• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.705-710
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• 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although several diagnostic and therapeutic tools have been available, CRC remains difficult to complete cure because of insufficient understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that strongly regulate gene expression via transcriptional and translational control mechanisms. Many crucial cellular pathways are frequently disrupted in cancer development process due to dysregulation of several miRNAs. Mir-31 functions as an oncogene that modulate expression of multiple cancer related genes. Thus, we aimed to demonstrate clinical relevance of miR-31 in human CRC. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of miR-31 expression was performed in 175 CRC tissues and 16 normal colonic mucosa (NM). Next, we investigated clinical significances of miR-31 expression in various clinicopathologic features in CRC patients cohort. Mir-31 was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues compared to NM. In CRC tissues, miR-31 expression level was significantly elevated in a stage-dependent manner, which was associated with poor survival in patients with CRC. High miR-31 levels in CRC tissues significantly correlated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR]=2.4) as well as distant metastasis (odds ratio [OR]=2.3). In conclusion, we identified clinical significance of miR-31 expression in CRC. High miR-31 expression may be clinically able to use as a biomarker for CRC prognosis and predicting metastasis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.34-38
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• 2009

Nitrous oxide, which is used as an anesthetic gas, has been shown to be a chronic health hazard. It is necessary to monitor and control the nitrous oxide exposure of the operating theaters staff. In this study, N2O exposure level of the operating nurses is assessed with a GC-ECD. The nitrous oxide gas is collected on a molecular sieve 5A contained in a glass tube and desorbed for 12 hours at $100^{\circ}C$ in heating block. As a result of the test using GC-ECD, calibration curve's $R^2$ of $N_2O$ is 0.9992, LOD is $0.96{\mu}g$/injection, LOQ is $3.21{\mu}g$/injection, desorption efficiency is 94.78 4.50% in average and break through is within 10% compared with the concentration. The average concentration before operation is 5.12ppm and it is 42.3ppm during operation. There are a significant difference showing that the P value is lower than 0.05. Assessing exposure level to nitrous oxide based on nurses' working positions, the exposure levels do not show significant difference( P>0.005). And $N_2O$ in active sampling method is higher than passive sampling method(P<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.344-348
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• 2019

This study assessed the microbiological hazards of gloves worn during the shell shucking process of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, and we suggest an in situ method for minimizing microbial contamination. The study consisted of two groups, one in which the working gloves were periodically replaced (PRG) with new gloves, and another in which the gloves were not replaced (NRG). In the PRG group, gloves were replaced every 2 h during 8 h of processing. Food pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and Listeria monocytogenes were not found in any samples, including gloves and shucked oysters. However, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) was detected in some samples, and the contamination levels were correlated with the working time and the regular replacement of gloves. SA was not detected on gloves or oysters of the PRG group. However, it was detected in the range of <$15CFU/15cm^2$ to $2.9{\times}10^2CFU/15cm^2$ on gloves after 6 h of continuous work, and from <$15CFU/15cm^2$ to $2.23{\times}10^2CFU/15cm^2$ on oysters after 8 h. These results indicate that the SA contamination in shucked oysters originated from the working gloves, and that replacement of working gloves every 2-4 h will minimize SA contamination in oyster products.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2021

