• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2006

In previous reports we demonstrated that ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, affect some subsets of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels in neuronal cells expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. However, the major component(s) of ginseng that affect cloned $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes such as ${\alpha}_{1C}$(L)-, ${\alpha}_{1B}$(N)-, ${\alpha}_{1A}$(P/Q)-, ${\alpha}_{1E}$(R)- and ${\alpha}_{1G}$(T) have not been identified. Here, we used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to characterize the effects of ginsenosides and ginsenoside metabolites on $Ba^{2+}$ currents ($I_{Ba}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing five different $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes. Exposure to ginseng total saponins (GTS) induced voltage-dependent, dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of the five channel subtypes, with particularly strong inhibition of the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type. Of the various ginsenosides, $Rb_1$, Rc, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ also inhibited all five channel subtypes and ginsenoside $Rh_2$ had most effect on the ${\alpha}_{1C}$- and ${\alpha}_{1E}$-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels. Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, strongly inhibited only the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type of $Ca^{2+}$ channel, whereas M4, a protopanaxatriol ginsenoside metabolite, had almost no effect on any of the channels. $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$, and CK shifted the steady-state activation curves but not the inactivation curves in the depolarizing direction in the ${\alpha}_{1B}$- and ${\alpha}_{1A}$-types. These results reveal that $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$ and CK are the major inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in Panax ginseng, and that they show some $Ca^{2+}$ channel selectivity.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of environment factors on the growth of autumn season cultivation of Kimchi cabbage using the big data in terms of public open data(weather, soil information, and growth of crop, etc.). The growth data and the environment data such as temperature, daylength, and rainfall from 2010 to 2019 were collected. As a result of composing the correlation matrix, the height and leaf number showed high correlation in growing degree days(GDDs) and daylength, and the yield showed negative correlation in growing degree days and the concentration of clay. GDDs and daylength explained about 89% and 84% of variation in height, respectively. These two environmental factors also explained about 85% and 79% of variation in leaf numbers, respectively. In contrast, the coefficient of determination was low for yield when GDDs and concentration of clay was used. The outcome of regional statistical analysis indicated that relationship between yield and sum of sand and silt were high in Haenam and Jindo areas. Hierarchical cluster analysis, which was performed to verify the association of yield, GDDs, and concentration of clay, showed that Haenam and Jindo were clustered together. Although GDDs and yield vary by year and region, and there are regions with similar concentration of clays, observation data are grouped as the result. These suggests that GDDs and soil texture are expected to be related to yield. The cluster analysis results can be used for further data analysis and agricultural policy establishment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2007

We tested for residual pesticide levels in agricultural products purchased from 5 provinces within the middle region of Korea during 2006. A Total of 488 samples of 23 different types of agricultural products were analyzed by GC/MS, GC-NPD, and LC/MS/MS. We used multi-analysis methods to analyze for 231 different pesticide types; a single residual pesticides were detected in 92 samples (18.9%), of which 9 samples (1.9%) exceeded the Korea Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). we detected pesticide residue in more than 50% of the pepper leaf and welsh onion samples. For the welsh onions, 16 among the 30 analyzed samples contained pesticide residue, and 4 samples exceeded the Korea MRLs. Among the 234 kinds of pesticides we tested for, 42 were detected, and 21 of them were detected more than twice. Six pesticide residue types, including cypermethrin, iprodione, fludioxonil, ethoprophos, flutolanil, and lufenuron, exceeded the MRLs. No residual pesticides were detected in 396 of the samples (81.1%), and the residual pesticide levels in 83 samples (17.0%) were lower than the Korea MRLs, indicating that 98.1% of the samples were relatively safe.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1197-1206
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• 2016

Adipose tissue in the loin muscle area of beef cattle as a marbling factor is directly associated with beef quality. To elucidate whether properties of proteins involved in depot specific adipose tissue were sex-dependent, we analyzed protein expression of intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and omental adipose tissue (OMAT) from Hanwoo cows, steers, and bulls of Korean native beef cattle by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. Two different adipose depots (i.e. intramuscular and omental) were collected from cows (n = 7), steers (n = 7), or bulls (n = 7). LC-MS/MS revealed a total of 55 and 35 proteins in IMAT and OMAT, respectively. Of the 55 proteins identified, 44, 40, and 42 proteins were confirmed to be differentially expressed in IMAT of cows, steers, and bulls, respectively. In OMAT of cows, steers, and bulls, 33, 33, and 22 were confirmed to be differentially expressed, respectively. Tropomyosin (TPM) 1, TPM 2, and TPM3 were subjected to verification by quantitative PCR and western blot analysis in IMAT and OMAT of Hanwoo cows, steers, and bulls as key factors closely associated with muscle development. Both mRNA levels and protein levels of TPM1, TPM2, and TPM3 in IMAT were lower in bulls compared to in cows or steers suggesting that they were positively correlated with marbling score and quality grade. Our results may aid the regulation of marbling development and improvement of meat quality grades in beef cattle.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.134-140
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• 2005

