• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 1998

Purpose : The proliferative nuclear antigen Ki-67, present in all cell cycle phases except G0, is a useful marker for the detection of proliferative cells in vivo. MIB I has been found to recognize an antigen in formalin-fixed and wax-embedded material. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of MIB-1 expression as a marker of representing the status of mesangial cell proliferation in renal tissues. Methods : Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 Ag using monoclonal antibody MIB-1 (Immunotech,505) were performed in 41 renal tissuses which were obtained by percutaneous renal biopsy done between January 1994 and December 1996. Results : In both glomeruli and renal tubules, MIB-1 expression was observed only in 2 of 18 ($11.1\%$) cases of IgA nephropathy, in 2 of the 4 ($50\%$) cases of mebranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, in 4 of the 5 ($80\%$) cases of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. But MIB-1 expression was not detected in all cases of minimal lesion and membranous nephropathy. Renal tubules In another 7 cases of IgA nephropathy were MIB-1 positive. Conclusion : MIB-1 expression in renal tissues may relate to the cell proliferation in glomeruli and renal tubules. But the efficacy of MIB-1 expression as a marker of mesangial cell proliferation may reveal a limited value because of it's lower positive rate in IgA nephropathy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2009

Objectives: Members of the immortalization-upregulated protein (IMUP) family are nuclear proteins implicated in SV40-mediated immortalization and cellular proliferation, but the mechanisms by which their expression is regulated are still unknown in placenta. To investigate to expression and functions of IMUPs in placenta, we conducted to compare IMUPs expression in normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues and analyzed the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells after IMUP-2 gene transfection. Methods: The expression of IMUPs was analyzed in placental tissues from the following groups of patients (none underwent labor): 1) term normal placenta (n=15); 2) term with preeclamptic placeneta (n=15); and 3) pre-term with preeclamptic placenta (n=11) using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, RNA in situ hybiridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. In order to evaluate the function of IMUP-2 in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells, IMUP-2 plasmids were transfected into HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells for 24 hours. Results: We observed that IMUPs are mainly expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and syncytial knot of placental villi. The expression of IMUP-1 was not differences between normal and preeclamptic placenta tissues. However, IMUP-2 expression was significantly higher in preterm preeclamptic placenta tissues than in normal placenta tissues without labor (p<0.001). Furthermore, we confirmed overexpression of IMUP-2 induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells through up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusions: These results suggest that the expression of IMUP-2 is involved in placental development as well as increased IMUP-2 expression is associated with preeclampsia through the inducing of trophoblast apoptosis.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2011

Some industrial minerals used in domestic industries such as monazite, apatite, bauxite, and ilmenite belong to NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) because they show a high radioactivity. Products, semi-products, wastes, and by-products which show higher radioactivity than NORM belong to TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials). Apatite used for manufacturing phosphate fertilizer in Namhae Chemical company belongs to NORM, and its by-product, phospo-gypsum, belongs to TENORM. A geological investigation is needed for the future environmental impact assessment of the Namhae Chemical company's site. According to survey results of the Namhae Chemical company's site, soil mineral composition indicated the mixture of minerals derived from the country rock (quartz, feldspar, mica, $l4{\AA}$ mineral, kaolin and amphibole) and minerals from the gypsum open-air storage yard (gypsum and apatite). Soil samples showed average content of U 4.6 ppm and Th 10 ppm, which are similar to average crustal abundances. They also show average contents of $^{40}K$ 191-1,166 Bq/kg, $^{226}Ra$ 15.6-710 Bq/kg, and $^{232}Th$ 17.4-72.7 Bq/kg, which indicate moderate levels of radio nuclide. But $^{226}Ra$ anomaly in the gypsum open storage yard is clearly confirmed and $^{232}Th$ anomaly is also confirmed in the east road side of the factory and nearby mountain areas. Soil external hazard indices ranged 0.24-2.01 with the average 0.54. Although most external hazard indices were lower than 1, which means radiation hazard index to be negligible, 5 samples out of total 40 samples showed higher values than 1, and further detailed investigation is needed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.174-182
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• 2010

