• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2009

This study analyzed the characteristics of diverse information adoption pathways per pathway of information composition category including 'information perception', 'information assessment', and 'information adoption' and examined information adoption characteristics per pattern. In addition, differences among agricultural researchers and farmers per information adoption stage were analyzed. According to these analyses, as for farmers' information adoption pathways, while the formal extension type and the situational reaction diffusion type used the direct pathway of 'information perception ${\rightarrow}$ information adoption,'the agriculturist connection type and the systematic approach type did not use the direct pathway of 'information perception ${\rightarrow}$ information adoption' but, instead, adopted information by moving from the 'information perception ${\rightarrow}$ information assessment' pathway to the 'information assessment ${\rightarrow}$ information adoption' pathway, with information assessment as the intermediation. In the case of farmers, information adoption was the highest in comparison with information assessment and information perception in all patterns whereas, in the case of agricultural researchers, the results were exactly opposite those of farmers. By suggesting an information adoption pathway appropriate to each pattern, this study sought to enhance information adoption.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2023

Objectives : Raphani Semen (Raphanus sativus L.) is known for the various beneficial effects in Korean medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Raphani Semen extract (RSE) against arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress in cells. Methods : Ingredients, their target information, oxidative stress liver injury-related proteins was obtained from various network pharmacology databases and software. A hypergeometric test and enrichment analysis were conducted to evaluate associations between protein targets of RSE. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, and immunoblot analysis was used to confirm the molecular mechanisms. Results : A compound-target network of RSE was constructed, which consisted of 336 edges between 18 ingredients and 123 protein targets. PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway was significantly associated with protein targets of RSE. RSE protected HepG2 cells against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress as mediated with AMPK signaling. Conclusion : RSE was found to protect the cells against oxidative stress via the AMPK signaling pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.417-425
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• 2023

In various organisms, the Hippo signaling pathway has been identified as a master regulator of organ size determination and tissue homeostasis. The Hippo signaling coordinates embryonic development, tissue regeneration and differentiation, through regulating cell proliferation and survival. The YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) act as core transducers of the Hippo pathway, and they are tightly and exquisitely regulated in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. Abnormal regulation or genetic variation of the Hippo pathway causes a wide range of human diseases, including cancer. Recent studies have revealed that Hippo signaling plays a pivotal role in the immune system and cancer immunity. Due to pathophysiological importance, the emerging role of Hippo signaling in blood cell differentiation, known as hematopoiesis, is receiving much attention. A number of elegant studies using a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model have shed light on the mechanistic and physiological insights into the Hippo pathway in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Here, we briefly review the function of Hippo signaling in the regulation of hematopoiesis and immune cell differentiation.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Sargassum horneri (SH), a brown macroalgae, has medicinal properties. The present study investigated the immune-enhancing effects of SH extract on peritoneal macrophages (PM). The SH significantly increased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) in PM. It was confirmed that SH significantly increased NO expression through the increase of iNOS protein expression, which is the up-regulation pathway. Additionally, it was determined if SH activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, an upper regulatory mechanism that influences TNF-α, IL-6, and NO expression. Consequently, SH significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), all of which are MAPK pathway proteins. Moreover, the immune-enhancing effects of SH on another macrophage cell line, bone marrow-derived macrophages were investigated. It was observed that SH significantly enhanced TNF-α, IL-6, and NO production. Overall, this study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effects of SH on macrophages via activated MAPK pathway. Therefore, it suggests that SH has the potential to improve immunological activity in various macrophage cell lines and can be useful as an immune-enhancing treatment.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2003

Background : Gastric cancer is the most common malignant tumor in Korea. Surgical operation is one of the major treatment modalities for gastric cancer patients. Therefore, gastrectomy is one of the most common procedures in General Surgery. There were variation in length of hospital stay and medical treatment for gastrectomy between three surgeons at Asan Medical Center. Clinical pathways have received considerable attention as a tool for reducing the medical practice variation, increasing the efficiency of care process, and improving the quality of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a clinical pathway for gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients. Methods : The clinical pathway for gastrectomy was developed and implemented by a multidisciplinary group in Asan Medical Center. A computerized clinical pathway program was developed and revised after a pilot test. A total of 145 patients underwent gastrectomy by three surgeons at Asan Medical Center. We compared the length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction, and the unplanned readmission rate between the pre-pathway group (n=67) and the post-pathway group (n=78). We also investigated the degree of satisfaction among the physicians and nurses who were main end-users of the clinical pathway. Results : The clinical pathway was applied to all target patients. The average length of hospital stay was shortened from 12.7days to 10.6days (p<0.01). The degree of patient satisfaction with the care process changed from 90.3% to 89.2% after the implementation of the clinical pathway, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.761). Unplanned readmission rate was 2.9% in the pre-pathway group and 0% in the post-pathway group. More than 90% of physicians and nurses answered that the clinical pathway had been a useful tool in their medical practice. Conclusions : The findings of the study demonstrated that implementation of the clinical pathway for gastrectomy produced substantial reduction in the length of hospital stay while improving the quality of patient outcomes. The computerized clinical pathway program can be used as one of the powerful patient management tools for reducing the practice variations and increasing the efficiency of care process in Korean hospital settings.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2015

