• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2014

In this study, the factors affecting the profitability of the oriental medicine hospitals of University to be analyzed. To do this, profitability indicators and current ratio, liquidity, turnover ratio, cost factors analysis and suggested ways to improve management. The results are as follows, the operating margin(1.17%). the return on assets(3.76%), the net profit to gross revenues(2.37%), and the net profit to total assets(-1.89) were lower than the average of the entire oriental medicine hospitals in Korea(respectively 8.9%, 8.7%, 2.6%, 2.5%). Current ratio(256.76%), quick ratio(231.17%), fixed ratio(121.02%), and total assets turnover(135.69%) were similar to the average of all oriental medicine hospitals in Korea. But growth rate of total assets(-2.21%), and growth rate of patient revenue(1.89%) is low. And salaries(53.39%), materials costs(16.62%), administrative expenses(28.58%) were different to the average of all oriental medicine hospitals in Korea(respectively 35.3%, 10.7%, 45.1%). Meanwhile, the cost ratio of the oriental medicine hospitals of University was 98.59%. It was 7.49% higher than the 91.1% of the average of all oriental medicine hospitals in 2011. Correlation analysis, growth rate of patient revenue and operating margin increased at the same time, and net profit to gross revenues and net profit to total assets with a growth rate of total assets increased. And administrative expenses and profitability indicators showed a negative correlation. It means, in order to improve the profitability of the oriental medicine hospitals of University should focus on reducing administrative expenses. Multiple regression analysis, growth rate of total assets, total assets turnover, administrative expenses, and salaries has affected the profitability. Therefore, in order to improve the profitability of the oriental medicine hospitals of University to increase the total capital and the total capital turnover, and to reduce administrative expenses effort.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to examine the uses of coal ash as a type of construction material. The methods of examination were chemical anlysis, soil laboratory test and the soil vibration test. Materials used were coal ash obtained as a by-product from 5 thermal power plants in Yongdong, Yongwol, Sochon(anthracite coal) and in Samchonpo and Honam (bituminous coal). Over 70% of the coal ash consisted of silica and alumina. The fly ash grain size showed a uniform distribution from fine-sand to silt, and that of the bottom ash showed from sand to gravel. The specific gravity and density of the coal ash were low. The long term strength increased gradually due to the self-setting property resulting from pozzolanic activity. The shear strength was higher than that of general soil. Cohesion and optimum moisture content of anthracite coal ash were higher than bituminous coal ash, whereas the maximum dry density was higher in bituminous coal ash. The coal ash dynamic Young's modulous curve range was similar to that of general soil. Of the results from the soil vibration test by car-running, the size relative acceleration level in the ash pond was higher than that of natural ground, but the damping ratio was lower than that of natural ground near the ash pond. The coal ash has more advantageous engineering properties than general soil with particles of the same size. For example, the California Bearing Ratio of the bottom ash at both Yongdong and Yongwol was 77~137%. Therefore we expect that if further study is done, coal ash can be used as a construction material when reclaiming seashore, construction embankments, road construction, making right-weight aggregate, or as a general construction material.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2007

Purpose: Ingested foreign bodies are removed by endoscopy, surgery or spontaneous passage, however, the decision of therapeutic modality chosen depends on the type, size, shape and location of the ingested foreign bodies. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the rate and characteristics of foreign bodies that were passed spontaneously out of the intestine. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients who visited Samsung Medical Center for treatment of gastrointestinal foreign bodies between January 2001 to July 2007 were enrolled in this study. Related data was colleted by reviewing the medical records of patients with proven foreign bodies retrospectively, as well as by conducting phone interviews with the parents of the patients. All cases were classified based on the nature and location of the ingested foreign body, as well as whether it was treated by spontaneous passage. Results: Of the 160 cases involving the passage of foreign bodies in children were included in this study (95 boys and 65 girls), endoscopic removals, operative removals or spontaneous passages were conducted in 80, 3 and 77 patients, respectively. The spontaneous passage rates for each type of object were as follows; coins (36.5%), bead and baduk stones (83.3%), long and sharp materials (52.6%), magnets (69.2%) and disc batteries (50.0%). In cases involving round-shaped foreign bodies, such as coins, the diverse spontaneous passage rates were more diverse. When foreign bodies were stuck below esophagus, similar sized coins and baduk stones had spontaneous passage rates greater than 80% regardless of age. Conclusion: It is better for clinicians to wait for spontaneous passage to occur in cases involving coins or round-shaped foreign bodies that are located at or below the stomach.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the efficacy of the immune regulation of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 on atopic dermatitis models. The oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 on mice significantly decreased the amount of scratching, leakage to evans blue, and concentrations of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine compared with the atopic dermatitis - induced group. When atopic dermatitis was induced, the transcription factors (GATA-3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor ${\gamma}$ T [$ROR{\gamma}T$]) and cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-17) of Th2 and Th17 cells were overexpressed at the transcriptional level, and they significantly decreased with oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004. In addition, ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 were shown to modulate the immune balance by increasing the expression of Th1 and Treg transcription (T-bet, forkhead box p3 [Foxp3]) and cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$ [IFN-${\gamma}$], transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ [TGF-${\beta}$]). Galectin-9 and filaggrin were significantly lower in the atopic dermatitis - induced group and significantly higher in the ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan-treated group. In contrast, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was highest in the atopic dermatitis-induced group, while mice that were orally administered ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 showed similar TSLP levels to the control group. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 have immunomodulatory effects and atopic dermatitis improvement effects in an animal model of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is expected that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 can be used as natural materials in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2009

