• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2007

Purpose : Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major etiologic agent for pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, and sepsis among young children. Multi-drug resistant strains have raised great concern worldwide, thus the importance of prevention with vaccines has been emphasized. However, vaccines may force the appearance of pneumococcal infections by nonvaccine serotypes. Thus, distribution of pneumococcal serotypes should be monitored to estimate vaccine efficacy. We used a new and efficient multibead assay in determining pnemococcal serotypes. Methods : From January to February 2005, 643 children were recruited from ten day care centers to isolate pneumococci from their oropharynx. Pneumococcal serotyping was performed on 62 pneumococcal isolates from 60 children by multibead assay. This immunoassay required two sets of latex particles coated with pneumococcal polysaccharides and serotype-specific antibodies. Twenty four newly developed monoclonal antibodies specific for common serotypes and a pool of polyclonal rabbit sera for some of the less common serotypes were used. Results : The most prevalent pneumococcal serotypes were serotype 6A, 19A, 19F, 23F, and 11A/D/F which accounted more than 50 precent of all the 62 pneumococcal isolates. We found that multibead assay can be performed very rapidly and objectively. Conclusion : This multibead immunoassay was very useful in serotyping clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae because it was simple, reliable and fast.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.270-277
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: Significant amount of bisphenol A has been released from the manufacturing process of plastics, epoxy resins, dental material and flame retardants. Bisphenol A has been detected at trace levels in wastewater, surface water, landfill leachate and drinking water. However, the residual survey of bisphenol A has not been performed in agricultural reservoir beside agricultural environment cultivating crops. This study was conducted to monitor the residual bisphenol A in national agricultural reservoirs and understand a level of contamination of bisphenol A in the agricultural environment in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The water and water sediment were collected at agricultural reservoirs in Chungnam, Chungbuk, Kyunggi, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Kyungnam and Kyungbuk province. Bisphenol A was analyzed by the LC-MS/MS with triple quad 4500. The recovery of water and water sediment in the agricultural reservoirs showed the level of 95.7~97.2% and 91.5~100.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bisphenol A was detected at the level of $0.05{\mu}g/L{\sim}0.18{\mu}g/L$ and $0.1{\mu}g/kg{\sim}34{\mu}g/kg$ in water and water sediment of the reservoirs, respectively. Based on the results, the residue of bisphenol A will be tried in the crops surrounding these agricultural reservoirs where bisphenol A detected above $10{\mu}g/kg$ of bisphenol A.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) compared with that of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the total white blood cell count (WBC) in predicting bacterial infections in febrile infants<6 months of age. Methods : A prospective study was performed with infants <6 months of age who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with a fever of uncertain source between July and September 2008. Spinal taps were performed according to clinical symptoms and physical examination. Serum PCT levels were measured using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Results : Seventy-one infants (mean age, 2.62 months) were studied. Twenty-six infants (36.6%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 22 infants (31.0%) had viral meningitis. The remaining infants had acute pharyngitis (n=1), herpangina (n=1), upper respiratory tract infections (n=7), acute bronchiolitis (n=8), acute gastroenteritis (n=4), and bacteremia (n=2). The median WBC and CRP levels were significantly higher in infants with UTIs than in infants with viral meningitis. However, there were no differences in the median PCT levels between the groups (0.14 ng/mL vs. 0.11 ng/mL, P=0.419). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 (95% CI, 0.65-0.896) for WBC, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.626-0.879) for CRP, and 0.568 (95% CI, 0.417-0.710) for PCT. An elevated WBC count (>11,920/${\mu}L$) and an increased CRP level (>1.06mg/dL) were significant predictors of UTIs based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : Serum PCT concentrations should be interpreted with caution in infants <6 months of age with a fever of uncertain source.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2014

