• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.303-309
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• 2005

Essential hypertension has been considered as multifactorial disease resulted from the interaction of both environmental and genetic factors. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure homeostasis. Recently, a homologue of angiotensin I converting enzyme, ACE2 has been focused on as a candidate gene of essential hypertension in the experiments using animal model and human being. In this study, we carried out an association study in order to clarify the relationship between the A 1075G polymorphism in the ACE2 gene and essential hypertension in Korean subjects. Because this polymorphism is located on human chromosome X, the statistical analysis for each gender was performed separately. There were no significant differences in allele distribution of the A 1075G polymorphism in the ACE2 gene between normotensives and hypertensives in the both gender groups, respectively. However, this polymorphism was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values in only female groups (P< 0.05). Thus, these results may suggest the probable role of ACE2 gene in the inter-individual susceptibility of female group to blood pressure variability.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.64.2-64.2
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• 2017

The Population III (Pop III) stars are thought to be massive. If massive Pop III stars form binary system and they experience mass transfer via the Roche lobe overflow, this may significantly change the properties of the system. For example, mass transfer in such system may shorten the period of the system, forming short period binary black hole (BBH) system, which is the most promising candidate for recently detected gravitational wave radiation sources. Also, there is an expectation that due to the stripped envelope of donor star by mass transfer, this system can play a significant role in the cosmic reionization by emitting more UV photons. However, this outcome highly depends on the initial properties of the system. We perform grid calculation on Pop III binary models with various initial primary masses (20 ~ 100 solar mass), initial separations, and initial mass ratios (q = 0.5 ~ 0.9). We find that 1) in most cases binary models show no increase in the number of ionizing photons and 2) formation of short period BBH system via mass transfer is highly unlikely.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2012

The melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7) protein, also known as interleukin-24 (IL-24), is a novel candidate of tumor suppressor that can induce apoptosis experimentally in a variety of human malignant cells. However, there have been few studies about its role in colorectal cancer. We performed immunohistochemical detection of MDA-7/IL-24 in 399 tissue samples from primary colorectal adenocarcinoma patients using a tissue microarray. Western blotting was then done to confirm the immunohistochemical observations. MDA-7/IL-24 immunoreactivity was observed in 116 (29.1%) of the 399 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases. Analysis of the MDA-7/IL-24 expression by Western blotting confirmed the immunohistochemical results. The tumors with a negative MDA-7/IL-24 expression more frequently showed poor differentiation (P=0004), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001), deep invasion (P=0.008) and high stage (P=0.001). A subset of colorectal adenocarcinoma revealed a decreased expression of MDA-7/IL-24, and this was associated with progressive pathologic features. These findings suggest that loss of MDA-7/IL-24 expression may play a role in tumor growth and progression of colorectal adenocarcinomas.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2011

Major depression is a devastating disorder of which lifetime prevalence rate is as high as up to 25% in general population. Although the etiology of the disorder is still poorly understood, it is generally accepted that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the precipitation of depression. Stressful lifetime events are potent precipitating environmental factors for major depression and early-life stress is in particular an important element that predisposes individuals to major depression later in life. How environmental factors such as stress can make our neural networks susceptible to depression and how those factors leave long-lasting influences have been among the major questions in the field of depression research. Epigenetic regulations can provide a bridging mechanism between environmental factors and genetic factors so that these two factors can additively determine individual predispositions to major depression. Here we introduce epigenetic regulations as candidate mechanisms that mediate the integration of environmental adversaries with genetic predispositions, which may lead to the development of major depression, and summarize basic molecular events that underlie epigenetic regulations as well as experimental evidences that support the active role of epigenetic regulation in major depression.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.18-28
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• 1996

This study was carried out to explore the direction of job involvement of public health nurses and explore the way for improving services of public health center in Korea. The subjects were consisted of 164 nurses who were working at public health centers in Chonbuk. The data were collected by self-reporting questionnaire from Jan. 15 to Jan. 27, 1996. The instrument used in this study was Likert-type scale which Job Involvement Scale developed by Kanungo. The questionnaires of organizational and job characteristic were made through reviewing literatures. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SPSSPC+ program. Major findings were as follows : 1. Mean scores for job involvement were 3.0879 on a 5 point scale. 2. In the personal variables, professional experience(t=-2.18, p=.031), position(t=2.34, p=.021), and age(F=-1.94, p=.038) were statistically significant in job involvement. 3. The variables to job characteristic were statistically significant in job involvement: job challenge (r=.4785, p=.000), role ambiguity (r=-.3141, p=.000), task significance (r=.2714, p=.000), and role conflict(r=-.2166, p=.003). 4. The variables to organizational characteristic were statistically significant in job involvement : formalization(r=.3184, p=.000) and human centered organizational characteristic (r=.2450, p=.001).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.500-506
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• 2008

