• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2011

Risk ranking must be determined for various hazards/food combinations to conduct microbial risk management effectively. Risk Ranger is a simple, easy-to-use calculation tool developed in Microsoft Excel and designed to rank the risk (low, medium, and high) for semi-quantitative microbial risk assessment. The user is required to answer 11 questions in Risk Ranger related to 1) severity of the hazard, 2) likelihood of a disease-causing dose of the hazard being present in the meal, and 3) the probability of exposure to the hazard in a defined time. This study determined the risk ranking for twenty three combinations of foodborne pathogens/potentially hazardous foods (PHFs) using a Risk Ranger. In this study, pathogenic E. coli in fresh cut produce salad was scored as 79, which was the highest rank among the 23 combinations of the foodborne pathogens and PHFs. On the other hand, zero risk was obtained with V parahaemolyticus in sushi, Salmonella in meat products and E. coli O157:H7 in hamburger patties. Although Risk Ranger is very simple method to rate the risk of foodborne pathogens and PHFs combination, the accuracy of result was mainly affected by the availability and accuracy of data in the literature. According to the result of literature review, the data are needed for contamination rate of raw materials, consumption amount/frequency of PHFs, and the effect of processing on pathogen. Risk ranking must be continuously revalidated with new data.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3643-3646
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• 2016

Management of eyelid cancers is based on surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT). The treatment objective is to control tumors with acceptable functional and esthetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of radiation therapy in management of epithelial eyelid cancers, reviewing retrospectively the clinical records of patients treated in our institution from January 1989 to December 2013. We focused on clinical and histological features, treatment characteristics, tolerance and disease control. One hundred and eight patients (62 men and 46 women) were enrolled, with a mean age of 61 years [ranges 15-87]. The most frequent tumor location was the inner canthus (42.6%). Median tumor size was 21 mm [ranges 4-70]. Histological type was basal cell carcinoma in 88 cases (81.5%), squamous cell carcinoma in 16 (14.8%) and sebaceous carcinoma in 4 (3.7%). Radiation therapy was exclusive in 67 cases (62%) and post-operative for positive or close margins in the remaining cases. Kilovoltage external beam radiotherapy (KVRT) was used in 63 patients (58.3%) and low-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in 37 (34.3%). Eight (7.4%) were treated with cobalt or with a combination of KVRT-cobalt, KVRT-electron beams, KVRT-brachytherapy or cobalt-electron beams. The total delivered radiation doses were 70 Gy (2 Gy/fraction) in 62 patients (57.4%), 66 Gy (2 Gy/fraction) in 37 (34.3%) and 61.2 Gy (3.4Gy/fraction) in 9 (8.3%). After a median follow-up of 64 months, we noted 10 cases of local recurrences(9.2%): 7 after exclusive and 3 after post-operative RT. No local recurrence occurred in patients treated with brachytherapy. Actuarial 5-year local recurrence-free rate, disease-free survival and overall survival were respectively 90%, 90% and 97%. T-stage was found to be a significant factor for recurrence (p=0.047). All acute radiation-related reactions were scored grade I or II. Delayed effects were eye watering in 24 cases (22.2%), eye dryness in 19 (17.6%), unilateral cataract in 7 (6.4%) and ectropion in 4 (3.7%). Radiation therapy and especially brachytherapy is an efficient treatment of eyelid cancers, allowing eye conservation and functional preservation with good local control rates and acceptable toxicity.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.12-27
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• 2004

The contamination pattern of indoor air was simulated when groundwater dissolving benzene was used for household activities. Indoor exposure scenario consisted of inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used to analyze how benzene exposed to human body was distributed in internal organs. Main exposure pathways contributing total internal dose were inhalation and ingestion while the contribution of dermal absorption was very small. Man showed higher exposure rate than woman due to his higher breath rate. For a short-term exposure, benzene concentration in venous blood of SPT, RPT and liver changed rapidly while slowly did in venous blood of adipose tissue at a low concentration. For a long-term exposure, woman accumulated about 2.1 times higher than man. Most of benzene exposed to human body was removed by exhalation and metabolism at lung and liver, respectively. For inhalation and ingestion, the benzene removals by exhalation were 69.8 and 48.4%, respectively. Relative importance of removal mechanism was different according to the inflow displacement of benzene. The results obtained from this study would help understand exposure, distribution, and removal phenomena and make plans for the reduction of the health risk associated with the contaminated groundwater by various organic compounds.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2006

