• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.220-226
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• 1994

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical applicability of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ) kit of HCV-RNA using biotinylated and radioiodinated primers. Study subjects were 118 patients with positive anti-HCV. HCV-RNA in patient's serum was extracted by guanidium thiocyanate method. After first amplification, the product was reamplified by primers labelled with biotin and I-125. The final amplification product was defected by counting the radioactivity after incubation in avidin coated tubes. In 51 samples, the test was repeated for evaluation of reproducibility. This new method was also compared with conventional RT-PCR methods in 34 samples from patients with chronic liver disease. The results were as follows ; 1) HCV-RNA was positive in 85(97%)of 88 patients with chronic liver disease, and in 23 (73%) of 30 patients with normal liver function. 2) In comparison with conventional method, HCV-RNA was detected in 32(94%) of 34 patients with new method, whereas in 27(79%) of the same group with conventional method. 3) Repeated test with new method in 52 samples demonstrated 82% of concordant result. In conclusion, new method with biotinylated and radioiodinated primers was more sensitive than conventional method. However, great care must be taken for quality control because there were considerable interassay variation and possiblity of false positivity and false negativity.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 1994

Tc-99m MIBI, a lipophilic cation, was reported as a useful agent for localization of lung cancer. The effect of radiation therapy on the uptake of Tc-99m MIBI in lung cancer, however, was not well evaluated. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT in the localization and the assessment of radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty patients(19 males and 1 female, mean age 59, 16 squamous cell ca and 4 adenoca) were studied with Tc-99m MIBI SPECT before radiation therapy. Eleven patients(10 males and 1 female, mean age 59, 8 squamous cell ca and 3 adenoca) were repeated the study 1 month after the completion of radiation therapy(mean dose 6453cGy). All patients showed positive uptakes of Tc-99m MIBI in their tumors. One patient showed a hot uptake in atelectatic area. There was no difference of Tc-99m MIBI uptakes between squamous cell ca and adenoca either on planar or tomographic images. Tc-99m MIBI uptake ratios of squamous cell ca and adenoca were $1.50{\pm}0.16$ and $1.45{\pm}0.15$ on planar images, and $2.73{\pm}0.46$ and $2.54{\pm}0.37$ on tomographic images, respectively. The concordance between radiological change(chest x-ray and CT) and change of Tc-99m MIBI uptakes was 9/11 (81.8% ). In conclusion, Tc-99m MIBI SPECT was useful in the localization of tumor and the assessment of radiation therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2010

Immuno-modulatory activities of peptides from Asterias amurensis were investigated using a nano-encapsulation process. The molecular weights of the peptides in the range of 5-7 kDa were separated using Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. Eighty-five percent of the nano-particles were in the 300 nm range using dynamic light scattering. The cytotoxicity of the A. amurensis nano-particles against CCD-986sk human dermal fibroblast cells was 11.64% after adding 1.0 mg/mL of the samples, which was lower than that from the control (13.28% collagen). The secretion of $NO^-$ from macrophages was estimated as $40\;{\mu}M$ after adding 1.0 mg/mL of gelatin nano-particles, which was higher than the others. Prostaglandin $E_2$ production from UV-induced human skin cells decreased greatly to 860 pg/mL after adding 1.0 mg/mL of the samples. Confocal microscopy revealed that nano-particles effectively penetrated the cells within 1 hour. From these results, we consider that nano-encapsulation of the peptides from A. amurensis can improve their biological functions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1625-1630
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• 2008

A microorganism capable of producing high level of poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB) from xylose was isolated from soil. The isolated strain J-65 was identified as Bacillus megaterium based on the morphological, biochemical and molecular biological characteristics. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of B. megaterium J-65 were $37^{\circ}C$ and 8.0, respectively. The optimum medium composition for the cell growth was 2% xylose, 0.25% $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, 0.3% $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}12H_2O$, and 0.1% $KH_2PO_4$. The optimum condition for PHB accumulation was same to the optimum condition for cell growth. Copolymer of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyric and ${\beta}$-hydroxyvaleric acid was produced when propionic acid was added to shake flasks containing 20 g/l of xylose. Fermenter culture was carried out to produce the high concentration of PHB. In batch culture, cell mass was 9.82 g/l and PHB content was 35% of dry cell weight. PHB produced by B. megaterium J-65 was identified as homopolymer of 3-hydoxybutyric acid by GC and NMR.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2016

