• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2007

This study aims to analyze the voices of the patients with voice disorders including vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp in the aspect of acoustic phonetics. This study intends to collect subsidiary acoustic data in order to make a speech treatment and an standardization of vocal disorders. Subjects and Methods: The subjects of this study were 64 adult patients who underwent indirect laryngoscopy and laryngostroboscopy, and were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst or vocal nodule/polyp. Experimental group consisted of 20 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, 21 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold cyst and had the average age of 42.0 $({\pm}10.03)$ ; and 23 patients who were diagnosed as vocal nodule/polyp and had the average age of 40.9 $({\pm}13.75)$. For the methodology of this study, the patients listed above were asked to sit in a comfortable position at intervals of 10cm apart from the patient's mouth and a microphone, and subsequently to phonate a vowel sound /e/ for the maximum phonation time with natural tone and vocal volume then the sound was directly inputted on a computer. During recording, sampling rate was set to 44,100Hz and the 1-second area corresponding to stable zone except the first and the last stage of waveform of the vowel sound /e/ vocalized by the individual patients was analyzed. Results: First, there was no statistically significant difference in jitter and shimmer between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst, while there was highly statistically significant difference in them between vocal fold paralysis and vocal nodule/polyp. Second, looking into the mean values obtained from NNE, HNR and SNR results associated with noise ratio, the disease showing the most abnormal characteristics was vocal fold paralysis, followed by cyst and nodule/polyp in order. For NNE, there was statistically significant difference between vocal nodule/polyp, and cyst or paralysis. In other words, it was found that the NNE of vocal nodule/polyp was weaker than that of cyst or paralysis. Similarly, HNR and SNR also showed the same characteristics; there was statistically significant difference between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp, and HNR and SNR values of vocal fold paralysis were lower than those of vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp. Conclusion: For vocal fold paralysis, the abnormal values of acoustic parameters associated with frequency, amplitude and noise ratio were statistically significantly higher than those of vocal fold cyst and nodule/polyp. This finding suggests that the voices of the patients with vocal fold paralysis are the most severely injured due to less stability of vocal fold movement, asymmetry and incomplete glottic closure. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the acoustic parameters of tremor among vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp. Further studies need to ascertain reasonable acoustic parameters with various vocal disorders as well as to clarify the correlation between acoustics-based objective tools and subjective evaluations.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2004

Objectives: Despite severe oligospermia, males with Y chromosome microdeletion can achieve conception through ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). However, ICSI may not only result in the transmission of microdeletions but also the expansion of deletion to the offspring. The purpose of this study was to screen vertical transmission, expansion of microdeletions and de novo deletion in male fetuses conceived by ICSI. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 ICSI treated patients with their 33 (a case of twin) male fetuses conceived by ICSI were used to make this study group. Sequence-tagged sites (STSs)-based PCR analyses were performed on genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood of fathers and from the amniocytes of male fetuses. Ten primer pairs namely, sY134, sY138, MK5, sY152, sY147, sY254, sY255, SPGY1, sY269 and sY158 were used. The samples with deletions were verified at least three times. Results: We detected a frequency of 12.5% (4 of the 32 patients) of microdeletions in ICSI patients. In 4 patients with detected deletions, two patients have proven deletions on single STS marker and their male fetuses have the identical deletion in this region. Another two patients have two and three deletions, but their male fetuses have more than 3 deletions which include deletions to their father's. Meanwhile, seven male fetuses, whose fathers were analyzed to have all 10 STS markers present, have deletions present in at least one or more of the markers. Conclusions: Although the majority of deletions on the Y chromosome are believed to arise de novo, in some cases a deletion has been transmitted from the fertile father to the infertile patient. In other cases the deletion was transmitted through ICSI treatment, it is likely that one sperm cell is injected through the oocyte's cytoplasm and fertilization can be obtained from spermatozoa. Our tests for deletion were determined by PCR and our results show that the ICSI treatment may lead to vertical transmission, expansion and de novo Y chromosome microdeletions in male fetuses. Because the sample group was relatively small, one should be cautious in analyzing these data. However, it is important to counsel infertile couples contemplating ICSI if the male carries Y chromosomal microdeletions.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2009

Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum is a freshwater snail and lives in spring water near mountain areas. Interestingly, this snail has been traditionally regarded as medicinal food, and thus has been used as folk remedies for healing broken bones. Recently, alpha classification on Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum through redescription has been conducted. However, not much attention has been made in beta classification. In this study, we performed the beta classification based on metallothionein (MT) genes found from various organisms. To this end, the complete cDNA sequences were obtained from the Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) sequencing project of Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum. The coding region (315 bp) encoded an amino acid sequence of 105 residues. The combined results from BLAST analyses, multiple sequence alignment and molecular phylogenetic study of Pc-MT gene indicate that Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum has similarity to freshwater bivalve such as Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), Unio tumidus (swollen river mussel) and Crassostrea ariakensis (suminoe oyster).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2008

