• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.371-385
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavone (SIF) and soy lecithin (SL) have beneficial effects on many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Regretfully, there is little evidence to show the combined effects of these soy extractives on the impairment of cognition and abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study examined the optimal combination dose of SIF + SL to provide evidence for improving CBF and protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vivo study, SIF50 + SL40, SIF50 + SL80 and SIF50 + SL160 groups were obtained. Morris water maze, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to detect learning and memory impairment, CBF, and damage to the cerebrovascular tissue in rat. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were detected. The anti-oxidative damage index of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of an animal model was also tested. In vitro study, an immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line (bEND.3 cells) was used to confirm the cerebrovascular endothelial cell protection of SIF + SL. In this study, 50 µM of Gen were used, while the 25, 50, or 100 µM of SL for different incubation times were selected first. The intracellular levels of 8-OHdG, SOD, GSH, and GSSG were also detected in the cells. RESULTS: In vivo study, SIF + SL could increase the target crossing times significantly and shorten the total swimming distance of rats. The CBF in the rats of the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group was enhanced. Pathological changes, such as attenuation of the endothelium in cerebral vessels were much less in the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group. The 8-OHdG was reduced in the SIF50 + SL40 group. The GSSG showed a significant decrease in all SIF + SL pretreatment groups, but the GSH showed an opposite result. SOD was upregulated by SIF + SL pretreatment. Different combinations of Genistein (Gen)+SL, the secondary proof of health benefits found in vivo study, showed they have effective anti-oxidation and less side reaction on protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cell. SIF50 + SL40 in rats experiment and Gen50 + SL25 in cell test were the optimum joint doses on alleviating cognitive impairment and regulating CBF through protecting cerebrovascular tissue by its antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: SIF+SL could significantly prevent cognitive defect induced by β-Amyloid through regulating CBF. This kind of effect might be attributed to its antioxidant activity on protecting cerebral vessels.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.67-76
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• 2006

The reasonable assessment of the shear stiffness of a dredged soft ground and soft clay is difficult due to the soil disturbance. This study addresses the development and application of a new in-situ shear wave measuring apparatus (field velocity probe: FVP), which overcomes several of the limitations of conventional methods. Design concerns of this new apparatus include the disturbance of soils, cross-talking between transducers, electromagnetic coupling between cables, self acoustic insulation, the constant travel distance of S-wave, the rotation of the transducer, directly transmitted wave through a frame from transducer to transducer, and protection of the transducer and the cable. These concerns are effectively eliminated by continuous improvements through performing field and laboratory tests. The shear wave velocity of the FVP is simply calculated, without any inversion process, by using the travel distance and the first arrival time. The developed FVP Is tested in soil up to 30m in depth. The experimental results show that the FVP can produce every detailed shear wave velocity profiles in sand and clay layers. In addition, the shear wave velocity at the tested site correlates well with the cone tip resistance. This study suggests that the FVP may be an effective technique for measuring the shear wave velocity in the field to assess dynamic soil properties in soft ground.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-30
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• 2009

Purpose: In this rapidly aging society, the research and development of traditional oriental medicine treatment is one of the critical factors to protect the increasing neuro-degenerative disorders. In this study, we wanted to verify the effect of Yukul-tang (YUT) on neuro-degenerative disease model by assessing the antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects. Methods: To assess the antioxidant effects of YUT, we carried out DPPH radical and ABTS radical scavenging assays and determined the total polyphenolic contents in YUT. To evaluate the neuro-protective effects of YUT, we performed the MTT and ROS assays and TH immunohistochemistry, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ assays in SH-SY5Y or mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons damaged by 6-OHDA. Results: The treatment of YUT showed eliminating effects on DPPH radical and ABTS radical. it showed deterring effects on ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ and protecting effects on TH-positive cell in SH-SY5Y cells or mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Especially in the case of the treatment of YUT with 0.2ug/mL + 6-OHDA 10uM, the protective effect on dopaminergic neurons was most outstanding. Conclusion: In this study, we have demonstrated that YUT has an antioxidant effect and a neuro-protective effect on neuro-degenerative disease model caused by neurotoxin such as 6-OHDA. The results of our present study suggest that YUT can be useful agent to prevent and to treat neuro-degenerative diseases.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.133-145
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• 2022

