• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.610-617
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• 2016

Current study was performed to investigate the effect of morphological properties of black ginseng such as size and shape on the quality of black ginseng. The raw ginsengs were separated based on size (medium, large, and extra-large) and shape (straight ginseng, fibrous root ginseng). Subsequently, the raw ginsengs were steamed at $95^{\circ}C$ for 3 h and dried in the presence of heated air at $50^{\circ}C$ for 30 h. This process was repeated nine times for black ginseng production. The physiochemical properties such as the content of acidic polysaccharides, ginsenosides, and antioxidative activity were evaluated. Although minor difference in physiochemical properties such as acidic polysaccharide content in raw ginseng was observed, no statistical difference in the content of acidic polysaccharides, total phenols, and ginsenosides was observed during final black ginseng production based on size classification. The minor ginsenosides in fibrous root black ginseng, such as Rk3, Rh4, Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 were higher in content than straight black ginseng. However, no correlation between the shape of ginseng and total phenol content and antioxidative activity was observed. Therefore, present results demonstrate that the difference in ginseng size in same-age and -production area does not affect the quality of black ginseng. Furthermore, difference in ginseng shape does not influence the overall quality of black ginseng. It is hypothesized that this study would be considered as supportive data for the production of high-quality black ginseng.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 2013

This study aimed to examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of Garcinia cambogia extract on the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and long-chain saturated fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity of HepG2 cells. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, mouse embryonic fibroblast-adipose like cell line, were treated with MDI solution (0.5 mM IBMX, 1 ${\mu}M$ dexamethasone, 10 ${\mu}g/mL$ insulin) to generate a cellular model of adipocyte differentiation. Using this cellular model, the anti-obesity effect of Garcinia cambogia extract was evaluated. MDI-induced lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenesis-related genes were detected by Oil red O staining, Nile Red staining, and Western blot analysis. Effects Garcinia cambogia extract on palmitate-induced lipotoxicity was also analyzed by MTT assay, LDH release, and DAPI staining in HepG2 cells. Garcinia cambogia extract significantly suppressed the adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes and intracellular lipid accumulation in the differentiating adipocytes. Garcinia cambogia extract also markedly inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor ${\gamma}2$ ($PPAR{\gamma}2$), CCAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and adipocyte protein aP2 (aP2). In addition, Garcinia cambogia extract significantly attenuated palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Palmitateinduced cellular damage and reactive aldehydes were also significantly reduced in the presence of Garcinia cambogia extract. These findings suggest that the Garcinia cambogia extract inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, probably by regulating the expression of multiple genes associated with adipogenesis such as $PPAR{\gamma}2$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, aP2, and thereby modulating fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity to reduce cellular injury in hepatocytes.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2009

Purpose : In February 2007, an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections occurred in two newborns in the neonatal unit of Sahmyook Seoul Hospital. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of MRSA nasal carriage among neonatal unit staffs and the effective infection control measures. Methods : Nasal swab specimens were obtained from the neonatal unit staff for the presence of MRSA. MRSA-colonized staffs were offered decolonization therapy with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or 2% mupirocin ointment. Every 2-4months after decolonizaton, repeat nasal swab specimens were obtained. Also, samples from the neonatal unit environment and room air were collected. Results : Successful decolonization was achieved in 92% of the cases in 2 weeks after decolonization therapy, but most of the staffs were recolonized after several months. The nature of antibiotic susceptibility was changed from multi-drugsusceptible to multi-drug-resistant. The most frequently contaminated objects were dressing carts, computer keyboards, bassinets and washbowls. In environmental cultures using the settle microbe count method, the colony counts were decreased significantly at the last study period compared with the first study period in the neonatal room, breastfeeding room, service room, and dressing room (P <0.05). Conclusion : Effective control of sustained MRSA transmission within an institution may require prompt identification, treatment, and monitoring of colonized and/or infected staffs. However, nasal decolonization therapy may induce multi-drugresistant MRSA infection and had no effect on decreasing the MRSA nasal carriage rate in our study. Other factors might be more important, such as improving staff education, increasing hand hygiene practices, and environmental sterilization for controlling MRSA infections.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.659-666
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• 2007

Background: Preserving the subvalvular apparatus after mitral valve replacement (MVR) results in better ventricular function and a better outcome. In conjunction, mitral valve repair (MVr) is associated with a better outcome, yet little is known about the hemodynamics and outcomes between patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. We prospectively evaluated the hemodynamic changes and outcomes of patients undergoing MVr and MVR with chordal preservation. Material and Method: Fifty-four patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) who under-went MVR with chordal preservation (n=21) or MVr (n=33) were studied. The patients' characteristics, the intra-and postoperative hemodynamics and the use of cardiac medications, the postoperative outcome and the complications were recorded during the hospital stay. All the patients were followed up for at least 6 months post-operatively for determining their morbidity and mortality. Result: The patients' characteristics were similar between the groups, except for the presence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure which was more frequent in the MVR group. Also, the preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the MVR group than in the MVr group ($64{\pm}9%$ versus $69{\pm}5%$, respectively, p=0.043). There were no significant differences of the hemodynamics between the groups. The use of inotropic drugs and pacemakers during the 12hrs postoperatively was more common in the MVR group than in the MVr group (48% versus 24%, p=0.025 and 52% versus 24%, p=0.035, respectively). The other postoperative outcomes were similar in both groups for at least the 6 months follow-up period. Conclusion: MVR with chordal preservation was comparable with regard to the hemodynamics and clinical outcomes, supporting the beneficial effect of preserving the subvalvular apparatus after MVR.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2020

