• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.133-143
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), evaluate the patients' clinical characteristics, and identify the etiologic agents for guidance in prevention and treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review study of infants classified as having CLABSI was conducted at the NICU of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. Results: Of the 45 infants, 53 had CLABSIs within a follow-up period of 18,622 catheter days. The incidence of CLABSIs was 2.85 per 1,000 catheter days. The most common catheter type was a peripherally inserted central catheter (n=47, 81%). A total of 57 pathogens were isolated, of which 57.9% (n=33) were Gram-positive bacteria, 36.8% (n=21) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 5.3% (n=3) were Candida spp. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (n=12, 21%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=12, 21%), followed by Klebsiella aerogenes (n=8, 14%). The median duration of bacteremia was 2 days, and 19 episodes showed bacteremia for 3 days or more. The mortality rate of infants within 14 days of CLABSI was 13.3% (n=6). Conclusions: This study analyzed the incidence of CLABSI and the distribution of pathogens in the NICU. Continuous monitoring of CLABSI based on active surveillance serves as guidance for empiric antibiotic use and also serves as a tool to assess the necessity for implementation of prevention strategies and their impact.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-46
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• 2022

This study was carried out to examine vascular plants and invasive alien plants in Gyodong Island, located at the northwestern Civilian Control Line (CCL) of Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, and to use them as basic data for systematic management of identified plants and establishing biodiversity conservation measures. The survey was conducted 13 times from April 2019 to August 2021. The vascularflora in Gyodong Island was identified as 109 families, 378 genera, 641 species, 15 subspecies, 49 variants, 8 forma, a total of 713 taxa. This was found to be about 15.36% of the total 4,641 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. The northern linage plants on the Korean Peninsula appearing in the Gyodong Island area were identified in 83 classification groups, including Red-based leaf edge (Carex erythrobasis H.Lev. & Vaniot). Korea endemic plants were identified as 16 taxa such as Seoul wild-ginger [Asarum heterotropoides var. seoulense (Nakai) Kitag.], and a total of 20 taxa of rare plants designated by IUCN were observed, including the endangered grade Beardless iris (Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl.). Floristic target species were classified with a total of 99 taxa. For V grade, Beardless iris 1 taxon was found. and also IV grade and III grade were identified in 8 taxa and 20 taxa respectively. The invasive alien plants identified as 75 taxa, such as Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney. The naturalization rate was 10.51%, and the urbanization index was calculated as 23.29%. Since large-scale construction has been currently underway on Hwagae Mt. in Gyodong Island as the target of survey area, the influx of invasive plants will be expected to promote. Therefore, it is urgent to establish in-situ protection and conservation measures for notable plants such as Beardless iris and Water smartweed [Persicaria amphibia (L.) S.F.Gray].

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.249-259
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• 2022

This study investigated pesticide residues in 7,069 agricultural products distributed in the city of Incheon from 2019 to 2021. Ingestion of pesticides can cause serious carcinogenic, endocrine, neurological, and reproductive problems. Pesticide residues in the samples were analyzed using various multi-residue methods (GC-MS/MS, GC-ECD/NPD, LC-MS/MS, and HPLC-UVD) on the Korean Food Code. The violation rate of the samples exceeding the maximum residue level (MRL) of pesticide residues for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 was 1.0%, 1.4%, and 1.1%, respectively. Diazinon, flubendiamide, procymidone, fluxametamide, and fluquinconazole were the most frequently reported violative pesticide residues. Most commonly encountered agricultural products exceeding MRLs were coriander leaves, chamnamul, chwinamul, welsh onion, and crown daisy. Agricultural products and pesticides frequently exceeding MRLs should be continuously inspected for food safety. Continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in agricultural products is indispensable to improve consumer safety by preventing the distribution of agricultural products exceeding MRLs.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

