• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.656-663
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• 2005

Background : The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone that is specifically secreted from the ventricles in response to volume expansion and a pressure overload. Differentiating congestive heart failure from the pulmonary causes of dyspnea is very important for patients presenting with acute dyspnea. Methods : A retrospective study was carried out on 261 patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Hanyang University Hospital due to acute dyspnea from March to July 2004. The serum BNP levels of the patients were measured using the ELISA method. Results : The BNP levels were 382, 111-1140 pg/ml (median, interquartile range) in the heart failure group (n=119) and 29, 7-81 pg/ml in the non-heart failure group (n=142). The BNP levels according to the subgroups of heart failure were 820, 354-1620 pg/ml, 1650, 239-1990 pg/ml, and 378, 106-1120 pg/ml for the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with combined left heart failure (n=5), cor pulmonale (n=3), and left heart failure groups (n=111), respectively. The BNP levels according to the subgroups of non-heart failure were 39, 21-101 pg/ml, 59, 10-129 pg/ml, and 15, 6-47 pg/ml for the COPD (n=20), other pulmonary diseases (n=56), and other causes groups (n=66), respectively. The BNP levels were significantly different according to the underlying etiology (p<0.001), and were significantly higher in the COPD patients with left heart failure than in those without (p=0.002). When the patients with no cardiovascular risk factor such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking or renal failure were analyzed, the BNP levels were also significantly higher in the patients with heart failure than in those without(p<0.001). When 133 pg/ml was designated as the BNP cut-off level the sensitivity for predicting heart failure was 73 percent and the specificity was 87 percent. Conclusion : BNP measurements are useful for determining the presence of heart failure in the patients presenting with acute dyspnea. The possibility of heart failure must be seriously considered in patients with high BNP levels even when they have a pre-existing pulmonary disease such as COPD or no risk factors for heart failure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1126-1135
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of genistein in BALB/c mice injected with lopopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin. Mice (10 weeks of age) weighing approximately 20 g were divided into 4 groups. Endotoxin shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 mg/kg BW). LPS and genistein+LPS groups were injected with LPS 30 min after phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and genistein (200 mg/kg BW) injections, respectively. Genistein group was injected with genistein, followed by PBS, while PBS group received two injections of PBS. Superoxide anion generation of peritoneal macrophage cells was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS injection group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection, while SOD activity was significantly higher in genistien+LPS group than LPS group. Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ levels of plasma were significant lower (p<0.05) in the genistein+LPS injection group than LPS group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Plasma TBARS was lower in genistein+LPS group than LPS group, while hepatic TBARS were not different among groups. Hepatic glutathione concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities were ignificantly higher in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS group at 1 h and 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) transactivation was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited in LPS group. These results demonstrate genistein may ameliorate inflammatory diseases through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ transactivation and oxidative stress, which may be mediated partially by anti-oxidative effect of genistein.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2017

Effects of packaging methods for maintaining the shelf-life and postharvest quality of Korean chive (Allium tuberosum Rotter) usually called buchu in Korea was studied during fall season. Buchu, which has high moisture content and active metabolism after harvest, is characterized by the greater changes in quality during storage and distribution. It is usually packaged in paper box during distribution in domestic channel in Korea where the marketability ends within few days of harvest. In order to maintain the commercial quality of buchu, we tried to use inner film with or without absorbent paper in commercial paper box packaging. The 'Greenbelt' cultivar of buchu was harvested in october and packaged in corrugated paper box (A), in corrugated paper box with micro-perforated high density polyethylene (HDPE) film as inner material (B), a layer of absorbent paper both at the bottom and top of buchu in corrugated paper box (C) and a combination of HDPE film as inner material along with a layer of absorbent paper both at the bottom and top of buchu in corrugated paper box (D), and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for up to 21 days. Several quality parameters such as fresh weight loss, respiration rate, color, chlorophyll content and sensory qualities were monitored during storage. When buchu was packaged only in paper box, the appearance and quality deteriorated rapidly through decay development thereby sample became unmarketable within 12 days. On the other hand, buchu packaged with inner HDPE film maintained its quality, good visual appearance and exhibited a longer period of marketable life compared to the samples stored in other treatments. However, the use of absorbent paper did not have any significant effect in maintaining quality of buchu. The uses of inner HDPE film was effective in reducing weight loss that resulted better visual appearance of buchu. Results suggest that the use of inner HDPE film in bulk type corrugated paper box packaging and storing at $5^{\circ}C$ could be the optimum condition for commercial storage of buchu. Further investigation on other quality parameters and packaging methods would be useful in maintaining the quality aspects of buchu at postharvest stages.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.244-244
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• 1997