India is largest producer of banana in the world producing 29.72 million tonnes from an area of 0.803 million ha with a productivity of 35.7 MT ha-1 and accounted for 15.48 and 27.01 per cent of the world's area and production respectively (www.nhb.gov.in). In India, Tamil Nadu leads other states both in terms of area and production followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district had special reputation in the cultivation of banana in an area of 5765 hectares with an annual production of 2.01 lakh tonnes in the year 2012-13 and hence, it was purposively chosen for the study. On $23^{rd}$ November 2003, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has commenced a comprehensive project called 'Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP)', first of its kind in the world so as to promote water use efficiency. APMIP is offering 100 per cent of subsidy in case of SC, ST and 90 per cent in case of other categories of farmers up to 5.0 acres of land. In case of acreage between 5-10 acres, 70 per cent subsidy and acreage above 10, 50 per cent of subsidy is given to the farmer beneficiaries. The sampling frame consists of Kurnool district, two mandals, four villages and 180 sample farmers comprising of 60 farmers each from Marginal (<1ha), Small (1-2ha) and Other (>2ha) categories. A well structured pre-tested schedule was employed to collect the requisite information pertaining to the performance of drip irrigation among the sample farmers and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to analyze the performance of drip irrigation in banana farms. The performance of drip irrigation was assessed based on the parameters like: Land Development Works (LDW), Fertigation costs (FC), Volume of water supplied (VWS), Annual maintenance costs of drip irrigation (AMC), Economic Status of the farmer (ES), Crop Productivity (CP) etc. The first four parameters are considered as inputs and last two as outputs for DEA modelling purposes. The findings revealed that, the number of farms operating at CRS are more in number in other farms (46.66%) followed by marginal (45%) and small farms (28.33%). Similarly, regarding the number of farmers operating at VRS, the other farms are again more in number with 61.66 per cent followed by marginal (53.33%) and small farms (35%). With reference to scale efficiency, marginal farms dominate the scenario with 57 per cent followed by others (55%) and small farms (50%). At pooled level, 26.11 per cent of the farms are being operated at CRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.6138 i.e., 47 out of 180 farms. Nearly 40 per cent of the farmers at pooled level are being operated at VRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.7241. As regards to scale efficiency, nearly 52 per cent of the farmers (94 out of 180 farmers) at pooled level, either performed at the optimum scale or were close to the optimum scale (farms having scale efficiency values equal to or more than 0.90). Majority of the farms (39.44%) are operating at IRS and only 29 per cent of the farmers are operating at DRS. This signifies that, more resources should be provided to these farms operating at IRS and the same should be decreased towards the farms operating at DRS. Nearly 32 per cent of the farms are operating at CRS indicating efficient utilization of resources. Log linear regression model was used to analyze the major determinants of input use efficiency in banana farms. The input variables considered under DEA model were again considered as influential factors for the CRS obtained for the three categories of farmers. Volume of water supplied ($X_1$) and fertigation cost ($X_2$) are the major determinants of banana farms across all the farmer categories and even at pooled level. In view of their positive influence on the CRS, it is essential to strengthen modern irrigation infrastructure like drip irrigation and offer more fertilizer subsidies to the farmer to enhance the crop production on cost-effective basis in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This study further suggests that, the present era of Information Technology will help the irrigation management in the context of generating new techniques, extension, adoption and information. It will also guide the farmers in irrigation scheduling and quantifying the irrigation water requirements in accordance with the water availability in a particular season. So, it is high time for the Government of India to pay adequate attention towards the applications of 'Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its applications in irrigation water management' for facilitating the deployment of Decision Supports Systems (DSSs) at various levels of planning and management of water resources in the country.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2016

