• Journal of the Speleological Society of Korea
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• no.92
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• pp.9-18
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• 2009

A number of closed metal mines act as point sources of contamination on nearby streams, soils and plants in our country. The contamination of twelve decomposed samples had earned from nine closed metal mines had been evaluated by TEA-3000. The contents of heavy metal with ion fraction exchange and carbonate fraction forms had been showed that the speciation of heavy metals represented with easy solubility, mobility and bioavailable of plants, and in case of sulfide compounds and organic residuals forms are related with the speciation of metals which may be stable forms because of strong bindable capacity. Also heavy metals elements in mosts of mines got with relative stable within crystal lattice, but results of trace element analyser showed that, in the most of tailings from mine areas, large portions of concentration of heavy metals were explained as stable from, sulfides/ organics and residual. In tailing from Imchun mines, the concentrations extracted by water were relatively high as compared with other mine areas whose total concentrations were very high because of large quantities of exchangeable ions and carbonates and low soil pH. Danger Index (D.I.) suggested in this study was based on the cumulative concentrations of step 1 and 2 from the result of trace element analyser. When the soil pH was considered, this index became better indicator to determine the priority for the remediation of mine area.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3167-3171
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• 2016

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common diseases in men. It is important to assess prognostic factors and whether high cortisol levels and complex hormonal interactions could be responsible for PCa development. We evaluated the relationship between cortisol, leptin and estrogens in 141 men, 71 with PCa and the remaining 70 constituting a low risk group (LRG). They were recruited for this study from a total of 2906 middle-aged men (ages 45-70 years) who completed an evaluation for prostatic diseases at the Urology Division, Hospital de Clínicas "$Jos{\acute{e}}$ de San $Mart{\acute{i}}n$", University of Buenos Aires, in May 2009. In this cross sectional study, cortisol, PSA, total-testosterone, free-testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, LH and estradiol were measured in serum. We observed increased cortisol levels in PCa patients as compared to LRG cases (p=0.004,). Leptin and estradiol levels were also higher in PCa patients (p=0.048; p<0.0001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that serum cortisol (OR: 1.110 (95% CI 1.016-1.213), p=0.022), estradiol (OR: 1.044 (95% CI 1.008-1.081), p=0.016) and leptin (OR: 1.248 (95% CI 1.048-1.487), p=0.013) explained 27% of the variance of dependent variables, even after adjusting for age, smoking, BMI and waist circumference. We found increased cortisol levels in PCa patients as compared to LRG, as well as an altered circulating hormonal profile.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) concentrations in women with endometriosis according to the severity of disease. Methods: Women with mild endometriosis (n = 9) and advanced endometriosis (n = 7), as well as healthy controls (n = 16), were enrolled in this observational study. Serum total 25(OH)D concentrations were analyzed using the Elecsys vitamin D total kit with the Cobas e602 module. Concentrations of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using the Human Vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. Variables were tested for normality and homoscedasticity using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Leven F test, respectively. Correlation analysis was used to identify the variables related to total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels. To assess the effects of total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels in the three groups, multivariate generalized additive modeling (GAM) was performed. Results: Gravidity and parity were significantly different across the three groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CA-125 levels increased as a function of endometriosis severity, respectively (p= 0.051, p= 0.004). The correlation analysis showed that total 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with gravidity (r = 0.59, p< 0.001) and parity (r = 0.51, p< 0.003). Multivariate GAM showed no significant relationship of total 25(OH)D levels with EMT severity after adjusting for gravidity and ESR. However, the coefficient of total 25(OH)D levels with gravidity was significant (1.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-3.63; p= 0.040). Conclusion: These results indicate that vitamin D and VDBP levels were not associated with the severity of endometriosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.995-1000
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• 1996

The present study was attempted to preprare calcium-fortified soymilk using proteases to improve calcium intolerance of soymilk protein and to evaluate its nutritional properties. The protease from Bacillus polymyxa was chosen as an enzyme source because it produced the least bitter taste and calcium-aggregation of soymilk among various enzymes. The optimum treatment time was 10 minutes at $50^{\circ}C$ for the best result. In vitro protein digestibility of calcium-fortified soymilks was comparable with that of control soymilk. Calcium in the digested soymilks was mostly in the ionic form and the amount of ionic calcium increased in accordance with the amount of fortified calcium in soymilk. This suggests that fortified calcium in the soymilk is bioavailable.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.266-270
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• 1998

