• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2014

Objectives Previous studies suggest that the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene could be an important candidate gene for schizophrenia. According to linkage studies, this gene is located on chromosome 6q14-q15, which is known to harbor the schizophrenia susceptibility locus (locus 5, SCZ5, OMIM 803175). The pharmacological agent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (${\Delta}$-9-THC) seems to elicit the symptoms of schizophrenia. The association between CNR1 polymorphisms and schizophrenia is actively being investigated, and some studies have linked the AAT-trinucleotide repeats in CNR1 to the onset of schizophrenia. In this study, we have investigated the association between the AAT-trinucleotide repeats in CNR1 and schizophrenia by studying schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals from Korea. Methods DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 394 control subjects and 337 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria). After polymerase chain reaction amplification, a logistic regression analysis, with age and gender as the covariates, was performed to study the variations in the AAT-repeat polymorphisms between the two groups. Results In total, 8 types of trinucleotide repeats were identified, each containing 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 repeats, respectively. $(AAT)_{13}$ allele was most frequently observed, with a frequency of 33.6% and 31.6% in the patient and control groups, respectively. The frequency of the other repeat alleles in the patient group (in the decreasing order) was as follows : $(AAT)_{13}$ 33.6%, $(AAT)_{14}$ 21.6%, $(AAT)_{12}$ 18.5%, and $(AAT)_{7}$ 11.1%. The frequency of the repeat alleles in the control group (in the decreasing order) was as follows : $(AAT)_{13}$ 31.6%, $(AAT)_{14}$ 24.5%, $(AAT)_{12}$ 17.2%, and $(AAT)_{7}$ 11.6%. However, there were no significant differences in the AAT-repeat polymorphisms of the CNR1 gene between the patient group and the control group. Conclusions Although our study revealed no significant association of the AAT-repeat polymorphism of the CNR1 gene with schizophrenia, it will serve as a good reference for future studies designed to examine the cannabinoid hypothesis of schizophrenia.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.148-156
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• 2016

Objectives According to previous studies, the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene could be an important candidate gene for schizophrenia. Some studies have linked the (AAT)n trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in CNR1 gene with the risk of schizophrenia. Meanwhile, smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) has been regarded as one of the most consistent endophenotypes of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the association between the (AAT)n trinucleotide repeats in CNR1 gene and SPEM abnormality in Korean patients with schizophrenia. Methods We measured SPEM function in 167 Korean patients with schizophrenia (84 male, 83 female) and they were divided according to SPEM function into two groups, good and poor SPEM function groups. We also investigated allele frequencies of (AAT)n repeat polymorphisms on CNR1 gene in each group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to find the association between SPEM abnormality and the number of (AAT)n trinucleotide repeats. Results The natural logarithm value of signal/noise ratio (Ln S/N ratio) of the good SPEM function group was $4.34{\pm}0.29$ and that of the poor SPEM function group was $3.21{\pm}0.70$. In total, 7 types of trinucleotide repeats were identified, each containing 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 repeats, respectively. In the patients with $(AAT)7$ allele, the distributions of the good and poor SPEM function groups were 18 (11.1%) and 19 (11.0%) respectively. In the patients with $(AAT)_{10}$ allele, $(AAT)_{11}$ allele, $(AAT)_{12}$ allele, $(AAT)_{13}$ allele, $(AAT)_{14}$ allele and $(AAT)_{15}$ allele, the distributions of good and poor SPEM function groups were 13 (8.0%) and 12 (7.0%), 4 (2.5%) and 6 (3.5%), 31 (19.8%) and 35 (20.3%), 51 (31.5%) and 51 (29.7%), 36 (22.2%) and 45 (26.2%), 9 (5.6%) and 4 (2.3%) respectively. As the number of (AAT) n repeat increased, there was no aggravation of abnormality of SPEM function. Conclusions There was no significant aggravation of SPEM abnormality along with the increase of number of (AAT)n trinucleotide repeats in the CNR1 gene in Korean patients with schizophrenia.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.439-445
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• 2009

