• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2009

Purpose: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental components. Recently, the STOX1 gene, identified as a candidate gene for preeclampsia in Dutch women, has been shown to be placentally expressed and subject to imprinting with preferential transmission of the maternal allele. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between the STOX1 Y153H variation and preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This study involved 202 preeclamptic and 204 healthy pregnant women who were genotyped for the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene using a commercially available SNapShot assay kit and an ABI Prism 3730 DNA Analyzer. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene between preeclamptic patients and normal controls (P>0.05). The H allele frequency of the STOX1 Y153H variation was similar in patients with preeclampsia (87.1%) and in normal controls (86.5%). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the YH, HH, and YH/HH genotypes were not associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia when compared to the YY genotype. Conclusion: This is the first study to characterize the Y153H variant of the STOX1 gene in Korean patients with preeclampsia. We found no differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. Although limited by a relatively small sample size, our study suggests that the STOX1 Y153H variation is not associated with the development of preeclampsia in Korean pregnant women.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.317-328
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• 2019

In this work, we investigated clay and raw materials from China (black clay, red clay, white clay) and Korea (Cheonan clay, Obu clay) used for the manufacture of porcelain products. According to chemical analysis results, feldspar components containing CaO, K₂O, Na₂O and quartz are found in clay materials besides primary clay such as kaollinte, for the clay materials from Korea, which is found more in clay materials from Korea than from China. For the Fe₂O₃ content, governing whiteness of porcelain products, more iron oxide (> 5 %) is found in Korean clays (Cheonan clay, obu clay, red clay) compared to those form China (black, white clay). Through X-ray diffraction analysis, kaolinite and Halloysite are found to be main phases for all the raw materials and second phases such as quartz and pyrophyllite are found. Using these clay materials, raw materials for porcelain products were produced, and the physicochemical properties were investigated for sintered samples. Absorption rate is in order of Baekja-A < Baekja-B < Yeonbuncheong < Jinbuncheong < Cheongja, and the sample, sintered at 1250℃ in reductive atmosphere, exhibits the lowest absorption rate. Comparing the color of the sintered samples, the samples sintered in oxidative atmosphere (L^* value: 86~95 %) show higher whiteness value than those sintered in reductive atmosphere (L^* value: 81~93 %). For the Cheongja and Buncheong, the samples sintered in reductive atmosphre shows higher whiteness, L^* values, and low a^*/b^* value, which is due to reduction of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃).

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.278-288
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• 2007

Shrimp culture in Korea had been rapidly developed during 1990's and the production of farmed shrimp reached 3,268 mt from 2,605 ha in 2001. However the shrimp production decreased to 2,368 mt in 2004 because of the mass mortality due to outbreak of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). WSSV which is one of the most serious threats associated with cultured shrimp around the world has given the economic damages to shrimp culture industry every year since it was found from the shrimp ponds in the west coast of the South Korea in 1993. Various polyculture technologies of shrimp with shellfish, finfish or seaweeds have been implemented to reduce economic damages by mass mortalities of shrimp. Among them, the polyculture of shrimp with carnivorous fish can suppress or delay the viral outbreak of shrimp ponds because the fish may selectively eat the moribund shrimps infected by virus. To determine the selective predatory effect of river puffer Takifugu obscures on WSSV infected shrimp, postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei and Fenneropenaeus chinensis. One-year old river puffers were stocked to four earthen ponds of $1,616-1,848\;m^2$ in surface area as followings: polyculture LvP, L. vannamei ($43.4/m^2$)+puffer ($0.22/m^2$); control Lv, L. vannamei ($46.9/m^2$); polyculture FcP, F. chinensis ($30.3/m^2$)+puffer ($0.25/m^2$); control Fc, F. chinensis ($24.6/m^2$). Ponds of control Fc and polyculture FcP had mass mortalities by WSSV outbreak on the $51^{st}$ and $57^{th}$ days of culture respectively. The shrimps of polyculture LvP and control Lv were harvested on the $95^{th}\;day$. Shrimp survival rates of polyculture LvP and control Lv were 32.4% and 18.2% respectively and shrimp productivity of polyculture LvP was 69.2% higher than that of control Lv. Concentration of nutrients (TAN, $NO_2-N$, $NO_3-N$) was maintained within optimal ranges for shrimp growth although that of polyculture ponds showed at least two times higher than that of control ponds. The results suggest that polyculture of L. vannamei with river puffer is higher than monoculture in survival rate and productivity. In addition, F. chinensis should be carefully cultured because this species shows much higher susceptibility to WSSV than L. vannamei.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1293-1301
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• 2016

