• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between ocular and allergy symptoms in children by environmental pollutants emitted from new constructed building. Methods: Two different types of survey (6-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire and Ocular Surface Disease Index) were used to study dry eye syndromes and ocular subjective symptoms for a six-grade of elementary school students (54 males and 61 females) in newly built buildings in the past three month, located near capital city, Seoul. Atopy and medical history of allergic rhinitis were investigated with using questionnaire for allergy, and also nose itchiness and ocular symptoms were checked as visual analog scale(10-score) with using questionnaire of allergy rhinitis and conjunctivitis under the guideline of ARIA(Allergic Rhinitis Impacts on Asthma). Results: Fifty seven students (50%) from DEQ and 19 students (16.52%) from OSDI were diagnosed as dry eye, and 18 students (15.79%) were diagnosed as dry eye from both questionnaires. It was surveyed that 45 students (39.5%) and 29 students (25.4%) had atopy and allergy rhinitis, respectively. Among 45 students having atopy, 30 students and 8 students were diagnosed as dry eye with using DEQ and OSDI, respectively. And also, 22 students were diagnosed as dry eye by DEQ and 5 students were diagnosed as dry eye by OSDI from 29 students having allergy rhinitis. Among 29 students having both medical history atopy and allergy rhinitis, 15 students detected observable ocular symptom. The complicating allergy symptoms with ocular syndrome were arranged with sneeze, nose itchiness, nose stuffiness, and runny nose in order of frequency. As students recognized eye symptoms, the number of allergy found and student's number were increased proportionally. Conclusions: It was found that children's subjective ocular symptoms were confirmed in the environment as newly built building. The number of student for dry eye was proportionally increased to students having atopy and allergy symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the changes of lens morphology and tear stability during wearing soft contact lenses (SCLs) which were kept in drying condition like dry eye or became to be dried due to heedless care. Method: SCLs having different water content, thickness or material were rehydrated after being dehydrated artificially 2 or 4 times, and estimated their diameter and radius. Furthermore, the changes of tear film break-up time (TBUT) during SCL wearing were also measured. Result: Due to the dryness, the diameter of both 70% water content SCL and 59% water content SCL decreased, but the decrement was larger in 59% water content SCL. The more 59% water content SCL was dehydrated, the more its radius changed. However, the radius of 70% water content SCL did not change by 2 times dehydration and increased greatly by 4 times dehydration. The reduction of diameter of -1.00 D SCL was greater than that of -9.00 D SCL. Moreover, the radius of -1.00 D SCL increased depending on the frequency of dehydration but that of -9.00 D SCL did not changed. The diameter and radius changes of lotrafilcon B, silicone hydrogel lens, were less than those of hilafilcon B, copolymer of HEMA and N-vinyl pyrrolidone. TBUT during wearing SCLs decreased by wearing dehydrated SCLs. Conclusion: The diameter and radius of dehydrated SCLs as well as TBUT during wearing them were changed in spite of rehydration, which would be the important cause of uncomfortable feeling when people wore dehydrated SCL. The changes of SCL morphology and TBUT differed according to the water content, lens thickness and material.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2002

Purpose : Rett syndrome(RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000-15,000 female births worldwide. It was initially described by Andreas Rett in 1966. RTT involves developmental regression characterized stereotypic hand movements, tremors, gait apraxia, seizures, deceleration of head growth after the age of 6-18 months. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28. We carried out mutational analysis of MECP2 genes in RTT patients. Methods : Whole blood(5 cc) of 34 sporadic RTT patients was collected in EDTA-anticoagulated tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the E.Z.N.A. blood DNA kit. Four exons of the MECP2 gene were amplified by PCR in 34 Korean with RTT. We carried out PCR divided the exon three into two parts and the exon four into five parts. Primer sequences designed by Amir et al. in 1999 were almost used(AF030876). Sequencing primers used were the same as PCR. DNA sequencing reactions were performed using an ABI 377 DNA sequencer and ABI PRISM dye terminator cycle sequencing reaction kit(Perkin-elmer). The results were compared with the normal DNA sequence(X99686). To confirm the change of sequence on novel mutations, RFLP analysis was performed. Results : The MECP2 mutations were detected in 23(67.6%) of the 34 patients. The mutations consisted of 12 different types including nine missense and three nonsense mutations. Of these, three (L100V, G161E and T311M) mutations were newly identified. Most of the mutations discovered are located within MBD(39.1%) and TRD(39.1%). In this study, three(T158M, R270X, R306C) mutations were identified high frequency. Conclusion : MECP2 gene was also an important cause of Korean RTT patients. MECP2 gene study is an important tool for diagnosis of Korean RTT patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.192-198
