• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2022

Background: Because the etiologies of bronchiectasis and related diseases vary significantly among different regions and ethnicities, this study aimed to develop a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea. Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to develop expert consensus statements on a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis in South Korea. Initial statements proposed by a core panel, based on international bronchiectasis guidelines, were discussed in an online meeting and two email surveys by a panel of experts (≥70% agreement). Results: The study involved 21 expert participants, and 30 statements regarding a diagnostic bundle for bronchiectasis were classified as recommended, conditional, or not recommended. The consensus statements of the expert panel were as follows: A standardized diagnostic bundle is useful in clinical practice; diagnostic tests for specific diseases, including immunodeficiency and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, are necessary when clinically suspected; initial diagnostic tests, including sputum microbiology and spirometry, are essential in all patients with bronchiectasis, and patients suspected with rare causes such as primary ciliary dyskinesia should be referred to specialized centers. Conclusion: Based on this Delphi survey, expert consensus statements were generated including specific diagnostic, laboratory, microbiological, and pulmonary function tests required to manage patients with bronchiectasis in South Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1028-1036
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• 2021

Firefly luciferase (FLuc) can function as an efficient marker in the gene and viral therapies. Nonetheless, its clinical translation has been unaccomplished with the concerns on its exogenous nature and the similarity with human fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. In this study, we aimed to show safety of FLuc by conducting a set of preclinical experiments and a human use. Initially, FLuc permeability across the plasma membrane was investigated by delivering the FLuc-carrying viral vector, OTS-412, or the FLuc recombinant protein. After in vitro infection of OTS-412 into different cancer cell lines, FLuc activity was detected only in the cell lysates, but not in culture media. In addition, recombinant FLuc protein further showed the impermeability against the plasma membrane. Similar result was also observed in the in vivo experiment. After being injected into the VX2 tumor-bearing rabbit, the FLuc exclusively resided within the tumor tissue without being detected in the blood plasma or other organs. Human cancer cell lines originated from various organs were lysed and treated to the FLuc, and none of the human substrates was reactive against the FLuc. As a final step, FLuc recombinant protein was intravenously injected into a human. The luciferase was degraded with the half-life of 20 to 30 minutes in blood, and was untraceable from 1.5 hr after the injection. In addition, the blood plasma was nonresponsive against the fatty acids. Hematological analysis was also comparable between the pre- and post-injection. Altogether, our study collectively demonstrates the safety of the firefly luciferase.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.987-994
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• 2021

Our previous studies have reported that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from the larvae of white-spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. This study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of protaetiamycine 9 (CVLKKAYFLTNLKLRG-NH₂), a novel AMP, derived from P. b. seulensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Protaetiamycine 9 (25, 50, 75, and 100 ㎍/ml) did not cause cytotoxic effects against RAW264.7 cells. The RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) for 1 hr and then exposed to LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 hr. Protaetiamycine 9 treatments decreased the LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), in a dose-dependent manner. Protaetiamycine 9 (25-100 ㎍/ml) effectively downregulated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA and the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which are involved in the production of inflammatory mediators. Protaetiamycine 9 also suppressed the production and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, compared to the presence of LPS alone. Furthermore, protaetiamycine 9 inhibited the degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. In conclusion, these results suggest that protaetiamycine 9 exhibits LPS-mediated inflammatory responses by blocking IκB-α degradation and MAPK phosphorylation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.865-871
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• 2022

Tenebrio molitor larvae is well known as edible insect. Then, although it has been widely studied that Tenebrio molitor larvae has various bioactive functions such as antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, and anticancer. Nevertheless, antioxidant effects of Tenebrio molitor larvae water extract (TMH) has not been well described in Adult Retina Pigment Epithelial cell line (ARPE-19). In this study, we demonstrated that antioxidant effects of TMH against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in ARPE-19. Thus, we selected for our studies and performed a series of dose-response assay to determine the working concentration that lead to a consistent and high degree of cytotoxicity, which we defined as the level of H₂O₂ that killed 40% of the ARPE-19 cells. ARPE-19 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of TMH (0.1 up to 2 mg/ml) before exposure to 300 µM H₂O₂. As we expected, TMH effectively prevented ARPE-19 cells from 300 µM H₂O₂-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, TMH inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Overall, the inhibitory effects of TMH on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress were associated with the protection cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, and HO-1. The TMH suppressed H₂O₂-induced cell membrane leakage and oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells. Thus, these results suggest that the TMH plays an important role in antioxidant effect in ARPE-19.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.115-122
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• 2012

Objectives : This study evaluated activities and ingredient contents concerning extracts according to extraction solvents of Insampaedok-san (IS, Renshen bai du-san). Methods : The herbal constituents of IS were extracted with water and 70% ethanol at $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr. Using the HPLC system, the six ingredient contents of different solvent extracts of IS were analyzed. The nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and proinflammatory cytokines were measured in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and regulated on activation normal T-cell expression and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) production were measured in HaCaT and BEAS-2B cells stimulated tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$). The activities of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and leptin level were measured in 3T3-L1 cells. Results : The calibration curves showed good linearity ($r^2$=1.0000) for different concentration ranges. The contents of liquiritin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperirin and glycyrrizin in 70% ethanol extracts of IS were relatively higher than that of water extract, however the content of ferulic acid in 70% ethanol and water extract of IS were similar. The extraction solvents of water and 70% ethanol were evaluated inhibitory effect on the production of NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. Their extractions were inhibitory effect on production of MDC/CCL22 and RANTES/CCL5 in HaCaT cell and BEAS-2B cell, respectively. In addition, evaluated reduced on GPDH activity and leptin level in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell. Conclusions : Our results suggest that IS extracts were inhibitory effects of disease such as inflammation, allergies and obesity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2022

