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A cooling channel with an optimized design provides not only high throughput with gravity die casting, but also guarantees product quality. A conformal cooling channel (CC) whose structure follows the shapes or surfaces of the mold cavity has attracted great attention in the die casting industry, because it allows rapid and uniform cooling. However, implementing conformal cooling remains highly challenging, because the complicated geometries of CC are difficult to form using conventional fabrication methods such as drilling and milling. In recent years, advances in additive manufacturing (AM) technology have made it possible to fabricate products with complex and elaborate structures. In this paper, a gravity die casting mold with CC was designed and built using AM technology. The cooling channel performance was estimated and evaluated using an Al-Si-Cu alloy casting simulation and die casting experiments, respectively. The casting simulation results showed that the cooling performance of the CC was enhanced by ca. 10% compared with that of a conventional cooling channel. The experimental cooling performance of the CC improved by ca. 8% compared to that of a conventional cooling channel, and the increment in performance was consistent with the simulation results. In addition, microstructural evidence clarified that the effective cooling performance of CC could be attributed to the decrement (ca. 17%) of the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) of the Al-Si-Cu alloy. In this research, AM technology provides a novel way to fabricate functionally superior CC molds that are hardly producible with traditional methods.

Camellia japonica L. is a flowering tree with several medicinal and cosmetic applications. Here, we investigated the efficacy of C. japonica placenta extract (CJPE) as a potential therapeutic agent for promotion of hair growth and scalp health by using various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, we performed transcriptome analysis to examine the relative expression of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) in response to CJPE by RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq). In vitro assays revealed upregulation of the expression of hair growth marker genes in HFDPC after CJPE treatment. Moreover, in vivo clinical tests with 42 adult female participants showed that a solution containing 0.5% CJPE increased the moisture content of the scalp and decreased the scalp's sebum content, dead scalp keratin, and erythema. Furthermore, RNA‐seq analysis revealed key genes in HFDPC which are associated with CJPE. Interestingly, genes associated with lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux were upregulated. Genes upregulated by CJPE are associated with several hormones, including parathyroid, adrenocorticotropic hormone, α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (alpha‐MSH), and norepinephrine, which are involved in hair follicle biology. Furthermore, some upregulated genes are associated with the regulation of axon guidance. In contrast, many genes downregulated by CJPE are associated with structural components of the cytoskeleton. In addition, CJPE suppressed genes associated with muscle structure and development. Taken together, this study provides extensive evidence that CJPE may have potential as a therapeutic agent for scalp treatment and hair growth promotion., Here, we examined the efficacy of C. japonica placenta extract (CJPE) as a potential therapeutic agent for promotion of hair growth and scalp health by using various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, we conducted transcriptome analysis to examine the relative expression of human follicle dermal papilla cells in response to CJPE by RNA‐sequencing.

