• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

Purpose: Blood culture is an essential diagnostic tool and requires clear indications, proper techniques, and quality control. We aimed to investigate whether blood cultures in children are appropriate for indications, are performed correctly, and receive proper quality control. Methods: We conducted an online survey targeting pediatric infectious diseases (ID) specialists working in general hospitals and neonatologists (Neo) working at hospitals operating a neonatal intensive care unit in Korea. Results: Approximately 81.1% (30/37) of pediatric ID specialists and 72.2% (52/72) of Neo responded to the survey. Some of the respondents (33.3% of ID and 59.6% of Neo) performed blood culture as a regular test irrespective of the indication. Approximately 40% of ID and 65.4% of Neo ordered only one set of blood culture in patients suspected with bacteremia. The most commonly used disinfectant for skin preparation was povidone-iodine, while the skin preparation method varied by institution. Approximately two-thirds of the institutions were monitoring the blood culture contamination rate, whereas relatively few provided staff with feedback on that rate. In addition, less than half of the institutions were providing regular staff training on blood culture (40% of ID and 28.8% of Neo). Conclusions: The indication and methods of blood culture for children varied according to institution, and few hospitals exert effort in improving the quality of blood culture. Institutions have to strive constantly toward improvement of blood culture quality and evidence-based recommendations for pediatric blood cultures should be standardized.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2013

Various biomaterials have been widely used for biomedical applications, including bio-organs, medical devices, and clinical devices like vessel, blood pumps, artificial kidneys and hearts, even in contact with blood. The issue of blood compatibility has been studied intensively to prevent negative effects such as thrombosis due to the implanted devices. The use of lotus-leaf-like structured surfaces has been extended to an increasing number of applications such as contamination prevention and anticorrosion applications. Various methods such as template, sol-gel transition, layer-by-layer, and other methods, developed for the fabrication of lotus-leaf-like surfaces have been reported for major industrial applications. Recently, the non-wettable character of these surfaces has been shown to be useful for biomedical applications ranging from blood-vessel replacement to antibacterial surface treatment. In this review, we provide a summary of current and future research efforts and opportunities in the development and medical applications of lotus-leaf-like structure surfaces.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.166-179
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• 1999

Apical sealing is essential for the success of surgical endodontic treatment. Root-end cavity is apt to be contaminated with moisture or blood, and is not always easy to be dried completely. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of dry methods of retrocavity on the apical seal in endodontic surgery. Apical seal was investigated through the evaluation of apical leakage and adaptation of filling material over the cavity wall. To investigate the influence of various dry methods on the apical leakage, 125 palatal roots of extracted human maxillary molar teeth were used. The clinical crown of each tooth was removed at 10 mm from the root apex using a slow-speed diamond saw and water spray. Root canals of the all the specimens were prepared with step-back technique and filled with gutta-percha by lateral condensation method. After removing of the coronal 2 mm of filling material, the access cavities were closed with Cavit$^{(R)}$. Two coats of nail polish were applied to the external surface of each root. Apical three millimeters of each root was resected perpendicular to the long axis of the root with a diamond saw. Class I retrograde cavities were prepared with ultrasonic instruments. Retrocavities were washed with physiologic saline solution and dried with various methods or contaminated with human blood. Retrocavities were filled either with IRM, Super EBA or composite resin. All the specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 7 days in an incubator at $37^{\circ}C$. The teeth were dissolved in 14 ml of 35% nitric acid solution and the dye present within the root canal system was returned to solution. The leakage of dye was quantitatively measured via spectrophotometric method. The obtained data were analysed statistically using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. To evaluate the influence of various dry methods on the adaptation of filling material over the cavity wall, 12 palatal roots of extracted human maxillary molar teeth were used. After all the roots were prepared and filled, and retrograde cavities were made and filled as above, roots were sectioned longitudinally. Filling-dentin interface of cut surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. Cavities dried with paper point or compressed air showed less leakage than those dried with cotton pellet in Super EBA filled cavity (p<0.05). However, there was no difference between paper point- and compressed air-dried cavities. 2. When cavities were dried with compressed air, dentin-bonded composite resin-filled cavities showed less apical leakage than IRM- or Super EBA-filled ones (p<0.05). 3. Regardless of the filling material, cavities contaminated with human blood showed significantly more apical leakage than those dried with compressed air after saline irrigation (p<0.05). 4. Outer half of the cavity showed larger dentin-filling interface gap than inner half did when cavities were filled with IRM or Super EBA. 5. In all the filling material groups, cavities contaminated with blood or dried with cotton pellets only showed larger defects at the base of the cavity than ones dried with paper points or compressed air.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.882-888
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• 1998

