• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제109권4호
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• pp.512-520
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• 2020

We assessed the nectar source potential of a prospective honey plant, Idesia polycarpa, by analyzing nectar volume, free sugar content, and free amino acid content. Idesia polycarpa is a dioecious tree; the males bloom approximately four days earlier than females, and the blooming period is approximately 17 days-from March 14th to March 30th. Upon investigating the patterns of nectar secretion, it was found that male flowers peak on the third day of blooming at 5.0 ± 2.5 μL, and female flowers peak on the second day of blooming, at 1.1 ± 0.4 μL. There was a significant difference between males and females in the total nectar volume (9.7 ± 2.9 μL for males and 1.7 ± 0.5 μL for females) and the dried nectar volume (2.2 ± 0.6 μL for males, 0.8 ± 0.3 μL for females) during the blooming period. The free sugar content of floral nectar was 54.6 ± 15.4 ㎍/μL for males and 20.5 ± 4.9 ㎍/μL for females, and the sugar content per flower was higher in males (170.7 ± 15.4 ㎍) than in females (24.9 ± 5.5 ㎍). Our analysis of the amino acid content showed that 20.4 ± 3.9 mg/L (comprised of 19 amino acids) is produced in male flowers and 3.2 ± 0.1 mg/L (11 amino acids) in female flowers. In the male flower, the main amino acid was glutamine, followed by asparagine and proline, whereas in the female nectar, asparagine was the main amino acid, followed by glutamic acid and glutamine. Idesia polycarpa blooms after the blooming period of a major honey plant, Robinia pseudoacacia, and its nectar volume and nectar characteristics, such as free sugar content and amino acid content, make it a viable honey plant.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.357-364
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• 2020

The grade and price of Lentinula edodes largely differs in preference depending on the product area and seasonal factors. The product amount of autumn L. edodes was higher than that of spring L. edodes, but high quality, which is divided into "Hwago" is low in preference. Mostly, the autumn L. edodes is obtained as powder; hence, it is necessary to develop a processing method to utilize its flavor and aroma at an affordable price. Additionally, we estimated the content of 𝛽-glucan, ergosterol, vitamin D₂, reducing sugars, and free amino acids and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of saccharification powder of log-cultivated L. edodes. In the saccharification powders obtained via 7 min of UV irradiation of log-cultivated L. edodes, 𝛽-glucan and vitamin D₂ contents were found to be the highest, whereas ergosterol content was found to be the lowest. The content of reducing sugars ranged from 62.4 mg/L to 68.2 mg/L. The free amino acids were higher in these saccharification powders than in the control. Subsequently, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations (10, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 ㎍/mL) of the saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes obtained via different UV irradiation time applications. The cells showed good viability; the anti-inflammatory effect was found to be the highest at 7 min UV irradiation. Therefore, 7 min of UV irradiation was determined to be the optimum condition for manufacturing saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes. Hence, saccharification powders of log-cultivated L. edodes may be used as a raw material for natural sweeteners, food additives, and in the food industry.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.118-138
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• 2022

This study was conducted to identify the vegetation structure of major vegetation by region and elevation in the subalpine zone of Seoraksan National Park and prepare an inventory of flora. We reviewed the results of the previous subalpine studies and, through a preliminary survey, determined that the first appearance point of subalpine vegetation was about 800 m based on the south. Then we conducted a site survey by installing a total of 77 plots, including 12 plots on the northern Baekdamsa-Madeungnyeong trail (BD), 13 plots on the west Hangyeryeong-Kkeutcheong trail (HG), 13 plots on the east side of Sinheungsa-Socheongbong trail (SA), and 39 plots in the southern Osaek-Kkeutcheong, Osaek-Daecheongbong trail (OS), in an interval of 50 m above sea level. The analysis classified 7 communities, including Qercus mongolica-Abies holophylla-Acer pseudosieboldianumcommunity, Q. mongolica-Tilia amurensiscommunity, Q. mongolica-Pinus koraiensiscommunity, Q. mongolica-A. pseudosieboldianumcommunity, Betula ermanii-A. nephrolepiscommunity, P. koraiensis-A. nephrolepiscommunity, and mixed deciduous broad-leaf tree community according to the species composition based on the appearance of the major subalpine plants such as Quercus mongolica, Betula ermanii, and Abies nephrolepis, region, and elevation. 10.68±2.98 species appeared per plot (100 m²), and 110.87±63.89 individuals were identified. The species diversity analysis showed that the subalpine vegetation community of Seoraksan National Park was a mixed forest in which various species appeared as important species. Although there was a difference in the initial elevation for the appearance of major subalpine plants by region, they were distributed intensively in the elevation range of 1,100 to 1,300 m. In the Seoraksan National Park, 322 taxa, 83 families, 193 genera, 196 species, 1 subspecies, 26 varieties, and 4 forms of vascular plants were identified. One taxon of Trientalis europaeavar.arcticawas identified as the protected species. The endemic plants were 19 taxa, and 58 taxa were identified as subalpine plants.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.300-309
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• 2021

