We developed a high-performance methane gas sensor based on a SnO2 hollow hemisphere array structure of nano-thickness. The sensor structures were fabricated by sputter deposition of Sn metal over an array of polystyrene spheres distributed on a planar substrate, followed by an oxidation process to oxidize the Sn to SnO2 while removing the polystyrene template cores. The surface morphology and structural properties were examined by scanning electron microscopy. An optimization of the structure for methane sensing was also carried out. The effects of oxidation temperature, film thickness, gold doping, and morphology were examined. An impressive response of ~220% was observed for a 200 ppm concentration of CH4 gas at an operating temperature of 400˚C for a sample fabricated by 30 sec sputtering of Sn, and oxidation at 800˚C for 2 hr in air. This high response was enabled by the open structure of the hemisphere array thin films.

Amorphous (a-Si) films were epitaxially crystallized on a very thin large-grained poly-Si seed layer by a silicide-enhanced rapid thermal annealing (SERTA) process. The poly-Si seed layer contained a small amount of nickel silicide whichcan enhance crystallization of the upper layer of the a-Si film at lower temperature. A 5-nm thick poly-Si seed layer was thenprepared by the crystallization of an a-Si film using the vapor-induced crystallization process in a NiCl2 environment. Afterremoving surface oxide on the seed layer, a 45-nm thick a-Si film was deposited on the poly-Si seed layer by hot-wire chemicalvapor deposition at 200oC. The epitaxial crystallization of the top a-Si layer was performed by the rapid thermal annealing(RTA) process at 730oC for 5 min in Ar as an ambient atmosphere. Considering the needle-like grains as well as thecrystallization temperature of the top layer as produced by the SERTA process, it was thought that the top a-Si layer wasepitaxially crystallized with the help of NiSi2 precipitates that originated from the poly-Si seed layer. The crystallinity of theSERTA processed poly-Si thin films was better than the other crystallization process, due to the high-temperature RTA process.The Ni concentration in the poly-Si film fabricated by the SERTA process was reduced to 1×1018cm−3. The maximum field-effect mobility and substrate swing of the p-channel poly-Si thin-film transistors (TFTs) using the poly-Si film prepared by theSERTA process were 85cm2/V·s and 1.23V/decade at Vds=−3V, respectively. The off current was little increased underreverse bias from 1.0×10−11 A. Our results showed that the SERTA process is a promising technology for high quality poly-Si film, which enables the fabrication of high mobility TFTs. In addition, it is expected that poly-Si TFTs with low leakagecurrent can be fabricated with more precise experiments.

This study was carried out to estimate odors emitted from toilets in Mugunghwa trains. Two parameters, odor intensity and odor concentration, were used for odor estimation. A direct olfactory method to observe odor intensity for 67 toilets and an air dilution olfactory method to estimate odor concentration for 6 samples were performed. Results showed that odor concentrations in toilets in trains ranged from 6 OU/m3 to 30 OU/m3, and odor intensity in 67 toilets varied from 0 degree to 3.3 degree. The results suggest that odors emitted from existing toilets should be controlled because the odor intensity in 16 toilets reached a level that resulted in complaints about the odor.

약관규제법은 사업자에 의하여 일방적으로 작성된 계약내용에 의하여 고객이 부당하게 불리하게 취급당하는 것을 방지하기 위한 목적으로 제정되었다. 따라서 이러한 목적을 실현하기 위하여 모든 약관규제법의 규정을 해석해야 하며, 약관의 개념도 이러한 목적 하에서 고찰해야 한다. 결국 약관의 개념은 사업자가 계약의 내용을 정하기 위하여 사전에 마련하기만 하면 충족되는 매우 넓은 개념으로 이해하여야 한다. 그리고 그 존재는 고객이 증명해야 하지만, 전문적인 시장참가자에 의하여 다수 계약의 체결을 위하여 마련한 것으로 보이면 사실상 약관으로 추정된다. 따라서 오히려 사업자가 반증을 통하여 약관이 아니라는 점 또는 개별적인 흥정에 의한 개별약정이라는 점을 증명해야 한다.약관의 개념은 되도록 넓게 해석되어야 하고 그 증명도 쉽게 인정되어야 하며, 그 존재를 부정하려고 하면 사업자에 의한 증명이 엄격히 이루어지도록 해야 할 것이다. 이러한 개념의 해석 및 증명을 요구하는 것이 약관규제법의 입법취지를 최대한 발휘하도록 하게 하는 것이다.

