• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.222-230
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate water quality in terms of microorganisms and identify the antibiotic resistance of Enterococci isolated from the recycling water in floor fountains at three parks and one reservoir in the Gwangju area. Methods: Water samples were analyzed for Enterococci using membrane Enterococcus indoxyl ${\beta}$ d glucoside agar (mEI) as described in USEPA Method 1600. The vancomycin-resistant Enterococci with VanA and VanB were identified by PCR. An examination of the antibiotic resistance of isolates against 14 antibiotics was performed by the disk diffusion method. Results: The drinking water quality criterion was exceeded for total colony counts in 68% of all recycling water samples. The average concentration of total califorms and fecal coliforms was 139,325 and 413 CFU/100 mL, respectively. VanA and VanB were not detected from the isolates. We found the antibiotic resistant Enterococci strains to be E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. mundtii, E. hirae, and E. thailandicus. The isolates were resistant to Rifampin (50%), Erythromycin (25.8%), Tetracycline (10.2%), Nitrofurantoin (8.1%), Minocycline (3.1%), Erythromycin (1.2%), Penicillin (0.7%), Norfloxacin (0.5%), and Teicoplanin (0.5%) among the 14 antibiotics tested. Antibiotic resistance tests for Enterococci from the recycling water of floor fountains resulted in 30.2% showing resistance to two or more antibiotics. Conclusions: These results showed that the multi-antibiotic resistance of Enterococci, E. coli, and others should be investigated continuously in each environment field.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2012

This work was carried out to investigate the performance of growing period of two-way crossed of Korean native chickens parental stocks. A total of four hundred eighty female 2-crossbred chicks were used in this study and they were from National Institute of Animal Science. Groups were four crossbreds (4 replications/crossbred, 30 birds/replication) as A) C strain ${\times}$ Y strain, B) C strain ${\times}$ L strain, C) C strain ${\times}$ G strain and D) C strain ${\times}$ W strain. Body weight of A crossbred was the highest at the age of 8 week (P<0.05) and that of D strain was the lowest for growing period (P<0.05). Body weights of A and B crossbreds were higher than those of C and D crossbreds at the 12 and 16 weeks (P<0.05). Weekly body weights of A and B crossbreds were higher than C and D crossbreds (P<0.05), and weekly body weight of B crossbred was higher compared to other crossbreds at 0~20 weeks old. Weekly feed intake of D crossbred was the lowest among all crossbreds at 0~12, 0~16 and 0~20 weeks old (P<0.05). Weekly feed conversion ratio of C crossbred was the highest among crossbreds (P<0.05). These results can give the basic information for growth related data in 2-way crossbreed Korean Native Chickens, which can be used for the parental stocks for the laying-type of Korean native commercial chickens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1256-1261
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• 2017

