• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.227-245
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• 1998

A most appropriate model of 3-D conformal radiotherapy has been induced by clinical evaluation and animal study, and therapeutic gains were evaluated by numerical equation of tumor control probability(TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). The radiation dose to the tumor and the adjacent normal organs was accurately evaluated and compared using the dose volume histogram(DVH). The TCP and NTCP was derived from the distribution of given dosage and irradiated volume, and these numbers were used as the biological index for the assessment of the treatment effects. Ten patients with liver disease have been evaluated and 3 dogs were sacrificed for this study. Based on the 3-D images of the tumor and adjacent organs, the optimum radiation dose and the projection direction which could maximize the radiation effect while minimizing the effects to the adjacent organs could be decided. 3). The most effective collimation for the normal adjacent organs was made through the beams eye view with the use of multileaf collimator. When the dose was increased from 50Gy to 70Gy, the TCP for the conventional 2-port radiation and the 5-port multidimensional therapy was 0.982 and 0.995 respectively, while the NTCP was 0.725 and 0.142 respectively, suggesting that the 3-D conformal radiotherapy might be the appropriate therapy to apply sufficient radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the damages to the normal areas of the liver. Positive correlation was observed between the NTCP and the actual complication of the normal liver in the animal study. The present study suggest that the use of 3-D conformal radiotherapy and the application of the mathematical models of TCP and NTCP may provide the improvements in the treatment of hepatoma with enhanced results.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.135-147
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• 2015

Recent underground common utility tunnels are underground facilities for jointly accommodating more than 2 kinds of air-conditioning and heating facilities, vacuum dust collector, information processing cables as well as electricity, telecommunications, waterworks, city gas, sewerage system required when citizens live their daily lives and facilities responsible for the central function of the country but it is difficult to cope with fire accidents quickly and hard to enter into common utility tunnels to extinguish a fire due to toxic gases and smoke generated when various cables are burnt. Thus, in the event of a fire, not only the nerve center of the country is paralyzed such as significant property damage and loss of communication etc. but citizen inconveniences are caused. Therefore, noticing that most fires break out by a short circuit due to electrical works and degradation contact due to combustible cables as the main causes of fires in domestic and foreign common utility tunnels fire cases that have occurred so far, the purpose of this paper is to scientifically analyze the behavior of a fire by producing the model of actual common utility tunnels and reproducing the fire. A fire experiment was conducted in a state that line type fixed temperature detector, fire door, connection deluge set and ventilation equipment are installed in underground common utility tunnels and transmission power distribution cables are coated with fire proof paints in a certain section and heating pipes are fire proof covered. As a result, in the case of Type II, the maximum temperature was measured as $932^{\circ}C$ and line type fixed temperature detector displayed the fire location exactly in the receiver at a constant temperature. And transmission power distribution cables painted with fire proof paints in a certain section, the case of Type III, were found not to be fire resistant and fire proof covered heating pipes to be fire resistant for about 30 minutes. Also, fire simulation was carried out by entering fire load during a real fire test and as a result, the maximum temperature is $943^{\circ}C$, almost identical with $932^{\circ}C$ during a real fire test. Therefore, it is considered that fire behaviour can be predicted by conducting fire simulation only with common utility tunnels fire load and result values of heat release rate, height of the smoke layer, concentration of O2, CO, CO2 etc. obtained by simulation are determined to be applied as the values during a real fire experiment. In the future, it is expected that more reliable information on domestic underground common utility tunnels fire accidents can be provided and it will contribute to construction and maintenance repair effectively and systematically by analyzing and accumulating experimental data on domestic underground common utility tunnels fire accidents built in this study and fire cases continuously every year and complementing laws and regulations and administration manuals etc.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2004

