• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.340-348
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• 2015

Removal efficiency of PCBs in contaminated marine sediments treated by Fenton-like oxidation combined with surfactant was investigated in this research in order to achieve remediation of PCBs. A washing treatment using various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (1% and 15%) and surfactants (Triton X-100, Tween 60 and Tween 80) was evaluated at various conditions in laboratory scale experiments. The mean removal efficiencies of tPCBs varied from 24.1 to 46.7% in the sediments for 1 hour duration of the treatments. The concentration of tPCBs in contaminated marine sediments after the simultaneous treatment with hydrogen peroxide and surfactant satisfied the domestic environmental standards for the beneficial use of sediments. When suitable surfactant was used for Fenton-like oxidation, the removal efficiency of tPCBs at low concentration of hydrogen peroxide was similar to that at high hydrogen peroxide concentration. Thus the efficient removal of PCBs in contaminated marine sediments could be achieved through treatment with Fenton-like oxidation combined with surfactant washing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2011

In this study, cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) fraction extracted from the mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.) was investigated for its neuroprotective effects against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and glutamate-induced cell death in rat primary cortical neurons. Cell membrane damage and mitochondrial function were assessed by LDH release and MTT reduction assays, respectively. A time-course study of OGD-induced cell death of primary cortical neurons at 7 days in vitro (DIV) indicated that neuronal death was OGD duration-dependent. It was also demonstrated that OGD for 3.5 h resulted in approximately 50% cell death, as determined by the LDH release assay. Treatments with mulberry C3G fraction prevented membrane damage and preserved the mitochondrial function of the primary cortical neurons exposed to OGD for 3.5 h in a concentration-dependent manner. Glutamate-induced cell death was more pronounced in DIV-9 and DIV-11 cells than that in DIV-7 neurons, and an application of $50{\mu}M$ glutamate was shown to induce approximately 40% cell death in DIV-9 neurons. Interestingly, treatment with mulberry C3G fraction did not provide a protective effect against glutamate-induced cell death in primary cortical neurons. On the other hand, treatment with mulberry C3G fraction maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in primary cortical neurons exposed to OGD as assessed by the intensity of rhodamine-123 fluorescence. These results therefore suggest that the neuroprotective effects of mulberry C3G fraction are mediated by the maintenance of the MMP and mitochondrial function but not by attenuating glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rat primary cortical neurons.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.31-34
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• 2009

Purpose: This study compared the frequency of postoperative infections in patients for a closed mandibular fracture with that without the postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients and Methods: 48 patients without any specific medical history were divided into two groups depending on whether or not antibiotics had been applied after the surgery. The 24 patients in group 1 received only a second-generation cephalosporin ($Cefotetan^{(R)}$) intravenously from admission to immediate after the surgery. Likewise, 24 patients in group 2 received 1.0g of $Cefotetan^{(R)}$ twice daily longer than the third day after surgery. The mean (SD) duration of antibiotics administration after surgery was 6.9 (${\pm}3.56$). The patients were evaluated after surgery for any postoperative infections according to the criteria: purulent drainage from a wound, spontaneous wound dehiscence accompanied by swelling, pain, and fever around the wound. Results: Postoperative infections were encountered in 2 out of 24 patients in group 1, who received antibiotic medication until shortly after surgery, and in 3 out of the 24 patients in group 2, in whom the medication was continued even after the surgery. There was no sig nificant difference in the incidence of postoperative infections between the two groups. Conclusion: From this study, postoperative use of antibiotics seems to be unnecessary with view of the little significance of the factors that could affect the wound infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2619-2627
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• 2015

