• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.318-324
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• 2017

Lime bordeaux mixture (LBM) and lime sulfur mixture (LSM) are representative environmental friendly organic materials for prevention of insect pests in South Korea. Recently, those have been widely used as an alternative for chemical pesticides in eco-friendly farms. However, South Korea has not established even recommendation of LBM and LSM considering the stability of heavy metals in soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of hazardous heavy metals in soil and plant with long-term application of LBM and LSM. Firstly, we investigated the amount of LBM and LSM used per year in several eco-friendly farms to determine a standard application rate of both materials. The pepper plant was grown on the pot in greenhouse for 14 weeks. Both materials were applied at 0, 1, 3, and 9 times of standard application rates (2.56 and $1.28L\;ha^{-1}$ of LBM and LSM per year, respectively). Dry matter yield of pepper and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentration in soil and pepper plant were measured after 14 weeks. Yield of pepper plant did not significantly chang with up to application rate of 1 times, thereafter it markedly decreased with more than 3 times. With increasing LBM and LSM application, the concentration of Cu and Zn in soil significantly increased. Especially, Zn concentration in pepper significantly increased with increasing application rates of both materials. This might resulted in significant decrease in dry matter yield of pepper. The concentrations of those heavy metals in soil did not exceed safety levels ($150mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Cu and $300mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Zn) established by the Korean Soil Environmental Conservation Act as well as concentration of heavy metals in pepper plant by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. However, particular attention should be paid for heavy metal safety and crop productivity when using LBM and LSM in the organic farm.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.305-309
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• 2021

Purpose: This study analyzed the increase in disposal rate of femoral heads in the bone bank of a single hospital from medical disease and drug history, as assessed by the Korean health insurance review and assessment service. Materials and Methods: The disposal rate and cause of 340 femoral heads were analyzed according to the regulations of the bone bank based on the standard model of the Ministry of food and drug safety. Results: One hundred and seven (33%) of 323 femoral heads collected from 2009 to 2018, and 65 (46%) of 142 femoral heads collected from 2015 to 2018 were discarded. The most common causes were related to the history of dementia and the administration of radioisotope for nuclear medicine. Conclusion: The current methods and screening tools can lead to errors in disposing of the available tissues in a bone bank. Thus, improved standards and screening methods are needed.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.283-304
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify Web accessibility issues of healthcare websites of the Korean government and public agencies by evaluating these websites' accessibility in accordance with the Korean Web Contents Accessibility Guideline. This study conducted both automated and expert testing to assess the accessibility of a total of 27 health-related websites. The results of the assessment which was conducted in two stages indicated that institutions such as the National Hospital and National Rehabilitation Center demonstrated almost no Web accessibility error. In addition, the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Health Services Agency, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency attained very high web accessibility. However, the results of an expert evaluation highlighted that there were considerable errors in providing appropriate alternative text, which was not found in the automated test, and the color contrast of the text content did not comply with Web accessibility standard. Therefore, these websites did not support web accessibility for the sight-impaired. Furthermore, the present study found that it was difficult to deliver accurate information to users due to errors in the default language display and markup, and also, issues of skipping repeated content, content linearization, and compliance with keyboard use were considered as challenges that might arise for people with sight, cognitive and mobility impairments with respect to Web accessibility. It is the first study that evaluated accessibility of healthcare websites of the Korean government and public agencies based on the Korean Web Contents Accessibility Guideline. The present study made a contribution to research on Web accessibility by conducting expert testing, which provided a more complete assessment that identified the degree and specific issues of accessibility errors when compared to automated testing.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2021

