• BMB Reports
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.321-326
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• 1996

Spinach glycolate oxidase was subjected to a series of chemical modifications aimed at identifying amino acid residues essential for catalytic activity. The oxidase was reversibly inactivated by treatment with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The inactivation by PLP was accompanied by the appearance of an absorption peak of around 430 nm, which was shifted to 325 nm upon reduction with $NaBH_4$. After reduction, the PLP-treated oxidase showed a fluorescence spectrum with a maximum of around 395 nm by exciting at 325 nm. The substrate-competitive inhibitors oxalate and oxaloacetate provided protection against inactivation of the oxidase by PLP. These results suggest that PLP inactivates the enzyme by fonning a Schiff base with lysyl residue(s) at an active site of the oxidase. The enzyme was also inactivated by tryptophan-specific reagent N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). However, competitive inhibitors oxalate and oxaloacetate could not protect the oxidase significantly against inactivation of the enzyme by NBS. The results implicate that the inactivation of the oxidase by NBS is not directly related to modification of the tryptophanyl residue at an active site of the enzyme. Treatments of the oxidase with cysteine-specific reagents iodoacetate, silver nitrate, and 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid did not affect significantly the activity of the enzyme.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension often occur together, amplifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and emphasizing the need for a multitargeted treatment approach. American ginseng (AG) and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) species could improve glycemic control via complementary mechanisms. Additionally, a KRG-inherent component, ginsenoside Rg3, may moderate blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of coadministration of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (Rg3-KRG) and AG, added to standard of care therapy, in the management of hypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors in type-2 diabetes. Methods: Within a randomized controlled, parallel design of 80 participants with type-2 diabetes (HbA1c: 6.5-8%) and hypertension (systolic BP: 140-160 mmHg or treated), supplementation with either 2.25 g/day of combined Rg3-KRG + AG or wheat-bran control was assessed over a 12-wk intervention period. The primary endpoint was ambulatory 24-h systolic BP. Additional endpoints included further hemodynamic assessment, glycemic control, plasma lipids and safety monitoring. Results: Combined ginseng intervention generated a mean ± SE decrease in primary endpoint of 24-h systolic BP (-3.98 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.35 ± 0.1% [-3.8 ± 1.1 mmol/mol], p = 0.02), and change in blood lipids: total cholesterol (-0.50 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), non-HDL-C (-0.54 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), triglycerides (-0.40 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.02) and LDL-C (-0.35 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.06) at 12 wks, relative to control. No adverse safety outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Coadministration of Rg3-KRG + AG is an effective addon for improving BP along with attaining favorable cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ginseng derivatives may offer clinical utility when included in the polypharmacy and lifestyle treatment of diabetes. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01578837;

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.903-909
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• 1999

Background: The current study was undertaken to investigate the results of a modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure devised by the authors. The aim of the technical modification was in improving the left atrial contractility. Material and Method: Between July 1997 and December 1998, 34 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year duration underwent a modified Maze III procedure. The assessment of the left atrial function was made by various echocardiographic measurements and SA nodal recovery was evaluated by HRV Holter monitoring. Result: All 34 patients were in sinus rhythm. On echocardiography, right atrial contraction was detected in 32 patients(94.1%) and left atrial contraction in 33 patients(97.1%). The echocardiographic A wave at 1, 6, and 12 months or more were 50.5$\pm$31.5, 62.1$\pm$25.1, 66$\pm$20.6 cm/sec, respectively, and the E wave measurements at the same time points were 152$\pm$31.1, 134.4$\pm$35.2, 133$\pm$27.5 cm/sec. The corresponding A/E ratios were 0.32$\pm$0.13, 0.48$\pm$0.18, 0.5$\pm$0.15, showing a rising trend. Treadmill evaluation at 6 months showed a mean 82% increase in heart rate after excising, and the SDNN and SDANN upon HRV Holter at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were 65.3$\pm$28.1/87.8$\pm$27.2 ms, and 60.0$\pm$24.1/83.4$\pm$25.7 ms, respectively, showing a predoinant autonomic recovery in the parasympathetic system(PSDNN = 0.01, PSDANN =0.015). Conclusion: The results of our data suggest that the current modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure was efective in enhancing the postoperative left atrial contractility.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.60-65
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• 2019

