• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.787-791
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• 2017

Americium-beryllium (Am-Be; n, ${\gamma}$) is a neutron emitting source used in various research fields such as chemistry, physics, geology, archaeology, medicine, and environmental monitoring, as well as in the forensic sciences. It is a mobile source of neutron activity (20 Ci), yielding a small thermal neutron flux that is water moderated. The aim of this study is to develop a model to increase the neutron thermal flux of a source such as Am-Be. This study achieved multiple advantageous results: primarily, it will help us perform neutron activation analysis. Next, it will give us the opportunity to produce radio-elements with short half-lives. Am-Be single and multisource (5 sources) experiments were performed within an irradiation facility with a paraffin moderator. The resulting models mainly increase the thermal neutron flux compared to the traditional method with water moderator.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.78-85
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• 2021

Through bio-guided isolation, two natural iron chelators were isolated from Mangifera indica L. leaves, identified as mangiferin (1) and iriflophenone-3-C-𝛽-D-glucoside (2). Their iron-chelating activity was compared to that of Desferal^® using bipyridyl assay and EDTA as a standard. Mangiferin showed the highest activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.385 mM (162.85 ㎍/mL). Furthermore, two combinations of mangiferin with Desferal^® (M-D) and iriflophenone-3-C-𝛽-D-glucoside (M-I) were evaluated. The results showed that mangiferin potentiated the iron chelation activity of Desferal^® about 46%, also that M-I combination is a promising candidate formula for iron chelation therapy. In addition, mangiferin and Desferal-iron complexes were prepared and characterized by IR, UV, and Mass spectra to compare their mode of chelation to iron. Their structural stability was studied by DFT calculations. Furthermore, they displayed increased ABTS antioxidant activity when bound to iron as compared to their free form, which enhances their pharmacological importance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1141-1150
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• 2022

Objective: To understand the domestication and spread of horses in history, genetic information is essential. However, mitogenetic traits of ancient or medieval horses have yet to be comprehensively revealed, especially for East Asia. This study thus set out to reveal the maternal lineage of skeletal horse remains retrieved from a 15th century archaeological site (Gongpyeongdong) at Old Seoul City in South Korea. Methods: We extracted DNA from the femur of Equus caballus (SNU-A001) from Joseon period Gongpyeongdong site. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA (HRS 15128-16116) of E. caballus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Cloning and sequencing were conducted for the mtDNA amplicons. The sequencing results were analyzed by NCBI/BLAST and phylogenetic tool of MEGA7 software. Results: By means of mtDNA cytochrome b and D-loop analysis, we found that the 15th century Korean horse belonged to haplogroup Q representing those horses that have historically been raised widely in East Asia. Conclusion: The horse is unique among domesticated animals for the remarkable impact it has on human civilization in terms of transportation and trade. Utilizing the Joseon-period horse remains, we can obtain clues to reveal the genetic traits of Korean horse that existed before the introduction of Western horses.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2023

Purpose: The study aims to provide basic data for understanding the department of paramedicines' bachelor's degree courses to enable curriculum development and reorganization. Methods: The 2023 academic curricula for all eleven universities with active departments of paramedicine offering bachelor's degrees were investigated from April 25 to May 10, 2023. Results: The average courseload was 22.0 units. There were 7.73 major subjects, with 19.45 units on average. The culture subject was available in 7 colleges and was 2.55 units on the average 1.18 subject. Grouping the major subjects showed that 15.3% of subjects were related to advanced paramedicine (the most common course), followed by 11.8% related to research methodology and seminar, and 10.8% related to radiology and simulations. Related subjects in statistics, disaster, and forensic science were also offered. Conclusion: This study found that the curricula of the departments of paramedicine differed from that of the general bachelor's degree. Going forward, university leaders should organize the paramedicine curriculum considering the environmental changes in emergency medicine and the scalability of EMT-Paramedic jobs.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.330-340
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• 2022

The renal artery is frequently involved in the pathogenesis of vasculorenal diseases, and it is a target in kidney surgery and therapeutic techniques for refractory hypertension. However, few detailed structural studies on the human renal artery have been conducted. Using histocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative image analysis, the wall thickness, structure, smooth muscle cells, extracellular matrix, and proportion of elastic tissue in the tunica media of main human renal arteries were used estimated. Ninety-six tissue samples were collected from sections of the right and left main renal arteries. The results showed that the renal artery changed from an elastic vessel in its proximal segment to a muscular artery in its distal part. A critical characteristic of the renal artery was the presence of longitudinal smooth muscle cell formations in the tunica adventitia of middle and distal segments but not in the proximal part of the artery. In addition, the tunica adventitia of the renal artery showed a rich vascularization and the presence of numerous nerves profiles. The artery's regional structural and morphometric features explain that a particular arterial pathology is more frequent in a specific vessel sector than in others. In addition, those characteristics could determine a different therapeutic response attending to the arterial sector.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2006

