• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-61
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• 2009

These days, environmental policies have changed from being command and control systems toward economic incentive systems, with various incentives having been established by OECD countries. In Korea, many environmental charges have been established in order to diminish activities which damage natural resources. Among them, the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge and the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation are considered to be representative environmental charges. These charges, along with a few others, were designed to encourage efforts to protect natural resources. The charges include a number of different features, utilize varying methods, and altered ranges of jurisdiction. However, the charges may pose serious inequity problems in terms of their estimated values and their conditions of reduction and exemption. For instance, although the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge is a primary charge applied to natural resource damage, the charge does not fully secure its original objectives due to its low levy and limited range of provisions. Moreover, the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation has been criticized because of similar reduction and exemption provisions. Therefore, this study analyzes the inequity problems associated with the charges and proposes solutions. First of all, the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge should be redesigned in such a way that it reflects the substantial value of natural resource damage through either abrogate or increased maximum limits of the charge. With regard to the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation, the cases and ranges of reduction and exemption provisions should be narrowed. Finally, the charges collected should be expended in conformity with their original objectives, and their expenditure should be restricted to either restoration activities or activities directly related to compensation and mitigation of damaged natural resources.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.877-884
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• 2013

This study investigated the optimal composition of sugar and artificial sweeteners in oatmeal cookies. Modified cookies were examined for their quality characteristics and glycemic index in humans. Oatmeal cookies with various amounts of sugar (20, 30, or 40%) were made to the equivalent sweetness of 100% sugar cookies (the control) with sucralose and stevioside. The density and acidity of cookie dough were not significantly different between the different cookie groups. However, baking loss and the spread index were significantly lower in the 100% sugar cookie group compared to cookies supplemented with artificial sweeteners. The color lightness (L value) and redness (a value) were highest in 30% and 100% sugar cookies, respectively. The strength of the cookies was negatively correlated with sugar content. In sensory evaluations, scores for taste, color and texture were higher in 30% and 40% sugar cookies, respectively, but the overall preference was higher in 30% sugar cookies. We therefore tested 30% and 100% sugar cookies for their glycemic index in college students. After overnight-fasted students consumed either 30% or 100% sugar cookies (containing 50 g of carbohydrate in dough weight), blood glucose levels increased 27.8 and 15.7 mg/dL, respectively, at 1 hour from the baseline. However, at 2 hours from the baseline, students who consumed 100% sugar cookies had a remarkably lowered blood glucose levels. Students who consumed 30% sugar cookies did not have as much of a change in blood glucose levels. In conclusion, 30% sugar oatmeal cookies made with sucralose and stevioside can be used to make a low-sugar cookie with a low glycemic index.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.255-264
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• 2014

This study was performed to elucidate the biochemical mechanism of metabolism on reducing blood lipid, by oral administration of egg yolk in rats. A total of 36 Sprague Dawley male rats were randomized into four treatment groups, according to a randomized block design. Each group was further divided into three repeat cages, with each repeat cage comprising of 3 rats. The animals were orally administered with egg yolk once a day, while feeding the same purified pellet diet for 6 weeks. The four treatment groups were: C(control, saline 1.0 g), T1(pork belly oil 1.0 g), T2(egg yolk 1.0 g), T3(pork belly oil 1.0 g and egg yolk 1.0 g alternating every week). The measured parameters in each group are listed as follows in the order of highest to the lowest: daily average gain of body weight(T1>T3>T2>C); blood triglyceride and total cholesterol(T1>C>T3>T2) HDL-C (T2>C>T3>T1); and LDL-C (T1>T3>C>T2). AST and ALT, which are the index of liver function, were the highest in T1 but was lowest in T2. The weights of the liver, spleen, and kidney, except for the abdominal fat, showed no significant difference. The weight of abdominal fat was the highest in T1, but there were no significant difference among C, T2, and T3. The HMG-CoA reductase activity was the highest in T1 followed by T3, C but T2 was lowest. The daily fecal excretions of the total sterol, neutral sterol and acid sterol was highest in T2 but lowest in T1. The results of this study show that the egg consumption reduces the blood lipid through facilitation of fecal excretions of sterols and inhibition of enzyme activity in cholesterol biosynthesis, in the liver of animal and human.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.287-296
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• 2007

