• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.397-404
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• 2020

Purpose: Synbiotics can alleviate some intestinal pathologies or prevent trigger mechanisms for some diseases such as celiac disease (CD). If patients with high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies have normal duodenal histology, they are followed as potential CD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of synbiotic use on the blood levels of anti-tTG antibodies in children. Methods: Eighty-two patients with high anti-tTG levels were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The synbiotic group was treated with a daily dose of a synbiotic including multi-strain probiotics for 20 days. The control group was not administered any medication. Anti-tTG values at baseline and repeat measurements and the percentage change in anti-tTG levels between groups were compared. Results: The anti-tTG level at baseline was 36 U/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 26.4-68 U/mL) in the synbiotic group, and it decreased significantly to 13 U/mL (IQR, 6.5-27.5 U/mL) after 20 days (p<0.05). The anti-tTG level at baseline was 46 U/mL (IQR, 31-89 U/mL) in the control group, which also decreased significantly to 23 U/mL (IQR, 7-41 U/mL) after 20 days (p<0.05). Anti-tTG levels exhibited 73% and 56% decreases in the synbiotic and control groups, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: It may be speculated that a synbiotic supplementation can contribute to decreasing anti-tTG levels in children with potential CD.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 1999

The objectives of this study are to investigate soil contamination in the vicinity of abandoned Au-Ag mine and to apply a remediation technique of liming to tailings. In the study area of the Imcheon Au-Ag mine, soils were sampled in and around the mine the analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry extracted by both 0.1N HCl and aqua regia. Elevated levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1N HCl were found in soils taken from tailings site. These high contents directly influenced metal concentrations in soils taken in the vicinity of the site. This is mainly due to clastic movement by wind and effluent of mine waste water. In addition, relatively enriched concentrations of the metals were found in soils extrated by aqua regia due to strong decomposition of the samples compared with 0.1N HCl extration. According to the statistical approach, metal concentrations in soils by 0.1N HCl had a positive correlation with those by aqua regia extraction. Mine waste waters and stream waters were also sampled around the mine in spring and summer and analyzed by AAS for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, and by Ion Chromatography for anions. Like soils developed over tailings, significant levels of metals and sulphates were found in the mine waste waters ranging of 0.2~0.3, 0.5~2.0, 0.2~2.8, 30~50 and 1,240~4,700 mg/l of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and $SO_4^{2-}$, respectively. These elevated levels influenced in the stream waters in the vicinity of the tailings site. In seasonal variation of metal and anion contents, relatively high levels were found in waters sampled on summer due to leaching the metals and anions from tailings by rain. This study also examined the possibility of lime treatment for remediation of acid mine tailings and assumed to be 46 tones of pulverized lime for neutralization of the tailings.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2014

Human adipose-tissue-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) are abundant in adipose tissue and can differentiate into multi-lineage cell types, including adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. In order to define the optimal harvest site of adipose tissue harvest site, we solated hADSCs from different subcutaneous sites (upper abdomen, lower abdomen, and thigh) and compared their proliferation and potential to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts. In addition, this study examined the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, on proliferation and differentiation of hADSCs to adipocytes or osteoblasts. hADSCs isolated from different subcutaneous depots have a similar growth rate. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that the expression levels of CD73 and CD90 were similar between hADSCs from abdomen and thigh regions. However, the expression of CD105 was lower in hADSCs from the thigh than in those from the abdomen. Although the adipogenic differentiation potential of hADSCs from both tissue regions was similar, the osteogenic differentiation potential of hADSCs from the thigh was greater than that of hADSCs from the abdomen. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment increased osteogenic differentiation and suppressed adipogenic differentiation of all hADSCs without affecting their growth rate and the treatment of Go6983, a general inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) blocked the PMA effect. These findings indicate that the thigh region might be a suitable source of hADSCs for bone regeneration and that the PKC signaling pathway may be involved in the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.283-295
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• 2016

Objectives: In this study, we characterized human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) obtained by different culture methods to establish the most suitable methodology for dental tissue engineering and regenerative endodontic applications. Materials and Methods: HDPCs were isolated by the outgrowth method (HDPCs-OG), the enzymatic digestion method (collagenase/dispase/trypsin, HDPCs-ED), or the combination of both methods (HDPCs-Combined). The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD105, CD90, and CD73) was investigated. In vitro differentiation capacities of HDPCs into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages were compared. Differentiation markers were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Results: Our data indicated that whole HDPCs-ED, HPDCs-OG, and HDPCs-Combined could be differentiated into adipogenic, chrondrogenic, and osteogenic cell types. However, we found that the methods for isolating and culturing HDPCs influence the differentiation capacities of cells. HDPCs-OG and HDPCs-ED were preferably differentiated into adipogenic and osteogenic cells, respectively. Differentiation markers shown by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were mostly upregulated in the treated groups compared with the control groups. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed that cell populations formed by two different culture methods and the combined culture method exhibited different properties. The results of this study could provide an insight into regenerative endodontic treatment using HDPCs.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.459-464
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• 2021

