• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of progressive blindness that is primarily due to dysfunction and the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), a by-product of the visual cycle, causes RPE and photoreceptor degeneration that impairs vision. Genes associated with dry AMD have been identified using a blue light model of A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium and transcriptomic studies of retinal tissue from patients with AMD. However, dry macular degeneration progresses slowly, and current approaches cannot reveal changes in gene transcription according to stages of AMD progression. Thus, they are limited in terms of identifying genes responsible for pathogenesis. Here, we created a model of long-term exposure to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to blue light and a non-cytotoxic dose of A2E for 120 days. We identified stage-specific genes at 40, 100, and 120 days, respectively. The expression of genes corresponding to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the early stage, glycolysis and angiogenesis during the middle stage, and apoptosis and inflammation pathways during the late stage was significantly altered by A2E and blue light. Changes in the expression of genes at the late stages of the EMT were similar to those found in human eyes with late-stage AMD. Our results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD induced by blue light and a novel model in vitro with which relevant genes can be identified in the future.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.190-197
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• 2005

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications including nephropathy. However, the role of AGE in the activation of mesangial cells cultured under high glucose has not been elucidated. The effects of aminoguanidine, which prevents formation of AGE and protein cross-linking, on the synthesis of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin by rat mesangial cells cultured under high glucose for 2 weeks were examined and compared with the effects of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), a selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, because aminoguanidine also inhibits the inducible nitric oxide synthase. Culture of mesangial cells in 30 mM (high) glucose for 2 weeks induced 1.5-fold (ELISA) and 1.9-fold (Western blot analysis) increase in AGE in the culture media compared to 5.6 mM (control) glucose. Northern blot analysis revealed 1.5-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ and 1.7-fold increase in fibronectin mRNA expression in cells cultured under high glucose compared to control glucose. Increases in mRNA expression were followed by increased protein synthesis. Mink lung epithelial cell growth inhibition assay revealed 1.4-fold increase in $TGF-{\beta}1$ protein in high glucose media compared to control. Fibronectin protein also increased 2.1-fold that of control glucose by Western blot analysis. Administration of aminoguanidine suppressed AGE formation in a dose dependent manner and at the same time suppressed $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells cultured in both control and high glucose. In contrast, NAME did not affect high glucose-induced changes. These findings support a role for AGE in high glucose-induced upregulation of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and fibronectin synthesis by mesangial cells.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.149-153
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• 2001

The influence of baculovirus Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) infection on intermediary metabolic pathways in silkworm Bombyx mori L. was investigated. Studies revealed that NADP-linked malate dehydrogenase activity in hemolymph of infected silkworms at 96 hrs post infection (p.i.) with visible symptoms of infection was enhanced in comparison to healthy larvae of the same age. Also, NADP-dependent MDH activity was significantly lower in fat body cytosol of infected larvae at 96 hrs p.i. when compared to healthy larvae. Similarly, some biometabolic parameters like growth, protein content and cholesterol titer were observed to be influenced by baculovirus infection. While the growth of infected larvae was significantly retardedi protein content was also drastically reduced in both hemolymph and fat body tissues. Cholesterol titers however, was enhanced in infected larvae. The results observed herein point to a significant change in the normal biochemical and biometabolic pathways required for growth and development following BmNPV infection.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.97-114
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• 2000

Minority populations in the United States have a higher prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and more persons die of the disease than white persons. This study was to review and compare risk factors and prevalence rates of NIDDM in African Americans, Hispanic s, Korean Americans and Native Americans in the United States. The risk factors of NIDDM, including family history of diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, diet and age, were reviewed in the minority populations. Risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and family history of diabetes occurred to a greater extent in some minority populations than in the white population. Diabetes should be treated as a public health problem for minority populations. Due to the increase of older populations and the increased prevalence of obesity and sedentariness, NIDDM in minorities is nearing epidemic proportions. Good diet and regular exercise can reduce the incidence of NIDDM but an understanding of the cultural aspects of diabetes is imperative in order to provide adequate community health education programs because those programs involve diet and behavior changes, characteristics that are often culturally determined. In summary, it is important to plan a community health education program targeted on NIDDM in a culturally adapted manner that will be received with both comprehension and acceptability. In particular, the program for high-risk populations should be stressed so to prevent diabetes. Preventive approaches to diabetes should be considered because they can be both therapeutic and cost effective.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제39권7호
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• pp.641-648
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• 2006

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the individual nutrition education for type 2 diabetes who participate the diabetes buffet. The subjects were 66 patients and divided into education (n=34) and control groups (n=32). The mean age of education and control groups were 59.8 and 56.6 years old, respectively. There were no differences in age and body mass index (BMI) between two groups. Initial glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), post prandial plasma glucose (PP2), total plasma cholesterol, and blood pressure were not different between two groups. But fasting blood sugar (FBS) was higher in education group than in control group. On completion of the study, the education group showed significant decreases in body weight, BMI, FBS and PP2, however, the control group showed no changes in body weight, BMI and PP2, and showed a significant increase in FBS. Initial calorie and protein intakes of the education group did not meet the prescribed amount, however, mineral and vitamin intakes were higher than estimated average requirement (EAR). By the end of study, calorie and protein intakes were significantly increased to meet the prescription. In order to evaluate the effect of diet education, awareness of calorie requirement was used as an index of understanding diet prescription. The degree of awareness of calorie requirement was dependent on age: younger patients showed higher awareness than older subjects. The subject who showed better understanding of diet prescription showed lower levels of HbA1c, FBS, and PP2 at the end of the experiment period. The results of this study clearly show that individual diabetes diet education is effective to make the patient understand their diet prescription, and is effective to control body weight and blood sugar level. Awareness of calorie requirement could be used as an index of understanding of prescribed diet. Since age is an important variable to determine the awareness of calorie requirement, different strategies of nutrition education should be developed for different age groups, especially patients over 70 years old.

