• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The possibility of inadvertent introduction of therapeutic gene expressing viral vectors has raised safety concerns about germ-line infection. Particularly, for indications such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer, the proximity of the point of viral administration to organs of the reproductive system raises concerns regarding inadvertent germ-line transmission of genes carried by the virus vector. To evaluate the safety of in vivo adenovirus mediated gene transfer, we explored the biodistribution, persistance and potential germ-line transmission of p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-CMV-p53). Both male and female Balb/c mice were injected with $1{\times}10^9$ PFU of Ad-CMV-p53. The PCR analysis showed that there were detectable vector sequences in liver, kidney, spleen, seminal vesicle, epididymis, prostate, ovary, and uterus. The RT-PCR analysis for detecting inserted gene, p53 showed that Ad-CMV-p53 viral RNA were present in spleen, prostate and ovary. Direct injected male and female mice of adenovirus vector into testis and ovary were mated and their of offspring were evaluated for germ-line transmission of the adenoviral vector. The PCR and RT-PCR analysis showed no evidence of germline transmission, although vector sequences were detected in DNA extracted from gonadal tissues. Real-time PCR result confirmed a significant decrease of adenovirus in gonad tissues 1 week after injection. We have also analysed the cell specific localization of viral DNA in gonad tissues by using in-situ PCR. Positive signals were detected in interstitial tissue but not in seminiferous tubule in sperm. In the case of ovary, adenovirus signal were localized to the stromal tissue, but no follicular signals were observed. Together, these data provide strong evidence that the risk of the Inadvertent germ-line transmission of vector sequences following intraperitoneal or direct injection into genito-urinary system of adenovirus is extremely low.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2008

In the present study, we comprehensively examined the associations of plasma levels of total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin with the features of cardiometabolic risks including body fat distribution, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in a cross-sectional study of 110 treated hypertensive patients. Blood lipid profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA- IR) derived from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were analyzed using ELISA. The results showed that plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI, r = - 0.203, p < 0.05) and waist circumference (r = -0.307, p < 0.01), which was not shown in total adiponectin. Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with triglyceride (r = -0.223, p < 0.05) and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.228, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of adiponectin were positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.224, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with hsCRP (r = -0.276, p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r = -0.272, p < 0.01). In addition, there were weak associations between plasma levels of HMWadiponectin and TNF-${\alpha}$ (r = -0.163, p = 0.07) and ICAM-1 (r = -0.158, p = 0.09). However, there were no significant associations of total adiponectin with inflammatory markers except hsCRP (r = -0.203, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that only plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin was an independent factor influencing serum levels of hsCRP, a marker of systemic low grade inflammation, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, alcohol intake, smoking status, blood lipids, total adiponectin and drug use (p < 0.01). These results suggest that HMW-adiponectin, rather than total adiponectin, is likely to be closely associated with the features of cardiometabolic risks in treated hypertensive patients and might be effective biomarker for the prediction of cardiovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

This study compares the wind stability of Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr., Pinus koraiensis Sie. & Zucc. and Abies holophylla Maxim. to understand and inform wind risk management of these plantation trees at Daegwallyeong, Korea. Temporary square plots of $20m{\times}20m$ ($400m^2$) were laid out, and DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) and height for trees greater than 10 cm in DBH were measured by species. A total of 15 plots with 5 plots each in L. kaempferi, P. koraiensis and A. holophylla stands were sampled at random. Among the species, A. holophylla and P. koraiensis have comparatively lower h/d (Height/DBH) ratios than L. kaempferi. These results indicate that the former two species are more wind firm than the latter species. About 9% of the L. kaempferi trees have higher h/d ratios than the critical threshold limit 80. These trees are vulnerable to wind damage and should be removed in the next thinning regime. The analysis of variance detected a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the h/d ratios and Gini coefficient indicating species differences and DBH size variation, respectively. Gini coefficient was 16.4% in A. holophylla, 15.9% in P. koraiensis and 14% in L. kaempferi stands indicating limited DBH size variation. Lower h/d ratios are attributed to thinning in these stands and tree morphological differences. To increase wind firmness, low thinning should concentrate to remove trees with the h/d ratio above 80 coinciding at the time of stand distinction phase. Forest managers and practitioners should measure and maintain h/d ratios of trees below the critical threshold limit of 80 through stand density management. Variable density thinning approach should be tested to increase tree DBH sizes of the even-aged stands.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2012

