• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• (The)Korea Educational Review
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-56
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• 2017

This study is to examine the effects of gesture based interface and display methods to make an effective virtual learning environment. The gesture based interface can provide interactive interface to make objects in the virtual learning environment by generating natural movement of users' gesture. This natural functionality leads users to apply natural movements as they do in real actions. Because of the natural user interface, the gesture based interface is expected to maximize learning outcomes. This study examined how the gesture based interface can be used when a head mounted display is applied for a virtual reality learning environment. For this study 44 colleagues students were participated. Two display methods (head mounted display vs. monitor) and two interface (gesture based interface vs. joystick) were tested to identify which might be more effective. The study was applied to different learning tasks which require different levels of spatial perception. The dependent variables are three constructs of virtual presence (spatial perception, immersiveness, and realness) and task completion time and recall tests. This study discussed potential disadvantages of gesture based interface while it showed positive usages of gesture based interface.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2021

Proliferation and maintain of dermal papilla during progression of hair-cycle are crucial to the duration of anagen and regulated by diverse signaling pathway such as PI3K/Akt/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of Viola verecunda on dermal papilla cells. Treatment of dermal papilla cells with whole plant extract of V. verecunda resulted in cell proliferation, which was accompanied by up-regulation of cyclin D1, phospho (ser780)-pRB and cdc2 p34, and down-regulation of p27kip1. V. verecunda extract also promoted the levels of phospho (ser473)-Akt and phospho (ser780)-pRB in a time-dependent manner. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt by Wortmannin suppressed progression of cell-cycle, thereby attenuated the increases in proliferation of dermal papilla cells by V. verecunda extract. We further investigated Wnt/β-catenin pathway with respect to the effects of V. verecunda extract on the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. Treatment with V. verecunda extract results in up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin proteins such as phospho (ser9)-GSKβ, phospho (ser552)-β-catenin and phospho (ser675)-β-catenin. In addition, Wortmannin abrogated V. verecunda extract mediated up-regulation of cdc2 p34 and down-regulation of p27kip1. These finding reveal that the proliferative effect of V. verecunda mediated by alteration of cell-cycle via activating PI3K/Akt/Wnt pathway in dermal papilla cells.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.18-27
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• 2022

In this study, the time-dependent chloride ingress behavior in GGBFS concrete was evaluated considering marine exposure conditions and the properties of concrete mixtures. The concrete mixture for this study had 3 levels of water to binder ratio and the substitution rate of GGBFS, and outdoor exposure tests were performed considering submerged area, tidal area, and splash area. According to the evaluation results of diffusion coefficient considering properties of concrete mixtures, as the substitution rate of GGBFS increased, the decreasing rate of the diffusion coefficient decreased based on exposure periods of 730 days(2 years). As the evaluation result of the diffusion behavior according to the marine exposure conditions, the diffusion coefficient was evaluated in the order of submerged area, tidal area, and splash area. In tidal area, a relatively high diffusion coefficient was evaluated due to the repetition of wet and dry seawater. In this study, the effects of GGBFS substitution rate on the decreasing behavior of apparent chloride diffusion coefficient was analyzed in consideration of exposure conditions and periods. Linear regression analysis was performed with apparent chloride diffusion coefficient as output value and GGBFS substitution rate as input value. After 730 days of exposure, the effect of GGBFS on diffusion coefficient was significantly reduced. Even for OPC concrete, after 730 days, the diffusion coefficient was as low as that of GGBFS concrete, so the gradient of the regression equation decreased significantly. It is thought that improved durability performance for chloride ingress can be secured before 730 days through the use of GGBFS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.531-540
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• 2022

Due to the high incidence of malignant melanoma, the establishment of in vitro models that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment is of great biological and clinical importance for tumor treatment and drug research. In this study, 3D printing technology was used to prepare GelMA/PEGDA composite scaffolds that mimic the microenvironment of human malignant melanoma cell (A375) growth and construct in vitro melanoma micro-models. The GelMA/PEGDA hybrid scaffold was tested by the mechanical property, cell live/dead assay, cell proliferation assay, cytoskeleton staining and drug loading assay. The growth of tumor cells in two- and three-dimensional culture systems and the anti-cancer effect of luteolin were evaluated using the live/dead staining method and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The results showed a high aggregation of tumor cells on the 3D scaffold, which was suitable for long-term culture. Cytoskeleton staining and immunofluorescent protein staining were used to evaluate the degree of differentiation of tumor cells under 2D and 3D culture systems. The results indicated that 3D bioprinted scaffolds were more suitable for tumor cell expansion and differentiation, and the tumor cells were more aggressive. In addition, luteolin was time- and dose-dependent on tumor cells, and tumor cells in the 3D culture system were more resistant to the drug.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Purpose: Glabridin (GD) is a bio-available isoflavane isolated from the root extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). It exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. However, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secretion and the anti-cancer mechanism of action remains largely unknown. The present study investigates the anticancer effects of GD by determining the inhibition of EVs secretion in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, migration, invasion rate, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with increasing concentrations of GD (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20 µM). Subsequently, EV secretion and exosomal DEL-1 protein expression were evaluated to determine the anticancer effects of GD. Results: The results showed that GD significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- or time-dependent manner. Also, ROS production and apoptosis marker protein cleaved caspase-3 were significantly increased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231, compared to control. Furthermore, GD exposure resulted in significantly decreased not only migration and invasion rates but also the VEGF concentration, thereby contributing to a reduction in angiogenesis. Interestingly, the concentration and number of EVs as well as EV marker proteins, such as CD63 and TSG101, were decreased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Markedly, extracellular matrix protein DEL-1 as angiogenesis factor was decreased in EVs from GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: This study identifies that the anti-cancer molecular mechanism of GD is exerted via inhibition of angiogenesis and EVs secretion, indicating the potential of GD as a chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6A
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• pp.495-502
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• 2010

A study for the nonlinear analysis method of flexural behavior of concrete girders strengthened with unbonded prestressed CFRP plates is presented. The concrete girders strengthened with unbonded prestressed CFRP plates exhibit more complex nonlinear behavior due to the slip between the concrete girder and the CFRP plates than the case of bonded CFRP plates. The unbonded CFRP plate is modeled as an assemblage of the curved elements both ends of which are rigidly linked to the nodes of fibered frame elements. The slip effect of the unbonded CFRP plate is taken into account using the force equilibrium relationship at each node. To evaluate the validity and the capability of the proposed analysis method, the ultimate analysis results of the concrete beams strengthened with unbonded prestressed CFRP plate are compared with the experimental results obtained from other investigators. The proposed analysis method is found to predict ultimate behaviors of these beams fairly well. Additionally the time-dependent deformations of the concrete beam seems to have little influence on the ultimate behaviors of concrete beams strengthened with unbonded prestressed CFRP plate, and the cracks of the concrete beam which occurred before strengthening it with CFRP plate are found to have almost no influence on the ultimate capacity of the beam.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.279-300
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• 2012

Many studies have demonstrated that family plays a crucial role in health and wellbeing in life. There has been little research, however, examining the relative importance of activities together with family members in middle-aged adults. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of family meal, phone conversation with family, and family leisure activities on happiness, health, and family relationship. Total 286 middle-aged adults (M=50.13) participated in this study. Dependent variables were happiness (SWB), physical and psychological illness symptoms, family satisfaction, sex satisfaction, and parenting sense of competence. This research showed that (1) frequency of meal with family was positively correlated with happiness, family relationship, and negatively physical/psychological illness symptoms; (2) high frequency of talking on the phone with family resulted in that high level of happiness, family satisfaction, sex satisfaction, and parenting sense of competence, and lower illness symptoms; (3) the more participants spent leisure time with family, the happier and the more family satisfaction they feel. Findings suggest that activities together with family members in middle-aged adults may enhance their happiness, health, and quality of family relationship. The implication for current study were discussed.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.83.1-83.12
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• 2023

Background: Ellipticine (Ellip.) was recently reported to have beneficial effects on the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into mature chondrocyte-like cells. On the other hand, no practical results have been derived from the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. Objectives: This study examined whether autologous BMSCs incubated with ellipticine (Ellip.+BMSCs) could regenerate articular cartilage in rabbit OA, a model similar to degenerative arthritis in human beings. Methods: A portion of rabbit articular cartilage was surgically removed, and Ellip.+BMSCs were transplanted into the lesion area. After two and four weeks of treatment, the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were analyzed, while macroscopic and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluations were conducted to determine the intensity of cartilage degeneration. Furthermore, immuno-blotting was performed to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinases, PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling in rabbit OA models. Histological staining was used to confirm the change in the pattern of collagen and proteoglycan in the articular cartilage matrix. Results: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs elicited a chondroprotective effect by reducing the inflammatory factors (TNF-α, PGE2) in a time-dependent manner. Macroscopic observations, micro-CT, and histological staining revealed articular cartilage regeneration with the downregulation of matrix-metallo proteinases (MMPs), preventing articular cartilage degradation. Furthermore, histological observations confirmed a significant boost in the production of chondrocytes, collagen, and proteoglycan compared to the control group. Western blotting data revealed the downregulation of the p38, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB inflammatory pathways to attenuate inflammation. Conclusions: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs normalized the OA condition by boosting the recovery of degenerated articular cartilage and inhibiting the catabolic signaling pathway.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to acquire activities of daily living (ADL) skills through activity analysis and forward chaining in children with developmental disabilities. Methods : In this study, the performance of children with developmental disabilities was guided stepwise using a changing criterion design. The intervention was conducted in forward chaining after the therapist analyzed the activities of three tasks (shoes, shorts, and short-sleeved T-shirts) set as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The performance rate at each stage of the three tasks was used as an independent variable, and COPM performance and satisfaction scores before and after the intervention were set as dependent variables. Results : The task performance rates of children wearing shoes, shorts, and short-sleeved T-shirts improved over time. Even at home, the scores for performance and satisfaction of all three tasks increased. Conclusion : Hopefully, activity analysis and behavioral chaining methods will be used not only for ADL but also for various tasks in children with developmental disabilities who have difficulty acquiring tasks.