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Background Long-term clinical data on intestinal Behçet’s disease (BD) are scarce because of the rarity of this disease, and many issues remain unresolved due to the difficulty in performing a well-designed clinical trial or epidemiologic study. We aimed to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with intestinal BD with a 30-year cohort study at a tertiary hospital in South Korea, a hospital with the largest number of patients with intestinal BD worldwide. Additionally, we aimed to identify factors that could predict various clinical outcomes, including anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) agent use, intestinal surgery, hospitalization, and emergency room visits. Methods A cohort of 780 patients with intestinal BD between 1997 and 2021 was investigated to determine the long-term clinical outcomes and prognostic factors at the inflammatory bowel disease Clinic of Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Results During the median follow-up period of 12.7 ± 7.2 years, 5-aminosalicylic acids, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents were required in 94.9%, 67.2%, 43.8%, and 14.6% of the patients, respectively. The cumulative rates of anti-TNF-α use were 3.7%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 12.1%, 17.6%, and 24.0%, and that of abdominal surgery were 5.7%, 10.9%, 12.6%, 16.5%, 21.6%, and 28.3%, at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively, after the initial diagnosis of intestinal BD. The cumulative rates of hospitalization were 11.8%, 21.9%, 27.9%, 38.8%, 54.4%, and 74.8% and that of emergency room visits were 10.0%, 19.8%, 22.7%, 31.6%, 50.0%, and 65.0% at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 years. Older age at primary diagnosis, previous appendectomy history, higher disease activity index for intestinal Behçet’s disease score, systemic BD, multiple intestinal ulcers, deep intestinal ulcers, higher C-reactive protein, lower hemoglobin, and lower albumin levels were associated with poor prognosis. Married status, higher body mass index, oral ulceration, and arthritis were negatively associated with a poor prognosis. Conclusion The data on the long-term clinical outcomes of intestinal BD and their prognostic factors could guide physicians for adequate patient monitoring and optimizing individualized treatments.

Background Increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported; however, the effects of NAFLD on the outcome of IBD remains unclear. We investigated whether the presence of NAFLD could influence the outcomes of patients with IBD. Methods We recruited 3,356 eligible patients with IBD into our study between November 2005 and November 2020. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were diagnosed using hepatic steatosis index (HSI) of ≥30 and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) of ≥1.45, respectively. Primary outcome was clinical relapse, defined based on the following: IBD-related admission, surgery, or first use of corticosteroids, immunomodulators, or biologics agents for IBD. Results Prevalence of NAFLD in patients with IBD was 16.7%. Patients with hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis were older, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to have diabetes (all p0.05). Conclusion Hepatic steatosis was independently associated with increased risks of clinical relapse in patients with UC and CD, whereas fibrotic burden in the liver was not. Future studies should investigate whether the assessment and therapeutic intervention of NAFLD will improve clinical outcomes of patients with IBD.

Background The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are used as a diagnostic marker, disease activity marker, and prognostic marker in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We aimed to investigate the NLR and PLR as a marker of inflammation and prognostic biomarker in intestinal Behçet’s disease (BD). Methods A total of 1712 diagnostic tests with 621 intestinal BD patients who underwent both blood examination and endoscopic examination at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic of Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea between March 2005 to November 2020 were analyzed in our study. We analyzed to identify the independent risk factors of the clinical remission (CR) and endoscopic remission (ER). Moreover, for 435 patients who underwent a series of blood and endoscopic examination, we performed Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analyses to identify the NLR and PLR as a marker of prognosis in intestinal BD. Results The NLR levels were higher in non-CR group compared to CR group (3.3±2.7 vs. 2.0±1.2, p Conclusion The NLR and PLR were higher in patients with active intestinal BD compared to those with inactive intestinal BD. And the NLR and PLR showed a promising role as marker for prediction of disease prognosis. Therefore, the NLR and PLR might be effective, readily available, and low-cost biomarkers for inflammation in intestinal BD patients.

