• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2016

A challenge in the redox field is the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms, by which $H_2O_2$ mediates signal transduction in cells. This is relevant since redox pathways are disturbed in some pathologies. The transcription factor OxyR is the $H_2O_2$ sensor in bacteria, whereas Cys-based peroxidases are involved in the perception of this oxidant in eukaryotic cells. Three possible mechanisms may be involved in $H_2O_2$ signaling that are not mutually exclusive. In the simplest pathway, $H_2O_2$ signals through direct oxidation of the signaling protein, such as a phosphatase or a transcription factor. Although signaling proteins are frequently observed in the oxidized state in biological systems, in most cases their direct oxidation by $H_2O_2$ is too slow ($10^1M^{-1}s^{-1}$ range) to outcompete Cys-based peroxidases and glutathione. In some particular cellular compartments (such as vicinity of NADPH oxidases), it is possible that a signaling protein faces extremely high $H_2O_2$ concentrations, making the direct oxidation feasible. Alternatively, high $H_2O_2$ levels can hyperoxidize peroxiredoxins leading to local building up of $H_2O_2$ that then could oxidize a signaling protein (floodgate hypothesis). In a second model, $H_2O_2$ oxidizes Cys-based peroxidases that then through thiol-disulfide reshuffling would transmit the oxidized equivalents to the signaling protein. The third model of signaling is centered on the reducing substrate of Cys-based peroxidases that in most cases is thioredoxin. Is this model, peroxiredoxins would signal by modulating the thioredoxin redox status. More kinetic data is required to allow the identification of the complex network of thiol switches.

• Korean Journal of Family Social Work
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• no.43
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• pp.5-35
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to understand the practice experience of social workers in foster care center. This study applied a qualitative study and selected 7 social workers(4 middle-level managers and 3 in-line workers) who have worked for central and regional fostercare centers. We carried out individual interviews with them and conducted thematic analysisbased on data gathered from the individual interviews. We were able to grasp significantissues in foster care practices from analyses. The results of data analysis consisted of 4 themesand 15 sub-themes. The significant themes were 'policy objectives distanced from reality, unknown institution', 'loose network, missed service system', 'too much work, too many cases', 'excluded biological parents' roles, limited foster parents' roles'. Finally, the implications of thisstudy findings for child welfare policy and practice guidelines were discussed to improvefoster care centers.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.357-361
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• 2021

Monitoring about nine high risk insect pests, Aceria diospyri, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera minax, Bactrocera tsuneonis, Cydia pomonella, Lobesia botrana, Proeulia sp., Solenopsis invicta and Stephanitis takeyai, were carried out in seven regions from April to October in 2020. A total of 12,045 traps/visual scouting were investigated in 222 points of 78 local sites of seven regions, resulting the nine species, A. diospyri, B. dorsalis, B. minax, B. tsuneonis, C. pomonella, L. botrana, Proeulia sp., S. invicta, and S. takeyai, were not detected. This study has been conducted from 2018 to 2020, and we established the nationwide monitoring system and secured a bridgehead for monitoring invasive insect pests passing the border including seven universities.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1084-1094
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to select the candidate genes affecting meat quality and preliminarily explore the related molecular mechanisms in the Mashen pig. Methods: The present study explored genetic factors affecting meat quality in the Mashen pig using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). We sequenced the transcriptomes of 180-day-old Mashen and Large White pigs using longissimus dorsi to select differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results: The results indicated that a total of 425 genes were differentially expressed between Mashen and Large White pigs. A gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched for biological processes associated with metabolism and muscle development, while a Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that DEGs mainly participated in signaling pathways associated with amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and skeletal muscle differentiation. A MCODE analysis of the protein-protein interaction network indicated that the four identified subsets of genes were mainly associated with translational initiation, skeletal muscle differentiation, amino acid metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Conclusion: Based on the analysis results, we selected glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1, malate dehydrogenase 1, pyruvate dehydrogenase 1, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4, and activator protein-1 as candidate genes affecting meat quality in pigs. A discussion of the related molecular mechanisms is provided to offer a theoretical basis for future studies on the improvement of meat quality in pigs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.236-244
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• 2022

