• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2009

Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) isolated from human adult bone marrow have self-renewal capacity and can differentiate into multiple cell types in vitro and in vivo. A number of studies have now demonstrated that MSCs can differentiate into various neuronal populations. Due to their autologous characteristics, replacement therapy using MSCs is considered to be safe and does not involve immunological complications. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig2 is necessary for the specification of both oligodendrocytes and motor neurons during vertebrate embryogenesis. To develop an efficient method for inducing neuronal differentiation from MSCs, we attempted to optimize the culture conditions and combination with Olig2 gene overexpression. We observed neuron-like morphological changes in the hMSCs under these induction conditions and examined neuronal marker expression in these cells by RTPCR and immunocytochemistry. Our data demonstrate that the combination of Olig2 overexpression and neuron-specific conditioned medium facilitates the neuronal differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. These results will advance the development of an efficient stem cell-mediated cell therapy for human neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2011

Purpose: It is difficult to obtain biopsies from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) prior to surgery because GISTs are submucoal tumors, despite being the most common nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike anatomic imaging techniques, PET-CT, which is a molecular imaging tool, can be a useful technique for assessing tumor activity and predicting the malignant potential of certain tumors. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of PET-CT as a pre-operative prognostic factor for GISTs by analyzing the correlation between the existing post-operative prognostic factors and the maximum SUV uptake (SUVmax) of pre-operative 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 26 patients who were diagnosed with gastric GISTs and underwent surgery after being examined with pre-operative FDG PET-CT. An analysis of the correlation bewteen (i) NIH risk classification and the Ki-67 proliferation index, which are post-operative prognostic factors, and (ii) the SUVmax of PET-CT, which is a pre-operative prognostic factor, was performed. Results: There were significant correlations between (i) SUVmax and (ii) Ki-67 index, tumor size, mitotic count, and NIH risk group (r=0.854, 0.888, 0.791, and 0.756, respectively). The optimal cut-off value for SUVmax was 3.94 between "low-risk malignancy" and "high-risk malignancy" groups. The sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax for predicting the risk of malignancy were 85.7% and 94.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The SUVmax of PET-CT is associated with Ki-67 index, tumor size, mitotic count, and NIH classification. Therefore, it is believed that PET-CT is a relatively safe, non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing malignant potential pre-operatively.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the attributes of mobile shopping apps on the purchase intention of fashion products in the steadily growing mobile commerce market and analyze the mediation effect of shopping flow. Research design, data and methodology : In this study, a survey was conducted on users in their 20s to 50s who had experience of fashion products via mobile shopping apps. The questionnaire was analyzed on the final 507. The research issues were verified using Frequency analysis, Exploratory factor analysis, Reliability analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis, and Structural equation model. Results : Among the attributes of mobile shopping apps, reliability, enjoyment and ease of use were found to have a significant impact on shopping flow and fashion product purchase intention, while shopping flow had a significant impact on fashion product purchase intention. Product diversity and usefulness of shopping apps didn't show a significant effect. After examining the mediation effect, reliability, enjoyment, and ease of use were shown to have indirect effects by showing partial mediation effects. Conclusions : Studies show that consumers are not putting much emphasis on how diverse a product line is available and how useful a mobile shopping app is when they shop for fashion products on mobile devices. Factors that affect consumers' purchase intention are reliability, enjoyment and ease of use of shopping apps. These results shows that it is important to provide reliable information about fashion products, provide reliability to customers by setting up means for safe transactions, and provide a wider variety of services and information to make using the mobile shopping app enjoyable. In addition, there is a need to make it easy to find a fashion product that consumers like and make it easy to purchase when consumers find out fashion products that they like, and to configure how to use the app easily. Consequently, consumers become immersed in shopping which is also able to improve consumers' purchase intention on fashion products when a reliable, enjoyable and easy to use mobile shopping app is provided.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 2018

