• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.638-649
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• 2016

In the previous study, the rhizome mixture of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Coptis chinensis (DW2007), improved TNBS-, oxazolone-, or DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating macrophage activation. Therefore, to understand the effect of DW2007 on the T cell differentiation involved in the adaptive immunity, we measured its effect on both Th17 and Treg cell differentiation in splenocytes, in the lamina propria of mice with DSS-induced colitis (DIC), and in the spleens of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Results showed that DW2007 potently inhibited the differentiation of splenocytes into Th17 cells, but increased Treg cell differentiation in vitro. In the colon of wild type and $TLR4^{-/-}$ mice with DIC, DW2007 potently suppressed DSS-induced colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity. DW2007 also suppressed collagen-induced paw thickening, clinical index, and myeloperoxidase activity in CIA mice. Overall, DW2007 potently suppressed Th17 cell differentiation in mice with CIA and DIC, but increased Treg cell differentiation. Moreover, DW2007 strongly inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. Based on these findings, DW2007 may ameliorate inflammatory diseases by regulating the innate immunity via the inhibition of macrophage activation and the adaptive immunity via the correction of disturbed Th17/Treg cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2010

This study investigated the body image, body stress, eating attitude, and dietary quality in middle school girls. Questionnaires were administered to one hundred fifty seven middle school girls in Seoul area. The subjects were categorized into the five groups according to their body mass index (BMI); 1) severely under-weight (BMI < 16.5 $kg/m^2$), 2) under-weight (16.5 $\leq$ BMI < 18.5 $kg/m^2$), 3) normal weight (18.5 $\leq$ BM I < 23.0 $kg/m^2$), 4) overweight (23.0 $\leq$ BMI < 25.0 $kg/m^2$), and 5) obese (BMI $\geq$ 25 $kg/m^2$). 7.0%, 14.6%, 58.9%, 10.2%, and 10.2% of the subjects were classified as severely under-weight, under-weight, normal weight, overweight and obese groups, respectively. Regardless of the BMI, the subjects had disturbed body image, body stress, and poor eating attitude. The actual BMIs of the normal weight, overweight and obese subjects were significantly different from their desired BMI and perceived BMI, representing these subjects dissatisfied their body shape. Almost all subjects tried to lose their body weight even in the severely under-weight and under-weight groups. There were significant correlations of BMI with body image disturbance (p < 0.05), body stress (p < 0.01) and eating attitude (p < 0.05). These results indicated that middle school girls who have higher BMI seemed to have more body image distortion, body stress and risk of eating disorder. However, any significant difference in dietary quality among the five groups was not observed even though their dietary patterns were not balanced. As a conclusion, it is required that middle school girls should correct their distorted body image and body stress. Also, efforts to improve eating attitude, dietary pattern and nutritional status in the middle school girls are needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2013

Background Ever since lipoabdominoplasty was first developed to achieve better aesthetic outcomes and less morbidity, the rate of seroma formation, especially in obese patients, has disturbed plastic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibrin sealant in the prevention of seroma formation after lipoabdominoplasty in obese patients. Methods Sixty patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups (30 patients each). Group A underwent lipoabdominoplasty with fibrin glue, while group B underwent traditional lipoabdominoplasty; both had closed suction drainage applied to the abdomen. The patients' demographics and postoperative complications were recorded. Seroma was detected using abdominal ultrasound examinations at two postoperative periods: between postoperative days 10 and 12 and, between postoperative days 18 and 21. Results The age range was 31 to 55 years ($38.5{\pm}9.5$ years) in group A and 25 to 58 years ($37.8{\pm}9.1$ years) in group B, while the mean BMI was 31.4 to 39.9 $kg/m^2$ (32.6 $kg/m^2$) in group A and 32.7 to 37.4 $kg/m^2$ (31.5 $kg/m^2$) in group B. In group A, the patients had a complication rate of 10% in group A versus 43% in group B (P<0.05). The incidence of seroma formation was 3% in the fibrin glue group but 37% in the lipoabdominoplasty-alone group (P<0.05). Conclusions Lipoabdominoplasty with the use of autologous fibrin sealant is a very effective method that significantly reduces the rate of postoperative seroma.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

The increases of industrial and technological development and human activities have disturbed the balance of natural nitrogen (N) circulation. These phenomena have induced that large amounts of N are to be present in excess in air, soil and water environment. We investigated the effects of excess of reactive nitrogen ($N_r$) compounds on soil and water environment ecosystems through literature and case studies, and suggested the strategy of mitigating the acidification in soil and water ecosystems. $N_r$ moves to air, soil and water media, can be converted to different types, and interacts with other chemical compounds. As an efficient N management plan, the evaluation (application of monitoring and safety index) and the chemical restoration (research and development) of the acidification in soil and water environment ecosystems are required to minimize the effects of $N_r$ as well as policies to regulate the various emission sources and amounts of $N_r$.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 1996

