• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.141-145
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• 2001

Objective: We inversigated Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP) gene mutation in Korean Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) patients. SHP protein regulates the activity of nuclear receptors which regulate the cellular development and differentiation. Recently, the mutation of SHP gene was found in the obesity and diabetes patients in Japanese group, and suggested that its mutation may involved in pathogenic mechanism of PCOS. Methods: This study was performed in 20 PCOS patients and 20 normal women. The DNAs were extracted from the peripheral bloods, and amplified at each exon (1 and 2) of SHP gene by PCR method. Subsequently, each PCR product was digested with the restriction enzyme indicated below for studying restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). After enzyme digestion, the results of RFLP were compared PCOS patients with control women to find any sequence variation. Results: We examined 9 regions of exon 1 with Msp I, Pvu II, Dde I and 3 regions of exon 2 with Pst I, Dde I. There is no heterozygous or homozygous mutation in patients and control women at these restriction sites. Conclusion: The genetic analysis at our restriction sites in the SHP gene did not show any genetic variation in Korean PCOS patients. Our PCR-RFLP analysis was not covered the entire SHP gene (68 bp/1,006 bp), we need to further analysis of the entire SHP gene.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.199-209
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• 2010

The locking compression plates-distal femur(LCP-DF) are being widely used for surgical management of the extra-articular complex fractures of the distal femur. They feature locking mechanism between the screws and the screw holes of the plate to provide stronger fixation force with less number of screws than conventional compression bone plate. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not fully understood, especially regarding the number of the screws inserted and their optimal configurations. In this study, we investigated effects of various screw configurations in the shaft and the condylar regions of the femur in relation to structural stability of LCP-DF system. For this purpose, a baseline 3-D finite element (FE) model of the femur was constructed from CT-scan images of a normal healthy male and was validated. The extra-articular complex fracture of the distal femur was made with a 4-cm defect. Surgical reduction with LCP-DF and bone screws were added laterally. To simulate various cases of post-op screw configurations, screws were inserted in the shaft (3~5 screws) and the condylar (4~6 screws) regions. Particular attention was paid at the shaft region where screws were inserted either in clustered or evenly-spaced fashion. Tied-contact conditions were assigned at the bone screws-plate whereas general contact condition was assumed at the interfaces between LCP-DF and bone screws. Axial compressive load of 1,610N(2.3 BW) was applied on the femoral head to reflect joint reaction force. An average of 5% increase in stiffness was found with increase in screw numbers (from 4 to 6) in the condylar region, as compared to negligible increase (less than 1%) at the shaft regardless of the number of screws inserted or its distribution, whether clustered or evenly-spaced. At the condylar region, screw insertion at the holes near the fracture interface and posterior locations contributed greater increase in stiffness (9~13%) than any other locations. Our results suggested that the screw insertion at the condylar region can be more effective than at the shaft during surgical treatment of fracture of the distal femur with LCP-DF. In addition, screw insertion at the holes close to the fracture interface should be accompanied to ensure better fracture healing.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.63-75
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• 2006

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Liriopis Tuber on the nervous protection. Methods : We measured the reaction behavior with EPM(Elevated Plus Maxe) and MWM(Morris Water Maze) after applying restraint stress to rats. Also, the degrees of AchE generation were measured with immunohistochemical method in the regions of hippocampus, and the degree of TH generation in the regions of VTA and LC, respectively. Results : 1. As the results of measuring how long EPM which reflects anxiety reaction stayed in the open arm, there was the trend which can suppress anxiety reaction in the MMD+stress group(Liriopis Tuber+stress) but no statistical significance. The counting results how many EPM passed between opened and closed arm showed suppression trend against a physical activity in the saline+stress group but there was no statistical significance. 2. According to the result of MWM, the saline+stress group showed the learning retardation which means increased time arriving at goal compared to ti1e normal group at the second and third day of measurement. On the contrary, a learning retardation was significantly decreased in the MMD+stress group. Among the probe trial test a memory loss occurred in the saline+stress group, meanwhile memory ability was notably increased in the saline-stress group. 3. The degree of TH generation was investigated at the VTA and LC respectively after test animals treated with drug. In the saline+stress group, TH-immunoreactive cells were significantly increased, and these stress-induced TH increases were suppressed in the saline+stress group at the VTA region. However, the saline+stress group did not show any significant difference. 4. the degree of AchE generation was investigated at the CA3 of hippocampus. The saline+stress group showed that AchE-immunoreactive cells were significantly decreased. Those stress-induced reductions of AchE cells were meaningfully recovered in the saline+stress group. Although the cells showed recovery trend in the region of CA1 of hippocampus, statistical significance was not observed. Conclusion : The results of our study indicate that Liriopis Tuber can improve spatial memory ability of rats applied a restraint stress. This improvement of the spatial memory ability is considered to have an efficacy of nervous protection that Liriopis Tuber suppresses the generation of AchE in the hippocampus region and enhances the generation of TH in the VTA.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.651-657
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• 2007

