• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.274-277
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• 2019

Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was isolated from fecal samples obtained from a healthy Korean. The whole-genome sequence of Ruminococcus sp. KGMB03662 was analyzed using the PacBio Sequel platform. The genome comprises a 2,707,502 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 43.09%, 2,484 total genes, 2,367 protein-coding gene, 14 rRNA genes, and 53 tRNA genes. In the draft genome, genes involved in the hydrolysis enzyme, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolite, antibiotic biosynthesis, and antibiotic resistance have been identified. Those genes of KGMB03662 may be related to the regulation of human health and disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 2021

Oxidative stress causes injury to and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is involved in several retinal disorders and leads to vision loss. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 14 kinds of natural compounds and two kinds of synthetic compounds on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in human PRE cell lines (ARPE-19). From among them, we selected five kinds of compounds, including auranofin, FK-509, hemistepsin A, honokiol, and spermidine, which have inhibitory effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cytotoxicity. In addition, we found that four kinds of compounds (excluding auranofin) have protective effects on H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the expression of phosphorylation of histone H2AX, a sensitive marker of DNA damage, was markedly up-regulated by H2O2, whereas it was notably down-regulated by FK-506, honokiol, and spermidine treatment. Meanwhile, five kinds of candidate compounds had no effect on H2O2-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, suggesting that the five candidate compounds have protective effects on oxidative stress-induced cellular damage through the ROS-independent pathway. Taken together, according to the results of H2O2-mediated cellular damage―such as cytotoxicity, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage―spermidine and FK-506 are the natural and synthetic compounds with the most protective effects against oxidative stress in RPE. Although further studies on the identification of the mechanism responsible are required, the results of the present study suggest the possibility of using spermidine and FK-506 to suppress the risk of retinal disorders.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Despite the recent increase in the consumption level of the processed meat-byproducts, the health and safety issue has consistently been raised in the processes of production, distribution and consumption. The purpose of this study is to analyze and evaluate the microbiological hazard elements in the Korean sausage, "Sundae," to present not only the safety standard of meat by-product vendors based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), but also the quality control criteria and sanitary arrangements of small manufacturers. For the study, the microbiological hazards in 24 raw materials, 7 manufacturing processes, 40 facilities and tools, 17 workplace environment, and 12 workers were analyzed. The analysis revealed the hazardous elements in the initial stages with 6.28 and 4.07 log CFU/g of total aerobic count and coliforms, respectively, detected from the porcine blood and 3.23 log CFU/g of coliforms from the porcine small intestines. The result also showed that the total aerobic counts and coliforms in the process of mixing and filling process exceeds the standards in the hygiene guidelines by Natick with the total aerobic counts of 5.23, 5.45 log CFU/g, and the coliforms of 3.25, and 3.31 log CFU/g, respectively. Although the detected total aerobic count and the coliforms in the filling and washing rooms exceeded the standards, it was found that the total aerobic count was significantly reduced by 98% after cleaning and disinfecting and no coliforms was detected in any process thereafter. In order to achieve high level of safety in the manufacturing processes of Sundae, the separation of washing and disinfection room from the other sections and the sanitation control of the workers must be preceded, along with strict monitoring in the storage and distribution processes. The study raises necessity for additional studies for the safety evaluation of the processed meat-byproducts and further researches on the validity of the critical limits.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study was conducted to discover substances that regulate skin surface acidification using human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, and to investigate their effects on the moisturizing ability and skin barrier function of the stratum corneum. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) is an herb widely distributed in Northwest Africa and North America that has been studied for its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, research on the regulation of NHE1 expression and the restoration of skin barrier function has not been conducted. Analysis of P. vulgaris revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid as active ingredients, which were tested for toxicity in human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), and showed no toxic effects were observed at high concentarion (100 ㎍/mL or 100 µM). It is known that sodium-hydrogen ion exchange pumps (NHE1) decrease in expression in aging skin to maintain the acidic pH of the stratum corneum, and it is hypothesized that this decrease plays an important role in the impaired restoration of skin barrier function in aging skin. P. vulgaris extract and caffeic acid increased the expression of NHE1 in keratinocytes, increased the expression of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) precursor filaggrin and ceramide synthesis enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT). In addition, P. vulgaris and caffeic acid decreased the extracellular pH of keratinocytes, indicating a direct effect on skin pH regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that P. vulgaris and caffeic acid can regulate skin pH through NHE1 modulation, and may help to restore skin barrier function by increasing NMF and ceramide synthesis. These results show the possibility that honeysuckle and caffeic acid can have a positive effect on skin health, and can be the basis for the development of new skin protection products using them.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.554-572
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze the priorities for educational content regarding precautions to be taken to prevent safety accidents for employees in school foodservice using the Borich priority formula and the Locus for Focus model. Methods: A survey was conducted in February 2019 on 194 employees in elementary school and 122 employees in middle- and high school foodservice in the Jeonbuk area. Demographic characteristics, status of safety accidents, safety education, and their importance and performance levels were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The priorities for the educational content on precautions to prevent safety accidents were based on a 3-step analysis method, including the paired sample t-test, Borich priority formula, and the Locus for Focus Model. Results: The average perceived importance of the precautions to be taken against safety accidents of employees in elementary-, middle-, and high schools was higher compared to the average performance of the employees (p < 0.001). The top priority for elementary school employees was caution against falls during the cleaning of the gas hood and the trench in the kitchen. In addition, 'awareness of chemical signs' was added as one of the top priorities of middle- and high school employees. The second highest priority items were 'do stretching', 'safely adjusting workbench height', 'keeping the right attitude', 'using assistive devices when moving heavy things', and 'checking the material safety data sheet', which were the same for all elementary, middle- and high school employees. Conclusion: Thus, to improve the educational preparedness of employees in the area of safety precautions, eight safety/accident prevention items should be included in the safety education program.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-150
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• 1999

