• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.34.1-34.10
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• 2023

Nosocomial infections, commonly referred to as healthcare-associated infections, are illnesses that patients get while hospitalized and are typically either not yet manifest or may develop. One of the most prevalent nosocomial diseases in hospitalized patients is pneumonia, among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens cause pneumonia. More severe introductions commonly included Staphylococcus aureus, which is at the top of bacterial infections, per World Health Organization reports. The staphylococci, S. aureus, strain RMI-014804, mesophile, on-sporulating, and non-motile bacterium, was isolated from the sputum of a pulmonary patient in Pakistan. Many characteristics of S. aureus strain RMI-014804 have been revealed in this paper, with complete genome sequence and annotation. Our findings indicate that the genome is a single circular 2.82 Mbp long genome with 1,962 protein-coding genes, 15 rRNA, 49 tRNA, 62 pseudogenes, and a GC content of 28.76%. As a result of this genome sequencing analysis, researchers will fully understand the genetic and molecular basis of the virulence of the S. aureus bacteria, which could help prevent the spread of nosocomial infections like pneumonia. Genome analysis of this strain was necessary to identify the specific genes and molecular mechanisms that contribute to its pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity, allowing for a more in-depth investigation of its pathogenesis to develop new treatments and preventive measures against infections caused by this bacterium.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2024

Purpose: To compare the Doppler sonographic findings of the left renal vein (LRV) of children diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome with and without orthostatic proteinuria. Methods: Fifty and 53 consecutive children with and without orthostatic proteinuria, respectively, underwent renal Doppler ultrasonography examinations. The peak velocity (PV) was measured at the hilar portion of the LRV and between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Renal Doppler ultrasonography findings and clinical data including urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) were compared according to the presence or absence of orthostatic proteinuria. Results: Between the two groups, no significant differences were observed in terms of age or sex. The PV ratio between the aortomesenteric and hilar portions was 7.79±2.65 and 6.32±3.01 in children with and without orthostatic proteinuria, respectively (P=0.009). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the UPCR in the first morning urine sample. However, the UPCR in the afternoon urine sample was significantly higher in children with orthostatic proteinuria than in those without orthostatic proteinuria (0.49±0.46 mg/mg vs. 0.11±0.04 mg/mg, P<0.001). Furthermore, the PV ratio between the aortomesenteric and hilar portions revealed a positive correlation with the ratio of UPCR of the afternoon to that of first morning urine samples (R=0.21, P=0.034). Conclusions: This study suggests that there can be a significant correlation of the PV ratio between the aortomesenteric and hilar portion of the LRV with orthostatic proteinuria in pediatric patients with nutcracker syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 2018

This study was conducted to determine and compare the perceived number of users (PNU) and evaluative standards for each type of visitors to "Healing Field" of Jangseong Pyunbaek Healing Forest (JPHF). Data were collected from 158 samples selected by convenient sampling method from the users of "Healing Field" in JPHF during September 2017. Visitors to "Healing Field" consisted of 49.3% for recreation (VR), 15.3% for healing (VH), and 35.3% for both recreation and healing (VRH). Respondents' average PNU was 23.8 (median: 20.0), and the range of average PNU by visitor type was 21.1-27.8 (median: 20.0). Respondents' PNU showed low correlations with perceived crowding (PC) (r=0.23) and perceived interference of healing experience (PIHE) (r=0.20). There were no differences in the optimal number of users (ONU) of "Healing Field" among the types of visitors. The overall average ONU was 28.9(median: 25.0), and the range of average ONU by types of visitors was 25.4-31.4 (median: 25.0-27.5). The overall maximum acceptable number of users (MANU) was 38.1, and MANU for VR, VH, and VRH was 36.9, 32.0, and 38.0, respectively. Respondents' mean PC was 2.73 (SD: 3.26, 9-point scale) while mean PIHE was 3.26 (SD: 1.77, 9-point scale). The VRH group showed a higher PC and PIHE than the VR group. The group with greater PNU than ONU showed higher PC and PIHE than the other groups. Based on the results, this paper presented some managerial implications, discussed the limitations of the study, and suggested the further studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2015

In this study, hot water extract from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaves fermented with Hericium erinaceum mycelium (SBT-HE) was assessed for protection against oxidative modification of biological macromolecules and cell death. Antioxidant activity of SBT-HE was evaluated based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. SBT-HE showed 65.06% DPPH radical scavenging activity at $500{\mu}g/mL$, 98.83% ABTS radical scavenging activity at $50{\mu}g/mL$, and 44.03% peroxyl radical scavenging activity at $100{\mu}g/mL$. SBT-HE significantly inhibited DNA strand breakage induced by peroxyl radical. SBT-HE also prevented peroxyl radical-mediated human serum albumin modification. SBT-HE effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced cell death and significantly increased cell survival by 21.59% at $100{\mu}g/mL$. SBT-HE also reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. The results suggest that SBT-HE can contribute to antioxidant activity and protect cells from oxidative stress-induced cell injury.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.495-503
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• 2008

