• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.79-86
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate neuroprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of luteolin against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}_{25-35}$)-induced oxidative cell death in BV-2 cells. Methods : The protective effects of luteolin against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death were determined by MTT dye reduction assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. The apoptotic cell death was further analyzed by measuring mitochondrial transmembrane potential and expression of pro- and/or anti-apoptotic proteins. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of luteolin, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative damages, and expression of antioxidant enzymes were examined. Results : Luteolin pretreatment effectively attenuated $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death indices such as DNA fragmentation, dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and caspase-3 in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative damages such as lipid peroxidation and depletion of endogenous antioxidant glutathione were suppressed by luteolin treatment. The neuroprotective effects of luteolin might be mediated by up-regulation of cellular antioxidant defense system via up-regulation of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine ligase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the glutathione biosynthesis and superoxide dismutase, an enzyme involved in dismutation of superoxide anion into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions : These findings suggest that luteolin has a potential to protect against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell death and damages thereby exhibiting therapeutic utilization for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2022

Objectives: This study assessed the shape and anatomical relationship of the mental foramen (MF) to mandibular posterior teeth in an Indian sub-population. Materials and Methods: In total, 475 existing cone-beam computed tomography records exhibiting 950 MFs and including the bilateral presence of mandibular premolars and first molars were assessed. Images were evaluated 3-dimensionally to ascertain the position, shape, and anatomical proximity of MFs to mandibular teeth. The position and shape of MFs were measured and calculated. The Pythagorean theorem was used to calculate the distance between the root apex of the mandibular teeth and the MF. Results: MFs exhibited a predominantly round shape (left: 67% and right: 65%) followed by oval (left: 30% and right: 31%) in both males and females and in different age groups. The root apices of mandibular second premolars (left: 71% and right: 62%) were closest to the MF, followed by distal to the first premolars and mesial to the second premolars. The mean vertical distance between the MF and the nearest tooth apex calculated on sagittal sections was 2.20 mm on the right side and 2.32 mm on the left side; no significant difference was found according to sex or age. The distance between the apices of the teeth and the MF was ≥ 4 mm (left; 4.09 ± 1.27 mm and right; 4.01 ± 1.15 mm). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of the location of the MF in treatment planning and while performing non-surgical and surgical endodontic procedures.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.55.1-55.12
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• 2024