Compared to the continuously increasing dog population and industry size in Korea, systematic analysis of related data and research on breed classification methods are very insufficient. In this paper, an automatic breed classification method is proposed using deep learning technology for 14 major dog breeds domestically raised. To do this, dog images are collected for deep learning training and a dataset is built, and a breed classification algorithm is created by performing transfer learning based on VGG-16 and Resnet-34 as backbone networks. In order to check the transfer learning effect of the two models on dog images, we compared the use of pre-trained weights and the experiment of updating the weights. When fine tuning was performed based on VGG-16 backbone network, in the final model, the accuracy of Top 1 was about 89% and that of Top 3 was about 94%, respectively. The domestic dog breed classification method and data construction proposed in this paper have the potential to be used for various application purposes, such as classification of abandoned and lost dog breeds in animal protection centers or utilization in pet-feed industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.247-264
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• 2023

Objectives: The study was to examine the features of three-dimensional(3D) face dimensions and to develop fit test panels for the labor population using respirators in South Korea. Methods: This study was part of the first-year work of a two-year-project conducted at Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute in 2021. After 3D head dimensions data were collected from Size Korea Center managing Sixth Size Korea databases, 3D face dimensions DB for the South Korean labor population was established for 21 items of face dimensions in line with the ISO/TS 16976-2 and KS A ISO 15535. With the South Korean labor population 3D face dimensions DB, in accordance with the ISO/TS 16976-2, the descriptive statistics of 3D face dimensions were calculated and two fit test panels were developed. Results: A total of 2,752 subjects were finally determined and they were 52.9% for male, 41.2% for the highest age-group of 15-29, and residents in the capital area. Mean and standard deviation were obtained for each of the 21 3D face dimensions items for the South Korean labor population. Among the items, male and female face widths were 137.6±5.7 mm, 133.2±5.0 mm, respectively. Male and female face lengths were 116.6±7.0 mm, 107.8±6.8 mm, respectively. Two new South Korean fit test panels, a bivariate test panel and a principal component analysis test panel, were developed using the 3D face dimensions DB as well. Conclusions: Using the 3D face dimensions DB, the mean and standard deviation were featured for each of the 21 items and also the two fit test panels were newly developed in the study. It is suggested that the study outputs should be utilized practically and effectively in selection, use, and management of respirators at work, expecting that respiratory protection can be furthermore improved for respirator users including labor population across the country.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.355-364
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Pre-harvest interval and decline pattern of thiamethoxam were determined in kiwifruit using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The study was carried out to propose import tolerance using OECD maximum residue limit (MRL) calculator for the export promotion of kiwifruit to Taiwan. METHODS AND RESULTS: The thiamethoxam residue in kiwifruit was determined by using the LC-TriQ-MS/MS with the analytical process to set up the import tolerance under greenhouse conditions for Taiwan. Excellent linearity was observed for all of the analytes with a determination coefficient (R²)≥0.99. The limit of quantification was determined to be 0.01 mg/kg for both thiamethoxam and clothianidin in kiwifruit. Linearity was determined from the co-efficient of determinants (R²) obtained from the seven-point calibration curve. The standard calibration curve showed as follows; 1) Site 1 (Gimje): y = 944,406X + 1,583 (R²=0.9995), 2) Site 2 (Goheung): y = 1,356,205X + 934 (R²=0.9983), and 3) Site 3 (Jangheung): y = 1,239,937X - 3,090 (R²=0.9908). The residue of thiamethoxam in the kiwifruit for three decline trials showed the range of 0.35 to 0.56 mg/kg in site 1 (Gimje), 0.24 to 0.55 mg/kg in site 2 (Goheung), and 0.28 to 0.42 mg/kg in site 3 (Jangheung), respectively. However, clothianidin was not detected in all of the treatments. The maximum residual amounts (decline) in the samples, sprayed according to the safe-use standard for thiamethoxam 10% WG in kiwifruit (30 days before harvest, 3 sprays every 7 days) were 0.56 mg/kg in site 1, 0.55 mg/kg in site 2, and 0.42 mg/kg in site 3, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): The import tolerance (IT) of thiamethoxam for kiwifruit may be proposed to be 0.9 mg/kg by using the OECD MRL calculator.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1479-1488
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• 2022