The identification of soil P level that exceed crop requirement is a prerequisite in implementing sustainable management of fertilizer and manure P to prevent soil and freshwater from contamination. To investigate the relationship between 0.01M $CaCl_2$ soluble P, and available P and P sorption capacity of 40 soils, P content and P sorptivity were analyzed. Single linear relationship revealed the dependence of 0.01M $CaCl_2-P$ on available P($r^2=0.479$), bioavailable P($r^2=0.281$), P sorption($r^2=-0.465$) and P absorption coefficient($r^2=-0.056^{NS}$). Thus available P as $P_2O_5$(AVP) and P sorption (PS) were most important factors in determining the concentration of 0.01M $CaC1_2-P$($CaC1_2-P$). In multinomial equation related $CaC1_2-P$ with AVP and PS, the determination coefficient was improved to 0.745. The logarithm of $CaC1_2-P$ was linearly related to AVP/PS. Consequently, the equation, $0.01M\;CaCl_2-P=0.1284e^{0.3288AVP/PS}$ could be suggested to estimate the concentration of P in 20mL of 0.01M $CaCl_2$ solution containing 2g of soil shaken for 17 hours.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Soil utilization pattern can be the main factor affecting soil physico-chemical properties, especially in soil phosphorus (P). Understanding the distribution and bioavailability of P is important for developing management to minimize P release from arable soils to environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential bioavailability of soil organic P by using phosphatase hydrolysis method. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four soils from onion-rice double cropping and 30 soils from plastic film house were selected from Changyeong and Daegok in Gyeongnam province, respectively. The P accumulation pattern (total P, inorganic P, organic P, residual P) and water soluble P were characterized. Commercial phosphatase enzymes were used to classify water-extractable molybdate unreactive P from arable soils into compounds that could be hydrolysed by (i) alkaline phosphomonoesterase (comprising labile orthophosphate monoesters), (ii) a combination of alkaline phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase (comprising labile orthophosphate monoesters and diesters), and (iii) phytase (including inositol hexakisphosphate). Available P was highly accumulated with 616 and 1,208 mg/kg in double cropping system and plastic film house, respectively. Dissolved reactive P (DRP) and dissolved unreactive P (DUP) had similar trends with available P, showing 24 and 109 mg/kg in double cropping and 37 and 159 mg/kg in plastic film house, respectively, indicating that important role of dissolved organic P in the environments had been underestimated. From the result of phosphatase hydrolysis, about 39% and 66% of DUP was evaluated as bioavailable in double cropping and plastic film house, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Orthophosphate monoester and orthophosphate diester accounted for high portion of dissolved organic P in arable soils, indicating that these organic P forms give important impacts on bioavailability of P released from P accumulated soils.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1167-1173
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• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of providing fermented soy protein to weaned pigs on nitrogen balance and apparent fecal and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA. Four weaned ((Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace)${\times}$Duroc) barrows (BW = 6.58${\pm}$0.98 kg), surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula approximately 15 cm prior to the ileo-cecal junction, were fed four diets according to 4${\times}$4 Latin square design. Diets were a basal diet supplemented with one of the following: 3% SDPP (spray dried plasma protein), 5% RBP (soy protein fermented by Lactobacillus spp.), 5% PSP (soy protein fermented by Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis), and 2.5% RPP (2.5% RBP+2.5% PSP). No differences were observed in DM and N intakes among treatments. However, the level of urine excretion was greater in the RPP group than in the PSP group. Additionally, fecal DM excretion, fecal N concentration and fecal N excretion were increased in the RBP, PSP and RPP groups when compared with the SDPP group (p<0.05). Furthermore, total excretion was increased in the RPP group when compared with the PSP group (p<0.05). In addition, N absorption and the N absorption ratio were higher in the SDPP group than in the RPP group (p<0.05). Moreover, the DM and N digestibilities were lower in the RBP, PSP and RPP groups than in the SDPP group (p<0.05), and the ash and energy digestibilities were higher in the SDPP and RBP groups than in the PSP and RPP groups (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the DM, N, Ash, Ca, P or ileal digestibilities among treatments, although the energy digestibility was higher in the SDPP group than the RBP group (p<0.05). In addition, the apparent ileal digestibilities of essential amino acids (Arg, His, Iso, Leu, Lys, Phe, Thr, and Val) were significantly higher in the SDPP group than in the other groups (p<0.05), and the levels of Ala, Cys, Glu and Try were greater in the SDPP treatment group than the RBP, PSP and RPP groups (p<0.05). Additionally, the levels of Asp, Gly and Ser were higher in the SDPP group than the PSP and RPP groups, and the level of Pro was higher in the SDPP group than the RPP group (p<0.05). Finally, total non-essential amino acid and total amino acid digestibility were higher in the SDPP group than in the other treatments (p<0.05). Taken together, the results of this study indicate that animal protein is more bioavailable than plant protein. However, the N absorption ratio and ileal digestibility were found to be similar in the SDPP and RBP groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.689-694
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• 2016

