• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.158-165
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• 2017

Background: Nuclear facilities in South Korea have generally adopted pressurized ion chambers to measure ambient gamma ray exposure rates for monitoring the impact of radiation on the surrounding environment. The rates assessed with pressurized ion chambers do not distinguish between natural and man-made radiation, so a further step is needed to identify the cause of abnormal variation. In contrast, using NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors to detect gamma energy rates can allow an immediate assessment of the cause of variation through an analysis of the energy spectra. Against this backdrop, this study was conducted to propose a more effective way to monitor ambient gamma exposure rates. Materials and Methods: The following methods were used to analyze gamma energy spectra measured from January to November 2016 with NaI detectors installed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) dormitory and Hanbat University. 1) Correlations of the variation of rates measured at the two locations were determined. 2) The dates, intervals, duration, and weather conditions were identified when rates increased by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more. 3) Differences in the NaI spectra on normal days and days where rates spiked by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more were studied. 4) An algorithm was derived for automatically calculating the net variation of the rates. Results and Discussion: The rates measured at KAERI and Hanbat University, located 12 kilometers apart, did not show a strong correlation (coefficient of determination = 0.577). Time gaps between spikes in the rates and rainfall were factors that affected the correlation. The weather conditions on days where rates went up by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more featured rainfall, snowfall, or overcast, as well as an increase in peaks of the gamma rays emitted from the radon decay products of $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ in the spectrum. This study assumed that $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ exist at a radioactive equilibrium, since both have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes. Provided that this assumption is true and that the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from the radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should be present between the two energy levels. This study proved that this assumption was true by demonstrating a linear correlation between the count rates of these two gamma peaks. In conclusion, if the count rates of these two peaks detected in the gamma energy spectrum at a certain time maintain the ratio measured at a normal time, such variation can be confirmed to be caused by natural radiation. Conclusion: This study confirmed that both $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes, thereby existing in a radioactive equilibrium in the atmosphere. If the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from these radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should exist between the two energy levels.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Background: Occupational hazards in crop farms vary diversely based on different field operations as soil management, harvesting processes, pesticide, or fertilizer application. We aimed at evaluating the immunological status of crop farmers, as limited systematic investigations on immune alteration involved with crop farming have been reported yet. Methods: Immunological parameters including plasma immunoglobulin level, major peripheral immune cells distribution, and level of cytokine production from activated T cell were conducted. Nineteen grape orchard, 48 onion open-field, and 21 rose greenhouse farmers were participated. Results: Significantly low proportion of natural killer (NK) cell, a core cell for innate immunity, was revealed in the grape farmers (19.8±3.3%) in comparison to the onion farmers (26.4±3.1%) and the rose farmers (26.9±2.5%), whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte proportion was lower in the grape and the onion farmers than the rose farmers. The proportion of NKT cell, an immune cell implicated with allergic response, was significantly higher in the grape (2.3±0.3%) and the onion (1.6±0.8%) farmers compared with the rose farmers (1.0±0.4%). A significantly decreased interferon-gamma:interleukin-13 ratio was observed from ex vivo stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of grape farmers compared with the other two groups. The grape farmers revealed the lowest levels of plasma IgG1 and IgG4, and their plasma IgE level was not significantly different from that of the onion or the rose farmers. Conclusion: Our finding suggests the high vulnerability of workplace-mediated allergic immunity in grape orchard farmers followed by open-field onion farmers and then the rose greenhouse farmers.

