• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to investigate knowledge of and compliance with the multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection control guidelines among student nurses on clinical practicum, Methods: survey questionnaire on MORO infection control was administered to a convenience sample of 259 nursing students from 3 different nursing schools Results: The mean knowledge score was 28.01/39 (71.82%). The percentages of correct answers for basic concepts, route of transmission, hand washing/ protective devices and environment management, were 55.40, 81.14, 84.94 and 69.17 respectively. The mean compliance score was 3.83/5. The compliance scores for education, communication, contact precaution, environment management, and hand washing were 3.06, 3.33, 3.86, 4.50, 3.92 and 4.29 respectively. 96.9% of subjects knew that they should wash hands after touching MORO patient while only 22.8% of subjects knew how to collect samples for VRE surveillance culture, The highest compliant item was hand washing after touching MORO patient. The Lo-west compliant item was referring to infection control manual. Conclusion: Comprehensive MDRO infection control education programs for nursing students should be developed to decrease MORO infection.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2016

Chronic/cyclic neutropenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome, Papillon-$Lef{\grave{e}}vre$ syndrome, and $Ch{\grave{e}}diak$-Higashi syndrome are associated with severe periodontitis, suggesting the importance of neutrophils in the maintenance of periodontal health. Various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands are known to stimulate neutrophil function, including FcR-mediated phagocytosis. In the present study, the effect of TLR2 activation on the non-opsonic phagocytosis of oral bacteria and concomitant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human neutrophils was evaluated. Neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with Streptococcus sanguinis or Porphyromonas gingivalis in the presence of various concentrations of $Pam_3CSK_4$, a synthetic TLR2 ligand, and analyzed for phagocytosis and ROS production by flow cytometry and chemiluminescence, respectively. $Pam_3CSK_4$ significantly increased the phagocytosis of both bacterial species in a dose-dependent manner. However, the enhancing effect was greater for S. sanguinis than for P. gingivalis. $Pam_3CSK_4$ alone induced ROS production in neutrophils and also increased concomitant ROS production induced by bacteria. Interestingly, incubation with P. gingivalis and $Pam_3CSK_4$ decreased the amounts of ROS, as compared to $Pam_3CSK_4$ alone, indicating the possibility that P. gingivalis survives within neutrophils. However, neutrophils efficiently killed phagocytosed bacteria of both species despite the absence of $Pam_3CSK_4$. Although P. gingivalis is poorly phagocytosed even by the TLR2-activated neutrophils, TLR2 activation of neutrophils may help to reduce the colonization of P. gingivalis by efficiently eliminating S. sanguinis, an early colonizer, in subgingival biofilm.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

The Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Makino (Cactus) is a tropical or subtropical plant, which is cultivated or grows naturally in Jeju island. It has been widely used as folk medicine for burned wound, edema and indigestion. In addition, its extract has been claimed to have several biological activities including anti-inflammation in oriental medicine. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Makino. The extract showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotics resistant bacteria (MRSA, R-P. aeruginosa, VRE) and Propionibacterium acnes, yeast, and fungi. The extract retained the activity after heat treatment for 15 min at $100^{\circ}C$ and $121^{\circ}C$ and after extended storage, up to 10 weeks storage period at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, also stably retained its activity. It showed a better inhibitoring effect to the growth of E. coli than sodium benzoate did it at the same concentration. Addition of various salts or metal ions did not affect on its antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the antimicrobial characteristics of the extract can be applicable as a natural preservative and an antimicrobial agent for bacterial disease.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2007

