• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.551-574
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• 2014

The occurrence, distribution, and hydrogeochemical characteristics of uranium and radon in groundwater within different lithologies in Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk provinces were investigated. A total of 201 groundwater samples from sedimentary rocks taking a large portion of the geology and from igneous rocks taking a small portion of the geology were analyzed and examined using factor analysis. Their radionuclide levels were used to construct detailed concentration maps. The groundwater types, defined using a Piper diagram, are mainly Ca-$HCO_3$ with less Na-$HCO_3$. Among the samples, one site exceeds $30{\mu}g/L$ of uranium (i.e., the maximum contaminant level of the USEPA) and three sites exceed 4,000 pCi/L of radon (i.e., the alternative maximum contaminant level). No samples were found to exceed the 15 pCi/L level of gross alpha or the 5 pCi/L level of radium. The concentration of uranium ranges from 0.02 to $53.7{\mu}g/L$, with a mean of $1.56{\mu}g/L$, a median of $0.47{\mu}g/L$, and a standard deviation of $4.3{\mu}g/L$. The mean concentrations of uranium for the different geological units increase in the following order: Shindong Group, Granites, Hayang Group, Yucheon Group, and Tertiary sedimentary rocks. The concentration of radon ranges from 2 to 8,740 pCi/L, with an mean of 754 pCi/L, a median of 510 pCi/L, and a standard deviation of 907 pCi/L. The mean radon concentrations for the investigated geological units increase in the following order: Granites, Yucheon Group, Tertiary sedimentary rocks, Hayang Group and Shindong Group. According to the factor analysis for each geological unit, uranium and radon behave independently of each other with no specific correlation. However, radionuclides show close relationships with some components. Regional investigations of radionuclides throughout the country require an integrated approach that considers the main lithological units as well as administrative districts.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.184-189
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to explore barriers to effective pain management in general population. Methods: Total 163 Participants completed the Barrier Questionnaire-II (BQ-II), a 27-item on a six point scale, from May to June in 2007. BQ-II consisted of four subscales which were 1) physical effects (PE) addressing beliefs that side effects of analgesics are inevitable and concerns about tolerance, fatalism (Fa) addressing fatalistic beliefs about cancer pain and its management, Communication (Co) addressing the beliefs of 'good patient' and concerns of distracting physician from underlying disease, and harmful effects (HE) addressing fear of addiction and harmful effect to immune system of pain medicine. Results: The BQ-II total had an internal consistency of 0.877 in this study. HE was the biggest barrier (3.03) followed by PE (2.73), Fa (2.15), and Co (1.71). Items appeared as great concerns were 'there is a danger of becoming addicted to pain medication'(3.58), 'using pain medicine blocks your ability to know if you have any new pain' (3.18), 'pain medicine is very addictive' (3.09), 'when you use pain medicine your body becomes used to its effects and pretty soon it won't work any more' (3.09), and 'drowsiness from pain medicine is difficult to control' (3.09). Only 12 respondents (7.4%) reported that they took any type of pain education, however, those who took pain education represented significantly lower barriers to pain management than who did not (P=.029). Conclusion: This result suggests the strategies for public education to surmount cancer pain.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.554-560
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• 1991

The physicochemical properties of Korean yam starches (D. aimadoimo, D. batatas and D. japonica) were investigated. The mean granular size of starches were 23.5 μm for D. aimadoimo, 23.9 μm for D. batatas and 18.2 μm for D. japonica. Amylose content, blue value and water binding capacity was $29{\sim}33%,\;0.42{\sim}0.51%\;and\;109.9{\sim}118.3%$, respectively. The optical transmittance of 0.3% (dry basis) yam starch suspensions were increased at $70{\sim}75^{\circ}C$ and D. japonica showed typical two-step transmittance curve. The swelling power and solubility patterns increased over $60^{\circ}C$, and D. aimadoimo was the highest values. Amylogram patterns of 5% (dry basis) yam starch suspensions, determined by Brabender amylograph, were similar to that of yam flours and the viscosity of D. aimadoimo had 630 BU, which was about 5 times higher than 130 BU for D. batatas and D. japonica. Observation under scanning electron microscope lefted marks of resistance to glucoamylase because these surfaces were similar to the natural granules. In rates of solubiliazation by dimethyl sulfoxide, D. aimadoimo showed the highest value. (3-Amylolysis limits of yam starches and their amylose were $71.8%{\sim}75.5%\;and\;90.2{\sim}92.1%$, respectively. Gel filtration patterns of debranched amylopectin by pullulanase were divided into 3 peaks. The weight ratios of peak III to peak II in yam starches were $2.15%{\sim}2.42%$.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2008

