• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2021

A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing microorganism was isolated from galchi (hairtail fish, Trichiurus lepturus) jeotgal, a Korean salted and fermented seafood. The G144 isolate produced GABA excessively when incubated in MRS broth containing monosodium glutamate (MSG, 3%, w/v). G144 was identified as Lactobacillus brevis through 16S rRNA and recA gene sequencing. gadB and gadC encoding glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and glutamate/GABA antiporter, respectively, were cloned and gadB was located downstream of gadC. The operon structure of gadCB was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction. gadB was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and recombinant GAD was purified and its size was 54.4 kDa as evidenced by SDS-PAGE results. Maximum GAD activity was observed at pH 5.0 and 40℃ and the activity was dependent on pyridoxal 5'-phophate. The K_m and V_max of GAD were 8.6 mM and 0.01 mM/min, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.67-76
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• 2021

Biogasification is a technology that produces environmentally friendly fuel using methane gas generated in the process of stably decomposing and processing organic waste. Biogasification is the most used method for energy conversion of organic waste with high moisture content, and is a useful method for organic waste treatment following the prohibition of direct landfill (2005) and marine dumping (2013). Due to African Swine Fever (ASF), which recently occurred in Korea, recycling of wet feed is prohibited, and consumers such as dry feed and compost are negatively recognized, making it difficult to treat food waste. Accordingly, biogasification is attracting more attention for the treatment and recycling of food waste. Korea's energy consumption amounted to 268.41 106toe, ranking 9th in the world. However, it is an energy-poor country that depends on foreign imports for about 95.8% of its energy supply. Therefore, in Korea, the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) is being introduced. The domestic RPS system sets the weight of the new and renewable energy certificate (REC, Renewable energy certificate) of waste energy lower than that of other renewable energy. Therefore, an additional incentive system is required for the activation of waste-to-energy. In this study, the operation of an anaerobic digester that treats food waste, food waste Leachate and various organic wastes was confirmed. It was intended to be used as basic data for preparing the waste-to-energy incentive system through precise monitoring for a certain period of time. Four sites that produce biogas from organic waste and use them for power generation and heavy gas were selected as target facilities, and field surveys and sampling were conducted. Basic properties analysis was performed on the influent sample of organic waste and the effluent sample according to the treatment process. As a result of the analysis of the properties, the total solids of the digester influent was an average of 12.11%, and the volatile solids of the total solids were confirmed to be 85.86%. BOD and CODcr removal rates were 60.8% and 64.8%. The volatile fatty acids in the influent averaged 55,716 mg/L. It can be confirmed that most of the volatile fatty acids were decomposed and removed with an average reduction rate of 92.3% after anaerobic digestion.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.541-545
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• 2014

Rec. ITU-R M.1842-1 is international recommendation for VHF band communication guideline in maritime mobile service RR Appendix 18 channels. In this paper, we simulate 28.8 kbps VHF ${\pi}$/4-DQPSK digital baseband modem compatible with the recommendation, then it is designed and implemented with FPGA. Cazac sequence is used as a preamble since packet format is not defined untill now in the recommendation. Baseband modem is designed by VHDL language and implemented on NEXYS4 development platform having Atrix7 FPGA chip from Xilinx. For wireless communication test of total prototype system, ADC/DAC board is implemented and EV9730 RF module is utilized. From the experimental results, implemented FPGA modem shows spectral bandwidth of 25 kHz and successful data exchanges between tx and rx communication platform.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2004