The process for ethanol production requires lignocellulosic biomass to be hydrolyzed to generate monomeric sugars for the fermentation. During hydrolysis step, a monomeric sugars and a broad range of inhibitory compounds (furan derivatives, weak acids, phenolics) are formed and released. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhibitory compounds on the fermentative performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae K35 and Pichia stipitis KCCM 12009 in ethanol production, two yeast strains were fermented in the synthetic medium including six inhibitory compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfura (5-HMF), furfural, acetic acid, syringaldehyde, vanillic acid and syringic acid. Ethanol of over 40 g/L was produced by two yeast strains in the absence of inhibitory compounds, respectively. Most inhibitory compounds except acetic acid had a little effect on the ethanol production, but acetic acid showed high inhibition effect on the cell growth and ethanol production.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 2008

In this study, a combined process of sequential anaerobic-aerobic digestion (SAAD), fluidized-bed bioreactor (FBBR), and ultrafiltration (UF) for the treatment of small scale food waste leachate was developed and evaluated. The SAAD process was tested for performance and stability by subjecting leachate from food waste to a two-phase anaerobic digestion. The main process used FBBR composed of aerators for oxygen supply and fluidization, three 5 ton reaction chambers containing an aerobic mesophilic microorganism immobilized in PE (polyethylene), and a sedimentation chamber. The HRTs (hydraulic retention time) of the combined SAAD-FBBR-UF process were 30, 7, and 1 day, and the operation temperature was set to the optimal one for microbial growth. The pilot process maintained its performance even when the CODcr of input leachate fluctuated largely. During the operation, average CODcr, TKN, TP, and salt of the effluent were 1,207mg/L, 100mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 0.01 %, which corresponded to the removal efficiencies of 99.4%, 98.6%, 89.6%, and 98.5%, respectively. These results show that the developed process is able to manage high concentration leachate from food waste and remove CODcr, TKN, TP, and salt effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2013

Thermal storage technology used for indoor heating and cooling to maintain a constant temperature for a long period of time has an advantage of raising energy use efficiency. This, the phase changing material, which utilizes heat storage properties of the substances, capsulizes substances that melt at a constant temperature. This is applied to construction materials to block or save energy due to heat storage and heat protection during the process in which substances melt or freeze according to the indoor or outdoor temperature. The micro-encapsulation method is used to create thermal storage from phase changing material. This method can be broadly classified in 3 ways: chemical method, physical and chemical method and physical and mechanical method. In the physical and chemical method, a wet process using the micro-encapsulation process utilized. This process emulsifies the core material in a solvent then coats the monomer polymer on the wall of the emulsion to harden it. In this process, a surfactant is utilized to enhance the performance of the emulsion of the core material and the coating of the wall monomer. The performance of the micro-encapsulation, especially the coating thickness of the wall material and the uniformity of the coating, is largely dependent on the characteristics of the surfactant. This research compares the performance of the micro-capsules and heat storage for product according to molecular mass and concentration of the surfactant, SSMA (sulfonated styrene-maleic anhydride), when it comes to micro-encapsulation through interfacial polymerization, in which Dodecan-1 is transformed to melamin resin, a heat storage material using phase changing properties. In addition, the thickness of the micro-encapsulation wall material and residual melamine were reduced by adjusting the concentration of melamin resin microcapsules.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2006

This study investigated the effects of hybrid process(chemical coagulation, Fenton oxidation and ceramic UF(ultrafiltration)) on COD and color removals of commercial reactive dyestuffs. In the case of chemical coagulation, the optimal concentrations of $Fe^{3+}$ coagulant for COD and color removals of RB49(reactive blue 49) and RY84(reactive yellow 84) were determined according to the different coagulant dose at the optimal pH. They were 2.78 mM(pH 7) in RB49 and 1.85 mM(pH 6) in RY84, respectively. In the case of Fenton oxidation, the optimal concentrations of $Fe^{3+}\;and\;H_2O_2$ were obtained. Optimal $[Fe^{2+}]:[H_2O_2]$ molar ratio of COD and color removals of RB49 and RY84 were 4.41:5.73 mM and 1.15:0.81 mM, respectively. In the case of ceramic UF, the flux and rejection of supernatant after Fenton oxidation were investigated. After ceramic UF for 9 hr, the average flux of RB49 and RY84 solutions were $53.4L/m^2hr\;and\;67.4L/m^2hr$ at 1 bar, respectively. In addition, the permeate flux increased and the average flux recovery were 98.5-99.9%(RB49) and 91.0-97.3%(RY84) according to adopting off-line cleaning(5% $H_2SO_4$). Finally, COD and color removals were 91.6-95.7% and 99.8% by hybrid process, respectively.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2018