Marking the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear accident, which took place on March 11th, 2011, the level of adolescent awareness and understanding of radiation was surveyed, and the results were then compared with those for adults with the same questionnaires conducted at similar times. A qualitative survey and frequency analysis were made for the design of the study methodology. Those surveyed were limited to 3rd grade middle school students, 15 years of age, who are the future generation. The questionnaire, which is a survey tool, was directly distributed to the students and 2,217 answers were analysed. The questionnaires were composed of 40 questions, and it was found that Cronbach's coefficient was high with 'self awareness of radiation' at 0.494, 'risk of radiation' at 0.843, 'benefit of radiation' at 0.748, 'radiological safety control' at 0.692, 'information sources of radiation' at 0.819, and 'impacts of Fukushima accident'. The results of the survey analysis showed that the students' knowledge of radiation was not very high with 67.4 points (69.5 points for adults) calculated on a maximum scale of 100 points (converted points). The impacts of the Fukushima nuclear accident were found to be less significant to adolescents than adults, and the rate of answer of "so" or " very so" in the following questions demonstrates this well. It was also shown that the impacts of the Fukushima accident to adolescents were comparatively low with 27.0% (38.9% for adults) on the question of "attitude changed against nuclear power due to the Fukushima accident," 65.7%(86.6% for adults) on the question of "the damages from the Fukushima accident was immeasurably huge," and 65.0% (86.3% for adults) on "the Fukushima accident contributed to raising awareness on the safety of nuclear power plants". The adolescents had a high rate of "average" answers on most of the questions compared with adults, and it can be construed that this resulted from adolescent awareness of radiation not being firmly rooted on themselves. This study was the first of its kind for surveying adolescents regarding the level of awareness of radiation after the Fukushima accident, and the results were compared with the survey results of adults, and they are expected to greatly contribute toward establishing a radiation policy by the government in the future.

• Clean Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration levels, distribution characteristics and blood concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at ambient air in Industrial Complex Area. The samples were collected at 4 sites in Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities. The result indicated that there was the difference of PAHs concentration as followed local characteristics. The level of average concentration of PAHs in the air in Industrial Complex Area was $14.52{\sim}193.48ng/m^3$. The level of average concentration of six materials with possibility of cancer creation was $1.65{\sim}13.44ng/m^3$. The concentrations of PAHs were generally low, but Jechul-dong is considered an area where consistent monitoring of PAHs is required. In addition, benzo(a)pyrene was detected in every atmospheric sample, however the concentration was not high. The level of concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the air in the Jechul-dong was $2.89ng/m^3$. But, the concentration of the PAHs in Jechul-dong showed that the Benzo(a)pyrene concentration is above $1ng/m^3$ of air quality standard(EU). The results of the concentration level of PAHs in the blood from 240 persons who were exposed directly were surveyed, it was $1.12{\sim}11.45ng/m^3$ for man and $1.20{\sim}26.89ng/m^3$ for woman. It was indicated that the difference between the genders was very little. The accumulation inside human was anticipated as the PAHs concentration in the blood for the aged was very high. Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities are an area which has been greatly influenced by PAHs and environmental contaminants. It is necessary to control the emission sources of PAHs and to construct an observation system at Industrial Complex Area from now on. It is time to reduce the risk factors for health and environmental disease to protect the health of resident in Industrial Complex Area and its vicinities.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.184-228
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• 1998

This study reviews the relationship between son preference and fertility behavior, and infant and chlid mortality in the context of fertility and mortality decline. In Korea the situation reveals that fertility can decline to a very low level even in the presence of strong son preference, but son preference has certain effects on fertility and childhood mortality. The effect of son preference on fertility increased as the level of fertility declined. Our findings show that son preference causes excess female childhood mortality both directly and indirectly through fertility. Also, in Korea, the analysis reveals that female children suffer excessively high level of mortality and part of the excess mortality is due to parents' behavior on family building related to the effort to secure the birth of a son.

• Journal of Korean Society of societal Security
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2011

In order to resolve the problem of change in global climate which is worsening as days go by and to preemptively cope with strengthened restriction on carbon emission, the government enacted 'Framework Act on Low Carbon Green Growth' in 2010 and selected green technology and green industry as new national growth engines. For this reason, the necessity to use the un-utilized waste heat across the whole industrial system has become an issue, and studies on and applications of recycling in the agricultural and fishery fields such as cultivation of tropical crops and flatfishes by utilizing the waste heat and thermal effluent generated by large industrial complexes including power plants are being actively carried out. In this study, we looked into the domestic and overseas examples of having utilized waste heat abandoned in the form of power plant thermal effluent, and carried out economic efficiency evaluation of sturgeon aquaculture utilizing thermal effluent of Yeongwol LNG Combined Cycle Power Plant in Gangwon-do. In this analysis, we analyzed the economic efficiency of a model business plan divided into three steps, starting from a small scale in order to minimize the investment risk and financial burden, which is then gradually expanded. The business operation period was assumed to be 10 years (2012~2021), and the NVP (Net Present Value) and economic efficiency (B/C) for the operation period (10 years) were estimated for different loan size by dividing the size of external loan by stage into 80% and 40% based on the basic statistics secured through a site survey. Through the result of analysis, we can see that reducing the size of the external loan is an important factor in securing greater economic efficiency as, while the B/C is 1.79 in the case the external loan is 80% of the total investment, it is presumed to be improved to 1.81 when the loan is 40%. As the findings of this study showed that the economic efficiency of sturgeon aquaculture utilizing thermal effluent of power plant can be secured, it is presumed that regional development project items with high added value can be derived though this, and, in addition, this study will greatly contribute to reinforcement of the capability of local governments to cope with climate change.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 2011

