• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Purpose: Although vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found in cancer patient than in non-cancer patients, there have been little data regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients at the very end of life. We examined vitamin D deficiency in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective chart review of 133 patients in a hospice ward. We collected data regarding age, sex, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, cancer type, physical performance, current medications and various laboratory findings. We investigated factors related to serum vitamin D levels after multivariate adjustment for potential confounders. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL was considered deficient and <10 ng/mL severely deficient. Results: Ninety-five percent of the patients were serum vitamin D deficient. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, non-lung cancer patients, $H_2$ blocker users and non-anticonvulsant users. Elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also associated with low serum vitamin D levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with male gender (aOR 3.82, 95% CI: 1.50~9.72, P=0.005), $H_2$ blocker users (aOR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.61~9.65, P=0.003) and elevated serum ALT levels (aOR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.35~15.19, P=0.015). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, $H_2$ blocker users, and patients with elevated ALT levels.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.647-657
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• 2015

To investigate a method for calculation of the heating load for environmental designs of horticultural facilities, measurements of total heating load, infiltration rate, and floor heat flux in a large-scale plastic greenhouse were analyzed comparatively with the calculation results. Effects of ground heat exchange and infiltration loss on the greenhouse heating load were examined. The ranges of the indoor and outdoor temperatures were $13.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$ and $-9.4{\sim}+7.2^{\circ}C$ respectively during the experimental period. It was confirmed that the outdoor temperatures were valid in the range of the design temperatures for the greenhouse heating design in Korea. Average infiltration rate of the experimental greenhouse measured by a gas tracer method was $0.245h^{-1}$. Applying a constant ventilation heat transfer coefficient to the covering area of the greenhouse was found to have a methodological problem in the case of various sizes of greenhouses. Thus, it was considered that the method of using the volume and the infiltration rate of greenhouses was reasonable for the infiltration loss. Floor heat flux measured in the center of the greenhouse tended to increase toward negative slightly according to the differences between indoor and outdoor temperature. By contrast, floor heat flux measured at the side of the greenhouse tended to increase greatly into plus according to the temperature differences. Based on the measured results, a new calculation method for ground heat exchange was developed by adopting the concept of heat loss through the perimeter of greenhouses. The developed method coincided closely with the experimental result. Average transmission heat loss was shown to be directly proportional to the differences between indoor and outdoor temperature, but the average overall heat transfer coefficient tended to decrease. Thus, in calculating the transmission heat loss, the overall heat transfer coefficient must be selected based on design conditions. The overall heat transfer coefficient of the experimental greenhouse averaged $2.73W{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}C^{-1}$, which represents a 60% heat savings rate compared with plastic greenhouses with a single covering. The total heating load included, transmission heat loss of 84.7~95.4%, infiltration loss of 4.4~9.5%, and ground heat exchange of -0.2~+6.3%. The transmission heat loss accounted for larger proportions in groups with low differences between indoor and outdoor temperature, whereas infiltration heat loss played the larger role in groups with high temperature differences. Ground heat exchange could either heighten or lessen the heating load, depending on the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. Therefore, the selection of a reference temperature difference is important. Since infiltration loss takes on greater importance than ground heat exchange, measures for lessening the infiltration loss are required to conserve energy.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2015

This research was conducted to investigate the changes in moisture retention capacities of expanded rice-hull (ERH)-based root media and their influences on the growth of mother and daughter plants in vegetative propagation of 'Seolhyang' strawberry. The proportion of water at the container capacity of ERH medium was in the range of 20 to 23%. This range was lower than the 60 to 66% of strawberry-specialized medium, the 30 to 34% of soil mother material (SMM) and the 30 to 35% of loamy sand. The moisture content of ERH was reduced to 10 to 12% at 8 hours after irrigation, and there were large variations among replications of ERH medium. Among four kinds of root media formulated to contain ERH, the medium of ERH + coir dust (CD) (55 + 45%, v/v) had 26.5 and 32.5% water contents at 20 and 40 days after irrigation to daughter plants, respectively. The m edia o f ERH + sandy loam (S L) and E RH + S MM showed similar trends i n moisture r etention. The pH and EC i n the all root media tested were in the range of 6.7 to 7.1 and 0.03 to $0.08dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, respectively. The pHs and ECs measured at 20 and 40 days after irrigation were not significantly different in each root medium. Among the root media formulated to contain ERH, the growth of daughter plants was the highest in the treatment of ERH + SL (55 + 45%, v/v). As the blending rate of coir dust was elevated in the ERH + CD media, moisture retention capacity increased gradually, but the growth of daughter plants became worse even though the medium showed higher moisture retention capacity than other root media tested. The growth of roots and aboveground tissues of daughter plants deteriorated in the root media formulated by blending ERH + perlite (PE) at various ratios. The results of this research suggest the optimum formulations of root media and management of moisture content in raising of strawberry daughter plants when ERH is a component of root media.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.70-82
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• 2015