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• 1993

In 1984, a magnetic resonance spectrometer(magnetic resonance analyser, MRA $I_{TM}$) was developed by Sigrid Lipsett and Ronald J. Weinstock in the USA, Biomedical applications of the spectrometer have been examined by Dr. Hoang Van Duc(pathologist, USC), and Nakamura, et al(Japan). From their theoretical views, the biophysical functions of this machine are to analyse and synthesize a healthy tissue and organ resonance pattern, and to detect and correct an abnormal tissue and organ resonance pattern. All of the above functions are based on Quantum physics. The healthy tissue and organ resonance patterns are predetermined as standard magnetic resonance patterns by digitizing values based on peak resonance emissions(response levels or high pitched echo-sounds amplified via human body). In clinical practice, a counter or neutralizing resonance pattern calculated by the spectrometer can correct a phase-shifted resonance pattern(response levels or low pitched echo-sounds) of a diseased tissue and organ. By administering the counter resonance pattern into the site of pain and trigger point, it is possible to readjust the phase-shifted resonance pattern and then to alleviate pain through regulation of the neurotransmitter function of the nervous system. For assessing clinical effectiveness of pain relief with MRA $I_{TM}$ this study was designed to estimate pain intensity by the patient's subjective verbal rating scale(VRS such as graded to no pain, mild, moderate and severe) before application of it, to evaluate an amount of pain relief as applied the spectrometer by the patients subjective pain relief scale(visual analogue scale, VAS, 0~100%), and then to observe a continuation of pain relief following its application for managing acute and chronic pain in the 102 patients during an 8 months period beginning March, 1993. An application time of the spectrometer ranged from 15 to 30 minutes daily in each patient at or near the site of pain and trigger point when the patient wanted to be treated. The subjects consisted of 54 males and 48 females, with the age distribution between 23~40 years in 29 cases, 41~60 years in 48 cases and 61~76 years in 25 cases respectively(Table 1). The kinds of diagnosis and the main site of pain, the duration of pain before the application, and the frequency of it's application were recorded on the Table 2, 3 and 4. A distinction between acute and chronic pain was defined according to both of the pain intervals lasting within and over 3 months. The results of application of the spectrometer were noted as follows; In 51 cases of acute pain before the application, the pain intensities were rated mild in 10 cases, moderate in 15 cases and severe in 26 cases. The amounts of pain relief were noted as between 30~50% in 9 cases, 51~70% in 13 cases and 71~95% in 29 cases. The continuation of pain relief appeared between 6~24 hours in two cases, 2~5 days in 10 cases, 6~14 days in 4 cases, 15 days in one case, and completely relived of pain in 34 cases(Table 5~7). In 51 cases of chronic pain before the application, the pain intensities were rated mild in 12 cases, moderate in l8 cases and severe in 21 cases. The amounts of pain relief were noted as between 0~50% in 10 cases, 51~70% in 27 cases and 71~90% in 14 cases. The continuation of pain relief appeared to have no effect in two cases. The level of effective duration was between 6~12 hours in two cases, 2~5 days in 11 cases, 6~14 days in 14 cases, 15~60 days in 9 cases and in 13 cases the patient was completely relieved of pain(Table 5~7). There were no complications in the patients except a mild reddening and tingling sensation of skin while applying the spectrometer. Total amounts of pain relief in all of the subjects were accounted as poor and fair in 19(18.6%) cases, good in 40(39.2%) cases and excellent in 43(42.2%) cases. The clinical effectiveness of MRA $I_{TM}$ showed variable distributions from no improvements to complete relief of pain by the patient's assessment. In conclusion, we suggest that MRA $I_{TM}$ may be successful in immediate and continued pain relief but still requires several treatments for continued relief and may be gradually effective in pain relief while being applied repeatedly.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 1999

