• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.397-404
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate microbial contamination in the school food service environment for the assessment of microbial food safety. Methods: We collected both swab samples from tables and desks and airborne bacterial samples from an elementary school (School A) and a high school (School B). Heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were measured with selective media to quantify microbial concentration. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA genes was performed to identify the strains of S. aureus and B. cereus isolated. In addition, we made a food service checklist for the locations to evaluate the food service environment. A Wilcoxon test was employed to examine the differences in microbial concentration between before lunchtime and afterwards. Results: Heterotrophic plate counts showed higher levels after-lunch compared to before-lunch at School B. However, levels of S. aureus were higher in the after-lunch period (p<0.05) in both classrooms and in the cafeteria in School A. B. cereus was only sparsely detected in School B. Several samples from food dining carts were found to be contaminated with bacteria, and facilities associated with food delivery were found to be vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Although microbial concentrations in the air showed little difference between before- and after-lunchtime in the cafeteria in School A, those in classrooms were greater after-lunchtime at both schools. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the microbial safety in schools after lunchtime of concern. Necessary preventive measures such as hygiene education for students and food handlers should be required to minimize microbial contamination during food service processes in schools.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2003

A wilt disease of commercial cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) which grown in greenhouse was found in Gyeo-nggi province of Korea during the period from August, 2001 to July, 2002. The disease incidence was up to 42.7% in Kimpo, Gyeonggi province. The disease was more severe in ebb and flow irrigation system than con-ventional overhead flooding\'s. The wilted cyclamen plants showed the chlorosis of leaves and followed by the death. The vascular tissues of the infected basal stem and bulb were discolored with black streaks. The casual fungus was identified to be Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis on the basis of mycological characteristics. Effect of infected soil showed 100% infection rate when the cyclamen plants were grown in potting with infested soil. Examine resistant cultivar showed ‘Matis red’, ‘Schubert’, ‘Victoria’ and ‘Chopin’ were the resistant cultivars but most of cultivars were susceptible to Fusarium wilt. The control effect of chemicals for cyclamen wilt was not much efficient to curative effects even though. Benomyl WP and Fludioxonil SC on the Fusarium wilt had only preventive effects by soil drenching in the pot before inoculation of F. oxysporum. This is the first report on the fusarium wilt of cyclamen caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis in Korea.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.566-573
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• 2012

Purpose : This study evaluated the impact of the presence and aspect of mandibular third molars to the mandible angle fracture or condyle fractures in Korean. Materials and Methods : A retrospective study was designed for patients attending the division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kang-dong sacred heart hospital for treatment of mandibular fracture from January 2006 to September 2010. The primary variable was the presence of mandibular third molar and the secondary variable was the aspects of third molar impaction. Mandibular third molars were classified by the impaction depth and the available space as Pell & Gregory system. Outcome variables were the presence of mandibular angle fracture or condyle fracture. Also the source of trauma, age, sex were studied. Hospital charts, radiographs were used for study. Statistic analysis was done with descriptive statistics, the X2-test, linear-by-linear association. P value under 0.05 was considered significant statistically. Results : The number of involved patients was 86. The ratio of male to female patients was about 9:1 for angle fracture and 7:3 for condyle fracture. The most common source of trauma was assault for angle fracture and fall down for condyle fracture. The presence of mandibular third molar increased frequency of angle fracture and decreased condyle fracture with larger impaction depth. But available space of mandibular third molar did not show high association with angle or condyle fractures. Conclusion: Preventive extraction of mandibular third molar is recommended for patients with high risk of angle fracture. Male patients at their third decade or martial artists, police officer could be the case. But it is not recommended for patients with low risk of angle fracture and high risk of condyle fracture relatively. Elder female patients without any symptom on their third molar could be the case.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.88-98
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• 2012

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an essential role in the regulation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglyceride levels, which have been closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. Genetic studies in European have shown that LPL single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are strongly associated with lipid levels. However, studies about the influence of interactions between LPL SNPs and lifestyle factors have not been sufficiently performed. Here, we examine if LPL polymorphisms, as well as their interaction with lifestyle factors, influence lipid concentrations in a Korean population. A two-stage association study was performed using genotype data for SNPs on the LPL gene, including the 3' flanking region from 7,536 (stage 1) and 3,703 (stage 2) individuals. The association study showed that 15 SNPs and 4 haplotypes were strongly associated with HDLC (lowest $p=2.86{\times}10^{-22}$) and triglyceride levels (lowest $p=3.0{\times}10^{-15}$). Interactions between LPL polymorphisms and lifestyle factors (lowest $p=9.6{\times}10^{-4}$) were also observed on lipid concentrations. These findings suggest that there are interaction effects of LPL polymorphisms with lifestyle variables, including energy intake, fat intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as effects of LPL polymorphisms themselves, on lipid concentrations in a Korean population.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2014

