• Title/Summary/Keyword: case - control study

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Growth inhibition of hydrotrope-combined copper against Microcystis aeruginosa and evaluation of its toxicity (Microcystis aeruginosa에 대한 hydrotrope-combined copper의 생장억제 및 독성 평가)

  • Park, Se-Keun;Ji, Jun-Gu;Jang, Hee Jung;Kim, Yeong-Kwan;Oh, Young-Sook;Choi, Sung-Chan
    • Korean Journal of Microbiology
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    • v.51 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2015
  • Hydrotrope-combined copper (HCC) is a copper ($Cu^{2+}$)-based algicide, which is combined with a hydrotrope that keeps copper ion in solution to improve performance. This study assessed the growth inhibition effect of HCC against Microcystis aeruginosa which is one of the most common toxic cyanobacterium in eutrophic freshwater environment. Various HCC doses, ranging from 5.5 to $550{\mu}g/L$ as $Cu^{2+}$, were applied to either BG-11 or 1/4 diluted medium with low- or high-inoculum density of M. aeruginosa. Growth inhibition was monitored based on a decrease in chlorophyll-a content in culture medium during the incubation. Results showed that HCC significantly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa in a dose-dependent manner. In case of 1/4 diluted BG-11 medium, HCC dose as low as $5.5{\mu}g$ $Cu^{2+}/L$ completely inhibited the production of chlorophyll-a by M. aeruginosa. It was found that HCC did not induce any significant release of microcystin-LR from M. aeruginosa. Acute toxicity of HCC was tested using Daphnia magna, and the 24-h $EC_{50}$ value was 0.30 mg/L as $Cu^{2+}$ which was much higher than the actual inhibition dose. Ames test was performed using Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TA100, and HCC showed no increase in the number of revertant colonies. The result suggested that HCC does not have any mutagenic potential in the aquatic environment. In addition, no genotoxic effect of HCC was also confirmed based on the SOS ChromoTest using Escherichia coli PQ37. Therefore, HCC could be used as a relatively safe and effective pre- and post-treatment agent to control hazardous algal blooming in aquatic environments.

Clinical Studies on Locally Invasive Thyroid Cancer (국소침범한 갑상선암의 임상적 고찰)

  • Kim Young-Min;Lee Chang-Yun;Yang Kyung-Hun;Rho Young-Soo;Park Young-Min;Lim Hyun-Jun
    • Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.236-243
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    • 1998
  • Objectives: Local invasion of the thyroid cancer that is invasion of the upper aerodigestive tract, neurovascular structures of the neck and superior mediastinum, is infrequent and comprises of 1-16% of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. However the proximity of the thyroid gland to these structures provides the means for an invasive cancer to gain ready access into theses structures and when invasion occurs, it is the source of significant morbidity and mortality. So locally invasive thyroid cancer should be removed as much as possible, but still much debates have been exist whether the surgical method should be radical or conservative. This study was desinged to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the surgical treatment of the locally invasive thyroid cancer. Material and Methods: At the department of otorhinolaryngology of Hallym university, 10 patients diagnosed as locally invasive thyroid cancer among the 81 patients treated for thyroid cancer between 1991 to 1997 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Of the 10 patients, 3 patients had histories of previous surgical treatment with or without radiation or radioactive iodine therapy. The site of invasion of thyroid cancer were trachea(7 cases), recurrent laryngeal nerve(5 cases), mediastinal node(5 cases), esophagus(3cases), larynx(3cases), carotid artery(3 cases), pharynx(l case), and other sites(4 cases). The operation techniques included 1 partial laryngectomy and 1 partial cricoid resection, 2 shavings and 3 window resections of the trachea, 1 sleeve resection of the trachea with end-to-end anastomosis and 1 cricotracheoplasty for tracheal invasion, 2 shavings and 1 partial esophagectomies for esophageal invasion, and 1 wall shaving and 2 partial resections with $Gortex^{\circledR}$ tube reconstruction for carotid artery invasion, and so on. Conclusions: These data and review of literature suggest that the surgical method should be perfomed on the basis of individual condition and complete removal of all gross tumor with preservation of vital structures whenever possible will offer a good result.

