• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.282-289
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• 2011

Objectives: We sought to establish a novel method to generate nano-sized carbon black particles (nano-CBPs) with an average size smaller than 100 nm for examining the inhalation exposure risks of experimental rats. We also tested the effect of nano-CBPs on the pulmonary and circulatory systems. Methods: We used chemical vapor deposition (CVD) without the addition of any additives to generate nano-CBPs with a particle size (electrical mobility diameter) of less than 100nm to examine the effects of inhalation exposure. Nano-CBPs were applied to a nose-only inhalation chamber system for studying the inhalation toxicity in rats. The effect on the lungs and circulatory system was determined according to the degree of inflammation as quantified by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The functional alteration of the hemostatic and vasomotor activities was measured by plasma coagulation, platelet activity, contraction and relaxation of blood vessels. Results: Nano-CBPs were generated in the range of 83.3-87.9 nm. Rats were exposed for 4 hour/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks to $4.2{\times}10^6$, $6.2{\times}10^5$, and $1.3{\times}10^5$ particles/$cm^3$. Exposure of nano-CBPs by inhalation resulted in minimal pulmonary inflammation and did not appear to damage the lung tissue. In addition, there was no significant effect on blood functions, such as plasma coagulation and platelet aggregation, or on vasomotor function. Conclusion: We successfully generated nano-CBPs in the range of 83.3-87.9 nm at a maximum concentration of $4.2{\times}10^6$ particles/$cm^3$ in a nose-only inhalation chamber system. This reliable method can be useful to investigate the biological and toxicological effects of inhalation exposure to nano-CBPs on experimental rats.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartD
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• v.13D no.6 s.109
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• pp.775-788
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• 2006

Many disaster monitoring systems are constantly studied to prevent disasters such as environmental pollution, the breaking of a tunnel and a building, flooding, storm earthquake according to the progress of wireless telecommunication, the miniaturization of terminal devices, and the spread of sensor network. A disaster monitoring system can extract information of a remote place, process sensor data with rules to recognize disaster situation, and provide work for preventing disaster. However existing monitoring systems are not enough to predict and prevent disaster, because they can only process current sensor data through utilizing simple aggregation function and operators. In this paper, we design and implement a disaster prevention system to predict near future dangerous area through using outside sensor network and spatial Information. The provided prediction technique considers the change of spatial information over time with current sensor data, and indicates the place that could be dangerous in near future. The system can recognize which place would be dangerous and prepare the disaster prevention. Therefore, damage of disaster and cost of recovery would be reduced. The provided disaster prevention system and prediction technique could be applied to various disaster prevention systems and be utilized for preventing disaster and reducing damages.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but the genes associated with the host immune system can be attributed to the development of TB. The ITGB2 gene encodes the integrin beta 2 chain CD18 protein and is present on chromosome 21. The integrin beta 2 chain is an integrin expressed in leukocytes and plays a very important role in leukocyte maturation and attachment. ITGB2 plays an important role in the phagocytosis of MTB and the aggregation of leukocytes in MTB infections. This study examined the genetic polymorphisms of the ITGB2 gene between the TB case and normal control using Korean genomic and epidemiologic data. As a result, a statistically significant correlation was confirmed in 10 SNPs. The most significant SNP was rs113421921 (OR=0.69, CI: 0.53~0.90, $P=5.8{\times}10^{-3}$). In addition, rs173098, one of the significant 10 SNPs, is possibly located in a binding motif with the transcription factor cofactor p300, and can affect ITGB2 gene expression. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of TB may be influenced by a range of genetic factors related to the immune function of the host, e.g., the reactions associated with the recruitment and attachment of leukocytes. The results of this study could be used to predict the infection control for tuberculosis in a patient-tailored manner.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2007

Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 functions as a molecular chaperon and reduces stress-induced denaturation and aggregation of intracellular proteins. Erythropoietin (EPO) plays an important role during acute renal failure repair process by rapidly correcting anemia and enhancing renal tubular regeneration. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of EPO treatment on renal HSP70 expression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected rHUEPO. Kidney were preserved by in vivo perfusion with paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodate (PLP) and processed for immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. In control kidney, HSP70 was expressed in the cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla. Especially, HSP immunoreactiviy was mainly founded in descending thin limb of outer medulla and inner medullary collecting duct. In EPO treated kidney, HSP70 expression markedly increased in the descending thin limb of outer medulla and newly detected in cortical collecting duct. Electron microscopy showed the presence of HSP immunoreactivity on the intracelluar vesicles and Golgi complex of descending thin limb and cortical collecting duct. These findings suggest that EPO treatment leads to new production of HSP70 in renal tubular cells, and induction of HSP70 by rHuEPO is causally related to protective function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1092-1096
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• 1997

