• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to determine the usability of biodegradable plastic in the mulching cultivation of sweetpotato. For this, we investigated the physical characteristics, biodegradability, leaching, yield, workability, etc. of biodegradable films. Compared with general mulching materials, biodegradable Poly butyleneadipate-co-butylene succinate (PBSA) and PLC+starch showed $2{\sim}27$% higher tensile strength, but $2{\sim}22$% lower elongation and $2{\sim}6$% lower tear strength. In the leaching test on the biodegradable films, heavy metals were detected very little or not at all. As to difference in ground temperature according to mulching material, the temperature was high in order of PLC+starch > PBSA > Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) > Control during the period from late June to mid July, but in order of LDPE > PLC+starch > PBSA > None during the period from late July to late September. In the mulching cultivation of sweet potato, biodegradable films PBSA (EA, EB, EC) and PLC+starch (DD, DE, DF) began to degrade after 60 days from the cut planting of sweet potato, and over 95% degraded after 120 days. The quantity of roots was 3,070 kg/10a for PBSA, 3,093 kg/10a for PLC-starch, and 2,946 kg/l10a for LDPE, showing no significant difference according to mulching material. Considering the physical characteristics, biodegradability, environment, convenience in harvesting work, yield, etc. of the films in the mulching cultivation of sweet potato, biodegradable films are expected to be very useful.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1851-1858
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• 2010

Estrogen deficiency in peri- and postmenopausal women results in variety of neurovegetative, psychic and somatic symptoms, and may contribute to severe diseases within the aged female population. Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) is an edible brown algae traditionally used in fishery towns in Far East Asia. This study was performed to investigate the effects of ES extracts on blood flow and serum lipid concentration in ovariectomized rats. Weight-matched female Sprague-Dawley strain rats were assigned to four groups. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized (OVX). The fourth group was sham operated. Rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: sham-operated rats (Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ES extract at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-ES50) and ovariectomized rats supplemented with ES extract at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-ES200). Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents decreased in the sham group compared to the OVX-CON group. Six weeks feeding of ES extract resulted in a significant (p<0.05) lowering of serum triglyceride and a lowering tendency of total cholesterol level. The level of Hdl-cholesterol in serum increased by supplementation of ES extracts at 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bw/day (p<0.05). Blood passage time of the ES extracts-supplemented group was higher than the OVX-CON group. The ability of platelet aggregation of groups treated with ES extracts was less than that of the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of ES extract may be used to possibly improve on the metabolic syndrome of menopausal women.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 2005

This study was investigated the growth effect of persimmon leaf extracts on various Lactic acid bacteria, the effect as freeze-dry cryoprotectan, by the changes of vitamin C content, electron donating ability, total cell count and SOD-like activity. The total cell count of L. acidophilus MG501, L. brevis MG19, L. bulgaricus MG515, L. lactis MG530 and L. casei MG311 in the absence of persimmon leaf extracts(10%) at 37℃ after 48hr were 3.2×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 2.9×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 1.1×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 1.6×10/sup 9/cfu/mL and 3×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, respectively, and pH and total acidity of those were 3.82∼3.88, and 1.697∼1.842. On the other hand, the total cell count of L. acidophilus MG501, L. brevis MG19, L. bulgaricus MG515, L. lactis MG530 and L. casei MG311 in the presence of persimmon leaf extracts at 37℃ after 48hr were 4.4×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 4.3×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 2×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, 3.3×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, and 3.4×10/sup 9/cfu/mL, respectively, and pH and total acidity of those were 3.74∼3.82 and 1.528∼1.805. The total cell counter of lactic acid bacteria in the presence of persimmon leaf extracts(10%) at 37℃ after 48hr higher than those in the absence of persimmon leaf extracts. In freeze-dry chryoprotectan, the survival rate of L. acidphilus MG501 decreased about 30%. In case of L. brevis MG19 and L. bulgaricus MG515, the survival rate decreased about 10%. However, the survival rate of L. lactis MG530 increased about 10% and L. casei MG311 showed the almost same effect. The changes of vitamin C content were the highest in L. lactis MG530(190.26mg/mL) and the lowest in L. acidophilus MG501(56.05 mg/mL). The electron donating ability indicated to L. acidophilus MG501, L. brevis MG19, L. bulgaricus MG515, L. lactis MG530 and L. casei MG311 added by 10% persimmon leaf extracts, respectively. when 10% persimmon leaf extracts were added L. brevis MG19, the electron donating ability is the highest of all lactic acid bacteria. The SOD-like activity of L. acidophilus MG501, L. brevis MG19, L. bulgaricus MG515, L. lactis MG530 and L. casei MG311 showed lower than that of control.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2007

