• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2012

In this study, we quantify the residual motion artifact in 4D-CT scan using the dynamic lung phantom which could simulate respiratory target motion and suggest a simple one-dimension theoretical model to explain and characterize the source of motion artifacts in 4DCT scanning. We set-up regular 1D sine motion and adjusted three level of amplitude (10, 20, 30 mm) with fixed period (4s). The 4DCT scans are acquired in helical mode and phase information provided by the belt type respiratory monitoring system. The images were sorted into ten phase bins ranging from 0% to 90%. The reconstructed images were subsequently imported into the Treatment Planning System (CorePLAN, SC&J) for target delineation using a fixed contour window and dimensions of the three targets are measured along the direction of motion. Target dimension of each phase image have same changing trend. The error is minimum at 50% phase in all case (10, 20, 30 mm) and we found that ${\Delta}S$ (target dimension change) of 10, 20 and 30 mm amplitude were 0 (0%), 0.1 (5%), 0.1 (5%) cm respectively compare to the static image of target diameter (2 cm). while the error is maximum at 30% and 80% phase ${\Delta}S$ of 10, 20 and 30 mm amplitude were 0.2 (10%), 0.7 (35%), 0.9 (45%) cm respectively. Based on these result, we try to analysis the residual motion artifact in 4D-CT scan using a simple one-dimension theoretical model and also we developed a simulation program. Our results explain the effect of residual motion on each phase target displacement and also shown that residual motion artifact was affected that the target velocity at each phase. In this study, we focus on provides a more intuitive understanding about the residual motion artifact and try to explain the relationship motion parameters of the scanner, treatment couch and tumor. In conclusion, our results could help to decide the appropriate reconstruction phase and CT parameters which reduce the residual motion artifact in 4DCT.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.590-599
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• 2005

Object : Cigarette smoking is a major cause of mucus hypersecretion, which is a pathophysiological feature of many inflammatory airway diseases. Mucins, which are an important part of the airway mucus, are synthesized from the Muc gene in airway epithelial cells. However, the signaling pathways for cigarette smoke-induced mucin synthesis are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the signal pathway for smoking induced Muc5ac gene expression. Methods : A549 cells were cultured and transiently transfected with the Muc5ac promoter fragment. These cells were stimulated with 5% cigarette smoke extract (CSE) alone or with CSE after a pretreatment with various signal transduction pathway inhibitors (AG1478, PD98059 and SB203580). The Muc5ac promoter activity was examined using the luciferase reporter system, and the level of phosphorylated EGFR, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK were all examined using Western blot analysis. Muc5ac mRNA expression was also examined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). Results : 1. The peak level of luciferase activity of the Muc5ac promoter was observed at 5% concentration and after 3 hours of incubation with the CSE. The level of EGFR phosphorylation and the luciferase activity of the transfected cells caused by the CSE were significantly suppressed by AG1478 or PD98059 (P<0.01). 2. CSE phosphorylated ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK but not JNK. The Muc5ac mRNA expression level was increased by the CSE but that was suppressed by PD98059 or AG1478. 3. The CSE-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was blocked by PD98059 and that of p38 MAPK was blocked by either PD98059 or SB203580. Either PD98059 or SB203580 suppressed the luciferase activity of the transfected cells (P<0.0001). Conclusion : The Muc5ac mRNA expression level was increased by the CSE. The increased CSE-induced transcriptional activity was mediated via EGF receptor activation, which led to ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.313-319
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• 2020

Recently, cattle epidemic diseases are caused by a pathogen such as a virus or bacterium. Such diseases can spread through various pathways, such as feed intake, respiration, and contact between livestock. Diagnosis based on the ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) methods has limitations because these traditional diagnostic methods are time consuming assays that require multiple steps and dedicated equipment. In this review, we propose the use of the CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) Cas system based on DNA and RNA levels for early point-of-care diagnosis in cattle. In the CRISPR/Cas system, Cas effectors are classified into two classes and six subtypes. The Cas effectors included in class 2 are typically Cas9 in type II, Cas12 in type V (Cas12a and Cas12b) and Cas13 in type VI (Cas13a and Cas13b). The CRISPR/Cas system uses reporter molecules that are attached to the ssDNA strands. When the Cas enzyme cuts the ssDNA, these reporters either fluoresce or change color, indicating the presence of a specific disease marker. There are several steps in the development of a CRISPR/Cas system. The first is to select the Cas enzyme depending on DNA or RNA from pathogens (viruses or bacteria). Based on that, the next step is to integrate the optimal amplification, transducing method, and signal reporter. The CRISPR/Cas system is a powerful diagnostic tool using a gene-editing method, which is faster, better, and cheaper than traditional methods. This system could be used for early diagnosis of epidemic cattle diseases and help to control their spread.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2004

