This study investigated species identification and labeling compliance of 48 shrimp products sold in the Korean online markets. Species identification was conducted using the standard DNA barcoding method, using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The obtained sequences were compared with those deposited in the NCBI GenBank and BOLD Systems databases. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed to further verify the identified shrimp species. Consequently, 16 shrimp species were identified, including Penaeus vannamei, Pandalus borealis, Palaemon gravieri, Leptochela gracilis, Penaeus monodon, Pleoticus muelleri, Metapenaeopsis dalei, Euphausia pacifica, Lebbeus groenlandicus, Trachypenaeus curvirostris, Argis lar, Metanephrops thomsoni, Metapenaeopsis barbata, Alpheus japonicus, Penaeus chinensis, and Mierspenaeopsis hardwickii. The most prevalent species was Penaeus vannamei, found in 45.8% of the analyzed products. A significant mislabeling rate of 72.9% was found; however, upon excluding generic names such as shrimp, the mislabeling rate reduced to 10.4%. The mislabeling rate was higher in highly-processed products (89.3%) compared with that in minimally-processed products (50%). No correlation was found between the country of origin and mislabeling rate. The results of this study provide crucial data for future monitoring of shrimp products and improving the labeling of shrimp species in Korea.

In this study, based on an analysis of two DNA barcode markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b genes), we performed species identification and monitored labeling compliance for 50 commercial pufferfish products sold in on-line markets in Korea. Using these barcode sequences as a query for species identification and phylogenetic analysis, we screened the GenBank database. A total of seven pufferfish species (Takifugu chinensis, T. pseudommus, T. xanthopterus, T. alboplumbeus, T. porphyreus, T. vermicularis, and Lagocephalus cheesemanii) were identified and we detected 35 products (70%) that were non-compliant with the corresponding label information. Moreover, the labels on 12 commercial products contained only the general common name (i.e., pufferfish), although not the scientific or Korean names for the 21 edible pufferfish species. Furthermore, the proportion of mislabeled highly processed products (n = 9, 81.8%) was higher than that of simply processed products (n = 26, 66.7%). With respect to the country of origin, the percentage of mislabeled Chinese products (n = 8, 80%) was higher than that of Korean products (n = 26, 66.7%). In addition, the market and dialect names of different pufferfish species were labeled only as Jolbok or Milbok, whereas two non-edible pufferfish species (T. vermicularis and T. pseudommus) were used in six commercial pufferfish products described as JolboK and Gumbok on their labels, which could be attributable to the complex classification system used for pufferfish. These monitoring results highlight the necessity to develop genetic methods that can be used to identify the 21 edible pufferfish species, as well as the need for regulatory monitoring of commercial pufferfish products.

Radioactive waste is typically disposed of using standard 200 and 320 L drums based on acceptance criteria. However, there have been no cases evaluating the disposal and suitability of 200 L steel drums for RI waste disposal. There has been a lack of prior assessments regarding the disposal and suitability of 200 L steel drums for the disposal of RI waste. Radioactive waste is transported to disposal facilities after disposal in containers, where the drums are loaded and temporarily stored. Subsequently, after repackaging the disposal drums, the repackaged drums are transported to disposal facilities by vehicle or ship for permanent disposal. Disposal containers can be susceptible to damage due to impacts during transportation, handling, and loading, leading to potential damage to the radiation primer coating during loading. Additionally, disposal containers may be subject to damage from electrochemical corrosion, necessitating the enhancement of corrosion resistance. Metal composite coatings can be employed to enhance both abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance. The application of metal composite coatings to disposal containers can improve the durability and radiation shielding performance of radioactive waste disposal containers. The thickness of radioactive waste disposal containers is determined through radioactive shielding analysis during the design process. The designed disposal containers undergo structural analysis, considering loading conditions based on the disposal environment. This paper focuses on evaluating the structural improvements achieved through the implementation of metal composite coatings with the goal of enhancing corrosion and abrasion resistance.

This study investigated ethopabate (EPB) residues in edible tissues of broiler chickens given in drinking water and established the withdrawal time (WT) of EPB in poultry tissues. Twenty-four healthy Ross broiler chickens were orally administered with EPB at the concentration of 3.8 mg/L for 14 days (EPB-1, n=24) and 15.2 mg/L for 7 days (EPB-2, n=24) through drinking water, respectively. After the drug treatment, tissue samples were collected from six broiler chickens at 0, 1, 3, and 5 days, respectively. EPB residue concentrations in poultry tissues were determined using LC-MS/MS. Correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.9980 to 0.9998, and the limits of detection and quantification (LOQ) were 0.03~0.09 and 0.1~0.3 μg/kg, respectively. Mean recoveries in muscle, liver, kidney and skin/fat tissues were 95.9~109.8, 108.7~115.3, 89.9~96.6 and 86.7~96.8%, respectively, and coefficient of variations were less than 17.11%. At the end of the drug-administration period (0 day), EPB was detected at levels under the LOQ in all tissues from both the EPB-1 and EPB-2 groups. According to the results of EPB residue in Ross broiler tissues, withdrawal periods of both EPB-1 and EPB-2 in poultry tissues were established to 0 day. In conclusion, the developed analytical method is suitable for the detection of EPB in poultry tissues, and the estimated WT of EPB in poultry tissues will contribute to ensuring the safety of Ross broiler chickens.

