• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.370-378
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting infection control practice by dental hygienist students in Jeju during clinical training amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Online survey was conducted on 112 students and the results were statistically analyzed with frequency analysis, Student's T-test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis using SPSS 20.0. In the 'awareness and practice of infection control by year in college' section, 2nd year students scored significantly higher in 'cleaning and surface disinfection,' 'medical waste disposal,' and 'COVID-19 preventive measure' compared to 3rd year students. In the 'type of training institution' section, hospital setting scored significantly higher in 'cleaning and surface disinfection,' 'instrument disinfection and sterilization,' 'personal and patient protection,' and 'COVID-19 preventive measure' compared to dental clinic setting. In the 'location of institution' section, Seoul metropolitan region scored higher in 'medical waste disposal' compared to Jeju region. According to regression analysis, year in college (2nd year), type of training institution (hospital setting), location of training institution (Seoul metropolitan region), and difficulty using protective gear (no difficulty) were associated with better COVID-19 preventive measure This first study in Jeju provides an insight on the awareness and practice of infection control measures by dental hygienist students in Jeju during clinical training. Further investigation for improvement of clinical training manual is warranted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.671-696
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of individual difference variables on emotional change after indirect trauma among elderly. After Sewolho Accident in South Korea, we invested emotion of the elderly and collected the same variables from the same sample two months after the accident. In study, we examined how social support, depression, future time perspective, and active aging affect emotion of elderly and which emotions are affected by these four variables. As a result, when compared to the counterpart, those with lower perceived social support, future time perspective, and active aging and higher depression level experienced lower levels of positive emotion and higher level of negative emotion after indirect disaster experience. Overall, we could certify that social support, future time perspective, and active aging functioned as protective factors, whereas depression functioned as a risk factor. Implications and limitations for our findings were discussed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.675-695
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• 2023

The tracksite of dinosaurs and pterosaurs in Sanbuk-dong of Gunsan is the largest early Cretaceous dinosaur footprint fossil site in Korea, and all the footprints are important evidence indicating that large ornithopod and theropod dinosaurs inhabited the Korean peninsula during the early Cretaceous. The Sanbuk-dong site was covered with waterproof sheet in an outdoor environment until the installation of a protective enclosure in 2021. As a result, various factors such as shear force, load reduction, temperature and humidity fluctuations, acid rain, salinity and microorganisms have complexly interacted in the substrate of fossils, exacerbating the damage to footprints. For 159 footprints in 12 trackways among the footprints found in the site, the damage types were classified in detail and the level of each damage was assessed. The damages were classified into 6 types through the classification of deterioration degree of individual footprints. As a result of ultrasonic physical property evaluation on the surface of the fossil site, most of these footprints are in the completely weathered (CW) stage. Furthermore, various weathering patterns were observed in the study area, and surface contaminants were analyzed along the stratigraphy. Although the patterns of freshness and contaminants varied at different points within the fossil site, the chemical compositions were similar. Based on the results, an efficient conservation management system for dinosaur footprint fossils was established, and a conservation treatment type for each footprint was proposed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.978-986
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• 2023

Inflammation by the innate immune system is a protective mechanism of the organism against infection-mediated environmental factors. It is also responsible for the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including the progression of cancer. Lichens are receiving increasing attention as a source of bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. Additionally, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer potential of lichen and its secondary metabolites have been widely reported. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, to investigate molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation and anti-cancer activity in the Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, methanol extract of Usnea aurantiaco-atra (MEUS) was used in vitro assays in RAW 264.7 macrophages cell and HCT116 colon cancer cells. Based on our data, MEUS had the anti-inflammatory activity through the modulation of main inflammatory indicators such as COX-2, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that MEUS had cytotoxic activity against HCT116 colon cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, leading to a significantly reduced proliferation of the cancer cells through apoptotic induction by activating caspase-3. Taken together, this work firstly reported the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of an Antarctic lichen, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, and MEUS may provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying a link between inflammation and cancer.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2024

This study aims to provide basic data that can reduce middle-aged office workers' sense of mid-life crisis by investigating whether self-esteem moderates the effect of middle-aged office workers' retirement anxiety on their sense of mid-life crisis through gratitude. The survey subjects were 313 middle-aged office workers aged 40 to 65, and the data was analyzed using SPSS Win. Ver. 25 and SPSS PROCESS macro Ver. 4.1. Descriptive statistical analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and moderated mediation effect analysis were applied. The research results are as follows. First, retirement anxiety showed a negative correlation with gratitude and self-esteem and a positive correlation with midlife crisis sense. Self-esteem played a moderated mediating role in buffering the effect of retirement anxiety on the midlife crisis sense through gratitude. It was confirmed that the gratitude and self- esteem of middle-aged office workers can be used as important variables that can act as protective factors when retirement anxiety increases the sense of mid-life crisis. Based on these results, when middle-aged office workers' anxiety about retirement hurts their sense of mid-life crisis, this study proposed a plan to prevent the sense of mid-life crisis by utilizing gratitude and self-esteem.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.232-243
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• 2024

