• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.102-108
• /
• 2004

Orf virus (ORFV), a member of genus Parapoxvirus (family-Poxviridae), a causative agent of contagious ecthyma in sheep and goat leading to a condition commonly known as vesicular dermatitis. Recently, twelve goats from Iksan in Jeonbuk province were observed with clinical signs like necrotic vesicular lesions around the mucosa of mouth, nasal cavity, eye, ear, teats, abdomen and groin. Based on these clinical symptoms, contagious ecthyma infection was suspected. The skin scrapping was collected from lesions for isolation of DNA and subsequent PCR amplification of ORFV specific 235 bp region of B2L gene. All of the samples were found positive by PCR analysis. Sequencing and further phylogenetic analysis of the PCR product revealed 100% identity to Japan isolate of ORFV (Okinawa, GenBank accession number AB080769), and showed 99.6% of similarity to New Zealand strain (NZ-2, GenBank accession number U06671). It was concluded that ORFV strain detected in the present study is homologous to Japan isolate and New Zealand strain. The PCR test based on amplification of B2L gene is a highly useful tools for rapid and specific diagnosis of contagious ecthyma.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.154-161
• /
• 2010

The solvent extracts of Prunus persica Flos were investigated for the activities of whitening and anti-wrinkle effects to apply as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect, which is related to skin-whitening, was 54.0, 58.3% in P. persica Flos (PPW, PPE) at 1,000 ppm. In addition, the ethanol extract of P. persica Flos (PPE) showed a potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity in the test using melanoma cell lines resulting in 40.0% inhibition at 100ppm. Furthermore, the aqueous acetone extract from the flower of P. persica Flos was found to inhibit elastase, which was more effective than ascorbic acid at 1,000 ppm. The inhibition of melanin synthesis by P. persica Flos extract (PPE) was about 56.5% at 100 ppm concentration. When compared to other extraction methods, the ethanol extract showed more potent whitening activity. For anti-wrinkle effect, the elastase inhibition activity of P. persica Flos extract (PPA) was 57.0% and higher than that of ascorbic acid at 1,000 ppm. The collagenase inhibition activity of P. persica Flos extract (PPA) was about 48.0% at 1,000 ppm. Collagen synthesis in fibroblast cell by P. persica Flos extracts (PPA) was about 41.0% at 100 ppm and its acetone extract was the best showing antiwrinkle activities. All these findings suggested that P. persica Flos has a great potential as a cosmeceutical ingredient with a whitening and anti-wrinkle effect.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.575-587
• /
• 2013

DC electrical and electromagnetic survey was applied to evaluate the reserve of an iron mine site. We analyzed the borehole cores and the cores sampled from outcrops in order to decide which geophysical method was efficient for the evaluation of iron mine site and to understand the geological setting around the target area. Based on the core tests for specific weight, density, porosity, resistivity and P-wave velocity, showing that the magnetite could be distinguishable by the electrical property, we decided to conduct the electrical survey to investigate the irone mine site. According to previous studies, the DC electrical survey was known to have various arrays with high resolutions effective to the survey of the iron mine site. However it was also known that the skin depth is too shallow to grasp the deep structure of iron mine. To compensate the weakness of the DC electrical method, we applied the MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey. In addition, a Controlled Source MT (CSMT) method was also applied to make up the shortcoming of MT method which is weak for shallow targets. From the DC electrical and MT survey, we found a new low resistivity zone, which is believed to be a magnetite reserve beneath the old abandoned mine. Therefore, this study was confirmed for additional utility value.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.12
• /
• pp.501-506
• /
• 2011

Purpose: A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area. Methods: Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of $NO_2$, $CO_2$, $O_3$, particulate matter (PM) $PM_{10/2.5}$, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined. Results: The levels of outdoor CO, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, $CO_2$, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). Conclusion: We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.77-81
• /
• 2005

The monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP3), on chromosome 17q11.2-q12, is a secreted chemokine, which attracts macrophages during inflammation and metastasis. In an effort to discover additional polymorphism(s) in genes whose variant(s) have been implicated in asthma, we scrutinized the genetic polymorphisms in MCP3 to evaluate it as a potential candidate gene for asthma host genetic study. By direct DNA sequencing in twenty-four individuals, we identified four sequence variants within the 3 kb full genome including 1,000bp promoter region of MCP3; one in promoter region (-420T>C), three in intron (+136C>G, +563C>T, +984G>A) respectively. The frequencies of those four SNPs were 0.020 (-420T>C), 0.038 (+136C>G), 0.080 (+563C>T), 0.035 (+984G>A), respectively, in Korean population (n = 598). Haplotypes, their frequencies and linkage disequilibrium coefficients (|D'|) between SNP pairs were estimated. The associations with the risk of asthma, skin-test reactivity and total serum IgE levels were analyzed. Using statistical analyses for association of MCP3 polymorphisms with asthma development and asthma-related phenotypes, no significant signals were detected. In conclusion, we identified four genetic polymorphisms in the important MCP3 gene, but no significant associations of MCP3 variants with asthma phenotypes were detected. MCP3 variation/haplotype information identified in this study will provide valuable information for future association studies of other allergic diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 1990