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that is accompanied by hyper proliferation of the epidermis, erythema of various sizes, and ulceration. However, the mechanism of the development of psoriasis dermatitis is unclear. Recently, it is known that the inflammatory cytokines and Th17 cells as well as chemokine (CC motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) are involved in the process of keratinocytes hyper-differentiation, which is common in psoriasis dermatitis. Therefore, we studied the effects of yakuchinone-A, an active ingredient of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel known for its anti-inflammatory activity, to improve psoriasis dermatitis. First, cytotoxicity of yakuchinone-A was observed in cell counting kit-8 assay and not observed in 10 ㎍/mL concentration on the human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Yakuchinone-A in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on HaCaT cells inhibited mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α by up to 61.4±7.5, 23.6±1.5, 46.0±4.8%. CCL20, a chemokine that attracts immune cells such Th17 cells to the inflammation location, was also significantly suppressed by yakuchinone-A. In addition, IκB and STAT3 phosphorylation involved in the CCL20 expression was inhibited by yakuchinone-A in a concentration-dependent manner up to the level of 79.1±5.0, 80.8±2.3%. Furthermore, yakuchinone-A downregulated CCL20 mRNA expression level on IL-17A-activated HaCaT cells as a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these results, yakuchinone-A is expected to be developed as a new material for improving psoriasis dermatitis in the future.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.199-210
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• 2004

A new polystyrene-divinylbenzene chelating resin containing 4,5-dihydroxy-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid (chromotropic acid : CTA) as functional group has been synthesized and characterized. The sorption and desorption properties of this chelating resin for Cr(III) ion and Cr(VI) ion including nine metal bloodstain. As a results, FOB test kit could be effectively applied to identification of human blood at chelating resin was stable in acidic and alkaline solution. The Cr(VI) ion is selectively separated from Cr (III) ion at pH 2 and the maximum sorption capacity of Cr(VI) ion is 1.2 mmol/g. In the presence of anions such as $F^-$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $CN^-$, $CH_3COO^-$, $NO{_3}^-$, the sorption of Cr(VI) ion was reduced but anions such as $PO{_4}^{3-}$ and $Cl^-$ revealed no interference effect. The elution order of metal ions obtained from breakthrough capacity and overall capacity at pH 2 was Cr(VI)>Sn(II)>Fe(III)>Cu(II)>Cd(II)${\simeq}Pb(II){\simeq}Cr(III){\simeq}Mn(II){\simeq}Ni(II){\simeq}Al(III)$. Desorption characteristics for Cr(VI) ion was investigated with desorption agents such as $HNO_3$, HCl, and $H_2SO_4$. It was found that the ion showed high desorption efficiency with 3 M HCl. As the result, the chelating resin, XAD-16-CTA was successfully applied to separation and preconcentration of Cr (VI) ion from several metal ions in metal finishing works.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.331-336
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• 2006

Moving behavior of groups of Hanwoo was observed when solid side was applied along the straight single file chute. Dark blue liners (PVC coated fabric) were hung on the outer side along the steel bars of chute to block vision of cattle. Ten animals were grouped together in a batch to move through chute to the restrainter. Movement of animals through chutes were significantly faster when solid side with liners were applied than when they had open vision of flight zone. And the difference in movement time between of solid side and open side was even greater in a longer chute than in a shorter one. From the experiment with longer chute, we could not find any significant differences between presence or absence of solid sides in the time spent for the leaading cattle to enter the squeeze chute from crowd pen. But the average time spent for movement from squeeze gait to restrainter was 22.78±1.15 seconds with solid sides, which was much shorter than with open sides (40.56±4.46 seconds). Time required for batch of animals to move from crowd pen to restrainter and exit was much faster with solid sides than with open sides: 96.33±3.98 seconds vs. 121.89±5.54 seconds from leading animal to enter the squeeze chute until the last animal of the batch to exit restrainter and 104.56±3.89 vs. 131.22±6.42 seconds for the whole batch of animals to enter the squeeze chute and exit restrainter. Another experiment with shorter chute showed that animals balked to right angled edge of the crowed pen before entering squeeze chute. We could not find any differences in time requred for the leading animal to enter the crowd pen from holding pen. Total time spent from entrance of leading animal to crowd pen until the last animal to exit restrainter was shorter with solid sides than with open sides: 177.44±5.20 seconds vs. 193.44±7.46 seconds.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.112-121
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• 1988

