• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2023

Objectives: Sarcopenia has emerged as a significant aging-related disease that affects many facets of societal-level and patient-level public health. This study analysed knowledge of sarcopenia and associated socio-demographic factors among the general public of Malaysia in order to effectively improve its prevention and countermeasures. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, using Google Forms among 202 Malaysian adults from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge scores. The continuous variables were evaluated using the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and one-way analysis of variance test. The Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to determine the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge score levels. Results: The final analysis included 202 participants. The mean±standard deviation age was 49.03±12.65. Only 6.9% of participants had good knowledge of sarcopenia and were aware of sarcopenia's characteristics, consequences, and treatments. Post-hoc comparisons using the Dunnett T3 test showed statistical significance in mean knowledge score and age group (p=0.011) and education level (p≤0.001). The Mann-Whitney test revealed that gender (p=0.026) and current smoking status (p=0.023) significantly influenced knowledge scores. Conclusions: The general public's knowledge of sarcopenia was found to be poor to moderate and associated with age and education status. Therefore, education and interventions by policymakers and healthcare professionals to improve public knowledge of sarcopenia in Malaysia are needed.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1880-1888
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• 2023

Objective: The present experiment aimed to determine standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) requirements for pregnant sows individually housed under commercial farm conditions. Methods: Two hundred multiparous sows (parity = 5.1±2.0) on day 42 of gestation were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with a balanced parity. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.42%, 0.52%, and 0.62% of SID Lys for the mid-gestation period (days 42 to 76) and 0.36%, 0.46%, 0.56%, 0.66%, and 0.76% of SID Lys for the late gestation period (days 77 to 103). All indispensable amino acids except Lys were provided at 110% of their requirement estimates. Daily feed allowance per sow was determined based on the back-fat thickness and body condition score at the second pregnancy check and on day 90 of gestation. Three different statistical models were used to estimate the SID Lys requirement. Results: Total born piglets alive per litter increased linearly and quadratically (p<0.001) as dietary SID Lys increased. For total born piglets alive per litter, the SID Lys requirement estimates ranged from 9.69 to 12.4 g/d for the mid-gestation period (1.19 to 1.52 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.39% to 0.49%) and 14.6 to 17.4 g/d for the late gestation period (1.62 to 1.93 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.52% to 0.62%). Conclusion: The mean values of the SID Lys requirement for the mid-gestation period and the late gestation period are 11.1 and 16.1 g/d (1.36 and 1.79 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.44% and 0.58%), respectively, for maximal total born piglets alive per litter.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2024

Purpose: Mucogingival defects (MGDs), such as dental root recessions, decreased vestibular depth, and absence of keratinized tissues, are commonly seen in dental clinics. MGDs may result in functional, aesthetic, and hygienic concerns. In these situations, autogenous soft tissue grafts are considered the gold-standard treatment. This study compares the healing process of free gingival grafts (FGGs) to bacterial cellulose matrix (BCM) and human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) seeded with fibroblasts from culture supplemented with platelet-rich plasma in a rat model. Methods: Surgical defects were made in rats, which received the following treatments in a randomized manner: group I, negative control (defect creation only); group II, positive control (FGG); group III, BCM; group IV, BCM + fibroblasts; group V, ADM; and group VI, ADM + fibroblasts. Clinical, histological, and immunological analyses were performed 15 days after grafting. Clinical examinations recorded epithelium regularity and the presence of ulcers, erythema, and/or edema. Results: The histological analysis revealed the degree of reepithelization, width, regularity, and presence of keratin. The Fisher exact statistical test was applied to the results (P<0.05). No groups showed ulcers except for group I. All groups had regular epithelium without erythema and without edema. Histologically, all groups exhibited regular epithelium with keratinization, and myofibroblasts were present in the connective tissue. The groups that received engineered grafts showed similar clinical and histological results to the FGG group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that BCM and ADM can be used as cell scaffolds, with ADM yielding the best results. This study supports the use of this technical protocol in humans.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.713-721
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• 2023