The detector performance is important role in acquiring the gamma rays from patients. Among parameters of detector performances, there is density, which relates to respond to gamma rays. Therefore, we confirm the detection efficiency according to various detector materials based on the density parameter using GATE (geant4 application for emission tomography) simulation tool. The NaI (density: 3.67 g/cm³), CZT (Cadimium Zinc Telluride) (density: 5.80 g/cm³), CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) (5.85 g/cm³), and GAGG (Gadoinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet) (density g/cm³) were used as detector materials. In addition, the point source and quadrant bar phantom, which is modeled for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm thicknesses, were modeled to confirm the quatitative analysis using sensitivity (cps/MBq) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM, mm) at the 2.0 mm bar thickness containing visual evaluation. Based on the results, the sensitivity for NaI, CZT, CdTe, and GAGG detector materials were 0.12, 0.15, 0.16, and 0.18 cps/MBq. In addition, the FWHM for quadrant bar phantom in the 2.0 mm bar thickness is 3.72, 3.69, 3.70, and 3.73 mm for NaI, CZT, CdTe, and GAGG materials, respectively. Compared with performance of detector materials according to density, the high density can improve detection efficiency in terms of sensitivity and mean count. Among these detector materials, the GAGG material is efficient for detection of gamma rays.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.454-464
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro osteoinductivity of the combination of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and the in vivo effects of implants coated with nHAp/BMP-2. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of nHAp/BMP-2 on bone formation, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were seeded onto titanium disks coated with collagen (Col), Col/nHAp, or Col/nHAp/BMP-2. Protein levels were determined by a biochemical assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Stem cell differentiation was analyzed by flow cytometry. For in vivo studies with mice, Col, Col/nHAp, and Col/nHAp/BMP-2 were injected in subcutaneous pockets. Titanium implants or implants coated with Col/nHAp/BMP-2 were placed bilaterally on rabbit tibias and evaluated for 4 weeks. Results: In the in vitro study, BM-MSCs on Col/nHAp/BMP-2 showed reduced levels of CD73, CD90, and CD105 and increased levels of glycosaminoglycan, osteopontin, and alkaline phosphatase activity. After 4 weeks, the Col/nHAp/BMP-2 implant showed greater bone formation than the control (P=0.07), while no differences were observed in bone implant contact and removal torque. Conclusion: These results suggest that a combination of BMP-2 and an nHAp carrier would activate osseointegration on dental implant surfaces.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.137-154
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• 2010

These objectives of this study were to compute heavy metal and accumulation carbon dioxide fixing quantity from urban green space(street trees and urban parks) in Cheong-ju city and Chungju-city and thus to estimate the effect of urban green space for improving the urban environment. The results are summarized below. 1. Results of the total accumulation of the carbon dioxide fixing quantity of street trees, Cheong-ju city and Chungju-city street tree was 1, 230,000kg-C, 1,270,000 kg-C, respectively. Total accumulation carbon dioxide fixing quantity of Balssan urban park had a 25,000kg-C in Cheong-ju city, Degami sports park had a 6,400kg-C in Chungju-city. 2. Results of heavy metal for street trees, fell in the order Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni >, the highest accumulated heavy metal was Zn, and the lowest was Ni. Total heavy metal concentration according to land-use area, was observed in order, for residental areas(157.26 mg/kg) > industrial areas(141.71 mg/kg) > commercial areas(118.55 mg/kg) > and greenspace areas(61.95 mg/kg) in Cheong-ju city. 3. Total heavy metal concentration for street trees fell in the order of commercial areas(84.48 mg/kg) > residental areas(83.70 mg/kg) > and greenspace(48.23 mg/kg) according to land-use area in Chungju-city. Comparatively, Cheong-ju city had more total heavy metal concentration than Chungju-city. 4. Heavy metal for soil that planted street trees was observed in order of Zn > Cu > Pb( > Ni > Cr > As > Cd), and Zn was highest, and Cd was lowest. Total heavy metal concentration for soil fell in the order commercial area(91.82mg/kg) > industrial area(85.96mg/kg) > residental area(67.55mg/kg) > greenspace(43.13mg/kg) according to land-use area in Cheong-ju city. 5. Heavy metal for soil that planted street trees was observed in order of Zn > Pb > Cu( > Ni > Cr > As > Cd, and Zn was highest. Total heavy metal concentration for soil fell in the order commercial area(87.66mg/kg) > greenspace(72.73mg/kg) $${\geq_-}$$ residental area(70.10mg/kg) in Chungju-city.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2006

