• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.127-135
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: To ensure data privacy, the development of defacing processes, which anonymize brain images by obscuring facial features, is crucial. However, the impact of these defacing methods on brain imaging analysis poses significant concern. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of three different defacing methods in automated brain volumetry. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging with three-dimensional T1 sequences was performed on ten patients diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline. Defacing was executed using mri_deface, BioImage Suite Web-based defacing, and Defacer. Brain volumes were measured employing the QBraVo program and FreeSurfer, assessing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the mean differences in brain volume measurements between the original and defaced images. Results: The mean age of the patients was 71.10±6.17 years, with 4 (40.0%) being male. The total intracranial volume, total brain volume, and ventricle volume exhibited high ICCs across the three defacing methods and 2 volumetry analyses. All regional brain volumes showed high ICCs with all three defacing methods. Despite variations among some brain regions, no significant mean differences in regional brain volume were observed between the original and defaced images across all regions. Conclusions: The three defacing algorithms evaluated did not significantly affect the results of image analysis for the entire brain or specific cerebral regions. These findings suggest that these algorithms can serve as robust methods for defacing in neuroimaging analysis, thereby supporting data anonymization without compromising the integrity of brain volume measurements.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.302-312
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• 2024

Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen-1 (PfAMA-1) is a major candidate for the blood-stage malaria vaccine. Genetic polymorphisms of global pfama-1suggest that the genetic diversity of the gene can disturb effective vaccine development targeting this antigen. This study was conducted to explore the genetic diversity and gene structure of pfama-1 among P. falciparum isolates collected in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. A total of 19 full-length pfama-1 sequences were obtained from KP-Pakistan P. falciparum isolates, and genetic polymorphism and natural selection were investigated. KP-Pakistan pfama-1 exhibited genetic diversity, wherein 58 amino acid changes were identified, most of which were located in ectodomains, and domains I, II, and III. The amino acid changes commonly found in the ectodomain of global pfama-1 were also detected in KP-Pakistan pfama-1. Interestingly, 13 novel amino acid changes not reported in the global population were identified in KP-Pakistan pfama-1. KP-Pakistan pfama-1 shared similar levels of genetic diversity with global pfama-1. Evidence of natural selection and recombination events were also detected in KP-Pakistan pfama-1.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.169-179
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• 2024

Naegleria fowleri invades the brain and causes a fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Despite its high mortality rate of approximately 97%, an effective therapeutic drug for PAM has not been developed. Approaches with miltefosine, amphotericin B, and other antimicrobials have been clinically attempted to treat PAM, but their therapeutic efficacy remains unclear. The development of an effective and safe therapeutic drug for PAM is urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the anti-amoebic activity of Pinus densiflora leaf extract (PLE) against N. fowleri. PLE induced significant morphological changes in N. fowleri trophozoites, resulting in the death of the amoeba. The IC₅₀ of PLE on N. fowleri was 62.3±0.95 ㎍/ml. Alternatively, PLE did not significantly affect the viability of the rat glial cell line C6. Transcriptome analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PLE-treated and non-treated amoebae. A total of 5,846 DEGs were identified, of which 2,189 were upregulated, and 3,657 were downregulated in the PLE-treated amoebae. The DEGs were categorized into biological process (1,742 genes), cellular component (1,237 genes), and molecular function (846 genes) based on the gene ontology analysis, indicating that PLE may have dramatically altered the biological and cellular functions of the amoeba and contributed to their death. These results suggest that PLE has anti-N. fowleri activity and may be considered as a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs for PAM. It may also be used as a supplement compound to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs currently used to treat PAM.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2020

To develop the bright-vivid red- and yellow-inorganic fluorescent pigments with high luminescence properties, A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) and Cs₂V₄O₁₁ inorganic pigments were synthesized by a water assisted solid state reaction (WASSR) method and a conventional solid state reaction method. Although impurity peaks corresponding to the AVO₃ and AV₃O₈ (A = K, Rb, and Cs) were observed in all samples prepared, the trigonal structure A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) and orthorhombic structure Cs₂V₄O₁₁ were successfully obtained as a main phase. These inorganic pigments showed the broad absorption band (under 550 nm) originated from CT transitions of VO₄ polyhedron, and the strong broad red- and green-emission bands due to ³T₂ → ¹A₁ and ³T₁ → ¹A₁ transitions of the [VO₄]^3- group. The A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) and Cs₂V₄O₁₁ pigments showed a bright-vivid red- and yellow-body color, where the a* values of the A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) were +35.5 and +45.9, respectively, and b* value of Cs₂V₄O₁₁ pigments was +50.3. The L* values of the A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) and Cs₂V₄O₁₁ inorganic pigments were over +45. These results indicate that the A₃V₅O₁₄ (A = K and Rb) and Cs₂V₄O₁₁ inorganic pigments could be an attractive candidate as a bright-vivid red- and yellow inorganic pigments.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.281-301
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• 1993

