• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2009

Objectives: Members of the immortalization-upregulated protein (IMUP) family are nuclear proteins implicated in SV40-mediated immortalization and cellular proliferation, but the mechanisms by which their expression is regulated are still unknown in placenta. To investigate to expression and functions of IMUPs in placenta, we conducted to compare IMUPs expression in normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues and analyzed the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells after IMUP-2 gene transfection. Methods: The expression of IMUPs was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with preeclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with preeclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, RNA in situ hybiridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells, IMUP-2 plasmids were transfected into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours. Results: We observed that IMUPs are mainly expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and syncytial knot of placental villi. The expression of IMUP-1 was not differences between normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues. However, IMUP-2 expression was significantly higher in preterm preeclamptic placenta tissues than in normal placenta tissues without labor (p<0.001). Furthermore, we confirmed overexpression of IMUP-2 induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells through up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusions: These results suggest that the expression of IMUP-2 is involved in placental development as well as increased IMUP-2 expression is associated with preeclampsia through the inducing of trophoblast apoptosis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2015

This study is designed to analyze the effect of skincare using cosmetic containing ginseng extract, on improving quality of life (QOL) of healthy women, with blind testing. QOL is a concept that represents how one's disease or health condition can physically, psychologically, and socially influence his or her daily life. The study was conducted to assess the effect of a ginseng cosmetic preparation on quality of life (QOL) using the Skindex-16 score, stratified by blind versus non-blinded option. 45 healthy women aged between 30 and 49 years with no skin disease were recruited for this study. Volunteers were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 22) received anti-aging cream with ginseng extract in the original packaging, which included the brand name and logo. Group B (n = 23) received the same cream in a plain white jar without any package decoration or logo. Both groups used the cream for 8 weeks. For the skin-related QOL assessment, Skindex-16 was used at baseline, forth, and eighth week. All volunteers except two dropouts in Group A completed the dermatology-specific QOL measure, Skindex-16, at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of treatment with the provided samples. As a result, the mean score of 43 participants at baseline was $22.70{\pm}4.82$. There was a significant difference between the baseline score and the score after 8 weeks in both groups: The scores changed from $23.30{\pm}5.14$ to $20.20{\pm}4.83$ in Group A, from $22.17{\pm}4.58$ to $20.52{\pm}3.60$ in Group B. The "Symptom" subscale of Skindex-16 improved after 4 weeks and the "Emotion" subscale improved after 8 weeks in Group A. The "Function" subscale did not show improvement in either groups. Both groups showed no interaction effect between follow up time and groups in Skindex-16 and subscale. This research opens up the possibility of skincare using ginseng cream having a positive effect on QOL in healthy women. Moreover, one can predict that skincare ritual itself may have greater impact on the improvement of QOL, compared to the product packaging.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.209-232
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• 2012

The purposes of this study is to calculate the gender-based Life Expectancy and Disability Free Life Expectancy of 65-year-olds in accordance with the regions of 16 in Korea based on the years 2005 and 2010 by using the Sullivan method. We used the Census in 2005, 2010, the Korea National Statistical Office(10% sample). We also reviewed examining the changes in LE and DFLE and understanding the relevance between the DFLE of 65-year-olds of the year 2010 and related factors. As a result of this study, it was shown that the LE of the group of all 65-year-old in Korea increased from 18.15 years in 2005 to 19.75 years in 2010 and DFLE increased from 11.41 years in 2005 to 11.64 years in 2010. Regionally, the highest LE for total of 65-year-olds was found to be the entire Jeju area and DFLE was the highest in the city of Seoul. And the highest LE and the highest DFLE for 65-year-old male were found to be in the city of Seoul. Regarding the regional LE of 65-year-old female, both in 2005 and 2010 Jeju area was seen to be the highest. The results of a correlation analysis showed that the DFLE of 65-year-olds in 2010 was found to be increasing with high LE and high population density and in regions with low average temperatures, low number of beds and low age standardized death rates of malignant neoplasms and circulatory disease.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Alkalinity and total carbon contents were measured by acid neutralizing titration (ANT), back titration (BT), gravitational weighing (GW), non-dispersive infrared-total carbon (NDIR-TC) methods for assessing precision and accuracy of alkalinity and total carbon concentration in $CO_2$-rich water. Artificial $CO_2$-rich water(ACW: pH 6.3, alkalinity 68.8 meq/L, $HCO_3^-$ 2,235 mg/L) was used for comparing the measurements. When alkalinity measured in 0 hr, percent errors of all measurement were 0~12% and coefficient of variation were less than 4%. As the result of post-hoc analysis after repeated measure analysis of variance (RM-AMOVA), the differences between the pair of methods were not significant (within confidence level of 95%), which indicates that the alkalinity measured by any method could be accurate and precise when it measured just in time of sampling. In addition, alkalinity measured by ANT and NDIR-TC were not change after 24 and 48 hours open to atmosphere, which can be explained by conservative nature of alkalinity although $CO_2$ degas from ACW. On the other hand, alkalinity measured by BT and GW increased after 24 and 48 hours open to atmosphere, which was caused by relatively high concentration of measured total carbon and increasing pH. The comparison between geochemical modeling of $CO_2$ degassing and observed data showed that pH of observed ACW was higher than calculated pH. This can be happen when degassed $CO_2$ does not come out from the solution and/or exist in solution as $CO_{2(g)}$ bubble. In that case, $CO_{2(g)}$ bubble doesn't affect the pH and alkalinity. Thus alkalinity measured by ANT and NDIR-TC could not detect the $CO_2$ bubble although measured alkalinity was similar to the calculated alkalinity. Moreover, total carbon measured by ANT and NDIR-TC could be underestimated. Consequently, it is necessary to compare the alkalinity and total carbon data from various kind of methods and interpret very carefully. This study provide technical information of measurement of dissolve $CO_2$ from $CO_2$-rich water which could be natural analogue of geologic sequestration of $CO_2$.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1976