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of either L-methionine (L-Met) or DL-methionine (DL-Met) to diets of starter pigs on nitrogen (N) balance, metabolism, and serum amino acid profile. Eighteen crossbred ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) barrows weighing $15.45{\pm}0.88kg$ were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 diets with 6 pigs per treatment. The diets included a basal diet (Met-deficient diet) containing 0.24% standardized ileal digestibility Met with all other essential nutrients meeting the pig's requirements. The other two diets were produced by supplementing the basal diet with 0.12% DL-Met or L-Met. The experiment lasted for 18 days, consisting of a 13-day adaptation period to the diets followed by a 5-day experimental period. Pigs were fed ad libitum and free access to water throughout the experiment. Results showed that the supplementation of either L-Met or DL-Met improved N retention, and serum methionine concentration, and decreased N excretion compared with basal diet (p<0.01). The N retention of pigs fed diets supplemented with the same inclusion levels of DL-Met or L-Met were not different (p>0.05). In conclusion, on equimolar basis DL-Met and L-Met are equally bioavailable as Met sources for starter pigs.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 1992

To elucidate a part of phosphorus cycle an'd the nutritional status of phosphorus. the degradation rates of organic phosphate by phosphatase activity (PA). were studied at the water column of Lake Soyang. from March 1900 to April 1991. Phosphatase activity showed the range of 1-2220 nMillhr. Its maximum value was recortled on August and minimum during October and November. The PA and chlorophyll u v~luess howed high correlation coefficent (0.69). and the values of specific astivity was highest during Winter, 45-12\ulcorner nMihripg chl. a, and lowest on October. 2 nMl hripg chl. 11. The values of PA and bioavailable dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) showed negative correlation in surface water. During destratification period (Oct. and Nov. 1990). the values of PA were about 11240 times lower than those during August albeit high concentration of chlorophyll a (1.7- 7.2 mglm'). Such results seem to be cause'd by DIP supply from the metalimnion. hypolimnion ant1 sediment. With these results. phosphate was sufficient to sustain the biomass in Autumn. and internal loading of phosphate shoultl accelerate the eutrophication in Lake Soyang.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.469-477
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• 1994

Many researchers have investigated most representative sequential extraction method using various reagents for determining the chemical forms of metals in soils and sediments. In this paper, a newly modified method for sequential extraction scheme based on Tessier's method by Environmental Geochemistry Research, Centre for Environmental Technology, Imperial College, was introduced and examined. In comparison with Tessier's method, originally designed for sediment analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), the sequential extraction scheme has been developed for the multi-element analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The partitioning of particulate trace elements was classified into five fractions: (i) exchangeable, (ii) bound to carbonates or specially adsorbed, (iii) bound to Fe and Mn oxides, (iv) bound to organic matter and sulphides and (v) residuals. The experimental results of the pilot study for in-house reference material (HRM2) and certified international standard reference material (SRM2711) using the modified method showed not only reasonable precision and accuracy but also acceptable overall recovery rates. In addition, mine dump soils sampled in the Dalsung Cu-W mine, Korea were prepared and sequentially extracted using the method. Most of Cu was bound to organic matter/sulphides and residual fractions. The dominant fraction of soil Pb and Zn in the study area was found in the residuals. The fraction of Cd showed a wide variation between samples and could be found bound to the carbonates or specially adsorbed, oxides, organic fraction and residuals. The recovery rates of Cd, however, were poor due to relatively low Cd concentrations in soils. The heavy metals in these mine dumps appear to be in the more inert forms and should not be readily bioavailable. The soils, however, had very low pH values (average 4.1) and had sandy textures; consequently, rapid infiltration of rainfall may increase leaching of Zn and Cd which were found to be around 5 to 10% of the exchangeable fraction. As a result of the investigation of this study, it has been strongly recommended that these mine waste materials should still be considered a significant contaminant source and will need environmental remediation to prevent pollutants from being released into the environment.