• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.165-171
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• 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in a polymerization reaction in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in many consumer products, including plastics, polyvinyl chloride, food packaging, dental sealants, and thermal receipts. However, there is little information available on the inhalation toxicity of BPA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine its inhalation toxicity and effects on the estrous cycle, spatial learning, and memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 10, 30, and $90mg/m^3$ BPA, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks via whole-body inhalation. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry, estrous cycle parameters, performance in the Morris water maze test, and organ weights, as well as gross and histopathological findings, were compared between the control and BPA exposure groups. Statistically significant changes were observed in serum chemistry and organ weights upon exposure to BPA. However, there was no BPA-related toxic effect on the body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, estrous cycle, performance in the Morris water maze test, or gross or histopathological lesions in any male or female rats in the BPA exposure groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for BPA in rats is above $90mg/m^3$/6 hr/day, 5 days/week upon 8-week exposure. Furthermore, BPA did not affect the estrous cycle, spatial learning, or memory in rats.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.102-106
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• 2007

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation at the frequency of mobile phones has been not reported to induce cellular responses in in vitro and in vivo models. We exposed HEI-OC1, conditionally-immortalized mouse auditory cells, to RF radiation to characterize cellular responses to 1763 MHz RF radiation. While we could not detect any differences upon RF exposure, whole-genome expression profiling might provide the most sensitive method to find the molecular responses to RF radiation. HEI-OC1 cells were exposed to 1763 MHz RF radiation at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 20 W/kg for 24 hr and harvested after 5 hr of recovery (R5), alongside sham-exposed samples (S5). From the whole-genome profiles of mouse neurons, we selected 9 differentially-expressed genes between the S5 and R5 groups using information gain-based recursive feature elimination procedure. Based on support vector machine (SVM), we designed a prediction model using the 9 genes to discriminate the two groups. Our prediction model could predict the target class without any error. From these results, we developed a prediction model using biomarkers to determine the RF radiation exposure in mouse auditory cells with perfect accuracy, which may need validation in in vivo RF-exposure models.

• 융합정보논문지
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• 제10권7호
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• pp.207-214
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• 2020

본 연구는 치과위생사의 직업 정체성이 직업유지에 미치는 영향을 파악하고자 경남 부산 지역 내 치과위생사 155명을 대상으로 연구 윤리 심의위원회에서 심의를 받고 설문 조사를 시행하였다(1041449-201912-HR-003). 자료 분석은 직업 정체성의 3가지 세부항목이 직업유지에 미치는 영향을 단계별로 확인하기 위해 위계적 회귀분석을 시행하였으며 그 결과, 직업 정체성 세부항목 중 직업에 대한 감정이입(β=.358, p<.001), 직업과 개인의 연관(β=.562, p<.001), 직업과 일체감(β=.734, p<.001)의 순으로 직업유지에 영향력이 있었다. 따라서 치위생(학)과의 교육기관에서 조금 더 포괄적인 의미의 직업 정체성에 대한 수업을 시행한다면 직업유지에 도움이 될 것으로 판단한다.

• 대한전자공학회논문지TC
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• 제48권11호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

본 논문에서는 ICT기반의 차상제어 시스템 구현을 위하여 열차와 지상시스템간 데이터 송수신을 위하여 OFDM 기반의 무선랜 (802.11a 및 p)을 적용한 수신기 설계 기술에 대해 연구하고 성능 평가를 통하여 적용가능성을 확인하기 위한 연구를 수행하였다. 기존 전송 포맷을 유지하고 coherent 복조를 가정하면 성능은 (주파수 오프셋의 영향을 무시할 경우) 수신단에서의 채널 추정 성능에 거의 전적으로 의존하게 될 것인데 기본적으로 Preamble을 이용한 1차 추정과 Decision directed mode로 동작하는 2차 추정을 모두 고려하여 수신 알고리즘을 설계해야 한다. 본 논문에서는, 높은 mobility를 고려하여 decision-directed mode로 동작 가능한 주파수 영역 등화기의 설계에 초점을 두고 알고리즘 설계 및 성능 평가를 수행하였다.

• 한국전자통신학회논문지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.695-704
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• 2018

X밴드 선박용 레이더를 이용하여 개발한 강우 추정 기술로 강우 사례를 검증하였다. 디지털 신호 변환기를 사용하여 선박용 레이더로부터 수신된 신호를 디지털 반사 정보로 변환하였다. 반사도 정보에서 지형클러터 신호를 제거하고, 빔 감쇠와 빔 부피의 변화에 의해 발생하는 오류를 보정 처리하였다. 처리된 반사 정보는 우량계 강우량과 선형적인 관계를 보였다. 레이더 신호를 직교좌표계로 변환하여 정량적 강우를 추정하였다. 자동기상관측소 세 지점에서 $5mm\;hr^{-1}$ 이상의 강우가 기록된 사례에서 선박용 레이더의 강우 분포는 기상청 운용 기상 레이더의 결과와 일치하였다.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.72-82
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• 2009

Research was initiated to investigate early establislment characteristics and germination pattern of perennial ryegrass (PR, Lolium perenne L.). Eight varieties of PR were evaluated in the study. An alternative environmental condition for a PR germination test required by International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was applied in the experiment, consisting of 8-hr light at $25^{\circ}C$ and 16-hr dark at $15^{\circ}C$ (ISTA conditions). Daily and cumulative germination pattern were measured and analyzed daily for 30 days. Significant differences were observed in germination pattern, days to the first germination, days to 50% germination, days to 75% germination, and final germination rate. Germination rates were variable among the varieties, being 66.00 to 93.75% at the end of study. There were considerable variations in early germination characteristics and germination pattern among PR varieties. The first germination in all entries tested was initiated from 3 to 5 DAS (days after seeding) under ISTA conditions, being 2 days in differences among the varieties. It was 4 to 7 DAS in days to the 50% germination, being 1 to 3 days later from the first germination and three days were variable among them. Days to the 75% germination were 5.93 to 10.50 DAS under ISTA conditions, being 4.57 days in variety differences. Pennant II and Brightstar II were the fastest varieties. The slowest ones were Revenge GLX and Brightstar SLT. Considering days to the first germination, days to 75% germination, and germination pattern etc, Pennant II and Brightstar II were regarded as excellent varieties under ISTA conditions. From tills study, information on differences in germination characteristics and pattern would be usefully applied for golf course design and construction, when established with PR.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.122-134
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• 2011

Objectives: Seven cases of malignant lymphohematopoietic (LHP) disorder were claimed to have developed from occupational exposure at two plants of a semiconductor company from 2007 to 2010. This study evaluated the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents for the cases. Methods: Clinical courses were reviewed with assessing possible exposure to carcinogenic agents related to LHP cancers. Chemicals used at six major semiconductor companies in Korea were reviewed. Airborne monitoring for chemicals, including benzene, was conducted and the ionizing radiation dose was measured from 2008 to 2010. Results: The latency of seven cases (five leukemiae, a Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an aplastic anemia) ranged from 16 months to 15 years and 5 months. Most chemical measurements were at levels of less than 10% of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit value. No carcinogens related to LHP cancers were used or detected. Complete-shielded radiation-generating devices were used, but the ionizing radiation doses were 0.20-0.22 uSv/hr (background level: 0.21 ${\mu}Sv/hr$). Airborne benzene was detected at 0.31 ppb when the detection limit was lowered as low as possible. Ethylene oxide and formaldehyde were not found in the cases' processes, while these two were determined to be among the 263 chemicals in the list that was used at the six semiconductor companies at levels lower than 0.1%. Exposures occurring before 2002 could not be assessed because of the lack of information. Conclusion: Considering the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents, we could not find any convincing evidence for occupational exposure in all investigated cases. However, further study is needed because the semiconductor industry is a newly developing one.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the risk of both individual and combined health behaviors on premature mortality in middle aged men in Korea. Methods: In total, 14 533 male subjects 40 to 59 years of age were recruited. At enrollment, subjects completed a baseline questionnaire, which included information about socio-demographic factors, past medical history, and life style. During the follow-up period from 1993 to 2008, we identified 990 all-cause premature deaths using national death certificates. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of each health risk behavior, which included smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and lack of sleep hours. Using the Cox model, each health behavior was assigned a risk score proportional to its regression coefficient value. Health risk scores were calculated for each patient and the HR of all-cause premature mortality was calculated according to risk score. Results: Current smoking and drinking, high body mass index, less sleep hours, and less education were significantly associated with all-cause premature mortality, while regular exercise was associated with a reduced risk. When combined by health risk score, there was a strong trend for increased mortality risk with increased score (p-trend < 0.01). When compared with the 1-9 score group, HRs of the 10-19 and 20-28 score groups were 2.58 (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.19 to 3.03) and 7.09 (95% CIs, 5.21 to 9.66), respectively. Conclusions: Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, drinking, and regular exercise, have considerable impact on premature mortality and should be assessed in combination.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.522-530
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• 2020

