• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2001

Background : The appearance of multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has been seriously compromising successful control of tuberculosis. Rifampin-resistance, caused by mutations in the rpoB gene, can be indicative of multiple-drug-resistance, and its detection is of great importance. The present study aimed to develop an oligonucleotide chip for accurate and convenient screening of drug-resistance. Methods : In order to detect point mutations in the rpoB gene, an oligonucleotide chip was prepared by immobilizing specific probe DNA to a microscopic slide glass by a chemical reaction. The probe DNA that was selected from the 81 bp core region of the rpoB gene was designed to have mutation sites at the center. A total of 17 mutant probes related to rifampin-resistance including 8 rifabutin-sensitive mutant probes were used in this study. For accurate determination, wild type probes were prepared for each mutation position with an equal length, which enabled a direct comparison of the hybridization intensities between the mutant and wild type. Results : Mycobacterial genomic DNA from clinical samples was tested with the oligonucleotide chip and the results were compared with those of the drug-susceptibility test in addition to sequencing and INNO-LiPA Rif. TB kit test in some cases. Out of 15 samples, the oligonucleotide chip results of 13 samples showed good agreement with the rifabutin-sensitivity results. The two samples with conflicting result also showed a discrepancy between the other tests, suggesting such possibilities as existence of mixed strains and difference in drug-sensitivity. Further verification of these samples in addition to more case studies are required before the final evaluation of the oligonucleotide chip can be made. Conlcusion : An oligonucleotide chip was developed for the detection of rpoB gene mutations related to drugsusceptibility. The results to date show the potential for using the oligonucleotide chip for accurate and convenient screening of drug-resistance to provide useful information in antituberculosis drug therapy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 2000

Objectives : To investigate the difference in the occurrence of lung cancer between foundry workers and non-foundry workers by comparing the number of workers diagnosed with lung cancer through health insurance data. Methods : The study population was comprised of 28,884 workers who had undergone at least one general or special medical examination between January 1995 and December 1997 at the occupational health center. All of the subjects had health insurance during this period. We combined the medical examination data with the health insurance data to compare the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer and the number of non-foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer. Results : Seven workers were diagnosed with lung cancer among the 1,591 foundry workers, compared to twelve workers among the 27,293 non-foundry workers (odds ratio: 10.04, 95% confidence interval: 3.95-25.55). The seven foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer were all exposed to dust, and six out these seven workers were engaged in finishing or shake-out processes. Conclusions : Although the information for this study was obtained from health insurance data, which has limitations such as accuracy and completeness, the number of foundry workers diagnosed with lung cancer was significantly higher than that of non-foundry workers. Therefore, a well-designed cohort study should be followed to confirm the higher lung cancer rates in foundry workers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.779-788
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• 2005

Purpose : Echinacea, a traditional plant medicine has been used as immune-stimulant. Recent studies have revealed that extract of Echinacea has immunostimulatory effects on human blood mononuclear cells. This study was designed for the purpose of screening the genes associated with immunologic effects of Echinacea on monocytes and dendritic cells using a cDNA microarray chip. Methods : $CD14^+$ monocyte cells were cultured for one day with Echinacea extract(final concentration : $50{\mu}g/mL$) in experiment 1, but were cultured without Echinacea in experiment 2. The gene expression of these cultured monocytes was analyzed using the cDNA microarray chip. Dendritic cells produced from $CD14^+$ monocyte were cultured for five days with GM-CSF and IL-4, and then cultured for one day with Echinacea in experiment 3, but were done without Echinacea in experiment 4. Results : In experiments 1 and 2, there were 17 significantly expressed genes with average expression ratios above 2.5, including interferon gamma-inducible protein 30(IFI 30), CDC(cell-division-cylcle)-like kinase 2(CLK 2), syndecan binding protein(syntenin), superoxide dismutase 2, etc. In experiments 3 and 4, there were 24 gene, with significantly expressed genes were 24 genes, which were insulin-like growth factor 2(somatomedin A), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3, IFI 30, small inducible cytokine subfamily A, member 22, etc. The genes encoding CD44, IFI 30, mannose receptor C type 1(MRC 1), chemokine receptor 7(CCR 7), CLK 2, syntenin and cytochrome C oxidase subunit VIII were significantly expressed in both monocytes and dendritic cells cultured with Echinacea. Conclusion : This study employed a cDNA microarray chip to elicit the immune-associated gene profile; the expression was enhanced by Echinacea in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Thus we laid the basis for the quantitative and functional analysis of genes induced by Echinacea in monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 2002

