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An image processing system for digital zooming and digital effects is proposed. The proposed system directly processes the CCD signal without separating it into luminance and chrominance signals, based on the characteristics of the color filter array in CCD. By using the proposed color signal processing method, an efficient and high quality digital zooming system is obtained. Various special effect functions are also included in the system by adding simple controls for addresses of the accompanied image buffers. The proposed system has been realized by one chip VLSI for the single CCD color video camera.

It has been known that silymarin exhibits protective activity against oxidative liver injury induced by various hepatotoxicants, but the underlying mechanism of its beneficial action remains unclear. We determined the alterations in sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism induced by silymarin in association with its effects on the antioxidant capacity of liver. Male mice were treated with silymarin (100 or 200mg/kg, p. o.) every 12 h for a total of 3 doses, and sacrificed 6 h after the final dosing. The hepatic methionine levelwas increased, but the activity and protein expression of methionine adenosyltransferase were decreased by silymarin in a dose-dependent manner. S-Adenosylmethionine or homocysteine concentration was not changed, whereas the sulfurcontaining metabolites generated from homocysteine in the transsulfuration pathway including cystathionine, cysteine, and glutathione were increased significantly. Cystathionine β-synthase was induced, but cysteine dioxygenase was downregulated, both of which would contribute to the elevation of cysteine and its product, glutathione, in liver. Oxygen radical scavenging capacity of liver cytosol against peroxyl radical and peroxynitrite was increased, and also hepatic lipid peroxidation was diminished in the silymarintreated mice. Taken together, the results demonstrate that silymarin enhances hepatic glutathione generation by elevating cysteine availability via an increment in cysteine synthesis and an inhibition of its catabolism to taurine, which may subsequently contribute to the antioxidant defense of liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a 12-b 120-MS/s dual-channel pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for high-speed video signal processing. A simple digital midcode calibration technique is proposed to eliminate an offset mismatch between two channels. The proposed sample-and-hold-amplifier-free architecture with correlated input sampling networks enables wideband signal sampling while effectively reducing a gain mismatch between channels. The prototype ADC implemented in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology achieves a peak signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio of 61.1 dB and a peak spurious-free dynamic range of 74.7 dB for input frequencies up to 60 MHz at 120 MS/s. The measured differential and integral nonlinearities are within ±0.30 LSB and ±0.95 LSB, respectively. The ADC occupies an active die area of 0.56 mm2 and consumes 51.6 mW at a 1.2 V power supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absolute proton beam energy measurement with Si(Li) detector has been performed in the MC-50 cyclotron. It is known that the measurement of the absolute energy of the medium energy proton with high accuracy is very important for some experiments concerned with nuclear physics, space device test, etc. For the absolute particle energy measurement, the semiconductor detector has been recognized as a very useful tool because of their total particle energy absorbing characteristics. In the case of a scintillation detector, a part of particle energy can be lost through quenching process during penetrating the detector material and it could be a reason to increase the energy measurement error. The thicknesses of Si(Li) detector and BGO scintillation detector were 5mm and 30mm, and the sizes of active area are 75mm2and 49mm2. Even though, the Si(Li) detector was originally designed and fabricated proper to the operation at the atmosphere, Si(Li) detector was installed in the vacuum chamber with the 50um thickness Al beam entrance window for more accurate measurement. The energy calibration of Si(Li) detector was done with 241Am alpha sources. The proton beam energies from the cyclotron are 35MeV and 45MeV, and the beam current is below 0.5nA. The proton beam energy extracted through the 2mm thickness Al exit window was changed and controlled by Al degrader and air thickness between exit window and detector. The change of proton beam energy property such as mean energy and energy spread has been measured using Si(Li). The results are compared to the calculated results by Monte-Carlo code simulation and measured results by the BGO scintillation detector.

SN1 DNA methylating agents such as the nitrosourea N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) elicit a G2/M checkpoint response via a mismatch repair (MMR) system-dependent mechanism; however, the exact nature of the mechanism governing MNNG-induced G2/M arrest and how MMR mechanistically participates in this process are unknown. Here, we show that MNNG exposure results in activation of the cell cycle checkpoint kinases ATM, Chk1, and Chk2, each of which has been implicated in the triggering of the G2/M checkpoint response. We document that MNNG induces a robust, dose-dependent G2 arrest in MMR and ATM-proficient cells, whereas this response is abrogated in MMR-deficient cells and attenuated in ATM-deficient cells treated with moderate doses of MNNG. Pharmacological and RNA interference approaches indicated that Chk1 and Chk2 are both required components for normal MNNG-induced G2 arrest. MNNG-induced nuclear exclusion of the cell cycle regulatory phosphatase Cdc25C occurred in an MMR-dependent manner and was compromised in cells lacking ATM. Finally, both Chk1 and Chk2 interact with the MMR protein MSH2, and this interaction is enhanced after MNNG exposure, supporting the notion that the MMR system functions as a molecular scaffold at the sites of DNA damage that facilitates activation of these kinases.

