• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제66권
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• pp.29-38
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• 2023

Recent studies have highlighted the link between diseases and inflammation across our lifespan. Our sedentary lifestyle, high-calorie diet, chronic stress, chronic infections, and exposure to pollutants and xenobiotics, collectively intensify the course and recurrence of infections and inflammation in our bodies, promoting the prevalence of chronic diseases and aging. Given such phenomena and considering additional factors such as the frequency of prescription, and easy access to over-the-counter drugs, the need for anti-inflammatory therapeutics is ever-increasing. However, the readily available anti-inflammatory treatment option comes with a greater risk of side effects or high cost (biologics). Therefore in this growing competition of discovering and developing new potent anti-inflammatory drugs, we focused on utilizing the established knowledge of traditional medicine to find lead compounds. Since lead optimization is an indispensable step toward drug development, we applied this concept for the production of potent anti-inflammatory compounds achieved by structural modification of flavonoids. The derivative obtained through acetylation of myricetin, 3,3',4',5,5',7-hexaacetate myricetin, showed a greater inhibitory effect in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, Prostaglandin E₂, and pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6, interleukin1β, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells compared to myricetin. The increased potency of inhibition was in conjunction with an increased inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 proteins. Through such measures, this study supports lead optimization for well-established lead compounds from traditional medicine using a simpler and greener chemistry approach for the purpose of designing and developing potent anti-inflammatory therapeutics with possibly fewer side effects and increased bioavailability.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.54-61
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• 2024

Background: The Korean name for Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is Cham-dang-gui, which grows naturally or is cultivated, and its dried roots are used in traditional herbal medicines. The AGN root exert various pharmacological effects. Despite the various pharmacological effects of the AGN root, there are no reports on its anti-oral microbial effects. The purpose of this study was to reveal the anti-oral microbial effect and the microbial and biochemical changes in oral microorganisms according to the concentration of the ethanol extract of AGN (EAGN) root, and to confirm the possibility of using EAGN as a plant-derived functional substance for controlling oral infectious microorganisms. Methods: Disk diffusion test, growth measurement, biofilm formation assay, and measurements of acid production and buffering capacity were performed to confirm the antibacterial effect of EAGN. Results: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at all concentrations, with S. mutans showing a more susceptible effect at concentrations above 5.0 mg/ml and A. actinomycetemcomitans at 3.75 mg/ml. EAGN treatment significantly reduced A. actinomycetemcomitans growth at all concentrations tested. Biofilm formation was significantly reduced at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml for S. mutans and 2.5 mg/ml for A. actinomycetemcomitans. Acid production in S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly increased by treatment with EAGN, and the buffering capacities of S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans increased from an EAGN concentration of 3.75 mg/ml and above. Conclusion: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against both S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml, which were thought to be related to the inhibition of their growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, EAGN can be used as a safe functional substance derived from medicinal plants owing to its antibacterial effects against S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.208-213
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• 2024

본 연구는 노인의 우울증 예방 및 치료를 위해 신체활동과 운동이 어떠한 효과가 있는지를 확인하는 것이다. 전 세계적으로 우울증은 지속적으로 증가하는 추세이며 특히 가속화되어 가는 고령화 사회에서 노인의 우울증은 더욱 심각한 문제라고 볼 수 있다. 노인의 우울증은 젊은 층에 비해 예후가 좋지 않으며 노화로 인한 신체적 질병의 증가와 신체적 장애에 의한 자존감 저하로 더욱 취약하다고 할 수 있다. 그러나 노인들의 우울증 관리, 노쇠로 인한 우울증 등의 문제에도 불구하고 지금까지 예방 및 치료에 관한 연구는 미미하다고 판단된다. 따라서 본 연구는 중요한 매개 변인인 수면장애와 우울증, 우울증에 대한 운동과 해마의 연관성, 우울증 관리를 위한 신체활동 및 운동의 과학적 효과를 분석하였다. 추후 노인의 우울증 개선과 자살예방에 관한 다양한 연구들이 수행되어져야 할 것으로 여겨진다.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.83-90
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• 2024

