• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.396-402
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• 2006

Soil organic carbon has long been considered as the most critical factor to evaluate the soil quality, fertility, and fertilizer prescription. In addition, soil organic carbon may impact on greenhouse gas effects and global warming. Because of that, the management of soil organic carbon is increasingly important not only for improving soil quality but also for managing soil as a greenhouse gas source. Both wet and dry combustion have been used to determine soil organic carbon. Many benefits, such as automation and less labor, could the dry combustion method become more popular. Inorganic form of carbon could overestimate soil organic carbon when the dry combustion method was applied. Determination of soil inorganic carbon may contribute to the improved accuracy of soil organic carbon analysis using dry combustion method. Objectives of this research were 1) to develop soil inorganic carbon determination method using modified digital pressure calcimeter and 2) to evaluate soil organic carbon from calcareous soils using the dry and wet combustion method. Results showed that the significant linear relationship was found between soil inorganic carbon content and pressure calcimeter output. Inorganic carbon ranged from 22% to 28% of total carbon in the calcareous soil samples. Soil organic carbon content by dry combustion for calcareous soil was determined by subtracting inorganic carbon measured by the digital pressure calcimeter from total carbon. Soil organic carbon determined by dry combustion method was significantly correlated with that by wet combustion method. In conclusion, the digital pressure calcimeter may use to improve soil organic carbon determination for the calcareous soils by subtracting of soil inorganic carbon from total carbon determined by dry combustion method.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2015

Bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) can be different depending on soil pH. For this reason, main purpose of this research was to compare bioavailability of Cd and As in agricultural field under varied soil pH and different extractants. Bioavailable fraction of Cd and As in soil was extracted with $CaCl_2$, $NaNO_3$, DTPA, EDTA, and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs). Soil samples and cultivated crops were collected at the range of soil pH 4.5-8.5 and correlation analysis was conducted between bioavailable fraction of Cd and As in soil and total concentration of Cd and As in crops. Results showed that concentration of Cd and As in acidic soil was ranged $0.002-0.462mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $0.041-4.903mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively. In alkaline condition, concentration of Cd and As were ranged $0.006-0.351mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $0.039-2.807mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively. Comparing bioavailable fraction of Cd and As in acidic and alkaline soil condition, higher concentration was measured in acidic condition. Similarly, higher average concentration of Cd and Asin crops was observed in acidic condition (0.398 and $0.751mg\;kg^{-1}$ respectively) than alkaline condition (0.248 and $0.264mg\;kg^{-1}$). Among different extractants, LMWOAs method showed higher correlation ($r^2=0.545$) for Cd in acidic condition indicating that LMWOAs method could be applied for evaluating bioavailability of Cd in acidic soil. However, no high correlation was observed for As in both acidic and alkaline condition. Overall, bioavailable fraction of Cd and As can be higher in acidic condition of soil than alkaline condition resulting higher uptake of Cd and As from soil to crops. Therefore, efficient best management practice (BMPs) for Cd and As in acidic soil should be conducted for minimizing uptake of Cd and As into crops.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1080-1084
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• 2011

Predictive model for estimating total contents of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was developed by stepwise multiple-regression analysis using chemical properties and extractable contents of metal in paddy soil adjacent to abandoned mines in 2009 and 2010. Soil properties, e.g. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), available phosphorus ($P_2O_5$), and exchangeable cations (i.e. Ca, Na, K, Mg) were measured. Total contents of Cd and Pb as well as extractable contents of metals were analyzed by ICP-OES. Results showed that the total and extractable contents were estimated to be 3.55 and $0.27mg\;kg^{-1}$ in Cd and 83.38 and $24.32mg\;kg^{-1}$ in Pb on the average. From stepwise analysis, it was found that the contents of extractable Cd, Zn, Cu, as well as exchangeable Na were significantly influenced on estimation of the total contents of Cd in soil. Moreover, it also showed that the contents of extractable Pb, Zn, and Cu significantly affected estimation of the total contents of Pb in soil. More significant relationship between estimated and measured value in total contents of Pb was observed than those of Cd ($R^2$=0.87, p<0.0001). This demonstrates that extractable contents of metal are influenced more on estimation of total contents of Cd and Pb in soil than soil properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.583-590
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin, isolated from ginseng, acts as a ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand and elicits the [Ca²⁺]_i transient through six LPA receptor subtypes (LPARSs). However, the long-term effects of gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on the gene expression of six LPARSs remain unknown. We examined changes in the gene expression of six LPA receptors in the mouse whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, small intestine, colon, and testis after long-term oral GEF administration. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control vehicle and GEF (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 21-day saline or GEF treatment, total RNA was extracted from nine mouse organs. Quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to quantify changes in the gene and protein expression of the six LPARSs, respectively. Results: qRT-PCR analysis before GEF treatment revealed that the LPA6 RS was predominant in all organs except the small intestine. The LPA2 RS was most abundant in the small intestine. Long-term GEF administration differentially regulated the six LPARSs. Upon GEF treatment, the LPA6 RS significantly increased in the liver, small intestine, colon, and testis but decreased in the whole brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Western blot analysis of the LPA6 RS confirmed the differential effects of GEF on LPA6 receptor protein levels in the whole brain, liver, small intestine, and testis. Conclusion: The LPA6 receptor was predominantly expressed in all nine organs examined; long-term oral GEF administration differentially regulated LPA3, LPA4, and LPA6 receptors in the whole brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, and testis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.477-486
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• 2021

