• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2021

Coronary microembolization (CME) is associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Puerarin confers protection against multiple cardiovascular diseases, but its effects and specific mechanisms on CME are not fully known. Hence, our study investigated whether puerarin pretreatment could alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac function following CME. The molecular mechanism associated was also explored. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into CME, CME + Puerarin (CME + Pue), sham, and sham + Puerarin (sham + Pue) groups (with 12 rats per group). A CME model was established in CME and CME + Pue groups by injecting 42 ㎛ microspheres into the left ventricle of rats. Rats in the CME + Pue and sham + Pue groups were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin at 120 mg/kg daily for 7 days before operation. Cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis index were determined via cardiac ultrasound, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) stainings, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway. We found that, puerarin significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction after CME, attenuated myocardial infarct size, and reduced myocardial apoptotic index. Besides, puerarin inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as revealed by decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway related proteins. Collectively, puerarin can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and thus attenuate myocardial injury caused by CME. Mechanistically, these effects may be achieved through activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.61-73
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to categorize conflict resolution by exploring the conflict experiences of the elderly who participate in jobs for the elderly to create an elderly-friendly village. This study applied grounded theory, a qualitative research method, For data collection, a FGI was conducted by sampling 5 elderly job participants in ◯◯-dong, ◯◯-gu, Seoul. The data were analyzed according to the paradigm model of Strauss & Corbin(1998). As a result of the analysis, causal conditions were social, economic, psychological and physical motivations for participation and contextual conditions were economic difficulties, social disconnection, and differences in life experiences influenced the initiation of conflict. The core phenomena were conflict initiated by 'the difference between experience and role' and 'the difference in psychosocial relationship skills', and the intervention condition were the activation of interpersonal relationships through communication to resolve the conflict, social integration through the use of capabilities, It appeared as a regular social activities. The interaction strategy emerged as a strategy for resolving conflict for senior citizen jobs through education, mutual support for building trust, and successful senior-friendly village program operation. The consequences, it was found that job conflicts for the elderly were alleviated by finding one's life, activating community exchanges, increasing a sense of achievement, and growing a sense of community. In conclusion, the conflict resolution types for senior citizens were classified into educational solution type, mutual support solution type, and success experience solution type.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

Background: Supraspinal delivery of neurotensin (NTS), which may contribute to the effect of a systemically administered agonist, has been reported to be either pronociceptive or antinociceptive. Here, we evaluated the effects of systemically administered NTSR1 agonist in a rat model of neuropathic pain and elucidated the underlying supraspinal mechanism. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of intraperitoneally administered NTSR1 agonist PD 149163 was assessed using von Frey filaments. To examine the role of 5-HT neurotransmission, a serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonist dihydroergocristine was pretreated intrathecally, and spinal microdialysis studies were performed to measure the change in extracellular level of 5-HT in response to PD 149163 administration. To investigate the supraspinal mechanism, NTSR1 antagonist 48692 was microinjected into the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) prior to systemic PD 149163. Additionally, the effect of intrathecal DHE on intra-RVM PD 149163 was assessed. Results: Intraperitoneally administered PD 149163 exhibited a dose-dependent attenuation of mechanical allodynia. This effect was partially reversed by intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine and was accompanied by an increased extracellular level of 5-HT in the spinal cord. The PD 149163-produced antinociception was also blocked by intra-RVM SB 48692. Direct injection of PD 149163 into the RVM mimicked the maximum effect of the same drug delivered intraperitoneally, which was reversed by intrathecal dihydroergocristine. Conclusions: These observations indicate that systemically administered NTSR1 agonist produces antinociception through the NTSR1 in the RVM, activating descending serotonergic projection to release 5-HT into the spinal dorsal horn.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2021

