• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.217-231
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• 2003

Coded excitation with complementary Golay sequences is an effective means to increase the SNR and penetration of ultrasound imaging. in which the two complementary binary codes are transmitted successively along each scan-line, reducing the imaging frame rate by half. This method suffers from low frame rate particularly when multiple transmit focusing is employed, since the frame rate will be further reduced in proportion to the number of focal zones. In this paper. a new ultrasound imaging technique based on simultaneous multiple transmit focusing using modified orthogonal Golay codes is proposed to improve lateral resolution with no accompanying decrease in the imaging frame rate, in which a pair of orthogonal Golay codes focused at two different focal depths are transmitted simultaneously. On receive, these modified orthogonal Golay codes are separately compressed into two short pulses and individually focused. These two focused beams are combined to form a frame of image with improved lateral resolution. The Golay codes were modified to improve the transmit power efficiency (TPE) for practical imaging. Computer simulations and experimental results show that the proposed method improves significantly the lateral resolution and penetration of ultrasound imaging compared with the conventional method.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.335-342
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• 2004

This paper describes a trans-admittance scanner for breast cancer detection. A FPGA-based sinusoidal waveform generator produces a constant voltage. The voltage is applied between a hand-held electrode and a scan probe placed on the breast. The scan probe contains an 8x8 array of electrodes that are kept at the ground potential. Multi-channel precision digital ammeters using the phase-sensitive demodulation technique were developed to measure the exit current from each electrode in the array. Different regions of the breast are scanned by moving the probe on the breast. We could get trans-admittance images of resistor and saline phantoms with an anomaly inside. The images provided the information on the depth and location of the anomaly. In future studies, we need to improve the accuracy through a better calibration method. We plan to test the scanner's ability to detect a cancer lesion inside the human breast.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.325-331
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• 2003

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) inhibits electron transport in mitochondria, leading to a metabolic failure. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying this toxicity, we examined a few biochemical changes possibly involved in the process, such as metabolic inhibition, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA strand breakage, and activation of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Exposure of SK-N-BE(2)C neuroblastoma cells to 3-NP for 48 h caused actual cell death, while inhibition of mitochondrial function was readily observed when exposed for 24 h to low concentrations (0.2${\sim}$2 mM) of 3-NP. The earliest biochemical change detected with low concentration of 3-NP was an accumulation of ROS (4 h after 3-NP exposure) followed by degradation of DNA. PARP activation by damaged DNA was also detectable, but at a later time. The accumulation of ROS and DNA strand breakage were suppressed by the addition of glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which also partially restored mitochondrial function and cell viability. In addition, inhibition of PARP also reduced the 3-NP-induced DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity. These results suggest that oxidative stress and activation of PARP are the major factors in 3-NP-induced cytotoxicity, and that the inhibition of these factors may be useful in protecting neuroblastoma cells from 3-NP-induced toxicity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.116-122
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• 2017

Physical breast phantoms would be useful for the development of a dedicated breast computed tomography (BCT) system and its optimization. While the conventional breast phantoms are available in compressed forms, which are appropriate for the mammography and digital tomosynthesis, however, the BCT requires phantoms in uncompressed forms. Although simple cylindrical plastic phantoms can be used for the development of the BCT system, they will not replace the roles of uncompressed phantoms describing breast anatomies for a better study of the BCT. In this study, we have designed a numerical voxel breast phantom accounting for the random nature of breast anatomies and applied it to the 3D printer to fabricate the uncompressed anthropomorphic breast phantom. The numerical voxel phantom mainly consists of the external skin and internal anatomies, including the ductal networks, the glandular tissues, the Cooper's ligaments, and the adipose tissues. The voxel phantom is then converted into a surface data in the STL file format by using the marching cube algorithm. Using the STL file, we obtain the skin and the glandular tissue from the 3D printer, and then assemble them. The uncompressed breast phantom is completed by filling the remaining space with oil, which mimics the adipose tissues. Since the breast phantom developed in this study is completely software-generated, we can create readily anthropomorphic phantoms accounting for diverse human breast anatomies.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.277-284
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• 2017

This paper presents an implantable pH measurement electrode for wireless gastroesophageal reflux measurement. Usually, gastroesophageal reflux is diagnosed by a catheter-type wire connection between the esophagus and the diagnostic device which brings many side effects such as restriction of daily living, pain, and discomfort in the nasal cavity and pharynx of patients. In order to solve these issues, researchers have been studied a wireless measurement method and a micro-sized pH electrode for human body insertion is necessary. Commercial glass packaged pH meter is formed by a sensing and a reference electrodes in a KCl solution. However, if the glass meter is inserted into the human body, there are risks of leakage of the solution, breakage of the glass package, injury of the body elements. Therefore, the solution should be solidified on the micro-sized noble metal wire which has a characteristic of biocompatible. After solidified wire fabrication, the designed meter was tested for feasibility of measurement and the result was well agreed with pH values of commercial pH meter. Potentials in pH 1 to 12 solution was measured to obtain the sensitivity of the sensor with linearity. And we have designed a simulation of gastroesophageal reflux with symptom frequency, interval, and duration time in pH 2 solution. The proposed sensor has capable to get the same potential for 24 measurements in 3 days, and it has sensed same pH values of 2 for one hour with every 10 minutes. Furthermore, the sensor was survived for 48 hours with reasonable potentials in the acid solution.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze food consumption behavior of women by marital status based on the 2015 consumer survey data on Food Consumption Behaviors of the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Methods: We analyzed data describing 3,312 women aged 19 ~ 75 who were the main buyers of foods in their household. The food purchase patterns, dining-out behavior, and use of food-delivery and take-out were investigated. Results: Overall, 40.5% of unmarried women shopped for food once per week and 37.4% spent 200,000 ~ 400,000 won per month. Additionally, 43.1% of married women shopped 2 ~ 3 times per week and 26.6% spent 400,000 ~ 600,000 won (p < 0.0001). Dining-out frequency and one-time cost per person of dining-out for unmarried women were higher than those for married women. With delivery/take-out food frequency, 2 time per week was the highest rate among married women (34.6%) and once per week was the highest among unmarried women (31.2%) respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate food consumption behaviors and trends of Korean women by marital status. This study provides basic data that will be useful for food industries establishing marketing strategies to better meet consumer demands.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1153-1163
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• 2019

In women, obesity rises with menopause. By comparing the dose-dopendent effects of genistein on regulation of body weight and lipid levels with swimming exercise in female ovariectomized (OVX) mice, an animal model of postmenopausal women, the effective dose of genistein on obesity control was investigated. Ovariectomized female mice were divided into control group, swimming exercise group and genistein concentration (0.005%, 0.05%, 0.1% wt/wt) treatment group and all mice fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The three different genistein doses as well as swimming decreased body weight, white adipose tissue mass, plasma lipid levels and lipid accumulation in liver, compared with control OVX mice. These decrease effectiveness of genistein showed dose-dependent manner, and is most effective at 0.1% genistein concentration, and paralleled effects of swimming on body weight, white adipose tissue, plasma lipid levels and lipid accumulation in liver. This present findings indicate that optimal dose of genistein in feamle OVX mice have a similar effect to swimming exercise on improvement of obesity. Intake of dietary genistein supplements will help obesity prevention in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1172-1180
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• 2019

It was studied whether fenofibrate alone or combinational treatments of fenofibrate and 17β-estradiol regulates serum lipid levels, and whether the effects of fenofibrate on serum lipid metabolism are affected by co-administration of 17β-estradiol in low-fat diet-fed ovariectomized female mice. Compared with low-fat diet-fed controls, mice treated with fenofibrate alone and mice treated with fenofibrate and 17β-estradiol didn't decrease body weight at 8 weeks. Fenofibrate alone or combinational treatments of fenofibrate and 17β-estradiol did not regulate serum levels of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Fenofibrate decreased plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides compared with controls. The combinational treatments of fenofibrate and 17β-estradiol showed more beneficial effects on triglycerides than fenofibrate alone. Therefore, the present study found that serum triglycerides reduced by fenofibtae treatment alone could be more improved by combinational treatments of fenofibrate and 17β-estradiol in low-fat diet-fed ovariectomized female mice.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.26-37
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• 2009

Recently rapid environmental changes due to desertification and industrialization in China make a threat to Korea, especially during Asian Dust Event (ADE). This study was aimed to compare symptoms and behaviors related to ADE between Korea and China. We conducted questionnaires on self-reported symptoms and behaviors before and during ADE. Korean and Chinese subjects were grouped into children, adults, and elderly by nation (n=791). Statistical analyses were performed by $X^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and chow's test for comparing differences between Korean and Chinese. We estimated the odds ratio for perceived symptoms during ADE by preventive behavior, using Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE). The study indicated that there were significant differences between symptoms in Korea and those in China such as cold, cough, and sore throat, especially in elderly. Preventive behaviors such as avoiding outdoor activity and wearing sunglasses were more often performed in China than Korea. However wearing mask was more often performed in Korea than China. After adjusting for age, sex, educational level, and smoking status, the odds ratio (OR) of dry cough symptom in Korea was significantly decreased by closing the windows and wearing a mask during ADE. In China, the OR of dry cough symptom was decreased by wearing a mask and avoiding outdoor activity. We found that China which had higher performance of preventive behavior showed lower prevalence of symptoms during ADE than Korea. Also preventive behaviors could affects prevalence of symptoms during ADE. This results suggest that preventive behavior. could reduce symptoms during ADE and there are needed for. more attentions to reduce a threat of ADE.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2007

A novel screening strategy for salt-resistant antimicrobial peptides from a M13 peptide library was developed. Fusion of MSI-344, a magainin derivative and indolicidin to pIII coat proteins did not significantly affect viability of the recombinant phages, which indicated that the pIII could neutralize toxicity of the antimicrobial peptides and therefore it is possible to construct antimicrobial peptide library in Escherichia coli. On the basis of the conserved sequence of ${\alpha}$-helical antimicrobial peptides, a semi-combinatorial peptide library was constructed in which the peptides were displayed by pIII. To remove hemolytic activity from the library, the phages bound to red blood cells were removed, and the subtracted phage library was screened for binding to target bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus under high salt concentrations. The screened peptides showed relatively low antimicrobial activity against the target bacteria. However, antimicrobial activities of the screened peptides P06 and S18 were not affected by the cation concentrations of 150 mM $Na^+$, 2 mM $Mg^{2+}$ and 2 mM $Ca^{2+}$ without significant hemolytic activity. This screening strategy that is based on binding capacity to target cells provides new potential to develop salt-tolerant antimicrobial peptides.