• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

As the causative agent of Anthrax, Bacillus anthracis causes an acute fatal disease in herbivores such as cattle, sheep, and horses as well as humans. The therapeutics and prevention of anthrax currently available are based on antibiotics and the live attenuated vaccine strains, which may be problematic due to the emergency of antibiotic resistant strains or residual virulence in those vaccine strains. Therefore, it has been required to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines which are safer and applicable to humans. Recently, the development of the multivalent vaccine targeting both spores and vegetative cells of B. anthracis along with anthrax toxin has been reported. In our attempts to screen potential candidates for those multivalent vaccines, the whole genomic expression library of B. anthracis was constructed in this study. To the end, the partial digests of the genomic DNA from B. anthracis (ATCC 14578) with Sau3AI were ligated with the inducible pET30abc expression vectors, resulting in approximately $1{\times}10^5$ clones in E. coli BL21(DE3). The redundancy test by DNA nucleotide sequencing was performed for the randomly selected 111 clones and found 56 (50.5%) B. anthracis genes, 17 (15.3%) vector sequences, and 38 (34.2%) unknown genes with no sequence homology by BLAST. An inducible expression of the recombinant proteins was confirmed by Western blot. Interestingly, some clones could react with the antiserum against B. anthracis. These results imply that the whole genomic library constructed in this study can be applied for analyzing the immunomes of B. anthracis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.611-621
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• 2001

Objective : We analyzed the clinical and endocrinological results of the transsphenoidal microsurgery for ACTH secreting pituitary adenomas. Marerials and Methods : From October 1995 to August 2000, 18 patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery for Cushing's disease. We analyzed the surgical results of 17 patients, one patient who was previously operated from other hospital was excluded. Age of the patients were 18 to 61 years old(mean 37.7), male to female ratio was 1 : 3.3, and follow-up period was 3 to 50 months(mean 20.3). The selection of candidates for transsphenoidal exploration was based on endocrinologic criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging was the preferred radiologic test. Selective inferior petrosal sinus sampling of adrenocorticotropic hormone futher refined the diagnosis when endocrinologic and radiologic procedures were not definitive. Results : Results of the preoperative endocrinological test were : level of serum ACTH 29.4 to $225{\mu}g/dL$(mean $93.88{\mu}g/dL$) ; serum cortisol 11.9 to $47.5{\mu}g/dL$(mean $27.49{\mu}g/dL$) ; 24-hour urine free cortisol 235 to $1019{\mu}g/day$(mean $571.0{\mu}g/day$). Inferior petrosal sinus sampling for ACTH was performed in 11 patients and all were confirmed by Cushing's disease and we could predict the laterality of the tumor in 9 of 11 patients. We performed transsphenoidal selective adenomectomy in 5 patients, adenomectomy and subtotal hypophysectomy in 2 patients, adenomectomy and partial hypophysectomy in 9 patients, and in the remaining one patient, hemihypophysectomy followed by total hypophysectomy due to remission failure. Fifteen of 17 patients(88.2%) showed endocrinological remission. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy was performed in all the patients who showed remission for 1 to 24 months(mean 5.9 months), and 6 patients received steroid over 6 months. Conclusion : We conclude that the direct demonstration of a tumor in the pituitary gland by MRI is the most important and definitive diagnostic tool and the location of a mass should be confirmed with increased level of ACTH by the inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Transsphenoidal microsurgery is effective treatment modality for Cushing's disease and the immediate postoperative evaluation of the surgical resection of the tumor is very important. The patients should show hypocortisolism, decreased, subnormal serum ACTH and cortisol levels and 24-hours urine free cortisol. We performed 18 transsphenoidal microsurgery for Cushing's disease in 17 patients and 15 patients(88.2%) showed endocrinological remission.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2009

