• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.391-395
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• 2018

There is an increasing concern over arsenic (As) contamination of paddy soil and rice with regard to food safety. This study was conducted to investigate total and inorganic As concentration in one hundred husked and polished rice samples collected at the non-contaminated paddy soil in Korea. Arsenic species in rice samples were extracted using 1% nitric acid ($HNO_3$) with a microwave oven and were measured using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mean concentrations of total As in husked rice and polished rice were 0.18 and $0.11mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Also, average inorganic As concentrations in husked rice and polished rice were 0.11 and $0.07mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. These levels are lower than the standard guideline value 0.35 and $0.2mg\;kg^{-1}$ for inorganic As in husked and polished rice recommended by Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, respectively. The mean of the inorganic As ratio for the total amount of As was 0.65 and 0.67 for husked rice and polished rice, respectively, and the range was from 0.08 to 1.0. For health risk assessment, the average value of cancer risk probability was $9.24{\times}10^{-5}$ and ranged from $2.30{\times}10^{-5}$ to $1.90{\times}10^{-5}$. Therefore, human exposure to As through dietary intake of surveyed rice samples might considered to be a low health risk.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2021

Silkworms have traditionally been used to produce silk and textiles. However, steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP) contain large amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals. In this study, we investigated the potential of SMSP as a hangover-relieving agent. Thirty individuals who met the selection criteria and exclusion criteria were included in the study and subsequently underwent a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-design human application test. Importantly, the test product containing SMSP (CKDHC) was proven to alleviate hangovers through a significant reduction in the plasma concentration of acetaldehyde in the context of an alcohol-induced hangover model. In particular, from 0.5 h after SMSP intake, the blood acetaldehyde concentration (mg/L), area under the time curve (AUC; indicating the degree of bioabsorption of blood acetaldehyde), and the highest blood acetaldehyde concentration (Cmax) were reduced. Altogether, these results suggest that the test product (CKDHC) exhibits an accelerated hangover-relieving effect.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.39-47
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• 2020

In this paper, we proposed a deep learning-based detection method using Saliency Attention to detect salient objects in images. The salient object detection separates the object where the human eye is focused from the background, and determines the highly relevant part of the image. It is usefully used in various fields such as object tracking, detection, and recognition. Existing deep learning-based methods are mostly Autoencoder structures, and many feature losses occur in encoders that compress and extract features and decoders that decompress and extend the extracted features. These losses cause the salient object area to be lost or detect the background as an object. In the proposed method, Saliency Attention is proposed to reduce the feature loss and suppress the background region in the Autoencoder structure. The influence of the feature values was determined using the ELU activation function, and Attention was performed on the feature values in the normalized negative and positive regions, respectively. Through this Attention method, the background area was suppressed and the projected object area was emphasized. Experimental results showed improved detection results compared to existing deep learning methods.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2022

The purpose of our study was to investigate the migration level of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and barium (Ba) from glassware into a food simulant and to evaluate the exposure of each element. The test articles were glassware, including tableware, pots, and other containers. Pb, Cd, and Ba were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analytical performance of the method was validated in terms of its linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery, precision, and uncertainty. The monitoring was performed for 110 samples such as glass cups, containers, pots, and bottles. a food simulant. Migration test was conducted at 25? for 24 hours in a dark place using 4% acetic acid as a food simulant. Based on the data; exposure assessment was carried out to compare the estimated daily intake (EDI) to the human safety criteria. The risk levels of Pb and Ba determined in this study were approximately 1.9% and 0.3% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and tolerable daily intake (TDI) value, respectively, thereby indicating a low exposure to the population.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.228-240
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cocoa consumption is associated with health benefits due to its high content of polyphenols. However, the effects of short-term cocoa consumption remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects generated by cocoa consumption (for 7 days) in young adults in normoweight and class II obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Before-and-after study was carried out in normoweight (NW) (n = 15) and class II obesity (CIIO) (n = 15) young adults. The NW and CIIO participants consumed 25 and 39 g of cocoa, respectively, per day for 7 days. The effect of cocoa consumption was evaluated on the lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR), and inflammation. Oxidative damage was also examined by assessing the biomarkers of oxidative damage in plasma. In addition, recombinant human insulin was incubated with blood obtained from the participants, and the molecular damage to the hormone was analyzed. RESULTS: Cocoa consumption resulted in decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in both groups (P = 0.04), while the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were maintained at the recommended levels. Initially, IR was detected in the CIIO group (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] = 4.78 ± 0.4), which is associated with molecular damage to insulin. Interestingly, intervention with cocoa resulted in improved IR (HOMA = 3.14 ± 0.31) (P = 0.0018) as well as molecular damage to insulin. Finally, cocoa consumption significant decreased the arginase activity (P = 0.0249) in the CIIO group; this is a critical enzymatic activity in the inflammatory process associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term consumption of cocoa improves the lipid profile, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and protects against oxidative damage. Results of this study indicate that cocoa consumption can potentially improve IR and restore a healthy redox status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2023