There are several studies that relate oxidative damage as possible mechanism for many cancers. Many studies have also shown that anti-oxidants like selenium and vitamin E decrease the risk for prostate cancer. The main objective of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) study was to look for the benefits of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on prostate cancer. The study had a large sample size, stringent experimental conditions, very long duration, standardized laboratories for biochemical analyses and other factors that contribute to high external validity. The SELECT study failed to show any significant risk reduction for prostate cancers ascribable to selenium and vitamin E supplementations. Because of these conflicting results, many researchers argue about the methods used, supplementations administered (selenium and vitamin E) and indicators used for assessing levels of supplementations. We reviewed many epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and pre-clinical studies. With corroborative evidences we justify that SELECT study has a sound methodology and rationale. In lieu of the contrary results of the select study, researchers should focus on the probable mechanisms for these contrary findings and continue their search for newer and effective agents for prevention of prostate cancer.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2005

Background: A physically active lifestyle and regular exercise training incurs many health benefits. One recently recognized benefit of regular moderate exercise is stress reduction and immune enhancement. Thus, a physical stress such as exercise may act at any number of points in the complex sequence of events collectively termed the immune response. Although exercise causes many propound changes in parameters of immune function, the nature and magnitude of such changes rely on several factors including the immune parameters of interest; type, intensity, and duration of exercise; fitness level or exercise history of the subject; environmental factors such as ambient temperature and humidity. Methods: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different type of exercise on superoxide dismutase (SOD), neutrophils, and T lymphocytes of Sprague-Dawley rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups; a non-Trained group (NTG, n=6), a swim-Trained group (STG), and a treadmill-Trained group (TTG). The exercise regimen was designed in a treadmill (5 times/5 days/week) during 8-weeks for TTG, and swim training (5 times/5 days/week) during 8-weeks for STG, and the volume of exercise training was the same in both groups. Results: 8 weeks of regular swim and treadmill training significantly increased liver SOD concentration however, muscle SOD concentration was not statistically significant. In the level of neutrophils, TTG and STG showed significant difference, compared to NTG. TTG was the highest level of neutrophils. In the level of immune cell counts, there was significant difference among TTG, STG, and NTG both in the spleen and thymus. Conculsion: In conclusion, it can be stated that eight weeks swim and treadmill exercise training has beneficial effect in improving immune response and antioxidant defence capacity by augmenting immune cells and SOD activities of SD rats.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 1994

Effects of glucocorticosteroids (GCS) on the thymus and peripheral lymphocytes of Nile tilapia. Oreochromis niloticus were examined. Young fish (5-7g) were injected into intraperitonial cavity with various dose of dexamethasone (DEX) or hydrocortisone (HC). Histology of thymus and thymocyte counts in treated fish were compared to normal ones. The results showed that in vivo adminstration of DEX or HC induced weight loss of thymus and reduction of thymocytes, and both of these were dose and time dependent. In vivo treatment of thymocytes with 10 mM DEX or 10 mM HC for 12hrs caused DNA fragmentation. Both drugs could split the DNA into fragments of about 180-200 base paire multiples. There was no change in granulocytes of peripheral blood due to the treatment of DEX or HC with various length of time. In contrast, treatment of DEX or HC for 2-3 days decresed number of peripheral lymphocytes. The results indicate that the thymocytes and circulating lymphocytes would respond to GCS depending on several factors, such as nature of the hormone, dose, and duration of treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.298-305
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• 2016

Background: This study is to investigate the prescription patterns and factors related to the number of medications treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients under 65 years old according to GOLD guidelines. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients aged 40-64 years with a diagnosis of COPD from January to March 2016. Patients were classified by combined assessment of COPD (grades A, B, C, D) using spirometry, exacerbation history, mMRC, and/or CAT results. We analyzed prescribed medications, treatment options and factors related to the numbers of COPD medications. Results: The total number of prescriptions were 251. About 35.5% of patients were classified as GOLD A, 34.2% as GOLD B, 17.1% as GOLD C and 13.2% as GOLD D. Inhaled bronchodilator was prescribed for 86.9% of patients and the most frequent COPD medication was long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) followed by inhaled corticosteroids/long acting beta agonist (ICS/LABA). The majority of low risk patients (GOLD A/B) were prescribed a monotherapy with LAMA or LABA. For high risk patients (GOLD C/D), combination treatment with ICS+LAMA+LABA was mostly prescribed. The 21.2% of patients in GOLD D received systemic corticosteroid. The average number of medications per prescription was 3.7, and this number increased with increasing COPD grade, COPD duration and lung function reduction ($FEV_1$, $FEV_1/FVC$). Conclusion: Generally high adherence to GOLD guideline recommendations was reported. Given the progressive nature of the disease, results suggest that closer attention to respiratory symptoms for early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of COPD is warranted.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.415-425
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• 2012

