• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.552-559
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• 2011

China is a one of the largest agricultural countries in the world. China consumes around 12.5 billion kilograms of seeds each year. Suchhuge demand for seeds has made the Chinese seed market more and more attractive for investment. Through analysis on the present situation and existing problems of the seed industry in China and based on the current Chinese seed industry development, some future prospects for investments are indicated. This investigation was carried out to propose the appropriate strategies on the development of the Korea seed industry as it considers its entry into the China seed market as a new growth engine in the agricultural sector. The basic law regulating the Chinese seed industry is the PRC Seed Law that generally refers to the protection of germplasm resources, verification of varieties, seed quality issues, the import and export of seeds, seed administrative management, and various rights and obligations. The regulations were aimed at the protection of the rights concerning new varieties of plants. China has two main industry associations, the National Seed Association and the China Seed Industry IP Union, that are non-profit associations consisting of entities and people engaging in the seed scientific research, production, operation and management. The China National Seed Group Co., Ltd. ("Sino Seeds") is the market leader in China regarding the seed industry. The chinese government, however, encourages investment from multinational companies as well as importation of modern crop planting management technologies and equipment. It supports the entry of investors with proven experiences in breeding and germplasm resources expansion and R&D. There has never been a better time for multinational companies with proven seed industry experience to look at building relationships with the Chinese government and enterprises.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.96-120
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• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the findings that support the efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: We conducted meta-analysis of findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for PMS treated with HM. The articles were published before July 2022, located using 9 databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, CiNii, SCIENCE ON, KoreaMed, OASIS). Results: We observed 2,034 studies, of which 23 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The risk of bias in the included studies was relatively unclear or high. Meta-analysis of 3 RCTs showed that HM group had a significantly higher total effective rate than the western medicine group (RR 1.20 [95% CI 1.06, 1.36, p=0.004]). Meta-analysis of 1 RCT showed that HM group had a significantly lower symptom score (MD -3.04 [95% CI -5.36, -0.72, p=0.01]), while there was no significant difference in daily record of severity of problems scale (MD -20.52 [95% CI -49.33, 8.29, p=0.16]). Conclusions: HM significantly improved PMS symptoms than general treatment and no serious adverse events were reported. However, the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of HM for PMS was not enough to provide reliable results due to the small number and low quality of included studies. We believe that rigorous RCTs will lead to more reliable evidence of the intervention.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2008

Famciclovir, 9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbut-1-yl) guanine, is an oral prodrug of the antiherpesvirus nucleoside analogue, penciclovir. In human, famciclovir is orally well absorbed and then undergoes extensive first pass metabolism to penciclovir and essentially no parent compound is recovered from plasma or urine. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two famciclovir tablets, Famvir tablet 750 mg (Novartis Korea Ltd.) and Famcivir tablet 750 mg (Hanmi Pharmaceutical. Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of famciclovir from the two famciclovir formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with water. Twenty six healthy male subjects, $23.38{\pm}1.72$ years in age and $68.59{\pm}7.84\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After a single tablet containing 750 mg as famciclovir was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of penciclovir in serum were determined using HPLC with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations ere similar at water. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Famvir^{(R)}$ tablet 750 mg, were -0.53%, 1.12% and -24.82% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., $log\;0.9569{\sim}log\;1.0423$ and $log\;0.8763{\sim}log\;1.2136$ for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Famcivir tablet 750 mg was bioequivalent to Famvir tablet 750 mg.