• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2014

This study developed a portable respiratory training device to improve breathing stability, which is an important element in using the CyberKnife Synchrony respiratory tracking device, one of the typical Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) devices. It produced an interface for users to be able to select one of two displays, a graph type and a bar type, supported an auditory system that helps them expect next respiration by improving a sense of rhythm of their respiratory period, and provided comfortable respiratory inducement. By targeting 5 applicants and applying individual respiratory period detected through a self-developed program, it acquired signal data of 'guide respiration' that induces breathing through signal data gained from 'free respiration' and an auditory system, and evaluated the usability by comparing deviation average values of respiratory period and respiratory amplitude. It could be identified that respiratory period decreased $55.74{\pm}0.14%$ compared to free respiration, and respiratory amplitude decreased $28.12{\pm}0.10%$ compared to free respiration, which confirmed the consistency and stability of respiratory. SBRT, developed based on these results, using the portable respiratory training device, for liver cancer or lung cancer, is evaluated to be able to help reduce delayed treatment time due to respiratory instability and improve treatment accuracy, and if it could be applied to developing respiratory training applications targeting an android-based portable device in the future, even use convenience and economic efficiency are expected.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2007

Compound K (CK), a protopanaxadiol ginsenoside metabolite, was previously shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we isolated the CK rich fractions (CKRF) from Korean Red Ginseng and investigated the regulation of CKRF-mediated inflammatory signaling during Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated cellular activation. Among various TLR ligands, CKRF considerably abrogated TLR4- or TLR9-induced inflammatory signaling. Both LPS and CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) stimulation rapidly activates mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPKs; extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and p38], NF-${\kappa}B$, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Of interest, pre-treatment of CKRF in either LPS/TLR4- or CpG-ODN/TLR9-stimulated macrophages substantially attenuated the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production and mRNA expressions, as well as MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the inhibitory roles for CKRF in TLR4- or TLR9-associated signaling in BMDMs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CKRF specifically modulates distinct TLR4 and TLR9-mediated inflammatory responses, and further studies are urgently needed for their in vivo roles for potential therapeutic uses, such as in systemic inflammatory syndromes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.347-353
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• 2008

Background: Esophageal perforation is an emergency that. requires early diagnosis and effective treatment. A delay in diagnosis and treatment. significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Material and Method: Thirty-seven patients with esophageal perforation were surgically treated at our institutions between January 1990 and December 2006. We retrospectively reviewed the results of surgical treatment for esophageal perforation to understand the risk factors affecting survival inpatients. Result: Patients ranged in age from 21 to 87 years, with an average age of $52.7{\pm}16.98$ years. Thirty-one of the patients were men and six were women. There were 23 patients (62%) with spontaneous perforations, 10 patients (27%) with a traumatic perforation, and 4 patients (11%) with an iatrogenic perforation. The site of esophageal perforation was the cervical esophagus in 5 patients, the thoracic esophagus in 31 patients, and the abdominal esophagus in one patient. Twenty-nine patients underwent primary closure of the perforation and five patients had T-tube drainage. Exclusion-diversion procedures were performed in two patients and an esophagectomy was performed in one patient. There were six cases of mortality (16.22%) and 25 cases of postoperative complications in 15 patients (40.5%). Patients that were treated later than 24 hours after detection of the perforation showed a statistically significant high morbidity and mortality rate (p<0.05). Conclusion: The most important risk factor of esophageal perforation was the time interval between detection of the perforation and the initiation of treatment. A prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2006

Salt stress is one of major environmental factors influencing plant growth and development. To identify salt tolerance determinants in higher plants, a large-scale screen was conducted with a bialaphos marker-based T-DNA insertional collection of Arabidopsis ecotype C24 mutants. One line for salt stress-sensitive mutant (referred to as ssm1) exhibited increased sensitivity to both ionic (NaCl) and nonionic (mannitol) osmotic stress in a root growth assay. This result suggests that ssm1 mutant is involved in ion homeostasis and osmotic compensation in plant. Molecular cloning of the genomic DNA flanking T-DNA insert of ssm1 mutant was achieved by mutant genomic DNA library screening. T-DNA insertion appeared in the first exon of an open reading frame on F3M18.7, which is the same as AtSYP61. SSM1 is SYP61/OSM1 that is a member of the SNARE superfamily of proteins required for vesicular/target membrane fusions and factor related to abiotic stress.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.703-710
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• 2010

