• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.795-802
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• 2003

Purpose : We investigated the hormonal control of OB gene expression and leptin secretion in cultured human visceral adipose tissue. Methods : Visceral adipose tissues were cultured for up to 48 hrs in modified Eagle's medium with varying concentration of hormones : Control(no hormone), bovine insulin(100 nM), Dexamethasone(DEX, 100 nM), growth hormone(GH, 40 ng/mL), insulin+DEX(100 nM each), insulin+DEX+GH(100 nM insulin and DEX, 40 ng/mL GH). Quantitative analysis of leptin mRNA was performed by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and leptin secretion in culture medium was measured by IRMA using a commercial kit. Results : The addition of dexamethasone to the medium significantly increased OB gene expression and leptin secretion(P<0.05). Unlike dexamethasone, insulin did not affect OB gene expression and leptin secretion. Both insulin and dexamethasone, at high concentration, significantly stimulated leptin secretion compared with basal values(P<0.05). Leptin gene expression was not significantly increased by GH treatment alone, however GH, in combination with high concentrations of insulin and dexamethasone, attenuated the stimulatory effects of high concentrations of insulin and dexamethasone. Conclusion : Insulin cannot increase leptin secretion without the presence of dexamethasone. The mechanism suggested is that insulin may increase leptin secretion in cytoplasm only after dexamethasone increases the expression of OB gene. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of the action of insulin on leptin secretion after increasing OB gene expression by dexamethasone.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.59-68
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• 2016

The application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to assess the environmental impact of rapeseed cultivation in winter fallow after harvesting rice was investigated and compared with barley cultivation in crop rotation system. Data for input materials were collected and analyzed by 1 ton rapeseed and barley as functional unit. For the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) the Eco-indicator 95 method has been chosen because this is well documented and regularly applied impact method. From the comparison of impact categories such as greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, acidification, heavy metals, carcinogens, summer smog, and energy resources for 1 ton of final product, emission potential from rapeseed was higher than that from barley. The range from 65 to 96% of these potential came from chemical fertilizer. On the other hand, eutrophication potential from barley was higher than that from rapeseed, mainly came from utilizing the chemical fertilizer. During the cultivation of barley and rape, environmental burden by heavy metals was evaluated by 0.5 Pt, larger than points from other impact categories. The sum of points from all impact categories in barley and rapeseed was calculated to be 0.78 Pt and 0.82 Pt, respectively. From the sensitivity analysis for barley and rapeseed, scenario 1 (crop responses to fertilization level) showed the environmental burden was continuously increased with the amount of fertilization in barley cultivation, while it was not increased only at the optimum crop responses to fertilization in rapeseed (R3). With these results, rapeseed cultivation in winter fallow paddy contributed to the amounts of environmental burden much more than barley cultivation. It is, however, highly determined that environmental weighted point resulted from evaluating both cultivation was not significantly different.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.94-103
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• 2016

An analytical method was developed to determine the amount of spinetoram (spinetoram J and spinetoram L) in livestock samples. The spinetoram was extracted with acetonitrile and purified through a primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbent. The spinetoram residues were then quantified and confirmed using a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM). Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005-0.5 mg/kg) into a blank extract with r² > 0.994. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.002 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The recovery results of spinetram ranged between 81.9-106.4% at different concentration levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, 50LOQ, n=5) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10%. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL40, 2003). An interlaboratory study was conducted to validate the method. The proposed analytical method proved to be accurate, effective, and sensitive for spinetoram determination. The method will be used as an official analytical method in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2002

To establish effective and safe control method against Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici on tomato in hydroponic culture, three pesticides, oxadixyl copper hydroxide 8% WP, metalaxyl copper oxychloride 15% WP, and dimethomorph. dithianon 38% WP at 4 concentration levels were tested on potato dextrose agar medium inoculated with Phytophthora capsici. All pesticides inhibited mycelial growth, but two pesticides of them, metalaxyl copper oxychloride WP and dimethomorph. dithianon WP, were selected as effective pesticides for the efficacy test in a hydroponic culture. Forty days after transplanting of tomato seedlings, 4 ml of sporangia of P. capsici (about 25 sporangi/ml) per plot was inoculated around tomato plant root, and then 5 days after inoculation, the pesticides diluted at 5,000 times were drenched 1, 2 or 3 times per plot on the culture cube at 15 days interval. Fifteen days after drenching, tomato fruits and hydroponic culture solution were sampled for the analysis of pesticide residues. Dimethomorph was detected 0.001 and 0.003 mg/kg in tomato of the plots sprayed 2 and 3 times with dimethomorph dithianon WP of which detection levels were far below compared with 1.0 mg/kg of the Korean MRL of dimethomorph on tomato. Incidences of Phytophthora root rot were $30.5{\sim}50%$ in the plots drenched at 1 or 2 times with metalaxyl.copper oxychloride WP, and $16.7{\sim}25%$ in the plots treated with dimethomorph dithianon WP. However, there was no incidence of Phytophthora root rot in the plots treated at 3 times with both of pesticides, showing no phytotoxic effect. Based on the results, the drenching of these pesticides on the culture cube could be recommended as a very safe and effective control method for Phytophthora root rot in tomato.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.364-369
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• 1995

