• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2003

Purpose : The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating coronary artery disease has been reported. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of breath-hold segmented K-space cine MR imaging for evaluating the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). Materials and Method s : Thirty eight patients with a total of 92 CABGs (36 internal thoracic arteries and 56 saphenous vein grafts) were evaluated using segmented K-space cardiac-gated fast gradient echo sequence (2D-FASTCARD) MR imaging. MR magnitude images were evaluated from the hard copies by two independent observers. A graft was defined as patent if it was seen as a bright small round area on at least two consecutive images throughout the cardiac cycle at a position consistent with the expected location for that graft. Results : MR images were obtained successfully for 23 patients (61%). The sagittal planes were most helpful in visualizing the cross-section of sapheneous vein bypass graft to left circumflex artery branch, whereas the transverse planes were used for identification of internal mammary artery grafts to left anterior descending coronary artery or its branch and identification of saphenous vein grafts to right coronary artery. Forty five grafts were visible using this MR technique, while the grafts were not visible on seven saphenous vein grafts and two internal mammary artery grafts. In two patients showing symptoms of myocardial ischemia, one or two bypass grafts were not visible. Imaging, perpendicular plane to a CABG was important to visualize the flow inside the CABG with maximum sensitivity. Conclusion : Evaluation of patency of the bypass graft was clinically feasible by 2D-FASTCARD MR imaging, whereas any invisible bypass grafts should be further studied by contrast-enhanced MR angiography or by conventional angiography for confirmation of abnormalities.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 1998

Analysis of gravity, magnetic, and seismic reflection data from the Ulleung Basin, East Sea has provided some insights into the opening mechanism and crustal type of the basin. Free-air gravity anomaly data show positive anomalies of about 40~60 mgal near the Korea Plateau and Oki Bank and of about -20~20 mgal in the central basin. Bouguer gravity anomaly data exhibit NE-SW trending positive anomalies of about 150 mgal in the central basin which is interpreted to be related to high-density crustal material. Abrupt changes in both Free-air and Bouguer gravity anomaly profiles across the basin margins may be due to transition between continental and oceanic crusts. Magnetic anomalies in the basin are generally less than -400 nT. No stripe pattern is evident in the magnetic anomaly map but a NW-SE trending symmetric pattern is seen in some magnetic profiles. The symmetric pattern is probably associated with the high-density crustal material in the central basin suggested by Bouguer gravity anomaly. The acoustic basement in the deep part of the basin has only a small amount of local relief. No graben or half-graben structures are seen in the acoustic basement from which mechanical extension might be inferred. The lack of high-relief structures in the acoustic basement may suggest that the basin is underlain by oceanic crust or that the basement is overlain by thick volcanic layer which obscures the structures and relief of the basement. High-density crust in the central basin inferred from gravity data, abrupt changes in gravity anomalies across the basin margins, symmetric pattern seen in some magnetic anomaly profiles, and lack of relief in the acoustic basement may suggest sea-floor spreading origin of the Ulleung Basin.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2015

To set up unicellular cyanobacterial strains with photo-biological $H_2$ production potential, live samples were repeatedly collected from 68 stations in the coastal zone of Korea for the four years since 2005. Among 77 cyanobacterial strains established six (KNU strains, CB-MAL002, 026, 031, 054, 055 and 058) were finally chosen as the excellent strains for $H_2$ production with $H_2$ accumulation over 0.15 mL $H_2\;mL^{-1}$ under general basic $H_2$ production conditions as well as positive $H_2$ production for more than 60 hr. To explore optimum procedures for higher $H_2$ production efficiency of the six cyanobacterial strains, the inter-strain differences in the growth rate under the gradients of water temperature and salinity were investigated. The maximum daily growth rates of the six strains ranged from 1.78 to 2.08, and all of them exhibited $N_2-fixation$ ability. Based on the similarity of the 16S rRNA sequences, all the test strains were quite close to Cyanothece sp. ATCC51142 (99%). The six strains, however, were grouped into separate clades from strain ATCC51142 in the molecular phylogeny diagram. Chlorophyll- a content was 3.4~7.8% of the total dried weight, and the phycoerythrin and phycocyanin contents were half of those in the Atlantic strain, Synechococcus sp. Miami BG03511. The growth of the six strains was significantly suppressed at temperatures above the optimal range, $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$, to be nearly stopped at $40^{\circ}C$. The growth was not inhibited by high salinities of 30 psu salinity in all the strains while strain CB055 maintained its high growth rate at low salinities down to 15 psu. The euryhaline strains like CB055 might support massive biotechnological cultivation systems using natural basal seawater in temperate latitudes. base seawater. The biological and ecophysiological characteristics of the test strains may contribute to designing the optimal procedures for photo-biological $H_2$ production by unicellular cyanobacteria.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2014

