• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2013

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate effects of different smoothing kernel sizes on brain tissue-masked susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) obtained from normal elderly subjects using voxel-based analyses. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy human volunteers (mean $age{\pm}SD$ = $67.8{\pm}6.09$ years, 14 females and 6 males) were studied after informed consent. A fully first-order flow-compensated three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence ran to obtain axial magnitude and phase images to generate SWI data. In addition, sagittal 3D T1-weighted images were acquired with the magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echo sequence for brain tissue segmentation and imaging registration. Both paramagnetically (PSWI) and diamagnetically (NSWI) phase-masked SWI data were obtained with masking out non-brain tissues. Finally, both tissue-masked PSWI and NSWI data were smoothed using different smoothing kernel sizes that were isotropic 0, 2, 4, and 8 mm Gaussian kernels. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using a paired t-test between PSWI and NSWI for each smoothing kernel size. Results: The significance of comparisons increased with increasing smoothing kernel sizes. Signals from NSWI were greater than those from PSWI. The smoothing kernel size of four was optimal to use voxel-based comparisons. The bilaterally different areas were found on multiple brain regions. Conclusion: The paramagnetic (positive) phase mask led to reduce signals from high susceptibility areas. To minimize partial volume effects and contributions of large vessels, the voxel-based analysis on SWI with masked non-brain components should be utilized.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.475-489
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• 1997

Connective tissue massage(CTM, Bindegewebs massage) are developed and named by Mrs. Elizabeth Dicke, a German physical therapist. The CTM is used primarily for internal disorder such as myocarditis, coronary insufficiency, high blood pressure, functional stomach and intestinal disorders, inflamma-tion of the gallbladder, and hepatitis, arterial circulatory problems, venous disorders, headache, particularly trauma to the head, and some gynecologic disorder, etc. Which is performed with special stroking technique of the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, extremities, and face. The mechanism of effectiveness of CTM is based on a viscerocutaneous reflex. The stroking stimulates the nerve end-ings of the autonomic nervous system. The impulses activated by stroking travel to the sympathetic trunk and the spinal cord and brain, which causes a change in reaction susceptibility. The most important for apply CTM is necessary to know the reflex zone (Head's zone, Mackenzie's zone and Dicke's connective tissue zone). Dicke's connective tissue zones are only found by the special dia-gnostic stroking. Because the connective tissue zones no discomfort when unmanipulated, and thus the patient is unaware of them. It is characterized by diagnostic stroking that causes a sharp pain in the tissue. As a general rule, all treatment are preceded by the basic stroke from the level of the coccyx to the first lumbar vertebra and each stroke is done three times. The right side is done first, then the left side.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2002

