• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.567-572
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• 2014

Extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum have been reported to show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-metastatic, and hepato-protective effects. This study was designed to evaluate T-cell activation and M1/M2 differential macrophage activation by extracts of P. grandiflorum or P. grandiflorum containing various medicinal herbs. Using real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed expression levels of c-fos, and CD40L (T-cell activation markers) in splenocytes and iNOS, Ym1, and ARG1 in RAW 246.7 cells after treatment of CC (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum), MAEK (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [82%] and six different plants), and HWAL (hot water extract of P. grandiflorum [7%] and eight different plants. The results showed that MAEK significantly elevated the expression of T-cell activation markers of splenocytes, with the c-fos gene activated more than 10-fold and the CD40L gene activated more than 6-fold. Although CD40L was significantly increased by CC and HWAL, the increase was only about 2-fold. In addition, CC and HWAL did not significantly activate the expression of the c-fos gene. On the other hand, CC elevated the M1 activation marker iNOS, and HWAL elevated the M2 activation marker Ym1 and ARG1 gene expression. In conclusion, MAEK could be used as an immune stimulant because of its ability to activate T cells (elicited c-fos and CD40L gene expression), whereas HWAL could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent because of its differential activation of M2 macrophages.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.831-842
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• 2001

Background: Patients with cardiac diseases who have structural defects in their heart bring about metabolic insult such as preoperative acid-base imbalance. Cardiac operation requires many nonphysiologic procedures such as extracorporeal circulation, hypothermia, and hemodilution. We studied the acid-base status of surgical heart diseases pre-operatively, during extracorporeal circulation, and post-operatively and researched the treatment indications of acid-base disturbances. Material and Method: From January 1997 to May 1999, fifty two cases of open heart surgery were carried out under extracorporeal circulation, which divided into a set of pediatric and adult groups, congenital and acquired groups, non-cyanotic and cyanotic groups, The $\alpha$ -stat arterial blood gas analysis was done in each group during the preoperative period, during the operation with extracorporeal circulation, and during the postoperative period. Result: Before surgery, all patients present metabolic acidosis, PaO2 was low in adult group and acquired group and compensatory respiratory alkalosis was noted in cyanotic group. During extracorporeal circulation, adult group revealed alkalosis and normal in acquired group. Pediatric group presents low Pa$CO_2$, metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. Congenital group and non-cyanotic group showed non-compensatory alkalosis trend and non-compensatory respiratory acidosis were observed in cyanotic group during extracorporeal circulation. Postoperative acid-base status of adult group was recovered to normal and the standard bicarbonate was increased in the acquired group. All of the pediatric, congenital non-cyanotic, and cyanotic groups revealed the lack of buffer base.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.292-298
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• 2009

Background: Surgery for mitral valve disease in children carries both technical and clinical difficulties that are due to both the wide spectrum of morphologic abnormalities and the high incidence of associated cardiac anomalies. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcome of mitral valve surgery for treating congenital mitral regurgitation in children. Material and Method: From 1997 to 2007, 22 children (mean age: 5.4 years) who had congenital mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair. The median age of the patients was 5.4 years old and four patients (18%) were under 12 months of age. 15 patients (68%) had cardiac anomalies. There were 13 cases of ventricular septal defect, 1 case of atrial septal defect and 1 case of supravalvar aortic stenosis. The grade of the preoperative mitral valve regurgitation was II in 4 patients, III in 15 patients and IV in 3. The regurgitation was due to leaflet prolapse in 12 patients, annular dilatation in 4 patients and restrictive leaflet motion in 5 patients. The preoperative MV Z-value and the regurgitation grade were compared with those obtained at follow-up. Result: MV repair was possible in all the patients. 19 patients required reduction annuloplasty and 18 patients required valvuloplasty that included shortening of the chordae, papillary muscle splitting, artificial chordae insertion and cleft closure. There were no early or late deaths. The mitral valve regurgitation after surgery was improved in all patients (absent=10, grade I=5, II=5, III=2). MV repair resulted in reduction of the mitral valve Z-value ($2.2{\pm}2.1$ vs. $0.7{\pm}2.3$, respectively, p<0.01). During the mid-term follow-up period of 3.68 years, reoperation was done in three patients (one with repair and two with replacement) and three patients showed mild progression of their mitral reguration. Conclusion: our experience indicates that mitral valve repair in children with congenital mitral valve regurgitation is an effective and reliable surgical method with a low reoperation rate. A good postoperative outcome can be obtained by preoperatively recognizing the intrinsic mitral valve pathophysiology detected on echocardiography and with the well-designed, aggressive application of the various reconstruction techniques.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.125-153
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• 2005

