• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.228-238
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• 2004

Purpose: Obesity is rapidly increasing in Korean children. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and is frequently associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. This study was designed to evaluate risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in obese children. Methods: From February 2000 to June 2004, eighty eight obese (body mass index ${\geq}95th$ percentile) children aged 4 to 15 years were included. We measured serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol), fasting sugar levels and insulin levels. Insulin resistance was determined by homeostasis model assessment, fasting insulin/glucose ratio and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Results: Clustering of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome in obese children demonstrated that 60.2% had more than one risk factors. Hypertension (14.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (14.8%), HDL-hypocholesterolemia (14.8%), LDL-hypercholesterolemia (12.5%) and hyperinsulinemia (12.5%) were observed. As BMI increased, there was statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure, insulin and insulin resistance values. Insulin resistance was correlated to systolic blood pressure, serum lipid and insulin levels. The more risk factors for the metabolic syndrome obese children had, the higher was their insulin resistance. Conclusion: The increase in insulin resistance and clustering of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome are already apparent in obese children. Monitoring these risk factors for the metabolic syndrome should become a part of routine medical care for obese children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2004

Purpose: Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory liver disease with unknown cause that is characterized by liver histology, circulating autoantibodies and increased levels of immunoglobulin G. Only sporadic reports are available on autoimmune hepatitis in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and the long-term outcome of autoimmune hepatitis in Korean children. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 14 children diagnosed as having autoimmune hepatitis at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2004, and analyzed clinical, biochemical, and histological features, and clinical outcomes. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 9 years and 11 of the 14 children were female. Six children presented with acute hepatitis-like manifestations. Jaundice and fatigue were the most common symptoms. Other autoimmune diseases accompanied in 6 children. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 13 patients and anti-smooth muscle antibody was positive in 8. All 14 patients were type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. The main histologic findings were interface hepatitis, rosette formation, and cirrhosis. Clinical and biochemical features were improved in six patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Eight patients were treated with corticosteroid alone or in combination with azathioprine and five of them are in biochemical remission. Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease, which has a favorable long-term outcome if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. Therefore, autoimmune hepatitis should be suspected in children with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology, especially in female patients who show hypergammaglobulinemia or some clinical features of autoimmune disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.231-243
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• 2020

Purpose: To determine the metabolic influence of the traditional Korean diet (K-diet), which has been regarded as a healthy diet, we investigated the profile of urine organic acids that are intermediates of various types of metabolism including energy metabolism. Methods: Ten women aged 50-60 years were recruited and randomly divided into 2 diet groups, K-diet and control diet, the latter of which is a Westernized Korean diet that is commonly consumed by Koreans nowadays. Before and after the 2-week intervention, 46 urine organic acids were determined using LC/MS/MS, along with clinical parameters. Results: The average concentrations of succinate (4.14 ± 0.84 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0346) and hydroxymethylglutarate (3.67 ± 0.36 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 2.97 ± 0.29, p = 0.0466), both of which are intermediates of energy metabolism, decreased in the K-diet group after the 2-week intervention, but these were not observed in the control diet group. In particular, the average concentration of succinate in the K-diet group was lower than that in the control group (3.33 ± 0.56 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0284) after 2 weeks. The concentrations of two tryptophan metabolites, 5-hydroxyindolacetate (3.72 ± 0.22 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 3.14 ± 0.21, p = 0.0183) and indican (76.99 ± 8.35 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 37.89 ± 10.06, p = 0.0205) also decreased only in the K-diet group. After the 2-week intervention, the concentration of kynurenate, another tryptophan metabolite, was lower in the K-diet group than that in the control diet group (3.96 ± 0.51 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 2.90 ± 0.22, p = 0.0356). Interestingly, the urine level of kynurenate was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.61424, p = 0.0003) and total cholesterol (r = 0.46979, p = 0.0088), which decreased only in the K-diet group (239.40 ± 15.14 mg/dL vs. 198.20 ± 13.25, p = 0.0163). Conclusion: The K-diet alters the urinary excretion of organic acids involved in energy metabolism and tryptophan metabolism, suggesting the influence of the K-diet on these types of metabolism. Urine organic acids changed by the K-diet may serve as biomarkers in future studies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate possible applications of Rodgersia podophylla in the food and cosmetic industry. Ethanol extracts of leaves (RP-L), branches (RP-B), and root (RP-R) were prepared, and their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities were evaluated. The polyphenol content in the RP-R, RP-L, and RP-B extracts was 79.6, 30.4, and 16.9 mg/g, respectively. An antimicrobial activity assay showed that the RP-L and RP-R extracts exhibited strong growth inhibition of pathogenic and food spoilage Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the RP-R extract inhibited the growth of the Gramnegative E. coli and P. vulgaris bacteria. All extracts showed strong scavenging activity for DPPH, ABTS, nitrite, and reducing power determined by A 700 nm. In particular, the RC₅₀s of the RP-R extract for the DPPH anion and ABTS cation were 23.0-29.7 and 15.0-18.2 ㎍/ml, respectively, which are comparable to those of vitamin C (9.8 and 8.0 ㎍/ml, respectively). An activity assay of α-glucosidase and β-amylase suggested a high potential for the RP-R extract as an anti-diabetic agent. Its inhibition levels of α-glucosidase and β-amylase at 0.5 mg/ml were 6.9 and 48.5%, respectively. This is the first report of the antimicrobial and anti-diabetic activities of R. podophylla. Our results suggest that RP-L and RP-R extracts could be developed as novel cosmeceutical and functional food resources.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.130-150
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• 2018