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. In this study we found that apigenin stimulated melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in B16 murine melanoma cells. Since in our previous study $K^+$-$Cl^-$-cotransport (KCC) has been shown to mediate the mechanism of action of apigenin in neuronal cells, we further investigated the role of KCC in the melanogenesis-stimulating effect of apigenin in B16 cells. At nontoxic concentrations apigenin induced $Cl^-$-dependent $K^+$ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activity, which was markedly prevented by a specific KCC inhibitor R-(+)-[(2-n-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA). These results indicate that KCC is functionally present, and activated by apigenin in the B16 cells. In addition, the apigenin-induced stimulation of melanogenesis was also significantly inhibited by DIOA. NEthylmaleimide (NEM), a known KCC activator, induced $Cl^-$ efflux and stimulated melanogenesis in a concentration-dependent fashion. Both effects of NEM were significantly inhibited by DIOA. Taken together, these results suggest that apigenin can modulate melanogenesis through the activation of a membrane ion transporter, KCC in B16 cells. These results further suggest that apigenin may be a good candidate in the therapeutic strategy for hypopigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3842-3861
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• 2019

In cut throat competition, organizations all over the world try to utilize the immense opportunities the Internet has to offer in almost all of their operations. Today, Social networking sites (SNSs) provide utilities designed to help companies to recruit right personnel. Considering the implication of social media for recruitment at infancy stage in Pakistan and lack of studies related to it, this study aims to investigate the role of different SNSs qualities (Easily navigate, Secure process, Eminence Proficiency, Candidate's Attraction and Network Expedition) in effective E-recruitment (EER). Data were collected through structured questionnaire from employees and managers of major telecom companies of Pakistan. Finally, the result of 355 returned and valid questionnaire with 55% response rate show that the relationship between SNSs qualities and EER is significant. Moreover, results also prove that EER is better than the tradition recruitment and a SNSs comparison show that Facebook is more effective than LinkedIn for EER. The results of this study will help Pakistani companies to develop a successful e-HRM and EER strategy in the current scenario.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.85-92
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• 2021

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to functional decline in academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and development in school-aged children. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can significantly reduce the functional decline caused by ADHD. Currently, there is no established biological marker for ADHD. Some studies have suggested that various indicators from the quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) may be useful biological markers for the diagnosis of ADHD. Until the 2010s, theta/beta ratio (TBR) was a biomarker candidate for ADHD that consistently showed high diagnostic value. However, limitations of TBR have recently been reported. Studies have demonstrated that phase-amplitude coupling, especially theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling, are related to cognitive dysfunction and may assist in the diagnosis of ADHD. As yet, the underlying mechanism is not clearly established, and the clinical efficacy of these biomarkers needs to be proven through well-controlled studies. Based on the heterogeneous characteristics of ADHD, subgrouping through QEEG plays a key role in diagnosis and treatment planning. Sophisticated, well-designed studies and meta-analyses are necessary to confirm these findings.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2024

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a zoonotic soil-derived nematode that parasitizes the intestines of humans and animals (dogs and cats), leading to malnutrition and iron-deficiency anemia. Helminth parasites secrete calreticulin (CRT), which regulates or blocks the host's immune response. However, no data on A. ceylanicum calreticulin (Ace-CRT) are available. We investigated the biological function of recombinant Ace-CRT (rAce-CRT). rAce-CRT showed reliable antigenicity and stimulated the proliferation of mouse splenocytes and canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR assays revealed that rAce-CRT primarily promoted the expression of T helper 2 cytokines, particularly IL-13, in canine peripheral blood lymphocytes. rAce-CRT inhibited complement-mediated sheep erythrocyte hemolysis in vitro. Our findings indicate that Ace-CRT plays an immunomodulatory role and may be a promising candidate molecule for a hookworm vaccine.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.23-26
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• 2013

Social networking services that connect a person to other people are attracting people's attention and various types of services are provided on the Internet. Library has been playing a role of social media by providing us with materials such as books and magazines, and with a place for reading, studying, getting lectures, etc. In this paper, we present a method for finding candidates of groups of the library's patrons who share interest areas by utilizing the loan records, which are obtainable in every library. Such a homogeneous group can become a candidate for a study group, a community for exchange ideas, and other activity group. We apply the method to a collection of loan records of a university library, find some problems to be solved, and propose measures for more detailed solutions. Even though the potential group finding problem still remains a lot of issues to be solved, its potential importance is very high and thus to be studies even more for future applications.