• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.152-155
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• 2009

Purpose: The most widely accepted tool for follow up management of thyroid cancer patients is serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement, but its value is limited by the interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-Tg Ab). Recently thyroglobulin measurement in the wash out of fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens (Tg-FNAB) is frequently used for differential diagnosis of recurrences/metastases. The aim of this study was the investigation of the diagnostic utility of Tg-FNAB compared with serum Tg. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 41 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer who were evaluated for Tg-FNAB between January 2007 and February 2008 retrospectively. We ruled out 6 patients who anti-Tg Ab positive (${\geq}$100 U/mL) in the RIA (BRAHMS anti-Tgn RIA 100Det; BRAHMS Aktiengesell schaft, Berlin, Germany). Serum Tg and Tg-FNAB were measured by immunoradiometric assay (BRAHMS Tg pluS RIA 100 Det; BRAHMS Aktienge sellschaft, Berlin, Germany). We evaluated for Tg-FNAB compared with serum Tg and corresponding cytological smear. To compare the values of the two the t-test was used. Results: Tg-FNAB values were significantly higher (median 1,060 ng/mL, range 0.2~434,000 ng/mL) than serum Tg (median 2.5 ng/mL, range 0.9~131 ng/mL) (p=0.0394). The rate of correspondence with Tg-FNAB between cytological result was 87.9% and 65.9% in the case of serum Tg. Tg-FNAB was positive in 28 (24 with positive and 4 with suspicious cytology). Of the remaining 13 patients with negative Tg-FNAB, 1 had suspicious and 12 had unsuspicious cytology. serum Tg was positive in 26 (17 with positive and 3 with suspicious and 6 with unsuspicious cytology), Of the remaining 15 patients with negative serum Tg, 8 was positive in cytological result and 1 had suspicious and 6 had unsuspicious cytology. Conclusions: Tg-FNAB measurement is more accurate with high sensitivity (87.9%) than serum Tg (65.9%). The Tg-FNAB was a useful predictor for detecting recurrences/metastases with serum Tg.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.942-953
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-arginine supplementation on muscle damage and fatigue indices and athletic performance improvement of canoe athletes after conducting a high-intensity training program. To achieve the objective, this study applied a high-intensity training program to seven high school canoe athletes. The high-intensity training program is composed of aerobic exercise sessions (twice per week; Tuesday and Thursday), anaerobic exercise sessions (three times per week; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), and flexibility exercise sessions (five times per week). During the 6 week high-intensity training program, drug ingestion (L-arginine or placebo) was conducted in the first two weeks, wash out (two weeks) followed it, and drug ingestion (L-arginine or placebo) was carried out again in the last two weeks. The crossover design was used for the experiment so all study subjects were assigned to either the L-arginine intake group (the treatment group) or the placebo group (the control group). Each subject ingested 3g per day. This study confirmed the significant effects of L-arginine supplementation on muscle damage indices, fatigue indices, and antioxidants using blood samples. Additionally, FMD was analyzed to evaluate vascular endothelial cell functions and canoe performance was examined using the canoe ergometer. The results of this study showed that L-arginine intake did not have direct effects on the levels of ammonia, IP, and CK. The level of LDH decreased significantly more in the ARG group than in the PLA group due to L-arginine supplementation. Moreover, L-arginine supplementation did not change total NO, d-ROMs, BAP, and FMD significantly. Lastly, the results of the 500m canoe ergometer, which was conducted to evaluate the canoe performance, revealed that L-arginine did not have direct effects on total time, stroke distance, and mean velocity. However, L-arginine supplementation significantly improved muscle damage indices, fatigue indices, antioxidants, FMD, and canoe performance. Therefore, it is believed that additional studies are needed for examining the potential effects of L-arginine supplementation athletic performance enhancement.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate hygienic behavior of food handlers and general population focusing on awareness of hand-washing and the microbial load of their hands. Methods: A questionnaire survey and microbiological analysis were carried out for sixty-four people each. Samples for microbiological analysis were collected through the glove-juice method from the hands, and were analyzed for the presence of aerobic plate counts, total coliform, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. according to the Food Code of Korea. Results: In the survey, significant differences between the food handlers and general population (p < 0.01) were found in hand-washing frequency, duration, use of hand-washing agents, washing parts of hands, hand-drying method, and method of turning off water. In eight different situations among the ten particular situations in their daily life, more food handlers responded to wash their hands than general population (p < 0.05). Bacterial load on hands with general population was consistently higher than with food handlers (p < 0.05), however, percentages of positive hands of S. aureus and Salmonella spp. were not. Conclusions: Poor hand hygiene practices were indicated by the positive results for E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. on the hands of some respondents in both groups. This study reveals that there is the need for programs or campaigns to increase hand-washing practices of both groups.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.233-244
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• 2012