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The Effects of pH Control on the Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals within Tailings and Contaminated Soils : Seobo and Cheongyang Tungsten Mine Areas (광미와 오염토양 내 중금속 용출특성에 미치는 pH영향 : 청양과 서보중석광산)

  • 이평구;강민주;박성원;염승준
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.469-480
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    • 2003
  • Laboratory leaching experiment study carried out to estimate a extent of heavy metals that could be leached out when acid rain(pH 5.0-3.0) and strong acidic solution(pH 2.5-1.0) reacted with tailings and contaminated soils from abandoned metal mines. In slightly to moderately acid conditions(pH 5.0-3.0), As, Pb and Zn dissolutions became significantly increased with decreased pH in tailing, while dissolution of these elements was very limited in contaminated soil. These results suggested that moderately acid rainwater leaches Pb, As and Zn from the tailings, while these elements would remain fixed in contaminated soil. In the pH range of 2.5-1.0(strongly acid condition), Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations of leachate rapidly increased with decreased pH in contaminated soil, while Pb, As and Co dissolutions became importantly increased in tailings. The experimental solubility of Zn. Cd and Cu was very low even at very low pH values(up to pH 1), except for CY4(Cheongyang mine). These can result from an incomplete dissolution or the presence of less soluble mineral phases. So, the solubility of heavy metals depends not only on the pH values of leachate but also on the speciation of metals associated with contaminated soils and tailings. The relative mobility of each element within failings at the pH 5.0-3.0 of the reaction solution was in the order of Pb>Zn>Cd>Co=Cu>As. In case of pH 2.5-1.0 of the reaction solution, the relative mobility of each element within contaminated soils and tailings were in the order of Zn>Cd>Cu>Co>Pb=As for contaminated soils, and Pb>Zn>Cd>hs>Co>Cu for tailings. The obtained results could be useful for assessing the environmental effects and setting up the restoration plan in the areas.

Economic analysis of Frequency Regulation Battery Energy Storage System for Czech combined heat & power plant (체코 열병합발전소 주파수조정용 배터리에너지저장장치 경제성 분석)

  • KIM, YuTack;Cha, DongMin;Jung, SooAn;Son, SangHak
    • Journal of Energy Engineering
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.68-78
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    • 2020
  • According to the new climate change agreement, technology development to reduce greenhouse gases is actively conducted worldwide, and research on energy efficiency improvement in the field of power generation and transmission and distribution is underway [1,2]. Economic analysis of the operation method of storing and supplying surplus electricity using energy storage devices, and using energy storage devices as a frequency adjustment reserve power in regional cogeneration plants has been reported as the most profitable operation method [3-7]. Therefore, this study conducted an economic analysis for the installation of energy storage devices in the combined heat and power plant in the Czech Republic. The most important factor in evaluating the economics of battery energy storage devices is the lifespan, and the warranty life is generally 10 to 15 years, based on charging and discharging once a day. For the simulation, the ratio of battery and PCS was designed as 1: 1 and 1: 2. In general, the primary frequency control is designed as 1: 4, but considering the characteristics of the cogeneration plant, it is set at a ratio of up to 1: 2, and the capacity is simulated at 1MW to 10MW and 2MWh to 20MWh according to each ratio. Therefore, life was evaluated based on the number of cycles per year. In the case of installing a battery energy storage system in a combined heat and power plant in the Czech Republic, the payback period of 3MW / 3MWh is more favorable than 5MW / 5MWh, considering the local infrastructure and power market. It is estimated to be about 3 years or 5 years from the simple payback period considering the estimated purchase price without subsidies. If you lower the purchase price by 50%, the purchase cost is an important part of the cost for the entire lifetime, so the payback period is about half as short. It can be, but it is impossible to secure profitability through the economy at the scale of 3MWh and 5MWh. If the price of the electricity market falls by 50%, the payback period will be three years longer in P1 mode and two years longer in P2 and P3 modes.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Season Influenza Virus Isolated in Busan during the 2006-2008 Seasons (부산지역에서 유행한 계절인플루엔자바이러스의 유전자 특성 및 계통분석('06-'08 절기))

