• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

This paper employs stochastic processing techniques to analyze explosion risks in plant facilities based on explosion return periods. Release probability is calculated using data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), along with annual leakage frequency per plant provided by DNV. Ignition probability, derived from various researchers' findings, is then considered to calculate the explosion return period based on the release quantity. The explosion risk is assessed by examining the volume, radius, and blast load of the vapor cloud, taking into account the calculated explosion return period. The reference distance for the design blast load model is determined by comparing and analyzing the vapor cloud radius according to the return period, historical vapor cloud explosion cases, and blast-resistant design guidelines. Utilizing the multi-energy method, the blast load range corresponding to the explosion return period is presented. The proposed return period serves as a standard for the design blast load model, established through a comparative analysis of vapor cloud explosion cases and blast-resistant design guidelines. The outcomes of this study contribute to the development of a performance-based blast-resistant design framework for plant facilities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2005

Background : The prevalence of tuberculosis is slowly decreasing in Korea. However, the drug-resistance of pulmonary tuberculosis is a major risk factor of treatment failure. Moreover, the National Surveillance System has recently been discontinued. Therefore, a continuous survey is necessary for the exact detection of the rate of drug resistance. We studied the recent 4-year drug resistance rate of tuberculosis at a single University hospital in Seoul. Materials and Methods : The study included 239 pulmonary tuberculosis patients performed with a tuberculosis culture and a drug-sensitivity test at Hanyang University Medical Center from March 1999 to March 2003. Results : Of the 239 patients included in the study during the 4-year period, 52 patients showed resistance to one or more anti-tuberculosis drug (21.8%). The rate of multi-drug resistance was 12.6%. The resistance rates to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, streptomycin and pyrazinamide were 18.4%, 13.8%, 11.7%, 6.7% and 8.4%, respectively. Ninety patients had a history of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment, and the rates of the overall drug resistance and multi-drug resistance of these patients were 36.7% and 25.6%, respectively. The patients with drug-resistance showed a higher rate of a previous tuberculosis treatment history (63.5%) than the drug-sensitive group patients (30.5%). Conclusion : The rate of drug resistant tuberculosis is 21.8%, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is 12.6%. The rate of drug resistance is higher in those previously treated for tuberculosis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.90-94
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• 2013

A new Bacillus strain designated as MP56 producing antimicrobial substance has been isolated from the mud flat of Korea. The strain MP56 was found to exhibit broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive pathogenic microorganisms and MDR (multi drug resistant) strains. The 16S rRNA sequence revealed that the MP56 was closely related to Bacillus subtilis with 99.93% homology. The optimal medium composition for production of antimicrobial substance in the B. subtilis MP56 were 1% mannitol, 1% oat meal, 0.01% $CaCl_2$. Antimicrobial activity of the culture broth against different pathogenic strains was assessed using the antimicrobial spectrum. The result suggests that Bacillus strain MP56 produces high quality antimicrobial substance that might be very useful to control varieties of pathogenic microbial growth.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.280-292
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• 2016

This descriptive survey assessed knowledge of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses regarding compliance with infection control for six kinds of multi-drug resistant organisms to assist in development of effective intervention strategies. Participants included 210 nurses working in the ICUs of general hospitals who completed a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the nurses' knowledge level and infection control compliance was 10.54 and 3.39 for MRSA; 11.25 and 3.69 for VRE; and 9.60 and 3.49 for CRGNB, respectively[ED highlight - consider providing additional information to describe what these values indicate.]. Knowledge regarding MRSA infection control differed significantly based on age, clinical experience, and experience as a trainee, while compliance with MRSA infection control differed based on age. Knowledge regarding VRE infection control was significantly different based on academic qualification level, experience as a trainee, and whether guidelines existed, while compliance with VRE infection control differed based on academic qualification level and the presence of an isolation environment. Knowledge regarding CRGNB infection control differed significantly based on academic qualification level and experience as a trainee, while compliance with CRGNB infection control differed based on the presence of an isolation environment. Thus, intervention strategies should include education programs for enhancing ICU nurse' knowledge regarding strategies for creating isolation environments.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-82
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• 2012

