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The article cites a study on detection of water pollutant at a river near a textile industrial complex in Korea. It states that detection of unregulated chemicals in the public waterways is a prime concern of environmental scientists and government authorities charged with preventing unexpected impact on human health and ecosystem by emerging chemical contaminants in the environment. Recent field surveys conducted in Kumho River, a tributary river of Nakdong River, by the laboratory of the authors showed consistent and apparently positive signals in the Ames mutagenicity test.

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 655-660 Objective: To compare the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-free and SLS-containing dentifrice in patient with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Materials and methods: The design of this study was a double-blind crossover trial. The 90 subjects were divided into three groups: group I used SLS-free (a commercially available SLS-free dentifrice) and SLS-A (SLS-free + 1.5% SLS), group II used SLS-A and SLS-B (a commercially available 1.5% SLS-containing dentifrice), and group III used SLS-free and SLS-B. The subjects used one of the two assigned dentifrices for 8 weeks and then the other for the following 8 weeks. The order of the dentifrices used was selected at random, and there was a 2-week washout period between the two phases. The clinical parameters (number of ulcers, number of episodes, duration of ulcers, mean pain score) were compared between the two phases for each group. Results: The number of ulcers and episodes did not differ significantly between SLS-A, SLS-B, and SLS-free. Only duration of ulcers and mean pain score was significantly decreased during the period using SLS-free. Conclusion: Although SLS-free did not reduce the number of ulcers and episodes, it affected the ulcer-healing process and reduces pain in daily lives in patients with RAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The aim of this study was to determine whether resonance frequency analysis can be integrated into the routine clinical evaluation of the initial healing of dental implants. In addition, this study was designed to verify whether there was a correlation between implant stability quotient (ISQ) values, maximum insertion torque values, angular momentum and energy, and to evaluate the importance of different clinical factors in the determination of ISQ values and maximum insertion torque values at implant insertion. Two different implant designs of 81 dental implants in 41 patients were evaluated using ISQ values. Maximum insertion torque values were obtained during the placement procedure. Two new methods were used to calculate the angular momentum developed due to implant installation as well as the energy absorbed by the bone. A linear correlation between ISQ values and maximum insertion torque values at the initial implant surgery was found ( P < 0·01). There was a correlation between ISQ values and angular momentum ( P < 0·05), although ISQ values and energy did not show a significant linear correlation at the initial surgery ( P > 0·05). There was a correlation between maximum insertion torque values, each part's angular momentum, and their energies during installation ( P < 0·01). The sequence of the variables that influenced ISQ values was implant location, design, diameter, and gender of the patient. The results of this experiment suggest that both ISQ values and new methods to calculate angular momentum and energy can help to predict implant stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck hepatitis was first reported in 1985 in Korea. The complete nucleotide sequence of two past Korean isolates, DHV-HS and DHV-HSS, isolated in 1994 and 1995, and four recent Korean isolates, AP-03337, AP-04009, AP-04114 and AP-04203 isolated in 2003 and 2004, were determined. Phylogenetic analysis using the 3D protein sequence confirmed that the previously characterized duck hepatitis virus type 1 strains and the six Korean isolates described here constitute a monophyletic group and form two clades/genotypes in which all except the four recent Korean isolates form one group (A) and the recent Korean isolates of 2003 and 2004 constitute a second group (B). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 protein supported the division into two different groups. Antisera raised against viruses of group A showed significant neutralizing cross-reaction against a member of the same genotype but not to a strain of group B and vice versa. These results demonstrated that the two genotypes also could be regarded as two different serotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival rate of Korean H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses was inves- tigated at different temperatures under the laboratory conditions. The estimated survival days for a starting viral concentration of 106.5 50% egg infectious dose/0.1 mL were 930, 1,042, and 3,213 d at 4°C; 226, 232, and 293 d at 20°C; and 51, 55, and 58 d at 30°C for A/ chicken/Korea/ES/03, A/chicken/Korea/IS /06, and A/chicken/Korea/Cimje/08 (Gimje/08) viruses, re- spectively. The stability of the Gimje/08 virus was sta- tistically significant compared with the other 2 viruses except for the data between Gimje/08 and A/chicken/ Korea/IS/06 virus at 30°C. This result indicated that the survival rate of 3 Korean HPAJ viruses is different at various temperatures, which might have partially in- fluenced the large scale of HPAI outbreak in Korea in 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The current study investigated the antidiabetic effect of chungkukjang, a widely used traditional Korean soybean fermentation food, in a type 2 diabetic animal model, C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. After a 2-week acclimation period, the db/db mice (male, 5 weeks old) were divided into three groups: diabetic control (AIN-76 diet), chungkukjang (5 g/100 g of diet), and rosiglitazone (0.005 g/100 g of diet). The supplementation of chungkukjang induced a significant reduction of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin level, and it improved insulin tolerance compared to the diabetic control group. Plasma and pancreatic insulin levels of the chungkukjang-supplemented group were significantly higher than those of the diabetic control mice, and the plasma glucagon level was also significantly different. The supplementation of chungkukjang and rosiglitazone significantly elevated hepatic glucokinase activity with a simultaneous reduction of glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in the db/db mice compared to the diabetic control mice. In addition, the chungkukjang-supplemented group had an increased hepatic glycogen content compared to the diabetic control and rosiglitazone-supplemented groups. Consequently, these results suggest that chungkukjang may be beneficial in improving insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic animals that are partly medicated by the regulation of hepatic glucose enzymes and insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella serotypes isolated from 7 chicken meat brands produced by different integrated broiler operations in Korea were determined. In total, 210 samples were collected from retail supermarkets in Seoul, South Korea, and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella. Of 210 chicken meat samples, overall Salmonella prevalence was 22.4%. Salmonella Enteritidis was the dominant serovar, with an isolation rate of 57.4% from the Salmonellapositive chickens, followed by Salmonella Montevideo. Salmonella isolates frequently were resistant to various antibiotics, including 100% to erythromycin, 87% to cephalothin, 85% to nalidixic acid, and 70% to streptomycin. Of the 47 isolates, 41 (87.2%) isolates were resistant to 3 or more antibiotics. Moreover, the Salmonella profiles of each chicken meat brand were different by broiler operation. Brand A showed the highest prevalence of Salmonella (18 isolates, 60%), whereas brand G showed the lowest prevalence (one isolate, 3.3%). Eight among the 18 isolates of brand A were resistant to 11 antibiotics, whereas 5 of the 6 brand C isolates were resistant to only 2 antibiotics. This study demonstrates that a high proportion of chicken meat in Korea is contaminated with Salmonella and the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella of chicken meat differ significantly according to the integrated broiler operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to monitor wild birds based on the concern that they could disseminate avian influenza virus (AIV) between Mongolia and Korea, which shares the same migratory flyway. Of 1,528 fecal samples analyzed, 21 low-pathogenic AIV were isolated from 2007 to 2009. Nineteen AIV-positive fecal samples were identified as Anseriformes by DNA bar coding. The most frequently isolated subtype was H3 (61.9%), and the most prevalent hemagglutinin/neuraminidase combination was H3N8 (52.4%). Phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess their genetic relationships with those of domestic poultry and wild birds in Korea. The H3 and H7 surface genes belonged to the Eurasian lineage and clustered together in a group with Korean wild birds and poultry. Most N8 genes clustered phylogenetically with viruses isolated in Eurasia, whereas 1 of the Mongolian viruses and some Korean viruses belonged to the North American lineage. The polymerase acidic protein of the internal gene was not distinguishable from the H5N1 highly pathogenic AIV of the goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (Gs/Gd)-like virus. Our study suggests that Mongolian AIV isolates have evolved with