• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 2011

The average life expectancy has continuously increased with the development of medical industry. As women get older, they experience the deficit of estrogen caused by decreased function of ovarian. Specifically, they suffer from temporary fever because of unstable vasomotion and, in the long term experience, degeneration of urogenital organs, tooth loss, arteriosclerosis, demantia, snores and so on. Because of these symptoms the estrogen medical supply is getting required. Along with this, many studies have conducted to find out substitutional medicals without any side effects. This research was carried out to find out such substitutable materials. For the purpose of study, we examined the change of estrogen using the rats fed with the pupa powder immediately before the eclosion, eclosed adult, the pupa extract immediately before the eclosion, and the silkworm powder prepared at $3^{rd}$ day of $5^{th}$ instar. The result showed no significant chance in weight, feeding and water intake quantity among variables. However, the estrogen hormone secretion effects was very high at 73 pg/ml in the rats fed with the freeze-dried powder of the Yeonnokjam male pupa prepared immediately before the eclosion, compared with the control at 59 pg/ml. The next was Yangwonjam male adult at 71 pg/ml.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2018

In this study, we assessed meteorological and agricultural drought based on the SPI(Standardized Precipitation Index), SMP(Soil Moisture Percentile), and SMDI(Soil Moisture Deficit Index) indices using satellite-based TRMM(Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission)/GPM(Global Precipitation Measurement) images at the province of Chungcheongbuk-do. The long-term(2000-2015) TRMM/GPM precipitation data were used to estimate the SPI values. Then, we estimated the spatially-/temporally-distributed soil moisture values based on the near-surface soil moisture data assimilation scheme using the TRMM/GPM and MODIS(MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images. Overall, the SPI value was significantly affected by the precipitation at the study region, while both the precipitation and land surface condition have influences on the SMP and SMDI values. But the SMP index showed the relatively extreme wet/dry conditions compared to SPI and SMDI, because SMP only calculates the percentage of current wetness condition without considering the impacts of past wetness condition. Considering that different drought indices have their own advantages and disadvantages, the SMDI index could be useful for evaluating agricultural drought and establishing efficient water management plans.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2017

In this study, we evaluated daily root zone soil moisture dynamics and agricultural drought using a near-surface soil moisture data assimilation scheme with Soil Moisture Active & Passive (SMAP, $3km{\times}3km$) soil moisture footprints under different hydro-climate conditions. Satellite-based LANDSAT and MODIS image footprints were converted to spatially-distributed soil moisture estimates based on the regression model, and the converted soil moisture distributions were used for assessing uncertainties and applicability of SMAP data at fields. In order to overcome drawbacks of the discontinuity of SMAP data at the spatio-temporal scales, the data assimilation was applied to SMAP for estimating daily soil moisture dynamics at the spatial domain. Then, daily soil moisture values were used to estimate weekly agricultural drought based on the Soil Moisture Deficit Index (SMDI). The Yongdam-dam and Soyan river-dam watersheds were selected for validating our proposed approach. As a results, the MODIS/SMAP soil moisture values were relatively overestimated compared to those of the TDR-based measurements and LANDSAT data. When we applied the data assimilation scheme to SMAP, uncertainties were highly reduced compared to the TDR measurements. The estimated daily root zone soil moisture dynamics and agricultural drought from SMAP showed the variability at the sptio-temporal scales indicating that soil moisture values are influenced by not only the precipitation, but also the land surface characteristics. These findings can be useful for establishing efficient water management plans in hydrology and agricultural drought.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was done to provide support material to traditional nursing interventions through investigation of the effect of Auricular acupressure therapy for female staff in the hospital who have dysmenorrhea but cannot be absent from work even with severe symptoms affecting their work and therefore cannot get proper pain management. Method: The participants in this study were 62 women were working in the G-university hospital in Jin-ju, assigned to experimental (30) and 32 control groups (32). The study method was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The experimental group received acupressure treatment (a pin was attached to tape) on the special stimulation points in the inside of the ear, 5 times for 5 seconds, morning, afternoon, and night. Tape without the pressure pin was applied to the same points for women in the control group to evaluate placebo effect. Data were collected from May to November 2007 and were analyzed using SPSS PC+ 12 version. Descriptive statistics, t-test, $x^2-test$, Fisher's exact test, paired t-test, were used to analyze the data. Results: The experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysmenorrhea compared to the control group (t=-2.743, p<.01). In the sub-part, the experimental group showed menstruation related pain (t=-3.726, p<.01), menstruation related to behavioral change (t=-2.421, p<.05) and symptoms however, there was no significant difference related to attention deficit, water retention, and negative image. Conclusion: Application of auricular acupressure therapy was approved for this study and although auricular acupressure therapy was not effective for all of the symptoms, it was effective for dysmenorrhea.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2010