Background : Reduced lung compliance and increased lung resistance are the primary lung mechanical abnormalities in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although there is little information regarding the mechanisms responsible for the increases in the respiratory resistance of ARDS, bronchodilators have been frequently administered in mechanically ventilated ARDS patients. To determine the effect of a bronchodilator on the respiratory mechanics depending on the level of applied positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the changes in the respiratory mechanics by salbutamol inhalation was measured under the variable PEEP level in patients with ARDS. Materials and Methods : Fifteen mechanically ventilated paralyzed ARDS patients (14 of male, mean age 57 years) were enrolled in this study. The respiratory system compliance, and the maximum and minimum inspiratory resistance were obtained by the end-inspiratory occlusion method during constant flow inflation using the CP-100 pulmonary monitor (Bicore, Irvine, CA, USA). The measurements were performed at randomly applied 8, 10 and 12 cm $H_2O$ PEEP before and 30 mins after administrating salbutamol using a meter-dose-inhaler (100ug${\times}$6). Results : 1) The maximum inspiratory resistance of the lung was higher than the reported normal values due to an increase in the minimal inspiratory resistance & additional resistance. 2) The maximum inspiratory resistance and peak airway pressure were significantly higher at 12cm $H_2O$ of PEEP compared with those at 10cm $H_2O$ of PEEP. 3) Salbutamol induced a significant decrease in the maximum and the minimum inspiratory resistance but no significant change in the additional resistance only was observed at 12cm $H_2O$ of PEEP(from $15.66{\pm}1.99$ to $13.54{\pm}2.41$, from $10.24{\pm}2.98$ to $8.04{\pm}2.34$, and from $5.42{\pm}3.41$ to $5.50{\pm}3.58cm$ $H_2O$/L/sec, respectively). 4)The lung compliance did not change at the applied PEEP and salbutamol inhalation levels. Conclusion : The bronchodilator response would be different depending on the level of applied PEEP despite the increased respiratory resistance in patients with ARDS.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to suggest the way to improve the tobacco control program of public health centers in Korea. Methods: A survey with a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 246 persons in charge of tobacco control work in public health centers nationwide in December, 2006. Frequency analysis was performed with a final sample of 212 respondents with SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Results: The duration of engagement in tobacco control work was less than 3 years among 86.7% of respondents, and 87.3% of respondents had other duties besides tobacco control. Almost all public health centers conducted a campaign with posters or leaflets, and smoking prevention education among adolescents. The actual priority for programs was based on the community diagnosis in only 33.5% of the cases. Only 1.9% of respondents complained lack of budget, on the other hand, 44.7% of respondents appealed insufficient number of personnel. The route of knowledge and skill was largely dependent on self-learning or information from colleague. Collaboration with other related department was done well in 39.5% of the cases. The majority of respondents was satisfied with the general support from central government. Conclusions: To improve the tobacco control program of public health centers, it is needed the reinforcement of capacity and specialty among personnel, priority setting and performance of programs based on the scientific evidence, induction of community participation, utilization of community human resources, development of education and training course for practical skill, effective networking among departments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.2 s.82
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• pp.279-285
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• 2007