Hulled oat (Chohan) and naked oat (Choyang) flours were analyzed according to particle size to investigate nutritional components and physicochemical properties. Particle size of naked oat flours was larger than that of hulled oat flours. As the mesh of the crushed ones decreased, particle sizes increased in value. The content of total ${\beta}$-glucan was highest in hulled oat flour (4.23%) with 60 mesh and in naked oat flour (4.26%) with 100 mesh. Most total ${\beta}$-glucan was soluble ${\beta}$-glucan in both flours (over 76%). Total starch of hulled oat flours (63.64~69.82%) was higher than that of naked oat flours (52.45~63.71%). Whereas amylose contents showed a negative correlation with total starch contents. Contents of free amino acids increased according to particle size, and each component was dependent on each type of amino acid. Moreover, while fatty acid composition was not significant, the content of most naked oats was higher than that of hulled oats. Besides, the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleate) in both types of oat flours was relatively higher than that of other grains. The pasting properties of peak viscosity, trough, and breakdown showed the highest value in both oats with 100 mesh. Further, the values of final viscosity and the setback were higher with relatively larger particle size. In addition, peak time exhibited a lower value with larger particle size, whereas it showed the opposite value for pasting temperature. Starch digestibility did not show any specific trend according to particle size, whereas expected glycemic index of hulled oats was lower than that of naked oats. Moreover, lower values were investigated at larger particle sizes. The results of this study provide basic useful information for processing of oat products to improve consumption of oats grown in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2005

Purpose: To compare the stability and clinical result after anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed knee after graft fixation using Intrafix in tibial tunnel with or without additional tibial post fixation. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 37 cases which were treated with four-strand hamstring tendon autograft during the period from May 2002 to January 2003. The grafts were fixed with Rigidfix system (Mitek Product, Johnson and Johnson, USA) in femur tunnel and Intrafix system (Mitek Product, Johnson and Johnson, USA) in tibial tunnel. After tibial fixation, additional tibial post fixation was done, which was determined by the serial case number prospectively. Patients were followed for average of fourteen months(range, thirteen to twenty-five months) At the time of final follow-up, patients were evaluated in terms of Lachman test, pivot shift test, Lysholm scores, IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) assessment, side-to-side KT-1000 maximum-manual arthrometer differences. Results: At last follow-up, Lysholm score was average 93.1(range: 65 to 98), IKDC assessment revealed that 26 cases had score of A, 10 cases had score of B and 1 case had score of C. The average maximum-manual KT-1000 arthrometer side ?to-side difference was 2.5 mm$(0{\sim}6mm)$. There was one case in which the Lachman test was graded as 2+ and four cases in which the Lachman test was graded as 1+ and the remaining thirty-two cases were normal by Lachman test. One case had a 2+ pivot-shift, and 2 cases had a 11 pivot-shift. The remaining 34 knees were normal on pivot -shift testing. The average maximum-manual KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference was average 2.8 mm$(0{\sim}6mm)$ in Intrafix only group and average 2.2 mm$(0{\sim}4mm)$ in additional fixation group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Without additional tibial fixation, the stability of the anterior cruciate reconstructed knee with hamstring graft which was fixed with Intrafix was restored.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.703-714
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• 2017

This paper analyzes the impact of two climate change scenarios on flow rate and water quality of the Yongdam Dam and its basin using CE-QUAL-W2 and SWAT, respectively. Under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios by IPCC, simulations were performed for 2016~2095, and the results were rearranged into three separate periods; 2016~2035, 2036~2065 and 2066~2095. Also, the result of each year was divided as dry season (May~Oct) and wet season (Nov~Apr) to account for rainfall effect. For total simulation period, arithmetic average of flow rate and TSS (Total Suspended Solid) and TP (Total Phosphorus) were greater for RCP 4.5 than those of RCP 8.5, whereas TN (Total Nitrogen) showed contrary results. However, when averaged within three periods and rainfall conditions the tendencies were different from each other. As the scenarios went on, the number of rainfall days has decreased and the rainfall intensities have increased. These resulted in waste load discharge from the basin being decreased during the dry period and it being increased in the wet period. The results of SWAT model were used as boundary conditions of CE-QUAL-W2 model to predict water level and water quality changes in the Yongdam Dam. TSS and TP tend to increase during summer periods when rainfalls are higher, while TN shows the opposite pattern due to its weak absorption to particulate materials. Therefore, the climate change impact must be carefully analyzed when temporal and spatial conditions of study area are considered, and water quantity and water quality management alternatives must be case specific.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome(SSSS) isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus(MRSA) with those of SSSS isolated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcal aureus(MSSA) in children. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and microbiological results of 36 cases of SSSS who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2003. Results : Among 36 cases, there were 7 generalized types, 1 abortive type in MRSA group and 5 generalized types, 6 abortive types in MSSA group. The peak incidence of age was between 2 and 5 years in both groups. SSSS were diagnosed with increasing frequency. Most of MRSA group were diagnosed in 2003(6/8). The peak seasonal incidence was fall and winter in both groups. Facial lesion was observed in all cases followed by flexural lesion in both groups. Staphylococci were isolated from the skin and throat most frequently in both groups. Upper respiratory illness and conjunctivitis were most common preceding infections in both groups. Among 8 cases of MRSA group, 4 cases were treated completely with ampicillin-sulbactam. There was no significant difference of mean duration of admission between MRSA group and MSSA group. Conclusion : There was no significant difference of clinical features between MRSA group and MSSA group although generalized types of SSSS were more common in MRSA group than in MSSA group.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2012

