• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.530-535
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• 2021

Background: Despite the lack of official COVID-19 statistics, various workplaces and occupations have been at the center of COVID-19 outbreaks. We aimed to compare legal measures and governance established for managing COVID-19 infection risks at workplaces in nine Asia and Pacific countries and to recommend key administrative measures. Methods: We collected information on legal measures and governance from both general citizens and workers regarding infection risks such as COVID-19 from industrial hygiene professionals in nine countries (Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) using a structured questionnaire. Results: A governmental body overseeing public health and welfare was in charge of containing the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases under an infectious disease control and prevention act or another special act, although the name of the pertinent organizations and legislation vary among countries. Unlike in the case of other traditional hazards, there have been no specific articles or clauses describing the means of mitigating virus risk in the workplace that are legally required of employers, making it difficult to define the responsibilities of the employer. Each country maintains own legal systems regarding access to the duration, administration, and financing of paid sick leave. Many workers may not have access to paid sick leave even if it is legally guaranteed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.286-293
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• 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by accumulation of amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of four flavonoids such as kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin, and quercetin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucoside against neuronal apoptosis induced by $A{\beta}$ in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Treatment with $A{\beta}$ decreased cell viability compared to the non-treated normal group. However, treatment with the four flavonoids increased cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells treated with $A{\beta}$. In addition, we measured the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-9. Treatment with the four flavonoids down-regulated Bax and cleaved caspase-9 in $A{\beta}$-treated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of flavonoids by anti-apoptotic activity in $A{\beta}$-induced SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. These results suggest that these four flavonoids would be useful therapeutic and prevention agents for AD.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.229-239
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• 2019

Rapid economic development has changed the dietary habits and patterns. Especially, western style diet has increased the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Korea. To provide more specific and appropriate diet guideline for the prevention and for the treatment of T2DM, the investigation on the characteristics of diebetic patients related to the diet needs to be done. In this study, we therefore analyzed eating behaviors, dietary attitudes, and intake of food and nutrients of normal subjects (control, n=26) and diabetic patients (case, n=18) diagnosed T2DM within one year in Daegu Gyeongbuk area. Body mass index of the patients were significantly higher than the control (p<0.05). Overeating, high fried food and low whole grain intake were revealed as risk factors for T2DM. From the food frequency questionnaire analysis, salty foods such as fermented soybean paste (Doenjang) and watery Kimch intake were associated with T2DM. Intake of vegetable lipid, ${\beta}$-carotene, calcium, copper, and vitamin K were also shown to be associated with T2DM. Taken together, these findings suggest that maintaining ideal body weight and intake the foods with low salt, fat, and refined grain in appropriate amount may help to prevent and to manage T2DM.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2019

This study was conducted to find out the effect that ${\kappa}-Carrageenan$ has on the properties of dog sperm when it was added to the cryoprotectant. Extender basically was contained 1.21 g Trizma base, 0.67 g citric acid, 0.4 g glucose, 0.03 g penicillin G, 0.05 g streptomycin sulfate. Extender1 was added with 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.5% carrageenan, while extender2 was supplemented with glycerol. After freezing-thawing, the motility, viability, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, and ROS (reactive oxygen specifications) of sperm were measured to analyze the effects of the supplementation of carrageenan. Total Motile (TM), Rapid Progressive Motile (RPM), Medium Progressive Motile (MPM), and Immotile were measured through the CASA system after thawing in 37 degree water. Extender with 0.2% ${\kappa}-carrageenan$ ($64.26{\pm}0.49$) was significantly higher than control ($40.24{\pm}8.27$) (p < 0.05). RPMs of extender with 0.1%, 0.2% ${\kappa}-carrageenan$ ($57.64{\pm}6.34$, $56.47{\pm}1.35$) were significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Acrosome integrity was measured by dyeing to PSA-FITC with an epifluorescence microscope. Normal acrosome ratio of extender with 0.5% ${\kappa}-carrageenan$ ($61{\pm}8.03$) was higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Apoptosis was measured with a FACSCalibur flow cytometer using FITC (FITC Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit). Treated groups of ${\kappa}-carrageenan$ of 0.1% ($0.81{\pm}0.05$), 0.2% ($0.85{\pm}0.05$) were significantly higer (p < 0.05) than control. Modified SYBR/PI staining was used for determination of viability and DCF staining was used for evaluation of ROS. Viability and ROS were not significantly different from other groups. In conclusion, adding a certain concentration of carrageenan to the extender of cryopreservation, carrageenan contributes to the improvement of the sperm motility, acrosome integrity and prevention of apoptosis.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.768-783
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• 2020

