• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2016

Purpose: Acute respiratory infection, particularly pneumonia, is the most common cause of hospitalization and death among children in developing nations. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of children and adolescents with pneumonia who visited Emergency Department (ED) in South Korea in 2012. Methods: We analyzed National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) records from 146 EDs in South Korea for all pediatric patients aged ${\leq}18years$ who were diagnosed with pneumonia between January and December 2012. Results: Among 38,415 subjects, the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.8. Patients aged <12 months comprised 18.0% of the study population; those aged 1 to 3 years, 54.4%; those aged 4 to 6 years, 16.8%; those aged 7 to 12 years, 7.4%; and those aged 13 to 18 years, 3.4%. Presentation rates were highest in April, followed by January, March, and May. The hospital admission rate was 43.5%, of which 2.6% were in intensive care units. The mortality rate was 0.02%. Based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, diagnostic codes, the types of pneumonia according to cause were viral pneumonia (29.0%), bacterial pneumonia (5.3%), Mycoplasmal pneumonia (4.5%), aspiration pneumonia (1.3%), and pneumonia of unknown origin (59.3%). Conclusion: Despite the limited data due to the ED data from the NEDIS lacking laboratory results and treatment information, this study reflects well the outbreak patterns among children and adolescents with pneumonia. Our results provide a basis for future studies regarding ED treatment for children and adolescents with pneumonia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1336-1344
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• 2011

This study details and examines a novel ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR) method. Named the LM-PCR/Shifter, it relies on the use of a Class IIS restriction enzyme giving restriction fragments with different 4-base, 5' overhangs, this being the Shifter, and the ligation of appropriate oligonucleotide adapters. A sequence of 4-base, 5' overhangs of the adapter and a 4-base sequence of the 3' end of the primer(s) determine a subset of the genomic restriction fragments, which are amplified by PCR. The method permits the differentiation of bacterial species strains on the basis of the different DNA band patterns obtained after electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels stained with ethidium bromide and visualized in UV light. The usefulness of the LM-PCR/Shifter method for genotyping is analyzed by a comparison with the restriction endonuclease analysis of chromosomal DNA by the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (REA-PFGE) and PCR melting profile (PCR MP) methods for isolates of clinical origin. The clustering of the LM-PCR/Shifter fingerprinting data matched those of the REA-PFGE and PCR MP methods. We found that the LM-PCR/Shifter is rapid, and offers good discriminatory power and excellent reproducibility, making it a method that may be effectively applied in epidemiological studies.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.175-181
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• 2013

Objectives: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical impact of diabetes mellitus on the prognosis in secondary space infection. Materials and Methods: Medical records, radiographic images, computed tomography, and microbial studies of 51 patients (25 diabetic patients and 26 non-diabetic patients) were reviewed. Patients were diagnosed as secondary fascial space infections with odontogenic origin and underwent treatment at Chonnam National University Hospital, in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, from January 2007 to February 2009. Results: Compared to patients without diabetes, patients with diabetes were presented with the following characteristics: older age (diabetic patients: 62.9 years, non-diabetic patients, 47.8 years), more spaces involved (diabetic patients, 60%; non-diabetic patients, 27.3%), more intense treatment, longer hospitalization (diabetic patients, 28.9 days; non-diabetic patients, 15.4 days), higher white blood cell and C-reactive protein values, higher incidence of complication (diabetic patients, 40%; non-diabetic patients, 7.7%), and distinctive main causative microorganisms. Conclusion: These results suggest that the prognosis of diabetic patients is poorer than that of non-diabetic patients in secondary space infections since they had greater incidence rates of involved spaces, abnormal hematologic findings, more complications, and additional procedures, such as tracheostomy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

Halotolerant spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from the root, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere soil of Blutaparon portulacoides. The different isolates were characterized genetically using an amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), and phenotypically based on their colonial morphology, physiology, and nutritional requirements. Three different 16S rRNA gene-based genotypes were observed at a 100% similarity using the enzymes HinfI, MspI, and RsaI, and the phenotypic results also followed the ARDRA groupings. Selected strains, representing the different ARDRA groups, were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and members of the genera Halobaeillus, Virgibacillus, and Oceanobacillus were found. Two isolates showed low 16S rDNA sequence similarities with the closest related species of Halobacillus, indicating the presence of new species among the isolates. The majority of the strains isolated in this study seemed to belong to the species O. iheyensis and were compared using an AP-PCR to determine whether they had a clonal origin or not. Different patterns allowed the grouping of the strains according to Pearson's coefficient, and the resulting dendrogram revealed the formation of two main clusters, denoted as A and B. All the strains isolated from the soil were grouped into cluster A, whereas cluster B was exclusively composed of the strains associated with the B. portulacoides roots. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of halotolerant spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria that coexist with B. portulacoides. As such, these new strains may be a potential source for the discovery of bioactive compounds with industrial value.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.516-522
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• 1978