Importance: Neonatal calf diarrhea is a major cause of mortality in newborn calves worldwide, posing a significant challenge in bovine herds. Group A Bovine Rotaviruses (BRVA) are the primary contributors to severe gastroenteritis in calves under two months old. Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and molecular characterization of BRVA in neonatal calves in Gujarat, India. Methods: Sixty-nine diarrheic fecal samples were collected and subjected to various molecular methods of BRVA detection, isolation, and characterization. Results: The latex agglutination test (LAT), electropherotyping (RNA-PAGE), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed positivity rates of 39.13%, 20.30%, and 37.70%, respectively. RNA-PAGE identified 11 bands with a 4:2:3:2 migration pattern, indicative of the segmented genome of BRVA. BRVA was successfully isolated from LATpositive samples, with 26 samples exhibiting clear cytopathic effects upon passage in MA-104 cell lines. Genotyping identified G10 as the predominant G genotype, with P[11] genotypes comprising 76.92% of the isolates. The most common G/P combination was G10P[11], highlighting its zoonotic potential. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings underscore the importance of molecular detection and genotyping for effective vaccine development. This study provides crucial insights into the prevalent G and P genotypes of BRVA in Gujarat, India, aiding in the development of targeted control measures.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.407-419
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to measure financial toxicity (FT) among patients with cancer in Vietnam using the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) and to describe the cost management strategies employed by these patients. Methods: This comprehensive cross-sectional study enrolled 634 patients from 2 specialized oncology hospitals in Vietnam. Using COST cut-off scores, FT was classified as none/mild (≥26), moderate (14-25), or severe (≤13). Cost management strategies, or coping mechanisms, were classified into 4 groups: lifestyle changes, financial resource strategies, treatment modifications, and support seeking. Results: The prevalence of FT was 91.8%, with 51.7% of participants demonstrating severe and 40.1% exhibiting moderate FT. Severe FT was significantly associated with female, low education level, unstable employment, low household economic status, and advanced cancer stage. The most common coping strategies were as follows: among lifestyle changes, reducing spending on basic items and leisure activities (78.7%) and cutting back on essential household expenses (66.4%); among financial resource strategies, borrowing money from relatives or friends (49.1%) and withdrawing funds from retirement or savings accounts (34.1%); within treatment modifications, switching treatment facilities or doctors due to cost concerns (9.3%); and within support seeking, obtaining help from welfare or community organizations (18.8%). All strategies were significantly more likely to be used by patients with severe FT. Conclusions: FT was highly prevalent among patients with cancer. Most patients relied on lifestyle adjustments and coping strategies, underscoring the need for improved financial support systems to alleviate the economic burden associated with cancer care.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.499-512
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Arterial dissection during endovascular therapy rarely occurs but can be lethal. A fabric-based covered graft stents yield poor clinical outcomes. A novel balloon-expandable stent with biodegradable film graft for overcoming these issues was evaluated in a rabbit iliac artery model. Method: Eighteen rabbits with iliac artery dissections were induced by balloon over-inflation on angiography (Ellis type 2 or 3) and treated using the test device (3.0×24 mm). Subsequently, survived twelve animals underwent histologic examinations and micro-computed tomography (CT) at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and angiography at one-year. Results: There were no adverse cardiovascular events during the one-year. Early-stage histologic examination revealed complete sealing of disrupted vessels by the device, exhibiting mural hematoma, peri-stent red thrombi, and dense infiltration of inflammatory cells. Mid- and long-term histologic examination showed patent stents with neointimal hyperplasia over the stents (% area stenosis: 11.8 at 2 weeks, 26.1 at 1 month, 29.7 at 3 months, 49.2 at 9 months, and 51.0 at 1 year), along with mild peri-strut inflammatory response (Grade: 1-2 at mid-term and 0-1 at long-term). The graft film became scarcely visible after six months. Both CT and angiography revealed no instances of thrombotic occlusion or in-stent restenosis (% diameter stenosis: 5.7 at 2 weeks, 12.3 at 1 month, 14.2 at 3 months, 25.1 at 9 months, and 26.6 at 1 year). Conclusions: The novel balloon-expandable stent with a biodegradable film graft demonstrates feasibility in managing severe artery dissection and preventing lethal vascular events in animal model.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.249-259
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of four lifestyle-related diseases, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia, on oral health in the rural elderly in Korea. Methods: We enrolled 399 subjects over 60 years of age over a six year period, year 2000-2006/ year 2001-2007. All subjects received a routine health examination as part of a program conducted by the National Health Insurance Corporation at Seongju-gun Public Health Center in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. All subjects were surveyed and examined to determine their general and oral health statuses. Results: Our results suggest that the duration of lifestyle-related diseases has a significant influence on oral health. The following factors were all significant in the results of analyses: duration of diabetes, tooth decay, which teeth had decayed, missing and filled teeth(DMFT), duration of hypertension, and duration of obesity and hypercholesterolemia(p<0.05). Our results also suggest that the number of lifestyle related diseases has a significant influence on oral health. Subjects with more than two diseases had significantly greater numbers of missing teeth and greater numbers of DMFT(p<0.01). The results of simple regression analysis indicate that patients exhibiting longer durations of diabetes also exhibit more tooth decay, and that patients exhibiting longer durations of hypertension and obesity are characterized by greater numbers of missing teeth. The longer the duration of any of the four lifestyle-related diseases we considered, the more DMFT we observed. Multiple regression analyses also demonstrated that longer duration of lifestyle-related disease was associated with greater numbers of missing teeth. As the number of lifestyle-related diseases increased, DMFT also increased. Conclusions: In summary, lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia have significant influences on oral health in the elderly. In this context, the prevention and management of lifestyle-related disease is critical for the maintenance and promotion of oral health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3341-3355
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• 2016

Background: A recent WHO data report on mortality attributable to tobacco use including cigarette smoking indicated a very high burden of deaths in Asia and that people often initiate smoking as early as young adolescents. The objectives of this study were to systematically review peer-reviewed articles on cigarette smoking initiation among Asian adolescents and to develop a conceptual model of factors influencing smoking initiation by integrating all relevant factors based on existing data. Materials and Methods: Following a PRISMA guideline, a systematic review of articles published between 2005 and June 2015 was conducted using 5 databases on cigarette smoking initiation among adolescents (aged 10-19 years) living in Asia. We summarized the main findings of each study according to our research questions and data that emerged during the data extraction process. Analysis and categorization were based on the TTI and TPB models and classification of factors extracted from the study, were as follows: personal factors, social factors, broader environmental factors, mediators, and intention to initiate smoking and smoking behavior. Results: Of 1,227 identified studies, only 20 were included in this review. Our findings found that the mean age of cigarette smoking initiation ranged from 10 to 14 years and those who are more likely to initiate smoking are male, older adolescents, adolescents with low parental SES, individuals with low parental monitoring, low parental education level and having no discussion on smoking at home, those living in public housing and those exhibiting health-risk behavior. Our study also revealed that the risk of smoking initiation increased when they are exposed to smokers, influenced by peers, exposed to tobacco advertisements, receive pocket money, have lack of knowledge about smoking, have poor school performance, have a family conflict and have psychological problems. The conceptual model developed demonstrated complex networks of factors influencing initiation. Conclusions: This systematic review presents various factors influencing smoking initiation of the Asian adolescents and provides a conceptual framework to further analyze factors. Future studies should have a standard measure of smoking initiation, should analyze interactions and the intensity of relationships between different factors or variables in the conceptual model. This will in turn consolidate the understanding of the different factors affecting smoking initiation and will help to improve interventions in this area.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 1998