This study examined principles and techniques of efficient water quality management as well as total coastal pollutant loads and the relevant examples in the advanced countries from the viewpoints of water quality improvement and pollution control in coastal areas. The problems and improvements in an estimation of the current total pollutant loads were also pointed out. In addition, discussion was made on the relationship between total pollutant loads and environmental capacity as well as particulars requiring extensive examination on access to and study on water quality model used as prediction tool for marine environment. Furthermore, this study proposed details of and improvement plans for water quality control to be reflected and absorbed into systems and policies related to coastal water quality. In coastal areas, which are subject to total coastal pollutant loads, it is necessary to calculate pollutant loads reduction and allocation, to propose them in detail in statement in relations to new pollution sources for the corresponding projects or plans in environmental impact assessment and prior environmental review system. Also, in relations to regional plans for coastal management, the local government concerned must focus more on environmental management plan to implement data on pollution sources and pollutant loads flown into sea areas under basic jurisdiction, therefore it is required to actively respond to expansion and introduction of total coastal pollutant loads system in the future. Total coastal pollutant loads system must be expanded and executed by considering characteristics of sea area and changes in the environment of land. For pollution sources in land, the competent authorities in charge of coastal environment will need to initiatively administer supervision, monitoring activities and achieve integration and operation of the related laws by preparing legal bases for management system or adjusting the related laws.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.288-299
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• 2011

Freshwater fish fauna and community structure were surveyed through 21 lakes in the Yeungnam area including Gyeongsangbukdo and Gyeongsangnamdo provinces, Korean Peninsula from April 2008 to October 2009. Among 21 lakes, 16 lakes belong to the Nakdong River and 5 are independent drainages. From the present study, 61 species (44 genera, 15 families) were collected including 32 cyprinid species (52.5%), 6 cobitid species (9.8%) and so on. The dominant and subdominant species in aspect of the number of individuals were Hypomesus nipponensis (26.6%) and Squalidus gracilis majimae (14.8%), respectively. On the other hand, in aspect of in biomass, dominant and subdominant species were Lepomis macrochirus (19.8%) and Cyprinus carpio (14.7%), respectively. Among 61 examined species, there were found 20 Korean endemic species and 2 Korean endangered species (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus and Pungitius kaibarae). P. brevicorpus was found in Yongyeonji and Yeongcheonho, and P. kaibarae in Yongyeonji. In addition, 5 exotic species were identified such as Cyprinus carpio nudus (leather carp), Carassius cuvieri, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. Interestingly, a bluegill L. machrochirus appeared dominant or subdominant species in 5 of 21 examined lakes. Five species introduced from the other rivers in Korean Peninsula were additionally described. In the present study, it was first reported that Micropercops swinhonis inhabits in the Nakdong river basin. The fish species diversity, evenness and dominant indices were examined, and a dendrogram based on similarity indices of inhabiting species among the 21 examined lakes was constructed and discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics S
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• v.36S no.11
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• pp.102-111
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• 1999

In this paper, we propose a fast full search block matching algorithm using the search region subsampling and the difference of adjacent pixels in current block. In the proposed algorithm, we calculate the lower bound of mean absolute difference (MAD) at each search point using the MAD value of neighbor search point and the difference of adjacent pixels in current block. After that, we perform block matching process only at the search points that need block matching process using the lower bound of MAD at each search point. To calculate the lower bound of MAD at each search point, we need the MAD value of neighbor search point. Therefore, the search points are subsampled at the factor of 4 and the MAD value at the subsampled search points are calculated by the block matching process. And then, the lower bound of MAD at the rest search points are calculated using the MAD value of the neighbor subsampled search point and the difference of adjacent pixels in current block. Finally, we discard the search points that have the lower bound of MAD value exceed the reference MAD which is the minimum MAD value of the MAD values at the subsampled search points and we perform the block matching process only at the search points that need block matching process. By doing so, we can reduce the computation complexity drastically while the motion compensated error performance is kept the same as that of full search block matching algorithm (FSBMA). The experimental results show that the proposed method has a much lower computational complexity than that of FSBMA while the motion compensated error performance of the proposed method is kept same as that of FSBMA.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.108-119
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• 1996

