• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.305-310
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• 1998

The usage or agricultural chemicals is on the increasing tendency. Methyl bromide and organophosphate are the most widely used toxic agricultural chemicals in Korea. We try to set up the methods to detect the accumulation of these chemicals in Korean farmers. Blood samples were collected for 121 farmers of slack's season in February 1998. And survey about arable acreage and usage of the gloves and masks was also performed. Serum cholinesterase activities and bromide concentrations were measured with gold chloride method and colorimetric method. The reference ranges of serum cholinesterase activity and bromide concentration were 1.6~15.9 U/mL and below $72.9{\mu}g/mL$. Serum bromide concentrations of farmers and normal controls showed no differences. Serum cholinesterase activities of farmers were significantly higher than those of normal controls. According to the arable acreages and usage of the gloves and masks, serum bromide concentrations and cholinesterase activities showed no differences. In conclusion, serum cholinesterase activities and bromide concentrations showed no differences between farmers of slack's season and normal controls.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to identify the radionuclide distribution in public water by carrying out the analysis of artificial radionuclides($^{134}Cs$, $^{137}Cs$, $^{239+240}Pu$), natural radionuclide($^{210}Pb$) and TOC in the lake Euiam sediment in Chuncheon, South Korea. The $^{134}Cs$ concentration in all lake sediments showed below MDA values, and the $^{137}Cs$ concentration in lake sediment were ranged from MDA to $8.79Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The $^{137}Cs$ concentrations in surface sediment were reported to be 2.4 to $4.2Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The lowest concentration of $^{137}Cs$ was reported at St. 4 and the highest concentration was reported at St. 3, respectively. The $^{239+240}Pu$ concentration in lake sediment were ranged from 0.049 to $0.47Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}-dry$. The lowest concentration was reported at St. 2 and the highest concentration was reported at St. 3. The correlation(r) between the $^{239+240}Pu$ concentration and $^{137}Cs$ concentration in lake sediment presented higher values (0.54 to 0.97) and this suggests the behavior and origin of $^{137}Cs$ is identical to the $^{239+240}Pu$ in the sediment. The $^{134}Cs$ concentration below MDA value and the $^{239+240}Pu/^{137}Cs$ ratio(mean value of 0.041) indicated that the artificial radionuclides in the sediment were originated from global fallout by the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons conducted by former USSR and U.S.A, but not from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident. The sedimentation rate derived from $^{210}Pb$ age-dating method at St. 2 is calculated to be $0.31{\pm}0.06cm{\cdot}y^{-1}$. This value is similar to the value ($0.41{\pm}0.05cm{\cdot}y^{-1}$) estimated from the $^{137}Cs$ maximum peak produced from early 1960's. The content of TOC in lake Euiam sediments varied from 0.20 to 13.01%. While the highest correlation between TOC and $^{137}Cs$ concentration in the sediment were found at St. 1, the others presented the low correlation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.251-263
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• 1997

Background : The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis presents a significant challange to the treatment and control of tuberculosis, and there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms by which strains acquire multidrug resistance. Recent advances in molecular methods for the detection of M. tuberculosis genetic targets have approached the sensitivity of culture. Furthermore the prospect of determining resistance in mycobacteria at the nucleic acid level particulary to first-line drugs like rifampin, isoniazid has provided a glimps of the next generation of sensitivity test for M. tuberculosis. Previous studies in RMP resistant M. tuberculosis have shown that mutation in $\beta$subunit of RNA polymerase is main mechanism of resistance. Method : In this study, rpoB gene for the $\beta$subunit of RNA polymerase from M. tuberculosis of 42 cultured samples (32 were RMP resistant and 10 were sensitive cases) were isolated and characterised the mutations. Direct sequencing data were compared with the results of INNO-LiPA Line Probe Assay (LiPA, Innogenetics, Belgium), commercial RMP resistance detecting kit using reverse hybridization method. Results : All of the RMP resistant samples were revealed the presence of mutation by LiPA. In 22 samples (68.8%) out of 32 RMP resistant cases, the mutation types were confirmed by the positive signal at one of 4 mutation bands in the strip. The most frequent type was R5 (S531L) which were 17 cases (77.3%). Results of direct sequencing were identified the exact characteristics of 8 mutations which were not confirmed by LiPA. S522W type point mutation and 9 base pair deletion at codon 513~515 were new identified mutations for the first time. Conclusion : Mutations in rpoB gene is the main mechanism of RMP resistance in M. tuberculosis and LiPA is a very useful diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis of RMP resistance in M. tuberculosis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2012