Detection of Mycoplasma DNA from the 30 cases of cancer tissues and the normal tissues surrounding the cancer tissues obtained from the patients with gastric cancer and the other 30 cases of cancer tissues and the normal tissues surrounding the cancer tissues obtained from the patients with colon cancer were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The PCR products were sequenced using an ABI 377 automatic DNA sequencer, and these sequences were confirmed by comparing sequences with the database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST network server. Mycoplasmas DNA were defected in 18 (60%) cases of normal tissues which were around gastric cancer and were 13 (43.3%) cases of gastric cancer tissues. Mycoplasmas DNA were detected in 15(50%) cases of normal tissues which were around colon cancer and 12 (40%) cases of colon cancer tissues. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, and M. conjunctivae were detected from the gastric cancer tissues. The M. faucium, M. subdolum,, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. bovigenitalium and M. pulmonis were detected from the normal tissues around gastric cancer. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. synoviae M. bovigenitalium, M. gallinarum, and M. moatsii were detected from the colon cancer. The M. faucium, M. subdolum, M. salivarium, M. auris, M. hyosynoviae, M. bovis, M. opalescens, M. bovigenitalium, M. gallinarum, and M. moatsii were detected from the normal tissues around the colon cancer. These results suggest that Mycoplasmas infection may not correlate with gastric cancer and colon cancer, because of the detection rate of Mycoplasmas DNA were not significantly differences between normal and cancer tissues from the patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2020

Objectives: Brain maturation involves brain lateralization and asymmetry to achieve efficient information processing and cognitive controls. This study elucidates normal brain maturation change during the gap between ages 6-9 and age 14-17 using resting EEG. Methods: An EEG dataset was acquired from open source MIPDB (Multimodal Resource for Studying Information Processing in the Developing Brain). Ages 6-9 (n = 24) and ages 14-17 (n = 26) were selected for analysis, and subjects with psychiatric illness or EEG with severe noise were excluded. Finally, ages 6-9 (n = 14) and ages 14-17 (n = 11) were subjected to EEG analysis using EEGlab. A 120-sec length of resting EEG when eyes were closed was secured for analysis. Brain topography was compartmentalized into nine regions, best fitted with brain anatomical structure. Results: Absolute power of the delta band and theta band in ages 6-9 was greater than that of ages 14-17 in the whole brain, and, also is relative power of delta band in frontal compartment, which is same line with previous studies. The relative power of the beta band of ages 14-17 was greater than that of ages 6-9 in the whole brain. In asymmetry evaluation, relative power of the theta band in ages 14-17 showed greater power in the left than right frontal compartment; the opposite finding was noted in the parietal compartment. For the alpha band, a strong relative power distribution in the left parietal compartment was observed in ages 14-17. Absolute and relative power of the alpha band is distributed with hemispheric left lateralization in ages 14-17. Conclusion: During the gap period between ages 6-9 and ages 14-17, brain work becomes more complicated and sophisticated, and alpha band and beta band plays important roles in brain maturation in typically developing children.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.100-109
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• 1999

Purpose: Preamplifier and amplifier are very important parts for developing a portable counting or imaging gamma probe. They can be used for analyzing pulses containing energy and position information for the emitted radiations. The commercial Nuclear Instrument Modules (NIMs) can be used for processing these pulses. However, it may be improper to use NIMs in developing a portable gamma probe, because of its size and high price. The purpose of this study was to develop both preamplifier and amplifier and measure their performance characteristics. Materials and Methods: The preamplifier and amplifier were designed as a charge sensitive device and a capacitor resistor-resistor capacitor (CR-RC) electronic circuit, respectively, and they were mounted on a print circuit board (PCB). We acquired and analyzed energy spectra for Tc-99m and Cs-137 using both PCB and NIMs. Multichannel analyzer (Accuspec/A, Canberra Industries Inc., Meriden Connecticut, U.S.A) and scintillation detectors (EP-047(Bicron Saint-Gobain/Norton Industrial EP-047 (Ceramics Co., Ohio, U.S.A) with $2"{\times}2"$ NaI(T1) crystal and R1535 (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Electron Tube Center, Shizuoka-ken, Japan) with $1"{\times}1"$ NaI(T1) crystal were used for acquiring the energy spectra. Results: Using PCB, energy resolutions of EP-047 detectors for Tc-99m and Cs-137 were 12.92% and 5.01%, respectively, whereas R1535 showed 13.75% and 5.19% of energy resolution. Using the NIM devices, energy resolutions of EP-047 detector for Tc-99m and Cs-137 were measured as 14.6% and 7.58%, respectively. However, reliable energy spectrum of R1535 detector could not be acquired, since its photomultiplier tube (PMT) requires a specific type of preamplifier. Conclusion: We developed a special preamplifier and amplifier suitable for a small sized gamma probe that showed good energy resolutions independent of PMT types. The results indicate that the PCB can be used in developing both counting and imaging gamma probe.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 1996

