• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1971

In order to obtain basic information on the production of single cell protein from petroleum, more than 400 yeast strains were isolated from various soil samples in Korea utilizing petroleum hydrocarbon as the sole carbon source. A yeast strain showing the highest cell yield among the isolated strains was selected and identified. The optimal culture condition was searched in the flasks shaken throughout the procedure. And the growing characteristics for the selected yeast strain and chemical analysis of the yeast cell component were carried out. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The selected yeast strain was identified as Candida curvata and we named it Candida curvata-SNU 70. 2. The composition of the medium proposed for the present yeast strain is: Light Gas Oil 30ml, Urea 400mg, Ammonium sulfate 100mg, Potasium phosphate (monobasic) 670mg, Sodium phosphate (dibasic) 330mg, Magnesium sulfate 500mg, Calcium carbonate 3g, Yeast extract 50mg, Tween 20 0.05ml, Tap water 1,000ml. 3. Other culture conditions employed for the yeast were pH 5.5-7.0, temp. $30^{\circ}C$ under an affluent aerobic state. 4. Addition of light gas oil in portions to the culture media as the growth proceeded was more effective, especially in the cultivation on the higher oil concentration media. 5. Studies on the propagation of the yeast cells in the light gas oil medium revealed that the yeast has the lag phase lasted 16 hours and the logarithmic growth phase covered 16 to 28 hours. The specific growth rate was about $0.22\;hr^{-1}$ and doubling time was 3.2 hrs. during the logarithmic growth phase. 6. Under the cultural condition employed, the cell yield against the amount of light gas oil (wt%) was 16.1% and the protein content of the dried yeast cells was 48.4%.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2006

Objectives : Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder with a strong genetic component. Previous neurochemical and genetic studies suggested the possible involvement of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor in autism. The aim of study was to investigate the association between the NMDA2B receptor gene(GRIN2B) and autism spectrum disorders(ASD) in the Korean population. Methods : The patients with ASD were diagnosed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule based on DSM-IV diagnostic classification. The present study was conducted with the detection of four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in GRIK2 and family-based association analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in Korean ASD trios using transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). Results : One hundred twenty six patients with ASD and their biological parents were analyzed. 86.5% were male and 85.1% were diagnosed as autistic disorder. The mean age was $71.9{\pm}31.6$ months(range : 26-185 months). We found that rs1805247 showed significantly preferential transmission(TDT ${\chi}^2$=12.8, p<0.001) in ASD. Conclusion : One SNP in GRIN2B gene was significantly associated with ASD in the Korean population. This result suggests the possible involvement of glutamate NMDA receptor gene in the development of ASD.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 1998

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging by analyzing the signal intersity of lesions in patients with various intracranial diseases. Materials and Methods : difusion-weighted MR imaging was prospectively perormed in randomly selected 70 patients with various intracranial idseases. They consisted of 20 patients with acute infarct, 21 patients with chronic infarct of small vessel disease, 14 patients with primary intracranial tumor, three patients with brain metastasis, five patient with brain abscess, five patients with brain abscess, five patients with cerebral hemorrhage, one patient with neurocysticercosis, and one patient with epidermoid cyst. the diffusion-weighted images were obtained immediately after routine T2-weighted imaging on a 1.5T MR unit using single shot spin echo EPI technique with 6500 ms TR, 107ms TE, $128{\times}128$ matrix, 1 number of excitation, $24{\times}24$ field of view, 5-7 mm slice thickness, 2-3 mm inter-slice gap. The diffusion-gradients (b value of ($1000s{\;}/{\;}textrm{mm}^2$)) were applied along three directions(x, y, z). On visual inspection of diffusion-weighted images, the signal intersity of lesions was arbitrarily graded as one of 5 grades. In quantitative assessment, we measured the signal intensity of all the lesions and the contralateral corresponding normal area using round region of interest(ROI), and then calculated the signal intensity ratio of the lesion to the normal brain parenchyma. Results : On visual inspection, markedly hyperintense signals were seen in all cases of acute infarct, brain abscess, epidermoid cyst, and neurocysticercosis in degenerating stage. In all cases of cerebral hematoma, the very high signal internsity was intermingled with low signal intensity. focal very high signal intersity was also seen in a solid portion of the tumor in a patient. the mean signal intensity ratios of all those lesions to the normal brain parenchyma were above 2.5. Gliosis, solid component of brain tumor, brain metastasis, and vasogenic dedma appeared isointense to the normal brain parenchyma in 71%, 64%, 100%, and 67%, respectively ; the mean signal intensity ratios of those lesions to the normal brain parenchyma ranged 1.15 to 1.28 and there was no significant difference among these(p>0.1). Cystic cerebromalacia and necrotic or cystic portions in tumor were markedly or slightly hypointense, and the mean signal intensity ratios were 0.45 and 0.42, respectively. Conclusion : Very high signal intensity of acute infarct, brain abscess, epidermoid cyst, and cystic neurocysticercosis in degenerating stage on diffusion-weighted images may be helpful in differentiating from other diseases that are hypointense or isointense to the normal brain parenchyma. It may be especially useful differentiation of brain abscess from brain tumor with necrotic or cystic portion.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.58-75
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• 1988

