• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Background: Electrophysiological study has been known as a useful method to evaluate the therapeutic effect of operation in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological changes after carpal tunnel release (CTR) compared to the preoperative results. Methods: We analyzed the changes of nerve conduction study (NCS) before and after minimal open carpal tunnel release in 18 patients (25 hands) with CTS. Follow-up study was performed over 6 months after operation. Results: Clinical improvement was seen in all cases after CTR. In contrast, electrophysiological improvement was various depending on the parameters; the mean median sensory latency and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) improved significantly (p = 0.001). The mean median motor latency also improved, but NCV and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude did not change. The extent of improvement was evident in moderate CTS, but not in severe CTS. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, all subjects who underwent CTR achieved a clinical relief along with a significant improvement of electrophysiological parameters such as median sensory latency, sensory NCV and median distal motor latency. After CTR, a number of cases with mild to moderate CTS showed a prominent improvement of clinical and electrophysiological parameters, while fewer improvements were seen in severe CTS, although it did not reach the statistical significance.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2006

Gaegurin 4 (GGN4), a novel peptide isolated from the skin of a Korean frog, Rana rugosa, has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. A number of amphipathic peptides closely related to GGN4 undergo a coil to helix transition with concomitant oligomerization in lipid membranes or membrane-mimicking environments. Despite intensive study of their secondary structures, the oligomeric states of the peptides before and after the transition are not well understood. To clarify the structural basis of its antibiotic action, we used analytical ultracentrifugation to define the aggregation state of GGN4 in water, ethyl alcohol, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). The maximum size of GGN4 in 15% HFIP corresponded to a decamer, whereas it was monomeric in buffer. The oligomeric transition is accompanied by a cooperative 9 nm blue-shift of maximum fluorescence emission and a large secondary structure change from an almost random coil to an ${\alpha}$-helical structure. GGN4 induces pores in lipid membranes and, using electrophysiological methods, we estimated the diameter of the pores to be exceed $7.3{\AA}$, which suggests that the minimal oligomer structure responsible is a pentamer.

• Journal of KIISE:Databases
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.603-615
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• 2005

As recent business environments are changed and become complex, a more efficient and effective business process management are needed. This paper proposes a new approach to the automatic execution of business processes using Event-Condition-Action (ECA) rules that can be automatically triggered by an active database. First of all, we propose the concept of blocks that can classify process flows into several patterns. A block is a minimal unit that can specify the behaviors represented in a process model. An algorithm is developed to detect blocks from a process definition network and transform it into a hierarchical tree model. The behaviors in each block type are modeled using ACTA formalism. This provides a theoretical basis from which ECA rules are identified. The proposed ECA rule-based approach shows that it is possible to execute the workflow using the active capability of database without users' intervention.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.608-608
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• 2003

The main objectives of root canal therapy are cleaning and shaping and then obturating the root canal system in 3 dimensions to prevent reinfection. Many instrumentation techniques and devices, supported by an irrigation system capable of removing pulp tissue remnants and dentin debris, have been proposed to shape root canals. But current regimens in chemomechanical debridement using instrumentation and irrigation with NaOCl are not predictably effective in root canal disinfection. These findings are not surprising because the root canal system is complex and contains numerous ramifications and anatomical irregularities. The microorganisms in root canals not only invade the anatomic irregularities of the root canal system but also are present in the dentinal tubules. Therefore further disinfection with an effective antimicrobial agent may be necessary and it well1mown that use of intracanal medication will lower bacterial count in infected root canals. Calcium hydroxide has a long history of use in endodontics, and more attention has been given to the use of calcium hydroxide as intracanal dressing for the treatment of infected pulp. However, when treatment is completed in one visit, no intracanal medications other than intracanal irrigants are used. Recently, a mixture of a tetracycline isomer, an acid, and a detergent(MTAD), has been introduced as a final rinse for disinfuction of the root canal system. It has been shown that MTAD is able to remove the smear layer with minimal erosive changes on the surface of dentin, and is effective against Enterococcus faecalis, a microorganism resistant to the action of other antimicrobial medications. In another study, the ability of MTAD was investigated to disinfect contaminated root canals with whole saliva and compared its efficacy to that of NaOCl Based on the results, it seems that MTAD is significantly more effective than 5.25% NaOCl in eradicating bacteria from infected root canals. In the cytotoxicity evaluation, MTAD is less cytotoxic than engenol, 3% $H20_2,\;Ca(OH)_2$ paste, 5.25% NaGCl, Peridex, and EDTA and more cytotoxic than 2.63%,1.31% and 0.66% NaOCl. Is it promising or transient?