Understanding and quantifying of carbon storage in ecosystem is very important factor for predicting change of global carbon cycle under the global climate change. We estimated total ecosystem carbon in Gyeryongsan National Park with naturally well preserved ecosystem in Korea. Vegetation of Gyeryongsan National Park was classified with mainly four communities with Quercus mongolica (1,743.5 ha, 38.0%), Quercus variabilis (1,174.0 ha, 25.6%), Quercus serrata (971.9 ha, 21.2%), Pinus densiflora (695.2 ha, 15.2%). Biomass and soil carbons were calculated from biomass allometric equations based on the DBH and carbon contents of soil and litter collected in quadrat in each community. The tree biomass carbon was in Quercus variabilis ($130.1tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($111.1tCha^{-1}$), Quercus mongolica ($76.2tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($39.0tCha^{-1}$). Soil carbon storage was in Quercus mongolica ($159.7tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($121.0tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($110.5tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($90.8tCha^{-1}$). Ecosystem carbon storage was Pinus densiflora ($239.9tCha^{-1}$), Quercus mongolica ($235.9tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($226.0tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($165.9tCha^{-1}$), total amount was $867.7tCha^{-1}$. The area of each vegetation carbon storage was Quercus mongolica ($411,200tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($265,300tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($166,800tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($161,200tCha^{-1}$) and the total ecosystem carbon amount estimated $1,045,400tCha^{-1}$ at Gyeryongsan National Park. Theses results indicate that different in naturally well preserved ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.91-102
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• 2014

Forest vegetation of Birobong (1,563 m) in Odaesan National Park is classified into mountain forest vegetation and flatland forest vegetation. Mountain forest vegetation is subdivided into deciduous broad-leaved forest, valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, subalpine broad-leaved forest, afforestation and etc., while riparian forest was found under the category of flatland forest vegetation. Including 196 communities of mountain forest vegetation, 1 community of flatland forest vegetation and 4 communities of other vegetation, the total of 201 communities were researched; the distributed colonies classified by physiognomy classification are 62 communities deciduous broad-leaved forest, 84 communities of valley forest, 15 communities of coniferous forests, 16 communities of subalpine coniferous forest, 3 communities of subalpine broad-leaved forest, 16 afforestation, 1 community of flatland forest and 4 other communities. As for the distribution rate for surveyed main communities, Quercus mongolica, Quercus variabilis, Tilia amurensis communities account for 37.08 percent of deciduous broad-leaved forest, Juglans mandshurica, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Populus koreana community takes up 1.59 percent of mountain valley forest, Pinus densiflora community holds 6.65 percent of mountain coniferous forest holds. In conclusion, minority species consisting of Quercus mongolica, Quercus variabilis, Tilia amurensis, Juglans mandshurica, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Populus koreana, Pinus densiflora are distributed as dominant species of the uppermost part in a forest vegetation of Birobong in Odaesan National Park. In addition, because of vegetation succession and climate factors, numerous colonies formed by the two species are expected to be replaced by Quercus mongolica, Tilia amurensis and Juglans mandshurica which are climax species in the area. However, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved forest seems to increase gradually due to global warming and artificial disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.570-580
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• 2013

The forest vegetation of the Deogyusan National Park is classified into mountain forest vegetation and riparian forest vegetation. Mountain forest vegetation in the forest vegetation is subdivided into deciduous broad-leaved forest, valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, shrub forest, afforestation and other vegetation. Including 192 communities of mountain forest vegetation and 3 communities of other vegetation, the total of 195 communities were researched; the distributed colonies classified by physiognomy classification are 61 communities deciduous broad-leaved forest, 55 communities of valley forest, 17 communities of coniferous forests, 6 communities of subalpine coniferous forest, 3 communities of shrub forest, 50 afforestation and 3 other vegetation. As for the distribution rate for surveyed main communities, Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis communities account for 66.00 percent of deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa community takes up 64.40 percent of mountain valley forest, Pinus densiflora community holds 70.40 percent of mountain coniferous forest holds. In conclusion, minority species consisting of Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Pinus densiflora are distributed as dominant species of the uppermost part in a forest vegetation of Geochilbong in Deogyusan National Park. In addition, because of vegetation succession and climate factors, numerous colonies formed by the two species are expected to be replaced by Quercus mongolica, Carpinus laxiflora and Fraxinus mandshurica which are climax species in the area. However, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved forest seems to increase gradually due to global warming and artificial disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.289-300
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• 2013

