• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.325-340
• /
• 1998

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sick building syndrome(SBS) and the environmental factors affecting SBS on 130 underground workers and 60 controls. The study consisted of 1) a review of environmental condition 2) measurement of temperature, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO, and formaldehyde and 3) a questionnaire survey of symptom prevalence and perception of environmental conditions using indoor Air Quality questionnaire recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Bronchitis and dust allergy were more prevalent in underground workers significantly(p < 0.05). Among the 18 symptoms related to the indoor air pollution, the experience rate of dry, itching or irritated eyes, sore or dry throat, chest tightness, tired or strained eyes and dry or itchy skin symptom was significantly different between the underground workers and controls. The diagnostic criteria of SBS was defined as at least 1 symptom is experienced 1-3 times a week during the last 1 month among 18 indoor air pollution related symptoms which can be relieved by moving out of the underground. Applying the criteria, the mean symptom score was significant higher in underground workers than controls significantly (p < 0.05). These resalts indicated that underground workers are under inappropriate ergonomic and physical condition and inadequate ventilation. Their experience rate of symptoms related to indoor air pollution and prevalence of SBS was significantly higher than controls. To reduce the prevalence of SBS of underground workers, the surveillance system of indoor air quality, restriction of using fuel in underground and legislative regulations for the environment are needed to establish a better indoor air quality. Early detection, treatment and prevention of SBS through medical attention is also needed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.20-24
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the roles of co-existed organic materials (OM) with different biodegradability in composting of cattle manure in terms of $CO_2$ emission and $NH_3$ volatilization. Either sawdust (SD, low biodegradability) or rice bran (RB, high biodegradability) was mixed with cattle manure at a various rate and the amounts of $CO_2$ emission and $NH_3$ volatilization were determined periodically during 4 weeks of composting. Percentage of dry matter loss during the composting period was also calculated. The amount of $CO_2$ emitted increased with increasing rate of OM and was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the RB treatment than in the SD treatment by 43 to 122% depending on the rate of OM Accordingly, % of dry matter loss during 4 weeks of composting was higher in the RB (rang: from 35.1 % to 41.5%) than that in the SD treatments (from 18.7% to 22.6%), showing that RB is more biodegradable than SD. During the early composting period up to 8 days, negligible amount of ammonia volatilization was detected in both treatments regardless of application rates. In the RB treatment, substantial amount of ammonia volatilization was detected thereafter, however, no meaningful ammonia volatilization was observed in the SD treatment until the end of composting. Such differences could be attributed to the different properties of SD and RB. For example, the high C/N ratio of SD could enhance $NH_4^+$ immobilization and thus decrease $NH_4^+$ concentration that is susceptible to ammonia volatilization. Binding of $NH_4^+$ on to phenolic compounds of SD may also contribute to the decrease in $NH_4^+$ concentration. Meanwhile, as RB has a relatively low C/N ratio, remineralization of immobilized $NH_4^+$ could increase $NH_4^+$ concentration as high as the level for the occurrence of ammonia volatilization. Therefore, our study suggests that OM which is resistant to biodegradation can reduce $NH_3$ volatilization largely by physico-chemical pathways across the entire composting period and that easily biodegradable OM can retard $NH_3$ volatilzation via microbial immobilization in the early period of composting followed by rapid remineralization, leading to substantial volatilization of $NH_3$ in the middle stage of composting.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with the effective microorganism (EM) on the growth performance, blood parameter, small intestinal microflora, and noxious gas emission of broilers. A total 720 1-d old ROSS 308 was randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups: control, virginiamycin (6 mg/kg), 0.1% PB 0.1% EM, 0.5% EM, and 1.0% EM. Each treatment was fed to 4 replicates of 30 birds per diet for d 35. Two-phase feeding program with a starter diet from 0 to 3 wk, and a finisher diet from 4 to 5 wk was used in the experiment. Within each phase, a diet was formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirements of broilers for macro- and micronutrients. The diet and water were available ad libitum. Result indicated that during overall periods of the experiment, final weight, body weight gain, and feed intake were not different among dietary treatments. Feed conversion ratio was less (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TRG), glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), calcium (CA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not different among dietary treatments. White blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heterophils (HE), lymphocyte (LY), monocytes (MO), and eosinophils (EO) were not different among dietary treatments. HE:LY was less (P<0.05) for EM0.5 treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Lactobacillus was greater (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control and antibiotics. E. coli and Salmonella were not different among dietary treatments. $NH_3$ and $CO_2$ wereless (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control. These results indicated that EM treatments were effective feed conversion ratio, noxious gas emission and micro flora population on the cecum in broilers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.3
• /
• pp.178-185
• /
• 2009

