• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.363-369
• /
• 2014

Synthetic cannabinoids (CBs) such as the JWH series have caused social problems concerning their abuse liability. Because the JWH series produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects, they have been distributed illegally under street names such as "Spice" and "Smoke". Many countries including Korea have started to schedule some of the JWH series compounds as controlled substances, but there are a number of JWH series chemicals that remain uncontrolled by law. In this study, three synthetic CBs with different binding affinities to the $CB_1$ receptor (JWH-073, 081, and 210) and ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (${\Delta}^9$-THC) were evaluated for their potential for psychological dependence. The conditioned place preference test (unbiased method) and self-administration test (fixed ratio of 1) using rodents were conducted. $K_i$ values of the three synthetic cannabinoids were calculated as supplementary data using a receptor binding assay and overexpressed $CB_1$ protein membranes to compare dependence potential with $CB_1$ receptor binding affinity. All mice administered JWH-073, 081, or 210 showed significantly increased time spent at unpreferred space in a dose-dependence manner in the conditioned place preference test. In contrast, all tested substances except ${\Delta}^9$-THC showed aversion phenomenon at high doses in the conditioned place preference test. The order of affinity to the $CB_1$ receptor in the receptor binding assay was JWH-210 > JWH-081 >> JWH-073, which was in agreement with the results from the conditioned place preference test. However, no change in self-administration was observed. These findings suggest the possibility to predict dependence potential of synthetic CBs through a receptor binding assay at the screening level.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.95-99
• /
• 2009

Prenatal diagnosis of rare autosome mosaicism involvingchromosomes other than chromosome 13, 18, 21 or the sex chromosome is encountered prognostic dilemma during genetic counseling. We report four cases of level III uncommon mosaicism of trisomy 5, 16 and 20,diagnosed prenatally. In case 1 with mosaic trisomy 20, there was a higher mosaic ratio of trisomy 20 in the repeat amniocentesis (62.1%) than in the first (36.6%) with normal fetal ultrasound finding except for a relatively small aorta on a 3-vessel view of the fetal heart. Case 2 showed a low rate of mosaic trisomy 20 (5.25%) in cultured amniocytes but normal karyotype in the repeat amniocentesis, who delivered a normal healthy baby. Case 3 showed a 13.6% of trisomy 16 mosaicism in the 30 cells of cultured amniocytes. Sixty cells from a fetal blood sample at termination showed non-mosaic 46,XX normal karyotype, while skin fibroblasts had 22.5% trisomy 16 in 40 metaphases. The autopsy showed ventricular septal defect (VSD). Case 4 with low grade mosaicism (10.5%) of trisomy 5 resulted in elective termination, though the ultrasoumd showed growsly normal fetus. Although level III mosaicism is regarded as true mosaicism, it is difficult to predict the outcome of the fetus with rare mosaic autosome trisomy. Therefore mosaic autosome trisomy of fetus should be carefully interpreted with more various approaches including repeat sampling and targeted fetal ultrasound.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2008

Purpose : To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) shift based magnetic resonance (MR) temperature mapping utilizing the self-developed center array-sequencing phase unwrapping (PU) method for non-invasive temperature monitoring. Materials and Methods : The computer simulation was done on the PU algorithm for performance evaluation before further application to MR thermometry. The MR experiments were conducted in two approaches namely PU experiment, and temperature mapping experiment based on the PU technique with all the image postprocessing implemented in MATLAB. A 1.5T MR scanner employing a knee coil with $T2^*$ GRE (Gradient Recalled Echo) pulse sequence were used throughout the experiments. Various subjects such as water phantom, orange, and agarose gel phantom were used for the assessment of the self-developed PU algorithm. The MR temperature mapping experiment was initially attempted on the agarose gel phantom only with the application of a custom-made thermoregulating water pump as the heating source. Heat was generated to the phantom via hot water circulation whilst temperature variation was observed with T-type thermocouple. The PU program was implemented on the reconstructed wrapped phase images prior to map the temperature distribution of subjects. As the temperature change is directly proportional to the phase difference map, the absolute temperature could be estimated from the summation of the computed temperature difference with the measured ambient temperature of subjects. Results : The PU technique successfully recovered and removed the phase wrapping artifacts on MR phase images with various subjects by producing a smooth and continuous phase map thus producing a more reliable temperature map. Conclusion : This work presented a rapid, and robust self-developed center array-sequencing PU algorithm feasible for the application of MR temperature mapping according to the PRF phase shift property.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2003

