• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the volumetric characteristics of mucous retention cysts(MRCs) in the maxillary sinus and to analyze potential associations of MRCs with dentoalveolar pathologies. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans exhibiting bilateral maxillary sinuses that were acquired from January 2016 to February 2019 were initially screened. A total of 227 scans(454 sinuses) that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. The presence, location, and volumetric characteristics of the diagnosed MRCs were evaluated on CBCT images using the 3D-Slicer software platform. The presence of MRCs was correlated with potential influencing factors including age, sex, and dentoalveolar pathology. For MRCs located on the sinus floor, factors with a potential impact on the volume, surface, and diameter were analyzed. Results: An MRC was present in 130 (28.6%) of the 454 sinuses. Most MRCs were located on the sinus walls and floor. The mean MRC volume, surface, and diameter were 551.21±1368.04 mm³, 228.09±437.56 mm², and 9.63±5.40 mm, respectively. Significantly more sinuses with associated endodontically treated teeth/periapical lesions were diagnosed with an MRC located on the sinus floor. For MRCs located on the sinus floor, endodontic status exhibited a significant association with increased volume, surface, and diameter. Conclusion: Periapical lesions might be a contributing factor associated with the presence and volume of MRCs located on the sinus floor. The 3D-Slicer software platform was found to be a useful tool for clinicians to analyze the size of MRCs before surgical interventions such as sinus floor elevation procedures.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.156-166
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng), a herb distributed in Korea, China and Japan, exerts benefits on diverse inflammatory conditions. However, the underlying mechanism and active ingredients remains largely unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the active ingredients of P. ginseng against inflammation and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods: Inflammation model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice and RAW264.7 macrophages. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and immunofluorescence were utilized to predict active component. Results: P. ginseng significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung injury and the expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Additionally, P. ginseng blocked fluorescencelabeled LPS (LPS488) binding to the membranes of RAW264.7 macrophages, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro (GRo) docked into the LPS binding site of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the MD2-GRo binding conformation was stable. SPRi demonstrated an excellent interaction between TLR4/ MD2 complex and GRo (K_D value of 1.16 × 10^-9 M). GRo significantly inhibited LPS488 binding to cell membranes. Further studies showed that GRo markedly suppressed LPS-triggered lung injury, the transcription and secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPKs as well as the p65 subunit nuclear translocation were inhibited by GRo dose-dependently. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GRo exerts anti-inflammation actions by direct inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1517-1529
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic and expression analysis of the angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL) gene family and their role in lipid metabolism in pigs. Methods: In this study, the amino acid sequence analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and chromosome adjacent gene analysis were performed to identify the ANGPTL gene family in pigs. According to the body weight data from 60 Jinhua pigs, different tissues of 6 pigs with average body weight were used to determine the expression profile of ANGPTL1-8. The ileum, subcutaneous fat, and liver of 8 pigs with distinct fatness were selected to analyze the gene expression of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, and ANGPTL8. Results: The sequence length of ANGPTLs in pigs was between 1,186 and 1,991 bp, and the pig ANGPTL family members shared common features with human homologous genes, including the high similarity of the amino acid sequence and chromosome flanking genes. Amino acid sequence analysis showed that ANGPTL1-7 had a highly conserved domain except for ANGPTL8. Phylogenetic analysis showed that each ANGPTL homologous gene shared a common origin. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that ANGPTL family members had different expression patterns in different tissues. ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8 were mainly expressed in the liver, while ANGPTL4 was expressed in many other tissues, such as the intestine and subcutaneous fat. The expression levels of ANGPTL3 in the liver and ANGPTL4 in the liver, intestine and subcutaneous fat of Jinhua pigs with low propensity for adipogenesis were significantly higher than those of high propensity for adipogenesis. Conclusion: These results increase our knowledge about the biological role of the ANGPTL family in this important economic species, it will also help to better understand the role of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, and ANGPTL8 in lipid metabolism of pigs, and provide innovative ideas for developing strategies to improve meat quality of pigs.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.181-199
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• 2023

E-commerce is gradually upgrading from traditional text and image formats to short video and livestreaming formats. Livestreaming e-commerce enriches the content and forms of information dissemination and product display, enhances the consumer's shopping experience, and gradually becomes the mainstream new consumer scene. However, there are many negative phenomena in the development of livestreaming e-commerce, such as false propaganda, counterfeit goods, and various negative events, which seriously affect the level of consumer trust in livestreaming e-commerce. Trust is the core competitive factor of livestreaming e-commerce. Based on previous research on trust theory and combined with the characteristic elements of "people, goods, and scenes" of livestreaming e-commerce, this article constructs a trust model for livestreaming e-commerce, proposes hypotheses, and proves through empirical research that factors such as store characteristics, livestream host characteristics, brand image, product information, platform reputation, livestreaming situation, and trust tendency have a significant positive impact on consumer trust. Based on the research conclusions, this article provides insights and management suggestions, such as emphasizing the construction of store characteristic indicators, creating desirable livestream host characteristics, focusing on product brand building and selection, maintaining the display of product information, selecting suitable livestreaming platforms, and creating rich content for livestreaming situations.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.69-79
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• 2023

This study sought to propose ways to improve the happiness of Chinese product designers by verifying whether grit moderates the effect of job stress on happiness through professional values. A purposively sampled participants of 335 Chinese product designers living in Guangdong Province, southern China, were selected. Data analysis was performed using SPSS PC+ Win. Ver. 26.0 and PROCESS Macro ver. 4.2. The statistical techniques applied were frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and moderated mediation effect analysis. The research results are as follows. First, job stress showed a negative correlation with professional value and grit, but did not show a significant correlation with happiness. Except for job stress, there was a positive significant correlation between other variables. Second, the conditional indirect effect was significant when grit was M-SD, M, or M+SD. M+SD. Therefore, the moderated mediating role of grit was verified. However, as professional value increased, grit played a role in increasing happiness. Still, in the path of job stress -> professional value -> happiness, grit did not buffer the negative effect of job stress on happiness through professional stress. Suggestions were made to improve the happiness of product designers using professional values and grit.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1084-1098
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2024

