• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.9
• /
• pp.1525-1536
• /
• 2021

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of cine three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging combined with a non-local means (NLM) algorithm for image denoising in evaluating cardiac function in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with rTOF (mean age, 12 years; range, 7-18 years) were enrolled to undergo cardiac cine image acquisition, including two-dimensional (2D) b-SSFP, 3D b-SSFP, and 3D b-SSFP combined with NLM. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) of the two ventricles were measured and indexed by body surface index. Acquisition time and image quality were recorded and compared among the three imaging sequences. Results: 3D b-SSFP with denoising vs. 2D b-SSFP had high correlation coefficients for EDV, ESV, SV, and EF of the left (0.959-0.991; p < 0.001) as well as right (0.755-0.965; p < 0.001) ventricular metrics. The image acquisition time ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.1 ± 2.4 seconds for 3D b-SSFP compared with 277.6 ± 0.7 seconds for 2D b-SSFP, indicating a significantly shorter time with the 3D than the 2D sequence (p < 0.001). Image quality score was better with 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than with 3D b-SSFP (mean ± SD, 3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6; p = 0.005). Signal-to-noise ratios for blood and myocardium as well as contrast between blood and myocardium were higher for 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than for 3D b-SSFP (p < 0.05 for all but septal myocardium). Conclusion: The 3D b-SSFP sequence can significantly reduce acquisition time compared to the 2D b-SSFP sequence for cine imaging in the evaluation of ventricular function in children with rTOF, and its quality can be further improved by combining it with an NLM denoising method.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2008

BangPungTongSung-San is usually perscribed in Hyungsang medicine for those of Yangmyung type, Pung type, those who have inner fever as well as redness of the tip of the nose, and for those with the external shape who tend to have dandruff. Following conclusions were obtained from the treatment of 8 patients suffering from inflammatory dermatitis. The causes of inflammatory dermatitis are mainly wind-fever, poisonous fever of the Samcho, dry-fever, and congenital conditions. The inflammatory dermatitis usually occurre to people who belong to Yangmyung types having vigorous Yangmyung meridian and body heat. Some patients who did not belong to the Yangmyung type were either those with much body heat or having congenital conditions inherited from their parents. There was no difference in the frequency of disease between men and women. The disease occurred at the times bodily conditions were weak or significant physiological changes took place. The term for the treatment required at least 3 months. Three more months are considered to be needed in treatment even after the completion of the remedy observing the return of the disease. The inflammatory dermatitis is easily occurred and recurred to those who belong to Yangmyung type and therefore the best prevention would be appropriate diet and bodily manner in daily life.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.651-656
• /
• 2017

Ursolic acid (UA) supplementation was previously shown to improve skeletal muscle function in resistance-trained men. This study aimed to determine, using the same experimental paradigm, whether UA also has beneficial effects on exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage markers including the levels of cortisol, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in resistance-trained men. Sixteen healthy participants were randomly assigned to resistance training (RT) or RT+UA groups (n=8 per group). Participants were trained according to the RT program (60~80% of 1 repetition, 6 times/week), and the UA group was additionally given UA supplementation (450 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained before and after intervention, and cortisol, BNP, myoglobin, CK, CK-MB, and LDH levels were analyzed. Subjects who underwent RT alone showed no significant change in body composition and markers of skeletal muscle damage, whereas RT+UA group showed slightly decreased body weight and body fat percentage and slightly increased lean body mass, but without statistical significance. In addition, UA supplementation significantly decreased the BNP, CK, CK-MB, and LDH levels (p<0.05). In conclusion, UA supplementation alleviates increased skeletal muscle damage markers after RT. This finding provides evidence for a potential new therapy for resistance-trained men.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.443-459
• /
• 2000

The Literatural Study on the classification of cause and the effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion treatment for Youk Jeol Poung was studied from the viewpoint of therapeutic acupuncture and moxibustion effect. And the results were as follows: 1. Youk Jeol Poung is similar to Tong Bi, Ju Bi, Haeng Bi, Tong Poung. 2. The symptoms of Youk Jeol Poung are pain and weakness, difficulty of flexion, swelling and pain, severe pain etc., at night pain is more severe. 3. The cause, mechanism of Youk Jeol Poung is as follow, due to penetration of the wind, cold, moisture, uder situation of whole body is pain. 4. The main treatment is invigorate vital energy and blood, expel wind - evil, promote diuresis, eliminating phlegm, promote blood circulation, cold, heat - clearing. 5. The basal meridian of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were the channels of Su Jok Sam Yang.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.2689-2698
• /
• 2013

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a collection of events that allows the conversion of adherent epithelial cells, tightly bound to each other within an organized tissue, into independent fibroblastic cells possessing migratory properties and the ability to invade the extracellular matrix. EMT contributes to the complex architecture of the embryo by permitting the progression of embryogenesis from a simple single-cell layer epithelium to a complex three-dimensional organism composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. However, in most tissues EMT is a developmentally restricted process and fully differentiated epithelia typically maintain their epithelial phenotype. Recently, elements of EMT, specially the loss of epithelial markers and the gain of mesenchymal markers, have been observed in pathological states, including epithelial cancers. Increasing evidence has confirmed its presence in human colon during colorectal carcinogenesis. In general, chronic inflammation is considered to be one of the causes of many human cancers including colorectal cancer(CRC). Accordingly, epidemiologic and clinical studies indicate that patients affected by ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease, have an increased risk of developing CRC. A large body of evidence supports roles for the SMAD/STAT3 signaling pathway, the NF-kB pathway, the Ras-mitogenactivated protein kinase/Snail/Slug and microRNAs in the development of colorectal cancers via epithelial-tomesenchymal transition. Thus, EMT appears to be closely involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, and analysis refered to it can yield novel targets for therapy.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.181-191
• /
• 2003

