• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.512-517
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• 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage which is caused by the impact of external mechanical forces. TBI can lead to the temporary or permanent impairment of physical and cognitive abilities, resulting in abnormal behavior. We recently observed that a single session of early exercise in animals with TBI improved their behavioral performance in the absence of other cognitive abnormalities. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of continuous exercise during the early stages of TBI in rats. We found that continuous low-intensity exercise in early-stage improves the locomotion recovery in the TBI of animal models; however, it does not significantly enhance short-term memory capabilities. Moreover, continuous early exercise not only reduces the protein expression of cerebral damage-related markers, such as Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP), Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), S100β, Protein Gene Products 9.5 (PGP9.5), and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), but it also decreases the expression of apoptosis-related protein BAX and cleaved caspase 3. Furthermore, exercise training in animals with TBI decreases the microglia activation and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the serum, such as CCL20, IL-13, IL-1α, and IL-1β. These findings thus demonstrate that early exercise therapy for TBI may be an effective strategy in improving physiological function, and that serum protein levels are useful biomarkers for the predicition of the effectiveness of early exercise therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.121-133
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• 2023

PURPOSE: Computerization using ICF as a protocol can enhance the assessment, communication, and decision-making of various disciplines and cultures, individual functions, disabilities and health to promote communication and understanding among various professionals, organizations, and countries. The empirical foundation for these propositions was provided by delineating of six distinct computerization components. METHODS: This study analyzed 14 papers that combined the medical field and information technology to activate the ICF through computerization. From each of these papers, distinctive advantages were extracted to propose six computerization elements. The validity of these computerization elements was examined. These papers encompass various computerization elements, among which core elements were identified. In particular, six common core elements were extracted from these papers and assumed to be strategic computerization components for ICF activation. A heuristic methodology was employed to validate these components, representing IT technology maturity using four determining indices, which were then presented graphically for validation attempts. RESULTS: Four quantified indices were defined: reliability, cost-effectiveness, support and updates, and collaboration. Using these indices, this study identified elements that leverage existing IT technologies and require new development. The possibility of increasing utility was identified by applying computerization to ICF. CONCLUSION: This study examined the strategic elements of utilizing ICF by computerizing it using a protocol concept and discussed its potential for utilization. The potential to enhance the value of information in social, physical, and cultural contexts was presented by integrating various domains and data within the ICF framework.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

The airway epithelium is equipped with the ability to resist respiratory disease development and airway damage, including the migration of airway epithelial cells and the activation of TLR3, which recognizes double-stranded (ds) RNA. Primary cilia on airway epithelial cells are involved in the cell cycle and cell differentiation and repair. In this study, we used Beas-2B human bronchial epithelial cells to investigate the effects of the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] on airway cell migration and primary cilia (PC) formation. PC formation increased in cells incubated under serum deprivation. Migration was faster in Beas-2B cells pretreated with Poly(I:C) than in control cells, as judged by a wound healing assay, single-cell path tracking, and a Transwell migration assay. No changes in cell migration were observed when the cells were incubated in conditioned medium from Poly(I:C)-treated cells. PC formation was enhanced by Poly(I:C) treatment, but was reduced when the cells were exposed to the ciliogenesis inhibitor ciliobrevin A (CilioA). The inhibition of Beas-2B cell migration by CilioA was also assessed and a slight decrease in ciliogenesis was detected in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP)-treated Beas-2B cells overexpressing ACE2 compared to control cells. Cell migration was decreased by SP but restored by Poly(I:C) treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that impaired migration by SP-treated cells can be attenuated by Poly(I:C) treatment, thus increasing airway cell migration through the regulation of ciliogenesis.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.392-403
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• 2023

This study presents a new hybrid fNIRS-EEG system to meet the demand for a lightweight and low-cost sleep pattern monitoring device. For multiple-channel configuration, a six-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) and a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system with eight photodiodes (PD) and four dual-wavelength LEDs are designed. To enhance the convenience of signal measurement, the device is miniaturized into a patch-like form, enabling simultaneous measurement on the forehead. Due to its fully integrated functionality, the developed system is advantageous for performing sleep stage classification with high-temporal and spatial resolution data. This can be realized by utilizing a two-dimensional (2D) brain activation map based on the concentration changes in oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin during sleep stage transitions. For the system verification, the phantom model with known optical properties was tested at first, and then the sleep experiment for a human subject was conducted. The experimental results show that the developed system qualifies as a portable hybrid fNIRS-EEG sleep pattern monitoring device.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.485-496
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• 2002