Objective Prompt reperfusion is important for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, patients often require interhospital transfer for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because not all hospitals can provide. The purpose of this study is to reduce the PCI delay using a regionalization protocol in patients with STEMI following transfer from another hospital lacking PCI facility. Methods We established a revascularization protocol designated as Preparing Revascularization Effort before Patients’ Arrival via Regionalization Engagement (PREPARE) for the STEMI patients transferred from an outside regional hospital. The protocol included immediate referral acceptance by an emergency physician, real-time electrocardiogram sharing via mobile phone and early activation of the PCI team. We analyzed the differences between the PREPARE and the non-PREPARE groups. Results In the PREPARE group, the median time from the first hospital visit to the ballooning procedure via PCI at the receiving facility (D1-to-B time) was 111.0 (interquartile range 97.0– 130.0) minutes, which was significantly shorter than in the non-PREPARE group 134.0 (interquartile range 115.0–182.0) minutes. The proportion of D1-to-B time within 120 minutes was 30.4% in the group and 60.0% in the PREPARE group, which represents a significant difference (P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patient transfer via PREPARE protocol (odds ratio, 3.399; 95% confidence interval, 1.150–10.050, P=0.027) was related to adequate D1-to-B time. No statistically significant differences were found in the hospital length of stay or major adverse cardiac events within 4 weeks. Conclusion The PREPARE protocol is an effective strategy to reduce the time to revascularization of the transferred STEMI patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of parental involvement in the manual reduction of pulled elbow in children. Methods We conducted a prospective case-control study from January to December 2018. The patients were under 6 years old with suspected radial head subluxation and were randomly assigned to two groups (an intervention group with a physician's and a parent's finger placed on the patient's radial head and a control group with the physician's finger only placed on the patient's radial head) according to the method of reduction. The results of a questionnaire given to the parent and physician were analyzed. Results A total of 150 patients were included in the study: 75 in the intervention group and 75 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups. The average number of attempts at manual reduction was 1.29 ± 0.73 in the intervention group and 1.31 ± 0.72 in the control group (P = 0.91) and the success rate of manual reduction was 96.0 and 94.7% (P = 0.70), respectively. The ease of conducting the procedure by the doctors did not show a significant difference between the two groups. However, the parents' understanding and satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group. Conclusion Parental involvement did not affect the procedure of physician, but it improved the understanding and satisfaction of the parents.

Seasonal variation in resting energy expenditure (REE) is still under debate. This study investigated seasonal changes in REE and relevant factors among Korean adults. A total of 867 healthy volunteers (385 men and 482 women) aged 20-69 years were divided into four seasonal groups and subgroups based on age, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat (PBF) quartiles. REE, body composition, glucose metabolism, thyroid hormones, and catecholamines were measured. The seasonal factor contributed to REE independent of anthropometric indices, with additional variation decreasing from 6% to 2% among younger and older persons, respectively. The adjusted REE in the winter was 5.4-13.9%, 7.8-14.3%, and 8.6-11.9% higher than that in the summer in the age, BMI, and PBF subgroups, respectively. T3 and log-transformed norepinephrine (NElog) were higher, whereas log-transformed epinephrine (EPIlog) was lower in the winter compared to the summer. The magnitude of the winter-summer difference in REE and T3 and of the summer-winter difference in EPIlog were reduced three-fold between the lowest and highest intervals of age and PBF, whereas the difference in NElog was constant across all age and PBF intervals. There was no obvious change in seasonal differences in REE or its relevant biomarkers across BMI intervals. In summary, season is an independent predictor of REE and its effect is attenuated by the increment of age and PBF but not BMI.

Porphyra 334 (P334), a mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA), is a secondary metabolite found in diverse marine and terrestrial organisms and has several beneficial effects on fibroblast proliferation, wound healing, and antioxidant activity. Here, we report that P334 accelerates the cell reprogramming process of mouse tail-tip fibroblasts (TTFs) and human dermal papilla (HDP) cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We found that P334 significantly improved the cell reprogramming efficiency by activating the tri-methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), which controls mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) during the reprogramming process. Thus, we found that P334 directly regulates epigenetic changes, providing an efficient approach for natural compound-based cell reprogramming.

Background: Because the role and molecular mechanism of 2′-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (2′-HCA) in human leukemia need to be clarified, we provide detailed insights into the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative properties of 2′-HCA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods: We performed MTT assay to examine the cytotoxic effect of 2′-HCA. 2′-HCA-induced apoptotic pathway was demonstrated by annexin V-FITC/ propidium iodide double staining, DAPI staining for DNA fragmentation detection, and western blot analysis. ROS generation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, and intracellular protein thiols (PSH) were detected to investigated the mechanism of 2′-HCA-related apoptosis. Xenograft animal model was used to evaluate anti-tumor activities of 2′-HCA.Results: The present study demonstrated that 2′-HCA induced apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells through the activation of mitochondrial pathways. 2′-HCA also induced the activation of JNK and the pharmacological inhibition of JNK effectively prevented 2′-HCA-induced apoptosis and AP-1-DNA binding. In addition, 2′-HCA resulted in the accumulation of ROS and depletion of intracellular GSH and PSH in HL-60 cells. Xenograft mice inoculated with HL-60 leukemia cells demonstrated that the intraperitoneal administration of 2′-HCA inhibited tumor growth by increasing of TUNEL staining, the expression levels of nitrotyrosine, pro-apoptotic proteins, and PCNA protein expression. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 2′-HCA induces apoptosis via the ROS-dependent JNK pathway and could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for leukemia.

