• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1469-1476
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• 2007

Jeot-gal is a traditional Korean fermented seafood and has long been used for seasoning. We isolated 188 strains from shrimp, anchovy, and yellow corvina Jeot-gal, and screened sixteen strains that showed strong fibrinolytic activities on a fibrin plate. Among those strains, the strain that had the largest halo zone was chosen and identified as Bacillus licheniformis by using 16S rDNA sequencing and an API CHB kit. The fibrinolytic activity of Bacillus licheniformis was characterized and designated as bpKJ-31. The active component of bpKJ-31 was identified as a 37 kDa protein, designated bacillopeptidase F, by internal peptide mapping and N-terminal sequencing. The optimum activity of bpKJ-31 was shown at pH 9 and $40^{\circ}C$, with a chromogenic substrate for plasmin. It had high degrading activity for the $B{\beta}$-chain and $A{\alpha}$-chain of fibrin(ogen), and also acted on thrombin, but not skim milk and casein. The amidolytic activity of bpKJ-31 was inhibited by 1 mM phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, but 1 mM EDTA did not affect the enzyme activity, indicating that bpKJ-31 is an alkaline serine protease, like a plasmin. The bpKJ-31 showed approximately 14.3% higher fibrinolytic activity than the plasmin. These features of bpKJ-31 make it attractive as a health-promoting biomaterial.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.1 s.144
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• pp.16-20
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• 2006

The protective effects of the aqueous MeOH extracts of stem and root Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai against oxidative stress were investigated. Anti-oxidant activity of the stem extract of A. koreanum was observed in the DPPH free radical scavenging $(IC_{50}=58.7\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and the SOD test $(IC_{50}=17.52\;{\mu}g/ml)$. According to data analysis of cell survival ratio of normal fibroblasts, the skin irritation by both extracts from A. koreanum was concerned. However, in the skin primary parch test, both extracts obtained Grade I, which means that there was no skin irritation. After induction of oxidative irritation, cell survival ratio of normal fibroblasts was also monitored and it turned out that stress-inducing group with both extracts had more increased cell survival ratio. The cell extension of the stress-inducing group treated with the stem extract was most dominant in morphological study. Based on these results, the stem extract of A. koreanum showed the protective effect against oxidative stress on normal fibroblast.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.4 s.88
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• pp.433-439
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• 2005

Soybean is an important plant as it is the source of protein and oil as well as various phytochemicals that are related with biological activity. Over the past decades, scientists have conducted considerable research on the physiological properties of soybeans, especially isoflavones, which are the characteristic components in soybeans. However, there is no research on the properties or the bio-functionality of soybean leaf. Jangachi and kimchi are two of the traditional special dishes of Gyungsang Province in Korea which we made from soybean leaves. Depending on the recipe, green or yellow soybean leaves are used for the preparation of these two side dishes. We compared the antioxidative activity and measured the contents of isoflavones, total phenol, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and vitamin C in the ingredients (green and yellow soybean leaf) and the final side dishes (jangachi and kimchi). We Int report that isoflavones were contained in soybean leaf and that jangachi had the highest isoflavone contents among the samples. Yellow soybean leaf contained higher isoflavones than green soybean lear and kimchi. From the TEAC assay results, the sequence or antioxidative activities was yellow soybean leaf > soybean leaf jangachi > green soybean leaf > soybean leaf kimchi. The sequence was the same with total phenol contents, indicating that antioxidative activity is highly related with total phenol level. Chlorophylls, carotenoids and vitamin C existed abundantly in green soybean leaf. In conclusion, soybean leaf could be a good material for health due to the presence of isoflavones and the other useful antioxidants mentioned above.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.570-573
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• 2009

