• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.13.1-13.12
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• 2018

We aimed to explore whether changes in circulating levels of miRNAs according to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or prediabetes status could be used as biomarkers to evaluate the risk of developing the disease. The study included 462 patients without T2DM at baseline from the CORDIOPREV trial. After a median follow-up of 60 months, 107 of the subjects developed T2DM, 30 developed prediabetes, 223 maintained prediabetes and 78 remained disease-free. Plasma levels of four miRNAs related to insulin signaling and beta-cell function were measured by RT-PCR. We analyzed the relationship between miRNAs levels and insulin signaling and release indexes at baseline and after the follow-up period. The risk of developing disease based on tertiles (T1-T2-T3) of baseline miRNAs levels was evaluated by COX analysis. Thus, we observed higher miR-150 and miR-30a-5p and lower miR-15a and miR-375 baseline levels in subjects with T2DM than in disease-free subjects. Patients with high miR-150 and miR-30a-5p baseline levels had lower disposition index (p = 0.047 and p = 0.007, respectively). The higher risk of disease was associated with high levels (T3) of miR-150 and miR-30a-5p ($HR_{T3-T1}=4.218$ and $HR_{T3-T1}=2.527$, respectively) and low levels (T1) of miR-15a and miR-375 ($HR_{T1-T3}=3.269$ and $HR_{T1-T3}=1.604$, respectively). In conclusion, our study showed that deregulated plasma levels of miR-150, miR-30a-5p, miR-15a, and miR-375 were observed years before the onset of T2DM and pre-DM and could be used to evaluate the risk of developing the disease, which may improve prediction and prevention among individuals at high risk for T2DM.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.187-190
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• 2003

An Fe-25Cr steel was oxidized in Ar at 973K with or without external stesses of 30~35Mpa. A 0.1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ thick Cr$_2$O$_3$scales was formed during pre-treatment in Ar. Cracking on the oxides scales commenced at the alloy grain boundary by the end of second creep stage, arrayed almost perpendicular to the direction of the tensile directions. On the contrary, a scale formed in $N_2$-0.1%SO$_2$shows poor adherence on the metal substrate. In this case, the strength of materials is much lower than in Ar

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 1996

Pre- and post-emergent control of Aneilema keisak was investigated in no-till paddy fields. In addition, a pot trial was conducted to determine use rates of the experimental post-emergent herbicide LGC40863. For pre-emergent control, butachlor(1,800g ai/ha), pretilachlor(600g ai/ha), pretilachlor plus pyrazosulfuron(300+18g ai/ha, respectively), thiobencarb plus bensulfuron(2,100+51g ai/ha, respectively), and molinate plus pyrazosulfuron(1,500+21g ai/ha, repectively) were treated at 20 days before seeding. Among the herbicides, molinate plus pyrazosulfuron was the least effective (23% control), while all other herbicides provided excellent(>95%) control of A. keisak. None of these herbicides caused rice phytotoxicity. However, rice yield in the plot treated with molinate plus pyrazosulfuron decreased about 50% due to poor A. keisak control. LGC40863 controlled A. keisak completely, by foliar application, across wide growth stages from the 5- to 15-leaf at 50g ai/ha in pot tests. In the field, treatment of LGC40863(30 to 50g ai/ha) provided >95% control of A. keisak when treated either at 15 days after transplanting or at non-productive tillering stage. Efficacy of 2,4-D and bentazon was insufficient when treated at non-productive tillering stage. These results suggest that, in no-till paddy fields, A. keisak is controlled by pre-emergent application of butachlor, pretilachlor, pretilachlor plus pyrazosulfuron, or thiobencarb plus bensulfuron, and by post-emergent application of LGC40863.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.716-722
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• 2000

Background: Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt using 3mm or 3.5mm PTFE graft has been performed in patients with small body weight or in candidates for single ventricle palliation. However, there are few reports concerning clinical outcomes in terms of pulmonary artery growth and shunt patency rate after shunt operations using such a small graft. Material and Method: Twenty-five patients rate after shunt operations using 3 or 3.5 mm sized grafts from September 1996 to August 1999. We retrospectively assessed the pulmonary artery growth and the shunt patency rate by reviewing the pre-and post-operative pulmonary angiograms. The risk factors for late death and second shunt operations were also analyzed. To assess the presence of any correlation between body weight and selection of the graft size, regression analysis was done in 81 cases of shunt operations performed during the same period. Result: There were 1(4%) early death and 5(20%) late deaths. The survivors were followed up for an average of 7.34 months. The pulmonary artery index increased significantly from 129$\pm$66$\textrm{mm}^2$/$m^2$ to 213$\pm$114 $\textrm{mm}^2$/$m^2$(p=0.002). The shunt patency rate assessed at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 8 months were 82.5%, 77%, 73% and 42% respectively with a marked decline between 6 and 8 months. Asplenia was a frequent finding for the patients with late death although the incidence failed to reach statistical significance(p=0.078). Pre-operative diagnosis of PA with VSD was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for a second shunt operation(p=0.01). Body weight(a) at operation and graft size(b) used in the shunt operations revealed strong correlation and could be expressed by the following formula; b=0.128a + 3.233. Conclusion: Adequate growth of pulmonary artery and satisfactory early patency rate could be obtained by modified Blalock-Taussing shunt using 3mm or 3.5mm graft. However, during 6 to 8 months after shunt operations, the patency rate fell sharply, which implicates that close observation and early intervention are mandatory in this period.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 2022

