• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2002

All the countries in RA II (Asia Region in WMO) welcome the establishment of a Web site dedicated to agricultural meteorology, because it is believed that the best way to improve and speed up the flow of information is the use of the Internet and the establishment of a Web site. In providing recommendation for the promotion and improvement of the AgroMeteorological service in RA II, a couple of key suggestions were proposed: (a) Exchanges of data and AgroMeteorological knowledge between member countries and between RAs, (b) Exchanges of experts between member countries as a necessary way to share the knowledge, and (c) Joint research between member countries to solve common problems in AgroMeteorological affairs. In order to meet the above requirements for RA II, an AgroMeteorological information network will be the most critical and dynamic aspect in sustainable agriculture in this region. In addition, the establishment of a Core AgroMeteorological station, recommended by CAgM of WMO, will require its own information sharing systems for communication among member countries. Inevitable use of information technologies (IT) such as information networks, databases, simulation models, GIS, and RS for regional impact assessment of environmental change on AgroEcosystem will be enforced. Thus, the regional Internet-based Agrometeorological information network has been in place since 1999, though all contributions to it have been volunteered by individuals, institutes, universities, etc.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.507-516
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• 2023

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection is an essential strategy to decrease the risk of developing gastric cancer. However, the standard triple therapy has negative aspects associated with side effects and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, alternative therapies are required to enhance the management of H. pylori infection effectively. In this study we examined the effect of emodin on the amelioration of inflammatory response due to H. pylori infection. Our results indicated that emodin treatment effectively decreased the expression of virulence genes, including sabA, vacA, cagL, cagA, sabA, and suppressed the adhesion ability of H. pylori to AGS cells. Emodin has been shown inhibitory effects on the inflammasome pathway through reductions in VacA translocation, lowering ROS stress, cleaved Caspase-1, NLRP3, and cleaved Gasdermin D levels, thereby lowered pyroptosis in infected cells. In summary, our study demonstrated that emodin has the ability to attenuate inflammation caused by H. pylori by modulating virulence gene expression and decreasing VacA translocation. Further study is required to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of emodin in treating H. pylori infection and better understand the underlying mechanisms.

• Plant Resources
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2002

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Inchinoe; SCN) is a devastating pest of soybean and is responsible for significant losses in yield. The use of resistant cultivars is the effective method to reduce or eliminate SCN damage. The objective of this research is to identify AFLP markers linked to the SCN resistant genes. Bulked genomic DNA was made from resistant and susceptible genotypes to SCN and a total of 19 primer combinations were used. About 31 fragments were detected per primer combination. The banding patterns were readily distinguished in resistant and susceptible bulked genotypes. Polymorphic fragments were detected between resistant and susceptible bulked genotypes in the primer combination of CGT/GGC, CAG/GTG and CTC/GAG. In primer combinations of CGT/GGC and CAG/GTG, bulked resistant genotype produced a polymorphic bands. However, in primer of CTC/GAG, bulked susceptible genotype produced a polymorphic fragments. Three AFLP markers identified as a polymorphic fragments between bulked genomic DNA were mapped in 85 F2 population. Among them, only two markers, CGT/GGC and CTC/GAG, was linked and was mapped. Broad application of AFLP marker would be possible for improving resistant cultivars to SCN.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.308-317
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between readiness to quit smoking and smoking cessation, and identify factors associated with smoking cessation in smokers with ischemic heart disease post-coronary angiography (CAG). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between December 1, 2020 and May 14, 2021 at a P hospital, Busan. A total of 164 subjects completed the questionnaire including general characteristics, coronary artery disease characteristics, readiness to quit smoking, and smoking cession behavior during hospitalization and 4 weeks after discharge. Results: The success rate of smoking cessation after coronary angiography in patients with ischemic heart disease was 49.4% (n = 81). In addition, 48.2% of smokers (n = 83) attempted smoking cessation after CAG, while 39.8% showed changes in smoking behavior. The readiness to quit smoking was significantly associated with smoking cessation (OR= 2.23, p< .005). Conclusion: Readiness to quit smoking was identified as an important factor associated with smoking cessation in patients with cardiovascular disease in this study. In order to increase the smoking cessation rate, it is necessary to strengthen the readiness to quit smoking, followed by a tailored program for smoking cessation in patients with ischemic heart disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.583-590
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• 2001