Objective : To evaluate the interactions among differentially expressed autophagy and mitophagy markers in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Methods : The expression data of autophagy and mitophagy-related makers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The markers included death-associated protein kinase (DAPK)-1, BCL2 interacting protein 3 like (BNIP3L), Bcl-1 antagonist X, phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase (PINK), Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1, nuclear dot protein 52, and p62. In silico functional analyses including gene ontology enrichment and the protein-protein interaction network were performed. Results : A total of 56 SAH patients were included and 22 (38.6%) of them experienced DCI. The DCI patients had significantly increased mRNA levels of DAPK1, BNIP3L, and PINK1, and increased expression of BECN1 compared to the non-DCI patients. The most enriched biological process was the positive regulation of autophagy, followed by the response to mitochondrial depolarization. The molecular functions ubiquitin-like protein ligase binding and ubiquitin-protein ligase binding were enriched. In the cluster of cellular components, Lewy bodies and the phagophore assembly site were enriched. BECN1 was the most connected gene among the differentially expressed markers related to autophagy and mitophagy in the development of DCI. Conclusion : Our study may provide novel insight into mitochondrial dysfunction in DCI pathogenesis.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.361-368
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to develop a hand rehabilitation training system for hemiplegic patients. We also tried to find out five hand postures (WF: Wrist Flexion, WE: Wrist Extension, BG: Ball Grip, HG: Hook Grip, RE: Rest) in real-time using multi-channel EMG-based deep learning. We performed a pre-processing method that converts to Spider Chart image data for the classification of hand movement from five test subjects (total 1,500 data sets) using Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) deep learning with an 8-channel armband. As a result of this study, the recognition accuracy was 92% for WF, 94% for WE, 76% for BG, 82% for HG, and 88% for RE. Also, ten physical therapists participated for the usability evaluation. The questionnaire consisted of 7 items of acceptance, interest, and satisfaction, and the mean and standard deviation were calculated by dividing each into a 5-point scale. As a result, high scores were obtained in immersion and interest in game (4.6±0.43), convenience of the device (4.9±0.30), and satisfaction after treatment (4.1±0.48). On the other hand, Conformity of intention for treatment (3.90±0.49) was relatively low. This is thought to be because the game play may be difficult depending on the degree of spasticity of the hemiplegic patient, and compensation may occur in patient with weakened target muscles. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a rehabilitation program suitable for the degree of disability of the patient.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.13
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• 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent head and neck malignancy, with frequent cervical lymph-node metastasis, leading to a poor prognosis in OSCC patients. The present study aimed to identify potential markers, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes, significantly involved in the etiology of early-stage OSCC. Additionally, the main OSCC's dysregulated Gene Ontology annotations and significant signaling pathways were identified. The dataset GSE45238 underwent multivariate statistical analysis in order to distinguish primary OSCC tissues from healthy oral epithelium. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) with the criteria of p-value < 0.001 and |Log2 fold change| > 1.585 were identified in the two groups, and subsequently, validated targets of DEMs were identified. A protein interaction map was constructed, hub genes were identified, significant modules within the network were illustrated, and significant pathways and biological processes associated with the clusters were demonstrated. Using the GEPI2 database, the hub genes' predictive function was assessed. Compared to the healthy controls, main OSCC had a total of 23 DEMs. In patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), upregulation of CALM1, CYCS, THBS1, MYC, GATA6, and SPRED3 was strongly associated with a poor prognosis. In HNSCC patients, overexpression of PIK3R3, GIGYF1, and BCL2L11 was substantially correlated with a good prognosis. Besides, "proteoglycans in cancer" was the most significant pathway enriched in the primary OSCC. The present study results revealed more possible mechanisms mediating primary OSCC and may be useful in the prognosis of the patients with early-stage OSCC.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.38-44
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• 2021