Purpose : Although Improve of CT, MRI Radio-diagnosis and Radiation Therapy Planing, but we still use ICRU38 Planning system(2D film-based) broadly. 3-Dimensional ICR plan(CT image based) is not only offer tumor and normal tissue dose but also support DVH information. On this study, we plan irradiation-goal dose on CTV(CTV plan) and irradiation-goal dose on ICRU 38 point(ICRU38 plan) by use CT image. And compare with tumor-dose, rectal-dose, bladder-dose on both planning, and analysis DVH Method and Material : Sample 11 patients who treated by Ir-192 HDR. After 40Gy external radiation therapy, ICR plan established. All the patients carry out CT-image scanned by CT-simulator. And we use PLATO(Nucletron) v.14.2 planing system. We draw CTV, rectum, bladder on the CT image. And establish plan irradiation-$100\%$ dose on CTV(CTV plan) and irradiation-$100\%$ dose on A-point(ICRU38 plan) Result : CTV volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $21.8{\pm}26.6cm^3$, rectum volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $60.9{\pm}25.0cm^3$, bladder volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $116.1{\pm}40.1cm^3$ sampled 11 patients. The volume including $100\%$ dose is $126.7{\pm}18.9cm^3$ on ICRU plan and $98.2{\pm}74.5cm^3$ on CTV plan. On ICRU planning, the other one's $22.0cm^3$ CTV volume who residual tumor size excess 4cm is not including $100\%$ isodose. 8 patient's $12.9{\pm}5.9cm^3$ tumor volume who residual tumor size belows 4cm irradiated $100\%$ dose. Bladder dose(recommended by ICRU 38) is $90.1{\pm}21.3\%$ on ICRU plan, $68.7{\pm}26.6\%$ on CTV plan, and rectal dose is $86.4{\pm}18.3\%,\;76.9{\pm}15.6\%$. Bladder and Rectum maximum dose is $137.2{\pm}50.1\%,\;101.1{\pm}41.8\%$ on ICRU plan, $107.6{\pm}47.9\%,\;86.9{\pm}30.8\%$ on CTV plan. Therefore CTV plan more less normal issue-irradiated dose than ICRU plan. But one patient case who residual tumor size excess 4cm, Normal tissue dose more higher than critical dose remarkably on CTV plan. $80\%$over-Irradiated rectal dose(V80rec) is $1.8{\pm}2.4cm^3$ on ICRU plan, $0.7{\pm}1.0cm^3$ on CTV plan. $80\%$over-Irradiated bladder dose(V80bla) is $12.2{\pm}8.9cm^3$ on ICRU plan, $3.5{\pm}4.1cm^3$ on CTV plan. Likewise, CTV plan more less irradiated normal tissue than ICRU38 plan. Conclusion : Although, prove effect and stability about previous ICRU plan, if we use CTV plan by CT image, we will reduce normal tissue dose and irradiated goal-dose at residual tumor on small residual tumor case. But bigger residual tumor case, we need more research about effective 3D-planning.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1123-1132
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• 2015

Winter wheat is a suitable crop to be ensiled for animal feed and China has the largest planting area of this crop in the world. During the ensiling process, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play the most important role in the fermentation. We investigated the natural population of LAB in whole-crop wheat (WCW) and examined the quality of whole-crop wheat silage (WCWS) with and without LAB inoculants. Two Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum strains, Zhengzhou University 1 (ZZU 1) selected from corn and forage and grass 1 (FG 1) from a commercial inoculant, were used as additives. The silages inoculated with LAB strains (ZZU 1 and FG 1) were better preserved than the control, with lower pH values (3.5 and 3.6, respectively) (p<0.05) and higher contents of lactic acid (37.5 and 34.0 g/kg of fresh matter (FM), respectively) (p<0.05) than the control. Sixty LAB strains were isolated from fresh material and WCWS without any LAB inoculation. These LAB strains were divided into the following four genera and six species based on their phenotypic, biochemical and phylogenetic characteristics: Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Leuconostoc citreum, Weissella cibaria, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum. However, the prevalent LAB, which was predominantly heterofermentative (66.7%), consisted of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Leuconostoc citreum, Weissella cibaria, and Lactobacillus buchneri. This study revealed that most of isolated LAB strains from control WCWS were heterofermentative and could not grow well at low pH condition; the selective inoculants of Lactobacillus strains, especially ZZU 1, could improve WCWS quality significantly.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1997