Technology valuation refers to the act, procedures, or techniques in evaluating certain technology and its value for commercialization. For this purpose, deadlines and process plans are established based on valuation goals such as technology transfer, investment and financing, investment in kind, and strategy establishment. The technology valuation process involves analyzing and evaluating technology performance, rights, marketability, and business value technology, as well as calculating the monetary value of technology modules based on the results. Analysis and evaluation of each module is performed by a team of experts having knowledge of specific technology. Valuation of technologies is conducted as independent projects by project managers (PM) who integrate and manage modules; they must have expertise in systematic performance of task support and management to ensure objectivity and reliability. Furthermore, the valuation team comprises expert stakeholders having knowledge about each module due to the nature of technology valuation. For smooth knowledge sharing in technology and valuation procedures, communication skills and roles of PMs supporting and managing the valuation are important. Primarily, PMs must resolve conflicts between evaluators participating in different tasks, evaluators and evaluatees, and technology holders and receivers. This study examines technology valuation for four conflicts occurring frequently among stakeholders providing valuation support to PMs, and seeks resolutions. The conflicts and resolutions discussed in this study may lead to more specialized roles of PMs in technology valuation and project management, as well as systemized valuation support and management plans.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1998

In order to evaluate the nitrogen (N) balance, from the different application methods and levels of $^{15}N$ applied to a satsuma mandarin orchard soils in spring, we surface-applied N as urea at the rates of 50 (water-dissolved), 100 (solid and water-dissolved) and 150% (solid) of the recommended rate ($180kg\;ha^{-1}$) in spring (lebeled N), summer (nonlebeled N) with application ratio of 5:2:3. Fruit yield and quality were not significantly affected by any treatment. Nitrogen contents of spring flush leaves in late August were 3.0% regardless of the treatments. The N recovery by parts of tree itself was in the order of leaves, fruits, roots, stems, and the highest recovery per tree was 22.3% in the 50% recommended water-dissolved surface broadcast while there were not much differences for N recovery (11.9 to 13.6%) among the other three treatments. Total N content in top 30cm of soils was 0.47% regardless of the treatments, but N proportion and total residual N from the fertilizer applied increased with increasing N rate while the N recovery in soils decreased. For the recommended N rate, N proportion and the residual N from the fertilizer applied were greater in the water-dissolved surface broadcast than those in soils surface broadcast. The highest total (tree + soils) N recovery was 70.9% in the 50% recommended water-dissolved surface broadcast, but tended to decrease to 52.2, 46.6, and 43.2% for the recommended water-dissolved surface broadcast, 100 and 150% of the recommended solid surface broadcast, respectively.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.87-101
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• 2017

