• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.303-312
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the semantic system and process of posttraumatic growth experience of firefighters after colleague's suicide. Grounded theory methodology based on symbolic interactionism was utilized. The subjects of this study were 7 firefighters who experienced the colleague's suicide. Data were collected by using in-depth interviews from October 1 to November 30, 2015. The results showed that "Gradually becoming more resilient" was analyzed to be the core category of firefighters' posttraumatic growth. We derived four categories and nine subcategories. Based on the results, it is necessary to develop a convergence intervention program to promote posttraumatic growth of firefighters exposed to various traumatic events.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2019

Coculture with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can stimulate proliferation and migration of melanocytes. To enhance outcomes of skin disorders caused by melanocyte loss or death, mixed transplantation with ADSCs has been suggested. However, role of cocultured ADSCs in proliferation and migration of melanocytes remains unclear. This study determined the effect of ADSCs on production of growth factors and expression levels of intergrins in primary culture of adult human melanocytes with or without ADSCs and in nude mice grafted with such melanocytes. Higher amounts of growth factors for melanocytes, such as bFGF and SCF were produced and released from ADSCs by coculturing with melanocytes. Relative levels of integrins ${\beta}1$, ${\alpha}5$, and ${\alpha}6$ as well as adhesion to fibronectin and laminin were increased in melanocytes cocultured with ADSCs. Such increases were inhibited by neutralization of bFGF or SCF. Relative levels of bFGF, SCF and integrins were increased in nude mice skin after grafting with melanocyte+ADSC cocultures. Collectively, these results indicate that ADSCs can stimulate proliferation and migration of melanocytes by increasing expression of integrins in melanocytes through upregulation of production/release of melanocyte growth factors such as bFGF and SCF.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.115-140
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of M&L psychotherapy on an adolescent with anxiety disorders transitioning into adulthood, using a retrospective mixed-method approach. Methods: An adolescent with Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5-diagnosed anxiety disorders underwent combined treatment with M&L psychotherapy and complex Korean medicine therapy over a period of approximately two years. Patient records tracked the diagnosis, treatments, and progress. In-depth interviews were also conducted. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative analysis from psychological assessments, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X), the Core Seven Emotions Inventory-short form (CSEI-s), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), with qualitative analyses of traditional Korean medicine counseling session notes, interviews, and other qualitative psychological assessments. Results: State anxiety decreased from 40 to 36, and trait anxiety decreased from 42 to 34. MMPI-2 L scale scores decreased slightly to 64T, whereas S scale scores increased to 62T, and FRS scores decreased to 70T from an initial score of 78T. Qualitative analysis revealed an increase in the MMPI-2 Es scale, identified as "subjectivity." Joy (喜) emerged as the highest emotional profile score in the CSEI-S. Scores for anger (怒), thought (思), fear (恐), and fright (驚) decreased, indicating improved negative emotions. Qualitatively, expressions of determination to "move forward" and "strengthen the mind" were noted, suggesting enhanced "lower danjeon (下丹田)." Conclusions: Integrating traditional Korean medicine treatment with M&L psychotherapy for a vulnerable adolescent with anxiety disorders demonstrated efficacy. Further research is warranted to substantiate the effectiveness of M&L psychotherapy and advocate for its wider adoption in mainstream practice.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.319-331
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to evaluate posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer and to examine the validity and reliability of the scale. Methods: A literature review, semi-structured patient interviews and an expert panel consultation produced a 27 preliminary item questionnaire. Participants were 150 cancer patients recruited to test the reliability and validity of the preliminary scale. Data were analyzed using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity and internal consistency. Results: Item reduction and exploratory factor analysis led to 23 items, grouped into five subscales which were labelled new possibilities (6 items), coping skills (5 items), preciousness of life (5 items), relating to others (4 items), and personal strength (3 items). Convergent validity was evaluated by total correlation with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (r=.45, p<.001). The final scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ =.94). Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that the Cancer-Specific Posttraumatic Growth Inventory has validity and reliability and is considered to be appropriate for assessing posttraumatic growth in patients with cancer.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2016

