• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.3 s.27
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• pp.368-379
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• 1989

The relationship between mercury level of hair and mental retardation was investigated. The 297 subjects with mental retardation were drawn from two schools providing special educational services, one, consisted of children living in an orphan home, another, children with parents. The 117 centre] subjects were drawn from whom had got average or above average academic achivement in a regular elementary school. Hair sample were taken from the nape of the neck and the mercury analysis was carried out on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer(IL 551). There was no relationship between mercury contents and age, and there was a statistically significant difference in mercury contents between male and female in the mentally retarded children living with parents. Children in the retarded group had significantly higher mercury contents compared with control group except the female group with parents. Also, the mercury levels in the retarded group living in an orphan home were significantly higher than that of the retarded group with parents. The concomitant diseases were Down's syndrome, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism. There were statistically significant differences in hair mercury levels in the cases of accompanying Down's syndrome and cerebral palsy in male and Down's syndrome and autism in female compared with the control group of the same sex. The most accompanying handicap was speech disturbance(40.7%) and the others were crippled, emotional disturbance etc. The percentages of double handicap were 66.7% among 6 persons exceeding 6ppm of their hair mercury contents. 10.4% among $3{\sim}6$ ppm and 15.7% among the group of 3ppm or less. The findings of this study suggest that the more opportunities of exposure to mercury in mentally retarded children may have occurred, so it can not be excluded the possibility of mercury as a contributing factor to mental retardation. Therefore, the causal relationship between mercury levels and mental retardation should be established through the examinations about their living environments, dietary pattern, eating habit etc.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.294-302
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• 2000

Purpose: To investigate the mechanisms related to F-18-FDG uptake by tumors, F-18-FDG accumulation was compared with glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1) expression and hexokinase activity in various human cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Human colon cancer (SNU-C2A, SNU-C4, SNU-C5), hepatocellular carcinoma (SNU-387, SNU-423, SNU-449), lung cancer (NCI-H522, NCI-H358, NCI-H1299), uterine cervical cancer (HeLa, HeLa 229, HeLa S3) and brain tumor (A172, Hs 683) cell lines were used. After 24 hr incubation of $5{\times}10^5$ cells, 37 kBq F-18-FDG was added and the uptake by cells at 10 min was measured using a gamma counter. Hexokinase activity was measured by continuous spectrophotometric rate determination. To measure mitochondrial hexokinase activity, mitochondrial fraction was separated by a high speed centrifuge. Immunohistochemical staining of Glut-1 was performed, and graded as 0, 1, 2, or 3 according to expression. Results: There was difference among F-18-FDG uptake, total and mitochondrial hexokinase activity, and Glut-1 expression with different cancer cell lines. The correlations of F-18-FDG with total hexokinase and mitochondrial hexokinase activity were low (r=0.27 and 0.26, respectively). Glut-1 expression showed a good correlation with F-18-FDG uptake (p=0.81, p=0.0015). Previously, we reported no correlation of F-18-FDG uptake with hexokinase activity in colon cancer cell lines. Thus, when colon cancer cells were excluded, F-18-FDG uptake showed higher correlation with total hexokinase and mitochondrial hexokinase activity (r=0.81, p=0.0027 and r=0.81, p=0.0049, respectively). Conclusion: Both Glut-1 expression and hexokinase activity were contributing factors related to F-18-FDG accumulation in human cancer cell lines. The relative contribution of Glut-1 expression and hexokinase activity, however, was different among different cancer cell types.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2012

In this study, the cellular protective effect and antioxidative property of peanut sprout root extracts were investigated. Cellular protective effects of peanut sprout root extracts on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of extracts exhibited a cellular protective effect in a concentration dependent manner. Particularly, the aglycone fraction of extracts showed prominent cellular protective effects in a concentration range (5~50 ${\mu}g/mL$). They are more effective than that of (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, known as a lipid peroxidation chain blocker. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of peanut sprout root extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction of extracts ($OSC_{50}$; 1.59 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed a similar ROS scavenging activity compare with that of L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$), known as a strong antioxidant. On the other hand, the order of free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydraxyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) was (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol > 80% MeOH extract > aglycone fraction > ethyl acetate fraction. These results indicate that peanut sprout root extracts can function as an antioxidant in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to solar UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and to protect cellular membranes against ROS.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3 s.99
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• pp.198-212
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• 2002

