• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Background/Aims : Entecavir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue, cyclopentyl guanine nucleoside, which has a potent antiviral effect and the least viral breakthrough in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Entecavir has been available in Korea since 2007 but there are few reports on its effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the virological response (VR) and biochemical response (BR) to entecavir in HBV patients at 3, 6 and 9 months after treatment with entecavir. Materials and Methods : Thirty-three chronic hepatitis B patients who took entecavir for at least 9 months were enrolled. We investigated VR and BR by retrospectively reviewing medical records. Patients who satisfied the following criteria were chosen: 1) initial alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels = 1.5upper limit of normal (ULN) and 2) initial HBV DNA levels = $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$. We measured ALT levels every 3 months until month 9. HBV DNA was measured every 2 or 3 months by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results : Most patients taking entecavir showed good BR (ALT < 40 IU/L). The BR rates were 61%, 73% and 67% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. VR (HBV DNA < $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$ or 2 log lower than initial HBV DNA) rates were 82%, 91% and 91% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Undetectable HBV DNA (HBV DNA < 4 log10 copies/ml) rates were 49%, 73% and 85% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Two patients presented with virological breakthrough without adverse effects until month 9. Conclusions : Entecavir showed good BR and VR from month 3 and these effects continued through the 9-month observation period. This suggests that entecavir is also a good choice for the first line treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Further studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and drug resistance of entecavir in Korean CHB patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.460-470
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• 1999

Background : In 1993, American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommended a guideline for the initial management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia(CAP). However, etiologic organisms and medical system in Korea seem to be different from those in Western countries. Retrospective analysis was done to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotics chosen by ATS guideline in the treatment of Korean patients with CAP admitted to a tertiary university medical center. Methods : Hospitalized patients with CAP at Samsung Medical Center from April 1997 through March 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who fulfilled all of the following criteria were included in this study : (1) fever ${\geq}38^{\circ}C$ (2) purulent sputum (3) pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray. Patients were classified as : 1) ATS group ; patients whose initial antibiotics were chosen by ATS guideline 2) Non-ATS overuse group ; additional antibiotics administered more than those of ATS guideline, and 3) Non-ATS underuse group ; initial antibiotics were insufficient to ATS guideline. Response of empirical antibiotics and etiologic organisms of 3 groups were identified. Results : Sixty-four patients were enrolled. Thirty-six patients were classified into ATS group, 10 patients Non-ATS overuse group, and 18 patients Non-ATS underuse group. Thirty-three patients of 36 ATS group, 9 patients of 10 Non-ATS overuse group, and 14 patients of 18 Non-ATS underuse group showed improvement by initial empirical antibiotics. There was no statistical difference in antibiotic response between 3 groups (p>0.05). S. pneumoniae (12.5%), K. pneumoniae (9.4%), and P. aeruginosa (4.7%), Mycoplasma (3.1%) were the most commonly isolated organisms. In 18 patients with severe CAP, P. aeruginosa was isolated only in 1 patient and Legionella organism not isolated. Conclusion : Initial empirical antibiotics chosen by ATS guideline were effective in the management of Korean patients with CAP admitted to a tertiary hospital. However, well-designed large-scale prospective study is needed to identify etiologic organisms and choose an adequate initial empirical antibiotics in Korean adults patient with severe CAP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1366-1381
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• 1997

Background : Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP) has become the most common surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). However, the results of this therapeutic modality have been quite variable with successful results by several authors and poor results by others. Until recently, in Korea, there is only a few reports about the clinical efficacy of UPPP. A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of UPPP. Method : Twenty-six OSAS patients who had undergone UPPP with preoperative and postoperative polysomnographic studies were included in this study. Two definitions of surgical success were used. The responder was defined, using a conventional criteria, as a 50% or more reduction in apnea index(AI) or apneahypopnea index(AHI) after UPPP, or a postoperative AI of <10 or AHI of <20. The initial cure was defined, using our own criteria, as a postoperative AI of <5 or AHI of <10. Complications were categorized in two groups : early(disorders during the first 10 postoperative days) and late. Results : Eighteen patients(69.2%) were responders, and ten patients(38.5%) were considered as initial cure. On the other hand, in five patients (19.2%), postoperative polysomnographic data demonstrated deterioration compared with preoperative data. Reduction rate of AI or AHI following UPPP was not significantly related to the preoperative body mass index, AI or AHI. There was no significant change of sleep architecture before and after UPPP in responder and initial cure groups. Early complications such as pain, dyspnea, bleeding, nasal reflux, dysphagia or wound disruption were observed in all patients. Late complications such as nasal reflux, voice change, dysphagia, loss of taste, pharyngeal dryness or foreign body sensation were discovered in 22 patients (84.6%). However, all early and late complications were of minor importance. Conclusion : The response to UPPP was favorable in approximately 70% of OSAS patient. However, the initial Cure rate of UPPP was relatively low. We suggest that selection of more appropriate surgical candidates and adequate surgical protocol is necessary to obtain a more successful result with UPPP.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.306-312
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• 2011

