• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to assess the level of fungi concentration in the university laboratories in Seoul, Korea, and to investigate factors contributing to these concentrations. The samples were taken from three spots in each laboratory; the top of sink, the center of laboratory, and the front of ventilation system, i.e fume hood at the chemical laboratory and clean bench/biosafety cabinet at the microbial laboratory. Air samples were collected using the single-stage Anderson sampler (Quick Take 30) at a flow rate of 28.3 l/min for 5 min on nutrient media in Petri-dishes located on the impactor. Fifty-two air samples were collected from 19 different laboratories (13 microbiology laboratories, 6 chemistry laboratories) in the university, and concentrations of airborne fungi showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between microbiology and chemistry laboratory, and also no significant difference at three locations (sink, center, front of ventilation system) in microbiology and chemistry laboratories. Average concentrations of fungi in 19 laboratories ranged from 7 to 459 cfu/$m^3$, with an overall Geometric Mean of 52 cfu/$m^3$. Airborne fungi concentrations of 6 samples (12 %) exceeded 150 cfu/$m^3$, the guideline of WHO. The ratios of Indoor/Outdoor for airborne fungi ranged from 0.2 to 4.8 (mean = 1.6). Related factors were measured such as relative humidity, temperature, and laboratory area. Temperature and laboratory area showed no significant relations to concentrations of airborne fungi except for relative humidity in the laboratory Concentrations of fungi were significant different (p<0.01) between rainy or cloudy and sunny. However, there was no significant difference between general ventilation and nongeneral ventilation.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.8
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• 2022

Background: With limited information available, the association among urinary tract infections, urease-producing bacteria and the presence of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) urolithiasis in canines in Thailand requires more study. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between demographic characteristics of canines and the presence of MAP urolithiasis in canines, and to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from canine uroliths. Methods: A total of 56 canines admitted for treatment with surgical removal of uroliths were recruited. Demographic characteristics and clinical chemistry data were recorded. Bacteria isolated from the removed uroliths were identified. Chemical compositions of the uroliths were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Potential risk factors were determined with univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Of 56 canine urolithiasis, bacteria were isolated from uroliths of 38 canines (27 MAP and 11 non-MAP) but not from uroliths of 18 canines (5 MAP and 13 non-MAP). The most common bacteria found in nidus of MAP uroliths was Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (approximately 51%). An antimicrobial resistance was frequently found in Staphylococci isolates (42.86%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors of MAP urolith in canine urolithiasis were being female (p = 0.044; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 10.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-98.24) and the positive urolith culture (p = 0.012; adjusted OR, 8.60; 95% CI, 1.60-46.30). Conclusions: Our results indicate that S. pseudintermedius (a urease-producing bacterium) is the major causative bacteria of MAP uroliths. A positive urolith culture and being female are risk factors of MAP urolithiasis in canines.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.652-655
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• 1997

$^{1}H-NMR$ signals of 2-cephems and 3-cephems have been assigned and the Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) study of these compounds was undertaken.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of DA-9601, an extract of Artemisiae Herba, which is known to possess mucoprotective action either by free radical scavenging effect or increase of mucus secretion, against animal models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induced by trinirobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or other noxious agents. Experimental colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of TNBS in 50% ethanol, or 1 ml of 7% acetic acid solution (AA), by subcutaneous injection of indomethacin (INDO) in rats, or by supplementing drinking water with 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in albino mice. DA-9601 was treated orally for 4 to 7 days. Animals were euthanized 1 day after the last treatment for morphological and biochemical analysises. All the noxious agents including TNBS, AA, INDO and DSS elicited severe colitis. The animals treated with DA-9601 showed a consistent, dose-related reduction in the severity of colitis, grossly and histologically. The reduction was significant (p<0.05) after administration of DA-9601 at dose range of 10 mg/kg or above. In TNBS-induced colitis, the rats receiving DA-9601 showed significantly decreased mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS), when compared to control and mesalazine groups. Mucosal proinflammatory cytokine levels were also decreased after DA-9601 treatment. In conclusion, DA-9601 ameliorated macroscopic and histologic scores in experimental colitis either through decreasing oxidative stress or by attenuating cytokines involved in inflammation. DA-9601 could be a promising drug for the therapy of IBD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.761-765
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• 2010