Purpose: The kinetic evaluation was performed for swine manure (SM) degradation and biogas generation. Methods: The SM was anaerobically digested using batch digesters at feed to inoculum ratio (F/I) of 1.0 under mesophilic conditions ($36.5^{\circ}C$). The specific gas yield was expressed in terms of gram total chemical oxygen demand (mL/g TCOD added) and gram volatile solids added (mL/g VS added) and their effectiveness was discussed. The biogas and methane production were predicted using first order kinetic model and the modified Gompertz model. The critical hydraulic retention time for biomass washout was determined using Chen and Hashimoto model. Results: The biogas and methane yield from SM was 346 and 274 mL/ TCOD added, respectively after 100 days of digestion. The average methane content in the biogas produced from SM was 79% and $H_2S$ concentration was in the range of 3000-4108 ppm. It took around 32-47 days for 80-90% of biogas recovery and the TCOD removal from SM was calculated to be 85%. When the specific biogas and methane yield from SM (with very high TVFA concentration) was expressed in terms of oven dried volatile solids (VS) basis, the gas yield was found to be over estimated. The difference in the measured and predicted gas yield was in the range of 1.2-1.5% when using first order kinetic model and 0.1% when using modified Gompertz model. The effective time for biogas production ($T_{Ef}$) from SM was calculated to be in the range of 30-45 days and the critical hydraulic retention time ($HRT_{Critical}$) for biomass wash out was found to be 9.5 days. Conclusions: The modified Gompertz model could be better in predicting biogas and methane production from SM. The HRT greater than 10 days is recommended for continuous digesters using SM as feedstock.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Non-point pollution is caused by many diffusive sources, unlike a point pollution derived from industrial wastewater treatment plants or sewage treatment plants. Runoff of non-point pollutants is originated from rainfall or thawing in short period of time moving over and through the a ground surface. They cause ill effect on the quality of neighboring aquatic environment. To prevent effectively the wash off from non-point pollutant, it should be immediately reduced at the source or be treated after gathering of runoff water. This study has been carried out for the best width of riparian buffer zone. So we implemented the experiment in terms of its depth, width and kind of vegetations and calculated the reduction of pollutants loading. The experimental zone encompasses the watershed of Namhan River (Kyunggido Yangpyunggun Byungsanri). The region was divided into 5 land cover sectors : grass, reed, pussy willow, mixed(grass+pussy willow) and natural zone to compare effectiveness of vegetation. Water samples from four points have been collected in different depths. And the pollutant removal efficiency by sectors with different plant species was yielded through influent with one of each sample. And we obtained the correlation between the width of riparian buffer zone and the removal efficiency of pollutants. Using correlation result, the width of riparian buffer zones which needs to improve the water quality of river could be derived.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.72-80
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• 2017

Purpose: Pilocarpine as a salivation stimulant in pill form has mostly been used to relieve oral dryness for xerostomic patients but its use may often be limited due to variable side effects from systemic absorption. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pilocarpine mouthwash on salivation according to the variable concentration and duration for healthy volunteers. Related adverse effects and subjective assessment on its effects on salivation were also examined. Methods: This study was performed as placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Thirty healthy volunteers (male=23, mean age=22.2 years) were randomly allocated to 6 groups with the different concentration of pilocarpine mouthwash (placebo, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%). The whole experiment consisted of 3 sessions according to the duration of mouthwash, i.e., 1, 3, and 5 minutes with the mean wash-out period ${\geq}2$ days between the sessions. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected before and after gargling with a mouthwash. Results: Salivation of the higher concentration groups ${\geq}1%$ significantly increased than those of lower concentration group. The application period of mouthwash did not cause any changes of salivary flow rate at the higher concentrations ${\geq}1.0%$. The lower concentrations of 0.5% and 0.1% had no effects on salivation even after 5-minute mouthwash. There was no significant difference between blood pressure and pulse rate before and after use of mouthwash. Conclusions: From the results of the current study, pilocarpine mouthwash with at least 1.0% concentration more than a minute might be clinically effective in salivation without any serious side effects. Dose of mouthwash rather than duration seems to be a critical factor to salivation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.517-523
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the uniform management of the dental hygienists in Korea. Methods: The study was carried out by direct telephone survey to dental gygienists in Gangneung, Wonju, and Seongnam from March 15 to April 10, 2015. The subjects were seventy dental clinics by random sampling. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects(4 items), infection control education(3 items), and infection control activity(9 items). Cronbach's alpha was 0.781 in the study. After informed consent from the dental hygienists, the survey was done by telephone. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 program. Results: The dental hygienists taking infection control education tended to wash the uniforms twice a week (${\chi}^2$=15.95, p<001). The majority of the dental hygienists thought that the best washing place of uniform would be dental clinics than any other place (${\chi}^2$=38.76, p<001). Conclusions: It is very important to implement the infection control education for the dental hygienists. The establishment of standard guideline for infection control of the uniform washing will enhance the dental service quality and satisfaction of the dental service consumers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.62-73
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• 2013

