• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2016

Acne is known as the most common skin disease. It commonly occurs during adolescents, but it is also present in children and adults because of air pollution, drug abuse and so on. In addition to the hormonal, genetic and environmental factors, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) have also critical roles in outbreak of acne by inducing inflammatory mediators. Increase of sebum production provides an ideal environment for P. acnes that induce inflammation on the skin by activation of monocytic cells and stimulation of inflammatory cytokines. In this study, natural extracts were investigated for anti-inflammatory effects against inflammatory acne by P. acnes infection in terms of reducing cytokine production. Eucalyptus globulus extracts effectively suppressed mRNA synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, and NLRP3 in P. acnes-activated macrophages. Moreover, Eucalyptus globulus extracts inhibit activation of transcription factors, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and NFAT, which are known as key regulators of inflammatory cytokine production. This study suggests the potential of using Eucalyptus globulus extracts as alternative agents for the treatment of acne.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2001

This study was conducted to estimate microclimate of natural deciduous forest in national forest of Pyungchang, Kangwon province and to investigate the effects of the microclimatic conditions on the periodic annual increment of diameter by site types. In this study, site was first classified by nine types considering both elevation (higher than 1,000 m, 700∼1,000 m, and lower than 700 m) and topographical conditions (ridge, slope and valley). For each of site types, diameter growth was measured by using increment borer and periodic annual increment of diameter was then analyzed. A topoclimatological technique, for estimating microclimatic conditions, which make use of empirical relationships between the topographical factor and the climatic normals in the study area was applied to produce monthly mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation and hours of sunshine. From these monthly estimtes, 17 weather variables such as warmth index, coldness index, index of aridity etc. which affect the diameter growth were computed for each of site types. The periodic annual increment of diameter was then correlated with and regressed on the 17 weather variables to examine effects of microclimatic conditions on the diameter growth by site types. From the correlation analysis, it was found that the diameter growth by site types was positively correlated with all of 17 weather variables except the warmth index. Especially, the conditions such as high relative humidity and large amount of sunshine hours provide favorable environment for the growth of diameter. On the other hand, it was also found that diameter growth was negatively iufluenced by warmth index. According to the regression analysis, the periodic annual increment of diameter could be well predicted by index of aridity and mean relative humidity for the growing season.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2006

Drought indices, such as PDSI (palmer Drought Severity Index), SWSI (Surface Water Supply Index) and SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index), have been developed to assess and forecast an intensity of drought. To find the applicability of groundwater level data to a drought assessment, a correlation analysis between SPI and groundwater levels was conducted for each time series at a drought season in 2001. The comparative results between SPI and groundwater levels of shallow wells of three national groundwater monitoring stations, Chungju Gageum, Yangpyung Gaegun, and Yeongju Munjeong, show that these two factors are highly correlated. In case of SPI with a duration of 1 month, cross-correlation coefficients between two factors are 0.843 at Chungju Gageum, 0.825 at Yangpyung Gaegun, and 0.737 at Yeongju Munjeong. The time lag between peak values of two factors is nearly zero in case of SPI with a duration of 1 month, which means that groundwater level fluctuation is similar to SPI values. Moreover, in case of SPI with a duration of 3 month, it is found that groundwater level can be a leading indicator to predict the SPI values I week later. Some of the national groundwater monitoring stations can be designated as DIW (Drought Index Well) based on the detailed survey of site characteristics and also new DIWs need to be drilled to assess and forecast the drought in this country.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2007

Risk-based remediation strategy (RBRS) is a consistent decision-making process for the assessment and response to chemical release based on protecting human health and the environment. The decision-making process described integrates exposure and risk assessment practices with site assessment activities and remedial action selection to ensure that the chosen actions are protective of human health and the environment. The general sequences of events in Tier 1 is as follows: initial site assessment, development of conceptual site model with all exposure pathways, data collection on pollutants and receptors, and identification of risk-based screening level (RBSL). If site conditions do not meet RBSL, it needs further site-specific tier evaluation, Tier 2. In most cases, only limited number of exposure pathways, exposure scenarios, and chemicals of concern are considered the Tier 2 evaluation since many are eliminated from consideration during the Tier 1 evaluation. In spite of uncertainties due to the conservatism applied to risk calculations, limitation in site-specific data collections, and variables affecting the selection of target risk levels and exposure factors, RBRS provides us time- and cost-effectiveness of the remedial action. To ensure reliance of the results, the development team should consider land and resource use, cumulative risks, and additive effects. In addition, it is necessary to develop appropriate site assessment guideline and reliable toxicity assessment method, and to study on site-specific parameters and exposure parameters in Korea.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.673-682
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• 2001

The use of resin composites has continued to increase over the last several years. In spite of their growing popularity, composites continue to exhibit a number of undesirable characteristics. One of the major deficiencies of composite restorative resins is their inadequate resistance to wear. Of the multitude of factors that have been associated with wear, subsurface degradation within the restoration is considered to be one. The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation of four commercial composite resins in an alkaline solution. This solution with a high concentration of hydroxyl ions is a convenient medium for accelerated degradation of silane coupling and filler particles. The brands studies were Definite($Degussa-H\ddot{u}ls$ AG, Germany), Prodigy(Kerr, USA), Pyramid(Bisco, USA) and Synergy(Coltene, Swiss). Preweighed discs of each brand were exposed to 0.1N NaOH solution at $60^{\circ}C$. After 14 days they were removed, neutralized with HCl, washed with water and dried. Resistance to degradation was evaluated on the basis of following parameters : (a) mass loss(%)-determined from pre-and post-exposed specimen weights : (b) Si loss(ppm)-obtained from ICP-AE analysis of solution exposed to specimens; and (c) degradation $depth({\mu}m)$-measured microscopically (SEM) from polished circular sections of exposed specimens. The results were follows: 1. Mass loss of Synergy was $1.24{\pm}0.002%$, it was the highest, there was no significant difference among the materials. 2. The degree of degradation layer depth of Synergy was $107.83{\pm}2.52{\mu}m$, it was the highest, there was no significant difference among any other materials than Synergy. 3. There was no difference among the four materials in Si loss. 4. The correlation coefficient between mass loss and degradation depth was relatively high(r=0.06, p<0.05). 5. There was no coefficient correlation between Si loss and mass loss, the degree of degradation layer depth and Si loss. 6. When observed with SEM, destruction of bonding is observed between resin matrix and filler.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2001