Background : Nitric Oxide (NO) is a multi-faceted molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many areas of biology. NO can promote apoptosis in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis in other cell types. This study was performed to characterize NO-induced cell death in lung epithelial cells and to investigate the roles of cell death regulators including iron, bcl-2 and p53. Methods : A549 cells were used for lung epithelial cells. SNP (sodium nitroprusside) and SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl- penicillamine) were used for NO donor. Cytoxicity assay was done by MTT assay and crystal violet assay. Apoptotic assay was done by fluorescent microscopy after double staining with propidium iodide and hoecst 33342. Iron inhibition study was done with RBCs and FeSO4. For bcl-2 study, bcl-2 overexpressing cells (A549-bcl-2) were used and for p53 study, Western blot analysis and p53 functionally knock-out cells (A549-E6) were used. Results : SNP and SNAP induced dose-dependent cell death in A549 cells and fluorescent microscopy revealed that SNAP induced apoptosis in low doses but necrosis in high doses while SNP induced exclusively necrotic cell death. Iron inhibition study using RBCs and FeSO4 significantly blocked SNAP-induced cell death. And also SNAP-induced cell death was blocked by bcl-2 overexpression. Finally, we found that SNAP activate p53 by Western blot analysis and that SNAP-induced cell death was decreased in the abscence of p53. Conclusion : In lung epithelial cells, NO can induce cell death, more precisely apoptosis in low doses and necrosis in high doses. And iron, bcl-2, and p53 play important roles in NO-induced cell death.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.347-355
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• 2008

Background: IPF is characterized by chronic, fibrosing inflammatory lung disease of unknown etiology. Typical symptoms of IPF are exertional dyspnea with nonproductive cough. Why patients with typical IPF have dry cough rather than productive cough, is unknown. IP-10 plays an important regulatory role in leukocyte trafficking into the lung. The present study investigated the effect of IP-10 in the pathogenesis of dry cough rather than productive cough in IPF patients. Methods: IP-10 concentration was measured by ELISA from BALF of IPF patients. To evaluate the role of IP-10 in mucin expression, the expression of the MUC5AC mucin gene was measured in NCI-H292 cells, a human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line, after stimulation by TNF-${\alpha}$ with or without IP-10 pretreatment. EGFR-MAPK expression was also examined as a possible mechanism. Results: IP-10 levels were significantly higher in the BALF of IPF patients compared to healthy controls. IP-10 pretreatment reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ induced MUC5AC mucin expression by inhibiting the EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that little mucus production in IPF patients might be attributable to IP-10 overproduction, which inhibits the EGFR-MAPK signal transduction pathway required for MUC5AC mucin gene expression.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.327-332
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• 2005

Interstitial lung disease refers to a group of pulmonary disorders characterized by inflammation of the interstitium, derangements and loss of alveolar capillary units leading to disruption of alveolar gas exchange, which induces symptoms of restrictive lung disease. Cases of interstitial pneumonia in children are uncommon and mostly have unknown causes. We have experienced an 8-year old boy who had symptoms of cyanosis, dry cough, dyspnea and abrupt weight loss. He had not been exposed to organic dusts, allergens or any other systemic disease infections. Chest radiology showed diffuse ground glass opacity in both lung fields. High resolution computed tomography(HRCT) showed multiple small patchy areas of consolidation with an underlying ground glass appearance in both lungs. The pathologic findings of lung biopsy tissue showed patchy areas of interstitial fibrosis, alveolar obliteration and nodular fibrotic areas, strongly suggesting interstitial pneumonia. No specific finding of viral inclusion or any other evidence of infection was found under electromicroscopy. We used peak flow meters to compare functional improvement. Forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) was decreased to 25 percent of predicted value. The boy was given treatment with prednisone and showed improvements in HRCT findings after two months. He was able to tolerate easy exercise in school and showed clinical improvements after one year of follow up.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2011

We have developed a wearable device that can convert sensor data into real-time step counts and activity levels. Sensor data on gait were acquired using a triaxial accelerometer. A test was performed according to a test protocol for different walking speeds, e.g., slow walking, walking, fast walking, slow running, running, and fast running. Each test was carried out for 36 min on a treadmill with the participant wearing a portable gas analyzer (K4B2), an Actical device, and the device developed in this study. The signal vector magnitude (SVM) was used to process the X, Y, and Z values output by the triaxial accelerometer into one representative value. In addition, for accurate step-count detection, we used three algorithms: an heuristic algorithm (HA), the adaptive threshold algorithm (ATA), and the adaptive locking period algorithm (ALPA). A regression equation estimating the energy expenditure (EE) was derived by using data from the accelerometer and information on the participants. The recognition rate of our algorithm was 97.34%, and the performance of the activity conversion algorithm was better than that of the Actical device by 1.61%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.45-58
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• 2001

Subjective mental workload assessment technique becomes a standard human factors and human-machine interface evaluation tool for the evaluation of ITS(Intelligent Transport Systems)-oriented information systems as well as the drivers visual activity analysis, physiological indices(GSR, EEG, ECG, etc.), secondary task performance, reaction time. vehicle control parameters(speed, steering behavior, accelerator control) that are widely applied for transportation and vehicle systems to evaluate the safety, to decide the system or design alternatives, and to establish the design guidelines. This paper reviewed and compared the most globally employed four mental workload assessment techniques that have been designed for the use of various human-machine systems and ITS-oriented in-vehicle information systems. NASA-TLX(National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index). SWAT(Subjective Workload Assessment Technique), MCH(Modified Cooper-Harper) scale, and recently developed RNASA-TLX(Revision of NASA-TH) were compared in terms of sensitivity and subjective evaluations to derive the human-machine interface evaluation guidelines for the application of ITS-oriented in-vehicle information systems. Then, experiment results supported that RNASA-TLX is the prospective tool for the mental workload assessment of ITS-oriented in-vehicle information systems.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.545-554
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• 2011

In this study, the parameters of Polysomnography (PSG) test, such as total sleep time, snoring time, had been analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of a developed anti-snore pillow. The developed anti-snore pillow is made up of two polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) vibration sensors, pumps, valves, and air bladders. The two PVDF sensors inside the pillow can acquire the sound signals and the algorithm was perfectly designed to extract snoring by removing unwanted noise accurately and automatically. Once the pillow recognizes snore, a pump inside the hardware activates, and a bladder under the neck area inside the pillow will be inflated. The PSG test was used and two volunteers were participated for the study. The parameters of the PSG results were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the anti-snore pillow. The total sleep time of each volunteer was similar on each phase of test, but the snoring time and the longest snoring episode were significantly decreased with the use of anti-snore pillow. The overall results showed excellent possibilities for reducing snoring for the person who snores during sleep by using the anti-snore pillow. The effectiveness of the anti-snore pillow can be evaluated by the PSG test. Moreover, the relationship between each parameter of PSG test and the quality of sleep will be used for further researches.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.461-469
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• 1999

In this paper, an ECG-NIBP patient monitor is designed. This is an essential equipment to measure and monitor patient's physical condition - electrocardiogram(ECG) wave, heart rate(HR), and noninvasive blood pressure(NIBP) - in ICU, CCU, and operating room. The ECG is an electrical waveform produced by relaxation and contraction of the cardiac muscle. Most physicians diagnose patient's cardiac states from ECG pattern. A blood pressure is one of the clinical indexes measured in a emergency room or operating room. In this paper, the blood pressure is measured in artery by using the nonivasive oscillometric method. The developed patient monitor was inspected and compared with other instruments in operating rooms. The results were 1bpm of maximum difference in the heart rate, 15mmHg in the systolic pressure, 16mmHg in the diastolic pressure, and 25mmHg in the mean blood pressure. But the total results were 0.15bpm of the mean difference in the heart rate, 5mmHg in the systolic pressure, 10mmHg in the diastolic pressure, and 9mmHg in the mean blood pressure. The designed ECG-NIBP patient monitor can measure the ECG wave, HR, and BP. And the multi-tasking module of pulse oximetry . respiration . temperature monitor will be added in the near future.