Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive lung disease marked by excessive fibrosis and declining respiratory function. While pharmacological treatments help manage symptoms, they offer limited reversal of fibrosis and often have side effects. As a result, interest in rehabilitation approaches such as breathing exercises combined with self-myofascial release (SMR) has increased. These techniques may enhance trunk stability and thoracic flexibility, contributing to improved respiratory function. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of thoracic expansion exercises using SMR techniques on pulmonary function and chest mobility in a patient with PF, and assessed their clinical applicability. Design: Single-subject A-B-A′ design. Methods: A 60s male with idiopathic PF underwent 20 days of intervention. Standard rehabilitation was applied during baseline (A) and follow-up (A′) phases. During the intervention (B), SMR-based breathing exercises were added. Outcomes included Functional Reach Test (FRT), chest expansion, and pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV₁, PEF, FEV₁/FVC). Data were analyzed using the 2SD band method. Results: FRT improved from 23.4 cm (A) to 31.3 cm (B) and 34.2 cm (A′). Chest expansion increased from 1.7 cm to 2.8 cm, and FVC rose from 1.70 L to 2.08 L before dropping to 0.94 L. FEV₁/FVC improved from 80.8% to 86.7% during intervention but decreased at follow-up. Conclusion: SMR-based thoracic expansion exercises may enhance trunk stability, thoracic mobility, and certain pulmonary function indicators in PF patients. These findings suggest potential clinical benefits, warranting further studies to confirm long-term effectiveness.
Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by GLA mutations, leading to a deficiency in α-Galactosidase A activity and subsequent accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). This accumulation contributes to progressive multiorgan dysfunction, with cardiovascular complications, particularly endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy being major drivers of disease morbidity and mortality. Although enzyme replacement therapy is currently the standard treatment, its effectiveness is limited in addressing advanced cardiovascular pathology. To better understand Fabry-associated vascular and cardiac phenotypes, an isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model in which GLA was knocked out was developed using CRISPR/ Cas9. GLA-knockout (GLA-KO) hiPSCs were differentiated into endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) to evaluate disease-relevant phenotypes in vitro . GLA-KO ECs exhibited normal morphology and differentiation capacity but showed markedly impaired tube formation, high expression of inflammatory genes ICAM1, VCAM1, and SELE, and increased mitochondrial and cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species levels. GLA-KO CMs demonstrated enlarged cell size and nuclear translocation of NFATC4, consistent with hypertrophic remodeling. Together, these findings recapitulate key features of Fabry vasculopathy and cardiomyopathy in a genetically defined, human-derived system. This platform enables direct investigation of Gb3-induced oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms and provides a valuable model for the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies targeting the cardiovascular manifestations of Fabry disease.
본 연구는 기업공개(IPO) 과정에서 최고경영자(CEO)의 해외 경험이 IPO의 성공에 미치는 영 향을 탐구하고, CEO가 경험한 국가와 주관사 국적 간 문화적 거리가 이 관계에 미치는 조절효과 를 분석한다. 또한 IPO 기업과 외부 투자자 간의 정보 비대칭성 정도가 CEO 해외 경험의 신호 효 과에 미치는 영향을 살펴본다. 2014년부터 2019년 사이 코스피와 코스닥 시장에 상장한 368개 기업을 대상으로 실증 분석을 진행한 결과, CEO의 해외 경험은 IPO 성공에 긍정적 영향을 미쳤다. 하지만 이러한 긍정적 영향은 CEO가 경험한 국가와 주관사의 국적 간 문화적 거리가 클수록 약화 되었다. 반면 IPO 기업과 외부 투자자 간 정보 비대칭성이 높을수록 CEO의 해외 경험이 IPO 성 공에 미치는 긍정적 효과는 더욱 강화되었다. 본 연구는 도구변수를 사용하여 내생성 문제를 통제 하였으며, 도구변수 사용 시에도 주요 가설은 대체로 지지되었다. 본 연구는 CEO의 해외 경험이 IPO 과정에서 중요한 신호(signal)로 작용할 수 있음을 제시하며, 특히 문화적 거리와 정보 비대 칭성이라는 맥락적 요인이 CEO 특성의 신호 효과를 조절할 수 있음을 밝힘으로써, 기업공개 및 신호 이론 연구에 기여한다. 실무적으로는 IPO를 준비하는 기업들이 해외 경험이 있는 CEO를 선 임하면 도움이 될 수 있음을 시사하고, 주관사를 선택할 때는 문화적으로 유사한 국가의 주관사를 전략적으로 고려할 필요가 있음을 시사한다.
Background: Balance disorder is a prevalent clinical manifestation following stroke, often causing considerable discomfort and gait disability. Various water-based therapeutic approaches have been developed to address balance and gait disorder. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of water-based gait training using auditory stimulation on balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups: water-based gait training using auditory stimulation group (WAG) (n = 24), water-based gait training group (WG) (n = 24), and control group (n = 22). Subjects in WAG and WG underwent water-based gait training for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. All Subjects were assessed for muscle strength, balance, gait, motor function, and activity of daily living pre- and post-intervention. Results: Results showed that all outcome measures significantly improved post-intervention (p < 0.05). Additionally, WAG was found to significantly improve in Medical Research Council (MRC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test compared to WG, and WG showed significant differences compared to the control group in MRC and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) (p < 0.05). WAG exhibited significant differences in all areas except Modified Bathel Index (MBI) in the between-group comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that water-based gait training using auditory stimulation may be effective strategy to improve muscle strength, balance and gait ability for with stroke.
Global strategists emphasize leveraging capabilities developed in domestic markets when expanding into international markets, a strategy reflected in the entry of Korean startups into the Chinese market. Value appropriation refers to a company's ability to claim its share of the value created in a target market, with value appropriation factors being critical elements required for this process. Despite these strategies, many foreign companies fail to achieve expected performance in China, often attributed to their inability to secure the necessary value appropriation factors. Researchers posit that business guanxi can play a pivotal role in facilitating the acquisition of these factors in the Chinese market. This study examines the relationship between the network capabilities of global startups and value appropriation factors during the overseas expansion stage. It also explores the moderating effect of business guanxi through empirical research. The data was collected via surveys from Korean global startups targeting business operations in China. The results indicate that sub-components of network capability, specifically networking capability and international market resource securing capability, are significantly associated with the acquisition of value appropriation factors. Furthermore, business guanxi was found to positively moderate the relationship between networking capability and securing value appropriation factors. These findings suggest that Korean global startups should prioritize developing strong network capabilities and fostering business guanxi to enhance their ability to secure value appropriation factors during the overseas expansion stage. Chinese companies do not have deep trust in Korean startups. Therefore, startups should build a business guanxi based on emotional trust from the beginning of early entry. This effort will extend beyond the trust of startup products and services to corporate trust.
This study aims to develop an AI-based analysis system that aligns with the international trend of AI legislation, including the EU's AI Act, while also addressing the analytical needs of the public sector. The focus is on providing timely and objective information to policymakers and specialized researchers by exploring advanced analytical methodologies. As the complexity and volume of data rapidly increase in the modern policy environment, these methods have become essential for governments to obtain the objective information needed for critical decision-making. To achieve this, the study integrates machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and Large Language Models (LLM) to create a system capable of meeting the analytical demands of government entities. The target dataset consists of “quantum” field data collected from South Korea's National R&D Information System (NTIS). Machine learning was applied to this data to assess the validity of the analysis, while BERTopic, a natural language analysis package, was used for text analysis. With the introduction of LLMs, the extracted information from machine learning and natural language analysis was not merely listed but also connected in meaningful ways to provide policy insights. This approach enhanced the transparency and reliability of AI analysis, minimizing potential errors or distortions in the data analysis process. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the development of a system that enables rapid and accurate information provision while maintaining compatibility with international AI regulations such as the AI Act. The use of LLMs, in particular, contributed to enhancing the system’s capabilities for deeper and more multifaceted analysis.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cause substantial economic losses on the livestock industry. Therefore, vaccinations have been implemented as the control strategy in endemic countries. However, the potential adverse effects of administering vaccines for both diseases simultaneously have not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of vaccinating dairy cows with either or both LSD and FMD vaccines on milk production and physiological parameters such as milk temperature, rumination time and body weight. The experimental groups were divided into four according to the injection materials: 1) saline, 2) LSD vaccine, 3) FMD vaccine, and 4) both vaccines. The impact of vaccination on milk yield and physiological parameters was evaluated daily until 12 days post-vaccination, and milk components were analyzed twice, once per week. Among the experimental groups as well as each vaccine group, no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed at milk yield, milk components, or milk temperature. This suggests that simultaneous vaccination of LSD and FMD can be administered without adverse effects.
Strains of epiphytic and toxic dinoflagellates were collected from the seawaters surrounding Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands in Korea, and their morphology, molecular phylogeny, and toxicity were analyzed. Each dinoflagellate strain was examined under a microscope for genus-level identification, while species-level confirmation was achieved for Amphidinium operculatum, Ostreopsis sp. (type 1), Protoceratium reticulatum, Coolia canariensis, and C. malayensis through molecular phylogenetic analysis. The genera Gambierdiscus, Heterocapsa, and Prorocentrum were identified based on morphological traits, with Gambierdiscus characterized by a round-flattened shape with distinct thecal plates, Heterocapsa exhibiting a fusiform to oval shape, and Prorocentrum showing an oblong-to-ovate shape. Toxicity assessments for five species involved exposing Artemia salina nauplii to concentration-dependent extracts of the dinoflagellates. At a concentration of 100 ppm, P. reticulatum, A. operculatum, C. canariensis, and Ostreopsis sp. resulted in significant mortality among the nauplii, with survival rates dropping to as low as 0% over a 24-hour period. These findings underscore the potential ecological and toxicological impacts of these species and highlight the necessity for further research to evaluate their behavior under varying environmental conditions. This study marks the first documentation of subtropical epiphytic dinoflagellates in the waters around Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands, encompassing twelve strains from eight epiphytic species. Additionally, we investigated the toxicity of five species, including a toxic planktonic dinoflagellate. The results suggest a potential northeastward shift in their distribution, likely originating from Jeju Island, and being transported by the Tsushima Warm Current through the East Sea. This shift has enabled the successful establishment of populations in these areas under favorable conditions influenced by changes in the oceanic climate.
