• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2002

In this parer, a new harmonic imaging technique is Proposed and evaluated experimentally. In the Proposed method. a weighted chirp signal with a hanning window is transmitted. The RF samples obtained on each array element are individually compressed by correlating with the reference signal defined as the 2nd harmonic component($2f_0$) of a transmitted chirp signal generated in a square-law system. The correlator output will then consist of the compressed version of the $2f_0$ component generated in tissue and the crosscorrelation sequence of the fundamental($f_0$) and 2f$_{0}$components. The Proposed method uses the compressed $2f_0$ component to form an image. for which the crosscorrelation term should be suppressed below at least -50dB. The Proposed method has two process, 2f$_{0}$-correlation and $2f_0$-correlation(PI) . $2f_0$-correlation can successfully eliminate the $f_0$ component with a single transmit-receive events and therefore is more efficient than the conventional Pulse inversion method in terms of the frame rate. 2i)-correlation(Pl) Performs pulse compression after applying pulse inversion method for the 2nd harmonic image with high resolution and SNR. Another advantage of the proposed method is that the SNR of 2nd harmonic imaging can be improved without limitation by increasing the duration of the chirp signal. The proposed method was verified through both the computer simulations and actual experiments .ts .

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2002

Atrial fibrillation(AF). chronic or paroxysmal is the most frequent arrhythmia in human subjects Duration of P wave in signal-averaged electrocardiography(SAECG) reflects intra-atrial conduction time and therefore. could be used as an electrophysiological marker for atrial conduction chance at the earthy stave. So we apply the analysis method using SAECG to diagnose Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF) . Subjects Participated for the study consisted of two groups: a control group(n=34) of normal healthy volunteers and a group of AF Patients(n=38) with a documented history of PAF but no other history of cardiac disease. We evaluated the effect of several filtering and determination methods to find the starting and ending feints of the P wavy on its duration. To increase the measurement reliability of P wave duration. the automatic detection method was proposed. Also. to increase the detection rate for PAF risk, the decision threshold value was optimized using receiver operation characteristics(ROC) curve. Results showed that the highest statistical difference (p〈0.001) of the P wane duration between controls and subjects was obtained at the Processing condition, using absolute threshold vague(8.75 $\mu N$) , a least mean square(LMS) high pass filter and 30 Hz cutoff frequency. The most outstanding difference(sensitivity 88 % specificity 64.4 %) between controls and subjects was obtained at the decision threshold value of 112 ms.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develop a portable and convenient closed-loop contrel type electrical stimulator for patients with foot drop. This system restores walking movement as well as prevents from atrophy or necrosis of lower limb muscles and increases blood circulation in hemiplegic patients caused by traffic accident, industrial disaster or stoke. This system detects the changes of the ankle joint angle during walking, and then controls the stimulus intensity automatically to maintain the programmed level of the ankle joint angle. Also, this automatic system controls the stimulus intensity which is affected by increased electrode impedance resulting from long time use. The system detects the joint angle by an optical sensor and includes modified PID control which adjusts the stimulus intensity if the joint angle deviates from the preset value. Stimulus parameters are 30~80 volt, 40 Hz, and 0.2 ms. The system was applied to five hemiplegic patients for 42 days. Duration of stimulation was 15 min/day for the first week and then the duration was gradually increased to 30, 60, 90 and 120 min/day. The muscle force was increased up to 29.7%, muscle fatigue was decreased compared with the level before stimulation and the pattern of locomotion was improved. These results suggest that the electrical stimulator with closed-loop control type is more convenient and effective in restoration of locomotion of patients with foot drop than open-loop system.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.361-367
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• 2004

The axial compressive strength, relative 3-D stability and osteoconductive shape design of an intervertebral fusion cage are important biomechanical factors for successful intervertebral fusion. Changes in the stress distribution of the vertebral end plate and in cage stability due to changes in the spike shape of a newly contrived box-shaped fusion cage are investigated. In this investigation, the initial contact of the cage's spikes with the end plate and the penetration of the cage's spikes into the end plate are considered. The finite element analysis is conducted to study the effects of the cage's spike height, tip width and angle on the stress distribution of the vertebral end plate, and the micromigration of the cage in the A-P direction. The stress distribution in the end plate is examined when a normal load of 1700N is applied to the vertebra after inserting 2 cages. The micromigration of the cage is examined when a pull out load of l00N is applied in the A-P direction. The analysis results reveal that the spike tip width significantly influences the stress concentration in the end plate, but the spike height and angle do not significantly influence the stress distribution in the end plate touching the cage's spikes. In addition, the analysis results show that the micromigration of the cage can be reduced by adjusting the spike angle and spike arrangement in the A-P direction. This study proposes the optimal shape of an intervertebral fusion cage, which promotes bone fusion, reduces the stress concentration in a vertebral end plate, and increases mechanical stability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.383-389
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• 2004

A commercially pure Ti(CP-Ti) and Ti-25wt％Pd alloy for dental applications were cast into a phosphate-bonded Al$_2$ $O_3$/ $SiO_2$ investment mold and the surface of the casting specimens were investigated by means of SEM/EDS, XRD and XPS. The addition of 25wt％Pd in CP-Ti showed a moderate mold reaction owing to the considerable lowering of melting point. XRD analysis of the investment after burn-out treatment revealed that it consisted essentially of $SiO_2$, Al$_2$ $O_3$, P$_2$O$\_$5/, Mg$_3$(P $O_4$)$_2$, AlP $O_4$, Mg$_2$ $SiO_4$, MgAl$_2$ $O_4$ The mold reaction products were Ti$\_$5/Si$_3$ and Ti $O_2$ in case of CP-Ti casting and Ti $O_2$ and SiO$\_$x/ in case of Ti-25wt％ Pd casting.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2014

Objectives : Warm needling is the method combining the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. In modern clinics, warm needling is only affected by treatment time or frequency. We need to study the physical characteristics of warm needles currently used in clinics in order to develop more efficient and economical treatments. Methods : We collected various warm needle specimens and analyzed chemical constitutions, measured heat transfer velocity, micro Vicker's hardness and specific resistance. We studied the relationship between heat transfer velocity and micro Vicker's hardness as well as that between heat transfer velocity and specific resistance. Results : The heat transfer velocity of the Silver_HL was 3.3 mm/sec, of the Au alloy group was 1.3~2.6 mm/sec, and Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups was less than 0.3 mm/sec. We therefore concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity. In the Micro Vicker's hardness test, Vicker's hardness of the Au alloy group was 159~170 Hv, of Silver_HL was 181 Hv, and of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS group was 450.8~519 Hv. In the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK and SS groups, hardness was inversely proportial to thermal conductivity. In the specific resistance test, the specific resistance of Silver_HL was the lowest, that of the Au alloy group was the second lowest, and that of the Silver_IN, Silver_ZK, SS groups were the highest. Conclusions : We concluded that the needle composed of Ag has the best heat transfer velocity, highest electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, therefore the needle composed of Ag is suitable for warm needling.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1501-1510
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• 2011

In recent years novel potential pharmocological candidates have been looked for in animal, seaweed, sponge, fungi and marine bacteria resources. In this study, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that play an important role in metastasis, arthritis, chronic inflammation and wrinkle formation were used as target enzymes to screen therapeutic agents. The inhibitory effects of several marine algae including green algae (5 species), red algae (18 species) and brown algae (4 species) methanolic extracts on MMPs were investigated in human dermal fibroblasts and human fibrosarcoma cell line (HT1080 cells) using gelatin zymography. In human dermal fibroblasts, the inhibition of MMP-2 was observed in Laurencia okamurae, Polysiphonia japonica, Grateloupia lanceolate and Sinkoraena lancifolia of red algae. In contrast, MMP-2 activation was enhanced in Enteromorpha compressa and E. linza of green algae, and Peltaronia bighamiae and Sargassum thunbergii of brown algae. In human fibrosarcoma cells, MMP-9 activation was decreased in the presence of S. thunbergii of brown algae, Polysiphonia japonica in red algae and E. compressa and E. linza of green algae. The interesting finding is that E. compressa and E. linza of green algae, and S. thunbergii of brown algae exhibited a positive effect on MMP-2 in normal cells, but a negative effect on MMP-9 in cancer cell lines. These results suggest that E. compressa and E. linza of green algae, and S. thunbergii of brown algae contain potential therapeutic ingredients for cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.831-837
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• 2010

KR-31125 (2-butyl-5-dimethoxymethyl-6-phenyl-7-methyl-3-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) is a potent inhibitor of angiotensin II type 1 ($AT_1$) receptors in human recombinant $AT_1$ receptors and rabbit aorta. These in vitro studies revealed that KR-31125 inhibited specific [$^{125}I$] [$Sar^1$, $Ile^8$]-angiotensin II binding to human recombinant $AT_1$ receptors in a concentration dependent manner with an $IC_{50}$ value of $19.72{\pm}2.65$ nM. However, no interaction with $AT_2$ receptors was detected as displayed by the competition binding of [$^{125}I$] CGP 42112A to human recombinant $AT_2$ receptor. The binding action was also confirmed as a competitive mode that was identical to the previously studied compound, losartan. In addition, KR-31125 caused a nonparallel shift to the right in the concentration response curves to angiotensin II with a 30-80% decrease in the maximum contractile responses ($pK_B$: 7.63). Compared to the previous studies with losartan that showed a parallel right shift in the maximum contractile responses to AII ($pA_2$: 7.59), KR-31125 presented a different mode of action with a similar potency to losartan. These results demonstrate that KR-31125 is a highly potent and $AT_1$ selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist that can be applied to the fields of new diagnostic and research tools with upcoming in vivo study results.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.784-790
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• 2014

Housefly (Musca domestica L.) maggots are used as biomedical material. Ethanolic extracts of fly maggot (EM) were orally administered to male rats at levels of 0 (control group), 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 mg per 100 g live weight for 40 days. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C decreased by 17.90, 17.60, and 16.37%, respectively, whereas HDL-C increased by 20.48% in the EM group compared with these parameters in a control group (p<0.05). Thymus and spleen weights dose-dependently increased by 21.42% and 21.42%, respectively, but abdominal fat decreased by 39.66% after EM administration compared with that in the control group (p<0.05). IgG, IgA, and IgM increased 35.14, 68.65, and 190.16%, respectively, in the EM groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased by 41.68% and 35.55%, respectively, in the EM groups compared with the control group, and Bacteroides, Clostridium, Escherichia, and Streptococcus decreased by 24.96, 46.37, 25.00, and 34.05%, respectively, in the EM groups compared with the control group (p<0.05). Compared with the control group, total organic acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased by 31.11, 49.34, and 24.88%, whereas butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid decreased by 30.79, 72.64, 32.90, and 63.16% respectively, in the EM groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that EM has a bifidogenic effect on immune cell development, blood lipid levels, and abdominal fat reduction by increasing the production of organic acid and numbers of cecal microorganisms in animals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an oil crop classified as Brassicaceae, and it is widely grown worldwide. To develop a drought-resistant rapeseed, the ${\beta}$-glucosidase 1 (AtBG1) gene was introduced into rapeseed because drought- and salt-resistance phenotypes were observed when the AtBG1 gene was overexpressed in arabidopsis. Newly developed genetically modified crop must be proved to be safe. Safety assessments are based on the historical usage and scientific reports of a crop. In this study, we examined the potential acute oral toxicity of AtBG1 protein expressed in genetically modified (GM) rapeseed and calculated the minimum lethal dose at 6 weeks in both male and female ICR mice. AtBG1 protein was fed at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight in five male and five female mice according to the marginal capacity concentration of OECD, 2,000 mg/15 ml/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for 14 days after dosing, and postmortem necropsy was performed on day 14. This study showed that no deaths occurred in the test group, and AtBG1 protein did not result in variations in common symptoms, body weight, and postmortem findings between the two groups. This showed that the minimum lethal dose of AtBG1 protein expressed in transgenic rapeseed exceed 2,000 mg/kg body weight in both sexes.