• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sterilization effect of Er:YAG laser against the intraoral acid producing bacterium, S. mutans, by irradiating the culture solution containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 with Er:YAG laser having a $650{\mu}m$ diameter beam through the non-contact method. We obtained the following results after examining the temperature changes of the culture solution, numbers of bacterial colonies, and acid-producing ability and attaching ability on teeth by measuring the amount of extracellular polysaccharide produced by S. mutans. The number of bacterial colony was decreased in $10{\mu}l$ culture solution irradiated with laser in overall compared to the control solution. The number decreased as the irradiation intensity and pulse repetition rate were larger and as the exposure time was increased. However, it did not change significantly in $100{\mu}l$ culture solution compared to the control solution. Although the acid-producing ability of S. mutans was inhibited for a certain duration after laser irradiation in 10r1 bacterial culture solution, it did not change in $100{\mu}m$ solution compared with the control solution. The amount of extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by S. mutans was partially decreased through laser irradiation in $10{\mu}m$ culture solution but did not change in $100{\mu}m$ culture solution. Based on these findings, we concluded that Er:YAG laser has an sterilization effect on S. mutans in which we presume that the mechanism is through the heat effect rather than the mechanical effect from development of ultrasound.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.513-520
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• 1994

Background: The pathogenesis of silicosis has been focused on the interaction between alveolar macrophages and silica particle. Although fibrosis in silicosis has been studied extensively, the mechanism is still not fully understood. There is increasing evidence that monokines and arachidonic acid metabolites macrophage are involved in pathogenesis of silicosis. Recently, it was reported that prostaglandin E2 produced from macrophage counteracts the stimulatory effects of other monokines on fibroblast proliferation or collagen production. Until now, it was remained uncertain by which mechanism silica particle may activate alveolar macrophage to an enhanced release of prostaglandin E2. Methods: In order to investigate the relationship between the activity of alveolar macrophage and the production of $PGE_2$ from activated alveolar macrophage, the authors measured hydrogen peroxide and $PGE_2$ from alveolar macrophages activated by silica in vitro and from alveolar macrophages in the silicotic nodules from rat. Experimental silicosis was induced by intratracheal infusion of silica($SiO_2$) suspended in saline(50 mg/ml) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: produced by 1) The silicotic nodules with fibrosis were seen from the sections of rat lung at 60 days after intratracheal injection with 50 mg aqueous suspension of silica(Fig. 1). 2) In vitro, silica caused the dose dependent increase of hydrogen peroxide(p<0.05, Fig. 2A) and $PGE_2$(p>0.05, Fig. 2B) release from alveolar macrophages. Alveolar macrophages from rat with silicotic nodules released more hydrogen peroxide and $PGE_2$ than those of control group(p<0.05, Fig. 3). Conclusion: These results suggest that silica particle could activate macrophage directly and enhanced the release of $PGE_2$ and hydrogen peroxide from the alveolar macrophage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 1999

Background: NF-$\kappa$B is a characteristic transcriptional factor whose functional activity is determined by post-translational modification of protein and subsequent change of subcellular localization. The involvement of the NF-$\kappa$B family of the transcription factors in the control of such vital cellular functions as immune response, acute phase reaction, replication of certain viruses and development and differentiation of cells has been clearly documented in many previous studies. Several recent observations have suggested that the NF-$\kappa$B might also be involved in the carcinogenesis of some hematological and solid tumors. Investigating the possibility that members of the NF-$\kappa$B family participate in the molecular control of malignant cell transformation could provide invaluable information on both molecular pathogenesis and cancer-related gene therapy. Method: To determine the expression patterns and functional roles of NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors in human lung cancer cell lines NCI-H792, NCI-H709, NCI-H226 and NCI-H157 were analysed by western blot, using their respective antibodies. The nuclear and the cytoplasmic fraction of protein extract of these cell lines were subsequently obtained and NF-$\kappa$B expression in each fraction was again determined by western blot analysis. The type of NF-$\kappa$B complex present in the cells was determined by immunoprecipitation. To detect the binding ability of cell-line nuclear extracts to the KB consensus oligonucleotide, electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) was performed. Results: In the cultured human lung cancer cell lines tested, transcription factors of the NF-$\kappa$B family, namely the p50 and p65 subunit were expressed and localized in the nuclear fraction of the cellular extract by western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that in the cell, the p50 and p65 subunits made NF-$\kappa$B complex. Finally it was shown by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA) that nuclear extracts of lung cancer cell lines are able to bind to NF-$\kappa$B consensus DNA sequences. Conclusion: These data suggest that in human lung cancer cell lines the NF-$\kappa$B p50/p65 complex might be activated. and strengthen the hypothesis that NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors might be involved in the carcinogenesis of human lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.320-329
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• 2003

