• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1017-1025
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• 2011

Objectives : Periodontal disease is a serious oral disease that frequently occurs among adults. The objective of this study is to provide necessary data for the development of an oral health care program that can effectively manage periodontal disease and subsequently maintain and enhance oral health. Methods : Data was collected from patients of a dental clinic in Daejeon, Korea from 1 July to 25 August 2009. A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate School of Public Health & Biotechnology Chungnam National University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health conferred in February, 2010. Results : 68% of the patients were aware of periodontal disease, with older patients exhibiting better awareness. 48.0% replied that their periodontal health is good in general, with older patients inclined to say that their periodontal health was poor. 70.5% cited bad brushing habit or skipping the act of tooth brushing as the cause of periodontal disease, while 63.5% reported brushing their teeth an average of 3 times a day. 56.5% said that they brush their teeth correctly, and 63.5% told that they brush their teeth up and down, and left to right and 70.0% replied that they would attend an educational program for the prevention of periodontal disease, with older patients shown to more likely attend such a program. Conclusion : a program that can motivate people to become aware of the importance of oral health care should be developed and implemented. Such a program should include the dissemination of correct and accurate oral health care information and measures for educating people about the importance of prevention.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2000

Background and Objectives: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands is characterized by insidious growth over many years, local recurrences, and distant metastasis and classified to three distinct histologic subtypes: tubular, cribriform, and solid. The solid type is known to have the worst prognosis. However, histopathologic heterogeneity is observed in tumors from the same patient. We have attempted to elucidate the genotypic differences, characterized by polysomies of chromosome 17, in adenoid cystic carcinoma according to the phenotypic histopathologic heterogeneity. Materials and Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin blocks from seven patients with head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma, using the centromeric $\alpha$-satellite probe of chromosome 17 to detect nuclei exhibiting polysomy. The difference in polysomeric chromosome expression in cribriform, tubular, solid type and type I, II, III according to the Szanto classification was analyzed. Results: Polysomy of chromosome 17 was found in 15.28% of the cribriform type, in 15.68% of the tubular type, and in 18.87% of the solid type. The proportion of polysomy was statistically higher in the solid type than in the cribriform type(p<0.05), and the proportion of polysomy increased progressively from type 1 to type 3, but this trend was statistically insignificant(p>0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that there may be genetic variations in tumor from the same patient depending on the histopathologic heterogenetiy in adenoid cystic carcinomas.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1265-1270
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• 2009

The objectives of this study were to determine the antibiotypes, SCCmec subtypes, PVL carriage, and genetic diversity of MRSA strains from a tertiary hospital. Sixty-six MRSA strains were selected randomly (2003, 2004, and 2007) and tested for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene, mecA gene, and SCCmec type via a PCR. The antibiograms were determined using a standard disc diffusion method, and the genetic diversity of the isolates was determined by PFGE. Thirty-four antibiograms were obtained, with 55% of the 66 strains exhibiting resistance to more than 4 antimicrobials. All the isolates remained susceptible to vancomycin, and low resistance rates were noted for fusidic acid (11%), rifampicin (11%), and clindamycin acid (19%). The MRSA isolates that were multisensitive (n=12) were SCCmec type IV, whereas the rest (multiresistant) were SCCmec type III. Only two isolates (SCCmec type IV) tested positive for PVL, whereas all the isolates were mecA-positive. The PFGE was very discriminative and subtyped the 66 isolates into 55 pulsotypes (F=0.31-1.0). The multisensitive isolates were distinctly different from the multidrug-resistant MRSA. In conclusion, no vancomycin-resistant isolate was observed. The Malaysian MDR MRSA isolates were mostly SCCmec type III and negative for PVL. These strains were genetically distinct from the SCCmec type IV strains, which were sensitive to SXT, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Only two strains were SCCmec IV and PVL-positive. The infections in the hospital concerned were probably caused by multiple subtypes of MRSA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.371-376
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) are commonly involved in the pathogenesis of skin damage by activating the metalloproteinases (MMP) that break down type I collagen. Adenophora remotiflora (AR) is a perennial wild plant that inhabits Korea, China, and Japan. The present study investigated the protective effects of AR against UVB-induced photo-damage in keratinocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro cell-free system was used to examine the scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and nitric oxide (NO). The effect of AR on ROS formation, antioxidant enzymes, elastase, MMP-1 level, and mRNA expression of MMP-1 were determined in UVB-irradiated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. RESULTS: AR demonstrated strong DPPH free radical and NO scavenging activity in a cell-free system exhibiting $IC_{50}$ values of 1.88 mg/mL and 6.77 mg/mL, respectively. AR pretreatment dose-dependently attenuated the production of UVB-induced intracellular ROS, and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) were enhanced in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, pretreatment of AR prevented UVB-induced elastase and collagen degradation by inhibiting the MMP-1 protein level and mRNA expression. Accordingly, AR treatment elevated collagen content in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first evidence of AR inhibiting UVB-induced ROS production and induction of MMP-1 as a result of augmentation of antioxidative activity in HaCaT human keratinocytes. These results suggest that AR might act as an effective inhibitor of UVB-modulated signaling pathways and might serve as a photo-protective agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.73-80
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• 2012

