• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.317-322
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• 2022

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a chronic contagious disease in small ruminants. The prevalence of CLA has been reported to be >50% in Korean black goats. CLA is difficult to control due to a lack of efficient vaccines and treatment methods. Effective disinfection of the farm environment may be an alternative strategy for reducing the spread of C. pseudotuberculosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of commercial disinfectants against CLA. The six commercial disinfectants, largely composed of sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium hypochlorite, potassium monopersulfate triple salt, quaternary ammonium, citric acid, and copper sulfate, were tested against five different genotypes of C. pseudotuberculosis isolated from goat farms in Korea. Efficacy tests were performed in accordance with the disinfectant efficacy test guidelines recommended by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of Korea with slight modifications. All disinfectants except for copper sulfate exhibited >99.99% killing efficacy under hard water conditions following 30 min of incubation, which is the recommended standard treatment time according to guidelines. The minimum bactericidal treatment time was evaluated by employing treatments for durations of 1, 5, and 15 min. The most effective compounds under hard water conditions were sodium dichloroisocyanurate, potassium monopersulfate triple salt, and sodium hypochlorite, exhibiting >99.99% killing efficacy after 1 min of treatment. In the aqueous solution forms, citric acid and the quaternary ammonium compound were the most effective, but required at least 5 min to kill >99.99% of the bacteria. The current study characterizes the killing efficacy of six commercial disinfectant active compounds against C. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, this study provides essential information regarding the efficacy of the disinfectants used to control CLA in goat farms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.783-791
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• 2012

The purpose of the study was to provide baseline information that could encourage consumers and establish the direction of development for sprouts and leafy vegetables. A survey on the consumption and preference for sprouts and leafy vegetables of 823 people over 20 years of age in Seoul and Gyeonggi province was conducted. The preference for sprouts was higher in men ($3.75{\pm}0.96$) than in women ($3.64{\pm}0.84$), whereas the preference for leafy vegetables was higher in women ($4.06{\pm}0.74$) than in men ($3.88{\pm}0.90$). Based on age, the respondents in their 40s or above had high preferences for sprouts and leaf vegetables due to the importance that they accorded to health and nutrition (p<0.01). The sprouts and leafy vegetables were purchased mainly for their high nutritional value. The purchase frequency of once a month or more for leafy vegetables (82.7%) was higher than that for sprouts (57.1%). The consumers purchased sprouts and leafy vegetables mainly from a large discount store. The respondents in their 20s showed the highest percentage of purchasing from a local store whereas the older ones showed a high preference for traditional markets. The reason for the choice of the place of purchase was convenience. The freshness and price were important factors in the consumption of sprouts and leafy vegetables. In the case of leafy vegetables, the consumers preferred to buy them using the conventional weight measurement system rather than in small packages. On the other hand, mixed small packages were preferred for sprouts. The purchase frequency was correlated with the preferences, need for improvement and purchase intent for sprouts and leafy vegetables. The aspects that require improvement for producing high-quality sprouts and leafy vegetables were the nutritional and functional properties. To increase the consumption of sprouts and leafy vegetables, there is need for variations and improvement of the quality and safety of the products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2012

This study was determined to analysis marine environmental and phytoplankton monitoring in Wando coastal waters in August during the period of 2009-2010 and provided the basic environmental data against Southwest Sea of Korea. In August, 2009, the distribution of water temperature and salinity showed an unique characteristics for all of stations, which was associated with a long duration of rainfall after July, 2009 and a lack of sunshine. In the lower of August, 2010, the stratification of water temperature and salinity was shown, which was caused by an intensive sunshine after the middle of August, 2010. Gangjin Bay and Gogeundo waters showed a highly different water temperature and transparency. It is thought that two regions have a distinct water mass and characteristics. In dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation were higher according to higher water depth regardless of stations. In August, 2009, different dominant species occurred that Gangjin Bay showed a higher cell density of diatom, but Gonyaulax polygramma played an important role in dominant species in Gogeundo waters. It is associated with the introduction red tide water of G. polygramma occurring to southern coastal water in August, 2009. In August, 2010, diatom was extremely higher cell density compared with that of dinoflagellate that regarded as adaptive microrganism against higher quantity of suspended solid in Wando waters. Although Wando has a record of Cochlodinium red tide, this species may be difficult to grow and persist. Dominant species, diatom, play an important role in food organism for shellfish and forming a ecological lineage.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.131-150
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to find a countermeasure to the U.S. import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry. To this end, an analysis of trends during the pandemic was conducted using the KITA Border Rejection Database, which includes information on items and types of import refusals. The reason for rejection was also analyzed according to the FDA violation codes. The degree of countermeasure for import refusals was identified by measuring the unit rejection rate (URR). The results of the analysis showed that the major U.S. import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry had expanded from contact lenses to COVID-19 diagnostic kits and drugs after the pandemic broke out. The major reasons for import refusals were non-compliance with the Predicate Device and Drugs Act and non-approval by the FDA for products and facilities. On the other hand, the unit rejection rate (URR) of major items in the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry was measured higher than the industry average. The results therefore showed a low level of response to U.S. import refusals. The results of the analysis of reasons for import refusals by item according to FDA violation codes were as follows. First of all, the main violation for contact lenses and COVID-19 diagnostic kits corresponded to misbranding. This was often due to the fact that Korean companies did not provide the relevant notices and information required by the FDA. Many cases also failed to demonstrate a substantial equivalency compared to predicate devices already on the market. On the other hand, applications for new unapproved drugs were not accepted as they had yet to pass relevant regulations that would prove their safety and efficacy. In conclusion, import refusals for the Korean healthcare and life sciences industry were found to be closely related to technical barriers to trade (TBT).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.309-315
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• 2014

