• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.4 no.1 s.6
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• pp.17-28
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• 1989

Having studied the production of monoclonal antibodies for developing a diagnosis medicine which shall be detected by a high-sensitivity test by using Rhodotorula rubra as a fungi-host which had been extracted through biochemical tests and follow-up examinations on Yeast-like fungi obtained from pulmonary tissues of pulmonary tuberculosis patients who had been in Kong ju National Tuberculosis Hospital from Jun. to Dec. in 1987, I. have gained such results as follows: 1. The fusion rate was influenced by feeder cell layers, cell density and time required to the cell fusion with cells in myelona subculture. 2. The fusion rate did not show any significant difference when the cell was applyed with two molecular weights, i.e., 1500 and 4000, of polyethylene glycol. 3. Fused cells after the addition of HAT selection media were bright and round, whereas unfused myelona cells and spleen cells were shrunk and granulated. 4. The cell fusion rate turned out to be about $57.2\%$(150 wells / 264 wells). 5. $10\%$(15 wells / 150 wells) of the positive reaction was detected in monoclonal antibody screening. 6. The titer which had reacted positively to Rhodotorula rubra fungal-host was 800 times in density after the gradual dilution of the produced monoclonal antibodies with Indirect ELISA method. 7. The Strongest specific reaction came out after the peroxidase labelled anti-human Immunogobulin had been applyed to Rhodotorula rubra for activating its nature after making drift with Carbonate-bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.6) and drying completely.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

Objective : Gardeniae Fructus (GF) has bitter and cold nature. Thus, it has been traditionally prescribed in processed form roasted with ginger juice for patients with a weak stomach. This study investigated the effects of processed GF in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-treated gastric epithelial cells. Methods : Processed GF was made by applying 40% ginger juice or 10% ethanol for 24 h and then roasting at 150℃ for 5 minutes. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was monitored by flow cytometry using the membrane permeable fluorescent dye Rh123. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis. Results : Cell viability was reduced by tBHP and restored by ethanol extract of GF (GFE). In the TUNEL assay, it was found that cell death by tBHP was due to apoptosis, and GFE had an anti-apoptotic effect. Processed GF roasted with ginger juice showed the best anti-apoptotic effect. Processed GF also inhibited MMP loss and restored tBHP-induced changes in expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Increased ROS production and GSH depletion after tBHP treatment were significantly reduced by processed GF. In addition, tBHP-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was inhibited by processed GF. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the processed GF is able to protect gastric epithelial cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death with antiapoptotic and antioxidant activity. In addition, it shows that the processing of GF, which have been traditionally used for gastrointestinal protection, partially have scientific validity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.502-513
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• 2018

Objectives: Stress hormone (cortisol) can be used to analyze psychological and physiological changes and healing effects before and after in blood and saliva. Here it is applied to scientifically validate the effects of the healthy forest experience in Deogyusan Mountain National Park. Methods: A healthy forest experience program was provided to college students (males and females) at Deogyusan National Park. Stress, hormones (cortisol), blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and stress, anxiety, and depression were measured. This study was designed to objectively analyze the effects of stress hormones before and after. Results: Depression, stress, anxiety, and satisfaction with the forest experience program in Deogyusan National Park were very high in reliability in terms of Cronbach's Alpha: depression scored 0.910, stress 0.558, anxiety 0.934, program satisfaction 0.826, and program effectiveness 0.894. Conclusions: In this study, we utilized the Healthy Forest Experience Program and the 'Health and Medical Center Health Record Book' of the Health Forest Experience Program (Ministry of Environment's Environmental Education Certification Program). In the future, we will seek ways to utilize saliva since it is easier to collect than blood samples and apply the stress hormone cortisol as a saliva authentication program. In addition, by implementing ecological welfare programs in which nature and human beings coexist through systematic preservation and restoration, the national park management can utilize ecological, scenic and cultural services wisely. We expect to be able to provide exploration and welfare services.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.740-745
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• 2018

The synthesis and characterization of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles were reported in this work. We show that relatively monodisperse ACP nanoparticles with a size of sub-100 nm can be prepared by a hydrothermal reaction of calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$) and disodium adenosine triphosphate ($Na_2ATP$) in the presence of sodium phytate as an additive. Their compositions and structures were confirmed using a series of material characterization techniques. Our results exhibit that ACP nanoparticles synthesized using sodium phytate enhanced the stability of maintaining their amorphous nature and prevented from a conversion to crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP). ACP nanoparticles with the improved stability have potential uses in biomaterial applications in regenerative medicine.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of nurses staffing level on patient health outcomes in intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea. Methods: The study was retrospective in nature. Information on patients and their outcomes, as well as nurse cohort data, were obtained from Korea's National Health Insurance Service Database. The observation period was from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018, and data for 2,964,991 patients were analyzed. Independent variables included patient' age and sex and hospital type, intensivist, and nurses staffing level. Results: The mortality rate in ICUs was significantly higher at tertiary hospitals with a level 3~4 (HR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.19~1.22) or level 5~9 nurse staffing (HR, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.27~1.34) compare to that of tertiary hospitals with a 1~2 level. 28-day mortality rate was also higher at general hospitals with a level 3~4 (HR, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.12~1.14), level 5~6 (HR. 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.32~1.36), level 7~9 nurse staffing (HR, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.38~1.42), using level 1~2 as reference. Conclusion: Nurses staffing level is a key determinant of healthcare-associated mortality in critically ICUs patients. Policies to achieve adequate nurse staffing levels are therefore required to enhance patient outcomes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 1999

