• 예술인문사회 융합 멀티미디어 논문지
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2017

이 연구는 북한이탈주민지원정책의 변천과정에 따라 북한이탈주민을 위한 비영리단체의 등장배경을 살펴보고 비영리단체의 특성과 역할에서 나타나는 문제점을 파악하는 것이다. 1990년대부터 북한이탈주민의 증가와 함께 다문화사회의 진입으로 인한 국내사회환경변화 등 다양한 환경요인으로 민간단체들이 급증하였다. 하지만, 단체의 제도적 형식조차 갖추지 않은 단체도 있으며 사업목적과 다른 활동을 하는 경우도 있었다. 또한 서울 거주 북한이탈주민 전체의 수는 25.5%에 비해 북한이탈주민관련단체는 서울지역에만 83%를 차지하고 있다 보니 성향이 비슷한 일부 단체들의 과도한 영역경쟁으로 불법과 편법의 온상으로 변질된다는 목소리가 높을 수밖에 없다. 단체의 유형에서는 실질적으로 북한이탈주민에게 필요한 취업이나, 미래의 주역이 될 청소년의 통일의식함양을 위한 통일교육 분야는 미미하게 성장하고 있었으며 이러한 결과는 단체라는 활동은 사회의 한 구성원으로 권리와 책임의식을 가져야 하며 또한 문제 개선을 위한 정부의 실질적인 노력도 필요하다는 것을 보여주고 있다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.534-542
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1, a bioactive component of Ginseng, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective effects. It is known that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Recently, Rg1 has been shown to reverse liver fibrosis by suppressing EMT, although the mechanism of Rg1-mediated anti-fibrosis effects is still largely unclear. Interestingly, Smad7, a negative regulator of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway, is often methylated during liver fibrosis. Whether Smad7 methylation plays a vital role in the effects of Rg1 on liver fibrosis remains unclear. Methods: Anti-fibrosis effects were examined after Rg1 processing in vivo and in vitro. Smad7 expression, Smad7 methylation, and microRNA-152 (miR-152) levels were also analyzed. Results: Rg1 significantly reduced the liver fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride, and reduced collagen deposition was also observed. Rg1 also contributed to the suppression of collagenation and HSC reproduction in vitro. Rg1 caused EMT inactivation, reducing Desmin and increasing E-cadherin levels. Notably, the effect of Rg1 on HSC activation was mediated by the TGF-β pathway. Rg1 induced Smad7 expression and demethylation. The over-expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) blocked the Rg1-mediated inhibition of Smad7 methylation, and miR-152 targeted DNMT1. Further experiments suggested that Rg1 repressed Smad7 methylation via miR-152-mediated DNMT1 inhibition. MiR-152 inhibition reversed the Rg1-induced promotion of Smad7 expression and demethylation. In addition, miR-152 silencing led to the inhibition of the Rg1-induced EMT inactivation. Conclusion: Rg1 inhibits HSC activation by epigenetically modulating Smad7 expression and at least by partly inhibiting EMT.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.717-734
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify preschool children's eating behaviors associated with early childhood obesity and its multi-level, socio-ecological determinants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 364 mothers of preschool children aged 3-5 years, these children's healthy eating behaviors were assessed using a validated preschool nutrition quotient (NQ-P) questionnaire. The children's overweight or obesity statuses were determined based on body mass index percentiles from the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart. The associations between the NQ-P score and risk of overweight or obesity were examined using multivariable logistic regression. The associations of individual, maternal, physical, and media environmental factors with the NQ-P score were also examined using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Preschool children with greater NQ-P scores were at a significantly lower risk of overweight or obesity (P < 0.01). The NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with maternal body mass index and an inverse association with household income (all P < 0.05). Maternal parenting and feeding practices exhibited associations with the NQ-P score. Positive associations were observed with "warm," "structured," and "autonomy-supportive" parenting as well as monitoring feeding practices (all P < 0.05). In addition, the NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with the childcare center's anti-obesogenic environment, such as the provision of nutritional and physical-activity support and vicinity of the built food environment to the home, including access to good-quality food, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat foods (all P < 0.05). Regarding media environments, the NQ-P score demonstrated more significant associations with viewing and eating and/or cooking content displayed on online video platforms (all P < 0.05) than with that on television. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the significance of healthy eating behaviors in early-childhood-obesity prevention and underscore the importance of multilevel maternal, physical, and media environmental interventions that effectively guide eating behaviors in preschool children.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.73.1-73.16
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• 2023

