• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1104-1110
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• 2019

Recently, there has been an increase in the elderly population of the world. Consequently, bone metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis are emerging as a social problem. Osteoclasts play a role in bone resorption, and osteoporosis is induced when bone resorption occurs excessively. Because currently used bone resorption inhibitors may cause side effects when used for a long period of time, it is necessary to develop a new material that effectively inhibits osteoclast differentiation. This study aimed to confirm the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Locusta migratoria on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and its mechanism. The toxicity and proliferation effects of LME on RAW264.7 osteoclasts were measured by an MTS assay. There was no cytotoxicity or proliferation when the osteoclasts were treated with up to $2,000{\mu}g/ml$ of LME. In order to confirm the effect of LME on the differentiation of osteoclasts, osteoclasts were treated with RANKL alone or with LME for 3 days. As a result of a TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) assay, the increasing osteoclast differentiation by RANKL decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with the treatment of LME. In addition, LME suppressed the expression of differentiation-related marker genes (TRAP, RANK, NFATc1, and CK) and proteins (NFATc1 and c-Src) that had been increased by RANKL. Also, LME influenced the $NF-{\kappa}B$, ERK and JNK signaling pathways, resulting in the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. These results suggest that LME may be used as a novel functional material for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by playing a role in inhibiting bone absorption.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.915-929
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• 2019

This study attempted to investigate the effects of natural henna-treated permanent wave on degree of damage and morphological changes of hair. For this, amino acid was analyzed, and hair thickness and surface were observed through SEM. In addition, hair curl formation & retention, methylene blue coloring, tensile strength and elongation were measured. The results found the followings: Total amino acid contents rose as the number of natural henna treatment increased, hair protection effects are expected. In terms of curl formation, in an experimental group hair became more elastic as the number of natural henna treatment increased, compared to a control group. In both control and experimental groups, hair retention decreased as shampooing frequency increased because of extension of (C) and (C)', According to analysis of hair thickness using SEM, hair became thick in an experimental group after natural henna treatment, compared to a control group. In morphological observation of hair surface, it was mostly clean, and cuticle was tidy and healthy. In methylene blue coloring, as the number of natural henna treatment increased, absorbance went up. In addition, tensile strength declined in an experimental group, compared to a control group. As the number of natural henna treatment increased, elongation in an experimental group increased, compared to a control group. The above results show that as the number of natural henna treatment increased, hair became thicker, and curl formation and retention improved. In addition, hair elasticity and flexibility were enhanced, reducing a risk of hair damage. Therefore, the study results would be available as basic data in reducing scalp and hair damage, proposing the natural henna treatment as a method to reduce hair damage from chemical perm in cosmetology industry.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.311-321
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate effect of stream channel naturalness on ecological health by using environmental factors and Fish Assessment Index (FAI) in the Han River of South Korea. These samples and data have been released from the research project titled Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment, which was conducted in 444 sites in the Han river watershed from 2008 to 2016. All samples were classified into five groups according to a degree of morphological changes of stream. Water chemistry analyses indicated a decline in water quality by decreasing stream channel naturalness, it is assumed that channelized stream was vulnerable to aquatic pollution compared to the natural meandering stream. In the result of frequency of dominant species, sensitive species and insectivore such as Zacco koreanus, Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Pungtungia herzi were frequently dominated in the natural meandering stream while tolerant species and omnivores such as Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio were more dominated in the channelized streams. The FAI in the channelized stream shows decline to average of $46{\pm}25$ compared with that of the natural meandering stream ($80{\pm}20$). The decrease in FAI was highly influenced by changes in matrixes of fish assemblage structure such as number of sensitive species (M3), portion of omnivores (M5) and insectivores (M6). Moreover, annual average FAIs from 2008 to 2016 were significantly correlated with water chemistry, especially TN, TP and BOD ($r^2=0.59$, p<0.0001). Taken together, all the results suggest that the stream channelization could negatively impact on the water quality and fish assemblage structure, leading to degradation in aquatic ecosystem health.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2019

