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For this study, an automatic control system has been developed by using a neural network and internet-based remote monitoring system for efficient operation of plants that have a serious variance of influent loading and have difficulties in appropriate maintenance, just like small wastewater treatment plants in Korea. In the control algorithm, ORP was used as the main sensor for control. At the point where the ORP value was judged to reach the "nitrate knee" of denitrification and phosphorus release, ORP indicated the state of lower saturation read by the neural network and then changed the operating condition from the reduction state to the oxidation state. For example, if ORP indicates the state of higher saturation at the point of "nitrogen breakpoint" or "ammonia valley" of nitrification, the neural network reads it and cuts off the oxygen supply and mixing. The dORP data have been used as one of the main input for the neural network. After the operation of lab-scale cyclic aeration process using an automatic control system, it has been found that regardless of loading variance, more than 95% of organic matters and more than 60% of nitrogen and phosphorus have been removed. Assuming that an internet-connected computer and a basic web browser are available, this study has developed a remote monitoring system that can monitor the operating status of small plants or any troubles with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case-control study was performed to assess the potential influence of CYP19 Arg(264)Cys and CYP1B1 Leu(432)Val polymorphisms on breast cancer risk in a series of Korean breast cancer patients and controls. The results suggest that the CYP19 Arg(264)Cys polymorphism modifies breast cancer risk (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.1-2.2), especially in association with alcohol consumption (P for interaction=0.04), whereas the CYP1B1 Leu(432)Val polymorphism appears to play no role here. [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]

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme involved in folate metabolism, DNA methylation and synthesis. We investigated the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and the risks of acute and chronic leukaemias. MTHFR C677T and A1298C were genotyped in 396 Korean individuals using multiplex polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment-length polymorphism. They were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, n = 89), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, n = 55), biphenotypic acute leukaemia ( n = 12), chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML, n = 40), and normal controls ( n = 200). C677T genotypes were not associated with the risk of each disease. A1298C variants, however, significantly decreased the risks of ALL and CML compared with 1298AA. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 1298AC and 1298AC + CC were 0.53 (0.31–0.93) and 0.54 (0.31–0.93) in ALL, and 0.34 (0.14–0.80) and 0.40 (0.18–0.89) in CML, respectively, compared with 1298AA. These findings demonstrate that the development of ALL and CML is more dependent on folate status, and more susceptible to DNA instability than that of AML. In addition, A1298C rather than C677T may be a more important genetic risk modifier in leukaemogenesis at least in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) have increased in Western countries. However, there are limited data regarding the epidemiology of CDI in Eastern countries. This nationwide study was conducted in 17 hospitals to determine temporal trends in CDI incidence (from 2004 to 2008) in South Korea. The total incidence of CDI in Korea was 1·7 cases/1000 adult admissions in 2004, and 2·7/1000 cases in 2008 (P = 0·028). When analysing the clinical features of 1367 CDI patients diagnosed in 2008, oral metronidazole was effective as a first-line treatment for CDI (61·9%). Relapse rate was 8·9% and complicated CDI was only observed in 3·6%. The incidence of CDI increased significantly in Korea from 2004 to 2008. Although the clinical features were milder than in Western countries, the increasing burden of CDI needs ongoing surveillance systems.

Objective: Translation and transcultural adaptation of the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS LK 2.0) into Korean language was performed, followed by test of psychometric properties., Design: A Korean version of the HOOS was produced according to internationally recommended guidelines, which included forward translation, reconciliation, back translation, harmonization, cognitive debriefing and proof reading. The psychometric properties including reliability and validity were evaluated. The reliability, including the internal consistency and test-retest reliability, was then evaluated in a hip osteoarthritis population (OA group, n=75). The validity, including the convergent validity was assessed comparing HOOS with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) scale. Responsiveness was evaluated in a population scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA group, n=35)., Results: All subscales of the HOOS showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha>0.7) without floor and ceiling effects. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) spanned from 0.78 to 0.93. In terms of convergent validity, Activity of Daily Living (ADL) subscale showed the strongest correlations with Physical Function (PF) (r=0.801) and Bodily Pain (BP) (r=0.810) in the subscales of SF-36. For responsiveness, all HOOS subscale scores improved significantly (P<0.05) postoperatively., Conclusions: The Korean version of HOOS showed satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and responsiveness. This study shows that the HOOS questionnaire developed in West is, with transcultural adaptation, relevant for use among patients in East Asia., (Copyright © 2011 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In order to assess the capacity of neurological patients to process syntactic features unique to Korean, such as the heavy dependence of parsing on syntactic morphemes rather than the word order in a sentence, the Korean Syntactic Comprehension Test (KSCT) was newly developed. To examine the correlation between lesion locations and the test performance, we did voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis in a group of 39 patients with ischemic stroke. As a result, KSCT scores of the aphasic patients were significantly lower than those of 18 normal subjects. Within the patient group, VLSM analysis showed significant association between lower KSCT performance and the lesions mainly located in left perisylvian area and anterior temporal lobe. The KSCT results were also closely correlated with the results of two subtests in the Korean version-the Western Aphasia Battery. We conclude therefore that brain localization of syntactic comprehension in Korean native speakers is similar to that in other language speakers, despite the unique features of the Korean syntax, and that the KSCT will be of diagnostic value in assessing left fronto-temporal functions in Korean patients.