The Janggunbong area(this study area) at the central-south part in the North Sobaegsan Massif, Korea, consists mainly of Precambrian(Wonnam and Yulri Formations)-Paleozoic [Joseon Supergroup(Jangsan Quarzite, Dueumri Formation and Janggum Limestone) and Pyeongan Group(Jaesan and Dongsugok Formations)] metasedimentary rocks and Mesozoic granitoid(Chunyang granite.) This study is to interpret geological structure of the North Sobaegsan Massif in the Jang-gunbong area by analysing rock-structure and microstructure of the constituent rocks. It indicates that its geological structure was formed at least by four phases of deformation after the formation of gneissosity(S0) in the Wonnam Formation and bedding plane(S0) in the Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks. The first phase deformation(D1) formed tight isoclinal fold(F1). Its axial plane(S1) strikes east-west and steeply dips north. Its axis (L1) subhorizontally plunges east-west. The second phase deformation(D2), which was related to ductile shear deformation, formed stretching lineation(L2) and shear foliation(S2). The sense of the shear movement indicates dextral strike-slip shearing(top-to-the east shearing). The third phase deformation(D3) formed open inclined fold(F3). Its axial plane(S3) strikes east-west and moderately or gently dips north. Its axis(L3) subhorizontally plunges east-west. The F3 fold reoriented the original north-dipping S1 foliation and D2 shear sense into south-dipping S1 foliation(top-to-the west shear sense on this foliation) at its a limb. The four phase of deformation(D4) formed asymmetric-type open inclined fold(F4) of NE-vergence with NW striking axial plane(S4) and NW-NNW plunging axis(L4). The F4 fold partly reoriented pre-D4 structural elements with east-west trend into those with north-south trend. Such reorientation is recognized mainly in the Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.591-597
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• 2015

We determined the total C and N stocks in trees and soils after 1 year of fertilization in an experimental orchard with 16-year-old 'Niitaka' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Niitaka) trees planted at $5.0m{\times}3.0m$ spacing on a Tatura trellis system. Pear trees were fertilized at the rate of 200 kg N, 130 kg P and $180kg\;K\;ha^{-1}$. At the sampling time (August 2013), trees were uprooted, separated into six fractions [trunk, main branches, lateral branches (including shoots), leaves, fruit, and roots] and analyzed for their total C and N concentrations and dry masses. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 0.6 m in 0.1 m intervals at 0.5 m from the trunk, air-dried, passed through a 2-mm sieve, and analyzed for total C and N concentrations. Undisturbed soil core samples were also taken to determine the bulk density. Dry mass per tree was 5.6 kg for trunk, 12.0 kg f or m ain branches, 15.7 kg for lateral branches, 5.7 kg for leaves, 9.8 kg for fruits, and 10.5 kg for roots. Total amounts of C and N per tree were respectively 2.6 and 0.02 kg for trunk, 5.5 and 0.04 kg for main branches, 7.2 and 0.07 kg for lateral branches, 2.6 and 0.11 kg for leaves, 4.0 and 0.03 kg for fruit, and 4.8 and 0.05 kg for roots. Carbon and N stocks stored in the soil per hectare were 155.7 and 14.0 Mg, respectively, while those contained in pear trees were 17.8 and $0.2Mg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$ based on a tree density of 667 trees/ha. Overall, C and N stocks per hectare stored in the pear orchard were 173.6 and 14.2 Mg, respectively. Compared with results obtained in 2012, the amounts of C stocks have increased by $17.7Mg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$, while those of N stocks remained virtually unchanged ($0.66Mg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$).

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.210-219
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• 2017

This study was conducted to establish an efficient screening method for radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivars that are resistant to black spot, which is caused by Alternaria brassicicola. Seven A. brassicicola isolates were selected and investigated for their ability to produce spores and pathogenicity. Of these isolates, A. brassicicola KACC 40036 and 43923 produced abundant spores in V-8 juice agar medium and showed pathogenicity and strong virulence on radish seedlings. We examined the resistance of 61 commercial cultivars of radish to A. brassicicola KACC40036, and found that there are no highly resistant radish cultivars; however, some cultivars, such as 'Geumbong' and 'Searom', showed weak resistance to A. brassicicola. For further study, we selected four radish cultivars that showed different disease responses to A. brassicicola KACC40036. According to the growth stage of the radish seedlings, inoculum concentration, and incubation temperature of radish, development of black spot on four cultivars has been investigated. The results showed that younger seedlings were more sensitive to A. brassicicola than older seedlings, and the disease severity depended on the concentration of the spore suspension. The disease severity of plants incubated in humidity chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ was greater than that of plants grown at $20^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$. Taken together, we suggest the following method for screening for radish plants that are resistant to A. brassicicola: 1) inoculate 16-day-old radish seedlings with an A. brassicicola spore suspension ($2.0{\times}10^5spores{\cdot}mL^{-1}$) using the spray method, 2) incubate the inoculated plants in a humidity chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ for 24 h and then transfer the plants to a growth chamber at $25^{\circ}C$ with 80% relative humidity under a 12 h light/dark cycle, and 3) assess the disease severity of the plants two days after inoculation.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-70
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• 2011