Purpose The principle of nuclear medicine test is divided into two main categories: competition(radioimmunoassay, RIA) and noncompetitive reaction(Immunoradiometric assay, IRMA). It is known that the curve fitting method, which is commonly used in inspection field, uses Spline interpolation in RIA method and Linear interpolation method in IRMA method. Among them, the insulin test using the IRMA test showed a significant difference, especially at low concentrations, despite the same algorithm of linear interpolation between fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers. In this study, we aim to obtain results from applying two different of algorithm using fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers including Gamma pro, Gamma 10, Cobra, and SR300. Materials and Methods A total of 30 test samples were selected for the test of TSH, ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin serum levels. Test was performed by IRMA method. We compared the difference in the results of applying the linear interpolation method and the spline interpolation method to Gamma Pro, Gamma 10, Cobra, and SR300 equipment. Results Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The significance level was applied as P <0.05. The results of TSH, ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin tests were compared between the fully automated radio immunoassay analyzers. There was a significant difference between ferritin, C-peptide, and insulin serum levels(P<0.001). TSH didn't show any significant different between the devices(P=0.29). In the difference between linear and spline interpolation, there was no significant difference between insulin test(P=0.08), TSH test(P=0.81), and Ferritin test(P=0.06). However, C-peptide test showed a significant difference(P=0.03). Especially, the insulin test showed significant difference in lower ranges. As a result of comparing and analyzing the difference between the two interpolation methods, the devices in the low concentration group showed significant difference(P<0.001). Conclusion In case of new equipment in the laboratory it is necessary to recognize that there is a difference in the curve fitting method for each automated radio immunoassay analyzers in the low concentration area when the principle of inspection is IRMA method.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the general process from the symptom onset to the psychiatric treatment in Korean panic patients and the effect of improved public awareness on it. Methods : This study has a retrospective design. The subjects were the new patients with panic disorder who visited the psychiatric outpatient clinic in twelve university-affiliated hospitals all across Korea. The medical chart was reviewed retrospectively and the data were collected including chief complaints of symptoms, recent stressors, the time to visit the psychiatric outpatient clinic, and visit of other departments and diagnostic approaches for their symptoms. Results : A total of 814 participants were included in the study. The most common department other than psychiatry the panic patients visited were cardiology (28.3%), general internal medicine (16.0%) and neurology (11.4%). The most frequently used diagnostic tests were a echocardiography (17.9%), 24-hour Holter monitoring (11.2%), and brain MRI (8.2%). Only 37.3% of participants visited psychiatric clinic directly. About 80% of participants visited psychiatric department within 1 year after their first panic symptoms and it took $13.8{\pm}13.7weeks$ on average. Comparing before and after 2012, the number of participants increased who visit directly the psychiatric clinic without visiting other departments (p=0.002) and without visiting emergency room (p<0.001). Conclusions : Our results suggest that a substantial number of patients visit departments other than psychiatry when they experience first panic symptoms. However, most patients begin psychiatric treatment within 1 year after their first symptoms and the number of patient are increasing who visit psychiatric department directly without visiting other departments.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.20-24
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• 2019

Purpose Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) scan is used in nuclear medicine, for which $^{99m}Tc-sestaMIBI$ is administered by intravenous injection. However, the breast uptake rate of $^{99m}Tc-sestaMIBI$ is less than 1% of the total dose administered, relying on blood flow conditions of organs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of changes to body temperature on the uptake of $^{99m}Tc-sestaMIBI$ in breast tissue. Materials and Methods We investigated 30 breast cancer patients who performed more than one follow-up MBI scan. All scans were acquired by Discovery 750B (Genral Electric Healthcare, USA). $^{99m}Tc-sestaMIBI$ injected with 740 MBq (20 mCi), after 60 minutes, gained bilateral breast CC (CranioCaudal), MLO (Medio Lateral Oblique) View. The follow-up examination was then classified into 15 body temperature control group and 15 body temperature non-control group, and gained breast image in the same way as before. The breast uptake rate was analyzed in the MLO View of the opposite side of the lesion, and blind images were evaluated. Results The breast uptake rate increased by 30.31% in the body temperature control group and it was statistically significant(P<0.05), and 0.96% in the body temperature non-control group, and it was not statistically significant(P=0.955). There was a significant difference in the uptake rate between the body temperature control and the non-control group of P value of 0.01. Evaluation of blind images showed significant results in terms of the quality of the images. Conclusion Increased breast tissue uptake was observed when the subject was kept warm. When the body temperature was raised after injection, dilation of the peripheral blood vessels can be achieved. As a result, the blood flow became smooth and the breast uptake rate increased. In addition, an increase in breast tissue uptake will improve the quality of images.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.268-286
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• 2018

The eutrophication and algal blooms by harmful cyanobacteria (CyanoHAs) and freshwater redtide (FRT) that severely experiencing in typical regulated weir system of the Nakdong River are one of the most rapidly expanding water quality problems in Korea and worldwide. To compare with the factors of rainfall, hydrology, and dominant algae, this study explored spatiotemporal variability of the major water environmental factors by weekly intervals in eight weir pools of the Nakdong River from January 2013 to July 2017. There was a distinct difference in rainfall distribution between upstream and downstream regions. Outflow discharge using small-scale hydropower generation, overflow and fish-ways accounted for 37.4%, 60.1% and 2.5%, respectively. Excluding the flood season, the outflow was mainly due to the hydropower release through year-round. These have been associated with the drawdown of water level, water exchange rate, and the significant impact on change of dominant algae. The mean concentration (maximum value) of chlorophyll-a was $17.6mg\;m^{-3}$ ($98.2mg\;m^{-3}$) in the SAJ~GAJ and $29.6mg\;m^{-3}$ ($193.6mg\;m^{-3}$) in the DAS~HAA weir pools reaches, respectively. It has increased significantly in the downstream part where the influence of treated wastewater effluents (TWEs) is high. Indeed, very high values (>50 or $>100mg\;m^{-3}$) of chlorophyll-a concentration were observed at low flow rates and water levels. Algal assemblages that caused the blooms of CyanoHAs and FRT were the cyanobacteria Microcystis and the diatom Stephanodiscus populations, respectively. In conclusion, appropriate hydrological management practices in terms of each weir pool may need to be developed.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2019

