• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1214-1222
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• 1998

Background : The intrapleural hypofibrinolysis is caused by mainly excessive concentration of pleural plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen(PAI-1 Ag), which binds tissue type plasminogen activator. In pleural inflammation induced by sclerosing agents for pleurodesis, levels of pleural PAI-1 antigen increase in relation to decreasing D-dimer levels. It has been known that the pleural mesothelial cells have the capability of secreting PAI-1 Ag in response to inflammation in vivo. Therefore, we estimated whether pleural inflammation changes the balance between fibrinolytic and coagulative properties in exudative pleural effusions. Method : The thirty cases was included in our study. We determined the pleural levels of glucose, lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), pH and the counts of white blood cell(WBC), polymorpho leukocyte(PMN), lymphocyte as the parameters of pleural inflammation and cellular components of pleural fluid. The plasma level of fibrinogen in fluid and the neutrophil count in blood were determined. The levels of D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and thrombinantithrombin III complex(TAT) were determined by ELISA(Behring, Marburg, Germany). Result : The causes of pleural effusion were as following : tuberculous in 14 cases, malignant in 10 cases and parapneumonic in 6 cases. The levels of pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and TAT was significantly higher than that of plasma(p<0..001). The severity of pleural inflammation did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and their plasma levels. But the level of pleural TAT correlated with pleural WBC and lymphocyte count. Conclusion : We found that the severity of pleural inflammations did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and the possibility of local production of PAI-1 antigen is present.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2021

Purpose Sample reception environment system in nuclear medicine has not changed much compared to 20 years ago. When preparing sample for in vitro test, there was no significant change because the test was carried out by generating an own specimen from the parent specimen. In this study, We would like to introduce a method that automatically removes the sample cap using the automated decapper equipment and enables automatic reception at the same time. In addition, including a provisional reception system. Materials and Methods In 2019, it was intended to get a device that automatically removes the cap of a patient's blood sample. This equipment is the same as the equipment used in the Department of Laboratory Medicine (Vacuette Ⓡ Unicap Belt Decapper, Greiner bio-one, Austria). However, the purchase was delayed due to differences in tube size, budget, and space. In January 2020, we borrowed domestic automatic decapper equipment and modified it to suit our laboratory environment. After 9 months, we were able to introduce a system that automatically removes the lid of a patient's blood sample and at the same time automatically accepts the test. And, through the provisional reception system, it was possible to know the arrival of the specimen in a short time. Results With the use of an automatic decapper device, the sample cap was automatically removed, and the reception proceeded at the same time. So, it was very efficient at work because it shortened the sample preparation time by about 20 minutes. In addition, it was possible to prevent the examiner's musculoskeletal disorders caused by repeated wrist use. After using the provisional reception system, patients were able to be discharged quickly, and the number of phone calls to confirm the arrival of samples was reduced. Conclusion Most hospitals have about four employees in the nuclear medicine in vitro laboratory. It is effective to use automatic decapper equipment and a provisional reception system for organizations that perform work with the minimum number of personnel.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.971-976
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• 2008

Purpose : Surveillance for detecting and managing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a key component of tuberculosis control. The classic surveillance tool, the tuberculin skin test (TST), may have some limitations when used in the Bacillus Calmette-$Gu{\acute{e}}rin$ (BCG)-vaccinated population. The object was to perform a blood test $QuantiFERON^{(R)}$-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-G IT) based on the detection of interferon-$\gamma$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) released by T cells in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens, and to compare the efficacy of this new diagnostic tool for LTBI with that of TST. Methods : For six months, between October 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007, data were collected from 111 patients under 15 years of age at Severance Children's Hospital. TST and QFT-G IT tests were performed with children with or without contact histories of tuberculosis. In addition to these tests, we examined comparative data from 29 adults who had tuberculosis, to detect false negative rates in the QFT-G IT method. Results : Thirty-three children had household contact histories. In this group, 15% and 42% of cases were found to be positive using the QFT-G IT assay and TST, respectively. Agreement was low between these two tests (${\kappa}=0.39$). In the adult active tuberculosis group, the QFT-G IT false negative rate defined as a positive culture and a negative QFT-G IT result was 12.5%. Conclusion : In diagnosing LTBI in children, the usefulness of a whole-blood $IFN-{\gamma}$ assay employing TB-specific antigens will be revealed only by examining additional longitudinal clinical data; this study serves as a starting point in that process.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-112
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• 1998

