• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Environmental characteristics and vegetation of the natural habitats of Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y. Sun were investigated in order to provide the basic data for conservation, restoration, and utilization of this Korean endemic plant. This study was conducted in Anyang, Byeonsan, Geoje, Gyeongju, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. E. byunsanensis was distributed around the altitudes of 84~585 m with a slope degree of $10{\sim}20^{\circ}$, and mostly formed discontinuous populations in north-east part of valleys. Soil analysis showed the mean organic matter of 9.6% and a slightly acidic pH (mean pH of 4.9). The mean gravimetric water content was 16.5%. Correlation coefficients between environmental factors and community characteristics suggested that there was a positive correlation between slope degree and soil water content, between slope degree and soil pH, between soil organic matter and importance value, and between species richness or evenness and species diversity. The vascular plants from 59 quadrats of 7 habitats were identified into 144 taxa. A few species were dominants and similarly distributed in Byeonsan, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. The highest species diversity was found in Geoje (1.43), while Anyang showed the lowest (0.87). Species evenness of Gyeongju and Jeju was bigger than 0.8, but that of Geoje was the lowest (0.59). Dominant species of woody plants in and around the 59 plots were represented by high frequency of Acer pictum subsp. mono, Carpinus cordata, Lindera obtusiloba, and Carpinus laxiflora. The results of this study can provide useful data for conservation and restoration of natural habitats of Korean endemic Eranthis byunsanensis and for the development and growth of this species for ornamental purposes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.659-666
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• 2004

This study was conducted to assess objective and subjective meat quality traits for imported chilled beef with a high degree of marbling in longissimus muscle with reference to Hanwoo beef Muscle samples of four Wagyu, four Angus, four Hanwoo grade 1, and three Hanwoo grade 3 were purchased from a commercial beef market. The meats had intramuscular fat content of approximately 22, 8, 13 and 4%, and aged for 31, 71, 14 and 14 days, respectively. Imported beef showed a significantly(P<0.05) lower WB-shear force than Hanwoo. However, the instrument measurement did not reflect sensory tenderness and juiciness, which were similar between the four groups. On the other hand, Hanwoo beef showed significantly(P<0.05) favorable flavor intensity. This was likely an indication of more a desirable eating quality for Hanwoo beef, regardless of the level of intramuscular fat content. Discriminant functions of C18: 0, C18: In-7, C18: In-9, C20: 3n-6, C20 : 4n-6 and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids classified the domestic and foreign beef products at 100%, despite a noticeable difference between two groups existed only in C18:0. Principle component analysis indicated that subjective flavor intensity was negatively related to C18: 0 and C18: ln-7. The result indicated that C18: 0 could be a possible candidate fatty acid for difference in flavor intensity between two beef groups. The current study demonstrated that the domestic product was more acceptable for Korean consumers. However, it was not identified whether the result was associated with breed, feeding regime, or ageing time. Further studies are required for breed specification in terms of sensory characteristics and consumer preference.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-25
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• 2020

Industrialization has increased the production of road-deposited sediments (RDS) and the level of heavy metals in those RDS, which can have a significant impact on the surrounding aquatic environments through non-point pollution. Although the relationship between contamination characteristics and particle size of RDS is important for pollution control, there is very little information on this. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of grain size distribution and heavy metal concentrations in the road-deposited sediments (RDS) collected from 25 stations in Shihwa Industrial Complex. The environmental impact of RDS with particle size is also studied. I_geo, the contamination assessment index of each metal concentration, represents the RDS from Shihwa Industrial Complex are very highly polluted with Cu, Zn, Pb and Sb, and the levels of those metals were 633~3605, 130~1483, 120~1997, 5.5~50 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in RDS increased with the decrease in particle size. The particle size fraction below 250 ㎛ was very dominant with mass and contamination loads, 78.6 and 70.4%, respectively. Particles less than 125 ㎛ of RDS were highly contaminated and toxic to benthic organisms in rivers. RDS particles larger than 250 ㎛ and smaller than 250 ㎛ were contaminated by the surrounding industrial facility and vehicle activities, respectively. As a result of this study, the clean-up of fine particles of RDS, smaller than 125-250 ㎛, is very important for the control and reduction of non-point pollution to nearby water in Shihwa Industrial Complex.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.767-773
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• 2007

