• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2012

Objective: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. Methods: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. Results: Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was Significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2005

Objective : The study investigates the extent of brain shift and its effect on the accuracy of the stereotaxic procedure. Methods : Thirty-five patients underwent 40stereotactic procedures between June 2002 and March 2004. There were 26 males, mean age 59years old. There were 34procedures for Parkinson's disease, 2 for essential tremor, 3 for cerebral palsy, 1 for dystonia. Patients were divided in four groups based on postoperative pneumocephalus : under 5cc [9 procedures], between $5{\sim}10cc$ [13procedures], between $10{\sim}15cc$ [11 procedures] and more than 15cc [7procedures]. The coordinates of the anterior commissure[AC], posterior commissure[PC], and target were defined in pre-and intraoperative magnetic resonance image scans and the amount of air volume was measured with @Target (BrainLab, Heimstetten, Germany]. Results : The mean AC-PC was 26.5mm for patients with less than 5cc, 26.9mm for $5{\sim}10cc$, 25.8mm for $10{\sim}15cc$ and 26.2mm for more than 15cc. The length of AC-PC line and coordinates of AC, PC was also not statistically different, Euclidean distance as well as ${\Delta}x$, ${\Delta}y$, ${\Delta}z$ of AC, PC, and target were also not statistically different among the groups [p>,1]. There was a variance in target of $0.7{\sim}7.6mm$, Euclidean distance of 2.5mm, related to electrophysiology but not to brain-shift. Conclusion : The amount of air accumulated in the intracranial space and compressing the cortical surface has no effect on the localization of subcortical stereotactic target and landmarks.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.423-427
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• 2003

The present study was aimed to investigate whether ethanol-extract of Allium wageki has an ameliorative effect on the renal function in high fructose-diet induced hypertensive rats .. The urine osmolality (Uosmol) was decreased in rats with high fructose-diet (60%) during the whole experiment period without change of the urine volume (UV). The urinary excretion of sodium (UNaV) and chloride (UCIV) were decrease significantly in rats with fructose-induced hypertensive rats, whereas urinary excretion of potassium (UKV) was Increased. The creatinine clearance (Ccr) and solute-free water reabsorption were also decreased by treatment of fructose-rich diet. Among these renal functional parameters, Ccr was partially restored by the administration of ethanol-extract of Allium wageki. The Uosmol was also partially restored by the administration ethanol-extract of Allium wageki at the end of the experimental period. Taken together, ethanol-extract of Allium wageki has the ameliorative effect on glomerular filtration rate in rats with high fructose-diet induced hypertension.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.6 s.96
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• pp.815-824
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• 2006

This study was performed to determine the optimum ratio of each ingredient in the steamed foam cake with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sproutling powder. The experiment was designed according to the D-optimal design of mixture design, which showed 14 experimental points including 4 replicates for three independent variables (sugar 112${\sim}$139%, barley sproutling powder 1${\sim}$8%, and oil 5${\sim}$25%). The compositional and functional properties of test were measured, and these values were applied to the mathematical models. A canonical form and trace plot showed the influence of each ingredient on the mixture final product. The results of F-test, volume, color values (L, a, b), textural properties (hardness, gumminess, chewiness) and sensory characteristics (softness) decided a linear model, while the sensory characteristics (color, smell, taste, overall acceptance) decided a quadratic model. The volume of steamed foam cake was increased by sugar addition, and a negative effect was exerted by barley sproutling powder and oil. L and a of color values increased but the b value decreased with increasing sugar and oil content, whereas barley sproutling powder tended to decrease all color values. The addition of barley sproutling powder also had a positive effect on the textural properties (hardness, gumminess, chewiness). Sensory characteristics (color, smell, softness, taste, overall acceptance) could suffer counter results with the excessive addition of sugar, barley sproutling powder, and oil. The optimum formulations by numerical and graphical methods were similar: sugar, barley sproutling powder, and oil were 130.4%, 4.0%, and 10.7% by numerical method, compared to 130.4%, 4.0%, and 10.7% by graphical method, respectively.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 2005