genetically multiple genotypes and are closely related to those of AIV in poultry as well as in wild birds in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports on layer chickens with colibacillosis in 2 commercial egg-producing farms (referred to as farm A and farm B, which were managed by the same owner and were about 1 km apart) in the middle region of the Korean peninsula. The 2 flocks were infected at the initiation of egg laying. They were characterized by no previous clinical signs but sudden mortality (2.7-4.0%), with severe lesions of septicemia and fibrinous polyserositis. Escherichia coli was isolated from the lesions of the infected birds. Serotyping tests identified isolates that belonged to somatic groups O1 (12/17), O46 (2/17), O78 (1/17), and O84 (1/17) or that were unidentified (1/17). Thirteen of 17 E. coli isolates (76.4%) obtained from 11 birds in the 2 flocks showed similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns that were arbitrarily designated as pattern A. The isolates had high frequencies of putative virulence genes including 100% [fimC (type 1 fimbriae), iucD (aerobactin synthesis), and iss (increased serum survival)], 94.1% [cva/cvi (structural genes of colicin V operon) and vat (vacuolating autotransporter toxin)], 88.2% [irp2, iron-repressible protein (yersinia bactin) synthesis, and fyuA, ferric yersinia uptake], and 82.3% [tsh (temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin)]; astA (encoding a heat-stable cytotoxin associated with enteroaggregative E. coli) was not associated with the enteric disorder. These data suggest that all chickens with colibacillosis on farms A and B were likely infected by E. coli strains that are highly pathogenic in avian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) has been associated with morbidity and mortality in broiler chickens worldwide. The present study described purulent arthritis of broilers infected with Salmonella Enteritidis and investigated antibiograms and genetic characteristics of Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from epidemiologically related properties such as a hatchery and breeder farm in an attempt to elucidate the source of contamination. Clinical disease and mortality were observed in the affected broiler flock. Mortality was 5.8% until 12 d of age. The birds typically showed lameness with moderately swollen hock joints and footpads. The most prevalent lesions were severely purulent arthritis with polyserositis. Histopathology revealed moderate to severe inflammation in the synovial membrane of leg joints and visceral organs. When the antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed against 7 isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis from broilers, and relevant hatchery and breeder farms by the disk diffusion method using 18 antimicrobial agents, isolates from broiler and breeder farms had the same antibiogram characterized by multiple drug resistance to ampicillin, ceftiofur, cephalothin, gentamycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline, whereas isolates from the hatchery were differently resistant to only nalidixic acid. Through the genetic analysis with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using the restriction enzyme XbaI, Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from both broiler and breeder farms also showed the same PFGE pattern compared with the hatchery isolates resistant to nalidixic acid. As a result, the same PFGE profiles and antibiograrn patterns among isolates from broilers and breeder farms provided direct evidence of vertical Salmonella Enteritidis transmission from the contaminated breeder farm to commercial broiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korean wild magpies (Pica pica sericea) were intranasally inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (A/Chicken/Korea/ES/03 virus) (H5N1), which was classified as dade 2.5. We estimated viral replication, death after infection, and histology and immunohistochemistry. This species was highly susceptible to severe infection; 100% of birds died within 5 to 8 d. The virus was detected from oropharyngeal (1 to 5 d postinfection) and cloacal (3 to 5 d postinfection) swabs from infected magpies. At necropsy, the prominent lesions were coalescing necrosis of the pancreas with enlargement of livers and spleens. Microscopically, pancreas, brain, heart, adrenal gland, and kidney were most consistently affected with necrotic and inflammatory changes, and viral antigen was frequently demonstrated in the parenchyma of these organs. As a result, Korean wild magpies were very susceptible to avian influenza (H5N1) virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum (Salmonella Gallinarum) is the causative agent of fowl typhoid (FT), a severe systemic disease of chickens that results in high mortality. Since 1992, FT has become one of the most serious