• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.175-182
• /
• 2009

Purpose : A number of countries have experienced an increase in pertussis during the past decade. In particular, there has been an increase in the incidence rate among adolescents and adults. To learn more about the current epidemiology of pertussis, we studied the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pertussis in children in Cheonan, South Korea. Methods : We collected nasopharyngeal aspirates of 118 patients who were treated for respiratory symptoms at Dankook Univeristy Hospital between March 2008 and September 2009. We performed multiplex PCR for detection of Bordetella pertussis in those aspirates. Results : Of the 118 patients, 10 (8%) were positive by PCR for B. pertussis. Six episodes occurred during the period July to September 2009. Nine of the 10 patients were less than 3 months old. Seven of them had not received DTaP vaccine. The mean duration of coughing before diagnosis was 10.9${\pm}$5.2 days. Ten patients (100%) had paroxysmal cough and 8 (80%) had post-tussive vomiting. Only one patient had fever. One who had complications that include pneumonia, atelectasis and pneumomediastinum developed an absolute increase in leukocyte count (84,400/$mm^3$). There was a statistically significant relation between vaccine being received and development of complications (P =0.033). Conclusion : We suspect that there was an epidemic of pertussis between July and September 2009. Further investigation by a pediatric or nationwide surveillance system is needed to monitor the changing epidemiology for pertussis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2009

Purpose : In February 2007, an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections occurred in two newborns in the neonatal unit of Sahmyook Seoul Hospital. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of MRSA nasal carriage among neonatal unit staffs and the effective infection control measures. Methods : Nasal swab specimens were obtained from the neonatal unit staff for the presence of MRSA. MRSA-colonized staffs were offered decolonization therapy with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or 2% mupirocin ointment. Every 2-4months after decolonizaton, repeat nasal swab specimens were obtained. Also, samples from the neonatal unit environment and room air were collected. Results : Successful decolonization was achieved in 92% of the cases in 2 weeks after decolonization therapy, but most of the staffs were recolonized after several months. The nature of antibiotic susceptibility was changed from multi-drugsusceptible to multi-drug-resistant. The most frequently contaminated objects were dressing carts, computer keyboards, bassinets and washbowls. In environmental cultures using the settle microbe count method, the colony counts were decreased significantly at the last study period compared with the first study period in the neonatal room, breastfeeding room, service room, and dressing room (P <0.05). Conclusion : Effective control of sustained MRSA transmission within an institution may require prompt identification, treatment, and monitoring of colonized and/or infected staffs. However, nasal decolonization therapy may induce multi-drugresistant MRSA infection and had no effect on decreasing the MRSA nasal carriage rate in our study. Other factors might be more important, such as improving staff education, increasing hand hygiene practices, and environmental sterilization for controlling MRSA infections.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Cu-sulfate, Cu-methionine chelate (Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) on the performance, blood parameters and mineral contents of muscle. It was conducted with a total of 1,000 one d old broilers chickens (Ross$^{(R)}$) which were assigned to four dietary treatments; Control, Cu sulfate (200 ppm Cu as $CuSO_4{\cdot}5H_2O$), Cu-Met (200 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP (200 ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in weight gain. Weight gain of Cu treated groups were higher than the control during 3~5 wk. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed intake during 0~3 wk. Cu-Met was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control but the differences among Cu treatments were not significant. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed conversion rate (FCR). Cu treated groups were lower than the control during the whole period. Production efficiency factor (PEF) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in Cu treated groups than the control. Nutrient availabilities of diets were not significantly different among the treatments. The count of white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil (EO) were lower in Cu-SP treatment than in the control. Copper concentration in the liver was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Cu treated groups than the control. Zinc concentration in the breast and wing muscle was lower in Cu treated and that of leg muscle was higher in Cu-Met than the control. The result of this experiment showed that Cu supplementation at the level of 200 ppm as Cu sulfate, Cu-Met and Cu-SP improves weight gain (4~5 wk), FCR and PEF. Differences among Cu sources were not significant.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 2014