To utilize Malus pruniforia Borkh. as a functional material, cold-water (CW), hot-water (HW), and 70% ethanol (EtOH) extracts were prepared, and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were compared. The antioxidant activity of the HW extract evaluated by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP activity was significantly effective. The total polyphenol content of the HW extract was also higher by 15.5±0.7 mg GAE/g extract compared to other extracts. The EtOH extract showed significantly decreased TNF-α (39.8%), IL-6 (65.5%), and NO (34.9%) levels in RAW 264.7 cells compared to the LPS-induced control group. The levels of IL-6 (21.1%) and IL-8 (19.3%) were significantly decreased by treatment of EtOH extract in HaCaT keratinocytes induced with TNF-α and IFN-γ. The UHPLC-MS results indicated that the EtOH extract might have chlorogenic acid and phlorizin as the major compounds. This was validated using HPLC-DAD, which showed that the EtOH extract had higher levels of chlorogenic acid and phlorizin (1,185±58 and 470±10 ㎍/g extract, respectively). In conclusion, the present study suggested that the anti-inflammatory activity of the EtOH extract was more effective than the CW and HW extracts, and chlorogenic acid and phlorizin could be used as indicator compounds and functional substances.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2019

Objective : Functional outcomes have traditionally been evaluated and compared using subjective surveys, such as visual analog scores (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), to assess symptoms and quality of life. However, these surveys are limited by their subjective natures and inherent bias caused by differences in patient perceptions of symptoms. The Fitbit $Charge^{(R)}$ (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) provides accurate and objective measures of physical activity. The use of this device in patients after laminectomy would provide objective physical measures that define ambulatory function, activity level, and degree of recovery. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify relationships between the number of steps taken by patients per day and VAS pain scores, prognoses, and postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : We prospectively investigated 22 consecutive patients that underwent laminectomy for spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc between June 2015 and April 2016 by the same surgeon. When patients were admitted for surgery and first visited after surgery, preoperative and postoperative functional scores were recorded using VAS scores, ODI scores, and SF-36. The VAS scores and physical activities were recorded daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7. The relationship between daily VAS scores and daily physical activities were investigated by simple correlation analysis and the relationship between mean number of steps taken and ODI scores after surgery was subjected to simple regression analysis. In addition, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to investigate the significance of pre-to-postoperative differences in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores. Results : Pre-to-postoperative VAS (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), SF-36 mental composite scores (p=0.009), and SF-36 physical composite scores (p<0.001) scores were found to be significantly different. Numbers of steps taken from POD 1 to POD 7 were negatively correlated with daily VAS scores (r=-0.981, p<0.001). In addition, the mean number of steps from POD 3 to POD 7 and the decrease in ODI conducted one month after surgery were statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion : Wearable devices are not only being used increasingly by consumers as lifestyle devices, but are also progressively being used in the medical area. This is the first study to demonstrate the usefulness of a wearable device for checking patient physical activity and predicting pain and prognosis after laminectomy. Based on our experience, the wearable device used to provide measures of physical activity in the present study has the potential to provide objective information on pain severity and prognosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2019