  • Park, Yon-Koung;Kim, Nam-Ho;Choi, Seung-Hwa;Lee, Mi-Oak;Min, Sang-Kee;Kim, Seong-Joon;Cho, Kyung-Soon;Na, Young-Nan
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.365-373
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    • 2010
  • To monitor newly emerged influenza virus variants and to investigate the prevalence pattern, our laboratory performed isolation of the viruses from surveillance sentinel hospitals. In the present study, we analysed influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B viruses isolated in Busan during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons by sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA1 subunit) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. The isolates studied here were selected by the stratified random sample method from a total of 277 isolates, in which 15 were A/H1N1, 16 were A/H3N2 and 29 were B. Based on the phylogenetic tree, the HA1 gene showed that A/H1N1 isolates had a 96.7% to 97.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/59/2007, A/H3N2 isolates had a 98.4% to 99.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/10/2007, and B isolates had a 96.5% to 99.7% homology with the B/Florida/4/2006(Yamagata lineage), which are all the vaccine strains for the Northern Hemisphere in 2008~2009 season. In the case of the NA gene, A/H1N1 isolates had 97.8% to 98.5% homologies, A/H3N2 isolates had 98.9% to 99.4% homologies, and B isolates had 98.9% to 100% homologies with each vaccine strain in the 2008~2009 season, respectively. Characterization of the hemagglutinin gene revealed that amino acids at the receptor-binding site and N-linked glycosylation site were highly conserved. These results provide useful information for the control of influenza viruses in Busan and for a better understanding of vaccine strain selection.

Analysis and Prediction of Sewage Components of Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Neural Network (대도시 하수종말처리장 유입 하수의 성상 평가와 인공신경망을 이용한 구성성분 농도 예측)

  • Jeong, Hyeong-Seok;Lee, Sang-Hyung;Shin, Hang-Sik;Song, Eui-Yeol
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.308-315
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    • 2006
  • Since sewage characteristics are the most important factors that can affect the biological reactions in wastewater treatment plants, a detailed understanding on the characteristics and on-line measurement techniques of the influent sewage would play an important role in determining the appropriate control strategies. In this study, samples were taken at two hour intervals during 51 days from $1^{st}$ October to $21^{st}$ November 2005 from the influent gate of sewage treatment plant. Then the characteristics of sewage were investigated. It was found that the daily values of flow rate and concentrations of sewage components showed a defined profile. The highest and lowest peak values were observed during $11:00{\sim}13:00$ hours and $05:00{\sim}07:00$ hours, respectively. Also, it was shown that the concentrations of sewage components were strongly correlated with the absorbance measured at 300 nm of UV. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to develop on-line estimation technique of the concentration of each component in the sewage using accumulated profiles of sewage, absorbance, and flow rate which can be measured in real time. As a first step, regression analysis was performed using the absorbance and component concentration data. Then a neural network trained with the input of influent flow rate, absorbance, and inflow duration was used. Both methods showed remarkable accuracy in predicting the resulting concentrations of the individual components of the sewage. In case of using the neural network, the predicted value md of the measurement were 19.3 and 14.4 for TSS, 26.7 and 25.1 for TCOD, 5.4 and 4.1 for TN, and for TP, 0.45 to 0.39, respectively.

Toxic Effects of Phenol on Survival and Oxygen Consumption of the Abalone Juvenile, Haliotis discus hannai (참전복, Haliotis discus hannai 치패의 생존과 산소소비에 미치는 phenol의 독성 영향)

