• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Dyslipidemia, mainly characterized by high triglyceride (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, is an important etiological factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Considering the relationship between childhood obesity and CVD risk, it would be worthwhile to evaluate whether previously identified lipid-related variants in adult subjects are associated with lipid variations in a childhood obesity study (n = 482). In an association analysis for 16 genome-wide association study (GWAS)-based candidate loci, we confirmed significant associations of a genetic predisposition to lipoprotein concentrations in a childhood obesity study. Having two loci (rs10503669 at LPL and rs16940212 at LIPC) that showed the strongest association with blood levels of TG and HDL-C, we calculated a genetic risk score (GRS), representing the sum of the risk alleles. It has been observed that increasing GRS is significantly associated with decreased HDL-C (effect size, $-1.13{\pm}0.07$) compared to single nucleotide polymorphism combinations without two risk variants. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between allelic dosage score and risk allele (rs10503669 at LPL) on high TG levels (effect size, $10.89{\pm}0.84$). These two loci yielded consistent associations in our previous meta-analysis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the genetic architecture of circulating lipid levels (TG and HDL-C) overlap to a large extent in childhood as well as in adulthood. Post-GWAS functional characterization of these variants is further required to elucidate their pathophysiological roles and biological mechanisms.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2017

Objectives: The hazardous metals content of medicinal herbs distributed in the Daegu area was investigated, and the place of origin and the content of herbicides and medicinal components were studied. Methods: An analysis of hazardous metals content (10 types) was carried out on 164 samples of 99 types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 45 were domestic and 119 were imported. Hg was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Other hazardous metals content (nine types) was digested using the microwave method and measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results: The mean values of the hazardous metals content in the herbal medicines were Pb 1.0833 mg/kg, As 0.0136 mg/kg, Cd 0.0840 mg/kg, Cr 3.7120 mg/kg, Cu 4.2666 mg/kg, Mn 40.080 mg/kg, Ni 1.4330 mg/kg, Sb 0.1053 mg/kg, Al 202.64 mg/kg and Hg 0.0062 mg/kg. Three of the samples violated the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulatory guidance on cadmium (less than 0.3 mg/kg). The measured values of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) showed levels below the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic and two imported samples surpassed the maximum residue limits for cadmium. The median values of the hazardous metals detected in the three medicinal parts of the root, leaf (branch), and flower (seed and fruit) were as follows. Cr, Ni, Sb and Al were highly detected in roots, Pb, Cd, Mn, Hg in leafs (branch), and As, Cu in flowers (seed and fruit). Conclusion: There were various kinds of hazardous metals which were detected at high levels according to the place of origin of the medicinal herb and the parts the plant. For hazardous metals for which no acceptance criteria have been established, safety standards should be further studied and managed to ensure the safety of herbal medicines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2000

This study aims at restoring urban forest destructed and eliminated by industrialization, urbanization, and city development and presenting a direction to manage remaining urban forest ecologically. To this end, an experiment zone where Populus tomentiglandulosa T. Lee were selective cutted and a control zone where Populus tomentiglandulosa T. Lee were kept intact were created in Chongdam Park located in Kangnam-ku, Seoul. Then, the structural changes of herbaceous plant species, the growth of targeted woody plants, and the increase of the number of insect and bird species were examined. The conclusions reached in this study are as follows. First, for the sake of ecological restoration and management of urban forest, it is good to selective cutting. Although timing, frequency, and methods may vary depending on the features and types of urban forest, the study revealed that selective cutting contributes to the restoration speed of origin vegetation and the enhancement of biodiversity including plants and insects. Second, as for the correlations of selective cutting and the appearance of plant species, the growth of origin vegetation, and insect distribution, the study showed that the impact of meteorological environment such as brightness is much greater than that of soil environment. Third, in order to manage urban forest, tramping pressure needs to be controlled efficiently. The efficient control of tramping pressure would contribute in the appearance of herbaceous plants. It would also be beneficial in promoting biodiversity of birds by removing the impact of people using routes. Fourth, in order to enhance the overall biodiversity of urban forest, diverse environment needs to be provided. In particular, it is necessary to supply water that is insufficient in urban forest. Providing habitats such as forest wetland performs an important function to amphibians and birds that require water as well as the appearance of aquatic plants and insects. Therefore, ways to introduce water efficiently should be initiated.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.500-505
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• 2009

