• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.773-781
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional and health status of women industrial workers by working fields. One hundred forty eight (105 lead and 43 office) workers were recruited from March 2005 to October 2005. Information on age, education, smoking and drinking status were collected using questionnaire and nutrient intake and diet quality of workers were assessed by average of two-day 24 hr recall method. Biochemical indexes including blood lead level (PbB), indexes for iron status, serum calcium (Ca) and serum lipid profiles were analyzed from fasting venous blood or serum. Results showed that education level of lead workers was lower than that of office workers (p<0.05), but nutrient intake levels were not significantly different by working fields. Overall nutritional status of the subject were good except for calcium, vitamin $B_2$, C and folic acid intakes. PbB of lead workers were significantly higher than that of office workers while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and serum Ca levels were significantly lower in lead workers. MCHC was positively correlated with zinc intake (r=0.166) and serum Ca was positively correlated with vitamin C intake (r=0.179). This study confirms that lead workers need extra care to keep their health and nutritional management especially for the nutrients known to interact with lead. Tailored nutrition education for workers at specific working fields needs to be more focused for the improvement of health status of industrial workers.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2003

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms, accompanied by marked cell death in the striatum and cortex. Stereotaxic injection of quinolinic acid (QA) into striatum results in a degeneration of GABAergic neurons and exhibits abnormal motor behaviors typical of the illness. The objective of this study was carried out to obtain basic information about whether parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem (PmES) cells are suitable for cell replacement therapy of HD. To establish PmES cell lines, hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) mouse oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and cytochalasin-B for 4 hr to initiate spontaneous cleavage. Thus established PmES cells were induced to differentiate using bFGF (20ng/ml) followed by selection of neuronal precursor cells for 8 days in N2 medium. After selection, cells were expanded at the presence of bFGF (20 ng/ml) for another 6 days, then a final differentiation step in N2 medium for 7 days. To establish recipient animal models of HD, young adult mice (7 weeks age ICR mice) were lesioned unilaterally with a stereotaxic injection of QA (60 nM) into the striatum and the rotational behavior of the animals was tested using apomorphine (0.1mg/kg, IP) 7 days after the induction of lesion. Animals rotating more than 120 turns per hour were selected and the differentiated PmES cells (1$\times$10$^4$cells/ul) were implanted into striatum. Four weeks after the graft, immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of cells reactive to anti-NeuN antibody. However, only a slight improvement of motor behavior was observed. By Nissl staining, cell mass resembling tumor was found at the graft site and near cortex which may explain the slight behavioral improvement. Detailed experiment on cell viability, differentiation and migration explanted in vivo is currently being studied.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.435-442
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• 2012

This study was conducted to isolate and identify the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from spent mushroom substrates (SMS) for the effective anaerobic fermentation to utilize SMS as an animal feed and to determine the optimal medium conditions for their growth. At first, a total of 23 strains were isolated from the ensiled SMS based on the LAB counts and pH tested. Then, a total of 16 strains which rapidly produce lactate and decreased the pH, were selected for a screening test. The optical density (OD), pH, and yellow clear zone were tested for the selected 16 strains. Among the strains, KU5 strain had wider yellow clear zone and lower pH and KU13 strain had higher OD at 24 hr of incubation and wider yellow clear zone compared to other strains and control strain (Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 12116). Accordingly, KU5 and KU13 strains were finally selected. The KU5 and KU13 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by the 16S rRNA sequencing. The KU5 strain was named as Lactobacillus plantarum KU5, and the KU13 strain was named as Lactobacillus plantarum KU13. Lactobacillus plantarum KU5 and Lactobacillus plantarum KU13 were registered at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Access number of Lactobacillus plantarum KU5 was HQ542227 and that of Lactobacillus plantarum KU13 was HQ542228. The optimal medium conditions for growth of KU5 and KU13 were soybean meal 2% and formulated feed 2%, respectively.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.161-164
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• 2002

