• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.15-35
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• 2015

Objectives This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bujasasim-tang ethanol extract (BST) on oxidative stress, inflammation and osteoarthritic rat model. Methods To ensure safety of BST, heavy metal levels were measured and cytotoxicity test was done. In vitro, To evaluate antioxidative effects of BST, total phenolic contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Also, to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of BST treated group, total nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) levels were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo, We injected MIA $50{\mu}l$ (60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats to induce osteoarthritis. Rats were divided into total 3 groups (normal, control, BST treated group, each n=7). Normal group was not treated at all without inducing osteoarthritis and taken normal diet. Control group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken with 2 ml of distilled water once a day for 4 weeks. BST treated group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken BST 2 ml (200 mg/kg/mouse) once a day for 4 weeks. We evaluated dynamic weight bearing with the Incapacitance Test Meter. At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed to observe the functions of liver and kidney, changes of WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood, to evaluate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tissue inhibitor of metallopreteinases-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) within serum. We observed change of articular structures by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E), safranin-O staining method and measured amount of cartilage by micro CT-arthrography. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired student's t-test with significance level at p<0.05 in SPSS 11.0 for windows. Results 1. Safety of the BST was identified. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine levels of BST treated group were within normal limit. In vitro, 1. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities of BST showed dose-dependent increase. 2. ROS production were significantly decreased. 3. Total nitric oxide (NO) and IL-$1{\beta}$ production were decreased. 4. IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production were significantly decreased. In vivo, 1. Weight bearing ability was significantly increased. 2. WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood were decreased. 3. IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. and the IL-6 level was decreased. 4. TIMP-1, MMP-9, $LTB_4$, $PGE_2$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. 5. Cartilage volume of BST treated group was significantly increased. Also changes of cartilage, synovial membrane, fibrous tissue were suppressed. Conclusions The results obtained in this study Bujasasim-tang have effects of antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, relieve pain and protection of cartilage. Therefore we expect that Bujasasim-tang is effective treatment for osteoarthritis.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.385-390
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• 2006

In this work, the effect of carbon nanofiber (CNF) on thermal properties, and friction and wear behavior of CNF/PMMA composites were examined. While thermal properties of the composites were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, thermograyimetric analyzer, and dynamic mechanical analyzer friction and wear behaviors were examined using a friction and wear tester. The glass transition temperature (Tg), integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT), storage modulus (E'), and tan ${\delta}$ appeared at higher temperatures with increasing CNF content, which were probably attributed to the presence of strong interactions between the carbonaceous fillers and the PMMA resins matrix. The wear loss in the composites decreased at 0.1 wt% CNF and then increased with 5-10 wt% CNF content. This was due to the existence of large aspect ratio CNF in PMMA which led to an alignment of PMMA chains and an increase of mechanical interlocking, resulting in the formation of crosslinked structures between CNF and PMMA in the composite.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics D
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• v.36D no.8
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• pp.36-44
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• 1999

This paper presents the design and fabrication of the duplexer for a Ka-band satellite transponder which is analyzed transmission characteristics by calculating the generalized scattering matrix using mode matching method. It is composed of 2 bandpass filters, coupled with H-plane T-junction having symmetrical inductive iris and E-plane metal insert structures. Compared with the size and weight of the Rx and Tx filter loaded with a transponders respectively, those of the duplexer can be effectively reduced. In a high power transmission, the variation of the filter characteristics is minimized by the scheme that irises are extended to the exterior of H-plane of the waveguide. This scheme needs no extra heat sinks for dissipating high power. The duplexer is designed to improve the simplification, durability and reliability by eliminating tuning screws, which have been used to compensate for the characteristics of fabricated filters. The bandpass filters of the duplexer show the insertion loss of less than 1.2 dB and the return loss in excess of 15 dB. The isolations of more than 65 dB have been achieved between Rx and Tx filter.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2010

