• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.305-311
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• 2023

Background: The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)'s classification of and airborne fraction ratio for consumer chemical products (CCP) does not reflect the characteristics of various product classifications. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to reclassify the types of spray products according to the diverse spray characteristics of CCPs to evaluate the airborne fraction ratio of representative spray types and to compare them with previous CCPs types and airborne fraction ratios. Methods: One thousand seven hundred two products were selected through market research, and 932 newly reported products were selected. After that, 200 were selected to evaluate products with potential inhalation exposure. After classifying six product types that are expected to show differences in the airborne fraction ratio according to the type of product, a final 38 products were selected for use in the airborne fraction ratio through random sampling. Results: CCP has been reclassified from two to six types so that the characteristics of all products are well-reflected. The NIER simply had two airborne fraction ratios, but the results of experiments with six types of products showed a significant difference in values (p<0.01). Airborne fraction ratios of propellant general foam, pump general aerosol, and pump trigger foam in spray type, which were not previously present in NIER, were 7.1%, 24.4%, and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusions: For the diversified types of CCPs, the newly proposed classification was more appropriate than the existing NIER classification. The airborne fraction ratio was also different for each type, so a new value was suggested.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1831-1841
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• 2023

Objective: This study was realized to evaluate the effects of supplementation with blends of water and fat-soluble vitamins on animal performance and carcass traits of young Nellore bulls. Methods: Forty-three Nellore bulls, with an initial weight of 261±27.3 kg and a mean age of 8±1.0 months, were used. Five animals were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment (reference group), to determine the initial empty body weight of the bulls that remained in the experiment. The remaining 38 bulls were fed ad libitum and distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2×2 factorial scheme, with or without supplementation of water-soluble (B-blend+ or B-blend-) and fat-soluble (ADE+ or ADE-) vitamin blends. Diets were isonitrogenous (120 g of crude protein/kg dry matter [DM] of total mixed ration) and consisted of a roughage:concentrate rate of 30:70 based on total DM of diet. The experiment lasted 170 days, with 30 days of adaptation and 140 days for data collection. At the beginning and end of the experimental period, the bulls were weighed to determine the average daily gain. To estimate the apparent digestibility of nutrients and microbial efficiency, spot collections of feces and urine were performed for five consecutive days. Results: DM, ashes, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber corrected for residual ash and residual nitrogenous, and N intake and apparent digestibility were not influenced by vitamin supplementation, but total digestible nutrients intake and non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility were influenced by B complex vitamin supplementation. Nitrogen balance, microbial efficiency, and performance data were not influenced (p>0.05) by vitamin supplementation. Conclusion: Vitamin supplementation (a blend of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins or their combinations) does not influence the animal performance and carcass traits of young Nellore bulls.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2023

A lot of individuals of Mythimna loreyi have been attracted to the sex-pheromone traps of Spodoptera frugiperda during recent few years. However, there is no information about this pest. Thus, an efficient mass-rearing method of M. loreyi is demanded to study this pest. In this study, we compared the effects of artificial diets and rearing methods on its larval development and oviposition to suggest an efficient mass-rearing method of M. loreyi. Between S. frugipera and Agrotis ipsilon artificial diets, A. ipsilon diet showed more rapid larval development with higher survivorship, and decreased pupa weights and oviposition numbers compared to S. frugipera diet. Moreover, a grouping rearing caused more rapid larva development, decreased pupa weight and survivorship compared to an individual rearing. Therefore, for mass-rearing of M. loreyi, it is considered efficient to rear the newly emerged larvae in groups using A. ipsilon artificial diet and then rearing them individually after second or third larval stadium.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1875-1885
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• 2021