This study was conducted to develop food and medicinal products containing useful components of Lentinula edodes in Codonopsis lanceolata and Platycodon grandiflorus for use as herbal medicine. We manufactured C. lanceolata (FCLM) and P. grandiflorus (FPLM) extract fermented with L. edodes mycelium. The effect of the two fermented products on proximate composition, free sugar, organic acid, 𝛽-glucan, ergothioneine, ergosterol, and vitamin D₂ levels, and 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell growth were studied. The proximate composition analysis results showed that the crude fiber and crude fat content in FCLM was higher than that in FPLM, and the crude protein and soluble nitrogen content in FPLM was higher than that in FCLM. Free sugar analysis detected arabinose, glucose, and sucrose in both FCLM and FPLM, and the total free sugar content was high in FPLM. The organic acid content was lower in FCLM and FPLM compared to C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus before fermentation. The 𝛽-glucan content was higher than that of L. edodes used as a control in both fermented products, FCLM and FPLM. The content of ergothioneine, an antioxidant, was higher in FCLM than in FPLM. Ergosterol content was highest in L. edodes which was used as a control, and the two fermented products showed similar content. Vitamin D₂ was detected only in FCLM and FPLM, and FPLM (0.58±0.01 mg%) showed a higher vitamin D₂ content than FCLM (0.47±0.01). FCLM and FPLM showed a higher level of cell viability for 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes compared to non-fermented C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus. In addition, FCLM and FPLM inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation more than C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus before fermentation, which may exert an anti-obesity effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.20-25
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• 2022

Background and Objectives Globus pharyngeus is one of the most common symptoms of patients visiting otorhinolaryngology out-patient clinic, and usually long-lasting, difficult to treat, and frequently recurrent. Mucomyst^®, N-acetyl cysteine is an inhalation agent mainly used for mucolysis and reducing inflammation in airway via antioxidative effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment in patients with globus pharyngeus refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Materials and Method We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of Mucomyst^® in relieving symptoms of globus pharyngeus refractory to PPI in nine medical centers. Three hundred and three patients enrolled and finally 229 patients finished the inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy for 8 weeks. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for globus, and Globus Pharyngeus Symptom Scale (GPS) after use of Mucomyst^® for 4 and 8 weeks. Results The GPS, RSI, RFS, and VAS score significantly decreased serially in patients who finished 8 week-inhalation treatment. The GPS improvement gap was significantly correlated with initial GPS (p<0.001) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion Inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy was effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in refractory globus patients. This study might suggest new treatment option for patients with globus. However, further thorough studies would be needed to assess the real effect of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment as a standard treatment for globus.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.327-337
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• 2022

