• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: The prognostic utility of follow-up transthoracic echocardiography (FU-TTE) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unclear, specifically in terms of whether changes in echocardiographic parameters in routine FU-TTE parameters are associated with cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: From 2010 to 2017, 162 patients with HCM were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Using echocardiography, HCM was diagnosed based on morphological criteria. Patients with other diseases that cause cardiac hypertrophy were excluded. TTE parameters at baseline and FU were analyzed. FU-TTE was designated as the last recorded value in patients who did not develop any cardiovascular event or the latest exam before event development. Clinical outcomes were acute heart failure, cardiac death, arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, and cardiogenic syncope. RESULTS: Median interval between the baseline TTE and FU-TTE was 3.3 years. Median clinical FU duration was 4.7 years. Septal trans-mitral velocity/mitral annular tissue Doppler velocity (E/e'), tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial volume index (LAVI) at baseline were recorded. LVEF, LAVI, and E/e' values were associated with poor outcomes. However, no delta values predicted HCM-related cardiovascular outcomes. Logistic regression models incorporating changes in TTE parameters had no significant findings. Baseline LAVI was the best predictor of a poor prognosis. In survival analysis, an already enlarged or increased size LAVI was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in echocardiographic parameters extracted from TTE did not assist in predicting clinical outcomes. Cross-sectionally evaluated TTE parameters were superior to changes in TTE parameters between baseline and FU at predicting cardiovascular events.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.139-155
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• 2024

Using the cytb gene region of the mitochondrial DNA of eight populations of Sarcocheilichthys nigripinnis morii and five populations of S. variegatus wakiyae, which belong to the genus Sarcocheilichthys from Korea, the genetic diversity and molecular phylogenetic relationships of each population were examined. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that the S. variegatus wakiyae population had higher genetic diversity than the S. nigripinnis morii population. In the phylogenetic tree of genus Sarcocheilichthys fish in Korea based on the cytb gene, the Yeongsan River (YSR) population of S. variegatus wakiyae forms a clade with the Tamjin River (TJR), Yeongsan River (YSR), and Seomjin River (SJR) population of S. nigripinnis morii, and genetic relationships that do not align with the current classification system were observed. Meanwhile, on the nuclear DNA phylogenetic tree, S. variegatus wakiyae and S. nigripinnis morii could be clearly distinguished, showing mitonuclear inconsistency where mitochondrial and nuclear DNA conflicted on the phylogenetic tree. The Seomjin River (SJR) population of S. nigripinnis morii was translocated to the Dongjin River (DJR) population, haplotype from which crossbreeding was presumed to have occurred was confirmed. Among the rivers flowing into the East Sea, the S. nigripinnis morii population is known to have been introduced and inhabit only the Hyeongsan River (HSR), and it is presumed to be a population formed by translocation from the Han River (HR) population, with a haplotype representing a unique genetic group also confirmed. The Han River (HR), Geum River (GR), and Mangyeong River (MGR) populations of S. nigripinnis morii formed a genetically identical population with S. czerskii and S. soldatovi distributed north of the Yalu River, and accordingly, a taxonomic reexamination was required through morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies by securing various specimens.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.214-221
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• 2024

Polyether ketone (PEEK) has been widely used in membranes because of its excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and significant mechanical strength. However, the melting temperature is very high, making it difficult to find suitable solvents. Therefore, in this study, PEEK and benzophenone (DPK) were used as diluents to prepare a membrane with excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability using the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method to compensate for the shortcomings of PEEK membrane preparation and achieving the highest performances. The optimal membrane manufacturing conditions were confirmed through the crystallization temperature and cloud point according to the polymer content through the phase diagram. Subsequently, the morphological changes of the membrane, influenced by the polymer and diluent content, were confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the membrane thickness tended to increase with higher polymer content. Tensile strength and DI-water permeability tests were conducted to confirm the mechanical strength and permeability of the membrane. Through the previous characteristic evaluation, it was confirmed that the membrane using PEEK had excellent mechanical strength and permeability.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.210-221
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• 2020

Since the introduction of Israeli carp into Korea for farming in 1973, there are no breeding studies on developing Korea Israeli carp (domestic) so far. This study performed gene-based cross-breeding studies to restore genetic diversity of lowered Israeli carp through continuous inbreeding, and for rapid growth and better scales. This study produced four cross-breeding groups (F1) using Koean Israeli carp and Chinese Songpu mirror carp for the improvement of growth and scale of Israeli carp in Korea. And mating scheme for breeding groups was set in consideration of the morphological analysis and genetic distance of broodstock. In addition, this study used microsatellite markers and genotype data to analyze genetic diversity and parentage analysis. As a result, the average N_A and H_E values of Korean select broodstock are 8.3 and 0.743, and F1 is 13.0 and 0.764. This study shows that the genetic diversity of F1 has been recovered over Korean Israeli carp through breeding between Korean Israeli carp and Chinese Songpu mirror carp. Common Israeli carp in Korea reached 1.7 kg in 17 months, and improved Israeli carp reached to 2.2 kg. The KC (Korea×China, KC) group was 2.52 and broodstock group was 3.15. F1 showed lower scale score (0.63) than broodstock. The improved carp (F1; CK, KC) had 20% better scales than the parent group (F0), which improved 27% in weight and 25% in scales compared to common Israeli carp. The Israeli carp developed by the genetics-based breeding grew quicker and had improved genetic diversity and fewer scales, which will be of great value for Korean Israeli aquaculture industry due to good marketability.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.446-459
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• 2020

