• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 1999

The objective of this study was to optimize the freezing/thawing method of in vitro produced Hanwoo blastocysts. Day 7 blastocysts after IVF were vitrified using EFS40 (40% ethylene glycol, 18% ficoll, 0.3 M sucrose and 10% FBS added m-DPBS) as a freezing solution and electron microscope (EM) grid (V-G) or straw (V-S) as an embryo container. In both method, freezing/thawing were treated by 2-step, treatment time was required in V-G method and V-S method, for 2 min / 3 min and 3.5 min / 10 min, respectively. Embryo survival was assessed as re-expanded and hatched rates at 24 h and 48 h after warming, respectively. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: when the effect of exposure in vitrification solution and chilling injury from freezing procedure on in vitro produced expanded blastocysts were examined, at 24 h after warming, embryo survival in exposure group (100.0%) was not different compared to that in control group (100.0%), although those results were significantly different with two vitrified groups (V-G: 87.8, V-S: 77.8%) (P＜0.001). However, at 48 h after warming, hatched rates of V-G group (67.8%) were significantly higher than those of V-S group (53.3%) (P＜0.05). In addition, this hatched rate in V-G group was not different with that in exposure group (73.3%). When the effects of embryo developmental stage (early, expanded and early hatching blastocysts) and embryo container (EM grid and straw) to the in vitro survival of vitrified-warmed day 7 Hanwoo blastocysts were simultaneously examined, fast developed embryos were indicated the better resistance to freezing than delayed developed one, irrespective of embryo containers (early; 57.1 ＆ 24.4%, expanded; 84.7 ＆ 60.6%, early hatching; 91.7 ＆ 80.0%) (P＜0.001). Especially, in expanded and early hatching blastocysts, embryo survival of V-G group (67.8, 95.0%) was significantly higher than those of V-S group (53.0, 65.0%) at 48 h post warming, respectively (P＜0.05, P＜0.001). Therefore, this study indicates that Hanwoo blastocysts can be cryopreserved more simple, efficient and successful by vitrification method using EM grid.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.19-30
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to suggest predictors of participation restriction in community-dwelling Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) based on environmental, functional, injury-related, psychosocial, and sociodemographic factors. Methods: The participants were 82 community-dwelling SCI adults over the age of 18. They were all included in the American Spinal Injury Association's (ASIA) Levels A, B, and C. This study surveyed participants' participation using the CHART-K-SF, environmental factors using the CHIEF-25 Korean version, and functional factors using the SCIM III. Further, pain and distress were surveyed using Zung's Self-rating Pain and the PAD, self-esteem was assessed using the RSES, and self-efficacy using the GSS. Finally, information concerning injury levels, post-injury period, causes of injury-related factors, and sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, marriage, education level, and residence information were collected. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0 Results: Participants' risk factors were environmental and functional. The Nagelkerke's $R^2$ was.737. The OddsRatio(OR) of environmental factors(referent,0-1) was 40.346. Moreover, the OR of the $1^{st}$ quartile functional factor(referent,4thquartile) was 236. 621, and that of the$2^{nd}$ quartile was 21.174. In addition, the occupational predictors included the "policies" subscales in the CHART-K-SF, "physical/structural" in the CHIEF-25, and "mobility" in the SCIM III. Further, the predictors of "physical independence" were "services/assistance" in CHIEF-25, and "respiration and sphincter management' on the SCIM III. Additionally, "mobility" was predicted by "physical/structural" on the CHIEF-25 and "mobility" on the SCIM III. Conclusions: This study multidimensionally confirmed predictors of participation restriction. Through these facts, we investigated occupational therapists' roles in community setting. Therefore, this study's results will provide useful information for occupational therapy services, for which the goal is SCI participation improvement within the community.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2018

To predict the influence of volcano eruption on agriculture in South Korea we evaluated the dispersal ranges of the volcanic ashes toward the South Korea based on the possibilities of volcano eruption in Mt. Baekdu. The possibilities of volcano eruption in Mt. Baekdu have been still being intensified by the signals including magmatic unrest of the volcano and the frequency of volcanic earthquakes swarm, the horizontal displacement and vertical uplift around the Mt. Baekdu, the temperature rises of hot springs, high ratios of $N_2/O_2$ and $_3He/_4He$ in volcanic gases. The dispersal direction and ranges and the predicted amount of volcanic ash can be significantly influenced by Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) and the trend of seasonal wind. The prediction of volcanic ash dispersion by the model showed that the ash cloud extended to Ulleung Island and Japan within 9 hours and 24 hours by the northwestern monsoon wind in winter while the ash cloud extended to northern side by the south-east monsoon wind during June and September. However, the ash cloud may extent to Seoul and southwest coast within 9 hours and 15 hours by northern wind in winter, leading to severe ash deposits over the whole area of South Korea, although the thickness of the ash deposits generally decreases exponentially with increasing distance from a volcano. In case of VEI 7, the ash deposits of Daejeon and Gangneung are $1.31{\times}10^4g\;m^{-2}$ and $1.80{\times}10^5g\;m^{-2}$, respectively. In addition, ash particles may compact close together after they fall to the ground, resulting in increase of the bulk density that can alter the soil physical and chemical properties detrimental to agricultural practices and crop growth.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 1992

