• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1399-1404
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• 2006

The roots of Aralia continentalis (AC) have been used traditionally in Korean as a folk medicine for anti-inflammation and as an anti-rheumatic. In this study, we report that the ethyl acetate-soluble traction (ACE) of the methanolic extract of AC root inhibited the cell growth of various human cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis of HL-60, human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Its $IC_{50}$ values on growth inhibition were estimated to be $56.3{\mu}g/ml$ on HL-60, $87.2{\mu}g/ml$ on HepG2, $93.2{\mu}g/ml$ on HeLa, $135.5{\mu}g/ml$ on DU-145, and $135.8{\mu}g/ml$ on HT-29 cells. Interestingly, ACE showed no antiproliferative effect on normal lymphocyte cells used as control. Furthermore, nuclear DAPI staining revealed the typical nuclear features of apoptosis in the HL-60 cells exposed to $80{\mu}g/ml$ ACE, and a flow cytometric analysis of the HL-60 cells using propidium iodide showed that the apoptotic cell population increased gradually from 5% at 0 h to 16% at 12 h and 20% at 24 h after treated with $50{\mu}g/ml$ of ACE. TUNEL assay also revealed the apoptotic induction of the HL-60 cells treated with ACE. To obtain further information on the ACE-induced apoptosis, the expression level of certain apoptosis-associated proteins was examined using a Western blot analysis. Treatment of the HL-60 cells with ACE resulted in the activation of caspase-3, and subsequent proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The above results confirmed that the apoptosis in the HL-60 cells was induced by ACE, and that caspase-3-mediated PARP cleavage was involved in the process.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.116-121
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence and related mechanisms that have yet to be clearly demonstrated of Lithospermum erythrorhizon derived-naphthoquinone (shikonin) on the anxiety, insomnia, depression in rats. We hypothesized that naphthoquinone, the primary ingredient of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, plays a role in the modulation of insomnia evoked by stress, depression evoked by forced swimming or anxiety evoked by elevated plus maze. Male ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were used and the immobility or swimming time, the duration of sleep, the duration and entry frequency into open arms were measured and recorded. The administration of naphthoquinone (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) potentiated barbiturate-induced sleep suggesting the activation of GABAA receptor. It also potentiated the time spent in open arms of the maze and decreased the immobility time in forced swimming. In conclusion, naphthoquinone has anxiolytic, hypnotic and anti-depressant properties and is a potential therapeutic for anxiety, insomnia and depression.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.6-14
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• 2007

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in Korea and its prognosis is very poor. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of terminal patients with hepatocellular carcinoma on admission into a hospice unit, and to know if they had received appropriate hospice and palliative care. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 62 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had admitted, received palliative care, and died in a hospice unit between January 2003 and December 2005. Results: The median age of patients was 56.5 years with 50 men(80.65%) and 12 women(19.35%) and gender ratio(male to female) was 417. Child-Pugh class A, B, and C were 6(9.68%), 22(35.38%), and 34(58.84%) respectively. We divided the patients into two groups and compared, the terminal HCC patients with class C as group I and those with class A & B as group 2. The median time from hospice referral to death was significantly short in group 1 with 15.5 days compared to group 2 with 53 days. Statistically more prevalent symptoms in group I were ascites, dyspnea, peripheral edema, and hepatic encephalopathy with abnormal laboratory findings (jaundice, hypoalbuminemia, or renal insufficiency). There, however, was no significant difference in complications and managements during admission between group 1 and 2. Conclusion: Most terminal HCC patients were often accompanied with chronic liver disease. The length of hospice and palliative care for above patients was not enough to attend them. Therefore, we suggest that proper education and information should be provided to physicians, patients, and their family members for effective hospice and palliative care.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.127-133
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• 2020

The international cancer research institute under the WHO designated fine dust as a first-class carcinogen. Particular matter refers to dust that is small enough to be invisible and floating in the air. Particular matter is mainly emitted from the combustion process of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and is a risk factor that can cause lung disease, pneumonia, and heart disease. The Ministry of Environment recently analyzed the output data of 10 fine dust measuring stations and, as a result, announced that about 60% had an error that the existing atmospheric measurement concentration was higher. In order to accurately predict fine dust, the wind direction and measurement position must be corrected. In this paper, in order to solve these problems, fuzzy rules are used to solve these problems. In addition, in order to calculate the fine particulate sensation index actually felt by pedestrians on the street, a computer simulation experiment was conducted to calculate the fine particulate sensation index in consideration of weather conditions, temperature conditions, humidity conditions, and wind conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.299-305
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• 2015

Objectives: This article describes our experience with neck dissection in 10 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Between January 2007 and October 2009, 10 patients underwent primary surgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. For patients with $N_0$ disease on clinical exam, selective neck dissection (SND [I-III]) was performed. In patients with palpable cervical metastases (N+), modified radical neck dissections were performed, except in one patient in whom SND (I-III) was performed. The histopathologic reports were reviewed to assess the surgical margins, the presence of extra-capsular spread, perineural invasion, and lymphatic invasion. Results: On histopathologic examination, positive soft tissue margins were found in three patients, and regional lymph node metastases were present in five of the ten patients. Perineural invasion was noted in five patients, and extra nodal spread was found in four patients. Regional recurrence was seen in two patients and loco-regional recurrence plus distant metastasis to the tibia was observed in one patient. During the study period, three patients died. Seven patients remain free of disease to date. Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation provides important and reliable information for disease staging, treatment planning, and prognosis. The philosophy of neck dissection is evolving rapidly with regard to the selectivity with which at-risk lymph node groups are removed. The sample size in the present study is small, thus, caution should be employed when interpreting these results.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.39-39
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• 2016