• 환경생물
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.363-368
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• 2009

한국고라니(Hydropotes inermis argyropus)는 우리나라의 고유종으로 가장 흔한 종의 하나이다. 이 종은 한반도 전역에 널리 분포하며 자연생태계에서 초식자로서 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 고라니는 서식지의 질을 모니터링하는데 하나의 좋은 생물지표종으로 이용될 수 있을 것이다. 이 연구에서는 강원도 철원지역과 전라남도 동부지역에서 수집된 한국고라니의 서로 다른 3가지 조직(신장, 간, 지라)에서 5가지 중금속(Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb)의 농도를 측정하였다. 중금속 농도의 분석에 따르면, 철의 농도는 구리, 아연, 카드뮴, 납에 비해 모든 조직에서 높게 나타났다. 이중, 지라(286.50)가 신장(39.40)과 간($23.21\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$)에 비해 높은 중금속 축적을 보였다. 일반적으로, 중금속의 농도는 전남 동부지역에 비해 강원도 철원지역에서 조금 높게 나타났다. 특히, 카드뮴과 납의 경우 매우 유의한 차이를 보였다(P<0.05). 이러한 중금속의 농도는 지라의 철을 제외하고는 모두 백그라운드 수준(background level) 내로 낮게 나타났다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a well-known natural product with anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects. We evaluated the antifatigue effect of KRG in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Eighty patients with NAFLD were prospectively randomized to receive 3 wk of KRG or placebo in addition to counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise. Liver function test, proinflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, antioxidant activity, and fatigue score were measured and compared according to the body mass index between the KRG and placebo groups. Results: The liver function tests were significantly improved after 3 wk of treatment in both groups. The mean levels (at baseline and after treatment) of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ were $108.0pg/mL{\pm}54.8pg/mL$ and $92.7pg/mL{\pm}39.0pg/mL$ (p = 0.018) in the KRG group and $123.1pg/mL{\pm}42.1pg/mL$ and $127.5pg/mL{\pm}62.2pg/mL$ (p = 0.694) in the placebo group, respectively. There was a significant difference in change of adiponectin levels between the KRG ($7,751.2pg/mL{\pm}3,108.1pg/mL$ and $8,197.3pg/mL{\pm}2,714.5pg/mL$) and placebo groups ($7,711.6pg/mL{\pm}3,041.3pg/mL$ and $7,286.1pg/mL{\pm}5,188.7pg/mL$, p = 0.027). In patients with overweight, the fatigue score was significantly decreased in the KRG group ($35.0{\pm}13.2$ and $24.5{\pm}8.9$, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Our results show that KRG might be effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokine and fatigue in overweight patients with NAFLD, in addition to improvements in adiponectin levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.447-454
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• 2018

Background: Korean ginseng has been widely evaluated to treat human diseases; however, most studies on Korean ginseng have focused on its root. In this study, polysaccharides [acidic-polysaccharide-linked glycopeptide (APGP) extracted with 90% ethanol and hot water] were prepared from Korean ginseng berries, and their effect on immunosenescence was explored. Methods: The effect of APGP on thymic involution was evaluated by measuring the size of thymi dissected from aged mice. The effect of APGP on populations of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells, and several subtypes of T cells [CD4-positive, CD8-positive, and regulatory (Treg) T cells] in the thymi and spleens of aged mice was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Profiles of APGP components were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results: APGP suppressed thymic involution by increasing the weight and areas of thymi in aged mice. APGP increased the population of NK cells, but showed no effect on the population of dendritic cells in the thymi and spleens of aged mice. APGP decreased the population of age-correlated CD11c-positive B cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP showed no effect on the populations of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells in the thymi of aged mice, whereas it increased the population of Treg cells in the spleens of aged mice. APGP further decreased the reduced serum levels of IL-2 in aged mice, but serum levels of IL-6 were not statistically changed by APGP in aged mice. Finally, HPLC analysis showed that APGP had one major peak at 15 min (a main type of polysaccharide) and a long tail up to 35 min (a mixture of a variety of types of polysaccharides). Conclusion: These results suggested that APGP exerted an anti-immunosenescent effect by suppressing thymic involution and modulating several types of immune cells.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2017