1.Objectives of the Study It is a well known fact that a prompt and reliable data on demographic information is essential in a proper planning and evaluation of any program of national or community level. Especially vital statistics are an important demographic component among demographic information. Realizing the importance of vital statistics, the government has made some efforts for years to improve the vital registration system which has a close relationship with the production of vital statistics. However, it is still observed that there are some limitations in utilizing vital registration data due to considerable amount of vital events which are never registered and registered but not in time or inaccurately, even though vital registration system in Korea has sound legal basis. In this connection, the objectives of the study is as follows :(1) To examine some problems of the vital registration system in various aspects, (2) To make improvement programme of continuous Demographic Survey as a supplementary source of vital statistics, and (3) To find out some alternatives for making it possible to produce and utilize the reliable vital statistics by developing analytical methodologies on that. 2. Current Situation of Vital Registration System All the vital events, i.e. births, deaths, marriages and divorces, are to be registered in time under the Civil Registration Law, Statistics Law and Regulation on Vital Statstics as a duty of people. Some recent tendencies in each of recent registration are summarized as below: (1) The completeness of vital registration .Out of all births which are occurred during a year, around 75% of those compared to the estimates are registered in the year of occurrence. .In case of death registration, the percentage of registration in the year of occurrene has been gradually increased from 86.2% in the year of 1980, but it is still below the level of 90% compared to the estimates. .The percentage of registration for marriages and divorces in the year of occurrence out of total registered numbers was revealed to be 69% and 73% respectively in 1985. (2) Continuous Demographic Survey .It is a kind of sample survey for the purpose of producing reliable vital statistics which could not be provided by the vital registration. .It covers about 17, 000 sample households at national level and important information for vital events are collected in every month by 323 expertized enumerators who are regular staff of the government. .Although the result of the survey seems to be more reliable than of vital registration, the reliability of the data is still bellow the acceptable level if compared with relevant information from other sources such as population census or special surveys. 3. Problems of Vital Registration System There are four major obstacles in improving vital registration system in Korea; (1) In general, policy priority is not given on any programme of improving vital registration system. It is, therefore, very difficult to formulate comprehensive programme through having cooperation from related authorities and sufficient financial assistance. (2) In all the laws related and system itself, there is substantial degree of overlap and irrationality. Registration of each vital event is maintained according to several laws and regulation such as Civil Registration Law, Statistics Law, Resident Registration Law and Regulation on Vital Statistics. However they are mutually overlapped and overall supervision can not be done systematically due to lack of co-operation among the authorities concerned. (3) The administration of vital registration system seems to be working inefficiently, because of most of civil servants who are in charge of vital registration are lacking of conception on vital statistics and also there is a certain extent of regidity in handling the works. Therefore, they are doing their jobs in a passive way. (4) A substantial proportion of vital events occurred is not registered within the legal time limit (i.e. within one month after the occurrence in case of birth and death) or not registered forever. Some of social customs and superstitution seem to be the potential causes especially in case of births and deaths. 4. Recommendations for the Improvement of Vital Statistics (1) Reporting systems such as civil registration, vital statistics and resident registration should be integrated under the single law. Also, administrative supervision, personnel and budget with regard to the registration system should be under the control of a single ministry. (2) It is necessary to simplify the procedures and methods of reporting vital events, i.e., reducing number of sheets of the form, making corrections easily, reducing registration items, etc. (3) Continuous Demographic Survey as a supplementary source of vital registration should be improved and special ad-hoc surveys should be conducted wth regular interval. (4) In-depth analysis should be done using various sources of data on vital statistics. 5. Concluding Remarks From this study, we can notice that temporary campaign and motivation programs are not sufficient to improve the quality of vital statistics. Strong intentions and continuous efforts of the government are needed for the improvement of the vital registration system. Furthermore, most of the data collected through the registration are not properly analyzed and utilized, partly due to the lack of appreciation among high-level governmental officials of the need for vital statistics. It is, therefore, requested that long-term improvement programs of vital statistics be implemented with policy priority and continuous efforts be given to this purpose as a long-term goal of development in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.895-903
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• 2019

