• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.680-688
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• 2009

Purpose : Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important proinflammatory mediators in asthma. Recently, it was suggested that a promoter polymorphism in the genes encoding for leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), a key enzyme in the leukotriene synthetic pathway, and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) might be associated with aspirin-intolerant asthma. We investigated whether polymorphisms in LTC4S and CysLTR1 genes or their interactions were associated with the asthma phenotype, lung function, or bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in Korean children. Methods : A total of 856 asthmatic children and 254 non-asthmatic controls were enrolled; a skin prick test, lung function test and bronchial provocation test were performed. Of those enrolled, 395 children underwent exercise challenge tests. The LTC4S A(-444)C and CysLTR1 T(＋927)C were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results : Of those enrolled, 699 children were classified as having atopic asthma and 277 children, as having exercise-induced asthma (EIA). LTC4S and CysLTR1 polymorphisms were not associated with atopic asthma, EIA, or asthma per se. Lung function and BHR were not significantly different between the wild type (AA or TT) and the variant (AC＋CC or TC＋CC) genotypes in asthmatics, atopic asthmatics, and EIA (＋) asthmatics, while total eosinophil counts were higher in the variant type of LTC4S than in the wild type in atopic asthmatics. There were no associations between the gene-gene interactions of LTC4S and CysLTR1 genotypes and the asthma phenotypes. Conclusion : LTC4S A(-444)C and CysLTR1 T(＋927)C polymorphisms and their gene-gene interactions are not associated with asthma phenotype, lung function, or BHR in Korean children.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.4 s.48
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• pp.571-582
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• 2004

Recently the well-being, which is regarded as the new cultural code, has brought a new change in the cosmetic industry. The application of the functional products is getting mere and lots of functional cosmetics are now diversifying from the skin-care into the make-up as well as the herbal products. So the future in the market of functional cosmetic products is prospected to be positive. Therefore, cosmetic companies need an approach bases on the concept of the well-being. So to speak, they need to understand the needs of customers accurately from the customers point of view. Also it is a crucial issue that how the unique characteristics of functional cosmetic products as well as the development of products base on the concept of well-being make in balance. In this study, we attempt to inspect the advanced domestic market of the functional products due to the well-being trend and try to propose an option of making an advance it through the customers survey (for example, their need and their satisfaction on the functional products, etc) on the functional cosmetic products. For this purpose, it has been surveyed on adult female customers aged 19 to 60 located in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. 379 questionnaires among 510 were used in the final analysis. Collected data was analyzed using the statistical package for the social science (SPSS) program that can give the information about the general characteristics of the subjects like the frequency and percentage. And we used Cronbach's u reliability test, $x^2\;(chi-square)$ frequency analysis, t-test, and one-wat ANOVA to investigate the customers need, their degree of the satisfaction on the functional products of their own, factors of their perception on the quality on them. We think that the results of our study can act not only as the fundamental data on the customers need, their usage pattern, and their degree of the satisfaction, but also as the important tips of planning the marketing strategies.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2004