[Purpose] Exercise can prevent conditions such as atrophy and degenerative brain diseases. However, owing to individual differences in athletic ability, exercise supplements can be used to improve a person's exercise capacity. Schisandra chinensis (SC) is a natural product with various physiologically active effects. In this study, we analyzed SC using a pharmacological network and determined whether it could be used as an exercise supplement. [Methods] The active compounds of SC and target genes were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The active compound and target genes were selected based on pharmacokinetic (PK) conditions (oral bioavailability (OB) ≥ 30%, Caco-2 permeability (Caco-2) ≥ -0.4, and drug-likeness (DL) ≥ 0.18). Gene ontology (GO) was analyzed using the Cytoscape software. [Results] Eight active compounds were identified according to the PK conditions. Twenty-one target genes were identified after excluding duplicates in the eight active compounds. The top 10 GOs were analyzed using GO-biological process analysis. GO was subsequently divided into three representative categories: postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity (53.85%), an intracellular steroid hormone receptor signaling pathway (36.46%), and endopeptidase activity (10%). SC is related to immune function. [Conclusion] According to the GO analysis, SC plays a role in immunity and inflammation, promotes liver metabolism, improves fatigue, and regulates the function of steroid receptors. Therefore, we suggest SC as an exercise supplement with nutritional and anti-fatigue benefits.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.317-328
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• 2022

Trophoblasts, important functional cells in the placenta, play a critical role in maintaining placental function. The heterogeneity of trophoblasts has been reported, but little is known about the trophoblast subtypes and distinctive functions during preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we aimed to gain insight into the cell type-specific transcriptomic changes by performing unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of placental tissue samples, including those of patients diagnosed with PE and matched healthy controls. A total of 29,006 cells were identified in 11 cell types, including trophoblasts and immune cells, and the functions of the trophoblast subtypes in the PE group and the control group were also analyzed. As an important trophoblast subtype, extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) were further divided into 4 subgroups, and their functions were preliminarily analyzed. We found that some biological processes related to pregnancy, hormone secretion and immunity changed in the PE group. We also identified and analyzed the regulatory network of transcription factors (TFs) identified in the EVTs, among which 3 modules were decreased in the PE group. Then, through in vitro cell experiments, we found that in one of the modules, CEBPB and GTF2B may be involved in EVT dysfunction in PE. In conclusion, our study showed the different transcriptional profiles and regulatory modules in trophoblasts between placentas in the control and PE groups at the single-cell level; these changes may be involved in the pathological process of PE, providing a new molecular theoretical basis for preeclamptic trophoblast dysfunction.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.424-433
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• 2022

As the proportion of non-contact telemedicine increases and the number of electrocardiogram (ECG) data measured using portable ECG monitors increases, the demand for automatic algorithms that can precisely analyze vast amounts of ECG is increasing. Since the P, QRS, and T waves of the ECG have different shapes depending on the location of electrodes or individual characteristics and often have similar frequency components or amplitudes, it is difficult to distinguish P, QRS and T waves and measure each parameter. In order to measure the widths, intervals and areas of P, QRS, and T waves, a new algorithm that recognizes the start and end points of each wave and automatically measures the time differences and amplitudes between each point is required. In this study, the start and end points of the P, QRS, and T waves were measured using six Deep Neural Networks (DNN) that recognize the start and end points of each wave. Then, by synthesizing the results of all DNNs, 12 parameters for ECG characteristics for each heartbeat were obtained. In the ECG waveform of 10 subjects provided by Physionet, 12 parameters were measured for each of 660 heartbeats, and the 12 parameters measured for each heartbeat well represented the characteristics of the ECG, so it was possible to distinguish them from other subjects' parameters. When the ECG data of 10 subjects were combined into one file and analyzed with the suggested algorithm, 10 types of ECG waveform were observed, and two types of ECG waveform were simultaneously observed in 5 subjects, however, it was not observed that one person had more than two types.