Background: We tested the effect of indomethacine and total spinal anesthesia on the improvement of placental flow during cardiopulmonary bypass on fetal lamb. Material and Method: Twenty fetuses at 120 to 150 days of gestation were subjected to bypass via trans-sternal approach with a 12 G pulmonary arterial cannula and 14 to 18 F venous cannula for 30 minutes. All ewes received general anesthesia with ketamine. In all the fetuses, no anesthetic agents were used except muscle relaxant. Ten served as a control group in which placenta was worked as an oxygenator during bypass (Control group). The remainder worked as an experimental group in which pretreatment with indomethacine and total spinal anesthesia was performed before bypass with the same extracorporeal circulation technique as control group (Experimental group). Observations were made every 10 minutes during a 30-minute bypass and 30-minute post bypass period. Result: Weights of the fetuses ranged from 2.2 to 5.2 kg. In Control group, means of arterial pressure decreased from 44.7 to 14.4 mmHg and means of Pa$CO_2$ increased from 61.9 to 129.6 mmHg at each time points during bypass. Flow rate was suboptimal (74.3 to 97.0 $m\ell$/kg/min) during bypass. All hearts fibrillated immediately after the discontinuation of bypass. On the contrary, in Experimental group, means of arterial pressure reamined higher (45.8 to 30 mmHg) during bypass (p<0.05). Means of Pa$CO_2$ were less ranging from 59.8 to 79.4 mmHg during bypass (P<0.05). Flow rates were higher (78.8 to 120.2 $m\ell$/kg/min) during bypass (p<0.05). There were slower deterioration of cardiac function after cessation of bypass. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that the placental flow was increased during fetal cardiopulmonary bypass in the group pretreated with indomethacine and total spinal anesthesia. However, further studies with modifications of the bypass including a creation of more concise bypass circuit, and a use of axial pump are mandatory for the clinical application.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.906-918
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• 2019

MicroRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) is one of the potential microRNAs that have been shown to alleviate inflammatory responses in pre-clinical investigations and is highly encased in exosomes derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exosomes). MSC-exosomes are able to function as carriers to deliver microRNAs into cells. Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the challenging liver diseases with no effective treatment other than steroid hormones. Here, we examined whether MSC-exosomes can transfer miR-223-3p to treat autoimmune hepatitis in an experimental model. We found that MSC-exosomes were successfully incorporated with miR-223-3p and delivered miR-223-3p into macrophages. Moreover, there was no toxic effect of exosomes on the macrophages. Furthermore, treatments of either exosomes or exosomes with miR-223-3p successfully attenuated inflammatory responses in the liver of autoimmune hepatitis and inflammatory cytokine release in both the liver and macrophages. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-223-3p level and STAT3 expression in the liver and macrophages. These results suggest that MSC-exosomes can be used to deliver miR-223-3p for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 1994

Gastrodia (G) Rhizoma has been used clinically as an oriental herbal medicine with sedative, anticonvulsive, and depressor effects. The present study tested effects of G. Rhizoma extracts on the coronary circulation and myocardial oxygen consumption in perfused rat hearts. Sprague Dawley rats (SD) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were employed as experimental animals and nonworking Langendorff heart perfusion technique introduced for heart experiments. G. Rhizoma extracts were prepared from grinding G. Rhizoma into powder, extracting in water and 50% ethanol for 4 or 16 hr and diluting with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate perfusion buffer to be 70%. Hearts were perfused with bicarbonate buffer oxygenated with 95% $O_{2}:$ 5% $CO_{2}$ at constant coronary perfusion pressure of $90cmH_{2}O$. The diluted extracts were infused into coronary arteries in a concentration of $1{\sim}5\;{\mu}M$ for $7{\sim}8 min. While in SD water- or ethanol-extracts of G. Rhizoma extracted for 16 hr increased coronary perfusate flow (CPF) and decreased coronary vascular resistance (CVR), ethanol-extracts in SHR produced coronary vasoconstriction associated with enhanced CVR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced increase in CPF reduced myocardial oxygen extraction, and thus myocardial oxygen consumption ($MVO_{2}$) remained at that observed prior to infusion of extracts. In SD and SHR 16 hr-water-extracts markedly altered coronary venous effluent pH and $Pco_{2}$ and evoked metabolic acidosis, which could be a coronary vasodilator mechanism decreasing CVR. In this study, the extracts decreasing CVR in SD and SHR did not augment the lactate production. Therefore, although the effects of the extracts on cardiac function and coronary circulation depended on solvents and duration for extraction, the 16hr-water-extracts, at least, exhibited coronary vasodilation in SD and SHR. Conversely, ethanol-extracts constricted coronary arteries in SHR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced vasodilation might be due to the metabolic acidosis rather than due to the increased lactate production. The results indicate that G. Rhizoma extracts obtained from proper extracting procedures can be used as a safe and clinically applicable herbal medicine in the cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and hypertension for vasodilatory and antihypertensive actions.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 2008