Boiling point and distillation range, melting range, and identification methods in general test method of Korea, Japan, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee of Food Additives (JECFA), and USA on chemical food additives were compared. Boiling point of propylene glycol was indicated as boiling point in Korea, distillate in Japan, distillation range in JECFA and USA, and its value was up to the standard. Distillation range of propionic acid was indicated as distillate in Korea and Japan, distillation range in JECFA and USA, and its value was up to the standard. There is no standard on distillation range of isopropyl alcohol in Japanese method. Test method of melting range on synthetic food additives was identical in all organizations, and there are 28 items to which this test method applies in Korean Food Additives Code. The standards on molting range of D-mannitol were different in various organizations, and in USA method there are no standards to which L-ascorbic acid, calciferol, and fumaric acid apply. Synthetic food additives performing the identification test were 251 items in Korean Food Additives Code, but there are no items to which manganese, glycerophosphate, bromate, thiosulfate, and bromide apply. Calcium benzoate was dissolved by heating in benzoate test and we could not identify the citrate in ferric citrate by method (2) of Korea and Japan. Identification test methods for ammonium, lactate, magnesium, copper, sulfate, phosphate, and zinc were identical in all organizations, and these could be identifed by current identification methods.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate pesticide residues from fifty streams in Korea. Water samples were collected at two times. Thee first sampling was performed from april to may, which was the season for start of pesticide application and the second sampling event was from august to september, which was a period for spraying pesticides multiple times. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 136 pesticide residues were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and GC/ECD. As a result, eleven of the pesticide residues were detected at the first sampling. Twenty eight of the pesticide residues were detected at the second sampling. Seven pesticides were frequently detected from more than 10 water samples. Ecological risk assessment (ERA) was carried out by using residual and toxicological data. Four scenarios were applied for the ERA. Scenario 1 and 2 were performed using LC50 values and mean and maximum concentrations. Scenarios 3 and 4 were conducted by NOEC values and mean and maximum concentrations. CONCLUSION: Frequently detected pesticide residues tended to coincide with the period of preventing pathogen and pest at paddy rice. As a result of ERA, five pesticides (butachlor, carbendazim, carbofuran, chlorantranilprole, and oxadiazon) were assessed to be risks at scenario 4. However, only oxadiazon was assessed to be a risk at scenario 3 for the first sampling. Oxadiazon was not assessed to be a risk at the second sampling. It seems to be temporary phenomenon at the first sampling, because usage of herbicides such as oxadiazon increased from April to march for preventing weeds at paddy fields. However, this study suggested that five pesticides which were assessed to be risks need to be monitored continuously for the residues.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.347-353
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• 2008

Background: Esophageal perforation is an emergency that. requires early diagnosis and effective treatment. A delay in diagnosis and treatment. significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Material and Method: Thirty-seven patients with esophageal perforation were surgically treated at our institutions between January 1990 and December 2006. We retrospectively reviewed the results of surgical treatment for esophageal perforation to understand the risk factors affecting survival inpatients. Result: Patients ranged in age from 21 to 87 years, with an average age of $52.7{\pm}16.98$ years. Thirty-one of the patients were men and six were women. There were 23 patients (62%) with spontaneous perforations, 10 patients (27%) with a traumatic perforation, and 4 patients (11%) with an iatrogenic perforation. The site of esophageal perforation was the cervical esophagus in 5 patients, the thoracic esophagus in 31 patients, and the abdominal esophagus in one patient. Twenty-nine patients underwent primary closure of the perforation and five patients had T-tube drainage. Exclusion-diversion procedures were performed in two patients and an esophagectomy was performed in one patient. There were six cases of mortality (16.22%) and 25 cases of postoperative complications in 15 patients (40.5%). Patients that were treated later than 24 hours after detection of the perforation showed a statistically significant high morbidity and mortality rate (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most important risk factor of esophageal perforation was the time interval between detection of the perforation and the initiation of treatment. A prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.313-318
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• 1997

