• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1113-1117
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• 2012

Shigella sonnei is a causal agent of fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrheal disease. The present study describes a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the specific detection of S. sonnei using a primer pair based on the methylase gene for the amplification of a 325 bp DNA fragment. The qPCR primer set for the accurate diagnosis of Shigella sonnei was developed from publically available genome sequences. This quantitative PCR-based method will potentially simplify and facilitate the diagnosis of this pathogen and guide disease management.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.401-407
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• 2005

Objectives : We wanted to investigate the relationship between heavy metal, especially lead and mercury, to the blood pressure and cholesterol level in children. Methods : This study was undertaken in three primary schools and the study subjects were a total of 274 children. The lead in the blood and the urine mercury were analyzed by performing atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results : All of participants' blood lead levels and urine mercury concentrations were below the suggested level of concern according to the criteria of the CDC and ATSDR. We found no significant correlation between lead, mercury and the blood pressure. The blood lead level did not show any relationship with the blood pressure and cholesterol. However, the urine mercury levels were associated with the serum cholesterol. Conclusion : Our study suggests that mercury can induce an increase of cholesterol as a risk factor of myocardial infraction and coronary/cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.35-53
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• 2021

A field survey was carried out targeting 59 pine wilt disease control areas distributed in Andong, and the ecological characteristics of the areas affected by pine wilt disease were analyzed using vegetation information, ecological information, and land use information. Vegetation characteristics of Pine wilt disease affected forest area showed a 3-layer vegetation structure, high percentage of accidental occurrence species (37%) and secondary vegetation species (59.6%), appearing 12 taxa naturalized plants and 3 taxa ecosystem disturbance organisms designated by the Ministry of Environment. Ecological information of Pine wilt affected area showed frequent occurrence of water stress in south and west slopes, low lying grounds in mountains, and in well-drained soils. Also, surrounding the area has been used as roads, tombs, and cultivation where intensive human activities were the cause of disturbance and stress to the pine forest. It was analyzed that the pine forest in Andong city suffered extensive damage due to the onset of pine wilt disease while the pine trees were weakened due to continuous human activities. Conclusively, the spread and onset of pine wilt disease are worsened by artificial factors than natural environmental conditions.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.33.1-33.13
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• 2022

Background: Circadian rhythm disturbance caused by shift work has adverse effects on the metabolic homeostasis of the liver. Disruption of the metabolic homeostasis of the liver causes fat accumulation in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between shift work and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among male workers in the steel manufacturing industry of Korea. Methods: Based on medical examination data collected in June 2020, 2,511 male subjects from one steel manufacturing company in Korea were selected in total. NAFLD was evaluated using abdominal ultrasound, which was performed by two experienced radiologists. The multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed by adjusting for age, physical activity, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipidemia, liver function test, employment duration, and hepatotoxic materials exposure status. Results: Compared to daytime workers, the odds ratio (OR) of moderate-severe NAFLD in shift workers was 1.449 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.028-2.043). Compared to daytime workers, the ORs of moderate-severe NAFLD were significantly higher for the group that engaged in total shift work for more than 20 years (OR, 2.285; 95% CI, 1.051-4.970), the group that was not allowed to sleep during night shift work (OR, 1.463; 95% CI, 1.030-2.078), and the group that consumed food during night shift work (OR, 1.580; 95% CI, 1.093-2.284). Conclusions: There was a correlation between shift work and moderate-severe NAFLD in male steel manufacturing workers. There will be a need for more research related to the correlation of shift work with steatohepatitis and cirrhosis in the future.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.24.1-24.8
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• 2019

Early environmental exposure is recognized as a key factor for long-term health based on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. It considers that early-life nutrition is now being recognized as a major contributor that may permanently program change of organ structure and function toward the development of diseases, in which epigenetic mechanisms are involved. Recent researches indicate early-life environmental factors modulate the microbiome development and the microbiome might be mediate diet-epigenetic interaction. This review aims to define which nutrients involve microbiome development during the critical window of susceptibility to disease, and how microbiome modulation regulates epigenetic changes and influences human health and future prevention strategies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.31-44
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• 2004

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.43-44
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.3-10
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.76-76
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2002