Purpose : Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning is being used widely for the treatment of patients with brain tumor. However, it takes much time to develop an optimal treatment plan, therefore, it is difficult to apply this technique to all patients. To increase the efficiency of this technique, we need to develop standard radiotherapy plant for each site of the brain. Therefore we developed several 3 dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans (3D plans) for tumors at each site of brain, compared them with each other, and with 2 dimensional radiotherapy plans. Finally model plans for each site of the brain were decide. Materials and Methods : Imaginary tumors, with sizes commonly observed in the clinic, were designed for each site of the brain and drawn on CT images. The planning target volumes (PTVs) were as follows; temporal $tumor-5.7\times8.2\times7.6\;cm$, suprasellar $tumor-3\times4\times4.1\;cm$, thalamic $tumor-3.1\times5.9\times3.7\;cm$, frontoparietal $tumor-5.5\times7\times5.5\;cm$, and occipitoparietal $tumor-5\times5.5\times5\;cm$. Plans using paralled opposed 2 portals and/or 3 portals including fronto-vertex and 2 lateral fields were developed manually as the conventional 2D plans, and 3D noncoplanar conformal plans were developed using beam's eye view and the automatic block drawing tool. Total tumor dose was 54 Gy for a suprasellar tumor, 59.4 Gy and 72 Gy for the other tumors. All dose plans (including 2D plans) were calculated using 3D plan software. Developed plans were compared with each other using dose-volume histograms (DVH), normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) and variable dose statistic values (minimum, maximum and mean dose, D5, V83, V85 and V95). Finally a best radiotherapy plan for each site of brain was selected. Results : 1) Temporal tumor; NTCPs and DVHs of the normal tissue of all 3D plans were superior to 2D plans and this trend was more definite when total dose was escalated to 72 Gy (NTCPs of normal brain 2D $plans:27\%,\;8\%\rightarrow\;3D\;plans:1\%,\;1\%$). Various dose statistic values did not show any consistent trend. A 3D plan using 3 noncoplanar portals was selected as a model radiotherapy plan. 2) Suprasellar tumor; NTCPs of all 3D plans and 2D plans did not show significant difference because the total dose of this tumor was only 54 Gy. DVHs of normal brain and brainstem were significantly different for different plans. D5, V85, V95 and mean values showed some consistent trend that was compatible with DVH. All 3D plans were superior to 2D plans even when 3 portals (fronto-vertex and 2 lateral fields) were used for 2D plans. A 3D plan using 7 portals was worse than plans using fewer portals. A 3D plan using 5 noncoplanar portals was selected as a model plan. 3) Thalamic tumor; NTCPs of all 3D plans were lower than the 2D plans when the total dose was elevated to 72 Gy. DVHs of normal tissues showed similar results. V83, V85, V95 showed some consistent differences between plans but not between 3D plans. 3D plans using 5 noncoplanar portals were selected as a model plan. 4) Parietal (fronto- and occipito-) tumors; all NTCPs of the normal brain in 3D plans were lower than in 2D plans. DVH also showed the same results. V83, V85, V95 showed consistent trends with NTCP and DVH. 3D plans using 5 portals for frontoparietal tumor and 6 portals for occipitoparietal tumor were selected as model plans. Conclusion : NTCP and DVH showed reasonable differences between plans and were through to be useful for comparing plans. All 3D plans were superior to 2D plans. Best 3D plans were selected for tumors in each site of brain using NTCP, DVH and finally by the planner's decision.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2007

Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer disease, although the mechanism is still unknown. Both folate and betaine, a choline metabolite, play essential roles in the remethylation of Hcy to methionine. Choline deficiency may be associated with low folate status and high plasma Hcy. Alterations in DNA methylation also have established critical roles for methylation in development of the nervous system. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of choline and folate deficiency on Hcy metabolism and genomic DNA methylation status of the liver and brain. Groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were fed on a control, choline-deficient (CD), folate-deficient (FD) or choline/folate-deficient (CFD) diets for 8 weeks. FD resulted in a significantly lower hepatic folate (23%) (p<0.001) and brain folate (69%) (p<0.05) compared to the control group. However, plasma and brain folate remained unaltered by CD and hepatic folate reduced to 85% of the control by CD (p<0.05). Plasma Hcy was significantly increased by FD $(18.34{\pm}1.62{\mu}M)$ and CFD $(19.35{\pm}3.62{\mu}M)$ compared to the control $(6.29{\pm}0.60{\mu}M)$ (p<0.001), but remained unaltered by CD. FD depressed S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) by 59% (p<0.001) and elevated S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM) by 47% in liver compared to the control group (p<0.001). In contrast, brain SAM levels remained unaltered in CD, FD and CFD rats. Genomic DNA methylation status was reduced by FD in liver (p<0.05) Genomic DNA hypomethylation was also observed in brain by CD, FD and CFD although it was not significantly different from the control group. Genomic DNA methylation status was correlated with folate stores in liver (r=-0.397, p<0.05) and brain (r = -0.390, p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, our data demonsoated that genomic DNA methylation and SAM level were reduced by folate deficiency in liver, but not in brain, and correlated with folate concentration in the tissue. The fact that folate deficiency had differential effects on SAM, SAH and genomic DNA methylation in liver and brain suggests that the Hcy metabolism and DNA methylation are regulated in tissue-specific ways.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2010