Background : Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are useful in the chemoprevention of colon cancers. Continuous NSAID use results in a 40% to 50% reduction in the relative risk of colorectal cancer. The precise mechanism by which NSAIDs prevent and/or cause the regression of colorectal tumors is not known. Some investigators have reported that certain NSAIDs induce apoptosis and alter the expression of the cell cycle regulatory genes in some carcinoma cells when administered at a relatively high concentration. However, the possibility of NSAIDs application as chemopreventive agents in lung cancers remains to be elucidated. To address this question, the human lung cancer cell line NCI-H1299 was used to investigate whether or not NSAIDs might induce the apoptotic death of NCI-H1299 cells. Methods : A viability test was carried out using a MTT assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometric analysis and unclear staining(DAPI). The talytic activity of the caspase family was measured by the fluirigenic cleavage of biosubstrates. To define the mechanical basis of apoptosis, western blot was performed to analyze the expression of the death substrates(PARP and ICAD). Results : NaSaL significantly decreased the viability of the NCI-H1299 cells, which was revealed as apoptosis characterized by an increase in the $subG_0/G_1$ population and unclear fragmentation. The catalytic activity of caspase-3 protease began to increase after 24 Hr and reached a peak 30 Hr after treatment with 10 mM NaSaL. In contrast, caspase-6, 8, and 9 proteases did not have a significantly altered enzymatic activity. Consistent with activation of caspase-3 protease, NaSaL induced the cleavage of the protease biosubstrate. Conclusion : NaSaL induces the apoptotic death of NCI-H1299 human lung cancer cells via the activation of caspase-3 protease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 1994

It is known that the normal His-Purkinje system provides for nearly synchronous activation of right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles. When His-Purkinje conduction is abnormal, the resulting sequence of ventricular contraction must be correspondingly abnormal. These abnormal mechanical consequences were difficult to demonstrate because of the complexity and the rapidity of it's events. To determine the relationship of the phase changes and the abnormalities of ventricular conduction, we performed phase image analysis of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC gated blood pool scintigrams in patients with intraventricular conduction disturbances (24 complete left bundle branch block (C-LBBB), 15 complete right bundle branch block (C-RBBB), 13 Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), 10 controls). The results were as follows; 1) The ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection rate (PER), and peak filling rate (PFR) of LV in gated blood pool scintigraphy (GBPS) were significantly lower in patients with C-LBBB than in controls ($44.4{\pm}13.9%$ vs $69.9{\pm}4.2%,\;2.48{\pm}0.98$ vs $3.51{\pm}0.62,\;1.76{\pm}0.71$ vs $3.38{\pm}0.92$, respectively, p<0.05). 2) In the phase angle analysis of LV, Standard deviation (SD), width of half maximum of phase angle (FWHM), and range of phase angle were significantly increased in patients with C-LBBB than in controls ($20.6{\pm}18.1$ vs $8.6{\pm}1.8,\;22.5{\pm}9.2$ vs $16.0{\pm}3.9,\;95.7{\pm}31.7$ vs $51.3{\pm}5.4$, respectively, p<0.05). 3) There was no significant difference in EF, PER, PFR between patients with the Wolff-parkinson-White syndrome and controls. 4) Standard deviation and range of phase angle were significantly higher in patients with WPW syndrome than in controls ($10.6{\pm}2.6$ vs $8.6{\pm}1.8$, p<0.05, $69.8{\pm}11.7$ vs $51.3{\pm}5.4$, p<0.001, respectively), however, there was no difference between the two groups in full width of half maximum. 5) Phase image analysis revealed relatively uniform phase across the both ventricles in patients with normal conduction, but markedly delayed phase in the left ventricle of patients with LBBB. 6) In 13 cases of WPW syndrome, the site of preexcitation could be localized in 10 cases (77%) by phase image analysis. Therefore, it can be concluded that phase image analysis can provide an accurate noninvasive method to detect the mechanical consequences of a wide variety of abnormal electrical activation in ventricles.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2015

Thermally expandable microcapsules (TEMs) can be expanded upon heating since the activation energy of liquid hydrocarbon at the core of the TEMs increased at high temperature. Due to this property, TEMs are widely used in the industry as blowing agents or light-weight fillers. In this article, chemical blowing agent and TEM were used for making polypropylene (PP) foams, and their mechanical properties were compared. Physical properties (tensile strength, impact strength etc.) of PP foams decreased with increasing the amount of blowing agents while weight of specimen decreased. However, PP foam produced with TEMs showed higher impact strength than the one with a chemical blowing agent. In order to figure out the difference of impact strength, the morphology of PP foamed was investigated. Expanding properties of TEM can be controlled by changing core back distance.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.6 s.84
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• pp.751-757
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• 2004

