In this study, the process of compressing/packaging the spent filters of Kori Unit 1, which was conceptually presented in the previous study, is advanced so that disposal suitability for each step can be secure efficiently. In particular, the differences between the previous study and this study are that the disposable filters are screened using an In-Situ Object Counting System (ISOCS), and the method of collecting representative samples for development of scaling factor is specified. The process of compressing/packaging the spent filters consists of 7 stages as follows. 1) Collecting: The spent filters temporarily stored in the filter room are collected by dose and type remotely using a robot system to minimize the radiation exposure of workers according to a pre-established packaging plan. 2) Screening: The gamma activity concentration of the spent filters received by the robot system is measured by ISOCS. The spent filters below the low-level waste concentration limit and the surface dose are transferred into the compression system, while the others are returned in the filter room again. 3) Sampling: The external perforator drilling/cutting the filter was developed for sampling required for the new scaling factors. Since the sampling is collected remotely, the risk of exposure to workers can be reduced. The newly developed scaling factor will be used to verify the disposal suitability of the packages. 4) Compression: According to the pre-established plan, the spent filter collected by dose and type, is supplied to the compression system considering the dose and radionuclide inventory. Whether to additionally store the compressed filter in the drum is determined by checking the accumulated dose. 5) Immobilization: Immobilization with a safety material is necessary when inhomogeneous wastes, like spent filters, have the total radionuclide concentration with a half-life of more than 20 years is 74,000 Bq/g or more and for filling rate or non-dispersible treatment of particulates. 6) Packaging and Analysis: Waste information is labelled onto the package after the measurements of surface dose rate and surface contamination. Finally, using the drum assay system, the gamma radionuclide concentration is measured to identify at least 95% of the total radioactivity concentration of the package. 7) Temporary Storage and Delivery: The packages are moved to temporary storage in the plant prior to disposal. After establishing the plan for delivery and applying for a takeover request to KORAD, if the acceptance inspection is passed, the packages are transported to the disposal facility.

Currently, treatment and disposal suitability verification methods have not been established for radioactive waste, such as spent filters temporarily stored in each plant, so the WCP (Waste Certification Program) can be applied to verify the suitability of non-conforming waste at the site. In this study, WCP components such as certification organizations, certification methods, certification documents, and quality assurance (QA) plan that should be considered when developing WCP applicable to spent filter disposal were reviewed and presented. First, a certification organization consists of a certification organization that performs certification work, a certification support organization related to waste generation and treatment, and a quality control organization for waste certification. Especially, the support organization should support the implementation of WCP, so that spent filter processing procedures such as generation information management and immobilization can be properly packaged and transported. Second, in identifying the waste characteristics of the certification method, each characteristic identification procedure and certification method of the acceptance criteria should be described, evidence examining the suitability of general, radiological, physical, chemical, and biological requirements, and processes related to measurement and sampling should be established. In identifying characteristics, satisfaction of waste form, free water requirements, and whether it is subject to immobilization should be checked priorly, and a method of confirming particulate matter and securing filling rate when packaging compressed filters should be included. It is very important to develop a technology for verifying the safety and quality of the immobilized material because immobilization of the filters can be a processing method that satisfies various characteristic criteria. Meanwhile, it is essential to collect samples and develop scaling factors to identify the nuclides of filters and prove that they are below the concentration limits. For chemical and biological requirements, the characteristics are identified through generation information documents, corrective actions are taken and documented in case of nonconformance. Third, certification documents should include immobilization procedure manual, characteristic report, and characteristic test manuals such as free water, particulate matter and filling rate, radiation measurement method manual for packages, profile, and generation documents. Fourth, the QA plan should analyze the QA system of the plants, check the QA inspection details, establish general requirements for QA of spent filter disposal, and specify step-by-step certification work QA activities. In this study, considerations to ensure the disposal suitability at all stages from generation to disposal of spent filter were presented, and development of a WCP could contribute to preventing nonconformance.

