• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.93-98
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• 2010

Purpose: To investigate temporal changes in IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA expression in spinal dorsal horn (DH) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in a rat lumbar disc herniation (LDH) model. Methods: Autologous nucleus pulposus, harvested from the tail disc between the second and third coccygeal vertebrae (Co2-3), was implanted next to the left L5 nerve root just proximal to the DRG after partial laminectomy. IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA expression was investigated in DRG and DH in our LDH model. Real-time PCR assays were done using a 7500 Real Time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, USA). Results: Expression of IL-1${\beta}$ in DRG and DH was observed for 30 days postoperatively. Expression of IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA in the ipsilateral DRG of the LDH group gradually increased from 5 to 30 days after surgery. The amount of IL-1${\beta}$ in the contralateral DRG peaked 10 days after surgery and then gradually decreased. However, there was no difference in IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA expression in spinal DH between the LDH group and the sham-operated group. Conclusion: Long-term expression of IL-1${\beta}$ in the LDH model may worsen the chronic pain state. Future studies on inhibition of IL-1${\beta}$ expression in the LDH model will be needed to develop selective treatment strategies for patients with LDH.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.576-582
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• 2016

To cope with international regulations, such as Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and so forth, and to enforce limitations on $CO_2$ emissions, green-ship technology to lower fuel consumption has been actively researched, and the development of an energy-saving device (ESD) is being pursued. In order to design an ESD for small and medium-sized domestic vessels, an analysis on flow characteristics has been performed in the present study. Through a model test and numerical analyses, the characteristics of flow around the stern bilge and bulb have been compared to improve wake quality and resistance performance. As a result of these comparisons and analyses, a vertical plate has been adopted,, as a new ESD. Design criteria for the proposed ESD are also suggested. By applying this new ESD, it is expected that the total resistance and average nominal wake can be reduced by 3.04 % and 18.8 %, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-152
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• 2001

충남 서부 활석광산 주변의 수계에 대한 원소 함량특성에 대해 알아보고자 대흥 및 광천광산에 대해 수질 및 하상 퇴적물 시료와 함께 광산 주변 토양 및 모암 시료를 채취, 비교하였다. 대흥지역 퇴적물은 대부분 원소에서 SP가 GN에 비해 높았는데 이는 퇴적물 내 유색 및 무색광물 함량 차이로 판단된다. 절대 함량 비교에서 광물 결정구조 내 쉽게 Mg와 치환하는 원소는 낮은비율을, Fe와 치환하는 원소는 높은 비율을 보였는데 이는 퇴적물 내 주 구성광물내 원소 치환특성을 반영하기 때문으로 판단된다. 절대 함량의 감소 순서와 타원소들과 높은 상관관계(>0.85)의 빈도를 보이는 원소들 사이의 차이는 퇴적물 화학조성에 이차광물과 비정질 광물등의 조성도 반영되었음을 암시한다. 대흥지역 지표수는 대부분 원소에서 MSP가 SP와 GN의 중간값을, MSG는 LGN과 MSP의 중간값을 조여 수계의 혼합특성을반영하는 것으로 판단된다. 절대 함량관계에서는 SP는 GW1과 유사했고, GN은 LGN과 유사했으며, 절대함량은(Mg, Fe), (As, Sc), (Mo, V, Se) 순서로 낮아졌다. 광천지역은 갱내수가 천부 지하수에 비해 대부분 원소에서 높은 함량을 보였는데, 이는 갱내수가 더욱더 많은 물-암석반응을 거친 때문으로 판단된다. 절대 함량은 Mg, Br, Fe, (Sc, Cr), (An, Ni, V)순서로 감소하였다. 갱냉수의 지역간 원소 함량 차이는 사문암화가 우세한 광천지역과 활석화가 우세한 대흥지역 모암들 사이의물-암석 상화반응의 차이를 보여주는 것으로 판단된다 두 지역의 상부 토양 및 모암 조성에서 SP가 GN에 비해 높은 Mg 비, Ni, Cr, Co 등 함량을 보였는데, 이는 사문암 지역 내 Mg, Ni, Cr 등이 풍부한 광물들 탓으로 판단된다. 퇴적물과 수질 사이에서는 함량 경향을 뚜렷하지 않았고 원소에 따라 서로 다른 힘량 차이를 보였는데, 이는 퇴적물 원소 함량이 수계 조성을 반영하는 것이 아님을 나타낸다. 상부-토양-암석-수계의 조성관계에서 대흥지역 지표수 중 SP 조성이, 광천지역은 갱냉수가 지하수의 조성에 가까웠다.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2012