Odontomas are the common type of odontogenic tumors and generally are asymptomatic and frequently lead to impaction or delayed eruption of permanent teeth. They are composed of enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp tissue and are divided into compound and complex according to the morphology of the hard tissues. Compound odontomas consist of varying numbers of small toothlike structure and have a predilection for the maxillary anterior regions. Complex odontomas consist of an unorganized mass of odontogenic tissues and comprise approximately 25 percent of all odontomas and have a predilection for the mandibular posterior regions. The etiology of odontomas is uncertain but hypothesized to involve local trauma, infection and genetic factors. Treatment of odontoma is conservative surgical removal and are little probability of recurrence. These two cases were about the patients with delayed eruption of mandibular first molar and mandibular lateral incisor. We surgically removed odontoma, exposed impacted tooth and guided impacted tooth into normal position by orthodontic traction. At the completion of traction, the mandibular first molar and mandibular lateral incisor was positioned fairly within the arch and complications such as root resorption were not observed.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.279-287
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• 2007

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element indispensable for brain development and function; either excess or deficiency in Cu can cause brain malfunction. While it is known that Cu and Fe homeostasis are strictly regulated in the brain, the question as to how systemic Fe status may influence brain Cu distribution was poorly understood. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that dietary Fe condition affects Cu transport into the brain, leading to an altered brain distribution of Cu. Rats were divided into 3 groups; an Fe-deficient (Fe-D) group which received an Fe-D diet ($3{\sim}5 mg$ Fe/kg), a control group that was fed with normal diet (35mg Fe/kg), and an Fe-overload group whose diet contained an Fe-O diet (20g carbonyl Fe/kg). Following a 4-week treatment, the concentration of Cu/Fe in serum, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and brain were determined by AAS, and the uptake rates of Cu into choroids plexus (CP), CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were determined by an in situ brain perfusion, followed by capillary depletion. In Fe-D and Fe-O, serum Fe level decreased by 91% (p<0.01) and increased by 131% (p<0.01), respectively, in comparison to controls. Fe concentrations in all brain regions tested (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were lower than those of controls in Fe-D rats (p<0.05), but not changed in Fe-O rats. In Fe-D animals, serum and CSF Cu were not affected, while brain Cu levels in all tested regions (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were significantly increased (p<0.05). Likewise, the unidirectional transport rate constants $(K_{in})$ of Cu in CP, CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the Fe-D rats. In contrast, with Fe-O, serum, CSF and brain Cu concentrations were significantly decreased as compared to controls (p<0.05). Cu transport was no significant change of Cu transport of serum in Fe-O rats. The mRNA levels of five Cu-related transporters were not affected by Fe status except DMT1 in the CP, which was increased in Fe-D and decreased in Fe-O. Our data suggest that Cu transport into brain and ensuing brain Cu levels are regulated by systemic Fe status. Fe deficiency appears to augment Cu transport by brain barriers, leading to an accumulation of Cu in brain parenchyma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.648-658
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between eating habits and health among adolescents in Shanghai and Heze, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 on 2,089 adolescents; 1,089 students were from Shanghai and 999 students from Heze region. Eating habits, weight, height, and nutritional knowledge were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Eating habits score was classified into two categories: healthy eating habits and unhealthy eating habits, based on "Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey", for statistical data analysis. Associations between eating habits, BMI, and nutritional knowledge were examined using a general linear model with adjustment of potential confounding factors such as region, gender, age, parents' education level, and pocket money. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS (version 9.3) program. Proportions of healthy eating habits group were 90.0% for breakfast (3-7 times/wk), 29.1% for fruit (${\geq}once/d$), 12.5% for vegetable (${\geq}3times/d$), 7.3% for milk (${\geq}2times/d$), 90.0% for fast food (<3 times/wk) consumption, respectively. The average BMI score was 20.1 (Shanghai 20.5 Heze 19.6), which is in the range of normal weight. Rates of obesity and overweight were 16.5% and 8.3% in Shanghai and Heze, respectively. There were significant negative correlations between intake frequencies of breakfast, fast food, biscuits, sugar, chocolate, and BMI score. Eating habits and nutritional knowledge score showed a significant positive correlation. These results showed better eating habits regarding eating regularity and consumption of fruits and soft drinks in Chinese adolescents compared with Korean adolescents, although cultural differences were not fully considered. This study demonstrated significant associations of BMI and nutritional knowledge with dietary behavior in Chinese adolescents in two regions of China. Further studies on Chinese adolescents from other regions in China should be considered.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 1995

