• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.847-854
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• 2004

Allergy is a multi-factorial disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. As the number of allergy-affected people is increasing in developed countries, there is an increasing interest in genetic predisposition to the allergy. A number of genes and chromosomal region have been identified to be linked to allergy including rhinitis, asthma and atopy. In order to understand the genetic background for the allergy-affected people, we investigated genetic predisposition among students enrolled in Busan Science Academy. Among 138 students, about 30% students had some allergy-related disorder including rhinitis, asthma and atopy. We analyzed several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within two genes, Inter-leukin-4(IL-4) and Interleukin-4 receptor(IL-4R), which are involved in the induction of allergy reaction with the Th2 immunity. For 96 samples obtained from students, we analyzed 9 SNPs including -590 C/T and -34 C/T in IL-4, and I75V, Q576R, E375A, e406R, 5411L, S761P and S727A in IL-4R. From the analysis, these SNPs showed slight differences among normal and allergy-affected students, but these differences was not enough to predict the predisposition to the allergy. In contrast to previous reports, we could not find SNP(s) related with allergy. These results suggest that genetic tests recently performed in Korea widely have to be reassessed for its validity of genetic predisposition. [Supported by grants from MOST]

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.716-724
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• 2014

This study was conducted as a comparative analysis, using the SPSS 17.0 program for a survey conducted from March to July 2013, on the level of perception and preference factors of Koreans and Americans residing in Virginia, USA(89 male and female adults of 20 years of age or above). For the information on the degree of obesity, a survey was used and the subjects provided with their heights and weights. The researcher used this data to calculated their BMI and distinguished the degrees of obesity. For the BMI, the obesity diagnosis of Korean Society for the Study of Obesity was used for Koreans, and the WHO's obesity diagnosis on adults were employed for Americans. First, regarding the Korean participants, the level of obesity appeared in the order of normal (79.6%), overweight (14.3%), and underweight (6.1%). Also, the level of perceptions of their health conditions appeared in the order of average (51.7%) and good (34.7%). No one perceived their health to be in poor condition. Meanwhile, for the American participants, the order was as follows: overweight at about 45%, normal weight at about 35%, obesity at about 12.5%, and underweight at about 7.5%. In terms of the level of perception of health during ordinary times, about 55% of the American participants answered that they are in good health. Therefore, the Americans were found to perceive their health to be in relatively better condition than the Koreans residing in the USA. Also, concerning the level of interest in health while eating food at ordinary times, the American participants were discovered to be more interested (about 62.5%) than the Korean participants. The research on their preference for salty taste was conducted as a survey, and the subjects were asked to choose an item according to their subjective feeling. Regarding the preference for salty taste, both Koreans and Americans residing in the USA responded as moderate. However, a higher proportion of Americans than Koreans responded to favor salty taste. Concerning the reason for their preference for salty taste, Koreans responded with various reasons whereas Americans mostly responded that it is because they eat salty food frequently. For any changes in dietary behavior related to eating salty food, both Korean and American respondents thought that the amount of their daily intake of salt is appropriate and that they consider taste as most important in selecting a snack. Based on the above data, the results of this research indicate a need for actual improvement in the diet with regard to salty food along with diverse policies for promoting life with a low salt diet in future.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-114
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of apartment residents' safety education satisfaction and the application of fire protection plans on fire safety awareness. The analysis results are as follows. First, the low levels of satisfaction with safety education content had a negative effect on anxiety about fire safety. This means that apartment residents' low levels of interest or participation in education affected their safety awareness, which prevented them from securing safety from fire. It is necessary for control staff to have a positive impact on their educational satisfaction via the learning support information system, among others, in order to create a satisfying education and safety culture. Second, competence in the execution of firefighting plans had a positive effect on fire safety awareness. These results indicate that apartment residents do not have the opportunity to access the education and training necessary for safety, nor the legal responsibility to complete mandatory safety education, which leads to their lack of safety awareness. Therefore, the control staff need to raise awareness of fire safety and the importance of participating in safety education among apartment residents by strengthening and activating the execution of firefighting plans in order to ensure safe living. Third, the competency of the firefighting plans moderated the effects of apartment residents' educational satisfaction on their awareness of fire safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.686-693
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• 2018