In this study, this researcher measured the indoor concentration of radon in elementary schools located in Chungcheongnamdo, and conducted a questionnaire survey from June 2008 to June 2011. Indoor radon densities of elementary schools by season were 86.4 Bq/m3 in winter, 71.2 Bq/m3 in fall, 61.1 Bq/m3 in spring, and 40.5 Bq/ m3 in summer in order. Among flooring materials by construction material, the radon level of concrete was 57.8 Bq/ m3, and cement was 71.5 Bq/m3. For exterior wall materials, it was established that the density of cement, concrete, wood, and soil was 102.9 Bq/m3, 64.4 Bq/m3, 51.0 Bq/m3, and 48.7 Bq/m3, respectively. In addition, for radon densities according to distances between a detector and floors, 150 cm and under was recorded at 99.3 Bq/m3, 151 to 200 cm was recorded at 62.6 Bq/m3, and 201 cm and more was recorded at 59.2 Bq/m3 sequentially. From the results of analyzing correlations between radon concentrations and factors affecting the indoor radon concentrations in elementary schools, it was discovered that the nearer the distances to floors were and the older the construction was(r = 0.300), the higher were indoor radon concentrations. With regard to factors influencing the indoor radon concentrations in elementary schools, derived from multiple regression analysis, it was revealed that distances from floors has the greatest influence(β = 0.354, p < 0.05). And it was determined that the construction year was also a factor contributing to indoor radon levels. This had an explanation power of 27.9%.

In this study, the growth kinetics of sulfur oxidizing bacteria, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, and the effect of dissolved oxygen were determined in low pH conditions for the effective removal of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. A dual growth kinetic was applied to identify the microbial growth rate at different hydrogen sulfide and oxygen concentrations in the liquid. A modified Monod-Gompertz equation was deemed most appropriate to examine the growth kinetic parameters of A. thiooxidans. The half saturation constants of hydrogen sulfide and oxygen for the modified Monod-Gompertz equation were found to be 0.9 and 1.1 mg/L, respectively. In addition, a bioreactor model, where the Monod-Gompertz equation was modified, was applied to simulate dissolved oxygen concentrations required for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. As a result, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 3.3 mg/L, which were necessary to remove hydrogen sulfide to less than 10 ppm at the influent concentrations of 100, 500, 1000 and 3000 ppm, respectively. The required minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations under various conditions including reactor volume, gas retention time, and microbial concentrations can be determined using the numerical model developed in this study.

The object of this study is to investigate the relationship between the air dilution sensory test and the threshold odor number (TON) method for evaluating the odor of domestic wastewater, plating plant wastewater, food plant wastewater and lake water. The dilution factor of raw wastewater evaluated by the air dilution sensory test was in the order of food plant > plating plant > domestic > lake, and that evaluated by the threshold odor number method was in the order of food plant > domestic > plating plant > lake. The same results were obtained when the raw wastewater and lake water were diluted 2 and 5 times with pure water. The relative geometric standard deviation determined from the threshold values of each panel on the air dilution sensory test was much larger than that calculated from results derived from the threshold odor number method. The relative geometric standard deviation obtained from samples with a low dilution factor was greater. There was a very good linear correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.968~1.000) between the air dilution sensory test and the threshold odor number method. But, the reduction in odor intensity (the slopes of regression curves) by dilution was dependent on the types of the odor-emission sources.

