• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.159-176
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• 1998

In effort to conduct comparative study on the caregiving environment of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) in both U. S and Korea, this study was been conducted first in the U.S. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the physical environment and direct caregiving practices to lowbirth weight infants in NICU in the US. It also aims to examine the NICU outcome status and behavioral reponses of lowbirth weight infants. Methods : A study design using descriptive and inferential statistics was been conducted through an observational, field method. A sample of 15 preform infants admitted to NICU were recruited for the study. The subjects were those with birth weight between 1,000 gm to 1,500 gm, born at the gestation period of 27 to 33 weeks, and without any chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, major congenital infections, or maternal illness. Thirty minutes observation(three times of ten minutes of continuous observation)of the infant's behavior and physiological status, and an four-hour observation of the physical environment and direct care giving procedures were been conducted on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. The data to be collected were in four areas : the demograghic characteristics of the infants, the physical environment and care giving procedures, the frequency of the infant's designated behavior and physiological response, and NICU outcome variables. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson r were been applied according to variable characteristics. Results : 1. Mother's mean age was 29.47. The sample consisted of 6 males and 9 females. Mean gestational ages were 29.17 weeks. Mean birth weight was 1236.33g. Mean Apgar scores at one minute were 6.6, and 7.8 at five minutes. 2. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light, X-ray screens and nursing station, in proximity to side-lamp, telephone and faucet on the third day after birth. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light and radio on the tenth day and in proximity to nursing station on the day of dischage from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 3. Nesting was the most applying aids to the infants. And foot roll, shielding and plastic frame were frequently using by nurses for facilitating well modulated restful posture. 4. There were statistically significant changes in the patterns of physical environment included locating the infant's incubator and bedding, specific aids to self regulation on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 5. Statistically significant changes were not appeared in the patterns of direct caregiving procedure to the infants included stress inducing or reducing manipulations on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 6. The stress response of the infants in NICU were significantly reduced as the infants grow older. 7. There were not statistically significant correlation between the physical envronment and the stress responses of the infants in NICU. 8. There were statistically significant correlation between the direct caregiving procedure to the infants and the stress response of the infants in NICU in the second and third observation on the day three. 9. Average weight gain per day from birth to discharge was 38.73g, number of days in the hospital was 42.60, number of days before bottle feeding was 3.6. Postconception age starting bottle feed ing was 31/sup +5/ weeks. Number of days on mechanical ventilator was average 7.64, 11.42 was an average number of days of oxygen need. Conclusion : It, thus, appears that to minimize the sensorymotor stimulation for the low birthweight preterm infant in NICU, manipulation of care giving practices to the babies whatever the stress inducing or reducing procedures, have to be limited in the immediate early stage after birth. And it needed to be reexamine to identify the appropriate and specific physical environment and the patterns of direct caregiving to the low birthweight preform infant as the infants grow older in NICU.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2008

Purpose : Large exon deletions in the DMD gene are found in about 60% of DMD/BMD patients. Multiplex PCR has been employed to detect the deletion mutation, which frequently generates noise PCR products due to the presence of multiple primers in a single reaction as well as the stringency of PCR conditions. This often leads to a false-negative or false-positive result. To address this problematic issue, we introduced the dual primer oligonucleotide (DPO) system. DPO contains two separate priming regions joined by a polydeoxyinosine linker that results in high PCR specificity even under suboptimal PCR conditions. Methods : We tested 50 healthy male controls, 50 patients with deletion mutation as deletion-positive patient controls, and 20 patients with no deletions as deletion-negative patient controls using DPO-multiplex PCR. Both the presence and extent of deletion were verified by simplex PCR spanning the promoter region (PM) and 18 exons including exons 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 43-48, 50-52, and 60 in all 120 controls. Results : DPO-multiplex PCR showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for the detection a deletion. However, it showed 97.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for determining the extent of deletions. Conclusion : The DPO-multiplex PCR method is a useful molecular test to detect large deletions of DMD for the diagnosis of patients with DMD/BMD because it is easy to perform, fast, and cost-effective and has excellent sensitivity and specificity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1226-1231
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• 2009

