• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.77-93
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant social changes through government prevention and control measures, changes in people's risk perceptions, and lifestyle changes. In response, urban inhabitants changed their behaviors significantly, including their preferences for transportation modes and urban spaces in response to government quarantine policies and concerns over the potential risk of infection in urban spaces. These changes may have long-lasting effects on urban spaces beyond the COVID-19 pandemic or they may evolve and develop new forms. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential for urban spaces to adapt to the present and future pandemics by examining changes in urban residents' preferences in travel modes and urban space use due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study found that overall preferences for travel modes and urban spaces significantly differ between the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. During the pandemic, preferences for travel modes and urban spaces has decreased, except for privately owned vehicles and green spaces, which are perceived to be safe from transmission, show more favorable than others. Post-pandemic preferences for travel modes and urban spaces are less favorable than pre-pandemic with urban spaces being five times less favorable than transportation. Although green spaces and medical facilities that were positively perceived during the pandemic are expected to return to the pre-pandemic preference level, other factors of urban spaces are facing a new-normal. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on urban residents' preferences for travel modes and urban space use. Understanding these changes is crucial for developing strategies to adapt to present and future pandemics and improve urban resilience.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 2009

When the symptom of periapical infection is not released by mechanical instrumentation. anti-microbial agents including antibiosis become necessary in order to remove microorganisms from the root canal. Since anti-microbial agents of natural origins are currently popular, more natural remedies are being sought out. As it turns out, it is well known isothiocyanates (ITCs) in horseradish root extract have anti-microbial activity from many studies. In this research, anti-microbial effects of horseradish root extract and chlorhexidine, a typical anti-microbial agent, were investigated and compared against two kinds of obligate anaerobes. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella nigrescens, that are often discovered in infected root canal, and Clostridium perfringens, which is resistant to antibiotics and frequently used as a control strain for antibacterial studies 1. The MIC and MBC of horseradish root extract were ranged from 87 to 470 ppm and from 156 to 625 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. Horseradish root extract showed the strongest anti-bacterial activity (MBC, 156 ppm) against F. nucleatum and also showed anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic resistant obligate anaerobes. C. perfringens. 2. The MIC and MBC of chlorhexidine were ranged from 3.12 to 6.25 ppm and 10.94 ppm against three kinds of obligate anaerobes, respectively. 3. The MIC with 87-470 ppm of horseradish root exact has the same growth inhibiting effect as the one of 3.12-6.25 ppm of chlorhexidine. Likewise, the MBC with 156-625 ppm of horseradish has the similar bactericidal effect as 10.94 ppm of chlorhexidine.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.617-622
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• 2006

Purpose : High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) has been recognized as a very useful and sensitive predictor of the future risk of myocardial infarction. But the clinical significance of hs-CRP in children remains uncertain. To confirm the existence of obesity-induced vascular inflammation and the association between metabolic syndromes and elevation of CRP in children, we investigated the relationship among CRP, obesity, blood pressure(BP), and serum lipids in schoolboys. Methods : Twenty-eight obese(BMI $29.61{\pm}3.29kg/m^2$) and 93 non-obese(BMI $18.99{\pm}2.21kg/m^2$) boys aged 14 years were examined. Serum CRP levels was measured by the high sensitive latex turbidimetric immunoassay and subjects with CRP levels below 0.3 mg/dL were adopted to avoid the influence of acute infection. Results : Obese children had significantly higher hs-CRP levels than their non-obese group($0.104{\pm}0.075$ vs. $0.054{\pm}0.005mg/dL$). In the obese group, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, atherogenic index, and triglyceride were significantly higher than in nonobese. The BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein E, atherognic index, and triglyceride showed positive correlation with log CRP by simple regression. Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. Conclusion : This study revealed that obese children tended to have higher levels of serum hsCRP, BP elevation and dyslipidemia than the control group and that BMI and apolipoprotein E were strongly related to CRP. These results indicate that obesity related metabolic syndrome can be developed in children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.62-72
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• 1992