  • KIM Heung-Yun
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.496-504
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    • 1997
  • This study was carried out to estimate toxic effects of phenol on survival and metabolism of the abalone juvenile, Haliotis discus hannai. The experiment was conducted by renewal bioassay procedure with different salinities at $20^{\circ}C$. The $LC_{50}$ of the juvenile exposed to phenol in the range of 0.5 and $100mg/\ell\;was\;34.3\~6.5mg/\ell\;at\;2.4\%_{\circ}\;and\;52.2\~9.3m/\ell\;at\;32\%_{\circ}$ salinity with exposure time from 24 hours to 96 hours. $LT_{50}$ was remarkablely reduced with increase of phenol conentration and decrease of salinity. Lethal toxicity or phenol was higher at low salinity than at high salinity. Therefore, salinity is likely to be one of factor to increase phenol toxicity. The oxygen consumption of the juvenile was reduced with increase of phenol concentration and with decrease of salinity. In spite of phenol toxicity, the oxygen consumption of the juvenile exposed to phenol of low concentration was high and similar as compared with that of control group. Survival rates of the abalone kept in phenol-free sea water after exposure to phenol concentration of 5, 10 and $20mg/\ell$ for 96 hours were reduced with decrease of salinity. Durations required to recover the normal metabolic rate of the juvenile, which was exposed to phenol concentration of 5, 10 and $20mg/\ell$ for 96 hours, were made longer with increasing phenol concentration. In the case of the juvenile exposed to sublethal concentration of phenol for 15 days, it were elongated as compared with that of the abalone exposed to phenol concentration caused acute toxicity. The result of this experiment indicated that relatively low concentration of phenol can impact on the abalone juvenile in marine ecosystem.

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Cytotoxicity and Multidrug -Resistance Reversing Activity of Extracts from Gamma-Irradiated Coix Zachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf Seed (감마선 조사된 율무종자의 세포독성 및 다제내성 극복활성)

  • Cha, Young-Ju;Lee, Sook-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.34 no.5
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    • pp.613-618
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    • 2005
  • This study was carried out to examine the effects of gamma irradiation on the cytotoxicity and multidrug-resistance reversing activity of methanol extracts from Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. me-yuen Stapf seed. The seed was irradiated with doses of 1, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 Gy of the gamma radiation, and then extracted by methanol. The extracts were examined for cytotoxicity on the human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma pleural effusion), Calu-6 (human pulmonary carcinoma) and SNU-601 (human gastric carcinoma) cells, and investigated for multidrug-resistance reversing activity using drug sensitive AML-2/WT and multidrug-resistant AML-2/D100 cells. The growth inhibitory activity of irradiated seed extracts on human cancer cell lines was higher than that of the control. In the case of Calu-6 cell line, the effect of cytotoxicity was observed in the extracts of 4, 8 and 16 Gy. $IC_{50}$ value in the MCF-7 cell line was measured in the only 8 Gy extract. And in the SNU-601 cell line as Calu-6, the effect of cytotoxicity was observed in the extracts of 4, 8 and 16 Gy. But the extracts of gamma-irradiated seed over 32 Gy showed little growth inhibitory effect against human cancer cell lines. In this result, 8 Gy extract had significant growth inhibitory in all human cancer cell lines $(Calu-6:\;633\;{\mu}g/mL,\;MCF-7:\;653\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;SNU-601:\;683\;{\mu}g/mL)$. The extracts of 4, 8 and 16 Gy strongly potentiated vincristine cytotoxicity in AML-2/D100 cells. The reversal fold (RF) of 4, 8 and 16 Gy extracts was 1.7, 1.8 and 1.6, respectively. But their cytotoxicities to both sensitive AML-2/WT and resistant AML-2/D100 cells were in the same order of magnitude. These results indicate that the above samples would contain some principles which have cytotoxicity and multidrug-resistance reversing activity. Irradiation technology can be applied to promote physiological activities of medicinal plant seeds.

A Study on Goryo Celadons of intaglio '○' pattern and '⊙'pattern (고려 음각 '○'문과 '⊙'문청자의 연구)