A numerical variation and abnormalities were studied on egg bags and embryos of Korean salamander, Hynobius leechii from agricultural habitat. The teratogenic and toxic effects of fungicide benomyl were also investigated with early embryos from non-agricultural habitat. We collected 144 egg bags from agricultural region, and 3418 of early embryos were contained. The lengths of egg bags were varied from 10 to 23 cm and the most frequent length was 19 cm. The number of embryos was varied from 7 to 43, and the most frequent range was 22 to 26. Spontaneous abnormalities were occurred in 406 embryos among 116 egg bags, and 24 kinds of external abnormalities were found. Individuals showing severe external defect were histologically studied and they showed optic dyspalsia, thyroid carcinoma, somatic muscular dysplasia, partial biaxial structure, decrease of red blood cells in the heart, cephalic degeneration and intestinal dysplasia. 385 embryos from non-agricultural region were exposed to 200 nM${\sim}$ 1 ${\mu}$M of benomyl at blastula or gastrula for 12 days. All embryo were dead in the concentration of 1 ${\mu}$M (LD$_{100}$) and 75% of embryos were dead in 800nM of benomyl. Speciflc effect due to benomyl was acrania or cephalic dysplasia and this restult suggests that the benomyl inhibit stongly to the development of neural tissue. These abnormal developments may be caused by antimitotic action, inhibition of tubulin complex, destruction of microtubule, inhibitions of neurulation and closing of neural fold, and by the inhibition of the movement of neural crest cells.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.3 s.108
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• pp.344-354
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• 2004

A pilot study was performed from September 2000 to April 2004 to examine the feasibility of the wetland-pond system for the agricultural reuse of reclaimed water. The wetland system was a subsurface flow type, with a hydraulic residence time of 3.5 days, and the subsequent pond was 8 $m^3$ in volume (2 m ${\times}$ 2 m ${\times}$ 2 m) and operated with intermittent-discharge and continuous flow types. The wetland system was effective in treating the sewage; median removal efficiencies of $BOD_5$ and TSS were above 70.0%, with mean effluent concentrations of 27.1 and 16.8 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, for these constituents. However, they did often exceed the effluent water quality standards of 20 mg $L^{-1}$. Removal of T-N and T-P was relatively less effective and mean effluent concentrations were approximately 103.2 and 7.2 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. The wetland system demonstrated high removal rate (92 ${\sim}$ 90%) of microorganisms, but effluent concentrations were in the range of 300 ${\sim}$ 16,000 MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ which is still high for agricultural reuse. The subsequent pond system provided further treatment of the wetland effluent, and especially additional microorganisms removal in addition to wetland-pond system could reduce the mean concentration to 1,000 MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ from about $10^5$ MPN 100 $mL^{-1}$ of wetland influent. Other parameters in the pond system showed seasonal variation, and the upper layer of the pond water column became remarkably clear immediately after ice melt. Overall, the wetland system was found to be adequate for treating sewage with stable removal efficiency, and the subsequent pond was effective for further polishing. This study concerned agricultural reuse of reclaimed water using natural systems. Considering stable performance and effective removal of bacterial indicators as well as other water quality parameters, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, wetland- pond system was thought to be an effective and feasible alternative for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water in rural area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2009

The objectives of this study were to evaluate seasonal and interannual variations of water quality and nutrient input (N, P) in Junam Reservoir, a nesting waterbody of migratory birds, over 10 years during 1998$\sim$2007 along with dynamic relations of trophic parameters using empirical models. Concentrations of COD averaged 7.8 mg $L^{-1}$ during the study, while TN and TP were $1.4\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $83{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively, indicating an eutrophic-hypereutrophic state. Values of monthly COD had strong positive relations (r=0.669, p<0.001) with conductivity, indicating that summer rainfall resulted in an ionic dilution of the reservoir water by rainwater and contributed better water quality. One-way ANOVA tests showed significant differences (F=$5.2{\sim}12.9$, p<0.05) in TN and TP between the before and after the bird migration. In other words, nutrient levels were greater in the absence of migratory birds than in the presence of the migratory birds, suggesting a no-effect on nutrient inputs by the birds. Also, one-way ANOVA indicated no significant differences (F=$0.37{\sim}0.48$, p>0.05) in $NO_{3^-}N$ and $NH_{3^-}N$ between the before and after the birds migration. Linear empirical models using trophic parameters showed that algal biomass as CHL, had significant low correlations with TN ($R^2$=0.143, p<0.001, n=119) and TP ($R^2$=0.192, p<0.001, n=119). These results suggest that influences of nutrients on the CHL were evident, but the effect was weak. This fact was supported by analysis of Trophic State Index Deviation (TSID). Over 70% in the observed values of "TSI (CHL)-TSI (SD)" and "TSI (CHL)-TSI (TP)" were less than zero, suggesting a light limitation on the CHL by inorganic suspended solids.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study used a mesocosm which presumes movement of the nutrient (especially $PO_{4^-}P$) in the wetland. After setting up the mesocosm inside the wetland and adding the $PO_{4^-}P$, observed the movement of the $PO_{4^-}P$ every hour. We analyzed the variables which had the possibility of affecting $PO_{4^-}P$ concentration in the wetland-flora, absorbing rate of algae, settling rate, release rate. Immediately after adding $PO_{4^-}P$, the concentration of the TP in water column at each mesocosm was 0.48, 12.4, 20.4, $23.6\;mg\;L^{-1}$, after 21 days they were 0.6, 1.92, 6.97 and $6.94\;mg\;L^{-1}$ respectively. The concentration of the TP in water column at the mesocosm decreased on average 73.7%. The concentration of the $PO_{4^-}P$ inside reed, algae and sediment in the mesocosm was increased from $0.73mg\;gDW^{-1}$, $3.81mg\;gDW^{-1}$, $466.1mg\;kg^{-1}$ to $0.83mg\;gDW^{-1}$, $4.57mg\;gDW^{-1}$ and $813.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively. Algae is more sensitive than reeds in absorption of the nutrient. TP removal by settling was highest. Budgeting of TP indicated that P moved from particulates in the water column to sediment and algae. Immediately after adding $PO_{4^-}P$, water column (24.2%) and sediment (49.0%) dominated TP storage, with algae (10.3%) and reed (16.4%) holding smaller proportions of TP. After 21 days, Sediment (59.0%) and algae (17.9%) dominated TP storage, with water column (7.1%) and reed (15.8%) holding smaller proportions of TP. Estimation of phosphate movement using mesocosms is an appropriate method because wetlands have many controlling factors. Analysed data can be compared to background data for wetland construction and management.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.399-404
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• 2016

