• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.449-456
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• 2018

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In lower Human Development Index countries, it has the second highest incidence and mortality among cancer in women. Therefore, better diagnosis and treatment systems are needed. Among them, estrogen receptor alpha ($ER-{\alpha}$) mRNA expression has been analyzed with RT-qPCR since several studies reported that $ER-{\alpha}$ is necessary in the maturation of the uterus and is related to cervical cancer. In this study, $ER-{\alpha}$ quantitative analysis was performed on various lesions and normal tissue samples. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, its sensitivity and specificity were 85% and 75%, respectively, showing higher or similar results to those of conventional HPV tests. In addition, its expression level was analyzed with clinical information. With regression analysis, the R square value between the $ER-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression level and menopause status was 0.5041, indicating a strong correlation. This study was performed as part of a pilot study and suggests that $ER-{\alpha}$ is related to carcinogenesis. Future studies will examine other hormones and menopausal factors with a larger sample size.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.34-48
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• 2019

Naeseong Stream is a natural sand-bed river that flows through mountainous and cultivated area in northern part of Gyeongbuk province. It had maintained its inherent landscape characterized by white sandbars before 2010s. However, since then changes occurred, which include construction of Yeongju Dam and the extensive vegetation development around 2015. In this study, long-term monitoring was carried out on Naeseong Stream to analyze these changes objectively. This paper aims to provide a dataset of the investigation on channel morphology and vegetation for the period 2012-2018. Methods of investigation include drone/terrestrial photography, LiDAR aerial survey and on-site fieldwork. The main findings are as follows. Vegetation development in the channel of Naeseong Stream began around 1987. Before 2013 it occurred along the downstream reach and since then in the entire reach. Some of the sites where riverbed is covered with vegetation during 2014~2015 were rejuvenated to bare bars due to the floods afterwards, but woody vegetation was established in many sites. Bed changes occurred due to deposition of sediment on the vegetated surfaces. Though Naeseong Stream has maintained its substantial sand-bed characteristics, there has been a slight tendency in bed material coarsening. Riverbed degradation at the thalweg was observed in the surveyed cross sections. Considering all the results together with the hydrological characteristics mentioned in the precedent paper (I), it is thought that the change in vegetation and landscape along Naeseong Stream was mainly due to decrease of flow. The effect of Yeongju Dam on the change of the riverbed degradation was briefly discussed as well.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

A method was developed for the simultaneous detection of an antibiotic fungicide, streptomycin, and its metabolite (dihydrostreptomycin) in agricultural products using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted using methanol adjusted to pH 3 using formic acid, and purified with a HLB (Hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, and linearity of five agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin, green pepper), with coefficients of determination $(R^2){\geq}0.9906$, for streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin. The mean recoveries at three fortification levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n = 5) were from 72.0~116.5% and from 72.1~116.0%, and relative standard deviations were less than 12.3% and 12.5%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.01 mg/kg, which are satisfactory for quantification levels corresponding with the Positive List System. All optimized results satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and the Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could serve as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits and be used as basic data for detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in food.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2019

It is difficult to analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits using the hydromatrix method because of its low efficiency of purification and overlap of matrix and pymetrozine peaks. Liquid-liquid extraction can analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits using dichloromethane. Since low pH interferes with the extraction of pymetrozine, the extracts of citrus fruits were maintained over pH 7.0 by adding borax buffer and 1 N NaOH in the improved method. According to the improved method, citrus fruits (such as lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, and grapefruit) were extracted and purified for HPLC-photo diode array analysis. The results of validation were as follows: $4.360{\mu}g/kg$ of limit of detection, $14.533{\mu}g/kg$ of limit of quantitation, and 0.007 mg/kg of method quantitative limit. Citrus fruits spiked with pymetrozine showed a recovery range from 71.8 to 83.7% and a coefficient of variation below 6%. Thus, the improved method can efficiently analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2019

