• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2011

With the confirmation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and as cheap foreign agricultural products are beginning to be freely distributed in Korea, the government has taken a greater interest in securing the competitiveness of domestic agriculture. Accordingly, the Korean government has presented plans to advance the interests of 'small but strong farmers' and secure their competitiveness in line with the agricultural conditions in Korea. The government also announced that it will focus on leading these efforts in rural areas. The main thrust of this plan to support 'small but strong farmers' focuses onutilizing advanced peripheral technologies such as IT and BT; however, there are only a few Information Management Division centers currentlyoperating across the nation, and these are mainly in the IT-related divisions of the Agricultural Research and Extension Services and Agricultural Technology Centers. Therefore, in this study, we used the responses from a survey of farmers to identify regional differences in informatization levels and the digital divide among 'small but strong farmers' according to the presence or absence of an Information Management Division center. As a result, we found that the 'small but strong farmers' in regions with an active Information Management Division center received more IT services and had a higher level of informatization. Thus, to increase the use of IT-related peripheral technology by these 'small but strong farmers', it is important to maintain or increase the number of Information Management Division centers.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.461-475
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• 2007

To understand the changing regionality of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture(YKAP) in China within the world-economy, this paper examined the spatial division of labor in agriculture and industry with three divisions of period through the regional geography of world-system In the Japanese colonial period(l909$\sim$1949), the YKAP was made into a typical peripheral agricultural and industrial region which was exploited by the Japanese empire. In the socialist period(1949$\sim$1978) which China separated from the world-system, the YKAP was transformed into a socialistic agricultural and industrial region. In the reform and open-door period(1978$\sim$present), the YKAP still plays a role as a peripheral region due to the late open-door policy in 1992 of Chinese government on the border land and else, while most littoral areas of China are developed into a semi-peripheral region. Therefore if the YKAP continues to exist in the future, it is a critical matter to raise the position of the YKAP within the world-economy into a semi-periphery as soon as possible to increase the ratio of Korean ethnic in the YKAP.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.35-44
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effect between needle-embedding therapy and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy on early stage of peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 60 patients with peripheral facial paralysis. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and dropped out 20 patients. : needle-embedding therapy group(group A, n=20, dropped out 9 cases among 29 cases) and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy group(group B, n=20, dropped out 11 cases among 31 cases). needle-embedding therapy was performed for group A three times a week dividing face into three areas during 4 weeks and Sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy was performed for group B two or three times a week during 4 weeks. To evaluate the effect of treatment applied for two groups, we used Yanagihara's unweighed grading system and House-Brachmann grading system at before treatment, after one week from visit, two weeks from visit, three weeks from visit, and four weeks from visit. Results : After treatment, Yanagihara's score and House-Brachmann grading system were improved in each group except during first week. But there was no significant difference in improvement between group A and group B. Conclusions : Needle-embedding therapy would be as effective to improve symptoms of early stage of peripheral facial paralysis as sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.253-264
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• 2012

Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered anorexigenic peptide which is distributed in several brain areas implicated in the feeding and metabolic regulation. Recently, it has been reported that nesfatin-1 is expressed not only in brain, but also in peripheral organs such as digestive organs, adipose tissues, heart, and reproductive organs. Nesfatin-1 is markedly expressed in the pancreas, stomach and duodenum. Eventually, the nesfatin-1 expression in the digestive organs may be regulated by nutritional status, which suggests a regulatory role of peripheral nesfatin-1 in energy homeostasis. Nesfatin-1 is also detected in the adipose tissues of humans and rodents, indicating that nesfatin-1 expression in the fat may regulate food intake independently, rather than relying on leptin. In addition, nesfatin-1 is expressed in the heart as a cardiac peptide. It suggests that nesfatin-1 may regulate cardiac function and encourage clinical potential in the presence of nutrition-dependent physio-pathologic cardiovascular diseases. Currently, only a few studies demonstrate that nesfatin-1 is expressed in the reproductive system. However, it is not clear yet what function of nesfatin-1 is in the reproductive organs. Here, we summarize the expression of nesfatin-1 and its roles in brain and peripheral organs and discuss the possible roles of nesfatin-1 expressed in reproductive organs, including testis, epididymis, ovary, and uterus. We come to the conclusion that nesfatin-1 as a local regulator in male and female reproductive organs may regulate the steroidogenesis in the testis and ovary and the physiological activity in epididymis and uterus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3009-3013
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• 2012

