• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.467-473
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• 1996

Although a polypyrrole shows better electrical conductivity, 100∼400 ${\Omega}^{-1}cm^{-1}$, than other organic conducting polymers, its electrical conductivity will be worsen in the presence of the oxygen due to its easy oxidation. On the other hand, polythiophene shows better stability in the air while its electrcal conductivity is poor compared to the polypyrrole. We succeed to develope the mixed polymer electrode that is stable in the air and shows a good redox characteristics. The mixed polymer electrode has been prepared by the electrical polymerization of polypyrrole on the Pt electrode as 1.70 C$cm^{-2}$ and then coating with polythiophene as 0.34 C$cm^{-2}$. The polymerization rate of polythiophene was $3.89{\times}10^{-8}$ at the bare Pt electrode and $6.07{\times}10^{-8}cms^{-1}$ at the mixed polymer electrode. And the standard rate constants of each electrode were $5.16{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;3.94{\times}10^{-4} cms^{-1}$ respectively. Also, the electrocatalytic rate of the polypyrrole polymer electrode was $3.45{\times}10^{-3}cm^3mol^{-1}s^{-1}.$ We found the immobilized layer at the modified electrode acted as an electrocatalyst. Finally, this polymerization process at the Pt electrode was the electron transfer controlled, but that the mixed polymer electrode was the diffusion and charge transfer controlled.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Background: Acinetobacter infections are difficult to treat as they often exhibit multiple resistance to the antibiotics that are currently available for the treatment of pneumonia. Colistin is active against gram-negative bacteria, including the multiple drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species. However, intravenous administration of colistin was abandoned because of its nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The aims of this study were to examine the efficacy and safety of colistin administered by aerosol in the treatment of pneumonia caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from Dec. 2006 to Aug. 2007 who had been diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and had been treated with nebulized colistin. Results: 31 patients received aerosolized colistin. The average duration of the treatment was $14{\pm}7$ days and the daily dose of ranged from 225 mg to 300 mg. All patients received concomitant intravenous antimicrobial agents. The average length of the stay in the ICU was $34{\pm}21$ days and in the hospital $58{\pm}52$ days. The overall microbiological eradication was observed in 25 patients (80.6%). 14 of these (56%) were cured, and 11 (44%) were infected with other microorganisms. The overall crude mortality of the ICU was 48%. Nephrotoxicity and significant bronchial constriction did not occur in any patient during neublized colistin treatment. Conclusion: Nebulized colistin may be a safe and effective option in the treatment of pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Its role in therapy warrants further investigation in comparative studies.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2001

Purpose : Since the first report of vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE) in 1986, the resistance to vancomycin in enterococci has been increasingly rapidly. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestations of pediatric patients with VRE and the pattern of the antibiotic use with increasing the rate of VRE in pediatrics Methods : We studied retrospectively 36 pediatric patients who were isolated VRE from January 1998 to December 2000. We classified patients into ICU and non ICU groups and reviewed species of VRE, specimens in which VRE were first detected and procedures performed before VRE detected. Results : We have found that the number of pediatric patients isolated VRE is increasingly annually in this study. In addition, the number of VRE-isolation in the ICU group and in patients who were operated or who underwent active procedures is much higher than that of in the non ICU group and in patients who were taken medication only. Enterococcus faecium is the main species of VRE. VRE showed high resistance to almost all antibiotics except tetracycline, and resistance was closely related to the duration of hospitalization and history of the antibiotic use. The proportion of the cephalosporin use was higher than any other antibiotic before VRE detection. In contrast, that of teicoplanin was higher than any other antibiotic after VRE detection(P<0.05). The cases of superinfection is higher in the ICU group than in non ICU group. Conclusion : In the hospital level, prevention of nosocomial infection through proper administrative policies, through surveillance of high risk VRE regions and prudent antibiotic use can prevent VRE outbreaks and corresponding side effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.823-830
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• 2001

Background: Paraplegia is a serious complication of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic operations, which is related to ischemic injury of the spinal cord induced by low perfusion pressure during cross clamping of the aorta. Ischemic preconditioning of heart or brain with reversible sublethal ischemic injury induces resistance to subsequent lethal ischemia. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ischemic tolerance could be induced by the preconditioning of the spinal cord using swine model. Material and Method: The animals were randomly assigned to three groups: sham group(n=3), control group(n=6) and pre-conditioning group(n=8). In the sham group, we performed the left thoracotomy only without any ischemic injury. In the preconditioning group, the swine received reversible spinal cord ischemic injury by aortic clamping for 20 minutes, whereas control group had no previous aortic cross- clamping. Forty-eight hours later, the aorta was clamped for 30 minutes in both groups. Neurological examination was done 24 hours later, then the animals were euthanized for histopathology and malonedialdehyde(MDA) spectrophotometry assay of the spinal cord. Result: Statistically significant difference in neurological outcome was observed between the control and preconditioning groups at 24 hours after ischemic injury. The incidence of paraplegia and severe paresis was 100% in the control group, and 62.5% in the preconditing group(p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in histopathology and MDA assay of the ischemic spinal cord between these two groups with borderline statistical difference in MDA assay(p=0.0745). Conclusion: In the present swine study, ischemic preconditioning could induce tolerance against 30 minute ischemic insult of the spinal cord, although the animals did not completely recover(stand-up or walk). We expect that combining this preconditioning with other currently existing protection methods might lead to a synergistic effect, which warrants further investigation.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2017

