• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제24권6호
• /
• pp.564-573
• /
• 2023

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of assessing the viscoelastic properties of the brain using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and a novel MRE transducer to determine the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and glymphatic function in neurologically normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 47 neurologically normal individuals aged 23-74 years (male-to-female ratio, 21:26). The MRE was acquired using a gravitational transducer based on a rotational eccentric mass as the driving system. The magnitude of the complex shear modulus |G^*| and the phase angle 𝛗 were measured in the centrum semiovale area. To evaluate glymphatic function, the Diffusion Tensor Image Analysis Along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) method was utilized and the ALPS index was calculated. Univariable and multivariable (variables with P < 0.2 from the univariable analysis) linear regression analyses were performed for |G^*| and 𝛗 and included sex, age, normalized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, brain parenchymal volume, and ALPS index as covariates. Results: In the univariable analysis for |G^*|, age (P = 0.005), brain parenchymal volume (P = 0.152), normalized WMH volume (P = 0.011), and ALPS index (P = 0.005) were identified as candidates with P < 0.2. In the multivariable analysis, only the ALPS index was independently associated with |G^*|, showing a positive relationship (β = 0.300, P = 0.029). For 𝛗, normalized WMH volume (P = 0.128) and ALPS index (P = 0.015) were identified as candidates for multivariable analysis, and only the ALPS index was independently associated with 𝛗 (β = 0.057, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Brain MRE using a gravitational transducer is feasible in neurologically normal individuals over a wide age range. The significant correlation between the viscoelastic properties of the brain and glymphatic function suggests that a more organized or preserved microenvironment of the brain parenchyma is associated with a more unimpeded glymphatic fluid flow.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.126-133
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the postprandial glucose response (PPGR) to food items, and glycemic load (GL) is a measure of the PPGR to the diet. For those who need to maintain a healthy diet, it is beneficial to regulate appropriate levels of blood glucose. In reality, what influences the meal GI or GL depends on the macronutrient composition and the physical chemistry reactions in vivo. Thus, we investigated whether different macronutrients in a meal significantly affect the PPGR and the validity of calculated GI and GL values for mixed meals. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 12 healthy subjects (6 male, 6 female) were recruited at a campus setting, and subjects consumed a total of 6 test meals one by one, each morning between 8:00 and 8:30 am after 12 h of fasting. PPGR was measured after each consumed meal and serial finger pricks were performed at indicated times. Test meals included 1) 68 g oral glucose, 2) 210 g rice, 3) rice plus 170 g egg white (RE), 4) rice plus 200 g bean sprouts (RS), 5) rice plus 10 g oil (RO), and 6) rice plus, egg white, bean sprouts, and oil (RESO). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was calculated to assess the PPGR. Mixed meal GI and GL values were calculated based on the nutrients the subjects consumed in each of the test meals. RESULTS: The iAUC for all meals containing two macronutrients (RS, RO, or RE) were not significantly different from the rice iAUC, whereas, the RESO iAUC ($2,237.5{\pm}264.9$) was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The RESO meal's calculated GI and GL values were different from the actual GI and GL values measured from the study subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mixed meal containing three macronutrients (RESO) decreased the PPGR in healthy individuals, leading to significantly lower actual GI and GL values than those derived by nutrient-based calculations. Thus, consuming various macronutrient containing meals is beneficial in regulating PPGR.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.46-51
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Delta neutrophil index (DNI) indicates immature granulocytes in peripheral blood and has been confirmed to be effective as a prognostic factor for neonatal sepsis. Also, it has been reported to have diagnostic value in acute pyelonephritis and in predicting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the infant. We conducted the study to verify whether DNI is also helpful in the entire pediatric age group with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: Medical records of children hospitalized for febrile UTIs were analyzed retrospectively. All subjects underwent kidney ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography. In the group with and without VUR, we compared sex and age, and the following laboratory values: the white blood cell count, neutrophil, polymorphonuclear leucocyte, eosinophil, hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein, DNI value, and the finding of ultrasound. Results: A total of 315 patients (163 males and 152 females; range, 0-127 months) were eligible, and 41 patients (13%) had VUR. As a result of univariate analysis, the white blood cell count, neutrophil, DNI, and ultrasonic abnormalities were high in the reflux group, and the hemoglobin and lymphocyte fraction values were low. The value of DNI and the abnormal ultrasound were significantly higher in the reflux group on the multivariate analysis. The area under the curve value of the receiver operating curve was higher in DNI (0.640; 95% confidence interval, 0.536-0.744; P=0.004), and the DNI cutoff value for VUR prediction was 1.85%. Conclusions: We identified that ultrasound findings and DNI values were helpful predictors of VUR in pediatric febrile UTIs.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
• /
• 제15권5호
• /
• pp.573-581
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the association of nutrients intake with sugar-containing food consumption of elementary school students in Daegu-Kyungpook area. We analyzed the dietary information from 164 elementary school students (82 boys, 82 girls) participated in "Dietary Intake Survey of Infants, Children and Adolescents" conducted by Korea Food & Drug Administration and Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Information on habitual dietary intake of sugar-containing foods was collected by food frequency questionnaires. Daily nutrients intake of each subject was calculated from 24-hour recall data for two non-consecutive days. As a result of average daily intake of major foods of elementary school students was analyzed from 1 to 50 ranking that show up higher ranking of white milk and white rice but include many kind of sugar-containing food. Dietary intake of energy, carbohydrate, Ca, P, Fe and riboflavin were significantly lower for girls with higher sugar-containing food frequency scores. Significantly negative associations between Index of Nutrition Quality (INQ) and sugar-containing food frequency scores were observed for calcium (r = -0.34) and iron (r = -0.32) among girls. Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) was significantly lower for girls with higher sugar-containing food frequency scores (r = -0.26). Our results indicated that nutrition education for elementary school students should focus on the importance of reducing the sugarcontaining food consumption with more attention for girls.

• 한국표면공학회지
• /
• 제47권4호
• /
• pp.192-197
• /
• 2014

Red-emitting nitride phosphors recently attracted considerable attention because of their high thermal stability and high color rendering index properties. For excellent phosphor of white light-emitting-diode, ternary nitride phosphor of $Sr/SmSi_5N_8:Eu^{2+}$ with different $Eu^{2+}$ ion concentration were synthesized by solid state reaction method. In this work, red-emitting nitride $Sr/SmSi_5N_8:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor was successfully synthesized by using multi-step high frequency induction heat treatment. The effects of molar ratio of component and experimental conditions on luminescence property of prepared phosphors have been investigated. The structure and luminescence properties of prepared $Sr/SmSi_5N_8:Eu^{2+}$ phosphors were investigated by XRD and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The excitation spectra of $Sr/SmSi_5N_8:Eu^{2+}$ phosphors indicated broad excitation wavelength range of 300 - 550 nm, namely from UV to visible area with distinct enhanced emission peaks. With an increase of $Eu^{2+}$ ion concentration, the peak position of emission in spectra was red-shifted from 613 to 671 nm. After via multi-step heat treatment, prepared phosphor showed excellent luminescence properties, such as high emission intensity and low thermal quenching, better than commercial phosphor of $Y_3Al_5O_{12}:Ce^{3+}$. Using $Eu_2O_3$ as a raw material for $Eu^{2+}$ dopant with nitrogen gas flowing instead of using commercial EuN chemical for $Sr/SmSi_5N_8:Eu^{2+}$ synthesis is one of characteristic of this work.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.165-175
• /
• 2008

Psoriasis, which is characterized by the covering of silver-white scaliness and various Sizes of redness with clear boundary, is an intractable skin disease that repeats aggravation and remission. The objective of the present clinical report is to demonstrate that oriental medical treatment after differentiation of syndromes is effective in treating psoriasis, an intractable skin disease. For this purpose, we identified the pattern of three psoriasis patients based on blood heat and viscous blood, and applied acupuncture and herbal medicine to them. The effect of treatment was evaluated using PASI (psoriasis area and severity index). In all of the three cases, the results of treatment were satisfactory. Thus, oriental medical treatment after differentiation of syndromes, which is highly effective without side effect, is considered to make a great contribution to the treatment of psoriasis in the future.

• International Journal of Contents
• /
• 제5권4호
• /
• pp.35-39
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of 50% MVIC was applied. Sixteen subjects (8 male, 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control (no electrical stimulation) group and 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the experiments, the MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by the use of dynamometer, and the ultrasonography in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle was measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC was significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. Pennation angle, muscle density, and white area index also considerably changed in the electrical stimulation groups. In conclusion, the NMES training of 50% MVIC, comparative low level, improved the skeletal muscle architecture and the qualitative properties as well as the muscle contraction force.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.11-15
• /
• 2009

Purpose : This study aims to comparison of ultrasonography on both sides of biceps brachii muscle of hemiplegic patient. Methods : The biceps brachii muscle of fifteen subjects (5 male, 10 female) with stroke were scanned with ultrasonography at the muscle belly at rest at elbow angles of 90 deg. The echogenicity (density, white area index; WAI, anatomic cross-sectional area; ACSA, volume) of ultrasonography was examined. Results : In the biceps brachii muscle, there were significant differences of density, WAI, ACSA, and volume between affected side and non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (density, WAI) of the affected side was higher than non-affected side. biceps brachii muscle, echogenicity (ACSA, volume) of the non-affected side was higher than affected side. Conclusion : This study showed that change of skeletal muscle architecture properties occurred biceps brachii muscle of the affected side muscle of hemiplegic patient.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제31권7호
• /
• pp.1174-1182
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status and the immunocompetence of elderly women residing in urban and rural areas. Dietary food records and anthropometric measurements were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune function of subjects was assessed by total and differential white blood cell(WBC) counts. Total B and T Lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flow-cytometer. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. Elderly women in rural area showed a relatively lower dietary intake of total energy, protein, and iron than did urban elderly women. Total WBC, neutrophil counts, eosinophil counts, and the percentage of neutrophils among total leukocytes were significantly higher in urban elderly women than in rural women. Although the numbers of lymphocytes were not significantly different, the percentage of Lymphocytes among total leukocytes as greater in rural elderly women than in urban. Both groups did not show any significant differences in numbers of T cell subsets and NK cells. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels were not significantly different between the two groups, but the numbers of subjects placed under the deficient range of immunoglobulins were greater in rural than in urban elderly women. from the present study, it could be suggested that poor nutritional intake may selectively affect the number of immune cells, thereby influencing the immunocompetence of elderly women. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1174-1182, 1998)

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2001

The main purpose of this study was to classify forest vegetation effectively using Landsat Thematic Mapper data(June, 1994) in mountainous region. The research area was the Mt. Wolak Experimental Forest of Chungbuk National University, near Chungju and Jecheon city, Chungcheongbuk-do. To classify forest vegetation effectively, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) was used to reduce topographic effects. This NDVI was modified and transformed to the value of 0 to 255, and then the modified values were combined with other Landsat Thematic Mapper bands. To classify forest and land cover types, unsupervised classification method was used. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. Combinations of band "3, 5, NDVI" in Landsat Thematic Mapper data showed a good separation with high accuracy. The expected classification accuracy was 95.1% in Landsat Thematic Mapper data. 2. The Land Cover types were classified into six groups : coniferous forest, deciduous forest, mixed forest, paddy and grass, non-forest, and other undetectable areas. As these classified results were compared with the reconnaissance survey and aerial black and white infrared photographs, the overall classification accuracy was 76.5% in Landsat Thematic Mapper data. 3. The portion of non-forest in Mt. Wolak area was 1.9%. The percentages of coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests were 30.9%, 35.7% and 26.4%, respectively. 4. As these classified results were compared with other reference data, the percentages of coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests increased, but the portion of non-forest was exceedingly diminished. These differences are thought to be from the different research method and the different season of received Landsat Thematic Mapper data.