• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.300-306
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• 2021

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes photoaging, which represents skin damage, disrupts skin barrier function, and promotes wrinkle formation. We investigated that the polysaccharide extract of an edible basidiomycetous white jelly mushroom, Tremella fuciformis, (TF-Glucan^®) exhibited statistically photoprotective activity by inhibiting matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and increasing collagen synthesis, and an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines at the concentrations of less than 1000 ㎍/ml, which is not cytotoxic (p < 0.05). Additionally, TF-Glucan^® increased the expression of involucrin and filaggrin to prevent the disruption of UVB-induced barrier function (p < 0.05). TF-Glucan^® was assessed as a safe material by the human primary skin irritation (1, 3, 5%), human repeated insult patch test (no sensitization at 5%), 3T3 NRU phototoxicity assay (no phototoxicity, PIF < 2, MPE < 0.1), eye irritation test test by BCOP (no category, IVIS ≤ 3) and local lymph node assay (negative at 10, 25, 50%) for identifying potential skin sensitizing. These results suggest that TF-Glucan^® may be useful as an anti-photoaging ingredient for developing cosmeceuticals.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.214-221
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• 2022

Six species in five families of Lepidoptera were newly recorded from Korea. The adult specimens of these six species were obtained during the rearing caterpillars collected across Korea. Agonopterix omelkoi Lvovsky (Depresariidae) can be distinguished by the ochreous forewing with a dark brown slanted line, a dark brown triangular spot, and a blackish discal dot, and the whitish hindwing. Dichomeris ferruginosa Meyrick (Gelechiidae) can be diagnosed by the light brown forewing with two relatively large blackish dots and suffusion of dark brown along the dorsum and subtermen, and the grayish hindwing. Pseudohedya satoi Kawabe (Tortricidae) can be diagnosed by the dark ochreous forewing with several medially curved dark ochreous medial lines, and the large light grayish tornal marking, and the dark grayish hindwing. Rhodoneura hyphaema (West) (Thyrididae) can be diagnosed by the reddish forewing with a relatively thick postmedial band, and the reddish hindwing with a narrow dark reddish straight medial band. Comibaena subprocumbaria (Oberthür) (Geometridae) can be diagnosed by the greenish forewing with a whitish apical marking that bordered with a brownish or dark reddish line that connected to the termen, and the distal abdominal segments with whitish and dark reddish dots. Perixera absconditaria (Walker) (Geometridae) can be diagnosed by the light brownish forewing with a relatively thick, slanted, dentate brownish postmedial line, and the light brownish hindwing with a small white discal spot. We provide the diagnosis and figures of adults and larvae, and DNA barcoding data.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2022

The ability to determine the sex of bovine embryos before the transfer is advantageous in livestock management, especially in dairy production, where female calves are preferred in milk industry. The milk production of female and male cattle benefits both the dairy and beef industries. Pre-implantation sexing of embryos also helps with embryo transfer success. There are two approaches for sexing bovine embryos in farm animals: invasive and non-invasive. A non-invasive method of embryo sexing retains the embryo's autonomy and, as a result, is less likely to impair the embryo's ability to move and implant successfully. There are lists of non-invasive embryo sexing such as; Detection of H-Y antigens, X-linked enzymes, and sexing based on embryo cleavage and development. Since it protects the embryo's autonomy, the non-invasive procedure is considered to be the safest. Invasive methods affect an embryo's integrity and are likely to damage the embryo's chances of successful transformation. There are different types of invasive methods such as polymerase chain reaction, detection of male chromatin Y chromosome-specific DNA probes, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), cytological karyotyping, and immunofluorescence (FISH). The PCR approach is highly sensitive, precise, and effective as compared to invasive methods of farm animal embryonic sexing. Invasive procedures, such as cytological karyotyping, have high accuracy but are impractical in the field due to embryonic effectiveness concerns. This technology can be applicable especially in the dairy and beef industry by producing female and male animals respectively. Enhancing selection accuracy and decreasing the multiple ovulation embryo transfer costs.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.91-94
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• 2023

According to most experts and health workers, a living creature's body heat is little understood and crucial in the identification of disorders. Doctors in ancient medicine used wet mud or slurry clay to heal patients. When either of these progressed throughout the body, the area that dried up first was called the infected part. Today, thermal cameras that generate images with electromagnetic frequencies can be used to accomplish this. Thermography can detect swelling and clot areas that predict cancer without the need for harmful radiation and irritational touch. It has a significant benefit in medical testing because it can be utilized before any observable symptoms appear. In this work, machine learning (ML) is defined as statistical approaches that enable software systems to learn from data without having to be explicitly coded. By taking note of these heat scans of breasts and pinpointing suspected places where a doctor needs to conduct additional investigation, ML can assist in this endeavor. Thermal imaging is a more cost-effective alternative to other approaches that require specialized equipment, allowing machines to deliver a more convenient and effective approach to doctors.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.326-344
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• 2022