As the decommissioning of Kori Unit 1 progresses, securing technology for treatment and disposal of radioactive wastes that have not been disposed of so far, such as spent filters, is recognized as an urgent task. In this study, a method of confirming the disposal suitability of spent filters was presented by reviewing the waste characteristics as presented in the waste acceptance criteria (WAC). The waste characteristics to be satisfied to ensure disposal suitability of waste are largely classified into general requirements, solidification and immobilization requirements, radiological requirements, physical requirements, chemical requirements, and biological requirements. First, the general requirement is to prove that the prohibited waste form has not been introduced into items related to waste form and packaging, and to confirm the suitability of disposal through step-by-step packaging photos, generation information, X-ray inspection, and visual inspection. Second, in the solidification and immobilization requirements, spent filters are non-homogeneous waste, and if the total radioactivity concentration of nuclides with a half-life of more than 20 years is 74,000 Bq·g−1 or more, they must be immobilized. Third, in order to meet the characteristic criteria for nuclides and radioactivity concentration, sampling and scaling factors development are required and based on this, nuclides must be identified and demonstrated to be below the disposal concentration limits. Surface dose rate and surface contamination should be measured in accordance with standardized procedures and disposal suitability should be confirmed through document tests recording the measured values. Fourth, in order to satisfy the physical requirements of the particulate matter and filling rate characteristics, the spent filter must be immobilized, if necessary, thereby ensuring disposal suitability. Meanwhile, free water in the spent filter should be removed through pre-drying and dehydration, and the disposal suitability should be confirmed by applying a test. Fifth, the criteria for chelating agents should be checked for disposal suitability through operation records and component analysis of spent filters, and documents, that can prove harmful substances are removed in advance and no harmful substances are included in the package, should be provided. Lastly, in biological requirements, if the spent filters contain corrosive or infectious substances, they should be removed in advance and disposal suitability should be confirmed by providing documents that can prove that such substances are not included in the package.

This study established a process to ensure the disposal suitability of spent filters stored in the untreated state in Kori unit 1 and presented the following procedures and requirements for confirming the disposal suitability for each process. The process for securing spent filter disposal suitability consists of collecting spent filters, compression, immobilization, analysis and packaging, and storage stages. The requirements for confirming the acceptance criteria for each process are as follows. (1) Collecting: Since the high radioactivity spent filters are being stored in the filter room of Kori unit 1, those are collected by a remote system to minimize the exposure dose of workers due to spent filter handling. In order to satisfy the surface dose rate requirements, spent filters with a surface dose rate of 10 mSv·hr−1 or more are classified and collected, and stored temporary storage place until a separate treatment plan is determined. The checkpoints in this process are the surface dose rate, etc. (2) Compression: The collected spent filters are analyzed gamma nuclides such as Co-60 and Cs-137, using a field-applicable nuclide analyzer, and then applying the scaling factors to determine whether it is disposable. Spent filters whose radioactivity concentration is confirmed to be less than the disposal concentration limit is compressed into compression ratios determined by surface dose rate. The checkpoints in this process are nuclide information, surface dose rate, compression ratio, spent filter loading quantity, etc. (3) Immobilization: A spent filter is a non-homogeneous waste that is immobilized with a proven safety material such as cement if the total radioactivity concentration of nuclides with a half-life of more than 20 years is 74,000 Bq·g−1. Meanwhile, immobilization of inhomogeneous waste can be considered to satisfy disposal criteria such as particulate matter and filling rate. The checkpoints in this process are the immobilizing material, filling rate, etc. (4) Analysis and Packaging: Immobilized drums shall be determined to be 95% or more of the total radioactivity of waste packages by measuring the radioactivity concentration of nuclides using a nuclide analysis device. Finally, measure the surface dose rate and surface contamination of the package, and attach the package label recording the identification number, date, total radioactivity, surface dose rate, and surface contamination information to the packaging container. (5) Storage: Packaging containers are moved to and stored in a temporary waste storage or storage area before disposal.

