• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.599-606
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• 2001

Background : Since the advent of AIDS, tuberculosis has become a major public health problem in the western society. Therefore, it is essential that pulmonary tuberculosis be rapidly diagnosed. Light microscopic detection of acid-fast organisms in sputum has traditionally been used for rapidly diagnosing tuberculosis. However positive smears are only observed in about one-half to three-quarters of cases. Studies using PCR for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis disclosed several shortcomings suggesting an inability to distinguish between active and treated or inactive tuberculosis. In this study, the clinical significance of a PCR-based rapid technique for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in peripheral blood was investigated. Materials and Methods : From July 1, 1998 through to August 30, 1999, 59 patients with presumed tuberculosis, who had no previous history of anti-tuberculosis medication use within one year prior to this study were recruited and followed up for more than 3 months. AFB stain and culture in the sputum and/or pleural fluids and biopsies when needed were performed. Blood samples from each of the 59 patients were obtained in order to identify Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA by a PCR test. Results : 1) Forty five out of 59 patients had a final diagnosis of tuberculosis ; Twenty eight were confirmed as having active pulmonary tuberculosis by culture or biopsy. Four were clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The other 13 patients were diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy (9) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (4). 2) Fourteen patients showed a positive blood PCR test. The PCR assay correctly identified active tuberculosis in 13 out of 14 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of this blood peR assay for diagnosing tuberculosis were 29% and 93%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 93%, the negative predictive value was 29% and the diagnostic accuracy was 44%.3) Six out of 14(43%) patients with blood PCR positive tuberculosis were immunologically compromised hosts. 4) A simple chest radiograph in blood PCR positive tuberculosis patients showed variable and inconsistent findings. Conclusion : A peripheral blood PCR assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not recommended as a screening method for diagnosing active tuberculosis. However, it was suggested that the blood PCR assay could contribute to an early diagnostic rate due to its high positive predictive value.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.585-593
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• 2000

Background : International consensus guidelines have recently been developed to improve the assessment and management of asthma. One of the major recommendation of these guidelines is that asthma severity should be assessed through the recognition of key symptoms, such as nocturnal waking, medication requirements, and objective measurements of lung function. Differential classification of asthma severity would lead to major differences in both long term pharmacological management and the treatment of severe exacerbation. Methods : This study examined the relationship between the symptom score and measurements of $FEV_1$ and PEF when expressed as a percentage of predicted values in asthmatics (n=107). Results : The correlation of $FEV_1$ % with PEFR% was highly significant (r=0.83, p<0.01). However, there was agreement in terms of the classification of asthma severity in 76.6% of the paired measurements of $FEV_1$ % and PEFR%. Agreement in the classification of asthma severity was also found in 57.1% of the paired analysis of $FEV_1$ % and symptom score. 39% of the patients classified as having moderate asthma on the basis of $FEV_1$ % recording would be considered to have severe asthma if symptom score alone were used. Low baseline $FEV_1$ and high bronchial responsiveness were associated with a low degree of perception of airway obstruction. Conclusion : The relationships between the symptom score, PEFR and $FEV_1$ were generally poor. When assessing asthma severity, age, duration, $PC_{20}$, and baseline $FEV_1$ should be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1041-1051
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• 2005

In order to assure the safety of the seaweeds, we measured the contents of the trace metals in the seaweeds harvested from Korean coastal area. We collected 620 marine algal samples from fourteen areas, and then analyzed the trace metals such as Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. The contents of Hg, Cd, Ni and Mn were higher in the seaweeds collected from Chungnam Taean area. The contents of Cr and Cu were higher in the seaweeds collected from Yeongdeok and Tongyeong area, respectively. And Pb and Zn were highly detected from the seaweeds of Ulsan area. The mean levels of trace metals were high in the order of Zn $(48.02\pm41.20{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Mn (34.63\pm38.95{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Cu(6.29\pm6.52{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Ni(2.17\pm4.00{\mu}g/g)\; >\;Cr(1.61\pm2.35{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Pb(1.28\pm2.37{\mu}g/g)\;>\; Cd(0.67\pm0.75{\mu}g/g)\;>\;Hg(0.02\pm0.02{\mu}g/g)$. Zn was consistently most abundant metal in all samples, followed by Mn and Cu, which are very important for human health. There were higher contents of Hg and Cd in brown algae, the contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb in green algae, the content of Zn in red algae among them. Additionally, significant linear correlations were observed between a total 28 different pairs of metals, of them, the correlation factor between Cr and Ni showed the highest (r=0.374, p<0.001). The trace metal contents of seaweeds varied with habitats and kinds of samples, nevertheless they showed very safe level in edible seaweeds tested. Scytosiphon lomentaria, which has been known as a little use of food, have shown a clear selectivity for Cr and Pb. Among non-edible seaweeds, Sargassum thunbergii for both Cd and Mn, Lomentaria hakodatensis for Ni and Grateloupia prolongata for Zn have shown a clear selectivity, respectively. Therefore, these seaweeds could be useful as bioindicator for each trace metal pollution.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

