• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.628-635
• /
• 2022

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the large intestine disease that results in chronic inflammation and ulcers in the colon. Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) is known for its pharmacological activities. Persicaria tinctoria (PT) is also used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the attenuating effects of Rg3-RGE with PT on oxazolone (OXA)-induced UC in mice. Methods: A total of six groups of mice including control group, OXA (as model group, 1.5%) group, sulfasalazine (75 mg/kg) group, Rg3-RGE (20 mg/kg) group, PT (300 mg/kg) group, and Rg3-RGE (10 mg/kg) with PT (150 mg/kg) group. Data on the colon length, body weight, disease activity index (DAI), histological changes, nitric oxide (NO) assay, Real-time PCR of inflammatory factors, ELISA of inflammatory factors, Western blot, and flow cytometry analysis were obtained. Results: Overall, the combination treatment of Rg3-RGE and PT significantly improved the colon length and body weight and decreased the DAI in mice compared with the treatment with OXA. Additionally, the histological injury was also reduced by the combination treatment. Moreover, the NO production level and inflammatory mediators and cytokines were significantly downregulated in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the model group. Also, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝛋B) were suppressed in the combination treatment group compared with the OXA group. Furthermore, the number of immune cell subtypes of CD4⁺ T-helper cells, CD19⁺ B-cells, and CD4⁺ and CD25⁺ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was improved in the Rg3-RGE with the PT group compared with the OXA group. Conclusion: Overall, the mixture of Rg3-RGE and PT is an effective therapeutic treatment for UC.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.729-740
• /
• 2022

This study analyzed the effects of job stress and sleep disorders on sleepiness during the daytime for a night-shift urban railway crew. As a result of the analysis, measurements on a daytime sleepiness index were higher for the crew than those during other working hours, indicating that the degrees of sleepiness and drowsiness were severe. Afterwards, aromatic essential oils, which are generally known to help relieve sleep disorders and stress, were utilized to verify the effect on stress on night-shift workers. The experimental group treated with aromatherapy was found to show improved stress reduction and overall activity levels in the autonomic nervous system compared to an untreated control group. This study proves that night work by an urban railway crew negatively affects stress levels by increasing stress and negatively affects the autonomous nervous system, also showing that an aromatherapy treatment can be a good alternative to alleviate these conditions. The results of this study are expected to help prevent safety accidents by relieving the stress of nighttime workers.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2022

This study focused on the heterogeneity of groups in single-person households, to identify how middle-aged single-person households is categorized by sub-groups and to come up with policy measures to overcome social exclusion by examining predictive factors for the type of social exclusion. Potential class analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were conducted on a total of 361 middle-aged single-person households using the 14th Korea Replication Panel data. The social exclusion index of these households was measured consisting of 10 six-dimensional indicators. The results showed that middle-aged single-person households had five different types: "non-exclusion"(29.6%), "health restriction"(14.3%), "interact restriction and middle-risk multiple-exclusion" (12.0%), "income and health exclusion"(14.1%), and "high-risk multiple-exclusion"(30.0%). More than 70% of the respondents experienced social exclusion, and most of the exclusion types were multiple exclusion. When examining the factors affecting each exclusion type, the 'subjective health level' was a common major predictor, and family interact, age and leisure activity satisfaction variables were significant predictors of the 'high-risk multiple exclusion type' and 'the interact restriction and middle-risk multiple-exclusion type'. Based on these results, a multidimensional intervention strategy is an effective measure to solve the social exclusion problem of middle-aged single-person households, and practical measures should be considered by strengthening 'health' and exchanges.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.9
• /
• pp.473-488
• /
• 2022

To have a better understanding of the impact of the PETRONAS oil and gas platform on commercial fisheries activities, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) examined two approaches which are data collection from satellite and data collection from fishermen and anglers. By profiling the anglers who utilize reefed oil and gas structures for fishing, it can determine if the design and location of the reef platforms will benefit or negatively impacts those anglers and fisherman. Furthermore, this assessment will be contributing to the knowledge regarding the value of offshore oil and gas platforms as fisheries resources. Collectively, the apparent fishing activity data included, combined with the findings in the reefing viability index will help to inform PETRONAS's future decommissioning decisions and may help determine if the design and proposed locations for future rigs-to-reefs candidates would benefit commercial fishing groups, further qualifying them as appropriate artificial reef candidates. The method applied in this study is approaching by using a data satellite known as Google's Global Fishing Watch technology, which is one of the applications to measure commercial fishing efforts around the globe. The apparent commercial fishing effort around the selected twelve PETRONAS platforms was analyzed from January 2012 to December 2018. Using the data collection from fishermen which is the total estimation of commercial fish value cost (in Malaysia ringgit, MYR [RM]) in Peninsular Malaysia Asset, Sabah Asset, and Sarawak Operation region. The data were extracted every month from 2016 to 2018 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration database. Most of the selected platforms that show a high frequency of vessels around the year are platform KP-A, platform BG-A and platform PL-B. The estimated values of commercial fishes varied between platforms, with ranged from RM 10,209.92 to RM 89,023.78. Thus, platforms with high commercial fish value are selected for reefing in-situ and will serve multi-purposes and benefit the locals as well as the country. The current study has successfully assessed the potential reefing area of the Malaysian offshore environment with greater representativeness and this paper focused on its potential as a new fishing ground.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.185-194
• /
• 2022

