• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.500-509
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• 2022

Purpose: We compared the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children and adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) and organic abdominal pain disorders (ORGDs). Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional, observational study. The PedsQL 4.0 generic cores scales parent proxy-report was administered to parents/caregivers of 130 and 56 pediatric patients with FAPDs and ORGDs respectively on their first visit. The self-reported pain intensity in the patients was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and facial affective scale (FAS). Results: Irritable bowel syndrome was the most prevalent FAPDs, and the most prevalent ORGDs were reflux esophagitis (41.1%) and gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori (21.4%). There was no difference in HRQOL among patients diagnosed with ORGDs and FAPDs (p>0.05). Patients with ORGDs and FAPDs had lower HRQOL Scale scores than healthy Brazilian and American children's references, with a high proportion of children at risk for impaired HRQOL (p<0.0001). There was no difference in the VAS and the FAS scores between the ORGDs and the FAPDs. FAPDs had a higher prevalence of girls' and couples' disagreement (p<0.02), although poor school performance (p<0.0007) and bullying (p<0.01) were higher in patients with ORGD. Conclusion: This study revealed that there was a difference in impaired HRQOL between patients with ORGDs and FAPDs. Thus, considering the high prevalence of chronic abdominal pain in children, a well-founded treatment plan is necessary for a multidisciplinary cognitive-behavioral Pain management program.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.183-191
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• 2024

Accurate seismic vulnerability assessment requires high quality and large amounts of ground motion data. Ground motion data generated from time series contains not only the seismic waves but also the background noise. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the high-pass cut-off frequency to reduce the background noise. Traditional methods for determining the high-pass filter frequency are based on human inspection, such as comparing the noise and the signal Fourier Amplitude Spectrum (FAS), f² trend line fitting, and inspection of the displacement curve after filtering. However, these methods are subject to human error and unsuitable for automating the process. This study used a deep learning approach to determine the high-pass filter frequency. We used the Mel-spectrogram for feature extraction and mixup technique to overcome the lack of data. We selected convolutional neural network (CNN) models such as ResNet, DenseNet, and EfficientNet for transfer learning. Additionally, we chose ViT and DeiT for transformer-based models. The results showed that ResNet had the highest performance with R² (the coefficient of determination) at 0.977 and the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) and RMSE (root mean square error) at 0.006 and 0.074, respectively. When applied to a seismic event and compared to the traditional methods, the determination of the high-pass filter frequency through the deep learning method showed a difference of 0.1 Hz, which demonstrates that it can be used as a replacement for traditional methods. We anticipate that this study will pave the way for automating ground motion processing, which could be applied to the system to handle large amounts of data efficiently.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.510-517
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the antiobesity effect of supercritical fluid extracts (SFC) and marc methanol extracts (SFM) from Cinnamomum verum in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In inducing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of an adipogenic cocktail, iso-butylmethylanthine (IBMX), dexamathasone, and insulin, treatment with fraction residue SFC and SFM. SFC significantly reduced the mRNA expression of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activate-dreceptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), the sterol regulatory-element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c), and the CCAAT enhancer-binding-protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, SFC markedly down-regulated acyl-CoA synthetase-1 (ASC1), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), fatty acid transport-1 (FATP1), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), and perilipin. These findings suggest that SFC may be a potential therapeutic adjunct for obesity by targeting the differentiation of preadipocytes, as well as their functions.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Seakso 1, a maize hybrid, was developed in 2008 by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Korea and registered in 2011. It is single-cross hybrid, semi-flint, deep-purple variety of corn, variety of are yellow, while the husks and cobs are purple. Due to the sensitivity of Seakso 1 to excess moisture after seeding, water supply should be carefully managed, and it should be harvested at a suitable time to obtain the highest anthocyanin content. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Saekso 1 corn husk and cob extracts (EHCS) in oleic acid-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells. EHCS showed a high level of lipid accumulation inhibiting effect. EHCS also suppressed triglyceride accumulation and inhibited expression of lipid marker genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a). Analysis by western blot of the expression of p-AMPK, p-SREBP1, PPARα, and FAS proteins showed that the incidence of SREBP1 protein, a major factor involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, has decreased significantly after treatment with the extracts. Moreover, the protein-induced expression of FAS, a major enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathways of fatty acids, was decreased significantly in all concentrations. These results suggest that EHCS is a potent agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2017

This study is to investigate experimentally the effect of refining of fly ash (FA) on the engineering properties of the cement mortar. Five different FAs are used including raw fly ash, refined fly ash, reject ash and their two different combinations. The cement mortars are fabricated with 1:1(binder to fine aggregate), 1 : 3 and 1 : 5 respectively, which are replaced 30% of FA by cement. Test results, indicated that, the flow of Ra showed lower flowability than Rf at all mixing ratios. Also in the case of Rj, it was expected to show low fluidity, but it showed flowability equal to or higher than Rf. Air contents are all formulations except Rf and Rj did not satisfy the target range. Using Ra, the refining process shows an air amount about 41% lower than Rf, in the case of Rj, it showed about 19% higher air content than Rf due to porous foreign matters inside the mortar. Compressive strength was in the early days 3 and 7, the strength was lower than that of Plain's OPC, after 28 days Rf exerts higher strength than other FAs, it was confirmed that higher strength than OPC can be secured at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 and 1: 3. For frost resistance, the use of unrefined FA resulted in decrease of frost resistance sharply due to loss of air content by the use of unrefined FA. Therefore, it is considered that the use of high quality FA through refining process will contribute positively to the economical formulation of concrete and the stability of the structure.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2006