Purpose/Objective(s) There is a paucity of data studying the significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) planning to undergo preoperative RT. We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of NLR in patients with LARC and whether there are modifiable factors in RT which influencing the level of NLR. Materials/Methods We studied 1366 patients treated with neoadjuvant RT with concurrent or sequential chemotherapy for LARC from 2006 to 2019. Most (97.8%) were treated with long-course RT (50-50.4 Gy in 25-28 fractions) with 3DCRT (n = 851) or helical tomotherapy (n = 504). Short-course RT (25 Gy in 5 fractions, followed by 6-week XELOX) was used in 30 cases (NCT03676517). The absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were obtained from the sample collected at the time of initial diagnosis, before and during the course of preoperative RT and before surgery. The primary endpoint was distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Results With the median follow-up time of 61.3 months (4.1-173.7 months), the 5-year DMFS was 80.1%. 5-year DMFS was significantly associated with the level of NLR after RT, but not with the level of NLR before RT. In Cox multivariate model, post-RT NLR greater than 4 was independently correlated with worse DMFS (HR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.08-1.73), along with higher icT stage, ypT stage and ypN stage. The 5-year OS of patients with post-RT NLR > 4.0 was 83.2%, compared to 94.4% in post-RT NLR ≤ 4 patients (P 4.0) was more frequently developed after long-course RT (OR, 2.77, P = 0.032) or helical tomotherapy (OR, 1.29, P .05). Conclusion Elevation of NLR after neoadjuvant RT is associated with increased risk of DM development and poor OS in LARC. Development of high NLR following RT is directly related to RT fractionation and delivery modality, and tumor characteristics. Incorporation of SCRT with 3D-CRT or active bone marrow sparing-IMRT may be a modifiable factor that can indirectly affect DMFS by means of attenuating NLR in LARC patients, which needs further investigations.

Symptoms typical of anthracnose fruit rot; sunken, dark brown lesions on maturing fruits, were found in a commercial field of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cv. Cal Giant in Yangyang County, Korea in May 2007. Masses of conidia were produced in acervuli in the center of lesions. The fungus was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Colonies grown on PDA were pale to mouse gray and became dark green to black in reverse. Conidia were formed in orange-to-salmon pink masses in the center of the culture. The average size of conidia on PDA was 15.2 × 4.6 μm, and they were hyaline, straight, cylindrical, with pointed ends, and aseptate (1). The fungus did not form an ascigerous stage in culture. Mycelial growth rate was 7.5 mm per day at 25°C on PDA. The identity of two isolates was confirmed as Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds by PCR amplification using species-specific primers TBCA and TB5 (2), resulting in a characteristic 330-bp band on agarose gel. Morphological characters were in accordance with previous reports on C. acutatum. A pathogenicity test was conducted with five healthy plants of cvs. Cal Giant, Maehyang, Seolhyang, Kumhyang, Akihime, and Redpearl. After fruits and flowers were sprayed with a conidia suspension (105 conidia per ml), the plants were maintained at 10 to 25°C and 100% relative humidity in a greenhouse. As a control, five healthy plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water and incubated under the same conditions. Dark brown, water-soaked spots appeared on mature fruits of all cultivars after 5 days, and lesions on green fruits appeared on individual achenes. Flowers developed dark lesions, dried out, and died. No symptoms were found on the control plants. After the pathogen was reisolated from fruits and flowers lesions, the morphological characters developed in culture as described above. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. acutatum causing strawberry anthracnose in Korea. References: (1) B. J. Smith and L. L. Black. Plant Dis. 74:69, 1990. (2) P. Talhinhas et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:2987, 2005.

Background The impact of compliance with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) on the clinical outcomes of Crohn’s disease (CD) is not well unknown. We performed a nationwide population-based study to investigate the impact of adherence to anti-TNF therapy on clinical outcomes in CD patients. Methods Using the National Health Insurance claims data, we collected data on newly diagnosed patients with CD between 2004 and 2015. Given that infliximab was listed in the National Health Insurance Service in 2006 and adalimumab in 2010, data only after the listing date were extracted. A total of 2784 patients were included according to inclusion criteria. Medication adherence was measured based on the following three criteria, including the ratio of delayed visit, the ratio of the number of visits, and the ratio of actual administration, and was assessed at four-point in time from the initial administration: 14, 22, 39, and 48 weeks. Results A total of 2179 patients received infliximab, and 605 patients received adalimumab. The mean cumulative actual to predetermined prescription ratio (CAPPR) at 14 and 48 weeks was 1.07 and 1.17, respectively. CAPPRs of infliximab users were higher than those of adalimumab users (1.06 and 1.21 vs. 1.02 and 1.04 at 14 and 48 weeks, respectively). As hospital visits were delayed one more day, risk of perianal surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.089–1.333), corticosteroid use (OR = 1.008, 95% CI 1–1.016), and hospitalisation (OR = 1.05,95% CI 1.002–1.108) at 48 weeks were significantly increased. Moreover, as CAPPR decreased by 1 percent point, risk of bowel resection (OR = 1.589, 95% CI 0.713–3.542), perianal surgery (OR = 1.246, 95% CI 0.868–1.79), and hospitalisation (OR = 1.128, 95% CI 0.998–1.276) at 14 weeks were significantly increased. Conclusion Our data indicate that adherence to anti-TNF therapy affects major clinical outcomes of CD in the short- and mid-term period. Intervention to improving adherence to anti-TNF therapy is highly needed for better clinical outcomes in CD.