Objectives : Under normal condition melanin protects the skin from extracellular stimuli including ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative skin damages, but excess production and accumulation of melanin can induce hyperpigmentation causing esthetic problems. Therefore, in this study we tried to search for natural skin whitening materials from marine natural resources. Methods : Water and ethanol extracts of marine natural resources were prepared from Porphyra thalli (PT), Laminariae thallus (LT), Ostreae concha (OC), Sargassum thallus (ST), Undaria thallus (UT), Codium thalli (CT), Enteromorpha thalli (ET), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SB), and Hippocampus coronatus (Hc). Their effects against UVB and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced melanogenesis were investigated based on melanin formation in B16 mouse melanoma cells. The mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in the melanogenic process were further examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results : Water extract of Ostreae concha (OCW/E) effectively inhibited UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin production in B16 melanocytes, which seemed to be mediated by inhibition of mRNA expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1). In another experiment, ethanol extracts from Porphyra thalli (PTE/E), Laminariae thallus (LTE/E), Sargassum thallus (STE/E), Undaria thallus (UTE/E), Codium thalli (CTE/E), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SBE/E), and Hippocampus coronatus (HcE/E) significantly suppressed UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin formation. Furthermore, ethylacetate fraction isolated form LTE/E (LTE/EEt) decreased UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-elevated extracellular melanin levels via inhibition of tyrosinase protein expression. Conclutions : These results suggest that marine natural resources such as Porphyra thalli, Laminariae thallus, Ostreae concha, Sargassum thallus, Undaria thallus, Codium thalli, Syngnathoides biaculeatus and Hippocampus coronatus have anti-melanogenic effects, thereby exhibiting high potentials to be utilized as one of the ingredients for the development of new whitening functional cosmetics.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2014

Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of photo-activated disinfection (PAD), calcium hydroxide (CH) and their combination on the treatment outcome of indirect pulp treatment (IPT). Materials and Methods: Institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of the patients were taken. The study was also registered with clinical registry of India. Sixty permanent molars exhibiting deep occlusal carious lesion in patients with the age range of 18 - 22 yr were included. Clinical and radiographic evaluation and set inclusion and exclusion criteria's were followed. Gross caries excavation was accomplished. In group I (n = 20) PAD was applied for sixty seconds. In group II (n = 20), CH was applied to the remaining carious dentin, while in group III (n = 20), PAD application was followed by CH placement. The teeth were permanently restored. They were clinically and radiographically followed-up at 45 day, 6 mon and 12 mon. Relative density of the remaining affected dentin was measured by 'Radiovisiography (RVG) densitometric' analysis. Results: Successful outcome with an increase in radiographic grey values were observed in all three groups. However, on inter-group comparison, this change was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: PAD and CH both have equal disinfection efficacy in the treatment of deep carious dentin. PAD alone is as effective for treatment of deep carious lesion as calcium hydroxide and hence can be used as an alternative to CH. They can be used independently in IPT, since combining both does not offer any additional therapeutic benefits.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2017

Objectives: Medicinal plants are vital sources of bioactive compounds that are useful for the treatment of patients with snake bites or are indirectly applicable for boosting the effects of conventional serum therapy. These plants are being used traditionally by local healers and tribes for the treatment of patients with snake bites and therefore can be used as an alternative against snake envenomation. Scientifically, using the secondary metabolites of plants to neutralize venom enzymes has an extra benefit of being based on traditional knowledge; also, the use of such metabolites for the treatment of patients with snake bites is cheaper and the treatment can be started sooner. Methods: All the available information on various secondary metabolites exhibiting venom neutralizing ability were collected via electronic search (using Google books, Pubmed, SciFinder, Scirus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science) and articles of peer-reviewed journals. Results:Recent interest in different plant has focused on isolating and identifying of different phytoconstituents that exhibit Phospholipase A2 activity and other venom enzyme neutralizing ability. In this support convincing evidence in experimental animal models are available. Conclusion: Secondary metabolites are naturally present, have no side effect, are stable for a long time, can be easily stored, and can neutralize a wide range of snake enzymes, such as phospholipase A2, hyaluronidase, protease, L-amino acid oxidase, 5'nucleotidase, etc. The current review presents a compilation of important plant secondary metabolites that are effective against snake venom due to enzyme neutralization.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.27.1-27.13
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• 2021

