• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.1-22
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• 2017

'The worstest environment disaster', 'World's first biocide massacre', 'Home-based Sewol ferry disaster' are all phrases attached to the recent humidifier disinfectant disaster. In the spring of 2011, four of 8 pregnant women including 1 adult man passed away at a university hospital in Seoul due to breathing failure. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Korean CDC soon revealed the inhalation of humidifier disinfectant, which had been widely used in Korea during the winter, to be responsible for the disease. As well as lung fibrosis hardening of the lungs, other diseases including asthma, rhinitis, skin disease, liver disease, fetal disease or cancers have been researched for their relation with exposure to the products. By February 9, 2017, 5,342 cases had registered for health problems and 1,131 of them were already dead (20.8% mortality rate). Based on studies by government agencies and a telephone survey of the general population by Seoul National University and civic groups, around 20% of the general public of Korea has used these products. Since the market release of the first product by SK Chemical in 1994, over 7.1 million items from around 20 brands were sold up to 2011. Most of the products were manufactured by well-known large conglomerates such as SK, Lotte, Samsung, Shinsegye, LG, and GS, as well as some European companies including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser and TESCO, the German firm Henkel, the Danish firm KeTox, and an Irish company. Even though this disaster was unveiled in 2011 by the Korean government, the issue of the victims was neglected for over five years. In 2016, an unexpected but intensive investigation by prosecutors found that Reckitt Benckiser manipulated and concealed animal tests for its own brand and brought several university experts and company employees to court. The matter was an intense social issue in Korea from May to June with a surge in media coverage. The prosecutor's investigation and a nationwide boycott campaign organized by victims and environmental groups against Reckitt Benckiser, whose product had been used by more than 70% of victims, led to the producer's official apology and a compensation scheme. A legislative investigation organized after the April 2016 national election revealed the producers' faults and the government's responsibility, but failed to meet expectations. A special law for the victims passed the National Assembly in January 2017 and a punitive system together with a massive environmental epidemiology investigation are expected to be the only solutions for this tragedy. Sciences of medicine, toxicology and environmental health have provided decisive evidence so far, but for the remaining problems the perspectives of social sciences such as sociology and jurisprudence are highly necessary, similar to with the Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon events. It may not be easy to follow this issue using unfamiliar terminology from medical and chemical science and the long, complicated history of the event. For these reasons the author has attempted to write this article in a question and answer format to render it easier to follow. The 17 questions are: Q1 What is humidifier disinfectant? Q2 What kind of health problems are caused by humidifier disinfectant? Q3 How many victims are there? Q4 What is the analysis of the 1,112 cases of death? Q5 What is the problem with the government's diagnostic criteria and the solution? Q6 Who made what brands? Q7 Has there been a recall? What is still on sale? Q8 Was safety not checked by any producers? Q9 What are the government's responsibilities? Q10 Is it true that these products were sold only in Korea? Q11 Why and how was it unveiled only in 2011 after 17 years of sales? Q12 What delayed the resolution of the victim issue? Q13 What is the background of the prosecutor's investigation in early 2016? Q14 Is it possible to report new victim cases without evidence of product purchase? Q15 What is happening with the victim issue? Q16 How does it compare with the cases of Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon? Q17 Are there prevention measures and lessons?

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.35-40
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• 2006

Purpose: Injuries are the third leading cause of death in Korea. Isolated chest injury is not uncommon and shows high mortality and morbidity. Several scoring systems are used for triage and stratification for trauma patients, but no standard system is accepted. We aimed to analyze the accuracy of identification of isolated chest injury by using several scoring systems. Methods: We reviewed a total of 75 patients admitted with isolated chest injury between January 2005 and October 2005. Medical records were reviewed by using the Injury Severity Score (ISS), the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), and the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS). The scoring systems were compared by using statistics methods. Results: The overall predictive accuracy of the TRISS was 12.5%, 12.0% greater than those of the RTS and the ISS. By using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, the TRISS showed an excellent discriminative power (AUROC 0.931) compared to the ISS (AUROC 0.926) and the RTS (AUROC 0.872). Conclusion: Compared with the RTS and the ISS, the TRISS is an easily applied tool with excellent prognostic abilities for isolated chest trauma patients. However, the TRISS, the ISS, and the RTS showed high specificity and low sensitivity, so another scoring system is required for triage and stratification of isolated chest injury patients.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.111-116
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• 2004