bacterial diseases in poultry in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of FT during 2000 to 2008 and characterize the phenotype and genetic diversity of Salmonella Gallinarum isolates before and after adopting nationalwide vaccination with a live attenuated strain (SG 9R) in 2001. For 9 yr, a total of 983 farms were affected with FT outbreaks, and after reaching a peak in 2002 (206 farms affected), the prevalence of the disease gradually declined, whereas magnitude sales of the vaccine increased every year. According to the analysis based on the chicken breeds (n = 521 farms), the incidence of FT in commercial broilers, Baeksemi (a mixed breed of male meat-type breeder and female commercial layer), commercial layers, native chickens, and broiler breeders was 47.7, 28.4, 17.2, 5.1, and 1.3%, respectively. Of the affected broilers, over 90% birds were under 2 wk of age, indicating it was possible that they were infected with Salmonella Gallinarum via vertical transmission. In the phenotypic analysis, Salmonella Gallinarum strains (n = 142) isolated during 2001 to 2007 showed the same pattern in the majority of the biochemical tests such as carbohydrate fermentation and amino acid decarboxylation. Interestingly, all of the strains could not ferment rhamnose, but SG 9R could, making rhamnose a potential biomarker to distinguish the vaccine strain. In analyzing the genetic diversity by the pulsed field gel electrophoresis method with XbaI digestion, we examined a total 68 isolates of Salmonella Gallinarum obtained in 5 provinces in Korea (2001 to 2007). The pulsed field gel electrophoresis profiling produced 7 different patterns, but isolates within the same group did not show clear geographic or breed relationships. In conclusion, there were close epidemiological linkages between prevalence of FT and the sales volume of the live FT vaccine in Korea. In addition, a low phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity was observed among Korean Salmonella Gallinarum isolates and the live vaccine strain (SG 9R). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The preventable trauma death rate survey is a basic tool for the quality management of trauma treatment because it is a method that can intuitively evaluate the level of national trauma treatment. We conducted this study as a national biennial follow-up survey project and report the results of the review of the 2019 trauma death data in Korea., Methods: From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, of a total of 8,482 trauma deaths throughout the country, 1,692 were sampled from 279 emergency medical institutions in Korea. All cases were evaluated for preventability of death and opportunities for improvement using a multidisciplinary panel review approach., Results: The preventable trauma death rate was estimated to be 15.7%. Of these, 3.1% were judged definitive preventable deaths, and 12.7% were potentially preventable deaths. The odds ratio for preventable traumatic death was 2.56 times higher in transferred patients compared to that of patients who visited the final hospital directly. The group that died 1 hour after the accident had a statistically significantly higher probability of preventable death than that of the group that died within 1 hour after the accident., Conclusion: The preventable trauma death rate for trauma deaths in 2019 was 15.7%, which was 4.2%p lower than that in 2017. To improve the quality of trauma treatment, the transfer of severe trauma patients to trauma centers should be more focused., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2022 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)

A motile, curved to twisted rod-shaped aerobic bacterium, designated strain 04SU4-P(T), was isolated from freshwater collected from the Woopo wetland (Republic of Korea). Cells were observed to be Gram-stain negative, catalase negative and oxidase positive. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were identified as C19:0 ω8c cyclo (24.6 %), C16:0 (24.3 %) and C18:1 ω7c (13.1 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 71.5 mol%. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown phospholipid and one unknown aminolipid. The major ubiquinone was determined to be Q-10. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 04SU4-P(T) forms an evolutionary lineage within the genus Dongia and its nearest neighbour is Dongia mobilis LM22(T) (98.0 % sequence similarity). Genomic DNA-DNA hybridization of stain 04SU4-P(T) with D. mobilis LM22(T) showed relatedness of only 34.2 %. The phenotypic characteristics indicate the strain 04SU4-P(T) can be distinguished from the sole member of the genus Dongia. On the basis of the data presented in this study, strain 04SU4-P(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Dongia rigui is proposed. The type strain is 04SU4-P(T) (KCTC 23341(T) = JCM 17521(T)).

