• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2010

Purpose: $[^{18}F]$Fallypride plays an effective radiotracer for the study of dopamine $D_2/D_3$ receptor occupancy, neuropsychiatric disorders and aging in humans. This tracer has the potential for clinical use, but automated labeling efficiency showed low radiochemical yields about 5~20% with relatively long labelling time of fluorine-18. In present study, we describe an improved automatic synthesis of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride using different base concentration for routine clinical use. Materials and Methods: Fully automated synthetic process of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was perform using the TracerLab $FX_{FN}$ synthesizer under various labeling conditions and tosyl-fallypride was used as a precursor. [$^{18}F$]Fluoride was extracted with various concentration of $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ from $^{18}O$-enriched water trapped on the ion exchange cartridge. After azeotropic drying, the labeling reaction proceeded in $CH_3CN$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 or 30 min. The reaction mixture was purified by reverse phase HPLC and collected organic solution was exchanged by tc-18 Sep-Pak for the clinically available solution. Results: The optimal labeling condition of [$^{18}F$]Fallypride in the automatic production was that 2 mg of tosyl-fallypride in acetonitrile (1 mL) was incubated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 10 min with $K_{2.2.2.}/K_2CO_3$ (11/0.8 mg). [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was obtained with high radiochemical yield about $66{\pm}1.4%$ (decay-corrected, n=28) within $51{\pm}1.2$ min including HPLC purification and solid-phase purification for the final formulation. Conclusion: [$^{18}F$]Fallypride was prepared with a significantly improved radiochemical yield with high specific activity and shorten synthetic time. In addition, this automated procedure provides the high reproducibility with no synthesis failures (n=28).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.823-830
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• 2001

Background: Paraplegia is a serious complication of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic operations, which is related to ischemic injury of the spinal cord induced by low perfusion pressure during cross clamping of the aorta. Ischemic preconditioning of heart or brain with reversible sublethal ischemic injury induces resistance to subsequent lethal ischemia. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ischemic tolerance could be induced by the preconditioning of the spinal cord using swine model. Material and Method: The animals were randomly assigned to three groups: sham group(n=3), control group(n=6) and pre-conditioning group(n=8). In the sham group, we performed the left thoracotomy only without any ischemic injury. In the preconditioning group, the swine received reversible spinal cord ischemic injury by aortic clamping for 20 minutes, whereas control group had no previous aortic cross- clamping. Forty-eight hours later, the aorta was clamped for 30 minutes in both groups. Neurological examination was done 24 hours later, then the animals were euthanized for histopathology and malonedialdehyde(MDA) spectrophotometry assay of the spinal cord. Result: Statistically significant difference in neurological outcome was observed between the control and preconditioning groups at 24 hours after ischemic injury. The incidence of paraplegia and severe paresis was 100% in the control group, and 62.5% in the preconditing group(p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in histopathology and MDA assay of the ischemic spinal cord between these two groups with borderline statistical difference in MDA assay(p=0.0745). Conclusion: In the present swine study, ischemic preconditioning could induce tolerance against 30 minute ischemic insult of the spinal cord, although the animals did not completely recover(stand-up or walk). We expect that combining this preconditioning with other currently existing protection methods might lead to a synergistic effect, which warrants further investigation.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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• v.11A no.7 s.91
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• pp.555-562
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• 2004

Both global volume reduction and local shape changes of hippocampus within the brain indicate their abnormal neurological states. Hippocampal shape analysis consists of two main steps. First, construct a hippocampal shape representation model ; second, compute a shape similarity from this representation. This paper proposes a novel method for the analysis of hippocampal shape using integrated Octree-based representation, containing meshes, voxels, and skeletons. First of all, we create multi-level meshes by applying the Marching Cube algorithm to the hippocampal region segmented from MR images. This model is converted to intermediate binary voxel representation. And we extract the 3D skeleton from these voxels using the slice-based skeletonization method. Then, in order to acquire multiresolutional shape representation, we store hierarchically the meshes, voxels, skeletons comprised in nodes of the Octree, and we extract the sample meshes using the ray-tracing based mesh sampling technique. Finally, as a similarity measure between the shapes, we compute $L_2$ Norm and Hausdorff distance for each sam-pled mesh pair by shooting the rays fired from the extracted skeleton. As we use a mouse picking interface for analyzing a local shape inter-actively, we provide an interaction and multiresolution based analysis for the local shape changes. In this paper, our experiment shows that our approach is robust to the rotation and the scale, especially effective to discriminate the changes between local shapes of hippocampus and more-over to increase the speed of analysis without degrading accuracy by using a hierarchical level-of-detail approach.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 2010

It was recently reported that nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is secreted from the brain, controls appetite and energy metabolism. The purpose of this research was to confirm whether or not the protein and its binding site should have been expressed in the mouse reproductive organs and to know the possible effects of nesfatin-1 on the reproductive function. Using the ICR female mouse ovary and uterus, the expression of NUCB2 mRNA was confirmed with the conventional PCR and the relative amount of NUCB2 mRNA in the tissues was analyzed with real-time PCR. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the nesfatin-1 antibody to investigate the nesfatin-1 protein expression and the biotin conjugated nesfatin-1 to confirm the binding site for nesfatin-1 in the ovary. Furthermore, in order to examine if the expression of NUCB2 mRNA in the ovary and uterus is affected by gonadotropin, its mRNA expression was analyzed after PMSG administration into mice. As a result, the expression level of NUCB2 mRNA in the ovary and the uterus was as much as the expression level in hypothalamus. As a result of the immunohistochemical staining, nesfatin-1 proteins were localized at the theca cells, the interstitial cells, and some of the luteal cells. However, the granulosa cells in the follicles did not stain. Interestingly, the oocytes in the some follicles were stained with nesfatin-1. On the other hand, nesfatin-1 protein binding sites were displayed at the theca cells and the interstitial cells near the tunica albuginea. After PMSG administration the expression level of NUCB2 mRNA was increased in the ovary and the uterus. These results demonstrate that for the first time the nesfatin-1 and its binding site were expressed in the ovary and NUCB2 mRNA expression was controlled by gonadotropin, suggesting an important role in the reproductive organs as a local regulator. Therefore, further study is needed to elucidate the functions of nesfatin-1 on the reproductive organs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.59-77
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• 1996

A survey was conducted to study perception and attitudes of examinees of health screening center towards items, cost and procedures of health examination and degree of satisfaction with health examination, from March 2 to May 31, 1995. The study population was 468 examinees received health examination at Health Screening & Diagnosis Center of Yeungnam University Hospital. A questionnaire method was used to collect data. The followings are summaries of findings : Examinees were predominantly male(77.4%); had college education(68.6%), and held white-collar workers(57.8%). Statistical significance of association between frequency of periodic health examination and other variables were tested by chi-square test. Examinees who have higher degree of concern regarding health and those who practice more exercise for health maintenance received health examination more frequently. The majority expressed that health examination is very beneficial and effective in terms of prevention and early detection of diseases. Also the majority revealed that they are satisfied with health examination. The majority expressed that procedures and time spent for health examination are adequate; interval of health examination is one year; and additional examination items are cerebral examination, neurological examination and gastrofibercope. The majority revealed that they want more information about chronic degenerative diseases and health maintenance and promotion. In conclusion, the study revealed that examinees seemed to have more positive perceptions and attitudes towards health examination.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.359-381
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• 1992

This study was designed to investigate the effect of diazepam on the spontaneous contraction and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus. Female rat(Sprague-Dawley) pretreated with oophorectomy and 4 days administration of estrogen, weighing about 200 g, was sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the uteruses were isolated. A longitudinal muscle strip was placed in temperature controlled($37^{\circ}C$) muscle chamber containing Locke's solution and myographied isometrically. Diazepam inhibited the spontaneous contraction and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus in a concentration-dependent manner. GABA, muscimol, a GABA A receptor agonist, bicuculline, a competitive GAGA A receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, a non competitive GABA A receptor antagonist, baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist, and delta-aminovaleric acid, a GABA B receptor antagonist, did not affect on the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction of the isolated rat uterus. The inhibitory actions of diazepam on the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction were not affected by all the GABA receptor agonists and antagonists, but exceptionally potentiated by bicuculline. This potentiation-effect by bicuculline was not antagonized by muscimol. In normal calcium PSS, addition of calcium restored the spontaneous contraction preinhibited by diazepam and recovered the contractile of oxytocin preinhibited by diazepam. A23187, a calcium inophore, enhanced the restoration of both the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contraction by addition of calcium. In calcium-free PSS, diazepam suppressed the restoration of spontaneous motility by addition of calcium but allowed the recovery of spontaneous motility to a considerable extent. Diazepam could not inhibit some development of contractility by oxytocin in calcium-free PSS, but inhibited the increase in contractility by subsequent addition of calcium. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of diazepam on the rat uterine motility does not depend on or related to GABA receptors and that diazepam inhibits the extracellular calcium influx to suppress the spontaneous and oxytocin induced contractilities.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2017