It is known that Bacillus subtilis glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) mischarges E. coli $tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$ with glutamate in vitro. It has also been established that the expression of B. subtilis GluRS in Escherichia coli results in the death of the host cell. To ascertain whether E. coli growth inhibition caused by B. subtilis GluRS synthesis is a consequence of Glu-$tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$ formation, we constructed an in vivo test system, in which B. subtilis GluRS gene expression is controlled by IPTG. Such a system permits the investigation of factors affecting E. coli growth. Expression of E. coli glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) also amelio-rated growth inhibition, presumably by competitively preventing $tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$ misacylation. However, when amounts of up to 10 mM L-glutamine, the cognate amino acid for acylation of $tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$, were added to the growth medium, cell growth was unaffected. Overexpression of the B. subtilis gatCAB gene encoding Glu-$tRNA^{Gln}$ amidotransferase (Glu-AdT) rescued cells from toxic effects caused by the formation of the mis-charging GluRS. This result indicates that B. subtilis Glu-AdT recognizes the mischarged E. coli Glu-$tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$, and converts it to the cognate Gln-$tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$ species. B. subtilis GluRS-dependent Glu-$tRNA_{1}$$^{Gln}$ formation may cause growth inhibition in the transformed E. coli strain, possibly due to abnormal protein synthesis.

• 공업화학
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.649-659
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• 2023

This study was initiated to evaluate the phosphorus (P) removal and diesel oil degradation by bacteria isolated from industrial wastewater. The bacteria isolated were identified as Bacillus sp. The P removal efficiencies by Bacillus sp. were 99% at the initial 20 mg/L P concentration. The diesel degradation efficiencies by Bacillus sp. were 86.4% at an initial 1% diesel concentration. Lipophilicity by bacteria was the highest in the log phase, whereas it was the lowest in the death phase. As the diesel was used as a carbon source, P removal efficiencies by Bacillus sp. were 68%. When glucose, acetate, and a mixture of glucose and acetate as second carbon sources were added, the diesel degradation efficiencies were 69.22%, 65.46%, and 51.46%, respectively. The diesel degradation efficiency was higher in the individual additions of glucose or acetate than in the mixture of glucose and acetate. When P concentration increased from 20 mg/L to 30 mg/L, the diesel degradation efficiency was increased by 7% from 65% to 72%, whereas when P concentration was increased from 30 mg/L to 40 mg/L, there was no increase in diesel degradation. One of the five proteins identified by proteome analysis in the 0.5% diesel-treated samples may be involved in alkane degradation and is known as the cytochrome P450 system. Also, two of the sixteen proteins identified in the 1.5% diesel-treated samples may be implicated in the fatty acid transport system and alcohol dehydrogenation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.522-529
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• 2008

High-temperature requirement A2(HtrA2)는 대장균에서 42도 노출 시 세포 보호 기능을 하는 단백질인 HtrA의 human homologue로 동정되었다 현재까지 human HtrA2는 미토콘드리아에 존재하는 serine protaese로 세포사멸 기능에 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있으나, 그 생리적 기능 및 mammalian 세포 내에서 heat shock에 대한 보호기능에 대해서 명확히 알려진 바가 없다. 최근 HtrA2 유전자가 결실된 mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF)가 보고되어 세포 내 HtrA2의 기능 연구가 가능해 졌으나, 이 세포에 대한 정보가 많은 부분 밝혀져 있지 않다. 생리기능연구를 위해서는 자체의 특성들에 대한 조사가 선행되어야 차후 기능연구가 가능할 것이다. 본 연구는 $HtrA2^{+/+}$, $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF 세포주를 확보하고, 두 세포주의 성장속도, 세포 형태 및, heat shock에 의한 세포사멸 정도를 측정하였다. 우선 $HtrA2^{+/+}$, $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF 세포주에서 HtrA2의 발현 유무를 PCR과 IB로 확인하였고, fractionation을 통해 $HtrA2^{+/+}$ 세포주에서만 HtrA2가 미토콘드리아에 위치함을 확인하였다. 두 세포에서 형태학적인 차이가 있음을 Coomassie staining으로 확인하였고, 성장속도 또한 $HtrA2^{-/-}$ 세포주가 1.4배 빠름을 확인하였다. 현재까지 보고되지 않은 HtrA2의 고온에 대한 반응연구를 위해 본 연구에서는 heat shock 자극에서 세포사멸을 측정하여, 기존에 알려진 세포사멸자극에서와 동일하게 heat shock에 의해서도 세포사멸이 야기됨을 확인하였다. $HtrA2^{+/+}$와 $HtrA2^{-/-}$ MEF 세포주를 이용한 연구에 있어, HtrA2 유무에 따른 세포의 생리학적 특징을 제공하였고, 향후 heat shock에 의한 세포사멸에서의 HtrA2 기능연구를 위한 중요한 기본 정보를 제공함으로써 HtrA2의 기능을 심도있게 연구하는데 사용할 수 있는 좋은 자료가 될 것이다.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.385-396
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• 2004