The numerous efforts have been made in understanding generation and transportation mechanism of nonpoint source pollutants from agricultural areas. Also, the water quality degradation has been exacerbated over the years in many parts of Korea as well as other countries. Nonpoint source pollutants are transported into waterbodies with direct runoff and baseflow. It has been generally thought that groundwater quality is not that severe compared with surface water quality. However its impacts on groundwater in the vicinity of stream quality is not negligible in agricultural areas. The SWAT model has been widely used in hydrology and water quality studies worldwide because of its flexibilities and accuracies. The spatial property of each HRU, which is the basic computational element, is not presented. Thus, the SWAT HRU mapping module was developed in this study and was applied to the study watershed to evaluate recharge rate and $NO_3-N$ loads in groundwater. The $NO_3-N$ loads in groundwater on agricultural fields were higher than on forests because of commercial fertilizers and manure applied in agricultural fields. The $NO_3-N$ loads were different among various crops because of differences in crop nutrient uptake, amount of fertilizer applied, soil properties in the field. As shown in this study, the SWAT HRU mapping module can be efficiently used to evaluate the pollutant contribution via baseflow in agricultural watershed.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.116-126
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• 2013

Glycol ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol commonly used in paints. These solvents typically have a higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols. The word "Glycol ethers" was registered as a United States trademark by Union Carbide Corp. Typically, glycol ethers are found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water based paints. On the other hand, glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives. Most glycol ethers are relatively water soluble, biodegradable and only a few are considered toxic. Therefore, they are unlikely to pose an adverse risk to the environment. Recent study suggests that occupational exposure to glycol ethers is related to low motile sperm count in men, but the finding has been disputed by others. In this study, skin permeation of 3 types glycol ethers were studied in vitro using matrix such as solvent and detergent. The absorption of glycol ethers[methyl glycol ethers(MC), ethyl glycol ethers(EC) and butyl glycol ethers(BC)] has been measured in vitro through rat skin. Epidermal membranes were set up in Franz diffusion cells and their permeability to PBS measured to establish the integrity of the skin before the glycol ethers were applied to the epidermal surface. Absorption rates for each glycol ethers were determined and permeability assessment made to quantify any irreversible alterations in barrier function due to contact with the esters. Types of glycol ethers in vitro experimental results on MC> EC> BC quickly appeared in the following order: skin permeation was beneficial to the skin permeation small molecular weight, the difference in chemical structure, such as hydrophilic, because with the partition coefficient and solubility mechanisms and passive diffusion to increase the speed at which transmission is considered.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.848-855
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• 2008

Purpose : The objective of this study was to ascertain the incidence of congenital heart disease in the western part of Gyeongnam Province in Korea. Methods : We enrolled 849 children (M:F=390:459) who were diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) and received echocardiography during January 1997 to December 2005 in Gyeongsang National University Hospital. The subjects were limited to patients born from 1997 to 2004. The CHDs were classified into acyanotic types and cyanotic type. Further, acyanotic type CHDs were divided into shunt type and valvular types. Results : Numbers of initially diagnosed patients from 1997 to 2004 were as follows: 113, 128, 116, 104, 129, 97, 84, and 78. The median age of initially diagnosed CHD patients was 1 month in the acyanotic type and 0.5 months in cyanotic type. Also, an annual frequency among CHD types and gender ratio were no significant difference in every year. Incidences of CHD from 2000 to 2004 in the western part of Gyeongnam Province were 8.9, 12.7, 10.9, 10.0, and 9.7 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Conclusion : From 1997 to 2001, 100-130, and from 2002 to 2004, less than 100 patients were diagnosed with CHD. This showed a decrease in the numbers of CHD patients in the last three years. However, the Incidence of CHD was 0.89-1.24% during the last five years. Therefore, the decrease in the annual frequency of CHD was due to the recent decline in birth rate in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.535-542
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• 2012

This study was carried out from 2011 to 2012 in order to analyze the cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types in the southern provinces for the purpose of utilizing organic rice farming guidelines. This surveys were conducted by site visit on 8 counties and 115 farms in southern area. Cultivation technology system by six organic rice cultivation types were cultivated by the principle of minimum input or non-input. cropping systems, a mixture of barley and rice, or rice green manure crops were grown. Cultivars were mixture of the local cultivars and Japanese varieties. Soil were managed by a self-manufactured compost, indigenous microorganisms and barley straw without any fertilization. Pest control was mainly practied by purchased eco-friendly organic materials or herbal medication residue and indigenous microbial self-manufactured. Weed was controled by snails and barley straw. In addition, considering the restore of a longtail pitching shrimp and grasshoppers, the fuction of environmental ecology of six organic rice cultivation type proved to be excellent all. Meanwhile, the productivity of the organic farming per 10a were the order of Life and environment > Natural circulation > Stevia > Ji jang > Art and nature > Taepyoung of Farming Methods, but the farmers received prices showed the opposite tendency. Simple profitablity did not show a big difference. But, the productivity of all type of the organic farming were lower then the conventional farming. Finally, If we want to conduct safety and easy farming, we can suggest stevia farming, Natural circulation farming and life and environmental farming out of 6 organic rice cultivation types.