• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2010

This study tested how S/N (Signal to Noise Ratio) ratios and ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) values vary with different T-scores in a group of patients with osteoporosis. Based on DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) T-scores for L1.L4 for two groups of subjects consisting of 30 healthy people without osteoporosis and 30 patients who came for treatment of waist (lumbar or low back) pain and were suspected to have osteoporosis as judged from the simple X-ray findings, this study classified every spine into two groups of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Signal intensity measurements were made in the four regions of L1 to L4 on diffusion-weighted MR images obtained using 1.5T MR scanner, while ADC measurements were obtained from ADC map images. As an approach for quantitative analysis, the comparison of the variances in S/N ratios and ADC values for varying T-scores in the selected regions of interest was carried out based on averaged T-scores, S/N ratios, and ADC values. Also, the variances in S/N ratios and ADC values for each of the groups of osteoporosis and osteopenia, which were classified into by T-scores, were compared. For qualitative analysis, a careful naked eye examination of signal intensity differences in the area of L4 was made on T1-weighted sagittal images for each of the healthy (normal), osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. In the qualitative analysis, it was found that for both the osteopenia group and the osteoporosis group, as T-scores deceased, the S/N ratios on diffusion-weighted MR images also decreased, with the greatest decrease in the S/N ratio found in the osteoporosis group. Additionally, among the three groups, the lowest S/N ratio was found in the osteoporosis group. With respect to ADC map, it was found that for both the osteopenia group and the osteoporosis group, as T-scores deceased, the ADC values on diffusion-weighted MR images also decreased, with the greatest decrease in the ADC values found in the osteoporosis group. Additionally, among the three groups, the lowest ADC value was found in the osteoporosis group. On the other hand, in the qualitative analysis, the osteoporosis group showed the highest signal intensity. Additionally, among the three groups, the lowest signal intensity was found in the healthy (normal) group. It was found that as osteoporosis progressed, S/N ratio and ADC decreased, whereas signal intensity increased on T1-weighted images. Also, in diagnosing osteoporosis, MRI tests turned out to be (more) effective.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Cancer is still a major global health concern even after an everlasting strive in conquering this dread disease. Emphasis is now given to chemoprevention to reduce the risk of cancer and also to improve the quality of life among cancer afflicted individuals. Recent progress in molecular biology of cancer has identified key components of the cellular signaling network, whose functional abnormality results in undesired alterations in cellular homeostasis, creating a cellular microenvironment that favors premalignant and malignant transformation. Multiple lines of evidence suggest an elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is causally linked to cancer. In response to oxidative/pro-inflammatory stimuli, turning on unusual signaling arrays mediated through diverse classes of kinases and transcription factors results in aberrant expression of COX-2. Population-based as well as laboratory studies have explored a broad spectrum of chemopreventive agents including selective COX-2 inhibitors and a wide variety of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which have been shown to target cellular signaling molecules as underlying mechanisms of chemoprevention. Thus, unraveling signaling pathways regulating aberrant COX-2 expression and targeted blocking of one or more components of those signal cascades may be exploited in searching chemopreventive agents in the future.

• The Pure and Applied Mathematics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-129
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• 2023

In this paper, we introduce a second order linear differential operator ^T□: C^∞ (M) → C^∞ (M) as a natural generalization of Cheng-Yau operator, [8], where T is a (1, 1)-tensor on Riemannian manifold (M, h), and then we show on compact Riemannian manifolds, divT = divT^t, and if divT = 0, and f be a smooth function on M, the condition ^T□ f = 0 implies that f is constant. Hereafter, we introduce T-energy functionals and by deriving variations of these functionals, we define T-harmonic maps between Riemannian manifolds, which is a generalization of L_k-harmonic maps introduced in [3]. Also we have studied fT-harmonic maps for conformal immersions and as application of it, we consider fL_k-harmonic hypersurfaces in space forms, and after that we classify complete fL₁-harmonic surfaces, some fL_k-harmonic isoparametric hypersurfaces, fL_k-harmonic weakly convex hypersurfaces, and we show that there exists no compact fL_k-harmonic hypersurface either in the Euclidean space or in the hyperbolic space or in the Euclidean hemisphere. As well, some properties and examples of these definitions are given.

