• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) in response to activation by various stimuli plays a critical role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted to examine the effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves (NNL) on the proliferation and migration of HASMC. Additionally, the mechanisms involved in any observed effects were also evaluated. Methods : Apoptotic cells were measured by staining with FITC-labeled annexin V, followed by flow cytometric analysis. The expression level of apoptosis related proteins was confirmed by western blot. And MMP-9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography and MMP-9 expression was measured by ELISA Results : NNL completely inhibited the proliferation of HASMC via induction of the expression of apoptotic proteins including annexin V, cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and caspase-3 and -8. NNL treatment resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a decrease in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and an increase in Bax expression. NNL also blocked HASMC migration via suppression of MMP-9. Conclusions : Taken together, these results indicate that NNL has the potential for use as an anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2023

A 6-year-old female long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus, goral) was admitted to the Gangwon wildlife medical rescue center due to severe starvation and hypothermia. The goral displayed clinical signs of severe weight loss, dehydration, lethargy, regurgitation, hypothermia, and bloating, with blood tests showing a decrease in albumin, calcium, glucose, and sodium. Supportive care was given through heating, oxygen supply, and fluid therapy, but the goral's condition worsened, and the goral died three days after admission. Radiographic and computed tomography scans revealed the presence of an indigestible foreign body (IFB) in the rumen, which was confirmed during the necropsy. The cause of goral's death was identified as chronic rumen impaction caused by the IFB (a ball of string), with other pathological findings including bloating, the presence of serous ascites, and congestion of digestive organs. Blood biochemical changes, clinical signs, and veterinary medical imaging diagnosis can be helpful in diagnosing ruminal impaction. This case report can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and treatment of ruminal impaction caused by IFB in endangered gorals, which may include rumenotomy or other surgical procedures.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.912-921
• /
• 2023

Genetic diversity analysis is crucial for maintaining and managing genetic resources. Several studies have examined the genetic diversity of Korean domestic chicken (KDC) populations using microsatellite markers, but it is difficult to capture the characteristics of the whole genome in this manner. Hence, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of several KDC populations using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data. We examined 935 birds from 21 KDC populations, including indigenous and adapted Korean native chicken (KNC), Hyunin and Jeju KDC, and Hanhyup commercial KDC populations. A total of 212,420 SNPs of 21 KDC populations were used for calculating genetic distances and fixation index, and for ADMIXTURE analysis. As a result of the analysis, the indigenous KNC groups were genetically closer and more fixed than the other groups. Furthermore, Hyunin and Jeju KDC were similar to the indigenous KNC. In comparison, adapted KNC and Hanhyup KDC populations derived from the same original species were genetically close to each other, but had different genetic structures from the others. In conclusion, this study suggests that continuous evaluation and management are required to prevent a loss of genetic diversity in each group. Basic genetic information is provided that can be used to improve breeds quickly by utilizing the various characteristics of native chickens.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.431-439
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Numerous studies have explored the causes and spread of outbreaks, yet there is a lack of research on post-coronavirus disease 2019 condition (PCC) in Korea. The goal of this study was to identify the various types of PCC and associated factors in discharged patients and to provide directions for the ongoing health management of confirmed patients. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted among 680 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients diagnosed between July 7, 2021 and August 26, 2021, in Dangjin, Chungnam, Korea. A descriptive analysis of characteristics, univariate analysis, and regression were performed using data from basic epidemiological surveys conducted at the time of diagnosis and post-discharge questionnaires. Results: Of the 585 patients who responded, 159 (27.2%) developed PCC. Of the 211 patients with no initial symptoms, 27 (12.8%) developed PCC, versus 132 (35.3%) of the 374 patients with initial symptoms. Among the initial symptoms, fever or chills, cough or sputum, loss of smell, and sore throat were associated with PCC. Compared to patients with less than 10 days of hospitalization, those with a hospitalization period of 21 days to 30 days (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.2) and 31 days or more (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.9 to 18.1) had a higher risk of PCC. Conclusions: More than a quarter of COVID-19 patients, including those who had no initial symptoms, experienced PCC in Korea. People with the initial symptoms of fever, chills, and respiratory symptoms and those who had prolonged hospital stays had a high risk of PCC.

• Current Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 2024

In medium- and long-range optical imaging systems, atmospheric turbulence causes blurring and distortion of images, resulting in loss of image information. An image-restoration method based on an adaptive feature-fusion multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) dense U-shaped network (Unet) is proposed, to restore a single image degraded by atmospheric turbulence. The network's model is based on the MIMO-Unet framework and incorporates patch-embedding shallow-convolution modules. These modules help in extracting shallow features of images and facilitate the processing of the multi-input dense encoding modules that follow. The combination of these modules improves the model's ability to analyze and extract features effectively. An asymmetric feature-fusion module is utilized to combine encoded features at varying scales, facilitating the feature reconstruction of the subsequent multi-output decoding modules for restoration of turbulence-degraded images. Based on experimental results, the adaptive feature-fusion MIMO dense U-shaped network outperforms traditional restoration methods, CMFNet network models, and standard MIMO-Unet network models, in terms of image-quality restoration. It effectively minimizes geometric deformation and blurring of images.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2024