진저 비어는 생강과 설탕을 이용한 발효 음료로, 가볍 게 탄산화된 특유의 매운맛이 특징이며, 주로 가정에서 직 접 만들어진다. Ginger bug라는 스타터 컬처를 사용한 자 연적 발효 과정을 통해 만들어지며, 이는 상업용 음료와 달리 발효된 상태의 살아있는 미생물을 포함한다. 이 연 구는 두 가지 다른 방법으로 가정용 진저 비어를 직접 제 조하여 진저 비어의 미생물 군집의 변화를 분석하고자 하 였다. 레시피 1과 2의 발효 결과, 총 균수(aerobic plate count, APC)는 최대 6 log CFU/mL에 도달했고, 효모와 곰팡이 수(yeast and mold, YM)는 6.5 log CFU/mL로 가 장 높았다. 레시피 2에서는 진저 비어를 만들기 전에 ginger bug를 발효하였으므로 알코올 함량이 0.655%까지 증가한 반면, 레시피 1에서는 0.15% 미만이었다. 다양성 분석 결 과, ginger bug에서 높은 수준의 Enterobacteriaceae가 발견 되어 발효 과정과 재료 취급이 미생물 군집 변화에 영향 을 미쳤음을 시사했다. 생강과 진저 비어 전반에서 Lactococcus가 낮은 수준으로 검출되었고, 진저 비어에서 는 셀룰로오스를 분해하는 Trabulsiella 균주가 발견되어 프로바이오틱스 가능성을 시사하였다. 본 연구는 진저 비 어의 미생물 군집에 대한 최초의 연구로, 진저 비어 제조 시 재료로부터 기원한 미생물이 어떻게 변화하는지에 대 한 통찰을 제공한다. 또한, 다양한 환경에서의 발효 조건 이 미생물 군집과 제품의 품질에 미치는 영향을 탐구하는 데 기여할 것이다. 연구 결과는 진저 비어의 품질 향상에 대한 향후 연구에 중요한 자료를 제공할 것이다.
Maturity at harvest is the key factor influencing storage life and the final quality of fruit. This study examined how the firmness of ‘Sweet Gold’ kiwifruit at harvest affects its post-ripening characteristics to create a maturity chart. Throughout the storage period, firmness decreased in all categories of fruit: hard, medium, and soft. ‘Soft’ fruits lost 40% of their firmness within 2 days after harvest, whereas ‘hard’ fruits remained firmer than soft fruits throughout the storage period and had the least soluble solids content, indicating a slower ripening progression. The acidity of ‘soft’ kiwifruit was very low from the day of harvest, suggesting that it was utilized as a respiratory substrate during ripening. The a-values (indicating redness) for ‘soft’ fruits gradually increased until day 6, stabilizing thereafter. ‘Soft’ fruits exhibited the highest ethylene production rate throughout storage. They showed a climacteric rise in ethylene on day 13, compared to ‘medium’ and ‘hard’ fruits, which exhibited increases on days 19 and 21, respectively. This data can help determine the optimal ethylene treatment duration for ripening ‘Sweet Gold’ kiwifruit. The firmness of ‘Sweet Gold’ kiwifruit at harvest is a crucial factor in determining its marketability and can effectively serve as a maturity index to estimate its shelf life.
본 연구는 절화 국화의 수경재배와 토경관비재배 시 생육 특 성을 비교하기 위하여 실시하였다. 그 결과 초장, 절화의 생체중 과 건물중은 토경관비재배에서 증가하였다. 식물체 내 전질소, 칼륨 및 칼슘의 함량도 토경관비재배에서 더 높았다. 반면에 줄기 직경은 수경재배에서 3.7mm로 증가하였다. 또한 개화소 요일수도 토경관비재배보다 수경재배에서 3일 정도 단축되었 고, 줄기 1개당 꽃 수도 19.6개로 수경재배에서 더 많았다. 결과 적으로 토경관비재배에서 식물체 내 무기염류 함량이 높고, 초장이 길어지고 생체중, 건물중이 증가하였지만 수경재배보다 개화기는 지연되었다. 또한 토경관비재배보다 수경재배에서 줄 기 직경이나 꽃 수 등이 증가하였다. 따라서 재배자의 입장에서 국화 수경재배를 통해 양분과 수분 공급량의 조절에 의한 개화 기의 조절, 조기 개화 및 절화 품질 향상 등의 효과를 기대할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.