Enzyme substitution with recombinant phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) is currently being explored for treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive genetic disorder with mutations of the gene encoding phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.1). However, oral administration of PAL is limited because of proteolytic digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical properties of PAL and delinate the susceptibility of wild-type PAL to pancreatic proteolysis by exploring several mutants, and to develop therapeutic drugs with PAL for PKU. The specific activity of PAL was assayed and its optimal pH, temperature stability, and intestinal protease susceptibility were investigated. Its $V_{max}$ values for phenylalanine and tyrosine were 1.77 and $0.47{\mu}mol$/ min/mg protein, respectively, and its $K_m$ values were $4.77{\times}10^{-4}$ and $4.37{\times}10^{-4}\;M$, respectively. PAL showed an optimal pH at 8.5, corresponding to the average pH range of the small intestine. It showed no loss of activity at $-80^{\circ}C$ for 5 months and possessed 93.4% of its activity under $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 wks. PAL was susceptible to chymotrypsin digestion and, to a lesser extent, to trypsin, elastase, carboxypeptidase A, and B. The trypsin and chymotrypsin cleaving sites were mutated to investigate protection from pancreatic digestion and the specific activities of these mutants were evaluated. The six mutants displayed low specific activities compared to the wild-type, suggesting that the primary trypsin and chymotrypsin cleaving sites may be essential for catalytic reaction. The PAL mutants could therefore be applied as a pretreatment modality without susceptibility to proteolytic attack, however, additional modification for enhancing enzymatic activity is needed to reduce the Phe levels effectively.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.235-241
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• 2003

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the characteristics of algae-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) was examined by comparing the biodegradability and DOM fraction distribution of algal DOM before and after UV exposure. Algal DOM from two axenic cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria agardhii were irradiated for 24 h at a UV intensity of 42 W/$m^2$. A complete degradation of algal DOM during the UV exposure did not occur, remaining at constant concentrations of dissolved organic carbon(DOC). After UV exposure, however, microbial degradations were reduced by 17% in M. aeruginosa and 53% in O. agardhii, respectively, and decomposition rates also were two times lower in UV exposed algal DOM. In addition, the chemical compositions of algal DOM altered substantially after UV radiation exposure. The proportions of hydrophilic bases (HiB; protein-like DOM) decreased considerably in both algal DOM sources after UV exposure (16.8% and 20.0% of DOM, respectively), whereas those of hydrophilic acids (HiA; carboxylic acids-like DOM) increased as much as the decrease of the HiB fraction. Capillary ion electrophoresis (CE) analysis showed that several carboxylic acids increased significantly after UV exposure, further confirming an increase in HiA fractions. The results of this study clearly indicate that algal DOM can be changed in its chemical composition as well as biodegradability without complete degradation by UV radiation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2002

This study is to reveal the overall level of loneliness, depression and social supports of the elderly in rural area of Korea. The interview survey was performed in February 2001 with structured questionnaires to 486 respondents of 65 years or more of age who lived in Muan-gun area. The questionnaire was the revised translation of Japanese Elderly Study Which was composed of general characteristics, Japanese Loneliness Scale, abridged General Depression Scale(GDS) and Duke University social support Inventory. The following analyses adopted the analysis of covariate, t-test, and Chi- squire were used for some of the cross- sectional analyses. Average age of 486 respondents was 73.9 years old. 58.0% of the respondents noticed their partner or son as the primary consultant for the stressful situation. 56.2% of the respondents experienced the loss of their marital partner, health and/or friends. Average score of loneliness, GDS and social supports of the respondents that was each $35.54{\pm}8.38$, $7.23{\pm}2.21$ and $26.01{\pm}.90$. The overall level of depression seemed to be low as the 'pleasure to be alive' and 'happiness' scored high while the 'state of anger' and 'ominous presentiment' scored low. The level of loneliness and depression was positively correlated while the relationships were negative between loneliness and support and between depression and social support. These results suggested that social and health promotional programmes be necessary for the elderly of rural area. Further research would be required to specify the necessities.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.205-209
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• 2018

'Saemimyeon,' a Tongil-type rice variety (Indica x Japonica), containing high amylose content, is suitable for rice noodle production. Currently, the major parts of the rice processing industry that include products such as rice flour and noodles are expected to partially replace the wheat flour market. The volume of the rice noodle market is growing and can contribute to the rice surplus problems and farmer's income. This study was carried out to promote productivity of 'Saemimyeon' by finding the most suitable transplanting times in Youngnam Province. The transplanting times were May $10^{th}$, May $17^{th}$, May $24^{th}$, May $31^{th}$, June $7^{th}$, and June $14^{th}$ and the planting distance was $30{\times}12cm$. The field experiment was conducted in the Miryang region (southern plain region of Korea) from 2015 to 2017. Our results suggested that the optimum transplanting dates were from May $17^{th}$ to May $31^{th}$, which resulted in an average yield of 750 kg/10 a. The average grain filling rate before May $31^{th}$ was more than 83% and it declined to 75% after June $7^{th}$. The average temperature range from heading to harvesting time was $21{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ and the estimated optimal temperature was $24^{\circ}C$, which is similar to that of May $24^{th}$ by regression equation. It is suggested that low temperature at seed maturation time caused the lower grain filling rate, and therefore 'Saemimyeon' needed to be transplanted before May $31^{th}$ for higher productivity. Estimated optimal transplanting time based on temperature was 1 ~ 2 weeks earlier than the optimum transplanting time for common japonica rice cultivars in Youngnam Province.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.273-281
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• 2003

