• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.429-436
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• 2010

Keratinase is widely used in certain industrial applications. The present study sought to improve the culture conditions of Bacillus subtilis SMMJ-2 to facilitate mass production of keratinase. Strain SMMJ-2 was irradiated by ultraviolet light and the resulting isolates were tested for keratinase activity. Isolates displaying elevated keratinase activity were selected and used to determine the optimum temperature (24, 30, 37, 45, $55^{\circ}C$) for bacterial keratinase production during a 4 day incubation period. The highest enzyme activity (55 units/mL/min), from a Bacillus subtilis SMMJ-2 mutant (mutant No. 2) was demonstrated following incubation at $30^{\circ}C$. The effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on keratinase production were confirmed by measuring the enzyme activity from the culture broth of the mutant strain cultured in various media containing different carbon source and nitrogen sources during a 4 day period. The optimal medium composition for producing keratinase consisted of 1% glucose, 0.7% $K_2HPO_4$, 0.2% $K_2HPO_4$, and 1.2% soybean meal. Optimal initial pH and temperature for producing keratinase were 7.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. Keratinases produced by B. subtilis SMMJ-2 and the mutant No. 2 were purified from the culture broth which used soybean meal as a nitrogen source. Membrane ultrafiltration, DEAE-sephacel ion exchange and Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography were used to purify the enzymes. The purified keratinases from both B. subtilis SMMJ-2 and the mutant No. 2 showed single bands and their molecular weights were estimated as 28 kDa and 42 kDa, respectively on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.472-476
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• 2008

The possibility of DNA comet assay as a rapid method for screening the irradiated vegetables and grains was evaluated. Vegetables (spring onion, garlic, and tomato) irradiated at $0{\sim}3$ kGy and grains (rice flour and black soybean) irradiated at $0{\sim}9$ kGy were used as samples. Optimum DNA comet assay conditions, such as elution, sedimentation of suspension, and lysis time of cell, were established. The optimum conditions for vegetables were 10 min for the elution time, 0 min for the sedimentation time, and 5 min for the lysis time. The optimum conditions for grains were 15 min for the elution time, 60 min for the sedimentation time, and 30 min for the lysis time. For the food application of DNA comet assay, it was possible to screen various food samples irradiated at the following doses: spring onion at 2 kGy, garlic at 3 kGy, tomato at 1 kGy, rice flour at 9 kGy, and black soybean at 3 kGy. Each sample showed different forms and sizes in DNA comet. Therefore, further studies on various methods using comet shape, concentration, or area in DNA comet assay are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.320-333
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• 2016

This study was carried out to elucidate the development of unprecedented water-bloom caused by a single species of colonial green algae Eudorina elegans in the upstream area of the Seungchon weir located in the Yeongsan River from late April to May 2013. The Yeongsan River is typically regulated system and the waterbody is seriously enriched by both external and internal sources of nutrients. Seasonal algal outbreaks were highly probable due to various potential factors, such as the excessive nutrients contained in treated wastewater, slow current, high irradiation and temperature, in diatom (winter), green algae (spring) and bluegreen algae (summer). Spring green-tide was attributed to E. elegans with level up to $1,000mg\;m^{-3}$(>$50{\times}10^4cells\;mL^{-1}$). The bloom was exploded in the initial period of the algal development and after then gradually diminished with transporting to the downstream by the intermittent rainfall, resulting in rapid expansion of the distribution range. Although the pulsed-flows by the weir manipulation was applied to control algal bloom, they were not the countermeasures to solve the underlying problem, but rather there still was a remaining problem related to the impact of pulsed-flows on the downstream. The green-tide of E. elegans in this particular region of the Yeongsan River revealed the blooming characteristics of a colonial motile microalga, and fate of vanishing away by the succeeding episodic events of mesoscale rainfall. We believe that the results of the present study contribute to limno-ecological understanding of the green-tide caused by blue-green algae in the four major rivers, Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2023