We investigate the provenance of detrital garnets in Middle-Upper Jurassic sandstone of the Mino terrane, an accretionary complex in Southwest Japan, based on their chemical composition. The garnet grains in the Mino sandstone are mostly Fe-rich (almandine) and slightly Mg-rich (pyrope) species derived from high-grade metamorphic and intermediate to acidic plutonic rocks. The composition and interpreted origin of the garnets are generally consistent with those of metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Yeongnam Massif on the Korean Peninsula, a possible source region suggested in previous studies. In addition, two single grains of chromian spinel, an accessory mineral found in mafic to ultramafic rocks such as mantle peridotite, were found in one of the Mino sandstone samples. This finding suggests the possible presence of mafic to ultramafic rocks in the source area. The results of this study provide complimentary evidence for establishing a comprehensive tectonic and paleogeographical framework for the Mesozoic East Asian continent.

From 2020, Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has reset the withdrawal time (WT) for veterinary drugs typically used in livestock in preparation for the introduction of positive list system (PLS) program in 2024. This study was conducted to reset the MRL for amprolium (APL) in broiler chickens as a part of PLS program introduction. Forty-eight healthy Ross broiler chickens were orally administered with APL at the concentration of 60 mg/L (APL-1, n=24) for 14 days and 240 mg/L (APL-2, n=24) for 7 days through drinking water, respectively. After the drug treatment, tissue samples were collected from six broiler chickens at 0, 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively. Residual APL concentrations in poultry tissues were determined using LC-MS/MS. Correlation coefficient (0.99 >), the limits quantification (LOQ, 0.3~5.0 μg/kg), recoveries (81.5~112.4%), and coefficient of variations (<15.5%) were satisfied the validation criteria of Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In APL-1, APL in all tissues except for kidney was detected less than LOQ at 3 days after drug treatment. In APL-2, APL in liver and kidney was detected more than LOQ at 5 days after treatment. According to the European Medicines Agency’s guideline on determination of withdrawal periods, withdrawal periods of APL-1 and APL-2 in poultry tissues were established to 3 and 2 days, respectively. In conclusion, the developed analytical method is sensitive and reliable for detecting APL in poultry tissues. The estimated WT of APL in poultry tissues is longer than the current WT recommendation of 2 days for APL in broiler chickens.

The bacterial soft-rot disease is one of the most critical diseases in vegetables such as Chinese cabbage. The researchers isolated two bacteria (Pseudomonas kribbensis and Pantoea vagans) from diseased tissue samples of Chinese cabbages and confirmed them as being the strains that cause soft-rot disease. Lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), were screened and used to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The researchers tested the treatments with hypochlorous acid water (HAW) and LAB supernatant to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The tests confirmed that treatments with the HAW (over 120 ppm) or LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum PL203) culture supernatants (0.5 mL) completely controlled both P. kribbensis and P. vagans.

In order to extend the business viability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), research on CNT dispersion in a solvent as well as in polymer matrix should be established. Herein, three kinds of dispersing agents, sodium deoxycholate (DOC), sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), are selected and applied to quantify the dispersibility and dispersion stability of CNT aqueous dispersion. The dispersibility of CNT dispersion with the PVP, evaluated via viscosity and particle size analyses, are superior to those with the DOC and NaDDBS dispersing agents. CNT aqueous solution dispersed with PVP showed slightly higher viscosity and narrower particle size distribution than those with DOC and NaDDBS dispersing agents. In addition, the dispersion stability of CNT dispersion with the PVP, measured via lumisizer analyses, are superior to those with the DOC and NaDDBS dispersing agents. HR-TEM analysis verifies that the outstanding dispersibility and dispersion stability of CNTs in aqueous solution are due to the effect of the robust polymer wrapping of the PVP dispersing agent on the CNT surface. From the results of this study, the guidelines for the selection of the suitable dispersing agents and the systematic evaluation of dispersibility and dispersion stability of CNT dispersions can be suggested.

Colorectal cancer causes the most cancer-associated death worldwide, having a high cancer incidence. Pectin is a complex polysaccharide present in various fruits, emerging as an anti-carcinogenic candidate. Although pectin has a suppressive capacity for colon carcinogenesis, the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and colonic aberrant foci formation in the colon carcinogenesis mouse model remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the regulatory effect of pectin supplementation on colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in mice. In an animal experiment, thirty male institute for cancer research (ICR) mice were divided into two experimental groups; AOM/DSS (control group) and AOM/DSS + pectin (5% in drinking water). Furthermore, the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and aberrant crypt (AC) on colonic mucosa were counted, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay was performed to estimate lipid peroxidation in feces. Pectin treatment significantly decreased the number of ACF and AC per colon compared with the control. Additionally, fecal TBARS level in the pectin group was significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusively, these findings indicate that pectin-inhibited hyperplastic alteration and oxidative stress suppress colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis.

Colon cancer has been considered a leading cause of cancer-associated death. Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for cellular physiological functions and cell viability. However, the association between folic acid intake and colon cancer has been examined in several prospective cohort studies are controversial. This study investigated the effects of folate intake on colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) institute for cancer research (ICR) mouse model. Thirty male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were divided into the control group and the experimental group supplied 0.03% folic acid via drinking water (50 mL/week/mouse) for 6 weeks. To induce colonic pre-neoplastic lesions, the animals were subcutaneously injected three times weekly with AOM (10 mg/kg body weight), followed by 2% DSS in drinking water for a week. Folic acid supplementation significantly suppressed the total number of aberrant crypt foci and aberrant crypts. Histological image data showed that folic acid supplementation attenuated neoplastic change. In addition, we measured the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration of dry feces samples to identify the effect of folic acid on reactive oxygen accumulation. The folic acid supplementation group had reduced reactive oxygen species levels in dry feces compared to the control group. In conclusion, these findings indicate that folic acid suppresses colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in an AOM/DSS mouse model.