Soybean seed coat consisted of three layers, and the aleurone layer was attached to the innermost part of seed coat. It showed the different morphological characteristics with single cell layer compared with many cell layers in barley aleurone layer. The structural difference in aleurone cell among varieties was not detected in this experiment. The hole of middle part of hilum consisted of net formed material in order to pass water and gas. In the experiment, it was not studied whether the varieties with hard seed consist of the same structure or not, but the detailed study on this would be necessary. The activity of acid phosphatase showed a tendency to increase in process of imbibition in distilled water. There was no significant difference in the enzyme activity among the varieties tested, but the enzyme activity of Danyoupkong was slightly higher than that of Hwanggeumkong. In germinability, Danyoupkong is higher than Hwangkeumkong, so it might be attributed to the higher activity. There was no difference in acid phosphatase activity between released from the aleurone cell and accumulated in the aleurone cell from 6 to 12 hours incubation of the medium in the absence of GA$_3$, but the difference was detected after 12 hours incubation. And enzyme activity was the highest in the 18 hours incubation. The increase in the release of acid phosphatase from the aleurone cell would be considered as passive diffusive effect due to the increase in turgo pressure of aleurone cell. The acid phosphatase released from aleurone layer increased greatly after 24 hours incubation of the medium in the presence of GA$_3$ and the accumulation within the aleurone cell decreased linearly after 18 hours incubation. The result indicates that GA$_3$ enhance the rate of enzyme release from aleurone layer, suggests that the aleurone cell wall be digested by the introduction of GA and the digested wall act as the channels for enzyme release.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 1998

The microbial degradation, photosensitizer-mediated photolysis, and bioceramic- accelerated degradation of the herbicide imazapyr were investigated using four types of soil. 1. Seven strains of microorganisms isolated from the soil A and the active sludge collected from the waste water disposal plant in CheongJu did not give any distinct degradation products in pure culture. When imazapyr (10ppm) was incubated for 14days with each of the 6strains of the known bacteria, they did not produce any noticeable products, either, suggesting that imazapyr was degraded very little by microorganisms in aqueous media. Meanwhile, when 50ppm of imazapyr was incubated in soil A and B for 6months, a degradation product of m/z 279 was detected. It turned out to be 2-[(1-carbamoyl-1,2-dimethylpropyl)carbamoyl]nicotinic acid, which was formed by the hydrolytic cleavage of the imidazolinone ring and by tautomerism. When imazapyr was exposed to sunlight, degradation rates were 14.6% under the control and 66.0, 76.5, 26.7, and 90.0% in the presence of PS-1 (100ppm), PS-1 (200ppm), PS-2(100ppm), and PS-3(100ppm), respectively, and a degradation product of m/z 149 was tentatively identified in the treatment of PS-1. 2. When soil C and D treated with bioceramic were incubated for 7weeks, the $^{14}C$-activities of $^{14}CO_2$ evolved were 2.03 and 1.12% of the originally applied ones, respectively, whereas those in control soils without bioceramic were 1.88 and 0.82% showing no significant defferences.After 5 weeks, however,the differences in the amounts of $^{14}CO_2$ between the two treatments increased gradually, suggesting the bioceramic effect.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2003

This study has evaluated effect of the spermatozoa incubation on the glycosidase activity and fertilizing ability in vitro in the pig. To identify sperm glycosidases specific for sugar residues found in the zona pellucida of pig oocytes, the spermatozoa were treated experimentally and assayed for activities of $\alpha$-L-fucosidase, $\alpha$-D-mannosidase, $\beta$-D-galactosidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase ($\beta$-GlcNAc'ase). The glycosidases activity were higher in spermatozoa incubated for 2h than without incubation. The $\beta$-GlcNAc'ase activity was at least two-fold higher than other glycosidase regardless of spermatozoa incubation. In the same glycosidases, the activity had a tendency to increase as time of spermatozoa incubation was prolonged, but there were no differences in spermatozoa incubated during the various periods (4~24h). The percentages of spermatozoa that reached acrosome reaction were affected by glycosidases in the medium (P<0.05, for mannosidase), and were higher in spermatozoa with that than without incubation. On the other hand, the spermatozoa motility were decreased with incubation periods, but no effects by different glycosidases on the change of sperm motility during the various periods of incubation. In other experiment, the binding and penetration of pig spermatozoa were tested with oocytes matured in vitro in the presence of various glycosidase. The penetration rates were decreased with incubation of spermatozoa when oocytes were inseminated in medium with different glycosidases. These rates were higher in spermatozoa non-incubated than with incubation for 2h (P<0.05 for GlcNAc'ase; P<0.01 for control group). The sperm-zona binding rate in control group were higherthan in medium with glycosidases. In addition, the highest binding rate were obtained in medium with GlcNAc'ase. In all glycosidases, the sperm-zona binding rate in spermatozoa without incubation were higher than incubation for 2h. The significant differences were obtained in spermatozoa treated with $\alpha$-D-mannosidase (P<0.05). These results suggest that $\beta$-GlcNAc'ase is present mainly in the plasma membrane of pig spermatozoa. It was also shown that the glycosidase activity were increased in all glycosidases in spite of low sperm-zona binding rate and penetration rates by spermatozoa incubation.