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is considered a global threat to both human health and the poultry industry. MicroRNAs (miRNA) can modulate the immune system by affecting gene expression patterns in HPAIV-infected chickens. Objectives: To gain further insights into the role of miRNAs in immune responses against H5N1 infection, as well as the development of strategies for breeding disease-resistant chickens, we characterized miRNA expression patterns in tracheal tissues from H5N1-infected Ri chickens. Methods: miRNAs expression was analyzed from two H5N1-infected Ri chicken lines using small RNA sequencing. The target genes of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were predicted using miRDB. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were then conducted. Furthermore, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we validated the expression levels of DE miRNAs (miR-22-3p, miR-146b-3p, miR27b-3p, miR-128-3p, miR-2188-5p, miR-451, miR-205a, miR-203a, miR-21-3p, and miR-200a3p) from all comparisons and their immune-related target genes. Results: A total of 53 miRNAs were significantly expressed in the infection samples of the resistant compared to the susceptible line. Network analyses between the DE miRNAs and target genes revealed that DE miRNAs may regulate the expression of target genes involved in the transforming growth factor-beta, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, all of which are related to influenza A virus progression. Conclusions: Collectively, our results provided novel insights into the miRNA expression patterns of tracheal tissues from H5N1-infected Ri chickens. More importantly, our findings offer insights into the relationship between miRNA and immune-related target genes and the role of miRNA in HPAIV infections in chickens.

• 대한원격탐사학회지
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• 제39권6_3호
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• pp.1679-1692
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• 2023

대한민국은 인구 증가와 산업 발전의 결과로 많은 양의 오염물질을 배출하는 국가이자, 지리적 위치로 인해 월경성 대기오염의 심각한 영향을 받는 국가이다. 국내외에서 발생하는 오염물질이 대한민국의 대기오염에 큰 피해를 야기하는 상황에서, 대기 오염물질 배출원의 위치 정보는 대기 중 오염물질의 이동 및 분포를 파악하고, 국가 차원의 대기오염 관리 및 대응 전략을 수립하는 데 매우 중요하다. 본 연구는 이러한 배경을 바탕으로, 고해상도 광학위성 영상과 딥러닝 기반의 영상 분할 모델을 활용하여 대기오염 현황을 분석하는 데 필수적인 국내외 대기오염물질 배출원의 공간 정보를 효과적으로 획득하는 것을 목표로 수행되었다. 특히, 월경성 대기오염에 크게 기여하는 것으로 평가된 산업단지와 채석장을 주요 연구 대상으로 선정하였으며, 이들 영역에 대한 다목적실용위성 3호 및 3A호의 영상들을 수집하여 전처리한 후, 모델 학습을 위한 입력 및 라벨 데이터로 변환하였다. 해당 데이터를 활용하여 U-Net 모델을 학습시킨 결과, 전체 정확도는 0.8484, mean Intersection over Union (mIoU)은 0.6490을 달성하였다. 모델의 예측 결과 맵은 코스 어노테이션(Course Annotation) 방식으로 제작된 라벨 데이터보다 객체의 경계를 더욱 정확하게 추출하는 것으로 나타나, 데이터 처리 및 모델 학습 방법론의 유효성을 입증하였다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.743-754
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• 2023

Background: Myocardial fibrosis post-myocardial infarction (MI) can induce maladaptive cardiac remodeling as well as heart failure. Although 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has been applied to cardiovascular diseases, its efficacy and specific molecular mechanism in myocardial fibrosis are largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to explore whether TGFBR1 signaling was involved in Rg3's anti-fibrotic effect post-MI. Methods: Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation-induced MI mice and TGF-β1-stimulated primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were adopted. Echocardiography, hematoxlin-eosin and Masson staining, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry, CCK8 and Edu were used to study the effects of Rg3 on myocardial fibrosis and TGFBR1 signaling. The combination mechanism of Rg3 and TGFBR1 was explored by surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). Moreover, myocardial Tgfbr1-deficient mice and TGFBR1 adenovirus were adopted to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of Rg3. Results: In vivo experiments, Rg3 ameliorated myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy and enhanced cardiac function. Rg3-TGFBR1 had the 1.78×10^-7 M equilibrium dissociation constant based on SPRi analysis, and Rg3 inhibited the activation of TGFBR1/Smads signaling dose-dependently. Cardiac-specific Tgfbr1 knockdown abolished Rg3's protection against myocardial fibrosis post-MI. In addition, Rg3 downregulated the TGF-β1-mediated CFs growth together with collagen production in vitro through TGFBR1 signaling. Moreover, TGFBR1 adenovirus partially blocked the inhibitory effect of Rg3. Conclusion: Rg3 improves myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function through suppressing CFs proliferation along with collagen deposition by inactivation of TGFBR1 pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.31-39
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, a primary bioactive component of red ginseng, has anti-cancer effects. However, the effects of Rg3-enriched ginseng extract (Rg3RGE) on apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the anti-tumor effects of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells stimulated CoCl₂, a mimetic of the chronic hypoxic response, and determined the operative mechanisms of action. Methods: The inhibitory mechanisms of Rg3RGE on breast cancer cells, such as apoptosis, autophagy and ROS levels, were detected both in vitro. To determine the anti-cancer effects of Rg3RGE in vivo, the cancer xenograft model was used. Results: Rg3RGE suppressed CoCl₂-induced spheroid formation and cell viability in 3D culture of breast cancer cells. Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by increasing cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP and decreasing Bcl2 under the hypoxia mimetic conditions. Further, we identified that Rg3RGE promoted apoptosis by inhibiting lysosomal degradation of autophagosome contents in CoCl₂-induced autophagy. We further identified that Rg3RGE-induced apoptotic cell death and autophagy inhibition was mediated by increased intracellular ROS levels. Similarly, in the in vivo xenograft model, Rg3RGE induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation and autophagy. Conclusion: Rg3RGE-stimulated ROS production promotes apoptosis and inhibits protective autophagy under hypoxic conditions. Autophagosome accumulation is critical to the apoptotic effects of Rg3RGE. The in vivo findings also demonstrate that Rg3RGE inhibits breast cancer cell growth, suggesting that Rg3RGE has potential as potential as a putative breast cancer therapeutic.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제87권1호
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• pp.65-79
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• 2024