The river confluence is a section in which two rivers with different topographical and hyrodynamic characteristics are combined into one, and it is a section in which rapid flow, inflow of sediments, and hydrological topographic changes occur. In the confluence section, the flow of fluid occurs due to the difference in density due to the type of material or temperature difference, which is called a density flow. It is necessary to accurately measure and observe the confluence section including a certain section of the main stream and tributaries in order to understand the mixing behavior of the water body caused by the density difference. A comprehensive analysis of this water mixture can be obtained by obtaining flow field and flow rate information, but there is a limit to understanding the mixing of water bodies with different physical properties and water quality characteristics of rivers flowing with stratigraphic flow. Therefore, this study attempts to grasp the density flow through the water temperature distribution in the confluence section. Among the extensive data of the river, vertical data and water surface data were acquired, and through this, the stratification phenomenon of the confluence was to be confirmed. It was intended to analyze the mixed pattern of the confluence by analyzing the water mixing pattern according to the water temperature difference using the vertical data obtained by measuring the repair volume by installing the ADCP on the side of the boat and measuring the real-time concentration using YSI. This study can supplement the analysis results of the existing water quality measurement in two dimensions. Based on the comparative analysis, it will be used to investigate the current status of stratified sections in the water layer and identify the mixing characteristics of the downstream section of the river.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2023

Liposomes as drug delivery system have proved useful carrier for various disease, including cancer. In addition, perfluorocarbon cored microbubbles are utilized in conjunction with high-intensity focused-ultrasound (HIFU) to enable simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. However, microbubbles generally exhibit lower drug loading efficiency, so the need for the development of a novel liposome-based drug delivery material that can efficiently load and deliver drugs to targeted areas via HIFU. This study aims to develop a liposome-based drug delivery material by introducing a substance that can burst liposomes using ultrasound energy and confirm the ability to target tumors using PET imaging. Liposomes (Lipo-DOX, Lipo-DOX-Au, Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD) were synthesized with gold nanoparticles using an avidin-biotin bond, and doxorubicin was mounted inside by pH gradient method. The size distribution was measured by DLS, and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin was analyzed by UV-vis spectrometer. The target specificity and cytotoxicity of liposomes were assessed in vitro by glioblastoma U87mg cells to HIFU treatment and analyzed using CCK-8 assay, and fluorescence microscopy at 6-hour intervals for up to 24 hours. For the in vivo study, U87mg model mouse were injected intravenously with 1.48 MBq of ⁶⁴Cu-labeled Lipo-DOX-Au and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and PET images were taken at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours. As a result, the size of liposomes was 108.3 ± 5.0 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au and 94.1 ± 12.2 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and it was observed that doxorubicin was mounted inside the liposome up to 52%. After 6 hours of HIFU treatment, the viability of U87mg cells treated with Lipo-DOX-Au decreased by around 20% compared to Lipo-DOX, and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD had a higher uptake rate than Lipo-DOX. In vivo study using PET images, it was confirmed that ⁶⁴Cu-Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD was taken up into the tumor immediately after injection and maintained for up to 4 hours. In this study, drugs released from liposomes-gold nanoparticles via ultrasound and RGD targeting were confirmed by non-invasive imaging. In cell-level experiments, HIFU treatment of gold nanoparticle-coupled liposomes significantly decreased tumor survival, while RGD-liposomes exhibited high tumor targeting and rapid release in vivo imaging. It is expected that the combination of these models with ultrasound is served as an effective drug delivery material with therapeutic outcomes.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.118-130
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the spent composts of selenium-enriched mushrooms as a feed selenium Source. Total selenium (Se) contents and Se profiles in the spent mushroom composts (SMC) were determined. In addtion, we also investigated the metabolism in relation to Se accumulation in the mushroom. Mushrooms used in this study were Flammulina velutipes and Se enriched mushrooms were grown for 60 days by adding 2 mg of inorganic Se (Na₂SeO₃) per kg of mushroom composts (MC) on as-fed basis and it was compared with mushrooms not to add Se to the MC. Total Se contents for Se-treated mushrooms were significantly increased (P<0.0001) by 20-fold (4.51 ㎍/g of dry) compared to Se-untreated (0.23 ㎍/g of dry). On the contrary, organic Se proportion was significantly lower (P<0.0001) in the Se-treated mushroom (72.3%) than Se-untreated (100%, not analytically detected of inorganic Se). Se distribution upon a length in the Se-treated mushrooms was the highest in the bottom part (6.86 ㎍/g of dry) near to MC, and top and middle parts were significantly lower (3.71 and 3.01 ㎍/g of dry, respectively) than the bottom (P<0.001). In the SMC from Se-treated mushrooms, a high concentration of Se (5.04 ㎍/g of dry) was still remained, but that from Se-untreated mushrooms was significantly low (P<0.0001) as 0.08 ㎍/g of dry. Se-treated SMC showed a high rate of organic Se (65.67%), suggesting that most of inorganic Se in the SMC was converted to organic Se by mushroom mycelia, and Se-untreated SMC showed 100% of organic Se, not being detected of inorganic Se. Prior to mycelia inoculation in the mushroom culture, the sterilization of MC brought approximately 18% of Se loss in the MC. This result is in accordance with facts generally known that Se is weak in the high temperature and it is consequently volatilized under that condition. Apparent and net accumulation rates (%) for Se into mushrooms were 14.81 and 10.14%, respectively and their difference (4.67%) is considered that it is due to the volatilization into the air via metabolic process of mushroom itself. From the result of this study, inorganic Se addition to MC for mushroom improved the Se content in the mushroom and SMC from Se-enriched mushrooms contained a high concentration of Se. Mycelium and fruiting body from mushrooms converted inorganic Se in MC to organic Se, indicating a high proportion of organic Se in the mushroom and SMC. Therefore, Se in Se-enriched mushroom and SMC was recognized as Se sources of food for human as well as feed for livestock.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

