• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the inhibitory effects of Hwangheuk-san (HHS), a Korean multi-herb formula comprising four medicinal herbs, on cell migration and invasion, two critical cellular processes that are often deregulated during metastasis, using the human bladder cancer 5637 cell line.Methods: Cell viability, motility, and invasion were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2,5-diphnyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound healing migration, and Transwell assays, respectively. Gene expression was detected by Western blot analysis. In addition, the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the values for transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were analyzed using a Gelatinase Activity Assay Kit and an Epithelial Tissue Voltohmmeter, respectively.Results: Our data indicated that within the concentration range that was not cytotoxic, HHS effectively inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of 5637 cells. HHS markedly decreased the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which was associated with unregulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. Further investigation revealed that phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT was decreased in HHS-treated 5637 cells, and a PI3K/AKT inhibitor synergistically reduced the inhibition of migration and invasion and also inactivated MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, HHS increased the tightening of tight junctions (TJs), which was demonstrated by an increase in the TER, and reduced the expression the levels of claudin family members (claudin-3 and -4), which are major components involved in the tightening of TJs.Conclusions: The present findings demonstrated that HHS attenuated the migration and invasion of bladder cancer 5637 cells by modulating the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and also through TJ tightening.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.835-843
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• 2020

Obesity, the world's leading metabolic disease, is a serious health problem in both industrialized and developing countries. Natural substances are of great interest in preventative medicine, especially in the field of metabolic syndromes-from insulin resistance to obesity and diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of A. pullulans SM-2001 Extract (Polycan^®) on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the anti-obesity effect of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Although β-glucan has been found to have health benefits in the regulation of the immune system and blood cholesterol levels, its role in obesity has not been fully investigated. Polycan^® suppressed lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity without affecting cell viability in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Polycan^® also inhibited cellular lipid accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors, such as PPARγ and C/EBPα, and induced dose-dependent phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-a cellular energy sensor-while the total AMPK protein content remained unchanged. Taken together, this shows that the activation of AMPK by Polycan^® in adipocytes plays a critical role in Polycan^®-induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Our results show that Polycan^® has an anti-obesity action in vitro, suggesting a potential novel preventative agent for obesity and other metabolic diseases.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-92
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• 2012

Smart work, which is defined as work performed at home, satellite offices or with the smart devices to continually collaborate with the co-workers in anytime, anywhere using IT, is attracting much attention as an alternative work way to cope with the demographical changes of the low fertility and aging. Whereas some implementation cases of smart work have been considered as the success, the other cases have been reported as the failure to implement smart work practices. Nevertheless, there are few researches to identify the reasons of successful ways to adopting smart work. This study integrated the IT-based changes with the smart work practices to identify the critical success factors of smart work in individual, organization and industry levels. As the results, we found out the expected values of introduction, core elements of implementation, and industry characteristics to efficient adoption for smart work. Also, this study compared these evidences with the incumbent smart work policies. The contributions of this study is to develop the guideline to adopting smart work, the smart work implementation strategy and the improvement on the business process.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.23-44
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• 2001

In the current classrooms a teacher has been merely able to inculcate the procedural knowledge of how-and-what. In doing so, however, we lose sight of the essence of "doing science."Though desire of the gifted children is qualitatively different from that of normal children, it is an undesirable reality that we have not developed sufficient researches and programs in conformity with the necessary desire and demand of the gifted children. Curriculum for gifted children in the domain of science necessitates markedly the specializations for the specific areas of the contents, the processes, and the products of studies. In an effort to provide the optimum learning experience for the gifted, this paper deals with the development of project-and-discovery-based science program, its method of application to the real field of education, and its effect, however limited and partial that effect may be. What this study has found are the following: on the one hand, the students acquired and developed the higher levels of thinking when they were under the influence of project-and-discovery-based science program that dealt with concrete real-world problems and issues; on the other, the students were capable of solving creatively the complex and real problems through small group activities. This study also suggests the possible implications of project-and-discovery-based science program: the students can not only learn the contents of study but also apply them creatively; the students can cultivate critical thinking skills that can be a fundamental base for a life-time leaner; the students can naturally acquire the abilities of communication and coordination. Project-and-discovery-based program is currently used in the various disciplines. However, the field of gifted education does not yet implement this type of program. So the overall contribution of this study is to show the successful implementation of project-and-discovery-based science program in developing optimal teaming experience for gifted children in the domain of science, since this type of study is most compatible with the characteristic of the gifted children. children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4031-4036
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• 2012

