• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.3 s.89
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• pp.177-187
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• 2006

It is known that over one million car navigation devices are being currently used in Korea. Most. if not all, route guidance systems, however, Provide only one "best" route to users, not providing any options for various types of users to select. The current practice dose not consider each individual's different preferences. These days, a vast amount of information became available due to the rapid development in information processing technology. Thus, users Prefer choices to be given and like to select the one that suits him/her the "best" among available information. To provide such options in this Paper, we developed an algorithm that provides alternative routes that may not the "least cost" ones, but ones that are close to the "least cost" routes for users to select. The algorithm developed and introduced in the paper utilizes a link-based search method, rather than the traditional node-based search method. The link-based algorithm can still utilize the existing transportation network without any modifications, and yet enables to provide flexible route guidance to meet the various needs of users by allowing transfer to other modes and/or restricting left turns. The algorithm developed has been applied to a toy network and demonstrated successful implementation of the multi-path search algorithm for multi-purpose activities.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.55-58
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• 2003

Astromicin is an aminoglycoside antiviotic that is structually different from conventional aminoglycosides. Astromicin has been shown to be active against aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. The pharmacokinetics of astromicin were determined in 12 healthy volunteers ($65.5\pm5.23\;kg$ of body weight) following a 30-min continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 200 mg. The plasma and urine samples were collected up to 24 h and drug concentrations were measured by a bioassay using Bacillus subtilis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by fitting individual concentration-time curve to a one-exponential decay model. The plasma levels were $16.9\pm1.68\;and\;1.05\pm0.346\l{\mu}g/ml$ at 0 h and 8 h after the infusion, respectively. The elimination half-life of astromicin was $1.86\pm0.360\;h$ The volume of distribution was $0.182\pm0.0164\;L/kg$, and the total body clearance was $5.25\pm1.74\;L/h$. These pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to these of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. Therefore, it is recommended that therapeutic drug monitoring of astromicin could be conducted in a similar fashion as the other aminoglycosides.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.4111-4111
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• 2001

When a drug is prepared in a tablet, the active component represents only a small portion of the dosage form. The other components of the formulation include materials to assist in the dissolution, antioxidants, coloring agents and bulk fillers. The tablets are tested using approved testing methods usually involving separation and subsequent quantification of the active component. Tablets may also be tested by near-Infrared Reflectance spectrometry (NIRS). In the present study, based on NIRS and multivariate calibration methods, a novel and precise method is developed for direct determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablet. Two different tablet formulations were powdered in three different sizes, 63-125 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and examined. Spectral region of 4750-4950 $cm^{-1}$ / was used and optimized for quantitative operations. Partial least squares (PLS) and multiple linear regression (MLR) methods were performed for this spectral region. The results of optimized PLS and MLR methods showed that reproducibility increase with decreasing grain size and standard error of calibration (SEP) of less than 1% w/w of ascorbic acid and a correlation coefficient of 0.998 can be achieved. The PLS method showed better results than MLR. Seven overdose and underdose samples (prepared in the laboratory to match marketed products) were tested by proposed and iodometric standard methods. A correlation between NIRS predicted ascorbic acid values and iodomet.ic values was calculated ($R^2$=0.9950). Finally, the direct analysis of individual intact tablets in their unit-dose packages (Blistering in aluminum and PVC foils) obtained from market were also carried out and a correlation coefficient of 0.9989 and SEP of 0.931% w/w of ascorbic acid were achieved.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.127-133
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• 2001

Together with cytochrome P450 (CYP), flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) present in liver microsomes oxidizes various endogenous and exogenous chemicals. In an effort to determine the human FMO activity, we have developed two non-invasive urine analysis methods using caffeine (CA) and ranitidine (RA) as the probe compounds. As the production of theobromine (TB) and ranitidine N-oxide (RANO) from CA and RA is catalyzed primarily by the hepatic FMO, we have assigned the urinary molar ratios of TB/CA and RA/RANO as the in vivo FMO activity. In 200 age-matched Korean volunteers, the obtained TB/CA ratio ranged from 0.4 to 15.2 (38-fold difference) and the RA/RANO ratio from 5.7 to 27.2 (4.8-fold). The FMO activity of 20's, determined by caffeine metabolism, was the highest (2.5$\pm$l.9) and those of 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's were 40%, 50%, 24%, 39% and 36% of the 20's, respectively. Intake of grapefruit juice, known to contain flavonoids, inhibited the in vivo FMO (TB/CA) activity by 79%. Addition of the flavonoids like naringin, quercitrin and kaempferol, present in grapefruit juice, to the in vitro microso-mal FMO assay, thiobenzamide S-oxidation, produced 75%, 70% and 60% inhibition, respectively. Obtained Ki values of quercitrin, kaempferol and naringin on the in vitro FMO activity were 6.2, 12.0 and 13.9 $\mu\textrm{M}$, respectively. This suggested that the dose of drug should need to be adjusted to suit the individual FMO activities when the drugs metabolized by FMO are given to patients. As the intake of grapefruit juice has been identified to inhibit the FMO as well as CYP3A4 and lA2 activities, patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes should not drink grapefruit juice as the carrier.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2011