In this paper, we proposed a broadband planar Yagi-Uda dipole antenna with dual tapered balance and unblance (balun) by CPW-fed to CPS. This antenna consisted of driver, three directors, dual tapered balun and CPS-fed to CPS. The fed structure of CPW-fed to CPS had a benefit points much simpler than other planar Yagi-Uda antennas and provided design more flexibility in arranging the reflector. The proposed antenna is introduced dual tapered balun to improve the impedance matching. It balun is inserted between the CPW-ground and the CPS. The proposed antenna is exhibited the bandwidth of 4.78 GHz (1.94~6.72 GHz) (S11

Background Recent advances in next generation sequencing technology helped us to test multiple germline genetic mutations simultaneously. However, because of the low frequency of pathogenic/ likely pathogenic variants beyond BRCA1/2, modest risk of cancer in the carriers of moderate penetrance genes, and lack of proper preventive strategies for the carriers, clinical application of NGS multiple panel tests still has limitations. Methods In this study, we provided sequential genetic testing and counselling programs for BRCA1/2 mutation tests and multigene panels beyond BRCA, and investigated cancer worry, genetic knowledge, and attitude towards gene panels among the patients. Results As of 28 February 2019, we prospectively enrolled 149 Korean BRCA1/2 mutation-negative female breast cancer patients with high risk for hereditary breast cancer. Median age of the patients was 42.9 (range, 21.9∼74.5) years. Among the patients, we identified 15 cases with pathogenic/ likely pathogenic variants. After genetic counselling about multigene panel, patients showed slightly decreased concern about the possibility of cancer in the future (average score of pre-, 4.32±0.808 to post-, 4.07±1.017; P = 0.003) and lower influence on mood (average score of pre-, 3.31±0.669 to post-, 3.19±0.684; P = 0.005). However, there were no changes in the average score of genetic knowledge (pre-, 0.68±0.212 to post-, 0.69±0.214; P = 0.465), and the impact of cancer worries on daily activities (pre-, 3.06±0.810 to post-, 2.97±0.699; P = 0.074). In the survey on multigene panel, 143 (96.0%) patients reported that genetic testing and counseling about multigene panel were very much (55.0%) or much (40.9%) helpful for the patients and family. 63 (42.3%) patients wanted concurrent application of BRCA1/2 mutation testing and multigene testing beyond BRCA, and 71 (47.7%) patients wanted sequential application of the tests. Conclusions Multigene panel testing and genetic counselling may help to decrease cancer worry about the possibility of cancer in the future in BRCA1/2 mutation-negative patients with high risk for hereditary breast cancer. We need to find the appropriate sequence and methods for NGS multigene panel testing and counselling programs. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(NRF-2018R1C1B6009449). Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Although the current standard preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) for stage II/III rectal cancer decreases the risk of local recurrence, it does not improve overall survival and increase the likelihood of preoperative overtreatment, especially in patients without the circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement. Methods Stage II/III rectal cancer without CRM involvement and lateral lymph node metastasis was radiologically defined by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients who received either PCRT followed by TME (PCRT group) or upfront surgery with TME (US group) between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. We derived cohorts of PCRT group versus US group using propensity-score matching using staging, age, and distance from anal verge). Three-year relapse-free survival rate, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between two groups. Results A total of 221 patients were analyzed after propensity score matching. There were no differences in baseline characteristics. The median follow-up was 75 months (range, 28-101). No difference in 3-year relapse-free survival rate was noted between PCRT and US groups (89% vs 92% with US; P=0.657). Likewise, there was no statistically significant difference in DFS (7.7 years vs 8.0 years with US; P=0.162) and OS (8.1 years vs 8.3 years with US; P=0.431), respectively. The rates of locoregional recurrence (2.9% vs 0% with US, P=0.301) and distant metastasis (7.4% vs 7.1%, P=1.0) at 3-years were not significantly different between two groups. Interestingly, approximately half of patients had pathologic stage I cancer in both groups (56% with PCRT vs 45% with US; P=0.167) and 69% of patients in US group had not received adjuvant treatment, suggesting that upfront surgery without neoadjuvant therapy can be considered in early stage patients with good prognosis. Conclusions PCRT may not be required for all stage II/III rectal cancer patients, especially for the MRI-based intermediate-risk group (cT1-2/N1, cT3N0) without CRM involvement and lateral lymph node metastasis. Further prospective studies are warranted. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The proposed dipole antenna consists of the elliptical shaped driver, a tapered ground and a CPW-fed to a CPS transition. The proposed antenna offers a decreased an electrical size, and improved input impedance match than a conventional dipole antenna. Measurement results show a good operating impedance bandwidth and a radiation pattern.

