• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate into company workers' general characteristics and their awareness or oral health examinations. Answer sheets for questionnaire for 267 industrial workers at Changwon city, Korea, were collected and analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Among workers who haven't visited a dental clinic for last one year, 75.6% of them didn't have dental caries. 74.0% of workers who haven't received dental scaling didn't have dental caries. 84.4% of workers who thought of themselves as having good oral health had good oral health and none of them had dental caries. 9.1% of people who had dental caries of 4 or more had bad breath. 73.4% of workers didn't need to treat dental caries, while scaling in 57.7% of them was required. To reform and improve of the system, incremental dental health care system for industrial workers is needed. Oral health education is needed to increase the motivation of industrial workers to control their basic disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.1024-1029
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• 2018

Purpose: We examined aqueous humor levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) in patients with age-related macular degeneration to investigate possible relationships between aqueous humor vitamin D levels and clinical manifestations. Methods: Patients > 50 years of age, 52 eyes of 34 patients with age-related macular degeneration, and 23 eyes of 17 patients treated with cataract surgery without retinal disease, were examined for aqueous humor vitamin D levels and compared. The experimental group was divided into two groups according to the median value of aqueous humor vitamin D levels. We compared the clinical manifestations of macular degeneration in both groups and identified relationships between aqueous humor vitamin D levels and clinical features. Results: Vitamin D levels in the aqueous humor were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (experimental, $10.03{\pm}10.1ng/mL$ vs. control group, $40.8{\pm}16.4ng/mL$; p < 0.001). Patients with high vitamin D levels in the macular degeneration group had a higher percentage of fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachments than those in the low grade group (high grade group, 65% vs. low grade group, 27%; p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between vitamin D levels and the total number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections within 6 months (standardize coefficient, ${\beta}=-0.336$). Conclusions: Patients with wet age-related macular degeneration had significantly lower vitamin D levels in the aqueous humor compared to control group subjects of similar ages. However, in patients with macular degeneration, low vitamin D levels were associated with a greater number of intravitreal injections, while higher levels of vitamin D may lead to more advanced forms of fibrovascular retinal pigment epithelium and related low vision. These relationships were not always constant, so further studies on the relationships between local vitamin D levels and ocular disorders are needed.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1114-1121
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• 2018

Purpose: We report the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing additional widening of the limbal incision to prevent disease recurrence after conjunctivo-limbal autograft combined with pterygial excision. Methods: We retrospectively compared 95 eyes with primary and 12 eyes with recurrent pterygia randomized to treatment via two surgical methods: conjunctivo-limbal autograft alone and combined with widening of the limbal incision to allow for pterygial removal. We widened the limbal incisions by 1 mm on both the superior and inferior limbal margins and removed the pterygia. The outcomes were compared between 39 eyes undergoing conjunctivo-limbal autograft alone and 68 eyes undergoing conjunctivo-limbal autograft with widening of the limbal incision. Results: The mean overall postoperative follow-up period was $29.6{\pm}10.5months$ and conjunctivo-limbal autograft alone group was $27.4{\pm}11.5months$, combined with widening of the limbal incision group was $30.7{\pm}9.7months$. Six pterygia (15.4%; four primary and two recurrent) developed in those undergoing conjunctivo-limbal autograft alone and two (2.9%; one primary and one recurrent) in those undergoing additional widening of the limbal incision; the recurrence rate differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05). In the group treated with conjunctivo-limbal autograft alone, the mean time to development of a new primary pterygium was $6.3{\pm}3.4months$ and that to development of a recurrent pterygium $4.3{\pm}2.5months$; the respective values for the group undergoing additional widening of the limbal incision were $12.1{\pm}2.6$ and $8.4{\pm}4.6months$; the recurrence rates differed significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Conjunctivo-limbal autograft with additional widening of the limbal incision used to treat both new primary and recurrent pterygia was more effective in terms of reducing pterygial recurrence than conjunctivo-limbal aAutograft alone.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.1049-1055
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with glaucoma in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome by comparing features of the anterior segments and ocular biometry according to the presence or absence of open-angle glaucoma in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: We analyzed 96 patients (115 eyes) diagnosed as having pseudoexfoliation syndrome in this study. The patients were divided into two groups of simple pseudoexfoliation syndrome (64 patients, 76 eyes) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (32 patients, 39 eyes). We compared the age, sex, underlying disease, location of pseudoexfoliative material, iris change, degree of nuclear cataract, pupil dilatation, corneal endothelial cell counts, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, axial length, corneal curvature, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age (p = 0.694), sex (p = 0.161), diabetes (p = 0.440), hypertension (p = 0.238), pseudoexfoliative material observed in anterior capsule (p = 0.700), pupillary margin (p = 0.210), iris depigmentation (p = 0.526), pupillary ruff loss (p = 0.708), degree of nuclear cataract (p = 0.617), pupil dilatation (p = 0.526), central corneal thickness (p = 0.097), anterior chamber depth (p = 0.283), axial length (p = 0.095), or horizontal and vertical corneal curvature (p = 0.066 and 0.306, respectively). In pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, significantly higher IOP (p = 0.026), a high frequency of membrane formation (p = 0.047), and decreased corneal endothelial cell counts (p = 0.048) were observed. Conclusions: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome with open-angle glaucoma was shown to be associated with high IOP, decreased corneal endothelial cell counts, and a high frequency of membrane formation. Therefore, when such changes are observed in pseudoexfoliation syndrome patients, a higher risk of open-angle glaucoma should be recognized, and careful attentionis required accordingly.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2015