This study was conducted to establish an efficient screening system to identify melon resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis. F. oyxsporum f. sp. melonis GR was isolated from infected melon plants collected at Goryeong and identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis based on morphological characteristics, molecular analyses, and host-specificity tests on cucurbits including melon, oriental melon, cucumber, and watermelon. In addition, the GR isolate was determined as race 1 based on resistance responses of melon differentials to the fungus. To select optimized medium for mass production of inoculum of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis GR, six media were tested. The fungus produced the most spores (microconidia) in V8-juice broth. Resistance degrees to the GR isolate of 22 commercial melon cultivars and 6 rootstocks for melon plants were investigated. All tested rootstocks showed no symptoms of Fusarium wilt. Among the tested melon cultivars, only three cultivars were susceptible and the other cultivars displayed moderate to high resistance to the GR isolate. For further study, six melon cultivars (Redqueen, Summercool, Superseji, Asiapapaya, Eolukpapaya, and Asiahwanggeum) showing different degrees of resistance to the fungus were selected. The development of Fusarium wilt on the cultivars was tested according to several conditions such as plant growth stage, root wounding, dipping period of roots in spore suspension, inoculum concentration, and incubation temperature to develop the disease. On the basis of the test results, we suggest that an efficient screening method for melon plants resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis is to remove soil from roots of seven-day-old melon seedlings, to dip the seedlings without cutting in s pore s uspension of $3{\times}10^5conidia/mL$ for 30 min, to transplant the inoculated seedlings to plastic pots with horticulture nursery media, and then to cultivate the plants in a growth room at 25 to $28^{\circ}C$ for about 3 weeks with 12-hour light per day.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.461-471
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• 2016

This study was conducted to establish an in vitro propagation system for sea-milkwort (Glaux maritima L.), which is an endangered coastal plant species with high horticultural value. Two phenotypes, 'Red type (RT)' and 'Pistachio type (PT)' based on the colors of stem and flower, were obtained from a personal horticulturist in 2009 and used for this study as plant materials. The stock plants showed typical morphologies in flower, capsule, and seed appearances as previously reported. Low temperature treatment at $4^{\circ}C$ for four or more weeks after in vitro sowing maximized seed germination percentage, indicating that imbibition of seed and subsequent low temperature treatment are crucial for its germination. The in vitro seedlings had phenotypic variation, falling into 'RT' and 'PT' classes like the stock plants. Although slight differences depending on genotype and medium were recognized, the fourth or fifth nodes detached from the in vitro seedlings revealed the best multiplication efficacy when estimated on the basis of total number of nodes of newly developed axillary shoots. In addition, the nodes from 'RT' and 'PT' regenerated the most shoots on medium supplemented with $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA alone and $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA plus $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ IAA, respectively. The node culture-derived plantlets were well acclimatized in a culture room ex vitro and completed the pseudo-annual life cycle coincident with that in the natural salt march habitat with the current cultivation method of applying fresh water-irrigation under an inland environment. This work represents the first report of in vitro propagation of sea-milkwort. Thus, our study will contribute to exo-habitat conservation and natural habitat restoration of this endangered species in addition to development of a horticultural product.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.675-686
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• 2015

