• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2017

The study was performed to investigate the bacteriological contamination of portable digital radiography system and their detectors in a university hospital. CNS and VRE were detected in the samples collected from vinyl cover on detectors used for the infection control patients. On the other hand, no bacteria was detected in the samples collected from detectors with vinyl cover removed. In the series of imaging of patients from general wards, no bacteria was detected from the patient 1. However, CNS was detected from the patients 2 and 3, CNS and Enterococcus faecalis detected from the patient 4, CNS and Enterococcus casseliflavus detected from the patient 5, and CNS, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae all detected from the patient 6. CNS and Enterococcus faecium were detected in the controller handle of collimator. Also, CNS was detected from the handle of detector and exposure switch. In the treatment gloves of the radiological technologist after the imaging, CNS, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected. Therefore, it is recommended for DR portable to take images after sterilizing the detector after taking each image and to use disposable vinyl covers on detectors to remove after imaging. And treatment gloves must be changed after each imaging. Also, hospital infection via portables must be prevented by complete sterilization of the controller handles of collimator which are in frequent contact during imaging and infection education of employees.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2013

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been studied during the past few decades because of their potential impacts on the environment and human health. PCBs are toxic environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This study was carried out to assess the dietary exposure and risk to PCBs for the general Korean population through food intake. Various samples (n=389) covering 28 kinds of food were collected from 5 cities in Korea. The PCB content was not detected-$182.4{\mu}g/kg$ (mean of $5.4{\mu}g/kg$) in the food. The mean dietary exposure of PCBs for the general population was 9.54 ng/kg bw/day with an intake of 0.19% of tolerable daily intake (TDI) ($5{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day). Therefore, the level of overall dietary exposure to PCBs for the Korean population through food intake is below the recommended TDI levels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.845-850
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• 2011

Norovirus (NoV) causes major acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. NoV genus is a member of the family Caliciviridae, which is transmitted by contaminated food and water or from human to human. Many genotypes of genogroups I and II have been reported because of their high genetic diversity. To obtain molecular epidemiological information on gastroenteritis sporadic cases in Busan, Korea, we analyzed the nucleotide sequences of NoV strains detected during 2008~2010. We performed one step RT-PCR amplifying the open reading frame (ORF) 2 (capsid region) followed by semi-nested PCR. Fecal samples were collected from 4,071 acute gastroenteritis, and genotypes of the 421 positive samples were determined by sequence analysis. Based on partial sequence of capsid region, 7 NoV were categorized into genogroup I and 13 into genogroup II. Prevalent genotypes among gastroenteritis patients within Busan were GII.4, GI.6, GII.5 in 2008~2010. The results of this study will contribute to the currently available epidemiological data and improve public health and hygiene via development of diagnostic methods and sustainable surveillance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2017

Four imipenem-resistant bacteria were isolated from the clinical specimens of a patient with pneumonia. To identify the isolates, we used the GN card of Vitek II system and performed a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. The isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa (2 strains), P. monteilii (1 strain), and P. putida (1 strain), and were tested for antibiotic resistance after determining the MIC of imipenem to be $${\geq_-}8{\mu}g/mL$$ using the AST-N225 card of Vitek II system. The imipenem-resistant genotypes were determined using PCR products amplified using specific ${\beta}-Lactamase$ gene primers. The MBL gene was identified in all four isolates. One strain of P. aeruginosa exhibited the VIM and SHV-1 type genes, while the other strain exhibited both VIM and OXA group II genes. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility test, the bacteria were more susceptible to amikacin than other antibiotics. DNA fingerprint analysis using ERIC-PCR to analyze the epidemiological relationship between strains estimated that both the P. aeruginosa isolates were similar, but exhibited different DNA band types. It is uncommon to find four strains of imipenem-resistant bacteria with different DNA band types in a single patient.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2016

Ammonia is very toxic, and causes neuronal damage via excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Because the liver is the primary organ for ammonia metabolism, compromised liver function can result from inborn errors of metabolism. Measurement of blood ammonia has some limitations. Recently, several laboratories examined possible concurrent increases in plasma ammonia. However, the collection, handling, storage, and analysis of blood samples are all potential sources of error. For evaluation of rapidity and reliability of measurement of blood ammonia, the DRI-CHEM 100 (Fuji Film Co., Japan) and COBAS 8000 (Roche Diagnostic Ltd., Switzerland) analyzer were used for analysis of ammonia level values. The results of this study detected a high correlation between analyzer. Therefore, one-step measurement was suitable for ammonia analysis. After sampling of the ammonia in the time slot for measurement an increase to 46.5, 57.4, and 79.0 (${\mu}g/dL$) was observed at 30, 90, and 180 minutes. In addition, specific capacity of the ammonia, 7, 10, and 13 (${\mu}L$), was measured as 39, 46, and 43 (${\mu}g/dL$), respectively, and the FDC-100 analyzer was more effective in $10{\mu}L$ (p<0.001). In conclusion, the evaluated analysis may offer useful information for clinical application.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.366-373
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• 2017

