• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 2010

It is well known that smoking as well as drinking is a factor of stomatopathy, however there are few investigations about comparison of oral flora between smokers and non-smokers. In this study, we isolated the oral flora of 30 smokers and 30 non-smokers and cultured them on blood agar plates. The isolated pathogenic microorganisms were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and resistance using the Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing method. Each colony was stained using the Gram staining method and was identified by an automatic identifier, known as the VITEK system. We isolated 41 colonies from smokers' oral cavity, and they were sorted as 63% of Gram-positive cocci, 29% of Gram-negative cocci, 3% of Gram-positive bacilli, and 5% of Gram-negative bacilli by gram staining, whereas 38 colonies were isolated from non-smoters' oral cavity, and their proportions were 55% of Gram-positive cocci, 26% of Gram-negative cocci, 3% of Gram-positive bacilli, and 16% of Gram-negative bacilli. The VITEK system revealed specific distribution of bacteria species that Streptococcus mutans (6/41), Gemella morillorum (6/41), Streptococcus oralis (2/41), Streptococcus pneumoniae (1/41), Staphylococcus aureus (3/41), Streptococcus anginosus (1/41), Streptococcus intermedius (1/41), Streptococcus uberis (1/41), and Streptococcus sanguinis (1/41) in smokers oral cavity whereas Streptococcus sanguinis (8/38), Staphylococcus aureus (1/38), Staphylococcus auricularis (1/38), Streptococcus uberis (1/38), Streptococcus intermedius (1/38), Streptococcus mutans (1/38), and Streptococcus oralis (1/38) in those of non-smokers'. Three cases of Staphylococcus aureus from smokers produced Beta-lactamase and were identified methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However one case of Staphylococcus aureus from non-smoker did not produce Beta-lactamase and was sensitive to methicillin. In conclusion, the distribution of oral flora was different between smokers' and non-smokers' oral cavity, especially Gemella morillorum and MRSA were predominantly found in smoker's oral cavity. These results are useful in the treatment and prevention of patients with stomatopathy caused by smoking.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2008

Although Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are efficacious drugs for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B patients, their efficacy is far from completely satisfactory. The risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC begins to increase at an HBV DNA level of $10^4$ copies/ml. Even with latent or past HBV infection, episomal covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA) plays a key rolein the persistence, relapse and resistance of HBV in its natural course or during therapy. The annual incidence of HCC in YUMC is 1.8% and 4.7% patients/year in the antiviral treatment and control groups, respectively. The ability to achieve a high rate of sustained HBV suppression with low risk of drug resistance is the ultimate goal in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. The efficacy of universal immunization with striking reductions in the prevalence of HBV in localized countries needs to be spread worldwide. With hepatitis B immunization and effective antiviral therapy, global control of HBV infection and HBV-related complications, including HCC, are possible by the end of the first half of the $21^{st}$ century.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.771-780
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• 2014

In this study, the various organic supports (i.e., silicone, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, epoxy, and, butadiene rubber) with great sorption capacity of organic contaminants were chosen to develop nano-ZnO/organic composites (NZOCs) and to prevent the detachment of nano-ZnO particles. The water resistance of the developed NZOCs were evaluated, and the feasibility of the developed NZOCs were investigated by evaluating the removal efficiency of 1,1,2-trichloroethylene (TCE) in the aqueous phase. Based on the results from water-resistance experiments, long-term water treatment usage of all NZOCs was found to be feasible. According to the FE-SEM, EDX, and imaging analysis, nano-ZnO/butadiene rubber composite (NZBC) with various sizes and types of porosity and crack was measured to be coated with relatively homogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles whereas nano-ZnO/silicone composite (NZSC), nano-ZnO/ABS composite (NZAC), and nano-ZnO/epoxy composite (NZEC) with poorly-developed porosity and crack were measured to be coated with relatively heterogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles. The sorption capacity of NZBC was close to 60% relative to the initial concentration, and this result was mainly attributed to the amorphous structure of NZBC, hence the hydrophobic partitioning of TCE to the amorphous structure of NZBC intensively occurred. The removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was close to 99% relative to the initial concentration, and the removal efficiency of TCE was improved as the amount of NZBC increased. These results stemmed from the synergistic mechanisms with great sorption capability of butadiene rubber and superior photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO. Finally, the removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was well represented by linear model ($R^2{\geq}0.936$), and the $K_{app}$ values of NZBC were from 2.64 to 3.85 times greater than those of $K_{photolysis}$, indicating that butadiene rubber was found to be the suitable organic supporting materials with enhanced sorption capacity and without inhibition of photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.250-261
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the herbicidal response and effective control strategy of sulfonylurea(SU)-resistant Scirpus juncoides Roxb. occurred in the paddy fields of Korea. A biotype of Scirpus juncoides Roxb. resistant to SU was identified in the paddy fields treated with SU herbicide-based mixtures for seven consecutive years. The apparent SU resistance observed in Scirpus juncoides Roxb. was completely confirmed in greenhouse tests. The susceptible biotype was almost controlled at the recommended dose of all the tested, but the resistant biotype was survived 20 to 30% even at 10 times higher dose of each the recommended dose of SU herbicides. The $GR_{50}$ values of 4 SU herbicides for the resistant biotype were 53 to 88 times higher than those for the susceptible biotype. The acetolactate synthase(ALS) isolated from the resistant biotype against bensulfuron-methyl and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl was less sensitive than that of the susceptible biotype. The $I_{50}$ values of the resistant biotype against bensulfuron-methyl and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl were 498 and 126 times higher than those for the susceptible biotype. A rapid diagnosis for identifying resistance of Scirpus juncoides Roxb. was possible within at least 3 days after SU herbicides. Three herbicides having different mode of action from SU herbicide, carfentrazone-ethyl, pyrazolate and simetryne exhibited excellent controlling effects on the resistant biotype of Scirpus juncoides Roxb. till 3.5 leaf stage. Among the SU-based herbicides, pyriminobac-methyl+pyrazosulfuroil-ethyl+carfentrazone-ethyl GR and azimsulfuron+carfentrazone-ethyl+pyriminobac-methyl GR were very effective to control resistant biotype of Scirpus juncoides Roxb. without rice injury. The resistant biotype which were not controlled with SU herbicise-based herbicides survived from the fields were effectively controlled by bentazone SL.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.278-285
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• 2016