Currently. exchanges of industrial workers between countries are more active than ever. and the problem of AIDS in connection with the operation of preventive educational programs has reached a point where the issue cannot be limited to native people alone any more. Based on such judgement. this research has been carried out to provide basic study materials by grasping the latent factors representing the difference between countries in the levels of right knowledge. attitude and behavior with respect to AIDS maintained by workers who have grown in different social and cultural living background. During the period from Apr. 1. 1995 to Jun. 30. questionnaires. written both in Korean and English, were distributed to Korean and Malaysian employees working at certain Korean video manufacturers. and the results of replies. given by 80 workers who were analyzed through matched sampling· method where ages and sex matched by country. were used as the research materials. The gathered materials were analyzed through the SPSS package t-test. ANOVA. factor analysis and multiple stepwise regression methods. and the following results were obtained. 1. The 2 extracted latent factors could be named 'common. social' knowledge factor and 'in-depth. psychological' knowledge factor respectively. 2. The percentile points of 'external. social' knowledge factor. in the case of Korean workers. howed 90.0 at average. a figure 13.75 points higher than those of Malaysian workers. 76.25. On the other hand. the percentile points of the 'in-depth. psychological'knowledge factor showed 70.80 at average in the case of Korean workers. a figure 7.47 points lower than those of Malaysian workers. 78.33. Meanwhile. the difference in percentile points between the 2 latent factors was 8.54 at average. indicating that the points of 'in-depth. psychological' knowledge factor was lower than those of the 'external. social' knowledge factor. 3. As for Korean workers. the percentile points of the 'in-depth. psychological' knowledge factor showed higher points in office workers than in non-office workers. and such variables exhibited in the position of workers can explain the $7\%$ of the latent factor. The percentile points of the 'in-depth. psychological' knowledge factors. in the case of Malaysian workers. showed higher points in groups who had religion than in groups who did not. and higher points in groups who obtained information from newspapers than in groups who obtained from televisions or other sources; and with these 2 variables. $26\%$ of this latent factor can be explained. The results. of analysis described so far suggest that while Korean workers possessed general level of knowledge on AIDS. they had low level of practical knowledge as far as its depth is concerned. and that they had social prejudice on patients as well as on the AIDS infection route. In addition. because the overall knowledge level of Malaysian workers. is lower than that of Korean workers. it suggests that separate programs intended for Malaysian workers are required prior to executing integrated programs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.322-331
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• 1995

Introduction: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of simultaneous determination of 3 tumor markers {serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) and neuron specific enolase(NSE)} in lung cancer patients. Method: In 113 patients with primary lung cancer(70 with squamous cell carcinoma, 30 with adenocarcinoma, 13 with small cell carcinoma) and 103 patients with benign lung diseases, serum CEA and NSE were measured by enzyme immunoassay, and SCC Ag was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Results: 1) The mean serum levels of 3 tumor markers were significantly higher in lung cancer groups than benign lung disease groups respectively(p=0.001). 2) In squamous cell carcinoma, the SCC Ag was elevated in 67%, in adenocarcinoma CEA was elevated in 77% and in small cell carcinoma NSE was elevated in 77%, but there were no significant differences according to the stage of each cancer cell types. 3) CEA was the most sensitive marker, but nonspecific to cancer types. SCC Ag was less sensitive than other markers, but more specific toward squamous cell carcinoma, and NSE was more specific to primary lung cancer. 4) As the number of positive tumor markers was increased, the relative possibility of lung cancer was also increased. If two markers were positive, it increased to 77%, and if three markers were positive it increased to 90%. Conclusion: The simultaneous measurement of serum CEA, SCC Ag and NSE would provide additional information for the diagnosis of lung cancer.