• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using Kinesiology Tape (KT) for drooling in children with cerebral palsy. Methods : A single-case experimental design with an ABA design was conducted. A total of 46 sessions were conducted, consisting of three baseline sessions (A), 40 intervention sessions (B), and three baseline sessions (A'). The Drooling Impact Scale (DIS) and the Interlabial Gap (IG) were measured before and after the KT intervention, and a Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) was assessed to determine whether there was any change in the target activity for each session. The KT intervention was attached to the orbicularis oris muscle. The KT intervention time was set as the time taken for dysphagia intervention and the actual meal time, for up to one hour a day, for a total of eight weeks. Results : The results of the study showed that the KT intervention had an effect on both the DIS and the IG, and that the GAS scale indicated that target activity increased with each session. Conclusion : These results indicate that the KT intervention can easily be applied to children with cerebral palsy who suffer from drooling, whether in clinical practice, by therapists, or caregivers, and that it can be used for various purposes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.520-530
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• 2024

Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. When the function of these genes is lost, it can lead to cellular plasticity that drives the development of various cancers, including small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is known for its aggressive nature. SCLC is primarily driven by numerous loss-of-function mutations in TSGs, often involving genes that encode epigenetic regulators. These mutations pose a significant therapeutic challenge as they are not directly targetable. However, understanding the molecular changes resulting from these mutations might provide insights for developing tumor intervention strategies. We propose that despite the heterogeneous genomic landscape of SCLC, the effects of mutations in patient tumors converge on a few critical pathways that drive malignancy. Specifically, alterations in epigenetic regulators lead to transcriptional dysregulation, pushing mutant cells toward a highly plastic state that makes them immune evasive and highly metastatic. This review will highlight studies showing how an imbalance of epigenetic regulators with opposing functions leads to the loss of immune recognition markers, effectively hiding tumor cells from the immune system. Additionally, we will discuss the role of epigenetic regulators in maintaining neuroendocrine features and how aberrant transcriptional control promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during tumor development. Although these pathways seem distinct, we emphasize that they often share common molecular drivers and mediators. Understanding the connection among frequently altered epigenetic regulators will provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying SCLC development, potentially revealing preventive and therapeutic vulnerabilities for SCLC and other cancers with similar mutations.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.176-182
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• 2023

Plant regeneration protocols for adventitious shoot organogenesis from apple (Malus domestica 'Fuji') leaf explants were developed in the present study. The effects of dark incubation periods in the early stages of culture, pre-treatment methods, the number of explants per culture container, the type of culture containers, and the orientation of the explants on culture media were evaluated to determine the optimal shoot regeneration conditions for 'Fuji' apple leaf explants. Light incubation of explants produced minimal response. However, dark incubation of explants for 4 weeks during the initial culture period enhanced shoot regeneration frequency. Comparing the number of explants per container, a higher percentage of shoot regeneration was obtained with nine explants per container compared with four explants per container. Pre-treatment, before culture, by dipping explants in a liquid regeneration medium containing 40 g/L of sorbitol for 2 hours produced the highest shoot formation rate, and the time of shoot formation was accelerated. The percentage of shoot regeneration and number of shoots per regenerating explant reached a maximum of 87.5% and 4.7, respectively. The regenerated shoots were elongated and rooted on a rooting medium of 1/4 MS with 0.2 mg/L IBA. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized, and the regenerated plants produced normal phenotypes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

This review discusses the pivotal role of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, vital processes influencing vascular permeability, endothelial cell recruitment, and the maintenance of tumor-associated blood and lymphatic vessels. VEGF exerts its effects through tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. This VEGF-VEGFR system is central not only to cancer but also to diseases arising from abnormal blood vessel and lymphatic vessel formation. In the context of cancer, VEGF and its receptors are essential for the development of tumor-associated vessels, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Various approaches, such as anti-VEGF antibodies, receptor antagonists, and VEGF receptor function inhibitors, are being explored to interfere with tumor growth. However, the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents remains uncertain and necessitates further refinement. The article also highlights the physiological role of VEGFs, emphasizing their involvement in endothelial cell functions, survival, and vascular permeability. The identification of five distinct VEGFs in humans (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and PLGF) is discussed, along with the classification of VEGFRs as typical receptor tyrosine kinases with distinct signaling systems. The family includes VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, crucial in tumor biology and angiogenesis, and VEGFR-3, specifically involved in lymphangiogenesis. Overall, this review has provided a comprehensive overview of VEGF and VEGFR, detailing their roles in various diseases, including cancer. This is expected to further facilitate the utilization of VEGF and VEGFR as therapeutic targets.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2023

Among cardiac diseases, arrhythmias can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure if left untreated, so continuous and accurate ECG monitoring is crucial for clinical care. However, the accurate interpretation of electrocardiogram (ECG) data is entirely dependent on medical doctors, which requires additional time and cost. Therefore, this paper proposes an arrhythmia recognition module for the purpose of developing a medical platform through the analysis of abnormal pulse waveforms based on Lifelogs. The proposed method is to convert ECG data into image format instead of time series data, apply visual pattern recognition technology, and then detect arrhythmia using CNN model. In order to validate the arrhythmia classification of the CNN model by image type conversion of ECG data proposed in this paper, the MIT-BIH arrhythmia dataset was used, and the result showed an accuracy of 97%.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1155-1162
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• 2013

Estrogen like activities were evaluated using ethanol and hot water extracts of gongjindan (GJD) and 3 types of brown algae by an in vitro detection system. Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida represented statistically significant (p<0.001) estrogen like activities, while GJD and Ecklonia stolonifera did not. Furthermore, activities of hot water extracts ($500{\mu}g/ml$) of Laminaria japonica and three mixture (Ecklonia stolonifera : Undaria pinnatifida : Laminaria japonica, 1: 1: 1) were stronger than that of $10^{-7}M$ $17{\beta}$-estradiol. These results suggest that Laminaria japonica contain estrogen like compounds. Based on these results, the prepared seaweed GJD were used for animal experiments about the effects on inhibition of platelet aggregation and serum lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. 9-week Old female SD-rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups as sham-operated rats, ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats that were treated with GJD. The rats were placed on prescribed diets for 5 weeks following ovariectomy. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents on serum decreased in the SHAM group compared to the OVX-CON group. 5 weeks feeding of GJD resulted in significant lowering of triglyceride and a decreasing tendency of total cholesterol level. The level of HDL-cholesterol on serum increased significantly by feeding diets containing the GJD. The ability of platelet aggregation of group treated with GJD was less than that of the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of seaweed gongjindan may be used to improve menopausal syndrome.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2004

Purpose : The serial clinical findings, biochemical results, and serological hepatitis B virus(HBV) markers in Korean children with chronic HBV infection were analyzed to determine the relationships among these factors. Methods : Ninety children have been chosen from those who have visited to the Department of Pediatrics at St. Vincent's Hospital in The Catholic University of Korea from July 1st, 1995 to June 30th, 2000. The sample patients were followed up for over six months. HBV markers and liver function tests were all performed. Results : All children were asymptomatic at presentation. Eighty-three percent of the children had a history of chronic HBV infection in their families. Eighty-one percent were HBeAg positive, 16% were anti-HBe positive, while 3% were all HBeAg and anti-HBe negative. The prevalence of HBeAg among three age groups : 0~5; 6~10; and 11~15 year-old was 90%, 96% and 61% respectively. The prevalence of HBeAg in less than 10 year-old group was significantly higher than 11~15 year-old group(P=0.001). Serum ALT levels were within 40 IU/L in 64% children, 41~80 IU/L in 17%, 81~200 IU/L in 10%, and beyond 201 IU/L in 9%. The percentage of abnormality of ALT levels in HBeAg positive patients was significantly higher than that of HBeAg negative(P=0.036). Eleven of the 73 HBeAg positive children lost their HBeAg and seroconverted to anti-HBe. In these cases, all had transient elevations in ALT levels before HBeAg seroconversions. The annual rates of spontaneous seroconversion of HBeAg and HBsAg were 9.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Conclusion : Recognition of the dynamics of these changes in viral markers and biochemical findings is needed in the selection and evaluation of therapeutic regimens, establishment of treatment, and calling for controlled trials with adequate follow-up. The hepatitis B carrier state may be asymptomatic in children however, continued surveillance of carriers is important to determine the individual adverse prognostic factors of chronic HBV infections.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.557-561
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• 2002

The changes in some chemical and physical properties of fresh or rancid soybean oil by the treatment with sweet potato, potato, burdock, and carrot were investigated. The results of the study were as follows: The specific gravity of the soybean oil increased by heating and decreased by the addition of sweet potato, burdock and carrot into the oil. The chromaticity of soybean oil increased by heating and treatment with above vegetables having antioxidant activity. To investigate the antioxidant effects of above vegetables during heating, anisidine value (AV) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) electron donating ability were measured. The AV of oil decreased by heating with sweet potato in fresh or rancid oil. The DPPH value decreased by heating with sweet potato and carrot, of which the antioxidant activity were similar to that of 0.02 ∼ 0.05 mg of dl-${\alpha}$ -tocopherol.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.129-142
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• 1986

Fifty-five local collections of buck wheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, were investigated their ratios of long-styled (LS) and short-styled (SS) flowers, fertility, meiosis of megaspore and microspore mother cell, female and male gametogenesis, and egg apparatus in accordance with the sowing seasons (spring, summer), altitudes (20m, 50-100m, 300m), and parent style types (L, S). Also they were embryologically investigated the fertility, fertilizing phenomenon and proembryogenesis by the legitimate and illegitimate pollination. There were no differences in the ratios of long-styled and short-5tyled flowers along with altitudes, but more irregularness was observed in plain area than that in the mountaineous or coastal area. LS versus SS ratios by sowing seasons were significantly separated into 1 : 1 in the summer sowing (P 0.1), but they were irregularly separated in the spring sowing. The segregating ratios by parent style types showed more number of short-styled flower in the spring sowing, and were statistically seperated into 1 : 1 in the summer sowing (P 0.25), regardless to parent style types. In the artificial legitimate union, the seed setting rates of the summer sowing (59-61%) were much higher than those of the spring sowing (about 30%), but in the artificial illegitimate union the seed setting rates were only fructified about 0.8-1.8% in the spring sowing. The seed setting rates in accordance with flowering stages were larger in turn early, middle, late, in the summer sowing. The grain number and grain weight per plant of short-styled flower were more than those of long-styled one regardless to style types. The 1,000 grain weight of long-styled flower was heavier than that of short-styled one in large grain, but it was lighter than that of short-styled flower in small or medium grain. The percentage of normal female and male gametogenesis in the summer sowing were higher than those in the spring sowing. The ovule was atropous and two polar nuclei were a synkarion before flowering. The pollens germinated at 30 minuts after pollination and the pollen tube grew continually and penetrated into micropyle at 1.5-2 hours and the two male nuclei fertilized with egg nucleus at 3 -5 hours after pollination. Flertilizing times in summer were shorter than in autumn. The fertilized egg was divided in a small apical cell toward the interior of the embryo sac and a large basal cell toward the micropyle cell at 15-24 hours after pollination, and division times in summer were shorter than in autumn. The proembryo began the embryogenesis at 7-8 days and formed itself into the perfect embryo at 15 days after pollination.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2018

Purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is mostly asymptomatic but can be detrimental to certain hosts. We investigated changes of CMV seroprevalence in Koreans before and after the year 2000. Methods: We reviewed laboratory values of patients who were tested for CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, from January 1995 to December 2015. Changes in seroprevalence were analyzed by gender, age, region, and tested year period (period 1, 1995-2005 vs. period 2, 2006-2015). Results: Overall CMV seropositivity was 94.1% (10,900/11,584). There was no significant difference for CMV seropositivity among the two periods (94.2% vs. 94.1%) (P=0.862). CMV seropositivity in the 11 to 20-year age group in period 2 (78.8%) was significantly lower than that of period 1 (89.9%) (P=0.001). The seropositivity of individuals aged 31-40 years (97.4%) was significantly higher than that of younger age groups (P<0.001) and lower than that of older age groups (P<0.001). Of 2,441 females of reproductive age (from 15 to 49), CMV seropositivity was 97% (2,467/2,441). The seropositivity in women aged 20-24-years was higher than that of men in the same age group (97.6% vs. 85.6%, P=0.003). No significant difference was observed among different regions. Conclusions: Overall CMV seropositivity of Koreans was estimated to be 94% and the average seropositivity of reproductive women was 97%. Monitoring of the changes in seroprevalence including the reproductive age group is needed in the future.