• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2023

Purpose: Sonographic elastography can be used to evaluate the hardness of muscle tissue through the application of compression. Strain elastography gauges hardness through the comparison of echo sets before and after compression. This study utilized ultrasonography to measure the thickness and hardness of the masseter muscle in individuals with temporomandibular joint(TMJ) osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: This study included 40 patients who presented with joint pain and were diagnosed with TMJ osteoarthritis via diagnostic cone-beam computed tomography, along with 40 healthy individuals. The thickness and hardness of each individual's masseter muscle were evaluated both at rest and at maximum bite using ultrasonography. The Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test were employed for statistical analysis, with the significance level set at P<0.05. Results: The mean thickness of the resting masseter muscle was 0.91 cm in patients with osteoarthritis, versus 1.00 cm in healthy individuals. The mean thickness of the masseter muscle at maximum bite was 1.28 cm in osteoarthritis patients and 1.36 cm in healthy individuals. The mean masseter elasticity index ratio at maximum bite was 4.51 in patients with osteoarthritis and 3.16 in healthy controls. Significant differences were observed between patients with osteoarthritis and healthy controls in both the masseter muscle thickness and the masseter elasticity index ratio, at rest and at maximum bite (P<0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the masseter muscle in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis was less than that in healthy controls. Additionally, the hardness of the masseter muscle was greater in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2005

$[Mn_{12}O_{12}(O_2CPh-4-SMe)_{16}(H_2O)_4]{\cdot}7CH_2Cl_2$ (1), a new single-molecule magnet complex has been successfully synthesized by substitution of acetate ligand of Mn12ac with 4-(methylthio)benzoic acid. Complex 1 crystallizes into triclinic P$\overline{1}$ with a = 18.321(3) $\AA$, b = 19.011(3) $\AA$, c = 27.230(4) $\AA$, $\alpha$ = 86.973(3)$^{\circ}$, $\beta$ = 76.919(3)$^{\circ}$, $\gamma$ = 87.613(3)$^{\circ}$, and Z = 2. In complex 1, one Mn(III) ion has an abnormal Jahn-Teller elongation axis oriented at an oxide ion. Complex 1 has two out-of-phase ac susceptibility peaks in the 2-4 K and 4-7 K regions. Effective anisotropy energy barrier and pre-exponential factor are $U_{eff}$ = 45.95 K, 1/$\tau$0 = 8.6 ${\times}\;10^9s^{-1}\;for\;{\chi}_M$'' peaks in the lower temperature region and $U_{eff}$ = 59.45 K, 1/$\tau_0$ = 2.2 ${\times}\;10^8\;s^{-1}$ for $\chi_M$'' peaks in the higher temperature region. The parameters of S = 10, g = 1.87, D = -0.40 $cm^{-1}$, and E = 0.00034 $cm^{-1}$ were obtained from the M/N${\mu}_B$ vs. H/T plot of complex 1.

• Korean Journal of Crystallography
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1994

Two possible space groups of the comfound, VP6N3018C24H:60, are: P 1, a=14.022(1), b=12.644(2), c= 12.640(1)A, a=8038(1), B=102.12(1), r=102.16(1), V=2124.1A3, Z=2, μ=0.47cm-1, d=1.46g/cm3, R=0.083 for 3350 independent reflections with Fo>4o IFI, and C2/c, a=19.32(2), b=16.32(2), c=14.02(1)A, B=105.98(5), β=105.98(5), V=4248.2A3, Z=4 R=0.083 for 1590 independent reflections with Fo>4c IFoI . In the space group P T, there are two monlecules in a unit cell. Vanadium atoms in the two monlecules occupy the two different special positions such that the complete monlecules are accomplished by the two independent center of symmetry. Therefore two different half molecules of bis(trimetaphosphate)vanadate and three molecules of tetraethylammonium are the asymmetric unit in a unit cell. In the space group C2/c, however, the vanadium atom is located at a special position with centrosymmetry, and a two-fold symmetry axis passes through C2/c, N2 and C25 atoms. Therefore the asymmrtic unit in a unit cell consists of a half molecule of bis(trimetaphosphate)vanadate and one and a half molecules of tetraethylammonium. All the molecular conformations in both space groups are very similar: six oxygen atoms coordinated to a vanadium atom in the bi s(trimetaphosphate)vanadate molecule form an octahedron and the four carbon atoms bonded to a nitrogen atom in the tetraethylammonium molecule are disordered so that the eight carbon atoms around nitrogen atom exhibit an irregular dodecahedral form.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2012