In spite of recent remarkable recent development in both western and oriental medical sciences, there is still only a shallow understanding of individual differences for various prognoses of incurable diseases and immunopathy diseases. Nevertheless, the care, cure and prevention methods of Sasang Constitutional Medicine are broadly used as an effective treatment of incurable diseases like immunopathy diseases and stress-related diseases and diseases due to aging. In this sense, the establishment of classification norms is urgent and essential for the worldwide application of Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM). This study began with the confirmation process of whether Sasang Constitutional types exist in Americans. To accomodate for cultural differences, the distinguishing tool was readjusted so that Sasang Constitutional Types in Americans could be determined. Hence, the selected tool is the new QSCCII+, which is a newly revised English version of the QSCCII. QSCCII was made and standardized by Dept. of SCM in Kyung Hee Medical Center and Dr. Kim7). The evaluation methods of the old version were improved in the new QSCCII+ through necessary statistical manipulation. The original QSCCII was officially authorized by the Korean Society of Sasang Constitutional Medicine as the only computerized version of Sasang diagnostics. This study is the first attempt to design a new diagnostic tool for the classification of Sasang Constitutional types in North Americans with the revision of QSCCII. The subjects of this study were selected from the cooperative people among the students and staffs of the University of Bridgeport and the patients who visited the Clinic in the Health Science Center. This study takes for about 1 year from 1998. 8 to 1999. 8 The conclusions of the study can be summarized as follows: 1. Sasang constitutional types also exist in Americans. It can also naturally be inferred that Sasang Constitutional types exist in all human beings, for there are many different human races in America. 2. There are more So-Yang In's than any other types in American white people. This result confirms the hypothesis that there also exist Sasang Constitutional types in westerners. 3. The result of repetitive tests suggests that the new QSCCII+ is an effective diagnostic tool for westerners when we consider the constant diagnostic results of the QSCCII+. 4. Sasang Constitutional types exit in the sample group regardless of racial difference. 5. The question items that were not often checked by Americans need to be modified into more understandable expressions. 6. The standardization of diagnosis for Americans should be established by use of the QSCCII+ 7. It can be guessed that there are many Tae-yang In's among the 71 persons who could not be clearly classified by the QSCCII+. Due to the scarcity of Tae-yang-In in general, it is important to improve upon the discernability of the QSCC II+. 8. The results of the Sasang Constitutional distribution in North Americans are as follows: The percentage of So-yang In distribution in the sample group is 36.25%(87persons), that of Tae-eum In is 13.75%(33persons), and that of So-eum In is 20.41%(49persons).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.977-982
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• 2006

Purpose : There has been an increasing amount of literature concerning the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and asthma pathogenesis. Interleukin(IL)-6 stimulates the differentiation of monocytes, and can promote Th2 differentiation and simultaneously inhibit Th1 polarization. IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant and, it has been suggested, has a role in asthma pathogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by airway epithelium may be important in the regulation of airway inflammation and reactivity. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been reported to be a mediator of airway remodeling in asthma. We investigated the effects of M. pneumoniae on IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF production in human respiratory epithelial cells. Methods : A549 cells were cultured and inoculated with M. pneumoniae at a dose of 20 cfu/cell. After infection, the presence of M. pneumoniae in epithelial cell cultures was monitored by immunofluorescence and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) detection. IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. NO was measured using the standard Griess reaction. Results : In A549 cells, M. pneumoniaeinduced IL-6, IL-8, NO and VEGF release in time-dependent manners. It also induced mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF in similar manners. Conclusion : These observations suggest that M. pneumoniae might have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 1995

