• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.153-158
• /
• 1973

This report was presented to explain the relationships between various soil pH based on the present land use, nodes of depositions, and pH measurement methods ($H_2O$ and KCl extract). The samples were collected from 160 soil series in Korea. The results were summarized as follows. 1. The average pH ($H_2O$) of surface soil were $5.3{\pm}0.6$ for paddy soils, $5.5{\pm}0.9$ for upland, $5.4{\pm}0.5$ for forest soils, $5.3{\pm}0.6$ for grassland and $5.4{\pm}0.7$ for country average. 2. The average pH (KCl) of surface soil were $4.2{\pm}0.6$ for representative soils. Paddy soils had $4.2{\pm}0.6$; upland $4.2{\pm}0.8$; forest soils, $4.0{\pm}0.6$; and grassland, $4.3{\pm}0.6$. 3. The soil pH in B and C horizons were generally higher than that of A horizons. 4. The soil pH in field were correlated with lab. soil pH ($H_2O$) and pH (KCl). Field soil pH measured by pH kit could be highly accepted in accuracy compared with lab. pH of upland, grassland, forest and paddy soils. 5. Soil pH ($H_2O$) of surface based on mode of depositions was generally higher in residuum of mountainous and hilly land than those of Fluvio-marine deposits and old alluvium, however soil pH (KCl) was higher in fiuvio-marine deposits than those of mountainous and hilly land. It was shown that soil pH (KCl) was more reasonable than that of soil pH ($H_2O$) in practical use.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.366-369
• /
• 2011

In this study, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, total coliform and S. aureus of seasoned dried fishes (SDF) in Korea were investigated. A total of 81 SDF samples were purchased randomly from 28 stores. Contamination range of total aerobic bacteria, total coliform and S. aureus were 150~1,700,000, 10~31,000 and 10~220 CFU/g, respectively. E. coli was detected in only one samples in the qualitative test. We have analyzed quantitatively Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE-type A, C and D) produced by S. aureus contaminated in SDF using a TECRA kit and standard curve. The curve equation was Y = 0.1499 * X + 0.1183 and maximum amount of SEs in SDF was 0.71 ng/ml. Reduction speed of S. aureus in SDF stored at $37^{\circ}C$ was the highest among the samples stored for 8 days at different temperature of 7, 18 and $37^{\circ}C$. On the basis of the results, SDF in Korea can be contaminated by a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, precautionary measures are necessary for consumer protection, including the improvement of sanitary conditions in the processing plants in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.66 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2009

Background: The interferon-gamma assay is reported to have high sensitivity and specificity for making the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. The clinical usefulness of this essay for detecting active tuberculosis has not fully defined. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the commercial interferon-gamma assay kit (QuantiFERONTB GOLD) for patients with suspected tuberculosis. Methods: From January to August 2007, we recruited 52 patients with suspected tuberculosis infection. We performed chest X-ray, sputum smear, culture, PCR and the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test. Pleural fluid analysis and pleural biopsy were also done for the patients with pleural effusion. Results: Of the 52 patients we studied, 30 patients had a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test result. 35 patients were finally diagnosed with active tuberculosis: twenty-five with a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and 10 with a negative QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test. The sensitivity of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test was 71.4% and the specificity was 64.7%. The positive predictive value was 0.83 and the negative predictive value was 0.50. There was no significant difference of any of the clinical and laboratory characteristics between the two groups of patients except the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The CRP level was 29.2${\pm}$27.3 mg/dL in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients with a positive QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and 72.9${\pm}$67.9 mg/dL in the patients with a negative QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test were inadequate for making the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. We suggest that the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test should not be used by itself to exclude the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. The relationship of the QuantiFERON-TB GOLD test and the CRP level in patients with TB would be further investigated.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.632-640
• /
• 2002