Purpose: The quality assurance (QA) chart rounds are multidisciplinary meetings to review radiation therapy (RT) treatment plans. This study focus on describing the changes in RT management based on QA round reviews in a single institution. Materials and Methods: After 9 full years of implementation, a retrospective review of all patients whose charts passed through departmental QA chart rounds from 2007 to 2015. The reviewed cases were presented for RT plan review; subcategorized based on decision in QA rounds into: approved, minor modifications or major modifications. Major modification defined as any substantial change which required patient re-simulation or re-planning prior to commencement of RT. Minor modification included treatment plan changes which didn't necessarily require RT re-planning. Results: Overall 7,149 RT treatment plans for different anatomical sites were reviewed at QA rounds. From these treatment plans, 6,654 (93%) were approved, 144 (2%) required minor modifications, while 351 (5%) required major modifications. Major modification included changes in: selected RT dose (96/351, 27%), target volume definition (127/351, 36%), organs-at-risk contouring (10/351, 3%), dose volume objectives/constraints criteria (90/351, 26%), and intent of treatment (28/351, 8%). The RT plans which required major modification according to the tumor subtype were as follows: head and neck (104/904, 12%), thoracic (12/199, 6%), gastrointestinal (33/687,5%), skin (5/106, 5%), genitourinary (16/359, 4%), breast (104/2387, 4%), central nervous system (36/846, 4%), sarcoma (11/277, 4%), pediatric (7/251, 3%), lymphoma (10/423, 2%), gynecological tumors (2/359, 1%), and others (11/351, 3%). Conclusion: Multi-disciplinary standardized QA chart rounds provide a comprehensive and an influential method on RT plans and/or treatment decisions.

• 한국기계가공학회지
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

The wind industry grew in the first decade of the 21st century at rates consistently above 20% a year. For wind turbine, gearbox failure can be extremely costly in terms of repair costs, replacement parts, and in lost power production due to downtime. In this paper, gear tooth micro-modification for the high speed stage was used to compensate for the deformation of the teeth due to load and to ensure a proper meshing to achieve an optimized tooth contact pattern. The gearbox was firstly modeled in a software, and then the various combined tooth modification were presented, and the prediction of transmission under the loaded torque for the helical gear pair was investigated, the normal load distribution and root stress were also obtained and compared before and after tooth modification under one torque. The simulation results showed that the transmission error and normal load distribution under the load can be minimized by the appropriate tooth modification. It is a good approach where the simulated result is used to improve the design before the prototype is available for the test.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.954-967
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• 1996

Laser application to modify healthy permanent dentin to improve microhardness and caries resistence has been previously reported but the physical modification and ablation thresholds of carious and sclerotic dentin has yet to be identified. This study determined the energy density required by modify (physical modification threshold, PMT) and remove (ablation threshold, AT) infected carious, affected and selerotic dentin compared to healthy permanent dentin. $1{\pm}0.25mm$ thick dentin sections(n=272) from extracted human teeth were used. Smear layer was removed 0.5M EDTA for 2 minutes. Utilizing three pulsed fiberopitc delivered contact lasers with different emission wavelengths($1.06{\mu}m$=Nd : YAG, $2.10{\mu}m$=Ho : YAG and $2.94{\mu}mEr$ : YAG). The energy density($J/cm^2$) was incrementally increased and the resulting tissue interaction classified on a scale from 0-6. A minimum of 5 repetitions/energy density were completed. Light microscopy(10-25X) was used to verify the physical modification(scale=3) and ablation thresholds(scale=4) of the various forms of dentin and the data were analyzed by logistic regression at the 95 % confidence interval. PMT and AT by the laser and the dentin types were: PMT and AT was lower in infected dentin than in sound dentin for all lasers. PMT and AT induced by Nd : YAG>Ho : YAG>Er : YAG for all forms of dentin. Microhardness was increased in sound dentin at PMT. Morphology of crater examined by light microscopy showed Nd : YAG was safe and effective for removing carious dentin and Er: YAG was effective for removing sound dentin. The PMT and AT for YAG lasers are different as a function of dentin type which may be utilized for selective modification and removal of dentin.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.185-190
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• 2022

Among the operating limits of a heat pipe, the capillary limit is significantly affected by the characteristics of the wick, which is determined by the capillary performance. The major parameters for determining capillary performance are the maximum capillary pressure and the spreading characteristics that can be expected through the wick. A well-designed wick structure improves capillary performance and helps improve the stability of the heat pipe by enhancing the capillary limit. The capillary performance can be improved by forming a porous microstructure on the surface of the wick structure through surface modification techniques. In this study, a microstructure is formed on the surface of the wick by using a surface modification method (i.e., an electrochemical etching process). In the experiment, specimens are prepared using stainless-steel screen mesh wicks with various fabrication conditions. In addition, the spreading and capillary rise performances are observed with low-surface-tension fluid to quantify the capillary performance. In the experiments, the capillary performance, such as spreading characteristics, maximum capillary pressure, and capillary rise rate, improves in the specimens with microstructures formed through surface modification compared with the specimens without microstructures on the surface. The improved capillary performance can have a positive effect on the capillary limit of the heat pipe. It is believed that the surface microstructures can enhance the operational stability of heat pipes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.297-308
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• 2021

