• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.149-160
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• 2024

Dextran is a glucose homo-polysaccharide with a predominantly α-1,6 glycosidic linkage of microbial source and is known to be produced primarily by lactic acid bacteria. However, it can also be obtained through the dextran dextrinase of acetic acid bacteria (Gluconobacter oxydans). The dextrin-based dextran was obtained from rice starch using G. oxydans fermentation of rice hydrolysate, and its properties were studied. Both dextrin- and rice hydrolysate-added media maintained the OD value of 6 after 20 h of incubation with acetic acid bacteria, and the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of the supernatant after 72 h of incubation confirmed that a polymeric material with DP of 480 and 405, which was different from the composition of the substrate in the medium, was produced. The glucose linkage pattern of the polysaccharide was confirmed using the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and the increased α-1,4:α-1,6 bond ratio from 0.23 and 0.13 to 1:2.37 and 1:4.4, respectively, indicating that the main bonds were converted to α-1,6 bonds. The treatment of dextrin with a rat-derived alpha-glucosidase digestive enzyme resulted in a slow release of glucose, suggesting that rice hydrolysate can be converted to dextran using acetic acid bacteria with glycosyltransferase activity to produce high-value bio-materials with slowly digestible properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1258-1273
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• 2021

Purpose The balloon-stent technique (BST) has certain strengths as an assisted technique for the treatment of complex aneurysms. After Atlas release, the BST can be executed without an exchange maneuver of the balloon to the stent-delivery catheter. The purpose of this article is to share our experience with the BST using the Scepter-Atlas combination. Materials and Methods Device inspection led us to a simple method to avoid failure in loading Atlas to the Scepter. From March 2018 to December 2019, 57 unruptured distal internal carotid artery (dICA) aneurysms were treated with coil embolization; among which, 25 aneurysms in 23 patients were treated with BST. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Results The technical success rate of the Scepter-Atlas combination increased from 50% to 100% after careful inspection. BST angiographic results were comparable to the stent-assisted coil (SAC) group treated during the immediately post-embolization same period (modified Raymond-Roy classification [MRRC] 1 & 2 84% in BST, 96.3% in SAC) and during short-term follow-up (MRRC 1 & 2 95.8% in BST, 88.4% in SAC). A small number of patients showed periprocedural complications, but none had clinical consequences. Conclusion BST using the Scepter-Atlas combination can provide an effective and safe method for the treatment of dICA aneurysms. Scepters can be used as delivery catheters for Atlas.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.128-139
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• 1998

Background: It is well known that various cytokines and growth factors secreted mainly from alveolar macrophages do the key role in the pathogenesis of IPF. But recently it has been known that structural cells like fibroblast can also release cytokines. So the phenotypic changes in fibroblasts of IPF may do a role in continuous progression of fibrosis. The aim of this study is to find out whether there is a change in the biologic properties of the lung fibroblasts of IPF. Subjects and Method: The study was done on 13 patients with IPF diagnosed by open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy and 7 control patients who underwent resectional surgery for lung cancer. Lung fibroblast cell lines (FB) were established by explant culture technique from the biopsy or resected specimen Result: Basal proliferation of the fibroblast of IPF(IFB) measured by BrdU uptake tended to be highter than control fibroblast(NFB) (0.212 0.107 vs $0.319{\pm}0.143$, p=0.0922), also there was no significant difference in proliferation after the stimulation with PDGF or 10% serum. On the contrary, the degree of inhibition in proliferation by PGE2 was significantly lower($33.0{\pm}13.1%$) in IFB than control($46.7{\pm}10.0%$, p=0.0429). The IFB secreted significantly higher amount of MCP-l($l574{\pm}1283$ pg/ml) spontaneously than NFB($243{\pm}100$ pg/ml) and also after the stimulation with TGF-$\beta$($3.23{\pm}1.31$ ng/ml vs $0.552{\pm}0.236$ ng/ml, p=0.0012). Similarly IL-8 and IL-6 seretion of IFB was significantly higher than NFB at basal state and with TGF-$beta$ stimulation. But after the maximal stimulation with IL-1,8, no significant difference in cytokine secretion was found between IFB and NFB. Conclusion : Above data suggest that the fibroblasts of IPF were phenotypically changed and these change may do a role in the pathogenesis of IPF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.3 s.151
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• pp.378-385
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• 2006

