• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2001

Objective: To compare the usefulness of unenhanced spiral CT (UCT) with that of excretory urography (EU) in patients with acute flank pain. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients presenting with acute flank pain underwent both UCT and EU. Both techniques were used to determine the presence, size, and location of urinary stone, and the presence or absence of secondary signs was also evaluated. The existence of ureteral stone was confirmed by its removal or spontaneous passage during follow-up. The absence of a stone was determined on the basis of the clinical and radiological evidence. Results: Twenty-one of the 30 patients had one or more ureteral stones and nine had no stone. CT depicted 22 of 23 calculi in the 21 patients with a stone, and no calculus in all nine without a stone. The sensitivity and specificity of UCT were 96% and 100%, respectively. EU disclosed 14 calculi in the 21 patients with a stone and no calculus in eight of the nine without a stone. UCT and EU demonstrated secondary signs of ureterolithiasis in 15 and 17 patients, respectively. Conclusion: For the evaluation of patients with acute flank pain, UCT is an excellent modality with high sensitivity and specificity. In near future it may replace EU.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.258-269
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• 2024

Treatment of patients with coronary artery disease commonly involves the use of balloon-expandable stent placements, currently recognized as the most prevalent approach for coronary artery revascularization. Nevertheless, the occurrence of restenosis remains a significant complication following percutaneous coronary interventions. The diagnostic role of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in detecting stent restenosis has limitations primarily attributable to challenges in accurately discerning the lumen, due to issues such as blooming and motion artifacts. As a result, many cases often necessitate a transition to conventional coronary angiography. However, recent advancements in CT technology have led to notable improvements in both sensitivity and specificity, underscoring the growing significance of CCTA as a diagnostic tool. The consistent reporting of high negative predictive value is particularly noteworthy. This review aims to explore the historical context, current status, and recent trends in diagnosing coronary artery stent restenosis using CCTA.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2010

In order to improve T-N and T-P removal in HF (horizontal flow)-HF hybrid constructed wetlands by natural purification method for treating the hydroponic wastewater in greenhouses, the efficiency of water treatment as affected by the injection method of hydroponic wastewater, the addition of special filter media, the particle size of filter media, and the injection ratio of hydroponic wastewater in $1^{st}$ HF and $2^{nd}$ HF beds were investigated in small-scale HF-HF hydroponic wastewater treatment apparatus. Removal rate of T-P in the water in HF-HF hydroponic wastewater treatment apparatus with calcite as affected by addition method of special filter media was higher than that in HF-HF hydroponic wastewater treatment apparatus with other filter media. Removal rate of BOD, COD, SS, T-N and T-P in the water in mixed filter media with calcite were 86, 84, 87, 50 and 97%, respectively. Removals of pollutants except for T-P in the water were slightly different. Therefore, it should be considered that the removal rate of T-P was good for calcite in HF-HF hydroponic wastewater treatment apparatus. To improve T-N and T-P removal, the optimum particle size of filter media was 1.2 mm, and the optimum injection ratio ($1^{st}$ HF bed : $2^{nd}$ HF bed) of hydroponic wastewater was 60:40.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2013

For the optimal design of the vehicle electric system, it is important to have a reliable modeling tool to predict the dynamic behavior of the automotive battery. In this work, a one-dimensional modeling was carried-out to predict the dynamic behaviors of a 12-V automotive lead-acid battery. The model accounted for electrochemical kinetics and ionic mass transfer in a battery cell. In order to validate the modeling, modeling results were compared with the experiment data of the dynamic behaviors of the lead-acid batteries of two different capacities that were mounted on the automobiles manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company. The discharge behaviors were measured with various discharge rates of C/3, C/5, C/10, C/20 and combination. And dynamic behaviors of charge and discharge were measured. The voltage curves from the experiment and simulation were in good agreement. Based on the modeling, the distributions of the electrical potentials of the solid and solution phases, and the current density within the electrodes could be predicted as a function of charge and discharge time.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.325-331
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• 2003

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) inhibits electron transport in mitochondria, leading to a metabolic failure. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying this toxicity, we examined a few biochemical changes possibly involved in the process, such as metabolic inhibition, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA strand breakage, and activation of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Exposure of SK-N-BE(2)C neuroblastoma cells to 3-NP for 48 h caused actual cell death, while inhibition of mitochondrial function was readily observed when exposed for 24 h to low concentrations (0.2${\sim}$2 mM) of 3-NP. The earliest biochemical change detected with low concentration of 3-NP was an accumulation of ROS (4 h after 3-NP exposure) followed by degradation of DNA. PARP activation by damaged DNA was also detectable, but at a later time. The accumulation of ROS and DNA strand breakage were suppressed by the addition of glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which also partially restored mitochondrial function and cell viability. In addition, inhibition of PARP also reduced the 3-NP-induced DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity. These results suggest that oxidative stress and activation of PARP are the major factors in 3-NP-induced cytotoxicity, and that the inhibition of these factors may be useful in protecting neuroblastoma cells from 3-NP-induced toxicity.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.203-214
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• 2000