In spite of recent improvement of the medical and surgical treatments, there are many significant problems in the management of thoracic empyema. This is a clinical analysis of 49 cases of thoracic empyema who underwent lung decortication for a period of 6 years and 5 months extending from May, 1972 to Aug. 1975. The following results were obtained: Male to female ratio was 2. S to 1. The age ranged between Sand 69, bnt was mostly 2r.d and 5th decade. The underlying diseases were pulmonary tuberculosis (30 cases, 61. 1 SO, , ), posttraumatic hemothorax (7 cases, 14.396). pneumonia (6 cases, 12.2%), lung abscess (2 cases, 4.2%), paragonimiasis (2 cases, 4.2%). spontaneous pneumothorax (1 case, 2.1%), and unknown origin (1 case, 2.1%). In 13 cases (26.5%), positive bacterial growth on culture was reported. There were single infection in 11 cases and mixed infection in 2 cases. The organisms grown were Staphylococcus, alpha-hemolytIc Streptococcus, Alkaligenes fecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, SerratIa, Enterobacter agglomerans, and Enterococcus in order of frequency. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Serratia were sensitive to several different kinds of antibiotics. But Pseudomonas, Escherichia co:i, and Enterococcus were sensitive to only one or two antibiotics. Leukocytosis was observed In acute empyema, but not in chronic empyema. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were all within normal limits. Preoperative liver function tests were within normal limits in most of the cases. In 49 cases, lung decortication alone was performed in 40 cases (S1. 696), and for the remaining 9 cases (1S. 4%), additional surgical procedures were necessary, i. e., lobectomy (6cases). partial thoracoplasty (2 cases), and lobectomy & partial thoracoplasty (1 cases). The results of lung decortication in thoracic empyema were goed. 38 cases (77.5%) healed with no complication, and 10 cases (20.4%) were complicated by bleeding, wownd infection, pleural infection, chondritis, and psychosis. These complications resolved ultimately leaving no sequelae. One death was recorded (2.1%), and the causes of death were postoperative pleural infection, sepsis and hepatic insufficiency.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.819-824
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• 1999

Suspected infections of Campylobacter spp and Clostridium spp were observed in three dogs. The diagnosis was based on fecal cytology, Gram's stain, clinical signs and serum chemistry. The rectal swabs of diarrheic dogs were performed to confirm the enteropathogens. Suspected Campylobacter spp were a sea-gull shape and Clostridium spp had a large, clear endospore in rectal cytology. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics resulted in a complete resolution of all clinical abnormalities in three cases. The source of Campylobacter spp and Clostridium spp could not be found clearly in three cases, but gastrointestinal origin was most likely. When detecting the enteropathogens in feces, fecal smear with Wright's and Gram's stain should be made at first and also, if the patients have canine parvoviral enteritis, attention should be paid to confirm the Campylobacter spp and Clostridium spp. In addition, since Campylobacter spp and Clostridium spp as normal bacterial flora exists in canine intestines, it is thought that microbiological isolation should be performed to confirm the suspected Campylobacter spp and Clostridium spp as primary enteropathogens in subsequent study.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.413-427
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• 1997

Porphyromonas endodontalis and Prevotella intermedia are black-pigmented anaerobic gram negative rods which have been isolated from infected root canals and submucous abscesses of endodontic origin. And they are associated with clinical symptoms such as pain, percussion, and foul odor. It has been reported that there are 3 serotypes according to capsule membrane in P. endodontalis and 2 DNA homology groups and 3 serotypes in P. intermedia, but there is no data available regarding genetic diversity for the species P. endodontalis and P. intermedia. The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic diversities between individual strains of P. endodontalis and P. intermedia which are indistinguishable by serotyping and biotyping using bacterial DNA restriction endonuclease analysis. 45 teeth with at least one clinical symptoms, with single canal, and with pulp necrosis were sampled. For sampling bacteria, access cavity was prepared after disinfecting tooth and its surroundings. Then the paper point was inserted to the apex of the canal, leave there for 15 seconds, and finally it was placed into PRAS Ringer's solution and PBS solution. P. endodontalis and P. intermedia were identified by biochemical test and IIF after subculturing black and brown colonies which were produced after 7 days of incubation on BAP in anaerobic chamber. P. endodontalis and P. intermedia strains were grown in BHI broth and whole genomic DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform extraction technique and digested by restriction endonuclease, Eco RI and Pst I. The resulting DNA fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, stained with EtBr and photographed under UV light. The results were as follows : 1. In both P. endodontalis and P. intermedia, different serotypes could be found within a root canal of same patient. 2. There were obvious genetic heterogeneity within a patient and within a serotype in both P. endodontalis and P. intermedia. 3. P. endodontalis serotype c, isolated from different patients, exhibited limited genotypic diversity.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2005

