• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.8
• /
• pp.886-893
• /
• 2005

Purpose : Kawasaki disease is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in children less than 5 years of age. Recent immunohistochemistry findings suggest that many vascular growth factors play a role in the formation of the coronary artery lesions. Active remodeling of the coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease continues in the form of intimal proliferation and neoangiogenesis for several years after the onset of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and corticosteroid have been used in the treatment of Kawasaki disease but the exact mechanism is not clear. We have investigated that IVIG and corticosteroid inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro on Matrigel assay. Methods : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were cultured and seeded on Matrigel coated 24 well plates in medium with or without the following agents : VEGF, VEGF plus IVIG, VEGF plus VEGF antibody, VEGF plus methylprednisolone, VEGF, IVIG plus methylprednisolone for 18 hours. The total length of tube structures in each photograph was quantified. Results : IVIG significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs. The inhibitory effect of IVIG was also reversible. In the meantime, VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs into capillary like structures on Matrigel, which was inhibited by VEGF antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, IVIG and methylprednisolone inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation of HUVECs. IVIG was more effective in inhibition than methylprednisolone alone. Conclusion : We revealed that VEGF induced the differentiation of HUVECs and this effect was inhibited by IVIG and methylprednisolone.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.501-512
• /
• 1999

The aim of this study was to utilize the 20 steps in the three phases from the book, 'Twenty steps for developing a Healthy Cities Project $2^{nd}$ Ed., 1995, WHO/EURO' to survey Healthy Cities to identify the similarities and differences by implementation rates and perceived significances among Healthy Cities worldwide. For this study, a self-administered questionnaire was developed based on the book. The questionnaires were delivered by air-mail and e-mail to 213 Healthy City coordinators or directors in 43 nations from Jan 13 to Feb 10, 1999. The responses were gathered up until March 31 from 40 Healthy Cities in 17 nations, mostly in the USA and in the European regions. The main results are as follows; Overall the perceived significances were higher for healthy cities with higher implementation rates and there were significant differences for 'set-up office', 'plans strategy', 'increase health awareness', 'mobilize intersectoral action', and 'secure healthy public policy'. 1. According to national health system, the implementation rate, perceived significance and implementation ability of the 20 steps were higher in the healthy cities with a comprehensive-type health system as compared to those with an entreprenetrial & permissive health system. Overall there were significant differences in the steps 'mobilize intersectoral action', and 'secure healthy public policy'. steps which were predominant in the healthy cities with a comprehensive-type health system. There was no concordance in the ranks of implementation rate and perceived significant score. 2. According to the length of implementation time, the perceived significance and implementation ability were higher in healthy cities with more than 6 years compared to those with less than 6 years, although implementation rate was the same. Overall there was a significant difference in 'secure healthy public policy' the step which was predominant in the healthy cities with more than 6 years of implementation. 3. According to population covered by the Healthy City Project, the implementation rate and implementation ability were higher in healthy cities with more than a population of 100 thousand. There was no significant difference in perceived significance, but there were differences in the following, 'find finances', 'set-up office'. 'mobilize intersectoral action' in the implementation rate and implementation ability. These three steps were predominant in the healthy cities with a population of more than 100 thousand. 4. The population covered by the Healthy City Project was the only effective factor influencing the total implementation ability of each healthy city, and it was higher for those cities with a population of more than 100 thousand. In Conclusion, the implementation rate, the perceived significance and the implementation ability were higher in cities with a comprehensive -type health system, with more than 6 years of healthy city experience and with a population of more than 100 thousand. To increase the reliability and the validity of the questionnaire and the results of this study arising from lack of sufficient data, repeated study needs to be considered with a more refined questionnaire delivered to more healthy cities worldwide.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 2006