Since the nonlinearity and uncertainties which inherently exist in vehicle system need to be considered in active suspension control law design, this paper proposes a new control strategy for active vehicle suspension systems by using a combined control scheme, i.e., respectively using a genetic algorithm (GA) based self-tuning PID controller and a fuzzy logic controller in two loops. In the control scheme, the PID controller is used to minimize vehicle body vertical acceleration, the fuzzy logic controller is to minimize pitch acceleration and meanwhile to attenuate vehicle body vertical acceleration further by tuning weighting factors. In order to improve the adaptability to the changes of plant parameters, based on the defined objectives, a genetic algorithm is introduced to tune the parameters of PID controller, the scaling factors, the gain values and the membership functions of fuzzy logic controller on-line. Taking a four degree-of-freedom nonlinear vehicle model as example, the proposed control scheme is applied and the simulations are carried out in different road disturbance input conditions. Simulation results show that the present control scheme is very effective in reducing peak values of vehicle body accelerations, especially within the most sensitive frequency range of human response, and in attenuating the excessive dynamic tire load to enhance road holding performance. The stability and adaptability are also showed even when the system is subject to severe road conditions, such as a pothole, an obstacle or a step input. Compared with conventional passive suspensions and the active vehicle suspension systems by using, e.g., linear fuzzy logic control, the combined PID and fuzzy control without parameters self-tuning, the new proposed control system with GA-based self-learning ability can improve vehicle ride comfort performance significantly and offer better system robustness.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2013

Background The aim of this investigation was to systematically review the current literature to provide the best data for indications, outcomes, survival, and complication rates of pedicled propeller perforator flaps for upper body defects. Methods A comprehensive literature review for articles published from January 1991 to December 2011 was performed using the PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. Articles without available full-text, single case reports or papers with excessive missing data were excluded. Papers reporting pedicle-perforator (propeller) flaps used for lower extremity reconstruction were excluded from meta-analysis. Results From the initial 1,736 studies our search yielded, 343 studies qualified for the second stage of selection. Of 117 full-text reports screened, 41 studies, met the definitive inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the selected 41 articles, 26 were case series, original papers or retrospective reviews and were included, whereas 15 were case report papers and therefore were excluded. Two hundred ninety-five propeller flaps were reported to have been used in a total of 283 patients. Indications include repair of trauma-induced injuries, post-trauma revision surgery, cancer resection, chronic infection, pressure sores, and chronic ulcers with a major complication rate (3.3%) comparable to that of free flaps. No specific exclusion criteria for the procedure were presented in the studies reviewed. Conclusions Pedicled propeller flaps are a versatile and safe reconstructive option that are easy and quick to raise and that provide unlimited clinical solutions because of the theoretical possibility of harvesting them based on any perforator chosen among those classified in the body.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.391-396
• /
• 1998

Foreign bodies in genitourinary tract are common and almost of them are within the bladder. These foreign bodies were inserted or applied for autoerotic, psychiatric, therapeutic, or no definite reasons by the patient. Foreign bodies(a thermometer and a piece of cloth) in the bladder were inserted as a mean of masturbation in two cases, and a cooper wire in the posterior urethra was introduced by iatrogenic causes in one case. In one case, four magnets were inserted into the bladder for the purpose of forceful penile erection. Clinical history, symptom, radiologic study, and endoscopic examination were required to diagnose foreign body. They were easily removed by endoscopic manipulation or open surgical procedure.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.13-26
• /
• 2000

It is really hard for the material factors to basically improve quality of life, since it is the only partial means of the survival and activity of life. Development of Eigen Shin-Tou-Jil(Proper Body·Earth materials), therefore, must be concentrated on providing man with essential meaning of life, not with simply economic advantage. Eigen Shin-Tou-Jil(Proper Body·Earth materials) which is formed through long passage of time in the original environments that include the climate and nature features of a special region, the representative examples are like Korea Bong-sam(a kind of genseng) of Yellow Earth etc. Unfolding the Eigen Shin-Tou-Jil(Proper Body·Earth materials) by the Algorithm of Human-ware means the development for manifesting individual eigen motives and traits as subject of behavior(Gene-ware). It is because all plants, animals, inanimate objects, including Human, have evolved with their own values in the ecosystem. It was reported that a Baeksong(white pine tree), grown well up in TongEeDong, Seoul, Korea had rarely grown up during the period suppressed by Japan. By the developments of Bio-Engineering, we also found that 40% of gene base sequence of C. Elegance(a kind of worm) is identical to that of characteristic Human. In this reason, through considering common characteristics between Human and Nature, the developments of Eigen Shin-Tou-Jil(Proper Body·Earth materials) must begin with epoch for manifesting and understanding individual's Eigen motives and traits as subject of behavior(Gene-ware)

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Tong Xin Lou (TXL) on lipid accumulation in liver tissue in Hypercholesterolemic mice. TXL is new drug, which is one of Cardiotonic Pills. TXL is used for activating the blood flow in the restoration stage of cerebral infarction, and for alleviation of angina pectoris including the symptoms as chest oppressed and stabbing pain. Methods : Hyperlipidemia was induced by providing high fat diet for 6 weeks. Normal group was provided with normal rodent diet. TXL was administered orally in the concentration of 10 mg/day for 2 weeks (TXL group). D/W was administered orally in CTL group for 2 weeks. We observed histopathological changes in liver and heart tissues, and also investigated the effect on body weights, and levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. Results : In this study, TXL did not affects weight gain in hypercholesterolemic mice. TXL group showed downward tendency of lipid accumulation compared with CTL group. In addition, oral administration of TXL lowered levels of total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.05), which were elevated by induction of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion : These results suggest that TXL can prevent lipid accumulation in liver tissue through regulation of dyslipidemia.