• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2007

Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer disease, although the mechanism is still unknown. Both folate and betaine, a choline metabolite, play essential roles in the remethylation of Hcy to methionine. Choline deficiency may be associated with low folate status and high plasma Hcy. Alterations in DNA methylation also have established critical roles for methylation in development of the nervous system. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of choline and folate deficiency on Hcy metabolism and genomic DNA methylation status of the liver and brain. Groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were fed on a control, choline-deficient (CD), folate-deficient (FD) or choline/folate-deficient (CFD) diets for 8 weeks. FD resulted in a significantly lower hepatic folate (23%) (p<0.001) and brain folate (69%) (p<0.05) compared to the control group. However, plasma and brain folate remained unaltered by CD and hepatic folate reduced to 85% of the control by CD (p<0.05). Plasma Hcy was significantly increased by FD $(18.34{\pm}1.62{\mu}M)$ and CFD $(19.35{\pm}3.62{\mu}M)$ compared to the control $(6.29{\pm}0.60{\mu}M)$ (p<0.001), but remained unaltered by CD. FD depressed S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) by 59% (p<0.001) and elevated S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM) by 47% in liver compared to the control group (p<0.001). In contrast, brain SAM levels remained unaltered in CD, FD and CFD rats. Genomic DNA methylation status was reduced by FD in liver (p<0.05) Genomic DNA hypomethylation was also observed in brain by CD, FD and CFD although it was not significantly different from the control group. Genomic DNA methylation status was correlated with folate stores in liver (r=-0.397, p<0.05) and brain (r = -0.390, p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, our data demonsoated that genomic DNA methylation and SAM level were reduced by folate deficiency in liver, but not in brain, and correlated with folate concentration in the tissue. The fact that folate deficiency had differential effects on SAM, SAH and genomic DNA methylation in liver and brain suggests that the Hcy metabolism and DNA methylation are regulated in tissue-specific ways.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 2013

The realtime monitoring of radon ($^{222}Rn$) concentrations has been carried out from Gosan site, Jeju Island for three years of 2006~2008, in order to evaluate the background level and timely variational characteristics of atmospheric radon. The mean concentration of radon measured during the studying period was $2965mBq/m^3$ with its annual mean values in the range of $2768{\sim}3124mBq/m^3$. The relative ordering of the seasonal mean concentrations was seemed to vary such as winter ($3578mBq/m^3$) > fall ($3351mBq/m^3$) > spring ($2832mBq/m^3$) > summer ($2073mBq/m^3$). The monthly mean concentrations were in the order of Jan>Feb>Oct>Nov>Dec>Mar> Sep>Apr>May>Jun>Aug>Jul, so that the highest January value ($3713mBq/m^3$) exceeded almost twice as the July minimum ($1946mBq/m^3$). The hourly concentrations in a day showed the highest level ($3356mBq/m^3$) at around 7 a.m., increasing during nighttime, while reaching the lowest ($2574mBq/m^3$) at around 3 p.m. From the backward trajectory analysis for a continental fetch of radon, the high concentrations (10%) of radon matched with the air mass moving from the Asia continent to Jeju area. In contrast, the low concentrations (10%) of radon were generally correlated with the air mass of the North Pacific Ocean. In comparison by sectional inflow pathways of air mass, the radon concentrations were relatively high from the north China and the Korean peninsula.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.828-834
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• 2012

The ecotoxicity detection device for preliminary test (Test jig) was manufactured to develop the biological early warning system using Vibrio fischeri. In this study, the ecotoxicity detection charateristics of the Test jig was investigated for 6 heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Hg). It was observed that relative luminescence unit (RLU) of Vibrio fischeri constantly decreased by the concentrations of the tested heavy metals. In contrast with other heavy metals, RLUs of Pb and Hg constantly decreased even at low concentrations. RLU of Hg drastically decreased when its concentration increased from 0.13 mg/L to 0.25 mg/L. $EC_{50}$ values of Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd gradually decreased with exposure time, whereas there was no significant change in $EC_{50}$ values of Cu and Hg with time. On the other hand, $EC_{50}$ values between the Test jig and Reference device were compared to evaluate the ecotoxicity detection performance of the Test jig. No big difference was found in $EC_{50}$ vlaues between the two devices, indicating that the Test jig could be applied as the ecotoxicity detection device for heavy metals.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.150-155
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• 1999

