• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1108-1117
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• 2007

To investigate the possible mechanism of ${\alpha}-spinasterol$ as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, I examined the effects of ${\alpha}-spinasterol$ on the apoptosis of U937 cells MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were performed. ${\alpha}-spinasterol$ treatment reduced the cell viablilty of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death. ${\alpha}-spinasterol$ treatment also reduced the levels of Bcl-xL anti-apoptotic protein expression and increased the levels of caspase-3, p53, pro-apoptotic protein, in U937 cells. After treatment the level of Bcl-xL, anti-apoptotic gene expression was decreased and the level of ICE pro-apoptotic gene expression was increased. These findings suggest that ${\alpha}-spinasterol$ induced the apoptotic cell death via regulation of several growth regulatory gene products. The abbreviations used are: FBS, fetal bovine serum; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PI, propidium iodide; OD, optical density; DiOC6, 3,3-dihexyloxa carbcyanine iodide; MTT, 3 [4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.381-388
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• 1996

The hemodynamic changes in septic patients produced by inhalational anesthetics are sufficient to threaten the anesthesiologists. The effect of hydroxocobalamin, a vitamin $B_{12a}$, on contractile responses to phenylephrine during administration of inhalational anesthetics were evaluated in aortic ring preparations obtained from LPS-treated rats. The sepsis was developed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (1.5 mg/kg for l8h) and confirmed by iNOS expression using RT-PCR. Statistical significances (P<0.05) were analyzed by Student's t-test or paired t-test according to data characteristics. The blood pressure, but not heart rate, was decreased in LPS-treated rats as compared to control rats. The contractile response to phenylephrine were dose-dependently increased from the doses of $10^{-8}\;M$ to that of $10^{-5}$ and were attenuated in LPS-treated rings. Both halothane and enflurane, at the doses of 1 MAC, decreased the contractile responses to phenylephrine while isoflurane did not significantly affect the contractile responses. Hydroxocobalamin ($10^{-5}$ M) significantly potentiated the contractile responses in the LPS-treated aortic ring preparations during administration of each inhalational anesthetic or not. From these results, it is suggested that hydroxocobalamin may improve the hemodynamics of septic patients during inhalational anesthesia. Abbreviations: LPS, lipopolysaccharide; RT-PCR, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; MAC, minimum alveolar concentration; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.207-229
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• 2000

The lack of an understanding of the characteristics of a specific user group in computer-based information systems in libraries hinders library and information science professionals in grasping users' needs and making the best decisions when designing, acquiring, and managing information systems. The objective of this study was to provide information on the characteristics of specific user groups such as male ＆ female student groups. undergraduate ＆ graduate ones, Sciences and Humanities majored ones etc. This study also provides system developers (vendor) and adopters with users' needs and the merits or demerits of a specific system on the basis of students' evaluation. For the purpose, questionnaire was prepared and administered to Korean college students in the city of Taegu, Korea and adjacent area. One hundred and seventeen usable questionnaires were obtained and analyzed. These were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics. and SPSS software. The major findings of this study are: (1) Gender of the students affects the preference for the type of OPAC system selected more than that of academic level of study, age, and academic major; (2) The domestic in-house OPAC systems in Korea affect the user preference of system much more than that of foreign package ones; (3) System designers should prepare and use professional terms or abbreviations for system users more carefully, and explain them in detail; (4) Most of users preferred package OPAC systems to in-house ones, and preferred GUI systems to Telnet-based ones. Also, there was a significant difference between them. Conclusions are drawn from the findings in this paper, and recommendations are proposed when designing, adopting, or managing a new system. Topics for future studies on the characteristics of OPAC systems and their user are also suggested.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.52-64
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• 2002

Background : Coding of principal diagnosis is essential component for producing reliable health statistics. We performed this study to evaluate the current practice of principal diagnoses determination and coding, and to give some basic data to improve coding of principal diagnosis. Method : Nineteen medical record administrators (MRAs) of 3 university hospitals participated in coding principal Dx. from August 1, 2001 to August 31, 2001. From each hospital, 10 medical records of patients with high frequency disease were selected randomly. Each 10 medical records were grouped into three (A. B, C). Then, these 30 medical records were given to each MRAs for coding. At the same time questionnaire was given to each of them. Questions were to prove how they decide and code the principal diagnosis among many current diagnoses; how they decide and code the principal diagnosis when they see irrelevant diagnosis recorded as the principal diagnosis in medical record, when only tentative diagnoses were recorded without final diagnosis, and when different diagnoses were recorded in different sheets of same record. Agreement of coding among 3 hospitals were compared and survey results were analysed with SAS 6.12. Results : Agreement of coding was found in medical records 5-6 of each 10 medical records. Causes of disagreement were as follows. Difference of clinician's opinion from each hospital; mixed use of guideline from KCD-3 and guideline from DRG; difference in 4th digit classification according to the absence of pathology report in the medical record; difference of abbreviations among hospitals. 57.9% of MRAs selected the principal diagnosis recorded by physician, 42.1% of MRAs decided principal diagnosis after consulting to KCD-3 guideline. When there were difficulties in determining the principal diagnosis, 42.1% of MRAs decided principal diagnosis after discussion with the physician, 26.3% after discussion with fellow MRAs. Conclusion : There were differences in codings among hospitals. To minimize the difference, we suggest the development of disease-specific guidelines for coding in addition to the current general guideline such as KCD-3. To do this, Coding Clinic which can produce guidelines is needed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.45-67
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• 2000