Aerosol slurry samples were collected in 60-min interval using Korean Semi-continuous Elements in Aerosol Sampler (KSEAS) between May 19 and June 6, 2010 at an urban site of Gwangju. The $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected with a flow rate of 16.7 L/min and particles are grown by condensation of water vapor in a condenser maintained at ${\sim}5^{\circ}C$ after saturation by direct injection of steam. The resulting droplets are collected in a liquid slurry with a airdroplet separator. Concentrations of 16 elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, K, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ti, V, Ni, Co, As, Se) in the collected slurry samples were determined off-line by ICP-MS. KSEAS sample analysis encompassed the sampling periods for which 24-hr average elemental species concentrations were calculated for comparison with those derived from 24-hr integrated filter samples. Relationship between elemental species measured by two methods indicated high correlation coefficients (r), mostly greater than r of 0.80. However, we note that concentrations of Al, K, Ca, Mn, and Fe, which are often associated with crustal elemental particles, in the KSEAS samples, were substantially lower (1.4~11 times) than those found in the typical filter-based samples. This discrepancy is probably due to difficulties in transferring insoluble dust particles to the collection vials in the KSEAS. Temporal profiles of elemental concentrations indicate that some transient events in their concentrations are observed over the sampling periods. For the elemental species studied, atmospheric concentrations during the transient events increased by factors of 4 in Mn~80 in Zn, compared to their background levels. Principle component analyses were applied to the hourly KSEAS data sets to identify sources affecting the concentrations of the metal constituents observed. In this study, we conclude that hourly measurements for particle-bound elemental constituents were extremely useful for revealing the short-term variability in their concentrations and developing insights into their sources.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2012

Acne, also known as Acne vulgaris, is a common disorder of human skin involving the sebaceous gland and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether anti-acne herbal complex (AAHC), a functional extract from herbal complex can be used for acne treatment as a natural product. We first demonstrated anti-acne activity of AAHC in mouse acne model. Acne was induced by injecting P. acnes on the backside $2{\times}10^7$ CFUs in ICR mice and then the mice were treated with AAHC by dermal application once daily. ACFREE$^{(R)}$ (clindamicin phosphate) was used as a positive control. Treatment with AAHC decreased the P. acnes-induced skin swelling and inflammation. AAHC treatment significantly decreased serum DHT concentration in acne-induced mice. Especially, treatment of 20% AACH in mice was more effected than 40%. We next evaluated the antimicrobial property of AAHC against P. acnes, Staphylcococcus aureus (S.aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Incubation of P. acnes, S. aureus, and E. coli with AAHC showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against the bacterial growth lower. Alamar blue method was also carried for the antibacterial activity. It was effectively MIC level at 6.25% of P. acnes. AAHC effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus and E. coli at 0.097% on MIC level, respectively. Our results showed the potential of using AAHC as an alternative treatment for antibiotic therapy of acne and the application of AAHC as a herbal medicine for acne treatment.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.248-255
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• 2015

Aminated polyetherimide membrane synthesized in the laboratory according to amine ratio was used for measurement of gas permeability, diffusivity, and solubility about carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide with Time-lag method at room temperature. Generally, gas permeability is totally decreased because the more amination rate reacted to the main chain of amine groups, the more intermolecular space became narrow. However, gas permeability of sulfur dioxide was increased due to combination of sulfur dioxide and amine groups have acid and base properties respectively. Diffusivity and solubility of dry gas are totally decreased excluding sulfur dioxide as increasing amination rate. In case of sulfur dioxide, however, diffusivity as well as solubility was increased as increasing amination rate. Selectivity of carbon dioxide/nitrogen showed 60 when amination rate was 3. In case of humid gas, gas permeability of carbon dioxide was 70 barrer when relative humidity showed 100, and selectivity with nitrogen approximately showed 18.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.339-343
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• 2009

