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Agriculture accounts for the largest share of anthropogenic methane emissions. Rice paddy fields emit a significant amount of methane gas worldwide. Changing paddy water management practices has an enormous potential to reduce greenhouse gases. The clean development mechanism (CDM) project uses a market mechanism to reduce methane through private participation. There are various risks associated with private investment in CDM projects, although carbon credits as an economic incentive assist in mitigating some of these risks. Farmer participation plays a key role in the success of paddy water management projects in rural areas; however, despite the significant potential to reduce global methane emissions, very few projects have been implemented. When designing a Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM) system, it is crucial to understand why the market mechanism in the existing CDM projects has failed. This study identifies and categorizes the risks and barriers to paddy water management in CDM projects and analyzes risk management options in CDM projects in India, Indonesia, and Mozambique. The results of this study showed that aside from economic risks, barriers to the application of technology in the field pose critical risks. The lack of knowledge and implementation experiences in rural areas increases barriers to practice. This in turn causes risk of difficulties in technology transfer which can be alleviated by improving awareness and introducing new knowledge through education and training in rural project implementation. Additionally, we highlight the importance of international efforts to build governance between the private and public sectors and promote technology transfers through multi-stakeholder engagement. This study provides specific information to encourage methane reduction worldwide and vitalize rice paddy water management in carbon reduction projects.

In this study, using the modified Einstein procedure, data on sediment load were systematically collected and analyzed by year, period, watershed, and main stream and tributaries in South Korean rivers. It was found that the sediment load and concentration differ significantly depending on the region, even in the same area and at the same time, especially in areas with a large minimum-maximum discharge ratio. Therefore, the application of the relationship between discharge and sediment load across all time and space needs to be precise, and data have to be selected separately according to the relational application conditions. In addition, existing sediment transport formulas were compared by applying various goodness-of-fit methods that were well suited to the measured dataset. The results showed that the optimal sediment transport formula varied according to the goodness-of-fit method. Furthermore, while the Ackers and White approach was found to be generally suitable; however, the correlation figures alone were not conclusive. Therefore, a quantitative determination must be made as to how the application of simple fitness methods affects the selection of optimal sediment transport formulas.

Photorhabdus spp. has a high molecular weight Tc toxin with insecticidal activity. These toxins have been suggested as an alternative to BT toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. Herein, we constructed a cosmid library with the genome of M1021 and screened the Escherichia coli clones showing insect toxicity by injecting each clone into Galleria mellonella larvae. In a total of 1020 clones, one clone with high insecticidal activity was selected and the nucleotide sequence of the cosmid of the clone was determined. In cosmid PtC28, a gene with 87% homology to the tccB gene of Photorhabdus temperata was found. Consequently, we have isolated the tccB gene cassette from the M1021 and expressed in E. coli expression vectors. The toxin was produced in the form of inclusion bodies but the denatured and refolded recombinant TccB showed strong mortality to the G. mellonella larvae.

Many countries, including South Korea, decided to suspend the inclusion of harvested wood products in their Nationally Determined Contributions, as part of the carbon inventory, in 2016. The inclusion of harvested wood products in the national greenhouse gases inventory must ensure the accuracy of carbon accounting and its conformity with the policy direction. The method used for harvested wood product carbon accounting can influence the accuracy of carbon account value, as well as policy direction based on greenhouse gas accounting. This research evaluated the utilization of domestic wood resources in South Korea in terms of carbon storage impacts from the perspective of the cascading use of wood products. The study also compared the two accounting methods (Tier 2 and Tier 3) of carbon storage for the period from 1970 to 2080, assuming the current pattern of wood resource utilization for the next sixty years. The results show that the current utilization of domestic wood resources is inefficient in terms of climate change mitigation. The analysis shows that there is a significant difference between the Tier 2 and Tier 3 methods in carbon storage effects, and the amount of harvested wood products carbon stock calculated by the Tier 2 method was found to be approximately double that of Tier 3. This result implies that there is a possibility of overestimating the carbon storage of harvested wood products when using the Tier 2 method in the case of net timber-importing countries, such as South Korea. The study can provide guidance for designing timber resource management from the perspective of the cascading use of wood products in order to contribute to sustainable development goals, including climate change mitigation.