Objective: Central nervous system involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been increasingly reported. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence of radiologically demonstrated neurologic complications and detailed neuroimaging findings associated with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed up to September 17, 2020, and studies evaluating neuroimaging findings of COVID-19 using brain CT or MRI were included. Several cohort-based outcomes, including the proportion of patients with abnormal neuroimaging findings related to COVID-19 were evaluated. The proportion of patients showing specific neuroimaging findings was also assessed. Subgroup analyses were also conducted focusing on critically ill COVID-19 patients and results from studies that used MRI as the only imaging modality. Results: A total of 1394 COVID-19 patients who underwent neuroimaging from 17 studies were included; among them, 3.4% of the patients demonstrated COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings. Olfactory bulb abnormalities were the most commonly observed (23.1%). The predominant cerebral neuroimaging finding was white matter abnormality (17.6%), followed by acute/subacute ischemic infarction (16.0%), and encephalopathy (13.0%). Significantly more critically ill patients had COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings than other patients (9.1% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.029). The type of imaging modality used did not significantly affect the proportion of COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings. Conclusion: Abnormal neuroimaging findings were occasionally observed in COVID-19 patients. Olfactory bulb abnormalities were the most commonly observed finding. Critically ill patients showed abnormal neuroimaging findings more frequently than the other patient groups. White matter abnormalities, ischemic infarctions, and encephalopathies were the common cerebral neuroimaging findings.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.213-224
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• 2021

Objective: Clinical outcomes of patients who undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not consistent, and may differ based on certain imaging findings. This retrospective study was aimed at determining the efficacy of pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings in predicting survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon being treated with TACE. Besides, the study proposed to build a risk prediction model for these patients. Materials and Methods: Altogether, 750 patients with functionally good hepatic reserve who received TACE as the first-line treatment for single small HCC between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. These patients were randomly assigned into training (n = 525) and validation (n = 225) sets. Results: According to the results of a multivariable Cox analysis, three pre-TACE imaging findings (tumor margin, tumor location, enhancement pattern) and two clinical factors (age, serum albumin level) were selected and scored to create predictive models for overall, local tumor progression (LTP)-free, and progression-free survival in the training set. The median overall survival time in the validation set were 137.5 months, 76.1 months, and 44.0 months for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves of the predictive models for overall, LTP-free, and progression-free survival applied to the validation cohort showed acceptable areas under the curve values (0.734, 0.802, and 0.775 for overall survival; 0.738, 0.789, and 0.791 for LTP-free survival; and 0.671, 0.733, and 0.694 for progression-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings could predict survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon treatment with TACE. Our predictive models including three imaging predictors could be helpful in prognostication, identification, and selection of suitable candidates for TACE in patients with single small HCC.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.308-319
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• 2008

Temporal variations in plankton assemblages and environmental factors in Asan Bay and their relationships were examined with the data collected from February till early June, 2005. Seawater temperatures showed typical pattern of temporal change observed in temperate waters. Salinity variation was minor. Phytoplankton biomass showed two peaks, one in February only in the inner part of the bay and the other in May in the whole bay. Phytoplankton succession was clearly shown with the increase of seawater temperatures. Diatom (Bacillariophyceae) dominated in February, diatom and cryptomonads (Cryptophyceae) prevailed in May, and dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) was most abundant in June. Spring bloom in Asan Bay occurred about one month earlier than those observed in temperate seas. Among the inorganic nutrients (N, P and Si), only silicate concentration showed a significant negative correlation with phytoplankton biomass, indicating the sink of this nutrient in the bay to be the uptake by phytoplankton. Nitrate concentration seemed to be a limiting factor in this bay during the study period. Mesozooplankton abundances showed a significant positive correlation with seawater temperatures and a significant negative correlation with phytoplankton biomass. Increase of mesozooplankton abundance followed phytoplankton increase with the time lag of about two months. This increase of zooplankton seemed to be the result of increased seawater temperatures and food.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2024

