• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Five mutants were investigated at the molecular level to determine the factors responsible for mutated endosperm types. They were classified as high (HA) or low amylose (LA) phenotypes based on the amylose content in endosperm. The five were previously produced from Ilpum and Shindongjin cultivar treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and gamma-ray irradiation, respectively. Analysis of the genomic structure and expression of Granule-bounded Starch Synthase I (GBSSI) genes revealed that mutants generally showed a higher incidence of nucleotide transition than transversion, and the $A:T{\rightarrow}G:C$ transition was particularly prevalent. The rates of nucleotide substitution in HA mutants were generally higher than those in the LA mutants, leading to higher substitutions of amino acid in the HA mutants. Neither nucleotide substitutions interfering with intron splicing or causing early termination of protein translation were found, nor any large-sized deletions or additions were found in all the mutants. In principle, amylose content can be regulated by three factors: internal alterations of GBSSI protein, the strength of gene expression, and other unknown external factors. Our results indicate that the endosperm mutants from Shindongjin arose from internal alterations of GBSSI proteins, which may be the result of amino acid substitutions. On the other hand, the Ilpum mutants might be principally caused by the alteration of gene expression level. Analysis of another three glutinous cultivars revealed that the major factor leading to glutinous phenotypes is the 23-bp duplicative motif (5'-ACGGGTTCCAGGGCCTCAAGCCC-3') commonly found in exon 2, which results in the premature termination of protein translation leading to the production of a non-functional GBSSI enzyme.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2019

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sunlight, especially UVA and UVB, is the primary environmental cause of skin damage, including topical inflammation, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Previous reports show that activation of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes after UV exposure induces the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and subsequently leads to the production of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and growth factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Here, we demonstrated that TNFR2-SKEE and TNFR2-SKE, oligopeptides from TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2)-binding site of TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2), strongly inhibited the interaction of TNFR1 as well as TNFR2 with TRAF2. In particular, TNFR2-SKE suppressed UVB- or $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced nuclear translocalization of activated $NF-{\kappa}B$ in mouse fibroblasts. It decreased the expression of bFGF, MMPs, and COX2, which were upregulated by $TNF-{\alpha}$, and increased procollagen production, which was reduced by $TNF-{\alpha}$. Furthermore, TNFR2-SKE inhibited the UVB-induced proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes in the mouse skin and the infiltration of immune cells into inflamed tissues. These results suggest that TNFR2-SKE may possess the clinical potency to alleviate UV-induced photoaging in human skin.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.92-103
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• 2018

Background: Currently, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is used for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis, but it is associated with frequent adverse effects. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the current protocol and proposes an individualized risk-based prophylaxis protocol. Methods: The PJP incidence and risk factors during the first 6 months (early PJP) and afterwards (late PJP) was assessed in renal transplant recipients with (prophylaxis group) and without (no-prophylaxis group) 6-month PJP prophylaxis. Results: In 578 patients, there were 39 cases of PJP during a median follow-up of 51 months. Renal adverse events were encountered frequently during trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis, leading to premature discontinuation. Patients without the prophylaxis had a significantly higher incidence of early PJP (n=27, 6.6%) compared to patients with the prophylaxis (n=0). The incidence of late PJP was 2.2%, without between-group differences. The factors associated with early PJP were preoperative desensitization and acute rejection within 1 month, whereas late PJP was associated with age, deceased donor transplant, and acute rejection requiring antithymocyte globulin treatment. Conclusions: Based on the simulation results of several risk-based scenarios, the authors recommend universal prophylaxis up to 6 months post-transplant and extended selective prophylaxis in patients aged ${\geq}57$ years and those with a transplant from deceased donors.

• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.413-425
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• 2018

A previous work developed and identified a new omega-5 gliadin deficient wheat line named O-free by crossing Keumkang and Olgeuru, which is nutritionally quite meaningful in that omega-5 gliadin is one of the known wheat allergens. To verify the characteristics of the O-free, we performed RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis of the O-free and the two parent lines (Keumkang and Olgeuru). The results of the similarity analysis with the ESTs for gliadins and glutenins showed that the O-free ESTs had no similarity with the omega-5 gliadin sequences but had similarity to other gliadins and glutenins. Furthermore, mapping results between the raw RNAseq data from the O-free and the omega-5 gliadin sequence showed a clear deletion of the N-terminal sequences which are an important signature of omega-5 gliadin. We also designed specific PCR primers that could identify omega-5 gliadin in the genomic DNA. The results showed that no omega-5 gliadin fragments were detected in the O-free. According to these results, we confirmed that the deficiency of omega-5 gliadin in the O-free is not caused by post-transcriptional or post-translational regulations such as epigenetic phenomena but by a simple deletion in the chromosome. Furthermore, we showed that the low-molecular weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS) gene in the O-free had a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) causing a premature stop codon, resulting in a truncated polypeptide. We expect that the O-free line may serve as an excellent source of wheat that could prevail in the hypo-allergen wheat market, which has recently gained interest world-wide.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2019

Objectives: We aimed to compare preterm, neurodevelopmentally disordered and healthy full-term children. Methods: We enrolled 47 children who were born preterm, 40 neurodevelopmentally disordered children, and 80 healthy children as control participants, in order to assess the cognitive functioning and the risk of behavioral problems at the age of 5. Children were assessed using the Korean Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-4th edition (K-WPPSI-IV), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results: The mean K-WPPSI-IV score of the preterm group was $87.19{\pm}17.36$, which was significantly higher than that of the neurodevelopmental disorder group ($69.98{\pm}28.63$; p<0.001) but lower than that of the control group ($107.74{\pm}14.21$; p<0.001). The cumulative CBCL scores of the preterm children were not significantly different from those of the control group. Additionally, the TCI scores for reward dependence of the preterm children were higher than those of the control group. Conclusion: The cognitive performance of preterm infants was lower than that of healthy full-term infants at the age of 5, and there was an association between slower growth and decreased cognitive ability.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.151-166
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• 2019

This paper introduces a new efficient analytical method, based on shear deformations obtained with 2D elasticity theory approach, to perform an explicit closed-form solution for calculation the interfacial shear and normal stresses in plated RC beam. The materials of plate, necessary for the reinforcement of the beam, are in general made with fiber reinforced polymers (Carbon or Glass) or steel. The experimental tests showed that at the ends of the plate, high shear and normal stresses are developed, consequently a debonding phenomenon at this position produce a sudden failure of the soffit plate. The interfacial stresses play a significant role in understanding this premature debonding failure of such repaired structures. In order to efficiently model the calculation of the interfacial stresses we have integrated the effect of shear deformations using the equilibrium equations of the elasticity. The approach of this method includes stress-strain and strain-displacement relationships for the adhesive and adherends. The use of the stresses continuity conditions at interfaces between the adhesive and adherents, results pair of second-order and fourth-order coupled ordinary differential equations. The analytical solution for this coupled differential equations give new explicit closed-form solution including shear deformations effects. This new solution is indented for applications of all plated beam. Finally, numerical results obtained with this method are in agreement of the existing solutions and the experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2019

