• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2005

Electrocardiogram-gated single photon omission computed tomography (SPECT) provides valuable information in the assessment of both myocardial perfusion and ventricular function. Tl-201 is a suboptimal isotope for gating. Tl-201 images are more blurred compared with Tc-99m tracers due to the increased amount of scattered photons and use of a smooth filter. The average myocardial count densities are approximately one-half those of conventional technetium tracers. However, Tl-201 is still widely used because of its well-established utility for assessing myocardial perfusion, viability and risk stratification. Gated SPECT with Tl-201 enables us to assess both post-stress and rest left ventricular volume and function. Previous studies with gated Tl-201 SPECT measurements of ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) have shown high correlation with first-pass radionuclide angiography, gated blood pool scan, Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT, contrast ventriculography, echocardiography, and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. However, problems related to these studies include few agreement data of EDV and ESV, use of a reference method that is likely to have the same systemic errors (gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT), and other technical factors related to the count density of gated SPECT. With optimization of gated imaging protocols and more validation studies, gated Tl-201 SPECT would be an accurate method to provide perfusion and function information in patients with coronary artery disease.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.212-215
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• 2004

The complement system is important in the generation of the normal inflammatory response and in host defense against systemic infection. Therefore, inherited or acquired deficiency of complement is associated with an increased frequency of infection. As a major effector of the complement cascade, the membrane attack complex is responsible for direct complement dependent serum bactericidal activity. Especially late complement component deficiency has a markedly increased risk of meningococcal infection and is subject to recurrent infection. We experienced a patient who had recurrent meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. The patient was 13-years old boy and he had a recurrent episode after 20 months. At second admission, we examined complement level and C7 deficiency was confirmed. He was treated without complication. We report a case of deficiency of C7 with recurrent meningococcal meningitis and septicemia.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.536-541
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• 2013

Background Pathogens in the nasal cavity during nasal surgery could lead to a systemic infectious condition, such as bacteremia, nosocomial infection, or toxic shock syndrome. However, there is no research about the prevalence of nasal carriage in patients with nasal bone fracture. Methods This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized study about the rate of nasal carriage in 200 patients with nasal bone fracture in Korea. Nasal secretions were taken from both the middle nasal meatus and colonized. All analyses were carried out using SPSS software. Results Pathogens were identified in 178 of the 200 cases. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most cultured bacteria in 127 (66.84%) of the 190 total patients after excluding 10 cases of contaminated samples, and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) were found in 48 (25.26%). Staphylococcus aureus was the second most identified pathogen, found in 36 (18.95%), followed by 7 cases (3.68%) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The prevalence rate of MRSA in the females was higher than that in the males (RR=4.70; 95% CI, 1.09-20.18), but other demographic factors had no effect on the prevalence rate of MRSA and MRCNS. Conclusions The prevalence rate of these pathogens in patients with nasal bone fracture in Korea was similar to other reports. However, few studies have addressed the prevalence rate of CNS and MRCNS in accordance with risk factors or the change in prevalence according to specific prophylaxis against infectious complications. Additional research is needed on the potential connections between clinical factors and microbiological data.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.655-661
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• 2000

Backgound: This study was performed to evaluate the incidences, the risk factors, and the clinical course of the hyperamylasemia in patients who underwent open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Material and Method: Thirty seven patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass were studied at Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, from July 1997 to June 1998. The thirty seven patients were divided into two groups, 13 patients in group I had normal serum amylase levels and 24 patients in group II had hyperamylasemia. Result: Mean serum amylase(IU/l) levels and 24 patients in group II had hyperamylasemia. Result: Mean serum amylase(IU/l) levels of gorup II showed 54.3$\pm$4.6, 78.0$\pm$9.2, 372.0$\pm$103.4, 460.5$\pm$80.4, 280.4$\pm$46.6, and 131.0$\pm$15.6, preoperative, immediate postoperative, at postoperative 1, 2, 3, and 7 days, respectively. In group II, serum amylase level of the postoperative day 2 was the highest and was significantly higher than that of the preoperative day(p<0.001). Serum amylase level started to decreased at postoperative day 3 and returned to the normal level at postoperative day 7. Significant clinical symtoms of overt pancreatitis were not shown in patients in group II. The following perioperative variable such as diagnosis, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamping time, mean systemic pressure during bypass, and administration of steroid were compared between groups. There were no significant differences between groups. In all patients, Serum amylase level of postoperative day 2 and aortic cross clamping time were correlated significantly(p=0.047). Conclusion: Serum amylase level after cardiopulmonary bypass could be elevated postoperatively and serum amylase level of POD 2 was considered to have significant correlation with aortic cross clamping time. Shortening of aortic cross clamping time will help in reducing the hyperamylsemia. In this study, although significant clinical symptoms and overt pancreatitis were not seen from hyperamylsemic patients, careful clinical observation of hyperamylasemia would be necessary.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.521-525
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• 2015

Bacteremia and sepsis are common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with incorrect or delayed diagnoses being associated with increased mortality. New tests or markers that allow a more rapid and less costly detection of bacteremia and sepsis have been investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify the cutoff value of the neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR) according to procalcitonin (PCT) level in the decision-making processes for bacteremia and sepsis. In addition, other white blood cell subgroup parameters, which are assessed in all hospitals, for bacteremia and sepsis were explored. This retrospective study included 1,468 patients with suspected bacteremia and sepsis. Patients were grouped according to the following PCT criteria: levels <0.05 ng/ml (healthy group), 0.05-0.5 ng/ml (local infection group), 0.5-2 ng/ml (systemic infection group), 2-10 ng/ml (sepsis group), and >10 ng/ml (sepsis shock group). One important finding of this study, which will serve as a baseline to measure future progress, is the presence of many gaps in the information on pathogens that constitute a major health risk. In addition, clinical decisions are generally not coordinated, compromising the ability to assess and monitor a situation. This report represents the first study to determine the limits of the use of NLR in the diagnosis of infection or sepsis using a cutoff value of <5 when sufficient exclusion criteria are used.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.255-260
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• 2013

