BACKGROUND: Microbial screening tests of umbilical cord blood (UCB) are essential for stem cell transplantation. We analyzed the microbial contamination rate and distribution of isolated microorganisms over 10 years of samples from the MEDIPOST Cord Blood Bank. In addition, we studied the influence of inoculum volume microorganism culture and compared the yield and speed of microorganism detection. METHODS: Microbial screening tests were performed using a manual method, which includes using an inoculum of 2 mL of plasma, a byproduct of UCB processing from pediatric culture bottles. When positive blood culture was detected, each set was once again inoculated with 2 mL and 4 mL of plasma. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, a total of 133,610 UCB units were screened, of which 1,311 (0.9%) tested positive for contamination. The most frequently identified microorganism was Escherichia coli (34.6%), followed by Bacillus spp. (12.8%), Enterococcus faecalis (5.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.4%). The total yield rate increased by 0.2% over this time period, although the yield rate of Bacillus spp. increased by 8.3%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study could be used in many ways with both domestic and international data regarding cord blood contamination. Also, other microbiology laboratories using culture conditions similar to ours could refer this study when preparing guidelines. Finally, by detecting low levels of bacteria, we have contributed to cord blood safety.
Bacillus ; Bacteria ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Escherichia coli ; Fetal Blood* ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Mass Screening ; Plasma ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Umbilical Cord*

The purpose of this study was to evaluate on nutrient intake status and diet quality of middle and old aged vegetarian women in Korea. The research group was composed of vegetarian women (n = 91), all of them were Seven Day Adventists, who had been on vegetarian diets, over 20 yrs. Their anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and diet quality indices were compared to omnivores (n = 122). The average age of vegetarians and omnivores were 61.8 yrs and 60.3 yrs, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes of vegetarians and omnivores were 1428.8 kcal and 1424.5 kcal, respectively and there was no significant difference. The vegetarians consumed significantly lower intakes of protein (p<0.05), zinc (p<0.001) and vitamin B2 (p<0.05) compared to omnivores. In the diet quality, zinc and vitamin B2 nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of vegetarians were significantly lower than those of omnivores. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of vegetarians and omnivores were 0.80 and 0.77, respectively and there was no significant difference. The KDDS (Korean's Dietary Diversity Score) of vegetarians and omnivores were 3.7 and 4.0, respectively, and there was significant difference (p<0.01). The KDQI (Korean's Diet Quality Index) of vegetarians (1.5) was significantly lower than that (2.1) of omnivores (p<0.001). In conclusion, vegetarian women have low intake status of protein, zinc and vitamin B2, and partly low diet quality. Therefore it was needed that well planed diets to replace the nutrients supplied from excluded food groups in middle and old aged vegetarian women.
Diet* ; Diet, Vegetarian ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Riboflavin ; Zinc

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Osteoporosis and other related conditions pose a growing public health problem, especially in postmenopausal women. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the correlations among BMD, maternal factors, and life styles, and intake of nutrients in postmenopausal women. One hundred participants in Kyungge-do were divided into three groups according to their BMD measurements measured by DXA. Dietary analysis, anthropometric measurements, and questionares were administered to these women. The percentage of the osteoporosis, osteopenia(Osteopinia), and normal groups were 32%, 48%, and 20% respectively. The average age was significantly the highest in the osteoporosis group. The average age at menopause was 47.2. Osteoporosis group's age at menopause was significantly the lowest. The sleeping hours of the osteoporosis and osteopenia group were significantly longer than the normal group. The intake of vitamin B2 was positively correlated with the BMD of femoral neck. The BMD of these two sites was positively correlated with weight, BMI, waist, and hip size and negatively correlated with the length of the menstrual cycle, duration after menopause, the age at the last delivery, and sleeping hours. Spinal BMD positively correlated with hours of outdoor activity. Therefore, maternal factors, lifestyles, and intake of nutrients contribute to BMD.
Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Hip ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Menopause ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nutritional Status* ; Osteoporosis ; Public Health ; Riboflavin

Currarino syndrome is a hereditary disease characterized by the triad of sacral agenesis, anorectal malformation, and presacral mass. Most patients are diagnosed in childhood, and this condition rarely manifests in adulthood. In women, gynecological malformations associated with Currarino syndrome have been reported, such as bicornuate uterus, rectovaginal fistula, and septate uterus. We present a rare case of a 29-year-old woman with a suspected pelvic mass who was diagnosed with Currarino syndrome.
Adult ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Humans ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; Uterus

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red vinegar drink on sound enamel surface. METHODS: Commercially available red vinegar drink was used for the study. Firstly, pH values were measured in commercially available red vinegar drinks. Secondly, four groups; mineral water as the control group and red vinegar drink, red vinegar drink + mineral water (mixing ratio, 1:3), red vinegar drink + milk (mixing ratio,1:4) as the experimental group were selected. Forty specimens of bovine teeth were made and then divided into the four groups and treated with the test drinks for 1, 15, 30 and 60 minutes. The surface microhardness (vickers hardness number, VHN) was measured using the microhardness tester before and after the treatments. The surface of specimens was observed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The average pH of red vinegar drinks was 2.91+/-0.02. The change values (before treatment - after treatment of surface microhardness of enamel surface) were significantly difference among groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between control and red vinegar drink + milk (1:4) and there was the significant difference between control group and red vinegar drink groups, and control and red vinegar drink + mineral water (1:3) groups. In SEM, damage of enamel surface was observed in Red vinegar and Red vinegar+Mineral water group. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the all experimental red vinegar drinks, except red vinegar drink + milk (1:4) can reduce the surface microhardness of sound enamel. Thus, it is suggested that the red vinegar drink with milk could be recommended the preventive eating method for reducing the risk of dental erosion on the red vinegar drink diet.
Acetic Acid* ; Dental Enamel* ; Diet ; Eating ; Hardness ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Milk ; Mineral Waters ; Tooth ; Water

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the influence of several commercial red ginseng beverages on the surface of healthy teeth and to confirm the anti-erosive effect of added calcium. METHODS: For the experimental group selection, the pH of red ginseng beverages on the market were measured and the mean pH was calculated. Beverages with the lowest pH (Dong Wha Hongsam Gold; red ginseng beverage group with pH 2.98), mid-level pH (Kwangdong Jin Hongsam Gold; red ginseng beverage group with pH 3.61), and the highest pH (Hongsam Han Ppuri; red ginseng beverage group with pH 5.34) were selected as the experimental groups. In order to confirm the anti-erosive effect of added calcium, we added 1% calcium to the product with the lowest pH (red ginseng beverage group with pH 2.98+1% Ca) and included the product in the experimental group. Jeju Samdasoo and Coca Cola were used as the negative and positive control groups, respectively. We soaked healthy bovine teeth samples in the selected six beverages for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes. The surface microhardness (VHN, Vickers hardness number) and the surface roughness (center line average roughness, Ra) of each sample were measured, and the surface features were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The change in the surface micro-hardness (△VHN) of teeth after 30 minutes of soaking in each beverage was the highest in the positive control group (60.99±8.99), followed by A (41.63±8.96), B (30.64±8.21), and the negative control group (―4.48±7.29) (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in group C (―18.79±10.11) or D (―16.40±7.89). Surface roughness (Ra) exhibited significant differences between each group (P<0.05). Surface roughness (Ra) was high in A (102.88±26.34) and B (67.76±39.89), as well as in the positive control group (101.21±39.59). In contrast, C (30.80±28.49) and D (25.05±10.79) showed low surface roughness values similar to the negative control group (23.77±22.48). Following SEM examination, severe cracks were observed between the crystals in groups A and B; such characteristics were similar to those of the positive control group. CONCLUSIONS: Red ginseng beverages with low pH were shown to erode the surface of the teeth. When calcium was added to the red ginseng beverages, a decrease in tooth erosion was observed. Therefore, the possibility of tooth erosion should be considered when drinking red ginseng beverages. Furthermore, the addition of calcium to red ginseng beverages can be an alternative solution to suppress tooth erosion.
Beverages* ; Calcium ; Coca ; Cola ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Dental Enamel* ; Drinking ; Hardness ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Panax* ; Tooth ; Tooth Erosion

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the level of professional ethics awareness and medical ethics competency in order to assess the potential need for ethics items to be included on the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination. Methods: In total, 358 clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene students completed a structured questionnaire to evaluate their level of ethical awareness and medical ethics competency. The sub-factors of medical ethics were classified into relationships with patients, medical and social relations, and individual specialized fields. Results: Only 32.1% of participants indicated that they had taken a course on professional ethics in the university curriculum, but 95.2% of respondents considered professional ethics to be important. The overall score for medical ethics competency was average (3.37 out of 5). The score for relationships with patients was 3.75 points, followed by medical and social relations (3.19 points) and individual specialized fields (3.16 points). The level of professional ethics awareness was higher among participants who had taken a course on professional ethics than among those who had not done so or who did not remember whether they had done so. Conclusion Dental hygienists were aware of the importance of professional ethics, but their medical ethics competency was moderate. Therefore, medical ethics should be treated as a required subject in the university curriculum, and medical ethics competency evaluations should be strengthened by adding ethics items to the Korean Dental Hygienist Licensing Examination.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) is a very rare benign disease, characterized by multiple solid subperitoneal or peritoneal smooth muscle nodules in abdominopelvic cavity and malignant transformation is extremely rare. Also, uterine smooth muscle tumors of unknown malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare tumor, which is regarded as subclassification in uterine smooth muscle tumors between benign and malignant criteria. Pathogenesis of DPL is uncertain, but increasing evidence of iatrogenic cause including laparoscopic myomectomy has been reported.We report a case of a 28-year-old female with previous history of laparoscopic myomectomy diagnosed with DPL with atypical feature and concurrent uterine STUMP using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as present a review of the literature.