Use of field-portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analyzer to measure airborne lead levels in Korean workplaces.

We evaluated the possibility of applying field-portable x-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analysis as a rapid, on-site and near real-time method for evaluating airborne lead contamination in Korean workplaces. A total of 287 airborne lead filter samples were measured in 12 lead-using workplaces during routine industrial hygienic monitoring procedures as required by Korean government regulations. All filter samples were collected using the standard industrial hygiene sampling protocol described in NIOSH Method 7300 using closed-face 37-mm cassettes with preloaded cellulose ester membrane filters with a pore size of 0.

Endoscopic reflux esophagitis in patients with upper abdominal pain-predominant dyspepsia.

Background: Reflux symptom assessment had reliable accuracy in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, patients may recognize heartburn or regurgitation as dyspepsia because of inaccurate understanding or atypical presentation. The aim of the present study was to estimate endoscopic reflux esophagitis in patients with upper abdominal pain as a predominant symptom in the absence of heartburn or regurgitation.

An improved speech processor for cochlear implant based on active nonlinear model of biological cochlea.

The purpose of this study was to improve speech perception performance of cochlear implant (CI) under noise by a speech processing strategy based on nonlinear time-varying filter model of biological cochlea, which is beneficial in preserving spectral cues for speech perception. A dual resonance nonlinear model was applied to implement this feature. Time-frequency analysis indicated that formant information was more clearly represented at the output of CI speech processor, especially under noise.

The relationship between depressive symptoms in outpatients with chronic illness and health care costs.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and health care costs in outpatients with chronic medical illnesses in Korea, we screened for depressive symptoms in 1,118 patients with a chronic medical illness and compared the severity of somatic symptoms and health care costs.

Patients And Methods: Data were compared between outpatients with depressive symptoms and those without depressive symptoms. Depression and somatic symptoms were measured by Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-15, respectively.

Wiring efficiency of a metallizable DNA linker for site-addressable nanobioelectronic assembly.

We report the first demonstration of DNA oligonucleotide tags used to address the site-specific assembly of multiple redox enzymes onto spatially distinct regions of a nanoelectronic platform, establishing a direct electrical contact. The resulting system constitutes a multiplexed carbon nanotube-redox protein biosensor capable of detecting varying concentrations of several different substances in real time. The efficiency and robustness of the enzyme linking scheme is explored in detail, showing a high degree of preservation of enzymatic activity and an efficient electrical contact at the enzyme-nanoelectrode interface.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in the Songpa-Kangdong district, Seoul, Korea, 1986-2005: a KASID study.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are considered rare diseases in developing countries. We have evaluated the incidence and prevalence of CD and UC over time in a district of Seoul, Korea.

Methods: A population-based study was performed from 1986 to 2005 in the Songpa-Kangdong district of Seoul.

Korean experience with double balloon endoscopy: Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases multi-center study.

Background: Double balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of patients with small-bowel disease.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, clinical usefulness, and safety of DBE in Korean patients with suspected or known small-bowel disease.

Design: Retrospective, multicenter study from April 2004 to March 2006.

Immunohistochemical detection of StarD6 in the rat nervous system.

Steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR)-related lipid transfer (START) domain 6 (StarD6) is known to be exclusively expressed in germ cells of testis. As little is known about StarD6 expression in the nervous system, we investigated the distribution of StarD6 in rat neural tissues. Immunoreactivity of StarD6 was detected in the brain, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia; particularly cerebral cortex (layer V and VI), hippocampus, substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord.

Visceral obesity as a risk factor for colorectal neoplasm.

Background And Aim: Obesity as a risk factor for colorectal neoplasm (CRN) is controversial. In the present study, we evaluated visceral obesity as a risk factor for CRN.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 200 consecutive, asymptomatic adults (male : female = 133:67, mean age, 50.

Screening colonoscopy in asymptomatic average-risk Koreans: analysis in relation to age and sex.

Background And Aims: Although the incidence of colorectal cancer is rising in Asian countries, there are no guidelines for its screening in this region due in part to the lack of epidemiological data regarding colorectal neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in average-risk Koreans and to assess the effectiveness of screening colonoscopy in Korea.

Methods: The prevalence of colorectal neoplasms was assessed by primary screening colonoscopy in 5,086 consecutive asymptomatic adults (males 70.

Association of vitamin D receptor polymorphism with calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation in Korean postmenopausal women with low calcium intake.

This study investigated the associations among vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI polymorphism, calcium intake and bone strength as indicated by the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) measured by calcaneal quantitative ultrasound at the left calcaneus in community-dwelling subjects with a low calcium intake. The VDR BsmI polymorphism was analysed in 335 women older than 65 years residing in rural Asan, Korea. Calcium intake was assessed with a 2 d, 24 h recall method.

Preclinical evaluation of YC-1, a HIF inhibitor, for the prevention of tumor spreading.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is believed to promote tumor growth, and thus, is viewed as one of the most compelling cancer therapy targets. YC-1 is widely used as a potent inhibitor of HIF-1alpha both in vitro and in vivo, and is also being developed as a novel anticancer drug. However, little is known about the effects of YC-1 on tumor invasion or metastasis.