The bifunctional PheA protein, having chorismate mutase and prephenate dehydratase (CMPD) activities, is one of the key regulatory enzymes in the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, and is negatively regulated by an end-product, phenyalanine. Therefore, PheA protein has been thought as useful for protein engineering to utilize mass production of essential amino acid phenylalanine. To obtain feedback resistant PheA protein against phenylalanine, we mutated by using random mutagenesis, extensively screened, and obtained $pheA^{FBR}$ gene encoding a feedback resistant PheA protein. The mutant PheA protein contains substitution of Leu to Phe at the position of 118, displaying that higher affinity (about $290{\mu}M$) for prephenate in comparison with that (about $850{\mu}M$) of wild type PheA protein. Kinetic analysis showed that the saturation curve of $PheA^{FBR}$ against phenyalanine is hyperbolic rather than that of $PheA^{WT}$, which is sigmoidal, indicating that the L118F mutant enzyme has no cooperative effects in prephenate binding in the presence of phenylalanine. In vitro enzymatic assay showed that the mutant protein exhibited increased activity by above 3.5 folds compared to the wild type enzyme. Moreover, L118F mutant protein appeared insensitive to feedback inhibition with keeping 40% of enzymatic activity even in the presence of 10 mM phenylalanine at which the activity of wild type $PheA^{WT}$ was not observed. The substitution of Leu to Phe in CMPD may induce significant conformational change for this enzyme to acquire feedback resistance to end-product of the pathway by modulating kinetic properties.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic information for the improvement of dental environment by investigating the presence of methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA or VRSA) isolated from dental health care workers (DHCWs) and environment of the Chosun University Dental Hospital (CUDH) and a private dental clinic (control group). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from anterior nares of 42 DHCWS and 38 sites, unit chairss, x-ray devices, computers, etc., at 10 departments of the CUDH and 20 DHCWs and 11 sites at the private dental clinic. S. aureus was isolated on mannitol salt agar plate and confirmed by PCR with S. aureus species-specific primer. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of clinical isolates of S. aureus against several antibiotics including methicillin (oxacillin) was performed by investigating minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using broth microdilution assay. In addition, PCR was performed to detect the methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant gene. The data showed that one strain of S. aureus was isolated from DHCWs of the CUDH and three strains of S. aureus was isolated from 3 samples of the private dental clinic, respectively. All of the isolates from the CUDH and the private dental clinic had resistance to penicillin G, amoxicillin and vancomycin and susceptibility to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. The S. aureus strains were already obtained the resistance to penicillin G and amoxicillin. These results suggest that two dental clinics were under relatively safe environment.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 1992