Background: Epigenetic alterations in certain genes are now known as at least important as genetic mutation in pathogenesis of cancer. Especially abnormal hypermethylation in or near promoter region of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are known to result in gene silencing and loss of gene function eventually. The authors tried to search for new lung cancer-specific TSGs which have CpG islands and HpaII sites, and are thought to be involved in carcinogenesis by epigenetic mechanism. Methods: Tumor tissue and corresponding adjacent normal tissue were obtained from 10 patients who diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and underwent surgery in Konyang university hospital in 2005. Methylation profiles of promoter region of 21 genes in tumor tissue & non-tumor tissue were examined with HpaII-MspI methylation microarray (Methyl-Scan DNA chip$^{(R)}$, Genomic tree, Inc, South Korea). The rates of hypermethylation were compared in tumor and non-tumor group, and as a normal control, we obtained lung tissue from two young patients with pneumothorax during bullectomies, methylation profiles were examined in the same way. Results: Among the 21 genes, 10 genes were commonly methylated in tumor, non-tumor, and control group. The 6 genes of APC, AR, RAR-b, HTR1B, EPHA3, and CFTR, among the rest of 11 genes were not methylated in control, and more frequently hypermethylated in tumor tissue than non-tumor tissue. Conclusion: In the present study, HTR1B, EPHA3, and CFTR are suggested as possible novel TSGs of NSCLC by epigenetic mechanism.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.266-271
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• 2003

This study was worked out to investigate the compounds of antioxidant constituents extracted from Stachys Sieboldii MiQ. and their effects on antioxidant activity by DPPH method, ferric thiocyanate method, and nitrite scavenging ability. Solvents such as methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water were used for this purpose. Total concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids were measured in the methanol fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest activity by DPPH method, ferric thiocyanate method, and nitrite scavenging ability. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on a silica gel column using elution solvent (chloroform: methanol: water ＝ 70 : 30 : 5 lower phase) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. UV-VIS spectral data of each fraction showed adsorption maxima in the range of 284～330 nm. Among fractions, the fraction 1 that has λ$\_$max/ (nm) of 284 nm showed the strongest activity by DPPH method. The UV-VIS spectral data of phenolic compounds were known to lie in the range of 210～290 nm and 300～550 nm. Therefore, the results of our study suggested that Stachys sieboldii MIQ. contains phenolic compounds showing natural antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.515-520
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• 2010

This research investigated benzimidazole residues (albendazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, thiabendazole, oxibendazole) in livestock products. A total of 270 samples of livestock products (beef, pork and chicken) were purchased from local markets in Korea. Ethyl acetate was used to extract analytes from the sample, after which ethyl acetate extracts were purified using a MCX cartridge. Analytes were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of detection was 0.01-0.04 ppb, the limit of quantification was 0.03-0.13 ppb, the linearity ($r^2$) was 0.9992-1.0000, and the recovery was 70-85%. Residues of benzimidazoles, except for fenbendazole in pork, were not found in any of the 270 livestock samples. Fenbendazole was detected in the range of 1.2 to 3.1 ppb in 12 samples of pork.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities on HaCaT and the whitening effects on B16F1 melanoma cells of Dendropanax morbifera leaf extract. In an antioxidative activity assay using HaCaT cells, the ethyl acetate ($50{\mu}g/ml$) and aglycone fractions ($25{\mu}g/ml$) of the D. morbifera leaf extract didn't exhibit any characteristics of cytotoxicity. When HaCaT cells were exposed to a single large dose ($800mJ/cm^2$) of UVB, the extracts protected the cells against UVB radiation. When HaCaT cells were treated with 10 mM $H_2O_2$ and $4{\mu}M$ rose bengal, the ethyl acetate ($6.25{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$) and aglycone ($6.25{\sim}25{\mu}g/ml$) fractions protected the cells against oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner. When the whitening effects of D. morbifera leaf extract were tested in melanoma B16/F1 cells treated with the a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH), the extracts inhibited ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated intra/extracellular melanogenesis in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of the ethyl acetate and aglycone fractions of D. morbifera leaf extract were 21% and 44% at $25{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Both are more effective than arbutin (15% at $25{\mu}g/ml$) which is known as a whitening agent. These results indicate that fractions of the D. morbifera leaf can function as cell protectants and natural antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skins exposed to UV radiation by quenching and/or scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protecting cells against ROS. In addition, fractions of the D. morbifera leaf can be applied to new whitening cosmetics because of their inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulated melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-32
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• 2018

This study has been motivated by the awareness that studies on science and technology policy do not have an independent academic identity in Korea as of 2017. This research has been analyzed 19 books that have covered science and technology policy published in Korea and explored whether those have a definition of discipline and core research scope which are the key elements forming academic paradigm. As a result, this study concludes provisionally that studies on science and technology policy in Korea are still at a stage that has not yet formed a paradigm. Therefore, this work newly proposes the definition of discipline and research scope necessary to complete the paradigm of studies on science and technology policy based on this conclusion. This paper has firstly defined that studies on science and technology policy are the policy-oriented discipline. It is (1) promoting the development of science and technology itself by studying and analyzing the various phenomena of politics, economy, society, and culture related to science and technology activities as well as science and technology and (2) makes the national and public sector improve problem-solving competence using science and technology. This work also proposes a research scope consisting of four research areas such as (1) policy process of science and technology, (2) public management of science and technology, (3) R&D management and (4) technology innovation. 'Policy process of science and technology' and 'public management of science and technology' among four research areas are the new research ones reflecting the definition of studies on science and technology policy proposed in this paper. Additionally 'R&D management' and 'technology innovation' are the traditional research areas which have also included existing researches regarding science and technology policy.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.286-294
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to confirm the mental health and quality of life by type-D personality of the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The participants in the study were 111 hospitalized patients with CAD at a hospital in Gyeonggi-do. The type-D personality was assessed by the Type-D Personality Scale (DS14). The mental health was measured with Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90R) while quality of life was assessed with World Health Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). The data analysis revealed that 36.1% of CAD patients were identified as having type-D personality traits. Non type-D personality patients have shown better mental health state than type-D personality patients (p<.001) have. The level of quality of life in the type D personality patients were significantly lower than that of non type-D counterparts (p<.001). It is necessary for type-D personality to be considered, when the nursing intervention programs for improving the mental health and quality of life of the patients with CAD are developed.