• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.147-154
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• 2022

In order to secure practising rapid pattern(證, zheng) differentiation against acute infectious diseases like corona virus disease-19(COVID-19) showing rapid variation and contagion, a simplified classification of stages centering on the exterior-interior pattern identification with 2 step-subdivision by cold, heat, deficiency, excess pattern and pathogens is proposed. Pattern differentiation by compound patterns of 8 principles is made for the non-severe stage of general cold and the early mild stage of epidemic disease. Compound pattern's names of 8 principles about external infectious diseases are composed of three stages, that is disease site-characters-etiology. Based on early stage symptoms of fever or chilling etc., exterior, interior and half exterior and half interior patterns are determined first, and then cold, heat, deficiency, excess patterns of exterior and interior pattern respectively are determined, and then more concrete differentiation on pathogens of wind, dryness, dampness and dearth of qi, blood, yin, yang accompanied with constitutional and personal illness factors. Summarizing above descriptions, 4 patterns of exterior cold, exterior heat, exterior deficiency, exterior excess and their secondary compound patterns of exterior cold deficiency and exterior cold excess and so on are classified together with treatment method and available decoction for a standard measure of eight principle pattern differentiation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.45.1-45.11
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• 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common type of chronic liver disease, with severity levels ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The extent of liver fibrosis indicates the severity of NASH and the risk of liver cancer. However, the mechanism underlying NASH development, which is important for early screening and intervention, remains unclear. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a useful method for identifying hub genes and screening specific targets for diseases. In this study, we utilized an mRNA dataset of the liver tissues of patients with NASH and conducted WGCNA for various stages of liver fibrosis. Subsequently, we employed two additional mRNA datasets for validation purposes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to analyze gene function enrichment. Through WGCNA and subsequent analyses, complemented by validation using two additional datasets, we identified five genes (BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2) as hub genes. GSEA analysis indicated that gene sets associated with liver metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis were uniformly downregulated. BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2 were identified as hub genes of NASH, and were all related to liver metabolism, NAFLD, NASH, and related diseases. These hub genes might serve as potential targets for the early screening and treatment of NASH.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2015.11a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2015

Oomycetes belong to the kingdom Straminipila, a remarkably diverse group which includes brown algae and planktonic diatoms, although they have previously been classified under the kingdom Fungi. These organisms have evolved both saprophytic and pathogenic lifestyles, and more than 60% of the known species are pathogens on plants, the majority of which are classified into the order Peronosporales (includes downy mildews, Phytophthora, and Pythium). Recent phylogenetic investigations based on DNA sequences have revealed that the diversity of oomycetes has been largely underestimated. Although morphology is the most valuable criterion for their identification and diversity, morphological species identification is time-consuming and in some groups very difficult, especially for non-taxonomists. DNA barcoding is a fast and reliable tool for identification of species, enabling us to unravel the diversity and distribution of oomycetes. Accurate species determination of plant pathogens is a prerequisite for their control and quarantine, and further for assessing their potential threat to crops. The mitochondrial cox2 gene has been widely used for identification, taxonomy and phylogeny of various oomycete groups. However, recently the cox1 gene was proposed as a DNA barcode marker instead, together with ITS rDNA. To determine which out of cox1 or cox2 is best suited as universal oomycete barcode, we compared these two genes in terms of (1) PCR efficiency for 31 representative genera, as well as for historic herbarium specimens, and (2) in terms of sequence polymorphism, intra- and interspecific divergence. The primer sets for cox2 successfully amplified all oomycete genera tested, while cox1 failed to amplify three genera. In addition, cox2 exhibited higher PCR efficiency for historic herbarium specimens, providing easier access to barcoding type material. In addition, cox2 yielded higher species identification success, with higher interspecific and lower intraspecific divergences than cox1. Therefore, cox2 is suggested as a partner DNA barcode along with ITS rDNA instead of cox1. Including the two barcoding markers, ITS rDNA and cox2 mtDNA, the multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were performed to resolve two complex clades, Bremia lactucae (lettuce downy mildew) and Peronospora effuse (spinach downy mildew) at the species level and to infer evolutionary relationships within them. The approaches discriminated all currently accepted species and revealed several previously unrecognized lineages, which are specific to a host genus or species. The sequence polymorphisms were useful to develop a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detection of airborne inoculum of B. lactucae and P. effusa. Specificity tests revealed that the qPCR assay is specific for detection of each species. This assay is sensitive, enabling detection of very low levels of inoculum that may be present in the field. Early detection of the pathogen, coupled with knowledge of other factors that favor downy mildew outbreaks, may enable disease forecasting for judicious timing of fungicide applications.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2007

