• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.547-561
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• 2005

General characteristics of groundwater contamination by As were reviewed with several recent researches, and its occurrence in groundwater of Korea was investigated based on a ffw previous studies and a groundwater quality survey in Nonsan and Geumsan areas. In Bangladesh, which has been known as the most serious arsenic calamity country, about $28\%$ of the shallow groundwaters exceeded the Bangladesh drinking water standard, $50{\mu}g/L$, and it was estimated that about 28 million people were exposed to concentrations greater than the standard. Groundwater was characterized by circum-neutral pH with a moderate to strong reducing conditions. Low concentrations of $SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$, and high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and $NH_4^+$ were typical chemical characteristics. Total As concentrations were enriched in the Holocene alluvial aquifers with a dominance of As(III) species. It was generally agreed that reductive dissolution of Fe oxyhydroxides was the main mechanism for the release of As into groundwater coupling with the presence of organic matters and microbial activities as principal factors. A new model has also been suggested to explain how arsenic can naturally contaminate groundwaters far from the ultimate source with transport of As by active tectonic uplift and glaciatiion during Pleistocene, chemical weathering and deposition, and microbial reaction processes. In Korea, it has not been reported to be so serious As contamination, and from the national groundwater quality monitoring survey, only about $1\%$ of grounwaters have concentrations higher than $10{\mu}g/:L.$ However, it was revealed that $19.3\%$ of mineral waters, and $7\%$ of tube-well waters from Nonsan and Geumsan areas contained As concentrations above $10{\mu}g/:L.$. Also, percentages exceeding this value during detailed groundwater quality surveys were $36\%\;and\;22\%$ from Jeonnam and Ulsan areas, respectively, indicating As enrichment possibly by geological factors and local mineralization. Further systematic researches need to proceed in areas potential to As contamination such as mineralized, metasedimentary rock-based, alluvial, and acid sulfate soil areas. Prior to that, it is required to understand various geochemical and microbial processes, and groundwater flow characteristics affecting the behavior of As.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2017

Internationally different food safety regulation and standards could cause troubles in trade unless those are built on scientific knowledge. In this research, we monitored the microbial population and analyzed the results to determine the level of microbial contamination in foodstuffs using relatively new statistical analysis (microbiological sampling plan, International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods). The goal of this research falls on establishing entirely new standards for various food categories addressed in the Korean "Food Code". Targets for monitoring were indicator organisms (i.e. total aerobic count, coliform and Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (i.e. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens) in ready-to-eat (RTE) products. As the result of the monitoring, total aerobic count, coliform, E. coli, and B. cereus in RTE products were found at the mean values of 2.10 log CFU/g, -0.60 log CFU/g, -1.33 log CFU/g and -1.23 log CFU/g, respectively. S. aureus was detected with the level of -1.35 log CFU/g only in fresh-cut food, while C. perfringens was -1.37 log CFU/g only in ready-to-cook food. Other samples did not have any food borne pathogens. Total aerobic count, B. cereus, S. aureus and C. perfringens satisfied the Food Code (the MFDS). On the basis of the analysis, we proposed a draft of microbial criteria for RTE products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2024

Redox factor (Ref)-1, a ubiquitously expressed protein, acts as a modulator of redox-sensitive tran- scription factors and as an endonuclease in the repair pathway of damaged DNA. However, the function of Ref-1 in the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ref-1 on the monocyte differentiation process using the human monocytic cell line THP-1. The differentiation agent PMA increased cell adhesion over time and showed a sig- nificant increase in phagocytic function but decreased the intracellular amount of Ref-1. Ref-1 inhibitor E3330 and Ref-1 knockdown using the siRNA technique reduced cell adhesion and the expression of differentiation markers, such as CD14, ICAM-1, and CD11b, by PMA stimulation. This means that the role of Ref-1 is absolutely necessary in the initial process of differentiating THP-1 cells stimulated by PMA. Next, the distribution of Ref-1 was examined in the cytoplasm and nucleus of THP-1 cells stimulated with PMA. Surprisingly, PMA stimulation resulted in the rapid translocation of Ref-1 to the nucleus. To prove that movement of Ref-1 to the nucleus is required for monocyte differentiation, a Ref-1 vector with the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) deleted was used. As a result, overexpression of ∆NLS Ref-1, which restricted movement to the nucleus, suppressed the expression of differentiation markers and notably reduced phagocytic function in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that the differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells requires Ref-1 nuclear translocation during the initial process of biochemical events following stimulation from PMA.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.24 no.1 s.76
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• pp.38-48
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• 1996

