• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2004

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) often uses small beam segments. The heterogeneity effect is well known for relatively large field sizes used in the conventional radiation treatments. However, this effect is not known in small fields such as the beamlets used in IMRT. There are many factors that can cause errors in the small field i.e. electronic disequilibrium and multiple electron scattering. This study prepared geometrically regular heterogeneous phantoms, and compared the measurements with the calculations using the Convolution/Superposition algorithm and Monte Carlo method for small beams. This study used the BEAM00/EGS4 code to simulate the head of a Varian 2300C/D. The commissioning of a 6MV photon beam were performed from two points of view, the beam profiles and depth doses. The calculated voxel size was 1${\times}$1${\times}$2$\textrm{cm}^2$ with field sizes of 1${\times}$1$\textrm{cm}^2$, 2${\times}$2$\textrm{cm}^2$, and 5${\times}$5$\textrm{cm}^2$. The XiOTM TPS (Treatment Planning System) was used for the calculation using the Convolution/Superposition algorithm. The 6MV photon beam was irradiated to homogeneous (water equivalent) and heterogeneous phantoms (water equivalent ＋ air cavity, water equivalent ＋ bone equivalent). The beam profiles were well matched within :t1 mm and the depth doses were within ${\pm}$2%. In conclusion, the dose calculations of the Convolution/Superposition and Monte Carlo simulations showed good agreement with the film measurements in the small field.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.174-186
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• 2005

Objectives : The water extract of Samul-tang (SMT) has traditionally been used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damage in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of SMT rescues cells from these damages. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of SMT on oxidative stress-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ markedly induced death of H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results: The characteristics of H20z-induced death of H9c2 showed apparent apoptotic features such as DNA fragmentation and morphological change. However, SMT significantly reduced both H202-induced cell death and morphological change. The decrease of Bc-2 expression by High were inhibited by SMT. In addition, the increase of Bax expression was also inhibited by SMT. The cotreatment of SMT and $H_2O_2$ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 attenuated the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. These results suggest that both ERK1/2 signaling pathways play important roles in the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptotic death of H9c2 cells. Also, the expression profile of proteins in $H_2O_2$ cardiomyoblast cells were screened by using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Among 300 spots resolved in 2-D gels, the comparison of control versus apoptosis cells revealed that signal intensity of 17 spots increased and 11 spots decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, this study suggests that the protectiw effects of the water extract of SMT against oxidative damages may be mediated by the modulation of Bc1-2 and Bax expression via the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2011

In this study we determined whether or not 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has an effect on the pacemaker activities of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) from the mouse small intestine. The actions of 5-HT on pacemaker activities were investigated using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) analysis, and RT-PCR in ICC. Exogenously-treated 5-HT showed tonic inward currents on pacemaker currents in ICC under the voltage-clamp mode in a dose-dependent manner. Based on RT-PCR results, we found the existence of 5-$HT_{2B,\;3,\;4,\;and\;7}$ receptors in ICC. However, SDZ 205557 (a 5-$HT_4$ receptor antagonist), SB 269970 (a 5-$HT_7$ receptor antagonist), 3-tropanylindole - 3 - carboxylate methiodide (3-TCM; a 5-$HT_3$ antagonist) blocked the 5-HT-induced action on pacemaker activity, but not SB 204741 (a 5-$HT_{2B}$ receptor antagonist). Based on $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ analysis, we found that 5-HT increased the intensity of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. The treatment of PD 98059 or JNK II inhibitor blocked the 5-HT-induced action on pacemaker activity of ICC, but not SB 203580. In summary, these results suggest that 5-HT can modulate pacemaker activity through 5-$HT_{3,\;4,\;and\;7}$ receptors via $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization and regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2017

