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This panel study aimed to evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and anxiety in schoolchildren. During 3 waves in March, July, and November 2018 with 7 days per wave, 52 children aged 10 years were recruited from two schools in a city in Korea. To assess outdoor exposure, we used PM2.5 concentration measures for every hour at the national measurement station (NMS) closest to the two participating schools. To assess indoor exposure, we measured PM2.5 concentration at the children’s homes and in classrooms, based on 30-min average. Based on time-activity logs, personal average daily exposure values were calculated for each participant, according to exposure values assessed at 30-min intervals by location. Children’s anxiety was assessed via the Korean version of the State Anxiety Inventory for children every day during each wave. Linear mixed effects model was conducted to analyze the association between PM2.5 exposure and anxiety using repeated measurements. Personal exposure to PM2.5 by time-activity log was the highest in March and at home. A low correlation coefficient was observed between PM2.5 concentrations at home and at the NMS (ρ = 0.36, p

To describe the study design, methods, and baseline results of a prospective cohort of radiologic technologists which we have initiated in South Korea. The cohort participants were enrolled through a self-administered questionnaire survey administered from April 2012 to May 2013. Survey data were linked with radiation dosimetry, a cancer registry, and health insurance data by personal identification numbers. A nationwide representative survey was also conducted using a stratified random sampling design with face-to-face interviews. A total of 12,387 radiologic technologists were enrolled, which accounted for approximately 63 % of all diagnostic radiologic technologists working in South Korea. For nationwide survey, 585 workers were interviewed using the detailed questionnaire, and buccal cells were also collected by scraping the inside of the cheek. The majority of study subjects were under 50-year-old and male workers. The average annual effective dose of radiation declined both men (from 2.75 to 1.43 mSv) and women (from 1.34 to 0.95 mSv) over the period of 1996–2011. A total of 99 cancers (66 cancers in men and 33 in women) were reported from 1992 to 2010. The standardized incidence ratio of all cancer combined was significantly lower in men (SIR = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.58–0.96) than general population, but the ratios for thyroid cancer were significantly higher than expected among both men and women. This cohort provides comprehensive information on work activities and health status of diagnostic radiologic technologists. In addition, the nationwide representative sample provides unique opportunities compared with previous radiologic technologist studies.

To evaluate whether ischemic time is related to ipsilateral parenchymal atrophy (IPA) and contralateral compensational hypertrophy (CCH) and how CCH affects late functional outcome after partial nephrectomy.Parenchymal kidney volumes and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were determined preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in 79 patients. Kidney volume was measured by Voxel Plus® 2.5 with a tissue segmentation tool. Correlation analysis and univariate and multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the recovery of IPA, CCH, and GFR.The mean preserved ipsilateral kidney volume was 86.7%. At 12 months, mean IPA and CCH were 3.0 and 4.8%, respectively, and the mean GFR decrease was 8.0%. Ipsilateral volume decrease and contralateral volume increase were significant until 6 months postoperatively (p0.05, for each). IPA and CCH were greater with a longer ischemic time (35 min; p=0.029 and 0.003, respectively), and CCH correlated positively with IPA (r2=0.052, p=0.045). On multivariate analysis, IPA correlated with a longer ischemic time and percent of preserved normal parenchymal volume (PPV), and CCH correlated with a longer ischemic time, IPA, PPV, and total parenchymal volume increase. At 12 months postoperatively, CCH correlated with GFR recovery (r2=0.072, p=0.026), and significant predictors of GFR recovery were age, sex, PPV, and CCH.We present the meaningful possibility that longer ischemic time and less preservation of normal parenchyma cause greater parenchymal atrophy, thereby promoting CCH, which contributes to renal function recovery after partial nephrectomy.

