• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1795-1803
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• 2011

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease accompanies the rise in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and the tendency toward high-fat dietary habits. Specifically, the higher prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in men and postmenopausal women seems to be caused by the protective effects of estrogen against liver fibrosis, or lack thereof. There are no effective preventive therapies for liver diseases because the mechanisms underlying the progression of fatty liver diseases to chronic liver diseases and the protective effects of estrogen against fibrogenesis remain unclear. Recently, it has been reported that the hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in the progression of chronic liver diseases. Hedgehog, a morphogen regulating embryonic liver development, is expressed in injured livers but not in adult healthy livers. The level of hedgehog expression parallels the stages of liver diseases. Hedgehog induces myofibroblast activation and hepatic progenitor cell proliferation and leads to excessive liver fibrosis, whereas estrogen inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells to myofibroblasts and prevents liver fibrosis. Although the mechanism underlying the opposing actions of hedgehog and estrogen on liver fibrosis remain unclear, the suppressive effects of estrogen on the expression of osteopontin, a profibrogenic extracellular matrix protein and cytokine, and the inductive effects of hedgehog on osteopontin transcription suggest that estrogen and hedgehog are associated with liver fibrosis regulation. Therefore, further research on the estrogen-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying the hedgehog-signaling pathway can identify the mechanism underlying liver fibrogenesis and contribute to developing therapies for preventing the progression of fibrosis to chronic liver diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2014

Cacalia firma is a perennial plant in Asteraceae, Parasenecio that distributed in Korea, China, and Japan. As dietary style changes for well-being life, consumer's demand of functional food and organic vegetables is getting increased. This study was conducted to investigate the optimum light conditions of P. firmus in forest farming. One year old seedlings were grown under four different light conditions 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50% of sunlight by shading (equals 50%, 30%, 20%, and 10% relative brightness respectively) and non-treated control under full sunlight. They were analyzed for early growth and physiological response. Seedlings grown under 75% shading showed similar height, root growth, and leaf water content to control. However, their leaf length, width, and total leaf area were increased, which caused increased leaf dry weight and total dry weight. Especially, seedlings under 95% shading showed 40% increase in height and more leaf growth and leaf water content, although they had shorter main root length and root collar diameter than control. In addition specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area ratio (LAR) were higher than control and indicated that they were statistically significant difference from control. Higher SLA refers thinner leaf thickness, higher LAR means larger leaf area. The results indicate seedlings under 95% shading have higher water content, thinner leaf, and wider lightinterception areas. It is plausible that P. firmus is active in chlorophyll activities and carbon dioxide assimilation at even lower light conditions. These results suggest that the optimum light level of P. firmus for artificial cultivation in forest farming ranges from 75~95% shading (20%-10% of relative brightness). When salability as 'sanchae' (wild edible greens) is considered, P. firmus could be cultivated under 75% shading in forest farming and expected to have better taste and higher yield. We suggest these results as basic data of P. firmus for possible forest farming.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.176-181
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• 2008

Purpose: The adipocyte-derived cytokine leptin plays a major role in the control of stable body weight by suppressing food intake and increasing energy metabolism. Leptin regulates the cell proliferation of various epithelial cells and it may be involved in the promotion of cancer. Leptin and its receptor are highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma, but the association between the serum leptin level and the tissue expression of leptin is uncertain. We evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and leptin receptor in gastric cancer, and we explore the possible mechanism and role of leptin in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: 72 carcinomas that were curatively resected at our hospital from October 2005 to March 2007 were included in this study. By immunoassay and immunohistochemical staining, we evaluated the serum leptin level and the expressions of leptin and its receptor, and we analyzed their relationship together with the clinicopathological variables. Results: The serum leptin level was increased as the patient's BMI increased and it was decreased in H. pylori infected patients. The expression of leptin was increased as the TNM stage increased (P=0.014), and the expression of leptin receptor in the intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma was higher than that in the diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma (71.4% vs 28.6%, respectively, P=0.033). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the serum leptin level and expression of leptin in gastric cancer patients. The expression of leptin was associated with the TNM stage, but its role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer has to be elucidated.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2007

The lacrimal gland are compound tubule-acinar glands. The main lacrimal function is the production of the aqueous layer, the thickest and major constituent of the precorneal tear film. The lacrimal gland also has an important function in the defense system of the ocular surface, forming a part of the conjunctival-associated hymphoid tissue. The ultrastructural characteristics of the lacrimal gland of the rabbit were described. The lacrimal tissues of rabbits were processed through the conventional techniques for transmission electron microscopy. The secretory portions consisted of three cell types: 1. Serous cells with electron dense secretory granules. 2. Seromucous cells containing variable moderately electron dense secretory granules with flocculent material. 3. Mucous rolls containing mucous secretory granules. The serous cells were situated at the basal portion of acini, and they contained electron dense granules of variable densities and sizes. The seromucous cells contained a few protein secretory granules and more mucous secretory granules. The mucous cells contained even fewer protein secretory granules and exclusively mucous secretory granules. The epithelium of the intralobular ducts showed secretory granules, junctional complexes, and large basolateral intercellular spaces with lateral folds. These study might be helpful in determining inter-relationships, similarities and differences among the orbital glands of various physiological or pathological conditions.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2004

This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameter of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds based on the on-farm performance tested records of 57,316 pigs under the supervision of Korean Animal Improvement Association from 1992 to 1999. Genetic parameters were estimated with a multiple trait animal model by using DF - REML. The result obtained in this study was summarized as follow ; The estimated heritabilities of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire were 0.46${\sim}$0.65 for the average backfat thickness, 0.28${\sim}$0.31 for loin depth, 0.50～0.60 for percent lean, 0.45${\sim}$0.55 for the average daily gain, 0.38${\sim}$0.50 for age at 90kg, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of average backfat thickness with loin depth, percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90㎏ for the three breeds were -0.12${\sim}$-0.01, -0.81${\sim}$-0.76, 0.34${\sim}$0.46, and -0.41${\sim}$-0.33, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of loin depth with percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg were 0.12${\sim}$0.23, 0.03${\sim}$0.21, and -0.17${\sim}$-0.03, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of percent lean with average daily gain and age at 90kg were -0.37${\sim}$-0.26 and 0.26～0.35, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of average daily gain with age at 90kg was -0.97${\sim}$-0.95. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of average backfat thickness with loin depth, percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg estimated for the three breeds were -0.17${\sim}$0.03, -0.79${\sim}$-0.69, 0.24${\sim}$0.45 and -0.41${\sim}$-0.19, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of loin depth with percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg were 0.11～0.19, 0.23 and -0.30～-0.20, respectively. The estimated correlation coefficients of percent lean with average daily gain and age at 90kg were -0.36${\sim}$-0.13 and 0.10～0.34, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of average daily gain with age at 90㎏ was -0.96${\sim}$-0.95.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2017

Purpose: In this study, factors of metabolic syndrome and nutritional status were examined according to gender and occupations using the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This study was conducted on 1,750 workers (male : 892, female : 858) aged between 30 and 64, who participated in a health survey, health examination, and nutrition survey using the 6th 2013 KNHANES. Occupations were classified into white collar and blue collar workers, and nutrient intake was analyzed using a food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of complex sample design data through SPSS 19.0 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome among blue collar (35.1%) was higher than that among white collar workers (26.8%) in male subjects (p < 0.05) as well as in blue collar (24.8%) compared to white collar workers (8.9%) in female subjects (p < 0.001). Intake frequency per week, considering one portion by food category, showed significant differences in cooked rice (p < 0.05) and bakeries and confectioneries (p < 0.05) in make workers as well as stew and casserole (p < 0.01) and fruits (p < 0.05) in female workers. With regard to nutrient intake by occupation and gender, white collar workers consumed a greater amount of nutrients (not including total energy intake) compared to blue collar workers in both male and female workers. With regard to nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) according to gender and occupation, white collar workers showed higher numbers than blue collar workers in both male and female subjects. Conclusions: This study examined the prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome and nutrient intake according to gender and occupation. In both male and female subjects, blue collar workers showed higher prevalence rates compared to white collar workers, and their diet quality was worse than white collar workers' diet quality. Considering this result, customized nutrition education according to gender and occupation should be provided to workers to prevent diseases.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2001

This study was conducted to estimate microclimate of natural deciduous forest in national forest of Pyungchang, Kangwon province and to investigate the effects of the microclimatic conditions on the periodic annual increment of diameter by site types. In this study, site was first classified by nine types considering both elevation (higher than 1,000 m, 700∼1,000 m, and lower than 700 m) and topographical conditions (ridge, slope and valley). For each of site types, diameter growth was measured by using increment borer and periodic annual increment of diameter was then analyzed. A topoclimatological technique, for estimating microclimatic conditions, which make use of empirical relationships between the topographical factor and the climatic normals in the study area was applied to produce monthly mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation and hours of sunshine. From these monthly estimtes, 17 weather variables such as warmth index, coldness index, index of aridity etc. which affect the diameter growth were computed for each of site types. The periodic annual increment of diameter was then correlated with and regressed on the 17 weather variables to examine effects of microclimatic conditions on the diameter growth by site types. From the correlation analysis, it was found that the diameter growth by site types was positively correlated with all of 17 weather variables except the warmth index. Especially, the conditions such as high relative humidity and large amount of sunshine hours provide favorable environment for the growth of diameter. On the other hand, it was also found that diameter growth was negatively iufluenced by warmth index. According to the regression analysis, the periodic annual increment of diameter could be well predicted by index of aridity and mean relative humidity for the growing season.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.67-88
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• 2019

Webtoon is a Korean-style digital comics platform that distributes comics content produced using the characteristic elements of the Internet in a form that can be consumed online. With the recent rapid growth of the webtoon industry and the exponential increase in the supply of webtoon content, the need for effective webtoon content recommendation measures is growing. Webtoons are digital content products that combine pictorial, literary and digital elements. Therefore, webtoons stimulate consumer sentiment by making readers have fun and engaging and empathizing with the situations in which webtoons are produced. In this context, it can be expected that the sentiment that webtoons evoke to consumers will serve as an important criterion for consumers' choice of webtoons. However, there is a lack of research to improve webtoons' recommendation performance by utilizing consumer sentiment. This study is aimed at developing consumer sentiment pattern maps that can support effective recommendations of webtoon content, focusing on consumer sentiments that have not been fully discussed previously. Metadata and consumer sentiments data were collected for 200 works serviced on the Korean webtoon platform 'Naver Webtoon' to conduct this study. 488 sentiment terms were collected for 127 works, excluding those that did not meet the purpose of the analysis. Next, similar or duplicate terms were combined or abstracted in accordance with the bottom-up approach. As a result, we have built webtoons specialized sentiment-index, which are reduced to a total of 63 emotive adjectives. By performing exploratory factor analysis on the constructed sentiment-index, we have derived three important dimensions for classifying webtoon types. The exploratory factor analysis was performed through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using varimax factor rotation. The three dimensions were named 'Immersion', 'Touch' and 'Irritant' respectively. Based on this, K-Means clustering was performed and the entire webtoons were classified into four types. Each type was named 'Snack', 'Drama', 'Irritant', and 'Romance'. For each type of webtoon, we wrote webtoon-sentiment 2-Mode network graphs and looked at the characteristics of the sentiment pattern appearing for each type. In addition, through profiling analysis, we were able to derive meaningful strategic implications for each type of webtoon. First, The 'Snack' cluster is a collection of webtoons that are fast-paced and highly entertaining. Many consumers are interested in these webtoons, but they don't rate them well. Also, consumers mostly use simple expressions of sentiment when talking about these webtoons. Webtoons belonging to 'Snack' are expected to appeal to modern people who want to consume content easily and quickly during short travel time, such as commuting time. Secondly, webtoons belonging to 'Drama' are expected to evoke realistic and everyday sentiments rather than exaggerated and light comic ones. When consumers talk about webtoons belonging to a 'Drama' cluster in online, they are found to express a variety of sentiments. It is appropriate to establish an OSMU(One source multi-use) strategy to extend these webtoons to other content such as movies and TV series. Third, the sentiment pattern map of 'Irritant' shows the sentiments that discourage customer interest by stimulating discomfort. Webtoons that evoke these sentiments are hard to get public attention. Artists should pay attention to these sentiments that cause inconvenience to consumers in creating webtoons. Finally, Webtoons belonging to 'Romance' do not evoke a variety of consumer sentiments, but they are interpreted as touching consumers. They are expected to be consumed as 'healing content' targeted at consumers with high levels of stress or mental fatigue in their lives. The results of this study are meaningful in that it identifies the applicability of consumer sentiment in the areas of recommendation and classification of webtoons, and provides guidelines to help members of webtoons' ecosystem better understand consumers and formulate strategies.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.3 s.27
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• pp.368-379
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• 1989

The relationship between mercury level of hair and mental retardation was investigated. The 297 subjects with mental retardation were drawn from two schools providing special educational services, one, consisted of children living in an orphan home, another, children with parents. The 117 centre] subjects were drawn from whom had got average or above average academic achivement in a regular elementary school. Hair sample were taken from the nape of the neck and the mercury analysis was carried out on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer(IL 551). There was no relationship between mercury contents and age, and there was a statistically significant difference in mercury contents between male and female in the mentally retarded children living with parents. Children in the retarded group had significantly higher mercury contents compared with control group except the female group with parents. Also, the mercury levels in the retarded group living in an orphan home were significantly higher than that of the retarded group with parents. The concomitant diseases were Down's syndrome, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism. There were statistically significant differences in hair mercury levels in the cases of accompanying Down's syndrome and cerebral palsy in male and Down's syndrome and autism in female compared with the control group of the same sex. The most accompanying handicap was speech disturbance(40.7%) and the others were crippled, emotional disturbance etc. The percentages of double handicap were 66.7% among 6 persons exceeding 6ppm of their hair mercury contents. 10.4% among $3{\sim}6$ ppm and 15.7% among the group of 3ppm or less. The findings of this study suggest that the more opportunities of exposure to mercury in mentally retarded children may have occurred, so it can not be excluded the possibility of mercury as a contributing factor to mental retardation. Therefore, the causal relationship between mercury levels and mental retardation should be established through the examinations about their living environments, dietary pattern, eating habit etc.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-410
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• 2003

Three beaches of the Seogwang-ri coast in the western part of Wu Island, Jeju-do, are solely composed of rhodoliths (red algal nodules). The beach sediments are coarse sand to granule in size and they show the banded distribution according to size. Commonly the larger pebble-sized rhodoliths are concentrated near the rocky coast, resulting from the transportation of the nodules from shallow marine environments by intermittent typhoons. Based on the internal texture of the rhodoliths, it appears that crustose red algae, Lithophyllum sp., is the main contributor for the formation of the rhodolith. The coarse sand to granule-sized grains show that they started to grow from the nucleus as rhodoliths, but the surface was severely eroded by waves. However, the pebble to cobble-sized grains exhibit the complete growth pattern of rhodoliths and sometimes contain other calcareous skeletons. It is common that encrusting red algae are intergrown with encrusting bryozoan. The surface morphology of rhodolith tends to change from the concentric to domal shape towards the outer part. This suggests that the rhodolith grew to a certain stage by rolling, but it grew in more quiet condition without rolling as it became larger. Aragonite and calcite cements can be found in the pores within rhodoliths (conceptacle, intraskeletal pore in bryozoan, and boring), and this means that shallow marine cementation has occurred during their growth. Growth of numerous rhodoliths in shallow marine environment near the Seogwang-ri coast indicates that this area has suitable oceanographic conditions for their growth such as warm water temperature (about 19$^{\circ}C$ in average) and clear water condition due to the lack of terrestrial input of volcanoclastic sediments. Fast tidal current and high wave energy in the shallow water setting can provide suitable conditions enough for their rolling and growth. Typhoons passing this area every summer also influence on the growth of rhodoliths.