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and is the second largest traded commodity after petroleum. Due to the great demand of this product, large amounts of waste is generated in the coffee industry, which are toxic and represent serious environmental problems. This study aims to study the possibility of recycling spent coffee grounds (SCG) as a mineral admixture by replacing the cement in the manufacturing of concrete. To recycle the coffee g rounds, the SCG was dried to remove moisture and fired in a kiln at 850 ℃ for 8 hours. Carbonized coffee grounds are produced as coffee grounds ash (CGA) through ball mill grinding. The chemical composition of the prepared coffee grounds ash was investigated using X-ray fluorescence (XFR). According to the chemical composition analysis, the major elements of coffee grounds ash are K₂O(51.74 %), CaO(15.92 %), P₂O₅(14.39 %), MgO(7.74 %) and SO₃(6.89 %), with small amounts of F₂O₃(0.66 %), SiO₂(0.59 %) and Al₂O₃(0.31 %) content. To evaluate quality and mechanical properties, substitutions of 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of coffee grounds ash (CGA) were tested. From the quality test results, the 28-day activity index of CGA5 reached 80 %, and the flow value ratio reached 96 %, which is comparable to the minimum requirement for second-grade FA. From the test results of the mortar, the optimal results have been found in specimens with 5 wt-% coffee grounds ash, showing good mechanical and physical properties.

• Journal of Korea Trade
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.21-47
• /
• 2021

Purpose - Offshoring has emerged as one of the major trends in international trade and has become one of the strategies for achieving competitiveness in the global market. In spite of this, the expected gains of offshoring can be offset by hidden costs and risks, such as those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade war between the USA and China, and the ongoing trade dispute between Korea and Japan. To obviate such business failure and prevent critical business blunders, offshoring strategies that efficiently consider both risk elements and potential wealth creation are urgently need. The first purpose of this study is to contribute to the development of more advanced offshoring strategies to help host countries select the best locations to manage supply chain risks and create unique value. The second purpose is to specifically analyze the current status of Korea and provide Korean companies with implications to be considered when deciding whether to offshore or re-shore. Design/methodology - A Network DEA model was applied to measure the comparative location efficiency of national competencies for offshoring strategy from perspectives of wealth creation opportunities (profitability and marketability) and supply chain risk management. The location efficiencies are compared among a total 70 countries selected from the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and globally attractive locations outlined by Kearney (2017). For the secondary analysis of efficiency, a t-test examining the nature of competitive advantage and the level of sophistication in production processes was implemented in three divisions. We then analyzed differences in offshoring performance in terms of the identified national traits. Moreover, Tobit regression analysis is conducted to investigate the correlation between value-added business activities and each divisional efficiency, seeking to determine how each degree of value-added business activity influences the increase in offshoring productivity. Findings - Regarding overall location efficiency for offshoring performance, only the USA and Italy were identified as being efficient as host countries for offshoring, under circumstances of advanced development, such as productivity and risk management. Korea ranks 13th among 70 countries. The determinants of national competitiveness depend on national traits (the nature of competitive advantage and business sophistication). Countries with labor/resource advantages and labor-intensive industries are more competitive in terms of marketability than others. In contrast, countries with strong technology-intensive industries benefit offshoring companies, particularly in the technology sector, with the added advantage of supply chain risk management. As the perception of a value chain is broader in a country, it can achieve both production sophistication and competitive advantages such as marketability and SCRM. Originality/value - Existing studies focus on offshoring effectiveness from a company perspective. This paper contributes to comparing country efficiency in producing core competencies related to an offshoring strategy and also segments countries into three performance-based considerations associated with the global offshoring market. It also details Korea's position as an offshoring location according to national efficiency and competency.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 2022

