• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.355-363
• /
• 2015

Advancement in the medical field provides an opportunity for the development of medical equipment and also enable accurate diagnosis for the inspection and the treatment of diseases. The aging of equipment due to the frequent operation produce uncertainty in the patient exposure dose, so a quality control was implemented by establishing a safety management system on a regular basis. The x-ray tube voltage (kVp), which is directly involved in the patient exposure dose and the life of the equipment, needs periodic performance for the quality control, but it has a limitation due to the time and the cost. In this study, we proposed a new method for measuring the kVp with ease by using the Y and Cu to solve the problem of the time and cost. We also evaluated the usefulness and the effectiveness of the new method and its accuracy through the kVp measurement. After securing the condition, the amount of the tube current and evaluating the usefulness and effectiveness of kVp measured using Y and Cu. The density range used was at 0.5-1.0, kVp was in the range of ${\pm}10%$, then, we recorded the change in concentration as % of Y and Cu. This experiment showed that when Cu and Y was at 75 kVp, concentration was the same, and when the kVp was changed to 65 ~ 85 %, a gradual increase in concentration to 85 ~ 110 % was noted.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.285-292
• /
• 2012

Self-incompatibility (SI) system is a genetic barrier that prevents self-fertilization and promotes cross-pollination among different S genotypes. In many of these species, SI is controlled by a single genetic locus known as S locus, which prevents the fertilization by pollen with same locus. S RNases are the products of the S-locus expressed in the stylar tissue of Fuji Apple with gametophytic self-incompatibility system. This study investigated the various types of chemicals in order to select more effective inhibitors and activators. The effect on the inhibition of S RNase of Fuji apples was investigated $in$ $vitro$. The result showed that the enzyme activity was reduced 24.3% by Iron(II) Sulfate, significantly. $In$ $vitro$ studies of pollen growth tube showed that pollen tube growth had a higher germination rate (90%) in 10% Sucrose than in 2% sucrose extension medium. Data on the fruit set of apples treated with inhibitor and activator. Double application of $A^+$(Apple Plus, ISTECH Co. Ltd.,)+Vitamin B6 had the highest central fruit set as 86.1%(Andong). One time application of $A^{++}$Vitamin B1 in Yeongju obtained the highest central fruit set (91.9%).

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.243-251
• /
• 1997

In this paper, we have reported two interesting flow effects arising in the TRFGE sequence using water flow phantom. First, we have shown that the TRFGE sequence is indeed not affected by "in-flow" effect from the unsaturated spins flowing into the imaging slice. Second, the enhancement of "in-plane flow" signal in the readout gradient direction was observed when the TRFGE sequence was used without flow compensation. These two results have many interesting applications in MR imaging other than fMRI. Results obtained were also compared with the results obtained by the conventional gradient echo(CGE) imaging. Experiments were performed at 4.7T MRI/S animal system (Biospec, BRUKER, Switzerland). A cylindrical phantom was made using acryl and a vinyl tube was inserted at the center(Fig. 1). The whole cylinder was filled with water doped with $MnCl_2$ and the center tube was filled with saline which flows in parallel to the main magnetic field along the tube. Tailored RF pulse was designed to have quadratic ($z^2$) phase distribution in slice direction(z). Imaging parameters were TR/TE = 55~85/10msec, flip angle = $30^{\circ}$, slice thickness = 2mm, matrix size = 256${\times}$256, and FOV= 10cm. In-flow effect : Axial images were obtained with and without flow using the CGE and TRFGE sequences, respectively. The flow direction was perpendicular to the image slice. In-plane flow : Sagittal images were obtained with and without flow using the TRGE sequence. The readout gradient was applied in parallel to the flow direction. We have observed that the "in-flow" effect did not affect the TRFGE image, while "in-plane flow" running along the readout gradient direction enhanced the signal in the TRFGE sequence when flow compensation gradient scheme was not used.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.708-714
• /
• 2002

A new leaf blight was found on the perilla leaves at the major perilla-cultivating areas such as Kangdong in Busan and Miryang in Kyungnam province. Symptoms of the disease initially appeared on the edge of perilla leaves showing black necrosis and drying, and the infected leaves were finally fell down. The SD1 isolate showing strong pathogenicity and forming abundant conidial spores on the diseased lesions was isolated. Among the tested media, mycelial growth was abundant on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) medium at $25^{\circ}C$ under dark condition, but conidial formation was greater on V8A (V-8 juice A8ar) medium than that on PDA medium. Optimal temperatures for mycelial growth and conidial formation on PDA medium were respectively $25^{\circ}C$ and 3$0^{\circ}C$. The rate of conidial germination and the elongation of germ tube were more effective in 10% tomato juice than those in PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth) and sterile water. In 10% tomato juice, the rate of conidial germination and the length of germ tube were 100% after incubation for 24k and 535.2${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ after incubation for 36hr, respectively. According to the result of pathogenicity, it revealed that conidial suspention with 10% tomato juice was the most effective for pathogenicity test showing as 100% of disease incidence, and the symptoms caused by artificial inoculum were same as those of naturally infected perilla. In this study, the SD1 isolate according to the results of morphological characteristics, the incubation characteristics and pathogenicity was firstly identified A. alternata, and named as leaf blight of perilla.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.491-497
• /
• 2014

Nowadays, starfish is one of problems about interruption of marine ecosystem, so many researchers are focusing on application of the starfish (Asterias amurensis). In this study, we investigated the contractile and relaxant activity of the smooth muscles and the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of six different tissues (muscle, gut, liver, tube feet, gonads, and body) of A. amurensis. Frozen samples were extracted with distilled water containing 1% acetic acid. Extracts from all the tissues, except the body tissue, showed potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli D31. The dorsal retractor muscles (DRM) of muscle and gut extracts showed strong contraction responses. On the other hand, contractile activity on esophagus of squid Todarodes pacificus could be detected in all tissues tested. The contractile activity of the liver extract was higher than that of the other tissues. The body, tube feet, and liver extracts showed the contractile activity on the intestine of the panther puffer fish (Takifugu pardalis). Relaxation response on the DRM of starfish (A. pectinifera) was observed in all tissues tested. Increased antioxidant activity was observed in the gut, liver, and body extracts. The results suggest that the starfish (A. amurensis) is a potential source of novel bioactive compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.1336-1340
• /
• 2016

Korean rhinoceros beetles (Allomyrina dichotoma), which can be found in broad-leaved forests in mountainous habitats and lives for around one year in wild. This beetle is currently popular as a pet and traditionally regarded as a medicine for liver-related diseases in Korea. It is reported that the economic losses in the mass-rearing facilities by virus infection have been increased since the 2010s in Korea. The causing virus for the A. dichotoma was firstly reported as an Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV) in 2015. We, here, observes that serious morphological changes in the intestinal tube from the OrNV-infected beetles, and report five genes, which are regulated by OrNV infection in the intestine; Krueppel-like factor 15 (Klf15), Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2), U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 200 kDa helicase (Snrnp200), Muscleblind-like protein 2a (mbnl2a), and MIMI_L93. The results may provide a clue to the early diagnosis and disease treatment during the mass-rearing facilities of the A. dichotoma.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2016

Angiogenesis is essential for the pathophysiological processes of embryogenesis, tissue growth, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and tumor growth. Inhibition of angiogenesis represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of angiogenic diseases such as cancer. However, uncontrolled angiogenesis is also necessary for tumor development and metastasis. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, a critical factor in the induction of angiogenesis, cause robust and rapid changes in blood vessels of tumors and therefore VEGF constitutes a target for such anti-angiogenic therapy. Recently, since natural compounds pose significantly less risk of deleterious side effects than synthetic compounds, a great many natural resources have been assessed for useful substance for anti-angiogenic treatment. Here we evaluated the anti-angiogenic effects of a hot water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (SBHWE) using in vitro assays and ex vivo animal experiments. Our results show that SBHWE dose-dependently abrogated vascular endothelial responses by inhibiting VEGF-stimulated migration and invasion as well as tube formation in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model, without cytotoxicity, as determined by a cell viability assay. Further study revealed that SBHWE prevented VEGF-induced neo-vascularization in a rat aortic ring sprouting model. Taken together, our findings reveal an anti-angiogenic activity of Scutellaria baicalensis and suggest that SBHWE is a novel candidate inhibitor of VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.131-136
• /
• 2013

Sirtuin proteins have emerged as important modulators of several age-associated diseases. These include cancer and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Among the sirtuin family members, SIRT2 mRNA is strongly expressed. To investigate the pathophysiological significance of SIRT2 as a primary regulator of angiogenesis, we focused on the biological role of SIRT2 under hypoxic conditions, examining the gene expression pattern of sirtuin family members in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). SIRT2 was expressed primarily in the cytoplasm, but it was dynamically trans-localized in the nuclear by hypoxia stimuli. Interestingly, both SIRT2 and the pro-angiogenic factor, VEGF, were up- regulated by hypoxia. A Matrigel assay demonstrated that the HUVECs formed a tube-like structure under hypoxia. The SIRT2 inhibitor, AK-1, significantly decreased the tube-forming activity of the HUVECs under either normoxia or hypoxia conditions. These findings suggest that SIRT2 might be a key regulator of angiogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.486-492
• /
• 2013

Recently, a new disease showing symptoms such as epidermal exfoliation and muscular necrosis occurred in cultured Korean catfish. Although the mortality of fishes was low but the economic damages owing to loss of commercial value were severe. The authors isolated the causative agent from diseased fish and observed pathological changes both in naturally and artificially infected fish. The causative bacteria was identified as Aeromonas veronii. Subsequently we observed the daily death and pathological symptoms of artificially infected fish with Aeromonas veronii. Symptoms of artificially infected fish were similar to those of naturally infected fish and all fish died within 7 days after infection. Histopathological changes on the naturally infected fish revealed severe congestion and necrotic degeneration in the liver, spleen and kidney. Some bacterial aggregates with inflammatory degeneration were observed in the heart, and congestion and fibrosis in the lamina propria of digestive tube were predominant. In artificially infected fish, skin erosion and necrotic degeneration of muscle tissue around injected region were particularly manifested. Degeneration of hepatocytes in liver and hyalic degeneration around ellipsoids in spleen were partially observed. However, there were no predominant signs in digestive tube in artificially infected fish.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.6 s.73
• /
• pp.895-903
• /
• 2005

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a negative regulator in tumor growth and angiogenesis, is cell-type specifically regulated under pathological conditions or by extracellular stimuli, and the regulation of TSP-1 gene expression is important for developing new approaches in tumor therapy. Mistletoe is a parasitir plant that have been used for immunomodulation and antitumor therapy. Helixor A is an aqueous part of mistletoes extract. Here we showed that TSP-1 expression was significantly induced at both mRNA and protein levels in the Hepatocarcinorna cell line (Hep3B) and primary bovine endothelial cell line (BAE) exposed to Helixor A. Our promoter analysis confirmed that the expression of TSP-1 gene was regulated by Helixor A at the transcriptional level. In cell invasion assay, the conditioned media obtained from treatment of these cells significantly reduced the number of invasive cells and also inhibited capillary-like tube formation of BAE cells on Matrigel. Moreover, the inhibitory efforts of the conditioned media on cell invasion and tube formation were reversed by blocking with anti-TSP-1 neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that TSP-1 is involved in Helixor A-indured antiangiogenic effect. Taken together, our results suggest that Helixor A have an antiangiogenic effects through upregulation of TSP-1.