• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2024

Purpose: In response to the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron variant cases, we have implemented preemptive testing for preschool and school. The purpose is to quickly detect COVID-19 cases using a rapid antigen test (RAT) kit so that normal school activities can continue. Methods: The results entered in The Healthcare Self-Test App were merged with the information on the status of confirmed cases in the COVID-19 Information Management System by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) for preschool and school of students and staffs March 2 to May 1, 2022 to analyze the RAT positive rate and positive predictive value of RAT. Results: In preschool and school 19,458,575 people were tested, weekly RAT positive rate ranged from 1.10% to 5.90%, positive predictive value of RAT ranged from 86.42% to 93.18%. By status, RAT positive rate ranged from 1.13% to 6.16% for students, 0.99% to 3.93% for staffs, positive predictive value of RAT ranged from 87.19% to 94.03% for students, 77.55% to 83.10% for staffs. RAT positive rate by symptoms ranged from 76.32% to 88.02% for those with symptoms and 0.34% to 1.11% for those without symptoms. As a result of preschool and school RAT, 943,342 confirmed cases were preemptively detected, before infection spread in preschool and school. Conclusions: RAT was well utilized to detect confirmed cases at an early stage, reducing the risk of transmission to minimize the educational gap in preschool and school. To compensate for the limitations of RAT, further research should continue to reevaluate the performance of RAT as new strains of viruses continue to emerge. We will have to come up with various ways to utilize it, such as performing periodic and repeated RAT and parallel polymerase chain reaction.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.347-357
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• 2023

The succulent plant Aeonium sedifolium leaves contain several compounds that are of interest for their cosmetic uses on the skin. This study measured the inhibitory effects of enzyme production and antioxidant, astringent effects and skin wrinkles using Aeonium sedifolium leaves (ASL). The total phenolics compounds (TPC) content of ASL under optimal extraction conditions was 34.49 mg/g for hot water extract (ASLW) and 61.64 mg/g for 50% ethanol extract (ASLE). The ASLW and ASLE extracts were freeze-dried, powdered, and used as solids. TPC content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylben-zothiazoline 6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical inhibition of the ASL phenolics were tested. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of ASLW and ASLE were tested at a TPC of 100 ㎍/mL. ABTS radical inhibition showed antioxidant activity of 100.00% in ASLW and ASLE, and the antioxidant protection factor of ASLW and ASLE was 1.07 and 1.22, respectively. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) inhibitory activity of ASLW and ASLE was 77.00%. The elastase inhibitory activity of ASLE was 69.03%, and collagenase inhibition activity for ASLW and ASLE was 29.82% and 54.76%, respectively. The astringent effect of ASLE was 89.82% at a TPC of 200 ㎍/mL. Thus, we concluded that ASL has the potential as a functional cosmetic ingredient with anti-aging effects on the skin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

Salmonella is a common food-borne intracellular bacterial pathogen that has triggered significant public health concerns. Salmonella hosts' genetic factors play a pivotal role in determining their susceptibility to the pathogen. Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1), a member of LIM/double zinc finger protein family, is widely expressed in humans, such as in the lungs, spleen, and especially the gut. Recently, CRIP1 has been reported as a key marker of several immune disorders; however, the effect of CRIP1 on bacterial infection remains unknown. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between Salmonella infection and CRIP1 gene deficiency, as Salmonella spp. is known to invade the Peyer's patches of the small intestine, where CRIP1 is highly expressed. We found that CRIP1-deficient conditions could not alter the characteristics of bone marrow-derived myeloid cells in terms of phagocytosis on macrophages and the activation of costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells using ex vivo differentiation. Moreover, flow cytometry data showed comparable levels of MHCII⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells and MHCII⁺F4/80⁺CD11b⁺ macrophages between WT and CRIP1 knockout (KO) mice. Interestingly, the basal population of monocytes in the spleen and neutrophils in MLNs is more abundant in a steady state of CRIP1 KO mice than WT mice. Here, we demonstrated that the CRIP1 genetic factor plays dispensable roles in host susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium infections and the activation of myeloid cells. In addition, differential immune cell populations without antigen exposure in CRIP1 KO mice suggest that the regulation of CRIP1 expression may be a novel immunotherapeutic approach to various infectious diseases.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2023

