• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.360-369
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• 2021

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and tetrodotoxin (TTX) are neurotoxins that display pharmacological activity that is similar to that of specific sodium channel blockers; they are the principle toxins involved in shellfish and puffer fish poisoning. In Korea, puffer fish is a very popular seafood, and several cases of accidental poisoning by TTX have been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether puffer fish poisoning incidents are caused by PSTs or by TTX. In this study, we used mouse bioassay (MBA) and liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine the presence of PSTs and TTX in puffer fish from an area near Mireuk-do, Tong-Yeong on the southern coast of Korea from January through March, 2014. The toxicity of PSTs and TTX extracts prepared from three organs of each specimen was analyzed by MBA. Most of the extracts killed mice with typical signs of TTX and PSTs. The LC-MS/MS analysis of seven specimens of Takifugu pardalis and Takifugu niphobles, each divided into muscles, intestines, and liver, were examined for TTX. In T. pardalis, the TTX levels were within the range of 1.3-1.6 ㎍/g in the muscles, 18.8-49.8 ㎍/g in the intestines, and 23.3-96.8 ㎍/g in the liver. In T. niphobles, the TTX levels were within the range of 2.0-4.5 ㎍/g in the muscles, 23.9-71.5 ㎍/g in the intestines, and 28.1-114.8 ㎍/g in the liver. Additionally, the toxicity profile of the detected PSTs revealed that dcGTX3 was the major component in T. pardalis and T. niphobles. When PSTs were calculated as saxitoxin equivalents the levels were all less than 0.5 ㎍/g, which is below the permitted maximum standard of 0.8 ㎍/g. These findings indicate that the toxicity of T. pardalis and T. niphobles from the southern coast of Korea is due mainly to TTX and that PSTs do not exert an effect.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2022

In this study, XRF, Loss on ignition, SEM, and PSA analysis were performed on four types of fly ash in Vietnam and compared with fly ash in Korea. As a result, PC boiler fly ash in Vietnam has a similar chemical composition to that of PC boiler fly ash in Korea, where the content of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ accounts for about 70%. In addition, the result showed that blast furnace slags in Vietnam and Korea have similar quality criteria and performance. A binder material mixing test using four types of fly ash supplied from Vietnam was conducted, and the compressive strength ranged from 7.60 to 13.25 MPa after 28 days of curing. Vinh Tan fly ash showing the highest compressive strength was selected as the soil injection material for the chemical grouting method. For the formulation of the chemical grouting method, sodium silicate No.3 and silica-sol were used as liquid-A. As a result of measuring the gel time and the compressive strength of the homogel, they showed good performance satisfying the quality criteria applied in Korean construction fields. Therefore, Vinh Tan fly ash can be used as a soil injection material for the chemical grouting method.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2023

An accurate and easy-to-use analytical method for determining isocycloseram and its metabolites (SYN549431 and SYN548569) residue is necessary in various food matrixes. Additionally, this method should satisfy domestic and international guidelines (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Codex Alimentarius Commission CAC/GL 40). Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the isocycloseram and its metabolites residue in foods. To determine the residue and its metabolites, a sample was extracted with 20 mL of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, 4 g magnesium sulfate anhydrous and 1 g sodium chloride and centrifuged (4,700 G, 10 min, 4℃). To remove the interferences and moisture, d-SPE cartridge was performed before LC-MS/MS analysis with C₁₈ column. To verify the method, a total of five agricultural commodities (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin, and red pepper) were used as a representative group. The matrix-matched calibration curves were confirmed with coefficients of determination (R²) ≥ 0.99 at a calibration range of 0.001-0.05 mg/kg. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Mean average recoveries were 71.5-109.8% and precision was less than 10% for all five samples. In addition, inter-laboratory validation testing revealed that average recovery was 75.4-107.0% and the coefficient of variation (CV) was below 19.4%. The method is suitable for MFDS, CODEX, and EU guideline for residue analysis. Thus, this method can be useful for determining the residue in various food matrixes in routine analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2023

Sulfonylurea herbicides are widely used in agriculture because they have a long residual period and high selectivity. An analytical method was developed using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) technique for simultaneous determination of sulfonylurea herbicide residues in agricultural products by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and for establishment MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) of those herbicides in Korea. Extraction was performed using acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid with MgSO₄ (anhydrous magnesium sulfate) and NaCl (sodium chloride) and the extract was cleaned up using MgSO₄ and C₁₈ (octadecyl). The matrix-matched calibration curves were composed of 7 concentration levels from 0.001 to 0.25 mg/kg and their coefficients of determination (R²) exceeded 0.99. The recoveries of three spiking levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, 50LOQ, n=5) were in the range of 71.7-114.9% with relative standard deviations of less than 20.0% for all the five agriculture products. All validation values met criteria of the European Union SANTE/11312/2021 guidelines and Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guidelines. Therefore, the proposed analytical method was accurate, effective, and sensitive for sulfonylurea herbicide residues determination in agricultural commodities.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.84-90
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• 2007