To apply UV-C as a non-heating sterilization method to increase the microbiological safety of fresh seedless watermelon products, reductions in E. coli and quality changes by treatment dose (0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 20 kJ/m²) were investigated. The pH, sugar content, and hardness of watermelon inoculated with E. coli were not significantly different according to the UV-C treatment dose, but the polyphenol content was significantly decreased compared to the controls (425.4 GAE ㎍/g F.W.). When treated with 2 and 4 kJ/m², the lycopene content was 31.6 and 30.9 ㎍/g F.W., respectively, which was increased compared to the controls (28.5 ㎍/g F.W.). The arginine and citrulline content was also significantly increased compared to the controls. The number of E. coli was significantly decreased compared to the controls following UV-C treatment. Considering the degree of E. coli reduction, lycopene content, arginine content, citrulline content, and UV-C irradiation time, subsequent experiments were conducted by selecting a UV-C treatment dose of 2 kJ/m². The results of confirming the degree of reduction in the number of E. coli colonies by a single treatment and combined treatment with UV-C 2 kJ/m² and 70% ethanol showed that the combined treatment was most effective as colonies were decreased by 2.3 log CFU/g compared to the controls. Therefore, it is judged that UV-C 2 kJ/m² radiation and combined treatment with 70% ethanol could be applied as a non-heating sterilization method for fresh watermelon slices.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the incidence and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects in patients who were subjected to either two-dimensional or three-dimensional simulation techniques for early left-sided breast cancer. The myocardial perfusion defects were determined from using single photon emitted computerized tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion images. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed as having early (AJCC stage T1-T2N0M0) left-sided breast cancer and were treated with tangential irradiation after breast-conserving surgery and systemic chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of simulation received: two-dimensional simulation using an X-ray fluoroscope simulator or three-dimensional simulation with a CT simulator. All patients underwent technetium-99m-sestamibi gated perfusion SPECT at least 3 years after radiotherapy. The incidence and area of myocardial perfusion defects were evaluated and were compared in the two groups, and at the same time left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac wall motion were also analyzed. The cardiac volume included in the radiation fields was calculated and evaluated to check for a correlation between the amount of irradiated cardiac volume and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects. $\underline{Results}$: A myocardial perfusion defect was detected in 11 of 32 patients (34.4%). There were 7 (46.7%) perfusion defect cases in 15 patients who underwent the two-dimensional simulation technique and 4 (23.5%) patients with perfusion defects in the three-dimensional simulation group (p=0.0312). In 10 of 11 patients who had myocardial perfusion changes, the perfusion defects were observed in the cardiac apex. The left ventricular ejection fraction was within the normal range and cardiac wall motion was normal in all patients. The irradiated cardiac volume of patients in the three-dimensional simulation group was less than that of patients who received the two-dimensional simulation technique, but there was no statistical significance as compared to the incidence of perfusion defects. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiotherapy with a CT simulator (three-dimensional simulation technique) for early left-sided breast cancer may reduce the size of the irradiated cardiac volume and the incidence of myocardial perfusion defects. Further investigation and a longer follow-up duration are needed to analyze the relationship between myocardial perfusion defects and clinical ischemic heart disease.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2001

For the head and neck radiotherapy, the technique of half beam using independent collimator is very useful to avoid overlapping of fields particularly when the lateral neck fields are placed adjacent to anterior supraclavicular field. Also abutting photon field with electron field is frequently used for the irradiation of posterior neck when tolerable dose on spinal cord has been reached. Using 6 MV X-ray and 9 MeV electron beams of Clinac1800(Varian, USA) linear accelerator, we performed film dosimetry by the X-OMAT V film of Kodak in solid water phantom and the dose distribution at beam center of 2 half beams further examined according to depths(0 cm, 1.5 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm) for single anterior half beam and anterior/posterior half beam. The dose distribution to the junction line between photon and electron fields was also measured. For the single anterior half beam, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 88%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively. In the anterior/posterior half beams, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 92%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively At the junction line between photon and electron fields, hot spot was developed on the side of the photon field and a cold spot was developed on that of the electron field. The hot spot in the photon side was developed at depth 1.5 cm with 7 mm width. The maximum dose of hot spot was increased to 6% of reference doses in the photon field. The cold spot in the electron side was developed at all measured depths(0.5 cm-3 cm) with 1-12.5 mm widths. The decreased dose in the cold spot was 4.5-30% of reference dose in the electron field. With above results, we concluded that when using electron beam or independent jaw for head and neck radiotherapy, the hot and cold dose area should be considered as critical point.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.583-590
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• 2019

