• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.419-424
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to study the relationship between exposure to nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) in the ambient air and breast cancer incidence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was performed based on the MOOSE guideline for review of observational studies. We searched five online databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Scopus) from their conception to June 2014. A pooled estimate of the correlation between $NO_2$ exposure and breast cancer incidence was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 654 titles were retrieved in the initial search of the databases. Further refinement and screening of the retrieved studies produced a total of five studies from four countries. The studies included three ecological studies (aggregate level) and two individual based studies (one prospective cohort and the other one a case-control study). The ecological studies were pooled and the meta-analysis of correlation coefficient without z transformation showed a pooled estimate of r = 0.89 with 95% CI of 0.84 to 0.95. Using z transformation, the pooled r was 1.38 with 95%CI of 1.11 to 1.59. No significant heterogeneity between studies was observed. Following a sensitivity analysis and the removal of each study from pooled analysis we did not see any significant change in the pooled estimate. Conclusions: It was concluded that there is a tendency toward a weak association between exposure to $NO_2$ in ambient air and breast cancer at the individual level and a significant association at the aggregate level.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2014

Malondialdehyde (MDA), used as an oxidative stress marker, is commonly assayed by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) using HPLC, as an indicator of the MDA concentration. Since the HPLC method, though highly specific, is time-consuming and expensive, usually it is not suitable for the rapid test in large-scale environmental epidemiologic surveys. The purpose of this study is to develop a simple and rapid method for estimating TBARS levels by using a multiple regression equation that includes TBARS levels measured with a microplate reader as an independent variable. Twelve hour urine samples were obtained from 715 subjects. The concentration of TBARS was measured at three different wavelengths (fluorescence: ${\lambda}-_{ex}$ 530 nm and ${\lambda}-_{em}$ 550 nm; ${\lambda}-_{ex}$ 515 nm and ${\lambda}-_{em}$ 553 nm; and absorbance: 532 nm) using microplate reader as well as HPLC. 500 samples were used to develop a regression equation, and the remaining 215 samples were used to evaluate the validity of the regression analysis. The induced multiple regression equation is as follows: TBARS level (${\mu}M$) = -0.282 + 1.830 ${\times}$ (TBARS level measured with a microplate reader at the fluorescence wavelengths ${\lambda}-_{ex}$ 530 nm and ${\lambda}-_{em}$ 550 nm, ${\mu}M$) -0.685 ${\times}$ (TBARS level measured with a microplate reader at the fluorescence wavelengths ${\lambda}-_{ex}$ 515 nm and ${\lambda}-_{em}$ 553 nm, ${\mu}M$) + 0.035 ${\times}$ (TBARS level measured with a microplate reader at the absorbance wavelength 532 nm, ${\mu}M$). The estimated TBARS levels showed a better correlation with, and are closer to, the corresponding TBARS levels measured by HPLC compared to the values obtained by the microplate method. The TBARS estimation method reported here is simple and rapid, and that is generally in concordance with HPLC measurements. This method might be a useful tool for monitoring of urinary TBARS level in environmental epidemiologic surveys with large sample sizes.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2014