Ecological restoration is considered a good means to prevent biodiversity loss in terms of the ecosystem's health and sustainability. However, there are difficulties in putting it into practice as there is no comprehensive and objective standard for the selection of plant species, such as environmental, ecological factors, and restoration goal setting. Therefore, this study developed an evaluation index necessary for selecting plant species for restoration using the Delphi method that synthesizes the opinions of the expert group. A survey with 38 questionnaires was conducted twice for experts in ecological restoration, etc., and the importance and priority of evaluation indicators were analyzed by dividing the restoration targets into inland and island regions. The result of the importance analysis showed that "native plants" had the highest average of 4.9 among the evaluation indices in both inland and island regions, followed by "seed security", "propagation", and "root growth rate". In the inland region, the index priority was analyzed in the order of "native plants", "appearance frequency", "root growth rate", "distribution range", and "seed security" in the island region, it was analyzed in the order of "native plants", "root growth rate", "appearance frequency", "distribution range", and "tolerance", showing slight differences between the two indicators. As a result of the importance and priority indicator analysis, we set the mean importance and priority of 4.1 and 2.9, respectively, in the inland region and 4.2 and 2.9, respectively, in the island region. As for the criteria of selecting plant species for ecological restoration, the "native plants" had the highest importance and priority. "Seed securing", 'viability", "topography", "proliferation", "tolerance", "soil conditions", "growth characteristics", "early succession", "distribution range", "appearance frequency", and "germination rate" were classified into subgroups of low importance and priority. The lowest indicators were "final stage of succession", "transition period", 'transition stage", "root", "reproduction", "soil", "appearance", "technology", "landscape", "climate", and "germination rate". We expected that the findings through objective verification in this study would be used as evaluation indicators for selecting native plant species for ecological restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.338-349
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate whether modular community planting, which entailed planting a variety of species of seedlings at high density, was more effective in restoring natural forests than the existing mature tree planting. We also investigated whether the planting density of the modular community planting facilitates growth or improves the tree layer coverage. We conducted outdoor experiments in which the samples were divided into a mature tree planting plot (control plot), where mature trees were planted at wide intervals, and a modular community planting (MCP) plot (treatment plot), where multiple seedlings were planted in high density. The MCP plot was further divided into the plot in which 3 seedlings were planted per m² and the plot of 1 seedling per m². We measured the specimens' survival rate, growth rate (tree height, crown width, and root collar diameter), and cover rate for 26 months from May 2019 and the predicted future tree height growth using the measured tree height. The survival rate and relative growth rate of the MCP were higher than those of the mature tree planting plot. The vertical coverage rate of the tree crown in the MCP exhibited complete coverage of the ground before 23 months, while the coverage rate of the mature tree planting decreased due to transplantation stress. The seedlings in the MCP, which were planted at high density, grew well and were predicted to grow higher than the mature trees in the large tree planting plot within 5 to 6.5 years after planting. It was due to multiple species, seedlings, high-density planting, and planting foundation improvements, such as soil enhancement and mulching. In other words, the seedlings planted in the MCP had a higher survival rate as their environmental adaptation after planting was better, and their early growth was also larger than the trees in the mature planting plot. The high-density mixed planting of various native species not only mitigated the inter-complementary environmental pressures but also facilitated growth by inducing competition between species. Moreover, the planting foundation improvement effectively increased the seedlings' viability and growth rate. A reduction in follow-up management costs is expected as the tree layer coverage sharply increases due to the higher planting density. In the MCP (3 seedlings per m² and 1 seedling per m²), the tree height growth was promoted with the higher planting density, and the crown width and root collar diameter tended to be larger with the lower planting density, but these differences were not statistically significant.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• 제38권6_2호
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• pp.1691-1707
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• 2022

Cheonji Lake, the caldera of Baekdu Mountain, located on the border of the Korean Peninsula and China, alternates between melting and freezing seasonally. There is a magma chamber beneath Cheonji, and variations in the magma chamber cause volcanic antecedents such as changes in the temperature and water pressure of hot spring water. Consequently, there is an abnormal region in Cheonji where ice melts quicker than in other areas, freezes late even during the freezing period, and has a high-temperature water surface. The abnormal area is a discharge region for hot spring water, and its ice gradient may be used to monitor volcanic activity. However, due to geographical, political and spatial issues, periodic observation of abnormal regions of Cheonji is limited. In this study, the degree of ice change in the optimal region was quantified using a Landsat -5/-7/-8 optical satellite image and a Modified U-Net regression model. From January 22, 1985 to December 8, 2020, the Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) band of 83 Landsat images including anomalous regions was utilized. Using the relative spectral reflectance of water and ice in the VNIR band, unique data were generated for quantitative ice variability monitoring. To preserve as much information as possible from the visible and near-infrared bands, ice gradient was noticed by applying it to U-Net with two encoders, achieving good prediction accuracy with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 140 and a correlation value of 0.9968. Since the ice change value can be seen with high precision from Landsat images using Modified U-Net in the future may be utilized as one of the methods to monitor Baekdu Mountain's volcanic activity, and a more specific volcano monitoring system can be built.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.579-593
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• 2021