Background: Exhaled condensates contain inflammatory biomarkers; however, their roles in the clinical field have been under-investigated. Methods: We prospectively enrolled subjects admitted to pulmonology clinics. We collected exhaled breath condensates (EBC) and analysed the levels of six and 12 biomarkers using conventional and multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Among the 123 subjects, healthy controls constituted the largest group (81 participants; 65.9%), followed by the preserved ratio impaired spirometry group (21 patients; 17.1%) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) group (21 patients; 17.1%). In COPD patients, platelet derived growth factor-AA exhibited strong positive correlations with COPD assessment test (ρ=0.5926, p=0.0423) and COPD-specific version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) score (total, ρ=0.6725, p=0.0166; activity, ρ=0.7176, p=0.0086; and impacts, ρ=0.6151, p=0.0333). Granzyme B showed strong positive correlations with SGRQ-C score (symptoms, ρ=0.6078, p=0.0360; and impacts, ρ=0.6007, p=0.0389). Interleukin 6 exhibited a strong positive correlation with SGRQ-C score (activity, ρ=0.4671, p=0.0378). The absolute serum eosinophil and basophil counts showed positive correlations with pro-collagen I alpha 1 (ρ=0.6735, p=0.0164 and ρ=0.6295, p=0.0283, respectively). In healthy subjects, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity demonstrated significant correlation with CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (ρ=0.3897 and p=0.0068). FEV₁ exhibited significant correlation with CCL11/eotaxin (ρ=0.4445 and p=0.0017). Conclusion: Inflammatory biomarkers in EBC might be useful to predict quality of life concerning respiratory symptoms and serologic markers. Further studies are needed.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.52-65
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the origins of myofibroblasts in renal interstitial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviating EMT has been proved, but the concrete mechanism is unclear. To explore the mechanism, serum-free MSCs conditioned medium (SF-MSCs-CM) was used to treat rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which ameliorated EMT. Methods and Results: Galectin-3 knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) lentiviral vectors were established and transfected into NRK-52E. NRK-52E fibrosis model was induced by TGF-β1 and treated with the SF-MSCs-CM for 24 h after modelling. Fibrosis and autophagy related indexes were detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. In model group, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), Galectin-3, Snail, Kim-1, and the ratios of P-Akt/Akt, P-GSK3β/GSK3β, P-PI3K/PI3K, P-mTOR/mTOR, TIMP1/MMP9, and LC3B-II/I were obviously increased, and E-Cadherin (E-cad) and P62 decreased significantly compared with control group. SF-MSCs-CM showed an opposite trend after treatment compared with model group. Whether in Gal-3 KD or Gal-3 OE NRK-52E cells, SF-MSCs-CM also showed similar trends. However, the effects of anti-fibrosis and enhanced autophagy in Gal-3 KD cells were more obvious than those in Gal-3 OE cells. Conclusions: SF-MSCs-CM probably alleviated the EMT via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Meanwhile, Gal-3 KD possibly enhanced autophagy via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which synergistically ameliorated renal fibrosis. Targeting galectin-3 may be a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제57권4호
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• pp.336-344
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• 2004

연구배경 : 폐암에 대한 거의 대부분의 면역 치료는 실패하였는데, 이는 폐암 자체에 존재하는 면역 억제 기전을 극복하지 못한데 기인하는 것으로 판단된다. Uteroglobin (UG, CCSP)은 항염증 등의 활성을 보인다. 방 법 : A549에 Ad-UG을 처리하고, 상층액의 $PGE_2$ 농도를 측정하였다. RPMI 1640, A549 배양액과 UG 혹은 COX-2 억제제인 NS-398을 처리 후 얻은 폐암세포주 상층액으로 PBMC를 배양 후 Th 1 type cytokines과 Th 2 type cytokines의 농도를 측정하였다. 결 과 : $PGE_2$는 UG이 발현되는 세포주에서 감소하였다. 폐암 세포 배양 배지로 키운 면역 세포의 cytokines가 증가하는 양상을 보였으나, UG등을 처리한 비소세포 폐암주의 배양액은 PBMC의 면역 반응을 정상적으로 유도하였다. 결 론 : 비소세포폐암주 배양액은 PBMC의 면역 반응을 비정상적으로 유도하지만, UG은 $PGE_2$의 분비를 억제함으로써, PBMC의 면역 반응을 강화시킨다.