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) needs proper post-harvest treatment to prolong its storage life. This study investigated the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the quality and storage life of asparagus. Fresh-harvested asparagus was treated with 1-MCP ($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), CEPA($10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), and 1-MCP($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) + CEPA($10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) and compared with an untreated control. The carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) production, ethylene production, and morphological characteristics of the preserved asparagus were observed. The flow-system and the static-type measurement methods for ethylene and $CO_2$ production (respiration rate) were used. Weight loss, respiration rate, degree of freshness, and ethylene production were monitored during storage at $7^{\circ}C$. The results further showed that CEPA (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) treatment had greater effects on $CO_2$ and ethylene production than using the 1-MCP process. The asparagus treated with CEPA or 1-MCP + CEPA had significantly increased the ethylene production rate compared to the control or using only 1-MCP during storage. There were no evident changes in the respiration rate of asparagus under 1-MCP treatment as compared with the control. Using the flow-system, slight differences in the rates of $CO_2$ and ethylene production were noted as compared to using the static type. Findings showed that in using the flow-system, asparagus manifested clearer results as compared with the static type. Weight loss in asparagus was significantly lower in control and 1-MCP treated samples than in those treated with CEPA. Likewise, the $CO_2$ and ethylene production of the CEPA treated samples significantly increased. The 1-MCP treatment reduced the effects of CEPA on weight loss, soluble solids content, and osmolality. The effect was not observed with exogenous ethylene as CEPA treatment had no visible effect as compared to the untreated group. Thus, 1-MCP treatment of asparagus could slightly reduce damage to the quality of asparagus during its distribution where ethylene gas is produced. Therefore, this study suggests that 1-MCP treatment can reduce the damage induced by ethylene gas on asparagus in poor distribution environments.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.796-804
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• 2015

The present study investigated the plant growth characteristics, dormancy breaking, yield, and biological activity properties (contents of flavonoid and phenolic compounds, nitrite scavenging activity, and the survival rate of lung cancer) of four asparagus cultivars. It aimed to examine selection possibilities for high efficacy cultivar to promote biological activity in asparagus cultivation in South Korea. The results showed that the number of asparagus buds and root fresh and dry weight of 'Jersey Giant', 'Jersey Supreme', and 'NJ953' were higher than those of 'UC157' cultivar, and there were no differences in the number of roots. The dormancy breaking period of 'Jersey Supreme' was prolonged compared to the other cultivars. 'Jersey Giant' and 'NJ953' had more total spears, and greater spear diameter, and yield than other cultivars. Total flavonoid content was unaffected by cultivar and was higher in ethanol extraction than in hot water extraction. Total phenolic compound content was the lowest in 'NJ953' for both hot water and ethanol extracts, whereas in the ethanol extraction, 'UC157' had the highest, with $39.23mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. 'Jersey Giant', 'Jersey Supreme', and 'NJ953' all showed greater than 70% nitrite scavenging activity. In the case of ethanol extraction, the survival rates of lung cancer in extracts from 'Jersey Giant', 'Jersey Supreme', and 'UC157' were lower than 'NJ 953' cultivar, regardless of extraction concentration. The survival rate of lung cancer was lower in hot water extraction than in ethanol extraction, so that the consumption of asparagus is also expected to be helpful in preventing lung cancer. The growth characteristics and biological activity effects of edible asparagus that were identified in the present study are expected to be useful in selection of high efficacy cultivars for biological activity and utilization.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.112-121
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• 2016

Development of genetically-modified (GM) crops enables the introduction of new traits to the plant to confer characteristics such as disease resistance, herbicide resistance and human health-promoting bioactivity. Successful commercialization of newly developed GM crops requires stable inheritance of integrated T-DNA and newly introduced traits through the multiple generations. This study was carried out to confirm the stable inheritance of the integrated T-DNA in $T_1$ and $T_2$ transgenic Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) that was genetically modified to increase concentrations of phenylethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), which is a potential anti-carcinogenic phytochemical. For this purpose, the IGA 1-3 ($T_1$ generation) and IGA 1-3-5 ($T_2$ generation) lines were selected by PCR and a IGA 1-3 transgenic plant ($T_1$ generation) was analyzed to confirm the T-DNA insertion site in the Chinese cabbage genome by VA-TAIL PCR. The results of this study showed that the introduced T-DNA in IGA 1 line was stably inherited to the next generations without any variations in terms of the structure of the transgenes, and this line also showed the expected transgene function that resulted in increased concentration of PEITC through the multiple generations. Finally, we confirmed the increased QR activity in IGA 1 $T_1$ and $T_2$ transgenic lines, which indicates an enhanced potential anti-carcinogenic bioactivity and its stable inheritance in IGA1 $T_1$ and $T_2$ transgenic lines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 1987

