• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.536-545
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of agarwood (Thymelaeaceae) inhalation using an electric incense burner on stress and brain waves. Sixteen participants were included in the study during the period from September 2019 to April 2020. Participant recruitment was undertaken by the 'H' center. This paper focused on stress reduction and compared the differences in stress and brain waves before and after agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner. Electroencephalography was measured by a 19 Channel, Brainmaster Discovery, and analyzed using a NeuroGuide, LORETA (Brain Mapping). The analysis of technical statistics was carried out using SPSS/WIN 21.0 and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The study observed that the stress response index was reduced by a significance level of 0.01 in patients with anxiety, depression, and somatization disorders after agarwood inhalation. Secondly, alpha waves were increased by a significance level of 0.05, in 18 out of 19 regions measured, except FP 1. The difference after agarwood inhalation was the most significant in the region that affects emotion. Thirdly, a LORETA analysis found that alpha waves were increased in the brain region (BA 40) predominantly responsible for memory and emotion. This result clarifies that agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner reduced stress and had a positive effect on brain waves and hence, has potential as an alternative therapy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.408-420
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Isoform 2 of tight junction protein claudin-18 (CLDN18.2) is a potential target for gastric cancer treatment. A treatment targeting CLDN18.2 has shown promising results in gastric cancer. We investigated the clinical significance of CLDN18.2 and other cell-adherens junction molecules (Rho GTPase-activating protein [RhoGAP] and E-cadherin) in metastatic diffuse-type gastric cancer (mDGC). Materials and Methods: We evaluated CLDN18.2, RhoGAP, and E-cadherin expression using two-plex immunofluorescence and quantitative data analysis of H-scores of 77 consecutive mDGC patients who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy between March 2015 and February 2017. Results: CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin expression was significantly lower in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) than those without PM at the time of diagnosis (P=0.010 and 0.013, respectively), whereas it was significantly higher in patients who never developed PM from diagnosis to death than in those who did (P=0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Meanwhile, CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin expression levels were significantly higher in patients with bone metastasis than in those without bone metastasis (P=0.010 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, we identified a positive correlation between the expression of CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin (P<0.001), RhoGAP and CLDN18.2 (P=0.004), and RhoGAP and E-cadherin (P=0.001). Conversely, CLDN18.2, RhoGAP, and E-cadherin expression was not associated with chemotherapy response and survival. Conclusions: CLDN18.2 expression was reduced in patients with PM but significantly intact in those with bone metastasis. Furthermore, CLDN18.2 expression was positively correlated with other adherens junction molecules, which is clinically associated with mDGC and PM pathogenesis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.535-543
• /
• 2020

In addition to the ubiquitous roles of cellular RNA in genetic regulations, gene expression and phenotypic variations in response to environmental cues and chemotactic signals, the regulatory roles of a new type of RNA called extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are an up-and-coming area of research interest. exRNA is transported outside the cell through membrane blebs known as membrane vesicles or extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV formation is predominant and conserved among all microbial forms, including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea. This review will focus on the three major topics concerning bacterially derived exRNAs, i.e., 1) the discovery of exRNA and influence of extraneous RNA over bacterial gene regulations, 2) the known secretion mechanism for the release of exRNA, and 3) the possible applications that can be devised with these exRNA secreted by different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Further, this review will also provide an opinion on exRNA- and EV-derived applications such as the species-specific exRNA markers for diagnostics and the possible roles of exRNA in probiotics and the epigenetic regulations of the gut microbiome.

• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.355-365
• /
• 2021

Online teaching has become a daily routine in schools after 2020, and at the same time, the ability to design and conduct classes using smart devices and apps is becoming more important to teachers. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find out how the demonstration of classes using smart devices and apps online has an effect on the intentions of prospective teachers who want to use them in the future. To this end, classes were designed according to the design principles for improving smart education capabilities of pre-service teachers, and the classes were conducted for pre-service teachers. Afterwards, the variables included in the UTAUT model, such as Performance Expectancy, effort Expectancy, social influence, Voluntariness of Use, Behavioral Intention, and Facilitating Conditions, were measured before and after classes, respectively, and the effectiveness of the class was verified through t-test of response samples. As a result, it was confirmed that all variables except the Facilitating Conditions had a significant positive(+) effect. These results suggest that online class demonstration education can be a way for pre-service teachers to more practically adapt to the educational field where smart education is required.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2022

Roots play important roles in water and nutrient uptake and in response to various environmental stresses. Investigating diversification of cultivars through root phenotyping is important for crop improvement in adzuki beans. Therefore, we analyzed the morphological and architectural root traits of 22 adzuki bean cultivars using 2-dimensional (2D) root imaging. Plants were grown in plastic tubes [6 cm (diameter) × 40 cm (height)] in a greenhouse from July 25^th to August 28^th. When the plants reached the 2^nd or 3^rd trifoliate leaf stage, the roots were removed and washed with tap water to remove soil particles. Clean root samples were scanned, and the scanned images were analyzed using the WinRHIZO Pro software. The cultivars were analyzed based on six root phenotypes [total root length (TRL), surface area (SA), average diameter (AD), and number of tips (NT) were included as root morphological traits (RMT); and link average length (LAL) and link average diameter (LAD) were included as root architectural traits (RAT)]. According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), a significant difference was observed between the cultivars for all root morphological traits. Distribution analysis demonstrated that all root traits except LAL followed a normally distributed curve. In the correlation test, the most important morphological trait, TRL, showed a strong positive correlation with SA (r = 0.97^***) and NT (r = 0.94^***). In comparison, between RMT and RAT, TRL showed a significantly negative correlation with LAL (r = -0.50^***); however, TRL did not show a correlation with LAD. Based on RMT and RAT, we identified the cultivars that ranked 5% from the top and bottom. In particular, the cultivar "IT 236657" showed the highest TRL, SA, and NT, while the cultivar "IT 236169" showed the lowest values for TRL, SA, and NT. In addition, the coefficient of variance for the six tested root traits ranged from (14.26-40%) which suggested statistical variability in root phenotypes among the 22 adzuki bean varieties. Thus, this study will help to select target root traits for the adzuki bean breeding program in the future, generating climate-resilient adzuki beans, especially for drought stress, and may be useful for developing biotic and abiotic stress-tolerant cultivars based on better root trait attributes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2022

This study is to investigate the perception of domestic appraisers about the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) and related risks from the use of AI in the appraisal industry. We conducted a mobile survey of evaluators from February 10 to 18, 2022. We collected survey data from 193 respondents. Frequency analysis and multiple response analysis were performed for basic analysis. When AI is used in the appraisal industry, factor analysis was used to analyze various types of risks. Although appraisers have a positive perception of AI introduction in the appraisal industry, they considered collateral, consulting, and taxation, mainly in areas where AI is likely to be used and replaced, mainly negative effects related to job losses and job replacement. They were more aware of the alternative risks caused by AI in the field of human labor. I was very aware of responsibilities, privacy and security, and the risk of technical errors. However, fairness, transparency, and reliability risks were generally perceived as low risk issues. Existing studies have mainly studied analysis methods that apply AI to mass evaluation models, but this study focused on the use and risk of AI. Understanding industry experts' perceptions of AI utilization will help minimize potential risks when AI is introduced on a large scale.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.277-286
• /
• 2021

