• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.810-814
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• 2004

This research was conducted to evaluate the safety of the herbicide-resistant rice, a genetically modified organism (GMO) developed by the Rural Development Administration by exposing it to 12 months old Sprague-Dawley rats for 8 weeks. The composition of herbicide-resistant brown rice with/without heating treatment was compared with those of conventional Ilpum brown rice with/without heating treatment to assess composition equivalence. Compositional analysis was performed to measure proximates, fiber, and minerals. The nutritional components of herbicide-resistant rice were similar to those of the nontransgenic control or were within the normal range of nontransgenic rice. Four groups of experimental male rats were fed one of the following diets for eight weeks: Ilpum brown rice (I) and its heated rice (IH) as non-GMO, and herbicide-resistant brown rice (G) and its heated rice (GH) as GMO- We checked clinical symptoms (anorexia, salivation, diarrhea, polyuria, anuria, fecal change), food intake, and water consumption every day, change of body weight once a week, and serum biochemistry and organ weights after 8 weeks of experimental feeding We did not find any significant differences in the above-mentioned items. These results suggested that genetically modified herbicide-resistant rice was compositionally equivalent to conventional Ilpum rice, and nutritional characteristics and safety of herbicide-resistant rice in old male rats treated for 8 weeks were not different from those of Ilpum rice, non-GMO.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

Background: Cholestatic hepatitis is failure of bile to reach the duodenum with hepatocellular damage and no demonstable obstruction of the major bile ducts. The prognosis is usually good with recovery in less than 4 weeks after withdrawal of the offending drug. However, a prolonged course lasting over 3 months is possible and, in rare cases, progression to ductopenia with development of a vanishing bile duct syndrome occurs. A differential diagnosis with other causes of Chronic liver disease is needed. Materials and Methods: From January 1991 through January 2000, 14 patients diagnosed as cholestatic hepatitis by liver biopsy were included. The possible causative drug, clinical features, laboratory findings, and progression of cholestatic hepatitis were evaluated. The semiquantitative study of liver lesions was performed by two independent observers. Results: Causes of cholestatic hepatitis are 5 cases of oriental medicine, 3 cases of anti-tuberculosis medication, 1 case of ticlopidine and antibiotics and 4 cases of unknown causes. The clinical features of cholestatic hepatitis were jaundice, itching, urine color change, and general weakness. During 6 to 30 months, LFT of 5 patients showed prolonged elevation. Elevated total cholesterol ${\geq}$250 mg/dL in 6 patients, pheripheral blood eosinophilia in 5 patients, auto-antibody positive in 6 patients were observed respectively. The biopsies showed intralobular bilirubinostasis with a mixed portal inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: In cholestatic hepatitis, durations of abnormal LFT are variable regardless of causative drugs. If cholestatic hepatitis progresses toward chronic course, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis should be differentially diagnosed and sequential liver biopsies are needed.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2021

Pneumomediastinum is a very rare and potentially catastrophic complication of dental procedures. Its common causes are tooth extraction, endodontic treatment, and subgingival curettage using handpieces and high-pressure air/water syringes. We present a case of massive pneumomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema in a 61-year-old female who underwent bone grafting into the maxilla for pretreatment of dental implantation using a syringe. The patient suffered from abrupt severe odynophagia and loss of consciousness. The patient transferred to emergency department and images work-up revealed a pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema on the entire face and neck. We performed conservative treatments including prophylactic antibiotics, oxygen inhalation, and fasting meals, and then discharge after 7 days uneventfully. The patient's syncope might be resulting from hypotension and pain shock induced by pneumomediastinum with a sudden chest compression. The pneumomediastinum could be resulting from concurrent perforation and massive air infiltration into the maxillary sinus during bone grafting. We suggest that pneumomediastinum needs prompt diagnosis and management because of the risk of airway obstruction when a patient present syncope in the dental room.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.87-100
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• 2021