We have examined to evaluate the taste compounds of damchi-jeotguk(concentrated sea mussel extract) which is a kind of traditional processed sea food in Korea. The contents of such compounds as free amino acids, nucleotides their and related compounds, non-volatile organic acid and fatty acid composition were analyzed. The content of total free amino acids was 10520.5mg/100g on dry basis and the major ones were glycine, arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. These amino acids were resulted as 55.7% of total free amino acids in damchi-jeotguk. Hypoxanthine was the highest content($8.77\;{\mu}mole/g$, dry basis) of nucleotides and their related compounds. Free amino acid-N was the most abundant, resulting 53.3% of extractive nitrogen which was 3490.2mg/100g on dry basis and next ammonia-N, nucleotide-N and TMAO-N in order. The major non-volatile organic in damchi-jeotguk were succinic acid(125.5mg/100g, dry basis) and lactic acid 91.9mg/100g, dry basis). In this fatty acid composition of total lipid, polyenoic acid was abundant holding 45.5%. The major fatty acids were 16 : 0, 18 : 2, 22 : 6, 18 : 1 and 20 : 5. It was concluded from the omission test and chemical analysis that the major taste compounds of damchi-jeotguk were free amino acids and non-volatile organic acids.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.106-110
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• 2014

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea (OSAH) is known to be related to nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension according to the apnea-hypopnea grading. A total of 2,210 adults with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea were referred to our sleep center from July 2009 to May 2013. Clinical blood pressure (BP) was measured before sleeping (bedtime BP) and immediately after waking up in the next morning (morning BP). Subjects were classified into four groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from PSG as follows: control group (n=470) simple snoring and with AHI<5; mild group (n=577) with $AHI{\geq}5$ and <15; moderate group (n=508) $AHI{\geq}15$ and <30; and severe group (n=655) with $AHI{\geq}30$. The differences and correlations between BP and PSG parameters according to the AHI groups were analyzed. Patient's were classified as nomentensive (blood pressure <120/90 mmHg, n=700), prehypertensive (blood pressure < $140-120{\leq}mmHg$, n=1297) hypertensive (blood pressure ${\geq}140/90mmHg$, n=214) according to the office blood pressure measurements. The comparison of sleep parameters showed that OSA groups had a significantly higher stage N1 (control group vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $66.4{\pm}30.7$ vs. $85.5{\pm}36.6$, $128.4{\pm}57.3$, p<0.001) and total arousal number (control vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $110.7{\pm}47.7$ vs. $150.8{\pm}56.6$, $236.6{\pm}95.8$, p<0.001) compared to control group. The comparison of sleep parameters showed that OSA groups had a significantly lower stage N2 (control group vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $172.6{\pm}47.2$ vs. $150.7{\pm}50.5$, $120.3{\pm}57.4$, p<0.001), stage N3 (control group vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $38.4{\pm}33.4$ vs. $27.4{\pm}26.0$, $56.1{\pm}27.5$, p<0.001), REM (control group vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $64.3{\pm}25.5$ vs. $56.1{\pm}27.5$, $47.3{\pm}25.9$, p<0.001) and mean SaO2% (control group vs. moderate OSA, severe OSA; $90.0{\pm}3.5$ vs. $82.5{\pm}5.5$, $70.0{\pm}8.8$, p<0.001) compared to control group. The Apnea-hypopnea index was significantly higher in OSA groups, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure than in the nomentensive group (bed time systolic pressure vs. AHI; <120 vs. 120-139, 140-159, >159; $17.5{\pm}18.6$ vs. $24.9{\pm}21.0$, $31.0{\pm}25.7$, $42.3{\pm}31.7$, p<0.001), (bed time diastolic pressure vs. AHI; 60-79 vs. 80-89, 90-99, >99; $19.3{\pm}19.7$ vs. $22.4{\pm}20.3$, $29.8{\pm}23.3$, $38.8{\pm}28.5$, p<0.001). AHI was positively correlated with morning systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, bed time systolic pressure and diastolic pressure (r=0.314, 0.279, 0.233 and 0.200, respectively, p<0.001). We conclude that BMI, Age, neck circumference and AHI increase with the blood pressure.