Several parameters of hydraulic architecture relating to hydraulic conductance in xylem vessels were investigated in the current-year shoots of six species of deciduous oak trees. The above parameters were also investigated in the sprouts of Quercus mongolica and Q. variabilis, as well as in the seedlings of Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima. The values of specific conductivity, leaf specific conductivity and Hagen-Poiseuille's relative hydraulic conductivity relating to vessel diameter of Q. dentata were the highest in all of the species studied. The above values of most of the species studied were higher in May-June than in September-October because of increasing the vessel embolism by cavitation and so on through the growing season. The estimated values of relative hydraulic conductivity of vessel by Hagen-Poiseuille's empirical equation and the real values of hydraulic conductivity presented positive relationships in most of the species studied. Huber value and leaf specific conductity using leaf area or leaf weight generally exhibited similar patterns each other even if having some exceptions. The hydraulic conductances of sprouting shoots were much better than those of normal growing shoots in Q. rnongolica and Q. variabilis. The specific conductivity and leaf specific conductivity were rapidly decreased by the vessel embolism through cavitating just after cutting the shoots in Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima seedlings. Diurnal changes of the conductivities in the seedlings of Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima presented the possibility of their self-controlling of conductance by active moisture absorption under mild water stress. Specific conductivity and leaf specific conductivity, and so on of Q. acutissima seedlings subjected to periodical moisture stress or not have decreased through the growing season, but the influences of moisture stress to the conductance were not proved definitely because of influencing similarly and simultaneously to the development of xylem and leaf having inverse relation in the influences. The values of conductivities were higher generally in middle or upper parts of stems than root collar in the seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.279-286
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• 2020

Purple loosestrife-Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Lythraceae family. It has been used for centuries in Korea and other Asian traditional medicine. It has been showed pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer effect are not yet understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of apoptosis signaling pathways by ethanol extract of Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino (ELM) in human leukemia U937 cells. Treatment with ELM significantly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), DNA fragmentation and increased populations of sub-G1 ratio. Induction of apoptosis by ELM was connected with up-regulation of death receptor (DR) 4 and DR5, pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins, depending on dosage. This induction was associated with Bid truncation, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8 and -9) and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein. Therefore, our data indicate that ELM suppresses U937 cell growth by activating the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, and thus may have applications as a potential source for an anti-leukemic chemotherapeutic agent.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1 s.43
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• pp.25-38
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• 2006

Metamophic rocks of Samcheog area, northeastern Yeongnam massif, was studied petrochemically. This area includes Precambrian Hosanri Formation (schists and gneisses) and granitoid (Icheon granitic gneiss, leucocratic granite and Hongjesa granite), Cambrian sedimentary rocks, and Cretaceous sedimentary and acidic volcanic rocks. Hosanri formation is composed of quartz+plagioclase+K-feldspar+biotite+muscovite+granet${\pm}$cordierite${\pm}$sillimanite. Mineral assemblage of biotite granitic gneiss, which is massive granodioritic rock with weak foliation, is similar to Hosanri formation. According to mineral assemblages, metamorphic rocks of studied area can be divided into two metamorphic zones (garnet and sillimanite zones). From Icheonri area, major, trace and rare earth element data of biotite granitic gneiss and luecocratic granite suggest that source rock is politic rocks of Hosanri formation and source magma was formed by anatexis and experienced fractionation of plagioclase. Trace element diagram show collisional environment such as syn-collisional, volcanic arc granite. Orientation of faults in study area have three maximum concentrations, $N54^{\circ}\;W/77^{\circ}\;SW,\;N49^{\circ}\;W/81^{\circ}\;NE\;and\;N10^{\circ}\;W/38^{\circ}\;NE$. Structure analysis suggests that faults in study area ware formed by uplift and compression. Faulting age is guessed after Tertiary because some shear joints is developed in dikes to intrusive Cretaceous acidic volcanic rock. Hosanri formation and Icheon granitic gneiss had experienced similar deformation history because they have maximum concentration to foliations, $N89^{\circ}\;E/55^{\circ}\;SE\;and\;N80^{\circ}\;E/45^{\circ}\;SE$, respectively.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2015

Recently, much attention has been paid to the development of a value-added food category containing probiotics so as to improve human health and prevent diseases. Among various foods, the health benefits of milk and dairy products are known to humanity, and could be attributed to the bioactive components present in milk. In fermented milk products, the health benefits could be due to suitable modulation activities produced by the action of probiotic bacteria. Besides the modification of various milk components, probiotics might also act directly as preventive and therapeutic agents against some severe diseases. Probiotics promote health via their positive effects on the immune response, stimulation of natural immunity, and modulation of the production of antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, and so on. Whey proteins, a byproduct of cheese production could also have anticarcinogenic, immunostimulatory, antimicrobial, and health-promoting activities such as improving insulin sensitivity and reducing fat deposition. Therefore, milk and dairy products containing probiotics could provide various opportunities in the field of functional foods. Additionally, these functional foods may be important in the human diet and may help improve human health and prevent diseases.