• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1036-1054
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• 2019

Recently, concomitant with a surge in numbers of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with various sensors, mobile crowdsensing (MCS) has provided a new business model for IoT. For example, a person can share road traffic pictures taken with their smartphone via a cloud computing system and the MCS data can provide benefits to other consumers. In this service model, to encourage people to actively engage in sensing activities and to voluntarily share their sensing data, providing appropriate incentives is very important. However, the sensing data from personal devices can be sensitive to privacy, and thus the privacy issue can suppress data sharing. Therefore, the development of an appropriate privacy protection system is essential for successful MCS. In this study, we address this problem due to the conflicting objectives of privacy preservation and incentive payment. We propose a privacy-preserving mechanism that protects identity and location privacy of sensing users through an on-demand incentive payment and group signatures methods. Subsequently, we apply the proposed mechanism to one example of MCS-an intelligent parking system-and demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of our mechanism through emulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.404-413
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• 2019

Udenafil, which is a $PDE_5$ inhibitor, is used to treat erectile dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether udenafil induces hair growth via the stimulation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). In this study, we investigated whether udenafil stimulates ASCs and whether increased growth factor secretion from ASCs to facilitate hair growth. We found that subcutaneous injection of udenafiltreated ASCs accelerated telogen-to-anagen transition in vivo. We also observed that udenafil induced proliferation, migration and tube formation of ASCs. It also increased the secretion of growth factors from ASCs, such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL12B, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and $NF{\kappa}B$. Furthermore, concomitant upregulation of IL-4 and IL12B mRNA levels was attenuated by ERK inhibitor or $NF{\kappa}B$ knockdown. Application of IL-4 or IL12B enhanced anagen induction in mice and increased hair follicle length in organ culture. The results indicated that udenafil stimulates ASC motility and increases paracrine growth factor, including cytokine signaling. Udenafil-stimulated secretion of cytokine from ASCs may promote hair growth via the ERK and $NF{\kappa}B$ pathways. Therefore, udenafil can be used as an ASC-preconditioning agent for hair growth.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.180-183
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• 2019

A 7-year-old, male Maltese dog with a body weight of 2.8 kg was presented with a history of hind limbs ataxia that progressed to tetraparesis over a one-month period. Based on physical and neurological examinations, tetraparesis with concomitant UMN signs, kyphosis and severe neck pain were identified. On MRI scan, we tentatively diagnosed this patient as a primary intramedullary spinal cord tumor. Therapy with lomustine plus hydroxyurea and prednisolone was initiated and the clinical signs rapidly improved. The patient was regularly checked by MRI scan and the range of the mass was gradually reduced to complete remission for 11 months. About 19 months after treatment, the patient showed anemia and hematochezia which suspected as adverse effects of chemotherapy. The condition was getting worse over 2 months and the patient suddenly expired 657 days after initial presentation. On histopathological examination, the spinal cord sample was identified as a neuronal atrophy without evidence of tumor cell.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.116-120
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• 2019

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC), a rare tumor in the head and neck region, displays comparable properties with other tumors clinically and pathologically. In consequence, an incorrect diagnosis may be established. A 51-year-old male patient who was admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Pusan National University Dental Hospital was initially diagnosed with ameloblastoma via incisional biopsy. However, the excised mass of the patient was observed to manifest histopathological characteristics of ameloblastic carcinoma. The lesion was ultimately diagnosed as clear cell odontogenic carcinoma by the Department of Oral Pathology of Pusan National Dental University. Therefore, segmental mandibulectomy and bilateral neck dissection were performed, followed by reconstruction with fibula free flap and reconstruction plate. Concomitant chemotherapy radiotherapy was not necessary. The patient has been followed up, and no recurrence has occurred 6 months after surgery.

• Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.787-804
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• 2018

Flavor quality is import for determining consumer perception and acceptance of tomato products. In this study, 'Fendou' tomato fruit were harvested at six ripening stages and sampled to investigate the development of flavor-relevant compounds during vine ripening. Results showed that upon the initiation of ripening there was an increase in respiration rate and concomitant ethylene evolution that was associated with increased membrane permeability. In accordance with these physiological changes, flavor-relevant compounds demonstrated different expression patterns as fruit ripened, which contributed to 'red-ripe' flavor characteristics of red-ripe fruit. Based on correlation analysis between ethylene evolution and the flavor-relevant compounds during 'Fendou' tomato ripening and the other researchers' reports, the activation of System 2-dependent autocatalytic ethylene production plays an important role in the development of most flavor-relevant compounds during tomato vine ripening. Overall, our results suggested that most flavor-relevant compounds that accumulated the most during tomato fruit ripening at red stage could be under ethylene regulation and were among the most important contributors to the 'red-ripe' flavor. Due to the development of these compounds, the flavor quality at late ripening stages is different from that of fruit at early ripening stages.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.564-570
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• 2021

