• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.118-127
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• 1999

The aim of this study was to establish the method of differential diagnosis between developing and regressing corpus luteum in cows. Plasma progesterone (P$_4$) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in slaughtered, cycling and pregnant cows. Ultrasonography was used to measure the corpus luteum size and histogram values for determining the correlationships between corpus luteum area or histogram values and plasma P$_4$ concentrations. The corpora lutea were monitored in vitro (water-bath scanning) by using ultrasonography with 7.5 MHz linear-array transducer in 196 slaughtered cows. The correlation coefficient between corpus luteum area and plasma P$_4$ concentrations was 0.46 (p<0.01), and between histogram values and plasma P$_4$ concentrations was -0.44 (p<0.01), respectively. The corpora lutea were monitored by ultrasonography with 5.0 MHz linear-array transrectal transducer in 188 cycling and 30 pregnant cows. The corpus luteum areas and plasma P4 concentrations were significantly different between regressing and other corpora lutea (p<0.01), and also histogram values were significantly different between regressing and developing corpola lutea (p＜0.01). The correlation coefficients between corpus luteum areas and plasma P$_4$ concentrations were 0.76 (p<0.01), 0.71 (p<0.01), 0.65 (p＜0.05) and 0.68 (p<0.05), and between histogram values and plasma P$_4$ concentrations were 0.74 (p<0.05), 0.71 (p＜0.01), -0.52 (p<0.05) and 0.65 (p＜0.05) in developing, functional, regressing and pregnant corpora lutea, respectively. These results indicate that corpus luteum areas and plasma P$_4$ concentrations were highly correlated in all stages of corpus luteum. The histogram values and plasma P$_4$ concentrations were positive correlated in developing, functional and pregnant corpora lutea, but negative correlated in regressing corpus luteum. Therefore, the measurement of corpus luteum area and histogram value by ultrasonography is reliable method for the assessment of luteal function, specially developing and regressing corpus luteum.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.969-975
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• 2010

Estimating the organic matter loadings from individual treated sewage has become important for establishment of effective management strategies to control refractory organic matter (R-OM) in watersheds. For this study, regression equations were constructed using treated sewage data to convert the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations, which are mostly available from open database, into total organic carbon (TOC) and R-OM concentrations. Effluent samples were collected from five major sewage treatment plants (STPs) located upstream of the lake Paldang. Variations in the OM concentrations were not associated with either the location of the STP or the sampling season. The effluent investigated were characterized by higher ratio of R-OM with respect to biodegradable organic matter (B-OM) and higher presence of dissolved organic matters (DOM) versus particulate organic matter (POM). Compared to $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$ exhibited higher oxidation efficiencies and greater variations in the concentrations. The concentrations of $COD_{Mn}$ were positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), and R-OM concentrations. There was nearly no seasonal and annual variation in the regression equations between $COD_{Mn}$ and TOC or R-OM concentrations. The constructed regression equations for TOC and R-OM were $0.650({\pm}0.071){\times}COD_{Mn}+1.426({\pm}0.575)$ and $0.340({\pm}0.083){\times}COD_{Mn}+2.054({\pm}0.670)$, respectively. The established equations are expected to contribute to estimating OM loadings from the STPs into the lake Paldang and also to compensating for the deficiency of the data for effluent OM concentrations in STP.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate chromium in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood and urine of workers at chrome plating factories, and to determine the correlation between environmental and biological chromium levels. This study involved 29 workers as study group and 24 undergraduate students as control group. The geometric means(GM) of airborne hexavalent chromium and total chromium concentrations in the plating factories were 3.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 10.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. Hexavalent chromium levels in two of total 29 measurements exceeded the korean occupational exposure limit and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value(ACGIH-TLV) of 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. Only one sample for total chromium exceeded the Korea occupational exposure limits, the ACGIH-TLV, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limits(NIOSH-REL) of 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively, whereas the chromium concentrations in blood and urine of the controls were 1.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 3.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences of blood and urine concentrations between study group and control group (p<0.01). The chromium concentrations in urine were most highly related to hexavalent chromium, concentration in air(r=0.642, p<0.01). Also, there was a relatively high correlation between the hexavalent chromium concentrations in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood(r=0.557, p<0.05). These results indicate that whole-blood chromium with urinary chromium could be an indicator of chromium body burden caused by exposure to chromic acid mist in plating operation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2009