Background: The negative signaling provided by interactions of the co-inhibitory molecule, programmed death-1 (PD-1), and its ligands, B7-H1 (PD-L1) and B7-DC (PD-L2), is a critical mechanism contributing to tumor evasion; blockade of this pathway has been proven to enhance cytotoxic activity and mediate antitumor therapy. Here we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of AAV-mediated delivery of the extracellular domain of murine PD-1 (sPD-1) to a tumor site. Material and Methods: An rAAV vector was constructed in which the expression of sPD-1, a known negative regulator of TCR signals, is driven by human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV-P), using a triple plasmid transfection system. Tumor-bearing mice were then treated with the AAV/sPD1 construct and expression of sPD-1 in tumor tissues was determined by semi quantitative RT-PCR, and tumor weights and cytotoxic activity of splenocytes were measured. Results: Analysis of tumor homogenates revealed sPD-1 mRNA to be significantly overexpressed in rAAV/sPD-1 treated mice as compared with control levels. Its use for local gene therapy at the inoculation site of H22 hepatoma cells could inhibit tumor growth, also enhancing lysis of tumor cells by lymphocytes stimulated specifically with an antigen. In addition, PD-1 was also found expressed on the surfaces of activated CD8+ T cells. Conclusion: This study confirmed that expression of the soluble extracellular domain of PD-1 molecule could reduce tumor microenvironment inhibitory effects on T cells and enhance cytotoxicity. This suggests that it might be a potential target for development of therapies to augment T-cell responses in patients with malignancies.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1995

Bone mass accretion during puberty appears to be critical in the development of peak bone mass. Although bone density of females in Korea has been studied, only a few studies have related bone mass with anthropometric patterns or puberty in the pubescent girls. This study was conducted as part of a study of major determinants of bone development during puberty. Subjects were aged 14∼16 yr(mean 14.97), and had no history of disorders or dedication use likely to influence bone or calcium metabolism. Bone mineral density and content were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPX+Scanner (Lunar Madison, WI). Also, total body fat, and total lean body mass were assessed using a Lunar DPX dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer, Pubertal status was assessed according to the Marshall and Tanner guidelines. Serum levels of osteocalcin was measured by RIA using a commercial kit assay. Skinfold measurements were taken with a skinfold caliper(Lange Caliper, USA). Data were analyzed using the regression and GLM procedure of the statistical package SAS. The results indicated that the observed means for lumbar spine BMD and femoral BMD correspond to approximately 91% and 96% of the means for young adult females, respec tively. All subjects were menarchal, with the majority being in the middle to end stages of pubertal development. Total body BMD was positively related to fat mass(P<0.001), lean body mass and time since menarche, and negatively related to urine pyridinoline, serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. The data indicate that girls who reported lower age for menarche had significantly higher bone densities than girls who reported higher age for menarche. Attaining peak skeletal bone mass during puberty may reduce the incidence of osteoporosis in later life. this finding suggests that early menarche may augment peak bone mass, influencing the extent of bone loss later in adulthood. The results suggest that good nutrition in childhood appears to be needed not for growth and development, but possibly also to assure an optimal peak of bone mass and thus greater latitude for the maintenance or skeletal integrity in the face of bone losses. Troeps skinfold thickness was a better predictor of total BMD and total BMC than was any other skinfold thickness. The study did not find a relationship between total BMD and body fat %, but total fat was significantly positively related to total BMD(r=0.49) and total BMC(r=0.60). It supports earlier report that there was a significant correlation between TBMD and body weight. Conclusively, total fat, lean body mass and pubertal development could influence BMD in pubescent girls. Clearly, longitudinal studies are required to assess the effect of puberty on peak bone mass, and to define further the potential determinants of peak bone mass.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.337-337
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• 2017

Accurate and optimal water supply to cereal crop is critical in growing stalks and producing maximum yields. Excessive soil moisture may cause nutrient deficiencies and oxygen deficiency. Excessive soil water during crop growth stages results in decrease of yields. In Korea, the largest agricultural lands are paddy fields. Recently, upland crops are cultivated in paddy field soils to reduce overproduced rice in Korea. In order to success this policy, it is necessary to fully understand crop response to excessive soil moisture condition from paddy field soils. Adzuki bean is one of major legumes which provide protein in daily diet. Adzuki bean has been well know its weakness to excessive soil moisture condition, In order to obtain optimal yields of adzuki bean from paddy field cultivation, it is necessary to understand response of adzuki bean under different soil moisture conditions. This study investigated characteristics of growths, yields and response degree of water stress from adzuki bean. Three cultivars were selected for this study; Chungju, Hongeon, and Arari. All adzuki beans were cultivated in a paddy field which was divided into three sections with different soil moistures. The paddy field was located in Milyang, Gyeongsangnam during 2016. One section of the paddy field had the greatest average soil moisture content as 35.1% during adzuki bean cultivation (very poor). The second greatest soil moisture section had 32.6% (somewhat poor) and the smallest soil moisture section had 28.9% of soil moisture (somewhat well). During cultivation of three cultivar adzuki beans, soil moisture contents and groundwater levels were monitored. All the characteristics of growth and yield components were measured; height, thickness, 100 seed weights etc. Stress index values were calculated by Stress Day Index (SDI). All cultivars had the greatest yields from somewhat well section. Chungju had the greatest yields throughout all three sections compared to other cultivars. Chungju had 81% greater yield than Hongeon which had the smallest yield from somewhat well section. Arari set in middle from all sections. However there was no significant differences yields from very poor and somewhat poor sections. Leaf SPAD values tended to decrease and stable carbon isotope values increased as soil moisture increased. However, Chungju had no difference across different soil moistures in SPAD and stable carbon isotope values, while Hongeon had the greatest differences across sections. These trends followed by SDI values. Chungju had the smallest SDI values compared to other cultivars, which meant that Chungju was the strongest tolerance against excessive soil moisture than other cultivars. All three cultivars showed severe decrease of yields from very poor and somewhat poor sections. Arari and Hongeon showed great decrease from somewhat well section compared to yields from upland soil. These two cultivars may not be proper cultivating in paddy fields. In conclusion, adzuki bean is very sensitive to soil moisture condition and detailed soil managements are required to obtain optimal yields of adzuki bean from paddy field cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.142-147
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• 2004

