• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

The aim of this work was to validate a rapid and an accurate method for detecting Mycobacterium leprae in clinical specimens using nested PCR targeting M. leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP) sequence. The primers were derived from the RLEP sequence which yield a 272 bp outer product and a 230 bp inner product. The specificity and the sensitivity of the nested PCR were compared with those of single PCR for detecting M. leprae using DNAs isolated from reference strain and various species of Mycobacterium. The results showed that the sensitivity of the nested PCR was about 100 to 1,000 times higher than that of the single PCR and also showed that both the single and the nested PCR were highly specific to M. leprae. Subsequently, the usefulness of the single and nested PCR was evaluated with clinical samples isolated from leprosy patients. The number of positive detections by the single and the nested PCR with a total of 20 specimens from leprosy patients were 9 (45%) and 20 (100%), respectively. The results clearly showed that nested PCR has highest sensitivity in detecting M. leprae from clinical specimens. Therefore, nested primers targeting RLEP sequence developed in this study seems to be useful to detect the presence of M. leprae.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2013

The cytology of sputum specimens, at a medical facility in Korea, is using the liquid-based cytology and conventional smear method. It confirms the diagnosis using conventional smear methods and the liquid-based cytology. In addition, the diagnosis uses two kinds of each method, compares the suitability, sensitivity and specificity for each test and tries to understand the efficient method needed. It divided sputum specimens in half and liquid-based cytology. A conventional smear method was conducted and the Papanicolaou's staining was conducted using Autostainer. Diagnosed each slide of staining produced smear slides specimens by using an optical microscope. The result of the liquid-based cytology and conventional smear method was that the liquid-based cytology was of a higher-grade than the conventional smear method. It was 36.8%, and 62.8% in the same condition. But only one case was of a lower grade. Liquid-based cytology showed 86.2% of adequacy, 31.0% of sensitivity and 97.5% of specificity. The conventional smear method showed 54.4% of adequacy, 19.6% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity. If it was conducted with two methods at the same time, the results would be similar to the liquid-based cytology. In conclusion, liquid-based cytology has a more superior adequacy and sensitivity than the conventional smear method. The combination of the two methods is similar to the result of only conducting a liquid-based cytology. Conducting a liquid-based cytology rather than the combination of the two ways of sputum cytoscopy, is to be considered as an efficient method to achieve diagnostic accuracy, reduce labor of clinical technologist and pathologist, and to reduce the expense of patients.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2016

Candida spp. is an invasive infectious fungus, a major risk factor that can increase morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. In this study, 2,508 Candida spp. were isolated from various clinical specimens collected from university hospitals from July 2011 to October 2014. They were identified in order to determine isolation frequencies and characteristics by specimen, gender, age group, year, season, and month. The strain-specific isolation rate of Candida spp. is in the order of Candida albicans (1,218 strains, 48.56%), Candida glabrata (416 strains, 16.59%), Candida utilis (305 strains, 12.16%), Candida tropicalis (304 strains, 12.12%), and Candida parapsilosis (116 strains, 4.63%) and these five species accounted for more than 94% of the total strains. Of the specimens, Candida spp. were most frequently isolated from urine-catheter, followed by urinevoided, blood, sputum, other, open pus, vaginal discharge, Tip, ear discharge, bronchial aspiration and bile, in that order. Looking at the age distribution, the detection rate of patients in their 60s and older was significantly higher at 75.8% (1,900/2,508). The detection rate of patients in their 20s and younger was shown to be very low at 2.55% (64/2,508). By year, the detection rate of non-albicans Candida spp. showed a tendency to gradually increase each year compared with C. albicans. As isolation of Candida spp. from clinical samples at the specie level can vary depending on characteristics of the patient, sample, season, etc., continual studies are required.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2007

