• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.194-207
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• 2021

It is necessary to assess and manage the different elements of the marine ecosystem, such as climate change, habitat, primary and secondary production, energy flow, food web, potential yield, and fishing, to maintain the health of the ecosystem as well as support sustainable development of fishery. We set up an ecosystem model around the Korean peninsula to produce scientific predictions necessary for the assessment and management of marine ecosystems and presented the usability of the model with scenario experiments. We used the Atlantis ecosystem model based on the marine food web; Atlantis is a three-dimensional end-to-end model that includes the information and processes within an entire system, from an abiotic environment to human activity. We input the ecological and biological parameters, such as growth, mortality, spawning, recruitment, and migration, to the Atlantis model via functional groups using existing research and local measurements. During the simulation period (2018-2019), we confirmed that the model reproduced the observed data reasonably and reflected the actual ecosystem characteristics appropriately. We thus identified the usability of a marine ecosystem model with experiments on different environmental change scenarios.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2022

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of hospital-acquired and antibiotic-mediated intestinal diseases and is a growing global public health concern. Overuse of antibiotics and their effect on normal intestinal flora has increased the incidence and severity of infections. Thus, the development of new, effective, and safe treatment options is a high priority. Here, we report a new probiotic strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA PMC-80), and its in vitro/in vivo anti-C. difficile effect as a prospective novel candidate for replacing conventional antibiotics. BA PMC-80 showed a significant anti-C. difficile effect in coculture assay, and its cell-free supernatant (CFS) also exhibited a considerable anti-C. difficile effect with an 89.06 ㎍/ml 50% minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in broth microdilution assay. The CFS was stable and equally functional under different pHs, heat, and proteinase treatments. It also exhibited a high sensitivity against current antibiotics and no toxicity in subchronic toxicity testing in hamsters. Finally, BA PMC-80 showed a moderate effect in a hamster CDI model with reduced infection severity and delayed death. However, further studies are required to optimize the treatment condition of the hamster CDI model for better efficacy and identify the antimicrobial compound produced by BA PMC-80.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in joint position sense (JPS), force sense (FS), and performance level of the upper extremities according to the injury and pain experiences of Korean elite archers. Methods: A total of 15 subjects were briefed about the purpose of this study and agreed to participate voluntarily. JPS was evaluated using the laser-point attached to the wrist while aiming at the target. The difference when relocating while aiming was used as JPS factor. FS was evaluated using load cell through reproduces same muscle strength. Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) was used to evaluate psychosocial factors, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic overhead athlete scores (KJOC) and numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain. and performance was evaluated by tournament match score. Results: There is a strong correlation between the current pain and KJOC. Moreover, moderate correlation between KJOC and FABQ also current pain and both upper trapezius and lower trapezius in elite archers. The mean (SD) between groups based on current pain display relatively large margin in force sense than without pain group. The result presents that there is a significant difference in performance and pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper and lower trapezius and pain. Conclusions: Result present there is a significant difference in functional level in the average comparison between groups according to the presence of absence of current pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper trapezius as well as lower trapezius and without pain group present a relatively low joint position sense error compared to the groups.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2022

Objective: This case study reports the effects of treating a gastric cancer patient who had undergone gastrectomy with Korean medicine. Methods: After gastrectomy, a 77-year-old female patient received acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine (Banhabaekchulchunma-tang, Banhahubak-tang), and moxibustion for one month. Results: After treatment, changes were observed in the patient's numeric rating scale (from 7 to 2); visual analog scale (from 8.7 to 2.6); Short Form-36 Health Survey scores (physical from 20 to 48 and mental from 14 to 53); Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life results (from 84 to 41); and Korean Nepean Dyspepsia Index (from 63 to 32). Conclusion: Korean medical treatment for dyspepsia following gastrectomy is worthy of further research.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to identify the effect of pressure biofeedback applied in various postures that allow the application of abdominal drawing-in. Design: A cross sectional study. Methods: The study intended to compare changes in the thickness of abdominal muscles between different postures when abdominal drawing-in was performed using a pressure biofeedback unit in five postures and to compare differences in terms of measures such as the transverse abdominis's preferential activation ratio(PAR). Data measured from 30 healthy individuals were used for data analysis. A paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare the thickness of each abdominal muscle. Results: The transverse abdominis's and internal oblique's thickness showed statistically significant differences in all postures when abdominal drawing-in (p<0.05). In the comparison between the postures, statistically significant differences were observed between the positions of hook-lying and wall support standing and between supine and wall support standing and between hook-lying and sitting (p<0.05). In terms of the transverse abdominis's PAR in each posture, statistically significant differences were observed between hook-lying and quadruped, hook-lying and sitting, hook-lying and wall support standing, quadruped and supine, sitting and supine, as well as wall support standing and supine (p<0.05). Conclusions: When abdominal drawing-in using pressure biofeedback unit is performed for stabilization exercises, selecting and applying specific postures according to targeted muscles and the subject's functional ability will help provide a more efficient and accurate intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.218-223
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of an insole applied for the flexible flat-foot condition on dynamic balance and ankle muscle activities during the Y-balance test (YBT). Methods: Thirteen flexible flat-footed adults and an equal number of normal-footed adults were enrolled. The dynamic balance of the subjects was measured using the YBT, which is a reach test. While they were reaching forward with their foot, the percentage maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial and lateral gastrocnemius were measured and analyzed. The flat-footed group then applied the ready-made insoles and underwent the YBT again. A comparison of the distance and muscle activity was conducted using YBT, not only between the flat-footed and control group, but also between the flat-footed group before and after the application of the insole. Results: Between the groups, the anterior reach distance in the flat-footed group was significantly lower, but there were no significant differences observed in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions. With the insole, the reach distance of the flat-footed group was significantly increased in the anterior and posterolateral direction compared to the control group. With the insole, the lateral gastrocnemius activity significantly decreased compared to trials without the insole in the flat-footed group, but there were no significant differences in the other muscles. Conclusion: The insole for flat-footed subjects can maintain the medial arch of the foot, and it may help enhance functional and mechanical dynamic balance in people with flat feet.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.938-948
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• 2022

