• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: This study was to carry out risk assessment of contamination of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and inorganic arsenic (I-As) in agricultural products of 25 crops from the abandoned mine areas. The 36 typical investigation sites located in Gyeongbuk provincial area were selected by considering the heavy metal levels, that had been known that the amount of the heavy metals exceeded the contamination level based on the previous survey. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cadmium, lead, and total arsenic (T-As) concentrations were determined using microwave device and ICP-MS. Inorganic arsenic was determined by HPLC-ICP-MS. The limits of quantification for heavy metals were 0.59 ㎍/kg for Cd, 0.42 ㎍/kg for Pb, 0.55 ㎍/kg for T-As, and sum of As (III) (1.74 ㎍/kg) and As (V) (2.25 ㎍/kg) for I-As, respectively. The contents of Cd, Pb, and I-As (only rice) were N.D.-0.958 mg/kg, N.D.-0.227 mg/kg, and 0.082 mg/kg, respectively, in the agricultural products. For risk assessment, dietary exposures of heavy metals through usual intake were 5.20×10^-4-7.15×10⁰ ㎍/day for Cd, 7.00×10^-5-7.75×10^-1 ㎍/day for Pb, and 1.17×10¹ ㎍/day for I-As, taking 0.01-14.37%, 0.01-2.05%, and 15.16% as risk indices, respectively. CONCLUSION: It requires to consider the critical levels of heavy metals in agricultural products due to unexpectedly high levels in a few places, while concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were relatively low in most areas.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2005

Purpose: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs are positive for the expression of c-Kit protein at immunohistochemistry, and their clinical presentations vary. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clincopathologic characteristics of GISTs and to define the prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: 40 patients who underwent a complete resection of a GIST during the period $1996\~2003$ at the Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, were studied. We divided them into low- and high-risk. groups by using tumor size and mitotic count: 23 cases were low risk, and 17 were high risk. Clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical findings, and prognoses were compared between the low- and the high-risk groups. Results: The mean age of the 40 patients was $61.3\pm11.1$years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1：1.1. There was no significant difference in age and sex between the groups. A comparative analysis revealed tumor size, mitotic count, clinical symptoms, preoperative pathologic diagnosis, ulceration, and necrosis to be variables that had statistically significant differences between the high- and the low-risk groups. In the univariate analysis, tumor size, mitotic count, ulceration, necrosis, and abnormal endoscopic ultrasound findings were associated with disease-free survival, but in the multivariate analysis, mitotic activity was the only independent factor associated with disease-free survival. 8 patients had recurrences during the follow-up period, and four of them were treated with STI-571 (imatinib mesylate, $Gleevec^{(R)}$). The treated patients have survived until now; however, two of non-treated patients died from disease progression. Conclusion: Based on this study, tumor size, ulceration, and necrosis are significant factors affecting survival, and mitotic activity may be a useful prognostic marker. STI-571 may be used in an adjuvant setting because the drug has shown anticancer activity in patients with recurrence or metastasis.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.91-101
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• 2017

The in vitro experiment was conducted to ensure the supplemental level of spent Flammulina velutipes mushroom substrates(SMS) as an energy source in manufacturing of rye silage. Rye harvested at heading stage was ensiled with spent mushroom substrates of 0%(Control), 20%(R-20), 40%(R-40) and 60%(R-60) as fresh matter basis for 6week. The rumen fluid for preparation of in vitro solution was collected from two cannulated Holstein bulls fed a 40:60 concentrate:timothy diet. The experiment was conducted by 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 hrs of ncubation time with 3 replications. The silages were evaluated fermentation characteristics and dry matter digestibility(DMD) in vitro. The pH of in vitro solution was inclined to decrease with elapsing the incubation time, and that of the R-60 was significantly(p<0.05) lower than the other treatment at 48 hr of incubation. The microbial growth in vitro was inclined to increase with elapsing the incubation time, and that of the R-20 was significantly(p<0.05) greater than the Control at 48 hr of incubation. Gas production was greater(p<0.05) in the Control than the other treatments at 48 hr of incubation. In vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD) was higher with increasing the supplemental level of SMS, and was significantly(p<0.05) lower in the Control compared with other treatments throughout whole incubation time. The IVDMD for R-60 was the highest(p<0.05) among treatments at 24 hr and 48 hr of incubation. Considering of above results and the availability of SMS, SMS could be supplemented by 60% in fresh matter basis for rye silage fermentation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.35
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• pp.23-31
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Non-Treat Functionality Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy(NTF-VMAT) and Treat Functionality VMAT(TF-VMAT) treatment plans in reducing the low-dose area during radiation therapy for patients with multiple metastatic cancers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on an Arccheck phantom, treatment planning target locations were set in pairs at intervals of 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm on the X, Y, and Z axes. Based on these location settings, the volume of the low-dose area in NTF-VMAT and TF-VMAT was measured and compared. Results: The results of the study showed that, within a prescription dose range of 10% ~ 70%, the difference in low-dose area volumes across each axis was as follows: On the X-axis, there was a maximum difference of -47.6% and a minimum difference of -2.2%. On the Y-axis, there was a maximum difference of -17.5% and a minimum difference of -7.3%. The Z-axis showed a maximum difference of -39.7%, with the smallest difference being -6.8%. Conclusion: In radiation therapy for patients with multiple metastatic cancers, the TF-VMAT treatment plan was able to reduce the low-dose area by 10-40% compared to NTF-VMAT. This suggests that utilizing Treat Functionality, which includes the Island block technique, improves dose distribution and minimizes side effects, making it beneficial for the treatment of patients with multiple metastatic cancers.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2014

