• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

Objective : Allergic asthma is a chronic airway disease that affects millions of people in the developed world. The disease is characterized by concurring airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine production, increased mucus secretion, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled antigen, and pulmonary fibrosis. To investigate the therapeutic and anti-asthmatic effects of Drynariae Rhizoma (DR), we examined the influence of DR on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods : In this study, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed intratracheally, intraperitoneally, and by aerosol allergen challenges. We investigated the effect of DR on airway hyperresponsiveness, pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration, various immune cell phenotypes, Th2 cytokine production and OVA specific IgE production in a mouse model of asthma. Results : In asthmatic mice, we found that DR.treated groups had suppressed eosinophil infiltration, allergic airway inflammation and AHR by suppressing the production of IL-5, IL-13 and OVA specific IgE. Conclusions : Our data suggest that the therapeutic mechanism by which DR effectively treats asthma is based on reductions of Th2 cytokines (IL-5), eotaxin, OVA-specific IgE production and eosinophil infiltration.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.117-135
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• 2008

In order to investigate the efficacy of a combination of JBB as topical and HTGMB as internal treatment method, changes in various immune related factors and histological changes in NC/Nga induced animal model was studied. Combined treatment of topical JBB and internal HTGMB significantly reduced the atopic dermatitis clinical index, the number of immune cells such as CD19+, CCR3+, B220+/IgE+, and Gr-1+/CD11b+ in DLN and dorsal skin, compared to the control group. Otherwise increased CD3+, CD4+/CD25+, CD8+ and CD4+ cells in the DLN. And also combined treatment of topical JBB and internal HTGMB suppressed the lymphocytes and mast cells from infiltrating into the skin tissues when stained with H&E and toluidine blue. Based on the results above, it is strongly suggested that the combined treatment of topical JBB and internal HTGMB significantly induced anti-allergic activities through immune modulation. The findings can be applied to developing a more sustainable treatment for atopic dermatitis and be helpful in practicing combined treatments in clinical treatments in the future.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.161-175
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• 2021

This study analyzed the efficiency and influence factors according to the main research institute type of R&D Program for the local community problem-solving. This study applied data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and Tobit regression analysis by using 20 institutions that participated in R&D Program. The results are summarized as follows. First, Analysis results according to the research institute type of R&D project, Efficient DMUs showed more regional innovation institutions than social economy enterprises. But regional innovation institutions were the lowest in the CCR and BCC model. However, efficiency dose not differ between regional innovation institutions and social economy enterprises. Second, as a result of the analysis relation between efficiency and allocation characteristics of R&D input, the participation of regional innovation organizations as participating organizations has a negative effect on efficiency. It was found that the higher the proportion of government subsidies and the higher the employment rate of the vulnerable, which is a social achievement, the positive effect on efficiency. The implication of this study is that the participation of social economy enterprises as the main R&D institution and government R&D support can provide social economy enterprises with opportunities to accumulate R&D capabilities and experience successful commercialization.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2010

Purpose : We know little about the natural course of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in association with histologic changes especially in children. We investigated clinicopathologic features with long-term follow-up biopsy to clarify the outcomes and prognostic indicators for childhood IgAN. Methods : From our patients' medical records, we retrieved 20 patients with IgAN, to whom renal biopsies had been performed for the initial diagnosis and follow-up to find out any histologic changes. Initial and follow-up biopsies were classified by Haas classification. The changes of these parameters were compared with the evolution of clinical features. Results : Patients were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in combination with angiotensin receptor blockers (in subclass II or above) and short-term cyclosporine A(in patients showing nephrotic syndrome). Histologic improvement in 7 cases and deterioration in 3 cases were observed. At the time of last biopsy, 10 cases (50%) showed clinical remission and the others showed improved clinical features. These clinical outcomes did not correlate with initial Haas classifications. Hypertension at onset observed in 5 cases (25%) revealed significant correlation with clinical outcome (P =0.01) and last Haas classification (P =0.007). None of the cases showed progression to CRF or ESRD. Conclusion : During a mean follow-up of $10.8{\pm}3.4$ years, childhood IgAN showed good clinicopathologic outcome. Hypertension at onset was only a strong predictor of clinicopathologic outcomes, but initial Haas classification cannot predict outcomes in children. Histologic change of IgAN in long term follow-up period cannot be completely predicted by clinical data and vice versa. Therefore, a renal biopsy should be considered as a part of follow-up plan.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2015

Objectives: Colorectal cancer is one of the major cancers in South Korea. We described the time trends in colorectal cancer incidence in Daejeon, a metropolitan city, and Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam), a rural province, South Korea. Methods: Using the databases from the Daejeon Cancer Registry (DCR) and the Chungnam Cancer Registry (CCR), age-standardized (to world standard population) rates for incidence (ASRW) were calculated. Average annual percent change (AAPC) was assessed as a trend indicator. The completeness (such as the mortality/incidence ratio) and validity (such as the death certificate only %, microscopic verification %, primary site uncertain %, and age unknown %) were analyzed to examine the data quality of DCR and CCR. Results: Incidence of colorectal cancer showed increasing trend in both sexes. Over the years 2000-2012 in Daejeon, ASRW was increased significantly from 37.2 to 51.7 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 3.9%) among men and from 17.1 to 28.4 (AAPC, 3.9%) among women, respectively. In Chungnam, ASRW was also increased from 29.8 to 50.1 per 100,000 person-years (AAPC, 5.1%) among men and from 15.9 to 26.6 (AAPC, 3.2%) among women, respectively. The AAPC for colon cancer was greater than rectal cancer in both Daejeon and Chungnam. The trend of rectal cancer incidence was differ by sex (AAPC in men vs women, 2.7% vs 1.7% in Daejeon; 3.5% vs 0.8% in Chungnam). Indices of completeness and validity showed that the quality control of DCR and CCR was adequate to describe the trends of ASRW. Conclusions: Both Daejeon and Chungnam have had a rapid increase in colorectal cancer incidence. Monitoring and intervention are required on the risk factors which may contribute to this trend.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2021

