• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2011

Transgenic zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) expressing the bar gene inserted in the plant genome has been generated previously through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The GM zoysiagrass (event: JG21) permits efficient management of weed control of widely cultivated zoysiagrass fields, reducing the frequency and cost of using various herbicides for weed control. Now we have carried out the environmental risk assessment of JG21 prior to applying to the governmental regulatory agency for the commercial release of the GM turf grass outside of test plots. The morphological phenotypes, molecular analysis, weediness and gene flow from each test plot of JG21 and wild-type zoysiagrasses have been evaluated by selectively analyzing environmental effects. There were no marked differences in morphological phenotypes between JG21 and wild-type grasses. The JG21 retained its stable integration in the host plant in T1 generation, exhibiting a 3:1 segregation ratio according to the Mendelian genetics. We confirmed the copy number (1) of JG21 by using Southern blot analysis, as the transgenic plants were tolerant to ammonium glufosinate throughout the culture period. From cross-fertilization and gene flow studies, we found a 9% cross-pollination rate at the center of JG21 field and 0% at distances over 3 m from the field. The JG21 and wild-type zoysiagrass plants are not considered "weed" because zoysiagrasses generally are not dominant and do not spread into weedy areas easily. We assessed the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of the transgene DNA to soil microorganisms from JG21 and wild-type plants. The bar gene was not detected from the total genomic DNA extracted from each rhizosphere soil of GM and non-GM Zoysia grass fields. Through the monitoring of JG21 transgene's unintentional release into the environment, we found no evidence for either pollen mediated gene flow of zoysiagrass or seed dispersal from the test field within a 3 km radius of the natural habitat.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.545-554
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• 2019

The most drought assessments are based on a drought index, which depends on univariate variables such as precipitation and soil moisture. However, there is a limitation in representing the drought conditions with single variables due to their complexity. It has been acknowledged that a multivariate drought index can more effectively describe the complex drought state. In this context, this study propose a Copula-based drought index that can jointly consider precipitation and soil moisture. Unlike precipitation data, long-term soil moisture data is not readily available so that this study utilized a Gaussian Mixture Non-Homogeneous Hidden Markov chain Model (GM-NHMM) model to simulate the soil moisture using the observed precipitation and temperature ranging from 1973 to 2014. The GM-NHMM model showed a better performance in terms of reproducing key statistics of soil moisture, compared to a multiple regression model. Finally, a bivariate frequency analysis was performed for the drought duration and severity, and it was confirmed that the recent droughts over Jeollabuk-do in 2015 have a 20-year return period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2011

Heat-moisture treatment (HMT) was applied to 4 samples of rice flours, Goami (GM), Taeguk (TG), Choochung (CC) and Koshihikari (KSHK), of which amylose contents were 31.5, 32.3, 24.3, and 23.3%, respectively. Wet-milled rice flours were dried, moisture content adjusted to 21, 24, 27 and 30%, respectively, and autoclaved at 100 and $105^{\circ}C$ for 30~90 min. The changes on swelling, solubility, RVA (rapid visco analyser) paste viscosities and gel strength were observed. In GM and TG, peak viscosity (PV) and breakdown (BD) decreased and no peak appeared as moisture and treatment time increased by HMT. In CC, FV increased notably with big increase of PV and setback (SB) by HMT compared to the other rice flours. BD in all the samples decreased as moisture, temperature, and time increased by HMT. RVA pasting properties of HMT GM and HMT TG were changed remarkably under conditions of moisture 21%, $100^{\circ}C$ and 30 min whereas for HMT CC and HMT KSHK, higher temperature or more time was required at the same mois ture levels. The swelling power, solubility and gel strength increased by HMT. Gel strength correlated positively with SB (r=0.78, p<0.01) and negatively with BD (r=-0.71, p<0.01) and PV (r=-0.36, p<0.05) resulting from strengthening the structure of starch granules in rice flours by HMT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2005

