• Toxicological Research
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.271-278
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• 2005

Reproductive and developmental toxicology is concerned with various physical or chemical agents interfering with fertility in both gender or normal growth of offsprings. Reproductive and developmental toxicology is rather a complex science, with many fields, i.e., various endpoints are involved and many different mechanisms of action. For that reason, diverse aspects must be considered when attempting to assess possible adverse health effects in the area of reproductive and developmental toxicology. The thalidomide tragedy made it clear to regulatory authorities around the world that systematic, comprehensive evaluation of the reproductive cycle was needed to adequately evaluate the potential of medicinal drugs to impair the process of reproduction or the development of embryos, fetuses, and children. International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed a guideline to assess the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Also these guidelines have since been applied to the detection and regulation of environmental toxicants, food additives, and so on. Although it was hoped that testing procedures of guideline would be updated constantly to reflect the current state of the science in reproductive and developmental toxicology, it was not until this decade that regulatory guidelines and testing methods have been altered in a significant way. In this paper, we would like to present the recommended approaches and recent trends for improvement of testing guidelines or experimental methods in reproductive and developmental toxicology.

• 전자공학회논문지S
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• 제35S권3호
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• pp.29-38
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• 1998

This ppaer suggests a congestion control scheme for CL(ConnectionLess) overlay network using the feedback loops getween CL werver, between CL servers, and the header translation table of CL server. The CL overlay network for CBDS(Connectionless Broadband Data Service) defined by ITU0T(International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication) consists of CL servers which route frames and links which connect between CL user and CL server or between CL servers. In this CL overlay network, two kinds of congestions, link congestion and CL server congestion, may occur. We suggest a scheme that can solve the congestion using ABR(Available Bit Rate) feedback control loop, the traffic control mechanism. This scheme is the link-by-link method suing the ABR feedback control loops between CL user and CL server or between CL servers, and the header translation table of CL server. As CL servers are always endpoints of ABR connections, the congestion staturs of the CL server can be informed to the traffic sources using RM(Resource Management) cell of the ABR feedback loops. Also CL server knows the trafffic sources making congestion by inspecting the source address field of CLNAP-PDUs(ConnectionLess Network Access Protocol - Protocol Data Units). Therefore this scheme can be implemeted easily using only both ABR feedback control loop of ATM layer and the congestion state table using the header translation table of CL server because it does not require separate feedback links for congestion control of CL servers.

• 환경생물
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.287-306
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• 2012

지구적으로 양서류가 감소하고 있다. 오래전부터 중금속은 양서류 군집 감소의 원인 중 한가지로 지목받고 있다. 수정 후 변태에 이르는 생활사를 수중에서 진행하는 양서류는 수환경 내의 오염물질에 1차적으로 노출되며 독성효과에 대한 감수성이 높아 수환경의 오염에 특히 취약하다. 양서류는 수서생태계의 건강도 지표로서 유용할 뿐 아니라 분자 및 개체수준의 다양한 생체지표를 이용한 다양한 환경오염물질의 독성평가 모델로서도 유용하다. 양서류에서 얻어진 독성자료는 수환경 오염물질의 관리와 안전관리기준으로 사용될 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 기존에 보고된 중금속이 양서류의 다양한 독성종말점에 미치는 영향들에 대해 검토하고 분석하였다.

• 음성과학
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.67-77
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• 2008

In this paper, we implemented a robust speech recognizer using the TMS320VC33 DSP. For this implementation, we had built speech and noise database suitable for the recognizer using spectral subtraction method for noise removal. The recognizer has an explicit structure in aspect that a speech signal is enhanced through spectral subtraction before endpoints detection and feature extraction. This helps make the operation of the recognizer clear and build HMM models which give minimum model-mismatch. Since the recognizer was developed for the purpose of controlling car facilities and voice dialing, it has two recognition engines, speaker independent one for controlling car facilities and speaker dependent one for voice dialing. We adopted a conventional DTW algorithm for the latter and a continuous HMM for the former. Though various off-line recognition test, we made a selection of optimal conditions of several recognition parameters for a resource-limited embedded recognizer, which led to HMM models of the three mixtures per state. The car noise added speech database is enhanced using spectral subtraction before HMM parameter estimation for reducing model-mismatch caused by nonlinear distortion from spectral subtraction. The hardware module developed includes a microcontroller for host interface which processes the protocol between the DSP and a host.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3715-3720
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• 2014

Background: It is controversial whether Tai Chi (TC) benefits breast cancer survivors (BCS) on quality of life (QoL). We therefore undertook a meta-analysis to assess this question. Materials and Methods: A computerized search through electronic databases was performed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was QoL, while secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and muscle strength. Results: Five RCTs involving 407 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled standardized mean differences were 0.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.35-0.54) for physical well-being, 0.03 (95%CI: -0.18-0.25) for social/family well-being, 0.24 (95%CI: 0.02-0.45) for emotional well-being, 0.23 (95%CI: -0.03-0.49) for functional well-being, and 0.09 (95%CI: -0.19-0.36) for additional concerns. TC failed to improve BMI, BMD, and muscle strength. Conclusions: There is currently lack of sufficient evidence to support TC improving QoL and other important clinical endpoints.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.280-286
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• 2004