Apple (Malus pumila) is one of the most economically important fruits in Korea. but virus infection has decreased the sustainable production of apples and caused serious problems such as yield loss and poor fruit quality. Virus or viroid infection including apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) have been also reported in Korea. In many cases, as apple gets infected with virus and viroid with no specific symptoms, the damage and symptoms caused by the viruses are not detected. In our research, viruses in the rootstock were eliminated for a virus-free apple dwarfing rootstock of M.9 and M.26. The virus elimination methods were apical meristem culture, thermotherapy ($37^{\circ}C$, 6 weeks) and chemotherapy($Ribavirin^{(R)}$). The detection of apple viruses was accomplished by Enzyme-linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELlSA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT- PCR method was 10 ~ 30% more sensitive than the ELISA method. The efficiency of virus elimination was enhanced in apical meristem culture method. The acquisition rate of virus-free apple dwarfing rootstocks was 30 ~ 40% higher in apical meristem culture. After the meristem culturing of M.9, the infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV was 45%, 60% and 50%, respectively. In the apple dwarfing rootstock of M.26, the infection ratio of ACLSV, ASPV and ASGV was 40%, 55% and 55%, respectively. Based on this study, the best method for the production of virus-free apple dwarfing rootstocks was the apical meristem culture.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.453-461
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• 2019

This study was conducted to monitor the soil characteristics and growth of Pinus densiflora and to determine the effect of soil characteristics on growth rate five years after an ecological restoration project in Baekdudaegan ridge including Ihwaryeong, Yuksimnyeong, and Beoljae sites. The ecological restoration project was executed with the forest of P. densiflora in 2012-2013. In April 2018, we collected soil samples from each site and measured the height and the diameter at breach height (DBH) of P. densiflora. Although there was no significant change of soil pH compared to the early stage of restoration (one year after the project), it was high in Ihwaryeong, and Beoljae with values of 7.7 and 6.4, respectively. Also, the organic matter decreased by 70-80%, and the available phosphorus (P) was unchanged in three restoration sites. The decreased organic matter can be attributed to restriction of inflow and thus decomposition of litter in the early stage after the restoration. The tree height growth rate ($m\;yr^{-1}$) of P. densiflora in Yuksimnyeong was the highest at 1.02, followed by Beolja at 0.75 and Ihwaryeong at 0.17. The height growth rate showed negative relationships with soil pH and cations, including Na and Ca concentrations and a positive relationship with available phosphate. The low growth rate in the Ihwaryeong site, in particular, might result from the poor nutrient availability due to high soil pH and the decrease in water absorption into the root due to high Na and Ca concentrations. The substantial reduction of organic matter after five years indicates that the need for soil improvement using chemical fertilizer and biochar.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.493-503
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• 2019

This study is composed of nine treatments [Control : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 1 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 2 : "no neutralizing layer+vegetation layer" 7 cm, Treatment 3 :"neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+ vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 3 cm, Treatment 4 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 5 cm, Treatment 5 : "neutralizing layer (cement 3 %)+vegetation layer (cement 1 %)" 7 cm, Treatment 6 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$] +vegetation layer" 3 cm, Treatment 7 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 5 cm, Treatment 8 : "neutralizing layer [$(Ca{\cdot}Mg)CO_3$]+vegetation layer" 7 cm] to find out the vegetation effects according to neutralizing layer types of the acid drainage slope. There were no significant differences observed in soil hardness and soil moisture content of neutralizing layer type while highly difference of moisture content was observed according to the neutralizing and vegetation layer thickness. As for soil acidity, strong acid was shown in the control, treatment 1 and treatment 2. Neutralizing effects were outstanding in treatments of 3, 4, 5 (cement treatment group), 6, 7 and 8 (limestone treatment group). Concerning plants growth characteristics, surface coverage rates, number of germinating woody plants, plant height, and plant root status, there were excellent effects observed in the experimental groups mixed with cement (treatments 3, 4 and 5) and limestone (treatments 6, 7 and 8). At the initial stage, however, plant roots were negatively affected in cement layer treatments of 3, 4 and 5. However, no difference was shown in each layer thickness on the acid drainage slope whereas 3~5 cm thickness neutralizing layer was appropriate in consideration of economic feasibility.