Mites in the genus Chorioptes cause a mild form of skin disease in both domestic and wild ruminants. In July 2006, dermatitis characterized by alopecia, marked lichenification, accumulation of crust, and fissuring was recognized in 14 out of 200 Holstein dairy cattle raised in the cattle farm of the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. Skin lesions were distributed mainly over the tail base, and sacral and perineal regions. Microscopic examinations of skin scraping samples from severely affected areas revealed numerous mites of all developmental stages. Morphologically, pedicels of the mites were short and unjointed. The tarsal suckers occurred on the pedicels of all the legs in the male worm and on the first, second, and fourth pair of legs in the adult female worm. A single long seta at the tarsus of legs III and the length of legs II being about twice as long as legs IV in adult male mites were observed. Arising anterior to the inner-most spatulate seta was a short seta with an average of 26.4 +/- 5.8 microm in length. Also, the length of setae #4 on the opisthosomal lobes was relatively short. Based on these observations, the mites were identified as Choriptes texanus. Although the chorioptic mange may not influence the mortality rate in the affected farm, reports indicate that a decline in milk production can be observed. This is the first report of chorioptic infestation in a cattle farm from Korea.

To understand patients' perceptions of clinical trials (CTs) is the principal step in the enrollment of patients to CTs. However, these perceptions in eastern countries are very rare. From 12 February 2007 to 13 April 2007, we consecutively distributed the questionnaire to 842 cancer patients who initiated a first cycle of chemotherapy regardless of each treatment step in the Seoul National University Hospital. Younger age, higher educational degree, higher economic status, and possession of private cancer insurance were related with significantly higher awareness of CTs (P=0.001, P=0.006, P=0.002, and P=0.009, respectively). However, unlike awareness, perceptions on benefits of CTs were not changed according to age, educational degree, and economic status (P=0.709, P=0.920, and P=0.847, respectively). Willingness was also not changed according to age, educational degree, economic status, and private cancer insurance (P=0.381, P=0.775, P=0.887, and P=0.392, respectively). Instead, males and heavily treated patients had more positive perceptions on benefits (P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively) and more willingness to participate in CTs (OR=1.17, 1.14-2.75: OR=1.59, 1.01-2.51, respectively). In summary, cancer patients' awareness of CTs, perceptions on the benefit in CTs, and willingness to participate are differently influenced by diverse medical and social conditions. This information would be very helpful for investigators to properly conduct CTs in eastern cancer patients.

Surveillance is an important component of influenza control. This report describes the establishment and first results of the Korean Influenza Surveillance Scheme (KISS), an integrated clinical and laboratory surveillance network involving 622 public health centres (PHCs) and private clinics. Sentinel physicians reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) weekly and forwarded specimens for virus isolation and characterization. Influenza activity during the opening 2000-2001 season was milder and delayed compared with previous years. The ILI consultation rate corresponded well with the number of influenza virus isolates, both peaking in week 10 of 2001. Influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant isolate. The peak ILI consultation rate was higher in private clinics than in PHCs (5.04 vs 1.79 cases/1000 visits). An evaluation questionnaire generated potential enhancements to the scheme. KISS appears to represent the pattern of influenza activity accurately and will have a valuable role in monitoring and preventing epidemics in Korea.

