• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.572-576
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• 2010

Biological products, such as live varicella vaccine, are composed of biological substances derived from biological organisms. It is very difficult to identify these biologics' characteristics by analysis of simple physical and chemical methods alone. So the reference material is essential in order to evaluate the quality of bilogics. The 1'st national standard for varicella live vaccine was manufactured, established in 2002 and 2003, and have been used for the manufacturer's quality control and national lot release since then. As the lack of its availability and the decrease of its stability, this study was initiated by National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NiFDS) in 2008 to manufacture and establish the 2nd national standard for varicella live vaccine. The candidate material was manufactured from one of domestic manufacterers and the joint research of the NiFDS and manufacturers of varicella live vaccine was conducted to estimate of the reliable virus content. In the collaborative study, 3 laboratories including NiFDS performed the virus content test more than 7 times and all assay results were statistically analyzed. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) was 1.24%, and the geometric mean titre (GMT) variation range of each laboratory was low. On the basis of the results of this study, the candidate material of 2nd national standard for varicella live vaccine was assigned a potency of 4.26 log10 pfu/0.5 mL, when reconstituted in 0.7 mL.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.445-456
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• 2005

The land surface parameters should be determined with sufficient accuracy, because these play an important role in climate change near the ground. As the surface reflectance presents strong anisotropy, off-nadir viewing results a strong dependency of observations on the Sun - target - sensor geometry. They contribute to the random noise which is produced by surface angular effects. The principal objective of the study is to provide a database of accurate surface reflectance eliminated the angular effects from MODIS 250m reflective channel data over Korea. The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor has provided visible and near infrared channel reflectance at 250m resolution on a daily basis. The successive analytic processing steps were firstly performed on a per-pixel basis to remove cloudy pixels. And for the geometric distortion, the correction process were performed by the nearest neighbor resampling using 2nd-order polynomial obtained from the geolocation information of MODIS Data set. In order to correct the surface anisotropy effects, this paper attempted the semiempirical kernel-driven Bi- directional Reflectance Distribution Function(BRDF) model. The algorithm yields an inversion of the kernel-driven model to the angular components, such as viewing zenith angle, solar zenith angle, viewing azimuth angle, solar azimuth angle from reflectance observed by satellite. First we consider sets of the model observations comprised with a 31-day period to perform the BRDF model. In the next step, Nadir view reflectance normalization is carried out through the modification of the angular components, separated by BRDF model for each spectral band and each pixel. Modeled reflectance values show a good agreement with measured reflectance values and their RMSE(Root Mean Square Error) was totally about 0.01(maximum=0.03). Finally, we provide a normalized surface reflectance database consisted of 36 images for 2001 over Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.3 s.62
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• pp.424-439
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• 1998

Urinary cadmium is used as a sensitive indicator for internal Cd dose, and increased excretion of $N-acetyl-\beta-D-glucosaminidase(NAG)$, $\beta_2-microglobulin(MG)$ and total protein are useful indices for renal dysfunction by chronic exposure to Cd. The target group was 184 inhabitant(82 men and 102 women) in an abandoned mine area known as exposure to low level Cd. The control group was took 160 individuals(64 men and 96 women) in Cd not-exposed area. Urinary Cd concentration was significantly higher in the target group than the control. The geometric mean of urinary Cd for male was $2.56{\mu}g/\ell,\;2.80{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $2.50{\mu}g/S.G.$ in the target group and $1.19{\mu}g/\ell,\;1.36{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $1.17{\mu}g/S.G.$ in the control. For female $2.69{\mu}g/\ell,\;3.94{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $2.63{\mu}g/S.G.$ in the target group and $1.27{\mu}g/\ell,\;1.97{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $1.25{\mu}g/S.G.$ in the control, respectively. In addition, urinary Cd of the target group had affected by the period of residence and dietary habit for the rice and the vegetables from the target area. These findings suggest the chronic exposure to Cd of the target population. Mean excretion of urinary NAG, $\beta_2-MG$ and total protein were not significant between two groups. In the target group, urinary NAG activity and total protein were significantly correlated with urinary Cd, but $\beta_2-MG$ was not related. Urinary excretion of NAG, $\beta_2-MG$ and total protein were significantly increased in $10\leqq$ than in <2 of urinary Cd level. In $2\sim10$ group of urinary Cd level, the excretion of NAG significantly increased while not showed for $\beta_2-MG$. In present study, urinary excretion of NAG was relatively sensitive than $\beta_2-MG$ in chronic exposure population to low level Cd.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.18-24
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• 2012

