• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.236-244
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• 2020

Objectives: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" has been lauded as effective in preventing hospital-associated infections, little is known about healthcare workers (HCWs)' hand hygiene behavior. In this study, we sought to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the concepts in this initiative, as well as associated factors, among Vietnamese HCWs at a general hospital. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to HCWs at a central Vietnamese general hospital in 2015. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HCWs' knowledge and attitudes towards hand hygiene. Results: Of 120 respondents, 65.8% and 67.5% demonstrated appropriate knowledge and a positive attitude, respectively, regarding all 5 hand hygiene moments. Logistic regression indicated better knowledge of hand hygiene in workers who were over 30 years old, who were direct HCWs (rather than managers), who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received their clinical information from training. Those who worked in infectious and tropical disease wards, who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received information from training were more likely to have a positive attitude towards hand hygiene than their counterparts. Conclusions: Although many Vietnamese HCWs displayed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes towards the WHO hand hygiene guidelines, a key gap remained. Regular education and training programs are needed to increase knowledge and to improve attitudes and practices towards hand hygiene. Furthermore, a combination of multimodal strategies and locally-adapted interventions is needed for sustainable hand hygiene adherence.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to describe a radiofrequency (RF) coil design for in vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for use in small animals. Accumulating evidence has indicated the importance and potential of sodium imaging with improved magnet strength (> 7T), faster gradient, better hardware, multi-nucleus imaging methods, and optimal coil design for patient and animal studies. Thus, we developed a saddle-shaped sodium volume coil with a diameter/length of 30/30 mm. To evaluate the efficiency of this coil, bench-level measurement was performed. Unloaded Q value, loaded Q value, and ratio of these two values were estimated to be 352.8, 211.18, and 1.67, respectively. Thereafter, in vivo acquisition of sodium images was performed using normal mice (12 weeks old; n = 5) with a two-dimensional gradient echo sequence and minimized echo time to increase spatial resolution of images. Sodium signal-to-noise ratio in mouse kidneys (renal cortex, medulla, and pelvis) was measured. We successfully acquired sodium MR images of the mouse kidney with high spatial resolution (approximately 0.625 mm) through a combination of sodium-proton coils.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48
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• pp.49-57
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• 2003

There is much evidence suggesting that compounds present in soybean can prevent cancer in many different organ systems. Especially, soybean is one of the most important source of dietary saponins, which have been considered as possible anticarcinogens to inhibit tumor development and major active components contributing to the cholesterol-towering effect. Also they were reported to inhibit of the infectivity of the AIDS virus (HIV) and the Epstein-Barr virus. The biological activity of saponins depend on their specific chemical structures. Various types of triterpenoid saponins are present in soy-bean seeds. Among them, group B soyasaponis were found as the primary soyasaponins present in soybean, and th e 2, 3-dihydro-2, 5-dihydroxy-6- methyl-4H-pyran-4-one(DDMP)-conjugated soyasaponin $\alpha\textrm{g}$, $\beta\textrm{g}$, and $\beta$ a were the genuine group B saponins, which have health benefits. On the other hand, group A saponins are responsible for the undesirable bitter and astringent taste in soybean. The variation of saponin composition in soybean seeds is explained by different combinations of 9 alleles of 4 gene loci that control the utilization of soyasapogenol glycosides as substrates. The mode of inheritance of saponin types is explained by a combination of co-dominant, dominant and recessive acting genes. The funtion of theses genes is variety-specific and organ specific. Therefore distribution of various saponins types was different according to seed tissues. Soyasaponin $\beta\textrm{g}$ was detected in both parts whereas $\alpha\textrm{g}$ and $\beta$ a was detected only in hypocotyls and cotyledons, respectively. Soyasaponins ${\gamma}$g and $\gamma\textrm{g}$ were minor saponin constituents in soybean. In case group A saponins were mostly detected in hypocotyls. Also, the total soyasaponin contents varied among different soy-bean varieties and concentrations in the cultivated soy-beans were 2-fold lower than in the wild soybeans. But the contents of soyasaponin were not so influenced by environmental effects. The composition and concentration of soyasaponins were different among the soy products (soybean flour, soycurd, tempeh, soymilk, etc.) depending on the processing conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.333-342
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• 2001

