• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.53-63
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• 2024

Biodiversity holds significant importance within the framework of environmental impact assessment, being utilized in site selection for development, understanding the surrounding environment, and assessing the impact on species due to disturbances. The field of environmental impact assessment has seen substantial research exploring new technologies and models to evaluate and predict biodiversity more accurately. While current assessments rely on data from fieldwork and literature surveys to gauge species richness indices, limitations in spatial and temporal coverage underscore the need for high-resolution biodiversity assessments through species richness mapping. In this study, leveraging data from the 4th National Ecosystem Survey and environmental variables, we developed a species distribution model using Random Forest. This model yielded mapping results of 24 mammalian species' distribution, utilizing the species richness index to generate a 100-meter resolution map of species richness. The research findings exhibited a notably high predictive accuracy, with the species distribution model demonstrating an average AUC value of 0.82. In addition, the comparison with National Ecosystem Survey data reveals that the species richness distribution in the high-resolution species richness mapping results conforms to a normal distribution. Hence, it stands as highly reliable foundational data for environmental impact assessment. Such research and analytical outcomes could serve as pivotal new reference materials for future urban development projects, offering insights for biodiversity assessment and habitat preservation endeavors.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare plans prescribed to point A with these prescribed to point H recommended by ABS (American Brachytherapy Society) in high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study selected 103 patients who received HDR (High Dose Rate) brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids from March 2010 to January 2012. Point A, bladder point, and rectal point conform with Manchester System. Point H conforms with ABS recommendation. Also Sigmoid colon point, and vagina point were established arbitrarily. We examined distance between point A and point H. The percent dose at point A was calculated when 100% dose was prescribed to point H. Additionally, the percent dose at each reference points when dose is prescribed to point H and point A were calculated. Results: The relative dose at point A was lower when point H was located inferior to point A. The relative doses at bladder, rectal, sigmoid colon, and vagina points were higher when point H was located superior to point A, and lower when point H was located inferior to point A. Conclusion: This study found out that as point H got located much superior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became higher, and as point H got located much inferior to point A, the absorbed dose of surrounding normal organs became lower. This differences dose not seem to affect the treatment. However, we suggest this new point is worth being considered for the treatment of HDR if dose distribution and absorbed dose at normal organs have large differences between prescribed to point A and H.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.687-694
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• 2008

Background: Although aortic valve sclerosis causes no significant hemodynamic alterations, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. However, the role of ${\beta}_3$ integrin in aortic valve sclerosis remains unclear. Material and Method: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 rabbits (n=10) received a normal chow diet, while group 2 (n=10) rabbits received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After the rabbits were euthanized, their aortic valves and ascending aortas were excised for analysis. Result: Total serum cholesterol ($2,148.3{\pm}1,012.5\;mg/dL$ versus $53.7{\pm}31.8\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), triglyceride ($240.4{\pm}218.3\;mg/dL$ versus $31.6{\pm}6.4\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol($2,065.3{\pm}960.9\;mg/dL$ versus $29.1{\pm}30.9\;mg/dL$, p<0.05) levels were significantly higher in the cholesterol diet group compared with the normal diet group. Myofibroblasts and macrophages were more highly expressed in the aortic valve leaflets of rabbits in the cholesterol diet group than of those in the normal diet group. A real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed decreased ${\beta}_3$ integrin mRNA levels in the hypercholesterolemic aortic valves and aortas. Conclusion: The present study shows that hypercholesterolemia induces aortic valve sclerosis. These findings suggest that alterations in ${\beta}_3$ integrin may playa role in the development of aortic valve sclerosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2004