Fruit ripening is a genetically programmed process involving a number of biochemical and physiological processes assisted by variations in gene expression and enzyme activities. This process generally affects the phytochemical profile and the bioactive principles in fruits and vegetables. To appraise the variation in bioactive principles of fruits from Rosa rugosa during its ripening process, we analyzed the changes in antioxidant and anti-elastase activities and polyphenolic compounds during the four ripening stages of fruits. Overall, an extract of unripe fruits contained the highest levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, radical scavenging activity, reducing power, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, and elastase inhibitory activity, compared with the extracts of fruits at other stages of ripening. Additionally, we found that the reduction of flavonoid content occurs because of decreased transcriptional levels of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway during the ripening process. Based on HPLC analysis, we found that the extract of unripe fruits contained the highest amount of myricetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid and suggested that the antioxidant and anti-elastase activities of the extract obtained from stage 1, should be mediated by the presence of these compounds. Additionally, we analyzed the interaction sites and patterns between these compounds and elastase using the structure-based molecular docking approach, and suggested that chlorogenic acid strongly interacted with elastase. Together, these findings suggest that the maturity of fruits has profound effects on the pharmaceutical value of R. rugosa.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.311-321
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate effect of stream channel naturalness on ecological health by using environmental factors and Fish Assessment Index (FAI) in the Han River of South Korea. These samples and data have been released from the research project titled Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment, which was conducted in 444 sites in the Han river watershed from 2008 to 2016. All samples were classified into five groups according to a degree of morphological changes of stream. Water chemistry analyses indicated a decline in water quality by decreasing stream channel naturalness, it is assumed that channelized stream was vulnerable to aquatic pollution compared to the natural meandering stream. In the result of frequency of dominant species, sensitive species and insectivore such as Zacco koreanus, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Pungtungia herzi were frequently dominated in the natural meandering stream while tolerant species and omnivores such as Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio were more dominated in the channelized streams. The FAI in the channelized stream shows decline to average of $46{\pm}25$ compared with that of the natural meandering stream ($80{\pm}20$). The decrease in FAI was highly influenced by changes in matrixes of fish assemblage structure such as number of sensitive species (M3), portion of omnivores (M5) and insectivores (M6). Moreover, annual average FAIs from 2008 to 2016 were significantly correlated with water chemistry, especially TN, TP and BOD ($r^2=0.59$, p<0.0001). Taken together, all the results suggest that the stream channelization could negatively impact on the water quality and fish assemblage structure, leading to degradation in aquatic ecosystem health.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2019

Purpose The principle of nuclear medicine test is divided into two main categories: competition(radioimmunoassay, RIA) and noncompetitive reaction(Immunoradiometric assay, IRMA). It is known that the curve fitting method, which is commonly used in inspection field, uses Spline interpolation in RIA method and Linear interpolation method in IRMA method. Among them, the insulin test using the IRMA test showed a significant difference, especially at low concentrations, despite the same algorithm of linear interpolation between fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers. In this study, we aim to obtain results from applying two different of algorithm using fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers including Gamma pro, Gamma 10, Cobra, and SR300. Materials and Methods A total of 30 test samples were selected for the test of TSH, ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin serum levels. Test was performed by IRMA method. We compared the difference in the results of applying the linear interpolation method and the spline interpolation method to Gamma Pro, Gamma 10, Cobra, and SR300 equipment. Results Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The significance level was applied as P <0.05. The results of TSH, ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin tests were compared between the fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers. There was a significant difference between ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin serum levels(P<0.001). TSH didn't show any significant different between the devices(P=0.29). In the difference between linear and spline interpolation, there was no significant difference between insulin test(P=0.08), TSH test(P=0.81), and Ferritin test(P=0.06). However, C-peptide test showed a significant difference(P=0.03). Especially, the insulin test showed significant difference in lower ranges. As a result of comparing and analyzing the difference between the two interpolation methods, the devices in the low concentration group showed significant difference(P<0.001). Conclusion In case of new equipment in the laboratory it is necessary to recognize that there is a difference in the curve fitting method for each automated radio immunoassay analyzers in the low concentration area when the principle of inspection is IRMA method.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2019