To release fashion trends in an efficient way, many of the apparel business and fashion educational institutes in land adopt fashion shows employing fashion models. Modeling rather than flat pattern making realizes the majority of the complicated design works for the fashion shows. However, for the different measurements between the dress form and the real human model, problems often occur during the modeling and fitting processes. Researches on the standard dress form development representing professional fashion models' features are therefore in urgent need to enable the related apparel business and fashion institutes to make appropriate use of the dress form in their jobs. The study has been conducted as a preliminary study using a questionnaire method ultimately to develop the female dress form. A questionnaire in the research aimed at an investigation into the actual conditions of and satisfaction with the usage and the body measurements of existed dress forms. Approximately 30 fashion-related educational institutes and 10 apparel companies responded to the survey. Data derived from the survey was analyzed using SPSS version 10.1, the statistics tool. The results throughout the research were discussed in terms of largely three categories that are; (1) the general conditions of the usage of the dress form to prepare fashion shows: e.g. the frequency of holding the fashion show in an annual term, the proportion of professional and amateur models employed for the fashion show, the methods to construct garments, types and number of dress forms utilized and etc.; (2) factors considered to purchase the dress form e.g. its functionality, shapes, sizes, duration, price, A/S condition and etc.; and(3) satisfaction with the similarity between the dress form and the human body in the relation to the body measurements. Measurements in length wise, front and back waist lengths, neck to bust point on the dress forms were apparently differed from the ones of the actual body. In particular, differed torso length measurements cause the problem to have to alter the whole silhouette, consequently, the resultant patterns as well. In girth measurements, in order of bust and waist girths, the satisfaction was low.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2017

'The worstest environment disaster', 'World's first biocide massacre', 'Home-based Sewol ferry disaster' are all phrases attached to the recent humidifier disinfectant disaster. In the spring of 2011, four of 8 pregnant women including 1 adult man passed away at a university hospital in Seoul due to breathing failure. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Korean CDC soon revealed the inhalation of humidifier disinfectant, which had been widely used in Korea during the winter, to be responsible for the disease. As well as lung fibrosis hardening of the lungs, other diseases including asthma, rhinitis, skin disease, liver disease, fetal disease or cancers have been researched for their relation with exposure to the products. By February 9, 2017, 5,342 cases had registered for health problems and 1,131 of them were already dead (20.8% mortality rate). Based on studies by government agencies and a telephone survey of the general population by Seoul National University and civic groups, around 20% of the general public of Korea has used these products. Since the market release of the first product by SK Chemical in 1994, over 7.1 million items from around 20 brands were sold up to 2011. Most of the products were manufactured by well-known large conglomerates such as SK, Lotte, Samsung, Shinsegye, LG, and GS, as well as some European companies including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser and TESCO, the German firm Henkel, the Danish firm KeTox, and an Irish company. Even though this disaster was unveiled in 2011 by the Korean government, the issue of the victims was neglected for over five years. In 2016, an unexpected but intensive investigation by prosecutors found that Reckitt Benckiser manipulated and concealed animal tests for its own brand and brought several university experts and company employees to court. The matter was an intense social issue in Korea from May to June with a surge in media coverage. The prosecutor's investigation and a nationwide boycott campaign organized by victims and environmental groups against Reckitt Benckiser, whose product had been used by more than 70% of victims, led to the producer's official apology and a compensation scheme. A legislative investigation organized after the April 2016 national election revealed the producers' faults and the government's responsibility, but failed to meet expectations. A special law for the victims passed the National Assembly in January 2017 and a punitive system together with a massive environmental epidemiology investigation are expected to be the only solutions for this tragedy. Sciences of medicine, toxicology and environmental health have provided decisive evidence so far, but for the remaining problems the perspectives of social sciences such as sociology and jurisprudence are highly necessary, similar to with the Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon events. It may not be easy to follow this issue using unfamiliar terminology from medical and chemical science and the long, complicated history of the event. For these reasons the author has attempted to write this article in a question and answer format to render it easier to follow. The 17 questions are: Q1 What is humidifier disinfectant? Q2 What kind of health problems are caused by humidifier disinfectant? Q3 How many victims are there? Q4 What is the analysis of the 1,112 cases of death? Q5 What is the problem with the government's diagnostic criteria and the solution? Q6 Who made what brands? Q7 Has there been a recall? What is still on sale? Q8 Was safety not checked by any producers? Q9 What are the government's responsibilities? Q10 Is it true that these products were sold only in Korea? Q11 Why and how was it unveiled only in 2011 after 17 years of sales? Q12 What delayed the resolution of the victim issue? Q13 What is the background of the prosecutor's investigation in early 2016? Q14 Is it possible to report new victim cases without evidence of product purchase? Q15 What is happening with the victim issue? Q16 How does it compare with the cases of Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon? Q17 Are there prevention measures and lessons?

