• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2009

Purpose : In February 2007, an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections occurred in two newborns in the neonatal unit of Sahmyook Seoul Hospital. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of MRSA nasal carriage among neonatal unit staffs and the effective infection control measures. Methods : Nasal swab specimens were obtained from the neonatal unit staff for the presence of MRSA. MRSA-colonized staffs were offered decolonization therapy with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or 2% mupirocin ointment. Every 2-4months after decolonizaton, repeat nasal swab specimens were obtained. Also, samples from the neonatal unit environment and room air were collected. Results : Successful decolonization was achieved in 92% of the cases in 2 weeks after decolonization therapy, but most of the staffs were recolonized after several months. The nature of antibiotic susceptibility was changed from multi-drugsusceptible to multi-drug-resistant. The most frequently contaminated objects were dressing carts, computer keyboards, bassinets and washbowls. In environmental cultures using the settle microbe count method, the colony counts were decreased significantly at the last study period compared with the first study period in the neonatal room, breastfeeding room, service room, and dressing room (P <0.05). Conclusion : Effective control of sustained MRSA transmission within an institution may require prompt identification, treatment, and monitoring of colonized and/or infected staffs. However, nasal decolonization therapy may induce multi-drugresistant MRSA infection and had no effect on decreasing the MRSA nasal carriage rate in our study. Other factors might be more important, such as improving staff education, increasing hand hygiene practices, and environmental sterilization for controlling MRSA infections.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.178-189
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• 2003

Purpose: Cellular uptakes of $^{99m}Tc-sestamibi(MIBI)\;and\;\;^{99m}Tc-tetrofosmin$ into cancer cell lines expressing multidrug resistance(MDR) were investigated and compared. The effects of verapamil and cyclosporin A, well-known multidrug resistant reversing agents, on cellular uptakes of both tracers were also compared. Materials and Methods: Doxorubicin-resistant HCT15/CL02 human colorectal cell and doxorubicin-resistant K562(Adr) and vincristine-resistant K562(Vcr) human leukemic cells were studied. RT-PCR analysis was used for the detection of mdr1 mRNA expression. MDR-reversal effects with verapamil and cyclosporine A were evaluated at different drug concentrations after incubation with MIBI and tetrofosmin for 1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, using single-cell suspensions at $1{\times}10^6cells/ml$ incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. Radioactivity in supernatants and pellets were measured with gamma well counter. Results: The cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin in K562(Adr) and K562(Vcr) were lower than those of parental K562 cell. In HCT15/CL02 cells and K562(Adr) cells, there were no significant difference in cellular uptakes of both tracers, but cellular uptake of MIBI was higher than that of tetrofosmin in K562(Vcr) cells. Coincubation with verapamil resulted in a increase In cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin. Verapamil increased cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin by HCT15/CL02 cell by 11.9- and 6.8-fold, by K562(Adr) cell by 14.3- and 8-fold and by K562(Vcr) cell by 7- and 5.7-fold in maximum, respectively. Cyciosporin A increased cellular uptakes of MIBI and tetrofosmin by HCT15/CL02 cell by 10- and 2.4-fold, by K562(Adr) cell by 44- and 13-fold and by K562(Vcr) cell by 18.8- and 11.8-fold in maximum, respectively Conclusion: Taking together, MIBI and tetrofosmin are considered as suitable radiopharmaceuticals for defecting multidrug resistance. However, MIBI seems to be a better tracer than tetrofosmin for evaluating MDR reversal effect of the modulators. Since cellular uptakes of both tracers might differ in different cell types, further experiments regarding differences in cellular uptakes between cell types should be explored.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2012

This study is a survey of regulatees' perception on main contents and enforcement effect of the Act, the retailers at food stores within Green Food Zone, for the effective enforcement of "The Special Act on the Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life" legislated in 2008. Percentage, frequency analysis, and T-test are derived from the survey carried out to the 175 retailers at food stores within Green Food Zone, across the country except Jejudo, for the two months March and April of 2011. The survey results are as follows. Over 80% of the respondents are aware of comprehensive policy for child food safety and the enforcement of 'the Special Act' and considering the rate of satisfaction on food safety information provided by government, over 90% of the respondents, virtually most of them, are satisfied. The rate of awareness of Green Food Zone is about 80% and that of outstanding business for children is about 50%, showing little perception of it. The comparison of the survey result of 2011 with that of 2010, which have the same questions to the retailers within Green Food Zone, still indicates a need for enhancement of understanding on absolute standard, though it showed fairly better improvement in general. Several proposals are given in this study based on the survey results, which will contribute to the children food safety and health improvement in the end.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 1982