The survival or colonization of beneficial organsisms and suppression of root rot of ginseng (Panax ginseng) by two distinct bacteria, Pseudomonas cepacia, Bacillus cereus and three mycorrhiza in pot soil were investigated and compared with uninoculated root. In separate inoculation, colonization of roots by P. cepacia was maintained at 6.25 (log cfu/g root) during growth for 10 days under pot culture conditions comparing to $5.62{\sim}6.19$ by mixed treatment with other organisms. Colonizations of P. cepacia were gradually decreased from 6.25 (log cfu/g root) in 10 days growth to 3.01 (log cfu/g root) in 270 days incubation period. This reduction was also investgated in combination treatments by B. cereus or F. solani. The numbers of Fusarium spp. were colonized high number in rhizosphere soil from 3.33 to 3.67 (log cfu/g root) in control within $10{\sim}60$days after treatment of pathogen F. solani, but it's numbers were markedly decreased in 270 days cultivation of plant from 3.33 to 1.02 (log cfu/g root) after treatment. In treatment of beneficial strains of P. cepacia and B. cereus, P. cepacia significantly suppressed the development of root rot from 4.3 in control to 1.2 in treatment, whereas B. cereus alone had no effect on the rate of disease suppression. The disease index $(1.8{\sim}2.3)$ in combination of two bacteria was reduced in plants inoculated with both P. cepacia and B. cereus comparing to the index (4.3) of control. As an effect of inoculation with mycorrhiza on disease suppression, suppression of root rot by F. solani was reduced to $1.2{\sim}1.6$ in disease index in treatment of Glomus albidum and Acaulospora longular comparing to 4.3 of control. In the treatment of bacterial strain P. cepacia and mycorrhizal fungus Glomus albidum, the disease suppression was apparent to 1.2 and 1.2 comparing to 4.3 of control in disease index respectively.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2008

Distribution of microorganisms were examined for the bucky tables in the radiology rooms of the department of radiological technology, the aprons, handles of various apparatus, handles of mobile radiological apparatus, and hands of the radiological technologists. As a result, relatively larger amounts of bacteria were found on the handles of the mobile radiological apparatus and the aprons. Among the isolated bacteria, Acinetobacter baumanni (7.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.9%), Serratia liquefaciens (1.7%), Enterobacter cloaceae (0.6%), Providenica rettgeri (0.6%) are known as the cause of nosocomial infection (hospital acquired infection). In addition, similar colonies were also found on the hands of the radiological technologists such as microorganisms of Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.6%), Yersinia enterocolotica (5.4%), Acinetobacter baumanni (4.2%), Enterobacter cloaceae (2.4%), Serratia liquefaciens (1.8%), Yersinia pseuotuberculosis (18%), Enterobacter sakazakii (1.2%), and Escherichia coli (0.6%). In particular, this result indicates clinical significance since Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli show strong pathogenicity. Therefore, a continuous education is essential for the radiological technologists to prevent the nosocomial infection.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.691-698
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• 2009

Trickling filter has been extensively studied for the domestic wastewater treatment especially for the small scale plants in rural area. The performance of the trickling filter depends on the microbial community and their activity in the biofilms on the media. Nitrification. denitrification, and phosphorus removal of the trickling filter from the wastewater depend on the activity and the amount of the specific microorganisms responsible for the metabolism. For the estimation of the performance of a trickling filter, batch nitrification experiment and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were carried out to measure the microbial activity and its distribution on the media of the trickling filter. Batch nitrification activity measurement showed that the top part of the 1st stage trickling filter had the highest nitrification activity and the maximum activity was 0.002 g $NH_4$-N/g MLVSS${\cdot}$h. It is thought that higher substrate (ammonia) concentration yields more nitrifying bacteria in the biofilms. The dominant ammonia oxidizer and nitrite oxidizer in the biofilm were Nitrosomonas species and genus Nitrospira, respectively, by FISH analysis. Less denitrifiers were found than nitrifiers in the biofilm by the probe Rrp1088 which specifically binds to Rhodobacter, Rhodovulum, Roseobacter, and Paracoccus. Phosphorus accumulating bacteria were mostly found at the surface of the biofilm by probe Rc988 and PAO651 which specifically binds to Rhodocyclus group and their biomass was less than that of nitrifiers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.304-312
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to examine bioaerosols in indoor air in public restrooms, as well as to assess the effects of air temperature and relative humidity on bioaerosol levels. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in ten male and ten female restrooms. An air sampler (Anderson type) was used for sampling total suspended bacteria (TSB), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), opportunistic bacteria (OP), Staphylococcus spp., and total suspended fungi (TSF). Results: The levels of TSB were $10-10^2CFU/m^3$ and TSF $10-10^2CFU/m^3$, respectively. The GNB level was $0-10CFU/m^3$, and GPB and OP levels were $10-10^2CFU/m^3$. Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were detected in 90% of the restrooms. The GPB level was higher in the female restrooms than in the male restrooms (p < 0.05). TSB, GNB, and TSF showed higher levels in restrooms in buildings over 30 years old (p < 0.01). The main effect of air temperature or relative humidity and interaction effect of the two factors on the TSB level were significant (p < 0.05), while the effect of relative humidity on the TSF level was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there is a wide variation in the bioaerosol levels among different restrooms. The observed differences in bioaerosol levels reflect different building histories. The effects of air temperature and/or relative humidity reveal that bioaerosol levels may vary according to season or time of day. Future research is needed to further characterize the relation between the bioaerosol levels and surface contamination in restrooms.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.520-528
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• 2012

Objective: This study was performed to assess bacterial distribution concerned in sanitation management of public lavatory in Seoul. Methods: In this research, bacteriological investigation on public lavatory was accomplished for bidet water, bidet nozzle, washbowl and lavatory stool in the 50 public facilities such as public institutions, subway stations, cinema, department stores, large-scale buildings and hospitals amount to 374 specimens. Results: The geometric mean of colony forming unit(CFU) in total aerobic colony count were analyzed as follows; $5.2{\times}10^2/100cm^2$ on lavatory stool, $7.2{\times}10^3/ea$ on bidet nozzle, $7.8{\times}10^3/ea$ on center ring of washbowl, $1.4{\times}10/mL$ in bidet water (ml) and 7.0/ea on doorknob. Opportunistically pathogenic germs such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated in 3.7%, 5.9%, 3.2% and 1.9% of total specimens, respectively. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that there were some facilities where the pathogenic germs were detected to may cause urological infection. And the CFU of general bacteria as the representative indicator of disinfection and lavatory cleaning were high enough to imply the improvement of sanitation management of public lavatories should be contrived.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to estimate the identification of thermophilic hacterial with fermentation of pig manure. To identify the characters of thermophilic bacteria related to fermentation at a high temperature condition, we selected 28 different kinds of original settling thermophilic bacteria that were sampled at different 23 areas. They were distributed 1$1{\times}10^5{\sim}10^8CFU$ at medium and the enzyme activity at $55^{\circ}C$ incubation condition, especially cellulase and a-amylase, were higher than those of $30^{\circ}C$. Partial sequencing data for 165 rDNA region were obtained from 28 samples representing 15 different genera. Bacillus subcilis, one of those bacteria, has endodermic spores at high fermented condition.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.542-548
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• 2003

Nanoparticles with unsaturated poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (UPHAs) biosynthesized with Pseudo-monas oleovorans were prepared by spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method. The influence of nanoparticle formation was investigated with various experimental parameters such as sonication conditions, sol-vent, surfactant and polymer contents, etc. The physical and chemical properties of UPHAS and its nanoparticles were characterized using $^1$H- and $\^$13/C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography. The morphology of particles was observed using scanning electron microscope and the size and distribution of nanoparticles were measured with electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotometer. The mean diameter of particles decreased with increasing sonication amplitude and time. The addition of ethanol into UPHAS chloroform solution decreased the particle size presumably due to increased solvent diffusion into water phase. The particle size increased with increased the concentration of UPHAS solution. Under the 2-4％ poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solution the minimum mean diameter of particles was shown. The higher degree of hydrolysis and degree of polymerization of PVA increased the mean diameter of particles.