The active principle responsible for lipid lowering in Chinese cabbage kimchi, 3-(4-hydroxyl-3'5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, of molecular weight 226, was chemically synthesized and then used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in male New Zealand white rabbit. Hypercholesterolemia in rabbits were induced by feeding 0.5% cholesterol added chow diet for 5 weeks. Each experimental group has four rabbits in it. for the 1st experiment,3-(4-hydroxyl-3'5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid or simvastatin was injected to the ear vein of rabbit every other day for 16 days (2 mg/3 kg/2 days) while normal chow diet was provided. Blood was drawn every 4th day. For the 2nd experiment, all the experimental condition was same as the 1st trial except 0.5% cholesterol diet was provided while 16 days. Plasma cholesterol level was decreased when cholesterol in the diet was removed. Decreased in cholesterol in kimchi and simvastatin groups were 18.65 and 29.67%, respectively compared to the control when the normal diet was given, and cholesterol increase was inhibited by 33.79 and 21.81% for kimchi and simvastatin groups, respectively, when 0.5% cholesterol diet was provided. The drop in LDL-C level by the active principle of kimchi and simvastatin was not significant when normal diet was given, however the changes was significant (p<0.05), approximately 130% decrease, when 0.5% cholesterol diet was given. The 105% and 62% decreased in triglyceride concentration were observed from 0.5% cholesterol diet fed kimchi and simvastatin groups respectively HDL cholesterol levels in experimental groups were not changed significantly from the both trials. The HMG-CoA reductase activity of kimchi and simvastatin groups were found to be higher than that of control to compensate the hypercholesterolemic condition induced by 0.5% cholesterol diet in these groups. In conclusion, diet is an important factor to control the hypercholesterolemia besides drug treatment. 3-(4-hydroxyl-3'5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid that is the active principle in Chinese cabbage kimchi seems a beneficial to the hypercholesterolemia and its effect is comparable to that of simvastatin.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.117-131
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• 2000

Objectives: To develop a new immunohistochemical marker system for supplementation of the Noyes histological classification of the endometrium in women of child bearing age with regular menstrual cycles, and to employ this system to evaluate pathologic factors involved in endometriosis, and thus to ascertain if it is useful in diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Endometrial biopsies were sampled from the posterior fundus of 41 (24 proliferative phases, 17 secretory phases) women with regular menstrual cycles (28-32 days), and each sample was immunohistochemically stained according to Noyes et al (1975) for determination of expression for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), integrin ${\alpha}_1$, ${\alpha}_4$, ${\beta}_3$, COX-1 and COX-2. Then, the PR, integrin ${\beta}_3$ and COX-2 which were clearly expressed in the luteal phase was with endometrial samples were obtained from 20 cases of normal patients (group 1) and 25 cases with endometriosis (group 2) after confirming the day of ovulation by sex steroid level measurements 7-8 days after ovulation Results: In the regular menstruation group the expression of ER showed a tendency to be increased in the proliferative phase and decreased in the secretory phase, and was the highest in the proliferative phase. However, PR in the stromal cells showed no change in the entire menstrual cycle while in the epithelial cells, PR reached a peak in the late proliferative phase and was almost absent in the secretory phase. Integrin (${\alpha}_1$, ${\alpha}_4$, and ${\beta}_3$ expression in the epithelial cells was absent in the proliferative phase but ${\alpha}_1$ was strongly expressed starting from the early secretory phase into the entire secretory phase. ${\alpha}_4$ was expressed strongly in the early and mid secretory phases and disappeared in the late proliferative phase, while ${\beta}_3$ appeared after the mid secretory phase and continued to be expressed until the late secretory phase. Expression in the stromal cells was weak overall and did not show any cyclic pattern. COX-1 expression was shown as a cyclic pattern in the stromal and epithelial cells and was particularly strongly expressed in the mid secretory phase of epithelial cells, and in the mid secretory and menstruation phase of stromal cells. In the endometrial epithelial cells there was strong expression during the entire cycle with stronger expression in the secretory phase compared to the prolferative phase. COX-2 was clearly expressed in the late proliferative, early and mid secretory phases in the stromal cells. No expression was observed in the proliferative phase of the epithelial cells, but which began to appear in the early secretory phase reaching a significant pattern from the mid secretory phase onwards. There was almost no expression in the stromal cells. In the cases with endometriosis showing normal endometrial maturation according to the Noyes classification, PR expression was increased while Integrin-${\beta}_3$의 expression was significantly decreased compared to the normal group. Also, COX-2 expression was slightly decreased in the stromal cells of patients with endometriosis while it was significantly increased in the stromal cells. Conclusion: Immunohistochemical markers can supplement the original Noyes classification of histological endometrial dating and therefore ascertain existing pathologic conditions. Particularly for patients with endometriosis with normally mature endometrial cells, changes in COX-2 and integrin expression patterns may assist in elucidating pathophysiologic mechanisms and therefore aid in the diagnosis of abnormal implantation conditions, and consequently determine a treatment modality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.925-937
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• 2016

