• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.1491-1499
• /
• 2017

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is transformed from trimethylamine (TMA) through hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenases, can promote atherosclerosis. TMA is produced from dietary carnitine, phosphatidylcholine, and choline via the gut microbes. Previous works have shown that some small molecules, such as allicin, resveratrol, and 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol, are used to reduce circulating TMAO levels. However, the use of bacteria as an effective therapy to reduce TMAO levels has not been reported. In the present study, 82 isolates were screened from healthy Chinese fecal samples on a basal salt medium supplemented with TMA as the sole carbon source. The isolates belonged to the family Enterobacteriaceae, particularly to genera Klebsiella, Escherichia, Cronobacter, and Enterobacter. Serum TMAO and cecal TMA levels were significantly decreased in choline-fed mice treated with Enterobacter aerogenes ZDY01 compared with those in choline-fed mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline. The proportions of Bacteroidales family S24-7 were significantly increased, whereas the proportions of Helicobacteraceae and Prevotellaceae were significantly decreased through the administration of E. aerogenes ZDY01. Results indicated that the use of probiotics to act directly on the TMA in the gut might be an alternative approach to reduce serum TMAO levels and to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and "fish odor syndrome" through the effect of TMA on the gut microbiota.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.55-58
• /
• 2015

Tetrahydrobiopterin ($BH_4$) can normalize blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in $BH_4$ deficiency, but typically not in phenylketonuria (PKU). In 1999, Kure et al. reported that some PKU patients showed decreased blood Phe levels after $BH_4$ loading, and thereafter, those PKU patients were identified by neonatal PKU screening. A natural cofactor for phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) is a 6R-isomer of $BH_4$, which is first synthesized in Japan as Sapropterin dihydrochloride (Biopten$^{(R)}$) in 1982. In Japan, Biopten$^{(R)}$ is first approved for the treatment of $BH_4$ deficiency in 1992, and then for $BH_4$-responsive PAH deficiency (BPKU) in 2008. The discovery of BPKU has vast clinical implications. After Biopten$^{(R)}$ (Kuvan$^{(R)}$) is available for the treatment of BPKU, the QOL of both patients and their families were improved very much, since the serum phenylalanine levels were controlled within 4 mg/dL by $BH_4$ mono-therapy with a normal diet or $BH_4$ combined use of mild phenylalanine-restricted diet. Biopten$^{(R)}$ therapy in patients with BPKU is highly efficacious (70%) at maintaining serum Phe levels within recommended control range and provides excellent safety at least average use period of 10 years (range, 1-17 years) with no unwarranted side effects in Japan. In addition it has been confirmed that sapropterin therapy initiated before 4 years of age was very effective to maintain plasma Phe levels within the favorable range and was safe in Japanese patients with BPKU.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to assess temporal changes in the level of culturable airborne fungi (CAF) in three microbiology laboratories and determine the environmental factors associated with CAF level. Methods: CAF levels were determined once per month from March 2011 to February 2012 in three microbiology laboratories. An Andersen one-stage sampler was used for five minutes, three times per day to collect the CAF. Arithmetic means of CAF concentrations and standard deviation (SD) were calculated. A Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare the differences between environmental factors such as divided room by structure of laboratory, use of humidifier, and use of air-conditioner. Correlation analysis was also applied to identify the association between CAF concentrations and environmental factors. Results: CAF levels demonstrated an increasing tendency in summer, and the three laboratories showed consistent seasonal patterns. Temperature and relative humidity (RH) were associated with CAF levels. When the humidifier was off, CAF concentrations were significantly higher in study rooms than in study rooms in which the humidifier was on. Conclusion: CAF levels in indoor microbiology laboratories varied greatly depending upon the temperature and RH and whether a humidifier was used.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.75-87
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine teachers' stages of concern and levels of use about SW education based on Concerns-Based Adoption Model and to provide implications for teacher education. For this purpose, 152 survey responses were collected from elementary school teachers in South Korea. The result indicated that elementary school teachers' concerns about SW education showed the nonuser pattern in that teachers score highest in stage 0(awareness) to stage 2(personal) and in stage 6(refocusing). Additionally, teachers who are currently implementing SW education showed a tendency to be in the level of mechanical use or routine, and more than half of the teachers who are not implementing SW education showed no motivation to change current practices. There were statistically significant differences in the stages of concern depending on gender, teaching experience, SW training experience, SW teaching experience, and there were differences in the levels of use depending on the teachers' grade level in charge, SW training experience, and SW teaching experience. Based on the results of the research, various SW related programs as well as successful SW education experience for teachers need to be provided for teacher education in order to promote SW education.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.677-681
• /
• 2016

Excessive nitrogen fertilization influences crop yields and quality as well as environmental pollution. In this study, yields, nitrogen use efficiency and free sugar contents of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) were evaluated at different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 5 levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200%) based on the conventional fertilization ($N=230kg\;ha^{-1}$), and phosphate and potassium fertilizer were treated by conventional P and K fertilization ($P_2O_5-K_2O=140-210kg\;ha^{-1}$) in all plots. The root yields of burdock were the highest in N 100~150% treatment plots. Nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen recovery decreased from over N 150% treatment. Nitrogen uptake of root was greater than that of shoot in N 50~200% treatments. Fructose contents in root were inversely proportional to the level of nitrogen fertilization. As considering nitrogen recovery and root quality, economical burdock yield was obtained in N $230kg\;ha^{-1}$.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 1999

