• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.610-617
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• 2013

Investigating the budgets of alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in lake water systems is significant for the examination of the behavior of a lake as a sink or a source with respect to the circulation of inorganic carbon chemistry. Budgets of total alkalinity ($Alk_T$) and DIC in Onondaga Lake, which was polluted by chronic calcium (Ca) loading in spite of the closure of soda ash ($Na_2CO_3$) facility, were determined by the analyses of inorganic carbon chemistry in tributary stream channels linked to the lake. AlkT and DIC fluxes of Onondaga Creek and Ninemile Creek occupied 65% and 54%, respectively, as larger tributary streams in comparison with other tributaries as well as different input sources. Budget calculations indicate that 18% of AlkT and 11% of DIC inputs to Onondaga Lake, respectively, remained immobilized in the Lake. This suggests that Ca chronically leached had been precipitated with inorganic carbon or remineralized by secondary mineral formation during the experimental period. In this study, the assumed mass balance calculation in Onondaga Lake with tributary streams resulted in exhibiting that the lake played a role of the sink for the inorganic carbon cycle.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.862-870
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• 2010

Cyperus rotundus L. is a perennial herb that was found to be dominating an area in northeast Brazil previously contaminated with petroleum. In order to increase our knowledge of microorganism-plant interactions in phytoremediation, the bacterial community present in the rhizosphere and roots of C. rotundus was evaluated by culture-dependent and molecular approaches. PCR-DGGE analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the bacterial community in bulk soil, rhizosphere, and root samples had a high degree of similarity. A complex population of alkane-utilizing bacteria and a variable nitrogen-fixing population were observed via PCR-DGGE analysis of alkB and nifH genes, respectively. In addition, two clone libraries were generated from alkB fragments obtained by PCR of bulk and rhizosphere soil DNA samples. Statistical analyses of these libraries showed that the compositions of their respective populations were different in terms of alkB gene sequences. Using culturedependent techniques, 209 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere and rhizoplane/roots of C. rotundus. Dot-blot analysis showed that 17 strains contained both alkB and nifH gene sequences. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that these strains are affiliated with the genera Bosea, Cupriavidus, Enterobacter, Gordonia, Mycoplana, Pandoraea, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Rhodococcus. These isolates can be considered to have great potential for the phytoremediation of soil with C. rotundus in this tropical soil area.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.260-268
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• 2016

Regulation of alkaline-resistant laccase from Perenniporia tephropora KU-Alk4 was proved to be controlled by several factors. One important factor was the initial pH, which drove the fungus to produce different kinds of ligninolytic enzymes. P. tephropora KU-Alk4 could grow at pH 4.5, 7.0, and 8.0. The fungus produced laccase and MnP at pH 7.0, but only laccase at pH 8.0. The specific activity of laccase in the pH 8.0 culture was higher than that in the pH 7.0 culture. At pH 8.0, glucose was the best carbon source for laccase production but growth was better with lactose. Low concentrations of glucose at 0.1% to 1.0% enhanced laccase production, while concentrations over 1% gave contradictory results. Veratryl alcohol induced the production of laccase. A trace concentration of copper ions was required for laccase production. Biomass increased with an increasing rate of aeration of shaking flasks from 100 to 140 rpm; however, shaking at over 120 rpm decreased laccase quantity. Highest amount of laccase produced by KU-Alk4, 360 U/mL, was at pH 8.0 with 1% glucose and 0.2 mM copper sulfate, unshaken for the first 3 days, followed by addition of 0.85 mM veratryl alcohol and shaking at 120 rpm. The crude enzyme was significantly stable in alkaline pH 8.0~10.0 for 24 hr. After treating the pulp mill effluent with the KU-Alk4 system for 3 days, pH decreased from 9.6 to 6.8, with reduction of color and chemical oxygen demand at 83.2% and 81%, respectively. Laccase was detectable during the biotreatment process.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the case of a patient with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (NSCLC) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation treated by Samchilchoongcho-Jung in conjunction with Crizotinib. Methods: An NSCLC patient diagnosed with multiple pleural and lymph nodes metastasis has been taking Crizotinib (500 mg/day) since January 2014. The patient has been treated with Samchilchoongcho-Jung (1,500 mg/day) since June 2014. The tumor size was measured by computed tomography (CT) and laboratory analysis was conducted. Adverse events were evaluated by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0. Results: After combining treatment, stable disease was shown on CT. The tumor marker (CEA, Cyfra 21-1) levels were maintained. NCI-CTCAE 5.0 showed no adverse events. Conclusion: This case study suggests that Samchilchoongcho-Jung may contribute to tumor response, in conjunction with Crizotinib on the treatment of patients with NSCLC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.869-872
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• 2000