Artificial lightweight aggregates and solids were manufactured with coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash). In order to apply alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) artificial lightweight aggregate to concrete, several experimental studies were performed. Thus, it can be noticed the optimal mix proportion, basic characteristies, mechanical properties and environmental safety of alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) solid and alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) artificial lightweight aggregate. Also, the freezing-thawing test property of concrete using the alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) artificial lightweight aggregate was investigated. As a result, the optimal mixing proportion of coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) solid to make alkali-activated artificial lightweight aggregates was cement $10\%$, water glass $15\%$, NaOH $10\%$, $MnO_2\;5\%$. Alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) solid can achieve compressive strength of 36.4 MPa, at 7-days, after the paste was cured at air curing after moist curing during 24 hours in $50^{\circ}C$. Alkali-activated coal ash(fly ash, bottom ash) artificial lightweight aggregate that do impregnation to polymer was improved $10\%$ crushing strength $150\%$, and was available to concrete.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.764-771
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• 1994

Electrochemical synthesis of conductive polypyrrole films was carried out in nucleophilic solvent containing p-toluenesulfonic acid or bezensulfonic acid as supporting electrolyte and dopant. Also characteristics of degradation and improvement of mechanical properties were studied. The conductivity, tensile strength and elongation of the films obtained in dimethyformamide/p-toluenesulfonic acid had the highest value of 10-40S/cm, $25N/mm^2$ and 10%, respectively. The optimum condition of electrochemical synthesis was $2mA/cm^2$ for constant current method and 0.9V for constant potential method containing 0.5M pyrrole and 0.5M p-TSA. The obtained films showed good stability in air and electrode characteristics of secondary battery by reversibility in doping and undoping. The degradation process was 1st order reaction at various temeprature. The activation energy and rate constant of degradation reaction were $1.01JK^{-1}mol^{-1}$ and $3.1{\times}10^{-7}min^{-1}$ respectively at $25^{\circ}C$. For the improvement of mechanical properties, composition of polypyrrole films with various host polymer were investigated and increase of tensile strength and elongation was confirmed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.151-167
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• 1989

The present study was undertaken to investigate modification in electrophysiological characteristics of cat dorsal horn cells resulting from carrageenin-induced inflammation. The followings were studied; 1) the time-course of changes in responses of the WDR (wide dynamic range) cell 1-3h after subcutaneous injection of carrageenin in its receptive field; 2) the responses of the same dorsal hern cells before and after induction of inflammation; 3) the effect of inflammation on the responsiveness of dorsal horn neurons to algogens (bradykinin & potassium); and 4) the effect of inflammation on the activity of WDR cell following administration of indomethacin and clonidine. Though responses of WDR neuron were increased dramatically during first 1h, the maximal enhancement was observed 3h after induction of inflammation especially by repetitive light tactile stimulus. Following carrageenin injection the majority of WDR neurons (10/15 units) showed enhanced responses to all the mechanical stimuli while in 3 cases responsiveness were intensified during activation by one tactile stimulus (brush or pressure). One cell was unaffected by inflammation and in another case the response was enhanced only to noxious stimulus. Five of 9 cells that could initially be driven by noxious stimulus were activated more strongly by same stimulus and even by tactile stimulus (pressure) following inflammation. In 2 cases neurons were sensitized only to noxious stimulus whereas in another 2 cells that did not show enhanced responses to noxious stimulus responses to light tactile stimulus (pressure) appeared after inflammation. Of 16 LT cells tested 6 responded to squeeze while 4 showed the characteristics of WDR cell following inflammation. No modification in responsiveness was recognized in 3 cells whereas response to only brush was enhanced in another 3 neurons. Following carrageenin injection responses of LT cell to bradykinin or $K^{+}$ were not altered whereas those of WOR neurons to bradykinin or $K^{+}$ were suppressed in 22.2% and 33.3% of cases, respectively. In two of 8 activity of HT cells were inhibited by bradykinin while in five of 8 responsiveness to $K^{+}$ were rather enhanced by inflammation. In the rest inflammation was ineffective. In inflammation-induced animal the receptive field of LT cell was not changed whereas those of WDR cell and HT cell were tremendously expanded. The enhanced responses of WDR neurons to mechanical stimuli resulted from inflammation were suppressed by intravenously injected indomethacin and clonidine suggesting that postaglandin is involved in inflammation-induced sensitization of these cells. The involvement of peripheral and central mechanisms in the modification in responsiveness of dorsal horn cells in the carrageenin-induced inflammation was discussed.