• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.339-342
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• 2006

A simple high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of tolperisone in human plasma. Tolperisone and internal standard (chlorphenesin) were isolated from 1 mL of plasma using 8 mL of dichlormethane. The organic phase was collected and evaporated under nitrogen gas. The residue was then reconstituted with 300 mL aliquot of mobile phase and a 100 mL aliquot was injected onto the $C_{18}$ reverse-phased column. The mobile phase, $45\%$ methanol containing $1\%$ glacial acetic acid and $0.05\%$ 1-hexanesulfonic acid was run at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The column effluent was monitored using UV detector at 260 nm. The retention times for tolperisone and the internal standard were approximately 7.1 and 8.4 min, respectively. The standard curve was linear with minimal intra-day and inter-day variability. The quantification limit of tolperisone in human plasma was 10 ng/ mL. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of pharmacokinetic profile of tolperisone in Koreans. The T max of tolperisone in Koreans $(0.94{\pm}0.42\;h)$ was not significantly differ from that reported in Europeans (0.5-1 h), but the mean half-life in Koreans $(1.14{\pm}0.27\;h)$ was shorter than that in Europeans $(2.56{\pm}0.2\;h)$. The proposed HPLC method is simple, accurate, reproducible and suitable for pharmacokinetic study of tolperisone.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.212-224
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• 2021

The intent of the present work was to develop a simple, sensitive, accurate, precise, rapid and economical UV- spectrophotometric and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous estimation of Spironolactone and Furosemide in bulk and combined tablet dosage forms. UV-Spectrophotometry was carried out by simultaneous equation method using 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.5: Acetonitrile (50:50) v/v as a solvent. The linearity range was 2-14 ㎍ mL^-1 for Spironolactone and Furosemide with a correlation coefficient > 0.99. The chromatographic separation was achieved on 250 mm × 4.6 mm, hypersil BDS C18 column with particle size 5 ㎛, by using an isocratic mixture of 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.5: Acetonitrile: tert butyl methyl ether (49:50:1) v/v/v as a solvent at a flow rate of 1 mL min^-1 and UV detection was carried out at 254 nm. The retention time were observed to be 3.666 and 6.661 minutes for Furosemide and Spironolactone respectively. The two developed methods were validated according to the ICH guidelines for accuracy, precision, linearity, LOD, LOQ and were found to be within the limits. It can be concluded that these two methods could be successfully used for the simultaneous estimation of Spironolactone and Furosemide in bulk and combined tablet dosage forms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.217-225
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• 2021

Background: Despite the proven benefits of dexamethasone in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the optimum time for the administration of dexamethasone is unknown. We investigated the progression of COVID-19 pneumonia based on the timing of dexamethasone administration. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study based on medical record reviews was conducted between June 10 and September 21, 2020. We compared the risk of severe COVID-19, defined as the use of a high-flow nasal cannula or a mechanical ventilator, between groups that received dexamethasone either within 24 hours of hypoxemia (early dexamethasone group) or 24 hours after hypoxemia (late dexamethasone group). Hypoxemia was defined as room-air SpO₂ <90%. Results: Among 59 patients treated with dexamethasone for COVID-19 pneumonia, 30 were in the early dexamethasone group and 29 were in the late dexamethasone group. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics, the time interval from symptom onset to diagnosis or hospitalization, or the use of antiviral or antibacterial agents between the two groups. The early dexamethasone group showed a significantly lower rate of severe COVID-19 compared to the control group (75.9% vs. 40.0%, p=0.012). Further, the early dexamethasone group showed a significantly shorter total duration of oxygen supplementation (10.45 days vs. 21.61 days, p=0.003) and length of stay in the hospital (19.76 days vs. 27.21 days, p=0.013). However, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and in-hospital mortality rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Early administration of dexamethasone may prevent the progression of COVID-19 to a severe disease, without increased mortality.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.2699-2708
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• 2020

Helical-coil steam generator (HCSG) technology is a major design candidate for small modular reactors due to its compactness and capability to produce superheated steam with high generation efficiency. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of the passively autonomous power maneuvering by coupling the 3-D transient multi-physics of a soluble-boron-free (SBF) core with a time-dependent HCSG model. The predictor corrector quasi-static method was used to reduce the cost of the transient 3-D neutronic solution. In the numerical system simulations, the feedwater flow rate to the secondary of the HCSGs is adjusted to extract the demanded power from the primary loop. This varies the coolant temperature at the inlet of the SBF core, which governs the passively autonomous power maneuvering due to the strongly negative coolant reactivity feedback. Here, we simulate a 100-50-100 load-follow operation with a 5%/minute power ramping speed to investigate the feasibility of the passively autonomous load-follow in a 450 MW_th SBF PWR. In addition, the passively autonomous frequency control operation is investigated. The various system models are coupled, and they are solved by an in-house Fortran-95 code. The results of this work demonstrate constant steam temperature in the secondary side and limited variation of the primary coolant temperature. Meanwhile, the variations of the core axial shape index and the core power peaking are sufficiently small.

