• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.864-870
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effects of foliage plants on reducing indoor carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Five foliage plants such as $Hedera$ $helix$ L., $Ficus$ $benjamina$ L., $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Chamaedorea$ $elegans$, and $Ficus$ $elastica$ were selected and cultivated in two different growth medium (peatmoss and hydroball). Each plant was placed in an airtight chamber and then treated with the combinations of two different $CO_2$ concentrations (500 or 1,000 ppm) and two different light intensities (50 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). The change of $CO_2$ concentration (ppm) in the airtight chamber during day and night was measured and then converted into the photosynthetic rate (${\mu}mol\;CO_2{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). As the results, each foliage plant reduced $CO_2$ level in the airtight chamber for one hour by photosynthesis. $Pachira$ $aquatica$ and $Ficus$ $elastica$ absorbed $CO_2$ more effectively compared to the other plants. The plants exposed to higher $CO_2$ concentration (1,000 ppm) and higher light intensity ($200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) showed more effective $CO_2$ elimination rate and photosynthetic rate. The plants that have wide leaves and big leaf areas such as $Pachira$ $aquatica$, $Hedera$ $helix$ L.,and $Ficus$ $elastica$ showed higher photosynthetic rate than the other plants that have smaller leaves. Released $CO_2$ concentration by respiration of the plants during the night was very low compared to the absorbed $CO_2$ concentration by photosynthesis during the day. There was no significant difference between peatmoss and hydroball medium on reducing $CO_2$ concentration and increasing photosynthetic rate. In conclusion, this study suggested that foliage plants can effectively eliminate indoor $CO_2$. Optimum environmental control in relation to photosyntheis and usage of right indoor foliage plants having lots of leaves and showing active photosynthesis even under low light intensity like indoor light condition would be required to increase the elimination capacity of indoor $CO_2$.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.666-672
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• 2014

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) treatment on the quality of kiwifruit, cv. Hayward, was studied at room temperature after cold storage for one or three months at $0^{\circ}C$. Kiwifruits cold-stored for one month were treated with $200{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO and subsequently transferred to room temperature to monitor quality changes over the course of their shelf life. Weight loss was high in fruits not treated with NO. Ethylene production was delayed for two days by NO treatment, and respiration rate was reduced to less half than that of the control. The kiwifruits stored for three months were treated with $N_2$ and 100, 200, or $500{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO, or air alone. The highest weight loss was observed in kiwifruit treated with $100{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO. While ethylene production was high in fruits treated with $100{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO and without the treatment, it was relatively low in the kiwifruit treated with 200 and $500{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO. Firmness was abruptly decreased in fruits not treated with NO, while the kiwifruit exposed to $200{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NO maintained the s ame level of f irmness for 9 days a t room t emp erature. In addition, growth o f Botrytis cinerea was inhibited by NO as compared with the air and $N_2$ treatments. Our findings indicate that NO can be used effectively for prolonging shelf life and maintaining fruit quality during distribution after cold storage. The optimum NO concentration for cold-stored kiwifruits was found to be $200{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.963-971
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of exercise intensity on PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of high fat diet-fed Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: sedentary control group (SED), high fat diet group (HF), high fat diet+low-intensity exercise group (HFLE, 22 m/min, 60 min, 6 days/week), high fat diet+moderate-intensity exercise group (HFME, 26 m/min, 51 min), and high fat diet+high-intensity exercise group (HFHE, 30 m/min, 46 min). After 4 weeks of high fat diet and endurance exercise training, the lipid profiles, insulin, and glucose concentrations were determined in plasma. PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and GLUT-4 contents were measured in plantaris muscle. The rate of glucose transport in soleus muscle was determined under submaximal insulin concentration ($1,000{\mu}IU/mL$ insulin, 20 min) during muscle incubation. Plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test in HF was significantly greater than that in SED, and plasma glucose levels in the three exercise (EX) groups were significantly lower that those in SED and HF at 30 and 60 min, respectively (P<0.05). Plasma insulin levels in the EX groups were significantly reduced by 60 min compared to that in HF (P<0.05). The protein expression level of PGC-$1{\alpha}$ as well as muscle glucose uptake were significantly higher in SED and HF than those in the three EX groups (P<0.05), and HFHE showed significantly higher levels than HFLE and HFME. Expression levels of GLUT-4 and PPAR-${\gamma}$ were significantly higher in the HFLE, HFME, and HFHE groups compared to the SED and HF (P<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of high fat diet significantly developed whole body insulin resistance but did not affect PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, or the glucose transport rate in skeletal muscle, and exercise training was able to attenuate deteriorated whole body insulin resistance due to high fat diet. In addition, high intensity training significantly affected PGC-$1{\alpha}$ expression and the glucose transport rate of skeletal muscle in comparison with low and middle training intensities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.471-477
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• 2000

