• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2020

Microarray technology represents a critical new advance in molecular cytogenetics. The development of this approach has provided fundamental insights into the molecular pathogenesis in clinical cytogenetics and has provided a clue to many unidentified or unexplained diseases. The approach allows a comprehensive investigation of thousands and millions of genomic loci simultaneously and enables the efficient detection of copy number alterations. The application of this technology has shown tremendous fluidity and complexity of the human genome, and has provided accurate diagnosis and appropriate clinical management in a timely and efficient manner for identifying genomic alterations. The clinical impact of the genomic alterations identified by microarrays is evolving into a diagnostic tool to identify high-risk patients better and predict patient outcomes from their genomic profiles. The transformation of conventional cytogenetics into an automated discipline will improve diagnostic yield significantly, leading to accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling. This article reviews cytogenetic technologies used to identify human chromosome alterations and highlights the potential utility of present and future genome microarray technology in the diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.387-400
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• 2021

The increase in number of streaming platforms and contents thereof, owing to an advancement of cloud environment, has triggered the rapid proliferation of illegally replicated contents as well as legal contents. This necessitates the development of technology capable of discriminating the copyright infringement of various contents. The Korea Copyright Protection Agency operates a video content demonstration system using AI, but it has limitations on distortions such as resolution changes. In this paper, we propose the powerful mechanism using skeleton, which is resistant against distorted video contents and capable of discriminating copyright infringement of platforms streaming illegal video contents. The proposed mechanism exploits the calculation of Hamming distance to the original video by converting collected data into binary ones for the efficient calculation. As a result of the experiment, the proposed mechanism have demonstrated the discrimination of illegally replicated video contents with an accuracy of 94.79% and average magnitude of 215KB.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.335-341
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• 2021

Purpose: Muscle mitochondria play a key role in regulating fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Dysfunction of muscle mitochondria is associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Isorhamnetin (ISOR), also known as 3-O-methylquercetin, a quercetin metabolite, is a naturally occurring flavonoid in many plants. This study evaluated the effects of ISOR on the regulation of the mitochondrial function of C2C12 muscle cells. Methods: C2C12 muscle cells were differentiated for 5 days, and then treated in various concentrations of ISOR. Cytotoxicity was determined by assessing cell viability using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay principle at different concentrations of ISOR and time points. Levels of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and gene expression were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The citrate synthase (CS) activity was quantified by the enzymatic method. Results: ISOR at a concentration of 10 µM did not show any cytotoxic effects. ISOR increased the mtDNA copy number in a time- or dose-dependent manner. The messenger RNA levels of genes involved in mitochondrial function, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, and uncoupling protein 3 were significantly stimulated by the ISOR treatment. The CS activity was also significantly increased in a time- or dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that ISOR enhances the regulation of mitochondrial function, which was at least partially mediated via the stimulation of the mtDNA replication, mitochondrial gene expression, and CS activity in C2C12 muscle cells. Therefore, ISOR may be useful as a potential food ingredient to prevent metabolic diseases-associated muscle mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2022

Two small cryptic plasmids, pHG1 and pHG2, were isolated from Levilactobacillus zymae (formerly Lactobacillus zymae) GU240 and characterized. pHG1 is 1,814 bp in size with a GC content of 37.4% and contains two open reading frames. orf1 can potentially encode a protein of 101 amino acids (aa) with 99% identity with the copy number control protein of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. orf2 can potentially encode a protein of 230 aa with 99% identity with a replication protein from multiple species. Six inverted repeats (IR I-VI) and six direct repeats (DR I-VI) were found in pHG1. pHG2 is 2,864 bp in size, with a GC content of 39.6%. pHG2 has two orfs. orf1 might encode a protein with 99% identity with the TrsL transmembrane protein. orf2 might encode a protein with 99% identity with plasmid recombination proteins from lactic acid bacteria. Both pHG1 and pHG2 may be useful as frames for constructing lactic acid bacteria-Escherichia coli shuttle vectors.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.118-128
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• 2019

