• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.145-149
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• 1997

This paper describes a methodology for the development of models of discrete event system. The methodology is based on transformation of continuous state space into discrete one to homomorphically represent dynamics of continuous processes in discrete events. This paper proposes a formal structure which can coupled discrete event system models within a framework. The structure employs the discrete event specification formalism for the discrete event system models. The proposed formal structure has been applied to develop a discrete event specification model for the complex spectral density analysis of strip for urin analyzer system. For this, spectral density data of strip is partitioned into a set of Phases based on events identified through urine spectrophotometry. For each phase, a continuous system of the continuous model for the urine spectral density analysis has been simulated by programmed C++. To validate this model, first develop the discrets event specification model, then simulate the model in the DEVSIM++ environment. It has the similar simulation results for the data obtained from the continuous system simulation. The comparison shows that the discrete event specification model represents dynamics of the urine spectral density at each phase.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.268-277
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• 2012

Objectives: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. Methods: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of head-aches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). Conclusion: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in more than 15% of the dogs over 10 years of age and causes irreversible renal function deterioration. Therefore, it is important to diagnose CKD early and treat the disease properly. The purpose of this study aimed to to evaluate the clinical utility of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) using POC (point-of-care) device as an early detection urinary biomarker in CKD dogs and to confirm the correlation between ACR and other known CKD biomarkers. Urine and serum samples were obtained from 50 healthy dogs and 50 dogs with CKD. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations, and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) were measured. Urine specific gravity (USG) was evaluated using refractometer, and ACR was measured using an i-SENS A1Care analyzer. The ACR values of dogs with CKD were significantly different from those of healthy dogs (p < 0.001), as with other renal biomarkers. ACR showed significant differences between healthy dogs and dogs with CKD at every IRIS stage (p < 0.005), whereas no significant differences were observed between dogs with CKD IRIS stage I and healthy dogs with UPC. There are significant positive correlation between ACR and BUN (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), creatinine (r = 0.788, p < 0.001), SDMA (r = 0.747, p < 0.001), and UPC (r = 0.784, p < 0.001), and significant negative correlation between ACR and USG (r = -0.700, p < 0.001). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.982 (95% CI 0.963-1.000, p < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 64.20 mg/g (94% sensitivity and 94% specificity). Thus, ACR is a useful urinary biomarker for the early diagnosis of proteinuria in CKD and combined use of ACR and other renal biomarkers may be helpful for early diagnosis and prevention of CKD in dogs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2015

Objectives: Blood mercury levels among adults living in certain areas of the Gyeongsang Provinces have been shown to be very high (Kunwee County $29.6{\mu}g/L$, Yeongcheon-city $26.7{\mu}g/L$). The purpose of this project was to determine mercury exposure levels in schoolchildren and factors related with their mercury levels in high mercury exposure areas identifyed by the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey. Methods: From June to September 2010, 1,097 students from grades 3 to 6 at 19 elementary schools participated in this study, including 294 students from 10 elementary schools in Kunwee County, 529 students from Yeongcheon City, 122 students from two elementary schools in Pohang City, North Gyeongsang Province, and 152 students from two elementary schools in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Biological samples from schoolchildren, including whole blood, urine and hair, were collected to measure total mercury at the time of a health check up. Information about children was collected by questionnaire. Total mercury concentrations in blood were measured using the Direct Mercury Analyzer 80 with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: The mean mercury levels were $2.70{\mu}g/L$ in 1,091 blood samples, $2.25{\mu}g/g-creat.$ in 820 urine samples and $1.03{\mu}g/g$ in 1,064 hair samples. Blood mercury levels in the schoolchildren was slightly higher than the result of $2.4{\mu}g/L$ from a 2006 survey of elementary school children on exposure and health effects of mercury by the National Institute of Environmental Research. However, 0.3% and 4.5% of participants exceeded the reference level of blood mercury by CHBMII ($15{\mu}g/L$) and the US EPA ($5.8{\mu}g/L$), respectively. The reference level of urine by CHBMII ($20{\mu}g/L$) was exceeded by 0.4% of participants. As factors, residence period in the study areas, residence type, father's education level and income all showed significant associations with mercury level in the biological samples. The number of dental amalgam sides showed an association with urine mercury. Fish intake preference and fish intake frequency were important factors in mercury levels. In particular, intake of shark meat and recent intake of shark meat were associated with higher mercury levels. In this regard, participation in the performance of an ancestral rite showed a relation with higher mercury levels. Conclusion: The intake of shark meat was very important factor to high mercury exposure level. It is recommended to monitor and manage students with high mercury exposures who exceeded CHBM II and EPA guidelines, and include blood mercury testing in the Children's Health check up for this province.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.404-407
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• 2005

A 4-week-old 0.5 kg male Shih Tzu with history of congenital abnormality, abnormality, was referred to Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Chungbuk National University for further evaluation and treatment. During physical examination, the dog revealed mild depression and dyschezia. In plain radiographs, a digital thermometer put in the anus and grasped blind end of the rectum. In contrast radiographs, a urethrorectal fistula was confirmed. Urine specimens were collected with cystocentesis. Bacteria of the urine were detected using an auto microorganism analyzer. According to history taking, physical examination, radiographic signs and urinalysis, it was diagnosed as type IV atresia ani with a urethrorectal fistula. The dog was treated by fistulectomy and anoplasty, and discharged with instruction. Three days after operation, mild dehiscence was appeared. Wound was left to heal by second intention. During the follow-up of eight weeks, wound showed it to be healed and defecation was normal.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 1997