Adriamycin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for cancer, including acute leukemia, lymphoma, and a number of solid human tumors. However, recent studies have recognized severe cardiotoxicity after an acute dose, which are likely the result of generation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the clinical uses of adriamycin have been limited. Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone known for its ability to modulate circardian rhythm, has recently been studied in its several functions, including cancer growth inhibition, stimulating the immune system, and acting as an antioxidant and radical scavenging effects. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin administration on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat. Heart slices were prepared using a Stadie-Riggs microtome for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) content used as an index of lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as an indicator of lethal cell injury. Serious adriamycin-induced lethality was observed in rat by a single intraperitoneal injection in a dose-dependent manner. A single injection of adriamycin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a lethality rate of 86%, with melatonin (10 mg/kg s.c. for 6 days) treatment reducing the adriamycin-induced lethality rate to 20%. The severe body weight loss caused by adriamycin was also significantly attenuated by melatonin treatment. Treatment of melatonin marked reduced adriamycin-induced the levels of MDA formation and LDH release. A cell damage indicated by the loss of myofibrils, swelling of the mitochondria as well as cytoplasmic vacuolization was seen in adriamycin-treated group. Melatonin attenuated the adriamycin-induced structural alterations. These data provide evidence that melatonin prevents adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity and might serve as a combination with adriamycin to limit free radical-mediated cardiotoxicity.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.372-384
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• 2007

The purposes of this study was to analyze qualitatively changes in students' experience and perceptions in relation to studying science using portfolios and any resultant effects on the portfolio itself. Five fourth-grade elementary students from one small city participated in this study. Data was collected through interviews as well as through student portfolios containing the science content matter of two units over two weeks. Observational diaries recorded by a teacher were also used to test the reliability of data collection. All interviews with students were transcribed to develop a suitable network to categorize students' responses. Students' portfolios were analyzed in order to reveal their essential characteristics in combination with their teacher's observational diaries. The results were as follows. First, student perceptions of their portfolios were categorized into three different levels; superficial, extended, and moderate perceptions. The changes in perception could also be divided into three levels; consistent-superficial, unstable, and a progressive-extended pattern. Second, the experience of students with their portfolio were investigated in terms of the following; successfully completing the elements of the portfolio, development of evidence, interaction with peers, teachers, and parents, and the standards of evaluation used for the portfolios. Third, the perceptions and experience of working on the portfolio by students had a number of direct effects on the way in which students actually created and developed their portfolios. Finally, students with positive attitudes towards their portfolios actively participated in the portfolio experience and finally understood what it meant completely. However, students with negative attitudes regarding portfolio based work, did not leave the experience with any heightened awareness of the utility or indeed, purpose of portfolio based work.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.200-204
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• 2008

In this paper, to solve localization problem for out-door navigation of robotic vehicles, a particle filter based 3D object recognition framework that can estimate the pose of a building or its entrance is presented. A particle filter framework of multiple evidence fusion and model matching in a sequence of images is presented for robust recognition and pose estimation of 3D objects. The proposed approach features 1) the automatic selection and collection of an optimal set of evidences 2) the derivation of multiple interpretations, as particles representing possible object poses in 3D space, and the assignment of their probabilities based on matching the object model with evidences, and 3) the particle filtering of interpretations in time with the additional evidences obtained from a sequence of images. The proposed approach has been validated by the stereo-camera based experimentation of 3D object recognition and pose estimation, where a combination of photometric and geometric features are used for evidences.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 1999

