• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.989-995
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• 2003

Purpose : Dexamethasone is frequently administered to prevent or treat chronic lung disease in human neonates who are also prone to hypoxic-ischemic(HI) insults. Recently, meta-analysis of the follow-up studies reveals a significantly increased odd ratio for the occurrence of cerebral palsy or an abnormal neurologic outcome, and there is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of dexamethasone exposure on HI brain injury. This study was conducted to explore the effect of post-HI dexamethasone administration on neuronal injury in neonatal rats. Methods : HI was produced in seven-day-old rats by right carotid artery ligation followed by two hours of 8% oxygen exposure. At the end of HI, the animals were injected intraperitoneally either with dexamethasone(0.5 mg/kg) or saline. Neuronal injury was assessed seven days after the HI by the area of infarction, TUNEL reactivity, Bcl-2 and Bax expression in brain. Results : Post-insult dexamethasone administration resulted in reduction of weight gain and a higher mortality rate during seven days after HI. Dexamethasone treatment revealed no effect on the size of brain infarction induced by HI. Bax protein expression increased in dexamethasone treated brain but Bcl-2 protein expression and TUNEL reactivity revealed no significant differences between dexamethasone treated and non treated brain. Increased Bax protein expression suggest upregulation of the apoptosis by dexamethasone. Conclusion : The result suggests the adverse role of Post-HI administration of dexamethasone in neonatal HI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1559-1565
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• 2005

The Purpose of this study was to investigate college students' attitude toward body weight control, health-related lifestyle and dietary behavior by their perception on body image and obesity index. The subjects were 871 nation- wide college students (330 male and 541 female students) participating in a nutritional education program via internet- A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire via internet. The data were analyzed by a SPSS 10.0 program. Height and weight (p < 0.05), and the distribution of obesity index (p < 0.001) showed significant differences between male and female college students. As for self perception on body image, the necessity of body weight control and the experience of efforts to change the body weight, there were significant differences between male and female college students (p < 0.001). There were significant differences among groups by obesity index in the hours of exercise (p < 0.01), drinking (p < 0.01) and smoking (P < 0.001). As for methods of body weight control, all the groups by obesity index thought that program of body weight control by diet company is the most desirable method. Therefore, we must recognize that it is hard to correct health problems resulting from wrong lifestyle and dietary behavior fixed during college life and prepare a system for college students to obtain correct lifestyle and dietary behavior.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2009

The slime flounder Microstomus achne were caught at Geomun Island, Yosu-si, Jeollanamdo from January to March in 2006. The fertilized eggs were observed for morphological development of egg, embryo and larva. Eggs were colorless transparent, separative pelagic, absent of oil globule, and the diameter was 1.64${\pm}$0.03 mm (n=50). The eggs were hatched at 168 hours 40 minutes after fertilization in the range of $9.8\sim13.0^{\circ}C$ (mean $11.4{\pm}1.6^{\circ}C$). Total length of newly hatched larva was 4.05${\pm}$0.18 mm (n=20). The larva had developed membranous fin showing waterdrop-shaped structure, and their mouth and anus were not open. The myotomes were 14~15+33~34=47~49. The egg yolks were 1.64${\pm}$0.12 mm in major axis, and 1.23${\pm}$0.19 mm in minor axis. At 12 days after hatching, the total length was 7.32${\pm}$0.42 mm(n=20). The egg yolk was completely absorbed and transferred to post larval stage. Star-shaped melanophores and branch-shaped xanthophores in the edge of membranous fin were more densed. Chrysanthemum-shaped melanophores in the notochord were densed and formed 4~5 melanophore bands. At 90~93 days after hatching, morphological features of the larva, 19.91${\pm}$1.63 mm TL(n=20), were transferred to juvenile stage showing similar features with those of the adult fish.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2010

