• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2017

The study was performed to investigate the bacteriological contamination of portable digital radiography system and their detectors in a university hospital. CNS and VRE were detected in the samples collected from vinyl cover on detectors used for the infection control patients. On the other hand, no bacteria was detected in the samples collected from detectors with vinyl cover removed. In the series of imaging of patients from general wards, no bacteria was detected from the patient 1. However, CNS was detected from the patients 2 and 3, CNS and Enterococcus faecalis detected from the patient 4, CNS and Enterococcus casseliflavus detected from the patient 5, and CNS, Enterococcus casseliflavus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae all detected from the patient 6. CNS and Enterococcus faecium were detected in the controller handle of collimator. Also, CNS was detected from the handle of detector and exposure switch. In the treatment gloves of the radiological technologist after the imaging, CNS, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected. Therefore, it is recommended for DR portable to take images after sterilizing the detector after taking each image and to use disposable vinyl covers on detectors to remove after imaging. And treatment gloves must be changed after each imaging. Also, hospital infection via portables must be prevented by complete sterilization of the controller handles of collimator which are in frequent contact during imaging and infection education of employees.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

This study is to minimize the patient dose and maintain the image quality according to change of source to image receptor distance and applying additional filter. In this study, we used the DR system, the tissue-equivalent abdomen phantom and the aluminium filter. The exposure conditions were set to 80 kVp using AEC mode. The collimation size was $16{\times}16inch$. The exposure dose were measured 10 times when the SID was changed with 100, 110, 120 and 130 cm, respectively. The pirana 657 for dosimeter was located on center of radiation irradiation. The acquired images were analyzed by using the image J. In the results, the tube current was increased with increasing the SID but ESD was decreased with increasing the SID. The decrease of ESD attribute to use of filter that remove the photon of lower energy. In the histogram results using image J, there were differences between the ESD and the exposure conditions according to change of SID. However, there were not differences in histogram. Therefore, the exposure dose could reduced when set the longer SID. For pediatric exam, the exposure dose could reduced when used the aluminium filter.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in impairing the function of T cells. We characterized MDSCs in two chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cohorts: a cross-sectional group that included 61 treatment-naive patients with CHC, 14 rapid virologic response (RVR) cases and 22 early virologic response (EVR) cases; and a longitudinal group of 13 cases of RVR and 10 cases of EVR after pegylated-interferon-${\alpha}$/ribavirin treatment for genotype 1b HCV infection. Liver samples from 32 CHC patients and six healthy controls were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. MDSCs frequency in treatment-naive CHC was significantly higher than in RVR, EVR, or healthy subjects and was positively correlated with HCV RNA. Patients infected with HCV genotype 2a had a significantly higher frequency of MDSCs than those infected with genotype 1b. Decreased T cell receptor (TCR) ${\zeta}$ expression on $CD8^+$ T cells was significantly associated with an increased frequency of MDSCs in treatment-naive CHC patients and was restored by L-arginine treatment in vitro. Increased numbers of liver arginase-$1^+$ cells were closely associated with the histological activity index in CHC. The TCR ${\zeta}$ chain was significantly downregulated on hepatic $CD8^+$ T cells in CHC. During antiviral follow up, MDSCs frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was directly correlated with the HCV RNA load in the plasma and inversely correlated with TCR ${\zeta}$ chain expression in $CD8^+$ T cells in both RVR and EVR cases. Notably, the RVR group had a higher frequency of MDSCs at baseline than the EVR group. Collectively, this study provides evidence that MDSCs might be associated with HCV persistence and downregulation of CD8 ${\zeta}$ chain expression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1036-1045
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• 2023

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the insidious loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, represents a significant and growing healthcare challenge, impacting the mobility and quality of life of aging populations worldwide. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of soybean leaf extract (SL) for dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy in vitro and in an in vivo model. In vitro experiments showed that SL significantly alleviated Dexa-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotube cells, as evidenced by preserved myotube morphology, density, and size. Moreover, SL treatment significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), key factors regulating muscle atrophy. In a Dexa-induced atrophy mouse model, SL administration significantly inhibited Dexa-induced weight loss and muscle wasting, preserving the mass of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. Furthermore, mice treated with SL exhibited significant improvements in muscle function compared to their counterparts suffering from Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, as evidenced by a notable increase in grip strength and extended endurance on treadmill tests. Moreover, SL suppressed the expression of muscle atrophy-related proteins in skeletal muscle, highlighting its protective role against Dexa-induced muscle atrophy. These results suggest that SL has potential as a natural treatment for muscle-wasting conditions, such as sarcopenia.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of voxel size and different post-processing algorithms on the analysis of dental materials using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods: Root-end cavities were prepared in extracted maxillary premolars, filled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM), and scanned using micro-CT. The volume and porosity of materials were evaluated and compared using voxel sizes of 5, 10, and 20 ㎛, as well as different software tools(post-processing algorithms). The CTAn or MeVisLab/Materialise 3-matic software package was used to perform volume and morphological analyses, and the CTAn or MeVisLab/Amira software was used to evaluate porosity. Data were analyzed using 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey test(P<0.05). Results: Using MeVisLab/Materialise 3-matic, a consistent tendency was observed for volume to increase at larger voxel sizes. CTAn showed higher volumes for MTA and IRM at 20 ㎛. Using CTAn, porosity values decreased as voxel size increased, with statistically significant differences for all materials. MeVisLab/Amira showed a difference for MTA and IRM at 5 ㎛, and for Biodentine at 20 ㎛. Significant differences in volume and porosity were observed in all software packages for Biodentine across all voxel sizes. Conclusion: Some differences in volume and porosity were found according to voxel size, image-processing software, and the radiopacity of the material. Consistent protocols are needed for research evaluating dental materials.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.339-350
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the critical diabetes duration in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat calvarial defect model for experimentation regarding bone regeneration by evaluating the association between diabetes duration and bone healing capacity through histological and radiographic analyses. Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced in 50 of 60 rats by an STZ injection. The rats were divided into 5 groups, including a control group (group 1), according to diabetes durations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively. Eighteen rats survived: 4 in group 1, 4 in group 2, 4 in group 3, 5 in group 4, and 1 in group 5. Calvarial defects were created at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after STZ injection in groups 1-5. Cone-beam computed tomography scanning was performed at baseline and at 5 and 7 weeks after surgery. The rats were sacrificed 7 weeks after surgery, followed by histological evaluation. Results: The voxel gray values (VGVs) of group 1 and group 2 increased, whereas the VGVs of group 3 and group 4 decreased starting 5 weeks after surgery, although this trend did not reach statistical significance between groups. On the reconstructed 3-dimensional images and based on an analysis of histological features, groups 1 and 2 showed apparent bone regeneration, while groups 3-5 showed very limited bone regeneration. Conclusions: The critical diabetes duration in an STZ-induced diabetic rat calvarial defect model for experimentation regarding bone regeneration was between 2 and 4 weeks. It is suggested that researchers who use STZ-induced diabetic rats wait for more than 2 weeks following diabetes induction before placing implants or conducting bone regeneration studies to allow definite disturbances in bone healing to emerge.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

