• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.516-523
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine relationships between dietary habits and intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and the risk of ischemic stroke, and to compare dietary factors according to the presence of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and stroke subtypes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 147 patients and 144 control subjects were recruited consecutively in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Sixty participants each in the case and control groups were included in analyses after 1:1 frequency matching. In addition, 117 acute ischemic stroke patients were classified into subtypes according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) guidelines. Dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items and plasma lipid and homocysteine levels were analyzed. RESULTS: When compared with control subjects, stroke patients had unfavorable dietary behaviors and lower intakes of fruits ($73.1{\pm}83.2g$ vs. $230.9{\pm}202.1g$, P < 0.001), vegetables ($221.1{\pm}209.0g$ vs. $561.7{\pm}306.6g$, P < 0.001), and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, $B_6$, ${\beta}$-carotene, and folate. The intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate were inversely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjusting for confounding factors. Intakes of vegetables, vitamins C, $B_6$, $B_{12}$, and folate per 1,000 kcal were lower in ischemic stroke with cerebral atherosclerosis than in those without. Overall vitamin $B_{12}$ intake per 1,000 kcal differed according to the TOAST classification (P = 0.004), but no differences among groups existed based on the post-hoc test. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with control subjects, ischemic stroke patients, particularly those with cerebral atherosclerosis, had unfavorable dietary intake, which may have contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. These results indicate that proper dietary recommendations are important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-58
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• 2006

The paper describes a study about effects of upstream hills on design wind loads using two mathematical approaches: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Artificial Neural Network (NN for short). For this purpose CFD and NN tools have been developed using an object-oriented approach and C++ programming language. The CFD tool consists of solving the Reynolds time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and $k-{\varepsilon}$ turbulence model using body-fitted nearly-orthogonal coordinate system. Subsequently, design wind load parameters such as speed-up ratio values have been generated for a wide spectrum of two-dimensional hill geometries that includes isolated and multiple steep and shallow hills. Ground roughness effect has also been considered. Such CFD solutions, however, normally require among other things ample computational time, background knowledge and high-capacity hardware. To assist the enduser, an easier, faster and more inexpensive NN model trained with the CFD-generated data is proposed in this paper. Prior to using the CFD data for training purposes, extensive validation work has been carried out by comparing with boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT) data. The CFD trained NN (CFD-NN) has produced speed-up ratio values for cases such as multiple hills that are not covered by wind design standards such as the Commentaries of the National Building Code of Canada (1995). The CFD-NN results compare well with BLWT data available in literature and the proposed approach requires fewer resources compared to running BLWT experiments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.61-76
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• 2009

Background: Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause of adult nephrotic syndrome worldwide and has been defined as granular subepithelial deposition of immune complexes along the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). MN has few known treatments and gives rise to side effects under treatment with steroids and immunosuppressives. Objective: The purpose of this experimental study was to demonstrate the effects of Scutellariae Radix extract (SRE) treatment on MN mouse model induced by cBSA. Methods: We divided mice into 4 groups. The Normal group had no treatment. We induced MN mouse model to the other 3 groups by injecting cBSA into the abdominal cavity. The control group was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) only. The second group, 'SRE-250', was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and SRE (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The third group, 'SRE-500', was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and SRE (500 mg/kg, p.o.). After cBSA and SRE treatment for 4 weeks, gain in body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN and creatinine of all groups were measured. TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-1$\beta$, IL-10, IFN-$\gamma$, IgA, IgM and IgG levels of all groups were gauged. H&E staining and electron microscopy of the kidney were observed. Results: SRE showed significant decrease in the 24hrs proteinuria, serum triglyceride, BUN, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, serum IgA, IgM and IgG levels compared with the control group. SRE showed increase in the serum IL-10 and IFN-$\gamma$ levels compared with control on RT-PCR. SRE considerably decreased in the thickening of the GBM on H&E staining and deposition of electron-density on electron microscopy of the kidney compared with the control. Conclusions: According to the above results, it is suggested that SRE decreases the symptoms of MN induced by cBSA in mouse model. Therefore, SRE seems to be applicable to MN in clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: According to Korean regulations, bottled waters (BWs) can not be treated with chemical disinfectants like chlorine, so UV and ozone disinfection is applied. During the past several years, chemicals were detected in some BWs, and the public was concerned about the safety of BWs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mineral waters were stored for 180 days at $25^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$, tested acetaldehyde and formaldehyde by HPLC. When mineral waters were put in a PET bottles, the formaldehyde level ranged from 5 to $66{\mu}g/L$ during 180 days at $50^{\circ}C$. While the acetaldehyde level ranged from 31 to $221{\mu}g/L$, it was low than $16{\mu}g/L$ in glass bottle. CONCLUSION(s): This result showed that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were detected higher in PET bottles than glass bottles, these also increased depending on the time of storage. Concentration of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde could be significantly influenced by the time of storage and temperature.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.719-727
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• 2003