The debranching enzyme of Nostoc punctiforme (NPDE) is a novel enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,6-glycosidic linkages in starch, followed by the sequential hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,4-glycosidic linkages. The debranching activity of NPDE is highly specific for branched chains with a degree of polymerization (DP)>8. Moreover, the rate of hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,4-linkages by NPDE is greatly enhanced for maltooligosaccharides (MOs) with a DP>8. An analysis of reaction mixtures containing various starches revealed the accumulation of maltooctaose (G8) with glucose and maltose. Based on the novel enzymatic properties of NPDE, an MO mixture containing more than 60% G8 with yield of 18 g G8 for 100 g starch was prepared by the reaction of NPDE with soluble starch, followed by ethanol precipitation and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The yield of the G8-rich mixture was significantly improved by the addition of isoamylase. In summary, a 4-step process for the production of a G8-rich mixture was developed involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch by NPDE.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: South Korea is one of fastest aging countries in the world. Poor balance and falls of the elderly are main health issues. Objects: The goal of this study was to understand the association between the socioeconomical factors and the standing balance of elderly living in the rural and urban area. Methods: One hundred sixty-six elderly participants who were older than 65 and were able to walk without an assistive device were recruited in the city of Gwangju and in the rural area of Jeonnam, South Korea. All participants performed the static and dynamic standing balance tests. Static standing balance was measured with chronometer in seconds while standing on one leg. Dynamic balance was tested with the timed up and go test (TUG), measured in seconds while getting up from a chair and walking 3 meters and back to sit. The static and dynamic standing balance was analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher's Least Significant Difference post hoc test. Results: Male participants from both areas had no difference in one leg standing and TUG. The female elderly living in rural area took shorter in TUG than females living in urban area. Age decreased the one leg standing time in both areas while did not affect the TUG significantly. As the monthly income increased, both of one leg standing and TUG increased in urban area, while the medium monthly income showed best performance (it was not statistically significant) in both of one leg standing and TUG in rural area. Conclusion: Socioeconomical factors affects differently the standing balance of the elderly living in rural and urban South Korea. Female living alone in urban area with low monthly income demonstrated worst standing balance in this study.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of goal-oriented side walking training on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study involved 18 chronic stroke patients who were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). The experimental group performed goal-oriented side walking training, and the control group performed general side walking training. The walking variables assessed were walking speed, stride length, and 10-m walking time. The balance variables assessed were foot pressure, timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). These variables were measured before and after the exercise. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to compare the participants' performances before and after the intervention in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was conducted for between-group comparisons after the intervention. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ Results: Walking speed, stride length, 10-m walking time, TUG, and foot pressure were significantly improved in both groups after the exercise (p<0.05). The between-group comparison showed a significant improvement in the goal-oriented side walking group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in 10-m walking times (p>0.05) and BBS (p=0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that goal-oriented side walking training was effective in improving the balancing and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.280-286
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• 2007

L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the amide group of L-asparagine, releasing aspartate and $NH_4{^+}$. We isolated a low temperature-inducible cDNA sequence encoding L-asparaginase from soybean leaves. The full-length L-asparaginase cDNA, designated GmASP1, contains an open reading frame of 1,258 bp coding for a protein of 326 amino acids. Genomic DNA blotting and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the soybean genome has two copies of GmASP1. GmASP1 mRNA was induced by low temperature, ABA and NaCl, but not by heat shock or drought stress. E. coli cells expressing recombinant GmASP1 had 3-fold increased L-asparaginase activity. A possible function of L-asparaginase in the early response to low temperature stress is discussed.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-55
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• 2021

Purposes: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of mother's nationality on screening rates for infants and children health screening. We intend to find out if there is a difference in health level between infants of multicultural families and infants of domestic families, and contribute to policies to enhance future national health levels by providing information on them. Methodology: Data for those who received the first infant and children health screening between 2012 and 2018 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service(NHIS) DB. Frequency analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed with the SAS 9.4 program, and the case where all the 1st to 3rd checkups were completed was defined as type I, and the case of all the 1st to 7th checkups completed, type II. Findings: Complete screening rates for type I and type II were 45.8% and 20.0%, respectively. Especially, complete screening rate of infants whose mothers nationality is foreign is only 3-4th of that of domestic mothers, and it also differed according to nationality. Practical Implications: The difference in the screening rate according to the mother's nationality is likely to lead to a health gap between multicultural families and domestic families. It is necessary to promote and encourage proper monitoring and health management through continuous health screening for infants and children.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Background: This study aims to empirically compare and evaluate the current status of medical accessibility and health inequality between people with disabilities and without. We calculated the ACSC hospitalization rate, which is a medical accessibility index, for hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease that accounts for more than 20% of deaths among people with disabilities using the 2016 National Health Insurance Big Data. Methods: The subjects of the study were a total of 601,520, including 64,018 people with disabilities and 537,501 people without. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the differences in hypertension hospitalization rates adjusted for demographic and sociological characteristics and disease characteristics using SAS 9.4 program. Results: Before adjusting for the characteristics, the hypertension hospitalization rate of people with disabilities was 1.55%, and the people without disabilities were 0.49%. After adjusting, it was found that people with disabilities were 2.11 times higher than people without disabilities, and it was statistically significant. Conclusion: The preventable hospitalization rate of people with disabilities is higher than that of people without, suggesting that the disabled have problems with access to medical care and health inequality. Therefore, the government's policy improvement is required to close the medical gap for the disabled.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors infecting the medical care utilization from a new perspective by newly classifying the categories of administrative districts using the urban decline index and medical vulnerability index as indicators. Methods: This study targeted 150,940 people who used medical services using the 2015 cohort database (DB), 2010-2015 urban regeneration analysis index DB, and 2014-2015 public health and medical statistics DB. The decline of the region was classified using the urban decline index typed using k-means clustering and the medical vulnerability index typed using the quantile score calculation. Regression analysis was performed 3 times with medical expenditure, length of stay, and the number of outpatient visits as dependent variables. Results: There were 37 stable region (47.4%), 29 health vulnerable region (37.2%), and 12 decline region (15.4%). The health vulnerable region had lower medical expenditure, fewer outpatient visits, and a higher length of stay than the stable region. The decline region was all higher than the stable region but had no significant effect. Conclusion: The factors that cause the health disparity between regions are not only factors related to individual health behavior but also environmental factors of the local community. Therefore, there is a need for a systematic alternative that properly considers the resources within the community and reflects the characteristics of the population.