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2010

Korean Sophora japonica has been found to posses an anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, Korean Sophora japonica extract, rutin, was used to know whether rutin inhibits to produce inflammatory mediators NO and TNF-$\alpha$ from the mouse peritoneal macrophages that were treated an inflammatory agent LPS. The rutin-1 hr pretreated macrophages were incubated with LPS for 0.5~5 hrs, and then collected the supernatant and the cell lysate for measurements of the level of iNOS, NO, TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA, TNF-$\alpha$, and p-NF-${\kappa}B$. Minimal and maximal effective doses of the rutin on them were 1 and $100{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The maximal effective dose of rutin certainly inhibted the productions of iNOS, NO, TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA, TNF-$\alpha$and p-NF-${\kappa}B$ from the LPS-treated macrophages (p<0.0001). Its $ED_{50}$ for inhibition of TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA and p-NF-${\kappa}B$ was $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, and for iNOS, NO, and TNF-$\alpha$ was $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The rutin did not have any cytotoxic effect. As the results, the Sophora japonica rutin could be a good candidate for an anti-inflammatory action.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.339-347
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• 2018

Background: There are many techniques of inferior alveolar nerve block injection (IANBI); one among them is the computer-assisted intraosseous injection (CAIOI). Here we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of CAIOI with $Quicksleeper^{(R)}$ in mandibular third molar surgery. Methods: This study is a clinical, single-blind, randomized, split-mouth, controlled trial including 25 patients (10 males and 15 females, mean age 21 years). The patients underwent surgical removal of bilateral mandibular third molars with two different IANBI techniques. One side was injected using $Quicksleeper^{(R)}$, and the other side was injected using a conventional IANBI. Both techniques used one cartridge (1.7 ml) of 1:100,000 epinephrine 4% articaine. A supplementary injection was used if necessary. All volumes of anesthetic agent used were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. Results: This research showed that CAIOI has faster onset and shorter duration of action than IANBI (P < 0.05). The pain was similar in both techniques. In the CAIOI group, one-third of the cases could be completed without additional anesthesia. The remaining two-thirds required minimal supplementary volume of anesthesia. The success rates were 68% for CAIOI and 72% for IANBI, respectively. Conclusion: CAIOI is an advantageous anesthetic technique. It can be used as an alternative to conventional IANBI for mandibular third molar surgery.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2010

A Widget platform is acknowledged to be a next generation intelligent platform that is well suited to Web 2.0 and mobile convergence environments. With prospects of growth, examining users' perceptions of current widgets can be a valuable source of information in setting directions for Widget's future development. This study identifies user interface factors that affect widget usability and investigates a strategic approach to promoting the use of widgets by analyzing user's "intention to use" in connection with the identified interface factors. The experimental results show the consistency, intuition, minimal action, and personalization have a positive(+) effect on perceived ease of use and that personalization and design have a causal effect on perceived enjoyment. Inaddition, perceived ease of use has an influence on perceived enjoyment that, inturn, has a direct influence on intention to use. On the other hand, the hypothesis that perceived ease of use has a direct effect on intention to use was rejected.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.479-491
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• 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and is one of the highest mortality cancers when advanced stage is proceeded. However, Anti-cancer drugs available for treatment are limited and new anti-cancer drugs and new ways to treat them are minimal. We examined that the effects and possibility of Red Ginseng (RG, Panax ginseng Meyer) as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by combining network pharmacology and molecular biology. Materials and Methods: Network pharmacological analysis was employed to investigate the systems-level mechanism of RG focusing on HCC. Cytotoxicity of RG was determined by MTT analysis, which were also stained by annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis and acridine orange for autophagy. For the analyze mechanism of RG, we extracted protein and subjected to immunoblotting for apoptosis or autophagy related proteins. Results: We constructed compound-target network of RG and identified potential pathways related to HCC. RG inhibited growth of HCC through acceleration of cytotoxicity and reduction of wound healing ability of HCC. RG also increased apoptosis and autophagy through AMPK induction. In addition, its ingredients, 20S-PPD (protopanaxadiol) and 20S-PPT (protopanaxatriol), also induced AMPK mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: RG effectively inhibited growth of HCC cells inducing apoptosis and autophagy via ATG/AMPK in HCC cells. Overall, our study suggests possibility as new anti-cancer drug on HCC by proof for the mechanism of the anti-cancer action of RG.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.174-183
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• 2023