It has been widely known that the seismic piezo-cone penetration test (SCPTU) is one of the most useful techniques for investigating the geotechnical characteristics including dynamic soil properties. As the practical applications in Korea, SCPTU was carried out at two sites in Busan and four sites in Incheon, which are mainly composed of alluvial or marine soil deposits. From the SCPTU waveform data obtained from the testing sites, the first arrival times of shear waves were and the corresponding time differences with depth were determined using the cross-over method, and the shear wave velocity profiles (VS) were derived based on the refracted ray path method based on Snell's law and similar to the trend of cone tip resistance (qt) profiles. In Incheon area, the testing depths of SCPTU were deeper than those of conventional down-hole seismic tests. Moreover, for the application of the conventional CPTU to earthquake engineering practices, the correlations between VS and CPTU data were deduced based on the SCPTU results. For the empirical evaluation of VS for all soils together with clays and sands which are classified unambiguously in this study by the soil behavior type classification Index (IC), the authors suggested the VS-CPTU data correlations expressed as a function of four parameters, qt, fs, $\sigma$, v0 and Bq, determined by multiple statistical regression modeling. Despite the incompatible strain levels of the down-hole seismic test during SCPTU and the conventional CPTU, it is shown that the VS-CPTU data correlations for all soils clays and sands suggested in this study is applicable to the preliminary estimation of VS for the Korean deposits and is more reliable than the previous correlations proposed by other researchers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2009

Background: Various studies and experimental trials have been done to develop bioprosthetic devices to treat complex congenital heart disease due to the limited usage of homograft tissue. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diamine bridges with using L-lysine, as compared with using ethanol. Material and Method: Porcine pericardium was fixed at 0.625% GA (commercial fixation). An interim step of ethanol (80%; 1 day at room temperature) or L-lysine (0.1 M; 2 days at $37^{\circ}C$) was followed by completion of the GA fixation (2 days at $4^{\circ}C$ and 7 days at room temperature). The tensile strength and thickness of the porcine percardium were measured, respectively. The treated pericardiums were implanted subcutaneously into three-week old Long-Evans rats for 8 weeks. The calcium content of the implants was assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and the histology. Result: Ethanol pretreatment ($13.6{\pm}10.0ug/mg$, p=0.008), L-lysine pretreatment ($15.3{\pm}1.0 ug/mg$, p=0.002), and both treatment ($16.1{\pm}11.1ug/mg$, p=0.012) significantly inhibited calcification, as compared with the controls $(51.2{\pm}8.5ug/mg)$. L-lysine pretreatment ($0.18{\pm}0.02mm,\;1.20{\pm}0.30kg$ f/5 mm) significantly increased the thickness and tensile strength, as compared with ethanol pretreatment ($0.13{\pm}0.03mm,\;0.85{\pm}0.36$ 1.0 kg f/5 mm) (p<0.01, p=0.035). Conclusion: The diamine bridges using L-lysine seemed to decrease the calcification of porcine pericardium fixed with glutaraldehyde, and this was comparable with Ethanol. Additionally, it seemed to enhance the thickness and tensile strength.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2002

Purpose : X-linked agammaglobulinemia(XLA) is an immunodeficiency caused by abnormalities in Bruton's tyrosine kinase(Btk), and is characterized by a deficiency of peripheral blood B cells. We studied cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein and analyzed the Btk gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) from three XLA families in Korea. Methods : Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from four XLA patients and additional family members in three unrelated XLA families. Mononuclear cells were separated from their blood and the intracellular Btk protein was characterized by a flow cytometry. The mutation analysis was performed using direct sequencing. Results : Cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein in monocytes was not detected in the patients with XLA. We observed a novel deletion and two point mutations within introns(intron 1 and intron 18) resulting in alternative splicings. In XLA family 2, a 980 bp deletion(from intron 9+191 T to intron 10-215 C) including exon 10 was found in patient P2. He was the only sporadic case in this study, because his mother and brother showed a normal Btk expression by flow cytometry. Conclusion : These identified genetic alterations support the molecular heterogeneity of Btk gene in XLA disease. Additionally, by means of flow cytometric analysis, we diagnosed three hypogammaglobulinemia patients as XLA. Advancements in diagnostic methods has facilitated a prompt and definite diagnosis of this disease.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.313-321
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• 2015