The fungal-like family Saprolegniaceae (Oomycota), also called "water mold," includes mostly aquatic saprophytes as well as notorious aquatic animal pathogens. Most studies on Saprolegniaceae have been biased toward pathogenic species that are important to aquaculture rather than saprotrophic species, despite the latter's crucial roles in carbon cycling of freshwater ecosystems. Few attempts have been made to study the diversity and ecology of Saprolegniaceae; thus, their ecological role is not well-known. During a survey of oomycetes between 2016 and 2021, we investigated the diversity and distribution of culturable Saprolegniaceae species in freshwater ecosystems of Korea. In the present study, members of Saprolegniaceae were isolated and identified at species level based on their cultural, morphological, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, substrate preference and seasonal dynamics for each were examined. Most of the species were previously reported as animal pathogens; however, in the present study, they were often isolated from other freshwater substrates, such as plant debris, algae, water, and soil sediment. The relative abundance of Saprolegniaceae was higher in the cold to cool season than that in the warm to hot season of Korea. This study enhances our understanding of the diversity and ecological attributes of Saprolegniaceae in freshwater ecosystems.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.70-72
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• 2017

A 41-year old woman with dysphagia visited, which was aggravated after eating. On physical examination, there was a palpable mass on the left supraclavicular area. Endoscopic examination revealed a mass on the distal esophagus with irregular mucosa, erythema and a whitish plaque with luminal narrowing. The patient was diagnosed with unresectable esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T3N2M1, Stage IV). The patient received CCRT (total 63 Gy) with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). After CCRT, the patient took an additionally 2 cycles of chemotherapy for consolidation (cisplatin and 5-FU every 4 weeks). After additional chemotherapy, endoscopic examination showed no residual tumor, a chest CT scan revealed that the mass in the distal esophagus had decreased and there was no enlargement of the lymph nodes around the left supraclavicular area. The patient has been in complete remission for 5 years.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.66-76
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate an integrated management program to enhance self-efficacy, compliance with sick-role behaviors, symptom management, and biomarker indication in hemodialysis patients. Methods: The integrated management program was developed through a systematic review of literature, analysis of relevant online data, and expert validation. It comprised 480 min of video-based education delivered eight times over four weeks, supplemented by weekly phone consultations and text message support from a nurse. To evaluate the program's effectiveness, it was administered to 44 patients with hemodialysis in a single group in a pre-post test experimental study. Changes in self-efficacy, sick-role behavior compliance, dialysis symptom index, and biomarkers were assessed. Results: The program yielded statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy (t=-7.13, p<.001), sick-role behavioral compliance (t=-7.35, p<.001), dialysis symptom index (t=4.32, p<.001), and blood urea nitrogen levels (t=2.55, p=.014) among the participants. Conclusion: The integrated management program is an effective intervention for improving hemodialysis patients' self-efficacy, compliance with sick-role behaviors, and experience of symptoms. Additionally, it is considered an intervention with high clinical applicability and efficiency through video reproducibility.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.42-44
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• 2022

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.207-213
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• 1999

During the differentiation of Naegleria gruberi amoebas into flagellates, the amoebas undergo sequential changes in cell shape and form new cellular organelles. To understand the nature of the signal which initiates this differentiation and the signal transduction pathway, we treated cells with four agents, PMA, retinoic acid (RA), okadaic acid, and cAMP. Retinoic acid and cAMP had specific effects on the differentiation of N. gruberi depending on the time of the drug treatment. Addition of (100$\mu$M) retinoic acid at the initiation of differentiation inhibited differentiation by blockinq the transcription of differentiation specific genes (e.g., $\beta$-tubulin). This inhibition of differentiation by retinoic acid was overcome by co-treatment with cAMP (or dbcAMP, 20 $\mu$M). Addition of retinoic acid at later stages (30 and 70 min) had no effect on the transcriptional regulation of the $\beta$-tubulin gene, however the differentiation was inhibited by different degrees. Co-treatment of cAMP at these stages did not overcome the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid. These results suggest that the role of retinoic acid as a transcriptional regulator might be conserved throughout the evolution of eukaryotes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2557-2561
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• 2013

Background: Chemoradiation (CRT) using cisplatin-based regimens has become the standard of care in the treatment of squamous cell head and neck cancers (SCHNC). The impact of taxanes as radiosensitizing agents with concurrent CRT regimens is unknown. We therefore retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly cisplatin+docetaxel combination with CRT in locally advanced SCHNC. Methods: Sixty-six patients with locally advanced SCHNC (39.4% stage IV, 53% stage III, and 7.6% stage II) were assessed retrospectively. Total radiation dose to the PTV of gross disease (primary and/or node) was 70 Gy/35 fractions, 5 fractions per week. Minimum doses of 60 Gy and 50 Gy were administered to PTVs of elective high risk and low risk disease, respectively. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of weekly cisplatin (20 $mg/m^2$)+docetaxel (20 $mg/m^2$) concurrently with RT. Results: The median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 32-77). Objective response rate was 83.3%. The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 75.7% and 78.3%, respectively. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities were mucositis (36.4%), nausea and vomiting (12.1%), neutropenia (4.5%). Conclusion: Weekly cisplatin and docetaxel concurrent with RT for locally advanced SCHNC was found tolerable with high efficacy.