Background : Coughing is the most common complaint for which patients seek medical service. When caughing continues over 3 weeks in non-smokers who do not take cough-provoking drugs, they are classified as patients with chronic cough. Three well known main causes of chronic caugh are postnasal drip syndrome, bronchial asthma and gastroesophaseal reflux disease. Among them, postnasal drip syndrome is reported to be the most common cause of all in chronic cough diseases, and allergic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postnasal drip syndrome. CD23 and CD25 which are low affinity receptor for IgE and IL-2 receptor alpha, respectively, are closely related to allergic inflammation and their roles were evaluated in chronic cough patients. Methods : We evaluated 105 patients with chronic cough and selected 56 patients for measurement of serum CD23 & CD25 levels. We selected 10 normal, medical students for comparison of serum CD23 & CD25 levels. Result : The postnasal drip syndrome was found to be the most common cause of chronic cough. Serum CD23 and CD25 did not increase in chronic cough patient compared to normal controls. However in bronchial asthma patient, serum CD23 level was increased relative to normal control (p<0.05). Conclusion : In bronchial asthma presented as chronic cough, lymphocyte mediated allergic inflammation may related with the pathogenesis of the disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 2002

Background : Tumor associated antigens, which are produced specifically by tumor cells, are promising targets for the early diagnosis and immunotherapy. Among the tumor associated antigens, MAGE (a melanoma antigen), BAGE, GAGE, PRAME and NY-ESO were named as cancer/testis specific antigens they are detected exclusively in the testis or cancer cells If MAGE is easily detectable in the sputum, it would become a convenient method for diagnosing lung cancer. This study was undertaken to investigate MAGE expression in the induced sputum obtained from lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods : In 14 control patients and 30 lung cancer patients, the induced sputum was collected after inhaling 3% saline(5 cc) delivered by nebulizer for approximately 5 minutes after a mouth rinse and bronchodilator inhalation. The induced sputum was placed in a conservative-mixed solution (guanidinium isothiocyanate, Triton X-100). The total cellular mRNA was extracted from the cells and RT PCR and nested PCR were run in 30 and 35 cycles respectively, with two different types of primers specially designed to detect six subtypes of MAGE DNA simultaneously. Results : MAGE expression was not detected in the 14 controls, but in the 30 cancer patients, MAGE was found in 24 patients (80%, p=0.001). In the cancer patients, there were no differences in the expression level according to the tissue types (squamous cell cancer 13/17, adenocarcinoma 7/9, and small cell cancer 4/4, p-0.56). Among the 24 MAGE-positive patients, the tumor was not visible on a bronchoscopy in 11 patients (45.8%). Conclusion : A study of MAGE in induced sputum appears to be a useful and complementary method in the diagnosis of lung cancer. A further prospective study with more patients is recommended.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.158-170
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• 2001

Background : Although an oxidants and antioxidants imbalance has been considered in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a paucity of reports focussing on the smoking-induced changes of oxidants and antioxidants in COPD. Method : The concentration of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, uric acid, retinol, and $\alpha$- & $\gamma$-tocopherol) was measured in the serum and induced sputum of 30 healthy controls and 34 stable COPD patients using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inhibition of lipid peroxidation as an index of antioxidant capacity was measured in the serum by a TBA assay. Results : The serum concentration of ascorbic acid, $\alpha$-tocopherol, and retinol were significantly lower in the patients with COPD than in healthy controls ($484.8{\pm}473.3$ vs $1497.8{\pm}819.2\;pmol/L$, $48.38{\pm}17.34$ vs $73.96{\pm}26.29\;pmol/L$, p<0.001, and $9.51{\pm}8.33$ vs $15.01{\pm}5.88\;pmol/L$, p<0.05, respectively, mean$\pm$SD). However, there were little differences in the ascorbic acid and uric acid concentrations in the induced sputum between the COPD patients and the controls. The induced sputum to serum ratio of ascorbic acid was significantly higher in COPD patients compared with healthy control (0.375 vs 0.085, p<0.05). In the normal controls, the serum ascorbic acid concentration was lower in smokers than in nonsmokers ($1073{\pm}536$ vs $1757{\pm}845\;pmol/L$, p<0.05), but the level was still higher than that of the COPD patients (p<0.05). The serum retinol levels were correlated with $FEV_1$ in COPD patients (r=0.58, p<0.05). The products of lipid peroxidation were increased in normal smokers and COPD compared with norma1 nonsmokers ($115.56{\pm}19.93$ vs $120.02{\pm}24.56$ vs $91.87{\pm}20.71\;{\mu}mol/{\mu}mol$ Pi of liposome, p<0.05). Conclusion : Cigarette smoking may induce the dep1etion of serum antioxidants and this depletion of antioxidants is suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of subacute treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(paroxetine and sertraline) on immobility in the forced swim test(FST) and on FST-induced changes in immune parameters of the mice. Methods : Authors applied a modified method of FST by Porsolt et al. Over 5 BALB/c mice were used for each group of experiments. To explore the changes in immune parameters by FST, authors investigated the production of anti-rat RBC antibody, concanavalin A(ConA)- or lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated splenocytes proliferation assay and cytokine gene expression. Results : Both paroxetine and sertraline decreased the duration of immobility in a dose-related manner. FST-performed mice showed a significant decrease in mitogenic responses of splenocytes and a slight increasing tendency in anti-rat RBC antibody response. All these responses were attenuated significantly by paroxetine and attenuated nearly nominal significance level by sertraline. The cytokine profiles of ConA-stimulated splenocytes from FST-performed mice showed stronger expression of IL-4 and weaker expression of IL-2 than control mice, and no changes in the expressions of IFN-$\gamma$ and lymphotoxin. IL-6 and IL-10 were not expressed in both group of mice. The pretreatment of paroxetine and sertraline attenuated the altered cytokine expressions in FST-performed mice to some extent. Some alterations of the expressions of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed in the mice which the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors had been pretreated. Conclusion : The subacute treatment of paroxetine and sertraline attenuated the FST-induced behavioral and immune changes, and these serotonin reuptake inhibitors may exert some modulating effects on the immune system by the induction of cytokine gene expression, especially IL-6 and IL-10.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2012

