• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.275-279
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• 2014

A 13-year-old girl, who had undergone the total correction of partial atrioventricular septal defect at the age of 4 years, was admitted with severe tricuspid regurgitation in echocardiography. She had received one-and-a-half ventricle repair during follow-up. Her right ventricle showed global akinesia, and the ejection fraction of the left ventricle was 25% with paradoxical interventricular septal motion. We performed right ventricular exclusion adjunct to the Fontan procedure. She is doing well two years after the operation without complications.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2021

Purpose: Data on the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) in infants is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring in infants who have experienced BRUE. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of infants who were hospitalized on account of BRUE and required 24-hour MII-pH monitoring. Results: Twenty-one infants (mean age, 4.7 months; range, 0.9-8.9 months; male/female, 11/10) participated in this study. BRUE symptoms associated with GER were found in 10 infants (47.6%). Based on the RI on pH-metry alone, only 7 (33.3%) infants were diagnosed with GERD. More than 100 GER episodes detected by MII were found in 10 (47.6%) infants. Nineteen percent of infants were diagnosed with GERD based on both pH and MII. Conclusion: Both acid and non-acid reflux seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of GER-related BRUE in infants.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2022

The escape behavior of prey fish to predator attack is directly linked to the survival of the fish. In this study, I explored the escape behavior of Medaka fish to bird attacks. To simulate the attack, I designed a model triangular-shaped bird to slide along a fishing line connected between rods at both ends of the tank. The triangular shape was set to 10×15 (S=1), 15×20 (S=2), and 20×25 cm (S=3) with base×height. The slope (θ) of the fishing line, which determines the attack speed of the model bird, was set to values of 15° (θ=1), 30° (θ=2), and 45° (θ=3). The escape behavior was characterized using five variables: escape speed (ν), escape acceleration (α), responsiveness (γ), branch length similarity entropy (ε), and alignment (ϕ). The experimental results showed when (S, θ)=(fixed, varied), the change in values of the five variables were not significant. Thus, the fish respond more sensitively to S than to θ In contrast, when (S, θ)=(varied, fixed), ν, α, and γ showed increasing trends but ε and ϕ did not change much. This indicates the nature of fish escape behavior irrespective of the threat is inherent in ε and ϕ. I found that fish escape behavior can be divided into two types for the five physical quantities. In particular, the analysis showed that the type was mainly determined by the size of the model bird.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2005

Both high glucose and glucose degradation products (GDP) have been implicated in alterations of peritoneal membrane structure and function during long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The present study examined the role of GDP including methylglyoxal (MGO), acetaldehyde, and 3,4-dideoxyglucosone (3,4-DGE) in HPMC activation with respect to membrane hyperpermeability or fibrosis. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in GDP-induced HPMC activation were also examined. Using M199 culture medium as control, growth arrested and synchronized HPMC were continuously stimulated by MGO, acetaldehyde, and 3,4-DGE for 48 hours. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantified as a marker of peritoneal membrane hyperpermeability and fibronectin and heat shock protein 47 (hsp47) as markers of fibrosis. Involvement of ROS and PKC was examined by the inhibitory effect of N-acetylcystein (NAC) or calphostin C, respectively. MGO significantly increased VEGF (1.9-fold), fibronectin (1.5-fold), and hsp47 (1.3-fold) secretion compared with control M199. NAC and calphostin C effectively inhibited MGO-induced VEGF upregulation. Acetaldehyde stimulated and 3,4-DGE inhibited VEGF secretion. Fibronectin secretion and hsp47 expression in HPMC were not affected by acetaldehyde or 3,4-DGE In conclusion, MGO upregulated VEGF and fibronectin secretion and hsp47 expression in HPMC, and PKC as well as ROS mediate MGO-induced VEGF secretion by HPMC. This implies that PKC activation and ROS generation by GDP may constitute important signals for activation of HPMC leading to progressive membrane hyperpermeability and accumulation of extracellular matrix and eventual peritoneal fibrosis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2001

A total of 238 accessions of peppers (Capsicum spp.) were evaluated for resistance to powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn) in 1998-1999. KC604, 605, 606 and 608 of C. baccatum, KC616 of C. chinense, and KC638, 640, 641, 642, 643 and 644 of C. pubescens were highly resistant and remained disease-free. KC47-1 (PI244670), KC319-1, KC545, KC320 showed only mild infection compared with susceptible control group, 'Chungok' and others. Therefore, they were considered moderately resistant. Among them, KC47-1, KC319-1 and KC320 are sources of resistance to gray leaf spot caused by Stemphylium spp. while KC47-1 is also resistant to bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Doidge) Dye). Therefore, they may be used in breeding for multiple resistance to those diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.47.1-47.13
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• 2020

