• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2016

As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes a major cause of disability that seriously affects the quality of life of a large population of people worldwide. However, effective treatment that can successfully reverse OA progression is lacking until now. The present study aimed to determine whether two small non-coding RNAs miR-29a and miR-140, which are significantly down-regulated in OA, can be applied together as potential therapeutic targets for OA treatment. MiRNA synergy score was used to screen the miRNA pairs that potentially synergistically regulate OA. An in vitro model of OA was established by treating murine chondrocytes with IL-$1{\beta}$. Transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 via plasmids was investigated on chondrocyte proliferation and expression of nine genes such as ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, ACAN, COL2A1, COL10A1, MMP1, MMP3, MMP13 and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression level of MMP13 and TIMP1, and ELISA was used to detect the content of type II collagen. Combined use of miR-29a and miR-140 successfully reversed the destructive effect of IL-$1{\beta}$ on chondrocyte proliferation, and notably affected the MMP13 and TIMP1 gene expression that regulates extracellular matrix. Although co-transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 did not show a synergistic effect on MMP13 protein expression and type II collagen release, but both of them can significantly suppress the protein abundance of MMP13 and restore the type II collagen release in IL-$1{\beta}$ treated chondrocytes. Compared with single miRNA transfection, cotransfection of both miRNAs exceedingly abrogated the suppressed the protein production of TIMP1 caused by IL-$1{\beta}$, thereby suggesting potent synergistic action. These results provided1novel insights into the important function of miRNAs' collaboration in OA pathological development. The reduced MMP13, and enhanced TIMP1 protein production and type II collagen release also implies that miR-29a and miR-140 combination treatment may be a possible treatment for OA.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2004

Objective : To compare the efficacy between SKI306X and Diclofenac by using generalized estimating equations (GEE) methodology in the analysis of correlated bivariate binary outcome data in Osteoarthritis (OA) diseases. Methods : A randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted at 5 institutions in Korea with the random assignment of 248 patients aged 35 to 75 years old with OA of the knee and clinical evidence of OA. Patients were enrolled in this study if they had at least moderate pain in the affected knee joint and a score larger than 35mm as assessed by VAS (Visual Analog Scale). The main exposure variable was treatment (SKI 306X vs. Diclofenac) and other covariates were age, sex, BMI, baseline VAS, center, operation history (Yes/No), NSAIDS (Y/N), acupuncture (Y/N), herbal medicine (Y/N), past history of musculoskeletal disease (Y/N), and previous therapy related with OA (Y/N). The main study outcome was the change of VAS pain scores from baseline to the 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment. Pain scores were obtained as baseline, 2nd and 4th weeks after treatment. We applied GEE approach with empirical covariance matrix and independent(or exchangeable) working correlation matrix to evaluate the relation of several risk factors to the change of VAS pain scores with correlated binary bivariate outcomes. Results : While baseline VAS, age, and acupuncture variables had protective effects for reducing the OA pain, its treatment (Joins/Diclofenac) was not statistically significant through GEE methodology (ITT:aOR=1.37, 95% CI=(0.8200, 2.26), PP:aOR=1.47, 95% CI=(0.73, 2.95)). The goodness-of-fit statistic for GEE (6.55, p=0.68) was computed to assess the adequacy of the fitted final model. Conclusions : Both ANCOVA and GEE methods yielded non statistical significance in the evaluation of non-inferiority of the efficacy between SKI306X and Diclofenac. While VAS outcome for each visit was applied in GEE, only VAS outcome for the fourth visit was applied in ANCOVA. So the GEE methodology is more accurate for the analysis of correlated outcomes.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2010

Objective. This study was conducted to observe the effect on appendage muscle strength according to increase in occlusal vertical dimension. Materials and methods. Ten males with a mean age of 21 were selected. The tested occlusal splints were made at the position of increased occlusal vertical dimension of 2mm,3.5mm and 5mm from the intercuspal position. Before and after wearing occlusal splints, the appendage muscle strength were tested by Cybex II dynamometer (Lumex Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY, USA). Results. Statistical analysis using the paired t-test revealed significant differences for flexion and extension of the hip, pronation of the forearm, internal rotation of the shoulder, external and internal rotation of the knee, and dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle (p<0.05). Conclusions. As the result of this study, we conclude that when occlusal vertical dimension was increased, most of mean muscular strength values were increased. Especially at the position of 3.5mm increased vertical dimension displayed the highest mean muscular strength value than other positions.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

