• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.329-352
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• 2017

Since the late 2000s Korean foreign direct investors in North Korea and China border regions have gone through the closure of outward processing trade(OPT) networks and changes in their location due to UN security council resolution and Korean independent sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile tests. However, the introduction of new Chinese OPT policy has led to the invigoration of domestic market-based OPT networks towards North Korea. The main aim of this paper is to identify the exceptional characteristics of Dandong in Liaoning province, a North Korea and China border region by analyzing OPT networks towards North Korea. Fundamentally the establishment of OPT networks towards North Korea is likely to be based on the utilization of a plenty of low wages in North Korea. The main reasons for this are fallen into two perspectives: geo-economics and geo-politics. The first perspective is geo-economics centering on the consolidation of economic exchange between North Korea and China, and North Korean economic development. For example, the introduction of Chinese OPT in border region has enabled Chinese local firms based on domestic market to access a plenty of low wage in North Korea in formal and institutional contexts. The second is geo-politics for the stability of North Korean regime based on the means of geo-economics. As the invigoration of domestic market-based OPT networks might make North Korea possible promoting foreign money earning, it enable North Korea to be sustainable as a buffering region between capitalist and socialist regime for China. It shows Chinese geo-strategic attempts to deal with the economic and regime stability of North Korean as a buffering state. In other words, OPT networks in North Korea should be concerned with the discourse practice of geo-economics and geo-politics which might lead to various and contingent spatial economies in border region. As a consequence, North Korea and China border regions could defined as a space in which is applicable to exceptional institutions and policies, and an exploitative space in which create surplus and rents by utilizing a plenty of low wages in North Korea through OPT networks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1035-1043
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• 2014

To investigate the effect of dietary Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASPS) on growth performance, immunity, blood parameters and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in immunologically challenged piglets, an experiment employing $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement concerning dietary ASPS treatment (0 or 800 mg/kg) and immunological challenge (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] or saline injection) was conducted with 64 crossbred piglets (weaned at 28 d of age, average initial body weight of $7.25{\pm}0.21kg$) assigned to two dietary ASPS treatments with 8 replicates of 4 pigs each. Half of the piglets of per dietary treatment were injected with LPS or saline on d 14. Blood samples were obtained at 3 h after immunological injection on d 14 and piglets were slaughtered to obtain spleen samples on d 21. Dietary ASPS did not affect average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.634), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.655), and gain:feed (p = 0.814) prior to LPS challenge. After LPS challenge, for LPS-challenged pigs those fed ASPS had higher ADG and ADFI than the non-supplemented group (p<0.05), and an interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was observed on the two indices (p<0.05). Dietary ASPS improved lymphocyte proliferation among saline-injected and LPS-injected pigs (p<0.05). Interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was also revealed on lymphocyte proliferation (p<0.05). Circulatory concentration of IgG was influenced neither by ASPS (p = 0.803) or LPS (p = 0.692), nor their interaction (p = 0.289). Plasma concentration and spleen mRNA expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were induced to increase (p<0.05) by LPS challenge, in contrast, these indices were decreased by dietary ASPS (p<0.05), and interactions were found on these cytokines (p<0.05). For LPS-challenged pigs, dietary ASPS also reduced the circulating concentration and spleen mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 as well as TNF-${\alpha}$ (p<0.05). The interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was also observed on the circulating concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I, ${\alpha}$-acid glycoprotein (${\alpha}$-AGP), nonesterified fatty acid, and glucose (p<0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that dietary ASPS can modulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines during immunological challenge, which might enable piglets to achieve better growth performance.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4449-4454
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• 2014

Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been considered as a risk factor for many cancers. We conducted this meta-analysis to clarify the association between H. pylori infection and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Methods: We searched the Medicine/Pubmed and Embase databases, studies about the association between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer published up to Jan.2014 were included. Finally, a total of 9 studies were used for this a meta-analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of H. pylori infection on pancreatic cancer with respect to control groups were evaluated. Two authors independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted data. This meta-analysis was conducted using software, state (version 12.0) to investigate heterogeneity among individual studies and to summarize the studies. Using the fixed-effects or random-effects model, depending on the absence or presence of significant heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of each individual study on the pooled ORs by omitting a single study each time. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot, using Egger's and Begg's tests. Results: There was no significant association between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer risk in the summary ORs,(OR=1.06, 95%CI: 0.74-1.37) through the random-effect method, but heterogeneity among studies was significant ($I^2$=58.9%), so we put the studies into two subgraphs (eastern and western). The results about western (OR=1.14 95%CI:0.89, 1.40) showed heterogeneity among the western countries of $I^2$=6.6%, with no significant association between Hp+ and pancreatic cancer, but the eastern countries (OR=0.62, 95%CI:0.49, 0.76), $I^2$=0, suggested that decreasing pancreas-cancer risk in subjects with Hp+ infection. Simultaneously, 7 studies examined CagA+ strains was (OR=0.84 95%CI:0.63, 1.04), $I^2$=36% with the random-effect method, subgraphs indicated that CagA+ could decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer in the eastern subjects (OR=0.66, 95%CI:0.52-0.80), but the association was not statistically significant in the western subjects (OR=0.95, 95%CI:0.73, 1.16). Conclusion: Hp+ and CagA+ infection are associated with a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer in eastern populations but have no significant associations in western countries.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.307-330
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• 2017

This paper attempts to elaborate on features of cross-border interaction conducted on Dan-dong, the main city of China-North Korea trade. Through the deep interview with some trader or firms and also questionnaire survey, this paper can reveal the supremacy of informal or non-market mechanism in the cross-border trade and inter-firm linkages, and also trader and firm's rent-seeking behaviour. These features show the uniqueness of border regime between China and North Korea. Even though it is getting more porous than before, I argue that China keeps the stance toward quite controlled borderland. As the proof of this argument, I show that main tenet of China's bordland policies is the borderland stability rather than the development. The striking one is the 'Prosperous Borders, Wealthy Minorities Program(??富民行???)'. In spite of the program's title, its utmost purpose is to secure the 'borderland stability and territorial integrity' rather than to enhance the border's openness and borderland's development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, anthocyanins have been reported to have various biological activities. Furthermore, anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) ameliorated insulin resistance and reduced diabetes-associated mesanginal fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting that it may have benefits for the prevention of diabetes and diabetes complications. In this study, we determined the anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin component of PCE by HPLC-ESI-MS and investigated its anti-diabetic activity and mechanisms using C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into four groups: diabetic control group (DC), 10 or 50 mg/kg PCE (PCE 10 or PCE 50), or 10 mg/kg pinitol (pinitol 10) and treated with drugs once per day for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured every week. At the end of treatment, we measured several diabetic parameters. RESULTS: Compared to the DC group, Fasting blood glucose levels were 68% lower in PCE 50 group and 51% lower in the pinitol 10 group. Furthermore, the PCE 50 group showed 2-fold increased C-peptide and adiponectin levels and 20% decreased HbA1c levels, than in the DC group. In pancreatic islets morphology, the PCE- or pinitol-treated mice showed significant prevention of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell damage and higher insulin content. Microarray analyses results indicating that gene and protein expressions associated with glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism in liver and fat tissues. In addition, purple corn extract increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pase) genes in liver, and also increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that PCE exerted anti-diabetic effects through protection of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells, increase of insulin secretion and AMPK activation in the liver of C57BL/KsJ db/db mice.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.627-637
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• 2010

The consumption of tomato has greatly increased recently in Korea, and a large number of tomato cultivars are commercially available in the market. However, identification of tomato cultivars by morphological traits is extremely difficult because of the narrow genetic diversity of breeding lines. Therefore, it is necessary to develop molecular markers for cultivar identification in tomato. In this study, we surveyed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and developed SNP marker sets for tomato cultivar identification. SNP markers were developed based on conserved ortholog set II (COSII) and intron-based markers derived from pepper EST sequences, and marker polymorphism was tested using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. A total of 628 primer sets was tested, and 417 primer sets amplifying single bands were selected. Of the 417 primer sets, 70 primer sets showing HRM polymorphism among 4 inbred lines were selected. Eleven markers were selected from the 70 primer sets and subjected to cultivar identification analysis. Thirty two commercial tomato cultivars were successfully identified using the marker set.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.7-23
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• 2019

