• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.409-421
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: The recent developments in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are emphasizing the multidisciplinary team. We report on the changes in clinical practice following the development of a multidisciplinary team, based on our 7 years of experience. Methods: Multidisciplinary team was established in 2015 offering both balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) with technical upgrades by internal and external expertise. For operable cases, PEA was recommended as the primary treatment modality, followed by pulmonary angiography and right heart catheterization after 6 months to evaluate treatment effect and identify patients requiring further BPA. For patients with inoperable anatomy or high surgical risk, BPA was recommended as the initial treatment modality. Patient data and clinical outcomes were closely monitored. Results: The number of CTEPH treatments rapidly increased and postoperative survival improved after team development. Before the team, 38 patients were treated by PEA for 18 years; however, 125 patients were treated by PEA or BPA after the team for 7 years. The number of PEA performed was 64 and that of BPA 342 sessions. World Health Organization functional class I or II was achieved in 93% of patients. The patients treated with PEA was younger, male dominant, higher pulmonary artery pressure, and smaller cardiac index, than BPA-only patients. In-hospital death after PEA was only 1 case and none after BPA. Conclusions: The balanced development of BPA and PEA through a multidisciplinary team approach proved synergistic in increasing the number of actively treated CTEPH patients and improving clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Web Engineering
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• v.14 no.19
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• pp.4103-4118
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• 2022

The physiological or dietary advantages of germinated grains have been the subject of numerous discussions over the past decade. Around 23 million tons of oats are consumed globally, making up a sizeable portion of the global grain market. Oat seedlings contain more protein, beta-glucan, free amino acids, and phenolic compounds than seeds. The progressive neurodegenerative disorder of Alzheimer's is accompanied by worsening memory and cognitive function. A key indicator of this disorder is the unusual buildup of amyloid-beta protein (or Aβ) in human brains. In this context, oat seedling extract (OSE) has been identified as a new therapeutic candidate for AD, due to its antioxidant activity and AD-specific mechanism of action. This study directly investigated how OSE affected AD and its impacts by examining the cognitive function and exploring the inflammatory response mechanism. The dried oat seedlings were grounded finely with a grinder, inserted with 50% fermented ethanol 10 times (w/v), and extracted by stirring for 10 h at 45 ℃. After filtering the extract by 0.22 um filter, some of it was used for UHPLC analysis. The results indicated that the treatment with OSE protects against Aβ25-35-induced cytotoxicity in BV2 cells. Tg-5Xfad AD mice had strong deposition of Aβ throughout their brains, while WT mice did not exhibit any such deposition within their brains. A drastic reduction was observed in terms of numbers, as well as the size, of Aβ plaques within Tg-5Xfad AD mice exposed to OSE. This study indicated OSE's neuroprotective impacts against neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation induced by amyloid-beta. Our results suggest that OSE acts as a neuroprotective agent to combat AD-specific apoptotic cell death, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta accumulation, as well as synaptic dysfunction in AD mice's brains. Furthermore, the study indicated that OSE treatment affects JNK/ERK/p38 MAPK signaling, with considerable inhibition in p-JNK, p-p38, and p-ERK levels seen in the brain of OSE-treated Tg-5Xfad AD mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.546-555
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• 2024

Aromadendrin is a phenolic compound with various biological effects such as anti-inflammatory properties. However, its protective effects against acute lung injury (ALI) remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the ameliorative effects of aromadendrin in an experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. In vitro analysis revealed a notable increase in the levels of cytokine/chemokine formation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/toll-like receptor (TLR4) expression in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B lung epithelial cell lines that was ameliorated by aromadendrin pretreatment. In LPS-induced ALI mice, the remarkable upregulation of immune cells and IL-1β/IL-6/TNF-α levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and inducible nitric oxide synthase/cyclooxygenase-2/CD68 expression in lung was decreased by the oral administration of aromadendrin. Histological analysis revealed the presence of cells in the lungs of ALI mice, which was alleviated by aromadendrin. In addition, aromadendrin ameliorated lung edema. This in vivo effect of aromadendrin was accompanied by its inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NF-κB activation, MyD88/TLR4 expression, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation. Furthermore, aromadendrin increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1/ NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 in the lungs of ALI mice. In summary, the in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that aromadendrin ameliorated endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation by suppressing cytokine formation and NF-κB activation, suggesting that aromadendrin could be a useful adjuvant in the treatment of ALI.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2011