Soil acidification challenges global food security by adversely influences soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Carbonized agricultural residues present a sustainable and ecofriendly way to recycle agricultural waste and mitigate soil acidification. We evaluated the effects of organic amendments on lettuce growth and soil chemical properties in two soils with different pH levels. Carbonized rice husk was produced at 600℃ for 30 min and rice husk was treated at 1% (w·w^-1). Carbonized rice husk increased soil pH, electrical conductivity, total carbon content, and nitrogen content compared with untreated and rice husk treatments. Furthermore, this study found that lettuce growth positively correlated with soil pH, with increasing soil pH up to pH 6.34 resulting in improved lettuce growth parameters. Statistical correlation analysis also supported the relationship between soil pH and lettuce growth parameters. The study findings showed that the use of carbonized rice husk increased the constituent elements of lettuce, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate content. The potassium content of lettuce followed a similar trend; however, was higher in acidic soil than that in non-acidic soil. Therefore, improving the pH of acidic soil is essential to enhance agricultural productivity. It is considered advantageous to use agricultural residues following pyrolysis to improve soil pH and agricultural productivity.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.196-209
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop a mixed plantation strategy, with Sal (Shorea robusta) as the primary tree species, along with four associated and two naturally grown tree species. Using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), the field experiment involved a control group (mono plantation) and three mixed plantation groups, each replicated four times, totaling 80 replicates (40 in 2019 and 40 in 2020). Survival rate, height and collar diameter growth of seedlings were recorded in both mono and mixed plots in July 2021. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA on means from three replicate plots (p<0.05) and a Tukey HSD test, were conducted to assess differences between treatments. Significant differences in survival rates were found among mono plantations, with T_Mono04 showing the highest survival rate (88% to 91%). However, there were no significant differences in survival rates among seedlings in mixed plantations. Notably, survival rates were lower in mono plantations compared to mixed plantations. Mono plantations showed significant differences in height growth across both 2019 and 2020 plots, with T_Mono05 achieving the highest height growth (101.1 cm to 123.6 cm). Similarly, mixed plantations showed significant differences in height growth, with T_Mixed7 displaying the most substantial growth (116.4 cm to 138.2 cm). Overall, mixed plantations showed greater height growth compared to mono plantations. Significant variations in collar diameter growth were noted in both the 2019 and 2020 mono plantation plots, with T_Mono01 showing the highest growth (10.2 mm to 11.1 mm). Similarly, among mixed plantations, a significant difference in collar diameter growth was observed, with T_Mixed4 exhibiting the highest growth (10.4 mm to 13.1 mm). Overall, mixed plantations showed higher collar diameter growth compared to mono plantations. The findings suggest that planting Sal trees alongside compatible associated and naturally grown tree species in the Sal forests is preferable over establishing mono plantations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for sustainable production by investigating the growth characteristics of the endangered Korean fir (Abies koreana) under shading treatments. It was found that there was a temperature difference of approximately 6℃ between the shading treatment and the control group, and a difference of about 13% in soil moisture content. Only in the shading treatment group did dead individuals of Korean fir appear, and it was confirmed that other individuals also suffered from leaf withering and other physiological damage. The growth response of root diameter was observed in T2, and the growth of seedling height was observed in T3, indicating that satisfactory growth was observed in over 50% of the shading treatment groups. Total Chlrolophyll was higher according to the shading treatment(p<0.05), This trend is thought to be due to the short-term nature of the experiment, and it is expected that statistical significance will be observed after long-term adaptation. It is considered that over 50% shading effect will be beneficial for survival and growth in Abies koreana over 5 years old at the seedling stage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

An investigation was done to evaluate the effects of adding green tea probiotics, Alisma canaliculatum probiotics and fermented Kelp meal on the growth performance and immune response in sows and piglets. A total of 32 pregnant sows were assigned to 4 treatments in 8 replications with 1 sow as a replicate in this experiment from 2 months before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Three hundred nineteen (319) piglets were produced from experimental sows after parturition. The dietary treatments were CON group (without antibiotics), GTP (basal+green tea probiotics, 0.5% of the diet), ACP group (basal + Alisma canaliculatum probiotics, 0.5% of the diet) and FKM group (basal+fermented Kelp meal, 0.5% of the diet). Litter size and body weight at birth and weaning size and body weight at weanling in piglets were greater in additives group compared to CON group but no statistical differences were found (P>0.05). Diarrhea score showed a decreasing tendency with three additives groups compared to CON group. The lymphocytes in blood of sows fed ACP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to CON group (P<0.05), and the MID of GTP and FKM group were significantly lower compared to CON group (P<0.05). The serum IgG concentration in sows tended to increase with additives groups compared to CON group and the serum IgA and IgM concentration in GTP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to ACP group (P<0.05). The cortisol levels showed a decreasing tendency in additives groups without statistical differences among the groups (P>0.05). Based on these observations, it can be inferred that the GTP and FKM may have such efficacy as antibiotics in growing pigs.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2008

Blending of eggshell powder into soil as ratio of 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, and 1:25 did not affect seed germination rates of several crops including Chinese cabbage. The blending increased pH of distilled water and decreased the viability of resting spores of Plasmodiophora hrassicae. The ratio of non-viable resting spores in eggshell-blending water was over five times higher than in distilled water of the same pH. Chinese cabbage (cv. 'Norangbom') grew more in eggshell-blended soil than in non-treated soil, but other crops grew less. Leaf numbers and above ground growth of Norangbom increased to around 150% and 470%, respectively, in soil blended with $1:20{\sim}1:15$ of eggshell powder. Even though the optimum sizes of eggshell powder were $0.8{\sim}2.0mm$ for growth and smaller than 0.4 mm for inhibition of clubroot disease of Chinese cabbage, there was no statistical difference among the sizes. Soil pH was above 8.0 in all eggshell treatments without any statistical difference among them. Eggshell powder blending to 1:20 showed lower control efficacy, 58.5%, than registered fungicide 'Hokanna (flusulfamide)', 78.5%. However, Chinese cabbage of that blending ratio recorded the highest growth among the treatments. Therefore, blending of eggshell powder into clubroot-contaminated soil may make culture of Chinese cabbage possible by growth-increasing, even though eggshell powder could not inhibit clubroot disease entirely.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.728-734
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• 2010