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amino found in cooked meat. The in vivo mutagenicity and hepatocarcinogenicity of MeIQx were examined in mice harboring the lacZ mutation reporter gene ($Muta^{TM}$ Mice) and bitransgenic mice over-expressing the c-myc oncogene. C57B1/$\lambda$lacZ and bitransgenic c-myc (albumin promoter)/$\lambda$lacZ mice were bred and weaned onto an AIN-76 based diet containing $0.06\%$ (w/w) MeIQx or onto control diet. After 30 weeks on diet, only male bitransgenic mice on MeIQx developed hepatocellular carcinoma ($100\%$ incidence) indicating that there was synergism between c-myc over-expression and MeIQx. By 40 weeks, hepatic tumor incidence was $100\%$ ($17\%$) and $44\%$ ($0\%$) in male c-myc/$\lambda$lacZ and C57B1/$\lambda$lacZ mice given MeIQx (or control) diet, respectively, indicating that either MeIQx or c-myc over-expression alone eventually induced hepatic tumors. At either time point, mutant frequency in the lacZ gene was at least 40-fold higher in MeIQx-treated mice than in control mice of either strain. These findings suggest that MeIQx-induced hepatocarcinogenesis is associated with MeIQx-induced mutations. Elevated mutant frequency in MeIQx-treated mice also occurred concomitant with the formation of MeIQx-guanine adducts as detected by the $^{32}P$-postlabeling assay. Irrespective of strain or diet, sequence analysis of the lacZ mutants from male mouse liver showed that the principal sequence alteration was a single guanine-base substitution. Adenine mutations, however, were detected only in animals on control diet. MeIQx-fed mice harboring the c-myc oncogene showed a l.4-2.6-fold higher mutant frequency in the lacZ gene than mice not carrying the transgene. Although there was a trend toward higher adduct levels in c-myc mice, MeIQx-DNA adduct levels were not significantly different between c-myc/$\lambda$lacZ and C57B1/$\lambda$lacZ mice after 30 weeks on diet. Thus, it appeared that factors in addition to MeIQx-DNA adduct levels, such as the enhance rate of proliferation associated with c-myc over-expression, may have accounted for a higher mutant frequency in c-myc mice. In the control diet groups, the lacZ mutant frequency was significantly higher in c-myc/$\lambda$lacZ mice than in 057B1/$\lambda$1acZ mice. The findings are consistent with the notion that c-myc over-expression is associated with an increase in mutagenesis. The mechanism for the synergistic effects of c-myc over-expression on MeIQx hepatocarcinogenicity appears to involve an enhancement of MeIQx-induced mutations.

• Journal of Popular Narrative
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.249-280
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• 2019

This research aims at examining the present of fusion historical dramas through a TV soap opera, and discussing the narrative of this genre and external elements to be equipped. tried to break from conventionality of fusion historical dramas by intensifying it. By comprehensively suggesting the history of conflicts repeated in existing dramas, it helped its viewers to concentrate on it easily. In addition, by setting a separate space from the secret strife in a palace while depicting it, it expressed romance between a man and a woman faithfully. Moreover, two individual riddles were given so that the narrative became rich. Furthermore, the social problems of remaining singles and the tyranny of the establishment were dealt with. Novelty was presented with the viewpoint of seeing the past through today's perspective instead of seeing the present through the past; by trying to interpret modern culture in a way of Joseon, such as the figures reflecting the phases of the times and lines using newly-coined words and abbreviations. Therefore, the success of the drama contents lies not in breaking from customs but in thinking about what to change based on conventional characteristics. can be evaluated to be a work that can be an idealistic model of this genre.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2008

A computed tomography (CT) is a powerful system for the effectively fast and accurate diagnosis. The CT system, therefore, has used substantially and developed for improving the performance over the past decade, resulting in growing concerns over the radiation dose from the CT. Advanced CT techniques, such as a multidetector row CT scanner and dual energy or dual source CT, have led to new clinical applications that could result in further increases of radiation does for both patients and workers. The objective of this study was to review the international guidelines of the shielding requirements for a CT facility required for a new installation or when modifying an existing one. We used Google Search Engine to search the following keywords: computed tomography, CT regulation or shield or protection, dual energy or dual source CT, multidetector CT, CT radiation protection, and regulatory or legislation or regulation CT. In addition, we searched some special websites, that were provided for sources of radiation protection, shielding, and regulation, RSNA, AAPM, FDA, NIH, RCR, ICRP, IRPA, ICRP, IAEA, WHO (See in Table 1 for full explanations of the abbreviations). We finally summarized results of the investigated materials for each country. The shielding requirement of the CT room design was very well documented in the countries of Canada, United States of America, and United Kingdom. The wall thickness of the CT room could be obtained by the iso-exposure contour or the point source method. Most of documents provided by international organizations were explained in importance of radiation reduction in patients and workers. However, there were no directly-related documents of shielding and patient exposure dose for the dual energy CT system. Based international guidelines, the guideline of the CT room shielding and radiation reduction in patients and workers should be specified for all kinds of CT systems, included in the dual energy CT. We proposed some possible strategies in this paper.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.227-237
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• 1997