In Korea livestock farms breeding cattle have been suffering from re-emerging problems of Brucella (B.) abortus infection while steady decline of bovine brucellosis. Therefore, this study underscored the identification and association of etiological agent of brucellosis in cattle in South Korea. The incidence of brucellosis in cattle was analyzed by bacteriological and molecular methods in 187 brucellosis-suspicious farms of 11 regions between 2018 and 2020. Brucella isolates from various specimens were identified by Brucella-specific multiplex PCR. Epidemiological data were collected by local official veterinarians through history taking from farmers and animal data systems. In 230 of 560 cattle (40.9%) and 94 of 187 farms (50.3%), a total of 313 B. abortus were isolated from various specimens, the majority of isolates were from supramammary lymph node (41%). In epidemiological findings, the majority of positive cases were mainly caused by resurgence (43.7%) and unknown (37.2%). Of 94 positive cases isolated B. abortus, abortion in cattle infected by B. abortus occurred in 51 farms (54.3%) where led to resurgence in 30 farms and environmental survival of B. abortus in 9 farms. Consequently, these findings revealed the existence of etiological agent of bovine brucellosis in Korea, which still occurred at low levels in distinct regions where are allowed to call for persistent biosecurity. Thus, we highlight that brucellosis in Korea needs to take more effective control strategies with potential evidence. Moreover it is ultimately important to maintain a constant monitoring for eradication of brucellosis.

Ochratoxin A, which is frequently detected in cereals and infant diets worldwidely, is a mycotoxin to damage mainly the kidney and liver. Because ochratoxin A is highly thermostable compound. it is necessary to study ways of reducing level of ochratoxin A by controling processing steps. However, food processes, including extrusion, expansion, roasting, and steam cooking, which are used in order to mitigate the contents of ochratoxin A, are known to produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are generated from radicals decomposed by pyrolysis. Therefore, this study analyzed the levels of 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benz (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (b) fluoranthene and benzo (a) pyrene in rice-based products made in high pressure and heating process. Rice samples were finely ground, and homogenized samples were alkaline treatement with 1 M KOH/EtOH and extracted with liquid-liquid extraction method using n-hexane. The extracted solution was pretreated with a silica cartridge. The purified solution was dried with nitrogen gas and dissolved in 1 mL of dichloromethane and injected into GC/MSD. We had overall recoveries for 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons spiked into rice samples ranging from 92.8 to 110.2%. The limit of quantitations of benz (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (b) fluoranthene and benzo (a) pyrene in rice-based product were 0.19 ng/g, 0.38 ng/g, 0.51 ng/g, and 0.31 ng/g, respectively. However, these 4 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in all processed rice samples were not detected.

To investigate the effect of carnosine on exhaustive exercise, swimming tests were conducted weekly with loads corresponding to 5% of body weight attached to the tails of mice, and the swimming time to exhaustion was measured. Eighty male ICR mice were divided into four groups, to which carnosine was administered at doses of 0 (control), 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg/day, respectively, for a period of four weeks. At the end of swimming exercise challenges, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and antioxidant enzyme activity in tissues were determined. Treatment with 250 mg/kg carnosine resulted in a significant increase in swimming times to exhaustion, compared to the control group in the first (P<0.01) and third week (P<0.05). Significantly lower serum lactate levels were observed after the swimming exercise in the carnosine-treated groups (10 and 250 mg/kg), compared with the control (P<0.01). Malondialdehyde levels in the liver (10 and 50 mg/kg carnosine treated groups) and skeletal muscle (250 mg/kg carnosine treated group) were significantly lower, compared with the control (P<0.05). Significantly lower protein carbonyl levels in skeletal muscle were observed in the 50 and 250 mg/kg carnosine treated groups, compared with the control (P<0.01). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in skeletal muscle did not differ significantly among the groups. These results indicate that carnosine may improve swimming exercise capacity by attenuating production of lactate and reducing oxidative stress in mice.

