• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2006

RGS is a negative regulator of G-protein signaling and can be identified by the presence of a conserved $120{sim}125$ amino acid motif, which is referred to as the RGS box. A number of RGSs are induced in response to a wide variety of stimuli. Increased levels of RGSs lead to significant decreases in GPCR responsiveness. To obtain further evidence of a role of RGS proteins in rat C6 astrocytoma cells, we first determined the expression profile of RGS-specific mRNA in C6 cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a poly dT18 primer and transcript-specific primers. We found that RGS2, RGS3, RGS6, RGS9, RGS10, RGS12, and RGS16 were differentially expressed in C6 astrocytoma cells. The highest expression rate was found for RGS3, followed by RGS16, RGS10 and RGS9, whereas the expression level for RGS2 was barely detectable. We next assessed whether forskolin regulated the expression of RGSs expressed in C6 astrocytoma cells. The present study found that forskolin dose-dependently stimulated the expression of RGS2 transcripts. This up-regulation of RGS2 gene was abrogated by H-89, potent and broad-spectrum protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors. Actinomycin D completely inhibited the up-regulation of RGS2 gene induced by forskolin $(10{\mu}M)$, indicating that the regulation of RGS2 gene is controlled at the transcriptional level. In addition, forskolin did significantly activate transcriptional cAMP response element (CRE) in either HEK 293 cells or C6 cells and did not modulate the $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-l activity as measured by luciferase reporter gene assay. Finally, forskolin induced the expression of RGS2 mRNA in C6 astrocytoma cells, which depend on the PKA pathway and CRE transcriptional pathways.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.181-190
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• 2016

Regional air quality regulation is a system that allows the Minister of Environment to designate the local area as air quality control region where the concentrations of air pollutants are exceeding the environmental standards, and the local governments that administrate the regulated area have to develop and practise a plan for reducing the air pollutants. From the data observed yearly by the monitoring stations in 8 provincial cities with more than 0.5 million people was judged the compliance with air quality standards in each municipality for the period of 2003 to 2013. As the result of investigation on air pollutants concentrations of each city, it was found that there was no station that exceeds the ambient air quality standards of CO, $SO_2$ and 24-hour $NO_2$. But all municipalities exceeded the standards of 8-hour $O_3$, annual and 24-hour $PM_{10}$, and therefore 8 municipalities can be designated to be under the local air regulation. For the annual $NO_2$ were the monitoring sites necessary requirements for designation of the air quality regulation region in Cheongju, Cheonan, Daejeon and Gwangju area. Incase of 1-hour $O_3$, some of stations in Pohang, Cheongju, Cheonan and Changwon area were over the designation standards for the air quality control region.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Sasim-tang water extract on the cardiovascular systems including changes of blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow volume (rCBF) in male Sprague-Dawely rats. Methods : The changes of blood pressure were recorded by data acquisition system composed of MacLab and Macintosh computer. The changes of rCBF were observed by Laser-Doppler flowmetry through a opened cranial window. Results : 1. The changes of blood pressure was not affected by Sasim-tang extract intravenous injection in rats. 2. After pretreatment with propranolol(3mg/kg), L-NNA(10mg/kg) and 000(10mg/kg), the changes of blood pressure was not affected by Sasim tang extract intravenous injection in rats. 3. The changes of rCBF was increased in dose-dependent manner by Sasim-tang extract intravenous injection in rats. 4, After pretreatment with propranolol(3mg/kg), ODQ(10mg/kg) and L-NNA(10mg/kg), rCBF was significantly decreased in dose- dependent manner by Sasim-tang extract intravenous injection in rats. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sasim-tang was related to the regulation of the sympathetic nerve system, nitric oxide synthesis and synthesis of cyclic GMP.

