• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1105-1121
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of frequently used clinical herbal medicines (Yijung-tang [Lizhong-tang, LJT], Pyeongwi-san [Pingwei-san, PWS], and Shihosogan-tang [Chaihu Shugan-tang, SST]) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) when administered according to herbal medicine and Korean medicine pattern identification. The results of this study will be used to standardize the diagnostic instrument used in Korean medicine and to investigate biomarkers of Korean medicine pattern identification. Methods: This study will be a randomized, assessor-blind, 3-arm, parallel, open-label, multi-center clinical trial. A total of 300 FD participants will be recruited from 3 Korean medical hospitals and assigned to the LJT (n=100), PWS (n=100), and SST (n=100) groups according to FD pattern identification. The patients will take the medication for 8 weeks, 3 times a day, before or between meals. The primary outcome will be total dyspepsia symptom (TDS) and the secondary outcomes will be adequate relief (AR) for dyspepsia, overall treatment effect (OTE), visual analogue scale (VAS), functional dyspepsia-related quality of life (FD-QoL), gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS), and pattern identification questionnaires. For the exploratory outcomes, we will analyze blood and fecal metabolome profiles, microbiota from fecal and saliva samples, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and results of Korean medicine diagnosis device measurements (heart rate variability, and tongue, pulse, and abdominal diagnosis). Conclusions: The results of this study will prove objectivity for Korean medicine pattern identifications, and the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for the population with FD.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.259-272
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• 2023

This study set up 49 survey areas with an area of about 400 square meters in Abies koreana natural habitat to identify the species composition and vegetation structure of the A. koreana forest in the Mt. Jiri Nation Park, conducted field surveys using phytosociological methods, and performed the cluster analysis using the Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and Table manipulation. Subsequently, species composition analysis using the importance value, species diversity analysis, DBH analysis, sapling analysis, and similarity analysis was conducted by each cluster type. The cluster analysis classified the A. koreana forest in Mt. Jiri into five clusters, A, B, C, D, and E. The forest was divided into two clusters, Magnolia sieboldii-Dryopteris crassirhizoma-Sasa borealis and Betula ermanii-Solidago virgaurea-Calamagrostis arundinacea. The former was classified as type A and B by Cornus controversa-Hydrangea macrophylla, and the latter was classified as type E, a typical community, and a Sorbus commixta-Rhododendron mucronulatum cluster. And the S. commixta-R. mucronulatum cluster was divided into C type and D type by Picea jezoensis-Ligularia fischeri and Ainsliaea acerifolia. Through vegetation analysis, the importance value of A. koreana, Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudosieboldianum, Fraxinus sieboldiana, and B. ermanii was highly expressed in the A. koreana forest in Mt. Jiri. Regarding species diversity, the results were similar to those reported in other studies of A. koreana forests in Mt. Jiri. The analysis of diameter at breast height (DBH) showed that A. koreana dominated all layers, and the growth of saplings was also good, indicating that the dominance of A. koreana is expected to continue for a while. However, when considering the value of biodiversity that is expected to increase and threats caused by climate change, systematic preservation and management are required to respond to various threats based on continuous monitoring.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2023

This report looks at an agar-degrading marine bacterium and characterization of its agarase. Agar-degrading marine bacterium JS-1 was isolated with Marine agar 2216 media from seawater from the seashore of Sojuk-do, Changwon in Gyeongnam Province, Korea. The agar-degrading bacterium was named as Agarivorans sp. JS-1 by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The extracellular agarase was prepared from the culture media of Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and used for characterization. Relative activities at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, and 60℃ were 70%, 74%, 78%, 83%, 87%, 100%, 74%, and 66%, respectively. Relative activities at pH 5, 6, 7, and 8 were 91%, 100%, 90%, and 89%, respectively. Its extracellular agarase showed maximum activity (207 units/l) at pH 6.0 and 50℃ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. The residual activity after heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, and 50℃ for 30 minutes was 90%, 70%, and 50% or more, respectively. After a 2-hour heat treatment at 20℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, and 45℃, the residual activity was 80%, 68%, 65%, 63%, and 57%, respectively. At 50℃ and above, after heat treatment for 30 minutes, the residual activity was below 60%. Thin layer chromatography analysis suggested that Agarivorans sp. JS-1 produces extracellular β-agarases as they hydrolyze agarose to produce neoagarooligosaccharides such as neoagarohexaose (20.6%), neoagarotetraose (58.5%), and neoagarobiose (20.9%). Agarivorans sp. JS-1 and its thermotolerant β-agarase would be useful in the production of neoagarooligosaccharides, showing functional activity such as inhibition of bacterial growth and delay of starch degradation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2023

Objectives: Objectives: In this study, we define a medical service type that combines Western medicine, Korean medicine, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as an integrated medical service. This study, as part of tertiary hospital-based integrated medical service model and clinical field application, aims to collect status and opinions on integrated medical service for medical staff in the field. Methods: This is a survey study, and was conducted on doctors from Kyung Hee University Hospital and Korean medicine doctors from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital. Respondents were recruited on a first-come, first-served basis until the number of respondents reached 120. The investigation was conducted for a total of 16 days from October 4, 2021 to October 19, 2021 by e-mail. Results: Recognition of integrated medical services was confirmed to be 45.8%, and 49.2% responded positively to the necessity of it. As a group of diseases that require the establishment of integrated medical services in the future, 'disorders of musculoskeletal systems and connective tissues' was the highest. The most expected advantages of providing integrated medical services were 'increased satisfaction of patients and guardians' and 'increased treatment effects.' Conclusions: In this study, we investigated the perception of doctors and Korean medicine doctors on integrated medical services that combine Western medicine, Korean medicine, and CAM. It has been confirmed that medical staff generally have a positive perception of integrated medical services, and if the scientific basis for the effect of integrated medical services is supported, the rate of positive perception is expected to increase.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.34
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• pp.13-20
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• 2022

Purpose : IMRT using Tomotherapy during nasopharyngeal cancer radiation therapy irradiate an accurate dose to tumor tissues and is effective to reduce a dose rapidly in normal tissues. However, this has high MU and long Beam On Time. This study aims to analyze differences in tumors, normal tissues and low-dose distributions and the efficiency of Split VMAT after applying Helical IMRT (Tomotherapy), VMAT (Linac : 2Arc) and Split VMAT (Linac : 4Arc) plans. Materials and Methods : This study targeted ten nasopharyngeal cancer patients of this hospital and compared three treatment plans (Helical IMRT, VMAT, Split VMAT). For Helical IMRT planning, Precision^® (Version 1.1.1.1, Accuray, USA) was used, and for VMAT and Split VMAT planning, Pinnacle^3® (Version 9.10, Philips, USA) was used. The total dose applied was 38.4 Gy / 32 Gy (Daily Dose 2.4 Gy (GTV + 0.3 cm) / 2 Gy (CTV + 0.3 cm) 16Fx), and for GTV + 0.3 cm (P_GTV), 95% of V_38.4Gy was prescribed. VMAT with an angle of 360° 2Arc was applied, and for Split VMAT, the field was divided into the right, the left, the top and the bottom and an angle of 360° 4Arc, 6MV was set. For evaluating the quality of the treatment plans, differences in tumors, normal tissues and low-dose area were compared, and Beam On Time was measured to analyze the efficiency. Results : When calculating the mean values of evaluation items of the three treatment plans (Helical IMRT, VMAT, Split VMAT) for the patients, the H.I (Homogeneity Index) of P_GTV was 1.04, 1.11 and 1.1 respectively, and the C.I (Confomity Index) of P_CTV was 1.03, 0.99 and 1.00 respectively. The mean dose of RT Parotid Gland (Gy) was 14.54, 17.06 and 14.76 respectively, the mean dose of LT Parotid Gland (Gy) was 14.32, 17.32 and 15.09 respectively, the maximum dose of P_Cord (Spinal Cord + 0.3 cm) (Gy) was 20.57, 22.59 and 21.06 respectively, and the maximum dose of Brain Stem (Gy) was 22.35, 23.99 and 21.68 respectively. The 50% isodose curve (cc) was 1332, 1132.5 and 1065.2 respectively. Beam On Time (sec) was 373.7, 130.7 and 254.4 respectively. Conclusion : Displaying a similar treatment plan quality to Helical IMRT, which is used a lot for head and neck treatment, Split VMAT reduced the low-dose area and Beam On Time and produced a better result than VMAT. Therefore, it is considered that Split VMAT is effective not only for nasopharyngeal cancer but also for other head and neck cancers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.146-154
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• 2023

In this study, the peak wave period T_p and mean wave period T₀₂ and T_{m-1, 0}, which are major parameters for classifying ocean characteristics, were calculated using water surface elevation data observed from the second west coast oceanographic and meteorological observation tower. In addition, the ratio of abnormal data, correlation analysis, and optimal probability density function were estimated. In the case of T_p among the calculated representative periods, the proportion of abnormal data was 5.73% and 0.67% at each point, and T₀₂ was 4.35% and 0.01%. T_{m-1, 0} was found to be 2.82% and 0.03%. Meanwhile, as a result of analyzing the relationship between T₀₂ and T_p, the relationship was calculated to be 0.53 and 0.63 for each point. The relationship between T_{m-1, 0} and T_p was 1.15 and 1.32, respectively, and T₀₂, T_{m-1, 0} was 1.18 and 1.22. As a result of estimating the optimal probability density function of the calculated representative period, T_p followed the 'Log-normal' and 'Normal' distributions at each point, and T₀₂ was 'Gamma', 'Normal' distribution and T_{m-1, 0} showed that 'Log-normal' and 'Normal' distribution were dominant, respectively. It is decided that these results can be used as basic data for wave analysis conducted on the west coast.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.455-468
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• 2023

We aimed to assess the potential growth-promoting effects of buckwheat sprout on intestinal bacteria and their anti-inflammation effects in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation. The growth of Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 was enhanced with the addition of the sprout extract of tartary buckwheat. Further, in the inflammatory model cells cultured with Raw 264.7 cells were treated with buckwheat sprout including each 10 probiotics before the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in Raw 264.7 cells. Buckwheat sprout in both Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis BT1 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPC5 significantly reduced the production of NO and PGE₂. The above results indicate that buckwheat sprout extract which contains with various physiologically active substances such as rutin, quercetin, and choline is effective in suppressing NO and PGE₂ production, which are inflammation-related indicators. The present study suggests that buckwheat sprout could induce positive effects on the intestinal beneficial bacteria and in anti-inflammation.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.348-353
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• 2008

Oxygen isotope has not been used actively in water mass studies because of difficulties on the analysis though it has advantages as a water mass tracer. The most popular method to analysis the oxygen isotope ratio in water samples is equilibration method: isotopic equilibrium of water with $CO_2$ at constant temperature. The precision of oxygen isotope analysis using commercial automatic $H_2O/CO_2$ equilibrator is ${\pm}0.1%o$. This value is not sufficient for studies in open ocean. The object of this study is to improve the analytical precision enough to apply open ocean studies by modification of the instrument. When sample gas is transferred by the pressure difference, the fractionation which is preferential transportation of light isotope can be occurred since the long transportation path between the equilibrator and mass spectrometer. And the The biggest source of error during the analysis is long distance and large volume of the pathway of sample gas between. Therefore, liquid nitrogen trap and high vacuum system are introduced to the system. The precisions of 14 time analysis of same seawater sample are ${\pm}0.081%o$ and ${\pm}0.021%o$ by built-in system and by modified system in this study, respectively.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.331-344
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• 2023

More than a year has passed after the 6th edition of 'List of Plant Diseases in Korea (LPDK)' was published in April 2022. The 6.1st edition (2023) of List of Plant Diseases in Korea was made by correcting errors found in the 6th edition of list and adding new diseases reported after the 6th edition. There were 397 corrections from the 6th edition, most of which were simple spelling errors or minor issues. However, 12 diseases were deleted due to duplication or unclear literature proof, and 2 diseases had their diseases' common names changed. We added 158 diseases that were reported before 2021 but not included in the 6th edition, or reported after the 6th edition. After all, 146 diseases were added to the 6,534 diseases in the 6th edition, resulting in a total of 6,680 diseases in the 6.1st edition. Thirty host taxa were also added, increasing the number from 1,390 in the 6th edition to 1,420 in the 6.1st edition. Pathogens were also added to 62 taxa, from 2,400 in the 6th edition, bringing the total to 2,462 taxa in the 6.1st edition. Ultimately, the 6.1st edition (2023) of 'The List of Plant Diseases in Korea' contains 6,680 diseases caused by pathogens of 2,462 taxa on 1,420 hosts. The 6.1st edition is not printed as a book, but is provided through the online 'List of Plant Diseases in Korea' (https://genebank. rda.go.kr/kplantdisease.do).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.236-247
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• 2024

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, which is part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a vital role in immune responses by differentiating between itself and foreign cells and antigens. The significant diversity of alleles affects disease susceptibility and immune responses within different populations. Specifically, the HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles are associated with various immune-related diseases, and understanding the frequency and haplotype associations of these alleles is vital for genetic and immunological research. To investigate the distribution of these characteristics in Koreans, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from blood samples donated by volunteers at the Seoul Central Blood Bank and performed HLA typing on 790 samples. Our study found that the HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles are widely distributed within the Korean population, with HLA-A^*24:02 (21.7%) and HLA-DRB1*09:01 (9.9%) being the most frequent. Significant haplotype associations between specific HLA-A and HLA-DRB1 alleles were identified using the Chi-square test, suggesting that certain genetic combinations may influence disease onset. This insight could contribute to the development of predictive and preventative strategies for various diseases. The unique genetic characteristics of the Korean population highlight the importance of studying the HLA allele and the haplotype distributions in this group as key indicators for understanding disease susceptibility.