While veterinary antibiotics are used only in a part of the dose administered, the rest are excreted as urine or feces. Residual antibiotics enter the adjacent agricultural environments by spraying manure-based composts on farmlands and lead to secondary pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the technique for post management such as regulatory levels of antibiotics in the agricultural environments. This study was conducted to compare by different matrices the amount of residual antibiotics such as tetracyclines and sulfonamides, which are known to be frequently used in Korea and to practice risk assessment by different antibiotics in soils before and after application of composts. Pre-treatment with modified typical method using buffer and solid phase extraction showed the recovery of composts and soils was more than 70% at ppb level and the limits of detection were 0.13-0.46 and 0.05-0.25 ㎍/kg, respectively. Analysis of manure-based composts revealed concentrations from 5.38 to 196.0 ㎍/kg for tetracyclines, from below the detection of limit (BDL) to 259.0 ㎍/kg for sulfonamides. In case of agricultural soils, residual concentrations of selected veterinary antibiotics were ranged 0.30-53.3 ㎍/kg, BDL-4.16 ㎍/kg respectively and the concentration level of tetracyclines, which had higher soil distribution coefficient (Kd) values, was higher than that of sulfonamides. There was a difference in human risk assessment by different antibiotics in soil before and after application of composts. But, it was indicated that detection values of all of 5 antibiotics were very safe on the basis that Hazard Quotient was safe below 1.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can manifest in a range of symptoms, including both asymptomatic systems which appear nearly non-existent to the patient, all the way to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Specifically, COVID-19-associated pneumonia develops into ARDS due to the rapid progression of hypoxia, and although arterial blood gas analysis can assist in halting this deterioration, the current environment provided by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an overall lack of medical resources or equipment, has made it difficult to administer such tests in a widespread manner. As a result, this study was conducted in order to determine whether the levels of oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and the fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO₂) (SF ratio) can also serve as predictors of ARDS and the patient's risk of mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from February 2020 to Mary 2020, with the study's subjects consisting of COVID-19 pneumonia patients who had reached a state of deterioration that required the use of oxygen therapy. Of the 100 COVID-19 pneumonia cases, we compared 59 pneumonia patients who required oxygen therapy, divided into ARDS and non-ARDS pneumonia patients who required oxygen, and then investigated the different factors which affected their mortality. Results: At the time of admission, the ratios of SpO₂, FiO₂, and SF for the ARDS group differed significantly from those of the non-ARDS pneumonia support group who required oxygen (p<0.001). With respect to the predicting of the occurrence of ARDS, the SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation had an area under the curve which measured to be around 85.7% and 88.8% (p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that the SF ratio at exacerbation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.916; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.846-0.991; p=0.029) and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) (HR, 1.277; 95% CI, 1.010-1.615; p=0.041) were significant predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The SF ratio on admission and the SF ratio at exacerbation were strong predictors of the occurrence of ARDS, and the SF ratio at exacerbation and NEWS held a significant effect on mortality.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2020

Exposure to hazardous substances occurs through multiple pathways. Aggregated risk assessment, which includes all potential exposure pathways to a single toxicant, is necessary to prevent exposure to harmful substances. We aimed to estimate cadmium and lead exposure through various media, such as food, water, air, smoking, cosmetics, and female hygiene products. This study covered 10,733 subjects from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2016, 2017). Dietary exposure was estimated using 24-hour recall data. For water and inhalational exposure, regional variations were considered. Water was classified as tap, bottled, and public water. Inhalational exposure was estimated using the '2014 Time Use Survey' based on daily lifestyle and social status. The frequency and volume of cosmetic usage were randomly approximated by sex and age. Post-menarcheal and premenopausal women were assumed to use feminine hygiene products. Non-carcinogenic aggregated risks were estimated using the Aggregate Risk Index from EPAs and the Total Exposure Hazard Index from Korean government guidelines. For carcinogenic risk assessment, excessive cancer risk was estimated. Ingestion, especially food, was the major route for both cadmium and lead exposure. Smoking was also associated with high cadmium exposure. Exposure to lead from cosmetics was remarkable but not critical. In aggregate risk assessments, median cadmium and lead exposure did not exceed the reference value. Sex, age, smoking status, and income affected exposure levels, unlike to regional variations.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.199-209
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• 2022

