• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2014

Metabolomics is the study of changes in the metabolic status of an organism as a consequence of drug treatment, environmental influences, nutrition, lifestyle, genetic variations, toxic exposure, disease, stress, etc, through global or comprehensive identification and quantification of every single metabolite in a biological system. Since most chronic diseases have been demonstrated to be linked to nutrition, nutritional metabolomics has great potential for improving our understanding of the relationship between disease and nutritional status, nutrient, or diet intake by exploring the metabolic effects of a specific food challenge in a more global manner, and improving individual health. In particular, metabolite profiling of biofluids, such as blood, urine, or feces, together with multivariate statistical analysis provides an effective strategy for monitoring human metabolic responses to dietary interventions and lifestyle habits. Therefore, studies of nutritional metabolomics have recently been performed to investigate nutrition-related metabolic pathways and biomarkers, along with their interactions with several diseases, based on animal-, individual-, and population-based criteria with the goal of achieving personalized health care in the future. This article introduces analytical technologies and their application to determination of nutritional phenotypes and nutrition-related diseases in nutritional metabolomics.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.237-252
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to improve the current understanding of rare earths(RE) and to provide supporting data for establishing occupational health policies by reviewing the toxicological data and issues caused by the use of RE compounds in various fields. Methods: To evaluate the potential toxicity of RE from the viewpoint of occupational health, we summarized extensive reviews of relevant articles in the toxicology(animals and cells), occupational health and safety, and epidemiologic literature. Results: Although occupational RE exposure occurs extensively from ore mining and refining to end users in various industrial applications, epidemiologic study has not been performed among workers up to now. Bioaccumulation and adverse effects of RE have also been mentioned in ore mining regions and nearby residences, but safety standards for each process are insufficient. Moreover, because new commercial recycling technology will soon be applied to various industries, regulation and policies are needed for preventing abuse of recycling. In the results of animal toxicity for a few REs(mostly cerium, lanthanum, and gadolinium), toxicities of liver, lung, blood, and the nervous system were identified due to oxidative stress, but study of long-term RE exposure is required. Understanding the dual effect for RE and discovery of biomarkers pose a scientific challenge in further mechanism studies. Conclusions: In the future, additional hazard evaluation based on animal experiments is required, alongside continuous research for developing analytical methods and discovering biomarkers. Finally, RE occupational health and safety management needs to be integrated into the sustainable use of these materials.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.452-456
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• 2015

Obesity is the fifth leading risk for death globally, and a significant challenge to global health. It is a common, complex, non-malignant disease and develops due to interactions between the genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals; analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. To assess the effects of excessive weight and obesity on gene-specific methylation levels of promoter regions, we determined the methylation status of four genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress [interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and glucose transport 4 (GLUT4)] in blood cell-derived DNA from healthy women volunteers with a range of body mass indices (BMIs) by methylation-specific PCR. Interestingly, the samples from obese individuals ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$) showed significantly increased hypermethylation for IL6 gene compared to normal weight ($BMI<23kg/m^2$) and overweight sample ($23kg/m^2{\leq}BMI<30kg/m^2$) (P = 0.034 and P = 0.026). However there was no statistically significant difference in promoter methylation of the other 3 genes between each group. These findings suggest that aberrant DNA methylation of IL6 gene promoter may play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity and IL6 methylation could be used as molecular biomarker for obesity risk assessment. Further studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.124-136
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• 2015

Purpose: Grain quality is a general concept that covers many characteristics, ranging from physical to biochemical and physiochemical properties. Rice aging during storage is currently a challenge in the rice industry, and is a complicated process involving changes in all of the above properties. Spectroscopic techniques can be used to obtain information on the quality of rice samples in a non-destructive manner. Methods: The objective of this review was to highlight the factors that contribute to rice quality and aging, and to describe various spectroscopic modalities, particularly vibrational and hyperspectral imaging, for the assessment of rice quality. Results: Starch and protein are the main components of the rice endosperm, and are therefore key factors contributing to eating and cooking quality. While the overall starch, protein, and lipid content in the rice grain remains essentially unchanged during storage, structural changes do occur. These changes affect pasting and gel properties, and ultimately the flavor of cooked rice. In addition, grain quality is significantly affected by growing and environmental conditions, such as water availability, temperature, fertilizer application, and salinity stress. These properties can be evaluated using spectroscopic techniques, and rice samples can be discriminated by using multivariate statistical analysis methods. Conclusion: Hyperspectral imaging and vibrational spectroscopy techniques have good potential for determining rice quality properties in a non-invasive manner, i.e., not requiring the introduction of instruments into the rice grain.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.346-353
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• 2015

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones regulated through responses to stress to maintain diverse metabolic and homeostatic functions. GCs act on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a member of the nuclear receptor family. This study identified and characterized the GR gene from the big-belly seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis designating it HaGR. The open reading frame of the HaGR cDNA was 2,346 bp in length, encoding a 782-amino-acid polypeptide with a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.26 and predicted molecular mass of 86.8 kDa. Nuclear receptors share a common structural organization, comprising an N-terminal transactivation domain, DNA-binding domain, and C-terminal ligand-binding domain. The tissue-specific mRNA expression profile of HaGR was analyzed in healthy seahorses using a qPCR technique. HaGR mRNA was expressed ubiquitously in all of the tissues examined, with the highest expression levels in kidney, intestine, stomach, and gill tissues. The mRNA expression in response to immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), Edwardsiella tarda, and Streptococcus iniae revealed that it is inducible in response to pathogen infection. These results suggest that HaGR is involved in the immune response of the big-belly seahorse.

