• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.363-367
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• 2013

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in birds has epidemiological significance because birds are indeed considered as a good indicator of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii in 313 house sparrows in Lanzhou, northwestern China was assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were positive in 39 (12.46%) of 313 samples (MAT titer ${\geq}$ 1:5). Tissues of heart, brain, and lung from the 39 seropositive house sparrows were tested for T. gondii DNA, 11 of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 9 genetic markers, including 8 nuclear loci, i.e., SAG1, 5'- and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of them, 4 isolates were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and 2 genotypes (Type II variants; ToxoDB #3 and a new genotype) were identified. These results showed that there is a potential risk for human infection with T. gondii in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in house sparrows in China.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1829-1835
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• 2009

Hyperventilation (HV) is routinely induced in order to activate brain waves during an electroencephalogram (EEG). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of HV conditions on EEG and suggested basic data for the standardized procedure. Three degrees of HV were induced for 5 minutes with a ventilation volume of 160 ml/min (control group), 240 ml/min, and 300 ml/min in rats. Powers of delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves were examined by a quantitative EEG. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the powers of all EEG waves between the control and 240 ml/min groups. However, a notable change in EEG powers during HV induced by a ventilation volume of 300 ml/min was observed in the frontal cerebral region as follows: power of the delta was increased by 12.8% (p<0.01), powers of the theta, alpha and beta were decreased by 41.3% (p<0.01), 48.6% (p<0.05), and 41.9% (p<0.05), respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that an increase of about 90% of the normal ventilation volume might be adequate for the hyperventilation, and a useful parameter for evaluation of the qualified hyperventilation might be an alteration of the frontal EEG powers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.431-437
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• 1993

An important problem in radiosurgery is the utilization of the proper beam parameters, to which dose shape is sensitive. Streotactic radiosurgery techniques for a linear accelerator typically, use circular radiation fields with multiple arcs to produce an spherical radiation distribution. Target volumes are irregular in shape for a certain case, and spherical distributions can irradiate normal tissues to high dose as well as the target region. The current improvement to dose distribution utilizes treating multiple isocenters or weighting various arcs to change treatment volume shape. in this paper another promising study relies upon dynamically shaping the treatment beam to fit the beam's eye view of the target. This conformal irradiation technique was evaluated by means of visual three dimensional dose distribution, dose volume histograms to the target volume and surrounding normal brain. It is shown that using even less arcs than multiple isocenter irradiation technique, the conformal therapy yields comparable dose gradients and superior homogeneity of dose within the target volume.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality bowling on emotional changes using EEG (Electroencephalogram). Sixteen bowling players who have at least three years of experiences in bowling participated in this study. Their aged ranged from 26 to 35 years old with a mean age of 29.6 years. The frontal lobes (Fp2-Fp1, F4-F3, F8-F7) of each player were measured while subjects were performing five games of bowling. And after performing every frame, their emotion was measured immediately with Visual Analogue Scale. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance to test differences in the alpha value of each region of the frontal lobes. The dependent variable is the alpha power of the cerebral asymmetry. The results showed that players who scored a strike showed higher VAS values than those who missed the spares or cleared the spares; those who cleared spares showed higher VAS values than those who missed spares In addition, with respect to frontal R-L asymmetry score, the alpha-wave of the left frontal lobe was activated when scoring a strike and clearing spares and the alpha-wave of the right frontal lobe was activated when missing spares. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that success or achievement in competition gives rise to positive emotions and vice versa. This study neurophysiologically proved that performance outcomes during a competition directly influence players' emotion and brain waves.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.597-604
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• 2018

Although the core mechanisms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are unknown, several ADHD-associated proteins have been studied. G-protein - coupled receptor kinase interacting protein-1 (GIT1) is a multifunctional adapter protein that affects neuron growth and dendrite formation. GIT1-deficient mice have shown ADHD-like behavior and also recovered through amphetamine treatment. In this study, gliotransmitters were investigated in both intracellular and extracellular space from GIT1-deficient mice. To measure the amount of gliotransmitters, primary astrocyte cultures were taken from the cerebral and cerebellar cortices of wild (WT), hetero (HE), and knock-out (KO) mice. Major gliotransmitters were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was observed that the amount of excitatory and inhibitory gliotransmitters were dependent on genotype and showed a change in excitation/inhibition ratios. Interestingly, the major excitatory gliotransmitter, glutamate, existed at the lowest level in WT mice, but the amount of inhibitory gliotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, varied depending on brain region. Remarkably, an increased amount of GABA was measured at the intracellular cerebrum in WT mice compared with KO mice. It was presumed that KO mice would secrete more inhibitory gliotransmitters to compensate for GIT1 depletion or else acquire a defect to reuptake-secreted GABA. This may be a possible mechanism for ADHD pathology.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

Full length complementary DNA encoding apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was isolated and characterized in mud loach (Misgurnus mizolepis). Mud loach apoA-I cDNA encoding 24 bp of 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 762 bp of single open reading frame (ORF) consists of 254 amino acids and 293 bp of 3'-UTR excluding stop codon and poly (A+) tail. Two overlapping polyadenylation signals (AATAAAATAAA) was found 9 bp prior to the poly (A+) tail. Mud loach apoA-I represented considerable homology to those from other teleost species at amino acid level with conserving common features of vertebrate apoA-I. Molecular phylogenetic analysis inferred the phylogenetic hypothesis that was generally in accordance with the previous taxonomic relationship. Apolipoprotein A-I mRNA was detected in various tissues, but the mRNA levels were quite varied depending on tissues based on semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Liver and brain showed the significantly higher levels of apoA-I transcripts than other tissues. mRNA expression of apoA-I was quite low in very early stage of embryonic development, however dramatically enhanced from 8 hours post fertilization. This increased mRNA level was retained consistently up to 14 days post hatching.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.110-115
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• 1999