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major reason for stopping or changing anticancer therapy. Among the proposed pathomechanisms underlying CIPN, proinflammatory processes have attracted increasing attention. Here we assessed the role of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) signaling in cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: CIPN was induced by intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin 2 mg/kg for 4 consecutive days using adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. PGD2 receptor DP1 and/or DP2 antagonists were administered intrathecally and the paw withdrawal thresholds were measured using von Frey filaments. Spinal expression of DP1, DP2, hematopoietic PGD synthase (H-PGDS), and lipocalin PGD synthase (L-PGDS) proteins were analyzed by western blotting. Results: The DP1 and DP2 antagonist AMG 853 and the selective DP2 antagonist CAY10471, but not the DP1 antagonist MK0524, significantly increased the paw withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle controls (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001, respectively). Western blotting analyses revealed comparable protein expression levels in DP1 and DP2 in the spinal cord. In the CIPN group the protein expression level of L-PGDS, but not of H-PGDS, was significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings presented here indicate that enhanced PGD2 signaling, via upregulation of L-PGDS in the spinal cord, contributes to mechanical allodynia via DP2 receptors in a cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain model in rats, and that a blockade of DP2 receptor activation may present a novel therapeutic target for managing CIPN.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-38
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• 2021

In this paper, an exploratory analysis study was conducted on establishing a strategy to utilize living labs to enhance the innovation of the energy sector. Through the previous research literature, it was possible to confirm the concept, essential components, innovation characteristics of living labs, and types of innovation issues in the energy sector as the theoretical background. Based on this, the case studies of energy living lab (8 overseas, 1 domestic) were analyzed focusing on the possibility of utilizing living lab as an approach to innovation issues in the energy sector, establishing a customized strategy for essential components of living lab and enhancing innovation. It was confirmed that the establishment of a customized strategy for the essential components of the living lab could be a driving force in enhancing innovation, and the Living Lab is effectively used as an approach method for innovation issues(demand management, supply technology, enhance R&D acceptance and promote commercialization, technology policies) in the energy sector. As a result of the case studies, the driving force of each living lab was derived from the viewpoint of contributing to innovation, and strategies for using the living labs for each energy innovation problem were established. This study is an exploratory and descriptive analytical study of the utilization strategy and value of the living lab model as an approach to innovation issues in the energy field, which can provide a living lab strategy framework that has not been tried in the past and enables living lab activation and network formation. It can also be considered to have academic, practical, and policy implications in that it can also contribute.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect Tiger-step walking on the movement of the lower extremities during walking. Method: Twenty healthy male adults who had no experience of musculoskeletal injuries on lower extremities in the last six months (age: 26.85 ± 3.28 yrs, height: 174.6 ± 3.72 cm, weight: 73.65 ± 7.48 kg) participated in this study. In this study, 7-segments whole-body model (pelvis, both side of thigh, shank and foot) was used and 29 reflective markers and cluster were attached to the body to identify the segments during the gait. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 7 channeled EMG was performed to find the effect of tigerstep on uphill walking. To verify the tigerstep effect, a one-way ANOVA with a repeated measure was used and the statistical significance level was set at α=.05. Results: Firstly, Both Tiger-steps showed a significant increase in stance time and stride length compared with normal walking (p<.05), while both Tiger-steps shown significantly reduced cadence compared to normal walking (p<.05). Secondly, both Tiger-steps revealed significantly increased in hip and ankle joint range of motion compared with normal walking at all planes (p<.05). On the other hand, both Tiger-steps showed significantly increased knee joint range of motion compared with normal walking at the frontal and transverse planes (p<.05). Lastly, Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step revealed significantly increased muscle activation compared with normal walking in gait cycle and stance phase (p<.05). On the other hand, in swing phase, the muscle activity of the vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step significantly increased compared with those of normal walking (p <.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, Tiger step revealed increased in 3d range of motion of lower extremity joints as well as the muscle activities associated with range of motion. These findings were evaluated as an increase in stride length, which is essential for efficient walking. Therefore, the finding of this study prove the effectiveness of the tiger step when walking uphill, and it is thought that it will help develop a more efficient tiger step in the future, which has not been scientifically proven.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.636-645
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the adsorption characteristics of methyl orange (MO), an anionic dye, on ginkgo shell-based activated carbon (AC). For this purpose, ACs (GS-1, GS-2, and GS-4) with different textural properties were prepared using ginkgo shells and potassium hydroxide (KOH), a representative chemical activating agent. The correlation between the textural characteristics of AC prepared and the mixing ratio of KOH was investigated using nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The MO adsorption equilibrium experiment on the prepared ACs was conducted under different pH (pH 3~11) and temperature (298~318 K) conditions, and the results were investigated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and temperature-dependent Sips equations. The feasibility of the MO adsorption treatment process of the prepared AC was also investigated using the dimensionless Langmuir separation factor. The heterogeneous adsorption properties of MO for the prepared AC examined using the adsorption energy distribution function (AED) were closely related to the system temperature and textural characteristics of AC. The kinetic results of the batch adsorption performed at different temperatures can be satisfactorily explained by the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM), which takes into account the external mass transfer, intraparticle diffusion, and active site adsorption. The relationship between the activation energy value obtained by the Arrhenius plot and the adsorption energy distribution function value was also investigated. In addition, the adsorption process mechanism of MO on the prepared AC was evaluated using Biot number.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objectives : Atractylodis rhizoma Alba has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource that is used for enhancing Qi (氣) in traditional medicine in Korea, China, and Japan. This study investigated the protective effects of Atractylodis rhizoma Alba extract (ARE) against trimethyltin (TMT), a neurotoxin that causes selective hippocampal injury, using both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods : We investigated the effects of ARE on TMT- (5mM) induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of mouse hippocampal cells (7 days in vitro ) and on hippocampal injury in C57BL/6 mice injected with TMT (2.6 mg/kg). Results : We observed that ARE treatment (0 - 50 ㎍/mL) significantly reduced TMT-induced cytotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons in a dose-dependent manner, based on results of lactate dehydrogenase and 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Additionally, this study showed that orally administered ARE (5 mg/kg; between -6 and 0 days before TMT injection) significantly attenuated seizures in adult mice. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (Iba-1)- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- positive cells showed significantly reduced levels of Iba-1- and GFAP-positive cell bodies in the dentate gyrus of mice treated with ARE prior to TMT injection. These findings indicate the significant protective effects of ARE against the TMT-induced massive activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus. Conclusions : We conclude that ARE minimizes the detrimental effects of TMT-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity, both in vitro and in vivo . Our findings may serve as useful guidelines to support ARE administration as a promising pharmacotherapeutic approach to hippocampal degeneration.