The present study aimed to verify the association between diameter–axial–polar (DAP) nephrometry and surgical outcomes, postoperative renal function, and perioperative complications in patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Diameter–axial–polar nephrometry was assessed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging on 158 patients who received RPN between July 2007 and February 2013. Demographic data, surgical data, and perioperative complications were recorded, and percent change between the preoperative and last estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between the DAP sum score and warm ischemia time (WIT), estimated blood loss (EBL), and percent decrease in eGFR. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between each DAP scoring parameter and surgical outcomes. The median patient age was 50.5 years and median DAP sum score was 6. On linear regression, the DAP sum score was associated with WIT and EBL. On multivariable regression, all DAP parameters were associated with WIT, but the polar distance was not associated with EBL. Patients with a higher DAP sum score showed greater decrease in eGFR after RPN. Patients with a DAP sum score of 6 or higher had a higher risk of major complications than those with a DAP sum score below 6. Diameter–axial–polar nephrometry predicted WIT and EBL in patients who underwent RPN. It was also associated with the decrease in eGFR and rate of major perioperative complications, and thus can be useful for surgical planning or patient counseling before RPN.

The goal of this study was to compare the diagnostic use and safety of endorectal coil (ERC) MRI with those of phased-array coil MRI.We retrospectively included 91 consecutive patients who had undergone 1.5-T MRI with ERC or with phased-array coil MRI before radical prostatectomy at our institution. We compared 47 patients' phased-array coil MRI and 44 patients' ERC-MRI with histologic findings. We also evaluated adverse events following the MRI procedure.The serum PSA levels ranged from 2.85 to 33.51 ng/mL (10.72 ± 1.9), and the median Gleason score was 7 (range 4-9). The mean interval between diagnostic prostate biopsy and staging MRI was 18.4 days (range 2-37). In assessing organ-confined disease, extracapsular extension and seminal vesicle invasion by MRI, there were no significant differences between ERC-MR group and phased-array coil MR group. The AUC values were 0.671 (95% CI 0.530-0.813) for ERC-MR and 0.657 (95% CI 0.503-0.811) for phased-array coil MR. No significant differences were found between the two groups (p = 0.24). Five patients (11.4%) developed rectal complications after ERC-MRI. However, no complications were found in phased-array coil MRI group.In terms of diagnostic accuracy and comfort of patients, the use of ERC-MRI did not significantly improve the staging of prostate cancer and presented several complications. Therefore, phased-array coil MRI is a better alternative considering comorbidity.

We conducted a 2-year field assessment of the gene flow from genetically modified (GM) chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), containing the PepEST (pepper esterase) gene, to a non-GM control line “WT512” and two commercial hybrid cultivars, “Manidda” and “Cheongpung Myeongwol (CM).” After seeds were collected from the pollen-recipient non-GM plants, hybrids between them and the GM peppers were screened by a hygromycin assay. PCR with the targeting hpt gene was performed to confirm the presence of transgenes in hygromycin-resistant seedlings. Out of 7,071 “WT512” seeds and 6,854 “Manidda” seeds collected in 2006, eight and 12 hybrids, respectively, were detected. In 2007, 33 hybrids from 3,456 “WT512” seeds and 50 hybrids from 3,457 “CM” seeds were found. The highest frequency of gene flow, 6.19%, was observed in that 2007 trial. These results suggest that a limited isolation distance would be sufficient to prevent gene flow from GM to conventionally bred chili peppers.

Potato microtubers were treated with rindite to investigate the effect on dormancy breaking. Postharvest application of rindite by fumigation with 2 ml rindite for 48 hr or 4ml for 24 hr significantly reduced the dormancy period of potato microtubers using a 32 x 15 x 17 cm tightly sealed plastic box. Approximately 2 weeks after the treatments microtubers of all cultivars, Atlantic, Superior, Lemhi Russet, Red Dale and Kennebec started to sprout. The efficiency of the treatments were the greatest for the cv. Lemhi Russet, intermediate for cv. Superior and least for cv. Red Dale. In all cultivars of potato microtubers, more decay was observed the earlier rindite treatment occurred after harvesting, therefore potato microtubers should be treated with rindite at least 2 weeks after harvest when the skin of microtubers is mature. The data indicates that the dormancy of potato microtubers with well-matured skin can be effectively broken with an optimum treatment of rindite.