Nephrolithiasis is the most common disorder of the urinary tract in hospitalized patients, more frequently increased in 30~50 years of age, more common in males than in females, prior right stone to left side, and than upper ureteral stone is found in cultural country, while lower ureteral stone is increased in uncultural country. Stone components are classified as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, uric acid, cystine, and their mixed stone, respectively. According to the pathophysiology of urinary stones, supersaturation/crystalization of inorganic salt concentration in urine, organic matrix, inhibitor deficiency, and epitaxy theory could be based on the stone formation. Not only hypercalciuria, hyperparathyroidism, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, and cystinuria, but also renal tubular acidosis, hypervitaminosis D, and peptic ulcer, are significantly associated with nephrolithiasis. In this study upper ureteral stone component were analyzed with chemical analysis, infrared spectrum, and image analyzer from K43 patient wit erosive gastritis. As the results, mixed stone of calcium oxalate dihydrate and calcium phosphate apatite was identified, the values of clinical test in blood and urine maintained normal revels. The relapsing urinary stone from K43 have no correlation between factors for stone formation reported early, also have no evidence for risk from erosive gastritis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2011

A simultaneous detection and quantification method for determining the Phenylalkylamine derivatives, such as methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AM), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine (KT), norketamine (NKT), phentermine (PT), fenfluramine (FFA) and phenmetrazine (PM), in oral fluid was developed and validated according to international guidelines. The validated method was applied to actual oral fluid samples collected from drug abuse suspects. The recovery of phenylalkylamines from oral fluid collection devices was also assessed. Oral fluid specimens from 20 drug abuse suspects submitted by the police were collected using Salivette$^{TM}$, Quantisal$^{TM}$ or direct expectoration. The samples were screened using a biochip array analyzer. For confirmation, the samples were analyzed by GC-MS in selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode after extraction using automated SPE with a mixed-mode cation exchange cartridge and derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). The results from the immunoassay were consistent with those from GC-MS. All the oral fluid samples gave positive results for MA, AM, PT and/or PM. The detection of phenylalkylamines in oral fluid can provide a better indication of recent use than urine or hair. Therefore, the oral fluid specimen was useful for demonstrating phenylalkylamines abuse in the driving under the influence of drug (DUID) as an alternative specimen for urine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2023

Background: Although many studies have evaluated the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) components (Rg1, Rb1, Rg3, Rd, etc.), few have examined the in vivo pharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled components. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides and their metabolite compound K (CK), 20(s)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), and 20(s)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) using radioisotopes in rat oral administration. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed orally once with 10 mg/kg of the tritium(3H) radiolabeled samples, and then the blood was collected from the tail vein after 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 168 h. Radioactivity in the organs, feces, urine, and carcass was determined using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) and a bio-imaging analyzer system (BAS). Results and conclusion: After oral administration, as the ³H-labeled ginsenosides were converted to metabolites, C_max and half-life increased, and T_max decreased. Interestingly, Rb1 and CK showed similar values, and after a single oral administration of components, the cumulative excretion ratio of urine and feces was 88.9%-92.4%. Although most KRG components were excreted within 96-168 h of administration, small amounts of components were detected in almost all tissues and mainly distributed to the liver except for the digestive tract when observed through autoradiography. This study demonstrated that KRG components were distributed to various organs in the rats. Further studies could be conducted to prove the bioavailability and transmission of KRG components to confirm the mechanism of KRG efficacy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 1998

Chitosan is a nontoxic natural chealtor which was made by chitin, and reduced a contamination of radiostrontium in animals. In this experiment, A different molecular weight of C-14 chitosan was intravenously administered to mice, and then the distribution of C-14 chitosan in the body was observed. Male mice (8 to 10 weeks, body weight of 30 to 35g) of ICR strain were used. C-14 chitosan was diluted with saline and then given intravenously in mice. After the administration of C-14 chitosan, mice was sacrificed at the 6th hour, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day. Beta radioactivities in the blood, liver, kidney, liver, muscle, testis, and urine was measured using a liquid scintillation analyzer. Most of the C-14 chitosan was excreted through urine within 6 hours. Biodistribution of C-14 chitosan was similar despite the difference of moleclar weight. Higher distributions of radioactivities were found in the liver, kidney, spleen. The relative concentration in tissue increased for the 6 hours and then decreased. In conclusion, most of C-14 chitosan was excreted through urine despite the difference of molecular weight. and, low molecular weight of C-14 chitosan showed higher distribution than high molecular weight of C-14 chitosan in tissues.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2024

Urinalysis is a fundamental diagnostic test routinely performed in clinical laboratories. We evaluated two manual microscopy methods, including a novel protocol, against the standardized chamber method. A total of 402 specimens, comprising 201 positive each for red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) by the strip test and automated urine sediment analyzer, were selected for the analysis. The correlation coefficients between the standardized chamber method and the novel protocol RBC and WBC test were both r=0.98, indicating a high degree of correlation. The pair-wise agreement rates for the same grade between these two methods were 86.1% for RBCs and 88.6% for WBCs, with rates within one grade difference of both at 99.5%. In contrast, the agreement rates between the standardized chamber method and smaller or medium-sized laboratory methods were notably lower, with the same-grade rates at 11.9% for RBCs and 13.4% for WBCs, and within one grade difference at 67.2% and 74.1%, respectively. Additional analyses using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots confirmed that the novel protocol exhibited superior agreement compared to the other three manual microscopy methods tested. Therefore, we recommend the novel protocol as a standardized procedure for urine sediment preparation, given its high correlation and agreement with the standardized chamber method.