• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 2017

Neodymium is a future-oriented material due to its unique properties, and its use is increasing in various industrial fields worldwide. However, the toxicity caused by repeated exposure to this metal has not been studied in detail thus far. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential inhalation toxicity of nano-sized neodymium oxide ($Nd_2O_3$) following a 28-day repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were exposed to nano-sized $Nd_2O_3-containing$ aerosols via a nose-only inhalation system at doses of $0mg/m^3$, $0.5mg/m^3$, $2.5mg/m^3$, and $10mg/m^3$ for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week over a 28-day period, followed by a 28-day recovery period. During the experimental period, clinical signs, body weight, hematologic parameters, serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathological findings were examined; neodymium distribution in the major organs and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and oxidative stress in lung tissues were analyzed. Most of the neodymium was found to be deposited in lung tissues, showing a dose-dependent relationship. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) were the main observations of lung histopathology. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the $2.5mg/m^3$ and higher dose treatment groups. PAP was observed in all treatment groups accompanied by an increase in lung weight, but was observed to a lesser extent in the $0.5mg/m^3$ treatment group. In BALF analysis, total cell counts, including macrophages and neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased significantly in all treatment groups. After a 4-week recovery period, these changes were generally reversed in the $0.5mg/m^3$ group, but were exacerbated in the $10mg/m^3$ group. The lowest-observed-adverse-effect concentration of nano-sized $Nd_2O_3$ was determined to be $0.5mg/m^3$, and the target organ was determined to be the lung, under the present experimental conditions in male rats.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.599-607
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• 2007

We analyzed the effects of regular Jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) exposure on the cold tolerance in young and elderly females. Subjects were young (n=7) and elderly (n=7) females who had never had Jjimjilbang exposure experience. The Jjimjil training group was exposured in the Jjimjilbang 19 times per week. Jjimjibang exposure was limited to three times per day. Jjimjil activity was taken freely. To prove the effects of the cold tolerance, subjects were exposed to cold air ($12{\pm}1^{\circ}C,\;60{\pm}10%$RH). In these conditions, subjects were exposed for 30 minutes at which time rectal temperature, skin temperatures, clothing microclimate, energy expenditure, blood pressure and subjective sensation were measured. To prove the effects of the local cold tolerance, vascular hunting reaction was observed measuring the finger skin temperature while the left middle finger tip was immersed in cold water of $0^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. The results are as follows. According to repeated Jjimjil exposure, rectal temperature changes, peripheral temperature and energy expenditure were increased gradually in the cold climate chamber. Blood pressure, subjective sensation and vascular hunting reactions did not show any significant difference. In conclusion, regular Jjimjilbang exposure has negative effects on the ability of the body to improve its regulation of temperature especially in cold tolerance.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.11-16
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• 2019

In this study, a reliable number of soil samples for TPH fractionation was investigated in order to perform risk assessment. TPH was fractionated into volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (VPH) with three subgroups and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) with four subgroups. At the study site, concentrations of each fraction were determined at 18 sampling points, and the 95% upper confidence limit (UCL) value was used as an exposure concentration of each fraction. And then, 5 sampling points were randomly selected out of the 18 points, and an exposure concentration was calculated. This process was repeated 30 times, and the results were compared statistically. Exposure concentrations of EPH obtained from 18 points were 99.9, 339.1, 27.3, and 85.9 mg/kg for aliphatic $C_9-C_{18}$, $C_{19}-C_{36}$, $C_{37}-C_{40}$, and aromatic $C_{11}-C_{22}$, respectively. The corresponding exposure concentrations obtained from 5 points were 139.8, 462.8, 35.1 and 119.4 mg/kg, which were significantly higher than those from 18 points results (p <0.05). Our results suggest that limited number of samples for TPH fractionation may bias estimation of exposure concentration of TPH fractions. Also, it is recommended that more than 30 samples need to be analyzed for TPH fractionation in performing risk assessment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2004

