• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to compare the antihyperlipidemic effects of different Dendropanax morbifera leaf extracts in vitro. The extracts differed in terms of specimen age, harvesting season, and extraction method. RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with these extracts and stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Ethanol was used to induce toxicity in HepG2 cells. Cellular lipid accumulation was quantified using oil red O staining in both these cells. The extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. RAW 264.7 cells treated with the 60% ethanol extract of an 8-year-old specimen harvested in November exhibited the lowest lipid accumulation. The 30% ethanol extract of a 5-year-old specimen harvested in May exhibited the greatest protection from ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The hot water extract of an 8-year-old specimen harvested in May showed the greatest inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. These results showed that D. morbifera extracts prepared from leaves that are harvested in May possess the highest antihyperlipidemic effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2009

The DEFT (direct epifluorescent filter technique)/APC (aerobic plate count) test was utilized to screen powdered Ramen soup samples (RS-1, RS-2) whether or not they have been microbial-decontaminated. The initial microbial loads of commercially-packaged samples were log DEFT 6.46 (RS-1) and 7.05 (RS-2), but the viable bacterial counts were log APC 2.74 (RS-1) and 1.95 (RS-2), respectively; this finding showed that they have been already decontaminated by methods other than irradiation. The same samples were then subjected to gamma irradiation at 0, 5 and 10 kGy in order to evaluate the microbial and physicochemical changes during post-irradiation storage for 6 months under room conditions ($10{\pm}3^{\circ}C$). The DEFT count was constant in irradiated samples even at different doses, but APC decreased with dose increases; this implies that the log DEFT/APC increased in a linear fashion with dose. No coliforms, yeasts and molds were detected in any of the samples, whereas the initially detected aerobic bacteria ($5.49{\times}10^2CFU/g$) were inactivated by 5 kGy or more and no growth was observed during the subsequent storage period. The pH of RS-1 was reduced by irradiation (p<0.01), but increased (p<0.01) with increasing storage time. Irradiation induced a reduction in volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), whereas an increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values was observed. The storage time proved more influential than irradiation up to 10 kGy in terms of changes in the VBN and Hunter’s color values of powdered Ramen soups.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 2010

Brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani AG1-1), dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), pythium blight (Pythium spp.), anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), yellow patch (Rhizoctonia cerealis) and Zoysia patch (Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2) are the major turfgrasses diseases in Korea. In this study, 23 medicinal plant extracts were tested for antifungal activities against turfgrass pathogenic fungi. In paper disk diffusion method, 12 medicinal plant extracts, including Sophora flavescens, showed antifungal activity. Also, in the test of antifungal activity on media contained the extracts of S. flavescens, Curcuma longa, Rheum undulatum, Coptis chinensis and Asiasarum sieboldi showed above 80% inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth in 110 mg/10 ml concentration of the extracts. S. flavescens, in particularly, showed antifungal activity against the six turfgrass pathogenic fungi. The inhibition rate of S. homoeocarpa was 100% in 10 mg/10 ml, 5 mg/10 ml and 2 mg/10 ml concentrations of C. longa extract. In case of Pythium spp., the extracts of S. flavescens, R. undulatum and C. chinensis showed 100 % inhibition rate on the test media.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-related symptom severity, level of functional impairment and personality profiles between full-blown PTSD, partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups among 59 adolescent survivals from the Incheon fire disaster. Method : Using Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD, victims of the disaster were assigned to a full-blown PTSD group (n=18), a partial PTSD (n=22), or a non-PTSD group (n=19). Assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Impact of Event Scales (IES), the McBride's Degree of General Labor Loss, and the Korean Version of Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI). Results : Significantly severe PTSD symptoms (F=4.832, df=2, p<.05) and functional impairment (F=12.144, df=2, p<.01) were demonstrated by PTSD groups as compared to the non-PTSD group. Interestingly, full and partial PTSD did not differ in these comparisons. Similarly, the subtypes of PTSD did not differ with respect to personality profiles using the K-TCI ; however, personality profiles were sharply differentiated between the PTSD and non-PTSD group. Conclusion : Although high subject homogeneity and small sample size may limit the results of this study, the present results highlight the possibility of the underestimation as well as the insufficient, treatment and compensation of partial vs full PTSD.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.247-254
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• 2014

For the purpose of early diagnosis of the breast cancer, the attention on the screening mammography has been increasing-with supply of digital mammography day by day. Image quality is decided by target materials and filter combinations. Optimized selection by a glandular density and a thickness is needed, because these combinations change x-ray spectrum and effect to image quality. The purpose of this study is to find out optimized target and filter combinations through the evaluation of quantitative image quality and to suggest means which minimize patient dose through MCNPX. In results, spatial frequency resolution evaluation which is quantitative image quality evaluation method, MTF, NPS, DQE shows that we have to select Mo/Mo combinations or Mo/Rh combinations when compressed breast is thin. but in case of that when compressed breast is thick, we have to select Rh/Rh combinations or W /Rh combinations. In a comprehensive evaluation, W!Rh combinations which are not used in thin breasts in practice was superior to all image quality evaluation. This result is somewhat different-with clinical examination results. Secondary end point was organ dose evaluation, radiation dose of opposite breast was approximately 47 ~73% effectiveness when selecting standard breast. In conculsion, the most important point is that we have to select the optimal combinations-with considering dose evaluation and various thickness.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1167-1172
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• 2009

The Pneumatic Reduction and VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrography) are commonly used in the paediatric age group. The procedures had a particularly long fluroscopic screening time, despite a successful outcome for paediatric patients. Pneumatic Reduction and VCUG almost invariably requires fluoroscopic guidance which does confer a radiation dose. This article contains suggestions on how the radiation dose to paediatric patients from Pneumatic Reduction and VCUG can be made "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA). The aim of our study was eliminated in spot image applying the FluoroGrab, which has function of capturing an image of interest area from the picturing while fluoroscopic procedures. FluoroGrab has clinical value equivalent to the spot image, and is applied to the most recent fluoroscopic procedures. The radiologist and the radiographers should consider new option for decreasing the radiation exposure delivered to paediatric patients by making equipment modifications to the fluoroscopy to optimize radiation exposure reduction techniques. Thus, we propose the FluoroGrab instead of spot exposure for the reduction of patient exposure dose in paediatric, and try to confirm the effect of the mitigating amount of radiation exposure to paediatric patients when pneumatic reduction and VCUG. Fluorograb is the safe and useful method that shows the equivalent level of accuracy to spot exposure, and to minimize the radiation load to paediatric patients are to be the substitute for the spot exposure for Pneumatic Reduction and VCUG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.718-723
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• 2008

Background: The advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia management, perfusion methodology and postoperative intensive care have markedly decreased the mortality and cardiac morbidity of patients who undergo heart surgery over the past 2 decades. Nevertheless, it is well recognized that cardiac surgery carries a substantial risk for central nervous system complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular lesions in the head and neck by performing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and we investigated the clinical course of patients who had abnormal lesion seen on head and neck MRA. Material and Method: The subjects were 107 patients (71 men and 36 women ranging in age from 21 to 83 years) who were scheduled for cardiac surgery under nonemergency conditions between October 2005 and June 2008. Informed consent was obtained before the MRA. The carotid arteries, intracranial arteries and brain parenchyme were examined for subclinical cerebrovascular lesions by performing MRA. We reviewed the patients' medical records and MR findings to evaluate the prevalence of neurologically high risk patients and their clinical course. Result: The overall prevalence of neurologically high risk patients was 15.7% (17 patients). Among these patients, 11 patients had ischemic heart disease and 6 patients had valvular heart disease. Only 2 patients had a history of cerebrovascular disease. The clinical courses of 14 patients (13.1%) were changed according to their MRI findings. Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in patients who were scheduled for cardiac surgery was higher than was expected. MR angiography was of value to identify these patients.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.629-642
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• 2018

Future variability of the spatial patterns of rainfall events is the point of water-related risks and impacts of climate change. Recent related researches are mostly conducted based on the outcomes from General Circulation Models (GCMs), especially Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5 (CMIP5) GCMs which are the most advanced version of climate modeling system. GCM data have been widely used for various studies as the data utility keep getting improved. Meanwhile the model performances especially for raw GCM outputs are rarely evaluated prior to the applications although the process would essential for reasonable use of model forecasts. This study attempt to quantitatively evaluate the skills of 29 CMIP5 GCMs in reproducing spatial climatologies of precipitation in East Asia. We used 3 different gridded observational data as the references available over the study area and calculated correlation and errors of spatial patterns simulated by GCMs. As a result, the study presented diversity of the GCM evaluation in the performance, rank, or accuracy by different configurations, such as target area, evaluation method, and observation data. Yet, we found that Hadley-centre affiliated models comparatively performs better for the meso-scale area in East Asia and MPI_ESM_MR and CMCC family showed better performance specifically for the korean peninsula. We expect that the results and thoughts of this study would be considered in screening suitable GCMs for specific area, and finally contribute to extensive utilization of the results from climate change related researches.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.2037-2042
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• 2013

Background: Different methods of diagnosis have been found to be inefficient in terms of screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer. Cancer cells produce proteins whose serum levels may be elevated during the early stages of cancer development. Therefore, those proteins may be recognized as potential cancer markers. The aim of this study was to differentiate healthy individuals and lung cancer cases by analyzing their serum protein profiles and evaluate the efficacy of this method in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: 170 patients with lung cancer, 53 under high risk of lung cancer, and 47 healthy people were included in our study. Proteomic analysis of the samples was performed with the SELDI-TOF-MS approach. Results: The most discriminatory peak of the high risk group was 8141. When tree classification analysis was performed between lung cancer and the healthy control group, 11547 was determined as the most discriminatory peak, with a sensitivity of 85.5%, a specificity of 89.4%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.7% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 62.7%. Conclusions: We determined three different protein peaks 11480, 11547 and 11679 were only present in the lung cancer group. The 8141 peak was found in the high-risk group, but not in the lung cancer and control groups. These peaks may prove to be markers of lung cancer which suggests that they may be used in the early diagnosis of lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1655-1659
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• 2013

Background: HER-2/neu is a proto-oncogene that encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase growth factor which is crucial for stimulating growth and cellular motility. Overexpression of HER-2/neu is observed in 10-35% of human breast cancers and is associated with pathogenesis, prognosis as well as response to therapy. Given the imperative role of HER-2/neu overexpression in breast cancer, it is important to determine the magnitude of amplification which may facilitate a better prognosis as well as personalized therapy in affected patients. In this study, we determined HER-2/neu protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) concurrently with HER-2/neu DNA amplification by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Materials and Methods: A total of 53 paired tissue samples from breast cancer patients were frozen-sectioned to characterize the tumour and normal tissues. Only tissues with 80% tumour cells were used in this study. For confirmation, Q-PCR was used to determine the HER-2/neu DNA amplification. Results: We found 20/53 (37.7%) of the tumour tissues to be positive for HER-2/neu protein overexpression using IHC. Out of these twenty, only 9/53 (17%) cases were in agreement with the Q-PCR results. The concordance rate between IHC and Q-PCR was 79.3%. Approximately 20.7% of positive IHC cases showed no HER-2/neu gene amplification using Q-PCR. Conclusion: In conclusion, IHC can be used as an initial screening method for detection of the HER-2/neu protein overexpression. Techniques such as Q-PCR should be employed to verify the IHC results for uncertain cases as well as determination of HER-2/neu gene amplification.