• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2007

Purpose : Catecholamines are the neuro-transmitters in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and are activated by stress stimulus. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and Dopamine-${\beta}$-Hydroxylase (DBH) are very important enzymes in the catecholamine synthesis. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) is released in the process of reacting to stresses. The aim of this study is to find out what effects immobilization stresses have on the expression of TH, BDH and CRH mRNA in a rat's brains. Methods : We compare expression levels in rat's brains of TH, DBH and CRH mRNA induced by immobilization stresses between the test group and controled group. The expression levels of TH, DBH and CRH mRNA are measured by RT-PCR and the Western Blotting Analysis (WBA). Results : In brains and adrenal glands of the immobilization stress group, the expression levels of TH and DBH mRNAs are significantly two to three times higher (P<0.01), and CRH mRNAs are approximately one and a half times higher (P<0.05) than those of controlled group. Conclusion : This study suggest that the expression levels of TH, DBH and CRH mRNAs are activated by stress stimulus in a rat's brains and adrenal glands.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.187-190
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• 2010

Purpose: Pediatric trigger thumb is a condition of flexion deformity of the interphalangeal (IP) joint. The known surgical treatment is the release of the flexor pollicis longus by transection of the A1 pulley. We report two cases of pediatric trigger thumb that were resolved by releasing of additional pulley as well as A1 pulley. Methods: From March 2006 to April 2008, a total of 10 children with trigger thumb were operated. In two cases, transection of only the A1 pulley was insufficient to relieve the triggering. When more distally dissection, we found an additional pulley. After release of the additional pulley, the full extension of IP joint is obtained. Results: There were no significant complications. In 8 cases, the trigger thumbs were resolved by transecting only the A1 pulley, does not extend beyond the base of the proximal phalanx. In one case, the additional pulley was found to be more distal to the A1 pulley. It was necessary to extend the release up to the half in the proximal phalangeal shaft. In other case, the additional pulley was immediately adjacent to the A1 pulley. Conclusion: In most cases of trigger thumb, division of just A1 pulley is sufficient to relieve the triggering. However, dividing the A1 pulley in two patients proved to be insufficient to relieve the flexed deformity. In these cases, we found that the additional pulley, different from previous known A1 pulley, had existed, which must be transected to allow full excursion of flexor pollicis longus.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the interpretation of the Ondam-tang(Ondam-tang, here-in-after referred to as "ODT") prescription in order to obtain the evidence for clinical applications. Methods : We have analyzed the interpretation on the ODT prescription through translations and comparisons based on classic books about the oriental medical prescriptions. Result : 1. ODT was first mentioned in the Jiyangfang(集驗方) which was quoted in the Waitaimiyao (外臺秘要). After that, in book Sanyinjiyibingzhengfanglun(三因極一病證方論), Chen-yan(陳言) completed and recorded in a book organizing prescriptions of ODT now in frequent use. 2. The Banha(半夏) removes the dam(痰-phlegm) and relieves emesis. The Jinpee(陳皮) encourages strengths, and the Bokryoung composes oneself and produces the water. The Licorice(甘草) relieves people's mind, and the Ginger relieves gastrointestinal problems and relieves emesis. Juk-yeo(竹茹) abate of the fever of the Sangcho(上焦). Jisil(枳實) encourages strength, controlling Samcho(三焦) as releasing the congestion of energy. In these ways, numerous symptoms resulted from the imbalances of the Gallbladder(膽) are treated. 3. Meaning of "on(溫-warm)" in ODT regains the original characteristic of the Gallbladder(膽). 4. Treatment mechanism of ODT is 'cooling the Gallbladder(膽)' and 'remedies Samcho(三焦)' and 'eliminates dam(痰)' and 'cure Kiwool(氣鬱-which is kind of depressions) and Saengyen(生涎-which is kind of phlegm)' and 'removes a mismatch between Gallbladder(膽) and Stomache(胃)'. Conclusion : In this study, we have demonstrated various methodologies. This paper will be useful to the future researchers and clinicians to conduct a study on herbal medicines such as the ODT.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Improvement of $N_2$ fixation by symbiotic rhizobia is considered an effective means for enhancing its productivity without high input of nitrogen(N) fertilizer. Several methods to improve $N_2$ fixation have been proposed including the use of supernodulating mutants. The objective of this research was to identify the varietal difference in N and $N_2$-fixation ability among the soybean supernodulating mutants, SS2-2 and Sakukei 4, with different nodulation abilities using $^{15}N$ in field conditions in both Korea and Japan. The dry weight(DW) was higher in wild-type soybeans. The distribution rate of DW in each plant part was high in seeds of supernoduating and wild-type soybeans but high in stems and leaves of non-nodulating mutants. Although the supernodulating mutants had a low DW rate at maturity, they showed a similar $N_2$ fixation ability compared with wild-type. Supernodulating mutant plants mainly obtained N from $N_2$ fixation, while soil N was the main resource for obtaining N in non-nodulating mutants. The percentage of N derived from atmospheric dinitrogen(Ndfa) was higher in supernodulating mutants than in wild-type and relatively high in seeds between plant parts at maturity. In particular, supernodulating mutants showed higher N content in roots than those of wild-type and non-nodulating mutants. It was considered that supernodulating mutants have the advantage of saving nitrate in soil and being beneficial for N absorption of subsequent crops due to their conserving more N in the field and releasing considerable amounts of N from roots and leaves fallen to the soil.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.133-144
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• 2010

