• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to confirm the usefulness of EMG and early-performed ENoG as predicting factor for facial palsy by clinical outcome. Methods : We gathered patients who visited the Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong between January 2010 and September 2012. We used inclusion/exclusion criteria and reviewed 231 patients' medical records including gender, age, HB grade and EMG & ENoG axonal loss. We compared the relation between EMG axonal loss and improvement degree at 4 & 6 weeks after treatment, and between ENoG axonal loss at 3-5 & 6-8 days after onset and EMG axnoal loss using regression analysis. Results : Each analysis had statistical significance, but EMG & improvement degree at 6 weeks after treatment showed statistically higher correlation than that at 4 weeks after treatment, and ENoG at 6~8 days after onset & EMG showed statistically higher correlation than that at 3~5 day after onset. Conclusions : We could get the evidence of the validity of EMG and early-performed ENoG as predicting factor for facial palsy based on collaborative treatment between Korean and western medicine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.997-1003
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• 2011

In order to investigate devolatilization characteristics for ashless coal with relatively low ash content and high heating value, an experiment was performed in different bed configurations of TGA and DTF(Drop Tube Furnace) at atmospheric pressure condition. The heating rate was $10^{\circ}C$/min up to $950^{\circ}C$ in TGA, while the temperatures of DTF varied from 500 to $1300^{\circ}C$ in step of $200^{\circ}C$. A weight loss and particle temperature were obtained to determine devolatilization kinetics. The kinetic parameters including an activation energy and pre-exponential factor for ashless coal were obtained using Coats-Redfern method in TGA and single step method in DTF. Furthermore, the devolatilization kinetics of the ashless coal were compared with the results of different kinds of conventional coal such as sub-bituminous and bituminous. The results show that the activation energy of devolatilazation for ashless coal is lower than those of others in fixed and entrained conditions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2012

In a previous report, we demonstrated that ginsenoside Rc, one of major ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, enhances ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) $receptor_A$ ($GABA_A$)-mediated ion channel currents. However, little is known about the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on $GABA_A$ receptor channel activity. The present study investigated the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on human recombinant $GABA_A$ receptor (${\alpha}_1{\beta}_1{\gamma}_{2s}$) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. M4, a metabolite of protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, more potently inhibited the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$) than protopanaxadiol (PPD), a metabolite of PPD ginsenosides. The effect of M4 and PPD on $I_{GABA}$ was both concentration-dependent and reversible. The half-inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of M4 and PPD were 17.1${\pm}$2.2 and 23.1${\pm}$8.6 ${\mu}M$, respectively. The inhibition of $I_{GABA}$ by M4 and PPD was voltage-independent and non-competitive. This study implies that the regulation of $GABA_A$ receptor channel activity by ginsenoside metabolites differs from that of ginsenosides.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2011

Curcumin, of which a critical characteristic is the capacity of crossing the blood-brain barrier, has been reported to induce the expression of neuroprotective heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The aim of this study is to compare HO-1-inducing capacity and neuroprotective activity of curcumin, its demethoxy (demethoxycurcumin, DMC; bis-demethoxycurcumin, BDMC) and hydrogenated derivatives (tetrahydrocurcumin, THC) in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. Curcumin attenuated glutamate-induced cell death through HO-1 expression. DMC lacking a methoxy group on one of the aromatic rings possessed slightly lower activity in HO-1 expression and neuroprotection than curcumin. Similarly, BDMC, which lacks two methoxy groups on both of the aromatic rings, showed less activity than curcumin. These findings suggest that the presence of methoxy groups on the aromatic ring is required to enhance neuroprotective HO-1 expression. The reduction of the diarylheptadienone chain of curcumin by hydrogen, as in THC, was accompanied by a complete loss of ability to induce HO-1 expression and neuroprotection, suggesting that the conjugated double bonds of the central seven-carbon chain of curcumin may be essential for its ability to induce neuroprotective HO-1 expression. Our findings may provide useful information for further development of neuroprotective HO-1 inducers.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.1706-1709
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• 2010

Sewerage Treatment Plants(STPs) are complexes systems in which a range of physical, chemical and biological processes occur. Since Activated Sludge Model(ASM) No.1 was published, a number of new mathematical models for simulating biological processes have been developed. However, these models have disadvantages in cost and simplicity due to the laboriousness and tediousness of their procedures. One of the major difficulties of these mathematical model based tools is that the field-operators mostly don't have the time or the computer-science skills to handle there models, so it mainly remains on experts or special engineers. In order to solve these situations and help the field-operators, the $KM^2BM$(K-water & More-M Mass Balance Model) based on the dynamic-mass balance model was developed. This paper presents $KM^2BM$ as a simulation tools for STPs design and optimization. This model considers the most important microbial behavioral processes taking place in a STPs to maximize potential applicability without increasing neither model parameter estimation nor wastewater characterization efforts.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of evidence-based research, education, and practice, and to suggest a directions for the future development of evidence-based nursing. Methods: To examine the current status of evidence-based nursing research, experimental research among studies published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing from 2008 to 2010 were analyzed. We suggested a direction for the future development of evidence-based research based on the analysis and literature reviews. We also suggested a direction for the future development of evidence-based education and practice based on literature reviews. Results: The results showed that designs and methods of studies were insufficient to use evidences derived from the studies in terms of evidence-based research, and experimental studies consistent with themes were found to be deficient. In the future, the methods and rationale for the design of experimental studies need to be clearer In addition, a test for intervention effects through repetitive studies and a connection between the intervention effects and a protocol for clinical practice will be required. In terms of evidence-based education, curriculum revision and development of teaching methods including contents related to evidence-based practice and research methodology in undergraduate and graduate programs will be required. Evidence-based practice in Korea was less actively done than with that of foreign countries. Some large hospitals have recently attempted systemic activities to promote evidence-based nursing practice in clinical settings. To activate evidence-based practice, the perception of nurses for evidence-based practice needs to be changed and support for education and administration of the program is required. Also, evidence-based practice guidelines, protocols, and assessment tools need to be developed. Conclusion: Evidence-based nursing in Korea is in the process of evolving. To realize evidence-based nursing, we need to develop nursing science based on evidences of closer communication and cooperation in terms of nursing research, education, and practice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

Objectives Upper lumbar disc herniation (LDH) (L1/2, L2/3) has specific anatomical characteristics and different outcome after conventional treatment compared to lower LDH (L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features and effects of korean medical treatment of upper LDH between lower LDH. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data collected from 121 patients who was had admitted at the Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from June 1st, 2014 to August 31th, 2018. The patients who had treated at L1/2, L2/3 level LDH were grouped and compared with those treated at the L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 level. We reviewed the patient characteristics such as age, the positive rate of Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR test), the presence or absence of previous lumbar surgery. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated at adimission and discharge. Results Mean age was significantly higher at upper LDH group and positive rate of SLR test was higher at lower LDH group. There was no significant difference of gender and previous lumbar surgery between two groups. Each group had a significant improvement of NRS, ODI scores. But between two groups, there was no significant difference of NRS, ODI scores. Conclusions Upper LDH group was older than lower LDH group. SLR test was useful tool to exclude upper LDH. Korean medical treatment was significantly effective to both upper and lower LDH groups. Further well designed prospective comparative studies are needed.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-116
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• 2009

Background : EBM (the evidence based medicine) is the direction of the development for oriental medicine. The pulse meter-analyzer is the important part to standardize the pulse diagnosis. When we set up the direction of the study on the pulse meter-analyzer, the awereness about the pulse meter and analyzer of the clinical oriental medical doctors as consumers is very important. Objectives : In order to prepare for the mutual study and the export strategy on the pulse meter-analyzer of Korea and China, the attitude of the study and the grasp of the awereness about the pulse meter-analyzer of the Chinese medical doctors are very important. Methods : We developed the several items as the important factor of the development of the pulse meter and analyzer. They were translated by chinese medical doctor. The investigation for demend was conducted during 3 months in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China. The results of the investigation was done the statistical method of frequency analysis, Chi-squared test, correspondence analysis. Results : The most important differentiation of symptom is the symptom of JANG-BU(臟腑). The method of the utility in the pulse diagnosis is Chon-Gu (寸口) pulse diagnosis and the research on Chon-Kwan-Cheok(寸關尺) is the most important measurement factor. And the typical the old pulse is the little-fine weak pulse. The pulse meter-analyzer is most suitable to the diagnosis of the hypertension and the arteriosclerosis. Conclusion : The development of the pulse analyzer including the requests of Korean and Chinese medical doctors is very important. Specially the researches on the influence factors of the traditional diagnosis and the environment of the measurement are important for developing the pulse analyze.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2016

In this paper, we introduce the implementation and test results of a new method of correlated result storage to achieve the full performance of the Daejeon hardware correlator. Recently, the observation of 8 Gbps speed, which is the maximum observational standard of KVN(Korean VLBI Network), has been performed. The correlation processing using the Daejeon hardware correlator is also required. Therefore, a new correlation result storage introduction has become necessary. The maximum correlation result output speed of the Daejeon hardware correlator is 1.4 GB/sec per 25.6 ms integration time. The conventional correlation result storage system can not cope with the maximum correlation output speed of the Daejeon hardware correlator, and the output speed is limited to 1/4. That is, among the four input ports of the Daejeon hardware correlator, the three inputs are limited to correspond to the observation rate of 1 Gbps. This new storage system uses the Gluster file system among many of the latest technologies used in storage systems. In tests that meet the maximum output rate of 1.4 GB/sec for the Daejeon hardware correlator, 350 MB/sec for each of the four optical outputs, resulting in 1.4 GB/sec in total.