• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.37-54
• /
• 2010

The information system that preserves and presents information collections, records, processes, retrievals, is applied in various fields recently and is supporting man's many activities. Conventional information systems are based on the reactive interaction model. Such reactive systems respond to only specific instructions, i.e. the defined commands, from the user. To go beyond the reactive interaction, it is necessary that the interactive dynamic interaction based information system which understands human's action and intention autonomously and then provides sensible information adapted to the user. Therefore, we propose a Gaze Mirroring-based intelligent information system for making user's latent interest using the internal state estimation methods based on the interactive dynamic interaction. Then, the proposed Gaze Mirroring method is that an anthropomorphic agent(avatar) actively established the joint attention with the user by imitating user's eye-gaze behavior. We verify that the Gaze Mirroring can elicit the user's behavior reflecting the latent interestand contribute to improving the accuracy of interest estimation. We also have confidence that the Gaze Mirroring promotes the self-awareness of interest. Such a Gaze Mirroring-based intelligent information system also provides suitable information to user by making user's latent interest using the internal state estimation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The flap delay is a widely used technique to increase the flap survival. Dexamethasone is a well-known drug to have a positive impact on the flap survival. The objective of this study is to investigate the dual synergic effect of epinephrine as a chemical delay agent plus dexamethasone on the TRAM flap survival in rat model. Methods: Forty Sparague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups evenly and a right inferior epigastic vessel pedicled TRAM flap, sized $5.0{\times}3.0cm$, was elevated on each upper abdomen. In the control group(N=10), 2 ml saline was injected on transverse abdominis muscle for a week before the flap elevation. In surgical delay group(N=10) all superior pedicles and left inferior pedicle were ligated a week before the flap elevation. In epinephrine group (N=10), 1 : 50000 epinephrine mixed saline was injected to transverse abdominis muscle every day for a week before flap elevation. In epinephrine plus dexamethasone group (N=10), the same procedure as that of epinephrine group was conducted for a week and 2.5 ml/kg dexamethasone was injected transverse abdominis muscle 2 hours before the flap elevation. On the seventh day after flap elevation, the survival area of flaps were measured and the vessel numbers in upper dermis of flap were counted through histologic slides. Results: The results were as follows: the mean percentage of the flap survival area of surgical delay group ($60.5{\pm}2.44%$), epinephrine group ($75{\pm}4.43%$), and epinephrine plus dexamethasone group ($87{\pm}1.94%$) were higher than that of the control group ($35{\pm}6.06%$) significantly(p<0.05). In case of the vessel number though histologic slides, epinephrine group ($79.3{\pm}5.57$) and epinephrine plus dexamethasone group ($96.3{\pm}14.05$) were higher than that of the control group ($44.8{\pm}8.82$) significantly(p<0.05), but the surgical delay group ($54{\pm}4.23$) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) compared to that of the control group. Conclusion: The results indicated that epinephrine plus dexamethasone injection before the flap elevation could be used to increase the TRAM flap survival area in rat model.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.339-349
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antitussive expectoration effects of Friltillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the FTB, we conducted in vitro experiments using RAW264.7 cells. An MTT assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were carried out to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of FTB. The expectorant effect on phenol red secretion, the antitussive effect on cough induced by ammonia solution, and leukocyte increased inhibition effects in acute airway inflammation in the animal model were confirmed. Results: FTB did not show cytotoxicity in the experimental group at 10, 30, 50, 100, 300, or 500 ㎍/ml and significantly inhibited the increase of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in the experimental groups at 30, 50, 100, 300, and 500 ㎍/ml concentrations. In sputum, cough, and acute airway inflammation animal models, FTB significantly increased phenol red secretion in the 400 mg/kg administration group. FTB significantly reduced the number of coughs and significantly increased cough delay time in both 200 and 400 mg/kg dose groups. FTB decreased the white blood cell count in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) in the 400 mg/kg administration group. Conclusion: Our study revealed that FTB elicits antitussive and expectorant effects by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, increasing sputum secretion, suppressing cough, and reducing inflammatory cells. We concluded that FTB is a highly promising agent for respiratory tract infection with therapeutic opportunities.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2014

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from abnormal cellular process lead to various human diseases such as inflammation, ischemia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG), a RING-FINGER protein, has anti-apoptotic activity and anti-oxidant activity. In this study, we investigate whether Tat-SAG, fused with a Tat domain, could protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) and dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that, unlike SAG, Tat-SAG transduced efficiently into SH-SY5Y cells and into the brain, respectively. Tat-SAG remarkably suppressed ROS generation, DNA damage, and the progression of apoptosis, caused by $MPP^+$ in SH-SY5Y cells. Also, immunohistochemical data using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and cresyl violet staining demonstrated that Tat-SAG obviously protected DA neurons in the SN against MPTP toxicity in a PD mouse model. Tat-SAG-treated mice showed significant enhanced motor activities, compared to SAG- or Tat-treated mice. Therefore, our results suggest that Tat-SAG has potential as a therapeutic agent against ROS-related diseases such as PD.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.15 no.4 s.72
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 2006

