• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was undertaken in order to evaluate by work space zoning and structure the concentrations of biological contaminants in the indoor air of domestic office buildings. Methods: Air samples were collected in the office spaces of 15 office buildings in Seoul from June 28 to July 28, 2011. Prior to the sampling, each office was classified into 'open-plan office', 'cellular office' and 'mixed office' according to the work space zoning. To evaluate the biological contamination of indoor air, total suspended bacteria (TSB), Gram positive bacteria (GPB), Staphylococcus aureus (S.A), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Gram negative bacteria (GNB) and fungi were investigated. During the sampling, temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) were measured. Results: The TSB concentrations ($GM{\pm}GSD$) were $452({\pm}1.3)cfu/m^3$ in open-plan offices, $366({\pm}1.3)cfu/m^3$ in cellular offices and $287({\pm}1.5)cfu/m^3$ in mixed offices, and there were significant differences between the three groups (p<0.05). The highest concentrations ($GM{\pm}GSD$) of fungi were found in the indoor air of cellular offices $128({\pm}1.0)cfu/m^3$, which was at least three times higher than the concentrations in mixed offices $43({\pm}1.0)cfu/m^3$ (p<0.05). Conclusions: Microbiological contamination in the indoor air of office buildings by work space structure was the highest with the open-plan office layout which includes no high walls or doors separating the occupants.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.254-254
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• 1996

Eosinophils are known to be important effector cells in pathogenesis of asthma. The elucidation of mechanism by which eosinophil survival is regulated in vivo at sites of inflammation is critical tn our understanding of asthma pathogenesis. The maintenance of these cells at site of inflammation depends upon tile balance between its tendency to undergo apoptosis and tile local eosinophil-viability enhancing activity, Qualitative and quantative phenotypic differences have been observed between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood (PB) eosinophils (EOS). We hypothesize that BAL EOS Possess altered functional feature compared to PB EOS. BAL and PB EOS were obtained from ragweed allergic asthmatics after segmental antigen challenge (SAC) at 24 hour or one week, and purified over percoll and CDl6 negative selection. Cells were cultured in duplicate in RPMI, 15% FCS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin without exogenous cytokines. Eosinophil purity and viability was >92%. BAL. EOS viability was 69${\pm}$4.4% versus 39${\pm}$1.6% for PB EOS (p<0.005) at 48 hour time point, and this difference was maintained through day 5 (32${\pm}$7.6% vs. 3.0${\pm}$ 1.4%, p<0.05), Among BAL EOS, those harvested one week after SAC appeared to have an prolonged survival compared to those harvested at 24 hour. Coculture of BAL and PB EOS resulted in significant viability enhancement than expecteed. Direct neutralization of GM-CSF activity, not IL-3 and EL-5, markedly decreased tile survival of BAL EOS in culture, and abrogated tile viability enhancing activity of their culture supernatants in a dose dependent manner. We conclude that BAL EOS activated in vivo possess enhanced viability compared to PB EOS. Mixing and neutralization experiments suggest a role for autocrine production of GM-CSF.

• Atmosphere
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2007

Simulation results of Asian Dust Aerosol Model (ADAM) for the period of April 7-9, 2006 were analyzed, comparing with observed PM10 data. ADAM simulated around ten times lower than on-site PM10 concentration in the source regions: Zhurihe, Tongliao, Yushe, Dalian and Huimin. As the result of this low concentration, transported amounts of Asian Dust were under-estimated as well. In order to quantify a forecasting accuracy, Bias and RMSE were calculated. Even though remarkably negative Biases and high RMSEs were observed, ADAM simulation had followed well up the time of dust outbreak and a transported path. However, the emission process to generate dust from source regions requires a great enhancement. The PM10 concentration at the surface reached up to $2,300{\mu}gm^{-3}$ at Baeknyoungdo and Seoul (Mt. Gwanak), up to $1,750{\mu}gm^{-3}$ at KGAWO about 18:00 LST in April 8, respectively; however, ADAM did not simulate the same result on its second peak. It is considered that traveling Asian dust might have been lagged over the Korean peninsula by the blocking of surface high pressure. Moreover, the current RDAPS's 30 km grid resolution (which ADAM adopts as the meteorological input data) might not adequately represent small-scale atmospheric motions below planetary boundary layer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2011

Purpose: We studied the differences in the antibiotic susceptibilities of the microorganisms that causeing urinary tract infections (UTI) in children to obtain useful information on appropriate drug selection for childhood UTI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the antibiotic susceptibilities of 429 microorganisms isolated from 900 patients diagnosed with UTI in the Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University Hospital, from 2003 to 2008. Results: The most common causative microorganisms for UTI were Escherichia coli (81.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.4%), Enterobacter spp. (1.7%), and Proteus spp. (0.4%). E. coli showed relatively high susceptibility as compared to imipenem (100%), amikacin (97.7%), aztreonam (97.9%), cefepime (97.7%), and ceftriaxone (97.1%), while it showed relatively low susceptibility to gentamicin (GM) (79.0%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (68.7%), ampicillin/sulbactam (33.0%), and ampicillin (AMP) (28.6%). There were no significant differences in the image findings for causative microorganisms. Conclusion: Gram-negative organisms showed high susceptibility to amikacin and third-generation cephalosporins, and low susceptibility to AMP, GM, and TMP/SMX. Therefore, the use of AMP or TMP/SMX as the first choice in empirical and prophylactic treatment of childhood UTI in Korea should be reconsidered and investigated further.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.330-336
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• 2012