North Korea's uranium enrichment facility is a matter of international concern. It is of particular alarming to South Korea with regard to the security and safety of the country. This situation requires continuous monitoring of the DPRK and emergency preparedness on the part of the ROK. To assess the detectability of an undeclared uranium enrichment plant in North Korea, uranium concentrations in the air at both a short and a long distance from the enrichment facility were estimated. $UF_6$ source terms were determined by using existing information on North Korean facility and data from the operation experience of enrichment plants from other countries. Using the calculated source terms, two atmospheric dispersion models (Gaussian Plume Model and HYSPLIT models) and meteorological data were used to estimate the uranium particle concentrations from the Yongbyon enrichment facility. A maximum uranium concentration and its location are dependent upon the meteorological conditions and the height of the UF6 release point. This study showed that the maximum uranium concentration around the enrichment facility was about $1.0{\times}10^{-7}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$. The location of the maximum concentration was within about 0.4 km of the facility. It has been assumed that the uranium sample of about a few micrograms (${\mu}g$) could be obtained; and that few micrograms of uranium can be easily measured with current measurement instruments. On the contrary, a uranium concentration at a distance of more than 100 kilometers from the enrichment facility was estimated to be about $1.0{\times}10^{-13}{\sim}1.0{\times}10^{-15}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$, which is less than back-ground level. Therefore, based on the results of our paper, an air sample taken within the vicinity of the Yongbyon enrichment facility could be used to determine as to whether or not North Korea is carrying out an undeclared nuclear program. However, the air samples taken at a longer distance of a few hundred kilometers would prove difficult in detecting a clandestine nuclear activities.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2018

Purpose Generally, a collimator that installed in front of detector set a direction of gamma ray and remove a scatter ray. By the way, a lateral or oblique scatter ray is detected into crystal through collimator. At this study, we will evaluate a mount of count and spectrums of lateral scatter ray. Materials and Methods We used the SKY LITE (philips, netherlands) as a gamma camera, and $^{99m}Tc$, 1.11 GBq point source as a phantom. we put this point source at backside 50 cm of detector. After acquiring this for 1 min, we turned a detector next 10 degrees. Likely this, we acquired images at every 10 degrees from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$, analyzed images and spectrums. In case of patient study, we choose a 3 phase bone scan patient who had a hand disease, because scatter rays from body would detect on crystal. After acquiring blood flow and blood pool images, we analyzed images and spectrums. Additional, we put a lead gown on patient's hand, body. And then we compared and evaluated 3 type blood pool images (non lead gown, lead gown on a hand and on body). Results In case of phantom study, scatter ray counts at backside ($270^{\circ}-90^{\circ}$) are same with a background count. By the way, counts of scatter ray of oblique side ($0^{\circ}-50^{\circ}$, $220^{\circ}-270^{\circ}$) are 100-600 cps, furthermore, counts at frontside are over 4 Mcps. In case of patient study, a counts of hand blood pool scan are 1510 cps. But counts of hand with lead gown on hands and on body are each 1554 cps, 1299 cps. Conclusion Therefore, even though there is a collimator in front of detector, lateral scatter rays detect on crystal and affect to images and spectrums. Especially, if there is a high activity source at outside of detector when we examine low activity organs like hands or foot, we have to shield and remove the source at outside for a good image.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