To achieve self-sufficiency in domestic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an increase in high-quality wheat production is essential. Given Korea's limited land area, the utilization of cropping systems is imperative. Wheat is compatible with a double cropping system along with rice, soybeans, and corn. Data on alterations in wheat quality following summer crop cultivation is required. This study investigated the impact of cultivating preceding crops such as rice, soybeans, and corn in a wheat cropping system. The analysis focused on the influence of these preceding crops on wheat growth, quality, and soil characteristics, elucidating their interrelationships and impacts. While there were no differences in growth timing and quantity during wheat growth, a significant variance was observed in stem length. Protein content, a key quality attribute of wheat, displayed variations based on the intercropped crops, with the highest increase observed in wheat cultivated after soybeans. Soil moisture content also exhibited variations depending on the intercropping system. The wheat-rice intercropping system, which requires soil moisture retention, resulted in greater pore space saturation in comparison to other systems. Moreover, soil chemical properties, specifically phosphorus and calcium levels, were influenced by intercropping. The highest reduction in soil phosphorus content occurred with soybean cultivation. These findings suggest that intercropping wheat with soybeans can potentially enhance wheat quality in domestic varieties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.900-910
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• 2023

Purpose To assess normal CT scans with quantitative CT (QCT) analysis based on smoking habits and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods From January 2013 to December 2014, 90 male patients with normal chest CT and quantification analysis results were enrolled in our study [non-COPD never-smokers (n = 38) and smokers (n = 45), COPD smokers (n = 7)]. In addition, an age-matched cohort study was performed for seven smokers with COPD. The square root of the wall area of a hypothetical bronchus of internal perimeter 10 mm (Pi10), skewness, kurtosis, mean lung attenuation (MLA), and percentage of low attenuation area (%LAA) were evaluated. Results Among patients without COPD, the Pi10 of smokers (4.176 ± 0.282) was about 0.1 mm thicker than that of never-smokers (4.070 ± 0.191, p = 0.047), and skewness and kurtosis of smokers (2.628 ± 0.484 and 6.448 ± 3.427) were lower than never-smokers (2.884 ± 0.624, p = 0.038 and 8.594 ± 4.944, p = 0.02). The Pi10 of COPD smokers (4.429 ± 0.435, n = 7) was about 0.4 mm thicker than never-smokers without COPD (3.996 ± 0.115, n = 14, p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in MLA and %LAA between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Even on normal CT scans, QCT showed that the airway walls of smokers are thicker than never-smokers regardless of COPD and it preceded lung parenchymal changes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2001

Purpose : Expression of TIMP, intrinsic inhibitor of MMP, is regulated by signal transduction in response to genotoxins and is likely to be an important step in metastasis, angiogenesis and wound healing after ionizing radiation. Therefore, we studied radiation mediated TIMP expression and its mechanism in head and neck cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : Human head and neck cancer cell lines established at Asan Medical Center were used and radiosensitivity $(D_0)$, radiation cytotoxicity and metastatic potential were measured by clonogenic assay, n assay and invasion assay, respectively. The conditioned medium was prepared at 24 hours and 48 hours after 2 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation and expression of TIMP protein was measured by Elisa assay with specific antibodies against human TIMP. hTIMP1 promoter region was cloned and TIMP1 luciferase reporter vector was constructed. The reporter vector was transfected to AMC-HN-1 and -HN-9 cells with or without expression vector Ras, then the cells were exposed to radiation or PMA, PKC activator. EMSA was peformed with oligonucleotide (-59/-53 element and SP1) of TIMP1 promoter. Results : $D_0$ of HN-1, -2, -3, -5 and -9 cell lines were 1.55 Gy, 1.8 Gy, 1.5 Gt, 1.55 Gy and 2.45 Gy respectively. n assay confirmed cell viability, over $94\%$ at 24hrs, 48hrs after 2 Gy irradiation and over 73% after 10 Gy irradiation. Elisa assay confirmed that cells secreted TIMP1, 2 proteins continuously. After 2 Gy irradiation, TIMP2 secretion was decreased at 24hrs in HN-1 and HN-9 cell lines but after 10 Gy irradiation, it was increased in all cell lines. At 48hrs after irradiation, it was increased in HN-1 but decreased in HN-9 cells. But the change in TIMP secretion by RT was mild. The transcription of TIMP1 gene in HN-1 was induced by PMA but in HN-9 cell lines, it was suppressed. Wild type Ras induced the TIMP-1 transcription by 20 fold and 4 fold in HN-1 and HN-9 respectively. The binding activity to -59/-53, AP1 motif was increased by RT, but not to SP1 motif in both cell lines. Conclusions : We observed the difference of expression and activity of TIMPs between radiosensitive and radioresistant cell line and the different signal transduction pathway between in these cell lines may contribute the different radiosensitivity. Further research to investigate the radiation response and its signal pathway of TIMPs is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.937-942
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• 2003