When video service is performed in simulation using NS-2(Network Simulation-2), the video replay is performed as the received frame order. In the existing video replay method based on the received frame order, as the frame orders of receiver and transmitter are different, the receiver buffer does not have the effect that the packets between the frames of transmitter buffer holds a regular size and packet dense and sparsity phenomenon in the receiver buffer is made by the irregular packet size due to the unpredictable reversed order of received partial frames. The above dense and sparsity phenomenon increases the probability of buffer overflow and underflow generation. To prevent these problems, the proposed frame receive order relocation method adds an extra replay buffer which rearranges the order of receive frame as the order of transmit frame, so it has the effect that the packets between the transmit frames keeps a regular size. Through the simulation using NS-2 and JSVM(Joint Scalable Video Model), the generation number of buffer overflow and underflow, and PSNR(Required Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) performance between the existing method and proposed method were compared. As a result, it was found that the proposed method would have better performance than the existing method.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.66
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• pp.242-272
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• 2014

This study examines why follow-up investigative programs about the sinking of the Cheonan Patrol Combat Corvette(ROKS Cheonan) have not been produced, despite much speculation surrounding the cause of the sinking since November 2010, when KBS investigative program, In-Depth 60 Minutes which had covered the incident was aired. We have uncovered four reasons through a series of in-depth interviews with producers and reporters, as follows. First, Korean military authorities monopolized relevant information, while the producers could not prove or confirm the validity of the findings of the JIG(Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group)'s report because the facts had been revealed partially and selectively by the authorities and the press' scientific investigation were rejected by the authorities. Second, the crew of In-Depth 60 Minutes was subjected to severe disciplinary action by the Korea Communications Commission. This caused a chilling effect, - it broke the producers' resolve to further explore the reason behind the sinking. Furthermore, the screening of the investigative documentary, Project Cheonan Ship was cancelled without prior notice, presumably by the power of the State and markets. Third, the reorganization and shake-up of personnel by broadcasting stations' presidents appointed by the power of the State crushed the spirit of PD Journalism. Finally, the "red purge" factions stigmatized by the political or military, or the mainstream press, caused the producers or broadcasters to engage in self-censorship. The idea has been used in Korea as a smoke screen to deflect public attention. Nevertheless, the producers hope to shed light on the Cheonan sinking incident and to prove reasonable doubts by pursuing follow-up investigations.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.962-969
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• 1999

Elastic and elasto-plastic stress analyses of AlN/Cu and AlN/W pints produced by active-metal brazing method using Ag-Cu-Ti insert-metal were performed with use of Finite-Element-Method(FEM). The results of stress analyses were compared with those from the pint strength tests and the observations of fracture behaviors. It was shown that a remarkably larger maximum principal stress is built in the AlN/Cu pint compared to the A1N/ W joint. Especially, the stress concentration with tensile component was confirmed at the free surface close to the bonded interface of AlN/Cu. The elasto-plastic analysis under consideration of stress relaxation effect of Ag-Cu-Ti insert possessing a so-called 'soft-metal effect' showed that the insert leads to a lowering of maximum principal stress in AlNiCu pint, even though an increase of the insert thickness above 100$\mu\textrm{m}$ could not bring its further decrease. The maximum pint strengths measured by shear test were 52 and 108 MPa for AlNiCu and AlN/W pints. respectively. Typical fractures of AlN/Cu pints occurred in a form of 'dome' which initiated from the free surface of AlN close to the bonded interface and proceeded towards the AlN inside forming a large angle. AlN/W pints were usually fractured at AlN side along the interface of AlN/insert-metal.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.970-977
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• 1999