Coxsackievirus Type B3 (CVB3) is an enterovirus that belongs to the Picornaviridae and causes various diseases such as myocarditis and hand-foot-mouth disease. However, an effective antiviral drug is still not developed. In this study, we looked for potential inhibitors of CVB3 replication by examining the survival of CVB3-infected HeLa cells. We detected an antiviral effect by cholic acid and identified it as a candidate inhibitor of CVB3 replication. Cholic acid circulates in the liver and intestines, and it helps the digestion and absorption of lipids in the small intestine. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with cholic acid (1 and $10{\mu}g/ml$) and $10^6PFU/ml$ of CVB3. After 16 h post-infection, the cells were lysed and subjected to western blot analysis and RT-PCR. The production of the viral capsid protein VP1 was dramatically decreased, and translation initiation factor eIF4G1 cleavage was significantly inhibited by treatment with $10{\mu}g/ml$ cholic acid. Moreover, cholic acid inhibited ERK signaling in CVB3-infected HeLa cells. RT-PCR showed that the amounts of the CVB3 RNA genome and mRNA for the ER stress-related transcription factor ATF4 were significantly reduced. These results showed that cholic acid strongly reduced ER stress and CVB3 proliferation. This compound can be developed as a safe natural therapeutic agent for enterovirus infections.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng has been used to prolong longevity and is believed to be useful for improving skin complexion. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng, and ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) in particular has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, antitumorigenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of G-Rg3 to inhibit melanogenesis. Methods: The effects of G-Rg3 on melanin contents and the protein levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) were evaluated. Melanogenesis-regulating signaling molecules such as Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were also examined to explore G-Rg3-induced antimelanogenic mechanisms. Results: G-Rg3 was found to significantly inhibit the synthesis of melanin in normal human epidermal melanocytes and B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of cellular tyrosinase and the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP1 were all reduced, whereas ERK was strongly activated. PD98059 (a specific inhibitor of ERK) attenuated the G-Rg3-induced inhibition of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these results showed that G-Rg3 induces the activation of ERK, which accounts for its antimelanogenic effects. G-Rg3 may be a promising safe skin-whitening agent, adding to the long list of uses of P. ginseng for the enhancement of skin beauty.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.207-216
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• 2018

This research compared and analyzed safety ratio of slope with Talren97 and SoilWorks based on limit equilibrium analysis and Midas GTS based on finite element analysis. For the analysis variables, there are slope height, berm condition, soil parameter, groundwater level, slope inclination. All of slope stability analysis were performed by dividing into dry season and rainy season. As the result of the analysis of Talren97 and SoilWorks based on same theory, safety ratio of slope shows same value, so there was no difference between the programs. In comparison with limit equilibrium analysis, the result of finite element analysis showed somewhat high ratio of safety and it was higher by about 2.4% averagely. The difference between the result of limit equilibrium analysis and that of finite element analysis is in the range which can ignored in practical work.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.60-73
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare patients with anterior shoulder instability who were treated with an open Bankart procedure with those treated with an arthroscopic procedure, and to evaluate factors influencing the final outcomes and recurrence. Materials & Methods : One hundred seven shoulders underwent open Bankart repair, and fifty-one shoulders were treated arthroscopically. Average followup for open group was 34 months, and for arthroscopy group was 25 months. The Bankart Rating System by Rowe was used to evaluate the clinical outcome of the procedure. And, the patients were asked about any changes concerning their sports and professional activities. Results: According to Bankart Rating system by Rowe, open group had 97% fair to excellent results with 2 recurrent dislocation(1.8%) and 4 recurrent subluxation(3.6%), and arthroscopy group had 94% fair to excellent results with 3 recurrent dislocation(5.8%) and 4 recurrent subluxation(8%). In open group, 9 shoulders(8.4%) had the mild limitation of range of motion at the time of followup, and 2 shoulders(3.9%) in arthroscopy group. Age and gender do not seem to be a significant factor contributing to an increased re-recurrence rate. The incidence of re-recurrence seems to be affected by dominance, frequency, and patient's activity. The size of Bank art lesion might be also considered as a contributing factor. Conclusion: Either open or arthroscopic Bankart procedures are safe and effective methods with acceptable results if an adequate patient's selection, precise surgical technique and proper postoperative care are done. And arthroscopic surgery could be considered if the anterior instability is non-dominant, non-athlete, traumatic unidirectional and Bankart lesion has minimal erosion of the glenoid and it has thick and mobile labrum.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Bojungbangdocktang (BJBDT), a formula of eight Oriental herbs, is a modified herbal prescription of Bangdoktang and Bojungbangamtang. Recently, BJBDT was demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, enhance hematopoiesis and protect cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in normal MCF-10A breast cells. Nevertheless, there is no safety study of BJBDT before clinical trial so far. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the toxicity about ethanol-extracted BJBDT. Male and female Spraque Dawley (SD) rats were given orally by BJBDT at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs and measured change of body weight, food consumption and water consumption were observed. In addition, we performed ophthalmologic, urinary, hematological, blood serum biochemical and histopathological examination. Any general toxicity was not found in BJBDT treated group. Also, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as body weight, food consumption and water consumption, a lot of urine and blood factor levels except HCT, MCHC, Ca, TG, Glucose and T-Bilirubin level compared with control group. Although HCT was elevated and TG was decreased in male rats, and MCHC, Glucose and T-Bilirubin were elevated and Ca and HCT were decreased in female rats, these were within normal ranges. Finally, we determined that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1000 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BJBDT is very safe to SD rats.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.34
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• pp.109-131
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• 2007

