• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.102-113
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• 2003

Purpose : Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses in children. The great majority of these infections involving lower respiratory tracts infections(LRTI) are caused by respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus(INF), adenovirus(ADV), etc. Our purpose of this study was to examine the seasonal occurrence, clinical and laboratory features of each viral infections. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates(NPA) were collected from 913 hospitalized children on the first day of admission. They were all admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart hospital and diagnosed as LRTIs. The study period was from September 1998 to August 2002. Specimens were inoculated onto HEp-2 cell, LLC-MK2 cell and MDCK cell. Viruses were detected by immunofluorescent method performed at day 10 postinoculation. Respiratory viruses were detected in 251(27%) cases. Medical records of 208 cases diagnosed as acute LRTIs were all taken reviewed and analyzed. Results : The identified pathogens were RSV 122 cases(58%), PIV 30 cases(14%), INFA 20 cases(10%), INFB 21 cases(11%) and ADV 15 cases(7%) during the study period. Outbreaks of RSV infections occurred every year but mostly on December, 1998 and November, 1999. LRTIs by PIV and ADV occurred during all seasons of the year. INFA was isolated moslty on March, 1999 and January, 2000. INFB infections occurred largely on April, 2002. The clinical diagnoses were bronchiolitis 88 cases(43%), pneumonia 87 cases(42%), croup 19 cases(9%) and tracheobronchitis 14 cases(6%). Common symptoms and signs were cough, rhinorrhea, sputum and fever. WBC counts in peripheral blood showed normal findings in 123 cases(59%). Each viral infections also showed some differences in auscultatory findings and chest X-ray findings. Conclusion : We learned that viruses are one of the major and important etiologic agents of acute LRTIs of children in Korea. However, we still need to find out more about its characteristic clinical features and continue studying on their seasonal occurrence to focus on their management and also prevention.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.334-350
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• 2017

The purposes of this study are to develop scientific-inquiry based on STEAM education program and to investigate the effects of the program on middle-school students' interests, self-efficacy, and career choice about science, technology/engineering, and mathematics. In order to develop this program, the literature investigation and previous studies were conducted, so that finally the developmental direction was based on scientific inquiry and the developmental theme and model were selected. A total 92 first-graders in G middle-school of Daegu city were participated in this study. A single group pre-post test paired t-test was conducted to figure out changes of students' interest, self-efficacy, and career choices before or after applying this program. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 students to find their specific responses. The results of this study were as follows. First, STEAM education program on the theme of 'RC Airplane' was developed on the basis of the 'ADBA' model. Second, the developed STEAM educational program not only results a decisive difference statistically but also has significant effects on middle-school students' interests, self-efficacy, and career choice in science, technology/engineering, and mathematics, who are involved in the free-semester program, across the overall affective domain. In conclusion, the STEAM educational program in this study could affect significant meanings to middle-school students during the free-semester. It could contribute to facilitate middle-school students' education for happiness and to grow the creative STEAM talents.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2016

Chlorine dioxide has been used for a disinfectant by exhibiting antimicrobial activity and is also potent to kill insect pests infesting stored grains. This study aimed to extend the usefulness of chlorine dioxide with respect to anticancer and antiviral activities. Cytotoxicity of chlorine dioxide was assessed against five different human cancer cell lines. Chlorine dioxide exhibited significant cytotoxicity against two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and three colorectal cancer cell lines (LoVo, HCT-116, SW-480). This cytotoxicity appeared to be associated with the capacity of chlorine dioxide to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Compared to control insect cell lines, the cancer cell lines possessed much higher levels of ROS. On the other hand, a treatment of an antioxidant, vitamin E, significantly reduced the cytotoxicity, suggesting that the cytotoxicity was induced by high levels of ROS production. Chlorine dioxide exhibited antiviral activity against different viruses. A baculovirus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV), is a dsDNA insect virus and lost its viral activity to form polyhedral viral particles in response to chlorine dioxide. The antiviral activity against AcNPV was dependent on the incubation time with chlorine dioxide. Tobacco mosaic virus is a ssRNA plant virus and was reduced in its population after exposure to chlorine dioxide along with significant decrease of viral symptoms. These results indicate that chlorine dioxide possesses anticancer and antiviral activities probably due to its inducing activity of ROS production.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare the outcome of two methods of chronic calcific tendinitis (CCT) treatment, Multiple drilling alone versus combined drilling and extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT). Furthermore, to analyze the clinical and radiologic results of different energy level configurations of ESWT. Materials and Methods: Among the patients complaining shoulder pain who visited the clinic from June 2010 to August 2011, 98 were diagnosed with CCT of the supraspinatus and were divided into the following three groups. Multiple drilling alone (n=31), Multiple drilling followed by high-energy ESWT (n=31), Multiple drilling followed by low-energy ESWT (n=36). The study was conducted only with patients with chronic pain persisting longer than six months despite prolonged conservative therapy. Clinical evaluation was done before and after 12 weeks from treatment, in clinical terms using the ASES, KSS, CSS system reflecting performance and symptom improvement, and in radiologic terms by studying the change in size of the calcific nodules. Results: All of three groups showed effects for improvement of clinical function and decrease of calcification and clinical improvement was significantly high in comparison between the group fulfilled by only multiple needling (the third group) and the group fulfilled by additional ESWT (the first and second groups) and in the radiological evaluation, calcification size and the rate of calcification decrease showed significant improvement statistically. For the comparison among the groups, degree of clinical function improvement and rate of calcification decrease showed significant difference between high energy group (the first group) and multiple needling group (the third group) as well as low energy group (the second group) and multiple needling group (the third group). But, in comparison between high energy group (the first group) and low energy group (the second group), there was no significant difference for the degree of clinical function improvement and rate of calcification decrease. Conclusion: For the treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis, additional ESWT showed more superior effects on clinical function improvement and radiological improvement regardless of the energy standard rather than the exclusive fulfillment of needling. But, as the result of ESWT by the energy standard, there was no significant difference for the decrease of calcification and degree of clinical function improvement.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.229-239
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• 2005