본 연구는 딸기 중 bistrifluron 및 chlorantraniliprole을 예산군 포장(포장 1), 논산시 포장(포장 2)에 살포한 후, 약제처리 2시간 후를 0일차로 하여 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10일에 시료를 채취하였다. 두 시험농약을 LC-MS/MS를 이용하여 분석 한 후 생물학적 반감기를 산출하고 생산단계 농약 잔류허용기준을 설정하였다. 정량한계는 모두 0.005 mg/kg이었으며, 회수율 분석 결과 bistrifluron의 경우 82.8~103.9%, chlorantraniliprole에서는 82.7~100.2%의 회수율을 보였으며, 10% 미만의 변이계수(Coefficient of variation, C.V.) 값을 만족하였다. 딸기 중 bistrifluron 및 chlorantraniliprole의 초기 잔류량은 포장 1에서 0.16 mg/kg, 0.17 mg/kg이었고, 포장 2에서는 0.15 mg/kg, 0.17 mg/kg으로 MRL(bistrifluron: 0.5 mg/kg, chlorantraniliprole: 1.0 mg/kg)보다 낮은 수준을 보였다. 10일 후 잔류량은 포장 1에서 0.05 mg/kg, 0.04 mg/kg, 포장 2에서는 0.05 mg/kg, 0.06 mg/kg이었으며, 초기농도 대비 66.67%, 76.49% 감소하는 것을 보였다. 잔류량에 따른 잔류감소 회귀식을 산출한 결과 딸기 중 두 약제에 대한 반감기는 bistrifluron에서는 두 포장 모두 6.3일, chlorantraniliprole은 4.7일(포장 1)과 6.4일(포장 2)로 나타났다. 잔류감소 회귀식을 이용하여 산출한 생산단계 잔류허용기준은 bistrifluron과 chlorantraniliprole의 수확 10일전 1.10 mg/kg, 2.29 mg/kg으로 제안하였다.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2017

본 연구는 시설재배 작물인 오이의 생산단계 중 penthiopyrad 및 pyriofenone의 시간경과에 따른 잔류량을 감소식으로 회귀식을 계산한 후, 생물학적 반감기를 산출함으로써 생산단계 잔류허용기준을 설정하여 농가의 안전한 농산물생산에 기여하고자 수행하였다. Penthiopyrad 및 pyriofenone는 작물보호지침서의 안전사용기준에 준하여 기준량 1회 처리하였고, 각각 포장 1과 포장 2 지역으로 나누어 처리하였다. 약제살포 2시간 후를 0일차로 하여 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10일차에 시료를 채취하였다. 두 약제 모두 추출 및 정제를 위해 acetonitrile, dichloromethane, SPE $NH_2$ cartridge 를 사용하였고 LC-MS/MS를 이용하여 분석하였으며, 분석 정량한계는 0.005 mg/kg이었다. 분석정량한계의 10배, 50배 수준으로 농약을 처리하여 수행한 결과 penthiopyrad 및 pyriofenone의 회수율은 각각 92.8~.95.4%, 81.0~89.8%이었으며, 표준편차는 두 약제 모두 10% 미만이었다. 오이 중 두 약제에 대한 포장 1, 포장 2의 생물학적 반감기는 penthiopyrad의 경우 각각 2.6일과 2.5일, pyriofenone의 경우 각각 2.5일과 2.4일로 나타났다. Penthiopyrad 및 pyriofenone의 잔류량을 바탕으로 오이 수확 10일 전 잔류량이 3.44 mg/kg, 4.63 mg/kg이하로 나타난다면 수확 시 두 약제의 잔류량은 MRL (Penthiopyrad: 0.5 mg/kg, Pyriofenone: 0.7 mg/kg) 수준 이하일 것으로 사료된다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 오이 중 penthiopyrad 및 pyriofenone의 생산단계 잔류허용기준이 설정된다면 오이 재배농가에서 유통단계 뿐만 아니라 생산단계에서 안전한 농산물을 생산하는데 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of massage, stretching exercise, and scapular stabilization exercise in patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: Twenty-three female patients with upper trapezius MPS were randomly allocated to three groups: massage, stretching exercise, and scapular stability exercise groups. Therapeutic intervention for all groups included general therapy such as hot pack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound. Patients in the massage group (n=8), stretching group (n=7), and stabilization exercise group (n=8) received their respective therapy program after general therapy for 15 minutes. Therapeutic intervention for each group was performed three times per week for six weeks. All groups were tested four times: prior to the test, at three weeks, at six weeks, and at nine weeks. Results: Pain levels decreased significantly in the stretching and stabilization exercise groups over time (p<.05). The rate of change in pain level was significantly different among all groups (p<.01), and the stability exercise group experienced the lowest pain level. Pressure-pain level increased significantly in the stabilization exercise group over time (p<.05). The rate of change in pressure-pain level was significantly different among all groups (p<.01), and the stability exercise group had the highest pressure-pain level. The level of upper-extremity stability increased significantly in the stability exercise group over time (p<.05). The rate of change in the upper-extremity stabilization level was significantly different among all groups (p<.01), and the stability exercise group had the highest upper-extremity stability level. Conclusions: Scapular stabilization exercises proved to be the most effective therapy for MPS patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.165-171
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Groundwater is believed to possess many beneficial effects due to its natural source of various minerals. In this study, we examined the effects of natural Jeju groundwater S1 (Samdasoo$^{TM}$), S2 and S3 pumped up from different locations of Jeju Island, Korea, along with local tap water, on body weight gain, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and liver histopathology in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups. Different water samples were supplied to the hyperlipidemic rats as their daily drinking water and the widely-used anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin was used as a positive control. Body weight, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured weekly. Liver weight, liver index and liver histopathology were examined after the execution of the rats. RESULTS: After drinking Jeju groundwaters for two months, S2 but not S3 significantly reduced weight growth and serum triglycerides levels and increased high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) without affecting total cholesterol or LDL-C. S1 and particularly S2 significantly reduced the severity of liver hypertrophy and steatosis. All Groundwaters had much higher contents of vanadium (S3>S2>S1>>tap water) whereas S1 and S2 but not S3 markedly blocked autoxidation of ferrous ions. CONCLUSION: Jeju Groundwater S1 and particularly S2 exhibit protective effects against hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and hypothesize that the beneficial effect of Jeju Groundwaters may be contributed from blockade of autoxidation of ferrous ions rather than their high contents of vanadium.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.429-438
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• 2022

작물의 성분은 품종이 가지는 유전적 특성이나 재배 지역과 같은 환경적 요인에 따라 자연 변이 양상이 다르게 나타난다. 본 연구에서는 벼 종자에 존재하는 기능성 물질을 분석하고 그 함량 변화에 미치는 영향을 유전적 요인과 환경적 요인을 변수로 두고 상호 비교하기 위하여 인디카 및 자포니카, 통일 계통을 포함한 벼 품종 23개를 선정하고 국내의 2개 지역(전주, 천안)에서 2년간 재배하였다(2015, 2016년). 벼 종자 368점을 대상으로 16종의 기능성 물질(α, β, γ, δ-tocopherol, γ-tocotrienol, phytosteol 4종, policosanol 7종)에 대한 함량 데이터를 확보하고, 다변량분석(주성분분석, 상관관계분석)을 수행하여 4개의 환경 조건 별(2015년 전주, 2015년 천안, 2016년 전주, 2016년 천안)로 자연 변이를 비교한 결과, 분석한 벼 종자의 기능성 물질의 함량 변화는 환경적 요인(재배 지역, 재배 연도) 보다는 유전적 요인(인디카 vs 통일 vs 자포니카)에 의해 더 큰 영향을 받음을 알았다. 특히, 환경적 영향을 뛰어넘는 대표적인 유전적 특성으로는 벼 종자에서 α-, β-tocopherol과 γ-, δ-tocopherol의 함량이 서로 음의 상관관계가 있는 것으로 확인되었다.