Purpose: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity ($FEF_{25-75}$) are not included in routine monitoring of asthma control. We observed changes in FeNO level and $FEF_{25-75}$ after FeNO-based treatment with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in children with controlled asthma (CA). Methods: We recruited 148 children with asthma (age, 8 to 16 years) who had maintained asthma control and normal forced expiratory volume in the first second ($FEV_1$) without control medication for ${\geq}3$ months. Patients with FeNO levels >25 ppb were allocated to the ICS-treated (FeNO-based management) or untreated group (guideline-based management). Changes in spirometric values and FeNO levels from baseline were evaluated after 6 weeks. Results: Ninety-three patients had FeNO levels >25 ppb. These patients had lower $FEF_{25-75}$ % predicted values than those with FeNO levels ${\leq}25$ ppb (P<0.01). After 6 weeks, the geometric mean (GM) FeNO level in the ICS-treated group was 45% lower than the baseline value, and the mean percent increase in $FEF_{25-75}$ was 18.7% which was greater than that in other spirometric values. There was a negative correlation between percent changes in $FEF_{25-75}$ and FeNO (r=-0.368, P=0.001). In contrast, the GM FeNO and spirometric values were not significantly different from the baseline values in the untreated group. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory treatment simultaneously improved the FeNO levels and $FEF_{25-75}$ in CA patients when their FeNO levels were >25 ppb.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1975

Cardiac performances were analyzed in intact turtle heart(Amyda japonica), perfusing with turtle Ringer-Locke's solution containing various hydrogen ion concentration, at several levels of arterial and venous pressure. 1. Ventricular work increased when venous pressure, or venous filling pressure increased, and also increased when arterial pressure increased. 2. The higher the arterial pressure, the lower the cardiac to output, for arterial pressure is the resistance to the ventricular blood flow. On the other hand, in specific arterial pressure, cardiac output was proportional to the venous filling pressure. 3. Heart rates did not change significantly during the perfusion with Ringel· solution of various pH. 4. In the heart Perfused with Ringer solution of various pH, ventricular work was the highest at PH 7.6 (at 6 $cmH_2O$ arterial pressure and 8 $cmH_2O$ venous pressure, the ventricular work was 63.09m$\cdot$cm). However, within the range of pH $7.1{\sim}7.6$, there were no significant changes in cardiac output and ventricular work. Below the level of pH 7.0, ventricular work decreased to less than 56% of maximium value (at $6cmH_2O$ arterial pressure and $8cmH_2O$ venous Pressure, ventricular work was 36.0$gm{\cdot}$ at pH 7.0). At pH 7.7 ventricular work decreased to less than 48% of maximum value (ventricular work: 30.0 $gm{\cdot}$). The nature of the cardiac performance at the various arterial and venous pressures was similar to that of normal heart. 5. Turtle heart seemed to be relatively insensitive to acid-base disturbances. The mechanism of negative inotropic effect of hydrogen ion was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.827-841
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• 2019

The effect of genetically engineered rice Bt-9 on the diversity and abundance of plant-dwelling insects and spiders was tested under field conditions. Genetically engineered rice Bt-9, expressing mCry1Ac1 from Bacillus thuringiensis, confers resistance to rice leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and provides tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate (PPT). The study compared Bt-9 and two non-GM reference varieties, Ilmi-byeo and Dongjin-byeo, at LMO isolated fields in Gunwi (Kyungpook National University) and Jeonju (National Institute Agricultural Sciences) in Southern Korea in 2016 - 2017. A total of 40,817 individuals from 62 families and 11 orders were collected from the two living modified organism (LMO) isolated fields. From the three types of rice fields, a total of 13,982, 14,105, and 12,730 individuals from the Bt-9, Ilmi-byeo and Dongjin-byeo were collected, respectively. Throughout the study, the analysis of variance indicated no significant differences (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the abundance and diversity of plant dwelling insects were similar. The data on insect species population densities were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), which did not distinguish among the three varieties, Bt-9 and the non-GM, reference cultivars, during the cultivation years. However, the results of the PCA analysis were completely divided into four groups based on the yearly survey areas. Therefore, there was no evidence for a negative impact of Bt-9 on the above-ground insects and spiders.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2009

