• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2020

Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is an important diagnostic factor in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). It is associated with the onset of congestive heart failure (CHF). Recently, a new radiographic left atrial measurement called vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) was introduced. This can be considered as a left atrial enlargement above 2.3. It appears to be related to the severity of MMVD. However, serial changes in VLAS in relation to disease progression and improvement in patients have yet to be studied. This study aims to assess the value of VLAS as a left atrial size monitoring indicator by examining correlations with VHS, LA/Ao ratio and LVIDDN, and comparing serial changes in dogs. A total of 126 dogs were studied with their owners' consent. The dogs were classified into four MMVD groups (Control, B1, B2, C-D) following the ACVIM Guideline by performing a physical examination, radiography and echocardiography. Besides, 24 and 17 dogs were reevaluated to compare values in relation to the progression and improvement of MMVD. VLAS showed significant increase according to the progress of the MMVD stage. This was the same in the Maltese breed group. A strong positive correlation was found between LVIDDN, VHS, LA/Ao ratio, and VLAS. The results of this study found VLAS to be significantly different according to left atrium size, and there was a correlation between disease progression and VLAS levels in each dog. Therefore, VLAS may be used to detect changes in left atrium size as an additional monitoring index of MMVD.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.187-194
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• 2008

Because the types and severities of most engine faults are various and complex, it is not easy that the conventional model based fault detection approach like the GPA(Gas Path Analysis) method can monitor all engine fault conditions. Therefore this study proposed newly a diagnostic algorithm for isolating and diagnosing effectively the faulted components of the smart UAV propulsion system, which has been developed by KARI(Korea Aerospace Research Institute), using the fuzzy logic and the neural network algorithms. A precise performance model should be needed to perform the model-based diagnostics. The based engine performance model was developed using SIMULINK. For the work and mass flow matching between components of the steady-state simulation, the state-flow library was applied. The proposed steady-state performance model can simulate off-design point performance at various flight conditions and part loads, and in order to evaluate the steady-state performance model their simulation results were compared with manufacturer's performance deck data. According to comparison results, it was confirm that the steady-state model well agreed with the deck data within 3% in all flight envelop. The diagnosis procedure of the proposed diagnostic system has the following steps. Firstly after obtaining database of fault patterns through performance simulation, then secondly the diagnostic system was trained by the FFBP networks. Thirdly after analyzing the trend of the measuring parameters due to fault patterns, then fourthly faulted components were isolated using the fuzzy logic. Finally magnitudes of the detected faults were obtained by the trained neural networks. Because the detected faults have almost same as degradation values of the implanted fault pattern, it was confirmed that the proposed diagnostic system can detect well the engine faults.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1053-1059
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective review. Purpose: To detect the effect of cannulated (poly-axial head) and solid (mono-axial head) screws on the local kyphotic angle, vertebral body height, and superior and inferior angles between the screw and the rod in the surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures. Overview of Literature: Biomechanics studies showed that the ultimate load, yield strength, and cycles to failure were significantly lower with cannulated (poly-axial head) pedicle comparing to solid core (mono-axial head). Methods: The medical charts of patients with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent pedicle screw fixation with cannulated or solid pedicle screws were retrospectively reviewed; the subjects were followed up from January 2011 to December 2015. Results: Total 178 patients (average age, $36.1{\pm}12.4years$; men, 142 [84.3%]; women, 28 [15.7%]) with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent surgery and were followed up at Hamad Medical Corporation were classified, based on the screw type as those with cannulated screws and those with solid screws. The most commonly affected level was L1, followed by L2 and D12. Surgical correction of the local kyphotic angle was significantly different in the groups; however, there was no significant difference in the loss of correction of the local kyphotic angle of the groups. Surgical correction of the reduction in the vertebral body height showed statistical significance, while the average loss of correction in the reduction of the vertebral body height was not significantly different. The measurement of the angles made by the screws on the rods was not significantly different between the cannulated (poly-axial head) and solid (mono-axial head) screw groups. Conclusions: Solid screws were superior in terms of providing increased correction of the kyphotic angle and height of the fractured vertebra than the cannulated screws; however, no difference was noted between the screws in the maintenance of the superior and inferior angles of the screw with the rod.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.499-507
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), a dominant component from the extract of Panax ginseng root, exhibits neuroprotective functions in many neurological diseases. This study was intended to investigate whether Rb1 can attenuate cisplatin-induced memory impairments and explore the potential mechanisms. Methods: Cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally with a dose of 5 mg/kg/wk, and Rb1 was administered in drinking water at the dose of 2 mg/kg/d to rats for 5 consecutive wk. The novel objects recognition task and Morris water maze were used to detect the memory of rats. Nissl staining was used to examine the neuron numbers in the hippocampus. The activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, cholineacetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, and the levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, acetylcholine, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and interleukin-10 were measured by ELISA to assay the oxidative stress, cholinergic function, and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus. Results: Rb1 administration effectively ameliorates the memory impairments caused by cisplatin in both novel objects recognition task and Morris water maze task. Rb1 also attenuates the neuronal loss induced by cisplatin in the different regions (CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus) of the hippocampus. Meanwhile, Rb1 is able to rescue the cholinergic neuron function, inhibit the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in cisplatin-induced rat brain. Conclusion: Rb1 rescues the cisplatin-induced memory impairment via restoring the neuronal loss by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation and recovering the cholinergic neuron functions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1069-1078
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• 2021