Gentisic acid is a skin-whitening agent which inhibits the tyrosinase activity, an essential enzyme in the process of biological synthesis of melanin. Since melanin is synthesized in melanocytes located between the viable epidermis and dermis layer, drug amount delivered into the epidermis/dermis layer can provide valuable information for the biological effect of skin-whitening agents. The purpose of this study was to prepare the gentisic acid patches with 2% dodecylamine as enhancer, and to observe the in vitro skin permeation and in vivo skin deposition of gentisic acid. Gentisic acid in DuroTak 87-2510 patch formulation permeated across hairless mouse skin at the rate of $40.79\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$. In vivo study showed that the gentisic acid amount in both the stratum corneum and the viable epidermis/dermis increased with the increase of application time. The amount of gentisic acid in the stratum corneum was higher than that in the epidermis/dermis layer, and was expected to provide a reservoir effect even after removing the patches. Thus, the patch formulation seems to be useful for the topical delivery of skin-whitening agent into the epidermis/dermis layer, the target site.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7497-7500
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• 2013

Background: This study concerns clinical characteristics and survival of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), as well as the prognostic significance of presenting symptoms. Materials and Methods: The clinical characteristics, presenting symptoms and survival of RCC patients (n=151) treated at UMMC from 2003-2012 were analysed. Symptoms evaluated were macrohaematuria, flank pain, palpable abdominal mass, fever, lethargy, loss of weight, anaemia, elevated ALP, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of these presenting symptoms. Kaplan Meier and log rank tests were employed for survival analysis. Results: The 2002 TNM staging was a prognostic factor (p<0.001) but Fuhrman grading was not significantly correlated with survival (p=0.088). At presentation, 76.8% of the patients were symptomatic. Generally, symptomatic tumours had a worse survival prognosis compared to asymptomatic cases (p=0.009; HR 4.74). All symptoms significantly affect disease specific survival except frank haematuria and loin pain on univariate Cox regression analysis. On multivariate analysis adjusted for stage, only clinically palpable abdominal mass remained statistically significant (p=0.027). The mean tumour size of palpable abdominal masses, $9.5{\pm}4.3cm$, was larger than non palpable masses, $5.3{\pm}2.7cm$ (p<0.001). Conclusions: This is the first report which includes survival information of RCC patients from Malaysia. Here the TNM stage and a palpable abdominal mass were independent predictors for survival. Further investigations using a multicentre cohort to analyse mortality and survival rates may aid in improving management of these patients.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2016

Fusarium graminearum is the main cause of substantial economic loss in wheat production. The aim of this study is to investigate biocontrol potential of Lysobacter antibioticus HS124 against F. graminearum and to purify an antifungal compound. In preliminary study, n-butanol crude extract revealed destructive alterations in the hyphal morphology of F. graminearum and almost degraded with $1,000{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ concentration. For further study, the antifungal compound extracted from the n-butanol crude extract of L. antibioticus HS124 was identified as N-Butyl-tetrahydro-5-oxofuran-2-carboxamide ($C_9H_{16}NO_3$) using NMR ($^1H-NMR$, $^{13}C-NMR$, $^1H-^1H\;COSY$, HMBC, and HMQC), and HR-ESI-MS analysis. To our knowledge, N-Butyl-tetrahydro-5-oxofuran-2-carboxamide may be a novel compound with molecular weight of 186.1130. The minimum inhibitory concentration value of antifungal compound was $62.5{\mu}g\;mL^{-1}$ against F. graminearum. In an in vivo pot experiment, crown rot disease from F. graminearum was inhibited when wheat seeds were treated with both HS124 culture and F. graminearum. Growth of wheat seedling was enhanced by treatment of HS124 compared to control. Our results suggest that L. antibioticus HS124 characterized in this study could be successfully used to control F. graminearum and could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicides in modern agriculture.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.31.1-31.1
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• 2016

SNe light curves have been used to understand the expansion history of the universe, and a lot of efforts have gone into understanding the overall shape of the radioactively powered light curve. However, we still have little direct observational evidence for the theorized SN progenitor systems. Recent studies suggest that the light curve of a supernova shortly after its explosion (< 1 day) contains valuable information about its progenitor system and can be used to set a limit on the progenitor size, R*. In order to catch the early light curve of SNe explosion and understand SNe progenitors, we are performing a ~8hr interval monitoring survey of nearby galaxies (d < 50 Mpc) with 1-m class telescopes around the world. Through this survey, we expect to catch the very early precursor emission as faint as R=21 mag (~0.1 Rsun for the progenitor). In this talk, we outline this project, and present a few scientific highlights, such as the early light curve of SN 2015F in NGC 2442.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1521-1531
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• 2011

