• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Hypothyroidism alone can lead to myocardial fibrosis and result in heart failure, but traditional hormone replacement therapy does not improve the fibrotic situation. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a new gas signaling molecule, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic capabilities. Whether H₂S could improve hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis are not yet studied. In our study, H₂S could decrease collagen deposition in the myocardial tissue of rats caused by hypothyroidism. Furthermore, in hypothyroidism-induced rats, we found that H₂S could enhance cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), not cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), protein expressions. Finally, we noticed that H₂S could elevate autophagy levels and inhibit the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, our experiments not only suggest that H₂S could alleviate hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis by activating autophagy and suppressing TGF-β1/SMAD family member 2 (Smad 2) signal transduction pathway, but also show that it can be used as a complementary treatment to conventional hormone therapy.

• 한국수자원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수자원학회 2023년도 학술발표회
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• pp.21-21
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• 2023

현재 구축되어있는 방재시설의 능력은 기후위기로 인해 수용가능한 극한강우량의 범위를 넘어서고 있어 대형화된 홍수로 인한 피해가 꾸준히 발생하고 있다. 이로 인해 잠재적 홍수로 인한 도시회복도 관리와 홍수로 수반되는 피해에 대한 복구의 중요도가 높아지고 있다. 회복도는 도시의 재해 취약성, 저항, 적응, 복구, 완화에 대한 능력을 포괄하는 개념으로써 최근 주목받고 있는 개념이지만 대부분의 연구는 주로 시설에 대한 회복도 평가가 이루어지고 있다 (Sen et al.,2021). 또한 재해 후 도시복구에 관한 연구는 다수 존재하지만 복구에 따른 지역의 회복도 변화와 라이프라인과 같은 주요 시설의 복구에 따른 회복도 차이를 고려한 연구는 미비한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 도시침수 발생 후 라이프라인을 고려한 도시복구 우선순위 산정모델을 개발하고 재해관리의 효율성 향상측면에서 도시의 기능적 회복도를 평가하였다. 이를 위해 라이프라인 중 도로 복구결과의 평가를 위하여 리스크 매트릭스 기법을 이용한 도로위험도평가를 수행하였으며 도시의 회복도를 측정하였다. 회복도를 크게 홍수로부터 도시가 받은 영향과 재해복구역량으로 구성하였으며 정량적인 평가를 위해 각각 손상함수와 재해재난목적예비비를 활용하여 산정하였다. 이후 복구우선순위를 산정하였으며 복구와 도시회복도와의 관계를 분석하기 위하여 재해연보 자료를 기초로 회귀분석을 통해 복구비용을 추정하였다 (유순영 등.,2014). 시범지역에 적용한 결과 시설 및 도로 복구에 따른 도시영향의 변화보다 복구비사용으로 인한 재해복구역량의 변화가 더욱 크다는 것을 확인하였다. 이는 재해재난목적예비비의 중요성이 크다는 것을 의미하며 향후 추가적인 인문학적, 법제적 요소가 회복도에 미치는 영향을 연구한다면 도시회복도 향상 및 도시복구에 관한 정책적 의사결정에 큰 도움이 될 것이다.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.89-94
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the quadriceps femoris for pelvic stability. We further compare the effects of a GRID surface Foam Roller (GFR), a Non-Vibration Foam Roller (NVFR), and a Vibration Foam Roller (VFR). Methods: Thirty healthy adults (15 males, 15 females) participated in this study and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: GFR, NVFR, or VFR. Participants walked at self-selected speeds with an arm sling before and after foam roller stretching. The analyzed gait parameters included pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic rotation. Results: In the NVFR and VFR groups, there was a Significant differences were obtained in the pelvic tilt between pre-test and post-test values (p<0.05) in the NVFR and VFR groups, but no significant difference was observed in the GFR group (p>0.05). Comparing the amount of change between the three groups exhibited a significant decrease in pelvic tilt in the NVFR and VFR groups compared to the GFR group (p<0.017). No significant differences were found in pelvic obliquity and pelvic rotation (p>0.05) in all groups. Conclusion: While walking, the use of a VFR for self-myofascial release results in pelvic alteration by reducing the anterior pelvic tilt. We propose that a foam roller can be utilized to enhance pelvic stability during gait.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.24-34
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• 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) at high concentrations induce oxidative stress, an imbalanced redox state that is a prevalent cause of neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) extract on oxidative stress-induced impairment of cognitive function in models of neurodegenerative diseases. CF was extracted with subcritical water and several solvents and H₂O₂ (0.25 mM) or aluminum chloride (AlCl₃; 25 µM) as an inducer of ROS was treated in PC12 neuronal cells and zebrafish larvae. All statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's test using GraphPad Prism. H₂O₂ and AlCl₃ were found to significantly induce ROS production in PC12 neuronal cells and zebrafish larvae. In addition, they strongly affected intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. However, treatment of H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells or AlCl₃-induced zebrafish larvae with CF subcritical water extract at 90℃ and CF water extract effectively regulated excessive ROS production, intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxide, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, β-amyloid, tau, AChE, BDNF, and TrkB. Our study suggested that CF extracts can be a potential source of nutraceuticals that can improve the impairment of cognitive function and synaptic plasticity by regulating ROS generation in neurodegenerative diseases.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.139-145
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• 2023

