Impact of Macro-economic Factors on the Hemline Cycles

This current study is to investigate whether the relationships between hemline and macro-economic factors – rGDP, recession, and unemployment – are applicable now; and to analyze time lags reflecting economic factors on hemline index using U.S. data. The hemline theory and fashion cyclical theory were applied to propose the relationships studied

The Influence of Health Information Orientation, E-Health Literacy, and Anxiety on Health Behavior among Parents with School Age Children: Focusing on MERS Prevention Behavior

This study was conducted in order to examine how health information orientation, e-health literacy, and anxiety influence MERS-related health behavior in parents with school age children. A total of 146 subjects living in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do were used as valid data. According to the results, the parents’ socio-economic status such as education level and monthly income level, health information orientation, e-health literacy, and MERS-related anxiety explained about 15.4% of variance in MERS infection prevention behavior. In particular, e-health literacy and anxiety about MERS infection in themselves and their families were found to be the most influential factors. Based on these findings, interventions should be designed to manage people’s e-health literacy and anxiety in response to the outbreak of an unknown infectious disease like MERS

The Effects of Consumers\u27 Values, Environment Self-identity, and Injunctive Norms on Enjoyment-based Intrinsic Motivation and Eco-friendly Apparel Purchasing Behavior

The aim of this study was to analyze how the individual\u27s values, environment self-identity, and descriptive norms, and injunctive norms influence enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation and eco-friendly apparel purchasing behavior. Researchers conducted a paper-based survey and a total of 353 Korean college students\u27 data were used for the analyses. The results showed that biospheric-altruistic values are positively related to environmental self-identity, but egoistic values had statistically significant influence on environmental self-identity in negative direction. Also, enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation to purchase eco-friendly apparel was strengthened by environmental self-identity and injunctive norms, while no significant influence by descriptive norms on enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation was found. The findings in this study suggest that college students with a strong environmental self-identity strengthened by biospheric-altruistic values enjoy purchasing eco-friendly apparel. In addition, injunctive norm was internalized via enjoyment-based motivation for college student to purchase eco-friendly apparel

Reference gene validation for qPCR in rat carotid body during postnatal development

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The carotid bodies are the main arterial oxygen chemoreceptors in mammals. Afferent neural output from the carotid bodies to brainstem respiratory and cardiovascular nuclei provides tonic input and mediates important protective responses to acute and chronic hypoxia. It is widely accepted that the selection of reference genes for mRNA normalization in quantitative real-time PCR must be validated for a given tissue and set of conditions. This is particularly important for studies in carotid body during early postnatal maturation as the arterial oxygen tension undergoes major changes from fetal to postnatal life, which may affect reference gene expression. In order to determine the most stable and suitable reference genes for the study of rat carotid body during development, six commonly used reference genes, β-actin, RPII (RNA polymerase II), PPIA (peptidyl-proyl-isomerase A), TBP (TATA-box binding protein), GAPDH, and 18s rRNA, were evaluated in two age groups (P0-1 and P14-16) under three environmental oxygen conditions (normoxia, chronic hypoxia and chronic hyperoxia) using the three most commonly used software programs, geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The three programs produced similar results but the reference gene rankings were not identical between programs or experimental conditions. Overall, 18s rRNA was the least stable reference gene for carotid body and, when hyperoxia and/or hypoxia conditions were included, actin was similarly unstable.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Reference or housekeeping gene expression for qPCR studies of carotid body during postnatal development may vary with developmental stage and environmental conditions. Selection of the best reference gene or combination of reference genes for carotid body development studies should take environmental conditions into account. Two commonly used reference genes, 18s rRNA and actin, may be unsuitable for studies of carotid body maturation, especially if the study design includes altered oxygen conditions.</p

English Education Program for North Korean Refugee College Students: Evaluations Based on Socio-educational Model

This study was designed to expand our understanding about the ways in which North Korean Refugee College Students (NKRCS) acquire English as their second language in their newly adapted South Korean society. Using a socio-educational model, we paid close attention to their perception toward English, which includes their openness and identification with the target language community and their culture. By examining the six-month English education program for NKRCS, we analyze factors that hinder NKRCS from success in English learning in relation to their motivations. Despite the instrumental goal of the English education program to improve English test scores, most of the participants were not ready to take the test but wished to learn more about basic and conversational knowledge of English, which reflected integrative motivation. Results suggest that this motivational discrepancy may demotivate the participants and lead to low attendance and low performance on the test

Regulation of Mouse Hepatic ␣-Amino-␤-Carboxymuconate-- Semialdehyde Decarboxylase, a Key Enzyme in the Tryptophan-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Pathway, by Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4␣ and Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor ␣

ABSTRACT Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular energy homeostasis. ␣-Amino-␤-carboxymuconate--semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD) is the key enzyme regulating de novo synthesis of NAD from L-tryptophan (Trp), designated the Trp-NAD pathway. Acmsd gene expression was found to be under the control of both hepatocyte nuclear factor 4␣ (HNF4␣) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ␣ (PPAR␣). Constitutive expression of ACMSD mRNA levels were governed by HNF4␣ and downregulated by activation of PPAR␣ by the ligand Wy-14,643 ([4-chloro-6-(2,3-xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio]acetic acid]), as revealed by studies with hepatic HNF4␣-null mice and PPAR␣-null mice, respectively. Transient transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift analyses showed an HNF4␣ binding site in the Acmsd gene promoter that directed transactivation of reporter gene constructs by HNF4␣. The Acmsd promoter was not responsive to PPAR␣ in transactivation assays. Wy-14,643 treatment decreased HNF4␣ protein levels in wild-type, but not PPAR␣-null, mouse livers, with no changes in HNF4␣ mRNA. These results show that Wy-14,643, through PPAR␣, posttranscriptionally down-regulates HNF4␣ protein levels, leading to reduced expression of the HNF4␣ target gene Acmsd

Avian species survey with citizen-science data in Janghang Wetland, Goyang, Republic of Korea

Monitoring of avian populations in Janghang Wetland, Goyang, Republic of Korea (ROK) is based on citizen science (also called community-based monitoring). This monitoring data can be used to track avian density, population status and waterbird census at local, national and regional levels. The Ministry of Environment (MoE) ROK has surveyed since 1999, including Odusan Unification Tower to Ilsan Bride, which connects the cities of Gimpo and Goyang along the Han River estuary. However, it has not covered Janghang Wetland, which is located in the Han River estuary at the transboundary between the two Koreas. The Janghang Wetland is a protected wetland in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas. In 2019, Janghang Wetland was designated as a Flyway Network Site by Goyang City and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership. This Network site is a voluntary collaboration and includes many internationally significant wetlands for waterbirds that still lack formal national protection. In addition, it was designated as a Ramsar site in 2021. The wetland currently supports wintering population of White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), species listed as vulnerable and Tundra Bean Goose (Anser cygnoides), spring-autumn migration population of Swan Goose (Anser cygnoid), species listed as vulnerable and a breeding population of Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), species listed as endangered in summer.We provide data that the Janghang Wetland is a significant area for migration and breeding for waterbirds; and that Han River estuary is also internationally important for waterbirds during the migratory bird season. We observed 14 orders, 42 families and 132 species. The surveys also observed the critically-endangered Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), White-naped Crane (Grus vipio), Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). We also observed the Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great Cormorant, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Pheasant and Brown-eared Bulbul at the sensor camera point and White-naped Crane, Hooded Crane, Bean Goose, White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Swan Goose, Great Cormorant and Eastern Spot-billed Duck at the closed-circuit television camera point from the camera-trap surveys. Based on the species recorded, the survey area is of clear importance for biodiversity conservation

Pharmacological correction of obesity-induced autophagy arrest using calcium channel blockers

Autophagy deregulation during obesity contributes to the pathogenesis of diverse metabolic disorders. However, without understanding the molecular mechanism of obesity interference in autophagy, development of therapeutic strategies for correcting such defects in obese individuals is challenging. Here we show that a chronic increase of the cytosolic calcium concentration in hepatocytes during obesity and lipotoxicity attenuates autophagic flux by preventing the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. As a pharmacological approach to restore cytosolic calcium homeostasis in vivo, we administered the clinically approved calcium channel blocker verapamil to obese mice. Such treatment successfully increases autophagosome–lysosome fusion in liver, preventing accumulation of protein inclusions and lipid droplets and suppressing inflammation and insulin resistance. As calcium channel blockers have been safely used in clinics for the treatment of hypertension for more than 30 years, our results suggest they may be a safe therapeutic option for restoring autophagic flux and treating metabolic pathologies in obese patients. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5834

Pharmacological correction of obesity-induced autophagy arrest using calcium channel blockers

Autophagy deregulation during obesity contributes to the pathogenesis of diverse metabolic disorders. However, without understanding the molecular mechanism of obesity interference in autophagy, development of therapeutic strategies for correcting such defects in obese individuals is challenging. Here we show that a chronic increase of the cytosolic calcium concentration in hepatocytes during obesity and lipotoxicity attenuates autophagic flux by preventing the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. As a pharmacological approach to restore cytosolic calcium homeostasis in vivo, we administered the clinically approved calcium channel blocker verapamil to obese mice. Such treatment successfully increases autophagosome–lysosome fusion in liver, preventing accumulation of protein inclusions and lipid droplets and suppressing inflammation and insulin resistance. As calcium channel blockers have been safely used in clinics for the treatment of hypertension for more than 30 years, our results suggest they may be a safe therapeutic option for restoring autophagic flux and treating metabolic pathologies in obese patients. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5834

Hepatoprotective role of Sestrin2 against chronic ER stress

Upon prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, cells attenuate protein translation to prevent accumulation of unfolded proteins. Here we show that Sestrin2 is critical for this process. Sestrin2 expression is induced by an ER stress-activated transcription factor CCAATenhancer- binding protein beta (c/EBPβ). Once induced, Sestrin2 halts protein synthesis by inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). As Sestrin2-deficient cells continue to translate a large amount of proteins during ER stress, they are highly susceptible to ER stress-associated cell death. Accordingly, dietary or genetically induced obesity, which does not lead to any pathological indication other than simple fat accumulation in the liver of wild-type (WT) mice, can provoke Sestrin2-deficient mice to develop severe ER stressassociated liver pathologies such as extensive liver damage, steatohepatitis and fibrosis. These pathologies are suppressed by liver-specific Sestrin2 reconstitution, mTORC1 inhibition or chemical chaperone administration. The Sestrin2-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR) may be a general protective mechanism against ER stress-associated diseases