In order to establish fundamental data for stream restoration and environmental flow, we investigated optimal ecological flowrate (OEF) and riverine health condition in the Chogang Stream, a tributary to Geum River, Korea. The number of fish individuals sampled in this period were 4,669 in 36 species of 9 families. The most abundant species was Korean chub (Zacco koreanus, 34.0%) followed by pale chub (Z. platypus, 22.6%) and Korean shinner (Coreoleuciscus splendidus, 13.3%). Index of biological integrity (IBI) and qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) values decreased from upstream to downstream along the stream. The estimated IBI value ranged from 27.9 to 38.6 with average 32.2 out of 50, rendering the site ecologically fair to good health conditions. OEF was estimated by the physical habitat simulation system (PHABSIM) using the habitat suitability indexes (HSI) of three fish species Z. koreanus, C. splendidus and Pseudopungtungia nigra selected as indicator species. In Z. koreanus, HSI for flow velocity and water depth were estimated at 0.1 to 0.4 m/s and 0.2 to 0.4 m, respectively. In P. nigra, HSI for flow velocity, water depth and substrate size were estimated at 0.2 to 0.5 m/s and 0.4 to 0.6 m and fine gravel to cobbles, respectively. OEF values increasing from up to downstream was found to increase, weighted usable area (WUA) values increased accordingly.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate awareness of hand washing, hand washing behavior, and the levels of indicator microorganisms on hands of food handlers who work in the food court and cafeteria of a university campus. The three methods used were questionnaire survey by interview, direct observation in restrooms, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea. A positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported by the responded food handlers; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food handlers were recognized by the unnoticed direct observation. Significant differences were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observation (p < 0.05) in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agent, washing different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from their hands before work showed higher level of standard plate count, total and fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli than those taken after washing with water. After washing hands with antiseptic liquid soap, the bacterial populations including Staphylococcus aureus on hands were dramatically reduced. This study indicates that there is a remarkable difference between the food handlers' awareness of hand washing and their hand washing behavior. Poor hand washing compliance and hand hygiene were indicated by the positive results of total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on hands of some food handlers. The findings of this study suggest that the hand hygiene of the food handlers need to be improved. More training/education on hand washing and hand hygiene of the food handlers should be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.383-391
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• 2000

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) determination is being used an indicator of the protein-energy balance in dairy herds. A faulty balance can be corrected to optimize milk production and animal health. This parameter is regarded as a potential tool to evaluate suboptimal feeding practices and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the response of milk composition by regular feeding analysis and to compared the relationship between MUN and milk protein(MP) and fertility at the insemination period in Holstein dairy cows. Total of 355 artificial insemination (AI) for 150 Holstein cows in the herd were used to examine the relationship between MUN and MP content and conception rate. The AI occured for the cows 50 to 150 day in milk, and MUN and MP concentration were determined using automated infrared procedures. The mean${\pm}$standard deviation of MUN and MP concentration in the herd were $15.6{\pm}2.1mg/dl$ and $3.23{\pm}0.38%$, respectively. MUN contents of bulk milk were increase by elevated crude protein intake. The conception rate was lower in the cows in which the level of MUN was lower than > 8.0mg/dl (10.0%) or > higher than 25mg/dl (15.4%) relative to the cows in MUN content of 12.0~17.9 mg/dl (36.7%) at the time of insemination. Also, lower MP than 3.0% or higher MP than 3.25% were associated with a lower conception rates. Consequently, MUN and MP analyses may be used serve as a monitoring tool of protein and energy nutritional balance to improve reproduction efficiency in Holstein dairy cows.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.105-132
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• 2019

