• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.261-266
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• 2005

To figure out conserved genes in 66 microbial species and measuring the degree of conservation, analyses based on COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins) algorithm were applied. Sixty-six microbial genomes, including three eukaryotes, hold 63 conserved orthologs in common. The majority $(82.5\%)$ of the conserved genes was related to translation, meaning the importance of protein in living creatures. Ribosomal protein S12 (COG0048) and L14 (COG0093) were more conserved genes than others from the distance value analysis. Phylogenetically related microbes grouped in genome analysis by average and standard deviation of 63 conserved genes. The 63 conserved genes, found in this research, would be useful in basic research and applied ones such as antibiotic development.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2007

We investigated the properties of pork jerky prepared under various drying conditions. Drying conditions were control ($80^{\circ}C$/210 min), T1 ($55^{\circ}C/60 min\to65^{\circ}C/60 min\to72^{\circ}C/90 min$), and T2 ($72^{\circ}C/90 min\to65^{\circ}C/60 min\to55^{\circ}C/60 min$), respectively. Water content and water activity ($a_w$) were the lowest in control, while TBA values were the highest among all groups (p<0.05). CIE $L^*$-value in T1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower than in T2 and CIE $a^*$-value showed significantly (p<0.05) the highest in control. CIE $b^*$-value in T2 were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the other treatments. Drying yields of pork jerky showed the lowest values in controls but highest in T2 jerky. In textual profile evaluations, control samples had greater hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness values than the other treatments, but springiness values were the lowest (p<0.05). Controls had significantly (p<0.05) lower scores than the other treatments in all sensorial traits. Total bacterial counts in T2 were the lowest during drying process. Based on our findings, we conclude that T2 conditions provided the most effective drying process.

• 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.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2011

Purpose: Sharing genetic information with family members is important for cancer awareness and prevention. The purpose of this study is to examine disclosure patterns of positive BRCA genetic test results to patients' relatives. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 probands who had positive BRCA genetic test results from the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer Study participated in our study. Subjects were asked whether they had disclosed their genetic test results to first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with positive result sharing with close and distant relatives. Results: In total, 99 respondents (93.4%) informed at least one at-risk relative of the test result, and they all reported that they had disclosed their genetic test result to a first-degree relative. Communication of test results to other relatives occurred significantly less often, with only 31 of 99 subjects (31.3%) sharing their results with second- or third-degree relatives. In the results of univariate analyses, disclosure of genetic test results to more distant relatives was associated with marital status and months since post-test counseling. The reasons for communication were to provide information about the BRCArelated cancer risk and to recommend the genetic test. Conclusion: Most individuals with the BRCA mutation share their test results with first-degree family members; however, these results reach more distant relatives significantly less often. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage patients' communication with extended family members through systematic genetic counseling.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2005

Purpose: In order to obtain better quantitation of kidney uptake, this study is to evaluate a conjugate view method (CVM) using a geometric mean attenuation correction for kidney uptake and to compare it to Gate's method. Materials & Methods: We used a Monte Carlo code, SIMIND and a Zubal phantom, to simulate kidney uptake. SIMIND was both simulated with or without scatter for the Zubal phantom. Also, a real phantom test was carried out using a dual-head gamma camera. The activity of 0.5 mCi was infused into two small cylinder phantoms of 5 cm diameter, and then, they were inserted into a cylinder phantom of 20 cm diameter. The results by the CVM method were compared with ideal data without both of attenuation and scatter and with Gate's method. The CVM was performed with or without scatter correction. The Gate's method was performed without scatter correction and it was evaluated with regards to $0.12cm^{-1}\;and\;0.15cm^{-1}$ attenuation coefficients. Data were analyzed with comparisons of mean counts in the legions of interest (ROI), profiles drawn over kidney images and linear regression. Correlation coefficients were calculated with ideal data, as well. Results: In the case of the computer simulation, mean counts measured from ideal data, the CVM and the Gate's method were (right $998{\pm}209$, left: $896{\pm}249$), (right: $911{\pm}207$, left: $815{\pm}265$), and (right: $1065{\pm}267$, left: $1546{\pm}267$), respectively. The ideal data showed good correlation with the CVM and the correlation coefficients of the CVM, Gate's method were (right: 0.91, left: 0.93) and (right: 0.85, left: 0.90), respectively. Conclusion: The conjugate view method using geometric mean attenuation correction resulted in better accuracy than the Gate's method. In conclusion, the conjugate view method independent of renal depths may provide more accurate kidney uptake.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.344-356
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• 2002

Purpose: RBC blood pool SPECT has been used to diagnose focal liver lesion such as hemangioma owing to its high specificity. However, low spatial resolution is a major limitation of this modality. Recently, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) has been introduced to obtain tomographic images for clinical application. We compared this new modified iterative reconstruction method, OSEM with conventional filtered back projection (FBP) in imaging of liver hemangioma. Materials and Methods: Sixty four projection data were acquired using dual head gamma camera in 28 lesions of 24 patients with cavernous hemangioma of liver and these raw data were transferred to LINUX based personal computer. After the replacement of header file as interfile, OSEM was performed under various conditions of subsets (1,2,4,8,16, and 32) and iteration numbers (1,2,4,8, and 16) to obtain the best setting for liver imaging. The best condition for imaging in our investigation was considered to be 4 iterations and 16 subsets. After then, all the images were processed by both FBP and OSEM. Three experts reviewed these images without any information. Results: According to blind review of 28 lesions, OSEM images revealed at least same or better image quality than those of FBP in nearly all cases. Although there showed no significant difference in detection of large lesions more than 3 cm, 5 lesions with 1.5 to 3 cm in diameter were detected by OSEM only. However, both techniques failed to depict 4 cases of small lesions less than 1.5 cm. Conclusion: OSEM revealed better contrast and define in depiction of liver hemangioma as well as higher sensitivity in detection of small lesions. Furthermore this reconstruction method dose not require high performance computer system or long reconstruction time, therefore OSEM is supposed to be good method that can be applied to RBC blood pool SPECT for the diagnosis of liver hemangioma.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.486-492
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• 2008

