• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.606-620
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a devastating complication after the Fontan operation. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes of Fontan-associated PLE. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with Fontan-associated PLE from 1992 to 2018 in 2 institutions in Korea. Results: PLE occurred in 4.6% of the total 832 patients after the Fontan operation. After a mean period of 7.7 years after Fontan operation, PLE was diagnosed at a mean age of 11.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 8.9 years. The survival rates were 81.6% at 5 years and 76.5% at 10 years. In the multivariate analysis, New York Heart Association Functional classification III or IV (p=0.002), low aortic oxygen saturation (<90%) (p=0.003), and ventricular dysfunction (p=0.032) at the time of PLE diagnosis were found as predictors of mortality. PLE was resolved in 10 of the 38 patients after treatment. Among medical managements, an initial heparin response was associated with survival (p=0.043). Heparin treatment resulted in resolution in 4 patients. We found no evidence on pulmonary vasodilator therapy alone. PLE was also resolved after surgical Fontan fenestration (2/6), aortopulmonary collateral ligation (1/1), and transplantation (1/1). Conclusions: The survival rate of patients with Fontan-associated PLE has improved with the advancement of conservative care. Although there is no definitive method, some treatments led to the resolution of PLE in one-fourth of the patients. Further investigations are needed to develop the best prevention and therapeutic strategies for PLE.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.601-608
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to predict the criminal patterns and risks of conflicts caused by inequality such as weakening regional ties and social exclusion caused by climate change and present basic policy data to solve them. Method: This study was mainly conducted through analysis of contents and cases through the use of media information such as the Internet and newspapers, and some literature research. Result: The crime patterns and characteristics of climate gentrification are as follows. First, rising sea levels caused by climate change will temporarily increase crimes related to real estate speculation. Second, social exclusion due to public service and environmental inequality will intensify, leading to terrorist crimes such as riots and hate crimes. Third, due to the weakening of regional ties, young people in poverty in the region will participate in organized violence crimes such as drugs and gangs or become crime victims. Conclusion: Therefore, it is necessary to prepare policy countermeasures through cooperation with institutions. In particular, it is necessary to explore ESG policy measures in police activities in consideration of environmental factors in the future.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.577-586
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20-25% of untreated children with KD and 3-5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25-9.98; p=0.00204-1.96×10^-6), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions: A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 2024

This study investigated the effect of bearing aging on the seismic response of a three-span continuous concrete girder bridge with pot bearings installed. The pot bearings were modeled as elastic springs in the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions of the bridge to reflect the stiffness of fixed and movable supports. The effect of bearing aging on the seismic response of the bridge was examined by considering two factors: a decrease in the horizontal stiffness of the fixed bearings and an increase in the horizontal stiffness of the movable bearings. The finite element model of the three-span continuous girder bridge was validated by comparing its numerical natural frequencies with the designed natural frequencies. Using artificial ground motions that conform to the design response spectrum specified by the KDS bridge seismic design code, the seismic responses of the bridge's girders and bearings were calculated, considering the bearing stiffness variation due to aging. The results of a numerical analysis revealed that a decrease in the horizontal stiffness of the fixed bearings led to an increase in the absolute maximum relative displacement of the bearings during an earthquake. This increases the risk of the mortar block that supports the bearing cracking and the anchor bolt breaking. However, an increase in the horizontal stiffness of the movable bearings due to aging decreased the absolute maximum shear on the fixed bearings. Despite the shear reduction in the fixed bearings, the aging of the pot bearings change could cause additional tensile bending stress in the girder section above the free bearings, which could lead to unexpected structural damage to the continuous bridge during an earthquake.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.469-478
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• 2024