This study was attempted to identify the differences of mental health and media use according to the addiction of communication media. Data collection was surveyed using interview and questionnaires by 250 subjects from March 12 to May 13, 2012. The results were as follows : First, with regard to mobile phone use time for communication in the use of over 2 hrs, subjects replied that addictive group was significantly higher than non-addictive group($X^2$=8.51, p=.00). Secondly, in case often depression, the risk ratio of addictive group was significantly higher 4.0 times than non-addictive group(OR=4.0, 95%, Cl=2.4-36.9). In conclusion, in order to prevent the addictive use of communication media, it is needed to make various environment such as sound life rhythm maintenance, systemic and periodic education.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.166-177
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• 1991

Uterine cervical cancer is the most common malignancy in korean women. In spite of recent development of early diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, about 40% of treated patient will develop relapse. So more aggressive local treatment such as more extensive surgery and higher radiation dose and administration of systemic chemotherapy will promote the curability but treatment related complications can not be avoidable. We used 22 cases of early cervical cancer, treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy, clinical data of these patients were analized to determine relationship between clinical parameters and final outcome. Three out of 22 cases revealed relapse and one patient showed rectovaginal fistula and another patient showed small bowel obstruction and the other patient showed rectal obstruction. Two out of three recurrence were stage IIa and the other one case was stage Ib adenocarcinoma with lymphovascular involvement. Nineteen out of 22 cases were followed without remarkable side effect or treatment related complication or sequelae. We concluded that our treatment policy was safe and effective to eradicate high risk postoperative cervical cancer with acceptable side effects or complication.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies to uncover the diverse biological activities of its constituent compounds. It is a traditional medicine that has been used for its immunostimulatory, antithrombotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Ginseng may interact with concomitant medications and alter metabolism and/or drug transport, which may alter the known efficacy and safety of a drug; thus, the role of ginseng may be controversial when taken with other medications. Methods: We extensively assessed the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in rats on the expression of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism [cytochrome p450 (CYP)] and transporters [multiple drug resistance (MDR) and organic anion transporter (OAT)] in vitro and on the pharmacokinetics of two probe drugs, midazolam and fexofenadine, after a 2-wk repeated administration of KRG at different doses. Results: The results showed that 30 mg/kg KRG significantly increased the expression level of CYP3A11 protein in the liver and 100 mg/kg KRG increased both the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1 in the kidney. Additionally, KRG significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1, OAT3, and MDR1 in the liver. Although there were no significant changes in the metabolism of midazolam to its major metabolite, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, KRG significantly decreased the systemic exposure of fexofenadine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Because KRG is used as a health supplement, there is a risk of KRG overdose; thus, a clinical trial of high doses would be useful. The use of KRG in combination with P-glycoprotein substrate drugs should also be carefully monitored.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.41-57
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• 2009

Although financial information is a great influence upon determining of the group which use them, detection of management fraud and earning manipulation is a difficult task using normal audit procedures and corporate credit evaluation processes, due to the shortage of knowledge concerning the characteristics of management fraud, and the limitation of time and cost. These limitations suggest the need of systemic process for !he effective risk of earning manipulation for credit evaluators, external auditors, financial analysts, and regulators. Moot researches on management fraud have examined how various characteristics of the company's management features affect the occurrence of corporate fraud. This study examines financial characteristics of companies engaged in fraudulent financial reporting and suggests a model and system for detecting GAAP violations to improve reliability of accounting information and transparency of their management. Since the detection of management fraud has limited proven theory, this study used the detecting method of outlier(upper, and lower bound) financial ratio, as a real-field application. The strength of outlier detecting method is its use of easiness and understandability. In the suggested model, 14 variables of the 7 useful variable categories among the 76 financial ratio variables are examined through the distribution analysis as possible indicators of fraudulent financial statements accounts. The developed model from these variables show a 80.82% of hit ratio for the holdout sample. This model was developed as a financial outlier detecting system for a financial institution. External auditors, financial analysts, regulators, and other users of financial statements might use this model to pre-screen potential earnings manipulators in the credit evaluation system. Especially, this model will be helpful for the loan evaluators of financial institutes to decide more objective and effective credit ratings and to improve the quality of financial statements.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.343-350
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• 2019

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of local compression in patients presenting to the emergency room with intraoral bleeding and to identify when complex haemostatic measures may be required. Materials and Methods: Five hundred forty patients who had experienced intraoral haemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. The outcome variable was the haemostasis method used, i.e., simple (local compression with gauze) or complex (an alternative method after local compression has failed). Predictor variables were sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, hepatic cirrhosis, bleeding disorder, use of antithrombotic agents, and site/cause of haemorrhage. Results: The mean patient age was 48.9±23.9 years, 53.5% were male, 42.8% were ASA class II or higher, and 23.7% were taking antithrombotic agents. Local compression was used most often (68.1%), followed by local haemostatic agents, sutures, systemic tranexamic acid or blood products, and electrocautery. The most common site of bleeding was the gingiva (91.7%), and the most common cause was tooth extraction (45.7%). Risk factors for needing a complex haemostasis method were use of antithrombotic agents (odds ratio 2.047, P=0.009) and minor oral surgery (excluding extraction and implant procedures; odds ratio 6.081, P=0.001). Conclusion: A haemostasis method other than local compression may be needed in patients taking antithrombotic agents or having undergone minor oral surgery.