• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.983-993
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the image quality of ultralow-dose CT (ULDCT) of the chest reconstructed using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN)-based deep learning method in the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: Between June 2019 and November 2019, 103 patients (mean age, 40.8 ± 13.6 years; 61 men and 42 women) with pulmonary tuberculosis were prospectively enrolled to undergo standard-dose CT (120 kVp with automated exposure control), followed immediately by ULDCT (80 kVp and 10 mAs). The images of the two successive scans were used to train the CycleGAN framework for image-to-image translation. The denoising efficacy of the CycleGAN algorithm was compared with that of hybrid and model-based iterative reconstruction. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed to compare the objective measurements and the subjective image quality scores, respectively. Results: With the optimized CycleGAN denoising model, using the ULDCT images as input, the peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index improved by 2.0 dB and 0.21, respectively. The CycleGAN-generated denoised ULDCT images typically provided satisfactory image quality for optimal visibility of anatomic structures and pathological findings, with a lower level of image noise (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 19.5 ± 3.0 Hounsfield unit [HU]) than that of the hybrid (66.3 ± 10.5 HU, p < 0.001) and a similar noise level to model-based iterative reconstruction (19.6 ± 2.6 HU, p > 0.908). The CycleGAN-generated images showed the highest contrast-to-noise ratios for the pulmonary lesions, followed by the model-based and hybrid iterative reconstruction. The mean effective radiation dose of ULDCT was 0.12 mSv with a mean 93.9% reduction compared to standard-dose CT. Conclusion: The optimized CycleGAN technique may allow the synthesis of diagnostically acceptable images from ULDCT of the chest for the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2024

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental health condition, and techniques using sensory stimulation in processing traumatic memories have gained attention. The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a psychotherapy that combines tapping on acupoints with exposure to cognitive reframing. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of EFT as a treatment for PTSD by answering the following research questions: 1) What is the compliance and completion rate of patients with PTSD with regard to EFT protocol? Is the dropout rate reasonable? 2) Is the effect size of EFT protocol for PTSD sufficient to justify a future trial? Methods: Thirty participants diagnosed with PTSD were recruited. They received weekly EFT sessions for five weeks, in which they repeated a statement acknowledging the problem and accepting themselves while tapping the SI3 acupoint on the side of their hand. PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) before and after the intervention. Results: Of the 30 PTSD patients (mean age: 34.1 ± 9.1, 80% female), 96.7% showed over 80% compliance to the EFT sessions, and 86.7% completed the entire study process. The mean PCL-5 total score decreased significantly after the intervention, with a large effect size (change from baseline: -14.33 [95% CI: -19.79, -8.86], p < 0.0001, d = 1.06). Conclusion: The study suggests that EFT is a feasible treatment for PTSD, with high session compliance and low dropout rates. The effect size observed in this study supports the need for a larger trial in the future to further investigate EFT as a treatment for PTSD. However, the lack of a control group and the use of a self-rated questionnaire for PTSD symptoms are limitations of this study. The findings of this pilot study can be used to plan a future trial.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.21-25
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• 1979

To evaluate the possibility of hardening of rice seedlings to chilling injury by low temperature conditioning for improvement of nursery temperature management a chilling sensitive new variety Tongil from Indica \times Japonica cross and a chilling tolerant Japonica variety Jinheung were reared by the 3rd leaf-stage in a day $30^{\circ}C/night\; 20^{\circ}C$ growth chamber, and were subjected to temperature conditioning for hardening against chilling injury for 6 days. Then the seedlings conditioned and unconditioned were chilled in a day and night $8^{\circ}C$ chamber for 2, 4, 6, or 8 days long and returned to the day and night $30^{\circ}C/night\; 20^{\circ}C$ condition for development of chilling injuries. Survival rate after chilling injury development of the variety Tongil showed distinct effect of hardening, i. e. the unhardened-25 % survival, the hardened by a gradual drop of temperature regime $(30^{\circ}C/20^{\circ}C\rightarrow24^{\circ}C/14^{\circ}C\rightarrow18^{\circ}C/12^{\circ}C\rightarrow8^{\circ}C)4 -59% survival and the hardened. by repeated brief exposure (4hrs. to 6hrs.) to $8^{\circ}C$ shock-89% survival against chilling of $8^{\circ}C$ for 4 days long. The variety Jinheung survived even against 8 days chilling at $8^{\circ}C$ C, but the discoloration rate of leaves due to chilling showed noticeably the hardening effect as repeated shock was much better than the gradually lowering temperatures.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2004

