• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.639-647
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• 2022

The use of flames is essential in cutting, bending, and welding steel during a ship's construction process. While acetylene fuel is commonly used in steel cutting and the manufacturing process in shipyards, the use of propane as an alternative fuel has recently been increasing, due to the lower risk of explosion and propane's relatively low calorific value. However, propane fuel has a relatively slow processing speed and high slag generation frequency, thereby resulting in poor quality. Propylene is another alternative fuel, which has an excellent calorific value. It is expected to gain wider use because of its potential to improve the quality, productivity, and efficiency of steel processing. In this study, the combustion characteristics of propane and propylene fuel during steel plate processing were analyzed and compared. The reduction of greenhouse gases and other harmful gases when using propylene flame was experimentally verified by analyzing the gases emitted during the process. Heat distribution and tensile tests were also performed to investigate the effects of heat input, according to processing fuel used, on the mechanical strength of the marine steel. The results showed that when propylene was used, the temperature was more evenly distributed than when propane fuel was used. Moreover, the mechanical tests showed that when using propylene, there was no decrease in tensile strength, but the strain showed a tendency to decrease. Based on the study results, it is recommended that propylene be used in steel processing and the cutting process in actual shipyards in the future. Additionally, more analysis and supplementary research should be conducted on problems that may occur.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications affects liver and kidney function, by examining blood test data. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 590 inpatients with musculoskeletal diseases between 2013 and 2017. We investigated cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method criteria and cases of drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI) based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition. Results One case (0.17%) of DILI and one case (0.17%) of DIKI were identified. Significant improvements in serum laboratory data were observed after the concurrent use of both types of medications (p<0.05). The kappa coefficients ranged from 0.26 to 0.72, indicating that the values after the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications showed a fair similarity to the baseline values of the patients. The linear regression test showed that female sex and high body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for an increase in the serum blood levels of liver function parameters. Conclusions The concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications for musculoskeletal disorders is relatively safe; however, clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing these medications to female patients and patients with a high BMI because of their potential effect on hepatic function.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2022

Objectives: Objective of this study is to review briefly exposure characteristics, monitoring instruments and threshold limit values for extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF) methods. This study was undertaken through brief literature review. We performed a literature search in PubMed to identify ELF-MF studies conducted in workplaces. Initial search keywords such as 'extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF)' and 'electromagnetic fields (EMF)' combined or singly. We limited our review to occupational rather than general nonworkplace environmental exposures. Methods: The contents we reviewed: key industry and occupations generating ELF-MF, several direct-reading instruments monitoring ELF-MF and threshold limit values (TLV) preventing health effects may be caused by the exposure to ELF-MF. Results: The industries related to the generation and supply of electricity, electrolytic installations, welding, and induction heating and more were regarded as high ELF-MF exposure industries. All jobs handling or employed performed in power cable lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment are found to be exposed to ELF-MF. Threshold or ceiling limit, 1,000 µT, is established to prevent acute effects of exposure to low-frequency EMFs on the nervous system: the direct stimulation of nerve and muscle tissues and the induction of retinal phosphenes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ELF-MF as possibly carcinogenic to humans chiefly based on epidemiological studies on childhood leukemia. However, a causal relationship between magnetic fields and several types of cancer including childhood leukemia has not been established nor has any other long-term effects. Risk management using precautionary measures, has been initiated by the US and EU to prevent chronic health effects related to ELF-MF exposure in workplaces. Conclusion: This study recommends the implementation of various measures such as theestablishment of occupational exposure limit values for ELF-MF and precautionary principle to prevent potential chronic occupational health effects may be caused by ELF-MF in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1082-1087
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• 2021