Objective : We determined whether the expression of GRIM-19 is correlated with pathologic types and malignant grades in gliomas, and determined the function of GRIM-19 in human gliomas. Methods : Tumor tissues were isolated and frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$ just after surgery. The tissues consisted of normal brain tissue (4), astrocytomas (2), anaplastic astrocytomas (2), oligodendrogliomas (13), anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (11), and glioblastomas (16). To profile tumor-related genes, we applied RNA differential display using a $Genefishing^{TM}$ DEG kit, and validated the tumor-related genes by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A human glioblastoma cell line (U343MG-A) was used for the GRIM-19 functional studies. The morphologic and cytoskeletal changes were examined via light and confocal microscopy. The migratory and invasive abilities were investigated by the simple scratch technique and Matrigel assay. The antiproliferative activity was determined by thiazolyl blue Tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and FACS analysis. Results : Based on RT-PCR analysis, the expression of GRIM-19 was higher in astrocytic tumors than oligodendroglial tumors. The expression of GRIM-19 was higher in high-grade tumors than low-grade tumors or normal brain tissue; glioblastomas showed the highest expression. After transfection of GRIM-19 into U343MG-A, the morphology of the sense-transfection cells became larger and more spindly. The antisensetransfection cells became smaller and rounder compared with wild type U343MG-A. The MTT assay showed that the sense-transfection cells were more sensitive to the combination of interferon-$\beta$ and retinoic acid than U343MG-A cells or antisense-transfection cells; the antiproliferative activity was related to apoptosis. Conclusion : GRIM-19 may be one of the gene profiles which regulate cell death via apoptosis in human gliomas.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.753-767
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologically the effect of LiF-maleic acid added calcium aluminate(LM-CA) bone cement & CA-PMMA composite bone cement on the healing of calvarial defect in Sprague-Dawley rats. The critical size defects were surgically produced in the calvarial bone using the 8mm trephine bur. The rats were divided in three groups : In the control group, nothing was applied into the defect of each rat. LM-CA bone cement was implanted in the experimental group 1 and CA-PMMA composite bone cement was implanted in the experimental group 2. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 8 weeks after surgical procedure. The specimens were examined by histologic analysis, especially about the bone-cement interface and the response of surrounding tissue. The results are as follows; 1. In the control group, inflammatory infiltration was observed at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, periosteum and duramater were continuously joined together in the defect area. But the center of defect area was filled up with the loose connective tissue. 2. In the experimental group 1, the bonding between implanted bone cement and the existing bone was seen, which more increased in 8 weeks than 2 weeks. Inflammatory infiltration and the dispersion of implanted bone cement particles were seen in both 2 weeks and 8 weeks. 3. In the experimental group 2, implanted bone itself had a dimensional stability and no bonding between implanted bone cement and the existing bone was seen in both 2 weeks and 8 weeks. Implanted bone cement was encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue. In addition, inflammatory infiltration was seen around implanted bone cement. On the basis of these results, when LM-CA bone cement or CA-PMMA composite bone cement was implanted in rat calvarial defect, LM-CA bone cement can be used as a bioactive bone graft material due to ability of bonding to the existing bone and CA-PMMA can be used as a graft material for augmentation of bone-volume due to dimensional stability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2005

One of the most important roles of a brain atlas is providing a spatial reference system in which multiple images can be interpreted in a consistent way. The brain atlase based on Western populations such as the International Consortium for Brain Mapping's 452 T-1 Weighted Average Atlas was widely used; however, they may not be the optimal choice for use with brain images from other ethnic groups, because structural differences between occidental and oriental brains have been reported. Therefore, in this study, we created an average brain atlas from 100 healthy Koreans (100 cases (M/F=53/47), 39.0±17.0 years). The purpose of this study was to make a Korean average-brain atlas and to measure its differences from a widely accepted average brain atlas built on an occidental population. The average brain atlas for Koreans was developed using widely accepted tools and procedures. The comparison between the Korean and occidental averages was performed using tissue probability maps and a registration tool, and it was shown that the global pattern of differences between the two average brains found in this work agreed with previously reported differences: Korean brains are wider and shorter in size, and smaller in volume, yet no hemispheric volume asymmetry was found.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.706-713
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• 2010

