• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-28
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• 2004

Objectives : Human physiological changes in the state of qigong has been measured using EEG(Electroencephalography), functional MRI(functional Magnetic Resonance Image), EAV(Electro-Acupuncture according to Voll) and SQUID(Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) measurements. Methods & Results : EEGs were measured to study the differences between Qigong masters and Qi receiver on the changes of EEG. During Qigong, an alpha waves were increased. The power spectra indicate that the peak frequency of alpha waves increased during Qigong. Qi receiver's EEG signals seemed to affected by the state of himself. Brain activation did not observed when qigong master concentrates the Qi at Laogong(P8). But a localization of fMRI signal in the sensory cortex was observed by electric acupuncture stimulation at Laogong(P8). Five phase deviation of EAV were clearly changed in the both cases of Qigong master and Qi receiver. When a Qigong master concentrates the Qi at Yintang, Laogong(P8), Qihai(CV6) meridian points during Qigong state, the change of magnetic field around acupoints Yintang, Laogong points has been measured using 40-Channel DROS-SQUID apparatus. After smoothing process of the continuously measured magnetic signal around acupoints for a few minutes, we could observe that a series of peaks, magnitude of -1.0~2.5pT appeared. But there was no significant difference in changes of magnetic signal around acupoints. Physical signals of magnetocardiogram has been measured by using 2-Channel DROS SQUID(Magnetocardiogram). Physical signals of magnetocardiogram were clealy changed at the ST segments after S-wave when qigong master concentrates the Qi.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.167-167
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• 2010

Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been widely used as transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) for transparent electrodes of various optoelectronic devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD) and organic light emitting diodes (OLED). However, indium has become increasingly expensive and rare because of its limited resources. In addition, ITO thin films have some problems for OLED and flexible displays, such as imperfect work function, chemical instability, and high deposition temperature. Therefore, multi-component TCO materials have been reported as anode materials. Among the various materials, IZTO thin films have been gained much attention as anode materials due to their high work function, good conductivity, high transparency and low deposition temperature. IZTO thin films with a thickness of 200nm were deposited on Corning glass substrate at different substrate temperature by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering with a sintered ceramic target of IZTO (In2O3 70 wt%, ZnO 15 wt%, SnO2 15 wt%). We investigated the electrical, optical, structural properties of IZTO thin films. As the substrate temperature is increased, the electrical properties of IZTO are improved. All IZTO thin films have good optical properties, which showed an average of transmittance over 80%. These IZTO thin films were used to fabricate organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) as anode and the device performances studied. As a result, IZTO has utility value of TCO electrode although it reduced indium and we expect it is possible for the IZTO to apply to flexible display due to the low processing temperature.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2009

Plant defensins are small (5-10 kDa) basic peptides thought to be an important component of the defense pathway against fungal and/or bacterial pathogens. To understand the role of plant defensins in protecting plants against the brown planthopper, a type of insect herbivore, we isolated the Brassica rapa Defensin 1 (BrD1) gene and introduced it into rice (Oryza sativa L.) to produce stable transgenic plants. The BrD1 protein is homologous to other plant defensins and contains both an N-terminal endoplasmic reticulum signal sequence and a defensin domain, which are highly conserved in all plant defensins. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the defensin domain of various plant defensins, we established that BrD1 belongs to a distinct subgroup of plant defensins. Relative to the wild type, transgenic rices expressing BrD1 exhibit strong resistance to brown planthopper nymphs and female adults. These results suggest that BrD1 exhibits insecticidal activity, and might be useful for developing cereal crop plants resistant to sap-sucking insects, such as the brown planthopper.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2007