Pulmonary histiocytosis X is a granulomatous disorder of the lung of unknown cause. Patients with this disease often complain of cough, dyspnea on exertion and, occasionally, chest pain from pneumothorax or bone involvement. However, DI is uncommon in these patients. We report a case of primary pulmonary histiocytosis X with central diabetes insipidus. A 23-year-old man presented with dyspnea suffered from dry cough, exertional dyspnea, polydipsia and polyuria for 4 months. He was a heavy smoker. He was found to have reticulonodular interstitial opacities on chest X-ray film. High-resolution computed tomography revealed thin-walled cysts of various sizes in both lungs. Open lung biopsy was done. On light microscopic examination revealed proliferation and infiltration of Langerhans cells. Immunohistochemically, Langerhans cells showed strong cytoplasmic staining with S-100 protein and electronmicroscopic examination showed Birbeck granules in Langerhans cells. Water deprivation test showed central-type diabetes insipidus and brain MRI showed no abnormal lesion on suprasellar region. Smoking cessation was recommended. He was treated with oral desmopressin.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2000

Fracture of frontal bone is infrequent, but may have serious complications because of their proximity to the brain, eyes and noses. Fractures of the frontal area range from 5% to 15% of all facial bone fracture and include supraorbital rim and frontal sinus. As frontal bone fractures most frequently occur in the multiply injured patient, a thorough clinical and radiological examination of the patient is required before diagnosis and treatment plans are established. Sometimes coorperative treatment with other department is required. It is specially considered that incision for access to frontal region and surgical methods for open reduction, cranialization, cannulization, sinus obliteration. After surgical or conservative treatment, it may have complication. Complication of frontal bone injury vary in severity and may occur at several years after the incidents. The major types of complications are those that occur directly at the time of injury, infection and chronic problems. This is clinical study on 31 patients with frontal bone fracture, at department of oral and maxillofacial surgery in dental hospital of Wonkwang university during past ten years. The results were as follows; 1. The sex ratio of all patients is 29 (94%) male to 2 (6%) female, the average age is 33 and the prominent groups are 2nd, 3rd decade age. 2. The causative factors are mostly traffic accident 22 cases (70%) and fall dawn, industrial accidents, so on. 3. The 17 cases has shown alert mental status, but neurologic problems is in 14 (45%) cases in initial accessment. 4. Associated facial bone fractures are prominent in the maxilla (42%) and panfacial fracture (39%). 5. Involved general problems are in department of neurologic surgery problems (65%), orthopaedic problems (23%) and ophthalmologic problems (19%) in order. 6. Open reduction has done in 15 cases and 16 cases with conservative management. 7. Postoperative complications are chronic headache (42%), esthetic problems (39%) and ophthalmologic problems (35%)in order.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2003

Purpose : B1 field of birdcage RF (radiofrequency) coil that is used most for brain imaging in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) decreases toward endring from the coil center. We investigated how much RE B1 homogeneity effect the endcap shield brings form the coil center as it towards to endcap region. Materials and Methods : We compared RF B1 field distribution by each finite difference time domain (EDTD) simulations for lowpass, highpass and hybrid birdcage RF coils. We selected the highpass birdcage RF coil that was the highest RF B1 field condition as simulation result, and studied how much RF B1 homogeneity effect was occurred when endcap shield was applied to endring area. Results : B1 field of the highpass birdcage RF coil was higher than other birdcage RF coil types as simulation result. However, the RF B1 homogeneity was lower than other coil types. RE B1 field of highpass birdcage RF coil with endcap shield is similar with RF B1 field of hybrid birdcage RF coil and the overall RE B1 homogeneity in sagittal direction was better. Conclusion In this paper, proposed method can apply improving RF B1 homogeneity of RF coil in clinical examination.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2008

Tissue ischemia resulting from the constriction or obstruction of blood vessels leads to an illness that may affect many organs including the heart, brain, and legs. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the field of therapeutic angiogenesis and the new approaches are expected to cure those "no-option patients" who are unsuited to conventional therapies. Although single angiogenic growth factor may be successful in inducing angiogenesis, combination of multiple growth factors is increasingly sought these days to augment the therapeutic responses. This trend is proper in light of the fact that blood vessel formation is a complex and multi-step process that requires the actions of many different factors. To meet the growing need for functionally significant blood flow recovery in the ischemic tissues, a novel strategy that can provide concerted actions of multiple factors is required. One way to achieve such a goal is to use a transcription factor that can orchestrate the expression of multiple target genes in the ischemic region and thus induce significant level of angiogenesis. Here, a putative transcription factor, cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP), was evaluated in adenoviral vector context for angiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results indicated significant increase in proliferation, capillary-like structure formation, and induction of vascular endothelial growth factor, a typical angiogenic gene. Taken together, these results suggest that CARP represents itself as a novel target for therapeutic angiogenesis and warrants further investigation.