Objectives: Based on the results from the Korean Total Diet Study (KTDS), the sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake of Koreans were estimated and compared with intake estimates from the Food & Nutrient Database (FNDB), as in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to verify the validity of these estimates. Methods: One hundred and thirty-four representative foods (RFs) covering 92.5% of the total food intake of Koreans were selected, and 228 pairs of corresponding 'RF x representative cooking method' were derived by reflecting the methods used mainly in terms of frequency and quantity in their cooking. RF samples were collected from three cities with a larger population size in three regions (nine cities) nationwide, and six composite samples were made for each RF, considering its regional and/or seasonal characteristics. One thousand three hundred and sixty-eight 'RF x representative cooking method' pair samples were prepared, and the Na and K contents were assessed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Na and K intake of the Korean population was estimated by linking the content with the food intake data from the 7th KNHANES. Results: The mean Na and K intake of Koreans were 2,807.4 mg and 2,335.0 mg per person per day, respectively. A comparison with the Na and K intake from KNHANES, including only RFs of KTDS, showed comparable results with less than 5% variation. While the contribution and ranking of food items to Na intake were similar between KNHANES and KTDS, there were differences in K intake. This was attributed to the large discrepancies in the K content of rice and coffee between KTDS results and the values in the 9th Revision of the National Food Composition Table used in KNHANES. Conclusions: The Na and K intake of Koreans estimated based on the KTDS, which performed nutrient analysis on samples prepared to a 'table-ready' state using foods of the representative collection, was similar and comparable with that of KNHANES. This supports the validity and usefulness of FNDB-based nutrient intake estimation at the population level. The list of nutrients studied in KTDS is expected to be expanded, allowing for intake estimation of nutrients with currently insufficient or absent information in the FNDBs in use.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.149-164
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• 2024

This study compared the solubility, water absorption, dimensional stability, release of various ions (hydroxyl, calcium, sulfur, strontium, and silicon), and cytotoxicity of light-cured resin-modified pulp-capping materials. Resin-modified calcium hydroxide (Ultra-blend^TM plus, UBP), light-cured resin-modified calcium silicate (TheraCal LC^TM, TLC), and dual-cure resin-modified calcium silicate (TheraCal PT^TM, TPT) were used. Each material was polymerized; solubility, 24-hour water absorption, and 30- day dimensional stability experiments were conducted to test its physical properties. Solubility was assessed according to the ISO 6876 standard, and 24 hours of water absorption, 30 days of dimensional stability were assessed by referring to the previous protocol respectively. Eluates at 3 and 24 hours and on 7, 14, and 28 days were analyzed according to the ISO 10993-12 standard. And the pH, Ion-releasing ability, cell proliferation rate, and cell viability were assessed using the eluates to evaluate biochemical characteristics. pH was measured with a pH meter and Ion-releasing ability was assessed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Cell proliferation rate and cell viability were assessed using human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). The former was assessed by an absorbance assay using the CCK-8 solution, and the latter was assessed by Live and Dead staining. TPT exhibited lower solubility and water absorption than TLC. UBP and TPT demonstrated higher stability than TLC. The release of sulfur, strontium, calcium, and hydroxyl ions was higher for TLC and TPT than for UBP. The 28-day release of hydroxyl and silicon ions was similar for TLC and TPT. TLC alone exhibited a lower cell proliferation rate compared to the control group at a dilution ratio of 1 : 2 in cell proliferation and dead cells from Live and Dead assay evaluation. Thus, when using light-cure resin-modified pulp-capping materials, calcium silicate-based materials can be considered alternatives to calcium hydroxide-based materials. Moreover, when comparing physical and biochemical properties, TPT could be prioritized over TLC as the first choice.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise and diet control program on blood pattern in obese children. The subjects of this study were five obese boys aged from 8 to 12 participating in the control period(C) for 3 days, exercise period(E) for one week, and exercise+energy restriction period(EER) for another one week, consecutively. The intensity of the exercise was 60~70% of HRmax and the energy was restricted at 493kcal/day. Daily mean total energy intake was 2,152${\pm}$138kcal. 1,861${\pm}$138kca1, and 1,368${\pm}$87kcal for the period C, E and EER, respectively. Body weight of after the program was significantly decreased from 48.94$\pm$5.11kg to 45.94${\pm}$4.74kg(P<0.01). And skinfold thickness. %fat. lean body mass, body mass index were significantly decreased(p<0.01). Blood sugar concentration was not significantly affected by weight loss, but alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased. Concentrations of total lipid, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid were not significantly decreased. But concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, %HDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid were significantly increased and concentration of VLDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index were significantly decreased. The results of this study showed that the obese children had a tendency to decrease coronary heart disease risk in the respect of plasma HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol concentration by the exercise plus energy restriction program. Thus if we apply the lower intensity or duration of exercise for them this program might be more effective on the obese children.