Immature embryos were tested for investigating the effect of cold treatment duration and GA$_3$ concentration on the vernalization response in barley. Immature embryos were cultured on B$_{5}$ medium with GA$_3$ for 5 days, and were transplanted under 20/15$^{\circ}C$ temperature after cold treatment. Germination rate and shoot length were increased more in 20-day-old embryos than those in 13-day-old ones but germination day was decreased. Addition of 1 or 10 ppm of GA$_3$ to B5 medium was effective on the growth of immature embryos. The higher GA$_3$ concentration was, the shorter time from embryo culture to flag leaf emergence and heading was. The earlist flag leaf emergence and heading were showed on treatment of 1 or 10 ppm of GA$_3$, but GA$_3$ did not completely replace vernalization. The days to flag leaf emergence of immature embryo-cultured barley with cold treatment for two and three weeks was shortened by 3 and 18 days at 1 ppm GA$_3$, and 16 and 20 days at 10 ppm GA$_3$, respectively, when compared to 0 ppm GA$_3$ culture with cold treatment for three weeks. It was at 10 ppm GA$_3$ with 3 weeks cold treatment that showed the lowest culm length, spike length and number of grain per spike. GA$_3$ concentration was not correlated significantly with each character in 1 week cold treatment, but was significant with each character in 2 weeks. In 3 weeks cold treatment, it was except for days to heading. Correlation between cold treatment duration and culm length was negative in 0 ppm GA$_3$. In 1 or 10 ppm of GA$_3$, all characters had highly negative correlation with cold treatment duration.n.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.452-463
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• 2020

Purpose: Aster tataricus (AT) is one of the Asteraceae perennial herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The herb contains various bioactive substances, such as flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic compounds in the roots, and exhibits a range of effects including anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of ethanol and water extracts of whole AT, except the roots, and analyzed the molecular mechanisms for the regulatory effects on cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells. Methods: The effects of AT extract on the cell viability and proliferation of THP-1 cells were analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. The concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell culture supernatant of the AT-treated THP-1 cells were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in the cell lysates were determined by western blotting. Results: The water extract and the ethanol extract of AT did not affect the cell viability, and increased the proliferation of THP-1 cells significantly compared to the vehicle. The water extract increased the secretion of IL-1β from THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the ethanol extract had no effect. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS protein and the phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt were induced in AT-treated cells. In addition, IκBα was degraded by AT in a concentration-dependent manner. IL-1β secretion by AT was reduced by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors, while TNF-α secretion was decreased by inhibitors of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Interestingly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor increased the production of IL-1β by AT further. Conclusion: The water extract of the above-ground parts of AT contains immunomodulatory bioactive substances that stimulate immune cells through the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2004

The growth and niche breath of four species, i.e., native plants such as Bidens tripauita and B. bipinnata and naturalized plants such as B. frondosa and B. pilosa var. minor, were studied as related with environmental gradients including light intensity, soil moisture and soil nutrient. There were no significant differences in the phonology within each environmental gradients while considerable differences were found between species; the two naturalized species bloomed and produced fruit later than the two native species. Two naturalized species exhibited relatively higher total dry weight than the two native counterparts within all environmental gradients. Total dry weight showed positive responses to light intensity and soil moisture, and negatively to soil nutrient. The relative contribution of the environmental factors to total dry weight decreased in the order of soil nutrient, soil moisture and light intensity. Both B. bipinnata and B. pilosa var. minor showed significantly higher net assimilation rate (NAR) than other species. Also, NARs of B. bipinnata and B. pilosa var. minor decreased with increasing soil nutrient. Relative growth rate (RGR) decreased in order of B. tripartita, B. bipinnata, B. frondosa and B. pilosa var. minor in response to light intensity. In addition, RGRs of B. bipinnata and B. piEosa yay. minor increased in response to soil moisture, while those of B. pilosa var. minor and B. tripartita decreased with increment of soil nutrient. No significant fluctuations of shoot/root ratio were not observed in three species, but a native species, B. tripartita showed n decreased shoot/root ratio in response to soil nutrient. Comparing the growth characteristics of the species, B. pitosa var. minor and 3. tripartita revealed vigorous growth on barren soil. On the other hand, B. frondosa exhibited vigorous growth on fertile soil. Morphologically, B. tripartita adapted to light and required considerable moisture. On the contrary, the leaves of B. bipinnata did not change considerably in their area, although it preferred habitat with abundant light. In terms of niche breadth, B. bipinnata showed the widest ranges of 0.875 and 0.845 for light intensity and soil moisture gradients, respectively. B. pilosa var. minor showed a value of 0.933 for soil nutrient gradient. B. tripartita showed narrow ranges for the three environmental factors, whereas B. frondosa showed wide values for light intensity and soil nutrient, but relatively narrow value for soil moisture.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

