• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 1993

To analyze biochemical changes of liver function following combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia, we reviewed retrospectively 37 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiotherapy and hyperthermia between July 1988 and December 1990 at Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Mean age was 52.7 years and male to female ratio was 11:1. The patients were classified as follows; to A and B group by Child's classification, to M and L group by irradiated volume, and subclassified into BM, BL, AM and AL group according to the combination of Child's classification and irradiated volume. Radiation dose to the primary tumor was 3060 cGy with daily 180 cGy, 5 fraction per week using 10 MV or 4 MV linear accelerator. Hyperthermia (Thermotron RF-8) was performed more than 4 times in all patients. Biochemical parameters including albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (T. Bil), aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were regularly followed from 1 week before the treatment to 3 months after the treatment. The results are summerized as follows; 1) In all the patient, mean ALP level peaked at 1 month, decreased at 2 months, slightly increased at 3 months after the treatment. Mean SGOT and SGPT levels peaked at 1 month after the treatment. Mean T. Bil level increased continuously and highest at 3 months after the treatment. Mean Alb level did not show significant changes.; 2) Mean ALP level retured to normal level at 3 month after the treatment in A but increased in B group and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.01). Mean SGOT and SGPT levels peaked 1 month in A and 2 months after the treatment in B group. All the biochemical parameters did not show significant difference between M and L group. Mean ALP level increased at 3 months after the treatment in BM and BL groups and decreased in AM and AL groups. Mean SGOT level increased at 3 months after the treatment in BL groups.; 3) Hepatic failure occurred within 3 months after the treatment in 4 patients, all of whom were in BL group. It is suggested that pre-treatment liver function and irradiated volume influence biochemical changes of liver in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia, and this treatment modality appears generally to be safe but might cause hepatic failure particularly in patient with poor liver function and large treatment volume.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.464-472
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• 2007

Objectives : Nowadays the combined use of oriental herbal medicines and western biomedical medicines has been prevalent but controversial. Warfarin has been much reported to interact with some herbal medicines so that it influences prothrombin time(PT) & international normalized ratio(INR). This study was aimed to examine how much warfarin interacts with herbal medicines during treatment of stroke patients Methods : This was a retrospective case control study of 53 patients whowere treated with concomitant treatment of herbal medicines & warfarin. They were within normal limit in liver function, renal function, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count at first admission lab. We classified them into 2 classes: study group (taking herbal medicines including Panax ginseng, Angelica sinensis, Zingiber officinale, Salvia miltiorrhiza that were reported to interact with warfarin to impact PT (INR) and control group (taking other herbal medicines). We followed up PT (INR) at 5-10 days interval with AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Results : AST, BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count were not changed significantly between first and final tests during the admission period. Only ALT decreased significantly in the control group. Neither baseline nor peak PT (INR) was significantly different between the groups. However, only warfarin dose was significantly correlated with PT and INR (r=0.810, r=0.798, p<0.01). Conclusions : It was concluded that PT(INR) was not influenced with herbal medicines and warfarin but by far dependent on warfarin dose in stroke patients restricted with normal liver function, renal function, and hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Further prospective study is needed on larger samples to conclude that the combined therapy of herbal medicines and warfarin is safe.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.622-635
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• 2022

Purpose: Due to the change of demography, the ratio of senior drivers has increased and the transition to a super-aged society is expected to make more seniors drive in the future. Method: In this research, we analyzed medical characteristics of the driver's age-specific decline in body function and saw that both the function of the physical as well as mental capacities deteriorates as people age. Among them, various functions are precipitously weakened after reaching 70, implying that those over the age of 70 are classified as seniors in a medical sense. In this context, we also could identify that based on such age criteria, various safety policies for senior drivers should be developed and set up in Korea. Result: We could find a steep fall in the physical function of body after reaching 70 from the chronological change of cognitive function and judgment ability. In particular, it is revealed that the driving license institution and aptitude test for drivers over 70 should be thoroughly examined, as physical functions necessary for driving such as eyesight and hearing ability is not strong enough in many drivers over 70. Conclusion: Focusing on the physical capacity to drive, we tried to find the hazardous age bracket of senior drivers which might influence driving behaviors. Going forward, we expect this work would help to understand the policies for senior drivers and drivers' physical differences.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.600-612
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• 2021

Purpose To evaluate the long-term radiologic and clinical outcomes of stent-graft placement for the treatment of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy arterial hemorrhage (PPAH) based on the imaging findings of stent-graft patency and results of liver function tests. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine consecutive patients who underwent stent-graft placement for PPAH between June 2012 and May 2017. We analyzed the immediate technical and clinical outcomes and liver function test results. Stent-graft patency was evaluated using serial CT angiography images. Results All stent-grafts were deployed in the intended position for the immediate cessation of arterial hemorrhage and preservation of hepatic arterial blood flow. Technical success was achieved in all nine patients. Eight patients survived after discharge, and one patient died on postoperative day 28. The median follow-up duration was 781 days (range: 28-1766 days). Follow-up CT angiography revealed stent-graft occlusion in all patients. However, serum aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase levels in all patients were well below those observed in hepatic infarction cases. Conclusion Stent-graft placement is a safe and effective treatment method for acute life-threatening PPAH. Liver function and distal hepatic arterial blood flow were maintained postoperatively despite the high incidence of stent-graft occlusion observed on follow-up CT.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.634-643
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of low-contrast-dose, dual-source dual-energy CT before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with compromised renal function. Materials and Methods: A total of 54 consecutive patients (female:male, 26:38; 81.9 ± 7.3 years) with reduced renal function underwent pre-TAVR dual-energy CT with a 30-mL contrast agent between June 2022 and March 2023. Monochromatic (40- and 50-keV) and conventional (120-kVp) images were reconstructed and analyzed. The subjective quality score, vascular attenuation, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared among the imaging techniques using the Friedman test and post-hoc analysis. Interobserver reliability for aortic annular measurement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. The procedural outcomes and incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (AKI) were assessed. Results: Monochromatic images achieved diagnostic quality in all patients. The 50-keV images achieved superior vascular attenuation and CNR (P < 0.001 in all) while maintaining a similar SNR compared to conventional CT. For aortic annular measurement, the 50-keV images showed higher interobserver reliability compared to conventional CT: ICC, 0.98 vs. 0.90 for area and 0.97 vs. 0.95 for perimeter; 95% limits of agreement width, 0.63 cm² vs. 0.92 cm² for area and 5.78 mm vs. 8.50 mm for perimeter. The size of the implanted device matched CT-measured values in all patients, achieving a procedural success rate of 92.6%. No patient experienced a serum creatinine increase of ≥ 1.5 times baseline in the 48-72 hours following CT. However, one patient had a procedural delay due to gradual renal function deterioration. Conclusion: Low-contrast-dose imaging with 50-keV reconstruction enables precise pre-TAVR evaluation with improved image quality and minimal risk of post-contrast AKI. This approach may be an effective and safe option for pre-TAVR evaluation in patients with compromised renal function.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2023

