• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.970-975
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• 2007

Purpose : Accurate measurement of defect size is important in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). We performed this study to analyze the difference between the measured ASD size and balloon occlusive diameter (BOD) by transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods : We investigated 78 patients who underwent transcatheter closure of ASD. The defect size and the distance between the surrounding structures were measured by TTE and TEE. The BOD was measured by TEE during cardiac catheterization. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were compared and analyzed. Results : The difference between BOD and diameter by TTE was $4.8{\pm}3.6mm$ on short axis view, $5.4{\pm}3.2mm$ on long axis view. The difference between BOD and diameter by TEE was $3.6{\pm}2.2mm$ on short axis view, $4.2{\pm}3.1mm$ on long axis view. The difference between BOD and the diameter of defects on TTE, TEE had statistically significant positive correlations with the age of the patients, distance between the, defect and posterior atrial septal wall, the distance between the defect and the mitral valve leaflet, and the diameter of defects and the length of the atrial septum on TTE (P<0.05). Conclusion : BOD of ASD can be estimated by the diameter on TTE and TEE. BOD is expected to measure larger, depending on the size of defects, the distance from surrounding structures and the location of defects on echocardiography. Our data offers important information on details of transcatheter ASD closure which can be helpful in predicting suitability and judging the procedural appropriateness during the procedure.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.338-346
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• 2004

The methanol extract of Chloranthus japonicus roots effectively controlled the development of rice blast(Magnaporthe grisea), rice sheath blight(Corticium sasaki), tomato pay mold(Btrytis cinerea), tomato late blight(Phytophthora infestans), and wheat leaf rust(Puccinia recondita). From the methanol extract of C. japonicus roots, three antifungal substances were isolated. Their chemical structures were determined to be shizukanols B, C, and D mainly by mass and NMR spectral data. Among the three substances, shizukanol C showed the strongest inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungi tested; it completely inhibited mycelial growth of M. grisea. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and C. acutatum at concentrations of more than $12.5{\mu}g$/ and P. infestans at concentrations of more than $3.13{\mu}g/m\ell$. They also controlled effectively the development of rice blast and wheat leaf rust. On the other hand, they caused phytotoxic symptoms on barley leaves and inhibited the growth of duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) with $EC_{50}$ values of $30.0{\mu}g/m\ell$ for shizukanol B, $49.9{\mu}g/m\ell$ for shizukanol C, and $154{\mu}g/m\ell$ for shizukanol D. In addition, shizukanol C showed an insecticidal activity against brown planthopper (Nilaparavata lugens), peen peach aphid (Myzus persicae), diamond-back moth (Plutella xylostella), and tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) of the 5 arthropod pests tested with mortality values of more than 60% at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/m\ell$.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 1998

Purpose : Varicella is a common contagious illness and vaccine against it has been used in healthy Korean children. We studied clinical and epidemiologic features of varicella and the effect of vaccination. Methods : We analyzed clinical and epidemiologic features of varicella and vaccination effect against it in children treated in Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital from March 1994 to December 1996. Results : 1) Total 73 cases of varicella, 46 male and 27 female patients were included. Annual incidence was 31, 20 and 22 cases from '94 to '96 respectively, with an increase during the period June to July and December to January. 2) Mean age was $46{\pm}37.2$ months and 84.9% of the patients were younger than 7 years old including 16.4% of infants. 3) Varicella occurred after a contact with varicella patients in 40(54.8%) patients. 4) Fever developed in 44(60%) patients with mean $38.4{\pm}0.8^{\circ}C$ and persisted for mean $3{\pm}2.4$ days. Nine(12.3%) patients had complications and eighteen(25%) patients were admitted for mean $4{\pm}2.1$ days but all recovered. 5) Twenty(27.8%) patients were affected despite preceding vaccination against varicella but the number of vesicles decreased significantly in vaccinees(P<0.01). 6) The rate of secondary cases in healthy siblings was 27 out of 35(77.1%) and was not affected by preceding vaccination. Conclusion : Varicella occurred mainly in children younger than 7 years old and showed seasonality. Because 27.8% of cases developed despite preceding vaccination and the rate of secondary cases was not affected by vaccination, further study for vaccine efficacy is necessary.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1802-1807
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• 2009