Statement of problem. Fracture of the tooth-colored superstructure material is one of the main prosthetic complications in implant-supported prostheses. Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture strength between the cement-retained implant-supported metal-ceramic crowns and the indirect composite resinveneered metal crowns under the vertical compressive load. Material and methods. Standard implants of external type (AVANA IFR 415 Pre-mount; Osstem Co., Busan, Korea) were embedded in stainless steel blocks perpendicular to their long axis. Customized abutments were fabricated using plastic UCLA abutments (Esthetic plastic cylinder; Osstem Co., Busan, Korea). Thirty standardized copings were cast with non-precious metal (Rexillium III, Pentron, Walling ford, Conn., USA). Copings were divided into two groups of 15 specimens each (n = 15). For Group I specimens, metal-ceramic crowns were fabricated. For Group II specimens, composite resin-veneered (Sinfony, 3M-ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) metal crowns (Sinfony-veneered crowns) were fabricated according to manufacturer's instructions. All crowns were temporary cemented and vertically loaded with an Instron universal testing machine (Instron 3366, Instron Corp., Norwood, MA, USA). The maximum load value (N) at the moment of complete failure was recorded and all data were statistically analyzed by independent sample t-test at the significance level of 0.05. The modes of failure were also investigated with visual analysis. Results. The fracture strength of Sinfony-veneered crowns ($2292.7{\pm}576.0N$) was significantly greater than that of metal-ceramic crowns ($1150.6{\pm}268.2N$) (P < 0.05). With regard to the failure mode, Sinfony-veneered crowns exhibited adhesive failure, while metal-ceramic crowns tended to fracture in a manner that resulted in combined failure. Conclusion. Sinfony-veneered crowns demonstrated a significantly higher fracture strength than that of metal-ceramic crowns in cement-retained implant-supported prostheses.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2006

Although various automated CBC analyzers with different WBC analytical principles were consequently introduced to clinical laboratory, the specific information concerning the suitability or unsuitability of aging samples is scarce. For this reason, we studied the effect of storage duration and temperature on CBC parameter in SE-9000 (SYSMEX Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., Kobe, Japan), automated CBC analyzer. We tested 32 K3-EDTA specimens with SE-9000 during 72 hours. Specimens were kept at room temperature (RT) and refrigerated and were analyzed at 0 hr, 4 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr after the collection of the specimens. The percentage changes from initial value for each parameters were calculated. Among the CBC parameters, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelets were stable for the study period at both temperatures. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hematocrit (Hct) and red cell distribution (RDW) increased and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased over time at room temperature. These parameters were stable when refrigerated. The leukocyte count was stable during 72hr at RT and when refrigerated. At room temperature, the relative percentages of neutrophils tend to increase, whereas those of lymphocyte and monocytes tend to decrease after 48 hours. When refrigerated, those of neutrophils and monocytes tend to increase, whereas those of lymphocytes tend to decreased over time. CBC parameters of refrigerated specimen were reliable for 72 hr for the exception of differential count from 24 hr but many CBC parameters, such as MCV, Hct, MCHC, RDW and differential count of leukocyte of blood stored at room temperature for 24 hr were unreliable.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2023

Concerns about foodborne illnesses caused by Kudoa septempunctata are steadily growing, but reports of K. septempunctata in clinical and food specimens related to food poisoning in Korea are limited. This study aimed to genetically identify K. septempunctata in patients with acute diarrhea and in clinical and food samples related to food poisoning caused by sashimi consumption. Both real-time and nested polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect K. septempunctata 18S and 28S rDNA genes in the stools of 348 patients with acute diarrhea, 11 samples (6 stool and 5 rectal swab samples) from patients with food poisoning, and 2 raw Paralichthys olivaceus samples collected from a restaurant where a food poisoning incident occurred. K. septempunctata was identified in 5 clinical specimens (4 stools and 1 rectal swab) and 1 P. olivaceus sashimi sample. All detected K. septempunctata were of genotype ST3. This is the first study to identify K. septempunctata in both patients and food samples with epidemiological relevance in Korea, providing evidence that it is a pathogen that causes food poisoning. Also, this is the first study to confirm the presence of K. septempunctata genes in rectal swabs. Despite continuing suspected occurrences of Kudoa foodborne outbreaks, the rate of identification of K. septempunctata is very low. One reason for this is the limitation in obtaining stool and vomit samples for the diagnosis of Kudoa infection. We strongly suggest the inclusion of rectal swabs among the diagnostic specimens for Kudoa food poisoning.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2000