Background : The serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is released from the ventricles as a response to volume or pressure overload of the ventricles. A few studies have reported that the BNP measurements are useful in differentiating between heart failure and pulmonary causes in patients who visited the emergency department with dyspnea as the chief complaint. It is difficult to differentiate a right heart failure from a left heart failure in the emergency room. However, there is no report on the application of a BNP assay to differentiate in right heart failure from left heart failure. In this study, the BNP levels were measured from dyspneic patients in the emergency department to determine whether or not the BNP level would be useful in differentiating the cause of the dyspnea from right ventricular failure and left ventricular failure. Method : 89 patients who visited emergency department of the Bundang Cha Hospital with dyspnea from June 2002 to March 2003 were selected. The 29 patients from the outpatient clinics and inpatients were randomly selected as the control. Results : The BNP levels of patients in the left heart failure group were significantly different from that of the patients in the right heart failure group ($682{\pm}314$ pg/mL vs. $149{\pm}94$ pg/mL, p=0.000). When the BNP cut-off level was designated as 219 pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 94.3%, and specificity was 92.9%. In addition, the positive predictive value was 97% and the negative predictive value was 86.7% in differentiating right heart failure from left heart failure. Conclusion : Measurements of the serum BNP levels is an accurate and rapid method that can aid in distinguishing between right heart failure and left heart failure.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.1379-1385
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• 2007

In domestic transitional zone design, there is regulation to prevent generation of irregular substructure behaviors that negatively influence in prevention of plasticity settlement on approach section and contact section as well as relieve overall track rigidity by reducing sectional foundation and track stiffness difference, but design guideline that considers dynamic behavior of transitional track in actual service line is very insignificant. Therefore in this study, characteristics of transitional track dynamic behaviors by substructure stiffness are researched and measured dynamic response of transitional track by substructure stiffness in order to prove correlation between substructure and track and calculate elasticity(stiffness) and track load of transitional track by using measurement and formula to provide basic information for developing design guideline considering dynamic behavior of service line transitional track.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 1999

Purposes : Renal involvement is a potentially serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There have been only few studies of lupus nephritis in pediatric age. In this study, the clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, response to treatment, and clinical course of lupus nephritis in children were analyzed. And the results will provide basic data for future nation-wide prospective multi-center study. Methods . The medical records of 46 children clinically and pathologically diagnosed to have lupus nephritis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital during 1986 to 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : 1) The median age of diagnosis of lupus nephritis was 12.8 years ($2\;years\~\;15year$ 8months), and the sex ratio was 1:2.5. 2) FANA($85.7\%$), anti-ds-DNA antibody ($78.0\%$), and malar rash ($60.8\%$) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ARA Decreased C3 was detected in $88.9\%$ of patients. 3) Hematuria ($87.0\%$) was the most common renal symptom, and WHO class IV lupus nephritis was identified in 41 cases by renal biopsy. 4) In most of patients, the disease activity was controlled relatively well with a single or combined therapy of prednisolone, azathioprine, or cyclophosphamide. The response revealed no difference according to the mode of treatment. 5) Infection, especially of Varicella-Zoster virus and candida, was the most common complication during the disease course. Conclusion : The renal involvement was noted in $87.0\%$ of childhood SLE, and $89.1\%$ of renal lesions was WHO class IV lupus nephritis known to associated with poor long-term prognosis. So, aggressive treatment using immunosuppressants in the early disease course may be helpful to increase long-term prognosis of lupus nephritis. A prospective multi-center study is necessary to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of various treatment modalities.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2009

Purpose: Osteocalcin is also known as the bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein (BGP), is noncollagenous bone protein synthesized by osteoblasts. Serum concentrations of Osteocalcin have been used as a biochemical marker of bone turnover. The reference intervals of Osteocalcin is categorized by kit corporation according to the age. However, each laboratory should establish its own reference intervals. In this study, the variation in the serum Osteocalcin level were used to find actual standard age-specific Osteocalcin reference intervals. Materials and Methods: We have selected 864 healthy females aged 20~80 years who visited a health promotion center between Aug. 2007 and Sep. 2008. The Osteocalcin IRMA Kit (OSTEO-RIACT, CIS Bio international, Gif-sur-Yvette, France) was used for the quantification. Each results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results: The analyzed reference intervals of Osteocalcin by using Hoffmann method are from 8.8~39.4 ng/mL to 6.3~28.8 ng/mL for the case of the age from 20 to 30, from 7.7~31.9 ng/mL to 5.9~17.4 ng/mL for the case of the age from 31 to 40, and from 8.0~36.0 ng/mL to 5.5~20.1 ng/mL for the case of the age from 41 to 50, and from 8.0~50.5 ng/mL to 6.7~27.0 ng/mL for the case of the age from 51 to 60, and from 12.9~55.9 ng/mL to 7.5~27.5 ng/mL for the case of the age from 61 to 80. Reference intervals of Osteocalcin were not in agreement with those recommended by the manufacturers. Conclusions: Osteocalcin is used as an indication of metabolic bone diseases. So in our study we wanted to provide reference intervals of Osteocalcin that can be useful to a clinical decisions. Also, previous reference intervals should not be re-used and new intervals should be set by continuous analyzing.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.271-278
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• 1995

