• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

In December 2019, the first coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) patient was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, the number of patients who suffered severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV) has increased dramatically in Korea. This new variant virus induces pulmonary diseases, including cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, and pneumonia. Because SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19. As the Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC) and Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) approved emergency use authorization, clinical specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and even healthy people have been clinically diagnosed by laboratory medicine. Based on a literature search, this paper reviews the epidemiology, symptoms, molecular diagnostics approved by KCDC, a current diagnosis of COVID-19 in the laboratories, the difference between molecular and serological diagnosis, and guidelines for clinical specimens. In addition, the Korean guidelines of biosafety for clinical laboratory scientists are evaluated to prevent healthcare-associated infection. The author's experience and lessons as clinical laboratory scientists will provide valuable insights to protect the domestic and international health community in this COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.219-229
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• 2017

Forest road is an essential infrastructure for forest management such as the composition and management of forest resources, timber and forest byproduct production & transportation. It has recently been utilized forest recreation and forest sports as well as also forest pest control, forest fire prevention and evolution. When you build a forest road, the economic function in the forest is activated, so that it can result in the ripple effect of induced employment, value-added creation and production inducement. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact caused by forest road construction occurring as the overall economy. For analysis it was applied to inter industry analysis method that is a method for analyzing the quantitative cross-correlation. The data were used in the Input-Output Tables In 2014, the Bank of Korea. When you build a forest road, economic effect due to the construction of the forest road is generated and economic effects are also generated due to the increase in the production of forest products after the construction of the forest road. Therefore, we will analyze the economic impact of the two effects. The estimated economic value of forest products, which is the economic effect of forest product cultivation, was calculated through some assumptions and the economic ripple effect was analyzed. The forest road construction sector is defined as land clearing and reclamation, and irrigation project construction and the forestry forest products sector is defined as the sum of raw timber, edible forest products and misc. forest products. In total, 32 sectors were classified, and except for the two sectors defined as forest road construction and forestry forest products, the remaining sectors were integrated according to the classification system of 30 integrated classifications of the Bank of Korea. As a result, the production inducement coefficient for forest construction was analyzed to be 2.767 and the production inducement coefficient for forestry forest products was analyzed to be 1.565. This means that 2,767 times the production of forest road construction investment is induced in the whole industry and the production of 1.562 times the amount of forestry forest products is caused by the whole industry as the production of forestry forest products increases. The value added inducement coefficient for forest road construction was 0.977 and the value added inducement coefficient for forestry forest products was 0.985. Forest road are essential infrastructure for forestry development and should be continuously invested because they are essential elements of timber production and forest byproduct production with functions such as forest management, forest recreation, forest sports, and town connection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1378-1384
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• 2005