Multivariate methods were used to compare meristic and morphometric characters of Ammodytes personatus from four populations in Korea (3) and Japan (1). ANCOVA showed the slopes of head length (Japan > East > South > West) and body depth (South > Japan > East > West) relative to total length to differ significantly among populations. Vertebrae and fin rays’ numbers differed significantly among populations, the former ranging between 64 and 67 (mode = 65, 66) in the East population, 62–67 (63, 64) in the West population and 62–64 (62, 63) in the South population in Korea. PCA and CDA, based on 14 morphometric characters, showed that scores plotted on axes 1-2 and 2-3 separated the three Korean populations but overlapped between the South and Japanese populations. These results suggest that the Korean A. personatus may comprise at least two populations.

The implications of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody for the diagnosis and the clinical course of Crohn's disease have been reported in Western countries, but rarely in Korea with its very different environmental and genetic backgrounds. We aimed to evaluate whether anti-S. cerevisiae antibody expression is associated with diagnostic findings, stratified Vienna classification phenotypes, disease activity and clinical course in Korean patients with Crohn's disease.One hundred and fifteen patients with Crohn's disease, diagnosed and treated between 1990 and 2004 at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University and followed for at least 2 years, were included in this study. Anti-S. cerevisiae antibody was detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay using EUROIMMUN kits. Information collected during treatment included demography, Vienna classification phenotype, clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, treatment modality and surgery rate. Disease activity was measured monthly using the Harvey-Bradshaw index.The anti-S. cerevisiae antibody prevalence was 38.3% in Crohn's disease patients. There was no difference in anti-S. cerevisiae antibody expression between genders. The mean age at diagnosis was younger for the anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive group than the negative group (25.3 years versus 29.7 years, p0.05). Clinical manifestations and laboratory tests at diagnosis did not differ between the groups. The anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive group had increased fibrostenosis (B2) and penetration (B3) compared to negative group, as determined by the Vienna classification (75.0% versus 53.5%, p0.05). Anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive patients were admitted to the hospital more frequently than anti-S. cerevisiae antibody negative patients (p0.05). The yearly cumulative Harvey-Bradshaw index score was higher in the anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive group than in the negative group during the follow-up period (p0.05). In addition, steroid (72.7% versus 52.1%, p0.05) and immunosuppressive (45.5% versus 23.9%, p0.05) treatments were more frequently given to the anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive group.Our data demonstrate that anti-S. cerevisiae antibody positive Crohn's disease patients had a more severe clinical course and thus often required more aggressive medical treatment.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS The factors that more accurately predict the detection of colorectal cancers and adenomas at colonoscopy are different. We conducted a prospective multicenter study to evaluate which indications were most closely associated with advanced colorectal neoplasm (CRN), including colorectal cancer, in a group of patients undergoing colonoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS The 17 468 patients were enrolled in this study between July 2003 and March 2004, from 11 tertiary medical centers in Korea. They were recruited according to 11 itemized colonoscopic indications. The term "advanced adenoma" refers here to tubular adenomas of diameter of 11 mm or more, or to tubulovillous, villous, or severely dysplastic adenomas, irrespective of their size. Cancer was defined as the invasion of malignant cells beyond the muscularis mucosa. Advanced CRN was defined as advanced adenoma or invasive cancer. RESULTS Advanced CRN was found in 1227/17 307 patients (1176 advanced adenomas plus 51 carcinomas, 7.1 %). According to univariate and multivariate analysis, the factors associated with advanced CRN included age >60 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.8 - 2.4, P < 0.0001), male gender (OR 2.1, 95 %CI 1.7 - 2.7, P < 0.0001), referral for colonoscopy from primary care physician (OR 3.1, 95 %CI 2.5 - 3.7, P < 0.0001), and several other indications (OR 1.8, 95 %CI 1.5 - 2.3, P < 0.001). The yield of colonoscopy for advanced CRN was lower (2.2 %) than expected in patients with iron-deficiency anemia (OR 0.5, 95 %CI 0.2 - 0.9, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Age, gender, and referral for colonoscopy from primary care physician constituted important independent predictors of advanced CRN in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

This study was carried out to screen yeasts effective in reducing odor from pig feces. Three isolates from soil and compost sources were selected to treat pig feces. On the basis of morphological and biochemical characteristics, one isolate from compost was Candida rugosa, and two isolates from soil were Candida rugosa and Candida maris. These isolates showed deodorizing activity by reducing the concentration of NH3 and R-NH2. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) are the specific malodorous compounds of pig feces, and the Candida maris from soil showed a 100% reduction of butyric, iso-butyric, and iso-valeric acid in 10% pig slurry medium. However, the Candida rugosa from compost showed a 100% reduction of butyric and iso-butyric acid while that from soil showed a 100% reduction of propionic, butyric acid and iso-valeric acid in the medium. Also, these yeasts were effective in reducing NH4-N, soluble-N, and biological oxygen demand (BOD). (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 9 : 1286-1290)

