, the pigs were held in the same paddock at a high stocking rate, which resulted in damage to the vegetation, nutrient loading in the soil, nitrate leaching and gas emission. To avoid this, outdoor pigs should be integrated in the cropping pasture system, the stock should be mobile and stocking rate related to the amount of feed given to the animals.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.195-221
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• 2009

According to an industry report, a large number of organizations have invested in Organizational Information System(OIS) in the past few years. Several research results indicate that successful investments in OIS lead to productivity enhancement, while failed ones result in undesirable consequences such as financial losses and dissatisfaction among employees. In spite of huge investments, however, many organizations have failed in achieving the hoped-for returns from OIS. Thus, understanding user acceptance, adoption, and usage of new IS(Information Systems) is an important issue for IS practitioners. Indeed, study of the user acceptance of new information system has been one of the most important research topics in the contemporary IS literature. Several theoretical models are tested to examine 'user acceptance' and 'usage behavior' in IS context. While many research models incorporate 'ease of use' or 'usefulness' as important factors in explaining user acceptance, Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) has been one of the most widely applied models in user acceptance and usage behavior. Even in recent IS studies that employ theories of innovation diffusion in the area of IS implementation, a major focus has been on the user's perception of information technologies. In this research, we study 'voluntariness' as an important factor in IS acceptance by users. Voluntariness is defined as "the degree to which the use of the innovation is perceived as being voluntary, or of free will" When examining the diffusion of accepting OIS, a thoughtful consideration should be given to 'perceived voluntariness.' Current article has following research questions: 1) What models are appropriate to explain the success of OIS? and 2) How does the 'voluntariness' affect the success of OIS? In order to answer these questions, a research model is proposed to describe the detailed nature of association among three independent variables (IT usage level, task interdependency, and organizational support), a mediating variable (IS usage), a dependent variable (perceived performance), and a moderating variable(perceived voluntariness). The central claim of this article is that organizations hardly realize expected returns from OIS investments unless perceived voluntariness is effectively managed after operating OIS. As an example of OIS in this study we have selected the Intranet of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). ROKAF has implemented the Intranet in an attempt to improve communication and coordination within the organization. To test our research model and hypotheses, survey questionnaires were first sent out to 400 Intranet users. With the assistance of ROKAF, Intranet users were initially identified among its members, and subjects were randomly drawn from the pool. 377 survey responses were finally returned. The unit of measurement and analysis in this research is a personal level. Path analysis based on structural equation modeling was used to test research hypotheses. Construct validity represents accordance between the theoretical base concept of constructs and its measurement items. Tests for the reliability and discriminant validity are accepted, thus verifying our survey instrument. In this research, we have proposed a conceptual framework to highlight the importance of perceived voluntariness after organization deploys OIS. The results of our analysis present several key finding. First, all three independent variables (IT usage level, task interdependency, and organizational support) have significant effects on IS usage, which will eventually improve performance. Thus, IS usage plays a mediating role between antecedent variables (IT usage level. task interdependency, and organizational support) and performance improvement. Second, the effect of the task dependency was the highest for IS usage among the three antecedent variables. This is highly plausible since one of the Intranet's major capabilities is to facilitate communication among members within an organization. Accordingly, we conclude that the higher the task dependency, the higher Intranet usage. The effect of user's IT usage level was the second, while the effect of the organizational support was the third. Finally, the perceived voluntariness plays a pivotal role in enhancing perceived performance in personal level after launching the Intranet. Relationships among investigated variables were significantly different between groups with a high level and a low level of voluntariness. The impact of the Intranet usage on the performance was greater in the higher level voluntariness group than in the lower one. For the lower level voluntariness group, the user's IT usage had the highest effect on the Intranet usage among the three antecedent variables. In short, our study suggests that the higher the perceived voluntariness is the more IS usage will be. Perceived voluntariness was found to have a moderating effect on the relationships among user IT usage level, task interdependency, IS usage, and perceived performance, supporting all the hypotheses on the moderating effect. Most of all, user IT usage level has the strongest influence on IS usage, indicating that users with superior IT usage are more likely to enjoy a high level of perceived performance.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 1970

As an attempt to determine if the morphological differences between the southern and western oysters are due simply to the local ecological factors or are based on their fundamental genetic nature, oyster seeds produced in 1968 at Tong-Young, Ye-Chun, and Ko-Hung on the south coast and at Kan-Wol-Do on the west coast were cross-transplanted during May of 1969 to compare their growth. The spats were placed in plastic baskets which permitted free water flow through and the baskets hung from a wooden rack located at a tidal zone of less than I hour exposure at a depth chosen to keep the baskets submerged in water at all times. Twice a month the growth of the spats were measured along with the air and water temperature and salinity. The early summer spats, which were $17-240\%$ larger, in size, than the late summer spats at the time of cross-transplantation, grew more slowly than the late summer spats when exposed to identical environmental conditions, shortening the initial gap to a $5-20\%$ level as the first year of the growth phase came to an end in December. The growth of the Kan-Wol-Do spats lagged considerably behind the southern spats at all localities tested, whereas there were no significant differences among the latter groups. This suggests that the morphological differences between southern and western Pacific oysters in Korea are a manifestation of genetic variety and that Pacific oysters cultured along the south coast are of an identical variety as they are commonly believed to be. The seasonal changes in temperature and salinity even during rainy season in both the southern and western coastal areas are well within the range suitable for successful spawning, and spat fall. However, since the results were based on twice-a-month measurements with no data covering the critical period before and after spawning, they can only serve to indicate at best the general pattern of changes in the environmental conditions of each growing area.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2006