Occurrence of wilted symptom in watermelon plant ($Citrullus$ $lanatus$ L.) is known to be caused by physiological disorder. The symptom results in the loss of fruit production and thus the economical loss of watermelon growers. The incidence of symptom is often found from the middle of March to the end of May in the major watermelon crop production areas of Korea (i.e. Uiryeong, Gyeongnam (lat $37^{\circ}$56'64"N, long $126^{\circ}$99'97"E)). Despite of extensive information about the physiological disorder, little study has been conducted to understand a relationship between the wilted symptom and accompanying environment factors (e.g. temperature). This study aimed to investigate effects of environmental conditions amended by a forced-ventilation system on physiological characteristics of watermelon and incidence of the wilted symptom. Watermelon plants were grown from January to May, 2009 with either the forced-or natural-ventilation treatment in a greenhouse located in the Uiryeong. In the result, the forced-ventilation treatment decreased the air, leaf and root-zone temperature approximately $4.5^{\circ}C$, $5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$, respectively, compared to the natural-ventilation. The fruit growth rate was maximized twice during the entire growing period. The higher rate of fruit growth was observed under the natural-ventilation than the forced one. Maximization of the fruit growth rate (approximately 430 g per day) was first observed by 12 days after fruiting under the natural-ventilation treatment, while the second one (approximately 350 g per day) was observed by 24 days after fruiting. The wilted symptom started occurring by 22 days after fruiting under the natural-ventilation, whereas no incidence of the symptom was found under the forced-ventilation treatment. Interestingly, the forced-ventilation lowered the fruit growth rate (approximately 320 g per day) compared to the natural one. Maximization of the fruit growth rate under the forced-ventilation was found at 4 days later than that under the natural one. This result coincided with a slower plant growth under the forced-ventilation treatment. These results suggest that the forced-ventilation slows down extension growth of fruit and plant, which may be associated with lowering leaf temperature and saturation deficit. We suggest the hypothesis that the forced-ventilation may alleviate stress of the wilted symptom by avoiding extreme water evaporation from leaves due to high temperature and thus by reducing competition between leaves and fruits for water. More direct and detailed investigations are needed to confirm the effect of the forced ventilation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2017

The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of soil water content on the growth, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis of Kimchi cabbage and to evaluate proper parameters for development of growth models. There were five levels of irrigation amount treatments (0, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mL/d/plant) and those were commenced at one day after transplanting (DAT). We measured soil water content, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis characteristics, and the A-Ci curve. The growth of Kimchi cabbage as affected by irrigation amount was evaluated at 38 days after transplanting, however, the growth with 0 and 200 mL/d/plant irrigation amount treatments measured at 29 DAT. The relationship between soil water content and stomatal conductance was highly correlated ($r^2=0.999$) and the function represented by y = 6097.4x - 4.2984. The stomatal conductance of Kimchi cabbage leaves showed $300mmol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ when the soil water content was below $0.05m^3/m^3$. The stomatal conductance was rapidly decreased by scarcity of soil moisture. A-Ci curve indicated normal curve in fully irrigation treatment (500 mL/d/plant), however, $CO_2$ couldn't diffuse through the intercellular Kimchi cabbage leaves treated with 0 mL/d/plant. The dry weight of full irrigation treatment was greater approximately 6.8 times than that of deficit irrigation (0 mL/d/plant). In addition, leaf area index showed a logarithmic function (y = 16.573 + 3.398 ln x) with soil water content and that of R-squared represents 0.913. Results indicated that the soil water content was highly correlated with stomatal conductance and leaf area index. Indeed, the scarcity soil moisture reduced photosynthesis and retarded growth.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 2002

