• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1172-1184
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• 2021

Objective: The purposes of this study were to analyze the radiation doses for pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations from university hospitals in Korea and to establish the local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on the body weight and size. Materials and Methods: At seven university hospitals in Korea, 2494 CT examinations of patients aged 15 years or younger (1625 abdominopelvic and 869 chest CT examinations) between January and December 2017 were analyzed in this study. CT scans were transferred to commercial automated dose management software for the analysis after being de-identified. DRLs were calculated after grouping the patients according to the body weight and effective diameter. DRLs were set at the 75th percentile of the distribution of each institution's typical values. Results: For body weights of 5, 15, 30, 50, and 80 kg, DRLs (volume CT dose index [CTDI_vol]) were 1.4, 2.2, 2.7, 4.0, and 4.7 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 3.7, and 5.8 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. For effective diameters of < 13 cm, 14-16 cm, 17-20 cm, 21-24 cm, and > 24 cm, DRLs (size-specific dose estimates [SSDE]) were 4.1, 5.0, 5.7, 7.1, and 7.2 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 2.8, 4.6, 4.3, 5.3, and 7.5 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. SSDE was greater than CTDI_vol in all age groups. Overall, the local DRL was lower than DRLs in previously conducted dose surveys and other countries. Conclusion: Our study set local DRLs in pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations for the body weight and size. Further research involving more facilities and CT examinations is required to develop national DRLs and update the current DRLs.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.6 no.1_2
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• pp.11-16
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the species composition and its abundance in the heap of compost, wild-grass, and sewer. 1,525 individuals were collected from 11th July, 2000 to 3rd August, 2000 at the 108 sites. They encompassed 3 families, 4 genera and 6-8 species. Species composition and its percentile abundance were as follows: Eisenia fetida 86.2%, Aporectodea trapezoides 0.5%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 1.1%, Amyntha agrestis 2.8%, A. koreanus group 6.3%, Drawida sp. 17%, Others 1.4fo in the compost heap, Eisenia fetida 9.8%, Aporectodea trapezoides 9.1%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 12.1%, Amyntha agrestis 25.1%, A. koreanus group 27.8%, Drawida sp 2.8%, Others 13.2% in the wild-grass and Eisenia fetida 24.2%, Aporectodea trapezoides 5.4%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 10.2%, Amyntha agrestis 5.4%, A. koreanus group 26.3%, Drawida sp 1.6%, Others 22.6% in the sewer.

• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2016

Background: The cell cycle-dependent enzyme thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is known to increase during cancer cell proliferation and has been reported as a prognostic marker for various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. This study aimed to determine the reference interval in Korean healthy controls and to evaluate the usefulness of TK1 as a biomarker for aggressive clinical behavior in B-cell lymphoma patients. Methods: We enrolled 72 previously untreated patients with B-cell lymphoma and 143 healthy controls. Serum TK1 levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay ($Liaison^{(R)}$, DiaSorin, USA). We established the reference intervals in healthy controls. The diagnostic performance of serum TK1 was studied using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the correlation between the cutoff level for serum TK1 and clinical characteristics of B-cell lymphoma was evaluated. Results: The reference range (95th percentile) of serum TK1 in healthy controls was 5.4-21.8 U/L. There was a clear difference in TK1 levels between patients with B-cell lymphoma and healthy controls ($40.6{\pm}68.5$ vs. $11.8{\pm}4.4U/L$, P <0.001). The area under the curve of serum TK1 for the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma was 0.73 (cutoff, 15.2 U/L; sensitivity, 59.7%; specificity, 83.2%). An increased TK1 level (${\geq}15.2U/L$) correlated with the advanced clinical stage (P <0.001), bone marrow involvement (P =0.013), international prognostic index score (P =0.001), lactate dehydrogenase level (P =0.001), low Hb level (<12 g/dL) (P =0.028), and lymphocyte count (P =0.023). Conclusions: The serum TK1 level could serve as a useful biomarker for aggressive clinical behavior in B-cell lymphoma patients.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine clinical significance of dual-probe esophageal pH monitoring and to compare four pH monitoring parameters between proximal and distal esophagus in pathological gastroesophageal reflux disease with recurrent respiratory symptoms. Methods: Among the thirty-four patients who were performed 24 hr pH monitoring, seventeen patients with pathological distal reflux were classified into two groups: Group I (n:12) had recurrent respiratory symptoms and Group II (n:5) hadn't recurrent respiratory symptoms. The ambulatory dual-probe esophageal pH monitoring was performed for 18~24 hr. A pathologic GER was defined when reflux index (percent of the investigation time a pH<4) exceeded the 95th percentile of normal value. Results: Among the sixteen patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms, twelve patients (75%) have pathological distal reflux. Whereas among the eighteen patients without recurrent respiratory symptom, five patients (28%) have pathological distal reflux. In the Group I, the significant differences between proximal and distal esophageal pH recordings persisted for all parameters, but didn't persist in group II except for longest episode. Comparing esophageal pH four parameters between group I and group II at the proximal esophageal site, all parameters didn't show statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Regardless of respiratory symptoms, patients with pathological distal reflux didn't show statistically significant differences in the all parameters at the proximal esophageal site. Therefore we may reconsider usefulness of dual probe pH meter in patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.312-321
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• 2010

