Distribution and Potential Toxicological Effects of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-47) as a Endocrine Disrupting Chemical in Human and Animals

Jung, Eui-Man,Yang, Hyun,An, Beum-Soo,Lee, Geun-Shik,Hyun, Sang-Hwan,Choi, Kyung-Chul,Jeung, Eui-Bae 韓國受精卵移植學會 2011 한국동물생명공학회지 Vol.26 No.4

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of "brominated" (bromine containing) man-made chemicals used as flame retardant additives in plastics, foams, and textiles. PBDEs are found in various environmental contaminants in air, soil, sediment, and water, and 209 individual forms (congeners) of PBDE exist. Among these, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is the dominant congener found in the environment. Exposure to BDE-47 is now worldwide, and levels of BDE-47 have been detected in the blood of animals, including humans. BDE-47 can adversely affect the developmental system in both humans and animals. BDEs have structural similarities to polychlorinated biphenyls and thyroid hormones. However, recent studies have shown that BDEs may act as hormonal disrupting chemicals with detrimental effects. Therefore, a reliable assessment of BDE-47 toxicological action is required to understand the detrimental impacts of BDE-47 on human health. In this review, we overview recent studies on the distribution and potential toxicological effects of BDE-47 in humans and animals.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis: a review of 43 cases

Nam, Hae-Seong,Jeon, Kyeongman,Um, Sang-Won,Suh, Gee Young,Chung, Man Pyo,Kim, Hojoong,Kwon, O. Jung,Koh, Won-Jung Elsevier 2010 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES Vol.14 No.6

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Objectives</B></P><P>Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is uncommon, and the optimal therapeutic regimen has not been established. In a retrospective cohort study, we investigated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with CNPA.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We reviewed the medical records of all patients who had been diagnosed with CNPA at our institution over the last 10 years.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Forty-three patients were identified. Their median age was 60 years (interquartile range (IQR) 45–65 years), and 34 (79%) of the patients were men. The most common underlying lung disease was pulmonary tuberculosis (<I>n</I>=40, 93%). After CNPA was diagnosed, all patients were treated with antifungal drugs, including oral itraconazole (<I>n</I>=39, 91%) or intravenous amphotericin B (<I>n</I>=4, 9%). Seventeen (40%) patients discontinued therapy early (<3 months), 14 patients due to death and three to loss of follow-up. Twenty-six (60%) patients received oral itraconazole at a daily dose of 200–400mg for more than 3 months. The median treatment duration was 6 months (IQR 6–12 months). In these 26 patients, clinical improvement was observed in 15 (58%) and radiological improvement was observed in 11 (42%). Ten (38%) patients showed no improvement. Twenty-two (51%) patients died, including 18 (42%) CNPA-related deaths, during a median follow-up of 15 months (IQR 2.5–32 months). The median survival time was 62 months.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>CNPA is difficult to treat and often has a poor outcome. Further studies with more patients are needed to identify the optimal therapy for patients with CNPA.</P>

Symptoms of North Korea`s Economic System: Now is the Time to Open up Economically

( Youn Sik Choi ),( Hyung Rok Jung ),( Sung Man Yoon ) 한국국방연구원 2013 The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis Vol.25 No.1

Since suffering economic difficulties, particularly from the 1990s onwards, North Korea, even implicitly, has taken several actions based on the nature of its limited market economy system. North Korean scholars seem to have attempted to practice economic reform and a more open-door policy by learning the capitalistic mark eteconomy system. This paper investigates the current state of trends of North Korean studies associated with economics and management. It is found that even though directly praising and idolizing "Kim Il Sung" and/or "Kim Jong Il" are consistently accomplished, studies on new and subtle issues such as an open-door policy, the global (international) monetary system, compensation, wage (salaries),and self-financing (financing a giupso, in itself, without external financing such as borrowing or issuing shares) drastically increased in the 2000s, especially before and after the announcement of the ``7.1 Economic Management Improvement Measures`` implemented in July 2002. This paper`s findings suggest that North Korea has tried to learn capitalistic market economy system before it takes any steps regarding economic reform. This paper also identifies the political implications in drawing up initiatives in preparation for the era of unification of the two Koreas.

