• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 2008

We evaluated cultivation methods to obtain pure cultures of previously uncultivated bacteria from soil. Soil bacteria (suspensions) were inoculated onto various oligotrophic media with one of the following additives: 1) soil extract; 2) anthraquinone disulfonate (humic acid analogue); 3) acyl homoserine lactones (quorum-signaling compounds); 4) catalase (for the protection of bacteria from exogenous peroxides). After the relatively long period (60 days) of incubation with elevated concentrations of $CO_2$ (5%, v/v), the media containing catalase showed the highest colony count. We purified 147 randomly selected colonies from the media and the isolates were subjected to the phylogenetic analyses of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that approximately 30% of the isolates might belong to novel species or novel family, suggesting that the media and incubation conditions used could be useful for the cultivation of as-yet-uncultured bacteria. Especially, bacteria belonging to the phylum Acidobacteria, ubiquitous bacterial taxon known as an uncultured bacterial group (at least difficult to culture from environmental samples), were successfully cultured in this study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2000

Objective : The treatment for prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma(prolactinoma) include pharmacology, surgery, radiation therapy or radiosurgery. The recent development of radiological imaging and microsurgery has made transsphenoidal microsurgery the treatment of choice for most prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. Despite its low morbidity and mortality, relatively high recurrence and failure rate have been reported. Recent advances in neuroimaging provide a precise targeting in radiosurgery for treatment of prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma. In this regard, Gamma knife radiosurgery has been proposed as an alternative primary treatment modality or adjuvant therapy. Patients and Methods : Twenty three patients with prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma have been treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery in our institute from March 1992 to September 1998. We analyzed clinical, radiological and endocrinological changes in 21 patients who were followed up for an average of 35.7 months. Results : The mean age was 34.9 years and 16 patients were treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery as primary treatment and 5 patients underwent Gamma knife radiosurgery for residual tumors after microsurgery. The margin of the tumor was incorporated within the 40 to 80% and the mean marginal dose was 24.5 Gy. Clinical improvement in the last follow-up were present in 17 cases(81.0%) and 3 of 5 infertility patients became pregnant after Gamma knife radiosurgery. Tumor control rate after Gamma knife radiosurgery was 100%. Endocrinological normalization in the last follow-up were obtained in 12 cases(57.1%). In three cases, hormonal normalizations were present in early period(3-32 months) but serum hormone levels were elevated subsequently. Conclusion : We conclude that the Gamma knife radiosurgery for prolactin secreting pituitary adenoma seems to be safe and effective as adjuvant therapy after microsurgery and primary treatment modality in selective patients.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.414-422
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• 2022

The objective of this work was to investigate the feasibility of acid-catalyzed hydrothermal fractionation for maximum solubilization of the hemicellulosic portion of two typical agricultural residues. The fractionation conditions converted into combined reaction severity (CS) in the range of 1.2-2.9 was used to establish a simple reaction criteria at glance. The hemicellulosic sugar yield of 56.6% was shown when rice straw was fractionated at the conditions at the conditions; 160 ℃ of temperature 0.75% (w/v) of H₂SO₄, 20 min of reaction time, 1:15 solid/liquid ratio. The hemicellulosic sugar yield of 83.0%, however, was achieved when barley straw was fractionated at the conditions at the conditions; 150 ℃ of temperature 0.75% (w/v) of H₂SO₄, and 15 min of reaction time, 1:10 solid/liquid ratio. For barley straw, acid-catalyzed hydrothermal fractionation could be effectively performed. After the fractionation process, the remaining fractionated solids were 48.5% and 57.5% from raw rice and barley straws, respectively. The XMG contents in the solid residues decreased from 17.3% and 17.6% to 6.0% and 2.6%, which corresponded to 16.7% and 8.5% on the basis of the raw straws, respectively. In another way, only 5.6% of cellulose and 8.5% of XMG were lost due to excessive decomposition during the acid-catalyzed hydrothermal fractionation of barley straw, compared to cellulose and XMG losses of 6.4% and 26.6% in rice straw. Hemicellulosic sugars from the rice straw were considered more over-decomposed due to the somewhat higher reaction severity at the acid-catalyzed hydrothermal fractionation.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2013

