• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.85-90
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an automated software to extract tooth and pulpal area from sectional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, which can guarantee more reproducible, objective and time-saving way to measure pulp/tooth volume ratio. Methods: The software program was developed using MATLAB (MathWorks). To determine the optimal threshold for the region of interest (ROI) extraction, user interface to adjust the threshold for extraction algorithm was added. Default threshold was determined after several trials to make the outline of extracted ROI fitting to the tooth and pulpal outlines. To test the effect of starting point location selected initially in the pulpal area on the final result, pulp/tooth volume ratio was calculated 5 times with different 5 starting points. Results: Navigation interface is composed of image loading, zoom-in, zoom-out, and move tool. ROI extraction process can be shown by check in the option box. Default threshold is adjusted for the extracted tooth area to cover whole tooth including dentin, cementum, and enamel. Of course, the result can be corrected, if necessary, by the examiner as well as by changing the threshold of density of hard tissue. Extracted tooth and pulp area are reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) and pulp/tooth volume ratio is calculated by voxel counting on reconstructed model. The difference between the pulp/tooth volume ratio results from the 5 different extraction starting points was not significant. Conclusions: In further studies based on a large-scale sample, the most proper threshold to present the most significant relationship between age and pulp/tooth volume ratio and the tooth correlated with age the most will be explored. If the software can be improved to use whole CBCT data set rather than just sectional images and to detect pulp canal in the original 3D images generated by CBCT software itself, it will be more promising in practical uses.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2002

One of the nonclassical effects in two-photon interference experiments, spatial quantum beating, is observed in fourth-order interference with pairs of photons produced by a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. When photon pairs in different frequencies $\omega1$ and $\omega2$ are mixed together, and directed to two detectors, the coincidence counts exhibit a cosine modulation with difference frequency | $\omega1$- $\omega2$|. The measured coincidence counts turned out to have an interference pattern with periodicity of 10.45 ㎛ in position or 34.82fs in time delay, which corresponds to the period 2$\pi$/| $\omega1$- $\omega2$| for the beat frequency of 0.29${\times}10^{14}$Hz.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1199-1203
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to examine the binding potential of sperm to the epithelium of the sperm storage tubules (SST) in vitro and in vivo to assess the functional maturation of fowl sperm. Sperm from the testis, epididymis, as well as the proximal, middle and distal vas deferens were incubated in vitro with either the uterovaginal junction (UVJ)- or infundibular tissue containing SST at $39^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Aliquots of sperm were also artificially inseminated into the uteri of hens, and the UVJ and infundibulum were collected 24 h post artificial insemination (AI). After incubation and AI, tissues were washed to remove loosely adhered sperm and subjected to fluorescence staining with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride (DAPI) for counting the number of bound sperm per 0.25 mm2 of surface area. Sperm from the testis, epididymis, and the three segments of the vas deferens exhibited their differential (p<0.05) binding capacity, which increased gradually from the testicular to distal vas deferens sperm under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Existing similar trend, sperm, regardless of their source had a lesser affinity to bind to the epithelium of the infundibular SST than to the UVJ-SST. These experimental results suggested that fowl sperm may undergo gradual changes in the process of functional maturation, whereby they gain the ability to bind to the epithelium of the SST during their passage through the male reproductive tract (MRT).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.580-585
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• 2004