The Electrochemical stabilities of the Brewer-Engel type intermetallic compounds of Co-Mo $(35 wt\%)$ and Ni-Mo$(35 wt\%)$ manufactured by the arc-melting method for the hydrogen electrode of $H_2-O_2$ alkaline fuel cell were investigated. Effects of temperature and concentration on the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes in the $80^{\circ}C$ 6 N KOH solution deaerated with $N_2$ gas were studied by electrochemical methods. The effect of overpotential on the electrochemical stabilities of Co-Mo and Ni-Mo intermetallic compounds was also discussed under the normal operation condition of AFC. It was shown that Co-Mo electrode had lower electrochemical stability as compared to Ni-Mo. In the case of Co-Mo electrode, a simultaneous dissolution of cobalt and molybdenum has occurred at low anodic overpotential form equilibrium hydrogen electrode potential, but the dissolution of cobalt was serious, and Co(OH)l layer on the electrode surface formed at the high anodic overpotential. In contrast the Ni-Mo electrode had high electrochemical stability because formation of the dense and thin protective $Ni(OH)_2$ layer prevented the dissolution of molybdenum.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1114-1121
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• 2016

This study investigated the food components and antioxidant activities of dried Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) with white and purple colors. For the proximate composition of dried Jerusalem artichoke, regardless of color, carbohydrate content was highest, followed by crude protein, ash, and moisture contents, and breed-specific differences were not detected. The highest mineral content of dried Jerusalem artichoke was potassium, followed by calcium, magnesium, sodium, and iron. The major minerals of white color sample were calcium, magnesium, and zinc, whereas those of the purple color sample were potassium, sodium, copper, and manganese, and no significant differences between the samples were detected. The main amino acid of dried Jerusalem artichoke was arginine, regardless of color, followed by asparagine, aspartic acid, and ${\gamma}-amino-n-butyric$ acid in order. Cysteine, leucine, and tyrosine were significantly (P<0.05) more abundant in the purple color sample than in the white color sample. In contrast, phosphoethanolamine was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the white color sample than in the purple color sample. Antioxidant activity was higher in the purple color sample than in the white color sample for all activities except the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay methodology. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays at low concentrations of extracts found no differences between the two samples, although the purple sample at high concentration showed relatively high antioxidant activities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.520-528
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• 2006

Free amino acids in epidermis function as a major component of Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), which maintains the optimal level of water in skin even at the low humidity. In fact, the depletion of free amino acids is reported in the epidermis of atopic dermatitis, the skin condition involving dryness. As an effort searching the dietary source for improving the level of water and free amino acid in epidermis, the dietary effects of silk protein, sericin (S) and fibroin (F) on trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), and plasma and epidermal levels of free amino acids were compared in this study. Thirty of male NC/Nga mice, an animal model of atopic dermatitis, were divided into three groups: group CA as an atopic control with control diet, group S: 1% sericin diet and group F: 1% fibroin diet. Ten of male BALB/c mice were served as group C (control group) with control diet. All mice were fed on diet and water ad libitum for 10weeks. Dry skin condition was established in group CA as TEWL was increased (148.7% of group C). In parallel, epidermal level of glutamate, one of major amino acids functioning as NMF, was dramatically decreased and epidermal levels of methionine and alanine were inversely elevated. Dietary supplementation of sericin (group S) reduced TEWL at the similar level with group C and increased epidermal levels of glutamate as well as serine and glycine, the other major amino acids as NMF. Despite a marked decrease of methionine and alanine, the reduction of TEWL and epidermal levels of glutamate, serine and glycine of group F were less than of group S. Furthermore, in contrast to similar levels of other free amino acids in plasma and epidermis of group S and group C, plasma and epidermal levels of other free amino acids, specifically phenylalanine, isoleucine, cysteine and tyrosine in epidermis of group F, were significantly higher than of group C. Together, our data demonstrate that dietary supplementation of sericin is more effective at improving dry skin condition that paralleled with the normalization of free amino acids in plasma and epidermis of NC/Nga mice.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2010

Hypokalemia usually reflects total body potassium deficiency, but less commonly results from transcellular potassium redistribution with normal body potassium stores. The differential diagnosis of hypokalemia includes pseudohypokalemia, cellular potassium redistribution, inadequate potassium intake, excessive cutaneous or gastrointestinal potassium loss, and renal potassium wasting. To discriminate excessive renal from extrarenal potassium losses as a cause for hypokalemia, urine potassium concentration or TTKG should be measured. Decreased values are indicative of extrarenal losses or inadequate intake. In contrast, excessive renal potassium losses are expected with increased values. Renal potassium wasting with normal or low blood pressure suggests hypokalemia associated with acidosis, vomiting, tubular disorders or increased renal potassium secretion. In hypokalemia associated with hypertension, plasam renin and aldosterone should be measured to differentiated among hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism, primary hyperaldosteronism, and mineralocorticoid excess other than aldosterone or target organ activation. Hypokalemia may manifest as weakness, seizure, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, constipation, ileus, arrhythmia, paresthesias, etc. Therapy for hypokalemia consists of treatment of underlying disease and potassium supplementation. The evaluation of hyperkalemia is also a multistep process. The differential diagnosis of hyperkalemia includes pseudohypokalemia, redistribution, and true hyperkalemia. True hyperkalemia associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate is associated with renal failure or increased body potassium contents. When glomerular filtration rate is above 15 mL/min/$1.73m^2$, plasma renin and aldosterone must be measured to differentiate hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, primary aldosteronism, disturbance of aldosterone action or target organ dysfunction. Hyperkalemia can cause arrhythmia, paresthesias, fatigue, etc. Therapy for hyperkalemia consists of administration of calcium gluconate, insulin, beta2 agonist, bicarbonate, furosemide, resin and dialysis. Potassium intake must be restricted and associated drugs should be withdrawn.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2011

