• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.210-217
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate effects of the experimental mixture containing soybean peptides, L-carnitine and Garcinia Cambogia extract on body weight and lipid metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) of eight weeks old were raised for four weeks with high fat diet (40% fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats were feed control (C) diet, containing either 0.16% (+1D), 1.6% (+10D), 8% (+50D) of experimental mixture for eight weeks. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total protein and albumin concentration were not different among groups. The Body weight gain was significantly lower in experimental mixture diet group compared to control group. Weights of perirenal fat pad and epididymal fat pad in the +50D group were significantly lower than those in the +1D and +10D groups. Plasma total lipid and liver total cholesterol levels in the experimental groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. Fecal total lipid and total cholesterol excretions were highest in +50D group. These results suggest that the experimental mixture containing peptides, L-carnitine and Garsinia Canbogia extract is effective for reducing the body weight and adipose tissue weight which may be due to the modulation of lipid metabolism and the increased fecal excretion of lipid.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2007

The ultimate target of restoring waste landfills is revegetation. The most effective method for increasing species richness and biomass in nutrient limited waste landfills is the use of fertilizers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer, and the addition of carbon through sawdust, sucrose and litter, on vegetation dynamics at a representative municipal waste landfill in South Korea: Kyongseodong. A total of 288 permanent plots $(0.25m^2)$ were established and treated with nitrogen fertilizer (5, 10 and $20Ng/m^2$), sawdust $(289g/m^2)$ sucrose $(222g/m^2)$ and litter $(222g/m^2)$. The aboveground biomass was significantly enhanced by nitrogen fertilizer at 5 and $10Ng/m^2$, compared with the control plots. The total cover of all plant species increased significantly on plots treated with 5 and $20Ng/m^2$, as well as on those treated with sawdust and sucrose, compared with the control plots. The higher species richness after nitrogen fertilization of 10 to $20Ng/m^2$, and the sawdust and sucrose treatment demonstrated that this was an appropriate restoration option for nutrient deficient waste landfills. This study demonstrated positive nutrient impacts on plant biomass and species richness, despite the fact that municipal waste landfills are ecosystems that are highly disturbed by anthropogenic and internal factors (landfill gas and leachate). Adequate N and C combined treatments will accelerate species succession (higher species richness and perennial increase) for restoration of waste landfills.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.304-312
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to compare the amount of tooth movement after multiple horizontal (MH) and single vertical (SV) micro-osteoperforations (MOPs), and evaluate the histological changes after orthodontic force application in rabbits. Methods: The mandibles of 24 white rabbits were subjected to two experimental interventions: MH and SV MOPs. Defect volume of the MOPs between the two groups was kept similar. A force of 100 cN was applied via a coil spring between the incisor teeth and the first premolars. The amount of tooth movement was measured. Differences in the amount of tooth movement and bone variables at three time points and between the two groups were evaluated using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The first premolar showed a mesial movement of 1.47 mm in the MH group and 1.84 mm in the SV group, which was significantly different at Week 3 (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in bone volume and bone fraction between the groups. Tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase-positive cell count was also significantly greater at Week 3 than at Week 1 in both the SV and MH groups. Conclusions: The amount of tooth movement showed significant differences between Weeks 1 and 3 in the SV and MH MOP groups, but showed no differences between the two groups. Therefore, SV MOP could be considered an effective tool for enhancing tooth movement, especially for molar distalization, uprighting, and protraction to an edentulous area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.49-59
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• 2021

