• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.19-38
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• 2024

This study investigated the information needs of prisoners and the adequacy of information resources in prison libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study. The population of the study was 1781 inmates in prisons in Anambra State. The sample size of 327 was selected using Taro Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Two instruments titled the Information Needs of Prisoners Questionnaire and the Adequacy of Information Resources Checklist were used for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experienced lecturers. One in the department of Educational Foundations (Measurement and Evaluation Unit) and two in the Department of Library and Information Science, all at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire items, with a value of 0.79. The researchers administered the questionnaires with the help of four research assistants (correctional officers). Out of 327 questionnaires administered, 314 were successfully retrieved. The percentage return rate of distributed questionnaires is 96%. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of the mean; also, the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) guideline for library services to prisoners was also used as a yardstick for the measurement of adequacy. The results from the data analysis indicated that prisoners have diverse information needs that, when met, would help them during their stay in prison as well as when they are eventually released; these needs include legal information, information on prison rules, financial information, and others. While there were few information resources found to be adequate, the inadequacy of most of the listed information resources is recorded in prison libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that information resources be made adequately available for prisoners in relation to their information needs.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.802-811
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Covered self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) have become popular for endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy with transmural stenting (EUS-HGS). We compared the time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO), complications, and reintervention rates between EUS-HGS using plastic stent (PS) and cSEMS in patients with unresectable malignancies at multicenter institutions in Japan. Methods: Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EUS-HGS between April 2015 and July 2020 at any of the six participating facilities were enrolled. Primary endpoint: TRBO; secondary endpoints: rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction and technical success rate of reintervention were evaluated. Results: PS and cSEMS were used for EUS-HGS in 109 and 43 patients, respectively. The TRBO was significantly longer in the cSEMS group than in the PS group (646 vs. 202 days). Multivariate analysis identified two independent factors associated with a favorable TRBO: combined EUS-guided antegrade stenting with EUS-HGS and the use of cSEMS. No significant difference was observed in the rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction between the two groups. The technical success rate of reintervention was 85.7% for PS and 100% for cSEMS (p=0.309). Conclusions: cSEMS might be a better option for EUS-HGS in patients with unresectable malignancies, given the longer TRBO.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.594-603
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• 2023

Background/Aims: The necessity for pharyngeal anesthesia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is controversial. This study aimed to compare the observation ability with and without pharyngeal anesthesia under midazolam sedation. Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, randomized study included 500 patients who underwent transoral upper gastrointestinal endoscopy under intravenous midazolam sedation. Patients were randomly allocated to pharyngeal anesthesia: PA+ or PA- groups (250 patients/group). The endoscopists obtained 10 images of the oropharynx and hypopharynx. The primary outcome was the non-inferiority of the PA- group in terms of the pharyngeal observation success rate. Results: The pharyngeal observation success rates in the pharyngeal anesthesia with and without (PA+ and PA-) groups were 84.0% and 72.0%, respectively. The PA- group was inferior (p=0.707, non-inferiority) to the PA+ group in terms of observable parts (8.33 vs. 8.86, p=0.006), time (67.2 vs. 58.2 seconds, p=0.001), and pain (1.21±2.37 vs. 0.68±1.78, p=0.004, 0-10 point visual analog scale). Suitable quality images of the posterior wall of the oropharynx, vocal fold, and pyriform sinus were inferior in the PA- group. Subgroup analysis showed a higher sedation level (Ramsay score ≥5) with almost no differences in the pharyngeal observation success rate between the groups. Conclusions: Non-pharyngeal anesthesia showed no non-inferiority in pharyngeal observation ability. Pharyngeal anesthesia may improve pharyngeal observation ability in the hypopharynx and reduce pain. However, deeper anesthesia may reduce this difference.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.648-661
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• 2018

Purpose: Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy in pollinosis patients caused by raw fruits and vegetables and is the most common food allergy in adults. However, there has been no nationwide study on PFAS in Korea. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PFAS in Korea. Methods: Twenty-two investigators participated in this study, in which patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or bronchial asthma with pollen allergy were enrolled. The questionnaires included demographic characteristics, a list of fruits and vegetables, and clinical manifestations of food allergy. Pollen allergy was diagnosed by skin prick test and/or measurement of the serum level of specific IgE. Results: A total of 648 pollinosis patients were enrolled. The prevalence of PFAS was 41.7% (n = 270). PFAS patients exhibited cutaneous (43.0%), respiratory (20.0%), cardiovascular (3.7%) or neurologic symptoms (4.8%) in addition to oropharyngeal symptoms. Anaphylaxis was noted in 8.9% of the PFAS patients. Seventy types of foods were linked to PFAS; e.g., peach (48.5%), apple (46.7%), kiwi (30.4%), peanut (17.4%), plum (16.3%), chestnut (14.8%), pineapple (13.7%), walnut (14.1%), Korean melon (12.6%), tomato (11.9%), melon (11.5%) and apricot (10.7%). Korean foods such as taro/taro stem (8.9%), ginseong (8.2%), perilla leaf (4.4%), bellflower root (4.4%), crown daisy (3.0%), deodeok (3.3%), kudzu root (3.0%) and lotus root (2.6%) were also linked to PFAS. Conclusions: This was the first nationwide study of PFAS in Korea. The prevalence of PFAS was 41.7%, and 8.9% of the PFAS patients had anaphylaxis. These results will provide clinically useful information to physicians.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.108-109
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• 2013

