• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2017

Background: Hepatic steatosis measured with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using transient elastography predicts metabolic syndrome in the general population. We investigated whether CAP predicted metabolic syndrome in chronic kidney disease patients. Methods: CAP was measured with transient elastography in 465 predialysis chronic kidney disease patients (mean age, 57.5 years). Results: The median CAP value was 239 (202-274) dB/m. In 195 (41.9%) patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus was more prevalent (105 [53.8%] vs. 71 [26.3%], P < 0.001), with significantly increased urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (184 [38-706] vs. 56 [16-408] mg/g Cr, P = 0.003), high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (5.4 [1.4-28.2] vs. 1.7 [0.6-9.9] mg/L, P < 0.001), and CAP (248 [210-302] vs. 226 [196-259] dB/m, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, CAP was independently related to body mass index (${\beta}=0.742$, P < 0.001), triglyceride levels (${\beta}=2.034$, P < 0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (${\beta}=0.316$, P = 0.001), serum albumin (${\beta}=1.386$, P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (${\beta}=0.064$, P = 0.029), and total bilirubin (${\beta}=-0.881$, P = 0.009). In multiple logistic regression analysis, increased CAP was independently associated with increased metabolic syndrome risk (per 10 dB/m increase; odds ratio, 1.093; 95% confidence interval, 1.009-1.183; P = 0.029) even after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion: Increased CAP measured with transient elastography significantly correlated with and could predict increased metabolic syndrome risk in chronic kidney disease patients.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 1998

To establish a monthly data collection planning for the Ocean Scanning Multispectral Imager (OSMI), we have examined the global patterns of three impacting factors: pigment concentration, cloud cover, and sun glint. Other than satellite mission constraints (e.g., duty cycle), these three factors are considered critical for the OSMI data collection. The Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) monthly mean products and the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) monthly mean products (C2) were used for the analysis of pigment concentration and cloud cover distributions, respectively. And the monthly-simulated patterns of sun glint were produced by performing the OSMI orbit prediction and the calculation of sun glint radiances at the top-of-atmosphere (TOA). Using monthly statistics (mean and/or standard deviation) of each factor in the above for a given 10$^{\circ}$ latitude by 10$^{\circ}$ longitude grid, we generated the priority map for each month. The priority maps of three factors for each month were subsequently superimposed to visualize the impact of three factors in all. The initial results illustrated that a large part of oceans in the summer hemisphere was classified into the low priority regions because of seasonal changes of clouds and sun illumination. Sensitivity tests for different sets of classifications were performed and demonstrated the seasonal effects of clouds and sun glint to be robust.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.129-144
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• 2002

We investigated anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax ginseng berry extract and its major constituent, ginsenoside Re, in obese diabetic C57BL/6J ob/ob mice and their lean littermates. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of Panax ginseng berry extract for 12 days. On Day 5, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice $(156{\pm}9.0\;mg/dl\;vs.\;243{\pm}15.8mg/dl,$ P<0.01). On Day 12, the extract-treated ob/ob mice became normoglycemic $(137{\pm}6.7\;mg/dl)$ and had significantly improved glucose tolerance. The overall glucose excursion during the two-hour intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), calculated as area under the curve (AUC), decreased by $46\%$ (P<0.01) compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice. Glucose levels of lean mice were not significantly affected by the extract. The improvement in blood glucose levels in 150 mg/kg extracttreated ob/ob mice was associated with significant reduction in serum insulin levels of fed and fasting mice. Consistent with an improvement in insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study revealed a more than 2-fold increase in the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in treated ob/ob mice $(112{\pm}19.1\;vs.\;52{\pm}11.8{\mu}mol/kg/min$ for the vehicle group, P<0.01). In addition, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice, but not the lean mice, lost significant weight (from $51.7{\pm}1.9g\;on\;Day\;0\;to\;45.7{\pm}1.2$ on Day 12, P<0.01 compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice), associated with a significant reduction in food intake (P<0.05) and a very significant increase in energy expenditure (P<0.01) and body temperature (P<0.01). A 12-day treatment with 150 mg/kg Panax ginseng berry extract also significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in ob/ob mice. Additional studies demonstrated that ginsenoside Re, a major constituent of the ginseng berry, but not from the root, plays a significant role in anti-hyperglycemic action. This anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Re was not associated with body weight changes, suggesting that other constituents in the extract have distinct pharmacological mechanisms on energy metabolism. The identification of a significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in ginsenoside Re may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agent.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.3217-3228
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• 2021

Flow blockage of the fuel assembly in the lead-based fast reactor (LFR) may produce critical local spots, which will result in cladding failure and threaten reactor safety. In this study, the flow blockage characteristics were analyzed with the sub-channel analysis method, and the circumferentially-varied method was employed for considering the non-uniform distribution of circumferential temperature. The developed sub-channel analysis code SACOS-PB was validated by a heat transfer experiment in a blocked 19-rod bundle cooled by lead-bismuth eutectic. The deviations between the predicted coolant temperature and experimental values are within ±5%, including small and large flow blockage scenarios. And the temperature distributions of the fuel rod could be better simulated by the circumferentially-varied method for the small blockage scenario. Based on the validated code, the analysis of blockage characteristics was conducted. It could be seen from the temperature and flow distributions that a large blockage accident is more destructive compared with a small one. The sensitivity analysis shows that the closer the blockage location is to the exit, the more dangerous the accident is. Similarly, a larger blockage length will lead to a more serious case. And a higher exit temperature will be generated resulting from a higher peak coolant temperature of the blocked region. This work could provide a reference for the future design and development of the LFR.