The patency of small size vascular grafts is poor, and the blood flow characteristics in the artery graft anastomosis are suspected as one of the important factors influencing intimal hyperplasia. Disturbed flow patterns caused by sixte and compliance mismatch generate unfavorable flow environment which promotes intimal thickening. Tapered vascular yuts are suggested in order to reduce sudden expansion near the anastomosis. The photochromic flow visualization method is used to measure the flout fields in the end-to-end anastomosis model under the carotid and femoral artery flow wave form. The results show that flow disturbance near the anastomosis is diminished in the tapered grafts comparing to the tubular graft. As the divergent ang1e decreases, we can reduce the low and oscillatory wall shear stress zone which is prone to intimal hyperplasia. The flow wave form effects the wall shear rate dis- tribution significantly. The steep deceleration and back flow in the femoral flow wAve form cause low mean wall shear rate and high oscillatory shear index.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.893-899
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• 2010

A previous study showed that hemodynamics is correlated with stenosis in the coronary artery. The flow characteristics and the distributions of the hemodynamic wall parameters in the coronary artery are investigated under physiological flow condition. The present study also aims to establish the mechanism of the generation of atherosclerosis by analyzing the hemodynamic variables in the coronary artery where atherosclerosis frequently occurs. The stenosis phenomena due to atherosclerosis are related to not only the biochemical reaction between blood and blood vessels but also the hemodynamic factors sush as flow separation and oscillatory wall shear stress. As the bifurcated angle increases, the size of the recirculation area that appears in the cross section increases and disturbed flow is observed in this area. We speculate that this area is the starting point of atherosclerosis in the coronary artery.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2015

Data on the spatial distribution of a plant population among administrative areas is useful for various purposes. In this study, I analyzed the spatial distribution of the geographical distances of Carex siderosticta at Mt. Geumjeong and Mt. Ahop in Korea. The aim was to test a spatial structure within two populations of C. siderosticta. Most natural plots of C. siderosticta are not uniformly distributed in the forest community; for example, uniform plots were aggregately distributed within a space of 6.0 m $\times$ 6.0 m. When the sampling plots were larger than 6.0 m $\times$ 12.0 m, the individuals of C. siderosticta were aggregately distributed. The neighboring patches of C. siderosticta were predominantly 7.5 m to 9.0 m apart, on average; however, if the natural populations were disturbed by human activities, the aggregation occurred in shorter distances than a scale of 9.0 m. Moran's I of C. siderosticta significantly differed from the expected value in only 16 of 40 cases (40%). In conclusion, the geographical distribution of C. siderosticta is not even, with varying degrees of size in the plots, while human activities give rise to density effects in the plots at both Mt. Geumjeong and Mt. Ahop in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.395-407
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• 2019

Objectives: This study examined the association of the sleep quality and patterns with the dietary behavior, including snack and beverage consumption, taste preferences, as well as lifestyle of university students. Methods: The subjects were 406 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and the data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into two groups according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): good-quality sleepers (PSQI score ≤ 5) and poor-quality sleepers (PSQI score > 5). The data were analyzed using a χ²-test, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: Fifty-two percent of university students were categorized as poor-quality sleepers by the PSQI. Students classified as poor-quality sleepers had delayed bedtimes, and a shorter duration in bed and total sleep hours than the good-quality sleepers did. Poor-quality sleepers were more prevalent among those who were female, having irregular mealtimes, or frequent late night meals. They also consumed fast food frequently, such as fried chicken and hamburgers, and noodles when adjusted for gender. In addition, drinks with caffeine over milk were dominant among poor-quality sleepers. Furthermore, the preferences for spicy and salty tastes and longer smartphone usage were more prevalent in those with poor-sleep quality. Conclusions: These results showed that more than 50% of university students reported disturbed sleep and poor quality sleep was associated with less desirable snack consumption and taste preference, more smartphone usage, and others. Therefore, nutrition education program along with lifestyle changes promoting sufficient sleep are encouraged to provide for university students, particularly those who have poor sleep quality.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

Weathered soils appear from the rock and its weathering result. In accordance with the degree of weathering the roch may become soft rock, weathered rock and residual soil. In general, classification method for determining the degree of weathering are performed by chemical method and N-value. But these method have some problems. So, this research is to suggest an appropriate physical method to determine the degree of weathering of weathered soils. A new classification method for determining the degree of weathering is suggested, based upon the results from fall cone test. According to the proposed physical method using fall cone apparatus, the measured values of the samples from the same area show distinctive difference of weathering. For the checking, we selected two areas. As a result, the relationship between CWI and water content according to penetration is expressed as an equation in Ilsan and Incheon area. And it proved to be a good method to determine the degree of weathering.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.5-12
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• 2024

In the case of creating a site in the reclaimed land (public waters), due to the nature of the coastal sedimentary ground, large-scale construction materials are required, It is necessary to utilize soft clay, which is inevitably generated during construction of the complex, as a fill material in terms of resource recycling and economic aspects (reducing the amount of embankment required). In this study, changes in the consolidation characteristics of cut-out disturbed soft clay due to the recycling of soft clay soil were identified, and a consolidation settlement design plan was proposed. Through the results of the consolidation test of the study site, the change in consolidation characteristics (compression index reduction, precede load uncountable) due to disturbance (cutting) was confirmed, the method of calculating (consolidation settlement) the filling clay layer as the composite target layer (consolidation target layer, loading load layer) was analyzed as a result consistent with the actual behavior.