Acinetobacter infections are of great concern in clinical settings because of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and high mortality of the infected patients. The MDR Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant infectious agent in hospitals worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine for molecular characterization of MDR A. baumannii clinical isolates obtained from the Wonju Christian Hospital in Gangwon province of Korea. A total of seventy nonduplicate A. baumannii isolates were collected from the Wonju Christian Hospital in Korea from March to April in 2011. All of the MDR A. baumannii isolates were encoded by $bla_{OXA-23-like}$ gene and all isolates with the $bla_{OXA-23-like}$ gene had the upstream element ISAba1 to promote increased gene expression and subsequent resistance to carbapenem. 16S rRNA methylase gene (armA) was detected in 44 clinical isolates which were resistant to amikacin, and phosphotransferase genes encoding aac(3)-Ia and aac(6')-Ib were the most prevalent. A combination of 16S rRNA methylase and aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes (armA, aac(3)-Ia, aac(6')-Ib, and aph(3')-Ia) were found in 31 isolates. The sequencing results for the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and parC revealed the presence of Ser (TCA) 83 Leu (TTA) and Ser (TCG) 80 Leu (TTG) substitutions in the respective enzymes for all MDR. Molecular typing for MDR A. baumannii could be helpful in confirming the identification of a common source or cross-contamination. This is an important step in enabling epidemiological tracing of these strains.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2012

One hundred seventy four Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates were categorized depending on the types of specimens, the age and the gender, respectively. All isolates were analyzed the characteristics of the multi-drug resistance including levofloxacin antibiotics. In the results of analysis depending on the type of samples, it had been confirmed that sputum was the main source of pneumonia infection because 156 of 174 strains (89.7%) were isolated in sputum samples. The opportunity for isolating the S. pneumoniae that had tolerance to levofloxacin was increased in over 51 age patients group compared with other age and male group. Eight strains of isolates were evaluated higher resistant to levofloxacin, and those also showed multi-drug resistant including penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In the results of sequence analysis of quinolone resistance determining region in SP32 (MIC $64{\mu}g/mL$) and SP96 (MIC $8{\mu}g/mL$) which were levofloxacin resistant strains, an amino acid substitutions were found Ser-81$\rightarrow$Phe in both GyrA of SP32 and SP96, and Ser-11$\rightarrow$Gly in only SP96. A Ser-79$\rightarrow$Phe substitution of ParC was found in both.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 1986

Penetration level, female development and histological changes in infected root tissues were investigated following inoculation with different inoculum levels (110,440 and 1760 juveniles/plant) of Heterodera glycines (SCN) race 3 on susceptible 'Lee' and resistant 'Pickett' soybean cultivars. Penetration level was lower in Pickett at the higher inoculum levels but no differences were detected in Lee. However, the lower penetration level in the resistant soybean cultivar appeared not to be directly related to plant resistance (female maturation). The number of females recovered from Lee was lower at the highest inoculum level. The number of females maturing on Pickett was much less than that on Lee, showing that changes of SCN population is associated with the number of SCN maturing rather than nematode penetration. In Lee mono-infection sites (a single nematode per site) syncytia had dense cytoplasm and no central vacuoles. while multi-infected sites (many overlapping nematodes per site) had syncytia with a large central vacuole and many small vacuoles. Resistant responses in mono-and multi-infected root tissues of Pickett were delayed and rapid necrosis, respectively. The differences in tissue response are suggested as a mechanism that controls density-dependent population changes in resistant and/or susceptible soybean cultivars.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2011

The prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, has been increasing in Korea. And the side effects of 2nd line anti-tuberculosis medications, including drug-induced hepatitis, are well known. Although prothionamide (PTH) is one of the most useful anti-TB medications and although TB medication-induced acute hepatitis is a severe complication, there are only a few published case reports about prothionamide induced hepatitis. In this case report, a 22 year old male was diagnosed with pulmonary MDR-TB and was administered 2nd line anti-TB mediations, including PTH. Afterwards, he had a spiking fever and his liver enzymes were more than 5 times greater than the upper limit of the normal range. He was then diagnosed with drug-induced hepatitis by liver biopsy. His symptoms and liver enzyme elevation were improved after stopping PTH. Accordingly, we report this case of an association between PTH and acute hepatitis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2002

