• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2019

Objective : Functional outcomes have traditionally been evaluated and compared using subjective surveys, such as visual analog scores (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), to assess symptoms and quality of life. However, these surveys are limited by their subjective natures and inherent bias caused by differences in patient perceptions of symptoms. The Fitbit $Charge^{(R)}$ (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) provides accurate and objective measures of physical activity. The use of this device in patients after laminectomy would provide objective physical measures that define ambulatory function, activity level, and degree of recovery. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify relationships between the number of steps taken by patients per day and VAS pain scores, prognoses, and postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : We prospectively investigated 22 consecutive patients that underwent laminectomy for spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc between June 2015 and April 2016 by the same surgeon. When patients were admitted for surgery and first visited after surgery, preoperative and postoperative functional scores were recorded using VAS scores, ODI scores, and SF-36. The VAS scores and physical activities were recorded daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7. The relationship between daily VAS scores and daily physical activities were investigated by simple correlation analysis and the relationship between mean number of steps taken and ODI scores after surgery was subjected to simple regression analysis. In addition, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to investigate the significance of pre-to-postoperative differences in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores. Results : Pre-to-postoperative VAS (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), SF-36 mental composite scores (p=0.009), and SF-36 physical composite scores (p<0.001) scores were found to be significantly different. Numbers of steps taken from POD 1 to POD 7 were negatively correlated with daily VAS scores (r=-0.981, p<0.001). In addition, the mean number of steps from POD 3 to POD 7 and the decrease in ODI conducted one month after surgery were statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion : Wearable devices are not only being used increasingly by consumers as lifestyle devices, but are also progressively being used in the medical area. This is the first study to demonstrate the usefulness of a wearable device for checking patient physical activity and predicting pain and prognosis after laminectomy. Based on our experience, the wearable device used to provide measures of physical activity in the present study has the potential to provide objective information on pain severity and prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1221-1231
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• 2023

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion: Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.117-128
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• 2000

The present study explored the influence of temporomandibular disorders(TMD) with anterior open bite on swallowing. Fifteen subjects with anterior open bite(group A), 9 subjects with anterior open bite and TMD(group B), and 24 subjects without malocclusion or TMD symptoms (group C) were included. BioPAK system(Bioresearch Inc., Milwaukee, WI, USA) was used to record the muscle activities of anterior temporal, masseter, sternocleidomastoid(SCM) and anterior digastric muscles during maximum clenching and swallowing. Positional change of the mandible during swallowing was also recorded using the same system. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Group A, B, and C did not show significant differences each other in the muscle activity of resting position in most of head and neck muscles. 2. Group B showed significantly lower muscle activity in maximum clenching than group C in anterior temporal(p<0.01), masseter(p<0.05), SCM(p<0.05) and digastric muscles(p<0.05). 3. Group A showed significantly lower muscle activity during swallowing than group C in anterior temporal and masseter muscles(p<0.01). Group B showed significantly lower muscle activity during swallowing than group C in anterior temporal(p<0.01), masseter(p<0.01), and SCM muscles(p<0.05). 4. Group A and B showed increased positional change of the mandible during swallowing measured from vertical, anteroposterior and lateral aspects, and prolonged swallowing(p<0.05). 5. After given instructions for normal swallowing pattern, group A and B showed increased muscle activity during swallowing in anterior temporal, masseter and SCM muscles(p<0.01). Positional change of the mandible and time elapsed for swallowing also decreased after the instruction(p<0.01). 6. Occlusal splint did not change the muscle activity during swallowing. However, vertical change(p<0.01) and swallowing time(p<0.05) were decreased with splint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2023

Background: Various functional tests such as upper quarter Y-balance test (UQYBT) are used to evaluate shoulder stability and mobility in clinical or sports fields. Previous studies have been conducted to determine the correlation between the scapular or trunk muscle and UQYBT. However, the correlation between UQYBT and hip flexor, which can be considered as a core muscle, has not been confirmed. Objects: To verify the relationship between the UQYBT and scapular muscle (scapular protractor and lower trapezius [LT]), trunk muscle, and hip flexor strengths in healthy male participants. Methods: A total of 37 healthy male participants were recruited and underwent UQYBT in the push-up posture. The isometric strength of the scapular protractor, LT, trunk flexor and extensor, and hip flexors were measured using a smart KEMA strength sensor (KOREATECH Inc.). Results: The superolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related to trunk extensor (r = 0.443, p < 0.01), scapular protractor (r = 0.412, p < 0.05), LT (r = 0.436, p < 0.01), and both sides of the hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.669, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.641, p < 0.01). The inferolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately related to the scapular protractor (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.511, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.481, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.521, p < 0.01). The medial direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related with the scapular protractor (r = 0.522, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.541, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.605, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.561, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that the strength of the scapular muscles, trunk muscles, and hip flexor muscles correlated to the UQYBT. Therefore, the strength of not only the scapular and trunk muscles but also the hip flexor muscles should be considered to improve the UQYBT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2112-2118
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• 2017

Leuconostoc mesenteroides is used as a starter to produce high-quality kimchi products. In this study, an efficient and economical cabbage juice medium (CJM) was developed by process optimization of cabbage extraction and pasteurization and by compositional supplementation of various lacking nutrients. The pasteurized cabbage juice was determined to be a good medium candidate to cultivate L. mesenteroides, showing maximal cell numbers ($9.85{\times}10^8CFU/ml$) after 24 h. Addition of sucrose and yeast extract with soy peptone resulted in increment of bacterial cell counts in CJM, showing the supplementing effect of the lacking nutrients. Furthermore, addition of shell powder gave a protective effect on bacterial cells by preventing pH decline and organic acid accumulation in CJM, resulting in a 2-fold increase of bacterial counts. The optimized composition of CJM was 70% cabbage juice diluted with water, 0.5% (w/v) sucrose, 1% (w/v) yeast extract, 1% (w/v) soy peptone, and 1.5% (w/v) ark shell powder. The CJM developed in this study was able to yield a comparable level of bacterial counts with MRS medium and reduced the cost by almost 10-fold.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2010

Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) is a glycoprotein hormone that is important in the maintenance of calcium and phosphate homeostasis in both fish and mammals. STC1 and its paralog STC2 are expressed in multiple tissues in fishes, although the physiological roles of piscine STCs are still unclear compared with those of mammals. In this study, we cloned olive flounder STC1 (ofSTC1) and ofSTC2 cDNAs into pET28a vector and used E. coli Rosetta (DE3) as the host strain for protein expression. Expression experiments were carried out using isopropyl-$\beta$-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) and nickel affinity chromatography. We could identify the recombinant proteins as single 29.5 kDa (ofSTC1) and 33.2 kDa (ofSTC2) bands in the insoluble fraction on sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). These results indicate that ofSTC1 and ofSTC2 were expressed as insoluble proteins in E. coli. Furthermore, the injection of ofSTC1 protein into juvenile tilapia resulted in a decrease of the serum calcium level. These results suggest that the purified fish STC1 and STC2 proteins may be used to elucidate the physiological role of STCs in fishes.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.07a
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• pp.496-497
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• 2006

90년대에 들어서면서부터 미래원천기술 개발에 필요한 양성자원 및 중성자원의 중요성이 부각됨으로써, 이에 적합한 고에너지(수백 MeV${\sim}$수 GeV) 및 대전류(수십 mA)의 대형 양성자 가속기가 개발되어 반도체 생산, 의료장비 등 여러 분야에 널리 적용되고 있는 추세이다[1, 2]. 이에 양성자 사업단은 21세기 미래 원천기술을 개발하고 산업경쟁력을 제고하며 공공복지를 증진시킬 수 있는 양성자가속기를 개발하여, NT, BT, IT, ST등 중요 국가과학기술분야의 발전기반을 확충하기 위한 프론티어 사업목표로 하고 있으며 이에 부응할 수 있는 양성자 가속기 연구센터 건설계획을 설정하여 추진 중에 있다. 본 논문에서는 양성자 가속기 연구센터 건설계획 과정 중에서 전력설비 설계 방법, 즉 154kV 수전 설비, 직류전원계통, 무정전 전원계통 설비, 접지 및 피뢰설비의 기능 및 특징에 관해 기술하고자 한다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2010.03a
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• pp.1178-1189
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• 2010