Purpose: Paraquat is the most commonly used herbicide in Korea. Exposure to paraquat through the skin has resulted in local irritation or inflammation of varying degree, sometimes severe. The purpose of this study was to review the patients with paraquat poisoning by skin absorption. Methods: We analysed retrospectively the clinical and laboratory findings of 45 patients with paraquat poisoning after dermal exposure, who were admitted to Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital from January 1999 to December 2003. Results: Among 870 cases of paraquat poisoning, 45 cases were exposed to paraquat through the skin. The peak incidence was the fifth decade($40\%$). The clinical symptoms were pain, pruritus, nausea, and vomiting. The major skin lesions were generalized vesicobullae and necrotic erosion in face, scrotum, trunk, upper and lower extremities and etc. All patients were survived after skin contact or inhalation of paraquat. Conclusion: This study illustrates the extreme toxicity of paraquat and demonstrates that lethal quantities of paraquat may be absorbed if repeated exposure to it. Stricter precautions, including the mandatory use of protective clothing, should be recommended whenever this material is used.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.3-8
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• 1997

The basic aim of the current policy is to achieve and preserve a sustainable soil quality. This means that soil must retain all its functions for years to come. The Soil Protection Act lays down a statutory "duty of care", which means that soil contamination occurring during certain activities must be cleaned up by the person who cause it. The Soil Cleanup (Interim Measures) Act(1983) was repeated on 15 May 1994, and its provisions, together with some ammendments and additions, were assimilated into the Soil Protection Act. These cleanup regulations are intended to deal with "old cases" of soil contamination, i.e. cases that came to light before 1 January 1987, when the Soil Protection Act entered into force. The urgency for cleanups is dependent upon the actual exposure. In most cases actual exposure win be less than potential exposure (underlying C-values) because only a few exposure routes are present. Cleanup of sites where exposure exceeds maximum tolerable risk levels are considered urgent, and the actual risk level is used to prioritize the cleanup.oritize the cleanup.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to set up the optimal exposure condition according to detector type considering image quality (IQ) with radiation dose in chest digital radiography. We used three detector type such as flat-panel detector (FP) and computed radiography (CR), and charge-coupled device (CCD). Entrance surface dose (ESD) was measured at each exposure condition combined tube voltage with tube current using dosimeter, after attaching on human phantom, it was repeated 3 times. Phantom images were evaluated independently by three chest radiologists after blinding image informations. Standard exposure condition using each institution was 117 kVp-AEC at FP and 117 kVp-8 mAs at CR, and 117 kVp-8 mAs at CCD. Statistical analysis was performed by One way ANOVA (Dunnett T3 test) using SPSS ver. 19.0. In FP, IQ scores were not significant difference between 102 kVp-4 mAs and 117 kVp-AEC (28.4 vs. 31.1, p=1.000), even though ESD was decreased up to 50% ($62.3{\mu}Gy$ vs. $125.1{\mu}Gy$). In CR, ESD was greatly decreased from 117 kVp-8 mAs to 90 kVp-8 mAs without significant difference of IQ score (p=1.000, 24.6 vs. 19.5). In CCD, IQ score of 117 kVp-8 mAs was similar with 109 kVp-8 mAs (29.6 vs. 29.0), with decreasing from $320.8{\mu}Gy$ to $284.7{\mu}Gy$ (about 11%). We conclude that optimal x-ray exposure condition for chest digital radiography is 102 kVp-4 mAs in FP and 90 kVp-8 mAs in CR, and 109 kVp-8 mAs in CCD.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.426-438
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• 2020