Recently prostaglandin $E_1(PGE_1)$ has been shown to ensure flap survival by producing vasodilation of the peripheral vessels and platelet disaggreation. However, direct observation and detailed quantitative studies of the effects of $PGE_1$ on the cutaneous microcirculation have not been reported. In the present study, we investigated cutaneous microcirculatory changes in the rabbit ear chamber(REC) with an intravital microscope following intravenous administration of $PGE_1$. The results obtained in this study indicate that $PGE_1$ administered intravenously at a rate of 200ng/kg/min might act directly on the vessels and cause dilatation of metarterioles and capillaries without affecting vasomotion and systemic blood pressure. Clinically in order to evaluate the effect of an intravenous administration of $PGE_1$ on the cutaneous microcirculation, cutaneous blood flow, skin temperature and transcutaneous $Po_2$ in the pedicle or free flap of operated patients were evaluated by the combination of several measurements following the administration of $PGE_1$. The present study suggests that improvement of cutaneous microcirculation by $PGE_1$ may enhance the survival rate of flap or replantation. Both vessel arterial ischemia and venous congestion are main factors of tissue necrosis in the flap surgery. Vasodilatory or antithrombotic agents have been used in salvage of flap necrosis. However, the therapeutic effects of those drugs are still not well elucidated. Recently prostaglandin $E_1(PGE_1)$ has been shown to ensure flap survival by producing vasodilatation of the peripheral vessels and platelet disaggregation[1-3]. Emerson and sykes[4] have obtained significant improvement in the flap survival in the rat using $PGI_2$. Suzuki et al.[5] have reported prolonged flap survival length by using $PGE_1$ in the rabbit and concluded that $PGE_1$ improved the microcircuration in the flap. However, direct observation and detailed quantitative studies of the effects of $PGE_1$ on the cutaneous microcirculation have not been reported. In the present study, we investigated microcirculatory changes in the rabbit ear chamber[6,7] with an intravital microscope following intravenous administration of $PGE_1$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.221-226
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• 2017

Purpose: Escherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131, a multidrug-resistant clone causing extraintestinal infections, has rapidly become prevalent worldwide. However, the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric infections are poorly understood. We aimed to explore the characteristics of ST131 Escherichia coli isolated from Korean children with urinary tract infections. Methods: We examined 114 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates from children hospitalized at Chung-Ang University Hospital between 2011 and 2014. Bacterial strains were classified into STs by partial sequencing of seven housekeeping genes (adk, fumC, gyrB, icd, mdh, purA, and recA). Clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility were compared between ST131 and non-ST131 UPEC isolates. Results: Sixteen UPEC isolates (14.0%) were extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL)-producers; 50.0% of ESBL-producers were ST131 isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 13.2% (15 of 114) were classified as ST131. There were no statistically significant associations between ST131 and age, sex, or clinical characteristics, including fever, white blood cell counts in urine and serum, C-reactive protein, radiologic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. However, ST131 isolates showed significantly lower rates of susceptibility to cefazolin (26.7%), cefotaxime (40.0%), cefepime (40.0%), and ciprofloxacin (53.3%) than non-ST131 isolates (65.7%, 91.9%, 92.9%, and 87.9%, respectively; P<0.001 for all). ESBL was more frequently produced in ST131 (53.3%) than in non-ST131 (8.1%) isolates (P<0.01). Conclusion: ST131 E. coli isolates were prevalent uropathogens in children at a single medical center in Korea between 2011 and 2014. Although ST131 isolates showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, clinical presentation and outcomes of patients were similar to those of patients infected with non-ST131 isolates.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2018

Halophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from myeolchi-jeotgal (23% NaCl, w/v) fermented in jangdok (Korean earthenware) located outside a house. They were identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus by 16S rRNA and recA gene sequencing. Four T. halophilus isolates showing high protease activities were selected for further studies. Four strains grew well, reaching $OD_{600}$ values of 0.75-0.92 at 18% NaCl content (w/v) and 0.28-0.44 at 23% salt. They showed rapid growth, attaining $OD_{600}$ values of 1.1-1.2 at $20-30^{\circ}C$, but did not grow at $4^{\circ}C$. At $15^{\circ}C$, the highest $OD_{600}$ values, which exceeded 0.6, were observed at 20 days, and were higher than those of cultures at $37^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$ (approximately 0.5). Four isolates grew best in broth where the initial pH was adjusted to 8 and did not grow at $pH{\leq}4$. T. halophilus BS2-36 showed the highest survival ratio of 18.7% after 2 hours of exposure at pH 3. BS2-36 showed the highest survival ratio (1.29%) in presence of 0.3% bile salts. T. halophilus BS2-36 seems a promising candidate as a starter for jeotgal and other fermented foods with high salinities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2016