The effects of green manure crops, hairy vetch and sesban, supplemented with HS (humic substance) on biological soil health indicators was studied in a pot containing two kinds of reclaimed soil previously contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons; a soil remediated by land-farming (DDC) and another soil by low-temperature thermal desorption (YJ). Treatments include no plant (C), plants only (H), and plants+2% HS (PH), which were evaluated in a pot containing respective soil. Biological indicators include microbial community analysis as well as soil enzyme activities of dehydrogenase, 𝛽-glucosidase, N-acetyl-𝛽-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), acid/alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and urease. Results showed an increase of enzyme activities in pot soils with plants and even greater in soils with plants+HS. The enzyme activities of DDC soil with plants (DDC_P) and with plants+HS (DDC_PH) increased 1.6 and 3.9 times on average, respectively than those in the control. The enzyme activities YJ soil with plants (YJ_P) and with plant+HS (YJ_PH) increased 1.8 and 3.8 times on average, respectively than those in the control. According to microbial community analysis, the relative abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in DDC and YJ soil was increased from 1.5% to 7% and from 0 to 5%, respectively, after planting hairy vetch and sesban. This study showed that mixed planting of green manure crops with a supplement of humic substance is highly effective for the restoration of biological health indicators of reclaimed soils.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: We analyzed our experience with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) treatment and investigated the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal drainage. Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent surgical drainage for DNM at our hospital from 2005 to 2020. We analyzed patients' baseline characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative outcomes and compared them according to the mediastinal drainage approach among patients with type II DNM. Results: Twenty-five patients (male-to-female ratio, 18:7) with a mean age of 54.0±12.9 years were enrolled in this study. The most common infection sources were pharyngeal infections (60%). Most patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts, elevated C-reactive protein levels, and decreased albumin levels on admission. The most common DNM type was type IIB (n=16, 64%), while 5 and 4 patients had types I and IIA, respectively. For mediastinal drainage, the transcervical approach was used in 15 patients and the transthoracic approach (VATS) in 10 patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 26.5±23.8 days, and the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24% and 12%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found among patients with type II DNM between the transcervical and VATS groups. However, the VATS group showed shorter mean antibiotic therapy duration, drainage duration, and hospital stay length than the transcervical group. Conclusion: DNM manifested as severe infection requiring long-term inpatient treatment, with a mortality rate of 12%. Thus, active treatment with a multidisciplinary approach is crucial, and mediastinal drainage using VATS is considered relatively safe and effective.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.276-287
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• 2006

Background & Objective : The herbal medicine Sojukgunbihwan granule has been used for the treatment of functional dyspepsia, generally categorized as a gastric dysmotility disease. However, its mechanisms are not yet well known. Therefore, the effects of Sojukgunbihwan granules on gastric motility in rats was investigated. Methods : The myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle was recorded by a bipolar electrode placed at the gastric antrum of rats. The contractile waves were measured for 30 minutes before and after intragastric administration of each solution(normal saline, Pyungwisan 40mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 60mg/kg) and expressed as the motility index. Gastric emptying was measured by the number of glass beads expelled from the stomach(containing one hundred 1mm glass beads) within an hour after glass beads and test drugs(normal saline, Pyungwisan 40mg/kg, Pyungwisan 120mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 60mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 180mg/kg) were administered. In another series of experiments to evaluate the mechanisms of Sojukgunbihwan granules under delayed conditions, the rats were treated with atropine sulfate(1 mg/kg, s.c.), cisplatin(10mg/kg, i.p.), and NAME($N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, 75mg/kg, s.c.) respectively. Results : Intragastric administration of Sojukgunbihwan granules increased the myoelectrical activity significantly, gastric motility index rose 25%, and gastric emptying of glass beads was significantly enhanced over a period of 60minutes. Under the delayed gastric emptying induced by atropine sulfate, cisplatin, and NAME, Sojukgunbihwan granules aggravated gastric emptying in the atropine sulfate($5.71{\pm}3.45\;vs\;3.71{\pm}4.42$) and cisplatin($13.86{\pm}3.53\;vs\;5.14{\pm}5.05$, p<0.01) treated groups, but enhanced gastric emptying in the NAME treated group($5.00{\pm}3.21\;vs\;11.71{\pm}5.65$, p<0.05). Conclusions : Results suggest that Sojukgunbihwan granules stimulate gastric motility through cholinergic and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptors. Results are indicative of Sojukgunbihwan as an especially effective remedy in dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia with impaired reservoir functions such as gastric adaptive relaxation.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2015

Calanthe striata f. sieboldii Decne. ex Regel is a terrestrial orchid with beautiful flowers arranged in racemose inflorescences. This species is threatened due to over-collection and loss of suitable habitats. Asymbiotic germination is useful in the conservation efforts to re-establish plants in the wild, and for commercial propagation. In this study, we investigate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), three types of culture media (Phytomax Orchid Maintenance - POM, Seed Germination Maintenance - SGM, and Murashige and Skoog 1962 - MS), and plant growth regulators on embryo swelling, protocorm formation, and embryo diameter of C. striata f. sieboldii. Treatment with 1% NaOCl for 30 min greatly enhanced embryo swelling (28.3%), embryo diameter ($205.8{\mu}m$), and embryo protocorm formation (54.8%) compared to seeds without NaOCl treatment (embryo swelling 8.5%, embryo diameter $14.6{\mu}m$, and protocorm formation 13.4%) on POM medium. Protocorm formation on POM medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L N6-benzyladenine (BA) (95.6%) was better than the control (54.5%). Additionally, the effects of activated charcoal (AC) and sucrose on seedling growth in in vitro culture were examined. The protocorm converted into healthy plants with well-developed shoot primordia on the POM medium with AC and sucrose. The most suitable conditions for seedling growth after 10 weeks of culture were the POM medium with AC or sucrose. These results show effective asymbiotic seed germination and in vitro seedling growth of C. striata f. sieboldii.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2001

Purpose : For the research of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), fast neutrons generated from the MC-50 cyclotron with maximum energy of 34.4 MeV in Korea Cancer Center Hospital were moderated by 70 cm paraffin and then the dose characteristics were investigated. Using these results, we hope to establish the protocol about dose measurement of epi-thermal neutron, to make a basis of dose characteristic of epi-thermal neutron emitted from nuclear reactor, and to find feasibility about accelerator-based BNCT. Method and Materials : For measuring the absorbed dose and dose distribution of fast neutron beams, we used Unidos 10005 (PTW, Germany) electrometer and IC-17 (Far West, USA), IC-18, ElC-1 ion chambers manufactured by A-150 plastic and used IC-l7M ion chamber manufactured by magnesium for gamma dose. There chambers were flushed with tissue equivalent gas and argon gas and then the flow rate was S co per minute. Using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code, transport program in mixed field with neutron, photon, electron, two dimensional dose and energy fluence distribution was calculated and there results were compared with measured results. Results : The absorbed dose of fast neutron beams was $6.47\times10^{-3}$ cGy per 1 MU at the 4 cm depth of the water phantom, which is assumed to be effective depth for BNCT. The magnitude of gamma contamination intermingled with fast neutron beams was $65.2{\pm}0.9\%$ at the same depth. In the dose distribution according to the depth of water, the neutron dose decreased linearly and the gamma dose decreased exponentially as the depth was deepened. The factor expressed energy level, $D_{20}/D_{10}$, of the total dose was 0.718. Conclusion : Through the direct measurement using the two ion chambers, which is made different wall materials, and computer calculation of isodose distribution using MCNP simulation method, we have found the dose characteristics of low fluence fast neutron beams. If the power supply and the target material, which generate high voltage and current, will be developed and gamma contamination was reduced by lead or bismuth, we think, it may be possible to accelerator-based BNCT.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.627-632
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to investigate the supplementation effect of selenium on beef color stability. A total of 15 Hanwoo steers were divided into 3 groups and 2 groups were administered with 0.9 ppm of one of two organic-selenium products, Organic-Se and Se-SMC (Se-spent mushroom compost) for 4 mon. The third group was the control group, which was not with fed selenium during the same period. The result of this study showed that there was no significant difference in meat color between the control and treatments when Hunter $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, chroma, hue and total color difference (${\Delta}E$) were measured after 30 min of blooming. When the oxymyoglobin (OxyMb) contents were measured after beef samples were ground and stored for 48 h at $20^{\circ}C$ in an incubator, they were 26.04%, 28.52% and 33.78% for the control, Organic-Se and Se-SMC after 14 d of storage and 12.65, 18.98 and 18.72 after 21 d of storage at $4^{\circ}C$, respectively (p<0.05). The control had a significantly higher metmyoglobin (MetMb) content than Organic-Se and Se-SMC (p<0.05). This result indicated that selenium supplementation was effective in preventing the oxidation of myoglobin(Mb) and production of MetMb and thus was able to maintain the purplish fresh red color of the meat.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.374-381
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• 2015

Occurrences of coastal dredged materials are ever increasing due to port construction, navigational course maintenance and dredging of polluted coastal sediments. Ocean dumping of the coastal dredged materials has become virtually prohibited as London Treaty will be enacted as of the year 2012. It will be necessary to treat and recycle the dredged materials that may carry organic pollutants and heavy metals in a reasonable and effective process: collection of the dredged materials, liquid and solid separation, and treatment of organic compounds and heavy metals. In this study we have developed a continuous bioreactor system that can treat a mixture of silt and particulate organic matter using a microbial consortium (BM-S-1). The steady-state operation conditions were: pH (7.4-7.5), temperature ($16^{\circ}C$), DO (7.5-7.9), and salt concentration (3.4-3.7%). The treatment efficiencies of SCOD, T-N and T-P of the mixture were 95-96%, 92-99%, and 79-97%. The system was also effective in removal of heavy metals such as Zn, Ni, and Cr. Levels of MLSS during three months operation period were 11,000-19,000 mg/L. Interestingly, there was little sludge generated during this period of operation. The augmented microbial consortium seemed to be quite active in the removal of the organic component (30%) present in the dredged material in association with indigenous bacteria. The dominant phyla in the treatment processes were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes while dominant genii were Marinobacterium, Flaviramulus, Formosa, Alteromonadaceae_uc, Flavobacteriaceae_uc. These results will contribute to a development of a successful bioremediation technology for various coastal and river sediments with a high content of organic matter, inorganic nutrients and heavy metals, leading to a successful reuse of the polluted dredged sediments.