• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

Purpose: Serum vitamin C is one of the indicators for antioxidant levels in the body and it is lower in cancer patients compared with the healthy population. However, there have been few studies on the levels of serum vitamin C in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: We followed 65 terminal cancer patients who were hospitalized in two palliative care units. We collected data of age, sex, cancer type, functional status, clinical symptoms, history of cancer therapy, and various laboratory findings including serum vitamin C level. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the quartile of serum vitamin C level (Q1-3 vs. Q4), which were compared each other. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to serum vitamin C levels. Results: The mean serum vitamin C level was $0.44{\mu}g/mL$, and all patients fell into the category of vitamin C deficiency. Univariate analysis showed that The serum vitamin C level was lower in non-lung cancer patients (P=0.041) and febrile patients (P=0.034). Multivariate analysis adjusted for potential confounders such as lung cancer, fever, dysphagia, dyspnea, C reactive protein, and history of chemotherapy demonstrated that odds for low serum vitamin C level was 3.7 for patients receiving chemotherapy (P=0.046) and 7.22 for febrile patients (P=0.02). Conclusion: Vitamin C deficiency was very severe in terminally ill cancer patients, and it was associated with history of chemotherapy and fever.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.178-187
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different light sources on the levels of glucosinolates (GSLs) in rocket salad (Eruca sativa L.). The light sources used in the study were: natural light (Control-1 or 2), red light-emitting diodes(LEDs), blue LEDs, mixed red and blue LEDs (R+B LEDs), white LEDs, fluorescent lamps (FL), and fluorescent lamps plus UV-C (FL+UV-C). Two separate experiments were conducted [Experiment I: Control-1, Red LED, Blue LED, Mix (R+B) LED and Experiment II: Control-2, White LED, FL, FL+UV-C] because of the limited number of growth chambers in our laboratory. The rate of increase in the length of rocket salad leaves was the highest under red LEDs and, FL confirming that red LED and, FL affect the growth of rocket salad. We separated and identified seven types of GSLs from the rocket salad:glucoraphanin, diglucothiobeinin, glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl GSL, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin. The highest total GSL contents in Eexperiment I was found in plants grown under in red LEDs ($4.30{\mu}mol{\cdot}g^{-1}\;dry$ weight, DW), and the lowest under blue LEDs ($0.17{\mu}mol{\cdot}g^{-1}\;DW$). The highest total GSL contents in Experiment II was found in plants grown under FL ($13.45{\mu}mol{\cdot}g^{-1}\;DW$), and the lowest in FL+UV-C ($0.39{\mu}mol{\cdot}g^{-1}\;DW$). Especially in Experiment II, the content of dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl, which has a strong aroma and spicy flavor in rocket salad, was higher under FL and white LEDs than in Control-2, increasing by approximately 14.9 and 3.2-fold respectively. Therefore, light sources such as red LEDs, white LEDs and FL affected the accumulation of GSLs in rocket salad.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4 s.92
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• pp.366-373
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• 2000

Toxin production and low digestibility of cyanobacteria are known to cause low exploitability of cyanobacteria by zooplankton. In this study, we compared relative tolerance and compatibility of zooplankton taxa in eight eutrophic lakes, exposed to frequent cyanobacterial blooms, uring the summer season of 1999. Microcystis, Anabaena, Oscillatoria and Phormidium were common cyanobacteria in all lakes. with relatively lower $NO_3-N$ concentration (<0.2 mgN/l) and TN/TP ratio (<20), compared with other lakes where colonial cyanobacteria dominated. Rotifers were dominant zooplankton in most lakes, and among them, Keratella, Polyarthra and Hexathra were common. The laboratory feeding experiment showed that relative copepods that greatly decreased (90%) after 4 day when cyanobacteria were used as the food source of zooplankton, while rotifers gradually increased with the change of dominant taxa from Keratella through Pompholyx to Monostyla. These results suggest that rotifers may be capable of coexisting with cyanobacteria by exploiting them for the food source.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2011

Hydrochemical and carbon isotopic (${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$) analyses of 11 water samples, and noble gas isotopic analyses of 8 water samples collected in the Kyeoungbuk and Kangwon areas of Korea were performed to determine their hydrochemical characteristics and to interpret the source of noble gases and $CO_2$ gas in the water. The carbonated mineral waters are weakly acidic (PH = 5.59-6.04), and electrical conductivity ranges from 302 to $864\;{\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of all the water samples is Ca-$HCO_3$ type. The high contents of Fe and Mn exceed the safe limits for drinking water. The ${\delta}^{13}C_{DIC}$ values of the samples range from -5.30‰ to -2.84‰, indicating that the carbon is supplied mainly from a deep-seated source and to a lesser degree from an inorganic carbonate source. The $^3He/^4He$ ratios of the samples range from $1.51{\times}10^{-6}$ to $6.45{\times}10^{-6}$. The samples plot into three groups on a $^3He/^4He$ versus $^4He/^{20}Ne$ diagram: the deep-seated field (e.g., a mantle source), the atmospheric field, and the air-mantle mixing field. A wide range of $^4He/^{20}Ne$ ratios is observed ($0.036{\times}10^{-6}$ to $1.76{\times}10^{-6}$), indicating that while radiogenic $^4He$ is dominant in these water samples, mantle-origin He is also present. The supply of $CO_2$ gas and noble gases from a deep-seated source to carbonated waters is inferred to be controlled by geological structures such as faults and geological boundaries.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.578-592
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• 2015

