• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2023

The Asian dust observation network operates β-ray attenuation samplers to measure PM₁₀ concentrations. In addition, equivalence evaluation and accuracy inspection(Precision Tests) are conducted every year for the reliability of data. β-ray attenuation samplers(16 units) were comparatively observed from May to June 2020 and from July to December 2021. During the observation period, the average daily temperature was the lowest at 6.4℃ in December and the highest at 27.3℃ in August. The average daily humidity ranged from 60% to 100%, but the average daily humidity was over 75% from July to September. The minimum value of the PM₁₀ Gravimetric method was 5.0 ㎍/m³, the maximum value was 53.4 ㎍/m³, and the average value was 17.8 ㎍/m³. The equivalence evaluation results of the PM₁₀ Gravimetric method and β-ray attenuation samplers satisfied the criteria (slope: 1±0.1, intercept: 0±0.5). A relative error analysis between the PM₁₀ Gravimetric method and β-ray attenuation samplers equipment showed that the relative error increased when the concentration was low and the temperature and humidity were high. In addition, in the β-ray attenuation samplers 5-minute interval observation data in May 2020, a relatively large Standard devication was shown as an average maximum ±23.4 ㎍/m³ and a minimum ±15.2 ㎍/m³. At standard deviations of 10% and 90%, equipment with high variability (deviation) was measured at 6 ㎍/m³and 61 ㎍/m³, and equipment with low variability was measured at 12 ㎍/m³ and 47 ㎍/m³. It was confirmed that concentration differences occurred due to differences in variability for each equipment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.282-290
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction between kidney function and the non-linear association between serum calcium levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods: This study included 8927 participants enrolled in the Dong-gu Study. Albumin-corrected calcium levels were used and categorized into 6 percentile categories: <2.5th, 2.5-25.0th, 25.0-50.0th, 50.0-75.0th, 75.0-97.5th, and >97.5th. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine the non-linear association between calcium levels and CVD mortality. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD mortality according to serum calcium categories. All survival analyses were stratified by the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: Over a follow-up period of 11.9±2.8 years, 1757 participants died, of whom 219 died from CVD. A U-shaped association between serum calcium and CVD mortality was found, and the association was more evident in the low kidney function group. Compared to the 25.0-50.0th percentile group for serum calcium levels, both low and high serum calcium tended to be associated with CVD mortality (<2.5th: HR, 6.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 33.56; >97.5th: HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 0.76 to 8.66) in the low kidney function group. In the normal kidney function group, a similar association was found between serum calcium levels and CVD mortality (<2.5th: HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.58 to 3.27; >97.5th: HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.70 to 3.93). Conclusions: We found a non-linear association between serum calcium levels and CVD mortality, suggesting that calcium dyshomeostasis may contribute to CVD mortality, and kidney function may modify the association.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2023

Objectives: The existing reductionist approach has not reached complete understanding of the cause of schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to investigate yin-yang and five-element characteristics reflected on four time pillars of birth of patients with schizophrenia through comparison with the general population in the perspective of consilience-based holistic approach. Methods: This study was conducted using a random sequential recruitment method for the general population and individuals with schizophrenia aged 18 to 64 based on the exact date and time of birth using structured questionnaires. Relative positional relations of yin-yang and five-element with day master were primarily examined. In addition, the strength of day master with a score range of 0~100 points was assessed through operational score allocation. Results: Of 591 participants, 576 (346: general population, 230: individuals with schizophrenia) were analyzed. Between-group analyses showed no significant difference in the distribution of types of day master (χ²=10.41, df=9, p=0.318). However, significant between-group differences were shown in the distribution of the strength of day master (t=2.14, p=0.032) and frequency of restraining month branch (χ²=5.23, df=1, p=0.022). In logistic regression analysis, 10-point increase on the strength of day master decreased the probability of onset of schizophrenia over the age of 30 by 29.6% (p=0.002; 95% confidence interval, 0.566~0.876). Conclusions: Findings in this study suggest that four time pillars of birth might be associated with schizophrenia through yin-yang and five-element theory and synchronicity principle, implicating the plausibility of consilience-based holistic approach in the determination of risk factors or cause of schizophrenia.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2016

