• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2001

The designed release rate of liquid effluents from radwaste treatment system should be calculated and evaluated during normal operation, including anticipated operational occurrence and be assured that the release concentration and off-site dose at unrestricted area do not exceed the limits of regulation. The expected annual release rate and off-site dose for the currently operating nuclear power plants in Korea had been calculated and evaluated using PWR-GALE and LADTAP-II which was based on USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.109. Recently, the MOST Notice 2001-2 related to release concentration and off-site dose at unrestricted area was revised to reflect the concept of ICRP-60. It is necessary for KORI 3&4 to re-calculate the release concentration and off-site dose and to compare these results with the limits of regulation. As the results of assessment, we confirmed that the release concentrations were less than its limits of MOST Notice 2001-2 and the off-site dose at unrestricted area using K-DOSE60 was 3.61E-03 mSv/yr to the age of five for the effective dose, and 4.10E-2 mSv/yr to thyroid of the age of five for the organ equivalent dose. We also confirmed the off-site dose was within the limits of MOST Notice 2001-2. Therefore, the release concentration and off-site dose re-evaluated at unrestricted area in KORI 3&4 were well below the regulation limits of MOST Notice 2001-2.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2014

Microbiota in the niches of the rhizosphere zones can affect plant growth and responses to environmental stress conditions via mutualistic interactions with host plants. Specifically, some beneficial bacteria, collectively referred to as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs), increase plant biomass and innate immunity potential. Here, we report that Enterobacter sp. EJ01, a bacterium isolated from sea china pink (Dianthus japonicus thunb) in reclaimed land of Gyehwa-do in Korea, improved the vegetative growth and alleviated salt stress in tomato and Arabidopsis. EJ01 was capable of producing 1-aminocy-clopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and also exhibited indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. The isolate EJ01 conferred increases in fresh weight, dry weight, and plant height of tomato and Arabidopsis under both normal and high salinity conditions. At the molecular level, short-term treatment with EJ01 increased the expression of salt stress responsive genes such as DREB2b, RD29A, RD29B, and RAB18 in Arabidopsis. The expression of proline biosynthetic genes (i.e. P5CS1 and P5CS2) and of genes related to priming processes (i.e. MPK3 and MPK6) were also up-regulated. In addition, reactive oxygen species scavenging activities were enhanced in tomatoes treated with EJ01 in stressed conditions. GFP-tagged EJ01 displayed colonization in the rhizosphere and endosphere in the roots of Arabidopsis. In conclusion, the newly isolated Enterobacter sp. EJ01 is a likely PGPR and alleviates salt stress in host plants through multiple mechanisms, including the rapid up-regulation of conserved plant salt stress responsive signaling pathways.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.36-50
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• 2013

Objectives : To clarify the possible effect of Lycium chinese Mill (LC)., Morus alba L (MA)., and Lycium chinese Mill. +Morus alba L. (LC+MA), we have examined their influence on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in the asthmatic murine model. Methods : Female Balb/c mice (5weeks) were immunized on two different days (21 days and 7 days before inhalational exposure) by intraperitonial injections of 0.2ml alum-precipitated Ag containing $100{\mu}g$ of OVA bound to 4 mg of aluminum hydroxide in PBS. Seven days after the second sensitization, mice were exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 minutes/day on 3 days/week for 8 weeks (at a flow rate of 250 L/min, 2.5% ovalbumin in normal saline) and, LC, MA, and LC+MA (500 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times per a week for 8 weeks. Results : The suppressive effect of LC, MA, and LC+MA were demonstrated by the accumulation of eosinophills into airways, with the reduction of eosinophil, total lung leukocytes numbers. These were correlated with the marked reduction of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-4 levels in the BALF and serum. OVA-specific IgE levels were also decreased in serum and BAL from these mice. LC, MA, and LC+MA decreased eosinophil CCR3 expression and CD11b expression in lung cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that LC, MA, and LC+MA have high inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in the asthmatic murine model. The suppression of IL-5, IgE, eosinophil CCR3 expression and CD11b expression, and the increase of IFN-${\gamma}$ production in BALF seem to contribute to this effect. Hence, the results indicated that LC, MA, and LC+MA could act as a immuno-modulator which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.271-275
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• 2016

Purpose: A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients. Methods: The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups. Results: Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.636-641
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• 2015