It was revealed that the morphology and projection pattern of terminal arbors from single primary afferent are different among distinct fiber types, functional types and the different subdivision of trigeminal sensory nucleus complex(TSNC). But it was not identified the ultrastructural morphology and synaptic connections of terminal arbors from each primary afferent within TSNC. So we employed the intra-axonal horseradish peroxidase(HRP) injection technique to define the terminal arbors of primary afferent fiber from slowly adapting mechanoreceptors in the periodontal ligament of the cat, and examined 66 labeled terminal arbors within the rostrodorsomedial part(Vo.r) of the trigeminal nucleus oralis, electromicroscopically with 90nm serial sections. All the boutons labelled with HRP contained clear, spherical and uniform sized synaptic vesicles(diameter : $47.66{\pm}3.58nm$ ). Most of the labelled boutons were boutons en passant type and they were connected by unmyelinated axonal strand. In which neurofilament and microtubule was not developed but occasionally contained synaptic vesicle in contrast to the myelinated axon. The size of the labelled bouton was relatively small(long diameter : $1.46{\pm}0.24{\mu}m$, short diameter $0.85{\pm}0.26{\mu}m$, average diameter $1.15{\pm}0.24{\mu}m$) and the shape of which varied from dome to elongated shape, but scalloped glomerulus shape was not developed. Each primary ending in Vo.r made synapse with one or two neuronal propiles(average : $1.11{\pm}0.31$), of which, 89.4% of labelled boutons made synapse with only one neuronal pro pile, the remainder, 10.6% of labelled boutons, made synapse with two neuronal propile. So characteristically they made very simple synapse. Most of labelled boutons(80.03%) made asymmetrical synapse only with dendritic shaft or spine, and 6.1% of labelled boutons received symmetrical synapse from pleomorphic vesicle containing axonal ending(p-ending). So presynaptic inhibiton was relatively scarce. Synaptic triad, in which a p-ending is presynaptic both pre-and post-synaptic element of the axo-dendritic contact from the labelled primary ending was not observed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.3
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• pp.288-299
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• 2017

This study was conducted to find out the influence of drought stress on physiological responses of Synurus deltoides. Drought stress was induced by withholding water for 25 days. Leaf water potentials were decreased of both predawn (${\Psi}_{pd}$) and mid-day (${\Psi}_{mid}$) with increasing drought stress, but water saturation dificit (WSD) was 7 times increased. ${\Psi}_{pd}-{\Psi}_{mid}$ showed the significant difference of 0.22~0.18 MPa in stressed before 10 days, and nonsignificant as treatment time became longer. A strong reduction of stomatal conductance ($gH_2O$) and stomatal transpiration rate (E) were observed after 15 days of drought stress Significant reductions of net apparent quantum yield (${\Phi}$) and maximum photosynthesis rate ($Pn_{max}$) were observed after 20 days of drought stress; However, water use efficiency (WUE) was shown the opposite trend. This implies that decrease of photosynthesis rate may be due to an inability to regulate water and $CO_2$ exchanged through the stomata. From JIP analysis, flux ratios (${\Psi}_O$ and ${\Phi}_{EO}$) and performance index on absorption basis ($PI_{ABS}$) were dramatically decreased withholding water after 15 days, which reflects the relative reduction of photosystem II activity. The leaf of S. deltoides showed osmotic adjustment of -0.35 MPa at full turgor and -0.40 MPa at zero turgor, and also cell-wall elastic adjustment of 9.4 MPa, indicating that S. deltoides tolerate drought stress through osmotic adjustment and cell-wall elastic adjustment. The degree of change in water relations parameters such as Vo/DW, Vt/DW decreased with increasing drought stress. This result showed that S. deltoides was exhibited a strong reduction of photosynthetic activity to approximately -0.93 MPa of predawn leaf water potential, and both of osmotic adjustment and cell-wall elastic adjustment in drought stress condition appears to be an important adaptation for restoration in this species.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.59-76
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• 2019

Most technology-based entrepreneurship(TBE) go through an process of decline or disappear without overcoming the valley of death(VoD). The purpose of this study is to identify the growth dimension of TBE and to test the influence of firms activities on firms growth over time. This study identified the two-dimensional growth dimension divided by size and profit through exploratory factor analysis(EFA) of a number of growth indicators. Then, we defined the discrete state of growth firm in four states, divided by size and profit, and five states, including the closure of business. Multi-nomial logit model is used to predict the effect of TBE activities on a discrete state of growth firm(size×profit, closure of business) based on multiple independent variables. The independent variables are based on five representative firms activities: employment, marketing, R&D, financial activities, and general management activities. The growth stage of TBE over time has been categorized into three stages: early stage, middle stage, and late stage of business, taking into account the main periods during which the survival rate of startups sharply decreases. The analytical data of this study was based on the secondary data of the start-up supporting companies of government and public institutions. The subjects of analysis were TBE within 10 years. As a result of the empirical analysis, the employment and marketing activities of TBE show that early and mid-term activities had an effect on the state of firms growth. However, if there is a difference, employment activities have both positive and negative effects, while marketing activities have only a positive effect on size and profit growth. And besides, R&D activities, financial activities, and general management activities throughout the entire process of firms growth were found to be firms activities that have both positive and negative effects on firms growth. In addition, the age of the founder, the firms' industry, and the geographic location of the firms, which are general characteristics of the company, were found to have a distinctive effect on the growth status of the firms according to the growth stage.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2016

