• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권4_spc호
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• pp.775-785
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• 2024

Pork production is a significant agricultural enterprise in the United States and Canada. The United States is the third-largest global producer of pork and Canada ranks seventh in pork production. The North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, have facilitated trade and integration between the two countries. The majority of production systems are modern and intensive, characterized by large vertically integrated farms using advanced technologies. Both nations benefit from their status as major producers of feed grains, with the United States leading in corn and soybeans, while Canada excels in canola and barley production. The regulatory frameworks for food safety, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship differ slightly, with the FDA and USDA overseeing these aspects in the United States, and Health Canada and the Canada Food Inspection Agency in Canada. The United States and Canada also have well-established distribution networks for pork products, relying on both domestic and international markets. Export markets play a crucial role, with the United States being a major importer of Canadian pigs, and both countries exploring opportunities in Asia. Despite a rise in global demand, domestic pork consumption trends differ, with per capita consumption remaining stable in the USA and declining in Canada. Changing consumer preferences, including a demand for ethically raised and locally sourced pork, may influence production practices. Future trends in pig production include a focus on consumer concerns, sustainability, disease prevention, reduction of antimicrobial use, and advancements in technology. The industry is adapting to challenges such as disease outbreaks and changing regulations, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. Labor and workforce considerations, along with advancements in technology and automation, are expected to shape the efficiency of pork production in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.119-131
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• 2024

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objective : In this study, the anti-obesity effect of Fragaria orientalis (FO) on high-fat diet-induced obese mice was investigated. Drug treatment methods are widely used as obesity treatment methods, but research using various natural products is being conducted due to safety concerns. This study aims to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of FO extract, a natural product derived from Mongolia. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were used and divided into three groups, normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet with FO oral treatment group at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Extract was orally provided everyday for 6 weeks. Body Weight and food intake were measured every 2 days and blood lipid profiles and liver function in the sacrificed mice were evaluated. In addition, protein expression in hepatic tissue and histomorphological changes in liver and adipose tissue were observed. Results : Body weight, adipose tissue weight and FER were significantly lower in a high-fat diet with FO treatment than fed only high-fat diet. There was a significant difference between the high-fat diet and the FO-treated high-fat diet mice. As a result of analyzing lipid metabolism-related genes in hepatic tissue, all of p-AMPK, p-ACC, PPAR-α, CPT-1, and UCP-1 showed significant increases, and PPAR-γ also decreased significantly compared to the high-fat diet group. Conclusion : Overall, these results indicate that FO is effectual in improving obesity, suggesting that it can be used as a possible material for anti-obesity agents or functional supplements for weight control.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.311-321
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• 2024

This study comprehensively analyzed the perceptions of Chinese consumers who have and have not purchased Samsung smartphones, based on data from the social media platform Weibo. Various big data analysis techniques were used, including text mining, frequency analysis, centrality analysis, semantic network analysis, and CONCOR analysis. The results indicate that positive perceptions of Samsung smartphones include aspects such as design aesthetics, camera functionality, AI features, screen quality, specifications, and performance, and their status as a premium brand. On the other hand, negative perceptions include issues with pricing, a yellow tint in photos, slow charging speeds, and safety concerns. These findings will provide a crucial basis for making significant improvements in Samsung's market strategy in China.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권8호
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• pp.726-741
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• 2024

Recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease treatment have focused on the elimination of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque, a hallmark of the disease. Monoclonal antibodies such as lecanemab and donanemab can alter disease progression by binding to different forms of Aβ aggregates. However, these treatments raise concerns about adverse effects, particularly amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). Careful assessment of safety, especially regarding ARIA, is crucial. ARIA results from treatment-related disruption of vascular integrity and increased vascular permeability, leading to the leakage of proteinaceous fluid (ARIA-E) and heme products (ARIA-H). ARIA-E indicates treatment-induced edema or sulcal effusion, while ARIA-H indicates treatment-induced microhemorrhage or superficial siderosis. The minimum recommended magnetic resonance imaging sequences for ARIA assessment are T2-FLAIR, T2^* gradient echo (GRE), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). T2-FLAIR and T2^* GRE are necessary to detect ARIA-E and ARIA-H, respectively. DWI plays a role in differentiating ARIA-E from acute to subacute infarcts. Physicians, including radiologists, must be familiar with the imaging features of ARIA, the appropriate imaging protocol for the ARIA workup, and the reporting of findings in clinical practice. This review aims to describe the clinical and imaging features of ARIA and suggest points for the timely detection and monitoring of ARIA in clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.205-216
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• 2024

