• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2019

Background: The isolation of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has become increasingly common. Continuous surveillance for these organisms is essential because their infections are closely related to outbreaks of illness and are associated with high mortality rates. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate multiplex PCR as a means of detecting several important CPE genes simultaneously. Methods: We aimed to develop a multiplex PCR that could detect seven CPE genes simultaneously. The multiplex PCR was composed of seven primer sets for the detection of KPC, IMP, VIM, NDM-1, GES, OXA-23, and OXA-48. We designed different PCR product sizes of at least 100 bp. We evaluated the performance of this new test using 69 CPE-positive clinical isolates. Also, we confirmed the specificity to rule out false-positive reactions by using 71 carbapenem-susceptible clinical strains. Results: A total of 69 CPE clinical isolates showed positive results and were correctly identified as KPC (N=14), IMP (N=13), OXA-23 (N=12), OXA-48 (N=11), VIM (N=9), GES (N=5), and NDM (N=5) by the multiplex PCR. All 71 carbapenem-susceptible clinical isolates, including Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showed negative results. Conclusion: This multiplex PCR can detect seven CPE genes at a time and will be useful in clinical laboratories.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Between May of 2006 and July of 2014, a total of 43 patients who had undergone surgery for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy were included in this study. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the method of surgery: group 1 (n=18) received mini-open ulnar nerve decompression only, and group 2 (n=25) received arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression. Patients were assessed for the following clinical outcomes: visual analogue scales (VAS) score, range of motion of the elbow joint, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) at the time before surgery and 6 months after surgery. We analyzed the recovery of the ulnar nerve by the McGowan grade and Bishop rating score preoperatively and at 6 months after the surgery. Results: The VAS score, range of motion of the elbow joint, MEPS, and DASH showed significant statistical difference after the surgery (p<0.05). However, between the 2 groups, there was no significant difference. For the McGowan grade, all cases of both groups-except one case each group-showed at least one grade improvement. Moreover, group 2 showed a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.001). At the final follow-up, according to the Bishop rating score, group 2 had a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.036). Conclusion: Arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy is a useful technique, which has several advantages, including the benefits associated with a minimally invasive surgery and also the improvement of elbow joint function and excellent recovery of the ulnar nerve.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.185-219
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• 2016

The Chinese cosmetics market is rapidly expanding, but various problems have also emerged, including exaggerated advertisement, lack of accurate information on product usage and the emergence of imitation products. For this reason, cosmetics companies have been making efforts to convince Chinese consumers of their brand authenticity and trust. In particular, Korean cosmetics firms have been using Hallyu stars who are largely popular among Chinese consumers as a means to raise their brand authenticity and trust. The aim of this study was to view Hallyu stars as human brands in the Chinese cosmetics market and verify whether the Chinese consumers' attachment toward Korean celebrities help the consumers perceive the authenticity of the brands advertised by the stars, and whether such brand authenticity affects the Chinese consumers' trust in Korean cosmetics brands. Furthermore, based on the fact that brand authenticity is defined and classified differently according to the type of product, this study observed the authenticity of Korean cosmetics brands from the aspect of product, employee and company based on previous research conducted on cosmetics brand authenticity. To this end, this study surveyed Chinese consumers for a month by using a representative survey website (http://www.sojump.com) that actively shares information related to cosmetics. A total of 394 surveys were used in the empirical analysis. The results of empirical analysis indicated that Chinese consumers' attachment toward Hallyu stars spreads to the Korean cosmetics brands advertised by the celebrities to have a positive effect on the brand authenticity perceived by Chinese consumers, including the authenticity of product, employee and company. Results also showed that the authenticity of Korean cosmetics brands, including product, employee and company, affected Chinese consumers' trust in the brands. The results of this study can provide implications regarding advertising or marketing strategies using Hallyu stars that can be utilized by Korean cosmetics companies to improve brand authenticity and reliability perceived by Chinese consumers in the Chinese cosmetics market, where brand authenticity and reliability are important.

• Korea Science and Art Forum
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• v.28
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• pp.105-116
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• 2017