The objective of the study was to apply the vibration technique to reduce the viscosity of bonding adhesives and thereby compare the bond strength and resin penetration into dentinal tubules achieved with those gained using the conventional technique. Eighty-eight noncarious extracted human permanent molar teeth were sectioned to remove the coronal enamel and were embedded in 1-inch PVC pipe with acrylic resin. The occlusal surfaces were placed so that the tooth and the embedding medium were at the same level to form one flat surface, and the samples were subsequently polished with silicon carbide abrasive papers. The samples were randomly assigned to 4 groups(n=22). On Group 1 and 2, Single Bond(3M-ESPE, St. Paul, USA) was used, and on Group 3 and 4, One-Step(Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, USA) was used, and each was applied according to its manufacturer's instructions. For Group 2 and Group 4, vibration was applied with ultrasonic scaler for 10 seconds, and the adhesive was light-cured for 10 seconds. Resin composite was condensed on to the prepared surface in two increments using a mold kit(Ultradent Products Inc., USA) and each was light-cured for 40 seconds. After 24 hours in tap water at room temperature the specimens were thermocycled, and shear bond strengths were measured with a universal testing machine(Instron 4465, Canton, USA). To investigate infiltration patterns of the adhesive materials, the surface of specimen was examined with scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows. 1. The shear bond strengths of vibration groups(Group 2, Group 4) were significantly greater than those of the non-vibration groups(Group 1, Group 3)(p<0.05). 2. The shear bond strengths of Single Bond and One-Step were not significantly different (p>0.05). 3. The vibration groups showed greater number of resin tags in tubules and lateral branches under SEM.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.8
• /
• pp.879-885
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The human lung fibroblast may act as an immunomodulatory cell by providing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are important in airway remodeling. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces mucosal edema and angiogenesis. Thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induces selective migration of T helper 2 cells. We investigated whether human lung fibroblasts produced VEGF and TARC, and the effects were augmented with the co-culture of fibroblasts and human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMC), and whether dexamethasone can inhibit the proliferation and the release of VEGF in lung fibroblasts. Methods : Human lung fibroblasts were cultured with and without HBSMC, growth-arrested in serum-deprived medium, and pretreated with dexamethasone for 16 hours. After 24-hour stimulation with platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and/or transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$), culture supernatant was harvested for assays of VEGF and TARC. Cell proliferation was assayed using BrdU cell proliferation ELISA kit. Results : 1) The release of VEGF was significantly increased after stimulation with TGF-${\beta}$, and its release was augmented when co-stimulated with PDGF and TGF-${\beta}$. 2) VEGF release induced by PDGF or TGF-${\beta}$ was inhibited by dexamethasone. 3) There was no synergistic effect on the release of VEGF when human lung fibroblasts were co-cultured with HBSMC. 4) Dexamethasone did not suppress human lung fibroblasts proliferations. 5) Neither TGF-${\beta}$ nor PDGF induced TARC release from lung fibroblasts. Conclusion : Human lung fibroblasts may modulate airway remodeling by release of VEGF, but they have no synergistic effects when co-cultured with HBSMC. Dexamethasone suppresses VEGF release, not proliferation of lung fibroblast.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Several studies have proven that EGCG, the primary green tea catechin, and glucosamine-6-phosphate (PGlc) reduce triglyceride contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combination effect of EGCG and PGlc on decline of accumulated fat in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: EGCG and PGlc were administered for 6 day for differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell viability was measured using the CCK assay kit. In addition, TG accumulation in culture 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated by Oil Red O staining. We examined the expres-sion level of several genes and proteins associated with adipogenesis and lipolysis using real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. A flow cytometer Calibar was used to assess the effect of EGCG and PGluco on cell-cycle progression of differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Results: Intracelluar lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by combination treatment with EGCG $60{\mu}M$ and PGlc $200{\mu}g/m$ compared with control and EGCG treatment alone. In addition, use of combination treatment resulted in directly decreased expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP1. In addition, it inhibited adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through downstream regulation of adipogenic target genes such as FAS, ACSL1, and LPL, and the inhibitory action of EGCG and PGlc was found to inhibit the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) process as evidenced by impaired cell cycle entry into S phase and the S to G2/M phase transition of confluent cells and levels of cell cycle regulating proteins such as cyclin A and CDK2. Conclusion: Combination treatment of EGCG and PGlc inhibited adipocyte differentiation through decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis and adipogenic and cell cycle arrest in early stage of adipocyte differentiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.143-147
• /
• 2005

Purpose : The aim of the this study was to evaluate the effect of various perinatal conditions on TSH and thyroid hormone levels in cord blood. Methods : Cord blood samples were collected from 130 neonates immediately after birth. TSH, $T_3$, and free $T_4$ levels were measured by the radioimmunoassay(RIA) method. The effects of gestational age, sex, birth weight, delivery method, perinatal asphyxia, maternal diabetes mellitus(DM), and preeclampsia on TSH and thyroid hormone levels were assessed by ANOVA test, Student t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Results : Birth weight and sex did not affect TSH and thyroid hormone levels. TSH level increased according to gestational age(P<0.05). TSH level was $4.42{\pm}0.66{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants born vaginally, which was higher than that of cesarian section delivery($3.31{\pm}0.33{\mu}IU/mL$)(P<0.05). TSH level was $5.18{\pm}0.93{\mu}IU/mL$ in asphyxiated newborns and $2.97{\pm}0.84{\mu}IU/mL$ in non-asphyxiated newborns(P<0.05). TSH level in infants with maternal DM($8.911{\pm}1.25{\mu}IU/mL$) was higher than that of infants without maternal DM($4.32{\pm}0.42{\mu}IU/mL$)(P<0.05). TSH level was $5.28{\pm}0.42{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants with maternal preeclampsia and $3.65{\pm}0.46{\mu}IU/mL$ in infants without maternal preeclampsia(P<0.05). Thyroid hormones were lower in infants with perinatal asphyxia(P<0.05). In asphyxiated infants, $T_3$ level was $75.33{\pm}55.65ng/mL$ and free $T_4$ was $0.54{\pm}0.21ng/mL$. $T_3$ and free $T_4$ level was $109.85{\pm}41.77ng/mL$ and $0.76{\pm}0.22ng/mL$ each in infants without perinatal asphyxia. Among the perinatal factors, gestational age, 1 min Apgar score and maternal DM influenced TSH level independently. Conclusion : In our study, cord blood TSH and thyroid hormone levels were affected by perinatal stress events.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.510-518
• /
• 2010