Seven isolates of cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli with an inducible phenotype were detected between November 2002 and July 2003 in a Korean hospital. Conjugations were tested by the filter mating method using azide-resistant E. coli J53 as the recipient. All isolates and their transconjugants were tested for broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentrations, isoelectric focusing (IEF), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SHV, TEM, CTX-M and DHA-derived beta-lactamases, and DNA sequencing. XbaI-digested genomic DNA bands of the seven isolates were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). IEF, PCR and sequence analysis revealed that all isolates possessed a blaTEM-1-like and a blaDHA-1 gene. Two isolates also carried the blaCTX-M-14 gene. Transfer of the resistance by conjugation experiments of all seven isolates was successful, suggesting that the blaDHA-1-containing plasmids in the E. coli isolates were self-transmissible. The isolates were recovered from patients in wards or an intensive care unit, all of which had been exposed to beta-lactams before isolation of the DHA-1 producers. Five patterns among the seven isolates were demonstrated by PFGE; sporadic infections with E. coli possessing an inducible beta-lactam resistance phenotype were found. DHA-1 encoded by conjugative plasmids conferred the resistance phenotype. The spread of the DHA-1 producers was due to both clonal spread and horizontal transfer of the resistance gene.

To evaluate the effects of genetic polymorphisms of OPG, RANK, and ESR1, which regulate osteoclastogenesis, on bone mineral density (BMD), a cross-sectional study was conducted in 650 Korean postmenopausal women. BMDs of the distal radius and the calcaneus were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Genetic polymorphisms of OPG 163 A > G, 1181 G > C; RANK 421 C > T, 575 T > C; and ESR1 1335 C > T, 2142 G > A were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry. The differences between the BMDs of the genotypes of OPG, RANK, and ESR1 were analyzed by multiple linear regression model adjusted for age and body mass index. Women with the OPG 1181 CC genotype had higher BMDs at the distal radius (7%) and calcaneus (10%) than those with the GG genotype; and these differences were statistically significant (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). A significant association was also observed between RANK 575 T > C and calcaneus BMD (P for trend = 0.017). No significant association was observed between BMDs and the polymorphisms of ESR1. The association between OPG 1181 G > C and BMD was profound in subjects with the RANK 575 TT or ESR1 2142 GG genotypes; women with OPG 1181 CC had higher BMDs at the distal radius (11%) and calcaneus (11%) than those with OPG 1181 GG only in women with RANK 575 TT genotype (P = 0.002 and P = 0.021, respectively). These results suggest that OPG genetic polymorphisms, especially with the RANK 575 TT or ESR1 2142 GG genotypes, are related to low BMD in postmenopausal Korean women.

To establish the clinical relevance of the changes in the complement system in patients with thermal injury, we studied 20 patients who had third-degree burns on more than 60% of total body surface area. Their levels of the C3, C4, soluble C5b-9, and functional hemolytic activities of total (CH50) and alternative (AH50) complement pathways were sequentially measured for 2 weeks after thermal injury. All patients showed low C3 levels initially but increased C3 levels in the following days. The increasing trend of C3 levels was prominent in survivors but transient and diminished in nonsurvivors. The change of levels of C3, CH50, and AH50 was closely associated with one another, and their chronological trends related to the survival of patients (P =.0060,.0064 and.0066, respectively). The recovery of C3, AH50, and CH50 to normal or supranormal level during the early treatment period relates to the survival of patients with thermal injury. The failure of recovery of the complement system indicates a poor prognosis for patients and the monitoring of complement system might be beneficial in the care of patients with thermal injury.