Although there are a few reports concerning the hepatic injury of herbal medicine in western medicine, there is no reports concerning the hepatic injury of herbal medicine in oriental medicine. We experienced one case of the hepatic injury suggested toxic hepatitis (drug induced hepatitis) in the treatment of oriental medicine for cerebral infarction. We make a reports for the progress of treatment. One patient of Rt hemiparesis diagnosed cerebral infarction in Brain MRI was administered Taeumin Yuldahanso-tang, treated with physical therapy and improved in the state of Rt hemiparesis(Gr 2/3,4). In the course of treatment, the patient intermittently complained of general weakness, dizziness, pericephalic discomfort(頭不淸), nausea, both leg weakness so we changed Taeumin Yuldahanso-tang to Soyangin Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. Alter that, the patient complained of general weakness, abdominal discomfort, heat and fever($38.4^{\circ}C$). We recognized the elevated total bilirubin(1.7mg/dl), serum transaminase(AST534U/L ALT720U/L), serum gammg glutamyl transpepridase (GGT106mg/dl) and Alk phosphatase124U/L. In the abdominal ultrasonogram there is hepatomegaly (16.5cm). We supposed hepatic injury suggested toxic hepatitis(induced hepatitis) of herbal medicine. After we administered Saeng gan gunbi-tang for 2days and Alk phosphatase and GGT inadequately was elevated. After that, we stopped administering medicine and the serum transaminase, total bilirubin, serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and Alk phosphatase level was decreased. In the abdominal ultrasonogram there was no signal. In the case, we supposed that the changing Sasang constitution and Sasang herbal medicine may induce hepatic injury. We are suggesting the necessity of a test for the hepatic injury of herbal medicine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3377-3380
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• 2016

The proportion of lung cancer patients under 50 years old is small at approximately 5-10%, but as with patients older than 50, the number is on the rise. Although lung cancer treatment strategies have undergone extensive transformation in recent years based on the presence or absence of oncogenic driver mutations, there are few reports regarding these mutations in the young or the relationship between clinical setting and prognosis. Therefore, we conducted a study of clinical features in 36 patients under the age of 50 who were diagnosed with primary lung cancer from October 2008 to November 2015. The 22 patients in stages I through III A underwent operations, and all 17 whose lung cancer were detected through screening were candidates for surgery. Gene analysis was conducted for 26 (72.2%); 10 (38.5%) were positive for EGFR gene mutations, and ALK gene translocation was present in 4 (15.4%). In stage IV patients, the median progression free survival (PFS) in the ALK translocation positive and negative patients was 518 days and 130 days, respectively, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached and 280 days, respectively. A trend toward extended PFS (p=0.203) and OS (p=0.056) was observed in patients positive for ALK translocation. We must strive for early detection by increasing screening rates and evaluate oncogenic driver mutations important for prognosis of lung cancer in the young.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with cerebral metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) particularly, focusing on associations of biomarkers and systemic treatments. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 134 patients who underwent GKS for brain metastases due to NSCLC between January 2002 and December 2012. Representative biomarkers including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, K-ras mutation, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation status were investigated. Results : The median overall survival after GKS was 22.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8-35.1 months). During follow-up, 63 patients underwent salvage treatment after GKS. The median salvage treatment-free survival was 7.9 months (95% CI, 5.2-10.6 months). Multivariate analysis revealed that lower recursive partition analysis (RPA) class, small number of brain lesions, EGFR mutation (+), and ALK mutation (+) were independent positive prognostic factors associated with longer overall survival. Patients who received target agents 30 days after GKS experienced significant improvements in overall survival and salvage treatment-free survival than patients who never received target agents and patients who received target agents before GKS or within 30 days (median overall survival: 5.0 months vs. 18.2 months, and 48.0 months with p-value=0.026; median salvage treatment-free survival: 4.3 months vs. 6.1 months and 16.6 months with p-value=0.006, respectively). To assess the influence of target agents on the pattern of progression, cases that showed local recurrence and new lesion formation were analyzed according to target agents, but no significant effects were identified. Conclusion : The prognosis of patients with brain metastases of NSCLC after GKS significantly differed according to specific biomarkers (EGFR and ALK mutations). Our results show that target agents combined with GKS was related to significantly longer overall survival, and salvage treatment-free survival. However, target agents were not specifically associated with improved local control of the lesion treated by GKS either development of new lesions. Therefore, it seems that currently popular target agents do not affect brain lesions themselves, and can prolong survival by controlling systemic disease status.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1987