To investigate the possible use of plants for landscaping in reclaimed soil, a planting pilot system experiment was performed over the course of four years in reclaimed dredging area with four species: Alnus firma, Alnus hirsuta, Pinus thunbergii, and Pyrachantha angustifolia for 4 years. The physicochemical characteristics of the tested soil showed that it was sandy through coming from a reclaimed dredging area. The average pH of the tested soil was 7.16(slight alkali), and electric conductivity(EC) was relatively low, $294{\mu}S/cm$, even though it came from a saltwater area. To test the effect of planting density vs. phytomass by plant specie from a planting basin, the experiment was designed using four plant species with high and low planting densities over 4 years. The planting conditions of the growth of landscape tree species exhibited growth height as follows: A. hirsuta, A. firma, P. thunbergii, and P. angustifolia, whill the DBH followed the order of A. hirsuta, A. firma, and P. thunbergii. The total phytomass of each plant was higher at low density planting areas than high density planting area in terms of total phytomass production and growth distribution in the reclaimed dredging area. Total phytomass per unit area increased as follows: A. hirsuta, A. firma, P. thunbergii, and P. angustifolia. The total phytomass per each tested plant was 2 times higher in low density planting areas than high density planting areas. Total phytomass per unit area, however, was similar or slighty higher in high density planting areas compared to low density areas. Among the tested plants, A. hirsuta showed the highest phytomass, implying that A. hirsuta adapted very well to the reclaimed area and has the capability of a fast growth, nitrogen fixation tree, and utilizing insoluble nutrients through inoculated root nodule bacteria. The yield of phytomass per individual in low density Alnus species was greater than that of the high density. However, those per unit areas had no difference in the density-dependent planting. The ratio of belowground to aboveground was $0.21{\sim}0.26$. Thus, it could be concluded that the Alnus species are potential candidates for ornamental tree species in reclaimed dredging areas. This study offers baseline data for the use of ornamental tree species in reclaimed dredging areas. Additional research is required for different ornamental species in order to increase phytomass of a planting conditions based on reclaimed dredging areas.

• Korea and Global Affairs
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-70
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• 2017

On December 9, 2016, the decision of impeachment of the National Assembly decided against Park Geun-hye came from the nomination conflicts of the 20th general election between Pro-Park group and Anti-Park group at the ruling Saenuri Party. Therefore, this study focused on the nomination conflicts of the ruling party and the opposition party on the election results in the 20th general election on the public sentiment of the people. The nomination conflicts of the ruling and opposite parties were a prelude to the victory of the 19th presidential election, and it was serious faction conflict. Firstly, the study examined how the nomination conflicts of each party were centered on President Park Geun-hye as well as the leaders of each party and the chairman of the nomination committee. Secondly, the study examined what kind of changes would be made to the composition of presidential candidates for each party at the time of the presidential election. Thirdly, the study examined the opposition parties' separation between the Minjoo Party of Korea and the People's Party of Korea before and after the election and the issue of initiative in Honam. As a result of the analysis, the 20th general election failed to obtain a majority seat of the ruling Saenuri Party, and the opposition won and formed the majority. The reason why President Park and Saenuri were greatly defeated in the contest even in the situation where the opposition parties were divided is the root cause in the attitude of Pro-Park group and Anti-Park group who assumed their victory. Therefore, it is highly possible to render its responsibility to President Park Geun-hye, who has become a 'past power', and it has opened up the possibility that the emergence of future power by opposition parties. In the case of the opposition party, it is clear that the battle for Honam, which is a traditional opposition party's support group, is a matter of good fortune of the two major powers, Moon Jae In and Ahn Cheol Soo.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.43-56
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• 2012

Objective : In this study, we assessed the anti-bacterial effects and epidermal permeability barrier function of red onion juice comparing to yellow onion juice and $Houttuynia$ $cordata$ extract $in$ $vitro$. Methods : 3types of red and yellow onion juice were prepared as antibacterial agent candidates with Houttuynia cordata hot water extract using 4 different bacterial strains ($Escherichia$ $coil$, $Salmonella$ $enterica$ $subsp.$ $enterica$, $Staphylococcus$ $epidermidis$, $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ $subsp$) by colony counting method. The expression of filaggrin, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation, and serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), a marker of the formation of the stratum corneum lipid barrier, in human HaCat keratinocytes were analyzed using HaCaT cell line. The expression of COX-2 and AP-1 which is a factor of COX-2 transcription were also analyzed by western blotting method. Results : There was detectable anti-bacterial effects on $Staphylococcus$ $epidermidis$, $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ $subsp$ among 1%, 5%, 10% extracts of yellow and red onion.(81%-100%) The bacteriocidal effects were not shown on $Escherichia$ $coil$, $Salmonella$ $enterica$ $subsp.$ $enterica$ among $Houttuynia$ $cordata$, yellow onion and red onion extracts. The in vitro results showed the concentration-dependent effects on the expression of both filaggrin and SPT in HaCat cells among 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% extracts in Houttuynia cordata and red onion, reflecting the notion that $Houttuynia$ $cordata$ and red onion can induce epidermal keratinocyte differentiation and improve the recovery of skin barrier functions. The concentration-dependent effects also have been shown on the expression of both COX-2 and AP-1 among 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% extracts in $Houttuynia$ $cordata$ and red onion, while slight effect in yellow onion. Conclusion : Red onion juice could be a potential candidate enhanser for the skin care and cosmetology.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.579-587
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• 2006