Apple (Malus pumila) is one of the most economically important fruits in Korea. but virus infection has decreased the sustainable production of apples and caused serious problems such as yield loss and poor fruit quality. Virus or viroid infection including apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) have been also reported in Korea. In many cases, as apple gets infected with virus and viroid with no specific symptoms, the damage and symptoms caused by the viruses are not detected. In our research, viruses in the rootstock were eliminated for a virus-free apple dwarfing rootstock of M.9 and M.26. The virus elimination methods were apical meristem culture, thermotherapy ($37^{\circ}C$, 6 weeks) and chemotherapy($Ribavirin^{(R)}$). The detection of apple viruses was accomplished by Enzyme-linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELlSA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT- PCR method was 10 ~ 30% more sensitive than the ELISA method. The efficiency of virus elimination was enhanced in apical meristem culture method. The acquisition rate of virus-free apple dwarfing rootstocks was 30 ~ 40% higher in apical meristem culture. After the meristem culturing of M.9, the infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV was 45%, 60% and 50%, respectively. In the apple dwarfing rootstock of M.26, the infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV was 40%, 55% and 55%, respectively. Based on this study, the best method for the production of virus-free apple dwarfing rootstocks was the apical meristem culture.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.440-449
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• 2019

Purpose: Fire-fighting organizations are the very first agencies that take actions at a disaster scene, and emergency rescue training is carried out for prompt and systematic response. However, there is a need for a change due to the limitations in emergency rescue trainings such as perfunctory trainings or trainings without considering regional or environmental characteristics. Method: This study is to conduct theoretical review with regard to emergency rescue training and present a measure to improve the emergency rescue training through attitude survey targeting fire-fighting organizations in Gangwon area. Result: Facilities that cause difficulties when doing emergency rescue activity were mostly hazardous material storage and processing facilities. In terms of the level of emergency rescue and response task, most respondents answered that the emergency rescue was insufficient. The respondents answered that the effectiveness of emergency rescue training was helpful, but some responses showed that the training was not helpful because of scenario-based training, seeming training, similar training carried out every year, unrealistic training, and lack of competent authorities' interest and perfunctory participations. Most respondents answered for the appropriateness of emergency rescue training and evaluation that they were satisfied, however, they were not satisfied with the evaluation methods irrelevant to the type of training, evaluation methods requiring unnecessary training scale, and evaluation methods leading perfunctory participations of competent authorities. Lastly, respondents mostly answered that training reflecting various damage situations are necessary regarding the demand on the improvement of emergency rescue training. Conclusion: The improvement measures for emergency rescue training are as follows. First, it is necessary to set and prepare various training contents in accordance with regional characteristics by reviewing major disasters occurred in the region. Second, it is necessary to revise the emergency rescue training guidelines and manuals for appropriate training plan for each fire station, provide education and training for working-level staff members, and establish training in a way that types, tactics, and strategies of emergency rescue training could be utilized practically. Third, it is necessary to prepare a scheme that can lead participation and provide incentive or penalty from the planning stage of training in order to increase the participation of supporting and competent authorities when an actual disaster occurs. Fourth, it is necessary to establish support arrangements and cooperative systems by authority through training by fire stations or zones in preparation for disaster situations that may occur simultaneously. Fifth, it is necessary to put emphasis on the training process rather than the result for emergency rescue training and evaluation, pay attention to the identification of supplement points for each disaster situation and make improvements. Especially, type or form of training should be considered rather than evaluating the execution status of detailed processes, and the evaluation measure that can consider the completeness (proficiency) of training and the status of role performance rather than the scale of training should be prepared. Sixth, type and method of training should be improved in accordance with the characteristics of each fire station by identifying the demand of working-level staff members for an efficient emergency rescue training.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of an antibiotic fungicide, kasugamycin, in agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper) using liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with methanol adjusted to pH 13 using 1 N sodium hydroxide, and purified with a HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. Linearity of a matrix-matched calibration curve using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, was excellent with a correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of more than 0.9998. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of instrument were 0.0005 and $0.001{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and the LOQ of analytical method calculated as 0.01 mg/kg. The average recoveries at three spiking levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n=5) were in the range of 71.2~95.4% with relative standard deviation of less than 12.1%. The developed method was simple and all optimized results was satisfied with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could be served as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRL) of kasugamycin and be used as basic data for safety management relative to kasugamycin residues in imported and domestic agricultural products.