• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.687-693
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• 1998

This study was performed to examine the mean arterial pressure and nociceptive jaw opening reflex after microinjection of glutamate into the amygdala in freely moving rats, and to investigate the mechanisms of antinociceptive action of amygdala. Animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (40 mg/kg, ip). A stainless steel guide cannula (26 gauge) was implanted in the amygdala and lateral ventricle. Stimulating and recording electrodes were implanted into each of the incisor pulp and anterior digastric muscle. Electrodes were led subcutaneously to the miniature cranial connector sealed on the top of the skull with acrylic resin. After 48 hours of recovery from surgery, mean arterial pressure and digastric electromyogram (dEMG) were monitored in freely moving rats. Electrical shocks (200 ${\mu}sec$ duration, $0.5{\sim}2$ mA intensity) were delivered at 0.5 Hz to the dental pulp every 2 minutes. After injection of 0.35 M glutamate into the amygdala, mean arterial pressure was increased by $8{\pm}2$ mmHg and dEMG was suppressed to $71{\pm}5%$ of the control. Injection of 0.7 M glutamate elevated mean arterial pressure by $25{\pm}5$ mmHg and suppressed dEMG to $20{\pm}7%$ of the control. The suppression of dEMG were maintained for 30 minutes. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, inhibited the suppression of dEMG elicited by amygdaloid injection of glutamate from $28{\pm}4\;to\;68{\pm}5%$ of the control. Methysergide, a serotonin receptor antagonist, also inhibited the suppression of dEMG from $33{\pm}5\;to\;79{\pm}4%$ of the control. However, phentolamine, an ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ receptor antagonist, did not affect the suppression of dEMG. These results suggest that the amygdala can modulate both cardiovascular and nociceptive responses and that the antinociception of amygdala seems to be attributed to an augmentation of descending inhibitory influences on nociceptive pathways via serotonergic and opioid pathways.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2006

In this study, a miniature fiber-optic radiation sensor has been developed using a water-equivalent organic scintillator for electron beam therapy dosimetry. The intensity of Cerenkov light is measured and characterized as a function of the incident angle of the electron beam from a LINAC. Also, a subtraction method using a background optical fiber without a scintillator and an optical discrimination method using optical filters are investigated to remove Cerenkov light, which could cause problems or limit the accuracy for detecting a fluorescent light signal in a fiber-optic radiation sensor.

• 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.337-341
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• 2008

This paper presents a vibrotactile space mouse which use pin-type vibrotactile display modules and a gyroscope chip. This mouse is a new interface device which is not only an input device as an ordinary space mouse but also a tactile output device. It consists of a space mouse which use gyroscope chip and vibrotactile display modules which have been developed in our own laboratory. Lately, by development of vibrotactile display modules which have small size and consume low power, vibrotactile displays are available in small sized embedded systems such as wireless mouses or mobile devices. Also, development of new sensors like miniature size gyroscope by MEMS technology enables manufacturing of a small space mouse which can be used in the air not in a plane. The vibrotactile space mouse proposed in this paper recognizes motion of a hand using the gyroscope chip and transmits the data to PC through Bluetooth. PC application receives the data and moves pointer. Also, 2 by 3 arrays of pin-type vibrotactile actuators are mounted on the front side of the mouse where fingers of a user's hand contact, and those actuators could be used to represent various information such as gray-scale of an image or Braille patterns for visually impared persons.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.131-139
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• 1987

In this study, characteristics of multi-photos and optimal photographing method are suggested by analyzing the normal case and convergent case with multiple method. The optimal photographing method is applied to deformation measurement of a model miniature structure under loading. Comparing with conventional measurement method in accuracy, efficiency and proprities of application of this method are suggested. As a result, the optimal photographing condition is ideal at $90^{\circ}$ convergent multiple case, whose measurement values approach to that of precision level within $5{\sim}9{\mu}m$ and bring more than about 55% improvement of accuracy comparing with normal case at the number of photos respectively. Therefore application of this method in deformation measurement as well as precision analysis of structures is desired in precision and economical aspect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2015