Tetracyclines, which have long been used as broad-spectrum antibiotics, also exhibit a variety of nonantibiotic activities including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Tetracyclines bind to the 30S ribosome of the bacteria and inhibit protein synthesis. Unlike antimicrobial activity, the primary molecular target for the nonantibiotic activity of tetracycline remains to be clarified. Nonetheless, the therapeutic efficacies of tetracyclines, particularly minocycline and doxycycline, have been demonstrated in various animal models of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. In this study, we summarized the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of tetracyclines, focusing on the mechanisms underlying these activities. In addition, we highlighted the on-going or completed clinical trials with reported outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.829-835
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• 2006

The composition, source, and regional concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) were measured in pine needles with several sites in Korea. Homologs specific analysis confirmed that hepta-BDE(bromodiphenyl ethers) through deca-BDE were predictive indicator for total PBDEs concentration(Pearson's correlation coefficient r>0.96, p<0.001). Deca-BDE were detected in relatively very high concentration compared to other PBDE congeners in all samples. The similarity of between congeners profile to those of Bromkal 70-5DE and DE-71, the commercial mixture of PBDEs, indicates these mixtures are source of PBDEs observed in these sites. Also, BDE-47, -99, -100, -206, -207, and -209 were the dominant congeners in all samples, suggesting that the widely used commercial penta- and deca-BDE technical mixture were the original sources. However, Pearson's correlation coefficients of between BDE-209 and BDE-47, -99, -100 were insignificant, which implied that tetra-BDE and penta-BDE may originate from secondary sources such as air-plant partition in manner similar to that of the PCBs, while deca-BDE formulation still has primary sources.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.47.1-47.14
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to examine the impact of chronotype on depressive symptoms and explore the mediating effects of sleep quality, pre-sleep cognitive arousal, and social jetlag in a sample of wage earners. Methods: A total of 3,917 waged workers were surveyed online in July 2022. Logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to assess the relationship between chronotype (morningness, intermediate, and eveningness) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire ≥ 5), and the mediating effects of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS). All analyses were adjusted for age, education level, income level, marital status, coffee consumption, alcohol consumption, physical activity, occupation, employment status, and working hours to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Results: The chronotypes of all the participants were divided into morningness (4.7%), intermediate (93.5%), and eveningness (1.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an increased risk of depression in the eveningness chronotype (OR: 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51, 5.86). Regarding the mediation analysis, ISI mediated 28.44% (95% CI: 16.39-40.5), PSQI for 31.25% (95% CI: 19.36, 43.15), and PSAS-Cognitive Score (PSAS-C) for 23.58% (95% CI: 10.66, 36.50) of the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms. However, social jetlag did not significantly mediate this relationship. (percentage mediated = 0.75%, 95% CI: -3.88, 5.39) Conclusions: Evening chronotypes exhibit an increased risk of depressive symptoms, which ISI, PSQI, and PSAS-C partially mediated. This suggests that interventions to improve sleep quality and maintain adequate sleep habits may effectively prevent and treat depression in employees with an eveningness chronotype.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2014

Climate change has been social and environmental issues, it typically indicates the trend changes of not only temperature but also rainfall. There is a need to consider climate changes in a long-term soil erosion estimation since soil loss in a watershed can be varied by the changes of rainfall intensity and frequency of torrential rainfall. The impacts of rainfall trend changes on soil loss, one of climate changes, were estimated using Sediment Assessment Tool for Effective Erosion Control (SATEEC) employing L module with current climate scenario and future climate scenario collected from the Korea Meteorological Administration. A 62 $km^2$ watershed was selected to explore the climate changes on soil loss. SATEEC provided an increasing trend of soil loss with the climate change scenarios, which were 182 ton/ha/year in 2010s, 169 ton/ha/year in 2020s, 192 ton/ha/year in 2030s,182 ton/ha/year in 2040s, and 218 ton/ha/year in 2050s. Moreover, it was found that approximately 90% of agricultural area in the watershed displayed the soil loss of 50 ton/ha/year which is exceeding the allow able soil loss regulation by the Ministry of Environment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.494-496
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• 2014

The granular cell tumor (GCT) occurs extremely rarely in the mediastinum. Few mediastinal GCT cases have been reported in Japan or other countries. Here, we report a case of a 24-year-old man with superior mediastinal GCT. The mass was located just above the aortic arch. It was firm, oval in shape, and well encapsulated. The tumor was removed completely with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, but we had to resect the vagus nerve, which was already included in the tumor, along with the tumor. After the operation, the patient recovered without any specific complications except for a mild degree of hoarseness.