• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.661-669
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• 2020

Samgak-Kimbap is a popular ready-to-eat (RTE) food at convenience stores, in Korea. Although Samgak-Kimbap is distributed through the cold chain supply system, inappropriate temperature storage conditions prior to consumption are a cause of concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of Staphylococcus aureus growth in Samgak-Kimbap in the retail market. The prevalence and contamination levels of S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap (n=170) were monitored, and the predictive growth model of a five-strain cocktail of enterotoxin-producing S. aureus (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE) was developed in Samgak-Kimbap as a function of temperature (4, 10, 11, 20, 25, and 37℃). We could not observe the growth of S. aureus and enterotoxin-producing S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap at temperatures below 10℃. The probability of illness with S. aureus per serving of Samgak-Kimbap was 1.44×10-10 per day. The most influential factor in increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses was the contamination level of S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap.

• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2020

This study investigates the change in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and World Health Organization (WHO) air quality index (AQI) in East Asia (EA) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). AQI is an indicator of increasing levels about health concern, divided into six categories based on PM2.5 annual concentrations. Here, we utilized the ensemble results of UKESM1, the climate model operated in Met Office, UK, for the analysis of long-term variation during the historical (1950~2014) and future (2015~2100) period. The results show that the spatial distributions of simulated PM2.5 concentrations in present-day (1995~2014) are comparable to observations. It is found that most regions in EA exceeded the WHO air quality guideline except for Japan, Mongolia regions, and the far seas during the historical period. In future scenarios containing strong air quality (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and medium air quality (SSP2-4.5) controls, PM2.5 concentrations are substantially reduced, resulting in significant improvement in AQI until the mid-21st century. On the other hand, the mild air pollution controls in SSP3-7.0 tend to lead poor AQI in China and Korea. This study also examines impact of increased in PM2.5 concentrations on downward shortwave energy at the surface. As a result, strong air pollution controls can improve air quality through reduced PM2.5 concentrations, but lead to an additional warming in both the near and mid-term future climate over EA.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2021

Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality, poses a major concern to surgeons. We conducted this study to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of AKI after orthopedic surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective study that included 351 patients who underwent total hip or knee replacement surgery at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016. Results: AKI occurred in 13 (3.7%) of the 351 patients. The patients' preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 66.66 ±34.02 mL/min/1.73 m² in the AKI group and 78.07±21.23 mL/min/1.73 m² in the non-AKI group. The hemoglobin levels were 11.21±1.65 g/dL in the AKI group and 12.39±1.52 g/dL in the non-AKI group. Hemoglobin level was related to increased risk of AKI (odds ratio [OR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.68; p=0.016). Administration of crystalloid or colloid fluid alone and the perioperative amount of fluid did not show any significant relationship with AKI. Further analysis of the changes in eGFR was performed using a cutoff value of 7.54. The changes in eGFR were significantly related to decreased risk of AKI (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.89; p=0.002). Conclusion: Renal function should be monitored closely after orthopedic surgery if patients have chronic kidney disease and low hemoglobin level. Predicting the likelihood of AKI occurrence, early treatment of high-risk patients, and monitoring perioperative laboratory test results, including eGFR, will help improve patient prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine residual characteristics of soil-treated metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran in crown daisy and to evaluate the risks from intake of the residual pesticides in the crop. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pesticide granules were treated in soil on two levels, and the plants samples were collected 51 days after seeding. The analytes were extracted and partitioned using the QuEChERS extraction packet (MgSO₄ 4 g, NaCl 1 g). The quantitative methods for metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran were validated in linearity, accuracy, and precision. Risk assessments of the pesticides were performed using Korea national nutrition statistics 2019. CONCLUSION(S): The residual concentrations of metalaxyl-M in crown daisy were 0.09-0.10 mg/kg (for the treatment at 6 kg/10 a) and 0.17-0.19 mg/kg (12 kg/10 a), respectively. The residual concentrations of dinotefuran in the crop were 0.53-0.75 mg/kg (3 kg/10 a) and 1.17-1.26 mg/kg (6 kg/10 a). The amounts of pesticides were less than MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) according to the Korean MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). The HI (Hazard Index) of metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran for consumers was 0.0075% and 0.2250%, respectively. For females in the age between 50-64, the major consumer group, the HIs of the pesticides were <3%. Considering the consumption of crown daisy, they are not considered to be of toxicological concern.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2022

Mercury (Hg) is a major concern in marine environment because of their bioaccumulation and biomagnification properties, and adverse effects to aquatic organisms at even a trace amount. However, little information on the effects of Hg, compared to other heavy metals, is available in marine small crustaceans. Here, we investigated the transcriptional modulation of metabolism-related genes in the brackish water flea, Diaphanosoma celebensis after exposure to sublethal concentration (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 ㎍/l) of HgCl₂ for 48 h. Relative mRNA expression levels of five detoxification enzyme-coding genes (cytochrome P450; cyp360A1, cyp361A1, cyp4AP3, cyp4C122, and cyp370C5) and six digestive enzyme-coding genes [alpha amylase (AMY), alpha amylase related protein (AMY-like), trypsin (TRYP), chymotrypsin-like protein (CHY), lipase (LIP), pancreatic lipase-related protein (PLRP)] were analyzed using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). As results, Hg increased the mRNA level of cyp370C5 (clan2) and cyp4AP3 (clan4) in a concentration dependent manner. A significant increase in TRYP mRNA was also concentration-dependently observed after exposure to Hg. These findings suggest that cyp370C5 and cyp4AP3 play a key role in Hg detoxification in D. celebensis, and Hg can affect energy metabolism by modulating the transcription of digestive enzyme. This study will provide better understanding the molecular effects of Hg in marine small crustacean.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.296-301
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• 2007

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are non-microporous materials with a high surface area ($100{\sim}200m^2/g$) and high purity. Therefore, the material has a high potential for use as catalyst support. Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) are of increasing concern with regard to the levels of toxic air pollutants emitted from high-technology industry. Rayon-based CNFs and ACFs was subjected to thermal oxidation under a wide variety of temperature and air conditions to modify the surface properties. Rayon-based CNFs and ACFs were prepared by using thermal chemistry. CNFs were synthesized at temperatures above $600^{\circ}C$ in an air atmosphere and grew with increased temperature and air conditions. After heating at $800^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr, carbonized rayon with ACFs had $2,662m^2/g$ (BET) of surface area and $1.41cm^3/g$ of pore volume. The resulting ACFs had a 99% surface area in which pore size was 10 nm or less, and a 60 % surface area in which pore size was 2 nm or less.

• Korean Journal of Health Psychology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.169-187
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• 2011

The present study explored psychosocial characteristics of infants with genital anomalies (GA) and their caregivers against normal controls. Participants were female caregivers and infants between the ages of 6to38months diagnosed with hypospadias(HS;n=103) or cryptorchidism (CR;n=49). Normalcontrols(n=131) were recruited and selected via Internet. Caregivers completed measures on parenting stress, coping style, social support, and infant temperament. Within the GAgroups, HScaregivers reported their greatest parental concerns as infant urination/bodily functioning difficulties whereas CRcaregivers reported worries related to surgical anesthesia issues. Both groups reported concern about their children's potential reproductive problems. Per caregiver report, infants with GA had lower ability to self-soothe. HS infants in particular were perceived as exhibiting greater negative emotion. Compared with controls, HS and CRcaregivers overall employed coping strategies more frequently and had lower interpersonal sensitivity and parental distress. However, HScaregivers emerged as experiencing higher stress when compared to the CRgroup. There were no differences in to tal parenting stress and social support scores between groups. Further, CRcaregivers reported lower levels of family discord than controls. Despite temperament-related differences between infants with GA and normal controls, HS and CRcaregivers reported lower parental distress and greater use of coping skills as compared to controls. Clinical implications are discussed.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.215-241
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• 2023

As competition between ports intensifies, port efficiency has always been a hot topic in the port and shipping economy. Boosting regional and national economies by improving port efficiency and promoting sustainable development of ports is also a concern for port operators and local and national governments. In this situation, this study has the following objectives. First, using panel data from 2010 to 2017, the efficiency of 14 major inland ports along the Yangtze River was analyzed, and changes in port efficiency over time were examined. Second, 14 inland ports are divided into the middle, upper, and lower Yangtze River port groups to compare and review differences in efficiency levels of ports by basin. For the study, we applied a three-step DEA analysis method, which evaluated the pure relative efficiency of the port itself by removing the effects of environmental factors and statistical noise that could affect the efficiency evaluation and presented the results. As a result, it was confirmed that there was a clear difference in the efficiency value of the port between the first-stage and the third-stage efficiency evaluation result. In addition, the downstream ports showed relatively high efficiency compared to the middle and upstream ports.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity has emerged as a critical global public health concern as it is associated with and increases susceptibility to various diseases. This condition is characterized by the excessive enlargement of adipose tissue, primarily stemming from an inequity between energy intake and expenditure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder in mitigating obesity and metabolic disorders in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and to compare the effects of raw sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP01) and heat-treated sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP02). Methods: Leptin-deficient obese mice were fed a diet containing 10% HNSP01 and another containing 10% HNSP02 for 6 weeks. Results: The supplementation of ob/ob mice with HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in decreased body weight gain, reduced adipose tissue weight, and a smaller size of lipid droplets in the adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, the ob/ob-HNSP01 and ob/ob-HNSP02 supplemented groups exhibited lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin, as well as a reduced atherogenic index in comparison with the control group. Molecular analysis also demonstrated that the intake of HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in a diminished activation of factors associated with fatty acid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, while concurrently enhancing factors associated with lipolysis, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic properties against obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2023

Invasive predators are one of the most damaging species groups to biodiversity. In the Nakdong River, the lake skygazer Chanodichthys erythropterus is a dominant species that is fiercely carnivorous and a concern for commercial fish. Although it is important to understand the ecological characteristics related to the feeding habit, studies on the diets of lake skygazer in Nakdong River have been limited to studies of gut contents. In this study, the trophic position (TP) and feeding habits of C. erythropterus were studied by calculating TPs using samples collected from 13 sites throughout the Nakdong River. Compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids provided reliable TPs from the muscle of Lake skygazer C. erythropterus without any isotope baseline. The results were approximately 3 to 3.6 and suggesting a carnivorous but size-dependent prey variation. In particular, the TP variability of C. erythropterus observed in the Nakdong River showed that it had a selective feeding habit compared to carnivorous fish species of relatively similar trophic levels.