This study aimed to identify the components of the nurses' exposure experiences and clarify the semantic structure of nurses by analyzing the participants' experiences of exposure to radiation. The participants in this study were nine nurses who worked for at least six months in the operating room of a City General Hospital. The data were collected using in-depth interviews and analyzed using the phenomenological method by Giorgi's (2004). As a result, six components were derived: "worrying about the disease by repeated radiation exposures", "exhausting physically and mentally," "trying to protect themselves against radiation exposure", "feeling of internal confusion and conflict", "demanding improvement of work environment", and "accepting and adapting to reality". In conclusion, nurses participating in radiation exposure surgery are concerned about the possibility of disease, experience physical and mental fatigue, and then consider changing their occupation. On the other hand, they try to accept and adapt to reality by considering the possibility of a job change or trying to protect themselves from the harsh environment. To develop a radiologically safe environment, systematic and effective resolutions must be secured at the organizational level.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.391-400
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of safflower yellow colorant as a natural dye for hair coloring. The dyeing properties of safflower yellow colorant on hair were explored to obtain optimum conditions. Also, the effect of mordant was studied in terms of dye uptake, colorfastness, and hair damage to better understand the characteristics of the colorant. Tensile strength measurement and SEM analysis were carried out for investigating hair damage to light exposure and washing. On the basis of obtained results considering possible hair damage, optimum dyeing conditions were set 100%(o.w.h.) colorant concentration, pH 5, $40^{\circ}C$, and 20min. Dye uptake was improved more effectively by repeated dyeing rather than by increasing concentration. Pre-mordanting method improved dye uptake slightly, irrespective of mordant type. The safflower yellow colorant produced Y colors on hair. Cu and Fe mordants improved washing and light fastness slightly. Better strength retention was obtained with the mordanted-dyed hair than the unmordanted-dyed hair after light irradiation for 40 hours and 10 repeated washing. The hair was more damaged by light exposure than by washing. It was concluded that the safflower yellow colorant can be used as a natural semi-permanent hair dye producing Y color without mordanting.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.583-592
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• 2023

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Due to its addictive characteristics, many people struggle with the side effects of alcohol. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used to treat various health problems. However, the effects and mechanisms of KRG in alcohol-induced responses remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced responses. Methods: We investigated two aspects: alcohol-induced addictive responses and spatial working memory impairments. To determine the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced addictive responses, we performed conditioned place preference tests and withdrawal symptom observations. To assess the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairment, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and novel object recognition tests were performed using mice after repeated alcohol and KRG exposure. To investigate the potential mechanism of KRG activity, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis were performed. Results: KRG-treated mice showed dose-dependent restoration of impaired spatial working memory following repeated alcohol exposure. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms to alcohol were reduced in mice treated with KRG and alcohol. The PKA-CREB signaling pathway was activated after alcohol administration, which was reduced by KRG. However, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were increased by alcohol and decreased by KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG may alleviate alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairments and addictive responses through anti-neuroinflammatory activity rather than through the PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Whole spine scanography (WSS) is a radiological examination that exposes the whole body of the individual being examined to x-ray radiation. WSS is often repeated during the treatment period, which results in a much greater radiation exposure than that in routine x-ray examinations. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the patient dose of WSS using computer simulation, image magnification and angulation of phantom image using different patient position. We evaluated the effective dose(ED) of 23 consecutive patients (M : F = 13:10) who underwent WSS, based on the automatic image pasting method for multiple exposure digital radiography. The Anterior-Posterior position(AP) and Posterior-Anterior position( PA) projection EDs were evaluated based on the PC based Monte Carlo simulation. We measured spine transverse process distance and angulation using DICOM measurement. For all patient, the average ED was 0.069 mSv for AP position and 0.0361 mSv for PA position. AP position calculated double exposure then PA position. For male patient, the average ED was 0.089 mSv(AP) and 0.050 mSv(PA). For female patient, the average ED was 0.0431 mSv(AP) and 0.026 mSv(PA). The transverse process of PA spine image measured 5% higher than AP but angulation of transverse process was no significant differences. In clinical practice, just by change the patient position was conformed to reduce the ED of patient. Therefor we need to redefine of protocol for digital radiography such as WSS. whole spine scanography, effective dose, patient exposure dose, exposure direction. protocol optimization.