• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2010

Placenta has been shown to be a site of expression of several of the monoamine membrane uptake transporters. However, the correlation between the expressions of norepinephrine transporter (NET) and placental development including gynecological diseases is still unknown. To investigate the expression and functions of NET in placenta, we conducted to compare NET expression in normal and preeclamptic placenta and analyzed the function of NET in HTR8-SV/neo trophoblast cells after NET gene transfection. The expression of NET was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with preeclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with preeclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of NET, NET gene plasmid and NET gene-specific siRNA were trnasfected into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours. NET had low expression in the pre-eclamptic placenta compare with normal placenta but no difference in western blot data. NET was expressed in the trophoblasts, and the up-regulation of NET gene stimulated the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells by 2.5 fold (p<0.05), whereas the NET-siRNA treatment reduced invasion rates. Also, we observed that the expression of NET induces to expression and activity of MMP-9 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells in zymography. The results suggest that the expression of NET were reduced in pre-eclampsia and should be inhibited invasion activity of trophoblasts. Therefore, these findings provide useful guidelines for the mechanisms of trophoblast invasion as well as for the basic understanding of gynecological diseases including pre-eclampsia.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.418-428
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• 2007

Physical and chemical properties of the aggregate by-products including sludge and crushed dust samples collected from the 21 private companies throughout the country were analyzed to evaluate possible usage of the by-products as artificial soil materials for plantation. The pH of the materials ranged from 8.0 to 11.0. The organic matter content was $2.85g\;kg^{-1}$, and the total nitrogen content and available phosphate content were low as 0.7 percents and $12.98mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were 2.29, 0.47, 0.02 and $0.05cmol\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Heavy metal contents were lower than the limits regulated by environmental law of Korea. Textural analysis showed that most of the materials were silt loam with low water holding capacity ranged from 0.67 to 7.41 percents, and with low hydraulic conductivity ranged from 0.4 to $2.8m\;s^{-1}$. Mineralogical analysis showed that the aggregate by product materials were mostly composed of silicate, alumina and ferric oxides except calcium oxide dominant materials derived from limestones. The primary minerals were quartz, feldspars and dolomites derived from granite and granitic gneiss materials. Some samples derived from limestone material showed calcite and graphite together with the above minerals. According to the result, it can be concluded that the materials could be used as the artificial soil material for plantation after proper improvement of the physico-chemical properties and fertility.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-22
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• 2007

Objectives: This study attempted to understand the relationship between handwashing knowledge, attitude and practice of middle school students and to provide the basic information for handwashing training of the students and help them to form a healthy habit. Methods: Data was collected by a standardized self-administered questionnaire between Sep. 20 to Oct. 6 2006 with a total of 710 students in 1, 2, 3 grades at 6 middle schools in metropolitan cities(490 students from four schools situated in an urban center, 220 from 2 in a suburban district). The data was then analyzed using the SPSS WIN 12.0 program, employing many statistical techniques such as chi-square($x^2$) test, t-test, ANOVA analysis with post hoc test, correlations analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The results of the study were as follows. First, total number of handwashing times of middle school students is 6.69 per day. 66.1% of the students used soap and most of the students washed hands for $6{\sim}10$ seconds(44.7%). Second, in the knowledge of handwashing, "both of the parents"(p<0.01), "catholic", "city"(p<0.05) were the highest and the practice of handwashing was active with "city", "high economic level"(p<0.05) and "both of the parents"(p<0.01). In the experience of teaching handwashing, "Yes" was 24.3% which was statistically significant with handwashing knowledge(p<0.05), attitude and practice(p<0.01). Third, in the correlation of handwashing knowledge, attitude and practice, there was statistical significancy between handwashing attitude and knowledge(p<0.01) and showed positive correlation with the knowledge(.534). The practice of handwashing has meaningful difference from the knowledge and the attitude and the coefficient of correlation shows positive co-relation in knowledge(.335) and attitude(0525). Fourth, based on the result for regression analysis with handwashing knowledge, attitude and practice as dependent variables, handwashing knowledge showed statistical significancy with sex, type of school(p<0.05) and residential area(p<0.01). There were also statistical significancy between handwashing attitude and knowledge(p<0.01) and between handwashing practice and religion, knowledge(p<0.05) and economic level, attitude(p<0.01). Conclusion: There were consistent results with handwashing knowledge, attitude and practice. If they had better knowledge, their attitude was more positive and if they had better knowledge and more positive attitude, their practice was active. The knowledge, attitude and practice of the students who learned about handwashing were higher than those of the students who had no experience of learning handwashing. To enhance handwashing habit of middle school students, the handwashing environment should be maintained. The training plans should also be made according to sex, type of school, economic level, residential area, and the consistent study on handwashing training is required.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2022