Background: Preoperative risk analysis for Fontan candidates is still less than optimal in that patients with apparently low risks may have poor surgical outcome; prolonged pleural drainage, protein losing enteropathy, pulmonary thromboembolism and death. We hypothesized that low pulmonary vascular compliance (PVC) is a risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the Fontan operation. Material and Method: A retrospective review of 96 consecutive patients who underwent the Extracardiac Fontan procedures (median age: 3.9 years) was performed. Fontan risk score (FRS) was calculated from 12 categorized preoperative anatomic and physiologic variables. PVC $(mm^2/m^2{\cdot}mmHg)$ was defined as pulmonary artery index $(mm^2/m^2)$ divided by total pulmonary resistance $(W.U{\cdot}/m^2)$ and pulmonary blood flow $(L/min/m^2)$ based on the electrical circuit analogue of the pulmonary circulation. Chest tube indwelling time was log-transformed (log indwelling time, LIT) to fit normal distribution, and the relationship between preoperative predictors and LIT was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Result: Preoperative PVC, chest tube indwelling time and LIT ranged from 6 to 94.8 $mm^2/mmHg/m^2$ (median: 24.8), 3 to 268 days (median: 20 days), and 1.1 to 5.6 (mean: 2.9, standard deviation: 0.8), respectively. FRS, PVC, cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB) and central venous pressure at postoperative 12 hours were correlated with LIT by univariable analyses. By multiple linear regression, PVC (p=0.0018) and CPB (p=0.0024) independently predicted LIT, explaining 21.7% of the variation. The regression equation was LIT=2.74-0.0158 PVC+0.00658 CPB. Conclusion: Low pulmonary vascular compliance is an important risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the extracardiac Fontan procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2009

Background: Mediastinal neurogenic tumors are generally benign lesions and they are ideal candidates for performing resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, benign neurogenic tumors at the thoracic apex present technical problems for the surgeon because of the limited exposure of the neurovascular structures, and the optimal way to surgically access these tumors is still a matter of debate. This study aims to clarify the feasibility and safety of the VATS approach for performing surgical resection of benign apical neurogenic tumors (ANT). Material and Method: From January 1996 to September 2008, 31 patients with benign ANT (15 males/16 females, mean age: 45 years, range: 8~73), were operated on by various surgical methods: 14 VATS, 10 lateral thoracotomies, 6 cervical or cervicothoracic incisions and 1 median sternotomy. 3 patients had associated von Recklinhausen's disease. The perioperative variables and complications were retrospectively reviewed according to the surgical approaches, and the surgical results of VATS were compared with those of the other invasive surgeries. Result: In the VATS group, the histologic diagnosis was schwannoma in 9 cases, neurofibroma in 4 cases and ganglioneuroma in 1 case, and the median tumor size was 4.3 cm (range: 1.2~7.0 cm). The operation time, amount of chest tube drainage and the postoperative stay in the VATS group were significantly less than that in the other invasive surgical group (p<0.05). No conversion thoracotomy was required. There were 2 cases of Hornor's syndrome and 2 brachial plexus neuropathies in the VATS group; there was 1 case of Honor's syndrome, 1 brachial plexus neuropathy, 1 vocal cord palsy and 2 non-neurologic complications in the invasive surgical group, and all the complications developed postoperatively. The operative method was an independent predictor for postoperative neuropathies in the VATS group (that is, non-enucleation of the tumor) (p=0.029). Conclusion: The VATS approach for treating benign ANT is a less invasive, safe and feasible method. Enucleation of the tumor during the VATS procedure may be an important technique to decrease the postoperative neurological complications.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.586-592
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• 2015