The authors first divided the midsagittal corpus callosum of 22 healthy volunteers using three different subdivision methods Witelson's geometric subdivision, boundary model-based subdivision, and medial model-based subdivision. Next, subdivisions of the corpus callosum were clustered on the basis of homogeneity of the fractional anisotropy values as produced from diffusion tensor images. Nine subregions of corpus callosum, similar in location and size, were successfully clustered when medial model-based or boundary model-based subdivisions were applied. These nine subregions of the corpus callosum were different from the seven subregions defined by Witelson's geometric subdivision, especially at the anterior and posterior tips of the corpus callosum. Our method of corpus callosum division can be potentially utilized to assess structural changes in the midsagittal corpus callosum.

The failure to treat metastatic cancer with multidrug resistance is a major problem for successful cancer therapy, and the molecular basis for the association of metastatic phenotype with resistance to therapy is still unclear. In this study, we revealed that various metastatic cancer cells showed consistently higher levels of antiapoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2, nuclear factor-kappaB, MDM2, DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and lower levels of proapoptotic proteins, including Bax and p53 than low metastatic parental cells. This was followed by chemo- and radioresistance in metastatic cancer cells compared with their parental cells. EGFR and DNA-PK activity, which are known to be associated with chemo- and radioresistance, were demonstrated to be mutually regulated by each other. Treatment with PKI166, an EGFR inhibitor, suppressed etoposide-induced activation of DNA-PK in A375SM metastatic melanoma cells. In addition, PKI166 enhanced markedly the chemosensitivities of metastatic cancer cell sublines to various anticancer drugs in comparison with those of low metastatic cancer cells. These results suggest that the activities of DNA-PK and EGFR, which is positively correlated with each other, may contribute to metastatic phenotype as well as therapy resistance, and the EGFR inhibitor enhances the effect of anticancer drugs against therapy-resistant metastatic cancer cells via suppression of stress responses, including activation of DNA-PK.

The purpose of this study is to apply a simulation technique to the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of a geographical information system (GIS) and find some lessons from the results. For this purpose, the study selects Daegu City as a case. The third largest city in Korea, began to construct digital maps for GIS from the year 1988 and completed city-wide digital mapping for GIS in the year 2000. The study collects data from the year 1988 through 2000. Based on this data, the study simulates future costs and benefits in order to find the shortest payback period. According to a BCA simulation with 4% interest rate, accumulative net benefits become positive from the year 2011, which is 11 years after the completion of its GIS construction and 24 years after the beginning of digital mapping for GIS. Finally, the study discusses some pitfalls of BCA, such as unclear goal definition, weak assumption on the system sustainability and other intangible detriments.

V-shaped switching was founded in a SmC* ferroelectric liquid crystal with the N*-SmC* phase sequence. When the FLC samples were cooled down from the isotropic phase to the SmC* phase without an applied voltage, the SmC* phase adapted a stripe-like quasi-periodic texture, consisting of two types of large-sized domains with different direction of the smectic layer normal. However, on cooling the sample from the isotropic phase to the SmC* phase with a square wave, we could get the configuration with small-sized domains. We found that the increase in the frequency of an applied electric field yielded domains with smaller size and a micro-domain configuration was achieved with a high frequency square wave. The FLC mode is suitable for TFT-LCD application due to the good optical efficiency, high speed and low P s .

Both oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are two fundamental pathological processes of acute liver injury (ALI). The current work is to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) on thioacetamide- (TAA-) induced ALI in rats. UR (100 and 200 mg/kg) was orally administrated with TAA (200 mg/kg of bodyweight, intraperitoneal injection) for 3 consecutive days. ALI was confirmed using histological examination and the factors associated with OS and liver function activity measured in serum. Moreover, expressions of inflammation and collagen-related proteins were measured by the Western blot analysis. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), which mediates OS in the ALI control group, was manifested by a significant rise compared with the normal group. UR significantly reduced AST, ALT, and ammonia levels in serum. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation induced by TAA led to increase both inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Whereas, UR administration remarkably suppressed such an overexpression. UR supplementation improved matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1, -2, and -8. In contrast, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases- (TIMP-) 1 level increased significantly by UR treatment. In addition, the histopathological analysis showed that the liver tissue lesions were improved obviously by UR treatment. UR may ameliorate the effects of TAA-induced ALI in rats by suppressing both OS through MPO activation and proinflammatory factors through NF-κB activation. In conclusion, UR exhibited a potent hepatoprotective effect on ALI through the suppression of OS.

