• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 1998

Implantation rates remain low following human in vitro fertilization (IVF). Suboptimal culture conditions may limit the ability of embryos to hatch as blastocysts, and artificial opening of the zona pellucida has been proposed as a means to promote subsequent hatching (assisted hatching). In this study, assisted hatching (AH) by zona drilling using acidic Tyrode's solution was performed in 320 patients, due to their age of more than 38 years (group A), the thick zona pellucida (group Z; $ZP\geq0.18{\mu}m$), and failures in implantation more than 3 times in previous IVF-ET trial (group P). This study was designed firstly, to study the effects of AH on the outcomes of IVF-ET according to the indications and secondly, to verify the appropriate application of AH. The results were as follows; 1. There was no difference in pregnancy rate between AH group (26.6%) and non-AH group (26.5%). 2. Assisted hatching (AH) showed significantly higher pregnancy rate of the patients with thick zona pellucid a than those of the patients with age factor and with the history of repeated implantation failure. But in the patients with age factor only, AH resulted in higher pregnancy rate. 3. Interestingly, the patients with complex factors including zona factor (Z: 33.9%; ZA: 30.4%; ZP: 31.6%; ZAP: 21.4%) showed higher pregnancy rates than other complex factors excluding zona factor (A: 24.4%, P: 0%; AP: 10.8%). From these results, AH is more helpful to the patients with thick zona pellucida rather than patients with older age and/or previous repeated implantation failure.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.271-277
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• 2012

Physiological properties of $Corni$ $fructus$ extracts were investigated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of 90% ethanol extracts had shown 97.20% at 25 mL/g, which was highest in the all extracts. Total polyphenol content of 30% ethanol extracts had shown 140.01mg% at 25 mL/g, which was highest in the all extracts. The polyphenol contents increased as extract concentration rose (25 mL/g>50 mL/g>100 mL/g). Tyrosinase inhibitory effects of all samples were 23.96~88.71%, expecially, the highest at 60% ethanol extracts of 25 mL/g. Nitrite-scavenging abilities under acidic conditions (pH 1.2) were the most effective in all extracts. The results would be useful for understanding of the physiological properties of $Corni$ $fructus$ extracts.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the presence of autoantigens in the gastric juices of children. Methods: Gastric juice and serum samples were obtained from 53 children <15 years of age who underwent gastric endoscopy. Among these, 8, 22, and 23 participants were in the age groups 0-5, 6-10, and 11-15 years, respectively. These samples were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), immunoblot analysis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we reviewed the histopathological findings and urease test results and compared them with the results of 2-DE and immunoblot analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in urease test positivity, grades of chronic gastritis, active gastritis, or Helicobacter pylori infiltration of the antrum and body among the three age groups. Three distinct patterns of gastric juice were observed on 2-DE. Pattern I was the most common, and pattern III was not observed below the age of 5 years. Histopathological findings were significantly different among active gastritis (p=0.037) and H. pylori infiltration (p=0.060) in the gastric body. The immunoblots showed large spots at an approximate pH of 3-4 and molecular weights of 31-45 kDa. These distinct, large positive spots were identified as gastric lipase and pepsin A and C. Conclusion: Three enzymes, which are normally secreted under acidic conditions were identified as autoantigens. Further investigation of the pathophysiology and function of autoantigens in the stomach is required.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.446-455
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride varnish application on enamel decalcification. Eighty bovine enamel blocks divided randomly into 4 groups. Group I is the control group. Group II was treated with the APF gel and washed after 4 minutes. Group III and IV was treated with Fluor $Protector^{(R)}$ and $CavityShield^{TM}$ and washed after 1 minutes. Decalcification were created by placing all specimen into artificial acidic solution(pH 4.0). Then the optical density of the lesions were measured by visible light fluorescence and the lesion depths were measured. The results were : 1. The optical density of group II was higher than group I but lower than group III, IV(p<0.05) and there was no difference between group III, IV(p>0.05) at 48 hours. 2. The optical density of group IV was highest at 72 hours(p<0.05). 3. Mean lesion depths were $205.36{\pm}42.85{\mu}m$ and $210.81{\pm}44.60{\mu}m$ in group I, II but no significant difference between two groups(p>0.05). 4. Mean lesion depths were $80.03{\pm}21.66{\mu}m$ and $77.46{\pm}27.72{\mu}m$ in group III, IV but no significant difference between two groups(p>0.05). Fluoride varnish treatment resulted in a significant reduction in lesion depth compared with APF gel. Fluor $Protector^{(R)}$ and $CavityShield^{TM}$ provided the similar effect.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 2002

