Green Chemistry at the present in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Despite the great contribution made by chemical substances to the development of modern civilization, their indiscriminate use has caused various kinds of damage to the global environment and human beings. Accordingly, the major developed countries and international society have tried to ensure the safe use of chemicals and a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals through the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme and various international agreements. In this reason, we tried to introduce about Green Chemistry progress at the present in worldwide and Korea. METHODS: We checked and analyzed relative journals, reports using keyword as like Green Chemistry, alternative chemicals, eco-friendly etc. and major country's government homepage search. RESULTS: Green Chemistry theory, which argues for the reduction or removal of harmfulness in chemicals throughout their entire life-cycle, has been spreading, and major developed countries, such as the US and Denmark, have developed and operate programs to provide reliable chemical information to help replace hazardous chemicals. Korea has also been conducting studies as like eco-innovation project. Through this project the "Alternative Chemical Search program," has been developed, distributed, and operated since 2011 to provide reliable information to small and medium-sized businesses that have difficulties collecting information to ensure conformity to international regulations. The program provides information that includes the regulations of major countries and Korea, information on 340 alternative chemicals, 70 application cases, and 1:1 consulting. CONCLUSIONS: The Alternative Chemical Search program is expected to contribute to the establishment of response systems for regulation of Korean small and medium-sized businesses, and it also will be used to provide basic data for Korean hazardous chemical regulation, together with the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances and the Chemical Control act, making it possible to establish an infrastructure for Green Chemistry in Korea and to increase national competitiveness.

Green Chemistry at the present in Korea

OBJECTIVES: Despite the great contribution made by chemical substances to the development of modern civilization, their indiscriminate use has caused various kinds of damage to the global environment and human beings. Accordingly, the major developed countries and international society have tried to ensure the safe use of chemicals and a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals through the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme and various international agreements. In this reason, we tried to introduce about Green Chemistry progress at the present in worldwide and Korea. METHODS: We checked and analyzed relative journals, reports using keyword as like Green Chemistry, alternative chemicals, eco-friendly etc. and major country's government homepage search. RESULTS: Green Chemistry theory, which argues for the reduction or removal of harmfulness in chemicals throughout their entire life-cycle, has been spreading, and major developed countries, such as the US and Denmark, have developed and operate programs to provide reliable chemical information to help replace hazardous chemicals. Korea has also been conducting studies as like eco-innovation project. Through this project the "Alternative Chemical Search program," has been developed, distributed, and operated since 2011 to provide reliable information to small and medium-sized businesses that have difficulties collecting information to ensure conformity to international regulations. The program provides information that includes the regulations of major countries and Korea, information on 340 alternative chemicals, 70 application cases, and 1:1 consulting. CONCLUSIONS: The Alternative Chemical Search program is expected to contribute to the establishment of response systems for regulation of Korean small and medium-sized businesses, and it also will be used to provide basic data for Korean hazardous chemical regulation, together with the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances and the Chemical Control act, making it possible to establish an infrastructure for Green Chemistry in Korea and to increase national competitiveness.

Effects of Water Stress on the Endophytic Fungal Communities of Pinus koraiensis Needles Infected by Cenangium ferruginosum

To examine the effects of water stress and Cenangium ferruginosum (CF) on the fungal endophytic community of needles of Pinus koraiensis (PK), fungal endophytes isolated from the needles of 5-year-old PK seedlings were compared before and after exposure to water stress conditions and artificial inoculation with CF ascospores. Artificial CF inoculation was successfully confirmed using PCR with CF-specific primers (CfF and CfR). For comparison of the degree of water deficit in water-stressed and control groups of PK seedlings infected with CF, the water saturation deficit and water potential were measured. Lower water potential estimates were found in the water-stressed seedlings than in the control group. The fungal endophytes isolated from the second-year needles of non-water-stressed seedlings before and after CF inoculation revealed that primary saprobes were approximately 30% and 71.7%, respectively, and the remaining endophytes were rot fungi or pathogens. Sixty days after CF inoculation, diverse fungal endophytes in the first-year needles were isolated from the water-stressed seedlings. However, some fungal endophytes isolated from the non-water-stressed seedlings were also identified. Fungal endophytes in the second-year needles of the water-stressed and non-water-stressed seedlings were approximately 8% and 71.7% of saprobes, respectively, and the remaining endophytes were rot fungi or pathogens. On the basis of the results, we conclude that water deficit and CF can have an effect on fungal endophytic communities in the needles of PK seedlings.