Background: Tuberculosis is globally the most important cause of death from single pathogen. Rapid and accurate identification of mycobacteria is essential for the control of tuberculosis. We evaluated a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes for the differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in direct smears of sputum specimens. Methods: The cross-reactivity of MTB- and NTM-specific PNA probes was examined with reference strains of M. tuberculosis ATCC 13950, Mycobacterium kansasii ATCC 12479, Mycobacterium fortuitum ATCC 6841, several clinical isolates of mycobacteria (Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium gordonae and Mycobacterium chelonae), and 11 frequently isolated respiratory bacterial species other than mycobacteria. A series of 128 sputa (89 MTB culture positive, 29 NTM culture positive, and 10 under treatment culture negative) with grades of trace to 4+ were used to evaluate the performance of the method. Results: The MTB- and NTM-specific PNA probes showed specific reactions with the reference strains of MTB and M. kansasii and clinical isolates of mycobacteria except M. fortuitum ATCC 6841, and no cross-reactivity with other tested bacteria. The PNA probe-based FISH assay for detection of MTB had a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the NTM-specific PNA probe was 100%. The smear grades of the PNA FISH test were same as with those of the fluorescence AFB stain in 2+ or higher grade. Conclusion: Detection and differentiation based on PNA FISH is sensitive and accurate for detecting mycobacteria and for differentiating MTB from NTM in clinical sputum smears.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Background: Leukocyte reduction filters are widely used to prevent transfusion reactions caused by leukocytes in blood components. Commercial filters are not sufficient for removal of leukocytes for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease; therefore, irradiation of blood components was performed using expensive equipment. Techniques using an aptamer substituted for antibody have been developed and are available in clinical areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the aptamer filter system and to evaluate its efficiency and the possibility of its clinical application. Methods: Aptamers targeted to CD45 were selected by the Postech Aptamer Initiative. The aptamer filter in which aptamers attached to beads were bound to leukocytes and removed by magnetic field was developed. Filtration of 14 units of leukoreduction-red blood provided by Korean Red Cross Blood Services was performed using aptamer filters. Leukocyte removal rate and red cell recovery rate were evaluated and bacterial culture was performed. Results: After filtration using the aptamer filters, 45.6% of leukocytes were additionally removed and the red cell recovery rate was 92.8%. No growth in the bacterial culture was observed. Conclusion: In order to apply the cell depletion technique utilizing an aptamer to blood filter system, we developed and evaluated the aptamer filter system. Through improvement of the binding efficiency of the aptamer and the filtering process, and application of the various aptamers for other different cells, we suggest that this technique can be applied in the clinical area, such as a substitution for the irradiation process for TAGVHD prevention.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.380-386
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Fuchs dystrophy patients according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Methods: Eighty-one patients (162 eyes) initially diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy from 1996 to 2015 were divided into two groups according to COL8A2 gene mutation status. Retrospective analysis was performed comparing gender, age at diagnosis, presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, symptoms of blurred vision in the morning, changes in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density with time, need for corneal transplantation, and pre-operative corneal status in the two groups. Results: Of the 81 patients, 12 were shown to harbor a COL8A2 gene mutation. Individuals with mutation were significantly associated with presence of family history, diabetes mellitus, and blurred vision in the morning (p = 0.021, p = 0.024, p = 0.044, respectively). They also had significantly thicker central cornea and lower endothelial cell density at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.020, p = 0.005, respectively). The differences in central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density between the two eyes in one patient were significantly smaller in patients with gene mutation (p = 0.043, p = 0.022, respectively). Over a 5-year follow-up period, 60.0% of eyes in patients with gene mutation and 19.2% of eyes in patients without gene mutation underwent corneal transplantation, a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.014). Conclusions: By testing for COL8A2 gene mutation, early binocular disease progression and the possible need for corneal transplantation in the future can be predicted among patients diagnosed with Fuchs dystrophy.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