Background: As trade increases, the influx of various alien species and their spread to new regions are prevalent and no longer a special problem. Anthropogenic activities and climate changes have made the distribution of alien species out of their native range common. As a result, alien species can be easily found anywhere, and they have nothing but only a few differences in intensity. The prevalent distribution of alien species adversely affects the ecosystem, and a strategic management plan must be established to control them effectively. To this end, hot spots and cold spots were analyzed according to the degree of distribution of invasive alien plants, and major environmental factors related to hot spots were found. We analyzed the 10,287 distribution points of 126 species of alien plants collected through the national survey of alien species by the hierarchical model of species communities (HMSC) framework. Results: The explanatory and fourfold cross-validation predictive power of the model were 0.91 and 0.75 as AUC values, respectively. The hot spots of invasive plants were found in the Seoul metropolitan area, Daegu metropolitan city, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, southwest shore, and Jeju island. Generally, the hot spots were found where the higher maximum temperature of summer, precipitation of winter, and road density are observed, but temperature seasonality, annual temperature range, precipitation of the summer, and distance to river and sea were negatively related to the hot spots. According to the model, the functional traits accounted for 55% of the variance explained by the environmental factors. The species with higher specific leaf areas were more found where temperature seasonality was low. Taller species preferred the bigger annual temperature range. The heavier seed mass was only preferred when the max temperature of summer exceeded 29 ℃. Conclusions: In this study, hot spots were places where 2.1 times more alien plants were distributed on average than non-hot spots (33.5 vs 15.7 species). The hot spots of invasive plants were expected to appear in less stressful climate conditions, such as low fluctuation of temperature and precipitation. Also, the disturbance by anthropogenic factors or water flow had positive influences on the hot spots. These results were consistent with the previous reports about the ruderal or competitive strategies of invasive plants instead of the stress-tolerant strategy. The functional traits are closely related to the ecological strategies of plants by shaping the response of species to various environmental filters, and our result confirmed this. Therefore, in order to effectively control alien plants, it is judged that the occurrence of disturbed sites in which alien plants can grow in large quantities is minimized, and the river management of waterfronts is required.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Cyclooxygenase (COX) plays a central role in the inflammatory cascade by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. COX-2 is typically induced by inflammatory stimuli in the majority of tissues, it is responsible for propagating the inflammatory response and thus, considered as the best target for anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study investigated the modulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3, a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on COX-2 expression in the brain tissue induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Because systemic LPS treatment induces COX-2 expression immediately in the brain, ginsenoside Rg3 was treated orally with doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg at 1 hour before the LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. At 4 hours after the LPS injection, COX-2 mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction method, COX-2 protein levels were measured by Western blotting. In addition, COX-2 expressions in brain tissue were observed with immunohistochemistry and double immunofluoresence labeling. Results : Ginsenoside Rg3 (20 and 30 mg/kg) significantly attenuates up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue at 4 hours after the LPS injection. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg3 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of COX-2 positive neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala. Conclusion : These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 plays a modulatory role in neuroinflammation through the inhibition of COX-2 expression in the brain and suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 and ginseng may be effective on neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2021

This is a case study on the use of Albert Camus' La Peste, which has gained its popularity in today's generation of post-COVID as well as the use of big data analysis tools for major and elective classes. First, we asked students majoring in French to compare the use of vocabulary and the number of appearances for characters using big data analysis, for about 400 pages of the original text. As a result, we were able to confirm a similar relationship between Camus' Absurdism and the vocabulary used within La Peste, in addition to noting the heavy frequency of resistant characters. Students in elective classes were asked to read the literature in a Korean-translated version to determine the frequency of vocabulary and characters' appearances. Students were able to strongly relate to La Peste due to its commonality between COVID and the plague in the literature. We also received high levels of class satisfaction regarding the use of big data analysis tools. The students showed a positive response both towards choosing La Peste as the work of literature and using big data, the main tool in the Fourth Industrial Evolution. We were able to identify good results even in a non-contact environment, as long as the literature does not rely on traditional methods but rather lectures to reflect current situations.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.255-266
• /
• 2021

Investment demand for factory facilities has increased due to the balloon effect caused by housing price regulation. This study investigated the impact of the real estate market and macroeconomic factors on the bid price ratio of apartment auctions and factory auctions, focusing on the metropolitan area. To this end, we reviewed theories and previous studies on real estate auctions, and examined how macroeconomic variables affect bid price ratio of apartments and factories using the panel vector autoregressive model. It was found that the increase in the apartment bid price ratio increases as the participation in apartment auctions increases. However, as the factory bid price ratio increases, the factory bid price ratio does not increase, it was confirmed that the positive (+) relationship between the successful bid price ratio and the bid price ratioe does not exist, unlike previous studies. Based on the analysis results, it is suggested that the real estate market and macroeconomic factors should be considered for the stable operation of the related relevant auction system. This study has limitations in that it is limited to the metropolitan area. In the future, research that expands the scope of research to the whole country and provinces should be conducted.