Chronic exposure to solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light, causes a variety of adverse reactions on human skin, such as sunburn, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by UV exposure or other environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. And, repeated-UV irradiation activated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and induced skin irritation. Therefore, the development of effective and safe photoprotectants that can reduce and improve the skin damage has been required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the photo-protective effect of several chinese medical plants (Juniperus chinensis) on the UV -induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of MMP-1 (collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UVA induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay(EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. In the human skin we tested anti-irritation effect on the SLS-induced damage skin after appling the extract containing emulsion. We found that Juniperus chinensis extract had potent radical scavenging effect by 98% at 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97% at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79% at 25$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. In the test of proinflammatory cytokines of human keratinocytes Juniperus chinensis extract decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30%. The amount of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly increased at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB (p < 0.05). At the concentrations of 3.2-25$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of this extract, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 h after 10mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p < 0.05). In SLS-induced skin irritation model in vivo, we found to reduce skin erythema and improve barrier recovery after appling Juniperus chinensis extract containing emulsion when compared to irritated non-treated and placebo-treated skin. Our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis extract can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions and applied as anti-aging and anti-irritation cosmetics.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.236-249
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• 1993

Background: Among the injurious agents to which the lung airspaces are constantly exposed are reactive species of oxygen. It has been widely believed that reactive oxygen species may be implicated in the etiology of lung injuries. In order to elucidated how this oxidant causes lung cell injury, we investigated the effects of exogenous $H_2O_2$ on alveolar epithelial barrier characteristics. Methods: Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells were plated onto tissue culture-treated polycarbonate membrane filters. The resulting confluent monolayers on days 3 and 4 were mounted in a modified Ussing chamber and bathed on both sides with HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The changes in short-circuit current (Isc) and monolayer resistance (R) in response to the exogenous hydroperoxide were measured. To determine the degree of cellular catalase participation in protection against $H_2O_2$ injury to the barrier, experiments were repeated in the presence of 20 mM aminotriazole (ATAZ, an inhibitor of catalase) in the same bathing fluid as the hydroperoxide. Results: These monolayers have a high transepithelial resistance (>2000 ohm-$cm^2$) and actively transport $Na^+$ from apical fluid. $H_2O_2$(0-100 mM) was then delivered to either apical or basolateral fluid. Resulting indicated that $H_2O_2$ decreased Isc and R gradually in dose-dependent manner. The effective concentration of apical $H_2O_2$ at which Isc (or R) was decreased by 50% at one hour ($ED_{50}$) was about 4 mM. However, basolateral $H_2O_2$ exposure led to $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.04 mM. Inhibition of cellular catalase yielded $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.4 mM when $H_2O_2$ was given apically, while $ED_{50}$ for basolateral exposure to $H_2O_2$ did not change in the presence of ATAZ. The rate of $H_2O_2$ consumption in apical and basolateral bathing fluids was the same, while cellualr catalase activity rose gradually with time in culture. Conclusion: Our data suggest that basolateral $H_2O_2$ may affect directly membrane component (e.g., $Na^+,\;K^+$-ATPase) located on the basolateral cell surface. Apical $H_2O_2$, on the other hand, may be largely degraded by catalase as it passes through the cells before reaching these membrane components. We conclude that alveolar epithelial barrier integrity as measured by Isc and R are compromised by $H_2O_2$ being relatively sensitive to basolateral (and insensitive to apical) $H_2O_2$.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2000

It is possible to obtain a fast CT scan during breath holding with spiral technique. But the risk of radiation is increased due to detailed and repeated scans. However, the limitation of X-ray doses is not fully specified on CT, yet. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to define the limitation of X-ray doses on CT The CT unit was somatom plus 4. Alderson Rando phantom, Solenoid water phantom, TLD, and reader were used. For determining adequate position and size of organs, the measurement of distance(${\pm}$2mm) from the midline of vertebral body was performed in 40 women(20~40 years). On the brain scan for 8:8(8mm slice thickness, 8mm/sec movement velocity of the table) and 10:10(10mm slice thickness, 10mm/sec movement velocity of the table) methods, the absorption doses of exposed area of the 10:10 were slightly higher than those of 8:8. The doses of unexposed uterus were negligible on the brain scan for both 8:8 and 10:10. On the chest scan for 8:8, 8:10(8mm slice thickness, 10mm/sec movement velocity of the table), 10:10, 10:12(10mm slice thickness, 12mm/sec movement velocity of the table) and 10:15(10mm slice thickness, 15mm/sec movement velocity of the table) methods, 8:8 method of the absorption doses of exposure area was the most highest and 10:15 method was the most lowest. The absorption doses of 8:10 method was relatively lower than those of the other methods. In conclusion, the 8:10 method is the most suitable to give a low radiation burden to patient without distorting image quality.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.180-186
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• 2009

Whole plants of Vitex rotundifolia were extracted for 2 days with methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) followed by extraction of the residue for an additional 2 days. The same procedure was also applied using methanol (MeOH). The two crude extracts were combined and partitioned between $CH_2Cl_2$ and $H_2O$. The organic layer was further partitioned between n-hexane and 85% aq. MeOH, and the aqueous layer was also further fractionated with n-BuOH and $H_2O$, successively. From the 85% aq. MeOH fraction, one compound was isolated through the repeated HPLC. According to the results of physicochemical data including NMR and MS, the chemical structure of the compound was determined as artemetin (1). The antiproliferative effects of the crude extracts, fractions, and compound against HT1080, AGS, MCF-7 and HT-29 human cancer cells were compared with the control by using MTT assay. In the comparative analysis, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction exhibited the strongest antiproliferative effects on human cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). In addition, exposure of compound 1 isolated from 85% aq. MeOH fraction led to strong antiproliferative effect in HT1080 cancer cell lines. These results suggest that the extracts and compound isolated from V. rotundifolia may be used as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2008