The interest of the people in the radioactive contamination of the water has increased significantly and the study about analysis and management of radioactive materials are being actively conducted. And monitoring spots have been expanded to the range of public water as well as drinking water by publishing the rule of drinking water quality standards and examination in the Environmental Enforcement Ordinance No. 553 of Korea. In this study, US EPA was investigated as the foreign advanced cases and the way that is appropriate for the Korea was sought by analyzing investigate radionuclide, interval and management. As a result, in the selection part of investigate radionuclide, geological survey, status of nuclear power plants and the presence of the use of artificial radionuclides of the Korea should be investigated and additionally after the selection of a few radionuclides, the systems should be extended to cover all possible radionuclides by considering radioactive pollution levels in humans may be exposed due to the annual drinking water. In the part of the investigate interval, the concept(MCL, DL) should be set up for preventing concentration detection of above MCL and it needs to the maintenance and management. For example, when the concentration is more than MCL, it should be investigated on a quarterly and when the concentration is lower than MCL, it should be investigated to each different interval and management. And the US EPA divided the management area and make the roadmap for managing drinking water. The each classified area has been organized to match the state budget and labor force and the individual data have been managed effectively by HPGe, the NaI, TLD and so on.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.1017-1025
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• 2016

This study was performed in order to investigate changes in platycosides, as well as antimicrobial activities of bronchus diseases-inducing bacteria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) of Platycodon grandiflorum root (PGR) fermented by lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides N12-4, Leuc. mesenteroides N58-5, Lactobacillus plantarum N76-10, L. plantarum N56-12, Lactobacillus brevis N70-9, and L. brevis E3-8). Growth of L. plantarum on PGR was most active during lactic acid fermentation using different strains. Total platycoside, platycoside E, platycodin A, polygalacin $D_2$, polygalacin D, and diapioplatyco-side E contents of PGR fermented for 96 h at $37^{\circ}C$ by Leuc. mesenteroides and L. plantarum increased, whereas contents of platycodin D and platycodin $D_3$ were reduced. The antimicrobial activity on PGR fermented by L. plantarum N56-12 exhibited strong microbial proliferation for all four kinds of bronchus disease-inducing bacteria and was higher than that of non-fermented PGR extract. MIC of fermented PGR extract by L. plantarum N56-12 on C. diphtheriae, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and S. pyogenes were 45, 10, 50, and 25 mg/mL, respectively. Thus, this result shows that the antimicrobial activities of bronchus disease-inducing bacteria and platycoside content of PGR by L. plantarum N56-12 were higher than that of non-fermented PGR extract.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.415-425
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• 2017

Purpose: Many studies have suggested that neuronal cells protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death by polyphenolic compounds. We investigated the neuroprotective effects and the mechanism of action of Momordica charantia ethanol extract (MCE) against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death of human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells. Methods: The antioxidant activity of MCE was measured by the quantity of total phenolic acid compounds (TPC), quantity of total flavonoid compounds (TFC), and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined by CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. Antioxidant enzyme (SOD-1,2 and GPx-1) expression was determined by real-time PCR. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway and apoptosis signal expression was measured by Western blotting. Results: The TPC and TFC quantities of MCE were 28.51 mg gallic acid equivalents/extract g and 3.95 mg catechin equivalents/extract g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was $506.95{\mu}g/ml$ for MCE. Pre-treatment with MCE showed protective effects against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death and inhibited ROS generation by oxidative stress. SOD-1,2 and GPx-1 mRNA expression was recovered by pre-treatment with MCE compared with the presence of $H_2O_2$. Pre-treatment with MCE inhibited phosphorylation of p38 and the JNK pathway and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP by $H_2O_2$. Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of MCE in terms of recovery of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, down-regulation of MAPK pathways, and inhibition apoptosis is associated with reduced oxidative stress in SK-N-MC cells.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2018

Purpose In case of nuclear medical hepatobiliary scan, To quantitatively evaluate contractility of a gallbladder, gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF%) is calculated from anterior images using fatty meal. However, when a gallbladder and other organs overlap on an anterior image, the gallbladder ejection fraction is not accurately evaluated. In order to reduce this error, the objective of our study was to figure out whether there is a significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images. Materials and Methods After intravenous injection of 99mTc-Mebrofenin 370 MBq to randomly 50 patients who visited our hospital, we started to examine nuclear hepatobiliary scan. Using skylight(Philips, United States), we acquired anterior and right lateral image at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90minutes after injection. Using images at 60 and 90 minutes, gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF%) was calculated from the anterior and right lateral images using JETstream workspace. For drawing more accurate ROI, CT images were referenced and 4 radiologists calculated the GBEF% in the same image and calculated the average value. We assessed whether there was a significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images using SPSS program(Statistical Package for the Social Science, SPSS Ver.18 Inc. USA). Results About randomly 50 patients, the average value of the GBEF% calculated from the anterior image was 63.212 and the average value of the GBEF% calculated from the right lateral image was 62.666. GBEF% decreased 0.433% on the right lateral image compared with anterior image. Result of paired sample t-test, p value is over 0.05. So, there was no significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images. Conclusion In the case that a gallbladder and other organs are not separated on an anteior image, Right lateral image would be better to acquire more accurate GBEF% than using anterior image.