• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.268-274
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immuno-stimulatory activity of the high-molecular-weight fraction (HMWF) of Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) extracts obtained by ultrafiltration in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and to assess its immuno-stimulatory effect in mice. Ultrafiltration was performed with polyethersulfone membranes (30 kDa cutoff) in a cross-flow filtration system to obtain the HMWF of CW. The results showed that the HMWF increased the production of various cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide in dose-ependent manners. In addition, HMWF treatment increased the relative spleen weight as well as splenocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A or bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice. Natural killer (NK) cell activity in the HMWF-treated group was significantly increased compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that the HMWF of CW can support the immune system through secretion of macrophage cytokines, thereby enhancing NK cell activity and murine splenocyte proliferation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2008

Background: Surveillance of TB drug resistance (DR) is essential for providing information on the magnitude and trends in resistance, for developing treatment guidelines and for monitoring the effect of interventions. Up to now national surveys of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis have been conducted four times since 1994 among patients registered at health centers. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of primary drug resistance among new cases identified in private sector, and to compare it with the previous national drug resistance surveys. Methods: The study collected results of drug susceptibility testing (DST) performed at the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis by the request of private sector from January 2003 to December 2005, and then finally selected new cases for the analysis from the database of Korean TB Surveillance (KTBS) by matching patients' name and social identification numbers. Results: Of the 5,132 new patients included in the study, 689 (13.4%) patients were found to have drug resistance at least one drug, 530 patients (10.3%) were isoniazid resistant, 195 patients (3.8%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR), and 21 patients (0.4%) were extensively drug resistant (XDR). The rate of drug resistance tended to decrease annually but it was not statistically significant. When compared with previous national DR surveys in 2003 and in 2004 respectively, they were not significantly different. Conclusion: The prevalence of DR among new cases managed in the private sector did not show significant difference from that of new patients registered in the public sector in the same year.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.3 s.62
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• pp.564-578
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• 1998

Most extended care facilities have admitted both the healthy and unhealthy elderly, among which members' average caring demand vary. The Aged Welfare Law, however, currently provides no reasonable basis on the staffing policy for extended care facilities. It just reflects the admitted number of the elderly rather than differences in members' average caring demand among facilities. This study is designed to estimate the need for caring staff on the basis of the correlation between the individual health status measured by various tools including Activities of Daily Living and caring demand by actual service time for each one. The sample included all of the admitted elderly(187 persons) in 4 extended care facilities, two in Seoul and the other two in Kangwon-Do over the survey period October 5 through October 20, 1996. The survey process consisted of 3 stages. (1) The current staffing information was collected through self-completed written questionnaires left for head of official in each facility. (2) Six graduate students at School of Public Health interviewed all residents to collect information on their health status and sociodemographics. The response rate for the interview was relatively high(85%). (3) Information on direct and indirect caring time consumed for each residents came from self-completed written questionnaires given to nurses and helpers in each target facilities. Analysis of the data was made using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression technique through SAS program. Based on this procedure, the following was found. 1. No facility meet the staffing standard in the Aged Welfare Law completely. 2. It is actual service time that is most correlated with ADL(Activities of daily living). 3. When all of the elderly are divided by four groups based on the level of ADL, the mean values of needed caring time in each group are 15, 21, 36 and 88 minutes respectively. 4. There is no significant difference among facilities in distribution of elderly person by group. 5. No facility meets the estimated number of nurses and helpers which reflects health status of the admitted elderly. Therefore, it is required that severity of the admitted elderly be considered in establishing staffing standard for extended care facility.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 1984

