• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and took medicine during phase II of rehabilitation were recruited for study. Subjects were divided into two groups; exercise group (EX, n=21) and a non-exercise group (non-EX, n=13). Supervised exercise program in hospital consisted of treadmill and bicycle exercise was performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Patients of EX received individual counseling, including knowledge of heart disease, risk factor modification, and physical training. Cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and biochemical blood factors were analyzed before and after experiment. There was no significant difference in serum levels of hs-CRP and TGF-${\beta}1$ between groups, and between time intervals. But there was a significant decrease in serum levels of IL-18 (P<.001). And there was a significant increase in ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 (P<.01) and serum levels of IL-10 (P<.001). After cardiac rehabilitation, there was significant increase in exercise duration (P<.001), maximal oxygen uptake ($VO_{2peak}$; P<.001) and decrease in submaximal rate-pressure product (sRPP; P<.05) in EX. In conclusion, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation during phase II in patients with ACS after PCI decreased serum IL-18 (pro-inflammatory) content and ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 in serum (highly related with disease recurrence), and increased serum IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) content. In addition, it led to improved cardiopulmonary fitness.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.215-230
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• 2010

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), PVDF-HFP, hollow fiber membranes were prepared by the dry/wet spinning technique using different polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations as non-solvent additive in the dope solution. Two different PEG concentrations (3 and 5 wt.%). The morphology and structural characteristics of the hollow fiber membranes were studied by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and void volume fraction. The experimental permeate flux and the salt (NaCl) rejection factor were determined using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) process. An increase of the PEG content in the spinning solution resulted in a faster coagulation of the PVDF-HFP copolymer and a transition of the cross-section internal layer structure from a sponge-type structure to a finger-type structure. Pore size, nodule size and roughness parameters of both the internal and external hollow fiber surfaces were determined by AFM. It was observed that both the pore size and roughness of the internal surface of the hollow fibers enhanced with increasing the PEG concentration, whereas no change was observed at the outer surface. The void volume fraction increased with the increase of the PEG content in the spinning solution resulting in a higher DCMD flux and a smaller salt rejection factor.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.921-928
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• 2014

This study investigated the quality characteristics of cookies containing capsaicin, the main source of spicy taste in pepper, which is well known for its various functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities, as well as pain-relief effect. Cookie samples were made by adding the capsaicin powder at different levels, including 40 mg% (C1), 85 mg% (C2), and 150 mg% (C3). In this study, measurement of the moisture, pH, color, spread factor, hardness, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory evaluation of the cookies was carried out. The results showed that the anti-oxidant activity increased when more capsaicin powder was added to the cookies (p<0.001). The moisture also increased with increasing capsaicin powder content (p<0.05), while the pH did not show any significant changes. As for the colors, the L value and b value decreased as more capsaicin powder was added, while the a value increased. The spread factor also increased significantly with the increase of capsaicin powder (p<0.01). Although the hardness increased with capsaicin powder content, no statistically significant differences were observed among the various cookies. In the sensory evaluation, Cookies containing 40 mg of capsaicin obtained the highest score in color, while cookies containing 150 mg of capsaicin showed the highest score in taste, texture, and overall acceptability.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.92-105
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Daecheongryong-tang (DCRT) on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents by incubating for 2 days in the absence or presence of DCRT ranging 0.25 and 2%. The effect of DCRT on adipogenesis was examined by Oil red O staining, and the protein, RNA, and RT-PCR were measured. Results: Our results showed that DCRT decreased the TG content by ORO staining. To elucidate the mechanism of the effects of DCRT on lowering TG content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we examined the DCRT modulate expressions of transcription factors to induce adipogenesis and adipogenic genes which is related to the regulation of accumulation of lipids. As a result, the expression of SREBP1, C/$EBP{\beta}$, C/$EBP{\delta}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ genes, which induce the adipose differentiation and adipose-specific aP2, adipsin, LPL, CD36, TGF-${\beta}$ and adiponectin genes which regulates fat formations, were decreased. In addition, DCRT reduced the expression of iNOS and IL-6 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, resulting in inflammation. Conclusions: DCRT could regulate transcript factor related to induction of adipose differentiation, inhibit the accumulation of lipids and expression of the adipogenic genes.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2014

Background: Currently available questionnaires for evaluating the quality of worklife do not fully examine every factor related to worklife in all cultures. A tool in Thai is therefore needed for the direct evaluation of the quality of worklife. Our aim was to translate the Work-related Quality of Life Scale-2 (WRQLS-2) into Thai, to assess the validity and reliability of the Thai-translated version, and to examine the tool's accuracy vis-$\grave{a}$-vis nursing in Thailand. Methods: This was a descriptive correlation study. Forward and backward translations were performed to develop a Thai version of the WRQLS. Six nursing experts participated in assessing content validity and 374 registered nurses (RNs) participated in its testing. After a 2-week interval, 67 RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined using principal components analysis. The Cronbach's alpha values were calculated. The respective independent sample t test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test-retest reliability. Multistate sampling was used to select 374 RNs from the In- and Outpatient Department of Srinagarind Hospital of the Khon Kaen University (Khon Kaen, Thailand). Results: The content validity index of the scale was 0.97. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, which explains 59% of the total variance. The overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.925, whereas the subscales ranged between 0.67 and 0.82. In the assessment results, the known-group validity was established for the difference between civil servants and university employees [F (7.982, 0.005) and t (3.351; p < 0.05)]. Civil servants apparently had a better quality worklife, compared to university employees. Good test-retest reliability was observed (r = 0.892, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The Thai version of a WRQLS appears to be well validated and practicable for determining the quality of the work-life among nurses in Thailand.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.135-147
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• 2007