Purpose : Although lung ventilation SPECT (LV-SPECT) has a good sensitivity in detection of deep lung lesions, it is difficult to apply the LV-SPECT to patients having breathing problems due to limited examination time. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of LEAP collimator, which provides high detection sensitivity and tolerable resolution, for the LV-SPECT in terms of diagnostic accuracy and examination time. Materials and Methods : Four volunteers inhaled Technegas (370 MBq) and the lung ventilation planar scan (LVPS, 300 counts/view (cpv)) with LEHR collimator was performed using Siemens E.cam scanner as a reference test. LV-SPECT scans were performed with three collimators, LEHR, LEUHR, and LEAP, in low (7 kcpv) and high (70 kcpv) counting modes. The count ratios of left (LT) and right (RT) lung segments were calculated on the geometric mean view of anterior and posterior images for LVPS and on the summed coronal images of LV-SPECT, respectively. Comparing to LVPS, the usefulness of three different collimators for LV-SPECT was evaluated through statistical analysis (paired t-test), on count ratios of lung segments. Results : The average LT:RT ratio in LVPS was 47:53. For LV-SPECT, there were negligible difference of the LT:RT ratios (48:52 on average) among three different collimators in low and high counting modes. Comparing to standard LVPS with LEHR, all LV-SPECTs with different collimators resulted in similar diagnostic accuracy through paired t-test (p>0.05). The scan time in LVPS (6 views) was 17.3 min. For LV-SPECT (128 views) in low counting mode, it took 18.7 (LEUHR), 15.0 (LEHR), and 12.3 min (LEAP), respectively. Conclusion : Comparing to standard LVPS, the LV-SPECT with LEAP in low counting mode provided the comparable diagnostic accuracy in addition to shortened scan time.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.556-564
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• 2007

Purpose : We hypothesized that the persisting bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) of adolescents with asthma remission may be controlled mainly by genetic factors, and the BHR of symptomatic asthma by airway inflammation. ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene is considered to be a candidate gene in the development of BHR. Thus, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism may be associated with the BHR of adolescents with asthma remission, but not with the BHR of symptomatic asthma. To evaluate this hypothesis, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism at 2 sites (Arg16-Gly, Gln27-Glu) were examined. Methods : Two hundred two adolescents with BHR ($PC_{20}<18\;mg/mL$) and long term remission (neither asthma-related symptoms nor medication during the previous 2 years) of their asthma (remission group), 182 adolescents with symptomatic asthma (symptomatic group), and 200 healthy adolescents (control group) were studied. Asthma phenotypes were determined using methacholine bronchial provocation test and skin prick test. Genotypes of ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism were evaluated by PCR-based methods. Results : Gly/Gly allele and Gly16-Gln27 haplotype were more prevalent in the remission group than in the control group (P=0.01, P=0.02), although there was no difference between the symptomatic group and the control group. In the remission group, there was significant difference in geometric mean of $PC_{20}$ among the 3 groups subdivided by the number of Gly16-Gln27 haplotype, showing that the Gly16-Gln27 haplotype was positively associated with BHR. However, no association was found between Gly16-Gln27 haplotype and BHR in the symptomatic group. Conclusion : This study demonstrates that ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism at amino acid 16 and 27 was associated with BHR persisting in adolescents with asthma remission.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 1998

South Korea has been producing asbestos over 60 years. The use of asbestos was over 50 years for production of asbestos slate and 27 years for asbestos friction materials including asbestos textile and brake-lining. Thus, it can be supposed that asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma could be found in the vulnerable workers exposed to asbestos in 1955-1975, given the average latency period of 10-30 years. Asbestos was produced primarily by Japanese during World War II In Korea. The production of chrysotile peaked to 4,815 tons in 1944. From 1978 to 1984, 10,000 tons of asbestos were produced annually. However, the production was interrupted by raising labor costs and extinction of mine reserves, and finally they had to depend on import for the need of asbestos. In 1945, there were 16 asbestos mines, in total, with the addition of new asbestos mines in South Korea. Imports of asbestos was increased from 74,000 tons to 95,000 tons during the period of 1976 - 1992. But the imports was reduced to 88,000 tons in 1995. Since, in addition to the import of asbestos itself, the imports of asbestos products were increased as well and the accumulation of asbestos reached to 30,000 tons during the period of 1964 to 1993. In 1965, there was only one asbestos company with 207 employees. But the size of asbestos industry has been expanded so much that 118 asbestos companies could be found in 1993 with 1,476 workers. However, there was no record on the survey of asbestos concentration to which workers were exposed in any companies in 1983. The record of the air-borne concentration of the asbestos in textile working places in 1984 showed 6.7 fibers/cc by geometric mean(GM), but it was reduced to 1.2 fibers/cc in 1993. GMs of asbestos in working places for construction materials and asbestos textiles were also decreased from 1.7 fibers/cc to 0.55 fibers/cc during the period of 1984 - 1996.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.361-372
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• 2010