현대사회에서 기업은 새로운 기술개발에 많은 투자를 하고 있으며, 이를 통하여 국가산업발전의 원동력 역할을 하고 있다. 그러나 막대한 투자를 통하여 개발한 기업의 기술은 정당한 거래가 아닌 부정한 방식을 통한 유출이 끊임없이 발생하고 있다. 이러한 산업기술유출은 기업의 생존을 위협할 뿐만 아니라 국가산업에도 영향을 미칠 수 있는 중대한 범죄유형이다.현재 산업기술유출에 대한 수사는 경찰, 검찰 그리고 국가정보원이 담당하고 있으며, 주도적인 역할을 국가정보원이 담당하고 있다. 그러나 국가정보원은 기관의 특성상 산업기술유출범죄의 수사권을 가지고 있지 않으며, 기관 자체의 수사 자료를 경찰 또는 검찰로 통보하는 것으로 마무리하고 있다. 이와 같은 현행의 산업기술유출범죄 수사체계는 국가기관들, 즉 경찰, 검찰 그리고 국가정보원 사이의 유기적 협력관계가 필요하다. 또한 국가는 산업기술유출범죄에 적합한 대응체계를 구축하고, 기업과의 유기적 협의관계를 유지할 수 있는 방안을 마련할 필요도 있다.특히 산업기술유출범죄 수사를 함에 있어서 수사기관은 독자적으로 증거를 수집하여 수사를 진행하는 것이 상당히 어렵다는 것이 현실이다. 이러한 현실임에도 불구하고 산업기술유출범죄 수사는 국가정보원과 검찰 그리고 경찰이 각각 독자적인 정보를 수집하고, 이에 근거하여 수사를 진행하고 있다. 범죄에 대한 수사의 주체가 하나가 아닌 여러 곳으로 분산되어 있어 수사의 효율성을 저해하는 요소로 작용될 수 있다. 따라서 이와 같은 문제를 해결하기 위하여 수사전문 인력의 확보와 함께 통합적 관리 가능한 전문수사기관을 설치하여 산업기술유출범죄 발생에 대한 예방활동을 비롯하여 발생한 범죄에 대한 실체진실발견을 위한 수사활동을 하여야 할 것이다. 그리고 전문수사기관을 중심으로 한 수사활동뿐만 아니라 산업기술유출범죄 유관기관, 즉 산업통상자원부 무역위원회, 지식재산위원회 등과의 유기적 협력과 대응을 할 수 있는 체계를 구축할 필요도 있다.

This study tried to survey air quality inside and outside the schools where are located in about 5km of industrial complex targeting aldehyde, PM10, PM2.5. Also, the aim was also to examine both a change in indoor air after 3 years and within 3 years of addition and improvement, and a change according to season. It collected specimens at totally 20 places. Aldehyde was analyzed through HPLC. PM10 and PM2.5 were measured by using Met One 831. Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde were detected with 42.1 μg/m3 and 5.7 μg/m3 at the school where is located inside 5km of the industrial complex, and were detected with 55.0 μg/m3 and 6.8 μg/m3 at the school where is located outside 5 km. This could be confirmed to have been detected more highly in the indoor air than the outdoor air regardless of the distance from the industrial complex. Most substances were indicated to be higher by about 150% in the indoor air within 3 years than the indoor air following 3 years of addition and improvement. However, PM10 and PM2.5 were measured with 32.6 μg/m3 and 14.9 μg/m3 after 3 years and were gauged with 22.4 μg/m3 and 14.2 μg/m3 within 3 years. Seeing a seasonal change, Formaldehyde and Propionaldehyde were detected with 5.5 μg/m3 and 1.0 μg/m3 in spring, 7.7 μg/m3 and 1.6 μg/m3 in summer, and 8.3 μg/m3 and 1.9 μg/m3 in autumn. This could be confirmed the tendency of growing according to season.