We investigated the quality properties of pork jerky prepared with various humectants (Konjac, egg albumin, isolated soy protein). Jerky was prepared as follows; control with no humectants, treatments with 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% humectants, respectively. Humectant treatments had higher drying yields of pork jerky than the control (p<0.05), Konjac treatment produced the the highest drying yields among the humectants tested. CIE a-and b-value were lowest in isolated soy protein treatments. b-value in 0.2% egg albumin treatments were higher than other treatments (p<0.05). Jerky water content increased as humectant content increased. Water activity (Aw) in 0.2% Konjac treatments was higher than controls and 0.05% Konjac (p<0.05). In textual profile evaluations, control samples had greater hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness values than other treatments, but very low springiness (p<0.05). Control had significantly (p<0.05) lower scores than the other treatments in sensorial texture, juiciness and overall acceptability. Based on our findings, we conclude that 0.05% Konjac was the most effective humectant among those we tested in this study.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.649-653
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• 2009

"Cheongan" is a new japonica rice variety developed from a cross between SR15225-B-22-1-2-1 and Iksan431 in summer season, 1997 by National Institute of Crop Science, RDA. The line SR15225-B-22-1-2-1 has good canopy architecture and multi-disease and insect resistance, and Iksan431 has translucent milled rice and good eating-quality. Heading date of Cheongan is August 13 in central lowland and mid-mountainous areas. "Cheongan" having culm length of 84 cm shows relatively semi-erect pubescent leaf blade and rigid culm, tolerance to lodging with and good canopy architecture. This variety has 14 tillers per hill and 126 spikelets per panicle. It shows tolerance to heading delay and spikelet sterility comparable to Hwaseongbyeo when exposed to cold stress. Leaf senescence of Cheongan progresses slowly during the ripening stage and the viviparous germination ratio was 59 %, similar to that of Hwaseongbyo. "Cheongan" shows moderately resistance to blast disease, but susceptible to stripe virus and brown planthopper. The milled rice of "Cheongan" exhibits translucent, clear non-glutinous endosperm and medium short grain. It shows similar amylose content of 18.7%, gelatinization temperature, and similar palatability of cooked rice compared to Hwaseongbyeo. The milled rice yield of this cultivar is about 5.54 MT/ha at ordinary season culture in local adaptability test for three years. Especially, "Cheongan" has better milling properties of higher 98.4% and 73.9% in the percentage of head rice in milled rice and milling recovery of head rice, respectively, than those of Hwaseongbyeo. "Cheongan" could be adaptable to the central and mid-southern plain area, and mid-western coastal area of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.318-323
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• 2008

Nokwon, a new cultivar for vegetable soybean, was developed from the cross between Keunolkong and Hyangnam-1 and released in 2006. The pedigree of Nokwon, designated as Milyang 153 in 2003, was SS96425-2B-11-4-1-1-1. Nokwon, used as a vegetable soybean was characterized by dark green pod, large seed, very short plant height, and lodging resistance. Nokwon has determinate growth habit, white flowers, gray pubescence, oval leaf shape and brown pods at maturity. The mature seeds have a greenish yellow seed coat with brown hilum and yellow cotyledon. In Korea, Regional Yield Trials (RYT) for vegetable soybean from 2004 to 2006, Nokwon shows strong tolerance to soybean mosaic virus and lodging in fields. Fresh pods of Nokwon harvested at the beginning of August, and stem height was 11cm shorter than 45 cm of Hwaeomputkong. In the same tests, fresh pod of Nokwon (11.4 ton/ha) yielded 14% higher than Hwaeomputkong (10.0 ton/ha). Nokwon had 5.9 cm fresh pod length, 13.1 mm fresh pod width, 75.4 g seed weight per 100 green seed, 39.4% green seed protein content, and 17.3% green seed oil content.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2010

Intermittent CSR testing was used to investigate the degradation of an FKM O-ring, also the prediction of its life-time. An intermittent CSR jig was designed taking into consideration the O-ring's environment under use. The testing allowed observation of the effects of friction, heat loss, and stress relaxation by the Mullins effect. Degradation of O-rings by thermal aging was observed between 60 and $160^{\circ}C$. In the high temperature of range ($100-160^{\circ}C$) O-rings showed linear degradation behavior and satisfied the Arrhenius relationship. The activation energy was about 60.2 kJ/mol. From Arrhenius plots, predicted life-times were 43.3 years and 69.9 years for 50% and 40% failure conditions, respectively. Based on TTS (time-temperature superposition) principle, degradation was observed at $60^{\circ}C$, and could save testing time. Between 60 and $100^{\circ}C$ the activation energy decreased to 48.3 kJ/mol. WLF(William-Landel-Ferry) plot confirmed that O-rings show non-linear degradation behavior under $80^{\circ}C$. The life-time of O-rings predicted by TTS principle was 19.1 years and 25.2 years for each failure condition. The life-time predicted by TTS principle is more conservative than that from the Arrhenius relationship.