Purpose This study compared the pain-relieving effects of human milk, sucrose, and distilled water during examinations for retinopathy of prematurity. Methods Forty-five preterm infants were randomly assigned to receive a pacifier dipped in one of three solutions: human milk (n=14), 24% sucrose (n=15), or distilled water (n=16), 2 minutes before an eye examination. Their pain score, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation were measured at three time points: 5 minutes before the examination, 30 seconds after speculum introduction, and 2 minutes after the examination. Results The infants’ mean gestational age and weight at birth were 33.1±2.1 weeks and 1,842±470 g, respectively. There were no between-group differences in pain relief during the eye examination. The pain score significantly increased both during (p

Numerical simulations for bed change and bank erosion were performed using a two-dimensional numerical model to analyze the effect of channel width variation on bed change for the 4.2 km section upstream of Changnyeong-Haman Weir in the Nakdong River of South Korea. Simulation result of bed degradation without bank erosion for 120 days with 1,000 m3/s of flow discharge was about 2 m greater than the case of simulation with bank erosion. The narrow channel section was continuously degraded over time in the simulation with the fixed boundary for bank lines. However, bed degradation decreased as the channel width increased when bank erosion or artificial width extension were considered in the modeling. The equilibrium condition for topographical changes in the study reach was demonstrated by the modeling results with different channel width and simulation time.

This study evaluated the applicability of existing sediment yield and transport estimation models developed using data mining classification and prediction techniques and validated them. Field surveys were conducted by using an acoustic Doppler current profiler and laser in situ scattering and transmission at measuring points in the main stream of the Nakdong River located where the tributaries of the Geumho, Hwang, and Nam Rivers join. Surveys yielded estimations of water velocity, discharge, and suspended sediment concentrations were measured. In contrast with models based on the general watershed characteristics factors, some models based on hydraulic explanatory flow variables demonstrated an excellent predictability. This is because the selected submodels for validation, which provided excellent prediction results, were based on a large number of calibration data. It indicates that a sufficient number of reliable data is required in developing a sediment yield estimation model using data mining. For practical applications of data mining to extant sediment yield estimation models, comprehensive considerations are required, including the purpose and background of model development, and data range. Furthermore, the existing models should be periodically updated with the consideration of temporal and spatial lumping problems.

South Korea experiences numerous local sedimentation problems, such as landslides, upland erosion, aggradation and degradation, and flood plain sediment deposition. This has necessitated the development of a reliable and consistent approach for modeling sediment processes in the country. In this study, samples obtained from 35 gauging stations at five alluvial river basins in South Korea were used together with the modified Einstein procedure and series expansion of the modified Einstein procedure to determine the total sediment load at the sampling locations. Using two different methods, the total sediment load of majority of the 35 considered rivers were found to be typically 50–300 ton/km2·yr. A model tree data mining technique was used to develop a model for estimating the specific degradation based on certain meaningful parameters, namely, the 1) elevation at the middle relative area of the hypsometric curve [m], 2) percentage of wetland and water, 3) percentage of urban land, 4) mean annual precipitation [mm], 5) main stream length [km], and 6) watershed form factor [km2/km2]. The root mean square error of the predictions of the proposed model was found to be 55 ton/km2·yr less than those of existing statistical models. Erosion loss maps obtained by the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), satellite images, and aerial photographs were also used to represent the geospatial features affecting erosion and sedimentation. The results of the geospatial analysis indicated that the transport of sediment into the alluvial rivers was affected by the wetlands located near the rivers, and also enabled clear delineation of the unique erosion features of construction sites in the urban areas. In addition, the watershed morphometric characteristics could be used to accurately represent the sediment transport. The proposed data mining methodology promises to facilitate the solution of various erosion and sedimentation problems in South Korea. The geospatial analysis procedure would also enable the understanding of spatially varied erosion and sedimentation processes under different conditions.