Sevoflurane postconditioning (SPostC) has been proved effective in cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. It was also reported that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) could be induced by sevoflurane, which played a crucial role in hypoxic/reoxygenation (HR) injury of cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanism by which sevoflurane protects cardiomyocytes via HSP70 is still not understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the related mechanisms of SPostC inducing HSP70 expression to reduce the HR injury of cardiomyocytes. After the HR cardiomyocytes model was established, the cells transfected with siRNA for HSP70 (siHSP70) or not were treated with sevoflurane during reoxygenation. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was detected by colorimetry while cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to detect HSP70, apoptosis-, cell cycle-associated factors, iNOS, and Cox-2 expressions. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). SPostC decreased apoptosis, cell injury, oxidative stress and inflammation and increased viability of HR-induced cardiomyocytes. In addition, SPostC downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels, while SPostC upregulated Bcl-2, CDK-4, Cyclin D1, and HSP70 levels. SiHSP70 had the opposite effect that SPostC had on HR-induced cardiomyocytes. Moreover, siHSP70 further reversed the effect of SPostC on apoptosis, cell injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, viability and the expressions of HSP70, apoptosis-, and cell cycle-associated factors in HR-induced cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SPostC can reduce the HR injury of cardiomyocytes by inducing HSP70 expression.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.239-248
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• 2021

