• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.419-429
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• 2023

Ultraviolet C (UV-C, 200-280 nm) light has germicidal properties that inactivate a wide range of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. UV-C has been extensively studied as an alternative to thermal decontamination of fruit juices. Recent studies suggest that the efficacy of UV-C irradiation in reducing microorganisms in fruit juices is greatly dependent on the characteristics of the target microorganisms, juice matrices, and parameters of the UV-C treatment procedure, such as equipment and processing. Based on evidence from recent studies, this review describes how the characteristics of target microorganisms (e.g., type of microorganism/strain, acid adaptation, physiological states, single/composite inoculum, spore, etc.) and fruit juice matrices (e.g., UV absorbance, UV transmittance, turbidity, soluble solid content, pH, color, etc.) affect the efficacy of UV-C. We also discuss the influences on UV-C treatment efficacy of parameters, including UV-C light source, reactor conditions (e.g., continuous/batch, size, thickness, volume, diameter, outer case, configuration/arrangement), pumping/flow system conditions (e.g., sample flow rate and pattern, sample residence time, number of cycles), homogenization conditions (e.g., continuous flow/recirculation, stirring, mixing), and cleaning capability of the reactor. The collective facts indicate the immense potential of UV-C irradiation in the fruit juice industry. Existing drawbacks need to be addressed in future studies before the technique is applicable at the industrial scale.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2023

In this study, the efficacy of ultrasonic washing in cotton and wool fabrics was compared and evaluated against conventional washing in terms of cleaning properties and fabric deformation. Factors such as washing temperature, time, liquid ratio, and detergent concentration were kept varied, and the cleaning properties of sebum-soiled fabrics were assessed using different detergents such as alcohol ethoxylate, linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, and IEC 60456 Reference Detergent A^*. In addition, the effects and emulsification power of enzymes and oxygen bleach were examined. To compare the cleaning properties with general washing, a launder-O-meter was used. To investigate fabric deformation during the washing process, the loosening test cloth, shrinkage test cloth, and mechanical strength test cloth were compared between ultrasonic washing machines and household drum washing machines. The results indicate that ultrasonic washing exhibits superior cleaning properties than launder-O-meter when the temperature is low and the washing time is short. Furthermore, there is less deformation and damage during the washing process. It was also observed that the activity of the detergent increases when ultrasonic waves are applied to the washing process. Considering the increasing tendency to pursue convenience and simplicity in clothing management as well as the anticipated commercialization of smart clothing with built-in electric circuits, ultrasonic laundry could serve as a new alternative to existing laundry methods.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.13.1-13.9
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the S1 reciprocating system and the D-Race retreatment rotary system for filling material removal and the apical extrusion of debris. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four freshly extracted maxillary canines were shaped with size 10 and size 15 K-files, instrumented using ProTaper Gold under irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), obturated according to the principle of thermo-mechanical condensation with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer, and allowed to set for 3 weeks at 37℃. Subsequently, the teeth were divided into a control group (n = 4), the D-Race rotary instrument group (n = 30), and the S1 reciprocating instrument group (n = 30). After classical retreatment, the canals were subjected to a complementary approach with the XP-Endo Shaper. Desocclusol was used as a solvent, and irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl was performed. Each group was divided into subgroups according to the timing of radiographic readings. The images were imported into a software program to measure the remaining filling material, the apical extrusion, and the root canal space. The data were statistically analyzed using the Z-test and JASP graphics software. Results: No significant differences were found between the D-Race and S1 groups for primary retreatment; however, using a complementary cleaning method increased the removal of remnant filling (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Classical removal of canal filling material may not be sufficient for root canal disinfection, although a complementary finishing approach improved the results. Nevertheless, all systems left some debris and caused apical extrusion.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2015