Objectives: This study aimed to use gastric point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to estimate the prevalence of an “empty stomach” among patients undergoing procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the emergency department (ED) after observing the requisite fasting time at home. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with children with facial lacerations who made a scheduled revisit to the ED after completion of the recommended fasting time. Their stomach contents were assessed with a sagittal view of the gastric antrum by POCUS in the right lateral decubitus position. The characteristics of gastric contents were described as empty, solid, and liquid with an estimated gastric volume. “Empty stomach” was defined as a collapsed gastric antrum or calculated a gastric fluid volume of less than or equal to 1.25 mL/kg on POCUS. Results: Gastric POCUS was performed in 125 patients, and the final analysis included 122 patients. For 95 patients who had followed the recommended fasting time, the median fasting time was 7 hours for solids and 6 hours for liquids, and 78 (82%) patients had an empty stomach. Conversely, seven of 27 patients (26%) who did not have an adequate fasting time had an empty stomach. The optimal cut-off value of fasting time to predict an empty stomach was 6.5 hours based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (sensitivity = 0.767, specificity = 0.811). Conclusions: Most scheduled revisiting children had an “empty stomach” at the time of sedation after the recommended fasting. However, providers should be aware that one in five children still had stomach residue, although they had more than 6 hours of fasting.

Our study was aimed to analyze the osteoinductive effect of powdered and block type autogenous bone graft along with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) as compared to synthetic bone graft. Three circular bicortical defects were made in the calvaria of each rabbit and randomly divided into three groups as follows: powdered tooth biomaterial+BMP-2, block tooth biomaterial+BMP-2, and control group: synthetic bone+BMP-2. The samples taken from these defects after 4 and 8 weeks were analyzed histologically along with micro CT analysis. In our study, both powered and block type tooth autogenous bone graft successfully stimulated mesenchymal cells leading to endochondral ossification and bone regeneration. We observed that the powered bone graft material which is acid insoluble especially is preferable as a carrier for BMP-2.

Our previous studies have shown that heat-killed Lactobacillus sakei K040706 exerts immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages, cyclophosphamide (CYP)-treated mice, and dextran sulfate sodium&ndash, induced colitis mice. However, the immunostimulatory effects of live Lactobacillus sakei K040706 (live K040706) against CYP-induced immunosuppression and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the immunostimulatory effects of live K040706 (108 or 109 colony forming unit (CFU)/day, p.o.) in CYP-induced immunosuppressed mice. Oral administration of live K040706 prevented the CYP-induced decreases in body weight, thymus index, natural killer (NK) cell activity, T and B cell proliferation, and cytokine (interferon (IFN)-&gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-12) production. The administration of live K040706 also exerted positive effects on the gut microbiota of CYP-induced mice, resulting in a microbiota composition similar to that of normal mice. Moreover, live K040706 significantly enhanced IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production in the splenocytes and Peyer&rsquo, s patch (PP) cells of mice and increased bone marrow (BM) cell proliferation. Taken together, our data indicate that live K040706 may effectively accelerate recovery from CYP-induced immunosuppression, leading to activation of the immune system. Therefore, live K040706 may serve as a potential immunomodulatory agent against immunosuppression.