This study is related to the preparation of biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) which are stable in aqueous solutions for a long time. Ultrasmall polyethyleneimine (PEI)-capped AuNPs (PEI-AuNPs) with limited agglomeration were prepared in aqueous solutions at room temperature, which were based on the roles of PEI as a reductant and a stabilizer. PEI-AuNPs with an average size of 8~12 nm formed highly stable nanocolloids with an average hydrodynamic cluster size of around 50 nm in aqueous media. At a low concentration of metal precursor hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III), the particle size was reduced noticeably. The typical peaks of gold were observed in the X-ray diffraction pattern of AuNPs. The cell viability of 98% was obtained in the case of PEI-AuNPs, while PEI was cytotoxic. The PEI-AuNP is considered to be a potential candidate as a contrast agent for computed tomography.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-29
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• 1961

A routine hematological observation in the course of starvation was carried out on eight experimentel1y starved rabbits. They were strictly selected and restricted all of food intake with the exception of optional water intake until death. The body weight of each rabbit on the day before starvation was about 2 kilograms. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The average decrememt ratio of body weight on the terminal day before death was $34.3{\pm}7.5$ per cent with the range from 24.5 to 46.3 per cent. The average life duration until death was $10.25{\pm}2.6$ days, the range being from 6 to 14 days. 2. The decrease in number of reticulocytes with a parallel disappearance of polychromatic erythrocytes in peripheral blood in the course of starvation Was the most remarkable change in erythrocytic series, an evidence suggesting marked restriction of the erythropoietic function on 3rd to 4th day and almost complete suspension in about a week of starvation. 3. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and haematocrit value of peripheral blood, were normal or indicative of slight hemoconcentration. 4. Mean Corpuscular Hemogloin Concentration was slightly higher than normal and Mean Corpuscular Volume tended to be low and no appreciable shifts were observed in Mean Corpuscular Diameter and Price-Jones curve of erythrocytes, while fewer macrocytes than normal were seen. These changes were considered to have resulted from a marked decrease in young erythrocytes in peripheral blood in the course of starvation. 5. Neither poikilccytoses or anisosytosis was observed. 6. Leukopenia was observed in all of 8 starved rabbits. The decrement ratio on the terminal day of starvation was between 13 to 64 per cent. The leukopenia was mainly due to fall of lymphocytes in 6 cases and to fall of neutrophilic leukocytes in the other 2 cases. In many cases, irregular fluctuation of neutrophilic leukocytes in its biological curve were seen in contrast to the relatively smooth changes of lymphocytes. Eosinophilic leukocytes tended to decrease in absolute number especially in later stage of starvation. Little significance in regard to monocytes and basophilic leukocytes in this study was discussed. 7. Proplasma cells, rarely plasma cells, appeared with a tendency to increase in number at later stage of starvation. 8. The most characteristic changes on circulating blood cells in complete starvation of rabbits were the leukoponia and failure of regeneration of erythroctes. These changes were considered as adaptive phenomena in response to the catabolic consumption of body constituents.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 1990

The effects of insulin and exercise on glucose uptake of skeletal muscle were investigated in soleus muscle isolated from low dose streptozotocin induced diabetic rats in vitro. Glucose uptake was assessed by measuring $^3H$-methylglucose uptake in vitro. Basal glucose uptake in diabetes was reduced by approximately one-third of the control value($5.6{\pm}0.73{\mu}Mol$/g/20min. in diabetes versus $8.4{\pm}0.77$ in control, P<0.01). There was also a significant decrease(P<0.01) in glucose uptake of diabetes at physiologic insulin concentration ($200{\mu}IU$/ml) by 40% ($6.1{\pm}1.20$ versus $10.0{\pm}0.81$). Furthermore, maximal insulin($20000{\mu}IU$/ml)-stimulated glucose uptake was 36% lower in diabetes as compared with control($7.3{\pm}1.29$ versus $11.4{\pm}1.29$, P<0.01). In contrast, exercise(1.0km/hr, treadmill running for 45min.) effect on glucose uptake was so dramatic in diabetes that glucose uptake at basal state was 8.4+1.09 and insulin stimulated-glucose uptake were $10.2{\pm}1.47$ and $11.9{\pm}1.64$, in 200 and $20000{\mu}IU$/ml added insulin, respectively. These results suggest that insulin insensitivity develops in skeletal muscle after 2 weeks of streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but these insensitivity was recovered significantly by single session of running exercise.