Recently, co-delivery of drug and gene has been attempted for higher therapeutic effects of anticancer agents. In this study, cationic liposomes were prepared using 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammoniopropane (DOTAP) as a cationic lipid to investigate the effect of drug loading on the physicochemical characteristics of cationic liposomes/DNA complexes. The complex formation between cationic liposomes and negatively charged plasmid DNA was confirmed and the protection from DNase was observed. Particle size of complexes was reduced not by drug loading, but by the increased ratio of cationic lipid to plasmid DNA. Meanwhile, zeta potential of complex was increased by the addition of cationic liposomes to complexes and the effect of drug loading on the zeta potential was not much higher than on particle size. Gel retardation of complexes was indicated when the complexation weight ratios of cationic lipid to plasmid DNA were higher than 24:1 for drug free complexes and 20:1 for drug loaded ones, respectively. Agarose gel retardation showed the similar complexation between plasmid DNA and drug free liposomes or drug loaded liposomes. Both complexes protected plasmid DNA from DNase independent of complexation temperature. From the results, drug loading may affect not the complex formation of cationic liposomes and plasmid DNA, but the particle size of complex.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2009

Purpose: Antivenin is a standard therapy in snakebite victims. While the required antivenin dose can be easily estimated, based on the initial symptoms, this strategy may be unsuccessful if the initial symptoms progressively worsen. The purpose of this study was to identify the progression rate of the initial symptoms following snakebite and its associated factors. Methods: The medical records of 44 patients treated for snakebite from give the actual dates of the study period were retrospectively examined. Thirty-two of these patients were enrolled. Demographic data, local wound grade and local effect score at initial presentation (G-0 and LES-0, respectively) and 12 hours after admission (G-12 and LES-12, respectively) were reviewed, along with laboratory data. Results: The 32 patients had an average age of $54.0{\pm}14.5$ years and were predominantly male (n=26) and presented mainly during summer. Compared to G-0 and LES-0, re-evaluated G-12 and LES-12 were significantly increased despite initial administration of proper antivenin dosage (p=0.001 and p=0.000, respectively). Total amounts of antivenin correlated with LES-12 (correlation co-efficiency 0.558, p<0.05). However, factors associated with symptom progression were not revealed. Conclusion: Initial snakebite symptoms might progressively worsen within hours despite acceptable initial antivenin therapy. Therefore, re-evaluation within several hours must be considered if when the initial snakebite symptoms are minimal or mild.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.288-296
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• 2005

Cytokines interleukin (IL) 12 and 23 play critical roles in linking innate and adaptive immune responses. They are members of heterodimeric cytokines, sharing a subunit p40. Although IL12/23 p40 is mainly induced in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) after stimulation with microbial Toll-like receptor ligands, methods to monitor the cells that produce IL12/23 p40 in vivo are limited. Recently, the mouse model to track p40-expressing cells with fluorescent reporter, yellow fluorescent protein, has been developed. Macrophages and DCs from these mice faithfully reported p40 induction using the fluorescent marker. Here we took advantage of these reporter mice to screen bio-compounds for p40-inducing activity. After screening hundreds of compounds, we found several extracts inducing IL12/23 p40 gene expression. Treatment of DCs with these extracts induced the expression of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules, which implies that these might be useful as adjuvants. Next, the in vivo target immune cells of candidate compounds were examined. The reporter system can be useful to identify cells producing IL12 or IL23 in vivo as well as in vitro. Thus, our cytokine reporter system proved to be a valuable reagent for screening for immunostimulatory molecules and identification of target cells in vivo.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.365-372
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the SNPs on MDR1 exon 12, 21 and 26 in Korean population and to analyze haplotype frequency on MDR1 exon 12, 21 and 26 in Korean population. A total of 426 healthy subjects was genotyped for MDR1, using polymerase chain reaction-based diagnostic tests. Haplotype was statistically inferred using an algorithm based on the expectation-maximization (EM). MDR1 C1236T genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous wild-type (C/C), heterozygous (C/T) and for homozygous mutant-type (T/T) was 20.19%, 46.48% and 33.33%, respectively. MDR1 G2677T/A genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous G/G, heterozygous G/T, homozygous T/T, heterozygous G/A, heterozygous T/A and for homozygous A/A type was 30.75%, 42.26%, 9.86%, 7.51 %, 7.04% and 2.58%, respectively. MDR1 C3435T genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous wild-type (C/C), heterozygous (C/T) and for homozygous mutant-type (T/T) was 38.73%, 50.24% and 11.03%, respectively. Twelve haplotypes were observed. Of the three major haplotypes identified (CGC, TTT and TGC), the CGC haplotype were mainly predominant in the Korean populations and accounted for 29.96% of total haplotype in Korean.