Background: Although neuropathic pain is a severe and common pain, its pathophysiology has not been elucidated yet. Studies in recent years have focused on the immune system's role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of immunological mechanisms in neuropathic pain and the effect of pregabalin by measuring immunological marker levels in peripheral blood before and after pregabalin treatment in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients with neuropathic pain. Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with PHN were included in the study. CD4, T follicular cells (Tfh: CD4⁺CXCR5⁺PD1⁺), Th17 (CD4⁺CCR6⁺ and CD4⁺IL17A⁺), regulatory T cells (Treg: CD4⁺ CD25⁺foxp3⁺), Th1 (CD4⁺ CXCR3⁺ and CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺) and Th2 (CD4⁺ IL-4⁺) cell ratios were measured in peripheral blood samples before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. Results: When immunological marker and inflammation parameter levels were compared before and after treatment, the helper T cell ratio (CD3⁺, CD4⁺) was 30.28 ± 12.27% before treatment and 34.93 ± 11.70% after treatment, so there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.028). Th17 was 4.75 ± 5.02% before treatment and 5.80 ± 3.13% after treatment, and there was a statistically significant increase (P = 0.036). Conclusions: Immunological mechanisms play an essential role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, immunologically based treatment approach will be the critical point of treatment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.159-168
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• 2020

This study aims to utilize DEA, analyze the efficiency of Korean coffee franchises, look into the factors that affect efficiency, and improve the efficiency of Korean coffee franchises. The main results of this study are as follows. First, according to CCR model standards, there are a total of 9 efficient coffee franchises and according to BCC model standards, there are a total of 12 efficient coffee franchises. A total of three of the inefficient DMUs were found to have a value of 1 for BCC, while the other 25 were found to be inefficient for both technology and scale. Second, of 28 franchises, 11 were analyzed to be decreasing return to scale and through future increased investments of optimum levels, business performance can be improved and efficiency can be enhanced. Analysis showed that 9 franchises appeared as CRS and it is most ideal to maintain the yield of future output elements at current levels and the work efficiency of 8 franchises in increasing returns to scale states expands as production scales increase according to specialization and role division and yield can relatively improve a lot. Third, the analysis of factors affecting the efficiency of franchises through the Tobit regression analysis showed that the number of franchises and operating periods had a positive (+) effect on efficiency. Based on this study, the efficiency of coffee franchises should be analyzed to establish strategies to maximize efficiency. Based on this study, the efficiency of coffee franchises should be analyzed to establish strategies to maximize efficiency.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.77-95
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• 2011

This paper investigates the relationship between export and economic variables such as trade insurance, world economy activity, relative price, unemployment rate, exchange rate volatility, using monthly data. I employ Johansen cointegration methodology since the model must be stationary to avoid the spurious results. The results indicate that there is a long-run relationship between export and variables. Also, the empirical analysis of cointegrating vector using the CCR, DOLS, FMOLS reveals that the increases of trade insurance has positive relations and the increases of exchange rate volatility have negative relations with export. Especially, DOLS based on Monte Carlo simulations, of this estimator being superior in small samples compared to a number of alternative estimators, as well as being able not only to accommodate higher orders of integration but also to account for possible simultaneity within regressors of a potential system. This paper also applies impulse-response functions to get the additional information regarding the responses of the export to the shocks of the variables. The result indicates that export positively to trade insurance and then decay fast compare with exchange rate volatility. Consequently, trade insurance plays the role of trade policy for export promotion in Korea. Whereas, increase of exchange risk result in reduction of export. Therefore, the support of trade insurance should be expanded and the stabilization of the foreign exchange market must be done for the export promotion.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.691-696
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• 2009

Introduction: There are two types of asthma according to aspirin hypersensitivity: aspirin intolerant asthma (AIA) and aspirin tolerant asthma (ATA). The genetic risk factors that are related with asthma have been investigated intensively and extensively. However the combinatory effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have hardly been evaluated. In this paper we searched the best set of SNPs that are useful to diagnose the two types of asthma. Methods: We examined 246 asthmatic patients (94 having aspirin intolerant asthma and 152 having aspirin tolerant asthma) and analyzed 25 SNPs typed in them, which are suspected to be associated with asthma. Normalized mutual information values of combinations of typed SNPs are calculated, and those with high normalized mutual information values are selected. We use support vector machines to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the selected combinations. Results: The best combination model turns out four-locus and consists of ALOX5_p1_1708, B2ADR_q1_46, CCR3_p1_520, CysLTR1_p1_634. Its normalized mutual information value is 0.053 and the accuracy in predicting ATA disease risk among asthmatic patients is 71.14%.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.711-735
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• 2016

Drug Development is very important for promoting public health and pharmaceutical industry. There has been many studies on the efficiency of drug development, but there are few studies on the drug development R&D performed by government. Since CCR model assumes unidirectional influence of input and output, it is not appropriate to analyze the efficiency of R&D due to the time-lag and spill-over effect. Also, BBC model which assumes variable returns to scale has difficulty in deriving priorities between decision making units. Recently, Range Adjusted Measure (RAM) model has been suggested in R&D efficiency analysis. RAM model measures the efficincy by eliminating inefficiencies under variable returns to scale assumption, and its strong monotonicity enables to provide clear priorities between decision making units. In this study, we analyzed the efficiency of national R&D programs for drug development using the two-step approach, including RAM model and Tobit regression analysis, and discussed major policy implications.