• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2015

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Tregs) have been shown to play a regulatory or suppressive role in the immune response and are possibly relevant to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the frequency of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in peripheral blood (PB) of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats during the development of arthritis, to determine whether their frequency is involved in the immunoregulation of this disease. The results showed that normal rats had similar frequencies of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in PB during the experiment time, expressed as a percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells among the CD4+ T lymphocyte population. In contrast, the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells in CIA rats was found to change during the development of arthritis. In CIA rats, there is a significant negative correlation between the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells and paw swelling (r=-0.786, p< 0.01). The relationship between the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T and immune activation was not found in normal rats. During the time course, the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T was lower in CIA rats than in normal ones. The data suggest that the frequency of PB CD4+CD25+ Tregs may be a promising marker for arthritis activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.529-543
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• 2020

In contrast to ventricular myocytes, the structural and functional importance of atrial transverse tubules (T-tubules) is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the ultrastructure of T-tubules of living rat atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular myocytes. Nanoscale cell surface imaging by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) was accompanied by confocal imaging of intracellular T-tubule network, and the effect of removal of T-tubules on atrial excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling) was observed. By SICM imaging, we classified atrial cell surface into 4 subtypes. About 38% of atrial myocytes had smooth cell surface with no clear T-tubule openings and intracellular T-tubules (smooth-type). In 33% of cells, we found a novel membrane nanostructure running in the direction of cell length and named it 'longitudinal fissures' (LFs-type). Interestingly, T-tubule openings were often found inside the LFs. About 17% of atrial cells resembled ventricular myocytes, but they had smaller T-tubule openings and a lower Z-groove ratio than the ventricle (ventricular-type). The remaining 12% of cells showed a mixed structure of each subtype (mixed-type). The LFs-, ventricular-, and mixed-type had an appreciable amount of reticular form of intracellular T-tubules. Formamide-induced detubulation effectively removed atrial T-tubules, which was confirmed by both confocal images and decreased cell capacitance. However, the LFs remained intact after detubulation. Detubulation reduced action potential duration and L-type Ca²⁺ channel (LTCC) density, and prolonged relaxation time of the myocytes. Taken together, we observed heterogeneity of rat atrial T-tubules and membranous ultrastructure, and the alteration of atrial EC-coupling by disruption of T-tubules.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

Purpose: To analyze the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted (DW) PSIF (reversed FISP [fast imaging with steady-state free precession]) sequence in order to evaluate peripheral nerves in the elbow. Materials and Methods: Ten normal, asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled (6 men, 4 women, mean age 27.9 years). The following sequences of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the elbow were obtained using a 3.0-T machine: 3D DW PSIF, 3D T2 SPACE (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) with SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and 2D T2 TSE (turbo spin echo) with modified Dixon (m-Dixon) sequence. Two observers used a 5-point grading system to analyze the image quality of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each nerve were measured. We compared 3D DW PSIF images with other sequences using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Friedman test. Inter-observer agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Results: The mean 5-point scores of radial, median, and ulnar nerves in 3D DW PSIF (3.9/4.2/4.5, respectively) were higher than those in 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR (1.9/2.8/2.8) and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon (1.7/2.8/2.9) sequences (P < 0.05). The mean SNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR, but there was no difference between 3D DW PSIF and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in all of the three nerves. The mean CNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in the median and ulnar nerves, but no difference among the three sequences in the radial nerve. Conclusion: The three-dimensional DW PSIF sequence may be feasible to evaluate the peripheral nerves around the elbow in MR imaging. However, further optimization of the image quality (SNR, CNR) is required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.161-165
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) on natural conception in the infertile patient. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study recruiting 180 patients admitted to Infertility Center of Ferrara University from January 2010 to February 2012. The essential inclusion criteria was the couple's desire to perform only diagnostic evaluation on infertility causes and to wait for natural conception before proceeding with further management. Couples were investigated with hormonal profile, semen analysis and HyCoSy. Expected time for spontaneous pregnancy was 180 days from HyCoSy. First datation sonography of pregnancy was used calculating time elapsed from HyCoSy at conception. Results: Forty patients (22.2%) obtained spontaneous pregnancy within 6 months after HyCoSy. The mean of "conception time" was 75 days. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the first 30 days (45%) compared to other the months of observation (p<0.0005). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that maternal age and sterility duration proved independent variables in detecting the "conception time" after HyCoSy (t=3.742, p=0.001, t=2.371, p=0.02, respectively). Conclusion: A possible beneficial effect of HyCoSy is feasible especially in the days following its execution. This temporal correlation supports its therapeutic use.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.119-131
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• 1996