Anticarcinogenic activity of Moutan radix for mouse ascites cancer induced by mouse Sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells was investigated. Methanol extract of Moutan radix including other folk medicinal plants (Taxus cuspidata, Curcuma longa, Artemisia capillaris, Ligrstri fructus, and Liriope platyphylla) used to remedy or cure many chronic human diseases like cancer was fractionated into hexane, chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethylacetate (EtOAc), and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Anticarcinogenic activity of the fractions, exhibited a strong cytotoxicity for L1210 and S-180 cells, was examined for mouse ascites cancer induced by S-180 cells. Male ICR mice (7 mice/treatment, $5{\sim}6$ weeks of age, $23{\pm}1\;g$ were injected i.p. with S-180 cells ($1{\times}10^{7}\;cell/1\;ml$ PBS). One day later, each mouse was given 0.1 ml of 10% DMSO containing sample ($30\;{\mu}g/g$ body weight) every day for 10 consecutive days. Control mice were only given 0.1ml S-180 cells and 0.1 ml 10% DMSO. Mice treated with EtOAc fraction of Moutan radix showed 28.7 days of life, which is 167% of control mice's life. Based on the dose-dependant experiment mice treated with $30\;{\mu}g$ showed longer life relative to mice treated with ootherr doses (5, 15, $60\;{\mu}g$), and mice treated with $60\;{\mu}g$ exhibited toxic symptoms. Body weight of mice treated with Moutan radix was significantly reduced relative to that of control mice (p<0.05). GC-MS analysis in conjunction with silica-gel column chromatography revealed that the EtOAc fraction contained 2-methoxylphenol, benzoic acid, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanone, 8-methyl-2,4(1H,3H)pteridinedione and 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic dimethyl ester as regards to the anticarcinogenic property of the EtOAc fraction. These results suggest that Moutan radix might be included as an anticarcinogenic medicinal plant for treatment of ascites cancer.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2005

Agricultural sciences field in South Korea has many strong points such as numerous researchers, establishment of research infra-structure, excellence in research competitiveness and high technological level. However, there are also many weaknesses including insufficient leadership at related societies and institutes, deficiency of the next generation research group, and insufficiency in research productivity. There are many opportunities including increasing the importance of the biotechnological industry, activating international cooperation researches, and exploring the multitude of possible research areas to be studied. However, some threats still exist, such as pressure from the government of developed countries to open the agricultural market, the decrease of specialized farms, and intensification for researches to gratify economic and social demands. To encourage research activities in the agricultural sciences field in Korea, the following actions and systems are required: 1) formulation of a mid- and a long-term research master plan, 2) development of a database on the man power in related fields, 3) activation of top-down research topics, and associated increase of individual research grants, 4) development of special national programs for basic researches in agricultural sciences, 5) organization of a committee for policy and planning within the related societies, and 6) system development for the fair evaluation of the research results.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.482-488
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• 2002

Purpose : We performed this study to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis, CLO and HpKit test for H. pylori infection in children. Methods : Gastroduodenal endoscopy and mucosal biopsy were performed on 212 children who visited our hospital between Jul. 1999 and May 2000 due to abdominal pain. We performed CLO and HpKit test for H. pylori with the time interval of 15, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours. Histological examination of H. pylori was made by H-E or Alcian yellow stain with biopsy specimens. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value of nodular gastritis, CLO and HpKit test were calculated from the analysis of above data. Results : Sensitivity and specificity of 3 hour-CLO test was 68.4% and 100% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of 3 hour-HpKit test was 65.8% and 100% respectively. No significant difference in sensitivity and specificity was found between in 3 hour-CLO and HpKit test(P>0.05). Sensitivity of CLO test increased as time lapsed, but corresponding specificity did not decrease as time lapsed(sensitivity and specificity at 144 hours : 89.5% and 94.8% respectively). However, sensitivity of HpKit test increased as time lapsed, but specificity markedly decreased. Sensitivity and specificity of the nodular gastritis was 78.9% and 93.7% respectively. Conclusion : Both CLO and HpKit test have relatively low sensitivity and specificity for the detection of H. pylori in 3 hours of testing in children. The endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis is another good standard in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2002

