• 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.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.716-725
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• 2023

Objective : Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is a common surgical procedure used to treat cervical spinal degenerative diseases. One of the complications associated with ACSS is prevertebral soft tissue swelling (PSTS), which can result in airway obstruction, dysphagia, and other adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the correlation between various cervical sagittal parameters and PSTS following single-level ACSS, as well as to identify independent risk factors for PSTS. Methods : A retrospective study conducted at a single institution. The study population included all patients who underwent single-level ACSS between January 2014 and December 2022. Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery or trauma were excluded from the study. The presence and severity of PSTS was assessed by reviewing pre- and postoperative imaging studies. The potential risk factors for PSTS that were examined include patient age, sex, body mass index, tobacco use, comorbidities, serum albumin levels, operative time, implant type, implanted level, and various cervical spine sagittal parameters. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for PSTS. Results : A total of 62 consecutive patients who underwent single-level ACSS over a 8-year period at a single institution were enrolled in this study. Only preoperative segmental angle showed positive correlation with PSTS among various cervical spine sagittal parameters (r=0.36, p=0.005). Artificial disc replacement showed a negative correlation with PSTS (β=-0.38, p=0.002), whereas the use of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) had a positive impact on PSTS (β=0.33, p=0.009). We found that male sex, lower preoperative serum albumin, and implantation of upper cervical level (above C5) were independent predictors for PSTS after single-level ACSS (β=1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 2.15; p=0.012; β=-1.63; 95% CI, -2.91 to -0.34; p=0.014; β=1.44; 95% CI, 0.38 to 2.49; p=0.008, respectively). Conclusion : Our study identified male sex, lower preoperative serum albumin levels, and upper cervical level involvement as independent risk factors for PSTS after single-level ACSS. These findings can help clinicians monitor high-risk patients and take preventive measures to reduce complications. Further research with larger sample sizes and prospective designs is needed to validate these findings.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the presence of autoantigens in the gastric juices of children. Methods: Gastric juice and serum samples were obtained from 53 children <15 years of age who underwent gastric endoscopy. Among these, 8, 22, and 23 participants were in the age groups 0-5, 6-10, and 11-15 years, respectively. These samples were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), immunoblot analysis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we reviewed the histopathological findings and urease test results and compared them with the results of 2-DE and immunoblot analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in urease test positivity, grades of chronic gastritis, active gastritis, or Helicobacter pylori infiltration of the antrum and body among the three age groups. Three distinct patterns of gastric juice were observed on 2-DE. Pattern I was the most common, and pattern III was not observed below the age of 5 years. Histopathological findings were significantly different among active gastritis (p=0.037) and H. pylori infiltration (p=0.060) in the gastric body. The immunoblots showed large spots at an approximate pH of 3-4 and molecular weights of 31-45 kDa. These distinct, large positive spots were identified as gastric lipase and pepsin A and C. Conclusion: Three enzymes, which are normally secreted under acidic conditions were identified as autoantigens. Further investigation of the pathophysiology and function of autoantigens in the stomach is required.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.92-101
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• 2009

Purpose: Scintimammography is one of the screening tests for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. It has been widely accepted as very useful in assessing masses that have not been detected in breast scanning. This method is highly sensitive and specific with respect to the diagnosis of primary and relapsing breast cancer. It has some difficulties, however, in detecting tumors sized 1 cm and below due to the radioactivity around the breast and the geometrical structure of the equipment. The recent introduction of high-resolution Breast-specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) has made it possible to more accurately discriminate between malignant and benign tumors than with any other test method. Thus, the possibility of an unnecessary biopsy being performed has decreased. The purpose of this study was to examine the diagnostic capacity of mammography, breast sonography, and scintimammography, which are used for the early diagnosis of known breast cancer, and of BSGI, and to evaluate the skillfulness of radiologists. Materials and Methods: The 53 volunteers participants who had no clinical manifestation of breast cancer underwent the BSGI in February 2009. In the BSGI procedure, scanning images were obtained from the craniocaudal projection (CC) and the mediolateral Oblique projection (MLO), as well as from the additional $80{\times}80$-matrix-sized views at various angles in the Present Time method, 10 minutes after the 25 mCi $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI was injected. Results: The results of the BSGI showed that two participants had masses in their breast tissue. As the results of the diagnosis of four participants were not clear, they were retested and the results of the second test were negative. The results of the clinical screening test for breast cancer showed that the sensitivity of BSGI, scintimammography, mammography, and breast sonography was 86.5%, 77.8%, 85~90%, and 66.7%, respectively, and that their specificity was 92.4%, 84.2%, 20~42%, and 68%, respectively. Conclusion: The autodiagnosis and breast cancer screening test are needed for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. It was not easy, however, to accurately determine the presence of a mass in the breast using the existing breast cancer screening test. The patients with unclear test findings were made to undergo a histologic biopsy for a more accurate diagnosis. It is expected that the BSGI can provide useful information for the early diagnosis of breast cancer and of primary breast cancer, and will reduce the performance of unnecessary biopsies because of its higher sensitivity and specificity than existing breast cancer screening tests.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.467-474
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• 2014

