• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.375-382
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• 2014

Objective : To assess the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation in the expression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) in spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : BMMNCs were isolated from tibia and femur by a density gradient centrifugation. After establishment of acute transection SCI, rats were divided into experiment (BMMNCs), experiment control (0.1 M PBS infused) and sham surgery groups (laminectomy without any SCI). Locomotor function was assessed weekly for 5 weeks post-injury using BBB locomotor score and urinary bladder function daily for 4 weeks post-injury. Activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in spinal cord was assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results : At each time point post-injury, sham surgery group had significantly higher Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor and urinary bladder function scores than experiment and experiment control group (p<0.05). At subsequent time interval there were gradual improvement in both experiment and experiment control group, but experiment group had higher score in comparison to experiment control group (p<0.05). Comparisons were also made for expression of activated NF-${\kappa}B$ positive cells and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ messenger RNA in spinal cord at various time points between the groups. Activated NF-${\kappa}B$ immunoreactivity and level of NF-${\kappa}B$ mRNA expression were significantly higher in control group in comparison to experiment and sham surgery group (p<0.05). Conclusion : BMMNCs transplantation attenuates the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in injured spinal cord tissue and thus helps in recovery of neurological function in rat models with SCI.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.sup1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

The tiny fragment of freshwater body is providing home for huge biodiversity and resources for the existence of human. The competing demand for freshwater have been increased rapidly and it caused the declination of biodiversity in recent decades. Unlike the natural process of extinction in gradual progress, the current species extinction is accelerated by human activity. As a result many fish species are already extinct or alive only in captivity in the world and about fifty eight animal species are in endangered in Korea including eighteen freshwater species. Conservation of biodiversity is the process by which the prevention of loss or damage is attained, and is often associated with management of the natural environment. The practical action is classified into in-situ, or ex-situ depending on the location of the conservation effort. Recovery means the process by which the status of endangerment is improved to persist in the wild by re-introduction of species from ex-situ conservation population into nature or translocation of some population. However there are a lot of restrictions to complete it and successful results are known very rare in case. In this article the authors explore some strategies for conservation and restoration of freshwater fish species conducted in Korea for few years. The major causes are discussed in relation with the decline of freshwater fish diversity during few decades and some strategies are evaluated to advance the process of conservation. A study on the Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus brevicorpus, is introduced as a case for ex-situ conservation and restoration in freshwater ecosystem.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1209-1217
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• 1992

Triiodothyronine[T3] is an important regulator of the tissue metabolism, and may have potential use as an inotropic agent. The change of serum T3 level was studied in the pediatric age patients after cardiopulmonary by pass. Thyroid function was tested pre-operatively in 33 patients and total triiodothyronine[TT3] levels were serially measured during and after cardiopulmonary bypass[CPB]. After correction of dilutional effect, effects of various factors on the TT3 levels were analyzed. Abrupt fall of TT3 level was demonstrated at 15 minutes after CPB[80.1$\pm$5.9ng/dL] from the initial level of 133.6$\pm$5.3ng/dL, with some recovery at 6 hours[115.4$\pm$6.7ng/dL]. After then, gradual decrease occured reaching to the level of 77.2$\pm$4.2ng /dL at 24 hours. These falls of the TT3 after CPB were statistically significant. [p<0.01 ANOVA] Statistically significant correlation were found between the degree of hemodilution and TT3 concentration at 15 and 30 minutes after CPB[p<0.05]. But, other factors were analyzed to have no effect on TT3 levels. As the degree of the hemodilution increases, TT3 decreased less. This observation probably supports the fact that decrease of TT3 during CPB may be a result of sequestration of T3 into peripheral tissue. Although it was not statistically significant[p=0.08], the fall of TT3 was greater in the group to which plasmanate was added, than those not added. This finding seemed to be due to the increase of albumin and other thyroid-hormone-binding-proteins in the serum. Increase of these binding proteins might potentiate the sequestration of T3 into the liver and the kidney from serum, and as a consequence, decrese the serum TT3 level further.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 1985

The effect of ethanol concentration on saponin composition of red ginseng extract was studied during extraction at $80^{\circ}C$ for 5 times of 8 hours. The increase in ethanol concentration from 0% to 90% resulted a gradual reduction in solids yield and an increase in the recovery of total ginsenosides. All of the ginsenosides determined were also significantly increased, but ginsenoside-$Rb_1.$-$Rb_2$ and -Rd were relatively decreased a little by raising the concentration 70% to 90%. The yield ratio of protopanaxadiol/protopanaxatriol saponin were in the range of 1.69${\sim}$1.95. No significant improvement in pure saponin yield was observed between 70% and 90% ethanol. Extraction with 70% ethanol was suggested for preparation of red ginseng extract from the result of this work.