Porphyromonas gingivalis, the gram-negative anaerobic oral bacterium, initiates periodontal disease by binding to saliva-coated oral surface. The cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) genetically linked to FimA1 (1-200 aa) or FimA2 (201-337 aa) of the P. gingivalis fimbrial antigen were introduced into Solanum tuberosum cells by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. The integration of CTB-FimA1 or CTB-FimA2 fusion genes were confirmed in the chromosome of transformed leaves by genomic DNA PCR amplification method. Synthesis and assembly of the CTB-FimA fusion proteins into oligomeric structures with pentamer size was detected in transformed tuber extracts by immunoblot analysis. The binding activities of CTB-FimA fusion proteins to intestinal epithelial cell membrane receptors were confirmed by GM1-ganglioside enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (GM1-ELISA). The ELISA showed that the expression levels of the CTB-FimA1 or CTB-FimA2 fusion proteins were 0.0019, 0.002% of the total soluble protein in transgenic tuber tissues, respectively The synthesis of CTB-FimA monomers and their assembly into biologically active oligomers in transformed potato tuber tissues demonstrates the feasibility of using edible plants for the production of enterocyte targeted fimbrial antigens that could elicit mucosal immune responses.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.174-179
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• 1986

Augmentin is a formulation of amoxycillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate, a fused beta-lactam molecule produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus. Most clinically important resistance is due to the production by bacteria of antibiotic destroying enzymes. In the case of penicillins and cephalosporins these enzymes are termed beta-lactamase as they destroy the beta-lectern ring of these antibiotics, completely inactivating them. The presence of clavulanic acid extends the spectrum of amoxycillin to include bet On clinical study of the intravenous Augmentin in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical cases, we selected randomly 30 patients, 21 male and 9 female, age from 13 to 72, in the period from April to December 1985. Among the total 30 patients, 22 were preoperatively infected [11 thoracic empyema, 5 lobar pneumonia, 2 lung abscess, 2 bronchiectasis, one acute pyelonephritis with ureter stone and one rheumatic carditis], and 8 were not infected preoperatively [Table 1, 2]. Of the preoperatively infected group, 11 cases [50%] were culture positive [4 staphylococcus, 3 pseudomonas, 2 Serratia group, and one E. coli], and preoperatively non-infected group [8 cases] revealed expectedly negative findings on bacterial culture. All of the culture positive bacteria were sensitive to Augmentin on disc culture sensitivity test except one case of E. coli. Daily doses of intravenous Augmentin were 2.-1-6.0gm divided in 2-5 injections. Every injection administered [1.2gm at Augmentin dissolved in 20ml distilled water] slowly for more than 20 minutes. Duration of injection was variable according to the clinical conditions from minimum 5 to maximum 31 days. The results of antibiotic treatment with Augmentin and some other antibiotic combinations pre- and postoperatively were subgrouped as EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, and FAILURE. Clinical criteria of the therapeutic result were symptomatic, objective and laboratory improvement. 8 cases were excellent, 13 effective, and one failure among the preoperatively infected group, and all 8 cases of the preoperatively non-infected group were effective as pro;hylactive antibiotic therapy. Overall effective ratio was 97% in both subgroup. There was no side effect clinically and laboratory study including liver and kidney function test during and after the I.V. administration of Augmentin. Oral swallow tablets which were administered after discharge from hospital also revealed good effects with some degree of gastrointestinal trouble.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 1981

A total of 250 enteric bacteria (148 Escherichia coli, 41 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 46 Enterobacter spp. and 15 Proteus spp.) isolated from bovine udder infections in 1979 through 1980 were examined for drug resistance and prevalence of R. plasmids. The drug tested were streptomycin (SM), kanamycin (KM), ampicillin (AP), chloramphenicol (CP), tetracycline (TC), gentamicin (GM), oxolinic acid (OA) and nalidixic acid (NA). The detection of R. plasmids was performed with Escherichia coli ML 1410 NAr as the recipient. Of the 148 Escherichia coli isolated, 68(45.9%) were found to be resistant to one or more drugs tested, and about 50% of the resistant strains were multiply resistant. of the 68 drugresistant strains, 13(19.1%) were found to carry R. plasmids which were capable of performing a conjugal transfer. CP resistance was transfered together with the other resistance. Of 41 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated, 90.2% were resistant to the drugs, alone or in combination thereof. Strains resistant to AP and TC were 63.4%, and 48.8%, respectively. R. plasmids were detected in 78.4% of the drug-resistant strains, and these strains transfered all or a part of their drug resistance pattern. AP and CP resistance were transfered in 100% of AP and CP-resistant strains. Eleven (37.9%) of 29 R. plasmids showed a thermosensitive transfer. Of the 46 strains of Enterobacter spp. isolated, 37(80.4%) were resistant to the drugs tested. A high percentage of resistance was noted for AP(65.2%). All strains resistant to four or more drugs transferred their resistances to Escherichia coli ML 1410, but strains resistant to three or fewer drugs did not transfer the resistances. All of the 15 Proteus strains isolated were resistant to more than two drugs. of them, 6 were quadruple resistance to SM, KM, CP and TC, and 9 were double one to AP and TC. Three (20.0%) of the drug-resistant isolates had R.plasmids conferring AP and TC resistance. GM, OA and NA of the drugs tested were very active to all of 250 Gram-negative enteric bacteria isolated from bovine udder infections.