Purpose : We hypothesized dexrazoxane(DXR) and pentoxifylline(PTX) may prevent myocardial damage in adriamycin(ADR)-induced cardiomyopathic rat model. We also investigated their effects on the myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis in ADR induced cardiomyopathy. Methods : The six-week old female Spregue-Dawley rats were divided into control group(CNT, n=4), ADR group(n=6), ADR+DXR group(DXR, n=5), ADR+PTX group(PTX, n=6), ADR+DXR+PTX group(DXPT, n=5). ADR(5 mg/week, twice) was administrated intravenously to rats except CNT group to induce cardiomyopathy. The PTX(50 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from day-0 to Day-21. The DXR(100 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes before each ADR injection. On day 21, the rats were sacrificed and the degree of histopathologic changes of hypercontraction band necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolar change and fibrosis were scored. Immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2 expression and RT-PCR for $TNF-{\alpha}$ and CTGF were performed. Results : Histopathological scores of myocardial damage were significantly higher in ADR rats than CNT rats(P<0.05), and significantly lower in DXPT rats than ADR rats(P<0.01). Myocardial fibrosis was prevented in both PTX rats and DXPT rats. The expression of Bcl-2 was weaker in ADR rats than that in CNT rats(P<0.05), and stronger in both DXR and DXPT rats than that in ADR rats (P<0.05). $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration of ADR rats was not different from that of treated groups. Conclusion : DXR prevented myocyte apoptosis with increased Bcl-2 expression, and PTX prevented myocardial fibrosis in ADR induced cardiomyopathic rats. The combination therapy of DXR and PTX showed prevention of cardiomyopathy in ADR induced cardiomyopathy rat model.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of obesity on the expression of autophagy-related proteins in cardiac muscle. To this end, obesity was induced in rats through 20 weeks of high-fat diet, and the animals were then subjected to 8 weeks of treadmill exercise. Subsequently, the expression of proteins that regulate the induction of autophagy, formation of autophagosome, and fusion of autophagosome and lysosome was confirmed. Obesity was induced in the experimental animals (SD rats) through 20 weeks of high-fat diet (carbohydrate: 20%, fat: 60%, and protein: 20%), and they were subsequently subjected to 8 weeks of treadmill exercise (5 days/week, 30 min/day, 5 minutes; 8m/min, 5 minutes; 11m/min, 20 minutes; 14m/min). The experimental groups comprised the normal diet control group (ND-CON, n=10), high-fat diet comparison group (HFD-CON, n=10), and high-fat exercise group (HFD-TE, n=10). Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted before and after 8 weeks of treadmill exercise, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Through fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels, HOMA-IR, which is an index of insulin resistance, and abdominal visceral fat/body weight (AVF/BW) were calculated for comparison. Moreover, autophagy-related proteins were analyzed from cardiac tissue to investigate the effects of exercise training. Obesity was successfully induced in the HFD-CON group through long-term high-fat diet, and the HFD-CON group had higher body weight, AUC, HOMA-IR, and AVF/BW compared to the ND-CON group. The HFD-TE group, which underwent 8 weeks of treadmill exercise, showed improvements in AUC, HOMA-IR, and AVF/BW. Although the body weight tended to decrease as well, there was no statistically significant difference. mTOR and AMPK, which are involved in the induction of autophagy, both decreased in obesity but increased upon exercise. Beclin-1, BNIP3, ATG-7, p62, and LC3, which are related to the formation of autophagosomes, all increased in obesity and decreased after exercise. Cathepsin L and LAMP2, which regulate the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome, both decreased in obesity and increased upon exercise. Physical activity, including treadmill exercise, was found to induce normal autophagy and improve pathological phenomena observed in metabolic diseases. Therefore, the findings suggest the need to consider treadmill exercise as a primary means to achieve effective prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.685-693
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• 2011

Objectives : Five years have passed since the departments of dental hygiene with four-year term released their graduates. It is necessary to investigate concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction in dental hygienists according to graduation term. Accordingly, a survey on concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction in dental hygienists according to graduation term was conducted to obtain a basis necessary for providing right job consciousness to students of departments of dental hygiene. Methods : Of departments of dental hygiene nationwide, a total of four departments consisting of two departments with 3-year term and two departments with 4-year term were randomly selected. Of 683 graduates for 2006-10 of the selected departments, 163 graduates who agreed to participate in this study through telephone and e-mail were chosen as subjects. The data of 159 graduates were analyzed except for 4 graduates who did not respond to job satisfaction. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 17 questions: 5 general questions such as graduation term, and current job and salary, 2 questions for desired career at the time of entrance and graduation, and 10 questions for the satisfaction of current job and working environments. Concordance between the desired career at the time of entrance and graduation and current job was calculated using Kappa-value. A cross analysis was conducted to investigate job satisfaction according to general features and graduation term. A statistical significance was examined using $X^2$-test (p<0.05). Results : The Kappa-value for concordance between the desired career at the time of graduation and the current job was 0.288, showing slightly low concordance. In particular, the Kappa-value was 0.089 in the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 3-year term, which showed significantly low concordance. The job satisfaction of the graduates was 49.1%, which was higher in the graduates with 4-year term than in the graduates with 3-year term, but was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The detailed job satisfaction was all higher in the graduates with 4-year term than in the graduates with 3-year term except for distance to a working place, but a statistical significance was only found in working place recognition and regional status (p<0.05 ). Conclusions : This study showed differences in concordance between desired career and current job and job satisfaction between the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 3-year term and the graduates of departments of dental hygiene with 4-year term. Therefore, the curriculum of department of dental hygiene is required to be more specifically applied in accordance with graduation term. In addition, a further study is required to develop specialized curriculums in accordance with graduation term.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.224-232
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• 2010