Thromboelastography(TEG) enables a global assessment of hemostatic function to be made from a single blood sample, documenting the interaction of platelets with protein coagulation cascade from the time of the initial platelet-fibrin interaction, through platelet aggregation, clot strengthening and fibrin cross linking to eventual clot Iysis. Thirty-five patients(mean age 34$\pm$ 12) undergoing open heart surgery from April 1st, 1996 to August 31th, 1996 were investigated at preoperatively and immediate, one hour, and 24 hours after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass using TEG. Comparisons were made between classic hematological indices and TEG data. There were statistically significant correlation between maximal amplitude(MA) and platelet count before CPB, activating clotting time(ACT) and TEG date(R time, K time and a angle) at 24-hour after CPB. The data on the predictive accuracy for postoperative bleeding at 24-hour after CPB, the TEG was significantly better than ACT(57%) or the coagulation profiles(43%) as a predictor of postoperative bleeding, with an accuracy rate of 100% (P=0.0043). In conclusion, TEG seems to be easy to use, clinically accurate, cost effective and provides data which can effectively manage a patient's hemostasis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2002

Vas deferens is a long tube and could be divided into four regions as its morphological characters: a short and slender proximal region, a convoluted region, a straight and more thick distal region, and an ejaculatory duct, It is connected with the posterior outer horns of the testis and runs to the gonopores opened on the coxa of the fifth walking legs, The proximal region consists almost entirely of simple cuboidal epithelial cells, $12\~28{\mu}$m in height, surrounded by a thin basal membrane. A small aggregation of high cuboidal epithelium is obsened from one side of the proximal region. The convoluted and distal region is composed of two kinds of epithelial cells; high cuboidal epithelial cells, $40\~120{\mu}m$ in height located in dorsal portion and simple cuboidal epithelial cells of $12\~28{\mu}$m in height located in ventral and lateral portion. The ejaculatory duct is surrounded with two kinds of muscle layers, inner longitudinal and outer circular muscle fibers, The lumen is lined with high and simple cuboidal epithelium in almost equal proportions. The proximal region contains mature sperm and basophilic substances. The eosinophilic substances appeared newly going toward the convoluted region and are laid along simple cuboidal epithelial cell layer. Tube-like content (spermatophore) of the vas deferens is ejaculated from a pair of genital pores at mating. Two masses of the content fuse together side by side and are usually deposited on the female thorax between the second and fourth or fifth pereiopods, The spermatophore formed measures $2.7\~4.0$ mm in length and $1.5\~2.7$ mm in width.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2009

The objectives of this study were to investigate the aggregate fragmentation in wet-sieving and to evaluate the relationship between the aggregate fragmentation fractal dimension and macro-porosity of upland soils, using three different textural types of soils including Gopyeng series (Fine, Typic Hapludalfs), Gyuam series (Fine silty over coarse silty, Fluvaquentic Eutrudepts), and Jungdong series (Coarse loamy, Typic Udifluvents) located in Gyeonggi province. Undisturbed soil samples with five replicates were seasonally sampled and used for measuring water stable aggregate, macropores, and physico-chemical properties of soils. The aggregate stability in wet-sieving was digitalized as three types of fragmentation fractal dimension ($D_f$), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and mean weight diameter (MWD). $D_f$ had higher correlation with GMD than with MWD. Seasonal aggregate stability showed the highest values in summer, and decreased in the order of spring and autumn. The macroporosity had higher in topsoil, in autumn, and in ridge, than in plow pan layer, in summer, and in row, respectively. The relationship between $D_f$ and macroporosity, especially more than 99 m, showed high correlation only in soils with $D_f$ less than 3.1, which means more aggregated soils compared to soils with $D_f$ more than 3.1. Besides, in the soils with the fractal dimension less than 3.1, the power function relation between saturated hydraulic conductivity and macroporosity more than 99 m had relatively high determinant coefficient, and vice versa. Therefore, it could be thought that fragmentation fractal dimension is available for confirming macroporosity induced from aggregation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2022