Change in Penile Length in Children: Preliminary Study

PURPOSE: Studies of penile length in children have been rarely conducted. In Korea, great improvements in height and weight have been observed because of economic development over the past 25 years. We investigated the current status of penile length in Korean children and compared the results with those of a previous Korean study conducted in 1987. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects in this study were 233 boys aged 1 to 158 months, each of whom had been brought to outpatient clinics between April and October 2011. Penile length was measured according to the stretched penile length (SPL) technique; testicular size was measured (in ml) by using orchidometry. A comparison of penile lengths between the current study and the 1987 study was made by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: SPL increased significantly by 0.7 to 1.1 cm in most age groups (p<0.05). Current anthropometric measures of Korean children such as height, body weight, and testicular size have increased compared with those from 1987. CONCLUSIONS: Penile length has increased significantly over the last quarter century. Therefore, it is suggested that novel reference values for penile length in prepubertal Korean children be determined in studies with a larger community-based population in order to diagnose and treat size-related penile disorders.

Disparities of Socio-Demographic Factors between Visually Disabled People and Other Disabled People: KNHANES III

PURPOSE: To identify the disparities of socio-demographic factors between visually disabled people and other people with disabilities. METHODS: The fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III) is a nationwide survey. The present study included 25,125 people who completed the KNHANES III. For analysis, the participants were divided into 3 groups: subjects without disabilities, subjects with disabilities but without visual disabilities, and subjects with visual disabilities. The gender, age, monthly house income, occupation, education, residential area, and health insurance were investigated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the most differentiating factor. RESULTS: Visually disabled people were proportionally older (40 to 64 years), were male, living in a non-metropolitan area except Seoul/Pusan/Gyunggi compared to other disabled people and also had a higher proportion of the above factors, as well as lower education compared to non-disabled people. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic factors showed disparities in visually disabled people and people with other disabilities. Ophthalmologists should understand these disparities and be involved in establishing policies to reduce the disparities. Ophthalmologists also need to provide holistic and comprehensive medical care using the Blindness is Preventable! Korea Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness, consultation with social work teams in hospitals and other institutions, as well as evaluating the visual impairment.

Disparities of Socio-Demographic Factors between Visually Disabled People and Other Disabled People: KNHANES III

PURPOSE: To identify the disparities of socio-demographic factors between visually disabled people and other people with disabilities. METHODS: The fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III) is a nationwide survey. The present study included 25,125 people who completed the KNHANES III. For analysis, the participants were divided into 3 groups: subjects without disabilities, subjects with disabilities but without visual disabilities, and subjects with visual disabilities. The gender, age, monthly house income, occupation, education, residential area, and health insurance were investigated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the most differentiating factor. RESULTS: Visually disabled people were proportionally older (40 to 64 years), were male, living in a non-metropolitan area except Seoul/Pusan/Gyunggi compared to other disabled people and also had a higher proportion of the above factors, as well as lower education compared to non-disabled people. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographic factors showed disparities in visually disabled people and people with other disabilities. Ophthalmologists should understand these disparities and be involved in establishing policies to reduce the disparities. Ophthalmologists also need to provide holistic and comprehensive medical care using the Blindness is Preventable! Korea Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness, consultation with social work teams in hospitals and other institutions, as well as evaluating the visual impairment.

Extramammary Paget's Disease Involving the Scrotum and Umbilicus

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare intraepithelial adenocarcinoma. To date, about 200 cases of EMPD have been reported since the first report in 1889. There has been only one case of EMPD involving the umbilicus, in a patient with prostatic carcinoma. This is the first report of EMPD occurring concurrently in the scrotum and umbilicus. The patient had recurrent, eczematous, and pruritic lesions of the left scrotum and umbilicus 2 years previously. Biopsy and surgical resection were performed and EMPD was diagnosed. There was no evidence of recurrence at 34 months after surgery.