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing globally and growing evidence has shown that dietary factors play an important role in preventing and improving prognosis of HF. However, little data on nutrient intake in Korean HF patients which are available to develop dietary guidelines for HF. The aims of this study were to estimate nutrient intake in 78 HF patients and evaluate whether the estimated nutrient intake is appropriate compared to dietary reference intake for Koreans. Data are presented as the ratio of actual intake and estimated average requirement (EAR) for each nutrient. The result showed that the average nutrient intakes including total energy and protein met EAR in total patients. However, the deficiencies in mineral and vitamin intakes were found. Moreover, the proportion of subjects with lower intake than EAR was substantial. The results showed that the proportion of male HF patients with inferior intakes to EAR in calcium, potassium (compared to adequate intake: AI), folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ were 38%, 79%, 38%, and 65%, respectively. Also, the proportion of female HF patients with inferior intakes to EAR in calcium, potassium (compared to AI), folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ were 35%, 88%, 38% and 40%, respectively. In particular, the elderly with HF ($\geq$ 70 yrs, n = 28) showed more serious deficiencies in calcium, potassium (compared to AI), folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. In summary, the intakes of potassium, calcium, folate, and vitamin B12 were not sufficient to meet EAR in HF patients. Furthermore, the proportions of subjects with lower intake than EAR in these nutrients were substantial, raising the possibility that these micronutrients may be involved in the pathogenesis of HF. Practical dietary guideline for HF patients is needed to improve prognosis of HF.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1993

The potential of fumagillin dicyclohexylamine salt to treat and prevent intestinal giant-cystic disease in Israel carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus, was monitored in field experimental studies. In experiment 1 (therapeutic), most fish were already naturally infected with more advanced stage of Relohqnellu: kitnuet. Fumagillin was administered to ash (mean body weiht of 830 g for a Penod of one month at a dose of 10.62 mg in the first group and 5.3 mg in the second group per fi sh per day. In experiment 2 (fprophylactlcl), most flesh also were already naturally infected with an early developmental stage of the protozoa and fish (average body weight of 484 g) were administered fumagillln for 45 days at a dose of 3.95 mg per fish per day. In both experiments, the cumulative mortalities of fish and the extrusion rates of the polar filaments of the spores were significantly decreased in a dose-independent fashion. In experiment 2 no dead fish were observed. No adverse side effects of the drug were observed among fish from any dosage group. In experiment 2, an oval or dot-like concave lesion of most cysts developed at the 7th day and the vegetative form was never observed at the 17th day postmedication and the cysts were grossly reduced in size as compared with the control group, beginning at the 24th day until the end of the study. In contrast, it was scarcely effective to the cysts in experiment 1. Taking the seasonal development of the protozoa into consideration, the above results revealed that oral administration of fumagillin at 3.95 mg/500 g body weight/day for a month Is the optimal dose for the treatment and prevention of thelohanellosls caused by T kitnuei among C. carpio nudus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1384-1392
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• 2015

Sagantang (SGT), a Korean multiherb formula comprising six medicinal herbs, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Poria cocos Wolf, Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komarov, and Artractylodes japonica Koidzumi, was recorded in “Dongeuibogam.” The present study investigated the anticancer potential of SGT in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. The results indicated that SGT treatment significantly inhibited the growth and viability of AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, in addition to chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, and the accumulation of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by the SGT treatment was associated with up-regulation of Fas protein expression, truncation of Bid, and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. The SGT treatment also effectively induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8, and -9) and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor significantly blocked the SGT-induced apoptosis and growth suppression in AGS cells. This study suggests that SGT induces caspase-dependent apoptosis through an extrinsic pathway by upregulating Fas, as well as through an intrinsic pathway by modulating Bcl-2 family members in AGS cells. The results suggest that SGT may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human gastric cancer cells. However, further studies will be needed to confirm the potential of SGT in cancer prevention and therapy in an in vivo model and to identify biological active compounds of SGT.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2001

Two attenuated Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV that had been selected from CMV isolates associated with satellite RNA (satRNA) were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper plants. The viruses selected as attenuated strains appeared to be identical serologically and physically to the challenge virus (Mf-CMV), but they were lower in the dilution end-point of infectivity of crude sap than Mf-CMV When symptoms were observed in several indicator plants after inoculation, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were symptomless or showed mild mosaic symptoms while another satRNA isolate Ap-CMV developed severe mosaic symptoms on the leaves as Mf-CMV. The nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs were determined by sequencing full-length cDNA clones. Paf-, Rs2- and Ap-satRNAs were 386, 335, and 347 nucleotides long, respectively, The sequences were then compared with the other known Y-satRNA, revealing that nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs consisted of 5'- and 3'-terminal conserved regions. However variations occurred on the middle regions of the sequences, especially those related to symptom interference, showing significant differences between Paf-satRNA and other isolates. Infectious transcripts of Paf-satRNA and Rs2-satRNA induced mild mosaic symptoms in pepper plants when supported by genomic RNAs of Mf-CMV. Under greenhouse conditions, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv, Xanthi nc) plants against Mf-CMV. No symptoms were developed on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV until 3 weeks after inoculation with the virulent strain; however another attenuated isolate, Rs2-CMV, showed less effectiveness in cross-protection. Depending on the concentration of the challenged virus, symptoms sometimes appeared later in the upper leaves. However, in plants challenged with low concentrations (below 0.2 mg/ml) of the challenge inoculum, symptoms caused by the virulent strain did not develop on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV. In the field experiments, the number of pepper plants with severe mosaic symptoms in the control plots was progressively increased after transplanting and reached approximately 50% after 50 days. On the other hand, the incidence of mosaic disease appeared very low on the plants that had received the protective inoculation with Paf-CMV.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2007

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases are known to show different patterns of incidence among regions and races. Therefore, it is very important to determine the incidence pattern of a specific area in order to diagnose, treat and prevent cerebrovascular diseases. The objective of the present study is to analyze quantitatively the incidence ratios of hemorrhagic and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases by season, by gender and by age. Methods: The subjects of this study were 1603 patients hospitalized for hemorrhagic or ischemic cerebrovascular diseases at the Department of Neurosurgery or the Department of Neurology of a University Hospital. Statistical analysis of data used Excel 2003 of Microsoft, and t-test was conducted using ORIGIN 6.0 of MICROCAL. Results: In the subjects, the incidence ratios of hemorrhagic and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases for four years, the period of this research, were 38.55% and 61.45%, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of age when hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases occurred were 58.20 and 12.60, respectively, and the percentages of subjects in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s were all around 20%. On the contrary, the mean and standard deviation of age when ischemic cerebrovascular diseases occurred were 65.01 and 13.59, respectively. The average age of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases was older than that of patients with hemorrhagic brain diseases, and the percentages of those in their 60s, 70s and 80s were 15.53%, 37.06% and 27.72%, respectively. The season when hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases appeared most frequently was winter, which was followed by summer, spring and autumn. The season when hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases appeared most frequently was spring, which was followed by summer, winter and autumn. Conclusions: In this study, the incidence rates of hemorrhagic and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases were 38.55% and 61.45%, showing the rising percentage of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. For making adequate prevention and disease control plans, it is considered necessary to make a long-term epidemiological investigation of cerebrovascular diseases.