Purpose : Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis, a leading cause of pediatric acquired heart disease. Histopathological findings of coronary artery lesion (CAL) in KD indicate destruction of the coronary artery wall with diffuse vasculitis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) might play central roles in this process. Special attention to MMP-9 has recently been emerging. This study was performed to investigate the clinical significance of MMP-9 and its inhibitors, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, in KD. Methods : We compared 47 KD patients with 14 febrile controls. Serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA and compared according to clinical stages and coronary involvement. Results : In acute stage, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher, whereas TIMP-2 was lower, in KD than those in febrile controls ($P$<0.05). The elevated MMP-9 levels in acute phase significantly decreased during the subacute and convalescent phases ($P$<0.05). During acute phase, the MMP-9, TIMP-1, and MMP-9/TIMP-2 levels in the CAL group were lower than those in the non-CAL group, but they increased significantly in the subacute phase ($P$<0.05). MMP-9 has a positive correlation with TIMP-1 in the acute and subacute phases, and negative correlation with TIMP-2 in the subacute and convalescent phases ($P$<0.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that MMP-9, TIMP-1, and the imbalance in MMP-9 and TIMP-2 might play important roles on the pathophysiology of KD and especially on the development of CAL. However, further larger studies are needed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.204-210
• /
• 2011

The presence of the tick-borne pathogens Ehrlichia and Borrelia in German Shepherd dogs in Korea was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 291 dogs were randomly selected from five Korean provinces from October 2005 through September 2006. The seroprevalence of antibodies to canine Ehrlichia and Borrelia agents detected by ELISA (Snap$^{(R)}$ 3Dx$^{(R)}$ Test, IDEXX Laboratories) was 7.56% (22 dogs) and 1.72% (5 dogs) respectively, throughout the country. Positive antibodies against both pathogens were detected in two dogs (0.69%). The provincial distribution of seroprevalence against Ehrlichia was 1.28% (1 of 78) in Gyeonggi-do, 12.64% (11 of 87) in Gangwon-do, 9.76% (4 of 41) in Chungcheong-do, 8.93% (5 of 56) in Gyeongsang-do, and 3.45% (1 of 29) in Jeolla-do. According to PCR analysis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis target DNA was amplified in 3.09% (9 of 291 dogs) of blood samples, 2.41% (7 of 291) from Gangwon-do and 0.69% (2 of 291) from Chungcheong-do. The oligonucleotide sequences (SNU-EC3 and SNU-EC5) from the PCR fragment examined in Korea were closely related to E. chaffeensis isolated from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, in China and the state of Arkansas in the US. Based on these results, the presence of E. chaffeensis infection was identified in German Shepherds being bred in Korea. These results bring to light the importance of paying close attention to tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease during clinical diagnosis. This infectious disease should be included as a differential diagnosis for patients who participate in outdoor activity from spring to fall or who have thrombocytopenia or leucopenia.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.359-366
• /
• 2016

Tradescantia is a perennial plant in the family of Commelinaceae. It is known to be sensitive to radiation. In this study, Tradescantia BNL 4430 was irradiated with gamma radiation at doses of 50 to 1,000 mGy in a phytotron equipped with a $^{60}Co$ radiation source at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea. At 13 days after irradiation, we extracted RNA from irradiated floral tissues for RNA-seq. Transcriptome assembly produced a total of 77, 326 unique transcripts. In plantlets exposed to 50, 250, 500, and 1000 mGy, the numbers of up-regulated genes with more than 2-fold of expression compared that in the control were 116, 222, 246, and 308, respectively. Most of the up-regulated genes induced by 50 mGy were heat shock proteins (HSPs) such as HSP 70, indicating that protein misfolding, aggregation, and translocation might have occurred during radiation stress. Similarly, highly up-regulated transcripts of the IQ-domain 6 were induced by 250 mGy, KAR-UP oxidoreductase 1 was induced by 500 mGy, and zinc transporter 1 precursor was induced by 1000 mGy. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) further validated the increased mRNA expression levels of selected genes, consistent with DEG analysis results. However, 2.3 to 97- fold higher expression activities were induced by different doses of radiation based on qRT-PCR results. Results on the transcriptome of Tradescantia in response to radiation might provide unique identifiers to develop in situ monitoring kit for measuring radiation exposure around radiation facilities.