• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.94-103
• /
• 2021

Here, we evaluated the anti-glycation effects and renal protective properties of 70% (v/v) ethanolic extract of Colpomenia sinuosa (CSE) against AGEs -induced oxidative stress and apoptosis at different concentrations (1, 5, and 20 ㎍/mL). At 20 ㎍/mL, CSE showed that anti-glycation activities via the inhibition of AGE formation (51.1%), inhibition of AGEs-protein cross-linking (61.7%), and breaking of AGEs-protein cross-links (33.3%), were significantly (###p < 0.001 vs. non-treated group) lower than the nontreated group. Methylglyoxal (MGO) significantly (***p < 0.001) reduced cell viability (24.4%) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level (642.3%), MGO accumulation (119.4 ㎍/mL), and apoptosis (55.0%) in mesangial cells compared to the nontreated group. Pretreatment with CSE significantly (###p < 0.001) increased cell viability (57.8%) and decreased intracellular ROS (96.5%), MGO accumulation (80.0 ㎍/mL), and apoptosis (22.6%) at 20 ㎍/mL. Additionally, we confirmed intracellular AGEs reduction by CSE pretreatment. Consequently, our results suggest that CSE is a good source of natural therapeutics for managing diabetic complications by the antiglycation effect and renal protective activity against MGO-induced oxidative stress.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.375-388
• /
• 2021

Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is the most harmful virus that affects irrigated and lowland rice in Africa. The RBe24 isolate of the virus is the most pathogenic strain in Benin. A total of 79 genotypes including susceptible IR64 (Oryza sativa) and the resistant TOG5681 (O. glaberrima) as checks were screened for their reactions to RBe24 isolate of RYMV and the effects of silicon on the response of host plants to the virus investigated. The experiment was a three-factor factorial consisting of genotypes, inoculation level (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), and silicon dose (0, 5, and 10 g/plant) applied as CaSiO₃ with two replications and carried out twice in the screen house. Significant differences were observed among the rice genotypes. Fifteen highly resistant and eight resistant genotypes were identified, and these were mainly O. glaberrima. Silicon application did not affect disease incidence and severity at 21 and 42 days after inoculation (DAI); it, however, significantly increased plant height of inoculated (3.6% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 6.3% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) and non-inoculated (1.9% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 4.9% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) plants at 42 DAI, with a reduction in the number of tillers (12.3% for both 5 and 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) and leaves (26.8% for 5 g CaSiO₃/plant and 28% for 10 g CaSiO₃/plant) under both inoculation treatments. Our results confirm O. glaberrima germplasm as an important source of resistance to RYMV, and critical in developing a comprehensive strategy for the control of RYMV in West Africa.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.299-307
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low temperature thermal pre-treatment on biodegradation of waste activated sludge for anaerobic digestion as a countermeasure for increasing sludge generation. The experimental condition was accomplished in 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % TS concentration, and $70^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$, $90^{\circ}C$ of temperature for a maximum of 120 minutes retention time. Then, it was followed by analysis of physical/chemical properties, BMP test and composition of biogas. The biogas characteristic was evaluated by applying the modified Gomperz model. As a result, solubility of dissolved substrate, such as $SCOD_{Cr}$, soluble carbohydrate, and soluble protein, and biogas production increased as temperature increased. Solubilization efficiency at $90^{\circ}C$ was 18.4 %, 17.03 % and 16.88% in 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % TS concentration respectively. Also, solubilization rates of carbohydrate and protein similarly increased. BMP test results also showed that methane production in excess sludge increased to 0.194, 0.187 and $0.182m^3/kg$ VS. respectively, and lag phase decreased to 0.145, 0.220, 0.351 day due to acceleration of the hydrolysis step. Consequently, low-temperature thermal pre-treatment could increase biodegradability of sludge, positively affecting biogas production and sludge reduction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 2019

