• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.153-170
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• 2021

This study was attempted to derive strategic implications for activating professional sports by conducting in-depth interviews with professional sports officials such as players, teams, federations, agencies, etc., by searching for factors that cause match fixing and deriving preventive strategies based on them. Eight people with more than 3 years of experience working in professional sports were selected using the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected and analyzed by applying a semi-structured in-depth interview method for them. As a result of the analysis, five core categories (the learning effect from the cartel for entering university, the culture learned in a camp training, the manifestation of the latent learning effect, the negative effect of the human network, the personal disposition) were derived as factors causing match-fixing. As for the strategy to prevent match fixing, first, improving the college entrance examination system oriented on individual capability, second, improving the education system for student athlete, third, establishing a prevention system, fourth, continuing education, fifth, and activating the agent system as the core categories. Implications for the derived research results and future research directions were discussed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.44.1-44.17
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• 2023

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health concern around the globe. Antimicrobial peptides exhibit broad-spectrum and efficient antibacterial activity with an added advantage of low drug resistance. The higher water content and 3D network structure of the hydrogels are beneficial for maintaining antimicrobial peptide activity and help to prevent degradation. The antimicrobial peptide released from hydrogels also hasten the local wound healing by promoting epithelial tissue regeneration and granulation tissue formation. Objective: This study aimed at developing sodium alginate based hydrogel loaded with a novel antimicrobial peptide Chol-37(F34-R) and to investigate the characteristics in vitro and in vivo as an alternative antibacterial wound dressing to treat infectious wounds. Methods: Hydrogels were developed and optimized by varying the concentrations of crosslinkers and subjected to various characterization tests like cross-sectional morphology, swelling index, percent water contents, water retention ratio, drug release and antibacterial activity in vitro, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected wound mice model in vivo. Results: The results indicated that the hydrogel C proved superior in terms of cross-sectional morphology having uniformly sized interconnected pores, a good swelling index, with the capacity to retain a higher quantity of water. Furthermore, the optimized hydrogel has been found to exert a significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and was also found to prevent bacterial infiltration into the wound site due to forming an impermeable barrier between the wound bed and external environment. The optimized hydrogel was found to significantly hasten skin regeneration in animal models when compared to other treatments in addition to strong inhibitory effect on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α). Conclusions: Our results suggest that sodium alginate -based hydrogels loaded with Chol-37(F34-R) hold the potential to be used as an alternative to conventional antibiotics in treating infectious skin wounds.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.43.1-43.14
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• 2021

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis. AxSpA patients with or without dyslipidaemia and healthy control were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry analysis of circulating ILC3 and CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating immune cells was evaluated. The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL-C) on immune cell differentiation was confirmed. AxSpA human monocytes were cultured with with oxLDL-C, IL-22, or oxLDL-C plus IL-22 to evaluate osteoclastogenesis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and real-time quantitative PCR of osteoclast-related gene expression. Total of 34 axSpA patients (13 with dyslipidaemia and 21 without) were included in the analysis. Circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 and Th17 were significantly elevated in axSpA patients with dyslipidaemia (p=0.001 and p=0.034, respectively), and circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 significantly correlated with ASDAS-CRP (Rho=0.4198 and p=0.0367). Stimulation with oxLDL-C significantly increased IL-22⁺ ILC3, NKp44^- ILC3, and Th17 cells, and these were reversed by CD36 blocking agent. IL-22 and oxLDL-C increased TRAP⁺ cells and osteoclast-related gene expression. This study suggested potential role of circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 as biomarker in axSpA. Furthermore, dyslipidaemia augmented IL-22⁺ ILC3 differentiation, and oxLDL-C and IL-22 markedly increased osteoclastogenesis of axSpA.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.38.1-38.8
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• 2021