Environment-friendly agro-materials tend to be preferred to chemical insecticides recently. For this reason, many studies were conducted to develop environment-friendly insecticides containing natural materials. The purpose of this study was to assess ecotoxicity for 5 plant essential oils (Thyme white, Clove bud, Cassia, Lavender, Lemon eucalyptus) expected to prevent from pests and be used for agro-materials. Target species used to assess acute toxicity were aquatic invertebrate (Daphina magna), fish (Oryzias latipes), honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The EC50 value, toxicological responses of thyme white, clove bud, and cassia to Daphina magna were 2.5, 2.8, and $6.9mg\;L^{-1}$ respectively and these values were moderately toxic according to standard of USEPA. $EC_{50}$ of Lavender and lemon eucalyptus were >$10mg\;L^{-1}$ then they were considered as slightly toxicity. In case of acute toxicity test to fish, $LC_{50}$ of thyme white and cassia were 6.7 and $7.5mg\;L^{-1}$ each other. The other plant essential oils indicated $LC_{50}$ >$10mg\;L^{-1}$. Acute contact and oral toxicity test to Honeybee were conducted. As a result, $LD_{50}$ of all essential oils were >$100{\mu}g$ a.i. $bee^{-1}$ in both of tests. In case of acute toxicity test to earthworm, $LC_{50}$ of thyme white, clove bud, cassia, lavender, and lemon eucalyptus were 149, 230, 743, 234, and $635mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. In conclusion, if the safety for earthworm is confirmed, 5 plant essential oils are expected to be use for environment-friendly insecticide materials with low risk against ecosystem and contribute to developing environment-friendly agro-materials.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.80-99
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• 1996

Young black men(YBM) have the most severs levels of high blood pressure(HBP) and, in all reports but one, the lowest of HBP control of any age /sex /race group. To increase entry into care, remaining in care, and BP control for young(18-49 years) Black men, It is needed to review socio-demographic, medical characteristics, and behaviors(importance of and difficulty with HBP control behaviors, or worry about mdication) for experimental intervention study(educational- behavior strategies) of hypertensive urban young black men. The 204 participants had an average age of 38.8+7.0 years and an average educational level of $11.0{\pm}2.4$ years; only 23.1% were employed full- or part-time while 26% were on disability ; and 6% were married. Only 35.3% had an MD for HBP care and 37.3% had some form of health insurance. The average BP of those men currently being in care on medication(35.3%) was $148.2/95.1{\pm}19.5/11.3$ compared to those men not taking HBP care $153.7/99.1{\pm}14.0/9.8(p<.05)$. The average creatinine level was 1.3(excluding 3 marked elevations of 15.9, 9.6, and 7.7) for the 163 men consenting to have their blood drawn. Self-reported co-morbidity induded heart disease 7.8%, diabetes 8.9%, high cholesterol 18.2%, CVA 3.4%, alcohol and drug related problems 27.9% and 22.5% respectively. The kidney disease of those men currently being in care & on medication was 9.7 compared to those men not taking HBP care 0.8(p<.05). The problems of with sex life, physicl activity and dearly thinking of those men currently being in care & on medication was higher compared to those men not taking HBP care(p<.05). Questions of 'during the past month, on how many days did you have 5 or more drinks (bottles) of any alcoholic beverag?' and smoking of those men currently being in care & on medication was 18.1% and 72.2% compared to those men not taking HBP care 27.3 and 82.6%, respectively. HBP control behaviors was assessed with 1-5 point Likert subscales(5=extreme, 1-none at all), In general, th men reportd low levels of perceived psychological barrier to HBP care and control behaviors; importance of and difficulty with HBP control behaviors, or worry about mdication. For example, on a five point scale(1=none at all, 5=extreme), average ratings for perceived important and difficulty with BP care and behaviors were 2.8(SD=1.2) and 2.5(SD=1.1). Average ratings for perceived benefit with BP care and behaviors worry about medication of those men currently being in care on medication was 4.0(SD=0.9) and 2.2(SD=1.1) compared to those men not taking HBP care 3.6(SD=0.8), 2.8 (SD=1.6) respectively(p<.05). These data support the need for educational-behavioral strategies of community health nurse to improve high blood pressure control in this high risk group through perceived barriers to treatment, health care skills and use of resources, and social support.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. Results: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.