• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.517-527
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• 2023

Objectives: We examine cases of chemical poisoning that occurred in the cleaning of metal parts and the regulations on halogenated solvents in other countries and propose regulations necessary to prevent chemical poisoning from halogenated solvents. Methods: We collected cases of chemical poisoning through the website of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. A review of the literature was conducted focusing on regulations related to halogenated solvents in the United States and the European Union, particularly for cleaning metal parts. Among the Material Safety Data Sheets submitted to the government, MSDS containing eleven substances were extracted to confirm the composition and product use. We investigated cleaning methods for metal parts used in South Korea. For the hazard classification, the European Chemicals Agency or Japan's NITE's website was used. Results: In the case of poisoning, the cleaning methods involving trichloromethane were dipping and dry, which was not found in the literature. It was confirmed that many halogenated solvents and dimethyl carbonate were used for metal cleaning in South Korea. In vapor degreasing using TCE in the USA, even if the facility is strictly managed, such as by installing cooling coils in open cleaning facilities, the risk of exposure to TCE is considered to be not only carcinogenic but also a concern for acute and chronic effects. In comparison, exposure through Korean work methods such as dipping and drying operations is inevitably much higher. Conclusions: The transition to water-based cleaning with low-hazard chemicals should be a priority in the cleaning process. In the case of metal parts that require precise cleaning, if the use of a halogenated solvent is inevitable, a closed degreasing facility should be used to minimize exposure. The current regulations in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Chemical Substances Control Act, and the Air Environment Conservation Act do not require cleaning facilities to minimize emissions. To protect the health of workers using halogenated solvents to clean metal parts, regulations that require a fundamental reduction in exposure will be necessary.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1206-1212
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• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.508-516
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• 2023

The consumption of enoki mushrooms has been associated with cases of listeriosis produced by Listeria monocytogenes, highlighting the significance of sanitizing food-contact surface, such as the velcro used in welding processing of enoki mushrooms, to ensure microbial safety. We investigated the inhibitory activity of nine chemical disinfectants at regular concentrations against L. monocytogenes isolated from a mushroom farm environment. The bacterial suspension was prepared in phosphate buffered saline and mushroom extract broth and inoculated onto the velcro surface. After inoculation, most disinfectants reduced the initial 8 log CFU/coupon concentration by less than 2 log CFU/coupon during a 5-min treatment. Slightly acidic hypochlorous water showed a reduction of approximately 4 log CFU/coupon when tested for more than 30 min at the maximum allowable concentration of 200 mg/L. Sodium hypochlorite solution showed a reduction of approximately 5 log CFU/coupon when used at 100 mg/L for 60 min. Peracetic acid, at the maximum allowable concentration of 300 mg/L, showed the most effective reduction of 5 log CFU/coupon or more when the surface was treated with 37.5 mg/L for 30 min. These results indicate that peracetic acid can be used as the disinfectant strategy to control cross-contamination of L. monocytogenes on the velcro surface of plastic wrappers used in the welding processing of enoki mushrooms.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.46-46
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• 2021

The first purpose of this study was to evaluate the scavenging capacity (SC) of DPPH and ABTS free radicals for ethanol extract (STR-E) and its active fractions from Sophora tonkinensis root (STR). Four different fractions from STR-E were prepared by using different types of solvents such as chloroform (STR-E-C), ethyl acetate (STR-E-EA), n-butanol (STR-E-B), and water (STR-E-W). STR-E-C showed the highest value of total phenolic content, while STR-E showed the highest value of total flavonoid and terpenoid content. In STR-E and its four fractions, STR-E-EA showed the strongest SC with the lowest SC50 values of the DPPH radicals and ABTS radicals. The second purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA, respectively. No cytotoxic effect to RAW 264.7 cells was observed at 20 ~ 25 ㎍/ml of STR-E, 10 ㎍/ml of STR-E-C, and 5 ㎍/ml of the STR-E-EA, presenting cell viability values close to that of the untreated control (100%). STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA significantly suppressed the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner. Results of reverse-transcription (RT)-qPCR analysis showed that the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10 were observed in the LPS-stimulated macrophages at 4 h, 2 h, 12 h, 12 h, and 12 h, respectively. The peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 20 ㎍/ml and 25 ㎍/ml of STR-E, respectively. In the case of IL-10, its peak mRNA level slightly increased without statistical significance. Compared with the LPS-stimulated macrophages, the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 10 ㎍/ml and 20 ㎍/ml of STR-E-C, respectively. In contrast, the peak mRNA level of IL-10 significantly increased at 8 h. Compared with the LPS-stimulated macrophages, the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 reduced in the LPS-stimulated macrophages co-treated with 5 ㎍/ml and 10 ㎍/ml of STR-E-EA, respectively. In contrast, the peak mRNA level of IL-10 increased at 4 h. Taken together, our data indicated that STR-E, STR-E-C, and STR-E-EA activate macrophages to secrete both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.160-189
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• 2023

The Cheonjeon-ri petroglyph is inscribed with shale formation belonging to the Daegu Formation of the Gyeongsang Supergroup in the Cretaceous of the Mesozoic Era. This rock undergoes thermal alteration to become hornfels, and has a high hardness and dense texture. Rock-forming minerals have almost the same composition as quartz, alkali felspar, plagioclase, calcite, mica, chlorite and opaque minerals, but calcite is rarely detected in the weathered zone. The petroglyph forms a weathered zone with a certain depth, and there is a difference in mineral and chemical composition between weathered and unweathered zones, respectively. The CaO contents of the weathered zone were reduced by more than 90% compared to that of the unweathered zone, because calcite reacted with water and dissolved. As a result of calculating the surface weathering depth for the petroglyph with the transmission characteristics of X-rays, depth of the parts in falling off and exfoliation showed a depth of about 0.5 to 1 mm, but the weathering depth in most areas was calculated to be about 3 to 4 mm. This can be proved by the contents and changes of Ca and Sr. The surface discolorations of the petroglyph are distributed with different color density, and the yellowish brown discoloration is alternated with a thin biofilm layer, showing a coverage of 79.6%. Therefore, periodic preservation managements and preventive conservation monitoring that can effectively control the physicochemical and biological damages of the Cheonjeonri petroglyph will be necessary.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.86-90
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• 2023

The packaging of electronic devices performs a protective function to ensure that their durability and reliability are not affected by changes in the operating environment caused by external factors. Recent advances in materials have led to ongoing research into bonded packaging of heterogeneous materials such as polymers and inorganic materials in electronic devices. In this packaging process, it is important to have a binding that joins the materials and ensures the operating environment, which includes adhesion to the substrate, corrosion and oxidation resistance through moisture removal, and durability. In this study, the hygroscopicity of the coating layer by modifying the polymer surface based on PVA was evaluated by controlling and measuring the contact angle, and the adhesion was confirmed by applying water-based ink and testing according to ASTM_D3363. For the durability of the polymer surface, the IPL post-treatment process was used to improve the hardness and toughness against applied voltage, and the pencil hardness test and nanoindentation test were conducted. Through this, we analyzed and proposed solutions to ensure the reliability and durability of polymer devices in polymer microfabrication against environmental factors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations and adhesion, and surface abrasion.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.193-200
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• 2023

This study evaluate the quality characteristics and antioxidative properties of acorn mook containing seoritae powder(0%, 2%, 4%, 6%). Among them the results of moisture content, Hunter color system, Texture, and antioxidant activity by making a section different Acorn Mook. The moisture content of samples 70.83%~81.77%, as the Seoritae powder Level in the formulation increased. As the Seoritae powder Level in the formulation increased, L-value of samples decreased, a-value of samples 7.29~7.79 increased and b-value decreased. According to the texture evaluation results, as the Seoritae powder level in the formulation significant decreased, the hardness, adhesivness, chewiness and cohesiveness, chewiness of acorn mook decreased. Seoritae powder level in the formulation increased Total phenol contents increased, Total flavonoid contents, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity of acorn mook decreased. The sensory results, the 2% samples received high taste, color, elasticity, chewiness, overall acceptability scores. In addition the 4% added samples of Seoritae powder showed a good overall evaluation compared to the control samples, so if acorn mook is manufactured by adding 2%~4% of Seoritae powder, it is thought that there is a possibility of commercialization of Seoritae acorn mook. We have the above results adding Seoritae powder to make a traditional food mook will help to use it as basic data for making acorn mook with excellent antioxidant activity.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.867-873
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• 2023

In this study, for the purpose of standardized quality control of a cold medicine, we simultaneous analyzed four main chemical components of a cold medicine: acetaminophen, caffeine, methyl paraben, and propyl paraben. The sample was subjected to quantitative analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after pretreatment of four components. The experiment was carried out by using Isocratic elution at wavelength of 270nm. Acetonitrile and water (H₂O) were used as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0mL/min in a commercial C18 reversed-phase column. A volume of 10uL cold medicine were injected into the column with column oven temperature at 35℃. As a result of the experiment, the values of Resolution were 4.983, 1.596, 5.519, and 1.678 respectively-well over Rs >1.5, which indicates that the separation of four components were efficient. In addition, value of symmetry factor of the components was 1.056, 1.069, 1.032, and 1.133 respectively, to show its symmetrical stability. The calibration curve of all four components exhibits good linearity with R² >0.9995 to 0.9999. Furthermore, the limit of detection(LOD) were between 0.0118 to 1.5973 mg/mL, while the limit of quantification (LOQ) were between 0.0353 to 4.7919 ㎍/mL with the recovery rate of 79.6% ~ 120.5%. The results of this study showed an efficient quality evaluation of a simultaneous analysis method for cold medicine components.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.703-714
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• 2023

This research conducts a series of tests to investigate the setting retarding properties and strength development in cement pastes incorporating various types and dosages of sugar-based super retarding agents. Six such agents, including Sucrose, Sugar powder, Saccharin, Aspartame, Stevioside, and Mogroside, commercially available, were selected for evaluation. The study also examines the micro-structural properties of these cement pastes. The test mixtures were prepared using a 27.5% water-to-cement ratio and ordinary Portland cement. Micro-structural analyses were conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), X-Ray Diffraction(XRD), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy(EDS). The findings reveal that the incorporation of sucrose, sugar powder, and stevioside significantly retards the setting time. Particularly, adding 0.1% sucrose extended the setting time by approximately two-fold compared to the control(Plain) mixture. Most mixtures, barring those with sugar powder and stevioside, exhibited compressive strength comparable to the Plain mixture. Notably, with 0.2% sucrose, strength measurements were not feasible at 1 day, but at 3 days, the strength gains aligned with the Plain mixture. XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses confirmed the hydration delay(set retarding) of C3S due to sucrose, with further quantitative corroboration provided by EDS. SEM was used to verify the presence or absence of hydration products. The study concludes that sucrose, as a sugar-based retarder, offers effective set retarding capabilities and compressive strength development in concrete.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2024

Background: Vibrio vulnificus is a serious opportunistic human pathogen that has a worldwide distribution in a variety of marine and estuarine environments. Objectives: For this reason, we investigated the distribution of Vibrio vulnificus in coastal areas of Gyeonggido Province from 2018 to 2022. Also, we analyzed the correlation between V. vulnificus leading to infection and two marine environmental factors (water temperature and salinity). Methods: We collected a total of 266 samples from six coastal area points (i.e., seawater, mudflats). Specimens were isolated using selective plating media and isolated strains were identified by a VITEK 2 system. To find the relevance of the isolation rates of V. vulnificus and number of cases of V. vulnificus infection, we summarized the data on 48 cases of V. vulnificus infection from the open data of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Results: Among the 266 samples taken during the investigation period, 47 strains were isolated, and the separation rates of V. vulnificus were 17.7%. The monthly isolation rates of V. vulnificus were ranked in the order of August (53.8%), September (33.3%), June (28.6%), and July (21.1%). There was a positive correlation with the temperature of seawater, but salinity was not significant. The number of cases of V. vulnificus infection reported in Gyeonggi-do Province were 18 (37.5%) in September, 14 (29.2%) in August, and eight (16.7%) in October. The proportion was 83.3%. It was relevant to the isolation rates of V. vulnificus in the marine environmental sources. Conclusions: Our data showed that the number of V. vulnificus infection cases could be affected by changes in the distribution of V. vulnificus due to rise the temperature of seawater in the marine environment.