Gastric cancers (GC) are generally malignant tumors, occurring with high incidence and threatening public health around the world. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in modulating various cancers, including GC. However, the functions of circRNAs and their regulatory mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown. This study focuses on both the role of circCOL1A2 in CRC progression as well as its downstream molecular mechanism. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot were adopted for gene expression analysis. Functional experiments were performed to study the biological functions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and subcellular fraction assays were employed to detect the subcellular distribution. Luciferase reporter, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), RNA pull-down, and immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Our results found circCOL1A2 to be not only upregulated in GC cells, but that it also propels the migration and invasion of GC cells. CircCOL1A2 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sequestering microRNA-1286 (miR-1286) to modulate ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10), which in turn spurs the migration and invasion of GC cells by regulating RFC2. In sum, CircCOL1A2 sponges miR-1286 to promote cell invasion and migration of GC by elevating the expression of USP10 to downregulate the level of RFC2 ubiquitination. Our study offers a potential novel target for the early diagnosis and treatment of GC.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.250-262
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• 2022

Purpose: Elevated iodine intake is related to a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). We investigated the short-term effect of dietary iodine restriction on thyroid function in patients with SCH with high iodine intakes. Methods: The iodine levels in 64 SCH patients with serum TSH levels from 4.0 to 10.0 mIU/L and normal serum fT4 levels (n = 64) were assessed using 24-hour urine iodine test results and iodine intake levels calculated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary iodine restriction was not recommended for patients with an iodine intake in the normal range (group A, n = 13), but seaweed restriction was recommended for patients with high iodine intakes (group B, n = 33). Thyroid functions and iodine levels were rechecked after three months. Another eighteen patients were prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy according to clinical criteria. Results: Median baseline iodine intake for the 64 patients was 290.61 ㎍/day, and median 24-hour urine iodine was 33.65 µmol/g of creatinine. The major source of dietary iodine was seaweed, which accounted for 72.2% of median baseline intake. Urine iodine and calculated iodine intake levels were positively correlated with serum TSH levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.027, respectively), and calculated iodine intakes were significantly correlated with urine iodine levels (p = 0.001). In group B, iodine restriction significantly decreased urine iodine (p = 0.042) and TSH levels (p = 0.004), and conversion to euthyroid status was achieved in 16 of the 33 patients (48.5%). Conclusion: Iodine intake and urine iodine levels are correlated with thyroid function in SCH patients, and dietary iodine restriction can aid functional thyroid recovery in patients with elevated iodine intakes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.510-519
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• 2021

The pathological impact of haze upon the phyllosphere microbiota awaits investigation. A moderate degree of haze environment and a clean control were selected in Chengdu, China. Artemisia argyi, a ubiquitously distributed and extensively applied Chinese herb, was also chosen for experiment. Total genome DNA was extracted from leaf samples, and for metagenome sequencing, an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform was applied. The results showed that the gene numbers of phyllosphere microbiota derived from haze leaves were lower than those of the clean control. The phyllosphere microbiota derived from both haze and clean groups shared the same top ten phyla; the abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes and Anorthococcuso of the haze group were substantially increased, while Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes decreased. At the genus level, the abundances of Nocardia, Paracoccus, Marmoricola and Knoelia from haze leaves were markedly increased, while the yeasts were statistically decreased. KEGG retrieval demonstrated that the functional genes were most annotated to metabolism. An interesting find of this work is that the phyllosphere microbiota responsible for the synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites in A. argyi were significantly increased under a haze environment. Relatively enriched genes annotated by eggNOG belong to replication, recombination and repair, and genes classified into the glycoside hydrolase and glycosyltransferase enzymes were significantly increased. In summary, we found that both structure and function of phyllosphere microbiota are globally impacted by haze, while primary and secondary metabolites responsible for haze tolerance were considerably increased. These results suggest an adaptive strategy of plants for tolerating and confronting haze damage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Purpose : This study was conducted to assess the status of sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome in the Korean elderly population over 65 years of age by applying the recently updated screening tool for diagnostic evaluation of sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome. Methods : Sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome (LS) were diagnosed and evaluated in 210 Korean elderly people over 65 years of age. There were 36 patients in the "sarcopenia group", 164 in the "locomotive syndrome group", and 10 in the "normal group". The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results : The diagnostic evaluation of sarcopenia and LS showed the presence of sarcopenia in 9.05 % of males and 8.10% females among the Korean elderly population over 65 years of age. Prevalence of stage 1 locomotive syndrome (LS 1) was 95.24 %; stage 2, (LS 2) 36.19 %; and stage 3 (LS 3), 16.19 % among the study population. Both the sarcopenia diagnostic indicator and the LS evaluation indicators showed significant differences between the three groups. All the subjects in the sarcopenia group had LS; further, on comparison of the detailed composition ratio of each patient with LS, the prevalence of LS in the sarcopenia group was found to be: LS 1 41.67 %, LS 2 41.67 %, and LS 3 16.67 %, whereas in the LS group, it was found to be: LS 1 66.46 %, LS 2 16.46 %, and LS 3 17.07 %. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion : It was confirmed that sarcopenia is correlated with LS incidence. This suggests that the evaluation of motor LS can be used as a tool for the early diagnosis and prevention of sarcopenia in cases of functional decline due to aging in the elderly population.