• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2012

An effective, environmentally friendly analytic methods using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector (GC-MSD) have been developed for the quantitative analysis of trace phthalate levels in cosmetics such as nail lacquer and hair spray. Since such cosmetics are largely comprised of organic solvents, conventional clean-up methods that have been widely used for phthalate analyses are in adequate. In addition, analysis of trace phthalate levels is notorious for its sensitivity to contamination, which causes high analytical values. A direct sample dilution method using an organic solvent was adopted to the sample preparation process to determine the exact amounts of phthalates and simultaneously avoid the high risk of secondary contamination. The method has many advantages including high accuracy, sensitivity, and simplicity in sample preparation. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were selected for analysis because they have been frequently detected in cosmetics and consistently reported as endocrine disruptors in humans and animals. Internal standard method using two deuterium substitutes (DBP-$d_4$, DEHP-$d_4$) as the internal standard was also used. The results of 'Method validation' showed the capabilities of this method for the routine analysis of phthalates at the ppm level. The recovery ranges were between 95 % and 106.1 %, and relative standards deviations (RSD) were less than 3.9 % in fortified nail lacquer and hair spray samples at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/g$.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 1994

Clonorchiasis is an important parasitic disease of humans in Korea. The present study intended to compare sonographic findings with histopathological changes in experimental clonorchiasis. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were infected with metacercariae of Cknorchis sinensis, and examined 4, 10, and 22 weeks post-infection (PI). Four infected rabbits were treated with praziquantel 10 weeks PI and were examined 12 weeks after treatment. Sonography revealed mild to severe dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts (IHDD) and slightly increased periductal echoes in 12 out of 14 rabbits at 4 weeks PI, and all of the animals after 10 and 22 weeks PI and 12 weeks after treatment. The histopathological lesions were duct dilatation, mucosal hyperplasia, and periductal fibrosis, which progressed from 4 weeks to 22 weeks PI and even in treated rabbits. The dilated intrahepatic ducts over 1 mm diameter were detected by sonography. The present results indicate that sonographic findings are well correlated with histopathological lesions in rabbit clonorchiasis except for early phase of light burden of infection. The sonography has a limitation in discriminating residual sequelae of the ducts after praziquantel treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.79-85
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• 2010

Purpose: Many trials for new therapeutic approaches such as stem cell-based transplantation have been conducted to improve the repair and regeneration of injured cord tissue and to restore functions following spinal cord injury (SCI) in animals and humans. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs) have multi-lineage potential to differentiate into cells with neuron-like morphology. Most studies of stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI are focused on cellular regeneration and restoration of motor function, but not on unwanted effects after transplantation such as neuropathic pain. This study was focused on whether transplantation of ATSCs could facilitate or attenuate hindpaw pain responses to heat, cold and mechanical stimulation, as well as on improvement of locomotor function in a rat with SCI. Methods: A spinal cord injury rat model was produced using an NYU impactor by dropping a 10 g rod from a height of 25 mm on to the T9 segment. Human ATSCs (hATSCs; approximately $5{\times}10^5$ cells) or DMEM were injected into the perilesional area 9 days after the SCI. After transplantation, hindpaw withdrawal responses to heat, cold and mechanical allodynia were measured over 7 weeks. Motor recovery on the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and on the inclined plane test were also evaluated. Results: The present study demonstrated that increased hindpaw withdrawal responses to cold allodynia was observed in both groups after transplantation, but the development of cold-induced allodynia in the hATSC transplantation group was significantly larger than in the control group. The difference between the two groups in locomotor functional improvement after SCI was also significant. Conclusion: Careful consideration not only of optimal functional benefits but also of unintended side effects such as neuropathic pain is necessary before stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2001

Environmental factors such as $NH_3,\;H_2S,\;CO_2$, dust, temperature, and humidity in the animal house are a potential health hazard to humans and animals. Until now, most of measurement methods can only provide periodic results with low accuracy. A data acquisition system which can measure continuously and simultaneously $NH_3,\;H_2S,\;CO_2$, temperature, and humidity was developed and installed in two pig houses. Daily changes of environment for the pig-houses were investigated by the data acquisition system. In order to evaluate NH$_3$sensor, gas samples were obtained and NH$_3$concentrations were measured at nine positions; combinations of three positions(inlet, middle, and outlet) and three heights(0 cm, 40 cm, 150 cm). Ammonia concentration of 14.0 ~37.1 ppm for slurry pig-house is higher than that of 8.4~29.7 ppm for scraper pig-house, and there were no statistical differences among the positions. However, the concentration of $NH_3$at 150 cm was higher than thats of 0 cm and 40 cm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1446-1451
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• 2016