The analysis was carried out with meta-analysis on master's and doctoral dissertations, and academic journals that analyzed the effects of STEAM education between 2012 and 2015. From the total number of 75 dissertations and articles analyzed, 183 different effect sizes were calculated. The analysis was done to find out the kinds of differences that would be created according to the effect size of creativity, problem-solving ability, and researcher, target area, student division research design type, and level of schools. The total effect size of creativity scored 0.776, and demonstrated satisfaction in symmetry of funnel plot, with no publication biases. The fail-safe N scored 780, and since the number is smaller than 8,945, the results of this research has credibility. Furthermore, problem-solving ability shows intermediate level of effect size with a score of 0.584. It also showed satisfaction in symmetry with funnel plot, with no publication bias. With the different research methods of the sub-factors of creativity, fluency scored the highest with 0.929, flexibility with 0.881, originality with 0.838, sophistication with 0.653, abstractness with title 0.705, and resistance to termination, 0.527. This study finds its significance in the demonstration of average effect size of STEAM education through meta-analysis. According to research results, the effects of inclusive education could be determined, yet the specific effect cause or learning principles were difficult to find. It was found that the effects of STEAM education do not rise or fall depending on school age, and demonstrated differences in creativity according to the research methods or the researchers.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated the biological activities of Xylosma congesta leaf ethanol extract (XCO) using a variety of in vitro and cell culture model systems for anti-melanogenic, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. First, XCO markedly inhibited ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. Secondly, XCO marginally induced procollagen synthesis in CCD-986SK cells. Thirdly, XCO dose-dependently suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. XCO did not affect cell viability at different concentrations used in this study, indicating that XCO-mediated inhibition of melanin, procollagen and NO synthesis is not mediated by cytotoxicity. Finally, XCO was found to exert anti-oxidant effect. Taken together, these findings demonstrate for the first time that XCO possesses anti-melanogenic, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, and suggest further evaluation and development of XCO as a functional supplement or cosmetic that may be useful for whitening skin, reducing wrinkles and treating inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.381-389
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a high fructose and fat diet on bone growth and maturation in growing female rats. Methods: Three-week-old female SD rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups; the control group (CON: fed control diet based on AIN-93G, n = 8); the high-fructose diet group (HFrc: fed control diet with 30% fructose, n = 8); the high-fat diet group (Hfat: fed control diet with 45 kcal% fat, n = 8); and the high-fat diet plus high fructose group (HFrc + HFat: fed diets 45 kcal% fat with 30% fructose, n = 8). Each group was assigned their respective diets for the remaining eight weeks. Bone-related parameters (bone mineral density (BMD) and structural parameters, osteocalcin (OC), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)) and morphologic changes of kidney were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Results: Final body weights and weight gain were higher in the HFat and HFrc + HFat groups and showed higher tendency in the HFrc group compared with those of the CON group (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference in caloric intake was observed among the four experimental groups. The serum OC levels of the HFrc and HFrc + HFat groups were lower than those of the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). Urinary levels of DPD did not differ among the experimental groups. BV/TV and Tb.N of trabecular bone were higher in the HFrc + HFat group and showed a higher tendency in the HFrc group than those of the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). Tb.Pf of trabecular bone were lower in the HFrc + HFat group than those in the CON and HFat groups (p < 0.05). However, no difference in trabecular BMD was observed among the experimental groups. Cortical bone volume was higher in the HFat and HFrc + HFat groups than in the CON and HFrc groups (p < 0.05). No morphology change in kidney was observed among the experimental groups. Conclusion: Our study suggests that 8 weeks of high-fructose and high fat intake could improve the bone quality (Structural parameters) of trabecular and cortical bone of tibia in growing female rats.