Background: The aim of the present paper was to determine the usefulness of an age-adjusted anthropometric index of body shape for the assessment of obesity in Korean children and adolescents aged 10-15 years., Methods: The population sample was composed of 556 boys and 489 girls who completed an interview survey, anthropometry, and medical examination for the Korean National Health and Nutritional Survey conducted in 1998. An age-adjusted anthropometric index, body shape index standard deviation score (BSI-SDS), was derived from waist-to-hip ratio divided by height (WHR/Ht) and its common standard deviation according to Asayama et al. (1997). Serum levels of lipids, glucose, and liver function markers were defined as abnormal if they were above the 90th percentile of the study population. Using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios of having a lipidemic, diabetic, or liver complication on increasing BSI-SDS were estimated., Results: For both boys and girls, lipidemic and liver complications had statistically significant odds ratios associated with increasing BSI-SDS. With 1 unit increase in BSI-SDS, the odds ratios of lipidemic complications were 1.5 and 1.3, respectively, for boys and girls, and the odds ratios of liver complications were 1.3 and 1.4, respectively, for boys and girls., Conclusions: A new measure developed by Asayama et al., BSI-SDS, is a useful marker of obesity in addition to body mass index among Korean children and adolescents aged 10-15 years.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely infectious, systemic viral disease of birds that produces high mortality and morbidity. HPAI was diagnosed in the three dead magpies (Pica pica sericea) submitted to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service. At necropsy, the prominent lesions were multifocal or coalescing necrosis of the pancreas with enlargement of the livers and spleens. Microscopically, there were severely necrotizing pancreatitis and lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. Influenza viral antigen was also detected in areas closely associated with histologic lesions. Avian influenza virus was isolated from cecal tonsils and feces of the magpies. The isolated virus was identified as a highly pathogenic H5N1, with hemagglutinin proteolytic cleavage site deduced amino acid sequence of QREKRKKR/GLFGAIAG. To determine the pathogenicity of the isolate, eight 6-wk-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were inoculated intravenously with the virus, and all birds died within 24 hr after inoculation. This is the first report of HPAI in magpies.

Background: Recently, amlodipine maleate was developed and tested in preclinical and Phase I clinical trials in Korea. The studies found pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics similar to those of amlodipine besylate., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of amlodipine maleate with those of amlodipine besylate in Korean patients with mild to moderate hypertension., Methods: This was a multicenter, 8-week, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, Phase III clinical trial. Eligible patients were Korean, aged 18 to 75 years, had hypertension, and were either taking antihypertensive medications or had a documented sitting diastolic blood pressure of 90 to 109 mm Hg. After a washout period of 2 weeks, patients were randomized to amlodipine maleate or amlodipine besylate for 8 weeks. In both groups, the medications were initiated at 5 mg QD. At day 29, the medication dose was increased to 10 mg QD if sitting diastolic blood pressure (SiDBP) was > or = 90 mm Hg., Results: One hundred eighteen patients were enrolled. Fifty-seven patients received amlodipine maleate (29 men, 28 women; mean [SD] age, 49.0 [11.4] years) and 61 received amlodipine besylate (35 men, 26 women; mean [SD] age, 51.6 [9.4] years). Baseline mean (SD) values for sitting systolic blood pressure and SiDBP were 152.0 (12.2) mm Hg and 98.1 (5.6) mm Hg, respectively, for the amlodipine maleate group and 153.4 (14.0) mm Hg and 98.1 (5.5) mm Hg, respectively, for the amlodipine besylate group. In this population, amlodipine maleate was not inferior to amlodipine besylate: the lower limit of the 2-sided 95% CI for the treatment difference in SiDBP was greater than -4 mm Hg. The between-group difference in SiDBP response rate (the proportion of patients who experienced adequate SiDBP reductions) did not reach statistical significance: 85.7% (42/49) for the amlodipine maleate group and 91.8% (45/49) for the amlodipine besylate group. Compliance rates were similar between groups, with mean (SD) compliance rates of 97.4% (2.8%) and 97.1% (3.6%) in the amlodipine maleate and amlodipine besylate groups, respectively. Also, there were no significant differences in the incidences of drug-related clinical and laboratory adverse events; the most common were headache, flushing, facial edema, and paresthesia., Conclusion: In this population, the efficacy and tolerability observed with amlodipine maleate were similar to those seen with amlodipine besylate.

