• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between clinical and quantitative sensory testing (QST) results among persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP), inflammatory dental pain, and control group subjects to identify discriminative clinical features for differential diagnosis. Methods: Thirty-three patients (5 PIDP-a without surgical procedures 10 PIDP-b with surgical procedures, 8 dental pain patients, and 10 controls) were evaluated for clinical features and QST results. Cold pain threshold, heat pain threshold, mechanical pain threshold (MPT), mechanical pain sensitivity, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were performed. Psychological factors were assessed using Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) and a chart review was conducted to evaluate additional discriminative clinical features such as pain quality and treatment prognosis. Results: The dental pain group had lower PPT than the PIDP-b and the control group. The PIDP-a group showed higher MPT and PPT than the PIDP-b and dental pain group but the difference was not statistically significant. Differences in SCL-90-R SOM (Somatization), O-C (obsessive-compulsive), ANX (anxiety), and PSY (Psychoticism) values were statistically significant among groups. PIDP-a and PIDP-b groups showed remaining symptoms after treatment and the pain tended to spread widely, whereas, in toothache patients, symptoms disappeared after treatment. However, factors that confound the diagnosis, such as an increase in pain during chewing and a decrease in the pain threshold at the affected site, could also be identified. Conclusions: PIDP and dental pain groups have distinct clinical symptoms, but there are also factors that cause confusing in diagnosis. Therefore, various clinical examination results should be carefully reviewed and comprehensively evaluated in the differential diagnosis process.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2021

Background: The National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology-National Institute of Radiological Sciences (QST-NIRS) has continuously investigated the undesired radiation exposure in ion beam radiotherapy mainly in carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT). This review introduces our investigations on the secondary neutron dose in CIRT with the broad and scanning beam methods. Materials and Methods: The neutron ambient dose equivalents in CIRT are evaluated based on rem meter (WENDI-II) measurements. The out-of-field organ doses assuming prostate cancer and pediatric brain tumor treatments are also evaluated through the Monte Carlo simulation. This evaluation of the out-of-field dose includes contributions from secondary neutrons and secondary charged particles. Results and Discussion: The measurements of the neutron ambient dose equivalents at a 90#x00B0; angle to the beam axis in CIRT with the broad beam method show that the neutron dose per treatment dose in CIRT is lower than that in proton radiotherapy (PRT). For the scanning beam with the energy scanning technique, the neutron dose per treatment dose in CIRT is lower than that in PRT. Moreover, the out-of-field organ doses in CIRT decreased with distance to the target and are less than the lower bound in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) shown in AAPM TG-158 (American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group). Conclusion: The evaluation of the out-of-field doses is important from the viewpoint of secondary cancer risk after radiotherapy. Secondary neutrons are the major source in CIRT, especially in the distant area from the target volume. However, the dose level in CIRT is similar or lower than that in PRT and IMRT, even if the contributions from all radiation species are included in the evaluation.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.428-439
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• 2015

Pepper anthracnose caused by Collectotrichum acutaum has been known as one of the most damaging diseases of pepper, which has reduced not only yield but also quality of pepper produce almost every year. This study was conducted to develop control strategy against pepper anthracnose by alternate application of agricultural organic materials and chemical fungicides. The alternate application effect of agricultural organic materials and chemical fungicides for controlling pepper anthracnose were examined in vitro and in the field. First, thirteen microbial agents and twenty two agricultural organic materials were screened for antifungal activity against C. acutatum through the dual culture method and bioassay. As a result, one microbial agent (Bacillus subtilis QST-713) and three agricultural organic materials (sulfur, bordeaux mixture, marine algae extracts) were found to show high inhibition effect against C. acutatum. In the field test, when Iminoctadine tris+thiram, a chemical fungicide for controlling pepper anthracnose, was sprayed, it reduced disease incidence by 89.5%. Meanwhile Sulfur, bordeaux mixture, copper, marine algae extracts and Bacillus subtilis QST-713 showed low disease incidence at the range of 33.1~81.0%. However, when Iminoctadine tris+thiram and agricultural organic materials(bordeaux mixture, marine algae extracts) were applied to pepper fruits alternately two times at 7 days interval, there was a 81.7 and 87.1% reduction in disease, respectively. Consequently, the alternate spray of chemical fungicide (Iminoctadine tris+thiram) and agricultural organic materials (bordeaux mixture, marine algae extracts) could be recommended as a control method to reduce the using amount of chemical fungicide.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.216-218
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• 2014