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in periodontal diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent medical problem in patients with periodontal diseases. In order to check the possibility that P. gingivalis is involved in coronary heart disease, the present study was performed to observe P. gingivalis adherence and invasion of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) and production of cytokines and growth factors by HCAEC upon P. gingivalis infection. $^3H$-labeled P. gingivalis 381 was incubated with HCAEC for 90 min. The radioactivity of the washed HCAEC was a measure of the absorbed (adhering and invading) P. gingivalis. The absorption radioactivity of the HCAEC infected by P. gingivalis was determined to be 59.58% of the input bacterial cells. In contrast, the absorption radioactivity of the cells infected by S. gordonii Challis which was employed as a control was negligible (0.59%). DPG3, a P. gingivalis mutant defective of fimbriae, appeared to be impaired to some extent in capability of adherence/invasion as compared to that of the parental strain 381, showing 43.04% of the absorption radioactivity. The absorption radioactivity of the HCAEC infected by P. gingivalis 381 in the presence of excessive fimbriae at the concentrations of $50\;{\mu}g$ and $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ was 57.27 and 45.44%, respectively. Invasion of HCAEC by P. gingivalis 381 was observed by an antibiotic (metronidazole) protection assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the antibiotic protection assay, invasion by the bacterium was measured to be 0.73, 1.09, and 1.51% of the input bacterial cells after incubation for 30, 60, and 90 min, respectively. Invasion by DPG3 was shown to be 0.16% after 90-min incubation. In comparison of invasion efficiency at 90 min of the incubation, the invasion efficiency of DPG3 was 0.37% while that of its parental strain 381 was 2.54%. The immunoblot analysis revealed fimbriae of P. gingivalis did not interact with the surface of HCAEC. These results suggest that fimbriae are not the major contribution to the adherence of P. gingivalis to HCAEC but may be important in the invasion of HCAEC by the bacterium. The presence of cytochalasin D ($1\;{\mu}g/ml$) and staurosporine ($1\;{\mu}M$) reduced the invasion of HCAEC by P. gingivalis 381 by 78.86 and 53.76%, respectively, indicating that cytoskeletal rearrangement and protein kinase of HCAEC are essential for the invasion. Infection of P. gingivalis induced HCAEC to increase the production of TNF-${\alpha}$. by 60.6%. At 90 min of the incubation, the HCAEC infected with P. gingivalis cells was apparently atypical in the shape, showing loss of the nuclear membrane and subcellular organelles. The overall results suggest that P. gingivalis may cause coronary heart disease by adhering to and invading endothelial cells, and subsequently damaging the cells.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.417-425
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• 2021

As the demand for high-capacity batteries increases, there has been growing researches on the lithium metal anode with a capacity (3,860 mAh/g) of higher than that of conventional one and a low electrochemical potential (-3.040 V). In this study, using the anatase phased TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis, a PVdF-HFP/TiO₂ organic/inorganic composite material was designed and used as an interfacial protective layer for a Li metal anode. As-formed organic/inorganic-lithium composite thin film was confirmed through the crystalline structure and morphological analyses. In addition, the electrochemical test (cycle stability and voltage profile) confirmed that the protective layer of PVdF-HFP/TiO₂ composite (10 wt% TiO₂ and 1.1 ㎛ film thickness) contributed to the enhanced electrochemical performance of the lithium metal anode (Colombic efficiency retention: 90% for 77 cycles). Based on comparative test with the untreated lithium electrode, it was confirmed that our protective layer plays an important role to stabilize/improve the EC performance of the lithium metal negative electrode.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.1014-1031
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• 2022

The Kasai portoenterostomy is the first-line treatment for the restoration of the flow of bile to the small intestine in patients with biliary atresia. Various complications can occur after Kasai portoenterostomy, including ascending cholangitis, biliary cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Of these potential complications, ascending cholangitis in the most common. In cases of patients having uncontrolled complications due to progressive liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or progressive hyperbilirubinemia, liver transplantation is the indicated as treatment plan. Lifelong follow-up, particularly involving imaging studies, is important for the identification of various complications arising from biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy. Additionally, imaging studies play a crucial role in the evaluation of potential liver donors and recipients. US is a key imaging modality utilized in the management of patients who undergo Kasai portoenterostomy, while CT and MRI are imperative to obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.82-95
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• 2021

We investigated the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) in all 13 locations of Masan Bay from February to November in 2015. The COD and TOC contents were high during the June-August period when the pollution load increased. In particular, the concentrations of COD and TOC were about twice as high in the surface water as in the bottom water. In spatial distribution, the COD and TOC concentrations at the inner bay were about twice as high as those of the outer bay in Masan Bay. As a result of estimating the oxidation efficiency of COD from the surface layer of Masan Bay in 2015 based on the theoretical oxygen demand (TOD), it was at the level of about 23%. Due to the low oxidation efficiency of COD, there is a risk that the organic matter in Masan Bay will be somewhat underestimated. Therefore, for quantitative analysis of organic matter, COD and TOC analyses need to be combined.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.719-726
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• 2014

The ${\gamma}$-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms has been used in various ways as a signaling molecule or a significant component generating metabolic energy under conditions of nutrient limitation or stress, through GABA catabolism. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) catalyzes the oxidation of succinic semialdehyde to succinic acid in the final step of GABA catabolism. Here, we report the catalytic properties and two crystal structures of SSADH from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpSSADH) regarding its cofactor preference. Kinetic analysis showed that SpSSADH prefers $NADP^+$ over $NAD^+$ as a hydride acceptor. Moreover, the structures of SpSSADH were determined in an apo-form and in a binary complex with $NADP^+$ at $1.6{\AA}$ and $2.1{\AA}$ resolutions, respectively. Both structures of SpSSADH showed dimeric conformation, containing a single cysteine residue in the catalytic loop of each subunit. Further structural analysis and sequence comparison of SpSSADH with other SSADHs revealed that Ser158 and Tyr188 in SpSSADH participate in the stabilization of the 2'-phosphate group of adenine-side ribose in $NADP^+$. Our results provide structural insights into the cofactor preference of SpSSADH as the gram-positive bacterial SSADH.