To investigate characteristics and seasonal variations of carbonaceous species for $PM_{2.5}$ in Seoul metropolitan area, Korea, we measured organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) from January 2014 to December 2014 using a semi-continuous OC/EC Analyzer (Model-4, Sunset Lab.). Mean concentrations of OC and EC were estimated $4.1{\pm}2.7{\mu}g/m^3$ and $1.6{\pm}1.0{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The annual averaged OC/EC ratio was $2.9{\pm}2.7$. Concentrations of OC and EC comprised 13% and 5% of $PM_{2.5}$ and the mass fraction of both was the highest in fall. OC and EC showed similar trend in seasonal variations. Concentrations of those showed a clear seasonal variation with the highest in winter and the lowest in summer. The correlations between the two were the best during the winter ($r^2=0.88$). As results of carbonaceous species analysis, the dominant factor in view of fine particle ($PM_{2.5}$) is primary emission source such as mobile, fossil fuel combustion during commute time(08:00~10:00 or 17:00~21:00) and winter season. Continuous monitoring of atmospheric carbonaceous species is essential to provide the science-based data to policy-maker establishing the air quality improvement policy.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

Purpose : Edema is one of the cardinal features of nephrotic syndrome. Although the pathogenesis of edema is not entirely understood, it is caused by hypovolemia or hypervolemia by different mechanisms. Accordingly it is important to evaluate the volume status of patients in order to treat the edema, but it is difficult to evaluate the patient's volume status only by clinical parameters. The quotient of urine sodium and potassium excretion $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ is introduced as a more useful way to evaluate volume status. In this study we will propose the usefulness of $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ in evaluating the volume status of children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods : Primary nephrotic syndrome patients at Yeungnam University Hospital since January 1995 to June 2005, were included in the study. We analyzed clinical parameters such as tachycardia, cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, blood chemistry and urinalysis prospectively. We defined hypovolemia when $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ exceeded 60%. Intravenous albumin and diuretics were administered to hypovolemic edematous patients. On the other hand, hypervolemic edematous patients were treated only with diuretics. Results : There were 50 cases of primary nephrotic syndrome patients(hypervolemia: 29 vs hypovolemia: 21). There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings except for FeNa While $F_eNa$ and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant negative correlation, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ had a significant positive correlation. Urine output after edema treatment was effective and there were no treatment-related side effects in both groups. Conclusion : FeNa, BUN and $U_K/(U_{Na}+U_K)$ are a useful parameters for evaluating volume status of edematous nephrotic syndrome patients. We could suggest a therapeutic option for using albumin and/or diuretics according to volemic status by means of measured $U_K/(U_{Na}+UK)$.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2010

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection results in severe economic loss in the poultry industry. In the previous reports, F strain, one of the MG live vaccine strains, could protect the bird from field infection of MG strains. In this study, efficacy of PoulShot$^{(R)}$ MG-F vaccine againset mycoplasma gallisepticum infection was evaluated for filed application in commercial layers. Commercial layers from two different farms received with PoulShot$^{(R)}$ MG-F, MG-F live vaccine at 9~14 weeks of age. Serological immune response to MG vaccine, the persistency of MG vaccine strain in the upper respiratory tracts and egg production rate were evaluated in the vaccinated, contacted or nonvaccinated flocks. The serological response was first detected at 3 weeks after vaccination (WAV) and persisted for 31 WAV. The MG vaccine strains were also persisted for 31 WAV based on the reisolation and PCR detection. There was no difference between the vaccinated or non-vaccinated flocks in the egg production rate but in the abnormality rate of eggs. Based on the above results, we suggested that the PoulShot$^{(R)}$, MG-F live vaccine was fully immunogenic and had characteristics of long persistence in the upper respiratory trachea which will reduce economic loss caused by MG infection in the layer farms.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2012

