• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-73
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• 1982

Questionaires on symptoms of respiratory disease have been used in Korea to elicit the probable health effects of air pollution in epidemiologic studies: The objectives of such studies often include comparing prevalence of symptoms of respiratory system between different population groups or between the same population groups, at different times. Unfortunately, little attention has, been paid to standardization of those questionaires, whether those are Korean. versions or not. Furthermore, no attempt to develop Korean ,questionaire on respiratory symptoms and relevant information has been made. Followed by 'a comparative study on responses to Korean version questionaires(English origin) of CMI, MRC, and ATS-DLD-78' two types of questionaires on respiratory symptoms and relevant information for Korean adult, which are short form (SUN-81-AS) and long forms (optional questions are added to the short one, SUN-81-AL), have been designed suitable to Korean background by authors (see Annex). The self-administered and closed-question questionaire were tested their validity and reliability by administration to l80 normal adults (medical and nursing students) and 60 clinical patients of Seoul National University Hospital, with spirometric exam. The results obtained and conclusions drawn are as follow: 1. It took less than 10 minutes to complete the questionaire SNU-81-AS and SNU-81-AL. 2. The test-retest reliability of each questions in AS and AL ,were observed as 92.7% and 92.1%, respectively. And all of the level of agreement are statistically significant with kappa statistic. 3. In addition to higher prevalence rate of symptoms in patients group compared, with, normal. group, the correlations between FEV 1.0/FVC predictive value(%) and number of symptoms were statistically significant inpatients group (See Fig. 1 and, Table 7). 4. The answer rate to optional questions in AL form among those who are not to do was about 10%, while the no-answer rate among who are to do was about 15% in Normal (medical and nursing students) group. 5. From the viewpoints of validity and reliability, the new Korean questionaire (SNU-81-AS and AL) developed by authors are to be recommendable to use in epidemiologic studies on respiratory illness in Korea. The self-administration, however, of optional questions in AL form may not assure the quality of data gathered.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.799-809
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is aimed at identifying the influential factors on the pulmonary function of ordinary residents in the surrounding areas of Yeosu Industrial Complex. Methods: The PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) was conducted on the target residents numbering 989 people (male 361, female 628). The exposed group (813 people) resided within the radius of 5km from Yeosu Industrial Complex and the control group (176 people) resided in the radius of more than 15 km from May 2007 to November 2007. The survey also took into account other factors including personal characteristics, life habits, respiratory diseases and allergic symptoms, medical histories, and the living environments of the residents in order to further identify influential factors on pulmonary function. Result: When comparing the PFT values of the exposure groups to the control group of the same city, values of the exposure groups were meaningfully lower with an %$FEV_1$ of 107.05% and %FVC of 100.28%. Conversely, the control group reported an %$FEV_1$ and %FVC of 107.26% and 102.85% respectively, indicating that ambient air pollutants reduce lung function. The odds ratio of asthma diagnosis history increased when a subjects residence was close to a heavily trafficked road, traffic amount was huge, a bed was used, and the family had less than four members. However the results were not statistically meaningful. The odds ratios of abnormal pulmonary function were statistically higher among those with asthma(OR=4.29, CI=1.75-10.56), wheezing (OR=2.59, CI=1.24-5.41), and nasal congestion (OR=2.87, CI=1.36-6.08) (p<0.01). The factors affecting $FEV_1$ were symptoms including asthma, passive smoking and allergic eye disease ($R^2$=0.049, p<0.001). For the FVC symptoms including asthma ($R^2$=0.014, p<0.001) were measured. The analysis showed that FVC decreased with increases in $O_3$ and CO(p<0.01). Furthermore, $FEV_1$ decreased with increases in $O_3$(p<0.01). Conclusions: These results will provide preliminary data for establishing responsive measures to protect the health of residents in industrial complexes from air pollution, and to develop lasting environmental health policies.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2016

Acne is known as the most common skin disease. It commonly occurs during adolescents, but it is also present in children and adults because of air pollution, drug abuse and so on. In addition to the hormonal, genetic and environmental factors, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) have also critical roles in outbreak of acne by inducing inflammatory mediators. Increase of sebum production provides an ideal environment for P. acnes that induce inflammation on the skin by activation of monocytic cells and stimulation of inflammatory cytokines. In this study, natural extracts were investigated for anti-inflammatory effects against inflammatory acne by P. acnes infection in terms of reducing cytokine production. Eucalyptus globulus extracts effectively suppressed mRNA synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, and NLRP3 in P. acnes-activated macrophages. Moreover, Eucalyptus globulus extracts inhibit activation of transcription factors, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and NFAT, which are known as key regulators of inflammatory cytokine production. This study suggests the potential of using Eucalyptus globulus extracts as alternative agents for the treatment of acne.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.39-55
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to provide the necessary fundamental data in composing a systematic text content of the public health by analyzing each text, domain, and teaching contents suggested in the textbooks as well as teachers' guides of the 7th elementary school education curriculum, while the study subjects were as follows. 1. The health education content suggested in the 7th physical education curriculum were analyzed and examined. 2. The health teaching content of each textbook in the 7th elementary school curriculum was to be analyzed and examined. In order to resolve the above research issues, the physical, spiritual, and social domain along with the (1) Proper living habit, (2) Health and nutrition, (3) Sex education, (4) Prevention of the sense-organic diseases, (5) Cleanliness of food, (6) Oral hygiene, (7) Individual health and public health, (8) Safety in living, (9) Abuse and usage of medication, educational content suggested in the 7tand (10) Environment pollution focused around the health of the elementary school education curriculum was analyzed and its outcome was as below First, compared with the 6th elementary school education curriculum, the health content suggested in the 7th elementary school education curriculum was decreased. Second, although each grade's teaching content of the health domain in the physical education was considered in its structure following after the according systems, they were preponderant in partial subjects such as the safety in living, nutrition, proper living habit, sport, and health in sport. oo. Third, the health education content was organized in 4 units such as the physical growth and development, prevention of diseases, safe living, and leisure living(leisure, spiritual health, and etc.) for the 3rd and 4th grade. Then, as for 5th and 6th grade, it was organized in 3 units such as the understanding the human body, prevention of disease, and leisure and safe living. Fourth, in the physical educational health domain, a strong point was constructed within the physical, spiritual, and social areas of the elementary school physical education. Fifth, the number of the public health education contents directly related with the health education was 43 as with 25 indirect contents. Sixth, each grade's domain unit structure of the public health content was heavy upon the physical and social area throughout every grade while in opposite, the spiritual domain' s unit structure was weak. In according to each grade, the physical domain was stressed in 4, 5, and 6 grades while the social domain was stressed in 1, 5, and 6 grades.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.2719-2726
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the scientific basic grounds for the assessment of health and environmental diseases resulting from air pollutants in Pohang. For this study, we investigated pollutants, weather characteristics and concentration distribution of fine particles ($PM_10$) yearly and each season, using data from Air Quality Monitoring Stations. The properties of concentration distribution and seasonal fluctuation of $PM_10$ were studied qualitatively and quantitatively using CALPUFF, air dispersion model. The average concentration of $PM_10$ for each season was spring($75.7{\mu}g/m^3$)>summer($56.8{\mu}g/m^3$)>winter($53.6{\mu}g/m^3$)>fall( $52.7{\mu}g/m^3$). In the case of spring, high concentrations appear due to the Asian dust frequently occurring. The contributions of $PM_10$ classified by the types of pollution source in Pohang were point source 62%>mobile source 33%>area source 5%. An important point is that 97% of emissions were produced from the iron manufacture in steel industry. Therefore, it is necessary to control the emission sources of pollutants and to construct an observation system at Pohang steel industrial complex from now on. It’s time to control the risk factors for health and environmental disease to protect the health of resident in Pohang and its neighboring areas.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1104-1116
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the potential of using sediment bioelectrochemical systems (SBESs) for in situ treatment of the water and sediment in brackish aquaculture ponds polluted with uneaten feed. An SBES integrated into a laboratory-scale tank simulating a brackish aquaculture pond was established. This test tank and the control (not containing the SBES) were fed with shrimp feed in a scheme that mimics a situation where 50% of feed is uneaten. After the SBES was inoculated with microbial sources from actual shrimp pond sediments, electricity generation was well observed from the first experimental week, indicating successful enrichment of electrochemically active bacteria in the test tank sediment. The electricity generation became steady after 3 weeks of operation, with an average current density of $2.3mA/m^2$ anode surface and an average power density of $0.05mW/m^2$ anode surface. The SBES removed 20-30% more COD of the tank water, compared to the control. After 1 year, the SBES also reduced the amount of sediment in the tank by 40% and thus could remove approximately 40% more COD and approximately 52% more nitrogen from the sediment, compared to the control. Insignificant amounts of nitrite and nitrate were detected, suggesting complete removal of nitrogen by the system. PCR-DGGE-based analyses revealed the dominant presence of Methylophilus rhizosphaerae, Desulfatitalea tepidiphila and Thiothrix eikelboomii, which have not been found in bioelectrochemical systems before, in the bacterial community in the sediment of the SBES-containing tank. The results of this research demonstrate the potential application of SBESs in helping to reduce water pollution threats, fish and shrimp disease risks, and thus farmers' losses.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2021

Air pollution caused by particulate matters (PM) has become a global issue. PM is known to threaten human health by causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. PM can be introduced to human gastrointestinal track through food intake, causing inflammation and changes in gut microbiota. Even at low PM concentrations, prolonged exposure to PM can cause significant accumulation of PM in food products. The adsorption of PM onto food surfaces is expected to be strongly influenced by the properties of food surfaces, but few studies have been reported. This paper examines several important food surface properties that may affect the interactions between PM and food surfaces, including surface wettability, surface charge, and surface microstructure. Understanding the adsorption of PM onto food surfaces can provide useful guidance for classifying PM-sensitive foods and controlling food chains, including cultivation, processing, preservation, and cooking, to ensure food safety against PM.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2023

Background: Air pollution has led to an increased exposure of all living organisms to fine dust. Therefore, research efforts are being made to devise preventive and therapeutic remedies against fine dust-induced chronic diseases. Methods: Research of the respiratory protective effects of KRG extract in a particulate matter (PM; aerodynamic diameter of <4 ㎛) plus diesel exhaust particle (DEP) (PM4+D)-induced airway inflammation model. Nitric oxide production, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and IRAK-1, TAK-1, and MAPK pathways were examined in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. BALB/c mice exposed to PM4+D mixture by intranasal tracheal injection three times a day for 12 days at 3 day intervals and KRGE were administered orally for 12 days. Histological of lung and trachea, and immune cell subtype analyses were performed. Expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung were measured. Immunohistofluorescence staining for IRAK-1 localization in lung were also evaluated. Results: KRGE inhibited the production of nitric oxide, the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and expression and phosphorylation of all downstream factors of NF-κB, including IRAK-1 and MAPK/AP1 pathway in PM4-stimulated MH-S cells. KRGE suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration and number of immune cells, histopathologic damage, and inflammatory symptoms in the BALF and lungs induced by PM4+D; these included increased alveolar wall thickness, accumulation of collagen fibers, and TNF-α, MIP2, CXCL-1, IL-1α, and IL-17 cytokine release. Moreover, PM4 participates induce alveolar macrophage death and interleukin-1α release by associating with IRAK-1 localization was also potently inhibited by KRGE in the lungs of PM4+D-induced airway inflammation model. KRGE suppresses airway inflammatory responses, including granulocyte infiltration into the airway, by regulating the expression of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of IRAK-1 and MAPK pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential of KRGE to serve as an effective therapeutic agent against airway inflammation and respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

The most common skin disease, acne, often occurs in adolescence, but it is also detected/observed in adults due to air pollution and drug abuse. One of the causative agents of acne, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) plays a role in the development of skin acne by inducing inflammatory mediators. Torreya nucifera (TN) is an evergreen tree of the family Taxaceae, having well reported antioxidant, anti-proliferative, liver protection, and nerve protection properties. Improvement of these bioactive properties of natural products is one of the purposes of natural product chemistry and pharmaceuticals. We believe biorenovation could be one improvement strategy that utilizes microbial metabolism to produce unique derivatives having enhanced bioactivity. Therefore, in this study, the C. acnes-induced RAW264.7 inflammation model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the biorenovated Torreya nucifera product (TNB). The results showed improved viability of TNB-treated cells compared to TN-treated cells in the concentration range of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL. At non-toxic concentrations, TNB inhibited the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 by suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. TNB also attenuated the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α induced by C. acnes. Furthermore, TNB inhibited the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, a transcription factor known to regulate inflammatory mediators. Based on these results, this study suggests the potential of using TNB as natural material for the treatment of acnes and thus, supporting our postulation of biorenovation as an bioactivity improvement strategy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.49-71
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to serve as a basis for school health care of better quality, by making a comparative analysis of the health care satisfaction and attitude of elementary school students in consideration of their general characteristics and the presence or absence of nurse teacher. The subjects in this study were 919 selected six graders in 16 elementary schools in the city of Tongduchun, Koyang and Euijungbu, Yangju-kun and Yeunchun-kun. A survey was conducted with questionnaire designed for measurement of health care satisfaction and attitude. As a result of analyzing the data collected from June 1 through 15, 2000, the conclusions were as follows. 1) As for the general characteristics of the students investigated, the subjects included 513 boys(55.8%) and 406 girls(44.2%). The schools where 390(42.4%) students attended were located in municipal area, and the schools where 529(57.6%) students attended were located in kun area. 608(66.2%) students had a nurse teacher at their schools, while 311(33.8%) students had no nurse teacher. 498(54.2%) had an experience to use the health room this year, but 421(45.8%) had no such an experience. Their mean school life satisfaction was scored $3.42{\pm}.71$, above the average. And their health condition was rated $3.81{\pm}.87$, which implied they tended to be in good health. 2) The mean satisfaction at the health room operation was scored $3.33{\pm}.71$, above the medium level. What they were most satisfied with($4.02{\pm}1.08$) was, among the health room facilities, that there were beds. But they expressed the least satisfaction($2.83{\pm}1.17$) at the location of health room. The presence or absence of nurse teacher made a significant difference to their satisfactionat health room operation, because the students in schools with nurse teacher showed greater satisfaction($3.42{\pm}.72$) than the others in schools with no nurse teacher did($3.15{\pm}.66$). 3) Concerning their attitude to use the health room in case of disease or accident occurrence, a lot of students in schools with a nurse teacher, who had ever suffered from indigestion, headache or traumatic injury, used the health room. In schools with no nurse teacher, there was a tendency to talk to their class teachers(p<.001). The recognition of the necessity for health counseling was generally on a medium level. The counselor whom they wanted to discuss health problem with was family or friend in the largest cases. Few students discussed with class teachers in case there was a nurse teacher in school. Instead, some of them discussed with friend, family or nurse teacher, and there was a significant difference between them(p<.001). 4) The mean satisfaction at health, sanitation and environmental management was rated $3.20{\pm}.90$, above the average. The classroom lighting gave them the best satisfaction with $3.67{\pm}1.07$, but the satisfaction at toilet cleanness and disinfection was not good with $2.83{\pm}1.19$. By the presence or absence of nurse teacher, those who had a nurse teacher expressed better satisfaction at water supply facilities including hot water than the others who had no nurse teacher did(p<.001). But no significant difference was observed in the other items. 5) The health education satisfaction was rated $3.19{\pm}.99$, which was on a medium level. By item, the mean satisfaction level was $3.36{\pm}1.19$ at nurse teacher's explanation about treatment, $3.13{\pm}1.15$ at the frequency of health education, and $3.08{\pm}1.16$ at the explanation on the cause of disease. By the presence or absence of nurse teacher, the students with nurse teacher showed significantly better satisfaction at every factor0(p<.001). 6) Regarding health education attitude, their recognition of the need for school health education was scored $3.89{\pm}.96$. Those who had a nurse teacher felt it more necessary($3.96{\pm}.92$), yet the others who had no nurse teacher felt its necessity a little less($3.74{\pm}1.01$). The most preferred thing for them to learn in health education was first aid, followed by sex education, obesity prevention, safety accident prevention in school and outdoors, smoking-related health, good use of leisure time, and environmental pollution cause in the order named. According to the presence or absence of nurse teacher, there was a significant difference in sex education(p<.01), but no significant disparities were found in the other factors. The most preferred person who would offer health education was a lecturer from the outside(45.8%) and nurse teacher(45.4%). Their preference for class teacher as a person in charge of health education was just 8.8%. But the presence or absence of nurse teacher didn't produce any differences to their preference for a person in charge of health education.