• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.493-505
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• 2013

This numerical study investigates seismicity and fault slip induced by fluid injection in deep geothermal reservoir with pre-existing fractures and fault. Particle Flow Code 2D is used with additionally implemented hydro-mechanical coupled fluid flow algorithm and acoustic emission moment tensor inversion algorithm. The output of the model includes spatio-temporal evolution of induced seismicity (hypocenter locations and magnitudes) and fault deformation (failure and slip) in relation to fluid pressure distribution. The model is applied to a case of fluid injection with constant rates changing in three steps using different fluid characters, i.e. the viscosity, and different injection locations. In fractured reservoir, spatio-temporal distribution of the induced seismicity differs significantly depending on the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. In a fractured reservoir, injection of low viscosity fluid results in larger volume of induced seismicity cloud as the fluid can migrate easily to the reservoir and cause large number and magnitude of induced seismicity in the post-shut-in period. In a faulted reservoir, fault deformation (co-seismic failure and aseismic slip) can occur by a small perturbation of fracturing fluid (<0.1 MPa) can be induced when the injection location is set close to the fault. The presented numerical model technique can practically be used in geothermal industry to predict the induced seismicity pattern and magnitude distribution resulting from hydraulic stimulation of geothermal reservoirs prior to actual injection operation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2018

Tenofovir nanoparticles are novel therapeutic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection reaching the virus in their sanctuary sites. However, there has been no systemic toxicity testing of this formulation despite global concerns on the safety of nano drugs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of Tenofovir nanoparticle (NTDF) on the liver and kidney using an animal model. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats maintained at the animal house of the biomedical resources unit of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were weighed and divided into three groups. Control animals (A) were administered with normal saline (NS). The therapeutic doses of Tenofovir (TDF) and nanoparticles of Tenofovir (NTDF) were administered to group B and C and observed for signs of stress for four weeks after which animals were weighed and sacrificed. Liver and kidney were removed and fixed in formal saline, processed and stained using H/E, PAS and MT stains for light microscopy. Serum was obtained for renal function test (RFT) and liver function test (LFT). Cellular measurements and capturing were done using ImageJ and Leica software 2.0. Data were analysed using graph pad 6, p values < 0.05 were significant. We observed no signs of behavioural toxicity and no mortality during this study, however, in the kidneys, we reported mild morphological perturbations widening of Bowman's space, and vacuolations in glomerulus and tubules of TDF and NTDF animals. Also, there was a significant elevation of glycogen deposition in NTDF and TDF animals when compared with control. In the liver, there were mild histological changes with widening of sinusoidal spaces, vacuolations in hepatocytes and elevation of glycogen deposition in TDF and NTDF administered animals. In addition to this, there were no significant differences in stereological measurements and cell count, LFT, RFT, weight changes and organo-somatic index between treatment groups and control. In conclusion, NTDF and TDF in therapeutic doses can lead to mild hepatic and renal histological damage. Further studies are needed to understand the precise genetic mechanism.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.86-90
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• 2003

Bulla is an air-filled space within the lung parenchyma resulting from deterioration of the alveolar tissue. Molecular mechanism of the formation of the bulla is not well described. Fibroblast growth factor(FGF)-7, bone morphogenetic protein(BMP) receptor, and transforming growth factor(TGF)-$\beta$ receptor are known to have a stimulatory or inhibitory role in the lung formation. We investigated to see if these growth factor or cytokine receptors are involved in the bulla formation by immunohistochemical staining of bullous lung tissues from patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Bullous lung tissues were obtained from 31 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax, including 30 males and 1 female from 15 to 39 years old. The bullous tissues were obtained by video-thoracoscopic surgery and/or mini-thoracotomy and fixed in formalin. Blocks of the specimens were embedded with paraffin and cut into 5-6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ thick slices. The sections were deparaffinized and hydrated and then incubated with primary antibodies against FGF-7, BMP-RII, or TGF-RII. Result: Of the 31 patients, 24 were TGF-RII positive including 18 strong and 6 weak positives. Observation with high magnification showed that strong immunostaining was detected in the boundary region between bullous and normal lung tissues. In contrast, all of the sections were negative with FGF-7 or BMP-RII antibodies. Conclusion: These results suggest that overexpression of TGF- P RII may be involved in the formation of bulla, although further molecular studies are needed to find out more detailed molecular mechanisms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.623-631
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• 2004