Mutants of E. coli which showed increased sensitivity to MMS(methylmethane sulfonate)were isolated by MNNG mutagenesis and characterized by enzymatic assay, survival of simple alkylating agents and host-cell reactivation. E.coli mutant, 5-62, which showed absolute deficiency in 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II activity and had low capability of reactivating MMS-treated phage charon 35 was very sensitive to MMS and MNNG. NNS gene which confered resistance to the lethal effects of MMS was cloned in 5-62 strain. 5-62 mutants carrying recombinant plasmid, pMRG 1, which acquired resistance to the lethal effects of MMS had normal sensitivity to MNNG. Resistance to MMS was somewhat increased after they were treated with 0.5.$\mu$g MNNG/ml for 2 hours at $37^{\circ}C$. Although recombinant plasmid, pMRG 1, did not complement alk A mutation in 5-62 and ada mutation in 1-27 mutnat, mutnats transformed with this plasmid showed more capability of reactivating MMS treated phage than mutants.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2018

This study reconstructs past vegetation changes in southeastern Korea over the last 30 thousand years using plant waxes (i.e. long chain n-alkanes) and their carbon isotopic compositions (${\delta}^{13}C_{alk}$) preserved in marine sediment core (KIODP 12-1) retrieved from the East Sea. Here we show changes in vegetation composition in the Korean peninsula in relation to the strength of the East Asian Summer Monsoon. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), when the summer monsoon weakened, precipitation decreased and $C_3$ grassland expanded. After the LGM, the summer monsoon gradually intensified, increasing rainfall, and thus expanding the forestland coverage. Precipitation climaxed from 10 to 6 kyr BP, which includes the Holocene Climate Optimum. The grassland began to expand since 5 kyr BP due to climate warming and drying towards the present. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{alk}$ values may also have been influenced by agricultural activities, which is known to have begun since the late Neolithic (ca. 7.0~3.0 kyr BP). Our results demonstrate how changes in the global climate state influence regional atmospheric circulation and precipitation distribution, and consequently terrestrial plant composition in southeastern Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.433-441
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• 2016

Many large dams have been constructed for water supply, irrigation, flood control and hydropower in Korea for the last century. Meanwhile, recent studies indicated that the artificial reservoirs impounded by these dams are major sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the atmosphere and relevant to global budget of green house gases. However, limited information is available on the seasonal variations of CO₂ evasion from the reservoirs located in the temperate monsoon regions including Korea. The objectives of this study were to estimate daily Net Atmospheric Flux (NAF) of CO₂ in Daecheong Reservoir located in Geum River basin of Korea, and analyze the influencing parameters that characterize the variation of NAF. Daily pH and alkalinity (Alk) data collected in wet year (2012) and dry year (2013) were used for estimating the NAFs in the reservoir. The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was computed using the pH and Alk measurements supposing an equilibrium state among the carbonate species. The results showed seasonal variations of NAF; negative NAFs from May to October when the primary production of the reservoir increased with water temperature increase, while positive NAF for the rest of the period. Overall the reservoir acted as sources of CO₂ to the atmosphere. The estimated NAFs were 2,590 and 771 mg CO₂ m^-2d^-1 in 2012 and 2013, respectively, indicating that the NAFs vary a large extent for different hydrological years. Statistical analysis indicated that the NAFs are negatively correlated to pH, water temperature, and Chl-a concentration of the reservoir.