• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors. Materials and methods: Study participants were chosen by random selection among dental hygienists working in Seoul, Korea. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out for the survey from April 2013 to May 2013, of which 140-excluding incomplete responses-were used for the study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used (SPSS 19.0), and post-hoc analysis was performed as well. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: Average 1.53 times infection control education was taken, but dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors did not show statistical differences whether the education was done or not. Practices to prevent infection showed differences depending on categories, especially disinfection and sterilization were well performed by educated group. The most common reasons for not taking the education and noncompliance with infection prevention guidelines are lack of time and opportunity due to busy schedule. Conclusion: 1. The more highly educated, the greater number of patients per day, and the greater size of hospitals, the better infection control education was conducted. 2. Although hepatitis B is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in Korea, no significant correlation between perceptions of hepatitis B and infection control education was found. 3. Dental hygienists who received infection control education performed more efficient practices for protection against infections than those who did not.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Zerumbone is a major component of the essential oil from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, which is a kind of wild ginger. In addition, various biological functions, such as liver protection, pain relief, atherosclerosis, and antimicrobial activity have been reported. It is also known to be effective in the proliferation of immune cells and the expression of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effects of zerumbone on monocyte activation. First, it was confirmed that the proliferation of THP-1 cells was increased by zerumbone. The strongest increase in THP-1 proliferation after lipopolysaccharide treatment was observed at $5{\mu}M$ zerumbone treatment, and the increase of cell proliferation without lipopolysaccharide was the highest at $10{\mu}M$. Conversely, when treated with $50{\mu}M$ zerumbone, a rapid decrease of proliferation was observed regardless of the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phosphorylation of signaling protein, Erk, induced by LPS was also increased by zerumbone. The strongest increase in phosphorylation was observed when treated with $50{\mu}M$ of zerumbone with reduced proliferation. The activity of transcription factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ was not significantly altered by zerumbone alone, but increased when treated with lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, the transcription of the inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-8, which are regulated by $NF-{\kappa}B$, is also increased by zerumbone. These results suggest that zerumbone can enhance the proliferation and activity of monocytes. Furthermore, it is believed that zerumbone can enhance rthe immune responses through increased monocyte activity in bacterial infections with LPS, thereby helping to treat effective bacteria.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2012

Purpose : In conventional PET image reconstruction, iterative reconstruction methods such as OSEM (Ordered Subsets Expectation Maximization) have now generally replaced traditional analytic methods such as filtered back-projection. This includes improvements in components of the system model geometry, fully 3D scatter and low noise randoms estimates. SharpIR algorithm is to improve PET image contrast to noise by incorporating information about the PET detector response into the 3D iterative reconstruction algorithm. The aim of this study is evaluation of SharpIR reconstruction method in PET/CT. Materials and Methods: For the measurement of detector response for the spatial resolution, a capillary tube was filled with FDG and scanned at varying distances from the iso-center (5, 10, 15, 20 cm). To measure image quality for contrast recovery, the NEMA IEC body phantom (Data Spectrum Corporation, Hillsborough, NC) with diameters of 1, 13, 17 and 22 for simulating hot and 28 and 37 mm for simulating cold lesions. A solution of 5.4 kBq/mL of $^{18}F$-FDG in water was used as a radioactive background obtaining a lesion of background ratio of 4.0. Images were reconstructed with VUE point HD and VUE point HD using SharpIR reconstruction algorithm. For the clinical evaluation, a whole body FDG scan acquired and to demonstrate contrast recovery, ROIs were drawn on a metabolic hot spot and also on a uniform region of the liver. Images were reconstructed with function of varying iteration number (1~10). Results: The result of increases axial distance from iso-center, full width at half maximum (FWHM) is also increasing in VUE point HD reconstruction image. Even showed an increasing distances constant FWHM. VUE point HD with SharpIR than VUE point HD showed improves contrast recovery in phantom and clinical study. Conclusion: By incorporating more information about the detector system response, the SharpIR algorithm improves the accuracy of underlying model used in VUE point HD. SharpIR algorithm improve spatial resolution for a line source in air, and improves contrast recovery at equivalent noise levels in phantoms and clinical studies. Therefore, SharpIR algorithm can be applied as through a longitudinal study will be useful in clinical.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2005

Purpose: There has been many reports for the effect of attenuation correction on myocardial perfusion SPECT. We studied the effect of attenuation correction with CT (computed tomography) in patients with normal coronary angiography. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with normal coronary artery on angiography and low likelihood of coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study (male: 6, female: 9, mean age: $58{\pm}8$ year). Myocardial perfusion SPECT was done with Millennium VG with Hawkeye device (GE, SPECT/CT camera). A visual analysis and polar map quantification (Emory tool box) was performed. In quantitative analysis, percent uptake of each myocardial wall on polar map (percent of maximal uptake) was compared between non-corrected (NC) and corrected (AC) images. Results: Visual analysis showed AC images led to an increase of uptake in the inferior wall, but decrease of uptake in the anterior wall, apex and septum. liver activity is also increased in AC images. In quantitative analysis, the percent uptake is decreased in the anterior wall, apex and septum, but increased in the inferior wall. It is helpful to interpret the images in the inferior wall after AC, but difficult in the apex and anterior wall after AC. Conclusion: AC is helpful in the inferior wall. But in the apex or anterior wall, AC must be carefully applied to normal perfused myocardium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of water extracts from Phellinus linteus on lipid composition and antioxidative system in rats fed high fat high cholesterol diet. Rats were divided into four experimental groups which are composed of normal diet group, high fat high cholesterol diet group, high fat high cholesterol diet with 50 mg/kg b.w water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented group (PA group), high fat high cholesterol diet with 100 mg/kg b.w water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented group (PB group). The serum TG and cholesterol contents of the water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented groups (PA and PB groups) were decreased compared to the high fat high cholesterol diet group. The serum HDL-cholesterol contents of the water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented groups were increased compared to the high fat high cholesterol diet group. The serum LDL-cholesterol and AI of the water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented groups were significantly decreased compared to the high fat high cholesterol diet group. Supplementation of water extracts from Phellinus linteus groups (PA and PB groups) resulted in increased activities of superoxide dismutase. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were increased compared to the high fat high cholesterol diet group. TBARS values in liver and plasma were reduced in water extracts from Phellinus linteus supplemented groups. These result suggest that supplementation of water extracts from Phellinus linteus may have a pronounced impact on lipid composition and antioxidative system in the rats fed high fat high cholesterol diet.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2016

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), is a protein mainly secreted by a liver. The PCSK9 plays an important role in low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism acting as a repressor of LDL receptor through transportation of the LDLR to the lysosome for degradation. Thus, the PCSK9 inhibitor suppresses PCSK9-regulated degradation of the LDL receptor as a LDL-lowering medicine. However, little is known about the role of PCSK9 in the reproductive system. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated Pcsk9 expression in male reproductive tracts including penises, prostates and testes using rats in response to their diets between a normal diet and a high-fat diet with cholesterol. Based on our previous study, the high-fat diet elevates concentration of total cholesterol and LDL in serum whereas it reduces the concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, it dramatically affects to morphological changes of the male reproductive organs. Consistent with these results, the expression of Pcsk9 was substantially decreased in the penile tissues (P < 0.001) from rats fed a high fat diet as compared to a normal diet. Moreover, it slightly reduced in the prostate and testes (P < 0.05) of rats in response to a high fat diet. Localization of Pcsk9 was predominantly detected in urethral epithelium of penises, cylinder-shaped cells of prostate glands, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid of testes of rats. Collectively, results of current study provide invaluable insights into the Pcsk9 gene with respect to its tissue- and cell-specific expression by a high fat diet with cholesterol.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.801-810
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• 2003

Chronic alcoholism is considered a common cause of malnutrition. Especially, micronutrient deficiency may playa critical role in the incidence of alcoholic liver diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of folate deficiency and ethanol consumption on cholesterol metabolism and the antioxidative system in rats. Plasma concentration of total cholesterol was increased by ethanol administration in folate-fed rats. HDL-cholesterol tended to be higher in the folate-fed group, but it was not significant. The plasma and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde were increased after chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate depressed the plasma malondialdehyde content of rats. Ethanol or folate feeding did not significantly change alcohol dehydrogenase activity. But folate feeding increased catalase activity in ethanol-fed rats. There was no significant change in superoxide dismutase activity among the experimental groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity tended to decrease by chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate did not affectthe glutathione peroxidase activity of chronic ethanol-fed rats. Glutathionine-S-transferase activity was not affected by ethanol feeding or folate deficiency. The plasma and hepatic levels of retinol decreased after chronic ethanol feeding. The hepatic level of retinol significantly decreased in ethanol-fed rats by folate deficiency. The plasma level of $\alpha$-tocopherol tended to be low in the folate deficient group with ethanol feeding, but there was no difference among the experimental groups in the hepatic level of $\alpha$-tocopherol. These results demonstrate that chronic ethanol consumption changes the plasma cholesterol metabolism and antioxidative system of rats, and optimal folate feeding in ethanol-fed rats exerts protective effects to some extent.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.110-116
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) in the pre-operative staging of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between February 2006 and August 2008, PET-CT and CT were performed on 70 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer by gastrofiberscopic biopsy. The sensitivities, specificities, Positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET-CT and CT imaging for the detection of gastric cancer TNM staging were compared. Results: The detection rates for the primary tumor were as follows: PET-CT, 81.4% (57/70); and CT, 42.9% (30/70). For both early gastric cancer (EGC) and advanced gastric cancer (AGC), PET-CT was more accurate than CT in detecting the lesions. As the size of the tumor exceeded 3 cm, the detection rate increased. The sensitivities, specificities, PPV, and NPV of PET-CT for lymph node staging were 55.6%, 81%, 86.2%, and 45.9%, while the sensitivities, specificities, PPV, and NPV of CT were 40.0%, 85.7%, 85.7% and 40%, respectively. One case of multiple liver metastasis and two cases of dual primary cancer (rectal and pancreatic cancers) were detected by PET-CT. PET-CT also had a higher detection rate for all histologic types of primary tumors. PET-CT was more accurate than CT in detecting primary gastric cancer lesions. The detection of nodal metastasis by PET-CT was similar to CT; small-sized tumors or EGC detection rates were not high. However, PET-CT provided additional information to detect distant metastases and dual primary cancers and reduced unnecessary laparotomies to detect peritoneal seeding or carcinomatosis. Conclusion: It would be useful to make a pre-operative diagnosis of gastric cancer and determine treatment if PET-CT were added to other routine pre-operative studies.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2006

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary activated charcoal mixed with wood vinegar (AC) on broiler performance and antibiotics residue in eggs. In experiment 1, a total of low hundred fifty, 1-day-old male broile. chicks (Ross) were divided into 6 groups, consisting 3 replicates of 25 birds each, and 134 one of the six experimental diets: devoid of AC and antibiotics (negative control), devoid of AC with 0.1% antibiotics (positive control), devoid of antibiotics with 1% AC, with 0.1% antibiotics and 1% AC, devoid of antibiotics with 2% AC, with 0.1% antibiotics and 2% AC, for 5 wks. Feed consumption and body weights were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, eight birds from each group were selected and sacrificed. The relative weight of organs and characteristics of breast muscle were investigated. There were no significant differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion rate among the treatments. There were also no significant differences in the relative weight of breast meat, leg and liver. The abdominal fat tended to be decreased by the dietary AC. Significant differences were shown (P<0.05) in meat redness (a) and yellowness (b) among the treatments. However, the sensual characteristics of breast muscle was not affected by the dietary treatments. There were significant differences in total microbes, Coli forms and lactic acid bacteria (P<0.05) among the treatments. In experiment 2, a total of ninety, 40-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were divided into 3 groups, consisting 3 replicates of 10 birds each and fed medicated control diet devoid of AC or diets containing 1% AC and 2% AC for 2 wks. The residue of antibiotics in Plasma and egg Yolk were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in 2% AC group compared to that of control. This study suggest that dietary AC may improve the external quality of edible meat and reduced antibiotics residue in chicken eggs without affecting laying performance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.98-109
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• 2012

The properties of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) and expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) 1, 2, and 4 were studied in tissues from Micropterus salmoides. Native-PAGE revealed that the LDH $A_4$ isozyme was predominantly located in skeletal muscle. The LDH $A_4$, $A_2B_2$, and $B_4$ isozymes were detected in heart, liver, eye, and brain tissues, while eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme was detected in eye tissue. In September, strong LDH $B_4$ isozyme activity was detected in heart tissue. High $A_4$ isozyme activity was noted in all other tissues except heart tissue. However, in November, strong $A_4$ isozyme activity was detected in heart tissue. The LDH/CS (Citrate synthase, EC 4.1.3.7) ratio in skeletal muscle and heart tissues indicated that anaerobic metabolism was high in those tissues. Native-PAGE after immunoprecipitation showed that eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme was more similar to the $A_4$ than the $B_4$ isozyme. The LDH $A_4$ isozyme was purified by affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of subunit A was 37,200. The LDH activity in tissues was consistently 11.05~28.32% due to inhibition by 10 mM pyruvate. The $K_m^{PYR}$ of LDH in eye tissue was very low. The optimum pH for LDH in tissues was pH 7.5~8.0. The LDH $A_4$ isozyme was detected in mitochondria of skeletal muscle, whereas the $B_4$ and $A_2B_2$ isozymes were detected in heart tissue mitochondria. Western blot analysis indicated that MCTs 1, 2, and 4 were located in the plasma membrane and mitochondria of skeletal muscle and heart tissues. The sizes of MCTs 1, 2, and 4 in skeletal muscle were 60, 54~38, and 63 kDa, while those in heart tissue were 57, 54~38, and 55.5 kDa, respectively. In conclusion, M. salmoides appears to use anaerobic metabolism predominantly when adapted to a hypoxic environment. In highly activated skeletal muscle and heart tissue, energy production is controlled by inward and outward flows of pyruvate and lactate through MCTs 1, 2, and 4 in the plasma membrane and mitochondria, with effective adjustment by LDH isozymes.