In this study, the masking effect of olfactory stimulus on the awakening state due to sound stimuli while driving using Graphic Driving Simulator was observed through the response of autonomic nervous system. The test was conducted for 11 males in their twenties. The siren of ambulance car was presented to them as auditory stimulus for 30 secs while driving in a situation of high way in the condition of both peppermint and control, respectively, and LF/HF ratio of HRV (Heart Rate Variability), the activity index of sympathetic nerve, and GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) response were examined. The test was proceeded in the order of three stages, that is, sound stimuli (test 1), driving performance, and sound stimuli (test 2), and fragrance stimulus, driving performance, and sound stimuli (test 3), and the physiological signal of GSR, HRV was measured in the whole stages. As a result of test, comparing the results of before and after auditory stimulus test (1) (p < 0.01), test (2) (p < 0.05), and test (3) (p < 0.01), driving performance test (2) (p < 0.01), test (3) (p < 0.01), and olfactory stimulus test (3) (p < 0.05), respectively, GSR response increased, showing significant difference in all the tests. It indicates that when auditory stimulus was presented to the subjects, they were in the awakening state as sympathetic nervous system got activated. As a result of comparing auditory stimulus while driving before and after presenting olfactory stimulus, there was no significant difference in GSR response. The LF/HF ratio of HRV increased, showing a significant difference only in test (2) (p < 0.05), and in driving performance test (2) (p < 0.05) in auditory stimulus, however, it showed no significant difference in olfactory stimulus. As a result of comparing auditory stimulus while driving before and after presenting olfactory stimulus, there was a decrease, showing significant difference (p < 0.05) in LF/HF ratio of HRV. That is, it means that the activation of sympathetic nervous system decreased, and that parasympathetic nervous system got activated. From these results, it was observed that while driving, the awakening level due to auditory stimulus was settled with olfactory stimulus. In conclusion, it was drawn that while driving, olfactory stimulus could have the masking effect on auditory stimulus.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.992-999
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Bambusae Caulis in liquamen (BCL) on blood circulation in animal models. Previous studies on BCL have shown effects on thrombolytic activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. In the mouse model, the triglyceride content were 301.5 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% group, 289.2 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.05% group, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The total cholesterol content was 311.9 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% and 293.7 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% 0.05%, respectively, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The HDL-cholesterol level was 206.0 mg/dL for the high fat diet, 196.6 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II, and 189.2 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II. There was no significant difference between the 0.01% and 0.05% groups. The high-fat diet+0.05% group was significantly improved in the blood flow compare to the high fat diet and the high fat diet+0.01% group. Platelet aggregation inhibition ability was inhibited in the high fat diet+0.01% and 0.05% groups compared to the high fat diet group.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.68-87
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• 1993

Data acquisition system and computer program developed in this study could be well used in engine vibration analysis. The system and program developed were also operated to be able to control measuring interval, number of channels, number of data. The flywheel was specially studied to provide the proper weight with rubber damper for the engine design at low level of vibration. This study was conducted to obtain basic data which affect the engine vibration. The experiment of this study was performed on original weight flywheel, weight-reduced flywheel, weight-reduced and rubber-coated flywheel, weight-reduced and damper-attached flywheel. Avarage of peak value, maximum vibration, power spectrum density based on FFT analysis are major factors of this experiment. Results were obtained as follows : 1. When rubber was inserted in the flywheel rim of which weight was reduced from 32.2kgf to 24.4kgf, maximum vibration of the engine was decreased 48.3% at X axis, 35.5% at Y axis and 34.6% at Z axis in comparison with the flywheel of original weight. 2. When the flywheel of rubber damper was compared with the original flywheel, the average of absolute vibration for rubber damped flywheel was decreased at X, Y, Z axis and especially its decreasing rate was so high at X-axis comparing with the other flywheel, which implied that rubber damper was very useful to reducing the vibration of the engine at X axis. 3. Hysteresis losses of X, Y, Z axis were greatly decreased in the flywheel with rubber damper on rim. 4. Damped oscillation effect on X and Y axis vibration above average peak vibration by the flywheel of rubber damper on rim was larger than those by the other flywheels. 5. Power spectrums of vibration at real and imaginery part were bi-mode type. The vibration frequency of rubber dampered flywheel which weight is decreased was slightly increased as compared with original flywheel.