The goal of this study was to describe dental consultation of pediatric inpatients to the department of pediatric dentistry at Yonsei University Severance Hospital. 391 dental consultations at Yonsei University Severance Hospital referred to pediatric dentistry in the year 2012 were included in this study. Consultations were categorized according to patients' gender, age, chief complaint, referred department and diagnosis. 288 patients (166 males and 122 females) with an average age of 5.9 were referred to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. 129 cases (33.1%) from Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 80 cases (20.5%) from Pediatric Hematology- Oncology, 51 cases (13.0%) from Pediatric Cardiology, and 44 cases (11.3%) from Pediatric Neurology. Chief complaints were ranked from oral examination (39.7%), dental caries (14.0%), pre-operative evaluation (12.8%) and others (33.5%); including oral pain, trauma, tooth mobility, orthodontic treatment, self-injury, fabrication of obturator and etc. Dental consultations should be encouraged as dental care and treatment could affect the control of systemic diseases of admitted patients. Pediatric inpatients have been referred to pediatric dentistry for not only comprehensive oral exam but also various chief complaints. The most frequent dental diagnosis made and treatment performed were dental caries and non-invasive/preventive care respectively.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.156-167
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• 1997

In Korea, based on the Revised Law of Occupational Safety and Health a new entity of institution was set up in 1990 to provide occupational health services to SSE in which three sorts of personnel as a team have to be involved. These institutions, in charge of scores to hundreds of workplace area-wide, have been providing occupational health services without payment from employers or employees, and government reimburses through the Occupational Injury Prevention Insurance since 1993. As a service provider, a team is composed of doctors, nurses and industrial hygienists. Undergraduate and postgraduate educations for the SSE occupational health are not specified and the question on the performance of the personnel has been raised. This study was designed to analyze the facilitating factors of and barriers to the performance and its improvement of these personnel. In 1997, the survey was conducted with all 58 institutions. Structured questionnaires were mailed to 200 personnel who were providing the occupational health service for SSE. The response rate was 51.7% for doctors, 58.6% for nurses, and 60.3% for industrial hygienist, respectively. Results are as follows : 1) There is a guideline for occupational service mandated by the government. Under the guideline, the minimum frequency of visiting workplace is assured with six times of doctors, 17 times for nurse and industrial hygienist in a year. There are one doctor for every 200 factories, one nurse and one hygienist for every 100 factories. 2) All respondents have basic qualification for occupational health service. About 16.7%. of doctors are certified in industrial medicine or preventive medicine, and 64.7% of industrial hygienists had first grade certification. Totally 66.7% of personnel have been involved in occupational health for more than one year. 3) As a support system for the performance improvement, 66.3% respond that they have been provided with educational materials, advice related to industrial environment and guidance of MSDS from Korea Industrial Safety Corporation. Most respondents indicate the lack of concern of employers and employees as a main barrier to the improvement of the service. Also they are in the need of the training opportunity more focused on SSE. The Governments policy for SSE is a principal facilitating factor. Training program focused on SSE situation, manpower, technical support, etc. are areas to be improved to have a better occupational health service for SSE in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.565-575
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• 2020

Objective: South Korea still lacks systematic national poisoning data collection or a poison control center (PC). The objectives of this study are to provide estimates of poisoning incidents in South Korea and to stress the necessity of a national poisoning surveillance framework managed by a national PC. Method: The number of poisoning incidents was estimated based on the 2018 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS). Our estimation of poisoning data was classified according to age group, reason for poison exposure, and case management site. Results: Total poisoning cases estimated numbered 326,636, which is tantamount to 631 cases per 100 thousand. Poisoning cases among those younger than five years old accounted for 71.7% in the United States. Fatal poisoning cases were estimated to be 210.63 (95% CI: 199.70-222.15). Non-intentional poisoning cases (250,378 cases, 95% CI: 249,992-250,764, 76.7%) were estimated to be far higher than intentional cases (62,399 cases, 95% CI: 62,207-62,593, 19.1%). Conclusion: Our results can be used to suggest the necessity of producing national poisoning data and establishing a PC despite the uncertainty of estimation.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 1998