• Korean small business review
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.251-283
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to provide assistance to the establishment of related policies to improve the level of acceptance and use of smart factories for SMEs in Korea. To this end, the Unified Technology Acceptance Model (UTAUT) was extended to select additional factors that could affect the intention to accept technology, and to demonstrate this. To achieve the research objective, a questionnaire composed of 7-point Likert scales was prepared, and a survey was conducted for manufacturing-related companies. A total of 136 questionnaires were used for statistical processing. As a result of the hypothesis test, performance expectation and social influence had a positive (+) positive effect on voluntary use, but effort expectation and promotion conditions did not have a significant effect. As an extension factor, the network effect and organizational characteristics had a positive (+) effect, and the innovation resistance had a negative effect (-), but the perceived risk had no significant effect. When the size of the company is large, the perceived risk and innovation resistance are low, and the level of influencing factors for veterinary intentions, veterinary intentions, and veterinary behaviors are excluded. Through this study, factors that could have a positive and negative effect on the adoption (reduction) of smart factory-related technologies were identified and factors to be improved and factors to be reduced were suggested. As a result, this study suggests that smart factory-related technologies should be accepted.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2019

Objectives : Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (NF) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in East-South Asia. However, it is largely undiscovered whether NF water extract could exhibit anti-inflammatory activities against tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced inflammatory responses on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of NF water extract on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells. Methods : To investigate the anti-inflammatory activites of NF water extract in HaCaT cells, the inflammatory model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (10 ng/ml) of human TNF-${\alpha}$ (hTNF-${\alpha}$). HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with NF water extract for 1 h, and then stimulated with hTNF-${\alpha}$. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and pro-inflammatory cytokine including TNF-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6. In addition, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of NF, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$) Results : The treatment of NF inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of iNOS, COX-2, and $PGE_2$ in HaCaT cells. In addition, NF treatment inhibited the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced elevation of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6. Furthermore, NF treatment inhibited the activation of MAPKs but not degradation of $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$. Conclusions : Taken together, our result suggest that treatment of NF could inhibit the hTNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammatory responses via deactivation of MAPKs in HaCaT cells. This study could suggest that NF could be a beneficial agent to prevent skin damage or inflammation.