Purpose : Serum insulin levels are useful indicator which of reflecting the function of insulin secretion in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell and diagnosis of diabetes, differentiating the cause of impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin measurement kits have shown some differences in many ways such as test methods as well as quality control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of seven manufacturing companies commercial kits. Materials and Methods : The values of insulin measured by three manufacturing companies (Biosource, Siemens, TFB) with 59 samples in August 2009 were compared with those measured by four manufacturing companies (Immunotech, Izotope, BNIBT, Cisbio) with 68 samples in December 2011. We evaluated precision, recovery rate, dilution test and correlation of serum insulin measurement using seven manufacturing company kits. Statistical program SPSS 12.0 was used for the verification of results. Results : The coefficients variation of the precision on all seven different kits were showed within 5.0%. Recovery rate of Biosource, Siemens, TFB kits on three different levels showed 94.2~103.7%, 99.0~104.6%, 99.7~107.6% respectively. Immunotech, Izotope, BNIBT, Cisbio were 93.5~99.1%, 91.4~99.1%, 99.2~131.0%, 84.8~102.3% respectively. There was strong correlation between the measurement of insulin by Biosource kit and that by two commercial kits, Siemens (R2=0.96), TFB (R2=0.99). There was good correlation between the measurement of insulin by TFB kit and that by three commercial kits, Immunotech (R2=0.97), Izotope (R2=0.96), Cisbio (R2=0.97). In the dilution test performed with more than 200 ${\mu}IU/ml$ high concentration samples, samples with diabetes correctly was measured in all seven manufacturing kits. However, as measured with insulinoma samples TFB, Siemens, Izotope, Cisbio kits were correctly measured, but Biosource and Immunotech kits were measured 47.4 ${\mu}IU/ml$, 72.3 ${\mu}IU/ml$, respectively. Conclusion : Serum Insulin radioimmunoassay kits were showed excellent precision, correlation and good recovery rate. However, some kits were not measured correctly in the high concentration insulin values. when selecting a kit should be considered many factors that cost effectiveness, compatible for automation equipment, high performance kit, the environment for each laboratory such as reaction time and reporting time.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2009

Purpose: Osteocalcin is also known as the bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein (BGP), is noncollagenous bone protein synthesized by osteoblasts. Serum concentrations of Osteocalcin have been used as a biochemical marker of bone turnover. The reference intervals of Osteocalcin is categorized by kit corporation according to the age. However, each laboratory should establish its own reference intervals. In this study, the variation in the serum Osteocalcin level were used to find actual standard age-specific Osteocalcin reference intervals. Materials and Methods: We have selected 864 healthy females aged 20~80 years who visited a health promotion center between Aug. 2007 and Sep. 2008. The Osteocalcin IRMA Kit (OSTEO-RIACT, CIS Bio international, Gif-sur-Yvette, France) was used for the quantification. Each results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results: The analyzed reference intervals of Osteocalcin by using Hoffmann method are from 8.8~39.4 ng/mL to 6.3~28.8 ng/mL for the case of the age from 20 to 30, from 7.7~31.9 ng/mL to 5.9~17.4 ng/mL for the case of the age from 31 to 40, and from 8.0~36.0 ng/mL to 5.5~20.1 ng/mL for the case of the age from 41 to 50, and from 8.0~50.5 ng/mL to 6.7~27.0 ng/mL for the case of the age from 51 to 60, and from 12.9~55.9 ng/mL to 7.5~27.5 ng/mL for the case of the age from 61 to 80. Reference intervals of Osteocalcin were not in agreement with those recommended by the manufacturers. Conclusions: Osteocalcin is used as an indication of metabolic bone diseases. So in our study we wanted to provide reference intervals of Osteocalcin that can be useful to a clinical decisions. Also, previous reference intervals should not be re-used and new intervals should be set by continuous analyzing.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.226-236
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• 1999

Growth, reproduction, mortality, and production of Laminaria japonica were experimentally studied at a cultivation ground on the coast of llkwang, where the largest amount of cultivated Laminaria has been produced in Korea. For this experiment, young sporophytes (0.33 cm in mean length) grown in the laboratory were transplanted at the depth of 3 m and field surveys on them were conducted twice a month from December, 1995 to August, 1996. Plants exhibited an annual life span; they were completely dead by August. Frond width, thickness, and wet weight showed similar pattern of seasonal growth and reached their maxima in July, but frond length showed no more increment after May. Maximum mean frond length and weight were 199.8 cm and 333.0 g wet wt., respectively. Overall meristematic growth in length and weight were 384.0 cm and 393.6 g wet wt., respectively. Absolute growth rates (AGR) which were calculated from the length of tissue developed from meristem varied seasonally; AGR of length and weight reached maxima in March (3.6 $cm{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and May (3.8 g wet $wt{\cdot}d^{-1}$), respectively. Absolute attrition rates gradually increased from February to July. Seasonal differences in growth and attrition rates appeared to be related to seawater temperature and nitrogen concentration in seawater. Reproductive sporophytes bearing sprorangium sorus began to occur from April, and the ratio of sorus area to blade area reached its maximum in July (0.034). Survival rate was exponentially decreased; more than 90% of plants decayed within 56 days after outplanting. After February, mortality was size-specific; mortality of smaller plants less than 30 cm in length were relatively higher. Maximum biomass occured in July (285.6 kg wet $wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$) and annual production was 758.7 kg wet $wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$.