Forest vegetation of Hyangjeokbong (1,614 m) in Deogyusan National Park is classified into mountain forest vegetation and flatland forest vegetation. Mountain forest vegetation is subdivided into deciduous broad-leaved forest, valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, shrub forest, grassland forest, afforestation and etc., while riparian forest was found under the category of flatland forest vegetation. Including 122 communities of mountain forest vegetation and 2 communities of riparian forest, the total of 124 communities were researched; the distributed colonies classified by physiognomy classification are 42 communities deciduous broad-leaved forest, 37 communities of valley forest, 8 communities of coniferous forests, 6 communities of subalpine coniferous forest, 3 communities of shrub forest, 1 communities of grassland forest, 21 afforestation and 4 other communities. As for the distribution rate for surveyed main communities, Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis communities account for 47.02 percent of deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fraxinus mandshurica community takes up 57.48 percent of mountain valley forest, Pinus densiflora community holds 77.53 percent of mountain coniferous forest holds, and Taxus cuspidate-Abies koreana community takes up about 50 percent of subalpine coniferous forest. Mountain shrub forest and mountain grassland forest vegetation are concentrated mainly on the top of Hyangjeokbong and the ridge connecting the top and Jungbong. Meanwhile, riparian forest vegetation comprises 0.024% of the whole vegetation area in a study area. In conclusion, minority species consisting of Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Pinus densiflora, Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata are distributed as dominant species of the uppermost part in a forest vegetation region in Deogyusan National Park. In addition, because of vegetation succession and climate factors, numerous colonies formed by the two species are expected to be replaced by Quercus mongolica, Carpinus laxiflora and Fraxinus mandshurica which are climax species in the area. However, in respect of subalpine coniferous forest, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved forest seems to increase gradually due to global warming and artificial disturbance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2012

Bee venom (BV) has been used in medicine to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, and various cancers. Recent reports indicate that BV has anti-angiogenic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BV against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. We examined the effects of BV and its major components (melittin and apamin) on tumor angiogenesis and found that BV significantly decreased protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), an important factor involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. BV also suppressed the transcription of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major target gene of HIF-$1{\alpha}$. We also found that these effects were mainly elicited by apamin, but not melittin. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without changing the total levels of this protein, but had no effect on kinases of p38/JNK and AKT. Our results suggest that BV may inhibit human colorectal cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF expression, thereby providing a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of BV.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.725-732
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• 2005

This study attempted to investigate if the soy isoflavone, genistein, influences bone metabolism in ovariectomized, 4-week-old female Wister rats. All the rats were divided into sham (SH) and ovariectomized (OVX) groups consisting of OVX-17${\beta}$-estradiol($10\;{\mu}g/kg$ b.w.), OVX-1mg or 5 mg or 10mg of genistein/kg b.w. The rates were allowed ad libitum access to foods and water for 8 weeks. The Results showed that body weight had significantly increased in the OVX group compared to the SH group (p<0.05) and was not different among the OVX-GEN and OVX-ES groups and the OVX group. The liver and uterus weights in the OVX groups were slighter than those in SH group (p<0.05). The kidney weight in the OVX groups was decreased compared to in that in the SH group but was not significantly different among all OVX groups. Femoral length in the OVX groups was longer than in the SH group and was not different. Rats in the OVX groups had higher creatinine levels than those in the SH group and hydroxyproline level did not differ significantly among any of the groups. Serum ALP activity and Ca in bone, feces, urine and serum did not change among the groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased in the OVX groups compared to the SH group and was slightly increased by feeding genistein (p>0.05). Breaking force and stiffness did not change by ovariectomy and feeding genistein. Hence, these results suggested that estrogen may affect bone mineralization in growing rats and that genistein be may involved in the prevention of bone loss. However, more studies are needed to identify the proper mechanism of genistein and bone formation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2001

The ectopic expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH and luteinizing hormone(LH) in several tissues is a quite intriguing phenomenon. Recently, the presence of GnRH and its receptor has been clearly demonstrated in rodents and human mammary gland. In this context, one can postulate that the presence of local circuit composed of GnRH and LH in the gland. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether there is a correlation between the LH expression in rat mammary gland and physiological status during the process of mammary differentiation. LH contents in mammary gland from cycling to weaning rats were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). In cycling rats, changes of the LH level in both serum and mammary gland showed similar pattern as the highest level in proestrus and the lowest level in diestrus II stage. While the serum LH levels were fluctuated from pregnant through involution stage, a sharp decline of mammary LH contents was observed in the lactating rats. This decrement was recovered in involuting rats to the level of proestrus stage. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the transcriptional activities of the mammary LH and GnRH were increased from diestrus I stage to estrus stage, and the increased levels were maintained in pregnant, lactation and involution stages. To test the hypothesis that the alteration in mammary LH expression might be steroid-dependant, ovariectomy(OVX) and steroid supplement model was employed. As expected, supplement of estradiol(E$_2$) after OVX remarkably decreased serum LH level compared to that in serum from vehicle-only treated rats. Likewise, administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced the mammary LH content. The present study demonstrated that (i) the LH expression in mammary gland could be altered by some physiological parameters such as estrous cycle, pregnancy, lactation and involution, and (ii) ovarian steroid especially estrogen seems to be one of major endocrine factors which are responsible for regulation of mammary LH expression.