• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 1997

Objective : A 4-week, single-blind, parallel group study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofisopam and lorazepam in 32 outpatients with anxiety disorder. Methods : Patients were randomized to receive either tofisopam(N=17) or lorazepam(N=15). The starting dose of tofisopam was 50mg t.i.d. daily, which could be increased to a maximum of 100mg t.i.d. according to the patient's clinical response and side effect. The starting dose of lorazepam was 0.75mg b.i.d. daily, which could be increased to a maximum of 1.5mg b.i.d. depending on the patient's clinical response and side effect. Efficacy evaluations at baseline, week 1, 2, and 4 used the 14-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAM-A) and Clinical Global Impression(CGI). Tolerability was assessed by response to a nonleading question concerning adverse events. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values were measured during trial. Results : No significant differences between HAM-A total scores, two HAM-A factors(psychic, somatic) and CGI severity scores were recorded at any point during tofisopam and lorazepam treatments. However, in each group there was a significant decrease in HAM-A total scores, two HAM-A factor s(psychic, somatic), CGI severity scores over time. The pecentages of patients with tofisopam who at least minimally improved increased from 64.7% at week 1 to 94.1% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with lorazepam who at least minimally improved increased from 40.0% at week 1 to 66.7% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with tofisopam who had not any adverse event increased from 58.8% at week 1 to 87.9% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with lorazepam who had not any adverse event were not changed from 46.7% at week 1 to 46.7% at week 4. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values showed no significant changes during the trial in both groups. Conclusion : These data suggest that tofisopam may be effective in reducing anxiety and is a anti-anxiety drug of identical potency with lorazepam. Tolerability of tofisopam was superior to lorazepam. These findings should be confirmed by using double-blind crossover study with a large member of patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1699-1705
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• 2006

Recent studies have suggested that oral bacteriotherapy with probiotics might be useful for preventing and managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral treatment with probiotics for adolescent and adult AD patients as well as for childhood AD patients. Sixty-four patients with mild to moderate AD were recruited for treatment with a mixture of four probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Biftdobacterium lactis) twice daily for 8 weeks. The degree of pruritus was determined by a 10-point visual analog scale every other week, and the patients' global assessments of their clinical responses (i.e., better, unchanged, or worse) was done at the end of intervention. The clinical severity of the eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) score every other week. As laboratory markers, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the serum, and cytokine production [interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured at the beginning and at the end of intervention. Of the 64 enrolled AD patients, only 50 patients finally completed the 8-week study. After 8-week treatment with probiotics, the EASI score was significantly improved (p<0.0001), 50% of the patients experienced improvement of their eczema, and significant improvement of the pruritus was also observed (p=0.0002). The effect was more pronounced for the patients with very high IgE levels (>1,000 ku/l) or for the patients with moderate disease severity. There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effects between the childhood AD and adolescent and adult AD patients. There were no significant changes of cytokines, as well as the total IgE and ECP levels, in the patients' serum. Treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains was generally well tolerated. Our results suggest that the treatment with the mixture of four probiotic strains is beneficial for the management of the adolescent and adult AD patients, as well as for the childhood AD patients.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.318-323
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• 2009

Dahi is yoghurt like fermented dairy products available in Bangladesh made by traditional ways from raw milk. The aim of the present study was to check and compare the present quality status of the market dahi in reference to laboratory made dahi. For this, dahi was prepared in the laboratory (A) and collected from Kishoregonj district (B), Gazipur district (C), Bogra district (D) and Dhaka district (E and F). Consumer acceptance quality was judged on 100 point by a judge panel and chemical and microbiological quality test were done by established methods. 'A' type dahi was superior followed by E, D, F, B and C considering the consumer acceptance quality parameter. From chemical test, it appears that, B possess the lowest pH ($3.75\;{\pm}\;0.05$) and highest was in C ($4.46\;{\pm}\;0.15$). Total solids content of F type dahi ($318.40\;{\pm}\;4.44\;g/kg$) was highest and fat ($52.00\;{\pm}\;2.00\;g/kg$), protein ($44.33\;{\pm}\;2.00\;g/kg$) and ash ($10.76\;{\pm}\;0.31\;g/kg$) content were also higher in F type dahi. E and A type dahi were also with considerable figure in chemical quality parameter. Dahi B was inferior in respect of microbiological quality- total viable count (TVC) (${\times}\;10^5\;cfu/ml$) content was $94.00\;{\pm}\;4.58$, yeast (cfu/ml) content was $183.33\;{\pm}\;15.28$ and mold (cfu/ml) content was $53.33\;{\pm}\;15.28$. The TVC (${\times}\;10^5\;cfu/ml$), yeast (cfu/ml) and mold (cfu/ml) content of A type dahi were $39.67\;{\pm}\;4.51$, $50.00\;{\pm}\;10.00$ and $20.00\;{\pm}\;10.00$, respectively. Considering all the three major quality aspects dahi A was superior than others followed by F, D, E, C and B.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2020

