• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.28-42
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The author tried to find out reasons why and how hysteria(and conversion disorder) patient numbers, which were so prevalent even a few decades ago, have decreased and the phenotype of symptoms have changed. Methods : The number of visiting patients diagnosed with conversion disorder and their phenotype of symptoms were investigated through chart reviews in a psychiatric department of a University hospital for the last 12 years. Additionally, the characteristics of conversion disorder patients visiting the emergency room for last 2 years were also reviewed. Those results were compared with previous research results even if it seemed to be an indirect comparisons. The research relied on Briquet P. and Charcot JM's established factors of the vicissitudes of hysteria(and conversion disorder) which has been the framework for more than one hundred and fifty years since hysteria has been investigated. Results : The author found decreased numbers and changes of the phenotype of the hysteria patients(and conversion disorder) over the last several decades. The decreased numbers and changes of the symptoms of those seemed to be partly due to several issues. These issues include the development of the diagnostic techniques to identify organic causes of hysteria, repeated changes to the symptom descriptions and diagnostic classification, changes of the brain nervous functions in response to negative emotions, and the influence of human evolution. Conclusions : The author proposed that the evolutionary brain discord reaction theory explains the causes of disappearance of and changes to symptoms of hysteria(conversion disorder). Most patients with hysteria(conversion disorder) have been diagnosed in the neurological department. For providing more appropriate treatment and minimizing physical disabilities to those patients, psychiatrists should have a major role in cooperating not only with primary care physicians but with neurologists. The term 'hysteria' which had been used long ago should be revived and used as a term to describe diseases such as somatic symptom disorder, functional neurological symptoms, somatization, and somatoform disorders, all of which represent almost the same vague concept as hysteria.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.348-356
• /
• 2018

Most of fires were human-caused fires in Korea, but meteorological factors are also big contributors to fire behavior and its spread. Thus, meteorological factors as well as topographical and forest factors were considered in the fire danger rating systems. This study aims to develop an advanced national integrated daily weather index(DWI) using weather data in the spring and fall to support forest fire prevention strategy in South Korea. DWI represents the meteorological characteristics, such as humidity (relative and effective), temperature and wind speed, and we integrated nine logistic regression models of the past into one national model. One national integrated model of the spring and fall is respectively $[1+{\exp}\{-(2.706+(0.088^*T_{mean})-(0.055^*Rh)-(0.023^*Eh)-(0.014^*W_{mean}))\}^{-1}]^{-1}$, $[1+{\exp}\{-(1.099+(0.117^*T_{mean})-(0.069^*Rh)-(0.182^*W_{mean}))\}^{-1}]^{-1}$ and all weather variables significantly (p<0.01) affected the probability of forest fire occurrence in the overall regions. The accuracy of the model in the spring and fall is respectively 71.7% and 86.9%. One integrated national model showed 10% higher accuracy than nine logistic regression models when it is applied weather data with 66 random sampling in forest fire event days. These findings would be necessary for the policy makers in the Republic of Korea for the prevention of forest fires.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.661-676
• /
• 2018

Veronica persica (V. persica) is a perennial plant that is broadly distributed in Europe, Asia and so on. V. persica is used for pain about the lower abdomen and low back. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of V. persica ethanol extract in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-oxidant activity, the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, and reducing power activity were carried out. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were evaluated as 72.0% and 73.0% at the concentrations of 200 and $500{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of V. persica extracts were measured as 65.22 mg/g and 43.82 mg/g at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. The reducing power activity measurement showed 53.0% activity at 1 mg/mL. The anti-inflammatory effects of the V. persica extract were evaluated in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. In the evaluation of cell viability by proliferation ＆ cytotoxicity assay kit, the cytotoxicity of the extract was not confirmed at $0{\sim}800{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. And the V. persica significantly inhibited NO production in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibition effects of NO in cell medium of V. persica was over 80% at $800{\mu}g/mL$. The V. persica also suppressed the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and $IkB-{\alpha}$ proteins. These results indicate that the V. persica has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways and can be used as natural functional materials.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.24-30