In the last few decades, transgenic animal technology has witnessed an increasingly wide application in animal breeding. Reproductive traits are economically important to the pig industry. It has been shown that the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IB (BMPR1B) A746G polymorphism is responsible for the fertility in sheep. However, this causal mutation exits exclusively in sheep and goat. In this study, we attempted to create transgenic pigs by introducing this mutation with the aim to improve reproductive traits in pigs. We successfully constructed a vector containing porcine BMPR1B coding sequence (CDS) with the mutant G allele of A746G mutation. In total, we obtained 24 cloned male piglets using handmade cloning (HMC) technique, and 12 individuals survived till maturation. A set of polymerase chain reactions indicated that 11 of 12 matured boars were transgene-positive individuals, and that the transgenic vector was most likely disrupted during cloning. Of 11 positive pigs, one (No. 11) lost a part of the terminator region but had the intact promoter and the CDS regions. cDNA sequencing showed that the introduced allele (746G) was expressed in multiple tissues of transgene-positive offspring of No.11. Western blot analysis revealed that BMPR1B protein expression in multiple tissues of transgene-positive $F_1$ piglets was 0.5 to 2-fold higher than that in the transgene-negative siblings. The No. 11 boar showed normal litter size performance as normal pigs from the same breed. Transgene-positive $F_1$ boars produced by No. 11 had higher semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm per ejaculate than the negative siblings, although the differences did not reached statistical significance. Transgene-positive $F_1$ sows had similar litter size performance to the negative siblings, and more data are needed to adequately assess the litter size performance. In conclusion, we obtained 24 cloned transgenic pigs with the modified porcine BMPR1B CDS using HMC. cDNA sequencing and western blot indicated that the exogenous BMPR1B CDS was successfully expressed in host pigs. The transgenic pigs showed normal litter size performance. However, no significant differences in litter size were found between transgene-positive and negative sows. Our study provides new insight into producing cloned transgenic livestock related to reproductive traits.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.289-292
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• 2008

Trisodium phosphate 12 hydrate and citric acid monohydrate mixture showed the strong anti-sticking effect on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius, which are adhered to glass beads. Each Streptococcus species was shaking-cultured in brain heart infusion broth containing three glass beads. After 18 hr, glass beads were slightly washed into normal saline by three-pin-pointed pincette. Each three glass-beads set was put into reagent -containing tubes, which have 40 mg of bits of weighing paper for gaining brushing effect as similar as brushing one's teeth. The tubes were shaken by vortex mixer for 10 min except non-oral microbe, Streptococcus agalactiae (5 min). The samples were colony-counted by serial agar dilution method. Experiment was repeated three times for each Streptococcus species. The relative ratios of bacterial de-adherence by reagents were calculated in comparison with normal saline control. The de-adherence degree of citric acid-trisodium phosphate-saline mixture (CTS, pH 6.0) against Streptococcus mutans came to an average of 12.5 times compared with normal saline control. Trisodium-saline (TS, pH 8.4) showed the average of 7.5 times, and citric acid-saline (CS, pH 4.6) showed 6.0 times compared to the control group. The bacterial de-adherence degree against Streptococcus salivarius was each 7.2,2.6 and 2.8 times in above reagent sequence in comparison with saline control. CTS and TS showed 2.4 and 3.4 times of anti-sticking effect on Streptococcus mitis respectively, but CS had no anti-sticking effect on this bacterium. CTS, TS and CS showed 0.7, 0.6, and 0.6 times on non-oral microbe, Streptococcus agalactiae, separately compared with saline control. These results show that oral Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus mitis, which are causative of dental caries or subacute endocarditis, may be easily removed from oral cavity by CTS mixture. It is conceivable that our experimental results will enable the development of a new conceptive toothpaste to prevent dental caries or subacute endocarditis after drawing teeth.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2006