Background/Aims There have been controversial reports linking Helicobacter pylori infection to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). However, data regarding the relationship are limited for Asian populations, which have an extremely high prevalence of H. pylori infection. We performed this study to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and AITD in Koreans. Methods This study involved adults aged 30 to 70 years who had visited a health promotion center. A total of 5,502 subjects were analysed. Thyroid status was assessed by free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori were measured as an indication of H. pylori infection. We compared the prevalence of TPO-Ab in subjects with and without H. pylori infection. Results H. pylori IgG antibodies were found in 2,875 subjects (52.3%), and TPO-Ab were found in 430 (7.8%). Individuals positive for H. pylori Ab were older than those negative for H. pylori Ab (p < 0.01). The proportion of females was significantly higher in the TPO-Ab positive group (41.0% vs. 64.2%, p < 0.01). Prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity was higher in subjects with H. pylori infection (8.6% vs. 7.00%, p = 0.03), and this association was significant after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.03; p = 0.04). Conclusions In our study, prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity is more frequent in subjects with H. pylori infection. Our findings suggest H. pylori infection may play a role in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis.

The effects of sedimentation reduction at the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage (NREB) in Korea were quantitatively analyzed with respect to different sediment control methods using the calibrated and validated two-dimensional model. The countermeasures of sediment dredging, sediment flushing, channel geometry change, and a combination of flushing and channel geometry change were examined for the approach channel of the NREB. The flood event and channel geometries of the 3.8 km section upstream of the NREB surveyed before and after dredging in 2007 were used for modeling conditions. As a result, the half of sediments dredged in 2007 could be eliminated naturally by floods without dredging. The numerical simulation of sediment flushing indicated that the deposition height decreased in the entire simulation section with the minimum and maximum reductions from 0.3 m to 1.3 m in deposition height. The channel contraction method produced quantitatively the largest amount of sedimentation reduction and sediment flushing and dredging followed. Sedimentation reduction by a combination of flushing and channel contraction was up 10% compared to the individual method of channel contraction.

Background Hyperthyroidism relapse in Graves disease after antithyroid drug (ATD) withdrawal is common; however, measuring the thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) at ATD withdrawal in order to predict outcomes is controversial. This study compared measurement of thyroid stimulatory antibody (TSAb) and thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) at ATD withdrawal to predict relapse. Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients with Graves disease who were treated with ATDs and whose serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were normal after receiving low-dose ATDs. ATD therapy was stopped irrespective of TRAb positivity after an additional 6 months of receiving the minimum dose of ATD therapy. Patients were followed using thyroid function tests and TSAb (TSAb group; n=35) or TBII (TBII group; n=39) every 3 to 6 months for 2 years after ATD withdrawal. Results Twenty-eight patients (38%) relapsed for a median follow-up of 21 months, and there were no differences in baseline clinical characteristics between groups. In the TSAb group, relapse was more common in patients with positive TSAb at ATD withdrawal (67%) than patients with negative TSAb (17%; P=0.007). Relapse-free survival was shorter in TSAb-positive patients. In the TBII group, there were no differences in the relapse rate and relapse-free survivals according to TBII positivity. For predicting Graves disease relapse, the sensitivity and specificity of TSAb were 63% and 83%, respectively, whereas those of TBII were 28% and 65%. Conclusion TSAb at ATD withdrawal can predict the relapse of Graves hyperthyroidism, but TBII cannot. Measuring TSAb at ATD withdrawal can assist with clinical decisions making for patients with Graves disease.

Acute hypothyroidism induced by thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in patients with thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy can affect mood and quality of life (QoL). While loss or dysregulation of thyroid hormone (TH) has these well-known behavioral consequences, the effects of TH alterations on brain function are not well understood. Resting state functional connectivity (FC) measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows non-invasive evaluation of human brain function. This study therefore examined whether THW affects resting state FC and whether changes in FC correlate with the mood or QoL of the patients with THW status.Twenty-one patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer were recruited. Resting state fMRI scanning of the brain, thyroid function tests, and administration of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were performed before and after two weeks of THW. Regional homogeneity (ReHo), one of the measures of resting state FC, was calculated, and each voxel was compared between before and after THW in 19 patients. The ReHo values were extracted from the regions of interest showing within-group differences in ReHo values after THW, and correlations of ReHo values with thyrotropin (TSH) levels, total score of the PHQ-9, and composite scores of the SF-12 were statistically evaluated.Higher ReHo was observed after THW in the brain cortical regions across primary motor and sensory, visual, and association cortices. Among the regions, the ReHo values in the bilateral pre- and postcentral gyri, bilateral middle occipito-temporal cortices, the left precuneus, and the left lingual gyrus showed positive correlations with serum TSH levels after THW. Higher ReHo values in the bilateral pre- and postcentral gyri, the left middle temporo-occipital cortices, and the left ligual gyrus correlated with the lower mental component summary score from the SF-12, while higher ReHo values in the bilateral pre- and postcentral gyri correlated with higher total scores in the PHQ-9.Local brain FC is increased in the acute hypothyroid state. Higher FC correlates with a poorer mental QoL and increased depression in the hypothyroid state.

