• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2021

Purpose: The ability to access clinical trials for cancer treatment is important. This study investigated whether regional differences exist in oncologic clinical trial protocols conducted in South Korea. Methods: Records of all approved oncologic clinical trials conducted in 2019 were downloaded from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The study covered Seoul, the capital area, other metropolitan cities, and provincial areas. Descriptive statistics summarized the distribution patterns of clinical trials by region. Results: A total of 202 oncologic clinical trials were conducted in 63 institutions in 2019. Of these protocols, 186 (92%) were available in Seoul, 120 (59%) in the capital area, 64 (32%) in metropolitan cities, and 66 (33%) in provincial areas. More regional differences in protocol availability were observed in domestic trials, investigator-initiated trials, phase 1 and 2 trials, and smaller-scale trials. Conclusion: Most oncologic clinical trials were conducted in medical institutions located in Seoul, with the rest conducted in the capital area, metropolitan cities, and provincial areas. The findings reveal clear differences in protocol availability between Seoul and the other regions. Measures designed to improve geographical access to oncologic clinical trials may be needed given their growing importance in cancer treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2014

Fenpyroximate is acaricide of pyrazole group. This acaricide have already been permitted for herb cultivation. This experiment was conducted to establish a determination method for fenpyroximate residue in herbal medicines using HPLC-PDA and HPLC-MS/MS. Fenpyroximate residue was extracted with acetone from samples of herbal which Liquorice Root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) and Safflower Seed (Carthamus tinctorius Linne). The extract was diluted with saturated saline water and dichloromethane liquid-liquid partition (extraction) was followed to recover fenpyroximate from the aqueous phase. Amino propyl ($NH_2$) and florisil column chromatography was additionally employed for final clean up of the extract. The fenpyroximate was quantitated by HPLC-PDA and HPLC-MS/MS. The herbals were fortified with fenpyroximate at 2 or 3 levels per crop. Mean recovery ratio were ranged from 72.0 to 106.4%. The coefficients of variation were ranged from 0.2 to 4.4. Therefore, this analytical method was reproducible and sensitive enough to determine the residue of fenpyroximate in herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the content and consumption of total sugar from school lunches at Incheon and Chuncheon. The samples were collected from eight elementary schools and eight middle schools in Incheon and Chuncheon for 15 days. The analysis of total sugar content was performed for 1334 main dishes, side dishes, and desserts, which were supplied by elementary and middle school foodservices. Total sugar content was extracted from various types of food with 50% ethanol after defatting. We simultaneously analyzed sugars such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose by a high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detector. The average lunch intake for elementary school and middle school students was $372.6{\pm}72.2g$ and $449.2{\pm}81.1g$, respectively. The total sugar content in desserts was $7.21{\pm}6.32g/100g$, $1.69{\pm}2.44g/100g$ in side dishes, and $0.32{\pm}0.77g/100g$ in main dishes. Among side dishes, fried foods, stir-fried foods, and sauces contained the highest amounts of total sugar. The total sugar intake was $4.63{\pm}5.11g$ in desserts, $0.64{\pm}1.01g$ in side dishes, and $0.55{\pm}1.48g$ in main dishes. Main and side dishes with a high total sugar intake included cooked rice with seasoning, fried foods, stir-fried foods, and preserved foods. The average total sugar intake per meal for elementary school, middle school, and all students was $4.03{\pm}3.67g$, $6.97{\pm}6.59g$, and $5.50{\pm}5.53g$, respectively. We have provided useful information to decrease the intake of total sugar in school lunches. It is recommended that total sugar intake be continuously monitored.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2011

This study was carried out to examine microbiological contamination of ready-to-eat products and to propose a draft-standard and specifications according to food types. RTE foods were classified into 6 groups including fish products, meat products, breads, rices, salads, and fresh cut foods. The prevalence rates of pathogens detected from all samples were compared among food categories. The pH ranges for all RTE samples were between 3.8 and 7.3. Total aerobic cell counts ranged from 2 to 6 log CFU/g. Bread, rice and fresh-cut foods showed significantly higher counts, which ranged above 4.0 log CFU/g among the samples. Two kinds of rice were above the level of the KFDA Food Code standard for Eschrichia coli. The prevalence rate of E. coli in the rice was 6.7%. For Staphylococcus aureus, one fish product and one bread-product had levels above 2 log CFU/g. Bacillus cereus counts for all samples were below the level of 3 log CFU/g. Listeria monocytogenes was not detected in the samples. Therefore, these data suggest that the primary microbial hazard factors for ready-to-eat foods and risk assessments should focus on E. coli, S. aureus, and B. cereus.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2012

Penicillins belong to the ${\beta}$-lactam class of antibiotics, and are frequently used in human and veterinary medicine. Despite the positive effects of these drugs, improper use of penicillins poses a potential health risk to consumers. This study has been undertaken to determinate multi-residues of penicillins, including amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, bezylpenicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, and nafcillin, using liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The developed method was validated for specificity, precision, recovery, and linearity in livestock and marine products. The analytes were extracted with 80% acetonitrile and clean-up by a single reversed-phase solid-phase extraction step. Six penicillins presented recoveries higher than 76% with the exception of Amoxicillin. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were not more than 10%. The method was applied to 225 real samples. Benzylpenicillin was detected in 12 livestock products and 7 marine products. Amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacilllin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin and oxacillin were not detected. The detected levels were 0.001~0.009 mg/kg in livestock products excluding eggs and milk. In marine products, the detected levels were under 0.03 mg/kg. They were under the MRL levels. As monitoring results, it is identified to be safe but it is considered that safety management of antibiotics should continue by monitoring.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.395-401
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• 2010

This research was carried out as a survey on the contents of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in 5 type agricultural products unestablished safety guideline in Korea. The average levels of Pb: onion 0.010 mg/kg, cucumber 0.018 mg/kg, garlic 0.012 mg/kg, green pepper 0.027 mg/kg, sesame 0.029 mg/kg. The average levels of Cd: onion 0.006 mg/kg, cucumber 0.002 mg/kg, garlic 0.008 mg/kg, green pepper 0.011 mg/kg, sesame 0.024 mg/kg. The present result of this study showed that Pb and Cd contents in the whole samples were less than the maximum residual levels of the codex standard. The levels of exposure assessment for Pb and Cd by intake from vegetables and sesame were merely at $1.3{\times}10^{-4}$(mean) ~ $5.1{\times}10^{-4}$($95^{th}$ percentiles) ${\mu}$g/kg bw/day for Pb, $7.5{\times}10^{-5}$(mean) ~ $3.6{\times}10^{-4}$($95^{th}$ percentiles) ${\mu$}g/kg bw/day for Cd. The data from this research will be valuable source for database construction for science-based safety control and management for the trace metal contamination in food including agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.226-231
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• 2010

We aimed at the monitoring medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) residue amount in meats and confirmed the safety of its residue in meats. Optimized condition for analytical and instrumental methods was obtained by method validation. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were validated at 1.5 and 5.0 ug/kg, respectively. The calibration curve showed good linearity ($r^2$ = 0.9968) within the concentration range of 5.0~50.0 ug/kg. We selected progesterone-d9 for internal standard, The recoveries in fortified meat ranged from 67.5 to 109.56% at the 3 spiking levels. As the regulation of MPA analysis method used by LC-MS/MS on other products have established. We selected 3 species of farm stock products (cattle, pig, chicken) and purchased at the markets of seven major cities. The total 196 of meat including 46 of domestic beef, 43 of import beef, 60 of domestic pork, 12 of import pork and 35 of domestic chicken. No residue of synthetic growth hormones were detected in cattle, pig and chicken samples tested.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.664-675
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• 2010

This survey was carried out to estimate pesticide residue levels in commercial agricultural products in the year 2009. Residues were examined in 16 commodities (rice, foxtail millet, buckwheat, kidney beans, peanuts, sesame, oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, spinach, perilla leaves, leeks, garlic stem, garlic, ginger, and oak mushroom) collected from 22 provinces in Korea. Analyses were performed by multi-methods capable of detecting up to 60 pesticides by LC/MS/MS. A total of 510 samples were collected and analyzed. Of the samples, 96.1% contained no detectable pesticide residues. Detectable residues at or below the MRLs were found in 3.5% of the samples. However, in 0.4% of the samples (spinach and leeks), residue (ethaboxam and fluquinconazole) levels exceeded the MRLs. Furthermore, intake assessments of 7 kinds of pesticide residues were carried out, excluding those exceeding the MRLs. The results showed that the ratios of EDI (estimated daily intake) to ADI (acceptable daily intake) were 0.0001-0.0006%, which indicates that the detected pesticide residues were in a safe range. It is concluded that residual pesticides in agricultural products are properly controlled in Korea.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2011

The dissolution test method and an analytical procedure by HPLC were developed and validated for nafronyl oxalate capsules and tramadol hydrochloride capsules. These drugs were not yet characterized by the dissolution specifications in the Korean Pharmaceutical Codex. So, with each reference and test drugs, we did the preliminary and standard experiments based on the Korean Pharmacopeia Guideline of dissolution testing for solid oral dosage forms. The dissolution test for nafronyl oxalate capsules was carried out under sink conditions as follows: dissolution medium phosphate buffer pH 6.8, paddle rotation speed 100 rpm and vessel volume 900 ml. More than 80% of its label amount was released within 30 min in this method. Also the dissolution test for tramadol hydrochloride capsules was carried out under sink conditions as follows: dissolution medium water, paddle rotation speed 50 rpm and vessel volume 900 ml. More than 90% of its label amount was released within 15 min in this method. The dissolution samples were analyzed with a validated HPLC analytical procedure. The analytical methodology showed acceptable values in terms of specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy. The dissolution test methods described above were adequate for the purpose and may be proposed as a pharmacopeial standard to assess the performance of nafronyl oxalate capsules and tramadol hydrochloride capsules. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study were expected to help create an environment where safe and high quality drugs would be distributed on the domestic market making contributions to advancing public health.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.503-508
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• 2011

A ${\beta}$-glucosidase from Phoma sp. KCTC11825BP isolated from rotten mandarin peel was purified 8.5-fold with a specific activity of 84.5 U/mg protein. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 440 kDa with a subunit of 110 kDa. The partial amino acid sequence of the purified ${\beta}$-glucosidase evidenced high homology with the fungal ${\beta}$- glucosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 3. Its optimal activity was detected at pH 4.5 and $60^{\circ}C$, and the enzyme had a half-life of 53 h at $60^{\circ}C$. The $K_m$ values for p-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside and cellobiose were 0.3 mM and 3.2 mM, respectively. The enzyme was competitively inhibited by both glucose ($K_i$=1.7 mM) and glucono-${\delta}$-lactone ($K_i$=0.1 mM) when pNPG was used as the substrate. Its activity was inhibited by 41% by 10 mM $Cu^{2+}$ and stimulated by 20% by 10 mM $Mg^{2+}$.