Objectives: An outbreak of dermatosis occurred at a city gas manufacturing factory in Pohang in Aug, 1998. The authors conducted a study to find the cause and prevent the dermatosis, Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of 73 workers in the factory twice, once or Aug. 14th and then Sept. 11th, 1998. Also, a dermatologist examined their skin lesions. We suspected ants as the cause, so we collected them for identification. Results: Twelve cases of dermatosis were identified with an attack rate of 16.4%. The attack rates were not different by age, educational level or tenures. The attack rates were 66.6% among production workers, 2.0% among clerical workers, 16.7% among tank trailer drivers and 0% among guards. The attack rate among production workers was significantly higher than that of the others (<0.01). There were no histories of the same dermatosis for the past one year. Histories of other skin diseases and allergies were very rare in both cases with skin diseases and control. Multiple, pruritic, rice-grained to bean sized erythemafous macules or papules with a central biting point could be found after initial severe itching occurred, Three cases showed signs of dermatosis with an allergic nature. The onset of dermatosis was between July 30 and Aug 12 and the durations varied from 5 days to over a month. The most frequent sites of stir lesions were the chest and abdomen (60.6%), and they were also observed on the neck (33.3%), arms (33.3%), shoulders (16.7%) and back (16.7%). Over 10 ants with their wings were collected in the work place and identified as Pachycondyla chinensis, subfamily Ponerinae. Conclusions : We thought that the outbreak of dermatosis was brought about by the ants flying into the work place through the open windows. Further studies on the factors contributing to the prosperity of the ants in this area are needed.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

Background : It was not uncommon authors as psychiatrists faced women patients with somatoform disorders who expresses their symptoms has been started after the poor adherence to 'Doing the month' practices (DMP). DMP is known as a traditional ritual for Korean postpartum women. Aims : This study is an cultural approach to explore the practices of Korean women during the postpartum period are related with the formation of somatoform disorders. Methods : 41 multipara women with somatoform disorders diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria and 91 healthy normal control were enrolled. Subjects were given scales of SOM scale of SCL-90R, Somatic Symptom Scale-Korean version, Korean 'Doing the month' practices Scale(40 items), Postpartum Sick Scale(14 items), Beck Depression Scale and State Anxiety Scale. Results : 1) The period of DMP less than one week were prevalent in the patients group(43.9%) compared to the control group(7.9%, p<0.01). 2) The period of DMP after the abortions showed no difference between two groups. 3) Subjective rate for their poor DMP was significantly high in the patients group(73.2%) compared to the control group(33.0%), and the patients group showed high score in Postpartum Sick Scale as well(4.1, 1.6 respectively). 4) Poor DM was negatively correlated with SOM scale of SCL-90R(correlation coefficient r=-0.47, p<0.01). Conclusion : Poor DMP may make a crucial role for their heath condition after the deliveries and which would be one of the major factors of the somatoform disorders in Korean women. And postpartum physical symptoms after the poor DMP could be last long enough to be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. By understanding the cultural nature of the somatization phenomena the doctor-patient relationship could be enhanced.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to nutritional aspect of tofu. Tofu is a widely-enjoyed food made from soybeans, and it is a great example of how a simple food like soybeans can be woven into human food traditions in a way that is natural, inexpensive, and nourishing. One of the most important things to remember about tofu is its basic whole food nature. Tofu is produced with significantly less processing than most low-fat soymilks, it is a soy food that is much closer to a "whole foods" category than soy protein isolates and concentrates. From a health benefits standpoint, there are also benefits to tofu that has been fermented. Replacing meat and dairy with tofu and other soy products would also lower our total cholesterol intake by about 125 mg per day and our saturated fat by about 2.4 g per day. These nutritional changes, in turn, would lower our risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2007

DMZ (De-Militalized Zone) in South Korea is world heritage area by passage control of human-being for more than 50 years since 1953. Wild flora and fauna in these area have been protected from any development and/or habitat destruction. However, consideration on ecosystem and nature in the area is becoming higher, and demand for development is raising also. We have reviewed any publications, which are surveyed about ecosystem and interview local residents about wildlife inherit there. Totally 51 species have been reported inhabited DMZ belonging to 17 Families, 6 Orders, so far. National monuments in DMZ are following; Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), KOREAN goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus), flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) and spotted seal (Phoca vitalima). These results would be an essential data to establish management strategy and manuals for conserving native ecosystem, native flora and fauna in DMZ, and also using for registering world heritage area under UNESCO.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1028-1036
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• 2021

Firefly luciferase (FLuc) can function as an efficient marker in the gene and viral therapies. Nonetheless, its clinical translation has been unaccomplished with the concerns on its exogenous nature and the similarity with human fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. In this study, we aimed to show safety of FLuc by conducting a set of preclinical experiments and a human use. Initially, FLuc permeability across the plasma membrane was investigated by delivering the FLuc-carrying viral vector, OTS-412, or the FLuc recombinant protein. After in vitro infection of OTS-412 into different cancer cell lines, FLuc activity was detected only in the cell lysates, but not in culture media. In addition, recombinant FLuc protein further showed the impermeability against the plasma membrane. Similar result was also observed in the in vivo experiment. After being injected into the VX2 tumor-bearing rabbit, the FLuc exclusively resided within the tumor tissue without being detected in the blood plasma or other organs. Human cancer cell lines originated from various organs were lysed and treated to the FLuc, and none of the human substrates was reactive against the FLuc. As a final step, FLuc recombinant protein was intravenously injected into a human. The luciferase was degraded with the half-life of 20 to 30 minutes in blood, and was untraceable from 1.5 hr after the injection. In addition, the blood plasma was nonresponsive against the fatty acids. Hematological analysis was also comparable between the pre- and post-injection. Altogether, our study collectively demonstrates the safety of the firefly luciferase.