Effect of Mo interlayer on the relaxation of residual stress in AlN/Cu pint bonded by active-metal brazing method was investigated. The stress analyses by finite-element-method, the measurement of pint strength and the observation of fracture surface were carried out and their results were compared with each other. From the results of stress analysis it is confirmed that a Mo interlayer led to a shift of maximum stress concentration site from AlN/insert-metal interface$\rightarro$ insert-metal/Mo$\rightarro$Mo interlayer. Additionally, with increase of the Mo interlayer thickness the stress concentration with tensile component was separately built both at the interface of Cu/Mo and AlN/Mo. whereby the residual stress in the free surface of AlN close to the bonded interface was drastically reduced. The AlN/Mo/Cu pints with Mo interlayer thickness of above 400$\mu\textrm{m}$ showed the strengths higher than 200 MPa. upto max. 275 MPa, while the AlN/Cu pint only max. 52 MPa.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the proapoptotic effects of matrix metal-loproteinase inhibitor (MMPI) and doxorubicin on wild-type p53 osteosarcoma cell line, socalled U2OS cell line. Materials and Methods: U2OS cells were treated with MMP inhibitor III (MMPI III) and doxorubicin, either respectively or simultaneously. In cells treated with doxorubicin, Fas-neutralizing antibody so called ZB4 was additionally treated to examine whether the doxorubicin played a role through the Fas/FasL pathway. Cells were analysed regarding to apoptosis and cell death by flow cytometry. Results: U2OS cells incubated with doxorubicin showed significant amount of cell death in dose-dependent manner. However, those incubated with MMPI III mostly remained viable state. In addition, there is no relationship between two drugs. Cells treated with doxorubicin and ZB4 at the same time did not show down regulation of apoptosis through inhibition of Fas/FasL pathway. Conclusion: It is important to re-examine MMP inhibitor's effect on other osteosarcoma cell line with wild-type p14 as well as wild-type p53 to evaluate its proapoptotic effect.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

As per current seismic design codes, diagonally reinforced coupling beams are restricted to coupling beams having aspect ratio below 4. However, a grouped diagonally reinforcement detail makes distribution of steel bars in the beam much harder, furthermore it may result in poor construction quality. This paper describes the experimental results of concrete coupling beam reinforced with high-strength steel bars (SD500 & SD600 grades). In order to improve workability for fabricating coupling beams, a headed large diameter steel bar was used in this study. Two full-scale coupling beams were fabricated and tested with variables of reinforcement details and aspect ratio. To reflect real behavior characteristic of the beam coupling shear walls, a rigid steel frame system with linked joints was set on the reaction floor. As a test result, it was noted that cracking and yielding of reinforcement were initially progressed at the coupling beam-to-shear wall joint, and were progressed to the mid-span of the coupling beam, based on the steel strain and failure modes. It was found that the coupling beams have sufficient deformation capacity for drift ratio of shear wall corresponding to the design displacement in FEMA 450-1. In this study, the headed horizontal steel bar was also efficient for coupling beams to exhibit shear performance required by seismic design codes. For detailed design for coupling beam reinforced with high-strength steel, however, research about the effect of variable aspect ratios on the structural behavior of coupling beam is suggested.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.284-290
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of SNAGs (sustained natural apophyseal glides) and visual convergence biofeedback on the proprioception and neck disability of patients with chronic neck dysfunction. A total of 31 patients with neck dysfunction were assigned to either SNAGs (n = 16) or biofeedback (n = 15). The groups were assessed for proprioception and neck disability, before and after the intervention. The SNAGs were performed using belt with flexion, extension and right-left rotation, whereas biofeedback training included visual feedback training with deep neck flexor. Intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks. Biofeedback training a showed significant effect on the joint position sense (left and right rotation) as compared to the SNAGs group (p< 0.05), whereas neck disability index was significantly effective for SNAGs (p< 0.05). Ed. Notes: The previous statement lacked clarity. I have suggested the edit as per my understanding. Please review and revise appropriately, if required. Therefore, the SNAGs technique is effective for neck function, and biofeedback training is a positive intervention method for enhancing the proprioceptive sensation. In future studies on patients with neck pain, it may be possible to select an intervention method based on the characteristics of the disease.