• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1993

Background: The development of the flexible fiberoptic broncoscope by Ikeda was an important technologic advance in the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary disease. But, cross contamination related to fiberoptic bronchoscope was reported in cases involving tubercle bacilli, MOTT and other agents. Therefore, cleaning and disinfecting of fiberoptic bronchoscope requires careful attention. Methods: From September 1991 to May 1992, medical records of all patients with positive culture for MOTT in bronchial washing specimens were reviewed. Also to evaluate bactericidal effect of 2% glutaraldehyde, culture was performed after inoculum of MOTT, Serratia marsescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the disinfectant solution. Results: In 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde, MOTT was not survived only after 30 minute exposure, but P. aeruginosa and S. marsescens were rapidly inactivated with no survivors after exposure to 2% glutaraldehyde. Since vigorous mechanical cleansing and more than 30 minute of contact time within washing machine, no more outbreak was observed. Conclusions: It is also very important that bronchoscopes must be meticulously cleaned after each procedure and more than 30 minute exposure would be required for eradication of MOTT with 2% glutaraldehyde. However even the most strictly applied infection control measures cannot exclude contamination completly and clinicians have to stay alert to this possibility. Prompt detection of pseudoepidemics is possible if abrupt increase in isolation rates, especially if they involve unusual or generally nonpathogenic organisms, are readily recognized.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

The feasibility study of soil flushing was investigated to remediate lubricant oil and zinc contaminated railway soil. In this study, mixed washing agents of surfactant and inorganic acid/base were used for the simultaneous removal. The mixed washing agent of non-ionic surfactant and HCl removed 15% of the lubricant oil and 40% of zinc, respectively. Alkaline-enhanced soil washing process increased the removal of lubricant oil up to 40%. This is because alkaline solution reduced the interfacial tension between water phase and lubricant oil phase due to the soap formation reaction. To simulate in-situ soil flushing for the remediation of railroad-related contamination, two dimensional soil flushing was carried out based on the results of batch soil washing. In the soil flushing, the removal efficiencies of lubricant oil and zinc were 34% and 16%, respectively. Even though the removal efficiency was low, the mixed washing agent can remove metal and lubricant oil simultaneously.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2010

The aims of this study were to investigate the nosocomial infection route of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and explore preventative methods for this pathogen that involve blocking its dispersion. We cultured MRSA from nasal cavity swabs collected between June and July 2008 that we obtained from eight dental healthcare providers, 32 nurses and the sputum specimens of two patients from our hospital. In addition, we used VITEK 2 equipment to measure drug sensitivity, and we further performed biochemical testing and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to isolate MRSA colonies. The incidence of these bacteria on the nasal swabs was 25.0% from dental clinic healthcare providers, 13.6% from the internal medicine ward nurses and 30.0% from intensive care unit nurses. Moreover, MRSA was detectable in sputum specimens of ward patients. The antimicrobial agents resistance and partial PFGE types of MRSA showed a similar pattern. We suggest from these analyses that nasal cavity infection by MRSA could occur by cross contamination between healthcare providers and patients which underscores the importance of stringent MRSA management practices.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2008

It is inevitable to use chemical germicidal agents like paraben, imidazolidinyl urea and phenoxyethanol to preserve the emulsions which is usually used in cosmetics. Although these chemical preservatives are good enough to reduce the microbiological contamination, they are irritative, allergenic to the skin. Several kinds of polyols are used in cosmetics as moisturizer and solvent. In this study, we evaluate the effects of polyols on anti-microbial activities, safety and resistant index. MIC(minimal inhibitory concentration) of polyols determined against 6 germs including Staphylococcus aureus. The order of MIC was PG $\cong$ DPG $\cong$ 1,3BG > HG > 1,2-PD > 1,2-HD $\cong$ 1,2-OD. The $2{\sim}3\;wt%$ of 1,2-HD(hexanediol) shows good anti-microbial effects in emulsions without allergenic response. Resistant index of 1,2-HD was less than 2 and this value was smaller than that of chemical preservatives. The mechanism of antimicrobilogical effect might be disturb the membrane of germs by investigating using electron microscope. Added to that, using this paradigm, low preservative contents, paraben-free system, and even preservative-free systems can be expected from these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.1 s.73
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• pp.86-91
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• 2006

Oil spills caused by the accidents have been occurred from house and factory waste, grounded tanker, the rupture of storage tank and oil pipelines, the deterioration of various industrial facilities, etc. Many oil spills result in contamination of shorelines and workplace. Fire and explosion may happen from these spills. There are several technologies used for clean-up application, which include use of oil dispersing agents, absorbents, solidifiers, booms and skimmers by physical, chemical, and biological methods. Methods for oil spill clean-up operation are classified into the absorption type, gel type and self-swelling type. Porous materials with oil absorptive properties are classified into micropore, mesopore, and macropore depending on their pore sizes. Recently, new porous materials with smaller size have been developed, but the selective oil absorption in water-in-oil interface demonstrates the macro pore size. In this study oil absorption effects were evaluated using the organic porous materials with a complex function of gel type and swelling type. Samples were subjected to analysis by FT-IR spectroscopy and were characterized in terms of gel formation and morphologies. Oil sorption capacity, pressure retention force and gel strength were also measured. From these results, the physicochemical reactivity before and after gelation was verified and the industrial applications of clean-up operation were suggested.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.3 s.54
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• pp.283-289
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• 2006