This study was designed as a part of efforts to investigate the biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions by changes in lipid components of the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the South Sea of Korea, Hemoglobin levels in serum of cultured flounders in the South Sea were lower ($4\~17\%$) than those of wild flounder in Pohang as a control group. Triglyceride (TG), Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol contents in serum of cultured flounders in the South Sea were $12\~25\%,\;9\~19\%$ and $17\~25\%$ respectively which are higher than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Atherogenic index (AI) and T-Chol/PL ratios in serum of cultured flounders in the South Sea were significantly higher($26\~43\%$ and $17\~26\%$ respectively) than those of wild flounder in Pohang. These results suggest that near-coastal water as well as neritic water of the South Sea might be affected by pollutant input as well as the Yellow Sea of Korea.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2012

In this study, whether Giemsa staining solution can accurately determine bacterial contamination of liquid spawn for Flammulina velutipes in a short period of time was investigated. Giemsa solution staining cells of blood, bone marrow, lymph node, malaria parasites, rickettsia et al. was prepared by dissolving basic methylene azul and methylene blue, and acidic eosine in methyl alcohol-glycerine. Supernatant samples of Flammulina velutipes liquid spawn cultured under explosive aeration were placed on a slide, mixed with Gimesa solution and examined with optical microscope after staining. In 40 to 60 seconds bacterial cells were distinguishable from soybean meal residual and hyphal cell fragments. Thus we conclude that microscopy using Gimesa staining solution is a quick, simple and accurate method for the mushroom growers to effectively use to detect bacterial contamination of the liquid spawn.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 1997

This study was designed as a part of efforts to investigate the biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions by changes in oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes of the flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)in Yellow Sea of Kores. Protein contents in brian and muscle of cultured flounder in Yellow Sea were remarkably lower(30-45% and 25-45%, respectively) than those of wild flounders in Pohang(control) of East Sea. Lipid peroxide(LPO) levels in serum of cultured and wild flounders in Yellow Sea were significanltly higher (30-80% and 125-145%, respectively)than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Hydroxide radical formations and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in serum of cultured flounders in Yellow Sea were significantly 15-30% and 15-35% lower than those of wild flounders in Pohang, but glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities in brain of cultured flounders in Yellow Sea were significantly 15-25% higher than those of wild flounders in Pohang. It is believed that significantly decreases of protein contents in brain anad muscle, remakable increases of malondialdehyde(LPO) in serum and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx)in brain of cultured flounders of Yellow Sea may be used as a biochemical pollutant markers for diagnosis of marine pollutions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.414-421
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• 2018

In this study, Gram-positive bacilli (GPB) were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and analyzed according to the quaternary and microbial strains in the blood culture medium over a two year period at a university hospital. The results were as follows. The overall positive rate of blood culture was 9.97%. In 713 isolated GPB, 410 strains (57.5%) were identified using a microflex MALDI Biotyper. The positive rate of GPB among the blood culture positive bacteria was 8.2%, and the quarterly isolation rate was 9.8% in the third quarter of 2015, 8.7% in the second quarter of 2016, 8.1% in the third quarter of 2016, 8.1% in the first quarter of 2015, 7.9% in the first quarter of 2015, 7.9% in the second quarter of 2015, 6.8% in the first quarter of 2016, and 6.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The isolates were Corynebacterium striatum 89 (12.4%), Bacillus cereus 60 (8.4%), Bacillus subtilis 30 (4.2%), Paenibacillus urinalis 29 (4.1%), and Listeria monocytogenes 25 (3.5%). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing of 43 isolates (86.0%) were consistent with those of the other 50 isolates. Five out of the seven unmatched weeks were not identified by MALDI-TOF MS.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.15-26
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• 1996