In this study, Cl2/BCl3 magnetized inductively coupled plasmas were used to etch GaN, and the effects of magnetic confinements of inductively coupled plasmas on the GaN etch characteristics were investigated as a function of Cl2/BCl3. Also, the effects of Kr addition to the magnetized Cl2/BCl3 plasmas on the GaN etch rates were investigated. The characteristics of the plasmas were estimated using a Langmuir probe and quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS). Etched GaN profiles were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The small addition of BCl3 (10%–20%) in Cl2 increased the GaN etch rates for plasmas both with and without magnetic confinements. The application of magnetic confinements to the Cl2/BCl3 inductively coupled plasmas increased the GaN etch rates and changed the Cl2/BCl3 gas composition of the peak GaN etch rate from 10% BCl3 to 20% BCl3. It also increased the etch selectivity over the photoresist, while slightly reducing the selectivity over SiO2. The application of the magnetic field signi...

The etch characteristics of GaN were investigated using chemically assisted ion beam etching (CAIBE) for Cl2 as a function of tilt angle. With increasing tilt angle the measured GaN etch rate showed a maximum at 30° similar to the effect of tilt angle on the sputter yield. The etch profiles of GaN etched by tilting the substrate less than 20° showed sidewall trenching. When the tilt angle was more than 30°, an etch tail was observed at the bottom of the etched structure. With the Cl2 CAIBE, the anisotropy of the GaN etch profile was enhanced as the tilt angle was increased, and a vertical etch profile could be obtained at a 50° tilt angle. The sidewall roughness of the etched GaN laser device varied with the Cl2 flow rate and ion beam voltage. A highly anisotropic etch profile with a smooth sidewall could be obtained by optimization of the ion beam voltage/current and Cl2 flow rate. The surface of GaN etched by the Cl2 CAIBE system showed a Ga-deficient surface due to the removal of Ga by the formation of GaClx.

In this study, the characteristics of inductively coupled Cl2/BCl3 plasmas during GaN etching were estimated using plasma mass spectrometry by measuring the relative amounts of positive ions, neutrals, and etch products. The results showed that the enhancement of GaN etch rates for Cl2/BCl3 plasmas could be related to the formation of Cl radicals and reactive ions such as Cl2+ and BCl2+ measured by the mass spectrometry during GaN etching. These Cl radicals are responsible for chemisorption and BClx+ and Cl2+ for chemical and/or physical sputtering. Ion assisted chemical desorption seems to be generally enhanced by the addition of BCl3 to Cl2 and also with the increase of pressure. Also, the abundance of BCl2+ in the Cl2/10%BCl3 plasmas appears to be important in GaN etching compared to pure Cl2 plasma. Ga+, GaCl2+, and N2+ were observed during GaN etching as the etch products and the intensities of these ion etch products were correlated with the trend of the GaN etch rate.

In this study, Cl2/Ar and Cl2/BCl3 inductively coupled plasmas were used to etch GaN and the effects of etch parameters such as gas combination and operation pressure on the characteristics of the plasmas and etch properties of GaN were investigated. The characteristics of the plasmas were estimated using a Langmuir probe and optical emission spectroscopy. Surface residue remaining after the etch was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The increase of Ar and BCl3 in Cl2 generally reduced GaN etch rates except for the small addition of Ar or BCl3. With the addition of 10% Ar or 10% BCl3 to Cl2, the GaN etch rates showed the maximum etch rates. Also, the increase of operational pressure up to 30 mTorr increased the GaN etch rates. By optimizing etch process parameters, etch conditions having smooth and nearly vertical etch profiles with the etch rates close to 8500 A/min and the selectivity over SiO2 higher than 3.5 could be obtained with Cl2-rich Cl2/BCl3 gas combinations. The chang...

In order to realize ZnSSe/GaAs heteroepitaxial layers with lower defect density, we have introduced molecular beam epitaxy growth by a three-step temperature correction which takes account of the cell radiation and surface emissivity effects superposed on the Fabry - Perot interference oscillation in the pyrometric temperature. The optimum correction rates of growth temperature are determined by the analysis of double-crystal x-ray rocking curves, and an empirical profile for the control temperature as a function of growth time is proposed for the optimum ZnSSe growth. While the etch pit density is in normal molecular beam epitaxy growth, an etch pit density of , which is the lowest value known so far, is realized in ZnSSe/GaAs(100) epilayers grown by using the linearly corrected profile.

