• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.129-136
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• 2014

This study aims to investigate the effect of frequency of using forest environment on workers' stress. Workers in medical and counseling industry, which is recently known to require heavy emotional burden and thus cause a lot of stress and burnout syndrome, participated in the study. We classified 370 subjects, who were working at medical and counseling service institutions in Seoul metropolitan area, into two groups according to frequency of using forest environment by conducting a screening survey. 69 subjects submitted written consent and were recruited for either forest therapy program or control-group test; the "high" group (n=27) at the high frequency of using forest environment and the "low" group (n=42) at the low level. We measured the level of stress by using psychosocial indicators such as Worker's Stress Response Inventory (WSRI), Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and biological ones such as heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol, and Natural Killer cell (NK cell). The results suggested that the level of stress differed by frequency. The "high" group showed significantly low scores in the depression and work sub-scale and the total score of WSRI, emotional exhaustion, professional efficacy and total score of MBI-GS, and high scores in the total score of REQ. Similar tendencies were observed in the most of other indicators of psychosocial measures. Regarding the biological indicators, the "high" group showed the highest SDNN, RMSSD and TP measures of HRV and NK Cell activity and the low cortisol, although the statistical power did not reach the significant level. Our results suggest that the subjects who use forest environment frequently show favorable stress level both psychologically and biologically.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) allows for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies. The main advantages of this assay are its low cost, speed, and automation, allowing for large-scale application. However, despite these advantages, it is not a routine method for prenatal aneuploidy screening in Korea. Our objective in the present study was to validate the performance of QF-PCR using short tandem repeat (STR) markers in a Korean population as a means for rapid prenatal diagnosis. Material and Methods: A QF-PCR assay using an Elucigene kit (Gen-Probe, Abingdon, UK), containing 20 STR markers located on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was performed on 847 amniotic fluid (AF) samples for prenatal aneuploidy screening referred for prenatal aneuploidy screening from 2007 to 2009. The results were then compared to those obtained using conventional cytogenetic analysis. To evaluate the informativity of STR markers, the heterozygosity index of each marker was determined in all the samples. Results: Three autosomes (13, 18, and 21) and X and Y chromosome aneuploidies were detected in 19 cases (2.2%, 19/847) after QF-PCR analysis of the 847 AF samples. Their results are identical to those of conventional cytogenetic analysis, with 100% positive predictive value. However, after cytogenetic analysis, 7 cases (0.8%, 7/847) were found to have 5 balanced and 2 unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities that were not detected by QF-PCR. The STR markers had a slightly low heterozygosity index (average: 0.76) compared to those reported in Caucasians (average: 0.80). Submicroscopic duplication of D13S634 marker, which might be a unique finding in Koreans, was detected in 1.4% (12/847) of the samples in the present study. Conclusion: A QF-PCR assay for prenatal aneuploidy screening was validated in our institution and proved to be efficient and reliable. However, we suggest that each laboratory must perform an independent validation test for each STR marker in order to develop interpretation guidelines of the results and must integrate QF-PCR into the routine cytogenetic laboratory workflow.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.120-130
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• 1999

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of double-phase Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with hyper-parathyroidism. We also evaluated the relationship between Tc-99m MIBI uptake and oxyphil cell contents in parathyroid glands. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 28 parathyroid glands of 10 patients who underwent Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy and parathyroidectomy for clinically suspected hyper-parathyroidism. Early and delayed pinhole images were obtained at 15 minutes and 2 hours after injection of Tc-99m MIBI, and SPECT images were followed. The weight and oxyphil cell contents of parathyroid tissue were obtained from pathologic specimen, and the scintigraphic findings were compared with histopathology. Results: In surgical histopathology, 6 parathyroid adenomas and 9 parathyroid hyperplasias were confirmed. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of early and delayed images were 46.7% (7/15), 76.9% (10/13), 70% (7/10) and 66.7% (10/15), 92.3% (12/13), 90.9% (10/11), respectively. SPECT image detected an additional small hyperplasia.. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of combined interpretation of early and delayed images with SPECT were 73.3% (11/15), 100% (13/13), 100% (11/11). The sensitivity was 100% (6/6) for adenoma, whereas that was 55.5% (5/9) for hyperplasia. Both adenomas and hyperplasias showed significantly increased oxyphil cell contents compared with normal parathyroid glands (p<0.0001), but the oxyphil cell content and weight were not significantly different between adenomas and hyperplasias. Conclusion: Double-phase Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy with SPECT is useful for lesion localization in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Although both adenoma and hyperplasia have increased oxyphil cell content, the sensitivity is high in adenoma, but low in hyperplasia.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2016