This paper has focusing CheongHaeJin's maritime trading activities between Korea, China and Japan in the 9th century. In operation of CheongHaeJin which Chang BoGo was given a key role, CheongHaeJin creates three nation's wealth in triangular trade among Korea, China and Japan. And also, CheongHaeJin's contribution is considerable to the maritime trade development of Northeast Asia through establishing trading advance base in China and Japan, and organizing Shilla's people in China. Chang BoGo justified the control over small business groups of the west and south sea of Korea and the east and south sea of China by keeping pirates away His trade groups controlled foreign trade of three countries: Shilla, the Dang Dynasty of China and Japan. They connected Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and China. CheongHaeJin's key success factors of the maritime activities are summarized as follows; There is a possibility of searching that successful factor from the people of operator of CheongHaeJin. Based on oceanic adventurous spirit with character and progressive thinking could complete the rally of sea influence and composition of fleets. Secondly, the success factor is the excellent operational ability and leadership which learned in the Dang Dynasty of China. Thirdly, In 9th century, International political context was suitable for CheongHaeJin's construction and operation. Such political circumstances had given to CheongHaeJin remunerative position. Finally, Although central government could not maintain the sea traffic securities, Chang BoGo's ocean trading fleets guaranteed the safe fishing industry of people and security of sea traffic.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.117-121
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• 2013

For underpasses in Yeongjong Sky City business district, the guided drainage system, as a buoyancy prevention system has been designed, and is under construction. This paper investigates the safety of the guided drainage system for underpass structures being constructed in Yeongjong Sky City business district. This paper also calculates the amount of outflowing groundwater generated by the guided drainage system, and proposes alternative usages of the water. In order to investigate safety and field applicability of the guided drainage system for underpasses, characteristics of the surface flow for the area of interest have been analyzed, and the flow change of groundwater following the underpass structure construction has been evaluated using the 3-dimensional groundwater program MODFLOW. The influence of ground water on safety of the underpass structures has been calculated by FLAC2D analysis. For alternative usages for the outflowing groundwater generated by the guided drainage system, utilization methods of the outflowing groundwater in national and international resources have been researched. The amount of an outflowing groundwater to be generated in the area of interest has been analyzed, and efficient potential usages of this groundwater have been researched. When guided drainage technique is applied, the change in flow of groundwater must be evaluated and considered as safety factor relating to the buoyancy of the structure. As a result, safety factor demonstrated more than 1.2, meaning that the underpass structure is safe. The amount of subsoil drain generated by the guided drainage system was also analyzed. The quality and amount of water satisfied the standards and volume requirements, so as to make it applicable for a number of uses, such as X, Y, and Z, and should prove to be a valuable resource as the circumstances of the neighboring area change over time. These resources can be used as basic data for future urban water circulation studies, as well as generating research of alternative water usages.