• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2016

Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is exclusively produced in osteoblasts and osteocytes, its main target is the kidney, where it decreases phosphate reabsorption by suppressing Na-phosphate cotransporters. Independently of its action on phosphate homeostasis, FGF23 also inhibits bone formation in vivo. In a calvarial osteoblastic cell model, FGF23 was shown to negatively affect extracellular matrix mineralization. This study investigated whether FGF23 had similar effects on osteoblast maturation, including differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). D1 MSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium containing β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethazone. Osteoblastic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (Alp) staining, and matrix mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining and calcium deposition. The expression of differentiation-stimulating genes Runx2, Alp, and osteocalcin and mineralization-inhibiting genes Enpp1 and Ank was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Supraphysiological doses of FGF23 did not stimulate proliferation or osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. Matrix mineralization 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the FGF23 treatment did not vary between control and FGF23 groups, although time-dependent enhancement of mineralization was obvious. Calcium deposition was also unchanged after the FGF23 treatment. mRNA expression levels of differentiation- and mineralization-related genes were also similar between the groups. Despite these negative findings, FGF23 signaling through FGF receptors seemed to function normally, with phosphorylation of the Erk protein more evident in the FGF23 group than in controls. These findings suggest that unlike calvarial osteoblasts, FGF23 is not likely to affect osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of MSCs.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.68-84
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• 1995

Background: Guideline for practice is useful because it can be the standard for assessment and way to improve quality. We need to take account of expert opinion and consensus as well as scientific evidences to develope practice guideline because it should be practical. Delphi method has been developed to gather opinions from experts fairly. This study was designed to develop practice guideline and apply it to practices as a method to improve quality in primary medical care. Methods: Hypertension(in adults over 18 years old) was selected as a target problem. Self questionnaires about management of hypertensive patients were developed by a researcher with advice of 11 experts. The questionnaires were designed to response as a 5 pont scale. The results of previous questionary were given to respondents in second and third questionnaires. If needed, the questionnaires were changed on the previous responses. The items with medium greater than or equal to 4 point in 1st and 2nd responses were accepted in guideline. The items with medium lesser than or equal to 3 point were questioned again about whether they can be excluded or not. The criteria for assessment was made with reference to guideline and applied to 85 hypertensive patients of 9 family practitioners. At 3 months after practice guideline had been given to family practitioners, performance of same practitioners was assessed with 36 new hypertensive patients. Results: 23 professors in family medicine, 22 family practitioners and 6 cardiologists, responded among 50, 50, 15 respectively. Practice guideline with 33 items was developed as a result of 3 times questionaires. The difference of responses between professors in family medicine, family practitioners and cardiologists was not significant. Performance of practice was improved in diagnosis, history taking about 6 fields, laboratory examination and decision making about time of pharmaceutical prescription. It was not improved in physical examination, life style modification, method of pharmaceutical prescription, choice of initial antihypertensives and history taking about duration of disease and diet habit. It was decreased in history taking about psychosocial factors. The assessment scores were low in history taking, physical examination and life style modification before and after use of practice guideline. Conclusion: Practice guideline for hypertension could be developed by Delphi method. Performance of practice improved partially after use of guideline.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.137-146
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• 1999

Inspection becomes to be important in the safety of structure and economical viewpoint, because structural damage accompanies lots of economical cost and social problems. Especially ship structure is composed of a lot of members and it is impossible to inspect all members continuously. The purpose of this paper is to get optimal inspection plan containing inspection time and method. Crack is one of major modes on the structural failure and can lead to collapse of structure. In this paper, the deteriorating process, which contains inspection to detect the crack before the propagation to large crack, is idealized as Markov chain model. Genetic algorithm is also used to accomplish the optimization of inspection plan. Especially, the probabilistic characteristics of cracks are changed, because ship is operating in corrosive environments and the scantling of structural members is reduced due to corrosion. Non-stationary Markov chain model is used to represent the process of corrosion in structural members. In this paper, the characteristics of indivisual inspection plan are compared by numerical examples for the change of corrosion rate, the cost due to scheduled system down and target failure probability. From the numerical example, it can be seen that the improvement of fatigue life for the members with short fatigue life is the most effective way in order to reduce total maintenance cost.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.141-145
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• 2011

Actinomycin D is a natural antibiotic that is used in anti-cancer chemotherapy and is known as a transcription inhibitor. Interestingly, actinomycin D induces phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in renal cancer Caki cells. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism of actinomycin D-induced STAT3 phosphorylation. Treatment with actinomycin D induced phosphorylation of STAT3 (Tyr705) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, actinomycin D did not induce phosphorylation of STAT3 (Ser727), STAT1 (Tyr701) and STAT1 (Ser727). Moreover, actinomycin D-induced STAT3 phosphorylation was caused by decreased protein and mRNA levels of SOCS3, but not by JAK2 and SHP-1. In addition, other transcription inhibitor (5,6-dichloro-1-b-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole; DRB) also induced phosphorylation of STAT3 (Tyr705). Taken together, the present study demonstrates that transcriptional inhibitors (actinomycin D and DRB) induce phosphorylation of STAT3 (Tyr705) in Caki cells by down-regulation of SOCS3.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.170-189
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• 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a genetic material derived from organisms in various environments (water, soil, and air). eDNA has many advantages, such as high sensitivity, short investigation time, investigation safety, and accurate species identification. For this reason, it is used in various fields, such as biological monitoring and searching for harmful and endangered organisms. To collect eDNA from a freshwater ecosystem, it is necessary to consider the target organism and gene and a wide variety of items, such as on-site filtration and eDNA preservation methods. In particular, the method of collecting eDNA from the environment is directly related to the eDNA concentration, and when collecting eDNA using an appropriate collection method, accurate (good quality) analysis results can be obtained. In addition, in preserving and extracting eDNA collected from the freshwater ecosystem, when an accurate method is used, the concentration of eDNA distributed in the field can be accurately analyzed. Therefore, for researchers at the initial stage of eDNA research, the eDNA technology poses a difficult barrier to overcome. Thus, basic knowledge of eDNA surveys is necessary. In this study, we introduced sampling of eDNA and transport of sampled eDNA in aquatic ecosystems and extraction methods for eDNA in the laboratory. In addition, we introduced simpler and more efficient eDNA collection tools. On this basis, we hope that the eDNA technique could be more widely used to study aquatic ecosystems and help researchers who are starting to use the eDNA technique.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.408-420
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• 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 Popular Narrative
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.217-245
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• 2019

Recently, the interest among Korean broadcasters in the 'observation entertainment' genre has intensified. This study aims to analyze the genre and storytelling of observation entertainment programming from a narratological perspective. The origin of the Korean observation entertainment program began with the 'reality-variety show'. There was a 'real-life' debate in these reality-variety shows, and as an alternative, the observation entertainment program appeared. Documentary filming, omnibus composition, and spatialization of 'everyday' life have led to the recognition of observation entertainment as a single genre. In particular, 'observers' have become a key factor in the observation entertainment program. The subject of the program is determined by who the observer is. The variability of the program format is the same. The observer looks at the observation target on behalf of the viewer. At the same time, he or she serves as a narrator of the program. The observer functions as the most influential factor in the storytelling of the observation entertainment program. In the observation entertainment program, 'observation' is only a form. It is the observer who creates a narrative within this same format to make the difference between each program. Also, voyeurism has been considered a problem in reality shows such as observation entertainment programs. However, the form communicated by observers is not a direct peek, so much of the problem of voyeurism is mitigated. Such observation entertainment programs analyzed through observers are meaningful in that they make people understand the cultural meaning of "reality" in TV and the storytelling of contemporary Korean TV entertainment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1230-1238
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• 2013

The regulatory effect of the tumor-suppressor protein p53 on the apoptogenic activity of $17{\alpha}$-estradiol ($17{\alpha}-E_2$) was compared between HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells. When the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells were treated with $2.5{\sim}10{\mu}M$ $17{\alpha}-E_2$ for 48 h or with $10{\mu}M$for various time periods, cytotoxicity and an apoptotic sub-$G_1$ peak were induced in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells were much less sensitive to the apoptotic effect of $17{\alpha}-E_2$. Although $17{\alpha}-E_2$ induced aberrant mitotic spindle organization and incomplete chromosome congregation at the equatorial plate, $G_2/M$ arrest was induced to a similar extent in both cell types. In addition, $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced activation of Bak and Bax, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$ loss, and PARP degradation were more dominant in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) than in the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells. In accordance with enhancement of p53 phosphorylation (Ser-15) and p53 levels, p21 and Bax levels were elevated in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells treated with $17{\alpha}-E_2$. The HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells exhibited barely or undetectable levels of p21 and Bax, regardless of $17{\alpha}-E_2$ treatment. On the other hand, although the level of Bcl-2 was slightly lower in the HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) than in the HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$) cells, it remained relatively constant after the $17{\alpha}-E_2$ treatment. Together, these results show that among the components of the $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced apoptotic-signaling pathway, which proceeds through mitotic spindle defects causing mitotic arrest, subsequent activation of Bak and Bax and the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade, leading to PARP degradation, $17{\alpha}-E_2$-induced activation of Bak and Bax is the upstream target of proapoptotic action of p53.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.182-190
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• 2017

Background: Baekdudaegan was designated in 2005 as a protected area to prevent destruction and conserve. However, there are many disturbed and destroyed areas. The total disturbed area amounts to $25.9km^2$ (0.94%), including $13.4km^2$ (0.49%) in the core area and $12.5km^2$ (0.45%) in the buffer area. This study aims to classify the vegetation types established in the disturbed areas and diagnose the current conditions for ecological restoration in the forest ecosystem. Methods: We surveyed the vegetation in the disturbed areas of Daegwallyeong and Chupungryeong and the surrounding natural areas. The survey conducted from July to September 2015 targeted a total of 54 quadrats by Braun-Blanquet method (Daegwallyeong, 22; Chupungryeong, 32). We also investigated the height and coverage of each layer. We classified the vegetation types based on the field data and analyzed the ratio of life form and the exotic plants, species richness, and vegetation index (Hcl). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated from rapideye satellite imagery in 2014 and 2015. Results: Vegetation types were classified into 11 groups according to the criteria that included successional sere or plantation at first, followed by developmental stage and origins. As a result of the analysis of the survey data, species richness, vegetation index (Hcl), ratio of tree plants, and the NDVI tended to increase, while the ratio of the exotic plants tended to decrease with the time since disturbance. These indicators had the classified values according to the vegetation types with time since the disturbance. Conclusions: These indicators can be effectively used to diagnose the conditions of the present vegetation in the disturbed area of the Baekdudaegan area. In addition, the NDVI might be effective for the diagnosis of the disturbed status instead of the human efforts based on the higher spatial resolution of satellite imagery. Appropriate diagnosis of the disturbed forests in the Baekdudaegan area considering the established vegetation types is essential for the elaboration of restoration plans. In addition, restoration target and level should be different according to the disturbed status of restoration site.

• Journal of KIISE:Databases
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.56-70
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• 2005

The results of location-dependent queries(LDQ) generally depend on the current locations of query issuers. Many mechanisms, e.g. broadcast scheme, hoarding, or racking policy, have been developed to improve the system peformance and provide better services, which are specialized for LDQs. Considering geographical adjacency of data and characteristics oi target area, caching policy and broadcast scheme affect the overall performance in LDQ. For this reason, we propose both the caching policy and broadcast scheme, which these features are reflected in. Based on the adjacency of data in LDQ, our broadcast scheme use Hilbert curve to cluster data. Moreover, in order to develop the caching policy suitable for LDQ on urban area, we apply the moving distance of a MH(Mobile Host) to our caching policy We evaluate the performance of the caching policy measuring the workload of MHs and the correctness of LDQ results and the performance of the broadcast scheme measuring the average setup-time of MHs in our experiments. Finally, we expect that our caching policy Provides more correct answers when executing LDQ in focal cache and leads significant improvement of the performance of MHs. It also seems quite probable that our broadcast scheme leads improvement of battery life of the MH.