This study was initiated to investigate thatch accumulation in several turfgrasses grown under two soil systems. The 45 centimeter deep USGA system was constructed with rootzone, intermediate and drainage layers. The mono-layer system, however, was made with only a 30cm rootzone layer. Turfgrasses used in the study were comprised of 3 varieties from Korean lawngrass of Warm-Season Grass(WSG) and 3 blends and 3 mixtures from Cool-Season Grass(CSG). A total of 9 turfgrass treatments were replicated three times in RCBD in both systems. Cultural practices for the research plot followed a typical maintenance program for highly managed turf. Treatment differences for thatch accumulation were observed among the turfgrasses in both soil systems. Thatch under the USGA system was 9% greater than under the mono-layer system due to its more favorable conditions for turf growth. Higher thatch depth was found with Korean lawngrass, 34~87% in the USGA system and 16~75% in the mono-layer system when compared with CSG. Among WSG, the Joongji variety was the highest in thatch layer under both the USGA and mono-layer systems. Kentucky bluegrass(KB) was the greatest among CSG, since it is a rhizomatous-type in growth habit, resulting in faster production of organic matter over bunch-type of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Proper depth in the thatch layer was known to be beneficial by enhancing the resiliency and wear tolerance of the turf in athletic fields. Thus, KB was considered to be a very excellent turfgrass in terms of turf quality, environmental performance, physical properties and soccer player safety. However, disadvantages such as poor water-holding properties, more inclined to injury from environmental stresses and severe diseases and insect injury were also expected where thatch was excessively accumulated. Therefore, these results demonstrate that more frequent measures for controlling thatch such as vertical mowing, topdressing or coring should be employed for soccer fields with Korean lawngrass and KB over other turfgrasses.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.471-479
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• 2011

This research, which was conducted for dental hygienists, intended to check out what factors have an influence on their behaviors by measuring the level of self-efficacy and consciousness on the use of radiation, knowledge and attitude on radiation safety management(RSM). The subjects were 235 of the dental hygienists and this study performed a survey 8 May to 17 June, 2011. The survey results were as follows. 1. As a result of comparing the average of the self-efficacy according to the general characteristics, a statistically meaningful difference(p<0.05) was found according to health condition, protection facilities condition. 2. As a result of comparing the average of consciousness about radiation use according to the general characteristics, a statistically meaningful difference(p<0.05) was found according to medical institute type, protection facilities conditions. 3. As a result of comparing the average of the behaviors for RSM according to the general characteristics, a statistically meaningful difference(p<0.05) was found according to monthly income, medical institute type, whether or not education on radiation was conducted, the number of education, education type, and protection facilities condition. 4. As a result of analyzing what factors have an influence on the behaviors for RSM by employing the points of those behaviors as a dependent variable and self-efficacy, consciousness, knowledge and attitude as an independent variable in order to investigate those factors, it turned out that the factors which had a relatively larger influence on the point of behaviors were attitude and self-efficacy by that order(p<0.05). In conclusion, we believe that a variety of programs should be offered to provide knowledge on RSM as a prerequisite for improving the level of RSM behaviors by dental hygienists.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.451-457
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• 2010

It is well known that most of the beverages on sale contain acid. Among these beverages, one of the most typically purchased products is Coca-Cola ($Coke^{(R)}$), which affects the demineralization of the tooth enamel surface. However other beverages also affect the erosion of the tooth enamel surface. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the influence that acid containing beverages have upon the tooth enamel surface. In this study, 30 enamel specimens were obtained from extracted maxillary third molars without cracks. The study measured the pH concentrations and the Ca and P concentration levels of the acidic beverages. The control without exposure was kept in distilled water, and each enamel specimen was stored for 30-min, 60-min, and 120-min. The erosion effect of the enamel surface was observed by SEM. The results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows: 1. The pH concentration of acidic beverages, without milk, was 3.105 on average. The beverages eroded the enamel surface and the erosion degree was determined by the pH concentration of beverages. 2. The erosion degree significantly increased by as the exposure time increased. The difference in the erosion degree between the 30-min group and the 60-min and the 120-min group was significant, but the erosion degree of the 120-min group was significantly less than that of the initial group. 3. When compared with the beverages containing similar pH concentrations, the demineralization degree of the beverages containing higher concentrations of Ca and P was lower.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.88-98
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• 2016