• Survey Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.109-129
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• 2006

This paper describes how the National Statistics Office Prepared Population and Housing Census in 2005. We focus on the methods of identifying living quarters and determining the enumeration districts. In the absence of the supports of the regional administrative offices, caused by the regulation change in 1999, the NSO devised several new techniques, such as using previous census DB, administrative records, GIS, and etc.. However, not-well-organized administrative system of the regional offices, particularly in terms of the use of IT technology, becomes one of the major bottleneck for identifying living quarters. In order for better preparation of Census, we seem to concern about not only the NSO's efforts to improve survey methods, but also the administrative system of the regional offices. This may indicates that we are at the stake of moving towards a more networked administrative system beyond the present organizational boundaries.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.223-227
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• 2006

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is clinically characterized by pain, abnormal regulation of blood flow and sweating, edema of skin and subcutaneous tissues, sensory and motor disturbances, and trophic changes of the skin. A 21-year-old man was suffering from pain and swelling in his right hand and forearm. His arm had been in splints for 3 weeks following an extension injury of the right fingers and wrist, with the pain having developed 2 weeks after the splinting. He was treated with various nerve blocks including continuous epidural infusion, thoracic sympathetic block and peripheral nerve blocks, and squeezing his edematous region under general anesthesia as well as intravenous lidocaine and ketamine infusions. However, all of the performed treatments had no effect on the patient's pain or hand swelling. As a next line therapy, spinal cord stimulation should be considered because of intractable severe pain and swelling to almost all other modalities of therapy. We therefore performed an early intervention of spinal cord stimulation for the patient with refractory CRPS type I 5 months after the onset of pain and have got an excellent result.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2003

Fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism and port activities in southern coastal seas are important to the Korean economy Conventional strategies or quick-fixes may not be the best means of addressing coastal issues. Coastal issues in Korean coastal sea include harmful algal blooms (HAB), oxygen depletion, and sea grass disappearance. Regional coastal management plans have been developed during 2001~present after inauguration of Coastal Management Law in 1999. Activities such as eco-pioneer cities, pollution reduction, constitutional rearrangement, environmental regulation, monitoring indicators, and budgeting would be included in regional coastal management Planning. The successful implementation of integrated coastal management is largely dependent on the engagement of government and non-government organizations to increase the chorus of concern. The need to involve coastal area residents in restoring activities was addressed with the creation of NGOs' Association for Masan Bay Restoration (NAMR). Several restoration efforts by NAMR are currently underway in Masan Bay coastal zone with scientific and local knowledge. A new level of dialogue was achieved suggesting a sustainable picture of Masan Bay coastal area regarding to a new port construction.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Petasites japonicus Maxim (P. japonicus) has been used as an edible and medicinal plant and contains many bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of P. japonicus on osteogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: The leaves and stems of P. japonicus were separated and extracted with hot water or ethanol, respectively. The total phenolic compound and total polyphenol contents of each extract were measured, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of each extract was evaluated to determine their effect on bone metabolism. To investigate the effect on osteoblast differentiation of the aqueous extract of P. japonicus leaves (AL), which produced the highest ALP activity among the tested extracts, collagen content was measured using the Sirius Red staining method, mineralization using the Alizarin Red S staining method, and osteocalcin production through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. Also, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the mRNA expression levels of Runt-related transcriptional factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix. RESULTS: Among the 4 P. japonicus extracts, AL had the highest values in all of the following measures: total phenolic compounds, total polyphenols, and ALP activity, which is a major biomarker of osteoblast differentiation. The AL-treated MC3T3-E1 cells showed significant increases in induced osteoblast differentiation, collagen synthesis, mineralization, and osteocalcin production. In addition, mRNA expressions of Runx2 and Osterix, transcription factors that regulate osteoblast differentiation, were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AL can regulate osteoblasts differentiation, at least in part through Runx2 and Osterix. Therefore, it is highly likely that P. japonicus will be useful as an alternate therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

A model is developed for estimating optimal cultivation areas for apples to maximize the total profit of apple farming by region, focusing on Gyeongsangbuk-do, Chungchungbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeonllabuk-do in Korea. Comparing the current cultivation areas to the optimal areas according to the model estimation during the period 1999 - 2019, the former has exceeded the latter since 2015 in all regions except for Jeonllabuk-do. This result stems from a lack of the regulation of production quantity among apple producers' regional organizations. Accordingly, the decreasing rate of the market price was greater than the increasing rate of the production quantity, and the total profit of apple farming has fallen in conjunction with increasing agricultural wage rates. Therefore, in order to reverse the current decreasing trend in the profits of apple farming, it is necessary to regulate nationwide apple cultivation areas through regional producers' associations. Ex-ante forecasting for 2019 posits the following regional optimal cultivation areas for maximizing the total income from apple farming. The Gyeongbuk apple producers' association needs to reduce its current cultivation area by 1,089 ha and to maintain 18,373 ha. In the Chungbuk region, current cultivated area should be reduced by 1,027 ha to maintain 2,722 ha, and in the Gyeongnam region, the current cultivated area should be reduced by 582 ha to maintain 2,730 ha. In contrast, the Jeonbuk region needs to increase its current cultivation area by 174 ha and to maintain at a level of 2,872 ha.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2018

Desmodium heterocarpon is one of vines belongs to Fabaceae family, mainly distributed in Asian countries such as Korea and Japan. This study was conducted to explore new nutraceutical resources from the plant kingdom possessing biological activities. To fulfill this purpose, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of D. heterocarpon ethanol extract (DHEE) were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, and the analysis of related protein expressions by Western blot hybridization. DHEE exhibited potent anti-oxidative activity as confirmed by DPPH radical scavenging capacity against DPPH similar with ascorbic acid, a well-known anti-oxidative agent, used as a positive control. DHEE also effectively suppressed hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced ROS on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Furthermore, DHEE induced the expression of the anti-oxidative enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as a dose dependent manner. DHEE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) formation as a consequence of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) down regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that DHEE has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and thus appears to be useful sources as potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. The identification of active compounds that confer biological activities of DHEE might be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.155-187
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• 1999

The East Asian Region has experienced remarkable economic growth and transformation of interurban networking over the past three decades, and urban competiti veness for a networking hub in this region has become a critical issue confronting cities. Competitiveness of the Seoul capital region for a networking hub in Northeast Asia is outstripped by other competing cities in East Asia, notwithstanding its geo-politically and geo-economically advantageous location in this region. In this paper, we aim to appraise the Seoul capital region's competitiveness in terms of logistics distribution, financial function and logistics distribution, financial function and agglomeration of transnational corporations (especially of RHOs and other managerial functions), and to advance the networking strategies of the region for a Northeast Asia hyb. As a result of analysis, we suggest that the Seoul capital region be developed as a Northeast Asian center for regional headquarters or leading global corporations and financial services for being a strategic nodal point in Northeast Asia in the 21st century. A recent survey shows that where to locate an RHQ is influenced by various factors, such as potential market and manufacturing site in the city's hinterland, quality of life, such things as culture, health, safety, education, a well-educated, English-speaking population, reliable air transport, state-of-the-art communications, and an active policy to offer foreign companies generous incentives. The Seoul capital region, which is located at a strategic nodal point advantageous as a springboard for its Northeast Asian hinterland, cannot meet the other conditions mentioned above. To overcome these drawbacks in attracting transnational capital and to create competitiveness as a strategic hub of RHQs in Northeast Asia, it is urgent to initiate a structural reform of the Korean economy, politics, and overall society, to minimize the regulation of FDI, and to provide various incentives for foreign investment. Moreover, we propose the construction of an 'International Business Town' in the Seoul capital region, as a medium to intermediate these strategies and to shape them in a spatial scale. The projected 'International Business Town(IBT)' will be a 'free city' open to international business in which liberal economic activities are guaranteed by special legislation and administration, infrastructures needed for international and improved accessibility to the airport are furnished, and the preference of foreign high-income investors for cultural and living environment are satisfactorily met. IBT is conspicuously differentiated from a raft of other cities' incentives in that it combines deregulation and incentive programs to attract the investment of transnational capital, with a spatial program of offering an urban environment preferred by the high-income investors for cultural and living environment are satisfactorily met. IBT is conspicuously differentiated from a raft of other cities' incentives in that it combines deregulation and incentive programs to attract the investment of transnational capita, with a spatial program of offering an urban environment preferred by the high-income and managerial class. Furthermore, it can be an excellent way of overcoming the xenophobia that has spread among the Korean population by concentrating foreign businesses and their lifestyles in a specific foreign businesses and their lifestyles in a specific zone. In conclusion, 'International Business Town', in line with other legislative and administrative incentive programs, will function as a driving force to make the Seoul capital regional more competitive as a regional business hub in Northeast Asia.