Indoor pollutants seem to have a negative affect on people from vulnerable households who are considered to be weak by the department of environmental health, such as the elderly, infants, children, patients, and pregnant women. In this study, the concentrations of pollutants were measured, especially those pollutants that endanger vulnerable households such as PM10, HCHO, TVOCs, TBC and fungi. The measurements were taken from September to October of 2013 in the Chungnam area. The results were as follows: PM10 33.2 μg/m3, HCHO 20.35 μg/m3, VOCs 132.30 μg/m3, TBC 562.71 CFU/m3 and fungi 362.04 CFU/m3. In the case of TBC and fungi, there were excessive concentrations at 30.9% and 49.3% compared to the standards set by WHO. In the case of fungi, buildings built before the 1980s showed a concentration of 446.23 CFU/m3, those built in the 1980s and 1990s had a concentration of 320.21 CFU/m3 and those built in the 2000s had a concentration of 313.43 CFU/ m3 indicating that fungi concentration was higher when the building was older. The correlation analysis between indoor air pollutants and factors affecting indoor concentrations indicate that HCHO (r = 0.423), TVOCs (r = 0.329), and humidity (r = 0.359) showed a significant difference (p < 0.01). The current study focused on vulnerable households that were unable to protect themselves from indoor pollutants and where poor living circumstances prevailed such as households that do not receive much sunlight; thus, more attention and focus needs to be given to these particular households

Asbestos was a general term applied to certain fibrous minerals long popular for their heat-resistance, tensile strength, acoustic insulation and inexpensive price. Despite its many uses, asbestos is a hazardous material. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. According to the compliance regulations for asbestos-related materials in Korea, all kindergartens have to be inspected for asbestos materials before April 2014. The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution of asbestos containing materials in kindergartens in Gwangju, Korea. We investigated 93 kindergartens between January and May in 2014. Asbestos types and contents were analysed using the polarized light microscopy (PLM). Kindergartens facilities that featured ACM(Asbestos Containing Material) included ceiling textiles that contained chrysolite/amosite in amounts between 2 and 5% and gaskets that contained chrysolite in amounts between 15 and 35%. Also, wall cement flat boards contained chrysolite in amounts between 10 and 15%. In this study, risk assessment of asbestos material showed that all kindergarten materials were classified as Low grade when assessed by the Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor guideline method.

This study was performed to measure the concentration of odorous compounds and dilution ratio values at each part of the anaerobic digester process with composting facilities using swine manure and food waste. Complex odors, ammonia, volatile fatty acids and sulfur compounds were measured at each part of the process. Complex odors measured during swine manure storage, food waste storage and in the digested liquid tank, were 35,312 Odor Unit(OU), 39,086 OU and 17,733 OU, respectively. The odor contribution index was calculated by the concentration of odorous compounds during each process divided by the threshold limit. As a result, the major odorous compound that appeared during swine manure storage, food waste storage and in the digested liquid tank was hydrogen sulfide. On the other hand, the major odorous compound in the other processes was ammonia. The overall average concentrations of ammonia were highest in the digested liquid tank(337 ppm) and the separated liquid tank(131 ppm). Wastewater treatment process(10.9 ppm) and deodorization process(11.6 ppm) revealed the lowest concentration of ammonia. The overall average concentration of total volatile fatty acids(TVFAs) was 102.8 ppb during food waste storage and among the TVFAs, the main element was propionic acid(66.1 ppb). Sulfur compounds were only detected during swine manure storage, food waste storage and in the digested liquid tank. The dominant sulfur compound was hydrogen sulfide during swine manure storage(96.3 ppm) and methyl mercaptan during food waste storage(17.7 ppm) and dimethyl sulfide during food waste storage(34.5 ppm).