The aim of the present study was to improve the cell viability of human dental papilla derived single-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632. The iPSCs were produced using an episomal plasmid-based reprogramming method. After cell separation using trypsin, the iPSCs were treated with 0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, or $10{\mu}M$ Y-27632 for 5 d. Cell viability increased significantly following the $5{\mu}M$ Y-27632 treatment (p<0.05). When the iPSCs were exposed to medium containing $10{\mu}M$ Y-27632 for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 d, the cell viability rate increased significantly in accordance with the cell viability rate (p<0.05). To evaluate the effect of the Y-27632 treatment on stemness characteristics, the expression of stem cell-specific transcripts and telomerase activity were investigated in the iPSCs treated with $10{\mu}M$ Y-27632 for 5 d. The expression levels of stem cell-specific transcripts, such as OCT-4, NONOG, and SOX-2, and telomerase activity were not significantly different in the iPSCs treated with $10{\mu}M$ Y-27632 as compared with those of untreated control iPSCs (p>0.05). Taken together, the results demonstrated that cell viability can be improved by treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, without losing iPSC stemness characteristics.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

This paper presents the process of re-conservation and the results of research on the production method of the Iron Sword with Ring Pommel with Three-Pointed Leaf Decoration, one of the excavation findings from Tomb No. 55 in the Dalseong Ancient Tomb Complex in Daegu. This iron sword is a double weapon with two large swords housed within a single sheath. Four smaller swords are attached to the surface of the sheath, two on the upper portion and the other two below. It is the only such two-in-one weapon excavated intact thus far from an ancient Korean tomb. The records show that it underwent conservation treatment twice in the past. In this study, it was subjected to conservation treatment again to replace the stiffener in some cracking areas, and its material, composition, and production method were analyzed by CT, XRF analysis, and stereoscopic microscopy. The sword is mainly made of copper, but the golden component contains both gold and mercury, which suggests that the copper was plated in gold using mercury amalgamation. The examination of the production methods indicates that it was intended more to demonstrate the authority of its owner rather than to serve any practical use. The two upper small swords on the sheath were made in the same manner as the main swords, and the two small lower swords were cut from a single metal sheet. The sheath was made by cutting two metal sheets. Supports were used to attach the two small swords to the upper portion of the sheath, while the lower portion of the sheath was slit to allow the other two small swords to be inserted into it. The ring pommels of the main swords have a three-pointed leaf decoration. As for the other designs, the handle of the main sword features a series of semicircles, the decorative bands on the sheath have waves in dots, and the fish tail of the sheath shows diagonal lines of dots.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2022

As a cultivar of Korean wheat, 'Keumgang' wheat variety has a fast growth period and can be grown stably. Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) has moderately high salt tolerance compared to tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). However, the molecular mechanisms related to salt tolerance of hexaploid wheat have not been elucidated yet. In this study, the candidate genes related to salt tolerance were identified by investigating the genes that are differently expressed in Keumgang variety and examining salt tolerant mutation '2020-s1340.'. A total of 85,771,537 reads were obtained after quality filtering using NextSeq 500 Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 23,634,438 reads were aligned with the NCBI Campala Lr22a pseudomolecule v5 reference genome (Triticum aestivum). A total of 282 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the two Triticum aestivum materials. These DEGs have functions, including salt tolerance related traits such as 'wall-associated receptor kinase-like 8', 'cytochrome P450', '6-phosphofructokinase 2'. In addition, the identified DEGs were classified into three categories, including biological process, molecular function, cellular component using gene ontology analysis. These DEGs were enriched significantly for terms such as the 'copper ion transport', 'oxidation-reduction process', 'alternative oxidase activity'. These results, which were obtained using RNA-seq analysis, will improve our understanding of salt tolerance of wheat. Moreover, this study will be a useful resource for breeding wheat varieties with improved salt tolerance using molecular breeding technology.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2002

