• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical effect of low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in unexplained recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA) with elevated peripheral CD56+ natural killer (NK) cell levels and to determine the pre-conceptional NK cell percentage predictive of subsequent successful pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: Sixty four cases of unexplained recurrent miscarriage with elevated peripheral NK cells (>15%) were received low dose IVIg infusion at the dosage of 400 mg/Kg/month after confirmation of gestational sac and continued until 20 weeks. The patients were divided into two groups according to the pregnancy outcome: Group I was success of treatment defined as live birth at or after 25 gestational weeks and Group II was failure of treatment. The preconceptional levels of the peripheral blood NK cells were compared between two groups. Results: Fifty-three pregnancies resulted in live births after 25 weeks and 11 resulted in abortion (Overall success rate of IVIG treatment was 82.8%). Preconceptional CD56+ NK cell percentage in group II ($27.4{\pm}1.9%$) was higher than those in group I ($22.3{\pm}0.8%$). By using ROC curve, optimal discrimination between success and failure of treatment was achieved with ${\leq}27%$ of preconceptional NK cell percentage. Conclusion: In RSA patients with elevated NK cells, we suggest that preconceptional peripheral blood CD56+ NK cell level could be a useful marker for predicting successful treatment outcome of low-dose IVIg infusion.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.113-122
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) in Korea. Methods: Diagnosis was made based on clinical features and confirmed by a mutation in the cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 (CIAS1) gene. Especially, osteocartilaginous overgrowth in the patella or distal femur was so characteristic that its presence warranted a diagnosis of chronic infantile neurologic cutaneous and articular/NOMID. Results: We observed the clinical features of 9 Korean CAPS patients. All the patients suffered from an urticarial rash with recurrent fever. Among the 9 patients, 6 presented with rash and 4 with fever on the 1st or 2nd days of birth. Eight patients showed myalgia, and 7 patients showed arthralgia in the joints, and 6 patients showed radiologic findings of arthropathy including cupping of the metaphysis, excessive growth of the epiphysis, osteopenia or overgrowth of the cartilage. Four patients showed brain atrophy, enlarged ventricles or leptomeningeal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. Intellectual disability was observed in 1 patient. Five patients had eye involvement as conjunctivitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, avascular area or papillary edema, and 3 patients showed progressive hearing loss. All 9 patients showed increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Conclusions: All the patients carried a mutation on exon 3 of the CIAS1 gene. After the anakinra (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) therapy, the fever and rash immediately disappeared, and CRP and ESR were improved.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2018

The study was a mixed design study that analyzed the effects of developing and applying a program to improve pregnancy recognition for severe low fertility. The study period was from April 1, 2018, to October 26, 2018, and the participants included 16 women of 19~21 age who lived in M City and M Gun. The process of program development is based on Dorothy Johnson 's theory of behavior system to induce change of perception, and reference literature review and national policy report. The program developed through the literature was finally developed by examining the experts panel discussion after deriving causes and alternatives for low fertility from 25 fertility women. The contents of program consist of three areas. Quantitative research results were analyzed using Shapiro Wilk and Wilcoxon sign rank using SPSS 18.0, and qualitative research results were analyzed using focus group. As a result of study, the perception of pregnancy increased significantly (P<0.01) with statistical significance as pre-experimental (M=3.21, SD=.342), post-experimental (M=4.46, SD=.398) and the result of content analysis appeared three themes as , , . In conclusion, the program was effective in improving the recognition of pregnancy for young women.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.271-279
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• 2019

The life expectancy of people has been steadily extended due to the improvement of living standards and the development of medical technology. Besides, the low birth rate and long life expectancy decrease the youth population while the elderly population is steadily increasing. Many elderly people have enough time and financial allowance, and the interest in health care is increased all over society. There are also increasing numbers of elderly people who exercise lightly in the playgrounds and parks such as running and walking. Outdoor fitness equipment that can be easily seen in neighbourhood parks, public spaces, etc. can be good health promotion tools that can be easily accessed in the daily life of the elderly. Outdoor fitness equipment Description Signs require a design that takes into account the declining vision of older users. Proper design is also important for the prevention of safety accidents in use. The purpose of this study is to find out the perception of the elderly about outdoor fitness exercise equipment sign system and to find the problem of recognition. To do this, we conduct user observation and interview surveys for the elderly. As a result, the emphasis of the caveat or problems with the size of the writing were pointed out, and it was necessary to explain the picture rather than the text. Also, there was a high demand for refraining from using foreign words, using universal words and including motor effects in signs. Based on the results of the user observation and interviews, we propose guidelines for the use of outdoor exercise equipment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

The structure of universities needs to be adjusted and reformed to cope with the decrease in admission resources and the quality of education due to the low birth rate and aging population. Such a policy is receiving much attention. To analyze the relative efficiency of private universities in Korea from the perspective of resource and performance, this study evaluated the efficiency of private university operation by applying a DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) technique. The DEA measurements were compared with the diagnosis results of the department of education (Government) in 2018. The input and output variables used in the research analysis were utilized by the university's notification materials (public disclosure information). An analysis of the operational efficiency showed that 48% (12 universities) of the 25 DMUs (Decision Making Unit) were efficient for DEA-BCC models and that some of the capacity-building universities were operating efficiently. In addition, the DEA analysis found ways to improve inefficient groups through DEA-Additive results. This paper can be meaningful because it confirmed the relative efficiency of private universities and suggested improvement directions through the DEA method, which is characterized by the simultaneous consideration of various input and output factors. This will help apply the limited resources related to the input and output elements of each university.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible use of the Boehmeria nivea var. nipononivea extract and fractions for the development of natural cosmetic ingredients. The leaves of B. nivea var. nipononivea, extracted by 70% ethanol, were sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and n-butanol. As a result of DPPH and ABTS test, ethyl acetate fractionation was shown to be excellent in radical scavenging activity. For the antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Cutibacterium acnes and antibiotic resistant strains, MIC and birth control rate were observed by paper disc method. In the antibacterial activity by the disc diffusion assay against S. aureus, S. epidermidis and C. acnes, the dichloromethane and ethylacetate fraction showed stronger antibacterial activity than the other fractions and extract. Moreover, the ethylacetate fraction showed strong nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. In conclusion, we found that B. nivea var. nipononivea extract was not cytotoxic and showed antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These results suggest that the Boehmeria nivea var. nipononivea extract and fractions could be applied as an effective cosmetic material with antioxidant activity.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.583-589
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• 2021