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) as a predictive marker for ovarian response and cycle outcome in IVF cycles. Methods: From Jan., to Aug., 2007, 111 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI stimulated by short or antagonist protocol were selected. On cycle day 3, basal serum AMH level and FSH level were measured. The correlation between basal serum AMH or FSH, and COH outcome was analyzed and IVF outcome was compared according to the AMH levels. To determine the threshold value of AMH for poor- and hyper-response, ROC curve was analyzed. Results: Serum AMH showed higher correlation coefficient (r=0.792, p<0.001) with the number of retrieved mature oocyte than serum FSH (r=-0.477, p<0.001). According to ovarian response, FSH and AMH leves showed significant differences among poor, normal, and hyperresponder. For predicting poor (${\leq}2$ oocytes) and hyperresponse (${\geq}17$ oocyets), AMH cut-off values were 0.5 ng/ml (the sensitivity 88.9% and the specificity 89.5%) and 2.5 ng/ml (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 87.0%), respectively. According to the AMH level, patients were divided into 3 groups: low (${\leq}0.60\;ng/ml$), normal ($0.60{\sim}2.60\;ng/ml$), and high AMH (${\geq}2.60\;ng/ml$). The number of retrieved mature oocytes was significantly higher ($2.7{\pm}2.2$, $8.1{\pm}4.8$, $16.5{\pm}5.7$) and total gonadotropin dose was lower ($3530.5{\pm}1251.0$, $2957.1{\pm}1057.6$, and $2219.2{\pm}751.9\;IU$) in high AMH group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in fertilization rates and pregnancy rates (23.8%, 34.0%, 37.5%) among the groups. Conclusions: Basal serum AMH level correlated better with the number of retrieved mature oocytes than FSH level, suggesting its usefulness for predicting ovarian response. However, IVF outcome was not significantly different according to the AMH levels. Serum AMH level presented good cut-off value for poor- or hyper-responders, therefore it could be useful in prediction of cycle cancellation, gonadotropin dose, and OHSS risk in IVF cycles.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2014

Fresh edible sweet corns demand relatively short period to harvest fresh ears, which can allow farmers to make a choice sweet corns for various cropping systems. For this reason, we were to find the optimum planting date of late-planted sweet corns to sell fresh ears in the autumn linked to cropping system with winter crops, investigating yield and properties of marketable fresh ears and growth traits of sweet corns (cv. 'Godangok' and cv. 'Guseulok') depending on planting dates such as 10 July, 20 July, and 30 July in Suwon 2012 and 2013, respectively. The 20 July-planted sweet corns showed the most fresh ear yield. However, the 10 July-planted and the 30 July-planted had 32% less yield caused by consecutive rainfall from 10 July through 20 July, and 15% less yield due to low air temperature during ripening than the 20 July-planted, respectively. The 10 and 20 July-planted sweet corns had average 140g of a fresh ear weight and 15% heavier ear than the 30 July-planted. For the July-planted sweet corns, silking days after planting ($r=-0.80^{**}$), and harvesting days after silking ($r=-0.97^{**}$) and planting ($r=-0.91^{**}$) were highly negatively correlated with daily mean air temperature during the period, resulting in it takes 1,100 growing degree days (GDD) to harvest fresh ears from the July-planted sweet corns. The fresh ears of the 20 July-planted sweet corns are able to be harvested by early October. Therefore it will be a good choice for the cropping system based on winter vegetable cash crops such as temperate garlic and onion with medium or late maturity. Among three planting dates 20 July-planted sweet corns had the best field performance in every year considering fresh ear yield, ear size, and stability to grow.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of EGF on meiotic maturation and pronuclear (PN) formation of porcine oocytes. Prepubertal gilt cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) aspirated from $2\~6mm$ follicles of abbatoir ovaries were matured in TCM199 containing 0.1mg/ml cysteine, $0.5{\mu}/ml$ FSH and LH, and EGF (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 ng/ml) for 22 hr at $39^{\circ}C$ in a humidified atmosphere of $5\%$ $CO_2$ in air. They were then cultured for an additional 22hr without hormones. In Experiment 1, to examine the nuclear maturation at 44hr of culture, the expanded cumulus cells were removed by vortexing for 1 min in 3 mg/ml hyaluronidase. The oocytes were fixed in acetic acid: methanol (1:3, v/v) at least for 48 hr and stained with $1\%$ orcein solution for 5 min. Nuclear status was classified as germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), prophase-metaphase I (PI-MI), and PII-MII under microscope. In Experiment 2, to investigate PN formation, oocytes were fertilized with Percoll-treated freshly ejaculated sperm $(1\times10^5\; cells/ml)$ in mTBM with $0.3\%$ BSA and 2mM caffeine for 5hr, and cultured in NCSU-23 medium with $0.4\%$ BSA. At 6hr of culture, the embryos were fixed in $3.7\%$ formaldehyde for 48hr and stained with 10ug/ml propidium iodide for 30 min. PN status was classified as no or one PN (unfertilized), 2 PN (normal fertilized) and $\geq3$ PN (polyspermy). Differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA after arc-sine transformation of the proportional data. The rate of oocytes that had reached to PII-MII were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all groups added EGF than that of non-treated group $(67\%)$, but it did not differ among the all added groups $(86\%,\;85\%,\;79\%\;and\;81\%$, in 5, 10, 20 and 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively). No differences on the incidence of 2PN were observed in all treated groups $(25\%,\;30\%,\;33\%,\;29\%\;and\;29\%$, in 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively), however, in non-treated group, polyspermy tended to be increased ($66\%\;vs\;. 58\%,\;54\%,\;52\%\;and\;55\%$, 0 vs. 5, 10, 20, 40 ng/ml EGF, respectively). These results suggest that EGF can be effectively used as an additive for enhancing oocyte maturation and reducing the incidence of polyspermy in pig.