This experiment was carried oui to determine the relativeness between growth, yield characters and bio-informations as influenced by the spray and rest time intervals of nutrient solution. Tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in aeroponic system on a misting schedule of continuously 60 sec, 30 sec and 10 sec at 10 min intervals with full strength Yamazaki's solution recommended for tomato production. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Leaf area was highest in the plot of 30 sec spray and 10 min rest while the forest one was the plot of 60 sec spray and 10 min rest. Growth characteristics in terms of dry weight of each organ, number of flower, number of flower setted and fruit dry weight were greater in the plot of 30 sec spray and 10 min rest than the other treatments. 2. The number of flower increased with decreasing dry weight but number of flower sorted was not significantly different among treatment except for the plot of 60 sec spray and 10 min rest. 3. Leaf dry weight and fruit dry weight were highly correlated so that 30 sec spray and 10 min rest plot which is the highest fruit dry weight showed the largest leaf area. Continuously sprayed plot reduced markedly the fruit dry weight compared with leaf area. Optimum spray and rest time of nutrient solution in the range of this experiment was determined as 30 sec spray and 10 min rest. 4. Solar radiation within glasshouse during daytime reduced severely compared with outdoor one and air temperature within greenhouse was higher than the leaf temperature of tomato plant. The changes of environmental factors, solar radiation, temperature were accompanied with the sensitive change of bio-informations of tomato leaf Especially differences of spray intervals of nutrient solution affected greatly to the changes of bio-informations : leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and leaf temperature etc. 5. The changing patterns of leaf growth as influenced by the spray and rest intervals of nutrient solution were closely related to the leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and leaf temperature. Feasibility was demonstrated that measurement of bio-information of tomato leaf as influenced by the change of environmental factors could be expected to the amount of growth and fruit yield.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2018

We introduced the physiological responses of aging, active aging and also suggest the impact of physical exercise on body health status and elderly immunity. In this purpose, we searched the Pub Med data base for the articles (include our experimental papers) and review papers having the terms 'Aging', 'Active aging' and 'Physical activity and elderly' in the title, published from 1999 until 2018. The results were as follows: Exercise training has been extensively studied about the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, disease, and aging in syndrome X patients and elderly. Combined and aerobic or resistance exercise training could reduce obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Exercise training has been extensively studied in cancer settings as part of prevention or treatment strategies. From this research, regular exercise has the potential to target tumor growth through regulation of inflammation and immune responses such as lactate clearance, NK cell activation (innate immunity), activation of cytotoxic immune cells, T cell activation (adaptive immunity), and immune surveillance. However, Endurance physical activity not only induces thermogenesis and diverse sports injuries but also elicits mobilization and functional enhancement of monocytes, neutrophils (which is caused by the cytokine changes such as TNF-alpha, IL-1) whereas it suppresses cell mediated immunity causing to increased susceptibility to inflammation and infections like cough and URTIs (upper respiratory track infections) in young and especially in elderly people. Therefore, Strategies to prevent physical fatigue, sports injuries include avoid overtraining, Adequate recovery and various type of rest during and after physical activity and assuring adequate nutrition supplementation such as glutamine, vitamin B, vitamin C, carbohydrate, ion or berry-contain sports beverages is helpful in physically active elderly.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 1982

The growth rate and heat resistance of two types of Bacillus cereus isolated from cooked rice were observed. The FB-1 strain showed positive to haemolysis and negative to starch hydrolysis, but FB-2 strain positive to both reaction. The cell number of B. cereus FB-1 reached to more than $10^7\;cells/ml$ within 6 to 12 hours at $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$ when cultured on the medium of cooked rice homogenate (cooked rice 30g-phosphate buffer solution 80 ml), but the numbers at its maximum growth were only $10^4{\sim}10^6\;cells/ml$ at $45{\sim}55^{\circ}C$. The specific growth rate of FB-1 strain were $0.82hr^{-1}\;at\;20^{\circ}C$, $1.76hr^{-1}\;at\;30^{\circ}C$, $2.21hr^{-1}\;at\;35^{\circ}C$ and $1.84hr^{-1}\;at\;40^{\circ}C$, respectively. D-values of FB-1 and FB-2 spores at $70{\sim}100^{\circ}C$ were in the range from 18 to 3.1 min and 23.5 to 3.7 min, respectively.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation of three commercial compomers in an alkaline solution. Dyract(Dentsply), Elan(Kerr) and F-2000(3M) polyacid modified resin composites(compomers) were used in this study. The resistance to degradation was evaluated on the basis of mass loss(%), degradation $depth({\mu}m)$ and Si, Al, Ba loss(ppm). The results were as follows : 1. The mass loss of each brand was $1.42%{\sim}2.14%$ and there was no statistically significant difference of mass loss among Dyract, F2000 and Elan. 2. The degradation layer depth of each brand was $182.92{\sim}227.7{\mu}m$ and there was no statistically significant difference of degradation layer depth among Dyract, F2000 and Elan. 3. There was statistically significant differences in Si-loss and Al-loss among three compomers (p<0.05). Si loss was the highest value in Dyract and Al loss was the highest value in F2000. 4. There was statistically significant correlation between mass loss and degradation layer depth (r=0.60, p<0.05). 5. In SEM finding, there was some destruction of compomer matrix-filler interface in post-exposure specimen to NaOH solution. As the matrix decreased, the filler particles distinguished and the periphery of the filler particles appeared whitish color due to degradation.