To improve Bacillus strains producing biopolymer, conditions for protoplast formation and regeneration were investigated in biopolymer producing Bacillus subtilis K-1 and lactose utilizing Bacillus coagulans. Bacillus subtilis K-1 mutant (SM-2) and Bacillus coagulans mutants (CM-12) were marked auxotrophic and antibiotics-resistant (SM-2) and an antibiotics-resistant mutants, respectively. To formate protoplasts derived from the mutants, conditions were established as follows. For B. subtilis mutant SM-2, its culture in mid-logarithmic phase was added with penicillin G (1.0 unit/ml) and further reacted for 1.5 hr. Cells were collected and then treated in lysis fluid (pH 7.0) containing 0.4 M sucrose and lysozyme $25\;{\mu}g/ml$ for 40 min at $37^{\circ}$. Protoplast formation was very successful (99.6%) and the ratio of cell wall regeneration was 2.4%. For Bacillus coagulans mutant CM-12, its mid-logarithmic phase culture was treated with penicillin G (0.3 unit/ml) and glycine (0.5%) for 1hr. Cells were collected and then resuspended in lysis buffer (pH 7.0) containing 0.6 M lactose and lysozyme $(300\;{\mu}g/ml)$ for 30 min at $37^{\circ}$. Protoplast formation was also successful (90.8%) and cell wall regeneration ratio was similar to SM-2 (2.2%). To improve regeneration frequency, regeneration medium was obtained as followed condition,. Cell wall regeneration was improved 2-4 folds with 5.1% for B. subtilis SM-2 and 10.3% for B. coagulans CM-12 when protoplasts mixed with soft top agar(0.4%) was overlaid onto trypticase soy broth medium containing 0.4 M sucrose, 0.7% casamino acid, 1% PVP, 25 mM $MgCl_2,\;25\;mM\;CaCl_₂$ and 1.5% agar.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2018

Coptis chinensis is used in oriental medicine for soothing, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial and antipyretic properties, and its main ingredient berberine is known to have strong antibacterial activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-microbial effect of hot water extract of Coptis chinensis (CW) on skin related microorganism and the airborne microbe, the antifungal effects of fungi, which are frequently detected in residential environments. CW showed antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, against the airborne microbe, which was collected in four different places. At the concentration of 100 mg/mL, the antimicrobial activity continued for 42 days, showed heat stability without change in the antimicrobial activity even after heat treatment. The MIC and MBC of CW against S. aureus was 0.03, 0.05 mg/mL, against S. epidermidis was 0.50, 0.75 mg/mL and against P. acne was 0.10, 0.15 mg/mL. As a result of measuring the MIC of four kinds of fungi with high detection frequency in the surrounding environment, Gliocladium virens was 65 mg/mL by determined as MIC which can inhibit one hundred percent of mycelial growth. The concentration 90 mg/mL was determined as MIC against Aureobasidium pullulans and 100 mg/mL against Penicilium pinophilum and Chaetomium globosum. CW was considered a safe extract that showed no irritation even in the ocular mucous membrane irritation evaluation test, a patch test. Therefore, these results suggest that Coptis chinensis has antimicrobial, antifungal and safety on human body and can be applied to the development of materials for cosmetic and residential environment industries.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.124-131
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate a possible change in freeze risk for 'Changhowon Hwangdo' peach buds in three major peach growing areas under the future climate projected by RCP8.5 emission scenario. Mean values of the monthly temperature data for the present decade (2000s) and the future decades (2020s, 2050s, 2080s) were extracted for farm lands in Icheon, Chungju, and Yeongcheon-Gyeongsan region at 1km resolution and 30 sets of daily temperature data were generated randomly by a stochastic process for each decade. The daily data were used to calculate a thermal time-based dormancy depth index which is closely related to the cold tolerance of peach buds. Combined with daily minimum temperature, dormancy depth can be used to estimate the potential risk of freezing damage on peach buds. When the freeze risk was calculated daily for the winter period (from 1 November to 15 March) in the present decade, Icheon and Chungju regions had high values across the whole period, but Yeongcheon-Gyeongsan regions had low values from mid-December to the end of January. In the future decades, the frequency of freezing damage would be reduced in all 3 regions and the reduction rate could be as high as 75 to 90% by 2080's. However, the severe class risk (over 80% damage) will not disappear in the future and most occurrences will be limited to December to early January according to the calculation. This phenomenon might be explained by shortened cold hardiness period caused by winter warming as well as sudden cold waves resulting from the higher inter-annual climate variability projected by the RCP8.5 scenario.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1 s.17
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• pp.33-38
