• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.690-697
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• 2023

Objective: ¹⁸F-FP-CIT positron emission tomography (PET) is known for its high sensitivity and specificity for evaluating striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding. Recently, for the early diagnose of Parkinson's disease, many researchers focused on the diagnosis of synucleinopathy in organs involved in non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. We investigated the feasibility of salivary gland uptake on ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET as a new biomarker in patients with parkinsonism. Materials and Methods: A total of 219 participants with confirmed or presumed parkinsonism, including 54 clinically diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), 59 suspected and yet undiagnosed, and 106 with secondary parkinsonism, were enrolled. The standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) of the salivary glands was measured on both early and delayed ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET scans using the cerebellum as the reference region. Additionally, the delayed-to-early ratio (DE_ratio) of salivary gland was obtained. The results were compared between patients with different PET patterns. Results: The SUVR in early ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET scan was significantly higher in patients with IPD pattern compared that in the non-dopaminergic degradation group (0.5 ± 0.19 vs. 0.6 ± 0.21, P < 0.001). Compared with the non-dopaminergic degradation group, the DE_ratio was significantly lower in patients with IPD (5.05 ± 1.7 vs. 4.0 ± 1.31, P < 0.001) or atypical parkinsonism patterns (5.05 ± 1.7 vs. 3.76 ± 0.96, P < 0.05). The DE_ratio was moderately and positively correlated with striatal DAT availability in both the whole striatum (r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and posterior putamen (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Parkinsonism patients with an IPD pattern exhibited a significant increase in uptake on early ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET and a decrease in the DE_ratio in the salivary gland. Our findings suggest that salivary gland uptake of dual-phase ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET can provide diagnostic information on DAT availability in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.466-478
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• 2022

Objective: ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is often used for detecting malignancy in patients with newly diagnosed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with acceptable sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in identifying malignancy in patients with HLH by combining ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven patients (age ≥ 14 years) with secondary HLH were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the derivation (n = 71) and validation (n = 26) cohorts according to admission time. In the derivation cohort, 22 patients had malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) and 49 patients had non-malignancy-associated HLH (NM-HLH). Data on pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and laboratory results were collected. The variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Pearson's chi-square test, and a nomogram for predicting M-HLH was constructed using multivariable binary logistic regression. The predictors were also ranked using decision-tree analysis. The nomogram and decision tree were validated in the validation cohort (10 patients with M-HLH and 16 patients with NM-HLH). Results: The ratio of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lymph nodes to that of the mediastinum, the ratio of the SUVmax of bone lesions or bone marrow to that of the mediastinum, and age were selected for constructing the model. The nomogram showed good performance in predicting M-HLH in the validation cohort, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.875 (95% confidence interval, 0.686-0.971). At an appropriate cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying M-HLH were 90% (9/10) and 68.8% (11/16), respectively. The decision tree integrating the same variables showed 70% (7/10) sensitivity and 93.8% (15/16) specificity for identifying M-HLH. In comparison, visual analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images demonstrated 100% (10/10) sensitivity and 12.5% (2/16) specificity. Conclusion: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT may be a practical technique for identifying M-HLH. The model constructed using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT features and age was able to detect malignancy with better accuracy than visual analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.236-243
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• 2023

Platelets act a fundamental role in primary- and secondary-hemostasis, however, platelet activation may cause thrombosis simultaneously. Therefore, control of platelet aggregation is crucial in preventing thrombosis-mediated diseases. Recently, the development of insect materials is attracting attention. Among the highly nutritious functional food sources, insects such as two-spotted cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus). Gryllus bimaculatus (G. bimaculatus) contains high protein and unsaturated fatty acids and has been registered as a food material September 2015 by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea. In this study, we examined whether G. bimaculatus extract (GBE) inhibits platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium mobilization, thromboxane A₂ production and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIb/β3) activation. We investigated whether GBE can regulate signaling molecules, such as 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor type I, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cytosolic phospholipase A₂, mitogen-activated protein kinases p38, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β, and SYK. Taken together, GBE is a potential therapeutic drug candidate to prevent platelet-related thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.258-265
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• 2023