2013년 기업결합 건수는 총 585건으로 평년과 비슷한 수준을 유지하였다. 그런데 외국 기업 간 기업결합이 증가해서, 기업결합 금액은 165.2조 원으로 2012년에 비해서도 증가했다. 기업결합의 방법은 주식취득(218건, 37.3%), 합병(157건, 26.8%), 합작회사설립(95건, 16.2%), 임원겸임(61건, 10.4%), 영업양수(54건, 9.3%)의 순이었다. 기업결합의 방법은 혼합형 기업결합(333건, 56.9%), 수평형 기업결합(196건, 33.5%), 수직형 기업결합(56건, 9.6%)의 순이었다.혼합형 기업결합이 수평ᆞ수직형 기업결합보다 훨씬 많이 발생하고 있는 이유는 기업들이 혼합형 기업결합을 하여 사업다각화를 할 수 있고, 이로 인해 새로운 사업에 진출함으로써 수익을 얻을 수 있기 때문이다. 이처럼 혼합형 기업결합이 가장 많이 발생함에도 불구하고, 우리나라에서 지금까지 혼합형 기업결합의 경쟁제한성이 문제시되어서 규제된 사례는 하이트-진로 간 기업결합, 에스케이(SK) 텔레콤-하나로 텔레콤 간 기업결합 두 건에 불과한 것으로 파악된다. 이는 혼합형 기업결합이 수평형 또는 수직형 기업결합에 비해 경쟁제한 폐해가 상대적으로 적기 때문에, 공정거래위원회의 규제를 덜 받고 있다. 이러한 이유로 혼합형 기업결합은 수평형 또는 수직형 기업결합에 비하여 관심을 덜 받고 있다. 그러나 기업이 수익을 창출하거나 새로운 사업에 진출하기 위해 혼합형 기업결합을 하는 사례가 앞으로도 많을 것이기 때문에, 혼합형 기업결합을 살펴볼 필요가 있다고 본다.이에 본 논문은 기업결합 통계 등을 포함한 기업결합 개관, 혼합형 기업결합 심사기준, 혼합형 기업결합 사례 등을 살펴보았다. 이와 함께 (혼합형) 기업결합 관련 규정의 문제점 및 개선방안을 제시하였다. 이 논문을 통하여 (혼합형) 기업결합 관련 규정이 정비가 잘 될 것을 기대해본다. 관련 규정이 명확하고, 구체적이어야 공정거래위원회가 경쟁을 제한하는 혼합형 기업결합을 규제할 수 있고, 이를 통하여 공정한 거래질서가 확립될 수 있을 것이다.

Hazardous air pollutants such as NO2, VOCs and PM10 were measured Daegu, Korea in major micro-environments,where housewives spend the most of their time, and personal exposure times were estimated by using time activitypatterns and exposure scenarios. The major microenvironments of housewives were selected using the ‘Time-UseSurvey’ conducted by the National Statistical Office in Korea in 2009. A total of 4,514 (weekdays) and 3,063(weekends) housewives were recruited for the ‘Time-Use Survey.’ It seems that housewives are spending about80% of their time in the house, and about 5% of their time outdoors during weekdays and weekends. The indoor/outdoor ratio of the average concentration of NO2 was more than 1, which indicated that the source was indoors.Toluene was shown to have higher concentrations indoors than outdoors. Ethylbenzene and xylene displayedsimilar characteristics to toluene, and the concentration ratio for indoor/outdoor was shown to be 1.29 ± 0.76 and1.04 ± 0.45, respectively, higher concentrations indoors. Based on the results of the time activity patterns ofparticipants, 3 kinds of exposure scenarios were formulated. The spent time and air concentration in eachenvironment were assumed as normal and lognormal distribution, respectively. And then the Monte-Carlosimulation was conducted. According to the result of the simulation, the exposures to hazardous air pollutantsrevealed an increasing pattern as housewives visits other indoor environments such as supermarkets.