낙동강 하구지역 연직배수공법이 적용된 연약지반에서 성토시 발생할 수 있는 지반의 측방변형에 대해 3개소 현장 35개 지점에서 수행한 현장 계측데이터를 분석하였다. 성토과정에서 측방변형 패턴 및 변형량을 파악하는데 가장 우선적으로 파악해야 할 계측항목이 지중경사계이며 지반특성별 측방변형 패턴(최대 측방변위발생 지점, 전단변위 발생지점, 지층에 따른 변위발생 형태 등)의 정밀 분석을 위해서는 지중경사계가 설치된 지점의 지층구성을 파악하는 것이 가장 중요하다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 최대 측방변위량과 성토체 중앙부 침하량과의 관계에서는 Tavenas et al.(1979)이 제안한 ${\Delta}_y=(0.18+0.09){\Delta}_s$이하로 관측되었다. 또한 측방변형 억제 및 인접지반의 동반침하를 차단하기 위해 보강된 D.C.M., C.I.P.구간에서는 Tavenas et al.(1979)이 제안한 ${\Delta}_y=(0.18-0.09){\Delta}_s$이하로 관측되었다. 최대 측방변위량과 성토속도와의 관계에서는 과잉간극수압 소산에 필요한 충분한 시간과 원활한 배수가 될 수 있도록 시공관리(성토속도조절, 배수관리 철저)하는 것이 무엇보다도 중요하다는 사실을 다시 한 번 확인 할 수 있었다. 마지막으로 편재하중 재하에 따른 인접 지반 및 구조물의 침하 및 기울기 변화는 측방유동에 의한 거동과 함께 압밀침하에 의한 제체의 체적감소로 인한 인접지반의 동반침하가 상당기간 동안 발생하고 있는 것으로 관측되었다.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2005

Bromobenzene (BB) is well known hepatotoxicant. Also, BB is an industrial solvent that arouses toxicity predominantly in the liver where it causes centrilobular necrosis. BB is subjected to Cytochrome P450 mediated epoxidation followed by either conjugation with glutathione, enzymatic hydrolysis or further oxidation. In this study, we focused on BB-induced gene expression at non-hepatotoxic dose. Mice were exposed to two levels of BB, sampled at 24 h, and hepatic gene expression levels were determined to evaluate dose dependent changes. When examining the toxic dose of BB treated group in other previous studies, genes related to heat shock protein, oxidative stress, and drug metabolism are expressed. Compared to these results, our study, in which non-toxic dose of BB was administrated, showed similar patterns as the toxic conditions above. The purpose of the study was to select genes that showed changes in relation to the differing dose through confirmation of the difference within transcriptomic boundaries, but those that are not detected by the existing classic toxicology tools in non-hepatotoxic dose.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2021

This study was conducted to provide basic data for habitat management and preservation of Jeongmaek. A total of 18 priority research areas were selected with consideration to terrain and habitat environment, and 54 fixed plots were selected for three types of habits: development, valley, and forest road and ridge. The survey was conducted in each season (May, August, and October), excluding the winter season, from 2016 to 2018. The distribution analysis of birds observed in each habitat type using a self-organizing map (SOM) classified them into a total of four groups (MRPP, A=0.12, and p <0.005). The comparative analysis of the number of species, the number of individuals, and the species diversity index for each SOM group showed that they were all the highest in group III (Kruskal-Wallis, the number species: x² = 13.436, P <0.005; the number of individuals: x² = 8.229, P <0.05; the species diversity index: x² = 17.115, P <0.005). Moreover, the analysis by applying the land cover map to the random forest model to examine the index species of each group and identify the characteristics of the habitat environment showed a difference in the ratio of the habitat environment and the indicator species among the four groups. The index species analysis identified a total of 18 bird species as the indicator species in three groups except for group II. When applying the random forest model and indicator species analysis to the results of classification into four groups using the SOM, the composition of the indicator species by the group showed a correlation with the habitat characteristics of each group. Moreover, the distribution patterns and densities of observed species were clearly distinguished according to the dominant habitat for each group. The results of the analysis that applied the SOM, indicator species, and random forest model together can derive useful results for the characterization of bird habitats according to the habitat environment.