• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.111-116
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of delayed interval delivery on neonatal outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective study of infants who were born at Seoul National University Hospital by delayed interval delivery from June 2005 to July 2010. Outcomes (neonatal mortality and morbidity) of later babies were compared to those of the first babies and the control group whose gestational ages and birth weights were similar to them. Results: There were 4 twin and 5 triplet pregnancies. The first babies (group 1, n=9) were delivered at $22^{+6}$ to $27^{+5}$ weeks of gestational age, and the later babies (group 2, n=14) were born at $24^{+6}$ to $28^{+0}$ weeks. The mean interval between the first and later deliveries was 10 days, and there was no delay between the second and third deliveries in all triplet pregnancies. There were more small for gestational age (SGA) infants in group 1 than group 2 (66.7% and 21.4% respectively, P=0.03). Two of three babies who died in group 1 were born before 24 weeks of gestational age and expired within a week after birth. The mortality rate of group 2 (7.1%) was lower than group 1 (33.3%), but not significantly (P=0.106). The control group matched to group 2 consisted of 28 infants. There were no significant differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity between the two groups. Conclusion: Although there is a limitation to the number of infants in this study, it suggested that delayed delivery in a multiple pregnancy could decrease the incidence of SGA of the remaining fetuses and that prolonged gestation would not be harmful to those fetuses after birth.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2011

Purpose: Several factors including prolonged inflammatory response are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The clinical findings can be explained by an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$ ). We investigated the relationship between susceptibility to BPD and TNF-$\alpha$ promoter polymorphisms to identify genetic factors of the disease. Methods: Thirty-eight preterm infants who had developed BPD and 55 controlled infants with a birth weight <1,500 g were analyzed for TNF-$\alpha$ genotypes. The alleles of five promoter sites (-1031/-863/-857/-308/-238) of TNF-$\alpha$ gene were determined using $Taqman^{(R)}$-based allelic discrimination assays. Results: Gestational age ($27^{+5}{\pm}2^{+0}$ wk vs. $29^{+2}{\pm}1^{+4}$ wk, P<0.0001) and birth weight (990${\pm}$270 g vs. 1,220${\pm}$230 g, P<0.0001) were lower in the BPD group compared to the control group. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (71.1% vs. 49.1%, P=0.035) and patent ductus arteriosus (71.1% vs. 50.9%, P=0.052) was higher in the BPD group compared to the control group. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of five promoter sites (-1031/-863/-857/-308/-238) of TNF-$\alpha$ gene did not show differences between the BPD group and the control group. Conclusion: TNF-$\alpha$ promoter polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to BPD in Korean preterm infants.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.133-147
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• 2004

Environmental quality(water and sediment) was analyzed in the tidal flat of Saemangum of Jeonbuk Province, the west coast of Korea, using the 101 sediment samples and 69 water samples collected in September 4~13, 2001. Major water quality parameters with the means of 69 surface water samples are as follows; $25.51{\pm}0.68^{\circ}C$ for water temperature, $29.88{\pm}5.01$ for salinity, $1.40{\pm}0.78mg/L$ for COD, $0.352{\pm}0.417mg/L$ for DIN, and $0.027{\pm}0.023mg/L$ for phosphate, respectively. Higher values were found at the subestuary of Dongjin and Mangyung River, and lower values at the Saemangum embayment and Gomso Bay. There was a significant negative correlation between salinity and the other water quality parameters(p<0.0001) such as COD, nutrients, SS and N/P. This correlation suggested that the major pollution sources be from terrestrial inputs through tributaries in this area. Principal component analysis clearly revealed a spatial variation of water quality; stations with higher values of nutrients and COD located subestuary of tributaries. 14 sediment quality parameters including 8 trace metals were measured using the 101 surface sediment samples. Average values for the parameters are as follows; Al $2.28{\pm}0.92%$, Cd $0.61{\pm}0.27ppm$, Cu $8.95{\pm}4.06ppm$, Fe $1.19{\pm}0.37%$, Mn $182.31{\pm}77.45ppm$, Ni $10.83{\pm}4.97ppm$, Pb $15.20{\pm}4.35ppm$, Zn $41.34{\pm}34.62ppm$, COD $2.68{\pm}1.85mg/g\;dry$, AVS $0.04{\pm}0.08mg/g\;dry$, IL $1.29{\pm}1.08%$, water content $24.11{\pm}4.49%$, TN $0.02{\pm}0.02%$, TC $0.22{\pm}0.30%$. Spatial variations of sediment quality were not clear as water quality. Some higher values were found at the subestuary of Gum River and lower values at the other area. There was a significant positive correlation between the heavy metal concentrations and organic materials within the sediment(p<0.05). Enrichment factors showed the ranges of 1~2 for most of the metals in the sediment except zinc(1~6), indicating no serious exogenous input of heavy metals in the study area. Also, the heavy metal concentrations in the sediment were within the ranges found at the natural marine environments.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2005