After application of veterinary antibiotics, they may be partially metabolized before they are excreted by feces or urine either as unaltered form or as metabolites. Residual antibiotics enter the adjacent agricultural environments by spraying manure-based compost and liquid fertilizer on farmlands and lead to secondary pollution. The objective of this study was to compare the residual concentrations of 6 veterinary antibiotics by different production stages of liquid fertilizer from livestock manure recycling facilities. The relationship between concentration change of the residual antibiotics and the amount of liquid fertilizer component was also assessed. Pre-treatment showed the recovery of 63.4-106.7% at ppb level and the limit of quantification of 0.009-0.037 ㎍/L.As the result of analyzing the relationship between the residual concentrations of antibiotics and the amount of N component in liquid fertilizer by different production stages, the residual concentrations of antibiotics and N tended to decrease as the stabilization period elapsed during the liquid fertilization process. Average concentrations of sulfamethazine in raw materials, middle and final products of liquid fertilizer were 40.85, 26.17, 3.54 ㎍/L, respectively. Those of chlortetracycline decreased from 2.32 to 1.25 ㎍/L. The other 4 antibiotics also showed a decreasing trend by different production stages of liquid fertilizer. The amount of liquid fertilizer component N decreased from 0.21 to 0.096% by production stages of liquid fertilizer. It is considered that the correlation between residual antibiotic concentrations and N content can be applied as basic data for setting antibiotic reduction indicators.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.891-899
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• 2023

Purpose To survey perceptions of certified physicians on the protocol of chest CT in patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) using a negative pressure isolation stretcher (NPIS). Materials and Methods This study collected questionnaire responses from a total of 27 certified physicians who had previously performed chest CT with NPIS in COVID-19 isolation hospitals. Results The nine surveyed hospitals performed an average of 116 chest CT examinations with NPIS each year. Of these, an average of 24 cases (21%) were contrast chest CT. Of the 9 pulmonologists we surveyed, 5 (56%) agreed that patients who showed abnormalities in serum D-dimer required contrast chest CT. All 9 surveyed radiologists agreed that the image quality of the chest CT with NPIS was sufficient for CT image interpretation regarding pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, in our 9 surveyed infectionologists, 5 (56%) agreed that a risk of secondary infection in the CT room after temporary opening of NPIS could be prevented through a process of disinfection. Conclusion Experienced physicians considered that the effects of NIPS on chest CT image quality was minimal in patients with COVID-19, and the risk of CT room contamination was easily controlled.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.756-766
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and compare the outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single center study involved 34 patients (age: 40.0 ± 13.9 years; 28 female) who had low-risk T2N0M0 PTC with a maximum diameter >2 cm and ≤4 cm and underwent MWA (n = 15) or RFA (n = 19) from November 2016 to April 2023. The primary outcomes were the cumulative rate of disease progression and delayed surgery rates. In contrast, the secondary outcomes included changes in tumor size, cumulative rate of complete tumor disappearance, and complication rates. Results: The median follow-up period was 18.0 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.0-40.0 months). At 12 months, the median volume reduction rate of the ablation zone was 74.2% (IQR: 53.7%-86.0%). Disease progression was noted in two patients within 1 year, including one patient with local tumor progression post-RFA and one with a new tumor post-MWA, resulting in a constant cumulative disease progression rate of 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0%-19.8%) throughout the remaining follow-up period. Both patients were subsequently treated with additional ablation and did not require surgery. The cumulative rates of complete tumor disappearance at 1, 3, and 5 years were 4.0% (95% CI: 0%-11.4%), 26.8% (95% CI: 2.7%-44.9%), and 51.2% (95% CI: 0%-79.1%), respectively. No significant differences were observed in the disease progression (P = 0.829) or complete tumor disappearance (P = 0.633) rates between the MWA and RFA groups. Complications occurred in 14.7% (5/34) of patients presenting with transient hoarseness. RFA had a higher but not statistically significant complication rate than MWA did (21.1% [4/19] vs. 6.7% [1/15]; P = 0.355). Conclusion: Both MWA and RFA demonstrated promising short-term outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 PTC, with no significant differences.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.347-358
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to research on the professional development of pre-service chemistry teachers in terms of personal practical knowledge(PPK), and draw a discussion for pre-chemistry teacher education. A reflective discussion through a Community of Practice(CoP) activity has been conducted with 5 pre-service chemistry teachers studying in a college of education located in Seoul. The analysis of the results reveals that 'Subject-matter knowledge' is leaning toward massive chemical contents, 'Curriculum knowledge' is below the level of selecting, analyzing, and applying curriculum materials. 'Instruction knowledge', especially the knowledge of chemistry experiment and research, is not enough to lead secondary students' scientific experiment. 'Milieu of school knowledge' is stunted in growth for the reason of communication-deficiency between a college of education and a community, and among education- related groups. 'Self-knowledge' has been diminished not only because there is a bad influence from college classmates not wanting to be a teacher, but also a lack of communication in the chemistry-education department which can make pre-teachers' belief strong. In conclusion, it is especially needed for the chemistry-education department to strengthen pre-teachers' 'Self-knowledge' in order to develop PPK. This study suggests operating 'a professional community' that has a periodic meeting with pre-service teachers, teachers, professors, community people, education practitioners, and researchers. In addition, it would be effective for increasing pre-teachers' PPK to reconsider depth and direction of 'Subject-matter knowledge', to give an opportunity to examine curriculum materials critically and reorganize them, to improve the course of chemistry experimental subject to the way of improving pre-teachers' leadership in chemistry inquiry experiment, and to raise the quality of educational service activities.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1971