The adsorbent used in water-adsorption cooling system utilizing low-temperature heat of below $90^{\circ}C$ is required to exhibit high water uptake capacity at a relative humidity ($P/P_0$) between 0.1 and 0.3. Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) and MOF(MIL-101) exhibit quite large water adsorption capacity under saturated water vapor at $35^{\circ}C$. However, these adsorbents show small water adsorption capacity ($0.027{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$, $0.074{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$, respectively) in the relative humidity ($P/P_0$) range of 0.1 to 0.3. In this study, the surface properties of mesoporous silica and MOF were modified by simple methods to develop an adsorbent having a higher water uptake than the conventional water adsorbents at a relative humidity ($P/P_0$) of 0.1 ~ 0.3. In the case of mesoporous silica (MCM-41) exhibiting mainly water adsorption at $P/P_0=0.5{\sim}0.7$, aluminum species was functionalized on the mesopore walls and then cations existing near the aluminum were exchanged with various cations (e.g., $Na^+$, ${NH_4}^+$, and $(C_2H_5)_4N^+$). In addition, 20 wt% (to total weight of the composites) of hygroscopic inorganic salt ($CaCl_2$) was impregnated on the MCM-41. In the case of the MIL-101 (MOF), 20 wt% of hygroscopic inorganic salt ($CaCl_2$) was impregnated on the MIL-101. The MCM-41 which was ion-exchanged with various cations has main adsorption branch around 0.5 of $P/P_0$ which was slightly shifted with low-pressure direction in comparison with pristine MCM-41. However, tiny increases were observed on the adsorption in the range of $P/P_0$ between 0.1 and 0.3. After salt impregnation on the MCM-41, the adsorption capacity under $P/P_0=0.1{\sim}0.3$ at $35^{\circ}C$ was increased from $0.027{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$ to $0.152{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$. In the case of MIL-101, the amount of water adsorption at $35^{\circ}C$ under $P/P_0=0.1{\sim}0.3$ was increased from $0.074{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$ to $0.330{g_{water}\;g_{ads}}^{-1}$ after the salt impregnation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2006

In previous reports we demonstrated that ginsenosides, active ingredients of Panax ginseng, affect some subsets of voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels in neuronal cells expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. However, the major component(s) of ginseng that affect cloned $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes such as ${\alpha}_{1C}$(L)-, ${\alpha}_{1B}$(N)-, ${\alpha}_{1A}$(P/Q)-, ${\alpha}_{1E}$(R)- and ${\alpha}_{1G}$(T) have not been identified. Here, we used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to characterize the effects of ginsenosides and ginsenoside metabolites on $Ba^{2+}$ currents ($I_{Ba}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing five different $Ca^{2+}$ channel subtypes. Exposure to ginseng total saponins (GTS) induced voltage-dependent, dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of the five channel subtypes, with particularly strong inhibition of the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type. Of the various ginsenosides, $Rb_1$, Rc, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_3$, and $Rh_2$, ginsenoside $Rg_3$ also inhibited all five channel subtypes and ginsenoside $Rh_2$ had most effect on the ${\alpha}_{1C}$- and ${\alpha}_{1E}$-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels. Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, strongly inhibited only the ${\alpha}_{1G}$-type of $Ca^{2+}$ channel, whereas M4, a protopanaxatriol ginsenoside metabolite, had almost no effect on any of the channels. $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$, and CK shifted the steady-state activation curves but not the inactivation curves in the depolarizing direction in the ${\alpha}_{1B}$- and ${\alpha}_{1A}$-types. These results reveal that $Rg_3$, $Rh_2$ and CK are the major inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in Panax ginseng, and that they show some $Ca^{2+}$ channel selectivity.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.101-109
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• 2018