Objectives : Allergic rhinitis is a prevalent disease. Nasal obstruction is one of the main symptom in allergic rhinitis. It induces sleep disturbances, depression, attention deficit, memory impairments. Acupuncture treatment for rhinitis was mentioned in literature, but there is not enough report that provide evidence by well designed clinical study. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment for nasal obstruction of allergic rhinitis. Methods : In this randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared active acupuncture with minimal acupuncture for the treatment of nasal obstruction owing to persistent allergic rhinitis. Acupoints used in active acupuncture group were I120($Y{\hat{o}}nghyang$), GV23($Sangs{\hat{o}}ng$), IL4(Hapkok). Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in study. Total nasal volume(NV) and total nasal minimum cross-sectional area(MCA) were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after treatments(0min, 7.5min, 15min). Results : 101 subjects finished study. There were not difference between two groups on age, sex, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, severity of persistent allergic rhinitis, number of positive antigen. After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p=0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(15min) total NV of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.2560), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0871). After treatment(0min) total NV were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(0.0007) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0175). After treatment(Omin) total MCA were significantly increased compared with before treatment in active acupuncture group(p<0.000l) and minimal acupuncture group(p=0.0005). After treatment(15min) total MCA of minimal acupuncture group was decreased compared with before treatment(p=0.6082), but total NV of active acupuncture group was maintained increasing in degree of borderline significance(p=0.0929). Conclusion : Acupuncture treatment reduced nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis. Further study in the form of long term is needed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might play a role in the development of RLS and other antipsychotic-induced side effects such as tardive dyskinesia. In the present study, we investigated whether the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms are associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We assessed antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The GST-M1, GST-T1 and GST-P1 loci were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Results: We divided the subjects into 2 groups: those with RLS symptoms (n = 96) and those without RLS symptoms (n = 94). There were no significant differences in the distributions of the GST-M1 genotypes (${\chi}^2=3.56$, p = 0.059), GST-T1 (${\chi}^2=0.51$, p = 0.476) and GST-P1 (${\chi}^2=0.57$, p = 0.821) between the 2 groups. Comparison of the RLS score among genotypes of the GST-M1 (t = -1.54, p = 0.125), GST-T1 (t = -0.02, p = 0.985) and GST-P1 (F = 0.58, p = 0.560) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: These data suggest that GST gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the possible influences of other candidate genes involved in the reactive oxygen species system.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.142-154
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• 2010

The protein-bound innerpolysaccharides (IPS) produced by suspended mycelial cultures of Inonotus obliquus have promising potentials as an effective antidiabetic as well as an immunostimulating agents. To enhance IPS production, intensive strain improvement process should be carried out using large amount of UV-mutated protoplasts. During the whole strain-screening process, the stage of solid growth-culture was found to be the most time-requiring step, thus preventing rapid screening of high-yielding producers. In order to reduce the cell growth period in the solid growth-stage, therefore, solid growth-medium was optimized using the statistical methods such as (i) Plackett-Burman and fractional factorial designs (FFD) for selecting positive medium components, and (ii) steepest ascent (SAM) and response surface (RSM) methods for determining optimum concentrations of the selected components. By adopting the medium composition recommended by the SAM experiment, significantly higher growth rate was obtained in the solid growth-cultures, as represented by about 41% larger diameter of the cell growth circle and higher mycelial density. Sequential optimization process performed using the RSM experiments finally recommended the medium composition as follows: glucose 25.61g/L, brown rice 12.53 g/L, soytone peptone 12.53 g/L, $MgSO_4$ 5.53 g/L, and agar 20 g/L. It should be noted that this composition was almost similar to the medium combinations determined by the SAM experiment, demonstrating that the SAM was very helpful in finding out the final optimum concentrations. Through the use of this optimized medium, the period for the solid growth-culture could be successfully reduced to about 8 days from the previous 15~20 days, thus enabling large and mass screening of high producers in a relatively short period.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.216-221
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• 2006