The present study was aimed to investigate whether ethanol-extract of Nelumbo nucifera has an ameliorative effect on the renal function in high fructose-diet induced hypertensive rats. The urine osmolality (Uosmel) was decreased in rats with high fructose-diet ($60\%$) during the whole experiment period without change of the urine volume (UV). The urinary excretion of sodium and chloride were decrease significantly in rats with fructose induced hypertensive rats, wheras urinary excretion of potassium was increased. The creatinine clearance (CCr) and solute-free water reabsorption were also decreased by treatment of fructose rich diet. Among these renal functional parameters, CCr was partially restored by the administration of ethanol-extract of Nelumbo nucifera. The Uosmol was also partially restored by the administration ethanol-extract of Nelumbo nucifera at the end of the experimental period. Taken together, ethanol-extract of Nelumbo nucifera has the ameliorative effect on glomerular filtration rate in rats with high fructose-diet induced hypertension.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.290-301
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• 2019

Paeonol has neuroprotective function, which could be useful for improving central nervous system disorder. The purpose of this study was to characterize the functional mechanism involved in brain transport of paeonol through blood-brain barrier (BBB). Brain transport of paeonol was characterized by internal carotid artery perfusion (ICAP), carotid artery single injection technique (brain uptake index, BUI) and intravenous (IV) injection technique in vivo. The transport mechanism of paeonol was examined using conditionally immortalized rat brain capillary endothelial cell line (TR-BBB) as an in vitro model of BBB. Brain volume of distribution (VD) of [$^3H$]paeonol in rat brain was about 6-fold higher than that of [$^{14}C$]sucrose, the vascular space marker of BBB. The uptake of [$^3H$]paeonol was concentration-dependent. Brain volume of distribution of paeonol and BUI as in vivo and inhibition of analog as in vitro studies presented significant reduction effect in the presence of unlabeled lipophilic compounds such as paeonol, imperatorin, diphenhydramine, pyrilamine, tramadol and ALC during the uptake of [$^3H$]paeonol. In addition, the uptake significantly decreased and increased at the acidic and alkaline pH in both extracellular and intracellular study, respectively. In the presence of metabolic inhibitor, the uptake reduced significantly but not affected by sodium free or membrane potential disruption. Similarly, paeonol uptake was not affected on OCTN2 or rPMAT siRNA transfection BBB cells. Interestingly. Paeonol is actively transported from the blood to brain across the BBB by a carrier mediated transporter system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.614-620
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• 2003

Mulberry, Morifolium leaves and fruits, Lycii fructus, and Panax ginseng have been known to maintain normal blood sugar levels in folk medicine. Here we investigated the effects of coated rice (Sodangmi$^{TM}$) with these herb extracts to diabetes mellitus patients. Alloxan-induced diabetic mice (80 mg/kg bw, i.v.) separated into 4 groups. 2 groups received the mixed extracts of these plants (Sodans Extract$^{TM}$) orally everyday for 4 weeks. Positive control received Alloxan except Sodans Extract$^{TM}$. Negative control received neither Alloxan nor Sodang Extract$^{TM}$. Blood sugar levels, volume of water consumed, body weights of each group were measured and compared. Blood sugar levels in the Alloxan and Sodang Extract$^{TM}$-received groups got close to normal levels on 4th week after starting the experiments. Volume of water consumed also showed similar pattern. Blood sugar levels in positive control remained high through the experimental periods. Body weights in positive control remained low, but those in the extracts-received groups recovered to normal levels. The clinical trials for both of healthy volunteers and diabetes mellitus patients also showed Sodangmi$^{TM}$ could control blood sugar level. The blood sugar level decreased since 3rd week after starting to receive Sodangmi$^{TM}$, and the difference between the blood sugar level before and after the meal was decreased significantly by receiving Sodangmi$^{TM}$. From these results, we suggest that the functional rice with herb extracts could be used as a new alimentotherapy for diabetes mellitus patients.llitus patients.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.3331-3335
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• 2014