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 has the ability to inhale certain metals and chemical compounds and exhale these materials in an altered state; as a result, this microorganism has been widely applied in bioremediation protocols. However, the relevant characteristics of cell growth and biosynthesis of PuFAs have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, we have attempted to characterize the growth and fatty acid profiles of S. oneidensis MR-1 under a variety of temperature conditions. The fastest growth of S. oneidensis MR-1 was observed at $30^{\circ}C$, with a specific growth rate and doubling time of $0.6885h^{-1}\;and\;1.007 h$. The maximum cell mass of this microorganism was elicited at a temperature of $4^{\circ}C$. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) synthesis of S. oneidensis MR-1 was evaluated under these different culture temperatures. S. oneidensis MR-1 was found not to synthesize EPA at temperatures in excess of $30^{\circ}C$, but was shown to synthesize EPA at temperatures below $30^{\circ}C$. The EPA content was found to increase with decreases in temperature. We then evaluated the EPA biosynthetic pathway, using a phylogenetic tree predicted on 16s rRNA sequences, and the homology of ORFs between S. oneidensis MR-1 and Shewanella putrefaciens SCRC-2738, which is known to harbor a polyketide synthase (PKS)-like module. The phylogenetic tree revealed that MR-1 was very closely related to both Moritella sp., which is known to synthesize DHA via a PKS-like pathway, and S. putrefaciens, which has been reported to synthesize EPA via an identical pathway. The homology between the PKS-like module of S. putrefaciens SCRC-2738 and the entire genome of S. oneidensis MR-1 was also analyzed, in order to mine the genes associated with the PKS-like pathway in S. oneidensis MR-1. A putative PKS-like module for EPA biosynthesis was verified by this analysis, and was also corroborated by the experimental finding that S. oneidensis MR-1 was able to synthesize EPA without the expression of $dihomo-{\gamma}-linoleic$ acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) formed during EPA synthesis via the FAS pathway.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.19-36
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• 2022

Objectives This study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Imyo-san (IMS) on the obese mice model induced by high-fat diet. Methods Antioxidative capacity was measured by in vitro method. C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=7). Normal group was fed general diet (Normal). The other 4 groups were fed high fat diet (HFD) with water (Control), with Garcinia gummi-gutta (GG, Garcinia gummi-gutta 200 mg/kg), with low-dose IMS (IMSL, Imyo-san 0.54 g/kg) and with high-dose IMS (IMSH, Imyo-san 1.08 g/kg). Results IMS showed high radical scavenging activity. After 6 week experiment, body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio (FER), epididymal fat and liver weight, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p-ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), SREBP-2, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), phospho-liver kinase B1 (p-LKB1), phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛼 (PPAR𝛼), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛾 coactivator-1𝛼 (PGC-1𝛼), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT-1A), and histology of liver and epididymal fat were measured and analysed. Body weight gain, FER, liver and epididymal fat weight of IMS groups were significantly decreased. There were significant improvements in blood lipids with less TG, TC, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and more HDL-cholesterol. Proteins associated with lipid synthesis (SREBP-1, p-ACC, FAS, SCD-1) and cholesterol (SREBP-2, HMGCR) was improved. Factors regulating lipid synthesis and lipid catabolism (p-LKBI, p-AMPK, PPARα, PGC-1α, UCP-2, CPT-1A) were increased. In histological examinations, IMS group had smaller fat droplets than control group. All results increased depending on concentration. Conclusions It can be suggested that IMS has anti-obesity effects with improving lipid metabolism.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.187-194
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• 2024

In this study, we examined the effects of Rubus crataegifolius leaf on the inhibition of differentiation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to confirm their potential for use as an anti-obesity functional material. Rubus crataegifolius leaves water extracted using hot water were then concentrated for use, with an extract yield of 4.76%. The result of measuring the rate of 3T3-L1 cell survival of Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract (RCLE) showed growth inhibition of 13% at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. Thus, in this study, experiments were performed using RCLE treatment concentrations up to 500 ㎍/mL. Production of triglycedie in 3T3-L1 cells showed a dose-dependent decrease, and the rate of reduction was 28.7, 40.8, and 51.6% at concentrations of 100, 300, and 500 ㎍/mL, respectively, compared to the control group. In addition, the results confirmed that suppression of lipogenesis was achieved by suppressing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBP α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and increasing the expression of p-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK). Based on these results, it is believed that Rubus crataegifolius leaf extract can be used in the effort to manage obesity by regulating factors related to adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2012

To analyze nucleotide sequence encoding internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions specific to the Laminariaceae family, genomic DNA was isolated from six brown algae species distributed along the east coast of Korea. These included three species from the Laminariaceae family (Agarum clathratum Dumortier, Costaria costata [C. Agardh] Saunders, and Saccharina japonica Areschoug) and two species from the Alariaceae family (Undaria pinnatifida [Harvey] Suringer and Ecklonia cava Kjellman), both in the order Laminariales, and one species from the family Sargassaceae in the order Fucales (Sargassum serratifolium). Based on a sequence analysis of ITS-1 and ITS-2 for A. clathratum, C. costata, and E. cava, oligonucleotides were designed from the regions that showed sequence conservation in Laminariaceae. Following polymerase chain reaction using three sets of primers, amplification of ITS-1 and ITS-2 was detected in reactions using genomic DNA isolated from the species belonging to Laminariaceae, but not from the species belonging to the other families. The results indicate that this method can be used for the detection and identification of Laminariaceae species.