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.257-258
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• 2004

The dose from radionuclides released from high-level radioactive waste (HLW) glasses as they corrode must be taken into account when assessing the performance of a disposal system. In the performance assessment (PA) calculations conducted for the proposed Yucca Mountain, Nevada, disposal system, the release of radionuclides is conservatively assumed to occur at the same rate the glass matrix dissolves. A simple model was developed to calculate the glass dissolution rate of HLW glasses in these PA calculations [1]. For the PA calculations that were conducted for Site Recommendation, it was necessary to identify ranges of parameter values that bounded the dissolution rates of the wide range of HLW glass compositions that will be disposed. The values and ranges of the model parameters for the pH and temperature dependencies were extracted from the results of SPFT, static leach tests, and Soxhlet tests available in the literature. Static leach tests were conducted with a range of glass compositions to measure values for the glass composition parameter. The glass dissolution rate depends on temperature, pH, and the compositions of the glass and solution, The dissolution rate is calculated using Eq. 1: $rate{\;}={\;}k_{o}10^{(ph){\eta})}{\cdot}e^{(-Ea/RT)}{\cdot}(1-Q/K){\;}+{\;}k_{long}$ where $k_{0},\;{\eta}$ and Eaare the parameters for glass composition, pH, $\eta$ and temperature dependence, respectively, and R is the gas constant. The term (1-Q/K) is the affinity term, where Q is the ion activity product of the solution and K is the pseudo-equilibrium constant for the glass. Values of the parameters $k_{0},\;{\eta}\;and\;E_{a}$ are the parameters for glass composition, pH, and temperature dependence, respectively, and R is the gas constant. The term (1-Q/C) is the affinity term, where Q is the ion activity product of the solution and K is the pseudo-equilibrium constant for the glass. Values of the parameters $k_0$, and Ea are determined under test conditions where the value of Q is maintained near zero, so that the value of the affinity term remains near 1. The dissolution rate under conditions in which the value of the affinity term is near 1 is referred to as the forward rate. This is the highest dissolution rate that can occur at a particular pH and temperature. The value of the parameter K is determined from experiments in which the value of the ion activity product approaches the value of K. This results in a decrease in the value of the affinity term and the dissolution rate. The highly dilute solutions required to measure the forward rate and extract values for $k_0$, $\eta$, and Ea can be maintained by conducting dynamic tests in which the test solution is removed from the reaction cell and replaced with fresh solution. In the single-pass flow-through (PFT) test method, this is done by continuously pumping the test solution through the reaction cell. Alternatively, static tests can be conducted with sufficient solution volume that the solution concentrations of dissolved glass components do not increase significantly during the test. Both the SPFT and static tests can ve conducted for a wide range of pH values and temperatures. Both static and SPFt tests have short-comings. the SPFT test requires analysis of several solutions (typically 6-10) at each of several flow rates to determine the glass dissolution rate at each pH and temperature. As will be shown, the rate measured in an SPFt test depends on the solution flow rate. The solutions in static tests will eventually become concentrated enough to affect the dissolution rate. In both the SPFt and static test methods. a compromise is required between the need to minimize the effects of dissolved components on the dissolution rate and the need to attain solution concentrations that are high enough to analyze. In the paper, we compare the results of static leach tests and SPFT tests conducted with simple 5-component glass to confirm the equivalence of SPFT tests and static tests conducted with pH buffer solutions. Tests were conducted over the range pH values that are most relevant for waste glass disssolution in a disposal system. The glass and temperature used in the tests were selected to allow direct comparison with SPFT tests conducted previously. The ability to measure parameter values with more than one test method and an understanding of how the rate measured in each test is affected by various test parameters provides added confidence to the measured values. The dissolution rate of a simple 5-component glass was measured at pH values of 6.2, 8.3, and 9.6 and $70^{\circ}C$ using static tests and single-pass flow-through (SPFT) tests. Similar rates were measured with the two methods. However, the measured rates are about 10X higher than the rates measured previously for a glass having the same composition using an SPFT test method. Differences are attributed to effects of the solution flow rate on the glass dissolution reate and how the specific surface area of crushed glass is estimated. This comparison indicates the need to standardize the SPFT test procedure.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2002

Since GnRH and its receptor genes are expressed in the ovary, it has been suggested that ovarian GnRH might be involved in the regulation of ovarian function and the apoptosis of ovarian cells. However, it was not known well on the expression and function of GnRH and its receptor in the corpus luteum. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether GnRH and its receptor are expressed in luteal cells and GnRH has any effect on the apoptosis of luteal cells. Luteal cells obtained from the pregnant rats were cultured and stained for GnRH and its receptor proteins. Cultured luteal cells showed distinct immunoreactivity against both anti-GnRH and anti-GnRH receptor antibodies. In addition, the presence of GnRH receptor protein in cultured cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. To investigate the effect of GnRH on the apoptosis of luteal cells, luteal cells were cultured in the presence of 10$^{-6}$ M GnRH-agonist(GnRH-Ag) for 3, 8, and 12h. TUNEL assay showed that the number of cells undergoing apoptosis increased 12h after culture(P<0.05). DNA fragmentation analysis confirmed the results such that the cells treated for 12h showed the greatest increase of fragmentation(p<0.05). Further, Western blot analysis of cytochrome c in the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic fractions of the luteal cells showed that GnRH-Ag treatment increased the content of cytochrome c in cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that the luteal cells express GnRH and its receptor and GnRH-Ag treatment induces apoptosis of the luteal cells via mitochondrial release of cytochrome c. The present study suggest that the releasing of cytochrome c from mitochondria might be involved in the luteal cell apoptosis induced by GnRH-Ag.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.278-286
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• 2010