In order to investigate inherent erodibility of the soil, which is a major factor is soil erosion prediction, a survey on runoff and soil loss of reclaimed upland soil was carried out by using a portable rainulator. The relations of soil loss and some physical properties of the soil were discussed. The soil erodibility factor for Universal soil loss equation was calculated and compared with that of Wischmeier's nomograph. The result were as follows: 1. Total runoff increased for finer textured soil in order of Jeonnam silty clay loam, Songjeong clay loam, Yesan loam, Samgag and Sangju sandy loam. Total soil loss and soil content in runoff were not correspondently related with textural characteristic in order of Jeonnam, Samgag, Sangju, Yesan, and Songjeong. Total runoff, soil loss, and soil content in runoff were increased for steeper slope. 2. Soil loss and soil content in runoff negatively correlated with organic matter content of surface soil, while positively correlated with dispersion ratio, clay ratio, silt content, and significantly correlated with Middleton erosion ratio for coarser textured soil but not correctly related for finer textured soil. 3. The soil erodibilty factor K values for Universal soil loss equation were 0.32 for Jeonnam, 0.22 for Samgag, 0.17 for Sangju, 0.15 for Yesan, and 0.13 for Songjeong respectively. These values were close to those from Wischmeier's nomograph. So, it seems that the nomograph is useful for estimation of soil loss in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 1998

To determine the optimum application of fertilizers for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage in plastic film house, twenty soils which contain different salts contents were taken from 4 different area of plastic film house cultivation, Youngdong. Boeun county, Cheongweon county, and Cheongju city. The dry weight and the amount of N. P, and K uptakes of Chinese cabbage in the plot of no fertilization were considered as the factors representing the fertility of the soil. And a difference of dry weight and the amounts of N, P, and K uptakes of plants between the plot of fertilization and no fertilization were considered as the factors representing the total effect of fertilizer and fertilizer N, P, and K effects. respectively. These factors of soil fertility and fertilizer effects were estimated by correlation and regression with soil tests in order to find the critical levels and recommended method for optimum fertilization of Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage transplanted in two soils, having the electrical conductivity of 9.3 and 15.2 dS/m, were not able to root due to the salts toxicity. The content of inorganic N, the electrical conductivity, and CEC were founded to have significant correlation with the factors of both the soil fertility and fertilizer effects for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage. To determine the weighting degree for the productivity and the fertilizer effects, the standardized partial regression coefficient was analyzed by regression among the factors of fertility, the fertilizer effects, and the soil tests. The coefficient for inorganic N($NH_4-N$ and $NO_3-N$) was obtained as the absolute value of 756-1871 and this value was extremely higher than those of other soil tests which was 0.07-4.11. These results suggested that the content of inorganic N is the best tests for the estimation of the productivity and the fertilizer effects for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage in plastic film house. The critical level of inorganic N($NH_4-N+NO_3-N$) estimated by Cate-Nelson split method for maximum productivity and zero point of fertilizer effect was 220 mg/kg for all the factors of estimation. These results suggested that no application of fertilizer N. P, and K is required at the critical level of inorganic N of soil. Consequently the optimum application of fertilizer N, P, and K for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage in plastic film house was possible to determine by the critical level of inorganic N of soil. The critical level of electrical conductivity was estimated as 2.8 dS/m by the same method.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.408-414
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to find out optimum cultivated regions for rice organic farming. The organic and conventional rice as control were grown in three different places : secluded hill paddy field for Hapcheon, normal rural paddy field for Sancheong, and suburban paddy field for Jinju from 2005 to 2006. In secluded hill paddy field, the organic material and pesticide to control pest and disease were input twice for organic and conventional rice cultivation. However, in normal rural and suburban paddy field, those were input three times for organic and conventional rice cultivation. The occurrence of sheath blight in organic farming was higher than in conventional farming. Whereas brown planthopper population per 20 plant was significantly high 10.1~19.5 for conventional farming compared with 4.4~10.0 for organic farming. For that reason, the density of the brown planthoppers was higher in organic farming than those in conventional farming. Dominated weeds occurred in organic and conventional paddy field were namely Monochoria vaginalis, Ludwigia prostrata, and Cyperus difformis. The population per 20 plant and dried weight per $m^2$ of weeds were higher in 121 and 50.5 g for organic paddy field. The productivity of rice in different cultivated regions for organic farming was $2.96Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in hill paddy field, $4.03Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in normal rural and suburban paddy field. Toyo-taste value and ratio of perfect grain of milled rice were not different by cultivated regions in both farming system.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.804-811
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• 2010