This study was conducted to do the comparative analysis of mating type locus controlling the direct formation of fruiting body in Schizophyllum commune which is indigenous to North America with that of other identified mating locus. The 3120 bp Y-region nucleotide of A $\alpha$ 3 mating locus activating a developmental pathway in S. commune was determined, and appeared to have about 96% homology to S. commune 1-71 $A\alpha$3 allele indigenous to South America, showing strongly a conservative feature. This nucleotide analysis also showed above 96% homology highly in the seven presumed exons, and about 97% in the acidic rich region (AR), about 99% in homeodomain (H7), about 97% in the basic rich region (BR), about 95% in the serine rich region (Ser) respectively. In the comparative analysis to the translated polypeptide sequence, S. commune A $\alpha$ 3 mating locus containing Y-region also showed about 97% homology to the region of S. commune indigenous to North America, but the identity ratio to Y1 including Y4, Y5, Y6 different allele types was declined to about 41~49%. In the analysis of functional loci controlling mating activity, it is assumed to have a highly conservative feature showing about 98% homology in homeodomain polypeptide. Especially, it is notable that the homology ratio of above 85% in homeodomain motif between mating type alleles was higher than in the AR, BR, Ser showing about 10~50% homology.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.421-429
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• 2018

Hydrazine based reductive dissolution applied on magnetite oxide was investigated. Dissolution of Fe(II) and Fe(III) from magnetite takes place either by protonation, surface complexation, or reduction. Solution containing hydrazine and sulfuric acid provides hydrogen to break bonds between Fe and oxygen by protonation and electrons for the reduction of insoluble Fe(III) to soluble Fe(II) in acidic solution of pH 3. In terms of dissolution rate, numerous transition metal ions were examined and Cu(II) ion was found to be the most effective to speed up the dissolution. During the cycle of Cu(I) ions to Cu(II) ions, the released electron promoted the reduction of Fe(III) and Cu(II) ions returned to Cu(I) ion due to the oxidation of hydrazine. In the experimental results, the addition of a very low amount of cupric ion (about 0.5 mM) to the solution increased the dissolution rate about 40% on average and up to 70% for certain specific conditions. It is confirmed that even though the coordination structure of copper ions with hydrazine is not clear, the $Cu(II)/H^+/N_2H_4$ system is acceptable regarding the dissolution performance as a decontamination reagent.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.456-464
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• 1998

For the standardization and quality improvement of traditional Korean Nuruk, 10 strains of fungi, which were isolated from Nuruks and showed good productivity of the saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes, acid and flavor, were selected and their enzymological characteristics and identification were carried out. Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus sp. showed a high liquefying activity without regard to cultivation time, whereas the majority of strains except for Rhizopus sp. had decreasing saccharifying activity in proportion to the increase in cultivation time. Aspergillus spp. No.17-2, No.17-6 and Rhizopus sp. No.18-1 showed high liquefying and saccharifying activity after 15 and 30 day cultivation. The optimum temperature of most of these saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes was from 40$^{\circ}C$ to 60$^{\circ}C$, and their optimum pH was extensive between pH 3 and pH 11. But Penicillium spp.(2 strains) and Rhizopus sp. showed low activity under the alkalic and acidic conditions. Among these isolated strains, 5 strains which had shown the high productivity of materials were identified as Aspergillus oryzae NR3-6 and Aspergillus oryzae NR17-6, Aspergillus penicilloides NR12-1, Penicillium expansum NR7-7 and Rhizopus oryzee NRl8-1, respectively. Five kinds of mixed culture were carried out and all of them showed a better productivity of saccharogenic and dextrinogenic enzymes than single culture. These results indicate that it is possible to make traditional Korean liquors of good quality by using these fungi.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 1980