  • Han, Seong-Uk
    • KOMUNHWA
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    • no.70
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    • pp.133-161
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    • 2007
  • It is judged that celadons with '○' pattern and '⊙' pattern have the indication of manufacturer by engraving mark at the internal center of the bottom. These celadons were produced at No.8.23.27 kiln sites located at Sadang-ri(사당리), Daegu-myon(대구면), Gangjin-gun(강진군), Jeollanamdo(전라남도), Korea and '⊙’ patterned celadon porcelain was found only at No. 23 and 27 kiln sites, so it is assumed that its production sites were limited. Kinds of celadons included bowl, dish, cup, bottle, case and vessel for emptied wine and there were a lot of dishes with a variety of patterns. These celadons were engraved by molded design technique using the same ceramic design as the pattern of celadons in the period of their prosperity and it was appropriate method to produce celadons of a good quality with production method to keep decorative design like pattern or size uniformly. It was also found that inlay method was not universalized in this period and similar celadons were produced with molded design in large quantities. These celadons had partially fire clay temper, but most of them were burnt by supporting the inner bottom of U-type base with quartzite after whole glazing. It was known through relics excavated at Seokreung(석릉) royal tomb of King Heejong(희종) at Ganghwa(강화) and Hyeeumwon(혜음원) temple site at Paju(파주) and military house at Wakamiyaoji(약궁대로) avenue Kamakura(겸창)-city, Japan(일본) that these celadons were manufactured at two quarters of the 13th century centering around 1230s. Therefore, these celadons will be significant materials to fill the gap of the celadons in the 13th century resulted from the record chronologically that green celadons were manufactured in the 12th century. And this period was invaded by Mongolia(몽고), but central control was achieved and green celadons were continuously produced. It was also considered that these celadons were excavated at Gabgot-ri(갑곶리) and Gwanchung-ri(관청리), Ganghwa(강화), Hyeeumwon temple, Paju which played the role of temporary palace, Bu1guksa(불국사) temple at Gyeongju(경주), Silsangsa(실상사) temple at Namwon(남원) and relics of Jangheung(장흥) adjacent to Daeguso(대구소) and these were produced for high class.

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Effects of Private Insurance on Medical Expenditure (민간의료보험 가입이 의료이용에 미치는 영향)

  • Yun, Hee Suk
    • KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.99-128
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    • 2008
  • Nearly all Koreans are insured through National Health Insurance(NHI). While NHI coverage is nearly universal, it is not complete. Coverage is largely limited to minimal level of hospital and physician expenses, and copayments are required in each case. As a result, Korea's public insurance system covers roughly 50% of overall individual health expenditures, and the remaining 50% consists of copayments for basic services, spending on services that are either not covered or poorly covered by the public system. In response to these gaps in the public system, 64% of the Korean population has supplemental private health insurance. Expansion of private health insurance raises negative externality issue. Like public financing schemes in other countries, the Korean system imposes cost-sharing on patients as a strategy for controlling utilization. Because most insurance policies reimburse patients for their out-of-pocket payments, supplemental insurance is likely to negate the impact of the policy, raising both total and public sector health spending. So far, most empirical analysis of supplemental health insurance to date has focused on the US Medigap programme. It is found that those with supplements apparently consume more health care. Two reasons for higher health care consumption by those with supplements suggest themselves. One is the moral hazard effect: by eliminating copayments and deductibles, supplements reduce the marginal price of care and induce additional consumption. The other explanation is that supplements are purchased by those who anticipate high health expenditures - adverse effect. The main issue addressed has been the separation of the moral hazard effect from the adverse selection one. The general conclusion is that the evidence on adverse selection based on observable variables is mixed. This article investigates the extent to which private supplementary insurance affect use of health care services by public health insurance enrollees, using Korean administrative data and private supplements related data collected through all relevant private insurance companies. I applied a multivariate two-part model to analyze the effects of various types of supplements on the likelihood and level of public health insurance spending and estimated marginal effects of supplements. Separate models were estimated for inpatients and outpatients in public insurance spending. The first part of the model estimated the likelihood of positive spending using probit regression, and the second part estimated the log of spending for those with positive spending. Use of a detailed information of individuals' public health insurance from administration data and of private insurance status from insurance companies made it possible to control for health status, the types of supplemental insurance owned by theses individuals, and other factors that explain spending variations across supplemental insurance categories in isolating the effects of supplemental insurance. Data from 2004 to 2006 were used, and this study found that private insurance increased the probability of a physician visit by less than 1 percent and a hospital admission by about 1 percent. However, supplemental insurance was not found to be associated with a bigger health care service utilization. Two-part models of health care utilization and expenditures showed that those without supplemental insurance had higher inpatient and outpatient expenditures than those with supplements, even after controlling for observable differences.

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