• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2018

The litter production, the nutrient concentration of each component of litterfall, and the amounts of nutrient into the forest floor via litterfall were assessed for 5 years from January 2009 through December 2013 in a Pinus densiflora forest in Mt. Worak National Park. The average amounts of leaf litter, branch and bark, reproductive organs(flowers and cones), and miscellaneous categories for 5 years were $1.940{\pm}0.21$, $0.505{\pm}0.15$, $0.259{\pm}0.09$, and $0.737{\pm}0.14t\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively. The average percentage of leaf litter, branch and bark, reproductive organs and miscellaneous categories for 5 years were 56.4, 14.7, 7.5, and 21.4%, respectively. The amounts of total litterfall in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 2.810, 3.796, 3.268, 3.284, and $4.045ton\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively. The average amounts of litterfall for 5 years were $3.441{\pm}0.4ton\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The average amounts of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg returned to the forest floor via litterfall for 5 years in this Pinus densiflora forest were $22.73{\pm}4.92$, $1.05{\pm}0.42$, $4.26{\pm}1.69$, $8.48{\pm}4.62$, and $2.42{\pm}1.01kg\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.2 s.42
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• pp.37-46
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• 2005

To date, many viable smart base isolation systems have been proposed and investigated. In this study, a novel friction pendulum system (FPS) and an MR damper are employed as the isolator and supplemental damping device, respectively, of the smart base isolation system. A fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is used to modulate the MR damper because the FLC has an inherent robustness and ability to handle non linearities and uncertainties. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used for optimization of the FLC. The main purpose of employing a GA is to determine appropriate fuzzy control rules as well to adjust parameters of the membership functions. To this end, a GA with a local improvement mechanism is applied. This method is efficient in improving local portions of chromosomes. Neuro fuzzy models are used to represent dynamic behavior of the MR damper and FPS. Effectiveness of the proposed method for optimal design of the FLC is judged based on computed responses to several historical earthquakes. It has been shown that the proposed method can find optimal fuzzy rules and the GA optimized FLC outperforms not only a passive control strategy but also a human designed FLC and a conventional semi active control algorithm.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 2009

Objective: CBCT has become popular for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in recent times. The 3D pharyngeal airway space needs to be analysed using a 3D diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to analyse the pharyngeal airway of different craniofacial morphology using CBCT. Methods: The sample compromised 102 subjects divided into 3 groups (Class I, II, III) and 6 subgroups according to normal or vertical craniofacial patterns. All samples had CBCT (VCT, Vatech, Seoul, Korea) taken for orthodontic treatment. The pharyngeal airway was assessed according to the reference planes: aa plane (the most anterior point on the anterior arch of atlas), $CV_2$ plane, and $CV_3$ plane (most infero-anterior point on the body of the second & third cervical vertebra). The intergroup comparison was performed with one-way ANOVA and duncan test as a second step. Results: The results showed the pharyngeal airway and anteroposterior width of group 2 (Class II) in aa plane, $CV_2$ plane, $CV_3$ plane were significant narrower than in group 3 (Class III). There was no significant difference between vertical and normal craniofacial patterns except for the anteroposterior pharyngeal width of Group 1 (Class I) in aa plane. Conclusions: Subjects with Class II patterns have a significantly narrower pharyngeal airway than those with Class III. However there was no difference in pharyngeal airway between vertical and normal craniofacial morphology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.523-528
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• 2017

This study investigate the effects of extracts of five species of Korean native forest plants on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Our results show that Korean native forest plants extracts significantly reduced lipid accumulation and ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Especially, Rubus coreanus Miq. was most effective in the inhibition of lipid accumulation and ROS production at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. Moreover, Rubus coreanus Miq. extracts significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation, which is dependent on down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, and adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein, a key adipogenic transcription factor. Therefore, these results suggest that Rubus coreanus Miq. might be a valuable source of bioactive compounds with anti-adipogenic activity.

• Carbon letters
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• v.23
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• pp.38-47
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• 2017

In this study, magnetite ($Fe_3O_4$) nanoparticles were electrochemically synthesized in an aqueous electrolyte at a given potential of -1.3 V for 180 s. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that dendrite-like $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles with a mean size of < 80 nm were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The $Fe_3O_4/GCE$ was utilized for sensing chloramphenicol (CAP) by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. A reduction peak of CAP at the $Fe_3O_4/GCE$ was observed at 0.62 V, whereas the uncoated GCE exhibited a very small response compared to that of the $Fe_3O_4/GCE$. The electrocatalytic ability of $Fe_3O_4$ was mainly attributed to the formation of Fe(VI) during the anodic scan, and its reduction to Fe(III) on the cathodic scan facilitated the sensing of CAP. The effects of pH and scan rate were measured to determine the optimum conditions at which the $Fe_3O_4/GCE$ exhibited the highest sensitivity with a lower detection limit. The reduction current for CAP was proportional to its concentration under optimized conditions in a range of $0.09-47{\mu}M$ with a correlation coefficient of 0.9919 and a limit of detection of $0.09{\mu}M$ (S/N=3). Moreover, the fabricated sensor exhibited anti-interference ability towards 4-nitrophenol, thiamphenicol, and 4-nitrobenzamide. The developed electrochemical sensor is a cost effective, reliable, and straightforward approach for the electrochemical determination of CAP in real time applications.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2008