Objectives According to previous studies, the Chromogranin B (CHGB) gene could be an important candidate gene for schizophrenia which is located on chromosome 20p12.3. Some studies have linked the polymorphism in CHGB gene with the risk of schizophrenia. Meanwhile, smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) abnormality has been regarded as one of the most consistent endophenotype of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the association between the polymorphisms in CHGB gene and SPEM abnormality in Korean patients with schizophrenia. Methods We measured SPEM function in 24 Korean patients with schizophrenia (16 male, 8 female) and they were divided according to SPEM function into two groups, good and poor SPEM function groups. We also investigated genotypes of polymorphisms in CHGB gene in each group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to find the association between SPEM abnormality and the number of polymorphism. Results The natural logarithm value of signal/noise ratio (Ln S/N ratio) of good SPEM function group was $4.19{\pm}0.19$ and that of poor SPEM function group was $3.17{\pm}0.65$. In total, 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms of CHGB were identified and the genotypes were divided into C/C, C/R, and R/R. Statistical analysis revealed that two genetic variants (rs16991480, rs76791154) were associated with SPEM abnormality in schizophrenia (p = 0.004). Conclusions Despite the limitations including a small number of samples and lack of functional study, our results suggest that genetic variants of CHGB may be associated with SPEM abnormality and provide useful preliminary information for further study.nwhile, smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) abnormality has been regarded as one of the most consistent endophenotype of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the association between the polymorphisms in CHGB gene and SPEM abnormality in Korean patients with schizophrenia. MethodsZZWe measured SPEM function in 24 Korean patients with schizophrenia (16 male, 8 female) and they were divided according to SPEM function into two groups, good and poor SPEM function groups. We also investigated genotypes of polymorphisms in CHGB gene in each group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to find the association between SPEM abnormality and the number of polymorphism. ResultsZZThe natural logarithm value of signal/noise ratio (Ln S/N ratio) of good SPEM function group was $4.19{\pm}0.19$ and that of poor SPEM function group was $3.17{\pm}0.65$. In total, 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms of CHGB were identified and the genotypes were divided into C/C, C/R, and R/R. Statistical analysis revealed that two genetic variants (rs16991480, rs76791154) were associated with SPEM abnormality in schizophrenia (p = 0.004). ConclusionsZZDespite the limitations including a small number of samples and lack of functional study, our results suggest that genetic variants of CHGB may be associated with SPEM abnormality and provide useful preliminary information for further study.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2010

Obese people experience dissatisfaction of body, depression, anxiety, and emotional disturbance by social prejudice and discrimination, further they represent decline of health-related quality of life. Exercise therapy is recommended as one of the positive treatments to improve the emotional pain of obese people. This study is to provide guideline of exercise prescription for obese people by investigating the effects of qigong exercise on psychological factors such as health-related quality of life (SF-36), self-efficiency, depression, anxiety, and fatigue in obese people. The subjects of this study were 50~60s adults participated in Golden-Wellbeing program at S university in G gu of S city and were devided into exercise (N=17) and control (N=16) group. Qigong exercise was performed twice per week for 12 weeks and SF-36, self-efficiency, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were measured before and after 12 weeks of exercise. In the 8 items of SF-36 before and after 12 weeks of qi-gong exercise, there was no significance in role limitation-emotional (F=0.187, p=0.668), mental health (F=2.043, p=0.163) between groups, but there was significance in physical functioning (F=15.151, p<0.001), role limitation-physical (F=18.278, p<0.001), social functioning (F=4.957, p=0.033), vitality (F=11.485, p=0.002), bodily pain (F=6.623, p=0.015), and general health (F=4.498, p=0.042) between groups. Also, anxiety (F=0.631, p=0.433) was not significant, whereas self-efficiency (F=6.124, p=0.019), depression (F=5.109, p=0.031), fatigue (F=7.998, p=0.008) was significant between groups. Even though qigong is slow motion and low intensity of exercise, it was found that qi-gong has exercise effect which induces mental and psychological improvement through this study.