A 12-year-old spayed female Pomeranian (weighing 2.4 kg) was referred with primary complaints of acute dyspnea, cough, and lethargy. Diagnostic imaging studies found degenerative mitral valve cusps, chordae tendinae rupture, severe mitral regurgitation (5.45 m/s of peak velocity), and marked left atrial and ventricular dilation. The dog was diagnosed as having degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) with ISACHC stage IIIa heart failure. Her clinical condition was stabilized after administration of cardiac medication (e.g. diuretics and pimobendan). Ten months later, the dog was referred back to the clinic due to a sudden worsening of clinical signs. Echocardiographic study found pulmonary hypertension in addition to DMVD. After medication was adjusted, clinical signs were stabilized in 2 weeks. The patient was returned after 4 months for cardiac recheck and there was no obvious worsening of clinical signs. Incidental finding of a left-to-right atrial septal defect from rupture of the atrial septum secondary to marked left atrial dilation by DMVD was noted by echocardiography. To diminish left atrial volume overload, the frequencies of both furosemide and pimobendan were increased (i.e. from q 12 hr to q 8 hr) in addition to adding spironolactone (1 mg/kg q 12 hr). Based on diagnostic findings, this case was re-diagnosed as acquired atrial septal defect secondary to rupture of the atrial septum with advanced stage DMVD. The dog was then stabilized and is currently being regularly monitored.

A 2-year-old intact female pomeranian dog presented dyspnea, labored breathing, cough, exercise intolerance, machinery heart murmur, and precordial thrill. A left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed based on two-dimensional echocardiography, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, and blood work. An angiography was performed to accurately evaluate the size and shape of the duct. An interventional approach for transcatheterial occlusion of the PDA was achieved using an Amplatz® Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO), which is a commercially available ductal occluding device. Due to the limited size of the dog’s femoral artery, a device smaller [125% of minimal ductal diameter (MDD); recommended size: 150~200% of MDD] than recommended was mounted. After placement of the ACDO, precordial thrill and continuous heart murmur disappeared, and the patient was discharged the next day after stabilization with O2 supply. Upon follow up examination, dyspnea, labored breathing, cough, exercise intolerance, and cardiomegaly were improved with no complications after the procedure. The ACDO was well maintained in position. This case represents successful clinical application of the Amplatz® Canine Duct Occluder to achieve closure of a PDA using a slightly smaller device than the recommended size.

오늘날 공직사회의 투명성과 공무원의 청렴성에 대한 국민들의 사회적 기대감은 매우 높다. 그러나 여전히 공무원에 대한 사회적 인식은 업무와 관련하여 사회적 특정계층으로서 뇌물수수의 대상으로 여겨지고 있다. 이러한 사회적 인식을 반영하여 지난해 국민권익위원회에서 ‘부정청탁 금지 및 공직자의 이해충돌방지법(이하, 부정청탁금지법)(안)’을 입법예고하였다. 하지만 필자는 뇌물범죄를 굳이 특별법으로 입법예고하는 것은 정치적 영향에 의한 특별법 만능주의로서 바람직하지 않다고 생각된다. 오히려 공직자의 부패방지를 위해서는 형법적 측면에서 접근하는 방안이 근본적인 해결책이 될 수 있다고 생각된다. 이러한 측면에서 필자는 우선적으로 ‘부정청탁금지법(안)’에서 의미하는 직무관련성 또는 대가성 없는 금품수수의 의미가 형법상 뇌물죄의 적용범위에 포섭될 수 있는지를 살펴보았으며, 아울러 판례의 입장을 분석하여 뇌물의 의미와 뇌물죄 성부의 판단기준에 대하여 검토를 하였다. 그 결과 ‘부정청탁금지법(안)’에서 제시하는 부정청탁, 금품수수, 공직자의 이해충돌 등은 뇌물과 유사한 성격을 지니고 있기 때문에 뇌물의 개념으로 포섭될 수 있다고 판단된다. 그리고 뇌물죄 성부의 판단기준으로서 직무관련성이 인정되면 대가관계는 필요 없다고 생각된다. 아울러 명확하게 뇌물죄의 객체에 이익이 포함되도록 하는 입법적인 보완이 필요하다고 생각된다. 특히 필자는 공직자의 대가없는 뇌물의 문제에 대한 효과적인 해결방안으로서 ‘부정청탁금지법(안)’의 입법적 취지를 고려하여 동법 제8조 제1항의 구성요건 가운데 ‘사실상의 영향력’을 원용하여 형법 제129조 제1항에 “공무원 또는 중재인이 그 직무와 관련하여 사실상의 영향력으로서 뇌물이나 그 밖의 이익을 수수, 요구 또는 약속한 때에는 5년 이하의 징역 또는 10년 이하의 자격정지에 처한다.”라고 규정하는 입법적 개선방안을 제시하고자 한다. 만일 이와 같이 뇌물죄의 규정을 입법하게 되면 뇌물은 직무관련성을 가지게 될 뿐이고, 직무행위와 관련하여 대가관계까지 필요하지 않게 된다. 그리고 뇌물죄의 객체에 이익이 포함되기 때문에 더 이상 뇌물에 대한 해석은 논란이 되지 않을 것이며, 아울러 대가 없는 뇌물의 문제도 해결될 수 있을 것이라고 생각된다.