We studied the accumulation and partitioning of dry weight (DW) and nitrogen (N) in different parts of field-grown 'Fuyu' persimmon to elucidate that the foliar applications of supplemental N in June or September compared favorably with the traditional soil application in securing leaf area and fruit production. We also estimated the proportion of N permanently removed from the tree at the end of a growing season. Urea was applied either to leaves in June and/or September or to the soil in June and September for three consecutive years, and the trees were excavated in November for analyses. Total DW ranged from 4.2-4.8, 8.7-9.2, and 17.1-21.5 kg in a 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old tree, respectively, without statistical difference among the four treatments. Of the total DW, 3.3-10.2% was in shoots, 5.7-10.5% in leaves, 8.3-31.4% in aerial woods, 13.0-27.0% in root, and 28.0-59.3% in fruits. As the trees became more productive, DW proportion of fruits significantly affected that of the root: in 6-year-old trees, root DW accounted for only 10.6-15.8% of the tree total when fruit DW accounted for 50-60%. N contents ranged from 24.6-28.3, 48.3-53.5, and 98.3-122.6 g in a 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old trees, respectively, without statistical difference among the treatments. Of the total N, 6.2-11.5% was in shoots, 16.7-24.3% in leaves, 17.6-23.5% in aerial woods, 17.2-37.5% in roots, and 16.9-34.4% in fruits. As in DW, the increase in the proportion of N in fruits decreased in the root most significantly. Application methods for supplemental N did not affect the proportion of DW and N removed from the tree through abscising leaves and harvested fruits. Percentage of DW removal was 41 in 4- and 5-year-old trees, but it was 61 in more productive 6-year-old trees; that of N was 39, 43, and 49%, respectively. No significant changes in the contents of DW and N in field-grown trees, as well as their percentages removed from the tree at the end of the season, demonstrated that foliar application of supplemental N was as good as soil applications with much less N.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.16-31
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• 2020

Objectives : This study is designed to analyze outpatients who received medical treatment for skin diseases in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Korean Medical Hospital from March 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2019. To discover the tendencies of dermatology outpatients and provide the base data for future researches in dermatology patients' characteristics, korean medical treatments on dermatology field, more statistical analysis and establishment of korean medical health care policy. Methods : We classified dermatology outpatients who received treatments in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Korean Medical Hospital from March 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2019 according to gender, year, age, seasonal, main diagnosis, visit days. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 23.0 Results : The results of the analysis on 651 dermatology patients treated in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Dunsan Korean Medical Hospital for the past 3 years are as follows. 1. The number of outpatients who visited ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Dunsan Korean Medical Hospital for skin diseases were 651; 286 male(43.9%) and 365 female(56.1%). The number of female patients were approximately 1.27 times higher. 2. The average age of the dermatology outpatients were 37.6. The most frequent visitors turned out to be 20s, and the number of 20s, 30s patients were 267, consisting 41.0% of the whole patients. 3. By examining the change on yearly basis, we noticed that the number of outpatients treated with skin diseases steadily increased with the years. 1) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by gender and year, the number of male and female patients both increased with the years. 2) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by age and year, there were statistically significant difference between two groups. 3) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by season and year, there were statistically significant difference between two groups. 4) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by main diagnosis and year, there were statistically significant difference between two groups. 4. In the analysis of the number of outpatients by seasonal basis, the number of the outpatients visited in summer was the largest by 185(28.4%), followed by winter 181(27.8%), spring 148(22.7%), and the autumn 137(21.0%). 1) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by age and season, there were no statistically significant difference. 2) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by age and season, there were no statistically significant difference. 5. By classifying the outpatients according to main diagnosis, it turned out that there were 40 diagnosis, with eczema the largest followed by urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis. 6. The average number of visit days of dermatology outpatients were 10.24 days, and the number declined steadily with the years. 1) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by gender and visit days, there were no statistically significant difference. 2) In the analysis of the number of patients classified by age and visit days, the visit days of 70s were the shortest and the patients below 20s were longer than the other age groups. Conclusions : By analyzing the outpatients who received medical treatment for skin diseases in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Korean Medical Hospital from March 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2019 according to gender, year, age, seasonal, main diagnosis, visit days, We drew various meaningful results. The outpatients with skin diseases increased steadily by the years, and patients visited in winter especially shown the outstanding increase. And though the number of female patients were larger than male, the increase was bigger in male patients. We hope that this results would provide useful resources for future researches in dermatology patients'characteristics, korean medical treatment and establishment of korean medical health care policy.