Nuruk is the Korean traditional Koji that contains various microorganisms and has been used to make the traditional fermented foods including alcoholic beverages. Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815 was isolated from the alcohol-fermenting Nuruk used for manufacturing traditional alcohol. In this study, the authors reported the isolation and identification of four lipids from the Nuruk (Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815) that inoculated wheat with Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815. The dried and powdered Nuruk (Rhizopus oryzae KSD-815) were extracted three times at room temperature with 80% aqueous MeOH. The extracts were partitioned with EtOAc, n-BuOH, and water, successively. The EtOAc extract was suspended in 80% MeOH and partitioned repeatedly with n-hexane. From the n-hexane fraction, four lipids were isolated through the repeated silica gel and ODS column chromatographies. According to the results of physico-chemical data including NMR, GC and MS, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as linolenic acid methyl ester (1), palmitic acid methyl ester (2), linoleic acid (3), palmitic acid (4). Cytotoxicity was evaluated in huamn breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and human hepatocarcinoma, SK-HEP-1 cells using MTT assay. Exposure of compounds 1 and 3 led to a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability in both cancer cell lines. In addition, treatment of RAW264.7 cells with compound 3 caused inhibition of lipopolysaccharide/interferon-${\gamma}$-induced nitric oxide production.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.623-631
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• 2007

Effect of Soft-start curing on the contraction stress of composite resin restoration polymerized with LED and plasma curing unit The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of soft-start light curing on contraction stress and hardness of composite resin. Composite resin (Filtek $Z-250^{TM}$, 3M ESPE, USA) was cured using the one-step continuous curing method with three difference light sources ; conventional halogen light ($XL3000^{TM}$, 3M ESPE, USA) cure for 40 seconds at $400 mw/cm^2$, LED light (Elipar Freelight $2^{TM}$, 3M-ESPE, USA) cure for 20 seconds at $800\;mW/cm^2$ a and plasma arc light ($Flipo^{TM}$, LOKKI, France) cure for 12 seconds at $1300 mW/cm^2$. For the soft-start curing method ; LED light (Elipar Freelight $2^{TM}$, 3M-ESPE, USA) cure exponential increase with 5 seconds followed by 17 seconds at $800\;mW/cm^2$ and plasma arc light ($Flipo^{TM}$, LOKKI, France) cure 2 seconds light exposure at $650\;mW/cm^2$ followed by 11 seconds at $1300\;mW/cm^2$. The strain guage method was used for determination of polymerization contraction. Measurements were recorded at each 2 second for the total of 800 seconds including the periods of light application. Obtained data were analyzed statically using Repeated measures ANOVA, One way ANOVA, and Tukey test. The results of present study can be summarized as follows: 1. Composite resin restoration showed transient expansion just after irradiation of curing light. Contraction stress was increased rapidly at the early phase of polymerization and reduced slowly as time elapsed (P<0.05). 2. Contraction stress was not revealed significant difference between Halogen curing light groups and LED and Plasma Light curing with soft-start group (P>0.05). 3. LED and Plasma Light curing with soft-start showed lower contraction stress than the one-step continuous light curing (P<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2020

This study investigated the radiation protection of therapeutic radiologists. Based on the change in X-ray energy and MU value, the space dose rate in the treatment room after the irradiation was measured. 6MV, 10MV and 15MV photon beams were exposed to radiation inside the treatment room based on 300MU, 600MU and 1000MU using a linear accelerator. And repeated 10 times under the same conditions. As a result of the experiment, 0.1555 μSv/h for 6MV 300MU, 0.157 μSv /h for 300sec, 0.152 μSv/h, 0.156 μSv/h for 600MU, and 0.157 μSv/h 0.152 μSv/h for 1000MU. 300MU of 10MV was 0.49 μSv/h, 0.309 μSv/h, and 0.69 μSv/h, 0.416 μSv/h for 600MU, respectively, and 1000MU was 0.977 μSv/h and 0.478 μSv/h, respectively. The 300MU of 15MV was 3.02 μSv/h, 1.2 μSv/h, 5.459 μSv/h at 600MU, 7.34 μSv/h at 1.836 μSv/h 1000MU, and 2.709 μSv/h. The average spatial dose rate of 6MV was not significantly different from the natural spatial dose rate in the treatment room. High spatial dose rates were measured at 10 MV and 15 MV and were attenuated over time. Therefore, entering the treatment room after a certain period of time (more than 60 seconds) is considered to be effective to prevent the exposure dose of radiation workers.