Multimodal-imaging technique has been rapidly developed for improvement of diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic effects. In despite of integrated hardware, registration accuracy was decreased due to a discrepancy between multimodal image and insufficiency of count in accordance with different acquisition method of each modality. The purpose of this study was to improve the PET image by event data resampling through analysis of data format, noise and statistical properties of small animal PET list data. Inveon PET listmode data was acquired as static data for 10 min after 60 min of 37 MBq/0.1 ml $^{18}F$-FDG injection via tail vein. Listmode data format was consist of packet containing 48 bit in which divided 8 bit header and 40 bit payload space. Realigned sinogram was generated from resampled event data of original listmode by using adjustment of LOR location, simple event magnification and nonparametric bootstrap. Sinogram was reconstructed for imaging using OSEM 2D algorithm with 16 subset and 4 iterations. Prompt coincidence was 13,940,707 count measured from PET data header and 13,936,687 count measured from analysis of list-event data. In simple event magnification of PET data, maximum was improved from 1.336 to 1.743, but noise was also increased. Resampling efficiency of PET data was assessed from de-noised and improved image by shift operation of payload value of sequential packet. Bootstrap resampling technique provides the PET image which noise and statistical properties was improved. List-event data resampling method would be aid to improve registration accuracy and early diagnosis efficiency.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2005

Fruiting bodies of Cordyceps have been regarded as popular folk and effective medicines to treat human diseases such as asthma, bronchial and lung inflammation, and kidney disease. Cordyceps pruinosa (Clavicipitaceae; Hypocreales; Ascomycotina) has received special attention for medicinal purpose due to its various physiological activites. The nucleoside derivative N6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (HEA) isolated from it showed a $Ca^{2+}$ antagonistic effect and negative inotropic response. The artificial production of fruiting body of C. pruinosa has not been tried successfully yet by using living silkworm substrate. To develop techniques for the production of C. pruinosa stromata on a large scale, the infection of Bombyx mori with C. pruinosa and the growth characteristics of stroma of C. pruinosa were investigated. Also, studied about biological activities of fruiting body formed on silkworm. Infection rate of the silkworm pupae with C. pruinosa was the highest in injection inoculation. The formation of the fruiting body of C. pruinosa was quite good in the room controlled at $21{\sim}25^{\circ}C$, over 91% of relative humidity and over 1500 lx. Glucose concentration was high in the fruiting bodies of the silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa on a dry weight basis. The most abundant amino acid in the fruiting bodies was arginine and phenylalanine. The fruiting bodies of silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa was rich in oleic acid. The high amount of citric acid was found in the fruiting bodies of silkworm pupae infected with C. pruinosa.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2005

Objectives: This investigation was carried out to explore the source and the mode of transmission of the diarrhea outbreak in Seongju-gun, Gyeongbuk, 2004 Methods: The authors conducted a questionnaire survey among the 275 persons (students, staff members and cooks) who ingested the possibly contaminated foods. We also investigated the drinking water and the dining facility, and we reviewed the process of cooking the salad, which was the presumed cause of the Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli(EPEC) diarrhea. The confirmed EPEC diarrheal case was defined as culture positive for EPEC, and the suspicious case was defined as diarrheal case with symptoms more than one of fever, vomiting and tenesmus. Results: The attack rate of EPEC diarrhea was 36.7%, and there were 8 confirmed cases. The possibility of the drinking being a source of the infection was very low, for chlorine was detected in all the drinking water via reviewing the past records and using a portable detector. The foods that were significantly associated with diarrhea were found. The relative risk (RR) for the lunch served Jul 7 was 4.12 (95% CI: 1.39-12.20). Among the non-boiled foods that were finally served, the RR for the salad was 1.66 (95% CI: 1.07-2.57). The cause of this outbreak was presumed to be the contaminated foods that were prepared by cooks using rubber glove with holes, and especially the salad and foods that were served sans boiling on Jul 7. Conclusions: Though this EPEC infection was not so clinically important, if a larger outbreak occurred, it might severely affect the public health. It is recommended to develop the more safe methods for cooking foods, and to strengthen the sanitary processing foods.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.613-619
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• 2001

The aims of this study were to compare the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of cnventional visual examination, radiography and a new laser fluorescence method, KaVo Diagnodent, for the detection of occlusal caries lesions. One hundred sound human premolars and molars which had no restorations or interproximal cavities were tested by three methods. Tooth lesions depth was assessed at histologic examination using Caries detector dye The following results were obtained. 1. Diagnodent show 7.8 in sound tooth, 25.4 in initial caries, 30.5 in enamel caries, and 53.8 in dentin caries with average score 2. Spearman and Pearson relation coefficient was high between tooth-specimen test with dye and Diagnodent(0.736, 0.619), visual examination(0.664, 0.666), and was low between tooth-specimen test with dye and radiographic examination(P<0.01, total) 3. Accuracy of occlusal caries was highest on Diagnodent(65%) and lowest on radiographic examination(35%) 4. In initial caries, the sensitivity and specificity of Diagnodent method was the highest. In enamel caries, the sensitivity of visual examination was the highest and specificity of Diagnodent method was the highest. In dentinal caries, the sensitivity and specificity of Diagnodent method was the highest and sensitivity of visual examination was the lowest.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 2002