The misfit stresses of metallorganic chemical vapor deposition grown InGaAsP/InP heterostructure wafers were determined and their effects on the modulated mierostructures of InGaAsP epilayer were investigated. Lattice mismatches were measured using {511} asymmetric and (400) symmetric x-ray reflections. Elastic strains were obtained from the parallel mismatches and were used for determining the misfit stresses. Transmission electron microscopy results showed the presence of the modulated mierostructures (spinodal decomposition) in the epilayer. It was found that the modulation periodicity varies with the lattice mismatches. To investigate this observation, the interaction elastic energy induced by misfit stress was derived and used to explain the experimental results. Good agreement was obtained between the measured and calculated modulation wavelength. Also, contributions from the composition and misfit stress to variation of modulation periodicity were separated out, and the misfit stress was found to have the larger contribution. Thus, it is concluded that the interfaeial coherency and misfit stress have large influences on the mierostructures of the InGaAsP epilayer, particularly on the modulation wavelength. There has been extensive interest in In~ xGaxASyPl_y quaternary epitaxial layers lattice matched to InP substrate. Such heterostructures are of significance for various devices such as laser diodes, light-emitting diodes, and photodiodes. This system is important because energies of the direct bandgap cover the range where the optical losses in silica-based optical fibers reach a minimum. 1 One main requirement in the fabrication of perfect heterostruetures is the maintenance of coherency of the interface between the epilayer and the substrate. When the lattice is mismatched, misfit stress is developed. Lattice mismatch and misfit stress have been shown to have a large influence on physical properties such as photoluminescence (PL) and

Right-sided heart failure with clinical manifestation is only occasionally seen in patients with Graves' disease (GD). Recent studies revealed that pulmonary hypertension (PHT) detected by echocardiography was not rare in patients with GD. We performed this study to investigate the prevalence of PHT in patients with GD before and after antithyroid treatment, and to assess potential mechanisms from the relationship with clinical and echocardiographic features.Serial echocardiographic examinations were performed in 64 patients with newly diagnosed GD before and after antithyroid treatment to measure cardiac factors, such as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAPs), cardiac output, total vascular resistance, left ventricular filling pressure and right ventricular (RV) function. PHT was defined as PAPs of at least 35 mmHg.The prevalence of PHT in untreated GD patients was 44% (28 out of 64 patients). The presence of systemic hypertension was associated with PHT, especially with pulmonary venous hypertension. GD patients with PHT showed reduced RV function represented by higher RV myocardial performance index without difference of pulmonary vascular resistance, RV wall thickness and peak systolic velocity of free wall side of tricuspid annulus. Follow-up echocardiography was performed in 20 out of 28 GD patients with PHT, and PHT disappeared in all except one patient.PHT is a frequent and reversible complication in patients with GD. Our study suggests that PHT in GD may not be related to underlying autoimmune process and increased pulmonary blood flow from thyrotoxicosis might contributes to the pathogenesis of PHT related to GD.

Background and study aims Intestinal Behcet's disease and Crohn's disease are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases that are difficult to distinguish from each other. We investigated their colonoscopic features and identified simple and valuable strategies for differential diagnosis. Patients and methods Between 1995 and 2006, 250 consecutive patients with ulcers on colonoscopy (115 Behcet's, 135 Crohn's cases) were reviewed. All patients with Behcet's fulfilled the criteria of the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease or of the Behcet's Disease Research Committee of Japan, while Crohn's disease was confirmed by clinicopathological data. Patients were randomly allocated to a training set (70 %) or a validation set (30 %). Ulcer shapes, distributions, numbers, margins, and border contours, and the presence of aphthous, cobblestone, perianal, and strictured lesions were compared, in the training set. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed, using the X2-test and logistic regression. In addition, a classification and regression tree (CART) was then used to generate simplified algorithms for differential diagnosis. Results Round shape, five or fewer in number, focal distributions, and absence of aphthous and cobblestone lesions were significantly dominant features in Behcet's disease, according to multivariate analysis of the training set. The CART-generated algorithms proposed sequential use of shape (round, irregular/geographic, or longitudinal) and distribution (focal single/focal multiple, or segmental/diffuse). Diagnosis of Behcet's disease in the validation set produced sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of 94.3 %, 90.0 %, 94.7 %, and 89.2 %, respectively. Using the CART model, we made the correct diagnosis of intestinal Behcet's disease or Crohn's disease in 69 of 75 patients (92 %). Conclusion It was determined that round and longitudinal ulcers are suggestive of Behcet's disease and Crohn's disease, respectively. Irregular/geographic-shaped ulcers and focal distributions are suggestive of Behcet's disease, while segmental/diffuse lesions suggest Crohn's.