Purpose: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental components. Recently, the STOX1 gene, identified as a candidate gene for preeclampsia in Dutch women, has been shown to be placentally expressed and subject to imprinting with preferential transmission of the maternal allele. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between the STOX1 Y153H variation and preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study involved 202 preeclamptic and 204 healthy pregnant women who were genotyped for the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene using a commercially available SNapShot assay kit and an ABI Prism 3730 DNA Analyzer. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene between preeclamptic patients and normal controls (P>0.05). The H allele frequency of the STOX1 Y153H variation was similar in patients with preeclampsia (87.1%) and in normal controls (86.5%). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the YH, HH, and YH/HH genotypes were not associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia when compared to the YY genotype. Conclusion: This is the first study to characterize the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene in Korean patients with preeclampsia. We found no differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. Although limited by a relatively small sample size, our study suggests that the STOX1 Y153H variation is not associated with the development of preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2008

Purpose : Motion effects in parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are investigated. Parallel MRI is known to be robust to motion due to its reduced acquisition time. However, if there are some involuntary motions such as heart or respiratory motions involved during the acquisition of the parallel MRI, motion artifacts would be even worse than those in conventional (non-parallel) MRI. In this paper, we defined several types of motions, and their effects in parallel MRI are investigated in comparisons with conventional MRI. Materials and Methods : In order to investigate motion effects in parallel MRI, 5 types of motions are considered. Type-1 and 2 are periodic motions with different amplitudes and periods. Type-3 and 4 are segment-based linear motions, where they are stationary during the segment. Type-5 is a uniform random motion. For the simulation, Cartesian and spiral grid based parallel and non-parallel (conventional) MRI are used. Results : Based on the motions defined, moving artifacts in the parallel and non-parallel MRI are investigated. From the simulation, non-parallel MRI shows smaller root mean square error (RMSE) values than the parallel MRI for the periodic (type-1 and 2) motions. Parallel MRI shows less motion artifacts for linear(type-3 and 4) motions where motions are reduced with shorter acquisition time. Similar motion artifacts are observed for the random motion (type-5). Conclusion : In this paper, we simulate the motion effects in parallel MRI. Parallel MRI is effective in the reduction of motion artifacts when motion is reduced by the shorter acquisition time. However, conventional MRI shows better image quality than the parallel MRI when fast periodic motions are involved.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2014

Purpose : Spin-echo (SE) technique is most commonly used pulse sequence for T1-weighted MR imaging. T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T1FLAIR) is a relatively new pulse sequence and it provides higher tissue contrast between the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of the brain than T1-weighted SE (T1SE) sequence. However, there has been controversy for the evaluation of enhancing brain tumors with T1FLAIR compared to T1SE. The purpose of this study was to compare T1FLAIR and T1SE sequences for the evaluation of enhancing intracranial tumors. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with enhancing brain tumors were evaluated with contrast-enhanced (CE) T1SE and T1FLAIR imaging. Eight quantitative criteria were calculated: lesion-to-WM contrast ratio (CR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), lesion-to-GM CR and CNR, lesion-to-CSF CR and CNR, and WM-to-GM CR and CNR. For qualitative evaluation, two radiologists assessed lesion conspicuity on CE T1SE and T1FLAIR sequences with three-scale: 1, T1SE superior; 2, sequence equal; T1FLAIR superior. Results: Seventy-nine tumors (31 primaries, 48 metastases) were assessed. For quantitative measurement, the T1FLAIR lesion-to-GM, lesion-to-CSF, WM-to-GM CR and CNR values were comparable and statistically superior to those of the T1SE images (p < 0.001 in all). However, lesion-to-WM CR and CNR were similar on both two sequences without statistically significant difference (p = 0.661, 0.662, respectively). For qualitative evaluation, both radiologists assessed that T1FLAIR images were superior to T1SE images for the evaluation of lesion conspicuity. Conclusion: For the evaluation of enhancing intracranial tumors, T1FLAIR sequence was superior or comparable to T1SE sequence.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-221
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• 2000