Objective: This work was to determine coat inheritance and evaluate production performance for crossbred pigs from Berkshire×Chenghua (BC) compared with Chinese indigenous Chenghua (CH) pigs. Methods: The coat color phenotypes were recorded for more than 16,000 pigs, and the genotypes of melanocortin 1 receptor (MCIR) gene were identified by sequencing. The reproductive performance of 927 crossbred BC F4 gilts and 320 purebred CH gilts was recorded. Sixty pigs of each breed were randomly selected at approximately 60 days of age to determine growth performance during fattening period, which lasted for 150 days for BC pigs and 240 days for CH pigs. At the end of the fattening period, 30 pigs of each breed were slaughtered to determine carcass composition and meat quality. Results: The coat color of BC pigs exhibits a "dominant black" hereditary pattern, and all piglets derived from boars or sows genotyped E^D1 E^D1 homozygous for MC1R gene showed a uniform black coat phenotype. The BC F4 gilts displayed a good reproductive performance, showing a higher litter and tear size and were heavier at farrowing litter and at weaning litter than the CH gilts, but they reached puberty later than the CH gilts. BC F4 pigs exhibited improved growth and carcass characteristics with a higher average daily live weight gain, lower feed-to-gain ratio, and higher carcass lean meat rate than CH pigs. Like CH pigs, BC F4 pigs produced superior meat-quality characteristics, showing ideal pH and meat-color values, high intramuscular fat content and water-holding capacity, and acceptable muscle-fiber parameters. C18:1, C16:0, C18:0, and C18:2 were the main fatty acids in M. longissimus lumborum in the two breeds, and a remarkably high polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio of ~0.39 was observed in the BC F4 pigs. Conclusion: The BC F4 pigs exhibit a uniform black coat pattern and acceptable total production performance.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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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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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.755-765
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• 2023

Background: Caveolin-1, the scaffolding protein of cholesterol-rich invaginations, plays an important role in store-operated Ca²⁺ influx and its phosphorylation at Tyr14 (p-caveolin-1) is vital to mobilize protection against myocardial ischemia (MI) injury. SOCE, comprising STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1, contributes to intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) accumulation in cardiomyocytes. The purified extract of steamed Panax ginseng (EPG) attenuated [Ca²⁺]_i overload against MI injury. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of EPG affecting p-caveolin-1 to further mediate SOCE/[Ca²⁺]_i against MI injury in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and a rat model. Methods: PP2, an inhibitor of p-caveolin-1, was used. Cell viability, [Ca²⁺]_i concentration were analyzed in cardiomyocytes. In rats, myocardial infarct size, pathological damages, apoptosis and cardiac fibrosis were evaluated, p-caveolin-1 and STIM1 were detected by immunofluorescence, and the levels of caveolin-1, STIM1, ORAI1 and TRPC1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. And, release of LDH, cTnI and BNP was measured. Results: EPG, ginsenosides accounting for 57.96%, suppressed release of LDH, cTnI and BNP, and protected cardiomyocytes by inhibiting Ca²⁺ influx. And, EPG significantly relieved myocardial infarct size, cardiac apoptosis, fibrosis, and ultrastructure abnormality. Moreover, EPG negatively regulated SOCE via increasing p-caveolin-1 protein, decreasing ORAI1 mRNA and protein levels of ORAI1, TRPC1 and STIM1. More importantly, inhibition of the p-caveolin-1 significantly suppressed all of the above cardioprotection of EPG. Conclusions: Caveolin-1 phosphorylation is involved in the protective effects of EPG against MI injury via increasing p-caveolin-1 to negatively regulate SOCE/[Ca²⁺]_i.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 2023

The nodular diaphragm wall (NDW) is a novel type of foundation with favorable engineering characteristics, which has already been utilized in high-rise buildings and high-speed railways. Compared to traditional diaphragm walls, the NDW offers significantly improved vertical bearing capacity due to the presence of nodular parts while reducing construction time and excavation work. Despite its potential, research on the vertical bearing characteristics of NDW requires further study, and the investigation and visualization of its displacement pattern and failure mode are scant. Meanwhile, the measurement of the force component acting on the nodular parts remains challenging. In this paper, the vertical bearing characteristics of NDW are studied in detail through the indoor model test, and the displacement and failure mode of the foundation is analyzed using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology. The principles and methods for monitoring the force acting on the nodular parts are described in detail. The research results show that the nodular part plays an essential role in the bearing capacity of the NDW, and its maximum load-bearing ratio can reach 30.92%. The existence of the bottom nodular part contributes more to the bearing capacity of the foundation compared to the middle nodular part, and the use of both middle and bottom nodular parts increases the bearing capacity of the foundation by about 9~12% compared to a single nodular part of the NDW. The increase in the number of nodular parts cannot produce a simple superposition effect on the resistance born by the nodular parts since the nodular parts have an insignificant influence on the exertion and distribution of the skin friction of NDW. The existence of the nodular part changes the displacement field of the soil around NDW and increases the displacement influence range of the foundation to a certain extent. For NDWs with three different nodal arrangements, the failure modes of the foundations appear to be local shear failures. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the performance and behavior of NDWs, which will aid in their effective utilization and further research in the field.