Although Aster yomena has recently attracted attention for its potential anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting effects, there are concerns about residual pesticides because they are consumed in salad-like forms. This study investigated residual characteristics and human dietary risks of the imidazole fungicide prochloraz applied to the herbal medicine Aster yomena with different spray frequency and timing. Residual analysis of prochloraz and its three main metabolites (BTS44595, BTS44596, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol) in Aster yomena samples was performed using the QuEChERS method and LC-MS/MS. Mean recovery rates of the fungicide and its metabolites were satisfactory in the range of 80.1 ± 1.2% to 108.2 ± 3.8%. The residual concentration of the fungicide calculated as the sum of prochloraz and its metabolites was the highest (4.14 mg·kg^-1) in the Aster yomena sample applied three times at weekly intervals with the fungicide until immediately before harvest. The fungicide residue concentration in the Aster yomena was below the method-limit of quantification (MLOQ) when it was applied twice at the interval of 9 day until 21 days before harvest. The theoretical maximum daily intake of prochloraz, calculated based on the daily intake of Aster yomena, mean adult body weight, and the highest residue level analyzed in the this study, was safe at < 80% of the acceptable daily intake of the fungicide (0.01 mg^-1·kg·bw^-1·day). In conclusion, the triple application method with prochloraz at weekly intervals until the harvest day is recommended to produce safe Aster yomena from the fungicide residues and risks to humans.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• 제43권3호
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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 the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2007

Slope failure triggered by rainfall produces severe effects on the serviceability and stability of railway, Therefore, slope stability problem is one of the major concerns on the operation of railway. In this study, the rainfall conditions triggering slopes failure adjacent to railroads are investigated and the numerical analysis approach in consideration of infiltration and limit equilibrium method based upon multiple slip surfaces are proposed. The rainfall conditions triggering slope failure are as follow: cumulative rainfall is in the range of 150~500 mm, and duration is from 3 to 24 hours. Base upon the rainfall conditions, infiltration analysis and limit equilibrium method for infinite slope condition are carried out. The depth of infinite slope is assumed as 2 m and the multiple slip surfaces modeled with 16.7 cm interval from the bottom slip surface located at the 2 m depth. The assumed bottom slip surface is the location at which factor of safety is converging. The proposed approach shows more reasonable results than the results from the general codes assuming water table at slope surface. In addition, three dimensional plot of cumulative rainfall, rainfall duration, and factor of safety shows that slope stability analysis in consideration of rainfalll must account for cumulative rainfall (rainfall duration).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.440-452
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• 1994

Nuclear fuel bundles are designed such that the heat flux at a-fuel pin surface should not exceed the critical heat flux (CHF) during normal operation and anticipated transient. Therefore, evaluation of the CHF for fuel bundle is demanded in an exact and reliable manner. One of the major concerns with the current application of CHF correlations is that the CHF based on circular tubes is applied to the fuel bundle subchannel analysis, mainly in terms of the hydraulic diameter with correction factors which may result in a source of possibly large uncertainties in CHF prediction. The hydraulic diameter does not recognize the local properties of fluid nor such effect as the surface curvature; the turbulence action on the convex surface is much more pronounced than that on the concave surface. Even for the tube having concave curvature, the effect of tube diameter on CHF becomes important with decreasing diameter. These facts imply that the convex curvature effect is significant and crucial to the reliable CHF prediction. This paper reviews and discusses analytical and experimental aspects of effect of transverse convex curvature in incompressible turbulent flow and heat transfer, and on CHF. Flow models to quantify this effect are briefly mentioned and future works are recommended.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.65-73
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• 1988

T-2 toxin is one of mycotoxins produced by fungi such as Fusarium spp. and possesses a potent cytotoxicity to eukaryotic cell. The contamination of mycotoxins in cereals and feedstuffs is one of the great concerns in health authorities. Therefore, the development of the specific, sensitive and simplified analysis method for T -2 toxin is required. During more than ten years, several chemical and biological analysis methods were proposed and applied for the detection and quantification of T-2 toxin. TLC, GLC-FID and GC-MS are widely employed, but these methods required numerous clean-up procedures before analysis, and the detection limit for T-2 toxin is more than 10 ppb. Biological analysis methods with dermal tissues and cultured cells are not specific to T-2 toxin, since T-2 toxin and other related derivatives possess a similar toxicological activity although their relative activity is different each otber. Based on tbe specific reaction between antibody and antigen, the authors tried to introduce the immunochemical methods for determination of T-2 toxin. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using monoclonal antibody for T-2 toxin was applied to analyse T-2 toxin. The detection limit of T-2 toxin by ELISA method was 0.1 ppb. The correlation between ELISA and GC-MS method on these samples was very high. ELISA method developed for the detection and quantification of T -2 toxin in this paper possesses simplicity, high sensitivity and specific for T-2 toxin. Furthermore, the ELISA method with T-2 toxin monoclonal antibody was an excellent tool for the screening of Fusarium spp. which was suspected to produce T-2 toxin.