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is one of gram-positive foodborne pathogens with a very high fatality rate. Unlike most foodborne pathogens, L. monocytogenes is capable of growing at low temperatures, such as in refrigerated foods. Thus, various physical and chemical prevention methods are used in the manufacturing, processing and distribution of food. However, there are limitations to the methods such as possible changes to the food quality and the consumer awareness of synthetic preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-listeria activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi and characterize the bacteriocin produced by Lactococcuslactis which is one of isolated strains from kimchi. The analysis on the anti-listeria activity of a total of 36 species (Lactobacillus, Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus) isolated from kimchi by the agar overlay method revealed that L. lactis NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 had the highest anti-listeria activity. For quantitatively analysis on the anti-listeria activity, NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 were co-cultured with L. monocytogenes in Brain Heat Infusion (BHI) broth, respectively. As a result, L. monocytogenes was reduced by 3.0 log CFU/mL in 20 h, lowering the number of bacteria to below the detection limit. Both LAB strains showed anti-listeria activity against 24 serotypes of L. monocytogenes, although the sizes of clear zone was slightly different. No clear zone was observed when the supernatants of both LAB cultures were treated with proteinase-K, indicating that their anti-listerial activities might be due to the production of bacteriocins. Heat stability of the partially purified bacteriocins of NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 was relatively stable at 60℃ and 80℃. Yet, their anti-listeria activities were completely lost by 60 min of treatment at 100℃ and 15 min of treatment at 121℃. The analysis on the pH stability showed that their anti-listeria activities were the most stable at pH 4.01, and decreased with the increasing pH value, yet, was not completely lost. Partially purified bacteriocins showed relatively stable anti-listeria activities in acetone, ethanol, and methanol, but their activities were reduced after chloroform treatment, yet was not completely lost. Conclusively, this study revealed that the bacteriocins produced by NJ 1-10 and NJ 1-16 effectively reduced L. monocytogenes, and that they were relatively stable against heat, pH, and organic solvents, therefore implying their potential as a natural antibacterial substance for controlling L. monocytogenes in food.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.356-364
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• 1999

Backgrounds: Previous reports have revealed a high morbidity and mortality in fatal asthma patients, especially those treated in the medical intensive care unit(MICU). But it has not been well known about the predictable factors for the mortality of fatal asthma(F A) with acute respiratory failure. In order to define the predictable factors for the mortality of FA at the admission to MICU, we analyzed the relationship between the clinical parameters and the prognosis of FA patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all medical records of 59 patients who had admitted for FA to MICU at a tertiary care MICU from January 1992 to March 1997 was performed. Results: Over all mortality rate was 32.2% and 43 patients were mechanically ventilated. In uni-variate analysis, the death group had significantly older age ($66.2{\pm}10.5$ vs. $51.0{\pm}18.8$ year), lower FVC($59.2{\pm}21.1$ vs. $77.6{\pm}23.3%$) and lower $FEV_1$($41.4{\pm}18.8$ vs. $61.l{\pm}23.30%$), and longer total ventilation time ($255.0{\pm}236.3$ vs. $98.1{\pm}120.4$ hour) (p<0.05) compared with the survival group (PFT: best value of recent 1 year). At MICU admission, there were no significant differences in vital signs, $PaCO_2$, $PaO_2/FiO_2$, and $AaDO_2$, in both groups. However, on the second day of MICU, the death group had significantly more rapid pulse rate ($121.6{\pm}22.3$ vs. $105.2{\pm}19.4$ rate/min), elevated $PaCO_2$ ($50.1{\pm}16.5$ vs. $41.8{\pm}12.2 mm Hg$), lower $PaO_2/FiO_2$, ($160.8{\pm}59.8$ vs. $256.6{\pm}78.3 mm Hg$), higher $AaDO_2$ ($181.5{\pm}79.7$ vs. $98.6{\pm}47.9 mm Hg$), and higher APACHE III score ($57.6{\pm}21.1$ vs. $20.3{\pm}13.2$) than survival group (p<0.05). The death group had more frequently associated with pneumonia and anoxic brain damage at admission, and had more frequently developed sepsis during disease progression than the survival group (p<0.05). Multi-variate analysis using APACHE III score and $PaO_2/FiO_2$, ratio on first and second day, age, sex, and pneumonia combined at admission revealed that APACHE III score (40) and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio (<200) on second day were regarded as predictive factors for the mortality of fatal asthma (p<0.05). Conclusions: APACHE III score ($\geq$40) and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio (<200) on the second day of MICU, which might reflect the response of treatment, rather than initially presented clinical parameters would be more important predictable factors of mortality in patients with FA.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 1996