Urinalysis is considered to be easier and simpler than other tests. It has been known to cause no burden to patients, while offering important information on diagnosing, treating, and determining the prognoses of kidney and urinary tract diseases. Urinary sediments are usually performed by microscopic examination of centrifuged urine by technologist. The guidelines proposed by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service are actually different from those actually practiced by medical institutions and taught to biomedical students in textbooks. Therefore, we verified whether different sediment preparation methods lead different test results. Specimens that tested positive from the occult blood and leukocyte esterase in the urine dipstick test were randomly selected for a microscopic examination. The differences in the urine sediment preparation affected the sediment concentrations, which influenced the cell grade and cell number per HPF. The first factor in determining the sediment concentration is the centrifugal force. Many medical institutions use 1,500 rpm as the centrifugal speed without considering the radius of the centrifuge; such a value may not be accurate for 400 G. Consequently, there were differences in urine concentrations, which influenced the results. The second factor is the amount of sediment in urine. Different amounts of the remaining supernatant led to different sediment concentration factors, again, causing different results. Furthermore, not only by using a pipette to obtain an accurate amount as stipulated, but also by roughly obtaining a drop, the microscopic examination using such a volume of sediment examined affected the results. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of standardization of urine sediment preparation procedures to promote consistency and accuracy across institutions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2004

Purpose : Ttransfusion transmitted virus(TTV) is a circular DNA and consists of diverse genotypes and variants. The pathogenecity of TTV is still unclear. Recently another circular single stranded DNA virus, distantly related to TTV was isolated from the sera of blood donors, designated as Transfusion transmitted virus like minivirus(TLMV). TTV and TLMV show greater sequence divergence from each other than between genotypes of TTV. We planned to know the prevalence of TLMV in children. Methods : TLMV DNA was detected by PCR primers from noncoding region of the genome in 88 children without hepatitis, aged 0~15 years. PCR products derived from 10 children were directly sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was undertaken. Results : TLMV DNA was detected in 49% of 88 children without hepatitis. The prevalence of TLMV varied with age : <1 y, 16%(4/25); 1~3 y, 62%(18/29); 4~6 y, 43%(7/16); 7~9 y. 16%(1/6); 10~15 y, 66%(8/12). Mixed infection with TTV was confirmed in 22% of 88 children. Pyhlogenetic analysis of 10 TLMV sequences showed much heterogeneity compared to sequences of GenBank. Conclusion : TLMV prevalence in children was 49% in Korean children. Our TLMV sequence did not cluster in any sequence of TLMV in the GenBank.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.158-162
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• 2014

Purpose: Reference material (RM) is defined as material that is safe and homogeneous enough about specified characteristic that is made with a purpose of using test of measurement or nominal characteristic. Certified reference material (CRM), which is issued by authorized organization, is defined as reference material that provides characteristic value, link uncertainty and retroactivity. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate recovery of radioimmunoassay by Certified Reference Material enclosed with a certificate and therefore to enhance reliability of test. Materials and Methods: WHO certified reference material is purchased from NIBSC (National Institute for Biological Standard and Control, United Kingdom) and made of 3 levels that are C-1 (low concentration), C-2 (medium concentration) and C-3 (high concentration) and measured for kit at the Seoul National University Hospital. Recovery rate is evaluated after measurement at four different days. Results: Recovery rate results using WHO certified reference material are T4 90%, Ferritin 88%, PSA 94%, Prolactin 99%, AFP 94% and TSH 93%. Conclusion: A procedure that appropriate accuracy, precision, specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and validate on the subject of kit for radioimmunoassay is essential. Recovery rate assay as extraction efficiency of analysis process is percent about already measuring results of analysis result after all measuring process. This is very important assessment standards of performance evaluation of immunoassay kit. Recovery rate results of 6 type used WHO CRM are satisfactory to 88~99%. This demonstrates that the radioimmunoassay is a very accurate measurement, which is very effectively utilized in clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.248-252
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• 2003

Enteroviruses isolation were attempted from samples obtained from aseptic meningitis-suspected patients in hospitals in Busan during 2000-2002. Enteroviruses were found in 2 of 292 cases in 2000, 4 of 371 cases in 2001, 83 of 703 cases in 2002. In 2000, the isolated viruses were found to be echovirus serotype 11 and coxsackievirus serotype B2. Coxsackievirus serotype B5 was isolated in 2001 and in 2002, echovirus serotypes 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 25, 30 were isolated in 70 cases while coxsackievirus serotypes B3 and B4 were isolated in 10 cases. Various specimens tended to emerge over the years. The occurrence in 2000 tended to be mostly focus during the cold months, December through January, while in 2001, it occurred in May. In 2002, occurrence was found to be distributed from April to November with the highest rate during June and July. The strains of Vero and HEp-2 of echovirus and coxsackievirus, respectively, are highly infectious. Electron micrograph of echovirus and coxsackievirus show that they are small nonenevolped, isometric-shaped viruses. Isolated RNA from strains of echovirus and coxsackievirus showing cytopathic effects were used to undergo nested PCR which resulted in a 436 bp single band in all the strains. The serotype was sent to the Department of Virology at the Korean National Institute of Health for identification.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2006

Fifty eight Cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Korea were examined for their serotypes and extracellular enzyme activities. Among the 51 strains isolated from clinical sources, 48 strains were serotype A (94.1%), 2 strains were serotype B (3.92%), and 1 strain was serotype D (1.96%). All seven environmental strains isolated from pigeon excreta were identified as serotype A. All isolates of C. neoformtans were positive for the production of extracellular proteinase and phospholipase. In the API-ZYM system, all fifty eight isolates produced alkaine phosphatase, esterase C4, esterase lipase: C8, leucine arylamidase, acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrase, $\alpha$-glucosidase and $\beta$-glucosidase. Thirty nine isolates (67.2%) of C. neoformans produced N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosidase. Two isolates, serotype B, and B only one serotype A produced $\beta$-glucuronidase. Analysis of enzymatic profiles to 21 enzymes revealed four biotypic patterns among the 58 strains. The enzymatic patterns of C. neoformans isolated from clinical and environmental sources represented a significant relationship with the serotypes.