Background: Gunshot-related fractures near the elbow are challenging, and available data to guide the practitioner are lacking. This report analyzes injury patterns and treatment strategies in a case series from a high-volume urban trauma center. Methods: All periarticular gunshot fractures near the elbow treated at a level 1 trauma center from 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Fracture location, patient demographics, concomitant injuries, treatment modalities, and complications were analyzed. Results: Twenty-four patients were identified. All patients received prophylactic antibiotics upon admission and underwent urgent surgical debridement. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed with initial debridement in 22 of 24 patients. Seven patients sustained distal humerus fractures, 10 patients sustained isolated proximal ulna or proximal radius fractures, and seven had combined fracture patterns. Eleven patients presented with nerve palsy, and two had transected nerves. Two patients had vascular injury requiring repair. One patient required a temporary elbow-spanning external fixator and underwent staged debridement followed by ORIF. One patient with a grade IIIC fracture developed a deep infection that precluded ORIF. One patient required revision ORIF due to fracture displacement. Conclusions: This investigation reports on management of ballistic fractures near the elbow at a busy urban level I trauma center. Our management centered on rapid debridement, early definitive fixation, and intravenous antibiotic administration. We report on associated neurovascular injury, bone loss, and other challenges in this patient population. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2003

Microwave dielectric properties of the $MgTiO_3-CaTiO_3$ ceramics were investigated for GPS antenna fabrication. (1-X) $MgTiO_3-X CaTiO_3$ ceramics with X=7 mol% sintered at $1400^{\circ}C$ exhibited can be dielectric constant of 20.6, the quality factor of 52,500 and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of -1.5 [ppm/$^{\circ}C$]. The results of $0.93MgTiO_3-0.070CaTiO_3$ ceramics with $P_2O_5$/ 0.6 wt% sintered at $1250^{\circ}C$ exhibited can be dielectric constant of 21, the quality factor of 58,000 and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of 2.6 [ppm/${\circ}C$]. The size, insertion loss, center frequency and band width of GPS antenna were $20.5{\times}20.5{\times}6[mm]$,-10(dB) and 1575.42(MHz) respectively. The insertion loss, center frequency and band width of the fabricated GPS antenna were -11 (dB), 1579(MHz) and 22(MHz) respectively. The center frequency was higher than design result, but other characteristics of GPS antenna were similar to the results of design result.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.336-342
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to estimate of the greenhouse gas inventory on forest land at provincial level. The greenhouse gas emissions are calculated according to the K-MRV guidance. We collected activity data from statistical yearbook of forestry and used default emission factors. The annual total $CO_2$ emission in forest land was -58,711Gg $CO_2eq.$ and the annual $CO_2$ emission in loss such as fellings, fuelwood and fire was 19,896Gg $CO_2eq.$ in 2011. The results showed the removals of carbon dioxide in the forest land, it's amount was -38,815Gg $CO_2eq.$ in 2011. Annual net $CO_2$ removal of local forest was highest in Kangwon province in 2011. Our study did not use the many statistics due to exclusion of double counting. There are need complementary activity data and emission factors, and then we will find a way to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions/removals in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.419-424
• /
• 2008

Objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptation and the soil conservation effect of improved wild vine in sloped upland of highland about 600m from sea level in Korea. A mainly producing district of the improved wild vine in Korea was distributed 230m to 540m from sea level, and its rainfall ranged 1,200 to 1,700 mm. The lowest temperature was from -19.6 to $-25.4^{\circ}C$. Their soil texture was from sandy loam to clay loam, where drainage class was well drained and the contents of soil organic matter and total nitrogen in the improved wild vine's cultivation area were higher than those of Chinese cabbage's cultivation area in the highland. According to improved wild vine's cultivation methods, the amounts of soil erosion were 25.5,4.1, and $1.8MT\;ha^{-1}$ in clean culture, part sod + mulching, and nature sod, respectively. Those were below 30 to $80MT\;ha^{-1}$ of sloped upland at highland in Korea. The result suggests that it is possible to cultivate the improved wild vine over wintering at 600m of highland above the sea level. We can substitute the improved wild vine for Chinese cabbage in the highland for soil conservation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.132-139
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective multi-institutional study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,000 patients were enrolled in this study at seven different hospitals in Seoul, Korea between October 2009 and May 2010. The nutritional status of patients after receiving 3 weeks of RT was evaluated using subjective global assessment (SGA). The nutritional status of each patient was rated as well nourished (A), moderately malnourished (B), or severely malnourished (C). Results: The mean age of patients in this study was $59.4{\pm}11.9$ years, and the male to female ratio was 7:3. According to the SGA results, 60.8%, 34.5%, and 4.7% of patients were classified as A, B, or C, respectively. The following criteria were significantly associated with malnutrition (SGA B or C; p < 0.001): loss of subcutaneous fat or muscle wasting (odds ratio [OR], 11.473); increased metabolic demand/stress (OR, 8.688); ankle, sacral edema, or ascites (OR, 3.234); and weight loss ${\geq}5%$ (OR, 2.299). Conclusion: SGA was applied successfully to assess the nutritional status of most patients. The prevalence of malnutrition in a radiation oncology department was 39.2%. The results of this study serve as a basis for implementation of nutrition intervention to patients being treated at radiation oncology departments.