${\beta}$-glucan is a constituent of the cell wall of fungi, yeast and plants. It plays an important role in the immune system such as activation of immunocyte, release of pro-inflammatory and anti-cancer effect. The immune system maintains a healthy immune homeostasis. However, when pathogenic substances enter the body, immune homeostasis can break down and disease can be triggered. Therefore, we studied a substance that regulates immune homeostasis. The purpose of the study we demonstrated whether the ${\beta}$-glucan can be applied to the immune-modulation effects in human monocytic THP-1 cells. ${\beta}$-glucan was incubated in THP-1 cells at various concentrations. The $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels were analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR. Additionally, the expression of MAPKs (p38 and JNK), $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 were analyzed by western blot. ${\beta}$-glucan enhanced the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression and protein levels in human monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 induced by ${\beta}$-glucan were increased. The study suggests that ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to immune-stimulation effect by production $TNF-{\alpha}$ in human monocytic THP-1 cells, and that MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 are involved in the process. Synthetically, we have suggested ${\beta}$-glucan may be improved to immune system effect in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was first to analyze the utilization of dental examination through questionnaire to develop a diagnostic reference level of patient doses for dental radiography in korea. 77 dental institutions were classified into three groups: A group for the dental hospitals of the college of dentistry (11 institutions), B group for dental hospitals (30 institutions) and C group for dental clinics (36 institutions). The results were as follows : The mean numbers of unit chairs and medical staffs were 140.2, 15.3 and 5.8 sets, 112.6, 7.3 and 1.7 dentists, 3.1, 0.5 and no one radiologic technologists, and 19.7, 12.5 and 3.3 dental hygienists in A, B and C groups, respectively. The mean numbers of dental X-ray equipments were 14.64, 3.21 and 2.19 in A, B and C groups, respectively. Intraoral dental X-ray unit was used the most, the following equipments were panoramic, cephalometric, and cone-beam CT units. The most used X-ray imaging system was also digital system (above 50%) in all three groups. Insight dental film (Kodak, USA) having high sensitivity was routinely used for periapical radiography. The automatic processor was not used in many dental institutions, but the film-holding device was used in many dental institutions. The utilization rates of PACS in A, B and C groups were 90.9%, 83.3% and 16.7% respectively, and the PACS software program was used the most PiView STAR (Infinitt, Korea). The annual mean number of radiographic cases in one dental institution in 2008 for A group was 6.8 times and 21.2 times more than those for B and C groups, and periapical and panoramic radiographs were taken mostly. Tube voltage (kVp) and tube current (mA) for periapical radiography were similar in all three groups, but exposure time in C group was 12.0 times and 3.5 times longer than those in B and C groups. The amount of radiation exposure in C group, in which dental hygienists take dental radiographs, was more than those in other groups. The exposure parameters for panoramic radiography were similar in all three groups. In conclusion, the exposure parameters in dental radiography should be determined with reference level, not past experiences. Use of automatic processor and film-holding devices reduces the radiation exposure in film system. The quality assurance of dental equipments are necessary for the reduction of the patient dose and the improvement of X-ray image quality.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the levels of customer orientation in nurses whose work experience was between 1 and 5 years and to examine factors associated with customer orientation and nursing productivity. Methods: For this descriptive correlational study, nurses (N=164) were recruited from a University Hospital in B city, from November 1 to 23, 2012. Questionnaires included measures of customer orientation, nursing productivity, organizational commitment, job stress, and turnover intention. Data were analysed with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The mean age of participants was 25 years, 96% were single, and 54.9% had a bachelor degree. Organizational commitment (${\beta}$=.387) and job stress (${\beta}$=.280) significantly explained the variance in customer orientation ($R^2$=15.8). Customer orientation (${\beta}$=.479), education level (${\beta}$=.196), and turnover intention (${\beta}$=-.184) significantly explained the variance in nursing productivity ($R^2$=35.3). Customer orientation was the most important factor in explaining the variance in the nursing productivity. Conclusion: This study highlighted the relationship between customer orientation and nursing productivity. Improving the customer orientation could result in increasing nursing productivity. Future managerial intervention to improve customer orientation is warranted.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1191-1198
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• 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of the top of a low intake of root, through the analysis of the antioxidant activity of the powder of hydroponic-cultured ginseng. Quality characteristics and antioxidant activity were compared and analyzed with Korea's traditional dessert Gaeseong-Juak, which is made of the powder of hydroponic-cultured ginseng's leaf by adjusting the added volume. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the hydroponic-cultured ginseng by the part powder was in the following order: highly stem, leaf and root. It was measured as 67.9%, 42.9%, and 25.9% at the 1 mg/m level. Gaeseong-Juak was prepared by adding hydroponic-cultured ginseng leaf powder at 0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9% of the rice powder. As the content of hydroponic-cultured ginseng leaf powder increased, moisture content, L-value, and a-value were significantly decreased, while the b-value was significantly increased. The texture profile analysis of Gaeseong-Juak was not significantly different among the samples. In the sensory test, the sample containing 0.6% hydroponic-cultured ginseng leaf powder achieved good scores. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of Gaeseong-Juak was significantly increased, as the addition level increased, compared to the original. Based on the above results, hydroponic-cultured ginseng leaf was verified to be a possible natural antioxidant. It can increase food's nutritional values and possibilities when made of hydroponic-cultured ginseng, using leaf which is added to the traditional dessert Gaeseong-Juak.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2017