BJYGC is often clinically used as a treatment of allergic rhinitis. This study was aimed to find out the effect BJYGC would have on the helper T cell, and how it can promote the subsets of helper T cells to regain their balance that they lost due to immunological diseases. Splenocytes were prepared from BALB/c mice was cultured without stimulation in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. The viability of CD4 T cells from Balb/c mouse were measured at various concentrations of BJYGC using the MTS assay. It was somewhat increased up to concentration of 400 ㎍/ml, but did not show any significant difference. Proliferation was measured using the MTS assay, CD4 Th cells were stimulated with anti-CD3/28 in the presence of BJYGC for 48 hr. As evidence for rapid T cell activation, CD25 expression by flow cytometry was evaluated at 10, 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖ of BJYGC. Th cell differentiation experiments were performed to examine whether BJYGC can affect the Th polarization process. CD4 T cells were activated in culture under neutral, Th1-polarized or Th2-polarized conditions in the presence of BJYGC at 10, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. This experiment proved that BJYGC could inhibit the secretion of both IL-4 and IFN-γ in neutral condition and polarized condition, too. Considering that BJYGC shows an excellent effect on treating allergies, the author can conclude that its pharmacological action may be associated with decreased IL-4 and, it may also regulate IFN-γ depending the host's need. Also, it was discovered that Th1 cell was pathologic in chronic inflammatory tissue specific diseases, such as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, RA, and uveitis. We are counting on the BJYGC to be able to control the tendency of Th1 cell predominancy in an immune reaction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.995-1004
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• 2017

Culture-dependent methods, such as heterotrophic plate counting (HPC), are usually applied to evaluate the bacteriological quality of hemodialysis water. However, these methods cannot detect the uncultured or viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria, both of which may be quantitatively predominant throughout the hemodialysis water treatment system. Therefore, propidium monoazide (PMA)-qPCR associated with HPC was used together to profile the distribution of the total viable bacteria in such a system. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons was utilized to analyze the microbial community structure and diversity. The HPC results indicated that the total bacterial counts conformed to the standards, yet the bacteria amounts were abruptly enhanced after carbon filter treatment. Nevertheless, the bacterial counts detected by PMA-qPCR, with the highest levels of $2.14{\times}10^7copies/100ml$ in softener water, were much higher than the corresponding HPC results, which demonstrated the occurrence of numerous uncultured or VBNC bacteria among the entire system before reverse osmosis (RO). In addition, the microbial community structure was very different and the diversity was enhanced after the carbon filter. Although the diversity was minimized after RO treatment, pathogens such as Escherichia could still be detected in the RO effluent. In general, both the amounts of bacteria and the complexity of microbial community in the hemodialysis water treatment system revealed by molecular approaches were much higher than by traditional method. These results suggested the higher health risk potential for hemodialysis patients from the up-to-standard water. The treatment process could also be optimized, based on the results of this study.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.25 no.4 s.34
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• pp.111-121
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• 1999

Acne vulgaris, the most common skin disease. can be formed as only a few comedons or severe inflammatory lesions. The pathogenesis of acne involves various factors; excessive androgen, excessive sebum production, abnormal alteration of follicular epithelium, proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, and inflammation. We investigated acne therapy using oriental herbs described in the Korean traditional medical book(Dong-ui-bo-gam). Oriental herbs(Angelica daurica, Arctium lappa, Coptidis rhizoma, and Glycyrrhiza glabra) were chosen based on their respective property of sebum control, anti-inflammatory activity, and anti-bacterial activity. We examined the effect of acne treatment, in terms of chemotactic inhibition, lipogenesis inhibition, and anti-bacterial activity for P. acnes. 1. Neutrophil chemotaxis assay; P. acnes secrete chemotactic factors and other pro-inflammatory extracellular products. Neutrophil chemotactic activity of P. acnes was measured by 48-well chemotaxis method. Angelica daurica clearly suppressed chemotactic activity of P. acnes. 2. Using sebaceous gland of hamster ear lipogenesis assay; Sebaceous lipogenesis was measured using ear biopsies by incubation or $C^{14}$-acetate in culture media. The $C^{14}$-labeled lipids were extracted and determined by liquid scintilation counting. Coptidis rhizoma markedly inhibited sebum production. 3. Anti-bacterial assay for P. acnes(MIC test); Glycyrrhiza glabra showed anti-bacterial activity. P. acnes did not develop resistance against Glycyrrhiza glabra. Retinoids are effectively to inhibit sebum production and regulate follicular keratinization process, with little anti-inflammatory activity. Angelica daurica suppressed neutrophil chemotaxis, Coptidis rhizoma inhibited sebum production, and Glycyrrhiza glabra showed anti-bacterial activity against P. acnes. A combined formulation of Angelica daurica, Coptidis rhizoma. and Glycyrrhiza glabra is expected to provide effective acne treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.995-1005
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• 1999