Purpose: Our goals were to evaluate the effect of high dose radioiodine treatment for thyroid cancer by taking in laxatives. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients(M:F=13:7, age $46.3{\pm}8.1\;yrs$) who underwent high dose radioiodine treatment were seperated into Group 1 taking $^{131}I$ 5,500 MBq and Group 2 with the use of laxatives after taking $^{131}I$ 5,500 MBq. The whole body was scanned 16 hours and 40 hours after taking radioactive iodines by using gamma camera, the ROIs were drawn on the gastro-intestinal tract and thigh for calculation of reduction ratio. At particular time during hospitalization, the radioactivity remaining in the body was measured in 1 meter from patient by using survey meter (RadEye-G10, Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Schematic presentation of an Origin 8.5.1 software was used for spatial dose rate. Statistical comparison between groups were done using independent samples t-test. P value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: The reduction ratio in gastro-intestinal 16 hours and 40 hours after taking laxatives is $42.1{\pm}6.3%$ in Group 1 and $72.1{\pm}6.4%$ in Group 2. The spatial dose rate measured when discharging from hospital was $23.8{\pm}6.7{\mu}Sv/h$ in Group 1 and $8.2{\pm}2.4{\mu}Sv/h$ in Group 2. The radioactivity remaining in the body is much decreased at the patient with laxatives(P<0.05). Conclusion: The use in combination with laxatives is helpful for decreasing radioactivity remaining in the body. The radioactive contamination could be decreased at marginal individuals from patients.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.90-105
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• 2013

This study was performed to find out stomach contents of cold water fish such as Manchurian trout (Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis) and River salmon (Oncorhynchus masou masou) in the Odae mountain area. Field survey was carried out 3 times by each season from May to October 2012 along the Gyebang stream and the Yangyang-Namdae stream at north-west mountain slope and north-east mountain slope of the Odae mountain area respectively. The result of digestive track analysis showed that food species of Manchurian trout were total individuals of 645 including 5 orders, 23 families, 39 species of benthic macroinvertebrates and 11 taxa of terrestial insects. And each IRI (Index of Relative Importance, %) value of food species by Manchurian trout was terrestial insects 37.0%, Trichoptera 36.4%, Ephemeroptera 20.0%, Diptera 3.9%, Plecoptera 2.7%, and Gordea <0.1%. While the River salmon fed on 1,186 individuals covering 4 orders, 20 families, 33 species of benthic macroinvertebrates and 6 taxa of terrestial insects including arachnid. Also IRI values by River salmon were terrestial insects including arachnid 2.7%, Ephemeroptera 52.9%, Trichoptera 27.9%, Diptera 9.4%, and Plecoptera 7.0% respectively. With these results, we might say that both Manchurian trout and River salmon is carnivorous fish which display the feeding preference to terrestial insects and benthic macroinvertebrates. As a results we could find out that the two kinds of cold water fish preferred similar habitat types and liked same order of food species in same season, however the compositions of food species for Manchurian trout and River salmon were considerably different.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.604-615
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• 1994

Background: Analysis of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid had been used to predict the histologic changes of the bronchioles and alveoli in patients with interstitial lung diseases(ILD). Definitive diagnosis can be a1so made in some cases of ILD, such as histiocytosis. However, there are a few data of the cellular components in BAL fluid in normal Korean individuals and in patients with ILD. In order to evaluate the role of the cellular analysis of BAL fluid in prediction of alveolitis and differential diagnosis among ILDs, we compared the cellular components in BAL fluid from 50 normal individuals and 86 ILD patients. Method: BAL was performed by instillation and retrievement of normal saline with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The cell number was counted by Hemocytometer. Differential count was done up to 500 cells on slides prepared by Diff-Quik stain and non-specific esterase stain. We compared the recovery rate(RR), cell numbers(CN), and percentages of each cellular components(CP). Results: The results were as follows: 1) There was no difference in RR, CN and CP between the normal smoker group and normal non-smoker group. 2) Total cell numbers recoverd in BAL fluid increased in collagen vascular diseases(CVD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis(HP), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF), and miliary tuberculosis(Mil TBC) groups. 3) The percentage of lymphocytes increased in HP, IPF and Mil TBC groups. Macrophage percentages increased in HP, IPF, and Mil TBC groups. Neutrophil percentages were increased in CVD, HP, IPF and Mil TBC groups. Eosinophil percentages were increased in HP, IPF and Mil TBC groups. The numbers of each cells showed same findings as the percentages did. Conclusion: The analysis of cellular components of BAL fluid can predict the presence of alveolitis in many cases of ILDs. However, It was not helpful in differential diagnosis among ILDs.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.126-133
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• 2003