There are controversial findings regarding the roles of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway on bone metabolism under oxidative stress. We investigated how Nrf2/HO-1 pathway affects osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in response to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), or both. Exposing the cells to H₂O₂ decreased the alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium accumulation, and expression of osteoblast markers, such as osteocalcin and runt-related transcription factor-2. In contrast, H₂O₂ treatment increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the cells. Treatment with hemin, a chemical HO-1 inducer, mimicked the inhibitory effect of H₂O₂ on osteoblast differentiation by increasing the HO-1 expression and decreasing the osteogenic marker genes. Pretreatment with NAC restored all changes induced by H₂O₂ to near normal levels in the cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that H₂O₂-mediated activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway negatively regulates the osteoblast differentiation, which is inhibited by NAC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.467-483
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of IUS (Inulsan, an extract of Artemisiae capillaris (茵蔯), Curcumae longae (鬱金), and Crataegi fructus (山査)) on anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.Method: We administered water extracts of Artemisiae capillaris, Curcumae longae, and Crataegi fructus for three weeks to db/db mice (C57BL/Ks), animal models induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mice were divided into three groups: normal (C57BL/6J mice group), control group (db/db mice without administration of IUS) and IUS group (db/db mice treated with IUS). Then we measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum after the oral administration of IUS.Results: 1. IUS did not show any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. 2. IUS decreased AST, ALP, and creatinine levelsand did not show any liver or renal toxicity in the db/db mice. 3. IUS increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. 4. IUS significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells. 5. IUS increased HDL cholesterol and significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride in db/db mice. 6. IUS significantly decreased the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. 7. In contrast with the control group, fat infiltration in the liver and aorta decreased in IUS treated mice. The cell nucleus was located in the central area in H&E staining of liver. And endomembranes also were more thinner than the control group in H&E staining of aorta.Conclusions: These results suggest that IUS might be effective in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2005

Eleutherococcus senticosus (also called Acanthopanax senticosus), belonging to Araliaceae family, has been used as an important medicinal woody plant. Mature seeds of Eleutherococcus senticosus have rudimentary (extremely immature) zygotic embryos and require a long-term stratification for about 18 months to induce germination. Here, through the methods of endosperm removal and other exogenous treatments, we investigated the factors for inducing rudimentary embryos by in vitro culture, Rudimentary zygotic embryos in seeds were at globular to heart-shaped stage at about $250{\mu}m$ in length just after harvest of fruits. When the seeds without testa were cultured on 1/2 MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium, they did not germinate regardless of medium and sucrose concentrations but the removal of endosperm tissue markedly stimulated the growth of rudimentary zygotic embryos. The embryo reached ear-lier maturation, once when the endosperm surrounding the rudimentary embryos was removed. Rudimentary zygotic embryos developed cotyledons within 3 weeks of culture after endosperm emoval. However, post-mature zygotic embryos failed to germinate though they were morphologically normal, indicating another dormancy of embryos. $GA_3\;(2.0\;\cal{mg/L})$ and/or charcoal ($0.2\%$) treatment rapidly enhanced the germination of zygotic embryos. These results suggest that E. senticosus seeds have double dormancy; i. e. morphological rudimentary dormancy influenced by surrounding endosperm and physiological dormancy after post-maturation of zygotic embryos. Based on the above findings, we established the rapid germination of rudimentary zygotic embryos by in vitro culture of excised seeds with endosperm removal and $GA_3$ treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1985

The capacity of tobacco infusions of Korean cigarettes to activate the complement pathway was investigated in vitro by hemolytic assay. Complement activity was studied using samples of normal rabbit serum incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ with tobacco infusions. In all mixtures containing tobacco infusion A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I at a concentration of 0.1 : 1, total hemolytic complement showed a progressive decrease of 55.92%, 48.62%, 42.89%, 49.12%, 42.26%, 52.26%, 71.96%, 60.90%, and 61.14% respectively, after 60min of incubation. This study suggests that all tobacco infusions of Korean cigarettes are activators of complement.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2010

Purpose: It has been reported that the ear perfusion can maintain by a very small pedicle because the ear has good vascularized system. Replantation of an amputated ear with vascular anastmosis, has been reported before and offers the succeessful reconstructive results. But, in this paper we report a case of complete nonmicrosurgical salvage of a nearly amputated ear based on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle with adjunctive therapies. Methods: A 49-year-old man was referred with a nearly complete detachment of left ear. The blood supply to the ear was maintained exclusively on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle in the lobule. After we identified the fresh bleeding at the distal margin of the detached ear, we performed the primary repair. At the end of the procedure, the areas of the concha bowl and helical root appeared to be congested. So the immediate postoperative treatment for improving the tissue survival was done with Lipo-Prostaglandin E1 (Eglandin$^{(R)}$) injection, leech apply and antibiotics medications. Results: Assessment of the replanted ear on postoperative day 14 revealed a nearly viable auricle including the helical root. The ear appeared to be entirely healed, with excellent projection and fully restored normal elasticity. Conclusion: We found the complete salvage of a nearly amputated ear based on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle with adjunctive therapies including Lipo-Prostaglandin E1 (Eglandin$^{(R)}$) injection, leech apply and antibiotics without microsurgery.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.2E
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• pp.26-31
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• 1994

A new feature extraction technique utilizing strange attractor and artificial neural network for speaker recognition is presented. Since many signals change their characteristics over long periods of time, simple time-domain processing techniques should e capable of providing useful information of signal features. In many cases, normal time series can be viewed as a dynamical system with a low-dimensional attractor that can be reconstructed from the time series using time delay. The reconstruction of strange attractor is described. In the technique, the raw signal will be reproduced into a geometric three dimensional attractor. Classification decision for speaker recognition is based upon the processing or sets of feature vectors that are derived from the attractor. Three different methods for feature extraction will be discussed. The methods include box-counting dimension, natural measure with regular hexahedron and plank-type box. An artificial neural network is designed for training the feature data generated by the method. The recognition rates are about 82%-96% depending on the extraction method.