Platycodin D, a major component of Platycodi radix, is known to have various activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor activities and others. Recently, it was reported that platycodin D inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether various adipogenic regulators are modulated by platycodin D treatment during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. mRNA levels of terminal markers of adipogenesis such as ADIPOQ (adiponectin) and GLUT (glucose transporter) 4, which were quantified by real time PCR, were decreased by platycodin D treatment. mRNA expression of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) $\gamma$ and C/EBP (CCAAT/enhaner binding protein) $\alpha$, which are central transcription factors of adipogenesis, were also decreased by platycodin D treatment. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed mRNA expression of upstream regulators of PPAR$\gamma$ and C/EPB$\alpha$. mRNA levels of the pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF (Kruppel-like factor) 15 were markedly down-regulated by platycodin D treatment. On the other hand, mRNA expression of CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), an anti-adipogenic regulator, was significantly up-regulated by platycodin D treatment. mRNA levels of other pro-adipogenic regulators, C/EBP$\beta$ and C/EPB$\delta$, were not affected by platycodin D treatment, and another anti-adipogenic regulator, C/EBP$\gamma$ was also not affected by platycodin D treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis is mediated by gene interactions including the down-regulation of pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF15, and the up-regulation of an anti-adipogenic regulator, CHOP.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

This research examined the effects of Compositae extract on the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in human breast and human gastric cancer cells. Compositae extracts which is used in the experiment are Taraxacum coreanum (TC), Youngia sonchifolia (YS) and Ixeris dentata (ID). The proliferation of SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and AGS cells were investigated by MTT assay. ID and YS extracts inhibited proliferation of SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, but TC have barely affected. In addition, the most effective extract was ID. To assess the apoptosis of ID extract, the nuclei of human cancer cells were stained with DAPI solution respectively. Chromatin condensation, indicated apoptosis, was increased in a dose-dependent manner. We investigated change of ID extract-induced apoptosis proteins on human cancer cells by western blot analysis. The level of Bcl-2 decreased, whereas the level of Bax, cleaved-PARP increased in dose-dependent manner compared with non-treatment. Also Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which is used in clinical indicator of apoptosis, was increased at ID extract treatment group compared with non-treatment. Moreover the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of MDA-MB-231 cell was significantly increased as against SK-BR-3, AGS cells. These results indicated that ID extract have anti-proliferation effect better than YS or TC, and induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell better than human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cell, human gastric cancer. Even if further research is needed, ID can be developed as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent of breast cancer.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was peformed to identify the risk factors related to the development of hypertension in a rural area. Method : Total of 3,573 subjects in Chung-Song County were interviewed and examined in 1996. The study cohort comprised 2,580 hypertension-free subjects aged above 20. One-year follow up was completed for 1,781 subjects(69.0%) in 1997. General characteristics(age, gender, education level, economic status, marital status), the family history of hypertension, diet, alcohol, smoking, coffee, stress, past history of oral contraceptive and menopausal status in female, height, weight, waist and hip circumference, baseline blood pressure, and serum total cholesterol were considered as risk factors. Results : Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model indicated that age(RH=1.50, 95% CI; 1.15-1.96), the family history of hypertension(RR=2.11, 95% CI; 1.04-4.26), waist-hip ratio(WHR) (RR=2.09, 95%, CI; 1.15-3.79), and baseline systolic blood pressure(130-139/<120mmHg)(RR=3.34, 95% CI; 1.47-7.60) were significant risk factors associated with the development of hypertension above the borderline level in male. In female, age(RR=1.06, 95% CI; 1.03-1.09), change in menopausal status$(no{\rightarrow}yes/no{\rightarrow}no)$ (RR=3.32, 95% CI; 1.01-10.87), baseline systolic blood pressure(120-129/<120mmHg: RR=2.00, 95% CI; 1.02-3.90)(130-139/<120mmHg: RR=2.64, 95% CI; 1.34-5.20) and baseline diastolic blood pressure(85-89/<80mmHg)(RR=4.09, 95% CI; 1.86-8.96) were identified as risk factors. Conclusions : Age and high normal blood pressure were significant risk factors for the development of hypertension above the borderline level. In addition, the family history of hypertension and WHR in men, and the change of menopausal status in women might be significant risk factors in Korea.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 2005