Kojis were prepared from the different starch raw materials such as glutinous rice, barley rice, wheat flour and sweet potato, and were tested in an effort to reduce production cost and to improve quality of Kochuzang(red pepper paste). During the starting period of Koji preparation, there were less significant changes in pH; however, pH decreased somehow in the case of sweet potato, whereas it increased for the other Kojis. In general, the highest acidity was obtained after 72 hours of Koji preparation. Total nitrogen, soluble nitrogen and amino-nitrogen content increased in order of wheat flour, barley rice, and glutinous rice; Kojis they were markedly produced between 72 and 96 hours of Koji preparation. The maximum amount of reducing sugar was observed between 48 and 72 hours of Koji preparation during this period the reducing sugar content varied widely depending on starch source. Sweet potato Koji produced the highest level of ethyl alcohol content after 72 hours of Koji preparation; for the other Koji the same trends were observed after 24 hours. The starch liquefying activities have reached the highest level after 96 hours and for glutinous rice and barley rice; however, they kept on increasing until 120 hours for wheat flour and sweet potato. Koji Starch liquefying and saccharogenic amylase activities tended to increase in order of sweet potato, glutinous rice, barley rice and wheat flour. Kojis Various protease activities were measu-red during the Koji preparation, and they increased in order of alkali, neutral and acidic protease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.371-379
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• 2015

This study is purposed to seek the characteristics of both asbestos in accordance with acid and heat treatment for chrysotile and amosite used mainly as building materials. Results of acid treatment, the refractive index, the elongation sign, the extinction of acid-treated chrysotile were mostly similar to those of untreated chrysotile regardless of pH, elapsed time. But the characteristics of acid-treated chrysotile were different from those of untreated chrysotile after 8 weeks, at pH 1.2 acidic solution. When chrysotile treated with acid, weight ratio (%) of O and Mg fluctuated greatly in accordance with acid treatment unlike Si. But the change of constituents ratio (%) was small as time passed after acid treatment. The refractive index, the elongation sign and the extinction of acid-treated amosite were mostly similar to those of untreated amosite regardless of pH, elapsed time. When amosite was treated with acid, weight ratio (%) of Fe slightly increased. But in case of O, a contrary tendency was seen. Results of heat treatment, the higher the temperature, the more increased the refractive index of chrysotile. When chrysotile was heated for 10 minutes at $1,100^{\circ}C$, the elongation sign of chrysotile changed from positive(+) to negative(-). The extinction of chrysotile didn't change apparently in accordance with heat treatment. Also weight ratio (%) of O and Mg fluctuated greatly in accordance with heat treatment unlike Si. The higher the temperature, the more increased the refractive index of amosite. The elongation sign and the extinction of amosite didn't change apparently in accordance with heat treatment. Also weight ratio (%) of O and Fe fluctuated greatly in accordance with heat treatment. But weight ratio (%) of Si and Mg of heated amosite were mostly similar to those of untreated amosite regardless of temperature, heating time.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Environmental characteristics and vegetation of the natural habitats of Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y. Sun were investigated in order to provide the basic data for conservation, restoration, and utilization of this Korean endemic plant. This study was conducted in Anyang, Byeonsan, Geoje, Gyeongju, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. E. byunsanensis was distributed around the altitudes of 84~585 m with a slope degree of $10{\sim}20^{\circ}$, and mostly formed discontinuous populations in north-east part of valleys. Soil analysis showed the mean organic matter of 9.6% and a slightly acidic pH (mean pH of 4.9). The mean gravimetric water content was 16.5%. Correlation coefficients between environmental factors and community characteristics suggested that there was a positive correlation between slope degree and soil water content, between slope degree and soil pH, between soil organic matter and importance value, and between species richness or evenness and species diversity. The vascular plants from 59 quadrats of 7 habitats were identified into 144 taxa. A few species were dominants and similarly distributed in Byeonsan, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. The highest species diversity was found in Geoje (1.43), while Anyang showed the lowest (0.87). Species evenness of Gyeongju and Jeju was bigger than 0.8, but that of Geoje was the lowest (0.59). Dominant species of woody plants in and around the 59 plots were represented by high frequency of Acer pictum subsp. mono, Carpinus cordata, Lindera obtusiloba, and Carpinus laxiflora. The results of this study can provide useful data for conservation and restoration of natural habitats of Korean endemic Eranthis byunsanensis and for the development and growth of this species for ornamental purposes.