Previously, we reported that the hot water extract of Hydrangea serrata leaves (WHS) and its active component, hydrangenol, possess in vitro and in vivo effects on skin wrinkles and moisturization. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to clinically evaluate the effect of WHS on human skin. Participants (n = 151) were randomly assigned to receive either WHS 300 mg, WHS 600 mg, or placebo, once daily for 12 weeks. Skin wrinkle, hydration, elasticity, texture, and roughness parameters were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo, skin wrinkles were significantly reduced in both WHS groups after 8 and 12 weeks. In both WHS groups, five parameters (R1&ndash, R5) of skin wrinkles significantly improved and skin hydration was significantly enhanced when compared to the placebo group after 12 weeks. Compared with the placebo, three parameters of skin elasticity, including overall elasticity (R2), net elasticity (R5), and ratio of elastic recovery to total deformation (R7), improved after 12 weeks of oral WHS (600 mg) administration. Changes in skin texture and roughness were significantly reduced in both WHS groups. No WHS-related adverse reactions were reported. Hence, WHS could be used as a health supplement for skin anti-aging.

Background. Clinical presentations of acute appendicitis (AA) and acute right-sided colonic diverticulitis (ARCD) are similar. However, the usual treatment for each disease differs between surgical and conservative management. The aim of this study was to identify clinical differences between AA and ARCD. Method. We performed a single-center retrospective study on adult patients, with uncomplicated AA and ARCD confirmed by computed tomography, who visited an emergency department between March 2018 and August 2019. Clinical variables including past medical history, presented symptoms and signs, and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed to differentiate ARCD from AA based on results of univariate analyses. Results. A total of 212 (79.1%) and 56 (20.9%) patients were enrolled in AA and ARSD groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a past history of diverticulitis [OR: 102.679 (95% CI: 9.964–1058.055), p<0.001] was associated with ARCD, while ketonuria [OR: 2.907 (95% CI: 1.091–7.745), p=0.033], anorexia [OR: 21.544 (95% CI: 3.905–118.868), p<0.001], and neutrophilia [OR: 3.406 (95% CI: 1.243–9.336), p=0.017] were associated with AA. Conclusion. Anorexia, neutrophilia, and ketonuria were predictors of AA while a history of diverticulitis was a predictor of ARCD.

Skin aging is influenced by several genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. In particular, ultraviolet (UV) exposure is an important factor involved in inducing skin photoaging. Autophagy controlling homeostatic balance between the synthesis, degradation, and recycling of cellular organelles and proteins plays important regulatory roles in several biological processes, including aging. The opioid neuropeptide α-neoendorphin (named NEP) is an endogenous decapeptide (N-YGGFLRKYPK-C) that activates the kappa opioid receptor and exhibits certain anti-aging and anti-wrinkling effects on skin cells; however, its action mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of NEP on anti-skin aging and autophagy activation in human dermal fibroblast cells. Western blot results showed that NEP down-regulates the production of phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), whereas increases the expression of key autophagy-related molecules such as Beclin-1, Atg5-Atg12, and LC3-II. The immunocytochemical analysis performed with anti-LC3-II antibody also showed that the autophagic indicators, autophagosomes are formed by NEP. These results suggest that NEP can activate cellular autophagy through mTOR-Beclin-1-mediated signaling pathway. It was also revealed by CM-H2DCF-DA assay and Western blottings that NEP can reduce the production of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) like with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), resulting in decreasing the expression levels of skin aging-related proteins, such as phospho-ERK (p-ERK), phospho-p38 (p-p38), and phospho-JNK (p-JNK). Furthermore, NEP could increase the type I procollagen production, while decreasing MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 activities. Taken together, the results demonstrate that NEP can reduce UVB-induced photoaging by activating autophagy.