This paper describes an experimental study of steel beam-column connections with or without expanded beam flanges with different geometries. The objectives of this study are to elucidate the cyclic behavior of these connections, identify the location of the plastic hinge zone, and provide useful test data for future numerical simulations. Five connection specimens are designed and tested under cyclic load. The test setup consists of a beam and a column connected together by a connection with or without expanded beam flanges. A constant axial force is applied to the column and a time varying point load is applied to the free end of the beam, inducing shear and moment in the connection. Because the only effect to be studied in the present work is the expanded beam flange, the sizes of the beam and column as well as the magnitude of the axial force in the column are kept constant. However, the length, width and shape of the expanded beam flanges are varied. The responses of these connections in terms of their hysteretic behavior, failure modes, stiffness degradation and strain variations are experimentally obtained and discussed. The test results show that while the influence of the expanded beam flanges on hysteretic behavior, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity of the connection is relatively minor, the size of the expanded beam flanges does affect the location of the plastic hinge zone and strain variations in these beam-column joints. Furthermore, in terms of ductility, moment and rotational capacities, all five connections behave well. No weld fracture or premature failure occurs before the formation of a plastic hinge in the beam.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Control algorithms are the most important aspects in successful control of structures against earthquakes. In recent years, intelligent control methods rather than classical control methods have been more considered by researchers, due to some specific capabilities such as handling nonlinear and complex systems, adaptability, and robustness to errors and uncertainties. However, due to lack of learning ability of fuzzy controller, it is used in combination with a genetic algorithm, which in turn suffers from some problems like premature convergence around an incorrect target. Therefore in this research, the introduction and design of the Fuzzy Cooperative Coevolution (Fuzzy CoCo) controller and Adaptive Neural-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) have been innovatively presented for semi-active seismic control. In this research, in order to improve the seismic behavior of structures, a semi-active control of building using Magneto Rheological (MR) damper is proposed to determine input voltage of Magneto Rheological (MR) dampers using ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the performance of controllers. In this paper, the design of controllers is based on the reduction of the Park-Ang damage index. In order to assess the effectiveness of the designed control system, its function is numerically studied on a 9-story benchmark building, and is compared to those of a Wavelet Neural Network (WNN), fuzzy logic controller optimized by genetic algorithm (GAFLC), Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and Clipped Optimal Control (COC) systems in terms of seismic performance. The results showed desirable performance of the ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo controllers in considerably reducing the structure responses under different earthquakes; for instance ANFIS and Fuzzy CoCo controllers showed respectively 38 and 46% reductions in peak inter-story drift ($J_1$) compared to the LQG controller; 30 and 39% reductions in $J_1$ compared to the COC controller and 3 and 16% reductions in $J_1$ compared to the GAFLC controller. When compared to other controllers, one can conclude that Fuzzy CoCo controller performs better.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.170-177
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• 2018

Purpose: Preterm infants frequently require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Storage RBCs undergo many changes during storage periods. We aimed to compare the hemoglobin (Hb) correction effect according to the period of RBC storage and investigate the factors influencing Hb correction. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 289 patients who received RBC transfusion more than once in the NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between February 2006 and March 2016. The subjects were classified into two storage groups: short-term (${\leq}7days$, n=88) and long-term (>7 days, n=201), according to the period of RBC storage. We checked Hb levels by complete blood cell count tests conducted within 2 days before and 5 to 9 days after the first transfusion. We compared the Hb difference between the two groups and analyzed the factors influencing Hb correction. Results: Excluding the use of an invasive ventilator, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics. There was no significant difference in the Hb correction effect between the two groups (P=0.537). Birth weight greater than 1,500 g, higher weight at transfusion, and larger volume of transfusion were significant prognostic factors affecting greater changes in Hb. In addition, surgery experience, higher Hb level at transfusion, and additional blood tests were found to be significantly associated with less changes in Hb. Conclusion: The RBC storage period did not affect the Hb correction effect. The Hb correction effect may be diminished in infants with lower birth weight and lower weight at transfusion under unstable clinical conditions.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.111-130
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of Korean medicine clinical practice for pregnant patients. Methods: The study is conducted by searching medical records of 209 pregnant patients using Korean Standard Classification of Diseases related pregnancy at the Korean Gynecology Clinic of traditional Korean medicine hospital from March 1, 2016 to February 28, 2021. We retrospectively investigated characteristics, symptoms, pregnancy outcomes of the patients and treatments for the patients. Results: The most frequent symptoms of pregnant patients were musculoskeletal symptoms (60.63%) followed by neuropsychiatric symptoms (14.55%) and genital symptoms (10.82%). The most common contributory factor of the symptoms was the motor vehicle accident (74.64%). Acupuncture (94.94%) and moxibustion (90.91%) were performed to most pregnant patients. Cupping (86.60%), herbal medicine (52.63%), Chuna therapy (30.62%), and pharmacopuncture (21.05%) were performed to the patients. Normal pregnancy maintenance and delivery were reported by 147 patients (91.30%). Premature birth was reported by 11 patients (6.83%), and miscarriage was reported by 3 patients (1.86%). Conclusions: Most patients were the patients with musculoskeletal symptoms injured by motor vehicle accidents. Various Korean medicine treatments were performed during pregnancy with safety outcomes. This study could be used as basic data to provide instructions for the development of traditional Korean medicine in the obstetric clinical fields.