Purpose: Cost-effectiveness of myocardial SPECT for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease was investigated considering the present and amended costs of myocardial SPECT and exercise ECG in Korea. Materials and Methods: Four diagnostic tactics such as 1) coronary angiography (CAG) after exercise ECG, 2) CAG after myocardial SPECT, 3) direct CAG, and 4) CAG after myocardial SPECT following exercise ECG were chosen. Costs were calculated using the present costs of various tests and effects represented by Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) were estimated. Difference of QALY (${\Delta}QALY$) was calculated by subtracting QALY of diagnosed/treated cases from QALY of undiagnosed cases. $Cost/{\Delta}QALY$ was calculated and compared between four different tactics according to pre-test probability. Results: When pre-test probability was equal to or larger than 0.6, direct CAG was the most cost-effective. When pre-test probability was between 0.2 and 0.6, CAG after myocardial SPECT following exercise ECG was the most cost-effective. CAG after myocardial SPECT was the second most cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness was similar when the costs of exercise ECG were doubled or quadrupled. CAG after exercise ECG was always the least cost-effective. Conclusion: Myocardial SPECT with or without preceding exercise ECG was the most cost-effective method to diagnose coronary artery disease in the present or expected amended cost system.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 1998

I-123 labelled fatty acids are suitable for investigation of regional myocardial metabolism, so they are on the clinical trial. However, the precise properties of these materials are not characterized yet. We have synthesized phenylpentadecanoic acid and labeled this compound with I-123. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability, biodistribution, metabolism and SPECT imaging of [I-123]15-(p-iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid(I-123-IPPA) that we made. The stability test of I-123-IPPA in serum of rat, mouse and human showed no free I-123 after 1 hour. In biodistribution study in mice for various time intervals after injection(5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes), uptake in myocardium was 14.5%ID/g(5 min), and 1.9%ID/heart(5 min), while uptake in muscles was 2.6%ID/g(5 min). Myocardium to blood ratio and myocardium to lung ratio increased for 5 min after injection and then decreased rapidly. Chromatographic data of rat blood and urine showed that little PPA was found in blood and urine at 15-20 min after injection. The myocardial I-123-IPPA SPECT images of a dog with myocardial infarction showed defects similar to those of Tc-99m-MIBI and F-18-FDG. These data suggest that I-123-IPPA is quite stable in vitro and shows favorable biodistribution in mice. SPECT imaging with I-123-IPPA demonstrated infarct zone as photon defect in dog model of myocardial infarction. I-123-IPPA may be used for the evaluation of fatty acid metabolism in clinical trials in Korea.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2009

Purpose: Early detection of recurrence is an important factor for long term survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CT and PET/CT has been commonly used in the postoperative surveillance of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of PET/CT, tumor marker and CT for recurrence in colorectal cancer patients after treatment. Materials and Methods: F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging was performed in 189 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgical resection and/or chemotherapy. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CT imaging were performed within 2 months of PET/CT examination. Final diagnosis of recurrence was made by biopsy, radiologic studies or clinical follow-up for 6 months after each study. Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity of PET/CT was 94.7%, 91.1%, while those of serum CEA were 44.7% and 97.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.2%, 90.4% for PET/CT and better than those of combined CEA and CA 19-9 measurement(52.1%, 88.5%) in 174 patients measured available both CEA and CA 19-9 data. In 115 patients with both tumor markers and CT images available, PET/CT showed similar sensitivity but higher specificity(92.9%, 91.3%) compared to combination of tumor markers and CT images(92.9%, 74.1%). Conclusion: PET/CT was superior for detection of recurred colorectal cancer patients compared with both CEA, CA 19-9, and even with combination of both tumor markers and CT. Therefore PET/CT could be used as a routine surveillance examination to detect recurrence or metastasis of colorectal cancer.