In this study, we analyzed the preparedness of Korean citizens for earthquake hazards. For this purpose, we developed a questionnaire on the preparedness of citizens for earthquake hazards, consisting of three constructs (knowledge, awareness, and management). A total of 1,256 citizen responses were collected through probability proportionate-to-size sampling and then subjected to Rasch analysis, inferential statistical analysis, and cluster analysis. The findings are as follows. First, questionnaire analysis showed that overall, the earthquake preparedness of citizens was 'normal', with a lower management score than knowledge and awareness scores. Second, analysis of variables related to preparedness for earthquake hazards, gender, education level, actual distance, and safety awareness were found to influence preparedness for earthquake hazards. Third, correlation analysis revealed a high correlation between the three constructs of preparedness for earthquake hazards, namely knowledge, awareness, and management, indicating a structurally close relationship with each other. In addition, even if gender and education level differed, these structural correlations were similar. Through cluster analysis, the citizens were further divided into five groups; the group with moderate levels of the three constructs accounted for the majority of citizens. Considering these findings, we propose an educational orientation that fosters the preparedness of citizens for earthquake hazards.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine residual characteristics of soil-treated metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran in crown daisy and to evaluate the risks from intake of the residual pesticides in the crop. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pesticide granules were treated in soil on two levels, and the plants samples were collected 51 days after seeding. The analytes were extracted and partitioned using the QuEChERS extraction packet (MgSO₄ 4 g, NaCl 1 g). The quantitative methods for metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran were validated in linearity, accuracy, and precision. Risk assessments of the pesticides were performed using Korea national nutrition statistics 2019. CONCLUSION(S): The residual concentrations of metalaxyl-M in crown daisy were 0.09-0.10 mg/kg (for the treatment at 6 kg/10 a) and 0.17-0.19 mg/kg (12 kg/10 a), respectively. The residual concentrations of dinotefuran in the crop were 0.53-0.75 mg/kg (3 kg/10 a) and 1.17-1.26 mg/kg (6 kg/10 a). The amounts of pesticides were less than MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) according to the Korean MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). The HI (Hazard Index) of metalaxyl-M and dinotefuran for consumers was 0.0075% and 0.2250%, respectively. For females in the age between 50-64, the major consumer group, the HIs of the pesticides were <3%. Considering the consumption of crown daisy, they are not considered to be of toxicological concern.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2022

Background: The effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest is being established, and serum lactate is well known as a biomarker of end-organ perfusion. We evaluated the efficacy of pre-ECMO lactate for predicting 6-month survival in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing ECMO. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 148 patients who underwent veno-arterial (VA) ECMO for ACS between January 2015 and June 2020. These patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors based on 6-month survival. All clinical data before and during ECMO were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Patients' mean age was 66.0±10.5 years, and 116 (78.4%) were men. The total survival rate was 45.9% (n=68). Cox regression analysis showed that the pre-ECMO lactate level was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 1.210; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.064-1.376; p=0.004). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of pre-ECMO lactate was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.56-0.72; p=0.002; cut-off value=9.8 mmol/L). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate at 6 months was significantly higher among patients with a pre-ECMO lactate level of 9.8 mmol/L or less than among those with a level exceeding 9.8 mmol/L (57.3% vs. 31.8%, p=0.0008). Conclusion: A pre-ECMO lactate of 9.8 mmol/L or less may predict a favorable outcome at 6 months in ACS patients undergoing VA-ECMO. Further research aiming to improve the accuracy of predictions of reversibility in patients with high pre-ECMO lactate levels is essential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.780-790
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• 2022

Quantitative risk levels must be presented by analyzing the causes and consequences of accidents and predicting the occurrence patterns of the accidents. For the analysis of marine accidents related to vessel traffic, research on the traffic such as collision risk analysis and navigational path finding has been mainly conducted. The analysis of the occurrence pattern of marine accidents has been presented according to the traditional statistical analysis. This study intends to present a marine accident prediction model using the statistics on marine accidents related to vessel traffic. Statistical data from 1998 to 2021, which can be accumulated by month and hourly data among the Korean domestic marine accidents, were converted into structured time series data. The predictive model was built using a long short-term memory network, which is a representative artificial intelligence model. As a result of verifying the performance of the proposed model through the validation data, the RMSEs were noted to be 52.5471 and 126.5893 in the initial neural network model, and as a result of the updated model with observed datasets, the RMSEs were improved to 31.3680 and 36.3967, respectively. Based on the proposed model, the occurrence pattern of marine accidents could be predicted by learning the features of various marine accidents. In further research, a quantitative presentation of the risk of marine accidents and the development of region-based hazard maps are required.