• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.178-186
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• 2002

The present study was attempted to investigate the effects of total ginseng saponin (G75), panaxadiol-type (PDS) and panaxatriol-type saponin (PTS) on contractile responses of vasoconstrictors in aortic smooth muscle stripes of normotensive (NR) and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). Phenylephrine (an adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in both NR and AHR aorta, respectively. Phenylephrine- and high potassium-induced contractile responses were greater in NA than those in SHR aortic smooth muscle stripes. In NR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and PTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively whereas phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were markedly inhibited. In SHR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and moderate doses of PTS (150-300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively but greatly blocked by high concentration of PTS (600 $\mu$g/ml). Phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion (150-600 $\mu$g/ml) by the pretreatment with PTS while not altered in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml) and PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively. Taken together, these experimental results suggest that ginseng saponins cause vascular relaxation through blockade of adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptors and some unknown mechanisms, and that there is some difference in sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle between NR and SHR in responses to ginseng saponins. It seems that panaxatriol type of some ginseng saponins has the greatest potency in vascular relaxation.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.778-783
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• 2000

Effects of the $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layer, deposited on the SnO$_2$sensing layer by aerosol flame deposition (AFD) method, on the sensing properties of SnO$_2$thin film ags sensors were investigated.Effects of Pt doping to the $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layer on the selectivity of CH$_4$ gas were also investigated. 0.3$\mu\textrm{m}$ thick SnO$_2$thin sensing layers on Pt electrodes were prepared by R.F. magnetron sputtering with R.F. power of 50 W, at working pressure of 4mTorr, and at 20$0^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layers on SnO$_2$layers were prepared by AFD using a diluted aluminum nitrade (Al(NO$_3$).9$H_2O$) solution. The sensitivity of CO gas in the SnO$_2$gas sensor with an $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layer was significantly decreased. But that of CH$_4$gas remained almost same with pure SnO$_2$gas sensor. This result shows that the selectivity of CH$_4$gas is increased because of the $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layer. In the case of SnO$_2$gas sensors with Pt-doped $Al_2$O$_3$surface protective layers, low sensing property to CO gas and high sensing property to CH$_4$were observed. This results in the increasing of selectivity of CH$_4$gas selectivity are discussed.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detecting the lymph node (LN) metastasis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: 119 patients (M : F=89 : 30; mean age: 64) with gastric cancer were referred for preoperative FDG-PET/CT scanning and spiral enhanced abdominal pelvic CT from June 2006 to July 2008, and these were the subjects of our study. All the patients underwent curative radical gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. A final diagnosis was made for all the patients by the histology of the surgical specimens. Results: Both PET/CT and enhanced CT showed similar sensitivity for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (32.6% vs 39.5%, respectively). PET/CT was more accurate than enhanced CT for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (67.2% vs 63.0%, respectively), and PET/CT showed better specificity (86.8% vs 76.3, respectively) and a better positive predictive value (PPV) (58.3% vs 48.6%, respectively). PET/CT showed better specificity (98.0% vs 88.2%, respectively) and accuracy (79.4% vs 73.9%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting early gastric cancer. PET/CT showed better specificity (64.0% vs 52.0%, respectively), a better PPV (60.9% vs 57.1%), a better negative predictive value (NPV) (48.5% vs 46.4%, respectively) and better accuracy (53.6% vs 51.8%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting advanced gastric cancer. Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT is more usefulness than enhanced CT for making the preoperative diagnosis of regional LN metastases from gastric cancers.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2002

