• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2012

The hyperpolarization-activated current ($I_h$) is an inward cation current activated by hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and plays a role as an important modulator of action potential firing frequency in many excitable cells. In the present study we investigated the effects of extracellular divalent cations on $I_h$ in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons using whole-cell voltage clamp technique. $I_h$ was slightly increased in $Ca^{2+}$-free bath solution. BAPTA-AM did not change the amplitudes of $I_h$. Amplitudes of $I_h$ were decreased by $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and $Ba^{2+}$ dose-dependently and voltage-independently. Inhibition magnitudes of $I_h$ by external divalent cations were partly reversed by the concomitant increase of extracellular $K^+$ concentration. Reversal potential of $I_h$ was significantly shifted by $Ba^{2+}$ and $V_{1/2}$ was significantly affected by the changes of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations. These results suggest that $I_h$ is inhibited by extracellular divalent cations ($Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and $Ba^{2+}$) by interfering ion influxes in cultured rat DRG neurons.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuromodulator of nociceptive responses in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. BDNF synthesis increases in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) in trkA-expressing small and medium-sized DRG neurons after inflammation. Previously we demonstrated differential activation of multiple BDNF promoters in the DRG following peripheral nerve injury and inflammation. Using reporter constructs containing individual promoter regions, we investigated the effect of NGF on the multiple BDNF promoters, and the signaling pathway by which NGF activates these promoters in PC12 cells. Although all the promoters were activated 2.4-7.1-fold by NGF treatment, promoter IV gave the greatest induction. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, LY294003, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine, had no effect on activation of promoter IV by NGF. However, activation was completely abolished by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, U0126 and PD98059. In addition, these inhibitors blocked NGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway activates BDNF promoter IV in response to NGF independently of NGF-activated signaling pathways involving PKA and PKC.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.229-246
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• 1998

This dissertation classifies sample patients by a measure of K-DRG to identify the most frequent group. and investigates the differences in the dependency of nursing by patient classification system in the SICU of Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. It also calculates the mean nursing care hours and costs per craniotomy patient, who is shown to be the most frequent patient group. The results of the research can be used as basic data for the development of relevant nursing cost system in the future. The results of the research are as follows: 1. Using data from 97 sample patients, as many as 26 groups are identified when the patients are classified by K-DRG. KDRG-001 (craniotomy) is found to be the most frequent group(43.30%). 2. The result from patient classification system grouping in craniotomy patients shows homogeneity in terms of dependency of nursing with 35 patients in the 4th group, 145 patients(74.36%) are in the 5th group. and 15 patients are in the 6th group among the total 195 sample patients. 3. The direct nursing care hours for the 4th, 5th, and 6th patient classification system groups are found to be 381 minuites. 483 minuites, and 519 minuites, respectively, which shows that the nursing care hours increases as the dependency of nursing is intensified. The indirect nursing care hours are found to be 454 minuites(7.57 hours). The total mean nursing care hours, which is the sum of the direct nursing care hours(467 min.: 7.78 hours) and the indirect nursing care hours (454 min.: 7.57 hours), is 921 minuites(15.35 hours) per patient a day. 4. The nursing care cost is calculated to be 123,297 won per patient a day. Considering the average duration in the ICU, we can find the total nursing care cost is 610,318 won.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2011

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor plays an important role as a molecular detector of noxious signals in primary sensory neurons. Activity of TRPV1 can be modulated by the change in the environment such as redox state and extracellular cations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the mercury chloride ($HgCl_2$) on the activity of TRPV1 in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique. Extracellular $HgCl_2$ reversibly reduced the magnitudes of capsaicin-activated currents ($I_{cap}$) in DRG neurons in a dose-dependent manner. The blocking effect of $HgCl_2$ was prevented by pretreatment with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Inhibition of $I_{cap}$ by $HgCl_2$ was abolished by point mutation of individual cysteine residues located on the extracellular surface of TRPV1. These results suggest that three extracellular cysteines of TRPV1, Cys616, Cys634 and Cys621, are responsible for the oxidative modulation of $I_{cap}$ by $HgCl_2$.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine whether upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription and translation is related to radicular pain in a model of lumbar disc herniation. Also, to investigate the temporal changes of mRNA expression of iNOS and the identity of iNOS and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channel expression cells in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a model of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: A lumbar disc herniated rat model was developed by implantation of the autologous nucleus pulposus, harvested from the coccygeal vertebra of each tail, on the left L5 nerve root just proximal to the DRG. Rats were tested for mechanical allodynia of the plantar surface of both hind paws 2 days before surgery and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days postoperatively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to follow iNOS mRNA expression. To stain iNOS and TRPV1 in DRG, an immunohistochemical study was done 10 days after surgery. Results: A significant drop in mechanical withdrawal threshold on the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws was observed 1 day after surgery and was prolonged to 30 days in rats with lumbar disc herniation. The expression of mRNA for iNOS peaked at postoperative day 10 on both sides of the DRG. iNOS-positive sensory neurons in the DRG varied in size from large to small diameter cells. A majority of small and intermediate sensory neurons were TRPV1-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining for TRPV1 and iNOS revealed that most intermediate TRPV1-positive sensory neurons co-localized with iNOS-positive neurons. Conclusion: Nucleus pulposus-induced mechanical allodynia can be generated without mechanical compression. This pain is related to temporal changes in expression of iNOS mRNA in the DRG. Co-localization of TRPV1 and iNOS in intermediate neurons of the DRG is correlated with pain modality and intensity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