In recent years, there has been an increase in consumer demand for bottled waters. There is a perception that consumption of natural mineral water represents a healthy life style and that these products are relatively safe. In this study, the microbiological quality of 39 samples of bottled water, purchased from retail store in Korea, was investigated during the 2005. Applying pour plate method, the 1 mL of water samples were analyzed for the presence and enumeration of total general bacteria and Pseudomonas spp.. Nineteen samples representing 9 brands of bottled water contained general bacteria ($1.54{\times}10^2$ CFU/mL). In addition four samples contained Pseudomonas spp. and Camamonas acidovorans. The susceptibility of the strains tested against 25 antimicrobial agents, Pseudomonas fluorescens were resistant to Lincomycin, Amoxacilin/Clavulanic acid and Cefazolin (> $100{\mu}g/mL$). Also Comamonas acidovorans were intermediate to Cephalothin and resistant to Cefoperazone.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.185-190
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• 2010

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most prevalent pathogens in hospitals. To investigate cross contamination by this bacterium in both dental and medical settings, the pathogens that cause acute pyogenic infection and one of the major microbes responsible for nosocomial infection were isolated from health care providers, nurses and patients. We used VITEK II to measure drug sensitivity, and we further performed biochemical testing, coagulase serotype testing and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for isolated MRSA colonies. The isolation rate of Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swabs was 75.0% from dental health care providers and 18.8% from the medical health care providers. A total of 10 MRSA strains were isolated from 40 health care providers and 2 patients and the prevalent coagulase serotype from patients and health care providers was VII. The antimicrobial drug resistance and partial PFGE types of the isolated MRSA strains showed a similar pattern. These results suggest that MRSA may be one of the principal causes of nosocomial infection in dental and medical hospitals.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-23
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• 2021

Methemoglobin is generated by the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron within a hemoglobin molecule. Methemoglobin is unable to bind and transport oxygen, resulting in methemoglobinemia, which can lead to fatal tissue hypoxia. The most common cause of methemoglobinemia is poisoning by oxidizing agents such as dapsone, benzocaine, and primaquine. However, methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. We present two cases of methemoglobinemia that developed after a normal diet in two male patients. In this case report, the patients suddenly developed dyspnea and cyanosis after eating the same meal. They had no history of suspected poisoning, such as the use of drugs, exposure to chemicals, or gas inhalation. Their symptoms did not improve even after a high dose of oxygen was administered; further, an abnormal 'oxygen saturation gap' was observed. Because of CO-oximetry, the methemoglobin levels of the patients were 50.0% and 46.6%, respectively. We administered methylene blue (1 mg/kg), and the patients recovered completely without any complications. Emergency physicians should, therefore, be aware that methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. In addition, if the source and route of contamination are unclear, an epidemiological investigation should be conducted.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2022

This paper presents an experimental study on the main management factors of the condenser contamination such as fouling and corrosion for the R-134a turbo-chiller to save energy, reduce corrosion rates, and reduce maintenance costs through the application of condenser non-cleaning water treatment chemical. The series of experiment is conducted using combining oxidative microbial sterilizers, non-oxidizing microbial sterilizers, and anti-corrosion agents. The leaving temperature difference and corrosion rates for three different combination of chemicals are collected and analyzed. The experimental results show that the cost reduction (4,066,000 Won/year) of the disinfectant (FT-830) can be achieved by adding the oxidative disinfectant (NaOCl) and the non-oxidizing disinfectant (NX-1116). The LTD value is maintained at 1.9℃, and the corrosion rates of copper and carbon steel specimens are 0.07 mpy and 1.61 mpy, respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.15
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• 2022

Background: Antibacterial agents play important roles in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and carry-over of substances into the environment are several problems arising during oral treatment of bacterial infections. We assessed AMR development in commensal Escherichia coli (E. coli) in enrofloxacin treated and untreated animals. In addition, we examined fluoroquinolone in the plasma and urine of treated and untreated animals, and in sedimentation dust and aerosol. Methods: In each trial, six pigs were treated with enrofloxacin via powder, granulate or pellet forms in two time periods (days 1-5 and 22-26). Four pigs served as untreated controls. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to evaluate AMR development. Analysis of enro- and ciprofloxacin was performed with high performance liquid chromatography. Results: Non-wildtype E. coli (MIC > 0.125 ㎍/mL) was detected in the pellet treated group after the first treatment period, whereas in the other groups, non-wildtype isolates were found after the second treatment period. E. coli with MIC > 4 ㎍/mL was found in only the pellet trial. Untreated animals showed similar susceptibility shifts several days later. Bioavailability differed among the treatment forms (granulate > pellet > powder). Enro- and ciprofloxacin were detected in aerosols and sedimentation dust (granulate, powder > pellet). Conclusions: This study indicates that the kind of the oral dosage form of antibiotics affects environmental contamination and AMR development in commensal E. coli in treated and untreated pigs.