12주간의 유산소운동과 통근수단 전환이 비만 중년 남성의 신체구성과 혈중 지질에 미치는 영향

이소라(Lee, So-Ra),김예영(Kim, Yae-Yeong),정원상(Jung, Won-Sang),이만균(Lee, Man-Gyoon) 한국체육과학회 2015 한국체육과학회지 Vol.24 No.2

The study was designed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise and change of commuting mode to public transportation on body composition and blood lipid profiles in middle-aged obese men. Forty subjects, aged 30-50 yrs, whose BMI was higher than 25 kg · m-2, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, i.e., aerobic exercise training group(AT; n=13), change of commuting mode group(CCM; n=14), and control group(CON; n=13). Subjects in the AT participated in aerobic exercise program, peformed at 40-75% of HRR, 15-35 min/session, 3 sessions/wk for 12 weeks, and subjects in the CCM changed the commuting mode from their own vehicle to public transportation 5 day/wk, 10 times/wk for 12 weeks. Subject in the CON were asked to maintain their normal life patterns during the same intervention period. Variables regarding body composition and blood lipid profiles were measured in pre-test and post-test, and the results were compared among three groups and between two tests. Main results of the present study were as follows: l) Walking amount increased significantly in only CCM as treated. 2) Body weight, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, body fat, and fat mass decrease significantly in the AT, while body weight, body mass index, body fat, and fat mass decreased significantly in the CCM (P〈.05), 3) LDL-C decreased significantly in the AT(P〈.01) and the CCM(P〈.05). It was concluded that 12 weeks of change of commuting mode to public transportation as well as aerobic exercise would be beneficial for improving variables regarding body composition and blood lipid profiles. Increment of physical activity by changing to public transportation from their own vehicle would be helpful to prevent obesity and dyslipidemia.

12주간의 유산소운동과 통근수단 전환이 중년 남성의 체력, 인슐린 저항성, 염증지표 및 간기능에 미치는 영향

허다솜 ( Da Som Heo ),김예영 ( Yae Young Kim ),정원상 ( Won Sang Jung ),이만균 ( Man Gyoon Lee ) 한국스포츠정책과학원(구 한국스포츠개발원) 2015 체육과학연구 Vol.26 No.1