Guillain-Barre´ syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy most commonly characterized by rapidly progressive, essentially symmetric weakness and areflexia. This study examined clinical symptoms of clinical variants of GBS through a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, nerve conduction (NCV) study, treatment, and prognosis. There were 16 children with GBS who visited our hospital from January 2011 to December 2013. Guillen-Barre´-like syndromes with transient synovitis were noted in three children. Clinical variants of GBS with acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis were observed in one child. Previous infections were noted in 16 children with Guillen-Barre´-like syndrome. There were ascending infections in 16 cases. Fifteen children showed symmetric infections, and one showed asymmetric infection. In NCV, slow waves were noted in two cases. We treated using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in four cases, IVIG with steroid in two, cases and supportive care in 10 (62.5%) cases. Five children treated with IVIG and 10 with supportive care management were completely improved.Our study suggests that supportive care is effective as a treatment for clinical variants of GBS. Further study is necessary for more patients.

The morphology of the lingual papillae in a female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tongue was 22.3 cm in length and 7.1 cm in width. Numerous filiform papillae were distributed over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue. SEM examination of the tongue revealed two types of mechanical papillae, i.e. filiform and conical papilla, and two types of gustatory papillae, i.e. fungiform and vallate papilla, on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Each filiform papilla consisted of one primary papilla and several secondary papillae. The filiform papillae on the anterior part of the tongue were divided into one primary and 6~14 secondary papillae. Unlike other mammalians, however, secondary papillae in the mid-part of the tongue showed pineal-like papillae. In the posterior part of the tongue, secondary papillae were rare or absent. Fungiform papillae were surrounded by filiform papillae and densely distributed on the lingual surface. There were two vallate papillae on the borderline between the lingual body and root of the tongue. A vallate papilla contained two secondary papillae inside the grooves. Conical papillae were located in the area of the vallate papillae and covered the posterior part of the tongue root. No foliate papillae were seen on both margins of the posterior part of the tongue. Our results indicate that the structure on the lingual papillae of the Bengal tiger is somewhat different from that of other mammals.

To investigate the association between maternal iron status at the third trimester and fetal birthweight, maternal serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and complete blood count values were measured at 36-weeks gestation. Delivery database on mothers who delivered babies at Chungbuk National University Hospital between January 2008 and March 2013 was extracted. A total of 353 uncomplicated term babies were analyzed using hierarchical regression and ANCOVA. Maternal age (standardized regression coefficient β=0.115, P<0.05), height (β=0.108, P<0.05), BMI (β=0.210, P<0.001), and gestational age (β=0.298, P<0.001) were significantly associated with birthweight. However, birthweight was not associated with maternal iron parameters. After adjusting for maternal age, height, BMI, and gestational age, babies born to mothers with lower mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin were heavier than those born to mothers with higher values. Babies born to lower hemoglobin (11 g/dL) mothers were heavier than those born to higher hemoglobin (12 g/dL) mothers. However, birthweight was not significantly different between mothers with 10 g/dL or 13 g/dL of hemoglobin. Comparing birthweight according to 30 ug/dL of serum iron, 360 ug/dL of TIBC, 15 ng/mL of serum ferritin, and 10% transferrin saturation, babies born to mothers of the lower group were heavier than those born to mothers of the higher group. Therefore, maternal serum iron status at the third trimester seems to not be associated with birthweight.