Dissipation pattern of tebuconazole was evaluated by establishing application methods of the fungicide, paper-bagging of grape during growth and washing of grape after harvest. Application times increased from three to five resulted in high levels of residues in grape. Tebuconazole in grapes was present in different residual patterns with periods after final treatment ranging from 7 to 25 days. Significant differences in the residual patterns were also found when tebuconazole was treated during three different application periods, possibly due to meteorological condition and/or grape growth during each period. At the range from 2.5 g to 7.5 g of grape granules, residues were higher in small-sized grape than in big-sized grape and were mostly distributed on the peel of the grapes. Paper-bagging was a critical factor for reducing the fungicide residue on the peel. flesh of bagged and no-bagged grape had very low level of residues, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. Residues on grape was effectively eliminated with the washing methods suggested, a consecutive sinking-washing system Using of detergent solution during washing showed maximum residue reduction from grape. The washing methods showed effective action on the removal of lower content providing complete elimination, or almost, of the residues.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.567-572
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• 2004

Background : The effect of PEEP(ed note: Define PEEP.) on the lung volume in patients with auto-PEEP during mechanical ventilation is not even. In patients with an expiratory limitation such as COPD, a PEEP of 85% from an auto-PEEP can be used with minimal increase in the lung volume. However, the application of PEEP to patients without an expiratory flow limitation can result in progressive lung. This study was carried out to evaluate the different PEEP effects on the lung volume according to the different pulmonary diseases. Methods : Sixteen patients who presented with auto-PEEP during mechanical ventilation were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided into 3 groups: asthma, COPD and tuberculosis sequela (patients with severe cicatrical fibrosis as a result of previous tuberculosis and compensatory emphysema). A PEEP of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the auto-PEEP was applied, and the lung volume increments were estimated using the trapped lung volume. Results : In the asthma group, the trapped lung volume was not increased at a PEEP of 25 and 50% of the auto-PEEP. This group showed a significant lung volume increment from a 75% PEEP. In the COPD group, the lung volume was increased only at 100% PEEP. In the tuberculosis sequela group, the lung volume was increased progressively from low PEEP levels. However, a significant increment of the lung volume was noted only at 100% PEEP. Conclusion : The effects of the applied PEEP on the lung volume were different depending on the underlying lung pathology. The level of the applied PEEP >50% of the auto-PEEP might increase the trapped lung volume in patients with asthma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1345-1352
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• 2016

The hindgut of horses is an anaerobic fermentative chamber for a complex and dynamic microbial population, which plays a critical role in health and energy requirements. Research on the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses has not been reported until now as far as we know. Mongolian horse is a major local breed in China. We performed high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes V4 hypervariable regions from gut fecal material to characterize the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and compare them to the microbiota in Thoroughbred horses. Fourteen Mongolian and 19 Thoroughbred horses were used in the study. A total of 593,678 sequence reads were obtained from 33 samples analyzed, which were found to belong to 16 phyla and 75 genera. The bacterial community compositions were similar for the two breeds. Firmicutes (56% in Mongolian horses and 53% in Thoroughbred horses) and Bacteroidetes (33% and 32% respectively) were the most abundant and predominant phyla followed by Spirochaete, Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, and Fibrobacteres. Of these 16 phyla, five (Synergistetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, TM7, and Chloroflexi) were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. At the genus level, Treponema was the most abundant genus (43% in Mongolian horses vs 29% in Thoroughbred horses), followed by Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Anaeroplasma, which were detected in higher distribution proportion in Mongolian horses than in Thoroughbred horses. In contrast, Oscillibacter, Fibrobacter, Methanocorpusculum, and Succinivibrio levels were lower in Mongolian horses. Among 75 genera, 30 genera were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. We found that the environment was one of very important factors that influenced horse gut microbiota. These findings provide novel information about the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and a foundation for future investigations of gut bacterial factors that may influence the development and progression of gastrointestinal disease in horses.