• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.99-110
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experience and meaning of falls among care workers caring for the elderly. Methods: The participants comprised 10 care workers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The data collection period was from September to November 2020, and the data were obtained through individual in-depth interviews. The collected data were analyzed using the content analysis method of qualitative research. The main interview questions were as follows: First, in the event of a fall, "can you tell us about your experience and how you dealt with the fall?; second, "can you tell us about your role and the role of family members or the center that manages falls that occur outside of nursing visits.", third, "can you tell us about the difficulties in managing falls based on your experience?", and fourth, "how are falls that occur during nursing visits managed?" Results: As a result of analyzing the experiences of nursing care workers of falls while caring for elders in their homes, five main themes were derived. These were understanding the characteristics of the elderly at home, understanding possible emergency situations, providing caring services, minimizing physical harm, and delivering clear information. Conclusion: A significant finding of this study was that care workers who visit and provide care to elders at home confirmed the need for standard guidelines on appropriate responses in the event of a fall at home and the importance of managing emergencies arising from falls among elders at home. These results highlight the need for the development of emergency response education programs, such as programs on fall care among nurses and care workers who provide care to the elderly, and for enhanced understanding of the fall risk of elders who live at home.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.488-500
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• 2022

Most fungal infections by opportunistic yeast pathogens such as Candida spp. are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with lowered immune. Previous studies have reported that some strains of Candida secret secondary metabolites play an important role in the decreasing of immunity in the infected patient. In this study, 110 Candida spp. were isolated from different clinical specimens from Baghdad hospitals. Candida isolates were identified by conventional methods, they were processed for Candida speciation on CHROMagar. The results of identification were confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Phylogenetic trees were analyzed with reference strains deposited in GenBank. Antifungal susceptibility testing was evaluated by the disc diffusion method and performed as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) M44-A document. Candida isolates investigated produce secondary metabolites gliotoxin with HPLC technique and quantification. Out of 110 Candida isolates, C. albicans (66.36%) was the most frequent isolate, followed by the isolates of C. tropicalis (10.9%) and C. glabrata (6.36%) respectively. Concerning the antifungal susceptibility test, Candida isolates showed a high level of susceptibility to Miconazole (70.9%), Itraconazole (68.2%), and Nystatine (64.5%). The ability of obtained isolates of Candida spp. to produce gliotoxin on RPMI medium was investigated, only 28 isolates had the ability to secret this toxin in culture filtrates. The highest concentrations were detected in C. albicans (1.048 ㎍/ml). Gliotoxin productivity of other Candida species was significantly lower. The retention time for gliotoxin was approximately 5.08 min.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2024

Purpose: Mucogingival defects (MGDs), such as dental root recessions, decreased vestibular depth, and absence of keratinized tissues, are commonly seen in dental clinics. MGDs may result in functional, aesthetic, and hygienic concerns. In these situations, autogenous soft tissue grafts are considered the gold-standard treatment. This study compares the healing process of free gingival grafts (FGGs) to bacterial cellulose matrix (BCM) and human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) seeded with fibroblasts from culture supplemented with platelet-rich plasma in a rat model. Methods: Surgical defects were made in rats, which received the following treatments in a randomized manner: group I, negative control (defect creation only); group II, positive control (FGG); group III, BCM; group IV, BCM + fibroblasts; group V, ADM; and group VI, ADM + fibroblasts. Clinical, histological, and immunological analyses were performed 15 days after grafting. Clinical examinations recorded epithelium regularity and the presence of ulcers, erythema, and/or edema. Results: The histological analysis revealed the degree of reepithelization, width, regularity, and presence of keratin. The Fisher exact statistical test was applied to the results (P<0.05). No groups showed ulcers except for group I. All groups had regular epithelium without erythema and without edema. Histologically, all groups exhibited regular epithelium with keratinization, and myofibroblasts were present in the connective tissue. The groups that received engineered grafts showed similar clinical and histological results to the FGG group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that BCM and ADM can be used as cell scaffolds, with ADM yielding the best results. This study supports the use of this technical protocol in humans.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2018

Monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, in food is inportant for public health. The Korean Food Standards Codex has adopted a 'zero-tolerance' policy for L. monocytogenes. The standard detection method of L. monocytogenes is based on enrichment. Thus, proper enrichment methods need to be instituted to ensure quality control of the detection procedures. In this study, the growth of L. monocytogenes and Listeria innocua as a mixed culture in Listeria enrichment broth (LEB) was monitored during artificial contamination of enrichment culture. We confirmed competitive growth or interspecies inhibitory activity of L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. Interspecies growth differences and the inhibitory activity of different inoculation and mixtures L. innocua against L. monocytogenes were examined. The concentration of L. monocytogenes must be 2.0 log CFU/mL or more than L. innocua to grow better than L. innocua. It is known that Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes show growth difference during LEB, resulting in the risk of false-negative results. The inhibition of L. monocytogenes by L. innocua was always observed when present at lower concentrations. However, it was confirmed that L. innocua suppressed when L. monocytogenes was present at a higher concentration. Therefore if a mixture of Listeria spp. is present, detecting L. monocytogenes is difficult. Thus, a new enrichment broth to improve the detection rate of L. monocytogenes is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on ${\beta}$-endorphine (${\beta}$-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of ${\beta}$-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ${\pm}$ the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were $24.26{\pm}5.29$ and $29.06{\pm}3.26$ minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum ${\beta}$-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status ($Mean{\pm}SD$: $122.07{\pm}28.56{\mu}g/ml$ and $246.55{\pm}29.57{\mu}g/ml$ in the control group versus $90.12{\pm}20.91{\mu}g/ml$ and $179.80{\pm}28.57{\mu}g/ml$ in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of ${\beta}$-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the ${\beta}$-END level in both groups but the average increase in ${\beta}$-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2000

Objective: Zona pellucida (ZP) has been thought to be the barrier of egg to sperm penetration before and after fertilization. The phenomenon of ZP hardening has been considered as a post-fertilization event until now, and it is generally accepted that it is caused by the secretory products of cortical granules released during the cortical reaction. Hardening of ZP could occur "spontaneously" in mammalian oocytes in standard culture conditions, and that it is probably not a consequence of cortical reaction. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of human amniotic fluid (HAF) on nuclear maturation (NM) and fertilization ability of mouse immature oocytes. Methods: HAF was obtained from patients undergoing amniocentesis at $16{\sim}20$ weeks of gestation. HAF from five to ten patients was centrifuged and the supernatants was pooled. Cumulusenclosed mouse immature oocytes were incubated in the medium containing HAF, and examined to confirm NM and fertilization. Female ICR mice (about 3 weeks old) were stimulated with 7.5 IU PMSG. Immature oocytes were isolated at $48{\sim}52$ hrs post PMSG injection and cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 20% HAF for 18 hrs. FBS was used as a control for the examination. Matured oocytes (MII) were fertilized with sperms collected from the epididymis of male mice (over 10 weeks old). Fertilization was in conducted T6 medium containing 15 mg/ml BSA, and confirmed at 6 hrs post-insemination. Fertilization rate was assessed in zona-intact or zona-free oocytes (denuded by trypsin). Evaluation of NM and fertilization was carried out by rapid staining method. ZP hardening was evaluated by incubating cumulus cell-free mature oocytes in 0.001% chymotrypsin at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. Results: There was no significant difference between the effects of HAF (86.6%) and FBS (87.7%) supplements on NM of immature oocytes. When maturation medium was supplemented with HAF, total fertilization rates (7%) were significantly lower (p<0.01) than that of FBS (85.1%). In HAF group, fertilization rate was increased (p<0.01) in zona-free oocytes (7% versus 100%). The resistance of mouse oocyte ZP to digestion by chymotrypsin after maturation in vitro was significantly higher (p<0.01) in HAF group (86.7%) than in FBS (6.7%). To culture oocytes in FBS were very effective in preventing ZP hardening. However cultured oocytes in HAF showed high rate of ZP hardening (p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that HAF can be used as a supplement for the NM of mouse immature oocytes in vitro. However, HAF induces spontaneous hardening of ZP of mouse immaure oocytes during maturation in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.315-328
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to analyze the problems arising from the actual conditions of the Foodbank, and to implement the HACCP system as a solution in terms of increasing the safety of donated food within the Foodbank. In order to apply HACCP system, the entire Foodbank working process such as preparation, collection, transportation, division, and distribution was considered and analyzed to decide the application point for CCPs. Donated foods mainly consisted of processed foods, raw materials, lunch boxes, and cooked foods from mass catering establishments, which dominated over the others in terms of quantity. Cooked foods were divided into three groups based on menu-types and processing methods. Temperature, pH, and aw were measured on cooked foods, and Total Plate Count, Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7 were conducted in order to apply a HACCP plan. From these experiments, temperature, pH, and $a_w$ of donated food were likely contributed to microbial growth. Donated foods before HACCP implementation showed high numbers in terms of total plate count and Coliforms, both well over the acceptable standard levels. By setting the CCPs on maintenance of donated food below $10^{\circ}C$ and using a $75^{\circ}C$ reheating method, microbiological hazard levels were able to be controlled and lowered. From these results, it is concluded that in order to guarantee food safety, foods donated to the Foodbank must not only maintain a reasonable level of initial microbiological growth, but also must be handled properly through time and temperature controls within the Foodbank system. Furthermore, in terms of implementing the HACCP plan within the Foodbank management structure, basic food safety and sanitation measures, such as reheating facilities and various cold chain systems such as refrigerated vehicle for food transportation are importantly needed. The training and education of Foodbank personnel and management in areas such as awareness of hygiene and safe food handling and practice are also required and necessary.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Origin authenticity of the animals used as food has always been a major concern to consumers around the world. In the past twenty years, a stable isotope ratio has been used for origin authentication. In this study, pork samples, both local and imported, were collected from the major markets from all around South Korea and analyzed for stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (${\delta}^{15}N$‰) and carbon (${\delta}^{13}C$‰), using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IR-MS). A total of 599 samples with 335 Korean and 264 imported from 13 countries within America and Europe were investigated in accordance to the standard established methods for isotope ratio analysis. The results showed a significant variation related to the origin of the samples, explaining the difference in the feeding styles of the pork in each country. The stable isotope ratio values of carbon (${\delta}^{13}C$‰) were found in the decreasing order of: America ($-15.55{\pm}1.01$‰)>Korea ($-19.62{\pm}0.89$‰)>Europe ($-24.79{\pm}1.35$‰). Canada was having ${\delta}^{13}C$ ratio of $-22.87{\pm}0.92$‰, which is very low in the region of America and very close to Europe (-23.78 to -27.17‰). For nitrogen ${\delta}^{15}N$‰ the order was: America ($4.92{\pm}0.71$‰)>Europe ($4.54{\pm}0.66$‰)>Korea ($3.69{\pm}0.54$‰), with a slight variation among countries in each region studied. From the results it was concluded that the stable isotope ratio of the pork samples from different countries provide enough information about the origin and is therefore a potential tool which can be employed for origin authentication.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.247-255
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• 2019