Purpose: The inability to adequately judge the efficacy of cleaning and sanitation procedures in deli departments is a recognized food safety concern. In a prior study, our research group demonstrated that visual inspection of cleaned produce processing surfaces could be enhanced through the use of a portable fluorescence imaging device that detected residual produce residues. Methods: To explore the feasibility of using fluorescence imaging to similarly detect residual deli residues, spectra of American, Cheddar, Provolone, and Swiss cheeses and of processed chicken, ham, roast beef, and turkey were acquired using a laboratory hyperspectral imaging system. Circular punches of these commodities were placed onto stainless steel and high density polyethylene coupons for imaging. The coupon materials were selected to represent common surfaces found in deli departments. Results: Analysis of hyperspectral fluorescence images showed that cheeses exhibited peaks in the blue-green region and at around 675 nm. Meats exhibited peaks in the blue-green region with one of four ham and one of four chicken brands exhibiting peaks at around 675 nm, presumably due to use of plant-derived additives. When commodities were intermittently imaged over two weeks, locations of spectral peaks were preserved while intensity of peaks at shorter wavelengths increased with time. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that fluorescence imaging techniques have the potential to enhance surface hygiene inspection in deli departments and, given the immediate availability of imaging results, to help optimize routine cleaning procedures.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2020

In this study, the efficacy of Amaranth(Amaranthus spp. L.) as a natural dye resource was investigated for wool fabrics. It is known that a large amount of flavonoid and anthocyanin colorant are contained in leaves and stems, as well as red flowers. The optimum condition of dyeing was 1.3% of dye concentration(o.w.b.) at 100℃ for 60 minutes, resulting the K/S value, 23.43 and R Munsell color on the wool fabrics. Al, Fe, Zinc and Titanium were used as a mordant. The mordant improved the dye uptake, regardless of the mordant type and mordant method. The pre-mordanting method was more effective than the post-mordanting method. Al pre-mordanted fabric showed the highest K/S, 30.02. Light fastness and washing fastness were high in grades 4-5 and 5, and rubbing fastness was good in grades 4 and 4-5 in dry condition, but low in grades 2-3 and 3 in wet condition. The dry cleaning fastness was excellent in all 5 grades. However, the alkaline perspiration fastness ratings were low in grades 2-3 and 3. The results show Amaranthus spp. L. colorant can be used as a functional natural dye for wool fabrics.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.743-750
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• 2015

Objectives: This study compared the mechanical efficacy of sonic activated and passive ultrasonic irrigation for removing intracanal medicament from a simulated root canal under controlled conditions. Materials and Methods: Thirty simulated root canal in resin blocks were randomly divided into 3-groups. The canals were enlarged using ProTaper files and K3XF (#30/0.06). After cleaning and drying, canals were filled with Calcipex. Overfilled materials were wiped out and measured their weight to the unit of 1/10mg. After one week storage in 100% humidity $37^{\circ}C$ temperature, canals were irrigated using 20mL of saline with one of following methods according to the designated groups (n = 10). For group-NI, 30-gauge nickel-titanium irrigation needle was used. During irrigation with every 5mL, needle was moved in-and-out with 4-mm amplitudes. EndoActivator and ultrasonic tip were used for group-EA and group-UT respectively for 20 seconds after every 5mL irrigation using needle. Then the weight was measured again to calculate the weight of residual remnants. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Duncan's post-hoc test at a significance level of 95%. Results: The weight of the residual medicaments were $3.62{\pm}0.81mg$, $2.84{\pm}0.28mg$, and $2.73{\pm}0.90mg$ for group-NI, -EA, and -UT, respectively. Group-EA and group-UT had no significant differences to remove intracanal medicament and left significantly less amount of paste than group-NI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Under the controlled conditions of this study, the sonic activation and PUI have similar mechanical efficacy for removing intracanal medicament.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: To determine the efficacy of filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit for the treatment of otomycosis. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study included 40 patients who were referred to our clinic with complaints of ear itching, pain, and fullness, and were diagnosed with unilateral otomycosis. After cleaning the mycotic hyphae from the external auditory meatus, the ear canal was filled with 1% clotrimazole, using an intravenous catheter and syringe. The patients received follow-up examinations on post-treatment days 7, 15, and 45. Results: The follow-up otomicroscopic examinations revealed that 95% of the ear canals were entirely clean and that all symptoms had resolved. The post-treatment scores of pain, aural fullness and itching were significantly lower than the pre-treatment scores (p<0.01). Conclusions: Filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit is an easy, efficient, and cost-effective treatment for otomycosis. Additionally, high patient compliance makes this treatment superior to long-term topical therapy.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: To determine the efficacy of filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit for the treatment of otomycosis. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study included 40 patients who were referred to our clinic with complaints of ear itching, pain, and fullness, and were diagnosed with unilateral otomycosis. After cleaning the mycotic hyphae from the external auditory meatus, the ear canal was filled with 1% clotrimazole, using an intravenous catheter and syringe. The patients received follow-up examinations on post-treatment days 7, 15, and 45. Results: The follow-up otomicroscopic examinations revealed that 95% of the ear canals were entirely clean and that all symptoms had resolved. The post-treatment scores of pain, aural fullness and itching were significantly lower than the pre-treatment scores (p<0.01). Conclusions: Filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit is an easy, efficient, and cost-effective treatment for otomycosis. Additionally, high patient compliance makes this treatment superior to long-term topical therapy.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2009