• Biodesign
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.122-125
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• 2017

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is one of the single transmembrane domain containing receptors and causes various inflammatory diseases including diabetes and atherosclerosis. RAGE extracellular domain has three consecutive IgG-like domains (V-C₁-C₂ domain) which interact with various soluble ligands including heparan sulfate or HMGB1. Studies have shown that each ligand induces different oligomeric forms of RAGE which results in a ligand-specific signal transduction. The structure of mouse RAGE bound to heparan sulfate has been previously determined but the electron density map of heparan sulfate was too ambiguous that the exact position of heparin sulfate could not be defined. Furthermore, the complex structure of human RAGE and heparin sulfate still remains elusive. Therefore, to determine the structure, human RAGE was overexpressed using bacterial expression system and crystallized using the sitting drop method in the condition of 0.1 M sodium acetate trihydrate pH 4.6, 8 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol 4,000 at 290 K. The crystal diffracted to 3.6 Å resolution and the space group is C121 with unit cell parameters a= 206.04 Å, b= 68.64 Å, c= 98.73 Å, α= 90.00°, β= 90.62°, γ= 90.00°.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.141-160
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• 2006

The obtained results are summarized as follows 1. New findings are reporting year by year as for the study related to Anti-inflammatory mechanism of Bee Venom therapy. 2. The Anti-inflammatory effect of Bee Venom therapy is achieved through counterirritation, stimulations to adrenal cortex, immuno-regulation, antioxidation, removal of free radicals, modulation of AGP gene induction. 3. The chief components of Bee Venom related to Anti-inflammatory effect are Melittin, MCD peptide, Apamin, Adolapin etc. 4. Melittin binds to secretory phospholipase A2 and inhibits its enzymatic activity. 5. Melittin blocks neutophil O2-production. 6. MCD peptide(Peptide 401) stimulates the mast cell secrets histamine, Anti-inflammatory effect caused by this is 'conterirritation'. 7. Melittin & Apamin have an anti-inflammatory effect by inducing cortisone secretion. 8. MCD peptide & Apamin increase immunologic fuction by stimulating hypophysis & adrenal cortex and have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting synthesis of prostaglandin from arachidonic acid. 9. Adolapin have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting COX. 10. Bee Venom have an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing AGP($\alpha$-acid glycoprotein). 11. Bee Venom have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NO, iNOS, PLA2, COX-2, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1, NF-${\kappa}B$, MAP kinase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.9-20
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to construct a database for landscape ecological planning with evaluation and analysis of structure of biotope of city center area for the preservation of species and biotope examining Jung-gu district of Daegu Metropolitan City which is the most extremely and rapidly urbanizing area. The assumption of this study is that the biotope structure of a city center area would be different from the other city area. The results of this study were as follows. 1) The results of the biotope type classification is that there were 11 biotope type groups and 41 detailed biotopes. 2) The primary evaluation is the process for grading general value of classified biotope types, and the result of primary evaluation is that there were 5 biotope types that were greater than third grade besides the biotope type of artificial riverbank with abundant green high water level land. The first grade of biotope type have not appeared in this area, however the fifth grade of biotope type have appeared total of 19 biotope types with the biotope type of the general shopping area with scarce green fields. 3) The secondary evaluation is the process for searching biotopes which are special value, and the result of secondary evaluation is that there were 2 biotopes for la, 7 biotopes for 1b, 2 biotopes for 2a, 1 biotope for 2b and there was no biotope for 2c, and for example, la is the large area that has many magor biotope site in terms of the living space. 4) Finally. scientific method for biotope type classification, the derailed investigation plan of high value biotope and the improvement plan based on the biotope map of city center area must be continued.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