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1$\alpha$ (HIF-1$\alpha$) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1$\alpha$ and VEGF in A549 cell line. Methods: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a $CO_2-N_2$ gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 ${\mu}mol/L$), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF, and $\beta$-actin mRNA. Results: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1$\alpha$ transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1$\alpha$, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. Conclusion: HIF-1$\alpha$ can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1$\alpha$ with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.42-50
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), an acute form of severe alveolar-capillary injury evolving after a direct or indirect lung insult is thought to be a common cause of respiratory failure though not many clinical studies on the subject have been made yet. Methods : Between January 1992 and December 2001, we conducted a retrospective study on 33 children who fulfilled the definition of the ARDS recommended by the American-European Consensus Conference in 1994. Results : A total of 33 patients(20 boys and 13 girls) were selected. Their age ranged from 4 months to 12 years with seven children younger than 1 year. The overall mortality rate was 78.8% and no significant difference was noted based on age or sex. Concerning seasonal variation, incidence of the ARDS increased in spring, especially in May(21.2%). Pneumonia(66.7%) was found to be the most common risk factor of the ARDS followed by sepsis(24.2%) and aspiration(3.0%). In immune compromised children(six cases), including a recipient of bone marrow transplantation, the mortality rate was 100%. Compared with children with multiple organ failure recording a 83.3% mortality rate, those with isolated respiratory failure, showed a lower mortality rate of 33.3%, although stastistically insignificant. Between survivor and non-survivor groups, significant differences were shown in hematocrit, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, PEEP, and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ on the seventh day after the onset of the ARDS. Conclusion : According to our study, respiratory failure proved to have a great effect on mortality rate in the ARDS. More aggressive intervention and further studies on this subject should be done to improve the survival rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2010

Purpose : With improved survival of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), there is an increase in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) requiring laparotomy, and the risk of morbidity and mortality in these ELBWI is increased. Thus, we determined the prognostic factors in ELBWI who underwent laparotomy for NEC. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 ELBWI who underwent laparotomy for NEC from January 2001 to December 2008 at Samsung Medical Center. Results : Of 480 ELBWI, 35 required laparotomy for NEC; the mortality rate was 20% (Alive group n=28, Dead group n=7). The values of preoperative score for neonatal acute physiology-II (P =0.022) and fraction of inspired oxygen (P <0.001) were significantly higher in the dead group and values of base excess (P =0.004) were significantly lower in the dead group. Values of preoperative heart rate, respiration rate, mean blood pressure, pH, $CO_2$, and potassium ion were not significantly different between the study groups. Intraoperative fluid volume was significantly higher in the alive group than in the dead group (P =0.045). Postoperative infusion rate was significantly lower in the alive group than in the dead group (P =0.022). Conclusion : Good preoperative condition, more intraoperative fluid infusion, and stable postoperative hemodynamic condition were factors associated with favorable prognosis of laparotomy for NEC in ELBWI.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.10
• /
• pp.136-152
• /
• 2017

The thermodynamic models, PC-SAFT (Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associated Fluid Theory) state equation and the Two-model approach liquid activity coefficient model NRTL (Non Random Two Liquid) + Henry + Peng-Robinson, for modeling the Rectisol process using methanol aqueous solution as the $CO_2$ removal solvent were compared. In addition, to determine the new binary interaction parameters of the PC-SAFT state equations and the Henry's constant of the two-model approach, absorption equilibrium experiments between carbon dioxide and methanol at 273.25K and 262.35K were carried out and regression analysis was performed. The accuracy of the newly determined parameters was verified through the regression results of the experimental data. These model equations and validated parameters were used to model the carbon dioxide removal process. In the case of using the two-model approach, the methanol solvent flow rate required to remove 99.00% of $CO_2$ was estimated to be approximately 43.72% higher, the cooling water consumption in the distillation tower was 39.22% higher, and the steam consumption was 43.09% higher than that using PC-SAFT EOS. In conclusion, the Rectisol process operating under high pressure was designed to be larger than that using the PC-SAFT state equation when modeled using the liquid activity coefficient model equation with Henry's relation. For this reason, if the quantity of low-solubility gas components dissolved in a liquid at a constant temperature is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas phase, the carbon dioxide with high solubility in methanol does not predict the absorption characteristics between methanol and carbon dioxide.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.87 no.3
• /
• pp.358-365
• /
• 1998

