• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.436-445
• /
• 2008

Stroke is a serious disease despite recent improvements in the medical treatments available. Thirty-six stroke patients were interviewed as case and 36 non-stroke patients were interviewed as controls between February 2005 and August 2005 at Daegu S Medical Center. Information regarding the subjects' food habits was collected using the recall method from 5 years before the onset of stroke. Using interview techniques, we investigated how dietary habits and attitude influence nutrient intake. These results were analyzed by the $X^2$, Student's t-test and Chi-square test using the SPSS 12.0 program. This case-control study was performed to demonstrate the relationships among general quality factors (BMI, WHR, and family history of stroke) and lifestyle factors (smoking, exercise and alcohol drinking). The results were as follows. Analysis of the percentage of nutrient intake in terms of meal pattern showed that WHR was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common preceding diseases associated with the risk of stroke. The frequencies of smoking, alcohol consumption (p<0.001) and exercise (p<0.05) were higher in the cases than in the controls. Thus, the findings of this study are consistent with those of previous studies and suggest that people should be advised to control hypertension, smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity in order to prevent the occurrence of stroke as these factors are major risk factors for stroke.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2007

Characterizing the risk posed by a mixture of chemicals is a challenging task due to the chemical interactions of individual components that may affect their physical behavior and hence alter their exposure to receptors. In this study, cell tests that represent subsurface environment were carried out using benz[a]anthracene (BaA) and p-xylene focusing on phasetransforming interaction to verify increased mobility and risk of highly sorbed pollutants in the presence of less sorbed, mobile liquid pollutants. A transport model was also developed to interpret results and to simulate the same process on a field scale. The experimental results showed that BaA had far greater mobility in the presence of p-xylene than in the absence of that. The main transport mechanisms in the vadose zone were by dissolution to p-xylene or water. The transport model utilizing Defined Time Steps (DTS) was developed and tested with the experimental results. The predicted and observed values showed similar tendency, but the more work is needed in the future study for more precise modeling. The field-scale simulation results showed that transport of BaA to groundwater table was significantly faster in the presence of NAPL, and the oral carcinogenic risk of BaA calculated with the concentration in groundwater was 15${\sim}$87 times larger when mixed with NAPL than when solely contaminated. Since transport rate of PAHs is very slow in the subsurface without NAPL and no degradation of PAHs was considered in this simulation during the transport, the increase of risk in the presence of NAPL is expected to be greater for the actual contaminated site.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
• /
• v.5 no.1_2 s.6
• /
• pp.48-58
• /
• 1997

Core samples from the B, E, F, H wells in the Tertiary Pohang Basin were analysed for total organic carbon (TOC) content and subject to Rock-Eval pyrolysis in order to assess petroleum geochemical characteristics of organic matter. Following geochemical screening, we selected samples from each well for the study of bitumen and kerogens such as optical observation, infra-red spectroscopy and biomarker analyses. Sediments of the Tertiary Yonil Group contain total organic carbon ranging from $0.55{\%} to 3.74{\%}$ with S1+S2 values higher than 2mgHC/g Rock in B, E and F wells, which indicates fair hydrocarbon generation potential. Most organic matter in the B, E, F wells is compared to type II based on the Rock-Eval pyrolysis, infra-red spectroscopy and optical observation. However, organic matter in the H well is compared to type III because the well is located at the margin of the basin where the preservation of terrestrial material is dominant. Geochemical analyses show that organic matter in the Yonil Group is thermally immature although thermal maturity slightly increases with depth. Maturity levels of the extracted kerogens are similar to those of bulk samples ($Tmax<435^{\circ}C$. Petroleum geochemical charateristics of the sediments in the Tertairy Yonil Group is fair in terms of the organic richness and hydrocarbon genetic potential, but organic matter is thermally immature due to the shallow burial depth. Optical observation of the kerogens and biomarker analysis show that organic matter in the Yonil Group is both marine and terrestrial origin, although it was deposited in marine environment. Pristane/phytane ratio suggests rather anoxic depositional environment. Transitional characteristics of organic matter indicate that the marine Yonil Group was deposited near the terrestrial environments. Input of terrestrial organic matter is more prevalent in the samples recovered from the lowermost horizon in the wells due to the terrestrial environment at the time of basin formation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.261-267
• /
• 2007