It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu City the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu City area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic. With its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and Kyongju City in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columba livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained in heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu City and the third group was obtained light traffic area in Kyongju City. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu City was $0.11{\mu}g/m^3,\;4.96{\mu}g/g$, that of park in Taegu City was $0.05{\mu}g/m^3,\;2.65{\mu}g/g$ and that of light traffic area in Kyongju City was $0.03{\mu}g/m^3,\;0.01{\mu}g/g$. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu City was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu City and low traffic density area in Kyongju City(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4836, p<0.01). We can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon's tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=4818, p<0.001), femur(r=0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu City, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.566-574
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• 2001

For decades it has been a clinically accepted requirement, in case of salivary contamination, to re-etch conditioned enamel and dentin to proceed with the adhesive technique. Only a few reports have been so far dealing with the potential of one-bottle adhesive system to bond even when applied after salivary contamination and without re-etching. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the salivary contamination on the shear bond strength of dentin. The results were as follows: 1. In group II, in which saliva contamination and washing occurred before applying of Prime & Bond NT showed high shear bond strength as in control group. In Group III and IV, in which the cured adhesive was contaminated with saliva, showed significantly lower mean bond strength, 2. Relating long resin tags of $70\sim120{\mu}m$ were observed in samples of all groups under SEM. We could observed hybrid layer, resin tag and many lateral branches in every group. And there were no differences between groups.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2012

Movement and accumulation of cadmium in male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed with brown rice from nearby Janghang smeltery area were investigated. The rat fed with five different cadmium level diets made with Cd-polluted during 12 weeks. The brown rice-polluted with 0.87 ppm Cd (PBR) was sampled from products in the Janghang smeltery area. Diets of brown rice group were brown rice (BR, 0.002 ppm Cd), each 50% of BR and PBR (BR+PBR 50%, 0.44 ppm Cd) and PBR (PBR 100%, 0.87 ppm Cd). To compare with BR+PBR 50%, the another group diet composed the feed (FE, 0.002 Cd ppm) and each 50% of FE and PBR (FE+PBR 50%, 0.44 ppm Cd). Accumulation of Cd, Zn and Cu in blood, liver and kidney rats was measured by GF-AAS. The weight gain in BR groups and FE groups were different 0.22-0.26 and 1.08-1.26 g/day, respectively. Daily intake cadmium was 10.77 and 22.36 ${\mu}g/rat$ in BR+PBR 50% and PBR 100%, and 8.83 ${\mu}g/rat$ in FE+PBR 50%. Cadmium contents in diets were higher, and total intake of the heavy metals was more increased on the whole. Weights of liver and kidney in FE+PBR 50% group was 2.64 and 2.27 folds higher than those in BR+PBR 50% group. Cadmium contents in blood were increased with intake of BR diet, but Zn and Cu were decreased with them. In the diet groups with the same Cd concentration, Cd content of FE+PBR 50% was higher 1.27 times than that of BR+PBR 50%. In the diet group of BR, BR+PBR 50%, and PBR 100%, the increase of Cd concentration was significantly different to the increase of Cd content in the livers. In the same condition of Cd concentration, Cd contents were higher in the BR+PBR 50% group. In the diet groups of BR, BR+PBR 50%, and PBR 100%, the increase of Cd content in the kidneys led to the increase of Zn and Cu contents. In the same condition of Cd concentration, the diet group with the addition of BR was shown to be 3.11 times higher than with the addition of FE. In view of the results so far achieved, It was closely related with Cd, Zn, and Cu content.