The effect of five different constant temperatures (18, 21, 24, 27, and 30±1℃) and a photoperiod of 14 : 10 (L :D) h on the reproduction parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda was studied. The longevity of adult female S. frugiperda decreased with increasing temperature (22.4 days at 21℃ and 13.9 days at 30℃) but not at 18℃. The pre-oviposition period and oviposition period was the shortest at 30℃ compared to the other temperatures. The total fecundity egg count was 887.4, 1,246.4, 1,348.9, 1,154.9, and 1,034.2 at 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30℃, respectively, during its life span. The survival rate of female S. frugiperda decreased rapidly after 13 days at 18℃, after 14 days at 21℃, after 15 days at 27℃, and after 9 days at 24℃, and 30℃. On the third day after the start of oviposition, 50% of the total fecundity was accomplished. In corn fields at less than the 10-leaf stage, the distribution of S. frugiperda egg masses was observed in the middle and lower plant regions, corresponding to 46.8% and 41.4% of the total egg masses, respectively. Egg masses were mostly found on the underside of the leaf blade (abaxial) of corn(66.7%). After releasing S. frugiperda adults on May 12, May 17, May 25, and May 30, the number of eggs per egg mass was 89.9, 88.5, 126.6, and 127.9, respectively. Egg masses of the subsequent generations of S. frugiperda were observed from late June, and the number of eggs per egg mass was 155.8 in late June, 270.7 in early July, and 303.5 in mid-July.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.34
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• pp.51-60
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose is to evaluate dosimetric performance and delivery efficiency of VMAT with Halcyon LINAC for double target spine SBRT Materials and Methods: 12 patients with spine oligometastases were retrospectively studied. Single-isocenter spine SBRT plans was established using Halcyon® with Dual Layer MLC and Truebeam® with High Definition MLC. All patients' plans were created in Eclipse TPS through the identical conditions and optimization. C.I, H.I, G.I (Gradient Index), maximal and volumetric doses to spinal cord and low dose area were evaluated for comparison of both plans. Also, total MU and BOT(Beam On Time) were evaluated. Results: Halcyon plans was no Statistical differences in C.I and H.I. However, the average of G.I was 4.64 for Halcyon, which decreased to 5.5% compared to Truebeam (P<0.001). Halcyon plans demonstrated statistically significant reduced G.I. The average of 50% and 25% isodose volume was 487.56 cc (-3.82%, P<0.001), 1859.45 cc (-4.75%, P<0.001) in Halcyon, respectively. Significantly reduced low dose spill were observed in Halcyon plans. In the evaluation of the spinal cord, the average of Dmean and V10 of Halcyon plans in the sample group with an overlap volume of less than 1 cc was 6.802 Gy (-3.504%, P=0.067), 5.766±1.683 cc (-8.199%, P=0.002), respectively. Halcyon plans demonstrated statistically significant reduced D_mean and V10. For delivery efficiency, MU and BOT(maximum dose rate for each machine), on average, increased in Halcyon plans. However, the average of BOT(800MU/min for each machine) was 648.33 sec for Halcyon (-1.74%, P<0.001). Conclusion: Halcyon plan for double-target spine SBRT demonstrated advantages in the low dose area with a steep dose gradient, while having dosimetrically equivalent target dose distribution and spinal cord protective effect. As a result, Halcyon LINAC produced a dosimetrically improved plan for double-target spine SBRT.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2022