Objectives: This clinical study evaluated the effect of light activation on the whitening efficacy and safety of in-office bleaching system containing 15% hydrogen peroxide gel. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three volunteers were randomly treated with (n = 17, experimental group) or without light activation (n = 16, control group), using Zoom2 white gel (15% $H_2O_2$, Discus Dental) for a total treatment time of 45 min. Visual and instrumental color measurements were obtained using Vitapan Classical shade guide and Shadepilot (DeguDent) at screening test, after bleaching, and 1 month and 3 month after bleaching. Data were analyzed using t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, and chi-squared test. Results: Zoom2 white gel produced significant shade changes in both experimental and control group when pre-treatment shade was compared with that after bleaching. However, shade difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Tooth shade relapse was not detected at 3 months after bleaching. The incidence of transient tooth sensitivity was 39.4%, with being no differences between two groups. Conclusions: The application of light activation with Zoom2 white gel system neither achieved additional whitening effects nor showed more detrimental influences.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.401-410
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• 2005

A series of studies involving formulation processes, bubbling activity test, diffusibility test and biological efficacy test was undertaken to develop Jumbo herbicide formulations in paddy rice field. Gas evolution speed from the tablets prepared by different organic acids was in the order of oxalic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid. The total volume of evolved gas from the tablet and diffusibility of the active ingredient in the submerged water were increased with increase of water temperature; the volume from 1 g of tablet at 10, 15, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$ for 5 minutes after immersion into water was 20, 25, 28, 45, 57 mL, respectively. The concentration of halosulfuron-methyl and pyriminobac-methyl in submerged water at 5, 15, 20 and $30^{\circ}C$ at the 2.4 m distance from the applied spot of the tablet was 20, 48, 85, and 97% of the concentration of treated spot, respectively. The evolved gas volume from the tablets was not affected by pH of submerged water. The concentration of halosulfuron-methyl in different sizes of submerged water within 24 hours after treatment of the tablet was maintained 0.16 ppm, which is ideal concentration at standard dosage regardless of the submerged water area. The concentration of pyriminobac-methyl was also uniformly dispersed in the water within 24 hours after applying it into the submerged water. The wind velocity of 5 m $sec^{-1}$ on concentration distribution of halosulfuron-methyl and pyriminobac-methyl in the submerged water 24 hours after treatment was not influenced; an equal concentration in the up the wind and down the wind from the applied spot was maintained. Spot treatments of one tablet formulations(5 g) including 4 times higher dosage at 4 different spots resulted in even concentration distribution of active ingredient in the water 24 hours after applying it into the submerged water.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of an 810-nm infrared diode laser with indocyanine green (ICG) against Staphylococcus aureus on sandblasted, large grit, and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces, comparing its effectiveness with alternative chemical decontamination modalities. Materials and Methods: Biofilms of S. aureus ATCC 25923 were cultured on SLA titanium disks for 48 hours. The biofilms were divided into five treatment groups: control, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), tetracycline (TC), ICG, and 810-nm infrared diode laser with ICG (ICG-PDT). After treatment, colony-forming units were quantified to assess surviving bacteria, and viability was confirmed through confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) imaging. Results: All treated groups exhibited a statistically significant reduction in S. aureus (P < 0.05), with notable efficacy in the CHX, TC, and ICG-PDT groups (P < 0.01). While no statistical difference was observed between TC and CHX, the ICG-PDT group demonstrated superior bacterial reduction. CLSM images revealed a higher proportion of dead bacteria stained in red within the ICG-PDT groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations, ICG-PDT effectively reduced S. aureus biofilms on SLA titanium surfaces. Further investigations into alternative decontamination methods and the clinical impact of ICG-PDT on peri-implant diseases are warranted.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2024