Purpose: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a very useful procedure in diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases. However, there can be some difficulty in performing this procedure in children due to the associated discomfort. Recently, sedative agents such as midazolam have been introduced to alleviate this problem quite successfully. In our study, we attempted to confirm the safety and efficacy of midazolam use by monitoring the vital signs of children undergoing endoscopy. Methods: We analyzed data on 244 children who received EGD in the department of pediatrics at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University between August 2003 and July 2005. We evaluated $O_2$ saturation, heart rate and change of mental status before and during the procedure and analyzed the results using the SPSS 12.0 package (Chi-square test, cross table method, etc.). Results: There was no significant difference in vital signs measured before and during EGD between midazolam treated and non treated children. There was no significant relationship between the amount of midazolam given and $O_2$ saturation or a change of mental status. Regarding the $O_2$ saturation, it was decreased during EGD in both groups with p<0.01 though no difference was noted between the groups; the $O_2$ level was maintained above 95% in all patients. The heart rate was also increased during EGD in both groups with a p<0.01; however, no significant difference was noted between the groups. Conclusion: We confirmed the safety of low dose midazolam by evaluating the vital signs of children during endoscopies. However, the doses used were not sufficient for sedation or to obtain an amnestic effect.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.802-816
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• 1997

In order to investigate the pharmacological properties of New Woohwangehungsimwon Pill (NWCH). Effects of Woohwangehungsimwon Pill (WCH) and NWCH were compared using various experimental models. In isolated rat aorta, NWCH and WCH showed the relaxation of blood vessels in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine ($10^{-6}$M) without regard to endothelium containing or denuded rings of the rat aorta. Furthermore, the presence of the inhibitors of NO synthase and guanylate cyclase did not affect significantly the relaxative effects of NWCH and WCH. NWCH and WCH inhibited the vascular contractions induced by acethylcholine, prostaglandin endoperoxide or peroxide in a dose-dependent manner. In conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs), NWCH and WCH decreased significantly heart rate. These, at high doses, had a negative inotropic effect that was a decrease of LVDP and (-dp/dt)/(+dp/dt) in the isolated perfused rat hearts, and also decreased the contractile force and heart rate in the isolated rat right atria. In excised guinea-pig papillary muscle, these had no effects on parameters of action potential at low doses, whereas inhibited the cardiac, contractility at high doses. Furthermore, these had a significant inhibitory effects on heart acceleration in normotensive rats and SHRs. These results suggested that NWCH and WCH have weak cardiovascular effects, and that there is no significant differences between two preparations.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.290-303
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• 2003

Modern agriculture has been heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers to meet the food demands of ever increasing population. Progressive depletion of major plant nutrients in soil due to intensive cultivation practices has also necessitated the use of higher dose of chemical fertilizers particularly in soils where the organic matter content is very low. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pressure on agriculturists to enhance per area crop yields has led to fast depletion of fossil fuel resources with concomitant increase in the prices of chemical fertilizers and also led to environmental pollution. Hence, the current trend throughout the world is to explore the possibility of using alternate nutrient sources or increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers by supplementing them with organic fertilizers and bioinoculants comprising largely microbes like, bacteria, fungi, algae etc to enhance nitrogen and phosphates in the soil thus creating a sustainable agricultural environment. Among the different microbial inoculants or biofertilizers, Azospirillum could be a potential candidate due to its non specific host root colonization. It had the capability to fix $N_2$ in wide pH regimes and even in presence of combined nitrogen. Azospirillum inoculation can increase the crop yield to 10-25% and substitute 25% of recommended doses of nitrogenous fertilizers. Apart from nitrogen fixation, Azospirillum is also involved in the root improvement, the activity which was attributed to an increase in the rate of water and mineral uptake by roots. The ability of Azospirillum to produce phytohormones was reported to enhance the root respiration rate, metabolism and root proliferation. They have also been reported to produce polyhydroxybutyrate, that can be used as a biodegradable thermosplastic. A lot of studies have addressed improvements in enhancing its efficiency to fix nitrogen fixation and hormone production.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2000

Objective : The treatment for prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma(prolactinoma) include pharmacology, surgery, radiation therapy or radiosurgery. The recent development of radiological imaging and microsurgery has made transsphenoidal microsurgery the treatment of choice for most prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. Despite its low morbidity and mortality, relatively high recurrence and failure rate have been reported. Recent advances in neuroimaging provide a precise targeting in radiosurgery for treatment of prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. In this regard, Gamma knife radiosurgery has been proposed as an alternative primary treatment modality or adjuvant therapy. Patients and Methods : Twenty three patients with prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma have been treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery in our institute from March 1992 to September 1998. We analyzed clinical, radiological and endocrinological changes in 21 patients who were followed up for an average of 35.7 months. Results : The mean age was 34.9 years and 16 patients were treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery as primary treatment and 5 patients underwent Gamma knife radiosurgery for residual tumors after microsurgery. The margin of the tumor was incorporated within the 40 to 80% and the mean marginal dose was 24.5 Gy. Clinical improvement in the last follow-up were present in 17 cases(81.0%) and 3 of 5 infertility patients became pregnant after Gamma knife radiosurgery. Tumor control rate after Gamma knife radiosurgery was 100%. Endocrinological normalization in the last follow-up were obtained in 12 cases(57.1%). In three cases, hormonal normalizations were present in early period(3-32 months) but serum hormone levels were elevated subsequently. Conclusion : We conclude that the Gamma knife radiosurgery for prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma seems to be safe and effective as adjuvant therapy after microsurgery and primary treatment modality in selective patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.5-10
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• 2010