Purpose : Obesity has become a pandemic and especially the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased remarkably over the past years. Childhood obesity is often accompanied by the expected morbidities such as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and glucose intolerance. We evaluated the pattern of alteration in the body mass index (BMI), serum adiponectin concentration, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and complication rates after one year follow-up. Methods : Forty two obese children (age: 8-15 years, 95th percentile of BMI for age and sex) were examined twice annually on June, 2004 and July, 2005. The body mass index (BMI) and sexual maturityrating (SMR) were determined annually by the same examiner and serum fasting glucose, liver enzyme, lipid profiles, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA-IR were measured and annual results were compared. Upper abdominal sonography was performed to detect fatty liver. Results : BMI ($25.3{\pm}2.9kg/m^2$ vs. $26.0{\pm}2.9kg/m^2$) and HOMA-IR ($3.6{\pm}1.8$ vs. $4.7{\pm}1.9$) have increased significantly after one-year follow-up. The serum adiponectin concentration ($17.2{\pm}5.2g/mL$ vs. $12.6{\pm}5.2g/mL$) has decreased after one year. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver were not changed significantly but that of hyperinsulinemia increased after one-year. HOMA-IR showed a positive correlation with BMI and SMR, but was negatively correlated with serum adiponectin concentration. Conclusion : Obese children in our study showed significant increment of insulin resistance during one year. These results suggest that well-organized and continuous obesity control is required especially for obese adolescent to prevent complication of obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.87-97
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• 2017

Paulownia species has long been recognized in Korean traditional culture and the values of the species have been researched in various focuses. However, studies on distribution and ecological characteristics of the species are still needed. This study aimed to identify distribution trends and ecological characteristics of two Paulownia species in Busan metropolitan city using the MaxEnt model. The MaxEnt model was established based on the environmental factors such as positioning information of the Paulownia species, topography, climate and degree of anthropogenic disturbance potentiality (ADP), which was collected in the on-site research. The study verified that the accuracy of the model was appropriate as the AUC value of Paulownia coreana and P. tomentosa was 0.809, respectively. In terms of the distribution trends of the two Paulownia species in the research area depending on the distribution model, they were both mainly distributed in downtown where built-up area and bare ground were densely concentrated. The potential distribution area of the two species was identified as $137.4km^2$ for P. coreana and $135.0km^2$ for P. tomentosa. The distribution probability was high in Jung-gu, Dongrae-gu, Busanjin-gu and Yeonje-gu. As a result of the analysis on contribution of the environmental factors, it was turned out that the degree of anthropogenic disturbance potentiality (ADP) contributed to distribution of P. coreana and P. tomentosa by about 50%, and the contribution of the environmental factors had a positive correlation with the degree of ADP. The elevation had a negative correlation with both the two species, which was considered because the species must compete more with native species in natural habitats as the altitude above sea level rises. The research findings demonstrated numerically that the distribution of P.coreana and P. tomentosa depended on artificial activities, and indicated the relevance with the Korean traditional landscape. These findings are expected to provide meaningful information in using, preserving and restoring Paulownia species.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2006

Purpose: A primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach is relatively rare, accounting for only about 0.5% of all gastric cancers. However, its histopathologic characteristics are still unclear, and the most appropriate form of therapy has not been established yet. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 8 patients with pathologically confirmed primary adenosquamous carcinomas out of 8,268 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery at Samsung Medical Center between September 1994 and December 2004. Results: The median age of the 8 patients was 49 ($41{\sim}69$) years, and the male : female ratio was 5 : 3. In 3 patients, the tumor was located at the mid body of the stomach, and in 5 patients, at the lower body or antrum. The tumor sizes were $2.5{\sim}8cm$. Seven patients showed metastases to the regional lymph nodes. The UICC stage distribution were: 5 stage II, 2 stage III, and 1 stage IV. In the stage IV patient, a palliative gastrojejunostomy was performed, and he died 5 months after surgery. Of the 7 patients who underwent a radical gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotheratpy, the median survival was 34 ($12{\sim}66$) months, 2 patients died of cancer recurrence, and 4 patients are being followed up without evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: As for an adenocarcinoma of the stomach, a radical gastrectomy including regional lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy should be performed for appropriate treatment of an adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2001