Smart cities are expanding their spatial scope to urban areas and regions. Linking regional economic development strategies beyond the borders with smart city planning can lead to cooperation and economic development between regions and countries as well. The purpose of this study is to suggest cooperation and regional development of the three nations - Korea, North Korea and China - through the Yellow Sea Rim Smart Region. To this end, smart city strategies and economic development plan with implementation status in the three countries including special economic zones have analyzed that could be the spatial basis of the smart region. On the west coast of Korea facing the Yellow Sea, lots of projects related to smart cities are actively underway in Saemangeum, Yellow Sea Free Economic Zone(YESFEZ), and Incheon Free Economic Zone(IFEZ). Although the political situation is still uncertain, North Korea is analyzed to have economic and technical potential in the west coast connecting Haeju, Nampo, and Sinuiju. In Liaoning and Shandong provinces of China, smart city projects have been actively promoted in recent years especially in the state-supporting industrial cities. Restoration of economic cooperation between South Korea and China, linkage of transportation networks, vitalization of cross-border cooperation projects between China and North Korea centered on Dandong and Sinuiju, and the connecting of smart city infrastructure and services for China and South Korea's economic cooperation process will make the Yellow Sea Rim as a world prosperous economic region. However, it is necessary to establish and operate a governance system through long-term planning for transnational consultation and establishment of a promotion organization.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10021-10025
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• 2014

Background: The study aimed to describe the age distribution of breast cancer diagnosis among Chinese females for comparison with the United States and the European Union, and provide evidence for the screening target population in China. Materials and Methods: Median age was estimated from hospital databases from 7 tertiary hospitals in China. Population-based data in China, United States and European Union was extracted from the National Central Cancer Registry, SEER program and GLOBOCAN 2008, respectively. Age-standardized distribution of breast cancer at diagnosis in the 3 areas was estimated based on the World Standard Population 2000. Results: The median age of breast cancer at diagnosis was around 50 in China, nearly 10 years earlier than United States and European Union. The diagnosis age in China did not vary between subgroups of calendar year, region and pathological characteristics. With adjustment for population structure, median age of breast cancer at diagnosis was 50~54 in China, but 55~59 in United States and European Union. Conclusions: The median diagnosis age of female breast cancer is much earlier in China than in the United States and the European Union pointing to racial differences in genetics and lifestyle. Screening programs should start at an earlier age for Chinese women and age disparities between Chinese and Western women warrant further studies.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.411-423
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• 2017

The spacial potential source contribution function (PSCF) method was utilized by considering topography and height of back trajectories based on the measurement of organic typo matter (OM), $NO_3{^-}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ at the Baegryungdo Super Site ($37^{\circ}57^{\prime}N$, $124^{\circ}37^{\prime}E$, 135 m a.s.l. (above sea level)) for three selected periods (i.e., January~April, May~August, and September~December) in 2013. The PSCF were calculated on the contributions of trans-boundary transport to the hourly mean concentrations using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). The cluster analysis using back trajectories was performed to identify the major airflows to the sampling site. The upper atmosphere in the Tianjin area of China and the lower atmosphere in the western coast area of Korea can be the major source of trans-boundary pollution to the sampling site during January~April resulted from PSCF. The area in Lianyungang-city and Liaoning-sheng, China can be responsibile for the nitrogen related secondary compounds during May~August, and Shandong Peninsula in China is the major source area during September~December. In addition, relationships between the cluster analysis of back trajectories and PSCF were investigated for the statistically significance level for the source areas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.347-350
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• 2013

The aim of the present study was to determine whether allogeneic red blood cell transfusions showed a deleterious effect and what might be preoperative risk factors for blood transfusion in patients with TNM stage II colon cancer. Total 470 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected for a further 10-year follow-up study. We found that there were statistical significance between non-transfused and transfused group in mortality (P=0.018), local recurrence (P=0.000) and distant metastasis (P=0.040). Local recurrence and distant metastasis between 1 to 3 units and more than 3 units group did not show any significant differences. There was no difference in survival rate between non-transfused and 1 to 3 units group (log rank=0.031, P=0.860). The difference between different blood transfusion volume in transfused patients was found (78.77% vs 63.83%, P=0.006). Meanwhile, the significant difference of survival rate was existed between non-transfused group and more than 3 units group (84.83% vs 63.83%, P=0.002 ). Univariate analysis showed the following 3 variables to be associated with an increased risk of allogeneic blood transfusions: preoperative CEA level (P<0.05), location of tumor (P<0.01) and diameter of tumor (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that location of tumor and diameter of tumor are two independent factors for requirement of perioperative transfusions. Therefore, allogeneic transfusion increase the postoperative tumor mortality, local recurrence and distant metastasis in patients with stage II colon cancer. The postoperative tumor mortality, local recurrence and distant metastasis were not associated with the blood transfusion volume. The blood transfusion volume was associated with the survival rate. Location of tumor and diameter of tumor were the independent preoperative risk factors for blood transfusion.