The lower portion of sloping paddy fields normally contains excessive moisture and the higher water table caused by the inflow of ground water from the upper part of the field resulting in non-uniform water content distribution. Four drainage methods namely Open Ditch, Vinyl Barrier, Pipe Drainage and Tube Bundle for multiple land use were installed within 1-m position from the lower edge of the upper embankment of sloping alluvial paddy fields. Knowledge of the spatial variability of soil water properties is of primary importance for management of agricultural lands. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of drainage in the soil on spatial variability of soil water content using the geostatistical analysis. The soil water content was collected by a TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) sensor after the installation of subsurface drainage on regular square grid of 80 m at 20 m paddy field located at Oesan-ri, Buk-myeon, Changwon-si in alluvial slopping paddy fields ($35^{\circ}22^{\prime}$ N, $128^{\circ}35^{\prime}$). In order to obtain the most accurate field information, the sampling grid was divided 3 m by 3 m unit mesh by four drainage types. The results showed that spatial variance of soil water content by subsurface drainage was reduced, though yield of soybean showed the same trends. Value of "sill" of soil water content with semivariogram was 9.7 in Pipe Drainage, 86.2 in Open Ditch, and 66.8 in Vinyl Barrier and 15.7 in Tube Bundle.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2016

Objectives : Suicide attempters have impaired decision making and are at high risk of reattempt. Therefore it is important to refer them to psychiatric treatment. Especially, People with medical comorbidity are at higher risk of suicidal attempt and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of suicidal attempters and to analyze the influence of the medical comorbidity on decision to receive psychiatric treatment after visit to an emergency department. Methods : One hundred and thirty two patients, who visited the emergency room of a general hospital in Gyeonggi-do between January, 2012 and December, 2012 were enrolled as the subjects of this study. After reviewing each subject's medical records retrospectively, demographic and clinical factors were analyzed. Results : Regardless of the engagement type, either via admission or outpatient clinic, the determinant factors of psychiatric treatment engagement were psychiatric diagnosis, employment status, previous psychiatric treatment history, and previous attempt history. Comparison of severity of medical comorbidity(Charlson Comorbidity Index) showed that suicide attempters who received psychiatric treatment via admission or refused the treatment tended to have higher level of medical comorbidity than who received psychiatric treatment via outpatient department. Conclusions : Our findings showed that medical comorbidity of suicide attempters affected the decision to accept psychiatric treatment. All psychiatrists should evaluate the presence and the severity of medical comorbidity of the suicide attempters and consider implementing more intervention for the medically ill attempters who are willing to discharge against advice.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2015

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Postconcussional Syndrome Questionnaire(KPCSQ) which was originally developed in 1992 by Lees-Haley. Methods:Patients with traumatic brain injury were recruited from April 2009 to December 2011 from the Korean University Ansan Hospital. We selected patients that met the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria of postconcussional syndrome and organic mental disorder including organic mood disorder, organic emotionally labile disorder, organic anxiety disorder and organic personality disorder. The KPCSQ, Trait and State Anxiety Inventory(STAI-I, II), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CESD) were administered to all subjects. Factor analysis of the items were performed and test-retest correlation were evaluated. Internal consistency of the KPCSQ and its subscales was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. External validity of the KPCSQ were examined by correlation coefficient with the STAI-I, II, and CESD. Results:The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total PCSQ was 0.956. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.845. The PCSQ showed significant correlation with STAI-I, II and CESD. The factor analysis of the PCSQ yielded 4 factors model. Factor 1 represented 'affective and cognitive symptoms', factor 2 represented 'somatic symptoms', factor 3 represented 'infrequent symptoms' and factor 4 represented 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. There was no significant difference between the PCS group and the organic mental disorder group in the score on each measure. The scores on KPCSQ and its subscales in the subjects that had scored 5 or more in 'exaggeration or inattentive response' are significantly higher than those in the subjects had scored 4 in 'exaggeration or inattentive response'. Conclusions:This study suggests that the Korean version of PCSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing psychiatric symptomatology of patients with traumatic brain injury. Further investigations with greater numbers of subjects are necessary to assess the clinical usefulness of the KPCSQ.