Objectives : The hypothesis that the brain is a nonlinear dynamical system exhibiting deterministic chaos has offered new perspectives to the investigation of information processing in the brain of schizophrenic patients. It seemed worthwhile to estimate nonlinear measures of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in positive and negative schizophrenics, because nonlinear measures might serve as indicators of the specific brain function in schizophrenia according to specific psychopathologies. Method : Previous studies which estimated the chaoticity in the brain of schizophrenia with nonlinear methods recorded the EEGs at limited electrodes, so we tried to record EEGs from 16 channels for nonlinear analysis in 8 positive and 9 negative schizophrenics and 8 healthy control subjects. We employed a new method to calculate the nonlinear invariant measures. For limited noisy data, this algorithm was strikingly faster and more accurate than previous ones. Results : Our results showed that the patients with negative schizophrenia had lower the first positive Lyapunov exponents ($L_1$) than the positive schizophrnics and control subjects at $T_3$ lead. Positive symptoms were positively correlated with $L_1$ in $C_3,\;O_1$ leads, and negatively correlated with $C_4$ lead. Conclusion : These results suggest that if clinical variables such as psychopathology or neuroleptic medications would be well controlled, the nonlinear analysis of the EEGs in patients with schizophrenia seems to be a useful tool in analyzing EEG data to explore the neurodynamics.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 2012

Recent development and enlargement of reclaimed lands along the sea shores required to explore alternatives to existing crops, which are suitable to grow well and to declare higher profits. The objectives of this study were to investigate yield-related parameters for development of new leafy vegetables, and to screen some candidates among New Zealand spinach genotypes which were collected in Korea. Initially all the collected genotypes were grown for 7 weeks in a greenhouse of the experiment field in Chungnam National University, and then transplanted into the field to measure morphological or physiological parameters (plant height, branch number, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, and maximum canopy diameter), and yield-related parameters (leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight and dry weight). Those parameters were quantitatively measured at 1, 5 or 9 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Parameters exhibiting statistically significant difference among the accessions were plant height, branch number, maximum canopy diameter, chlorophyll content, and leaf length. In contrast to highly correlated parameters with fresh and dry weight obtained in salt-affected soil in the earlier report, fresh weight was correlated significantly with leaf length (r=0.72), leaf width (r=0.64), and canopy diameter(r=0.66), while dry weight was correlated significantly with plant height (r=0.46), leaf length (r=0.72), leaf width (r=0.73), fresh weight (r=0.79), chlorophyll content (r=0.47), and canopy diameter (r=0.87). Based on the significantly correlated with yield parameters, the candidate accessions which were ranked in top statistical groups include CNU06A01, CNU06A13, CNU06A26, CNU06A35, CNU06A38, and CNU06A55. In order to be cultivated in reclaimed lands, it is necessary to screen out salt tolerant accessions among the above high-yielding genotypes.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: We aim to explore the effects of residual auditory steady state response (ASSR) on cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes in children lacking auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of child CI recipients lacking ABRs. All ears were divided into two groups: with residual ASSR and without ASSR. For each frequency, the T- and C-levels and the electrical dynamic ranges of postoperative 3-month and 1-year mappings were compared between the groups. To evaluate speech perception, patients who received simultaneous bilateral CIs were divided into two groups: group 1 exhibited responses at all frequencies in both ears; in group 2, at least one ear evidenced no response. The Categories of Auditory Perception (CAP) and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) scores were compared between the groups. Results: We enrolled 16 patients. At 2 kHz, the postoperative 3-month and 1-year T-levels of patients with residual hearing were lower than those of hearing loss group (p=0.001, p=0.035). In residual hearing group, the ASSR threshold correlated positively with the postoperative 1-year T-level (p=0.012, R²=0.276) and C-level (p=0.002, R²=0.374). Of 10 simultaneous bilateral CI recipients, 5 exhibited ASSRs at all frequencies and the other 5 showed no response at ≥1 frequency. The latter had higher CAP scores at the postoperative 1-year (p=0.018). Conclusions: In children exhibiting hearing loss in ABR testing, residual hearing at 2 kHz ASSR correlated positively with the post-CI T-level. Those with ASSRs at all frequencies had significantly lower CAP scores at the postoperative 1year. CI should not be delayed when marginal residual hearing is evident in ASSR.