• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2015

Purpose: Stool exams are a useful tool for the early presumptive diagnosis of infectious bacterial diarrhea in the Emergency Department (ED). CT scans are often used to increase the physician's level of certainty and to facilitate patient triage by identifying the source of pain in most patients with an acute abdomen in the ED. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between stool exams and abdominal CT in patients with acute diarrhea visiting the ED. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in the emergency department of a national university hospital from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The subjects consisted of 156 patients with acute diarrhea and abdominal pain who had stool exam results and abdominal CT findings. We divided the patients into three groups according to the stool exam results. Simultaneously, we evaluated their CT findings of the bowel and adjacent structures. Results: A total of 156 patients were enrolled. Frequency of abnormal CT findings showed statistically significant correlation with stool exams (p-value <0.001). Abnormal CT findings increased as WBCs and RBCs in stool increased (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The stool exam was a statistically significant predictive variable in indirectly determining the severity of acute diarrhea and it showed correlation with the frequency of abnormal CT findings. It is suggested that stool exams can be used as a susceptible marker for predicting the probability of severe infectious colitis, and for making an early decision regarding close medical attention.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1256-1261
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• 2021

Rubus coreanus Miquel (bokbunja), Korean black raspberry, is known to possess various phytochemicals that exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, most studies on Rubus coreanus Miquel have been performed with the solvent extracts and/or a single component to demonstrate the efficacy, while studies evaluating the effect of the whole fructus of Rubus coreanus Miquel are limited. In this study, therefore, we employed the isoproterenol (IPN)-induced myocardial infarction model and investigated the effect of freeze-dried powder of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCP) on oxidative stress and prevention of organ damage. Oral administration of RCP reduced the level of toxicity markers, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) without affecting body weight and diet intake. The oxidative stress marker glutathione (GSH) increased about 45% and malonaldehyde (MDA) decreased about 27% compared to the IPN group with RCP-H (3%) administration. By histological analysis, IPN induced significant myocardial damage in the heart and vascular injury in the liver, and RCP administration ameliorated the damages in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, RCP activated the antioxidant system leading to prevention of damage to organs by IPN in rats, making it possible to expect beneficial efficacies by consuming the whole fructus of Rubus coreanus Miquel.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.497-504
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• 2021

EGR1 (early growth response 1) is dysregulated in many cancers and exhibits both tumor suppressor and promoter activities, making it an appealing target for cancer therapy. Here, we used a systematic multi-omics analysis to review the expression of EGR1 and its role in regulating clinical outcomes in breast cancer (BC). EGR1 expression, its promoter methylation, and protein expression pattern were assessed using various publicly available tools. COSMIC-based somatic mutations and cBioPortal-based copy number alterations were analyzed, and the prognostic roles of EGR1 in BC were determined using Prognoscan and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. We also used bc-GenEx-Miner to investigate the EGR1 co-expression profile. EGR1 was more often downregulated in BC tissues than in normal breast tissue, and its knockdown was positively correlated with poor survival. Low EGR1 expression levels were also associated with increased risk of ER+, PR+, and HER2- BCs. High positive correlations were observed among EGR1, DUSP1, FOS, FOSB, CYR61, and JUN mRNA expression in BC tissue. This systematic review suggested that EGR1 expression may serve as a prognostic marker for BC patients and that clinicopathological parameters influence its prognostic utility. In addition to EGR1, DUSP1, FOS, FOSB, CYR61, and JUN can jointly be considered prognostic indicators for BC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 2021

Genetic markers currently used for the discrimination of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies have low efficiency for identification at subspecies level. Therefore, our objective in this study was to select novel genetic markers for accurate identification and discrimination of six L. delbrueckii subspecies based on pangenome analysis. We evaluated L. delbrueckii genomes to avoid making incorrect conclusions in the process of selecting genetic markers due to mislabeled genomes. Genome analysis showed that two genomes of L. delbrueckii subspecies deposited at NCBI were misidentified. Based on these results, subspecies-specific genetic markers were selected by comparing the core and pangenomes. Genetic markers were confirmed to be specific for 59,196,562 genome sequences via in silico analysis. They were found in all strains of the same subspecies, but not in other subspecies or bacterial strains. These genetic markers also could be used to accurately identify genomes at the subspecies level for genomes known at the species level. A real-time PCR method for detecting three main subspecies (L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, lactis, and bulgaricus) was developed to cost-effectively identify them using genetic markers. Results showed 100% specificity for each subspecies. These genetic markers could differentiate each subspecies from 44 other lactic acid bacteria. This real-time PCR method was then applied to monitor 26 probiotics and dairy products. It was also used to identify 64 unknown strains isolated from raw milk samples and dairy products. Results confirmed that unknown isolates and subspecies contained in the product could be accurately identified using this real-time PCR method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.210-210
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• 2022