This study evaluated the bacterial concentrations and affecting factors at the laboratories of a university in Seoul, Korea. Thirty-three samples of total airborne bacteria (TAB) and eighteen samples of gram negative bacteria (GNB) were collected from both microbiology laboratories (7) and chemistry laboratories (6). GM (GSD) of TAB and GNB concentrations were 194 (2.52) $cfu/m^3$, 24 (4.1) $cfu/m^3$, respectively. TAB concentrations in the chemical laboratories (GM (GSD): 193 (2.0) $cfu/m^3$) were not significantly different from those in microbial laboratories (GM (GSD): 202 (2.7) $cfu/m^3$, (p>0.05)). GM (GSD) of TAB concentrationsat the top of sink, the center of laboratory, and the front of ventilation ventilation device within laboratories, 182 (3.2) $cfu/m^3$, 217 (2.2) $cfu/m^3$, 176 (2.4) $cfu/m^3$, respectively, were not significantly different (p=0.48). Related factors were measured such as temperature, relative humidity, floor of laboratory, number of persons and laboratory area. TAB concentrations were significantly related to temperature (r=0.36, p<0.05), and the floor of laboratory and temperature were also significantly related (r=0.49, p<0.001). However, other factors such as relative humidity, number of persons and laboratory area did not show any significant relationship with TAB concentrations (p>0.05). TAB concentrations were affected significantly by cleaning frequency (p<0.001) and floor of laboratory (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference (p<0.01) between TAB indoor concentrations and TAB outdoor concentrations. However, other factors such as general ventilation did not affect TAB concentrations (p>0.05) in this study.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the aluminum concentrations in blood, urine and drinking water, the factors which affect the concentrations and the role of silicon in patients who were taking antacid containing aluminum. Methods: We selected 122 peptic ulcer patients as cases and 144 healthy examinees as controls. Blood, urine, and drinking water were collected from the each study subject and we measured aluminum concentrations as well as silicon concentrations in the specimens. The factors including silicon affect on the aluminum concentrations were also analyzed, Results: 1. The mean duration of antacid administration was 12 months, and the mean daily and total amount of aluminum administration were 0.9 g and 304 g per each patient, respectively. 2. The blood and urine aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in the case. 3. The blood silicon concentration was significantly lower in the control group, and the urine silicon concentration was significantly higher in the case. 4. Urine aluminum concentration was significantly correlated with blood aluminum concentration (r=0.18), and urine silicon concentration was correlated with blood aluminum (r=0.19) and urine aluminum concentrations (r=0.13). 5. The longer the duration of antacid administration and the larger the total and daily amount of aluminum in the antacid were, the higher urine aluminum and silicon concentrations were, but not to a statistically significant degree. Conclusions: Blood and urine aluminum concentrations were higher in the ulcer patients. The authors suggest that follow-up studies of the patients who administered antacid with high aluminum content for long duration should be done.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2013

The present study was designed to examine the concentrations, emission rates, and source characteristics of a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 30 newly-constructed apartment buildings by measuring indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 2-year period. For comparison, seven villa-type houses were also surveyed for indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 3-month period. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected on Tenax-TA adsorbent and analyzed using a gas chromatograph (GC)/mass spectrometer system or a GC/flame ionization detector system coupled to a thermal desorption system. The long-term change in indoor VOC concentrations depended on the type of VOCs. Generally, aromatic (except for naphthalene), aliphatic, and terpene compounds exhibited a gradual deceasing trend over the 2-year follow-up period. However, the indoor concentrations of the six halogenated VOCs did not significantly vary with time changes. Similar to these halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations did not vary significantly with time changes over the 2-year period. Unlike the halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations were much higher than the outdoor concentrations. The indoor concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were higher for the villa-type houses when compared to those of apartment buildings. In addition, four source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, wood paneling and furniture, moth repellents) and three source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, and moth repellents) were considered as potential VOC sources inside apartment buildings for the first- and second-year post-occupancy stages, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in airborne TDI concentrations based on the filter collection method and liquid collection method and to compare airborne TDIs concentrations by sampling method change when using the filter collection method in the spray-painting process. Methods: For the sample measurement, the filter collection method(OSHA#42) and liquid collection method(NIOSH#5522) were used; for the sampling method, the full-period single sampling and full-period consecutive sampling methods were used. The samples were collected in spray-painting and drying process locations. Results: In all samples collected from the spray-painting and drying process locations through the filter collection and liquid collection methods, greater amounts of 2,6-TDI than 2,4-TDI were detected. When the TDI collection concentrations based on the sampling methods were compared, the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the consecutive sampling method were higher than the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the single sampling method for both the filter collection method and liquid collection method used in the spray-painting process. These differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: When TDI collection concentrations based on the sample measurement methods were compared, the concentration of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected through the liquid collection method were higher than the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the filter collection method, and the differences were statistically significant. In the drying process, no difference was shown in the collection concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI with the two measurement methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 1991