This study was conducted to explore the correlation between the personality types and learning styles and academic achievement in first year nursing students. 144 students were sampled in first year nursing sstudents. Data were collected from March 6 to May 18 2018. Results analysis was performed using SPSS win version of frequency, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation. The personality types of nursing students in this study were 58.3% of Extrovert type, 41.7% of Introvert type, 33.3% of Sensing, 66.7% of Intuition type, 22.2% of Thinking, 77.8% of Feeling, 50.7% of Judging type, and 49.3% of Perceiving type. The average academic achievement of female students was 3.51 points, higher than the average of 3.17 for male students (t=-3.277, p<.001). The average academic achievement of Introvert type was found to be higher than the average of Extrovert type (t=3.541, p<.001). Learning styles by personality type showed a statistically significant difference between the judging type and the other personality types (${\chi}^2=18.409$, p<.001). There was a significant amount of correlation between gender and TF index (r=.209, p<.05), gender and academic achievement (r=.265, p<.01), JP index and learning styles (r=.262, p<.01, EI index and academic achievement (r=.285, p<.01). The development and utilization of teaching-learning methods suitable for individuals will be required based on the results of personality types, learning styles and academic achievement in first year nursing students identified through this study.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.244-260
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• 2024

Purpose: With the 2021 revision of dietary guidelines in Korean emphasizing environmentally sustainable dietary practices, this study attempted to develop an evaluation tool to comprehensively evaluate the degree of practice and compliance with food and nutrient intake, dietary habits, and dietary culture guidelines based on the revised dietary guidelines. Methods: The candidate evaluation items were collected by reviewing 934 literature reviews on domestic and foreign dietary evaluations. Fifty-nine candidate items were derived by selecting the items corresponding to dietary guidelines. The content validity ratio (CVR) cutoff point evaluation was conducted with 11 experts to delete 11 items that did not meet the CVR standard. Fifty-five pilot survey candidate items were selected through revision and additional process according to expert opinion. Seventy final candidate items were selected by adding 15 questions for validity verification and reference. A pilot survey was conducted online and offline on 332 adults aged 19-64 in Seoul and the metropolitan area, and exploratory factor analysis was used to verify the construct validity of the evaluation items. Through exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett's sphericity test, variance explained, and Cronbach's alpha criteria were confirmed in each process. Results: Exploratory factor analyses derived three criteria: food and nutrient intakes (11 items), eating behaviors (9 items), and dietary culture (14 items), consisting of 34 evaluation items. Conclusion: The present scale was validated and can be used for comprehensive evaluations of the dietary guidelines for Korean adults in a simple way.