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has partly increased treatment failure and patient mortality. Class D β-lactamases is an important mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in this species. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence oxacillinase gene and genetic fingerprints of A. baumannii isolates from the intensive care unit of an Egyptian tertiary care hospital. One hundred and twenty A. baumannii clinical isolates were collected. Multiplex PCR was performed to detect genes encoding oxacillinases (OXA-23, OXA-24, OXA-51, OXA-58 and OXA-143). Molecular typing of all collected isolates was performed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR assay. Out of 120 examined isolates, 92, 88 and 84% were resistant to ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem, respectively. The species-specific, commonly present OXA-51 gene was found in all isolates while OXA-23 showed a high prevalence of 88% of isolates. OXA-24 and OXA-143 genes were detected in 3% and 1% of isolates, respectively. No OXA-58 gene was detected. Five clusters consisting of 19 genotypes were detected using RAPD-PCR. Genotype A was the most prevalent, it was observed in 62% of the isolates followed by genotype B (12%). These results revealed that genotypes A and B are common in the hospital. Results also demonstrate that RAPD-PCR is a rapid and reliable method for studying the clonal similarity among A. baumannii isolated from different clinical specimens.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Inflammation plays an important role in the outcome of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It may develop due to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein dysfunction, pancreatic insufficiency, or prolonged pulmonary infection. Fecal calprotectin (FC) has been used as a noninvasive method to detect inflammation. Therefore, the aim of the current meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between FC and phenotype severity in patients with CF. In this study, searches were conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase databases up to August 2021 using terms such as "cystic fibrosis," "intestine," "calprotectin," and "inflammation." Only articles published in English and human studies were selected. The primary outcome was the level of FC in patients with CF. The secondary outcome was the relationship between FC and clinical severity. Statistical analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Of the initial 303 references, only six articles met the inclusion criteria. The mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) level of FC was 256.5 mg/dL (114.1-398.9). FC levels were significantly associated with pancreatic insufficiency (mean, 243.02; 95% CI, 74.3 to 411.6; p=0.005; I²=0), pulmonary function (r=-0.39; 95% CI, -0.58 to -0.15; p=0.002; I²=60%), body mass index (r=-0.514; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.69; p<0.001; I²=0%), and Pseudomonas colonization (mean, 174.77; 95% CI, 12.5 to 337.02; p=0.035; I²=71%). While FC is a reliable noninvasive marker for detecting gastrointestinal inflammation, it is also correlated with the severity of the disease in patients with CF.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test is a clinically effective measure of the integrity of the central auditory nervous system. The GIN procedure can be applied to a pediatric population above 7 years of age. The present study conducted the GIN test to compare the abilities of auditory temporal resolution among typically developing children, children with speech sound disorder (SSD), and children with cognitive difficulty (CD). Subjects and Methods: Children aged 8 to 11 years-(total n=30) participated in this study. There were 10 children in each of the following three groups: typically developing children, children with SSD, and children with CD. The Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonology was conducted as a clinical assessment of the children's articulation and phonology. The Korean version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (K-WISC-III) was administered as a screening test for general cognitive function. According to the procedure of Musiek, the pre-recorded stimuli of the GIN test were presented at 50 dB SL. The results were scored by the approximated threshold and the overall percent correct score (%). Results: All the typically developing children had normal auditory temporal resolution based on the clinical cutoff criteria of the GIN test. The children with SSD or CD had significantly reduced gap detection performance compared to age-matched typically developing children. The children's intelligence score measured by the K-WISC-III test explained 37% of the variance in the percent-correct score. Conclusions: Children with SSD or CD exhibited poorer ability to resolve rapid temporal acoustic cues over time compared to the age-matched typically developing children. The ability to detect a brief temporal gap embedded in a stimulus may be related to the general cognitive ability or phonological processing.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: The Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test is a clinically effective measure of the integrity of the central auditory nervous system. The GIN procedure can be applied to a pediatric population above 7 years of age. The present study conducted the GIN test to compare the abilities of auditory temporal resolution among typically developing children, children with speech sound disorder (SSD), and children with cognitive difficulty (CD). Subjects and Methods: Children aged 8 to 11 years-(total n=30) participated in this study. There were 10 children in each of the following three groups: typically developing children, children with SSD, and children with CD. The Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonology was conducted as a clinical assessment of the children's articulation and phonology. The Korean version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (K-WISC-III) was administered as a screening test for general cognitive function. According to the procedure of Musiek, the pre-recorded stimuli of the GIN test were presented at 50 dB SL. The results were scored by the approximated threshold and the overall percent correct score (%). Results: All the typically developing children had normal auditory temporal resolution based on the clinical cutoff criteria of the GIN test. The children with SSD or CD had significantly reduced gap detection performance compared to age-matched typically developing children. The children's intelligence score measured by the K-WISC-III test explained 37% of the variance in the percent-correct score. Conclusions: Children with SSD or CD exhibited poorer ability to resolve rapid temporal acoustic cues over time compared to the age-matched typically developing children. The ability to detect a brief temporal gap embedded in a stimulus may be related to the general cognitive ability or phonological processing.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.158-158
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• 2022

Ecological drought consequences have received a lot of attention in recent years. Thus, ecological drought was proposed as a new drought category to characterize the impact of drought on ecosystems. The current study used a unique drought index, the standardized supply-demand water index (SSDI), and a run theory to detect ecological drought occurrences and characteristics such as drought-affected area, drought severity, drought duration, drought frequency, and drought orientation in the Hwang River, an environmentally valuable region. Hence, to assess drought-prone areas, the bivariate probability and return period will be calculated using a two-dimensional joint copula. The core results show that (a) the Spatio-temporal characteristics of ecological drought were successfully recognized using the spatial and temporal identification approach; (b) in comparison to the SPEI meteorological drought index, the SSDI is more credible and can more readily and effectively capture the entire properties of ecological drought information; (c) the Hwang river had seen the most severe drought occurrences between the late 1990s and the mid-2020s, with 48.3 percent occurring before the twenty-first century; (d) Severe ecological drought occurrences occurred more frequently in most areas of the Hwang River (e) Only the drought duration and severity in the Hwang area were more responsive to temperature when temperatures rise around 1.1℃, the average drought duration and severity rise around 16 % and 26 %, respectively. This suggested that the Hwang River has been exposed to more severe heat stress in the twenty-first century. Thereupon droughts in the twenty-first century occurred with bigger affected regions, longer durations, higher frequency, and more intensity.