Background: The clinical course of individual chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable and clinical staging systems do not help us to predict if and at what rate there will be disease progression in an individual patient diagnosed with early stage disease. Recently, several important observations related to other prognostic factors including lymphocyte doubling time (LDT), ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-MG), and percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smears, cytogenetic and molecular analysis have been made. The aim of this study was to evaluate a range of prognostic factors in our CLL patients. Design and methods: Seventy patients with CLL were enrolled. Prognostic factors of disease including Binet staging, LDT, ${\beta}_2$-MG, ESR, LDH, percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smear, absolute lymphocyte count, and conventional cytogenetic (CC) analysis were evaluated at diagnosis, and the patients were followed up to determine their outcome. We compared factors with each other and with Binet staging and prognosis. Results: Enrolled patients aged 37-85 years at diagnosis or during follow up. There was no relationship between serum LDH level (P=0.3), ESR (P=0.11), percent of smudge cells in peripheral blood smear (P=0.94), and absolute lymphocyte count (P=0.18) with the stage of disease and prognosis, but the ${\beta}_2$ macroglobulin level (p<0.0001), LDT (p<0.001) had direct and significant relation with staging and outcome. In 19% of patients cytogenetic alteration were seen. Conclusion: The detection of cytogenetic alteration only using the CC method is not sufficient and we need to use FISH, but because FISH study is an expensive method not available in all areas, instead we believe that ${\beta}_2$ MG can be applied in its place as a good prognostic factor for CLL at diagnosis and during follow up. We suggest to add it to Binet staging for prognostic subgrouping of CLL.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of neuropathic pain by peripheral nerve injury on mass and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional areas on hindlimb muscles of the neuropathic pain model rat. Method: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 200-220 g) were assigned to one of two groups: a neuropathic pain group (n=7) that had a ligation of the left L5 spinal nerve, a control group (n=5), a naive rat without any procedures. Withdrawal threshold, activity, body weight and food intake were measured daily. At 8 days after neuropathic pain, all rats were anesthetized and the soleus and plantaris muscles were dissected from the both hindlimbs. Body weight, food intake, muscle weight and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of the dissected muscles were determined. Result: The neuropathic pain group showed a significant decreases (p<.05) as compared with the control rats, in diet intake, body weight, muscle weight and Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the left (affected side) soleus and plantaris muscles, and the right (unaffected side) muscle weight of plantaris and Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the soleus muscle. Conclusion: The hindlimb muscle atrophy occurs in both affected and unaffected side due to neuropathic pain by the peripheral nerve injury. The hindlimb muscle atrophy of the affected side is more pronounced than that of the unaffected side.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2019

This study provides basic data on how stress impacts the processed convenience foods purchase attitudes and the selection attributes of housewives. The stress consists of 3 factors, which were housework stress, family relation stress and economic stress. The processed convenience food purchase attitude consisted of 2 factors, which were peripheral influence purchase and conviction purchase. The processed convenience food selection attribute consisted of 4 factors, which were quality, convenience, packaging and price. Factor loading confirmation and reliability test were conducted, and the reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all the factors exceeding 0.5. The high stress levels showed significantly high stress factors of housework, family relations and economic stress (P<0.001). The high stress group was shown to make purchases by recognizing peripheral influences (P<0.01). When the selection properties of processed convenience foods depending on different stress levels were examined, it was revealed that among the three groups, the low stress group least considered the price aspect (P<0.01). After deducting the factors, AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) was used to conduct the confirmatory factor analysis for verifying validity. The structural equation model was used to determine the path coefficient. From the processed convenience foods purchase attitude, the peripheral influence purchase had significantly positive (+) effects on convenience (P<0.05). Also, conviction purchase was shown to have significantly positive (+) effects on quality (P<0.05). Housework and family relation stress were shown to have negative (-) effects on processed convenience foods selection attribute, and economic stress was shown to have positive (+) effects, although no significant relationships were revealed.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for temporary improvement of glabellar lines in patients 65 years and younger in 2002, and has also been used widely for aesthetic purposes such as hyperhidrosis, body shape contouring, and other noninvasive facial procedures. BoNT-A inhibits presynaptic exocytosis of acetylcholine (ACh)-containing vesicles into the neuromuscular junction at cholinergic nerve endings of the peripheral nervous system, thereby paralyzing skeletal muscles. ACh is the most broadly used neurotransmitter in the somatic nervous system, preganglionic and postganglionic fibers of parasympathetic nerves, and preganglionic fibers or postganglionic sudomotor nerves of sympathetic nerves. The scientific basis for using BoNT-A in various cosmetic procedures is that its function goes beyond the dual role of muscle paralysis and neuromodulation by inhibiting the secretion of ACh. Although the major target organs for aesthetic procedures are facial expression muscles, skeletal body muscles, salivary glands, and sweat glands, which are innervated by the somatic or autonomic nerves of the peripheral cholinergic nerve system, few studies have attempted to directly explain the anatomy of the areas targeted for injection by addressing the neural physiology and rationale for specific aesthetic applications of BoNT-A therapy. In this article, we classify the various cosmetic uses of BoNT-A according to the relevant component of the peripheral nervous system, and describe scientific theories regarding the anatomy and physiology of the cholinergic nervous system. We also review critical physiological factors and conditions influencing the efficacy of BoNT-A for the rational aesthetic use of BoNT-A. We hope that this comprehensive review helps promote management policies to support long-term, safe, successful practice. Furthermore, based on this, we look forward to developing and expanding new advanced indications for the aesthetic use of BoNT-A in the future.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2006