All diets were based on feeds of fattening period pigs(LY x D, ca. 90 kg) with six treatments, which were the control, containing 5% beef tallow(C), 3% beef tallows and 2% perilla seeds oil(T1), 250 ppm vit. E(${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate) in T1(T2), 3% beef tallow and 2% squid viscera oil(T3), 250 ppm vit. E in T3(T4), and 3% beef tallow and 2% CLA(T5), respectively. Produced porks and their carcass characteristics were as follows. The daily gain of pigs was higher in T2 and 73 than any other treatments(p<0.05). Its T2 and T3 was 3.71 and 3.80 respectively, however, there was no significance in feed intake. The highest back fat thickness was shown in control group on market weight, while there was no significant difference on their initial weight. Loin-eye muscle area did not show any significant difference on initial weight and on market weight, however, its T5 was about twice as large as T2's. Content of triglyceride in blood was high in control group as compared to others; especially, the values for T3, T4 and T5 were significantly low(p <0.05). There was no significant difference in total cholesterol contents, and the ratio of HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol was higher in vit. E treated samples than untreated sample. Atherogenic index was high in sample with T3 and low in sample with T2. The perilla seed oil, squid fish oil, and vit. E decreased atherogenic index. Dressing percentage, back fat thickness, and grade did not show any significant difference(p >0.05); however, T2, C and T3, T1 and T5 showed 4.67, 4.29, 4.00 respectively, in grades.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2014

Objective: This study was conducted in order to evaluate an education program for cardio-cerebrovascular high-risk patients. Methods: To evaluate patients' quality of life, EQ-5D was used and an organized survey was conducted via calls and interviews for hypertension, diabetes patients who had visited the KHyDDI(Korea Hypertension Diabetes DaeguInitiative) education center or 70 clinics through out the nation. Results: The subjects included 537 patients, 320 of who were in the clinic education and 217 of who were in the education center program. Sixty eight of the subjects went through the EQ-5D evaluation before and after the education program. In the EQ-5D index distribution of their quality of life before the education program, there was a statistically significant difference in gender(p<0.001) with higher points among males. Regarding age, there was a statistically significant difference between those aged over 65 years and under 65(p<0.001), with higher points in the group under the age of 65. Further, the EQ-5D 5 scope index was statistically significant different before and after receiving the education(p<0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, the KHyDDI staged education program is effective for improving the quality of life. Moreover, it could contribute to the complications of the disease through a variety of approaches by considering both gender and age.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.693-702
• /
• 2015

In order to identify the species and to reveal the phylogenetic relationship of rook populations found in Jeju-do Province in winter seasons, we determined the sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene and analyzed the genetic structure of maternal lineages and phylogenetic relationship. The rook DNAs were isolated from the post-mortem specimens and plumages collected from agricultural farms in Jeju-do Province including U-do Island. The obtained COI sequences (n=41) showed over 97.0% identities with those previously reported from Corvus frugeligus. Three COI haplotypes (J01-J03) were detected from COI sequences of the rooks obtained in Jeju-do Province but those did not show the site-specific patterns, showing that they might be derived from a common maternal origin. Eight maternal haplotypes were detected from all COI sequences obtained. Among those three haplotypes contained the COI sequences from Northeast Asia including eastern Russia, Mongolia and South Korea. On the other hand, the other five haplotypes contained the COI sequences reported from Central Asia, Middle East, western Russia and European countries. The COI sequences from Jeju-do Province were located on three haplotypes (CF01-CF03) belonging to Northeast Asian rook lineages. The NJ tree showed the distinct branch patterns suggesting two different maternal lineages of C. frugilegus, which proposed as two parapatric subspecies, C. f. frugilegus (Western) and C. f. pastinator (Eastern). These findings using DNA barcoding approaches will be contributed to provide the information about avian fauna for understanding the genetic structure of maternal lineage, phylogenetic relationship and their molecular ecology.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 2008

