• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2013

Extracellular accumulation of amyloid beta protein ($A{\beta}$) plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some metals, such as copper, lead, and aluminum can affect the $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the brain. However, the effect of mercury on $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the brain is not clear. Thus, this study was proposed to estimate whether mercury concentration affects $A{\beta}$ accumulation in PC12 cells. We treated 10, 100, and 1000 nM $HgCl_2$ (Hg) or $CH_3HgCl_2$ (MeHg) for 48 hr in PC12 cells. After treatment, $A{\beta}_{40}$ in culture medium increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hg and MeHg increased amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is related to $A{\beta}$ production. Neprilysin (NEP) levels in PC12 cells were decreased by Hg and MeHg treatment. These results suggested that Hg induced $A{\beta}$ accumulation through APP overproduction and reduction of NEP.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2022

Whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP) continuously rises with age, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) gradually decreases after the age of 55 years. Therefore, hypertension in the elderly shows the pattern of isolated systolic hypertension. There is evidence on the benefits of controlling blood pressure (BP) in elderly patients with hypertension. The BP lowering effect has also been demonstrated in patients over 80 years of age with hypertension. The BP threshold for the initiation of antihypertensive drug treatment for older adults with hypertension is gradually decreasing. The antihypertensive treatment is recommended if, despite therapeutic lifestyle modifications, SBP ≥140 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg in those aged 65-79 years old, and SBP ≥140-160 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg in those aged ≥80 years old. Although there is no consensus on the target BP for older adults with hypertension, a target SBP of <130-140 mmHg and DBP of <80-90 mmHg are recommended. In older adults over 80 years of age with hypertension, the target SBP is <140-150 mmHg. When the dose of antihypertensive drugs is increased to reach the target SBP, DBP may decrease to less than 70 mmHg, but it should not be <60 mmHg. Thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers can be selected as the first-line drug for older adults with hypertension. Beta-blockers may be selected in case of compelling indications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.732-737
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• 2018

We develop a purification process of $Hg_2Br_2$ raw powders using a physical vapor transport(PVT) process, which is essential for the fabrication of a high performance acousto-optic tunable filter(AOTF) module. Specifically, we characterize and compare three $Hg_2Br_2$ powders: $Hg_2Br_2$ raw powder, $Hg_2Br_2$ powder purified under pumping conditions, and $Hg_2Br_2$ powder purified under vacuum sealing. Before and after purification, we characterize the powder samples through X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The corresponding results indicate that physical properties of the $Hg_2Br_2$ compound are not damaged even after the purification process. The impurities and concentration in the purified $Hg_2Br_2$ powder are evaluated by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Notably, compared to the sample purified under pumping conditions, the purification process under vacuum sealing results in a higher purity $Hg_2Br_2$ (99.999 %). In addition, when the second vacuum sealing purification process is performed, the remaining impurities are almost removed, giving rise to $Hg_2Br_2$ with ultra-high purity. This high purification process might be possible due to independent control of impurities and $Hg_2Br_2$ materials under the optimized vacuum sealing. Preparation of such a highly purified $Hg_2Br_2$ materials will pave a promising way toward a high-quality $Hg_2Br_2$ single crystal and then high performance AOTF modules.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.659-666
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effect of changes in pressure levels and gaze directions on deep neck flexor muscle thickness. Twenty-seven subjects participated in this study. Ultrasound imaging of the longus colli (LC) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) were measured in four gaze directions (0°, 20°, 40°, 60°) and five pressure levels (20 mmHg, 22 mmHg, 24 mmHg, 26 mmHg, 28 mmHg) during cranial-cervical flexor (CCF) exercises. Repeated ANOVA was performed for analysis of muscle thickness difference according to gaze direction and pressure levels in LC and SCM. Results: LC showed a significant difference between 0° and 20°, 0° and 40°, and 0° and 60° at pressures of 20 mmHg and 22 mmHg (p<.05). SCM displayed a significant difference between 0° and 20°, 20° and 40°, and 40° and 60° at 28 mmHg (p<.05). In this study, it was found that setting the gaze direction to 20° for the CCF exercise can increase the activation of LC and lower the activity of SCM to obtain the effect of exercise. Based on the results of this study, it is hoped that the beneficial effects of the CCF exercise can be increased by setting an optimal gaze direction in a clinical environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1817-1820
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• 2015