An investigation was conducted on the enhancement of production and purification of an oxidant and SDS-stable alkaline protease (BHAP) secreted by an alkalophilic Bacillus horikoshii, which was screened from the body fluid of a unique Korean polychaeta (Periserrula leucophryna) living in the tidal mud flats of Kwangwha Island in the Korean West Sea. A prominent effect on BHAP production was obtained by adding 2% maltose, 1% sodium citrate, 0.8% NaCl, and 0.6% sodium carbonate to the culturing medium. The optimal medium for BHAP production contained (g/l) SBM, 15; casein, 10; $K_2HPO_4$, 2; $KH_2PO_4$, 2; maltose, 20; sodium citrate, 10; $MgSO_4$, 0.06; NaCl, 8; and $Na_2CO_3$, 6. A protease yield of approximately 56,000 U/ml was achieved using the optimized medium, which is an increase of approximately 5.5-fold compared with the previous optimization (10,050 U/ml). The BHAP was homogenously purified 34-fold with an overall recovery of 34% and a specific activity of 223,090 U/mg protein using adsorption with Diaion HPA75, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) on Phenyl-Sepharose, and ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE- and CM-Sepharose column. The purified BHAP was determined a homogeneous by SDS-PAGE, with an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa, and it showed extreme stability towards organic solvents, SDS, and oxidizing agents. The $K_m$ and $k_{cat}$ values were 78.7 ${\mu}M$ and $217.4s^{-1}$ for N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA at $37^{\circ}C$ and pH 9, respectively. The inhibition profile exhibited by PMSF suggested that the protease from B. horikoshii belongs to the family of serine proteases. The BHAP, which showed high stability against SDS and $H_2O_2$, has significance for industrial application, such as additives in detergent and feed industries.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 1999

Background and Objectives: It is critical to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodule and to select a patient for surgery. Even though the U/S study dose not make great contribution to diagnose a malignant thyroid nodule, it is widely used in the evaluation of anatomic feature of thyroid. The authors tried to estimate the efficacy of the U/S study in preoperative diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodule. Materials and Method: At the department of General Surgery of Ajou University, 75 patients who were operated after diagnosis with thyroid nodule by U/S study between July 1996 to June 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. By comparing the U/S impression that implies malignant thyroid nodule to FNAC and post-operative pathologic results ware as follows. Results: 1) Absence of cystic change, presence of internal hypoechogenicity, lobulation, calcification, thick and irregular halo, and nodule more than 4cm in diameter on U/S were considered significant statistically for the diagnosis of malignancy(Chi-square test, p<0.05) 2) Presence of internal hypoechogenicity or thick and irregular halo has the validity in Logistic regression analysis. 3) FNAC was done in 65 case. 19 case were malignant, 11 case were suspicious and 46 patients were benign (sensitivity 52.6%, specificity 87%). 4) The findings of U/S which are hypoechogenic and thick and irregular halo show 82% sensitivity and 97% specificity. In combination with the findings of FNAC that imply benign or suspicious lesions, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 97%. Conclusion: This study suggest that the hypoechogenicity and thick and irregular halo on U/S are important information for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy which were considered benign or suspicious after FNAC.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2006

Background: The location of parotid gland tumors can influence the duration and the difficulty of the operation. If the information about tumor location was available preoperatively, it would allow accurate operative planning and counseling of patients in terms of the length of the operation and the potential morbidity. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective review of 100 patients with parotid gland tumors underwent parotidectomy from January 2000 to October 2005 at Yong-Dong Severance Hospital. Based on computed tomographic(CT) scan findings, 4 landmarks such as facial nerve(FN) line, Utrecht(U) line, Conn's are(CA), and retromandibular vein (RV) were drawn on the scans in same plane. The location of tumors were determined by the landmarks and confirmed by the operative findings. The accuracy of each landmarks was evaluated. To find out the accuracies according to tumor size, the tumors were divided into 2 groups; less than 2 cm and larger than 2 cm in diameter. Results: U line was the most accurate(94%), sensitive(89.3%) and specific(97.7%) in predicting tumor location of the parotid gland. However, in small tumors less than 2cm, FN line (p=0.022) and RV criteria (p=0.028) were more reliable in accuracy. Conclusion: CA, FN line, U line, and RV are all useful landmarks in preoperative prediction for the location of parotid gland tumors. However, U line was the most accurate, but we must consider that proper landmark should be used in prediction according to the size of tumor because the accuracy of landmark may change.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.10-16
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• 2021

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to (i) assess hydration levels in elite male football players during a national team training camp before and during qualifying matches, (ii) evaluate the effect of coaching strategies for hydration based on feedback from hydration monitoring, and (iii) assess possible relationships between hydration status and training load or wellness markers. [Methods] Thirty-one male players (age 27±4 yrs; height 185±6 cm; weight 82.9±6.7 kg; body fat 10.4±2.3%) representing a national team from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) participated. The players were studied during three different national team training camps related to the UEFA Nations League tournament. Urine specific gravity (U_SG) was measured to assess hydration status. During all camps, the players were actively coached on improving strategies for hydration and given individual feedback on their test results. The training load was measured using GPS technology, and wellness questionnaires were completed. [Results] U_SG decreased progressively and significantly (p<0.005) during camp 1 and hydration status improved over the three camps, with fewer dehydrated and more well-hydrated players identified during the last part of camp 3. Significantly (p<0.05) higher U_SG values were observed 2 days prior to a match (MD-2) than on match day (MD); consequently, 52% of the players were dehydrated on MD-2 and only 6% on MD. No correlations were observed between hydration status and training load or wellness markers. [Conclusion] Dehydration is a challenge in elite male football, but continuous monitoring of hydration status and coaching on hydration strategies can lead to major improvements and reduce the degree of dehydration.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2003

Mechanical properties and microleakage of two composites [conventional hybrid type DenFil (VERICOM Co., Anyang, Korea) / micro matrix hybrid type Esthet X (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, U.S.A.)] were evaluated to assess whether variable light intensity curing is better than conventional curing technique. Curing was done for 40 seconds in two ways of 2 step soft-start technique and 5 step ramping technique. Three kinds of light intensities of 50, 100, $200{\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$ were initially used for 10, 20, 30 seconds each and the maximum intensity of $600 {\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$ was used for the rest of curing time in a soft-start curing tech nique. In a ramping technique, curing was done with the same initial intensities and the light intensity was increased 5 times with the same rate to the maximum intensity of $600{\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$. After determining conditions that showed no different mechanical properties with conventional technique, Esthet X composite was filled in a class V cavity, which dimension was $4{\times}3{\times}1.5{\;}mm$ and cured under those conditions. Microleakage was evaluated in two ways of dye penetration and maximum gap estimation through SEM observation. ANOVA and Spearman's rho test were used to confirm any statistical significance among groups. The results were as follows : 1 Several curing conditions of variable light intensities resulted in the similar mechanical properties with a conventional continuous curing technique, except conditions that start curing with an initial light intensity of $50{\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$. 2. Conventional and ramping techniques were better than soft-start technique in mechanical properties of microhardness and compressive strength. 3. Soft-start group that started curing with an initial light intensity of $100{\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$ for 10 seconds showed the least dye penetration. Soft-start group that started curing with an initial light intensity of $200{\;}mW/\textrm{cm}^2$ for 10 seconds showed the smallest marginal gap, if there was no difference among groups. 4. Soft-start technique resulted in better dye-proof margin than conventional technique(p=0.014) and ramping technique(p = 0.002). 5. There was a very low relationship(p=0.157) between the methods of dye penetration and marginal gap determination through SEM evaluation. From the results of this study, it was revealed that ramping technique would be better than conventional technique in mechanical properties, however, soft-start technique might be better than conventional one in microleakage. It was concluded that much endeavor should be made to find out the curing conditions, which have advantages of both aspects or to solve these kinds of problems through a novel idea of polymerization.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.260-264
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• 1996

Process of particle bombardment for efficient transformation of Cymbidium virescence rhizome microcross sections was investigated using Biolistic particle delivery system with pBI121 harboring the ${\beta}-glucuronidase$(GUS) and the neomycin phosphotransferaseII(nptII). The best result was obtained from the combination of $1.11{\;}{\mu}m$ tungsten particles coated with pBl121, $77.33kg/cm^2$ helium pressure, 6.35 mm gap distance, and 7.0 cm target distance. Transient expression of the reporter gene, GUS, bombarded into the rhizome microsections was observed by the histochemical assay. The marker gene, nptII, delivered by bombarding the tungsten particles coated with the plasmid DNA was identified in the transformed rhizome by polymerase chain reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 1994

Spectrophotometric determination of some light lanthanide ions by flow injection method is described. Chromeazurol S forms water soluble complex with lanthanide ions in the presence of DTAB. The absorption maximum of the complexes are from 650 nm to 655 nm and the molar absorptivities were ca. $1.8{\times}10^5\;L mol^{-1}cm^{-1}$ on Tris buffer (pH 10.5). The calibration curves for Nd(III), Eu(III) and Sm(III) obtained by FIA are over the range of 0.1 to 0.6 ppm and the correlation coefficient were ca. 0.9993. The detection limits (S/N) were from 10 ppb for Nd(III) and Eu(III) to 20 ppb for Sm(III). The relative standard deviations was ${\pm}$.2% for 0.4 ppm sample. The samples throughput was ca. $50\;cm^{-1}$.