Most electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) treatment processes to recover zinc from EAFD employ carbon as a reducing agent for the zinc oxide in the EAFD. In the present work, the reduction reaction of zinc oxide with carbon in the present of iron oxide was kinetically studied. The experiments were carried out at temperatures between 1173 K and 1373 K under nitrogen atmosphere using a weight-loss technique. From the experimental results, it was concluded that adding the proper amount of iron oxide to the reactant accelerates the reaction rate of zinc oxide with carbon. This is because iron oxide in the reduction reaction of zinc oxide with carbon promotes the carbon gasification reaction. The spherical shrinking core model for a surface chemical reaction control was found to be useful in describing kinetics of the reaction over the entire temperature range. The reaction has an activation energy of 53 kcal/mol (224 kJ/mol) for ZnO-C reaction system, an activation energy of 42 kcal/mol (175 kJ/mol) for $ZnO-Fe_{2}O_{3}-C$ reaction system, and an activation energy of 44 kcal/mol (184 kJ/mol) for ZnO-mill scale-C reaction system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.321-330
• /
• 2021

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H2O2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2018

In this study, NMO (Natural Manganese Ore), $MnO_2$, and $Mn_2O_3$ catalysts were used in the selective catalytic reduction process to remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) using $NH_3$ as a reducing agent at low temperatures in the presence of oxygen. In the case of the NMO (Natural Manganese Ore), it was confirmed that the conversion of nitrogen oxides in the stability test did not change even after 100 hours at 423 K. The Kinetics experiments were carried out within the range where heat and mass transfer were not factors. From a steady-state Kinetics study, it was found that the low-temperature SCR reaction was zero order with the respect to $NH_3$ and 0.41 ~ 0.57 order with the respect to NO and 0.13 ~ 0.26 order with the respect to $O_2$. As temperature increases, the reaction order decreases as a result of $NH_3$ and oxygen concentration. It was confirmed that the reaction between the $NH_3$ dissociated and adsorbedon the catalyst surface and the gaseous nitrogen monoxide (E-R model) and the reaction with the adsorbed nitrogen monoxide (L-H model) occur.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2019

Objectives: As a general emotion, everyone can temporarily experience depression, but depressive disorder is a disease that excessively affects daily life. Among the various causes of depression, the deficiency of monoamine-based neurotransmitters such as serotonin and epinephrine are considered significant. Thus, antidepressants that target monoamines are used frequently. However, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction are observed. Thus, it is necessary to develop a new therapeutic agent with fewer side effects. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant effect of JG02, used to treat depression by normalizing the flow of qi (氣) in Korean medicine. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into six groups: normal, control, amitriptyline, and JG02 (50, 125, 250 mg/kg), respectively. Except for normal, depression was induced by applying restraint stress at the same time for six hours daily for 14 consecutive days. Saline, amitriptyline or JG02 samples were orally administered two hours before applying the stress. After that, a forced swimming test and an open field test were performed. Additionally, serum corticosterone, serotonin mRNA, BDNF mRNA, and protein in the hippocampal region were measured and compared. Results: JG02 decreased immobility time rate in the FST and increased the zone transition number and travel distance in the OFT. Also, JG02 inhibited the release of serum corticosterone, and increased serotonin, BDNF gene expression, and BDNF protein in the hippocampus. Conclusions: In this study, JG02 showed significant antidepressant effects on the chronic restraint stress mice model. When further research is performed based on JG02, the development of a new antidepressant is considered highly possible.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2021

Objectives : Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that decreases bone density and increases the risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates and SERMs are mainly used to treat osteoporosis, but, long-term use increases the risk of side effects such as jaw bone necrosis and breast cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a therapeutic agent for a natural product with few side effects. Water extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (wLF) was mainly found to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of wLF on osteoporosis has not been elucidated. Therefore, this experiment investigated the effect of wLF on osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteoporosis models. Methods : In order to study the effect of wLF on osteoporosis, the OVX-induced rat model was used for in vivo study. After 8 weeks, we measured body weight, uterine weight, liver weight, femur weight, bone density, trabecular area and tibia ash weight. To determine the effect of wLF on osteoclast differentiation, we measured the number of TRAP-positive cells and TRAP activity. To examine the effect of wLF on the expression of osteoblast-related genes, we measured the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP, Alpl) and osteocalcin (OCN, Bglap2). Results : In vivo experiment, wLF inhibited the reduction of femur weight, trabecular area, bone density and tibia ash weight. In vitro experiment, wLF had no significant effect on osteoclast differentiation. However, wLF increased the mRNA expression of Alpl and Bglap2 in MC3T3-E1 cell. Conclusions : This result suggested that wLF may be used for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.18-30
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Purpose: This study aimed to identify whether infection control practice would correlate significantly with the knowledge and attitude of infection control in the pre-, mid-, and postvisiting rounds among community-visiting nurses. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted based on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) model by administrating questionnaires during September-October 2020. A total of 65 nurses working for 15 community health centers in Seoul, South Korea were included. The questionnaires were developed based on the epidemiologic triangle model and comprised of 28 items on practice, 18 items on knowledge, and 10 items on attitude. Results: The infection control practice showed a mean of 88.9 (range, 0-100). The infection control knowledge had 89.2% on the host domain, 80.0% on the environment domain, and 74.8% on the agent domain (range, 0-100). The infection control attitude showed a mean of 39.5 (range, 0-50). Higher scores on the infection control practice are significantly correlated with the higher scores on the infection control knowledge about the host domain (p= .004) at the pre-, mid-, and post-visiting rounds. Higher scores on the infection control practice are significantly correlated with the higher scores on the infection control attitude at the mid- (p= .018) and postvisiting rounds (p= .028). Conclusions: The infection control practice by community-visiting nurses may be enhanced with increased knowledge and attitude levels of infection control at the mid- and post-visiting rounds. The enhancement should be included in the on-the-job education for community-visiting nurses.