In this study, we evaluated feasibility of applying MTV (Metabolic Target Volume) to respiratory gated radiotherapy for more accurate treatment using various SUV (Standard Uptake Value) from PET images. We compared VOI (Volume of Interest) images from 50%, 30% and 5% SUV (standard uptake volume) from PET scan of an artificial target with GTV (Gross Tumor Volume) images defined by percentage of respiratory phase from 4D-CT scan for respiratory gated radiotherapy. It is found that the difference of VOI of 30% SUV is reduced noticeably comparing with that of 50% SUV in longitudinal direction with respect to total GTV of 4D-CT image. Difference of VOI of 30% SUV from 4D-PET image defined by respiratory phase from 25% inhalation to 25% exhalation, and GTV from 4D-CT with the same phase is shown below 0.6 cm in maximum. Thus, it is better to use 4D-PET images than conventional PET images for applying MTV to gated RT. From the result that VOI of 5% SUV from 4D-PET agrees well with reference image of 4D-CT in all direction, and the recommendation from department of nuclear medicine that 30% SUV be advised for defining tumor range, it is found that using less than 30%SUV will be more accurate and practical to apply MTV for respiratory gated radiotherapy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2014

Purpose : To establish a pH measurement system for a mouse tumor study using a clinical scanner, to develop the $^1H$ and 31P radio frequency (RF) coil system and to test pH accuracy with phantoms. Materials and Methods: The $^1H$ and the $^{31}P$ surface coils were designed to acquire signals from mouse tumors. Two coils were positioned orthogonally for geometric decoupling. The pH values of various pH phantoms were calculated using the $^1H$ decoupled $^{31}P$ MR spectrum with the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The calculated pH value was compared to that of a pH meter. Results: The mutual coil coupling was shown in a standard $S_{12}$. Coil coupling ($S_{12}$) were -73.0 and -62.3 dB respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained from the homogeneous phantom $^1H$ image was greater than 300. The high resolution in vivo mice images were acquired using a $^{31}P$-decoupled $^1H$ coil. The pH values calculated from the $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ spectrum correlated well with the values measured by pH meter ($R^2$=0.97). Conclusion: Accurate pH values can be acquired using a $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ RF coil with a clinical scanner. This two-surface coil system could be applied to other nuclear MRS or MRI.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2015

The anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum coreanum ethanolic extract (SCEE) was investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in this study. It was shown that there was no cytotoxicity in the viability of macrophages treated with SCEE when compared to the control. The production of NO was considerably suppressed by SCEE, approximately up to 50% at 100 μg/ml. This significantly decreased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In addition, the expression of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB was suppressed by SCEE treatment. In in vivo testing, the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema was attenuated by SCEE and there were no mortalities in mice administered with 5000 mg/kg body weight of SCEE over a 2 week observation period. From these results, SCEE inhibits the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, suggesting that SCEE could be a potential agent for anti-inflammatory therapies.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was perfonned to elucidate the clinical pictures of acute focal bacterial nephritis(nephronia) in children. Methods: We reviewed 9 children with nephronia diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography of kidneys from September 1994 to August 2004. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 2:1, and the age distribution ranged from 0.1 to 6 years(mean $2.8{\pm}2.2$). The cardinal symptoms were fever, chills, abdominal pain and dysuria/frequency. The initial leukocyte count was $21,000{\pm}5,600/uL$, ESR $60{\pm}23mm/hr$, CRP $17{\pm}10\;mg/dl$. Pyuria was noted in every patient and persisted for $10.5{\pm}7.8$ days after antimicrobial treatment. Abdominal sonography demonstrated focal lesion of ill-defined margin and low echogenicity in 5 of 9 patients(55.6%), while computed tomography revealed nonenhancing low density area in all patients(100%). Three of 9 patients(33.3%) had vesicoureteral reflux, greater than grade III. The initial $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed one or multiple cortical defects in every patient, and improvements were noted in 2(33.3%) of 6 patients who received follow up scan after 4 months. Intravenous antibiotics was given in every patient under admission. Total febrile period was $11.8{\pm}6.3$ days(pre-admission, $4.0{\pm}3.0;$ post-admission, $7.8{\pm}5.5$ days) and the patients needed hospitalization for $17.2{\pm}8.1$ days. Conclusion: For the early diagnosis of 'acute focal bacterial nephritis' we should perform renal computed tomography first rather than ultrasonography, when the child has toxic symptoms and severe inflammatory responses in blood and urine.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2012

