• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.863-871
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• 2007

Spectroscopic characteristics of river water from four major watersheds in the Ulsan area were measured to examine their potential for estimating water quality parameters. The total 176 river samples were collected from 44 sites of small streams within the watersheds during the year 2006. Spectroscopic characteristics investigated included protein-like fluorescence (FLF) intensity, fulvic-like fluorescence (FLF) intensity, terrestrial humic-like fluorescence (TLF) intensity, UV absorbance at 254 nm, and UV absorbance difference at 220 nm and 254 nm. Protein-like fluorescence intensity showed linear relationships with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorous (TP) concentrations of the samples with the correlation of 0.784, 0.779, and 0.733, respectively. Due to the UV absorption characteristics of nitrate at 220 nm, UV absorbance difference at 220 nm and 254 nm was selected to represent total nitrogen (TN) concentration. Exclusion of some samples with PLF intensity higher than 5.0 improved the correlation between the UV absorbance difference and TN as demonstrated by the increase of the correlation coefficient from 0.392 to 0.784. Instead, for the samples with PLF intensity lower than 5.0, the highest correlation of TN was achieved with UV absorbance at 254 nm. The results suggest that PLF intensity could be used as the estimation index for BOD, COD, and TP concentration of river water, and as the primary screening index for the prediction of TN using UV absorbance difference. Some BOD-based water quality levels among the river water were statistically discriminated by the PLF intensity. Low p-values were obtained from the t-tests on the samples with the first level and the second level (p=0.0003) and the samples with the second and the third levels (p=0.0413). Our combined results demonstrated that the selected spectroscopic characteristics of river water could be utilized as a tool for on-site real-time monitoring and/or the primary estimation of water quality.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.783-795
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• 2010

This study was intended to investigate the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) in healthy 92 male smokers (mean age: $44.4\;{\pm}\;7.8\;yrs$). We investigated the anthropometric assessment and dietary intake survey for 2 days by 24-recall method, also blood pressure and serum lipids were measured. The average numbers of cigarettes smoking a day were 21.3/d, smoking duration were 21.5 years. The proportion of fat energy was 24.9% and intakes of vitamin B2, folate, calcium, potassum and fiber were lower than KDRI. The body mass index (BMI) and body fat % were 24.8, 23.9% respectively. The systolic ($134.1\;{\pm}\;1.4\;mmHg$) and the diastolic blood ($87.9\;{\pm}\;1.1\;mmHg$) pressure were in borderline hypertension. Among biochemical parameters, TG ($173.6\;{\pm}\;9.4\;mg/dL$) and fasting blood glucose ($109.0\;{\pm}\;2.4\;mg/dL$) levels were out of normal values. The most occurred problem among the risk factors related to MS was the borderline hypertension (63%) in subjects. Regarding the correlations of anthropometric data with biochemical factors, TG was significantly correlated with the BMI, body fat % and waist circumference. Smoking years showed positive correlation with AI. These results suggest that the smoking habit has significant relations with the risk factors of MS. Therefore, quitting is necessary to prevent MS, and nutrition education and dietary management program are required to prevent the degenerative disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1242-1248
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• 2017

Several medicinal plants are ethnomedically used in Korea as agents for treating infection, anti-inflammation, and pain relief. However, beyond typical inhibitory effects on cell growth, little is known about the potential anti-biofilm activity of these herbs, which may help to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extracts of 37 Korean medicinal plants against dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, which synergize their virulence so as to induce the formation of plaque biofilms in the oral cavity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by broth dilution and disk diffusion assay. The anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were evaluated based on the inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase (GTase) and the DPPH assay, respectively. Among 37 herbs, eight plant extracts presented growth and biofilm inhibitory activities against both etiologic bacteria. Among them, the methanol extracts (1.0 mg/ml) from Camellia japonica and Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited the growth of both bacteria by over 76% and over 83% in liquid media, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these methanol extracts were determined to be 0.5 mg/ml using a disk diffusion assay on solid agar media. Biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 92.4% and 98.0%, respectively, using the same concentration of each extract. The present results demonstrate that the medicinal plants C. japonica and T. orientalis are potentially useful as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in preventing dental diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.292-297
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• 1996

In this study, biochemical changes of muscle protein in squid Sikhae prepared at various temperatures and moisture content were investigated. The pH values in squid Sikhae decreased rapidly with increase in titratable acidity during fermentation at high temperature and moisture content. Growth rate of lactic acid bacteria increased rapidly during fermentation at high temperature and moisture content. Changes in muscle protein subunit were analyzed by SDS-PAGE; myosin heavy chain component disappeared completely during preparation of squid Sikhae and actin component decreased slowly during fermentation. Therefore, it was suggested that myosin heavy chain component in squid muscle protein was autolyzed at the incipient for-mentation time and actin component was degraded by acidic protease in muscle and protease produced from microorganisms during fermentation.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.157-173
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• 2014

The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adult women ($20{\sim}80{\leq}yr$). Data on BMD, anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat), and biochemical (total cholesterol, vitamin D, and alkaline phosphatase) measurements were obtained from the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES, 2008~2011). Overall, the BMD of subjects had decreased from year to year: the T-scores decreased from 0.657 (2008~2009) to 0.295 (2010~2011) in 40~49 yr group and from 0.076 to -0.081 in 50~59 yr group. Age was negatively associated with BMD (T-scores of 0.388 in 20~29 yr group and -1.952 in ${\geq}80yr$ group for total femoral). BMD continuously increased with increased weight and body mass index (BMI). High values of total cholesterol (T-scores of -0.005 in 201~229 mg/dL group and -0.094 in ${\geq}230mg/dL$ group for total femoral) and alkaline phosphatase (T-scores of 0.481 in ${\geq}102IU/L$ group and -0.674 in ${\geq}336IU/L$ group for total femoral) were associated with lower BMD. Overall height, weight, and BMI were positively associated with BMD, whereas total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were negatively associated with BMD. Findings of the present study show that bone loss may be associated with various factors such as age, weight, BMI, total cholesterol, and ALP et al., and that much attention should be paid to bone health of adult women. Therefore, practical and systematic programs are required to improve the BMD of adult women as well as to maintain healthy bone levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and to identify related factors in elderly hemodialysis patients. Sixty-four patients who were registered in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, participated in the study. The data was collected between September and December, 2003. General characteristics were obtained with the use of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical data, 3-day dietary records and dietary habits were also obtained. The results of this study were analyzed with t-test or $X^2$-test using SPSS package program. The percentage of elderly hemodialysis patients who were undergoing mild to severe malnutrition (MN group) and were normal nutrition (NN group) by subjective global assessment (SGA) criteria were 46.9% and 53.1 %, respectively. Appetite (p < 0.05) and dietary cholesterol intakes (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in MN group than the NN group. Body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001), lean body mass (LBM, p < 0.05), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF, p < 0.01), mid ann circumference (MAC, p < 0.01) and mid ann muscle circumference (MAMC, p < 0.05) were also lower in the MN group than the NN group. There were also significant differences in blood urea nitrogen (BUN, p < 0.05), creatinine (p < 0.05), prealbumin (p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP, p < 0.05). SGA was negatively correlated with serum BUN, creatinine and pre albumin, dry weight, BMI, LBM, total body water, TSF, MAC and MAMC, and positively correlated with age. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, SGA was related to BMI, CRP, age and BUN. In conclusion, almost half of the subjects were in malnourished status and had lower values in anthropometric and biochemical data. Our results suggest that SGA is a simple and adequate method for assessing the nutritional status in elderly hemodialysis patients and adequate dietary guidelines based on individual nutritional status are needed in the patients.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1243-1252
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• 2021

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the continuous and intermittent lighting program effects on terms of the productive performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, innate immune and oxidative status in broiler chicks. Methods: A total of 600 Cobb-500 one day old chicks were randomly allocated into six equal groups (100 chicks per treated group with five replicates of 20 chicks each) based on lighting program; 22 continuous lighting (22 C), 11 h lighting+1 darkness twice daily (11 L/1 D), 20 h continuous lighting (20 C), 5 h lighting+1 darkness four times daily (5 L/1 D), 18 h continuous lighting (18 C) and the final group subjected for 3 h lighting+1 h darkness six times daily (3 L/1 D). The experimental period lasted 42 days. Results: Compared with those under the intermittent light program, broiler chicks exposed to continuous lighting for 22 h had significant improvement in live body weight and carcass (dressing and breast percentage) measured traits. Though reducing lighting hours significantly reduced feed intake and feed conversion ratio values. Different lighting programs revealed no significant effect on all blood biochemical parameters. Oxidative stress and innate immunity parameters significantly enhance by reducing lighting hours (3L/1D). Conclusion: The findings suggest that reducing lighting hours up to 3L/1D would be more useful in enhancing feed efficiency, innate immunity, and oxidative status compared with continuous lighting programs on broilers.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.788-801
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• 2021

This study examined biochemical components, fatty acids, antioxidant dipeptides, and muscle fiber density of breast and thigh muscles from Korean new native chicken strains (A and B) at two slaughter ages, compared with white semi-broiler (W) or broilers. The pH values were different by chicken breed. The new native strains had the lowest fat content in the breast at 12 wk (p<0.05). Regardless of the muscles, A and B at 12 wk had higher levels of arachidonic acid (ARA; C20:4), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6), and nervonic acid (C24:1) than broilers (p<0.05). A similar result was observed for the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids ratio (P/S) content in the breast. Irrespective of the muscles, A and B enriched with omega-3 fatty acids had a lower ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio than broilers (p<0.05) at 12 wk. Of the antioxidant di-peptides, the anserine contents were highest in A and B than in the W or broilers (p<0.05), regardless of the muscles and slaughter ages. Furthermore, the breast meat from A and B contained a higher muscle fiber density for both slaughter ages than the W and broilers (p<0.05). Based on these findings, even if the commercial birds (broilers or W) are raised under the similar environmental conditions as A and B, the new native chicken strains have distinct meat quality attributes, particularly higher ARA and DHA levels, lower ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio, and higher anserine contents.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.970-984
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• 2022

Thermal stress is a tremendous health predicament encountered by poultry farmers with adverse effects on the performance, product stature, health condition, survival, and overall welfare of poultry birds, and so requires urgent dietary user-friendly strategy to curb. This study was conducted with 200-day old broilers for the purpose of investigating the potential of phytogenics in refining the negative effects of heat stress on broiler chicken. Moringa, Phyllanthus and mistletoe leaves were processed as phytogenic supplements and incorporated into standard ration for broilers as treatments B1 (control), B2, B3 and B4 diet during the peak of thermal discomfort in humid tropics. Growth and carcass indices were monitored in a 49-day trial and blood samples were harvested at the end of the ordeal period to assess haematology, serum biochemical and oxidative stress markers with the use of standard procedures. The results obtained showed that the prevailing environmental condition in the study site indicated that the birds were exposed to heat stress. Birds fed on moringa and mistletoe supplements had higher performance index than birds without supplementation during heat stress condition, while birds fed on mistletoe supplement had the highest survival rate across the treatments. The liveweight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and eviscerated weight of heat stressed birds fed on moringa, phyllanthus and mistletoe supplements were significantly higher than birds on control treatment. Heterophyl/lymphocyte ratio of heat stressed birds without supplement were higher than birds on phytogenic supplements, with least values recorded in phyllanthus and mistletoe fed birds. Birds on phytogenic supplement tend to have lower cholesterol profile, lipid peroxidation and better antioxidant profile than birds on control treatment during heat stress conditions. Mistletoe supplementation in broiler ration enhances the survival rate, as well as promotes growth indices better among the phytogenic supplements. However, phytogenic supplements did ameliorate the negative effects of thermal discomfort on performance, physiological and oxidative stress in heat-stressed broiler chicken.