An investigation of the influence of $WO_3$ and $V_2O_5$ catalysts on the microstructure, phase formation and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) efficiency of the synthesized SCR powders has been carried out. A commercial anatase-$TiO_2$ was used as the catalysts support. For $WO_3(10wt%)/TiO_2$, the W loading to the $TiO_2$ support led to the lower in anatase to rutile transition temperature from $1200^{\circ}C$ of $TiO_2$ support to ${\sim}900^{\circ}C$. The transition temperature was also lowered to below $650^{\circ}C$ in the $V_2O_5$(5 and 10 wt%) added composition. The $WO_3(10wt%)/TiO_2$ SCR powder obtained at $450^{\circ}C$ showed near 100% of $NO_x$ conversion efficiency at $350{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ and for the powder prepared at $650^{\circ}C$ the same efficiency was achieved in wider temperature range $300{\sim}400^{\circ}C$. The highest $NO_x$ conversion efficiency of 100% was obtained in the $V_2O_5(5wt%)/TiO_2$ SCR composition calcined at $650^{\circ}C$ in the relatively wider temperature range $250{\sim}350^{\circ}C$, while the catalytic efficiency considerably decreased for the $V_2O_5(10wt%)/TiO_2$. The lowered conversion efficiency of $NO_x$ observed in the $V_2O_5(10wt%)/TiO_2$ composition calcined at $650^{\circ}C$ was considered to be correlated with the lowered surface area resulting from the increased crystallite growth by highly reactive vanadium loading.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.278-286
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• 2006

Purpose : Although suprapubic bladder aspiration(SBA) is the most reliable technique for identifying bacteriuria in young infant, no report has been published about the clinical manifestations of urinary tract infection(UTI) diagnosed by aspirated urine in Korea. This study was performed to examine clinical manifestations and related factors of UTI confirmed by a positive urine culture obtained by SBA in young infants. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 159 infants younger than six months of age, who had been admitted for UTI to Korea University Ansan Hospital from January 2002 to June 2005. Results : The male:female ratio was 5.1 : 1. The most common pathogen in urine culture was Escherichia coli(92.5 percent). Most of the gram-negative pathogens had high sensitivity to amikacin, or third generation cephalosporins and had low sensitivity to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or gentamicin. Hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) were present in 32.7 percent and 27.7 percent respectively. Renal cortical defects observed on DMSA scans were detected in 37.1 percent. Prolonged fever duration and hospital day, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels, hydronephrosis and VUR were related to the renal cortical defects(P<0.05). Rates of UTI-associated bacteremia and aseptic meningitis were 8.3 percent and 6.6 percent. Conclusion : Early differential diagnosis is very important in infants younger than 6 months of age with UTI because the clinical findings are non-specific and UTI-associated bacteremia and aseptic meningitis are concomitantly found. Because prolonged fever and higher ESR and CRP levels are risk factors of the renal cortical defects, radiologic evaluations and nephrologic follow-up were needed in identifying the predisposing congenital abnormalities and chronic renal scarring.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.964-970
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• 2008

Purpose : Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) and propionic aciduria (PA) are inborn errors in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. The study was undertaken to investigate the genotypes and clinical features of Korean patients with MMA and PA. Methods : This study examined 12 patients with MMA and eight with PA. We analyzed various clinical features, laboratory findings, treatments, and neuro-developmental outcomes. Diagnoses were based on the presence of characteristic compounds detected by amino acid analysis in serum and organic acid analysis in urine. Mutation analysis was performed in the genes of MUT, MMAA, MMAB, and MMACHC for MMA and PCCA and PCCB for PA. Results : Among the 20 patients, six patients were diagnosed before one month of age and nine patients were diagnosed after the newborn period. Five patients were diagnosed via a neonatal screening test. Patients with early-onset forms had more severe illness at presentation and generally poor outcomes. A favorable outcome was obtained in 55% patients; most of them were of a late-onset type or diagnosed by neonatal mass screening test without symptoms. Genotypes were confirmed in all patients with MMA. We detected 11 different mutations by MUT gene analysis in 10 patients, and three different mutations in MMACHC genes in two patients. PCCA and PCCB gene mutations were identified in 14 of the 16 alleles, in eight patients with PA. Conclusion : Organic aciduria is a fatal disease; however, better outcomes are expected whenever early diagnosis and prompt management are made possible. Mutation analysis is useful for confirming diagnoses and planning management strategies.