This study analyzed the phenotypes and chemotypes of 74 tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) germplasms using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The average seed size of tartary buckwheat germplasm was 5.2 × 3.4 mm, which is smaller than the seed size of common buckwheat. The dark browned colored ovate or elliptic shape was mostly observed in collected germplasm. The average content of rutin was 1,393 mg per 100 g dry weight (DW) in tartary buckwheat seed. Similarly, the flavonoid and polyphenol contents ranged from 253 to 2,669 and 209 to 1,823 mg, respectively, per 100 g DW in the collected germplasm. The three components (PC1, 2, and 3) of principal component analysis revealed 68.55% of the total variance of the collected accessions. Cluster analysis using descriptors showed that 74 accessions were clustered into five groups. The study showed that the most interesting resources for functional breeding programs are: Five resources (HLB1004, HLB1005, HLB1007, HLB1009, and HLB1013) due to the rich rutin, polyphenol, and flavonoid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1152-1160
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• 2017

A unicellular green alga was axenically isolated from a tidal pool on Ulleung-do, Korea. Morphological, molecular, and biochemical analyses revealed that the isolate belonged to Auxenochlorella protothecoides. The current study is the first record of this species in Korea. The microalgal strain was named as A. protothecoides MM0011 and its growth, lipid and pigment compositions, and biomass properties were investigated. The strain is able to thrive in a wide range of temperatures ($5{\sim}35^{\circ}C$) and to withstand up to 1.5 M NaCl. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that the isolate was rich in nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Its major fatty acids were linoleic acid (27.6%) and ${\alpha}-linolenic$ acid (39.6%). Thus, this indigenous microalga has potential as an alternative source of ${\omega}3$ and ${\omega}6$ PUFAs, which currently come from fish and plant oils. Also, the HPLC analysis revealed that the value-added antioxidant, lutein, was biosynthesized as the accessory pigments by the microalga. A proximate analysis showed that the volatile matter content was 85.6% and an ultimate analysis indicated that the gross calorific value was $20.3MJ\;kg^{-1}$. Since 40.5% of total nitrogen and 27.9% of total phosphorus were removed from the medium, respectively, it also has potential as a feedstock for biofuel applications which could be coupled to wastewater treatment. In addition, the biomass may also serve as an excellent animal feed because of its high protein content (51.4%). Therefore, A. protothecoides MM0011 shows promise for application in production of microalgae-based biochemicals and as a biomass feedstock.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.378-390
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• 1997

Ten total populations of Korean fir (Abies koreana Wilson) and Manshurian fir [A. nephrolepis (Traut.) Maxim.] were sampled from south Korea to investigate patterns of intraspecific variation in these species and to evaluate a recognition of the two species. Principal components analysis and cluster analysis were performed both on seed-cone data and on needle morphology data. The characters that contributed most to the separation between A. koreana and A. nephrolepis along three principal components axis were leaf width, length of seed, width of seed wing, length of seed wing, cone width, width of scale, and length of bract tip, but these characters were not diagnostic because of overlap in reality. Therefore, all these characters were not reliable in distinguishing these two taxa including bract position (exerted and recurved vs. exerted and straight). The individuals of A. koreana from Mt. Chi-ri appeared quite unique probably on account of its larger cone size and longer scale tip, while those from Mt. Hal-la of A. koreana were generally distinct from others in terms of their larger seed and seed wing and longer scale width. The Mt. Duk-yu specimens of A. korecana appeared somewhat smaller but more data were needed due to the small sampling size. Generally, the gradual clinal geographic trends made evident by the position of resin ducts in leaves of A. koreana can be detected. The southern populations, Mt. Hal-la (an insular population) were generally distinct from the northern populations (Mt. Chi-ri, Mt. Ga-ya and Mt. Duk-yu) in terms of their position of resin duct (medial, within mesophyll vs marginal, close to epidermis : 100% vs 75 or 50%). Although no sharp boundary separating these two species could be detected based on cone and needle morphology, the observed clinal pattern was distinct in northern populations of A. koreana and southern population of A. nephrnlepis. In a preceding study of the flavonoids variation of 20 species in eastern Asia, flavanone (5-deoxyflavanone) was found to be characteristic of A. faxoniana Rehder et Wilson, A. georgei Orr of China and A. koreana of Korea. A. faxoniana, which is assumed to be primitive species, has position of resin duct relative to both the medial and the marginal, while A. georgei and A. koreana are identified by marginal position of resin duct. With respect of foliar flavonoids chemistry, A. koreana was distinct from A. nephrolepis : the southmost samples (Mt. Hal-la and Mt. Chi-ri) contained additional flavonoids derivatives (mainly flavanone) that were not found in the northmost samples of A. nephrolepis except a few individuals from Mts. Seo-rak and Tae-bak populations of Kwang-won province. The presence of A. koreana type flavonoids in two Chinese species suggested that position of resin duct may be a phyletic character. Abies koreana including two Chinese taxa, exhibited the most elaborate and specialized flavonoids profile within the Abies in eastern Asia. Contrary to our initial expectations, the apparent intermediates between A. nephrolepis and A. koreana in Duk-yu and Ga-ya mountains were found. The pattern of variation on position of resin duct and flavonoids chemistry in these populations of A. kareana suggested that genetic interchange or natural hybridization had occurred between these two species. The evidence needed to resolve the status of this taxon is still inconclusive in our opinion until intermediate individuals from Mts. Duk-yu and Ga-ya show indication of hybridization between the two species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-187
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• 2006