The study involved determination of resistance levels of spider mites to Metasystox, Folidol and C-8514 using slide dip technique: a feid trial of alternative acaricides using an O/P resistant strain. 1. Resistant strains of two-spotted spider mite( Tetranychus urticae Koch) were collected from Taegu, Kyungsan, Chunchun, Yesan, Suwon, Osan and Chungju, and kept in the glasshouse through the experiments. Resistant strains of European red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch) were collected from Chungju, Taegu, Yesan, Chunchun, Suwon and Whasung, and Wonju susceptible was collected. Immediately after collection, tests were applied. All strains except susceptible populations had regularly been sprayed with Organo-phosphates including Parathion (or Folidol), Metasystox, Phenkapton and Trithion for more than the ten Bast years; and Organo-chlorines such as Kelthane and C-8514 more than five years. Comparisons of the resistant strains and susceptible strains at the $LC_50$ values are as follows: a. With Metasystox, resistance levels of the Chungju, Taegu, Yesan, Chunchun and Suwon resistant strains of P. ulmi were respectively, 96,52,4,3 and 2, times as resistant as the Wonju susceptible strain. b. With Folidol, resistance levels of the Chungju, Chunchun, Yesan, Whasung and Suwon strains of P. ulmi showed respectively, 126, 48, 33, 30 and 6-fold resistance levels over the susceptible strain. c. With C-8514, resistance levels of the Taegu, Suwon, Whasung and Chungju strains of P. ulmi were 42, 31, 30 and 20 times greater than the susceptible strain, respectively. d. With Metasystox, resistance levels of the Taegu, Chunchun, Yesan and Suwon, strains of T urticae were respectively, 32,29,25 and 17 times as resistant as the susceptible strain. e. With C-8514, resistance levels of the Taegu, Chungju and Kyungsan strains of T. urticae showed respectively, 59, 29 and 19-fold resistance levels over the Osan strain. 2. Field trials were carried out to assess the toxicities of eleven alternative materials which would be used for control of O/P resistant strain of Panonychus ulmi. The acaricide groups represented were 2 Organo-chlorines (Kelthane MF and Prethylen), 1 carbamate (Furadan), 1 nitrophenyl (Morocide), 1 carbonate (Morestan), 1 tin(Plictran), 1 fluorine (Nissol), 2 mixtures (Fundal and Banmite) and Organo-phosphate (Phenkapton). Of all acaricides tested Kelthane, Plictran, Fundal and Morestan were the most effective; fol]owed by Banmite, Furadan, Prethylen and Nissol. Sumite and Morocide were intermediate, but Phenkapton(Organo-phosphate) was very poor. In other words, a first application of the above outstanding materials gave very high degrees of control of O/P resistant population of European red mite for about 7 to 12 days. However, the results indicate that secondary application would sometimes be necessary. There was no foliage damage to apple trees by any of the acaricides tested of the concentrations used.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.137-155
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of sex education on knowledge and attitude related to sex. The subjects were taken from by 199 students in 3 classes from 1st grade in H girl's junior high school as the study group, and 2 classes from 1st grade in S girl's junior high school as control group. During the survey period(September 21, 1998 to September 30, 1998), 6 times in terms of one-hour class for sex education were taught to the study group. A pre-test was executed on September 19, 1998 and the post-test on September 30. The findings were as follows. 1. According to the research, 20.1％ of the subjects have experienced sex education from parents and 89.9％ from teacher. They have mostly obtained the sex-related information from teachers(59.8％), following movie, radio, TV, or video tape(40.7％), friends(35.2％), reading materials such as books, cartoons, news papers and magazines(31.7％), parents(15.6％), siblings(7.0％), PC(1.5％) and telephone service(1.5％). 