Botulinum toxin injection has been used in the masticatory muscle area as an effective treatment method of various movement disorders and facial contouring, but its effects on jaw function have not been evaluated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of botulinum toxin type A injection into the masseter muscle on the EMG activities of masseter and anterior temporal muscles, and the limitation of jaw function. Fourteen healthy subjects were recruited. Five subjects were injected with 80 units of botulinum toxin type A(Dysport, Ipsen, Wrexham, UK) into each side of masseter muscle, and nine subjects were injected with saline into the same site as the botulinum toxin group. The surface EMG activities at maximum voluntary contraction of masseter and anterior temporal muscles were recorded before, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after injection. Presence of jaw functional limitations in each subject was investigated using Korean version of Jaw Functional Limitation Scale(JFLS) questionnaire. The masseter muscle EMG was gradually decreased in the botulinum toxin group comparing with that of the control group(p<0.001), but the anterior temporal muscle EMG did not show significant changes. There was significant increases in the mastication (p<0.01), and global jaw limitation(p<0.05) subscales of JFLS at 1 week after injection, but no significant changes in the other subscales including opening, and verbal and emotional expression during the recording periods. Our results suggest that botulinum toxin injection into masseter muscle can affect modest limitation in mastication function at 1 week after injection but recovered to the baseline until 3 weeks after injection. The EMG activity of masseter muscle had been gradually decreased until 3 weeks after botulinum toxin injection but the anterior temporal muscle did not show any significant changes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.836-844
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• 2020

In modern society, there is a growing demand for human tissue donation along with organ donation. However, the awareness of tissue donation and actual donation rates remain very low in South Korea. This study was undertaken to evaluate the current status of domestic laws and systems, and to compare them with the operation systems of major foreign countries, by reviewing literature and web sites of organ donation and registration. The authors present three measures to promote human tissue donation in Korea: integration of a dual legal system in a legal aspect, vitalization of the Opt-out system in terms of system operation, and activation of public relations in terms of social and cultural aspects. The Opt-out system, in particular, is the most effective way to activate transplants in the form of presumed consent of countries without undue pressure. However, the presumed consent method requires various stages of social public debate, and the requirement is a proper domestic understanding of the registration system for rejection. In conclusion, we believe the solution towards a positive inclination for organ donation is a public policy to increase the supply for organs and human tissue transplants, and positive perception of donations, public promotion, and support for postmortem donors and their families.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2007

We examined the effects of pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) on platelet activation. Thirty-six women with PIH (blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg after two consecutive measurements after the $24^{th}$ weeks of gestation) without proteinuria, fifty-six normotensive pregnant women, and fifty non-pregnant women were studied. WBC, RBC, platelet related variables, including mean platelet component (MPC), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet component distribution width (PCDW) were determined for this study. MPC levels were significantly lower in women with PIH compared with normotensive pregnant women and non-pregnant women (P<0.05). MPC levels were inversely con-elated with PIH (r=-0.49, P<0.001), systolic BP (r=-0.22, P<0.01), diastolic BP (r=-0.17, P<0.005), WBC (r=-0.30, P<0.001), MPV (r=-0.41, P<0.001), and PCDW (r=-0.68, P<0.001), and positively con-elated with RBC (r=0.32, P<0.001), platelet count (r=0.21, P<0.05), and mean platelet mass (MPM) (r=0.18, P<0.05). MPC levels were found to be an independent factor associated with PIH and PCDW (P<0.01) after adjustments were made for potential confounding factors such as gestational age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, WBC, RBC, Platelet count, and PCDW. In conclusion, MPC levels were significantly lower in women with PIH, and MPC levels were found to be an independent factor associated with PIH and PCDW. Therefore, platelet activation is suggested as a useful predictor for patients with PIH.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.279-289
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the learning experience, self-directed learning ability and self-efficacy of Japanese nursing students undergoing portfolio-based clinical practicums. Methods: The self-directed learning ability and self-efficacy of nursing students were examined using two scales. And using a text-mining approach, we constructed correspondence analysis followed by cluster analysis of open-ended responses forms. Results: The mean score of the self-directed learning ability was $60.89{\pm}5.28$ and the generalized self-efficacy was $68.37{\pm}11.56$. Moreover, the scores in the self-directed learning ability were positively correlated with scores in the generalized self-efficacy. In correspondence analysis, the distribution of extracted words showed that record was located on the negative side of the third quadrant, to the first principal component and that patient was located on the positive side of the first quadrant, contributing greatly to the second principal component. Conclusion: The results of this study contribute to approaching to "confidence, pride, stability," "growth and intention to development'' offers a key in developing self-directed learning ability. Students record what they see and learn the importance of visualizing it in learning portfolios. "Expression in detail of the learned contents" and "concerning to which objective evaluation is suggested" are important to the students.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2014

Objective : This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Korean Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (K-IIP) with Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R) to assess interpersonal problems in Korean criminal offenders with schizophrenia. Methods : The sample consisted of 187 inpatients with schizophrenia who had committed crimes. All participants filled out self-report questionnaires ofPPI-R and K-IIP. Results : The result showed that all scales of K-IIP were correlated highly with the PPI-R total score (r range=0.25-0.65). Correlations with K-IIP scales were highest for Blame Externalization, Rebellious Nonconformity, and Machiavellian Egocentricity scales (r range=0.50-0.66, 0.43-0.64, 0.39-0.58, respectively). All scales of K-IIP exhibited a negative correlation with Social Influences, Stress Immunity, Coldheartedness (C) scale ofPPI-R. Cold/Distant scale ofK-IIP was not correlated with C scale of PPI-R. All scales of K-IIP was highly correlated with PPI-R-factor-2 (r range=0.44-0.71) and negatively correlated with PPI-R-factor-l (r range=-0.03-0.38). Conclusions : Despite of strong correlation between PPI-R total score and K-IIP total score, K-IIP was not correlated with PPI-R-I that represents affective and interpersonal deficits. It suggests K-IIP may not proper for measuring the interpersonal problems of criminal offenders with schizophrenia. It will be needed other assessment scale for measuring the interpersonal problems of psychopathy in criminal schizophrenia.