• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.169-187
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• 2023

Aggregates from 84 cities and counties in Korea were tested for quality to allow analysis of the physical characteristics of aggregates from river, land, and forest environments. River and land aggregates were analyzed for 18 test items, and forest aggregates for 12 test items. They were classified according to watershed and geology, respectively. The observed physical characteristics of the river aggregates by basin were as follows: aggregates from the Geum River basin passed through 2.5, 1.2, 0.6, 0.3, 0.15, and 0.08 mm sieves; clay lumps constituted the Nakdong River basin material; aggregates from the Seomjin River basin passed through 10, 5, and 2.5 mm sieves; those from the Youngsang River basin passed through 1.2, 0.6, 0.3, 0.15, and 0.08 mm sieves; and aggregates from the Han River basin passed through 10, 5, 2.5, 1.2, 0.6, 0.3, and 0.08 mm sieves, Stability; Standard errors were analyzed for the average amount passing through 10, 0.6, and 0.08 mm silver sieves, and performance rate showed different distribution patterns from other physical characteristics. Analysis of variance found that 16 of the 18 items, excluding the absorption rate and the performance rate, had statistically significant differences in their averages by region. Considering land aggregates by basin, those from the Nakdong River basin excluding the Geum River basin had clay lumps, those from the Seomjin River basin had 10 and 5 mm sieve passage, aggregates from the Youngsang River basin had 0.08 mm sieve passage, and those from the Han River basin had 10, 0.6, and 0.08 mm sieve passage. The standard error of the mean of the quantity showed a different distribution pattern from the other physical characteristics. Analysis of variance found a statistically significant difference in the average of all 18 items by region. Analyzing forest aggregates by geology showed distributions of porosity patterns different from those of other physical characteristics in metamorphic rocks (but not igneous rocks), and distributions of wear rate and porosity were different from those of sedimentary rocks. There were statistically significant differences in the average volume mass, water absorption rate, wear rate, and Sc/Rc items by lipid.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate the relation of the gastric epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and genotypes of H. pylori in children. Methods: Histologic grading by updated Sydney system, PCNA immunostaining, TUNEL method and the genotypes (cagA, picB and iceA) by PCR were performed in H. pylori positive (N=20) and negative (N=20) gastric biopsy specimens. Results: PCNA index was significantly different between H. pylori positive children ($77.4{\pm}13.12$) and H. pylori negative children ($52.3{\pm}12.20$) (p=0.000). There were positive correlations between PCNA index and H. pylori density (r=0.624, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.460, p=0.005) and chronic inflammation (r=0.433, p=0.009). Apoptosis index of H. pylori positive children ($0.70{\pm}0.411$) was significantly higher than of H. pylori negative children ($0.14{\pm}0.201$) (p=0.000). Positive correlations between apoptosis index and H. pylori density (r=0.691, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.585, p=0.000) and chronic inflammation (r=0.535, p=0.001) were noted. As PCNA index increased, apoptosis index significantly increased (r=0.527, p=0.001). The positive rates of genotypes were cagA 90%, picB 75%, iceA1 60% and iceA2 15%, respectively. There were no significant correlations between the status of the genotypes and PCNA index, apoptosis index, the endoscopic findings and the histologic findings. Conclusion: PCNA index and apoptosis index in H. pylori positive children were higher than in H. pylori negative children but were not related to H. pylori genotypes. This study suggested that correlatively increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis are important to pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in children.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.718-725
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• 2018

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis in several types of cancer. In this study, the impact of TLR4 activation on apoptotic cell death in gynecologic cancers induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. Cervical cancer cell lines were produced from isolated surgical specimens supplied by Paik Hospital. The primary cultures of normal myometrium and gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, were used to examine the differences in morphological characteristics between normal and cancerous cells. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the relative expression levels of TLR4 gene involved in apoptosis-associated signaling in cervical cancer cells. The cancer cell colonies showed a tendency to reach high levels of confluency compared with normal cells. In addition, an enhanced growth rate and loss of contact inhibition were observed in gynecologic cancer cells compared with normal cells (doubling times of 16.6 hr vs. 26 hr, respectively). The expression level of ITGA5, an alpha-5 integrin marker, was upregulated in normal myometrial cells, but this tendency was not exhibited in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, p53 tumor suppressor gene expression was upregulated, whereas TLR4 and caspase-3 gene expressions were downregulated in cervical cancer cells. Notably, the expression levels of TLR4 and caspase-3 were increased significantly in LPS-treated cancer cells compared with those in non-LPS-treated cells. These results suggest that the TLR4-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway could be suggested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancers.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2009