Aging is a physiological and irreversible, progressive process involving changes in the ability to maintain cellular functionality. It affects tissues, organs and the whole organism and thus finally cause to death. Oxidative stress has been postulated to contribute significantly to the accelerated accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in collagen, which is implicated in the process of skin aging. In the present study, glycation inhibitory activity of methoxy PEG-45 thioctate (LA-PEG), and its inhibitory effect of cellular oxidation and senescence was investigated. Treatment of LA-PEG significantly showed lower fluorescent intensity induced by AGEs. In addition, LA-PEG was significantly reduced the formation of ROS induced by AGEs. High antioxidant and anti-glycation activities of LA-PEG in glycated collagen model indicated its contribution to anti-aging process. Cellular senescence leads to an increase in senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase ($SA-{\beta}-gal$) activity, which can be used as a biomarker to identify senescent cells. Treatment with LA-PEG showed a dose-dependent, statistically significant decreased in $SA-{\beta}-gal$ indicating reduced senescence. These results suggest that LA-PEG may have potent anti-aging effects and can be used as new functional materials against cellular accumulation of AGEs.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2015

In this paper, we propose the radiation measuring algorithm and the device composition using CMOS image sensor. The radiation measuring algorithm using CMOS image sensor is based on the radiation particle distinguishing algorithm projected to the CMOS image sensor and accumulated and average number of pixels of the radiation particles projected to dozens of images per second with CMOS image sensor. The radiation particle distinguishing algorithm projected to the CMOS image sensor measures the radiation particle images by dividing them into R, G and B and adjusting the threshold value that distinguishes light intensity and background from the particle of each image. The radiation measuring algorithm measures radiation with accumulated and average number of radiation particles projected to dozens of images per second with CMOS image sensor according to the preset cycle. The hardware devices to verify the suggested algorithm consists of CMOS image sensor and image signal processor part, control part, power circuit part and display part. The test result of radiation measurement using the suggested CMOS image sensor is as follows. First, using the low-cost CMOS image sensor to measure radiation particles generated similar characteristics to that from measurement with expensive GM Tube. Second, using the low-cost CMOS image sensor to measure radiation presented largely similar characteristics to the linear characteristics of expensive GM Tube.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2003

Changes in the number of microorganisms, chemical composition, and sensory quality of chungkukjang by gamma-irradiation up to 120 kGy were investigated. The total viable cell counts in chungkukjang irradiated with 10 kGy decreased from $10^9\;CFU/g$ of the control to $10^5\;CFU/g$. Proximate chemical composition and pH of chungkukjang were not much affected by irradiation. Acidity of chungkukjang decreased by irradiation with over 20 kGy. Fatty acid contents of chungkukjang irradiated under 20 kGy were the same as those of the nonirradiated ones. Polyunsaturated fatty acids content, decreased at over 40 kGy. The color and odor of chungkukjang were not significantly affected by irradiation up to 20 kGy. Unpalatable odor (p<0.01), off-flavor (p<0.001), and fish-odor (p<0.001) increased, and brown intensity (p<0.05) and acceptability (p<0.001) decreased at over 20 kGy. Results indicate 20 kGy is sufficient to decrease the microbial count of chungkukjang and prevent decrease in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2003

The antioxidative activities and biological properties in the EtOAc extracts and purified extracts of Orostachys japonicus were measured by assay of DPPH, xanthine/xanthine oxidase and mammalian cells(2-12). Scavenging of DPPH radical and inhibition of xanthine/xanthine oxidase of EtOAc extracts were showed the highest activity in the arable land and in September. The S-4 fraction showed the highest activity among the silica-gel column chromatography fractions. LH-4 fraction showed higher activity than the other fractionsins in assay of DPPH and xanthine/xanthine oxidase. Fatty acids and phenolic compounds were identified by GC/MS and main compounds were 1,2,3-benzenetriol, alpha-androsta-7,14-diene in LH-4 fraction. The activities of POD and SOD in samples havested on different habitats were high such as arable land> intermountain> seashore. That of POD and SOD in crude extracts of late stage were higher than early stage. Isozyme bands of crude extracts samplinged in all habitats and all growing stages showed two bands and the signal intensity showed strongly according to passage of growing stage. The purified extracts of LH-4 fraction showed excellent inhibition effect in proliferation of HL-60 cells and markedly suppressed colony formation in mouse fibroblast cells. Dose response between partially purified extracts(400ppm) and negative control did not produced statistically significant reduction in colony formation.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.4 s.115
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• pp.404-417
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• 2006