Purpose : Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors for detecting grade III-V vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in young infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infections (UTI). Methods : Data of infants who underwent ultrasonography and VCUG between January 2004 and September 2007 were reviewed. Age, gender, incidence of bacteremia, C-reactive protein(CRP) and imaging studies were compared between group I(grade III-V VUR) and group II (normal or grade I and II VUR) retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratio, and likelihood ratio of ultrasonography for high grade VUR were evaluated. Results : Among 54 enrolled infants(41 males, 13 females), 14 infants were group I and 40 infants were group II. In the group I, CRP level was significantly higher(6.11$\pm$5.18 vs. 3.27$\pm$3.45, P=0.025), and there were more ultrasonographic abnormal findings(71.4%, vs. 22.5%, P=0.002) compared with group II. However, ultrasonography was the only significant factor after adjusting with logistic regression(P=0.002). Incidence of bacteremia and abnormal DMSA findings were not significantly different in two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of ultrasonography was 71.4%, 77.5%, 6.9 respectively. Negative predictive value was 88.6% and negative likelihood ratio was 0.37. Ultrasonography had significant negative likelihood ratio for grade III-V VUR, but missed 4 infants with grade III VUR. Conclusion : We could not find any alternative predictive factors to reduce VCUG in detecting high grade VUR. Therefore, VCUG must be considered in young infants less than 3 months with UTI.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.873-881
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• 2005

This study was conducted to improve the properties of frozen dough foods (buns and noodles etc.) on the quality deterioration with microwave oven cooking. Microwave is a useful cooking method, but it quickly takes moisture from food surface and makes lowering food quality abruptly. For improvement of these problems, mixing doughs with addition of various additives of 34 types manufactured respectively; starches, modified starches, gums and emulsifiers etc. Each mixing dough produced in sheet type $(30{\times}30{\times}1mm)$ and steamed them, was quickly froze at $-70^{\circ}C$ and packed with polyethylene. Packed samples kept at $-20^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours. After they were steam or microwave treatment packed or non-packed with polyethylene, studied for improvement effects of quality as sensory evaluation and selected 6 type additives; modified starches (TA, ST), gums (AR, GA) and emulsifiers (E, S1) as improvement agent. Because moisture loss from microwave oven cooking leads to quality deterioration of frozen dough foods, additive, such as including starches, modified starch, gums, and emusifiers were added to improve dough properties. Amylogram, scanning electron microscopy, textural analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry revealed addition of additives improved textural properties including surface-hardening of frozen dough foods compared to the control.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2018

Matricaria chamomilla L. has been used as a bath agent in Europe because of its sterilization effect on the skin. Flowers contain terpenes, flavonoids are effective in relieving inflammation. Matricaria chamomilla L. has been reported to have various drug efficacies such as sedation, anti-diabetic effect and anti-arthritic effect, but there is little research on the scientific efficacy of whitening effect. The purpose of this study was to examine the whitening effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. extract and to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of melanogenesis. The extracts were used to determine tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of extracts was ineffective for water extract but in 60% ethanol extract was shown in a concentration-dependent manner. B16F10 melanoma cell was measured using a powder obtained by lyophilization of 60% ethanol extract. The toxicity was observed at a concentration of $75{\mu}g/mL$. And concentration range was selected to be at most $50{\mu}g/mL$. The effect of tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1 and TRP-2 on the expression of melanin protein was investigated in melanoma cells of B16F10 melanoma cells. As a result, it was confirmed that as the concentration of the extract increased, the melanogenesis level decreased and the protein expression level also decreased in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, it was concluded that Matricaria chamomilla L. extract inhibited melanogenesis in cells. Based on the above results, it is expected that it will be used as a useful basic data for industrialization of whitening functional food of Matricaria chamomilla L.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.842-851
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• 1996