This paper presents a study on the development of a fire extinguishing agent and extinguishing system for an energy storage system (ESS) fire. The fire extinguishing agent designed to extinguish an ESS fire is a highly permeable fire extinguisher that reduces the surface tension and viscosity while bringing about cooling action. This is the main extinguishing effect of this type of wetting agent, which displays the characteristics of fire extinguishing agents used for penetrating the battery cells inside the ESS module. For the fire extinguishing system, a local application system was designed to suppress fire on a rack-by-rack basis. A 360° rotating nozzle was inserted into the rear hall of the ESS module, and general nozzles were installed in the rack to maximize the fire extinguishing effect. The fire extinguishing agent was strongly discharged by virtue of the gas release pressure. Experiments on fire suppression performance with ESS module 1 unit and module 3 units showed that all visible flames were extinguished in 8 s and 9 s, respectively, by the fire extinguishing agent. In addition, based on confirming reignition for 600 s after the fire extinguishing agent was exhausted, it was confirmed that the ESS fire was completely extinguished without reignition in all fire suppression performance experiments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.321-327
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• 2005

Staphylococcus aureus is spread worldwide and can result in food poisoning outbreaks. Among samples collected from soil, water, protected houses, packing houses, employees, strawberries, and leaves, and analyzed for S. aureus contamination, 16% samples 'showed S. aureus contamination, particularly on employees' hands, scissors, and strawberries. Examination of enterotoxins A, B, and C genes of S. aureus by PCR revealed sea and seb in 92 and 38% of total strains, respectively, whereas sec was not detected. In conclusion, implementation of Good Agricultural Practice is necessary for preventing food-borne diseases of staphylococcal origin, thereby ensuring the safety of farm-to-table products.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.289-300
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• 2024

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT). Materials and Methods: Patients with THPT underwent RFA between September 2017 and January 2022. Laboratory parameters, including serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, were monitored for 48 months after RFA and compared with the levels at baseline. Complications related to RFA and changes in hyperparathyroidism-related clinical symptoms were recorded before and after RFA. Results: A total of 42 patients with THPT were recruited for this study. Ultimately, 36 patients with renal failure and 2 patients who underwent successful renal transplantation (male:female, 17:21; median age, 54.5 years) were enrolled. The follow-up time was 21.5 ± 19.0 months in the 36 patients with renal failure. In these 36 patients, iPTH levels were significantly decreased to 261.1 pg/mL at 48 months compared with the baseline value of 1284.9 pg/mL (P = 0.012). Persistent hyperparathyroidism, defined as iPTH levels maintained at > 585.0 pg/mL for 6 months after treatment, occurred in 4.0% of patients (1/25). Recurrent hyperparathyroidism, defined as iPTH levels > 585.0 pg/mL after 6 months, were 4.0% (1/25) and 0.0% (0/9) at 6 months and 4 years after treatment, respectively. In two patients with THPT after successful renal transplantation, iPTH decreased from the baseline value of 242.5 and 115.9 pg/mL to 171.0 and 62.0 pg/mL at 6 months after treatment. All complications resolved within 6 months of ablation without medical intervention, except in 10.5% (4/38) patients with permanent hypocalcemia. The overall symptom recovery rate was 58.8% (10/17). The severity scores for bone pain, arthralgia, and itchy skin associated with hyperparathyroidism improved after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: US-guided RFA is an effective and safe alternative to surgery in the treatment of patients with TPTH and improves hyperparathyroidism-related clinical symptoms.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2010

The aim of the current study was to analyze the diversity of the major surface protein (Msp) gene in Theileria buffeli, which is known as the major antigenic protein recognized by the immune system of the host. In addition, we characterized the diversification of the Msp gene and its relationship to with the pathogenicity of Theileria. Complete blood counts (CBC) and Theileria 18S rRNA PCR sequence analysis were performed for 177 Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) in Jeju Island. A total of 28 KIC (16 anemic and 12 non-anemic KIC) were then randomly selected based on 18s rRNA PCR positive samples for sequence analysis of the Theileria Msp gene, which was performed twice for each specimen. The resulting 56 Msp gene sequences were classified into five antigenicity types (type I to V), according to the variable region (517-571 bp), which exhibited high similarity (${\geq}$ 98.9%) to several available GenBank sequences (Theileria spp. from China-EU584237; T. sergenti from China-DQ078264; Theileria spp. from Thailand-AB081329; Theileria spp. from Japan-AB218442; T. sergenti from Japan-AB016280). The 56 Msp sequences consisted of 22, 15, 9, 8, and 2 cases of type I to type V Msp genes, respectively. The most prevalent type in both anemic and non-anemic KIC was type I (37.5% in anemic and 41.7% in non-anemic). Among the remaining types, type II was the most prevalent (37.5%) in anemic KIC, while type IV was the most prevalent (25%) in non-anemic KIC. The results of our study help confirm the diversity of Msp gene types and demonstrate that the gene type distribution of Msp genes varies among Theileria-infected KIC in Jeju Island.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.19-29
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• 1996