In order to clarify some characteristics of hydrological cycle in the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla, water balance has been analysed using hydrological data of a first-order drainage basin around Mansedongsan and meterological data of Odeung AWS. The experimental basin extends from 1,595 m to 1,645 m in altitude and has an catchment area of 1.34 ha. It is largely underlain by trachybasalt and covered with sasa bamboo and sedges. Hydrological observations were carried out every 20 minutes from April 15 to September 19, 2004. The basin shows the total precipitation of 3,074 m that is 1.6 to 3 times of those in coastal and intermontane regions. Surface runoff amounts to 850 mm that is equivalent to 27.6% of the precipitation. By contrast, evapotranspiration only accounts for 14.2% of the precipitation, and the remnant of 1,790 m penetrates underground through a basement. The basin is located in the subalpine zone and then it has a high rainfall intensity as well as a large rainfall due to frequent orographic precipitation. But surface runoff usually dose not exceed 30% of the rainfall while Percolation demonstrates about 2 times of the runoff. Compared with granite or gneiss basins in Korea Peninsula, the experimental basin is characterized by a higher portion of percolation in water balance. And it is probably related to the highly permeable basaltic lavas in Jeju Island which are also overlain by porous volcanic soils.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.949-956
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• 2021

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether tungsten nanoparticles have a shielding effect on scattered light generated at high doses as an alternative material to lead used to shield scattered light in electron beam therapy. A plate was manufactured to set the position of the dosimeter and the size of the radiation field to be constant. The glass dosimeter was placed at 12 points, which were 1, 2, and 4 cm apart from the center of the field of 10 × 10 cm² in the cross direction. A total of 12 types of tungsten nanoparticle shields were developed with a thickness of 0.75 mm to 4.00 mm and a size of 10 × 10 cm² using 0.4, 0.75, and 1 mm materials. Using a linear accelerator, measurements were made four times at 6 MeV and four times at 12 MeV, and the dose intensity was investigated at 100 MU. The 4 mm shielding plate showed the highest shielding effect at 1 cm from the irradiation field. The 1 mm shielding plate at 2 cm from the irradiation field had the lowest shielding effect. As the thickness of the tungsten shielding plate increased, the electron beam's shielding effect increased sharply. It was confirmed that tungsten nanoparticles can reduce the amount of scattered light generated by electron beam therapy. Therefore, this study will provide basic data when follow-up studies are conducted on the shielding ability of tungsten nanoparticles.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.607-613
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• 2021

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a considerable challenge in Myanmar. We undertook a control program for STH infections (especially Trichuris trichiura) among schoolchildren in Myanmar using mass drug administration (MDA) and health education. Around 1,700 schoolchildren from 15 primary schools in 3 suburban districts (Shwe Pyi Thar, Twantay, and Kyauktan) of the Yangon Region were subjected in this study during 2017-2019. All of the schoolchildren in each school were orally administered albendazole (400 mg in a single dose) 2, 3, and 4 times a year in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The results revealed that the egg positive rate of any intestinal helminths (including STH) was reduced from 37.6% (649/1,724) in 2017 to 22.8% (352/1,542) in 2019. The egg positive rate of Ascaris lumbricoides was decreased remarkably from 23.3% (402/1,724) in 2017 to 3.6% (56/1,542) in 2019. However, that of T. trichiura was only slightly reduced from 26.9% (464/1,724) in 2017 to 20.2% (312/1,542) in 2019. The intensity of infection with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura was both more or less reduced, and the proportion of light infection cases with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura increased from 35.6% in 2017 to 64.3% in 2019 and from 70.3% in 2017 to 81.7% in 2019, respectively. The results indicated that repeated MDAs (2-4 times a year for 3 years) using albendazole on schoolchildren in Myanmar failed to control T. trichiura infection. For a successful control of trichuriasis in Myanmar, new MDA strategies, using a modified albendazole regimen (multiple daily doses for 2 or 3 days) or an alternative anthelmintic drug, such as oxantel pamoate, is strongly recommended.