Taxonomic studies were conducted to evaluate the interspecific relationships in Viola albida var. albida and its related taxa using seven populations for morphology, palynology and anatomy. Molecular phylogenetic studies were also examined in 28 populations including 19 Korean, four Chinese, two Japanese, one American population and two outgroups using nrITS, and 27 populations except V pinnata for trnL-F region of chloroplast DNA. Morphological differences was observed among seven populations of three species in leaf shape, but characters such as serrate number of leaf margins, petal size, pistil shape were showed overlap between populations. Pollen shape of seven populations was monad and grain shape on the polar axis was semi-angular. Morphology of aperture was tri-colporate, and the surface sculpturing was scabrate in rugulate. The grain shape of equatorial view of five populations was prolate whereas V albida var. taknhashii type 1 and V albida var. chaerophylloides type 3 were subprolate. The anatomical characters of rnidvein of leaf, petiole, peduncle, root were also described for the species. The stomatal apparatus of the leaves was observed only in abaxial surface, and the number of stoma per unit ($mm^2$) were abundant in incised than lobate or cleft margin of the leaves. The nrITS analysis shows that V. pinnata and V. dissecta was monophyletic and occupied a basal position in the V. albida var. albida and its related taxa. The other clade including infraspecific populations of V. albida, and V. eizanensis was paraphyletic. The trnL-F noncoding region analysis was similar to the ITS tree. According to the above observations in morphology, palynology, anatomy, and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the significant differences were not found except for leaf shape in Viola albida var. albida and its related taxa, therefore V. albida var. takanhashii and V. albida var. chaerophylloides were considered to be an infraspecific taxa of V. albida var. albida rather than an independent species, subvariety or variety of V. pinnata and V. dissecta.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.460-467
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• 2016

A filamentous cyanobacterium, Limnothrix sp. KNUA012, was axenically isolated from a freshwater bloom sample in Lake Hapcheon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Its morphological and molecular characteristics led to identification of the isolate as a member of the genus Limnothrix. Maximal growth was attained when the culture was incubated at 25℃. Analysis of its lipid composition revealed that strain KNUA012 could autotrophically synthesize alkanes, such as pentadecane (C₁₅H₃₂) and heptadecane (C₁₇H₃₆), which can be directly used as fuel without requiring a transesterification step. Two genes involved in alkane biosynthesis－an acyl-acyl carrier protein reductase and an aldehyde decarbonylase－were present in this cyanobacterium. Some common algal biodiesel constituents－myristoleic acid (C_14:1), palmitic acid (C_16:0), and palmitoleic acid (C_16:1)－were produced by strain KNUA012 as its major fatty acids. A proximate analysis showed that the volatile matter content was 86.0% and an ultimate analysis indicated that the higher heating value was 19.8 MJ kg⁻¹. The isolate also autotrophically produced 21.4 mg g⁻¹ phycocyanin－a high-value antioxidant compound. Therefore, Limnothrix sp. KNUA012 appears to show promise for application in cost-effective production of microalga-based biofuels and biomass feedstock over crop plants.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2008

Purpose: In FDG-PET/CT of breast cancer, a sensitivity was 80~96% and a specificity was 75~95% commonly. It was valuable to identify a cancer in early stage been difficult in Mammography. Most of the PET/CT scans have been examined on supine position, so, the image of breast has been acquired by reconstructed whole body scan image. However, using prone position with a compensator, a shape of breast was reassembly shown to be real by gravity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of prone position in FDG PET-CT of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: 30 female patients with doubtful or positive breast cancer were examined. The PET-CT whole body scan was acquired at 60 minutes after $^{18}F$-FDG injection on Supine position. Then, regional breast spot scan was progressed on prone position using a compensator. Each image was evaluated by physicians blinded to patient's data, and statistical analysis did through SUVs measured in PET-CT images. Results: In 27 of 30 patients, prone position was shown accurate discrimination and diagnostic value, but in another 3 patients had a lesion 1cm below, PET-CT couldn't detect it, unlike MRI. Consequently, prone position distinguished a lesion better than Supine position, because of low degree of metamorphosis by gravity. The SUVs analysis of each position was significant (p value=0.004). Conclusion: In PET-CT of breast cancer, prone position could detect micrometastasis as well as primary lesion, better than supine position. Therefore, this study proposes that any technical change considered morphological feature like prone position can offer adequate and useful diagnostic information, together with complementary quantitative analysis.