• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.257-270
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• 2019

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in a variety of applications in innovative development; consequently, people are more exposed to this particle. Growing concern about toxicity from AgNP exposure has attracted greater attention, while questions about nanosilver-responsive genes and consequences for human health remain unanswered. By considering early detection and prevention of nanotoxicology at the genetic level, this study aimed to identify 1) changes in gene expression levels that could be potential indicators for AgNP toxicity and 2) morphological phenotypes correlating to toxicity of HepG2 cells. To detect possible nanosilver-responsive genes in xenogenic targeted organs, a comprehensive systematic literature review of changes in gene expression in HepG2 cells after AgNP exposure and in silico method, connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays (CU-DREAM), were performed. In addition, cells were extracted and processed for transmission electron microscopy to examine ultrastructural alterations. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Series database, we selected genes that were up- and down-regulated in AgNPs, but not up- and down-regulated in silver ion exposed cells, as nanosilver-responsive genes. HepG2 cells in the AgNP-treated group showed distinct ultrastructural alterations. Our results suggested potential representative gene data after AgNPs exposure provide insight into assessment and prediction of toxicity from nanosilver exposure.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Since non-cardiac chest discomfort (NCCD) can result in substantial healthcare burden and lower quality of life, interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been investigated for the relief of NCCD. In this review, we aimed to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of the CBT for the treatment of NCCD while introducing a newly-developed computerized CBT program for NCCD. Studies applying CBT to individuals with NCCD were searched for from both English and Korean electronic databases. Among 37 studies, 11 randomized controlled trials, 4 case-control studies, 1 case series, and 2 review articles were eligible for this review. Efficacy of conventional CBT for NCCD was shown in a series of studies as most of them reported improved symptom severity of NCCD or NCCD-related anxiety. However, a substantial variability existed among these studies in participants, treatment procedures and durations. High attrition rates were also reported in these studies on conventional CBT. Computerized CBT could be an alternative to the conventional CBT as it can be standardized and more easily accessible, but it was only reported in one previous study. In addition to the literature review, we presented a newly-developed computerized CBT program for NCCD which may overcome some of the limitations of conventional CBT. A computerized CBT could be an alternative treatment of NCCD, however, need further studies on its usefulness.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.46-58
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• 2019

Background: Dating violence refers to violence occurring between people in an intimate relationship. Forms of dating violence are often categorized into physical, psychological, and sexual violence, and most existing literature has followed this frame. However, few studies have focused on the phenomenon of living under the perpetrator's coercive control in victims of dating violence, although those experiences are known to be signs of severe forms of violence later on. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of being coercively controlled in female victims who had experienced dating violence. Method: For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 14 female victims, and all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis method suggested by Colaizzi. Results: Three themes were derived in chronological order: idealizing the relationship (period of potential control), facing severer tyranny (period of coercive control), and escaping from the unending trap (period of post-control). The results showed that the victims experienced perpetrators' control with specific patterns. The perpetrators' controlling behaviors were invisible, literally benevolent, at the beginning; however, severe forms of violence seemed to appear as their relationship deepened and the perpetrators failed to control the victims. Conclusion: Findings from this study presented vivid experiences of female victims who needed help and care. Hopefully, the results can benefit in terms of developing evidence-based prevention strategies for victims as well as assessing the risks of severe forms of dating violence, such as physical attack or murder.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Mycotoxin contamination is a global phenomenon and causes a wide array of negative effects and other complications. This study focused on commonly found mycotoxins in Africa and the possible means of prevention or reduction of their contaminating effects. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of mold and fungi; they are generally toxic to living organisms. Hundreds of mycotoxins have been identified thus far, with some, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, and patulin, considered agro-economically important. Several factors contribute to the presence of mycotoxins in food, such as climatic conditions, pest infestation, and poor harvest and storage practices. Exposure to mycotoxins, which occurs mostly by ingestion, leads to various diseases, such as mycotoxicoses and mycoses that may eventually result in death. In light of this, this review of relevant literature focuses on mycotoxin contamination, as well as various methods for the prevention and control of their prevalence, to avert its debilitating consequences on human health. Clear evidence of mycotoxin contamination is present in Africa, and it was therefore recommended that adequate prevention and control of these toxic substances in our food system should be encouraged and that appropriate measures must be taken to ensure food safety as well as the enhanced or long-lifespan of the African populace. Governments, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations should tailor the limited resources available to tackle mycotoxin prevalence, as these will offer the best prospects for successful development of a sustainable food system in Africa.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.191-213
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• 2011

This study empirically examines whether income smoothing effectively contributes to consumption smoothing. Since international factor movement plays an important role for income smoothing across countries, net factor income across countries deserves more attention in considering income smoothing than attention having been paid by previous studies in the literature. Most of previous studies assume that net factor income has the same degree of effects on consumption as GDP. For the case of 12 EU countries during the period from 1999 to 2010, our empirical investigation observes that the response of consumption with respect to net factor income is severely lower than the response of consumption with respect to GDP, and further net factor income has ignorable effects on the consumption. This evidence implies that the income smoothing via international factor movement is less significant in contributing to the consumption smoothing. In the sequel, our finding suggests that legal and institutional process for transferring net factor income across countries should be eased further to improve contribution of income smoothing to consumption smoothing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