The majority of freshwater ornamental fish are imported and distributed domestically, causing high risk of exposure to exotic pathogens and drug resistant bacteria in Korea. Aeromonas hydrophila is known as a common species of fresh water bacteria and opportunistic fish pathogen, as well as a species causing zoonotic infection. In this study, we isolated motile aeromonads from various imported freshwater ornamental fish and studied the characters of the isolates. Imported freshwater ornamental fish were purchased on day 1 after the fish were deposited in the aquarium. Bacteria were isolated from the liver, kidney and spleen of fish using 0.5% NaCl containing tryptic soy agar medium. Bacteria were grouped on the basis of their morphological characteristics. The colonies with clear zone on starch-ampicillin agar (SA agar) were tentatively identified as Aeromonas spp. Two hundred and twenty-six strains, about 70% of total isolates were assumed to be Aeromonas spp. Nine isolates were further identified based on the result of the API 20E test and PCR using primers specific for A. hydrophila 16S rRNA gene. The isolates were identified as A. hydrophila and the API 20E test showed differences in trisodium citrate, D-sucrose, D-melibiose, amygdalin and L-arabinose availability between the nine isolates and standard A. hydrophila. The susceptibilities of the isolated bacteria to 10 antibacterial agents were confirmed by the disk diffusion method. Isolated strains were found to be resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin and sensitive to florfenicol. However, 7 isolates showed multiple drug resistances to erythromycin, oxytetracycline, nalidixic acid etc. Pathogenicity of the isolates was determined by the artificial challenge test on goldfish (Carassius auratus). Three isolates caused 60 ~ 80% mortality in goldfish within 5 days after the initiation of challenge. These results indicate that multiple drug resistant, highly pathogenic and exotic A. hydrophila can spread to domestic aquarium and the preventive treatment of fish before sale is necessary.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2006

Purpose : Appropriate use of antimicrobials is an essential factor to treat infectious diseases and prevent acquisition of antimicrobial resistant pathogens. This study was undertaken to search that application of computerized management program for restriction of antimicrobials use in a hospital is helpful to decrease antimicrobial use density. Methods : Antibiotics utilization committee decided to restrict the use of 16 antimicrobials(14 expensive drugs having fear of drug resistance by pathogens and additional two drugs with inappropriate using tendency). Retrospective evaluation of antimicrobial user numbers between May and July of 2004 and 2005(study group) was conducted to compare with previous use density during same period of 2002 and 2003(control group). Results : Inpatients number of control group($823.5{\pm}37.1$ persons) was more than study group($809.2{\pm}39.3$ persons, P<0.001), but, outpatients number and hospitalized duration were equal in two groups. Antimicrobial user number/100 inpatients per day of glycopeptides and antifungal agents was equal in two groups, and study group was significantly higher density than control group in the use of carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam and quinolones(P<0.001). But study group was significantly lower density than control group in the use of drugs with inappropriately using tendency and expensive cephalosporins having broad antimicrobial spectrum(P<0.001). Conclusion : Application of computerized management program for restriction of antimicrobials use in a hospital is effective to decrease the use density of antimicrobials with inappropriately using tendency, but it is an insufficient measures for the restricted use of other antimicrobials on the whole.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2007

Background: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is known to modulates the cellular functions, including cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is known that a high level of HO-1 expression is found in many tumors, and HO-1 plays an important role in rapid tumor growth on account of its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer agent for the treatment of lung cancer. However, the development of resistance to cisplatin is a major obstacle to its use in clinical treatment. We previously demonstrated that inhibiting HO-1 expression through the transcriptional activation of Nrf2 induces apoptosis in A549 cells. The aim of this study was to determine of the inhibiting HO-1 enhance the chemosensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin. Materials and Methods: The human lung cancer cell line, A549, was treated cisplatin, and the cell viability was measured by a MTT assay. The change in HO-1, Nrf2, and MAPK expression after the cisplatin treatment was examined by Western blotting. HO-1 inhibition was suppressed by ZnPP, which is a specific pharmacologic inhibitor of HO activity, and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Flow cytometry analysis and Western blot were performed in to determine the level of apoptosis. The level of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) generation was monitored fluoimetrically using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Results: The A549 cells showed more resistance to the cisplatin treatment than the other cell lines examined, whereas cisplatin increased the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2, as well as the phosphorylation of MAPK in a time-dependent fashion. Inhibitors of the MAPK pathway blocked the induction of HO-1 and Nrf2 by the cisplatin treatment in A549 cells. In addition, the cisplatin-treated A549 cells transfected with dither the HO-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or ZnPP, specific HO-1 inhibitor, showed in a more significantly decrease in viability than the cisplatin-only-treated group. The combination treatment of ZnPP and cisplatin caused in a marked increase in the ROS generation and a decrease in the HO-1 expression. Conclusion: Cisplatin increases the expression of HO-1, probably through the MAPK-Nrf2 pathway, and the inhibition of HO-1 enhances the chemosensitivity of A549 cells to cisplatin.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.474-480
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• 1995

Background: In spite of initial intensive and long-term chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis, many problems remain in the treatment of the residual lesion. The role of surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis is getting rid of such residual lesion of pulmonary tuberculosis to support the healing process and to induce bacteriologically negative conversion in the end. Method: We experienced 30 cases of pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis from Aug. 1994 through Apr. 1995 in National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital. We conducted retrospective study to analyze several variables for the cases. Results: 1) The ratio between male and female was 4:1(male 24, female 6) and the age of peak incidence was in 3rd and 4th decades. 2) Indications for pulmonary resection in the radiographic findings were cavitary lesions of 19 cases(63.3%), destroyed one side of 8 cases(26.7%) and destroyed one lobe of 3 cases(10%). 3) 16 of 20 cases with unilateral lesions and all of 10 cases with bilateral lesions on chest X-ray films showed AFB positive on preoperative sputum smears. 14 cases(87.5%) of unilateral lesions and 9 cases(90%) of bilateral ones were converted into AFB negative postoperatively. Negative conversion rates of pneumonectomy and lobectomy cases were 100% and 85.7%, respectively. 4) Preoperative combined disease was 3 cases(10%) of DM and postoperative complications were 2 cases(6.7%) of dead space and no death. Conclusion: Chemotherapy only has some limitation in treatment of all tuberculosis. So, surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis is an effective method as partner of chemotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.587-592
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• 1999

Littorina brevicula, a common small herbivorous gastropod, inhabits in almost every rocky and/or boulder shores of Korea with high density. The survival rates and oxygen consumption rates of this species exposed to tributyltinchloride (TBTCl), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) were investigated according to temperatures (15, $23^{\circ}C$) and individual sizes (12$\pm$0.5, 5$\pm$1 mm). At temperature $15^{\circ}C$, acute inhibitory concentrations for large (12$\pm$0.5 mm) and small (5 $\pm$1 mm) size individual showed that 13 day-$LC_{50}$ for TBTC1 were 0.87 and 0.65 ppm, respectively, 11 day-$LC_{50}$ of Hg were 5.55 and 2.85 ppm, respectively and 9 day-$LC_{50}$ of Cd were 13.77 and 8.46 ppm, respectively. At $23^{\circ}C$, acute inhibitory concentrations of pollutants on the large and the small size individual showed that 8 day-$LC_{50}$ of TBTCl were 0.68 and 0.15 ppm, respectively, 5 day-$LC_{50}$ of Hg were 10.41 and 5.73 ppm, respectively, and 4 day-$LC_{50}$ of Cd were 13.31 and 4.47 ppm, respectively. The order of toxicity on the species was TBTCl > Cd > Hg. Oxygen consumption rates during exposure to TBTCl, Hg and Cd toxicity were decreased more in small size than in large size individuals at 15 and $23^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.174-191
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• 2021

Gangdo (江都), a reproduction of Gaegyeong, was the capital of Goryeo for 39 years. However, due to the urgent wartime situation of the Mongol invasion and the geographical features of Ganghwa Island, the castle system and palace layout were somewhat different from those of Gaegyeong. Gangdo's castle can be understood as a triple castle system consisting of outer castle, middle castle, and inner castle. First, the outer castle was the first to be completed, and it was built at the forefront to prevent the Mongol army from invading in the first place. It is presumed that the section was between Huamdon and Hwadodon in the outer castle during the Joseon Dynasty. The middle castle can be seen as the present 'Middle Castle', a castle built of earth on the outskirts of the Ganghwa-mountain Castle. Considering the sophistication and robustness of the construction method confirmed in the archaeological research, this castle is thought to have been built under a meticulous plan. In other words, as the capital city, it was completed 'at last' as recorded in the Koryo History, after a long 18-year construction process to protect palaces, government offices, and private houses. The inner castle was a castle with the character of a palace. This corresponds to the Old Castle of Ganghwabu (江華府) during the Joseon Dynasty, and it almost coincided with the scale of the composition of Gaegyeong's palace castle. It was a complex functional space, featuring the integration of the palace and the imperial castle, where the main government offices and ancillary facilities, including the palace, were located. Based on the documentary record that these palaces were similar to Gaegyeong's palace, the palace map was overlapped with that of Gaegyeong. The central axis of the building from Seungpyeongmun (昇平門) to Seongyeongjeon (宣慶殿) coincided with Kim Sangyongsunjeol Monument in Ganghwa- Goryeo Palace. Therefore, it seems that the palace of Gangdo had the same basic structure as that of Gaegyeong. However, the inner palace and annexed buildings must have been arranged in consideration of the topographical conditions of Ganghwa, and this is estimated to be the Gunggol area in Gwancheong-ri.