• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2010

The local structural states of amorphous alloys have been depicted previously via short-range orders (SROs). However, the concept of SROs alone is inadequate and sometimes insufficient to explain the structure-property relation of the amorphous alloys. In this study, we propose new types of medium-range building structures that affect the mechanical properties, plasticity in particular. Using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and the Voronoi tessellation method, we demonstrate a three-dimensional configuration of icosahedral medium-range orders (I-MROs) and elucidate how these icosahedral orders evolve by the application of shear deformation. It was observed that the structural stability of the icosahedral orders relies largely on how they are linked via percolation and this linking is explained in detail.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.228-240
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the Korean version of the Nurses' Involvement in Dying Patients and Family Care (NIDPFC) instrument. Methods: Data were collected from 410 registered nurses at a university hospital, general hospitals, and a convalescent hospital. Data were collected from June 23 to July 17, 2020. Internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity were examined using the SPSS and AMOS software. Results: Of the 35 preliminary items of the instrument, 24 items were finally selected after evaluating the content validity, analyzing the items, and assessing construct validity. The following four factors were derived: "burden" (seven items), "deep involvement" (eight items), "resilience" (five items), and "empathy" (four items), with a cumulative explanatory variance of 55.2%. For criterion validity, a significant positive relationship was found between the NIDPFC and attitudes toward caring for the dying. For internal consistency reliability, the Cronbach's α was 0.82. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the NIDPFC were verified. Therefore, the NIDPFC is an effective instrument to use in further studies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.148-160
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• 2023

Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as bioactive agents that can positively modulate stress-induced, aberrant synaptic activity. Bioactive agents, including flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and lignans, have been reported to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and release, suppress neuronal loss, and activate the relevant signaling pathways, including TrkB, ERK, Akt, and mTOR pathways, resulting in increased spine maturation and synaptic numbers in the neuronal cells and in the brains of stressed animals. In clinical trials, phytochemical usage is regarded as safe and well-tolerated for suppressing stress-related parameters in patients with depression. Thus, intake of phytochemicals with safe and active effects on synaptic plasticity may be a strategy for preventing neuronal damage and alleviating depression in a stressful life.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.5-13
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• 2015

Objectives : The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of water extracts of Sasangja-tang(SSJ) and Gami-sasangja-tang(GSJ) were investigated. The effects of SSJ and GSJ were compared. Methods : We performed cell viability assay in HaCaT cells and RAW 264.7 cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. We measured chemokines(regulated on activation normal T-cell expression and secreted ; RANTES/CCL5, interferon-inducible protein; IP-10/CXCL10, macrophage-derived chemokine; MDC/CCL22) in HaCat cells, also we measured cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$; TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6; IL-6) and nitric oxide(NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and NO assay. Western blot assay was used to evaluate the expression for inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : SSJ and GSJ did not affect the cell viability at the concentrations treated ($0-800{\mu}g/ml$). As a result of SSJ and GSJ treatment in HaCat cells stimulated by TNF-${\alpha}$(10 ng/ml) and interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$(10 ng/ml), the production of RANTES and IP-10 was inhibited significantly. However there was no significant difference in the secretion of MDC. And in RAW 264. 7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS, $1{\mu}g/ml$), SSJ and GSJ treatment significantly inhibited the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 and the production of NO. The expression of iNOS was also decresed by SSJ and GSJ treatment in RAW 264. 7 cells. Compared with SSJ, GSJ was superior to SSJ in inhibition of RANTES, IP-10, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and NO production at the concentration of $200{\mu}g/ml$. Conclusion : Both SSJ and GSJ have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. And GSJ has better effects than SSJ.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2013

Purpose The purpose of this study was to research the effects of exercise programs on genu varum persons' distance of between two legs. Method 40 persons who had genu varum were participated in this research. Randomly, among 30 were allocated in experimental group and others were allocated in control group. Stretching exercises, bend exercises and joint mobilization were applied to the experimental group for 6 weeks. For the statistical analysis, we used the independent t-test and the paired t-test. Result Stretching exercises, bend exercises and joint mobilization had statistically effects on distance of knees with gathering legs, distance of knees, distance of malleoluses, differences of distance from between malleoluses to between knees by GPS. Stretching exercises, bend exercises and joint mobilization had statistically effects on distance of knees, distance of malleoluses by ruler. Conclusion Therefore, this study showed that stretching exercises, bend exercises and joint mobilization influenced on the change of genu varum.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1C
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• pp.27-35
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• 2012

The relieving platform has the advantage of decreasing the total lateral earth pressure on the retaining wall and increasing the overall stability of the structure. Several modeling tests were performed to determine the earth pressure distribution on the retaining wall with a relieving platform and to compare it with that of the cantilever retaining wall. Different types of soil and angle of cutting surface were used to determine the effect of the soil characteristics and the backfill conditions on these earth pressure distributions. From the modeling tests, comparisons between the retaining wall with a relieving platform and the cantilever retaining wall show that the reduction of the lateral earth pressure and deformation of wall was indicated clearly on the retaining wall with a relieving platform. And the overall stability was increased by the relieving platform.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2012

Northern corn leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum Pass is considered the most important disease infecting corn (Zea mays L.) in the Peoples' Republic of Korea (North Korea). It contributes to the food shortage in North Korea. The objectives of the current research were to study resistance expression and responses of corn crosses made between ten hybrids from North Korea and inbreeding lines ($S_{3-4}$ stage) from the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The experiments were conducted in six trials with a total of 184 crosses including two commercial hybrids in each trial. The trials were conducted at two locations in North Korea (Mirim and Eunsan) and one location in South Korea (Gunwi) under natural infestation of E. turcicum. Host plant responses were rated on a scale of 1 (highly tolerant) to 9 (highly susceptible). A total of 111 crosses (62.4%) showed significant tolerant or susceptible response variations among three locations; 42 crosses (22.8%) at two locations and 69 crosses (39.0%) at one location, respectively. At least 8 crosses of high level of tolerance and 12 crosses of high level of susceptibility showed significantly different biotic responses (P = 0.05). The results of the current study and historical reviews of E. turcicum epidemics in both North and South Korea suggest that breeding of tolerance with quantitatively inherited genes should be carried out for a sustainable corn production in North Korea.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.621-629
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• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of GST (Gamisasangja-tang). For examining genotoxicity, we carried out bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosome aberration assay, micronucleus induction test according to OECD guidelines. Bacterial reverse mutation assay: In GST treating group, regardless of existence S9 mix, revertant colonies counts appeared to be less than twice of negative control group and dose dependent increase. In positive control group, revertant colonies counts were shown to be more than twice of negative control croup. Chromosome aberration assay: All cell line showed repetition rate of abnormal chromosome aberration less than 5%, regardless of treating time, existence of S9 mix, and no significant change ($p{\succeq}0.05$) compared with negative control group. Micronucleus induction test: Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) repetition rate of Polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) showed no significant changes compared with negative control group ($p{\succeq}0.05$). PCE portion of total erythrocytes also showed no significant changes ($p{\succeq}0.05$). Our results showed that GST didn't induce any genotoxicity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.307-312
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• 2009

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaking cells required for gastrointestinal motility. The possibility of whether DA-9701, a novel prokinetic agent formulated with Pharbitis Semen and Corydalis Tuber, modulates pacemaker activities in the ICC was tested using the whole cell patch clamp technique. DA-9701 produced membrane depolarization and increased tonic inward pacemaker currents in the voltage-clamp mode. The application of flufenamic acid, a non-selective cation channel blocker, but not niflumic acid, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents induced by DA-9701. Pretreatment with a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker currents. In addition, the tonic inward currents were inhibited by U-73122, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, but not by $GDP-{\beta}-S$, which permanently binds G-binding proteins. Furthermore, the protein kinase C inhibitors, chelerythrine and calphostin C, did not block the DA-9701-induced pacemaker currents. These results suggest that DA-9701 might affect gastrointestinal motility by the modulation of pacemaker activity in the ICC, and the activation is associated with the non-selective cationic channels via external $Ca^{2+}$ influx, phospholipase C activation, and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal storage in a G protein-independent and protein kinase C-independent manner.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.706-716
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• 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes. Although diverse complicated etiologies are involved in its pathogenesis, a dysregulated gut-brain axis may be an important factor. Red ginseng (RG), a traditional herbal medicine, is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve brain function; however, these effects have not been investigated in IBS. Methods: Three-day intracolonic zymosan injections were used to induce post-infectious human IBS-like symptoms in mice. The animals were randomized to receive either phosphate-buffered saline (CG) or RG (30/100/300 mg/kg) for 10 days. Amitriptyline and sulfasalazine were used as positive controls. Macroscopic scoring was performed on day 4. Visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by colorectal distension and elevated plus maze and open field tests, respectively, on day 10. Next-generation sequencing of gut microbiota was performed, and biomarkers involved in gut-brain axis responses were analyzed. Results: Compared to CG, RG significantly decreased the macroscopic score, frequency of visceral pain, and anxiety-like behavior in the IBS mice. These effects were comparable to those after sulfasalazine and amitriptyline treatments. Moreover, RG significantly increased the proliferation of beneficial microbes, including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. RG significantly suppressed expression of IL-1β and c-fos in the gut and prefrontal cortex, respectively. Further, it restored the plasma levels of corticosterone to within the normal range, accompanied by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone. Conclusion: RG may be a potential therapeutic option for the management of human IBS.