• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2019

As tumors develop, they encounter microenvironmental stress, such as hypoxia and glucose depletion, due to poor vascular function, thereby leading to necrosis, which is observed in solid tumors. Necrotic cells are known to release cellular cytoplasmic contents, such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), into the extracellular space. The release of HMGB1, a proinflammatory and tumor-promoting cytokine, plays an important role in promoting inflammation and metabolism during tumor development. Recently, HMGB1 was shown to induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. However, the underlying mechanism of the HMGB1-induced EMT, invasion, and metastasis is unclear. In this study, we showed that noninvasive breast cancer cells MCF-7 formed tightly packed, rounded spheroids and that the cells in the inner regions of a multicellular tumor spheroid (MTS), an in vitro model of a solid tumor, led to necrosis due to an insufficient supply of O2 and glucose. In addition, after 7 d of MTS culture, the EMT was induced via the transcription factor Snail. We also showed that HMGB1 receptors, including RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4, were induced by MTS culture. RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4 shRNA inhibited MTS growth, supporting the idea that RAGE/TLR2/TLR4 play critical roles in MTS growth. They also prevented MTS culture-induced Snail expression, pointing to RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-dependent Snail expression. RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4 shRNA suppressed the MTS-induced EMT. In human cancer tissues, high levels of RAGE, TLR2, and TLR4 were detected. These findings demonstrated that the HMGB-RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-Snail axis played a crucial role in the growth of the MTS and MTS culture-induced EMT.

• The Journal of Bigdata
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2021

Lifestyle is changing rapidly, and food consumption patterns vary widely among households as dietary and food processing technologies evolve. This paper reclassified the food group of consumer panel data established by the Rural Development Administration, which contains information on purchasing agricultural products by household unit, and compared the consumption characteristics of agricultural products by age group. The criteria for age classification were divided into groups in their 60s and older with a prevalence of 20% or more metabolic diseases and groups in their 30s and 40s with less than 10%. Using the LightGBM algorithm, we classified the differences in food consumption patterns in their 30s and 50s and 60s and found that the precision was 0.85, the reproducibility was 0.71, and F1_score was 0.77. The results of variable importance were confectionery, folio, seasoned vegetables, fruit vegetables, and marine products, followed by the top five values of the SHAP indicator: confectionery, marine products, seasoned vegetables, fruit vegetables, and folio vegetables. As a result of binary classification of consumption patterns as a median instead of the average sensitive to outliers, confectionery showed that those in their 30s and 40s were more than twice as high as those in their 60s. Other variables also showed significant differences between those in their 30s and 40s and those in their 60s and older. According to the study, people in their 30s and 40s consumed more than twice as much confectionery as those in their 60s, while those in their 60s consumed more than twice as much marine products, seasoned vegetables, fruit vegetables, and folioce or logistics as much as those in their 30s and 40s. In addition to the top five items, consumption of 30s and 40s in wheat-processed snacks, breads and noodles was high, which differed from food consumption patterns in their 60s.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1179-1191
• /
• 2019

Cancer cells undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and show unique oncogenic metabolic phenotypes such as the glycolytic switch (Warburg effect) which are important for tumor development and progression. The EMT is a critical process for tumor invasion and metastasis. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-associated nuclear protein, but it acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule when released from dying cells and immune cells. HMGB1 induces the EMT, as well as invasion and metastasis, thereby contributing to tumor progression. Here, we show that HMGB1 induced the EMT by activating Snail. In addition, the HMGB1/Snail cascade was found induce a glycolytic switch. HMGB1 also suppressed mitochondrial respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity by a Snail-dependent reduction in the expression of the COX subunits COXVIIa and COXVIIc. HMGB1 also upregulated the expression of several key glycolytic enzymes, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase-2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), and phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1), in a Snail-dependent manner. However, HMGB1 was found to regulate some other glycolytic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenases A and B (LDHA and LDHB), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and 4) in a Snail-independent manner. Transfection with short hairpin RNAs against HK2, PFKFB2, and PGAM1 prevented the HMGB1-induced EMT, indicating that glycolysis is associated with HMGB1-induced EMT. These findings demonstrate that HMGB1 signaling induces the EMT, glycolytic switch, and mitochondrial repression via Snail activation.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Although the seasonality of suicide is a well-known phenomenon, little is reported about the seasonality of non-suicidal self-injury. The purpose of this study was to identify the seasonality of wristcutting behavior and to examine its relationship with meteorological factors. Methods : To identify the presence of seasonality, we investigated whether there was a difference in the average number of visits per month to an emergency room (ER) of an urban hospital for 226 patients with wrist-cutting behavior enrolled between December 2014 and May 2019. To ascertain significant meteorological factors, we used the multiple Poisson regression using generalized additive model with time, monthly temperature, monthly sunshine hour, and atmospheric pressure in the prior month as explanatory variables. Results : In males, the average number of monthly visits to the ER for wrist cutting behavior differed by month and was the highest in September (male : p=0.048, female : p=0.21, total : p=0.28). As a result of multiple regression analysis, the average number of patients admitted to the ER for wrist cutting behavior was related to the interaction between atmospheric pressure in the prior month and temperature in males (p=0.010), and showed a positive correlation with sunlight in females [p=0.044, β=4.70×10-3, 95% CI=(1.19×10-4, 9.27×10-3)]. Conclusions : Wrist cutting behavior shows seasonality in male, which is associated with changes in meteorological variables.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.264-271
• /
• 2020