Purpose: Present evidences suggest that Ureaplasma urealyticum is a cause of pneumonia, septicemia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in newborn infants, particularly those born prematurely. The purpose of this work was to examine the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum in the tracheal aspirates and adverse outcomes, such as BPD and early onset neonatal sepsis in premature infants. Methods: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on tracheal aspirates collected within 24 hour after birth in 176 premature infants less than 35 weeks of gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Bundang CHA Hospital. Results: U. urealyticum was detected in 37 of 176 preterm infants (21.0%). Gestational age ($29^{+5}{\pm}2^{+5}$ wk vs. $30^{+6}{\pm}2^+{-5}$ wk, P=0.0l3) and birth weight (1.39${\pm}$0.44 kg vs. 1.59${\pm}$0.55 kg, P=0.037) were lower in the U urealyticum-positive group compared to the control group. The incidence of early onset neonatal sepsis (16.2% vs. 6.5%, P=0.045) and BPD (45.9% vs. 29.5%, P=0.047) was higher in the U urealyticum-positive group compared to the control group, but the severity of BPD was not different between two groups. However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of U. urealyticum was not independently related to the development of early onset neonatal sepsis and BPD. Conclusion: The results suggest that colonization of the lower respiratory tract by U. urealyticum might not be related to the development of neonatal sepsis and BPD directly in preterm infants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2005

Background : In Korea, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for M. tuberculosis has been used for the diagnosis of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-negative tuberculosis in order to increase diagnostic sensitivity. However, there have been no data dealing with the clinical utility of PCR in AFB smear-positive patients to differentiate between M. tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria. Method : We retrospectively analyzed the PCR test results which have been performed in patients who had AFB smear-positive sputum but had ambiguous clinical manifestations of active tuberculosis. PCR test was done using $AMPLICOR^{\hat{a}}$ M. tuberculosis kit. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the PCR test were calculated based on culture and final clinical diagnosis result. Results : Fifty-six consecutive patients (62 PCR tests) were included in the study. Active tuberculosis was diagnosed in 23 patients (41.0%), while 9 patients had NTM infection (16.0%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative-predictive value of PCR test were 88.8%, 86.8%, 76.1% and 94.3%, respectively, according to the culture result. In comparison, they were 91.3%, 100%, 100%, 94.3%, respectively, according to the final clinical diagnosis. All 15 patients with NTM isolates, including 6 patients who had other lung diseases but expectorated NTM isolate, were negative for PCR test. Conclusion : Even though tuberculosis is still prevalent in Korea, PCR test is useful to differentiate between M. tuberculosis and NTM in patients with AFB-smear positive sputum but with ambiguous clinical manifestations of active tuberculosis.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-203
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• 2003

The application of sealants is a highly technique-sensitive procedure, requiring an extremely dry field prior to placement. Moisture contamination of the etched enamel surface before sealant placement is cited as the main reason for sealant failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different methods of sealant application on the shear bond strength of sealants to enamel. In groups 1, 2, 3, 4 Teethmate(unfilled sealant) was used, while Ultraseal XTplus(filled sealant) was used in groups 5, 6, 7, 8. Groups 1 and 5(control) were acid etched for 15 seconds using 35% phosphoric acid, washed and then dried. In groups 2, 6 drying agents were applied, and in groups 3, 7 bonding agents were applied and light cured. In groups 4 and 8 both drying agent and bonding agent were applied. Then sealant was cured to the specimen using molds 3mm in diameter and 2mm in height. Thermocycling was performed and shear bond strength was finally measured. The following results were obtained : 1. Groups using filled sealant(groups 5, 6, 7, 8) showed higher shear bond strengths compared to groups using unfilled sealant(groups 1, 2, 3, 4). 2. Among groups using unfilled sealant(groups 1, 2, 3, 4), groups 2, 3, 4 showed significantly higher shear bond strength compared to group 1(p<0.05). There were no significant differences among groups 2, 3 and 4. 3. There were no significant differences(p>0.05) among groups using filled sealant(groups 5, 6, 7, 8). 4. When modes of fracture were examined, cohesive failure was observed in groups 2, 3 and 4.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study is to know seasonal distribution of group A streptococci obtained from one center using emm genotyping and T serotyping in Masan from 2003 through 2004. Methods : Among children who visited the Changwon Fatima Hospital at Masan, Korea from June 2003 through February 2004, 100 patients who had clinical findings of acute pharyngitis, scarlet fever, and cellulitis were confirmed as GAS by culture, and were enrolled in our study. All obtained GAS were sent to the WHO Collaborative Center for Reference and Research on Streptococci, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis for T serotyping and emm genotyping. We classified these results again according to seasonal and disease's entities. Results : 19 different T serotypes was typed. T4(27.5%), T1(17.6%), T6(13.7%), and T12(13.7%) serotypes were relatively common in summer, while T4(28.3%), T12(15.2%), and T12/B3264(8.7%) were common in winter. T4 and T12 were persistent all year around. Distribution of T serotypes in 89 patients with pharyngotonsillitis were T4(26.7%), T12(14.0%), T1(12.8%), and T6(11.6%) in order of frequency. 15 different emm genotypes was typed. The number of emm 1, emm 6, emm 9, and emm 44 genotypes decreased or disappeared in winter, and the number of emm 3, emm 12, and emm 89 genotypes increased or reappeared in winter. Conclusion : Because T serotyping and emm genotyping are useful tools for evaluating epidemiology and pathogenesis of group A streptococci, we should monitor these strains every year, and should serotype and genotype GAS obtained from the invasive streptococcal infections.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2016