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is common and may produce various symptoms and serious complications. A substantial number of research articles on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome have been published in Korea. However, we found such limitations as lack of sufficient sample size and lack of polysomnography-proven cases. Therefore, we aimed at studying clinical features and sleep structure in a sufficient number of Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome diagnostically confirmed with polysomnography. Methods: We studied 801 subjects referred to the Division of Sleep Studies, Seoul National University Hospital, who were diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with polysomnography. Subjects were excluded if they had central sleep apnea syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy or REM sleep behavior disorder. Foreign patients were also excluded. First of all, we studied the clinical features of the subjects. Secondly, we compared sleep-related parameters of the study subjects with those of age/sex-matched normal values. Thirdly, correlations of respiratory disturbance index (RDI) with each of the sleep-related parameters were calculated. Results: Among the 801 subjects, 668 were male subjects (83.4%) and 133 female subjects (16.4%). Their mean age was 46.6 years (${\pm}13.5$). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.8 (${\pm}3.8$) and subjects with BMI was over 28.0 accounted for 22.8% of the total. Fifty subjects (6.2%) were found to take benzodiazepines. Mean RDI and mean nocturnal oxygen saturation of all subjects was 31.2 (${\pm}24.4$) and 94.5% (${\pm}3.6$), respectively. In comparison with normal values, the subjects showed longer sleep latency, lower sleep efficiency, decreased total slow wave sleep % (TSWS %), and decreased total REM sleep % (TREM %)(p<0.01 in all). RDI had a negative correlation with each TSWS % and TREM % (p<0.01, p<0.01). However, RDI did not have significant correlation with either sleep latency or sleep efficiency. Conclusion: In this study, 6.2% of patients diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were found to take benzodiazepines, although they are generally considered to be of litte benefit or even dangerous because of the respiratory suppressing effect. The proportion of obese subjects was only 22.8% and Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome seem to be less obese than those described in foreign journals. This study also suggests that the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may have a more significant effect on sleep architecture defined as TSWS % and TREM % than on sleep efficiency.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. Results: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2011

Cucumber fermentation has been used as a means of preservation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of fermented cucumber beverage (CF) containing beneficial materials for an ethanol hangover based on Hovenia dulcis (SKM) on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: ethanol control, ethanol plus SKM, and ethanol plus CF+SKM. SKM or CF+SKM was orally administered at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 5 weeks. Control rats were given an equal amount of water. CF+SKM significantly lowered plasma ethanol levels, whereas SKM tended to decrease the levels compared to the control. Both SKM and CF+SKM significantly lowered the plasma acetaldehyde levels and serum transaminase activities compared to those in the control. SKM and CF+SKM did not affect hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity; however, it significantly inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity. Hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was significantly higher in the SKM and CF+SKM groups than that in the control group. Plasma acetaldehyde concentration was significantly correlated with hepatic CYP2E1 (r=0.566, p<0.01) activity and ALDH (r=-0.564, p<0.01) activity. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as glutathione content increased with the SKM and CF+SKM administration, whereas lipid peroxide content decreased significantly. Furthermore, SKM and CF+SKM lowered plasma and hepatic lipid content and lipid droplets compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that SKM and CF+SKM exhibit hepatoprotective properties partly by inhibiting CYP2E1 activity, enhancing ALDH activity and stimulating the antioxidant defense systems in ethanol-treated rats.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.465-472
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• 2010

This study surveyed salivary flow rate, salivary viscosity, and salivary buffering capacity in order to intensively analyze salivary factors among factors of occurrence in dental caries for finding mutually different factors that function in occurrence of dental caries depending on each individual. Even the acid body within dental plaque has great influence upon dental caries. Thus, the comparative analysis was carried out by surveying the hydrogen ion concentration in dental plaque. The following results were obtained in this study. 1. The average decayed teeth in the survey subjects stood at 1.67 piece. The extracted teeth caused by dental caries stood at 0.47 piece. The filled teeth were indicated to be 6.31 pieces. Accordingly, the average permanent dental caries experience teeth were surveyed to be 8.44 pieces. 2. The results according to dental caries activity test method were indicated to be $12.56{\pm}4.15ml$ for the average stimulated salivary flow rate, $3.89{\pm}1.83ml$ for non-stimulated salivary flow rate, $1.49{\pm}0.69$ for salivary viscosity, and $8.51{\pm}2.44$ for salivary buffering capacity. The hydrogen ion concentration test in dental plaque was indicated to be $5.62{\pm}0.50$ for before brushing teeth, $5.23{\pm}0.58$ for 5 minutes after brushing teeth, $5.25{\pm}0.56$ for 10 minutes after brushing teeth, $5.29{\pm}0.62$ for 15 minutes after brushing teeth, $5.34{\pm}0.58$ for 20 minutes after brushing teeth, $5.40{\pm}0.53$ for 25 minutes after brushing teeth, and $5.61{\pm}0.59$ for 30 minutes after brushing teeth. 3. Stimulated salivary and non-stimulated salivary flow rate, salivary viscosity, and salivary buffering capacity were indicated to be higher in group with non-caries than group with caries. However, it was statistically insignificant. The hydrogen ion concentration in dental plaque showed wholly statistical significant in the relationship with people with dental caries under progression. However, people without dental caries were indicated to be higher than people with dental caries. 4. As for correlation between caries activity test methods, the stimulated salivary flow rate had significantly positive correlation with non-stimulated salivary flow rate(p<0.001). Non-stimulated salivary flow rate showed negative correlation with salivary buffering capacity(p<0.01). The hydrogen ion concentration test in dental plaque showed positive correlation according to the passage of time after brushing teeth. However, there was no significant correlation with salivary viscosity and salivary buffering capacity(p>0.05).