Purpose: To develop a whole body frame for the purpose of reducing patient motion and minimizing setup error for extra-cranial stereotactic radiotherapy, and to evaluate the repositioning setup error of a patient in the frame. Materials and Methods: The developed whole body frame is composed of a base plate, immobilizer, vacuum cushion, ruler and belts. The dimension of the base plate is 130 cm in length, 50 cm in width and 1 cm in thickness. The material used in the base plate of the frame was bakelite and the immobilizer was made of acetal. In addition, Radiopaque angio-catheter wires were engraved on the base plate for a coordinate system to determine the target localization. The measurement for radiation transmission and target localization is peformed in order to test the utilization of the frame. Also, a Matlab program analyzed the patients setup error by using the patient's setup images obtained from a CCTV camera and digital record recorder (DVR). Results: A frame that is useful for CT simulation and radiation treatment was fabricated. The frame structure was designed to minimize collisions from the changes in the rotation angle of the gantry and to maximize the transmission rate of the Incident radiation at the lateral or posterior oblique direction. The lightening belts may be used for the further reduction of the patient motion, and the belts can be adjusted so that they are not in the way of beam direction. The radiation transmission rates of this frame were measured as 95% and 96% at 10 and 21 MV, respectively. The position of a test target on the skin of a volunteer is accurately determined by CT simulation using the coordinate system in the frame. The estimated setup errors by Matlab program are shown 3.69$\pm$1.60, 2.14$\pm$0.78 mm at the lateral and central chest, and 7.11 $\pm$2.10, 6.54$\pm$2.22 mm at lateral and central abdomen, respectively. The setup error due to the lateral motion of breast is shown as 6.33$\pm$ 1.55 mm. Conclusion: The development and test of a whole body frame has proven very useful and practical in the radiosurgery for extra-cranial cancers. It may be used in determining target localization, and it can be used as a patient immobilization tool. More experimental data should be obtained in order to improve and confirm the results of the patient setup error.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.358-366
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts with various countries of origin. Three samples of licorice with various origins (Korea, China, and Uzbekistan) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against six skin microflora. The bioassay applied for determining the antimicrobial effects included the disc diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration, and challenge test. The ethyl acetate fractions of G. uralensis and G. glabra extracts showed significant antimicrobial activities against two gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Propionibacterium acnes) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. These samples had much more intensive antimicrobial activities than synthetic preservatives on B. subtilis, P. acnes, and P. aeruginosa, especially. Korean licorice showed the highest antimicrobial activity amongst the samples tested. In view of the observed inhibitory features of these G. uralensis and G. glabra extracts, it is suggested that they could be used as natural antiseptics against bacterial contamination in cosmetics and foods, instead of the common synthetic preservatives currently employed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2001

Purpose: Following up the cases of cow's milk-sensitive enteropathy (CMSE), We observed the development of clinical tolerance with cow's milk and other foods. We investigated the clinical outcome of CMSE. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of patients who had been admitted and diagnosed as CMSE by responses to cow's milk challenge and elimination test and the findings of small intestinal biopsy at Department of Pediatrics, Taegu Catholic University Hospital from March 1992 to March 1997. All of them were being fed with protein hydrolysate before 6 months old, and tried cow's milk and other foods challenge test at following each two month. Twenty-one cases of them returned to be followed. The age at admission was $30.7{\pm}8.8$ (18~47) days old and at survey was $43.4{\pm}23.7$ (16~84) months old. Results: 1) Although the body weight at birth of the patients was 25~75 percentile, all on admission was below 3 percentile. The body weight on interview was 25~75 percentile. 2) The development of clinical tolerance in cow's milk was observed at 16~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 61% at 12 months of age, 90% at 16 months of age. The development of clinical tolerance in other foods was observed at 10~24 months of age and the tolerance rate was 33% at 12 months of age, 80% at 18 months of age. 3) Adverse reactions after challenge test with cow's milk were observed at 19 cases, manifestated as vomiting (31%), diarrhea (31%), irritability or lethargy (21%), skin rash (10%), and abdominal distention (5%). 4) Comparing serum IgE and milk RAST positive group on admission (5 cases) and negative group on admission (16 cases), there was no significant difference at the age of tolerance in cow's milk (p>0.05), the age of tolerance in other foods (p>0.05), allergy history in family, and the incidence of other allergic diseases. 5) The history of family allergy was observed in 3 cases (14%) in 21 patients and 3 cases (14%) showed rhinitis, urticaria or asthma through a follow-up interview. Conclusion: The development of clinical tolerance in cow's and other foods was sharply increased at 12 months of age and most of all tolerated within 24 months of age. CMSE is a temporary disorder of infancy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2023