To minimize CT examination for Hip FAI diagnosis and operation plan. also, whether the MRI 3D images can replace Hip Clock face image was evaluated when performing Hip FAI MRI by using additional 3D image. This study analyzed Hip MRI and 3D Hip CT images of 31 patients in this hospital. For the purpose of evaluating the images, one orthopedic surgeon and one radiology specialist reconstructed Clock face, at MR and CT modality, by superior 12 o'clock, labrum front 3 o'clock, and the other side 9 o'clock, centering on Hip joint articular transverse ligament 6 o'clock. Afterwards, by the Likert Scale 5 point scale (independent t-test p<0.005), this study evaluated the check-up of A. retinacular vessel, B. head neck junction at 11 o'clock, A. Epiphyseal line, B. Cam lesion at 12 o'clock, and Cam lesion, Posterior Cam lesion at 1,2,3 and 4 o'clock. As for the verification of reliability among observers, this study verified coincidence by Cohen's weighted Kappa verification. As a result of Likert scale for the purpose of qualitative evaluation about the image, 11 o'clock A. retinacular vessel MR average was $3.69{\pm}1.0$ and CT average was $2.8{\pm}0.78$. B. head neck juncton didn't have a difference between two observers (p <0.416). 12 o'clock A. Epiphyseal line MR average was $3.54{\pm}1.00$ and CT average was $4.5{\pm}0.62$(p<0.000). B. Cam lesion didn't have a difference between two observers (p <0.532). 1,2,3,4 Cam lesion and Posterior Cam lesion were not statistically significant (p <0.656, p <0.658). As a result of weighted Kappa verification, 11 o'clock A.retinacular vessel CT K value was 0.663 and the lowest conformity. As a result of coincidence evaluation on respective item, a very high result was drawn, and two observers showed high reliability.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.137-157
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to help classifying Sasang Constitution through correlation with sound characteristic. This study was done it under the suppose that Sasang Constitution has correlation with sound spectrogram. The following result were obtained about correlation between sound spectrogram and Sasang Constitution by comparison and analysis 1. Soeumin answered his voice low tone, smooth and quiet in the survey. Soyangin answered his voice high, clear, fast and speaking random. Taeumin answered his voice low, thick and muddy. 2. Taeyangin was significantly slow compared with the others in the time of reading composition. Taeyangin was significantly slow compared with the others in Formant frequency 1. Taeyangin was significantly discriminated from Soeumin in Formant frequency 5. Taeyangin was significantly low compared with the others in Bandwidth 2. Soeumln was significantly low compared with Taeyangin in Pitch Maximum and Pitch Maximum-Pitch Minimum. Taeyangin was significantly high compared with the others in Energy mean. 3. In list of specification, the discrimination rate was higher than that by lists of 13 in the results of Multi-dimensional 4-class minimum-distance. The discrimination rate of three disposition except Soyangin was higher than that of four disposition in the results of One way ANOVA and Analysis of dis crimination in SPSS/PC+. In CART, the estimate rate of Sasang Constitution discrimination was higher than any other method. It is considered that there is a correlation between sound spectrogram and Sasang constitution according to the results. And method of Sasang constitution classification through sound spectrogram analysis can be one method as assistant for the objectification of Sasang constitution classification.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1993

Background: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a very sensitive method for the detecting of mycobacterial DNA. There are many reports revealing the efficacy of PCR for the diagnosis of M. tuberculosis, but there are many different methods for DNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bead beater method is a very useful method for DNA extraction from clinical spectimens, but its procedures are relatively complicated and time-consuming. So we studied other methods for the DNA extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Rv$ and some clinical specimens (5 smear positive sputa and 5 smear negative CSF). Method: We extracted the mycobacterial DNA with 6 different methods from H37Rv strain and clinical specimens. The methods included SDS-microwave oven method, NaOH lysis method, Triton X-100-Proteinase K method, Lysis buffer method, SDS-proteinase K method and bead beater method. The target DNA was 123bp of IS6110 and was detected by examination of ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. Results: Among 6 methods, SDS-proteinase K method, bead beater method, lysis buffer method and triton X-100-proteinase K method were excellent, but SDS-proteinase K method was the best method in the aspect of simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: We suggest that SDS-porteinase K method is a simple and convinient method and might be the best method for the extraction of mycobacterial DNA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 2002

Purpose : Obesity is known to be associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver and is thought to be associated with increased levels of free fatty acids. One of the strategies for decreasing free fatty acid levels is stimulation of hepatic lipid oxidation with L-carnitine. Carnitine is an essential cofactor for transport of long-chain fatty acid into mitochondria for oxidation. This study was designed to evaluate the changes of serum fatty acids and carnitine levels after exogenous injection of L-carnitine. Methods : Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups. Group A was control. Group B was given intraperitoneal injection with L-carnitine(200 mg/kg) daily for two weeks. Serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) and fatty acid levels were analyzed on the first day of the first and second weeks after injection of L-carnitine. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels also were performed by a enzymatic cycling techniques at the same day intervals. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels before and after the administration of L-carnitine. But triglyceride levels were significantly decreased at the first week in group B compared with group A. Among free fatty acids, linoleic acid showed significant decrement(A group : $131.3{\pm}31.3mg/dL$ vs B group : $90.0{\pm}7.0mg/dL$) at the first week. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels showed significant increments at all days intervals, but only free carnitine showed significant increments according to cumulative doses of carnitine. Conclusion : Plasma linoleic acid, a long-chain fatty acid, showed significant decrement after administration of L-carnitine in the first week. This may suggest that L-carnitine can be used as an antilipidemic agent for obese patients. A prospective study will investigate obese children in the future.