Objective : One of the aims of this study was to confirm the relationship in firefighters who have a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. We also explored the mediation effects of resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) on the association between traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Methods : A total of 677 firefighters were assessed in terms of the intensity of job-related traumatic experiences using the Visual Analogue Scale. They completed the Korean version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Korean version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Results : The intensity of traumatic experiences was significantly negatively related to the CD-RISC-10 score, but it was positively related to the PTGI and the IES-R scores. The CD-RISC-10 score had a significantly positive correlation with the PTGI score, but it was negatively correlated to the IES-R score. Path analyses revealed that resilience and PTG independently mediated the association between traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Conclusion : These results suggest that traumatic experiences contribute to posttraumatic stress symptoms and that these impacts may be mediated through resilience and PTG.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2018

A great progress in genetic selection, nutrition and management practices has contributed to the improved growth rate of broilers and egg production in laying hens. For the increased productivity of modern poultry, a healthy chicken liver needs to cope with the increased metabolic demands. The liver is the major site of de novo fatty acid synthesis; therefore, hepatic lipogenesis is crucial for producing better quality meat and eggs. When de novo lipogenesis exceeds the capacity of lipid metabolism and secretion, large amounts of lipids accumulate in the liver of broilers, leading to a fatty liver. Upon onset of egg-laying in hens, lipids including free fatty acids, triglycerides, and phospholipids are dramatically increased in blood plasma for the synthesis of yolk precursors in oocytes. Productive hens with fatty liver often have hemorrhagic syndrome and sudden death due to the heavy demands of yolk synthesis, which burdens the liver. Understanding the lipid metabolism and hepatic lipid disorders is a key point in the improvement of the growth and production of chickens. This review focuses on the recent studies on lipid metabolism, the hepatic lipid disorders, and the prevention or reduction of fatty liver in poultry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 2012

Endochondral bone formation is the process by which mesenchymal cells condense to become chondrocytes, which ultimately form new bone. The process of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophy is critical for bone formation and as such is regulated by many factors. In this study, we aimed to indentify novel factors that regulate chondrogenesis. We investigated the possible role of isopsoralen in induction of chondrogenic differentiation in clonal mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. Isopsoralen treatment stimulated the accumulation of cartilage nodules in a dose-dependent manner. Further, ATDC5 cells treated with isopsoralen were stained more intensely with Alcian blue than control cells, suggesting that isopsoralen increases the synthesis of matrix proteoglycans. Similarly, isopsoralen markedly induced the activation of alkaline phosphatase activity compared with control cells. Isopsoralen enhanced the expressions of chondrogenic marker genes such as collagen II, collagen X, OCN, Smad4 and Sox9 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, isopsoralen induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAP kinase, but not that of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Isopsoralen significantly enhanced the protein expression of BMP-2 in a time-dependent manner. PD98059 and SB 203580, inhibitors of ERK and p38 MAPK, respectively, decreased the number of stained cells treated with isopsoralen. Taken together, these results suggest that isopsoralen mediates a chondromodulating effect by BMP-2 or MAPK signaling pathways, and is therefore a possible therapeutic agent for bone growth disorders.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.561-570
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• 2022