A repeat fine needle aspiration (FNA) is recommended for thyroid nodules diagnosed as atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) in a previous cytology. We evaluated the utility of NRAS codon 61 (NRAS61) mutation analysis and core needle biopsy (CNB) for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules previously diagnosed as AUS. This study enrolled 236 patients who underwent both NRAS61 mutation analysis and CNB of thyroid nodules previously diagnosed as AUS at cytology. The NRAS61 mutation was detected in 36 nodules and was more frequently detected in the AUS and follicular neoplasm (FN)/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (SFN) categories, as determined by histological analysis of CNB, than in the benign group (p = 0.005). Sixty-one patients underwent surgery, and 29 nodules were finally diagnosed as malignant after surgery. Among 61 patients who underwent surgery, nodules with the NRAS61 mutation (42-65 %) had a significantly higher malignancy rate than nodules with wild-type NRAS61 (7-37 %, p = 0.038). The association between malignancy and the NRAS61 mutation was significant after adjusting for age, sex, nodule size, and histological diagnosis of CNB (p = 0.01). NRAS61 mutation analysis together with CNB could be helpful for arriving at a clinical decision in patients with thyroid nodules showing AUS in a previous cytology.

Measuring eco-innovation helps us understand the overall trends and raises awareness in society. Measuring eco-innovation at the national level and making comparisons across countries may allow us to benchmark performance and foster policy learning. This paper assesses two indices developed in two different regions: The ASEM Eco-Innovation Index (ASEI) by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center, based in Republic of Korea; and the Eco-Innovation Scoreboard (Eco-IS) developed by the Eco-Innovation Observatory, based in the European Union. This paper aims to examine and compare the features of both and attempts to obtain insights on their strengths and weaknesses. Towards this aim, our paper assesses those scoreboards against four criteria stemming from innovation analysis: (1) relevance of areas and stakeholders covered; (2) ability to indicate changes; (3) directions towards common goals; and (4) ability to facilitate further changes. We conclude both are promising, despite data shortages, and have great potential to contribute towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly with regard to the SDGs on sustainable industrialization and sustainable consumption and production. In comparison, the ASEI covers more countries than the Eco-IS. However, the ASEI has limitations on measuring indicators due to limited data availability in Asian countries. The Eco-IS is closely linked with the regional and national policies for eco-innovation in Europe, while the ASEI’s impact appears more limited, as of now. In conclusion, the research results give insights into key areas, goals and applications of eco-innovation indices, and can help upgrading eco-innovation indices. This research helps interpret the scores of two indices better and facilitate application of the scores in the multiple ways. It is expected that this research contributes to developing and modifying a global eco-innovation index and enhancing the ability of these indices to facilitate eco-innovation strategies at national levels and across relevant actors.

Bed changes in the Nakdong River were analyzed with long-term monitoring data for analyzing riverbed change patterns after Four Major Rivers Restoration Project (FMRRP). Also, possible long-term bed changes were predicted using one-dimensional numerical model for the section where the largest change was observed after FMRRP. The sensitive analysis was performed with different incoming sediment discharge conditions and sediment transport equations. The numerical model was calibrated by comparing short-term monitoring data and simulated results, and was applied for predicting bed change after 10 years. As a result of monitoring data analysis, the largest change in bed elevation occurred at the section between the Changnyeong-Haman and Hapcheon-Changnyeong weirs. The result of one-dimensional numerical modeling for 10 years indicated that maximum depositions of 2.07 m and 3.26 m were produced in this section.