Background Capsular contracture is the most troublesome complication in breast implant surgery. Although capsule formation can be seen as a normal reaction to a foreign body, it can induce pain, hardness, deformity, and other pathologic problems. Surgical intervention is required in severe cases, but even surgery cannot guarantee a successful outcome without recurrence. This experimental study confirms that single topical administration of leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast (Accolate, Astrazeneca) reduces peri-implant capsule formation and prevents capsular contracture. Methods Twelve smooth-surfaced cohesive gel implants were implanted in New Zealand White rabbits. These miniature implants were designed to be identical to currently used products for breast augmentation. The rabbits were divided into 2 groups. In the experimental group (n=6), the implant and normal saline with zafirlukast were inserted in the submuscular pocket. In the control group (n=6), the implant and normal saline alone were used. Two months later, the implants with peri-implant capsule were excised. We evaluated capsule thickness and collagen pattern and performed immunohistochemical staining of myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, 2. Results The thickness of the capsules in the experimental group was reduced in both dorsal and ventral directions. The collagen pattern showed parallel alignment with low density, and the number of myofibroblasts as well as the amounts of $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ were reduced in the experimental group. Conclusions We suggest that single topical administration of leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast can be helpful in reducing capsule formation and preventing capsular contracture via myofibroblast suppression, modulation of fibroblastic cytokines, and anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.494-497
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• 2012

A 6-year-old castrated male Miniature Pinscher dog was referred due to shaking, panting and inappropriate elimination during thunderstorms. The dog had noise phobia after a car accident two years ago. The intensity of the fear of noise, especially with thunderstorms, worsened during the past 3 months (thunderstorm season). Physical examination revealed hyperthermia, tachypnea (panting), mild tachycardia, and an elevated systolic blood pressure. Laboratory examination revealed mild polycythemia with a lower oxygen pressure and saturation. Based on the history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, the dog was diagnosed as a noise phobia concurrent with relative polycythemia. Treatment was initiated with behavior modification with desensitization, counter-conditioning, and medication. Music therapy was also used and appeared to be beneficial. Clinical signs including polycythemia are improved. This case indicates that relative polycythemia can be occurred by chronic mental stress, such as noise phobia in a dog.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.729-734
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• 2010

An 11-year old, intact female Poodle (weighing 2.3 kg) was referred with signs of consistent coughing, dyspnea, poor exercise tolerance, and anorexia. Diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies revealed idiopathic hemorrhagic pericardial effusion complicated with ISACHC Ib stage of chronic mitral valvular degeneration. Percutaneous transcatheter pericardiotomy (PTP) was performed at the right precordium using alligator forceps with fluoroscopic guidance. Immediately after PTP, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram showed dramatic improvement of cardiac performance. Patient was released with the prescription of furosemide (1 mg/kg, bid, PO), enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, bid, PO), cephradine (20 mg/kg, bid, PO) for mild mitral regurgitation and post-management of infection. Diagnostic studies performed at 2 weeks after PTP revealed no further accumulation of pericardial effusion and improvement of clinical signs. The dog is currently medicated with enalapril and monitored regularly.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.363-373
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• 2016

This study aims to develop an all-fabric integrated smart jacket in order to create a temperature-regulating system based on a user experience design. For this research, previous research technologies of a textile switch interface and a temperature-regulating system were utilized and a unifying technology for the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was developed which can provide the appropriate temperature environments to the human body. A self-heating textile was applied at the areas of the back and hood in the final tested jacket, and an embroidery circuit was developed in the form of a rectangle in the back and in both ears of the hood, taking into account the pattern of the jacket part where it was be applied and the embroidery production method. The textile switch interface was designed in a three-layer structure: an embroidery circuit line in a conductive yarn, an interval material, and a conductive sensing material, and it was made to work with the input and output sensors through the multiple input method. After the all-fabric integrated smart jacket was produced according to the pattern, all of the textile band lines for transmission were gathered and connected with a miniature module for controlling temperature and then integrated into the inside of the left chest pocket of the jacket. After the users put on this jacket, they were asked to assess the wearing satisfaction. Most of them reported a very low level of irritation and discomfort and said that the jacket was as comfortable as everyday clothing.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.171-180
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to install a system that compensated for the respiration motion using an articulated robotic manipulator couch which enables a wide range of motions that a Stewart platform cannot provide and to evaluate the performance of various prediction algorithms including proposed algorithm. For that purpose, we built a miniature couch tracking system comprising an articulated robotic manipulator, 3D optical tracking system, a phantom that mimicked respiratory motion, and control software. We performed simulations and experiments using respiratory data of 12 patients to investigate the feasibility of the system and various prediction algorithms, namely linear extrapolation (LE) and double exponential smoothing (ES2) with averaging methods. We confirmed that prediction algorithms worked well during simulation and experiment, with the ES2-averaging algorithm showing the best results. The simulation study showed 43% average and 49% maximum improvement ratios with the ES2-averaging algorithm, and the experimental study with the $QUASAR^{TM}$ phantom showed 51% average and 56% maximum improvement ratios with this algorithm. Our results suggest that the articulated robotic manipulator couch system with the ES2-averaging prediction algorithm can be widely used in the field of radiation therapy, providing a highly efficient and utilizable technology that can enhance the therapeutic effect and improve safety through a noninvasive approach.