• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.317-325
• /
• 2012

The Varian PORTALVISION (Varian Medical Systems, US) shows significant overresponses as the off-center distance increases compared to the predicted dose. In order to correct the dose discrepancy, the off-axis correction is applied to VARIAN iX linear accelerators. The portal dose for $38{\times}28cm^2$ open field is acquired for 6 MV, 15 MV photon beams and also are predicted by PDIP algorithm under the same condition of the portal dose acquisition. The off-axis correction is applied by modifying the $40{\times}40cm^2$ diagonal beam profile data which is used for the beam profile calibration. The ratios between predicted dose and measured dose is modeled as a function of off-axis distance with the $4^{th}$ polynomial and is applied to the $40{\times}40cm^2$ diagonal beam profile data as the weight to correct measured dose by EPID detector. The discrepancy between measured dose and predicted dose is reduced from $4.17{\pm}2.76$ CU to $0.18{\pm}0.8$ CU for 6 MV photon beam and from $3.23{\pm}2.59$ CU to $0.04{\pm}0.85$ CU for 15 MV photon beam. The passing rate of gamma analysis for the pyramid fluence patten with the 4%, 4 mm criteria is improved from 98.7% to 99.1% for 6 MV photon beam, from 99.8% to 99.9% for 15 MV photon beam. IMRT QA is also performed for randomly selected Head and Neck and Prostate IMRT plans after applying the off-axis correction. The gamma passing rare is improved by 3% on average, for Head and Neck cases: $94.7{\pm}3.2%$ to $98.2{\pm}1.4%$, for Prostate cases: $95.5{\pm}2.6%$, $98.4{\pm}1.8%$. The gamma analysis criteria is 3%, 3 mm with 10% threshold. It is considered that the off-axis correction might be an effective and easily adaptable means for correcting the discrepancy between measured dose and predicted dose for IMRT QA using EPID in clinic.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.413-418
• /
• 2011

This study was carried out to establish a proper cultivation site and diagnose the drought-tolerance of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides leaves by using Pressure-volume curves. In order to measure pressure-volume (P-V) curves, Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides were cut off above ground part and the tip of the cutting were placed in water, which was covered with a plastic bag. Samples were kept overnight (about 12 hours) in darkness at room temperature (20~25$^{\circ}C$) to achieve maximal turgor (full saturation). The pressure in the chamber was gradually increased from 0.3MPa to 1.8MPa by nitrogen gas. After measured, leaf samples were dried at 80$^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours and dry weight of each samples were determined. The result of the original bulk osmotic potential at maximum turgor ${\Psi}^{sat}_o$ sat was lower -0.8 MPa in Aster scaber leaves than -0.7 MPa Synurus deltoides leaves. Also the osmotic potential at incipient plasmolysis ${\Psi}^{tlp}_o$ in Aster scaber leave was -0.9 MPa. In contrast, the value of maximum bulk modulus of elasticity $E_{max}$ of Aster scaber leaves were approximately two folds higher than that of Synurus deltoides leaves. The values of the relative water content at incipient plasmolysis $RWC^{tlp}$ are all above 90% showing that the function of osmoregulation is somewhat better, and Vo/DW, Vt/DW, Ns/DW of Synurus deltoides leaves were approximately 1~2 times higher than that of Aster scaber leaves. Thus, responses to water relations of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides such as ${\Psi}^{sat}_o$, ${\Psi}^{tlp}_o$, $E_{max}$, ${\Psi}_{P,max}$, $RWC^{tl}$ were shown that the Aster scaber leaves was slightly higher drought-tolerance than Synurus deltoides leaves. However, in both of Aster scaber and Synurus deltoides, occurring incipient plasmolysis at the high water content, have a relatively lower drought-tolerance property indicating that growth of these plants are cultivated appropriate in high moisture soil sites.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.1406-1413
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Pimpinella brachycarpa(PBE) on chronically ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 90-130 g were divided into 5 groups; normal group(NOR), ethanol(35%, 10 ml/kg) treated group(CON), PBE 200 mg/kg treated group(P1), PBE 200 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(P2), and PBE 400 mg/kg and ethanol treated group(P3). PBE was also fractionated by the following solvent: n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol. The antioxidative capacity of the n-hexane fraction was the highest among fractions and was similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT). The body weight gain and feed intake of the rats were decreased by ethanol administration, but were gradually increased to the similar levels of the NOR group by administering PBE. The AST activity in serum elevated by ethanol was significantly decreased by administering the high dosage of PBE, but exerted no significant change on serum ALT activity. It was also observed that the hepatic activities of xanthine oxide(XO), catalase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) increased by ethanol were markedly decreased in the combined ethanol and PBE administered groups(P2 and P3), but not in the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) as compared with the CON group. The glutathione(GSH) contents were decreased by ethanol adminstration, however, increased after administering PBE. These results suggest that ethanol extract of Pimpinella brachycarpa has a possible positive effect on the liver function in hepatotoxicity-induced rats by ethanol administration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.11
• /
• pp.1358-1365
• /
• 2017

This study evaluated the quality characteristics of muffins prepared with different amounts (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%) of fucoidan red yeast (Monascus purpureus) rice powder (FRYR). The weight and pH of muffins increased as the amount of FRYR increased. The height and baking loss rate of muffins significantly decreased when amounts of FRYR increased (P<0.05), whereas moisture content was not significantly different between all samples. L value and b value of muffins significantly decreased when amounts of FRYR increased (P<0.05). However, a value of muffins significantly increased when amounts of FRYR increased (P<0.05). Hardness, chewiness, and brittleness increased with increasing FRYR concentration. Cohesiveness was higher with 30% FRYR, whereas springiness was not significantly different between the samples. In the sensory evaluation, the appearance and crumb color of muffins was higher in groups containing 0% FRYR, whereas flavor, taste, texture, and overall acceptability scores were highest for muffins with 50% FRYR added. The total polyphenol content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of muffins significantly increased with increasing addition of FRYR (P<0.05). Therefore, addition of FRYR could satisfy the sensory function and functional requirements of muffins. Furthermore, this study proposes the development of various products using fucoidan red yeast rice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.806-812
• /
• 1999

Background: Selection of reconstruction route in esophageal cancer surgery is based on the patient's status, characteristics of tumor, surgeon's preference and experience. Of the various routes, it has been documented that subcutaneous or substernal route may prolong operation time and may be vulnerable to postoperative respiratory complications. This study was designed to evaluate whether the selection of reconstruction route affects the surgical outcomes. Material and Method: Of 131 patients who have undergone resection and reconstruction for esophageal cancer, posterior mediastinal route(Group I, n=34), substernal route (Group II, n=31), and subcutaneous route(Group III, n=21) were retrospectively reviewed in 86 patients. Results of early operations and morbidities were compared between the groups. Result: There was a male prevalence(79 of males vs. 7 of females). There were 81 squamous cell cancers and 5 adenocarcinomas. There were no differences between groups in weight, height, age, cancer staging and location, and in the preoperative anesthetic risk evaluation and pulmonary function test(p=NS). Postoperative mechanical ventilation time was longer in Group I(20.6 hours) than in Group II(7.8 hours) or III(3.4 hours)(p=0.005). Duration of stay in the intensive care unit was prolonged in Group III(6.4 days) compared to Group I (3.9 days) or II(3.1 days)(p=0.043). No differences were noted in the duration of hospital stay between the groups(p=NS). Blood transfusion was needed in 30 out of 34 patients in Group I compared to 14/31 in Group II or 15/21 in Group III(p=0.001). The mean amount of transfusion for each patient was also higher in Group I(3,833 mL) than in Group II(1535 mL) or Group III(1419 mL)(p=0.04), but there was no difference in the inreoperation due to bleeding. Ea ly mortality rate was substantially higher in Group I(17.6%) but the differences between the groups were insignificant(p=NS). Although sepsis was a more prevalent cause of death in Group I, it was not related to anastomotic leak. Other morbidities did not differ between the groups(p=NS). Conclusion: In above results show that the reconstruction route does not affect the outcome of esophageal cancer surgery. We believe that the selection of reconstruction route can be based on the surgeon's preference and experience.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.53-64
• /
• 2006

A study on the restoration process of a stream ecosystem and the water quality renovation technique by removing algae, vegetation and fish monitoring as evaluating the removal of the algae by dietetic characteristics of fishes were performed on Sangdong stream in the B city after stream restoration it to the artificial stream as the cases, restoring urban stream into close-to-nature stream are being increased domestically with the aim of ecological city. As a result, restoration and rehabilitation of the fundamental stream ecosystem was well maintained 4 years later the reclamation at the moment and total 93 diagnosis which were all vascular plant phylum including 44 families, 73 genuses, 79 species and 14 varieties in flora and vegetation community were observed. 3 families, 8 species and 354 populations in total among Fishes were found and Pseudorasbora Parva, Cyprinus Carpic and Carassius Auratus strongly resistant to water pollution were dominantly appeared in order of 50.5% of Pseudorasbora Parva 21.2% of Cyprinus Carpic, 20.9% of Carassius Auratus, 7.1% of Macropodus chinensis and 0.3% of Misqurnus anguillicaudatus according to relative richness index. It turned out to be that Cyprinus Carpic ingests algae over 90% and Carassius Auratus takes it over 30% according to the analysis about the alimentary object of the fishes as a consequences of algae's excrescent from characteristics of the tested experimental stream. It is reported that a Cyprinus Carpic, about 34 cm in length, ingested wet-weight 43.2g algae on the rough analysis toward the sample which makes us recognize how effective a macro community Cyprinus Carpic is for removing algae.As a consequence of this research, the effect of stream ecosystem characteristics and water quality purification could not be expected by aquatic plants and trees which were eliminated at experimental stream. From now on, a close-to-nature stream should be formed of ecological hydraulic and hydrologic engineered modeling from the beginning so that it can perform the water quality purifying function. It is determined that the structure of food chain will be abundantly influenced by the induction of oversized macro community like Cyprinus Carpic because a biomass of a consumer of higher order is increased. It is estimated that the removal algae by fishes is not effective despite in some cases of dietetic characteristics so much more studies should be executed in the future.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.531-537
• /
• 2013

The average annual and winter ambient air temperatures in Korea have risen by 0.7 and $1.4^{\circ}C$, respectively, during the last 30 years. Radish (Raphanus sativus), one of the most important cool season crops, may well be used as a model to study the influence of climatic change on plant growth, because it is more adversely affected by elevated temperatures than warm season crops. This study examined the influence of transplanting time, nitrogen fertilizer level, and climate parameters, including air temperature and growing degree days (GDD), on the performance of a radish cultivar 'Mansahyungtong' to estimate crop growth during the spring growing season. The radish seeds were sown from April 24 to May 22, 2012, at internals of 14 days and cultivated with 3 levels of nitrogen fertilization. The data from plants sown on April 24 and May 8, 2012 were used for the prediction of plant growth as affected by planting date and nitrogen fertilization for spring production. In our study, plant fresh weight was higher when the radish seeds were sown on $24^{th}$ of April than on $8^{th}$ and $22^{nd}$ of May. The growth model was described as a logarithmic function using GDD according to the nitrogen fertilization levels: for 0.5N, root dry matter = 84.66/(1+exp (-(GDD - 790.7)/122.3)) ($r^2$ = 0.92), for 1.0N, root dry matter = 100.6/(1 + exp (-(GDD - 824.8)/112.8)) ($r^2$ = 0.92), and for 2.0N, root dry matter = 117.7/(1+exp (-(GDD - 877.7)/148.5)) ($r^2$ = 0.94). Although the model slightly tended to overestimate the dry mass per plant, the estimated and observed root dry matter and top dry matter data showed a reasonable good fit with 1.12 ($R^2$ = 0.979) and 1.05 ($R^2$ = 0.991), respectively. Results of this study suggest that the GDD values can be used as a good indicator in predicting the root growth of radish.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 1990

In the present report, two experiments were carried out with the purposes of knowing the differences of response among forage species to growing period and potassium level in culture solution, and investigating possible relation of the responses with occurence of grass tetany on grazing pasture. The results were as follows; (1) At 25 days after germination, fresh weight of top part as well as the sum of top and root parts of the forages increased rapidly. (2) Italian ryegrass was the highest in potassium (K) content but the lowest in magnesiurn(Mg) content among the three gramineous forages, while tall fescue showed the opposite result to it. And orchardgrass was intermediate of the two forage species (Experiment 1). (3) The K contents of forages generally increased, while Mg content became lower with the increase of K level in culture solution. The highest K contents of Italian ryegrass and orchardgrass were more than 3 times of the lowest values. The K contents of alfalfa and tall fescue increased in the narrower range. The decreases of Mg content of Italian ryegrass and orchardgrass were significant in the ranges of 5ppm to 25 or 50ppm KzO, while the content of the leguminous forages and tall fescue decreased up to 1000 level. (4) Fresh yield, water content and K content of the forages were significantly increased with the increase of K20 application levels up to 25 or 50ppm. (5) The K concentration of forage on a tissue water basis was higher at 50ppm than that at 5ppm $K_20$ level, especially for Italian ryegrass and orchardgrass with the value of 2.6times and 2.5times, respectively. However, the K concentration (tissue water) of leguminous forages increased gradually up to the level of lOOOppm (Experiment 2). It is suggested from the results that rapid changes of water content, Mg content and K concentration (tissue water) may occur to forage on a grazing pasture, when both growing period and K level in the soil affect the changes simultaneously. Under such conditions, plant water especially in Italian reyegrass and orchardgrass can function as toxic material to grazing ruminants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.704-713
• /
• 1997

This study was conducted to describe qualitatively the protein metabolism of pigs during growth depending on the feed protein quality and to describe quantitatively amino acids requirements, using a simulation model. The used model has a non-linear structure. In the used model, the protein utilization system of a pig, which is in the non-steady-state, is described with 15 flux equations and 11 differential equations and is composed with two compartments. Protein deposition(g/day) of pigs on the 30th, 60th, 90th, and 120th day of feeding duration with three-quality protein, beginning with body weight 20kg, were calculated according to the empirical model, PAF(the product of amino acid functions) of Menke, and was used as object function for the simulation. The mean of relative difference between the simulated protein deposition and PAF calculated values, lied in a range of 8.8%. The simulated protein deposition showed different behavior according to feed protein quality. In the high-quality protein, it showed paraboloidal form with extending growth simulation up to 150eh day. So the maximum of protein deposition was acquired on the 105th day of simulate growth time and then it decreased fast. In the low-quality protein, this form of protein deposition in the course of simulated growth did not appear until 150th day. The simulated protein mass also showed a difference in accordance with feed protein quality. The difference was small on the 30th day of simulated growth, but with duration of the simulated growth it was larger. On the 150th day the simulated protein deposition of high quality protein was 1.5 times higher as compared to the low-quality protein. The simulated protein synthesis and break-down rates(g/day) in the whole body showed a parallel behavior in the course of growth, according to feed protein quality. It was found that the improvement of feed protein quality increased protein deposition in the whole body through a increase of both protein synthesis and breakdown during growth. Also protein deposition efficiency, which was calculated from simulated protein deposition and protein synthesis, showed a difference in dependence on the protein qualify of feed protein. The protein deposition efficiency was higher in pigs fed with high quality protein, especially at the simulation time 30th day. But this phenomena disappeared with growth, so on the 150th day of growth, the protein deposition of the high feed protein quality was lowest among the three different quality of feed protein. The simulated total requirement of the 10 essential amino acids for the growth of pigs was 28.1(g/100g protein), similar to NRC. The requirement of lysine was 4.2(g/100g protein).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.