The relationship of maternal separation anxiety, availability of support system and child gender to initial preschool adjustment was examined. Data were collected on 72 middle-class Korean children(35 boys, 37 girls) between the ages of 31 months and 60 months who were entering preschool. Subjects were from intact families, all with non-working mothers. Mothers completed the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale(MSAS) and indicated the number of extended family members in the home as an index of social support. Classroom teachers completed the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) for each child after the first 2 weeks and again after 6 weeks of school. Each child was observed by the research team during the first 2 weeks of school and again after the 6th-week using the Child Observation System (COS). Applying the COS observed behavior was classified as being in the dependent, neutral, or active mode. All instruments were culturally relevant as validated by Korean experts. Maternal Separation Anxiety was a significant predictor for girls only, accounting for 11% of initial COS variance (p=＜.05). In contrast, social support was a significant predictor for boys only, accounting for 28% of initial PBQ variance when entered after MSAS(p=.005). A significant difference between initial and 6th-week adjustment was obtained in the expected direction on the COS with behavior improving with time (t=-4.06, p=.001). Although a significant difference between initial and 6th-week PBQ adjustment was also obtained (t=-3.63, p=.001), it was not in the direction expected, problematic behavior were found to increase with time. Cultural and developmental factors help explain the findings. Given the patrilineal social system in Korea, boys are highly preferred over girls. Thus the at-home support system, comprised primarily of grandparents, may have a significant influence on school adjustment particularly of first-born sons. In contrast, since girls are viewed as fragile and vulnerable, mothers may express greater separation anxiety about girls. Finally, as would be expected, older children may be able to develop coping skills more readily than younger ones, as child adjustment on the COS significanlty improved over the 6-week period.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.191.2-191.2
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• 2014

Cu/ZnO/$Al_2O_3$ is widely used methanol synthesis catalyst at elevated pressures P (50 to 100 bar) and temperatures T (473 to 573 K) using $CO_2$, CO, $H_2$ syngas mixture. Although Cu step and planar defects have been regarded as active sites in this catalyst, detailed $CO_2$ hydrogenation procedure has been still unknown and debated as well as initial intermediate. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of $CO_2$ hydrogenation on Cu(111) model surface at P (1 bar) and T (298 to 450 K) using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). Two distinct formates by hydrogenation of $CO_2$, on step and on terrace, show different behavior with elevating temperature. The peak intensity of on step formate was continuously decreased above 360 K up to 450K in contrast to the increase of on terrace formate. These phenomena are strong possibilities that the formate is initial intermediate and is desorbed by hydrogenation reaction because thermal desorption temperature of formate (~470 K) is much higher than desorption of on step formate. And the formate production peak of on step site was weakly correlated with CO formation.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2015

The current study investigates whether Korean-speaking adults show differential sensitivities to the sources of auditory stimuli (L1 Korean and L2 English) in utilizing VOT and f0 in the perceptual mode of L2 stops, and how the L2 proficiency interacts with the learners' low-level phonetic sensitivities in L2 perceptual mode. 48 Korean learners of English participated in the perception experiments where they rated the goodness of English /t/ and /d/ using an analogue scale. Two sets of stimuli (English and Korean sources) were prepared by manipulating VOT (6-steps) and f0 (5-steps) values of productions by an English male (L2 source condition) and a Korean male (L1 source condition). Findings showed that, in judging /t/-likeness, the listeners responded differently to the two auditory stimulus conditions by relying on VOT significantly more in English source condition than in Korean source condition. The listeners' English proficiency did not interact with these differential sensitivities to the auditory stimulus source either along the VOT dimension or the f0 dimension. The results of the current study suggest that low-level contextual information of the auditory source can affect the learners in faithfully being in the L2 perceptual mode.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.753-757
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• 1995