Eco-innovation globally emerged as an effort to implement sustainable development. States and firms established and implemented policies and strategies for eco-innovation as one route to achieving sustai nable development. Eco-innovation has been facilitated in developed countries, specifically OECD members and European countries, through action plans. Recently, eco-innovation policies have emerged in developing countries. Thus, this study analyzes eco-innovation policies in Asian countries. Policies related to eco-innovation in 17 Asian countries were investigated using policy instrument categories. National policies for eco-innovation were interpreted and compared with development stage classifications. The results indicate that there are similar and different policy approaches to eco-innovation in Asian countries. Given the balance between a technology push (supply side) and a market pull (demand side) in policy instruments for eco-innovation, 17 countries were identified by four categories: leaders, followers, loungers, and laggards. The results provide insight for designing nationa l strategies for eco-innovation in Asia’s developing countries. Therefore, this research contributes to facilitating and diffusing eco-innovation toward sustainability in Asia.

A program for stable channel design was developed to perform the sensitivity analysis for stable conditions with various sediment transport equations. It provides a useful solution considering design constraints such as a fixed width and depth as well as various solutions for stable channel condition with a wide range. This program applied to the section of the abandoned channel restoration in the Cheongmi Stream, a tributary of Han River in Korea. The predicted slopes with sediment transport equations were steeper than the current channel slope. Overall, the current section has deeper depth and milder bed slope compared to the stable channel prediction results. This could be represented in relation to the formation of sandbars around the study reach in the Cheongmi Stream. Regarding the application to the Cheongmi Stream with the fixed base width, Yang’s equation produced the steepest slope and the shallowest depth. In the case of the application with the fixed depth, the base width predicted by Yang’s equation was the narrowest. For all sediment transport equations, the predicted base width was narrower than the current section.

The BRAF(V600E) mutation is a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but its prevalence differs widely among different geographic regions. A recent study reported that loss of the Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor Subunit 2 (CPSF2) gene was associated with increased cellular invasion, cancer stem cells, and aggressiveness of PTC. This study aimed at evaluating CPSF2 protein expression as a prognostic marker for PTC in a region with a high prevalence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation, Korea.This study included 159 patients with classical PTC who underwent a total thyroidectomy and received ablative doses of (131)I. The expression of CPSF2 protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and graded semi-quantitatively. The presence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation was evaluated by direct sequencing.Negative protein expression of CPSF2 was observed in 34 (21.3%) of the 159 PTCs. In multivariate analysis, negative CPSF2 expression was significantly associated with cervical lymph node metastasis (odds ratio [OR]=2.56, p=0.28), and distant metastasis (OR=3.48, p=0.02). After adjusting for age, sex, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and the BRAF(V600E) mutation, the CPSF2-negative group had a significantly lower recurrence-free survival compared to the CPSF2-positive group (hazard ratio=2.14, p=0.03).Negative protein expression of CPSF2 is independently associated with a poor clinical outcome in PTC. CPSF2 could be a useful prognostic marker for PTC in regions with a high prevalence of the BRAF(V600E) mutation.

Background: Obesity is associated with aggressive pathological features and poor clinical outcomes in breast and prostate cancers. In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), these relationships remain still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between body mass index (BMI) and the clinical outcomes of patients with PTC. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,189 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for PTCs equal to or larger than 1 cm in size. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared based on the BMI quartiles. Results: There were no significant associations between BMI quartiles and primary tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, cervical lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. However, an increase in mean age was associated with an increased BMI (P for trend

This study explored at marital conflict in multicultural families, a type of families formed through international marriages,from husbands perspectives. For the purpose of this study, in-depth interviews were used with husbands in multiculturalfamilies to ask about marital conflict, and then, conducted a qualitative case analysis. In summary, results of this studyare as follows; First, among the decisive events that husbands in multicultural families often experienced in marital conflictwith their wives were disrespect toward husbands and parents-in-law, husbands with a low level of trust, feelings of pressure due to financial support for wives’ families and children and lack of practical sense about marriage. Second,development of marital conflict that husbands often experienced included aggravated cultural conflict between a coupleand between members of the family, difficulty in managing blame and anger, signs of separation or divorce and wives leaving home and limitations in conversation and communication. Third, as to how husbands tried to deal with maritalconflict, they tried to be patient and comfort wives, engage in economic activities together, find something that theycould focus on, turn to religion or gatherings, use service from government organizations, have trust and develop rules and limit the range of their wives activities.