This study was conducted to elucidate effect of environmental factors on the development of white rot. In order to identify the causal agents causing white rot of Allium crops, we compared DNA profiles of a representative isolate, Sclerotium cepivorum, introduced from foreign country with Korean isolates using UP-PCR. As a result, Sclerotium isolates forming round-shaped sclerotia were identified as Sclerotium cepivorum pertaining in UP-PCR b group and Sclerotium isolates farming anamorphic-shaped sclerotia presumed to be a novel species of Sclerotium based on DNA profiles of UP-PCR. There was a big difference in DNA band pattern between two species of Sclerotium isolated in Korea. Electron micrographs of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope showed morphological differences in sclerotial surface structure and rind layers between two species of Sclerotium. There were more wrinkles and pore spaces on sclerotial surface of Sclerotium sp. forming anamorphic-shaped sclerotia than that of Sclerotium cepivorum forming round-shaped sclerotia. Both of two white rot pathogens grew well at the temperature range of $10-25^{\circ}C$ with optimal temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. Sclerotia of the two pathogens were well formed at $20^{\circ}C$ and well germinated at the temperature range of $20-24^{\circ}C$, Effect of pre-incubation of sclerotia on destruction of sclerotial dormancy of two pathogens was evaluated through storing sclerotia under different temperature condition. The sclerotia of the two pathogens showed an increased capacity to germinate on potato dextroise agar when the sclerotia were incubated for 7 days at $10^{\circ}C$ after pre-treatment at $35^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. At that time, germination rate of Sclerotium sp. and 5. cepivorum was $100\%\;and\;70\%$, respectively. Flooding period and treatment temperature had an effect on sclerotial survival rate of the two pathogens. As flooding period and treatment temperature increased, sclerotial germination rate of the two pathogens decreased. It was confirmed that soil humidity played an important role on development of white rot. It was the highest disease incidence of garlic white rot when garlic were sown at potted soils infested with the two pathogens and adjusted soil humidity to $15\%$ (field moisture capacity, about -300 mb). As soil humidity increase or decrease based on $15\%$ of soil humidity, disease incidence decreased move and more.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of SPIO contrast agent in Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) by performing a quantitative comparative analysis in patients undergoing MRCP for gallbladder stones with and without oral injection of SPIO (Superparamagnetic iron oxide) contrast agent. The subjects were 36 patients undergoing MRCP for suspected gallbladder stones between January 2009 and February 2010 and they were divided into halves to compare the two groups of with and without SPIO agent. For each subject in both the injected and non-injected group, T2-weighted images on a 1.5T MR scanner were obtained, using both the breath-holding and respiratory-triggered methods, respectively. The following regions were measured; for breath-hold T2-weighted images, the measurement regions were located at the central part of the gallbladder, and the areas 15 mm away from its center, toward the front and back, respectively, which were chosen to include surrounding tissues, while for respiratory-triggered T2-weighted images, at the central part of the gallbladder, and segment 5 and 6 of liver. In a quantitative analysis, average signal to noise ratio (SNR) in each of regions of interest (ROI) for each group were calculated and then average contrast to noise ratio (CNR) in each of ROI were obtained by using the SNR in the gallbladder as the basis to compare and analyze the values between the two groups. The CNR were higher for the injected group in those regions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 1998

Purpose: The conventional gamma camera is not ideal for scintimammography because of its large detector size (${\sim}500mm$ in width) causing high cost and low image quality. We are developing a small gamma camera dedicated for breast imaging. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a NaI (T1) crystal ($60 mm{\times}60 mm{\times}6 mm$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PSPMT), a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules, an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a standard resistive charge division which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals ($X^+,\;X^-,\;Y^+,\;Y^-$). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated ana digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. Results: The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately 8,000 counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. High quality flood and hole mask images were obtained. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7 mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We have succesfully developed a small gamma camera using NaI(T1)-PSPMT and nuclear Instrument modules. The small gamma camera developed in this study might improve the diagnostic accuracy of scintimammography by optimally imaging the breast.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the changes in physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and contents of functional compounds, such as avenanthramides (AVNs), vitamin E, and ${\beta}$-glucan, in oats by accelerated age-conditioning (temperature: $45^{\circ}C$, relative humidity: 20%). No significant differences were observed in crude protein, crude fat, and AVNs contents of three oat cultivars, up to 63 days of storage; however, their antioxidant activities, as well as ${\beta}$-glucan, vitamin E, and fatty acid contents were significantly different (p < 0.05). ${\beta}$-glucan and fatty acid contents and the antioxidant activities of Deayang (DY) cultivar did not change during storage. ${\beta}$-glucan and unsaturated fatty acid contents of Choyang (CY) and Jopung (JP) increased during the storage period, while antioxidant activities did not (DPPH-CY; 48.1 to 26.9 mg TEAC/100 g, JP; 49.4 to 26.7 mg TEAC/100 g. ABTS-CY; 88.4 to 56.3 mg TEAC/100 g, JP; 80.0 to 55.8 mg TEAC/100 g). The total vitamin E content in DY (1.20 to 0.85 mg/100 g) and CY (1.73 to 1.33 mg/100 g) decreased, but it was maintained in JP. This study indicated that the changes in physicochemical properties and functional compounds of oat grains during storage depends on the cultivars. The result showed that DY, which has the highest AVNs content, has more stable functional compounds and antioxidant activities during storage. These results can serve as essential data for post-harvest management and development of functional food materials for extending the use of oats.