• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.331-336
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• 2013

Objective : The offset connector can allow medial and lateral variability and facilitate intralaminar screw incorporation into the construct. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of C7 intralaminar screw constructs with and without offset connector using a three dimensional finite element model of a C6-7 cervical spine segment. Methods : Finite element models representing C7 intralaminar screw constructs with and without the offset connector were developed. Range of motion (ROM) and maximum von Mises stresses in the vertebra for the two techniques were compared under pure moments in flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Results : ROM for intralaminar screw construct with offset connector was less than the construct without the offset connector in the three principal directions. The maximum von Misses stress was observed in the C7 vertebra around the pedicle in both constructs. Maximum von Mises stress in the construct without offset connector was found to be 12-30% higher than the corresponding stresses in the construct with offset connector in the three principal directions. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that the intralaminar screw fixation with offset connector is better than the construct without offset connector in terms of biomechanical stability. Construct with the offset connector reduces the ROM of C6-7 segment more significantly compared to the construct without the offset connector and causes lower stresses around the C7 pedicle-vertebral body complex.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2021

This is an experiment to complement new ways of using concentrated water discharged from the seawater desalination plant. In this study, metakaolin, which has excellent chloride ion immobilization effect, was used as the main binder, and 10% and 20% of calcium oxide were substituted with the activator. In addition, tap-water(TW) and reverse osmosis brine water(RW) were used as mixed water. As a result of the experiment, the mixture using RW showed higher compressive strength than TW. It also showed low water absorption and high density. In the mixture using RW as mixed water, a hydration reaction substance called Friedel's salt could be observed. Considering the corrosion problem of steel, RW is considered to be applicable to products such as non-reinforced concrete, brick, and curb stone. Through this study, it is thought that it is meaningful to propose a new application method other than the ocean release of RW.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.501-509
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• 2021

More than half the world's population is thought to be infected with Helicobacter pylori. Although the majority of infected people are asymptomatic, H. pylori infection may cause gastric ulcers and deadly gastric cancer. Owing to the difficulty and invasiveness of current routine culture and diagnostic methods, a highly sensitive and specific noninvasive assay for H. pylori is of interest. This study highlighted the design and performance of a colorimetric magneto loop-mediated isothermal amplification (CM-LAMP) assay to detect H. pylori in spiked saliva samples. LF primers were coated on magnetic nanoparticles by carbodiimide-induced immobilization and functionally used for solid-phase amplification. During the LAMP reaction at 66℃, biotin-tagged FIPs were incorporated into LAMP amplicons. The colorimetric signal developed after the addition of NeutrAvidin horseradish peroxidase conjugate (NA-HRP) and ABTS. None of the tested microorganisms, including closely related bacteria, was shown positive by the CM-LAMP assay except H. pylori isolates. This novel platform was highly specific and 100-fold more sensitive (40 CFU/ml or 0.2 CFU per reaction) than the PCR and conventional LAMP assays for the detection of H. pylori in spiked saliva. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using this noninvasive molecular diagnostic test to detect H. pylori in saliva samples.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.393-403
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• 2021

Enzymes are important class of catalyst for biotransformation. Stability and reusability of enzymes during the catalysis process is a key issue. Activity of enzyme can be enhanced by its immobilization on a suitable substrate by creation of specific microenvironment. A variety of membranes has been used as substrate due to the biocompatibility and simpler method to tune hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity property of the membrane surface. In this review, polymer membranes including cellulose, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone (PES) are introduced and discussed in detail. Biodegradation of organic contaminants by immobilized enzyme is an environmental friendly process to reduce the contamination of environment in pharmaceutical company and textile industries. The controlled hydrolysis of oil can be performed in enzyme immobilized membrane bioreactor (EMBR), resulting in reducing carbon emission and reduced environmental pollution. Bioethanol and biodiesel are considered alternative fossil fuels that can be prepared in EMBR.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Graphene has a large surface area to volume ratio and good mechanical and electrical property and biocompatibility. This study described the electrochemical deposition and reduction of graphene oxide on the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) glass slide and electrochemical characterization of graphen-modified ITO. Cyclic voltammetry was used for the deposition and reduction of graphene oxide. The surface of graphen-coated ITO was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispesive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrodes were evaluated by performing cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The number of cycles and scan rate greatly influenced on the coverage and the degree of reduction of graphene oxide, thus affecting the electrochemical properties of electrodes. Modification of ITO with graphene generated higher current with lower charge transfer resistance at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Glucose oxidase was immobilized on the graphene-modified ITO and has been found to successfully generate electrons by oxidizing glucose.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.80-89
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• 2020

