• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.612-624
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• 2023

The gut-brain axis encompasses a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the central nervous system. There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may have a positive effect on cognitive function, but more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. Inflammation-induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may affect cognitive function. To confirm the effect of probiotics on oxidative stress induced by LPS, the relative expression of antioxidant factors was confirmed, and it was revealed that the administration of probiotics had a positive effect on the expression of antioxidant-related factors. After oral administration of probiotics to mice, an intentional inflammatory response was induced through LPS i.p., and the effect on cognition was confirmed by the Morris water maze test, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and interleukin (IL)-1β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed. Experimental results, levels of NO and IL-1β in the blood of LPS i.p. mice were significantly decreased, and cognitive evaluation using the Morris water maze test showed significant values in the latency and target quadrant percentages in the group that received probiotics. This proves that intake of these probiotics improves cognitive impairment and memory loss through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1873-1893
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• 2023

The development of lightweight, low energy and small-sized sensors incorporated with the wireless networks has brought about a phenomenal growth of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in its different fields of applications. Moreover, the routing of data is crucial in a wide number of critical applications that includes ecosystem monitoring, military and disaster management. However, the time-delay, energy imbalance and minimized network lifetime are considered as the key problems faced during the process of data transmission. Furthermore, only when the functionality of cluster head selection is available in WSNs, it is possible to improve energy and network lifetime. Besides that, the task of cluster head selection is regarded as an NP-hard optimization problem that can be effectively modelled using hybrid metaheuristic approaches. Due to this reason, an Improved Coyote Optimization Algorithm-based Clustering Technique (ICOACT) is proposed for extending the lifetime for making efficient choices for cluster heads while maintaining a consistent balance between exploitation and exploration. The issue of premature convergence and its tendency of being trapped into the local optima in the Improved Coyote Optimization Algorithm (ICOA) through the selection of center solution is used for replacing the best solution in the search space during the clustering functionality. The simulation results of the proposed ICOACT confirmed its efficiency by increasing the number of alive nodes, the total number of clusters formed with the least amount of end-to-end delay and mean packet loss rate.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.357-362
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• 2023

The conflict between upstream and downstream regions is a representative social conflict in Korea. It is important issues in the economic and environmental aspects related to interests of property rights and water quality conservation. however, it is insufficient for studies on the economic damage and benefits between upstream and downstream by policy. We studied validity for drinking water protect zone, one of the major water conflict in Korea, by comparison between social loss by property rights restriction in the upstream and social benefits in the downstream and we proposed integrated water management policy in basin level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.256-261
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• 2024

In the context of aging, the susceptibility to infectious diseases increases, leading to heightened morbidity and mortality. This phenomenon, termed immunosenescence, is characterized by dysregulation in the aging immune system, including abnormal alterations in lymphocyte composition, elevated basal inflammation, and the accumulation of senescent T cells. Such changes contribute to increased autoimmune diseases, enhanced infection severity, and reduced responsiveness to vaccines. Utilizing aging animal models becomes imperative for a comprehensive understanding of immunosenescence, given the complexity of aging as a physiological process in living organisms. Our investigation focuses on Cisd2, a causative gene for Wolfram syndrome, to elucidate on immunosenescence. Cisd2 knockout (KO) mice, serving as a model for premature aging, exhibit a shortened lifespan with early onset of aging-related features, such as decreased bone density, hair loss, depigmentation, and optic nerve degeneration. Intriguingly, we found that the Cisd2 KO mice present a higher number of neutrophils in the blood; however, isolated neutrophils from these mice display functional defects. Through mass spectrometry analysis, we identified an interaction between Cisd2 and Calnexin, a protein known for its role in protein quality control. Beyond this function, Calnexin also regulates calcium homeostasis through interaction with sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA). Our study proposes that Cisd2 modulates calcium homeostasis via its interaction with Calnexin and SERCA, consequently influencing neutrophil functions.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.922-937
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• 2024

Maritime activities are on the rise, there is a growing demand for high-quality communication services that can cover larger areas. However, the transmission of high data rates to maritime users is challenging due to path loss from land base stations, which limits the transmission power. To overcome this challenge, researchers have been exploring the use of buoys in a marine environment as relays for communication technology. This paper proposes a simulation-based approach to investigate the impact of various beamwidths on communication performance when using a buoy as a relay. The objective is to determine the optimal beamwidth that yields the highest data rate for the target location. The approach is based on an offshore wave model where the direction of the buoy changes according to the height of the wave. The study investigates the performance of the relay in the downlink situation using receive beamforming, and the capacity at the user in the three-hop situation is verified using an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay that uses transmit beamforming to the user. The simulation results suggest that the beamwidth of the relay should be adjusted according to the wave conditions to optimize the data rate and relay position that satisfies a data rate superior to the direct path to the target position. Using a buoy as a relay can be a promising solution for enhancing maritime communications, and the simulation-based approach proposed in this paper can provide insights into how to optimize beamwidth for effective communication system design and implementation. In conclusion, the study results suggest that the use of buoys as relays for maritime communication is a feasible solution for expanding coverage and enhancing communication quality. The proposed simulation-based approach provides a useful tool for identifying relay beamwidths for achieving higher data rates in different wave conditions. These findings have significant implications for the design and deployment of communication systems in maritime environments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.58-73
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• 2024