As the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables increases, food poisoning caused by foodborne pathogen contamination is not decreasing. To prevent the contamination of produce, a quick and easy, low-cost, environmentally-safe disinfection method that does not affect produce freshness or quality is needed. This study demonstrates a new-concept, circulating-water disinfection system that purifies water by using newly developed 'LED-PS (photosensitizer)-induced ROS generation unit'. Using various types of LED-PS induced ROS generation units, we investigated the conditions for reducing the density of various pathogenic bacteria by more than 3 log CFU / mL in 1 hour. The major operational factors affecting the density reduction of the LED-PS-induced ROS generation unit were analyzed. Depending on bacteria species, the density reduction rate was varied. The effect of the units on reducing the density of Bacillus cereus and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum was high, but the effect on foodborne bacteria such as Escherichia coli was relatively low. In this circulating water disinfection system, the density reduction effect tended to increase as the flow rate increased and the initial bacterial density decreased. As the amount of PS absorbed beads increased, the density reduction effect increased exponentially in some bacteria. Model 3280, a double cylindrical unit connecting two single cylindrical units, could completely sterilize more than 3 log CFU/mL of B. cereus and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in 30 minutes of LED irradiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors affecting hematologic recovery and infection in high-dose chemotherapy(HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT) in patients with high-risk solid tumor. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2005, 72 HDCTs and ASCTs were applied to children with high-risk solid tumor at Samsung Medical Center. Medical records of these 72 HDCTs and ASCTs were retrospectively analyzed. Results : The single most powerful predictor of neutrophil and platelet recovery was the number of transplanted $CD34^+$ cells. The duration of high fever was significantly longer in young patients, in patients treated with total body irradiation and/or thiotepa, and in patients transplanted with lower $CD34^+$ cell dose(<$2{\times}10^6/kg$). However, the difference in the duration of high fever according to the number of $CD34^+$ cells was not clinically significant. Conclusion : Findings in this study suggest that HDCT and ASCT with low $CD34^+$ cell dose is clinically feasible despite delayed hematologic recovery, especially at a dose >$1{\times}10^6/kg$ per transplantation. Therefore, it is important not to defer the appropriate time for HDCT for an additional collection of hematopoietic stem cells if the number of collected $CD34^+$ cells is >$1{\times}10^6/kg$ per transplantation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2009

Background: The pathophysiologic mechanisms of radiation-induced lung injury should be elucidated to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy and to manage patients exposed to serious radiation by accident. It has been suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in radiation-induced effect on the lung. This study was aimed to investigate changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-$\alpha$, MIP-2, IL-1$\beta$ and HMGB1, a newly recognized inflammatory mediator. Methods: The chests of BALB/c mice were selectively irradiated with single fraction of 20 Gy and then sacrificed at indicated times. Pathologic changes in the lung were examined after H&E staining. The expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated by ELISA kits in lung homogenate and in serum. Results: Radiation induced inflammatory changes and mild fibrosis in lung. Biphasic increase of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$ was found in lung homogenate at 4 hours and at 3 weeks after radiation. The elevation in the second phase tended to be more intense. However, there was no similar change in serum. MIP-2 level was slightly increased in lung homogenate at 4 hours, but not at 3 weeks. HMGB1 was increased at 3 weeks in serum while there was no significant change in lung homogenate. Conclusion: Radiation induced a biphasic increase in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$. The effective control of second phase cytokine elevation should contribute to preventing severe lung fibrosis caused by radiation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2000

Purpose : Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) can deliver highly focused radiation to a small and spherical target lesion with very high degree of mechanical accuracy. For non-spherical and large lesions, however, inclusion of the neighboring normal structures within the high dose radiation volume is inevitable in SRT This is to report the beam shaping using the partial closure of the independent jaw in SRT and the verification of dose calculation and the dose display using a home-made soft ware. Materials and Methods : Authors adopted the idea to partially close one or more independent collimator jaw(5) in addition to the circular collimator cones to shield the neighboring normal structures while keeping the target lesion within the radiation beam field at all angles along the arc trajectory. The output factors (OF's) and the tissue-maximum ratios (TMR's) were measured using the micro ion chamber in the water phantom dosimetry system, and were compared with the theoretical calculations. A film dosimetry procedure was peformed to obtain the depth dose profiles at 5 cm, and they were also compared with the theoretical calculations, where the radiation dose would depend on the actual area of irradiation. Authors incorporated this algorithm into the home-made SRT software for the isodose calculation and display, and was tried on an example case with single brain metastasis. The dose-volume histograms (DVH's) of the planning target volume (PTV) and the normal brain derived by the control plan were reciprocally compared with those derived by the plan using the same arc arrangement plus the independent collimator jaw closure. Results : When using 5.0 cm diameter collimator, the measurements of the OF's and the TMR's with one independent jaw set at 30 mm (unblocked), 15.5 mm, 8.6 mm, and 0 mm from th central beam axis showed good correlation to the theoretical calculation within 0.5% and 0.3% error range. The dose profiles at 5 cm depth obtained by the film dosimetry also showed very good correlation to the theoretical calculations. The isodose profiles obtained on the home-made software demonstrated a slightly more conformal dose distribution around the target lesion by using the independent jaw closure, where the DVH's of the PTV were almost equivalent on the two plans, while the DVH's for the normal brain showed that less volume of the normal brain receiving high radiation dose by using this modification than the control plan employing the circular collimator cone only. Conclusions : With the beam shaping modification using the independent jaw closure, authors have realized wider clinical application of SRT with more conformal dose planning. Authors believe that SRT, with beam shaping ideas and efforts, should no longer be limited to the small spherical lesions, but be more widely applied to rather irregularly shaped tumors in the intracranial and the head and neck regions.