• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of Sargassum confusum extracts on the reduction of body fat for eight weeks in overweight women ($BMI{\geq_-}23kg/m^2$). Methods: Subjects were classified by double-blind randomized trial as the control group (C group, n = 14) and the Sargassum confusum extract supplementation group (SC group, n = 16), which consumed 12 tablets per day. Questionnaires related to their health status were assessed twice (week 0 and week 8). Their dietary intake status was evaluated by 24-recall method and body compositions were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. In addition, we assessed the anti-obesity effect and the occurrence possibility of health risk factors during the supplementation periods by hematological and clinical analysis of blood. Results: Waist circumference and body fat (%) were significantly decreased in the SC group. Serum leptin level was also significantly decreased in the SC group. Defecation frequency was significantly increased in the SC group. The above results indicate that Sargassum confusum extract supplementation improves overweight on visceral fat and blood leptin level by increasing bowel movement. These results imply a decrease of health risk factors in overweight women. Seven subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events; however, no differences regarding adverse events were observed between the control and treatment group. Conclusion: Therefore, Sargassum confusum extract is a plausible effective agent for body fat reduction in humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 1990

Cryptosporidium, a coccidian parasite first described by Tyzzer (1907) from a laboratory mouse, has become an important human enteric pathogen causing overwhelming diarrhea especially in immunocompromised patients such as AIDS. This parasite has been reported from over 20 countries and is recognized as a cosmopolitan species. In Korea, however, thEre has been no report on human as well as animal cryptosporidiosis. This study was performed so as to verify the presence of Cryptosporidium in Korea by activating the parasite from laboratory mice by immunosuppression. Total 65 conventionally.bred ICR mice including a control (5 mice) and 3 experimental groups (20 each) were used for this study. Group I was immunosuppressed with Prednisolone injection (1 mg IM, every other day) for 7 weeks. Group II (prednisolone injection and tetracycline administration) and Group III. (prednisolone injection and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration) were prepared to observe the effect of antibacterial agents on the activation of cryptosporidiosis. In fecal examinations of mice Cryptosporidium oocysts($4-6{\mu\textrm{m}}$ in size) were detected from 1 week after the start of immunosuppression and the mice began to die. In H-E stained tissue sections of the lower jejunum, numerous very small ($2~4{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$), dense, ovoid or spherical, slightly basophilic bodies were seen attached on the free border of mucosal epithelial cells. In scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations, these organisms were identified as various developmental stages of Cryptosperidium. The species is considered to be C. parvum. Cryptosporidiosis was activated not only in Group I but also in Group II and III, indicating no protective effects of the antibacterial agents used, although the mice in Group II and III lived longer than those in Group I. The present study confirmed that Cryptosporidium exists in laboratory mice bred in Korea, and predicts possible occurrence of human cryptosporidiosis in Korea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.216-219
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• 2000

A field study was carried out to compare the performances of mulching with recycled paper, oil-treated paper and urea-coated paper in spring season potato culture. Soil temperature, weed occurrence, and the growth and yield of potato (cv. Sumi) were compared with unmulched control. The average soil temperatures at 5cm soil depth during the first 10 days after planting were 18.9$^{\circ}C$, under paper mulch and 20.6$^{\circ}C$, under oil-treated paper mulch, being lower 0.8$^{\circ}C$ and higher 1.2$^{\circ}C$, respectively, than unmulched control. Paper mulch lowered maximum soil temperature by 4.6$^{\circ}C$, on a fine day, while oil-treated paper mulch elevated it by over 6.6$^{\circ}C$, Urea-coated paper was decomposed fester than the mulch paper without urea coating. The former was decomposed 50% by 80days after mulching, but the later only 20%. In all mulch treatments, weeds were effectively controled throughout the potato growing season. The percent emergence of potato was not different significantly among treatments. However, a little lower emergence and poor early growth were observed under oil-treated paper mulch because of higher soil temperature. Except oil-treated paper mulch, the paper mulches with and without urea coating showed no difference in growth and yield of potato from the unmulched control. The growth and yield performances were poorest under oil-treated paper mulch. Oil-treated paper mulch would result in difference growth and yield performances if potato is planted earlier than April IS in the present experiment. Further researches are needed for this aspect.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2018