Morbidity, the use of analgesics, the amount of postoperative drainage and the postoperative hospital stay were reduced in VATS for pneumothorax. However, some authors preferred minithoracotomy to VATS because the rate of recurrence after VATS were between 5% and 10%. Therefore, we present a modified thoracoscopic bullectomy (MTB) which we believe has the advantages of conventional VATS and minithoracotomy. Material and Method: Sixty-six patients who received the operation from January 2002 to December 2002 were divided into 3 groups. Twenty-six patients were treated by axillary minithoracotomy and thirteen by conventional VATS and 18 by modified thoracoscopic bullectomy, The mean age was 21.9 years (range, 16∼35 years) for minithoracotomy group, 20.6 years (range, 17∼28 years) for conventional VATS group and 22.6 years (range, 16∼39 years) for MTB group. The mean follow-ups were 11.4 months for minithoracotomy group, 9.5 months for conventional VATS group and 4.7 months for MTB group. Result: The mean duration of operation was 55.79$\pm$23.35 minutes in MTB and 44.23$\pm$19.24 minutes in conventional VATS (p=0.333). The number of staplers being used was 1.63 $\pm$0.76 in MTB, 1.41$\pm$0.64 in minithoracotomy (p=0.663), and 2.92$\pm$1.19 in conventional VATS (p<0.001). The duration of indwelling chest tube was 1.63$\pm$0.76 day in MTB, 4.07$\pm$ 1.41 day in minithoracotomy (p<0.001) and 4.46$\pm$2.33day in conventional VATS (p<0.001). Hospital length of stay was 3.26$\pm$0.81 day in MTB, 6.04$\pm$2.21 day in minithoracotomy (p<0.001) and 6.69$\pm$3.33 day in conventional VATS (p<0.001). The number of postoperative complication and recurrence were 2 in minithoracotomy (7.4%), 5 in conventional VATS (38.5%) and 1 in MTB (5.6%). Conclusion: Modified thoracoscopic bullectomy is an effective procedure in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.sup2
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• pp.427-445
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• 2007

To improve osseointegration at the boneto-implant interface, several studies have been carried out to modify titanium surface. Variations in surface texture or microtopography may affect the cellular response to an implant. Osteoblast-like cells attach more readily to a rougher titanium surface, and synthesis of extracellular matrix and subsequent mineralization were found to be enhanced on rough or porous coated titanium. However, regarding the effect of roughened surface by physical and mechanical methods, most studies carried out on the reactions of cells to micrometric topography, little work has been performed on the reaction of cells to nanotopography. The purpose of this study was to examme the response of osteoblast-like cell cultured on blasted surfaces and alkali treated surfaces, and to evaluate the influence of surface texture or submicro-scaled surface topography on the cell attachment, cell proliferation and the gene expression of osteoblastic phenotype using ROS 17/2.8 cell lines. In scanning electron micrographs, the blasted, alkali treated and machined surfaces demonstrated microscopic differences in the surface topography. The specimens of alkali treatment had a submicro-scaled porous sur-face with pore size about 200 nm. The blasted surfaces showed irregularities in morphology with small(<10 ${\mu}m$) depression and indentation among flatter-appearing areas of various sizes. Based on profilometry, the blasted surfaces was significantly rougher than the machined and the alkali treated surfaces (p$TiO_2$) were observed on alkali treated surfaces, whereas not observed on machined and blasted surfaces. The attachment morphology of cells according to time was observed by the scanning electron microscope. After 1 hour incubation, the cells were in the process of adhesion and spreading on the prepared surfaces. After 3 hours, the cells on all prepared surfaces were further spreaded and flattened, however on the blasted and alkali treated surfaces, the cells exhibited slightly irregular shapes and some gaps or spaces were seen. After 24 hours incubation, most cells of the all groups had a flattened and polygonal shape, but the cells were more spreaded on the machined surfaces than the blasted and alkali treated surfaces. The MTT assay indicated the increase on machined, alkali treated and blasted surfaces according to time, and the alkali treated and blasted surfaces showed significantly increased in optical density comparing with machined surfaces at 1 day (p<0.01). Gene expression study showed that mRNA expression level of ${\alpha}\;1(I)$ collagen, alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin of the osteoblast-like cells showed a tendency to be higher on blasted and alkali treated surfaces than on the machined surfaces, although no siginificant difference in the mRNA expression level of ${\alpha}\;1(I)$ collagen, alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin was observed among all groups. In conclusion, we suggest that submicroscaled surfaces on osteoblast-like cell response do not over-ride the one of the surface with micro-scaled topography produced by blasting method, although the microscaled and submicro-scaled surfaces can accelerate osteogenic cell attachment and function compared with the machined surfaces.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.18-27
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• 2006