Perianal fistulizing diseases, namely perianal fistulas and/or abscesses, are well-known complications of Crohn's disease (CD). These are known to develop more frequently in Asian children with CD, especially in the early stages of the disease course. Approximately half of the pediatric CD cases in Korea present with perianal fistulizing diseases at diagnosis. We report a rare case of a 12-year-old boy with CD with an incidental discovery of a perianal abscess on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging during CD diagnosis. No symptoms or signs of perianal fistulizing disease were identified. The early diagnosis of the perianal abscess enabled timely and effective treatment. Considering the high incidence of concomitant perianal CD in Korean children at diagnosis, perianal imaging may be useful and should be considered during diagnostic evaluation, even in patients with no subjective or objective findings indicating perianal CD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1835-1842
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• 2020

Ergosterol, an essential constituent of membrane lipids of yeast, is distributed in both the cell membrane and intracellular endomembrane components such as vacuoles. Honokiol, a major polyphenol isolated from Magnolia officinalis, has been shown to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Here, we assessed the effect of honokiol on ergosterol biosynthesis and vacuole function in C. albicans. Honokiol could decrease the ergosterol content and upregulate the expression of genes related with the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. The exogenous supply of ergosterol attenuated the toxicity of honokiol against C. albicans. Honokiol treatment could induce cytosolic acidification by blocking the activity of the plasma membrane Pma1p H+-ATPase. Furthermore, honokiol caused abnormalities in vacuole morphology and function. Concomitant ergosterol feeding to some extent restored the vacuolar morphology and the function of acidification in cells treated by honokiol. Honokiol also disrupted the intracellular calcium homeostasis. Amiodarone attenuated the antifungal effects of honokiol against C. albicans, probably due to the activation of the calcineurin signaling pathway which is involved in honokiol tolerance. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that honokiol could inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis and decrease Pma 1p H+-ATPase activity, which resulted in the abnormal pH in vacuole and cytosol.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.72-74
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• 2021

Congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is an extremely rare coronary anomaly that necessitates surgical correction. Patients with LMCA atresia may have various clinical symptoms, which are determined by the degree of collateral vessel development from the right coronary system, the metabolic demands of the heart, and concomitant mitral insufficiency caused by myocardial ischemia. Unlike in adults, there are limited surgical options for coronary artery disease in children. Herein, we report a case of LMCA atresia with mitral regurgitation in a 19-month-old child that was successfully corrected by coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.449-453
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• 2021

The 2020 American College of Cardiology focused update on the mitral regurgitation (MR) pathway provides an excellent summary of the decision-making trees in the treatment of severe MR, in which 2 main branches of the flowchart are suggested depending on whether MR is primary or secondary. Surgery is suggested as preferable over transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in primary MR that needs intervention. The decision-making for secondary MR generally prioritizes TEER over surgery according to the guidelines, but further stratification is necessary based on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of MR. TEER is probably the more suitable option in secondary MR caused by left ventricular dysfunction or dilatation, given the high perceived surgical risks, despite the lack of sufficient evidence in support of overt clinical benefits from surgical therapy in these patients. In atrial functional MR associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), however, concomitant ablation of AF seems to be a desirable option, as it has been demonstrated to be a key factor leading to improved survival, reduced stroke risk, and more durable mitral and tricuspid function in patients undergoing mitral surgery. Therefore, atrial functional MR requiring intervention may be best treated by surgical therapy that combines mitral repair and AF ablation in the majority of patients. This particular issue, however, needs further research to obtain scientific evidence to guide optimal management strategies.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to determine effects of phosphorus on lignification and carbohydrate metabolism in Kentucky bluegrass under drought stress. Drought stress was induced by reducing of water to plants in pots. Two types of phosphorus were applied as potassium phosphate (PO₄^3-; P) or potassium phosphonate (PO₃^3-; PA) in drought-stressed plants. Drought had significant negative effects on plant growth, as revealed by reduced biomass of shoot. Drought-induced increase of lignin content was concomitant with the increase of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Soluble sugar content was highly increased but fructan content was largely decreased by drought stress. However, the application of phosphorus was efficient to ameliorate the adverse effects of drought. PA application improved reduced shoot growth and relative water content, and inhibited lignification synthesis with a reduction of PAL activity. P or PA application maintained soluble sugar and fructan content at similar levels to controls under drought stress. These results indicate that phosphorus application may mitigate the drought stress by inhibiting the lignification and promoting the fructan assimilation.