We examine the potential use of disordered mesoporous carbon as a functional additive for confining dissolved Li-polysulfides and improving the cycling performance of Li-S batteries. To promote a better understanding of the correlation between the total pore volume of disordered mesoporous carbon and the cycling performance of Li-S batteries, a series of disordered mesoporous carbons with different total pore volumes are successfully synthesized using a commercial silica template. Based on the electrochemical and structural analyses, we suggest that the total pore volume of disordered mesoporous carbon is a predominant factor in determining its capability for either the absorption or adsorption of Li-polysulfides, which is primarily responsible for enhancing the cycling performance. The addition of disordered mesoporous carbon is also effective in enhancing the homogeneous distribution of active sulfur in the cathode, thereby affecting the cycling performance.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.756-765
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• 2015

Background: Fibers have been used in cement mixture to improve its toughness, ductility, and tensile strength, and to enhance the cracking and deformation characteristics of concrete structural members. The addition of fibers into conventional reinforced concrete can enhance the structural and functional performances of safety-related concrete structures in nuclear power plants. Methods: The effects of steel and polyamide fibers on the shear resisting capacity of a prestressed concrete containment vessel (PCCV) were investigated in this study. For a comparative evaluation between the shear performances of structural walls constructed with conventional concrete, steel fiber reinforced concrete, and polyamide fiber reinforced concrete, cyclic tests for wall specimens were conducted and hysteretic models were derived. Results: The shear resisting capacity of a PCCV constructed with fiber reinforced concrete can be improved considerably. When steel fiber reinforced concrete contains hooked steel fibers in a volume fraction of 1.0%, the maximum lateral displacement of a PCCV can be improved by > 50%, in comparison with that of a conventional PCCV. When polyamide fiber reinforced concrete contains polyamide fibers in a volume fraction of 1.5%, the maximum lateral displacement of a PCCV can be enhanced by ~40%. In particular, the energy dissipation capacity in a fiber reinforced PCCV can be enhanced by > 200%. Conclusion: The addition of fibers into conventional concrete increases the ductility and energy dissipation of wall structures significantly. Fibers can be effectively used to improve the structural performance of a PCCV subjected to strong ground motions. Steel fibers are more effective in enhancing the shear performance of a PCCV than polyamide fibers.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2011

Purpose: A palatal defect following maxillectomy can cause multiple problems like the rhinolalia, leakage of foods into the nasal cavity, and hypernasality. Use of a prosthetic is the preferred method for obturating a palate defect, but for rehabilitating palatal function, prosthetics have many shortcomings. In a small defect, local flap is a useful method, however, the size of flap which can be elevated is limited. In 12 cases of palatomaxillary defect, we used various microvascular free flaps in reconstructing the palate and obtained good functional results. Method: Between 1990 and 2004, 12 patients underwent free flap operation after head and neck cancer ablation, and were reviewed retrospectively. Among the 12 free flaps, 6 were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, and 3 radial forearm flaps. Result: All microvascular flap surgery was successful. Mean follow up time was 8 months and after the follow up time all patients reported satisfactory speech and swallowing. Wound dehiscence was observed in 4 cases, ptosis was in 1 case and fistula was in 1 case, however, rhinolalia, leakage of food, or swallowing difficultly was not reported in the 12 cases. Conclusion: We used various microvascular flaps for palatomaxillary reconstruction. For 3-dimensional flap needs, we used the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to obtain enough volume for filling the defect. Two-dimensional flaps were designed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, rectus abdominis flap and radial forearm flap. For cases with palatal defect only, we used the radial forearm flap. In palatomaxillary reconstruction, we can choose various free flap techniques according to the number of skin paddles and flap volume needed.