• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.381-395
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• 2005

The spatial distributions of macrobenthic communities in Masan Bay were investigated during summer and winter, 2004. A total of 104 species were sampled with mean density of $448ind./m^2$ and biomass of $77.1g/m^2$ in winter. In summer, a total of 107 species occurred with $485ind./m^2$ and a biomass of $94.5g/m^2$. The most dominant species in winter were Paraprionospio pinnata (24.2%) among polychaetous worms and Theora fragilis (14.1%) among molluscs, but they were replaced in summer by Prionospio chirrifera (20.4%) and Lumbrineris longifolia (14.5%). The difference in species composition and abundance of benthic communities between the two seasons was due to the hypoxia in the bottom layer of the inner bay during summer, which defaunated the macrofauna of the sediments. In the winter when DO concentration increased to normoxia, the pelagic larvae of benthic fauna settled in the soft sediments, but there was a spatial gradient in values of total biomass, density, and H' and benthic pollution index (BPI): higher values were found toward the mouth of the bay. The multivariate analyses like the cluster analysis and MDS ordination showed that Masan Bay could be divided into two or four stational groups in winter and summer whether the hypoxia occurred or not. Group I consisted of sites at the inner bay and central area and Group II, sites at the bay mouth. In summer the inner bay area could be further divided into the shallow impoverished area and the deeper abiotic one.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1270-1277
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• 2003

The extrusion conditions of the soymilk residue and corn grits mixtures were optimized. The experiment was designed according to the D-optimal design of response surface methodology (RSM), which shows 18 experimental points including 4 replicates for three independent variables (screw speed, water content and die temperature). The responses variables such as bending force, expansion ratio, bulk density, water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI), and color values (L＊, a＊, b＊) were evaluated using response surface analysis. Expansion ratio and WSI decreased with increasing water content, whereas bulk density tended to increase with increasing water content. While greater screw speeds enhanced WSI and yellowness, higher moisture contents decreased the expansion ratio and WSI value. However, die temperature did not influence upon the response variables. The optimum extrusion conditions by numerical and graphical methods were similar: the screw speed, water content, and die temperature were 250 rpm, 22.43% and l28.16$^{\circ}C$ by the numerical method; 250 rpm, 22.43%, and 128.02$^{\circ}C$ by graphical method.

• Mycobiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2013

In this study, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum cultivated with Artemisia capillaris (HEAC) were assessed for their ability to lower the cholesterol levels of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Rats were randomly subdivided into seven test groups. Each group contained eight rats fed a high-fat diet during a growth period lasting 4 wk. Supplementation with the extracts was performed once a day for 2 wk after the high-fat diet. The control group (rats fed a high-fat diet) showed a high efficiency ratio (feed efficiency ratio) value compared to the normal group. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglyceride (TG) levels dramatically increased in the control group compared to the normal group. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) content in the control group was also significantly lower relative to the normal group. Two positive control groups, treated with simvastatin and atorvastatin, had lowered TC, LDL-c, and TG levels, and increased HDL-c content compared to the control group. Treatment with the tested extracts, including HEAC, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum, and ethanolic extracts from Artemisia capillaris reduced TC, LDL-c, and TG levels and elevated HDL-c content in the hyperlipidemia rats. The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor values for the HEAC-treated group were 0.95 and 1.95, respectively. Simvastatin- and atorvastatin-treated groups showed atherogenic index values of 1.56 and 1.69, respectively, and cardiac risk factor values of 2.56 and 2.69, respectively. These results show HEAC possesses an ability to cure hyperlipidemia in rats and may serve as an effective natural medicine for treating hyperlipidemia in humans.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.617-622
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• 2003

Experimental designs were applied to optimize the mixture ratio for the extrudate made by soymilk residue and corn grits. Nine candidate points were examined for their significance on extrudate using the modified distance design. Bending force, expansion ratio, bulk density, water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI) and color $(L^*,\;a^*,\;b^*)$ were the significant factors improving the extruded cereal production, and these values were applied to the mathematical models. Results showed that bending force, expansion ratio WSI, WAI and color $(L^*,\;b^*)$ increased with increasing the corn grits, whereas bulk density tended to decrease. The statistical study showed that the fitted models were adequate to describe the contour plot and all responses. Optimum mixture ratio allowing to maximize the two responses (expansion ratio and $b^*$) and minimize the response (WAI) were examined with a numerical optimization methods. The numerical optimization method was obtained as 53.18% : 46.19% (corn grits : soymilk residue).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2007