With a striking increase in the level of contamination and subsequent degradations in the environment, detection and monitoring of contaminants in various sites has become a crucial mission in current society. In this review, we have summarized the current research areas in membrane-based colorimetric sensors for trace detection of various molecules. The researches covered in this summary utilize membranes composed of cellulose fibers as sensing platforms and metal nanoparticles or fluorophores as optical reagents. Displaying decent or excellent sensitivity, most of the developed sensors achieve a significant selectivity in the presence of interfering ions. The physical and chemical properties of cellulose membrane platforms can be customized by changing the synthesis method or type of optical reagent used, allowing a wide range of applications possible. Membrane-based sensors are also portable and have great mechanical properties, which enable on-site detection of contaminants. With such superior qualities, membrane-based sensors examined in the researches were used for versatile purposes including quantification of heavy metals in drinking water, trace detection of toxic antibiotics and heavy metals in environmental water samples. Some of the sensors exhibited additional features like antimicrobial ability and recyclability. Lastly, while most of the sensors aimed for a detection enabled by naked eyes through rapid colour change, many of them investigated further detection methods like fluorescence, UV-vis spectroscopy, and RGB colour intensity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.438-443
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• 2018

The emergence of biofilms have generated urgent alarm in clinical and medicine manufacturing fields engaged in the search for novel antimicrobials from ethno-medicinal plants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has estimated that 70% of all microbial infections in the world are associated with biofilms. In addition, the emergence of strains resistant to conventional antibiotics has become a serious threat to global public health. Therefore, finding alternative medicines is a major issue in the field of integrative medicine. In this study, four different herb extracts were screened for biofilm formation and the activities of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Of them, Scutellaria scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts had inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and biofilm formation. The Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts did not cause any cytotoxicity to L929 cells. The growth of K. pneumoniae was inhibited compared to other comparators in the experimental group containing Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank. In a group of experiments with plant extracts, a maximum of 60 times the level of living bacteria was confirmed compared to the controls without the addition of the Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts. In a group of experiments with a significantly lower level of fluorescence extraction, differential interference contrast imaging showed that the number of K. pneumonae was reduced. These results suggest that extracts of this plant be applied as antimicrobial agents against K. pneumoniae, particularly in biofilm forms.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.277-279
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• 2018