Background: $Clonorchis$ $sinensis$ is an important human parasite that is usually found in the biliary tract. It is widely distributed in East Asia in Taiwan, Japan, China and Korea. About 2 million people are estimated to be infected with $C.$ $sinensis$ in Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the state of infestation and clinical aspects of $C.$ $sinensis$. Material and Methods: We evaluate 1,063 patients with clonorchiasis retrospectively at Yeungnam University Hospital and Health Promotion Center from January 2001 to December 2003. All patients were diagnosed by a positive stool test for $C.$ $sinensis$ eggs. Clinical features, laboratory data and imaging studies were evaluated. Results: The ratio between affected males and females was 3.6 : 1. The highest infection rate was noted in the 40-60 age groups regardless of sex. The infection rate of $C.$ $sinensis$ among the residents of urban areas was higher than in rural areas. There were 813 (76.5%) patients who were asymptomatic. Common symptoms included right upper abdominal pain in 7.6% and epigastric pain in 7.2%. For the laboratory studies, serum ALP and GGT levels were within normal limits in 85.2% and 56.0% respectively. Peripheral eosinophilia was noted in 66.1% of cases. Of the 83 cases undergoing ERCP, 27 cases (32.5%) showed peripheral dilatation of the intrahepatic duct. Conclusion: This study suggests that $C.$ $sinensis$ infection is still endemic even in rural areas of Korea and that asymptomatic infections are common. Further work should be focused on the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with subclinical infection.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2016

Purpose: The present study was aimed to compare the tear volume and distribution by corneal eccentricity when fitted with spherical and aspherical RGP lenses. Methods: Spherical and aspherical RGP lenses were fitted in best alignment on a total of 77 subjects (136 eyes) in their twenties and thirties without any ocular disease or ocular surgery experience. The tear volume was analyzed by estimating the concentration of tear stained with fluorescein in the center of RGP lens as well as at the mid-peripheral and peripheral areas, and the difference of tear distributions was analyzed according to corneal eccentricity. Results: Tear distribution from the center to the peripheral area was not significantly different when spherical RGP lenses were fitted on the corneal eccentricities of e < 0.38 and $0.68{\leq}e$, indicating the relatively even tear distribution compared with other corneal eccentricity. In the case of aspherical RGP lenses, the difference of tear distribution between the central and peripheral areas was smaller than spherical RGP lenses. The significant difference of tear distribution according to RGP lens design was observed in the corneal eccentricity of 0.48 < e < 0.68. In other words, more even tear distribution was shown when aspherical RGP lenses were fitted on the cornea with eccentricity of $0.48{\leq}e<0.68$ and spherical RGP lenses were fitted on the cornea with eccentricity $0.68{\leq}e$. Furthermore, tear volume in the mid-peripheral area increased with higher corneal eccentricity. Conclusions: The results suggest that the appropriate selection of RGP lens design according to corneal eccentricity is necessary since tear volume and distribution by the regions of spherical and aspherical lenses are affected by corneal eccentricity.