Flat colorectal neoplasms: definition, importance, and visualization on CT colonography.

Objective: We discuss the definition of flat colorectal neoplasms, their clinical importance, CT colonography (CTC) findings, techniques for better visualization on CTC, and diagnostic pitfalls of such lesions.

Conclusion: Flat lesions appear on CTC as plaque-shaped mucosal elevations with or without a central depression, thickened haustral folds, and nodular mucosal surfaces. The sensitivity and optimal techniques of CTC for the detection of flat lesions have not yet been established.

Pseudoxanthomonas yeongjuensis sp. nov., isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming bacterium, motile by means of single polar flagellum and rod-shaped, designated strain GR12-1(T), was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Yeongju region, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain is related to members of the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, showing sequence similarity values ranged from 92.3 to 96.

Antitumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy for early postoperative recurrence of gastrointestinal Behçet's disease: report of a case.

Behçet's disease is a chronic, relapsing, systemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and ocular lesions. Gastrointestinal tract is occasionally involved in Behçet's disease, and the typical gastrointestinal lesions are punched-out, discrete mucosal ulcerations. Corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives, thalidomide, and immunomodulators have been used to treat Behçet's disease.

Clinical features and natural history of ulcerative colitis in Korea.

Background: The clinical characteristics of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Asian populations have not been well characterized. We therefore investigated the clinical features and natural history of UC in Korea.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 304 Korean patients with UC first diagnosed at the Asan Medical Center between June 1989 and August 2005.

Imipramine inhibits A-type delayed rectifier and ATP-sensitive K+ currents independent of G-protein and protein kinase C in murine proximal colonic myocytes.

The effects of imipramine on A-type delayed rectifier K+ currents and ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) currents were studied in isolated murine proximal colonic myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Depolarizing test pulses between -80 mV and +30 mV with 10 mV increments from the holding potential of -80 mV activated voltage-dependent outward K+ currents that peaked within 50 ms followed by slow decreasing sustained currents. Early peak currents were inhibited by the application of 4-aminopyridine, whereas sustained currents were inhibited by the application of TEA.

Familial occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease in Korea.

Background: Little information is available about the familial aggregation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asian populations. We therefore determined the risk of familial aggregation of IBD among first-degree relatives of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) in an ethnically distinct Korean population.

Methods: Familial aggregation of IBD was evaluated in terms of family history, prevalence, lifetime risk, and population relative risk in first-degree relatives of 1440 unrelated patients with UC (n = 1043) or CD (n = 397).

A prospective analysis of low-grade gastric malt lymphoma after Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: Primary gastric low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is known to be successfully treated with anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) therapy alone. However, there are few reports on long-term results after eradication therapy.

Germinal center-independent affinity maturation in tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-deficient mice.

Germinal centers (GCs) have been identified as site at which the somatic mutation of immunoglobulins occurs.However, somatic mutations in immunoglobulins have also been observed in animals that normally do not harbor germinal centers. This clearly indicates that somatic mutations can occur in the absence of germinal centers.

Theoretical development of in situ optical particle separator: cross-type optical chromatography.

An in situ separation system, cross-type optical chromatography, is developed theoretically, and an analytic solution of the retention distance is derived. Particle trajectories in the cross-type optical chromatography are calculated for various sizes and materials of the particles and for flow velocities. Further, cross-type optical chromatography assisted by a particle beam generation system is designed.

[Comparison of double balloon enteroscopy and small bowel series for the evaluation of small bowel lesions].

Background/aims: The role of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is still evolving. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of DBE with that of small bowel series (SBS).

Methods: We enrolled patients with suspected small bowel disease consecutively, and performed both DBE and SBS in all patients.

Hydrogen storage in ni nanoparticle-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

Hydrogen storage properties of mutiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with Ni nanoparticles were investigated. The metal nanoparticles were dispersed on MWCNTs surfaces using an incipient wetness impregnation procedure. Ni catalysts have been known to effectively dissociate hydrogen molecules in gas phase, providing atomic hydrogen possible to form chemical bonding with the surfaces of MWCNTs.

Flat polyps of the colon: detection with 16-MDCT colonography--preliminary results.

Objective: This study evaluates the ability of contrast-enhanced, 16-MDCT colonography to display flat colonic lesions when a very narrow slice thickness (1 mm) is used.

Conclusion: Less than 50% of flat lesions in our population could be visualized by blinded and unblinded review. Before they could be visualized, flat lesions were 2 mm or greater in height and 7 mm or greater in diameter.

Quantitative relationship of dioxin-responsive gene expression to dioxin response element in Hep3B and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cell lines.

Dioxin response element (DRE) is a cis-acting DNA sequence mediating the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced gene expression. The present study was undertaken to elucidate TCDD-responsive gene expression profiles and their relationships to the number of DREs in liver cancer cells. Hep3B and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells were exposed to 50-nM TCDD for 0, 1, 2 and 4h in culture, after which gene expression profiles were analyzed by the microarray hybridization using a chip containing 24,000 cDNAs prepared from the human liver.