Objectives : As a substitute for high-price ginseng, this study attempted to examine a possibility of the ferment extract of Panax ginseng sprout whether leaves and roots can be used together as a cosmetic ingredient with anti-oxidative and wrinkle-care effects. Methods : In terms of a test method, antioxidant activities were confirmed through total polyphenol contents, total flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity using the Panax ginseng sprout. In addition, to assess wrinkle-care effectiveness, the cytotoxicity of the extract was analyzed through MTT assay, and inhibition of collagenase activity in the cells was tested using the Panax ginseng sprout fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Resuits : The content of polyphenols and flavonoids in natural plants was highest in Panax Ginseng Sprout Extract at 100℃, which also demonstrated high DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity. MTT assay demonstrated that the Panax Ginseng Sprout Ferment Extract did not have a cytotoxic effect in CCD-986SK cell. Also, Panax Ginseng Sprout Ferment Extract was found to inhibit MMP-1 expression by 51.85±6.09% at a concentration of 10%. Conclusions : Therefore, this study has confirmed a possibility of Panax ginseng sprout ferment extract as a cosmetic ingredient with MMP-1-inhibitory effects.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the distribution dynamics and proposed determinants, including morphological measurements, clinical laboratory tests, and lifestyle factors among young Korean men aged 20 to 29 years with the coexistence of age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and obesity (CALSMO). METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-six participants were divided into two groups based on their skeletal muscle mass index, with 12 individuals categorized in the CALSMO group and the remaining 654 in the normal group. The proposed determinants variables consisted of three main components: morphological measurements, clinical laboratory tests, and lifestyle factors. The morphological measurement variables were height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and skeletal muscle mass index. The clinical laboratory tests were fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The lifestyle factors considered were alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Complex sampling analysis was performed for the evaluation. RESULTS: The distribution dynamics were determined to be 1.81(1.02-3.18) %. Morphological factors, such as height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and skeletal muscle mass index, showed significant differences (p < .05). The clinical laboratory test variables, specifically the fasting glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels, also exhibited significant differences (p < .05). The lifestyle factor, alcohol consumption, also showed a significance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the distribution dynamics. The proposed determinants in young Korean individuals with CALSMO are height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, and alcohol consumption.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.98-116
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• 2024

Epigenetic writers including DNA and histone lysine methyltransferases (DNMT and HKMT, respectively) play an initiative role in the differentiation and development of eukaryotic organisms through the spatiotemporal regulation of functional gene expressions. However, the epigenetic mechanisms have long been suspected in helminth parasites lacking the major DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a/3b. Very little information on the evolutionary status of the epigenetic tools and their role in regulating chromosomal genes is currently available in the parasitic trematodes. We previously suggested the probable role of a DNMT2-like protein (CsDNMT2) as a genuine epigenetic writer in a trematode parasite Clonorchis sinensis. Here, we analyzed the phylogeny of HKMT subfamily members in the liver fluke and other platyhelminth species. The platyhelminth genomes examined conserved genes for the most of SET domain-containing HKMT and Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1 subfamilies, while some genes were expanded specifically in certain platyhelminth genomes. Related to the high gene dosages for HKMT activities covering differential but somewhat overlapping substrate specificities, variously methylated histones were recognized throughout the tissues/organs of C. sinensis adults. The temporal expressions of genes involved in eggshell formation were gradually decreased to their lowest levels proportionally to aging, whereas those of some epigenetic tool genes were re-boosted in the later adult stages of the parasite. Furthermore, these expression levels were significantly affected by treatment with DNMT and HKMT inhibitors. Our data strongly suggest that methylated histones are potent epigenetic markers that modulate the spatiotemporal expressions of C. sinensis genes, especially those involved in sexual reproduction.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.229-237
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• 2024

The logistics industry is converging with digital technology and growing into various logistics automation systems. However, inspection and loading/unloading, which are mainly performed in logistics work, depend on human resources, and the workforce is shrinking due to the decline in the productive population due to the low birth rate and aging. Although much research is being conducted on the development of automated logistics systems to solve these problems, there is a lack of research and development on load stacking stability, which has the potential to cause significant accidents. In this study, loading boxes with various sizes and positions of the center of gravity were set up, and a method for stacking that with high stability is presented. The size of the loading box is measured using a depth camera. The loading box's weight and center of gravity are measured and estimated by a developed device with four loadcells. The measurement error is measured through various repeated experiments and is corrected using the least squares method. The robot arm performs load stacking by determining the target position so that the centers of gravity of the loading boxes with unbalanced masses with a random sequence are transported in alignment. All processes were automated, and the results were verified by experimentally confirming load stacking stability.