Objective: Optochiasmatic cavernoma is an extremely rare cerebral lesion. They account for approximately 1% of all cavernomas of the central nervous system. Reports on this pathology are limited. Abrupt visual deterioration is a common symptom of the disease. Treatment strategy and visual outcomes after different treatment approaches remain a subject for discussion. Methods: Patients operated in a period 2005-2021 were analyzed in this study. All patients preoperatively underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, CT-angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Visual function of the patients was assessed pre-op, post-op and at the follow-up. Duration of visual dysfunction was noted as well. Surgical details were also extracted from medical notes. All patients were followed up, and control MRI was performed one month after operation. We assessed surgical series of optochiasmatic cavernomas published for last 10 years. Further comparative analysis with our data was performed. Results: Five patients were included into this study. There were four men and one woman. Mean age comprised 33.8 years (range 20-48 years). Most patients were admitted to our hospital due to visual disturbances (80%). Visual function improved in four patients. Visual function was unchanged in one patient, lacking visual distur-bancies pre-op. Complication developed in one patient. Conclusions: Optochiasmatic cavernomas are encountered extremely rare. Despite the use of contemporary diagnostic options, differential diagnosis remains challenging. Full diagnostic work-up is mandatory. After the diagnosis is made, surgical treatment should be considered first. Total microsurgical or endoscopic transsphenoidal removal of the optochiasmatic cavernoma is a relatively safe and effective treatment method facilitating improvement of visual function.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.3 s.70
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• pp.333-344
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• 2004

In civil engineering applications, the establishment of standards and procedures for analysis, design, fabrication, construction, and quality control are essential in facilitating the economic and efficient use of composite materials. Many bridge systems, including girders. cross beams, and concrete decks, function as specially orthotropic plates. in general, the analytical solution for such complex systems is very difficult to achieve. Thus, the finite difference method is used for the analysis of the problem. The rate of tensile strength reduction due to increased size is considered. Strength reduction is necessary to ensure the safe design of building structures. This paper suggests the use of a strength-failure analysis procedure using the reduced tensile strength. A numerical study is conducted for different cases. The Tasi-Wu failure criterion for stress space is also used.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

The Anyang River which located in an urban area near Seoul had been managed focusing on supplying home and industrial water and preventing floods, coping with rapid industrialization and urbanization. Consequently, it was changed into a deadly river during 25 years. Its channel was straightened by concrete and water quality deteriorated to BOD 190mg/l. In addition, water quantity has been rapidly decreased and has been drying up. Also, as the river ecosystem, landscape, water-friendly function, and so forth were seriously deteriorated, people turn away from the urban river. From 2001, the master plan under the 10-year has been actively carried out centering on the preceding items, which are healthy river in which fishes inhabit, safe river free from floods and droughts, and pleasant river where citizens visit. As a result, its water quality was remarkably improved by BOD 5mg/l in 2005 and some upper zones were improved enough to allow people to swim. Moreover, various animals including fish and birds gather around the river. Now, the 'Anyang River Restoration Project' is recognized as the first comprehensive and systematic nature-friendly urban river improvement in Korea.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.643-651
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions, intake levels and information needs of elementary school students on artificial food colorants in order to provide better understanding and proper dietary education to these students. From May to June 2010, a survey was conducted from 315 elementary school students at fifth and sixth grade level who were living in Seoul. The questionnaire was distributed by 14 elementary school teachers to their classroom students. The results showed that food safety was regarded as the most important factor in purchasing food items, and artificial food colorants were the most interested among various food additives. Although there was a lack of general knowledge and the students' estimated intake levels of artificial food colorants from processed foods were comparatively low, most (82.7%) believed that artificial food colorants were dangerous for health. The information they wanted to know most was the safety, necessity, and function of artificial food colorants, in order. Above results suggested the necessity of providing accurate information on artificial food colorants to elementary school students possibly by developing educational materials which can improve the perceptions on artificial food colorants and encourage a safe dietary life.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2012

This paper proposes an authentication protocol based on hash and AES safe from various types of attacks in order to assure the security of communication between tags and readers, which exchange data with each other wirelessly in a RFID system. The proposed authentication protocol resolves a problem in existing hash-based protocols whereby the same hidden value is generated for the same identification in each session. In order to hide tag identification information a number of complicated calculations were required, but using the proposed AES protocol reduces such calculations, strengthens security against replay attack, spoofing attack, traffic analysis, eavesdropping, etc. and assure mutual authentication between tags and readers.