Background: The causes of the pleural effusion are remained unclear in a the substantial number of patients with exudative effusions determined by an examination of the fluid obtained via thoracentesis. Among the various tools for diagnosing exudative pleural effusions, thoracoscopy has a high diagnostic yield for cancer and tuberculosis. Medical thoracoscopy can also be carried out under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy and safety of medical thoracoscopy. Methods: Twenty-five patients with exudative pleural effusions of an unknown cause underwent medical thoracoscopy between October 2005 and September 2006 in Konyang University Hospital. The clinical data such as age, gender, preoperative pulmonary function, amounts of pleural effusion on lateral decubitus radiography were collected. The vital signs were recorded, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed five times during medical thoracoscopy in order to evaluate the cardiopulmonary status and acid-base changes. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.8 years (range 22-79). The mean depth of the effusion on lateral decubitus radiography (LDR) was 27.49 mm. The medical thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was diagnostic in 24 patients (96.0%), with a diagnosis of tuberculosis pleurisy in 9 patients (36%), malignant effusions in 8 patients (32%), and parapneumonic effusions in 7 patients (28%). Medical thoracoscopy failed to confirm the cause of the pleural effusion in one patient, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis by a pericardial biopsy. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, acid-base and no major complications in all cases during medical thoracoscopy (p>0.05). Conclusions: Medical thoracoscopy is a safe method for patients with unknown pleural effusions with a relatively high diagnostic accuracy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.269-275
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of implant diameter, length and placement to implant stability. Materials and methods: Total 90 implants (US II plus$^{TM}$, Osstem co, Busan, Korea) of 72 patients were determined as experimental samples. The factors of diameters(${\phi}$ 4 mm, ${\phi}$ 5 mm), lengths (10 mm, 11.5 mm, 13 mm), and implant placement (maxilla, mandible) were analyzed. The stability of the implants was measured by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at the time of implant placement and impression taking. The difference of ISQ values according to patient's gender was evaluated by Independent t-test. ISQ values were compared between implant diameter, length and placement using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (${\alpha}=.05$). To compare ISQ values between at the time of surgery and impression taking, paired t-tests were used (${\alpha}=.05$). Results: The change of implant length did not show significant different on the ISQ value (P>.05). However, 5 mm diameter implants had higher ISQ values than 4 mm diameter implants (P<.05). Implants placed on the mandible showed significantly higher ISQ values than on the maxilla (P<.05). Conclusion: In order to increase implant stability, it is better to select the wider implant, and implants placed on mandible are possible to get higher stability than maxilla. ISQ values at impression taking showed higher implant stability than ISQ values at implant placement, it means that RFA is clinically effective method to evaluate the change of implant stability through the osseointegration. The consideration of the factors which may affect to the implant stability will help to determine the time of load applying and increase the implant success rate.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.56-62
• /
• 2011

We investigated quality characteristics of Seoktanju (one of the Korean traditional rice wine) which was fermented using five kinds of Korean commercial Nuruks. The purpose of this study was to research what effects on the quality of Seoktanju by using different Nuruks. We analyzed general component such as each mash's temperature change patterns, pH, titrable acidities, reducing sugar contents, volatile acids, and sugar contents during fermentation periods and studied sensory evaluation of produced Seoktanju (10 days). On the whole, temperature change patterns in the each mashes were depend on room temperature. All Seoktanju's pH was reduced rapidly up to three days after first mashing (pH 3.13-3.57) and after that was increased gradually. The end of fermentation pH was pH 3.6-4.05. Mostly, acidities were indicated high(0.59%) and Nuruk-B was showed highest acid value. These results seems to be different as occasion organic acids producing activity depend on the number of yeast, material contents, optimal temperature in the each mashes by fungi and lactic acid bacteria in Nuruks. In reducing sugar contents and sugar contents, Nuruk-C treatment were showed the highest value with 5.36%, $23^{\circ}brix$, respectively and alcohol content was lowest with 8.6%. In the five kinds of reproduced Seoktanju, alcohol content was the highest in the treated Nuruk-A group. Volatile acid value was the highest with 132.6~263.7 ppm at the 3 day after first mashing day but as the fermentation time goes on, it was reduced sharply by 5.25~5.94 ppm. Sensory evaluation was performed with 5 point scale, the Seoktanju using Nuruk-D was presented by 4 point, while Nuruk-A was presented lowest by 2.77 point on overall acceptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.12
• /
• pp.1757-1763
• /
• 2011