Burns in children result in the loss of precious life, or if the child survives, in much suffering from physical, emotional, social, and economic problems. These burn accidents to children happen in the bustle of family life and frequently without any warning. With this background information, this study was designed to identity types of burns in children and mothers' attitudes towards, and knowledge of burn prevention, in order, to not only, in still a safety consciousness regarding the seriousness of burn accidents and the strengthening prevention, but also as basic data towards the development of an educational program aimed at prevention. From May 1 to May 25 in 1997, data were collected from the mothers of children attending five day care centers and kindergartens located in Seoul, which had been selected for the study. The tools used for the study, which were developed by the researchers, surveyed the type of burns suffered by children, mothers' knowledge of burns and attitudes toward burn accidents. The data were analyzed through real numbers percentages and analysis was done using SPSS computer programs. The results of the study show that the most frequent type of burn accidents were those caused by hot water(55.4%) and these were frequently related to everyday habits that easily lead to danger. Further, the first aid treatment following a burn was weak. The majority of the mothers had not instructed their children on who to contact in the case of a fire, first aid for burns, or how to take escape in the case of a fire. This left the children in a defenseless position in case of a fire. The mothers showed a lack knowledge, on what to do when a blaze is discovered, how to put out a fire, first aid for burns, escaping from a fire and appropriate water temperature, in that 50% of the time they answered incorrectly. From this study a prevention program, HIPP (Home Injury Prevention Program) could be developed that includes fire prevention habits and first aid for burns. This program can be used with kindergarten and elementary school children for group education on fire prevention and can be used as a foundation for construction of a system of facilities and equipment to prevent fires and also prevent injury from fires.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2009

Diabetic retinopathy is one of major complications of diabetes mellitus, which is associated with the dysfunction of retina. It has been reported that the onset of diabetic retinopathy is related to the activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II, is a key component of RAS. Among many growth factors, vascualr endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important cytokine in the neovasculization of retina, which is a characteristics of diabetic retinopathy. However, the relationship between ACE and VEGF was not elucidated in diabetic retinopathy. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the protective effect of captopril, an ACE inhibitor, in the retina of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated diabetic rats. In present study, STZ-treated diabetic rats exhibited the increase of VEGF levels in serum and retina. The serum levels of VEGF in STZ-treated diabetic rats was not blocked by the treatment of captopril. However, the retina levels of VEGF in STZ-treated diabetic rats was blocked by the treatment of captopril, suggesting the local action of captopril in retina. Immunohistochemical analysis also revealed that the retina of STZ-treated diabetic rats manifested the increase of ganglion cell layers, outer nuclear layers, and inner nuclear layers, which were also prevented by the treatment of captopril. In conclusion, captopril prevented the expression of VEGF in the retina of STZ-treated diabetic rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2018

Marine casualties of small fishing vessels (SFV) of less than 20 tons are frequent in Korea. The analysis was conducted to identify the cause and then prepared reduction plan using the marine casualty statistics of fishing vessels for the last five years from 2012 to 2016 by the Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal to reduce the marine casualties of SFV. According to the analysis of the type of whole vessels occurring marine casualty, fishing vessels accounted for an average 68.0 %; moreover, except for 2014 when M/V SEWOL ferry capsizing occurred, the rate of death and missing due to marine casualties occurred from 68.3 % to 91.2 % in fishing vessels, and an average 79.5 % was found to be urgent need of a measure. Marine casualties occurrence depending on the gross tonnage of fishing vessel was found that the most occurred at less than 5 tons, followed by the order of 5 to 10 tons or less. However, crews who boarded on SFV do not have any training program for them, except for the fishing safety training of fisher who carry out fishing for shipowners and crew of the coastal and offshore fishing vessel in accordance with the safety regulations for fishing vessels in the Fisheries Cooperative Association. Therefore, it is necessary to revise the training program so as to improve the preventive action and then emergency response including the fishing safety compliance with each fishery, safe navigation, machinery inspection and emergency response. Also, an SFV of less than 5 tons of 56,000 vessels is boarded by unqualified fishers. It would also be possible to consider subdividing small boat operator's certificate to enhance their qualifications. It is expected that marine casualties of SFV will be reduced if active efforts are made to improve the safety consciousness of fisher and shipowners as well as the reorganization of fishing safety training and the small boat operator's certificate system.