Background : Rifampicin(RFP) is a key component of the antituberculous shon-course chemotherapy and the RFP-resistance is a marker of multi-drug resistant(MDR) M. tuberculosis. rpoB gene encodes the ${\beta}$-subunit of RNA polymerase of M. tuberculosis which is the target of RFP. Recent reports show that rpoB gene mutations are the cause of RFP resistance of M. tuberculosis and the main mechanism of rpoB gene mutation is point mutation. And PCR-SSCP is a rapid and easy method for detecting point mutations. So we performed PCR-SSCP of rpoB gene of M. tuberculosis and compared the result with traditional RFP sensitivity test. Method : The 27 RFP sensitive M. tuberculosis culture isolates and 25 RFP resistant isolates were evaluated. The RFP sensitivity test was done at the Korean Tuberculosis istitute. The DNA was extracted by bead beater method and was amplified with primers TR-8 and TR-9 in a 20ul PCR reaction containing 0.1ul(luCi) [${\alpha}-^{32}P$] - dCTP. After amplification, SSCP was done using non-denaturaring polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Then direct sequencing was done in cases of different eletrophoretic mobility compared with that of H37Rv. In 19 cases, we compared PCR-SSCP results with patient's clinical course and the results of traditional RFP sensitivity test. Results : 1) All 27 RFP sensitive M. tuberculosis isolates showed the same electrophoretic mobility compared with that of H37Rv. And all 25 RFP resistant M. tuberculosis isolates showed different electrophoretic mobility. 2) The mechanism of rpoB gene mutation of M. tuberculosis is mainly point mutation. 3) The PCR-SSCP results correlate well with traditional RFP sensitivity and patient's clinical response to antituberculous treatment. Conclusion: The PCR-SSCP of rpoB gene is a very sensitive and rapid mehod in detecting RFP- resistant M. tuberculosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chromium chloride addition on coloration, mechanical property and microstructure of 3Y-TZP. Materials and methods: Chromium chloride was weighed as 0.06, 0.12, and 0.25 wt% and each measured amount was dissolved in alcohol. $ZrO_2$ powder was mixed with each of the individual slurry to prepare chromium doped zirconia specimen. The color, physical properties and microstructure were observed after the zirconia specimen were sintered at $1450^{\circ}C$. In order to evaluate the color, spectrophotometer was used to analyze the value of $L^*$, $C^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$, after placing the specimen on a white plate, and measured according to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standard, Illuminant D65 and SCE system. The density was measured in the Archimedes method, while microstructures were evaluated by using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. Fracture toughness was calculated Vickers indentation method and indentation size was measured by using the optical microscope. The data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA test (${\alpha}$ = 0.05). The Tukey multiple comparison test was used for post hocanalysis. Results: 1. Chromium chloride rendered zirconia a brownish color. While chromium chloride content was increased, the color of zirconia was changed from brownish to brownish-red. 2. Chromium chloride content was increased; density of the specimen was decreased. 3. More chromium chloride in the ratio showed increase size of grains. 4. But the addition of chromium chloride did not affect the crystal phase of zirconia, and all specimens showed tetragonal phase. 5. The chromium chloride in zirconia did not showed statistically significant difference in fracture toughness, but addition of 0.25 wt% showed a statistically significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Based on the above results, this study suggests that chromium chlorides can make colored zirconia while adding in a liquid form. The new colored zirconia showed a slight difference in color to that of the natural tooth, nevertheless this material can be used as an all ceramic core material.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.217-229
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• 2010

Objective: Apoptosis plays an important role for the maintenance of the normal pregnancy. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is able to effectively prevent apoptosis and controls trophoblast cells death throughout placental development, but it is still unknown in the function of XIAP in trophoblast cells exposed to hypoxic condition, which is one of the factors causing preeclampsia. Therefore, we conducted to compare XIAP expression in normal and pre-eclamptic placenta tissues and analyzed the function of XIAP in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell line exposed to hypoxic condition. Methods: The expression of XIAP was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with pre-eclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with pre-eclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of XIAP in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells under hypoxic condition, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ plasmids, and hypoxic condtion were transfected and treated into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours, respectively. Results: We observed that XIAP are expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and syncytial knot of placental villi. The expression of XIAP was significantly decreased in preeclamptic placenta tissues than in normal placenta tissues without labor (p<0.05). Furthermore, we confirmed the XIAP expression in HTR-8/SVneo trophbolast cells exposed to hypoxia was translocated from cytoplasm into nucleus and decreased XIAP by hypoxic condition induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells through up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: These results suggest that the expression of XIAP is involved in placental development as well as decreased expression of XIAP by hypoxia is associated with pre-eclampsia through inducing trophoblast cells apoptosis.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 2008

The chemical compositions and antioxidant activities of four different colored rice cultivars (white-colored rice: WCR, brown-colored rice: BCR, brown-colored waxy rice: BCWR, black-colored rice: BKCR) were investigated to evaluate the quality characteristics of the new brown rice cultivars. There was no significant differences in chemical compositions amongst the four rice cultivars, although WCR had higher amount of carbohydrate than did the other rice cultivars. 'The major fatty acids in the four rice cultivars were linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, which accounted for about 96% of total fatty acids. Of note, higher amounts of saturated fatty acids (24.8%) and lower amount of unsaturated fatty acids (75.2%) were observed in BKCR than in the other rice cultivars. Two brown-colored rice cultivars, BCR and BCWR, possessed higher amounts of linoleic acid (40.8% and 42.1%, respectively) than did the other cultivars. The highest level of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was found in WCR (51.3mg%), followed by BKCR (38.6mg%), BCWR (37.2 mg%), and BCR (34.5mg%). Free amino acid analysis showed that aspartic and glutamic acids were major amino acids of all cultivars, whereas phenylalanine, lysine, and histidine were minor. Particularly, relatively higher contents of aspartic and glutamic acids were found in BKCR, while relatively higher levels of alanine and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were observed in BCR and BCWR. Also, BKCR had the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity of any cultivar, followed by the two brown-colored rice cultivars and WCR. These results suggested that the new brown rice cultivars may possess quality characteristics intermediate between those of WCR and BCR.