• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1134-1141
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• 2011

Transmembrane protein 21 (TMP21) is a member of the p24 cargo protein family and has been shown to modulate ${\alpha}$-secretase-mediated A${\beta}$ production which was specifically observed in the brains of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to investigate whether TMP21 could affect nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor signaling pathway, the alteration of NGF receptors and their downstream proteins were detected in TMP21 over-expressed cells. CMV/hTMP21 vector used in this study was successfully expressed into TMP21 proteins in B35 cells after lipofectamin transfection. Expressed TMP21 proteins induced the down-regulation of ${\gamma}$-secretase complex components including Presenlin-1 (PS-1), PS-2, Nicastrin (NST), Pen-2 and APH-1. Also, the expression level of NGF receptor $p75^{NTR}$ and RhoA were significantly higher in CMV/hTMP21 transfectants than vehicle transfectants, while their levels returned to vehicle levels after NGF treatment. However, the phosphorylation of NGF receptor TrkA was dramtically decreased in NGF No-treated CMV/hTMP21 transfectants compared with vehicle transfectants, and increased in NGF treated CMV/hTMP21 transfectants. In TrkA downstream signaling pathway, the phosphorylation level of ERK was also decreased in CMV/hTMP21 transfectants, while the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in the same transfectants. Furthermore, NGF treatment induced the increase of phosphorylation level of Akt and ERK in CMV/hTMP21 transfectants. Therefore, these results suggested that over-expression of TMP21may simultaneously induce the up-regulation of $p75^{NTR}$/RhoA expression and the down-regulation of TrkA/ERK phosphorylation through the inhibition of ${\gamma}$-secretase activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.642-649
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• 2012

The southern coast of Korea is important for the ark shell ($Scapharca$ $broughtonii$) aquaculture, but the productivity was rapidly reduced during the previous decade by mass mortality. To overcome this economic loss, investigations only focused on environmental factors, and microbiological researches were performed insufficiently. In this study, two sites (Gangjin and Jinhae bay) were selected for their high and low rate of mortality, respectively, and the existence of microflora from underwater sediments in the bodies of $S.$ $broughtonii$ was analyzed. We screened the whole body of each sample and chose unique colonies, which exhibit alpha- and beta-hemolytic activity, for identification. The microflora in $S.$ $broughtonii$ was less variable than sediments, and restricted species were isolated. We identified 17 genera of 88 species and 16 genera of 64 species from the two bays, respectively. A major proportion was comprised of $Bacillus$ species, with the $Bacillus$ $cereus$ group being the most common species among the $Bacillus$ strains, while $Paenibacillus$, $Lynsilbacillus$, and $Vibrio$ species were the second most abundant species. At the genus level, there were no significant microbial differences between the two coastal regions. 64 species were isolated from rare site (Jinhae bay), but more species (88) with greater variety were isolated from the frequent site (Gangjin bay). Therefore, it was assumed that the cause of mass mortality lay in the difference in specie-level diversity, and conducting investigations on the diagnosis of pathogenic species by challenging tests using isolated unique species.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2009

Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum is a freshwater snail and lives in spring water near mountain areas. Interestingly, this snail has been traditionally regarded as medicinal food, and thus has been used as folk remedies for healing broken bones. Recently, alpha classification on Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum through redescription has been conducted. However, not much attention has been made in beta classification. In this study, we performed the beta classification based on metallothionein (MT) genes found from various organisms. To this end, the complete cDNA sequences were obtained from the Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) sequencing project of Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum. The coding region (315 bp) encoded an amino acid sequence of 105 residues. The combined results from BLAST analyses, multiple sequence alignment and molecular phylogenetic study of Pc-MT gene indicate that Pisidium (Neopisidium) coreanum has similarity to freshwater bivalve such as Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), Unio tumidus (swollen river mussel) and Crassostrea ariakensis (suminoe oyster).