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) produces enterotoxins known to be a virulence factor. Three isotypes of the B. fragilis toxin (BFT) gene have been identified: bft-1, bft-2, and bft-3. We investigated the presence of bft isotypes in clinical B. fragilis isolates and the antimicrobial resistance of BFT-negative and BFT-positive isolates. Overall, 537 B. fragilis isolates were collected from extraintestinal specimens over 8 years (2006~2013) from a university hospital in Korea. Samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR to identify the bft gene isotypes. Additionally, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 107 B. fragilis isolates (74 BFT-negative and 33 BFT-positive) was examined by the CLSI agar dilution method. PCR revealed a total bft gene detection rate of 30%, while 33% and 29% of blood and other extraintestinal isolates contained the gene, respectively. Among ETBF isolates, the most common isotype was bft-1 gene, followed by bft-2 and bft-3 (bft-1 77%, bft-2 14%, bft-3 9%). Resistance rates (%) for BFT-negative and positive isolates differed in response to various antimicrobial agents, with 3%, 5%, 1% and 38% of BFT-negative isolates and 3%, 6%, 3% an 42% of BFT-positive isolates being resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, and clindamycin, respectively. Interestingly, neither BFT-negative nor positive isolates showed antimicrobial resistance to chloramphenicol and metronidazole. Overall, the proportion of ETBF from blood was similar to that of other extraintestinal sites and the bft-1 gene was the predominant isotype. Higher antimicrobial resistance rates were found in BFT-positive isolates than BFT-negative isolates, but these differences were not statistically significant.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.20-29
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• 1989

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the degree of the marginal leakage of class V cavities with 4 brands of esthetic filling materials by means of the dye penetration at the enamel & dentinal margins. 160 cavities of class V were prepared on the buccal & lingual surfaces of 80 extracted premolar teeth, which divided into 4 groups. The four groups of cavities were filled with Durafill$^{(R)}$-Durafill bond$^{(R)}$(KuIzer & Co GmbH), Bisfil M$^{(R)}$-Resin bond$^{(R)}$(BISCO Inc.), Silux$^{(R)}$-Scotchbond$^{(R)}$(3M Co.) and Fuji ionomer$^{(R)}$(type II, G-C Co.) each. All specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye solution for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$ after a 30-second thermocycling at $4^{\circ}C$ and $60^{\circ}C$ and longitudinally sectioned with diamond disk into two parts. The results were as follows : 1. At enamel margins, the group filled with Durafill$^{(R)}$-Durafill bond$^{(R)}$, Bisfil M$^{(R)}$-Resin bond$^{(R)}$ and Silux$^{(R)}$-Scotchbond$^{(R)}$ show no significant difference each other(p>0.05), and the above groups show less marginal leakage comparing with the group filled with Fuji ionomer$^{(R)}$(p<0.01). 2. At dentinal margins, the group filled with Silux$^{(R)}$-Scotchbond$^{(R)}$ or Fuji ionomer$^{(R)}$ show less marginal leakage than that with Durafill$^{(R)}$-Durafill bond$^{(R)}$ or Bisfil M$^{(R)}$-Resin bond$^{(R)}$(p<0.01). 3. The enamel margins show less marginal leakage than dentinal margins in all the class V cavities(p<0.01).

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

Purpose: DNA methylation is an important epigenetic factor in tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that polymorphism of the promoter of the DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) genes, which are responsible for regulating the methylation status of tumor suppressor genes, are associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, to determine the role of this polymorphism of the promoter of DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) genes in gastric cancer, we genotyped 176 cases and 70 control subjects. To determine the genotype, we used a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. We compared alleles and genotypes between the two groups and revealed an association of DNMT3b promoter polymorphism with increased risk of gastric cancer in the Korean population. Results: Genotype frequencies were 14.8% (Cytosine-Cytosine), 71.6% (Cytosine-Thymine), and 13.6% (Thymine- Thymine) in the case patients and 40.0% (Cytosine-Cytosine), 42.9% (Cytosine-Thymine), and 17.1% (Thymine-Thymine) in the control subjects, respectively. Compared with CC homozygotes, CT heterozygotes had a 4.523-fold increased risk (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 2.324~8.803), and the TT homozygotes had a 2.154-fold elevated risk (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.899~85.165). For the T variant genotype (CT+TT), there was a 3.846-fold increased risk (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 2.040~7.251). However, no significance was observed in the genotype distributions of both polymorphisms according to histopathology, stage of stomach cancer. The Ssame results were observed with Helicobacter infection. Conclusion: DNMT3b promoter polymorphism, especially the T variant genotype, is associated significantly with thean increased risk of gastric cancer.