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway is well known as a candidate pathway related to meat quality in mammals. In particular, there are many studies on the relationship between the PPAR signaling pathway and intramuscular fat. However, recent studies have demonstrated that genes in the PPAR signaling pathway are associated with carcass weight in cattle. Among 48 genes in the PPAR signaling pathway, 16 genes are related to the insulin that regulates the adipocyte glucose metabolism and thus affects body weight. Therefore, we conducted an investigation to try to identify candidate genes associated with the carcass weight and relationships between the expressions of these 16 genes in the loin muscle of Hanwoo (Korean cattle). From regression analysis, the three genes (ACSL6, FADS2, and ILK) showed significant effects with regard to carcass weight (p<0.05). Finally, we analyzed the common regulators of the significant genes from pathway analysis. The significant genes are regulated by insulin as well as D-glucose. These findings show that the differentially expressed genes are possible candidate genes associated with carcass weight in the longissimus muscle of Korean cattle.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2007

A critical pathway (CP) defines the optimal care process, sequencing and timing of intervention by multi-disciplinary health care teams for a particular diagnosis and procedure. It plays an important role as a cost-effective health care delivery system and a tool for quality control of medical and dental services by means of standardizing medical practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the satisfaction of patients and medical/dental staff after implementation of a critical pathway for dental treatment of disabled children under general anesthesia and its cost effectiveness. Ten patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia were included in the CP group between August and December 2006. The pre-CP group included 20 patients who underwent the same procedure from February 2003. The satisfaction of parent of child patient and medical staff members were compared between two groups. The parents' satisfaction was significantly improved after the implementation of CP and medical/dental staff members were highly satisfied with the usefulness of the critical pathway. In conclusion, the critical pathway for the dental treatment of disabled treatment under general anesthesia can highly improve the satisfaction of parents and medical/ dental staff members.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2009

Using dynamic programming, which is one of operations research techniques, the best pathway was chosen to maximize the total harvest volume for a Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis) stand. This study was carried out in an age class III at Chuncheon National Forest, Gangwon province. That stand was assumed to apply 3 different thinning intensities of none, 30% and 50% thinnings. These thinning pathways are planned to implement two times, of thinning at 35 age and 55 age. The final cutting (rotation age) is assumed to carry out in 70 years. A growth function for Korean white pine stand was developed with forest inventory data, the volume was calculated with this growth function. As a result, the best thinning pathway for this Korean white pine stand using dynamic programming is to implement 30% at the first thinning and 50%at the second thinning.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.917-929
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the validity of the preliminary critical pathway of integrative medicine to improve the quality of life of lung cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Methods: The vertical axis of the preliminary critical pathway of integrated medicine consisted of nine domains: assessment, treatment, activity, consult, diet, medication, Korean medical examination, education, and others. The frame of the horizontal axis was the date from hospitalization to discharge. A total of 105 items in this preliminary critical pathway were validated by an expert group from October 28, 2016 to November 4, 2016. A total of ten experts from two different medical institutions participated in the validity test, using the four-point Content Validity Index (CVI) scale. The items with validity of greater than 80% were considered as significant. Results: The analysis of the content validity of 105 items showed 102 items with greater than 80% agreement. Assessment, treatment, consult, diet, medication, and education showed 100% agreement. Only three items showed a low validity (62.5%). Based on additional comments, the preliminary critical pathway of integrative medicine has been supplemented. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of using the integrated medical critical pathway for patients with lung cancer who received chemotherapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2004

Pseudomonas sp. S-47 is a bacterium capable of degrading benzoate as well as 4-chlorobenzoate (4CBA). Benzoate and 4CBA are known to be degraded via a meta-cleavage pathway characterized by a series of enzymes encoded by xyl genes. The meta-cleavage pathway operon in Pseudomonas sp. S-47 encodes a set of enzymes which transform benzoate and 4CBA into TCA cycle intermediates via the meta-cleavage of (4-chloro )catechol to produce pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. In the current study, the meta-pathway gene cluster was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of S-47 strain to obtain pCS1, which included the degradation activities for 4CBA and catechol. The genetic organization of the operon was then examined by cloning the meta-pathway genes into a pBluescript SKII(+) vector. As such, the meta-pathway operon from Pseudomonas sp. S-47 was found to contain 13 genes in the order of xylXYZLTEGFlQKIH. The two regulatory genes, xylS and xylR, that control the expression of the meta-pathway operon, were located adjacently downstream of the meta-pathway operon. The xyl genes from strain S-47 exhibited a high nucleoside sequence homology to those from Pseudomonas putida mt-2, except for the xylJQK genes, which were more homologous to the corresponding three genes from P. stutzeri AN10. One open reading frame was found between the xylH and xylS genes, which may playa role of a transposase. Accordingly, the current results suggest that the xyl gene cluster in Pseudomonas sp. S-47 responsible for the complete degradation of benzoate was recombined with the corresponding genes from P. putida mt-2 and P. stutzeri AN10.