Stable channel design is to determine the width, depth and slope for satisfying the condition that the upstream incoming sediment rate is equal to the sediment transport rate at the design channel. Therefore, the most sensitive variable when designing a stable channel is the selection of a sediment transport equation applied for the channel design. Especially if in the case of gravel beds the designer uses the equation developed by using the dataof sand rivers, the calculation result of the stable channel section has large errors. In this study, the stable channeldesign has been applied to the gravel bed river using the previous stable channel design program with newly added the sediment transport equation for gravel beds; and the stable channel section considering design constraints has beenproduced by using the analytical method.As results, in the case of the application with the fixed width, the depth predicted by Ackers and White’s equationwas the shallowest and Meyer-Peter and Muller’s equation was 0.8 m deeper than the current section of 2.4 m. Inthe case of the application with the fixed depth, the width predicted by Engelund and Hansen’s equation was twice wider than the current section and by Meyer-Peter and Muller’s equation was 20 m wider than the current sectionof 44 m.

Measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) in the washout fluid of fine-needle aspirates (FNA-Tg) is useful for diagnosis of lymph node (LN) metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the cutoff value of FNA-Tg in the preoperative state is not defined clearly. This study aimed to evaluate the optimal cutoff value of preoperative FNA-Tg according to serum Tg level.FNA-Tg was measured in 135 PTC patients (160 LNs) for preoperative diagnosis of cervical LN metastasis.Of the 160 LNs, 119 (74%) were surgically removed and 110 (69%) were diagnosed as malignant. When we adopted a FNA-Tg of 1.0 μg/L as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity were 99% and 76%, respectively. FNA-Tg levels were correlated with serum Tg levels (Pearson's coefficient 0.42, p=0.002) and the FNA-Tg levels of 12 of the 50 benign LNs were above 1.0 μg/L. We classified the LNs into two groups according to serum Tg level regardless of anti-Tg antibody status: a low Tg group (≤1.0 μg/L, n=22, 14%) and a high Tg group (1.0 μg/L, n=138, 86%). In the low Tg group, the sensitivity and specificity of the FNA-Tg cutoff value of 1.0 μg/L were 93% and 100%, respectively. In the high Tg group, the sensitivity and specificity of the FNA-Tg cutoff value of 19.0 μg/L were 93% and 100%, respectively. A Tg ratio (FNA-Tg level divided by serum Tg level) of 0.5 gave an improved diagnostic performance (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 98%) in the high Tg group.FNA-Tg levels in the preoperative state are affected by serum Tg levels when they exceeded 1.0 μg/L. For the preoperative diagnosis of metastatic cervical LNs, it seems reasonable to employ different cutoff values of FNA-Tg depending on serum Tg levels. We propose the use of an optimal cutoff value of FNA-Tg of 1.0 μg/L in patients with low serum Tg levels and a Tg ratio of 0.5 in those with high serum Tg levels irrespective of thyroglobulin antibody status.

The headcut erosion at the confluence section of a mainstream and tributary can migrate up the tributary streams, and rapid degradation can threaten the stability of hydraulic structures installed in the channel. Therefore, quantitative analysis for the development and mechanism of headcut erosion is needed to prevent damage due to the headcut. In this study, hydraulic experiments for headcut erosion in the channel with noncohesive materials were performed and the knickpoint movement and final bed slope change were analyzed based on the different hydraulic conditions. As a result, the knickpoint movement was 1.5 times faster when the difference in velocity between the upstream and downstream sections was 2.5 times greater and the central part of the cross-section was eroded and collapsed earlier than the left and right sides. The movement length of headcut erosion was longer and the final bed slope was milder as the velocity difference between the upstream and downstream sections was increased. This study showed that a correlation between the knickpoint movement and bed slope change by headcut erosion and the water level difference of upstream and downstream sections was not constant compared to the velocity difference.