Background: Data on perioperative outcomes of emergent versus elective resection in esophageal cancer patients requiring esophagectomy are lacking. We investigated whether emergent resection was associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data on patients with esophageal malignancy who underwent esophagectomy from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Thirty-day complication and mortality rates were compared between emergent esophagectomy (EE) and non-emergent esophagectomy. Logistic regression assessed factors associated with complications and mortality. Results: Of 10,067 patients with malignancy who underwent esophagectomy, 181 (1.8%) had EE, 64% had preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, or septic shock, and 44% had bleeding requiring transfusion. The EE group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class and functional dependency. More transhiatal esophagectomies and diversions were performed in the EE group. After EE, the rates of 30-day mortality (6.1% vs. 2.8%), overall complications (65.2% vs. 44.2%), bleeding, pneumonia, prolonged intubation, and positive margin (17.7% vs. 7.4%) were higher, while that of anastomotic leak was similar. On adjusted logistic regression, older age, lower albumin, higher ASA class, and fragility were associated with increased complications and mortality. McKeown esophagectomy and esophageal diversion were associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications. EE was associated with 30-day postoperative complications (odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-3.43; p<0.0001). Conclusion: EE was associated with a more than 2-fold increase in complications compared to elective procedures, but no independent increase in short-term mortality. These findings may help guide data-driven critical decision-making for surgery in select cases of complicated esophageal malignancy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.39.1-39.15
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• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study. Changes in the HBsAg levels after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed. The dynamics of NK cells following COVID-19 vaccination were also examined using serial blood samples collected prospectively from 25 healthy volunteers. Vaccinated CHB patients (n=2,329) had significantly lower HBsAg levels 1-30 days post-vaccination compared to baseline (median, -21.4 IU/ml from baseline), but the levels reverted to baseline by 91-180 days (median, -3.8 IU/ml). The velocity of the HBsAg decline was transiently accelerated within 30 days after vaccination (median velocity: -0.06, -0.39, and -0.04 log₁₀ IU/ml/year in pre-vaccination period, days 1-30, and days 31-90, respectively). In contrast, unvaccinated patients (n=468) had no change in HBsAg levels. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A, an NK inhibitory receptor, significantly decreased within 7 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (median, -13.1% from baseline; p<0.001). The decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells was observed in the CD56^dimCD16⁺ NK cell population regardless of type of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination leads to a rapid, transient decline in HBsAg titer and a decrease in the frequency of NKG2A⁺ NK cells.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.341-349
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• 2023

Gamcheon Port, which is one of three major harbors in the Port of Busan, is being operated to load, discharge and transport a wide range of cargoes, including general cargo, fisheries, steel products, cement, etc,. The harbor, designated as a compulsory pilotage area, provides pilotage services in compliance with relevant laws and regulations for arrival and departure of vessels in the Gamcheon Port area. Some academic research on the marine traffic environment in Gamcheon Port has been conducted. However, the pilotage environment and hazards to pilotage safety in the port have yet to be studied. Therefore, in this research, the pilotage environment and hazards to pilotage safety were identified, and it was confirmed that there are hazards to pilotage safety, such as vessels installed poor facilities including damaged pilot boarding arrangements, vessels blocking pilot's view by her structures and fishing nets, vessels unable to communicate in English, vessels not following VTS's order. The hazards to pilotage safety were also stratified, and the importance of the hazards was verified in accordance with a survey based on Analytic Hierachy P rocess(AHP) for Busan Harbor pilots, and safety measures to secure pilotage safety were examined to secure the safety of vessels calling Gamcheon Port.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-148
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• 2024

The production of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was optimized by serial fermentation of Dendropanax morbiferus extract (DME) using Bacillus subtilis HA and Lactobacillus plantarum KS2020. The 1st alkaline fermentation was performed on 60% DME including 2% glucose and 10% monosodium ʟ-glutamate (MSG) as a precursor. The 1^st fermented DME had 57 mg% tyrosine. Consequently, the 2^nd lactic acid fermentation for 5 days increased the tyrosine content of 106 mg%. The mucilage containing γ-PGA showed a high content of 3.50% on the first day of alkaline fermentation and then increased to 4.10% after 2 days. The precursor (MSG) remaining in the 1^st fermented DME was efficiently converted to GABA by the 2^nd lactic acid fermentation in the presence of 5% skim milk, 1.5% glucose and 0.5% yeast extract, resulting in the production of 18.29 mg/mL GABA. The viable cells of lactic acid bacteria increased and indicated 9.49 log CFU/mL on the fermentation for 5 days, and the acidity of co-fermented DME indicated the highest value of 1.55%. Conclusively, the serial fermented DME has multi-functional ingredients containing γ-PGA, GABA, peptides and probiotics.