The experimental work was conducted to determine the growth characteristics and yield of whole crop rice (cv. Suwon 468 and cv. Chuchungbeo) and soil properties using various type of livestock manure application on rice paddy land for 3 years ($2003{\sim}3005$). Compared Suwon 468 and Chuchungbeo, Suwon 468 has longer plant height and more DM yield than that of Chuchungbeo. Among livestock manure type, plant height was longer in order of liquid swine manure (LSM) > composted swine manure (CSM) > chemical fertilizer (CF) > composted cattle manure (CCM). Number of branch on Chuchungbeo had more than that of Suwon 468. Among livestock manure type, number of branch had more in order of LSM > CSM > CF > CCM. DM yield of whole crop rice (WCR) was affected by various types of livestock manure application and increased in order CSM > CCM = LSM. DM yield on the effects of application level of LSM was highest in LSM 75% + CF 25%. Plant diseases such as rice blast, damage by insect, smut, sheath blight occurred in LSM and CSM and there was not significantly different among application level of LSM. The nitrogen content of WCR by CSM was the highest of all treatments and the ripened ratio by CSM was in contrary order. Moreover the feed value of WCR was not significantly different among treatments. Soil pH, organic matter and total nitrogen was not different by LSM application whereas phosphorus content increased by LSM application. Cu and Zn content increased by LSM and CSM application and were not different by CCM as compared to control plots.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1025-1031
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• 2013

From a 95% ethanolic extract of H. diffusa, four marker compounds (HD1~HD4) were isolated, which were relatively unique and exist in comparably high contents. The structures of marker compounds were identified as digitolutein (1), 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (2), (E/Z)-6-O-p-coumaroyl scandoside methyl ester (4:1 mixture) (3), and (E/Z)-6-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl scandoside methyl ester (4:1 mixture) (4), respectively, on the basis of $^{13}C$ and $^1H$-NMR analyses. The calibration curves of marker compounds showed high linearity, as their correlation coefficient ($R^2$) were in the range of 0.9991~0.9999. In addition, the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were $0.03{\sim}0.07{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.099{\sim}0.231{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The intra-day/inter-day precision and accuracy were 0.23~2.00%/0.25~1.16% and 94.60~108.44%/94.73-110.23%, respectively. The optimal HPLC conditions for the simultaneous quantification of HD1~HD4 were as follows: stationary phase; Merck Chromolith RP-18e ($100{\times}4.6mm$, $5{\mu}m$), column temp.; room temperature, UV detection at 280 nm, flow rate; 2.0 ml/min, injection volume; $10{\mu}l$, mobile phase; start with the mixture of 80% solvent A ($H_2O$ containing 0.5% acetic acid) and 20% solvent B (methanol containing 0.5% acetic acid) and gradually decrease solvent A to 40% in 9 min., then retain this condition to 18 min. Under the HPLC condition, the four marker compounds 1~4 were successfully separated without any interference of other constituents. The results obtained in this study are expected to be helpful for the development of nutraceutics and natural medicines and for the quality control of this plant.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.100-106
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• 2011

The physicochemical characteristics of chicken breast were determined to identify the optimal ratio of $CO_2$ and $N_2$ to maintain chicken breast quality during cold storage for 6 d. The mixing ratios of $CO_2$ and $N_2$ were 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20, respectively. The pH of the chicken breast packed with 80% $CO_2$ and 20% $N_2$ was lower than that of the control on day 1 (p<0.05). The lightness ($L^*$) of the breast increased with increasing $CO_2$ during storage (p<0.05), whereas no difference was found for redness ($a^*$) and yellowness ($b^*$). A lower volatile basic nitrogen level was found for chicken breasts exposed to higher $CO_2$ levels. Furthermore, lipid oxidation of the chicken breast packed with $CO_2$ decreased with increasing $CO_2$ level, and 40% $CO_2$ significantly reduced 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values on days 1 and 6. The total number of microbes was reduced in chicken breast exposed to more than 40% $CO_2$ during storage days 3 and 6 (p<0.05); however, Escherichia coli was not affected by $CO_2$ level. Coliforms of chicken breast were reduced in the 40% $CO_2$ level on storage day 3. Moreover, tray-packed chicken breast exposed to 40% $CO_2$ did not collapse. These results suggest that 40% $CO_2$ and 60% $N_2$ were the optimal conditions for packaging chicken breasts during cold storage.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2010

The principal objective of this study was to investigate the cooling effects of geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) in farrowing house. A total of 96 sows were allocated to 2 pig housings (GHPS and conventional housing) with 48 for four weeks in summer season. During the experimental period of four weeks, the highest outside temperature observed was approximately $34.1^{\circ}C$, GHPS decrease indoor temperature of pig housing up to $30.9^{\circ}C$, but conventional pig housing was similar to outside temperature. Dust concentrations (maximum 61.4%) of particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$ (PM 10) in GHPS-housing were lower than the conventional housing. GHPS showed no signigicant difference in carbon dioxide emission, whereas the ammonia gas concentration was significantly decreased in GHPS-housing compared to that of conventional housing. Sows in GHPS-housing showed significantly lower respiratory rate than those of the control group. GHPS did not affect hormone level, litter size and birth weight, but weaning weight of piglets was influenced by GHPS. Feed consumption of sows was significantly increased in GHPS-housing compared to the conventional hosing. These results suggest that GHPS decrease dust concentration, ammonia gas emission and indoor temperature of pig housing and may affect performance in sows and weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2010

To obtain the best yield of the beneficial ingredients in green tea, such as catechins, green tea powder is most often prepared by ethyl alcohol extraction. However, the taste, cost and composition of ethyl alcohol extract is different from aqueous spray-dried green tea extract (aq-GTE). Specifically, aq-GTE has a better flavor, lower production costs and higher purity when compared to ethyl alcohol extract. In this study, we elucidated the effect of aq-GTE on diet-induced obesity in male C57BL/6J mice following dose-dependent oral administration of aq-GTE. After eight weeks, the body weight was reduced by 13-17% in mice fed 200 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($12.468{\pm}0.45\;g$; p<0.05) and 20-25% in mice fed 400 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($11.259{\pm}0.61\;g$; p<0.05) when compared with the high-fat diet (HFD) control group mice ($14.714{\pm}0.95\;g$; p<0.05). The correlation between epididymal fat accumulation and body weight also decreased by approximately 26.6% (p<0.05) in mice fed a HFD with aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw. Finally, serum parameters such as the triglyceride, glucose and cholesterol levels in the HFD groups were reduced by the aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw diet. Analysis on glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and development of hepatic steatosis revealed no histologic evidence of hepatotoxicity in HFD mice fed aq-GTE. Overall, our results imply that aq-GTE is able to regulate body weight and fat accumulation in mice.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2002

Background : Pain is one of the most feared consequences of cancer. $65{\sim}85%$ of cancer patients experienced severe pain, and sometimes high dose morphine is used to these patients. But many doctors still have 'opioid-phobia' and hesitate to use high dose morphine. We investigated the morphine therapy in terminal cancer patients during the last 1 week to death, and found any differences according to the morphine dosage. Methods : 93 patients admitted to National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, department of family medicine for hospice care between September 2000 and the end of October 2001 and lived more than 1 week entered in the study. We investigated the demographic data, laboratory tests and sufficient dosage of morphine for pain control. According to the calculated dosage by OME(oral morphine equivalent), patients were divided into low dosage group (${\leq}150mg/day$) and high dosage group (>150 mg/day). The chi-squared test were used to evaluate the influence of age, gender, tumor sites, metastasis and adverse effects of morphine. Results : Mean age was $65.0{\pm}13.1year$ in low dosage group and $59.9{\pm}11.6year$ in high dosage group. 32 men (50.0%) and 32 women (50.0%) were included in low dosage group and 15 men (51.7%) and 14 women (48.3%) in high dosage group. Stomach was the most frequent tumor site and lung was the next. Metastasis were found 58 (90.6%) in low dosage group and 28 (96.6%) in high dosage group. In other palliative radiotherapy and adverse effects, there were no differences in both group. Conclusion : During the last 1 week to death in cancer patients, there were no difference according to the morphine dosage. So we don't have to have 'opioid-phobia' in treating the terminal cancer patients.