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2002

This study is to reveal the overall level of loneliness, depression and social supports of the elderly in rural area of Korea. The interview survey was performed in February 2001 with structured questionnaires to 486 respondents of 65 years or more of age who lived in Muan-gun area. The questionnaire was the revised translation of Japanese Elderly Study Which was composed of general characteristics, Japanese Loneliness Scale, abridged General Depression Scale(GDS) and Duke University social support Inventory. The following analyses adopted the analysis of covariate, t-test, and Chi- squire were used for some of the cross- sectional analyses. Average age of 486 respondents was 73.9 years old. 58.0% of the respondents noticed their partner or son as the primary consultant for the stressful situation. 56.2% of the respondents experienced the loss of their marital partner, health and/or friends. Average score of loneliness, GDS and social supports of the respondents that was each $35.54{\pm}8.38$, $7.23{\pm}2.21$ and $26.01{\pm}.90$. The overall level of depression seemed to be low as the 'pleasure to be alive' and 'happiness' scored high while the 'state of anger' and 'ominous presentiment' scored low. The level of loneliness and depression was positively correlated while the relationships were negative between loneliness and support and between depression and social support. These results suggested that social and health promotional programmes be necessary for the elderly of rural area. Further research would be required to specify the necessities.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between food intake pattern body component bone mineral density(BMD) and dental caries experience of college women and we wanted to determine the correlation of these factors with dental caries experience. Research was conducted to offer basic data to develope a nutritional program for the future prevention from oral disease. The subjects in this study were 132 college women who participated in the food intake survey and who's body component and BMD was measured. The statistical analysis was done by using the SPSS 15.0 program. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The food intake pattern was not directly correlated with DMFT index. 2. The body component was not directly correlated with DMFT index. 3. The SOS, BQI was directly correlated with DMFT index(p<0.05). 4. T-score of BMD had the greatest influence on DMFT index(p<0.05). Above results indicated that bone mineral density are related with the incidence of dental caries experience and further research is necessary to develop a nutritional and health promotional program in order to prevent oral illness.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2004

Recently, the golden age of herbal cosmetics has come. Along with active introduction of oriental herbal lines, diversification of distribution channels is designated as a major feature. In this background, the present study attempts to consider the domestic market for oriental herbal cosmetics, which is growing rapidly with the introduction of various new brands, and examine the perceptions of this new type of cosmetics by women consumers based on their purchase behaviors, and search for the ways for its promotion and development. A survey was conducted to adult women consumers aged 19∼60 residing in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do. Out of a total of 430 surveys distributed, 350 answer sheets were used for the analysis Among the results, the first-hand information on the herbal cosmetics market, their usage, and the consumer needs obtained in the present study will serve as a fundamental data for planning the marketing strategies for the oriental herbal cosmetics.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2001

The ectopic expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH and luteinizing hormone(LH) in several tissues is a quite intriguing phenomenon. Recently, the presence of GnRH and its receptor has been clearly demonstrated in rodents and human mammary gland. In this context, one can postulate that the presence of local circuit composed of GnRH and LH in the gland. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether there is a correlation between the LH expression in rat mammary gland and physiological status during the process of mammary differentiation. LH contents in mammary gland from cycling to weaning rats were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). In cycling rats, changes of the LH level in both serum and mammary gland showed similar pattern as the highest level in proestrus and the lowest level in diestrus II stage. While the serum LH levels were fluctuated from pregnant through involution stage, a sharp decline of mammary LH contents was observed in the lactating rats. This decrement was recovered in involuting rats to the level of proestrus stage. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the transcriptional activities of the mammary LH and GnRH were increased from diestrus I stage to estrus stage, and the increased levels were maintained in pregnant, lactation and involution stages. To test the hypothesis that the alteration in mammary LH expression might be steroid-dependant, ovariectomy(OVX) and steroid supplement model was employed. As expected, supplement of estradiol(E$_2$) after OVX remarkably decreased serum LH level compared to that in serum from vehicle-only treated rats. Likewise, administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced the mammary LH content. The present study demonstrated that (i) the LH expression in mammary gland could be altered by some physiological parameters such as estrous cycle, pregnancy, lactation and involution, and (ii) ovarian steroid especially estrogen seems to be one of major endocrine factors which are responsible for regulation of mammary LH expression.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 2003

The present study conducted a survey on the correlation between job satisfaction of dental hygienists and their workplace satisfaction and quality of life. A total of 249 surveys eligible among all the collected surveys were used in the analysis. The survey consisted of 61 items; 35 items were about self-evaluations of their satisfaction with their tasks, occupation, and workplace, as well as the degree of self-affirmation and their family-related satisfaction; the rests were 26 WHOQOL-BREF items investigating the quality of life. Collected data were processed using the SPSS Ver. 10.0 calculating the reliability with the frequency, percentage, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Besides, one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis examined the correlation between the variables. The conclusion is as follows: 1. By Age: Job satisfaction and family-related satisfaction were highest in the subjects aged 30 or older($3.5377{\pm}0.6891$ at pF0.05 and $4.1789{\pm}0.5431$ at pF0.05, respectively), though the differences were not statistically significant). Workplace satisfaction and self-affirmation were also highest in those aged 30 or order($3.5753{\pm}0.4210$ at pE0.05 and $3.9695{\pm}0.4616$ at pE0.05, respectively). The differences were statistically significant. Quality of life was also highest in those aged 30 or older($3.4095{\pm}0.3529$, pF0.05). 2. By Types of Dental Institutions: Job satisfaction and workplace satisfaction were highest in the subjects who worked at the dental department in a general hospital($3.7431{\pm}0.5940$ at pF0.05 and $3.6615{\pm}0.4602$ at pF0.05. respectively), though without statistical significance. Self-affirmation was highest in those working in university hospitals($3.773{\pm}0.7151$, pF0.05), while family-related satisfaction was highest, though without statistical significance, in those working at the dental department in general hospitals($4.2500{\pm}0.5528$, pF0.05), who also showed highest quality of life with statistical significance($3.4046{\pm}0.4155$, pE0.05). 3. By Years at Work: The subjects who had worked as a dental hygienist for 12 years or more showed highest satisfaction or scores in all the variables investigated: job satisfaction($3.9326{\pm}0.6673$, pE0.05): workplace satisfaction($3.8316{\pm}0.4342$, pE0.05): self-affirmation($4.2000{\pm}0.4551$, pE0.05); family-related satisfaction($4.3778{\pm}0.4692$, pF0.5): and quality of life($3.5235{\pm}0.4323$, pF0.05). All but quality of life showed a difference with statistical significance. 4. Correlation between Quality of Life and Overall Job Satisfaction: Quality of life doesn't have a correlation with the subjects' satisfaction with their occupation or with their self-affirmation, while it does have a correlation with workplace satisfaction and family-related satisfaction(F=15.983, Sig=0.000, $R^2$=0.209). Besides, workplace satisfaction has a significant correlation with all the variables: job satisfaction, self-affirmation, family-related satisfaction, and quality of life(F=38.563, Sig=0.000, $R^2$=0.389). The above result shows that workplace satisfaction has a high correlation with job satisfaction, self-affirmation, family-related satisfaction and with quality of life. Consequently, to enhance satisfaction of dental hygienists with their workplace, it would be important to promote their autonomy and make desirable wokplace environments so that they can work efficiently with pride for their job.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.216-223
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the need for hospice care between families of children and adults with cancer. Methods: The data was collected from 190 families of children and adult with cancer using self-rating questionnaires from December, 2004 to February, 2005. Data was analyzed using SPSS/Win program by Mean, SD and t-test. Results: The mean score of the need for hospice care in families of children with cancer was greater significantly than in families of adults with cancer (t=-2.126, P=.035). The scores of two factors among the five factors evaluated for the need for hospice care were different significantly. The mean score of control of major terminal physical symptoms' in families of children with cancer was greater significantly than the mean score of adults with cancer (t=-2.165, P=.032). The mean score of 'spiritual care to prepare for death' in families of adults with cancer was greater significantly than the mean score of children with cancer (t=-2.380, P=.018). Conclusion: For improving the quality of life for both patients and families, the hospice service program needs to consider the life cycle of patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.401-407
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to know the differences of MR spectra, obtained from normal volunteers by variable TE value, through the quantitative analysis of brain metabolites by peak integral and SNR between 1.5T and 3.0T, together with PRESS and STEAM pulse sequence. Single-voxel MR proton spectra of the human brain obtained from normal volunteers at both 3.0T MR system (Magnetom Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) and 1.5T MR system (Signa Twinspeed, GE, USA) using the STEAM and PRESS pulse sequence. 10 healthy volunteers (3.0T:3 males, 2 females; 1.5T : 3 males, 2 females) with the range from 22 to 30 years old (mean 26 years) participated in our study. They had no personal or familial history of neurological diseases and had a normal neurological examination. Data acquisition parameters were closely matched between the two field strengths. Spectra were recorded in the white matter of the occipital lobe. Spectra were compared in terms of resolution and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and echo time(TE) were estimated at both field strengths. Imaging parameters was used for acquisition of the proton spectrum were as follow : TR 2000msec, TE 30ms, 40ms, 50ms, 60ms, 90ms, 144ms, 288ms, NA=96, VOI=$20{\times}20{\times}20mm3$. As the echo times were increased, the spectra obtained from 3.0T and 1.5T show decreased peak integral and SNR at both pulse sequence. PRESS pulse sequence shows higher SNR and signal intensity than those of STEAM. Especially, Spectra in normal volunteers at 3.0T demonstrated significantly improved overall SNR and spectral resolution compared to 1.5T(Fig1). The spectra acquired at short echo time, 3T MR system shows a twice improvement in SNR compared to 1.5T MR system(Table. 1). But, there was no significant difference between 3.0Tand 1.5T at long TE It is concluded that PRESS and short TE is useful for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS, our standardized protocol for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS is useful to evaluate the brain diseases by monitoring the systematic changes of biochemical metabolites concentration in vivo.