This study analyzed the relationship between the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates and habitat changes in open estuaries among the sites included in the national estuary monitoring program. The estuary survey was conducted under the "Guidelines for Investigation and Evaluation of Biometric Networks" and classified by sea area, 80 places in the East Sea, 102 places in the South Sea, and 19 places in the West Sea were investigated. In a total of 201 open estuaries, benthic macroinvertebrates were identified with 4 phyla, 9 classes, 41 orders, 139 families, 269 species and 196 species in the East Sea, 182 species in the South Sea, and 90 species in the West Sea. The highest population densities were Insecta in the East Sea, the Malacostraca in the South Sea, and the Annelida in the West Sea. Through SIMPER analysis, species contributing to the similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates communities in each sea area were identified. Some species greatly influenced the similarity of clusters. The benthic community in the East Sea was affected by the salinity, so the contribution rate of freshwater species was high. On the other hand, the benthic communities of the South and West Seas showed species compositions are influenced by the substrate composition. As results, the benthic macroinvertebrate community in Korean estuaries was impacted by salinity and substrate simultaneously, and the close relationship with geographical distance was not observed. The result of this study is expected to be used to respond to environmental changes by identifying and predicting changes in the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Korea estuaries.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2335-2347
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• 2023

As medical facilities are usually built at urban areas, special concrete aggregates and evaluation methods are needed to optimize the design of concrete walls by balancing density, thickness, material composition, cost, and other factors. Carbon treatment rooms require a high radiation shielding requirement, as the neutron yield from carbon therapy is much higher than the neutron yield of protons. In this case study, the maximum carbon energy is 430 MeV/u and the maximum current is 0.27 nA from a hybrid particle therapy system. Hospital or facility construction should consider this requirement to design a special heavy concrete. In this work, magnetite is adopted as the major aggregate. Density is determined mainly by the major aggregate content of magnetite, and a heavy concrete test block was constructed for structural tests. The compressive strength is 35.7 MPa. The density ranges from 3.65 g/cm³ to 4.14 g/cm³, and the iron mass content ranges from 53.78% to 60.38% from the 12 cored sample measurements. It was found that there is a linear relationship between density and iron content, and mixing impurities should be the major reason leading to the nonuniform element and density distribution. The effect of this nonuniformity on radiation shielding properties for a carbon treatment room is investigated by three groups of Monte Carlo simulations. Higher density dominates to reduce shielding thickness. However, a higher content of high-Z elements will weaken the shielding strength, especially at a lower dose rate threshold and vice versa. The weakened side effect of a high iron content on the shielding property is obvious at 2.5 µSv=h. Therefore, we should not blindly pursue high Z content in engineering. If the thickness is constrained to 2 m, then the density can be reduced to 3.3 g/cm³, which will save cost by reducing the magnetite composition with 50.44% iron content. If a higher density of 3.9 g/cm³ with 57.65% iron content is selected for construction, then the thickness of the wall can be reduced to 174.2 cm, which will save space for equipment installation.