An aerodynamic rig test of a radial turbine for an auxiliary power unit (APU) was performed at a high-temperature turbine test facility at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The pressure ratio, Mach number, and flow coefficient in the rig test are the same as those under normal engine operation conditions. The design pressure ratio is 3.096, design test speed is 34909 rpm, and turbine inlet temperature is $160^{\circ}C$. The turbine has airfoil-type nozzles, and the diameter of the turbine wheel is 175.74 mm. The turbine map is experimentally measured, and the detailed flow at the turbine inlet is measured. The pressure distribution in the nozzle at both the hub and the shroud sides and the pressure distribution along the shroud casing of the turbine wheel were measured, and this confirmed that the expansion process in the turbine wheel is acceptable.

• Plant Resources
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2000

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed weight is a important trait in cultivar development. Objective of this study was to identify and confirm quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed weight variation in the F2 and F2:3 generations. QTLs for seed weight were identified in F2 and F2:3 generations using interval mapping (MapMaker/QTL) and single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the F2 plant generation (i.e., F3 seed), three markers, OPL9a, OPM7a, and OPAC12 were significantly (P<0.01) associated with seed weight QTLs. In the F2:3 plant row generation (i.e., F4 seed), five markers, OPA9a, OPG19, OPL9b, OPP11, and Sat_085 were significantly (P<0.01) associated with seed weight QTLs. Two markers, OPL9a and OPL9b were significantly (P<0.05) associated with seed weight QTLs in both generations. Two QTLs on USDA soybean linkage group C1 and R were identified in both F2 and F2:3 generations using interval mapping. The linkage group C1 QTL explained 16% of the variation in seed weight in both generations, and the linkage group R QTL explained 39% and 41% of the variation for F2 and F2:3 generation, respectively. The linkage group C2 QTL identified in F2:3 generation explained 14.9% of variation. Linkage groups C1, C2 and R had previously been identified as harbouring seed size QTLs. The consistency of QTLs across generations and populations indicates that marker-assisted selection is possible in a soybean breeding program.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.623-631
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• 2022

The family Ptiliidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) has approximately 1,000 valid species in 100 recognized genera. Ptiliid beetles are readily collected from various habitats. They can be distinguished by feather-like hindwings and small body sizes. The genus Acrotrichis is the largest ptiliid genus. It contains almost a quarter of all ptiliids. In Korea, a single species of Acrotrichis lewisii (Matthews, 1884b) was recently reported in 2020. In this paper, we report two additional species, A. thoracica (Waltl, 1838) and A. grandicollis (Mannerheim, 1844) from the Korean Peninsula, collected during an assessment of biological variation in agricultural land of Jeju Island. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters, distribution map and a key to Korean Acrotrichis species are provided.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2017

Objectives : Tribulus terrestris $Linn{\acute{e}}$ (Tribuli Fructus; TF) has been used to treat hypochondrium, agalactia, nebula, itching and vitiligo in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the effects of TF 30% ethanol extract on inflammatory responses in IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells. Methods : TF extract was prepared by 30% ethanol. RBL-2H3 cells, a rat mast cell line, were treated with TF extract at different concentrations for 1 hr and then stimulated with DNP-IgE/HSA for indicated times. Cell viability was measured by WST-1 assay. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-13 and $IFN-{\gamma}$) mRNA was determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAP kinases (MAPKs) was determined by Western blot. The nuclear expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 in the cells was detected by Western blot and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Results : The treatment of TF extract at 0.1 and $0.2mg/m{\ell}$ significantly decreased the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA in IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells, while significantly increased the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$ mRNA. TF extract treatment was also inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAPKs in IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TF extract significantly blocked the translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 into the nuclear of cells after IgE stimulation. Conclusions : These results indicate that TF extract inhibits inflammatory response in IgE-stimulated mast cells through blocking MAPKs/$NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway. This suggests that TF extract has an anti-inflammatory activity in mast cell activation.