Purpose - This paper examines the international R&D contest in which the extent of intellectual property right (IPR) affects both the size of prize for the winning firm and the extent of positive spillover through cost of firms. Recognizing the possibility of incomplete protection of IPR, the present paper analyzes the effect of changes in the extent of IPR on payoffs to firms and social welfare. Design/methodology - This paper examines coordination of IPRs by countries in economic integration. The paper then develops a general model of international R&D contest with incomplete protection of IPR. An increase in the extent of IPR augments the share of the prize the winning firm can appropriate, while decreasing the positive cost externality. To derive sharper results, the paper considers the cases of linear and fixed spillovers. Findings - Under plausible assumptions, an increase in the IPR augments the payoff to each firm and the aggregate payoffs as well. The paper also shows that the number of firms participating in the R&D contest can be endogenously determined in the two-stage R&D contest. The higher the extent of cost spillover, and the larger the effective prize, the more firms participate in the international R&D contest. Originality/value - Existing studies assume that firms winning the R&D contest enjoy perfect IPR to the output of their R&D activities. This is a very restrictive assumption in that other firms can copy the new products or processes. By allowing for the incompleteness of the IPR, the present paper develops a more realistic model of R&D contest. The novelty of the present paper is to allow for the possibility that the higher extent of IPR increases the prize and decreases positive cost externality at the same time. The findings of the present paper can serve as a basis for government policy toward R&D activities of firms and protection of IPRs.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.24.1-24.11
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• 2020

The pandemic of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Asia has caused enormous economic loss in poultry industry and human health threat, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5 and H7 subtypes in recent years. The endemic chicken H6 virus in Taiwan has also brought about human and dog infections. Since wild waterfowls is the major AIV reservoir, it is important to monitor the diversified subtypes in wildfowl flocks in early stage to prevent viral reassortment and transmission. To develop a more efficient and sensitive approach is a key issue in epidemic control. In this study, we integrate multiplex reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for high-throughput detection and differentiation of AIVs in wild waterfowls in Taiwan. Four viral genes were detected simultaneously, including nucleoprotein (NP) gene of all AIVs, hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4 H5, H6 and H7 subtypes. The detection limit of the developed detection system could achieve as low as one copy number for each of the four viral gene targets. Sixty wild waterfowl field samples were tested and all of the four gene signals were unambiguously identified within 6 h, including the initial sample processing and the final CE data analysis. The results indicated that multiplex RT-RPA combined with CE was an excellent alternative for instant simultaneous AIV detection and subtype differentiation. The high efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method could greatly assist in wild bird monitoring and epidemic control of poultry.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high concentration of uremic toxins in their blood and often experience muscle atrophy. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin produced by tryptophan metabolism. Although an elevated IS level may induce muscle dysfunction, the effect of IS on physiological concentration has not been elucidated. Additionally, the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on muscle hypertrophy have been reported in healthy models; however, it is unclear whether UA ameliorates muscle dysfunction associated with chronic diseases, such as CKD. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether UA can improve the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were incubated with or without IS (0.1 mM) and UA (1 or 2 μM) to elucidate the physiological effect of UA on CKD-related mitochondrial dysfunction and its related mechanisms using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IS suppressed the expression of differentiation marker genes without decreasing cell viability. IS decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and ATP levels by downregulating the genes pertaining to mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a, Nrf1, Tfam, Sirt1, and Mef2c), fusion (Mfn1 and Mfn2), oxidative phosphorylation (Cycs and Atp5b), and fatty acid oxidation (Pdk4, Acadm, Cpt1b, and Cd36). Furthermore, IS increased the intracellular mRNA and secretory protein levels of interleukin (IL)-6. Finally, UA ameliorated the IS-induced impairment in C2C12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that UA improves the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis by affecting differentiation, ATP levels, and IL-6 secretion in C2C12 cells. Therefore, UA could be a novel therapeutic agent for CKD-induced muscle dysfunction.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.45-60
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• 2023