To determine levels of 11 sulfonamides for animals in food, simultaneously, a selective method of high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector has been applied. The targets were sulfachlorpyridazine (SCP), sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfadimethoxine (SDM), sulfisoxazole (SSX), sulfamerazine (SMZ), sulfamethazine (SMT), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP), sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) and sulfathiazole (STZ). Food samples were beef, pork, chicken, milk and whole egg that were collected at the main 6 cities in Korea as Seoul, Busan, Daejon, Incheon, Mokpo and Gangneung. After homogenizing food samples with sodium phosphate solution and acetonitrile, it was extracted with n-hexane. The mobile phase gradient was a mixture of 5 mM potassium phosphate (pH 3.25) and methanol with a gradient ratio from 100:0 to 30:70. The UV wavelength was 270 nm. The overall recoveries were ranged from 75% to 95% and the limit of detection was minimum 0.004 mg/kg for SMT, and 0.007 mg/kg for STZ at signal/noise > 3, respectively. As results, sulfonamide drugs were not detected in most of the selected food samples, however, sulfamonomethoxine was detected in meat. The determined level of sulfamonomethoxine were 0.03 and 0.06 mg/kg for beef that were below the MRLs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2004

The aims of this study are 1) to test oocytes and embryos collected from in-vitro to achieving the valuable protocol by culturing, vitrifying and thawing of oocytes/embryos, and 2) to transfer them to recipient, and finally have resulted in pregnancies from recipient females after surgical or nonsurgical transfer. In vitro maturation and fertilization were performed according to Funahashi et al (1994). Glucose-free NCSU 23 supplemented with 5 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.5 mM sodium lactate and 4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$, and 10% fetal bovine serum albumin was added to the culture medium thereafter. Embryos were treated with 7.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ cytochalasin-B for 30 min, centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 13 min and then exposed sequentially to an ethylene glycol(EG) vitrification solution, aspirated into OPS, and plunged/thawed into/from liquid nitrogen. In vivo embryos were surgically collected from three dornors after AI for control group. Forty-nine embryos were washed 3 times in mPBS + 10% FBS, followed treatments : cultured, centrifuged, vitrified, recovered and transferred to recipients as in vitro prepared embryos. Three recipients were transferred individually with 100, 100 frozen embryos derived from abattoir and 34 fresh embryos by surgically, and another three recipients were transferred individually with 150, 150 frozen embryos and 100 fresh embryos by nonsurgically, respectively. all recipient sows exhibited delayed returns to estrus. To our knowledge, theses results suggest that required an improved techniques, more vigorous embryos preparation and substitute to gilt with cleaner uterous condition.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.999-1005
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• 2008

The main reaction for soil washing with using sodium hydroxide(NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide(H$_2$O$_2$) was desorption and flotation of petrochemical contaminant by means of oxygen bubble. We found the rate of decomposition by rate constant according to various temperature. For the purpose of optimizing the operation factor, we examined the effect of concentration of NaOH and H$_2$O$_2$, washing time, and soil:water ratio. The rate of decomposition for H$_2$O$_2$ in liquid phase is the first order reaction by its concentration. The rate constant of k$_1$ was 0.9439 $\times$ exp(-1376.82/RT) when concentration of NaOH was lower than 0.1 M, and the rate constant of k$_2$ was 17.3588 $\times$ exp(-2320.06/RT) when it was higher than NaOH of 0.1 M. It found that NaOH was facilitated at the beyond of specific concentration. We confirmed the optimum concentration of NaOH/H$_2$O$_2$ by means of rate constants during soil washing. Also, the optimum conditions during soil washing were washing time of 15 min, soil : water ratio of 1 : 3, and NaOH/H$_2$O$_2$ concentration of 0.25 M/0.1 M.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.5 s.72
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• pp.790-795
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• 2005