• Journal of the Korean Academic Society of Industrial Cluster
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-27
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• 2008

Ousters have become a key focus of interest and analysis over the last decade or so, informed by the work of the Harvard business economist Michael Porter. Recent research, however, suggests that the classic Porterian conception of clusters needs to be rethought. In particular, the idea that clusters are geogaphically bounded and integrated units whose primary link to the outside world is through the export of goods and services to global markets is highly Questionable, if not untenable. Relational approaches to clusters and regional development stress the importance of the wider networks and 'pipelines' through which knowledge is exchanged with key partners and collaborators located outside of the particular cluster in question. Rather than the main external links being those between leading firms and global markets, firms may engage in a range of global relations with collaborators and suppliers. This paper address the challenge of rethinking clusters in the light of the recent emphasis on global networks md connections, drawing on experience from m old industrial region in Western Europe Scotland. In assessing cluster experiences and initiatives in Scotland, I examine the development of the oil and gas and electronics clusters. In conclusion, I suggest that cluster initiatives me only likely to generate lasting benefits for the region in question if there is significant local ownership md control of key industries and clusters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1121-1126
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• 2006

In the present study, the potential hepatoprotective effects of poly herbal formulation, Hepa-1000, against oxidative damages induced by t-BHP were evaluated in HepG2 cells in order to relate in vitro antioxidant activity with cytoprotective effects. The t-BHP induced considerable cell damage in HepG2 cells was shown by significant glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and increased lipid peroxidation. Hepa-1000-treated cells showed an increased resistance to oxidative challenge, as revealed by higher survival capacity than the one of control cells against t-BHP induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. In addition, the Hepa-1000 had hepatoprotective effects lowering the activity of GOT and LDH, simultaneously. That is, it could inhibit the cell membrane damages resulting in the increased activities of GOT and LDH in the cell culture media. Furthermore, the Hepa-1000 could reduce t-BHP enhanced lipid peroxidation, which was evaluated by measuring the production of malonedialdehyde. Based on the data described above, it could be suggested that the Hepa-1000 has significant hepatoprotective effects and plays a protective role against lipid peroxidation by free radicals.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.133-155
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• 2019

The economic growth has made our lives more prosperous than the past, and the development of science fueled the era of 100-year lifespan. It is now distinct to us that preparation for life after retirement is not a choice but an imperative. In the meantime, outplacement programs have driven many to challenge and start a new chapter in life. This paper measures the characteristics of outplacement programs based on the self-determination factors; empirically examines how those characteristics influence on learning performance through self-efficacy and psychological well-being; concludes by proposing effective and productive ways for young adults and senior employees who are in search for new jobs. To test the research hypothesis, a survey was conducted among job searchers who have been previously provided with outplacement programs. The results are as follows: First, self-perceived autonomy has significant influences on self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Second, self-perceived competency has significant influences on self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Third, perceived relationship has no significant influence on self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Fourth, self-efficacy showed significant influences on psychological well-being, while not showing on learning performance. Fifth, psychological well-being has no significant influence on learning performance. This paper finds its academic significance in its theory-based approach to outplacement service program; research variables and examination are not based on researcher's arbitrary choice. This paper is also practically significant in that it discovered that outplacement service alleviates psychological stress caused by job relocation, and guarantees stable life after retirement.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.276-284
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• 2022

The research aims to study the dynamics of academic procrastination and its impact on the mental health of students during the transition to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was identified a declining tendency of overall rates of academic procrastination and at the same time increase in the number of carriers of mid and high levels of academic procrastination. The decline in the general rates of academic procrastination at the beginning of 2021 testifies to the adaptation processes experienced by students to the conditions of distance learning. It was documented that students' academic procrastination is accompanied by a steady negative emotional tension. During the transition to distance learning, the intensity of students' learning activity has increased, which altogether causes stress as one of the main reasons for the academic procrastination among future psychologists. The study identified a risk of academic procrastination manifestation among students for their mental health, which provides a basis for developing and testing a program to prevent the phenomenon of academic procrastination among degree-seeking students.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-133
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• 2022

Determination of the mechanical behaviour of jointed rock masses has been a challenge for rock engineers for decades. This problem is more pronounced for non-persistent jointed rock masses due to complicated interaction of rock bridges on the overall behaviour. This paper aims to study the effect of a non-persistent joint set configuration on the mechanical behaviour of rock materials under both uniaxial and biaxial compression tests using a discrete element code. The numerical simulation of biaxial compressive strength of rock masses has been challenging in the past due to shortcomings of bonded particle models in reproducing the failure envelope of rock materials. This problem was resolved in this study by employing the flat-joint contact model. The validity of the numerical model was investigated through a comprehensive comparative study against physical uniaxial and biaxial compression experiments. Good agreement was found between numerical and experimental tests in terms of the recorded peak strength and the failure mode in both loading conditions. Studies on the effect of joint orientation on the failure mode showed that four zones of intact, transition to block rotation, block rotation and transition to intact failure occurs when the joint dip angle varies from 0° to 90°. It was found that the applied confining stress can significantly alter the range of these zones. It was observed that the minimum strength occurs at the joint dip angle of around 45 degrees under different confining stresses. It was also found that the joint orientation can alter the post peak behaviour and the lowest brittleness was observed at the block rotation zone.