The use of land at the time of investigation of groundwater quality in the rapidly urbanized Bu-chon city is classified into 5 categories based on the change process of land use. The difference in groundwater quality according to the land use and its usage period is tested by non-parametric statistical procedures. The seven constituents of water quality with the highly frequent detection in the area for this study are used for the statistical test. The shallow groundwater quality within the areas of the same land use at the time of investigation varies significantly according to the period of land usage. The concentration of KMnO$_4$consumed and hardness is significantly higher in the old residential area (of more than 20 years old) than in the younger one (of less than 10 years old). The quality of the shallow groundwater is also significantly different among the three categories with the similar period of land usage (of more than 15 years old). The concentration of No$_3$-N, hardness and total solid is significantly higher in the residential area than in the agricultural one (namely, the area used as paddy fields 2 to 5 years ago). The median concentration of these constituents is 2.2 to 3.8 times higher in the residential area than in the agricultural one. The concentration of NO$_3$-N, KMnO$_4$, consumed and Cl is significantly higher in the industrial area than in the agricultural one. The median concentration of these constituents is 5.5 to 18 times higher in the industrial area than in the agricultural one. The concentration of KMnO$_4$consumed is significantly higher in the industrial area than in the residential area. The median concentration of these constituents is 12 times higher in the industrial area than in the residential one. The spatial distribution of shallow groundwater quality in the rapidly urbanized area is closely related to the period of land usage as well as the land use, which is presumed to be attributed to the difference in the concentration and leakage rate of the contaminants leaking from damaged sewer into shallow groundwater.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1107-1112
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• 2010

In this study, the stable maintenance of bioactivity in alkaline ionized water (AIW) and antibacterial effects of AIW were evaluated to confirm benefits of AIW. As controls, purified water (PW) and tap drinking water (DW) were used. The pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) of AIW, PW and DW used were 9.5 and 120 mV, 7.2 and 144 mV, and 7.3 and 564 mV, respectively. High level of minerals was observed in DW (DW>AIW>PW of mineral contents). Concentrations of $Ca^{++}$ and $Na^+$ in DW were 14.5, and 8.4 mg/l, respectively, while no $Ca^{++}$, $Mg^{++}$, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were detected in PW. Evaluation of antioxidant activities for AIW, PW and DW showed that the waters did not act as antioxidants. However, the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) or superoxide radical scavenging activities or reducing power of vitamin C were stably maintained in AIW and PW, though not in DW, against heat treatment ($60^{\circ}C$) or vigorous shaking (120 rpm) at $37^{\circ}C$. Similarly, after aspirin treatment at $60^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr, the antithrombosis activity in PW and AIW was 62.6% and 55.3%, while that of DW was 52.1%. Furthermore, cell growth analysis and viable cell count of Escherichia coli H7:O157 in PW, AIW and DW showed that AIW and DW, not DW, have antibacterial activities. Our results suggest that the state of water, for example pH, ORP and mineral contents of water, should be considered in medicine or food industries, and that AIW has high potential for utilization in various fields.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from endodontic lesions by cell culture and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of them against 8 antibiotics. The necrotic pulpal tissues were collected from 27 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as endodontic infection. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing $500{\mu}l\;of\;1{\times}PBS$. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing 5% sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a $37^{\circ}C$ anaerobic chamber for 2 to 5 days. The bacteria grown on the agar plates were identified by comparison of 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequencing method at the species level. To test the sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from the infected root canals against 8 antibiotics, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using broth dilution assay. The data showed that 101 bacterial strains were isolated and were identified. Streptococcus spp. (29.7%) and Actinomyces spp. (21.8%) were predominantly isolated. The 9 strains were excluded in antimicrobial susceptibility test because they were lost during the experiment or were not grown in broth culture. The percentage of bacteria susceptible for each antibiotic in this study was clindamycin, 87.0% (80 of 92); tetracycline, 75.0% (69 of 92); cefuroxime axetil, 75.0% (69 of 92); amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (5:1), 71.7% (66 of 92); penicillin G, 66.3% (61 of 92); erythromycin, 66.3% (61 of 92); amoxicillin, 44.6% (41 of 92); and ciprofloxacin, 31.5% (29 of 92). The susceptibility pattern of 8 antibiotics was dependent on the host of the bacteria strains rather than the kinds of bacterial species. These results indicate that antibiotic susceptibility test should be performed when antibiotics are needed for the treatment of infected root canals.