• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2021

Purpose: Kilovoltage computed tomography (kV-CT) is essential for radiation treatment planning. However, kV-CT images are significantly distorted by artifacts when a metallic prosthesis is present in the patient's body. Thus, the accuracies of target delineation and treatment dose calculation are inevitably lowered. We evaluated the accuracy of the calculated doses using an image restoration method with hybrid CT, which was introduced in our previous study. Methods: A cylindrical phantom containing four metals, namely, silver, copper, tin, and tungsten, was scanned using kV-CT and megavoltage CT to produce hybrid CT images. We created six verification plans for three head and neck patients on kV-CT and hybrid CT images of the phantom and calculated their doses. The actual doses were measured with film patches during beam delivery using tomotherapy. We used the gamma evaluation method to compare dose distribution between kV-CT and hybrid CT with three gamma criteria, namely, 3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, and 1%/1 mm. Results: The gamma pass rates decreased as the gamma criteria were strengthened, and the pass rate of hybrid CT was higher than that of kV-CT in all cases. When the 1%/1 mm criterion was used, the difference in gamma pass rates between them was up to 13%p. Conclusions: According to our findings, we expect that the use of hybrid CT can be a suitable approach to avoid the effect of severe metal artifacts on the accuracy of dose calculation and contouring.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2019

Acetoin is generated by numerous microorganisms using ${\alpha}$-acetolactate decarboxylase (ALDC) to prevent overacidification of cells and their environment and to store remaining energy. Because acetoin has been used as a safe flavor enhancer in food products, industries have been interested in biotechnological production of acetoin using ALDC. ALDC is a metal-dependent enzyme that produces acetoin from ${\alpha}$-acetolactate through decarboxylation reaction. Here, we report the crystal structure of ALDC from Bacillus subtilis subspecies spizizenii (bssALDC) at $1.7{\AA}$ resolution. bssALDC folds into a two-domain ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ structure where two ${\beta}$-sheets form a central core. bssALDC assembles into a dimer through central hydrophobic interactions and peripheral hydrophilic interactions. bssALDC coordinates a zinc ion using three histidine residues and three water molecules. Based on comparative analyses of ALDC structures and sequences, we propose that the active site of bssALDC includes the zinc ion and its neighboring bssALDC residues.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2010

In order to develop procedures for the rapid isolation of recombinant sugar transporter in functional form from away from the endogenous insect cell transporter, gene fusion techniques were exploited. Briefly, BamH1-digested human HepG2 type glucose transport protein cDNA was first cloned into a transfer vector pBlueBacHis, containing a tract of six histidine residues. Recombinant baculoviruses including the human cDNA were then generated by allelic exchange following transfection of insect cells with wild-type BaculoGold virus DNA and the recombinant transfer vector. Plaque assay was then performed to obtain and purify recombinant viruses expressing the human transport protein. All the cell samples that had been infected with viruses from the several blue plaques exhibited a positive reaction in the immnuassay, demonstrating expression of the glucose transport protein. In contrast, no color development in the immunoassay was observed for cells infected with the wild-type virus or no virus. Immunoblot analysis showed that a major immunoreactive band of apparent Mr 43,000~44,000 was evident in the lysate from cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus. Following expression of the recombinant fusion protein with the metal-binding domain and enterokinase cleavage site, the fusion protein was recovered by competition with imidizole using immobilized metal charged resin. The leader peptide was then removed from the fusion protein by cleavage with porcine enterokinase. Final separation of the recombinant protein of the interest was achieved by passage over $Ni^{2+}$-charged resin under binding conditions. The expressed transport protein bound cytochalasin B and demonstrated a functional similarity to its human counterpart.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the surface composition, roughness, and relative friction of metal clips from various ceramic self-ligating brackets. Methods: Six kinds of brackets were examined. The control group (mC) consisted of interactive metal self-ligating brackets while the experimental group (CC, EC, MA, QK, and WA) consisted of interactive ceramic self-ligating brackets. Atomic force microscopy-lateral force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to analyze the surface of each bracket clip. Results: All the clips in the experimental groups were coated with rhodium except for the QK clip. The results showed that the QK clip had the lowest average roughness on the outer surface, followed by the MA, EC, WA, and CC clips. However, the CC clip had the lowest average roughness on the inner surface, followed by the QK, WA, MA, and EC clips. The QK clip also had the lowest relative friction on the outer surface, followed by the MA, EC, CC, and WA clips. Likewise, the CC clip had the lowest relative friction on the inner surface, followed by the QK, WA, MA, and EC clips. Conclusions: The surface roughness and relative friction of the rhodium-coated clips were generally higher than those of the uncoated clips.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2021