Background: Discogenic pain can develop into chronic low back pain that is very difficult to treat effectively, because the pathogenesis of the disease still remains controversial. To clarify the pathogenesis, numerous animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration have been proposed in the literature, each with attendant advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study was to determine the most efficacious method and dose of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into intervertebral disc to develop a discogenic pain in a rat. Methods: CFA was injected into the L5-L6 or L4-L5 disc of male Sprague-Dawley rats in various conditions including a dose of CFA (10, 20, or 50 uL), drilling, injection site sealing using cyanoacrylate, and injection velocity. Sham animals were subjected to the same procedure, except for the CFA injection. Mechanical and heat allodynia were serially measured at both hindpaws until 8 weeks post-operatively. Serial MRI analyses were performed to observe degenerative changes of the discs. In addition, CGRP & Substance P-immunoreactivities (ir) in the superficial dorsal horn were evaluated at 4 weeks using immunohistochemistry. Results: Each condition provoked various problems such as development of hindpaw paralysis, CFA leakage, and no pain development. Mid-sagittal T2 MRI revealed no significant degenerative changes in the CFA injected disc. The CGRP-ir of the bilateral superficial dorsal horns at the level of L5-L6 was significantly increased in the CFA group. Conclusions: A total of 10 uL CFA injection into L5-L6 disc for a period of 10 minutes using a 26-gauge needle without drilling was the most efficacious way to develop discogenic pain animal model.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2018

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder characterized by hyperammonemia. CPS1D is caused by mutations in the CPS1 gene on chromosome 2q35. Based on the age of onset, there are two phenotypes: the neonatal type and the delayed-onset type. The severity of clinical manifestation depends on the degree of CPS1 residual enzymatic activity, and can result in hyperammonemia and neurological dysfunction. We report a case of CPS1D in a neonate who developed vomiting, decreased consciousness and hyperammonemia at 25th day after birth. She showed excellent response to treatment including hydration, ammonia-lowering drugs and a low-protein diet without hemodialysis. Her growth, development and neurological outcomes were fair at the last follow-up at 17 months of age.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.514-521
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• 2010

Epimedium koreanum nakai (EKN) has been used for treatment of reproductive disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EKN water extract on the 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induced reproductive dysfunction. The daily sperm production (DSP), sperm counts and histological changes of reproductive organs were investigated after 4 weeks of EKN administration in 2-BP induced reproductive damaged rats. Although the weights of epididymis and seminal vesicle were increased dose-dependently, they were lower than control group. DSP of EKN-dosing groups were increased compared to control group. In EKN-dosing groups, the number of degenerative seminiferous tubules and the number of epididymal tubules showing epithelial cell vacuolation and decreased spermatozoa in the lumen were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased compared to control group dose-dependently. Significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) increases of the number of sertoli cells, spermatogonia, patchytene spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids were observed in EKN-dosing groups compared control group. Consequently, based on the results, EKN water extract could treat 2-BP induced reproductive damages dramatically.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2011

This study conducted oral examinations and individual interviews on migrant multi-cultural family women in Daegu and measured their socio-demographic characters, oral health conditions and OHIP-14 in an aim to investigate the relevance between the oral health of migrant multi-cultural family women living in some big cities and their quality of life. Based on data finally collected from 189 women, the t-test, ANOVA and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted and the conclusions are as follows: The average number of decayed teeth was 2.23, loss teeth was 1.48, and treated teeth was 5.58. Women from the Philippines had more number of loss teeth than those from other countries, and women from China relatively had a small number of filled permanent teeth. The quality of life related to oral health was found to be poor in proportion to the number of loss teeth. A comparison of life quality related to oral health depending on loss teeth showed that life quality related to oral health was lowest in the areas of mental discomfort, physical ability decrease, mental ability decrease, social ability decrease and social disadvantage. Life quality related to oral health was found to be low in proportion to the number of permanent teeth with decay experience and poor monthly household income, which shows that the number of permanent teeth with decay experience and monthly income are mostly related to life quality related to oral health. As migrant multi-cultural family women's life quality related to oral health is low in proportion to the number of loss teeth and decayed teeth, it needs to develop a program to improve their oral healthrelated life quality and conduct follow-up research to verify its effect.