Background: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly, but is one of the most common causes of myocardial ischemia which would result in high mortality within the first year of life. This is our early result of the surgical management for these patients. Material and Method: From June 1989 to July 2003, 6 patients with ALCAPA and one patient with ARCAPA (Anomalous origin of the Right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) underwent surgical repair. We have reviewed the all medical records, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and echocardiography retrospectively. Result: Three of the patients were boys and four were girls. The median age at the operation was 5.4 months (Range: 3$\∼$33 months). The average body weight of at the operation was 6.7 kg (Range: 3.7$\∼$11.3 kg). A mean follow up period was 18 months. Only 3 patients were initially diagnosed as ALCAPA. And 3 patients had moderate mitral regurgitation. Immediate coronary artery reimplantation on diagnosis with the aim of restoring a two-coronary system circulation was done. The average bypass time was 114$\pm$37 minutes, and the average aortic cross clamping time was 55$\pm$22 minutes. The average stay of intensive care unit was 5$\pm$3 days, the mean mechanical ventilator time was 38$\pm$45 hours and the hospital stay after operation was 12$\pm$5 days. There were significant improvements in electrocardiogram and chest X-ray of the all patients except one late death patient. The ventricular function showed almost normal recovery after operation; the EF (Ejection Fraction) increased from 41.2$\pm$ 10.3$\%$ to 60.5$\pm$ 15.8$\%$ within 1 month and to 59.8$\pm$13.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, the SF (Shortening Fraction) increased from 23.6$\pm$4.7$\%$ to 38.6$\pm$8.4$\%$ within 1 month and to 37.4$\pm$7.9$\%$ within 1 year after operation, LVEDDI (Left Ventricular End-diastolic Dimension Index) decreased from 100.8$\pm$25.6 mm/$m^{2}$ to 90.3$\pm$ 19.2 mm/$m^{2}$ within f month and to 79.3$\pm$ 15.8 mm/$m^{2}$ within 1 year after operation. Concomitant mitral repair was done in two patients with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. In every patient, mitral valve showed less than mild regurgitation during follow up. One late death occurred in which patient Dor procedure was applied 10 months after initial operation due to the dilated cardiomyopathy Conclusion: In the management of this rare and could be fatal Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), early suspicion and correct diagnosis is of most important. But, after diagnosis, immediate restoration of 2 coronary systems could result in good outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.536-545
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• 2007

Background: Compared to adult patients, mitral regurgitation in pediatric patients is uncommon and it shows a wide spectrum of morphologic abnormalities. We retrospectively evaluated the midterm results of mitral valve repair in pediatric patients. Material and Method: Between December 1993 and August 2006, mitral valve repair was performed in 35 patients who were aged less than 18 years, The mean age was $5.3{\pm}5.3$ years and the mean body weight was $20,0{\pm}16.3\;kg$. 18 patients had associated cardiac anomalies. The most common pathologic finding was leaflet prolapse (n=17). The most common method of repair was the double orifice technique (n=15). Result: There was no early mortality. Eight patients underwent reoperation (24.2%), and five of them required mitral valve replacement. Among the four ring annuloplasty cases, two have developed mitral stenosis. Four out of the 14 double orifice cases required reoperation. One case of early mortality and one case of late mortality occurred in the reoperation cases. The 5-year survival rate and the freedom from reoperation rate were $93.3{\pm}4.6%$ and $76.1{\pm}8.2%$, respectively. The 5-year freedom from mitral valve replacement rate was $83.6{\pm}6.7%$. There was no significant risk factor for reoperation. Conclusion: The midterm results of mitral valve repair are very acceptable in pediatric patients compared to the adult cases, although the reoperation rate is slightly higher.