This study investigated the changes in planting environment and growing conditions of 'Arisoo' apple trees under shading net treatments. Apple tree canopies were fully covered with Blue (blue color net, mesh size: 4 mm × 5 mm), Black-A (black color net, mesh size: 4 mm × 5 mm), Black-B (black color net, mesh size: 5 mm × 6 mm), and uncovered trees were used as the control. Inside the tree canopies, the illuminance was observed as 100% (85.0 Klux) in the control, but it decreased to 75% (64.3 Klux) in the Blue, 73% (63.0 Klux) in the Black-A, and 77% (65.9 Klux) in the Black-B nets, respectively. The solar irradiance was observed as 755 w·m^-3 in the control, but it was decreased to 715 w·m^-3 in the Blue, 624 w·m^-3 in the Black-A, and 647 w·m^-3 in the Black-B nets, respectively. The average daily temperature was observed to be the highest in the Black-A net (31.8℃) while it was observed to be around 30.0℃ in the control, Blue, and Black-B nets. In addition, the average fruit surface temperature was observed to be the highest (39.4℃) in the control, but it was decreased to 38.1℃ in the Blue, 37.3℃ in the Black-A, and 39.0℃ in the Black-B nets. However, the average soil temperature, the shoot growth rate, and leaf SPAD values were not different in all the treatments. Fruit sunburn disorders were the highest in the control while it was observed to be lower in the fruits from trees covered with the shading nets. However, at harvest, the fruit quality parameters were not different in all the treatments. Overall, this study suggests that the apple trees covered with the shading nets reduced the illuminance, solar irradiance, fruit surface temperature, and fruit sunburn disorders. However, the shading nets did not affect tree growth and apple fruit quality.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2019

Purpose: Genetic defects in the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were first identified as causes of various disorders in 2007. Variants in IARS2, which encodes a mitochondrial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, were first reported in 2014. These variants are associated with diverse phenotypes ranging from CAGSSS (CAtaracts, Growth hormone deficiency, Sensory neuropathy, Sensorineural hearing loss, and Skeletal dysplasia) and Leigh syndrome to isolated nonsyndromic cataracts. Here, we describe the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of Korean patients with IARS2-related disorders. Materials and Methods: Using whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing, we identified five patients with IARS2 mutations. Their medical records and brain magnetic resonance images were reviewed retrospectively. Results: All five patients presented with developmental delay or regression before 18 months of age. Three patients had bilateral cataracts, but none had hearing loss or sensory neuropathy. No evidence of skeletal dysplasia was noted, but two had short stature. One patient had cardiomyopathy and another exhibited renal tubulopathy and hypoparathyroidism. Their brain imaging findings were consistent with Leigh syndrome. Interestingly, we found the recurrent mutations p.R817H and p.V105Dfs*7 in IARS2. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of Korean patients with IARS2-related disorders. Our findings broaden the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of IARS2-related disorders in Korea and will help to increase clinical awareness of IARS2-related neurodegenerative diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.11-16
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• 2001

The development of the central nervous system is a continuous process during the embryonic and fetal periods. For a better understanding of congenital anomalies of central nervous system, three major events of normal development, i.e., neurulation (3 to 4 weeks), brain vesicle formation (4 to 7 weeks) and mantle formation (over 8 weeks) should be kept in mind. The first category of anomalies is neural tube defect. Neural tube defects encompass all the anomalies arise in completion of neurulation. The second category of central nervous system anomalies is disorders of brain vesicle formation. This is anomaly that applies for "the face predicts the brain". Holoprosencephaly covers a spectrum of anomalies of intracranial and midfacial development which result from incomplete development and septation of midline structures within the forebrain or prosencephalon. The last category of central nervous system malformation is disorders involving the process of mantle formation. In the human, neurons are generated in two bursts, the first from 8 to 10 weeks and next from 12 to 14 weeks. By 16 weeks, most of the neurons have been generated and have started their migration into the cortex. Mechanism of migration disorders are multifactorial. Abnormal migration into the cortex, abnormal neurons, faulty neural growth within the cortex, unstable pial-glial border, degeneration of neurons, neural death by exogenous factors are some of the proposed mechanism. Agyria-pachygyria are characterized by a four-layerd cortex. Polymicrogyria is gyri that are too numerous and too small, and is morphologically heterogeneous. Cortical dysplasia is characterized by the presence Q[ abnormal neurons and glia arranged abnormally in focal areas of the cerebral cortex. Neuroglial malformative lesions associated with medically intractable epilepsy are hamartia or hamartoma, focal cortical dysplasia and microdysgenesis.ysgenesis.