Background: Using the neovascularizing properties of the omentum, we studied the viability and vascularity of the cryopreserved rat tracheal allografts with omental implantation. Material and Method: The cryopreserved tracheal allografts of eight-week old male Sprague Dawley rats were implanted into the omentum. The rats were divided into the four groups according to the duration of cryopreservation and of omental implantation. We examined the tracheal allografts histologically for viability of cartilages, inflammation and fibrosis of smooth muscle and connective tissue, and degree of vascularity. Result: The degree of inflammation in the smooth muscle and the connective tissue of the tracheal allografts was not statistically related to neither the duration of cryopreservation or of omental implantation. The tracheal cartilages of the tracheal allografts were found to be severely calcified in all cases. Significant difference in vascularity was found between the groups I and II (p < 0.05). And a sufficient vascularity in the intercartilaginous space was observed in the mid portion of the tracheal allografts as well as both ends. Conclusion: In conclusion, the omental implantation for 2 weeks could establish a sufficient vascularity in the intercartilaginous spaces for maintaining the viability of the tracheal allografts. This study might provide a possibility of the sequential tracheal allotransplantation after omental implantation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1987

It is well-known that hepatic scintigraphv have been found to be less sensitive and specific in the detection of the diffuse hepatocellular diseases than that of the space-occupying lesions. To obtain the higher diagnostic specificity and sensitivity, we, using the computer quantitation, have attempted to analyze hepatic and extrahepatic $^{99m}Tc-tin$ colloid uptake patterns in various diffuse hepatocellular diseases retrospectively. The studied groups consisted of 116 cases of normal, 67 cases of acute hepatitis, 112 cases of chronic hepatitis, 61 cases of liver cirrhosis, 47 cases of fatty liver, 12 cases of hepatoma and 9 cases of metastasis, making total 424 cases. Scintigraphic imagings were obtained in the anterior, right lateral and posterior projections using high-resolution collimation, and simultaneously these gamma data were acquisited into the computer system. Both large region of interest (ROI) using light pen and ROI computer program were placed over right lobe, left lobe of liver, spleen and cardiac blood pool. Total counts in ROI were divided by the number of pixels in the ROI, and mean count rate per pixels calculated. Mean right-lobe counts were divded by mean-left lobe counts to determine right-to-left hepatic lobe ratio and mean spleen counts were divided by mean liver counts to determine spleen to liver ratio. The results were as follows. 1) Of 424 cases, 292 were male and 132 were female. The majority of age distribution was in $30\sim49$ (54.5%). 2) Inter-observer between two independant operators and inter-method between drawing by light-pen and ROI computer program variations were not significant. 3) The uptake count values (per pixel) determined at each area in normal group were $106.53{\pm}18.35$ in right lobe, $79.00{\pm}13.82$ in left lobe, $17.52{\pm}8.31$ in spleen and $8.09{\pm}3.43$ in cardiac blood pool. 4) In liver cirrhosis, right lobe uptake was decreased but spleen and cardiac blood pool uptakes were increased (p<0.01). 5) Right-to-left hepatic lobe uptake ratio was $1.37{\pm}0.24$ in normal group and significantly low in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and fatty liver, and more or less low in acute hepatitis. 6) Spleen-to-right hepatic lobe uptake ratio was $0.17{\pm}0.09$ in normal group and high in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. 7) The computer-quantitation of hepatic and extrahepatic uptake patterns thought to be sensitive and useful method in the interpretation of liver scintigram.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.343-354
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• 2008

A new method is suggested herein to measure the virgin earth stresses by means of a borehole. This novel concept is basically a combination of borehole stress relieving and borehole fracturing techniques. The destressing of the borehole is achieved by means of inducing thermal tensile stresses at the borehole periphery by using a cryogenic fluid such as Liquid Nitrogen($LN_2$). The borehole wall eventually develops fractures when the induced thermal stresses exceed the existing compressive stresses at the borehole periphery in addition to the tensile strength of the rock. The above concept is theoretically analyzed for its potential applicability to interpret in situ stress levels from the tensile fracture stresses and the corresponding borehole wall temperatures. Coupled thermo-mechanical numerical simulations are also conducted using FLAC3D, with thermal option, to check the validity of the proposed techniques. From the preliminary theoretical and numerical analysis, the method suggested for the measurement of in situ stresses appears to be capable of accurate estimation of the virgin stresses by monitoring tensile crack formation at a borehole wall and recording the wall temperatures at the time of crack initiation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.217-234
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• 1997