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to fabricate a prototype robotic simulator for dental education, to test whether it could simulate mandibular movements, and to assess the possibility of the stimulator responding to stimuli during dental practice. Materials and methods. A virtual simulator model was developed based on segmentation of the hard tissues using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data. The simulator frame was 3D printed using polylactic acid (PLA) material, and dentiforms and silicone face skin were also inserted. Servo actuators were used to control the movements of the simulator, and the simulator's response to dental stimuli was created by pressure and water level sensors. A water level test was performed to determine the specific threshold of the water level sensor. The mandibular movements and mandibular range of motion of the simulator were tested through computer simulation and the actual model. Results. The prototype robotic simulator consisted of an operational unit, an upper body with an electric device, a head with a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and dentiforms. The TMJ of the simulator was capable of driving two degrees of freedom, implementing rotational and translational movements. In the water level test, the specific threshold of the water level sensor was 10.35 ml. The mandibular range of motion of the simulator was 50 mm in both computer simulation and the actual model. Conclusion. Although further advancements are still required to improve its efficiency and stability, the upper-body prototype simulator has the potential to be useful in dental practice education.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.158-167
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• 2007

In this study, we have cloned a novel cDNA encoding for a papain-family cysteine protease from the Uni-ZAP XR cDNA library of the polychaete, Periserrula leucophryna. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli using the T7 promoter system, and the protease was characterized after partial purification. First, the partial DNA fragment (498 bp) was amplified from the total RNA via RT-PCR using degenerated primers derived from the conserved region of cysteine protease. The full-length cDNA of cysteine protease (PLCP) was prepared via the screening of the Uni-ZAP XR cDNA library using the $^{32}P-labeled$ partial DNA fragment. As a result, the PLCP gene was determined to consist of a 2591 bp nucleotide sequence (CDS: 173-1024 bp) which encodes for a 283-amino acid polypeptide, which is itself composed of an 59-residue signal sequence, a 6-residue propeptide, a 218-residue mature protein, and a long 3'-noncoding region encompassing 1564 bp. The predicted molecular weights of the preproprotein and the mature protein were calculated as 31.8 kDa and 25 kDa, respectively. The results of sequence analysis and alignment revealed a significant degree of sequence similarity with other eukaryotic cysteine proteases, including the conserved catalytic triad of the $Cys^{90},\;His^{226},\;and\;Asn^{250}$ residues which characterize the C1 family of papain-like cysteine protease. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the novel gene were deposited into the GenBank database under the accession numbers, AY390282 and AAR27011, respectively. The results of Northern blot analysis revealed the 2.5 kb size of the transcript and ubiquitous expression throughout the entirety of the body, head, gut, and skin, which suggested that the PLCP may be grouped within the cathepsin F-like proteases. The region encoding for the mature form of the protease was then subcloned into the pT7-7 expression vector following PCR amplification using the designed primers, including the initiation and termination codons. The recombinant cysteine proteases were generated in a range of 6.3 % to 12.5 % of the total cell proteins in the E. coli BL21(DE3) strain for 8 transformants. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis indicated that a cysteine protease of approximately 25 kDa (mature form) was generated. The optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme were determined to be approximately 9.5 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively, thereby indicating that the cysteine protease is a member of the alkaline protease group. The evaluation of substrate specificity indicated that the purified protease was more active towards Arg-X or Lys-X and did not efficiently cleave the substrates with non-polar amino acids at the P1 site. The PLCP evidenced fibrinolytic activity on the plasminogen-free fibrin plate test.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-66
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• 2000