Purpose: $^{14}C$-urea breath test (UBT) is a non-invasive and reliable method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of a new and rapid $^{14}C$-UBT (Heliprobe method), which was equipped with $Geiger-M\ddot{u}ller$ counter and compared the results with those obtained by using the conventional method. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine patients with dyspepsia underwent gastroduodenoscopy and $^{14}C$-UBT. A 37 KBq $^{14}C$-urea capsule was administered to patients and breath samples were collected. In Heliprobe method, patients exhaled into a Hellprobe BreathCard for 10 min. And then the activities of the BreathCard were countered using Heliprobe analyzer. In the conventional method, results were countered using liquid scintillation counter. During gastroduodenoscopy, 18 of 49 patients were underwent biopsies. According to these histologic results, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of two different methods and compared them. Also we evaluated the concordant and disconcordant rates between them. Results: In all 49 patients, concordant rate of both conventional and Heliprobe methods was 98% (48/49) and the discordant rate was 2% (1/49). Thirteen of 18 patients to whom biopsies were applied, were found to be HP positive on histologic results. And both Heliprobe method and conventional method classified 13 of 13 HP-positive patients and 5 of 5 HP-negative patients correctly (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%, accuracy 100%). Conclusion: The Heliprobe method demonstrated the same diagnostic performance compared with the conventional method and was a simpler and more rapid technique.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigated the major characteristics of genetically modified rice of 'Milyang 204' originated from Dongjinbyeo compared to a non-transgenic rice varieties Dongjinbyeo and Jun-ambyeo. Basta resistant transgenic rice lines carrying bar gene produced by the Yeongnam Agricultural Research Institute were evaluated for their agronomic characters. The transgenic Japonica rice of 'Milyang 204' showed inferior phenotypic traits compared to a non-transgenic rice variety Dongjinbyeo and Junambyeo. On the basis of UPOV (Union Internationale Pour la Protaection des Obtentions Vegetables) and NSMO(National Seed Management Office) the transgenic 'Milyang 204' showed difference in some traits out of some agronomic traits, such as leaf color, angle of flag leaf, number of spikelets, culm length, white core and white belly compared to the non-transgenic varieties rice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1073-1079
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• 2003

Purpose : Recently there has been a decrease in ventilator care rate and duration of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) in Fatima Hospital. The aims of this study were to survey the frequency and duration of ventilation in VLBWI and to develop a non-invasive neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) policy. Methods : We performed a retrospective study of 284 newborn of infants less than 1,500 gm admitted to NICU and discharged from January 1998 to December 2001. Patients were intubated or applied continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) via nasal prong immediately after presenting signs of respiratory distress. We analyzed epidemiologic data to study the changes in ventilator care rate, duration and outcome of ventilator care groups. Results : Of 284 newborn infants, 146 required invasive management, such as endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation. The characteristics, the severity of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in ventilator care groups at birth showed no significant differences. The annual proportion of infants requiring assisted ventilation decreased according to increasing gestational age. The median duration of ventilation decreased markedly from 6.0 days in 1998 to 2.7 days in 2001. Final complications and outcomes in ventilator care groups showed no significant differences. Conclusion : Our study shows a significant reduction in the invasiveness of the treatment of VLBW infants, which was not associated with an increased mortality or morbidity. A non-invasive strategy for the VLBW infant with minimal to moderate respiratory distress after birth in NICU is better than immediate invasive management. Non-invasive nasal CPAP is a simpler and safer method than invasive assisted ventilation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.663-672
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• 2006

Background: $PM_{10}$(Particulate matter with a diameter ($<10{\mu}m$), which is characterized by different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also produce unique particulate matter in affected areas. This study investigated the cytokine produced by A549 epithelial cells exposed to particles collected during both the Asian dust pfenomenon and ambient air particles in a non-dusty period. Method: Air samples were collected using a high volume air sampler(Sibata Model HV500F) with an air flow at $500{\ell}/min$ for at least 6 hours. The cytokine messenger RNA(mRNA) was measured using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The A549 cells were exposed to 10 to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of a suspension containing $PM_{10}$ for 24 hours. Each was compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. Result: The mRNA levels of interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, $IL-I{\beta}$, IL-8, and the granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) increased after veing exposed to $PM_{10}$ in the ambient air particles, compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. The increase in $IL-1{\alpha}$ and IL-8 were dose dependent at a $PM_{10}$ concentration between $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The mRNA level of IL-8 in the A549 epithelial cells was higher during the in the Asian dust period($500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) than during the non dust period. Conclusion: A549 cells exposed to the $PM_{10}$ collected during the Asian dust period produce more proinflammatory cytokine than during non-dusty period. This cytokine enhances the local inflammatory response in the airways and can also contribute to the systemic component of this inflammatory process.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1200-1205
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• 1998