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of various irrigation methods in the mandibular mesial roots. The forty five mesial root canals were shaped by Profile .06 instruments to apical size #30 and irrigated with 5ml of 3.5% NaOCl. The teeth were divided into 3 groups and irrigated finally for 1 minute; Group 1: syringe irrigation. Group 2: ultrasonic irrigation. Group 3: RinsEndo irrigation. After histological processing, the cross sections of apical 1, 3, and 5 mm level were examined with an optical microscope. The cleanliness values of canals and isthmuses were calculated and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. 1. There were no significant differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between syringe irrigation and ultrasonic irrigation except 5 mm level of isthmus. 2. RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher canal cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at 1 mm and 3 mm levels (p<0.05). Also, RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher isthmus cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at all levels evaluated (p<0.05). 3. There were no statistical differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between ultrasonic irrigation and RinsEndo irrigation except 3 mm level of canal. From this study, RinsEndo irrigation can be useful as an additional irrigation procedure.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was conducted to establish the experimental condition for the proper evaluation of protein removal efficacy when developing protein removal agents. Its protein removal efficacy was further analyzed and compared with the result from protein removal efficacy against protein deposition on contact lens to suggest the evaluation method for efficacy of protein removal agents. Methods: Protein digestibility assay presented in the Korean pharmacopoeia was selected to establish the evaluation method for efficacy of papain, pancreatin, subtilisin A and protease itself as a ingredient and protein removal tablets or solution containing those enzymes and find a suitable test conditions. Furthermore, the cleaning efficacy of commercially available protein removal tablets and solution on balafilcon A lens deposited with protein artificially was measured and the correlation between two evaluation methods was further analyzed. Results: When pancreatin itself and the product containing pancreatin was evaluated by protein digestibility assay, both reached 28 IU/mg, the standard value of protein digestibility suggested by the Korean pharmacopoeia. In case of protease and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid B solution, both of them met the enzyme activity level proposed by the manufacturers when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay however, papain and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid A solution were not reached the enzyme activity level. Among protein removal agents, three products except a product containing pancreatin did not meet the enzyme activity value specified by the manufacturer when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay. However, actual protein removal efficacy of three products except a papain-containing product on the lens was greater than 90% protein removal. In the case of papain-containing protein removal product, its effect was not measured by protein digestibility assay however, its actual protein removal efficacy on the lens reached 73.72%. Conclusions: From the results, it was confirmed that the efficacy of protein removal agents for contact lens should be evaluated by different method according to the type of proteolytic enzyme contained. That is, the protein removal agents containing pancreatin, protease and subtilisin A can be evaluated by protein digestibility assay and protein removal efficiency evaluation and the products containing papain can be effectively evaluated by only the evaluation method for protein removal efficiency employing the lens.