We carried out basic research to evaluate covering material for improving and managing contaminated benthic environments in coastal areas. Changes in nutrient concentration such as phosphate, hydrogen sulfide of contaminated sediment, and pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) were investigated through mesocosm experiments for 6 months by covering contaminated sediment with granulated coal ash. Calcium oxide eluted from the granulated coal ash was confirmed to neutralize acidified sediment by increasing pH through hydrolysis. Also, calcium oxide and silica eluted from the granulated coal ash adsorbed and precipitated with phosphate in the sediment. The concentration of phosphate in the sediment investigated decreased by ca. 84.31 %. Similarly, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide decreased by 133.5 mg/L in one month. The hydrogen sulfide is considered to have reacted with substances such as manganese oxide which were eluted from the granulated coal ash and precipitated. Also, it was concluded that the hydrogen sulfide was reduced since anaerobic conditions in the sediment weakened. According to the results of these mesocosm experiments, granulated coal ash was found to be effective to remediate and manage benthic environments by covering the surface layer of sediment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.305-311
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• 2019

Background: Gintonin is a ginseng-derived exogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor. We previously reported that gintonin stimulates gliotransmitter release in primary cortical astrocytes. Astrocytes play key roles in the functions of neurovascular systems. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to influence the normal growth and maintenance of cranial blood vessels and the nervous system, there is little information about the effect of gintonin on VEGF regulation in primary astrocytes, under normal and hypoxic conditions. Methods: Using primary cortical astrocytes of mice, the effects of gintonin on the release, expression, and distribution of VEGF were examined. We further investigated whether the gintonin-mediated VEGF release protects astrocytes from hypoxia. Results: Gintonin administration stimulated the release and expression of VEGF from astrocytes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The gintonin-mediated increase in the release of VEGF was inhibited by the LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, Ki16425; phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122; inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor antagonist, 2-APB; and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, BAPTA. Hypoxia further stimulated astrocytic VEGF release. Gintonin treatment stimulated additional VEGF release and restored cell viability that had decreased due to hypoxia, via the VEGF receptor pathway. Altogether, the regulation of VEGF release and expression and astrocytic protection mediated by gintonin under hypoxia are achieved via the LPA receptor-VEGF signaling pathways. Conclusion: The present study shows that the gintonin-mediated regulation of VEGF in cortical astrocytes might be neuroprotective against hypoxic insults and could explain the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of ginseng on the central nervous system.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2019

The material composition of 19 ornaments used for women's hats in the late $19^{th}$ century to $20^{th}$ century, which are kept at National Folk Museum of Korea, was analyzed using SEM-EDS. Sixteen ornaments were composed of $Na_2O$ and PbO, which form adifferent lead glass from those that have been excavated or handed down since ancient times in Korea. The chemical composition analysis has confirmed that two ornaments belong to the mixed alkali glass, while one belongs to the potash glass IIItype. This lead glass is similar in composition to the Japanese craft lead glass that was imported to Joseon during the Japanese colonial era. It is estimated that the lead glass ornaments used in women's hats in the late $19^{th}$ century to $20^{th}$ century were made from raw materials imported from Japan or made from lead glass used for crafts in Japan. This shows that jewelry such as jade and amber, which have been traditionally used in the modern and present ages, have been replaced by craft lead glass imported from Japan.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.15-27
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• 2021

Objectives : The processing of Pinelliae Tuber and Arisaematis Rhizoma is a crucial step to reduce the severe acrid irritation mainly due to the needle-like crystals (raphides). Ginger, alum and bile juice have been used as adjuvant materials for the processing. Methods : Bibliographic research on ancient processing and experimental processing was performed to investigate the toxicity reduction mechanisms of the processing with ginger, alum and bile juice. Results : Ginger has been a major adjuvant for the processing of Pinelliae Tuber, followed by alum and bile juice since Song (宋) and Myeong (明) dynasties, and Arisaematis Rhizoma has been mainly used as Damnamseong (膽南星). The raphides consisting of calcium oxalate, lectin, agglutinin and polysaccharides can induce acrid irritation and the inflammatory reactions. The lipophilic components in the ginger denatured the structure of raphides and 6-gingerol-contained ginger extract attenuated the inflammatory reaction. The calcium ion (Ca²⁺) of calcium oxalate was substituted to the aluminium ion (Al³⁺) of the alum, which damaged the calcium oxalate structure. Lectin attached to the surface of raphides was dissolved in alum solution and consequently its structure was denatured. The cholate in the bile juice formed the complex with the oxalate anion or the calcium cation. Moreover, the enzymes activated by Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium during the fermentation promoted the fragmentation of oxalate. Conclusion : The adjuvant materials damaged the raphides by denaturing or degrading the calcium oxalate, resulting in the reduction of acrid irritation. Further experimental studies would support the toxicity reduction mechanism of the processing.