Purpose: Hypertension has been a major cause of death in Korea since the 1970s, and has resulted in being a significant economic burden to the finances of national health care. The Ministry of Health and Welfare made several efforts. but hypertension control programs in Korea are still non standardized and ineffective. We wanted to investigate the current hypertension control program in public health centers systematically and suggest the direction for future programs. Method: The design of this study is a cross sectional investigation. From September to October in 2002, we sent a set of questionnaires to all PHCs, and 179 centers responded (response rate = 74.0%). The instrument was developed based on components of National health systems. Results: 1) Resources: The department responsible for hypertension control programs is the Department of Health Promotion. Health Education Center, Community Health Center, Citizen's Health Center, etc. The chief personnel of those departments are nurses. but 27.4% of PHCs have no full time nurse for hypertension management programs. PHCs had a lot of teaching materials (nine types per a PHC) and most of the recommended contents were included. But, periodical evaluation and revision were not being made, 2) Management: Nurses' (13.03 9.46 in 23 score) actions for hypertension control were not qualitative, but regular training and evaluation were seldom carried out. Need assessment (25.9%) and evaluation (about 10-20%) for the hypertension control program were indicated as low. 3) Programs: Programs focused on individuals rather than community or public, and 2nd prevention rather than 1st, 3rd prevention. Conclusion: The Ministry of Health and Welfare has to construct the infrastructure for hypertension control programs. Related scholars and committees should develop and declare standardized manuals for hypertension control and the management system, as well.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.482-491
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• 2004

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. In the near future AD may be the biggest problem in public health service. Although a variety of oriental therapies in the study of Jimitang have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and active mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study in an investigation of effects of Jimitang on apoptotic cell death induced by CT105 overexpression in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. DNA fragmentation, neurite outgrowth assay and LDH activity assay were examined. The regeneratory and inhibitory effects on Alzheimer's disease in pCT105-induced neuroblastoma cell lines by Jimitang water extract were examined. Findings from these experiments have shown that Jimitang inhibits the synthesis or activities of CT105, which has neurotoxicities and apoptotic activities in cell lines. In addition, pretreatment of $Jimitang(>50\;{\mu}g/mL\;for\;12\;hours)$ partially prevented CT(105)-induced cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cell lines, and were inhibited by pretreatment. $Jimitang(>50\;{\mu}g/mL\;for\;12\;hours)$ repaired CT(105)-induced neurite outgrowth when SK-N-SH cell lines were transfected with CT(105). Results of this study show that. in the Jimitang group, the apoptosis in the nervous system in inhibited, the repair against the degerneration of neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression is promoted. In addition, Jimitang was found to inhibit DNA fragmentation induced by CT105 overexpression, and promote neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that Jimitang is beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.1555-1560
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• 2010