Malachite green was measured in 200 freshwater fish collected from local markets in Seoul using HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. LC-MS/MS method was validated by linearity, accuracy, precision and limits of detection and quantification according to the CODEX's recommendation and HPLC-DAD method was applied according to the Food Code. Malachite green levels above the quantification limit of the LC-MS/MS were determined 18.5% (37) but just 1 fish was shown to contain malachite green by HPLC-DAD. Of 83 domestic fish, 21 fish were detected malachite green (25.3%). Of 117 fish from China, just 16 fish were detected malachite green (13.4%). In detection rate by species carp (35.0%), Crucian carp (30.4%), cat fish (28.0%), Korean bull head (23.8%), snake head (20.0%), eel (10.5%) and loach (7.8%) were in order. Especially, fish collected at summer were shown to contain malachite green frequently; the detection rate was 54.8%.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 1974

File fish Navodon modestus was dehydrated in cabinet type hot-sir drier at $48-50^{\circ}C$ for 11 hours and also yellowfin puffer Fugu xanthopterum was dried in open air at $26-28^{\circ}C$ for 30 hours. Nucleotides and their related compounds were collected by extraction with cold perchloric acid and their amounts were determined by anion exchange column chromatography. The contents of ADP, IMP, ATP and hypoxanthine in fresh file fish muscle were 22.9, 12.1, 4.9, and 3.2 ${\mu}mole/g,$ dry wt. respectively. AMP and inosine were 0.9 ${\mu}mole/g,$ dry wt. equally. In fresh yellowfin puffer muscle, the contents of ADP, ATP, AMP, inosine and hypoxanthine were 25.6, 2.4, 1.6, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.4 ${\mu}mole/g,$ dry wt. respectively. In the case of file fish, ADP and ATP tended to degrade rapidly during hot-air dehydration. The contents of IMP were decreased slightly while AMP and inosine were increased. And another case of yellowfin puffer, ADP also tended to degrade rapidly during sun drying while AMP, IMP, inosine and hypoxanthine were increased. Especially, in both case of file fish and yellowfin puffer, inosine was increased twenty five and thirty five times during drying respectively.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.46-61
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• 1985

This study was performed to obtain the basic data which can be applied to the use of foaming mortars. The data was based on the properties of foaming mortars depending upon various mixing ratios and addings to compare those of cement mortar. The foaming agents which was used at this experiment were pre-foamed type and mix-foaming type which is being used as mortar structures. The foaming mortar, mixing ratios of cement to fine aggregate were 1:1, 1: 2, 1 : 3 and 1 : 4. The addings of foaming agents were 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% of cement weight. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. At the mixing ratio of 1 : 1, the lowest water-cement ratios were showed by foaming mortars, respectively. But it gradually was increased in poorer mixing ratio and decreased in more addition of foaming agent. The water-cement ratios were decreased up to 1. 8~22. 0% by G, 2. 2~24. 1 % by U and 0. 7~53. 1% by J foaming mortar than cement mortar. 2, At the mixing ratio of 1 : 1, the highest bulk densities were showed by foaming mortars, respectively. But, it gradually was decreased in poorer mixing ratio and more addition of foaming agent. The bulk densities were decreased up to 1. 4~20. 7% by G, 2. 3~23. 7% by U and 26. 5~56. 5% by J foaming mortar than cement mortar. Therefore, foaming mortar could be utilized to the constructions which need low strengths. 3. At the mixing ratio of 1:1, the lowest absorption rates were showed by foaming mortars, respectively. But, it gradually was increased in poorer mixing ratio and more addition of foaming agent. Specially, according to the absorption rate when immersed in 72 hours, the absorption rates were showed up to 1. 01~1. 24 times by G, 1. 03~1. 58 times by U and 1. 10~5. 91 times by J foaming mortar than cement mortar. It was significantly higher at the early stage of immersed time than cement mortar. 4. At the mixing ratio of 1:1, the lowest air contents were showed by foaming mortars, respectively. But, it gradually was increased in poorer mixing ratio and more addition of foaming agent. Air contents were contented up to 4. 0~17. 2 times by G, 5. 2~23. 2 times by U and 23. 8~74. 5 times by J foaming mortar than cement mortar. 5. At the mixing ratio of 1 : 1, the lowest decreasing rates of strengths were showed by foaming mortars, respectively. But, it gradually was increased in poorer mixing ratio and more addition of foaming agent. Specially, the strengths of 28 days were decreased 0. 4~2. 2% than those of 7 days by foaming mortar, respectively. Also, the correlations between compressive and tensile strength, compressive and ending strength, tensile and bending strength were highly significant as a straight line shaped, respectively. 6. The correlations between absorption rate, air content, compressive strength and bulk density, absorption rate, compressive strength and air content were highly significant, respectively. The multiple regression equations of water-cement ratio, bulk density, absorption ate, air content, compressive strength, tensile strength and bending strength were computed depending on a function of mixing ratio and addition of foaming agent. It was highly significant, respectively. 7. At the mixing ratio of 1 : 1, the highest strengths were showed by cement mortar and foaming mortars, by chemical reagents. But, it gradually was decreased in poorer mixing ratio. The decreasing rates of strengths were in order of H $_2$S0 $_4$, HNO$_3$ and HCI, J,U,G foaming mortar and cement mortar. Specially, at the each mixing ratio, each chemical reagent and 3.0% of foaming agent, J foaming mortar was collapsed obviously. Therefore, for the structures requiring acid resistence, adding of foaming agent should be lower than 3.0%.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of ultrasound examination of children performed by a pediatrician. Methods: One thousand children who presented with symptoms of a gastrointestinal disorder and underwent abdominal ultrasound evaluation in the Department of Pediatrics, between January 2003 and June 2006, were included in this study. We analyzed the patient's medical records and ultrasound results retrospectively. Results: Among the 1,000 patients, 58.4% were male and 41.6% were female. The mean age of the patients was $4.7{\pm}4.0$ years. The main reasons for ultrasound were abdominal pain (43.9%), vomiting (17.3%), elevated liver enzymes (11.8%), and jaundice (9.8%). Abnormal ultrasound findings were present in 57.9% of cases. The major abnormal findings were mesenteric lymphadenitis (29.2%), fatty liver (12.1%), hepatitis (6.4%), hepatosplenomegaly (6.2%), and acute appendicitis (4.8%). The time interval between the initial medical evaluation and the ultrasound evaluation was within 24 hours in most cases (78.5%). The main findings in children with abdominal pain were mesenteric lymphadenitis (32.6%), fatty liver (5.9%), intussusception (2.7%), and acute appendicitis (2.7%). The main findings in children with vomiting were mesenteric lymphadenitis (12.7%), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (10.4%), and acute appendicitis (3.5%). The major ultrasound findings in children with urinary tract diseases were hydronephrosis (45.4%), urolithiasis (21.5%) and cystic renal disease (18.1%). Conclusion: Ultrasound examination played an important role as a non-invasive and prompt screening examination for detection of abdominal diseases. Ultrasound was an important tool for pediatricians to determine timely information for patient management.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2006