The purpose of present study is to compare the effect of treatment using $Guidor^{(R)}$ as a barrier membrane in conjunction with platelet-derived growth factor and insulin like growth factors on experimental dehiscence defects. Following the resection of premolar crowns, roots were submerged. After 12 weeks of healing period, experimental dehiscence defects of 4mm in height and 4mm in width were surgically created on the mid-facial aspect of the lower premolar roots in each of 4 adult dogs. After root planning and demineralization of the root surface with citric acid, the control groups received 4% methylcellulose gel only, the test group I received 4% methylcellulose gel and were covered by $Guidor^{(R)}$ and the test group II were treated with PDGF and IGF and 4% methylcellulose gel with $Guidor^{(R)}$ coverage. Histological and histomorphometric analysis following 8 weeks of healing revealed the following results. 1. The new bone formation showed no statistically significant difference in all groups with $0.59{\pm}0.82mm$($14.03{\pm}19.60%$) for control, $0.70{\pm}0.39mm$($16.30{\pm}9.01%$) for group I, $0.87{\pm}0.76mm$($18.74{\pm}16.03%$) for group II. 2. The new cementum formation showed no statistically significant difference in all groups with $0.54{\pm}0.48mm$($l6.38{\pm}14.57%$) for control, $0.95{\pm}0.38mm$($23.43{\pm}9.30%$) for group I, $1.01{\pm}0.75mm$($22.10{\pm}16.ll%$) for gorup II. 3. The root resorption showed statistically significant differences betweenthe control group and all test groups(p<0.05) with $2.11{\pm}0.53mm$($52.93{\pm}12.32%$) for control, $0.63{\pm}0.27mm$($15.32{\pm}7.05%$) for group I, $0.89{\pm}0.33mm$ ($19.26{\pm}7.11%$) for group II. On the bases of these results, there were no statistically difference between treatment using resorbable membrane and resorbable membrane in conjunction with PDGF and IGF in the dehiscence defects, where it was difficult to maintain space. The use of membrane seemed to be more effective in the inhibition of root resorption.

• Solar Energy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 1991

Heat transfer characteristics for heat retrieving processes in a paraffin-filled horizontal circular cylinder was studied. Theoretical and experimental analyses were carried out. In the theoretical analysis, solid and liquid phases were treated separately. Namely, convection for liquid and conduction for solid phase were investigated respectively. The retrieved heat was calculated from the experimentally determined solidified mass. Furthermore, the effects of initial temperature of the liquid and cooling temperature on the heat discharge rate were also studied. In the heat retrieving process, the governing factor for the solidifying rate is the cooling temperature, because most of the liquid sensible heat is rapidly discharged in the initial stage of solidification. Hence heat transfer mechanism during heat retrieving process can be safely considered as conduction. In the cut of frozen paraffin, there showed an empty space in the upper region. It is caused by the temperature drop in the liquid paraffin. While volume shrinkage caused by phase transition was indiscernible. Irrespective of cooling temperature and initial liquid temperature, solidified mass was well-correlated with the product of Fourier number and Stefan number in the solid phase.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2889-2894
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• 2013

A new complex [$Ni(phen)(C_9H_8Br_2NO_3)_2{\cdot}2CH_3OH{\cdot}2H_2O$] [phen: 1,10-phenanthroline $C_9H_8Br_2NO_3$: 3,5-dibromo-L-tyrosine] was synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallography shows that Ni(II) ion is six-coordinated. The Ni(II) ion coordinates with four nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms from three ligands, forming a mononuclear Ni(II) complex. The crystal crystallizes in the Orthorhombic system, space group $P2_12_12$ with a = 12.9546 ${\AA}$, b = 14.9822 ${\AA}$, c = 9.9705 ${\AA}$, V = 1935.2 ${\AA}$, Z = 1, F(000) = 1008, S = 0.969, ${\rho}_{calcd}=1.742g{\cdot}cm^{-3}$, ${\mu}=4.688mm^{-1}$, $R_1$ = 0.0529 and $wR_2$ = 0.0738 for 3424 observed reflections (I > $2{\sigma}(I)$). Theoretical study of the title complex was carried out by density functional theory (DFT) method and the B3LYP method employing the $6-3l+G^*$ basis set. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO indicates that this complex is prone to interact with DNA. CCDC: 908041.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2009

Perioperative pain relief is essential in veterinary practice. However, the cat is one of the most poorly understood species regarding pain control management. Ovariohysterectomy(OHE) produces considerable postoperative pain in cats. Practitioners are often reluctant to administer analgesics due to lack of familiarity with available drugs, concern about side effects, or frustration with the need for record keeping of controlled substances. The purpose of this study was to determine if intraperitoneal administration of bupivacaine can provide relief of pain following OHE in cats. Twelve healthy female cats were randomly divided into two groups. OHE was performed under general inhalation anesthesia. Just prior to complete closure of the linea alba, 6 cats in SAL group received 0.88 ml/kg 0.9% saline, 6 cats in BUP group received 4.4 mg/kg 0.75% bupivacaine diluted to an equivalent volume with saline in the intraperitoneal space. Cats were scored at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours post-extubation by one observer. Cats were evaluated using a visual analogue scale(VAS) and composite pain scale(CPS) that included physiologic variables. There were no significant differences in body weight, anesthesia time, surgery time, and incision length between the two groups. Cats in the BUP group had significantly(p<0.05) lower VAS-pain scores than cats in the SAL group at 4, 8, 12 hours after surgery. Cats in the BUP group had significantly lower CPS scores than cats in the SAL group at 8, 12 hours after surgery. No adverse side effects were observed. These results support that the intraperitoneal administration of bupivacaine following OHE can be used for the prevention of postoperative pain and pain-induced behavioral changes in cats.