Sox4, a transcription factor, consists of three functional domains: an HMG-box domain as a DNA binding domain, serine rich region as a transactivation domain and glycine rich region (GRR), an unknown functional domain. Although Sox4 is known to be functionally involved in heart, B-cell and reproductive system development, its physiological function remains to be elucidated. We used pGEX expression system to develop a simple and rapid method for purifying Sox4 protein in suitable forms for biochemical studies of their functions. Unexpectedly, we observed that full-length Sox4 appears to be protease-sensitive during expression and purification in E. coli. To map the protease-sensitive site in Sox4, we generated various constructs with each of functional domains of Sox4 and purified as the GST-Sox4 fusion proteins using glutathione beads. We found that the specific cleavage site for the proteolytic enzyme, which exists in E. coli, is localized within the novel GRR of Sox4. Our study suggest that the GRR of Sox4 may a target for the cellular protease action and this cleavage in the GRR may be involved in regulating physiological function of Sox4. Additionally, our study may provide a useful method for investigating the proteolytic cleavage of the target molecule in E. coli.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.545-552
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of electrical stimulation on the biochemical properties of plaice sarcoplasmic reticulum and myofibrils at early period of death. The plaices were electrically stimulated (110V/60 Hz) In sea water bath for 15, 35, and 60 seconds, and killed instantly by spiking at the head. Killed samples were investigated for the changes in $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activity of FSR (fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum), LSR (light SR), HSR (heavy SR), and SDS-PAGE pattern of FSR. $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activity of FSR increased until $45^{\circ}C$ and inactivated over $50^{\circ}C$. $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase activity of FSR remarkably decreased according to the duration of electrical stimulation. Myofibrillar $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activity of electrically stimulated plaices in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ was higher than that of sample instantly killed by spiking. $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activity of myofibrils increased by electrical stimulation and the activity decreased during storage at $5^{\circ}C$. Myofibrillar $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activity in sample killed by spiking was not affected by $Ca^{2+}$ ion. Myofibrillar $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activity of electrically stimulated sample in the absen-re of $Ca^{2+}$ decreased during storage at $5^{\circ}C$, whit $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activity in unstimulated sample did not show any change. $Ca^{2+}$-sensitivity of myofibrils showed no differences between electrically stimulated sample and sample killed by spiking, and the was no change during at $5^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.328-332
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• 2009

A new malting barley variety, "Oreum", was developed from the a cross between 'Kinuyutaka' and 'Samdobori' at the Honam Agricultural Research Institute (HARI) in 2006. An elite line, YMB2077-2B-24-1-2, was selected in 2003 and designated as 'Milyang132'. It showed good agronomic performance in the regional adaptation yield trials (RYT) from 2004 to 2006, and was released with the name of "Oreum" having high yielding and BaYMV resistance. The average heading and maturing dates of "Oreum" were April 18 and May 24, which were 2 days later than 'Jinyang', a leading variety, at RYT. "Oreum" had longer culm length (75 cm), more spikes per $m^2$ (990), and lighter 1,000 grain weight (35.2 g) than those of 'Jinyang' in paddy field conditions. It was showed resistance to BaYMV at the regions of Naju, Jinju and Milyang but moderate resistance at Iksan. However, the response to other environmental stresses of was similar to 'Jinyang' The yield potential of "Oreum" was about 5.43 MT/ha, 4.93 MT/ha in upland and paddy fields which was about 80%, 35% higher than Jinyang in the regional adaptation yield trials (RYT), respectively. It has good malting quality including high grain assortment, germination capacity ratio, water sensitivity and high the malt production and the extract and short filtration speed than those of 'Jinyang'.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.245-257
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• 2012

Vulnerability assessment has been required for establish climate adaptation plan to prevent damage from climate change. In this study we assessed vulnerability with 1 km resolution and determined which sectors have the highest priority in each municipality of Gangwon province based on the result of vulnerability assessment. All sectors of vulnerability assessment are composed of three criteria; sensitivity, exposure and adaptation capacity. And suitable indicators of each sector were selected and spatial data set was prepared using GIS. Priority of vulnerability was classified with the degree of vulnerability in present and variation in vulnerability between present and future. The results of vulnerability assessment were different among municipalities due to the contribution of indicators. Present and future trends in vulnerability showed similar results but high vulnerable area was predicted to expand in the future. In addition increase in temperature led whole area to be more vulnerable generally. The result of prioritizing sectors of vulnerability indicated the most considerable sectors within a municipality. Also, the municipalities which have similar geographic, climatic and social conditions tended to be classified as the same priority class. The method of vulnerability assessment and determining priorities suggested in this study could be used to support decision makers to establish adaptation plan of local area.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 2023