The aim of this study was development of natural antifungal compounds from softwood. We investigated antifungal activities of extracts from Pseudotsuga menziesii and Chamaecyparis obtusa against Tricholderma genus which is virus causing green mold disease and analyzed antifungal compounds by Gas chromatography -Mass Spetrometer. Extracts from P. menziesii had inhibition activities against Tricholderma genus on 1,000 ppm and had high antifungal activities against T. viride by 70.1%, T. harzianum by 67.3% and T. aggressivum by 64.7% on 4,000 ppm. And extracts from C. obtusa had antifungal activities against Tricholderma genus on 1,000 ppm and had high antifungal activities against T. viride by 63.2%, T. harzianum by 59.3% and T. aggressivum by 59.1% on 4,000 ppm. But mixing compounds which are made from P. menziesii and C. obtusa extracts by variety ratio had lower antifungal activities than original extracts. Main antifungal active components of P. menziesii extracts against Tricholderma genus were 2-Isopropoxy-ethylamine 46.5%, epifluorohydrin 8.6%, trans-2,3-Di-methyloxirane 7.6%, (IR)-(-)-Myrtenal 6.0%, 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol 3.9% and benzaldehyde 2.8%. In case of C. obtusa extracts, they were ${\alpha}$-Terpinenyl acetate 14.9%, Sabinene 10.9%, dl-Limonene 9.6%, ${\alpha}$-Terpinolene 7.5% and ${\alpha}$-Pinene 7.1%. As mentioned above, these results revealed extracts from P. menziesii and C. obtusa of softwood could be used as potential agents to inhibit Trichoderma genus.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.606-610
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• 2011

'Jungmo1001' is an early maturing intermediate breeding line developed from a cross between Cheolweon52 and SR14694-57-4-2-1-3-2-2 by the rice breeding team of National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration (RDA) in 1994. 'Jungmo1001' has about 107 days duration from seeding to heading in mid-northern inland plain, southern alpine area and north-eastern coastal areas. It has about 73 cm in culm length with semi-erect plant type and good canopy architecture. This variety has 13 tillers per hill and 90 spikelets per panicle. Its 1,000 grain-weight of brown rice is 21.2 g which is less than 26.3 g of 'Odaebyeo'. Milled kernels are translucent with non-glutinous endosperm, low amylose content (18.1%) compared with 'Odaebyeo' palatability of cooked rice is very good. This variety shows strong resistance to cold treatment, lodging, premature heading and wilting. This variety shows moderately resistant to blast disease but susceptible to bacterial blight, stripe virus and insect pests. The milled rice yield performance of this variety is about 5.45 MT/ha by ordinary culture in local adaptability test for three years. This variety may be highly adaptable to the mid-northern inland plain, southern alpine area and north-eastern coastal areas of Korea.