Background and purpose: Hypertension and obesity has been implicated in the most important risk factors for stroke. The original finding that the G-protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) C825T allele associates with essential hypertension and obesity has been confirmed in several different populations. Hence, our objective was to determine whether the GNB3 C825T polymorphism predicts interindividual variation in stroke. Method: We recruited 361 stroke patients (cerebral infarction, n=278; intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), n=83) and 199 healthy control subjects. Subjects were genotyped for GNB3 C825T mutation and findings were investigated for association with stroke. Result: The GNB3 T/T type was significantly associated with cerebral infarction prevalence (OR, 1.98; 95% Cl, 1.14-3.46; p=0.015). While, ICH was not found to be significantly associated with GNB3 T/T type (OR, 1.63; 95% ICH, 0.74-3.56; p=0.219). Similarly, no significant association was determined between GNB T/C type, and cerebral infarction (OR, 1.09; 95% Cl, 0.68-1.74; p=0.716), and ICH (OR, 1.14; 95% Cl, 0.59-2.21; p=0.697). Conclusion: In clinical characteristics, this study shows no differences among GNB3 genotypes, that are BMI, WH ratio. hypertension rate, and ischemic heart disease rate, total lipid level, triglycerides level, total cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level, prothrombine time, with the exception of LDL cholesterol concentrations. However, our subjects showed an inverse relationship between LDL cholesterol level and the risk of cerebral infarction. We have shown that the GNB3 T/T genotype is strongly associated with cerebral infarction. (OR, 1.98; 95% Cl, 1.14-3.46; p=0.015).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2021

Background: In this retrospective study, we aimed to determine which diagnostic tests were associated with an improvement in Bell's palsy symptoms. Methods: There were 30 patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from April 1, 2017 to February 29, 2020, and who received East-West collaboration treatment for Bell's palsy. The tests included electroneurography (ENoG), electromyography (EMG), hematology, and heart rate variability (HRV) results which were used to determine if any test correlated with improvement of Bell's palsy symptoms. Results: The initial severity of symptoms did not correlate with the tests performed, with the exception of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.013). For both ENoG for oculi degeneration and mean EMG tests, the rate of nerve degeneration showed a significant negative correlation with the improvement of Bell's palsy symptoms. Amongst the HRV test indicators, the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between the adjacent normal R-R wave interval, the standard deviation of intervals, total power, very low frequency, and high frequency of the wave was negatively correlated with improvement of Bell's palsy symptoms. Similarly, glycosylated hemoglobin Type A1c (HbA1c) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) showed a negative correlation with improvement of symptoms of Bell's palsy. With the exception of HbA1c and ESR, the remaining hematology test results showed no significant difference when comparing before and after treatment. Conclusion: ENoG, EMG, HRV test, HbA1c, and ESR negatively correlated with improvements in Bell's palsy symptoms and may determine the prognosis of Bell's palsy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.919-923
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• 1998