We have developed a simultaneous diagnostic method that can identify both the species of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) that are problematic in chrysanthemum plants. This is a method of amplifying DNA by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction by simultaneously adding primers specific to TSWV coat protein (N) gene and primers specific to the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of Frankliniella occidentalis and F. intonsa using total nucleic acid extracted from one thrips. The sizes of DNA fragments for TSWV, F. occidentalis, and F. intonsa were 777, 287, and 367 bp, respectively. These results showed species identification of thrips and whether thrips carrying TSWV can be simultaneously confirmed. Further usefulness of the simultaneous diagnostic method was made from greenhouse survey at chrysanthemum greenhouses in Taean (Chungcheongnam-do) and Changwon (Gyeongsangnam-do) to investigate the identification of thrips species and the rate of thrips carrying TSWV. Of thrips collected from the greenhouses, 83.7% thrips was F. occidentalis and 72.9% F. occidentalis carried TSWV in Taean. Similarly, the diagnostic method showed that 92.2% thrips was F. occidentalis and 84.0% F. occidentalis carried TSWV in Changwon. These results confirm that F. occidentalis is a dominant thrips species and the thrips species plays a crucial role in the transmission of TSWV in chrysanthemum plants in the greenhouses. Taken together, this study showed a simple diagnostic method for thrips identification and epidemiological studies of the timing and spread of TSWV through thrips in chrysanthemum greenhouses in South Korea.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.1-28
• /
• 2020

This study examines whether the firm with high innovation efficiency realizes high operating performance. We measured innovation efficiency by the ratio of patent applications for R&D expenditure or R&D stock and measured operating performance by the ratio of operating income or operating cash flow to total assets for the following year. The sample consists of 1,880 manufacturing firm-years, which listed on the Korean Exchange between 2014 and 2017. We analyze the effect of innovation efficiency on operating performance using a model of Hirshleifer et al. (2013) results show that both innovation efficiency variables have a significantly positive relationship with the total asset operating margin. Besides, the following year's performance, measured by the total asset operating cash flow ratio, also shows a positive relationship with the two innovation efficiency variables at the 5% and 1% significance levels, respectively. The results indicate that high innovation efficiency firms that link the outcomes of R&D to more patent applications realize higher operating performance. Also, we divided the R&D-intensive and non-R&D-intensive industries and performed the same analysis. As a result, the innovation efficiency has a significant positive effect on operating margin in both industries. However, the effect of innovation efficiency on the operating cash flow is only significant in R&D-intensive industries. This study suggests that the effects of innovation efficiency are more consistent in the R&D-intensive industry. Additionally, we divided the high patent application and low patent applications industries and performed the same analysis. As a result, the innovation efficiency has a significant positive effect on operating margin in both industries. This study suggests that the effects of innovation efficiency are more consistent in the high patent application industry. We show that a firm's innovation efficiency is a critical factor for a firm's performance, while prior studies on the R&D performance have not considered the innovation efficiency of each firm. The evidence suggests that firms not only consider R&D expenditures but also improve the performance of companies by increasing innovation efficiency. Investors need to consider their innovation efficiency when evaluating the value of firms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.100 no.1
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2011