Preliminary design in chemical process furnishes economic feasibility through calculation of both mass balance and energy balance and makes it possible to produce a desired product under the given conditions. Through this design stage, the process possesses unchangeable characteristics, since the materials, reactions, unit configuration, and operating conditions were determined. Unique characteristics could be very economic, but it also implies various potential risk factors as well. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to design process considering both economics and safety by integrating process simulation and quantitative risk analysis during preliminary design stage. The target of this study is LNG liquefaction process. By the simulation using Aspen HYSYS and quantitative risk analysis, the design variables of the process were determined in the way to minimize the inherent explosion risks and operating cost. Instead of the optimization tool of Aspen HYSYS, the optimization was performed by using stochastic optimization algorithm (Covariance Matrix Adaptation-Evolution Strategy, CMA-ES) which was implemented through automation between Aspen HYSYS and Matlab. The research obtained that the important variable to enhance inherent safety was the operation pressure of mixed refrigerant. The inherent risk was able to be reduced about 4~18% by increasing the operating cost about 0.5~10%. As the operating cost increases, the absolute value of risk was decreased as expected, but cost-effectiveness of risk reduction had decreased. Integration of process simulation and quantitative risk analysis made it possible to design inherently safe process, and it is expected to be useful in designing the less risky process since risk factors in the process can be numerically monitored during preliminary process design stage.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: The current study was to monitor of 9 veterinary antibiotics (ceftiofur, clopidol, florfenicol, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfathiazole, tetracycline, tiamulin, and tylosin) in manure using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in positive and negative electrospray ionization mode. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sample preparation was carried out using Mcllvaine buffer and citrate salts to adjust the pH of the sample followed by purification with dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE). Separation of analytes during LC-MS/MS analysis was conducted using an Eclipse Plus $C_{18}$ column and the mobile phase was in gradient mode with, 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate in methanol (A) and 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate in distilled water (B). The linearity of the matrix-matched calibrations of all tested antibiotics was good, with $R^2$ determination coefficients ${\geq}0.9920$. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantifications (LOQ) were $0.1-67.0{\mu}g/kg$ and $0.4-200.0{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. Analysis of 13 solid and liquid manure samples taken from the Republic of Korea revealed concentrations less than $0.7{\mu}g/kg$ for tiamulin, $1497.6{\mu}g/kg$ for sulfamethazine. CONCLUSION: To monitor 9 veterinary antibiotics from manure samples in 13 provincial areas throughout the Republic of Korea, an analytical method was developed. The developed method was fully validated and successfully applied for monitoring various veterinary antibiotics in manure samples.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.430-446
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• 2018

