• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.85-108
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• 2009

The quickening pace of international migration in the last twenty years brought fundamental demographic and social changes to the Korean society. Increasing number of marriage-based immigrant families imposes new challenges on social work community; however, the social work community has not been equipped with necessary practice models, sets of skills and professionals with cultural competency. This study aims to explore an integrative framework of social work practice with this client group. Research foci include the profile of marriage-based immigrant families in Korea, available social services at the time, challenges and issues they face, the compatibility of the empowerment based social work practice, and micro/mezzo/macro level concerns that arise for the effective service provision. Challenges among marriage-based immigrant families are converged into personal/familial, community related, and larger social-cultural issues. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social process to help people gain control over their lives; a process that fosters power in people, for use in their lives, their communities and in their society. Empowerment based social work practice can be the most competent framework for working with multi-cultural families considering their multi-faceted acculturation issues while they navigate thru Korean society. Issues of educating and training of culturally competent social workers are discussed.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.240-248
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• 2008

The effect of alloying elements(Mn, S, Mo, B) on the high temperature deformation behavior of Fe-29%Ni-17%Co (Kovar) alloy were investigated. And the effect of high temperature oxidation on the hot ductility was also studied. The hot ductility of Kovar alloy was drastically increased with the addition of Mn and lowering of S content. It has been found that the brittle intergranular fracture at high temperature cracking is closely associated with the FeS sulfide along the grain boundary. When Mn was added, the type of sulfide was changed to MnS from FeS and ductile intergranular fracture and transgranular fracture were promoted. The formation of oxide layer was found to have minimized the hot ductility of the Kovar alloy significantly. Grain boundary micro-cracks in the internal oxide region were noted following deformation due to high temperature, one of which acting as a notch that caused the poor hot workability of the oxidized specimen. The addition of Mo to the Kovar alloy could also retard the decrease in the hot ductility of the oxidized specimen through the prevention of notching due to internal oxidation. Hot ductility was remarkably improved by the addition of Boron. The improvement of hot ductility results from the grain boundary migration mainly due to the dynamic recrystallization at lower temperature range ($900{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$).

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.165-173
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• 1998

Analytical solutions to predict the movement rate of submerged mound are derived using the convection coefficient and the joint distribution function of wave heights and periods. Assuming that the sediment is moved onshore due to the velocity asymmetry of Stokes' second order nonlinear wave theory, the micro-scale bedload transport equation is applied to the sediment conservation. The nonlinear convection-diffusion equation can then be obtained which governs the migration of submerged mound. The movement rate decreases exponentially with increasing the water depth, but the movement rate tends to increase as the spectral width parameter, $ u$ increases. In comparison of the analytical solution with the measured data, it is found that the analytical solution overestimates the movement rate. However, the agreement between the analytical solution and the measured data is encouraging since this over-estimation may be due to the inaccuracy of input data and the limitation of sediment transport model. In particular, the movement rates with respect to the water depth predicted by the analytical solution are in very good agreement with the estimated result using the discritization technique with the hindcast wave data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1025-1029
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate whether a DNA comet assay could be applied for identifying irradiated pork and beef. Pork and beef were irradiated with Co-60 gamma rays at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 kGy, and stored in a freezer Cells separated from the samples were embedded in agarose gel on a slide, dissolved in a lysis solution, and electrophoresed at 2 V/cm for 2.0 min by horizontal electrophoesis. The cells were then stained with a silver staining in order to visualize the DNA using a micro-scope. The DNA fragments of the irradiated cells stretched or migrated out of the cells and formed tails towards the anode, giving the appearance of comets, while unirradiated cells formed very short or no tails. The distance of DNA migration increased with irradiation dose. Since the statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between tail length and irradiation dose, a DNA comet assay could provide not only identification but also estimation of the irradiation dose for irradiated beef and pork.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.384-389
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• 2017

The Nogo-B receptor (NgBR) is necessary for not only Nogo-B-mediated angiogenesis but also vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -induced angiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory role of the VEGF-NgBR axis in angiogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we report that miR-26a serves as a critical regulator of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis through directly targeting NgBR in endothelial cells (ECs). Stimulation of ECs by VEGF increased the expression of NgBR and decreased the expression of miR-26a. In addition, miR-26a decreased the VEGF-induced migration and proliferation of ECs. Moreover, miR-26a overexpression in ECs decreased the VEGF-induced phosphorylation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the production of nitric oxide, which is important for angiogenesis. Overall, these data suggest that miR-26a plays a key role in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis through the modulation of eNOS activity, which is mediated by its ability to regulate NgBR expression by directly targeting the NgBR 3'-UTR.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.532-544
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• 2018

