• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2012

Acute toxicity, water resolvability and short term reproduction test on Japanese medaka (Oriyzias latipes) for evaluating alachlor susceptibility to endocrine system were studied. Alachlor is known for suspected endocrine distruptors. As the results of tests, $LC_{50}$ (Median lethal concentration) was determined as 2.36 (1.994~2.805) mg/L, and test water replaced at 7 day intervals as its water resolvability was less than 20% in 7 days. The short term reproduction tests on Japanese medaka (Oriyzias latipes) were performed with a solvent control group, a treated group (alachlor concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.11, 0.27, 0.68 ppm) and a positive control group (17 ${\beta}$ estradiol, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5 ppb). The number of spawning and embryo rates were declined in a alachlor-dose dependent manner, and the number of unfertilized eggs rates were in contrast increased depending on the concentrations. Further study should be needed to confirm whether the adverse effects may be effected by the concentrations. Additionally, alachlor was evaluated as a non-vitellogenin by the result of a test of significance of the vitellogenin content test for determination of the effect of estrogen among the endocrine disruptors.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.241-256
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• 2001

Alginate microspheres, containing fluorescein isothiocyanate-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) were prepared and used as a model drug to develop the oral vaccine delivery system. The alginate microspheres were coated with poly-L-lysine or chitosan. Two methods, w/o-emulsion and spray, were used to prepare alginate microspheres. To optimize preparation conditions, effects of several factors on the particle size and particle morphology of microsphere, and loading efficiency of model antigen were investigated. In both preparation methods, the particle size and the loading efficiency were enhanced when the concentration of sodium alginate increased. In the w/o-emulsion preparation method, as the concentration of Span 80 was increased from 0.5% to 2%, the particle size was decreased, but the loading efficiency was increased. The higher the emulsification speed was, the smaller the particle size and loading efficiency were. The concentration of calcium chloride did not show any effect on the particle size and loading efficiency. In the spray preparation method, the particle size was increased as the nozzle pressure $(from\;1\;kgf/m^2\;to\;3\;kgf/m^2)$ and spray rate was raised. Increasing calcium chloride concentration (<7%) decreased the particle size, in contrast to no effect of calcium chloride concentration on the w/o-emulsion preparation method. Alginate microspheres prepared by two methods were different in the particle size and loading efficiency, the particle size of microspheres prepared by the spray method was about $2-6\;{\mu}m$, larger than that prepared by the w/o emulsion method $(about\;2{\mu}m)$, and the loading efficiency was also higher with spray method. Furthermore, drying process for the microspheres prepared by the spray was simpler and easier, compared with the w/o emulsion preparation. Therefore, the spray method was chosen to prepare alginate microspheres for further experiments. Release pattern of FITC-BSA in alginate microspheres was evaluated in simulated intestinal fluid and PBS (phosphate buffered saline). Dissolution rate of FITC-BSA from alginate/chitosan microsphere was lower than that from alginate microsphere and alginate/poly-L-lysine microsphere. By confocal laser scanning microscope, it was revealed that alginate/FITC-poly-L-lysine microspheres were present in close apposition epithelium of the Peyer's patches of rabbits following inoculation into lumen of intestine, which proved that microspheres could be taken up by Peyer's patch. In conclusion, it is suggested that alginate microsphere prepared by spray method, showing a particle size of & $10\;{\mu}m$ and a high loading efficiency, can be used as a model drug for the development of oral vaccine delivery system.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.248-253
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• 2006

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the cytotoxicity from Gleditsiae Semen extracts. G. Semen was extracted with methanol, ethanol, and acetone, and then cytotoxic effect of these extracts was measured by the MTT reduction assay and phase-contrast microscopy on the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. Among these extracts, methanol extract showed the highest cytotoxic activity on the HT-29 cells. The methanol extract was further fractionated with n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and water layer according to the degree of polarity. The water layer showed the highest inhibitory activity on the growth of HT-29 cells, but the other fractions indicated the low cytotoxic activity. In addition, water layer also showed the cytotoxic activity against SW620 human colon carcinoma cells. Based on these results, we suggest that extracts of G. Semen may contain bioactive materials and are potential candidates as chemotherapeutic agents against human colon carcinoma cells.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.533-542
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• 2017

In diagnostic radiology, the imaging system has been changed from film/screen to digital system. However, the method for removing scatter radiation such as anti-scatter grid has not kept pace with this change. Therefore, authors have devised the indirect flat panel detector (FPD) system with net-like lead in substrate layer which can remove the scattered radiation. In clinical context, there are many radiographic examinations with angulated incident X-ray. However, our proposed FPD has net-like lead foil so the vertical lead foil to the angulate incident X-ray would have bad effect on its performance. In this study, we identified the effect of vertical/horizontal lead foil component on the novel system's performance and improved the structure of novel system for clinical usage with angulated incident X-ray. Grid exposure factor and image contrast were calculated to investigate various structure of novel system using Monte Carlo simulation software when the incident X-ray was tilted ($0^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$, and $30^{\circ}$ from the detector plane). More photons were needed to obtain same image quality in the novel system with vertical lead foil only then the system with horizontal lead foil only. An optimal structure of novel system having different heights of its vertical and horizontal lead foil component showed improved performance compared with the novel system in a previous study. Therefore, the novel system will be useful in a clinical context with the angulated incident X-ray if the height and direction of lead foil in the substrate layer are optimized as the condition of conventional radiography.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.1099-1105
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• 2007

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the anticancer activity of Styela plicata. Freeze-dried S. plicata was extracted with methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water, and then anticancer effect of the extracts was measured by the MTT reduction assay and phase-contrast microscopy on the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. Among the extracts, acetone extract showed the highest anticancer activity. The cell proliferation rates markedly decreased by 94.0% at the concentration of 500 ${\mu}g/mL$ of acetone extract compared with control cells. The acetone extract was further fractionated with hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and water layer according to the degree of polarity. The HT-29 cells with hexane layer extract (250 ${\mu}g/mL$) decreased the cell viability to 5.1% of untreated control. The growth of SW620, HeLa, and MCF-7 cells was decreased to about 10%, by the treatment of hexane layer extract 250 ${\mu}g/mL$. Theses results suggest extracts from S. plicata as possible natural cancer therapeutic material.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.59-67
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• 2019

Most of the prior researches in brand extension evaluation have utilized purchase intention as a n effective variable to assess the effectiveness of brand extensions. In contrast, the author proposes that trial intention is to better predict consumers' behavioral response in the newly launched brand extension markets where relate to high risk and uncertainty. Furthermore, the study explores the effects of attitude toward parent brand and consumers' characteristics (perceived similarity and consumption experience) on trial intention of brand extensions. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the data collection was conducted for actual consumers who had experience using parent brand products. This study employed experiment and questionnaire survey and collected data of 186 was analyzed using clustering analysis and regression analysis. The main results are as follows. First, attitude toward parent brand has a positive effect on trial intention of the extensions. Second, perceived similarity and consumption experience of parent brand have moderating effects on the relation of attitude toward parent brand and trial intention of brand extensions. The results provide that both industry and academic researchers with a guide to process trial intention of brand extension from a comprehensive perspective.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2021

In contrast to standard train tracks, tramlines are often set along public roads, with trams running among pedestrians and other vehicles. In some cities and towns, trams and buses share the same routes and stations. Under the current investment appraisal system, trams are classified into light rail when predicting traffic demand and calculating benefits, but in the case of non-capital areas, it is notable that the origin-destination and transit lines of buses are not provided in the Korea Transport Database distribution data. Due to this problem, it is difficult to reflect proper mode changing behaviors between route buses and trams. This study examines the impact on tramlines of bus routes that are not currently considered in non-capital areas. Following an analysis of the effect of tram projects according to whether bus routes are considered or not, an improvement in methodology is proposed. Through this study, it is expected that the investment appraisal system for the planning of new tramlines will be improved in the future.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.681-689
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• 2023