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• 1975

The clinical efficacy of Ethaverine, a peripheral vasodilator, was studied according to a double-blind, non-cross over method in 29 diabetic patients with peripheral arterial diseases. The clinical improvement was assessed from the history of patients including the incidence and frequency of intermitten claudication. Ethaverine, after 4 weeks of therapy, was not effective in improving clinical symptoms compared to placebo. Ethaverine, however, was an efective vasodilator than placebo. The quality of vasodilation induced by Ethaverine, was similar to that of alcohol. A new clinical method of studying peripheral vasodilator was presented. The clinical symptoms of peripheral vascular arterial disease in the lower extrimities include reduced intensity of palpable pulses, coldness, and discoloration of the skin. Intermittent claudication may be present. Pathologic changes in vessel architecture precede the symptoms, and recognition of impending vascular insufficiency is a determining factor in selecting vasodilating therapy or surgical management. Also, post-operative patients who have chronic peripheral vascular arterial disease may be candidates for subsequent vasodilating therapy. Peripheral vasodilators, according to the series of reports, may be indicated in vasospastic peripheral vascular condition rather than an occlusive vascular disease and the vessel responds best when a relatively large vascular beds are involved rather than a small, capillary beds. Recently, the clinical efficacy of peripheral vasodilators have been challanged by many clinical investigators and clinicians. In this study, we have re-evaluated the efficacy of Ethaverine HCl as peripheral vasodilator in patients with vasospastic peripheral arterial disease. Ethaverine is claimed to be two to four times as potent a spasmolytic agent as papaverine in a variety of laboratory and clinical work.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the residual amounts of PAHs in environmental samples such as crop, soil and water collected from paddy, upland fields and forestlands near industrial zone and/or a thermal power plant in South Korea. All of the samples were analyzed by GC-mass spectrometer. The average contents of total PAHs in soil samples were 140.2 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ and the range was from 4.3 to $662.9{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. The detection of benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h) anthracene which have strong carcinogenecity was ranged from 14.2 to 167.8 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. The residual amounts and detection frequency of PAHs in soil samples from the iron and heavy industrial areas near Pohang and Busan were 3-folds more than those of the other areas. Amounts of PAHs in upland soil samples was 1.5 folds higher than those of paddy soil samples, suggesting that it may be related to the content of organic matter in soil. The average contents of total PAHs in crop samples were 9.7 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ which ranged from 4.5 to 52.2 ${\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$. However, the residual amounts of PAHs in water samples were not detected. These results showed that soils and crops were slightly contaminated with PAHs. Therefore, the investigation should be continued for evaluating a safety or risk assessment through expansion of regions and crops.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.335-349
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• 2011

100 residual pesticides in 1,565 medicinal herbs being on sale in Seoul was analyzed by a simultaneous multiresidue method. The recovery ratio was 71.0~119.7%. The detection rate of pesticide residues was 5.3% and the rate of excess to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) was 0.9% of the total samples. The medicinal herbs which had the high detection rate of residual pesticides were Alismatis Rhizoma, Citri Unshii Pericarpium, Lycii Fructus and Zyzyphi Fructus. The medicinal herbs detected pesticide over Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) were Alismatis Rhizoma (4), Cnidii Rhizomain (4), Chrysanthemi Zawadski Herba (1), Citri Unshii Pericarpium (1), Lycii Radix Cortex (1), Menthae Herba (1), Schisandrae Fructus (1) and Taraxaci Herba (1). The residual pesticides which had the high detection frequency were cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, phenthoate, endosulfan, isoprothiolane, chlorothalonil and chlorfenapyr. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of detected pesticides was compared to Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in order to assess risk. Ethoprophos detected in Cnidii Rhizomain showed the highest %ADI, 26.85. And pyraclofos and endosulfan in Cnidii Rhizomain, endosulfan and isoprothiolane in Alismatis Rhizoma and cyprodinil in Taraxaci Herba showed more than 1 %ADI, but others showed below 1 %ADI.