Protein phosphorylation at tyrosine residues is a key regulatory event that modulates insulin signal transduction. We studied the PTPN1 gene with regard to susceptibility to Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its related quantitative traits. A total of seven SNPs [g.36171G>A (rs941798), g.58166G>A (rs3787343), g.58208A>G (rs2909270), g.64840C>T (rs754118), g.69560C>G (rs6020612), g.69866G>A (rs718050), and g.69934T>G (rs3787343)] were selected based on frequency (>0.05), linkage disequilibrium (LD) status, and haplotype tagging status. We studied the seven SNPs in 483 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes (age: $64{\pm}2.8$ years, onset age: $56{\pm}8.1$ years; 206 men, 277 women) and 1138 nondiabetic control subjects (age: $64{\pm}2.9$; 516 men, 622 women). The SNP rs941798 had protective effects against T2DM with an odds ratio of 0.726 (C.I. $0.541{\sim}0.975$) and p-value=0.034, but none of the remaining six SNPs was associated with T2DM. Also, rs941798 was associated with blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, insulin sensitivity. rs941798 also has been associated with T2DM in previous reports of Caucasian-American and Hispanic-American populations. This is the first report that shows an association between PTPN1 and T2DM in the Korean as well as Asian population.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of application of SCB liquid fertilizer produced after slurry composting and biofiltration (SCB) on turfgrass growth in golf course during 6 month period from May to October in 2008. The change of soil properties by applying CF and SCB was unaffected respective treatments. As compared with NF, turf color index of CF, S-1 and S-2 increased by 1.8%, 2.5%, and 3.4%, respectively and chlorophyll content by 13%, 19%, and 25%, respectively. Dry weight of S-1 and S-2 was increased by 15% and 26% than that of CF. As compared with CF, N uptake rate in S-1 and S-2 was increased by 21% and 37%, P uptake rate 57% and 28%, and K uptake rate 16% and 27%, respectively. S-2 showed the best effect for turf color index, chlorophyll content, dry weigh and nutrient uptake rate in creeping bentgrass. These results suggested that an mixed application of SCB and compound fertilizer was improved turf quality and growth of creeping bentgrass by increasing nutrient uptake rate of turfgrass.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.187-203
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• 2000

The precipitation of calcium phosphate on implant surface has been known to accelerate osseointegration and to enhance osseous adaptation. The present study was performed to examine whether the precipitation of calcium phosphate on Ti-6Al-4V alloy could be affected by the immersion in NaOH solution and heat treatment. Ti-6Al-4V alloy plates of $15{\times}3.5{\times}1mm$ in dimension were polished sequentially from #240 to #2,000 emery paper and one surface of each specimen was additionally polished with $0.1{\mu}m$ alumina paste. Polished specimens were soaked in various concentrations of NaOH solution(0.1, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0 M) at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours for alkali treatment, and 5.0 M NaOH treated specimens were heated for 1 hour at each temperature of 400, 500, 600, 700, $800^{\circ}C$. After the alkali and heat treatments, specimens were soaked in the Hank's solution with pH 7.4 at $36.5^{\circ}C$ for 30days.The surface ingredient change of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was evaluated by thin-film X-ray diffractometer(TF-XRD) and the surface microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM), and the elements of surface were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). The results were obtained as follows ; 1. The precipitation of calcium phosphate on Ti-6Al-4V alloy was accelerated by the immersion in NaOH solution and heat treatment. 2. In Alkali treatment for the precipitation of calcium phosphate on Ti-6Al-4V alloy, the optimal concentration of NaOH solution was 5.0 M. 3. In heat treatment after alkali treatment in 5.0 M NaOH solution, the crystal formation on alloy surface was enhanced by increasing temperature. In heat treated alloys at $600^{\circ}C$, latticed structure and prominences of calcium phosphate layer were most dense. On heat treated alloy surface at the higher temperature(${\geq}700^{\circ}C$), main crystal form was titanium oxide rather than apatite. The above results suggested that the precipitation of calcium phosphate on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy could be induced by alkali treatment in 5.0 M-NaOH solution and by heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.169-173
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• 2013

Objective: To measure Irish opinion on a range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments. Methods: A nationally representative sample of Irish adults (n=1,003) were anonymously sampled by telephone survey. Results: Most participants (77%) agreed that any fertility services offered internationally should also be available in Ireland, although only a small minority of the general Irish population had personal familiarity with AHR or infertility. This sample finds substantial agreement (63%) that the Government of Ireland should introduce legislation covering AHR. The range of support for gamete donation in Ireland ranged from 53% to 83%, depending on how donor privacy and disclosure policies are presented. For example, donation where the donor agrees to be contacted by the child born following donation, and anonymous donation where donor privacy is completely protected by law were supported by 68% and 66%, respectively. The least popular (53%) donor gamete treatment type appeared to be donation where the donor consents to be involved in the future life of any child born as a result of donor fertility treatment. Respondents in social class ABC1 (58%), age 18 to 24 (62%), age 25 to 34 (60%), or without children (61%) were more likely to favour this donor treatment policy in our sample. Conclusion: This is the first nationwide assessment of Irish public opinion on the advanced reproductive technologies since 2005. Access to a wide range of AHR treatment was supported by all subgroups studied. Public opinion concerning specific types of AHR treatment varied, yet general support for the need for national AHR legislation was reported by 63% of this national sample. Contemporary views on AHR remain largely consistent with the Commission for Assisted Human Reproduction recommendations from 2005, although further research is needed to clarify exactly how popular opinion on these issues has changed. It appears that legislation allowing for the full range of donation options (and not mandating disclosure of donor identity at a stipulated age) would better align with current Irish public opinion.