• 한국항해항만학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.414-422
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• 2020

In this study, an empirical analysis of 55 ship finance cases executed by a specific ship finance bank from 2009 to 2016 during the recession period was conducted. The purpose of this study was to find the factors affecting changes in the debt performance of Korean shipping companies. The main factors were the loan nature (investment purpose, loan-to-value (LTV), syndicated loans, loan terms, put-option, balloon, and spread), financial nature (total assets turnover, net profit-to-sales ratio, debt ratio, quick ratio, total borrowing, bonds payable to total assets, interest expenses-to-sales ratio, debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), and total assets), and the company nature (company age, chief executive officer's (CEO's) shares, and listing status). In this study, the factors affecting the debt repayment capability of domestic shipping companies (loan nature, financial nature, and company nature) were verified. The credit rating was used to measure the dependent variable, debt repayment ability. The variables of investment purpose, put-option, balloon, and spread in the loan nature, debt ratio in the financial nature, and the CEO's shares and company age in the company nature were found to be significant.

• International Journal of Contents
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.65-74
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• 2017

Women's menopause is a natural process that every woman must eventually experience, but changes in hormones before and after menopause can serve to produce life-threatening crises in some situations, with individual differences. Data for the study was elicited from 22,610 Korean women ranging in age from 45 to 55 years in the 2013 Korean Community Health Survey. Statistical analyses was performed using descriptive, t-test, ANOVA, and hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS IBM 20.0 version. Individual characteristics, lifestyle, history of chronic disease(s), psychological and environmental factors were included as independent and EQ5D weights of Koreans were used as dependent variables. The survey subjects consisted of a total 15,505(58.3%) in their 50s, 1,765 (66.5%) in middle and high school dropouts or graduates, 22,174 (83.3%) living in spouses and 10,534(39.6%) in wages. There was a significant difference in HRQOL among all independent variables except drinking and residential areas. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that age, smoking, obesity and other incidental disease factors (fall, angina, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, stroke) had a negative effect on HRQOL. The selected independent variables accounted for 22.7% of HRQOL. It is necessary to find a way to improve HRQOL of Korean perimenopausal women, focusing on the significant variables revealed by the study results.

• 산경연구논집
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to understand the brand marketing of agricultural products and redefine their status in South Korea by analyzing impacts on consumer buying behaviors. Research design, data, and methodology - Products, with independent variables, were divided into agricultural brand products and generic products. Dependent variables were limited to expanding sales of a specialty brand through consumer awareness, consumer buying behavior, and confidence in agricultural products' quality. Control variables were based on characteristics of products such as freshness, safety, quality, and their category. Moderating effects were examined on consumer characteristics, including income levels and age. Results - Consumers increasingly purchased agricultural brand products rather than generic agricultural products because of the general reliability of quality assurance. Conclusions - Large agricultural specialty stores have enhanced the perceptions of quality assurance, freshness, safety, and diversity. Through a critical analysis of the domestic consumer income levels and age, gender, and demographic factors, such as agricultural consumer buying behavior not affecting consumers' health and life, this study proposes positive changes in quality perception.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of 24-week sensory integration activity training on fitness of children with intellectual disability. Research design, data, and methodology: The subjects were 10 children with intellectual disability, 60 min training of sensory integration activity for 24 weeks. Obesity, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and muscle endurance were measured pre and post training. Frist, characteristics of subjects were measured with age, height, weight, IQ and SQ. Second, the subjects then performed sensory integration activity training for 24 weeks. Last, weight, strength, endurance, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility were measured. Data were calculated for average and standard deviation by SPSS 25.0 statistic program, and dependent sample t-test was processed to analyze the change between pre and post training. All statistical significance level was set to 0.5. Results: The result was shown that weight, strength and endurance changes between pre and post were significant. However, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility changes between pre and post were not significant. Conclusions: The lack of training frequency of 60 minute per week were acknowledged per week from this result. In future research, increased intensity and frequency are need for an in-depth and meaningful study and the measured data can be used basic information for the study.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.290-295
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• 2015

Aging is defined as a collective process that alters organism's functional capacity and appearance over the course of life. Apart from an increase in susceptibility to many diseases, aging affects the cellular system that is responsible for decoding painful stimuli. Yet, aging-associated molecular mechanisms of pain perception remains elusive. Using Drosophila, we showed a decrease in temperature tolerance and a reduction in high temperature thermal avoidance with aging. Locomotor activity assay demonstrated that the age-dependent changes in heat nociception did not stem from the general decline in muscular activity. However, we identified pain-related gene expression alteration with aging. We anticipate that our findings would help opening a new window onto developing the optimal pain treatment for the elderly.