Lysobacter antibiocus HS124 is a chitinase-producing rhizobacterium with proven capacities to suppress plant diseases. Bacterial cultures of L. antibioticus HS124 showed strong biocontrol efficacies against various plant diseases compared to those of bacterial cultures of Bacillus subtilis QST713 which is an active ingredient of a commercial biopesticide, Serenade. Here, we report the draft genome sequence and automated annotation of strain HS124. This draft genome sequence indicates the novelty of L. antibiocus HS124 and a subset of gene functions that may be related to its biocontrol activities.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2011

Current Perception Threshold (CPT) using Neurometer($Neurometer^{(R)}$ CPT/C) is thought as one of easy and noninvasive QST(qunatitative sensory testing) tools for A${\beta}$, A${\delta}$ and C fibers within a relatively short time. However, conflicts about its reliability still exist. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of CPTs evaluation and find a way to increase its reliability. Two examiners separately tested CPTs at each side of the mandibluar nerve areas for ten healthy male adults (average age of 22.4 years) three times with an intervals of a week during three weeks. Mean CPTs were compared between the right and left sides of the mandibular nerve area and between the three examinations on the each side. While CPTs at 2000 Hz(A${\beta}$ fiber) showed statistically significant side differences in all three examinations (p<0.05), significant side difference was found in only one examination at 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber) and no difference at 5 Hz(C fiber). Comparing CPTs on the each side of the mandibular nerve area, all examinations at all sensory nerve fibers showed the least CPTs at the 1st examinations. CPTs at 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber) and 5 Hz(C fiber) were significantly different between the first and the following examinations (p<0.05) and there was no significant difference between 2nd and 3rd examinations. The results of this study indicated that CPTs at 250 Hz(A${\delta}$ fiber) and 5 Hz(C fiber) are reliable but CPTs at 2000 Hz(A${\beta}$ fiber) is not appropriate for evaluation of side differences in the mandibular nerve area. In addition, it is suggested that repeated examination be helpful to increase reliability of the CPT evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.385-396
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• 2011

This study was carried out to develop environmental friendly control for major diseases and pests on Boxthorn (Lycium chinense Mill.). Outbreak of Eighteen diseases and pests were found at the Boxthorn organic yards in Chung-nam province. Among them Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni de Cand.), Hypophyllous mold (Pseudocercospora chengtuensis (Tai)), Western flower trips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)), Green peach aphid (Myzus pericae (Sulzer)) and Corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) needed to be controled by environmental friendly methods for high fruit yield of organic Boxthorn. In summer(Jun) test Bacilus subtilis QST 713 wettable powder and Sulfur wettable powder were effective and in autumn (Sep.) test Sulfur, Copper hydroxide and Paraffinic oil were relatively effective in Powdery mildew. In Hypophyllous mold control test Paraffinic oil and Bacilus subtilis GB - 0365 were effective with above 70% control value. And it was possible to control Western flower trips by natural enemy (Orius laevigatus) by 80% control value. Corn earworm was possible to control by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai GB413 flowable and Bacillus thuringiensis aizawa 0423 wettable powder application above 70%. And Green peach aphid was controllable with environmental friendly materials, such as, Bacillus subtilis (Seoncho), Bacillus subtilis (Jinsami) above 80% and Ginkgo nut extract above 70% control value.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.429-446
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• 2006

Experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the seismic ductility of earthquake-experienced concrete columns with an aspect ratio of 2.5. Eight circular concrete columns with a diameter of 600 mm were constructed with three test parameters: confinement ratio, lap-splice of longitudinal bars, and retrofitting with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials. The objective of this research is to examine the seismic performance of RC bridge piers subjected to a Quasi static test (QST), which were preliminary tested under a series of artificial earthquake motions referred to as a Pseudo dynamic test (PDT). The seismic enhancement effect of FRP wrap was also investigated on these RC bridge piers. Six specimens were loaded to induce probable damage by four series of artificial earthquakes, which were developed to be compatible with earthquakes in the Korean peninsula by the Korea Highway Corporation (KHC). Directly after the PDT, six earthquake-experienced columns were subjected to inelastic cyclic loading under a constant axial load of $0.1{f_c}^{\prime}A_g$. Two other reference specimens without the PDT were also subjected to similar quasi-static loads. Test results showed that specimens pre-damaged by moderate artificial earthquakes generally demonstrated good residual seismic performance, which was similar to the corresponding reference specimen. Moreover, RC bridge specimens retrofitted with wrapping fiber composites in the potential plastic hinge region exhibited enhanced flexural ductility.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.273-280
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• 2016

Most biocontrol agents for plant diseases have been isolated from sources such as soils and plants. As an alternative source, we examined the feces of tertiary larvae of the herbivorous rhino beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma for presence of biocontrol-active microbes. The initial screen was performed to detect antifungal activity against two common fungal plant pathogens. The strain with strongest antifungal activity was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KB3. The inhibitory activity of this strain correlated with lipopeptide productions, including iturin A and surfactin. Production of these surfactants in the KB3 isolate varied with the culture phase and growth medium used. In planta biocontrol activities of cell-free culture filtrates of KB3 were similar to those of the commercial biocontrol agent, B. subtilis QST-713. These results support the presence of microbes with the potential to inhibit fungal growth, such as plant pathogens, in diverse ecological niches.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.442-448
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of neuro-feedback training and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on stress, quantitative sensory threshold and pain in patients suffering from tension type headache. Methods: 22 participants who passed the preliminary evaluation were enrolled in the study and 11 participants were randomly assigned to each group. The control group (n=11) was subject to the TENS treatment of which was composed of a 20-minute session for 5 times a week during 4 weeks, and the experimental group (n=11) was subject to both neuro feedback training and TENS treatment for 10 minutes a day and 5 days a week during 4 weeks. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure a level of stress and the quantitative sensory testing (QST) was used for the measurement of cold pain threshold (CPT) and heat pain threshold (HPT); A degree of pain was evaluated through the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6). Results: In comparision of all dependent variables between the control and subject groups, there were significant differences in stress, quantitative sensory threshold and pain after the treatment (p<0.05), and the experimental group showed significant differences in stress, CPT, HPT and pain (p<0.05) and the control group showed only a significant difference in HPT (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrate that the concomitant administration of the TENS treatment and neuro feedback training is effective on alleviation of stress, quantitative sensory threshold and pain in patients with tension type headache.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Background: The use of computed tomography (CT) device has increased in the past few decades in Japan. Dose optimization is strongly required in pediatric CT examinations, since there is concern that an unreasonably excessive medical radiation exposure might increase the risk of brain cancer and leukemia. To accelerate the process of dose optimization, continual assessment of the dose levels in actual hospitals and medical facilities is necessary. This study presents organ dose estimation using pediatric cerebral CT scans in the Kyushu region, Japan in 2012 and the web-based calculator, WAZA-ARI (https://waza-ari.nirs.qst.go.jp). Materials and Methods: We collected actual patient information and CT scan parameters from hospitals and medical facilities with more than 200 beds that perform pediatric CT in the Kyushu region, Japan through a questionnaire survey. To estimate the actual organ dose (brain dose, bone marrow dose, thyroid dose, lens dose), we divided the pediatric population into five age groups (0, 1, 5, 10, 15) based on body size, and inputted CT scan parameters into WAZA-ARI. Results and Discussion: Organ doses for each age group were obtained using WAZA-ARI. The brain dose, thyroid dose, and lens dose were the highest in the Age 0 group among the age groups, and the bone marrow and thyroid doses tended to decrease with increasing age groups. All organ doses showed differences among facilities, and this tendency was remarkable in the young group, especially in the Age 0 group. This study confirmed a difference of more than 10-fold in organ doses depending on the facility and CT scan parameters, even when the same CT device was used in the same age group. Conclusion: This study indicated that organ doses varied widely by age group, and also suggested that CT scan parameters are not optimized for children in some hospitals and medical facilities.