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In order to investigate a new treatment fot GIST, we hypothesized the effect of miR-374b targeting PTEN gene-mediated PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells. We obtained GIST tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 143 patients with GIST to measure the levels of miR-374b, PTEN, PI3K, Akt, caspase9, Bax, MMP2, MMP9, ki67, PCNA, P53 and cyclinD1. Finally, cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected. According to the KFGG analysis of DEGs, PTEN was involved in a variety of signaling pathways and miRs were associated with cancer development. The results showed that MiR-374b was highly expressed, while PTEN was downregulated in the GIST tissues. The levels of miR-374b, PI3K, AKT and PTEN were related to tumor diameter and pathological stage. Additionally, miR-374b increased the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, MMP2, MMP9, P53 and cyclinD1, suggesting that miR-374b activates PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GIST-T1 cells. Moreover, MiR374b promoted cell viability, migration, invasion, and cell cycle entry, and inhibited apoptosis in GIST cells. Taken together, the results indicated that miR-374b promotes viability and inhibits apoptosis of human GIST cells by targeting PTEN gene through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, this study provides a new potential target for GIST treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

An extracellular matrix protein, transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp/βig-h3), which is induced by transforming growth factor-β in the human cornea, skin, and matrix of many connective tissues, is associated with the adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of various cells. TGFBIp contains four homologous repeat domains, known as FAS1 domains, where certain mutations have been considered to cause corneal dystrophies. In this study, backbone NMR assignments of FAS1-3/FAS1-4 tandem domain were obtained and compared with those previously known for the isolated FAS1-4 domain. The results corroborate in solution the inter-domain interaction between FAS1-3 and FAS1-4 in TGFBIp.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.315-328
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• 2019

Purpose: To investigate the clinical value of serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 141 gastric cancer cases (gastric cancer group), 110 gastric polyps (gastric polyp group), and 75 healthy people (healthy control) were used to detect miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Serum miR-221-3p expression was significantly higher in the gastric cancer group than in the gastric polyp group, and it was significantly lower than that before operation. The miR-221-3p expression was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group. The proliferation and migration ability significantly increased and the apoptosis rate significantly decreased by miR-221-3p transfection in gastric cancer cells. In contrast, the function of miR-122-5p in gastric cancer cells was opposite of miR-221-3p. Serum miR-221-3p expression was negatively correlated with that of miR-122-5p in gastric cancer. Serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expressions were significantly correlated with the degree of differentiation, tumor, node, metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis, and invasion depth. miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression levels were independent prognostic factors for postoperative gastric cancer. In the diagnosis and predicting prognosis of gastric cancer, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the area under curve of combined detection of serum miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p expression had a greater diagnostic effect than either single maker. Conclusions: The miR-221-3p and miR-122-5p are involved in the development of gastric cancer, and they have important clinical values in gastric cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2802-2811
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• 2023

In a first-of-its-kind study, terrestrial radionuclide concentrations were measured in 35 topsoil samples from the outskirts of Dhaka using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the radiological consequences of such a vast number of brick kilns on the plant workers, general as well as dwelling environment. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K is found at 19 ± 3.04 to 38 ± 4.94, 39 ± 5.85 to 57 ± 7.41, and (430 ± 51.60 to 570 ± 68.40) Bq/kg, respectively. ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K concentrations were higher than the global averages. Bottom ash deposition in lowlands, fly ash buildup in soils, and the fallout of micro-particles are all probable causes of the elevated radioactivity levels. ¹³⁷Cs was found in the sample, which indicates the migration of ¹³⁷Cs from nuclear accidents or nuclear fallout, or the contamination of feed coal. Although the effective dose received by the general public was below the recommended dose limit but, most estimates of hazard parameters surpass their respective population weighted global averages, indicating that brick kiln workers and nearby residents are not safe due to prolonged exposures to terrestrial radiation. In addition, the soil around sampling sites is found to be unsuitable for agricultural purposes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2023

Purpose: Hyaluronic acid (HA) affects angiogenesis and promotes the migration and differentiation of mesenchymal cells, thereby activating the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. Although studies on the action of HA during bone regeneration are being actively conducted, the optimal dose of HA required for bone regeneration remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the most effective HA dose for bone formation using a rat critical-size defect model. Methods: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 6 rats in each group. An absorbable collagen sponge soaked with HA or saline was used to fill an 8-mm defect, which was then covered with a collagen membrane. Different treatments were performed for each group as follows: (1) saline control, (2) 1 mg/mL HA, (3) 25 mg/mL HA, (4) 50 mg/mL HA, or (5) 75 mg/mL HA. After a healing period of 4 weeks, micro-computed tomography and histological analysis were performed. The obtained values were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (P<0.05). Results: At week 4, the 75 mg/mL HA group had the highest bone volume/total volume ratio, new bone, and bone fill among the 5 groups, and these values were significantly different from those observed in the control group (P<0.01) and 1 mg/mL HA group (P<0.001). More active bone formation was observed in the higher-dose HA groups (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 75 mg/mL HA), which included a large amount of woven bone. Conclusions: The 75 mg/mL HA group showed better bone formation than the other groups (1, 25, and 50 mg/mL HA and control).