The physico-chemical properties of broccoli sprouts cultivated in a plant factory system with different lighting conditions were investigated. We reported that there were significant differences among the chemical and nutritional properties of the broccoli sprouts grown under different light sources. Two kinds of sugars (glucose and fructose) were detected in the plants. The amount of glucose was 2.94~3.12% and that of fructose was 1.54~2.04%. Total chlorophyll was $1,157{\pm}0.004$ mg% and chlorophyll-a $777{\pm}0.01$ mg%. All over the test materials, 2 kinds of organic acids (citric acid and malic acid) were detected. The level of citric acid was 908~1,136 mg% and its highest level was under the (Blue LED) light source. The level of malic acid was 514~834 mg% and its highest level was under the (Red LED) light source. Seven different minerals were also analyzed. The amount of K was 518 mg% and its amount was significantly higher than that of Mg or Na. There were also negligible amounts of Zn, Fe and Cu. The amounts of vitamin A, C and E under the Red LED were, $860.62{\pm}0.02\;{\mu}gRE$, $134.570{\pm}0.14$ mg% and $1.44{\pm}0.1$ IU. The amounts under the Blue LED were, $432.48{\pm}0.05\;{\mu}gRE$, $137.05{\pm}0.1$ mg% and $1.11{\pm}0.12$ IU. The amounts under both Red and Blue LEDs were, $667.33{\pm}0.11\;{\mu}gRE$, $118.50{\pm}0.09$ mg% and $1.47{\pm}0.1$ IU. And finally, the amounts under a White LED were, $640.25{\pm}0.08\;{\mu}gRE$, $119.87{\pm}0.07$ mg% and $1.31{\pm}0.15$ IU. In this study, significant changes were shown in the chemical and nutritional properties of the broccoli sprouts. These findings indicate that LED light sources stimulated germination of the plants.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.357-363
• /
• 2011

In this study, the antioxidative effects and inhibitory activities on tyrosinase of Rheum undulatum (R.undulatum) L. extracts were investigated. 50 % ethanol extract, ethyl acetate and aglycone fractions of R. undulatum L. were used in experiments. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activities ($FSC_{50}$) of R. undulatum L. extracts was lower than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, known as a typical antioxidant. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of aglycone fraction on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay showed the most prominent effect at a concentration of $0.265\;{\mu}g/mL$. The cellular protective effects of extract/fractions of R. undulatum L. on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were increased in a concentration dependent manner ($1{\sim}50\;{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, aglycone fraction in $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ concentration showed the most protective effect among extracts (${\tau}_{50}$, 757.0 min). The inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$, $11.20\;{\mu}g/mL$) on tyrosinase of aglycone fraction was much higher than arbutin ($226.88\;{\mu}g/mL$), known as a whitening agent. These results indicate that R. undulatum L. extracts can be used as antioxidant. Particularly, aglycone fraction of R. undulatum L. showed superior antioxdative activity and high inhibitory effect on tyrosinase. Therefore, aglycone fraction of R. undulatum L. could be applicable to new functional cosmetics.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the responses of plant growth and blossom-end rot (BER) incidence to calcium (Ca) and its three kinds of antagonistic cations (K, Mg, and $NH_4$-N) with various ratios in nutrient solution for sweet paper (Capsicum annuum L. 'RZ208'). Both Ca to each cation and Ca to a series of cation combinations, such as potassium (K), ammonium nitrate ($NH_4$), or magnesium (Mg) were more influential to the fruit growth and quality than plant growth. Especially, the BER incidence was significantly influenced by the ratio treatments. For examples, when Ca:(K + Mg) or Ca:(K + Mg + $NH_4$) ratio was 1:2 the highest incident rate of BER about 70.3 or 86.3% was observed, lowering the marketable yield to 19 or 13.7% of the total yield, respectively. The correlation coefficiencies (= r) to relationships between the BER and K as well as BER and $NH_4$ were 0.82 (P < 0.05) and 0.65 (P < 0.05), respectively. Combination only with the Mg element was not correlated with the BER incidence. However, when both of the K and Mg concentrations were 0.65 (P < 0.05). The highest correlation coefficiency, 0.92 (P < 0.05), was found to a relationship between the BER and the tree elemental combination.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.499-507
• /
• 2012

Previous work has characterized myomodulin A (MMA, PMSMLRLamide) and myomodulin E (MME, GLQMLRLamide) purified from the central nervous systems of the sea hare, $Aplysia$ $Kurodai$, using the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of the mussel, $Mytilus$ $edulis$. The amino acid sequences of MMA and MME were the same as those of the myomodulin family peptide found in other mollusks. In this study, we synthesized MME, its derivatives, and other neuropeptides to investigate the relationship between the structure and biological activity of MME. The primary structures of MME's derivatives, Des[$Gly^1$]-MME, Des[$Gly^1,Leu^2$]-MME, and Des[$Gly^1,Leu^2,Gln^3$]-MME, were LQMLRLamide, QMLRLamide, and MLRLamide, respectively. MMA and synthetic peptides were tested on ABRM in $M.$ $edulis$ as well as muscle preparations in $Achatina$ $fulica$. MME displayed an inhibitory effect on phasic contraction of the ABRM at $1{\times}10^{-9}$ M or higher. MME also had a relaxing effect on the catch-tension of AMRM at $1{\times}10^{-8}$ M. Both MMA and its analogs stimulated a contractile response on the crop and relaxed the catch-relaxing response on the penial retractor muscle of $A.$ $fulica$. These results suggest that MME and its analogs have modulatory effects on various muscles of mollusks. This study has also laid the groundwork for future neural and circuit modulation studies during animal behavioral changes.