This study described the phonology and reproductive potential of four species of Korean seagrasses, Zostera caespitosa, Z. caulescem, Z. Japonica and Z. marina. Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens sampled from a mixed stand at the subtidal area of Yulpo Bay, Geojedo of the South Sea of Korea in November 2002 and August 2003. Z japonica and Z. marina occurred at the depth between the middle intertidal and shallow subtidal (<1m below mean sea level) of Seungbongdo (in Yellow Sea) samples collected in February and October 2003. The sexual reproductive phase of the four Zostera species was apparently different in timing of flowering, reproductive period, fruiting and seed maturing. Z. caespitosa flowered from February to early May $(10-16^{\circ}C)$, and its seed production completed in early May. The reproductive shoots of Z. caulescens began to appear in January $(9^{\circ}C)$, and its flowering followed from February to June $(10-19^{\circ}C)$. The flowers of Z. japonica were observed from July to September $(18-22^{\circ}C)$, and its seeds matured from August to September. The most commonly I marina flowered from April to August $(7-21^{\circ}C)$ and developed into seeds in July. Z. caulescens, the largest plant, had the highest number of seeds per shoot and longest spadix length. Z. marina, which was intermediate In size, recorded the highest reproductive potential. The study indicates that the reproductive phase and potential of the four species of seagrass from Korea are highly related to water temperature, and the populations of these species show a perennial lifespan with a low sexual reproductive input.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.690-697
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• 2006

This study has been carried out to estimate mean concentration and the daily intake of 2 artificial sweeteners (aspartame and sucralose) by analyzing food samples. Total number of samples was 755 and the number of samples detected for sweeteners was 33 (detection rate was 4.4%). Contribution rate to total estimated daily intake (%) of artificial sweeteners in food categories was high in candy for aspartame and sucralose. Total Estimated Daily Intakes $({\Sigma}EDI)$ for different age groups were high in $13{\sim}19$ years old for aspartame and $7{\sim}12$ years old for sucralose. Total estimated daily intakes $({\Sigma}EDI)$ of men and women were 5.10 mg/person/day and 4.88 mg/person/day, respectively. Total estimated daily intakes $({\Sigma}EDI)$ of artificial sweeteners were shown as follows; 3.75 mg/person/day for aspartame and 1.27 mg/person/day for sucralose, respectively and assuming a body weight of 55 kg. These values were ranged from $0.15{\sim}0.17%$ of acceptable daily intake (ADI) evaluated by FAO/WHO and $1.0{\sim}21.4%$ of theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI), and therefore, judged to be safe.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.319-324
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• 2014

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important crop for protein, oil, carbohydrates, isoflavones, and many other nutrients to humans and animals. But, antinutritional factors in the raw mature soybean are exist. Raffinose and stachyose are main antinutritional factors in soybean seed. Both raffinose and stachyose are carbohydrates, belonging to the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs). RFOs are not readily digested in humans and cause flatulence or diarrhea. The objective of this research is to obtain the information on raffinose and stachyose content according to genotype and environment. A total of twenty two soybean genotypes (11 cultivars, 3 germplasms and 8 breeding lines) were selected. Each genotype was grown in the field for two years with two replications and harvested in bulk at natural maturity for two years. Content of raffinose and stachyose was detected by HPLC. The raffinose content (g/kg) of 22 genotypes was $2.68{\pm}0.21-5.87{\pm}2.43$ in year 1 and was $3.24{\pm}0.37-9.05{\pm}0.16$ in year 2. The stachyose content (g/kg) was $4.23{\pm}0.98-27.68{\pm}9.90$ at year 1 and was $5.11{\pm}1.09-25.32{\pm}0.35$ in year 2. Genotype and environment have highly significant effects on raffinose and stachyose content. Three genotypes (Da-7, 116-13, and RS-78) have low stachyose content at 5% significant level in two years. A positive correlation ($R^2=0.1985^*$) between raffinose and stachyose was observed in year 2. These informations are valuable in soybean genetics and breeding program related with raffinose and stachyose content.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2004

Objectives of this study were to monitor the distribution of heavy metals, to compare extractable heavy metal with total content and to investigate the relationships between soil physico-chemical properties and heavy metals in orchard soil. Sampling sites were 48 in Gyeonggi, 36 in Gangwon, 36 in Chungbuk, and 44 in Chungnam, Soils were collected farm form two depths, 0 to 20 and 20 to 40 cm (here after referred to as upper and lower layers) from March to May in 1998. Total contents of heavy metal in soils were analyzed by ICP-OES after acid digestion ($HNO_3$:HCl:$H_2O_2$) whereas extractable contents were measured after successive extraction of 0.1N-HCl, 0.05 M-EDTA, and 0.005 M-DTPA. Mercury was analysed by mercury atomizer. The average contents of Cd Cu, and Pb in the extractant with 0.1N-HCl at upper layer were 0.080, 4.23, and 3.42 mg/kg, respectively. As content in the extractant with 1N-HCl was 0.44 mg/kg, and total contents of Zn, Ni and Hg were 78.9, 16.1, and 0.052 mg/kg, respectively. The ratios of concentrations of heavy metals to threshold values (Cd 1.5, Cu 50, Pb 100, Zn 300, Ni 40, Hg 4 mg/ke in Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea (2001) were low in the range of $1/2.5{\sim}1/76.9$ in orchard soils. The ratios of extractable heavy metal to total content ranged $5.4{\sim}9.21%$ for Cd, $27.9{\sim}47.8%$ for Cu, $12.6{\sim}21.8$% for Pb, $15.8{\sim}20.3%$ for Zn, $5.3{\sim}6.3%$ for Ni, and $0.7{\sim}3.6%$ for Zn, respectively. Cu and Pb contents in 0.05 M-EDTA extractable solution were higher than those in the other extractable solution. Total contents of Cd, Ni and Ni in soils were negatively correlated with sand content but positively correlated with silt and clay contents. Ratios of extractable heavy metal to total content were negatively correlated with clay content but ai and Ni contents were positively correlated with soil pH, organic matter, and available phosphorous. Therefore, the orchard soil was safe because the heavy metal contents of orchard soil were very low as compared to its threshold value in the Soil Environmental Conservation Act. However, it need to consider the input of agricultural materials to the agricultural land for farming practices for assessment of heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.385-393
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• 2007