Underwater seismic refraction with advanced interpretation approaches makes important contributions to shallow marine exploration and geotechnical investigations in Australia's coastal areas. A series of case studies are presented to demonstrate the recent applications of continuous and static USR methods to river crossing and port infrastructure projects at various sites around Australia. In Sydney, static underwater seismic refraction (USR) with bottom-placed receivers and borehole seismic imaging assisted the development of improved geotechnical models that reduced construction risk for a tunnel crossing of the Lane Cove River. In Melbourne, combining conventional boomer reflection and continuous USR with near-bottom sources and receivers improved the definition of a buried, variably weathered basalt flow and assisted dredging assessment for navigation channel upgrades at Geelong Ports. Sand quality assessment with continuous USR and widely spaced borehole information assisted commercial decisions on available sand resources for the reclamation phase of development at the Port of Brisbane. Buried reefs and indurated layers occur in Australian coastal sediments with the characteristics of laterally limited, high velocity, cap layers within lower velocity materials. If these features are not recognised then significant error in depth determination to deeper refractors can occur. Application of advanced refraction inversion using wavefront eikonal tomography to continuous USR data obtained along the route of a proposed offshore pipeline near Fremantle allowed these layers and the underlying bedrock refractor to be accurately imaged. Static USR and the same interpretation approach was used to image the drowned granitic regolith beneath sediments and indurated layers in the northern area of Western Australia at a proposed new berthing site where deep piling was required. This allowed preferred piling sites to be identified, reducing overall pile lengths. USR can be expected to find increased application to shallow marine exploration and geotechnical investigations in Australia's coastal areas as economic growth continues and improved interpretation methods are developed.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.106-122
• /
• 1994

The purpose of this study to investigate the awareness of environmental management knowledge and behavior and the effect of independent variables (The environmental management behavior of housewives are composed of five activities-clothing, eating, housing, buying, family management. The independent variables are composed of objective variable and subjective variable). The Research Questions are as follows; 1. Are there significant differences in the housewife's awareness of the environmental management knowledge according to the objective variable and the subjective variable? 2. How much are the effects of related variables on the awareness of environmental management knowledge? 3. Are there significant differences in the housewife's environmental management behavior according to objective variable and subjective variable and awareness of environmental management knowledge? 4. How much are effects of related variables on the housewife's environmental management behavior? For these purpose, a theoretical framework was developed by literature review and applied to empirical test. The data was collected through the questionnaire those respondents were 477 housewives in seoul. It was analyzed by various statistical methods such as Frequency. Percentile, GLM, F-test, T-test, Duncan's Multiple Range Test, Pearson's Correlations Analysis Simple Regression Analysis, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results of this research are as follows; 1. The awareness of environmental management knowledge had significant differences according to the variables such as housewife's age, husband's job, family number, education experience of environment, frequencies of contracting mass media, the perceived adequacy of resources, social-altruistic orientation. 2. Among all of these variables affecting the awareness of environmental management knowledge, the perceived adequacy of resources had the highest effects and the next were family number, social-altruistic, type of residence in order. 3. Total Environmental management behavior of housewives had significant differences according to the variables such of environment, frequencies of contracting mass media, the satisfaction of household labor, the perceived adequacy of resources, biospheric orientation, social-altruistic orientation, egoism orientation, the awareness of environmental management knowledge. The clothing, eating, housing, family management behavior had the high level, the buying management behavior had the average level. The clothing, eating, housing, buying, family management behavior had significant differences according to the variables such as the satisfaction of household labor, the perceived adequacy of resources, biospheric orientation, social-altruistic orientation, egoism orientation, the awareness of environmental management knowledge. In particular, the clothing, eating, housing, buying management behavior had significant differences according to the variables such as education experience of environment. And the housing, buying management behavior had significant differences according to the variables such as frequencies of contracting mass media. 4. Among all of theses variables affecting environmental management behavior, the most influence variables was awareness of environmental management knowledge and the next were influence of housewife's job, biospheric orientation, the satisfaction of household labor, education experience of environment, frequencies of contraction mass media, egoism orientation in order. Among all of theses variables effecting the clothing, eating, housing, buying management behavior the variables affecting the family management behavior, the most influences variables was housewife's job. In the result of analysing the housewife's environmental management behavior and awareness of environmental management knowledge, influences of education experience of environment had the highest effect and frequencies of contracting mass media may more influencial than other variables. And Concrete and systematic knowledge and technique of environmental education is requisite. The result of this study could be attributed to develop the efficient environmental information. More emphasis should be given to environmental education and a long range environmental policy. in particular, environmental education be effectively related to environmental behavior, life-education and systematic support must be provided. In addition, further study of environmental problem is needed for and application of various theoretical approaches and research method.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2002