Alveolar bone destruction is a character-istic of periodontal disease. Treponema denticola are found in significantly increased numbers in the sites affected with periodontal disease. In order to clarify the role of T. denticola in destruction of alveo-lar bone in periodontal disease, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of sonicated extract of T. denticola on osteo-clast differentiation in co-culture system of mouse bone marrow cells and calvaria cells. The ability of osteoclast formation was estimated by counting the number of tar-tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) positive cells. Sonicated extract of this bacteria stimulated osteoclast formation in a dose dependent manner(p<0.05). Indomathacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, decreased osteoclast formation induced by sonicated extract of this bacte-bacteria(p<0.05). Extract-induced osteoclast formation was decreased, when sonicated extract of bacteria was heated(p<0.05). These findings suggest that T. denticola induces osteoclast differentiation, and protein component of this bacteria and $PGE_2$ may play an important role in this process.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.17 no.E4
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• pp.163-168
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• 2001

Estimating the emission rate of VOCs from a gasoline industry at national level can be a challenging take even though the estimation is mean-based. However, using the procedures in the US EPA AP-42 guidelines, it is possible to approximate the mean industry emission rate once enough data are available. However, this estimate can be misled in the sense that there exist many stochastic factors in the EPA\\`s estimation procedures and also throughout the marketing channels of gasoline industry. Addressing the stochasticity problem in EPA\\`s procedure is hard to tackle because the detailed data needed to execute the estimation are not usually available even from refiners. Instead, this research tries to stay focused on the second type of stochasticity issue, raised from the mean0based metrological and marketing practice data collected from the 4 major refiners. To do so emission raters from each marketing channels (8 marketing points by 3 transportation types and by storage facilities of 4 refiners) are estimated monthly, following AP-42 procedures and using Tank 4.0. Once these estimates are acquired, the distribution of VOC emission rate for each marketing channel of all 4 refiners is estimated through simulation method using @Risk. The mean-based emission rates are weighted by company quantities to estimate the emission rate from the whole gasoline industry. Simple economic implication is provided, based on the result. This study found that, on the mean-bases, about 0.66% of gasoline marketed are evaporated into air. Considering the stochasticity in the estimation, about 90% of simulation results fell into the range of 0.65 to 0.68%. For 90% chance, the estimated economic loss is $54.65 million to $57.17 million, not counting the cost caused by air quality degradation and associated health impact.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.113-125
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• 2011

As information resources have become more various and the number of the resources has increased, knowledge customization on the social web has been becoming more difficult. To reduce the burden, we offer a framework for context-based similarity calculation for knowledge customization using ontology on the CBR. Thereby, we newly developed context- and intensity-based similarity calculation methods which are applied to extraction of the most similar case considered semantic similarity and syntactic, and effective creation of the user-tailored knowledge using the selected case. The process is comprised of conversion of unstructured web information into cases, extraction of an appropriate case according to the user requirements, and customization of the knowledge using the selected case. In the experimental section, the effectiveness of the developed similarity methods are compared with other edge-counting similarity methods using two classes which are compared with each other. It shows that our framework leads higher similarity values for conceptually close classes compared with other methods.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2008

The goal of this research was to find out the effect of dispensing error prevention program on the incidence of the error in a university hospital pharmacy in Daegu. Dispensing error in this research was defined as the error identified during double-checking process, so it does not mean that the wrong dispensing was administered to patient. Drug name error was the most frequently found error, accounting for about one third of all dispensing errors, and was followed by counting error, strength error, dosage form error, and others. Similar drug name was identified as the most frequent reason for the error, taking up about two thirds of all drug name errors. In this research, six months of dispensing error prevention program resulted in statistically significant reduction of dispensing error by 42 percent. Therefore, it is recommended that hospital pharmacy implement such prevention program regularly to reduce the incidence of the error. Finally, it appears that drug approval authority should closely check the similar drug names and have power to command pharmaceutical company to change the name if pertinent.