• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes and cervical lesions in Busan. Furthermore, the cytological and histological findings of cervical lesions were compared to determine the usefulness of the currently released vaccines. HPV subtypes of 2,130 patients who visited Haeundae Paik Hospital between January 2013 and March 2016 were analyzed by the HPV 9G DNA chip. Liquid-based cytological examination was performed, and subtypes were classified according to the 2001 guidelines of The Bethesda System. Biopsy or hysterectomy specimens were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for histological examinations. Of the total 2,130 cases, 1,254 (58.9%) were positive for HPV, and 876 (41.1%) were negative. Of these, 152 (7.1%), 97 (4.6%) and 80 (3.8%) were identified as HPV 16, 68 and 56, respectively. Of the 329 cases encompassing the above three HPV subtypes, histopathological analysis diagnosed 155 (47.1%) cases with CIN2 or higher grade. Notably, the occurrences of HPV subtypes 16, 68, 56, 58 and 51 were most frequently diagnosed in Busan. Further analysis revealed that administration of Gardasil^Ⓡ 9, the currently available vaccine in the market, exerts no protection against subtypes 68, 59 and 51. This study aims to provide an important reference for future HPV vaccination programs in Busan.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1267-1272
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• 2019

The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV DNA has been reported in 99.7% of patients with cervical cancer. The worldwide prevalence is highest for the HPV 16 and 18 genotypes, but HPV 52 and 58 have the highest prevalence in Asian countries, including Korea. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for the prevention of cervical cancer by analyzing the prevalence of HPV and the genotypes of high risk-human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in women in Busan, Korea. We analyzed 1,995 cases of HPV in women who visited a Busan obstetrics and gynecology hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. The prevalence of HPV among these women was 28.3% (565/1995), and the HR-HPV infection rate was 75.4% (426/565). The HR-HPV genotype with the highest prevalence was HPV-52 (63/565, 11.2%), followed by HPV-58 (56/565, 9.9%), HPV-53 (55/565, 9.7%), and HPV-16 (53/565, 9.4%). The HR-HPV infection rate of young women 18-39 years old was 60.3% (257/426), so this age group should undergo continuous monitoring. The cytological results revealed a high infection rate for HPV-16 in high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, further evaluation of more samples is needed to confirm the HR-HPV genotypes related to the development of cervical epithelial neoplasias.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.355-360
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• 2005

This study was carried out to research the use of tar colors in children's favorite foods such as candies, soft drinks, chewing gums, cereals, and ice bars in order to acquire basic data on food safety. The tar colors were simultaneously analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contents of tar colors in candies, soft drinks, gums, cereals, and ice bars were maximum 74.10 mg/100 g, 5.96 mg/100 g, 35.70 mg/100 g, 20.10 mg/100 g, and 4.93 mg/100 g, respectively. In addition, every tar colors except for Indigo carmine (B2) and Fast Green FCF (G3) among permitted tar colors were used in foods and more than two kinds of tar colors were used in most cases. From the results, only types of tar colors for foods were regulated, but the amount was not regulated.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.573-578
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• 2009

Microbial contamination levels in a fresh-cut leafy vegetable processing plant were evaluated. Total plate counts of samples collected from the walls, equipment, and raw materials ranged from $10^1{\sim}10^2$ CFU/100 $cm^2$, $10^0{\sim}10^4$ CFU/100 $cm^2$, and $10^4{\sim}10^6$ CFU/g, respectively. No coliforms were detected on walls; however, equipment and raw materials contained coliforms in concentrations ranging from ND (not detected)to $10^2$ CFU/100 $cm^2$ and $10^4{\sim}10^5$ CFU/g, respectively. Additionally, total plate counts for falling and floating bacteria in the processing plant were $10^0{\sim}10^1$ CFU/plate and $10^1{\sim}10^3$ $CFU/m^3$, respectively. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, or Listeria monocytogenes were not detected on walls, equipment, or raw materials. Overall, the results of this study indicate that hygiene control in the fresh-cut processing plant should be improved.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.132-140
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• 2018

Purpose: The number of dengue fever cases is rising due to increasing overseas travel. Vaccination makes severe dengue fever in seronegative individuals after vaccination when they exposure to wild-type dengue virus. We investigated the seroepidemiology of the dengue virus for monitoring of Korean dengue virus immunity and establishing the prevention of dengue infection. Methods: The study was based on 446 residual sera collected from 98 infants (2 months to 1 year old), 152 adolescents (13 to 19 years old), 90 adults (20 to 50 years old), and 106 elderly participants (more than 65 years old) for other studies. Antibody levels for dengue virus immunoglobulin G (IgG) in each age group were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For each dengue virus IgG positive or equivocal result, an IgG ELISA was performed for Japanese encephalitis virus. Results: Of the 446 serum samples, only 1 (0.2%) adolescent had a positive result from the dengue IgG antibody test. In the dengue virus IgG antibody test, 14 (3.1%) samples showed equivocal results (10 adolescents and 4 elderly). In the 1 positive case of dengue virus IgG, the Japanese encephalitis IgG test was also positive. In the 14 equivocal cases of dengue virus IgG, there were 6 positive, 3 equivocal, and 5 negative of Japanese encephalitis IgG. Conclusions: The seroprevalence rate of dengue virus was very low in Koreans. This study provides important data for establishing the policy for preventive measures of dengue fever. It will be necessary to continuously monitor for dengue virus immunity.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Eikenella corrodens rarely causes invasive head and neck infections in immunocompetent children. We report a case of epidural abscess caused by E. corrodens in a previously healthy 13-year-old boy who presented with fever, headache, and vomiting. On physical examination upon admission, there was no neck stiffness, but discharge from the right ear was observed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed approximately 4.5-cm-sized epidural empyema on the right temporal lobe as well as bilateral ethmoid and sphenoid sinusitis, right mastoiditis, and right otitis media. During treatment with vancomycin and cefotaxime, purulent ear discharge aggravated, and on follow-up brain MRI, the empyema size increased to $5.6{\times}3.4cm$ with interval development of an abscess at the right sphenoid sinus. Burr hole trephination was performed, and foul-smelling pus was aspirated from the epidural abscess near the right temporal lobe. Pus culture yielded E. corrodens. Endoscopic sphenoidotomy was also performed with massive pus drainage, and the same organism was grown. The patient was treated with intravenous cefotaxime for 3 weeks and recovered well with no other complications. Therefore, E. corrodens can cause serious complications in children with untreated sinusitis.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.565-574
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of an automatic blood typing analyzer using QWALYS-2 up (Diagast, Loos Cedex, France). During a month( 01OCT2013 - 31OCT2013) we performed 1,636 tests for ABO & RhD blood typing, 1,374 tests for antibody screen & identification tests and compared the results by automatic blood type analyzer with previous manual methods and column agglutination tests. And we analyzed the economic performance by comparison the test unit price between automatic blood type analyzer and manual methods. In ABO & RhD blood typing tests, there were complete concordances between manual and automated blood typing analyzer for 200 clinical samples. In Antibody screen tests, the concordance rate between manual and automated blood typing analyzer was 98.5% and more strong reaction in automated blood typing analyzer than manual methods. Therefore, the introduction of an automated blood typing analyzer, reagents costs were increased but labor costs were decreased. Considering the importance of transfusion safety and economic advantages, the introduction of an automated blood typing analyzer was very useful.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2019

A microscope is the fundamental research and diagnostic apparatus for clinical investigation of signaling transduction, morphological changes and physiological tracking of cells and intact tissues from patients in the biomedical laboratory science. Proper use, care and maintenance of microscope with comprehensive understanding in mechanism are fully requested for reliable image data and accurate interpretation for diagnosis in the clinical laboratory. The standard operating procedure (SOP) for light microscopes includes performance procedure, brief information of all mechanical parts of microscopes with systematic troubleshooting mechanism depending on the laboratory capacity. Maintenance program encompasses cleaning objective, ocular lenses and inner optics; replacement and calibration of light source; XY sample stage management; point spread function (PSF) measurement for confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM); quality control (QC) program in fluorescent microscopy; and systematic troubleshooting. Laser safety is one of the concern for medical technologists engaged in CLSM laboratory. Laser safety guideline based on the laser classification and risk level, and advisory lab wear for CLSM users are also expatiated in this overview. Since acquired image data presents a wide range of information at the moment of acquisition, well-maintained microscopes with proper microscopic maintenance program are impulsive for its interpretation and diagnosis in the clinical laboratory.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2019

This study surveyed mycotoxin contamination in grains and grain products, which were purchased from supermarkets and traditional markets from October 2017 to September 2018 in Gwangju (Metropolitan City). A total of 127 samples including adlay, sorghum, millet, rice, oats, barley, buckwheat, corn as grains, and rice flour, buckwheat flour, roasted barley and corn, as grain products were surveyed. The tested mycotoxins were aflatoxin ($AFB_1$, $AFB_2$, $AFG_1$, $AFG_2$), fumonisin ($FUB_1$, $FUB_2$), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZON). Mycotoxins were analyzed simultaneously with a UPLC-tandem mass spectrometry method. Fumonisin ($B_1+B_2$) was detected at the range of $4.8{\sim}738.5{\mu}g/kg$ in 35 samples and zearalenone at $8.4{\sim}507.6{\mu}g/kg$ in 20 samples, respectively. No other mycotoxins were detected. Risk assessment was evaluated by using estimated daily intake (EDI) and provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) in accordance with the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). When the hazard index (HI) was expressed as $(EDI/PMTDI){\times}100$, the HI (%) showed in the range of 0.0019~1.9526%. Based on these results, mycotoxin concentrations in the grains and grain products were within safe levels.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

Purpose: Campylobacter species are common causes of bacterial enteritis. There is limited knowledge on its prevalence and clinical features because of its fastidious culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of Campylobacter enteritis in children. Methods: We obtained stool specimens from patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis in the Department of Pediatrics, Nowon Eulji Medical Center (NEMC) and identified the pathogens by performing cultures or polymerase chain reactions (PCR). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with Campylobacter enteritis at NEMC between January 2012 and December 2017. Results: Overall, 123 patients were diagnosed with Campylobacter enteritis (60 by culture and PCR in EnterNet and 110 by multiplex PCR). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of patients was 12 years (IQR, 8 to 16 years). The disease occurred all year round, but 69.9% from June to September. Symptoms included diarrhea (97.6%), fever (96.7%), abdominal pain (94.3%), vomiting (37.4%), and headache (34.1%). Compared with other treatments, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a shorter hospitalization period (P<0.05). Conclusions: Campylobacter enteritis is common during summer and mostly infects adolescent patients. It causes severe abdominal pain and fever preceding the onset of diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotics reduces the duration of the disease.