Object : The effects of Rehmanniae Radix(RR) on HPA Axis system and Catecholaminergic system was investigated. Methods : we performed the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Also the expression of Corticotropin -Releasing Factor(CRF), c-Fos and Tyrosine Hydorxylase(TH) was measured by immunohistochemical method at Paraventricular Nucleus(PVN), Locus Coeruleus(LC) and Ventral Tegmental Area(VTA). Results : 1. The duration of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test was significantly decreased in the Rehmanniae Radix 400 mg/kg groups in comparison with the control group(p<0.05). 2. Comparing to the control group, CRF expression was significantly decreased in the Rehmanniae Radix 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.01). 3. c-Fos expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.01). 4. TH expression was significantly increased at LC in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.001). 5. TH expression was significantly decreased at VTA in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.001). Conclusion : According to the results, it can be considered that Rehmanniae Radix has antidepressant effect by showing the reduction of immobility in FST through the decreased expression of CRF, c-Fos in PVN and TH in VTA.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.55-67
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Hwangryunhaedok-tang, its major component Coptidis Rhizoma, and the major component of Coptidis Rhizoma, berberine, on the expression of behavioral sensitization induced by the repeated administration of nicotine. Methods: Experimental ratswere divided into 3 groups and each group treated with saline, nicotine, and Hwangryunhaedok-tang. Experiments were performed on 4 further groups, each group treated with saline, nicotine, Coptidis Rhizoma, and berberine. To obtain rats addicted todrugs, nicotine was injected repeatedly. After 3 days of withdrawal phase, on the 11th day, rats were re-exposed to nicotine and thus able to induce the expression of the activity sensitization phenomenon successfully. To examine the change of c-Fos in the brain of experimental rats with the nicotine-induced activity sensitization, their neurological activation rate was assessed by c-Fos staining with Fos-like immunihistochemistry of the dopamine releasing area, the striatum and the nucleus accumbens. Results: The result demonstrate that Hwangryunhaedok-tang, its major component Coptidis Rhizoma and berberine,the major component of Coptidis Rhizoma, significantly reduced the walking activity rate in the drug addict models induced by nicotine administration, and Coptidis Rhizoma and its major component berberine reduce the marker of the neurological activation c-Fos, and thus revealed an effect of suppressing drug addiction. Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility of Hwangryunhaedok-tang, its major component Coptidis Rhizoma and the major component of Coptidis Rhizoma, berberine,as therapeutic for nicotine addiction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.8
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• pp.294-300
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• 2015

Purpose: It is difficult to differentiate between central precocious puberty (CPP) and premature thelarche (PT) in girls. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic usefulness of pelvic ultrasonography to distinguish between CPP and PT in girls with early breast development. Methods: This study included girls with early breast development who visited the clinic between January 2012 and December 2013. Clinical, laboratory, and pelvic ultrasonographic data were evaluated. CPP and PT were confirmed using the gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test. Results: A total of 248 girls aged 7-8 years were included, among whom 186 (75.0%) had CPP and 62 (25.0%) had PT. The uterine length, transverse diameter, fundus, volume, and cross-sectional area were significantly larger in the CPP group (uterine length, $2.45{\pm}0.50cm$ vs. $2.63{\pm}0.49cm$, P=0.015; uterine volume, $0.95{\pm}0.62cm^3$ vs. $1.35{\pm}0.76cm^3$, P<0.001). However, there were no differences in the fundus/cervix ratio and ovarian measurements. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, a uterine volume of at least $1.07cm^3$ was the most predictive parameter for CPP with an area under the curve of 0.670 (95% confidence interval, 0.593-0.747). Conclusion: Uterine measurements by pelvic ultrasonography in girls with early pubertal development were significantly larger in the CPP group. However, the diagnostic value of ultrasonographic parameters was not high because of a considerable overlap of values between the two groups. Therefore, pelvic ultrasonography in combination with clinical and laboratory tests may be useful to distinguish between CPP and PT in girls.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2007