Ground-level ozone affects human health and plant growth. Ozone is produced by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. In this study, two different land cover and emission factor datasets were input to the MEGAN v2.1 emission model to examine how these parameters contribute to the biogenic emissions and ozone production. Four input sensitivity scenarios (A, B, C and D) were generated from land cover and vegetation emission factors combination. The effects of BVOCs emissions by scenario were also investigated. From air quality modeling result using CAMx, maximum 1 hour ozone concentrations were estimated 62 ppb, 60 ppb, 68 ppb, 65 ppb, 55 ppb for scenarios A, B, C, D and E, respectively. For maximum 8 hour ozone concentration, 57 ppb, 56 ppb, 63 ppb, 60 ppb, and 53 ppb were estimated by scenario. The minimum difference by land cover was up to 25 ppb and by emission factor that was up to 35 ppb. From the modeling performance evaluation using ground ozone measurement over the six regions (East Seoul, West Seoul, Incheon, Namyangju, Wonju, and Daegu), the model performed well in terms of the correlation coefficient (0.6 to 0.82). For the 4 urban regions (East Seoul, West Seoul, Incheon, and Namyangju), ozone simulations were not quite sensitive to the change of BVOC emissions. For rural regions (Wonju and Daegu) , however, BVOC emission affected ozone concentration much more than previously mentioned regions, especially in case of scenario C. This implies the importance of biogenic emissions on ozone production over the sub-urban to rural regions.

• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2011

Background: Malaria is a problematic disease in Korea, and microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smear has been used as the gold standard for its diagnosis. However, this technique is time-consuming and has low sensitivity in samples with low numbers of malarial parasites (<20 parasites/μL). Here, we evaluated the performance characteristics of the LG Advansure^TM Malaria P.f./P.v. real-time QPCR (LG life sciences, Korea). Methods: Blood samples from 173 persons who visited Korea University Ansan Hospital were evaluated. QPCR was performed in 73 malaria patients and 100 healthy subjects by using the LG Advansure Malaria P.f./P.v. real-time QPCR^R kit, and the results were compared with those of microscopy. The detection limit of this kit was determined by serial dilution of Plasmodium-infected blood with normal blood (blood not infected with Plasmodium). Results: Among the 73 patients that were microscopically confirmed to have malaria (Plasmodium vivax infection, N=70, P. falciparum infection, N=3), 69 patients were diagnosed with P. vivax infection and 3 were diagnosed with P. falciparum infection by LG Advansure^TM Malaria P.f./P.v. realtime QPCR. Both the tests indicated absence of infection in the 100 healthy subjects. The detection limit of LG Advansure^TM Malaria P.f./P.v. real-time QPCR was 0.1 parasite/μL. Conclusions: LG Advansure^TM Malaria P.f./P.v. real-time QPCRis a very sensitive and specific technique and can be used as a confirmatory test for malaria.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.173-177
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• 2003

Purpose : Recently, different results about factors affecting accurate quantitation of 24-hr urinary protein(24UP) amount using spot urine protein/creatinine ratio(PCR) have been reported. The current study was designed to evaluate correlation between 24UP amounts and PCR in children, and the effect of 24UP amounts, age, sex, and glomerular filtration rate(GFR) on this correlation. Methods : Among 94 patients who visited the department of pediatrics in Busan Paik Hospital from March 2002 to August 2002, 68 patients whose urinary creatinine excretion was ${\geq}15mg/kg/day$ were included in this study. All the patients were divided into I, II/A, B group(I : 24UP<500 mg/day, II : $24UP{\geq}500mg/day$, A : <10 years of age, B : ${\geq}10years$ of age). Pearson correlation analysis was performed between 24UP and PCR to evaluate the relationship. We defined fractional difference between 24UP and PCR, and then performed multiple regression analysis with 24UP amount, age, GFR and fractional difference. Results : There was a strong positive linear correlation between 24UP and PCR(R=0.936, P<0.0001) in all patients, and the correlation was also good in each group. Using PCR cutoff values of 0.5, the PCR provided high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value in predicting 24UP amount ${\geq}500mg$. The factors affecting accurate quantitation of proteinuria using spot urine PCR was age, not 24UP amount, GFR or sex. Conclusion : Spot urine PCR is a useful test but has limitations in predicting 24UP amount. Therefore, it should be used only as screening method. Age-adjusted PCR cutoff values may be necessary to predict 24UP amount in children with proteinuria.