Clostridium difficile toxin A causes acute gut inflammation in animals and humans. It is known to downregulate the tight junctions between colonic epithelial cells, allowing luminal contents to access body tissues and trigger acute immune responses. However, it is not yet known whether this loss of the barrier function is a critical factor in the progression of toxin A-induced pseudomembranous colitis. We previously showed that NADH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) KO (knockout) mice spontaneously display weak gut inflammation and a marked loss of colonic epithelial tight junctions. Moreover, NQO1 KO mice exhibited highly increased inflammatory responses compared with NQO1 WT (wild-type) control mice when subjected to DSS-induced experimental colitis. Here, we tested whether toxin A could also trigger more severe inflammatory responses in NQO1 KO mice compared with NQO1 WT mice. Indeed, our results show that C. difficile toxin A-mediated enteritis is significantly enhanced in NQO1 KO mice compared with NQO1 WT mice. The levels of fluid secretion, villus disruption, and epithelial cell apoptosis were also higher in toxin A-treated NQO1 KO mice compared with WT mice. The previous and present results collectively show that NQO1 is involved in the formation of tight junctions in the small intestine, and that defects in NQO1 enhance C. difficile toxin A-induced acute inflammatory responses, presumably via the loss of epithelial cell tight junctions.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2011

In period of rapid economic development, as doing river conservation work by using harmful materials environmental pollution has adversely effected humans, animals and plants frequently. For recovery of environmental pollution it needs a lot of time and cost. Therefore, in this study, in order to take an environment-friendly method which is also economical and durable both results of the laboratory model test and field test were compared and analyzed. According to the results of the laboratory model test, those methods such as concrete paving, asphalt paving, bentonite mat, stabilized soil method and mixed soil method have small amount of seepage, but on the other hand compaction soil, grassland and permeable materials have considerable amount of seepage. The results of field test show a similar tendency with laboratory test and have been satisfied to assess standard of domestic water permeability below $1.0{\times}10^{-7}cm/sec$ and unconfined compressive strength is also than 1.0MPa so it has been satisfied about standard. In conclusion, as compaction rate increased, as unconfined compression strength increased and coefficient of permeability decreased.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 2000

A large number of man-made chemicals that have been released into the environment have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system of animals and humans. There is a critical developmental period during which sexual brain differentiation proceeds irreversibly under the influence of gonadal hormone. Recently we identified KAP3 gene expressed during the critical period of rat brain sexual differentiation. KAP3 functions as a microtubule-based motor that transports membranous organelles anterogradely in cells, including neurons. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of endocrine disrupter, Dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), on the KAP3 gene expression during critical period of rat brain development. Maternal exposure to DDT increased the level of KAP3 mRNA in male and female fetus brains when examined on the gestational day 17 (GDl7). In postnatal day 6, DDT suppressed the expression of KAP3 gene in male and female rat brain. Also, the body weight and fertilization rate were decreased in the DDT exposured rats. These results showed that endocrine disrupter, DDT, can affect the transcriptional level of brain sexual differentiation related gene, KAP3, in the prenatal and the neonatal rat brain and that maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors may lead to a toxic response in embryonic differentiation of brain. And so KAP3 gene may be used a gene maker to analyse the molecular mechanism for toxic response in animal nerve tissues exposed to endocrine disruptors.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the hygiene condition of PC room(internet cafe) in Seoul Korea. From July 2004 to December, 34 samples were collected, there's an average of $9.0{\times}10^4$ CFU/ml on keyboards, $2{\times}10$ CFU/ml on mouse and $5{\times}10^3$ CFU/ml on door konbs toilets, suggesting that keyboards and mouse are more contaminated than toilet door knobs. Seven antimicrobial resistant strains were isolated from PC Rooms. Two isolates were resistant to methicillin and erythromycin, while five isolates were resistant to gentamicin, ampicllin, cefotaxim, and chloramphenicol. By identification, these strains were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (2 strains). Actinobacillus ureae (4 strains) and Pasteurella multocida (1 strain), respectively. Pasteurella multocida and Actinobacillus ureae are potentially pathogenic bacteria. Actinobacillus ureae, formerly, known as Pasteurella ureae, is an uncommon of the upper respiratory tract in humans. Pasteurella multocida is a part of the normal flora in the nasopharynx of many domestic animals. We concluded that Staphylococcus aureus is highly resistant to erythromycin and methicillin over $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, while Pasteurella multocida and Actinobacillus ureae is highly resistant to gentamicin, ampicillinover over $100\;{\mu}g/ml$.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2004