Objectives: Although risk factors for coronary artery disease are also associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), there is little information available on the asymptomatic, young adult population. We examined the association between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and the common carotid IMT in 280 young Korean adults. Methods: The data used for this study was obtained from 280 subjects (130 men and 150 women) aged 25 years who participated in the Kangwha Study follow-up examination in 2005. We measured cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometries, blood pressure, blood chemistry, carotid ultrasonography, and reviewed questionnaires on health behaviors. Risk factors were defined as values above the sex-specific 75th percentile of systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, fasting blood glucose and smoking status. Results: The mean carotid IMT${\pm}$standard deviation observed was $0.683{\pm}0.079mm$ in men and $0.678{\pm}0.067mm$ in women (p=0.567) and the evidence of plaque was not observed in any individuals. Mean carotid IMT increased with an increasing number of risk factors(p for trend <0.001) and carotid IMT values were 0.665 mm, 0.674 mm, 0.686 mm, 0.702 mm, and 0.748 mm for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to 5 risk factors, respectively. The odds ratio for having the top quartile carotid IMT in men with 3 or more risk factors versus 0-2 risk factors was 5.09 (95% CI, 2.05-12.64). Conclusions: Current findings indicate the need for prevention and control of cardiovascular risk factors in young adults and more focus on those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.282-289
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• 2008

We evaluated the effect of SHBCS on adhesion and invasion of colon L5-26 adenocarcinoma cell line in vitro in vitro and experimental liver metastasis in vivo. SHBCS showed little inhibitory effect on colon 26-L5 cell proliferation. At the concentration of up to 500 mg/ml of SHBCS 80% of cells were viable. SHBCS showed no inhibitory effect on adhesion and invasion of colon 26-L5 cells, which were placed on matrigel. In a dose dependent manner, oral administration of SHBCS showed a significantly inhibitory effect on liver metastasis from colon 26-L5 injected mice. When mice were depleted of NK cells or macrophages before tumor inoculation, SHBCS significantly decreased liver metastasis fromf the tumor injected mice. Compared with the control mice, SHBCS increased the populations of macrophages and NK cells by 30%, 18%(10 mg/mouse, 50 mg/mouse) and 5%, 1% (10 mg/mouse, 50 mg/mouse) respectively. Compared with the control mice, SHBCS increased the populations of CD4 cells by 5%, 18% (10 mg/mouse, 50 mg/mouse) respectively. Spelenocytes from mice administerd with SHBCS were stimulated with LPS plus ConA, proliferation of splenocytes from mice administerd with SHBCS was 140%, 146%(10 mg/mouse, 50 mg/mouse) compared with th control mice. In conclusion, the present study suggests that SHBCS may have an inhibitory effect on liver metastasis through immunopotentiating activity which is associated with macrophages and NK cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.464-475
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• 2014

Eating breakfast provides crucial nutrition for brain function and helps promote overall health. It is especially critical in growing adolescents, as it is known to form good eating habits and better study habits. This study investigated the effects of skipping breakfast on nutritional state, fatigue level, and attention level. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 on total of 828 adolescents composed of 414 boys and 414 girls. Students who ate breakfast never to twice per week were placed in the breakfast-skipper group while students who ate breakfast more than five times per week were included in the breakfast-eater group. Students performed a self-reported questionnaire on food behaviors, amount of food consumption, fatigue level, attention deficient hyperactivity disease (ADHD) level by Conners-Wells' Adolescent Self-Report Scales, depression scale, and self-esteem level. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SAS program (version 9.1). A total of 135 boys (32.6%) and 138 girls (33.3%) were included in the breakfast-skipper group, whereas 241 boys (58.2%) and 223 girls (53.9%) were included in the breakfast-eater group. The breakfast-skipper group showed irregular food behaviors and lacked nutrients. Specifically, energy (p< .001), protein (p< .001), dietary fiber (p< .001), calcium (p< .01), vitamin A (p< .01), thiamin (p< .05), niacin (p< .001) levels in boy breakfast-skippers were statistically lower compared to boy breakfast-eaters. Intakes of all nutrients except fat in girl breakfast-skippers were statistically lower than in girl breakfast-eaters. Girl breakfast-skippers (41.3%) showed significantly higher fatigue risks compared to girl breakfast-eaters (21.5%). Low attention level was also observed only in girls in the breakfast-skipping group. Moreover, students in the breakfast-skipper group showed higher scores for depression and low self-esteem (p< .001). In conclusion, skipping breakfast has effects on young adolescents' nutrition, manifesting as high fatigue level and low attention level, especially in girls.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.467-472
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• 2014