Physicochemical properties of Youngia sonchifolia were compared according to harvesting time and brine methods for its Kimchi preparation. Moisture contents in the roots and the leaves of Y. sonchifolia grown for 5 weeks was more than those grown for 11 weeks. 5-week-grown Y. sonchifolia contained more total free sugar than 11-week-grown ones, and among total free sugar the content of fructose was the most, and the contents of glucose and sucrose were rather high. The roots of 11-week-grown Youngia sonchifolia were harder than those of 5-week grown ones. When the roots were soaked in NaCl solution, the hardness decreased with time. Salt concentration of the Kimchi of Y. sonchifolia increased by the brined material of the Kimchi with soaking time.Salt concentration of the Kimchi was higher in the leaves than in the roots.The roots and leaves of Y.sonchifolia grown for 11 weeks contained organic acids such as malic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid,lactic acid, and citric acid,among which major organic acids were malic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, whereas lactic acid and citric acid were minor organic acids.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the enhancement of UV-protection activities and skin-whitening effects from Angelica gigas Nakai extracts on ultra high pressure extraction process. Extraction at $60^{\circ}C$ treated by ultra high pressure for 15 minute and associated with ultrasofication (HPE15) was showed more than double yield, compare conventional extraction, as 12.24% (w/w) from A. gigas. Extracts of HPE15 reduced expression of MMP-1 on UV-irradiated CCD-986sk cells as 122.2% and revealed high inhibitory potency on tyrosinase as 69.4% by adding samples. Extracts of HPE15 from A. gigas showed strong inhibition effect on melanin production test by Clone M-3 cells as 82.4% by adding extracts. From the preliminary observations, we considered that the extracts from A. gigas could be potent natural materials for skin-whitening agent, and could be used as a potential anti-aging agent for the photo-damaged skin.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2009

To investigate the possible use of plants for landscaping in reclaimed soil, a planting pilot system experiment was performed over the course of four years in reclaimed dredging area with four species: Alnus firma, Alnus hirsuta, Pinus thunbergii, and Pyrachantha angustifolia for 4 years. The physicochemical characteristics of the tested soil showed that it was sandy through coming from a reclaimed dredging area. The average pH of the tested soil was 7.16(slight alkali), and electric conductivity(EC) was relatively low, $294{\mu}S/cm$, even though it came from a saltwater area. To test the effect of planting density vs. phytomass by plant specie from a planting basin, the experiment was designed using four plant species with high and low planting densities over 4 years. The planting conditions of the growth of landscape tree species exhibited growth height as follows: A. hirsuta, A. firma, P. thunbergii, and P. angustifolia, whill the DBH followed the order of A. hirsuta, A. firma, and P. thunbergii. The total phytomass of each plant was higher at low density planting areas than high density planting area in terms of total phytomass production and growth distribution in the reclaimed dredging area. Total phytomass per unit area increased as follows: A. hirsuta, A. firma, P. thunbergii, and P. angustifolia. The total phytomass per each tested plant was 2 times higher in low density planting areas than high density planting areas. Total phytomass per unit area, however, was similar or slighty higher in high density planting areas compared to low density areas. Among the tested plants, A. hirsuta showed the highest phytomass, implying that A. hirsuta adapted very well to the reclaimed area and has the capability of a fast growth, nitrogen fixation tree, and utilizing insoluble nutrients through inoculated root nodule bacteria. The yield of phytomass per individual in low density Alnus species was greater than that of the high density. However, those per unit areas had no difference in the density-dependent planting. The ratio of belowground to aboveground was $0.21{\sim}0.26$. Thus, it could be concluded that the Alnus species are potential candidates for ornamental tree species in reclaimed dredging areas. This study offers baseline data for the use of ornamental tree species in reclaimed dredging areas. Additional research is required for different ornamental species in order to increase phytomass of a planting conditions based on reclaimed dredging areas.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.84-95
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• 2022

Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common serious bacterial infections in young infants. Lumbar puncture (LP) has been used to diagnose coexisting meningitis in infants under 90 days of age with suspected UTI in many hospitals. However, the incidence of bacterial meningitis associated with UTIs is low. We aimed to describe the prevalence of concomitant bacterial meningitis in young infants with UTIs. Methods: The medical records of infants with the first episode of UTI admitted to the Chung-Ang University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Infants aged < 90 days who underwent LP with initial evaluation were included. Demographic and clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging findings were collected and analyzed. Results: Eighty-six infants with UTIs were enrolled in the study. The median age was 61.5 days (interquartile range, 42.3-73.8 days) and boys (90.7%) were predominant. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (n=80, 93.0%) and followed by Klebsiella species (n=5, 5.8%). Fifteen (18.1%) specimens produced extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Five (5.8%) infants had positive blood culture results. Seven (8.1%) infants showed pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid, but none had coexisting bacterial meningitis. Twenty-four (30.8%) infants showed renal dilatation or hydronephrosis on ultrasonography. Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans revealed cortical defects in 17 (21.3%) infants while voiding cystourethrography revealed vesicoureteral reflux in 6 (46.2%) infants. Conclusion: Co-existing bacterial meningitis was not observed in young infants with UTIs. LP could not be routinely performed considering the clinical condition of <90 days old UTI patients.