The data used to develop distance-independent individual models for natural mixed forests were collected from 712 remeasured permanent sample plots (25,526 trees) of 10-year periodic from 1990 to 2000 in Baihe Forest Bureau of Changbai Mountains, northeast China. Based on analyzing relationship between diameter increment of individual trees with tree size, competitive status, and site condition, the diameter growth models for individual trees of 15 species growing in mixed-species uneven-aged forest stands, that have simple form, good predicting precision, and easily applicable, were developed using stepwise regression method. The main variables influencing on diameter increment of individual trees were tree size and competition, however, the site conditions were not significantly related with diameter increment. The tree size variables (lnDBH and $DBH^2$) were the most significant and important predictors of diameter growth existing in all 15 growth models. The diameter increment was directly proportional to tree diameter for each species. For the competitive factors in growth model, the relative diameter (RD), canopy closure (P), and the ratio of diameter of subject tree with maximum diameter (DDM) were contributed to the diameter increment at a certain extent. Other measures of stand density, such as basal area of stand (G) and stand density index (SDI), were not significantly influenced on diameter increment. Site factors, such as site index, slope and aspect were not important to diameter increment and excluded in the final models. The total variance explained by the final models of squared diameter increment ($R^2$) for all 15 species ranged from 35% to 72% and these results compared quit closely with those of Wykoff (1990) for mixed conifer stands. Using independent data set, validation measures were evaluated for predicting models of diameter increment developed in this study. The result indicated that the estimated precision was all greater than 94% and the models were suitable to describe diameter increment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2019

Purpose : The lipid profile is a major predictive index for cardiovascular disease, but there have only been a few studies conducted on the relationship between lipid ratio and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Korean population. To address this research gap, we investigated the association between three lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Korean adults. Methods : This study used data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2016. Lipid ratios included triglyceride (TG)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)/HDL. Cardiovascular risk factors included in this research were: systolic blood pressure $(SBP){\geq}140$, diastolic blood pressure $(DBP){\geq}90$, fasting blood sugar $(FBS){\geq}126$, $HbA1c{\geq}6.5$, body mass index $(BMI){\geq}25$, waist circumference (WC) $men{\geq}90$, $women{\geq}85$, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A complex samples logistic regression test was performed to analyze the association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results : 1) TG/HDL ratio had statistically significant relationships with DBP, FBS, HbA1c, BMI, WC and MetS. 2) TC/HDL ratio was correlated to SBP, DBP, FBS, BMI, WC, and MetS. 3) LDL/HDL ratio had association with BMI, WC, and MetS. Conclusion : We identified significant association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The three lipid ratios were particularly strongly associated with BMI, WC, and MetS.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.22-30
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• 2019

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the related factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods The subjects were 187 persons diagnosed as fatty liver by abdominal ultrasonography. They were divided into three groups according to the severity of fatty liver: control, mild, moderate or severe. The three groups' general characteristics, laboratory results, liver function indexes, metabolic syndrome indexes, tumor markers, heart rate variability values and Sasang constitution distribution were compared and analyzed. Results Male ratio, height, weight, body mass index, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and creatinine level were higher in NAFLD groups than in control group. The levels of sodium and amylase were higher in control than in NAFLD. In liver function, the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpepsidase of NAFLD were higher. In metabolic syndrome index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher in NAFLD, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol level was higher in control. The alpha-feto protein level was higher in NAFLD, and the heart rate variability was not different between NAFLD and control groups. In Sasang constitution, Taeeumin ratio of NAFLD was higher than of control. Conclusions The results suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver is clinically related to liver dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, tumor markers, and Sasang constitution. Further studies are needed to control nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and prevent severe disease such as cirrhosis and cancer caused by fatty liver.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