Objective: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA) is increasingly used for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs); however, radiation exposure to the lens is a concern. We investigated the effect of head off-centering by adjusting table height on the lens dose during 3D-RA and its feasibility in patient examination. Materials and Methods: The effect of head off-centering during 3D-RA on the lens radiation dose at various table heights was investigated using a RANDO head phantom (Alderson Research Labs). We prospectively enrolled 20 patients (58.0 ± 9.4 years) with IAs who were scheduled to undergo bilateral 3D-RA. In all patients' 3D-RA, the lens dose-reduction protocol involving elevation of the examination table was applied to one internal carotid artery, and the conventional protocol was applied to the other. The lens dose was measured using photoluminescent glass dosimeters (GD-352M, AGC Techno Glass Co., LTD), and radiation dose metrics were compared between the two protocols. Image quality was quantitatively analyzed using source images for image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. Additionally, three reviewers qualitatively assessed the image quality using a five-point Likert scale. Results: The phantom study showed that the lens dose was reduced by an average of 38% per 1 cm increase in table height. In the patient study, the dose-reduction protocol (elevating the table height by an average of 2.3 cm) led to an 83% reduction in the median dose from 4.65 mGy to 0.79 mGy (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between dose-reduction and conventional protocols in the kerma area product (7.34 vs. 7.40 Gy·cm², P = 0.892), air kerma (75.7 vs. 75.1 mGy, P = 0.872), and image quality. Conclusion: The lens radiation dose was significantly affected by table height adjustment during 3D-RA. Intentional head off-centering by elevation of the table is a simple and effective way to reduce the lens dose in clinical practice.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2012

The magnification technique has recently become popular in bone radiography, mammography and other diagnostic examination. However, because of the finite size of X-ray focal spot, the magnification influences various imaging properties with resolution, noise and contrast. The purpose of study is to investigate the influence of magnification and focal spot size on digital imaging system using eDQE (effective detective quantum efficiency). Effective DQE is a metric reflecting overall system response including focal spot blur, magnification, scatter and grid response. The adult chest phantom employed in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was used to derive eDQE from eMTF (effective modulation transfer function), eNPS (effective noise power spectrum), scatter fraction and transmission fraction. According to results, spatial frequencies that eMTF is 10% with the magnification factor of 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 are 2.76, 2.21, 1.78, 1.49 and 1.26 lp/mm respectively using small focal spot. The spatial frequencies that eMTF is 10% with the magnification factor of 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 are 2.21, 1.66, 1.25, 0.93 and 0.73 lp/mm respectively using large focal spot. The eMTFs and eDQEs decreases with increasing magnification factor. Although there are no significant differences with focal spot size on eDQE (0), the eDQEs drops more sharply with large focal spot than small focal spot. The magnification imaging can enlarge the small size lesion and improve the contrast due to decrease of effective noise and scatter with air-gap effect. The enlargement of the image size can be helpful for visual detection of small image. However, focal spot blurring caused by finite size of focal spot shows more significant impact on spatial resolution than the improvement of other metrics resulted by magnification effect. Based on these results, appropriate magnification factor and focal spot size should be established to perform magnification imaging with digital radiography system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2012

Micro-computed tomography (microCT) is an important tool for preclinical vascular imaging, with micron-level resolution. This non-destructive means of imaging allows for rapid collection of 2D and 3D reconstructions to visualize specimens prior to destructive analysis such as pathological analysis. Objectives. The aim of this study was to suggest a method for ex vivo, postmortem examination of stented arterial segments with microCT. And ex vivo evaluation of stents such as bare metal or drug eluting stents on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in rabbit model was performed. The bare metal stent (BMS) and drug eluting stent (DES, paclitaxel) were implanted in the left or right iliac arteries alternatively in eight New Zealand white rabbits. After 4 weeks of post-implantation, the part of iliac arteries surrounding the stent were removed carefully and processed for microCT. Prior to microCT analysis, a contrast medium was loaded to lumen of stents. All samples were subjected to an X-ray source operating at 50 kV and 200 ${\mu}A$ by using a 3D isotropic resolution. The region of interest was traced and measured by CTAN analytical software. Objects being exposed to radiation had different Hounsfield unit each other with values of approximately 1.2 at stent area, 0.12 ~ 0.17 at a contrast medium and 0 ~ 0.06 at outer area of stent. Based on above, further analyses were performed. As a result, the difference of lengths and volumes between expanded stents, which may relate to injury score in pathological analysis, was not different significantly. Moreover, ISR area of BMS was 1.6 times higher than that of DES, indicating that paclitaxel has inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and prevent infiltration of restenosis into lumen of stent. And ISR area of BMS was higher ($1.52{\pm}0.48mm^2$) than that of DES ($0.94{\pm}0.42mm^2$), indicating that paclitaxel has inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and prevent infiltration of restenosis into lumen of stent. Though it was not statistically significant, it showed that the extent of neointema of mid-region of stents was relatively higher than that of anterior and posterior region in parts of BMS as showing cross-sectional 2-D image. suggest that microCT can be utilized as an accessorial tool for pathological analysis.