• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.467-475
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the vasodilatation effect of kirenol isolated from Sigesbeckia pubescens on the rabbit basilar artery. In this study, to determine the vasodilatation effect of kirenol on the rabbit basilar artery, arterial rings with intact or damaged endothelium were used for the experiment. And used an organ bath and force transducer were contracted by endothelin. Kirenol, major active constituents of S. pubescens, showed a moderate vasodilatation effect on the basilar arteries of rabbits. Therefore, treatment with kirenol may selectively accelerate cerebral blood flow through dilatation of the basilar artery. This result suggests a potential role of kirenol isolated from S. pubescens as a source of vasodilatation agent.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

In this paper, a 2.4 GHz doppler radar system consisting of a doppler radar sensor and a baseband module were designed to detect heart beat and respiration signal without direct skin contact. The doppler radar system emits RF signal of 2.4 GHz toward human chest, and then detects phase modulation of the reflected signal so as to investigate cardiopulmonary activities. The heartbeat and respiration signals acquired from I/Q channels of the doppler radar system are applied to the pre-processing circuit, the amplification circuit, and the offset circuit of the baseband module. The designed system was tested on mouse, rabbit and mankind, which have different range of heart rates and respiration signals, to evaluate detection accuracy of the system. ECG acquisition system and respiration transducer were used to generate the reference signal. In our experiments, a performance of detection were found to be high in the case that the subject stays still. In this paper, we confirmed that non-contact heart beat and respiration detection using the doppler radar has the possibility and limitation according to distance, cardiopulmonary activities, range of heart rates and respiration.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2006

We measured the changes in P-wave velocity that occur when injecting $CO_2$ in gaseous, liquid, and supercritical phases into water-saturated anisotropic sandstones. P-wave velocities were measured in two cylindrical samples of Tako Sandstone, drilled along directions normal and parallel to the bedding plane, using a piezo-electric transducer array system. The velocity changes caused by $CO_2$ injection are typically -6% on average, with maximum values about -16% for the case of supercritical $CO_2$ injection. P-wave velocity tomograms obtained by the differential arrival-time method clearly show that $CO_2$ migration behaviour is more complex when $CO_2$ flows normal to the bedding plane than when it flows parallel to bedding. We also found that the differences in P-wave velocity images were associated both with the $CO_2$ phases and with heterogeneity of pore distribution in the rocks. Seismic images showed that the highest velocity reduction occurred for supercritical $CO_2$ injection, compared with gaseous or liquid $CO_$ injection. This result may justify the use of the seismic method for $CO_2$ monitoring in geological sequestration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1226-1234
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• 2012

3,4,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene (piceatannol) is a derivative of resveratrol with a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-cancer activities. We assessed the mechanisms by which piceatannol inhibits inflammatory responses using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Raw264.7 murine macrophages. Piceatannol (0~10 ${\mu}mol/L$) decreased LPS-induced release of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, and inhibited LPS-induced protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-${\kappa}B$), activator protein (AP)-1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are crucial steps during an inflammatory response. Piceatannol prevented LPS-induced degradation of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$), translocation of p65 to the nucleus, and phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Additionally, piceatannol inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and IL-6-induced translocation of STAT3 to the nucleus. Furthermore, piceatannol increased the protein and mRNA levels of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme catabolism that plays a critical role in mediating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Piceatannol further induced antioxidant response elements (ARE)-driven luciferase activity in Raw264.7 cells transfected with an ARE-luciferase reporter construct containing the enhancer 2 and minimal promoter region of HO-1. These results suggest that piceatannol exerts anti-inflammatory effects via the down-regulation of iNOS expression and up-regulation of HO-1 expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.194-194
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• 2008

Lead oxide based ceramics, represented by PZT, are the most widely used materials for piezoelectric actuators, sensors, and transducers due to their excellent piezoelectric properties. In particular, high-performance multilayered piezoelectric ceramics for advanced electronic components have drawn great attention. In order to develop piezoelectric ceramics capable of being sintered at low temperature for multilayer piezoelectric device applications, the effect of CuO additions on the microstructures and electromechanical properties of the 0.4Pb$(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3-0.25PbZrO_3-0.35PbTiO_3$ ceramics was investigated. The samples with CuO addition were synthesized by ordinary sintering technique. X-ray diffractions indicated that all samples formed a single phase perovskite structure. The addition of CuO improved the sinterability of the samples and caused an increase in the density and grain size at low temperature. The optimum sintering temperature was lowered by CuO additions. Excellent piezoelectric and electromechanical responses, $d_{33}$ ~ 663 pC/N, $k_p$ ~ 0.72, were obtained for the samples of high density with 0.1 wt% CuO addition sintered at $1050^{\circ}C$ for 4 h in air. These results show that the piezoelectric properties of PMNZT ceramics can be improved by controlling the microstructure and this system is potentially a good candidate as multilayer piezoelectric device for a wide range of electro-mechanical transducer applications.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.399-417
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between bite force, masseter muscle and craniofacial morphology. 141 individuals were included. Bite forces were measured with a bite force transducer(SKT 2004). The facial morphology of the samples was evaluated on the Lateral and PA cephalometric radiographs(Asahi CX-90 SP). Ultrasonographic images were obtained for 36 individuals(Logiq 500). General status of the subjects were also measured for investigating possible relationships. Their relationships were analyzed by means of t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and simple regression analysis. In conclusion, bite force of molar was significantly correlated with craniofacial morphology for males and females, but not to masseter muscles. The masseter muscle for males had a significant correlation with craniofacial morphology. The unexpected negative correlations between size of masseter muscle and maxillary width was revealed for males. One possible way to arrive at a plausible explanation for the correlation between masster muscle, bite force and craniofacial morphology of males were the deep layer of masseter muscle had a great influence on males and the superficial layer of masseter muscle had a great influence on females.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.986-992
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• 2009

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical mediators of the innate immune system to defend viral infection. Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) play critical roles in type I IFN production in response to viral infection. Luteolin is natural polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects. However, the mechanism of action and impact of luteolin on innate immunity is still unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of luteolin on the lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. Luteolin inhibited Type I IFNs expression of mRNA and increased interleukin(IL)-10 expression of mRNA. Next, we examined the protective effects of IL-10 using IL-10 neutralizing antibody (IL-10NA). Blockade of IL-10 action didn't cause a significant reduction of Type I IFNs than LPS-induced luteolin pretreatment. Pretreatment of luteolin inhibited the level of IRF-1, and IRF-7 mRNA and the nuclear translocation of IRF-3. Also, luteolin reduced the activation of STAT - 1, 3. Theses results suggest that luteolin inhibits LPS-induced the production of Type I IFNS by both IRFs and STATs not IL-10 and may be a beneficial drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2017

To evaluate the performance of ultrasound imaging system, we investigated the change of spatial resolution according to changing sonic velocity change parameter provided by ultrasound equipment. Ultrasound phantom images were obtained using a 3.0 ~ 5.0 MHz convex transducer in an ultrasound diagnostic device used at a medical institution located at Iksan. N-365 multi-purpose ultrasound phantom was used to measure longitudinal distance measurement accuracy and longitudinal and transverse resolution. In the same manner, the sonic velocity of the ultrasound equipment was changed from 1580 m/sec to 1400 m/sec in six steps, and the full width at half maximum(FWHM) was measured using the image J program to determine whether the measured values were different. As a result, lateral resolution was measured from 1.91 mm to 5.3 mm according to the speed change, and the smallest FWHM was 1.91 mm at 1420 m/sec. The axial resolution was measured from 1.03 mm to 1.14 mm according to the speed change, and the smallest FWHM was 1.03 mm at 1400 m/sec. The slower the sound velocity of the ultrasound equipment, the shorter the length of longitudinal measurement.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.244-255
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• 2018

Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + ${\alpha}$-bungaratoxin (${\alpha}-BGT$) group (As IV+${\alpha}-BGT$ group). As IV ($20mg{\cdot}Kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of ${\alpha}7nAChR$, inhibitor of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ kinase subunit ${\beta}/nuclear$ factor ${\kappa}B$ ($IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of ${\alpha}7nAChR$. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated ${\alpha}7nAchR$ and suppressed $IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$ signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of ${\alpha}7nAChR$ selective antagonist ${\alpha}-BGT$ could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesityassociated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased ${\alpha}7nAchR$ expression.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

Using ultrasonic standing waves, micro particles submerged or flowing in fluid can be manipulated. Due to acoustic radiation force of ultrasound, particles are forced to move to pressure nodal or antinodal lines. In this work, we propose a method to control the position of micro particle in a flow by adjusting the frequency of the standing wave. To this end, standing wave field generation system including a few millimeter thick micro channel was established using an immersible ultrasonic transducer. The present generation system works valid in a frequency range between 2.0 MHz and 2.5 MHz. We observed the SiC particles in water moved to pressure nodal lines by the standing wave. The effect of the channel thickness and operating frequency was also investigated. Interestingly, it was shown that the operating frequency have a close relation with the location of the pressure nodal line. Consequently, it fan be said that the position of particle movement rail be controlled by adjusting the ultrasound frequency. The maximum range of the controllable position was about 261 micrometers under the given condition. The resulted observations reveal the possibility of various applications of the ultrasonic standing wave to the manipulation of particles submerged in a fluid.