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were studied after a small dam removal from the mid-section of the Gyeongan stream in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Quantitative sampling was conducted at immediately upstream (upper) and downstream (lower) sites from the dam as well as at the site where the dam was located (dam site: middle) using a Surber sampler (50$\times$50 cm, mesh 0.25 mm), four times (November 2004, May 2005, January 2006, and May 2006) after the dam removal. As a result, 46 species of benthic macroinvertebtates, belonged in 35 genera, 27 families, 11 orders, 5 classes, and 4 phyla, were sampled from the stream sites, but the number of species that occurred at each sampling trial was different (ranged 3$\sim$17 spp.) according to the seasons and sites. Approximately one year after the dam removal, the species number has in-creased and taxa composition has changed as the microhabitat became more heterogeneously due to a riffle formation in the upstream site. Chironomid larvae and tubificid worms, which are common in Korean urban streams, were the dominant species, while Hydropsyche kozhantschikovi was the 2nd dominant species at some sampling trials. In general, McNaughton's dominance indices decreased and Shannon species diversity indices increased approximately one year after the dam removal. Compositions of collector-filterers, clingers, and swimmers increased as hydropsychid caddisflies, heptageniid mayflies, and baetid mayflies increased, respectively, in the upstream site. The group pollution index and the ecological score using benthic macroinvertebrates both indicated that water environment has been improved in the upstream site after the dam removal.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2009

Purpose: To report on the changes in the patterns of care and survival over time for esthesioneuroblastoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 42 previously untreated and histologically confirmed esthesioneuroblastoma patients seen between March 1989 and June 2007. According to Kadish's classification, 3 patients (7%) were stage A, 6 (14%) at stage B, and 33 (79%) at stage C. Of the 33 Kadish C patients, 19 and 14 patients were treated from 1989 through 2000 and from 2001 through 2007, respectively. Treatment included surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Chemotherapy was administered to 8 of 19 patients (42%) seen from 1989 through 2000, whereas all of the 14 patients seen from 2001 through 2007 received chemotherapy (p<0.001). No patient was treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) from 1989 through 2000, however 8 of 14 patients (67%) seen from 2001 through 2007 underwent 3D-CRT (p<0.001). The median follow-up time for surviving patients was 6.5 years (range, 2.2~15.8 years). Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for the entire cohort were 53% and 39%, respectively. The 5-year OS was 100% for Kadish stages A or B and 39% for stage C (p=0.007). For patients with stage C disease who were treated from 1989 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2007, the 5-year OS rate was 26% and 59% (p=0.029), respectively and the corresponding 5-year PFS rate was 16% and 46% (p=0.001), respectively. Intraorbital extension and treatment era (1989~2000 vs. 2001~2007) were found as independent factors for OS and PFS in a multivariate analyses. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treatment era, which features a distinction in treatment modality and technique with the introduction of 3D-CRT, may be the cause of improved OS and PFS in Kadish stage C patients. To achieve better outcomes for patients with Kadish stage C, combined chemoradiotherapy, especially 3D-CRT, is recommended in addition to surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.173-180
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the role of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear. Materials and Methods: A series of 35 patients who were treated at a single institution from 1981 through 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen patients were treated by radiotherapy alone; four by surgery only and 18 by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. The total radiation dose ranged from 39~70 Gy (median, 66 Gy) in 13~35 fractions for radiotherapy alone and 44~70 Gy (median, 61.2 Gy) in 22~37 fractions for the combined therapy. Clinical end-points were the cause of specific survival (CSS) and local relapse-free survival (LRFS). The median follow-up time was 2.8 years (range, 0.2~14.6 years). Results: The 3-year CSS and LRFS rate was 80% and 63%, respectively. Based on a univariate analysis, performance status and residual disease after treatment had a significant impact on CSS; performance status and histologic grade for LRFS. Patients treated by radiotherapy alone had more residual disease following the course of treatment compared to patients treated with the combined therapy; 69% vs. 28%, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that radiation alone was not an inferior treatment modality for CSS compared to the combined therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and middle ear. However, local failure after radiotherapy is the main issue that will require further improvement to gain optimal local control.