The exposure level of chromium and nickel for chrome and nickel plating workers were evaluated. Chromium and nickel concentrations in serum from 82 exposed workers and 66 controls, who were not exposed occupationally to metals, were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were as follows : 1. The recovery percent of chromium and nickel concentrations in personal air samples were 95-108.2%, 88.0-107.7%, precisions (C.V., %) were 2.7-3.1%, 2.1-4.4%. respectively. 2. The recovery percent of chromium and nickel concentrations in serum were 93.6-106.4%, 91.3-107.9% and precisions (C.V. %) were 1.1-7.6%, 2.4-5.4% respectively. 3. The exposure level of chromium and nickel concentrations in the place of preparation process were $2.0{\pm}2.00{\mu}g/m^3$, chromplating were $35.7{\pm}53.07{\mu}g/m^3$, $2.8{\pm}3.42{\mu}g/m^3$, nickelplating were $4.6.0{\pm}5.8{\mu}g/m^3$, $18.62{\pm}4.41{\mu}g/m^3$, and covering were $2.9{\pm}2.02{\mu}g/m^3$, $1.1{\pm}0.47{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for chromium and nickel in workplaces by groups statistically. 4. Chromium concentrations in serum of exposed group and control were $0.68{\pm}0.399{\mu}g/l$, $1.41{\pm}0.748{\mu}g/l$, respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for chromium and nickel in serum by groups statistically. 5. Chromium and nickel concentrations in serum of exposed group were not significant by workplaces.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.612-624
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• 2007

The real-time monitoring of radon ($^{222}Rn$) concentrations has been carried out to evaluate its ambient background concentration levels in Gosan site, Jeju Island between January 2001 and December 2004. In addition, the atmospheric TSP aerosols have been sampled, and their ionic and metallic components were analyzed to understand the characteristics of air pollution. The mean concentration of radon was $3,121{\pm}1,627\;mBq/m^3$, and the seasonal mean concentrations for spring, summer, fall and winter seasons were 2,898, 2,398, 3,571 and $3,646\;mBq/m^3$, respectively, The hourly concentrations have shown the highest value at 7 a.m. and the lowest value at 2 p.m. From the backward trajectory analyses, the radon concentrations have increased, when the air parcels were moved from the Chinese continent to Jeju area. On the other hand, they have decreased, when the air parcels from the North Pacific Ocean. In the analytical results of ionic species and metal elements of TSP aerosols, the concentrations of $nss-{SO_4}^{2-}$ and S were higher in June and March. Meanwhile, the concentrations of other anthropogenic species as well as soil components were mostly higher in March and April. On the basis of factor analysis, the TSP aerosols at Gosan area were largely influenced by soil sources, followed by anthropogenic sources and marine sources. From the result of backward trajectory analyses, the concentrations of $nss-{SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-$, Al and Ca were mostly higher, when the air parcels moved from Chinese continent to Jeju area. On the other hand, their concentrations were lower, when the air parcels drifted from the North Pacific Ocean.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2005

Adequate vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intakes are known to be important for the growth and development in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations of vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in human milk and to investigate the relationship between vitamin B levels in human milk and dietary habits and other health-related behaviors. Milk samples were obtained from 38 healthy lactating women (aged 29.0 $\pm$ 3.2 years) who are participating in the cohort study on pregnant women. Vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in human milk were positively correlated with maternal vitamin $B_2$ intakes in lactating mothers. Vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations in human milk were not correlated with maternal B vitamin intakes. Vitamin $B_6$ concentrations in human milk were negatively correlated with the amount of postpartum weight loss. The vitamin B concentrations in human milk were not associated with maternal age, height, weight and parity. Mothers who were exposed to indirect smoking had lower vitamin $B_2$ concentrations, and those who reported to consume health foods had higher vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in their milk. In conclusion, lactating women need to consume more vitamin B intakes for the growth and development in infants. Further researches are needed to find other diet and health-related factors which influence on B vitamin concentrations in human milk.