Purpose: In response to the critical risk of fire due to the characteristic of Publicly used establishments(hereinafter referred to as PUE), 'Special Act on the Safety Control of PUE' was enacted in 2006 and is still in operation. However, in spite of numerous revisions so far, still there are problems to be resolved. This study analyses the regulatory regime of fire safety in UK to find measures which could fundamentally improve the safety management of PUE. Method: This study compares and analyses the safety management system of PUE in Korea and the case of the UK by using the comparative research method. Result: As a result of the qualitative analysis, some noticeable systems and concepts of the UK regulatory regime have been discovered(e.g. 'Responsible person', 'Fire risk assessment', 'Fire safety audit', etc.) and consequently, 'Proposal for the Fire Safety Management System for PUE' is designed based on the findings from examples in the UK and drawbacks of safety management of PUE. Conclusion: This study proposes the way to improve the safety management of PUE into a more rational and effective system by analysing the case of the UK, which reorganised the fire safety management to the private sector centered, in which the fire authority minimizes intervention.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.570-582
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• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2020

Purpose: The annual statistics for poisoning are reported based on the data from poison control centers in many advanced countries. In 2016 a study was conducted to analyze the 2016 Korea Poisoning status. This study was conducted to make a better annual report for poisoning statistics in Korea from a 2017-2018 national representative database. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of poisoning patients based on the data from an emergency department (ED) based injury in-depth surveillance project by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017-2018. Bite or sting injuries were not included. Results: A total of 17714 patients presented to 23 EDs because of poisoning. Adults above 20 years old age accounted for 84.6% of the population, while the proportion of intentional poisoning was 60.8%. The poisoning substance presented in the ED were therapeutic drugs (51.2%), gas (20.3%), pesticides (16.4%), and artificial substances (11.4%). Overall, 35% of patients were admitted for further treatment. The mortality was 2.4% (422 cases), and the most common fatal substances in order were carbon monoxide, other herbicides, and paraquat. Conclusion: This study showed the 2017-2018 status of poisoning in Korea. The prognosis is different from the cause of poisoning and the initial mental state of the patient. Therefore, appropriate methods for preventing poisoning and therapeutic plans in specific situations are needed.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.221-229
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oral microbial activity and anti-inflammatory effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on a titanium (Ti) surface during osseointegration, and to confirm the possibility of using RA as a safe natural substance for the control of peri-implantitis (PI) in Ti-based dental implants. Methods: A disk diffusion test was conducted to confirm the antimicrobial activity of RA against oral microorganisms. In order to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of RA, inflammatory conditions were induced with 100 ng/ml of LPS in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on the Ti surface treated with or without 14 ㎍/ml of RA. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS-stimulated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on the Ti surface was confirmed using an NO assay kit and PGE2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to confirm the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in total RNA and protein. Results: RA showed weak antimicrobial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli, but no antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and the fungus Candida albicans. RA reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, NO and PGE2, and proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, in LPS-stimulated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on the Ti surface at the protein and mRNA levels. Conclusion: RA not only has anti-oral microbial activity, but also anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts on the Ti surface, therefore, it can be used as a safe functional substance derived from plants for the prevention and control of PI for successful Ti-based implants.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.89-108
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to reveal the specific current and future shapes of the collaborative network among organizations witch cope the COVID-19 in Korea. For this, this study conducted social network analysis, based on the response data of 73 experts from 36 COVID-19-related organizations. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) plays a pivotal role as a control tower in coping COVID-19 in all of the analysis of degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality. In addition, the results revealed concrete forms of collaborative relationships among participating organizations in the public and private sectors that constitute the present and future networks centered on the KDCA. Furthermore, this study presented which organizations and relationships should be the focus of establishing a future collaborative network through comparative analysis between the current cooperative network and the network to be built in the future. The analysis results and discussions of this study are expected to be used as useful information for policy development related to collaborative networks that can effectively respond to disasters caused by new diseases in the future.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2022

Mountain meteorology in South Korea that is covered mountains with complex terrain is important for understanding and managing the forest disaster and forest ecosystems. In particular, recent changes in dryness and/or rainfall intensity due to climate change may cause an increase in the possibility of forest disasters. Therefore, accurate monitoring of mountain meteorology is needed for efficient forest management. Korea Forest Service (KFS) is establishing the Automatic Mountain Meteorology Observation Stations (AMOS) in the mountain regions since 2012. 464 AMOSs are observing various meteorological variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, soil temperature, and air pressure for every minute, which is conducted the quality control (QC) to retain data reliability. QC process includes the physical limit test, step test, internal consistency test, persistence test, climate range test, and median filter test. All of AMOS observations are open to use, which can be found from the Korean Mountain Meteorology Information System (KoMIS, http://mtweather.nifos.go.kr/) of the National Institute of Forest Science and the Public Data Portal (https://public.go.kr/). AMOS observations with guaranteed quality can be used in various forest fields including the public safety, forest recreation, forest leisure activities, etc., and can contribute to the advancement of forest science and technology. In this paper, a series of processes are introduced to collect and use the AMOS dataset in the mountain region in South Korea.