Recently, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (B.1.1.529) Omicron variant originated from South Africa in the middle of November 2021. SARS-CoV-2 is also called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. Several studies already suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant would be the fastest transmissible variant compared to the previous 10 SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, interest, and alert. Few clinical studies reported the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant but there is insufficient time to perform actual experiments to prove it, since the spread is so fast. We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which revealed a very high rate of mutation at amino acid residues that interact with angiostatin-converting enzyme 2. The mutation rate of COVID-19 is faster than what we prepared vaccine program, antibody therapy, lockdown, and quarantine against COVID-19 so far. Thus, it is necessary to find better strategies to overcome the current crisis of COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-404
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁) is one of the main active components in Chinese medicines, Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng. Research has shown that Rg₁ has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, including anti-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, anti-apoptosis, and promotion of myocardial angiogenesis, suggesting it a potential cardiovascular agent. However, the protective mechanism involved is still not fully understood. Methods: Based on network pharmacology, ligand-based protein docking, proteomics, Western blot, protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra) techniques, potential targets and pathways for Rg₁ against myocardial ischemia (MI) were screened and explored. Results: An important target set containing 19 proteins was constructed. Two target proteins with more favorable binding activity for Rg₁ against MI were further identified by molecular docking, including mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) and adenosine kinase (ADK). Meanwhile, Rg₁ intervention on H9c2 cells injured by H₂O₂ showed an inhibitory oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The inhibition of Rg₁ on MAPK1 and OXPHOS pathway was confirmed by Western blot assay. By protein recombination and spectroscopic analysis, the binding reaction between ADK and Rg₁ was also evaluated. Conclusion: Rg₁ can effectively alleviate cardiomyocytes oxidative stress injury via targeting MAPK1 and ADK, and inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. The present study provides scientific basis for the clinical application of the natural active ingredient, Rg₁, and also gives rise to a methodological reference to the searching of action targets and pathways of other natural active ingredients.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.463-469
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• 2015

Purpose: A hydrogel including alginate and $CaCl_2$ extracted from seaweed was manufactured, and their physical properties were investigated. Also, its applicability as contact lenses was examined. Methods: A film-type sample used in this experiment was manufactured using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is the raw material of hydrogel contact lenses; azobisiobutyonitile (AIBN), which is an initiator and ethylenglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA), which is a cross-linking agent. It was hydrated in a PBS solution for 24 hours, and an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) was formed in 1% and 2% alginate and 1%, 3%, and 5% $CaCl_2$ solutions for 24 hours, respectively. Results: The measurement of the physical properties of the film after the IPN showed that the moisture content was 30.89~36.89%, the refractive index was 1.431~1.441, the contact angle was $62.98{\sim}80.45^{\circ}$, and the tensile strength was 2.378~4.215 ($gf/mm^2$). Also, the physical properties hardly changed as the content of alginate increased, and the moisture content decreased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased. As a result of the IPN, the moisture content and contact angle decreased compared to those of basic HEMA, but the tensile strength increased. The tensile strength of the second IPN was higher than that of the first IPN. In the case of $CaCl_2$, for the sample polymerized for 24 hours and the second IPN sample with 2% alginate, the contact angle decreased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased. Conclusions: In this study, the tensile strength increased as the content of $CaCl_2$ increased, and the wettability increased as a result of IPN of alginate and $CaCl_2$. The hydrogel containing the alginate and $CaCl_2$ was confirmed possible utilization as contact lens material.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.561-578
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• 1999

The goal of periodontal therapy is the periodontal regeneration by the removal of microorganisms and their toxic products from the periodontally diseased root surface. To achieve periodontal regeneration, root conditioning as an adjunct to root planing has been done. There are low pH etchants such as citric acid, tetracycline-HCl, and EDTA solution which is a neutral chelating agent. The purpose of present study was to examine the effect of root conditioning by citric acid, tetracycline HCl, and EDTA. Total 35 root specimens(6${\times}$3${\times}$2mm) were prepared from the periodontally diseased teeth, scaled and root planed. The specimens were treated with normal saline for 1 minute, saturated citric acid(pH 1) for 3 minutes, 50mg/ml tetracycline-HCl(pH 2) for 5 minutes, 15% EDTA(pH 7) for 5 minutes using rubbing technique. The specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy at 1000, and 3000 magnification. On the microphotographs taken at 1000 magnification, the numbers of opened and patent dentinal tubules per unit area(10,640${\mu}m^2$) were counted. And the diameters of opened dentinal tubules per unit are (10,640${\mu}m^2$) were measured. The differences of number and diameter among all groups were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis Test. The results were as follows; 1. In the specimens applied with normal saline(control group), the root surface was finely cracked, and was covered by irregular smear layer. Neither exposed dentinal tubules nor any patent dentinal tubules could be seen. 2. In the specimens applied with saturated citric acid(experimental 1 group), the globular collagen fibers were exposed around the peritubular space, and many dentinal tubules were revealed. 3. In the specimens applied with tetracycline-HCl(experimental 2 group), the process-like collagen fibers were exposed around the peritubular space, and some dentinal tubules were revealed. 4. In the specimens applied with 15% EDTA(experimental 3 group), the root surface was covered by the collagenous fibrillar network, and many dentinal tubules were revealed. 5. The numbers of opened and patent dentinal tubules were significantly more in exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group than in exp. 2 group(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group. In control group, the number of opened and patent dentinal tubules could not be counted because any dentinal tubules couldn't be seen. 6 . The diameter of opened dentinal tubules was significantly smaller in exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group than in exp. 2 group(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between exp. 1 group and exp. 3 group. In control group, the diameter of opened dentinal tubules could not be measured because any dentinal tubules couldn't be seen. The results demonstrate that root conditioning with citric acid, tetracycline- HCl, and EDTA is more effective in periodontal healing than only root planing, and 15% EDTA solution can replace low pH etching agents such as citric acid, tetracycline-HCl for root conditioning.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2003