Experimental trials of unilateral lung transplantation in dogs have been attempted and satisfactory results were obtained without any noticeable difficulty in surgical techniques. Fourteen dogs with the body weight of around 25 kg were anesthesized by 20~30 mg/kg of intravenous Entobar,; one was sacrificed to make available blood for use during transplantation for the recipient dog. A mid-sternotomy incision was performed and 20 mg/kg of Prostaglandin E1 was infused through the pulmonary artery and Euro-Collin's(E-C) preservation solution, cooled down to 4$^{\circ}C$, was perfused at the rate of 70cc/kg by a pressure of 30 cmH2O. The heart-lung block was then resected out and promptly immersed in the prepared preservation solution at 4$^{\circ}C$. One lung preserved in the EC solution at 4$^{\circ}C$ was anastomosed to the recipient dog in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus then pulmomary artery and the thoracotomy incision was closed after the bleeding control and tube thoracostomy. Then the pneumonectomy in the opposite side was perfomed in the same manner and the tailored lung was transplanted in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus, then pulmonary artery. We conclude that in the bilateral sequential lung transplantation, the right lung transplantation should precede to better expose the operative field and to prevent reperfusion injury; also, the cardiopulmonary bypass should be consider for certain appropriate cases.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.3
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• pp.25-48
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• 1962

The polysaccharide C prepared from gum tragacanth powder (U. S. P. grade) by the precipitation method with 85% ethanol was a neutral polysaccharide, $[{\alpha}]^{30}_D-72.2$. The polysaccharide C consisted of L-rhamnose, D-xylose, L-arabinose and D-galactose in the molar ratio 2:1:17:9 (Table 1, 2, 3, ). The polysaccharide C was methylated with dimethylsulphate and 40% NaOH, and Purdies regent. The hydrolyzate of fully methlated product ($[{\alpha}]^{22}_D-102$ in chloroform, the methoxy content 40.6%) was composed of 2, 3, 5-tri-O-methyl-L-arabofuranose (I), 3,4-di-O-methyl-L-rhamnopyranose (II), 2,3-di-O-methyl-D-xylose (III), 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-D-galactopyranose (IV), 2,4-di-O-methyl-L-arabopyranose (?), 2,4-di-O-methyl-D-galactose(VI), 2-O-methyl-D-arabinose (VII), and L-arabopyranose(VIII) (Table 4, 5, and Fig. 4). The first partial hydrolysis (A) of the polysaccharide C with 0.05N-HCl for 4.5 hours at $80-85^{\circ}C$ released only L-arabinose: the second hydrolysis (B) with 0.1N-HCl for 5 hours at $80-85^{\circ}C$, L-arabinose and D-galactose; and the third hydrolysis (C) with 0.3N-HCl at $90-95^{\circ}C$ in sealed tube, L-rhamnose, D-xylose, L-arabinose and D-galactose. From the unhydrolyzate A' were found L-rhamnose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, and D-galactose; from B' L-rhamnose, d-xylose, L-arabinose and D-galactose; and from C' D-xylose and D-galactose respectively (Table 6). The periodate consumption and formic acid production of the polysaccharide C were measured at various time intervals. After 120 hours periodat was consumed by 1.23 mole per $C_5H_8O_4$ and formic acid was produced 0.78 mole per $C_5H_8O_4$ (Table 7). Although a definite chemical structure for this polysaccharide C may not be formulated, experimental data, especially, from methylation, partial hydrolysie and determination of its molar ratio, and periodate analysis showed that the polysaccharide C is a highly branched polysaccharide and would be constructed of galactoaraban as a main chain residue and L-arabofuranose, D-galactopyranosyl $(1{\rightarrow}1)$-L-arabofuranose, D-xylopyranosyl $(1{\rightarrow}2)$-L-rhamnopyranosyl $(1{\rightarrow}1)$-L-arabofuranose, and L-rhamnopyranosyl $(1{\rightarrow}1)$-arabofuranose, and D-galactopyranosyl-$(1{\rightarrow}2)$-L-arabopyranosyl-$(1{\rightarrow}1)$-I-arabofuranose as a branch chain or end group (page 21).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.693-700
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• 1996

Background : Antituberculous therapy is set a short-term therpy used isoniazid(INH), rifampin(RFP), ethambutol(EMB), pyrazinamide(PZA) from 1970s' and treatment rate has been very improved. But drug interruption or irregular medication due to side effects and resistance of drug are serious problem to retreatment cases, specially. Ofloxasine(OFX), developed from Quinolone at 1980's is effective not only other respiratory infectious disease but also pulmonary tube rculosis. And this is useful drug instead of injection agents for retreatment patients who have side effects to other drugs, lived far distance from medical clinics. So, we will evaluate theffectiveness as four oral drugs involving OFX. Method : A retrospective study was made through the regular follow up of smear positive cases,who treated by four drug, namely, prothionamide (PTA) cycloserine(CS), OFX, paraminosalicylic acid(pAS). Results: 1) Out of 66case with positive sputum AFB smear, 42(64%)cases achieved the negative conversion. 2) Considering the negative conversion in all group, 34 case (52%) of sputum conversion occured within first 6 months, on the extent of diease was minimal, moderate, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear negative response to treatment was 100%, 78%, 46% respectively. 3) The roentgenological improvement occured in 38(58%), extent of diease was minimal, moderately, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, Roentgenological improvement to retreatment was 75%, 64%, 46%. 4) When the drnation of patients illness was less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 3 10 5 years and more than 5 years, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 100%, 88%, 80%, 52 %. 5) On side effects, major problems are gastrointestinal troubles, mild liver function abnormality, psychotic problemes, and skin problem(urticaria, itching sensation). Conclusion : The duration & extents of patients illness was shorter & minimal, sputum AFB smear negative response rate was better. Radiologic response is better as shorter duration and minimal extent of diease. But, as diease is longer duration & far advanced, sputum negative conversion & Roentgenological improvement is poor and limited. The adverse reaction was mainly observed gastrointestinal troubles(indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and are well controled by symptomatic management in most patients, as regard to tolerance to the secondary drugs.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from endodontic lesions by cell culture and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of them against 8 antibiotics. The necrotic pulpal tissues were collected from 27 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as endodontic infection. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing $500{\mu}l\;of\;1{\times}PBS$. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing 5% sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a $37^{\circ}C$ anaerobic chamber for 2 to 5 days. The bacteria grown on the agar plates were identified by comparison of 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequencing method at the species level. To test the sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from the infected root canals against 8 antibiotics, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using broth dilution assay. The data showed that 101 bacterial strains were isolated and were identified. Streptococcus spp. (29.7%) and Actinomyces spp. (21.8%) were predominantly isolated. The 9 strains were excluded in antimicrobial susceptibility test because they were lost during the experiment or were not grown in broth culture. The percentage of bacteria susceptible for each antibiotic in this study was clindamycin, 87.0% (80 of 92); tetracycline, 75.0% (69 of 92); cefuroxime axetil, 75.0% (69 of 92); amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (5:1), 71.7% (66 of 92); penicillin G, 66.3% (61 of 92); erythromycin, 66.3% (61 of 92); amoxicillin, 44.6% (41 of 92); and ciprofloxacin, 31.5% (29 of 92). The susceptibility pattern of 8 antibiotics was dependent on the host of the bacteria strains rather than the kinds of bacterial species. These results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility test should be performed when antibiotics are needed for the treatment of infected root canals.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2012