After the Sewol ferry-sinking incident in 2014, the public interest in safety at sea increased. In order to save and secure the initial response time required for sea rescues, not only the rescue organization, but also the victim needs to save and maintain golden time to secure the necessary time for rescue personnel. The purpose of this study was to investigate ways to maintain the psychological stability of victims during their rescue in the case of a mass rescue operation by using the oil boom installed on board oil spill response vessels. Through buoyancy tests and the development of oil booms in sea areas, it confirmed the buoyancy of two adults weighing 70 kg each per meter of oil boom could be maintained when a lifeline was installed on the side of the oil boom, and that it was possible to keep afloat four persons weighing 70 kg each on both sides of the oil boom. It also confirmed the buoyancy for three adults weighting 70 kg each per eight meters was maintained when riding on the top of the oil boom. As a method of rescue, it was found that the fastest and most accurate way to rescue victims was a rescue boat held at the rear end of the oil boom to lead to victims. In conclusion, the rescue team could utilize the oil boom installed on board the oil spill response vessel located near the marine accident site to save and secure the initial response time required for the rescue team to arrive. The victims in distress holding onto the lifeline or riding on the top of oil boom kept afloat at sea could maintain their psychological stability until the mass rescue operation initiated.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.413-418
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• 2016

Recently, a mega project such as Korea-China or Korea-Japan undersea tunnel project has been emerged for detail discussion and the interest in undersea tunnel is on the rise. More severe damage by train fire is expected in undersea tunnel comparing to ground tunnel and thus the study on more efficient fire extinguishing system, besides existing disaster prevention design is underway. To that end, a full-scale fire tests using CAF fire extinguishing system which has been developed by modifying traditional foam fire extinguishing system for fire suppression at rescue station in timely manner were conducted over 7 times. The test was conducted after setting the rescue station in virtual tunnel with a car of KTX. As a result of using compressed air foam directly to the fire source, 30 liter of Heptane combustibles was extinguished within 1 minutes. Applicability of compressed air foam to train fire at rescue station in undersea tunnel was has been proven and further study is considered required while changing the nozzle angle and location so as to achieve quick and easy extinguishing goal, making use of the advantage of CAF, as well as to reduce the fire water and chemicals required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1367-1373
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the feeding value to sheep of Acacia saligna grown under temperate conditions. Pen trials were undertaken to determine the effects of feeding A. saligna, which had been grown in a Mediterranean environment, on feed intake, nitrogen balance and rumen metabolism in sheep. Sheep were given ad libitum access to A. saligna with or without supplementation with PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. PEG 4000 appears to be the major detannification agent used in trials involving high tannin feed despite the fact that PEG 6000 has been shown to be more effective, in vitro. For this reason it was of interest to compare the two, in vivo. Dry matter intake was greater (p<0.05) in sheep supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000 compared to the control. There was no difference, however, in intake between those supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or 6,000. Although animals were not weighed throughout the trial, a loss in body condition was obvious, in particular in the control group. Intake of N was greater (p<0.05) in sheep supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000 than in the control. There was no difference in N intake between those supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. There were no significant differences in either the faecal or urinary N output between any of the treatment groups and all treatment groups were in negative N balance. Neither the average nor maximum pH of ruminal fluid of the control group was different to those supplemented with PEG. The minimum pH for the control group, however, was significantly higher (p<0.05) than for either of the PEG treatments. The average and the maximum ammonia levels were lower (p<0.05) in the control group compared with those in either of the PEG treatment groups. For all dietary treatments ruminal ammonia levels were well below the threshold for maximal microbial growth. Feeding A. saligna, without PEG, had a definite defaunating effect on the rumen. For all dietary treatments ruminal ammonia levels were well below the threshold for maximal microbial growth. It was concluded that A. saligna was inadequate as the sole source of nutrients for sheep, even with the addition of PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. The anti-nutritional effects on the animals were largely attributed to the excessive biological activity of the phenolics in the A. saligna leaves. There is a need to determine other supplements that may be complimentary with PEG to enhance the nutritive value of A. saligna to maintain a minimum of animal maintenance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1129-1134
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• 2016