A stoichiometric mixture for $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. The $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal was grown in the three-stage vertical electric furnace by using Bridgeman method. The quality of the grown crystal has been investigated by the x-ray diffraction and the photoluminescence measurements. The (001) growth plane of oriented $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal was confirmed from back-reflection Laue patterns. The carrier density and mobility of $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal measured with Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $8.61{\times}10^{16}\;cm^{-3}$ and $242\;cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293 K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=1.4750\;eV-(7.69{\times}10^{-3}\;eV)T^2/(T+2147)$. After the as-grown $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal was annealed in Cd-, In-, and Te-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal has been investigated by the photoluminescence(PL) at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{Te}$, $Cd_{int}$, and $V_{Cd}$, $Te_{int}$ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or acceptors type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cd-atmosphere converted $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that In in $CdIn_2Te_4$ did not form the native defects because In in $CdIn_2Te_4$ single crystal existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.826-830
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• 2002

Prosthetic valve thrombosis(PVT) may be a life-threatening complication requiring prompt intervention. This is a case report of thrombolytic therapy for thrombosis of prosthetic mitral valve. A 47 year-old male admitted to the emergency room for abrupt onset of dyspnea. He had undergone mitral valve replacement(On-Ⅹ valve, 29mm) for mitral stenosis 8 months ago. The patient's international normalized ratio(INR) on admission was 1.09. The mechanical clicks were muffled and rales were heard in both lung fields. A transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) revealed prosthetic valve thrombosis with increased transvalvular pressure gradient(34 mmHg). The patient's condition needed to intubation for mechanical ventilation due to hemodynamic compromise, however his wife and relatives refused the surgical intervention due to financial problems. The patient was transferred to the cardiac care unit and we decided to perform thrombolytic therapy. A bolus of 1,500,000 IU of urokinase was given, followed by a drip of 1,500,000 IU for 1 hour. The patient did not improved hemodynamically; therefore, we gave 100 mg of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) for over 2 hours. During that time mechanical clicks were audible and hemodynamics of the patient improved progressively. A TEE showed disappearance of thrombus and decreased pressure gradient(1.7 mmHg) after 6 hours of thrombolytic therapy. The patient was recovered without any neurologic sequale and was discharged with administration of warfarin.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.366-369
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• 2011

In this study, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, total coliform and S. aureus of seasoned dried fishes (SDF) in Korea were investigated. A total of 81 SDF samples were purchased randomly from 28 stores. Contamination range of total aerobic bacteria, total coliform and S. aureus were 150~1,700,000, 10~31,000 and 10~220 CFU/g, respectively. E. coli was detected in only one samples in the qualitative test. We have analyzed quantitatively Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE-type A, C and D) produced by S. aureus contaminated in SDF using a TECRA kit and standard curve. The curve equation was Y = 0.1499 * X + 0.1183 and maximum amount of SEs in SDF was 0.71 ng/ml. Reduction speed of S. aureus in SDF stored at $37^{\circ}C$ was the highest among the samples stored for 8 days at different temperature of 7, 18 and $37^{\circ}C$. On the basis of the results, SDF in Korea can be contaminated by a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, precautionary measures are necessary for consumer protection, including the improvement of sanitary conditions in the processing plants in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.466-473
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• 2000

Background : Patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are often treated with radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Both modalities have a potentially damaging effect on pulmonary function. In order to examine changes in the cardiopulmonary exercise function of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer before and after conventional radiotherapy, we conducted a prospective study involving patients with such cancer, that had received radiation therapy. Method : Resting pulmonary function test, thoracic radiographic finding and cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET) were assessed prior to and 4 weeks following radiation therapy in 11 male patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Patient with endobronchial mass were excluded. Results : The forces vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$ and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) did not decreased between before and 4 weeks after radiation but the diffusing capacity (DLCO) had decreased by 11% 4 weeks after radiation, which was not statistically significant. No changes in maximal oxygen consumption ($VO_2$max), carbon dioxide production ($VCO_2$), exercise time and work load were attributed to radiation therapy. Follow up cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed unchanged cardiovascular function, ventilatory function and gas exchange. No difference in cardiopulmonary exercise test performance was observed between pre- and post-radiation. Conclusion : Cardiopulmonary exercise function did not decrease within the short-term after the radiation of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.