Background: Lung cancer formation is a multistage process involving activation of protooncogene and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. We evaluate the significance of cyclin D1, p53, bcl-2 gene mutations in patients with curatively resected stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Material and Method: One hundred consecutive cases of stage IIIA lung cancers from patients operated on curatvely between 1990 and 1995 for which adequate paraffin blocks and clinical history were available. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on the representative tissue sections from each case by the labelled streptovidin- biotin method. Sections for cyclin D1, p53, Bcl-2 immunostaining were pretreated in a microwave oven for 10 to 20 minutes in citrate buffer before immunostaining. The overnight incubation with NCL-cyclin D1-GM for cyclin D1, with clone DO-7 for p53, with clone 124 for bcl-2 was done. Mean follow-up was 24.1 months (range 2-84 months) after operation. Result: One hundred cases of lung cancers were composed of 56 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 37 cases of adenocarcinoma, 5 cases of adenosquamous cell carcinoma, and 2 cases of large cell carcinoma. The 5-year survival was 32.1%. The positive expression rate of cyclin D1 was 35%, p53 was 56%, and bcl-2 was 17%. But there were no correlation between cyclin D1, p53, Bcl-2 protein expression and survival. Conclusion: These observation indicate that cyclin D1, p53, bcl-2 protein overexpression might be implicated in the oncogenesis of non-small cell lung carcinomas but they have no usefulness as a prognostic marker.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.596-602
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of peripheral neutrophil count with the development of respiratory failure in preterm infants. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted from January 1993 to December 1999 on 44 preterm infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of St. Francisco hospital. Preterm infants(birth weight 500 to 1,350 gm) who had a complete blood count obtained within 2 hours after delivery. Patients in the lowest of neutrophil count(early neutropenia, < $1.0{\times}10^9/L$) were compared with patients in the remaining group. Results : Low neutrophil count were transient in early neutropenia group. The concentration the circulating neutrophil count rose from $0.85{\pm}0.11{\times}10^9/L$ at average of 2 hours after delivery to $5.3{\pm}2.7{\times}10^9/L$ at 24 hours after delivery in the early neutropenia group and from $3.6{\pm}1.6{\times}10^9/L$ to $5.8{\pm}3.2{\times}10^9/L$ in the non-neutropenia group during the same time period. Compare to the non-neutropenia group, the neutropenia group had a lower birth weight($1,046.50{\pm}180.76gm$ Vs $1,156.70{\pm}124.99gm$), a lower Apgar score(1 min : $3.41{\pm}1.18$ Vs $4.30{\pm}1.46$, 5 min : $5.41{\pm}0.87$ Vs $6.15{\pm}0.95$), and a higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(27.27% Vs 7.0%). Patients who had early neutropenia were more likely to require mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen and hospital stay. Also, main effect factors for the two groups were birth weight(Odds ratio=5.457, 95% CI=1.551-27.525), initial peripheral blood white cells(odds ratio=8.308, 95% CI=2.054-52.699), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(odds ratio=0.099, 95% CI=0.017-0.397). Conclusion : A low count of neutrophil in the systemic circulation of premature infants within 2 hours of birth is associated with more severe respiratory distress.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 1981

Tooth movement by orthodontic force is based upon alveolar bone resorption at compression site and bone formation at tension site of tooth. The function of cyclic AMP is to participate not only in initial action of bone cells by mechanical forces but also in the continuous cellular response leading to bone remodeling. This experiment was performed to clarify the role of cyclic AMP in bone remodeling by mechanical forces. The orthodontic forces of about 80 gm and 100 gm were applied to the right canines of maxillary and mandibular bone, respectively, in cats, treated for periods of time ranging from one hour to 28 days. Alveolar bones were obtained from compression and tension sites surrounding tipping maxillary and mandibular canines as well as from contralateral control sites. The samples were extracted, boiled and homogenized, and the supernatants were assayed for cyclic AMP by a radioimmunoassay method. The results were as follows: 1. The orthodontic movement of canines was increased to the end of experimental period and the action of orthodontic forces on tooth movement was more effective in maxillary canine. 2. The cyclic AMP levels of alveolar bones in compression and tension sites initially decreased, then increased and remained elevated to the end of experiment. The differences of the cyclic AMP levels between treated sites and non-treated sites were gradually increased. 3. The cyclic AMP levels in treated sites of mandibular alveolar bone was higher than that of maxillary alveolar bone.