The aim of this study was to compare one-year graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass(OPCAB) with that of conventional CABG and that of on-pump beating CABG, and to demonstrate any differences in patency of various conduits among the three groups. Material and Method: We analyzed the results of OPCAB cases(group I; n=122) compared with those of conventional CABG cases(group II; n=65) and those of on-pump beating CABG cases(group III; n=19). In group I, coronary angiography(CAG) was performed immediately postoperatively and 1 year after surgery. In group II and III, CAG was performed 1 year after surgery. Graft patency was graded as grade A(excellent), grade B(fair), or grade O(occluded). Result: The average number of distal anastomoses in groups I, II, and II were 3.1$\pm$1.1, 3.7$\pm$0.9, and 3.6$\pm$0.9, respectively. In group I, postoperative CAG was performed in 92%(112/122) of patients before discharge. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 96.4$(162/168) for arterial grafts, and 85.6%(160/187) for saphenous vein grafts(SVG). One-year follow-up CAG was performed in 74%(90/122) of patients. The patency rate was 97.8%(132/135) for arterial grafts, and 67.9%(106/156) for SVG. In group II, one-year follow-up CAG was performed in 65%(42/65) of patients. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 93.5%(43/46) for arterial grafts, and 86.8%(33/38) for SVG. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the patency rate of SVG after OPCAB was significantly lower than that of arterial grafts in the early postoperative CAG(p<0.001), and was also significantly lower than those of SVG of group II(p<0.001) and group III(p<0.01) in the postoperative one-year CAG, although there was no significant difference is one-year patency of arterial grafts among the three groups. Our data suggest that a specific perioperative anticoagulant therapy may be advisable in patients undergoing OPCAB with SVG.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-helicobacter activity and anti-inflammatory activity of Angelica dahurica (AD). The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of AD against Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), expression of the H. pylori cagA gene in the presence of AD was determined. Inhibition of H. pylori urease by AD, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in AGS cells was measured. IL-8 mRNA expression in AGS cells which were infected with H. pylori and IL-8 level was measured. The MIC of MeOH Ex. of AD was $250{\mu}g/mL$ and the expression of cagA gene was decreased about 88% in the presence of AD. The activity of H. pylori urease was inhibited 70% by AD. mRNA expression of IL-8 and the production of NO and IL-8 were significantly decreased in the presence of AD. In conclusion, AD showed anti-Helicobacter activity and has potent anti-inflammatory effect on H. pylori-induced inflammation in human gastric epithelial AGS cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.371-379
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the change in the X-ray condition on the entrance surface dose (ESD) and dose area product (DAP) in the cine imaging of coronary angiography (CAG), and to analyze the usefulness of the condition change on the dose relation and image quality by measuring and analyzing the Signal to Noise Radio (SNR) and Contrast to Nois Ratio (CNR) of the angiographic images taken by the Image J program. Data were collected from 33 patients (24 males and 9 females) who underwent CAG at this hospital from November 2017 to March 2018. In terms of imaging condition and data acquisition, the ESD and DAP of group A with a high tube current of 397.2 mA and group B with a low tube current of 370.7 mA were retrospectively obtained for comparison and analysis. For the SNR and CNR measurement and analysis via Image J, the result values were derived by substituting the obtained data into the formula. The correlations among ESD and DAP according to the change in the imaging condition, SNR, and CNR were analyzed by using the SPSS statistical analysis software. The relationships of groups A and B, having a difference in the imaging condition, mA, with ESD ($A:483.5{\pm}60.1$; $B: 464.4{\pm}39.9$) and DAP ($A:84.3{\pm}10.7$; $B:81.5{\pm}7$) were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the relationships with SNR and CNR based on Image J, the SNR ($5.451{\pm}0.529$) and CNR ($0.411{\pm}0.0432$) of the images obtained via the left coronary artery (LCA) imaging of group B showed differences of $0.475{\pm}0.096$ and $-0.048{\pm}0.0$, respectively, from the SNR ($4.976{\pm}0.433$) and CNR ($0.459{\pm}0.0431$) of the LCA of group A. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). In the SNR and CNR obtained via the right coronary artery (RCA) imaging, the SNR ($4.731{\pm}0.773$) and CNR ($0.354{\pm}0.083$) of group A showed increased values of $1.491{\pm}0.405$ and $0.188{\pm}0.005$, respectively, from the SNR ($3.24{\pm}0.368$) and CNR ($0.166{\pm}0.033$) of group B. Among these, CNR was statistically significant (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, statistically significant results were shown in SNR (LCA) and CNR (LCA); SNR (RCA) and CNR (RCA); ESD and DAP; ESD and sec; DAP and CNR (RCA); and DAP and sec (p<0.05). As a result of the analyses on the image quality evaluation and usefulness of the dose change, the SNR and CNR were increased in the RCA images of the CAG obtained by increasing the mA. Based on the result that CNR showed a statistically significant difference, it is believed that the contrast in the image quality can be further improved by increasing the mA in RCA imaging.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.64-68
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• 2011

Monomelic amyotrophy (MA), also known as Hirayama disease, occurs mainly in young men and manifests as weakness and wasting of the muscles of the distal upper limbs. Here, we sought to identify a genetic basis for MA. Given the predominance of MA in males, we focused on candidate neurological disease genes located on the X chromosome, selecting two X-linked candidate genes, androgen receptor (AR ) and ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1). Screening for genetic variants using patients' genomic DNA revealed three known genetic variants in the coding region of the AR gene: one nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs78686797) encoding Leu57Gln, and two variants of polymorphic trinucleotide repeat segments that encode polyglutamine (CAG repeat; rs5902610) and polyglycine (GGC repeat; rs3138869) tracts. Notably, the Leu57Gln polymorphism was found in two patients with MA from 24 MA patients, whereas no variants were found in 142 healthy male controls. However, the numbers of CAG and GGC repeats in the AR gene were within the normal range. These data suggest that the Leu57Gln polymorphism encoded by the X-linked AR gene may contribute to the development of MA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1543-1551
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• 2023

The recently published high-resolution R388 T4SS structure provides exciting new details about the complete complex of T4SS, including the components making up the stalk and arches, numerous symmetry mismatches between regions of the complex, and an intriguing interpretation of the closed stalk and radial symmetry of the inner membrane complex, which is related to pilus biogenesis assembly. However, there are a few unidentified densities in the electron microscopy map and portions of the identified component sequences for which the structure is not yet known. It is also unclear how well this minimized DNA-transporting T4SS predicts the structure of other T4SSs, such as expanded systems and those that transport proteins rather than DNA. In this review, we evaluate what can be inferred from the recent high-resolution structure of the R388 T4SS with respect to the Cag and Dot/Icm systems. These systems were selected because, given what is currently known about these systems, we expect them to present most structural differences compared to the R388 T4SS structure. Furthermore, we discuss bacterial physiology and diversity, the T4SS structures and their variations between different bacterial species. These insights may prove beneficial for researchers who elucidate the structure and functions of T4SS in different bacterial species.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.316-322
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• 2019

Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium, is one of the risk factors that induces gastritis and gastric cancer. Therefore, much attention has been paid to the compounds that inhibit bacterial growth or eradicate bacteria. Evodiae fructus (EF), the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been used for treating diarrhea and abdominal pain. EF extract was already found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of EF on the virulence factors of H. pylori has not been reported. In this study, when comparing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the different methanol concentration extracts, the 95% methanol extract (EF95) showed the lowest MIC value. EF95 extract suppressed the expressions of cagA, vacA and ureB, but interestingly, it up-regulated the expression of ureA. A decrease in production of ammonia in the culture medium and the cell lysates indicated that EF95 inhibited the urease activity in H. pylori, which was the result of EF95 inhibiting the ureB expression. Although the mechanism by which EF95 extract regulates the virulence factors in H. pylori needs further study, EF95 could be used for treatment of gastric troubles induced by H. pylori.