Background: In 2008, Korea implemented a new type of social insurance known as "long-term care insurance". We examined the association between ownership of long-term care facilities and the incidence of pressure ulcers after the implementation of "long-term care insurance". This study is a population-based retrospective cohort study from 2006 to 2013. Methods: We used medical claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporate Elderly Cohort Database from 2006 to 2013. These data comprise a nationally representative sample. To avoid confounders, only patients admitted to one long-term care facility and who stayed for >70% of the follow-up time were included; as a result, 3,107 individuals were enrolled. The main independent variable was the operating entity of the long-term care facility (local government, corporate bodies, and private for-profit owners), and the dependent variable was the 1-year incidence of pressure-ulcers. Survival analysis (Cox proportional hazard model) was used as an analysis method. Results: Compared to patients admitted to local government long-term care facilities, patients admitted to private long-term care facilities had a significantly higher 1-year risk of pressure ulcers (hazard ratio [HR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-2.91); the risk was especially high among patients who were cognitively dependent (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.25-4.37). Conclusion: Patients admitted to private for-profit long-term care facilities were more likely to have pressure ulcers compared to those in local government and corporate body long-term care facilities. Appropriate assessment tools and publicly available information, as well as more restricted legal requirements, are needed to improve the care quality and outcomes of patients in long-term care facilities.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

The encystation of Acanthamoeba leads to the development of metabolically inactive and dormant cysts from vegetative trophozoites under unfavorable conditions. These cysts are highly resistant to anti-Acanthamoeba drugs and biocides. Therefore, the inhibition of encystation would be more effective in treating Acanthamoeba infection. In our previous study, a sirtuin family protein-Acanthamoeba silent-information regulator 2-like protein (AcSir2)-was identified, and its expression was discovered to be critical for Acanthamoeba castellanii proliferation and encystation. In this study, to develop Acanthamoeba sirtuin inhibitors, we examine the effects of sirtinol, a sirtuin inhibitor, on trophozoite growth and encystation. Sirtinol inhibited A. castellanii trophozoites proliferation (IC50=61.24 µM). The encystation rate of cells treated with sirtinol significantly decreased to 39.8% (200 µM sirtinol) after 24 hr of incubation compared to controls. In AcSir2-overexpressing cells, the transcriptional level of cyst-specific cysteine protease (CSCP), an Acanthamoeba cysteine protease involved in the encysting process, was 11.6- and 88.6-fold higher at 48 and 72 hr after induction of encystation compared to control. However, sirtinol suppresses CSCP transcription, resulting that the undegraded organelles and large molecules remained in sirtinol-treated cells during encystation. These results indicated that sirtinol sufficiently inhibited trophozoite proliferation and encystation, and can be used to treat Acanthamoeba infections.