Background: Hemoglobin A1c(HgA1c) is a marker of poor gylcemic control and elevation HgA1c is associated with increased risk of many cancers. We aimed to determine the HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer cases and any relationship with stage and grade of disease. Materials and Methods: A retrospective data review was performed between June 2011 and October 2012 at a tertiary referral center in Turkey. The study included 35 surgically staged endometrial cancer patients and 40 healthy controls. Preoperative HgA1c levels drawn within 3 months before surgery were compared. Also the relationships between HgA1c levels and stage, grade and hystologic type of cancer cases were evaluated. Results: The mean HgA1c levels were statistically significantly higher at $6.19{\pm}1.44$ in endometrial cancer cases than the $5.61{\pm}0.58$ in controls (p=0.027). With endometrial cancer cases, the mean HgA1c level was found to be $6.62{\pm}1.40$ for stage I and $6.88{\pm}1.15$ for stages II-IV (p=0.07). The figures were $6.74{\pm}1.65$ for endometrioid and $6.63{\pm}1.41$ for non-endometrioid type tumors (p=0.56). Mean HgA1c levels of $6.72{\pm}1.14$ for grade 1 and $6.62{\pm}1.42$ for grade 2-3 were observed (p=0.57). Conclusions: HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer patients were statistically higher than healthy controls. However, HgA1c did not show any significant correlation with stage, grade and histologic type in endometrial cancer cases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.53-63
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles, including the transversus abdominis, according to the set pressure applied by a pressure biofeedback unit during contractions of the hip adductor muscles. METHODS: After randomizing 40 healthy adult males in their 20 s and 30 s, the participants were instructed to match the pressure gauge indication of the pressure biofeedback device to continue contracting the hip adductor while maintaining it at 10 mmHg (low), 40 mmHg (medium), or 70 mmHg (high). The measurement was taken over five seconds using an ultrasound device. RESULTS: According to the contractile pressure applied to the hip adductor muscle, there was a significant difference in the muscle thickness change of the transverse abdominis muscle between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. The muscle thickness ratio of the external oblique/abdominal muscle was significantly different between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Increased contraction pressure on the hip adductor muscle increases the muscle thickness of the abdominal transverse muscle. Interbody stability exercise with contractions of the hip adductor muscle is expected to help increase in the muscle thickness of the hip adductor muscle.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.3.1-3.11
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• 2023

Background: Studies on the risk of mercury (Hg) in Korean fishery products focus primarily on total Hg levels as opposed to methylmercury (MeHg) levels. None of the few studies on MeHg in tuna investigated tuna from Japanese restaurants. Few have evaluated lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in tuna. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a risk assessment by evaluating heavy metal concentrations in tuna from Japanese restaurants. Methods: Thirty-one tuna samples were collected from Japanese restaurants in the Republic of Korea. They were classified according to region and species. The concentration of heavy metals in the samples was analyzed using the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Food Code method. The rate of exceedance of maximum residue levels (MRLs) and the risk compared to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (%PTWI) were evaluated for risk assessment. Results: The mean of MeHg, Pb, Cd and As concentrations were 0.56 ± 1.47 mg/kg, 33.95 ± 3.74 ㎍/kg, 14.25 ± 2.19 ㎍/kg and 1.46 ± 1.89 mg/kg, respectively. No sample exceeded the MRLs of Pb and Cd, but 9.7% of the samples exceeded the MRL of MeHg. The %PTWIs of MeHg, Pb, Cd and As were 4.2037, 0.0162, 0.0244 and 1.1627, respectively. The %PTWI of MeHg by age group and sex was highest among men aged 19-29 years (10.6494), followed by men aged 30-49 years (7.2458) and women aged 19-29 years (4.8307). Conclusions: We found that 3 out of 31 samples exceeded the MRL of MeHg. The %PTWI of MeHg showed significant differences based on age and sex, and the value was likely to exceed a safe level depending on individuals' eating behaviors. Therefore, improved risk management for MeHg is required.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 1988

In this study, the method of adsorption by activated carbon in the removal of Hg(II) ion in waste water was treated. The influence of kinds of activated carbon and effect of temperature and the influence of coexistent salt on adsorption rates, the influence of pH in the adsorption, equilibrium and adsorption of mercury from activated carbon were investigated. From the adsorption on activated carbon of mercury(II) ion in the presence of cyanide or thiocyanate ion was found that mercury(II) was easily adsorved onto the activated carbon in the form of complex artion such as Hg(CN)$_4^{2-}$, Hg(SCN)$_4^{2-}$ respectively. ZnCl$_2$ activation method had a higher adsorptive ability than steam activation method in adsorption of Hg on activated carbon. Activated carbon adsorbed iodide ion is very effective on adsorption of Hg.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1970

非水溶液 Ethylenediamine 中에서 水銀電極의 標準電位 및 水銀鹽化物, $HgCl_2,\;HgBr_2,\;HgI_2$의 Ion-Pair 形成恒數를, Hg電極/$HgX_2$ 또는 $HgX_2$+NaX//亞鉛아마르감 參照電極과 같은 Cell의 構成으로서 電位差法에 依하여 測定하였다.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.438-444
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• 1990

Observed rate constants (k$_{obs.}$) for Hg$^{2+}$-catalysed aquation of cis-[Co(en)$_2$(OH$_2$)Cl]$^{2+}$, [Co(NH$_3$)$_5$Cl]$^{2+}$, cis-[Co(NH$_3$)$_4$(OH$_2$)Cl]$^{2+}$, and [Co(NH$_2$CH$_3$)$_5$Cl]$^{2+}$ were measured at various concentrations of Hg$^{2+}$. The k$_{obs.}$ was increased with increasing the concentrations of Hg$^{2+}$. The k$_{obs.}$ were related to mechanistically derived rate constants by the relationship; Rate = k$_2$K[complex][Hg$^{2+}$]. Various mixed aqueous-organic solvent have been successfully employed for Hg$^{2+}$-catalysed aquation of octahedral myetal complexes. From the slope of the plot of log k againt Y (solvent ionizing power), the mechanism on the aquation of Co(Ⅲ) complexes by Hg$^{2+}$ has been suggested to be I$_d$-mechanism. The change in a rate on aquation of each Co(Ⅲ) complex was related to the ligand field parameters (${\Delta}$), for Co(Ⅲ) complexes.