• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to find out the suitable method for organic rice production on the basis of different seedling raising methods at nine eco-friendly agricultural units of Samgi, Mangsung, Iksan and Sungsan, Gusan of Jeollabuk-do, during 2009-10. METHODS AND RESULTS: On the basis of yield and physiological parameters, pot seeding method was found to be superior to drill seeding and broadcast seeding methods. The number of panicle, grain, the precent of ripened grains, and the 1,000 grain weight, were better in pot seeding method. Maximum yield and other attributes were recorded in rice, cultivated with seedlings raised by pot and broadcast seeding method. Number of panicle/hill and grain/panicle was 10.4% and 35.1% higher than the broadcast seeding method, respectively. Yield also showed 8.8% increase in pot seeding method as compare to broadcast seeding method. Higher grain yield was obtained when 56 hills/$3.3m^2$ of rice seedlings were used as compare to 50 hills/$3.3m^2$ raised by pot seeding method and 70 hills/$3.3m^2$ of broadcast seeding method. Lodging was minimum in seedlings raised with pot seeding method as thickness of third internode was more (9.0%) than the seedlings, raised with broadcast seeding method. Root length and dry weight also showed similar tendency i.e. 13.8% and 25.3% higher, respectively. CONCLUSION(s): Quality and grade of rice, cultivated with pot seeding method was better than broadcast seeding method. Head rice was 4.4% higher; and protein content and broken rice grown by pot seeding method were 0.4% and 1.8% lower than broadcast seeding method, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 2015

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of lycopene on hepatic metabolic- and immune-related gene expression in laying hens. A total of 48 25-week-old White Leghorn hens were randomly allocated into four groups consisting of four replicates of three birds: control (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 10 mg/kg of tomato powder-containing lycopene), T2 (basal diet + 10 mg/kg of micelles of tomato powder-containing lycopene), and T3 (basal diet + 10 mg/kg of purified lycopene). Chickens were fed ad libitum for 5 weeks, and then total RNA was extracted from the livers for quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR${\gamma}$) expression was decreased in the liver of chickens after lycopene supplementation (P<0.05). Micellar lycopene supplementation decreased the expression of PPAR${\gamma}$ target genes including fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and fatty acids synthase (FASN) in the T2 group (P<0.05). Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and C/EBP-${\alpha}$ were also downregulated in hens fed with micellar lycopene (P<0.05). Glucose transporter 8 (GLUT-8) was upregulated in the T2 and T3 groups (P<0.05). However, the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) was not changed by lycopene supplementation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were downregulated by lycopene supplementation (P<0.05). These data suggest that the type of lycopene supplementation is critical and that micelles of tomato powder-containing lycopene may play an important role in the modulation of lipid metabolism and immunity in chickens.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-15
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• 1997

Iron oxide compounds in 8 selected Cheju Island soil samples have been analized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer(XRF), X-ray diffractometry(XRD), selected chemical techniques, and $M{\ddot{o}}ssbauer$ spectroscopy. The result of this analysis by XRF shows that the rate of quantity of $Fe_2O_3$ in 8 soil samples was from 8.03wt.%(Daejeong paddy soil) to 18.21wt.%(Songag soils). Songag, Heugag and Gueom soils were detected to have lower peaks of intensity of hematite by XRD. In addition, these soils were not detected to have hematite and goethite peaks. Ferrihydrite, which is a short-range-order mineral commonly present in volcanic ash soil, was not detected by XRD due to low concentration and/or poor cristallinity. Ferrihydrite contents estimated from Feo values were 8.8~35.2g/kg for volcanic ash soils and 0.85g/kg for the Daejeong soil. Most of the soil samples represented by the paramagnetic $Fe^{3+}$ doublet obtained from $M{\ddot{o}}ssbauer$ spectra at room temperature and 18K were considered to arise from the presence of ferrihydrite, superparamagnetic goethite, and silicate minerals. Also the paramagnetic $Fe^{2+}$ doublets are attributable to primary minerals such as olivine, illite, chlorite, augite, biotite, and hornblende. Goethite and hematite were identified as the dominant crystalline iron oxides in these soils from $M{\ddot{o}}ssbauer$ spectra obtained at room temperature and 18K. All the soil samples exhibited strong superparamagnetic relaxation. Collapse of the $M{\ddot{o}}ssbauer$ magnetic hyperfine splitting at room temperature was due to the small size(${\sim}180{\AA}$) of the oxide particles and/or Al-subsituted goethite.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.5 s.91
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• pp.35-44
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• 2006