The effects of liquid culture of Coriolus (C) versicolor on weight gain, food intakes, food efficiency ratios, serum and hepatic lipid concentrations were investigated in male rats fed the high cholesterol diets. Eight weeks old Sprague-Dawley rats were given three different types of diet for six weeks, respectively: a control diet ($ 20\% fat +0.5 \% $ cholesterol), two kinds of C versicolor diet (control diet + $ 30\% or 40\%$C. versicozor in water) according to the levels of C. versicolor supplementation. The body weight gains of the rats fed $ 30\% or 40\% $ C. versicolor diets were lower than those in the rats fed the control diet. The food intake, food efficiency ratios, and liver, kidney, epididymal fat pad weights of the rats fed $ 30\% or 40\%$ C. versicoEer diets were similar to those of the rats fed the control diet. The concentrations of hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride in the rats fed $ 30\% or 40\% $ C. versicolor diets were significantly lower than those in the rats fed the control diet. The concentrations in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and atherogenic index ratios were significantly lower in the rats fed $ 30\% or 40\%$ C. versicolor diets compared to those fed the control diet. The HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratios was significantly higher in the rats fed $ 30\% or 40\% $ C. versicolor diets compared to those fed the control diet. The fecal excretion of total lipid and triglyceride in the rats fed $ 40\% $ C. versicolor diet was significantly higher than that of the rats fed the control diet. There were no significant difference found in the serum trigly-ceride, phospholipid and HDL-cholesterol concentrations among the experimental groups. These results showed that the C. versicolor feeding decreased the hepatic cholesterol, triglyceride, and the serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, and increased the serum HDL-cholesterol/ total-cholesterol ratio of the rats.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.577-586
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• 2002

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of root canal cleanness following two Ni-Ti rotary instruments with different rake angle. Thirty-six sound, extracted human premolars with single root were randomly divided into three groups. The used rotary instruments were HEROShaper (Group 1, Micro-Mega, Besancon, France, n=12) and ProFile (Group 2, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland, n=12). Control group (n=12) was only extirpated with barbed broach (Mani, Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Japan) Group 1 & 2 teeth were prepared to a #40/.04 taper at the apex followed by 1 mm using crown-down technique. After canal preparation and frequent irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, the roots split longitudinally into a bucco-lingual direction. Root halves were cross-sectioned in apical third portion again. All root specimens were processed for SEM investigation and photographed. Separate evaluations by one endodontist were undertaken for smear layer on prepared walls with a five score-index for each using reference photograph in root halves. The penetration depth of smear layer into dentinal tubules was also estimated in the other halves. Following results were obtained: 1. Smear layer was observed on all the prepared walls with two experimental groups except control group. 2. Smear layer characteristics in two experimental groups; 1) HEROShaper group showed snowy, dusty appearance and were shown open dentinal tubuli on the prepared walls of almost specimens, and the thickness of smear layer covering onto dentinal surfaces was within 1-2 ${\mu}m$ in a few specimens. 2) ProFile group showed shiny, burnished appearance and complete root canal wall covered by a homogenous smear layer with no open dentinal tubuli in all specimens. The penetration of smear layer into dentinal tubules was found in all specimens and the thickness was at 2-4 ${\mu}m$ in all specimens. These results demonstrated that a completely clean root canal could not be achieved regardless of positive or negative rake angle, which is in accordance with the majority of previous studies on root canal cleanliness In conclusion, through irrigation with antibacterial solutions or chelating agents is recommended to remove the smear layer on prepared canal wall in spite of Ni-Ti instrumentation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Perchlorate(${ClO_4}^-$) is an anion that is extremely water-soluble and environmentally stable. It mostly exists in the form of sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate which are used in rocket fuels, propellants, ignitable sources, air bag inflation systems and explosives. Perchlorate can be taken into the thyroid glands and interfere with iodide uptake. The determination of perchlorate in agricultural products is important due to its potential health impact on humans. The objective of this study was to determine the perchlorate concentrations in the samples of various agricultural products and soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, samples of cereal(Rice, Barley, Corn, Bean), vegetable(Spinach, Lettuce, Sesame, Chives, Chili, Pumpkin, Tomato), fruit(Apple, Pear, Tangerine, Grape) were analyzed for perchlorate contents. Perchlorate concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that agricultural products respectively contained perchlorate concentrations in the range of : cereals N.D.~$7.46{\mu}g/kg$, vegetables $0.52{\sim}23.06{\mu}g/kg$, fruits $0.19{\sim}2.66{\mu}g/kg$. Bioconcentration factor was in the order of : vegetables > cereals > fruits. Bioconcentration factor was highest follwed by Sesame 37.88, Corn 21.51, Spinach 10.57, Tangerine 4.39, Chives 2.89 and Lettuce 1.90. The recoveries of perchlorate from spiked agricultural products and soils ranged from 87.72~111.26% and 102.09~111.23%. CONCLUSION(S): The health risk assessment results obtained in this study are lower than the RfD(Reference Dose, 0.0007 mg/kg/body weight/day) value as suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System(US IRIS). Our results indicate that, people currently exposed to perchlorate from agricultural products consumption are considered as safe.