This study is a basic research to suggest user-centered general hospital environmental design guidelines, which aims to analyze user's behavior characteristics across generation in general hospital. For this purpose, this study constructed an analysis tool through the literature review with regard to generation and behavior characteristics in general hospital. Besides, an online survey regarding user's behavior in general hospital was conducted targeting from 20s to 60s, 300 persons for each group, total 1,500 persons for about 3 weeks since September 1, 2016. The results of this study are as follows: (1) Based on the generation, there were significant differences in relevant categories of their visiting frequency, visiting purpose, visiting hour, transportation, companion, behavior during the wait and selection of a general hospital. (2) In all generation, they responded that they have visited once or twice per year. People in 20s and 30s responded that their visit for the hospital is to receive specific treatment, while other people in 40s, 50s and 60s visit the hospital majorly for routine check-ups. Therefore, it is imperative for a health check-up center to design an environmental plan that reflects the characteristics of elders in 40s, 50s and 60s. (3) People in 40s, 50s and 60s usually visit a general hospital in the mornings of weekdays, while generations in 20s and 30s responded that they mostly visit the hospital in the mornings of weekend. (4) When they visit a general hospital, people in their 20s are usually using public transportations, while people in their 30s to 60s are using their own vehicle. (5) People in their 20s majorly visited 'lobby'. In older generations, they tend to visit 'outpatient clinic'. Therefore, it is necessary to build an outpatient clinic environment that considers the elderly. (6) Patients majorly responded that they are using their cell phone, while waiting for their clinic call. In elder generations, they responded that they are more likely watching TVs, reading books/magazines or doing nothing. Therefore, it is essential to provide cell-phone related services and environmental supports. Visually attractive media can be utilized for this purpose.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.211-222
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the physico-chemical meat quality and sensory properties of Holstein steers(n=18, 4 months old, average body weight 160kg) which were divided into 3 groups and fed 2 different energy levels of total mixed rations(TMR)(T1, TDN 74~84%; T2, TDN 77~85%) until 18, 20 or 22 months old, respectively. For loin muscles, 22-month group of T1 and 20- and 22-month groups of T2 had higher fat contents than the other groups (P<0.05). T2 had higher WHC values for 18-month groups among 3 feeding groups (P>0.05). In sensory properties, T1 had higher tenderness, flavor-likeness and overall likeness for 20-month group than the other groups (P<0.05). T2 had higher tenderness, juiciness, flavor likeness and overall likeness in 20- and 22-months groups than 18-month group (P<0.05). For top round muscles, 22-month group had higher fat contents than the other groups of T1 and T2 (P<0.05). T1 had higher in redness(a* value) and yellowness (b* value) of 22-month group (P<0.05). T2 had higher WHC values, lower WBS and CL values in 18-month group than the other groups (P<0.05). In sensory properties, T1 had higher tenderness for 18 and 20-month groups and overall likeness (P<0.05). T2 had higher tenderness in 18-month group. The results of this study showed that longer feeding of agricultural by-product TMR increased the intramuscular fat contents, however, the 18 and 20-months finishing groups were advantageous for the meat quality and sensory properties of Holstein steers.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.173-182
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• 2016

This study was aimed to identify the phenotypic relationships between calving interval and lactation curve parameters in Korean Holstein cow. The data of 36,505 lactation records was obtained from the Dairy Herd Improvement program run by Dairy Cattle Improvemnet Center of National Agricultural Federation of Korea. All lactation records were collectied from the multiparous cows calving between 2011 to 2013. The estimated lactation curves were drawn using Wood model based on actual milk yield records, and NLIN Procedure of SAS program (ver. 9.2). General linear multivariate models for calving interval, 305-d milk yield, lactation parameters(A, b, c), persistency, peak day, and peak yield included fixed effects of calving year-season (spring, summer, fall and winter) and parity(2, 3 and 4). For calving interval, 305-d milk yield, lactation parameters(A, b, c), persistency, peak day and peak yield, all two fixed effect(calving year-season, parity) were significant(p<0.05). The estimated lactation functions using Wood model for 2, 3, and 4 parity were yt=24.66t0.175e-0.00302t, yt=24.69t0.192e-0.00334t, and yt=24.22t0.200e-0.00341t, respectively. Phenotypic correlation (partial residual correlation) between calving interval and 305-d milk yield, A, b, c, persistency, peak day, and peak yield were 0.093, -0.014, 0.028, -0.046, 0.099, 0.085, and 0.052, respectively. To conclude, if calving interval increase then ascent to peak, persistency, peak day and peak yield are increase, and descent after peak is decrease. So, total 305-d milk yield is increase.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrate-rich plants extracts on the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and rumen methane production. The extracts of nitrate-rich plants, as potato, carrot, chinese cabbage, lettuce and spinach were used in this study. The ruminal fluid was collected from a cannulated Hanwoo cow fed concentrate and timothy in the ratio of 6 to 4. The 20mL of mixture, comparing McDougall's buffer and rumen fluid in the ratio 2 to 1, was dispensed anaerobically 50mL serum bottles containing 0.3g of timothy substrate and extracts of nitrogen-rich plants. The serum bottles were incubated 39℃ for 9, 12, 24, 48 hours. The pH value was decreased by increased incubation times and normal range to 6.31 to 6.96. The dry matter digestibility was significantly(p<0.05) lower in chinese cabbage than in control at 9h incubation time. Ammonia concentration was significantly(p<0.05) lower in potato, chinese cabbage, lettuce than in control and the rumen microbial growth rate was significantly(p<0.05) higher in carrot than in control at 24h incubation time. The concentrations of acetate and propionate was significantly(p<0.05) lower in treatment than in control. The concentration of butyrate was showed a different pattern depending on treatments. Total gas emissions was significantly(p<0.05) lower in chinese cabbage, lettuce, spinach than in control at 12h, 24h incubation time. Methane production was significantly(p<0.05) lower in potato, chinese cabbage, spinach than in control, carbon dioxide production was significantly(p<0.05) lower in treatment than in control. In conclusion, supplementation of the nitrate-rich plant extracts in ruminal fermentation in vitro resulted in decreasing the methane production without adversely affecting the fermentation characteristics. Particularly the chinese cabbage extract was regard as a potential candidate for reducing the methane emission in ruminants.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.163-172
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• 2016