Most pesticides are poorly soluble in water and must be dissolved in a solvent carrier before being added to the test medium on aquatic toxicity test. The concentration of solvent is critical to the success of a test. This study were conducted to recommend possible organic solvents which have good solubility for pesticides and low toxicity to Korean native water flea to establish new standard toxicity test methods using Korean native water flea for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. Four Korean freshwater cladocerans, Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus were exposed to 10 different organic solvents during 48 hours to evaluate their toxic response to solvents. Ethyl acetate was the most toxic to cladocerans tested. Although ethyl ether was the least toxic to cladocerans tested, it may not adequate as possible solvent in aquatic toxicity test due to high volatility and low water solubility. In conclusion, acetone, methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile which has low toxicity as well as good water solubility are recommended as optimal organic solvent to use in aquatic toxicity tests with Korean native cladocerans tested.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2014

Predation efficiency and preference of the hydrophilid water beetle, Hydrochara affinis (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), larvae on two mosquito species, Culex pipiens molestus and Ochlerotatus togoi, were tested under laboratory conditions. Experiments were conducted in a transparent cylindrical plastic container (diameter, 100 mm; height, 40 mm; water level, 15 mm) for 24 hours (16 h, light; 8 h, dark) at $25^{\circ}C$. The predation efficiency of H. affinis on mosquito larvae was investigated under various prey conditions (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 larvae) with five replicates. Further, in order to investigate the prey preference on two mosquito species, each 32 larvae of C. pipiens molestus and O. togoi were provided simultaneously for the first instar larva of H. affinis with 5 replicates. As a result, the predation curves of H. affinis on two mosquito species were logarithmic; and the number of consumed prey increased as the number of predator instars were increased. As predicted from the predation curves, the estimated maximum number of C. pipiens molestus and O. togoi consumed by a third instar larva of H. affinis per a day was 926 and 304 larvae, respectively. As predicted from the Holling's disk equation, the differences in consumed prey number between predator instars and prey species were caused by handling time rather than attack rate. Handling time decreased rapidly as the predator larvae grew, and that of O. togoi was twice longer than that of C. pipiens molestus.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2008

Purpose: There are various methods to diagnose hemangioma, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. However, by development of SPECT imaging, the blood-pool scan using $^{99m}Tc$-labeled red blood cell has been used, because it was non-invasive and the most economical method. Therefore, in this study, we proposed that the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT of the head and neck to diagnose unlocated hemangiomas. Materials and Methods: $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT was performed on 6 patients with doubtful hemangioma (4 person, head; 1 person, neck; 1 person, another). We labeled radiopharmaceutical using modified in vivo method and then, centrifuged it to remove plasma. After a bolus injection of tracer, dynamic perfusion flow images were acquired. Then, anterior, posterior, both lateral static blood-pool images were obtained as early and 4 hours delayed. SPECT was progressed 64 projections per 30 seconds. Each image was interpreted by physicians, Nuclear medicine specialist, and technologist blinded to patient's data. Results: In 5 patients of all the radioactivity of doubtful site didn't change in flow images, but, in blood-pool, delayed and SPECT images, it was increased. So, it was a typical hemangioma finding. The size of lesion was over 2 cm, and it could discriminate as comparing to the delayed and SPECT imaging. On the other hand, in 1 patient, the radioactivity was increased in blood-pool images, but, not in delayed and SPECT images, so, it was proved no hemangioma. Conclusion: Using $^{99m}Tc$-RBC Scan and SPECT, we could diagnose the hemangiomas in head and neck, as well as, liver, more non-invasive, economical, and easy. Therefore, it considered that $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT would offer more useful information for diagnosis of hemangioma, rather than otherimaging such as US, CT, MRI.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.302-306
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• 2009