To improve understanding of the sources and chemical properties of particulate pollutants on the Korean Peninsula, An Aerodyne High Resolution Time of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) measured non-refractory fine particle ($NR-PM_1$) from 2013 to 2015 at Baengnyeong Island and Seoul metropolitan area (SMA), Korea. The chemical composition of $NR-PM_1$ in Baengnyeong island was dominated by organics and sulfate in the range of 36~38% for 3 years, and the organics were the dominant species in the range of 44~55% of $NR-PM_1$ in Seoul metropolitan area. The sulfate was found to be more than 85% of the anthropogenic origin in the both areas of Baengnyeong and SMA. Ratio of gas to particle partition of sulfate and nitrate were observed in both areas as more than 0.6 and 0.8, respectively, representing potential for formation of additional particulate sulfate and nitrate. The high-resolution spectra of organic aerosol (OA) were separated by three factors which were Primary OA(POA), Semi-Volatility Oxygenated Organic Aerosol (SV-OOA), and Low-Volatility OOA(LV-OOA) using positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis. The fraction of oxygenated OA (SOA, ${\fallingdotseq}OOA$=SV-OOA+LV-OOA) was bigger than the fraction of POA in $NR-PM_1$. The POA fraction of OA in Seoul is higher than it of Baengnyeong Island, because Seoul has a relatively large number of primary pollutants, such as gasoline or diesel vehicle, factories, energy facilities. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis revealed that transport from eastern China, an industrial area with high emissions, was associated with high particulate sulfate and organic concentrations at the Baengnyeong and SMA sites. PSCF also presents that the ship emissions on the Yellow Sea was associated with high particulate sulfate concentrations at the measurement sites.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.273-284
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation and to compare the wear resistance characteristics of four esthetic restorative materials in an alkaline solution(0.1N NaOH). The composite resins studied were Composan LCM flow(Promedica, Germany). Clearfil ST(Kuraray medical, Japan), Durafi VS1(Heraeus Kulzer, U.S.A), Point 4(Kerr, U.S.A). The results were as follows : 1. The mass loss of each brand was $1.02{\sim}6.04%$ and highest value in Durafil VS$(6.04{\pm}0.29%)$. 2. The sequence of the degree of degradation layer depth was in descending order by Durafil VS, Clearfil ST, Point 4 and Composan LCM flow. There were significant differences between Point 4, Composan LCM flow and the others (p<0.001). 3. The sequence of the Si loss was in descending order by Clearfil ST, Durafil VS, Composan LCM flow and Point 4. There were significant differences among the materials (p<0.001). 4. On SEM, destruction of bonding between matrix and filler and on CLSM, the depth of degradation layer of specimen surface was observed. 5. The sequence of maximum wear depth was in descending order by Durafil VS, Composan LCM flow, Point 4 and Clearfil ST. There were no significant differences among the materials (p>0.001) 6. The correlation coefficient between Si loss and degradation layer depth (r=0.892, p<0.01) and Si loss and mass loss(r=0.736, p<0.01) were relatively high. These results indicate that hydrolytic degradation, wear and another factor may consider as evaluation factors of composite resins.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.88-103
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• 2009

The volatile and semi-volatile compounds of 5 accessions of domestic scented and 25 accessions of introduced scented were extracted by solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrum (GC-MS). A total of 156 volatile and semivolatile compounds were identified from 30 accessions of aromatic rice, including 32 alcohols, 25 acids, 25 ketones, 21 hydrocarbon, 18 esters, 16 aldehydes, 4 ethers, 5 amines, 2 phenols, 2 bases, and 8 miscellaneous compounds. By UPGMA/Neighbor-join tree analysis, the thirty accessions of aromatic rice could be classified into seven groups according to the major odor or aroma compounds. Group I included indica type of Basmati varieties. Group II and Group IV included japonica type introduced scented. Group III consisted only Hyangmibyeo1ho in domestic scented. Group V and Group VII included indica type of Basmati and non-Basmati varities. Group VI included four of domestic scented of seven accessions excepted Basmati6129, Basmati 6311, and Seratus Malam.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.685-695
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation and to compare the wear resistance characteristics of four composite resins in an alkaline solution. The resistance to degradation was evaluated on the basis of mass loss(%), degradation depth(${\mu}m$), Si loss(ppm) and wear depth. The brands studied were Heliomolar flow, Filtek supreme, Point4, Tetric flow. The results were as follows: 1. The sequence of the mass loss was in descending order by Heliomolar flow, Filtek supreme, Point4, Tetric flow. There was significant differences among the materials except Heliomolar flow and Filtek supreme. 2. The sequence of the degree of degradation layer depth was in descending order by Filtek supreme, Heliomolar flow, Tetric flow, Point4. There were significant differences among the materials except Heliomolar flow and Tetric flow. 3. The sequence of Si loss was in descending order by Filtek supreme, Heliomolar flow, Point4, Tetric flow. There were significant differences among the materials except Point 4 and Tetric flow. 4. The sequence of maximum wear depth was in descending order by Heliomolar flow, Point4, Fillet supreme, Tetric flow and there was increasing wear depth on soaking in 0.1N NaOH solution. 5. When observed with SEM, destruction of bonding between matrix and filler was observed and when observed with CLSM, the depth of degradation layer of specimen surface was observed. There results indicate that wear and hydrolytic degradation could be considered to be evaluation factors of composite resins.