This study was carried out to fortify the antimicrobial activity of yogurt by adding garlic juice to it. A raw garlic bulb was grated and heated with Glycyrrhiza uralensis to improve its antimicrobial activity and palatability. Yogurt was made with 0, 4, 8, and 12% garlic juice, and was evaluated in terms of its lactic starter growth, physico-chemical characteristics, growth inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus KCCM 40510, and sensory characteristics. The garlic juice significantly increased the growth of the yogurt starter (p<0.05), which was highest with the addition of 4% garlic juice. Significant (p<0.05) inhibition of S. aureus KCCM 40510 occurred with the addition of 12% garlic juice. The preference was lowered with the addition of garlic juice, but the addition of 4% garlic juice showed no significant difference (p>0.05). To increase the antimicrobial activity of yogurt with the addition of garlic juice, further studies on the increase in the palatability of garlic juice are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2001

The regional distribution and relative frequency of neurohormonal peptides-producing cells were demonstrated in the gut of the stomachless teleost, the Prussian carp, Carassius auratus Linnaeus, using 10 types of specific antisera raised against mammalian regulatory peptides. The gut of the Prussian carp was divided into five portions from proximal to distal (Segments I~V). Most of immunoreactive cells in the epithelial lining portion, between epithelial cells, were generally spherical or spindle shape having long cytoplasmic process that reached to the lumen (open typed cell) while cells showing round in shape (close typed cell) were found in the basal portions of epithelial lining occasionally. Somatostatin-, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8- and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)- immunoreactive cells were observed in this study. However, no serotonin-, glucagon-, chromogranin A-, secretin-, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-, substance P- and bombesin-immunoreactive cells were found. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were restricted to most proximal segments of the gut (Segment I) with rare frequency and CCK-8-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the proximal segments of the gut (Segments I and II) with a few to rare frequencies. In addition, pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the proximal to middle segments (Segments I~III) with moderated to rare frequencies. In conclusion, the distribution and relative frequency of these immunoreactive cells are well corresponded to the previous reports in stomachless teleost but somewhat peculiar patterns are also detected.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2010

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate recently developed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay kit to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in respiratory specimens. Methods: We assessed the positive rate of the real-time PCR assay to detect MTB and NTM in 87 culture-positive specimens (37 sputum, 50 bronchial washing), which were performed real-time PCR by using $Real-Q_{TM}$ MTB&NTM Kit from January 2009 to June 2009, at Gyeongsang University Hospital. To compare the efficacy with the TB-PCR assay, we evaluated 63 culture-positive specimens (19 sputum, 44 bronchial washing) for MTB or NTM, which were performed TB-PCR by using ABSOLUTETM MTB II PCR Kit from March 2008 to August 2008. Results: Among 87 specimens tested using real-time PCR, MTB and NTM were cultured in 58 and 29, respectively. The positive rate of real-time PCR assay to detect MTB was 71% (22/31) and 92.6% (25/27) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. For NTM, the positive rate of real-time PCR was 11.1% (2/18) and 72.7% (8/11) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. Among 63 specimens performed using TB-PCR, MTB and NTM were cultured in 46 and 17, respectively. The positive rate of TB-PCR was 61.7% (21/34) and 100% (12/12) in AFB stain-negative and stain-positive specimens. TB-PCR was negative in all NTM-cultured 17 specimens. Conclusion: TB/NTM real-time PCR assay is useful to differentiate MTB and NTM in AFB stain-positive respiratory specimens and it is as effective in detecting MTB with TB-PCR.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1340-1350
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• 2009

The design and implementation of planar Active Phased Array Antenna System are described in this paper. This Antenna system operates at X-band with its bandwidth 10 % and dual polarization is realized using dual slot feeding microstrip patch antenna and SPDT(Single Pole Double Through) switch. Array Structure is $16\times16$ triangular lattice structure and each array is composed of TR(Transmit & Receive) module with more than 40 dBm power. Each TR module includes digital attenuator and phase shifter so that antenna beam can be electronically steered over a scan angle$({\pm}60^{\circ})$. Measurement of antenna pattern is conducted using a near field chamber and the results coincide with the expected beam pattern. From these results, it can be convinced that this antenna can be used with control of beam steering and beam shaping.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.233-243
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise using the PNF techniques on the lumbar deep muscles thickness and functional activity in chronic low back pain patient. Group I(n=10): general physical therapy group; Group II(n=10): general lumbar stabilization exercise group; Group III(n=10): lumbar stabilization exercise using PNF techniques(stabilizing reversal, rhythmic stabilization, combination of isotonic) group. Change of pain was measured with visual analog scale(VAS). To observe muscle thickness changes, we measured transverse abdominis(TrA), external oblique(EO), multifidus with real time ultrasound scanning. The functional activity were measured with Oswestry Disability Questionnaire(ODQ) and Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ). In VAS test, group III had more significantly decreased than before exercise. In muscle thickness test, group III had more significantly increased than before exercise in right/left TrA, EO, multifidus. In ODQ & RMDQ test, group III had more significantly decreased than before exercise. This study show that the PNF techniques is effective in improving the lumbar stability and functional activity in chronic low back pain patients.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.9-19
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• 2007

Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism currently belong to pharmaceutical incompatibility and some of them cannot be used in a same prescription: if they are used in a prescription, the treatment effect is rather reduced or toxic response may be produced. Therefore. inthisstudy, it was intended to look about how Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism were defined through survey of literatures and to review the meaning and clinical potential. According to "Sinnongbonchogyeong," "Medicaments contain the substance that suppress toxins and the toxins may be removed with use of mutual restraint or mutual detoxication substances" and they have been used in terms of this concept. Since Tang and Song era, mutual restraint and mutual inhibition were confused and were difficult to be distinguished. In terms of pharmaceutical incompatibility, the original meaning of mutual restraint was deteriorated in "Sinnongbonchogyeong". That is. mutual restraint has been used as the concept of mutual inhibition or incompatibility. When various literatures were reviewed. it could be found that Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism were firstly included in the phrases of songs and then in "seven emotion." It could be supposed that Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism was created based on the clinical experiences of the author and the influence of doctors. Such supposition means indicates that the interactions among medicaments could effectively be applied and mutual restraint did not belong to pharmaceutical incompatibility. However. many doctors used mutual restraint and mutual inhibition in clinical practice with no distinguishment since Song era and. especially, it is supposed that. when medicaments were used with mixing. the pharmaceutical incompatibility of "Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism" or "Eighteen Incompatible Medicaments" were emphasized and influenced on the efficacy of pharmaceutical preparations or acted as an obstacle in treating diseases. That is. an error was transferred: mutual restraint and mutual inhibition were not distinguished and were discretionally added or deleted through common people or professionals with no specific verification. The pharmaceutical preparations that belong to Nineteen Medicaments of Mutual Antagonism belong to pharmaceutical incompatibility but. when reviewed various literatures and clinical reports. they are not thought to be the ones that can never be used. Therefore. systematic literature review and experimental research should be performed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of PVP concentration and exposure temperature to vitrification solution on the post-thaw survival, in vitro maturation and development of immature bovine oocytes (germinal vesicle stage). The vitrification solution (VS) consisted of 40% ethylene glycol (EG)+0.5 M sucrose (S)+10% FBS. PVP was added to VS: 0%, 5% or 10%. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were diluted in VS as one step, after 2 min the COCs were loaded in straw and vitrified by direct immersion into liquid nitrogen. For thawing, the straws were plunged into $30^{\circ}C$ water bath for 10s. After thawing, the oocytes were diluted in 0.5 M (in DPBS with 10% FBS) sucrose solution for 5 min. The survival rate (FDA-test and trypan blue) of immature bovine oocytes was measured. The survival rate was higher in 5% PVP (91.5%) than in 0% (64.2%) or in 10% PVP (79.7%). The proportion of metaphase II formation was 69.35% in control (no vitrified COCs), 9.3% in 40% EG+0.5 M S+0% PVP and 21.05% in 40% EG+0.5 M S+5% PVP (p<0.05). The effect of room temperature ($25^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) and cold temperature ($4^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) on COCs were determined in this study. After IVF, the cleavage and blastocysts rate of oocytes exposed to room temperature and cold temperature in VS+5% PVP was significantly different (2 cell: 63.20% vs 37.97%, blastocysts: 18.40% vs 2.53%). The cleavage rates of frozen-thawed oocytes were 20.53% with PVP and 22.13% without PVP (p>0.05). Two out of 151 oocytes (1.32%) developed to blastocyst stage after frozen-thawed with 5% PVP (p>0.05). Development of oocytes after frozen-thawing to the 2 cell were not significantly affected with or without PVP following IVF. However, the vitrification of immature bovine oocytes with PVP maintained the ability to develop to the blastocyst stage after IVM-IVF and IVC, while no blastocysts were obtained from oocytes vitrified without PVP. These results suggested that PVP has a protective role for vitrification of immature bovine oocytes as far as survival is concerned, however, the protection was not sufficient enough to support blastocyst formation.