• 한국사회정책
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.31-60
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• 2017

This paper aims to reveal the background and issues of the current reform proposals for social insurance in Germany and to draw their implications for Korea. The essence of the German social insurance crisis is that of normality of industrial society on which it has been based, revealing itself by the dual crisis of finance and dualization. Reform proposals are regarded as diverse responses to the crisis of the normality within individual social insurance schemes. They are searching for transforming health insurance into citizen's insurance, pension insurance into various alternatives including all worker's insurance and citizen's pension, unemployment insurance into employment insurance. One of the commonalities of the them is that they attempt to reconstruct the old normality. However, due to the economic recovery, the historical experiences of improving social insurance, and high satisfaction, they are expected to struggle with the gradual improvements rather than radical shift from their tradition. In Korea, where the maturity of social insurance is low, it is necessary to mark the crisis faced by German social insurance as a teacher. We need to go back to the fundamental spirit of social policy and redraw the blue prints of social policy by opening minds to plentiful alternatives in the eyes of normality reconstruction.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.365-379
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• 2023

Purpose - Our previous study (Chang & Lee, 2023) presented observations on the recent changes in the year-on-year (YoY) Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to present an integrated analysis and interpretation of the recent changes in CPI and the Aggregate Import Price Index (IPI) by incorporating recent data, specifically data from September 2022 to December 2022. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected CPI (YoY) data in the ROK from January 2019 to December 2022 using e-National Indicator System provided by the ROK. Statistical analysis was employed to analyze the data. Findings - First, we confirm the extended results of the existing study by Chang and Lee (2023). Second, we demonstrate that the Aggregate IPI in ROK increased significantly in 2022 compared to 2021. We then provide an integrated interpretation on the significant increase in CPI and aggregate IPI in ROK, which complements Chang and Lee (2023) that limits their discussion to YoY CPI. Moreover, we show that the IPI of the semiconductor in ROK decreased significantly in 2022 compared to 2021. Research implications or Originality - Our results provide important insights into the recent changes in the CPI in the ROK. The results suggest that these changes can be partially attributed to various factors, such as the global supply chain disruptions resulting from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine, the side effect of quantitative easing by the US Federal Reserve, heat waves and droughts caused by climate change in ROK, a surge in demand following a gradual daily recovery, US-China trade conflict, etc. Our study shows statistically comprehensive results compared to the studies that limit their discussion to YoY average growth rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2001

Background: This study was undertaken to observe the functional changes of the hind limb and histopathological changes in the sciatic nerve after an injection of alcohol or phenol, which are commonly used neurolytic agents, highlighting the time of recovery. Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-300 g were used for the experiment. Histopathological changes under the electron microscope, were observed in the distal part of the sciatic nerve, into which 0.1 ml of alcohol or phenol was injected. This was severed in 3 rats of each group at 10 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks later. The functional changes in the hind limbs were observed for 6 weeks by noting their walking pattern. Results: Following the injection of alcohol or phenol into the right sciatic nerve, the right hind limb showed a severe pronounced motor weakness and obvious gait changes. About 2 weeks later, gradual improvement of gait changes began, and after 6 weeks, the motor weakness and gait changes were no longer perceptible in both groups. The findings of any histopathological change were similar in both alcohol or phenol groups. At 10 minutes after injection, destructive lesions were confined to the unmyelinated fibers and the myelin sheath of small the myelinated fibers. On the 3rd day and at 1 week, pathologic changes in axonal fibers and Schwann cells were in being phagocytized in spite of myelin restitution. From 2 to 4 weeks, axonal regeneration and remyelination appeared at the same time a myelin disintegration and axonolysis. At 6 weeks, neural regeneration was similar to that of the contralateral control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that functional and histopathological changes, after injection of neurolytics into the peripheral nerves, are quite similar in both alcohol and phenol groups. The progression of functional and histopathological changes become more obvious according to the time interval following the injection. Consequently, side effects that develop following the use of alcohol or phenol may begin to improve around the time that nerve regeneration occurs, i.e., two to four weeks later.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.208-213
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• 2002