The domestic cultured Campbell's Early and Geubong grapes were fermented far the production of red wines with the isolated wild yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae IJ850. For the isolation of wild yeast, Geubong and Campbell's Early grapejuices were naturally fermented at room temperature for 6 days without adding stater culture. The strain isolated from Geubong which has 1.8 times higher fermentative ability than the strains isolated Campbell Early was selected. The selected strain was identified by using 26S rDNA sequencing. The strain showed 99.7% of similarity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and thus identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae IJ850. It was investigated the fermentative ability as the start culture. For the production of grapewine, the final sugar concentrations of grapejuices were adjusted to the $25^{\circ}Brix$ with anhydrous glucose. The grapejuices were fermented at room temperature for 10 days in the air-locked bottles filled with $CO_2$ gas. The final yield and alcohol concentration of Campbell's Early and Geubong grapewines fermented with the isolated wild yeast were 80.8%, 11.0% and 87.8%, 13.0%, respectively. Between the isolated wild yeast S. cerevisiae IJ850 and the commercial yeast S. cerevisiae EC1118, total acidities of grapewines produced with wild yeast were lower than those produced with the commercial yeast. The pH values and the values of color analysis of grapewines produced with both strains were similar. The total phenol contents of campbell's Early and Geubong wines produced with the isolated yeast and the commercial yeast were obtained in the range of 75 to 125mg/L. In conclusion, S. cerevesiae IJ850 isolated from the domestic cultured Geubong grape is able to use to produce grapewines as stater culture.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.461-466
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• 2016

Dental caries is an important dental disease among children and adolescents that can continue for a lifetime. Early detection of dental caries in deciduous dentition is significant because it can influence the permanent teeth. It is also critical to prevent dental caries by performing fluoride treatment and pit-and-fissure sealant for high-risk children. Various methods have been developed for the early detection of dental caries; however, many studies are still seeking to discover more effective methods. In general, visual examination and radiographic images are used, but these techniques have several limitations such as errors and radiation exposure. In this study, clinical application of the newly developed DIAGNOcam caries identification device and its possible applications were examined. DIAGNOcam was applied to diagnose dental caries in the posterior teeth of patients in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, and it was confirmed that it could be used to detect proximal caries, the margin of restoration, and the extent of dental caries lesions.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2020

Background: In the absence of a vaccine or treatment, the most pragmatic strategies against an infectious disease pandemic are extensive early detection testing and social distancing. This study aimed to summarize public and workplace responses to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and show how the Korean system has operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Daily briefings from the Korean Center for Disease Control and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters were assembled from January 20 to May 15, 2020. Results: By May 15, 2020, 11,018 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 15.7% occurred in workplaces such as health-care facilities, call centers, sports clubs, coin karaoke, and nightlife destinations. When the first confirmed case was diagnosed, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Central Disaster Management Headquarters responded quickly, emphasizing early detection with numerous tests and a social distancing policy. This slowed the spread of infection without intensive containment, shut down, or mitigation interventions. After entering the public health blue alert level, a business continuity plan was distributed. After entering the orange level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor developed workplace guidelines for COVID-19 consisting of social distancing, flexible working schedules, early identification of workers with suspected infections, and disinfection of workplaces. Owing to the intensive workplace social distancing policy, workplaces remained safe with only small sporadic group infections. Conclusion: The workplace social distancing policy with timely implementation of specific guidelines was a key to preventing a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Korean workplaces. However, sporadic incidents of COVID-19 are still ongoing, and risk assessment in vulnerable workplaces should be continued.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4215-4221
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• 2013