Objectives : Recent neuroimaging studies focus on dysfunctions in connectivity between cognitive circuits and emotional circuits: anterior cingulate cortex that connects dorsolateral orbitofrontal cortex and prefrontal cortex to limbic system. Previous studies on pediatric depression using DTI have reported decreased neural connectivity in several brain regions, including the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, superior longitudinal fasciculus. We compared the neural connectivity of psychotropic drug naïve adolescent patients with a first onset of major depressive episode with healthy controls using DTI. Methods : Adolescent psychotropic drug naïve patients(n=26, 10 men, 16 women; age range, 13-18 years) who visited the Korea University Guro Hospital and were diagnosed with first onset major depressive disorder were registered. Healthy controls(n=27, 5 males, 22 females; age range, 12-17 years) were recruited. Psychiatric interviews, complete psychometrics including IQ and HAM-D, MRI including diffusion weighted image acquisition were conducted prior to antidepressant administration to the patients. Fractional anisotropy(FA), radial, mean, and axial diffusivity were estimated using DTI. FMRIB Software Library-Tract Based Spatial Statistics was used for statistical analysis. Results : We did not observe any significant difference in whole brain analysis. However, ROI analysis on right superior longitudinal fasciculus resulted in 3 clusters with significant decrease of FA in patients group. Conclusions : The patients with adolescent major depressive disorder showed statistically significant FA decrease in the DTI-based structure compared with healthy control. Therefore we suppose DTI can be used as a bio-marker in psychotropic drug-naïve adolescent patients with first onset major depressive disorder.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2009

Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.938-947
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• 2016

Antioxidant activities and neuroprotective effects of ethyl acetate fraction from Dendropanax morbifera (EFDM) against high glucose-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity were investigated to confirm their physiological activities. An 80% ethanolic extract of D. morbifera showed the highest contents of total phenolic compounds as well as 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities. The extract was fractionated using several solvents, and the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest activities in ferric reducing/antioxidant power and malondialdehyde inhibitory assays. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect based on antioxidant activities, cell viability was assessed using PC12 and MC-IXC cells in $H_2O_2$- and high glucose-induced cytotoxic assays, respectively. EFDM evidently showed neuroprotective effects in all cells (neuron-like PC12 cells and human brain-originated neuroblastoma MC-IXC cells). Inhibitory effect of the extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as an acetylcholine-hydrolyzing enzyme was performed to examine the effect on cognitive function. EFDM presented an AChE inhibitory effect. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the major phenolic compound of EFDM is probably a rutin.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.6 no.3 s.21
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

Roads, like bikeways, parkways and walks, are to be just capable of supporting light traffic and traveling public, but they are required to be human friendly and environmental-oriented. Lately soil-solidifier mixture, a kind of soil-cement, has developed and has been applied to the recycling and environment-oriented pavement as the surfacing material. Soil-solidifier pavement structure has been designed by only experience. To design this pavement mechanically, it is necessary to find out basic engineering properties of soil-solidifier mixture. This study focuses on finding out mechanical characteristics of the mixture according to mixture proportions and aging. Test molds with various mixture proportions are made, and then unconfined strength tests are performed for test molds with aging of the mixture. As the result of this study, it is found that the strength of the mixture increases with amount of cement and that maximum strength is achieved at 6%$\sim$8% of the ratio of solidifier and water. The strength increase rapidly until 14 days, after then slowly. After 28 days the strength of the mixture approaches to the constant value. The heat of hydration during curing of the mixture is measured no significantly. It also shows that temperature characteristics of the mixture is similar to that of soil. Since this mixture is mixed with soil and is able to improve engineering problems in pavement due to temperature, this mixture is expected to use effectively in the environment-oriented pavement for light traffic.