It has been well known that concrete structures exposed to acid and sulfate environments such as sewer, sewage and wastewater, soil, groundwater, and seawater etc. show significant decrease in their durability due to chemical attack. Such deleterious acid and sulfate attacks lead to expansion and cracking in concrete, and thus, eventually result in damage to concrete matrix by forming expansive hydration products due to the reaction between portland cement hydration products and acid and sulfate ions. Objectives of this experimental research are to investigate the effect of mineral admixtures on the resistance to acid and sulfate attack in concrete and to suggest high-resistance concrete mix against acid and sulfate attack. For this purpose, concretes specimens with three types of cement (ordinary portland cement (OPC), binary blended cement (BBC), and ternary blended cement (TBC) composed of different types and proportions of admixtures) were prepared at water-biner ratios of 32% and 43%. The concrete specimens were immersed in fresh water, 5% sulfuric acid, 10% sodium sulfate, and 10% magnesium sulfate solutions for 28, 56, 91, 182, and 365 days, respectively. To evaluate the resistance to acid and sulfate for concrete specimens, visual appearance changes were observed and compressive strength ratios and mass change ratios were measured. It was observed from the test results that the resistance against sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate solutions of the concretes containing mineral admixtures were much better than that of OPC concrete, but in the case of magnesium sulfate solution the concretes containing mineral admixtures was less resistant than OPC concrete due to formation of magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) which is non-cementitious.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2008

In this study, we fabricated poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffold modified with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a drug delivery matrix of bioactive molecules. SIS derived from the submucosa layer of porcine intestine has been widely used as biomaterial because of low immune response. PLGA scaffold was prepared by the method of solvent casting/salt leaching. Novel composite scaffolds of SIS/PLGA were manufactured by simple immersion method of PLGA scaffold in SIS solution under vacuum. SEM observation shows that PLGA and SIS/PLGA scaffolds have interconnective and open pores. Especially, SIS/PLGA scaffold showed that micro-sponge of SIS with interconnected pore structures were formed in the pores of PLGA scaffold. In order to assay release profile of proteins, we manufactured FITC conjugated BSA loaded PLGA and SIS/PLGA scaffold. And the release amount was identified by fluorescence intensity using the fluorescence spectrophotometer. The initial burst of BSA containing SIS/PLGA scaffolds was lower than that of PLGA scaffolds resulting in constant release. And release of BSA in SIS/PLGA scaffold was fast and incremental because of the increased content of BSA. In conclusion, we confirmed that penetrated SIS solution prevented the initial burst of BSA and PLGA modified with SIS scaffold is useful as protein carriers with controlled release pattern.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.105-114
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• 2020

Background: Exploring the pharmacokinetic (PK) changes of various active components of single herbs and their combinations is necessary to elucidate the compatibility mechanism. However, the lack of chemical standards and low concentrations of multiple active ingredients in the biological matrix restrict PK studies. Methods: A putative multiple reaction monitoring strategy based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was developed to extend the PK scopes of quantification without resorting to the use of chemical standards. First, the compounds studied, including components with available reference standard (ARS) and components lacking reference standard (LRS), were preclassified to several groups according to their chemical structures. Herb decoctions were then subjected to ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis with appropriate collision energy (CE) in MS² mode. Finally, multiple reaction monitoring transitions transformed from MS² of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used for ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry to obtain the mass responses of LRS components. LRS components quantification was further performed by developing an assistive group-dependent semiquantitative method. Results: The developed method was exemplified by the comparative PK process of single herbs Radix Ginseng (RG), Radix Polygala (RP), and their combinations (RG-RP). Significant changes in PK parameters were observed before and after combination. Conclusion: Results indicated that Traditional Chinese Medicine combinations can produce synergistic effects and diminish possible toxic effects, thereby reflecting the advantages of compatibility. The proposed strategy can solve the quantitative problem of LRS and extend the scopes of PK studies.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.546-553
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• 2012