Purpose: The option of selecting isotonic rather than hypotonic fluids for maintenance fluid in children has been advocated by some authors. Pneumonia and CNS infections are frequent clinical settings for acute hyponatremia because of nonosmotic anti-diuretic hormone stimuli in children. We conducted the present study to identify the incidence of hyponatremia in pneumonia and CNS infection of children and to determine the importance of maintenance intravenous fluid therapy regimen and other related factors. Methods: The study included 1,992 patients admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Children's Hospital between November 2008 and August 2011, who were diagnosed with pneumonia or CNS infections and checked for serum sodium concentration. Their clinical data including laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. Results: During the study period, 218 patients were identified to have acute hyponatremia among 1,992 patients. The overall incidence of hyponatremia was 10.9%. The incidence of hyponatremia in encephalitis (37.3%) was highest and the incidence in bacterial meningitis (27.4%), viral meningitis (20.0%), bacterial pneumonia (11.1%), mycoplasma pneumonia (9.2%), and viral pneumonia (6.8%) were in descending order. The mean age was higher in hyponatremic patients than in isonatremic patients. The incidence of hyponatremia was higher in who had 0.18% NaCl in 5% dextrose (D5 0.18% NS) than 0.45% NaCl in 5% dextrose infusion (D5 1/2NS) (9.0% vs. 2.2%). SIADH was identified in 20.5% among hospital acquired hyponatremic patients after adequate evaluation for SIADH. Conclusion: We recommend D5 1/2NS rather than D5 0.18% NS as the maintenance fluid given to children with pneumonia or infectious CNS diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.476-483
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• 1996

Following radiation therapy for brain tumors, patients often have clinical deterioration due to either radiation necrosis or recurrent tumor progression in the treatment field. The distinction between these entities is important but difficult clinically or even with CT or MRI. T1-201 has been known to accumulate in various tumors and be useful to grade, predict prognosis or detect recurrence of glioma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of T1-201 SPECT in the differentiation of recurrent tumor from radiation necrosis. Of 67 patients who did T1-201 brain SPECT imaging with clinically suspected recurrent tumor or radiation necrosis, 20 patients underwent histopathological examination and constituted the study population. T1-201 uptake indices on T1-201 brain SPECT imaging rrere calculated and correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Of 20 patients, 15 were histopathologically confirmed as recurrent original tumor or malignant transformation of benign tumor and 5 were diagnosed as radiation necrosis. On T1-201 SPECT, 18 of 20 had T1-201 index above 2.5 which was regarded as positive indicator for the presence of tumor. Seventeen cases showed concordance, which consisted of 15 true positive and 2 true negative. Discordant 3 cases were all false positive. There was no case of false negative. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of T1-201 SPECT were 100%, 40%, 83% and 100%. In conclusion, T1-201 brain SPECT is a sensitive diagnostic test in the detection of recurrent tumor following radiation therapy and is useful in the differentiation of recurrent tumor from radiation necrosis. Relatively low specificity should be evaluated further in larger number of patients in consideration of sampling error and referral bias for pathologic examination.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is an ubiquitous and opportunistic human pathogen, which expresses many virulence factors through quorum sensing (QS) regulation. QscR, one of the QS signal receptors of P. aeruginosa, has unique features that make it possible to distinguish QscR from other QS receptors. In the present study, we focused on amino acid residues responsible for such a broad signal specificity of QscR. Thus we constructed mutant QscRs: $QscR_{T72I}$, $QscR_{R132M}$, and $QscR_{T140I}$ by substituting $72^{nd}$ threonine, $132^{nd}$ arginine, and $140^{th}$ threonine residues with isoleucine, methionine, and isoleucine, respectively by site-directed mutagenesis. When we examined the activity of these mutant QscRs, $QscR_{R132M}$ failed to respond to N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL), but $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ remained the ability to respond to 3OC12-HSL despite much reduction of the sensitivity. When we treated a variety of acyl-HSLs with different structure, $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ showed better responsiveness to N-decanoyl HSL (C10-HSL) or N-dodecanoyl HSL (C12-HSL) that has no oxo-moiety at $3^{rd}$ carbon of acyl group than to 3OC12-HSL, and $QscR_{R132M}$ showed no responsiveness to any acyl-HSLs tested here. In addition, $QscR_{T72I}$ and $QscR_{T140I}$ were inhibited by 5f, a QscR inhibitor as similarly as wild type QscR was. These results suggest that while the $130^{th}$ arginine is crucial in both activity and acyl-HSL binding of QscR, the $72^{nd}$ and $140^{th}$ threonines are important in the activity, but they are little responsible for the discrimination of acyl-HSLs or competitive inhibitor.