A total of 1,780 isolates of Enterococcus spp. were isolated from 63,133 clinical specimens from Dec 1, 2005 to Nov 1, 2006 in "C" hospital. Isolation frequencies of Enterococcus spp. were 50.9% for E. faecalis, 41.7% for E. faecium, and 7.4% for other Enterococcus spp. containing E. avium, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, E. durans, E. hirae, and E. raffinosus. There were no significant difference between gender, but according to the age group analysis, Enterococcus spp. were more frequently isolated in patients over 50 years old (20.0~24.6%) than those isolated from the patients under the age of 0~49 (1.3~9.4%). In monthly analysis, Enterococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated in April (11.9%), but presented at lowest frequency in February (5.2%). Seasonal analysis did not show a significant difference. Over half of enterococci were isolated from random urine (44.9%) and catherterized urine (15.7%). Frequencies of vancomycin resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium were 0.1% and 31.0%, respectively. Teicoplanin resistant Enterococcus was 13.3% in E. faecalis, 17.6 % in E. faecium. The Enterococcus species showing over 80% susceptibility against antimicrobial agents were E. faecalis, E. durans and E. hirae in vancomycin; E. faecalis, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus, E. durans and E. hirae in ampicillin. The antimicrobial agent showing susceptibility against whole group of Enterococcus species was only linezolid (95.9%), and a selection of antimicrobial agent is necessary to do essential performance identification and susceptibility tests.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.220-227
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• 2020

Objectives: Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. These patients lose their teeth at a young age and are in need of prosthetic rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the success of dental implant placement in these patients. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was performed in PubMed Central, Scopus, and Web of Science using the keyword "Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome" AND "dental implant" OR "prosthodontics". Articles reporting implant placement in patients with PLS until July 2019 were included. Results: Assessment of the included 11 articles reporting 15 cases showed 136 implant placements in these patients. Implant failure occurred in 3 patients (20 implants). The peri-implantitis and failure rate was higher in the maxilla. Meta-analysis showed the probability of failure to be 7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0%-31%) for maxillary implants and 2% (95% CI 0%-9%) for mandibular implants. The follow-up time ranged between 1 and 20 years. Healing after bone graft and implant placement in these patients was uneventful. Conclusion: Dental implants may be a viable treatment option for PLS patients. Implantation can help preserve alveolar bone if the patients' immunological and growing conditions are well-considered and proper oral hygiene and compliance with the maintenance program are continued.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

Otitis externa (OE) is a frequent disease in the ear canals of dogs. To identify the pathogens causing OE in dogs and to determine their antimicrobial resistances, specimens were collected from animal hospitals in Daejeon. The isolates were examined by morphological and biochemical tests, 16S rRNA analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. We analyzed correlation between the isolated pathogens and external factors of dogs such as breed, age, gender, ear mite, hair in ears and experience with antibiotic therapy. Thirty three strains of bacteria were isolated from 26 of the 68 heads of dogs with OE. The most isolated bacteria were Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (Sta. aureus), Sta. pseudointermedius, E. faecium, E. avium and Streptococcus canis (Strep. canis) in order of frequency of occurrence. Isolation frequency of Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were 51.5% and 45.5%, respectively. E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates showed VanB phenotype, which is resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to teicoplanin were 58% and 25%, respectively. Nine isolates among total twelve isolates of E. faecalis were isolated from the dogs treated with antibiotics. There was no methicillin-resistant Sta. aureus (MRSA), but were MR-Sta. pseudointermedius (MRSP) (57.1%) and vancomycin-resistant (VR)-Sta. pseudointermedius (14.3%) (VRSP) showing VanB phenotype. However, vanA, vanB and vanC genes were not detected in VR isolates from the dogs. Taken together, VR-Enterococcus spp. (VRE) is one of the major pathogens in domestic animals, as well as community-and hospital-acquired infection.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 2002