This study was performed to determine optimum approaches for control of microorganisms in school refectories and kitchens. A reduction of more than 5.0 log CFU/mL was noted for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans after treatment with 5 ppm ozone water for 60 s. Treatment of different vegetables with ozone water for 5 min showed bactericidal effects with 2-4 log reduction of viable cell number; the bactericidal effects differed according to the kinds of vegetables. The viable cell number on kitchen apparatus and tableware was not detected by ozone water treatment for 60 s. In addition, the count of the bacteria floating in the air in refectories and kitchens decreased 2.0 log CFU/1,000 L air to 0-1 CFU/1,000 L air on treatment with 45 ppm ozone gas for 12 hr. Therefore, ozone water and ozone gas may be good candidates as antimicrobial agents that can be used to improve sanitary conditions in school refectories and kitchens.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.81-86
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• 2000

The objective was to develop herbicides for liquorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), one of most important ingredients of herbal medicine in Korea. Soil-applied herbicides, pendimethalin at 1,585 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, simazine at 1,000 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, alachlor at 5 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, metolachlor at 1,600 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, and ethalfluralin at 1,050 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$ provided greater control of hairy crabgrass and barnyardgrass (> 60%) but less control of Abutilon avicennae and Fagopyrum esculentum under growth chamber conditions. Of tested soil-applied herbicides, pendimethalin and simazine showed slight injury to liquorice (<17%). In the field experiment conducted in Chunchon, pendimethalin and simazine provided greater control of weeds: total fresh weight of weeds in control plots was 187 g $m^{-2}$, while those in both herbicides-treated plots were nil. Fresh weights of liquorice seedlings in pendimethalin- and simazine-applied plots, however, were not different from those in control plots. Foliar-applied herbicides, such as dicamba at 964 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, 2,4-D at 280 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, mecoprop at 2,500 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, flazasulfuron at 75 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, imazaquin at 800 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, bentazon at 1,600 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$, and pyribenzoxim at 30 g a.i. $ha^{-1}$ reduced the growth of liquorice seedlings and provided moderate to total damage. Overall results show that pendimethalin and simazine appears to be effective herbicide candidates for liquorice.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.607-641
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• 2017

Recently, there has been an increase in government-wide demand for technological cooperation between government funded research institutes (GFRIs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while there remain a tension between positive and negative views regarding the support given by GFRIs to encourage the technological innovation of SMEs. Although preceding studies have found that the support given by GFRIs to SMEs tends to have the effect of enhancing the technological innovation outcomes of SMEs, this study examines the question of why the agent that provides technological cooperation to SMEs should be limited to GFRIs. To answer this question, in this study, we first examined the qualitative changes in the external technological cooperation behavior of SMEs over time, from 2007 to 2014. Next, we performed cluster analysis to examine whether there were distinctive characteristics of SMEs that engage in technological cooperation with GFRIs, compared to the various other alternatives available as technological cooperation partners for SMEs. Lastly, to help us identify the characteristics of the companies that technologically cooperate with GFRIs and to facilitate the administrative or practical effort to find companies that would be strong candidates for technological cooperation with GFRIs, we used discriminant analysis to define a discriminant formula for such companies likely to engage in technological cooperation. The results of this study were as follows. First, GFRIs were the most competitive -- as demonstrated by the highest level of satisfaction, etc. - compared to the other alternatives for external technological cooperation available to SMEs. This confirmed the necessity for GFRIs to provide technological cooperation to SMEs. Secondly, the issue of whether the small and medium-sized enterprise had engaged in technological cooperation specifically with GFRIs was found not to be a very significant factor in distinguishing these companies. It was found, however, that SMEs engaged in technological cooperation were distinctive, regardless of the type of institution involved in the technological cooperation. Thirdly, SMEs that were in technological cooperation with GFRIs had the characteristics of being already active in joint research and already familiar with utilizing the systems available for governmental support. The findings of this study offers various insights relevant to establishing national R&D strategies using GFRIs and improving the efficiency of policies and administrative practices intended to help GFRIs assist SMEs.