Recently, Glass Dosimeter (GD) with thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) are comprehensively used to measure absorbed dose from diagnostic field to therapy field that means from low energy field to high energy field. However, such studies about dose characteristics of GD, such as reproducibility and energy dependency, are mostly results in high energy field. Because characteristic study for measurement devices of radiation dose and radiation detector is performed using 137Cs and 60Co which emit high energy radiations. Thus, this study was evaluated the linearity according to Piranha dose which measured by changing tube voltage (50kV, 80kV and 100kV which are low energy radiations), reproducibility and reproducibility according to delay time using GD. Measurement of radiation dose is performed using internal detector of Piranha 657 which is multi-function QA device (RTI Electronic, Sweden). Condition of measurement was 25mA, 0.02sec, 2.5mAs, SSD of 100 cm and exposure area with $10{\times}10cm^2$. As above method, GD was exposed to radiation. Sixty GDs were divided into three groups (50kV, 80kV, 100kV), then measured. In this study, GD was indicated the linearity in low energy field as high energy existing reported results. The reproducibility and reproducibility according to delay time were acceptable. In this study, we could know that GD can be used to not only measure the high energy field but also low energy field.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.732-737
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• 2009

Background: Many video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomies are performed as a potential alternative to thoracotomy despite the controversy about the safety and the associated morbidity/mortality rates. Material and Method: Between November 2006 and August 2008, we performed 87 lobectomies (VATS 36, Thoracotomy 51) and we retrospectively reviewed the surgical treatment results. A VATS lobectomy was performed by a 4~5 cm thoracotomy without rib spreading and this included anatomic hilar dissection, individual vessel and bronchus stapling and lymph node dissection. Result: We studied 52 male and 35 female patients whose age ranged from 6 to 79 (average age: $59.8{\pm}15.0$ years). The cases were diagnosed with lung cancer (66) (SQC 24, ADC 38, others 4), pulmonary metastasis (2), carcinoid (2) and benign diseases (17). There was no intraoperative death. Postoperative complications were seen in 5 (15.6%) VATS and 33 (64.7%) thoracotomies, and perioperative death caused by adult respiratory distress syndrome occurred in 1 (2.8%) VATS and 3 (5.9%) thoracotomies. Three patients Underwent conversion to thoracotomy (8.3%). The mean time to chest tube removal was 6 days for VATS and 9.4 days for thoracotomy (p<0.001), and the mean length of the hospital stay was 8 days for VATS and 12.8 days for thoracotomy (p<0.001). Conclusion: VATS lobectomy can be performed safely with low morbidity/mortality rates. Furthermore, all the patients benefited from earlier postoperative rehabilitation and less pain and they were candidates for an earlier return to normal activities.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.402-412
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• 2023

Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg is a biennial plant that usually flowers and dies after seed setting at 2^nd year. We inspected the flowering and fertilization characteristics to establish the breeding system. The plant forms complex umbel inflorescences consisting of multiple umbellets and numerous flowers. Each flower is bisexual but allogamous because of protandry. A flower bloomed for three days with matured pollen and no stigma appearance. Inspection of pollen tube growth indicates that the pollen viability can be maintained for up to 3~7 days after first flowering (DAF). In a umbellet, flowers bloomed during 1~5 DAF and the pollen maintained viability during 3~10 DAF, and the pistil developed and maintained fertility during 8~12 DAF. Theoretically, self-pollination can be possible during 8~10 DAF in the same umbellet. Approximately 4.4% of seeds were developed by self-pollination among flowers in an enveloping solitary umbel. There is at least a 9~10 days difference for the development of an umbel with another umbel at the next branch, which indicates pollination can be permitted between different branches in an individual plant. Finally, we have established a rapid breeding method to shorten the breeding cycle to one year from two years by integrating the flowering and pollination characteristics.