Acceleration and deceleration curves have been used for design purposes worldwide. The curve in design level has been regarded as an single deterministic curve to be used for design of climb lanes. It should be noted that the curve was originally made using ideal driving truck and that the curve is applied during design based on the assumption of no difference between ideal and real driving conditions. However. observations show that aged vehicles and lazy behavioring drivers nay make lower performance of vehicles than the ideal performance. The present paper provides the results of truck speeds at climbing lanes then probabilistic variation of acceleration and deceleration corves. For these purposes. a study about identification of vehicle makers, and weights for trucks at freeway toll gates and then observation of vehicle-following speed were performed. The 85%ile results obtained were compared with the deterministic performance curves of 180, 200, and 220 Ib/hp. It was identified that the performance of 85%ile results obtained from vehicle-following-speed observations were lower than one from deterministic performance curves. From these results, it may be concluded that at the beginning Point of climbing lanes additional $16.19{\sim}67.94m$ is necessary and that at the end point of climbing lanes $53.12{\sim}103.24m$ of extension is necessary.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients who received radiotherapy (RT) either with or without neck dissection. Materials and Methods: From January 2000 to December 2005, 115 patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer and who received definitive RT or postoperative RT including standard anterior low-neck field were recruited to be part of this study. Nineteen patients had undergone ipsilateral neck dissection, whereas, 18 patients underwent bilateral neck dissection, and 78 patients were received RT alone. Patients' ages ranged from 28 to 85 years (median, 59 years) and there were a total of 73 male and 42 female patients. The primary tumor sites were the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and other sites in 18, 40, 28, 22 and 7 patients, respectively. Radiation dose to the thyroid gland ranged from 44 Gy to 66 Gy with a median dose of 50 Gy. Follow-up time ranged from 2 to 91 months, with a median of 29 months. Results: The 1- and 3- year incidence of hypothyroidism was 28.7% (33 patients) and 33.0% (38 patients), respectively. The median time to detection of hypothyroidism was 8.5 months (range, 0 to 36 months). A univariate analysis revealed that neck node dissection was a risk factor for hypothyroidism (p=0.037). However, no factor was statistically significant from the results of a multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Patients treated for advanced head and neck cancer with radiotherapy with or without neck dissection will develop hypothyroidism. It is important to check the thyroid function periodically in these patientsespecially with the risk factor of neck node dissection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2006

Purpose : Conservative management of multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK) without nephrectomy has recently been advocated. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course of conservatively managed MCDK and to find out possible predictive factors for involution of MCDK by ultrasonography(US). Methods : A retrospective analysis was made on 45 patients(26 boys and 20 girls) in whom MCDK was detected and had been traced by US between Dec. 1993 and Aug. 2005 at Severance Hospital. Results : Median follow-up time was 30 months(range 2-102 months). All patients under-went radionuclide scans and voiding eystourethrograms. The serial follow-up US showed complete involution in 11(24%), partial involution in 19(41%), and no interval change or increased in cyst size in 13(28%) patients. Nephrectomy was done in 3 patients(7%) due to relapsing urinary tract infection(UTI) and severe abdominal distension. The mean age of complete involution of MCDK was 37 months(range 12-84 months). Episodes of UTI were present in 17 patients(37%) and additional genitourinary(GU) abnormalities were found in 22 patients(44%). Hypertension and renal insufficiency was complicated in one patient. No child developed malignant tumor. Univariate analysis showed that five variables were associated with complete involution of the MCDK; gender, site, UTI episode, additional GU abnormalities, and renal length on initial US. After adjusting using the Pearson model, the presence of additional GU abnormalities was exclusively associated with complete involution among the 5 variables(P=0.034). Conclusion : In our review of 46 cases of MCDK, non-surgical approach for patients with MCDK was advisable and we could predict poor prognosis when MCDK is associated with other GU anomalies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.242-250
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• 2011