In this study, a tactile stimulator was developed to resolve some problems from the previous version of the system such as system configuration, inappropriate stimulation control and additional problems. The developed tactile stimulator consists of control unit, drive unit and vibrator unit. The control unit was controlled by E-Prime software to generate appropriate vibration pulses. The drive unit supplies enough energy to the vibrator to generate effective stimulation pulses. The vibrator unit consists of small coin type vibrator and velcro, and was made to be attached at the hand easily. The developed tactile stimulator was designed by small-size, light-weight, low-power, simple-fabrication, max 35 channels and little delay time from instruction signal of E-Prime software to vibrator. The duration and magnitude of stimulation was controlled by 10 grades and the problems concerning stimulation control were compensated by wideband frequency ranges. Additionally, the electrical safety was ensured by low voltage operation. Vibrator was made to be attached on finger as well as on any part of the subject. Since this tactile stimulator is developed based on E-Prime software which is widely used in cognitive science, it is believed that this stimulator be suitable for the wide application of cognitive science study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to review clinical manifestations of hyperphenylalaninemia patients in Korean. Methods: 178 cases of hyperphenyalaninemia were diagnosed at department of pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Hospital from January, 1983 to August. We reviewed DNA analysis, MR imaging, EEG, radiography of the left hand and wrist, bone densitometry (BMD), IQ test of hyperphenyalaninemia patients. Results: Out of 178 cases, 161 cases were diagnosed classic phenylketonuria and 17 cases were diagnosed BH4 deficiency. 122 cases performed DNA analysis. R243Q (10.3%), Y204C (9.9%), and IVS4-1G>A (8.1%) mutations were predominant. 22 cases underwent MR imaging. Varying degrees of symmetrical high signal intensity were noted on T2-weighted sequences in the periventricular deep white matter of 15 cases. 23 cases were performed EEG. 12 cases (52.3%) showed abnormal pattern. EEG abnormalities showed in 11 cases. On lumbar BMD four of 11 cases (36%) showed reduced bone density of more than 1 S.D. in four of 11 cases, bone age was less than chronological age by at least one year. 18 cases were performed IQ test. Mean IQ scores was $84{\pm}21.6$. Among older than 15 years (9 cases), Mean IQ scores was $72{\pm}21.2$. PTPS deficiency was 14 cases, DHPR deficiency was 2 cases, and GTPCH deficiency was 1 case. Conclusion: We confirmed there were varieties of DNA mutations. And MR imaging and EEG were nonspecific in PKU patients. Older children showed lower IQ score. Low phenylalanine diet prevents brain damage in PKU patient. Not only first few years of life but also lifetime, Keeping low phenylalanine diet is important.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.177-186
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• 1989

Observations were made on the differences in cell-mediated immune responses in the mice infected with strongly pathogenic Naegleria fewleyi ITMAP 359, weakly pathogenic Naegzeria jadini 0400, or non.pathogenic Naegleria gruberi EGB, respectively. Variations in cell-mediated responses and changes in antibody titers according to the duration after infection wore noted. Infections were done by dropping $5{\;}{\mu}l$ saline suspension containing $10{\times}10^4$ trophozoites cultured Bxenically in the CGVS medium into the right nasal cavity of ICR mice aging about 6~7 weeks, under the anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of'secobarbital. Following infection, delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) iesponses in the footpad and blastogenic responses of the mouse spleen cells using [$^3H$]-thymidine were observed on the day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after infection. For the preparation of amoeba Iysates, each of cultured trophosoites were homogenized with an ultrasonicator, and centrifugated at 20,000 g. The supernatants of amoeba Iysates were used as the mitogen'and antigen for ELISA. Confanavalin A(Con. A) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) were also used as mitogens in the blastogenic response. 1. The mice infected with N, fowleri showed the mortality rate of 75.7%. The rate was 6.2% for the N. jadini infected group, while no dead mouse was observed for N. gruberi infections. 2. In regard to DTH responses in the H. fewleri infected mice, the level increased in com- parison to the control group but declined after 7 days. An increase was also noted for the JV. jadini group after 1 day, but gradual decreases were observed through the infection period. In addition, no difference was noted between the N. gruberi infected and control groups. 3. Concerning the blastogenic response of the splenocytes, it increased after 10 days in the experimental group of N, fcwleri infection, but the differences ware not statistically significant compared with control group. It was evident that N. jadini group was not different from control group either, while there was a tendency of decrease in SV. gruberi infected group. In regard to the blastogenic response of the splenocytes by LPS, it was found that the N. fowlgri, N. jadini and N. gruberi infected groups had no differences from the control group. 4. The serum antibody titer of N. fcwleri and N. jadini infected mice increased from the day 7 and 14 after infection respectively, while the N. gruberi infected mice showed no increase. In summary of the results, it was observed that there were differences in the cell-mediated immune responses and serum antibody titers in the mice infected with strongly pathogenic JV. fowleri, weakly pathogenic N. jadini, or non.pathogenic N. gruberi, respectively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2002