Purpose: I-131 scan using High Energy (HE) collimator is generally used. While, Medium Energy (ME) collimator is not suggested to use in result of an excessive septal penetration effects, it is used to improve the sensitivities of count rate on lower dose of I-131. This research aims to evaluate I-131 SPECT/CT image quality using by HE and ME collimator and also find out the possibility of ME collimator clinical application. Materials and Methods: ME and HE collimator are substituted as Siemens symbia T16 SPECT/CT, using I-131 point source and NEMA NU-2 IQ phantom. Single Energy Window (SEW) and Triple Energy Windows (TEW) are applied for image acquisition and images with CTAC and Scatter correction application or not, applied different number of iteration and sub set are reconstructed by IR method, flash 3D. By analysis of acquired image, the comparison on sensitivities, contrast, noise and aspect ratio of two collimators are able to be evaluated. Results: ME Collimator is ahead of HE collimator in terms of sensitivity (ME collimator: 188.18 cps/MBq, HE collimator: 46.31 cps/MBq). For contrast, reconstruction image used by HE collimator with TEW, 16 subset 8 iteration applied CTAC is shown the highest contrast (TCQI=190.64). In same condition, ME collimator has lower contrast than HE collimator (TCQI=66.05). The lowest aspect ratio for ME collimator and HE collimator are 1.065 with SEW, CTAC (+) and 1.024 with TEW, CTAC (+) respectively. Conclusion: Selecting a proper collimator is important factor for image quality. This research finding tells that HE collimator, which is generally used for I-131 scan emitted high energy ${\gamma}$-ray is the most recommendable collimator for image quality. However, ME collimator is also applicable in condition of lower dose, lower sensitive if utilizing energy window, matrix size, IR parameter, CTAC and scatter correction appropriately.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.179-187
• /
• 1998

A neutral particle energy analyzer, which has the carbon stripping foil and the $90^{\circ}$ cylindrical electrostatic deflection plate, was designed and constructed for measuring of ion temperature in plasma. The energy calibration and energy resolution were studied in detail for a hydrogen ion at the $0.5{\sim}3.0\;keV$ energy using a duoplasmatron ion source. An energy of hydrogen ion to the deflection plate voltage at the peak ion count rate could be fitted by the expression $E_{o}(keV)$=3.83V(kV). The measured energy resolution, which was about 2 % at the energy of 3.0 keV and 9 % at the energy of 0.5keV, was better for the increased hydrogen ion energy. For the charge exchanged hydrogen atom due to the carbon stripping foil, the energy calibration, energy loss and resolution were measured to the $0.5{\sim}2.0{\mu}g/cm^{2}$ thickness of the carbon stripping foil. An energy of the charge exchanged hydrogen atom as a function of the deflection plate voltage and carbon foil thickness could be fitted by the expression $E_{o}(keV)=(0.53d+4.4){\cdot}V(kV)$. The energy loss was $0.23{\sim}0.89\;keV $ to the $0.5{\sim}2.0{\mu}g/cm^{2}$ carbon foil thickness and the $0.5{\sim}3.0\;keV$ energy of the incident neutral hydrogen atom, it could be fitted by the expression ${\Delta}E=(0.12d+0.27){\cdot}{E_{o}}^{1/2}(keV)$. The measured energy resolution for the neutral hydrogen atom, which was between 7 % and 35 % in this experiment region, was increased for the increasing neutral hydrogen atom energy and the decreasing carbon stripping foil thickness.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2011

The present survey was conducted to provide basic information on automatic milking system (AMS) in relation to purchase motive, milk yield and quality, customer satisfaction, difficulties of operation and customer suggestions, etc. Purchase motives of AMS were insufficient labor (44%), planning of dairy experience farm (25%), better performance of high yield cows (19%) and others (6%), respectively. Average cow performance after using AMS was 30.9l/d for milk yield, 3.9% for milk fat, 9,100/ml for bacterial counts. Sixty-eight percentage of respondents were very positive in response to AMS use for their successors but 18% were negative. The AMS operators were owner (44%), successor (44%), wife (6%) and company worker (6%), respectively. The most difficulty (31%) in using AMS was operating the system and complicated program manual. The rate of response to system error and breakdown was 25%. The reasons for culling cow after using AMS were mastitis (28%), reproduction failure (19%), incorrect teat placement (12%), metabolic disease (7%) and others (14%), respectively. Fifty-six percentages of the respondents made AMS maintenance contract and 44% did not. Average annual cost of the maintenance contract was 6,580,000 won. Average score for AMS satisfaction measurement (1 to 5 range) was 3.2 with decrease of labor cost 3.7, company A/S 3.6, increase of milk yield 3.2 and decrease of somatic cell count 2.8, respectively. Suggestions for the higher efficiency in using AMS were selecting cows with correct udder shape and teat placement, proper environment, capital and land, and attitude for continuous observation. Systematic consulting was highly required for AMS companies followed by low cost for AMS setup and systematization of A/S.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.495-503
• /
• 2011