Background: Bronchial reactivity is known to be a component of airway hyperresponsiveness, a cardinal feature of asthma, with bronchial sensitivity, and is increments in response to induced doses of bronchoconstrictors as manifested by the steepest slope of the dose-response curve. However, there is some controversy regarding methods of measuring bronchial reactivity and clinical impact of such measurements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance and assess the clinical use by analyzing the relationship of the bronchial sensitivity, the clinical severity and the changes in pulmonary function with bronchial reactivity. Method: A total of 116 subjects underwent a methacholine bronchial provocation test. They were divided into 3 groups : mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate and cough asthma. Severe patients were excluded. Methacholine PC20 was determined from the log dose-response curve and PC40 was determined by one more dose inhalation after PC20. The steepest slope of log dose-response curve, connecting PC20 with PC40, was used to calculate the bronchial reactivity. Body plethysmography and a single breath for the DLCO were done in 43 subjects before and after methacholine test. Results: The average bronchial reactivity was 38.0 in the mild intermittent group, 49.8 in the mild persistent group, 61.0 in the moderate group, and 41.1 in the cough asthma group. There was a weak negative correlation between PC20 and bronchial reactivity. A heightened bronchial reactivity tends to produce an increased clinical severity in patients with a similar bronchial sensitivity and basal spirometric pulmonary function. There were significant correlations between the bronchial reactivity and the initial pulmonary function before the methacholine test in the order of sGaw, Raw, $FEV_1$/FVC, MMFR. There were no correlations between the bronchial sensitivity and the % change in the pulmonary function parameters after the methacholine test. However, there were significant correlations between the bronchial reactivity and the PEF, $FEV_1$, DLCO. Conclusion: There was weak significant negative correlation between the bronchial reactivity and the bronchial sensitivity, and the bronchial reactivity closely reflected the severity of the asthma. Accordingly, measuring both the bronchial sensitivity and the bronchial reactivity can be of assistance in assessing of the ongoing disease severity and in monitoring the effect of therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2009

Statement of problem: Recently, there have been increased esthetic needs for posterior dental restorations. The failure of posterior dental ceramic restoration are possible not only by the characters of the component materials but also by the type of food. Purpose: The research aim was to compare the in vitro fracture resistance of simulated first molar crowns fabricated using 4 dental ceramic systems, full-porcelain-occlusal-surfaced PFG, half-porcelain-occlusal-surfaced PFG, Empress 2, Ice Zirkon and selected Korean foods. Material and methods: Eighty axisymmetric crowns of each system were fabricated to fit a preparation with 1.5- to 2.0-mm occlusal reduction. The center of the occlusal surface on each of 15 specimens per ceramic system was axially loaded to fracture in a Instron 4465, and the maximum load(N) was recorded. Afterwards, selected Korean foods specimens(boiled crab, boiled chicken with bone, boiled beef rib, dried squid, dried anchovy, round candy, walnut shell) were prepared. 15 specimens per each food were placed under the Instron and the maximum fracture loads for them were recorded. The 95% confidence intervals of the characteristic failure load were compared between dental ceramic systems and Korean foods. Afterwards, on the basis of previous results, 14Hz cyclic load was applied on the 4 systems of dental ceramic restorations in MTS. The reults were analyzed by analysis of variance and Post Hoc tests. Results: 95% confidence intervals for mean of fracture load 1. full porcelain occlusal surfaced PFG Crown: 2599.3 to 2809.1 N 2. half porcelain occlusal surfaced PFG Crown: 3689.4 to 3819.8 N 3. Ice Zirkon Crown: 1501.2 to 1867.9 N 4. Empress 2 Crown: 803.2 to 1188.5 N 5. boiled crab: 294.1 to 367.9 N 6. boiled chicken with bone: 357.1 to 408.6 N 7. boiled beef rib: 4077.7 to 4356.0 N 8. dried squid: 147.5 to 190.5 N 9. dried anchovy: 35.6 to 46.5 N 10. round candy: 1900.5 to 2615.8 N 11. walnut shell: 85.7 to 373.1 N under cyclic load(14Hz) in MTS, fracture load and masticatory cycles are: 1. full porcelain occlusal surfaced PFG Crown fractured at 95% confidence intervals of 4796.8-9321.2 cycles under 2224.8 N(round candy)load, no fracture under smaller loads. 2. half porcelain occlusal surfaced PFG Crown fractured at 95% confidence intervals of 881705.1-1143565.7 cycles under 2224.8 N(round candy). no fracture under smaller loads. 3. Ice Zirkon Crown fractured at 95% confidence intervlas of 979993.0-1145773.4 cycles under 382.9 N(boiled chicken with bone). no fracture under smaller loads. 4. Empress 2 Crown fractured at 95% confidence intervals of 564.1-954.7 cycles under 382.9 N(boiled chicken with bone). no fracture under smaller loads. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in fracture resistance between experimental groups. Under single load, Korean foods than can cause fracture to the dental ceramic restorations are boiled beef rib and round candy. Even if there is no fracture under single load, cyclic dynamic load can fracture dental posterior ceramic crowns. Experimental data with 14 Hz dynamic cyclic load are obtained as follows. 1. PFG crown(full porcelain occlusion) was failed after mean 0.03 years under fracture load for round candy(2224.8 N). 2. PFG crown(half porcelain occlusion) was failed after mean 4.1 years under fracture load for round candy(2224.8 N). 3. Ice Zirkon crown was failed after mean 4.3 years under fracture load for boiled chicken with bone(382.9 N). 4. Empress 2 crown was failed after mean 0.003 years under fracture load for boiled chicken with bone(382.9 N).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.