In this study, to investigate of safety for Benzo(a)pyrene in medicinal herb, 8 kinds of selected commercial herbal medicines (Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Amomi Tsao-Ko Fructus, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Magnoliae Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Scrophulariae Radix) were analysed using the high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and assessed the health risk. The levels of benzo(a)pyrene were from non-detection to $28.1{\mu}g/kg$, and the average was $3.6{\mu}g/kg$. Based on a nationwide survey of the consumption of medicinal herb by the Korean population, we estimated the potential risk from the ingestion of benzo(a)pyrene. The estimated daily intake of benzo(a)pyrene was 1.6 ng/kg b.w./day for group only know the daily average intake of medicinal herb. The MOE (margin of exposure) of benzo(a)pyrene for estimate of health risk was $1.93{\times}10^5$. Therefore, health risk from benzo(a)pyrene through intake of herbal medicine was considered negligible.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

A cDNA encoding a defensin-like peptide (Protaetiamycine) from the larvae of a beetle, Protaetia brevitarsis was cloned. The DNAs encoded the deduced propeptide of 79 amino acid residues with the predicted molecular weight of 8.4 kDa and PI of 8.24. Overall amino acid sequence of this protein has 39% similarity to that of Rhodnius prolixus defensin, 43% similarity to that of Acalolepta luxuriosa defensin, and 72% similarity to that of Oryctes rhinoceros defensin, suggesting that this gene is an insect defensin. In an attempt to apply the anti-bacterial peptide to the development of therapeutic agents, a 12-mer peptide amidated at its C-terminus, ACAAHCLAIGRG-$NH_2$ (Ala55-Lys66-$NH_2$, 12Pbn) was synthesized. This peptide showed some antifungal activity against Candida albicans. To increase antifungal activity, six 9-mer peptides were synthesized by modifying amino acid sequences of 12Pbn fragment. Among these peptides, 9Pbm3-9Pbm6 exhibited strong activity compared with Cecropin B and mellitin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1527-1532
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• 2016

Strain SPF4211, having hyaluronidase (HAase) inhibition activity, was isolated from P. davidiana (Carriere) Franch fruit (PrDF) sugar extract. The phenotypic and biochemical properties based on 16S rDNA sequencing and an API 50 CHB kit suggested that the organism was B. subtilis. To optimize the HAase inhibition activity of PrDF extract by fermentation of strain SPF4211, a central composite design (CCD) was introduced based on three variables: concentration of PrDF extract (X₁: 1-5%), amount of starter culture (X₂: 1-5%), and fermentation time (X₃: 0-7 days). The experimental data were fitted with quadratic regression equations, and the accuracy of the equations was analyzed by ANOVA. The statistical model predicted the highest HAase inhibition activity of 37.936% under the optimal conditions of X₁ = 1%, X₂ = 2.53%, and X₃ = 7 days. The optimized conditions were validated by observation of an actual HAase inhibition activity of 38.367% from extract of PrDF fermented by SPF4211. These results agree well with the predicted model value.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.912-919
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• 2020

Hardy kiwifruits (Actinidia arguta Planch.) have high amounts of antioxidants, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and phenolics. The anti-cholinesterase activity and neuroprotective effects of three different cultivars of hardy kiwifruits, cv. Mansu (A. arguta × A. deliciosa), cv. Haeyeon (A. arguta), and cv. Chiak (A. arguta), on PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated. Extraction of phenolics and vitamin C was carried out using 80% (v/v) aqueous ethanol and metaphosphoric acid assisted with homogenization, respectively. Hardy kiwifruit of cv. Mansu showed higher total phenolic, total flavonoid, and vitamin C contents and antioxidant capacity compared to the other two cultivars of hardy kiwifruits, cv. Haeyeon and cv. Chiak. Analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography results revealed the presence of procyanidin B2, (-)-epicatechin, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, and astragalin in hardy kiwifruits. The three cultivars of hardy kiwifruits had a wide range of vitamin C content of 55.2-130.0 mg/100 g fresh weight. All three cultivars of hardy kiwifruits had protective effects on neuronal PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide by increasing cell viability and reducing intracellular oxidative stress. Furthermore, the hardy kiwifruits inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Collectively, these results suggest that hardy kiwifruits rich in antioxidants like phenolics and vitamin C have good potential as functional materials in neuroprotective applications.