The widespread use of the Internet and the maturing of digital video technology have led to an increase in various streaming media application. However, new classes of hosts such as mobile devices are gaining popularity, while the transmission became more heterogeneous. Due to the characteristics of mobile networks such as low speed, high error bit rate, etc., the applications over the wireless channel have different needs and limitations from desktop computers. An intermediary between two communicating endpoints to hide the heterogeneous network links is thought as one of the best approaches. In this paper, we adopted the concept of inter-packet gap and the sequence number between continuously received packets as the error discriminator, and designed an adaptive packet sizing mechanism to improve the network efficiency under varying channel conditions. Based on the proposed mechanism, the packetization scheme with error protection is proposed to scalable encoded video delivery. Finally, simulation results reveal that our proposed mechanism can react to the varying BER conditions with better network efficiency and gain the obvious improvement to video quality for stored MPEG-4 FGS video delivery.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.350-355
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• 2004

Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay is a rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive method for measuring cell proliferation and chemosensitivity. However, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay is generally used to measure cytototoxicity of infectious microorganisms against host cells. In this study, we investigated the possibility of applying the SRB assay to determine cytotoxicity for infectious microorganisms, and compared the results with those obtained by the LDH release assay. We used Vibrio vulnificus as a model of infectious microorganisms. The SRB assay showed that V vulnificus strongly induced cytotoxic activity against human intestinal cells, Caco-2 and INT-407 cells. The degree of cytotoxicity closely correlated with infection time and number ratios of V. vulnificus to intestinal cells (MOI, multiplicity of infection). Furthermore, cytotoxicity values obtained by SRB assay correlated well with results obtained by the LDH release assay, and both assays gave a linear response with respect to MOI Heat-inactivation of V. vulnificus for 35 min at $60^{\circ}C$ did not induce cytotoxic activity, indicating that viability of V. vulnificus is crucial for cytotoxic activity against intestinal cells. Although both assays are suitable as cytotoxicity endpoints, the SRB assay is recommended for measuring cytotoxicity of infectious microorganisms against host cells because of its significantly lower cost and more stable endpoint than the LDH release assay.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1998년도 Proceedings of UNESCO-internetwork Cooperative Regional Seminar and Workshop on Bioassay Guided Isolation of Bioactive Substances from Natural Products and Microbial Products
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• pp.199-199
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• 1998

In this study, the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on ischemia/reperfusion injury were investigated on retrograded aortic perfusion model. Hearts from Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution (pH 7.4, 37) on a Langendorff apparatus. After equilibration, hearts were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid 10, 20, 40 and 800 M or vehicle (0.04% DMSO) for 10 min before the onset of ischemia. Following 25 min of global ischemia, ischemic hearts were reperfused and allowed to recover for 30 min. The physiological (i.e. heart rate, left ventricular diastolic pressure, coronary flow and time to contracture formation) and biochemical (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) endpoints were evaluated. In vehicle group, time to contracture formation (TTC) value was 19.5 min during ischemia, LVDP was 20.8 mmHg at the endpoint of reperfusion and LDH activity in reperfusate was 59.7 U/L. Cardioprotective effects of UDCA following ischemia/reperfusion consisted of a reduced TTC (EC$\_$25/ = 16.10 M), reduced LDH release and enhanced recovery of contractile function during reperfusion. Especially, the treatments of UDCA 80 M remarkably increased LVDP (68.1 mmHg) and reduced LDH release (33.2 U/L). Our findings suggest that UDCA ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damage, in agreement with physiological and biochemical parameters.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.1064-1068
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• 2007

We evaluated the effect of soybean dongchunghacho [SD, cultivated dongchunghacho fungus (Paecilomyces tenuipes) on soybeans] on dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress in male F344 rats. The animals were divided into 3 groups and fed a casein-based high-fat, low fiber diet without (DMH group) or with 13%(w/w) of soybean (DMH+S group), or SD (DMH+SD group). One week after beginning the diets, rats were treated weekly with DMH (30 mg/kg, s.c.) for 6 weeks; dietary treatments were continued for the entire experiment and endpoints measured at 9 weeks after the first DMH injection. SD supplementation reduced DMH-induced DNA damage in colon cells and reduced plasma lipid peroxidation. Thus, SD may have therapeutic potential for early-stage colon carcinogenesis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.187-194
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• 2013

Microalgae are sensitive indicators of environmental changes, and hence they are widely used in environmental risk assessments and for the development of discharge guidelines. Here we evaluated the toxicity of metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to the marine green microalga, Tetraselmis suecica. The toxicants investigated included the metals, Cu, Ni, and Pb; and the EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA), endosulfan (ES), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The endpoints were variations in cell counts and chlorophyll a levels. T. suecica displayed a varied pattern of sensitivity to the toxicants. Based on the 72-h median effective concentration ($EC_{50}$), ES (0.045 mg/L) was most toxic to T. suecica, followed by PCB (3.96 mg/L) and Pb (9.62 mg/L). Interestingly, T. suecica was relatively tolerant to Cu (43.03 mg/L). The 72-h $EC_{50}$ values of Ni and BPA were approximately 16 mg/L. Our data suggest that this species may be relatively tolerant to most of the chemicals within their permissible limits in the environment.