Salivary testosterone levels in Korean adults were quantitatively measured for the first time by liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry (LC ESI MS/MS). Salivary testosterone was separated on a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) chromatogram within 7 min. The LC ESI MS/MS assay was validated over the linearity range of 0.01-2.00 ng/ml (r=0.99987) using testosterone-$d_3$ as an internal standard. The lower limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were 1.54% to 4.09% and 0.96% to 4.29%, respectively. The mean recovery was 93.32% (range 88.43-98.05%). The validated assay was then applied to measure the salivary testosterone levels of Korean adults. In men, the salivary testosterone level collected between 9：00-11：00 am was approximately 2.8 times higher than that in women (P < 0.0001). Salivary testosterone levels in both sexes negatively correlated with age. The present assay would also be useful in measuring salivary testosterone levels in clinical laboratories.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.43-57
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• 2007

The paradigm of engineering education has evolved from subject-centered learning to student -centered learning. In particular, instructional laboratories can be an essential part of studentcentered learning. The curriculum of instructional laboratories in the departments of materials science and engineering, Yonsei University has been investigated. Student surveys on thecurriculum were also carried out. The curriculum was found to develop after reforming it on the basis of student-centered learning. Student feedback reflects that the new curriculum promoted student's active learning and that student's needs of instructional laboratories were considered in the curriculum.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.108-123
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• 2006

This study attempts to analysis the roles of national laboratories in the context of regional innovation systems and the contribution to local economic development in the case of Taedok Science Park in Korea. It also tries comparative studies between Taedok Science Park and some European experiences. Recently the role of national laboratories as key innovation agents for regional development strategies is emphasized in European countries. In the similar context, national laboratories have explicit missions to assist in the formations of new firms and to support existing small and medium-sized enterprises in their localities. It is found that these functions are largely present and become more important in Taedok, but that the linkages between national laboratories and local firms are still weaker than some European countries. This study concludes that national laboratories in Korea should reinforce the industry-research linkages with local economic activities in the region to stimulate cooperation activities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2018

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophage foam cell formation and apoptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx) is an antioxidant that potently protects various cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death. However, the protective effect of Trx on ox-LDL-induced macrophage foam cell formation and apoptosis has not been studied. This study aims to investigate the effect of recombinant human Trx (rhTrx) on ox-LDL-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and elucidate the possible mechanisms. RhTrx significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages. RhTrx also suppressed the ox-LDL-induced overproduction of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1), Bax and activated caspase-3, but it increased the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, rhTrx markedly inhibited the ox-LDL-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Furthermore, anisomycin (a p38 MAPK activator) abolished the protective effect of rhTrx on ox-LDL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) exerted a similar effect as rhTrx. Collectively, these findings indicate that rhTrx suppresses ox-LDL-stimulated foam cell formation and macrophage apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation, p38 MAPK activation and LOX-1 expression. Therefore, we propose that rhTrx has therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.150-164
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• 2000

This study was conducted at occupational health laboratories in Seoul and Gyunggi district area from December, 1999 to January, 2000. The main purpose of this study was to survey the actual condition of safety and health by questionnaire and checklist and to assess the performance of fume hoods and the airborne exposures to chemicals in the laboratories. The chemicals in the cabinet were not classified by hazardous properties and the compressed gases were not stored safely. The prevalences of laboratories having first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and safety showers were found to be 18%, 55%, and 9%, respectively. Most laboratory workers were not educated for safety and health. Also, there was no performance evaluation for hazards and risks. The fume hoods in laboratories had not been annually inspected by checklist and the face velocity had been checked more than one time in the previous year for only 18% of them. Five percent of fume hoods had the face velocity more than 4.0 m/sec and 17% had no capture performance. Detected organic solvents were methylenechloride, acetone, ethylbenzene, isopropanol, xylene, methylisobutylketone, trichloroethylene, and toluene. The concentrations of organic solvents were much less than the occupational exposure limits proposed by the Ministry of Labor in Korea. This study showed that the actual condition of safety and health was not appropriate for laboratory workers. It is recommended that laboratory workers should be educated for the treatment and storage of hazardous chemicals and compressed gases to improve the working environment of the occupational safety and health laboratories.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2006

The first international inter-laboratory study, involving six laboratories, has been conducted to examine issues associated with yield stress measurements in suspensions. The initial focus of the project was to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of several common yield stress measuring techniques employed in different laboratories and with different instruments. Aqueous suspensions of colloidal $TiO_2$ at concentrations of 40-70 wt% solids were used as the test fluids. A wide range of instruments and techniques employing both direct and indirect methods were used to determine the yield stress of the samples prepared according to a prescribed procedure. The results obtained indicated that although variations of results existed among different techniques, direct yield stress measurements using static methods produced more reliable and repeatable results than other methods. Variability of the yield stress measured using different techniques within any laboratory however was less significant than variability of the results among different laboratories. The nature and condition of the test suspensions was identified as the most likely factor responsible for the poor reproducibility of yield stress measurements from different laboratories.