Objectives: An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred at a residential facility for the disabled in July 10, 2011. This investigation was carried out to develop a response plan, and to find the infection source of the disease. Methods: A field epidemiologist investigated the symptoms, vaccination histories, living environments, and probable infection sources with 51 residents and 31 teachers and staff members. In July 25, 81 subjects were tested for the hepatitis A virus antibody, and specimens of the initial 3 cases and the last case were genetically tested. Results: Three cases occurred July 10 to 14, twelve cases August 3 to 9, and the last case on August 29. Among the teachers and staff, no one was IgM positive (on July 25). The base sequences of the initial 3 and of the last case were identical. The vehicle of the outbreak was believed to be a single person. The initial 3 patients were exposed at the same time and they might have disseminated the infection among the patients who developed symptoms in early August, and the last patient might have, in turn, been infected by the early August cases. Conclusions: The initial source of infection is not clear, but volunteers could freely come into contact with residents, and an infected volunteer might have been the common infection source of the initial patients. Volunteers' washing their hands only after their activity might be the cause of this outbreak. Although there may be other possible causes, it would be reasonable to ask volunteers to wash their hands both before and after their activities.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.77-84
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• 1999

Sequential extraction was applied to characterize the soil-metal binding mechanism in three kinds of soils contaminated with lead and copper The results showed that soil-metal binding was dependent on soil characteristics and metal species. In Munwha dong soil, lead was mainly carbonate form (37.7%), in agriculture soil was associated with amorphous Fe oxide form (23.9%) and in industry area was associated with exchangeable form (22.9%) Meanwhile for copper. organically bound form represented main fraction in most soil and also carbonate and amorphous Fe oxide form showed high fraction. Crystallized Fe oxide and residuals form of copper showed higher fraction than those of lead. Thus, it can be concluded that copper is bound with soil stronger and more difficult wash out Consequently, this mechanism analysis through sequential extraction can provide useful informations for better soil remediation.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 1997

Y-zeolite and ${\gamma}$-Al$_2$O$_3$ were used as supports on CO and $C_3$H$_{6}$ oxidation for diesel emission control. The catalysts composed of Pd and Pt as active components were wash coated on honeycomb type ceramic substrate. The oxidation of CO and $C_3$H$_{6}$ was carried out over prepared honeycomb in a fixed bed continuous reactor in the temperature range of 20$0^{\circ}C$~50$0^{\circ}C$ and 20,000 GHSV (h$^{-1}$ ). Surface area of Y-zeolite was larger than that of ${\gamma}$-Al$_2$O$_3$ due to channel structure of Y-zeolite. Therefore, high conversion of CO and $C_3$H$_{6}$ could be obtained because of good dispersion of active metals over Y-zeolite. The honeycomb used Y-zeolite as a support showed higher $C_3$H$_{6}$ conversion than that of ${\gamma}$-Al$_2$O$_3$ due to better cracking and isomerization activity of Y-zeolite. PdPt catalyst showed high conversion of CO and $C_3$H$_{6}$ at low temperature region, 20$0^{\circ}C$~30$0^{\circ}C$, for their synergy effects. PdPt/Y-Zeolite catalyst could achieve more than 80％ conversion of $C_3$H$_{6}$ at 30$0^{\circ}C$. The use of Y-zeolite as a support increased CO and $C_3$H$_{6}$ conversion, and decreased SO$_2$ conversion very effectively. Y-zeolite found to have a good adaptability as a support for the diesel emission after treatment system.