본 연구에서는 azoxymethane (AOM)과 dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)로 유도된 대장 발암과정에 대한 셀레늄의 방어 효과를 조사하였다. 셀레늄 결핍(0.02 ppm Se), 정상(0.1 ppm Se), 과다(0.5 ppm Se)사료를 12주간 식이로 급여하여 혈액검사와 대장암 발생의 초기단계인 aberrant crypt foci (ACF)수를 측정했으며, 암 발생율을 조사하였다. ICP-AES 를 사용하여 간의 셀레늄 농도를 측정하였으며, 또한 셀레늄포함 항산화효소인 glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 활성을 알아보았다. 또한 TUNEL assay와 PCNA, β-catenin에 대한 면역조직 염색을 수행하였다. ACF 수 및 종양 발생률에 있어서, 셀레늄과다사료를 급여한 군이 정상셀레늄사료를 급여한 군보다 낮았으며, 셀레늄결핍사료를 급여한 군은 오히려 ACF 수 및 종양 발생률이 높았다. GPx 활성은 셀레늄의 섭취가 과다한 군에서 높게 나타났으며, 이 때, TUNEL 에서 apoptotic positive cell이 증가하는 것을 확인했다. 또 한 셀레늄의 섭취가 과다한 군에서 PCNA와 β-catenin의 발현이 감소됨을 볼 수 있었다. 본 마우스 모델실험에서 셀레늄은 여러 기전에 의해 대장암 발생을 억제할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Wrinkles are an outward sign of cutaneous aging appearing preferentially on ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed areas. The anti-wrinkle effects of herbal extracts were investigated in an animal model. Female albino hairless mice (HR/ICR) were randomly allocated to the control group (non-irradiated vehicle), positive control group (UVB irradiated-vehicle), and two herbal extract mixture groups (HE-1 and HE-2). HE-1 included Glycyrrhizae radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Cornus officinalis, and Sesami semeni, and HE-2 included Swertia pseudo-chinensis, Sophora flavescens, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. The herbal extract mixtures were pre-treated dorsally with 0.2 ml per individual five times per week for four weeks prior to the start of UVB irradiation. At the fifth week, the animals were exposed to UVB irradiation for a subsequent eight weeks, three times per week. The intensity of irradiation showed a gradual increase, from 30 mJ/cm 2 to 240 mJ/cm2 (1 MED: 60 mJ/cm2 ). Dorsal skin samples were stained with H&E in order to examine the epidermal thickness. In addition, Masson-Trichrome staining was performed for determination of the amount of collagen fiber. Treatments with HE-1&2 resulted in an increase in the amount of collagen fiber, a better appearance, and fewer wrinkles, compared with the positive control. As determined by hydroxyproline assay, treatments with HE-1&2 led to a significant increase in the amount of collagen, compared with the positive control group (p<0.05). Chronic UVB irradiation to skin of hairless mice resulted in an increase in expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), however, treatments with HE-1&2 tended to decrease the expression of MMP-1. These results indicate that the herbal extracts used in this study have a preventive effect on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in a hairless mouse model, due in part to inhibition of MMP-1 expression and increment of collagen amount.