전 세계적으로 Helicobacter pylori의 항생제 내성률은 지속적으로 증가하고 있으며, 기존의 제균 치료에 실패한 H. pylori 감염 환자들에 대한 효과적인 구제요법(rescue therapy)의 필요성 역시 증가하고 있다. 이 연구는 두 개 기관, 공개, 평행 그룹, 무작위 배정 연구로서 불응성 H. pylori 감염 환자들의 구제요법으로 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료(genotype resistance-guided therapy)와 경험적 치료(empirical therapy) 중 어느 것이 보다 효과적인지를 비교하고자 하였다. 2012년 10월부터 2017년 9월까지 20세 이상의 불응성 H. pylori 감염 환자들을 대상으로 하였으며, 불응성 H. pylori 감염은 과거 두 종류 이상의 H. pylori 제균 치료를 받았음에도 불구하고 H. pylori 제균에 실패한 환자들로 정의하였다. 이들에게서 한 군은 14일간의 유전자형 내성을 기반한 순차 치료(n=21 in trial 1, n=205 in trial 2)를, 다른 한 군은 환자들의 과거 제균 치료 종류를 감안한 14일간의 경험적 순차 치료(n=20 in trial 1, n=205 in trial 2)를 시행하였다. 순차 치료법은 첫 7일은 esomeprazole 40 mg과 amoxicillin 1 g을 하루 두 번 복용한 다음, 나머지 7일은 esomeprazole 40 mg과 metronidazole 500 mg, 그리고 1) levofloxacin 250 mg 또는 2) clarithromycin 500 mg 또는 3) tetracycline 500 mg을 하루 두 번 복용하는 것으로 구성하였다. 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)나 gyrase A에 대한 내성 관련 돌연변이 여부는 direct sequencing을 통한 중합효소연쇄반응(polymerase chain reaction, PCR) 검사를 이용하였고, 제균 성공 여부는 요소호기검사를 통해 확인하였다. 일차 결과 지표는 치료 방법에 따른 제균율로 정하였다. Trial 1에서는 tetracycline 대신 doxycycline 100 mg을 사용하였는데, 제균 성공률이 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료군에서는 17명(81%), 경험적 치료군에서는 12명(60%)으로 나타났다(P=0.181). 하지만, 다른 순차 치료군들과 비교하였을 때, doxycycline을 포함한 순차 치료군의 제균율이 현저히 낮은 것으로 나타나서(15/26, 57.7%) doxycycline을 포함한 순차 치료법은 종결하기로 하고, trial 2부터는 doxycycline 대신 tetracycline으로 교체하여 연구를 지속하였다. Trial 2의 intention-to-treat (ITT) 분석 결과, 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료군에서는 160/205명(78%), 경험적 치료군에서는 148/205명(72.2%)으로 두 그룹 간의 통계적인 제균율의 차이는 보여주지 못하였다(P=0.170). 부작용 및 환자 순응도에서도 양 군 간의 의미 있는 차이는 없었다. 따라서, 두 종류 이상 H. pylori 제균 치료에 실패한 환자들이라고 할지라도 기존의 제균 치료력을 바탕으로 적절한 경험적 치료를 시행하는 것은 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료 정도의 효과는 있으며 접근성, 비용, 환자들의 선호도 등의 여러 가지 부가적인 사항들을 고려할 때, 제균 치료력을 고려한 경험적 치료는 간단한 수준의 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료의 대안으로 받아들여질 수 있을 것으로 제안하였다.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) for the treatment of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis as a salvage procedure and to analyze the risk factors of treatment failure. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed retrospectively 39 cases of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis who underwent surgical treatment from 2009 to 2017. The mean age and follow-up period were $62{\pm}13years$ and $19.2{\pm}23.3months$, respectively. Wounds were graded using the Wagner and Strauss classification. X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (or bone scan) and deep tissue cultures were taken preoperatively to diagnose osteomyelitis. The ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index (TBI), and current perception threshold were checked. Lower extremity angiography was performed and if necessary, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was conducted preoperatively. As a surgical treatment, meticulous debridement, bone curettage, and ALCS placement were employed in all cases. Between six and eight weeks after surgery, ALCS removal and autogenous iliac bone graft were performed. The treatment was considered successful if the wounds had healed completely within three months without signs of infection and no additional amputation within six months. Results: The treatment success rate was 82.1% (n=32); 12.8% (n=5) required additional amputation and 5.1% (n=2) showed delayed wound healing. Bacterial growth was confirmed in 82.1% (n=32) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified strain (23.1%, n=9). The lesions were divided anatomically into four groups; the largest number was the toes: (1) toes (41.0%, n=16), (2) metatarsals (35.9%, n=14), (3) midfoot (5.1%, n=2), and (4) hindfoot (17.9%, n=7). A significant difference in the Strauss wound score and TBI was observed between the treatment success group and failure group. Conclusion: The insertion of ALCSs can be a useful treatment option in diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis. Low scores in the Strauss classification and low TBI are risk factors of treatment failure.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2019

Due to the rapid global expansion of aquaculture industry during the past decades, production volume of aquatic organisms has accordingly grown. This has been accompanied by a rise in the incidence of diseases in aquatic organisms, leading to an increased use of aquatic medicines. While aquatic medicines are essential for the prevention and treatment of diseases of aquatic organisms, misuse can cause evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pose serious problems to the safety and hygiene of fisheries products. In this study, we surveyed and compared, by analyzing data compiled by all national control centers for aquatic animal diseases in South Korea, to estimate the amount of aquatic medicines sold in different regions between 2012 through 2015. Since we also examined the marketing routes of aquatic medicines, this basic data can be utilized for policy implementation to improve drug safety. In the future research, however, it will be clearly necessary to estimate directly the amounts of drugs actually applied to aquaculture organisms. The current sales figure data should be helpful for preparation of an effective system for aquatic drug use management.

• 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.