Four growing Hanwoo cattle weighing 200±11.7kg were used within 4×4 Latin square design to establish nutrient requirements for Hanwoo growing steers under severe heat stress. The steers were fed four different energy level diets; 100%(control), 100%(E100), 115%(E115) and 130%(E130) of energy levels of growing Hanwoo steers based on total digestible nutrient level suggested by the Korea Feeding Standard for Hanwoo using timothy hay and commercial concentrate. The steers in the control were housed with no stress, whereas the steers in the other groups were under severe heat stress. The severe heat stress significantly decreased(p<0.05) true digestibility of dry matter(i.e. control 81.5% vs E100 79.1, E115 77.0 and E130 76.0, respectively). The severe heat stress and different energy intake levels did not affect blood physiological metabolites and body temperature of the growing steers. Based on changes in average daily gain by different energy intake level, the equation(Y=0.235X+115.03) of energy requirement of growing Hanwoo steers without changes in body weight was calculated, indicating that, compared with the present energy intake suggested by Korean feeding standard, 15.03% of dietary energy for maintenance of growing Hanwoo steers under severe heat stress should be increased.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2016

The study was aimed to analyze pedigree structure and inbreeding coefficients for performance tested Holstein cows in Korea. A total of 400,029 Holstein cows data which born between 2002 and 2012 were obtained from Dairy Cattle Improvement Center of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation(NACF). Their related pedigrees, as obtained from Korean Animal Improvement Association(KAIA), consisted of 509,740 animals. Pedigree depth of the cows were traced back to 3 generations earlier. The percentage of cows with fully identified ancestors in various provinces of Korea were 55.18%(Gyeonggi-do), 23.49%(Gangwon-do), 47.83%(Chungcheongnam-do), 53.62%(Chungcheongbuk-do), 56.38%(Gyeongsangbuk-do), 51.35% (Gyeongsangnam-do), 26.58%(Jeollanam-do), 49.41%(Jeollabuk-do), and 56.90%(Jeju-do), whereas, it was about 63.20% as a whole in Korea. The average inbreeding coefficients showed increment across the consecutive years of birth such as, 0.43(2002), 0.44(2003), 0.58(2004), 0.64(2005), 0.78(2006), 0.93(2007), 1.08(2008), 1.23(2009), 1.46(2010), 1.77(2011), and 2.03 (2012). However, this coefficient was 0.93 in overall Korean population. An average generation interval for sire to daughter genetic path was 8.15 years; which was about 4.20 years considering dam to daughter genetic path. The estimated effective population sizes (Ne) were 56.5, 51.3, and 32.2 animals born in 2004, 2009, and 2012, respectively. These results indicated that an increased rate of inbreeding has led to a significant reduction in the Ne over the decade.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.147-155
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• 2016

This study presented a measure for turning by-products, released from land farming sites, into resources. The measure involved adding food by-products such as rice bran and nonfat soybean to the sludge, released from the eel farming sites, inoculating the lactic acid bacteria, Aspergillus oryzae, and Bacillus subtilis by step, fermenting them, and measuring the changed ingredients of the fermented fodder. The water content of the fermented fodder by the step of preparation was the first-step fermented product (14.6%) using the lactic acid bacteria, and the second and third-stage fermented product (33.0% and 34.0% respectively) using Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis. The pH level was found to be 5.38 in the first-step fermented product due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by the lactic acid bacteria, and the pH level of the second and third-stage fermented products was 5.66 and 7.26, respectively, showing that the pH level increased. The phytic acid content was 0.126g/100g in the first-step fermented product, 0.004g/100g in the second-stage fermented product, and 0.093g/100g in the third-stage fermented product. The measurement of nitrogen content revealed that the amino nitrogen content was high with 1226.37mg% in the second-stage fermented product, and a little lower with 710.18mg% in the third-stage fermented product. The ammonium nitrogen content increased from 0.988mg/kg in the first-stage fermented product to 1.502mg/kg in the third-stage fermented product. Total nitrogen content increased to 2.78% in the first-stage fermented product, 4.08% in the second-stage fermented product, and 4.85% in the third-stage fermented product. As fermentation continued with the three microbes, the phytic acid decreased, and the protein decomposition rate increased. Also, due to the 3 step fermentation, the low-molecule nitrogen ingredient content increased, suggesting that the fodder was developed to offer high digestion and absorption.