Cyberattacks around the world continue to increase, and their damage extends beyond government facilities and affects civilians. These issues emphasized the importance of developing a system that can identify and detect cyber anomalies early. As above, in order to effectively identify cyber anomalies, several studies have been conducted to learn BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) data through a machine learning model and identify them as anomalies. However, BGP data is unbalanced data in which abnormal data is less than normal data. This causes the model to have a learning biased result, reducing the reliability of the result. In addition, there is a limit in that security personnel cannot recognize the cyber situation as a typical result of machine learning in an actual cyber situation. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) that keeps network records around the world and solve the problem of unbalanced data by using SMOTE. After that, assuming a cyber range situation, an autoencoder classifies cyber anomalies and visualizes the classified data. By learning the pattern of normal data, the performance of classifying abnormal data with 92.4% accuracy was derived, and the auxiliary index also showed 90% performance, ensuring reliability of the results. In addition, it is expected to be able to effectively defend against cyber attacks because it is possible to effectively recognize the situation by visualizing the congested cyber space.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.121-136
• /
• 2022

Purpose : Marine therapy is an activity that promotes public health such as constitution improvement, immunity improvement, and anti-aging by utilizing marine therapeutic resources such as seawater, mud, seaweed, salt and sea climate. In Europe developed countries, the marine therapy industry has been developing for centuries, with France, Germany, and Israel leading the way. Currently, it has achieved great industrial achievements and is of great help in improving the human health. The purpose of this study is to investigate how marine therapeutic resources benefit to human health, as well as how to study and utilize their efficacy. We analyzed previous research articles related to the effects of marine therapeutic resources. Methods : The study included a total of 830 published literatures in the last 20 years from the Republic of Korea and other contries. PubMed and Google Scholar were utilized to collect the foreign source while the local scientific publications were accessed through the Korean Education and research Information Service (KERIS) and Korean studies Information Service System (KISS). The keywords used to search foreign literature were "marine therapy", "Thalassotherapy", "seawater", "deep seawater", "saline groundwater", "sand therapy", "mud therapy", "hydrotherapy", "seaweed", "Sun light", "sea salt", "marine animal", and "marine microorganisms" were combined, and for the domestic literature, the keywords were "marine therapy", "marine therapeutic resources", "seawater", and "sand". Results : A total of 830 research papers were found as a result of searching for domestic and international papers related to marine therapeutic resources. The collected documents were classified into 175 seawater resources, 259 marine mineral resources, 41 marine environment, and 355 marine organisms. The efficacy of each marine therapeutic resources was analyzed. By resources type, there were about 213 papers on the efficacy of seaweed, followed by about 175 papers on seawater, 142 on microorganisms, 124 on mud/peat, and sand, salt, minerals and others are appeared in order (Table 1). Conclusion : Korea has the highest marine biodiversity index, excellent tidal flats, four distinct seasons, and various sea environments of the East sea, Yellow sea, South sea and Jeju sea. For this reason, Korea has a much more diverse marine therapeutic resources than other advanced countries in the marine therapy industry. prebiously, we thought that the sea was only valuable as a shipping port and fishery industry. But now, it been shown that the ocean can become a new industrial field which can contribute to human health and well-being by providing healing and therapy to people through the gift of marine resources.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.40-47
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The modified Broström repair (BR) technique has yielded good outcomes in patients with chronic ankle instability. This study compared clinical and radiological outcomes between two groups of patients who underwent modified BR or lateral ligament augmentation using suture tapes (ST). Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients (ST group [n=47], BR group [n=30]; body mass index <26.61 kg/m²; mean age, 30.7±11.0 years [range, 17~39 years]; mean follow-up, 34.0±12.0 months [range, 24~59 months]) were retrospectively reviewed between January 2014 and July 2017. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Sefton grading system were used for clinical assessment. The talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation were measured using the Telos stress device (Telos GmbH, Marburg, Germany) at 150 N for radiological evaluation. Results: FAOS, AOFAS, FAAM, and VAS scores improved in both groups at final follow-up (ST, 91.1±5.2, 93±2, 88.1±4.5, 1.5±0.7 vs. BR, 91.3±5.4, 93±3, 83.3±4.8, 1.2±0.7, respectively; p=0.854, 0.971, <0.001, 0.04, respectively). According to the FAOS, mean sports activity scores for the ST and BR groups at the final follow-up were 90.3±3.2 and 76.6±4.2, respectively, reflecting superior outcomes in the ST group (p<0.001). Sefton grading revealed satisfactory functional outcomes (ST, 91.5% vs. BR, 90.0%). There was significant improvement in the talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation in both the ST and BR groups (7.6°±1.2°, 10.5±1.8 mm vs. 4.9°±1.1°, 7.9±1.5 mm, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion: The ST group demonstrated comparable clinical but better improvement in mechanical stability and FAOS sports scores than the BR group.