Comparison of Short Term Clinical Results Between LASEK and Epi-LASIK

PURPOSE: To compare short-term clinical results of LASEK and epi-LASIK. METHODS: Fifteen subjects (30 eyes) underwent uncomplicated LASEK on one eye and uncomplicated epi-LASIK on the other eye by a single surgeon, and uncorrected visual acuity, refractive change, postoperative pain, and postoperative satisfaction were compared at postoperative week one, at one month, and at three months. RESULTS: Postoperative uncorrected visual acuities were 0.68+/-0.20, 0.96+/-0.22, and 1.05+/-0.17 for LASEK and 0.75+/-0.21, 0.92+/-0.14, and 1.01+/-0.21 for epi-LASIK at one week, one month, and three months, respectively. Epi-LASIK showed faster improvement in visual acuity at one week, while LASEK showed faster improvement afterward. However, no statistical significance was found. Spherical equivalet of LASEK was -0.66+/-1.28D and that of epi-LASIK was -0.61+/-0.92D at postoperative week one, implying faster refractive recovery for epi-LASIK, but after one month, LASEK was faster in refractive recovery and all these changes were not statistically significant. Durations of postoperative pain were 3.13+/-1.25 days for LASEK and 3.02+/-1.32 days for epi-LASIK. Pain scores (0~10 point scale), however, were also lower for LASEK by 0.33 point, 0.57 point, and 0.45 point for postoperative day 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistical significance was noted in either pain duration or pain score. When asked for overall satisfaction, six subjects preferred LASIK, four subjects preferred epi-LASIK, and five subjects showed no preference. CONCLUSIONS: Both LASEK and epi-LASIK are effective for surgical correction of myopia, and no significant difference in visual recovery, refractive change or degree of postoperative pain was noted in this study.

The Analysis of Prognostic Factors of Survival for Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma according to Lymph Node Involvement or Metastasis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: The prognostic factors of renal cell carcinoma(RCC) are well known. However, the knowledge about the behavior of the nodal and metastatic involvement is still lacking. We analyzed the prognostic factors and survival for patients with various statuses of RCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 1,140 patients who had RCC between 1989 and 2005. The patients with multifocal and/or cystic RCCs, bilateral RCCs, RCCs related to ESRD and von Hippel-Lindau disease or the patients who didn't undergo lymph node dissection were excluded. The patients were divided into 4 groups; the TxN0M0(473 patients), TxN1-2M0(31), TxN0M1(47) and TxN1-2M1(21) groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the prognostic factors(age, the mean tumor size, the pT stage, the histological type, the nuclear grade and the presence of symptoms). The five- year cancer-specific survival(CSS) also was calculated. RESULTS: The five-year CSS for each group was 90.5%, 62.8%, 38.8% and 17.9%, respectively. For the TxN0M0 group, every prognostic factor had a significant impact on survival on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis subsequently showed that the pT stage, the histological type and the nuclear grade were independent prognostic factors. For the TxN1-2M0 group, the histological type was a significant prognostic factor. Age and the pT stage were independent prognostic factors for the TxN0M1 group and the presence of symptoms was an independent prognostic factor for the TxN1-2M1 group. CONCLUSIONS: The survival was the highest for the TxN0M0 group and it was the lowest for the TxN1-2M1 group. The survival for the TxN1-2M0 group was better than that for the TxN0M1 group. These results obtained by analyzing the prognostic factors and the five-year CSS according to the various nodal and metastatic statuses of RCC patients will provided crucial information to predict clinical progression and the survival outcomes.

Renal Ruptures with Active Bleeding Treated with Emergency Selective Renal Arterial Embolization / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Selection of a treatment modality for traumatized renal rupture depends on the renal injury grade, hemodynamic stability, combined organ injury, and the physician's experience. Treatment for renal injury tends to be conservative to maintain renal function and lessen the morbidity of surgery. If renal injuries were well-staged and selected by radiologic evaluation, hemodynamically stable patients with significant injuries (grades II through V) can usually be managed without surgical exploration. We report 3 cases of grade 4 renal injuries successfully treated with selective renal arterial embolization.

Adenomatoid Tumor between the Epididymis and the Testis / 대한남성과학회지

Adenomatoid tumor is the most common paratesticular tumor with an anatomic distribution limited to the epididymis and it rarely invades to the tunica vaginalis, spermatic cord and ejaculatory duct. Adenomatoid tumor is a benign neoplasm that is thought to be of a mesothelial origin. The treatment of choice for adenomatoid tumor is local excision because of its benign nature and the absence of distant metastasis. We report here on a rare case of adenomatoid tumor that was found between the epididymis and the testis, and it was treated by local excision of tumor.