Purpose: Recently, large-scale forest fires caused by climate change, natural disasters, and human factors have been increasing every year in the East Coast and Taebaek Mountains region. Although forest fire extinguishing using helicopters is currently increasing, the need to introduce air force transport aircraft has continued to be raised due to the importance of early fire extinguishment to respond to large forest fires and the difficulty of extinguishing forest fires between sheep. This study seeks to present a plan for developing a post-fire management system for several aspects - achieving operational objectives, overcoming the operating environment, selecting a staging area, and efficient operation measures - to efficiently perform forest fire extinguishing missions using Air Force transport aircraft. Method: Based on literature research on forest fire extinguishing, forest fire extinguishing experiments using fixed-wing aircraft, and the operation status and operation method of forest fire extinguishing helicopters, the pros and cons of helicopter operation and the effects of large forest fire extinguishing using a large transport aircraft (C-130) Analyze the effectiveness of operation through analysis. Results: When extinguishing a large forest fire, an effective CM (Consequence Management) application plan was derived, including effective operation, control, command system, dispatch request, and forest fire extinguishment when integrating helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft (C-130). Conclusion: The application of the concept of CM (Consequence Management) is partially applied to some areas of chemical, biological, and radiological (CBRNE) protection in Korea, but efficient operation, control, and command systems are established when integrated operation of helicopters and large aircraft (C-130) in forest fire extinguishment. the concept of CM (Consequence Management), which is operated in advanced countries, was applied for safety management, dispatch requests, and forest fire extinguishing, thereby contributing to the establishment of a more advanced disaster and post-disaster management system.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.761-768
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are widely adopted for the palliation of dysphagia in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. An important adverse event is the development of SEMS-induced esophagorespiratory fistulas (SEMS-ERFs). This study aimed to assess the risk factors related to the development of SEMS-ERF after SEMS placement in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: This retrospective study was performed at the Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo. All patients with malignant esophageal strictures who underwent esophageal SEMS placement between 2009 and 2019 were included in the study. Results: Of the 335 patients, 37 (11.0%) developed SEMS-ERF, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Stent flare of 28 mm (hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-5.51; p=0.02) and post-stent chemotherapy (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.01-4.00; p=0.05) were associated with an increased risk of developing SEMS-ERF, while lower-third tumors were a protective factor (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85; p=0.01). No difference was observed in overall survival. Conclusions: The incidence of SEMS-ERFs was 11%, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Post-stent chemotherapy and a 28 mm stent flare were associated with a higher risk of SEMS-ERF.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of injection of garlic, Allium sativum, extract and immersion in garlic juice on the nonspecific immunity and the resistance against the artificial infection of Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The nonspecific immune mechanisms were assessed in terms of lysozyme activity, nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity etc. Relative percent survival (RPS) was assessed by the challenge with S. iniae BS10 or E. tarda KE-1. Almost of the garlic extract injected groups showed the enhanced level of the tested nonspecific immune factors. In the challenge test with S. iniae and E. tarda, RPS of 5% garlic extract pre-injected group was much higher than that of any other tested groups, respectively. Almost of the garlic juice immersion tested groups exhibited strengthened nonspecific immune defence factors, lysozyme activity, the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils, NBT reduction and SOD activity in kidney. In the challenge with S. iniae and E. tarda, RPS in the 0.25 g/L of garlic juice immersed group was much higher than any other tested groups, respectively. The results suggest that the garlic extract and juice would be effective to enhance the nonspecific immunity and protective ability of olive flounder against fish disease such as S. iniae and E. tarda.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.129-147
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• 1997

Radiotherapy is an irreplaceable method of cancer treatment. But it has several side effects, especially damages to the hemopoietic and Immune system. Therefore radioprotectors are required to treat cancer successfully. A lot of Herbs and Herbal prescriptions are reported to have radioprotective effects. Above all, those to support the healthy energy and strengthen the body resistance are found more effective. This study was performed to evaluate the radioprotective effects of prescription Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.), which consists of 16 kinds of herbs. We investigated proliferation of murine splenocytes, secretion of colony-stimulating-factors(CSFs), immunocompetence after irradiation in-vitro, and Endogenous spleen colony assay, survival assay in-vivo. When splenocytes were cultured with Shenrong Fuzheng $Tang(S.F.T.)(500{\mu}g/ml)$, proliferation was enhanced 5.7 times compared to control cultured with medium alone(p<0.05) and, showed highest proliferation at 4th day after incubation. In order to evaluate stimulation of hemopoiesis of Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.), the supernatant of splenocytes cultured with optimal concentration of Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) was used to measure CSFs secretion. The result showed enhanced secretion of colony-stimulating-factors (CSFs) compared to control(p<0.05). To evaluate the protective effect of lymphocytes from irradiation, proliferation of splenocytes stimulated by LPS and ConA after incubation with Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) for 24h Prior to Irradiation$(1{\sim}3\;Gy)$ was measured. The results showed higher proliferation of Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) treated cells than that of non-treated cells. And percentage increases of irradiated splenocytes per non-irradiated splenocytes were also higher in Shenrong Fuzheng Tang (S.F.T.)-treated cells than control. Endogenous spleen colony assay. to evaluate the protection of hemopoietic cells from irradiation, showed increased number of colonies(p=0.03) in Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) treated murine spleen$(10.3{\pm}1.9)$ compared to non-treated murine spleen$(3.4{\pm}0.8)$. Survival time of mice irradiated with lethal dose of ${\gamma}-ray(9Gy)$ was prolonged in Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) treated group prior to irradiation as compared to non-treated group. According to these results we can suggest that prescription Shenrong Fuzheng Tang(S.F.T.) has radioprotective effects and can be used to protect the hemopoietic and immune system from damages of anti-cancer radiotherapy.