The $Ca_2SiO_4$ phosphors doped by La with 0.1 wt%, 0.3 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1.0 wt% concentration were prepared by sintering at $1000^{\circ}C$ for 90 minutes in N2 atmosphere. The phosphors were ground in powdered form and were grouped in $100{\mu}m$ size, then the samples had been exposed to low energy X-ray and UV light. The TL glow curves were measured by heating the phosphors at $10^{\circ}C/s$ rate. There was no significantly meaningful correlation between the TL intensity and the doping level. The intensities of the TL peak measured from X-ray irradiated samples doped with 0.1 wt% were relatively strong. The activation energy and the frequency factor were 0.434 ~ 0.516 eV and 0.5 ~ 0.56, respectively. The intensities of the TL peak measured from UV irradiated samples doped with 0.3 wt% were relatively strong. The activation energy and frequency factor were 0.415 ~ 0.477 eV and 0.5 ~ 0.53, respectively. The TL process were found to be the 2nd order for both X-ray and UV irradiation. The TL intensity was increased linearly with the increase of the radiation dose. In summary, the $Ca_2SiO_4 phosphors developed in this study showed good TL characteristics at low energy X-ray and UV light. We believe they will be used as TLDs in near future for personal and environmental radiation detection dosimetry.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2013

Objectives : We carry out the simultaneous quantification for quality control of four components in Bangpungtongseong-san (BPTSS) sample. In addition, we assessed the antioxidant effects of BPTSS sample. Methods : The used column for separation and analysis of four compounds was Luna C18 column and column oven temperature was maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for simultaneous determination consisted of two solvent systems, 1.0% acetic acid in water and 1.0% acetic acid in acetonitrile. High performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) method for analysis was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with PDA detection at 254 and 280 nm. The injection volume was 10 ${\mu}L$. The antioxidant activities of BPTSS were evaluated by measuring free radical scavenging activities on 2,2'-Azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The inhibitory effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were evaluated by the formation of thiobarbituric acid relative substances (TBARS) and relative electrophoretic mobility (REM). Results : Calibration curves were acquired with $r^2{\geq}0.9999$. The values of limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.06-0.29 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 0.20-0.98 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The amounts of geniposide, liquiritin, baicalin, and glycyrrhizin in BPTSS were 5.06, 7.33, 27.56, and 7.81 mg/g, respectively. The BPTSS showed the radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration required for 50% reduction (RC50) against ABTS and DPPH radicals were 72.51 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 128.49 ${\mu}g/mL$. Furthermore, GMGHT reduced the oxidation properties of LDL induced by CuSO4. Conclusions : The established HPLC-PDA method will be helpful to improve quality control of BPTSS. In addition, BPTSS has potentials as therapeutic agent on anti-atherosclerosis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2006

This study was designed to evaluate the possible DNA damaging effects of T-2 toxin using an alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay and also to investigate toxic effects in chickens. A total of 20 chickens were used in these experiments. Graded concentrations of dietary T-2 toxin (0, 4, 8, and $16{\mu}g/g$ of diet) were given to groups of 5 broiler chickens. In comet assay, The DNA damage was analysed by the tail extent moment (TEM) and tail length (TL), which were used as markers of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. A significant dose-dependent increase in the extent of DNA migration as well as in the percentage of cells with tails was observed after treatment with T-2 toxin (P<0.05). Treatment with the low T-2 toxin ($4{\mu}/g$ of diet) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage in comparison with the high T-2 toxin ($16{\mu}/g$ of diet) group. The growth rate was significantly reduced by concentrations of 8, and $16{\mu}/g$ of diet (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio were significantly affected by any concentrations (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the spleen, and lung was decreased by the growth inhibitory concentrations. The bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and kid- ney were decreased in relative weight by concentrations of $16{\mu}/g$ of diet. The relative weight of the liver and heart were unaffected. The hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were decreased at concentration of $16{\mu}/g$ of diet. As compared with control chickens, there was no marked change in serum components except uric acid in T-2 treated chickens. All lymphoid tissues retained atrophic and lymphoid cell depletion throughout the three weeks trial.