Objectives : Terminalia chebula (TC) has been used as a traditional remedy to treat gastrointestinal infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, its protective effects and mechanisms against skin inflammation have not been well-elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of the TC water extract and also to suggest a putative mechanism of TC against skin injury on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Methods : HaCaT cells were pre-treated with TC for 1 h and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (10 ng/mL each) to induce skin inflammation and injury. After 24 h, the cells were harvested to evaluate the expression of Th2 chemokines, such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5, also known as RANTES), C-C chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17, also known as TARC) and C-C chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22, also known as MDC). To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of TC, we also assessed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathways in HaCaT cells. Results : Treatment of TC decreased the mRNA levels of RANTES, TARC and MDC with a concentration dependent manner against co-stimulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ. In addition, TC significantly reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ induced phosphorylation of STAT1. Conclusions : In summary, we propose that TC may be a promising candidate for anti-inflammatory skin protector through the inhibition of chemokines via STAT1 deactivation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.339-350
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• 2005

This study is the quasi-experimental study on the gait training rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to prepare the baseline data for most suitable of gait while we were scrutinizing how the walking characters, functional walking ability, gait quality of stroke patients were affected by the gait on BWSTT (Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training) through the change of treadmill velocity and body weight support. To accomplish this purpose, this study used thirty subjects, more than 3 months post stroke, for rehabilitation who were divided between two gait training groups they received the neurophysiological physical therapy. For 6 weeks, 5 times a week for 15 minutes per session, the BWSTT group participated in 30 sessions structured speed-dependent treadmill training with 30% body weight supported, and the ratio of body weight support was gradually decreased as the patients advanced the capability of more self-support. The OGT(Over Ground Training) group received the same quantity of equal sessions like BWSTT. Firstly, we measured the absolute improvement of walking velocity (m/s), capacity(min/m) and cadence(steps/min) among walking characters. Secondly, we measured the functional walking ability such as Functional Ambulatory Category(FAC, score out of 5), Modified Motor Assesment Scale(MMAS, score out of 6) and Gait Quality Chart(score out of 41). Data analysis was performed with using SPSS 10.0 win program. The descriptive analysis was used to obtain average and standard deviation. The independent t-test and the paired t-test were used to compare both the groups about pre and post training test. Treatment effects were established by pre and post assessment. Subjects tolerated the training well without side-effects. Therefore, the results of this study were as follows; 1. There was a more significant difference from the improvement of walking velocity(0.09m/s), endurance(4.53min/m), cadence(4.20steps/min), FAC(0.26score), MMAS(0.33 score) and hip joint and pelvic of gait quality(0.39 score) ever before in the BWSTT group(p<.05). 2. There was a more significant increase from the walking velocity(0.01m/s) in the OGT group(p<.05). 3. There was a more statistical significant increase from comparing the average of walking velocity in both groups ever before(0.42m/s in BWSTT group and 0.31m/s in OGT group)(p<.05). There was a statistical significant difference from the average of cadence in both groups(61.87step/min in BWSTT group and 3.60steps/min in OGT group)(p<.05). As we can see from above, the findings suggest that BWSTT may be more effective than the OGT for improving some gait parameters such as gait velocity and cadency. This conclusion also suggest that BWSTT is more effective for the improvement of gait of stroke patients.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated whether the water extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE) has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) in vitro and $CCl_4$ in vivo. Methods : In vitro, HepG2 cells pre-treated with Spatholobi Caulis water extract (1, 3, 10, $30{\mu}g$/ml) for 12h and further incubated with tBHP ($100{\mu}M$) for the next 12h. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. In vivo, rats were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE; 50, 100 mg/kg) for 4 days and then, injected with $CCl_4$ 1 mg/kg body weight to induce acute liver damage. Results : Treatment with SCE inhibited cell death induced by tBHP, as evidenced by alterations in the levels of the proteins associated with apoptosis:SCE prevented a decrease in $Bcl_2$, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and pro-caspase-3. Moreover, SCE inhibited the ability of tBHP to generate $H_2O_2$ production, thereby restoring GSH content. Moreover, SCE treatments in rats effectively decreased liver injuries induced by a single dose of $CCl_4$, as evidenced by decreases in hepatic degeneration and inflammation as well as plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Consistently, treatments of SCE also protected liver in rats stimulated by $CCl_4$, as indicated by restoration GSH and prevention of MDA in the liver. Conclusions : SCE has the ability 1) to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tBHP and 2) to prevent $CCl_4$-inducible acute liver toxicity. Present findings may be informative not only in elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis, but in determining its potential application for oxidative cellular damage in the liver.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2004