Dust samples were collected from 10 middle and high schools in the Gochang-Gun, Korea. Heavy metal concentrations were determined for the dry-deposited dusts from indoor and outdoor of classroom and playground of each sampling site. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in indoor's dusts were highly concentrated. Also concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in outdoor's dusts were highly concentrated. Concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn in the dusts were much higher than the world average contents in soil and environmental orientation value. These levels are similar to those of the dust samples at middle schools and high schools located in Jeonju-city, Korea. Compared with concentrations of heavy metals in soils and dusts in Korea, the environment of indoor and outdoor of classroom is highly concentrated except for Cu, Zn. The concentrations of playground is less than that of residential dust and main road dust and playground in Jeonju-city. Playground dusts in 1 school exhibited the enhanced heavy metal pollution with a pollution index (Kloke, 1979) greater than 1.0, but indoor and outdoor dusts in 7 schools exhibited the enhanced heavy metal pollution with a pollution index (by Kloke) yester than 1.0.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.9-19
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• 2010

Objective: To compare the contents and transfer rate of hazardous substances in crude, washing solution, crude after washing, decoction and remnant after boiling. Methods: The heavy metal contents of each step were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and mercury analyzer (SP-3DS). In order to analyze pesticides in each sample we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. Results: 1. Contents (mg/kg) of heavy metals were not detected in decoctions of any tested herbal medicine prescriptions. 2. Transfer rates (%) of heavy metals from crude to remnant were as follows: Yijin-tang (As: 46.9, Cd: 50.0 and Pb: 100.0), Oryung-san (As: 80.0, Cd: 100.0 and Pb: 73.8), Hwangryunhaedok-tang (As: 88.9, Cd: 71.4 and Pb: 92.7), Bangpungtongseong-san (As: 100.0, Cd: 17.3 and Pb: 56.1), Oyaksungi-san (As: 47.4, Cd: 175.0 and Pb: 142.4). 3. Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides were not detected in any samples. 4. Transfer rate (%) of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) from crude to remnant in all samples were as follows: Yijin-tang (25.0), Oryung-san (166.7), Hwangryunhaedok-tang (50.0), Bangpungtongseong-san (181.8), Oyaksungi-san (50.0). Conclusion: Our results showed that the boiled herbal medicine prescriptions which we take are safe from the hazardous substances.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2016

Decalcification is routinely performed to obtain a pathological diagnosis using bone marrow biopsy. During the decalcification process using a conventional acidic solution, such as HCl, the antigenicity of tissue is damaged. Especially DNA and RNA in the bone marrow are impaired. Hence, there is the need for a standardized decalcification protocol that preserves the antigenicity of tissue. To this end, we compared the effects of two commonly used decalcifiers: Commercial decalcifier (Calcl-Clear Rapid, HCl) and the EDTA (12.5%, pH 7.0). Bone marrow biopsies sampled from 71 patients were decalcified in accordance with the protocols of respective groups-HCI versus EDTA. The differences of decalcification protocols were analyzed with respect to Hematoxylin & Eosin staining, Gomori'sreticulum staining, and immunohistochemical staining and molecular analysis. Immunohistochemical staining used Ki-67, CD20 and CD138 as primary antibodies and molecular analysis was conducted through the DNA concentration analysis, in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene rearrangement. On the routine histopathology analysis, there was no difference between HCl and EDTA. Moreover, in case of immunohistochemical staining, the cytoplasmic membrane or cytoplasmic CD markers was well preserved. However, nuclear proteins, such as Ki-67, were stained with low quality. Conversely, according to the molecular analysis, the EDTA protocol preserved the DNA and RNA compared with the HCI. The differences of DNA quantity and quality were statistically significant between protocols of HCl and EDTA. We used 38 cases in HCl and 12 cases in EDTA. Consequently, the EDTA protocol maintains the antigenicity of the protein on tissue and is acceptable for examination with molecular base analysis. Decalcification of bone marrow biopsy by EDTA is highly recommended for the examination of immunohistochemical staining and molecular analysis.