Quantum dots (QDs) are extensively employed for biomedical research as a fluorescence reporter and their use for various labeling applications will continue to increase as they are preferred over conventional labeling methods for various reasons. However, concerns have been raised over the toxicity of these particles in the biological system. Till date no thorough investigation has been carried out to identify the molecular signatures of QD mediated toxicity. In this study we evaluated the toxicity of CdSe, $Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS$/ZnS and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots having different spectral properties (red, blue, green) using human embryonic kidney fibroblast cells (HEK293). Cell viability assay for both short and long duration exposure show concentration material dependent toxicity, in the order of CdSe > $Cd_{1-x}Zn_xS$/ZnS > CdSe/ZnS. Genome wide changes in the expression of genes upon QD exposure was also analyzed by wholegenome microarray. All the three QDs show increase in the expression of genes related to apoptosis, inflammation and response towards stress and wounding. Further comparison of coated versus uncoated CdSe QD-mediated cell death and molecular changes suggests that ZnS coating could reduce QD mediated cytotoxicity to some extent only.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.175-187
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• 2014

The subways play an important part in serious traffic problems. Almost seven million citizens a day are using subways as a means of traffic communication in the Seoul metropolitan city in 2012. However, the subway system is a semi-closed environment, so many serious problems occurred in subway stations and injured passengers' health. Platform screen doors (PSD) are expected to prevent negligent accident such as injury or death from falling and improve the air quality of the subway station. Installation of PSD at stations in Seoul metropolitan subway had been completed in December 2009. Consequently, the underground transportation system became a closed environment, so the air quality has improved the platforms, but it has deteriorated in the tunnels. Especially, the subway cabin has many doors, and the doors are frequently opened and closed. For this reason, the effect of door opening on subway cabin, dust flow inside the subway cabin. In this process, the maintenance work may influence the health of people who work underground, as well as that of subway users (passengers). In this study, we measured air quality inside and outside of the subway cabin line 2 in Seoul, Korea. This study focused on the investigation of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and measurement target pollutants are PM10, CO, $CO_2$, $NO_2$, $O_3$. It was found that levels of PM10, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$ inside subway cabin line 2 exceeded the Korea IAQ standard. Concentrations of PM10, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$ inside of the cabin are higher than outside of the cabin (Indoor Outdoor ratio is higher than 1.). Concentrations of CO, $O_3$ inside of the cabin are lower than outside of the cabin (Indoor Outdoor ratio is lower than 1.). There is a high correlation between $CO_2$ and passengers inside of the cabin and PM10 is only the weakest correlation with passengers. Therefore, it is important to find out the emission source of $NO_2$. The results of this study will be useful as fundamental data to study indoor air quality of a subway cabin.

• 영미문화
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.273-295
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• 2009

As Oedipa Mass, the heroine of Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49, is apparently associated with Oedipus, the hero in Sophocles' tragedy, this paper aims to show some of their similarities in quest theme and plot development as well as in the use of dramatic irony. Oedipus the King opens with a priest's pleas to relieve the Theban people from a plague and the king's promise to rid its cause by avenging the murder of the former king, as told by the oracle. Lot 49 begins as a Los Angeles law firm informs Oedipa that she is named as the executrix in her former lover Inverarity's will to sort out the mogul's estate. Ironically, however, Oedipus' investigation reveals himself to be the very cause of the national disaster, the murderer for whom he searched. Likewise, Oedipa starts her inquiry dedicating herself to make sense out of what Inverarity had left behind, only to find that the legacy was America. Sophocles and Pynchon both employ dramatic irony to provide a controlling principle for plot development in their works. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles creates mounting tension as well as distance between the reader's knowledge and the protagonist's ignorance, compressing the play's action into the moment that Oedipus discovers his real identity. For dramatic irony, however, Pynchon tends to work through authorial comments and utilize allegorical meanings of the characters' names, directing his novel at illuminating Oedipa's discovery of Inverarity's legacy as well as the meaning of Tristero, an underground postal service system. Unlike Oedipus the King that proceeds on a single line of action, Lot 49 develops in esoteric, multi-layered allusions and intricately-interrelated double strains involving Oedipa's roles as executrix and quester. At the end of Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus stabs his eyes and decides to live in exile, realizing that, blinded, he begot his children through his mother; Oedipa comes to a painful realization that she allowed her former lover to create death-orienting America without her diversity and moral system in old times. As Oedipa now discovers herself through her search for Tristero, her tragic spirit lies in her determination to confront her binary choices between two Americas: transcendence or entropy, the Tristero possibility or Inverarity's America. Ultimately, Oedipa tries to find who will be the bidder for the Tristero forged stamps designated as lot 49, awaiting the auctioneer's cry and the "crying" of a new-born America.