• International Neurourology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.275-286
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• 2018

Purpose: OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) is a promising therapy for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to carry out an in-depth review and to make an objective estimation of the efficacy and safety of BoNT-A on NDO after SCI. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for all relevant articles published from 2001 to 2016 that referred to NDO, SCI, and BoNT-A or botulinum toxin A. All data were recorded in an Excel spreadsheet by 2 individual reviewers. Review Manager version 5.3 was used to carry out the meta-analysis. Results: This analysis included 17 studies involving 1,455 patients. Compared with placebo and baseline, BoNT-A was effective in increasing maximum cystometric capacity, volume at first involuntary detrusor contraction, cystometric bladder capacity (all P<0.00001), compliance (P=0.001), and the number of patients with complete dryness (P=0.0003), and decreasing detrusor pressure, the number of patients with no involuntary detrusor contractions, the maximum flow rate, the incidence of detrusor overactivity (all P<0.00001), and the number of urinary incontinence episodes (P=0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between doses of 200 U and 300 U or between injections into the detrusor and submucosa. There were no life-threatening adverse events. Conclusions: BoNT-A is effective and safe in treating NDO after SCI. There were no statistically significant differences between doses of 200 U and 300 U or between injecting into the detrusor and submucosa. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed.

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.130-139
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• 2018

This study aimed to analyze a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation using a pentafluorophenyl column of parent drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its active metabolite, desethylhydroxchloroquine (DHCQ) applying to determine bioequivalence of two different formulations administered to patients. A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for bioanalysis of HCQ and its metabolite DHCQ in human whole blood using deuterium derivative $hydroxychloroquine-D_4$ as an internal standard (IS). A triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated using electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Sample preparation involves a two-step precipitation of protein techniques. The removed protein blood samples were chromatographed on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column ($50mm{\times}4.6mm$, $2.6{\mu}m$) with a mobile phase (ammonium formate solution containing dilute formic acid) in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min. The standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 2 - 500 ng/mL for HCQ; 2 - 2,000 ng/mL for DHCQ in spite of lacking a highly sensitive MS spectrometry system. Results of intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits. A run time of 2.2 min for HCQ and 2.03 min for DHCQ in blood sample facilitated the analysis of more than 300 human whole blood samples per day. Taken together, we concluded that the assay developed herein represents a highly qualified technology for the quantification of HCQ in human whole blood for a parallel design bioequivalence study in a healthy male.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2019

Fine aggregate made of ferronickel slag(FNS) is similar to natural fine aggregates and is used in concrete structures both domestically and abroad, but its applications and research areas are limited. In this research, in order to expand the availability of FNS and improve the performance of cement mortar products, the applicability of FNS on dry mortar for floor was examined. Experimental results show that FNS improves flow of cement mortar because it has low absorption rate, spherical shape, and glassy surface. Also, the high stiffness of the FNS aggregate itself is considered to contribute to the improvement of cement mortar quality such as crack reduction by improving the compressive strength and shrinkage reducing. In addition, when FNS fine aggregate is applied, it was possible to secure the impact sound insulation performance equal to or higher than that of mortar using natural fine aggregate.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.121-133
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• 2018

In this study, we developed a flat-plate type wet electrostatic precipitator that generates stable corona discharge compared to wire type discharge electrode. In order to compare the particle removal efficiency according to the shape of the discharge electrode such as the variation of the horizontal and vertical distance between spiked edges, and the variation of the height of discharge pin support were tested. As a result, when the horizontal distance between spiked edges was increased up to 36 mm, the vertical distance between spiked edges was increased up to 54 mm, and the height of the discharge pin support was increased up to 76 mm, the removal efficiency of PM10 was maintained at approximate 60.0%. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of particles over $5{\mu}m$ was about 80% or more. When the flow rate was 4 m/s, the gap between collection plates was 60 mm, and -14 kV was applied to the discharge electrode. The particle removal efficiency of the flat-plate type electrostatic precipitator was maintained when the horizontal and vertical distance between spiked edges, and the height of the discharge pin support was below a certain level. Those variables may be the important design factors for the shape of the discharge electrode. Therefore, when designing the electrostatic precipitator with multiple channels, the horizontal and vertical distance between spiked edges, and the height of discharge pin support must be selected in consideration of the weight of the discharge electrode and the processing cost.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

An experimental study was performed for the behavior of the burner flame which results from burning of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel atomized by an ultrasonic transducer. Configurations of the flame and combustion-field were caught by both high-speed camera and thermo-graphic camera, and those images were analyzed in detail through a image post-processing. As a result, the combustion-field grew and reaction-temperature rose due to the strengthening of combustion reaction with the increasing flow-rate of carrier-gas. In addition, a phenomenon of flame flickering was discussed through the comparative analysis of the variational behavior between the visible flame and IR (Infrared) flame-field. Also, the flickering frequency of the flame was confirmed through FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analysis employing the flame area.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.178-187
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• 2020

The current emission regulations, US Tier-4 and EU Stage-V, are only able to satisfy the regulations when all currently mass-produced emission reduction technologies such as EGR, DOC, DPF, and SCR are applied. Therefore, in this study, for the application of the Urea-SCR system to non-road diesel engines, the database was established by measuring the NO, NO2 concentration and calculating the NO2/NOx ratio based on the catalyst temperature and exhaust mass flow rate. Also, based on the measured NO2/NOx ratio data, a mathematical model was proposed to predict the NO2/NOx ratio at SCR catalyst, and the suitability of the model was verified through steady-state and transient mode. As a result of comparing the NO2/NOx ratio measured at the DOC outlet under the steady-state condition to two model values separately, the R2 was 0.9811 for the 3D map model and 0.9303 for the mathematical model. And in the case of the NO2/NOx ratio measured at the DPF outlet, the R2 was 0.9797 for the 3D map model and 0.935 for the mathematical model. It was confirmed that the R2 with the model value of the 3D Map of the mathematical model in the transient mode is 0.957, which shows high reliability.