This study is a study on the development of virtual reality to prepare for the increase in disasters of households living with companion animals due to the increase of companion animals. The increase in single-person households and DINKs(Double Income, No Kid) along with the low birth rate and aging population is raising the risk of disasters caused by companion animals in particular. Among these disasters, there is an increase in the occurrence of fires primarily due to the raising of companion animals. Electric stove fires caused by pets are the most common fires. In particular, the frequency of electric stove fires caused by cats is the highest. Careful precautions by the owner are necessary to reduce fires caused by pets. Parenting of companion animals causes pet loss syndrome due to emotional exchange. There are injuries to pets in escalators and injuries to owners in elevators due to disasters caused by the owner's negligence. In order to reduce injuries on escalators and elevators, basic etiquette for using escalators and elevators with pets is required as basic etiquette. It is necessary to utilize virtual reality to reduce disasters caused by such companion animals. Virtual reality can be experienced without a physical space in advance training to overcome disasters, so real disaster cases can be experienced immersively. Therefore, learning how to reduce fires caused by companion animals, disasters caused by owner's negligence, and petloss syndrome through virtual reality will greatly contribute to disaster prevention and reduction of social costs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.204-216
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) product containing of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cerevisiae on growth, health, and fecal bacterial composition of dairy calves during the first month of life. Methods: Forty Holstein calves (24 female and 16 male) at 2 d of age were grouped by sex and date of birth then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: milk replacer supplementation with 0 g (0MSP), 2 g (2MSP), 4 g (4MSP), and 6 g (6MSP) MSP per calf per day. Results: Supplementation of MSP did not result in any significant differences in parameters of body measurements of calves during the 30 d period. As the dosage of MSP increased, the average daily gain (p = 0.025) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.020) of calves showed a linear increase. The fecal consistency index of the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves were lower than that of the 0MSP group calves (p = 0.003). As the dosage of MSP increased, the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.068) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.081) in serum tended to decrease, whereas the concentration of total cholesterol increased quadratically (p = 0.021). The relative abundance of Dorea in feces was lower (p = 0.011) in the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves than that in the 0MSP group calves. The relative abundance of Dorea (p = 0.001), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.050), and Mitsuokella (p = 0.030) decreased linearly, whereas the relative abundance of Prevotella tended to increase linearly as the dosage of MSP increased (p = 0.058). Conclusion: The MSP product can be used to reduce the diarrhea, improve the performance, and alter the composition of the fecal bacteria in neonatal dairy calves under the commercial conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2022

Currently the population of rural areas in Korea continue to decline due to low birth rate, aging population, and migration. This phenomenon is accelerated over time. And as a result, there are some declining phenomenon in rural society. And it is same in the residential and basic living conditions of rural villages. The increase ratio of empty houses exacerbates the rural landscape, acts as a cause of crime and bring out various social and economic problems such as worsening settlement conditions and local slums. The study is carried out to prevent this phenomenon by investigating the architectural contents of empty houses in the village, surveyed residents and owners and finally analyzed and synthesized to make a plan to utilize empty houses in the village. This study was conducted from June to December 2021. The conclusions are followings: 1. The empty houses in Korea were 1,511 million in 2020, 8.2% of the total number of houses, whereas those in Jeollabuk-do were 95,412, 12.9% of those of houses, and those in Gimje-city, the subject of this study, were 5,944. It is up to 15.8%. In particular, empty houses in Hacheon village, the site of this study, accounted for the highest ratio, with 25% of the total number of houses. 2. To understand the utilization and improvement of empty houses, surveys and interviews were conducted to residents and owners of Hacheon village in Gimje, and most of the residents submit proposals that empty houses were not desirable in terms of village landscape and safety. The owners don't have intentions of selling or leasing them. They want to remodel them and rent for a specific period. 3. As the physical condition of the empty houses(9empty houses) 6 empty houses of them are good. 4 of them are in poor condition. 4. By synthesizing these contents, nine empty houses in Hacheon village will be remodeled as the space for those of rural start-up young people, smart farm area, community space and rental housings for rural returnees.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.479-499
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• 2020

The present study explored psychological factors related to the desire to have children of young adults who had yet to marry and begin a family. To do so, the present study investigated the relationships among the desire to have children, adult attachment styles and belief in a just world (DJ-self, PJ-self, DJ-others, and PJ-others). This study analyzed the self-reported data of 260 adults aged 20 to 39. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that after controlling for gender, individuals with more avoidant models of close adult relationships showed less desire to have children. Moreover, the belief in a just world accounted for an additional variance. Specifically, participants' PJ-others positively predicted their desire to have children. These results suggest that individuals' expectations about close relationships and justice of their society might explain a part of their desire to have children. The implications, limitations, and future directions of the study were discussed.