Purpose : A regional lymphadenitis is the most frequent adverse reaction of BCG. In order to find out developmental factors and establish a strategy of management, we investigated the clinical courses of children with lymphadenitis following BCG on the aspect of BCG strains, suppurative rates according to the sizes of lymph node and the clinical difference with or without treatment. Methods : From January 1997 to June 2004, 52 children less than 24 month-age-old diagnosed as BCG lymphadenitis in Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea were enrolled. The type of BCG strain, place of vaccination, location and size of lymphadenitis were assessed with medical records, retrospectively. Finally, we analysed the correlations between BCG strains or the sizes of lymph node and natural remission or suppuration. Results : The first detected mean age of BCG lymphadenitis was 5.5 month-age. The larger of the measurement was at the first visiting, the younger of age that was first presented. The most frequent location was the same sided axillary region of BCG injection. Among 52 subjects, 46 cases(88.5%) were vaccinated with intradermal Pastuer strain, and only 5 cases(9.6%) were done with percutaneous multipunctured Tokyo strain. Twenty eight cases(53.8%) were regressed naturally, otherwise 24 cases(46.2%) were suppurated. The larger those were sized, the higher freqeuncies those were suppurated on, significantly. Treatment with medications could not prevent the suppuration and could not shorten the healing periods. Conclusion : We predict that there are differences between the occurrent rate of BCG lymphadenitis and BCG strains or methods. Treatment with medication is not recommended owing to its ineffectiveness. Especially, in case of non-suppurative lymphadenitis should be onlyless influence on the tuberculin skin test, cause less adverse reactions, and is inexpensive. observed without treatment, because it could be regressed naturally. An ideal BCG makes a scar, We should make an effort to choose the best BCG strain that can fulfill such requirements.