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) can lead to vascular dysfunction and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and arterial diseases. Nevertheless, mechanisms underlying CIH-induced vascular dysfunction remain unclear. Herein, this study analyzed the role of aortic smooth muscle calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels in CIH-induced vascular dysfunction. CIH models were established in rats and rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Hemodynamic parameters such as mean blood pressure (MBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured in rats, along with an assessment of vascular tone. NO and ET-1 levels were detected in rat serum, and the levels of ET-1, NO, eNOS, p-eNOS, oxidative stress markers (ROS and MDA), and inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) were tested in aortic tissues. The Ca²⁺ concentration in RASMCs was investigated. The activity of BK channels (BKα and BKβ) was evaluated in aortic tissues and RASMCs. SBP, DBP, and MBP were elevated in CIH-treated rats, along with endothelial dysfunction, cellular edema and partial detachment of endothelial cells. BK channel activity was decreased in CIH-treated rats and RASMCs. BK channel activation increased eNOS, p-eNOS, and NO levels while lowering ET-1, ROS, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in CIH-treated rats. Ca²⁺ concentration increased in RASMCs following CIH modeling, which was reversed by BK channel activation. BK channel inhibitor (Iberiotoxin) exacerbated CIH-induced vascular disorders and endothelial dysfunction. BK channel activation promoted vasorelaxation while suppressing vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress, thereby indirectly improving CIH-induced vascular dysfunction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.494-503
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• 2024

Background: With the prevalence of dietary supplements, the use of combinations of herbs and drugs is gradually increasing, together with the risk of drug interactions. In our clinical work, we unexpectedly found that the combination of Panax notoginseng and warfarin, which are herbs that activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, showed antagonistic effects instead. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drug interaction between Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) and warfarin, the main active ingredient of Panax notoginseng, and to explore the interaction mechanism. Methods: The effects and mechanisms of PNS on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of warfarin were explored mainly in Sprague-Dawley rats and HepG2 cells. Elisa was used to detect the concentrations of coagulation factors, HPLC-MS to detect the blood concentrations of warfarin in rats, immunoblotting was employed to examine protein levels, qRT-PCR to detect mRNA levels, cellular immunofluorescence to detect the localization of NR1I3, and dual luciferase to verify the binding of miR-214-3p and NR1I3. Results: PNS significantly accelerated warfarin metabolism and reduced its efficacy, accompanied by increased expression of NR1I3 and CYP2C9. Interference with NR1I3 rescued the accelerated metabolism of warfarin induce by PNS co-administration. In addition, we demonstrated that PNS significantly reduced miR-214-3p expression, whereas miR-214-3p overexpression reduced NR1I3 and CYP2C9 expression, resulting in a weakened antagonistic effect of PNS on warfarin. Additionally, we found that miR-214-3p bound directly to NR1I3 3'-UTR and significantly downregulated NR1I3 expression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that PNS accelerates warfarin metabolism and reduces its pharmacodynamics by downregulating miR-214-3p, leading to increased expression of its target gene NR1I3, these findings provide new insights for clinical drug applications to avoid adverse effects.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.431-445
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• 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects about 8.5 million individuals worldwide. Oxidative and inflammatory cascades are implicated in the neurological sequels, that are mostly unresolved in PD treatments. However, proper nutrition offers one of the most effective and least costly ways to decrease the burden of many diseases and their associated risk factors. Moreover, prevention may be the best response to the progressive nature of PD, thus, the therapeutic novelty of honey and levodopa may be prospective. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of honey and levodopa against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced oxidative stress. Fifty-four adult male Swiss mice were divided into control and PD model groups of 27 mice. Each third of the control mice either received phosphate buffered saline, honey, or levodopa for 21 days. However, each third of the PD models was either pretreated with honey and levodopa or not pretreated. Behavioral studies and euthanasia were conducted 2 and 8 days after MPTP administration respectively. The result showed that there were significantly (P<0.05) higher motor activities in the PD models pretreated with the honey as well as levodopa. furthermore, the pretreatments protected the midbrain against the chromatolysis and astrogliosis induced by MPTP. The expression of antioxidant markers (glutathione [GSH] and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]) was also significantly upregulated in the pretreated PD models. It is thus concluded that honey and levodopa comparably protected the substantia nigra pars compacta neurons against oxidative stress by modulating the Nrf2 signaling molecule thereby increasing GSH level to prevent MPTP-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.519-532
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• 2024