The relationship between cerebrovascular disease and an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is still being debated. The frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene was significantly higher in subjects with than those without cerebral infarction in Japan. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between ACE gene polymorphism and the development of cerebral infarction in a population from Korea. We examined its possible role as a risk factor in patients with cerebral infarction. The association between ACE gene polymorphism and cerebral infarction was examined in 106 patients with cerebral infarction and 498 controls without cerebral infarction. Frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of the ACE gene were investigated. The ACE genotype was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequency of D allele was 37.7% in patients and 39.1% in controls (chi2 = 0.128, p = 0.720). The frequencies of the genotypes of the ACE gene were II: 39.6%, ID: 45.3%, and DD: 15.1% in patients, and II: 37.1%, ID: 47.6%, and DD: 15.3% in controls (chi2 = 0.127, p = 0.721). There was no significant difference in the frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene, and we did not find any association between ACE polymorphism and cerebral infarction. These results indicate that ACE polymorphism is not a risk factor for the development of cerebral infarction in a Korean population.

The S protein of hepatitis B virus is the principal component of virus envelope and the primary target of anti-HBs response. Mutants or variants that escape neutralization by anti-HBs have been selected during immunoprophylaxis of HBV after birth and liver transplantation. We investigated a case of a Korean child who was vaccinated at birth against hepatitis B and also given hepatitis B immunoglobulin, but nevertheless later became infected with the virus. Hepatitis B virus-specific deoxyribonucleic acid covering the region of genome encoding the predominant "a" determinant of hepatitis surface antigen was amplified using polymerase chain reaction, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. We present for the first time in Korea the independent emergence of an escape mutant with substitution of arginine for glycine at amino acid 145 and proline for glutamate at amino acid 120 in "a" determinant after immunization.

The risk of infection in burns is well-known. In recent decades, the antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from burn patients has increased. For this reason, we have carried out a study of the predominant bacterial profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates from a burn center in Korea. A retrospective study was undertaken at Hallym University, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital to examine the bacterial isolates from the burn patients and to compare the antibiograms of the predominant bacteria isolated from these patients with those of the other wards over a period of 3 years. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common (n=2997, 45.7%) isolate from the burn patients followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n=21261, 19.2%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (n=878, 13.4%). These bacteria, isolated from the burn patients, were almost all higher in antimicrobial resistance rate than those in the non-burn patients (P<0.05). Because these bacteria showed very high resistant rates, they must be avoided in order to control a hospital-acquired infection. Our results seem helpful in providing useful guidelines for choosing effective empiric antimicrobial therapy against bacteria isolated from the burn patients in Korea.

Objectives: To establish a system of analytical methodology that can be used to evaluate an occupational health service system, to evaluate the performance of different types of the system in small- and medium-sized industries using the evaluation model, and to identify factors which influence the performance of an occupational health service system., Methods: The input-output-outcome aspects of two different systems, capitation-based Group health services and fee-for-service-based Individual health services, were examined, based on a causal model. Each causal relationship in the model was tested for its statistical significance by the linear regression technique based on the ordinary least square method. Data from 16 enterprises in the Group-type, 17 enterprises in the Individual-type, and 32 enterprises in the Transitional Group-type were used in the analyses., Results: In the Group model, enterprises utilized fewer resources for occupational services, their workers were provided with more services when services such as medical examinations were supplied directly by the system, and they had worse outcome measures of health and industrial injuries. The latter was the result of less input and fewer services, the supply of which was not within the direct control of the system, such as compliance with the recommendation to install machine safety devices and the proper maintenance and operation of these devices., Conclusions: Although study results revealed problem areas in the performance of the Group system, the study found a potential for an effective and efficient system in the Group-type with efforts geared to the better follow-up of work environment problems.

Blood samples were collected from factory workers (with no occupational exposure to metals including cadmium) in Masan (167 subjects), Korea, in 1986, and Miyagi prefecture (270 subjects) Japan, in 1987. The samples were analyzed for cadmium in a single laboratory by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry under strict quality control. The effect of aging was detected in Masan and possibly also in Miyagi. The effect of smoking was evident among male smokers in Miyagi. Comparison with findings in a sister study on blood cadmium levels in China (taking the effects of smoking and aging into account) showed regional differences: the levels were lower in China, higher in Korea and probably highest in Japan. The smoking-associated increase in blood cadmium level per cigarette was 2-3 times higher in China than in Japan. The blood cadmium levels in the study regions appeared to be associated with the cadmium content of local rice as well as with local rice-eating habits.

One hundred and sixty five Korean women in a shoe factory in Masan, Korea were evaluated on hepatitis B virus infection by solid-phase radioimmunoassay in 1986. The participants were women of child-bearing ages, mostly in 20's and 30's. About two thirds (105/165) of the subjects had serological evidence of past or present hepatitis B virus infection, and 17% (28/165) were HBsAg-positive. In view of possible risk of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus, further epidemiological study was considered necessary to establish preventive measures.