Background: T-cell mediated cellular immunity has been suggested as an important mechanism in mycobacterial infection and imbalance between helper/inducer and suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell has been suggested as an important immunological abnormality in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in human. Method: To determine whether there is any difference in T-cell mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis, total numbers of WBC&lymphocytes were counted and helper/inducer and suppressor/cytotoxic cells were calculated by flow cytometry. Blastogenesis after stimulation with Concanavalin-A, Phytohemagglutinin and PPD were measured by $^3H$-thymidine uptake. PPD skin test was performed as an in vivo test. Results: 1)There was no significant difference in the size of PPD skin test between pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis groups. 2)Number of total lymphocytes significantly decreased in tuberculosis patients compared with healthy control group. But there was no significant difference between pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis groups. 3) Number of HLA-DR and Interleukin-2 receptor (+) cells were significantly increased in tuberculosis patients. But there was no significant difference between pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis groups. 4) There was no significant difference in the numbers of WBC, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_8$ lymphocytes and $T_4/T_8$ ratio between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. 5) There was no significant difference in the blastogenesis after stimulation with specific and non-specific blastogens between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. 6) The percentage and absolute number of $T_4$ lymphocyte were significantly correlated with the size of PPD skin test. (r=0.689 and 0.598). Conclusion: From these results, it is concluded that there was no difference in T-cell mediated immunity between pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis group. But, because it is suspected that there might be some difference in the role of T-cell mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis or even among the extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients, further studies would be required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic feature of aseptic meningitis in Pohang city for 6 years from 1997 to 2002. Methods : We reviewed the clinical records of 1,839(1,138 male and 701 female) aseptic meningitis patients who had been admitted to 3 general hospitals in Pohang city from 1997 to 2002. Results : 1,750 cases(1,078 male and 672 female) were selected as aseptic meningitis by reviewing clinical records. The ratio of male to female was 1.6 : 1. Aseptic meningitis occured in children of all age groups, and the prevalent age group was different by year. The most common developed month was June(31.3%), and 84.2% of cases were focused from May to August. The time from the initial manifestation to hospital admission was $4.19{\pm}2.96$ (median 3 days). Conclusion : We were performed to investigate the epidemiologic feature of clinical records of Aseptic meningitis pediatric patients who had been admitted and treated to 3 General hospitals in Pohang city from 1997 to 2002. We have to keep up Our study for consideration of the basic of Aseptic meningitis epidemiology and long term control is necessary to prevention the impact of Aseptic meningitis because Aseptic meningitis pediatric patients were continuously recorded by Epidemiological annual report in Pohang city.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.966-971
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• 2003

Purpose : It is now well established that infection and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain damage. The loss of neutrophils from systemic circulation is an associated finding in injury mediated by granulocyte. Periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) caused by ischemia is the principal form of brain injury in premature infants. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the low neutrophil count is associated with periventricular leukomalacia(PVL) in premature infants. Methods : Retrospective review of medical records was undertaken. Subjects were premature infants with a birth weight of less than 1,500 gm, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kyungpook University Hospital. A complete blood count of peripheral blood was done within the 1st hour of life. Neutropenia was defined as absolute neutrophil count < $1,500/mm^3$, PVL as increased periventricular echodensities followed by cyst formation on ultrasonography or corresponding signs on brain MRI. Results : Thirteen infants out of a total population of 37 revealed neutropenia. Respiratory distress syndrome and requirement for respiratory support were not different between infants with neutropenia( neutropenia group) and infants without neutropenia(control group). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and grade 3 and 4 IVH were more frequent in neutropenia group(P<0.05). There was no statistically significant increase of PVL in neutropenia group. The neutrophil count was $18,760.0{\pm}10,266.1/mm^3$, $7,272.0{\pm}7,435.0/mm^3$ infants with PVL and $11,131.7{\pm}3,386.5/mm^3$, $2,407.5{\pm}1,933.1/mm^3$ in infants without PVL, respectively. The frequency of mechanical ventilation and artificial surfactant therapy was higher in infants with PVL compared with infants without PVL, but statistical analysis was not performed due to small number of subjects. Conclusion : A low number of neutrophils in the systemic circulation was not associated with an increased risk of PVL in premature infants.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1149-1157
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• 2017

Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation in our body. The use of medicinal plants has been widely applied as an alternative source for drug development. One of marine natural resources, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige sinicola ethanol extract (ISEE), was evaluated by using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell and mice model. As a result, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) were inhibited with increasing concentration of ISEE without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, ISEE suppressed the expression of not only inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner. In mice ear edema test, the formation of edema was reduced at the highest dosage of ISEE and the reduction of the number of infiltrated mast cells was observed in histological analysis. These results indicate that ISEE has a potent anti-inflammatory activity and can be used as a pharmaceutical material for many kinds of inflammatory disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2003

Purpose : Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and is elevated in patients with renal disease. Especially the patients with nephrotic syndrome exhibit excessively high Lp(a) plasma concentrations. Also the patients with end-stage renal disease have elevated Lp(a) levels. But the mechanism underlying this elevation is unclear. Thus, in this study, by measuring the level of serum Lp(a) in common renal diseases in children, we hoped to see whether there would be a change in Lp(a) in renal diseases other than nephrotic syndrome. Then, we figured out its implications, and looked for the factors that affect the Lp(a) concentrations. Methods : A total of 75 patients(34 patients with hematuria of unknown etiology, 10 with hematuria and hypercalciuria, 8 with IgA nephropathy, 8 with poststreptococcal glomerulone phritis, 3 with $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ nephritis, 7 with urinary tract infection, and 5 with or- thostatic proteinuria) were studied. The control group included 20 patients without renal and liver disease. Serum Lp(a), total protein, and albumin levels, 24-hour urine protein and calcium excretions, creatinine clearance and the number of RBCs and WBCs in the urinary sediment were evaluated. Data analysis was peformed using the Student t-test and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results : LP(a) was not correlated with 24-hour urine calcium and creatinine. Lp(a) level had a positive correlation with proteinuria and negative correlation with serum albumin and serum protein. Among the common renal diseases in children, Lp(a) was elevated only in orthostatic proteinuria (P<0.05). Conclusion : Lp(a) is correlated with proteinuria, serum protein, and serum albumin, but not with any kind of specific renal disease. Afterward, Lp(a) needs to be assessed in patients with orthostatic proteinuria and its possible role as a prognostic factor could be confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2022

Candidemia is a major cause of nosocomial infections resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. It remains a serious risk in inpatients and increases medical treatment costs. From 2009 to 2018, Candida strains (3,533) isolated from blood culture tests at the S Hospital were analyzed according to the period, year, sex, age, ward, etc. During the entire period, 54,739 of 717,996 blood culture tests showed a positive rate (7.6%) and the Candida isolation rate was 3,533 (6.4%) out of 1,036 patients. Among the Candida isolates, C. albicans was most common (33.8%), followed by C. tropicalis (28.6%), C. glabrata (19.8%), C. parapsilosis (7.8%), and C. krusei (4.0%). In early (2009~2013)/late (2014~2018) isolation, C. tropicalis decreased by 3.8% and C. glabrata increased by 3.4%. After 50 years of age, the higher the separation frequency. C. parapsilosis (31.3%) in 1~10s, C. tropicalis (30.3%) and C. glabrata (27.6%) in 41~50s, and C. tropicalis (28.6%) in 80s are relatively frequent. has been separated C. krusei was isolated in a relatively high proportion from females (60.9%). Therefore, a systematic and continuous nosocomial infection control system should be established for appropriate treatment as per antifungal treatment guidelines. The system should continuously monitor the distribution of Candida species and provide rapid identification results.