The employees at the Pohang industrial area, where Clonarchis sinensis has been known to be endemic along the Hyungsan River, were examined parasitologically for clonorchiasis and a part of the infected cases were surveyed with a questionaire to outline the recent infection status of C. sinensis and epidemiological parameters in the area. Total of 3, 180 cases were tested by intra- dermal inoculation of C. sinensis antigen (Green Cross Co., Korea), and 834(26.2%) were found positive. Out of the positive cases, 598 were subjected to (ecal examination for helminth ova. The examination revealed 129(21.6%) ova Positive cases of C. sinensis, and Trichuris trichiura 1.7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.3%, and Metagonimus yokogawai 0.2%. The questionaire analysis showed some significant difFerences between the infected and non-infected(control) groups. The infected cases were less educated than the control, and they lived at the closer area to the river, and most of them lived there over 20 years. Also they preferred eating raw fresh water fish. Most of the detected cases were treated with prasiquantel and found negative for the eggs in 85.3% of them 1 year after the treatment. The present data reveal markedly decreased endemicity of clonorchiasis compared with previous prevalence rates but still clonorchiasis is endemic in the Hyungsan river basin. A comprehensive measure including case detection, treatment and education for parasite control should be applied to control clonorchiasis in such endemic areas.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.80-84
• /
• 2011

Empyema necessitatis refers to empyema that extends into the extrapleural space through a defect in the pleural surface. Tuberculous empyema necessitatis is a rare complication of tuberculosis. We experienced a 21-month-old boy with tuberculous empyema necessitatis with osteomyelitis in the right $7^{th}$ rib. He presented with a mass on the right lateral chest wall, which was soft and nontender, enlarging for one month. He also had mild fever. The plain radiograph of his chest revealed soft tissue swelling and calcified lymph node on the left axilla, and his PPD skin test was positive. CT scan of the chest showed empyema necessitatis at the right lower chest and upper abdominal walls with osteomyelitis of the right $7^{th}$ rib. He did not have concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis. Surgery was performed for diagnosis and treatment. In histopathologic findings, chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseation necrosis was shown and was positive for acid fast bacilli stain. In addition, M. tuberculosis complex was found as etiology by polymerase chain reaction. The patient has been treated with anti-tuberculous medication without any specific complication.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The study aimed to determine data collected during tuberculosis (TB) contact investigations and to evaluate the outcomes of these investigations. Methods: We reviewed medical records for child contacts of patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB aged 19 years or older between August 2012 and July 2014. Results: A total of 116 child contacts were identified for 79 patients with culture-positive pulmonary TB. Of 116 contacts identified, 22% were incompletely screened. Of 90 contacts who completed screening, 42% had negative tuberculin skin test (TST) results, 58% had positive results, and 1% had active pulmonary TB at the time of investigation. Of 50 contacts with TB patients with a negative smear, 50% had positive TST results. Age ${\geq}5$ years (OR 8.3; 95% CI 2.3-30) and male gender (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.5-9.9) were significantly associated with being incompletely screened. Conclusions: Improvement is needed in the process of contact investigations to ensure that contacts of patients with active pulmonary TB are identified and appropriately screened.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2014

Although congenital syphilis can be prevented with prenatal screening, the disease remains problematic. Currently, there are no cases that describe hematuria and pneumonia related to congenital syphilis. We report a case of congenital syphilis that involved nephrotic syndrome and pneumonia alba in a 22-day-old male infant whose mother did not receive adequate prenatal care. The congenital syphilis diagnosis was confirmed with a serologic test and the patient recovered with penicillin treatment. Clinical findings may be subtle in neonates and delayed recognition occurs frequently, thus complete prenatal screening is critical for congenital syphilis prevention. Immediate serologic testing should be performed to obtain a differential diagnosis if an infant is delivered by a mother that has not received appropriate prenatal examinations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.382-390
• /
• 2011

Smart sensors embedable in composite wind turbine blades have been required to be researched for monitoring the health status of large wind turbine blades during real-time operation. In this research, the feasibility of packaged FBG sensor probes was studied through the experiments of composite blade trailing edge specimens in order to detect cracking and debonding damages. The instants of cracking and debonding generated in the shear web were confirmed by rapid changes of the wavelength shifts from the bare FBG sensor probes. Packaged FBG sensor probes were proposed to remove the fragile property of bare FBG sensor probes attached on composite wind blade specimens. Strain and temperature sensitivity of fabricated probes installed on the skin of blade specimen were almost equal to those of a bare FBG sensor. Strain sensitivity was measured to be ${\mu}{\varepsilon}$/pm in a strain range from to 0 to 600 ${\mu}{\varepsilon}$, and the calculated temperature sensitivity was to be 48 pm/$^{\circ}C$ in the heating test up to 80 degree.