To offer the basic information for sustainable production of forest resources and conservation of the global environment, change in potential natural vegetation (PNV) associated with climate change due to doubling atmospheric carbon dioxide ($2{\times}CO_2$) was estimated with the global natural vegetation mapping system based an K${\ddot{o}}$ppen scheme. The system interpolates climate data spherically to each grid cell, determines the vegetation types onto the grid cell, and produces potential vegetation map and area on the globe and continents. The climate data consist of the current, ($1{\times}CO_2$) climate prior to AD 1958 observed at some 2,000 stations and the doubling ($2{\times}CO_2$) climate estimated from Meteorological Research Institute of Japan. The vegetation zone under the $2{\times}CO_2$ climate scenario expanded mainly toward the poles due to the rise in temperature. The changed PNV area on the globe amounts to 1/3 (4.91 billion (G) ha) of the total land area (15.04 Gha). Kappa statistic for judging agreement between the patterns of vegetation distribution under $1{\times}CO_2$ climate and $2{\times}CO_2$ climates shows good agreement (0.63) for the globe as a whole. The most stable areas are desert and ice. The potential forest area (PFA) was estimated at 6.82 Gha of the land area in $2{\times}CO_2$ climate scenario. In terms of continental changes in PFA, North America and Asis are increased under the $2{\times}CO_2$ climate. However, the potential forest arms of the other continents are decreased by the climate. Europe has no change in the PFA. Especially, the expansion of desert area in Oceania would be accelerated by the $2{\times}CO_2$ climate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.8
• /
• pp.1094-1099
• /
• 2012

This study investigated the effect of a long-term high-fat diet on energy metabolic substrate utilization in resting rats in order to revalue source fat energy efficiency during a high-fat diet and its effect on energy expenditure and body fat accumulation. Sprague-Dawley male rats at 4 weeks of age were bought from Orient Bio Con. The rats were divided into a control (CON) group and a high-fat diet (HF) group. Rats ate a high-fat diet (w/w 40%, kcal/kcal 64.9%) ad libitum for 5 weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured every day at 09:00 throughout the experimental period. Energy expenditure was measured using an animal energy metabolism chamber after 4 weeks. The final body weight did not change between the CON and HF groups, but caloric intake was significantly higher in the HF group than in the CON group (p<0.05). There was no difference between the groups in oxygen uptake, however carbon dioxide production was significantly higher in the HF group. Also, the respiratory exchange ratio was higher in the HF group. Carbohydrate oxidation was lower in the HF group than in the CON group, but fat oxidation in the HF group was greater. These results mean that energy substrate oxidation at rest is affected by diet composition, especially dietary fat content. Abdominal fat fad weights were significantly higher by 33% in the HF group than in the CON group even though the calorie intake in the HF group was higher by 6%. These results suggested that the dietary fat calorie value might have a higher Atwater value of 9 kcal/g, which mean that dietary fat calorie values could be reconsidered in body weight control scenarios such as which the obese or weight class athletes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.356-370
• /
• 2017

The energy savings and $CO_2$ emission reductions obtainable from the situation that the Smart Grid system (SGs) is assumed to be applied in Korea up to 2030 is quantitatively analyzed with many reported data. For calculation, SGs is divided into five sectors such as Smart Transmission and Distribution (ST&D), Smart Consumer (SC), Smart Electricity Service (SES), Smart Renewable Energy (SRE) and Smart Transportation (ST). Total annual energy savings in 2030 is estimated to be approximately 103,121 GWh and this is 13.1% of total electricity consumption outlook. Based on this value, total amount of reducible $CO_2$ emissions is calculated to 55.38 million $tCO_2$, which is 17.6% of total nation's GHG reduction target. Although the contribution of energy saving due to SGs to total electricity consumption increases as years go by, that of $CO_2$ emission reduction gradually decreases. This might be because that coal fired based power generation is planned to be sharply increased and the rate of $CO_2$ emission reduction scheduled by nation is very fast. The contributable portion of five each sector to total $CO_2$ emission reductions in 2030 is estimated to be 44.37% for SC, 29.16% for SRE, 20.12% for SES, 5.11% for ST&D, and 1.24% for ST.