We evaluated the quality characteristics of fresh-cut produce (potato, sweet potato, carrot, radish, zucchini, cucumber, and green bell pepper) washed with sodium hypochlorite, which were vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 and 10$^{\circ}C$. The L-values of the fresh-cut potato and sweet potato decreased during storage. Lower PPO activities of potato and sweet potato were observed at 4$^{\circ}C$ than those at 10$^{\circ}C$ and development of potato and sweet potato browning was delayed at 4$^{\circ}C$. Total aerobic count and coliform increased continuously at 10$^{\circ}C$ during storage. Diced zucchini and shredded sweet potato had the greatest reduction in hardness among the fresh-cut produce during storage. Differences in the rate of quality change were observed according to the kinds and cut types of produce. Thus, a quality maintenance period for each type of fresh-cut produce must be determined, which will lead to the safe use of fresh cut produce in foodservice establishments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.659-667
• /
• 2000

Quality attributes of fresh-cut green onion(Allium fistulosum L.) as affected by rinsing and packaging were investigated in terms of flesh weight, color, viable cell counts, sensory properties during storage at $10^{\circ}C$. Fresh green onions were trimmed, cut, and rinsed with cold water(approximately $5^{\circ}C$) as well as chlorine solution(100 mg/L) and then packaged in low density polyethylene film pouches of $63\;{\mu}m$ thickness. Rinsing treatments with cold water or chlorine solution did not significantly influence changes in microbial populations but sensory characteristics, resulting in cut green onions of better visual quality as compared to the control without rinsing. Fresh-cut green onions were also rinsed with cold water and packaged in sealed bags of low density polyethylene films with different thickness(22, 36, $63\;{\mu}m$), and stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 18 days. Thickness of polyethylene film was a significant factor for microorganisms populations and sensory attributes. Mesophilic aerobic bacterial count after 13 days for the control, packed in punched film bags, was $3.07{\times}10^6}$ CFU/g, while those for samples in hermetically sealed bags ranged only $1.74{\sim}2.02{\times}10^5}$ CFU/g. Gas composition within the sealed packages changed from normal air to about $1.3{\sim}5.4%\;O_2$ and $4.0{\sim}8.0%\;CO_2$ after 13 days of storage. Particularly, the visual sensory quality of cut green onion samples was retained better in polyethylene film bags of $63\;{\mu}m$ thickness(gas transmission rate: 600 $O_2\;mL/day{\cdot}m^2{\cdot}atm;\;2,500\;CO_2\;mL/day{\cdot}m^2{\cdot}atm$) than in the others.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.487-499
• /
• 2000

Background : Acute lung injury is an hypoxic respiratory failure resulting from damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane, which can be developed by a variety of systemic inflammatory diseases. In this study the therapeutic effects of intra-tracheal pulmonary surfactant instillation was evaluated in the intratracheal endotoxin induced acute lung injury model of a rat. Methods : Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, and normal saline (2 ml/kg, for group 1) or LPS (5 mg/kg, for group 2, 3, and 4) was instilled into the trachea respectively. Either normal saline (2 ml/kg, for group 1 & 2, 30 min later) or bovine surfactant (15 mg/kg, 30 min later for group 3, 5 hr later for group 5) was instilled into the trachea. The therapeutic effect of intratracheal surfactant therapy was evaluated with one chamber body plethysmography (respiratory frequency, tidal volume and enhanced pause), ABGA, BAL fluid analysis (cell count with differential, protein concentration) and pathologic examination of the lung. Results : Intratracheal endotoxin instillation increased the respiration rate decreased the tidal volume and int creased the Penh in all group of rats. Intratracheal instillation of surfactant decreased Penh, increased arterial oxygen tension, decreased protein concentration of BAL fluid and decreased lung inflammation at both times of administration (30 minute and 5 hour after endotoxin instillation). Conclusion : Intratracheal instillation of surfactant can be a beneficial therapeutic modality as discovered in the acute lung injury model of rats induced by intratracheal LPS intillation. It deserves to be evaluated for treatment of human acute lung injury.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.626-632
• /
• 2012

In this study, the changes that occurred in the quality of minimally processed sliced Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) in relation to the packing method during storage at $7^{\circ}C$ were investigated. The storage tests were conducted for seven days using PE sealing, but PP sealing and vacuum packaging preserved the Deodeok for 14 days. On the seventh day, the vinyl-packaged Deodeok showed a remarkable fall in quality with 4.5 °Brix, but the PP-sealed and vacuum-packaged Deodeok showed slight falls with 6.4 and $6.8^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. The PE- and PP-sealed Deodeok did not show significant differences in texture and moisture content for two days, and the moisture content was highest in the vacuum-packaged Deodeok during storage. In relation to the total viable cell and the coliform count, the vacuum-packaged Deodeok showed the lowest rate of increment during storage, followed by the others. Thus, the bubble-washed and vacuum-packaged minimally processed sliced Deodeok was found to have the best quality.