• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.234-241
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• 2020

Background: The fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test is useful in asthma patients. However, a few studies on its usefulness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have been reported. We analyzed the FENO level distribution and clinical characteristics according to the FENO level in COPD patients. Methods: From December 2014 to June 2019, COPD patients who underwent pulmonary function and FENO tests at Chonnam National University Hospital were retrospectively evaluated for FENO, comorbidities, asthma history, blood eosinophil, and pulmonary function test. The high FENO group was defined as those with FENO level>25 parts per billion (ppb). Results: A total of 849 COPD patients (mean age, 70.3±9.4 years) were included. The mean forced expiratory volume at 1 second was 66.5±21.7% and the mean FENO level was 24.3±20.5 ppb. Patients with FENO ≤25 ppb were 572 (67.4%) and those with FENO >25 ppb were 277 (32.6%). Blood eosinophil percentage was significantly higher (4.2±4.8 vs. 2.7±2.5, p<0.001) in patients with the high FENO group than the low FENO group. The high FENO group revealed a significantly higher frequency of patients with blood eosinophil percentage >3% (46.9% vs. 34.8%, p=0.001) and asthma history (25.6% vs. 8.6%, p<0.001) than the lower FENO group. Asthma history, blood eosinophil percentage >3%, and positive bronchodilator response (BDR) were independent risk factors for the high FENO level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.85; p<0.001; aOR, 1.46; p=0.017; and aOR, 1.57, p=0.034, respectively) in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: The FENO level distribution varied in COPD patients and the mean FENO value was slightly elevated. Asthma history, eosinophil percent, and positive BDR were independent risk factors for the high FENO level.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.175-181
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• 2005

Ingots of rutile single crystals were grown by the skull melting method, and their characteristics were compared in terms of melt-dwelling time for each melt. The method is based on direct inductive heating of an electrically conducted melt by an alternating RF field, and the heating is performed by absorption of RF energy. $TiO_2$ is an insulator at room temperature but its electric conductivity increases elevated temperature. Therefore, titanium metal ring(outside diameter : 6cm, inside diameter : 4cm, thickness 0.2cm) was embedded into $TiO_2$, powder (anatase phase, CERAC, 3N) for initial RF induction heating. Important factors of the skull melting method are electric resistivity of materials at their melting point, working frequency of RF generator and cold crucible size. In this study, electric resitivity of $TiO_2$, $(10^{-2}\~10^{-1}\;{\Omega}{\cdot}m)$ at its melting point was estimated by compairing the electric resitivities of alumina and zirconia. Inner diameter and height of the cold crucible was 11 and 14cm, respectively, which were determined by considering of the Penetration depth $(0.36\~1.13cm)$ and the frequency of RF generator.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.407-411
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• 2015

Dense ceramic membranes have been prepared using the commercial perovsikite $Ba_{0.5}Sr_{0.5}Co_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}O_{3-{\delta}}$, powders synthesized by the solid state reaction method. The as-synthesized powders were compressed into disks with 1.0 mm of thickness and the disk was sintered at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for 2 hr. The oxygen permeation flux of $Ba_{0.5}Sr_{0.5}Co_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}O_{3-{\delta}}$ membrane increased with the increasing temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The activation energy for oxygen permeation was increased with the increasing oxygen partial pressure. Oxygen permeation flux at $950^{\circ}C$ were measured at various flow rates of feed and sweep gas. It has been demonstrated that oxygen permeability increased at elevated flow rates of both gases, but the sweep gas is more influential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects and detoxification of oriental herb extracts mixture (Saururus chinensis, Taraxacum platycarpum, Ulmus macrocarpa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rhynchosia nulubilis) on TCDD-induced oxidative stress. Thirty five male rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control group received saline; vehicle control group received DMSO and acetone; only TCDD-treated group received multiple intraperitoneal injection of TCDD ($100{\mu}g/kg$) and saline; post-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 5 weeks after TCDD treatment; and pre-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 6 weeks from 1 week before TCDD treatment. The elevated serum activities of alanine transaminase (AST), aspartate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and atherorganic index due to TCDD were significantly decreased by the treatment of OHEM (p<0.05); the pre-treatment of OHEM was especially effective. Hydropic lesions and cytoplasmic vacuolizations in the liver of TCDD-treated rats were inhibited by the treatment of OHEM. Also, OHEM treatment reduced edemas in small intestine villus of TCDD-treated rats. These results suggest that OHEM from various oriental herb extracts might be a useful protective and detoxification agent against TCDD.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of magnesium concentrations in fertilizer solution on growth and cut flower quality of chrysanthemum 'Biarritz'. The nutrient concentrations in plant tissue and soil solution of root media were also determined. Magnesium deficiency appeared on older leaves with interveinal yellow-green chlorosis. Marginal chlorosis and necrosis also developed on some of older leaves. Elevation of Mg concentration in fertilizer solution increased cut flower weight at harvesting stage resulting in the 8.84g in 1.5mM treatment. Dry weight of whole above ground plant tissue increased as Mg concentrations in fertilizer solution were elevated within the range from 0 to 15mM, but that of 20mM decreased compared to 15mM treatment. The dry weight of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mM treatments were 8.42, 8.75 and 8.848 and tissue Mg contents of those based on the youngest fully expanded leaves at harvesting stage were 0.34, 0.53 and $0.71\%$, respectively. Based on dry weight and tissue Mg contents, Mg fertilization to maintain tissue contents higher than $0.64\%$ is necessary to ensure flower quality and yield. By considering the concentration in 15mM treatment, Mg concentration in soil solution of root media should be higher than $3.68mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ at harvesting stage.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1131-1136
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• 2015