There is a growing consumer preference for self-medication, which has resulted in the growth of the Korean functional food market to \1.5 trillion in 2014. Functional foods that can modulate immune responses and enhance liver health are in the top 2 product-specific health functional food categories. The aim of this project was to develop and commercialize new health functional foods incorporated with Cordyceps militaris. Cordyceps genus includes about 400 species, many of which have been used as traditional medicines for many years in Asian countries. C. militaris belongs to the class Ascomycetes and has been used extensively as a crude drug and tonic food in East Asia. Owing to the various physiological activities of its main active constituent, cordyceptin, C. militaris is currently being used for multiple medicinal purposes. Recently, many studies have tried to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the activities of Cordyceps spp., which include immune activation, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral effects. After continuous attempts and research toward industrialization, C. militaris cultivated using brown rice was developed into a product by a standardized process and mass-cultivating system. It was successfully introduced into the market and was approved as a functional food ingredient for the first time in Korea. Based on this information, C. militaris containing functional food product for strengthening the immune system was released in August 2014 under the brand name "Dongchoong Ilgi." Dongchoong Ilgi is potentially beneficial for improving immune and liver functions and may enhance both the convenience and effectiveness of health functional foods taken by healthy people and patients with minor illness. In addition, the results of our study may be applicable for the development of health functional foods that could lower the risk of diseases such as the common cold and cancer.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.747-753
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• 2009

Trans-resveratrol, quercetin, and epicatechin are natural polyphenolic substances with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. The compositions and levels of these chemicals were determined in grape (Vitis vinifera) juice and wine of different geographic origins. Significant differences in Hunter color values, pH, total acidity, and ethanol and free sugar contents, were found depending on both the nature and country of processing. Overall, trans-resveratrol and quercetin levels in wines were higher than in juices, indicating that wine is a rich source of these chemicals. Significant differences in the content and composition of epicatechin were found to depend on processing procedures, country of origin, and cultivar. This information may be useful to grape breeders and manufacturers of wine or juice.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze health promotion programs utilizing forests by reviewing regional healthcare program plans in Korea. Methods: We analyzed 227 regional healthcare program plans from 2011 to 2014; seven health promotion programs of the 16 major healthcare programs were prescribed by public health law. Results: Our analysis revealed that only 35 health promotion programs from 29 sites were utilizing forests. Furthermore, of 21 known categories of health promotion programs, only nine incorporated the use of forests. Atopy-asthma healthcare programs were the most common forest health promotion programs, which also included specialized disease management programs (e.g., for atopy prevention and healing, patients with metabolic syndrome or cancer) and specialized mental health management programs (e.g., for addiction or dementia prevention). Others included programs on the development of forest roads or industrial development using forest products. Conclusion: Health programs using forests in Korea are still very limited and primarily comprise atopy-asthma prevention/management, health behavioral change, and mental health programs. This study provided useful information for developing health policies and forest health promotion programs further in Korea.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2004

Astrocytes play supportive roles for neurons in the brain. Recently, they have been accepted to have various functions in the vascular system as well as in the nervous system. We investigated the differential gene expression in rat astrocytes according to the oxygen tension, which is a crucial factor for angiogenesis. A cDNA microarray was performed to find the genes whose expression was sensitive to oxygen tension. We found 26 genes in the astrocyte were found and classified into 4 groups. In order to show the genes' relevancy to angiogenesis, seven of the 26 genes were investigated to see whether they have capabilities of interaction with angiogenesis­related factors in AngioDB. Through this investigation, we found interactions of three proteins with angiogenesis-related factors. These genes were further investigated with a new focus on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in an astrocyte based on our hypothesis that astrocytes can have effects on endothelial angiogenesis via the release of VEGF. Collectively, we identified several genes whose expressions were dependent on the oxygen concentration of the astrocyte. Furthermore, the relevancy of astrocytes to angiogenesis was investigated using preexisting information of AngioDB, and suggested a possible signaling pathway for VEGF expression in the aspects of brain endothelial angiogenesis by astrocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.643-656
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• 2016

High dimensional data are frequently encountered in various fields where the number of variables is greater than the number of samples. It is usually necessary to select variables to estimate regression coefficients and avoid overfitting in high dimensional data. A penalized regression model simultaneously obtains variable selection and estimation of coefficients which makes them frequently used for high dimensional data. However, the penalized regression model also needs to select the optimal model by choosing a tuning parameter based on the model selection criterion. This study deals with the bias effect of LASSO regression for model selection criteria. We numerically describes the bias effect to the model selection criteria and apply the proposed correction to the identification of biomarkers for lung cancer based on gene expression data.