• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.451-458
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• 2002

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease caused by low bone mass and the decrease of bone density in the microstructure of trabecular bone. Drug therapy(PTH Parathyroid hormone) may increase the trabecular thickness and thus bone strength. Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive surgery foy the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. This Procedure includes Puncturing vertebrae and filling with Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA). Although altering recommended monomer-to-Powder ratio affects material properties of bone cement, clinicians commonly alter the mixture ratio to decrease viscosity and increase the working time. The Purposes of this study were to analyze the effect of 4he monomer-to-powder ratio on the mechanical characteristics of trabecular. In this paper, the finite element model of human vertebral trabecualr bone was developed by modified Voronoi diagram, to analyze the relative effect of hormone therapy and vertebroplasty at the treatment of osteoporotic vertebrae. Trabeuclar bone models for vertebroplasty with varied monomer-to-Powder ratio(0.40∼1.07 ㎖/g) were analyzed. Effective modulus and strength of bone cement-treated models were approximately 60% of those of intact models and these are almost twice the values of hormone-treated models. The bone cement models with the ratio of 0.53㎖/g have the maximum modulus and strength. For the ratio of 1.07㎖/g, the modulus and strength were minimum(42% and 49% respectively) but these were greater than those for drug therapy. This study shows that bone cement treatment is more effective than drug therapy. It is found that in vertebroplasty, using a monomer-to-powder ratio different from that recommended by manufacturer nay significantly not only reduce the cement's material Properties but also deteriorate the mechanical characteristics of osteoporotic vertebrae.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.185-196
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• 2016

New multiband BVRI light curves of NSVS 1461538 were obtained as a byproduct during the photometric observations of our program star PV Cas for three years from 2011 to 2013. The light curves indicate characteristics of a typical W-subtype W UMa eclipsing system, displaying a flat bottom at primary eclipse and the O'Connell effect, rather than those of an Algol/b Lyrae eclipsing variable classified by the northern sky variability survey (NSVS). A total of 35 times of minimum lights were determined from our observations (20 timings) and the SuperWASP measurements (15 ones). A period study with all the timings shows that the orbital period may vary in a sinusoidal manner with a period of about 5.6 yr and a small semi-amplitude of about 0.008 day. The cyclical period variation can be interpreted as a light-time effect due to a tertiary body with a minimum mass of 0.71 M_⊙. Simultaneous analysis of the multiband light curves using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney binary model shows that NSVS 1461538 is a genuine W-subtype W UMa contact binary with the hotter primary component being less massive and the system shows a low mass ratio of q(m_c/m_h)=3.51, a high orbital inclination of 88.7°, a moderate fill-out factor of 30 %, and a temperature difference of ΔT=412 K. The O'Connell effect can be similarly explained by cool spots on either the hotter primary star or the cool secondary star. A small third-light corresponding to about 5 % and 2 % of the total systemic light in the B and V bandpasses, respectively, supports the third-body hypothesis proposed by the period study. Preliminary absolute dimensions of the system were derived and used to look into its evolutionary status with other W UMa binaries in the mass-radius and mass-luminosity diagrams. A possible evolution scenario of the system was also discussed in the context of the mass vs mass ratio diagram.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2012

This study evaluated 23 botanic gardens and arboretums under two main categories including professional group and operational group. As for professional group, the main difference between the functions of botanic gardens and arboretums was analyzed. In the case of operational group compared professional group respectively, on categories including importance of function and implementation, seeking to provide fundamental data of botanic gardens and arboretums by enhancing the quality of visitors and examining functional differences. The result of a difference in arboretums' function between professional and operational groups, the study analyzed the importance of botanic gardens and arboretums in terms of detailed categories such as research, education, collection, display, retention, and service for visitors. As a result, professional group showed retention 4.32>education 4.11>research 4.09>service for visitors 4.05, and operational group showed retention 3.70>service 3.52>education 3.41>research 3.37, indicating that both groups had retention as the most selected answer. Looking closely at the functions of the currently implemented detailed categories of botanic gardens and arboretums, such as research, education, collection, display, retention, and service for visitors, the study showed that 91.3% selected rare species and individual multiplication for research function, 78.3% chose education of natural ecosystem for children for education, 73.9% answered space for experiencing nature for display, and 73.9% also replied managon, diof rare species, reproduction, and retention of native plants' species for retention category, and service for visitors showed 95.7% for implementation. The study could not clearly point out the influence between predictors due to absence of an established comprehensive evaluation model. Also, it analyzed and reviewed comparison of functions of professional group and operational group, but in the future, it should conduct study on a systemic and objective classification of botanic gardens and arboretums to clearly examine the difference in views between groups, which also requires, at the same time, study on management policy of botanic gardens and arboretums or suggesting guidelines that suit types of forms, and also study on facilities and program development that can be applied to each class.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2018

Tenofovir nanoparticles are novel therapeutic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection reaching the virus in their sanctuary sites. However, there has been no systemic toxicity testing of this formulation despite global concerns on the safety of nano drugs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of Tenofovir nanoparticle (NTDF) on the liver and kidney using an animal model. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats maintained at the animal house of the biomedical resources unit of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were weighed and divided into three groups. Control animals (A) were administered with normal saline (NS). The therapeutic doses of Tenofovir (TDF) and nanoparticles of Tenofovir (NTDF) were administered to group B and C and observed for signs of stress for four weeks after which animals were weighed and sacrificed. Liver and kidney were removed and fixed in formal saline, processed and stained using H/E, PAS and MT stains for light microscopy. Serum was obtained for renal function test (RFT) and liver function test (LFT). Cellular measurements and capturing were done using ImageJ and Leica software 2.0. Data were analysed using graph pad 6, p values < 0.05 were significant. We observed no signs of behavioural toxicity and no mortality during this study, however, in the kidneys, we reported mild morphological perturbations widening of Bowman's space, and vacuolations in glomerulus and tubules of TDF and NTDF animals. Also, there was a significant elevation of glycogen deposition in NTDF and TDF animals when compared with control. In the liver, there were mild histological changes with widening of sinusoidal spaces, vacuolations in hepatocytes and elevation of glycogen deposition in TDF and NTDF administered animals. In addition to this, there were no significant differences in stereological measurements and cell count, LFT, RFT, weight changes and organo-somatic index between treatment groups and control. In conclusion, NTDF and TDF in therapeutic doses can lead to mild hepatic and renal histological damage. Further studies are needed to understand the precise genetic mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a medical plant that has been widely utilized as a tonic and nutritional agent since ancient times in Korea. Ginseng has anti-metastatic property of cancer and immunomodulating activity. The novel acidic polysaccharide compound(MB40) was isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. To determine immunomodulating activities of MB40, we evaluate anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects of MB40 in tumor bearing immune competent mice. Material and Methods : C3H mice were divided into three equal groups(Cisplatin treatment group, MB40 treat-ment group, Cisplatin and MB40 treatment group) and were transplanted SCC(Squamous Cell Carcinoma) cells(2${\times}$106) to the lateral side of abdomen. From day 4 after transplantation, MB40 was administrated at dose of 10mg/kg, respectively, every other day by intratumoral injection. Cisplatin was systemically administrated at doses of 1mg/kg, respectively, every week by intraperitoneal injection. Results : 5 days after administration, tumors can be palpated in every mice group. After 13 days of administration, the mice group to which MB40 were administrated exhibited reduction in tumor size respectively, compared to cisplatin group. Overall status of mice such as body weight and activity were superior in MB40 group than cisplatin group. Conclusion : The result of this study indicates MB40 may have significant therapeutic effect and decreases complications induced by systemic chemotheraphy. MB40 may be developed as a novel and potent immunotropics to improve the cell immune system and anti-cancer drug for the treatment of cancer patients in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2018

Purpose: IBTR! 2.0 nomogram is web-based nomogram that predicts ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). We aimed to validate the IBTR! 2.0 using an external data set. Materials and Methods: The cohort consisted of 2,206 patients, who received breast conserving surgery and radiation therapy from 1992 to 2012 at our institution, where wide surgical excision is been routinely performed. Discrimination and calibration were used for assessing model performance. Patients with predicted 10-year IBTR risk based on an IBTR! 2.0 nomogram score of <3%, 3%-5%, 5%-10%, and >10% were assigned to groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. We also plotted calibration values to observe the actual IBTR rate against the nomogram-derived 10-year IBTR probabilities. Results: The median follow-up period was 73 months (range, 6 to 277 months). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.607, showing poor accordance between the estimated and observed recurrence rate. Calibration plot confirmed that the IBTR! 2.0 nomogram predicted the 10-year IBTR risk higher than the observed IBTR rates in all groups. High discrepancies between nomogram IBTR predictions and observed IBTR rates were observed in overall risk groups. Compared with the original development dataset, our patients had fewer high grade tumors, less margin positivity, and less lymphovascular invasion, and more use of modern systemic therapies. Conclusions: IBTR! 2.0 nomogram seems to have the moderate discriminative ability with a tendency to over-estimating risk rate. Continued efforts are needed to ensure external applicability of published nomograms by validating the program using an external patient population.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-273
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• 2011

Although turmeric has numerous pharmacological effects, the poor water-solubility of curcuminoids, active components of turmeric, restricts their systemic availability in orally administered formulations and limits their therapeutic potential. In this study we attempted turmeric fermentation using several probiotic bacteria to improve its solubility, and also investigated the effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric on anti-inflammatory activity. Fermented turmeric, by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203, more strongly inhibited LPS-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines than non-fermented turmeric and fermented turmeric by other probiotic strains. We used an NC/Nga mouse model for mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis to examine the efficacy of the fermented turmeric. Fermented turmeric-fed mice exhibited a significantly reduced serum IgE level and mitigated acute inflammation. When the fermented turmeric was pre-treated by oral administration, it had more preventive activity against acute anaphylactic reaction than the non-fermented group. In addition, we observed that fermentation of turmeric leads to increased water-solubility of curcumin and a change in the active components ratios for bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycrucumin and curcumin. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that fermented turmeric by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 could be used as a functional food ingredient for improving treatments for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.300-305
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• 2005

Purpose: For the reconstruction of maxillofacial defect created by trauma, infection, or tumor etc, the role of microvascular anastomosis or vessel graft has been increased. Many methods has been tried to increase the success rate of microvascular anastomosis. Various anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents have been used to reduce the failure rate of microvascular anastomosis and avoid re-operation. Many drugs, however, have been used in the limited cases because most of these drugs may cause complications, such as allergy, fever or systemic bleeding. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of the Argatroban on patency and thrombosis in microvascular anastomosis when it is used for local irrigation or general administration. Materials & methods: Eight mature rabbits, weighing 2kg, were used. After exposing both femoral veins, the artificial thrombotic model was made by crushing injury using a smooth needle holder, and the transverse incision were made on femoral vein. The animals were divided into 4 groups according to Argatroban administration methods; control group (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with saline solution; experimental group 1 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with Argatroban saline solution; experimental group 2 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with heparin followed by intravenous injection of Argatroban; experimental group 3 (n=4), topical irrigation of lumen with Argatroban followed by IV of Argatroban. Microvascular anastomosis was done with 10-0 Ethilon. The patency was evaluated by empty-and-refill test 30 minutes and 3 days after microanastomosis. The thrombus formation was examined 3 days after microanastomosis by surgical microscope. The histologic findings were also examined. Results: 1. Thirty minutes after microvascular anastomosis, the patency of all experimental groups was better than that of control group, but there was no significant difference among groups. 2. Three days after microvascular anastomosis, the patency of all experimental groups was more improved than that of control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among experimental groups. 3. Three days after microvascular anastomosis, the amount of thrombus in all experimental groups was less than that of control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among experimental groups. 4. Histologically, a lot of luminal thrombus was observed around sutured area in control group. Few luminal thrombus was observed in all experimental groups. The necrotic changes were observed on the sutured vein wall in all specimens. Conclusion: These results indicate that topical irrigation and/or intravenous administration of Argatroban is effective in improving patency and preventing thrombus formation after microvascular anastomosis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.370-381
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• 1998

The effect of herbal medicine on osteoporosis was studied using ovariectomized rats as an animal model of Type I osteoporosis and SAM P6 mice as that of Type II. Each traditiona l boiling water extract of Achyranthis Radix, Psoraleae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Corni Fructus and Mycelia of Ganoderma, and systemic water fraction of Astragali Radix was given 5g(dried herbal weight)/kg/day p.o. for 30 days in each group of ovariectomized rats, SAM R1 and SAM P6. The extract of Cervi parvum Cornu was given for 14 days only. One ml of blood was taken by tail vein at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after administration of the extract. Plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, creatinine,inorganic phosphate, blood urea nitrogen, cortisol, total $T_3\;and\;total\;T_4$ were measured. In ovariectomized rats, administration of Achyranthis Radix or Corni Fructus decreased in alkaline phosphatase and that of Achyranthis Radix or Psoraleae Radix decreased in calcium comparing to the control (p<0.05). The administration of Psoralese Radix decreased in calcium and increased in urea comparing to day o(P<0.05)(Table I). There were not much changes in plasma calcium, inorganic phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations after uptake of these herbal medicine used in SAM P6(Table III). However, administration of Astragali Radix altered plasma inorganic phosphate and creatinine levels in SAM R1(p<0.01)(Table UU). The administration of Corni Fructus or Psoralease Radix induced the changes in plasma concentrations of cortisol, total $T_3$ and total $T_4$ in Type I(p<0.05) (Table IV). The uptake of Cervi parvum Cornu increased in total $T_3$ concentration and that of Mycelia of Ganodtragali Radix in SAM P6. However, the uptake of Mycelia of Ganoderma induced changes in cortisol and $T_4$ concentrations in SAM R1(p<0.05). Thus, there were significant differences in responses of herbal medicine in different types of osteoporosis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2016

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men and considered to be an early symptom of atherosclerosis and a precursor of various systemic vascular disorders. The aim of the present study was to prepare ginsenoside Re enriched fraction (GS-F3K1, ginsenoside Re 10%, w/w) from ginseng berries flesh and to investigate the enhanced activities of GS-F3K1 on alcohol-induced ED. GS-F3K1 was prepared by the continuous liquid and solid separating centrifugation and circulatory ultrafiltration from ginseng berries flesh. GS-F3K1 was administered for 5 weeks in ethanol-induced ED rat by oral administration of 20% ethanol. To investigate the effects of GS-F3K1 on ED model, the levels of nitrite expression, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and erectile response of the penile corpus cavernosum of rat were measured. The erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored after GS-F3K1 administration, to a level similar to the normal group. The level of nitrite and cGMP expression in the corpus cavernosum of GS-F3K1-administered male rats was increased significantly compared to positive control group. GS-F3K1 from ginseng berries should effectively restore ethanol-induced ED in male rats and could be developed as a new functional food for the elderly men.