The principal objective of this investigation was to identify adequate species for the harvest of Perilla frutescens leaves, which provide profound antioxidant activities, and harbor abundant caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid. Namchun, Donggeul-2, Bora, Sae-bora and Neul-bora variants of the plant were assessed herein. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effects of these plants, and utilized an HPLC system to verify their caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid contents. Dried Perilla frutescens leaves were boiled at a temperature of $100^{\circ}C$ for three hours, and were lyopholized in a freezedryer. The extracts were then processed in order to confirm their antioxidant activities via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, total flavonoid content and total polyphenol content assays. According to the observed antioxidant results of the five tested species of Perilla frutescens leaves, Bora and Donggeul-2 were shown to have more potent antioxidant activities than the other tested variants. The scavenge 50% of DPPH radical ($SC_50$ of DPPH) values were 241 ${\mu}g$ DM/mL in Donggeul-2 and 261 ${\mu}g$ DM/mL in Bora. Based on the results of the FRAP assay, the Bora variant showed a value of 796 mM $FeSO_4$ $7H_2O/g$ DM, and Donggeul-2 exhibited a value of 748 mM $FeSO_4$ $7H_2O/g$ DM, of which the total polyphenol contents were measured as 69.4 g GAE/kg DM and 61.8 g GAE/kg DM, respectively. Moreover, the Bora variant had the highest level of caffeic acid, and Donggeul-2 showed the highest rosmarinic acid content among the tested samples (0.87 mg/100 g wet base and 121 mg/100 g wet base, respectively). According to the results of this experiment, we selected two species, Bora and Donggeul-2, which were both verified to contain adequate and favorable antioxidant activities.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2009

Proper education of hospice professionals is essential for ensuring quality of end-of-life care. In 2005, 'End-of-life Care Task Force Team' by Ministry of Health and Welfare established '60 hours of hospice education' as basic requirement for hospice professionals. This study is aimed to determine how many of the hospice professionals meet with the criteria and whether there are significant regional variations. Methods: We analyzed the data from 46 hospice organizations, which submitted the application to the 2008 designation program of Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs. Data included details of the educational records of each hospice professionals. Results: Total 673 hospice professionals were included in the analysis. Overall, only 41.5% (279/673) met the requirement. Nurses (46.8%; 177/378) were more likely to meet the requirement than doctors (35.8%; 38/106), social workers (32.0%; 24/75) and clergies (35.1%; 40/114). Hospice professionals of the organizations in metropolitan area received more education than those in small cities or rural area (52.4% vs. 25.0% for doctors, 50.6% vs. 43.9% for nurses, 42.9% vs. 25.5% for social workers). By geographic areas, hospice professionals in southeast regions received less education than other part of Korea (28.1% vs. 43.0${\sim}$48.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Less than half of the Korean hospice professionals has received proper amount of hospice education, and significant regional variations existed. National programs to promote the education of hospice professionals and eliminate its disparities are greatly warranted. Implementation of the 60-hour currirulum for hospice professionals, based on the train-the-trainer model, would be regarded as one potential solution.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2007

Purpose: The ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) are popular diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children, but there are many debates about their clinical significance. The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of USG, CT and follow-up CT performed subsequently to USG, especially in perforated acute appendicitis in children. Methods: We have reviewed 419 cases of surgically confirmed acute appendicitis in children under the age of sixteen, who had been treated in Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital from March 2002 to February 2006. All the clinical data including the results of USG and CT were collected and analyzed. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of USG were 98.7%, 96.8%, 98.1%, 97.8% in non-perforation group and 90.8%, 100%, 100%, 81.9% in perforation group. Those of CT were 96.4%, 100%, 100%, 96.5% and 86.6%, 100%, 100%, 87.5% respectively. Those of follow-up CT after USG were 100%, 100%, 100%, 100% and 87.5%, 100%, 100%, 92.0% respectively. The duration of using antibiotics in seven patients showed positive correlation with the interval between two imaging studies (r=0.0472, p=0.019). There was no statistical significance of correlation when these imaging studies performed within 30 hours together. Conclusion: In most of the cases, single choice between USG and CT would be enough to diagnose the acute appendicitis in children. But, it may be helpful to perform CT as early as possible subsequently to USG when there is discrepancy between initial USG and clinical impression.