In order to predict the possible fertilizer requirement from the K supplying capacity of soil, the relative K activity ratio, Kas/Kai and Gapon coefficients, KG. were determined for the soil samples before flooding and at heading stage of rice in pot experiment. These parameters assumed as the K supplying capacity of soils were discussed through correlation with other factors such as grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake by the rice plant. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. The KGo values in soils before flooding were 7.8, 6.6, and 7.1, whereas the Kas/Kai values were 1.37, 1.26 and 2.11, respectively, in clay, loam and sandy loam soils. 2. The significant yield responses to the application of potassium fertilizer were observed whenever the KG values in soils at heading stage become larger to the original KG values, regardless of any levels of fertilizer application. 3. The linear correlations between the exchangeable cation ratios [Kex./(Ca+Mg) ex.:me/100g] in soils and the potassium activity ratios ($[K^+]/\sqrt{[Ca^{{+}{+}}+Mg^{{+}{+}}]}$: mole/l) in equilibrium solutions were observed with different linear gradients according to the soil properties. 4. The Kas/Kai in the soils, estimated prior to the experiment, showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in the all treatments, while the Kas/Kai and the KGo in the soils at heading stage showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in only N 15 Kg/10a treatments. 5. The Kas/Kai and the KGo values determined in the soil at heading stage of rice showed high negative correlation each other and they could be used as soil factors for predicting potassium fertilizer requirement.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of the spent mushroom (Hypsizygus marmoreus) substrates (SMS) in laying hens (Hy-Line Brown). The fresh spent mushroom (Hypsizygus marmoreus) substrates collected from the Namkyung farm were fermented with Bacillus subtilis EJ3 for 2 weeks. A total of twenty-four laying hens were fed corn-soy based experimental diets containing 0% (T0), 5% (T1), 10% (T2) and 15%(T3) fermented SMS for 12 weeks. There were no significant differences among the treatments in egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and viability during the experimental period. Feed intake was significantly lowered in T0 (118.3 g) than T1 (121.9 g), T2 (120.3 g) and T3 (122.4 g). There were no significant differences among the treatments eggshell breaking strength, thickness and haugh unit, whereas the yolk color of T1, T2 and T3 were significantly heavy than T0. The palatability of boiled meat was significantly better in the T3 laying hens than in the T0 laying hens. In conclusion, fermented SMS can be used as resource of feed in laying hen feed at 5.0-15% level without effect on performance and egg qualify.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.68-73
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• 2003

This study performed from 2002 October to 2003 April. The samples were taken at 66 sites, divided into the 6 sections functionally in the southern part of Seoul such as Yangchon-gu, Kangseo-gu, Kuro-gu, Yeongdengpo-gu, Kwanak-gu, Dongjak-gu, Seocho-gu, Kangnam-gu, Songpa-gu, and Kangdong-gu. The result of research showed that each property soil was pH 4.7∼9.5, Cd; 0.391 mg/kg (0.011∼l.081 mg/kg). Cu; 12.35 mg/kg (0.061∼73.62 mg/kg), Pb; 13.04 mg/kg (N.D.∼61.85 mg/kg), Hg; 0.0866 mg/kg (N.D.∼1.353 mg/kg), F; 206.8 mg/kg(47.1∼561.1mg/kg). The minimum and maximum of the concentration with functional soils were Cd; 0.632 mg/kg for multi-purposed soil,0.079 mg/kg for schools, Cu; 21.35 mg/kg for roadside, 2.159 mg/kg for schools, Pb; 24.70 mg/kg for roadside, 1.030 mg/kg for schools, Hg; 0.1780 mg/kg for multi purposed, 0.0087 mg/kg for schools. Especially F was the high concentration at the hills. Also the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg and F at school Zone was detected such as low. area of schools area was detected the low concentrations as the items of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and F. The average concentrations of metals and fluorine in the survey area were below the Preliminary Standard of the Soil Preservation Acts in Korea. To evaluate the soil quality of these area showed as a good qualified results. The results of SQPI (Soil Quality Pollution Index the qualified results as much as 86.4%.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effects of sea tangle(Laminaria japonica) extract (Dasi-Ex group: dry base $4.0{\%}$) and fucoidan-added (Fuco-I, II, III group: fucoidan of $1.0{\%}, 2.0{\%}, 3.0{\%}$ added to Dasi-EX) drinks on lipid metabolism of stressed mice. ICR male mice ($20 {\pm} 2 g$) were fed experimental diets and given free through water bottle filled with these beverages instead of water for 18 days including sociopsychological stress of 4 days. Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I, II, III groups resulted in slight decreases $3{\$}$ in body weight gain and $6{\~}12{\%}$ in feed and gross efficiencies compared with control groups. Serum protein contents were slightly increased $1{\~}5{\%}$ by administrations of these beverages compared with control group, reflecting inhibitory effect of sociopsychological stress by increase of protein levels. Significant differences in serum cholesterol contents of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I groups could not be obtained, but Fuco-II and III groups resulted in marked decreases ($13{\~}17{\%}$) in serum cholesterol contents compared with control group. LDL-cholesterol contents resulted in marked decreases ($about 20 and 25{\%}$, respectively) in Fuco-II and III groups, whereas HDL-cholesterol content was significantly increases ($about 16{\%}$) in Fuco-III group compared with control group. Fuco-I, II and III groups resulted in a marked decreases ($15{\%}, 20{\%} and 40{\%}$, respectively) in atherogenic index (AI) compared with control group. Significant differences in serum lipid peroxide (LPO) contents of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I groups could not be obtained, but Fuco-II and III groups resulted in a significant decrease about $10{\%}$ in serum LPO contents compared with control group. These results suggested that fucoidan drinks added sea tangle could significantly inhibited chronic degenerative diseases by improvement of effective lipid metabolism or fucoidan component.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.190-196
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• 1993