The pharmacological effects of ginseng berry have been known to improve psychological function, immune activities, cardiovascular conditions, and certain cancers. It is also known that fermentation improves the bioavailability of human beneficial natural materials. Accordingly, we investigated the optimal fermentation conditions of ginseng berry extract with strain isolated from conventional foods. We also analyzed the fermentation product and its antioxidant activity. The bacterium isolated from fermented kimchi was identified as Lactobacillus sp. strain KYH. To optimize the process, fermentation was performed in a 5 L fermenter containing 3 L of ginseng berry extract at 200 rpm for 72 hr. Under optimized conditions, batch and fed-batch fermentations were performed. After fermentation, organic acids, amino acids, sugars, ginsenosides, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The optimum fermentation conditions were determined as pH 7.0 and a temperature of $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. After fermentation, the amounts and compositions of organic acids, amino acids, sugars, ginsenosides, and antioxidant activity were altered. In comparing the distribution of ginsenosides with that before fermentation, the ginsenoside Re was a major product. However, amounts of ginsenosides Rb1, Rc, and Rd were reduced, whereas amounts of ginsenosides Rh1 and Rh2 increased. Total phenol content increased to 43.8%, whereas flavonoid content decreased to 19.8%. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity increased to 27.2 and 19.4%, respectively.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-225
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• 2001

Background: There are many evidences that inflammation is an important determinant of the development of atherosclerosis and one of the systemic markers of inflammation, C-reactive protein(CRP), is associated with extent of coronary artery disease and risk of coronary events. We assessed the time response of CRP response after coronary angioplasty and it's influence on the clinical restenosis in angina patients. Materials and Methods: Patients included 36 angina patients undergoing single vessel angioplasty. Levels of CRP were measured before and 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after angioplasty. Clinical restenosis was assessed at 6 months after procedure. Results: Baseline CRP level was $0.30{\pm}0.01$ mg/dL in stable and $0.46{\pm}0.28$ mg/dL in unstable angina patients(p<0.05). After angioplasty, CRP level was increased with peak at 24 hour and persisted to 72 hours after angioplasty. At 24 hour after angioplasty, the magnitude of CRP change was $0.32{\pm}0.31$ mg/dL in stable and $0.79{\pm}0.73$ mg/dL in unstable angina patient(p<0.05). The change of CRP level was not associated with troponin-T after angioplasty. In unstable angina patients, clinical restenosis was developed in 8% of patients with low baseline CRP levels and in 50% of those with high baseline CRP levels more than 0.6 mg/dL(p<0.05). Conclusion: In unstable angina patients, inflammatory response is more increased than stable angina patients, and increased inflammatory response effects on the restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.587-592
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• 2014

Brassica spp. vegetables have been known to have biological activities such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the in vitro physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of commonly used Brassica spp. sprout vegetables such as kohlabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongyloides), red radish (Raphanussativus L. var. sativus), broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica), cabbage (B. rapavar. glabra Regel), rape (B. napus), radish (R. sativus), and tatsoi (B. campestris var. narinosa) sprouts. Our results showed that the vegetables with the highest total phenolics contents were the radish sprout ($24.40{\pm}1.24mg\;TAE/g$) and kohlabi sprout extracts ($23.97{\pm}0.46mg\;TAE/g$). Furthermore, the vegetable with the highest total flavonoid content was the radish sprout extract ($15.30{\pm}1.35mg\;CE/g$). However, the kohlabi sprout extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging value ($IC_{50}=1.95mg/mL$) and ORAC value (79.03 mM TE/g). In addition,the six kinds of Brassica spp. sprout vegetable extracts, except tatsoi, significantly inhibited the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and showed that intracellular oxidative stress is closely related tothe accumulation of differentiated adipocytes and fat during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. These results suggest that Brassica spp. sprout vegetables, especially kohlabi and radish sprout extracts, can be used to develop natural antioxidants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.404-415
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• 1998

Background: Sleep apnea syndrome, which occurs in 1~4 % of the adult population, frequently has different cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrythmia as well as sleep-wake disorder such as excessive daytime hypersomnolence or insomnia. Mortality and vascular morbidity are reported to be significantly higher in sleep apnea syndrome patients than in normal population. According to the recent studies, autonomic dysfunction as well as hypoxemia, hypercapneic acidosis, and increased respiratory effort, may playa role in the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However the cause and mechanism of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome are not well understood. We studied the existence of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and factors which influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy. Method: We used the cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy(CAN) test as a method for evaluation of autonomic neuropathy. The subjects of this study were 20 patients who diagnosed sleep apnea syndrome by polysomnography and 15 persons who were normal by polysomnography. Results: Body mass index and resting systolic blood pressure were higher in sleep apnea group than control group. Apnea index(Al), respiratory disturbance index(RDI) and snoring time percentage were significantly higher in sleep apnea group compared with control group. But there were no significant differences in saturation of oxygen and sleep efficiency in two groups. In the cardiac autonomic neuropathy test, the valsalva ratio was significantly low in sleep apnea group compared with control group but other tests had no differences between two groups. The CAN scores and corrected QT(QTc) interval were calculated significantly higher in sleep apnea group, but there were no significant correlations between CAN scores and QTc interval. There were no significant data of polysomnography to correlate to the CAN score. It meant that the autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea was affected by other multiple factors. Conclusion: The cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy test was a useful method for the evaluation of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and abnormalities of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy were observed in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. However, we failed to define the factors that influence the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy of sleep apnea syndrome. This study warrants futher investigations in order to define the pathogenesis of autonomic neuropathy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome.