• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2008

Objectives : Fluoridation of drinking water is known to decrease dental caries, particularly in children. However, the effects of fluoridated water on bone over several decades are still in controversy. To assess the risk of hip fracture related to water fluoridation, we evaluated the hip fracture-related hospitalizations of the elderly between a fluoridated city and non-fluoridated cities in Korea. Methods : Cheongju as a fluoridated area and Chungju, Chuncheon, Suwon, Wonju as non-fluoridated areas were chosen for the study. We established a database of hip fracture hospitalization episode based on the claims data submitted to the Health Insurance Review Agency from January 1995 to December 2002. The hip fracture hospitalization episodes that satisfied the conditions were those that occurred in patients over 65 years old, the injuries had a hip fracture code (ICD-9 820, ICD-10 S72) and the patients were hospitalized for at least 7days. A total of 80,558 cases of hip fracture hospitalization episodes were analyzed. Results : The admission rates for hip fracture increased with the age of the men and women in both a fluoridated city and the non-fluoridated cities (p<0.01). The relative risk of hip fracture increased significantly both for men and women as their age increased. However, any difference in the hip fracture admission rates was not consistently observed between the fluoridated city and the non-fluoridated cities. Conclusions : We cannot conclude that fluoridation of drinking water increases the risk of hip fracture in the elderly.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.754-762
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• 2012

Colbricon Superiore and Inferiore are two small adjacent high-mountain lakes located in the Paneveggio Natural Park (Italy) that offer the rare opportunity to study two iso-ecologic water environments differing only by area and volume in a ratio of 2:1 and 3:1, respectively. We took advantage of this setting to investigate phytoplankton dynamics, compare variability and productivity differences between the two basins, and assess size-dependent issues. The phytoplankton group of the Dinophyceae was chosen as the indicator organisms of ecological perturbation owing to their high sensitivity to environmental variations, as well as their acknowledged nature of versatile proxy to report global climatic changes. The study was conducted for over 10 years with fortnightly samplings. Results indicated that (a) the Dinophyceae communities in the smaller lake were significantly more resistant to changes exerted by the fluctuation of lakewater transparency and pH; and (b) the smaller lake sustained a consistently higher production with an average Dinophyceae density 1.73 fold higher than that of the larger lake. The coefficients of variation show that the chemical parameters in the smaller lake display higher time-related fluctuation while being spatially homogeneous and that such conditions correlate with a higher stability of the Dinophyceae assemblage. The use of this setting is also proposed as a model to test relationships between ecosystem production and physical stability.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.66-80
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• 1984

The organic phosphorus compounds have been widely used as an insecticide, since toxicity of these compounds is especially drastic to the insects than to men and other mammals. The organic phosphates are rapidly hydrolized and hence have little cumulative and ecologic effects. However, due to their acute toxic effects organophosphate have recorded rather high fatalities in men and domestic animals. The organic phosphorus compounds are powerful inhibitors to the carboxylic esterase enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase. As a result of firm binding characteristics of phosphate radicals to the active sites of enzyme, the activities of these enzymes are inhibited by the organophosphates. The organophosphates such as diazinon is easily observed from skin, gastrointestinal tract, conjunctivas and respiratory tract, and it is converted to more toxic form during metabolism in the liver The present study was carried out in order to investigate the hepatotoxicity of diazinon by observing the changes in the ultrastructure of cytoplasmic organelles of hepatic cells in albino mice. The animals were killed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after administration of 25mg/kg diazinon. The piece of hepatic tissue obtained from each animal was ultrathinly sectioned. The specimens stained by uranyl acetate and lead citrate double contrast methods were observed with JEM model 100B electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1) A prominent dilatation and sacculation of the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum associated with detachment of membrane bound-ribosomes, and disaggregation of the free ribosomes were recognized. 2) The hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum associated with depletion of the glycogen particles was observed. 3) The atrophy of cisternae of Golgi complex was observed. 4) A large number of secondary lysosomes (autophagic vacuoles and residual bodies) were formed. Consequently it is suggested that diazinon would induce disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles of hepatocytes in albino mice.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.82-96
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to investigate the wise use and the management of intertidal environment. For tills purpose, we selected the Kanghwa island mudflat which is one of the most important intertidal region in Korea peninsula. The main research method is surface sediment and several map analysis. The results are as follows. (1) The study area is worldwide coastal wetland in view of ecology and geomorphology. But most of the salt marsh has been reclaimed since Japanese colonial period, the study area is mainly composed of mudflat. (2) The mean tidal regime of study area is 7.3m. From this tidal regime, the study area is subdivided into four distinct areas: the high intertidal area the middle intertidal area the low intertidal area and the shallow sea area terrestrial area near mudflat. (3) The mean particle size of surface sediment is sand 41.5%, silt 47.3%, clay 11.2%. This particle size pattern indicates the ecological characteristics of surface sediment of the study area. The proportion of clay is increasing to the open sea. (5) The pursuit of the wise use and the management must be implemented by the consideration of not only ecologic and sedimentary characteristics but also of the eco-tour site plan. And the entire use and management subject is different in each area.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate a feasibility of a small mountain as a field work site on geological features in Earth sciences classes at all levels. Mt. Geumdang with the height of 305 meters from the sea level is located in the metropolitan city of Gwangju, southern part of Korea. The study reviews the human and natural geography, geological features, geomorphic resources, landscapes, and conveniences of the mountain for a possibility of meaningful field work. The population within the distance of 5 km from the mountain stands at about 620,000 and 170,000 of them are students and teachers. Mt. Geumdang has a warm temperature climate with low rainfall throughout the year, so it seems suitable for a field survey. Road network and public transportation system around the area are well-developed and easily accessible. Mt. Geumdang shows various rock type and geological structures. The basement rock is Gwangju granite, which is plutonic body of the Jurassic period. Also, granophyre (micrographic granite) and various volcanic rocks distributed as bedded tuff, lapilli tuff, and rhyolite of the Cretaceous period. Many andesitic and felsic dykes were intruded into the rock by joint system. In Mt. Geumdang, many geomorphic resources are found such as U shaped mountain, joint, fault, lamination, gnamma, tor, cliff, groove, block stream and block field, regolith, and saprolite. It has a beautiful mountain scenery including the view of whole shape of Mt. Mudeung, panoramic view of the town, Pungam lake, World Cup stadium and sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, the area has ecologic study facilities related to geology, emergency medical and convenience facilities for field works. In conclusion, Mt. Geumdang is highly feasible for geological field studies at all levels.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

Objectives: As an ecological study, this study was performed to identify the community-level variation of health related quality-of-life (HRQOL), and to explore the factors that explain the variation, using 2017 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) data. Methods: Community health indicators of KCHS, which are correlated with the EQ-5D index of Si-gun-gu districts, were selected as independent variables. Multiple linear regression model was used to derive factors that explain regional variations in the EQ-5D index. Results: The EQ-5D index variation in 229 districts nationwide was 1.1 times for extremal quotient (EQ) and 1.0 for coefficient of variance (CV). The Si-gun-gu districts with the EQ-5D index in the lower 25% were more distributed in the province (27.7%) than in the metropolitan area (20.3%). As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, the depressed mood experience rate, perceived stress rate, suicide ideation rate, and physician diagnosed arthritis rate were derived as major factors of the variation. Conclusions: In order to reduce the gap in HRQOL between the districts, the priority of local health policies should be placed on the above factors including psychosocial factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2465-2473
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to investigate the standardized incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer and its relationship with the human development index (HDI) across the world in 2012. Materials and Methods: This ecologic study was conducted for assessment of the correlation between age-specific incidence rate (ASIR) and age-specific mortality rate (ASMR) with HDI and its components. Data for SIR and SMR for every country for the year 2012 were obtained from the global cancer project. We used a bivariate method for assessment of the correlation between SIR and SMR and HDI. Statistical significance was assumed at P<0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (Version 22.0, SPSS Inc.). Results: Countries with the highest SIR of colorectal cancer in the world in 2012, were Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Hungary and countries with the highest SMR were Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia. The correlation between SIR of colorectal cancer and the HDI was 0.712 ($P{\leq}0.001$), with life expectancy at birth 0.513 ($P{\leq}0.001$), with mean years of schooling 0.641 ($P{\leq}0.001$) and with level of income per each person of the population 0.514 (P=0.013). In addition, the correlation between SMR of colorectal cancer and the HDI was 0.628 ($P{\leq}0.001$), with life expectancy at birth 0.469 ($P{\leq}0.001$), with mean years of schooling 0.592 ($P{\leq}0.001$) and with level of income per each person of the population 0.378 (P=0.013). Conclusions: The highest SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer was in the WHO Europe region. There was a positive correlation between HDI and SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5987-5991
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• 2015

Our previous study detected aflatoxins in red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, each of which have a high incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Since the aflatoxin B1 concentration was not so high in these peppers, it is important to clarify the presence of other mycotoxins. Here we attempted to determine any associations between the concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) in red chili peppers, and the corresponding GBC incidences. We collected red chili peppers from three areas in Peru: Trujillo (a high GBC incidence area), Cusco (an intermediate GBC incidence area), and Lima (a low GBC incidence rate), and from Chile and Bolivia. Aflatoxins and OTA were extracted with organic solvents. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, and OTA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The values obtained were compared with the incidence of GBC in each area or country. All of the red chili peppers from the three areas showed contamination with aflatoxins below the Commission of the European Communities (EC) recommended limits ($5{\mu}g/kg$), but the OTA contamination of two samples was above the EC recommended limit ($15{\mu}g/kg$). The mean concentrations of OTA in the peppers from Chile (mean $355{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-1,059{\mu}g/kg$) and Bolivia (mean $207{\mu}g/kg$, range $0.8-628{\mu}g/kg$), which has a high incidence of GBC, were higher than that in Peru ($14{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-47{\mu}g/kg$), which has an intermediate GBC incidence. The OTA contamination in the red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru was stronger than that of aflatoxins. Our data suggest that OTA in red chili peppers may be associated with the development of GBC.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.125-133
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• 2009

Wastewater sludge had normally filled up in land before revising the law of waste material management in 2003, which does not permit landfill of organic sludge in Korea. After the law, most sludge has been littered in the ocean up to now. However, due to the London Convention 96 Protocol, littering sludge in the ocean will also be prohibited after 2011. This Protocol makes countries find out new methods to treat wastewater sludge. There is no exception in Korea too. Many researchers have urgently try to find out better ways to treat sludge. One of ways is to make sludge recycle energy and the success of it depends on drying method. Specifically, it really depends how to make sludge dry ecologic friendly and economic efficiently. Therefore, wastewater sludge produced in Youngdong was analyzed to make it energy resources in this study. The sludge was tested to analyze the drying and chemical characteristics of it by irradiating microwave. In the result, it is sure that the sludge has little heavy metals as like as others in country side. High calories, 3370 Kcal, shows that it has good potential to be recycle energy. Moreover, weight deduction of the sludge vs. time shows long S-curve and has same deduction ratio. Specifically, S-curve can be divided by three sections based on the curvature points. There are steady state reduction ratio of weight and approximately 80% of weight duction in the second section. This results can be used to estimate the amount of sludge reduction in the full-scale microwave dryer. Drying capacity of microwave shows approximately 1.0 kg/kw/hr. It makes sure that sludge recycle energy has the potential of economic efficiency too.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.511-524
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• 2017

This study was carried out for the purpose of creating a restoration plan to improve the ecological quality of the Changwon and Nam streams. Based upon the results of comprehensive diagnostic assessment, restoration priority was given to the upstream reach, where conservation status is relatively superior. Restoration level was usually determined to practice active restoration as conservation, and the states of both Changwon and Nam streams were not so good. Restoration plans, by reach, were classified into "upstream", "midstream", and "downstream" were suggested in both terms of horizontal section frame and vegetation-based on the result of diagnostic assessment and the reference information. "Upstream", "mid-stream" and the "downstream" of Changwon and Nam streams were classified into "small-gravel- mountainous", "small-sand-plain", and "small-clay-plain streams" respectively (based on scale, and substrate and slope of river bed). The spatial arrangement of vegetation was laid out in diagram form by reflecting micro-topography and the water level of the horizontal section of river. Information regarding species composition was recommended as dominant species, which appear frequently in three vegetation zones composed of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees and sub-tree- dominated zones divided by reflecting disturbance regime, depending on position on the horizontal section of river. Moreover, there have been prepared not only plans to improve the terrestrial ecosystems around the streams but also plans to create ecological networks, which can serve to improve the ecologic quality of the whole regional environment by serving to connect streams and terrestrial ecosystems, a process probably necessary and definitely recommended to realize true (genuine) restoration. Plans for ecological parks and networks were prepared by mimicking the species composition of Alnus japanica community, Zelkova serrata community, Carpinus laxiflora community, Quercus aliena community, and Q. serrata community.