This study was carried out to determine the characteristics of the marine environment, including nutritional content, in order to clearly understand the outbreaks of Gonyaulax polygramma in the southern coastal areas in August, 2009. Samples were collected at 13 sites and water temperature and salinity were measured using a CTD. Field surveys were twice: the first between August 5-7, the second between August 22-24. The cell density of G. polygramma was 6,500-10,000 cells $ml^{-1}$ during the $1^{st}$ survey, whereas during the $2^{nd}$ survey the range of the cells was recorded from 8,000 to 12,500 cells $ml^{-1}$. Cochlodinium polykrikoides ranged from 0 to 105 cells $l^{-1}$ during the field survey. In water environments, the majority stations during the $1^{st}$ survey showed a nearly homogeneous water column below $1^{\circ}C$ in temperature, as well as similar profiles of salinity. However, the stratification between the surface and bottom was observed in the $2^{nd}$ survey. Regarding nutrients, Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) in the surface ranged from 0.144 to 0.236 mg $l^{-1}$ during the $1^{st}$ survey, and 0.082-0.228 mg $l^{-1}$ during the $2^{nd}$ survey. DIP (Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus) did not show any difference in concentration between the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ survey. During August of 2009, the wind speed in the southern waters remained at around ${\leq}2\;m\;s^{-1}$ for about 60% of time, and there was very little precipitation during the month. Irradiance of ${\geq}10$ hr was shown in the late of August. It is thought that a low level of DIN and salinity play an important role as an essential factor for rapid growth, wide distribution and longer duration of red tide in G. polygramma.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2006

Benzo[a]pyrene is a representative ecotoxicant in marine environment and a model compound of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which has an ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers suitable for assessing environmental pollution using a microarray technique. We examined the effects of benzo[a]pyrene on gene expressions in the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli. We constructed the subtractive cDNA library with hepatic RNA from benzo[a]pyrene-exposed and non-exposed control fish. From the library 10,000 candidate clones were selected randomly and cDNA microarray was constructed. We determined benzo[a]pyrene-responsive genes using a high-density microarray. Statistical analysis showed that approximately 400 genes are significantly induced or reduced by benzo[a]pyrene treatment ($2\;{\mu}m$). Especially gene expression changes of 4 candidate clones among the up- or down-regulated genes were investigated in 6, 12 and 24 hr BaP-exposed fish groups. Many methods have been developed to monitor marine environmental status, which depend on quantifying the levels of the toxic components in polluted seawater or on ecological accessing, such as species diversity or richness. However, those methods could not provide information on physiological or genetic changes induced by such environmental stresses. Comparing with the conventional methods, these data will propose that benzo[a]pyrene-responsive genes can be useful for biological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on marine organism at molecular level.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2008

Objectives : We examined the association between alcohol consumption and incidence of colorectal cancer in elderly Koreans. Methods : The cohort members (n=14,304) consisted of 4,834 males and 9,470 females derived from the Korea Elderly Pharmacoepidemiologic Cohort (KEPEC), a population-based dynamic cohort. They were aged 65 years old or older and lived in Busan between 1993-1998; they were beneficiaries of the Korean Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC). Baseline information was surveyed by a self-administered, mailed questionnaire. This study population was restricted to 14,304 participants who reported alcohol drinking habits on the questionnaire and had not been diagnosed with colorectal cancer at baseline. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of status, type, frequency and daily average amount of alcohol consumption were computed with Cox's proportional hazard model, with the never-drinkers as a reference group and controlling for age and gender. Results : After 4.82 person-years of mean follow-up 112 cases of colorectal cancer occurred. The incidence densities of colorectal cancer were 161 (95% CI=123-200) for never-drinkers, 219 (95% CI=125-339) for ex-drinkers, and 137 (95% CI=84-189) for current-drinkers per 100,000 person-year. The status, type, frequency, and daily average amount of alcohol consumption were not significantly related to the incidence of colorectal cancer after controlling for age and gender. Conclusions : There was no significant association between alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer among elderly people after controlling for age and gender.