This study has been conducted to investigate the effect of GA₃ solution dipping treatment after 1 days full bloom on spike growth and fruit quality at harvest of 'Campbell Early' grapevine. The fruit cluster growth(weight, length, width) and fruit stalk(diameter, length) at harvest were increased significantly by GA₃ 10 mg·L^-1 solution dipping treatment compared to control and another concentration. The berry growth (berry No, weight, length, diameter) at harvest showed no difference by treatment GA₃ concentration different. Spike weight was increased by GA₃ 5, 10, 20, mg·L^-1 treatment compared to control, but no difference GA₃ 40 mg·L^-1 treatment. The degree of compact berry, bloom, skin color and SSC at harvest by GA₃ solution dipping treatment were not significantly different from those of control. but increased seedlessness induction by GA₃ 10 mg·L^-1 treatment. The occurrence percent of berry cracking by GA₃ 5, 10, 20, 40 mg·L^-1 treatment significantly decreased. The bitter rot of berry harvest showed no difference by treatment GA₃ concentration different. Total spike length was increased by GA₃ 5, 10 mg·L^-1 treatment compared to control and GA₃ 20, 40 mg·L^-1 treatment. The spike length of 1st from 15th to position increased by GA₃ 10 mg·L^-1 treatment.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the nutrition status, growth and fruit quality of 'Campbell Early' grapes in Hwaseong area. Organic matter content of 3 vineyard soils was significantly lower than standard value. P₂O₅ and K contents of Y vineyard and P₂O₅ of C vineyard were very high. But there were no significant differences in contents of Ca, Mg and CEC. Compared to the standard value. T-N, Ca and Mg contents of petiole were adequate. P₂O₅ contents of Y and C vineyard and K contents of Y vineyard were significantly higher than standard value. Berry firmness, color and bloom occurrence on fruit skin showed no differences among 3 vineyard. Soluble solids content poorly, yield per tree and goods fruit of C vineyard decreased significantly compared to the fruit in Y and H vineyards. Russetted fruit of Y vineyard, colored fruit of H vineyard, and unfertilized fruit, cracked fruit, and bitter rot were observed frequently.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.999-1011
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• 2023

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, trypsin activity, and antioxidant effects of 11 kinds of plant extracts to discover materials for developing optimal mixtures that improve inflammation and help digestion. Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (ZJ), Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJ), Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), Platycodon grandiflorum, and Aster scaber extracts had excellent anti-inflammatory effects by reducing excessive nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α content in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The malt (MA), Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai (PP), Raphanus sativus L., Platycodon grandiflorum extracts among the 11 kinds of plant extracts had high trypsin activity. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was examined by the DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the SB, PE, JU, and MA extracts had high antioxidant activity. Therefore, PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB were selected to develop optimal mixtures that improve inflammation and help digestion. The extract of plant mixture containing PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB in the ratio 1:1:2:1:2 (w/w) significantly inhibited NO production than the extract of PP, MA, ZJ, LJ, and SB, respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the mixture extract was significantly higher than the extract of PP, MA, ZJ, and LJ, respectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2007

Background: Airway mucus hypersecretion plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and is associated with the induction of MUC5AC expression in airway secretion. The MUC5AC gene is highly polymorphic; however, there are few studies about the association between the polymorphisms of the MUC5AC gene and asthma susceptibility or asthma phenotypes. We have investigated the association of MUC5AC promoter polymorphisms with the risk of asthma and asthma phenotypes. Methods: We determined the genotypes of the MUC5AC promoter (-1274G>A) in 78 asthma patients and in 78 age, sex-matched control individuals in the Korean population. Genomic DNAs from blood were analyzed by PCR and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) determination. We examined $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy (by a skin test) in asthma patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was $47.7{\pm}16.1$ years and 38.5% were men, and the mean $FEV_1$ was $84.4{\pm}22.3%$ of predicted in the asthma patients. The -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter in asthma patients was not significantly different as compared with normal individuals (GG 57.7%, AG 34.6% and AA 7.7% in asthma patients vs. GG 56.4%, AG 38.5% and AA 5.1% in control subject, p = 0.752, Cod). Several clinical parameters in asthma patients such as $FEV_1$, total eosinophil count, serum IgE level, $PC_{20}$ and the presence of atopy, were not associated with the -1274G>A polymorphism of the MUC5AC promoter. Conclusion: The -1274G>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequency of the MUC5AC promoter was not associated with asthma in a Korean population.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.39-51
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• 1995