Purpose : Human bocavirus (HBoV) was recently identified world widely in clinical specimens from infants and children with respiratory tract illness, but the role of HBoV in respiratory tract illnesses is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and the clinical manifestation of HBoV in pediatric patients. Methods : We retrospectively investigated 1,777 throat swab obtained between 2005 and 2006 from pediatric in-patients with acute respiratory tract diseases at the Kwang-ju Christian Hospital. The medical records of patients with positive results were reviewed for demographic and clinical data of HBoV infections. Results : HBoV DNA was found in 84 (4.7%) of the 1,777 hospitalized children and the mean age was 19 months. The most common diagnosis were pneumonia (67.8%), bronchiolitis (35.7%). HBoV infections were found year-round, though most occurred in spring and winter months. Conclusion : HBoV is frequently found in hospitalized infants and children with acute respiratory tract diseases in Korea, but an association of HBoV with a distinct respiratory tract manifestation was not apparent. To clarify the clinical significance of HBoV, further evaluation of various age groups and clinical groups is needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.77-101
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• 1997

In September 1994, residents of Gozan-dong, Incheon City, made a petition to the government about their health problems which might be caused by previous glass fibre landfill nearby 'H' company. In february 1995, at regular academic meeting of occupational and environmental medicine, a research team of 'D' University presented that they had found glass fibres in groundwater of the area through their survey. They were suspicious of probable association between ingestion of groundwater contaminated with glass fibres and skin tumors among residents. A joint research team was formed and carried out the survey of environment concerning groundwater and its glass fibre existence, and health assessment of residents in the area and industrial workers of 'H' company during May to November, 1995. Analysis of groundwater flow system indicates that the flow lines from the glass fibre landfill pass through or terminate at the 6 houses around the landfill. This means that the groundwater of the 6 houses around the glass fibre landfill could be affected by some possible contaminants from the landfill, but the groundwater quality of the other houses was irrelevant to the landfill. The qualitative and qualitative analyses for glass fibres in 54 groundwater samples including those from the nearby 6 houses, were carried out using SEM equipped with EDS, resulting in no evidence for the presence of glass fibres in the waters. Major precipitates, formed in waters while boiling, were identified as calcium carbonates, in particulary, aragonites in needle form. The results of health assessments of 889 residents in Gozan-dong, participated in this study, showed statistically significant differences in past medical histories of skin tumor and respiratory disease between the exposed group (31 persons who inhabited in 6 houses around the landfill) and the control group, but no significant differences in past medical histories of other diseases, such as cancer mortality, current gastroscopic findings, current skin diseases and respiratory diseases, etc. Also, we could not prove any glass fibres in excised specimens of 9 skin tumors in both groups and there were no health problems possibly associated with glass fibres in employees of the 'H' company. After all, we could not authenticate the association, raised by prior investigators, between groundwater streams, assumedly contaminated with glass fibres or not, and specific disease morbidities or common disease/symptom prevalences. That is, we could not find any glass fibres in groundwater as the only exposure factor of this study hypothesis, and there were not enough certain evidences such as increasing disease prevalences, for examples, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases etc, possibly related to glass fibre exposure, in exposed group. As a matter of course, the conditions for confirming causal association, for example, strength of the association, consistency of the association, specificity of the association, temporality of the association and dose-response relationship etc, have not been satisfied. In conclusion, we were not able to certify the hypothesis that contamination of groundwater with glass fibres might cause any hazardous health effects in residents who used it for drinking.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of this study was to predict radiation dose at 1 meter with BMI(body mass index) in thyroid cancer patients treated with radio-iodine and provide the efficient guideline in the management of patients. Methods : 140 patients from thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer were enrolled. All subjects under went 150 mCi radio-iodine therapy and performed whole body scan 1 week later. BMI(weight divided by square of height) was calculated to evaluate the amount of fatty tissue indirectly. The radiation dose at 1 meter was measured initially and on 2nd days. the relation of values with BMI were analyzed statically. As for the method of statistical analysis, using Med calc Version 9,2,2,0 Program. Results : (1) The initial effective dose was inversely correlated with the BMI. Significance level was 0.0004. (2) We obtained the following formula from the data of initial effective dose and BMI: Y = -30.91X + 350.4(${\mu}Sv/h$)(Y: initial radiation dose, x: Group). (3) After 21.55 hours, than radiation dose was less than those recommended by ICRP or NRC in 53% of the population. Conclusion : Using BMI, the initial radiation dose and 2nd days dose can be predicted in thyroid cancer patients before radio-iodine therapy. It may be used for predicting the time of discharge and control the isolation room. We were able to predict the radiation exposure after discharge using this calculated value.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2004

A study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of multiple probiotics (EM) on growth performance, blood cholesterol, intestinal micro flora, and fecal gas emission in broiler chicks. A total of 450 one day old male broiler chicks (Ross $\times$ Ross) were divided into six treatments with five replications in each treatment for five weeks. Treatments were factorially designed with two levels of diet containing probiotics (DW; 0, $0.2\%$) and three levels of drinking water containing probiotics (DW; 0, 0.01, $0.1\%$). Basal diets contained $21.5\%$ CP and 3,100 kcal/kg ME for starting and $19\%$ CP and 3,100 kcal/kg ME for finishing period. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversions of birds fed with probiotics were not significantly different between Ds. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower (P<0.05) in birds fed with DW $0.01\%$ or $0.1\%$ compared with no probiotics group, but there was no significant difference between D treatments. The number of E. coli, Salmonella and Lactobacillus in the ileum and cecum of the birds fed multiple probiotics were not significantly different from those of no probiotic groups. There were no significant differences in the $CO_2$ gas emissions of fecal between birds fed with Ds or among birds fed with DW. However, $NH_3$ gas emissions of DW $0.1\%$ were significantly lower (P<0.05) than DW $0\%$. In the results of this study, supplementation of probiotics tended to decrease the serum cholesterol and triglyceride compared to those of control groups and reduction of fecal $NH_3$ gas emission.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2010

The current study was performed to develop natural bio-active substances as additives for the production of high quality broiler chickens. A total of 120 male 3 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to CON (control), GK2.5 (ginkgo leaf 2.5%), GK5.0 (ginkgo leaf 5.0%), PK2.5 (pumpkin 2.5%) and PK5.0 (pumpkin 5.0%) of five groups in cages (24 birds per group). All birds were fed corresponding diets from 3 to 35 d of age and determined growth performance and biological parameters including blood biochemical profiles, antioxidant status and intestinal microflora. During the entire feeding trial, GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) higher FCR than GK2.5 and PK2.5 groups. Plasma triglyceride significantly (P<0.05) increased in GK5.0 group compared with the other groups, and the level of alanine transaminase (ALT) increased (P<0.05) in GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups compared with that in PK2.5 group. Dietary addition of ginkgo leaf and pumpkin significantly (P<0.05) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the small intestine. Also, the addition of 2.5% ginkgo leaf significantly (P<0.05) increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver. Futhermore, muscle GST activity significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by dietary addition of ginko leaf and pumpkin. However, the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the small intestine and muscle turned to be higher (P<0.05) in PK5.0 group. The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli in intestinal digesta significantly (P<0.05) decreased in both ginko leaf and pumpkin supplemented groups compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 2.5% ginko leaf and pumpkin as dietary sources can be applicable for the production of high quality broiler chickens.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.247-261
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) in normal children to aged volunteers using Tc-99m HMPAO, Materials and Methods: Thirty four right-handed normal volunteers (20 males, 14 females, mean age $40.3{\pm}24.9$ years, range 4 to 82 years) were underwent rost/acetazolamide (ACZ) brain SPECT using Tc-99m HMPAO and the sequential injection and subtraction method. rCBF was estimated on the basis of a semiquantitative approach by means of right/left ratio, region/cerebellum and region to whole brain ratios in (rental, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, basal ganglia, thalami, and cerebellum. CVR was measured by means of % perfusion increase calculated as % mean count change compared to rest rCBF in each regions. Results: Mean values of right to left ratios range from 1.004 to 1.018, rCBF was highest in cerebellum and lowest in basal ganglia and thalami. Frontal and temporal rCBF decreased while occipital and thalamic rCBF increased according to age. No sexual difference of rCBF was noted. Mean CVR was $29.9{\pm}12.9%$. Mean CVR significantly increased to late teens, and declined thereafter. After 6th decade, CVR in both frontal lobes, left parietal lobe and right basal ganglia decreased significantly with advancing age. There was no sexual difference of CVR. Conclusion: Quantitative assessment of CVR was possible by ACZ Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT. It revealed that rCBF and CVR changed according to age in normal Korean volunteers. There was no sexual difference.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol on blastocysts development and subsequent cryosurvival of the vitrification. The ${\alpha}$-tocopherol(0, 100, 200, 400 ${\mu}M$) was added in to culture medium for the bovine embryos. The blasocysts from the ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and untreated control groups were then frozen-thawed, and their cryosurvival was assessed by in vitro culture for 48 h. There were no differences in the overall cleavage rate($56.14{\pm}4.66$, $58.18{\pm}4.70$, $62.97{\pm}6.86$ and $51.17{\pm}7.28$) among four treatment groups. However, in blastocyst development and total cell number were significantly higher in ${\alpha}$-tocopherol 200 ${\mu}M$ ($38.60{\pm}7.12$; $106.33{\pm}3.50$) to culture medium than other treatment groups($29.30{\pm}5.24$, $31.60{\pm}7.12$ and $26.37{\pm}4.18$; $101.36{\pm}5.12$, $97.27{\pm}2.87$, and $91.23{\pm}7.52$ respectively). Before and after vitrification, the total cell number and blastocyst development of embryo were significantly higher in July to August than September to October. In conclusion, addition of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol 200 ${\mu}M$ to in vitro bovine embryo culture medium was beneficial for improving embryo quality by decreasing the embryo damage blsstocysts cell number and improving the tolerance of the embryos to cryopreservation.