Seven indicator PCBs (IUPAC nos 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180 congeners) concentrations were measured in food samples including cereal (polished rice), meats, eggs, milk and dairy products, and fisheries and products as representation for the general Korean populations during 2006-2007, and was analyzed using isotopic dilution method. Fishes had the highest average level as 39.8 ng/g, 1.4 ng/g for milk and dairy products, and 0.9 ng/g for meats. The hairtail out of fishes was contaminated at the level of 15.4 ng/g, 5.4 ng/g for pacific mackerel and spanish mackerel, and 4.5 ng/g for yellow croaker. The ratio for indicator PCBs in overall food was contributed as follows; 35.8% for PCB-153, 16.2% for PCB-138, 16.1% for PCB-101, 13.4% for PCB-118, 8.8% for PCB-180, 6.9% for PCB-52, and 2.9% for PCB-28. The hexa-CBs including PCB-153 and 138 were more predominated, and the next was penta-CBs including PCB-101 and 118 in food. For estimated daily intake (EDI) in average and $95^{th}$ percentile, fishes and products out of overall food were taken to represent over 50%. However, it was estimated that there was no adverse health effect for Korean.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1435-1443
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• 2016

This study evaluated the sanitary state of seawater and shellfish in Yeoja bay from January 2014 to June 2016. The sampling stations for sanitary survey in Yeoja Bay was composed of 50 stations for seawater and 4 stations for ark shell and the samples have been collected monthly at a stated date. The total and fecal coliforms in seawater and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in shellfish were investigated as sanitary indicator bacteria, respectively. The geometric mean and the estimated 90th percentile ranges of total and fecal coliforms for seawater were <1.8-3.9, <1.8-2.6 and <1.8-29.7, <1.8-9.3 MPN/100 mL, respectively. The range of E. coli levels for ark shell were <20~330 MPN/100 g. The sanitary state in Yeoja bay was evaluated clean area according Korea criteria and conditionally approved area according US criteria and Class B area according EU criteria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.604-611
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the consumption of aspartame and acesulfame K, the most frequently utilized artificial sweeteners in Korea. The contents of aspartame and acesulfame K in processed foodstuffs were analyzed by HPLC, and daily intakes according to sex and age were estimated by applying the consumption data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Estimated daily intakes of aspartame and acesulfame K were 58.37 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day and 14.23 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day, respectively, in 2012. These amounts constituted 0.15% and 0.09% of the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) established by the JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives). Estimated daily intakes of aspartame and acesulfame K in the 95 percentile consumption group were 2,510.48 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day and 761.92 ${\mu}g/kg$ bw/day, respectively, and intake levels were 6.28% and 5.08% of the ADI, respectively. In conclusion, daily intake levels of artificial sweeteners were evaluated to be at safe levels.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2015

Climate departure from the past variability was projected to start in 2042 for Seoul. In order to understand the implication of climate departure in Seoul for urban agriculture, we evaluated the daily temperature for the June-September period from 2041 to 2070, which were projected by the RCP8.5 climate scenario. These data were analyzed with respect to climate extremes and their effects on growth of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum), one of the major crops in urban farming. The mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures in 2041-2070 approached to the $90^{th}$ percentile in the past 30 years (1951-1980). However, the frequency of extreme events such as heat waves and tropical nights appeared to exceed the past variability. While the departure of mean temperature might begin in or after 2040, the climate departure in the sense of extreme weather events seems already in progress. When the climate scenario data were applied to the growth and development of hot pepper, the departures of both planting date and harvest date are expected to follow those of temperature. However, the maximum duration for hot pepper cultivation, which is the number of days between the first planting and the last harvest, seems to have already deviated from the past variability.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 1980

The aim of this study was to define the range of the menstrual blood loss(MBL), and the upper limit of the MBL associated with iron deficiency anemia in Korean women, For this purpose, healthy unmarried women between the age of 15 to 26 years were selected from July to September, 1979 and results obtained were used for determining baseline MBL and its relationship to iron nutriture. One houndred forteen women were tested for their MBL and hematological and biochemical data such as hemoglobin(Hb) concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), and serum iron and ferritin concentration. This study was partly supported by World Health Organization. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1) The mean values and standard error of mean of MBL were $30.7{\pm}2.19ml$ for total subjects, $30.4{\pm}3.14ml$ for sutjects below 20 years of age and $30.3{\pm}2.49ml$ for subjects aged more than 20 years. No significant variation was noted for amount of MBL between two age groups. 2) The median value and 95th percentile value of MBL were 26.5ml and 69.0ml respectively for total subjects. Maximum number (24.6%) of the subjects fell in group with 10-20ml of MBL while 10.5% showed MBL above 50m1. 3) Mean value of the duration of menstruation for total subjects was 4.34 days. 4) It was observed that mean values of Hb concentration, hematocrit and MCHC were decreased slightly in subjects showing MBL more than 40m1. Serum iron and ferritin levels were markedly decreased in women with MBL above 40m1 and 20-30ml, respectively. 5) In subject population showing MBL above 50ml, the frequency of subjects with hematological and biochemical data below anemia criteria were remarkably increased. 6) Although the number of subjects tested was small and the subject selection was not done by random stratified sampling from a population group, this study suggested that the upper normal limit of MBL of Korean women seems to be in the range of 40-50ml.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.177-190
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• 2013

Air pollution trends in Japan between 1970 and 2012 were analyzed, and the impact of air pollution countermeasures was evaluated. Concentrations of CO decreased from 1970 to 2012, and in 2012, the Japanese environmental quality standard (EQS) for CO was satisfied. Concentrations of $SO_2$ dropped markedly in the 1970s, owing to use of desulfurization technologies and low-sulfur heavy oil. Major reductions in the sulfur content of diesel fuel in the 1990s resulted in further decreases of $SO_2$ levels. In 2012, the EQS for $SO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Concentrations of $NO_2$ decreased from 1970 to 1985, but increased from 1985 to 1995. After 1995, $NO_2$ concentrations decreased, especially after 2006. In 2012, the EQS for $NO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations, except those alongside roads. The annual mean for the daily maximum concentrations of photochemical oxidants (OX) increased from 1980 to 2010, but after 2006, the $98^{th}$ percentile values of the OX concentrations decreased. In 2012, the EQS for OX was not satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) concentrations generally decreased from 1976 to 2012. In 2011, NMHC concentrations near roads and in the general environment were nearly the same. The concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) generally decreased. In 2011, the EQS for SPM was satisfied at 69.2% of ambient air monitoring stations, and 72.9% of roadside air-monitoring stations. Impacts from mineral dust from continental Asia were especially pronounced in the western part of Japan in spring, and year-round variation was large. The concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ generally decreased, but the EQS for $PM_{2.5}$ is still not satisfied. The air pollution trends were closely synchronized with promulgation of regulations designed to limit pollutant emissions. Trans-boundary OX and $PM_{2.5}$ has become a big issue which contains global warming chemical species such as ozone and black carbon (so called SLCP: Short Lived Climate Pollutants). Cobeneficial reduction approach for these pollutants will be important to improve both in regional and global atmospheric environmental conditions.