These days, protecting location privacy has become essential and really challenging, especially protecting it from smart applications and services that rely on Location-Based Services (LBS). As the technology and the services that are based on it are developed, the capability and the experience of the attackers are increased. Therefore, the traditional protection ways cannot be enough and are unable to fully ensure and preserve privacy. Previously, a hybrid approach to privacy has been introduced. It used an obfuscation technique, called Double-Obfuscation Approach (DOA), to improve the privacy level. However, this approach has some weaknesses. The most important ones are the fog nodes that have been overloaded due to the number of communications. It is also unable to prevent the Tracking and Identification attacks in the Mix-Zone technique. For these reasons, this paper introduces a developed and enhanced approach, called Multi-Obfuscation Approach (MOA that mainly depends on the communication between neighboring fog nodes to overcome the drawbacks of the previous approach. As a result, this will increase the resistance to new kinds of attacks and enhance processing. Meanwhile, this approach will increase the level of the users' privacy and their locations protection. To do so, a big enough memory is needed on the users' sides, which already is available these days on their devices. The simulation and the comparison prove that the new approach (MOA) exceeds the DOA in many Standards for privacy protection approaches.

• ALGAE
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.81-92
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• 2023

Obesity-induced inflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Gracilaria chorda (GC) on lipid accumulation and obesity-induced inflammatory changes or glucose homeostasis in cell models (3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages). Samples of GC were extracted using solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol) and subcritical water (SW) at different temperatures (90, 150, and 210℃). The total phenolic content of GCSW extract at 210℃ (GCSW210) showed the highest content compared to others, and GCSW210 highly inhibited lipid accumulation and significantly reduced gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, GCSW210 effectively downregulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine regulator pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, signal transducers and activators of transcription and nuclear factor-κB. In co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages, GCSW210 significantly reduced nitric oxide production and interleukin-6 levels, and improved glucose uptake with dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that GCSW210 improves glucose metabolism by attenuating obesity-induced inflammation in adipocytes, which may be used as a possible treatment option for managing obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제84권4호
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• pp.547-560
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• 2022