While the postoperative outcome is favorable, post-thyroidectomy pain is considerable. Reducing the postoperative acute pain, therefore, is considered important. This study investigated whether the pain intensity and need for rescue analgesics during the immediate postoperative period after thyroidectomy differ according to the methods of anesthesia. Seventy-two patients undergoing total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia were examined. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either total intravenous anesthesia with remifentanil and propofol (TIVA, n = 35) or propofol induction and maintenance with desflurane and nitrous oxide (volatile anesthesia [VA], n = 37). The mean administered dose of remifentanil was 1977.7 ± 722.5 μg in the TIVA group, which was approximately 0.268 ± 0.118 μg/min/kg during surgery. Pain scores based on a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the need for rescue analgesics were compared between groups at the postoperative anesthetic care unit (PACU). The immediate postoperative NRS values of the TIVA and VA groups were 5.7 ± 1.7 and 4.7 ± 2.3, respectively (P = 0.034). Postoperative morphine equianalgesic doses in the PACU were higher in the TIVA group than in the VA group (16.7 ± 3.8 mg vs. 14.1 ± 5.9 mg, P = 0.027). The incidence of immediate postanesthetic complications did not differ significantly between groups. In conclusion, more rescue analgesics were required in the TIVA group than in the VA group to adequately manage postoperative pain while staying in the PACU after thyroidectomy.

To investigate whether specific time series patterns for blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and sympathetic tone are associated with metabolic factors and the 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A total of 989 patients who underwent simultaneous 24-hour ambulatory BP and Holter electrocardiogram monitoring were enrolled. The patients were categorized into sixteen groups according to their circadian patterns using the consensus clustering analysis method. Metabolic factors, including cholesterol profiles and apolipoprotein, were compared. The 10-year ASCVD risk was estimated based on the Framingham risk model. Overall, 16 significant associations were found between the clinical variables and cluster groups. Age was commonly associated with all clusters in systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), HR, and sympathetic tone. Metabolic indicators, including diabetes, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein, were associated with the four sympathetic tone clusters. In the crude analysis, the ASCVD risk increased incrementally from clusters 1 to 4 across SBP, DBP, HR, and sympathetic tone. After adjustment for multiple variables, however, only sympathetic tone clusters 3 and 4 showed a significantly high proportion of patients at high risk (≥7.5%) of 10-year ASCVD (odds ratio OR=5.90, 95% confidential interval CI=1.27–27.46, and P value = 0.024 and OR=15.28, 95% CI=3.59–65.11, and P value < 0.001, respectively). Time series patterns of BP, HR, and sympathetic tone can serve as an indicator of aging. Circadian variations in sympathetic tone can provide prognostic information about patient metabolic profiles and indicate future ASCVD risk.

Purpose. Intravascular injection rates are higher during traditional S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) compared with lumbar transforaminal injection. We compared the incidences of intravascular injection between the medial and lateral approaches to the S1 foramen during S1 TFESI. Materials and Methods. A total of 139 patients underwent one or more TFESIs (170 total injections). The patients received S1 TFESI by either medial or lateral side of S1 foramen under fluoroscopic anteroposterior view using digital subtraction method. The intravascular injection rates, epidural spread patterns, and contrast volumes required to reach the superior aspect of the L5-S1 intervertebral disc (SIVD) were compared between groups. Results. Intravascular injection rates during S1 TFESI were significantly lower in the medial approach compared with the lateral approach patients (4.9% versus 38.6%, resp., P<0.001). The medial approach group had more epidural spread to the L5-S1 SIVD than the lateral group (82.1% versus 58.8%, resp.); lower contrast volume amounts were required to extend the L5-S1 SIVD (1.46±0.48 versus 1.90±0.62, resp.). Conclusion. During S1 TFESI, approaching the needle towards the medial part of the S1 foramen may reduce intravascular injection risk.

Most bowel intussusceptions in adults have a leading point. However, there have been few reports of jejunojejunal intussusception secondary to a solitary juvenile polyp in adult. We report herein the case of a 19-year-old female with a solitary juvenile polyp in the jejunum causing intussusception. Laparoscopic-assisted reduction and segmental resection of the jejunum were successfully done for the patient.

Kimchi is a Korean fermented vegetable and has recognized as a healthy food. Some interventional studies have reported an inverse association between kimchi intake and higher lipid levels in healthy and obese people. However, kimchi intake and hypertention were still uncertain. This study is carried out to investigate whether the serum lipid profiles and blood pressure would be influenced by the amount of kimchi intake. Design for the clinical study by controlling the meal consumption and physical activity of the subjects for 7 days was approved by IRB at P Hospital (No.2011075). For the study, 100 volunteers assigned into 2 groups, low (15g/day, n=50) and high kimchi intake group (210g/day, n=50), temporarily stayed together at the dormitory during the 7-day experimental period. Three meals with different amount of kimchi were provided and subjects were asked to maintain the normal physical activity as usual. Significant decrease in the concentration of fasting blood glucose, TG, total-C, and LDL-C for the both group was observed after 7 days of kimchi intake regardless of amount of kimchi intake. Only FBG suppression effect was significantly different (p<0.01). Furthermore, people with hypercholesterolemia (≤19mg/dL) showed greater improvements in total cholesterol levels in high kimchi intake group. One notable finding in this study was that urinary Na excretion for the high kimchi intake group was significantly increased (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the BP reductions by kimchi intake. Higher intake of kimchi appears to be a modest beneficial effect to lipid lowering, without any effect on blood pressure in spite of increased sodium excretion. Long-term study should be clarified whether kimchi intake associated with hypertension.