Segregation in asphalt pavements occurs as a result of the non-uniform distribution of coarse and fine aggregates and causes premature distresses, such as cracking, raveling, and stripping. The effect of segregation on rutting, however, has not been clearly identified. Experimental and analytical work performed in this study indicates that rutting performance is affected by segregation of mixtures. However, the aggregate structure of mixtures appears to be a more critical factor that determines the rutting performance, rather than the level of segregation. Based on the field mixtures evaluated, an increase of coarse aggregate volume in an asphalt mixture is an important factor that results in good rutting performance. This effect holds true for mixtures with lower levels of air voids, but for mixtures with higher levels of air voids, the air voids effect becomes dominant, resulting in a reduction in rutting performance. An air void content of 10% appears to be a threshold that determines the rutting performance of Superpave mixtures. Once the air void content exceeds 10%, the rutting performance of Superpave mixtures decreases significantly, despite the coarse aggregate volume.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.935-942
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• 2019

Statistical analysis was carried out to identify the influence on environmental factors between paddy water chemical properties and Chl-a concentration (algae biomass index) using water samples collected in June for 3 years at rice paddy field. As a result of correlation analysis, there was a significantly negative relationships in DO(-0.366) and pH(-0.141). In contrast, significantly positive relationships were founded in COD(+0.431) and TOC(+0.422). According to the result of factor analysis, 3 factors were obtained and indicated that PC1 were Ca, K, Mg cation, PC2 were TOC, T-P, $PO{_4}^{3-}-P$ and DO, and PC3 were T-N and $NH_4{^+}-N$. As a result of linear regression analysis to develop a prediction model for chl-a concentration, the total amount of explanation was 20.6%, PC2 had the greatest influence on the increase of chl-a concentration and PC1 also showed a positive correlation but the PC3 has a negative correlation. In conclusion, carbon and phosporous content are the main factors for the increase algae blooms of rice paddy.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to validate the Korean version of Partners In Health scale (PIH-K) which is used to measure the self-management of patients with chronic illnesses in Korea. Methods : Translation of the 12-item PIH-K was conducted according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Data from 306 participants who took medicines over 3 months by doctor's prescription were collected from October to November 2017. Validity such as content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity were conducted using content validity index (CVI), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). To evaluate concurrent validity, the correlation coefficients between the PIH-K and concurrent scales (Self-As-Carer Inventory) were calculated. The reliability of the PIH-K was examined using the internal consistency and test-retest reliability tests. Results : The CVI of the PIH-K was 0.91. According to the CFA, factor loadings for four factors ranged from .64 to .97, which explained 67.5% of the total variance. The PIH-K was significantly correlated with concurrent variables such as those on the Self-As-Carer Inventory. The Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was .86 and the intraclass correlation coefficient for the two-week test-retest reliability was .88. Conclusion : Findings show that the PIH-K is reliable and valid in measuring self-management of patients with chronic illnesses.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.45-54
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• 2019

This paper describes the results of finite element analysis (FEA), in order to investigate a characteristics of pile pullout behavior according to the conditions of the relative density and fines content in original ground. In the FEA, a boundary elements and strength reduction factors ($R_{inter}$) on pile-soil interface were applied to simulate appropriately the shear behavior at the pile-soil interface, and then the reliability of numerical analysis method was verified by comparison of FEA results and previous experimental research(You et al., 2018). In addition, a the deformation characteristics at the pile-soil interface and determination method of $R_{inter}$ value was laid out. The results showed that the FEA, based on the analytical model applied in this study simulates appropriately the characteristics of the pile-soil interface by pullout model test of pile. In order to apply the suggested $R_{inter}$ value, it is necessary to consider the condition of the relative density and the fines content in ground.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.661-671
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• 2019

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are promising for regenerating degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs), but the low efficiency of nucleus pulposus (NP)-specific differentiation limits their clinical applications. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is important in NP-specific differentiation of ADSCs, and Smoothened Agonist (SAG) is a highly specific and effective agonist of Shh signaling. In this study, we proposed a new differentiation strategy with the use of the small molecule SAG. The NP-specific differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis of ADSCs were measured in vitro, and the regenerative effects of SAG pretreated ADSCs in degenerated IVDs were verified in vivo. The results showed that the combination of SAG and transforming growth factor-${\beta}3$ ($TGF-{\beta}3$) is able to increase the ECM synthesis of ADSCs. In addition, the gene and protein expression levels of NP-specific markers were increased by treatment with SAG and $TGF-{\beta}3$. Furthermore, SAG pretreated ADSCs can also improve the disc height, water content, ECM content, and structure of degenerated IVDs in vivo. Our new differentiation scheme has high efficiency in inducing NP-specific differentiation of ADSCs and is promising for stem cell-based treatment of degenerated IVDs.