• Journal of Korean Living Environment System
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.654-664
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• 2017

The use of environmentally friendly finishing materials allows us to create a space where we can feel nature and to have stability and peace in the city center. In this paper, we examined the sensitivity of people to the three café spaces where wooden finishing materials are used in the space elements that change according to people's demands for environmentally friendly space due to pollution of living environment. First, we examined the wood and finishing materials and emotional vocabulary through literature review and previous research. Second, the values of L ^*, a ^*, b^* and sR, sG and sB values were extracted by using a line spectrophotometer (Ci6X). Third, we conducted a 7 - point scale questionnaire based on the extracted 13 pairs of emotional vocabulary. Using SPSS 21, frequency analysis by descriptive statistics, crossover analysis by visiting purpose and intention, and emotional lexical factor analysis were performed. Through the study, the following points were found. First, CB (The Coffee Bean), SB (Starbucks) and HS (Hollys Coffee) showed differences in CB (65%), SB (40%) and HS (37%) in the spatial analysis. Second, CB gave color similar to the color of wall and furniture wood, but HS changed the color or brightness of wood finishing color of furniture. HS or SB showed favorable use of wood color scheme. Third, SB (26.3%) and HS (19.7%) were selected by taste. Fourth, there were differences in the items of CB, 'local-exotic' and SB 'dark-bright' in the factor value. The use of wood finishing materials differed in the atmosphere evaluation depending on the spatial factors and the color of the furniture. However, in this study, there are many factors that are insufficient in the accuracy of the ratio of the applied wood finishing material to the space element and the amount of the survey. If we further study the evaluation of emotional image according to the ratio of wood finishing materials, we think that it is necessary to study now that interest in environmentally friendly is increasing.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in more than 15% of the dogs over 10 years of age and causes irreversible renal function deterioration. Therefore, it is important to diagnose CKD early and treat the disease properly. The purpose of this study aimed to to evaluate the clinical utility of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) using POC (point-of-care) device as an early detection urinary biomarker in CKD dogs and to confirm the correlation between ACR and other known CKD biomarkers. Urine and serum samples were obtained from 50 healthy dogs and 50 dogs with CKD. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations, and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) were measured. Urine specific gravity (USG) was evaluated using refractometer, and ACR was measured using an i-SENS A1Care analyzer. The ACR values of dogs with CKD were significantly different from those of healthy dogs (p < 0.001), as with other renal biomarkers. ACR showed significant differences between healthy dogs and dogs with CKD at every IRIS stage (p < 0.005), whereas no significant differences were observed between dogs with CKD IRIS stage I and healthy dogs with UPC. There are significant positive correlation between ACR and BUN (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), creatinine (r = 0.788, p < 0.001), SDMA (r = 0.747, p < 0.001), and UPC (r = 0.784, p < 0.001), and significant negative correlation between ACR and USG (r = -0.700, p < 0.001). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.982 (95% CI 0.963-1.000, p < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 64.20 mg/g (94% sensitivity and 94% specificity). Thus, ACR is a useful urinary biomarker for the early diagnosis of proteinuria in CKD and combined use of ACR and other renal biomarkers may be helpful for early diagnosis and prevention of CKD in dogs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.531-535
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• 2007

Purpose : Indomethacin treatment is successful in about 90% of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants, but in some, repeated administration or surgical closure is required. The object of the present study is to determine the factors affecting the efficacy of indomethacin treatment and to predict the treatment result. Method : The 29 preterm neonates, admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Kyunghee university medical center and Eulji university hospital between September 2002 and April 2006 were diagnosed of PDA and treated with indomethacin. The risk factors that might affect the efficacy of treatment were studied retrospectively. Results : The single-administered group was 19 patients out of 29 (65.5%) and among the repeated-administered group, 5 patients (17.2%) had repeated indomethacin administration and the other 5 patients (17.2%) underwent surgery due to reopening of the duct after repeated medical treatment. In repeated-administered group, the diameter of PDA was significantly larger ($3.66{\pm}0.8mm$ vs $2.55{\pm}0.8mm$, P<0.01), especially when larger than 3.5 mm (sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 89%). Also, the mean postnatal age of the first indomethacin administration was significantly delayed in repeated-administered group (19.7 days vs 12.5 days, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in gestational age (32 wk 5 days vs 30 wk 8 days) and in birth weight (1598.9 g vs 1750.5 g). There were no significant differences in associated morbidities. Conclusion : In patients with larger diameter of PDA (>3.5 mm) and older postnatal age (>7 days), the effect of indomethacin was decreased. Therefore in such cases, repeated dose of indomethacin or surgical ligation should be considered earlier.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1989

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of serotonergic neurotransmission in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) for the central regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and its involvement in baroreceptor reflex activation in rats. A microinjection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) into the NTS produced decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Maximal decreases were $34.4{\pm}1.6$ mmHg and $41.7{\pm}10.2$ beats per min by 300 pmol of 5-HT. Microinjections of ${\alpha}-methylnor-adrenaline$ $({\alpha}-MNE)$ and clonidine manifested similar decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. The hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were blocked by previous applications of 5-HT antagonists, ritanserin, methysergide and ketanserin into the NTS, respectively. By pretreatment with reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, i.c.v.), both hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT were significantly attenuated. Pretreatment with 5, 7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, i.c.v.) enhanced the hypotensive and bradycardial effects of 5-HT. Similarly, following pretreatment with 6-OHDA, the effects of clonidine were increased. Pretreatment either with 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA significantly attenuated the sensitivity of baroreflex produced either by phenylephrine or by sodium nitroprusside. When either 5,7-DHT or 6-OHDA was injected into the NTS $(5,7-DHT;\;8{\mu}g\;6-OHDA;\;10{\mu}g)$, both of the baroreflex sensitivities were impaired. In the immunohistochemical study, the injection of 6-OHDA into the the NTS led to reduction of axon terminal varicosity, however, the injection did not reduce the numbers of catecholaminergic cell bodies. Likewise, when 5,7-DHT was injected into the NTS, the varicosity of serotonergic axon terminals was markedly reduced. Based on these results, it is suggested that (1) stimulation of serotonergic receptors in the NTS leads to decreases in blood pressure and heart rate as observed with the stimulation of catecholaminergic system, (2) both serotonergic and catecholaminergic receptors may be located postsynaptically, and (3) the serotonergic neurons as well as catecholaminergic neurons may have a close relevance for the activation of baroreflex.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.220-226
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• 2017

Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are neurotransmitters and hormones that exist in small amounts but have important role in the body. Serum and 24-hour urine are used as specimens, and are usually examined by HPLC-MS. In this study, we tried to detect DA and 5-HT by competitive ELISA using antigen-antibody (Ab) reaction. After immobilizing $5{\mu}g/mL$ BSA conjugate on a 96-well surface, hormone and primary Ab, which are respectively diluted to different concentrations, were treated. Then, HRP-conjugated secondary Ab and TMB were added to measure absorbance. The regression equation and $R^2$ value were calculated based on absorbance, and sensitivity of Ab to hormone as well as the correlation between hormone concentration and absorbance were determined. In DA ELISA, $R^2$, the correlation between the concentration of hormone and absorbance, was the highest by 0.91 when anti-dopamine Ab was diluted 6,000 times and 7,000 times. In 5-HT ELISA, $R^2$ was bigger than 0.90 in every concentration except 3,000 times and 6,000 times. Both DA and 5-HT were not effectively detected at low concentrations (less than $1.0{\times}10^{-7}M$); and because reference value of serum DA is lower than this, HPLC-MS was required to detect serum DA. However, competitive ELISA may be effective in detecting 24-hour urine DA, serum, and 24-hour 5-HT. Further studies are needed to detect hormones more accurately at lower concentrations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.776-780
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• 1998

Background: In patients with coronary artery disease, dysfunctional hypoperfused myocardium at rest may represent either nonviable or viable hibernating myocardium. Two-dimensional echocardiography can detect regional wall motion abnormalities resulting from myocardial ischemia by dobutamine infusion. The purpose of the present study was to identify the prediction of improvement of regional left ventricular(LV) function after surgical revascularization. Materials and methods: Sixteen patients with chronic regional LV dysfunction underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography(DSE) (dobutamine: baseline, 5, 10, 20$\mu$g/kg/min) before coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) and underwent echocardiography at least 2 months after CABG. Results: All patients were male with mean age of 58 years ranging from 42 to 73 years. The mean LV ejection fraction was 41.8% with a range from 19% to 55%. During DSE, there were no complications, also, there were no operative morbidities or mortalities. Improvement of wall motion within the dysfunctional myocardium was found in 8(50%) of 16 patients in DSE. Among them, 6 patients(75%) showed functional recovery after CABG. Another 8 patients did not show improvement of wall motion in DSE. But among them, 3 patients(38%) showed functional recovery after CABG. 84 dysfunctional segments were found in 256 segments of 16 patients. Improvement of wall motion was found in 34 of 84 segments in DSE. Among them, 23 segments(74%) showed functional recovery after CABG. Another 53 segments did not show improvement of wall motion in DSE. But among them, 12 segments(23%) showed functional recovery after CABG. The sensitivity and specificity of DSE for the prediction of postoperative improvement of segmental wall motion were 66% and 84%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive value of DSE were 74% and 77%, respectively. In patients with chronic regional LV dysfunction, think that DSE is a good predictor of the improvement of dysfunctional segments after CABG.