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bonding of resin- based root canal sealer, AH26 when the sealer was applied as a thin layer between dentine and gutta-percha surface. In this study forty non-caries extracted human molars and resin-based root canal sealer(AH 26, DeTrey/Dentsply, Germany) were used. Disks of gutta-percha, 6mm in diameter.6mm thick (Diadent/Dentsply, Korea) for thermoplastic obturation were used and dentin surfaces were treated with 2% NaOCl(Group 1) or 2%NaOCl+17% EDTA(Group 3). Disks of gutta-Percha, 6mm in diameter.6mm thick (Diadent/Dentsply, Korea) for conventional obturation were used and dentin surface were treated with 2% NaOCl(Group 2) or 2%NaOCl+17% EDTA(Group 4). Enamel was removed by a horizontal section 1mm below the deepest portion of the central occlusal groove by using a watercooled low speed diamond saw. A second horizontal section was done around cementoenamel junction. Exposed dentin surface was cut to approximately $8{\times}8{\;}mm$ rectangular shape and was ground against 320, 400, 600 grade silicon carbide abrasive paper serially. After grinding, the dentine surface were soaked in a solution of 2% NaOCl for 30 minutes and twenty of specimens were treated with 17% EDTA solution for 1 minute. The treated specimens were washed and dried, Root canal sealer, AH26 was prepared according to the manufacture's instructions The Gutta-percha and dentin surface were coated with a thin layer of the freshly mixed seal or. The specimens were left overnight at room temperature. After their initial set, they were transferred to an incubator at $37$^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. After 72 hours, resin blocks were made. The resin block was serially sectioned vertically into stick of $1{\cdot}1mm$. Twenty sticks were prepared from each group. After that, tensile bond strength f3r each stick was measured with Microtensile Tester Failure patterns of the specimens at the interface between gutta-percha and dentin were observed under the SEM(x1000) and Stereomicroscope (LEICA M42O, Meyer Inst., TX U.S.A) at 1.25 x25 magnification. The results were statistically analysed by using a One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. The results were as follows; 1. Tensile bond strengths($mean{\pm}SD$) were expressed with ascending order as follows: Group 1, $3.09{\pm}$ 1.05Mpa : Group 2, $6.23{\pm}1.16MPa$ : Group 3, $7.12{\pm}1.07MPa$ : Group 4, $10.32{\pm}2.06MPa$. 2. Tensile bond strengths of the group 2 and 4 used disks of gutta-percha for conventional obturation were significantly higher than that of the group 1 and 3 used fir thermoplastic obturation. (p < 0.05). 3. Tensile bond strengths of the group 3 and 4 treated with 2% NaOC1+17% EDTA were significantly higher than that of the group 1 and 2 treated with 2% NaOCl. (p < 0.05). 4. In analysis of failure patterns at the interface between sealer and gutta-percha, there were observed 49 (61%)cases of adhesive failure patterns and 31 (39%) cases of mixed failures patterns.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2011

In order to assess the inorganic and organic pollutents characteristics in marine water, we investigated COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), Chlorophyll a and Escherichia coli during four seasons at 20 stations of Gwangyang Bay and at 23 stations of Jinhae Bay, Korea. The bay is divided into three zones in Gwangyang and four zones in Jinhae respectively, based on the pollutent levels. In Gwangyang Bay, the high concentration (mean 4.7 mg $L^{-1)$) of COD was recorded during spring season at Zone I, which can be characterized as a semi-enclosed eutrophic area (St. 1~9). Also, Chl. a concentrations were high at Zone I (mean 14.0 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$). The colony of E. coli were detected during summer season at Zone II, which is influenced by Seomjin River water. The E. coli may have been entered from the river water in a large pulse during rainy season. On the other hand, E. coli was kept low levels during four seasons at the Zone III, which is influenced indirectly by surface water currents from offshore of the bay. In Jinhae Bay, the high COD and Chl. a were shown during all seasons at Zone I, which is characteristed by semi-enclosed eutrophic area of Masan and Haengam bays. The Zone I also had been shown relatively high E. coli concentration in all seasons. In constrast, other three zones did not show seasonal characteristics of the E. coli concentrations. The present study suggests that E. coli concentrations can be significantly elevated in eutrophic semi-enclosed area.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1050-1057
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of Leuconostoc mesenteroides isolated from octopus baechu kimchi as a potential starter for seafood kimchi. L. mesenteroides is lactic acid bacterium currently used as a starter for kimchi production. We selected the most effective L. mesenteroides strain from the 7 strains isolated from octopus baechu kimchi and, based on biochemical properties and 16S rRNA sequencing, identified the selected strain as L. mesenteroides SK-1. The SK-1 strain exhibited acid-tolerance, good survival capacity, and excellent dextran productivity. We investigated the effects the SK-1 of starter on seafood kimchi fermentation. Octopus baechu kimchi was fermented with L. mesenteroides SK-1 at $4^{\circ}C$ for 35 d. The decrease in pH and increase in acidity in octopus baechu kimchi fermented with the SK-1 starter occurred more quickly than that in the control kimchi indicating that. Octopus baechu kimchi with SK-1 starter has a relatively slow rate of increase in lactic acid production. As a result, octopus baechu kimchi prepared with L. mesenteroides SK-1 can be maintained at a suitable ripening degree over an extended period of time compared to that of the control kimchi, Moreover, the octopus baechu kimchi started with L. mesenteroides SK-1 has excellent sensory properties, including a refreshing taste, and a weak sour odor.