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation and is associated with hyper-production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Recent studies have suggested that one of the treatments to alleviate symptoms of AD could be a supplementation of probiotics, Lactobacillus, Rhamnosus, Bifidus, etc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotics on immune parameters in NC/Nga mice treated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitro-benzene (DNCB). To induce atopic dermatitis, DNCB was treated to the back of mice for 2 weeks. Then, NC/Nga mice were divided into the four experimental groups randomly. Probiotics fragment, probiotics with other complex (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12LbL, L. plantarum K8, L. plantarum K8 fragment, ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid), antihistamine, and distilled water were administrated orally to the NC/Nga mouse for 4 weeks of experimental period. The groups were probiotics fragment group (DPF), probiotics with other complex group (DPOC), antihistamine group (DAH) and distilled water group (DDW) as a control group. The levels of serum IgE, interlukin-4 (IL-4), interlukin-5 (IL-5), interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) and spleenocyte IgE were measured. The levels of serum IgE were significantly different among the four experimental groups. Before the treatment, there was no differences among the groups. However, from the first through the third week of the treatments, the levels of serum IgE in the probiotics (DPF, DPOC) and antihistamine (DAH) groups were lower than those of control group (p < 0.05). The levels of serum IL-4 of DPOC group was significantly lower than that of control group (p < 0.05) and serum IL-5 levels of DPF, DPOC, and DAH groups were significantly lower than that of control group. The levels of serum IFN-${\gamma}$ were not different among the four experimental groups. The levels of serum IgE in supernatant of spleen lymphocytes were not significantly different among the groups. These results suggest that probiotics supplementation showed partial effectiveness in the DNCB treated NC/Nga mice via modulation of IgE level and IL-4, IL-5 production. Based on these findings, probiotics exhibited the inhibitory effect via IL-4 production thereby inhibited the production of IgE in atopic animal model NC/Nga mice.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2017

The effect of Artemisia argyi H. under liquid-state fermentation by Monascus purpureus (AAFM) on cognitive impairments has been studied in a mice model of diabetes-associated cognitive decline induced by streptozotocin (STZ). C57BL/6 mice (9 weeks of age, male) were separated into four groups: a normal control, STZ-induced diabetic mouse group (STZ group), Artemisia argyi H. (AA) 10 group (diabetic mouse+AA 10 mg/kg/day), AAFM 10 group (diabetic mouse+AAFM 10 mg/kg/day). Administration of AA and AAFM significantly improved glucose tolerance, as shown by the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), and ameliorated cognitive deficit, as shown by the behavioral tests including passive avoidance, Morris water maze, and Y-maze tests. After behavioral tests, the cholinergic system was examined by assessment of the acetylcholine (ACh) level and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, and the antioxidant system was also assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the brain and liver.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.272-277
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• 1998

Filtering rates of two farming ascidians Styela clava and S. plicata, and of a farming mussel Mytilus edulis were experimentally investigated with reference to effects of water temperature and size. Absorptiometric determinations of filtering rates were carried out in a closed system with experimental animals being decreased indicate dyes neutral red. Optical density (OD) of 440 nm in path length 22 mm cell used as the indication of food particles absorption was appeared directly in proportion with the concentration of neutral red dyes. The filtering rate F is calculated by Kim's equation $F\;=\;V(1-e^{-z})$, where V is the water volume ($\ell$) in the experimental jar, and Z is the decreasing coefficient of OD as meaning of instantaneous removal speed as In $C_t\;=\;In\;C_{o}-Z{\cdot}t$, in this formula $C_t$ is OD at the time t. Filtering rate of S. clava increased as exponential function with increasing temperature while not over critical limit, and the critical temperature for filtering rate was assumed to be between $28^{\circ}C$ and $29^{\circ}C$. In case of S. plicata, the critical temperature was to be below $13^{\circ}C$, and through the temperature range $15\~25^{\circ}C$ appeared a little difference in level even though with significant. M. edulis was not appear any significant effects by water temperature less than $29^{\circ}C$. The model formula derived from the results is as below, where F is filtering rate (${\ell}/hr/animal$), T is water temperature ($^{\circ}C$), and DW is dry meat weight (g) of experimental animal. $$S.\;Clava;\;F\;=\;e xp\;(0.119\;T-4.540)\;(DW)^{0.6745},\;T<29^{\circ}C$$) $$S.\;plicata;\;F\;=\;e xp\;(A_t)\;(DW)^{0.5675},\;(13^{\circ}C $$[A_t =-8.56+0.6805\;T-0.0153\;T^2]$$ $$M.\;edulis;\;F\;=\;0.3844\;(DW)^{0.4952},\;<29^{\circ}C$$)