The roles of ${\beta}-adrenoceptor$ were well known in hyperthyroidal heart, but not with ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$. So we studied the effects of phenylephrine on membrane potential, intracellular sodium activity ($a^{i}_{Na}$), twitch force, and intracellular pH ($pH_i$) by continuous intracellular recordings with ion-selective and conventional microelectrodes in the papillary muscles of hyperthyroid guinea pig heart. ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation by phenylephrine (10^{-5}\;or\;3{\times}10^{-5}M$) produced the following changes: variable changes in action potential duration, a hyperpolarization ($1.5{\pm}0.1mM$) of the diastolic membrane potential, an increase in $a^{i}_{Na}\;(0.4{\pm}0.15mM)$, a stronger positive inotropic effect ($220{\pm}15%$), an increase in $pH_i\;(0.06{\pm}0.002\;unit)$. These changes were flocked by prazosin and atenolol. This indicated that the changes in membrane potential, $a^{i}_{Na}$ twitch force, and $pH_i$ are mediated by a stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$. Ethylisopropylamiloride ($10^{-5}$) also blocked the increase in $a^{i}_{Na}$ and twitch force. On the other hand, strophanthidin, tetrodotoxin, $Cs^+$ or verapamil did not block the increase in $a^{i}_{Na}$ and twitch force. Thus, it was suggested that ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ stimulation increased $a^{i}_{Na}\;and\;pH_i$ by stimulation of $Na^{+}-H^{+}$ exchange, thereby allowing intracellular alkalinization and $a^{i}_{Na}$ increase. These results were very different from euthyroidal heart which showed ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$-induced decrease in $a^{i}_{Na}$ and initial negative inotropic effect. From the above results, it was concluded that ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ had a important role in hyperthy-roidal heart.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.30 no.2 s.79
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• pp.197-204
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• 2000

[$K^+$]-selective ion channels were studied in excised inside-out membrane patches from human osteoblast-like cells (G292). Three classes of $K^+$channels were present and could be distinguished on the basis of conductance. Conductances were $270\pm27\;pS,\;113\pm12\;pS,\;48\pm8\;pS$ according to their approximate conductances in symmetrical 140 mM KCl saline at holding potential of -80 mV It was found that the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel activation was dependent on membrane voltage. In current-voltage relationship, small conductance $K^+$channel showed outward rectification, and it was activated by the positive potential inside the membrane. In recordings, single channel currents were activayed by a negative pressure outside the membrane. The membrane pressure increased $P_{open}$ of the $K^+$ channel in a pressure-dependent manner. In the excised-patch clamp recordings, G292 osteoblast-like cells have been shown to contain three types of $K^+$ channels. Only the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel is sensitive to the membrane stretch. These findings suggest that a hyperpolarizing current, mediated in part by this channel, may be associated with early events during the mechanical loading of the osteoblast. In G292 osteoblast-like cells, $K^+$channel is sensitive to membrane tension, and may represent a unique adaptation of the bone cell membrane to mechanical stress.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.263-274
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• 1993

Potassium $(K^+)$ channels are present in airway smooth muscle cells, and their activation results in hyperpolarization and relaxation. Because these effects may have therapeutic relevance to hypersensitivity and asthma, we examined the effect of a potassium channel activator, cromakalim (BRL 34915, CK) on the release of mediators from superfused tracheal and parenchymal strips after passive sensitization with $IgG_1$ antibody. Both tissues were superfused with CK $(2{\times}10^{-6}\;M)$ for 30 min and challenged with CK and antigen (Ox-HSA). Using monodispersed, partially purified, highly purified guinea pig lung mast cells, we also examined the effect of CK on mediator release from these cells after passive sensitization with $IgG_{1}$ antibody $({\alpha}-OA)$. Guinea pig lung mast cells were purified using enzyme digestion method, count current elutriation, and discontinuous Percoll density gradient. After CK pretreatment, passively sensitized mast cells were challenged with varying concentration of antigen (OA, immunological stimuli) or with varying concentration of calcium ionophore (CaI, non-immunological stimuli). Histamine (Hist) release was determined by spectrophotofluorometry, and leukotrienes (LT) by radioimmunoassy. CK pretreatment decreased Hist by 35% and LT release by 40% in the antigen-induced tracheal tissue after $IgG_1$ sensitization but did not decrease the contractile response. In the antigen-induced parenchymal tissue CK decreased Hist release by 25% but poorly decreased LT. Both immunologic and non-immunologic stimuli caused a dose-dependent release of Hist and LT from monodispersed, partially purified and highly purified lung mast cells. Verification of LT release was obtained by the use of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, A64077 (Zileuton). CK decreased Hist and LT release by 20% respectively in the OA-induced guinea pig lung mast cells after $IgG_1$ sensitization. The inhibitory effects of CK on the Hist and LT release in the Ox-HSA-induced airway smooth muscle tissues or in the OA-induced and CaI-induced mast cells after $IgG_1$ sensitization were completely blocked by TEA and GBC. These studies show that guinea pig lung mast cells seem to be an important contributor to LT release, and that CK (which has been known as an airway smooth muscle relaxant) can in part act to inhibit mediator release in the antigen-induced airway smooth muscle, and that CK may also act to inhibit mediator release in the OA-induced and CaI-induced highly purified mast cells. These results suggest that Hist and LT release evoked by mast cell activation might in part be associated with $K{^+}4 channel activity.