Silybum marianum is an annual or biennial plant from the Asteraceae family. It can grow in low-nutrient soil and drought conditions, making it easy to cultivate. From the seed, a specialized plant metabolite called silymarin (flavonolignan complex) is produced and is known to alleviate the liver from hepatitis and toxins damages. To infer the phylogenetic placement of a Korean milk thistle, we conducted a chloroplast assembly and annotation following by a comparison with existing Chinese reference genome (NC_028027). The chloroplast genome structure was highly similar with an assembly size of 152,642 bp, an 153,202 bp for Korean and Chinese milk thistle respectively. Moreover, there were similarities at the gene level, coding sequence (n = 82), transfer RNA (n = 31) and ribosomal RNA (n = 4). From all coding sequences gene set, the phylogenetic tree inference placed the Korean cultivar into the milk thistle clade; corroborating the expected tree. Moreover, an investigation the tree based only on the ycf1 gene confirmed the same tree; suggesting that ycf1 gene is a potential marker for DNA barcoding and population diversity study in milk thistle genus. Overall, the provided data represents a valuable resource for population genomics and species-centered determination since several species have been reported in the Silybum genus.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2017

Globally, 1.3 million people develop colon cancer every year, and 600,000 people die each year it. In Korea, colorectal carcinoma was associated with the highest death rate, accounting for 8,380 people, among solid cancers in 2015. Among the various methods for the diagnosis and study of colorectal carcinoma, the results obtained by cytogenetic and molecular genetic methods were compared. Detection rate was 47% in 18q, 40% in 17p, 27% in 22q, and 17% in 10q via CGH; detection rate was 57% in D18S59, 50% in D18S68, 50% in TP53CA, 47% in D18S6940% in D22S274, 37% in D22S283, 27% in D10S187, and 23% in D10S541 with LOH. Microsatellite marker matching rates were 100% in D22S274, 100% in D22S283, 100% in D10S186, 100% in D10S187, 100% in D10S541, 93% in D18S69, 93% in D18S68, 92% in TP53CA, and 89% in D18S59. The agreement rate between the two methods was 94.4% based on positive results using CGH. Based on the advantages of CGH, which was the ability to obtain information regarding the entire tumor genome at once, this experiment could identify the region with significant deletion using CGH and the more limited region LOH, with a completely different approach. LOH in the recurrent high-risk group, 18q21, was helpful in the selection of treatment modalities and in prognostic estimation as well as making the most appropriate decision for treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that LOH with surgical site tissues could be one of the treatment methods for recurrent high-risk group among patients with colorectal carcinoma.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.4
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• pp.565-572
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• 2001

The spatial genetic structure of Needle fir(Abies holophylla Max.) seedlings on forest gap within a Needle fir forest at Mt. Odae in Korea was analyzed on the basis of ISSR(inter-simple sequence repeats) marker analysis. The gap size was $1,500m^2(50m{\times}30m)$, and we sampled 416 one- or two-year-old seedlings by 2m intervals. Some trees at the upper crown layer except Needle firs and all trees at the middle and lower crown layers were removed, and Needle firs at the upper crown layer showed very weak growth strength or to be withering to death. The results of spatial autocorrelation using 31 polymorphic ISSR markers revealed that it was genetically homogeneous within spatial distance of 15.6m and the randomness of genetic distribution was from 15.6m to 31.2m. The genetic patch size of seedlings in forest gap might be restricted by the density of mother trees, making allow for the average height of adult Needle firs, the seed dispersal area, and the average distance between adults. For the directionality of seedling distribution, we investigated the variography using 'genetic configuration' which was the value of configuration in Multidimensional Scaling by genetic distance. In directional variogram, the increment of spatial distance from East to West direction was inversely proportional to genetic homogeneity. We presumed that this anisotrophy of seedling distribution at this forest gap resulted from the directionality of seed dispersal rather than the difference of fecundity between mother trees or the microhabitat variation, taking the evenness of forest floor condition, a vast seed production and the random distribution of seedlings at the studied site into consideration.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.1 s.63
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• pp.225-234
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• 2006

