• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2008

The effect of genistein on melanin synthesis was studied using in vitro and in vivo model. Genistein inhibited melanin synthesis in cultured melan-a cells dose dependently. Tyrosinase activity was decreased by genistein treatment in melan-a cells, but genistein did not inhibit tyrosinase directly. Genistein did not affect the expression of tyrosinase in melan-a cells. Genistein inhibited the activity of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase in virtro and the glycosylation of tyrosinase in melan-a cells. The resulting unsaturated glycosylation of tyrosinase makes it unstable and disturb correct transportation. To further clarify the effect of genistein on the melanogenesis, we established UVB-induced hyperpigmentation on the shaved backs of brown guinea pigs. The animals were exposed to UVB radiation once a week for three consecutive weeks. Genistein (1 and 2%) or vehicle alone as a control were then topically applied to the hyperpigmented areas daily. Genistein showed significant lightening effect on the UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in five weeks. Depigmenting effect was prominent in 2% genistein treatment with Fontana-Masson staining. In conclusion, genistein may be a useful agent for skin whitening.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.149-162
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, lipolysis in rat epididymal adipocytes and histological changes in porcine adipose tissue. Methods : Inhibiton of preadipocyte differentiation and/or stimulation of lipolysis play important roles in reducing obesity. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents by incubating for 3 days in the absence or presence of hot pepper extract or capsaicin ranging from 0.01 to $1mg/m{\ell}$. The effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on adipogenesis were examined by measuring GPDH activity and by Oil Red O staining. Mature adipocytes from rat epididymal fat pad was incubated with hot pepper extract or capsaicin ranging from 0.01 to $1mg/m{\ell}$ for 3 hrs. The effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on lipolysis were examined by measuring free glycerol released. Fat tissue from pig skin was injected with hot pepper extract or capsaicinCFP ranging from 0.1 to $10mg/m{\ell}$ to examine the effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on histological changes under light microscopy. Results : The following results were obtained from present study on adipogenesis of preadipocytes, lipolysis of adipocytes and histological changes in fat tissue. 1. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin inhibited adipogenic differentiation at the concentration of 0.1 and $0.01mg/m{\ell}$, respectively, indicating that capsaicin was more effective in inhibiting adipogenesis than hot pepper extract. 2. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin decreased the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPDH) at the concentration of 0.1 and $0.01mg/m{\ell}$, respectively, indicating that capsaicin was more effective in inhibiting adipogenic differentiation than hot pepper extract. 3. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin increased glycerol release at the concentration of $0.1mg/m{\ell}$. There was no difference in lipolytic activity between hot pepper extract and capsaicin at the corresponding concentration. 4. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin caused shrinkage of fat cells, resulting in cell death at the concentration of $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, although capsaicin exerted this action over wide area than hot pepper extract. Conclusions : These results suggest that hot pepper extract and capsaicin efficiently inhibited adipogenesis, increased lipolysis of adipocytes and caused to shrink fat cells. Future studies are needed to make use of hot pepper extract pharmacopuncture for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.739-746
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• 1997

A variety of experiments concerning the development of ideal prosthetic grafts for correcting circumferential tracheal defects have been performed. The requirements for an ideal tracheal prosthesis are impermeability to air, consistency to prevent collapse, and acceptance by the host tissue causing a minimum inflammatory reaction, allowing fibroblastic infiltration and epithelialization. The synthetic material, polyurethane(PU), is known as a biocompatible polymer with an inert component. In this study, the tracheal prosthesis was made from microporous PU(30 micrometer in diameter) coated with gelatin and reinforced with isoplastic rings. This procedure provides the prosthesis with a compression strength. The out side diame er of the prosthesis was 20 mm with a length of 30 mm. The gelatin used in the study was obtained from pig skin and immobilized and cross-linked by irradiation(60 Co gamma ray) to promote host tissue incorporation and render the prosthesis epithelization after implantation. Animal experiments using 10 mongrel dogs were performed to compare three kinds of prosthesis; gelatin coated polyurethane graft, uncoated polyurethane graft, and prosthesisf pericadium complex graft. After 6 weeks of implantation, the epithelialization of implants was seen on the gelatin-coated and prosthesisfpericadium complex grafts. Implanted prosthesis were complicated by airway obstruction due to anastomosis granuloma. Early tracheal stenosis was found in the uncoated graft group. Two kind of anastomosis techniques were tested on the gelatin-coated prosthesis. Everted anastomosis resulted severe granuloma than the inverted anastomosis. In the prosthesislpericadium complex graft, bacteria and inflammation at a anastomotic site was found. Based on these results, gelatin coated porous polyurethane trachea prosthesis is biocompatible and may be useful in clinical application with further investigation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.254-261
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• 2017