Chlorine dioxide has been used for a disinfectant by exhibiting antimicrobial activity and is also potent to kill insect pests infesting stored grains. This study aimed to extend the usefulness of chlorine dioxide with respect to anticancer and antiviral activities. Cytotoxicity of chlorine dioxide was assessed against five different human cancer cell lines. Chlorine dioxide exhibited significant cytotoxicity against two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and three colorectal cancer cell lines (LoVo, HCT-116, SW-480). This cytotoxicity appeared to be associated with the capacity of chlorine dioxide to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Compared to control insect cell lines, the cancer cell lines possessed much higher levels of ROS. On the other hand, a treatment of an antioxidant, vitamin E, significantly reduced the cytotoxicity, suggesting that the cytotoxicity was induced by high levels of ROS production. Chlorine dioxide exhibited antiviral activity against different viruses. A baculovirus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV), is a dsDNA insect virus and lost its viral activity to form polyhedral viral particles in response to chlorine dioxide. The antiviral activity against AcNPV was dependent on the incubation time with chlorine dioxide. Tobacco mosaic virus is a ssRNA plant virus and was reduced in its population after exposure to chlorine dioxide along with significant decrease of viral symptoms. These results indicate that chlorine dioxide possesses anticancer and antiviral activities probably due to its inducing activity of ROS production.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

Background: The control of active pulmonary tuberculosis is still an issue in community medicine. But there are also considerable needs for supportive management of symptomatic patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung. Few studies have evaluated clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life in patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung. Methods: We evaluated lung function, exercise tolerance, HRCT and health-related quality of life measurements using the Korean version of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in 22 patients with parenchymal damage to more than a half of one lung due to pulmonary tuberculosis. Results: In the pulmonary function test, mixed defects and obstructive defects were observed in 10 (45.0%) and 9 (40.9%) of patients, respectively. In the cardiopulmonary exercise test, the mean $VO_2max%$ predicted ($39.0%{\pm}10.9%$) and $O_2$ pulse% predicted ($61.3%{\pm}13.6%$) were markedly decreased. In the SGRQ, the impact score (mean $27.8{\pm}18.5$) was significantly lower than the symptom score (mean $53.9{\pm}20.9$) or activity score (mean $50.8{\pm}27.3$) (p<0.05, p<0.01). Cronbach's alpha coefficient value for reliability was more than 0.7 for each subscale and total score. The total score showed a significant negative correlation with $FEV_1%$ predicted (r=-0.46, p<0.05) and $SaO_2$ (r=-0.60, p<0.05). On HRCT, a median of 9 (range 5~15) bronchopulmonary segments were destroyed by less than half, which significantly correlated with SGRQ total score (r=-0.52, p=0.02). Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the SGRQ was acceptable for the measurement of health-related quality of life in patients with post-tuberculous destroyed lung.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2013

Purpose: Nowadays, checkbite methods and a digital sensor are used to analyze the movement of mandible. However, there are no study comparing two methods. Therefore, this study has compared measuring the condylar inclination methods by using the new ARCUSdigma 2 system and the checkbite method. Materials and methods: Young 20 adults without any orthodontic treatment experiences, missing teeth, and restorations with the change of occlusal plane were tested. Angles of condylar path were measured 3 times each, based on Camper's line, by using two methods. KaVo PROTAR Evo 7 semi-adjustable articulator was used and the data were statistically analyzed. Results: 1. The anterior sagittal condylar inclination by ARCUSdigma 2 system were measured as $26.97^{\circ}({\pm}7.38^{\circ})$ on the left side and $29.80^{\circ}({\pm}8.19^{\circ})$ on the right side. The lateral condylar inclination were measured as $5.75^{\circ}({\pm}3.47^{\circ})$ on the left side and $8.10^{\circ}({\pm}4.98^{\circ})$ on the right side. 2. The anterior sagittal condylar inclination by checkbite method were measured as $25.20^{\circ}({\pm}6.53^{\circ})$ on the left side and $28.18^{\circ}({\pm}7.38^{\circ})$ on the right side. The lateral condylar inclination were measured as $10.97^{\circ}({\pm}5.63^{\circ})$ on the left side and $12.03^{\circ}({\pm}5.22^{\circ})$ on the right side. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female (P>.05). 3. The lateral condylar inclinations of ARCUSdigma 2 were statistically significantly smaller than that of checkbite method (P<.05). Conclusion: In Both of 2 methods, there was no statistically significant difference between male and female (P>.05). However, the lateral condylar inclinations of ARCUSdigma 2 were statistically significantly smaller than that of checkbite method (P<.05).