Veterinary antibiotics have been used to treat disease and to promote growth of livestock. However, the total amount of veterinary antibiotics in Korea was much greater than other developed countries, and there is a high potential to release residual of antibiotics to environment. Consequentially, released antibiotics into the environment produces antibiotic resistant bacteria and causes adverse effects on human health. The objective of this research was to monitor antibiotic concentration in the environment adjacent to facilities which compose chicken manure. Total of 10 antibiotics were selected based on the total amount of higher usage in Korea, and its residuals were measured from surface water, soil and sediment. The frequencies of detected antibiotics were ranged 31-92% from soil, 0-93% from water, and 33-93% from sediment. Generally, a higher frequency was observed in soil or sediment than water. Different ranges in concentration among 4 different antibiotic groups was found from not detected(N.D.) to 35.6 ${\mu}g/kg$ for soil, N.D. to 19.2 ${\mu}g/L$ for water and N.D. to 114.3 ${\mu}g/kg$ for sediment. Our findings suggest that solid phase such as soil and sediment is a critical component to be needed to conduct the environmental impact assessment of antibiotics.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.103-117
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• 1982

In an effort to provide evidence as to the regulatory role of the central dopaminergic system on the renal function, the effects of centrally administered dopamine and its specific antagonist haloperidol were investigated. Haloperidol (HA) given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) induced antidiuresis in doses of 15 and $50{\mu}g/kg$. With $15{\mu}g/kg$ sodium reabsorption in the tubules was increased, while with $50{\mu}g/kg$ free-water reabsorption was increased. However, a marked diuresis with increased sodium and potassium was observed with $150{\mu}g/kg$. Hemodynamic changes were not evident, indicating that the diuresis is of tubular origin. Dopamine (DA), on the other hand, produced antidiuresis when given i.c.v. in a dose-related fashion. With smaller doses of 5 and $15{\mu}g/kg$ the antidiuresis was related to increased reabsorption of sodium in the tubules, but higher doses of 50 and $150{\mu}g/kg$ the decreases in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were evident in addition to the tubular action. After pretreatment with $150{\mu}g/kg$ HA, the effects of $15{\mu}g/kg$ DA was abolished, but the antidiuretic actions of 50 and $150{\mu}g/kg$ were not blocked, and the natriuretic diuretic action of HA was overcome and became inconspicuous. These observations indicate that the central dopaminergic system influences the renal function by producing antidiuresis, and HA elicits diuresis and natriuresis by competitively antagonizing DA specifically on the central dopaminegic receptors. The antidiuresis observed with smaller doses of HA can be best explained by the facts that there are more than two types of DA-receptors in the brain and that the presynaptic autoreceptors on the dopaminergic neurones which affect the dopamine release at the synapse are more sensitive than the postsynaptic receptors. Overall, these data provide an evidence indicating that the central dopaminergic system plays a role in the regulation of renal function in the rabbit.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2016

The enzymatic degradation of xylans is the most versatile way to obtain the high value-added functional compounds or the fermentable sugars for renewable energy. The endo-${\beta}$-xylanases are the major enzymes which hydrolyze the internal ${\beta}$-1,4-linkages of xylan backbones to produce the mixtures of xylooligosaccharides including xylobiose and xylotriose. Among them, glucuronoxylanase GH30 can exclusively hydrolyze the internal ${\beta}$-1,4-linkages of xylans decorated with methylglucuronic acid branches. In the present study, two xylanolytic enzyme (PaXN_10 and PaGuXN_30) genes were cloned from Paenibacillus amylolyticus KCTC 3005, and expressed in Escherichia coli, respectively. PaXN_10 (38.7 kDa) belongs to the endo-${\beta}$-xylanases GH10 family, while PaGuXN_30 (58.5 kDa) is a member of glucuronoxylanase GH30. They share the same optimal reaction conditions at $50^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. Enzymatic characterization proposed that P. amylolyticus can utilize the hardwood glucuronoarabinoxylans via the cooperative actions of xylanases GH10 and GH30. The extracellular PaGuXN_30 is secreted into the medium and hydrolyzes glucuronoarabinoxylans to release a series of aldouronic acid mixtures with a methylglucuronic acid branch. The resultant products being transported into the microbial cell are successively degraded into the smaller xylooligosaccharides by the intracellular PaXN_10, which will be utilized for the cellular metabolism.