The propeller shaft has different pattern of behaviors at each static, dynamic, and transient condition to a ship shaft system due to the effects of propeller weight and eccentric thrust, which increases the potential risk of bearing failure by causing local load variations. To prevent this, the various research of the shafting system has been conducted with the emphasis on optimizing the relative slope and oil film retention between propeller shaft and stern tube bearing at quasi-static condition, mainly with respect to the Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships. However, to guarantee a stability of the shafting system, it is necessary to consider the dynamic condition including the transient state due to the sudden change in the stern wakefield during rudder turn. In this context, this study cross-validated the ef ect of propeller shaft behavior on the stern tube bearing during port turn operation, which is a typical transient condition, by using the strain gauge method and displacement sensor for 50,000 DWT medium class tanker. And it was confirmed that the propeller eccentric thrust change showing relief the load of the stern tube bearing.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2022

To investigate the occurrence of fungi in dried ginseng products, we collected 24 white and 26 red ginseng samples from the retail market. Fungi were detected in 50% and 46% of white and red ginseng samples, respectively. The average level of fungal contamination was 0.5 and 0.2 log₁₀ CFU/g in white and red ginseng, respectively. In white ginseng, Penicillium polonicum, P. chrysogenum, and Rhizopus microsporus dominated with each having an occurrence of 18.2%. In red ginseng, Aspergillus spp. was dominant with an occurrence of 87.6%, with A. chevalieri having the highest occurrence (50%). PCR screening for mycotoxigenic potential showed that the 13 isolates of 4 species (P. polonicum, P. chrysogenum, P. melanoconidium, and A. chevalieri) tested were negative for the citrinin biosynthetic gene. These results show that the samples tested in this study had low risk of mycotoxin contamination. However, there is a possibility of dried ginseng products, such as white and red ginseng, being contaminated with fungi.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.78-85
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• 2022

The consumption of Flammulina velutipes mushroom imported from Korea has been associated with the cases of listeriosis in the United States, Canada, and Australia. We investigated the effect of sanitizing the plastic wrapper (used in packaging F. velutipes) with slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) and ultraviolet C waterproof light-emitting diode (UVC-W-LED) on reducing the Listeria monocytogenes. Further, the effect of UVC-LED on L. monocytogenes growth in F. velutipes at different storage temperatures (2, 4, and 10℃) was determined. The combined (SAEW+UVC-W-LED) treatment for 5-10 min reduced 99.9% of bacterial population from the contaminated plastic wrapper. In addition, the UVC-LED treatment for 3 min reduced the L. monocytogenes concentration in F. velutipes by 0.47 log CFU/g. Moreover, the growth of L. monocytogenes in the treated mushrooms was slower than that of the untreated (control) ones. L. monocytogenes concentration in F. velutipes increased over 3 log CFU/g at 2℃ and 10℃ for 60 and 10 days, respectively. The growth of L. monocytogenes at the bottom of mushrooms was faster than that at the top at both the temperatures. These results indicate that the combined SAEW+UVC-W-LED treatment of plastic wrappers and the UVC-LED treatment of mushrooms can be used as potential hurdle technologies to control the risk of L. monocytogenes in mushrooms prior to packaging at farms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2023

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in more than 280 million people worldwide. Monoamine-based antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but delays in treatment effects and lack of responses are major reasons for the need to develop faster and more efficient antidepressants. Studies show that ketamine (KET), a PCP analog, produces antidepressant effects within a few hours of administration that lasts up to a week. However, the use of KET has raised concerns about side effects, as well as the risk of abuse. 4 -F-PCP analog is a novel PCP analog that is also an NMDA receptor antagonist, structurally similar to KET, and might potentially elicit similar antidepressant effects, however, there has been no study on this subject yet. Herein, we investigate whether 4-F-PCP displays antidepressant effects and explored their potential therapeutic mechanisms. 4-F-PCP at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses showed antidepressant-like effects and repeated treatments maintained its effects. Furthermore, treatment with 4-F-PCP rescued the decreased expression of proteins most likely involved in depression and synaptic plasticity. Changes in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4) were also seen following drug treatment. Lastly, we assessed the possible side effects of 4-F-PCP after long-term treatment (up to 21 days). Results show that 4-F-PCP at 3 mg/kg dose did not alter the cognitive function of mice. Overall, current findings provide significant implications for future research not only with PCP analogs but also on the next generation of different types of antidepressants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.361-376
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• 2023

Purpose: This study evaluates the potential protective effects of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil supplementation in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Rats were fed a 1.25% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, followed by oral administration of either of the two doses of hemp seed oil (HO) (0.5 mL/kg (HOL group) or 1 mL/kg (HOH group) body weight/day) or simvastatin at 10 mg/kg body weight/day. Oxidative stress, lipids, liver enzymes, and renal markers were measured in the serum. Western blot analysis was applied for evaluating the expressions of inflammatory makers. Results: Except for HDL-cholesterol, the altered levels of lipoproteins, aminotransferases, urea, and creatine kinases in hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly corrected by HO administration. Especially, compared to the HOH group, HOL treatment further reduced AST, ALT, creatinine, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, both the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor (CRF) in the HOL group were more restrained compared to the HOH group. Increased levels of p-AMPK coincided with the inhibition of SREBP-2 activation which subsequently suppressed the expression of HMGCR. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation coincided with the PI3K/Akt pathway activation and the increased phosphorylation of p38; these levels were significantly suppressed by HO treatment. In addition, HO treatment markedly reversed the changes in chemokines such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1. Histological alterations induced by cholesterol overload in cardiac and hepatic tissues were ameliorated by HO supplementation. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate a low concentration of HO demonstrates improved dysfunctions caused by a high-cholesterol diet via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.272-281
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• 2023

Chigger mites are the vector of scrub typhus. This study estimates the infestation status and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Chiggers were identified under the microscope, and infestation indices were calculated. The Preston's log-normal model was used to fit the curve of species abundance distribution. A total of 6,557 chiggers were collected in 136 of 342 N. fulvescens rats, showing high overall infestation indices (prevalence=39.8%, mean abundance=19.2, mean intensity=48.2) and high species diversity (S=100, H'=3.0). Leptotrombidium cangjiangense, Neotrombicula japonica, and Ascoschoengastia sifanga were the three dominant chigger species (constituent ratio=42.9%; 2,736/6,384) and exhibited an aggregated distribution among different rat individuals. We identified 100 chigger species, with 3 of them (Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium wenense, and Leptotrombidium deliense) as the main vectors of scrub typhus in China and nine species as potential vectors of this disease. Disease vector occurrence on N. fulvescens may increase the risk of spreading scrub typhus from rats to humans. Chigger infestation on N. fulvescens varied significantly in different environments. The species abundance distribution showed a log-normal distribution pattern. The estimated number of chigger species on N. fulvescens was 126 species.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.9-19
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• 2023

Objectives : Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptors, which are bone resorption inhibitors that are currently widely used as osteoporosis treatments, show serious side effects when administered for a long time. Research on bone resorption inhibitors that complement the problems of existing treatments is needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity on the tuberous root of Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino (AM). Methods : After extracting AM using distilled water and ethanol, the inhibitory effects of the two solvents on osteoclast differentiation were compared using the RANKL-induced in vitro experimental model and the TRAP assay kit. The impact of AM on bone resorption was investigated through the pit formation assay, and its effect on F-actin formation was assessed through fluorescent staining. Additionally, protein and mRNA expression levels of osteoclast differentiation markers (NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and ATP6v0d2) and resorption markers (MMP-9, CTK, and CA2) were analyzed via western blot and RT-PCR. Results : AM treatment significantly decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and pit formation area. Furthermore, AM suppressed both the protein and mRNA expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, key transcription factors involved in osteoclast differentiation and it downregulated the expression of osteoclast-associated genes such as TRAP, CTK, MMP-9, CA2, and ATP6v0d2. Conclusions : These results suggest that AM can inhibit bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation, indicating its potential for use in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.