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.105-138
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• 2009

Although the decline in fertility rate is generally observed along the history of economic development throughout the world, the continuing decline hitting below the replacement level in Korea over the recent years gathered serious social concerns on the ground that it accelerates the process of population aging. The total fertility rate in Koreareached 2.08 in 1983, and gradually fell to the levels of 1.08 in 2005 and 1.26 in 2007. The policy debate over the role of the government has been focused mainly on the level of theoretical discussion without substantial basis on firm empirical evidence and the determinants of fertility. The objective of the paper is to empirically investigate the fertility effect of the female wage, which is understood as one of the most important determinants of fertility in Koreasince 1980 focusing on one aspect of fertility, namely birth spacing. Using the Korean National Fertility Survey conducted in 2006, I estimate a duration model of first and second births taking into account individual heterogeneity, which turned out to be an important factor to control for. Compared with previous studies in the literature on the Korean fertility, the study has an advantage of using the complete pregnancy history of women in a more representative sample. Unlike the previous studies, the analysis also deals with the endogeneity of marriage by treating a certain age, rather than age at marriage, as the time in which a woman becomes exposed to the risk of pregnancy. The study shares the common problem in the literature on birth spacing of lacking relevant wage information for respondents in a retrospective survey. I estimate the wage series as a function of the basic characteristics using the annual Wage Structure Survey from 1980 to 2005, which is considered as a nationally representative sample for wage information of employees. The results suggest that the increase in female wage by 10 percent leads to a decrease in second birth hazard by 0.56~0.92 percentage points and that the increase in spouse's wage by the equal amount is accompanied by the increase in second birth hazard by 0.36~1.13 percentage points. These estimates are more precisely estimated and of smaller magnitude than those presented by the previous studies. The results are robust to the different specifications of the wage equation. The simulation analysis based on the predicted values shows that about 17% of the change in the second birth hazard over the period 1980 to 2005 was due to the change in the female wage. Although there is some limitation in data, the results can be viewed as one estimate of the role of female wage on the recent fertility decline in Korea. The question raised by the paper is not a normative one of whether a government should promote childbearing but a positive one thatexplains fertility decline. Therefore, if there is a wide consensus on promoting childbearing, the finding suggests that the policies designed to reduce the opportunity cost of women in the labor market would be effective. The recent movement of implementing a wide range of family-friendly policies including child care support, maternity leave, parental leave and tax benefit in developed countries should be understood in this context.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-198
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• 2016

Korea has put in significant efforts to increase the number of wildlife crossings between fragmented habitats to prevent loss of biodiversity and to encourage the habitat connectivity in Korea. However, there is a lack of biological data on the effect of vegetation structure in these wildlife crossings and guidelines for design and management of wildlife crossing structures in Korea. Therefore, we selected ground beetle assemblages as model organisms to compare the effect of vegetation structure in wildlife crossings, i.e. bare ground- and shrub-type corridors, in agro-forested landscapes. For this study, 4,207 ground beetles belonging to 33 species were collected through pitfall trapping along the northern forest-corridor-southern forest transects from late April to early September in 2015. Dominant species, abundance, and species richness of ground beetles were significantly higher in the shrub-type corridors than the bare ground-type corridors. Also, the species composition of bare ground-type corridor was significantly different compared to the other habitats such as shrub-type corridor and forests. Similarly, environmental variables were also influenced by vegetation management regimes or trap locations. Collectively, our study clearly indicates that the movement of forest associated ground beetles between forest patches can increase as the vegetation in wildlife crossings becomes complex. Although further studies are needed to verify this, there are indications that the current wildlife crossings that comply with the guidelines may be unfriendly to the movement of ground dwelling arthropods as well as ground beetles. To enhance the ecological function of wildlife crossings, the guidelines need to be rectified as follows: 1) Shrubs or trees should be planted along the corridor verges to provide refuge or movement paths for small mammals and ground dwelling arthropods, and 2) Open spaces should be provided in the middle of the corridors to be used as a path for the movement of large mammals.