Purposes: Lung cancer is prevalent worldwide and improvements in timely and effective diagnosis are need. Pentraxin-3 as a novel serum marker for lung cancer (LC) has not been validated in large cohort studies. The aim of the study was to assess its clinical value in diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: We analyzed serum PTX-3 levels in a total of 1,605 patients with LC, benign lung diseases and healthy controls, as well as 493 non-lung cancer patients including 12 different types of cancers. Preoperative and postoperative data were further assessed in patients undergoing LC resection. The diagnostic performance of PTX-3 for LC and early-stage LC was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) by comparing with serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1). Results: Levels of PTX-3 in serum were significantly higher in patients with LC than all controls. ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cutoff was 8.03ng/mL (AUC 0.823, [95%CI 0.789-0.856], sensitivity 72.8%, and specificity 77.3% in the test cohort; 0.802, [95%CI 0.762-0.843], sensitivity 69.7%, and specificity 76.4% in the validate cohort). Similar diagnostic performance of PTX-3 was observed for early-stage LC. PTX-3 decreased following surgical resection of LC and increased with tumor recurrence. Significantly elevated PTX-3 levels were also seen in patients with non-lung cancers. Conclusions: The present data revealed that PTX-3 was significantly increased in both tissue and serum samples in LC patients. PTX-3 is a valuable biomarker for LC and improved identification of patients with LC and early-stage LC from those with non-malignant lung diseases.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1708-1713
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• 2002

Endometrial explants obtained from does between days 13 and 21 of pregnancy were cultured in a modified minimum essential medium in the presence of [$^35S$]methionine and [$^3H$]-leucine. Proteins synthesized and secreted into medium were analyzed by fluorography of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. No marked qualitative changes in patterns of protein production by caprine endometrium between days 13-21 of pregnancy. At least 11 proteins showed consistently a clear spot or a grouping of spots with characteristic location on two-dimensional gels. A major low molecular weight protein consisted of two major isoforms (pI 5.3-6.0) of similar molecular mass (21 kDa). Limited N-terminal sequence analysis of these two isoforms showed that the protein had complete homology with bovine placental and plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) over the first 20 amino acids. Through use of the antiserum raised against bovine placental RBP, immunoreactive RBP was detected in cultures conditioned by uterine explants prepared at days 13, 15 and 21 of pregnancy. In the present study, proteins synthesized and secreted by caprine endometrium during periattachment period of early pregnancy were characterized. The pregnant endometrium secreted a number of neutral-to-acidic proteins which constituted, in part, the histotroph. A vitamin A-transport protein, RBP, was identified in cultures conditioned by endometrium of days 13-21 of pregnancy. The uterine endometrium is the only source of retinol for embryonic tissues. The uterine RBP appears to transport retinol locally toward embryonic tissues. Secretion of RBP by caprine endometrium of days 13, 15 and 21 of pregnancy suggested that retinol played an important role in conceptus development during periattachment period of early pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.635-643
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• 2018

Bovine milk is widely consumed by humans and is a primary ingredient of dairy foods. Proteomic approaches have the potential to elucidate complex milk proteins and have been used to study milk of various species. Here, we performed a proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify whey proteins in bovine milk obtained soon after parturition (bovine early milk). The major casein proteins were removed, and the whey proteins were analyzed with 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). The whey proteins (2 mg) were separated by pI and molecular weight across pH ranges of 3.0 - 10.0 and 4.0 - 7.0. The 2-DE gels held about 300 to 700 detectable protein spots. We randomly picked 12 and nine spots that were consistently expressed in the pH 3.0 - 10.0 and pH 4.0 - 7.0 ranges, respectively. Following MALDI-TOF MS analysis, the 21 randomly selected proteins included proteins known to be present in bovine milk, such as albumin, lactoferrin, serum albumin precursor, T cell receptor, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, aldehyde oxidase and microglobulin. These proteins have major functions in immune responses, metabolism and protein binding. In summary, we herein identified both known and novel whey proteins present in bovine early milk, and our sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed their expression pattern.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.240-252
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• 2019

Many of the historic plant specimens collected on the Korean Peninsula in the early twentieth century were lost during the Korean War, though some of them were deposited in the herbarium of Tokyo University (TI) and thus remained unharmed. Data on historic Korean plant specimens at TI are very important given the lack of current data on North Korean plants. Moreover a number of unidentified Korean historic specimens are present at TI. We carried out an identification process and created a list of plants in a newly found collection held by Dr. Ikuma Yoichiro, a Japanese entomologist. He traveled from Cheongjin to Hyesanjin via Baekdu-san (Mt.) in August of 1913 and collected 240 species. We also secured one duplicate set.