Objectives: The studies in biological, behavioral and psychosocial perspectives in nursing research are fundamental in the balanced development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing researchers have placed a strong emphasis on developing psychological and behavioral aspects of nursing knowledge as is evidenced by the large body of research in these areas. However, the paucity of nursing research using the principles of biological science for measurements and techniques have often invited open criticism by many nursing researchers. This study attempts to characterize the researches performed in master and doctoral thesis which used physiological variables. Methods: We analyzed masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996 and doctoral thesis from 1982 to 1996 listed in CD from Korean Nurses Association. Results: Out of 3060 masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996, 342 (11.2%) thesis used physiological variables whereas 43 (10.1%) doctoral thesis used physiological ones. Number of thesis with physiological variables was the highest in Seoul National University for masters' thesis whereas for the doctoral thesis the number was the highest in Yonsei University. The research subjects in these thesis with physiological variables were mostly patients (53.5% in masters' and 69.8% in doctoral). Master's thesis often conducted either nonexperimental or survey research (69.9%) whereas experimental research design prevailed vital signs(181 thesis), blood tests(133), body composition(124), microorganisms(74), gastrointestinal functions(36), lab test(33), drug(21), urinary functions(20), movement(17), Apgar Score(15), reproductive functions(9), skin related functions(6), body fluid and electrolytes(4), parasite(4), metabolism(3), and sensory(1), Among the 338 master' thesis which studied the common nursing concepts such as anxiety, pain, stress, and depression, 48(14.2%) thesis utilized physiological variables while 15 out of 35 doctoral thesis addressed these concepts using physiological variables. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that despite the large amount of nursing research performed over the last decades, there are a few nursing researches done with physiological variables either in masters' or doctoral thesis. To enrich nursing knowledge with different perspectives of nursing including especially biological ones, the efforts have to be made to conduct bionursing science research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.671-676
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• 2008

Forty-eight Naemi lambs (avg. BW 31.7 kg) were transported by truck for a distance of 1,450 km from Al-Jouf to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On arrival day, the lambs were randomly allocated to four groups receiving diets supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 ppm organic chromium (Cr). Each group consisted of four separately housed replicates of three lambs each. The animals were fed ad libitum on a grower diet for 84 days. Blood samples were obtained shortly before transportation, upon arrival and at weekly intervals thereafter from all lambs for analysis of plasma and serum. Plasma glucose and serum cortisol, total protein, albumin, urea-N and total cholesterol concentrations were determined. A cursory clinical examination of the lambs, along with rectal temperature, was undertaken at different intervals during the experiment. The lambs were inoculated each with 2 ml i.v. chicken red blood cells (CRBC) on days 0, 21, and 42. Serum total, IgG and IgM antibody titers were determined at weekly intervals post-immunization. An in vivo intradermal hypersensitivity test was carried out on 6 lambs from each group on days 10 and 70. Transportation of the lambs resulted in a significant (p<0.001) elevation of serum cortisol, total protein and albumin levels, as well as increased plasma glucose concentration, with corresponding decrease in total cholesterol, while blood urea-N remained largely unchanged. These constituents returned to normal levels during subsequent weeks, with no significant differences in their concentrations being observed between the Cr-supplemented groups and controls. Rise in rectal temperature after transportation was reduced to a greater extent (p<0.05) in Cr-supplemented versus control lambs. Total, IgG and IgM antibody titers against CRBC rose significantly (p<0.05) during immunizations in all groups, with significantly and linearly higher (p<0.05) total and IgG titers in Cr-supplemented versus control lambs. By contrast, no significant effect due to Cr supplementation was recorded in IgG titers, which increased equally in Cr-fed and control groups. Skin thickness in response to intradermal inoculation of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was also significantly (p<0.01) increased as a result of Cr supplementation. These results indicate that dietary Cr supplementation might be useful during stress especially for enhancing immune responses in transport-stressed lambs.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.294-304
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• 2008

Purpose: Cancer patients experience a range of physical and psychological sequelae. Consistent nursing support should be provided along the cancer treatment path. This study aimed to i)examine the effects of a telephone counseling program after discharge on perceived health, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with nursing services, and ii)describe symptom distress and their coping methods. Method: The study was a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent pre-post test. The sample included 20 women with gynecologic cancer in the experimental group and the same in the control group from a university hospital in Seoul. The telephone intervention was given once from 5 to 7 days after the chemotherapy. The General Well-Being Schedule and Symptom Distress Scale were used. Result: An effect from telephone counseling was found only in the vitality subscale of psychological well-being. Other subscores, perceived health, or satisfaction with nursing services did not differ between the two groups. Pain, skin change, decreased appetite, and constipation were the major symptoms and a relatively few coping strategies were utilized. Conclusion: Protocol of telephone counseling led by a nurse needs to be further developed in regard to best timing, amount, and target effects for follow-up care of gynecologic cancer patients.