A study was carried out to determine the effect of a very low-carbohydrate diet on weight gain, body composition, and serum levels of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, ketone bodies and insulin. Twenty rats (mean initial weight, 212 g) were divided into two groups and each group was assigned a conventional high-carbohydrate diet (control) or a very low-carbohydrate diet containing 59.8% ground pork rind snack and fed the diet for four weeks. Average daily body weight gain was not different between the two groups during the first two weeks, but was significantly lower in rats fed the very low-carbohydrate diet than in those in the control group during third (p<0.05) and fourth weeks (p<0.01). Feedintake as well as energy intake was lower in rats fed the very low-carbohydrate diet than in those in the control group. The very low-carbohydrate diet reduced (p<0.01) serum triacylglycerol (34$\pm$83 vs 82$\pm$8 mg/l00 mL) and insulin (3.90$\pm$0.53 vs 7.60$\pm$0.61 $\mu$IU/mL) levels, while increasing (p<0.01) ketone body level (368$\pm$25 vs 236$\pm$24 $\mu$mol/L), compared with the control. Serum glucose and total cholesterol levels were not different (p>0.05) between the two dietary treatments. Proximate analysis of carcasses showed that the very low-carbohydrate diet decreased (p<0.01) body fat (26.1$\pm$1.04 vs 30.5$\pm$0.86%), while increasing (p<0.01) body protein (63.1$\pm$0.94 vs 59.4$\pm$0.70%) contents. Results indicate that short-term feeding of a very low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial for alleviating risk factors known to involve cardiovascular diseases or artherosclerosis. However, more studies with model animals as well as humans are recommended to examine the long-term health benefits of low-carbohydrate diets.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.98-109
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect on improvement of the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and decrease the cognitive function and agitation behaviors by reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation for senile dementia. The quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Subjects were 26 with mild senile dementia who were cared for at a Day Care Center for Dementia in Seoul. The data were collected from March to July, 1999. Subjects were divided into three groups : Control Igroup with 10 subjects, reminiscence group(Control II group with 8 subjects), and reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation group(experimental group with 8 subjects). The Control I group got routine care as usual. Control II group participated in reminiscence sessions for one hour a day, five times a week , for a period of 4 weeks. The experimental group participated in reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation sessions for one hour a day, five times a week, for a period of 4 weeks. Instruments of this study were color photography with sound that was developed through an open questionnaire about events, objects, humans in action and animals that 100 Korean elderly over 60 would like to memorize. This was referred from the Sensory Stimuli Package by Namazi and Haynes(1994). The effects of treatment was evaluated through MMSE-K by Kwon & Park(1989). Also the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale(BCRS) by Reisberg et al(1983) for the cognitive function, through Agitation Inventory by Cohen- Mansfield and Colleague(1989) for behavioral response and through the Rapid Disability Rating Scale-2(RDRS-2) by Linn & Linn(1982) for the activity of daily living respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS for $\chi$2- test, ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA. The results were as follows : 1. Reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation did not improve cognitive function for senile dementia, but significantly improved verbal expression, the subscale of cognitive function. 2. Reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation reduced agitation behavior of experimental group significantly, but there was no significant difference between groups. 3. Reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation did not significantly effect the activity of daily living after treatment. In conclusion, it was shown that the reminiscence with audio-visual stimulation was an effective therapy to improve verbal expression and to reduce agitation behaviors of senile dementia. Further research with more indepth approach is needed, considering characteristic and level individualized for each senile dementia.