In order to search for anti-Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 agents from Korean medicinal herbs and Korean traditional prescriptions (herb complexes), we selected 80 medicinal herbs and 45 prescriptions, based on a review of the Korean traditional medicine books. Both methanol extracts and boiling-water extracts were tested by means of the MTT assay (tetrazolium based colorimetric assay). Ten of the 125 methanol extracts: CM-11, CM-18, CM-19, CM-21, CM-22, CM-39, MM-3, MM-18, MM-29, MM-73 (see explanation of nomenclature below), showed efficacy against HSV-1. Twelve of the water extracts: CW-2, CW-3-I, CW-3-II, CW-18, MW-3, MW-5 MW-6, MW-12, MW-47, MW-69, MW-73 and MW-79 were active. #3 (individual herb) and #73 (individual herb) were interesting because both water and methanol extracts were active. Especially, #3 is a part of composition of Hong-il-$laksamd{\check{u}}ngbang$ and Hojanghaedokt'ang which have anti-HSV-1 activitives. The SI value of MW-69 and CW-18 was relative high as $10.2{\pm}0.7$ and $11.8{\pm}2.2$. The cytotoxic effect on Vera cells of $Panch'{\check{o}}nch'onch'{\check{o}}ngbang$, Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlst. and acycloguanosine was determined by MTT assay. Water extracts of $Panch'{\check{o}}nch'onch'{\check{o}}ngbang$ (prescription) and Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlst. showed very weak cytotoxic effects on Vero cells at > $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ but acycloguanosine showed strang cytotoxic effects on Vera cells at > $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. As a result, #3, #73, MW-69 and CW-18 are considered as potentially useful for anti-HSV-1 agent and will be the focus of further research. Abbreviations: CM - methanol extracts of traditional prescriptions; CW - water extracts of traditional prescriptions; MM - methanol extracts of individual herbs; MW - water extracts of individual herbs.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 1996

The objectives of this study is to find out mechanism of vasodilating effects of ANP in 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat aorta and to compare with those of normotensive rat aorta. In 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat, average arterial blood pressure and plasma renin activity were higher than in normotensive rat. In 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat aorta, NE sensitivity was more increased and maximal contraction of aorta by NE was higher than those of normotensive rat aorta. ANP inhibited NE-induced contraction in both 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive and normotensive rat aorta, concentration-dependently. However, ANP was less effective for relaxing NE-induced contraction in 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat aorta than in normotensive rat aorta. ANP inhibited $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake induced by NE in both 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive and normotensive rat aorta. From these results. inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx may be one of the vasodilating mechanism of ANP in 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat aorta. Although the potency of ANP in relaxing NE-induced contractions was attenuated, the efficacy of ANP was not changed in 2K-1C renovascular hypertensive rat aorta compared with that of ANP in normotensive rat aorta. Abbreviations: ANP, Atrial natriuretic peptide; 2K-1C, 2-kidney 1 clip; NE, norepinephrine; SHR, Spontaneously hypertensive rat; DOC, Deoxycorticosterone; EDTA, Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid; PSS, Physiological salt solution; TRIS, tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

The members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons conducted a retrospective study of two hundred and twenty-two cases of intestinal atresia for the period from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. Seventeen hospitals were involved. There were 76 duodenal, 65 jejunal, and 81 ileal atresias (3 colonic). The male to female ratio was 0.85:1 in DA and 1.34:1 in JIA. Ninety-four patients(43.3 %) were premature babies (DA 40.3 %, JA 64.6 %, IA 28.8 %), and 70 babies (32.0 %) had low birth weight (DA 38.7 %, JA 44.4 %, IA 16.0 %). Antenatal diagnosis was made in 153 cases (68.9 %). However, 27 infants (17.6 %) with antenatal diagnosis were transferred to the pediatric surgeon's hospitals after delivery. Maternal polyhydramnios was observed in 81 cases (36.59 %) and most frequent with proximal obstruction. In forty-four cases (19.8 %), only simple abdominal film was taken for diagnostic study. The associated malformations were more frequently observed in DA - 61.8 % in DA and 22.6 % in JIA. Meconium peritonitis, small bowel volvulus and intussusception were more frequently associated with ileal atresia. The overall mortality rate was 3.6 %. (Abbreviations: DA;duodenal atersia, JA;jejunal atresia, JIA;jejunoileal atresia, IA;ileal atrsia).