Radioactive cesium($^{137}Cs$) can be released into the environment through severe nuclear accidents such as the Chernobyl and Fukushima, The $^{137}Cs$ is one of major monitoring radionuclides due to its chemical toxicity, ${\gamma}$ radiation and long half-life($t_{1/2}=30.2yrs$). It has been known well that illite adsorb selectively and strongly the cesium due to frayed edge sites. The quantity of the FES in the illite could be controlled by weathering processes. Therefore, this study was modified illite samples through artificial weathering in the laboratory to increase sorption efficiency for cesium. Abundant interlayer cations(i.e., K, Ca) were eluted within 1 day, while Si and Al were gradually released from the crystal structure. In addition, broad peaks of XRD indicated the occurrence of chemical weathering. The cesium sorption distribution coefficients increased up to approximately 2 times after the weathering. These results suggested that sorption capacity of illite could be enhanced for cesium through artificial weathering under low temperature.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6715-6719
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• 2013

Objective: To explore the incidence, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies, prognosis of patients with malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH). Methods: The data of 115 patients with MAH who were treated at the Medical Oncology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan., 2001 to Dec., 2010 was retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model with statistic software SPSS 18.0. Results: The patients had blood calcium levels ranging from 2.77 to 4.87 mmol/L. Except for 9 cases who died or were discharged within 5 days after admission, all other patients recovered to normal blood calcium level after treatment with bisphosphonates or intravenous hydration and diuretics; their survival after occurrence of MAH was from 1 day to 4,051 days, and the median survival time was only 50 days. In the log-rank test, the male, renal metastasis, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia occurring over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were predictors of poor survival (P=0.002, P=0.046, P=0.000, P=0.009). In the COX analysis, being male, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for survival time (RR=2.131, P=0.027; RR=3.054, P=0.002; RR=2.403, P=0.001). According to these factors, a score system was established to predict the patient prognosis and adjust the treatment. Conclusion: Cancer patients with MAH have an extremely poor median survival. Some independent factors indicate poor prognosis, including male gender, central nervous system symptoms and hypercalcemia lasting over 140 days after cancer diagnosis. The prognostic score can serve as a reference for MAH prognosis and treatment, worthy of further investigation.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.100-118
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• 2021

In this study, PM accidents (1,603case) and bicycle accidents (14,672case) that occurred in the last three years were analyzed to determine the characteristics of PM traffic accidents. In particular, PM traffic accidents were divided into perpetrators and victims to determine the characteristics in detail. For PM accidents, the analysis was conducted on the status of each road grade, road type, weather condition, accident type, day and night occurrence, and vehicle type. The number of PM accidents that occurred in 2019 increased by 129%, and deaths increased by more than 200% compared to the previous year. The proportion of pedestrian accidents among PM traffic accidents was higher than that of bicycle accidents. Therefore, regulations on PM traffic are necessary. For the 20 deaths of PM, a detailed analysis was conducted to analyze the factors of traffic accidents. PM fatalities occurred in 50% of vehicle accidents, and 7 out of 10 vehicle accidents occurred at night. This is believed to have been caused by falling or overturning due to an obstacle, such as a depression in the road pavement or a speed bump.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2014

Despite its rare occurrence, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for neonatal herpes simplex virus infection are mandatory due to its high morbidity and mortality. In Korea, there has been no epidemiologic data on neonatal herpes simplex virus infection, and even case reports are rare. We observed a 16-day-old neonate who presented with fever and seizures. We diagnosed her with meningoencephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 based on the polymerase chain reaction test, and treated her with intravenous acyclovir and anticonvulsants. The seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 sharply increases in women in their 30s, and the average age for childbirth has increased to older than 30 years of age in Korea; we therefore expect that the incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection will rise in Korea, and more attention should be directed to neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection. We report this newborn patient's case along with a literature review.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.654-662
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the antioxidative defense system of kidney in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Sprague Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ induced diabetic groups, which were subdivided into vitamin E free diet(DM 0E group), 40mg vitamin E per kg diet(DM 40E group) and 400mg vitamin E per kg diet(DM 400E group). Vitamin E level of normal group was 40 mg per kg diet. Diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous injection of 55mg/kg of body weight of streptozotocin(STZ) in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the 6th day of diabetic states. There were no significant on body weights, food intakes, and food efficiency ratio before the diabetic occurrence. But after the injection of STZ, body weights and food efficiency ratios were significantly decreased and the food intakes was increased. Kidney weights were significantly increased in diabetic groups compared to normal group. However, there were no significant differences among the diabetic groups. Plasma insulin levels of diabetic groups were significantly decreased, whereas, blood sugar levels were increased compared to that of normal group. There were no significant differences among diabetic groups in plasma insulin and glucose levels. Activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in DM 0E and DM 40E groups were signi ficantly decreased by 33% and 27%, respectively, compared to normal group. But that of DM 400E group was increased by 35% compared to DM 0E group. Activity of glutathione peroxidase(GSHpx) in DM 0E group was decreased by 20% compared with normal group. GSHpx activity in DM 400E group was increased by 29% compared to normal group. The contents of vitamin E in kidney were 58% and 49% lower in DM 0E and DM 40E group, respectively, than normal group. There was no significant difference in renal vitamin E contents between DM-400E group and normal group. The contents of superoxide radical(O2 ) in kidney were 150% and 98%, respectively, higher in DM 0E and DM 40E groups than normalgroup. DM 400E and normal groups were similar levels in their superoxide radical contents of kidneys. These results indicate that vitamin E functioned as chain breaking antioxidant in kidney such as in other tissues.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2016

We investigated the diversity pattern of spring moths across two regions of South Korea, Yongin city (middle part) and Muan gun (southern part) and the effects of climatic variables on moth species richness and abundance. Moths were weekly collected using UV light trap in April from 2013 to 2015. Climatic factors included growth degree day with base temperature 8 (GDD8), average temperature, precipitation, duration of sunshine, wind speed, and snow cover. The climatic effects on moth species richness and abundance were analyzed by short (0~3 weeks before collecting) and long (4~12 weeks before collecting) time periods, respectively. The diversity of spring moths showed the similar pattern of species composition at family level. However the dominant family differed depending on the region: Geometridae at middle part and Noctuidae at southern part. In addition the dominant species of Noctuidae occurred early in April and that of Geometridae moths occurred later in April. Three short-term climatic factors, GDD8, duration of sunshine, and precipitation one week before collecting were significant on moth species richness and abundance, while only one long-term climatic factor, temperature four weeks before collecting was significantly affected on moth species richness. We found that both Geometridae and Noctuidae were dominant in spring moth fauna across South Korea and they were different in the dominance and flying time in April. The occurrences of spring moths were largely affected by warmness and precipitation. The current global warming could affect the occurrence of spring moths and this should be monitored consistently.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 2019

While a fairly large amount of organic matter is produced daily via phytoplankton photosynthesis in Lake Paldang, South Korea, knowledge of the role of algal-derived organic matter (OM) as a refractory OM source is not adequate. To understand the contribution of algal-derived OM to the refractory pool, biodegradation experiment and $KMnO_4$ oxidation experiment were conducted for 60 days using $^{13}C$ and $^{15}N$ labeled natural phytoplankton assemblage. The assemblage was collected from Lake Paldang on May 20, 2010. The photosynthetically produced total organic carbon ($TO^{13}C$), particulate organic carbon ($PO^{13}C$), and particulate nitrogen ($P^{15}N$) remained at 26%, 20%, and 17% of the initial concentrations, respectively, in the form of non-biodegradable organic matter. In addition, 12% and 38% of $PO^{13}C$ remained after $KMnO_4$ treatment on Day 0 and 60, respectively. These results indicate that photosynthetic products could be an important source of refractory organic matter after microbial degradation. Moreover, the microbially transformed algal-derived OM could contribute to the oxidation rate of the chemical oxygen demand.