An International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) program based at the University of Illinois at Chicago initiated its activities in 1998, with the following specific objectives: (a) inventory and conservation of of plants of Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam and of medicinal plants of Laos; (b) drug discovery (and development) based on plants of Vietnam and Laos; and (c) economic development of communities participating in the ICBG project both in Vietnam and Laos. Member-institutions and an industrial partner of this ICBG are bound by a Memorandum of Agreement that recognizes property and intellectual property rights, prior informed consent for access to genetic resources and to indigenous knowledge, the sharing of benefits that may arise from the drug discovery effort, and the provision of short-term and long-term benefits to host country institutions and communities. The drug discovery effort is targeted to the search for agents for therapies against malaria (antimalarial assay of plant extracts, using Plasmodium falciparum clones), AIDS (anti-HIV-l activity using HOG.R5 reporter cell line (through transactivation of the green fluorescent protein/GFP gene), cancer (screening of plant extracts in 6 human tumor cell lines - KB, Col-2, LU-l, LNCaP, HUVEC, hTert-RPEl), tuberculosis (screening of extracts in the microplate Alamar Blue assay against Mycobacterium tuberculosis $H_{37}Ra\;and\;H_{37}Rv),$ all performed at UIC, and CNS-related diseases (with special focus on Alzheimer's disease, pain and rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma), peformed at Glaxo Smith Kline (UK). Source plants were selected based on two approaches: biodiversity-based (plants of Cuc Phuong National Park) and ethnobotany-based (medicinal plants of Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam and medicinal plants of Laos). At mc, as of July, 2001, active leads had been identified in the anti-HIV, anticancer, antimalarial, and anti- TB assay, after the screening of more than 800 extracts. At least 25 biologically active compounds have been isolated, 13 of which are new with anti-HIV activity, and 3 also new with antimalarial activity. At GSK of 21 plant samples with a history of use to treat CNS-related diseases tested to date, a number showed activity against one or more of the CNS assay targets used, but no new compounds have been isolated. The results of the drug discovery effort to date indicate that tropical plant diversity of Vietnam and Laos unquestionably harbors biologically active chemical entities, which, through further research, may eventually yield candidates for drug development. Although the substantial monetary benefit of the drug discovery process (royalties) is a long way off, the UIC ICBG program provides direct and real-term benefits to host country institutions and communities.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.6 no.3 s.21
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2004

Roads, like bikeways, parkways and walks, are to be just capable of supporting light traffic and traveling public, but they are required to be human friendly and environmental-oriented. Lately soil-solidifier mixture, a kind of soil-cement, has developed and has been applied to the recycling and environment-oriented pavement as the surfacing material. Soil-solidifier pavement structure has been designed by only experience. To design this pavement mechanically, it is necessary to find out basic engineering properties of soil-solidifier mixture. This study focuses on finding out mechanical characteristics of the mixture according to mixture proportions and aging. Test molds with various mixture proportions are made, and then unconfined strength tests are performed for test molds with aging of the mixture. As the result of this study, it is found that the strength of the mixture increases with amount of cement and that maximum strength is achieved at 6%$\sim$8% of the ratio of solidifier and water. The strength increase rapidly until 14 days, after then slowly. After 28 days the strength of the mixture approaches to the constant value. The heat of hydration during curing of the mixture is measured no significantly. It also shows that temperature characteristics of the mixture is similar to that of soil. Since this mixture is mixed with soil and is able to improve engineering problems in pavement due to temperature, this mixture is expected to use effectively in the environment-oriented pavement for light traffic.