선진 외국에서는 통근수단으로서 자가용 대신 대중교통을 이용함으로써 부가적으로 발생하는 신체활동이 건강수준에 미치는 효과를 밝히는 연구가 활발하게 이루어졌으나 국내의 관련 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 이 연구의 목적은 12주간의 유산소운동과 대중교통으로의 통근수단 전환이 중년 남성의 체력, 인슐린 저항성, 염증지표 및 간기능에 미치는 영향을 규명하는 것이었다. 이 연구의 대상자는 최근 5년 이상 지속적으로 자가용을 이용해 온 체질량지수 25kg·m-2 이상의 30~50대의 사무직 중년 남성 44명이었다. 이들을 자가용을 계속 이용하면서 유산소운동을 실시한 운동집단(n=14), 자가용 이용을 중단하고 대중교통으로 전환한 전환집단(n=15), 그리고 자가용을 계속 이용하면서 특별한 처치 없이 기존의 생활 패턴을 유지한 통제집단(n=15)에 무선 할당하였다. 운동집단은 주 3회, 일일 30분의 유산소운동을 실시하였고, 전환집단은 통근수단을 대중교통으로 전환하여 주 5회, 일일 최소 20분의 보행을 유도하였다. 처치 전ㆍ후에 체력, 인슐린 저항성, 염증지표, 그리고 간기능과 관련된 변인을 측정한 후 반복 이원변량분석을 이용하여 집단 간, 그리고 검사 간에 비교하였다. 이 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 1) 체력과 관련된 모든 변인이 운동집단에서 유의하게 향상되었고, 전환집단의 경우 오른손 악력, 제자리멀리뛰기, 사이드스텝, 그리고 앉아윗몸앞으로굽히기가 유의하게 향상되었다. 2) 인슐린 저항성과 관련된 모든 변인에서 통계적으로 유의한 변화가 나타나지 않았으나, 운동집단과 전환집단에서 개선되는 경향이 나타났다. 3) 염증지표와 관련하여 운동집단과 전환집단에서 TNF-α가 유의하게 감소되었으며, IL-6와 CRP가 개선되는 경향이 나타났다. 4) 간기능과 관련하여 전환집단에서 ALT가 유의하게 감소되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면, 12주간의 유산소운동이 체력과 염증지표 및 인슐린 저항성의 개선에 효과적인 것으로 나타났다. 아울러 통근수단을 자가용에서 대중교통으로 전환한 것만으로도 유산소운동 못지 않게 체력, 염증지표, 인슐린 저항성, 그리고 간기능에 긍정적인 영향을 미친 것을 알 수 있다. 시간이 부족하여 운동 참여가 줄어드는 현대인에게 있어서 대중교통으로 통근수단을 전환하는 시도는 일상생활에서 자연스럽게 신체활동량을 증가시키고 건강수준을 개선하는 대안이 될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. This study was designed to investigate the effects of increment of physical activity for 12 weeks through aerobic exercise training or change from own vehicle to public transportation for commuting on physical fitness, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and liver function in middle-aged men. Forty-four subjects, aged 30-50 yrs, were randomly assigned to either one of three groups, i.e., aerobic exercise training group (TR: n=14), change to public transportation group (PT: n=15), or control group (CON: n=15). Subjects in TR performed aerobic exercise for 30 min per sessions, three sessions per week, subjects in PT changed from their own vehicle to public transportation for commuting, and subjects in CON maintained their life patterns during the same intervention period. Physical fitness, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, and liver function were measured at pre- and post-test, and the data were analyzed by repeated two-way ANOVA. Main results of the present study were as follows: 1) All variables related to physical fitness improved significantly in TR. Right grip strength, standing long jump, side step test, and sit-and-reach improved significantly in PT. 2) Although there were no significant changes in all variables related to insulin resistance, the variables tended to be improved in TR and PT. 3) TNF-α decreased significantly in TR and PT. IL-6 and CRP tended to be improved in TR and PT; however, the changes did not reach statistical significant level. 4) ALT decreased significantly in PT. AST and γ-GT tended to be improved in TR and PT; however, the changes did not reach statistical significant level. It was concluded that the 12 weeks of change to public transportation as well as aerobic exercise training would be beneficial for physical fitness and inflammatory markers. These interventions also would be possible to improve insulin resistance and liver function. The increment of physical activity through change from own vehicle to public transportation was found to be equally beneficial for health promotion compared to aerobic exercise.

A Worker’s Status Monitoring System Based on Bio-signals to Prevent a Potential Insider Threat

Jung Hwan Kim(김정환),Chul Min Kim(김철민),Man-Sung Yim(임만성) 대한인간공학회 2019 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) to predict and thereby minimize the risk of potential insider threat at nuclear power plants (NPPs). Background: Insider is any individual with access to, knowledge of, and authority over nuclear facilities and transportation of materials who might attempt unauthorized removal or sabotages, or who could aid outsiders to do so. In nuclear facilities, insider threats are perhaps the most serious challenges that security systems face. Method: This study describes scenarios that are likely to be an insider. The subjects are presented with various levels of nuclear power plant workers, and factors motivate to become insiders suggested. This study records EEG and ECG signals during insider threat scenarios. Data were obtained for 15 subjects, aged 19 to 31 years (mean 25.6 years, SD 2.87). Results: Theta/Alpha and Beta/Alpha ratio of frontal area changed significantly for the insider threat related scenarios. Conclusion: This research investigated the use of EEG and ECG signals to identify potential insider threat at nuclear facilities. Application: These indicators are useful in that they provide opportunities to identify potential insider threat.