Objective: We compared the regenerative effects of microcurrent therapy (MT) according to the type of electric current, which were direct current microcurrent therapy (DCMT) and alternating current microcurrent therapy (ACMT) on atrophied calf muscle in cast-immobilized rabbit. Method: Rabbits were allocated into control group (sham MT), ACMT group, and DCMT group. Before starting treatment, right gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle was immobilized by cast for 2 weeks. Compound muscle action potential of tibial nerve in nerve conduction study, circumference of calf muscle using a ruler, and thickness of medial and lateral GCM muscle measured by ultrasound, cross sectional area (CSA), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) ratios (%) of muscle fibers were measured on the immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The mean atrophic changes (%) in right medial and lateral GCM muscle thickness, right calf circumference, and amplitude of CMAP of the right tibial nerve in ACMT group and DCMT group were significantly lower than those in control group, respectively (p<0.05). The mean CSA (μm²) of type I and type II and PCNA ratios (%) of medial and lateral GCM muscle fibers in ACMT group and DCMT group were significantly greater than those in control group, respectively (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the ACMT group and DCMT group at all parameters. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ACMT and DCMT showed better regeneration effect than sham MT. Microcurrent may be effective in regeneration of atrophied muscle regardless of the type of current.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.45-49
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• 2019

[Purpose] Recent studies suggest that ursolic acid (UA) is a potential candidate for a resistance exercise mimetic that can increase muscle mass and alleviate the deleterious effect of skeletal muscle atrophy on bone health. However, these studies evaluated the effects of UA on skeletal muscle and bone tissues, and they have not verified whether such effect could occur concurrently on muscle and bone, as is the case with resistance exercise. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of UA injection on muscle mass and bone microstructure using an animal model of atrophy to demonstrate the potential of UA as a resistance exercise mimetic. [Methods] The immobilization (IM) method was used on the left hindlimb of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for 10 days to induce muscle atrophy, whereas the right hindlimb was used as an internal control (IC). The animal models were divided into two groups, SED (sedentary, n=6) and UA (n=6) to demonstrate the effect of UA on atrophic skeletal muscles. The UA group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of UA (5 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. After 10 days of IM, the data collected for the IC were compared with that of IM to determine whether muscle atrophy might occur. [Results] Muscle atrophy was induced and bone mineral density (BMD) decreased significantly. The 8-week UA treatment significantly increased the gastrocnemius muscle mass compared to the SED group. In regard to the effect of UA on bones, negative results such as a decrease in BMD, trabecular bone volume fraction, and trabecular number, and an increase in trabecular separation, were observed in the SED group, but no such difference was observed in the UA group. No significant difference was observed in atrophic hindlimbs between SED and UA groups. [Conclusion] These results alone are insufficient to suggest that UA is a potential resistance exercise mimetic for atrophic skeletal muscle and weakened bone. However, this study will help determine the potential of UA as a resistance exercise mimetic.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2024