In this study, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury) and shellfish poisoning toxins (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins, amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins) were investigated in a total of 104 shellfishes. According to the analysis of heavy metals, lead (Pb) was detected in the range of 0.0177-0.5709 mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) was detected in the range of 0.0226-1.4602 mg/kg, and mercury (Hg) was detected in the range of 0.0015-0.0327 mg/kg. Levels of Pb, Cd, and Hg were acceptable by Korean standards. Okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) were investigated for monitoring of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins and OA and DTX-1 were not detected. As a result of monitoring of amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins, domoic acid was detected in 5 of 104 samples and detection ratio was 4.8%. The detection period was found as follows; 1 case in January, 1 case in February, 1 case in May, 2 cases in September. These showed that continuous monitoring for the management of shellfish poisoning toxins and heavy metals is required. In addition, this study can be used as reference data to strengthen managing heavy metals in fishery products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2022

The research aims to develop a rapid and easy analytical method for methoprene using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A simple, highly sensitive, and specific analytical method for the determination of methoprene in livestock products (beef, pork, chicken, milk, eggs, and fat) was developed. Methoprene was effectively extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile and acetone (1:1), followed by the addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and anhydrous sodium acetate. Subsequently, the lipids in the livestock sample were extracted by freezing them at -20℃. The extracts were cleaned using MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA), and octadecyl (C₁₈), which were then centrifuged to separate the supernatant. Nitrogen gas was used to evaporate the supernatant, which was then dissolved in methanol. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using 8 levels (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 ng/mL) and the coefficient of determination (R²) was above 0.9964. Average recoveries spiked at three levels (0.01, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg), and ranged from 79.5-105.1%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) smaller than 14.2%, as required by the Codex guideline (CODEX CAC/GL 40). This study could be useful for residue safety management in livestock products.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.77-90
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• 2020

Today, the transition to the era of "post-drama" brought a change in the position of text, which was considered the center of the play, and the expansion of the role of actors. After entering the post-drama era, the actor no longer transforms himself into "delivering" the fixed meaning of text, but "producing" the valid meaning of "now, here" meeting the audience. In other words, actors in the post-drama era have expanded their roles as "performers" who can become the subject of narratives themselves and create various theatrical languages. Despite the expansion of the actor's role, verbal-centered actor training through text, which still forms the basis of acting education, does not satisfy the newly changing contemporary theatricality and creates a gap between education and the field. Therefore, the researcher argued that non-verbal-centered acting education needs to be discussed, and highlighted the actors' physical training on the "empty" side. The researchers first compare and analyze the characteristics of modern theater people's training methods from an "empty" perspective. Based on this, researchers about the meaning and direction of the training "empty". Furthermore, the study concludes with an emphasis on the direction of acting education in the post-drama era, which is free from language that can respond to stimuli and interact freely.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.180-188
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• 2022

This study was conducted to determine the optimal sowing date for seed yield of summer oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars "Darkhorse (DH)" and "Highspeed (HS)" in Wanju, Jeonbuk province between 2017 and 2018. We investigated seed yield from 4 sowing dates: July 15, July 30, August 15, and August 30. We evaluated the agronomic characteristics of summer oats (DH and HS). We found the heading date of all cultivars to be within 50 days. Delayed sowing resulted in significantly increased plant height for both years and cultivars. There was no significant difference in spike length of DH and HS which ranged from 12.8 to 17.8 cm. The sowing date of July 30 produced a higher number of grains per spike, but this yield differed significantly by year and cultivars. In 2017, the first sowing resulted in the lowest DH yield at 132 kg per 10a, while the second sowing had the highest yield at 227 kg. HS yield was the lowest in the first sowing at 126 kg and the highest in the third sowing at 219 kg. In 2018, DH had the lowest yield from the first sowing at 184 kg per 10a, and the highest from the second sowing at 240 kg, but there was no significant difference between these yields. The first sowing for HS gave the lowest yield at 160 kg, and the second sowing produced the highest at 258 kg. The germination rate of harvested seeds from each sowing date in 2017 and 2018 was found to be higher than 85% and there was no significant difference between the two cultivars in the 2018 germination rate test. Thus, we found the optimal sowing date for summer cultivation of oats for the highest seed yield to be between July 30 (second sowing) and August 15 (third sowing).

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.271-278
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• 2022

This study attempted to prepare basic data for international students with Vietnamese nationality in Korea to identify positive psychological capital, social support, social presence, and quality of life and to prepare support measures to improve their quality of life. Data collection is from May 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, and was conducted through an online survey for anonymity and convenience. For data analysis, the IBM SPSS/25 statistical program was used, and the significance level for the results was measured as .05, and the reliability of each measurement tool was calculated. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, the age of the subjects was '24 years old-27 years old', and women accounted for the majority. In the fourth grade, the fourth grade was the most, with "outgoing" personality, "sometimes" experiences of interpersonal conflict, "more than four years and less than five years" in the period of residence in Korea, and the level of Korean proficiency was "grade three." Second, the average quality of life of Vietnamese international students was 3.52 points (out of 5 points), positive psychological capital was 3.98 points (out of 6 points), social support was 2.96 points (out of 4 points), and social presence was 3.59 points (out of 5 points). Third, in the case of the quality of life of Vietnamese international students, there was a significant difference according to their personality, and as a result of post-verification, the quality of life of the 'extroverted' group was higher than the 'mixed' group. There was a significant difference according to interpersonal conflict), and as a result of post-examination, the "no conflict" group had a higher quality of life than the "conflict frequent" group. Fourth, the factors that most affected the subject's quality of life were social support, positive psychological capital, and personality (extroverted). The explanatory power of the model was 33.2%.