Determining the origin of the components in commercially available gelatin, a purified protein derived mostly from pig skin and bovine tissue, is a challenge, leading to concerns on the grounds of religious beliefs and health. Therefore, regular monitoring of labeling compliance by food control authorities is also necessary. In this study, we monitored the origin of gelatin capsules from 181 commercial dietary supplements that were available for purchase on the internet, using species-specific PCR assays. Fifty five products were labeled correctly, declaring that they used bovine-, fish- and plant-derived gelatin, whereas the other 126 capsules were labeled "gelatin" without specifying the origin. Gelatin in these capsules was obtained from cattle (n = 51), pigs (n = 31), or both (n = 44). Therefore, it is important to declare all of the raw materials used to produce gelatin capsules on the labels to best protect consumers' rights, religious beliefs, and health.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1330-1335
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• 2012

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the acute infectious diseases in hoofed and even-toed mammals, including pigs, and it occurs via acute infection by Aphthovirus. When FMD is suspected, animals around the location of origin are typically slaughtered and buried. Other methods such as rendering, composting, and incineration have not been verified in practice in Korea. After the FMD incident, the regular monitoring of the microbial community is required, as microorganisms greatly modify the characteristics of the ecosystem in which they live. This is the result of their metabolic activities causing chemical changes to take place in the surrounding environment. In this study, we investigated changes in the microbial community during a 24 week period with DNA extracts from leachate, formed by the decomposition of buried pigs at a laboratory test site, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with a genomic DNA. Our results revealed that Bacteroides coprosuis, which is common in pig excreta, and Sporanaerobacter acetigenes, which is a sulfur-reduced microbe, were continuously observed. During the early stages (0~2 weeks) of tissue decomposition, Clostridium cochlearium, Fusobacterium ulcerans, and Fusobacterium sp., which are involved in skin decomposition, were also observed. In addition, various microbes such as Turicibacter sanguinis, Clostridium haemolyticum, Bacteroides propionicifaciens, and Comamonas sp. were seen during the later stages (16~24 weeks). In particular, the number of existing microbial species gradually increased during the early stages, including the exponential phase, decreased during the middle stages, and then increased again during the later stages. Therefore, these results indicate that the decomposition of pigs continues for a long period of time and leachate is created continuously during this process. It is known that leachate can easily flow into the neighboring environment, so a long-term management plan is needed in burial locations for FMD-infected animals.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 1982

Staphyylococci are responsible for over 80 per cents of the suppurative diseases encountered in medical practice. They cause most suppurative infections of the skin but may also invade and produce severe infections in any other parts of the body. In order to know the carrier rate of staphylococci between the parahospital workers and in the hospital workers, the author undertook isolation of S aureus from nasal cavity on 68 cases of freshmen, 31 cases of sophomores, and 37 cases of juniors in Busan National University, and 30 cases of nursing students, 30 cases of nurses, 30 cases of nurses in charge of operating room and 30 cases of doctors in Busan National University Hospital. The tested total cases were 256 cases which were 136 Cases in parahospital workers and which were 120 cases in hospital workers. The biochemical characters of S aureus strains isolated were studied on coagulase test, mannitol test, hemolysis test and sensitivity test to antimicrobial agents. The results obtained were as follows: 1. S aureus were isolated 49 cases(29.7%) from nasal cavity parahospital workers and were isolated 67 cases(55.8%) from nasal cavity on hospital workers. 2. Among 40 strains of S aureus isolated from parahospital worker's nasal cavity coagulase positive were 29 cases(72.1%), and coagulase negative were 11 cases(27.5%). And mannitol positive were 29 cases(72.5%), and mannitol negative were 11 cases(27.5%). 3. Among 67 strains of S aureus isolated from hospital worker's nasal cavity coagulase positive were 59 cases(88.1%), and coagulase negative were 8 cases(11.9%). And mannitol positive were 49 cases(73.1%), and mannitol negative were 18 cases(26.9%). 4. The hemolysis test of each erythocytes on coagulase and mannitol positive S aureus isolated were sensitive to rabbit(40 cases: 81.6%), guinea pig(26 cases: 53.6%), sheep(13 case: 26.5%), and were not sensitive to chicken and human erythrocytes, respectively. 5. The hemolysis test of each erythocytes on 10 strains of coagulase and mannitol negative S aureus isolated were not sensitive to all of, erythrocytes. 6. The sensitivity test to the various chemotherapeutic agents was almost sensitive to the strains isolated from parahospital workers, but was almost resistant to the strains isolated from hospital workers.