Background: Calcific degeneration is unavoidable in either homo- or heterografts implanted in the human body. We have developed a calcification-resistant cardiovascular tissue patch using a novel technique of anticalcification. Materials and methods: Fresh bovine pericardium was harvested at the slaughter house and transfered to the laboratory in Hank's solution. After trimming and fixing the pericardium, it was embedded in 4$^{\circ}C$ 0.65% glutaraldehyde for a week and then washed by phosphate-buffered saline(PBS) of pH 7.4. This prepared pericardium was then stored in 2.5% sulphonated polyethyleneoxide(PEO-SO3) solution for 2 days at room temperature and reversed by 4$^{\circ}C$ NaBH4 solution for 16 hours. To evaluate the calcification-resistance of surface modified bovine pericardium with PEO-SO3, either glutaraldehyde- treated(GA group, n=4) or PEO-SO3-treated pericardial patch(PEO-SO3 group, n=4) was implanted into adult mongrel dog to reconstruct the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta using a partial clamp technique. After 1 month follow-up, the implanted patches were retrieved to evaluate the pathologic findings and the content of calcium and phosphorous. Results: The PEO-SO3 group showed substantially less retraction and significantly less calcium deposition than the GA group in both aortic(7.10$\pm$1.05 vs. 13.81$\pm$2.33 mg/g of dried tissue) and pulmonary positions(1.55$\pm$0.29 vs. 6.72$\pm$0.70 mg/g)(p<0.01). Phosphorous contents were also less in the PEO-SO3 group than the GA group significantly, 8.11$\pm$1.07 mg/g vs. 19.33$\pm$4.31 mg/g in the aortic and 2.58$\pm$0.40 vs. 12.60$\pm$3.40 mg/g in thepulmonary position(p<0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that PEO-SO3 modified bovine pericardium is highly calcification-resistant but further study is needed to evaluate the long-term biological safety and compatibility of the prosthesis.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.412-418
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• 2019

Background: Previously, studies have observed that the leaf extract of Cotoneaster wilsonii Nakai has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activites. Therefore, further research was conducted to separate the active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the leaf of the C. wilsonii. Methods and Results: The anti-oxidant effects were evaluated by analyzing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, estimating the totla phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and using reducing power assay method. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀; 9.69 ㎍/㎖), and the highest TPC and TFC (345.98 mg·GAE/g, and 74.23 mg·QE/g). Moreover, it indicated the highest effects on nitric oxide production. Therefore, the active compound was separated using the EtOAc fraction, determined on the basis of spectral data, and identified as (+)-catechin. Conclusions: The first compound separated was made from the leaf of C. wilsonii was (+)-catechin, which produced potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2016

Background: The photosynthetic efficiency cool-season, semi-shade ginseng is normal at low morning temperatures, but drops at high afternoon temperatures. Therefore, optimal plant performance would be ensured if it were possible to control daily light transmission rates (LTR). Methods and Results: Plants were grown in a controlled light environment that replicated 11 AM conditions and comparatively analyzed against plant grown under normal conditions. Growth in the controlled light environment resulted in a 2.81 fold increase in photosynthetic efficiency with no change in chlorophyll content, although LTR were high due to low morning temperatures. Increased aerial plant growth was observed in the ginseng plants adapted to the controlled light environment, which in turn influenced root weight. An 81% increase in fresh root weight (33.3 g per plant on average) was observed in 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment compared to the plants grown following conventional practices (18.4 g per plant on average). With regard to the inorganic composition of leaves of 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment, an increased in Fe content was observed, while Mn and Zn content decreased, and total ginsenoside content of roots increased 2.37 fold. Conclusions: Growth of ginseng under a favorable light environment, such as the condition which exist naturally at 11 AM and are suitable for the plant's photosynthetic activity creates the possibility of large scale production, excellent-quality ginseng.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10387-10391
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to identify any association between the p73 gene G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism and risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the south of China. Materials and Methods: We genotyped the p73 gene polymorphism of peripheral blood DNA from 168 patients with NSCLC and 195 normal controls using HRM (high resolution melting) and PCR-CTPP (polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers). Results: The results of genotyping by HRM and PCR-CTPP were consistent with direct sequencing, the p73 genotype distribution in 168 lung cancer patients being as follows: GC/GC 101 cases (60.1%), GC/AT 59 cases (35.1%), AT/AT 8 cases (4.8%). The carriers of AT/AT genotype had a significantly reduced risk of NSCLC (OR=0.370; 95%CI: 0.170-0.806; p=0.010) as compared with non-carriers. However, we found no relations between p73 genotypes and histological type (p=0.798, $x^2=0.452$), tumor stage (p=0.806, $x^2=0.806$), or lymph node metastasis (p=0.578, $x^2=1.098$). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism may be a modifier of NSCLC susceptibility in the Chinese population.