Introduction: Living related liver transplantation (LRLT) has been performed since 1994 in Korea; more than 600 donors have contributed to our successful LRLT program for 10 years. Although the decision to donate is difficult and the donors need a formal psychosocial assessment, no system has been available to us for the assessment. This survey was performed as a presurveillance for the development of a psychosocial assessment protocol., Methods: A survey questionnaire included 31 questions on general and medical characteristics, factors, and processes related to the decision for donation. Donors of partial livers at least 6 months ago during the period from December 1994 to August 2003 and whose address could be confirmed by telephone were enrolled in the study., Results: A questionnaire was sent by mail to 441 contactable donors of whom 209 (47.4%) responded. Male-to-female ratio was 2:1 and mean age was 32.8 years (range: 16 to 60 years). The number of spousal donors was 120 (57.4%) and 164 (78.5%) donors were employed at the time of donation. Protestants, Buddhists, and Catholics were 29.2%, 19.1%, and 14.8%, respectively. Parents were the most common recipients (33.0%), followed by siblings (17.2%), extended family members (17.2%), and children (15.8%); one hundred eighty nine (90.4%) donors had decided by themselves, the major reason for donation in 192 (91.9%) donors was "to save the lives of family members and relatives." The first person who suggested donation was the donor (64.1%), followed by family members (23.9%) or the attending physicians (8.6%). Although 70.8% of donors answered that they were not hesitant to donate at the time of decision, 44.5% were uneasy at the possibility of being unable to sustain a normal life after donation, at their lack of knowledge on organ donation, and about the pain and fear of surgery. Family members and relatives (53.3%), medical personnel (46.7%), and previous donors (35.4%) were the preferable counselors compared to transplantation institutions and clergymen. The large majority (80.8%) of donors would encourage others to donate., Conclusions: Although the decision to donate was made by the donors themselves in most cases and they appeared firm and determined about their decision, a significant number of donors felt uneasy about possible complications of organ donation and effects on their lives after donation. A precise and formal psychosocial assessment protocol is needed to support and secure their decision before and after donation.

We studied the effect of mokko lactone (ML) isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa (Compositae), a plant that is used for medicinal purposes in Korea, on the induction of apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. ML was cytotoxic to HL-60 cells, and this cytotoxic effect of ML appears to be attributable to its induction of apoptotic cell death, as ML induced nuclear morphologic changes and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and increased the proportion of Annexin V-positive cells and the activity of caspase-3. Further studies revealed that the induction of apoptosis by ML was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Collectively, our results suggest that apoptosis induced by ML in HL-60 cells was executed by a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential followed by the activation of caspase-3. This is the first report on the mechanism of apoptosis-inducing effect of ML.

In a study designed to provide data on the rates of maternal carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) in Korean women, vaginal, anorectal, and urethral swab specimens from 459 pregnant women and ear canal and umbilicus swabs from their 288 neonates were cultured with new Granada medium and selective Todd-Hewitt broth. Additionally, the serotypes of 64 isolates of GBS and the minimal inhibitory concentrations of seven antimicrobial agents for these isolates were determined. The rate of colonization by GBS in pregnant women and in their babies was 5.9% (27/459) and 0.7% (2/288), respectively. The rates of resistance of GBS isolated from pregnant women were 13.3% to clindamycin, 5% to erythromycin, and 98.3% to tetracycline. The majority of GBS isolates from pregnant women belonged to serotypes Ib (48.3%), Ia (24.1%), and III (20.7%).

The interrater reliability, confidence and ease of use of ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for research were assessed in the Republic of Korea as part of the field trials of World Health Organization collaborative study. A total of 279 patients were diagnosed according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for research. Interrater reliability, calculated by kappa statistics, was found to be between 0.74 and 0.91 on 2-character categories and between 0.64 and 0.90 on 3-character categories except schizotypal disorder (F21). On the 4-character categories, the agreement in the affective states between raters was lower. The reasons are discussed based on cultural differences.