Objectives : The source is from the flower of Carthamus tinctorius L., family Compositae. It is used in clinical medicine to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, promote menstruation and alleviate pain. In the present study, we investigated the genome wide analysis of Carthami Flos on the intra-cranial hemorrhage(ICH) model. Methods : ICH in rat was induced by injection of collagenase type IV and Carthami Flos extract(CFe) was administered orally. The molecular profile of cerebral hemorrhage in rat brain tissue was measured using microarray technique to identify up- or down- regulated genes in brain tissue. Results : Expression profile showed that diverse genes were up- or down-regulated by ICH induction. Administration of CFe restored the expression level of some of altered genes by ICH to normal expressional level. Interestingly, these recovered genes by CFe were involved in the same biological pathways which were significantly activated or suppressed by ICH. Conclusion : The above results might explain the therapeutic mechanism of CFe on ICH. Further, by analyzing interaction network, core genes was identified which could be key molecular targets of CFe against ICH.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.679-688
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• 2018

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders that share behavioral features, the results of numerous studies have suggested that the underlying causes of ASDs are multifactorial. Behavioral and/or neurobiological analyses of ASDs have been performed extensively using a valid model of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Abnormal synapse formation resulting from altered neurite outgrowth in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during embryonic brain development has been observed in both the VPA model and ASD subjects. Although several mechanisms have been suggested, the actual mechanism underlying enhanced neurite outgrowth remains unclear. In this study, we found that VPA enhanced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), particularly mature BDNF (mBDNF), through dual mechanisms. VPA increased the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF by suppressing the nuclear expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), which is a transcriptional repressor of BDNF. In addition, VPA promoted the expression and activity of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which induces BDNF maturation through proteolytic cleavage. Trichostatin A and sodium butyrate also enhanced tPA activity, but tPA activity was not induced by valpromide, which is a VPA analog that does not induce histone acetylation, indicating that histone acetylation activity was required for tPA regulation. VPA-mediated regulation of BDNF, MeCP2, and tPA was not observed in astrocytes or neurons. Therefore, these results suggested that VPA-induced mBDNF upregulation was associated with the dysregulation of MeCP2 and tPA in developing cortical NPCs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.337-341
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• 2007

Objective : Repeated administration of mannitol in the setting of large hemispheric infarction is a controversial and poorly defined therapeutic intervention. This study was performed to examine the effects of multiple-dose mannitol on a brain edema after large hemispheric infarction. Methods : A middle cerebral artery was occluded with the rat suture model for 6 hours and reperfused in 22 rats. The rats were randomly assigned to either control (n=10) or the mannitol-treated group (n=12) in which intravenous mannitol infusions (0.8 g/kg) were performed six times every four hours. After staining a brain slice with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, the weight of hemispheres, infarcted (IH) and contralateral (CH), and the IH/CH weight ratio were examined, and then hemispheric accumulation of mannitol was photometrically evaluated based on formation of NADH catalyzed by mannitol dehydrogenase. Results : Mannitol administration produced changes in body weight of $-7.6{\pm}1.1%$, increased plasma osmolality to $312{\pm}8\;mOsm/L$. It remarkably increased weight of IH ($0.77{\pm}0.06\;gm$ versus $0.68{\pm}0.03\;gm$ : p<0.01) and the IH/CH weight ratio ($1.23{\pm}0.07$ versus $1.12{\pm}0.05$ : p<0.01). The photometric absorption at 340 nm of the cerebral tissue in the mannitol-treated group was increased to $0.375{\pm}0.071$ and $0.239{\pm}0.051$ in the IH and CH, respectively from $0.167{\pm}0.082$ and $0.162{\pm}0.091$ in the IH and CH of the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion : Multiple-dose mannitol is likely to aggravate cerebral edema due to parenchymal accumulation of mannitol in the infarcted brain tissue.