In order to develop a Patient respiratory management system includinga biofeedback function for4-dimentional radiation therapy, this study investigated anoptimal tracking algorithmfor moving target using IR (Infra-red) camera as well as commercial camera. A tracking system was developed by LabVIEW 2010. Motion phantom images were acquired using a camera (IR or commercial). After image process were conducted to convert acquired image to binary image by applying a threshold values, several edge enhance methods such as Sobel, Prewitt, Differentiation, Sigma, Gradient, Roberts, were applied. The targetpattern was defined in the images, and acquired image from a moving targetwas tracked by matching pre-defined tracking pattern. During the matching of imagee, thecoordinateof tracking point was recorded. In order to assess the performance of tracking algorithm, the value of score which represents theaccuracy of pattern matching was defined. To compare the algorithm objectively, we repeat experiments 3 times for 5 minuts for each algorithm. Average valueand standard deviations (SD) of score were automatically calculatedsaved as ASCII format. Score of threshold only was 706, and standard deviation was 84. The value of average and SD for other algorithms which combined edge detection method and thresholdwere 794, 64 in Sobel, 770, 101 in Differentiation, 754, 85 in Gradient, 763, 75 in Prewitt, 777, 93 in Roberts, and 822, 62 in Sigma, respectively. According to score analysis, the most efficient tracking algorithm is the Sigma method. Therefore, 4-dimentional radiation threapy is expected tobemore efficient if threshold and Sigma edge detection method are used together in target tracking.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of four different media (NCSU (North Carolina State University)-23, PZM (Porcine Zygotes Medium)-3, PZM-4 and TCM (Tissue Culture Medium)-l99) and two oxygen concentrations (39 , 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$, 5% $CO_2$ in air) on in vitro production of porcine IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows: The rates of GVBD and nuclear maturations were not significantly different (p>0.05) for 44 hours of culture with four media in two oxygen concentrations. The rates of polyspermy, penetrated sperm(s) and male and female prouclei formation were not significantly different (p>0.05). among four media in two oxygen concentrations. The cleavage rates were not significantly different (p>0.05) among four media in two oxygen concentrations. At day 7 under gas atmosphere of 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$, the blastocyst formation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in PZM-3 (19.9$\pm$2.4) than other media. Also, NCSU-23 medium gave high rate of blastocyst formation at day 7 under gas atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air (p<0.05). Based on the result of differential staining of porcine blastocyst at dat 7, inner cell mass cell and total cell numbers were not significantly different (p>0.05) among four media in two oxygen concentrations. However, the observed total cell number was higher in PZM-3 medium (36.8$\pm$6.5) than other madia. In conclusion, these results suggested that in vitro production of porcine embryos in PZM-3 medium under a gas atmosphere of 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$ was effective on the blastocyst formation rate and total blastocyst cell number.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.149-160
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• 2018

A large number of functional living products are being produced for eco-friendly or health-promoting purposes. In the manufacturing process, such products could be adulterated with raw materials with high radioactivity, such as monazite and tourmaline. Thus, it is essential to manage raw materials and products closely related to the public living. For proper management, an accurate radioactivity data of the processed products are needed. Therefore, it is essential to develop a rapid and validated analytical method. In this study, the concentration of the radioactive $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ in building materials (e.g., tile, cement, paint, wall paper, and gypsum board) and living products (e.g., health products, textiles, and minerals) were determined and compared by ED-XRF and ICP-MS. By comparing the results of both methods, we confirmed the applicability of the rapid screening and precise analysis of ED-XRF and ICP-MS. In addition, $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ levels were relatively lower in building materials than in living products. Particularly, $^{232}Th$ content in 6 of 47 living products exceeded (maximum $8.2Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$) the standard limit of $^{232}Th$ content in raw material ($1.0Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$).