Background: Ozone is an antimicrobial agent that in experimental and case-control studies has been found to exert a positive effect on wound healing. Wild and pet chelonians frequently present insidious wounds exhibiting secondary infections and/or delayed healing. Objectives: Evaluate the effects of topical ozonated sunflower oil on second-intention healing of acute experimental skin wounds in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Methods: Randomised within-subject controlled study; Group 1 (n = 24) was used to assess clinical healing features; Group 2 (n = 12) was used for histological evaluation in which two sets of wounds were biopsied at 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days over the course of the cicatrisation process. A single 6 mm diameter wound was made on each rear limb and topical ozonated (950 peroxide value) and non-ozonated sunflower oil were applied daily for one week on treated and contralateral control wounds, respectively. Results: Mean wound size was significantly lower in the ozone-treated group at day 28 (p < 0.0001) with differences of clinical relevance (74.04% vs. 93.05% reduction of initial wound size). Histologically, the acute inflammatory reaction was enhanced in treated wounds, with significantly higher numbers of heterophils (p = 0.0016), lymphocytes (p < 0.001) and fibroblasts (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Daily topical application of ozonated sunflower oil over the course of one week improved the healing of acute, full-thickness skin wounds in chelonians. This clinical outcome was histologically correlated with an enhanced acute inflammatory reaction, as well as the production and remodelling of collagen fibres.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.667-685
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• 2018

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate bone regenerative efficacy of a chemically cross-linked porcine collagen membrane (CM) when used in combination with highly soluble biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Materials and methods: Physiochemical properties of the experimental collagen membrane were analyzed. Four circumferential defects with diameter of 8 mm were created in each calvarium of New Zealand white rabbits (n = 10). Defects were randomly allocated to one of following 4 groups: 1) BCP-CM (BCP (20% hydroxyapatite/80% ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate) covered with the prepared collagen membrane), 2) BCP (only BCP used), 3) CM (only the prepared collagen membrane used), and 4) C (control; only blood clot). After 2 weeks (n = 5) and 8 weeks (n = 5), histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: The experimental collagen membrane exhibited dense and compact structure, relatively high tensile strength and lower degradability. Histologic analyses revealed that new bone increased rapidly at 2 weeks, while defect was preserved at 8 weeks. Histomorphometric analyses revealed that the new bone areas increased in the BCP-grafted groups over 8 weeks, with BCP-CM exhibiting greater total augmented area than that of BCP group both at 2 weeks ($27.12{\pm}3.99$ versus $21.97{\pm}2.27mm^2$) and 8 weeks ($25.75{\pm}1.82$ versus $22.48{\pm}1.10mm^2$) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The experimental collagen membrane successfully preserved localized defect for 8 weeks despite early rapid resorption of BCP. Within the study limitations, combined use of the chemically cross-linked porcine collagen membrane and highly soluble BCP aided localized bone regeneration.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.224-232
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• 2018

Objectives. Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) include potential endogenous progenitor populations for the regeneration of the peripheral auditory system. However, whether these populations are present in adult mice is largely unknown. We examined the presence and characteristics of SGN-neural stem cells (NSCs) in mice as a function of age. Methods. The expression of Nestin and Ki67 was examined in sequentially dissected cochlear modiolar tissues from mice of different ages (from postnatal day to 24 weeks) and the sphere-forming populations from the SGNs were isolated and differentiated into different cell types. Results. There were significant decreases in Nestin and Ki67 double-positive mitotic progenitor cells in vivo with increasing mouse age. The SGNs formed spheres exhibiting self-renewing activity and multipotent capacity, which were seen in NSCs and were capable of differentiating into neuron and glial cell types. The SGN spheres derived from mice at an early age (postnatal day or 2 weeks) contained more mitotic stem cells than those from mice at a late age. Conclusion. Our findings showed the presence of self-renewing and proliferative subtypes of SGN-NSCs which might serve as a promising source for the regeneration of auditory neurons even in adult mice.