The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of physiologically pulsatile pattern of testosterone(T) on luteinizing hormone(LH) in wethers. To do this, 3 separate experiments were conducted. Infusion rates and patterns needed to produce normal T secretory profiles found in intact rams were established in Experiment 1, the time-course of the suppressive effect of T on circulating LH concentrations was determined in Experiment 2, and the effectiveness of a pulsatile versus a constant pattern of T to suppress LH secretion in wethers was compared in Experiment 3. In Experiment 1, three different doses(25, 50 or $100{\mu}g$) of T were injected intravenously to animals to do pharmacokinetic analysis of T. Elimination rate constant, volume of distribution, and total body clearance of T averaged $0.18min^{-1}$, 0.531/kg BW, and 0.091/min/ kg BW, respectively. In Experiment 2, three different doses(192,384, or $768{\mu}g/kg/24h$) of T were infused at 4h intervals for 3 days into animals to evaluate the time course of the inhibitory effect of T on mean LH concentration. As duration of T infusion increased, mean LH concentrations gradually reduced. Mean LH concentrations were significantly lower at day 2 or day 3 than at day 0. However, mean LH concentrations did not differ between day 0 and day 1 or between day 2 and day 3. In Experiment 3, animals were subjected to two different intravenous infusion regimens for 3 days: constant T($768{\mu}g/kg/24h$) and pulsatile(one pulse every 4h) T($768{\mu}g/kg24h$). Blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals for 4h both prior to infusion and during the last 4h of the infusion. Mean LH was more suppressed(p=0.045) by constant T than by pulsatile T. LH pulse amplitude was not affected by constant T or pulsatile T. LH interpulse interval was increased more(p=0.034) by constant T than pulsatile T.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 1994

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a facultative intracellular pathogen which persists and multiplies within macrophage. Competent cell mediated immunity by cooperation of both T lymphocyte and macrophage of the host is required to kill the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. But a precise understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis infection in pulmonary alveolar macrophage has not been achived. Research on the macrophage's basic microbicidal mechanism has elucidated the importance of oxygen-dependent or oxygen-independent components. Oxygen dependent processing begins with the reduction of oxygen by NADPH oxidase and generation of superoxide. In this study, the oxidative metabolic status of blood monocyte and pulmonary alveolar macrophage in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis was accessed and compared with that of healthy control subjects to know whether there was a basic difference in superoxide generation by mononuclear cells between two groups. Methods: Pulmonary alveolar macrophage was purified after performing BAL(bronchoalveolar lavage) through the bronchi of infected lesion by plastic adhesion method. Blood monocyte was purified by Ficoll-Hypaque method. Superoxide generation by blood monocyte and pulmonary alveolar macrophage was measured by ferricytochrome-C reduction method after either stimulated with PMA(phorbol myristate acerate) or non-stimulated states. We also measured the effect of pulmonary tuberculosis patient's serum on superoxide generation by monocyte. Results: 1) Generation of superoxide by alveolar macrophage obtained from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was little higher than those of controls, and PMA enhanced the generation of 2) Generation of superoxide by blood monocyte obtained from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was little higher than those of control(p>0.05), and PMA more enhanced the generation of superoxide in patientswith pulmonary tuberculosis than those in controls(p<0.02). 3) Patient's serum enhanced the generation of superoxide by blood monocyte obtained from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and controls, but not in the case of PMA stimulated blood monocyte. Conclusion: The present study suggest that the phenomenon of M.tuberculosis escape the microbicidal action of macrophage was not result of suppressed superoxide generation by blood monocyte and pulmonary alveolar macrophage, rather there might be a factor to stimulate the generation of superoxide by blood monocyte in pulmonary tuberculosis patient serum, but the comparision with effect of control's serum on superoxide generation needs further elucidation.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.441-446
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• 2001

Flumazenil is a competitive antagonist of benzodiazepines. It is usually administered intravenously. However, if the intravenous route is not available then other routes of drug administration should be considered. This study was designed to evaluate the reversal effects of flumazenil after nasal administration. Twenty-five young, healthy adult volunteers participated in this clinical trial. The dosage of 0.08mg/kg midazolam was administered intravenously to induce deep sedation. Ten minutes after midazolam administration, 0.5mg of flumazenil was dropped nasally, over a period of one minute. Blood samples were taken to measure the concentration of midazolam and flumazenil at 0, 5, 10, and 20min after nasal administration of flumazenil, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The degree of sedation was evaluated with sedation score and bispectral index (BIS), Statistical analysis was performed by multivariate ANOVA and correlation analysis (P<0.05). Peak serum flumazenil concentration was reached in 10min. Sedation score decreased after midazolam administration and showed a significant increase after flumazenil administration. However, BIS decreased during the first 10min after midazolam administration and then no significant changes after flumazenil administration. There were two instances representing rapid and complete reversal of midazolam after intranasal administration of flumazenil. In conclusion, intranasal flumazenil administration may be effective in some patients when intravenous route is not available in condition of benzodiazepine overdose.