Background: Discogenic pain is a common cause of disability and is assumed to be a major cause of non-specific low back pain. Various treatment methods have been used for the treatment of discogenic pain. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic success of radiofrequency (an intradiscal procedure) and laser annuloplasty (both an intradiscal and extradiscal procedure). Methods: This single-center study included 80 patients and followed them for 6 months. Transforaminal laser annuloplasty (TFLA, 37 patients) or intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty (IDRA, 43 patients) was performed. The main outcomes included pain scores, determined by the numeric rating scale (NRS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI), at pre-treatment and at post-treatment months 1 and 6. Results: The patients were grouped according to procedure. In all procedures, NRS and ODI scores were significantly decreased over time. Mean post-treatment pain scores at months 1 and 6 were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in both groups, and between-group differences were not significant. The ODI score was also significantly decreased compared with baseline. Among patients undergoing TFLA, 70.3% (n = 26) reported pain relief (NRS scores < 50% of baseline) at post-treatment 6 months, vs. 58.1% (n = 25) of those undergoing IDRA. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in ODI reduction of > 40%. Conclusions: Our results indicate that annuloplasty is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with lower back and radicular pain of discogenic origin, and TFLA might be superior to IDRA in patients with discogenic low back pain.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2018

The machine learning model can capture the dynamics of building systems with less inputs than the first principle based simulation model. The training data for developing a machine learning model are usually selected in a heuristic manner. In this study, the authors developed a machine learning model which can describe supply air temperature from an AHU in a real office building. For rational reduction of the training data, the progressive sampling method was used. It is found that even though the progressive sampling requires far less training data (n=60) than the offline regular sampling (n=1,799), the MBEs of both models are similar (2.6% vs. 5.4%). In addition, for the update of the machine learning model, the normalized mutual information (NMI) was applied. If the NMI between the simulation output and the measured data is less than 0.2, the model has to be updated. By the use of the NMI, the model can perform better prediction ($5.4%{\rightarrow}1.3%$).

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.76-81
• /
• 2021

Objective: Smartphone addiction can cause forward head posture, carpal tunnel syndrome and depression, and anxiety. Various interventions have been proposed to resolve Smartphone addiction. However, research regarding the efficacy of these interventions remains lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) on smartphone addiction solution and stress reduction. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were divided randomly into two group (tDCS vs. Control). tDCS was applied to 41 adults (22.95±2.76 years). The tDCS group was applied 2 mA, for 13 minutes twice over a 26 minute period (n₁ = 21). The control (n₂ = 20) was not applied after padding and was applied twice for 13 minutes over a 26 minute period. This study was conducted four times a week for a total of four weeks. Results: Smartphone addiction for tDCS showed significant improvement in the results in the S-score (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.702, 4.922), and the result of heart rate (HR) and skin conductivity (SC) to stress. The tDCS group and control group showed no significant decrese in the results in the HR (p>0.05, 95% CI: -3.390, 8.332), but tDCS group showed significant decrese in the results in the SC (p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.060, 1.343) Conclusions: This study suggected that smartphone addiction treatment and decreses of stress. The use of tDCS will reduce the addiction rate of adults and reduce stress, so that possible side effects in society can be solved.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.299-306
• /
• 2021

Vitrification methods are commonly used for mammalian reproduction through the long-term storage of blastocyst produced in vitro. However, the survival and quality of embryos following vitrification are significantly low compared with blastocyst from in vitro production (IVP). This study evaluates that the survival of frozen-thawed bovine embryos was relevant to mitochondrial superoxide derived mitochondrial activity. Here we present supplementation of the cryopreservation medium with Mito-TEMPO (0.1 µM) induced a significant (p < 0.001; non-treated group: 56.8 ± 8.7%, reexpanded at 24 h vs Mito-TEMPO treated group: 77.5 ± 8.9%, re-expanded at 24 h) improvement in survival rate of cryopreserved-thawed bovine blastocyst. To confirm the quality of vitrified blastocyst after thawing, DNA fragmentation of survived embryos was examined by TUNEL assay. As a result, TUNEL positive cells rates of frozen-thawed embryos were lower in the Mito-TEMPO treated group (4.2 ± 1.4%) than the non-treated group (7.1 ± 3.5%). In addition, we investigated the intracellular ROS and mitochondrial specific superoxide production using DCF-DA and Mito-SOX staining in survived bovine embryos following vitrification depending on Mito-TEMPO treatment. As expected, intracellular ROS levels and superoxide production of vitrified blastocysts after cryopreservation were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) according to Mito-TEMPO supplement in freezing medium. Also, mitochondrial activity measured by MitoTracker Orange staining increased in the frozen-thawed embryos with Mito-TEMPO compared with non-treated group. These results indicate that the treatment of Mito-TEMPO during cryopreservation might induce reduction in DNA fragmentation and apoptosis-related ROS production, consequently increasing mitochondrial activation for developmental capacity of frozen-thawed embryos.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.61-72
• /
• 2022