The purpose of this study was to observe the responses of the remaining pulp tissue after pulpotomy upon the several kinds of $Ca(OH)_2$ products and the responses of periapical tissue upon some root canal filling materials after extirpation. For pulpotomy, the class V cavities were prepared on the premolars, molars and upper canines, and the pulp was amputated. Each drug was placed over the amputated tissue and cavity was sealed with zinc oxide eugenol cement. The drugs which were used for the study were Dycal (Caulk Co. U.S.A.), Cavitec (Kerr Co. U.S.A.), Calvital, Nobudyne and Neodyne (Neo Dental Chemical Products). For extirpation, the endodontic cavities were prepared on the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth, and the pulp tissues were extirpated as routine method. After enlarging, irrigation, and measuring of root length by taking X-ray, each root canal filling material was filled in the canal with gutta percha cone, and endodontic cavity was sealed with zinc oxide eugenol cement. Zinc oxide eugenol, $Ca(OH)_2$ (Eli Lilly Co. U.S.A.) and Vitapex (Neo Dental Chemical Products) were used as root canal filling materials. Animals were sacrificed after 1, 3 and 6 weeks following the operation. The teeth were decalcified in formic acid, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin eosin. Microscopic examination revealed as follows. 1. Dycal: The dentin bridge formation was observed at the 3rd week after pulpotomy. Inflammatory conditions which were infiltration of inflammatory cells and dilatation of blood vessels were kept in remaining pulp tissue at the 6th week. 2. Calvital: The dentin bridge was observed at the 1st week after pulpotomy. As the time clasped, the pulp tended to be the fibrous degeneration. 3. Cavitec, Nobudyne and Neodyne: In the case of Cavitec and Nobudyne, the incompleted and irregular dentin bridge was observed at the 6th week, and in Neodyne, was observed at the 3rd week. The severe inflammatory changes were seen in the remaining pulp tissue. As the time clasped, the fibrous degeneration tended to spread in the remaining pulp tissue. 4. $Ca(OH)_2$: Osteocementum was formed at the 3rd week, the matrix of cementum and dentin were resorted, and infiltration of lymphocytes was seen in periapical tissue when $Ca(OH)_2$ was used as canal-filling materials. S. ZOE and Vitapex The cementum like substance was seen in periapical portion at the 1st week, when ZOE and Vitapex were used as root canal filling materials. As the time elapsed, the matrix of cementum and dentin tended to be resorted. At the 6th week, the inflammatory condition of periapical tissue was continued in the case of ZOE, but was reduced in the case of Vitapex.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.708-713
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• 2008

The effects of administration alone or mixed of Angelica keiskei and turmeric extract on blood lipids were evaluated in hypercholesterolemic diet or P-407-induced hyperlipidemic rats. In the study 1, female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 160-180 g were divided into each groups and fed high cholesterol diets for 8 weeks. Experimental groups were administered with following diets: basal diet (Normal), high cholesterol diets (1% cholesterol). We did the oral administration for evaluation in experimental groups: C (vehicle), A (angelica extract), T (turmeric extract), AT (angelica extract, turmeric extract/ 1:1 complex). The concentrations of serum total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were decreased by 6.8%, 9.8% in A group, by 22.1%, 28.8% in C group and by 28.2%, 35.6% in AT group, compared to the C group, respectively. HDL-cholesterol levels were not different among the experimental groups. In the study 2, we induced the hypertriglyceridemia in rats by intraperitoneal injection of P-407 (0.5 g/kg) once per three days. From the next day after P-407 injection beginning, we did the oral administration as the study 1. Angelica keiskei extract, turmeric extract and complex extract decreased serum triglyceride by 17.2%, 19.7% and 48.3%, respectively. These results suggested that Angelica keiskei and turmeric extract complex might have synergistic effect in lowering total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in hyperlipidemic rats.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2004

Purpose : To examine whether a synthetic bile acid derivatives (HS-1200) sensitizes the radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods : Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in exponential growth phase were treated with HS-1200 for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ with 5$\%$ CO$_{2}$ in air atmosphere. After removal of HS-1200, cells were irradiated with 2$\~$8 Gy X-ray, and then cultured Ii drug-free media for 24-96 hours. The effect of radiation on the clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was determined with clonogenic cell survival assay with 16$\mu$M of HS-1200. The induction of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. The expression level of apoptosis-related molecules, such as PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, Bak and AIF, were assayed by Western blotting analysis with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation. To examine the cellular location of cytochrome c, bax and AIF immunofluorescent stainings were undertaken. Results : Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation showed several changes associated with enhanced apoptosis by agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation treatment also enhanced production of PARP cleavage products and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by Western blotting. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ($\Delta$$\psi$$_{m}$) and increased cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in HS-1200 treated cells. Conclusion : We demonstrated that combination treatment with a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative HS-1200 and irradiation enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). We suggest that the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio In HS-1200 co-treatment group underlies the increased radio sensitivity of MCF-7 cells. Further futures studies are remained elusive.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.497-503
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• 2007