Green Frame was developed to embody a Green structural system that can provide long life, resource reduction, and availability of remodeling in apartment buildings. Composite precast concrete column and beam, the major structural material of Green Frame, can be installed precisely and promptly through connection of steels and concrete. The connection of Green Frame can be divided into four types, based on the method and characteristics of connection. To select an appropriate type for the site, a comparative analysis of the four types is necessary. The objective of this study is to compare the duration, cost, quality, and safety of four types. The findings of this study can be applied during the selection that appropriate composite precast concrete column reflected project characteristics in design phase.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.126-129
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• 2001

Childhood intussusception is usually idiopathic, and pathological lesions as the leading point are found in limited cases. Sixteen operative cases with leadpoints among 2,889 cases of childhood intussusecption treated at the surgical departments of the affiliated hospitals of Catholic University over 19 years are reviewed. The approximate incidence of pathological lesions as the leading point was 0.6%. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The mean age was 3.5 years. There was not an age preponderance. The symptoms were vomiting(63%), abdominal pain(38%), irritability(38%), bloody stools(25%), fever(25%) and abdominal mass(6%). The average duration of the symptoms was 2.4 days(1-10days). The most common lesion was Meckel's diverticulum, followed by malignant lymphomas, polyps, ectopic pancreas, and cecal duplication. An ileocolic type was most frequent, followed by ileoileocolic and ileoileal. Segmental resection or wedge resection of the ileum was done in 10 cases, ileocecectomy in 3, and right hemicolectomy in 3. Surgical reduction was done only in an ectopic pancreas, with no later recurrence. The average hospital stay was 10 days. Postoperative adhesive ileus occurred in two cases, and in one of them adhesiolysis was performed. One case of malignant lymphoma died at 28 days after surgery due to chemotherapy related complication.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.2398-2421
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• 2020

In third world countries like Pakistan, the production of electricity has been quickly reduced in past years due to rely on the fossil fuel. According to a survey conducted in 2017, the overall electrical energy capacity was 22,797MW, since the electrical grids have gone too old, therefore the efficiency of grids, goes down to nearly 17000MW. Significant addition of fossil fuel, hydro and nuclear is 64.2%, 29% and 5.8% respectively in the total electricity production in Pakistan. In 2018, the demand crossed 20,223MW, compared to peak generation of 15,400 to 15,700MW as by the Ministry of Water and Power. Country faces a deficit of almost 4000MW to 5000MW for the duration of 2019 hot summer term. Focus on one aspect considering Demand Side Management (DSM) cannot oversea the reduction of gap between power demand and customer supply, which eventually leads to the issue of load shedding. Hence, a scheduling scheme is proposed in this paper called RPSMDSM that is based on selection of those appliances that need to be only Turned-On, on priority during peak hours consuming minimum energy. The Home Energy Management (HEM) system is integrated between consumer and utility and bidirectional flow is presented in the scheme. During peak hours of electricity, the RPSMDSM is capable to persuade less power consumption and accomplish productivity in load management. Simulations show that RPSMDSM scheme helps in scheduling the electricity loads from peak price to off-peak price hours. As a result, minimization in electricity cost as well as (Peak-to-Average Ratio) PAR are accomplished with sensible waiting time.