Cancer patients have a range of from 1 to 1000 circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with 5 × 109 erythrocytes in 1 ml volume of their peripheral blood. Due to this rarity of CTCs, a pre-process for the enrichment of CTCs in blood sample is required. For a fast and passive CTCs enrichment process, we developed a fishbone shape microchannel, which has geometry of 50 repeated 45° angled expansion and contraction channels. The enrichment process can be achieved from the differences between the dominant forces with respect to the diameter of each type of cell. For the feasibility test, we used three different sizes of microparticles of 2 μm, 6 μm, and 13 μm dia. to mimic platelet, erythrocytes, and leukocyte or human breast cancer cells, respectively. The results show that the smaller particles (2 μm or 6 μm dia.) laterally move to both side wall directions by dominant inertial lift force, whereas the larger particle (13 μm dia.) focused on the centerline of the channel by dominant momentum change-induced inertial force under appropriate fluid flow velocity. We also performed a cell separation experiment using MCF-7 and a human erythrocyte mixture. The recovery efficiency of MCF-7 is over 98% at the detection window with a high throughput (250 μl/min).

Simple Summary We previously reported the antiproliferative effects of a phenoxypyridine urea derivative. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effects of 1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-((4-morpholinophenyl)amino)pyrimidin-5-yl)urea (AKF-D52) in non-small cell lung cancer cells. We found that (i) AKF-D52 induces apoptosis in caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways; (ii) AKF-D52-induced apoptosis is caused by the clustering of a death-inducing signaling complex and mitochondrial-dependent signaling; (iii) AKF-D52 induces cytoprotective autophagy, and pre-treatment with an autophagy inhibitor enhances the apoptotic effect of AKF-D52; and (iv) AKF-D52-induced apoptosis and autophagy are attenuated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger α-tocopherol. Furthermore, AKF-D52 suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, our findings regarding the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of AKF-D52 identify this compound as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer. Abstract Previously, we discovered that 1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-((4-morpholinophenyl)amino)pyrimidin-5-yl)urea (AKF-D52), a synthetic phenoxypyrimidine urea derivative, acts as a growth inhibitor of various cancer cell types. In this study, we elucidated the antiproliferative properties of AFK-D52 and underlying mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and an A549 xenograft animal model. AKF-D52 was found to induce both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, the mitochondrial component of the AKF-D52-induced apoptosis mechanism involves a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and regulation in B cell lymphoma-2 family protein expression. Moreover, AKF-D52 activates the extrinsic pathway through up-regulated expression of death receptor 3 and Fas and then the formation of a death-inducing signaling complex. AKF-D52 also induced autophagy by increasing acidic vesicular organelle formation and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-II levels and reducing p62 levels. Notably, pretreatment with autophagy inhibitors enhanced AKF-D52-induced cell death, indicating that the induced autophagy is cytoprotective. AKF-D52 treatment also triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in NSCLC cells, whereas the antioxidant α-tocopherol abolished AKF-D52-induced cell death. In a xenograft lung cancer mouse model, AKF-D52 administration attenuated tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy in tumor tissues. Collectively, our data indicate that AKF-D52-induced ROS production plays a role in mediating apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in NSCLC.

The present study demonstrated that 2′-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (2′-HCA) induced apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells through the activation of mitochondrial pathways including (1) translocation of Bim and Bax from the cytosol to mitochondria, (2) downregulation of Bcl-2 protein expression, (3) cytochrome c release into the cytosol, (4) loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and (5) caspase activation. 2′-HCA also induced the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) in HL-60 cells. The pharmacological and genetic inhibition of JNK effectively prevented 2′-HCA-induced apoptosis and activator protein-1 (AP-1)-DNA binding. In addition, 2′-HCA resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols (PSH) in HL-60 cells. NAC treatment abrogated 2′-HCA-induced JNK phosphorylation, AP-1-DNA binding, and Bim mitochondrial translocation, suggesting that oxidative stress may be required for 2′-HCA-induced intrinsic apoptosis. Xenograft mice inoculated with HL-60 leukemia cells demonstrated that the intraperitoneal administration of 2′-HCA inhibited tumor growth by increasing of TUNEL staining, the expression levels of nitrotyrosine and pro-apoptotic proteins, but reducing of PCNA protein expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that 2′-HCA induces apoptosis via the ROS-dependent JNK pathway and could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for leukemia.