Breast animation deformity (BAD) has been reported to occur after submuscular implant placement following breast augmentation and immediate breast reconstruction. Despite its apparent impact on patients' quality of life, BAD has only recently become a topic of general concern. Its incidence and etiology have yet to be established. The aim of this systematic review was to identify papers that clearly defined and classified BAD and described how the degree of animation was assessed. We performed a search in PubMed and Embase. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria that described BAD after implant-based breast augmentation or immediate breast reconstruction were included. After screening 866 publications, four studies were included: three describing BAD after breast augmentation and one describing BAD after immediate breast reconstruction. The median percentage of patients with some degree of BAD was 58%. The highest percentages were found in patients operated on using the Regnault technique or the dual-plane technique (73%-78%). The lowest percentages were found following the dual-plane muscle-splitting technique (30%) and the triple-plane technique (33%). We found no studies meeting the inclusion criteria that analyzed BAD after prepectoral implant placement. This review of the current literature suggests that the degree of BAD is proportional to the degree of muscle involvement. Evidence is scarce, and the phenomenon seems to be underreported. Future comparative studies are warranted.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.277-282
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• 2019

Currently speaking, it is noted that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been the most widely used treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in patients. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of insufficient RFA (IRFA) may result in the identified rapid progression of residual HCC in the patient, which can greatly hinder the effectiveness and patient reported benefits of utilizing this technique. Although many efforts have been proposed, the underlying mechanisms triggering the rapid progression of residual HCC after IRFA have not yet been fully clarified through current research literature reviews. It was shown in this study that cell proliferation, migration and invasion of residual HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells were significantly increased after the IRFA was simulated in vitro. In other words, it is noted that IRFA could do this by enhancing the image of autophagy of the residual HCC cell via the $HIF-1{\alpha}/BNIP3$ pathway. Consequently, the down-regulation of BNIP3 may result in the inhibition of the residual HCC cell progression and autophagy after IRFA. Our present study results suggest that IRFA could promote residual HCC cell progression in vitro by enhancing autophagy via the $HIF-1{\alpha}/BNIP3$ pathway. For this reason, it is noted that the targeting of the BNIP3 may be useful in preventing the rapid growth and metastasis of residual HCC after IRFA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.329-345
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• 2021

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Evidence has suggested an association between serum vitamin D and metabolic syndrome (MetS), but prospective studies are very limited. The objective was to assess the dose-response association between serum vitamin D concentration and MetS risk using a systematic review and meta-analysis of updated observational studies. MATERIALS/METHODS: Using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase, a systematic literature search was conducted through February 2020 and the references of relevant articles were reviewed. A random-effects model was used to estimate the summary odds ratio/relative risk and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated with I² statistic. In total, 23 observational studies (19 cross-sectional studies, and four cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The pooled estimates (95% CI) for MetS per 25-nmol/L increment in serum vitamin D concentration were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76-0.84; I² = 53.5) in cross-sectional studies, and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.72-0.98; I² = 85.8) in cohort studies. Similar results were observed, irrespectively of age of study population, study location, MetS criteria, and adjustment factors. There was no publication bias for the dose-response meta-analysis of serum vitamin D concentrations and MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Dose-response meta-analysis demonstrated that a 25-nmol/L increment in the serum vitamin D concentration was associated with 20% and 15% lower risks of MetS in cross-sectional studies and cohort studies, respectively.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.19-38
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• 2021

Purpose - This study aims to verify the direct causal relationship between cost competitiveness and global network competitiveness, which are the tangible service quality factors determined by the shipping company, which in turn affect the shipper's customer satisfaction. Additionally, we empirically investigate the intangible, related service qualities determined by shipping companies, such as operational competitiveness and customer relationship quality, and how these then positively affect customer satisfaction through the formation of trust. Therefore, we examine the mediating effect of trust formation among different contractors for shipping services. Design/methodology - In order to examine the shipping company's tangible and intangible service-qualities perceived by the shipper on customer satisfaction and the process of trust formation between contractors, we collected valid data from 114 respondents out of 200 distributed questionnaires. The respondents consisted of domestic freight forwarders who engage with domestic and international shipping and logistics agencies. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, convergent and discriminant validities, common method bias, and PLS-SEM (partial least square-structural equation model) were analyzed using the program STATA 16. Findings - The findings of this study are as follows. First, our results showed that all hypotheses assumed in this study had statistically significant supporting evidence. Second, it was found that the mediating effect of trust was significant in affecting the quality of intangible service- qualities for customer satisfaction. Third, through supplementary analysis, we found that the global network competitiveness of domestic shipping companies will increase in importance in the future. In conclusion, the theoretical and practical implications of these findings are presented. Originality/value - This study reaffirmed the traditional causal relationship between customer satisfaction and tangible service quality. Additionally, we also contribute to the literature on the understanding of the causal relationship between trust formation and customer satisfaction through intangible interactions from a long-term perspective.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.589-607
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• 2021

Meat proteolytic systems play a crucial role in meat tenderisation. Understanding the effects of processing technologies and post-mortem storage conditions on these systems is important due to their crucial role in determining the quality characteristics of meat and meat products. It has recently been proposed that tenderisation occurs due to the synergistic action of numerous endogenous proteolytic systems. There is strong evidence suggesting the importance of μ-calpain during the initial post-mortem aging phase, while m-calpain may have a role during long-term aging. The caspase proteolytic system is also a candidate for cell degradation in the initial stages of conversion of muscle to meat. The role of cathepsins, which are found in the lysosomes, in post-mortem aging is controversial. Lysosomes need to be ruptured, through aging, or other forms of processing to release cathepsins into the cytosol for participation in proteolysis. A combination of optimum storage conditions along with suitable processing may accelerate protease activity within meat, which can potentially lead to improved meat tenderness. Processing technologies such as high pressure, ultrasound, and shockwave processing have been reported to disrupt muscle structure, which can facilitate proteolysis and potentially enhance the aging process. This paper reviews the recent literature on the impacts of processing technologies along with post-mortem storage conditions on the activities of endogenous proteases in meat. The information provided in the review may be helpful in selecting optimum post-mortem meat storage and processing conditions to achieve improved muscle tenderness within shorter aging and cooking times.