This paper presents the experimental results of composite basement wall in which H-pile and reinforced concrete wall are combined using shear connector Twelve specimens are tested to evaluate the shear capacity of the wall. Main variables in the test are composite ratio, distribution of shear connector, thickness of wall, shear-span ratio, and shear reinforcement. Test results indicate that the shear capacity of test specimens varies with the foregoing variables except the composite ratio. The results are compared with strengths predicted using the equations of ACI 318-99, Zsutty, and Bazant. Based on this investigation, a method for predicting the shear strength of composite basement walls is proposed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Over the last 50 years, a number of antibiotic agents have been developed and clinically used in the area of infectious diseases. Due to antimicrobial resistance problems and increasing health care costs, the rational use of antibiotics has been required. As a drug of choice to treat infections caused by MRSA, vancomycin has been extensively prescribed since the late 1970's. Recently, reports of vancomycin-resistant organisms such as VRE and VRSA have been increased to draw medical concerns. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the rational use of vancomycin and the appropriateness of the Restrictional Program of Antibiotic Utilization (RPAU) which has been operated at Samsung Medical Center. A retrospective chart review was performed in 132 hospitalized patients treated with vancomycin in the surgery departments from. January to June 1998. The guidelines of ASHP and HICPAC for vancomycin were modified and used as our criteria to determine the vancomycin DUE. In one hundred out of the patients, uses of vancomycin were approved by the Department of Infectious Diseases (DID) based on the RPAU. Vancomycin was appropriately used in $62.5\%$ of the 100 patients according to the criteria of justification of use, while $60.0\%,\;60.0\%,\;79.0\%,\;and\;51.0\%$ of the patients showed appropriate according to those of lab reports such as applicable culture obtained, pretreatment SCr, WBC and serum drug concentration monitoring, respectively. Although the rest 32 patients were not approved to receive vancomycin by the DID, twenty two percent continued receiving vancomycin treatment. This might result from the fact that the RPAU was started not before the use of antibiotics but in the middle of antimicrobial therapy. Continual education should be provide to the related health professionals and the RPAU should be simultaneously modified in order to increase the rate of appropriate uses of antibiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1200-1209
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• 2021

Sepsis is an acute inflammatory response that leads to life-threatening complications if not quickly and adequately treated. Cytolysin, hemolysin, and pneumolysin are toxins produced by gram-positive bacteria and are responsible for resistance to antimicrobial drugs, cause virulence and lead to sepsis. This work assessed the effects of aloe-emodin (AE) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on sepsis-associated gram-positive bacterial toxins. Standard and antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumonia bacterial strains were cultured in the dark with varying AE concentrations and later irradiated with 72 J/cm^-2 light. Colony and biofilm formation was determined. CCK-8, Griess reagent reaction, and ELISA assays were done on bacteria-infected RAW264.7 cells to determine the cell viability, NO, and IL-1β and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines responses, respectively. Hemolysis and western blot assays were done to determine the effect of treatment on hemolysis activity and sepsis-associated toxins expressions. AE-mediated PDT reduced bacterial survival in a dose-dependent manner with 32 ㎍/ml of AE almost eliminating their survival. Cell proliferation, NO, IL-1β, and IL-6 cytokines production were also significantly downregulated. Further, the hemolytic activities and expressions of cytolysin, hemolysin, and pneumolysin were significantly reduced following AE-mediated PDT. In conclusion, combined use of AE and light (435 ± 10 nm) inactivates MRSA, S. aureus (ATCC 29213), S. pneumoniae (ATCC 49619), MDR-S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis (ATCC 29212), and VRE (ATCC 51299) in an AE-dose dependent manner. AE and light are also effective in reducing biofilm formations, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, hemolytic activities, and inhibiting the expressions of toxins that cause sepsis.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.329-333
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• 2021

V2G (Vehicle to Grid) technology for an EV (Electric Vehicle) has been assumed as so promising in a near future for its useful energy resource concept but still yet to be developed around the world for specific service purposes through various R&BD projects. Basically, V2G returns power stored in vehicle at a cheaper or unused time to the grid at more expensive or highly peaked time, and is accordingly supposed to provide such roles like peak shaving or load levelling according to customer load curve, frequency regulation or ancillary reserves, and balancing power fluctuation to grid from the weather-sensitive renewable sources like wind or solar generations. However, it has recently been debated over its prominent usage as diffusing EVs and the required charging/discharging infrastructure, partially for its addition of EV ownership costs with more frequent charging/discharging events and user inconvenience with a relative long-time participation in the previously engaged V2G program. This study suggests that a Korean DR (Demand Response) service integrated V2G system especially based upon a dynamic charge/pause/discharge scheme newly proposed to ISO/IEC 15118 rev. 2 can deal with these concerns with more profitable business model, while fully making up for the additional component (ex. battery) and service costs. It also indicates that the optimum economic, environmental, and grid impacts can be simulated for this V2G-DR service particularly designed for EV aggregators (V2G service providers) by proposing a specific V2G engagement program for the mediated DR service providers and the distributed EV owners.