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seeding dates on grassland productivity and botanical composition in oversown pasture located in Cheonan of South Korea. Four treatment groups were established based on the seeding dates: 18th August, 1st September, 15th September and 29th September. Evaluation of seasonal changes in botanical composition of pasture showed that the highest ratios of grass in 18th August and 1st September (pasture species 93% and weeds 7%) and the lowest in 15th September (pasture species 75% and weeds 25%). In the plant length, there is no significantly different in 5% probability level. In the total dry matter yield of grass, 18th August ($13,362kg\;ha^{-1}$) and 1st September ($13,988kg\;ha^{-1}$) were higher than 15th September ($11,883kg\;ha^{-1}$) and 29th September ($11,459kg\;ha^{-1}$). The findings of the this study suggest that seeding by early September the most desirable results for botanical composition and grassland productivity in oversown pasture, Cheonan of South Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2018

Background and Objectives : Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is relatively common disease. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has both mucolytic and antioxidant effect, also may be beneficial in inflammatory airway diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled NAC therapy in LPRD. Materials and Method : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 525 LPRD patients at 12 medical centers. Finally 401 patients subjected to inhaled NAC therapy for 2 months were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS) after use of NAC for 4 weeks and 8 weeks in addition to the patient's compliance of the treatment. Results : The RSI score significantly decreased from $19.87{\pm}6.34$ to $12.78{\pm}6.93$ after 4 weeks and to $10.65{\pm}7.47$ after 8 weeks. The RFS score also significantly decreased from $9.29{\pm}3.4$ to $7.17{\pm}3.41$ after 4 weeks and to $6.1{\pm}3.73$ after 8 weeks (p<0.05). During the treatment periods, 42 patients (10.4%) reported to have 80 episodes of discomfort. Throat discomfort (33%) and nausea (28%) were most common complaints, but the duration of discomfort was usually less than 4 weeks. Conclusion : Inhaled NAC treatment is highly effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in LPRD patients. This study will provide the evidence of new treatment option for patients with LPRD. However, further studies will be needs to assess the real effect of inhaled NAC therapy as a standard treatment regimen of LPRD.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.304-313
• /
• 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the resistance starch(RS) content and in vitro hydrolysis index of roasted rice flours for low GI food development. This study used intermediate and high amylose rice varieties containing resistant starch. The intermediate amylose rice varieties 'Ilmi' and high amylose rice varieties, 'Goami4' and 'Dodamssal' were tested. The crude fat and crude protein contents of the rice cultivars ranged 2.12~3.08% and 6.2~7.63%, respectively. The RS and amylose contents of Dodamssal and Goami4 were higher than those of Ilmi. RS content of Ilmi was not significantly different before and after roasting treatment. The RS content of Goami4 before roasting was significantly higher than that of Dodamssal, but the RS content of Dodamssal was higher than that of Goami4 at temperatures above $210^{\circ}C$ of roasting. The soluble starch decreased after roasting in Goami4 and Dodamssal. Starch hydrolysis index (HI) and expected glycemic index (GI) were higher in order of Imi, Goami4 and Dodamssal regardless of roasting treatment. The sensory evaluation showed high scores in Dodamssal for color, flavor, bitter taste, bitter taste, sweet taste and sweetness at $240^{\circ}C$ for 10 min and $210^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. The results of this study indicate that Dodamssal was suitable varieties for powder meal with low GI.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.4-25
• /
• 2011

This study was performed in 2010 to examine the flora and vegetation structure and chemical characteristics of soil in the growing community of Abeliophyllum distichum, located in the Byeonsanbando National Park. This Abeliophyllum distichum community has more individual numbers in Cheongrim-ni and Jungkye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, and Buan-gun area, which is designated as a Natural Monument (No. 370), and also where the habitat conditions for Abeliophyllum distichum is more favorable. The authors recorded 100 taxa with 45 families, 82 genus, 93 species, 4 varieties, and 3 forms. Among them, species such as Abeliophyllum distichum (critically endangered), Asarum maculatum (near threatened) and Chionanthus retusa (near threatened), which are categorized as rare plants, were recorded. According to the list of Korean endemic plants, 4 taxa, particularly Philadelphus schrenckii, Abeliophyllum distichum, Weigela subsessilis, and Lonicera subsessili, were recorded. The community of Abeliophyllum distichum is located in the northwest slope of Baekcheon watershed and the community is comprised of healthy soil. The community structure was classified into three: the Castanea crenata community, Zelkova serrata community, and Quercus serrata community. The Castanea crenata community is composed of the Cornus walteri, Platycarya strobilacea, Zelkova serrata, Rhamnella frangulioides, arranged in terms of importance percentage. The Zelkova serrata community is composed of Celtis sinensis, Quercus aliena, Styrax japonica, and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, also according to importance percentage. As for the Quercus serrata community, it is composed of Quercus variabilis, Castanea crenata, and Prunus sargentii, also arranged in terms of importance percentage. The importance percentage of Abeliophyllum distichum is 6.6% in the Castanea crenata community, 5.6% in the Zelkova serrata community and 5.1% in the Quercus serrata community. Moreover, in order of chemical characteristics of soil pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphoric, organic matter, and exchangeable cation (K, Ca, Mg) are analyzed. The No. 3 site was relatively higher than other districts of the same chemical characteristics of soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.108 no.2
• /
• pp.147-167
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to analyze forest vegetation structure in the Marugeum (Ridge) area of Gitdaebaegibong to Jukryeong, Baekdudaegan. Data were collected in 298 quadrates through a Braun-Blanquet vegetation survey from April, 2018 to October, 2018. Forest vegetation was classified into 13 vegetation units. A Quercus mongolica community was divided into Morus bombycis, Filipendula glaberrima, Fraxinus sieboldiana, Prunus maackii unit and Q. mongolica typical unit. The M. bombycis unit was further classified into a Deutzia glabrata group and M. bombycis typical group. The F. glaberrima unit was subdivided into a Veratrum oxysepalum group, Arundinella hirta group, and F. glaberrima typical group. The F. sieboldiana unit was divided into a Pinus densiflora group, Larix kaempferi group, and F. sieboliana typical group. The relationship between vegetation units and environmental factors was studied through coincidence analysis and CCA. The F. glaberrima unit (VU 6~8) was distributed by elevation above 1,200 m and other vegetation units were distributed below 1,200 m. Results of the CCA analysis showed that the F. glaberrima unit distribution is positively correlated with elevation. As a result of species diversity, the F. glaberrima unit was higher than other vegetation units. A similarity index analysis revealed that the F. sieboldiana unit (VU 9~11) was relatively homogeneous, and the M. bombycis unit (VU 1~5) and A. girta group (VU 7) were relatively heterogeneous. A detrended correspondence analysis determined that the distance between the statistical axes of the M. bombycis and F. glaberrima units was the greatest, which is consistent with the analysis of the similarity index. As a result of interspecific correlation of major woody plants, hydrophilic species were positively correlated, and a negative correlation was found between Q. mongolica and intolerant species such as P. densiflora and L. kaempferi.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.904-915
• /
• 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most metastatic tumor. Although hormone therapy or surgical castration is mostly conducted to treat PCa, it has a lot of side effects. Recently, many researchers have been exploring the tumor microenvironment to remedy these circumstances. Immune cells, especially macrophages, are an important composition of the tumor microenvironment. Under normal conditions, macrophages exhibit mild tumoricidal activity against tumors. However, once activated by interferon gamma or lipopolysaccharides, macrophages can kill cancer cells directly or indirectly by secreting cytokines and chemokines. In this study, murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were treated with Phellinus linteus extract. To analyze their pro-inflammatory phenotype, we were used several assays such as a real-time polymerase chain reaction, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent and nitric oxide assay. Prostate cancer cells were treated with the RAW 264.7-conditioned media, which was identified as a pro-inflammatory nature, for 48 h, and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was determined. Not only N-cadherin, Snail, Twist, Slug, and Cadherin 11, which are mechenchymal-related proteins, were decrease, but epithelial marker of E-cadherin was increased. In addition, the mRNA level of vimentin, ccl2, and vegfa were decreased, as the EMT is closely related to the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In conclusion, the RAW 264.7-conditioned media stimulated with P. linteus extract inhibited migration and invasion and regulated the EMT pathway in human prostate cancer cells.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.78-84
• /
• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological activities of hot-water and 70% ethanol extracts of three edible mushroom species (Auricularia auricula, Tremella fuciformis, and Lentinus edodes) cultivated in Korea and China. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of hot-water extracts of Korean A. auricula, T. fuciformis, and L. edodes were significantly higher than those of the Chinese counterparts (p < 0.01). However, the nitrite scavenging activities of the hot-water extracts did not significantly differ among the mushrooms regardless of their origins. Chinese A. auricula showed the highest nitrite scavenging activity in the ethanol extract. The total polyphenol contents of the ethanol extracts of the three edible mushroom species from both of the countries were higher than those of the hot-water extracts. Korean A. auricula and T. fuciformis yielded a high polyphenol content with hot-water extraction. The ${\beta}-glucan$ contents of the Chinese A. auricula, T. fuciformis, and L. edodes extracts were 20.49%, 31.43%, and 30.09%, respectively, which were higher than those of the Korean counterparts. From the results of this study, it can be deduced that the maximum yield of nutritional ingredients can be extracted by using the optimal solvent for each mushroom species. These results are expected to be useful in appreciating the difference among extracts of Korean and Chinese edible mushrooms in terms of their physiological activities in the solvents used.