The effects of five fungicides on the spore growth phase of Alternaria dauci, which causes carrot leaf blight, were tested using the spore viability assay (SVA) and agar dilution method (ADM). The average EC₅₀ values for chlorothalonil against seven isolates of A. dauci examined by SVA and ADM were 14.21 ㎍/ml and more than 100 ㎍/ml. Dithianon and folpet also had lower EC₅₀ values in SVA than in ADM, while iminoctadine trisalbesilate had lower EC₅₀ value in ADM. For fluazinam, the EC₅₀ values of SVA and ADM were 1.63 and 2.40 ㎍/ml, respectively. As EC₅₀ values of five fungicides according to the spore growth phase of A. dauci KACC 42997, the efficacy of each fungicide as chlorothalonil, dithianon, and folpet decreased when treated after spore germination rather than when treated with spores before germination. However, iminoctadine tris-albesilate was more effective when treated after spores germinated than when treated before treatment. The excellent effect of fluazinam on the pathogen was maintained until A. dauci KACC 42997 was cultured in potato dextrose broth for 6 hr and the germ tube grew beyond the size of the spore. However, when treated with iminoctadine tris-albesilate and fluazinam after culturing for 12 hr, as the EC₅₀ values of the two fungicides increased to 8.87 and 20.65 ㎍/ml, their efficacies decreased. The results of this study show that the treatment time of the fungicide should be determined by considering the effect of the fungicide on the spore growth phase of pathogens.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.212-220
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a known ethylene action inhibitor, on fruit quality and incidence of physiological disorders during simulated marketing period in Asian pears (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) of early-season cultivar 'Hanareum' and mid-season cultivar 'Manpungbae'. Flesh firmness was decreased abruptly at 15 days after shelf-life in untreated fruit of early-season cultivar 'Hanareum' which showed less than 19N, although those of 1-MCP-treated fruits were kept high value (>28N) during 15 days of shelf-life. However, there were no distinct firmness changes during 30 days of shelf-life in mid-season cultivar 'Manpungbae' pear. Two pear cultivars did not show any considerable differences in quality indices such as soluble solids content, titratable acidity and skin color during the shelf-life regardless of 1-MCP treatment. The reduction of ethylene production level by 1-MCP treatment did not appeared in 'Hanareum' pear. Meanwhile, 1-MCP treated 'Hanareum' pears showed significantly low respiration rate during shelf-life. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of 1-MCP was not remarkable in mid-season 'Manpungbae' pears. 1-MCP treatment completely blocked the incidence of physiological disorders including core browning and mealiness symptom during shelf-life only in early-season 'Hanareum' pears, and reduced considerably the pithiness disorder regardless of 1-MCP concentration. Consequently, we concluded that the treatment efficacy of 1-MCP is largely cultivar-dependent and the use of $1{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 1-MCP was recommended for the keeping quality and the prevention of physiological disorders only in early-season Asian pear 'Hanareum'.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1029-1035
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to examine the ability of extracts from Phellinus linteus (PL) and rice with Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) to inhibit obesity and diabetes. The efficacy of PL and PLM were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels, protein tyrosine phosphate 1B (PTP1B) levels, organ weight, and serum lipid levels. Lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 76% and 59% upon treatment with $300{\mu}g/mL$ of PL and PLM, respectively (P<0.01). The inhibition of CETP activity increased 99% upon treatment with $300{\mu}g/mL$ of PL or PLM. Treatment with 3, 10, 30, 100, and $300{\mu}g/mL$ of PL, changed PTP1B activity by 10, 11, 14, 12, and 18% respectively. Also, treatment with increasing concentrations of PLM led to a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PTP1B activity (P<0.01). PL and PLM were orally administered for 28 days after a high fat diet (HFD). PL significantly (P<0.05) reduced triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In addition, PLM significantly (P<0.05) reduced triglyceride, cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol levels. GOT and GPT were not significantly affected. These results indicate that PL and PLM extracts have potent and useful activities for the treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 1999

Purposes : Renal involvement is a potentially serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There have been only few studies of lupus nephritis in pediatric age. In this study, the clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, response to treatment, and clinical course of lupus nephritis in children were analyzed. And the results will provide basic data for future nation-wide prospective multi-center study. Methods . The medical records of 46 children clinically and pathologically diagnosed to have lupus nephritis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital during 1986 to 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : 1) The median age of diagnosis of lupus nephritis was 12.8 years ($2\;years\~\;15year$ 8months), and the sex ratio was 1:2.5. 2) FANA($85.7\%$), anti-ds-DNA antibody ($78.0\%$), and malar rash ($60.8\%$) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ARA Decreased C3 was detected in $88.9\%$ of patients. 3) Hematuria ($87.0\%$) was the most common renal symptom, and WHO class IV lupus nephritis was identified in 41 cases by renal biopsy. 4) In most of patients, the disease activity was controlled relatively well with a single or combined therapy of prednisolone, azathioprine, or cyclophosphamide. The response revealed no difference according to the mode of treatment. 5) Infection, especially of Varicella-Zoster virus and candida, was the most common complication during the disease course. Conclusion : The renal involvement was noted in $87.0\%$ of childhood SLE, and $89.1\%$ of renal lesions was WHO class IV lupus nephritis known to associated with poor long-term prognosis. So, aggressive treatment using immunosuppressants in the early disease course may be helpful to increase long-term prognosis of lupus nephritis. A prospective multi-center study is necessary to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of various treatment modalities.