High-resolution shallow marine seismic surveys have been carried out for the resources exploration, engineering applications and Quaternary mapping. To improve the resolution of subsurface structure image, multichannel digital technique has been applied. The quality of the image depends on the vertical and horizontal resolution and signal to noise (S/N) ratio which are associated with the data acquisition parameters such as sample interval, common midpoint (CMP) interval and CMP fold. To understand the effect of the acquisition parameters, a test survey was carried out off Yeosu and the acquired data were analyzed. A 30 $in^3$ small air gun was used as a seismic source and 8 channel streamer cable with a 5 m group interval was used as a receiver. The data were digitally recorded with a shot interval of 2 s and sample interval of 0.1 ms. The acquired data were resampled with various sample intervals, CMP intervals and CMP folds. The resampled data were processed, plotted as seismic sections and compared each other. The analysis results show that thin bed structure with ${\~}1m$ thickness and ${\~}6^{\circ}$ slope can be imaged with good resolution and continuity and low noise using the acquisition parameters with a sample interval shorter than 0.2 ms, CMP interval shorter than 2.5 m and CMP fold more than 4. Because seismic resolution is associated with the acquisition parameters, the quality of the subsurface structure can be imaged successfully using suitable and optimum acquisition parameters.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.392-398
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• 2009

This study identified risk factors of cross-contamination of foodborne pathogens and established a good agricultural practice (GAP) system for an agricultural products processing center (APC) for perilla leaves. All samples were collected before and after a standard work shift at the APC, while perilla leaves were also collected after each step in the APC. In addition, the workers and their surroundings were sampled by swabbing. The total plate count (TPC) and coliform count in the water samples increased significantly (p<0.05) to 3.36 and 1.73 log CFU/mL after work, respectively. However, no Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes were detected. The bacterial populations of the workers and their surroundings did not differ significantly (p${\geq}$0.05) before and after work. However, Staphylococcus aureus (<1.66 log CFU) was detected at a high rate (13-50%) in the basket, packing table, gloves and cloth. Although perilla leaves passed through the washing steps, the TPC and coliform bacterial populations on the final products were higher (p${\geq}$0.05) than those of unwashed perilla leaves, which indicates that the washing system was not functioning properly. Accordingly, a GAP system with a better washing system should be employed at this facility.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.9-19
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• 2011

This study aimed to investigate the effect of night temperature on tomato and grafted watermelon seedlings, particularly, shoot height, leaf area, stem diameter, and total dry weight and relationship among the growth parameters which are used to evaluate healthy seedling. Plants were grown at 10, 15, and $20^{\circ}C$. Leaf area index (LAI) and total dry weight of tomato seedlings weight deceased more significantly under $10^{\circ}C$ than other night temperature regimes. In grafted watermelon seedlings, shoot height increased shapely and stem diameter decreased under $20^{\circ}C$. Increasing the integral temperature, leaf area of tomato seedlings under $10^{\circ}C$ decreased and shoot height of grafted watermelon seedlings increased although temperature integrals are same. The relationships among the growth parameter were changed upon the night temperature. Stem diameters of tomato seedlings had upward tendency with increase of shoot height, but there were no significant differences among night temperature regimes. Shoot hight of grafted watermelon seedlings had no relationship with shoot height. These results indicate that shoot height and stem diameter of tomato seedlings is not appropriate for assessing seedlings quality but shoot height of grafted watermelon seedlings with stem diameter is available.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.247-263
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to update the Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents (NQ-A), which is used to assess the overall dietary quality and food behavior among Korean adolescents. Methods: The first 30 candidate items of the measurable eating behavior checklist were obtained based on a previous NQ-A checklist, the results of the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, national nutrition policies and dietary guidelines, and literature reviews. A total of 100 middle and high school students residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province participated in a pilot study using the 25-item checklist. Factor analysis and frequency analysis were conducted to determine if the checklist items were organized properly and whether the responses to each item were distributed adequately, respectively. As a result, 22 checklist items were selected for the nationwide survey, which was applied to 1,000 adolescent subjects with stratified sampling from 6 metropolitan cities. The construct validity of the updated NQ-A 2021 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Twenty checklist items were determined for the final NQ-A 2021. The items were composed of three factors: balance (8 items), moderation (9 items), and practice (3 items). The standardized path coefficients were used as the weights of items to determine the nutrition quotients. NQ-A 2021 and 3-factor scores were calculated according to the weights of questionnaire items. The weight for each of the 3 factors was determined as follows: balance, 0.15; moderation, 0.30; and practice, 0.55. Conclusion: The updated NQ-A 2021 is a useful instrument for easily and quickly evaluating the dietary qualities and eating behaviors of Korean adolescents.