Background : When a non small cell lung caner patient at the $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ stage is diagnosed with intrapulmonary nodule(s), the treatment plan and prognosis of the patient largely depend on whether the nodule is benign or malignant. In most cases, however, it is hard to conduct a biopsy on such a nodule, due to its small size. Furthermore, the predictive factors that may imply benignancy or malignancy of the nodules remain unknown. As such, the purpose of our study was to validate the incidence of malignant nodules in such cases, and find if there are any predictive factors. Methods : Chest computed tomography(CT) scans and the medical records of 444 patients, who had undergone non small cell lung cancer surgery, between July, 2001 and September, 2003, at Seoul National University Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. Among $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ non small cell lung cancer patients, with intrapulmonary nodule(s), only those cases where a CT scan or a biopsy of the nodules had been conducted, and had been followed up at intervals of more than 6 months were included. However, patients who had received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, pre- or post-operatively, or with calcified nodules, were excluded. Results : Our study group consisted of 39 patients, divided into two groups. The first group, 33 patients, had benign nodules, and the second group, 6 patients, had malignant nodules. The two groups were compared with regard to gender, age, cell type, pathologic stage, shape, size, location and number of nodules and presence of calcification around the nodules. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion : The intrapulmonary nodules in non small cell lung cancer patients at the $_cT_{1-2}N_0M_0$ stage were mostly benign. Therefore, surgical treatment for such patients can be considered. Moreover, without predictive factors, pathological confirmation of the diagnosed nodules should be sought in all patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2013

This study was investigated to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of Rubus coreanus(RC) extract on contracted rabbit carotid artery and its mechanism. To study the effect of RC extract on contracted rabbit carotid arterial strips, arterial strips with intact or damaged endothelium were used for experiment using organ bath. The pre-contracted arterial strips with norepinephrine(NE) or potassium chloride(KCl) was treated with various concentrations of an extract of RC(0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$). To determine the mechanisms of RC-induced vasorelaxant, RC extract was infused into contracted arterial rings which had been pretreated by indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), methylene blue(MB). And calcium chloride(Ca) 1 mM was infused into precontracted arterial ring induced by NE or KCl after treatment of RC extract in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution. Cytotoxic activity of RC extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. RC extract revealed significant relaxation on NE-induced arterial contraction, but didn't relax on KCl-induced arterial contraction. RC extract also had an effective relaxation to the intact endothelium arterial ring, but not the damaged endothelium arterial ring. Treatment of IM, TEA, L-NNA, MB reduced the relaxation of RC extract. Pretreatment of RC extract inhibited the contraction by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in contracted arterial ring induced by NE, but it didn't work the contraction by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in contracted arterial ring induced by KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution. RC extract increased nitric oxide production on HUVEC. This study indicated that the relaxation effect of RC extract on contracted rabbit carotid artery is related with NO-cGMP pathway, EDHF, prostacyclin.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 1997

The non-periodic angular accelerations of engine are the major cause of gear rattle. This gear rattle is based on the existence of a backlash between the drive gear of input shaft and the free gear of output shaft in the gearbox. Especially, the neutral gear rattle have a very bad effect on the ride quality. Test-rig was constructed in order to evaluate the parameter influence upon the neutral gear rattle. Also, each different 4 type torsional characteristic of clutch was manufactured. Experimental conditions are the use of each different 4 type torsional characteristic of clutch and oil temperature variation in gearbox. In case of the same stiffiness of pre-damper type clutch at idling, the clutch of large hysteresis showed dam- ping effects at the 2nd input gear and the 2nd output gear. Also, the main-damper type clutch was shown to large resonance phenomenon at the 2nd input gear. Accordingly, main-damper type clutch was unapp- roriate at idling.