A survey has conducted on two hundred high school students of the first and second grade by way of questionnaine in Seoul. The purpose of this study on the information from the survey is to cstimate the level of awareness and probe how they feel and what they wish on sex. X2 inspection is designed to assess general aspects of responded contents by way of percentage and examine degree of satisfaction on previously experienced sex education and demand for sex education. The result is as follows. 1. As a result of the examination of degree of awareness on sex of respondents, 62% delines sex as human relationship including moral values for harmony between men and women. 64% of the men and 70% of the women say that sex is a natural thing. It comes to the conclusion that most of the respondent sgenerally consider sex positive. On chastity, 68.5% of the respondent answer that it means physical chastity, 12.5% that chastity before marriage should be kept, and 43% that it should be kept as far as possible. Most of them pespond that it should be kept. 2. As a result of the examination on the contents of sex, they answer they know well in the order of masturbation(72%), pregnancy(76%), and sex(63%). Contraception, abortion and ejection are contents they poorly informed of. 3. As a result of the examination on experienede of sex education, 83% of men and 100% of women have experienced sex, education, but their degreeof satisfaction to it is very low. And 49% of the whole is dissatisfactory to it. There is some difference between male and female students.(p=0.000) That result translates that female studeuts are educated on sex tjhrough more systematic subjects than male ones. In addition, it turns out that teenagers get most information on sex through friends, seniors, and mass media such as videos, TV and radios. Correct and systematic sex education is need because wrong information on sex culd be taught and bring them to misbehave. 4. 87.5% of the respondents answer that sex education is necessary, so that degree of necessity for sex education, turns out to be very high. Also the main subject that should perform sex education is in the order of school(50%), Society(24.5), home(18.5%). They respond that most appropriated period for the beginning of sex education is about elementary school age(43%), and 34% believes it to be put ahcad of elementary school age. Anurse teacher accounts for 54% for the main subject that addresses sex education, to male students visit teachers are most favored for 50%. As a result of those, it could be concluded that most high school students want sex education from responsible persons who have systematic and professional knowledge on sex. 5. In order to perform proper sex education by the above results, better educational effects are obtained when characteristics and natures of teenagers are known and most wanted knowledge by them is taught in priority in times of planning sex education. Besides, the contents of sex education suitable for each school should be planned before elementary school age and sex education should be performed in accordance with students' demand. In addition, sex education should be attentively performed by home, all organizations of society as well as school. Therefore, sex education will play a great role in making teenagers reestablish their conception on sex when the traditional and moral value systems of our country and the new value systems which are being formed under the influence of the western culture are in harmony.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.329-345
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the status of food allergy management and importance-performance analysis (IPA) between elementary, and middle and high school employees in school foodservice. Methods: The participants were employees in elementary (n = 171) and middle and high schools (n = 187) in the Jeonbuk area. The demographic characteristics, the status of food allergy management, food allergy education, and the importance and performance status were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Approximately 55.0% of employees in elementary and 32.6% in middle and high schools recognized that the foods in menu tables induced allergies. Approximately 93.0% of employees in elementary and 85.0% in middle and high school thought that food allergy management was an important part of school foodservice because of the possibility of health emergencies. Elimination and replacement meals were provided more in middle and high schools than in elementary schools. Food allergy education from nutrition teachers had been given to 62.6% of employees in elementary and 50.3% in middle and high schools. To prevent food allergy accidents, 72.4% of employees in elementary schools and 65.2% in middle and high schools wanted more accurate information on students with food allergies. As a result of IPA, elementary, middle, and high school employees were aware of the importance and performed well: 'Strict control of allergy-inducing foods because of cross-contamination'. On the other hand, they were not aware of the importance and performed them insufficiently: 'Know how to use epinephrine to prepare for emergencies'. Conclusion: Therefore, it is necessary to improve the consciousness of nutrition teachers for the effective application of food allergy education, especially the recognition of allergy-inducing foods and emergency responsive ability.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.240-247
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• 2018

This study was carried out to determine the levels of lead and cadmium as found in nine agricultural products (n = 578) sold in Korea, and to estimate the risk to human health that is summarily associated with their intake. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were measured using an ICP-MS after microwave digestion in this study. The average contents of Pb and Cd were measured as 0.014 and 0.017 mg/kg for barley, 0.006 and 0.005 mg/kg for mung bean, 0.008 and 0.007 mg/kg for kidney bean, 0.010 and 0.004 mg/kg for green bean, 0.008 and 0.001 mg/kg for pineapple, 0.016 and 0.002 mg/kg for apricot, 0.015 and 0.002 mg/kg for Japanese apricot, 0.021 and 0.002 mg/kg for plum and 0.019 and 0.003 mg/kg for jujube, respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd in the study samples were less than the maximum residual levels established by the European Union (EU), CODEX, and the Korea Food Code. As we have seen, the daily dietary exposures of Pb and Cd from these agricultural products for the general population were noted as 0.067% of PTWI ($25{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week) and 0.28% of PTMI ($25{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./month), respectively. In line with the study conclusions, these results suggest that the current dietary intakes of Pb and Cd from these agricultural products in Korea have no appreciable risk effects on health for humans as noted in this experiment.