Purpose - This research focused on women who enjoy watching Korean dramas and K-pop, as well as how their desire to imitate are influenced by their viewing habits. Due to the influence of their idols, women who aspire to copy and are influenced by their idols will desire to purchase Korean products. This cultural export strategy has effectively persuaded the global community, particularly women. Indonesia with a large population can be a reference for the industry to increase sales of South Korean beauty products, especially in the ASEAN region. Design/methodology - This research used a quantitative approach with an online questionnaire. This questionnaire had two steps: the pre-questionnaire and the questionnaire itself. The different measuring tools that were already in use when the data were being collected helped to determine how much each variable meant. As a part of this research project, 410 Indonesian women filled out the questionnaire in order to share their thoughts as they were the focus of the study. SMART PLS was used to analyze the data. Findings - One of the most essential findings from establishing the Korean Wave effect on purchase intention was the imitation intention variable. Someone who has the aspiration to be just like their idol will be willing to give anything in order to achieve that goal. One strategy is to buy things that are similar to the ones you want to imitate in order to stimulate demand for Korean products. People's imitation intention and attitude toward Korean products will increase as a result of Korean drama and K-pop elements that display one's idols with fashionable appearances and good-looking faces, which will lead to purchase intentions. Originality/value - The Korean Wave has had a beneficial impact on the intention to imitate and the attitude toward Korean items, both of which will favorably boost the intention to acquire Korean goods. In order to boost sales in international markets, particularly in Indonesia, the Korean business sector needs to increase the number of artists and singers it employs for product promotion. . Mutualism effect between the government, the entertainment industry, and the beauty product industry to increase sales of South Korean beauty products.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.10-26
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether various saliva collection methods affect the observed salivary microbiome and whether microbiomes of stimulated and unstimulated saliva and plaque differ in richness and diversity. Methods: Seven sampling methods for unstimulated saliva, stimulated saliva, and plaque samples were applied to six orally and systemically healthy participants. Bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes of 10 major oral bacterial species, namely, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus casei, were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We comprehensively examined the dependence of the amount of bacterial ribosomal DNA (rDNA), bacterial-community composition, and relative abundance of each species on sample collection methods. Results: There were significant differences in the bacterial rDNA copy number depending on the collection method in three species: F. nucleatum, P. nigrescens, and S. mitis. The species with the highest richness was S. mitis, with the range from 89.31% to 100.00%, followed by F. nucleatum, P. nigrescens, T. denticola, T. forsythia, and P. intermedia, and the sum of the proportions of the remaining five species was less than 1%. The species with the lowest observed richness was P. gingivalis (<0.1%). The Shannon diversity index was the highest in unstimulated saliva collected with a funnel (4.449). The Shannon diversity index was higher in plaque samples (3.623) than in unstimulated (3.171) and stimulated (3.129) saliva and in mouthwash saliva samples (2.061). Conclusions: The oral microbial profile of saliva samples can be affected by sample collection methods, and saliva differs from plaque in the microbiome. An easy and rapid technique for saliva collection is desirable; however, observed microbial-community composition may more accurately reflect the actual microbiome when unstimulated saliva is assayed.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.20.1-20.10
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• 2023

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are drugs that are widely used in treating estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients. Drug resistance is a major obstacle to aromatase inhibition therapy. There are diverse reasons behind acquired AI resistance. This study aims at identifying the plausible cause of acquired AI resistance in patients administered with non-steroidal AIs (anastrozole and letrozole). We used genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and mutation data of breast invasive carcinoma from The Cancer Genomic Atlas database. The data was then separated into sensitive and resistant sets based on patients' responsiveness to the non-steroidal AIs. A sensitive set of 150 patients and a resistant set of 172 patients were included for the study. These data were collectively analyzed to probe into the factors that might be responsible for AI resistance. We identified 17 differentially regulated genes (DEGs) among the two groups. Then, methylation, mutation, miRNA, copy number variation, and pathway analyses were performed for these DEGs. The top mutated genes (FGFR3, CDKN2A, RNF208, MAPK4, MAPK15, HSD3B1, CRYBB2, CDC20B, TP53TG5, and MAPK8IP3) were predicted. We also identified a key miRNA - hsa-mir-1264 regulating the expression of CDC20B. Pathway analysis revealed HSD3B1 to be involved in estrogen biosynthesis. This study reveals the involvement of key genes that might be associated with the development of AI resistance in ER-positive breast cancers and hence may act as a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for these patients.