• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.242-248
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• 2006

Purpose: Neonatal hepatitis is the major cause of neonatal cholestasis and may be divided into infectious, metabolic, genetic, and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis. Non-familial, non-metabolic, and non-A, B, C viral neonatal hepatitis is known to have made satisfactory progress, but little is known about its chronic clinical features. Methods: Clinical and histological assessments were carried out in 34 cases with chronic neonatal hepatitis [elevated serum alanine aminotrasferase (ALT) level for more than 6 months] except for A, B, C viral hepatitis, metabolic, or genetic neonatal hepatitis, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, from January 1998 to January 2004. Results: Males were more common (70%). Jaundice (100%) and hepatomegaly (44%) were frequent manifestations. Peak serum ALT levels were most commonly below 300 IU/L in 41.2% of patients and peak serum direct bilirubin levels were most commonly between 1.0~5.0 mg/dL in 50% of patients. Ten cases (34%) of 29 patients had positive serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM or urine CMV polymerase chain reaction. Serum ALT level was normalized within 1 year in 11 (37.9%) of 29 cases, and within 2 years in 9 (69.2%) of 13 cases. Serum ALT level was elevated persistently over 2 years in four (30.7%) of 13 cases. Histologic findings such as portal or periportal activity, lobular necrosis, portal or periportal fibrosis were more severe in patients with persistent ALT elevation over 2 years than in those showing normalization of ALT within 2 years (p>0.05). Conclusion: When the elevation of ALT level sustains over 1 year in non-familiar, non-metabolic, non-A, B, C viral neonatal hepatitis, an assessment of the severity of liver injury and a careful monitoring about chronic liver disease may be required.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.290-297
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was developed for the determination of tridemorph in agricultural commodities samples. Tridemorph residues in samples were extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with saline water, and then purified using and aminopropyl ($NH_2$) SPE catridge. The purified samples were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005~2.5 ng) into a blank extract with $r^2$ > 0.999. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.001 and 0.005 mg/kg, respectively. The average recovery ranged between 75.9% and 103.7% at different concentration levels (LOQ, 10 LOQ, 50 LOQ, n = 5) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 9.0%. An interlaboratory study was conducted to validate the method by Korea Advanced Food Research Institute. The average recovery ranged between 87.0% and 109.2% at different concentration levels (LOQ, $10{\times}LOQ$, $50{\times}LOQ$, n = 5) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 8.0%. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL40, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The results prove that the developed analytical methods is accurate, effective and sensitive for tridemorph determination.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Malaria is a re-emerging infectious disease that is spreading to areas where it had been eradicated, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. To avoid the mortality from malaria, early detection of the parasite is a very important issue. The peripheral blood smear has been the gold standard method for the diagnosis of malaria infection. Recently, several other methods have been introduced for quantitative detection of malaria parasites. Real time PCR that employs fluorescent labels to enable the continuous monitoring of PCR product formation throughout the reaction has recently been used to detect several human malaria parasites. 18S rRNA sequences from malaria parasites have been amplified using Taqman real time PCR assay. Here, a SYBR Green-based real time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of malaria parasite-especially, Plasmodium vivax - was applied for the evaluation of 26 blood samples from Korean malaria patients. Even though SYBR Green-based real time PCR is easier and cheaper than Taqman-based assay, SYBR Green-based assay cannot be used because 18S rRNA cannot be specifically amplified using 1 primer set. Therefore, we used DBP gene sequences from Plasmodium vivax, which is specific for the SYBR Green based assays. We amplified the DBP gene from the 26 blood samples of malaria patients using SYBR Green based assay and obtained the copy numbers of DBP genes for each sample. Also, we selected optimal reference gene between ACTB and B2M using real time assay to get the stable genes regardless of Malaria titer. Using selected ACTB reference genes, we successfully converted the copy numbers from samples into titer, ${\sharp}$ of parasites per microliter. Using the resultant titer from DBP based SYBER Green assay with ACTB reference gene, we compared the results from our study with the titer from Taqman-based assay. We found that our results showed identical tendency with the results of 18S rRNA Taqman assay, especially in lower titer range. Thus, our DBP gene-utilized real time assay can detect Plasmodium vivax in Korean patient group semi-quantitatively and easily.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2015

A simultaneous official method was developed for the determination of phorate and its metabolites (phorate sulfoxide, phorate sulfone, phorate oxon, phorate oxon sulfoxide, phorate oxon sulfone) in livestock samples. The analytes were quantified and confirmed via liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Phorate and its metabolites were extracted from beef and milk samples with acidified acetonitrile (containing 1% acetic acid) and partitioned with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Then, the extract was purified through primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18 dispersive sorbent. Matrix matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005-0.5 mg/L) for all the analytes into blank extract with $r^2$ > 0.996. For validation purposes, recovery studies were carried out at three different concentration levels (beef 0.004, 0.04 and 0.2 mg/kg; milk 0.008, 0.04 and 0.2 mg/kg, n = 5). The recoveries were within 79.2-113.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 19.2% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines. The limit of quantification was quite lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (0.05 mg/kg). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for phorate and its metabolites determination and it will be used to as an official analytical method in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to develop a simultaneous method of 8 penicillin antibiotics including amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, penicillin G and penicillin V in meat using LC-MS/MS. The procedure involves solid phase extraction with HLB cartridge and subsequent analysis by LC-MS/MS. To optimize MS analytical condition of 8 compounds, each parameter was established by multiple reaction monitoring in positive ion mode. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a $C_{18}$ column with a mobile phase of 0.05% formic acid and 0.05% formic acid in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min for 20 min with a gradient elution. The developed method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision in beef, pork and chicken. The recoveries were 71.0~106%, and relative standard deviations (RSD) were 4.0~11.2%. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.003~0.008 mg/kg and 0.01~0.03 mg/kg, respectively, that are below maximum residue limit (MRL) of the penicillins. This study also performed survey of residual penicillin antibiotics for 193 samples of beef, pork and chicken collected from 9 cities in Korea. Penicillins were not found in all the samples except a sample of pork which contained cloxacillin (concentration of 0.08 mg/kg) below the MRL (0.3 mg/kg).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2014

A simultaneous determination was developed for 9 aminoglycoside antibiotics (amikacin, apramycin, dihydrostreptomycin, gentamicin, hygromycin B, kanamycin, neomycin, spectinomycin, and streptomycin) in meat by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Each parameter was established by multiple reaction monitoring in positive ion mode. The developed method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision based on CODEX validation guideline. Linearity was over 0.98 with calibration curves of the mixed standards. Recovery of 9 aminoglycosides ranged on 60.5~114% for beef, 60.1~112% for pork and 63.8~131% for chicken. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.001~0.009 mg/kg and 0.006~0.03 mg/kg, respectively in livestock products including beef, pork and chicken. This study also performed survey of residual aminoglycoside antibiotics for 193 samples of beef, pork and chicken collected from 9 cities in Korea. Aminoglycosides were not found in any of the samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of sedaxane in agricultural products using liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned with dichloromethane to remove the interference, and then purified by using silica SPE cartridges to clean up. The analytes were quantified and confirmed by using LC-MS/MS in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.001-0.25{\mu}g/mL$) into a blank extract with $r^2$>0.99. For validation, recovery tests were carried out at three different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ, n=5) with five replicates performed at each level. The recoveries were ranged between 74.5 to 100.8% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 12.1% for all analytes. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for sedaxane determination in agricultural commodities.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of quinoxyfen in agricultural products using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile and water was removed by liquid-liquid partitioning with $MgSO_4$ (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and sodium acetate. Dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup was carried out using $MgSO_4$, PSA (primary secondary amine), $C_{18}$ (octadecyl) and GCB (graphitized carbon black). The analytes were quantified and confirmed by using LC-MS/MS in positive mode with MRM (multiple reaction monitoring). The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using six levels ($0.001-0.25{\mu}g/mL$) and the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) was above 0.99. Recovery results at three concentrations (LOQ, 10 LOQ, and 50 LOQ, n=5) were in the range of 73.5-86.7% with RSDs (relative standard deviations) of less than 8.9%. For inter-laboratory validation, the average recovery was 77.2-95.4% and the CV (coefficient of variation) was below 14.5%. All results were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines (2016). The proposed analytical method was accurate, effective and sensitive for quinoxyfen determination in agricultural commodities. This study could be useful for the safe management of quinoxyfen residues in agricultural products.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.311-330
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• 2023

Development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technique is becoming increasingly important as a method to mitigate the strengthening effects of global warming, generated from the unprecedented increase in released anthropogenic CO₂. In the recent years, the characteristics of basaltic rocks (i.e., large volume, high reactivity and surplus of cation components) have been recognized to be potentially favorable in facilitation of CCS; based on this, research on utilization of basaltic formations for underground CO₂ storage is currently ongoing in various fields. This study investigated the feasibility of underground storage of CO₂ in basalt, based on the examination of the CO₂ storage mechanisms in subsurface, assessment of basalt characteristics, and review of the global research on basaltic CO₂ storage. The global research examined were classified into experimental/modeling/field demonstration, based on the methods utilized. Experimental conditions used in research demonstrated temperatures ranging from 20 to 250 ℃, pressure ranging from 0.1 to 30 MPa, and the rock-fluid reaction time ranging from several hours to four years. Modeling research on basalt involved construction of models similar to the potential storage sites, with examination of changes in fluid dynamics and geochemical factors before and after CO₂-fluid injection. The investigation demonstrated that basalt has large potential for CO₂ storage, along with capacity for rapid mineralization reactions; these factors lessens the environmental constraints (i.e., temperature, pressure, and geological structures) generally required for CO₂ storage. The success of major field demonstration projects, the CarbFix project and the Wallula project, indicate that basalt is promising geological formation to facilitate CCS. However, usage of basalt as storage formation requires additional conditions which must be carefully considered - mineralization mechanism can vary significantly depending on factors such as the basalt composition and injection zone properties: for instance, precipitation of carbonate and silicate minerals can reduce the injectivity into the formation. In addition, there is a risk of polluting the subsurface environment due to the combination of pressure increase and induced rock-CO₂-fluid reactions upon injection. As dissolution of CO₂ into fluids is required prior to injection, monitoring techniques different from conventional methods are needed. Hence, in order to facilitate efficient and stable underground storage of CO₂ in basalt, it is necessary to select a suitable storage formation, accumulate various database of the field, and conduct systematic research utilizing experiments/modeling/field studies to develop comprehensive understanding of the potential storage site.