Purpose : The major cause of cardiac dysfunction, after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease, is perioperative myocardial injury. Cardiac troponin I is found only within the myocardial cell, so it can be used as a biochemical marker of the myocardial injury. We performed this study to evaluate the worth of cardiac troponin I as a biochemical marker reflecting the extent of perioperative myocardial injury and recovery. Methods : Thirty-four patients who had undergone elective open heart surgery of congenital heart disease(CHD) from April to July 2001 were enrolled in this study. We measured types of CHD, serial cardiac troponin I(baseline 1 day before operation, postoperative day 1, 2, 3, 7), duration of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB), aortic cross clamping(ACC), intubation and postoperative hospital stay. Results : Compared with the baseline before operation, there was a significant, increase of cardiac troponin I on the postoperative day 1 and a significant gradual decrease on the day 2, 3, 7. The levels of cardiac troponin I were the highest in the transposition of great artery(TGA) repair on the postoperative day 1 and high in the tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), atioventricular septal defect (AVSD), ventricular septal defect(VSD) and atrial septal defect(ASD) repair with decreasing sequence. The longer duration of CPB, ACC and intubation, the higher of cardiac troponin I, but there were no significant correlations between cardiac troponin I levels and duration of hospital stay. Conclusion : Because there was significant increases or decreases of cardiac troponin I according to the perioperative time and types of the congenital heart disease, it is a worthy biochemical marker which reflects the extent of perioperative myocardial injury and recovery after open heart surgery.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.2205-2213
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• 2000

To investigate removal efficiency of dissolved matter by NF and RO, a pilot plant was operated for six months using groundwater treated by UF membrane. After the pilot plant operation, we performed autopsy test to identify characteristics of foulant attached on the membrane surface applying the used NF and RO in the pilot plant test. In autopsy test, we measured permeate flux and recovery rate of flux by chemical cleaning in each membrane. We also analyzed chemical cleaning disposal to examine component of foulant. Permeate flux of NF and RO1 showed rapid decline after 100 days of operation. Especially, reduction of specific flux in RO1 was more serious than in NF. Specific flux of RO2 with a low recovery rate resulted in gradual flux decline. Removal efficiencies of dissolved inorganic matters as a conductivity were 76.3%, 88.2% and 95.3% respectively for NF, RO1 and RO2, and RO2 presented the highest removal efficiency. And those of dissolved organic matters as TOC were about 80% for both NF and RO. The specific flux of membranes declined gradually from the feed water inlet to outlet of the membrane module and it showed that membrane fouling increased along the feed flow direction. Namely, concentration of pollutants became higher and volume of feed water was less as the feed flow approached to the outlet. It seemed that major foul ants were Ca consolidated into inorganic material and Si consolidated into organic material on the membrane surface. Fe was a great contribution to irreversible fouling. The SEM results indicated that the organic matter was attached to the first layer, closer to the membrane, and then inorganic matter with tetragonal shape layered over them. We could not observe biofouling because microorganism, which was cause of biofouling, was almost pretreated in UF membrane.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 1972

In an attempt to better understand the radioprotective effect of reduced glutathione(GSH), and to observe a possible radioprotective effect of Ginseng extract, whole body X-irradiation of 1,200 r was administered to the mouse either independently or immediately following the injection of GSH or Ginseng extract to the mouse intraperitoneally. The non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) and non-protein disulfide (NP-SS) levels of the liver, and NP-SH level of NP-SH of the blood of the mouse were measured at 30, 60 and 120 minutes, and results were compared with the normal. The results thus obtained are summarized as follows; 1) The normal values of NP-SH and NP-SS of the mouse liver were $5.90{\pm}0.46\;{\mu}\;mol/gm\;wet\;wt.,\;and\;3.02{\pm}0.42\;{\mu}\;mol/ml$ wet wt., respectively, and the normal value of NP-SH of NP-SH of the mouse blood was $3.98{\pm}1.29\;{\mu}\;mol/ml$ 2) The injection of both GSH and Ginseng extract produced the highest values of NP-SH in the liver at 30 minutes, but a gradual decrease to the normal was observed thereafter. When X-irradiation alone was applied, the liver NP-SH value was lower than the normal at 60 minutes post-irradiation and thereafter. When Ginseng extract was injected immediately prior to X-irradiation, the liver NP-SH was lower than the normal throughout the experiment with the lowest value at 60 minutes. However, the combination of GSH and X-irradiation produced higher than the normal values throughout the entire experiment. 3) The liver NP-SS value was most significantly elevated at 30 minutes after the injection of GSH, hut the recovery to the normal was observed thereafter. The injection of Ginseng extract produced slightly higher liver NP-SS values at 30 and 60 minutes, but the value at 120 minutes was similar to the normal. The single application of X-irradiation resulted in the lower then normal liver NP-SS values throughout the entire experiment. When GSH was injected price to X-irradiation, the liver NP-SS values were higher than the normal at 30 and 60 minutes followed b the recovery to the normal at 120 minutes. The combination of Ginseng extract and X-irradiation showed generally lower liver NP-SS values throughout the experiment. 4) The blood NP-SH showed the higher than the normal values in all the experimental groups except when GSH was injected prior to X-irradiation alone produced e significantly elevated blood NP-SS value at 30 minutes post-irradiation.