Obesity is known to be strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and develops owing to interactions between genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals, and analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. Global DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells has recently been proposed as a potential biomarker for disease risk. Repetitive element DNA methylation has been shown to be associated with prominent obesity-related chronic diseases, but little is known about its relationship with weight status. In this study, we quantified the methylation of Alu elements in the peripheral blood DNA of 244 healthy women with a range of body mass indexes (BMIs) using pyrosequencing technology. Among the study participants, certain clinical laboratory parameters, including hemoglobin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic- pyruvic transaminase, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were found to be strongly associated with BMI. Moreover, a U-shaped association between BMI and Alu methylation was observed, with the lowest methylation levels occurring at BMIs of between 23 and $30kg/m^2$. However, there was no significant association between Alu methylation and age, smoking status, or alcohol consumption. Overall, we identified a differential influence of BMI on global DNA methylation in healthy Korean women, indicating that BMI-related changes in Alu methylation might play a complex role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this relationship.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.359-367
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• 1996

The pharmacokinetics of LB20304 was investigated following intravenous (IV) and oral administration to rats and dogs. Additionally, in vitro metabolism and serum protein binding studies were also conducted. The total body clearance, apparent volume of distribution, terminal half-life, and extent of bioavailability were 21.8 ml/min/kg, 2265 ml/kg, 93.6 min, and 30.8% for rats; and 7.95 ml/min/kg, 4144 ml/kg, 363 min, and 81.1% for dogs, respectively. LB20304 was stable in the liver microsome containing NADPH generating system and its serum protein binding was 58.5-65.8% for rats, 19.1-29.6% for dogs, and 56.9-59.6% for humans. Its tissue concentration levels in lever, stomach, small intestine, and kidney were 9.5 to 26.1 times greater than plasma level, but the concentration in testis was quite low and that in brain was negligible in rats. The 48 hr urinary recovery of the dose was 44% for IV dosing and 14% for oral dosing, shereas the 48 hr biliary recovery of the dose was 6.4% for IV dosing and 4.5% for oral dosing in rats. In summary, the pharmacokinetic properties of LB20304 were characterized by its good oral absorption, long plasma half-life, and good tissue distribution.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.463-472
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to suggest a development model of English literature database, which will be widely available for narrative creation and editing in digital environment. The database will be allowed to assist effective recycling of various motifs prompted by existing literary works. This paper suggests how to build a story database of English literature by demonstrating a motif abstracting model with Hamlet originally written by William Shakespeare. It is hoped that this study will contribute to producing quality contents of storytelling and also give English literature experts chances of collaboration in the development of digitalized contents.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.317-322
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• 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases. NAFLD can further progress to irreversible liver failure such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, specific regulator of NASH-fibrosis has yet to be established. Here, we found that glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPx7) was markedly expressed in NASH fibrosis. Although GPx7 is an antioxidant enzyme protecting other organs, whether GPx7 plays a role in NASH fibrosis has yet to be studied. We found that knockdown of GPx7 in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and free fatty acids (FFA)-treated LX-2 cells elevated the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes and collagen synthesis. Consistently, GPx7 overexpression in LX-2 cells led to the suppression of ROS production and reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes. Further, NASH fibrosis induced by choline-deficient amino acid defined, high fat diet (CDAHFD) feeding was significantly accelerated by knockdown of GPx7, as evidenced by up-regulated liver fibrosis and inflammation compared with CDAHFD control mice. Collectively, these results suggest that GPx7 might be a novel therapeutic target to prevent the progression and development of NAFLD.