2. 27.1％ of the subjects reported that they had sex-related worry concerning from friendship with the opposite sex, following physiological phenomenon(31.5％), sex violence(11.1％), physical characteristics(7.4％), VD and contraception(5.6％), sexual impulse(5.6％), pregnancy and delivery(5.5％), and sexual behaviour(3.7％). The research showed that the adolescents usually solved their problems through the consultation with theifriends(44.4％). However, 16.7％ of the subjects were turned out not to request any solution. The other minor routes to settle their problems were written materials such as books, magazines(13.0％), parents(13.0％), movie, radio, TV, or video tape(5.5％), acquainted female elders(3.7％) and teachers(3.7％). 3. The most interesting part regarding sex was the friendship with the opposite sex(61.8％), following adolescent's emotion(55.8％), physiological differences between two genders(52.8％), AIDS(48.7％), VD(46.7％), pregnancy(45.2％), contraception(45.2％), abortion(41.7％), intercourse(41.7％), masturbation(41.2％), sex violence(41.2％) and genital structure and secondary sexual characteristics(28.6％). 4. In regard to characteristics of the subjects influencing sex-related knowledge, the higher educational career of mother, living with at least either parent and the experience of sex education by teachers were statistically significant factors(p〈0.05). 5. In regard to characteristics of the subjects influencing attitudes toward sex, the experience of sex education by parents or teachers was a statistically significant factor(p〈0.05). 6. The analysis of knowledge score comparing results before and after sex education showed that control group's score decreased from 12.5 to 12.44 while the study group's score increased from 12.33 to 21.31, which was statistically significant(p〈0.001). 7. The analysis of the attitude scores before and after sex education showed that the control group's score slightly increased from 55.57 to 56.36, while the study group's score increased from 54.79 to 61.95, which was statistically significant(p〈0.001). 8. The level of sex-related concerns of the study group after sex education marked both the increase in some items and the decrease in others. 9. Most instructive session among the sex education was the third “to be a good friend to the opposite sex”(27.0％).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2003

The phosphorus(P) adsorption capacities of various filter media were investigated in relation to the size and types of fitter media to screen the optimum condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the constructed wetland longevity by improving P adsorption capacity. The maximum P adsorption capacities of filter media A($4{\sim}10\;mm$), B($2{\sim}4\;mm$) and C($0.1{\sim}2\;mm$) were 8, 10 and 22 mg/kg, respectively, showing those increased as the filter media size decreased. Among the experimental media, the optimum filter media size was $0.1{\sim}2\;mm$. When the filter Medium was supplemented with organic materials which were piled up and decayed in the constructed wetland, the P adsorption capacity was significantly enhanced Under the conditions of optimum fitter media size, the respective Maximum P adsorption capacities of filter media C when supplemented with Ca, Mg, Al and Fe were higher than that of filter media C. However the addition of Ca, Mg, Al and Fe to constructed wetland were not recommended because of the possibility of their secondary pollution. The maximum P adsorption capacity of filter media C was 22 mg/kg, but this was increased to 36 mg/kg when filter media C was supplemented with 2% oyster shell.