• 지역연구
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.53-67
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• 2024

지역이탈은 모든 비수도권 지역에서 겪고 있는 문제이지만, 지역 특성과 경제 여건에 따라 그 정도는 다를 것이다. 본 연구는, 인적 요인이 같을 때, 태어나고 성장한 지역의 경제 여건에 따라 청년의 지역이탈 양상과 정도가 다른지 분석하였다. 시·군·구 단위의 분석 결과 청년 이탈은 인구감소와 고령화 수준이 높고, 경제 규모와 재정이 취약한 지역일수록 더 심각하였다. 특히 의료시설을 제외한 상업·교육·문화시설은 청년 이탈을 억제하지 못하였다. 또한 출신 지역과 무관하게 수도권 취업자와 지역 취업자 간에는 유의한 임금 격차가 나타났다. 이는 우리나라 비수도권 지역이 지역 경제 악화와 청년 이탈의 악순환 고리에 빠져있음을 시사한다.

• 농촌계획
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

There is a serious risk of regional extinction due to low birth rate and aging in Korea. Accordingly, the regional extinction index is applied to diagnose the extinction status of cities, counties, and districts. However, when the regional extinction index was applied to rural villages, most villages were found to be at 'high risk of extinction'. There is no differentiation in the level of extinction of rural villages. Therefore, a village extinction index was developed to apply to rural villages. This study applies and compares the existing regional extinction index and the newly developed village extinction index to rural villages. The purpose is to propose an index that can better diagnose the extinction of rural villages. As a research method, the regional extinction index and village extinction index are applied to all villages in Haengjeong-ri villages in South Chungcheong Province. And the adequacy of the index suitable for rural villages is diagnosed. For this purpose, ➂ stage distribution for each two indices, ➂ demographic aspect diagnosis, and ➂ resident awareness survey were analyzed. When the village extinction index was used, the discrimination problems seen in the regional extinction index were overcome. As a result of the demographic analysis, the regional extinction index showed that villages with a population of 200 or more were at 'high risk of extinction', but the village extinction index was derived as 'high risk of extinction' for villages with underpopulated populations. Lastly, the results of the residents' awareness survey also showed that the village extinction index was well reflected in the actual situation of rural villages when applied. When the village extinction index was applied to rural villages rather than the regional extinction index, it was found to reflect the actual state of rural extinction better.

• 한국BIM학회 논문집
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.96-105
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• 2023

This study focuses on developing a building object recognition technology for efficient use in the remodeling of buildings constructed without drawings. In the era of the 4th industrial revolution, smart technologies are being developed. This research contributes to the architectural field by introducing a deep learning-based method for automatic object classification and recognition, utilizing point cloud data. We use a TD3D network with voxels, optimizing its performance through adjustments in voxel size and number of blocks. This technology enables the classification of building objects such as walls, floors, and roofs from 3D scanning data, labeling them in polygonal forms to minimize boundary ambiguities. However, challenges in object boundary classifications were observed. The model facilitates the automatic classification of non-building objects, thereby reducing manual effort in data matching processes. It also distinguishes between elements to be demolished or retained during remodeling. The study minimized data set loss space by labeling using the extremities of the x, y, and z coordinates. The research aims to enhance the efficiency of building object classification and improve the quality of architectural plans by reducing manpower and time during remodeling. The study aligns with its goal of developing an efficient classification technology. Future work can extend to creating classified objects using parametric tools with polygon-labeled datasets, offering meaningful numerical analysis for remodeling processes. Continued research in this direction is anticipated to significantly advance the efficiency of building remodeling techniques.