In a diesel engine, the wear of the cylinder liner occurs because of the continuous reciprocating motion of the piston ring. This wear reduces the performance of the diesel engine and shortens its service life. This study evaluated the wear characteristics of GT metal and a conventional metal used for cylinder liners using a ship's diesel engine. Wear tests were performed at temperatures of $25^{\circ}C$, $175^{\circ}C$, and $325^{\circ}C$, and under loads of 10 N, 30 N, and 50 N. The amount of wear, specific wear rate, and friction coefficient were evaluated for each condition. To analyze the wear mechanism, observations were made on an SEM. In the case of both metals, abrasive and adhesion wear occurred on the wear surfaces at room temperature, and corrosion wear was observed at high temperatures. The amount of wear and the specific wear rate of the GT metal were lower than those of the conventional metal at all temperatures, and hence it can be concluded that the wear characteristics of the GT metal are much better.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2008

In this study, we have investigated the effect of panaxatriol (PT) on phosphoinositides (PIS) breakdown and $Ca^{2+}$-elevation in thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Thrombin (5U/ml), a potent platelet agonist which activates phospholipase $C_{\beta}$ via protease activated receptor (PAR), hydrolyzed PIS in platelet membrane. The phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate $(PIP_2)$ was hydrolyzed after 10 sec of the thrombin-stimulation, and both the phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were brokendown after 30 sec of the thrombin-stimulation. However, PT inhibited the thrombin-stimulated hydrolysis of $PIP_2$, PIP, and PI. On the other hand, thrombin increased the level of phosphatidic acid (PA) which is phosphorylated from diacylglycerol (DG) generated by PIS-hydrolysis. However, Pr inhibited the thrombin-increased PA level non-significantly. Thrombin increased cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}([Ca^{2+}])_i$) up to 72% as compared with control $(30.8{\pm}0.9 nM)$ in intact platelet. However, PT (100 ${\mu}g/ml$) inhibited the thrombin-elevated $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ to 100%. These results suggest that PT may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease by inhibiting thrombin-induced platelet aggregation via suppression of the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ level and PIS breakdown.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.725-737
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• 2020

Background: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a kind of aggressive hematological cancer, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is activated in most patients with T-ALL and responsible for poor prognosis. 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-GRh2) is a major active compound extracted from ginseng, which exhibits anti-cancer effects. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in T-ALL have not been explored. Methods: Cell growth and cell cycle were determined to investigate the effect of 20(S)-GRh2 on ALL cells. PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins were detected in 20(S)-GRh2-treated Jurkat cells by immunoblotting. Antitumor effect of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL was investigated in xenograft mice. The mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL were examined by cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Results: In the present study, the results showed that 20(S)-GRh2 decreased cell growth and arrested cell cycle at the G1 phase in ALL cells. 20(S)-GRh2 induced apoptosis through enhancing reactive oxygen species generation and upregulating apoptosis-related proteins. 20(S)-GRh2 significantly elevated the levels of pEGFP-LC3 and autophagy-related proteins in Jurkat cells. Furthermore, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was effectively blocked by 20(S)-GRh2. 20(S)-GRh2 suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis and autophagy by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in Jurkat cells. Finally, 20(S)-GRh2 alleviated symptoms of leukemia and reduced the number of white blood cells and CD3 staining in the spleen of xenograft mice, indicating antitumor effects against T-ALL in vivo. Conclusion: These findings indicate that 20(S)-GRh2 exhibits beneficial effects against T-ALL through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and could be a natural product of novel target for T-ALL therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.164-167
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• 2011

Objective: There are limited data regarding the significance of elevated serum CA-125 level during IUI cycles, even though it is used widely during the initial evaluation of infertile patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum CA-125 levels during IUI cycles. Methods: Among the patients with controlled ovarian stimulation and IUI cycles at Seoul National University Hospital from Jan 2005 through Dec 2009, 92 cases with no identified endometriotic lesion, ovarian tumor, salpingeal lesion, or uterine myoma were selected. To compare the clinical characteristics between the pregnancy group and the non-pregnancy group, the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: The overall pregnancy rate was 18.5% (17/92). The pregnancy group showed a higher number of follicles 16 mm in diameter ($p$=0.036), endometrial thickness ($p$ <0.001), ampules of gonadotropin ($p$=0.009), and higher body mass index ($p$=0.022) than the non-pregnancy group. No significant difference was observed in the serum CA-125 level or the proportion of patients with CA-125 exceeding 17 IU/mL between the two groups. Conclusion: The prognostic value of serum CA-125 level among infertile patients with IUI cycles is considered limited.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.3 s.47
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• pp.389-392
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• 2004

We screened several materials to stimulate IGF-1 promoter activity using luciferase reporter assay and found that Amomi Semen extract (ASE) among them is the most powerful stimulator We also studied about the anti-wrinkle effect of ethanolic extract of Amoni Semen in vitro and in vivo. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the extract elevated the presence level of IGF-1 mRNA. And $[^3H]$ proline incorporation and semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the extract increased the expression of type-I collagen compared with vehicle in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Significant inhibition of MMP-1 expression was determined by ELISA and Western blot. Finally, topical treatment of the extract on hairless mouse's dorsal skin expanded the volume of collagen and dermal thickness. These results suggest that Amomi Semen may be a good candidate for improving extracellular matrix through the increase of collagen expression and inhibition of MMP-1 expression. Moreover, this study enables us to guess that IGF-1 stimulated by the extract may be involved in the mechanism of anti-wrinkle effect of it.