We investigated quality characteristics of Seoktanju (one of the Korean traditional rice wine) which was fermented using five kinds of Korean commercial Nuruks. The purpose of this study was to research what effects on the quality of Seoktanju by using different Nuruks. We analyzed general component such as each mash's temperature change patterns, pH, titrable acidities, reducing sugar contents, volatile acids, and sugar contents during fermentation periods and studied sensory evaluation of produced Seoktanju (10 days). On the whole, temperature change patterns in the each mashes were depend on room temperature. All Seoktanju's pH was reduced rapidly up to three days after first mashing (pH 3.13-3.57) and after that was increased gradually. The end of fermentation pH was pH 3.6-4.05. Mostly, acidities were indicated high(0.59%) and Nuruk-B was showed highest acid value. These results seems to be different as occasion organic acids producing activity depend on the number of yeast, material contents, optimal temperature in the each mashes by fungi and lactic acid bacteria in Nuruks. In reducing sugar contents and sugar contents, Nuruk-C treatment were showed the highest value with 5.36%, $23^{\circ}brix$, respectively and alcohol content was lowest with 8.6%. In the five kinds of reproduced Seoktanju, alcohol content was the highest in the treated Nuruk-A group. Volatile acid value was the highest with 132.6~263.7 ppm at the 3 day after first mashing day but as the fermentation time goes on, it was reduced sharply by 5.25~5.94 ppm. Sensory evaluation was performed with 5 point scale, the Seoktanju using Nuruk-D was presented by 4 point, while Nuruk-A was presented lowest by 2.77 point on overall acceptability.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.892-902
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• 2014

The quality characteristics of Takju were investigated according to the different rice varieties and mixing ratio of Nuruk for the advanced quality of Takju. The yeast was selected by alcohol-producing ability. Then a liquid starter was prepared using brewing fungi (Aspergillus luchuensis 34-1 and Lichtheimia ramosa CN042), and rice Nuruk was manufactured with two rice types (Chucheong and Hanareum). The quality characteristics of Takju were investigated based on the rice type and the mixing ratio of A. luchuensis 34-1 and Lich. ramosa CN042 (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:3). S. cerevisiae Y268 showed an alcohol yield of $9.3{\pm}0.33%$ at a 0.3% concentration in the YPD broth medium, and the rice Nuruk with A. luchuensis 34-1, regardless of rice type, was confirmed to have a higher enzyme activity and physiochemical property than Lich. ramosa CN042. According to the quality analysis of Takju, the physiochemical property was increased for the fermentation period, and the acidity differed by type of fungi and rice. The quality of Takju was changed with the composition differences of organic acid and free amino acid by rice type and mixing ratio. As a result of the sensory evaluation of Takju, the preference for it was increased with the Hanareum and A. luchuensis 34-1, respectively. Thus, this study shows the possibilities for activating the industry of traditional liquor by improving the Nuruk and Takju manufacturing technique.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2010

This research was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in coffee and fruit products in Korea. A total of 388 coffee and fruit product samples were collected from retail or outlet markets; 177 samples were coffee and 211 were fruits or their products. Analytical methods including AOAC and Comit$\acute{e}$ Europ$\acute{e}$en de Normalisation (CEN) were selected and modified by method validation to detect and quantify the OTA in samples. All samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. OTA was detected in 3.9% of 177 kinds of coffee and 0% of 211 kinds of fruit products. The levels of OTA were $0.7-4.6\;{\mu}g/kg$ in green coffee, $0.3-4.8\;{\mu}g/kg$ in roasted coffee, $1.4\;{\mu}g/kg$ in mixed coffee, and $0.4-0.6\;{\mu}g/kg$ in instant coffee. However, OTA was not detected in liquid coffee, dried fruits, or grape juice. OTA levels of all samples detected were less than the European Union legislation of $5.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ in coffee, $10.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ in raisins and $2.0\;{\mu}g/kg$ in grape juice. Therefore, the risk of OTA in coffee and fruit products in Korea is relatively low at safe levels.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.488-498
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• 2013

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was applied to the Lake Euiam. The lake has three inflows, of which Gongji Stream has the smallest flow rate and poorest water. The dam-storage volume, watershed area, lake shape and discharge type of the Chuncheon Dam and the Soyang Dam are different. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze the water plume and mixing pattern due to the difference of the two dams regarding the amount of outflow and water temperature. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different characteristics on temperature and conductivity using the model appropriate for the Lake Euiam. We selected an integrated system supporting 3-D time varying modeling (GEMSS) to represent large temporal and spatial variations in hydrodynamics and transport of the Lake Euiam. The model represents the water temperature and hydrodynamics in the lake reasonably well. We examined residence time and spreading patterns of the incoming flows in the lake based on the results of the validated model. The results of the water temperature and conductivity distribution indicated that characteristics of upstream dams greatly influence Lake Euiam. In this study, the three-dimensional time variable water quality model successfully simulated the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrodynamics in the Lake Euiam. The model may be used for efficient water quality management.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2013