Animal cell culture industry has a large market and an exponential growth rate among biological industry field. Chines hamster ovary(CHO) cells are the most widely used cell lines for recombinant protein production. They can avoid infection from polio, herpes, hepatitis B, HIV, measles, adenovirus and etc. Moreover it is easy to transfection recombinant genes and possible to suspension culture. Serum free media is one of the most important factor of protein production. Because serum has problems. Serum is not defined the contents until now, it has a number of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and unknown molecules that cause of risk involve in infection and high cost of product purification. CHO cell line cultured using serum free media were the basis of a very successful method to produce(glyco-)protein in mammalian cells, which are then used as pharmaceutical products. Also, the low protein content of the developed medium facilitates downstream processing and product purification. But non-adapted CHO cells have a limit of proliferation cultured using serum free media and it takes very long time to adapt non-adapted cells to serum free media. There are a number of causes of a limit of proliferation using serum free media. Absence of growth factors and growth stimulating molecules is a major factor of the reasons. It makes growth signals and moves cell cycle. And increase of cellular stress is another reason. It induces increase of intraceullar ROS concentration. The purpose of this study is about improvement of proliferation capacity of non-adapted CHO cells cultured using serum free media without adaptation process.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.191-204
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• 1994

Due to its topographic complexities and various climatical condition, Korea exhibits diverse forest types. Dominant tree species in this zone are Quercus spp., Betula spp., Zelkova spp., Fraxinus spp., Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Pinus thunbergii ete. Genetic conservation in forest species in Korea there are three ways ; one is in situ, other is ex situ and third is in-facility conservation. In situ conservation include that are the present status of conservation of rare and endangered flora and ecosystem, the reserved forest, the national and provincial park, and the gene pool of natural forests. Ex situ conservation means to be established the new forest from in situ forest stands, progeny and provenance test populations, seed orchard and clone banks, and gene conservation in-facility. As a tool for low temperature storage, several aspects on in vitro system were studied ; (1) establishment of in vitro cultures from juvenile and/or rejuvenated tissues, (2) induction of multiple shoots from the individual micropropagules, (3) elongation of the proliferated shoots. Studies on cold storage for short-and long-term maintenance of in vitro cultures under $4^{\circ}C$ in the refrigerator were conducted. For the cryopreservation at $-196^{\circ}C$, various factors affecting survivability of the plant materials are being examined. The necessity of gene conservation of forest trees is enlarged not only to increase the adaptability for various environments but also to gain the breeding materials in the future. For effective gene conservation of forest trees, I would like to suggest followings ; 1. Forest stands reserved for other than the gene conservation purposes such as national parks should be investigated by botanical and gene-ecological studies for selecting bio-diversity and gene conservation stands. 2. Reserved forest for gene pool should be extented both economically important tree spp. and non-economical species. 3. Reserved forest for progeny test and clone bank should be systematically investigated for the use of Ex situ forest gene conservation. 4. We have to find out a new methodology of genetic analysis determining the proper and effective size of subpopulation for in situ gene conservation. 5. We should develop a new tree breeding systems for successful gene conservation and utilization of the genetic resources. 6. New method of in-facility gene conservation using advanced genetic engineering should be developed to save time and economic resources. 7. For the conservation of species with short-life span of seed or shortage of knowledge of seed physiology, tissue culture techniques will be played a great role for gene conservation of those species. 8. It is are very useful conservation not only of genes but of genotypes which were selected already by breeding program. 9. Institutional and administrative arrangements including legistlation must be necessarily taken for gene conservation of forest trees. 10. It is national problems for conservation of forest resources which have been rapidly destroyed because of degenerating environmental condition and of inexperienced management system of bio-diversity and gene conservation. 11. In order to international cooperation for exchanging data of bio-diversity and gene conservation, we should connect to international net works as soon as possible.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2009

Numerous factors can affect the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) hormonal axis, resulting in alteration of reproductive capacity or status such as onset of puberty and menopause. Soon after the finding of leptin, a multifunctional hormone secreted from adipocytes, a close relationship between reproduction and body energy balance have been manifested. Ghrelin, another multifunctional hormone from gastrointestinal tract, is an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and is thought to be a counterpart of leptin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. As expected, ghrelin can also modulate the reproductive capacity through the modulation of activities of HPG axis. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the discovery, gene structures, tissue distribution and roles of ghrelin and GHSRs in mammalian reproduction in particular modulation of reproductive hormone secretion in HPG axis. Like POMC gene expression in pituitary gland, preproghrelin gene can generate a complex repertoire of transcripts which further undergo alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications. Concerning the roles of preproghrelin gene products in the control of body physiology except energy homeostasis, limited knowledge is available so far. Several lines of evidence, however, show the interplay of ghrelin between metabolism and reproduction. In rat and human, the distribution of ghrelin receptor GHSRs (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) has been confirmed not only in the hypothalamus and pituitary which were originally postulated as target of ghrelin but also in the testis and ovary. Expression of the preproghrelin gene in the brain and gonads was also verified, suggesting the local role (s) of ghrelin in HPG axis. Ghrelin might play a negative modulator in the secretions of hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroids though the action on pituitary is still questionable. Recent studies suggest the involvement of ghrelin in regulation of puberty onset and possibly of menopause entry. It is now evident that ghrelin is a crucial hormomal component in 'brain-gut' axis, and is a strong candidate links between metabolism and reproduction. Opposite to that for leptin, ghrelin signaling is likely representing the 'hunger' state of body energy balance and is necessary to avoid the energy investment into reproduction which has not a top priority in maintaining homeostasis. Further researches are needed to gain a deep insight into the more precise action mechanism and role of ghrelin in reproduction, and to guarantee the successful biomedical applications.