For this study, we surveyed concentrations of 8 mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, B2 and zearalenone) in agricultural products used for food and medicine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and conducted a risk assessment. Samples were collected at the Yangnyeong Market in Seoul, Korea, between January and November 2019. Mycotoxins were extracted from these samples by adding 0.1% formic acid in 50% acetonitrile and cleaned up by using an ISOLUTE Myco cartridge. The method was validated by assessing its matrix effects, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery and precision using four representative matrices. Matrix-matched standard calibration was used for quantification and the calibration curves of all analytes showed good linearity (r2>0.9999). LODs and LOQs were in the range of 0.02-0.11 ㎍/kg and 0.06-0.26 ㎍/kg, respectively. Sample recoveries were from 81.2 to 118.7% and relative standard deviations lower than 8.90%. The method developed in this study was applied to analyze a total of 187 samples, and aflatoxin B1 was detected at the range of 1.18-7.29 ㎍/kg (below the maximum allowable limit set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, MFDS), whereas aflatoxin B2, G1 and G2 were not detected. Mycotoxins that are not regulated presently in Korea were also detected: fumonisin (0.84-14.25 ㎍/kg), ochratoxin A (0.76-17.42 ㎍/kg), and zearalenone (1.73-15.96 ㎍/kg). Risk assessment was evaluated by using estimated daily intake (EDI) and specific guideline values. These results indicate that the overall exposure level of Koreans to mycotoxins due to the intake of agricultural products used for food and medicine is unlikely to be a major risk factor for their health.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.349-354
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• 2023

Sunscreen is a product that protects against ultraviolet rays by blocking and scattering ultraviolet rays, and has now become a daily necessity beyond cosmetics. Applying sunscreen is a common and easy way to prevent skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Due to its significance, the evaluation of sunscreen has evolved since its regulation by the FDA in 1978, progressing to standardized methods established by ISO. Additionally, to assess the loss of sunscreen due to activities such as water exposure or sweating, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea and ISO have established protocols for evaluating the water-resistant sun protection factor (SPF). However, existing evaluations of water resistance have been mainly confined to test methods involving plain water, and methods accounting for the impact of seawater during activities like beach leisure, sports, and recreation are yet to be established. Based on the existing guidelines for testing the water-resistant UV protection index, this study compared the water-resistant UV protection index in water, artificial seawater (salt water) and natural seawater (sea water) to evaluate the UV protection index in real-world situations such as marine leisure, sports, and leisure activities. Through these results, we were able to compare the differences between water resistance sun protection index tests in ordinary water, artificial seawater, and natural seawater, and suggest a method for water resistance sun protection index tests using natural seawater.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.491-500
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• 2022

HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM), containing 14% β-glucan, is a health functional food ingredient individually approved by the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for liver health. The anti-inflammatory effect of a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of HKSMM (designated HKSMM50) was studied in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used as a positive control. LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells were treated with HKSMM50 and AHCC (0, 20, 100, 500 ㎍/ml) and cultured for 24 hr. Inflammation-related elements in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in the cells was analyzed by Western blotting. The HKSMM50 lowered iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) contents in a concentration-dependent manner as compared to LPS treatment. Similarly, the HKSMM50 lowered the content of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contents and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The efficacy of the AHCC treatment was similar to that of the HKSSM50 treatments. These results indicate that HKSMM50 showed an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells by down-regulation of NF-κB signaling and suggest that HKSMM could be used as a health functional food ingredient to help improve immune function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.678-689
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• 2022

HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM), containing 14% β-glucan, is a health functional food ingredient approved individually for liver health by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The immune-enhancing efficacy of a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of HKSMM (designated HKSMM50) was studied in Jurkat cells activated with concanavalin A (ConA). Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used as a positive control. ConA-activated Jurkat cells were treated with HKSMM50 (0, 25, 50, 100 ㎍ g/ml) or AHCC (100 ㎍ g/ml), and cultured for 3 and 6 hours. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) protein content in the cytosol and the nucleus was measured by Western blotting. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. HKSMM50 lowered NFAT content in the cytosol, but elevated NFAT content in the nucleus. The IL-2 and IFN-γ productions were elevated. Meanwhile, both COX-2 activity and apoptosis were suppressed. The efficacy of the AHCC treatment showed similar to those of HKSMM50 treatments. These results indicate that the HKSMM50 exhibited immune-enhancing effects in ConA-treated Jurkat cells by activation of NFAT protein, and suggest that HKSMM could be used as a health functional food ingredient to improve immune functions in humans.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.68-93
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• 2019

Objective : This study summarized the characteristics of clinical trials for atopic dermatitis medicines approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS). This study may be a reference for the design of clinical trials of atopic dermatitis herbal medicine treatment which may be carried out later. Method : The characteristics of the clinical trial were analyzed for clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, CRIS, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute among the clinical trial approval statuses posted on the website of the MFDS. Result : 1. Clinical trial drugs were developed in various formulations such as oral medicines, injections, dermatologic agents, and similar proportions. Relatively little clinical trials were found for herbal medicine. 2. In the control evaluation test, most of the treatments for the control group were performed with placebo using Vehicle. 3. In most clinical trials, one intervention group was in the form of a parallel assignment with only one treatment. 4. The age of the subjects was 11 out of 28 studies including minors, and clinical trials targeting minors were also found to be significant. 5. In the case of atopic dermatitis, the cases of subacute chronic or atopic dermatitis more than 6 months or more than 1 year were often used. 6. Most clinical trials were divided into mild to moderate atopic dermatitis or moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The SCORAD index, EASI, IGA, BSA, and NRS were used as the evaluation criteria. 7. Regulations for the drugs used prior to the trial period for the treatment of atopic dermatitis vary somewhat from one clinical trial to another. 8. IGA was used most often as a primary efficacy tool, and SCORAD index, EASI, and NRS were also used.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate salt-related dietary attitudes, behaviors, and nutrition knowledge according to urinary salt signal of university students. Based on urinary salt signal, we classified subjects into an "adequate Na intake (ANI)" group (n=52) (salt ${\leq}6g$) and "excess Na intake (ENI)" group (n=66) (salt >6 g). Subjects were asked about general characteristics, lifestyle, salt-related dietary attitudes, behaviors, and nutritional knowledge using questionnaire. The ENI group had more subjects who were drinkers (P<0.05) compared to the ANI group. The ENI group (33.45) showed a significantly lower score in terms of salt-related dietary attitudes compared to the ANI group (35.50) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total score of salt-related dietary behavior between the groups. The score of nutrition knowledge was significantly higher in the ANI (9.77) group than in the ENI (8.82) group (P<0.05). The correlation analysis indicated that the urinary salt signal had a negative correlation with the salt-related dietary attitude score after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index (r=-0.2100, P<0.05). These results support the validity of using the urinary salt signal to simplify estimation of sodium intake.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2023

In this study, the effect of MnSO₄ on the insecticidal crystal (IC) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis for a rapid detection medium was analyzed. The strains used included one B. thuringiensis reference (KCTC 1511) and nine wild-type strains. The IC in B. thuringiensis was detected following the method published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea. In the nutrient agar to which 0.005% MnSO₄ was added, IC was observed on two of the three plates after 48 hours of incubation and on all three plates after 120 hours. In AK agar, IC was observed on one and two of the three plates after 48 and 96 hours of incubation, respectively. These results indicated that 0.005% MnSO₄ nutrient agar is more appropriate than AK agar for production of IC in B. thuringiensis. The effect of various MnSO₄ concentrations on IC production was studied after 24 hours of incubation. IC was produced on 1 of the 10 plates with 0.000% MnSO₄ nutrient agar, 2 of the 10 plates with 0.001% MnSO₄ nutrient agar, and 3 of the 10 plates with 0.002% MnSO₄ nutrient agar. IC was not observed for the other nutrient agars containing 0.003%-0.009% MnSO₄. These results indicated that nutrient agar with 0.002% MnSO₄ led to the most rapid production of IC by B. thuringiensis after 24 hours of incubation. However, the conditions for IC production by B. thuringiensis depended on the incubation conditions and strain activity. Therefore, further studies are needed to verify the effects of 0.002% MnSO₄ on the production of IC by various Bacillus thuringiensis strains.