This experiment was conducted to identify the variations in inorganic nutrients and plant growth in millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) due to soil salinity. The soil series was Munpo and soil texture was silt loam. The experimental soil was amended so that the soil had salinities of $0.8dS\;m^{-1}$, $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$ and $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$. Millet was transplanted 15 days after sowing. As soil salinity increased, the degree of reduced growth was in the order of seed production > root dry matter > plant dry matter > culm length > tiller number > stem thickness > Panicle length. Seed production was decreased to 18.9% in soil salinity of $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, 36.9% in of $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$, and 50.7% in EC of $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$. Root dry matter decreased to 35.8% in EC of $3.2dS\;m^{-1}$, and to 40.5% in EC of $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$. As soil salinity increased, Total nitrogen content increased in all aboveground parts, roots and seeds. However, There was no difference in CaO, $P_2O_5$, $K_2O$ and, MgO in soils of different salinity. On the other hand, $Na_2O$ content was higher in the order roots> shoots> seed, and in the case of roots, $Na_2O$ content increased to 1.02% in soil salinity of $4.8dS\;m^{-1}$. However, up to soil salinity of $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, the $Na_2O$ content of the seed was similar to that in plant grown in the Control conditions($0.8dS\;m^{-1}$). In conclusion, taking into consideration economic factors, millet could be cultivated in soil with salinities of up to approximately $1.6dS\;m^{-1}$, and seed produced from reclaimedland would be suitable for human consumption.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2010

This study was carried out to compare the physicochemical characteristics of Korean traditional wine fermented from proso millet and nuruk at different mixing rate. The alcohol contents of the fermented wine ranged from 12.36 to 13.21%. Two kinds of nuruk, SH and BS nuruks were used. The brix degrees of proso millet wine fermented by SH and BS nuruks were 21.6 and 22.4 $^{\circ}Bx$, respectively. The pH, total acidity, and turbidity the wines fermented by SH and BS nuruks were 3.74 and 3.40, 1.40 and 1.51%, and 0.441 and 0.149, respectively. With increasing the addition amount of proso millet, brix degree, pH, turbidity L-value decreased, and total acidity and avalue increased. Total color difference (${\Delta}Eab$) parameter of the wine fermented by SH nuruk were 4.33, 6.63 and 26.13, and by BS nuruk were 4.08, 5.29 and 10.59 in 30, 70 and 100% addition rates of proso millet. With increasing the addition amount of proso millet, glucose content decreased. The organic acids such as lactic acid and acetic acid were predominantly detected in the fermented wine. Finally, based on sensory evaluations, the wine fermented by SH nuruk showed the best overall quality at 30% addition rate of proso millet.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2010

To develop the safe and natural antimicrobial agents, the 68 ethanol extracts from the 61 different kinds of oriental herbal medicine were prepared and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The herbal medicine used were from China (46 kinds), South Korea (14 kinds), North Korea (5 kinds) and Vietnam (3 kinds), respectively, and the root (27 species) was popular part in this study. The average water content and extraction ratio for ethanol were 7.10% and 6.75%, respectively. Determination of antimicrobial activity by disc-diffusion assay at 0.5 mg/disc concentration showed that the extract of Angelica tenuissima Nakai (china), Illicium verum, Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Syzygium aromaticum has strong antimicrobial activities against different food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Determination of MIC and MBC/MFC further showed that the extract of Syzygium aromaticum has MIC of 1.25 mg/mL and MBC/MFC of 1.25~5.00 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. And, the extract of Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge showed strong antibacterial activities with MIC of 0.08~0.63 mg/mL and MBC/MFC of 0.08~2.50 mg/mL against the tested bacteria except E. coli and P. aeruginosa. In a while, the results of hemolytic activity of 68 different herbal extracts against human red blood cells showed that the extract of Angelica tenuissima Nakai has hemolytic activity at 0.5 mg/mL concentration. Therefore, Illicium verum, Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Syzygium aromaticum were finally selected for natural antimicrobial resources. Further research on active substances and the mode of action of the selected herbal medicine is necessary.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2014