Serological evaluation for the poultry is important for various reasons, such as designing and assessing the vaccination program and diagnosing diseases and for this reason, serologic tests for the layer flocks have been conducted on a regular basis. Moreover, the nationwide serological survey and analysis are essential to understand the epidemiological status of national poultry industry. In this sense, the study was conducted to evaluate the immune status of the layer flocks with the sera submitted to Avian Disease Laboratory, Chungbuk National University in 2009, and several important viral diseases were selected for evaluation including low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bronchitis (IB) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). For LPAI and ND, the age-related patterns of geometric mean titer (GMT) changes were similar but there were differences in the flock positive rate and the level of GMT due to the different vaccination policy. In the case of IB, the values of GMT showed that the field infection was more prevalent than expected. For aMPV, positive birds in a flock increased as the layers got older, which reflected the course of field infection because vaccination against aMPV was not allowed in 2009. From this study, the immune status for the main viral diseases in layers became more clarified but this information was limited because of only one year study. Therefore, serological survey needs to be conducted on a yearly basis and furthermore include broilers and breeders for a better understanding of the health status in the national poultry industry.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.403-413
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• 1998

Purpose: We investigated reproducibility of the quantification of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction, and grading of myocardial wall motion and systolic thickening when we used gated myocardial SPECT and Cedars quantification software. Materials and Methods: We performed gated myocardial SPECT in 33 consecutive patients twice in the same position after Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT We used 16 frames per cycle for the gating of sequential Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT. After reconstruction, we used Cedars quantitative gated SPECT and calculated ventricular volume and ejection fraction (EF). Wall motion was graded using 5 point score. Wall thickening was graded using 4 point score. Coefficient of variation for re-examination of volume and fraction were calculated. Kappa values (k-value) for assessing reproducibility of wall motion or wall thickening were calculated. Results: Enddiastolic volumes (EDV) ranged from 58 ml to 248 ml (122 ml +/- 42 ml), endsystolic volumes (ESV) from 20 ml to 174 ml (65 ml +/- 39 ml), and EF from 20% to 65% (51% +/- 14%). Geometric mean of standard deviations of 33 patients was 5.0 ml for EDV, 3.9 ml for ESV and 1.9% for EF. Their average differences were not different from zero (p>0.05). k-value for wall motion using 2 consecutive images was 0.76 (confidence interval: 0.71-0.81). k-value was 0.87 (confidence interval: 0.83-0.90) for assessment of wall thickening. Conclusion: We concluded that quantification of functional indices, assessment of wall motion and wall thickening using gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT was reproducible and we could use this method for the evaluation of short-acting drug effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.622-628
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the booster immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children. Methods : Thirty-nine children aged 12-23 months who visited Kangnam CHA Hospital between September 2006 and December 2006 were enrolled. The children were divided into primary and booster groups depending on their vaccination status for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The anti-pneumococcal antibody levels of each serotype included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) were determined by third-generation ELISA. Results : The geometric mean titer (GMT) of antibodies to each pneumococcal serotype in the booster group was higher than in the primary group (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}0.35{\mu}g/mL$ was 90.5-100% for all serotypes in both the primary and booster groups. The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}1.0g/mL$ in the booster group was 94.4-100%, which was higher than the primary group except for serotypes 6B and 14 (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}5.0{\mu}g/mL$ in the booster group was 50.0-94.4% which was higher than the primary group for all serotypes (P<0.05). Conclusion : The immunogenicity of a booster dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children was high and the immunogenicity of a primary series was also relatively high. To determine the feasibility of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the appropriate schedule for Korean children, further prospective investigation of the immunogenicity of the booster immunization is needed.