Purpose : This study was to verify the effect of eccentric training and suggest a specific application method by comparing the effects of acromohumeral distance (AHD), supraspinatus tendon thicknees (STT), pain intensity and functional performance after MWM and eccentric training (MWM-ET) or general exercise (MWM-GE) in chronic subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) patients. Methods : A total of 55 participants were randomly assigned to each group, and according to the intervention method, "MWM-ET group (n=28)" vs. "MWM-GE group (n=27)" was divided into two groups. AHD, STT, pain intensity, and functional performance were measured before intervention, and both groups were re-measured 3 times a week after 6 weeks of intervention in the same way. Results : The AHD was significantly increased in MWM-ET group compared to MWM-GE group. No significant difference was observed between the groups in the STT, but Pain intensity was significantly lower in MWM-ET group than in MWM-GE group, and functional performance was significantly increased in MWM-ET group compared to MWM-GE group. Conclusion : As a result of MWM-ET intervention that further increases AHD compared to MGE, it can be clinically presented as a more effective intervention method for faster recovery from injury due to pain reduction and smooth return to daily life due to improved functional performance.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.402-412
• /
• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the image quality and lesion detectability of lower-dose CT (LDCT) of the abdomen and pelvis obtained using a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm compared with those of standard-dose CT (SDCT) images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 123 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 63 ± 11 years; male:female, 70:53) who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT between May and August 2020 and had prior SDCT obtained using the same CT scanner within a year. LDCT images were reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (h-IR) and DLIR at medium and high strengths (DLIR-M and DLIR-H), while SDCT images were reconstructed with h-IR. For quantitative image quality analysis, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured in the liver, muscle, and aorta. Among the three different LDCT reconstruction algorithms, the one showing the smallest difference in quantitative parameters from those of SDCT images was selected for qualitative image quality analysis and lesion detectability evaluation. For qualitative analysis, overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, image texture, and lesion conspicuity were graded using a 5-point scale by two radiologists. Observer performance in focal liver lesion detection was evaluated by comparing the jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic figures-of-merit (FOM). Results: LDCT (35.1% dose reduction compared with SDCT) images obtained using DLIR-M showed similar quantitative measures to those of SDCT with h-IR images. All qualitative parameters of LDCT with DLIR-M images but image texture were similar to or significantly better than those of SDCT with h-IR images. The lesion detectability on LDCT with DLIR-M images was not significantly different from that of SDCT with h-IR images (reader-averaged FOM, 0.887 vs. 0.874, respectively; p = 0.581). Conclusion: Overall image quality and detectability of focal liver lesions is preserved in contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT obtained with DLIR-M relative to those in SDCT with h-IR.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2024

Although there have been several attempts to use virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of depression, the results have been inconsistent and existing studies have mostly relied on subjective measures to assess the effectiveness of VR in improving depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nature experience-based VR intervention on depressive symptoms in a young population using both subjective and objective measurements. The study population included 15 participants who had more than 14 identifiers of the Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI)-II. Participants received three weeks (four times per week) of VR intervention. The effectiveness of VR was assessed through changes in K-BDI-II scores and depression-related blood biomarkers. Nature experience-based VR intervention led to an approximately 50% reduction of K-BDI-II score (before 25.7±7.7 vs. after 12.5±8.3 (P<0.001)). Of these, loss of pleasure and fatigue showed the largest amount of improvement. However, levels of cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and interleukin-6 did not differ from those at baseline. The findings of our pilot study suggest that nature experience-based VR can be a useful adjunctive treatment method for improving depressive symptoms in individuals who have difficulty accessing the real outside natural environment.