Urushiol extracted from lacquer tree exhibits good thermal stabilities as well as antimicrobial andantioxidant properties. However, it has been known that the urushiol derivates bring out allergy. In this study, polyurushiol (PUOH) powders were successfully synthesized for the safe and convenient handling of allergic urushiol. First, the as-synthesized PUOH was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), antioxidant test and antimicrobial test. And then, six different LDPE/PUOH composite films were prepared via a twin screw extruder system and investigated their feasibility to use as active packaging materials. Their chemical structures, morphology, thermal optical and antimicrobial properties of the LDPE/PUOH composite films were investigated as a function of PUOH contents. FTIR and SEM results showed that LDPE/PUOH composite films have a weak interfacial interaction and poor dispersion with a high PUOH loading. The thermal properties increased up to 3 wt% as the content of PUOH increases. Compared to the pure LDPE films, LDPE/PUOH composite films are more effective in the UV absorbance and antibacterial activity against E. coli. To maximize the performance of LDPE/PUOH compositefilms as the packaging materials, further researches are required to enhance the dispersion of PUOH powders in the LDPE matrix.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of ex vivo MR diffusion tensor imaging technique in order to observe the diffusion-contrast characteristics of human gastric tissues. On normal and pathologic gastric tissues, which have been fixed in a polycarbonate plastic tube filled with 10% formalin solution, laboratory made 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH pulse sequence was used to obtain high resolution MR images with voxel size of $0.5{\times}0.5{\times}0.5mm^3\;using\;64{\times}32{\times}32mm^3$ field of view in conjunction with an acquisition matrix of $128{\times}64{\times}64$. Diffusion weighted- gradient pulses were employed with b values of 0 and $600s/mm^2$ in 6 orientations. The sequence was implemented on a clinical 3.0-T MRI scanner(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a home-made quadrature-typed birdcage Tx/Rx rf coil for small specimen. Diffusion tensor values in each pixel were calculated using linear algebra and singular value decomposition(SVD) algorithm. Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and fractional anisotropy(FA) map were also obtained from diffusion tensor data to compare pixel intensities between normal and abnormal gastric tissues. The processing software was developed by authors using Visual C++(Microsoft, WA, U.S.A.) and mathematical/statistical library of GNUwin32(Free Software Foundation). This study shows that 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH sequence is useful to resolve fine micro-structures of gastric tissue and both ADC and FA values in normal gastric tissue are higher than those in abnormal tissue. Authors expect that this study also represents another possibility of gastric carcinoma detection by visualizing diffusion characteristics of proton spins in the gastric tissues.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.68-73
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• 2016

This study was conducted to identify trends and knowledge structures associated with recent trends in Korean tourism from 2010 to 2015 using keyword data. To accomplish this, we constructed a network using keywords extracted from KCI journals. We then made a matrix describing the relationships between rows as papers and columns as keywords. A keyword network showed the connectivity of papers that have included one or more of the same keywords. Major keywords were then extracted using the cosine similarity between co-occurring keywords and components were analyzed to understand research trends and knowledge structure. The results revealed that subjects of tourism research have changed rapidly and variously. A few topics related to 'organization-employee' were major trends for several years, but intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been further subdivided and employees of specific fields have been targeted as subjects of research. Component analysis is useful for analyzing concrete research topics and the relationships between them. The results of this study will be useful for researchers attempting to identify new topics.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.154-162
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• 2017

The aim of study was to identify the reliability and validity of an evaluation tool developed on the basis of performance outcome in Women's Health Nursing simulation practicum. A total of 110 undergraduate nursing students were recruited from one college. Data collection of this study was conducted between August and December of 2014. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, multitrait/multi-item matrix analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's alpha with SPSS win 20.0 program. An exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the four-factor structures of 10 items explained 68.2% of the total variance. It was significantly correlated with the Critical Thinking Disposition scale(r=.42, p <.001). The Cronbach's alpha was 0.89,ranging from 0.61 to 0.92. The results of this study support the reliability and validity of this evaluation tool. It could be a useful tool in evaluating the performance outcome in simulation practicum for nursing students.