In this study, individual(alkaline, ultrasonic) and combined(alkaline+ultrasonic) pretreatment effect on sewage sludge solubilization was investigated. COD solubilization rates increased with the dose of NaOH added: solubilization reached 27.6%. Additional alkaline agents did not increase solubilization further. Ultrasonic pretreatment achieved 33~39% solubilization when 140 W/L amplitude. In(alkaline(pre-treatment)+ultrasonic (after-treatment)) treatment, solubilization increased as the combined intensity in creased($70.4{\pm}9.4%$). SCOD rising rate(0.076) was achieved.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

The efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) for horses remains unsatisfactory. It is mainly because each process of AI causes a detrimental effect on semen quality. To sustain quality of semen properly, several factors including libido of stallions and sperm damage during sperm processing and preservation should be considered. Stallions with decent libido produce a high ratio of sperm to seminal plasma in their ejaculates, which is the ideal semen composition for maintaining sperm quality. Thus, to maximize the fertility rate upon AI, stallions should be appropriately managed to enhance their libido. Seminal plasma should have a positive effect on horse fertility in the case of natural breeding, whereas the effects of seminal plasma on both sperm viability and quality in the context of AI remain controversial. Centrifugation of semen is performed during semen processing to remove seminal plasma and to isolate fine quality sperm from semen. However, the centrifugation process can also result in sperm loss and damage. To solve this problem, several different centrifugation techniques such as Cushion Fluid along with dual and single Androcoll-E$^{TM}$ were developed to minimize loss of sperm and to damage at the bottom of the pellet. Most recently, a new technique without centrifugation was developed with the purpose of separating sperm from semen. AI techniques have been advanced to deliver sperm to optimal region of female reproductive tract at perfect timing. Recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) and low dose insemination techniques have been developed to maximize both fertility rate and the efficiency of AI. Horse breeders should consider that the entire AI procedure should be optimized for each stallion due to variation in individual horses for a uniformed AI protocol.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1554-1562
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• 2018

The type I interferons (IFNs) play a vital role in activation of innate immunity in response to viral infection. Accordingly, viruses have evolved to employ various survival strategies to evade innate immune responses induced by type I IFNs. For example, hepatitis E virus (HEV) encoded papain-like cysteine protease (PCP) has been shown to inhibit IFN activation signaling by suppressing K63-linked de-ubiquitination of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), thus effectively inhibiting down-stream activation of IFN signaling. In the present study, we demonstrated that HEV inhibits polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-induced $IFN-{\beta}$ transcriptional induction. Moreover, by using reporter assay with individual HEV-encoded gene, we showed that HEV methyltransferase (MeT), a non-structural protein, significantly decreases RIG-I-induced $IFN-{\beta}$ induction and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling activities in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, we report here that MeT, along with PCP, is responsible for the inhibition of RIG-I-induced activation of type I IFNs, expanding the list of HEV-encoded antagonists of the host innate immunity.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 1990

The effect of cimetidine on theophylline metabolism was examined in dogs. Single dose intravenous theophylline kinetic studies were performed in cross-over manner before and after one week intravenous cimetidine (30 mg/kg/day) treatment. Cimetidine decreased theophylline clearance by an average of 31% (p<0.05) and prolonged theophylline half-li fe by an average of 29% (p<0.01) compared to those in control peirods. However, steady-state volume of distribution and protein binding of theophylline were not changed significantly. Twenty-four hours urinary excretion of 3-methylxanthine, 1-methyluric acid and 1,3-dimethyluric acid, which are the major metabolites of theophylline, were all decreased after cimetidine treatment, whereas the excreted fractions of individual metabolites were unchanged by cimetidine. From the above data, it could be susggested that cimetidine decreases theophylline clearance and prolongs the half-life by non-specific inhibition of the demethylations and 8-hydroxylation pathways.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2008

The hepatoprotective effects of the water extracts of Hovenia dulcis Thunb (HD) were investigated in vitro. Following the induction of hepatotoxicity by ethanol in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, the protective effects of four different water extracts of HD were determined through serial dose-response and time-dependent studies. The individual extracts used in these studies were prepared from fruits, seeds, leaves and tubes. Treatment of hepatocyte cultures with the water extracts of HD provided a significant protection from the increased lactate dehydrogenase activity induced by ethanol. Particularly, the fruits extract was the most effective against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in the primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The results demonstrated that the extracts might have the protective effect against ethanol-induced toxicity in hepatocyte cultures.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.27-37
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• 2007

Background Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patients on healthcare decisions. They provide recommendations for the average patient, which should take into account individual clinical judgment and the patient's values and expectations. Ephedra has sympathomimetic effect and has been used for weight loss worldwide. However, its safety is controversial especially in autonomic and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, the need of appropriate CPG for ephedra prescription in obesity was advocated in Korean Traditional Medicine. Methods The committee comprised of specialists of obesity, oriental herbology, oriental cardiology, constitutional medicine. The committee collected all relevant references about adverse effect and safety of ephedra in the forms of meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized controlled trial, case-control study and observational study from international and domestic databases and paper journals. 11 English- and 5 Korean-language references were gathered and categorized by PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) method. We could not complete strength of recommendation which should be clarified according to the evidence grade estimation. Result The first version of CPG for ephedra prescription in obesity was issued by Korean Oriental Association for Study of Obesity. It includes topics of introduction, pharmacokinetics, side effects and adverse events, constitutional aspect and recommendations for dose, indication and contraindication. Conclusion There should be periodic upgrade of this CPG from now on. Although there are some drawbacks in this version of CPG, it has significance as the first CPG in Korean Traditional Medicine.