To investigate the effects of the nucleotide sequences in Shine-Dalgarno (SD) and the spacer region (SD-ATG) on bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene expression, the expression vectors under the control of the T7 promoter (pT7-7 vector) were constructed using bGH derivatives (bGH1 & bGH14) which have different 5'-coding regions and were induced in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Oligonucleotides containing random SD sequences and a spacer region were chemically synthesized and the distance between the SD region and the initiation codon were fixed to nine bases in length. The oligonucleotides were annealed and fused to the bGH1 and bGH14 cDNA, respectively. When the bGH gene was induced with IPTG in E. coli BL21(DE3), some clones containing only bGH14 cDNA produced considerable levels of bGH in the range of $6.9\%\;to\;8.5\%$ of total cell proteins by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Otherwise, the bGH was not detected in any clones with bGH1 cDNA. Accordingly, the nucleotide sequences of SD and the spacer region affect on bGH expression indicates that the sequences sufficiently destabilize the mRNA secondary structure of the bGH14 gene. When the free energy was calculated from the transcription initiation site to the +51 nucleotide of bGH cDNA using a program of nucleic acid folding and hybridization prediction, the constructs with values below -26.3 kcal/mole (toward minus direction) were not expressed. The constructs with the original sequence of bGH cDNA also did not show any expression, regardless of the free energy values. Thus, the disruption of the mRNA secondary structure may be a major factor regulating bGH expression in the translation initiation process. Accordingly, the first stem-loop among two secondary structures present in the 5'-end region of the bGH gene should be disrupted for the effective expression of bGH.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.7 no.6
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2003

Although there are several experimental techniques to evaluate the seismic behavior and performance of civil structures, small-scale models in mast of physical tests, instead of prototypes or large-scale models, would be used due to a limitation on capacities of testing equipments. However, the inelastic seismic response prediction of small-scale models has some discrepancies inherently because the similitude law is generally derived in the elastic range. Thus, a special attention is required to regard the seismic behavior of small-scale models as one of prototypes. In this paper, differences between prototypes and small-scale models pseudodynamically tested on steel column specimens are investigated and an alternative to minimize them is suggested. In general, small-scale models could have the distorted stiffness induced from some experimental errors on test setup, steel fabrication and so on. Therefore, a modified similitude law considering both a scale factor for length and a stiffness ratio of small-scale model to prototype is proposed. Using the modified similitude law to compensate experimental errors, the pseudodynamic test results from modified small-scale model are much improved as compared with the results of prototype. According to the pseudodynamic test results of small-scale steel models, it can be concluded that the modified similitude law proposed could be effective in simulating the seismic response of prototype structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.90 no.3
• /
• pp.314-323
• /
• 2001

This study aimed to clarify the influencing factors of mesopore ratio on a pore geometry of surface soil in coniferous stands as an index of the water retention capacity. Twenty three factors including site conditions and soil properties were analyzed by spss/pc + for the data collected during March to October of 1993. The factors influencing the mesopore ratio(pF2.7) on the surface soil were as follows; macropore ratio(pF1.6), slope, crown-cover rates, thickness of F layer, organic matter contents, and the growing stock. And influencing factor on the ratio of mesopore in the soil surface was correlated with percentage of amount of clay, soil surface, A and B horizon soil hardness shows high negative significance. Also, multiple regression equations for mesopore ratios of surface soil and surface soil hardness, clear length, growing stock, B horizon of soil hardness, organic matter contents show high significance($R^2$; 0.80). In coniferous stands, it is effective in promoting development on the ratio of mesopore that forest practice for enhancing of the water resource retention capacity should be carried out when the crown-cover rates of stands are more than 80 percentages.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.72-81
• /
• 2007

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) on the pre-emergency herbicidal activity and reactivity of a series of new O,O-dialkyl-1-phenoxyacetoxy-1-methylphosphonates (S) analogues against seed of cucumber (Cucumus Sativa) were discussed quantitatively using 2D-QSAR and HQSAR methods. The statistical values of HQSAR model were better than that of 2D-QSAR model. From the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) interaction between substrate molecule (S) and $BH^+$ ion (I) in PDH enzyme, the electrophilic reaction was superior in reactivity. From the effect of substituents, $R_2$-groups in substrate molecule (S) contributed to electrophilic reaction with carbonyl oxygen atom while X, Y-groups contributed to nucleophilic reaction with carbonyl carbon atom. And the influence of X,Y-groups was more effective than that of $R_2$-groups. As a results of 2D-QSAR model (I & II) and atomic contribution maps with HQSAR model, the more length of X, Y-groups is longer, the more herbicidal activity tends to increased. And also, the optimal ${\epsilon}LUMO$ energy, $({\epsilon}LUMO)_{opt.}$=-0.479 (e.v.) of substrate molecule is important factor in determining the herbicidal activity. It is predicted that the herbicidal activity proceeds through a nucleophilic reaction. From the analytical results of 2D-QSAR and HQSAR model, it is suggested that the structural distinctions and descriptors that contribute to herbicidal activities will be able to applied new herbicide design.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.170-179
• /
• 2019