We report results on D0 and D+ production in proton-emulsion interactions at s =38.7 GeV. A fit to the form (1−|xF|)n exp (−bp 2 T ) yields n=6.9 +1.9 −1.8 and b=0.84 +0.10 −0.08 (GeV/c)−2. The total inclusive cross section, is assuming linear A dependence, is measured to be 38±3(stat.) ±13 (sys.) μb for the D0 and 38±9±14 μb for the D+. A comparison of these results with previous measurements indicates that nuclear effects do not strongly influence charm production. The predictions of QCD are in good agreement with our data.

We present results on charm pair correlations measured in proton-emulsion interactions at s =38.7 GeV. The predictions of leading order QCD for the distributions in invariant mass, rapidity gap, xF, and polar angle in the charm pair CMS are qualitatively consistent with our measurements. The mean pT of the pairs is equal within errors to that measured in dilepton production at the same energy and mass range.

An angular method of identifying diffractive excitation (DE) events for interactions of a hadron beam in nuclear emulsion is applied to identifying DE events in interactions of heavy ions beams. The apparent'' mean free paths (MFP) of DE processes for {sup 16}O ({sup 28}Si) beams are 1.00{plus minus}0.12, 2.4{sub {minus}0.7}{sup +1.6}, and 2.2{plus minus}0.4 (1.5{plus minus}0.2) m, respectively, at 200, 60, and 14.6 GeV/nucleon, which corresponds to 20--10% of the MFP for total inelastic interactions. Distinctive features of diffractively excited nuclei are discussed.

Although almost all primary colorectal lymphomas are of B-cell lineage in Western countries, primary colorectal T-cell lymphomas are not uncommon in the East. The aim of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of primary colorectal lymphomas, with special emphasis on the differences between T-cell and B-cell lymphomas. Ninety-five cases of primary colorectal lymphomas that satisfied Dawson's criteria were identified from the clinical databases of 13 university hospitals in Korea. The mean age at the time of presentation was 51.1 years and the male:female ratio was 64:31. The clinical information, including endoscopic and histological characteristics, was retrospectively analyzed. Of the primary colorectal lymphomas, 78 cases (82.1%) were of B-lineage and 17 cases (17.9%) were of T-cell lineage. Patients with T-cell lymphomas presented at a younger age than patients with B-cell lymphomas (42.8 vs 52.9 years, respectively; P = 0.016). The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (87.1%) for B-cell lymphomas, whereas hematochezia or night fever was more common for T-cell lymphomas (52.9% and 35.3%, respectively). The most common endoscopic type was fungating mass (54.0%) for B-cell lymphomas and ulcerative/ulcero-infiltrative lesions (80.0%) for T-cell lymphomas. Intussusception was more common in B-cell lymphomas than in T-cell lymphomas (30.8% vs 5.9%, respectively; P = 0.035), but perforation was more common in T-cell lymphomas than in B-cell lymphomas (23.5% vs 3.8%, respectively; P = 0.005). The prognosis was significantly worse for T-cell lymphomas than for B-cell lymphomas (P = 0.002). Primary colorectal T-cell lymphomas are characterized by multifocal ulcerative lesions in relatively young patients, a high rate of hematochezia, fever, or perforation, and a poor prognosis even for cases of localized disease.

A novel laboratory wind tunnel, with the capability to control factors such as air flow-rate, was developed to measure the kinetics of odour emissions from liquid effluent. The tunnel allows the emission of odours and other volatiles under an atmospheric transport system similar to ambient conditions. Sensors for wind speed, temperature and humidity were installed and calibrated. To calibrate the wind tunnel, trials were performed to determine the gas recovery efficiency under different air flow-rates (ranging from 0.001 to 0.028m3/s) and gas supply rates (ranging from 2.5 to 10.0 L/min) using a standard CO gas mixture. The results have shown gas recovery efficiencies ranging from 61.7 to 106.8%, while the average result from the trials was 81.14%. From statistical analysis, it was observed that the highest, most reliable gas recovery efficiency of the tunnel was 88.9%. The values of air flow-rate and gas supply rate corresponding to the highest gas recovery efficiency were 0.028 m3/s and 10.0 L/min respectively. This study suggested that the wind tunnel would provide precise estimates of odour emission rate. However, the wind tunnel needs to be calibrated to compensate for errors caused by different air flow-rates.