We previously reported the anticancer activity of 4-(4-fluorobenzylcarbamoylmethyl)-3-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)-2-[3-(N,N-dimethylureido)-N′-methylpropylamino]-3,4-dihydroquinazoline (OZ-001), a T-type calcium channel (TTCC) blocker, against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and in vivo. Here, we evaluated the synergistic effect of OZ-001 and cisplatin on A549 human lung cancer cells and A549 xenograft mice. Our study demonstrated that treatment with OZ-001 and cisplatin sensitized A549 cells to cisplatin and significantly inhibited cell growth, increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, and induced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in A549 cells and an A549 xenograft tumor mouse model. Moreover, our findings showed that mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) inactivation was required for apoptosis induced by the combination of OZ-001 and cisplatin in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results suggest that combined treatment with OZ-001 and cisplatin could potentiate antiproliferative effects via suppression of the mTOR/p70S6K and STAT3 pathways and may be considered a potential therapeutic agent for NSCLC.

Over the last few centuries, aging-related diseases have become a part of the global health care problem. The skin is essentially more sensitive to aging because it is influenced by environmental exposure and genetic (genetically determined) processes. The use of a suitable cosmetic anti-aging material using a biomolecule with conventionally important medicine can help to protect damaged skin tissue. A new topical cosmetic anti-aging material should simulate the function of an extracellular matrix with its enhanced physiochemical, biological oxidative stress, and antioxidant properties. This study examined the significant features of CA–APPPKK (caffeic acid conjugated with peptide (APPPKK)) to determine if it meets the requirements for a cosmetic anti-aging biomolecule. Non-toxic CA–APPPKK was synthesized using a simple approach and CA stabilized with a peptide to form the new biomaterials. The cytotoxicity of the CA–APPPKK was examined with a CCK-8 assay and a reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay to evaluate the biological applications. CA–APPPKK caused a decrease in cell viability and membrane damage, and the degree of induction was dose dependent. The longevity-extending role of CA–APPPKK was attributed to its anti-oxidative activity and increased oxidative stress resistance. The anti-inflammatory capacity of CA–APPPKK was measured using a NO assay. This new approach indicates that CA–APPPKK is a potentially cosmetic anti-aging biomaterial for the prevention of oxidative stress-induced premature skin ageing and can be used to study aging-related diseases.

Linear accelerators (LINAC) that generate high energy X-rays have been widely used for radiotherapy. With the combination of advanced imaging modalities, an image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) has greatly improved the quality of radiotherapy by acquiring instant knowledge of changes in tumor volume, radiation dose distribution, and effective tumoricidal doses during treatment. In this study, we developed a compact 9.3 GHz X-band LINAC system and installed on the gantry for potential applications in IGRT. We confirmed X-ray generation using radio frequency transmission tests and measured the X-ray dose rates while the gantry was rotating, which demonstrates stable and reliable operation of the developed system. The field size of an X-ray beam was $\pmb{10.31}\ \mathbf{cm}\ \times \ \pmb{10.31}\ \mathbf{cm}$ at the solid water phantom (depth 0 cm) of the film, and the standard deviation of the Xray dose was 0.016 while rotating. Therefore, we describe the design and test results of the X-band LINAC system mounted on the O-arm gantry. We expect the use of our design for the fusion system that integrates a diagnostic imaging instrument with a radiation therapeutic device.

