• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.7-23
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• 2024

Previous studies have highlighted the linguistic divergence between North and South Korean varieties. Although acoustic differences between North and South Korean in vowel production have been prominently observed, the vowel production in the standard varieties of Pyongyang North Korean (NK) and Seoul South Korean (SK) has had limited investigation. This study aims to explore the phonetic differences in vowel production between NK and SK speakers across two speech styles: careful and conversational speech. We analyzed a total of 13,370 vowels from each of 22 younger NK and SK speakers (16 females and 6 males in each group). Our findings reveal significant differences in the production of the vowels [æ], [ʌ], and [o] between the two varieties. Specifically, NK speakers maintained a distinction in height between the [e]-[æ] pair, a contrast that was not observed among SK speakers. Additionally, in NK, the [ʌ]-[o] pair showed considerable overlap (vowel merger) in both height and backness dimensions. These results shed light on the phonetic divergence between NK and SK varieties, offering insights into the acoustic features of NK vowel production. In further study, this understanding is crucial for supporting adaptation of NK refugees from the perspective of second dialect acquisition in South Korea.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.843-847
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• 2007

Strain NK34 was characterized for probiotic use. Strain NK34 was named Lactococcus lactis NK34 based on API 50 CHL kit results and 16S rDNA sequencing. L. lactis NK34 was highly resistant to artificial gastric juice (pH 2.5) and artificial bile acid. Based on results from the API ZYM kit, 4 enzymes were produced. L. lactis NK34 was resistant to all antibiotics tested except for $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ roxithromycin and $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ erythromycin. The cholesterol-lowering effect of L. lactis NK34 was about 46.9%. Concentrations of interleukin $(IL)-1{\alpha}$ in the $20{\times}$ concentrated supernatant of L. lactis NK34 was about 361 pg/mL. L. lactis NK34 was also found to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells due to MNNG-induced DNA damage. These results demonstrate the potential of L. lactis NK34 as a health-promoting probiotic.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1266-1270
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• 2003

The advance of the immunobiology clarifies the nature of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL). In addition the proceed in the immunophenotyping renders the classification of NHL. According to the Revised European American Lymphoma(REAL) classification, classified by the etiologic factors, molecular biological characteristics, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and histologic feature, nasal T/NK-cell lymphoma(=angiocentric lymphoma) belongs to the category of peripheral T-cell and natural killer cell lymphoma. Nasal T/NK-cell lymphoma is a distinct clinicopathologic entity characterized by progressive necrotic lesions in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and palate. The cellular origin of this tumor has been controversial. Although most nasal T/NK-cell lymphomas are of NK-cell lineage, being CD56+, negative for surface CD3(Leu4), and unassociated with rearrangements of the T-cell receptor genes, other minor variants have been reported. This lymphoma is a rare disease and usually experienced in adult. Recently, we experienced a rare type lymphoma, nasal T/NK-cell lymphoma, in 14 years old boy. His soft mass occupied the right nasal cavity including the nasal septum and turbinate. Pathologically this nasal mass showed the infiltration into the vascular wall, illustrating angiodestructive lesion. The cellular origin was NK-cell lineage, being CD56+ and negative to CD3. Now, we report the case with a brief review of related literatures.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2002

Some studies report that electroacupuncture(EA) boost natural killer cell(NK cell) activity. And also it is well known that hypothalamus is deeply related to effects of EA on analgesia. Some reports said that especially lateral hypothalamic area(LHA) is related to splenic NK cell activity. In order to investigate the relation between hypothalamus and effects of EA at ST36 point on NK cell activity of Spraque-Dawley rats. Lesions were made bilaterally at lateral hypothalamic area(LHA). And NK cytotoxities of normal and lesioned rats were measured with 51Cr release immunoassay after EA stimulation for 2 and 14 days. NK cell activity of EA group was significantly higher than sham group at 2nd, 14th day in normal rats. And LHA lesions abolished effects of EA on NK cell activity at 2nd day. But LHA lesions did not affect the effects of EA at 14th days. We also had an evidence that the decrease of NK cell activity was almost recoverd at 14th day. These results strongly suggest that LHA is deeply related to increase of NK cell activity induced by EA.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.407-418
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• 2012

Many displaced North Koreans (NK) are living in South Korea (SK); however nutrition research with the displaced NK is limited. This study examined food and nutrient consumption status of displaced NK children (6-18 year-old) currently living in SK. A total of 154 children were recruited, and a pre-tested dietary behavior questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire, 24-hr recall method were used. Sex- and age-matched SK children (n = 462) randomly selected from 2009-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used as the comparison group. This study found that more NK children skipped breakfast (37%) and dinner (11%), and ate breakfast (38.8%) and dinner (18.2%) without family members than SK children. Many NK children reported that they rarely ate bread, rice cake, hamburger, pizza, fried food, candy. NK children consumed significantly less energy and nutrients (except calcium) and obtained more energy from fat and protein than SK children. Overall index of nutrient quality in NK children, however, was generally good. Length of stay in SK and breakfast skipping rates were significantly associated with lower diet quality. Therefore, nutrition education with displaced NK children should target those who recently came to SK. How to incorporate "new" foods, generally high in energy, sugar, or fat, in healthy ways and importance of breakfast should be emphasized. The growth patterns of the displaced NK children who were born and raised in food-deprived environments and will grow in food-affluent environments of SK should be monitored for health promotion of the NK children and for nutrition policy of the future united Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.864-874
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cell dysfunctions against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a hypoxic environment. Many solid tumors are present in a hypoxic condition, which changes the effector function of various immune cells. The transcription of hypoxic-inducible factors (HIFs) in cancer cells make it possible to adapt to their hypoxic environment and to escape the immune surveillance of NK cells. Recently, the correlation between the transcription of HIF-1α and pro-inflammatory cytokines has been reported. Interleukin (IL)-6 is higher in cancers with a highly invasive ability, and is closely related to the metastasis of cancers. This study showed that the expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells was associated with the presence of IL-6 in the environment of HCC-NK cells. Blocking of IL-6 by antibody in the HCC-NK interaction changed the production of several cytokines including TGF-β, IL-1, IL-18 and IL-21. Interestingly, in a co-culture of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells, blocking of IL-6 increased the production of IL-21 in their supernatants. In addition, the absence of IL-6 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic ability and the expression of the activating receptors (NKG2D, NKp44, and NKG2C) in NK cells to HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells. These effects might be made by the decreased expression of HIF-1α in HCC cells through the inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3. In conclusion, the absence of IL-6 in the interaction of HIF-1α-expressed HCC cells and NK cells could enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells to HCC cells.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.600-606
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• 2012