Ancient Korean physicians have used several oriental herbs to cure dementia and these effects were described in the Korean herbal books. Some cognitive-enhancing oriental herbs have been widely used as a herbal medicine against dementia. However, few of studies have proved their efficacy in treatment for dementia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of herbal compounds, which are mainly consisted of Uncaria sinensis, Corydalis yanhusuo and Acorus gramineus on learning and memory in Mortis water maze task and the central cholinergic system of the rats with neurotoxic medial septum lesion. In water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 6 days and then received a 60-s probe trial in which the platform was removed from the pool on the 7th day. Ibotanic and 192 saporin lesion of the medial septum (MS) impaired the performance of maze test and degenerated choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the brain, which is a marker of the central cholinergic system. Daily administrations of herbal medicine (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 consecutive days produced significant reversals of the neurotoxic-induced deficit in learning and memory. These treatments also reduced the loss of cholinergic immunoreactive neurons in the brain induced by neurotoxin. These results demonstrated that herbal compounds ameliorated learning and memory deficits through effects on the central nervous system, partly through effect on the acetylcholine system. Our studies suggest an evidence of these herbs as treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the neuroprotective effect of wheat bran extract (WBE) against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$)-induced apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and memory impairment in triple transgenic animal model's of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg AD mice). Methods : In SH-SY5Y cells, MTT assay and TUNEL staining were conducted to evaluate the protective effect of WBE against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Alterations in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), expression of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, cleavage of PARP, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were analyzed to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of WBE. To further investigate the memory enhancing effect of WBE, Morris water maze test was performed in 3xTg AD mice. Results : In SH-SY5Y cells, WBE protected against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-caused cytotoxicity and apoptosis as shown by the restoration of cell viability in MTT assay and inhibition of DNA fragmentation in TUNEL staining. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic signals such as dissipation of MMP, decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and cleavage of PARP were suppressed by WBE. Moreover, WBE up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, which seemed to be mediated by activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). In 3xTg AD mice, oral administration of WBE attenuated learning and memory deficit as verified by reduced mean escape latency in water maze test. Conclusions : WBE protects neuronal cells from $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death and restores learning and memory impairments in 3xTg AD mice. These findings suggest that WBE exhibit neuroprotective potential for the management of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the memory enhancing effect of Poria cocos Wolf (Hoelen cum radix) against scopolamine-induced amnesia in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. To induce amnesia, scopolamine (0.75 mg/kg) was intraperitonically injected into SD rats 30 min before starting behavior tests. We have conducted Morris water-maze and Y-maze tests to monitor learning and memory functions. Poria cocos effectively reversed scopolamine-induced memory impairment in SD rats which was represented by an improvement of mean escape latency in water-maze test and spontaneous alterations in Y-maze test. To elucidate possible molecule mechanism, we have measured mRNA as well as protein expression of acetylcholine esterase (AchE), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Poria cocos increased mRNA levels of ChAT and mAchR in rat hippocampus compared with those in the scopolamine-injected amnesic group. In addition, protein expression of ChAT and BDNF was also elevated by Poria cocos intake. Furthermore, as an upstrem regulator, the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) was assessed by immunohistochemistry. In this immunohistochemical analysis, the phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB) was reduced by scopolamine injection, which was restored back to control levels by administration of Poria cocos. These results suggest that Poria cocos may improve memory and cognitive deficit in amnesia and have therapeutic potentials through up-regulation of ChAT, mAchR, and BDNF, which seemed to be mediated by activation of CREB.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1464-1471
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• 2007

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, leading to many complications including cognitive deficit. Regular exercise has often been recommended as a therapeutic maneuver to the diabetic patients for the prevention of secondary complications. In the present study, the effects of treadmill exercise on memory and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Male SD rats, aged 6 weeks, were randomly assigned to the following three groups: control group(n=8), STZ-induced diabetic group(n=8), and STZ-induced diabetes and exercise group(n=8). Diabetes was induced by a single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg body weight). Treadmill running was conducted with duration and frequency of 30 minutes and 5 times per week, respectively, for 8 weeks. Memories were tested in the Morris water maze. Western blotting was performed to detect BDNF expression in the hippocampus. In this study, we found that compared to the control group, the STZ-induced diabetes group had a significantly impaired cognitive performance along with suppressed BDNF expression in the hippocampus and the exercise group had a higher cognitive function in diabetic rats. Therefore, the current findings of the study show that a treadmill running exercise can improve diabetes-induced impairment of cognitive function. And the improved cognitive function appears to be related to an alleviation in diabetes-induced BDNF expression in hippocampus.