We clarified the background for establishment of vegetation by comparing the spatial distribution maps of vegetation and substrate on a gravel bar in the Bangtae stream located on Inje-gun of Gangwon-do, the central eastern Korea. The total vegetation coverage was higher in the interior and lower in the marginal parts of the gravel bar. Spatial distribution of vegetation on the longitudinal section of the gravel bar tended to be arranged in the order of shrub, subtree, and tree dominated vegetation types from the front (upstream) toward the rear (downstream) parts. Coverage of the herbaceous plants was higher in the central and rear parts and lower in the front and right parts of the gravel bar. Vegetation height was higher in the rear part and became lowered as move toward the front part. Substrate was distributed in the order of boulder, gravel, sand, and boulder from the front toward the rear parts. Ordination of stands based on vegetation data was arranged in the order of annual plant, perennial herb, shrub, and tree dominated vegetation as move from the right to the left parts on the axis I. Species richness was higher in the order of Pinus densiflora community, Phragmites japonica community, Salix gracilistyla community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla community, annual plant dominated vegetation, and Prunus padus for. padus community based on the species rank-abundance curve. The order based on the Shannon's index was some different; diversity of Phragmites japonica community and Salix gracilistyla community, which showed higher dominance degree, were low differently from species richness. In conclusion, it was evaluated that the gravel bar newly established toward the upstream and vegetation dynamics of the gravel bar seemed to follow ecosystem mechanisms of succession. As were shown in the above results, the Bangtae stream corresponded to the upstream and thereby particle size of substrate was big. Therefore, they move by rolling and are accumulated for the upstream. Vegetation types were arranged in the order of woodland, shrub-land and grassland from the rear toward the front parts of the gravel bar and thereby reflected the formation process of the bar. However, the gravel bar is disturbed frequently by not only the running water but also the suspended sand as the dynamic space. Such disturbances cause habitat diversity and consequently led to high biodiversity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2007

Background: Several lines of evidence suggest that a host's genetic factors influence the outcome of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphism in NRAMP1 (natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1) gene is associated with the susceptibility or resistance to tuberculosis infection for patients with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods: Eight genetic polymorphisms of the NRAMP1 gene were investigated in patients suffering with DS-TB (n=100) or MDR-TB (n=102), and in healthy normal controls (NC, n=96). The genetic polymorphisms of NRAMP1 were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequency of D543N A/G heterogygotes was significantly higher in the DS-TB subjects than the NCs (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.00 to 4.41, p=0.049). The frequency of 823C/T T/C heterozygotes was significantly higher in the DS-TB subjects (OR=2.79, 95% CI: 1.11 to 7.04, p=0.029) and the MDR-TB subject (OR=3.30, 95% CI 1.33 to 8.18, p=0.010) than in the NCs. However, the frequency of these genotypes was not different between the DS-TB and MDR-TB subjects. Conclusion: A significant association was found between NRAMP1 823 C/T polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis. This result suggests that NRAMP1 polymorphism may be involved in the development of pulmonary tuberculosis in Koreans.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.148-156
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• 2015

In this study the differences in the sample size and sample input changes as characteristics of bio-oil oak(Quercus variabilis), the oak 0.5~2.0 mm of the oak weighing 300~900g was processed into bio-oil via fast pyrolysis for 1.64 seconds. In this study, the physico-chemical properties of biooil using oak were investigated. Fast pyrolysis was adopted to increase the bio-oil yield from raw material. Although the differences in sample size and sample input changes in the yield of pyrolysis products were not significantly noticeable, increases in the yield of bio-oil accounted for approximately 60.3 to 62.1%, in the order of non-condensed gas, and biochar. When the primary bio-oil obtained by the condensation of the cooling tube and the seconary bio-oil obtained from the electric dust collector were measured separately, the yield of primary bio-oil was twice as higher than that of the secondary bio-oil. However, HHV (Higher Heating Value) of the secondary bio-oil was approximately twice as higher than that of the primary bio-oil by up to 5,602 kcal/kg. The water content of the primary bio-oil was more than 20% of the moisture content of the secondary bio-oil, which was 10% or less. In addition, the result of the elemental analysis regarding the secondary bio-oil, its primary carbon content was higher than that of the primary bio-oil, and since the oxygen content is low, the water content as well as elemental composition are believed to have an effect on the calorific value. The higher the storage temperature or the longer the storage period, the degree of the viscosity of the secondary bio-oil was higher than that of the primary bio-oil. This can be the attributed to the chemical bond between the polymeric bio-oil that forms during the storage period.