The applicability of photostimulated-luminescence (PSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) for the detection of 12 food materials (potato, onion, garlic, dried pumpkin, black mushroom, black soybean, Cheongkukjang powder, sea mustard, pepper powder, Ramyun soup, corn tea, and green tea powder) irradiated with an electron beam, gamma ray, and X ray at a range of 0.15 to 10 kGy was investigated. For PSL, negative results (less than 700 photon counts (PCs)) were observed from non-irradiated foods while the irradiated foods showed intermediate (879 to 2,414 PCs) and/or positive (19,951 to 65,919,035 PCs) values. In all irradiated samples, the maximum peak of the TL glow curve was observed between 150 and $250^{\circ}C$. Our findings demonstrate the successful application of PSL and TL to determine whether food items were irradiated or not. However, there were no significant differences among the radiation sources.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.658-667
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• 2015

This research was conducted to investigate the influence of various levels of fused superphosphate as pre-planting fertilizer on the growth of red-leaf lettuce and changes in the chemical properties of the soil solution in three root media, namely coir-dust plus expanded rice hull (8:2, v/v; CD+ERH), carbonized rice hull (6:4; CD+CRH), or ground and aged pine bark (8:2; CD+GAPB). The amounts of fused superphosphate (FSP) incorporated into the three root media during formulation were controlled from 0 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in $1.5g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ increments. The root media containing fertilizers were packed into 300 mL plastic pots and seedlings of red-leaf lettuce at the 3rd leaf stage were transplanted. After transplanting, the crops were fed with a solution of neutral fertilizer ($100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). The growth of red-leaf lettuce was investigated 5 weeks after transplanting and soil solutions were extracted and analyzed every week for pH, EC, and concentrations of macro-nutrients. The elevation of application rates of FSP in the three root media resulted in better growth, and the crops grown in CD+ERH and CD+GRPB had greater fresh and dry weights than those in CD+CRH when compared among the treatments of equal amounts of FSP. The pH and $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations in the soil solution of CD+CRH at 3 weeks after transplant were in the ranges of 4.0 to 4.8 and 20 to $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. These were lower pH and higher $PO_4{^{-3}}$ concentrations than those in CD+ERH and CD+GAPB. The $K^+$ concentrations were higher in CD+CRH than those in the other two root media, and the elevation of FSP application rates resulted in higher $Ca^{+2}$, $Mg^{+2}$ and $SO_4{^{-2}}$ concentrations in soil solution of the three root media. The $NO_3$-N concentrations in soil solution rose continuously during crop cultivation, implying that the leaching percentage was elevated. The soil solution EC varied, showing the same tendencies as the $NO_3$-N concentrations. The above results indicated that the CD+ERH and CD+GRPB media performed better than CD+CRH, and optimum application rates of FSP in the three root media were 4.5 to $6.0g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for pot cultivation of red-leaf lettuce.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.252-257
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• 2000

The physicochemical and pasting properties of amaranth starches isolated from five cultivars, Andy, Suvarna, Nu World, K266-1, K432, grown in Korea, were investigated. The shapes of starch granules were all polygonal and size was in the range $1.14{\sim}1.48\;{\mu}m$ for all five cultivars. X-ray diffractograms were shown typical A type diffraction patterns for all amaranth starches. The protein and crude lipid contents of starches were $0.13{\sim}0.23%$ and $0.01{\sim}0.05%$, respectively. The apparent amylose contents ranged from $2.79{\sim}4.35%$ and the water binding capacities were $128.05{\sim}135.80%$. The transmittances of 0.1% amaranth starch suspensions except K266-1 increased rapidly above $65^{\circ}C$, thereafter increased slowely. The initial pasting and peak temperature ranges of five cultivars by RVA were $71.3{\sim}73.7^{\circ}C$ and $81.5{\sim}84.0^{\circ}C$, respectively. The peak and cooling viscosities followed the order : Nu World>Andy>Suvarna>K432>>K266-1. Nu World was shown the highest peak (166), final (103) and cooling viscosities (30 RVU). K266-I exhibited the lowest setback (-38) of all five cultivars. Gelatinization (To) and peak temperature (Tp) of amaranth starches in DSC thermograms were $65.7{\sim}68.0^{\circ}C$ and $70.6{\sim}75.8^{\circ}C$, respectively. Enthalpies followed the order: K266-1