Purpose : We have performed this study to obtain reference data for the distribution of chromosomal aberrations in Korea. Methods : We analyzed 1,180 chromosomal study cases from Kwang ju Christian Hospital during the past 25 years. 756 cases suspected of characteristic chromosomal aberration syndromes and 424 cases with hermaphroditism, mild sexual abnormalities, multiple anomalies, or mental & growth retardation were included. Results : The male to female ratio of autosomal aberration syndromes was 1.2 : 1. 78.6% of autosomal aberrations were diagnosed under 1 year of age, whereas 89.8% of sex chromosomal aberrations were diagnosed over 12 years of age. Among 1,180 cases, 612 ones had chromosomal aberrations(51.9%) : 590 of 756 cases suspected of chromosomal aberration syndromes had aberrations( 78.0%), whereas 22 of 424 showing the above other features had aberrations(5.2%). Autosomal aberrations appeared in 514 cases(83.8%) and sex chromosomal aberrations appeared in 98 cases(16.2%). The most frequently observed abberation in autosomal aberrations was Down syndrome, followed by E, D, B, A and C group aberrations. The most common abberation in sex chromosomal aberrations was Turner syndrome, followed by Klinefelter syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Conclusion : It is of vital importance that patients suspected of chromosomal aberrations undergo chromosomal analysis. Further advanced chromosomal staining and molecular genetic methods will raise the detection rate of chromosomal aberrations.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2009

Purpose : This study has been conducted to analyze whether the biochemical nutrition indexes might be useful and effective for evaluating the nutrition states of children. Methods : We evaluated 269 children, aged 3-9 years old, who had visited Gangneung Asan Hospital for elective surgery from January 2006 to December 2007, and examined their anthropometric and preoperative laboratory data with retrospective analysis. The children were classified into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese groups according to body mass index (BMI). The biochemical nutrition indexes (total lymphocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, cholesterol, et al) of each group were then analyzed statistically. Results : None of the groups showed statistically significant differences in TLC. Serum albumin decreased significantly in the underweight group. Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum total cholesterol in the obese group were higher than in the normal weight group. None of the groups showed statistically significant increase in mean corpuscular volume or mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and it seems that the increase of hemoglobin and RBC count in the overweight and obese groups is due to the enhancement of erythropoiesis rather than iron metabolism. However, in females, almost all nutrition indexes except albumin were statistically significantly poor. Conclusion : Serum albumin, total cholesterol, RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were useful as nutrition indexes. However, except for albumin, these indexes were significantly poor for females. More control studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of biochemical indexes for evaluating the nutritional state of children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2009

The purpose of the study was to develop an eating habit checklist for screening elementary school children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Eating habits, food intake, and anthropometric data were collected from 142 children (80 boys and 62 girls) in the $4^{th}$ to $6^{th}$ grades of elementary schools. Percentage of Recommended Intakes (RI) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of six micronutrients; vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and the number of nutrients the children consumed below EAR among the six nutrients were used as indices to detect the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between eating habit scores and inadequate micronutrient intake indices in order to select questions included in the checklist. Meal frequency, enough time for breakfast, regularity of dinner, appetite, eating frequencies of Kimchi, milk, fruits and beans showed significant correlations with indices of inadequate micronutrient intake. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to give each item a different weight by prediction strength. To determine the cut-off point of the test score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The 8-item checklist with test results from 0 to 12 points was developed, and those with equal or higher than 6 points were diagnosed as high-risk group of inadequate micronutrient intake, and those with 4 or 5 points were diagnosed as moderate-risk group. Among our subjects 14.1% was diagnosed as high-risk group, and 30.3% as moderate-risk group. The proportions of the subjects who consumed below EAR of all micronutrients but vitamin C were highest in the high-risk group, and there were significant differences in the proportions of the subjects with intake below EAR of all micronutrients except vitamin B6 among the three groups. This checklist will provide a useful screening tool to identify children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake.