• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.659-665
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• 2016

The oligosaccharides in human milk constitute a major innate immunological mechanism by which breastfed infants gain protection against infectious diarrhea. Clostridium difficile is the most important cause of nosocomial diarrhea, and the C-terminus of toxin A with its carbohydrate binding site, TcdA-f2, demonstrates specific abolishment of cytotoxicity and receptor binding activity upon diethylpyrocarbonate modification of the histidine residues in TcdA. TcdA-f2 was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). A human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) mixture displayed binding with TcdA-f2 at 38.2 respond units (RU) at the concentration of 20 μg/ml, whereas the eight purified HMOs showed binding with the carbohydrate binding site of TcdA-f2 at 3.3 to 14 RU depending on their structures via a surface plasma resonance biosensor. Among them, Lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFPV) and Lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH) demonstrated tight binding to TcdA-f2 with docking energy of −9.48 kcal/mol and −12.81 kcal/mol, respectively. It displayed numerous hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues of TcdA-f2.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Objective : Hemifacial spasm (HFS) caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is very rare, and in theses cases, it is difficult to decompress the nerve from its vascular compression. The objective of this study was to investigate the outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS caused by VBD. Methods : There were 10 patients of HFS caused by VBD at our hospital between September 1978 and September 2008. We evaluated magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and time of flight magnetic resonance imaginge (TOF MRI) findings using the criteria for VBD. We compared the clinical outcomes of MVD for the 10 patients with VBD with the overall outcomes of the total 2058 MVDs performed for HFS. Results : The results of MVD for HFS caused by VBD were successful in 90.9% of cases. The postoperative complication rate in VBD was 45.5%. Offending vessels in patients with VBD were identified visually during surgery. Adverse effects after MVD were found in 4 patients. We found that the diameter of VBD was significantly greater in patients with complications than in those with no complications (p=0.028). Conclusion : Our data shows that MVD may be a good treatment modality for HFS caused by VBD but care must be taken to avoid adverse effects from the procedure. It is important to detach the dolichoectatic artery from its surrounding structures sufficiently to allow it to be easily movable. In addition, attempts should be made to lessen the retraction of the cerebellum during release of the dolichoectatic artery.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.310-319
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• 2015

Three kinds of anion-exchangeable functional groups with different hydrocarbon molecular structures were introduced to vinyl benzyl chloride-based membrane to understand the effect of attached function in anion-exchange membrane. Trimethylamine (TMA) as an aliphatic fuction, N-methylpiperidine (MP) as an alicyclic fuction and pyridine (Py) as an aromatic function were introduced by amination. The respective reactivity was observed by the trace of membrane resistance( MER)/ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the increasing order of reactivity was Py < MP < TMA. Meanwhile, SEM photograph showed the attached Py ion-exchange membrane was the most homogenous and compact structure in the study. In electrochemical properties, the attached Py ion-exchange membrane showed the MER ($5.0{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$ >, in 0.5 mol/L NaCl), comparable to those of commercial membrane (AMX). All results showed that the resonance structure of attached functional group might contribute to the preparation of homogenous anion-exchange membrane.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.104-111
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• 2019

Purpose: Online magnetic resonance-guided adaptive radiotherapy (MRgART), an emerging technique, is used to address the change in anatomical structures, such as treatment target region, during the treatment period. However, the electron density map used for dose calculation differs from that for daily treatment, owing to the variation in organ location and, notably, air pockets. In this study, we evaluate the dosimetric effect of electron density override on air pockets during online ART for pancreatic cancer cases. Methods: Five pancreatic cancer patients, who were treated with MRgART at the Seoul National University Hospital, were enrolled in the study. Intensity modulated radiation therapy plans were generated for each patient with 60Co beams on a ViewrayTM system, with a 45 Gy prescription dose for stereotactic body radiation therapy. During the treatment, the electron density map was modified based on the daily MR image. We recalculated the dose distribution on the plan, and the dosimetric parameters were obtained from the dose volume histograms of the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk. Results: The average dose difference in the PTV was 0.86Gy, and the observed difference at the maximum dose was up to 2.07 Gy. The variation in air pockets during treatment resulted in an under- or overdose in the PTV. Conclusions: We recommend the re-contouring of the air pockets to deliver an accurate radiation dose to the target in MRgART, even though it is a time-consuming method.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.149-155
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• 2019

Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) image guided radiation therapy system, enables real time MR guided radiotherapy (RT) without additional radiation exposure to patients during treatment. However, MR image lacks electron density information required for dose calculation. Image fusion algorithm with deformable registration between MR and computed tomography (CT) was developed to solve this issue. However, delivered dose may be different due to volumetric changes during image registration process. In this respect, synthetic CT generated from the MR image would provide more accurate information required for the real time RT. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 1,209 MR images from 16 patients who underwent MR guided RT. Structures were divided into five tissue types, air, lung, fat, soft tissue and bone, according to the Hounsfield unit of deformed CT. Using the deep learning model (U-NET model), synthetic CT images were generated from the MR images acquired during RT. This synthetic CT images were compared to deformed CT generated using the deformable registration. Pixel-to-pixel match was conducted to compare the synthetic and deformed CT images. Results and Discussion: In two test image sets, average pixel match rate per section was more than 70% (67.9 to 80.3% and 60.1 to 79%; synthetic CT pixel/deformed planning CT pixel) and the average pixel match rate in the entire patient image set was 69.8%. Conclusion: The synthetic CT generated from the MR images were comparable to deformed CT, suggesting possible use for real time RT. Deep learning model may further improve match rate of synthetic CT with larger MR imaging data.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.59-64
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• 2009

In this paper, the design of a new bandstop filter with an ultra-wide stopband is proposed using the metamaterial CRLH-TL. Instead of conventional periodic structures and multi-staged CRLH-TLs, extremely small one-cell type is adopted to circumvent the setbacks of conventional filters such as the lengthened ${\lambda}_g/2$-resonator ones or alternating impedance lowpass filter, and relatively slow skirt. Besides, for a very broad stopband, a strong coupling structure including stepped impedances is suggested and the zero-order resonance is made for effective size-reduction. The validity of the proposed design is proven through the fabrication and measurement, showing the overall size less than ${\lambda}_g/10$, the stopband wider than 12 GHz, 0.7 dB of the insertion loss.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.162-162
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• 2011

Nanometer-sized noble metals can trap and guide sunlight for enhanced absorption of light based on surface plasmon that is beneficial for generation of hot electron flows. A pulse of high kinetic energy electrons (1-3 eV), or hot electrons, in metals can be generated after surface exposure to external energy, such as in the absorption of light or in exothermic chemical processes. These energetic electrons are not at thermal equilibrium with the metal atoms. It is highly probable that the correlation between hot electron generation and surface plasmon can offer a new guide for energy conversion systems [1-3]. We show that hot electron flow is generated on the modified gold thin film (<10 nm) of metal-semiconductor (TiO2) Schottky diodes by photon absorption, which is amplified by localized surface plasmon resonance. The short-circuit photocurrent obtained with low energy photons (lower than bandgap of TiO2, ~3.1-3.2 eV) is consistent with Fowler's law, confirming the presence of hot electron flows. The morphology of the metal thin film was modified to a connected gold island structure after heating to 120, 160, 200, and 240$^{\circ}C$. These connected island structures exhibit both a significant increase in hot electron flow and a localized surface plasmon with the peak energy at 550-570 nm, which was separately characterized with UV-Vis [4]. The result indicates a strong correlation between the hot electron flow and localized surface plasmon resonance with possible application in hot electron based solar cells and photodetectors.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.313-316
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• 2016

Sparassis crispa fruits were extracted in 80 % MeOH, and the concentrated extract was partitioned into EtOAc, n-butyl alcohol, and water fractions. The repeated octadecyl $SiO_2$ and silica gel ($SiO_2$) column chromatographies for the EtOAc and nbutyl alcohol fractions led to isolation of two ergosterol peroxides. There chemical structures were determined as ($3{\beta}$,$5{\alpha}$,$8{\alpha}$,22E)-5,8-Epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3-ol (ergosterol peroxide) (1) and 3-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosyl ergosterol peroxide (2) based on spectroscopic data analyses including nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectrometry, and mass spectrometry (MS). Compounds 1 and 2 were for the first time isolated from S. crispa in this study.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2017

A 10-day-old, Holstein calf with facial mass of 10 cm in diameter at the forehead region referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Chungnam National University. The mass was soft and fluctuating swelling. It had normal skin and hair hanging forward from frontal region and was thought to contain cerebrospinal fluid. On the skull radiography, cauliflower like-irregular marginated, soft tissue opacity mass was identified craniodorsal to the frontal bone. The mass appeared as a cyst filled with anechoic fluid on ultrasonography. Soft tissue structures considered brain tissues were observed in the deep area of the mass. On the computed tomography, a large skull defect of left side frontal bone was found, and heterogeneous materials were exposed through the defect but exposure of cerebral meninges and brain tissue were not confirmative. On magnetic resonance imaging, herniated left brain parenchyma showed heterogenous T2 and T1 hyperinsensity. In the intracranium, T2 hyperinstense and T1 hypointense fluid was identified on the left side, instead of left cerebral parenchyma. Also leftward shift of right hemisphere and midline structure, including thalamus and midbrain, were observed. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed as a meningoencephalocele based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The calf was euthanized and necropsy was performed. On necropsy, both hemisphere were developed unequally with different size. One side hemisphere was grown in the outside through 10 cm hole on the median plane.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.251-254
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• 2007

A 10-year-old intact female Yorkshire terrier dog was referred for evaluation of marked abdominal distension and hemorrhagic effusion. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography demonstrated abdominal effusion and intraabdominal mass with anechoic cystic components. On ascites cytology, neoplastic epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and prominent nucleoli were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the well-defined, heterogeneous, and large mass filled the intraabdominal cavity. At necropsy, a large mass arising from the right ovary was observed. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of papillary structures lined by neoplastic epithelial cells. The dog was definitively diagnosed as malignant ovarian adenocarcinoma with papillary pattern based on clinical and histopathological findings.