An investigation of human error identification and classification based on bio-signals

Jung Hwan Kim(김정환),Chul Min Kim(김철민),Man-Sung Yim(임만성) 대한인간공학회 2019 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2019 No.10

An Investigation of Human Error Identification based on EEG analysis

Jung Hwan Kim,Young A SUH,Man-Sung Yim 대한인간공학회 2018 대한인간공학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2018 No.5

Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of using an electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to predict and thereby minimize the risk of human error at NPPs. Background: Human error has been a critical issue at Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) as it accounts for a significant proportion of safety-related incidents. Method: Ten subjects (8 male 2 female) with a mean age of 25 years participated in the experiment. Specifically, the Stroop test was used to measure each participant’s accuracy in judgement and reaction time, in answering congruent and incongruent questions. Results: Using these data, both heart rate and brain waves were recorded and analyzed via a power spectrum analysis, EEG indicators were investigated to determine their potential for identifying human error. Conclusion: Three different types of EEG indicators were used to identify human error: 1) the absolute power of Alpha, Beta, Gamma; 2) the relative power of Theta; 3) the power ratio of Theta/Alpha. Application: These indicators are useful in that they provide opportunities to identify human error.

Changes in the indications for living donor liver transplantation: single-institution experience of 3,145 cases over 10 years

Sang-Hyun Kang,Shin Hwang,Chul-Soo Ahn,Ki-Hun Kim,Deok-Bog Moon,Tae-Yong Ha,Gi-Won Song,Dong-Hwan Jung,Gil-Chun Park,Jung-Man Namgoong,Young-In Yoon,Hui-Dong Cho,Jae-Hyun Kwon,Yong-Kyu Chung,Jin Uk Ch 대한이식학회 2020 Korean Journal of Transplantation Vol.34 No.1

Background: To understand the changing demands and recent trends in the indications for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the present study aimed to analyze the indications for LDLT performed in a high-volume transplantation center over 10 years. Methods: The liver transplantation database at our institution was searched to identify patients who underwent LDLT during a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017. The study subjects (n=3,145) were divided into two groups: adult patients (n=3,019, 92.7%) and pediatric patients (n=126, 3.9%). Results: In the adult recipients, the primary diagnoses were hepatitis B virus (HBV)- associated liver cirrhosis (n=1,898, 62.9%), alcoholic liver disease (n=482, 16.0%), hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis (n=203, 6.7%), acute liver failure (n=127, n=4.2%), and other diseases (n=157, 5.2%). The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 15.6±8.8 (range, 6–40). The proportion of patients with HBV-associated liver disease gradually decreased, but the proportion of those with alcoholic liver disease increased. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was diagnosed in 1,467 patients (48.6%). The mean proportion of patients with HCC was 63.1% among those with HBVassociated liver disease. In pediatric recipients, the primary diagnoses were biliary atresia (n=51, 40.5%), liver failure of various causes (n=37, 29.4%), metabolic disease (n=22, 17.5%), hepatoblastoma (n=12, 9.5%), and infectious diseases (n=4, 3.2%). Conclusions: Our results showed that there were some significant changes in the indications of LDLT. We believe that our results may reflect the real changes in the indications of LDLT and they will be useful for predicting further changes in the future.

Preparation and Stability of PEGDA/GO Conductive Materials by DLP 3D Printing

Men Thi Hong Nguyen,Su Yeon Kim,Tae Hyeon Jeong,Jong Hoon Kim,Hyoung Sic Cho,Tai Hwan Ha,Sang Jung Ahn,Young Heon Kim 대한금속·재료학회 2022 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.18 No.3

Stable composites of water-dispersed graphene oxide (GO) and UV-cured acrylic resin, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate(PEGDA), were prepared to make printed conductive patterns using a digital light processing (DLP) three-dimensional(3D) printing method. The targeted structures were successfully printed by DLP 3D printing and the electrically conductiveproperties were obtained by reducing the insulating GO in the composites to reduced GO by chemical and thermal reductionprocesses. Three basic reduction procedures, pre-thermal, pre-chemical, and post-thermal reduction, were performedto introduce a high conductivity into a printed structure and the lowest resistance was achieved by the pre-thermal reductionin our study. The stability of the printed structures was also evaluated by monitoring the change in resistance with time. Thestrategy pursued by photopolymerization gives the outstanding features of printed structures for extensive applications inthe manufacturing of electronic and sensing devices.