Although insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and androgen receptor (AR) coactivators are well known effectors of skeletal muscle, the molecular mechanism by which signaling pathways integrating AR coactivators and IGF-I in skeletal muscle cells has not been previously examined. In this study, the effects of IGF-I treatment on the gene expression of AR coactivators in the absence of AR ligands and the roles of the p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in IGF-I-induced AR coactivators induction were examined. C2C12 cells were treated with 250 ng/ml of IGF-I in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors p38 MAPK (SB203580) or ERK1/2 (PD98059). Treatment of C2C12 cells with IGF-I resulted in increased in GRIP-1, SRC-1, and ARA70 protein expression. The levels of GRIP-1, SRC-1, and ARA70 mRNA were also significantly increased after 5min of IGF-I treatment. IGF-I-induced AR coactivator proteins were significantly blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways. However, there was no significant effect of those inhibitors on IGF-I-induced mRNA level of AR coactivators, suggesting that AR coactivators are post-transcriptionally regulated by IGF-I. Furthermore, the present results suggest that IGF-I stimulates the expression of AR coactivators by cooperative activation of the p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2010

Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 1986

Polyphenol oxidase in japanese pear (Pyrus communis var. mansamkil) was isolated, partially purified and its some properties were investigated. Polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis indicated two bands with polyphenol oxidase activity in the extract from acetone dry powder of par flesh. These two polyphenol oxidases (PPO A and PPO B) were purified through acetone precipitation and diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography. PPO A and B were purified 7.8 fold and 8.7 fold by the present procedure, respectively. The Rm values of partially purified PPO A and B were estimated to be 0.58 and 0.68, respectively. The optimum temp, and pH of PPO A activity were $33^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0, while those of PPO B were $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.2, respectively. Two PPO were unstable over the temperature of $60^{\circ}C$. The substrate specificity of pear PPO showed high affinity toward o-diphenolic compounds, especially catechol in PPO A and chlorogenic acid in PPO B, but inactive toward m-diphenol, p-diphenol and monophenols. PPO A showed affinity toward the trihydroxyphenolic compound. $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO A activity but $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ inhibited PPO B activity, while $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ and $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO B activity, while $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ and $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO B activity but $K^+$, $Mg^{{+}{+}}$, $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ and $Hg^{{+}{+}}$ inhibited at 10mM concentration. $Cu^{{+}{+}}$ activated the enzyme action at low concentrations but inhibited at high concentration. Inhibition studies indicated that L-ascorbic acid, L-cysteine and thiourea were most potent. The Km values of PPO A and PPO B for catechol were 20mM and 14.3mM, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2015

The present study aimed to investigate comparative anti-inflammatory effects of Litsea japonica fruit and leaf extract considering the balance of safety and efficacy. Dose response studies were performed to determine the inhibitory effects of 70% EtOH extract of leaf (L70%) on the pro-inflammatory enzymes expression, COX-2/PGE2 and NO/iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines production, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined comparative effects of 30 and 70% EtOH extract of fruits (F30% and F70%) at low concentration ($10{\mu}g/ml$ ) in the same conditions. L70% at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed inhibitory effects on almost all the inflammatory mediators we examined except for COX-2 regulation, but there were no effects at $10{\mu}g/ml$. Since $100{\mu}g/ml$ of L70% have 18.2% cytotoxicity, we compared the effects of fruit extract, F30% and F70% at $10{\mu}g/ml$ on the regulation of NO/iNOS, PGE2, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and obtained that fruit extacts are more efficacious and safe than leaf. This study suggests that the 30% EtOH fraction of L. japonica fruit could be a good candidate for development as a functional food supplement in the prevention of inflammatory disorders.