Vulva and Vaginal cancers are rare among all gynecological cancers worldwide, including Thailand, and typically affect women in later life. Persistent high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is one of several important causes of cancer development. In this study, we focused on HPV investigation and specific type distribution from Thai women with abnormality lesions and cancers of the vulva and Vaginal. A total of ninety paraffin-embedded samples of vulva and Vaginal abnormalities and cancer cells with histologically confirmed were collected from Thai women, who were diagnosed in 2003-2012 at the National Cancer Institute, Thailand. HPV DNA was detected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme immunoassay with GP5+/bio 6+ consensus specific primers and digoxigenin-labeled specific oligoprobes, respectively. The human ${\beta}$-globin gene was used as an internal control. Overall results represented that HPV frequency was 16/34 (47.1%) and 8/20 (40.0%) samples of vulva with cancer and abnormal cytology lesions, respectively, while, 3/5 (60%) and 16/33 (51.61%) samples of Vaginal cancer and abnormal cytology lesions, respectively, were HPV DNA positive. Single HPV type and multiple HPV type infection could be observed in both type of cancers and abnormal lesion samples in the different histological categorizes. HPV16 was the most frequent type in all cancers and abnormal cytology lesions, whereas HPV 18 was less frequent and could be detected as co-infection with other high risk HPV types. In addition, low risk types such as HPV 6, 11 and 70 could be detected in Vulva cancer and abnormal cytology lesion samples, whereas, all Vaginal cancer samples exhibited only high risk HPV types; HPV 16 and 31. In conclusion, from our results in this study we suggest that women with persistent high risk HPV type infection are at risk of developing vulva and Vaginal cancers and HPV 16 was observed at the highest frequent both of these, similar to the cervical cancer cases. Although the number of samples in this study was limited and might not represent the overall incidence and prevalence in Thai women, but the baseline data are of interest and suggest further study for primary cancer screening and/or developing the efficiency of prophylactic HPV vaccines in Thailand.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6949-6953
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• 2013

Background: Nowadays, the encapsulation of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents is attracting interest as a method for drug delivery. We hypothesized that the efficiency of helenalin might be maximized by encapsulation in ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin nanoparticles. Helenalin, with a hydrophobic structure obtained from flowers of Arnica chamissonis and Arnica Montana, has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity but low water solubility and bioavailability. ${\beta}$-Cyclodextrin (${\beta}$-CD) is a cyclic oligosaccharide comprising seven D-glucopyranoside units, linked through 1,4-glycosidic bonds. Materials and Methods: To test our hypothesis, we prepared ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes to determine their inhibitory effects on telomerase gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and cytotoxic effects by colorimetric cell viability (MTT) assay. Results: MTT assay showed that not only ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin has no cytotoxic effect on its own but also it demonstrated that ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes inhibited the growth of the T47D breast cancer cell line in a time and dose-dependent manner. Our q-PCR results showed that the expression of telomerase gene was effectively reduced as the concentration of ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes increased. Conclusions: ${\beta}$-Cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes exerted cytotoxic effects on T47D cells through down-regulation of telomerase expression and by enhancing Helenalin uptake by cells. Therefore, ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin could be superior carrier for this kind of hydrophobic agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6249-6256
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• 2013

One-carbon metabolism plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Meta-analyses have suggested protective associations of folate and vitamin $B_6$ intakes with colorectal cancer primarily based on studies in Caucasians, and genetic polymorphisms pertaining to the folate metabolism have been a matter of interest. Less investigated are the roles of methionine synthase (MTR) and thymidylate synthetase (TS) polymorphisms in colorectal carcinogenesis. In a study of 816 cases and 815 community controls in Japan, we investigated associations of dietary intakes of folate, methionine, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, and vitamin $B_{12}$ with colorectal cancer risk. The associations with MTR 2756A>G, MTRR 66A>G, and TSER repeat polymorphism were examined in 685 cases and 778 controls. Methionine and vitamin $B_{12}$ intakes were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, but the associations were totally confounded by dietary calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The other nutrients showed no association with the risk even without adjustment for calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The TSER 2R allele was dose-dependently associated with an increased risk. The MTR and MTRR polymorphisms were unrelated to colorectal cancer risk. There was no measurable gene-gene or gene-nutrient interaction, but increased risk associated with the TSER 2R allele seemed to be confined to individuals with high folate status. This study does not support protective associations for folate and vitamin $B_6$. The TSER 2R allele may confer an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The role of the TSER polymorphism in colorectal carcinogenesis may differ by ethnicity.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.137-150
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• 2016

A variety of O2O (Online to Offline) services such as Uber, Airbnb, and KakaoTaxi that create new values by connecting offline and online have emerged in the world. O2O services support the convenience of online services and the real-life capability of offline services simultaneously. Thanks to the development of ICTs such as mobility, IoT (Internet of Things), Fin-tech, and big data technologies, the market size of O2O industry is growing very rapidly. This paper reviews various O2O services and industry trends in Korea. In addition, important issues on O2O services and industry promotion are reviewed and presented. Specifically, legislative issues regulating the O2O industry in Korea, interest conflicts between new O2O platform providers and existing traditional offline service providers, current technology infrastructures for O2O services, and negative or side effects of O2O services are reviewed and summarized. Finally, comprehensive policy directions are proposed based on these reviewed issues. It is expected that the proposed policy directions would be adopted by the government and this research could consequently contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the O2O industry in Korea.