No-till direct seeding cultivation of rice has major advantages such as saving of labor and cost by eliminating tillage, preparation of seed bed and trans-planting procedure compared to the conventional transplanting cultivation. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of straw treatment and nitrogen levels on the rice growth in no-till direct-seeding cultivation. Rice straw, vetch straw, and the mixture of both of the straws were mulched on the surface of soil before seeding while 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer, 0, 7, 9, and 11 kkg/10a respectively, were applied at 3 split times, 3-weeks after sowing, 5-weeks after sowing and the panicle initiation stage. Mulching of vetch straw significantly reduced seedling establishment of rice which may be attributed to low oxidation-reduction potential of soil by vetch mulching treatment. Vetch straw increased the concentration of soil ammonium leading to an extension of the greenish leaf to panicle initiation stage. Agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (AD $E_{N}$) in heavy-mixed straw mulching plots was lower than other treatments. Grain yield and AU $E_{N}$ in the vetch treatment were less affected by fertilized N levels. Conclusively, it is suggested that heavy straw mulching was not efficient for rice seedling establishment and nitrogen usage.e.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.56-69
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The prevalence of problematic internet usage among college students is a cause for concern. There is a lack of study examining influences of cognitive protecting or buffering factors on internet addiction among college students. The purpose of this study was to examine influences of depression, ego-resilience, and active stress coping on internet addiction tendency (IAT) among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. Data were collected between October and December 2013. A convenience sample of 244 students completed self-report questionnaires consisting of Ego-resiliency Scale, Ways of Coping Checklist, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression, and Self-report Scale for Internet Use. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed for data analysis. Results: We found that higher levels of depression were associated with higher levels of IAT. However, an inverse association was found between active stress coping and IAT. Students who mainly used the internet for chatting showed lower levels of IAT than those who used the internet for games or blogs. These factors explained 15.1% of the variance in IAT of college students. Conclusion: The study results suggest that stress coping strategies and depression are important factors for evaluation when developing intervention programs targeting college students with problematic internet use.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.96-103
• /
• 2001

Clinical symptoms of stroke patients vary widely, and include headache, dizziness, vomiting, dysphagia, dysphasia, incontinence, confusion, chest discomfort, dyspnea etc. Stroke patients who had chronic respiratory disease or had tracheostomy cannula usually have high levels of sputum, but there have been rare clinical reports about treatment of oriental medicine. High levels of sputum in stroke patients can cause pneumonia and dyspnea, and so can delay rehabilitation. By use of Haepyoleejin-tang.Jungchun-tang with change of Ephedrae Herba capacity, we could improve sputum secretion and respiratory function of two stroke patients, and so we report on the clinical course of two stroke patients with high levels of sputum.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.327-339
• /
• 2009

It is known that Korean pregnant women take iron supplements at a higher than the recommended level. This study was designed to provide data on current iron intake levels both from food sources and supplement to better guide iron supplement use during pregnancy. We also explored associations of iron supplement intake levels with various sociocultural factors and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of 510 pregnant women were assessed by a validated 102-item food frequency questionnaire, and information on types and amounts of nutritional supplement intakes were also attained. While dietary intake levels of most nutrients exceeded the KDRIs (Korea Dietary Reference Intakes: EAR: Estimated Average Requirements), folate fell short of the KDRIs. A total of 428 women (83.9%) reported to take iron supplement. The pregnant women were divided into the three groups (group I: Fe supplement intake ${\le}$ EAR, group II: EAR < Fe supplement intake ${\le}$ 3 times of EAR, group III: 3 times of EAR < Fe supplement intake). The mean dietary intake of iron was 24% of the total iron intake for pregnant women. Iron intake from food was not significantly different among I, II, and III. In case of iron intake from supplements, the most frequent dose (34.1%) was 90-100 mg/day, and the mean iron supplement intake was 362% of the EAR. The study findings showed that those with higher levels of iron supplements had better meal quality measured by NAR (Nutrient Adequacy Ratio) and INQ (Index of Nutrient Quality). In addition iron supplement intake levels were significantly related to age (20s: 66.5 ${\pm}$ 38.6 mg/day, 30s: 77.3 ${\pm}$ 47.8 mg/day, p < 0.0116) and experience of childbirth (1st pregnancy: 70.9 ${\pm}$ 41.2 mg/day, 2nd pregnancy: 64.5 ${\pm}$ 39.5 mg/day, ${\ge}$ 3rd pregnancy: 94.4 ${\pm}$ 63.8 mg/day, p < 0.005). However, no significant difference was found between iron supplement intake levels and various pregnancy outcomes including birth weight, birth height, gestational age, weight gain during pregnancy, and jaundice. It is worrisome that iron intake by supplement use greatly exceeded the EAR, suggesting the need of appropriate guidelines for iron supplement intake during pregnancy. Thus iron overdose from supplements in pregnancy should be considered as a serious condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.111-115
• /
• 1977

Vegetables and fruits purchased from several markets in Seoul from July to October in 1977 were analyzed to know the level of nitrate-and nitrite-nitrogen accumulation in relation to a public health. Radishes and chinese cabbages utilized mainly as pickled vegetables in Korea resulted in the highest concentration of nitrate-nitrogen. Some of the levels for radishes and chinese cabbages were notably high and exceeded a recommended upper limit of 300 ppm $No_{3}-N$, and thus these levels would render these samples unsafe for use. The levels in some of vegetables other than radish and chinese cabbage, e.g., spinach, lettuce, green onion, cabbage were relatively high and considered to be unsafe for use in feeding infants, where as those of green pepper, bean sprouts and parsely were very low and safe. And also the levells in fruits were very low and safe. Nitrite-nitrogen contents in all tested vegetables and fruits ranged to trace and appeared not to be accumulated in fresh vegetables and fruits. Stems and roots of radishes and chinese cabbages accumulated approximately 2 fold more nitrate-nitrogen than leaves in 5 samples of each vegetable tested.