• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1996

Since the publication of the first bone scintiscans in 1962 three decades have elapsed. The bone scan has made great strides during this period, becoming one of the most commonly used nuclear imaging tests. In spite of the progress, however, the specificity of bone scan has remained relatively low. As the result it is a common practice to seek additional information from radiograph, CT scan and MR image, which is euphemistically termed as "image fusion or co-location." The basic reason is the inapplicability of the classical piecemeal analysis to interpreting planar and SPECT bone scans. Such analysis has its base on the observation of elemental features of morphology, which include the size, shape, contour, location, topography and internal architecture. The physiochemical profile may well also be included. Understandably, however, the miniatured images of the planar bone scan cannot provide these features in acceptable detail and the same holds true even with SPECT Images which are but sliced views of the reconstructed planar scans. Fortunately pinhole scanning has the capacity to portray both the morphological and chemical profiles of bone and joint diseases in greater detail through true magnification. The magnitude of pinhole scan resolution is practically comparable to that of radiography as far as gross anatomy is concerned. Thus, we feel strongly that pinhole scanning is a potential breakthrough of the long-lamented low specificity of bone scan. This presentation will discuss the fun-damentals, advantages and disadvantages and the most recent advances of pinhole scanning. It high-lights the actual clinical applications of pinhole scanning in relation to the diagnosis of infective and inflammatory diseases of bone and joint.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.25 no.3 s.82
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• pp.161-166
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• 1997

Occurrence of Hypoxylon truncatum, known as a symbiont of white jelly mushroom, was first noted and described in Korea. Two stromatal forms reported in North American collections of H. truncatum sensu Miller were also observed in Korean collections. Based on evidences from other studies, polymorphic patterns seen in six enzyme digestions of nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions of Korean isolates indicated that the two stromatal forms were genetically distinct. Because there was a clear association of stromatal morphology with genetic differences, the different stromatal forms might be different species. In addition, clear species concept on the species H. truncatum would provide aids in selecting proper strain for cultivation of white jelly mushrooms.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 1998

We have mapped about 1.5 square degree regions of Lynds 1299, a well isolated dark cloud in the Outer Galaxy (l = $122^{\circ}$, b = $-7^{\circ}$), in the J = 1- 0 transition of $^{12}CO$ and $^{13}CO$ with the 13.7 m radio telescope at Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory (TRAO). We found that there are two velocity components in the molecular emission, at $V_{LSR} = -52 km S^{-1}$ (Cloud A) and -8.8 km $s^{-1}$ (Cloud B), respectively. We have derived physical parameters of two molecular clouds and discussed three different mass estimate techniques. We found that there are large discrepancies between the virial and LTE mass estimates for both clouds. The large virial mass estimate reflects the fact that both are not gravitationally bound. We adopt the mass of $5.6 {\times}10^3 \;M{\bigodot}$ for Cloud A and $1.2{\times}10^3 \;M{\bigodot}$) for Cloud B using conversion factor. Cloud A is found to be associated with a localized star forming site, and its morphology is well matching with that of far-infrared (FIR) dust emission. It shows a clear ring structure with an obvious velocity gradient. We suggest that it may be a remnant cloud from a past episode of massive star formation. Cloud B is found to be unrelated to Cloud A (d = 800 pc) and has no specific velocity structure. The average dust color temperature of the uncontaminated portion of Cloud A is estimated to be 24$\~$27.4 K. The low dust temperature may imply that there is no additional internal heating source within the cloud. The heating of the cloud is probably dominated by the interstellar radiation field except the region directly associated with the new-born B5 star. Overall, the dust properties of Cloud A are similar to those of normal dark cloud even though it does have star forming activity.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.129-138
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• 2017

In this study, we aimed to characterize fungal samples from necrotic lesions on collar regions observed in different sweetpotato growing regions during 2015 and 2016 in Korea. Sclerotia appeared on the root zone soil surface, and white dense mycelia were observed. At the later stages of infection, mother roots quickly rotted, and large areas of the plants were destroyed. The disease occurrence was monitored at 45 and 84 farms, and 11.8% and 6.8% of the land areas were found to be infected in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Fungi were isolated from disease samples, and 36 strains were preserved. Based on the cultural and morphological characteristics of colonies, the isolates resembled the reference strain of Sclerotium rolfsii. Representative strains were identified as S. rolfsii (teleomorph: Athelia rolfsii) based on phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit genes along with morphological observations. To test the pathogenicity, sweetpotato storage roots were inoculated with different S. rolfsii strains. 'Yulmi' variety displayed the highest disease incidence, whereas 'Pungwonmi' resulted in the least. These findings suggested that morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis were useful for identification of S. rolfsii.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2017

The powdery mildew on Castanea crenata in South Korea was first recorded as Microsphaera alni in 1958. On the basis of its morphological characteristics and host range, the mildew was determined as Microsphaera sinensis in 1988. According to the rules of The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, M. sinensis was renamed Erysiphe castaneigena in 2006. Nevertheless, taxonomic re-consideration of the morphological and molecular characteristics for the Castanea powdery mildew in Korea has not been performed. In the present study, we studied 34 powdery mildew samples collected from C. crenata in the Korea University Herbarium. On the basis of microscopic examinations of the holomorph and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions, we confirmed the powdery mildew fungus as E. castaneigena. In addition, sequence comparison between E. castaneigena and E. alphitoides ex Castanea sp. suggested a close phylogenetic affinity.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• summer
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• pp.410-415
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• 2004