Dimensionally stable electrodes are one of the important components in electrochemical water treatment processes. In the manufacturing of the dimensionally stable electrodes, the type of metal catalyst coated on the surface of the metal substrate, the coating and sintering methods substantially influence their performance and durability. In this study, using Ir-Ru-Ta ternary metal coating, various electrodes were prepared depending on the coating method under the same pre-treatment and sintering conditions, and its performance and durability were studied. As a coating method, brush and spray coating were used. As a result, the reduction in the amount of catalyst ink was achieved because more amount of metal could be coated for the electrode using spraying with the same amount of catalyst ink. In addition, the spray_2.0_3.0 electrode prepared by a specific spray coating method shows the phenomenon of cracking and the uniform coating of the ternary metal on the surface of the coating layer, and results in a high electrochemically active specific surface area, and the decomposition performance of 4-chlorophenol was superior to the other electrodes. However, it was found that there was no significant difference in durability depending on the coating method.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2022

This study analyzes the Mechanical properties of a medical bone plate by 3D printing. With the recent development of 3D printing technology, it is being applied in various fields. In particular, in the medical field, the use of 3D printing technology, which was limited to the existing orthosis and surgical simulation, has recently been used to replacement bones lost due to orthopedic implants using metal 3D printing. The field of application is increasing, such as replacement. However, due to the manufacturing characteristics of 3D printing, micro pores are generated inside the metal printing output, and it is necessary to reduce the pores and the loss of mechanical properties through post-processing such as heat treatment. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to analyze the change in mechanical performance characteristics of medical metal plates manufactured by metal 3D printing under various conditions and to find efficient metal printing results. The specimen to be used in the experiment is a metal plate for trauma fixation applied to the human phalanx, and it was manufactured using the 'DMP Flex 100(3D Systems, USA), a metal 3D printer of DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) method. It was manufactured using the PBF(Powder Bed Fusion) method using Ti6Al4V ELI powder material.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.279-280
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• 1998

A new algorithm is developed that can reduce the metal artifact on CT caused by pedicle screws. Metal artifact has been recognized as a major problem in precise reading of CT images. In particular, spine surgeons have been bothered with the artifact appearing on CT taken after pedicle screw insertion. To reduce the artifact, our new algorithm first finds the center line from CT images, and then overlays an exact size screw image on the CT. The exact screw is obtained from an actual design specifications of screw, and the CT images are processed to maximize bone margins while minimizing screw images through adjusting the window width and level. 실험 결과 단순한 Window W/L 조절로는 해결되지 않는군요. This algorithm provides spine surgeons with more accurate CT images and thus better interpretation of CT to ascertain the success or failure of pedicle screw insertion.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.113-120
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• 2004

Chromium compounds are known human and animal carcinogens. In this study, the effects of sodium chromate on apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated in order to unveil the elements of early cellular responses to the metal. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells(CHO-K1-BH4), we found taht chromium (VI) treatment induced apoptosis in these cells, as signified by nuclear fragmentation, DNA laddering on agarose gel electrophoresis, and an increased proportionof cells with hypodiploid DNA. Preceding these changes, chromium (VI) treatment increased caspase 3 pritease activity and also increased expression of p53 protein, while the level of bcl2 protein was not changed. Coincubation with caspase inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK, inhibited chromium-induced apoptosis. In the flow cytometric analysis using propidium iodide fluorescence, an increase of cell population in G2/M phase was shown in cells exposed to at least 160 $\mu\textrm{m}$ of sodium chromate for 72h, form 9.8% for 0$\mu\textrm{m}$ chromium (VI) to 26.4% for 320$\mu\textrm{m}$ chromium(VI). Taken together, these findings suggest that chromium(VI)-induced apoptosis is accompanied by G2/M cell cycle arrest, and that p53-mediated pathway may be involved in positive regulation of G2/M arrest and a concurred apoptosis in CHO cells.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.992-999
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• 2009

The pulse transit time(PTT), which is determined by measuring the electrocardiogram(ECG) and pulse wave, gives comprehensive information about the cardiovascular system. However, a little movement of body and/or inaccurate pressure applied to skin during the measurement of pulse wave leads to acquire incorrect results. To overcome such problem, we developed an integrated sensor system which makes it possible to measure ECG, pressure pulse wave(PPW) and photoplethysmograph(PPG) at the same time. Futhermore, we implemented a new metal electrode which enables to continuously measure ECG. We verified that both integrated sensor system and new electrode provide useful effect.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2014

This paper reports the development of a platform for tracking and analysis of animal locomotion. The platform is composed of a commercial webcam, a metal stand for the webcam, and a plastic bathtub as a cage. Using it, researchers can track and analyze an animal's movement within the plastic bathtub's dimensions of $100cm{\times}100cm{\times}55cm$ in a cost-effective manner. After recording the locomotion of an animal with $1920{\times}1080$ resolution at a rate of 30 frames per second, finding the position of the animal in each frame and analyzing the ambulation pattern were executed with custom software. To evaluate the performance of the platform, movements of imprinting control region mice and transgenic mice were recorded and analyzed. The analysis successfully compared velocity, moving pattern, and total moving distance for the two mouse groups. In addition, the developed platform can be used not only in simple motion analysis but also in various experimental conditions, such as a water maze, by easy customization of the platform. Such a simple and cost-effective platform yields a powerful tool for animal ambulatory analysis.