Cathepsin D is a protease which is known to facilitate invasion and metastasis of breast carcinoma. Overexpression of cathepsin D is associated with poor clinical outcome and biologic aggressiveness of the breast cancer. We underwent immunocytochemical assay(ICA) for cathepsin D in fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) specimens from the breast carcinoma and benign breast diseases. In FNAC specimens cathepsin D was expressed in 21(42.9%) out of 49 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, whereas negative result was observed in all 15 cases of benign breast diseases including 7 fibroadenomas, 6 fibrocystic diseases, and 2 benign ductal hyperplasias. Among the 11 FNAC specimens from ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), cathepsin D was expressed in 3 cases(27.3%). In FNAC specimens immunocytochemistry for cathepsin D showed positive result in 24 out of 60 carcinomas(sensitivity, 40%) and negative result in 15 out of all 15 benign breast diseases(specificity, 100%). No significant correlation was noted between cathepsin D expression in FNAC specimen and clinicohistological characteristics of the breast carcinoma, such as hormone receptors and cell differentiation. In conclusion, ICA of cathepsin D in FNAC specimens thought to be a good adjunct to differentiate malignancy from benign breast diseases.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 1984

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of heat generated by rotating bur on the dental hard tissue in vitro. Freshly extracted molar teeth with normal appearance from early 20's male were collected and experimental teeth were divided into 4 groups and the teeth in each group were prepared class I cavity with different clinical procedures as follows. The four methods were. I. 20,000rpm without coolant II. 20,000rpm with coolant III. 500,000rpm without coolant IV. 500,000rpm with coolant Five teeth were reserved intact as a control group. These teeth were longitudinally split into two parts by means of chisel after class I cavity preparation. In a control group 5 parts were boiled in water for 20 minutes and the other 5 specimens were not boiled. All specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye solution and the image of dye penetration was examined and photographed under stereomicroscope. Followings were the results obtained through the study. 1. In control group, dye penetration of the unboiled specimens was increased than with the boiled group. 2. The specimens prepared cavity without coolant showed decreased dye penetration than with the coolant group. 3. 20,000rpm without coolant group showed the least dye penetration. 4. 500,000rpm with coolant group showed similar level of dye penetration to the unboiled specimens from the control group.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.237-244
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• 2014

Pathogenic fungal infections are predominantly occurred in patients with severe immune or metabolic defects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the last five years (2007~2011) 190,250 cases clinical specimens of yeast 3,487 results that had shown positive culture and to look at the significance of regional difference and identify relationship between provide the characteristics about association between clinical isolates and gender, age, and type of specimens. The yearly strain-specific isolation frequency of yeast separated was 1,925(55.2%) for C. albicans the largest of them. All kinds of clinical specimen was 1,495(42.9%) in urine, 998(28.6%) in sputum. Strain-specific gender differences in C. albicans for males was 1,177(57.8%) of the total of 2,037 and 748(51.6%) of 1,450 and as for age, those between 70 and 79 were the largest with 639(55.1%) of the 1,925 strain. In this study, well presented the general characteristics of pathogenic yeast seen in diverse specimens. This limitation has been implemented in a single area, Future research is expected to examine more on nationwide distribution chart, dynamic characteristics and future antibiotic sensitivity.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare with color reproducibility of the coating method and dipping method using a colour liquid. Methods: Two groups of square-shaped specimens ($10mm{\times}10mm$ in diameter, 1.5mm thickness) were prepared for analysis(n=15/group). The CM(Coating Method) group was fabricated as full zirconia specimens with the coating coloring method and Group DM(Dipping Method) was prepared as specimens of 0.7 mm-thick zirconia plate using the dipping coloring method and veneered with 0.8mm-thick porcelain. Color parameters were measured with ShadeEye $NCC^{(R)}$ spectrophotometer and color differences were calculated using the equation ${\Delta}E^*= \{({\Delta}L^*)^2+({\Delta}a^*)^2+({\Delta}b^*)^2\}^{1/2}$. Non-parametric statistical methods, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze the data. Type one error rate was set at 0.05. Results: Color difference values larger than 7 were observed between specimens with the coating method and the dipping method, which were detectable difference in a clinical setting. Conclusion: Cautious application of the coating coloring method in a clinical setting and further researches to standardize the coating method are needed.