Type 2 diabetes is known to increase the risk and progression of certain types of cancer. Metformin treatment of diabetic patients is reported to have beneficial effects on some cancers. We evaluated the clinical outcome of diabetic patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) according to metformin treatment.We reviewed 943 patients diagnosed with DTC after total thyroidectomy between 1995 and 2005 in a tertiary hospital. The study involved 60 diabetic patients and 210 control patients matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and tumor size.There were no differences in the clinicopathological features and disease-free survival (DFS) between diabetic patients and the control group over 8.9 years of follow-up. Of the diabetic patients with DTC, 35 patients (58%) were treated with metformin. There were no differences in age, sex, BMI, tumor size, antidiabetic medication, glycated hemoglobin, or C-peptide levels in metformin and nonmetformin groups. However, cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis was more prevalent in the metformin group than in the nonmetformin group (OR 3.52, p = 0.035). Among diabetic patients with cervical LN metastasis of DTC, the metformin subgroup (17.1 years) was associated with longer DFS than the nonmetformin subgroup (8.6 years) (HR 0.16, p = 0.021); metformin treatment was also associated with longer DFS in this subgroup in multivariate analysis after adjusting age, BMI, duration of diabetes, presence of tumor at resection margin, and serum thyroglobulin level at ablation (HR 0.03, p = 0.035).Metformin treatment is associated with low recurrence in diabetic patients with cervical LN metastasis of DTC.

OBJECTIVE The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) has multiple histological subtypes. Clinical outcomes of FVPTC are variable depending on the subtypes. This study evaluated the association of pre-operative ultrasonographic (US) findings and clinico-pathological features of FVPTC. PATIENTS This retrospective study enrolled patients with FVPTC (n = 70), size-matched classical variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CPTC, n = 328), follicular carcinoma (n = 85) and follicular adenoma (FA, n = 120). We defined the histological subtypes of FVPTC as infiltrative (I-FVPTC; n = 19) or encapsulated (E-FVPTC; n = 51) according to the presence of a fibrous capsule. Pre-operative US was reviewed using a US scoring system and classified into low US score (n = 42) and high US score (n = 28). RESULTS The median US score for FVPTC was lower than CPTC (2 vs 7, P < 0·001), but higher than FA (2 vs 0, P < 0·001). The median US score for I-FVPTC was significantly higher than E-FVPTC (4 vs 2, P = 0·009). I-FVPTC was more likely to be diagnosed as a malignancy or suspicious for malignancy on cytology than E-FVPTC (P = 0·002). The cumulative risks of cervical lymph node (LN) or distant metastasis according to tumour size were significantly higher in I-FVPTC than E-FVPTC (all P < 0·001). The cumulative risks for cervical LN metastasis or capsular invasion according to tumour size were significantly higher in FVPTC with high US score than FVPTC with low US score (P = 0·005, P < 0·001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Pre-operative US findings of thyroid nodules were associated with not only histological subtypes, but also the clinical behaviour in FVPTC.

Background The prevalence of thyroid cancer has increased very rapidly in Korea. However, there is no published report focusing on thyroid cancer mortality in Korea. In this study, we aimed to evaluate standardized thyroid cancer mortality using data from Statistics Korea (the Statistical Office of Korea). Methods Population and mortality data from 1985 to 2010 were obtained from Statistics Korea. Age-standardized rates of thyroid cancer mortality were calculated according to the standard population of Korea, as well as World Health Organization (WHO) standard population and International Cancer Survival Standard (ICSS) population weights. Results The crude thyroid cancer mortality rate increased from 0.1 to 0.7 per 100,000 between 1985 and 2010. The pattern was the same for both sexes. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for thyroid cancer for Korean resident registration population increased from 0.19 to 0.67 between 1985 and 2000. However, it decreased slightly, from 0.67 to 0.55, between 2000 and 2010. When mortality was adjusted using the WHO standard population and ICSS population weights, the ASMR similarly increased until 2000, and then decreased between 2000 and 2010. Conclusion Thyroid cancer mortality increased until 2000 in Korea. It started to decrease from 2000.