This study investigated the changes in the fitness of brown planthopper, NilapaHata lugens, to several rice varieties with different resistance background, after multi-generational selection on a resistant rice variety. A susceptible strain of brown planthopper (Dongjin-5) had been reared on the Chungchungbyeo with Bph1 resistance gene for three generations (Chungchung-G3) and six generations (Chungchung-G6), then the fitness change was evaluated by measuring their longevity, fecundity, preferences, and survivorships on the varieties with various background of resistance. After being selected three to six generations on Chungchungbyeo, feeding preference, adult longevity, and fecundity increased, where as nymphal period reduced when they were reared on various varieties with Bph1 gene. The egg Periods were not much different among the varieties fed on, except for the Chungchung-G6 on the rice varieties of Milyang63 (bph2 gene) and Gayabyeo (Bph1+bph2 gene). These results suggest that the susecptible Donajin-5 (Biotype-1) can be easily converted to a resistant biotype-2 capable of overcoming the resistant varieties with Bph 1 gene.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.925-928
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• 2014

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a spectrum of disease with abnormal trophoblastic proliferation. Treatment is based on FIGO stage and WHO risk factor scores. Patients whose score is 12 or more are considered as at extremely high risk with a high likelihood of resistance to first line treatment. Optimal therapy is therefore controversial. Objective: This study was conducted in order to summarize the regimen used for extremely high risk or resistant GTN patients in our institution the in past 10 years. Materials and Methods: All the charts of GTN patients classified as extremely high risk, recurrent or resistant during 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2011 were reviewed. Criteria for diagnosis of GTN were also assessed to confirm the diagnosis. FIGO stage and WHO risk prognostic score were also re-calculated to ensure the accuracy of the information. Patient characteristics were reviewed in the aspects of age, weight, height, BMI, presenting symptoms, metastatic area, lesions, FIGO stage, WHO risk factor score, serum hCG level, treatment regimen, adjuvant treatments, side effects and response to treatment, including disease free survival. Results: Eight patients meeting the criteria of extremely high risk or resistant GTN were included in this review. Mean age was 33.6 years (SD=13.5, range 17-53). Of the total, 3 were stage III (37.5%) and 5 were stage IV (62.5%). Mean duration from previous pregnancies to GTN was 17.6 months (SD 9.9). Mean serum hCG level was 864,589 mIU/ml (SD 98,151). Presenting symptoms of the patients were various such as hemoptysis, abdominal pain, headache, heavy vaginal bleeding and stroke. The most commonly used first line chemotherapeutic regimen in our institution was the VAC regimen which was given to 4 of 8 patients in this study. The most common second line chemotherapy was EMACO. Adjuvant radiation was given to most of the patients who had brain metastasis. Most of the patients have to delay chemotherapy for 1-2 weeks due to grade 2-3 leukopenia and require G-CSF to rescue from neutropenia. Five form 8 patients were still survived. Mean of disease free survival was 20.4 months. Two patients died of the disease, while another one patient died from sepsis of pressure sore wound. None of surviving patients developed recurrence of disease after complete treatment. Conclusions: In extremely high risk GTN patients, main treatment is multi-agent chemotherapy. In our institution, we usually use VAC as a first line treatment of high risk GTN, but since resistance is quite common, this may not suitable for extremely high risk GTN patients. The most commonly used second line multi-agent chemotherapy in our institution is EMA-CO. Adjuvant brain radiation was administered to most of the patients with brain metastasis in our institution. The survival rate is comparable to previous reviews. Our treatment demonstrated differences from other institutions but the survival is comparable. The limitation of this review is the number of cases is small due to rarity of the disease. Further trials or multicenter analyses may be considered.