This study investigates a simple mathematical model for the quantitative estimation of regional myocardial blood flow in experimental canine coronary artery thrombosis using Rb-82 dynamic myocardial positron emission tomography. The coronary thrombosis was induced using the new catheter technique by narrowing the lumen of coronary vessel gradually, which finally led to partial obstruction of coronary artery. Ten Rb-82 dynamic myocardial PET scans were performed sequentially for each experiment using our 5, 10 and 20 second acquisition protocol, respectively, and three regions of interest were drawn on the transaxial slices, one on left ventricular chamber for input function and the other two on normal and decreased perfusion segments for the flow estimation in those regions. Single compartment model has been applied to the measured sets of regional PET data, and the rate constants of influx to myocardial tissue were calculated for regional myocardial flow estimates with the three parameter fits of raw data by the Levenberg-Marquardt method. The results showed that, (1) single compartment model suggested by Kety-Schmidt could be used for the simple estimation of regional myocardial blood flow, (2) the calculated regional myocardial blood flow estimates were dependent on the selection of input function, which reflected partial volume effect and left ventricular wall motion, and (3) mathematically fitted input and tissue time activity curves were more suitable than the direct application of the measured data in terms of convergence.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.93-102
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• 1996

The Korean Peninsula is located on the east coast of monsoon Asia of the midlatitude, where the Pacific polar front moves. As a result variations of spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation occur. A great variation of precipitation during the summer months created frequent droughts and floods. The purpose of this study is to identify distributional characteristics and to analyze synopic characteristics of summer droughts in Korea. The research methods used are ; (1) to identify droughts based on the anomaly of monthly precipitation during summer of 1994. (2) to analyze correlations between drought and weather systems by using the calender of rain days. (3) to compare a synoptic mechanism of summer droughts with that of typical normal summer. The characteristics of summer droughts of 1994 may be summarized as follows ; 1) While most regions were affected by the droughts some regions displayed specific characteristics. The southern part of the Korean Peninsula was severely affected during the month of June. August droughts severely affected east part of the Sobek Mountains, thus showing that the droughts of June and August are highly localized. 2) In the pressure anomaly of surface field. the positive anomaly appears in June around Korean Peninsula, but in July when all parts of the South Korea were under severe droughts, the anomaly changes and becomes negative. 3) Extracyclones occurred less frequently in the summer of 1994. Those that did occur were located in areas far off the Korean Peninsula having little consequences on the drought patterns. 4) The trough of westerly wave at 500hPa height patterns in June is located far from the eastern sea of Korean Peninsula, but in July and August Korean Peninsula belongs to ridge of westerly wave. 5) In June the positive height anomaly at 500hPa surface appears zonally from Siberia to the western Parts of North Pacific Ocean, and in July and August, the strong positive anomaly appears around Korean Peninsula. As a result the zonal index of westerlies at during each month of summer in Korean sector has a large value, which in turn implies that drought will prevails when zonal flow is strong.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.35-55
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• 2020

The support policy of Micro manufacturers clusters should reflect the regional characteristics of Micro manufacturers clusters, but only similar policies are proposed based on the normal collection of information from related companies. Since the regional characteristics of Micro manufacturers clusters are not understood, they are not reflected in the support policy. Therefore, this study analyzed the characteristics of Micro manufacturers clusters as the formation factors of localization, networking/embeddedness, and innovation synergy/collective learning which are the characteristics of clusters, and applied the development stage based on the analyzed formation factors. Since regional characteristics may be different in the same industry, Micro manufacturers clusters in Changsin and Jangwi, which are representative clusters of apparel sewing industry in Seoul, were compared and studied in terms of regional characteristics and developmental stages. As a result of analyzing the characteristics of Apparel Sewing Micro manufacturers clusters, clusters of peers were found to be higher in Changsin than in Jangwi in localization. However, in the synergy and group learning, the Changsin area was mainly centered on designers and the Jangwi area was centered on Micro manufacturers, the Changsin area was active while the Jangwi area was passive in participating in fairs and seminars, and in sample and production. As a result of examining the two formation factors, the development stage of Micro manufacturers clusters in the two regions is progressing beyond the industrial district in the case of Micro manufacturers clusters in Changsin apparel sewing, and the Micro manufacturers clusters in the Jangwi apparel sewing are analyzed to stay in the industrial district. Innovative and long-established garment sewing clusters suggest that the government's support policy needs to reflect the characteristics and development stages of the two regions for sustainable growth.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to suggest reference line-pair values of panoramic images with clinically desirable qualities using an arch-form phantom stand. Materials and Methods: The line-pair test phantom was chosen. A real skull model was selected for setting the arch-form model of the phantom stand. The phantom stand had slits in four regions (incisor, premolar, molar, TMJ). Four raw images of the test phantom in each region and one raw image of the real skull were converted into 50 test phantom images and 50 skull phantom images with various line-pair values. 50 post-processed real skull phantom images were divided into 4 groups and were randomly submitted to 14 evaluators. Image quality was graded on a 4 point scale (1. good, 2. normal, 3. poor but interpretable, and 4. not interpretable). The reference line pair was determined as the first line-pair value scored less than 2 points. Result: The mean scores tended to decrease as the line-pair values increased. The reference line-pair values were 3.19 LP/mm in the incisor, 2.32 LP/mm in the premolar and TMJ, and 1.88 LP/mm in the molar region. Conclusion: Image quality evaluation methods and criteria should be able to assess various regions considering the characteristics of panoramic systems. This study suggested overall and regional reference line-pair values and established a set of standard values for them.