Mitochondria play key roles in the production of cell's energy. Their dominant function is the synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate (Pi) through the oxidative phosphorylation. Evaluation of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity has become increasingly important since mitochondrial dysfunction has recently been implicated in numerous diseases including cancer and diabetes mellitus. Mitochondrial functions have been monitored via oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, and more importantly via ATP synthesis since ATP synthesis is the most essential function of mitochondria. Various analytical methods have been employed to investigate ATP synthesis in mitochondria, including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), bioluminescence technique, and pH measurement. However, most of these methods are based on destructive analysis or indirect monitoring through the enzymatic reaction. Infrared absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) is one of the useful techniques for real-time, label-free, and direct monitoring of biological reactions [1,2]. However, the strong water absorption requires very short path length in the order of several micrometers. Transmission measurements with thin path length are not suitable for mitochondrial assays because solution handlings necessary for evaluating mitochondrial toxicity, such as rapid mixing of drugs and oxygen supply, are difficult in such a narrow space. On the other hand, IRAS in the multiple internal reflection (MIR) geometry provides an ideal optical configuration to combine solution handling and aqueous-phase measurement. We have recently reportedon a real-time monitoring of drug-induced necrotic and apoptotic cell death using MIR-IRAS [3,4]. Clear discrimination between viable and damaged cells has been demonstrated, showing a promise as a label-free and real-time detection for cell-based assays. In the present study, we have applied our MIR-IRAS system to mitochondria-based assays by monitoring ATP synthesis in isolated mitochondria from rat livers. Mitochondrial ATP synthesis and hydrolysis were in situ monitored with MIR-IRAS, while dissolved oxygen level and solution pH were simultaneously monitored with O2 and pH electrodes, respectively. It is demonstrated that ATP synthesis and hydrolysis can be monitored by the IR spectral changes in phosphate groups in adenine nucleotides and MIR-IRAS is useful for evaluating time-dependent drug effects of mitochondrial toxicants.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.529-535
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• 2014

To examine the levels of preservatives that occur naturally in food, wild plants used as commercial teas, rice cakes, or spices were studied according to the method of the Korean Food Code and analyzed with a gas chromatograph and HPLC. The levels of the natural preservatives (sodium dehydroacetate, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, isopropyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate, butyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and propionic acid) in 21 cases were investigated against 15 kinds of wild plants. Six of 15 kinds of wild plants, such as pine needles, bamboo leaf, kudzu leaf, ramie leaf, mugwort, and nut pine leaf, were confirmed to have had sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and propionic acid. 8.201-21.839 mg/kg of benzoic acid was detected in the bamboo leaf, ramie leaf, pine needles, mugwort, kudzu leaf, and nut pine leaf. The sorbic acid contents of the bamboo leaf and the kudzu leaf were 5.630-24.995 mg/kg, respectively. The propionic acid content of the ramie leaf was 61.324-62.726 mg/kg. Nine kinds of wild plants, such as the Korean berchimia leaf, taro leaf, sasa borealis, lotus leaf, kuansh, chrysanthemum zawadskii, oak tree leaf, Chinese pepper leaf, and persimmon leaf, were not detected at the levels of the natural preservatives.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.525-535
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for nutritional education for juveniles' desirable vegetable intake by analyzing their vegetable intake, dietary habit and nutrient intakes according to gender of middle school students in Chungnam. The average age of the subjects was 15.0, height was 162.5 cm, weight was 53.5 kg and their average BMI was $20.1kg/m^2$. The frequency of eating supper in girls was lower than that in boys. Many respondents answered that a meal-time was 10~20 minutes. Without gender difference, more than 90% respondents thought that vegetables were good for health. As for the preference of vegetable, subjects responded, "I am in the middle", "I like them", "I dislike them", "I like them very much", and "I dislike them very much" in order, without gender difference. The frequent eaten leaf vegetable was Chinese cabbage, the frequent eaten fruit vegetable was cucumber, and the frequent eaten root vegetable was radish. The favorite leaf vegetable was lettuce, the favorite fruit vegetable was corn, and the favorite root vegetable was sweet potato. The preference degrees of taro and ginger were very low. The reasons why they liked a vegetable were that it was delicious and they ate it at home often. In addition, the reason why they disliked vegetables was that they are untasty in flavor or texture and it showed that many students had a prejudice that vegetables were untasty. The intakes of plant protein, dietary fiber, ash and INQs of dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E in the group with high preference of vegetables were significantly higher than those of low preference group. The study results indicate that intake frequency and preference of root vegetables in juveniles are low and the major reasons of these results are taste and eating experience of vegetables. In addition, the intake amounts of dietary fiber and folate are poor in the subjects with low preference of vegetables. Therefore, families and schools should make efforts that juveniles can recognize the importance of vegetable intake and select various vegetables properly through the development of cooking methods and systematic nutrition education.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1192-1197
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• 2006