A compact X-band linear accelerator (LINAC) system equipped with a small and lightweight magnetron was constructed to develop a high-precision image-guided radiotherapy system. The developed LINAC system was installed in an O-ring gantry where cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was embedded. When the O-arm gantry is rotated, an x-ray beam is stably generated, which resulted from the stable transmission of radio frequency power into the X-band LINAC system. Quality assurance (QA) tests, including mechanical and dosimetry checks, were carried out to ensure safety and operation performance according to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine's TG-51, 142, an international standard protocol established by accredited institutions. In addition, delivery QA of the radiotherapy planning system was conducted to verify intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the developed X-band LINAC system mounted on the O-arm gantry proved to be valid and reliable for potential use in CBCT image-guided radiation therapy.

Aim This study compared endotracheal intubation (ETI) performance during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between direct laryngoscopy (DL) and video laryngoscopy (VL) (GlideScope ® ) by experienced intubators (>50 successful ETIs). Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted in an emergency department between 2011 and 2013. Intubators who used DL or VL were randomly allocated to ETI during CPR. Data were collected from recorded video clips and rhythm sheets. The success, speed, complications, and chest compressions interruption were compared between the two devices. Results Total 140 ETIs by experienced intubators using DL ( n =69) and VL ( n =71) were analysed. There were no significant differences between DL and VL in the ETI success rate (92.8% vs. 95.8%; p =0.490), first-attempt success rate (87.0% vs. 94.4%; p =0.204), and median time to complete ETI (51 [36–67] vs. 42 [34–62]s; p =0.143). In both groups, oesophageal intubation and dental injuries seldom occurred. However, longer chest compressions interruption occurred using DL (4.0 [1.0–11.0]s) compared with VL (0.0 [0.0–1.0]s) and frequent serious no-flow (interruption>10s) occurred with DL (18/69 [26.1%]) compared with VL (0/71) ( p 80 successful ETIs), frequent serious no-flow occurred in DL (14/55 [25.5%] vs. 0/57 in VL). Conclusions The ETI success, speed and complications during CPR did not differ significantly between the two devices for experienced intubators. However, the VL was superior in terms of completion of ETI without chest compression interruptions. Trial Registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) in South Korea KCT0000849.

A series of diarylurea derivatives comprising 2,4-diarylpyrimidines were synthesized based on a combination of postulated molecular hybridization design and failed-ligands repurposing approaches, which enabled the discovery of novel potential antiproliferative agents. Towards credible biological evaluation, an in vitro anticancer activity assay was conducted employing a library of 60 cancer cell lines constituting nine panels representing blood, lung, colon, CNS, skin, ovary, renal, prostate, and breast cancers. The results revealed high effectiveness and broad-spectrum anticancer activity of compounds 4m and 4g. Five-dose assay of compounds 4m and 4g proved their high potency that surpassed that of four standard kinase inhibitors FDA-approved anticancer drugs against many cancer cells. Towards the identification of their molecular target, screening of kinase inhibitory profile employing a panel of 51 kinases involved in cancer revealed inhibition of several kinases from the platelet-derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (PVR) kinase family, which might mediate, at least in part, the antiproliferative activity. Molecular docking of 4g into the crystal structure of the Feline McDonough Sarcoma (FMS) kinase predicted that it binds to a pocket formed by the juxtamembrane domain, the catalytic loop, and the αE helix, thus stabilizing the inhibited conformation of the kinase. Flow cytometric study of the cytotoxic effects of compound 4g in A549 cells showed it induces dose- and time-dependent apoptotic events leading to cell death. Collectively, this work presents compound 4g as a potential broad-spectrum anticancer agent against multiple cancer types.