In order to understand the types of vegetation in warm temperate-climate zones, vegetation was investigated in several island areas in Jeollanam-do (Jindo, Wando, Gangjin, Goheung, and Yeosu). The evaluation standard for degraded level of warm temperate forests were proposed based on the importance percentage (IP) in canopy layer of the evergreen broad-leaf forests and the number of arboreal evergreen broad-leaf species. Through these measurements, the restoration types and techniques for each degraded level were estimated, and it is intended to be used in establishing restoration plans for the southwest coast island area. The vegetation was analyzed using the two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) method using survey data of 307 plots. As a result, it was divided into 8 communities, and the appearance characteristics of evergreen broad-leaf species were identified in each community. Community I was located on the lower slope at an altitude of 86.6 m, and Neolitsea sericea and Castanopsis sieboldii were dominant. Communities II and III were the vegetation types that appear on the coast below an altitude of 10.5 to 22.5 m, and Machilus thunbergii, Cinnamomum japonicum, N. sericea, and C. sieboldii were dominant. Communities IV and V were vegetation types that appeared in the lower and middle slops between the altitudes of 71.9 to 153.4m, and C. sieboldii was dominant. In community VI, the N. sericea was dominant in the lower and middle slops at an altitude of 166.9 m. The last communities VII and VIII were the vegetation types that appeared on the middle slop at an altitude of 187.8 to 246.2 m. Also, Quercus acuta and Q. salicina were present. In summary, the evergreen broad-leaf forests dominated by M. thunbergii, C. japonicum, and N. sericea appeared mainly in the coastal areas of the lowlands. The community of C. sieboldii was distributed higher inland than this community. The communities that appeared mainly in the inland highlands at levels above these two communities were Q. acuta and Q. salicina. The degraded level was classified as 0 to V, according to the IP of arboreal evergreen broad-leaf species and the number of arboreal evergreen broad-leaf species. According to the degraded level, the restoration types (preservation, induction, improvement, creation) and the restoration techniques were determined.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was approximately 16% in populations of over age 30 years, and deaths from diabetes mellitus became the sixth most prevalent cause of death by disease. To assess the relationship between HbA1c and heavy metal level in blood and urine, targeted residents were evaluated in a vast steel industrial complex. Methods: We selected 414 subjects for analysis after applying the following exclusion criterion: 18 persons with diabetes mellitus. They took part in a questionnaire survey and underwent blood and urinary assessments. HbA1c and lead (Pb) level were measured in blood and, cadmium (Cd), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and mercury (Hg) were evaluated in urine. Two subgroups were divided by HbA1c 6.5%. Each subgroup was divided by 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th percentile levels of biological exposure index of the heavy metals for logistic regression. Results: Odd ratios have a tendency to increase as they go from the 90th to the 10th percentile of cadmium. However, lead, arsenic and mercury did not have significant relationships with HbA1c. In correction of age, region, gender and smoking history, a higher distribution in the subgroup with cadmium above 0.8318 ㎍/g creatinine (30th percentile) was demonstrated in the subgroup with HbA1c levels above the 6.5%, with an odds ratio of 5.26 (95% C.I. ; 1.44~19.17). Conclusion: This study found a significant correlation between urinary levels of cadmium and HbA1c in correction of several factors. It is meaningful that this outcome may be used as a basis for a study to establish the acceptable limit of urinary cadmium in Korea.