Objective : Distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are fragile and known to have high risks for intraoperative premature rupture and a relatively high associated morbidity. To improve surgical outcomes of DACA aneurysms, we reviewed our surgical strategy and its results postoperatively. Methods : A total of 845 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms were operated in our hospital from January 1991 to December 2005. Twenty-three of 845 patients had ruptured DACA aneurysms which were operated on according to our surgical strategy. Our surgical strategy was as follows; early surgery, appropriate releasing of CSF, appropriate surgical approach, using neuronavigating system, securing the bridging veins, using temporary clipping and/or tentative clipping, meticulous manipulation of aneurysm, and using micro-Doppler flow probe. Twenty of 23 patients who had complete medical records were studied retrospectively. We observed the postoperative radiographic findings and checked Glasgow Outcome Scale score sixth months after the operation. Results : Nineteen DACA aneurysms were clipped through a unilateral interhemispheric approach and one DACA aneurysm was clipped through a pterional approach. Postoperative radiographic findings revealed complete clipping of aneurysmal neck without stenosis or occlusion of parent arteries. In two patients, a residual neck of aneurysm was visualized. Seventeen patients showed good recovery, one patient resulted in moderate disability, while 2 patients died. Conclusion : With our surgical strategy it was possible to achieve acceptable surgical morbidity and mortality rates in patients with DACA aneurysms. Appropriate use of tentative clipping, temporary clipping and neuro-navigating systems can give great help for safe approach and clipping of DACA aneurysm.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.15 no.1 s.82
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• pp.3-8
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• 2006

The demand fer small and high-capacity optical data storage devices has rapidly increased. The areal density of optical disk is increased by using higher numerical aperture objective lens and shorter wavelength source. A wafer-scale stacked micro objective lens with a numerical aperture of 0.85 and a focal length of 0.467mm for the 405nm blue- violet laser was designed and fabricated. A diffractive optical element (DOE) was used to compensate the spherical aberration of the objective lens. Among the various fabrication methods for micro DOE, the UV-replication process is more suitable fur mass-production. In this study, an 8-stepped DOE pattern as a master was fabricated by photolithography and reactive ion etching process. A flexible mold was fabricated for improving the releasing properties and shape accuracy in UV-replication process. In the replication process, the effects of exposing time and applied pressure on the replication quality were analyzed. Finally, the surface profiles of master, mold and molded pattern were measured by optical scanning profiler. The geometrical deviation between the master and the molded DOE was less than $0.1{\mu}m$. The diffraction efficiency of the molded DOE was measured by DOE efficiency measurement system which consists of laser source, sample holder, aperture and optical power meter, and the measured value was $84.5\%$.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of silverized elastomers on mutans streptococci in dental plaque. Methods: Forty patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were randomly placed into 1 of 2 groups. We examined the maxillary right and left central incisors and premolars, and the mandibular right and left canines of all participants. We ligated the right maxillary and left mandibular teeth of the participants in group 1 with silverized elastomers and ligated their contralateral teeth with conventional elastomers. We ligated the left maxillary teeth and right mandibular teeth of group 2 participants with silverized elastomers. Each participant visited the clinic 4 times at 3-week intervals. We applied the elastomers to the teeth on one side of each patient's mouth during their first visit. During the second visit, the elastomers were removed for microbiological analysis and replaced with steel ligatures. During the third visit, we used silverized elastomers to ligate the teeth contralateral to those treated on the first visit. The elastomers were removed during the fourth visit, and microbiological analyses were performed. We compared the quantity of bacteria on silverized and conventional elastomers at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The percentage of mutans streptococci was not significantly different in cultures of dental plaque from the silverized and the conventional elastomers (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between the antimicrobial effect of the silverized elastomers and that of the conventional elastomers.