Objective: Pilates is a low/mid-intensity exercise that can be easily performed by elderly individuals as it is an individual body-oriented exercise. It is also a cardio workout that can be performed anywhere to develop strength and flexibility. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 8 week Pilates program on the balancing ability of elderly individuals. Method: The research participants were selected from elderly residents in B city. Ten individuals voluntarily signed an agreement to undergo free measurements as well as to participate in the workout program. (Height: $157.1{\pm}11.9cm$, Weight: $61.7{\pm}8.0kg$). The Pilates exercise was performed 60 minutes a day, three times a week for a total of eight weeks. The measurement variables used to test balance were the vestibular test, 5 m habitual and maximum walk test and 3 m tandem walk test. A series of paired t-test were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 to analyze all the research data collected in order to determine the balance ability of the participants before and after the Pilates program. Additionally, the statistically significant level for all analysis was set to ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: In the vestibular test, some meaningful changes were observed in the length envelope area (ENV) while standing on one foot, but there were no significant differences in the ENV, rectangle(REC), root mean square, and total length. Results also revealed that statistically significant differences existed in the 5 m habitual and maximum walk test, as well as the 3 m tandem walk test. Conclusion: To summarize the findings, the 8 week Pilates program employed in this study significantly improved the dynamic balance of the elderly participants. Thus, elderly individuals that frequent perform Pilates are expected to enjoy positive benefits such as increased balance and fewer falling accidents.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2007

Purpose : In spite of recent remarkable improvement of diagnostic imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, and PET and radiation therapy planing systems, ICR plan of uterine cervix cancer, based on recommendation of ICRU38(2D film-based) such as Point A, is still used widely. A 3-dimensional ICR plan based on CT image provides dose-volume histogram(DVH) information of the tumor and normal tissue. In this study, we compared tumor-dose, rectal-dose and bladder-dose through an analysis of DVH between CTV plan and ICRU38 plan based on CT image. Method and Material : We analyzed 11 patients with a cervix cancer who received the ICR of Ir-192 HDR. After 40Gy of external beam radiation therapy, ICR plan was established using PLATO(Nucletron) v.14.2 planing system. CT scan was done to all the patients using CT-simulator(Ultra Z, Philips). We contoured CTV, rectum and bladder on the CT image and established CTV plan which delivers the 100% dose to CTV and ICRU plan which delivers the 100% dose to the point A. Result : The volume$(average{\pm}SD)$ of CTV, rectum and bladder in all of 11 patients is $21.8{\pm}6.6cm^3,\;60.9{\pm}25.0cm^3,\;111.6{\pm}40.1cm^3$ respectively. The volume covered by 100% isodose curve is $126.7{\pm}18.9cm^3$ in ICRU plan and $98.2{\pm}74.5cm^3$ in CTV plan(p=0.0001), respectively. In (On) ICRU planning, $22.0cm^3$ of CTV volume was not covered by 100% isodose curve in one patient whose residual tumor size is greater than 4cm, while more than 100% dose was irradiated unnecessarily to the normal organ of $62.2{\pm}4.8cm^3$ other than the tumor in the remaining 10 patients with a residual tumor less than 4cm in size. Bladder dose recommended by ICRU 38 was $90.1{\pm}21.3%$ and $68.7{\pm}26.6%$ in ICRU plan and in CTV plan respectively(p=0.001) while rectal dose recommended by ICRU 38 was $86.4{\pm}18.3%$ and $76.9{\pm}15.6%$ in ICRU plan and in CTV plan, respectively(p=0.08). Bladder and rectum maximum dose was $137.2{\pm}50.1%,\;101.1{\pm}41.8%$ in ICRU plan and $107.6{\pm}47.9%,\;86.9{\pm}30.8%$ in CTV plan, respectively. Therefore, the radiation dose to normal organ was lower in CTV plan than in ICRU plan. But the normal tissue dose was remarkably higher than a recommended dose in CTV plan in one patient whose residual tumor size was greater than 4cm. The volume of rectum receiving more than 80% isodose (V80rec) was $1.8{\pm}2.4cm^3$ in ICRU plan and $0.7{\pm}1.0cm^3$ in CTV plan(p=0.02). The volume of bladder receiving more than 80% isodose(V80bla) was $12.2{\pm}8.9cm^3$ in ICRU plan and $3.5{\pm}4.1cm^3$ in CTV plan(p=0.005). According to these parameters, CTV plan could also save more normal tissue compared to ICRU38 plan. Conclusion : An unnecessary excessive radiation dose is irradiated to normal tissues within 100% isodose area in the traditional ICRU plan in case of a small size of cervix cancer, but if we use CTV plan based on CT image, the normal tissue dose could be reduced remarkably without a compromise of tumor dose. However, in a large tumor case, we need more research on an effective 3D-planing to reduce the normal tissue dose.