SummaryObjective Serum calcitonin (CT) level is used to detect medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but the cut-off level is unclear. We aimed at identifying the optimal cut-off value of basal serum CT levels for detecting MTC. Design and patients We retrospectively enrolled patients with hypercalcitoninemia (≥2·9 pmol/l) who had undergone thyroid ultrasonography (US) and subsequent work-up between 2001 and 2013 at Asan Medical Center. We divided patients into four groups: proven MTC (group 1, n = 93), pathologically proven non-MTC after surgery (group 2, n = 57), benign single nodule by cytology (group 3, n = 68) and patients without nodules on US (group 4, n = 24). Measurement Basal serum CT levels were evaluated. Results The median CT level of group 1 (119·5 pmol/l) was significantly higher than those of other groups (4·0, 3·8 and 3·8 pmol/l, P

Photorhabdus temperata is an entomopathogenic enterobacterium; it is a nematode symbiont that possesses pathogenicity islands involved in insect virulence. Herein, we constructed a P. temperata M1021 cosmid library in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue MRF` and obtained 7.14 x 10(5) clones. However, only 1020 physiologically active clones were screened for insect virulence factors by injection of each E. coli cosmid clone into Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor larvae. A single cosmid clone, PtC1015, was consequently selected due to its characteristic virulent properties, e. g., loss of body turgor followed by death of larvae when the clone was injected into the hemocoel. The sequence alignment against the available sequences in Swiss-Prot and NCBI databases, confirmed the presence of the mcf gene homolog in the genome of P. temperata M1021 showing 85% homology and 98% query coverage with the P. luminescens counterpart. Furthermore, a 2932 amino acid long Mcf protein revealed limited similarity with three protein domains. The N-terminus of the Mcf encompassed consensus sequence for a BH3 domain, the central region revealed similarity to toxin B, and the C-terminus of Mcf revealed similarity to the bacterial export domain of ApxIVA, an RTX-like toxin. In short, the Mcf toxin is likely to play a role in the elimination of insect pests, making it a promising model for use in the agricultural field.

Sediment discharge by long-term runoff in the Nakdong River watershed should be predicted for the maintenance and management of the Nakdong River newly changed by the four major river restoration project. The data establishment by the analysis of runoff and sediment discharge using the long-term watershed model is necessary to predict possible problems by incoming sediments and to prepare countermeasures for the maintenance and management. Therefore, sediment discharges by long-term runoff in the main points of the Nakdong River were calculated using SWAT(soil and water assessment tool) model and the relations and features between rainfall, runoff, and sediment discharge were analyzed in this study. As a result of sediment discharge calculation in the main points of the Nakdong River and tributaries, the sediment discharge at the outlet of the Naesung Stream was greater than the Jindong Station in the Lower Nakdong River from 1999 to 2008 except the years with low precipitation. The sediment discharge at the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage (NREB) was corresponding to 20% of the Jindong Station which is located about 80 km upstream from NREB.

Low serum vitamin D levels have been associated with several autoimmune diseases, but their association with thyroid autoimmunity is unclear. We evaluated the association of serum vitamin D levels with the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD).Our cross-sectional study included subjects who underwent routine health checkups, which included assays of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab), as well as thyroid ultrasonography (US) between 2008 and 2012 at the Asan Medical Center. We defined AITD according to the levels of TPO-Ab and US findings.A total of 6685 subjects (58% male; 42% female) were enrolled for this study. Overall prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity and both TPO-Ab/US positivity were 10.1% (6.3% male; 15.3% female) and 5.4% (2.3% male; 9.7% female) respectively. In female subjects, mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly lower in the TPO-Ab(+) (22.0 vs. 23.5 ng/mL, p=0.030) and TPO-Ab(+)/US(+) groups (21.6 vs. 23.4 ng/mL, p=0.027) compared with the control group, respectively. According to the levels of serum 25(OH)D3, the prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity (21.2%, 15.5%, and 12.6% in deficient, insufficient, and sufficient group, respectively; p=0.001) and both TPO-Ab and US positivity (14.7%, 9.9%, and 7.1% in deficient, insufficient, and sufficient group, respectively; p0.001) decreased in female subjects. Interestingly, this pattern was significant only in pre-menopausal women (p=0.003 and p0.001; respectively), but not in postmenopausal women. Multivariate analysis indicated that the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for AITD among those in the 25(OH)D3-deficient [TPO-Ab(+): OR 1.95, p=0.001; TPO-Ab(+)/US(+): OR 2.36, p0.001] and -insufficient groups [TPO-Ab(+): OR 1.31, p=0.043; TPO-Ab(+)/US(+): OR 1.50, p=0.017] were significantly increased when compared with the sufficient group.The levels of serum vitamin D were significantly lower in pre-menopausal women with AITD. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were significantly associated with AITD in pre-menopausal women.