Background: Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury in rats produces a pain syndrome that includes mechanical and thermal allodynia. Previous studies have indicated that proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) play an important role in peripheral mediation of neuropathic pain, and that altered dorsal root ganglion (DRG) function and degree of DRG neuronal apoptosis are associated with spinal nerve injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and the extent of apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion after SNL in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SNL of the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves distal to the DRG and proximal to the formation of the sciatic nerve. At postoperative day 8, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in the L5.6 DRG were compared between SNL and naive groups using ELISA. In addition, we compared the percentage of neurons injured in the DRG using immunostaining for apoptosis and localization of activated caspase-3. Results: SNL injury produced significant mechanical and cold allodynia throughout the 7-day experimental period. TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels were increased in the DRG in rats that had undergone SNL ($12.7{\pm}3.2$ pg/100 ${\mu}g$, P < 0.001) when compared with naive rats ($4.1{\pm}1.4$ pg/100 ${\mu}g$). The percentage of neurons or satellite cells co-localized with activated caspase-3 were also significantly higher in rats with SNL than in naive rats (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: SNL injury produces mechanical and cold allodynia, as well as TNF-${\alpha}$ elevation and apoptosis in the DRG.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2016

Background: The voluntary diagnosis-related groups (DRG)-based payment system was introduced in 2002 and the government mandated participation in the DRG for all hospitals from July 2013. The main purpose of this study is to examine the independent effect of mandatory participation in DRG on various outcomes of patients. Methods: This study collected 1,809,948 inpatient DRG data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database which contains medical information for all patients for the period 2007 to 2014 and examined patient outcomes such as length of stay (LOS), total medical cost, spillover, and readmission rate according to hospital size. Results: LOS of patients decreased after DRGs (large hospitals: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-0.97; small hospitals: aOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.91-0.92). The total medical cost of patients increased after DRGs (large hospitals: aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14-1.30; small hospitals: aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.21-1.23). The results reveals that spillover of patients increased after DRGs (large hospitals: aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.70-2.33; small hospitals: aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.16-1.20). Finally, we found that readmission rates of patients decreased significantly after DRGs (large hospitals: aOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.26-0.29; small hospitals: aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.56-0.63). Conclusion: The DRG payment system compared to fee-for-service payment in South Korea may be an alternative medical price policy which can reduce the LOS. However, government need to monitor inappropriate changes such as spillover increase. Since this study also is the results based on relatively simple surgery, insurer needs to compare or review bundled payment like new DRG for expansion of various inpatient-related diseases including internal medicine.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.401-410
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• 2017

This study aimed to identify appropriateness and efficiency in the DRG payment system by analysing the hospital length of stay and changes in fees before and after the application of DRG payment system. The subjects of the study were a total of 398 patients consisting of 204 for the fee for service system and 194 for the DRG payment system. They received surgery in the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGY) department of a general hospital in G metropolitan city between January and December 2013. The mean hospital length of stay was significantly decreased after application of the DRG payment system(p=0.013). Total fees, insurance charges, and deductions increased significantly(p<0.001), and non-payment charges and total deductions decreased significantly(p<0.001). Application of the DRG payment system reduced length of stay, non-payment charges and total patient's cost sharing and increased out-of-pocket, insurance charges, and total fees.

• Journal of the Korean hospital association
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• v.26 no.1.2 s.241
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• pp.22-25
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• 1997

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.96-109
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to propose a method for evaluating the similarity of Show gardens using Deep Learning models, specifically VGG-16 and ResNet50. A model for judging the similarity of show gardens based on VGG-16 and ResNet50 models was developed, and was referred to as DRG (Deep Recognition of similarity in show Garden design). An algorithm utilizing GAP and Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to construct the model, and the accuracy of similarity was analyzed by comparing the total number of similar images derived at 1st (Top1), 3rd (Top3), and 5th (Top5) ranks with the original images. The image data used for the DRG model consisted of a total of 278 works from the Le Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 27 works from the Seoul International Garden Show, and 17 works from the Korea Garden Show. Image analysis was conducted using the DRG model for both the same group and different groups, resulting in the establishment of guidelines for assessing show garden similarity. First, overall image similarity analysis was best suited for applying data augmentation techniques based on the ResNet50 model. Second, for image analysis focusing on internal structure and outer form, it was effective to apply a certain size filter (16cm × 16cm) to generate images emphasizing form and then compare similarity using the VGG-16 model. It was suggested that an image size of 448 × 448 pixels and the original image in full color are the optimal settings. Based on these research findings, a quantitative method for assessing show gardens is proposed and it is expected to contribute to the continuous development of garden culture through interdisciplinary research moving forward.