In this study, the wave responses in a 'Y'shape water channel resonator for amplifying wave energy of a low density has been investigated. A water channel resonator is composed of the long channel and wave guider installed at the entrance. If the period of the incident waves coincides with the natural period of the fluid in a water channel resonator, resonance occurs and the internal fluid amplifies highly to a standing wave form. In order to analyze the wave response in a water channel resonator, we used the matched asymptotic expansion method and boundary element method. The both results were in good agreement with the results of the model test carried out in the two-dimensional wave tank of Jeju National University. Wave guider has an optimum length and installation angle according to the period of the incident wave, and especially effective in enhancing the amplification factor in a period range deviated from the resonance period. It is expected that the wave energy can be effectively extracted by placing the point absorber wave energy converter at the position of anti-node where the maximum wave height is formed by the internal fluid resonance.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2019

The influences of light generated by LEDs on shoot growth and photosynthesis of Tea plant(Camellia sinensis L.) were evaluated. The growth characteristics were investigated after 45 days of culture under four different light qualities: fluorescent lamp, red LED, blue LED, red+blue+white LED. Shoot growth was promoted by red light, especially root length and area were further promoted under the red+blue+white LED. Also, T/R ratio and Chlorophyll content were highest in red+blue+white. Fluor Cam was used to measure the fluorescence images of the plants, inhibition of photochemical efficiency(Fv/Fm) were not changed in all treatment. However, non-photochemical quenching(NPQ) were found rapidly increasing in blue LED, these results were that blue LED were inhibit photosynthetic efficiency and must be considered for efficiently in vitro cultivation of the tea plant. The above results suggest that light qualities could be an important factor to foster in vitro growth of the species. Also, In order to produce healthy plants, it is effective to using light qualities of red+blue+white LED on in vitro culture of the tea plant. These results could be used to mass propagating shoot and produce of healthy seedling.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.549-554
• /
• 2021

Precise 3D road geospatial information is the basic infrastructure for autonomous driving and is essential data for safe autonomous driving. MMS (Mobile Mapping System) is being used as equipment for road spatial information construction, and related research is being conducted. However, there are insufficient studies to analyze the effect of the baseline reference point distance, which is an important factor in the accuracy of the MMS outcome, on the accuracy of the outcome. Therefore, in this study, the accuracy of the data acquired using MMS by reference point distance was analyzed. Point cloud data was constructed using MMS for the road in the study site. For data processing, 4 data were constructed considering the distance from the reference point for MMS data, and the accuracy was analyzed by comparing the results of 12 checkpoints for accuracy evaluation. The accuracy of the MMS data showed a difference of -0.09 m to 0.11 m in the horizontal direction and 0.04 m to 0.19 m in the height direction. The error in the vertical direction was larger than that in the horizontal direction, and it was found that the accuracy decreased as the distance from the reference point increased. In addition, as the length of the road increases, the distance from the reference point may vary, so additional research is needed. If the accuracy evaluation of the method using multiple reference points is made in the future, it will be possible to present an effective method of using reference points for the construction of precise road spatial information.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.84 no.3
• /
• pp.615-626
• /
• 2023

Purpose To assess the outcomes of single-stage surgery following fluoroscopic stent placement for malignant colorectal obstruction. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 46 patients (28 male and 18 female; mean age, 67.2 years) who had undergone fluoroscopic stent placement followed by laparoscopic resection (n = 31) or open surgery (n = 15) for malignant colorectal obstruction. The surgical outcomes were analyzed and compared. After a mean follow-up of 38.9 months, the recurrence-free and overall survival were estimated, and prognostic factors were evaluated. Results The mean interval between stent placement and surgery was 10.2 days. Primary anastomosis was possible in all patients. The mean postoperative length of hospitalization was 11.0 days. Bowel perforation was detected in six patients (13.0%). During the follow-up, ten patients (21.7%) developed recurrence; these included five of the six patients with bowel perforation. Bowel perforation had a significant effect on recurrence-free survival (p = 0.010). Conclusion Single-stage surgery following fluoroscopic stent placement may be effective for treating malignant colorectal obstruction. Stent-related bowel perforation is a significant predictive factor for tumor recurrence.