In order to develop a new rice bran danmooji, changes in physicochemical characteristics and texture of danmooji treated with rice bran, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaf powder, succinic acid, or yeast extract were investigated during salting for 90 days. The PH of rice bran danmooji decreased from PH6.41 initially to pH 4.09 (control group), pH 4.10 (S. rebaudiana treatment S1), pH 3.84 (S. rebaudiana + succinic acid treatment S2), and pH 3.90 (S. rebaudiana+succinic acid+yeast extract treatment S3) after 90 days of salting. At this time, the salinities of rice bran danmooji of the S1, S52, and S3 groups were 2.32%, 1.94% and 2.15% respectively. The hardness of all groups decreased rapidly in the first 30 days of salting, and thereafter showed no changes. After 90 days of salting, the hardness of all groups was $1,186-1,368\;g/cm^2$ with no significant differences between groups. Redness, the a value, of the S2 and S3 groups treated with succinic acid, was lower than that of S3, whereas yellowness, the b value, of S3 treated with succinic acid and yeast extract was the highest of the three groups. Sensory evaluation of rice bran danmooji after 90 days of salting resulted in S3 attaining the highest scores for flavor, taste, texture, and overall acceptability. These results indicate nut high-quality rice bran danmooji may be prepared by addition of S. rebaudiana leaf powder, succinic acid and yeast extract to rice bran.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 1996

In an open labeled study, two fixed doses of nimodipine(45mg and 90mg daily) were added to the usual antipsychotic drug treatment (Haloperidol : mean dose=25mg/day) in 20 male chronic schizophrenics for 5 weeks. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the effect an the changes of plasma homovanillic acid(HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA) levels. The results were as follows : 1) Total BPRS score and thought cluster, paranoid cluster subscores showed linear decreasing trend over the course of the study(P<0.05). Especially the thought cluster and paranoid cluster subscores were significant difference between 45mg and 90mg dose of nimodipine(P<0.05). The improvement rates were 45,45% of 90mg and 11.11% of 45mg, but there was no significant difference between the 45mg and 90mg dose of nimodipine. 2) The scores of extrapyramidal symptoms and adverse events-somatic symptoms showed a linear decreasing trends over the course of study. 3) The changes in the mean plasma HVA and 5-H1AA concentrations by the dosages and durations of combining of nimodipine were not statistically significant. 4) There was no statistical significance in plasma HVA and 5-HIAA of the improved, non-improved goroup. Nimodipine has a possibility os on adjunctive agent for treatment resistant schizophrenics, elderly patients and liable patients for the Side effects to usual antipsychotic drugs. So we suggest that the dosage of nimodipine must be above 90mg/day in the treatment of schizophrenia.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1149-1157
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• 2017

Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation in our body. The use of medicinal plants has been widely applied as an alternative source for drug development. One of marine natural resources, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige sinicola ethanol extract (ISEE), was evaluated by using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell and mice model. As a result, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) were inhibited with increasing concentration of ISEE without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, ISEE suppressed the expression of not only inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. In mice ear edema test, the formation of edema was reduced at the highest dosage of ISEE and the reduction of the number of infiltrated mast cells was observed in histological analysis. These results indicate that ISEE has a potent anti-inflammatory activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical material for many kinds of inflammatory disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.465-473
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• 1995

Background: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis has decreased progressively after the control of the tuberculosis began as national control. But as diabetes, malignancy, immunodeficiency disease recently tend to be increased, the tuberculosis become to the important national health problem. So, this study was designed to observe the state and the change of the prevalence and the clinical status of pulmonary tuberculosis for recent 10 years at one women's university. Method: We retrospectively investigated the epidemiology and the clinical status of 612 patients who were registered at the Ewha Womans University Health Center by analyzing records from 1983 to 1992. Results: 1) The prevalence rate had been steadily decreased from 0.63% in 1983 to 0.11 % in 1992. The prevalence of freshman and the incidence rate according to the entrance year while in the university significantly decreased since 1989. 2) In classifying by registered source, 45.6% of students were detected by annual periodical health examination, 34.5% by entrance physical examination, 12.0% by hospital, 5.4% by health center clinic, 2.5% by reentrance physical examination, sequentially. 3) The students with past history of tuberculosis were 70(11.4%) and 61(10%) suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients with family history of tuberculosis were 142(23.3%). 4) There were 530(86.6%) with minimal disease, 79(12.9%) with moderate and only 3(0.5%) with far advanced, when classified by the severity of disease. 5) The initial symptoms were mild breathing difficulty in 30.1%, sweating in 14.9%, fatigue in 14.3%, febrile sense in 11.7%, hemoptysis in 8.2%, sequentially. 6) The duration of treatment was $10.6{\pm}3.6$ months in mild group, $14.9{\pm}5.2$ months in the moderate group(P<0.05). 7) The side reactions of the drug were GI trouble in 7.2%, hepatitis in 1.8%, skin rash in 0.8% and streptomycin side in used patients in 9.1%. Conclusion: The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the students in one women's university was significantly lower than that of university students and 20-24 year-old age group announced in tuberculosis survey on a national scale, and significantly decreased since 1989. The treatment effect was desirable in student's group managed by university health center.