Product designers sketch various ideas of foreground figures(detail design) onto background figures(basic form) and evaluate numerous combinations of them in the late stages of design process. Designers have to test their ideas elaborately with a high-fidelity physical model that looks like a real product. However, due to the requirements of time and expense in making high-fidelity design models, it is impossible to evaluate such a number of combinatorial solutions of background and foreground figures. Contrary to digital models, physical design models are not easily modifiable and so designers cannot easily develope ideas through iterative design-evaluation process. To address these problems, we proposed a new concept 'Augmented Plasticity' that gives morphological editability to a rigid physical object using Augmented Reality technology and implemented the idea as Digital Skin system. Digital Skin system figures out the position and orientation of object surface with ARToolKit visual marker and superimposes a deformed surface image seamlessly using differential rendering method. We tried to apply Digital Skin system to detail design, redesign of product, and material exploration task. In consequence, it was found that Digital Skin system has potential to allow designers to implement and test their ideas very efficiently in the late stages of design process.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 2015

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a bush that grows well at special cultural environments such as acid soil, high organic matter content, and a good drainage and aeration compared to other general crops. Blueberries are well known to contain high amounts of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, resulting in high antioxidant activity that provides health benefits, and expanding the cultivation areas and consumer's demand in the worldwide. However, the full genome of blueberry has not been announced until now. Furthermore, the genomic analysis and transcriptome approaches are not so popular compare to major crops such as orange, apple, and grape. The aim of the review about blueberry genomic research is to establish the platform for setting blueberry breeding target, increasing proficiency of blueberry research, and making the practical cultivation techniques in Korea. The main topics in the blueberry genomic research including transcriptome, genetic mapping, and various markers are related with cold hardiness, chilling requirement, hot tolerance, anthocyanin content, and flavonoid synthesis pathway on various tissues like flower bud, leaf bud, shoot, root, and berry fruit. The review of the current status of blueberry genomic research will provide basic information to the breeders and researchers and will contribute to development of blueberry industry with sustainable productions and increase of blueberry consumption as new profitable crops in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.289-300
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• 2001

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes telomere repeats. It has been reported that activation of telomerase was associtated with immortalization, proliferative activity and carcinogenesis. Recently, telomerase activity has been extensively studied in many kinds of malignant tumors for clinical diagnostic and/or prognostic utilities. In neuroblastoma, breast carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, close relationship has been reported between high telomerase activity and lymph node metastasis, tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical implication of telomerase activity assay as an adjunctive factor in decision-making on neck node management, speedy pre-operative judging on histologic malignancy grading. Thus we performed semi-quantitative assay of telomerase activity using Telomerase PCR ELISA $kit^{(R)}$(Boeringer Manheim, Germany) and evaluated correlation between telomerase activity and tumor size, neck node metastasis, Anneroth malignancy score and influence of pre-operative chemotherapy on its activity in 27 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas and 18 cases of normal oral epithelium. Also, correlation between telomerase activities and PCNA indices was evaluated. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The telomerase activities were detected in 24 specimens out of 27 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens (88.9%) and in 5 specimens out of 18 normal oral epithelium specimens (27.8%). The mean value of telomerase activities was $0.9793{\pm}0.3428$ in 24 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens and $0.4855{\pm}0.1117$ in 5 normal oral epithelium specimens. The positivity rate and mean value of telomerase activities in oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens were significantly higher than those of normal oral epithelium specimens (p<0.05). 2. There was no significant correlation between total Anneroth malignancy score and telomerase activity (p>0.05), but points of mitosis index and depth of invasion were significantly correlated with telomerase activities (p<0.05). 3. The positive immunohistochemical staining for PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was observed in 26 specimens out of 27 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens and mean value of PCNA indices of 26 specimens was $53.67{\pm}26.46$. PCNA indices were significantly correlated with telomerase activities (p<0.05). 4. The mean value of telomerase activities was significantly higher in pathologic T3/T4 group than in T1/T2 group (p<0.01). There was no significant difference of mean value of telomerase activities between pathologic neck node positive group and negative group (p> 0.05). Pre-operative chemotherapy significantly lowered the telomerase activities (p<0.05). The above results suggested telomerase activity could be used as diagnostic marker and adjunctive parameter for judging on histologic malignancy in oral squamous cell carcinoma.