Stream water chemistry in the abandoned Boeun Jeil coal mine area was studied for a period of 3 months, including rainy and dry season. The stream waters were a nearly neutral and slightly alkali condition, and $Mg-SO_4$ type with Mg>Ca>Na>K and $SO_4>HCO_3>Cl>NO_3$. Chemical composition of the stream water was quite irregular during the experimental period. Concentrations of Na, K, $HCO_3$, U, Sr, and Cr decreased by $10{\sim}30%$ during rainy season, caused by dilution effects with rain. The concentration of Ca, Mg, $NO_3$, Cd, and Co increased during the rainy season, caused by more easily dissolved from bedrocks or mine drainage with slightly acidic condition than dry season. The stream water was enriched in Mg, Ca, $HCO_3$, $SO_4$, Al, Fe, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, Sr and U. Concentrations of Na, Mg, Ca, $SO_4$, $HCO_3$, Fe, Zn, Ni, Sr, and U decreased linearly with distance from the mine adit. These elements were strongly controlled by dilution of unpolluted water influx and/or adsorption on the clay minerals and iron oxyhydroxide precipitates. This mine area exhibited two main weathering processes ; 1) oxidation with acidification derived from Fe sulphides, and 2) pH buffering due to Ca and Mg carbonate dissolution. This weathering processes were followed by adsorption of metals on iron oxyhydroxides and precipitation.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2013

Since 1990's, a plywood for flooring base has gotten customers' demand. Costs of raw material and production increased because of changed environment of industry. Tropical timber such as Red Meranti (Shorea acuminate) used for raw material of the floor has been depleting beside countries in South Eastern Asia changed species of afforestation. As a result, it gets hard to secure good quality of raw material for plywood. Moreover plywood price is increased suddenly after earthquake in Japan. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) in china has been using for raw material as a countermeasure of changed environment of industry. In this study, possibility of using flooring consisted of Eucalyptus veneer as crossband layers was checked by deflection experiments. Flooring consisted of Red Meranti was used for comparison. Two factors which impact on deflection are a type of density gradient and density difference between Long-grain veneer and Short-grain veneer. Red Meranti samples are M type of density gradient on the other hand Eucalyptus samples are W type of density gradient. The more samples have high density difference, the more deformation was checked. A sample which has big density difference between core and cross bands layer warp more also deform. Flooring was deformed smaller than plywood and samples which have big density difference was deformed more.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2013

Land-use/cover changes not only amplify or alleviate influence of climate changes but also they are representative factors to affect environmental change along with climate changes. Thus, the use of land-use/cover changes scenario, consistent climate change scenario is very important to evaluate reliable influences by climate change. The purpose for this study is to predict and analyze the future urban growth considering social and economic scenario from RCP scenario suggested by the 5th evaluation report of IPCC. This study sets land-use/cover changes scenario based on storyline from RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenario. Urban growth rate for each scenario is calculated by urban area per person and GDP for the last 25 years and regression formula based on double logarithmic model. In addition, the urban demand is predicted by the future population and GDP suggested by the government. This predicted demand is spatially distributed by the urban growth probability map made by logistic regression. As a result, the accuracy of urban growth probability map is appeared to be 89.3~90.3% high and the prediction accuracy for RCP 4.5 showed higher value than that of RCP 8.5. Urban areas from 2020 to 2050 showed consistent growth while the rate of increasing urban areas for RCP 8.5 scenario showed higher value than that of RCP 4.5 scenario. Increase of urban areas is predicted by the fact that famlands are damaged. Especially RCP 8.5 scenario indicated more increase not only farmland but also forest than RCP 4.5 scenario. In addition, the decrease of farmland and forest showed higher level from metropolitan cities than province cities. The results of this study is believed to be used for basic data to clarify complex two-way effects quantitatively for future climate change, land-use/cover changes.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to quantify urinary and salivary bisphenol-A (BPA) concentrations according to sealant procedure among children. Nine students who had never treated with composite resin or sealant before, were recruited from one elementary school, Daegu, Korea from August 2013 to April 2014. Before sealant procedure, saliva and urine sample were collected. Immediately after sealant procedure saliva sample was collected and 24 hours after the procedure urine sample was collected. Creatinine was measured and adjusted to calculate urinary BPA concentration. Salivary and urinary BPA concentration after sealant procedure were $2.43{\pm}1.54{\mu}g/L$, $4.08{\pm}3.05{\mu}g/g{\cdot}$creatinine respectively, which were relatively higher than those before sealant procedure ($1.41{\pm}1.06{\mu}g/L$, $2.89{\pm}2.91{\mu}g/g{\cdot}$creatinine) but these were not statistically significant. We suggest that more large scale studies considering environmental confounders which have an effect on BPA are needed to establish the relationship between sealant exposure and BPA among children.