• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2022

We investigated the virulence genes, O-serotypes, antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic E. coli isolated from carcasses (n=455) and environmental (n=372) samples of 11 cattle and 12 pig slaughterhouses from December 2020 to December 2021. E. coli were isolated from nine carcasses (2.0%), three slaughter facilities (1.4%), two utensils (2.7%) and three abattoir workers (3.5%) from four cattle and four pig slaughterhouses. Among all isolates, 13 STEC (76.5%) were identified, followed by four EPEC (23.5%). As a result of the antibiotic susceptibility test, all isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, of which 70.6% isolates showed multidrug resistance patterns. The serotypes were diverse in pigs compared to cattle, with serotypes O18, O66, O109 in cattle and O9, O76, O85, O100, O153, and O159 in pigs. In a single cattle slaughterhouse, eight STEC O66 were isolated from various types of sample (4 slaughter animal surfaces, 3 gloves, and 1 knife) with two antimicrobial resistance patterns (CHL-FIS-STR and CHL-FIS). Those two types of strain were suspected cross-contamination from utensils to slaughter animal surfaces. These results showed that pathogenic E. coli were detected in carcasses and various environmental samples in cattle and pig slaughterhouses. Nationwide monitoring and hygiene management are required to prevent cross-contamination of STEC isolate slaughterhouses.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30 no.sup
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• pp.6.1-6.4
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• 2015

Objectives This study is conducted to estimate the cost paid by the public suffering from disease possibly caused by chemical and to examine the effect on public health. Methods Cost-benefit analysis is an important factor in analysis and decision-making and is an important policy decision tool in many countries. Cost-of-illness (COI), a kind of scale-based analysis method, estimates the potential value lost as a result of illness as a monetary unit and calculates the cost in terms of direct, indirect and psychological costs. This study estimates direct medical costs, transportation fees for hospitalization and outpatient treatment, and nursing fees through a number of patients suffering from disease caused by chemicals in order to analyze COI, taking into account the cost of productivity loss as an indirect cost. Results The total yearly cost of the diseases studied in 2012 is calculated as 77 million Korean won (KRW) per person. The direct and indirect costs being 52 million KRW and 23 million KRW, respectively. Within the total cost of illness, mental and behavioral disability costs amounted to 16 million KRW, relevant blood immunological parameters costs were 7.4 million KRW, and disease of the nervous system costs were 6.7 million KRW. Conclusions This study reports on a survey conducted by experts regarding diseases possibly caused by chemicals and estimates the cost for the general public. The results can be used to formulate a basic report for a social-economic evaluation of the permitted use of chemicals and limits of usage.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.374-380
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• 2012

Objectives: Stress is considered a causal factor in many diseases, allergic disease being one of them. The prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in Korea, but the relationship between allergic symptoms and stress is not empirically well known. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between allergy-related symptoms and stress in children and adolescents. Methods: We investigated 698 children and adolescents living in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Psychosocial Well-being Index, these subjects were surveyed on allergy-related symptoms and psychosocial stressors in their lives, respectively. We used a multivariate logistic analysis for odds ratios for the complaint rate of allergic symptoms, after adjusting for age, gender, household income, body mass index, and residence. Results: After adjustments, lifetime rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.024), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 1.090), diagnosis of itchy eczema (OR, 1.040), treatment of itchy eczema (OR, 1.049), 12-month allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.026), diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.031), and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.034) were found to be significantly associated with stress. Conclusions: Our results support the notion that there is a relationship between stress and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research into any causal relationship between stress and allergies, as well as preventative public health plans for decreasing stress in children and adolescents are needed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.292-301
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• 2021

Objectives: Wearing medical masks has been recommended since the declaration of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) as a pandemic disease. Certified medical masks are evaluated according to filtration efficiency and facial inhalation resistance. However, some people use non-certified common masks. This study aimed to evaluate various non-certified commercial masks based on the certification criteria for medical masks. Methods: Twenty mask products (three anti-droplet, three disposable dental, eight fashion, three cotton, and three children's masks) were selected. For performance evaluation, filtration efficiency and facial inhalation resistance tests were conducted. The evaluation method followed the certification method for KF-certified masks of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the N95 respirator of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Results: None of the 20 masks met the KF94 certification standard set by the MFDS. Four and three masks respectively met the KF80 certification standard and the N95 standard of NIOSH. Filtration efficiency was significantly higher in three-layer masks than in single layer masks. Pleated-type masks had higher filtration efficiency than cone-type masks. There was no correlation between the structure of masks and facial inhalation resistance. Conclusion: While no masks complied with the KF94 certification standard, a few masks met the KF80 and the N95 certification standards of NIOSH. Although some people wear non-certified commercial masks, protection from aerosols is not guaranteed by such masks. Evaluation of the protection efficiency of non-certified mask against microbiological infection is needed for the prevention of infectious disease.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.8-11
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• 2004

Objective To know about hygienic condition of drinking water in rural area of Kunming. Methods Selected 4 counties with different economy to investigate. In every county, according to the proportion, 10 drinking water spots were selected by randomization of lift drinking water'. Results In 4 areas, surface water for drinking is 82.41%, under water is 17.59%. And concentrated supply is 83.02% by populated proportion, others are 16.98%. 40 specimens qualification rate is 47.50%, and in it concentrated supply is 87.50%, others are 19.05%. Conclusion Unhealthy drinking water exist in most testing counties. Mainly microorganism isn't qualified. Concentrated management in drinking water is batter than other ways.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.12-14
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• 2004

Objective to know about pollution of ventilated system in super market and hotel's air condition in Kunming. Methods to take out 28 ventilated system from super markets and hotels in Kunming in march 2004. To check dirt amount in pipelines and microorganism in dirt. Testing result is appraised under 'Public hygiene standard of ventilated system in air condition'. Results pollution problem exist in different degree in all the super markets and hotels that have been investigated. There is 32.14% which means 8 hotels and 1 super market, pollution is serious, The others (67.86%) is medium. Conclusion pollution problems exist in air condition system in all super markets and hotels of Kunming. Discussion aim at Kunming's special weather, and present condition of public ventilated system, discussing ways of management in hygiene of air condition system.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.171-180
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• 2020

With the recent increase in asthma, asthma has become recognized as one of the diseases. The perception that bronchial asthma is a chronic disease and requires treatment has been strengthened. In addition, asthma is recognized as a dangerous disease due to environmental changes and efforts are made to minimize these risks. However, the environmental impact on asthma is hardly a factor that individuals in asthmatic patients can cope with. Therefore, this study was conducted to see if the asthma disease could be replaced by the individual efforts of asthma patients. In particular, since the management of asthma is important during adolescence, we conducted research on asthma in teenagers. Utilizing support vector machines, artificial neural networks and deep learning techniques that have recently drawn attention, we propose models to predict the asthma of teenagers. The study also provides guidelines to avoid factors that can cause asthma in teenagers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.32.2-32
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• 2000

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Objective: Farmers are known to have high prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study aims to investigate the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic and foreign farmers with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of asthma and COPD among farmers and contribute to supporting evidence for the prevention of respiratory diseases in farmers. Methods: The study utilized data from the "Farmer's Occupational Disease Survey," conducted by the Rural Development Administration, to determine the prevalence of respiratory diseases in domestic farmers. The prevalence of asthma and COPD in overseas farmers was evaluated by researching other foreign studies and articles. Results: The prevalence of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers was less than of foreign farmers'. The prevalence of asthma in domestic farmers was high as upto 8.4% and COPD upto 5.5%. Studies from Europe and America showed prevalence of asthma in farmers high as upto 14.8% and COPD upto 17.1%. Conclusions: This study conducted an investigation using the 'Survey on Occupational Diseases and Injuries in Farmers to understand the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers. Due to a lack of relevant domestic research, we examined and compared with the research results on asthma and COPD among overseas farmers. Further research is necessary and preventive measures for respiratory diseases need to be developed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.5
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• pp.585-590
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• 2007

Rhizina undulata is the fungus, which causes Rhizina root rot on coniferous trees. Nested-PCR using ITS-specific primer was applied to detect R. undulata from the soils of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergil) forests infested with the disease in Seocheon, Chungnam Province, South Korea. Soil samples were collected from four different sites, both dead trees and fruit bodies of R. undulata were present, dead trees only present, fruit bodies only present, and both were absent. Nested-PCR products specific to R. undulata ITS-region were amplified. Positive reactions were found in some samples from the sites, where dead trees and fruit bodies of R. undulata were absent as well as where both of those were present. R. undulata was mainly detected in the soil samples from the depth of 5~20 cm under the soil surface. These results show that the nested-PCR could be used to diagnose the presence or potential infestation of R. undulata in the soils of pine forests.