Background: Inflammation, where vascular endothelial cells are activated by cytokines, recruits circulating leukocytes such as neutrophils into the tissues. Mononuclear phagocytes as well as tissue cells activated by these stimuli produce these chemokines. In this study, thr effects of IL-1 and LPS on the expression of CXC chemokines such as GRO-${\alpha}$, IL-8 and ENA-78 in vascular endothelial cells and the neutrophil adhesion effects of ENA-78 and GRO-${\alpha}$ was investigated. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured and stimulated with various concentrations of IL-1 and LPS. The concentrations of the GRO-${\alpha}$, IL-8 and ENA-78 secreted were measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. The effects of ENA-78 and GRO-${\alpha}$ on neutrophil adhesion to the endothelial cells were also investigated. Results: The addition of IL-1 and LPS to the vascular endothelial cells induced GRO-${\alpha}$ IL-8 and ENA-78 secretion in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The neutrophil adhesion was also increased by induction of ENA-78 and GRO-${\alpha}$ to the vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: CXC chemokines such as GRO-${\alpha}$, IL-8 and ENA-78 secreted by the vascular endothelial cells play an important role in the acute inflammatory responses by stimulating neutrophil adhesion to the vascular endothelial cells, raising the possibility that the CXC chemokines are one of the targets in the clinical application of acute inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2015

GNSS was firstly proposed for application in weather forecasting in the mid-1980s. It has continued to demonstrate the practical uses in GNSS meteorology, and other relevant researches are currently being conducted. Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV), calculated based on the GNSS signal delays due to the troposphere of the Earth, represents the amount of the water vapor in the atmosphere, and it is therefore widely used in the analysis of various weather phenomena such as monitoring of weather conditions and climate change detection. In this study we calculated the PWV through the meteorological information from an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) as well as GNSS data processing of a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) in order to analyze the heavy snowfall of the Ulsan area in early 2014. Song’s model was adopted for the weighted mean temperature model (T_m), which is the most important parameter in the calculation of PWV. The study period is a total of 56 days (February 2013 and 2014). The average PWV of February 2014 was determined to be 11.29 mm, which is 11.34% lower than that of the heavy snowfall period. The average PWV of February 2013 was determined to be 10.34 mm, which is 8.41% lower than that of not the heavy snowfall period. In addition, certain meteorological factors obtained from AWS were compared as well, resulting in a very low correlation of 0.29 with the saturated vapor pressure calculated using the empirical formula of Magnus. The behavioral pattern of PWV has a tendency to change depending on the precipitation type, specifically, snow or rain. It was identified that the PWV showed a sudden increase and a subsequent rapid drop about 6.5 hours before precipitation. It can be concluded that the pattern analysis of GNSS PWV is an effective method to analyze the precursor phenomenon of precipitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.188-196
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• 2023

Among marine accidents caused by bad weather, visibility restrictions caused by sea fog occurrence cause accidents such as ship strand and ship bottom damage, and at the same time involve casualties caused by accidents, which continue to occur every year. In addition, low visibility at sea is emerging as a social problem such as causing considerable inconvenience to islanders in using transportation as passenger ships are collectively delayed and controlled even if there are local differences between regions. Moreover, such measures are becoming more problematic as they cannot objectively quantify them due to regional deviations or different criteria for judging observations from person to person. Currently, the VTS of each port controls the operation of the ship if the visibility distance is less than 1km, and in this case, there is a limit to the evaluation of objective data collection to the extent that the visibility of sea fog depends on the visibility meter or visual observation. The government is building a marine weather signal sign and sea fog observation networks for sea fog detection and prediction as part of solving these obstacles to marine traffic safety, but the system for observing locally occurring sea fog is in a very insufficient practical situation. Accordingly, this paper examines domestic and foreign policy trends to solve social problems caused by low visibility at sea and provides basic data on the need for government support to ensure maritime traffic safety due to sea fog by factually investigating and analyzing social problems. Also, this aims to establish a more stable maritime traffic operation system by blocking marine safety risks that may ultimately arise from sea fog in advance.