By presetting various reinforcement diameters in topology optimization with the discrete model finite element analysis, an algorithm of bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization of multi-level reinforcement diameter is presented to obtain the optimal reinforcement topologies which describe the degree of stress of different parts. The results of a comparative study on different reinforcement feasible domain demonstrate that the more angle types of reinforcement are arranged in the initial domain, the higher utilization rate of reinforcement of the optimal topology becomes. According to the nonlinear finite element analysis of some deep beam examples, the ones designed with the optimization results have a certain advantage in ultimate bearing capacity, although their failure modes are greatly affected by the reinforcement feasible domain. Furthermore, the bearing capacity can be improved when constructional reinforcements are added in the subsequent design. However the adding would change the relative magnitude of the bearing capacity between the normal and inclined section, or the relative magnitude between the flexural and shear capacity within the inclined section, which affects the failure modes of components. Meanwhile, the adding would reduce the deformation capacity of the components as well. It is suggested that the inclined reinforcement and the constructional reinforcement should be added properly to ensure a desired ductile failure mode for components.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권7호
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• pp.697-719
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• 2022

Gadoxetate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in clinical practice for liver imaging. For optimal use, we must understand both its advantages and limitations. This article is the outcome of an online advisory board meeting and subsequent discussions by a multidisciplinary group of experts on liver diseases across the Asia-Pacific region, first held on September 28, 2020. Here, we review the technical considerations for the use of gadoxetate, its current role in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its relevance in consensus guidelines for HCC imaging diagnosis. In the latter part of this review, we examine recent evidence evaluating the impact of gadoxetate on clinical outcomes on a continuum from diagnosis to treatment decision-making and follow-up. In conclusion, we outline the potential future roles of gadoxetate MRI based on an evolving understanding of the clinical utility of this contrast agent in the management of patients at risk of, or with, HCC.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.640-646
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• 2023

Objective: Prospective studies on postoperative residual breast tissue (RBT) after robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) for breast cancer are limited. RBT presents an unknown risk of local recurrence or the development of new cancer after curative or risk-reducing mastectomies. This study investigated the technical feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate RBT after R-NSM in women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this prospective pilot study, 105 patients, who underwent R-NSM for breast cancer at Changhua Christian Hospital between March 2017 and May 2022, were subjected to postoperative breast MRI to evaluate the presence and location of RBT. The postoperative MRI scans of 43 patients (age, 47.8 ± 8.5 years), with existing preoperative MRI scans, were evaluated for the presence and location of RBT. In total, 54 R-NSM procedures were performed. In parallel, we reviewed the literature on RBT after nipple-sparing mastectomy, considering its prevalence. Results: RBT was detected in 7 (13.0%) of the 54 mastectomies (6 of the 48 therapeutic mastectomies and 1 of the 6 prophylactic mastectomies). The most common location for RBT was behind the nipple-areolar complex (5 of 7 [71.4%]). Another RBT was found in the upper inner quadrant (2 of 7 [28.6%]). Among the six patients who underwent RBT after therapeutic mastectomies, one patient developed a local recurrence of the skin flap. The other five patients with RBT after therapeutic mastectomies remained disease-free. Conclusion: R-NSM, a surgical innovation, does not seem to increase the prevalence of RBT, and breast MRI showed feasibility as a noninvasive imaging tool for evaluating the presence and location of RBT.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.122-135
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• 2024

Obesity is a disease involving mechanisms of fat accumulation, low-grade inflammatory cytokine release, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of abalone intestine extract on fat metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet-induced zebrafish larvae. The total phenol content was highest in subcritical water extract at 210℃ (SW210) among hot water, ethanol, and subcritical water extracts of abalone intestine. In addition, SW210 of male abalone intestine (MASW210) most effectively controlled the lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic or lipogenic regulators (PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, and FAS) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Likewise, in zebrafish larvae fed high fat, MASW210 significantly suppressed body weight, glucose levels, and lipid accumulation. The mRNA expression related to adipogenesis (PPAR-γ and C/EBPα), lipogenesis (SREBP-1c and FAS), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), energy m/;.etabolism (AMPK, lepr, SIRT1, and adiponectin), and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α and CPT-1) were significantly regulated by treatment with MASW210. These results suggest that abalone intestine extract such as MASW210, are useful biomaterials for improving obesity and metabolic diseases.