Adsorbability of ionic and nonionic pharmaceuticals was studied using granular activated carbon(GAC). In a batch adsorption test of muticomponent solution, 500 mg/L of GAC dose removed all target compounds between 94 and 98% at initial concentration of 10 ${\mu}g/L$. Adsorption of ionic pharmaceuticals increased as pH was lowered toward to pKa, however adsorption capacity of nonionic pharmaceuticals showed insignificant variation with the changing pH. The enhanced adsorption capacity of ionic pharmaceuticals at lower pH was attributed to the corresponding increase in the molecular form of ionic pharmaceuticals with carboxylic group at low pH. In addition, decrease of pH increased hydrogen ion concentration in the bulk solution and the protons bound to the available sites on the carbon enhanced the removal of the ionic pharmaceuticals from solution. After 40 days of continuous operation, GAC column showed the removal of target compounds were removed by $93{\sim}99%$ at 15 min of EBCT mainly due to adsorption mechanism of GAC. At shorter EBCT than 15 min, breakthrough of CA, IBP and GFZ occurred earlier than the other ionic and nonionic pharmaceuticals. effect of EBCT on adsorption of nonionic pharmaceuticals was greater than ionic ones. This study showed that persitent pharmaceuticals found in drinking water treatment could be effectively controlled by adsorption in GAC process.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.182-198
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• 2010

Background : The varieties of manifestations referred to oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases has been long complicated physicians in the efficient diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Acupuncture has been widely used in Korea throughout the history and provides an efficient method in the treatment of them Objectives : Establish a distinctive and efficient acupuncture method for the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases based in literature research Method : We reviewed four Korean medical literature, "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment", "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine", "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion", and "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am", and analyzed the therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases Result : 1. According to "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment", we could noted frequent application of blood letting methods in the affected area, then rinse ones mouth with salty water and further application of taro plaster. Also found acupuncture methods utilizing heated mole cricket or silkworm in the sublingual region. Regarding herbal method, Realgar was rubbed in the affected area. Mainly used acupuncture points in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases were GV20, GB20, LU5, and auricular anterior hairline 2. In "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine", blood letting method in the sublingual region and burning needle searing method were the most frequently applied in the treatment of oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases. Moxibustion was also applied in the treatment of labial and dental diseases. Particularly, said to apply 3 moxa cones in ear zones of both sides, when no medicine is effective. This demonstrates how emphasized the importance of moxibustion in this kind of disease. Mainly used acupuncture points were GV16, CV24, LI4, EX-HN12, and EX-HN13 3. In "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion", no other methods beside wrist. Superstitious methods like applying moxibustion on the tooth picture drawn on the roofing tile need further confirmation. Mainly used acupuncture points were LI4, ST36, and HT7. 4. "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Sa-am", identified the cause of diseases according to visceral pattern identification. Stomach and Spleen in charge of vocal, lingual, and labial disease, Kidney for dental disease, and further scrutinizing identification according to Liver, Heart, Stomach, Lung, and Kidney manifestations. Used supplementation and draining needling methods of self meridians and other correlating meridians. Conclusions : After previous study on stroke and eye diseases, we could also find various efficient methods according to oral, glottal, labial and dental diseases, through literature research of korean medical classics. This study will concurrently result in establishing distinctive therapeutic method characteristic of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.595-603
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• 2020

To elucidate the structure-function relationship of polysaccharides obtained from Colocasia esculenta, the immuno-stimulating polysaccharide, CE-4a was purified to homogeneity from the crude polysaccharide (CE) extracted from the corms of C. esculenta by two subsequent column chromatographies using DEAE-Sepharose FF and Sephadex G-100, and analysis of their immuno-stimulatory activities and structure were conducted. CE-4a showed an increase in anti-complementary activity in a dose-dependent fashion. The molecular mass was estimated to be 182.4 kDa, which mainly consisted of galactose (43.5%) and mannose (18.2%). Methylation analysis indicated that CE-4a comprised at least 10 different glycosyl linkages, such as terminal Galp, 3-linked Galp, and 4-linked Manp, as well as a characteristic linkage, 2,4,6-branched Manp residue. To analyze the fine structure of CE-4a, it was sequentially digested using endo-α-(1→4)-polygalacturonase, exo-α-galactosidase and endo-β-1,4-D-mannanase. These analyses suggested that CE-4a is to be a highly branched galactomannan with a (1→4)-mannan backbone and galactopyranosyl oligosaccharide side chains.