The integrity of the high cervical spine, the transition zone from the brainstem to the spinal cord, is crucial for survival and daily life. The region protects the enclosed neurovascular structure and allows a substantial portion of the head motion. Injuries of the high cervical spine are frequent, and the fractures of the C2 vertebra account for approximately 17-25% of acute cervical fractures. We review the two major types of C2 vertebral fractures, odontoid fracture and Hangman's fracture. For both types of fractures, favorable outcomes could be obtained if the delicately selected conservative treatment is performed. In odontoid fractures, as the most common fracture on the C2 vertebrae, anterior screw fixation is considered first for type II fractures, and C1-2 fusion is suggested when nonunion is a concern or occurs. Hangman's fractures are the second most common fracture. Many stable extension type I and II fractures can be treated with external immobilization, whereas the predominant flexion type IIA and III fractures require surgical stabilization. No result proves that either anterior or posterior surgery is superior, and the surgeon should decide on the surgical method after careful consideration according to each clinical situation. This review will briefly describe the basic principles and current treatment concepts of C2 fractures.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immobilization of the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) on anodized titaum implants coated with heparin to enhance the vertical alveolar ridge augmentation in the supraalveolar peri-implant defect region. Materials and methods: 18 pure titanium implants (7.0 mm in length, 3.5 mm in diameter) were manufactured for this study. All implants were anodized and designed insertion reference line marked with laser at the apical 2.5 mm from the fixture platform. Implantation of 6 noncoated anodized implants (Control group), 6 anodized implants physically adsorbed with rhBMP-2 by dip and dry method (BMP group) and 6 anodized implants chemically immobilized 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-heparin/ rhBMP-2 (Hep-BMP group) was performed in the both mandibular of three male adult beagle dogs using split-mouth design. Radiologic examinations were performed immediately after implant placement and 4 and 8 weeks after implant placement. The amount of mesio-distal bone augmentation was evaluated by measuring the vertical distance from the platform to the marginal bone. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (SPSS version 18.0) and multiple comparison analysis of The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was established at the 5% significant level. Results: At the 4 weeks vertical alveolar ridge augmentation of Control group, BMP group and Hep-BMP group is $0.09{\pm}0.22mm$, $1.02{\pm}0.72mm$, and $1.29{\pm}0.51mm$, At the 8 weeks $0.11{\pm}1.26mm$, $1.11{\pm}0.58mm$, $1.59{\pm}0.79mm$ according to radiographic observations. The two experimental groups showed a significantly increasing in vertical bone height compared with the control group (P<.05). However, there is no significant difference between the BMP group and Hep-BMP group (P>.05). Conclusion: The rhBMP-2 coated implants were enhanced the vertical bone growth in the supraalveolar peri-implant defect area. However, there is no significant difference between chemically and physically coating method.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of body shape and the patient alignment state during image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy in head and neck cancer patients, Materials and Methods: We performed a image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy plan for 89 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent curative radiotherapy. Ten of them were evaluated for set up error. The landmarks of the ramus, chin, posterior neck, and clavicle were specified using ARIA software (Offline review), and the positional difference was analyzed. Results: The re-CT simulation therapy was performed in 60 men with $17{\pm}4$ cycles of treatment. The weight loss rate was $-6.47{\pm}3.5%$. 29 women performed re-CT simulation at $17{\pm}5$ cycles As a result, weight loss rate was $-5.73{\pm}2.7%$. The distance from skin to C1, C3, and C5 was measured, and both clavicle levels were observed to measure the skin shrinkage changes. The skin shrinkage standard deviations were C1 (${\pm}0.44cm$), C3 (${\pm}0.83cm$), and C5 (${\pm}1.35cm$), which is about 1 mm shrinkage per 0.5 kg reduction. Skin shrinkage according to the number of treatments was 1 ~ 4 fractions (no change), 5 ~ 13 fractions (-2 mm), 14 ~ 22 fractions (-4 mm) and 23 ~ 30 fractions (-6 mm). Conclusion: When the body shape changes about 5 mm, the central dose starts to differ about 3 % or more. Therefore, the CT simulation treatment for the adaptive therapy should be additionally performed. In addition, it is necessary to actively study the CT simulation therapy method and set up method of the lower neck and to examine the use of a new immobilization device.