The optimal concentration of ethanol to separate a high quantity of propolis was $60\%$ but that for the best flavonoids extraction was $80\%$ We compared the yields of propolis from different countries. In this study we used $60\%$ ethanol concentration as a standard. The yield of propolis was proportional to the contents of flavonoids. Namely, Polish propolis which showed the highest yield with $56\%$ by the extraction with $60\%$ ethanol revealed also the highest flavonoids content with $3.49\%$ among all the samples tested The major constituents of propolis differed from country to country. It has been suggested that the different geographical origin influenced the efficacy and the constituents of propolis. Antibacterial activity of ethanol extracted propolis from different countries was tested against 6 microbial strains of type cultures including Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae) and Gram- negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and E coli) in vitro. Propolis extract showed anti-microbial activity against all the tested bacterial strains. In addition, propolis was sensitive to E coli which was resistant to broad spectrum antibiotics like ampicillin. These results showed that propolis may substituted for commercial antibiotics. The efficiency of anti-microbial activity of the propolis was slightly higher in $80\%$ than $97\%$ ethanol extract.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.08a
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• pp.83-90
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• 1999

Electron crystallography of two-dimensional crystalsand electron cryo-microscopy is becoming an established method for determining the structure and function of a variety of membrane proteins that are providing difficult to crystallize in three dimension. In this study this technique has been used to investigate the structure of a ~160 kDa reaction centre sub-core complex of photosystem II. Photosystem II is a photosynthetic membrane protein consisting of more than 25 subunits. It uses solar energy to split water releasing molecular oxygen into the atmosphere and creates electrochemical potential across the thylakoid membrane, which is eventually utilized to generate ATP and NADPH. Images were taken using Philips CM200 field emission gun electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of 200kW at liquid nitrogen temperature. In total, 79 images recorded dat tilt angles ranging from 0 to 67 degree yielded amplitudes and phases for a three-dimensional map with an in-plant resolution of 6$\AA$ and 11.4$\AA$ in the third dimension shows at least 23 transmembrane helices resolved in a monomeric complex, of which 18 were able to be assigned to the D1, D2, CP47 , and cytochrome b559 alfa beta-subunits with their associated pigments that ae active in electron transport (Rhee, 1998, Ph.D.thesis). The D1/D2 heterodimer is located in the central position within the complex and its helical scalffold is remarkably similar to that of the reaction centres not only in purple bacteria but also in plant photosystem I (PSI) , indicating a common evoluationary origin of all types of reaction centre in photosynthetic organism known today 9RHee et al. 1998). The structural homology is now extended to the inner antenna subunit, ascribed to CP47 in our map, where the 6 transmembrane helices show a striking structural similarity to the corresponding helices of the PSI reaction centre proteins. The overall arrangement of the chlorophylls in the D1 /D2 heterodimer, and in particular the distance between the central pair, is ocnsistent with the weak exciton coupling of P680 that distinguishes this reaction centre from bacterial counterpart. The map in most progress towards high resolution structure will be presented and discussed.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2003

It has been documented that periodontopathic bacteria are also implicated in endodontic infections. 168 rDNA gene-directed PCR was to examine the prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Prevotella nigrescens (Pn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Porphyromonas endodontalis (Pe), and Treponema denticola (Td) in the root canals of 36 endodontically infected teeth having apical lesions with or without clinical symptoms like pain, swelling, and fistula. 1. In 36 infected root canals, most frequently detected bacterial species was Pg (61.1%), followed by Td (52.8%) and Pe (38.9%). 2. Of 36 infected root canals, Aa was detected in 6 canals (16.7%) of the teeth, all of which showed clinical symptoms. 3. Of 36 infected root canals, Pi and Pn were found in 4 03.9%) and 5 (33.3%), respectively. Notably, prevalence of Pn in the symptomatic teeth was 50.0%. 4. One of black-pigmented anaerobic bacteria (BPB) including Pi, Pn, Pe, and Pg was detected in all of the teeth that showed pain or especially swelling but not fistula. It was, however, found that prevalence of BPB in the asymptomatic teeth or the teeth with fistula was only 40%. 5. Pe and Pg were detected in the teeth regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. 6. Td was detected in the teeth regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. High prevalence of BPB in the symptomatic teeth but low in the asymptomatic teeth suggests that BPB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions.