• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.804-812
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• 2020

The giant mealworm beetle, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been used as a protein source for small pets and mammals. Recently, it was temporarily registered in the list of the Food Code. We previously performed an in silico analysis of the Zophobas atratus transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and identified several antimicrobial peptide candidates. Among them, we assessed the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of zophobacin 1 that was selected bio-informatically based on its physicochemical properties against microorganisms and mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Zophobacin 1 showed antimicrobial activities against microorganisms without inducing hemolysis and decreased the nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, ELISA and Western blot analysis revealed that zophobacin 1 reduced expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We also investigated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β) production through quantitative real time-PCR and ELISA. Zophobacin 1 markedly reduced the expression level of cytokines through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. We confirmed that zophobacin 1 bound to bacterial cell membranes via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides. These data suggest that zophobacin 1 could be promising molecules for development as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1978

Extensive selection works on wild yeasts of fruits were carried cut to obtain strains which are applicable to apple wine making. Among the total number of 1,358 yeast strains which were isolated from various fruit samples collected from the vicinity of Daejeon and other regions cf Korea, the strains SH-49, SH-129 and SH-338 were found to be useful. Then experiments on their morphological and physiological characteristics, and on the aspects of practical use in apple wine making were proceeded. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The strains SH-49 and SH-129, particularly SH-49, were appeared to have good fermentation ability, tolerance to sulfur dioxide and to produce fine quality of apple wine. 2. Apple wines made by using the strain, SH-49 and SH-129 contained less amount of total acids than those by other strains. 3. Apple wines of SH-49 and SH-129 were clarified rapidly during the primary fermentation period, and their absorbancy at 430 nm after 45 days of storage were approximately half of others. 4. Apple wine of SH-338 contained higher amount of residual sugar and its quality was superior to others. It is considered that this strain could be used in the production of apple wine of a characteristic quality. 5. The strains SH-49 and SH-338 were identified as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae according to Taxanomic Study of Yeasts by Lodder, however, classification of SH-129 was suspended for further study.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2006

Background: In the measurement of bronchodilator reversibility, the forced expiratory volume in one second($FEV_{1}$) and the forced vital capacity(FVC) are commonly used parameters and recommended criteria for the reversibility requiring an increase of more than 200ml and 12% above the baseline, respectively. However, aged patients do not often meet the criteria of an increase in volume(>200ml) even though the medical history of that patient is adequate for asthma. This study investigated the role of the forced expiratory volume in six seconds($FEV_{6}$) in the bronchodilator reversibility test in elderly patients. Methods: A total of 236 patients more than 65 years of age with a $FEV_{1}$/FVC ratio<80% were enrolled in this study. The bronchodilator revesibility tests were examined. With the setting $FEV_{1}$ as the baseline, the patients were divided into three groups; Group I : $$FEV_{1}{\geq_-}80%$$ of the predicted value, Group II : 60%<$FEV_{1}$<80% of the predicted value, Group III : $$FEV_{1}{\leq_-}60%$$ of the predicted value. Results: Positive reversibility in the $FEV_{1}$, $FEV_{6}$, and FVC was in 33(14.0%), 49(20.8%) and 55(23.3%). However, Group III presented with reversibility in the $FEV_{1}$, $FEV_{6}$, and FVC in 15(22.4%), 30(44.8%) and 32(47.8%) respectively. Conclusions: The $FEV_{6}$ might be used as a complementary parameter in bronchodilatror reversibility in elderly patients. However, more study will be needed to determine the usefulness of $FEV_{6}$ in bronchodilator reversibility test.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.3 s.62
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• pp.503-513
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• 1997

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of oxygen tension on the activity and function of the cells derived from human periodontal ligament by measuring cell activity, total protein synthesis, collagen synthesis, $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$ Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were collected from premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment and incubated in the environment of $37^{\circ}C,\;5\%\;CO_2,\100\%$ humidity. After the fifth to sixth passage they were used for the experiment. Gaspack system to which $0.2{\mu}m$ Millipore filter was attached was connected to mixed-gas tanks. The mixed gases were composed of $10\%\;O_2,\;5\%\;CO_2,\;85\%\;N_2$ in hyoxic group or $90\%\;O_2,\;5\%\;CO_2,\;5\%\;N_2$ in hyperoxic group and $5\%\;CO_2,\;95\%$ air for control. After incubation in $37^{\circ}C$ for 2, 4, 6 days, cell activity was determined by tetrazolium(MTT) assay and total protein synthesis was assayed using sulforhodamine B(SRB). And measurement of 4-hydroxyproline was performed to assess collagen synthesis md $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured by enzymeimmunoassay. The results were as follows. 1. The cell activity and total protein synthesis in hypoxic group were a little higher than or almost the same with those in control group. 2. In hyperoxic group, the cell activity was lower than that in control group and total protein synthesis was decreased. 3. Collagen synthesis was significantly decreased initially in both hypoxic and hyperoxic group and increased nearly to the level of control group as the duration of cell incubation was longer 4. As a result of enzymeimmunoassay, the amount of cytokines was $IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;IL-1{\beta}$ in order. 5. $IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;IL-1{\beta}$ were increased more rapidly in both hypoxic and hyperoxic group than in control group as the duration of cell incubation was longer. 6. There were more $IL-6\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ in hyperoxic group than in control group after 6 days, and there were more $IL-6\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ after 6 days than after 2 or 4 days in hyperoxic group. These results suggested that oxygen tension might modulate the production of extracellular matrix and cytokines in the cells derived from human periodontal ligament.

• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.3 s.71
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• pp.61-72
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• 2007

Having started with "Space War", the first game produced by MIT in the 1960's, the gaming industry expanded rapidly and grew to a large size over a short period of time: the brand new games being launched on the market are found to contain many different elements making up a single content in that it is often called the 'the most comprehensive ultimate fruits' of the design technologies. This also translates into a large increase in the number of things which need to be considered in developing games, complicating the plans on the financial budget, the work force, and the time to be committed. Therefore, an approach for analyzing the elements which make up a game, computing the importance of each of them, and assessing those games to be developed in the future, is the key to a successful development of games. Many decision-making activities are often required under such a planning process. The decision-making task involves many difficulties which are outlined as follows: the multi-factor problem; the uncertainty problem impeding the elements from being "quantified" the complex multi-purpose problem for which the outcome aims confusion among decision-makers and the problem with determining the priority order of multi-stages leading to the decision-making process. In this study we plan to suggest AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) so that these problems can be worked out comprehensively, and logical and rational alternative plan can be proposed through the quantification of the "uncertain" data. The analysis was conducted by taking FPS (First Person Shooting) which is currently dominating the gaming industry, as subjects for this study. The most important consideration in conducting AHP analysis is to accurately group the elements of the subjects to be analyzed objectively, and arrange them hierarchically, and to analyze the importance through pair-wise comparison between the elements. The study is composed of 2 parts of analyzing these elements and computing the importance between them, and choosing an alternative plan. Among these this paper is particularly focused on the Delphi technique-based objective element analyzing and hierarchy of the FPS games.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.1 s.87
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• pp.29-38
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• 2006

After the first opening of the KTX in April 2004, travel time between major cities has been dramatically reduced. The reduction rates range from 32% to 47%. Considering travel time reduction between major cities, this study concerned about the intercity travel impact of the KTX operation. This study aimed to analyze intercity mode choice behavior of Daegu Citizens according to the first opening of the KTX. This study takes place in two sections. These are (i) the section of KTX between Daegu and Seoul, and (ii) the section of KTX between Daegu and Daejeon. This study estimated empirical models for analyzing intercity mode choice behavior according to the first opening of the KTX. This study makes use of the data from travel survey from Daegu metropolitan area. The main part of the survey was carried out in the KTX Dong-Daegu station. The survey data includes the information on travel from Daegu to Daejeon and from Daegu to Seoul. In order to analyze intercity choice behavior according to the frist opening of the KTX, multinomial model structure is used. For the model specification, a variety of behavioral assumptions about the factors which affect the mode choice, were considered. From the empirical model estimation, it is found that OVTT(Out-of-Vehicle Travel Time), OVTC(Out-of-Vehicle Travel Cost), IVTT(In-Vehicle Travel Time), IVTC(In-Vehicle Travel Cost), travel frequency, travel purpose, sex, age, occupation. household income, individual income are significant in choosing intercity travel mode. However, it is found that the intercity nde choice behavior is different between (i) the section of KTX between Daegu and Seoul, and (ii) the section of KTX between Daegu and Daejeon. Furthermore, some policy implications are discussed in conclusion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.844-852
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• 1997

Background : Recent studies have documented increased release of endothelin(ET) during acute attack of asthma. The purpose of this study is to observe the link between plasma level and urinary excretion of each and changes during acute exacerbation. Method : Plasma and 24 hour urine were collected from sixteen asthmatics during acute exacerbation, twice ; first day of symptomatic exacerbation and two weeks after treatment. Controls were ten healthy normal subjects. All patients were treated with corticosteroid and beta-2 adrenergic agonist on admission. ET was determined by radioimmmunoassay and had 100% cross reactivity with ET-1, 67% with ET-2, 84% with ET-3, and 8% with Big-ET. Results : Plasma ETs were significantly elevated during acute attack of asthma compared with those in remission and controls.,However, there was no significant changes in urine ET concentrations or total ET amounts in 24 hour urine during exacerbation upto two weeks. Those levels of urine ET in asthmatics were still higher than controls. ET concentrations in plasma or urine were not correlated with pulmonary functional parameters and hypoxemia. Conclusion : The findings suggests that increased plasma ETs are related with exaggerated release during acute asthma. Urinary ET excretion is increased in asthma. However, urine ET changes during exacerbation should be observed in a larger and longer scale.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1019-1029
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• 1997

Background : Elevation of resting energy expenditure(REE) in patients with lung cancer has been described in earlier studies and may contribute to cancer cachexia, but limited information is available regarding the prevalence and determinants of the increased REE. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of a hypermetabolic state in newly detected patients with lung cancer and to assess the energy balance in order to improve our knowledge about weight loss in patients with lung cancer. Method : Thirty one consecutive, newly detected patients with lung cancer and 20 control patients with benign lung diseases were included in this study. Resting energy expenditure(REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry using ventilated hood system and predicted REE was calculated by the Harris-Benedict formular. Results : The energy balance in newly detected lung cancer patients was disturbed in a high proportion of patients, and hypermetabolic state occurred in 61% of the patients. Tumor volume, cancer type, location, stage, the presence of atelectasis or infiltration, pulmonary function, or smoking behavior were not associated with increase in REE. But patients with distant metastasis had significantly higher REE comparing with patients without metastasis. Thirty nine percents of the patients with lung cancer had substantial loss of more than 10% of their pre-illness weight. Weight losing patients with lung cancer were not accompanied by an increase in REE. Conclusion : We concluded that the REE was elevated in a higher proportion of patients with lung cancer and distant metastasis was found to be contributing factor to the elevated REE.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.419-424
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• 2004

Background : Although bronchodilator reversibility testing is widely performed to diagnose asthma or COPD, there is debate upon its usefulness and methods to differentiate asthma from COPD. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the role of bronchodilator reversibility testing in differentiating asthma from COPD and to confirm which method is better at evaluating bronchodilator reversibility. Methods : 26 asthma patients and 31 COPD patients were reviewed retrospectively. Spirometry was performed before and after bronchodilator inhalation to get $FEV_1$, FVC. To evaluate bronchodilator reversibility, the increase in $FEV_1$ or FVC was expressed as three methods, 'percentage of the baseline value', 'percentage of the predicted value', or 'absolute value'. Area under the ROC curve was measured to compare the three methods. In addition, the criteria of American Thoracic Society (ATS) for bronchodilator reversibility were compared to those of European Respiratory Society (ERS). Results : 1. In differentiating asthma from COPD, 'percentage of the predicted value', or 'absolute value' method was useful but 'percentage of the baseline value' was not. However, the ability to differentiate was weak because areas under the ROC curves by all methods were less than 0.75. 2. The criteria of ERS were superior to those of ATS for bronchodilator reversibility to differentiate asthma from COPD because likelihood ratio (LR) of a positive test by ERS criteria was greater than ATS criteria and because LR of a negative test by ERS criteria was less than ATS criteria. Conclusion : In differentiating asthma from COPD, bronchodilator reversibility testing has a weak role and should be considered as an adjunctive test.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.30 no.2 s.79
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• pp.197-204
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• 2000

[$K^+$]-selective ion channels were studied in excised inside-out membrane patches from human osteoblast-like cells (G292). Three classes of $K^+$channels were present and could be distinguished on the basis of conductance. Conductances were $270\pm27\;pS,\;113\pm12\;pS,\;48\pm8\;pS$ according to their approximate conductances in symmetrical 140 mM KCl saline at holding potential of -80 mV It was found that the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel activation was dependent on membrane voltage. In current-voltage relationship, small conductance $K^+$channel showed outward rectification, and it was activated by the positive potential inside the membrane. In recordings, single channel currents were activayed by a negative pressure outside the membrane. The membrane pressure increased $P_{open}$ of the $K^+$ channel in a pressure-dependent manner. In the excised-patch clamp recordings, G292 osteoblast-like cells have been shown to contain three types of $K^+$ channels. Only the small conductance (48 pS) $K^+$channel is sensitive to the membrane stretch. These findings suggest that a hyperpolarizing current, mediated in part by this channel, may be associated with early events during the mechanical loading of the osteoblast. In G292 osteoblast-like cells, $K^+$channel is sensitive to membrane tension, and may represent a unique adaptation of the bone cell membrane to mechanical stress.