Purpose: Liver metabolism plays a pivotal role in the development of metabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in young adolescents from an urban population in Korea. Methods: A population of 120 apparently healthy adolescents aged 12-13 years was included in the cross-sectional design study; 58 were overweight or obese and 62 were of normal weight. We estimated anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, aspartate aminotransferases (AST), ALT, and lipid profiles. Results: The mean ages of the overweight or obese and normal weight participants were $12.9{\pm}0.3$ and $13.0{\pm}0.3years$, respectively. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score were significantly higher and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were significantly lower in the overweight/obese participants in comparison to the normal-weight participants (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR score were independently and positively associated with serum ALT levels. Conclusion: Screening for ALT levels in adolescents may help to differentiate those at risk of metabolic abnormalities and thus prevent disease progression at an early age.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2021

Background: Obesity and dental caries have common risk factors such as food intake, eating habits, and lifestyle. Nevertheless, there has been no consensus on the significant association between obesity and dental caries, and additional studies are needed. We investigated the relationship between obesity and dental caries in some college students in this pilot study. Methods: Forty-two obese college students (body mass index [BMI]≥25) registered at a University Obesity Clinic and 19 normal students (18.5≤BMI<25) were recruited. Oral examinations were conducted, and anthropometric data and blood samples were collected. The blood concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride were also measured. After controlling for dental plaque index, a univariate analysis of dental caries indicators related to obesity was performed; partial correlation analysis was also conducted. A nonparametric test was used for the analysis of gender-related trends due to the limited number of participants. Results: The obese group had significantly fewer missing teeth (p=0.014), missing surfaces (p=0.035), filled surfaces (p=0.038), and decayed-missing-filled surfaces (p=0.020) than the normal group. There was no difference between the males in the normal and obese groups. The females in the obese group had significantly fewer missing teeth (p=0.003), missing surfaces (p=0.003), and decayed-missing-filled surfaces (p=0.046). Partial correlation analysis showed a weak negative correlation (r=-0.256) between the blood LDL concentration and decayed-missing-filled teeth. The other obesity and dental caries indicators were not correlated. Conclusion:The blood cholesterol concentration had a negative relationship with dental caries, and there were fewer cases of dental caries in the obese group in this study. However, it is important to clarify the relationship between obesity and dental caries through a dietary survey or additional investigations considering other confounding factors.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.111-125
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• 2022

Background: Zanthoxylum armatum is one of the 30 prioritized medicinal plants for economic development of Nepal with a high trade value. Understanding the ecology of individual species is important for conservation and cultivation purposes. However, relation of ecological factors on the distribution and populations of Z. armatum in Nepal remain unknown. To address this knowledge gap, an attempt has been made to study the population structure, distribution, and regeneration potentiality of Z. armatum. Vegetation sampling was conducted at six different localities of Salyan district along the elevation range of 1,000 m to 2,000 m. Results: Altogether 50 plant species belonging to 44 genera under 34 families were found to be associated with Z. armatum. Significantly higher species richness was found at Rim (1,400-1,700 m) and Chhatreshwori (1,800-2,000 m) and lower at Kupinde (1,600-1,800 m). The highest population density of Z. armatum was at Kupinde (1,600-1,800 m) with a total of 1,100 individuals/ha. and the lowest at Chhatreshwori (1,800-2,000 m) with 740 individuals/ha. Based on the A/F value (Whitford index), it can be said that Z. armatum has random distribution in the study area. The plants were categorized into seedlings, saplings and adults based on plant height and the status of natural regeneration category determined. The regeneration potentiality of Z. armatum in the study area was fair with the average seedlings and saplings densities of 150 and 100 individuals/ha. Respectively. A Shannon-Weinner index mean value of 2.8 was obtained suggesting high species diversity in the study area. Conclusions: The natural distribution and regeneration of Z. armatum is being affected in the recent years due to anthropogenic disturbances. Increasing market demand and unsustainable harvesting procedures are posing serious threat to Z. armatum. Thus, effective conservation and management initiatives are most important for conserving the natural population of Z. armatum in the study area.