Three new titanium alloys with Zr, Nb, Ta, Pd and In as alloying elements were developed and compared with currently used implant metals, namely, pure Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy, in terms of mechanical and corrosion properties, and cytotoxicity. New alloys showed comparable mechanical properties with that of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, but increased corrosion potential, somewhat decreased breakdown potential and increased corrosion rate. There were no significant differences in cell growth on the surface of the various metal specimens, indicating that the cells cannot differentiate between the passivated surfaces of the various Ti metals.

This paper presents a new experimental result about the influence of internally circulating modes(ICM) on the external quantum efficiency of InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs based single quantum well laser diodes with the wavelength of 980nm. The influence of ICM on laser performance is much stronger in the case of quantum well structures than in the case of the bulk active layer structures since the super thin active layer(thickness~6nm) allows substantially less absorption in the light travelling path in resonator. This latent ICM in optical resonator obviously deteriorates the external quantum efficiency of the laser emission from front and rear mirror facets.

InGaAlP/InGaP visible laser diodes emitting in the 600 nm range are considered to be promising optical sources for use in optical information systems such as high density optical disks, laser beam printers, and bar-code readers.1 One of the important problems to be solved for practical use is high threshold current of this system. Among many methods, high doping in the clad layer and compressive strain in the active layer2 are considered the most effective ones to reduce a threshold current. This study demonstrates that a very low threshold current can be obtained for simple one step epitaxial structure by applying these two effects.

The inactivation of the renal H+/organic cation antiporter by the covalent carboxyl reagent N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) was studied by measuring tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit renal cortex. Pretreatment of membrane vesicles with DCCD resulted in an irreversible inhibition of H+ gradient-dependent TEA uptake in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 10 microM. The inhibition was not due to the disruption of the vesicles or a faster collapse of an imposed H+ gradient. The transport system was significantly protected from DCCD inhibition by substrates, TEA, choline and amiloride, but not by N1-methylnicotinamide. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibition by DCCD was due to an increase in Km and a decrease in Vmax. The hydrophilic carbodiimides, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide and 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide and another carboxyl reagent N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline also inhibited the H(+)-dependent TEA uptake with a lower potency than did DCCD. These results suggest that carboxyl groups are essential for the H+/organic cation antiport and that they may be located at or near the substrate (organic cation) binding sites of the transporter in rabbit brush border membranes.

This paper concentrates on the management development aspects of the Korean family planning program which began in 1962. Population growth rate in Korea went from 2.9% in 1962 to 2% in 1971, and total fertility rate declined 57% from 1960 to 1979. Program cost during 1962-80 totaled $147.7 million, of which 81.2% came from the national government. It has been calculated that between 1962-80 about 3.5 million births were averted. In December 1980 the program employed a total of 3811 full time employees in 4 different organizations; currently the coverage is about 1 family planning worker for every 4200 urban couples, and for every 1200 rural couples. Major methods of birth control used the IUD, the condom, the pill, female sterilization, male sterilization, and menstrual regulation. A total of 1.107 million acceptors received services between 1962-80. Responsibility for the national program rests with the Ministry of Health and with the Economic Planning Board. If it is reasonable to say that the program has been successful, there are still problems to be solved which include: 1) an inadequate approach to contraceptive services in rural areas, 2) a high discontinuation rate of contraceptive usage, 3) high turnover of fieldworkers, 4) poor coordination with other health programs, 5) poor quality of research, and 6) weak management training. Improvements in program management functions include program planning, better distribution of economic resources, better training and use of personnel, and better use of private clinics and mobile vans. Also necessary are interministerial and interagency coordination, improvements in the record reporting system, and better program evaluation. The current management system is making efforts to integrate family planning services with maternal and child health and expand the role of international agencies in training courses and research investment.

Korea's long term population goal is to achieve replacement fertility by 1991. To do this, Korea seeks to maintain the present rate of natural increase of 1.6 through 1981 at which time 1.3 will be optimal. The government has sought to improve operations of the national family planning program, broadening overall efforts by adding other population measures, such as education. Population education is now taught throughout the country to school children of all ages. In 1977 various women's groups were organized into a single group -- the Saemaul Women's Organization. This group was created by the government to provide leadership and to avoid duplication of services. Similarly, services of the Korean Institute for Family Planning and the Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea have been incorporated into the Korean Association for Voluntary Sterilization. Expenditures on family planning have increased directly in proportion to the expanding of the national program. Tables show high spending increases since 1976 and in 1979 private physicians were reimbursed for providing birth control services. Vital rates show a 40 - 49% decline in fertility among women aged 20 - 24. This is due to delayed marriage trends which occurred with the onset of modernization. Until 1976 the IUD was the principal method of birth control provided. Now female sterilization is gaining widespread popularity. Incidence of induced abortion is high and is increasing. As government continues to expand national efforts to incorporate more and more programs fertility should continue to decline.