Although normal activation of platelets is important in the process of hemostasis, excessive or abnormal activation of platelets can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the discovery of novel substances capable of regulating or inhibiting platelet activation may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemether is a derivative of artemisinin, known as an active ingredient of Artemisia annua, which has been reported to be effective in treating malaria, and is known to function through antioxidant and metabolic enzyme inhibition. However, the role of artemether in platelet activation and aggregation and the mechanism of action of artemether in collagen-induced human platelets are not known until now. This study investigated the effects of artemether on platelet activation and thrombus formation induced by collagen. As a result, cAMP level was significantly increased by artemether, and VASP and IP3R, substrates of cAMP-dependent kinase, were phosphorylated. IP3R phosphorylation by Artemether inhibited Ca²⁺ recruitment into the cytoplasm, and phosphorylated VASP inhibited fibrinogen binding by inactivating αIIb/β3 located on the platelet membrane. Consequently, artemether inhibited thrombin-induced fibrin clot formation. Therefore, we propose that artemether can act as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases caused by excessive platelet activation and thrombus formation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident professional macrophages that function as the principal immune cells responding to pathological stimulations in the CNS. Activation of microglia, induced by various pathogens, protects neurons and maintains homeostasis in the CNS, but severe activation causes inflammatory responses secreting various neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Allium fistulosum, a member of the onion family, is mainly cultivated for consumption, as well as medicinal use in Oriental medicine. It has been reported that A. fistulosum has various biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-fungus and anti-cholesterol synthesis, however there has been no research about the anti-inflammatory effects of A. fistulosum extracts. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of A. fistulosum as a suppressor of neuronal inflammation by using BV2 microglia cells. As a result, it was found that four kinds of extracts of A. fistulosum effectively reduced the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels, and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the mRNA level in BV2 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the extracts of A. fistulosum attenuated the release of NO markedly, as well as resulting in slight decreases of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production, the effects of which were most significant when treated with ethyl alcohol extract from the whole A. fistulosum. In conclusion, the data indicated that the anti-inflammatory actions of A. fistulosum against BV2 microglia cells is through the down-regulation of iNOS, COX2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, and these effects are expected to help in the protection of nerve tissues by suppressions of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 1999

Background: This study was designed to develop a Korean version of the heparin-coated vascular bypass shunt by using a physical dispersing technique. The safety and effectiveness of the thrombo-resistant shunt were tested in experimental animals. Material and Method: A bypass shunt model was constructed on the descending thoracic aorta of 21 adult mongrel dogs(17.5-25 kg). The animals were divided into groups of no-treatment(CONTROL group; n=3), no-treatment with systemic heparinization(HEPARIN group; n=6), Gott heparin shunt (GOTT group; n=6), or Korean heparin shunt(KIST group; n=6). Parameters observed were complete blood cell counts, coagulation profiles, kidney and liver function(BUN/Cr and AST/ ALT), and surface scanning electron microscope(SSEM) findings. Blood was sampled from the aortic blood distal to the shunt and was compared before the bypass and at 2 hours after the bypass. Result: There were no differences between the groups before the bypass. At bypass 2 hours, platelet level increased in the HEPARIN and GOTT groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes in other blood cell counts were insignificant between the groups. Activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time were prolonged in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) and differences between the groups were significant(p<0.005). Prothrombin time increased in the GOTT group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. Changes in fibrinogen level were insignificant between the groups. Antithrombin III levels were increased in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), and the inter-group differences were also significant(p<0.05). Protein C level decreased in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. BUN levels increased in all groups, especially in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes of Cr, AST, and ALT levels were insignificant between the groups. SSEM findings revealed severe aggregation of platelets and other cellular elements in the CONTROL group, and the HEPARIN group showed more adherence of the cellular elements than the GOTT or KIST group. Conclusion: Above results show that the heparin-coated bypass shunts(either GOTT or KIST) can suppress thrombus formation on the surface without inducing bleeding tendencies, while systemic heparinization(HEPARIN) may not be able to block activation of the coagulation system on the surface in contact with foreign materials but increases the bleeding tendencies. We also conclude that the thrombo-resistant effects of the Korean version of heparin shunt(KIST) are similar to those of the commercialized heparin shunt(GOTT).