Objectives : This study was designed to review and analyze domestic research trends of Korean medicine treatment on otitis media, and present data for further research and treatment of otitis media. Methods : Two researchers used six search engines to search for papers on Korean medicine treatment for otitis media published from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023. A total of 16 papers were searched, and bibliographic information, main and accompanying symptoms, treatment period, treatment method, evaluation scale, and treatment results of each study were analyzed. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network was used to evaluate the evidence level. Results : The most common otitis media symptom was hearing loss (12 times). The most frequently mentioned herbs were Ledebouriella seseloides (22 times) and Angelica gigas (20 times), which are the ingredients of the most commonly used prescriptions, Hyunggyeyungyo-tang (5 times), Takrisodok-yeum (4 times), and Bojungikgi-tang (3 times). All the clinical trial papers were conducted on Kamihyunggyeyungyo-tang, which showed improvement in otitis media-related indicators. The most frequently mentioned meridians were the Triple Energizer (44 times), Clinical trials were conducted on the Triple Energizer, the Gall Bladder, and the Small Intestines meridians. The most frequently used acupoints were SI19 (10 times), TE21 (9 times), TE17 (9 times). In clinical trials, acupuncture treatment with TE05, GB15, TE06, SI05, GB38, and KI02 showed a significant improvement in otitis media symptoms. Conclusions : It is believed that more efficient otitis media treatment and follow-up research can be performed by using the above-mentioned research results.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.499-509
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• 2023

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-related adverse events (AEs) that eventually lead to medical disputes or claims on medical professional liability. Methods: Medical disputes for ERCP/EUS-related AEs filed in the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency between April 2012 and August 2020 were evaluated using corresponding medical records. AEs were categorized into three sections: procedure-related, sedation-related, and safety-related AEs. Results: Among a total of 34 cases, procedure-related AEs were 26 (76.5%; 12 duodenal perforations, 7 post-ERCP pancreatitis, 5 bleedings, 2 perforations combined with post-ERCP pancreatitis); sedation-related AEs were 5 (14.7%; 4 cardiac arrests, 1 desaturation), and safety-related AEs were 3 (8.8%; 1 follow-up loss for stent removal, 1 asphyxia, 1 fall). Regarding clinical outcomes, 20 (58.8%) were fatal and eventually succumbed to AEs. For the types of medical institutions, 21 cases (61.8%) occurred at tertiary or academic hospitals, and 13 (38.2%) occurred at community hospitals. Conclusions: The ERCP/EUS-related AEs filed in Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency showed distinct features: duodenal perforation was the most frequent AE, and clinical outcomes were fatal, resulting in at least more than permanent physical impairment.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.354-364
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• 2022

Background and objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of a new everolimus-eluting stent with an abluminal-coated biodegradable polymer (Osstem Cardiotec Centum) with those of the Xience Alpine stent (Xience). Methods: This randomized, prospective, multicenter, parallel-designed, single-blind trial was conducted among patients with myocardial ischemia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 21st September 2018 until 3rd July 2020. The primary efficacy endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 270 days after the procedure and the primary safety endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: We enrolled 121 patients and analyzed 113 patients who finished 270 days of follow-up for the primary efficacy endpoint. The mean age of the participants was 66.8 years. As for the primary efficacy endpoint, LLL of the Osstem Cardiotec Centum group was 0.09±0.13 mm and that of the Xience group was 0.12±0.14 mm (upper limit of 1-sided 95% confidence interval, 0.02; p for non-inferiority, 0.0084). This result demonstrates the non-inferiority of the Osstem Cardiotec Centum. As for the primary safety endpoint, MACE occurred in one patient (1.59% of the Xience group). Meanwhile, no MACE occurred in the Osstem Cardiotec Centum group. Conclusions: The Osstem Cardiotec Centum is non-inferior to the Xience Alpine^® stent and is confirmed to be safe. It could be safely and effectively applied to patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2022

K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ films with Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃PZT buffer layer on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate were fabricated by sol-gel and spin-coating method. Structural and electrical properties were measured with variation of the sintering temperature, and the applicability to microwave materials was investigated. All K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ films showed a cubic crystal structure. Average grain size was about 123~193 nm and average thickness of the K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ films was approximately 366 nm. Through the AFM results, root mean square roughness (Rrms) of all K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ films was around 6 nm. All K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ films showed a tendency to increase dielectric loss as frequency increased. As the sintering temperature increased, tunability with an applied DC voltage indicated a decreasing tendency. Tunability and temperature coefficient of the K(Ta_0.80Nb_0.20)O₃ film sintered at 700 ℃ showed good values of 22.1% at 10 V, -0.594/℃.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Macular degeneration is a disease that damages the macula, the center of the retina, and is one of the three major eye diseases along with glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The optic nerve and most of the photoreceptor cells are located here, and since this is where images of objects are formed, it is the most important area for vision. The main symptom of macular degeneration is the inability to clearly distinguish the shape of objects or the inability to distinguish colors and light and dark. It is also a serious eye disease that causes black spots in the center of the field of vision. However, it is difficult to distinguish it from the form of vision loss due to presbyopia, so early diagnosis is often missed. The most common treatment for macular degeneration is antibody injection therapy. This treatment requires regular injections once every 1-2 months. When receiving antibody injection therapy, the fear of having to inject directly into the eye and the cost of long-term repeated procedures are a great burden to patients. To overcome these problems, special sustained-release formulations using drug delivery systems are being developed. Since the release speed and release time of the drug can be controlled, the number of times the drug is administered can be drastically reduced. However, the implant (Ø 0.46×6.0mm), which is a sustained-release agent, is manufactured by mixing biodegradable resin (PLGA) and therapeutic agent in a ratio of 4:6, so it is very brittle and there is a high risk of implant damage during handling. In order to safely insert the implant into the eye, a transport device that can be driven with controlled force is required. Therefore, in this study, the lever operating force was measured and analyzed to determine the influence of factors according to the cross-sectional thickness and shape of the linkage produced through injection molding as well as the post-process.