Methane oxidation and the production potentials of ground soil (soil A) and garden soil (soil B, C, & D) in an urban school were evaluated, and the methanotrophic and methanogen communities in the soil samples were quantified using quantitative realtime PCR. The methanotrophic community in the raw soil A sample possessed a $6.1{\times}10^3$ gene copy number/g dry weight soil, whereas those in the raw soils B~D samples were $1.6-1.9{\times}10^5$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil. Serum bottles added with the soil samples were enriched with methane gas, and then evaluated for their methane oxidation potential. The soil A sample had a longer induction phase for methane oxidation than the other soils. However, soil A showed a similar methane oxidation potential with soils B~D after the induction phase. The methanotrophic community in the enriched soil A sample was increased by up to $2.3{\times}10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil, which had no significantly difference compared with those in soils B~D ($1.2-2.8{\times}10^8$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). Methane production showed a similar tendency to methane oxidation. The methanogens community in raw soil A ($1.7{\times}10^5$ gene copy number/g dry weight soil) was much less than those in raw soils B~D ($1.3-3.4{\times}10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). However, after methane gas was produced by adding starch to the soils, soil samples A~D showed $10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil in methanogens communities. The results indicate that methanotrophic and methanogenic bacteria have coexisted in this urban school's soils. Moreover, under appropriate conditions for methane oxidation and production, methanotrophic bacteria and methanogens are increased and they have the potential for methane oxidation and production.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The main purpose of this study is to accumulate the fundamental data representing groundwater of plastic film houses by means of water quality and its multivariate statistical analysis. Groundwater samples were collected in every two years since 2000 to 2004 from total 211 sites. According to the result of water quality analysis, ground water quality was suitable for irrigation purpose averagely. Correlation analysis showed that EC was highest positively correlated with $Mg^{2+}$ to 0.810(p<0.01), 0.776(p<0.01) in April and July, respectively. $NO_3-N$ was highest positively correlated with T-N to 0.794(p<0.01) in October. This result shows that it can lead to a different result even in similar case sometimes. Four factors were extracted through factor analysis in April and July, but five factors were extracted in October. The proportions of cumulative variance by the factor were 64.9, 60.2, and 70.7 in April, July, and October, respectively. The first factor was highly related to anions and cations such as $Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Cl^-,\;{SO_4}^{2-}$, and EC in contrast to that of stream water. According to the cluster analysis, 211 sites are classified into four groups. Common type of ground water quality was shown in group A. The pH and $PO_4-P$ were highest in Group B. The anions and cations were highest in Group C. $COD_{Cr}$ was highest in Group D.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2006

Three different experiments were undertaken to investigate the runoff and erosion loss of diazinon and metolachlor from sloped-field by rainfall. The mobility of two pesticides and which phase they were transported by were examined in adsorption study, the influence of rainfall pattern and slope degree on the pesticide losses were evaluated in simulated rainfall study, and the pesticide losses from soybean field comparing with bare soil were measured in field lysimeter study. Freundlich adsorption parameter (K) ranged $1.6{\sim}2.0$ for metolachlor and $4.0{\sim}5.5$ for diazinon. The K values of pesticides by the desorption method were higher than those ones by the adsorption method. Another parameter (1/n) in Freundlich equation for the pesticides tested ranged $0.96{\sim}1.02$ by desorption method and $0.87{\sim}1.02$ by adsorption method. By the SSLRC's classification for pesticide mobility of diazinon and metolachlor were classified as moderately mobile ($75{\leq}Koc$ <500). Runoff and erosion losses of pesticides by three rainfall scenarios were $0.5{\sim}1.0%$ and $0.1{\sim}0.7%$ for metolachlor and $0.1{\sim}0.6%$ and $0.1{\sim}0.2%$ for diazinon. Distribution of pesticides in soil polite were investigated after the simulated rainfall events. Metolachlor was leached to $10{\sim}15$ cm soil layer and diazinon was leached to $5{\sim}10$ cm soil layer. Losses of each pesticide in the 30% of sloping degree treatment were $0.2{\sim}1.9$ times higher than those ones in the 10% of sloping degree treatment. Pesticide losses from a series of lysimeter plots in sloped land by rainfall ranged $1.0{\sim}3.1%$ for metolachlor and $0.23{\sim}0.50%$ for diazinon, and were $1/3{\sim}2.5$ times to the ones in the simulated rainfall study. The erosion rates of pesticides from soybean-plots were $21{\sim}75%$ lower than the ones from bare soil plots. The peak runoff concentration in soybean-plots and bare soil plots were $1{\sim}9{\mu}gL^{-1}$ and $3{\sim}16{\mu}gL^{-1}$ for diazinon, $7{\sim}31{\mu}gL^{-1}$ and $5{\sim}40{\mu}gL^{-1}$ for metolachlor, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.290-300
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• 2014

In this study, cross-laminated woods were made with spruce wood and the effects of annual ring angles of perpendicular direction laminae on static bending strength performance were investigated. Static bending strength performances of parallel laminated woods with all layers composed of laminae perpendicular to the grain ($P_{\bot}$ type) were in the order of $90^{\circ}$ > $0^{\circ}$ > $45^{\circ}$. The MOE and MOR for the $45^{\circ}$ annual ring angle were 0.0989 GPa and 3.25 MPa, and it showed the lowest values. By placing longitudinal-direction laminae in the core of $P_{\bot}$ type, the strength performances were markedly improved. In the case of cross-laminated woods with perpendicular-direction laminae in the faces ($C_{\bot}$ type), the bending strength performances were in the order of $90^{\circ}$ > $0^{\circ}$ > $45^{\circ}$, but the differences among annual ring angles were less than those of the parallel-laminated woods. In the case of cross-laminated woods with perpendicular-direction laminae in the core ($C_{\parallel}$ type), the bending strength performances were in the order of $45^{\circ}$ > $90^{\circ}$ > $0^{\circ}$ unlike $P_{\bot}$ type and $C_{\bot}$ type. The MOE and MOR for the $45^{\circ}$ annual ring angle were 12.0 GPa and 55.8 MPa, and it showed the highest values.