Objective: R-loops are DNA:RNA triplex hybrids, and their metabolism is tightly regulated by transcriptional regulation, DNA damage response, and chromatin structure dynamics. R-loop homeostasis is dynamically regulated and closely associated with gene transcription in mouse zygotes. However, the factors responsible for regulating these dynamic changes in the R-loops of fertilized mouse eggs have not yet been investigated. This study examined the functions of candidate factors that interact with R-loops during zygotic gene activation. Methods: In this study, we used publicly available next-generation sequencing datasets, including low-input ribosome profiling analysis and polymerase II chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), to identify potential regulators of R-loop dynamics in zygotes. These datasets were downloaded, reanalyzed, and compared with mass spectrometry data to identify candidate factors involved in regulating R-loop dynamics. To validate the functions of these candidate factors, we treated mouse zygotes with chemical inhibitors using in vitro fertilization. Immunofluorescence with an anti-R-loop antibody was then performed to quantify changes in R-loop metabolism. Results: We identified DEAD-box-5 (DDX5) and histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) as candidates that potentially regulate R-loop metabolism in oocytes, zygotes and two-cell embryos based on change of their gene translation. Our analysis revealed that the DDX5 inhibition of activity led to decreased R-loop accumulation in pronuclei, indicating its involvement in regulating R-loop dynamics. However, the inhibition of histone deacetylase-2 activity did not significantly affect R-loop levels in pronuclei. Conclusion: These findings suggest that dynamic changes in R-loops during mouse zygote development are likely regulated by RNA helicases, particularly DDX5, in conjunction with transcriptional processes. Our study provides compelling evidence for the involvement of these factors in regulating R-loop dynamics during early embryonic development.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.249-257
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• 2024

This study aims to confirm the conditional direct effect of career development pressure on the effect of career continuous learning on career success through a sense of professional mission among Chinese young teachers in a university. Data were collected through a survey targeting 354 Chinese young teachers purposively sampled at a university in Guangdong, China. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS PC+ Win ver. 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro ver. 4.2. The applied statistical methods were frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and conditional direct effect analysis. The conclusion of the study is as follows. First, a sense of professional mission had a significant positive correlation with career success but was found to have no significant correlation with career development pressure. Career development pressure showed a significant negative correlation with career success. Second, the conditional direct effect of career development pressure was confirmed in the effect of career continuous learning on career success through a sense of professional mission. Based on these results, this study proposed a plan to simultaneously utilize not only career continuous learning but also a sense of professional mission and career development pressure for young teachers' career success.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.664-673
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the performance of baseline clinical characteristics and pretherapeutic histogram parameters derived from T2 mapping of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) in the prediction of treatment response to intravenous glucocorticoid (IVGC) therapy for active and moderate-to-severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and to investigate the effect of fat-suppression (FS) in T2 mapping in this prediction. Materials and Methods: A total of 79 patients clinically diagnosed with active, moderate-to-severe TAO (47 female, 32 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 46.1 ± 10 years), including 43 patients with a total of 86 orbits in the responsive group and 36 patients with a total of 72 orbits in the unresponsive group, were enrolled. Baseline clinical characteristics and pretherapeutic histogram parameters derived from T2 mapping with FS (i.e., FS T2 mapping) or without FS (i.e., conventional T2 mapping) of EOMs were compared between the two groups. Independent predictors of treatment response to IVGC were identified using multivariable analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive performance of the prediction models. Differences between the models were examined using the DeLong test. Results: Compared to the unresponsive group, the responsive group had a shorter disease duration, lower kurtosis (FS-kurtosis), lower standard deviation, larger 75th, 90th, and 95th (FS-95th) T2 relaxation times in FS mapping and lower kurtosis in conventional T2 mapping. Multivariable analysis revealed that disease duration, FS-95th percentile, and FS-kurtosis were independent predictors of treatment response. The combined model, integrating all identified predictors, had an optimized area under the ROC curve of 0.797, 88.4% sensitivity, and 62.5% specificity, which were significantly superior to those of the imaging model (p = 0.013). Conclusion: An integrated combination of disease duration, FS-95th percentile, and FS-kurtosis was a potential predictor of treatment response to IVGC in patients with active and moderate-to-severe TAO. FS T2 mapping was superior to conventional T2 mapping in terms of prediction.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.285-294
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• 2024

This study aims to provide basic data for improving academic self-efficacy by identifying the mediating effect of teacher support and the moderating effect of growth mindset in the impact of academic burnout on academic self-efficacy. The subjects of the survey were 300 college students majoring in stomatology and stomatology technology in Guangzhou Medical College who were intentionally sampled from a university in Guangdong, China. Data was collected using an online questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS PC+ Win. ver. 25.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro ver. 4.2. The statistical techniques used were descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and indirect effect and conditional direct effect analysis. The research results are as follows. First, academic burnout showed a significant negative correlation with teacher support, growth mindset, and academic self-efficacy. Teacher support showed a significant positive correlation with growth mindset and academic self-efficacy. Second, in the relationship between academic burnout and academic self-efficacy, teacher support played a mediating role, and growth mindset played a moderating role. To improve academic self-efficacy, this study proposed ways to utilize teacher support to offset and growth mindset to buffer the impact of academic burnout on academic self-efficacy.