Objective : Shunt infection is a common complication while treating hydrocephalus. The antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheter (AISC) was designed to reduce shunt infection rate. A meta-analysis was conducted to study the effectiveness of AISCs in reduction of shunt infection in terms of age, follow-up time and high-risk patient population. Methods : This study reviewed literature from three databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (from 2000 to March 2019). Clinical studies from controlled trials for shunt operation were included in this analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed based on the patient's age, follow-up time and high-risk population. The fixed effect in RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration) was used for this meta-analysis. Results : This study included 19 controlled clinical trials including 10105 operations. The analysis demonstrated that AISC could reduce the infection rate in shunt surgery compared to standard shunt catheter (non-AISC) from 8.13% to 4.09% (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.58; p=0.01; I2=46%). Subgroup analysis of different age groups showed that AISC had significant antimicrobial effects in all three groups (adult, infant, and adolescent). Follow-up time analysis showed that AISC was effective in preventing early shunt infections (within 6 months after implant). AISC is more effective in high-risk population (OR, 0.24;95% CI, 0.14-0.40; p=0.60; I2=0%) than in general patient population. Conclusion : The results of meta-analysis indicated that AISC is an effective method for reducing shunt infection. We recommend that AISC should be considered for use in infants and high-risk groups. For adult patients, the choice for AISC could be determined based on the treatment cost.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.325-342
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• 2023

The damping modification factor (DMF) is used to modify the 5%-damped response spectrum to produce spectral values that correspond to other necessary damping ratios for seismic design. The DMF has been the subject of numerous studies, and it has been discovered that seismological parameters like magnitude and distance can have an impact on it. However, DMF formulations incorporating these seismological parameters cannot be directly applied to seismic design because these parameters are not specified in the present seismic codes. The goal of this study is to develop a formulation for the DMF that can be directly applied in seismic design and that takes the effects of magnitude, distance, and site conditions into account. To achieve this goal, 16660 ground motions with magnitudes ranging from 4 to 9 and epicentral distances ranging from 10 to 200 km are used to systematically study the effects of magnitude, distance, and site conditions on the DMF. Furthermore, according to the knowledge that magnitude and distance affect the DMF primarily by changing the spectral shape, a spectral shape factor is adopted to reflect influences of magnitude and distance, and a new formulation for the DMF incorporating the spectral shape factor is developed. In comparison to the current formulations, the proposed formulation provides a more accurate prediction of the DMF and can be employed directly in seismic design.

• 멤브레인
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.332-342
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• 2015

본 연구는 역삼투막의 막오염을 해결하기 위하여 실란-에폭시 층을 형성시킨 다층 표면개질법을 이용하여 역삼투막의 내오염성을 향상시키고자 하였다. Sol-gel법을 이용하여 Octyltrimethoxysilane (OcTES)을 막 표면에 가교를 통해 고분자화 하였으며 n = 8인 OcTES의 알킬기가 자발적인 self-assembly를 통하여 막 표면에 가지구조를 형성시켰다. 그 위에 ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE)의 ether기를 ring-opening을 통해 막 표면에 친수성을 부여하여 역삼투막의 내오염성을 향상시키고자 하였다. FE-TEM, AFM을 이용하여 막의 단면 및 표면구조 분석을 하였고 막 표면의 ridge and valley 구조와 OcTES, EGDE의 다층 표면개질로 인한 bridge 구조를 확인하였으며, 거칠기의 증가를 통해 막 표면의 가지가 잘 형성되었음을 확인하였다. XPS를 통하여 막 표면의 화학구조에 대한 관찰과 표면개질이 잘 이루어졌음을 확인하였으며, contact angle 분석을 통해 표면개질막의 표면에 친수성이 부여되었음을 확인하였다. EGDE 표면개질 조건 최적화를 진행한 결과 EGDE 농도는 0.5 wt%, ring-opening 온도는 $70^{\circ}C$가 가장 적합하였고, 내오염성 실험 결과 및 막오염지수(MFI)는 SUL-H10, $PA-OcTES_{1.0}$, $PA-OcTES_{1.0}-EGDE_{0.5}$이 68.7, 60.4, 5.4 ($10E-8hr/mL^2$)로 나타나 다층 표면 개질막의 내오염성이 매우 향상되었음을 확인할 수 있었다.