Background: Office workers experience neck or back pain due to poor posture, such as flexed head and forward head posture, during long-term sedentary work. Posture correction is used to reduce pain caused by poor posture and ensures proper alignment of the body. Several assistive devices have been developed to assist in maintaining an ideal posture; however, there are limitations in practical use due to vast size, unproven long-term effects or inconsistency of maintaining posture alignment. We developed a headphone and necklace posture correction system (HANPCS) for posture correction using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor that provides visual or auditory feedback. Objects: To demonstrate the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of neck and upper trunk flexion measurements using a HANPCS, compared with a three-dimensional motion analysis system (3DMAS). Methods: Twenty-nine participants were included in this study. The HANPCS was applied to each participant. The angle for each action was measured simultaneously using the HANPCS and 3DMAS. The data were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = [3,3] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The angular measurements of the HANPCS for neck and upper trunk flexions showed high intra- (ICC = 0.954-0.971) and inter-day (ICC = 0.865-0.937) values, standard error of measurement (SEM) values (1.05°-2.04°), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values (2.92°-5.65°). Also, the angular measurements between the HANPCS and 3DMAS had excellent ICC values (> 0.90) for all sessions, which indicates high concurrent validity. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the HANPCS is as accurate in measuring angle as the gold standard, 3DMAS. Therefore, the HANPCS is reliable and valid because of its angular measurement reliability and validity.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2011

To explore the sources of carbonaceous material in the airborne particulate matter (PM), comprehensive PM sampling was performed (3 to 14 January 2010) at a traffic hot spot site (HS), Farm Gate, Dhaka using several samplers: AirMetrics MiniVol (for $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$) and MOUDI (for size fractionated submicron PM). Long-term PM data (April 2000 to March 2006 and April 2000 to March 2010 in two size fractions ($PM_{2.2}$ and $PM_{2.2-10}$) obtained from two air quality-monitoring stations, one at Farm Gate (HS) and another at a semi-residential (SR) area (Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka Campus, (AECD)), respectively were also analyzed. The long-term PM trend shows that fine particulate matter concentrations have decreased over time as a result of government policy interventions even with increasing vehicles on the road. The ratio of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ showed that the average $PM_{2.5}$ mass was about 78% of the $PM_{10}$ mass. It was also found that about 63% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass is $PM_1$. The total contribution of BC to $PM_{2.5}$ is about 16% and showed a decreasing trend over the years. It was observed that $PM_1$ fractions contained the major amount of carbonaceous materials, which mainly originated from high temperature combustion process in the $PM_{2.5}$. From the IMPROVE TOR protocol carbon fraction analysis, it was observed that emissions from gasoline vehicles contributed to $PM_1$ given the high abundance of EC1 and OC2 and the contribution of diesel to $PM_1$ is minimal as indicated by the low abundance of OC1 and EC2. Source apportionment results also show that vehicular exhaust is the largest contributors to PM in Dhaka. There is also transported $PM_{2.2}$from regional sources. With the increasing economic activities and recent GDP growth, the number of vehicles and brick kilns has significantly increased in and around Dhaka. Further action will be required to further reduce PM-related air pollution in Dhaka.