Background: We investigated the effect of donor marrow T cell depletion, administration of FK506, cyclosporin A (CSA), and 3-deazaadenosine (DZA) on graft versus host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic murine hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: We used 4 to 6 week old Balb/c ($H-2^d$, recipient), and C3H/He ($H-2^k$, donor) mice. Total body irradiated recipients received $1{\times}10^7$ bone marrow cells (BM) and $0.5{\times}10^7$ splenocytes of donor under FK506 (36 mg/kg/day), CSA (5 mg/kg/day, 20 mg/kg/day), and DZA (45 mg/kg/day), which were injected intraperitoneally from day 1 to day 14 daily and then three times a week for another 2 weeks. To prevent the GVHD, irradiated Balb/c mice were transplanted with $1{\times}10^7$ rotor-off (R/O) cells of donor BM. The severity of GVHD was assessed daily by clinical scoring method. Results: All experimental groups were well grafted after HSCT. Mice in experimental group showed higher GVHD score and more rapid progression of GVHD than the mice with R/O cells (R/O group) (p<0.01). There were relatively low GVHD scores and slow progressions in FK506 and low dose CSAgroups than high dose CSA group (p<0.01). The survival was better in FK506 group than low dose CSA group. All mice treated with CSA died within 12 days after HSCT. The GVHD score in DZA group was low and slow in comparison with control group (p<0.05), but severity and progression were similar with low dose CSA group (p=0.11). All mice without immunosuppressive treatment died within 8 days, but all survived in R/O group (p<0.01). Survival in low dose CSA group was longer than in control group (p<0.05), but in high dose CSA group, survival was similar to control group. The survival benefit in DZA group was similar with low dose CSA group. FK506 group has the best survival benefit than other groups (p<0.01), comparable with R/O group (p=0.18), although probability of survival was 60%. Conclusion: We developed lethal GVHD model after allogeneic murine HSCT. In this model, immunosuppressive agents showed survival benefits in prevention of GVHD. DZA showed similar survival benefits to low dose CSA. We propose that DZA can be used as a new immunosuppressive agent to prevent GVHD after allogeneic HSCT.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartC
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• v.9C no.2
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• pp.293-296
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• 2002

UP Link is One of the commercial product which converts HTML to HDML convertor in order to show the internet www contents in the mobile environments. When UP browser accesses HTML pages, the agent in the UP Link controls the converter to change the HTML to the HDML, I-Mode, which is developed by NTT-Docomo of Japan, has many contents through the long and stable commercial service. Micro Explorer, which is developed by Stinger project, also has many additional function. In this paper, we designed and implemented WAP convertor which can accept C-HTML contents and mHTML contents. C-HTML format by I-Mode is a subset of HTML format, mHTML format by ME is similar to C-HTML, So the content provides can easily develop C-HTML contents compared with WAP and the other case. Since C-HTML, mHTML and WML are used under the mobile environment, the limited transmission capacity of one page is also similar. In order to make a match table. After that, we apply conversion algorithm on it. If we can not find matched element, we arrange some tags which only can be supported by WML to display in the best shape. By the result, we can convert over 90% contents.