The relationships between the ability to understand changes in meaning depending on the prosody of spoken words and the ability to perceive pitch and melodic contour in cochlear implants (CI) recipients were examined. Fifteen postlingual CI recipients were measured in terms of speech prosody perception, speech perception, pitch discrimination (PD), and melody contour identification (MCI). The speech prosody perception test consists of words with positive (PW) and neutral meaning (NW). Participants were asked to identify the meaning of words depending on the conditions of positive and negative prosody. The MCI consists of subtests 1 and 2 with different chance levels to choose. Then, the relationships between speech prosody perception, speech perception, PD, and MCI performance were analyzed. There was a significant difference in identifying the meaning of words expressed in a different prosody between the PW and NW conditions. Speech prosody perception showed a significant correlation with MCI 1 while there was no significant relationship with speech perception. Although speech perception may be possible after CI, limited spoken word comprehension due to decreased sensitivity for prosodic changes may persist in CI recipients. In addition, there was a limitation in perception of melodic contour change compared to pitch discrimination, which is related to speech prosody perception.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.571-577
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• 2010

Korean traditional medicinal herbs have been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities. We tested the antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of 6 kinds of medicinal herbs: Angelica gigas N., Poria cocos, Mori radicis Cortex, Mori folium, Aralia elata Cortex, and Panax ginseng, prepared as hot water, ethanol, and sonication extracts. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were examined by performing total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and ${\alpha}$,${\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. For M. folium, the ethanol extract showed the strongest effects in DPPH radical scavenging activity among the three extraction methods. In addition, sonication extracts of M. radicis Cortex and M. folium showed the highest inhibitory activities for ${\alpha}$-glucosidase among the different extracts. The ethanol extracts of M. folium had the highest inhibition effects against ${\alpha}$-amylase. A direct correlation between antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic inhibition activity was found in the ethanol and sonication extracts. From the results, it is considered that these six medicinal herbal extracts have antioxidative, anti-hyperglycemic, and correlation effects based on different extraction methods.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.116-126
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• 2019

Objectives: Currently, oral health of the disabled is taken care of by the social workers, not by dental hygienists, who are the oral health professional in this area. Therefore, we aim to enhance the equity of oral health for the disabled by providing the correct oral health care method to social workers residing in the welfare facility for the disabled. Methods: Four dental hygienists and four social workers were given the class I intellectual disabilities living in 'o' welfare facilities for disabled people in Songpa-gu, Seoul from April 13, 2019 to April 20, 2019. Patient Hygiene Performance(PHP) Index were measured and compared. In advance, the social workers were taught brushing (Rolling method), and the method of brushing and measuring tools were integrated. Results: Twice a total of dental hygienists and social workers practiced toothbrushing(Rolling method) for the class I intellectual disabilities who is a person to be brushed. When comparing the Patient Hygiene Performance(PHP) Index after the second round, the result shows that both the first and second dental hygienists' Patient Hygiene Performance(PHP) Index is lower. Conclusions: Comparing oral health knowledge level and Patient Hygiene Performance(PHP) index of dental hygienist and social workers, the result shows that dental hygienist has higher oral health care ability. Therefore, the dental hygienist should be placed in welfare facility for the disabled as an expert in oral health management to create an environment in which the disabled and social workers can be trained. In addition, the curriculum of the college that nurtures the dental hygienists should have a course to understand the characteristics of the disabled person in order to enhance the professionalism of dental hygienists.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.624-632
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• 2000

Background : Home ventilation can decrease hospital-acquired infection, increase physical activity, improve nutritional status, enhance quality of life, and reduce medical costs. The number of patient using home ventilators has been increasing, particularly in Europe and United States. Although the number of patients with home ventilation has been increasing in Korea, the current status of these patients is not well known. This study was undertaken to obtain basic information upon these patients in addition to evaluating any problems related to patients' home care in our country. Methods : A register of 92 patients with home ventilators in Seoul and Kyunggi Province were obtained from commercial ventilator supply companies. The patients were contacted by phone and 29 of them accepted our visit. Information concerning education about home care before discharge, equipment cost, and problems related to home care were documented. The mode and preset variables of the home ventilator were checked; tidal volume (TV), peak airway pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured. Results : There were 26 males (90%) and their mean age was 48.0 (${\pm}20.1$) years. The underlying diseases were : 21 neuromuscular disorders, 2 spinal cord injuries, 6 chronic lung diseases. Among the caregivers, spouses (n=14) predominated. Education for home care before discharge was performed primarily by intensive care unit nurses and the education for ventilator management by commercial companies. Twenty-five of the 29 patients had tracheostomies. Volume targeted type (VTT ; n=20, 69%) was more frequently used than the pressure targeted type (PTT). Twenty-three of the 29 patients purchased a ventilator privately, which cost 7,450,000 (${\pm}$3,290,000) won for a PTT, and 14,280.000 (${\pm}$3,130,000) won for a VTT. Total cost for the equipment was 11,430,000 (${\pm}$634,000) won. The average cost required for home care per month was 1,120,000 (${\pm}$1,360, 000) won. Conclusion : The commonest underlying disease of the patients was neuromuscular disease. The VTT ventilator was primarily used with tracheostomy. Patients and their families considered the financial difficulties associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment for home care an urgent problem. Some patients were aided by a visiting nurse, however most patients were neglected and left without professional medical supervision.