Although hair disorders are not life threatening, a lot of people who suffer hair loss and/or hair thinning is increasing in accordance with changes in lifestyle and nutritional balance. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of herbal extracts on hair regrowth in C3H/HeJ mice. There were 6 experimental groups including distilled water (D.W.), 50% ethanol (a vehicle control), 3% minoxidil (a positive control), and 3 kinds of herbal extracts mixtures (C, D & E). The test compounds included followings; C : Glycyrrhizae radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Cornus officinalis and Sesami semeni, D : Viticus fructus, Pulsatilla chinensis, Gardenia fructus and Artemisiae argyi herb, E : Swertia pseudo-chinensis, Sophora flavescens Scutellaria baicalensis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. The animals were shaved with an electric clipper. The test compounds were daily treated to dorsal skin with 0.2 ml per mouse for 3 weeks. The topical application of the E test solution accelerated hair regrowth after 10 days faster than that of the positive and vehicle controls. The activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase significantly were increased in all the treatment groups after 3 weeks, compared with D.W. group. Especially, the E test solution notably increased ALP activity compared with positive or vehicle control group. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased in all the treatment groups after 3 weeks compared with D.W. group. These results suggest that the herbal extracts have hair regrowth effect by increasing enzyme activities and growth factors and it can be useful for treatment for alopecia in humans.

This study was carried out to investigate effect of herbal extracts mixtures on hair growth in an alopecia model of C57BL/6 mice. There were 4 experimental groups including distilled water (DW, negative control), 25% ethanol(EtOH, vehicle control) and two herbal extract mixtures (HE-1 and HE-2). HE-1 included Polygonum and Brassica campestris extracts and HE-2 included Mulberry root and Gardenia extracts. The 6 weeks-old C57BL/6 male mice were shaved with an electric clipper and the test compounds were topically treated with 0.2 ml per mouse daily for 3 weeks. The hair re-growth was photographically determined at days 0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21. The number of mast cells which is an important modulator of hair growth was counted in 1 cm of dorsal skin section of mice. There were no clinical signs in all experimental groups. As the results of photometric analysis, the topical application of the herbal extracts (HE-1 & 2) for 2 weeks to dorsal skin accelerated hair re-growth remarkably faster than that of DW group (p＜0.05). Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly increased in EtOH group compared to DW group (p＜0.05). Both herbal extract mixtures also increased the ALP activity, but it was not significantly different from DW. Treatment of mice with HE-2 significantly increased mast cell population compared to EtOH. Taken together, these results suggest that herbal extract mixtures used in this study may have hair-growth promoting activities and can be useful for treatment for male pattern baldness or alopecia in humans.

Soybean is a crop of importance economically and nutritionally in many parts of the world. Thanks to many new genes brought from genomic research, It is possible to introduce various candidate genes through genetic transformation to see the performance of the genes in field. In our lab, soybean transformations have been tried for last 10 years to probe the possibility of traits improvement by transformation of new gene into soybean. For this purpose, three different genes were transformed into Korean soybean variety, Kwangan. First, the gene that controls early flowering of plant was transformed into Kwangan. Second, a candidate gene for soybean mosaic virus (SMV) resistance was transformed to produce transgenic plants. Third, another candidate gene for drought tolerance was transformed. All the transgenic plants from three genes transformation were produced for their gene insertion and their expression using PCR, qRT-PCR. Further analysis including harvesting seeds is currently undertaken.

For QTL analysis of agronomic traits based on cultivation of low and high altitude locations, BC1 F5 181 lines were developed from a cross of Tongil type Gayabyeo and japonica Chhomrong originated from Nepal. Plant materials were grown in both of low altitude area of Milyang, Korea and high altitude area of Khumaltar, Nepal. In QTLs analysis, a total of 42 QTLs were detected in days to flowering, culm length, panicle length, number of panicles/hill, panicle exertion, and spikelet ripening ratio. Although many of the QTLs were coincided between the two locations of Korea and Nepal, several QTLs were revealed as location specific in high altitude area of Khumaltar. Especially, the regions harboring marker RM489-RM14281 on chromo- some 3, RM5642-RM19049 on chromosome 5, and RM2854-RM6696 on chromosome 12 where QTLs were clustered and coincided between the two locations are considered as positive target regions for environmental independent traits. Furthermore, high rate of location specific QTLs such as panicle exertion and spikelet ripening ratio could be considered carefully for understanding the mechanism of cold tolerance based on cultivation of different altitude location.