Fungi Isolated from Pine Wood Nematode, Its Vector Japanese Pine Sawyer, and the Nematode-Infected Japanese Black Pine Wood in Korea

Pine tree death caused by pine wood nematode (PWN) involves phoretic relationships between PWN and its vector Japanese pine sawyer beetle (JPS). In an effort to understand the diversity of fungi involved in PWN life cycle, a total of 176 fungal isolates were collected from PWNs, adults and larvae of JPS, PWN-diseased Japanese black pine that was cut down in 2005 at Jinju, Korea. Based on microscopic observation and colony morphology, and sequence analysis of the ITS rDNA, the fungal isolates were identified at the level of genus. Three genera including Mucor, Ophiostoma, and Penicillium were identified from PWN. Two genera of Ophiostoma and Penicillium were discovered from JPS larvae. From JPS adult beetles, nine genera of Aspergillus, Gibberella, Hypocrea, Irpex, Leptosphaeria, Ophiostoma, Penicillium, and Plectosphaerella and unknown basidiomycetes were found. Ten genera from PWN-infected wood were confirmed as Bionectria, Botrytis, Camarops, Fusarium, Hypocrea, Nectrtia, Mucor, Ophiostoma, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. Penicillium and Ophiostoma were commonly distributed on PWN and its vector and host. This is first report of the fungi associated with PWN and its vector and host in Korea.

The Change of Bladder Function after Neurosurgery in Patients with Lipomyelomeningocele / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To prevent further neurological deterioration by tethering of the spinal cord, an early surgical procedure for asymptomatic lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) can be performed. The neurogenic bladder patterns, degree of improvement according to timing of surgery, and the relationship between the change in the upper urinary tract and neurogenic bladder pattern were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all 39 patients, before and after primary neurosurgical repair of LMMC, who presented between 1996 and 2003. RESULTS: Preoperative urodynamics (UDS) revealed a neurogenic bladder in 23 patients (59%). Of these 23 patients, 16 had a hyperreflexic and 7 an areflexic bladder. Of the 16 who had a hyperreflexic bladder, 4 and 2 were changed to normal and areflexic bladders, respectively, but 10 remained unchanged postoperatively. In 3 patients repeated UDS was performed, with 1 remaining unchanged, but 2 changed to an areflexic bladder. Of the 7 patients with an areflexic bladder, 1 changed to a hyperreflexic bladder, but 6 remained unchanged postoperatively. All 3 patients who underwent a repeated UDS remained unchanged. Hydronephrosis was noted on ultrasonography in 3 patients. The degree of improvement according to the timing of surgery was not statistically significant. All 16 patients who had a normal bladder remained unchanged postoperatively, and 2 patients who underwent repeated UDS changed to a hyperreflexic bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Even when pre- and postoperative UDS reveal a normal bladder function, long-term follow-up through UDS is still required. The use of routine preoperative and periodic postoperative urodynamic evaluations is important in children with LMMC, but without clinically overt symptoms.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor as Misdiagnosed as Bladder Cancer / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Solitary fibrous tumor(SFT) was previously named localized fibrous mesothelioma, and this is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that usually shows benign behavior. It is the most commonly recognized tumor of the pleura. These tumors have been recently reported to be found in unexpected locations. To the best of our knowledge, there have been only 2 reports of SFT arising from the urinary bladder in Koreans. We review this third case of SFT that was misdiagnosed as bladder cancer. This tumor was removed from a 40-year-old man who had a history of lower urinary tract symptoms.

A Case of Combined Hepatocellular and Cholangiocarcinoma with Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Sarcomatoid Transformation: A Case Report

We report here on a case of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) with neuroendocrine differentiation and sarcomatoid transformation. A 59-year-old male who had had HBV-associated chronic liver disease presented with hepatic masses. The explanted liver showed three small masses, two in the right lobe and one in the left lobe. The largest one in the right lobe was a 2.0 cm sized binodular mass,consisting of a yellowish tan nodule and an abutting reddish brown nodule. Microscopically, the reddish brown nodule was a cholangiocarcinoma (CC) showing neuroendocrine differentiation and sarcomatoid tranformation. The yellowish tan nodule and the remaining two masses were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)s. On immunohistochemistry, both the adenocarcinoma and spindle sarcomatoid cells were positive for pancytokeratin, but only the adenocarcinoma cells were positive for chromogranin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Mitotic and Ki67 labeling indices as well as p53 immunopositivity were significantly increased only in the CC component. We report here on the first case of CHC in which the CC displayed neuroendocrine differentiation and sarcomatoid transformation with high mitotic and Ki67-labeling indices, as well as having p53 overexpression.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder: A Report of 4 Cases