Based on the data of cervical cancer patients who were treated by the radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy at the radiation oncology department of National Cancer Center from January 2002 to February 2003, we have studied the method recommended by ICRU 38 to maximize the prescription dose to the planing target volume (PTV) with minimizing the dose to surrounding normal organs. Clinical stage of the patients are 1 patient for stage IB, 3 patients for IIA, 19 patients for IIB, 3 patients for IIIA, 3 patients for IIIB and 1 patient for IV. All patients took the MRI before treatment and the maximum size of the gross tumor volume were under 4cm for 17 patients and from 4 cm to 6 cm for 12 patients and above 6 cm for 1 patient. The results show that while the irradiated volume can be reduced with optimized dose distribution using PTV treatment planning (p<0.0001) when the remained tumor size is small, the surrounding normal organs will receive unnecessarily large dose when the irradiated tumor volume is relatively large. This is because there is some limitation in controling the intensity of radiation in Fletcher Williamson Applicator. To overcome the limit of applicator and to achieve the optimal dose distribution, we have virtually applied 4 needles with Fletcher Williamson Applicator for 10 patients who have relatively large tumor and studied the change in dose distribution before and after application. The results show that this new virtual treatment plan reduces the volume covered by 100 % isodose (p=0.0608, p=0.0607) and reduces the dose of normal organs (p=0.0162, p=0.008). This evidence suggest that this method is superior than the currently used method such as PTV treatment and ICRU treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.303-312
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• 2017

The central goal of Gamma Knife radiosurgery(GKRS) is to maximize the conformity of the prescription isodose surface, and to minimize the radiation effect of the normal tissue surrounding the target volume. There are the various kinds of indices related with the quality of treatment plans such as conformity index, coverage, selectivity, beam-on time, gradient index(GI), and conformity/gradient index(CGI). As the best treatment plan evaluation tool, we must check by all means conformity index, GI, and CGI among them. Specially, GI and CGI related with complication of healthy normal tissue is more indispensible than conformity index. Then author calculated and statistically analysed CGI, the newly defined conformity/gradient index as well as GI being applied widely using the treatment planning system Leksell GammaPlan(LGP) and the verification method Variable Ellipsoid Modeling Technique(VEMT). In the study 10 patients with intracranial lesion treated by GKRS were included. Author computed the indices from LGP and VEMT requiring only four parameters: the prescribed isodose volume, the volume with dose > 30%, the target volume, and the volume of half the prescription isodose. All data were analyzed by paired t-test, which is statistical method used to compare two different measurement techniques. No statistical significance in GI at 10 cases was observed between LGP and VEMT. Differences in GI ranged from -0.14 to 0.01. The newly defined gradient index calculated by two methods LGP and VEMT was not statistically significant either. Author did not find out the statistical difference for the prescribed isodose volume between LGP and VEMT. CGI as the evaluation index for determining the best treatment plan is not significant statistically also. Differences in CGI ranged from -4 to 3. Similarly newly defined Conformity/Gradient index for GKRS was also estimated as the metric for the evaluation of the treatment plans through statistical analysis. Statistical analyses demonstrated that VEMT was in excellent agreement with LGP when considering GI, new gradient index, CGI, and new CGI for evaluating the best plans of GKRS. Due to the application of the fast and easy evaluation tool through LGP and VEMT author hopes CGI and newly defined CGI as well as gradient indices will be widely used.