Effects of the concentration of NaCl, the concentration and the molecular weight of chitosan on the permeability of capsule type fertilizer and herbicide were investigated. The encapsulating process was based on the electrostatic interaction between chitosan (a polycationic polymer) and sodium alginate (an anionic polysaccharide). Sodium alginate solution $(1\%)$ was dropped into chitosan solution $(1\%)$ in which various amounts of NaCl was added. The capsule strength was increased with the addition of NaCl and the maximum value of capsule strength was observed at 0.3M NaCl. Capsule type fertilizer and herbicide were immersed in deionized water to determine its permeability, and it was affected by the concentration of NaCl and chitosan, and the molecular weight of chitosan. As the concentration of NaCl in chitosan solution increased, permeability of the capsule increased and marked the maximum value of $ 88\%$(fertilizer), $87\%$ (herbicide) at 0.75M NaCl. As concentration of chitosan solution increased, permeability tended to decreased; it showed the maximum value of $90\%$ (fertilizer) and $90.3\%$ (herbicide) at $0.25\%$ chitosan and the minimum value of $83\%$ (fertilizer) and $82\%$ (herbicide) at $1\%$ chitosan. Permeability of fertilizer and herbicide also decreased, as the molecular weight of chitosan (material of capsule) was decreased; it was showed $86\%$ (fertilizer) and $83\%$ (herbicide) at M.W 330,000 (sonication time 0min) and $52\%$ (fertilizer) and $51\%$ (herbicide) at M.W 119,000 (sonication time 180 min). The chitosan-alginic acid capsule was manufactured (defined as prepared capsule), dried for 6 hrs and immersed in deionized water (defined as restored capsule) to examine restoration of capsule. Restoration of capsule was good, and capsule strength was slightly decreased form $20g/cm^2$ (prepared capsule) to $17g/cm^2$ (restored capsule)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.695-702
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• 2008

Background: The choice between a bioprosthetic and a mechanical valve is an important decision in cardiac valve surgery, and the durability of the tissue valve is a major decision factor. We retrospectively evaluated the midterm results of bioprosthetic valve replacement in the mitral position. Material and Method: The subjects were all patients who had undergone mitral bioprosthesis replacement between July 1989 and August 200.7. Among the 216 patients, there were 236 surgical cases. The mean age was $63{\pm}15$ years, and the male to female ratio was 1 : 3. We retrospectively analyzed hospital and outpatient records such that the total follow-up duration amounted to 760.2 patient-years, and the mean follow-up duration was $41.9{\pm}40.7$ months (range $0{\sim}212$ months). Result: Early death occurred in 18 patients (8.3%), and 13 of these underwent concomitant cardiac procedures. The survival rate after 5 years was $79.9{\pm}3.5%$, and the survival rate after 8 years was $65.5{\pm}5.5%$, while freedom from structural valve deterioration (SVD) was $96.2{\pm}2.2%$ at 5 years and $85.9{\pm}5.3%$ at 8 years. Freedom from reoperation was $90.6{\pm}1.7%$ at 5 years and $90.4{\pm}4.2%$ at 8 years, while freedom from reoperation for SVD was $98.1{\pm}1.2%$ at 5 years and $92.3{\pm}4.1%$ at 8 years. On multivariate analysis of preoperative risk factors, small valve size (between 25mm and 27mm) was a significant risk factor for reoperation, and low LV ejection fraction (<40%) was a significant risk factor for SVD and mortality. Conclusion: Survival and freedom from reoperation for SVD in mitral bioprosthesis replacement had acceptable midterm results, but freedom from SVD Was relatively low. In particular, since SVD increased sharply at the eighth postoperative year, frequent follow-up and echocardiograms around that time will be helpful for the early detection of SVD. It will be necessary to conduct further studies involving long-term follow-up and more patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2006

Background: Extubation failure was associated with poor prognosis and high hospital mortality. Cuff leak test (CLT) has been proposed as a relatively simple method for detecting laryngeal obstruction that predispose toward postextubation stridor (PES) and reintubation. We examined the risk factors of extubation failure and evaluated the usefulness and limitation of CLT for predicting PES and reintubation. Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients intubated more than 24 hours were examined. The subjects were evaluated daily for extubation readiness, and CLT was performed prior to extubation. Several parameters in the extubation success and failure group were compared. The accuracy and limitation of CLT were evaluated after choosing the thresholds values of the cuff leak volume (CLV) and percentage (CLP). Results: Of the 34 patients studied, 6 (17.6%) developed extubation failure and 3 (8.8%) were accompanied by PES. The patients who had extubation failure were more likely to have a longer duration of intubation and more severe illness. The patients who developed PES had a smaller cuff leak than the others: according to the CLV ($22.5{\pm}23.8$ vs $233.3{\pm}147.1ml$, p=0.020) or CLP ($6.2{\pm}7.3$ vs $44.3{\pm}24.7%$, p=0.013). The best cut off values for the CLV and CLP were 50ml and 14.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, negative predictive value, and specificity of CLT were relatively high, but the positive predictive value was low. Conclusion: The likelihood of developing extubation failure increases with increasing severity of illness and duration of intubation. A low CLV or CLP (<50ml or 14.7%) is useful in identifying patients at risk of PES, but the CLT is not an absolute predictor and should not be used an indicator for delaying extubation.