Sclerotium rolfsii is a well known broad host range soil borne plant pathogenic fungus and caused serious damage to various vegetable crops. To develop an effective biological control agent for S. rolfsii, an isolate which showed strong inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii was selected among the antagonistic bacterial isolates collected from vinyl-house soil. The bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KBC1009 based on the morphological, physiological characteristics and by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The growth conditions for B. amyloliquefaciens KBC1009 were optimized in LB media(pH7) by culturing at 30℃ for 72 hrs. Glucose and yeast extract were confirmed as the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. In order to test the inhibitory effect of B. amyloliquefaciens KBC1009 to stem rot of pepper, green house experiment was conducted. Drench of 1/500 diluted bacterial suspension of B. amyloliquefaciens KBC1009(5×108 cfu/ml) to each pepper plant 3 times with 10 days interval showed 66.7% control effectiveness. These results suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens KBC1009 is one of promising biocontrol agent to control stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.476-486
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• 2023

Purpose: The optimal tumor mutational burden (TMB) value for predicting treatment response to programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitors in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the optimal TMB cutoff value that could predict the efficacy of PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in AGC. Materials and Methods: Patients with AGC who received pembrolizumab or nivolumab between October 1, 2020, and July 27, 2021, at Samsung Medical Center in Korea were retrospectively analyzed. The TMB levels were measured using a next-generation sequencing assay. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the TMB cutoff value was determined. Results: A total 53 patients were analyzed. The TMB cutoff value for predicting the overall response rate (ORR) to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors was defined as 13.31 mutations per megabase (mt/Mb) with 56% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Based on this definition, 7 (13.2%) patients were TMB-high (TMB-H). The ORR differed between the TMB-low (TMB-L) and TMB-H (8.7% vs. 71.4%, P=0.001). The progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) for 53 patients were 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.600-2.268) and 4.26 months (95% CI, 2.992-5.532). The median OS was longer in the TMB-H (20.8 months; 95% CI, 2.292-39.281) than in the TMB-L (3.31 months; 95% CI, 1.604-5.019; P=0.049). Conclusions: The TMB cutoff value for predicting treatment response in AGC patients who received PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy as salvage treatment was 13.31 mt/Mb. When applying the programmed death ligand-1 status to TMB-H, patients who would benefit from PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors can be selected.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1C
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• pp.63-74
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• 2008

Site response analyses were performed based on equivalent linear technique using the local geologic and dynamic site characteristics, which include soil profiles, shear wave velocity profiles and depth to bedrock for 125 sites collected in Korean Peninsula. From the results of site response analyses, 2-parameters site classification system based on the combination of mean shear wave velocity of soil and depth to bedrock was newly recommended for regions of shallow bedrock depth in Korea. First, as the borders of bedrock depth (H) for site classification were determined as 10m and 20m, the soil sites were divided into 3 classes as $H_1$, $H_2$ and $H_3$ sites. And then, the 3 site classes were subdivided into 7 classes based on the mean shear wave velocity of soil ($V_{s,soil}$). The feasibility of new site classification system was verified and the representative site coefficients ($F_a$ and $F_v$) and design response spectrum were suggested by analyzing uniform trend and dispersion of site coefficients for each site class. The suggested site coefficients and the regression curves present the nonlinear characteristics of soils according to the change of rock outcrop acceleration with uniform trend effectively. From the comparison between the mean values of response spectrum which was acquired from the site response analysis and the suggested design response spectrum, there was a little difference in some of site classes and it was verified to adjust the integration interval to make it more suitable for the site condition in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2023

Rancidity changes were examined for 6 herbal medicines, namely Persicae Semen, Armeniacae Semen, Lini Semen, Trichosanthis Semen, Arecae Semen, Myristicae Semen known to have relatively high fat content. In order to reduce rancidity of herbal medicines, samples were stored at 3 different conditions of room, refrigerating and freezing temperatures, and the rancidity was measured for 10 months with every 2 month interval. Fat content was extracted by using ethyl ether, and acid values and peroxide values, which are generally accepted indicators of fat rancidity, were measured. When storing Persicae Semen, Lini Semen and Arecae Semen at room temperature, the acid values increased as the storage period increased, and it was higher than when stored in refrigeration or freezing. The measurement of peroxide value showed more significantly higher initial degree of rancidity when Persicae Semen, Trichosanthis Semen, Arecae Semen and Myristicae Semen were stored at room temperature. It was observed that storing herbal medicines in refrigeration or freezing inhibited their rancidity compared to storing them at room temperature. To investigate the quality changes according to rancidity, the analysis of aflatoxins and indicator components showed that aflatoxins B₁ and B₂ were detected in Armeniacae Semen, Arecae Semen and Myristicae Semen, and the amount of amygdalin was well maintained within the specification standard.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.288-299
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the weight fluctuations in college students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify lifestyle and dietary changes related to weight gain. Methods: An online survey was conducted on 270 college students from September 22 to October 26, 2021. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship of weight gain with the general characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary changes of the students. Results: Among the respondents, 42.9% of men and 44.7% of women reported weight gain. The main reasons given for weight gain were reduced activities due to restrictions during lockdown and diet changes, mainly relating to delivered or fast foods. Among the general characteristics and lifestyle factors poor perceived health (odds ratio [OR], 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98-7.96) and being underweight (OR, 0.19, 95% CI, 0.05-0.83) were significantly associated with weight gain. With respect to the diet, increased frequency of eating breakfasts (OR, 4.44, 95% CI, 1.76-11.21), decreased frequency of eating snacks (OR, 0.35, 95% CI, 0.16-0.77), decreased frequency of fruit intake (OR, 3.0, 95% CI, 1.32-6.80), increased frequency of carbonated and sweetened beverage intake (OR, 2.74, 95% CI, 1.26-5.99) and increased frequency of fast food consumption (OR, 2.32, 95% CI, 1.14-4.70) were significantly associated with weight gain. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected weight gain and caused lifestyle and dietary changes. Specific health and nutrition management plans should be prepared for handling future epidemics of infectious diseases based on the results of surveys conducted on larger sample size.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.269-279
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between resistance exercise frequency, muscular strength, and health-related quality of life in Korean cancer patients. We performed complex sample general linear model and logistic regression analysis using data from a total of 647 cancer patients in the 2014~2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Participants who were participating in resistance exercise 0~1 day per week had lower EQ-5D index (0.852±0.016 vs. 0.890±0.020; p=0.006) and a significantly higher risk of having problems in mobility (Odd ratio[OR]=4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.31-12.63) compared to those who were participating in resistance exercise ≥ 5 days per week. Participants with low hand-grip strength had lower EQ-5D index (0.850±0.018 vs. 0.911±0.016; p<0.001) and a significantly higher risk of having problems in mobility (OR=4.94, 95% CI=2.14-11.41), usual activities (OR=5.18, 95% CI=1.56-17.14), and pain/discomfort (OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.33-4.55) compared to those with high hand-grip strength. This study showed that resistance exercise frequency and muscular strength were associated with health-related quality of life in Korean cancer patients.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.509-518
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and the prevalence of colorectal cancer in Korean adults. A cross sectional analysis was performed using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005 to 2014). Total number of subjects were 10,564 adults aged over 19 years. The results showed that individuals in the highest quartile of RHR had a significantly higher prevalence of colorectal cancer (Odds ratio (OR) 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-3.85 to OR 3.00, 95%CI: 1.30-6.92) compared to those in the lowest quartile. Futhermore, every 10 beat per minutes (bpm) increase in RHR was associated with 27% (95%CI: 1.03-1.58) increased prevalence of colorectal cancer. In addition, after stratification by age and gender, the result showed that older people (>65 years) in the highest quartile of RHR had a significantly higher prevalence of colorectal cancer compared to those who were in the lowest quartile of RHR. (male OR 3.19, 95%CI: 1.10-9.24 to OR 3.38, 95%CI: 1.18-9.73; female OR 2.90, 95%CI: 1.13-7.42 to OR 5.59, 95%CI: 1.20-25.99). In this study, we examined the feasibility of RHR as a predictive factor of colorectal cancer prevalence. Moreover, we found that RHR was closely related to the prevalence of colorectal cancer in the age of over 65 years.