The neurological manifestations of AIDS include dementia, encountered even in the absence of opportunistic superinfection or malignancy. The AIDS Dementia Complex appears to be associated with several neuropathological abnormalities, including astrogliosis and neuronal injury or loss. How can HIV-1 result in neuronal damage if neurons themselves are only rarely, if ever, infected by the vitus\ulcorner In vitro experiments from several different laboratiories have lent support to the existence of HIV- and immune-related toxins. In one recently defined pathway to neuronal injury, HIV-infected macrophages/microglia as well as macrophages activated by HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 appear to secrete excitants/neurotoxins. These substances may include arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor, free radicals (NO - and O$_2$), glutamate, quinolinate, cysteine, cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL1-B, IL-6), and as yet unidentified factors emanating from stimulated macrophages and possibly reactive astrocytes. A final common pathway for newonal suscepubility appears to be operative, similar to that observed in stroke, trauma, epilepsy, and several neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This mechanism involves excessive activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-operated channels, with resultant excessive influx of Ca$\^$2+/ leading to neuronal damage, and thus offers hope for future pharmacological intervention. This chapter reviews two clinically-tolerated NMDA antagonists, memantine and nitroglycerin; (ⅰ) Memantine is an open-channel blocker of the NMDA-associated ion channel and a close congener of the anti-viral and anti-parkinsonian drug amantadine. Memantine blocks the effects of escalating levels of excitotoxins to a greater degree than lower (piysiological) levels of these excitatory amino acids, thus sparing to some extent normal neuronal function. (ⅱ) Niuoglycerin acts at a redox modulatory site of the NMDA receptor/complex to downregulate its activity. The neuroprotective action of nitroglycerin at this site is mediated by n chemical species related to nitric oxide, but in a higher oxidation state, resulting in transfer of an NO group to a critical cysteine on the NMDA receptor. Because of the clinical safety of these drugs, they have the potential for trials in humans. As the structural basis for redox modulation is further elucidated, it may become possible to design even better redox reactive reagents of chinical value. To this end, redox modulatory sites of NMDA receptors have begun to be characterized at a molecular level using site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant subunits (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A-D). Two types of redox modulation can be distinguished. The first type gives rise to a persistent change in the functional activity of the receptor, and we have identified two cysteine residues on the NMDARI subunit (#744 and #798) that are responsible for this action. A second site, presumably also a cysteine(s) because <1 mM N-ethylmaleimide can block its effect in native neurons, underlies the other, more transient redox action. It appears to be at this, as yet unidentified, site on the NMDA receptor that the NO group acts, at least in recombinant receptors.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.729-737
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• 2018

This study investigates the sediment processes the Improved-pneumatic-movable weir through laboratory experiments considering changing channel slopes. Experimental results show that the delta migrates towards the weir and the delta height increases as time passes. Moreover, as the delta approaches the weir, the delta migration speed decreases. As the dimensionless delta location increases, the effective height of dimensionless delta and the dimensionless reservoir capacity increases. Therefore, under the same slope conditions, the sediment deposition volume of the delta is small as the channel slope is mild. This means that the channel slope affects the development of the delta in the upstream of the Improved-pneumatic-movable weir. At the beginning of the experiment, the foreset slope is mild. However, the foreset slope of the delta increases with water depth as the delta migrates downstream. Moreover, as the slope is mild, the ratio of delta front length to delta height is close to 1, and the dimensionless delta height and the dimensionless delta migration speed decrease. As the delta height increases, the water depth, the velocity approaching to the weir and the delta migration speed decrease.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6159-6166
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• 2012

A discharge measurement is difficult in flood season which is especially important in the water resources field and the continuous discharge measurement for all rivers is impossible on the present system. So, the stage-discharge curve has been used for a long time to produce discharge data of rivers. However, there has been problems from a reliability angle due to the fact that this method uses only stage-discharge relationship, although the stage-discharge curve has the convenience. Therefore, a new mean velocity equation was derived by using Chiu's 2D velocity formula of the entropy concept in this paper. The derived equation reflected hydraulic characteristics such as the depth, gravity acceleration, hydraulic radius, energy slope, kinematic coefficient of viscosity, etc. and estimated also a maximum velocity. In addition, this method verified the relationship between a mean and maximum velocity and estimates an equilibrium state ${\phi}(M)$ well presenting properties of a river cross section as the results. The mean velocity was estimated by using the equilibrium state ${\phi}(M)$, and then the discharge was estimated. To prove this equation to be accurate, the comparison between the measured and estimated discharge is conducted by using the measured laboratory data in the unsteady condition flow showing loop state and the results are consistent. If this study is constantly carried out by using various laboratory and river data, this method will be widely utilized in water resources field.