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a proliferation of B-cells associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as a complication of immunosuppression, especially by FK506. We investigated four cases of PTLD which developed either in allografts or in other organs. Case 1 was a 38-year-old woman, who developed monomorphic PTLD in a kidney 7 years and 7 months after renal transplantation. Case 2 was a 37-year-old man, who developed monomorphic PTLD in the right submandibular lymph node 4 months after liver transplantation. Case 3 was a 60-year-old man, who developed monomorphic PTLD in the liver 8 months after liver transplantation. Case 4 was a 2-year-old female child, who developed polymorphic PTLD in the colon, liver, and mesenteric lymph node 10 months after liver transplantation. FK506 was administered to case 4. EBV was identified in the tissues of all cases by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization.

Synchronous Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma Arising in Two Different Dysplastic Nodules / 대한간학회지

No abstract available.

Recurrent Viral Hepatitis Following Liver Transplantation: Report of 4 Cases

The recurrence of viral hepatitis B or C after liver transplantation is almost universal but their clinical courses and outcomes are vary widely. We investigated four cases of rapidly progressive and fatal recurrent viral hepatitis following liver transplantation, which were rapidly progressive and fatal. Case 1 was a 58-year-old male, who developed recurrent viral hepatitisC. Case 2, 3, and 4 were a 59-year-old female, a 42-year-old male, and a 50-year-old male, respectively, who developed recurrent viral hepatitis B. In cases 1 and 2, the histopathological features of the first liver biopsies were prominent ballooning degeneration of the hepatocytes but later biopsies revealed significant lobular activity. Case 3 began with a marked fatty change and mild lobular and porto-periportal activity and progressed to severe lobular activity and septal fibrosis. In case 4, the first liver biopsy revealed minimal lobular activity but the second biopsy revealed severe lobular activity.

Nerve Conduction Study on Patients with Severe Liver Disease and Its Change after Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the character of peripheral neuropathy associated with end-stage liver disease and the effect of liver transplantation on peripheral neuropathy. METHOD: Twenty five patients admitted for a liver transplantation were involved in this study. All patients underwent nerve conduction study before liver transplantation and 6 months after liver transplantation. Based on results of this study, motor amplitude (MAS), motor velocity (MVS), sensory amplitude (SAS), and sensory velocity score (SVS) were calculated. Neuropathy symptom score (NSS), and neuropathy disability score (NDS) were estimated. The scores from the nerve conduction study were compared with NSS and NDS to find out the correlation between them. The changes in nerve conduction study, NSS and NDS after liver transplantation were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients had abnormalities on their nerve conduction study preoperatively, but 10 patients (40%) showed normal findings 6 months after transplantation. Only SAS disclosed significant correlation with NDS preoperatively. SAS, SVS, and MVS showed significant correlation with NDS after transplantation. SAS and MVS substantially increased after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Nerve conduction study showed the improvement both in sensory and motor nerve after liver transplantation. The correlation between the nerve conduction study and clinical estimates after liver transplantation was closer than before the transplantation.

Expression of Voltage-dependent Na+ Channels in the Albino Guinea Pig Cochlea / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The endolymph produced from cochlear lateral wall regulates fluid and maintains positive endocochlear potential. Although many immunohistochemical studies of ion transport enzymes in the cochlear lateral wall have been reported, their mechanisms are still not completely understood. And there are no reports on the studies of anti-Na+ channels in the cochlea of the guinea pig. The voltage-dependent ion channels are fundamental components of neuronal activity. The Na+ channel has a single alpha subunit with 4 pseudosubunits of 6 transmembrane segments each. Expression of the pore-forming and voltage-sensing alpha or alpha1 subunit typically leads to the appearance of channels with voltage- and time-dependent gating and ion conductance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression of the Na+ channel type I and II in the cochlea lateral wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the protein identification by western blot after homogenization and immunohistochemical localization by FITC to the anti-Na+ channel type I and II in the cochlea of the Preyer's positive, white guinea pigs. RESULTS: The results showed that the anti-Na+ channel type I and II were expressed strongly in the intermediate cells of the stria vascularis, and weakly in the stria vascularis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that there are voltage-dependent Na+ channels in the stria vascularis of cochlea and those functions are further evaulated physiologically by the patch clamp technique.