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma is a rare malignancy of the liver in children and young adults. Seven cases of undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver pathologically verified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1986 and 1999 were retrospectively analyzed. There were three girls and four boys, and their mean age at diagnosis was 12.1 years (range 7-13 years). Six patients presented with an abdominal mass or pain, and one with weight loss. Tumor size ranged from $8.0{\times}8.0$ cm to $15.0{\times}15.0$ cm. Four tumors were located in the right lobe, two in the left lobe and one in both. One patient died during chemotherapy. Initial complete resection was accomplished in three patients. Two patients underwent complete resection after chemotherapy. Five patients with complete resection survived without evidence of disease for 8, 11, 13, 28, and 84 months. A patient with partial resection and chemotherapy died of sepsis during chemotherapy 19 months after complete surgical resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed in all patients after complete surgical resection. In conclusion, though undifferntiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver is highly malignant, the combination therapy of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy appears to result in a favorable prognosis.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.8
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• 2014

Spa represents a treatment widely used in many rheumatic diseases (RD). The mechanisms by which immersion in mineral or thermal water ameliorates RD are not fully understood. The net benefit is probably the result of a combination of factors, among which the mechanical, thermal and chemical effects are most prominent. Buoyancy, immersion, resistance and temperature play important roles. According to the gate theory, pain relief may be due to the pressure and temperature of the water on skin; heat may reduce muscle spasm and increase the pain threshold. Mud-bath therapy increases plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels and secretion of corticotrophin, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin. It has recently been demonstrated that thermal mud-bath therapy induces a reduction in circulating levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, important mediators of inflammation and pain. Furthermore, balneotherapy has been found to cause an increase in insulin-like growth factor-1, which stimulates cartilage metabolism, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$. Beneficial anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative effects of mineral water were confirmed in chondrocytes cultures, too. Various studies in vitro and in humans have highlighted the positive action of mud-packs and thermal baths, especially sulphurous ones, on the oxidant/antioxidant system. Overall, thermal stress has an immunosuppressive effect. Many other non-specific factors may also contribute to the beneficial effects observed after spa therapy in some RD, including effects on cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. adipokines) and changes in the environment, pleasant surroundings and the absence of work duties.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2012

Red ginseng, which has a variety of biological and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects, has been used for thousands of years as a general tonic in traditional oriental medicine. Here, we tested the immune regulatory activities of hydrolyzed red ginseng by malted barley (HRG) on the expressions of receptor interacting proteins (Rip) 2 and $I{\kappa}B$ kinase-beta (IKK-${\beta}$) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. We show that HRG increased the activations of Rip 2 and IKK-${\beta}$ for the first time. When HRG was used in combination with recombinant interferon-${\gamma}$ (rIFN-${\gamma}$), there was a marked cooperative induction of nitric oxide (NO) production. The increased expression of inducible NO synthase from rIFN-${\gamma}$ plus HRG-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$). In addition, the treatment of peritoneal macrophages with rIFN-${\gamma}$ plus HRG caused significant increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression and production. Because NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ play an important role in the immune function and host defense, HRG treatment can modulate several aspects of the host defense mechanisms as a result of the stimulations of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and NF-${\kappa}B$. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that HRG increases the productions of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ from rIFN-${\gamma}$-primed macrophages and suggest that Rip2/IKK-${\beta}$ plays a critical role in mediating these immune regulatory effects of HRG.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.598-602
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• 2002

Damage to cells exposed to radiation is primarily attributed to direct effects on the structure of cellular DNA. Radiation-induced damage of pBluescript SK plasmid DNA and Escherichia coli $DH5\alpha$ were examined in the presence of various branched oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and/or 8-MOP (8-methoxypsoralen). Branched oligosaccharides efficiently protected DNA and cells exposed to ultrasoft X-ray and UV irradiation. In the presence of 0.2% (w/v) branched oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, DNA can be protected from damage due to W and ultrasoft X-ray by a factor of 1.3-2.1 fo1d and 3.2-8.3 fold, respectively. The protective effect of cells exposed to UV or ultrasoft X-ray was also observed by branched oligosaccharides. The combination of MOP, a photoreagent, with carbohydrates increased the protective effects for DNA and cells, compared with that of a single use of MOP or carbohydrate alone.