This study quantitatively analyzed the speeches of the former 8 Presidents of the Republic of Korea. Unlike the previous studies, this study analyzed both the content word and the functional word related to the psychological phenomenon. In Study 1, six language style indicators such as clout, authenticity, presidentiality, cognitive complexity, femininity, and psychological health were developed. Also, as presidential speeches have been made recently, authenticity, presidentiality, psychological health tended to increase, but cognitive complexity tended to decrease. These tendencies were supported by linear trend analysis. The linguistic differences were distinct not only among individual presidents but also by groups based on the political orientation of the president. In the progressive presidential speech, more clout, cognitive complexity, femininity were observed. In contrast, more authenticity and presidentiality were observed in the conservative presidential speech. In Study 2, it was demonstrated whether the developed language style indicators show reliability in the most recent President's speeches. Finally, it was discussed that the relationship between language style indicators, fitness of the political tendency between the regime and the general public since 2000s, and the characteristics of femininity indicator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.675-681
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing the amount of 3D volume imaging on the hand, knee, and foot human phantom in CT, After analyzing the data, three - dimensional volumetric images were implemented using MMWP program to evaluate reproducibility. First, the data amount of three human phantoms according to each increment was analyzed. Secondly, the reproducibility evaluation and the measured length were compared. As a result of analyzing the amount of image data for each phantom according to the increment, it was confirmed that the amount of data is reduced to about 1/10 when the increment is set to 1.0 mm as compared with the case where the increment is set to 0.1 mm. In the evaluation of the feasibility, gap was generated from 0.7mm for hand phantom, 0.6mm for knee phantom and foot phantom, and it was confirmed that even when the actual phantom and actual length were compared, the length was much different and the implementation was lowered. As the increment is closer to 1.0mm, the number of images is small and the 3D implementation time is small. Therefore, it is best to determine the increase before the gap of the image is generated and to apply the Increment for preoperative diagnosis. We hope that this study will be an indicator of the accurate increment setting when implementing 3D image through VRT Rendering after CT scan.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in image quality before and after reducing the amount of contrast medium in cerebral hemorrhagic patients who periodically follow up CT, and after reducing the amount of contrast medium, the image before and after reduction was examined, and the image quality was assessed by setting ROI at each vessel location using MMWP program. First Rt. CCA, Lt.CCA. Rt.MCA, Lt.MCA and Basilar Artery each got an ROI. Second, the mean and standard deviation values for the ROI were obtained. Third, SNR and CNR were obtained through the average and standard deviation values obtained. T-test statistics show that the SNR and CNR values obtained show that the result values for SNR are Rt.CCA 0.765, Ltd.CCA 0.871, Rt.MCA 0.343 LT.MCA 0.235, Basilar alternative 0.916, result value for CNR Rt.CCA 0.088, Ltd.CCA 0.069, Rt.MCA 0.818, Let's...MCA 0.579 and Basilar Artery 0.878. The results obtained through the obtained SNR and CNR values showed no difference in the quality of the images before and after reducing contrast medium. Therefore, we hope that this study will be an indicator that reduces the burden on contrast agents on patients who do CT examinations periodically.

• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2020

This study investigates the change in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration and World Health Organization (WHO) air quality index (AQI) in East Asia (EA) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). AQI is an indicator of increasing levels about health concern, divided into six categories based on PM2.5 annual concentrations. Here, we utilized the ensemble results of UKESM1, the climate model operated in Met Office, UK, for the analysis of long-term variation during the historical (1950~2014) and future (2015~2100) period. The results show that the spatial distributions of simulated PM2.5 concentrations in present-day (1995~2014) are comparable to observations. It is found that most regions in EA exceeded the WHO air quality guideline except for Japan, Mongolia regions, and the far seas during the historical period. In future scenarios containing strong air quality (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5) and medium air quality (SSP2-4.5) controls, PM2.5 concentrations are substantially reduced, resulting in significant improvement in AQI until the mid-21st century. On the other hand, the mild air pollution controls in SSP3-7.0 tend to lead poor AQI in China and Korea. This study also examines impact of increased in PM2.5 concentrations on downward shortwave energy at the surface. As a result, strong air pollution controls can improve air quality through reduced PM2.5 concentrations, but lead to an additional warming in both the near and mid-term future climate over EA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.309-317
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• 2022

It is reported that social distancing caused by the corona pandemic has resulted in a decrease in physical activity, and a decrease in muscle mass due to this increases the risk of vascular disease. Therefore, in this study, the risk of carotid intima media thickness was evaluated by measuring the thickness of CIMT, and the differences in variables according to gender were analyzed. From January 2022 to May 2022, a total of 220 people (121 males, 99 females) who performed blood tests, carotid ultrasound, and body composition analysis among those who visited the health check-up center of Busan H Hospital were included in this study. Significant differences in risk factors according to gender were analyzed using the chi-square test. The cut-off values of variables that can predict the risk of carotid intima media thickness were calculated, and the accuracy was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity. As a result of the difference analysis, the higher the total cholesterol in men and the appendicular skeletal muscle index in women, the higher the risk of carotid intima media thickness. The cut-off value for predicting the risk of carotid intima media thickness was calculated to be greater than 199 mg/dL of total cholesterol in the male group and less than 5.9 kg/m² of the appendicular skeletal muscle index in the female group. As a result of this study, the higher the total cholesterol in men and the lower the appendicular skeletal muscle index in women, the higher the risk of increased CIMT. Therefore, in women, the appendicular skeletal muscle index is expected to serve as an indicator to predict and prevent vascular changes at an early stage.