Distribution types of native conifers (Juniperus chinensis, Pinus parviflora, Tusga sieboldii and Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia) were studied by phytosociological investigation and ZM method in Ulleung Island, South Korea. Two main types were divided maritime vegetation (Juniperus chinensis forest) and mountain vegetation (Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia forest and Pinus parviflora-Tusga sieboldii forest). The former was divided into sea cliff distribution (J-SC) and sea ridge distribution (J-SR) type. The latter was classified 7 distribution types; Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia forest was rock distribution (Ta-R) and mountain slope distribution (Ta-MS) type, and Pinus parviflora-Tusga sieboldii forest was rock distribution (P T-R), upper and ridge distribution (P T-UR, 3 units sub-types:1sub, 2sub, 3sub), and Mountain slope distribution (P T-MS) type. It was considered that J-SC, Ta- R, and P T-R were maintained by topographic climax, but J-SR, Ta-MS, P T-UR and P T-MS were the process of vegetation succession. Distribution types of topographic climax are entrusted to process of vegetation succession. Types in the process of vegetation succession will be needed tending of forest to promote saplings growth and seedlings germination. Especially in order to restore Tsuga sieboldii forest should be afforest and make forest gap because It is mid shade tolerant tree and purity percentage of its seed is 1~2%. It was considered that the composition of group mixture forest constituted Pinus parviflora, Tsuga sieboldii, Taxus cuspidata, Camellia japonica, Machilus thunbergii and Acer okamotoanum, etc. will be able to restore native vegetation, after take the form of forest gap by strong thinning and pruning of Pinus thunbergii forest.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.117-126
• /
• 2017

Hanwoo young bulls are selected based on performance test using the weight at 12 months and pedigree index comprising marbling score. Pedigree index was not based on the progeny tested data but the breeding value of the proven bulls; resulting a lower accuracy. The progeny testing of the young bulls was categorized into testing at farm and at the test station. The farm tested data was difficult to compare with those from test station data. Farm tested bulls had different slaughter ages than those for test station bulls. Therefore, this study had considered a different age at slaughter for respective records on ultrasound traits. Records on body weight at 12 months, ultrasound measures at 12 and 24 months(uIMF, uEMA, uBFT, and uRFT), and carcass traits(CWT, EMA, BFT, and MS) were collected from steers and bulls of Hanwoo national improvement scheme between 2008 and 2013. Fixed effects of batch, test date, test station, personnel for measurement, personnel for judging, and a linear covariate of weight at measurement were fitted in the animal models for ultrasound traits. The ranges of heritability estimates of the ultrasound traits at 12 and 24 months were 0.21-0.43 and 0.32-0.47, respectively. Ultrasound traits at 12 and 24 months between similar carcass traits was genetically correlated at 0.52-0.75 and 0.86-0.89, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.32
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2020

Purpose: To find out the advantages of thermoplastic bolus compared to conventional bolus, which is mainly used in clinical practice, We evaluated Two cases in terms of dose and location reproducibility to assess Usability of thermoplastic Bolus for skin VMAT radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Two patient's treated with left breast skin lesion were simulated using thermoplastic Bolus and planned with 2arc VMAT. the prescription dose was irradiated to 95% or more of the target volume. We evaluated The reproducibility of the bolus position by measuring the length of the air gap in the CBCT (Cone Beam CT) image. to evaluate dose reproducibility, we compared The dose distribution in the plan and CBCT and measured in vivo for patient 2. Results: The difference between the air gap in patient 1's simulation CT and the mean air gap (M1) during 10 treatments in the CBCT image was -0.42±1.24mm. In patient 2, the difference between the average air gap between the skin and the bolus (M2) during 14 treatments was -1.08±1.3mm, and the air gap between the bolus (M3) was 0.49±1.16. The difference in the dose distribution between Plan CT and CBCT was -1.38% for PTV1 D95 and 0.39% for SKIN (max) in patient 1. In patient 2, PTV1 D95 showed a difference of 0.63% and SKIN (max) -0.53%. The in vivo measurement showed a difference of -1.47% from the planned dose. Conclusion: thermoplastic Bolus is simpler and takes less time to manufacture compared to those produced by 3D printer. Also compared to conventional bolus, it has high reproducibility in the set-up side and stable results in terms of dose delivery.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2021

In August 2020, necrotic ringspots on leaves were observed on 20 from 143 Plantago asiatica plants in open fields in Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do. Eight symptomatic Plantago asiatica plants were subjected to investigation on viral infection by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Impatiens necrotic spot virus, tomato spotted wilt virus and cucumber mosaic virus were detected from the symptomatic plants. Two impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) isolates ('INSV-plantain kr1' and '-plantain kr5') were sequenced and analyzed by comparing L genomic segment, nucleoprotein (N) gene and non-structural protein S (NSs) gene sequences. The nucleotide sequence of 'INSV-plantain kr1' isolate (MW114834) was most closely related to that of a 'Phalaenopsis' isolate (GQ336991) from China in the L genomic segment. 'INSV-plantain kr1' and '-plantain kr5' isolates shared the highest identities with those from 'Pepe' isolate (LC384872) and 'J' isolate (AB109100) in the NSs gene, respectively, and with that from 'YSMi-SH' isolate (FN400773) in the N gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on L genomic segment grouped the INSV-plantain kr1 isolate together with isolates from Korea (LC384870), China (GU112505, GQ336991), and Italy (DQ425094). This is the first report on INSV in P. asiatica from Korea.