This paper presents basic supporting data necessary for planning an educational intervention strategy as part of a communication strategy that would form an extensive national consensus on and enhance national understanding of irradiated foods. A survey was conducted to collect data on the knowledge, attitude, and behavior with regard to irradiated foods among high school students, on whom education has a great ripple effect compared with the general public. The results show that 82.9% (627 students) have acquired no information, whereas 89.3% (675 students) have received no education on irradiated foods. The reason for these overwhelmingly large percentages is the lack of available opportunity for education(88.2%). Their level of knowledge on irradiated foods scores 1.71 points (out of 10 points), which is very low, whereas their attitude toward the safety of irradiated foods scores 2.76 points (out of 5 points), which is relatively low as well. As such, we predict that their tendency to purchase and consume irradiated foods is low, given their very low level of knowledge of and negative attitude toward irradiated foods. The students who have been educated on irradiated foods show a higher level of positive attitude (p<0.001) toward irradiated foods compared with those who have had no education. This result suggests the need to provide high school students with knowledge on irradiated foods as well as education in the same to help them form a proper attitude toward these food items.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.301-324
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of the childcare teachers regarding accreditation procedures and feasibility of the second accreditation index according their past participation in the accreditation process. The objects were 193 childcare teachers working at child care centers that were accredited using the initial accreditation index. The collected data was analyzed using frequency, percentile, $X^2$, and t-test. The major findings are as follows: First, childcare teachers without accreditation experience perceived 'continuing education of child care center directors and teachers' to be the most important for quality maintenance after successful accreditation. In contrast, childcare teachers with accreditation experience placed the most importance on 'childcare teachers' motivation and continuing enrollment'. Second, childcare teachers with accreditation experience perceived higher feasibility in the subcategories of 'art activity materials' in the category of child care environment, 'providing operation policies and information of child care teachers', 'care for children', and 'employment contract' in the operation & management category, 'sanitary management of food, cooking and feeding', 'care of sick or injured child', 'health management of children and childcare teachers', 'snacks for children' in the category of health and nutrition and 'safe procedures for handing over children' in the category of safety. In general, childcare teachers with accreditation experience perceived higher feasibility of the second accreditation index in all categories.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2010

This study was carried out to estimate the risk of pesticide operators who use high toxicological pesticides. The class II (highly hazardous) pesticides registered in korea were 15 products, and 11 products were spray type pesticides at orchard file in 2009. The using information based on the pesticide label and the data searched through survey of actual condition on pesticides were used for calculate the pesticide operator exposure dose. The risk quotients of these pesticides against the pesticides operator were calculated as devide pesticide exposure dose by reference dose which were presented by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), JMPR (Joint FAO Meeting on Pesticide Residues), and US/EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). Omethoate showed the highest risk quotient and the values were 338 and 75 when the operator spray using speed sprayer and motor sprayer respectively. Risk quotients of all class II pesticide were above 1. This result means that the risk potential of these pesticides are very high.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2016

Objectives Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. Methods Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/ 17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases ($3{\beta}$-HSD2 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. Results H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) showed a significant decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. Conclusions These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2010

In recent studies, $PM_{2.5}$ has been reported to be more harmful to human health than $PM_{10}$ because it penetrates more deeply into the lung. We estimated $PM_{2.5}$ related health benefits in Seoul from implementing the World Health Organization (WHO)'s guidelines (annual average $10{\mu}g/m^3$, 24-hour average $25{\mu}g/m^3$) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (annual average $15{\mu}g/m^3$, 24-hour average $35{\mu}g/m^3$). U.S. EPA's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program was utilized for the analysis. It was predicted that the attainment of the WHO annual guideline and U.S. EPA's annual standard, relative to the concentration in 2006, would result in reduction of 2,333~2,895 premature deaths and 1,703~2,121 premature deaths, respectively. If the WHO and EPA's daily standard for $PM_{2.5}$ are attained, 1,211~1,394 and 1,012~1,165 premature deaths could be avoided, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the estimates were robust regardless of air quality simulation methods for attaining the $PM_{2.5}$ goals. This study provides a quantitative approach to evaluate health risks from air pollution as well as to assess the potential health benefits of improving atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Even considering the intrinsic limitations and uncertainties of the analysis, it is an important information to rationalize the enforcement of $PM_{2.5}$ management policies and measures in Seoul, Korea.