The prognosis of chronic hepatitis C is very variable. In some, the disease is progressive and cirrhosis can develop from chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus(HCV) may act as a trigger towards hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Interferon has been used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in abroad, 16 patients with chronic C liver disease were treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon (alfa-2b; "Intron A" Schering Corp. Kenilworth. NJ). All patients were given ${\alpha}$-interferon in subcutaneous doses of 3 million units three times weekly for 1 to 9 months. During therapy, CBC and ALT levels were checked weakly to monthly. After therapy, patients were followed for 1 to 8 months. Among 16 patients treated with ${\alpha}$-interferon, progressive decrease of ALT levels was observed in 14(87.5%). In 11 patients(68.8%), ALT levels fell into the normal range during therapy, and in 9 of 11, within one month after therapy, 6 months after the completion of therapy in 4 of 9 patients(44.4%) whose ALT levels were in the normal range, ${\alpha}$-interferon seems to have effect in controlling disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. But the changes in the usage of ${\alpha}$-interferon, dose and duration, long term follow up and more convenient and simple tests for HCV detection are recommended for the better effect and the exact evaluation on the effect of ${\alpha}$-interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2005

Agricultural sciences field in South Korea has many strong points such as numerous researchers, establishment of research infra-structure, excellence in research competitiveness and high technological level. However, there are also many weaknesses including insufficient leadership at related societies and institutes, deficiency of the next generation research group, and insufficiency in research productivity. There are many opportunities including increasing the importance of the biotechnological industry, activating international cooperation researches, and exploring the multitude of possible research areas to be studied. However, some threats still exist, such as pressure from the government of developed countries to open the agricultural market, the decrease of specialized farms, and intensification for researches to gratify economic and social demands. To encourage research activities in the agricultural sciences field in Korea, the following actions and systems are required: 1) formulation of a mid- and a long-term research master plan, 2) development of a database on the man power in related fields, 3) activation of top-down research topics, and associated increase of individual research grants, 4) development of special national programs for basic researches in agricultural sciences, 5) organization of a committee for policy and planning within the related societies, and 6) system development for the fair evaluation of the research results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.525-531
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• 1999

Background: We analyzed five hundred patients who underwent either isolated or concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) between November 1981 and June 1997. Material and Method: There were 330 males and 170 females with a mean age of 57.4$\pm$8.9 years. To evaluate the preoperative status, we performed electrocardiograghy, echocardiography, MIBI scan, Duplex sonogram, common blood test including CK and LDH and coronary angiography. Result: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 282 (56.4%), stable angina in 141 (28.2%), postinfarction angina in 58 (11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 8 (1.6%), variant angina in 7 (1.4%) and failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 4 (0.8%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 263 (52.6%), two-vessel disease in 93 (18.6%), one-vessel disease in 71 (14.2%), left main disease in 68 (13.6%), and others in 5 (1.0%) patients. Patients had various risk factors for coronary disease, and the frequency of the risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking showed increasing tendency year by year. We used saphenous vein grafts in 1143, internal thoracic artery grafts in 442, radial artery graft in 17, and gastroepiploic artery graft in 1 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts was 3.2$\pm$1.2 per patient. Concomitant operations were prosthetic valve replacement or valvuloplasty in 31, coronary endarterectomy and angioplasty in 27, left main coronary angioplasty in 13, carotid endarterectomy in 5, and neurologic problems, bleeding, and perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean follow-up period was 25$\pm$23 months and there were 5 cases of reoperation. Conclusion: We hope that the surgical results would improve with the accumulation of experience, application of new myocardial protection technique, and timely intervention of mechanical assisted devices.