Anomaly detection for the penetration rate of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is crucial for effective risk management in TBM tunnel projects. However, previous machine learning models for predicting the penetration rate have struggled with imbalanced data between normal and abnormal penetration rates. This study aims to enhance the performance of machine learning-based anomaly detection for the penetration rate by utilizing a data augmentation technique to address this data imbalance. Initially, six input features were selected through correlation analysis. The lowest and highest 10% of the penetration rates were designated as abnormal classes, while the remaining penetration rates were categorized as a normal class. Two prediction models were developed, each trained on an original training set and an oversampled training set constructed using SMOTE (synthetic minority oversampling technique): an XGB (extreme gradient boosting) model and an XGB-SMOTE model. The prediction results showed that the XGB model performed poorly for the abnormal classes, despite performing well for the normal class. In contrast, the XGB-SMOTE model consistently exhibited superior performance across all classes. These findings can be attributed to the data augmentation for the abnormal penetration rates using SMOTE, which enhances the model's ability to learn patterns between geological and operational factors that contribute to abnormal penetration rates. Consequently, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of employing data augmentation to manage imbalanced data in anomaly detection for TBM penetration rates.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

In this study, based on a natural monument forest research by Camellia japonica L. Forest appointed as a natural monument located environment and growth environment and the soil environment, Camellia japonica L. Forest soil in order to analyze effects of soil in Camellia japonica L. Forest correlation analysis the results can be summarized as follows: First, a natural monument Camellia japonica L. forest located on the foot of a mountain valley or within the stream, a lot of sunshine southeast, east, and south in the direction of the share due to external factors, making it a good, but, $15{\sim}30^{\circ}$ of distributed in the soil slopes in the slope there is a risk of loss are appearing. Second, the growth of the Status of Camellia japonica L. forest represents the distribution of the uneven-aged forest diameter class. but increases the density of the upper forest trees Camellia japonica L. occurred in lower saplings do not have growth. The width of crown diameter class caused a narrow oppressed tree, the average tree height in the 8.09m, camellia in common was lower than that of tree height, variation diameter class in the width of crown distribution severe low correlations were analyzed. Third, the natural monument Camellia japonica L. forest soil composition, properties of soil pH, etc. 10 entries were analyzed components of the soil. In summary analysis properties of soil, soil pH, calcium, organic matter, magnesium was good and potassium content was insufficient, nitrogen and phosphorus were excess. Fourth, the growth condition of Camellia japonica L. forest and soil physicochemical properties, the results of the correlation analysis. magnesium, calcium, nitrogen affects the growth of Camellia japonica L. forest. Other seven kinds of items showed no effect on growth. Current Status and Future Growth of Camellia japonica L. forest soil and soil environments as well as the relationship between, Camellia Forest Factors affecting the growth of the state in terms of long-term ecological research and conservation status of settled Camellia japonica L. forest research for building materials there will be continued.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.310-319
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• 2012

In this study, 1,495 cases of computerized data collected as disease entities of oral and maxillofacial injuries among patient visiting S university hospital located in Seoul in 2009 were analyzed and following results were obtained. It was found that the injury incidence in male was greater than in female (1.49:1), it occurred most frequently in the age of 7~14 years old (19.6%), and its most frequent cause was falling down (25.9%). Injuries occurred in other place including beach and open-air (24.7%) most frequently, often developed in anterior teeth (43.2%) and posterior teeth (43.1%), their incidence was relatively higher between 15:00~17:00 (10.4%) and 19:00~23:00 (7.1%) O'clock. In the relationship between causes of the injury and the diagnosis based on the international classification of disease), falling, fall, impingement, violence, traffic accident, sports and own making accident caused most frequently lip and oral open injuries (S01.5), open fracture of tooth (S02.51), close fracture of tooth (S02.50), close fracture of mandible (S02.60), close fracture of tooth (S02.50), respectively. From the above results, it is necessary to understand general characteristics of oral and maxillofacial injuries and to consider their trends for the establishment of systematic complement policies and for the performing safety training and public relations activities.