Employing knowledge of adaptive possibilities of agents in multi-agents system, we have explored new aspects of distributed modular systems for building ubiquitous heterogeneous robotic systems using intelligent building blocks (I-BLOCKS) [1] as reconfigurable modules. This paper describes early technological approaches related to technical design, experimental developments and evaluation of adaptive processing and information interaction among I-BLOCKS allowing users to easily develop modular robotic systems. The processing technology presented in this paper is embedded inside each $DUPLO^1$ brick by microprocessor as well as selected sensors and actuators in addition. Behaviors of an I-BLOCKS modular structure are defined by the internal processing functionality of each I-Block in such structure and communication capacities between I-BLOCKS. Users of the I-BLOCKS system can easily do 'programming by building' and thereby create specific functionalities of a modular robotic structure of intelligent artefacts without the need to learn and use traditional programming language. From investigating different effects of modern artificial intelligence, I-BLOCKS we have developed might possibly contain potential possibilities for developing modular robotic system with different types of morphology, functionality and behavior. To assess these potential I-BLOCKS possibilities, the paper presents a limited range of different experimental scenarios in which I-BLOCKS have been used to set-up reconfigurable modular robots. The paper also reports briefly about earlier experiments of I-BLOCKS created on users' natural inspiration by a just defined concept of modular artefacts.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.712-719
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• 2006

In this study, we prepared core-shell type nanoparticles of a poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) grafted-dextran (DexLG) copolymer with varying graft ratio of PLGA. The synthesis of the DexLG copolymer was confirmed by $^1H$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The DexLG copolymer was able to form nanoparticles in water by self-aggregating process, and their particle size was around $50\;nm{\sim}300\;nm$ according to the graft ratio of PLGA. Morphological observations using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that the nanoparticles of the DexLG copolymer have uniformly spherical shapes. From fluorescence probe study using pyrene as a hydrophobic probe, critical association concentration (CAC) values determined from the fluorescence excitation spectra were increased as increase of DS of PLGA. $^1H-NMR$ spectroscopy using $D_2O$ and DMSO approved that DexLG nanoparticles have core-shell structure, i.e. hydrophobic block PLGA consisted inner-core as a drug-incorporating domain and dextran consisted as a hydrated outershell. Drug release rate from DexLG nano-particles became faster in the presence of dextranase in spite of the release rate not being significantly changed at high graft ratio of PLGA. Core-shell type nanoparticles of DexLG copolymer can be used as a colonic drug carrier. In conclusion, size, morphology, and molecular structure of DexLG nanoparticles are available to consider as an oral drug targeting nanoparticles.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2020

As part of the mushroom surveys in the unexplored areas of Korea in 2019 and 2020, a phalloid fungus was found in a saline sand beach. The specimen was mainly characterized by its reticulate pileus and violet volva with well-developed rhizomorphs. Based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and morphological characteristics, the specimen was identified as Phallus hadriani. Additionally, a morphological comparison of closely related species was performed. This study describes for the first time the presence of P. hadriani in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.403-412
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• 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a hyperglycemia-induced progressive development of renal insufficiency. Excessive glucose can increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce cell damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous study indicated that cilostazol (CTZ) can reduce ROS levels and decelerate DN progression in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of CTZ in rats with DN and in high glucose-treated mesangial cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 5 mg/kg/day of CTZ after developing STZ-induced diabetes mellitus. Electron microscopy revealed that CTZ reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane and improved mitochondrial morphology in mesangial cells of diabetic kidney. CTZ treatment reduced excessive kidney mitochondrial DNA copy numbers induced by hyperglycemia and interacted with the intrinsic pathway for regulating cell apoptosis as an antiapoptotic mechanism. In high-glucose-treated mesangial cells, CTZ reduced ROS production, altered the apoptotic status, and down-regulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Base on the results of our previous and current studies, CTZ deceleration of hyperglycemia-induced DN is attributable to ROS reduction and thereby maintenance of the mitochondrial function and reduction in TGF-β and NF-κB levels.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.270-285
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• 2017

The crustose lichen genus Pertusaria comprises over ca. 800 species worldwide. In total, 20 Pertusaria species were localized to the Mt. Sorak and Jeju-do in Korea. To date, information regarding the distribution of Pertusaria species in the South Korean peninsula is scarce. In this study, we collected Pertusaria species across South Korea and identified them based on morphological, chemical, and molecular characteristics. Of the 387 samples collected, we identified 24 taxa and 1 variety, of which 17 were previously recorded, and 6 taxa were newly found in South Korea (P. leioplaca, P. leucosora var. violascens, P. texana, P. thiospoda, P. thwaitesii, and P. xanthodes), 2 known species were transferred to Varicellaria (Varicellaria lactea and V. velata), one species was transferred to Variolaria as a new record (Variolaria multipunctoides) and one was a new species (P. jogyeensis J. S. Park & J.-S. Hur, sp. nov.). Characteristics of the newly discovered species, P. jogyeensis, are as follows: smooth to bumpy thallus, scattered to crowded poriform apothecia, blackish ostioles, definitely sunken, thin yellowish green rims around ostioles, 8-spored ascus, and the presence of perlatolic acid and thiophaninic acid (chlorinated xanthone). Phylogenetic studies on P. jogyeensis based on the mitochondrial small subunit sequence revealed proximity to P. flavicans and P. texana, and supported its classification as a new species within the genus Pertusaria. Additionally, we describe the chemical composition and morphology of all listed species in detail and provide an artificial key for identification.