A Bacillus sp. that produces fibrinolytic enzyme was isolated from Cheonggukjang, a traditional Korean soybean-fermented food. According to 16S rRNA gene base sequencing, the bacillus was identified as a variety of Bacillus subtilis, and named Bacillus subtilis IDCC 9204. Fibrinolytic enzyme NK-IL9204 was stable up to $60^{\circ}C$ and within pH range of 5-10. Purified NK-IL9204 was detected through fibrin zymography. The molecular weight and isoelectric point of the enzyme were estimated to be 27.7 kDa and 6.7 by SDS-PAGE and 2D electrophoresis, respectively. Its amino acid sequence was similar to that of nattokinase (identities 99.5%) and different from that of nattokinase BPN (identities 86.4%). The plasma fibrinolytic activity of NK-IL9204 was measured by euglobulin clot lysis times (ECLT). The NK-IL9204 was orally administered to SD rats for 3 weeks (1,000 FU/rat/day). The ECLT was significantly shortened by supplementation of NK-IL9204.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.233-238
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• 2002

Moxibustion is one of major healing technique in oriental medicine. It has been widely used in many diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto disease, breech presentation, etc. However, till now, effects of moxibustion on NK cell activity and relations between sympathetic nerve system(SNS) and the immune alteration induced by moxibustion were not well studied. This study was designed to evaluate effects of moxibustion on NK cell activity and the intervention of SNS in the alteration of NK cell activity induced by moxibustion. Splenic NK cytotoxity was measured in a standard 4-h 51Cr release assay. We measured the NK cytotoxity at after moxibustion stimulation for 1,3,5, and 7 days, and also measured the NK cell cytotoxity after 3 and 7 days burn stimulation with similar temperature. IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ in serum were measured by rat IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ ELISA TEST KIT. To evaluate the effects of sympathectomy on alteration of NK cell cytotoxity, 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA : 5Omg/kg) was used. We showed that NK cell activity of moxibustion stimulation group increased at the 3rd day, and declined at 7th day in comparison with that of contol group. In moxibustion stimulation group, NK cell activity of 3 day stimulation group was significantly higher than sham group. On the contrary, in burn stimulation group, NK cell activity was significantly higher than that of sham groups at 3rd, 7th days. Patterns between moxibustion and burns were different. INF- γ level of 3 days moxibustion stimulation group significantly higher than sham group. IL 2 level among groups were not different. IL-4 was not detected in serum with this method. Sympathectomy abolished the NK cell activity alteration induced by moxibustion. The results suggest that moxibustion induces the alteration of NK cell activity, along with INF-γ and SNS is related to these effects.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.168-176
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• 2013

In the last few years major progress has been made in better understanding the role of natural killer (NK) cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This includes multiple pathways by which HCV impairs or limits NK cells activation. Based on current genetic and functional data, a picture is emerging where only a rapid and strong NK cell response early on during infection which results in strong T cell responses and possible subsequent clearance, whereas chronic HCV infection is associated with dysfunctional or biased NK cells phenotypes. The hallmark of this NK cell dysfunction is persistent activation promoting ongoing hepatitis and hepatocyte damage, while being unable to clear HCV due to impaired IFN-${\gamma}$ responses. Furthermore, some data suggests certain chronically activated subsets that are $NKp46^{high}$ may be particularly active against hepatic stellate cells, a key player in hepatic fibrogenesis. Finally, the role of NK cells during HCV therapy, HCV recurrence after liver transplant and hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed.

• MALSORI
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• no.65
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

This study explored the perception of transplanted Korean prosody by NE (Native speakers of English) and NK (Native speakers of Korean) listeners. The Korean utterances of various sentence types produced by NE and NK were employed to transplant the original Korean prosody contours to the Korean utterances read by NE. Then, other NE and NK were instructed to rate the transplanted prosodic components. Results showed that the interactions between the two rater groups with the three factors (e.g., transplantation types & rater groups, sentence types & rater groups, sentence length & rater groups) turned out to be meaningful. Both rater groups preferred the combined effect of transplanted prosodic components (e.g. DP, DPI) to that of individual transplantation (e.g. I, D, P). Compared to NK, NE were more sensitive to duration change than pitch change whereas NK showed equal preference to the both. In sentence types such as De, Ex, Im, and Ta, NE perceived higher similarity than NK.