Systematic studies on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of light rare earth element(RE) compounds with Pb, $REPb_{2}$, have been carried out. Their crystal structure has been identified to be a $MoSi_{2}$-type. The values of the effective magnetic moment for $CePb_{2},\;PrPb_{2}\;and\;NdPb_{2}$ are respectively very close to the theoretical values of $RE^{3+}$. These three compounds are antiferromagnetic and exhibit a metamagnetic transition. The magnitude of the Neel temperature is proportional to two-thirds of the de Gennes factor. The magnetic entropy change for $NdPb_{2}$ is contrast to the value for $CePb_{2}$ heavy-fermion compound, comparable to the theoretical value. The magnetic contribution to the temperature dependence of resistivity for $PrPb_{2}$ is given by a form of -lnT in a wide temperature range, implying the Kondo system in analogy with $Cepb_{2}$.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2023

Objective: It is difficult to predict the treatment response of tissue after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) because radiation necrosis (RN) and tumor recurrence can coexist. Our study aimed to predict tumor recurrence, including the recurrence site, after SRS of brain metastasis by performing a longitudinal tumor habitat analysis. Materials and Methods: Two consecutive multiparametric MRI examinations were performed for 83 adults (mean age, 59.0 years; range, 27-82 years; 44 male and 39 female) with 103 SRS-treated brain metastases. Tumor habitats based on contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images (structural habitats) and those based on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) images (physiological habitats) were defined using k-means voxel-wise clustering. The reference standard was based on the pathology or Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncologycriteria for brain metastases (RANO-BM). The association between parameters of single-time or longitudinal tumor habitat and the time to recurrence and the site of recurrence were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and Dice similarity coefficient, respectively. Results: The mean interval between the two MRI examinations was 99 days. The longitudinal analysis showed that an increase in the hypovascular cellular habitat (low ADC and low CBV) was associated with the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-4.91; P = 0.001). During the single-time analysis, a solid low-enhancing habitat (low T2 and low contrast-enhanced T1 signal) was associated with the risk of recurrence (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.01-2.35; P = 0.045). A hypovascular cellular habitat was indicative of the future recurrence site (Dice similarity coefficient = 0.423). Conclusion: After SRS of brain metastases, an increased hypovascular cellular habitat observed using a longitudinal MRI analysis was associated with the risk of recurrence (i.e., treatment resistance) and was indicative of recurrence site. A tumor habitat analysis may help guide future treatments for patients with brain metastases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1519-1529
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• 2016

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase -2 (gelatinase-A, Mr 72,000 type IV collagenase, MMP-2) and -9 (gelatinase-B, Mr 92,000 type IV collagenase, MMP-9) are key molecules that play roles in tumor growth, invasion, tissue remodeling, metastasis and stem-cell regulation by digesting extracellular matrix barriers. MMP-2 and -9 are well known to impact on solid cancer susceptibility, whereas, in hematological malignancies, a paucity of data is available to resolve the function of these regulatory molecules in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and stromal cells of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate mRNA expression and gelatinase A and B secretion from BM-MNCs in vitro and genotypic associations of MMP-2 (-1306 C/T; rs243865), MMP-9 (-1562 C/T; rs3918242), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -1 (TIMP-1) (372T/C; rs4898, Exon 5) and TIMP-2 (-418G/C; rs8179090) in MDS and AML. Results: The study covered cases of confirmed MDS (n=50), AML (n=32) and healthy controls (n=110). MMP-9 mRNA expression revealed 2 fold increased expression in MDS-RAEB II and 2.5 fold in AML M-4 (60-70% blasts). Secretion of gelatinase-B also revealed the MMP-9 mRNA expression and ELISA data also supported these data. We noted that those patients having more blast crises presented with more secretion of MMP-9 and its mRNA expression. In contrast MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) showed significant polymorphic associations in MDS (p<0.02) and AML (p<0.02). MMP-9 mRNA expression of C/T and T/T genotypes were 1.5 and 2.5 fold increased in MDS and AML respectively. In AML, MMP-2 C/T and T/T genotypes showed 2.0 fold mRNA expression. Only MMP-9 (-1306 C/T) showed significant 4 fold (p<0.001) increased risk with chemical and x-ray exposed MDS, while tobacco and cigarette smokers have 3 fold (p<0.04) risk in AML. Conclusions: In view of our results, MMP-9 revealed synergistic secretion and expression in blast crises of MDS and AML with 'gene' polymorphic effects and is significantly associated with increased risk with tobacco, cigarette and environmental exposure. Release and secretion of these enzymes may influence hematopoietic cell behavior and may be important in the clinical point of view. It may offer valuable tools for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as possible targets for the treatments.