Tooth biomaterial may be useful in bone regeneration for restoring peri-implant defects in vivo. The aim of this study was to compare bone regeneration capacity in peri-implant defects augmented with autogenous tooth biomaterial combined with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), tooth biomaterial alone, or PRF alone. Two monocortical defects were generated on each tibia of 10 New Zealand white rabbits (n = 10 per group) with a trephine bur, and the dental implant was installed into the defects. In experimental groups 1, 2, and 3, the peri-implant defects were filled with tooth biomaterial and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), tooth biomaterial only, and PRF only, respectively and the control was left empty. Micro computed tomography (CT), implant stability, and histomorphometric analysis were conducted eight weeks after operation. The mean regenerated bone areas were 53.87 &plusmn, 7.60%, 51.56 &plusmn, 6.45%, and 18.45 &plusmn, 1.34% in experimental groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 11.57 &plusmn, 1.12% in the control. Mean bone-to-implant contact values were 43.67 &plusmn, 2.50%, 41.07 &plusmn, 2.59%, and 21.45 &plusmn, 1.25% in experimental groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and 16.57 &plusmn, 2.83% in the control. Tooth biomaterial enriched with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and tooth biomaterial alone showed more enhanced regeneration than PRF alone in our study.

We previously reported that 4-(4-fluorobenzylcarbamoylmethyl)-3-(4-cyclohexylphenyl)-2-[3-(N,N-dimethylureido)-N&prime, methylpropylamino]-3,4-dihydroquinazoline (KCP10043F) can induce G1-phase arrest and synergistic cell death in combination with etoposide in lung cancer cells. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism by which KCP10043F induces cell death in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V staining revealed that KCP10043F-induced cytotoxicity was caused by apoptosis. KCP10043F induced a series of intracellular events: (1) downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and upregulation of Bax and cleaved Bid, (2) loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, (3) increase of cytochrome c release, (4) cleavage of procaspase-8, procaspase-9, procaspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, KCP10043F exhibited potent inhibitory effects on constitutive or interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) phosphorylation and STAT3-regulated genes including survivin, Mcl-1, and cyclin D1. Furthermore, STAT3 overexpression attenuated KCP10043F-induced apoptosis and the cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP. Docking analysis disclosed that KCP10043F could bind to a pocket in the SH2 domain of STAT3 and prevent STAT3 phosphorylation. The oral administration of KCP10043F decreased tumor growth in an A549 xenograft mouse model, as associated with the reduced phosphorylated STAT3, survivin, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2 expression and increased TUNEL staining and PARP cleavage in tumor tissues. Collectively, our data suggest that KCP10043F suppresses NSCLC cell growth through apoptosis induction via STAT3 inactivation.

Edelweiss (Leontopodium Alpinum) in the family Asteraceae is a wildflower that grows in rocky limestone places. Here, we investigated the efficacy of edelweiss callus culture extract (Leontopodium Alpinum callus culture extract, LACCE) using multiple assays from in vitro to in vivo as well as transcriptome profiling. Several in vitro assay results showed the strong antioxidant activity of LACCE in response to UVB treatment. Moreover, LACCE suppressed inflammation and wrinkling, however, moisturizing activity was increased by LACCE. The clinical test in vivo demonstrated that constant application of LACCE on the face and skin tissues improved anti-periorbital wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin thickness compared with the placebo. The RNA-Sequencing results showed at least 16.56% of human genes were expressed in keratinocyte cells. LACCE up-regulated genes encoding several KRT proteins, DDIT4, BNIP3, and IGFBP3 were involved in the positive regulation of the developmental process, programmed cell death, keratinization, and cornification forming skin barriers, which provide many advantages in the human skin. By contrast, down-regulated genes were stress-responsive genes, including metal, oxidation, wounding, hypoxia, and virus infection, suggesting LACCE did not cause any harmful stress on the skin. Our comprehensive study demonstrated LACCE is a promising agent for anti-aging cosmetics.

3D printing technology has recently been highlighted as an innovative manufacturing process. Among various 3D printing methods, binder jetting (BJ) 3D printing is particularly known as technology used to produce the complex sand mold quickly for a casting process. However, high manufacturing costs, due to its expensive materials, need to be lowered for more industrial applications of 3D printing. In this study, we investigated mechanical properties of sand molds with a lightweight structure for low material consumption and short process time. Our stress analysis using a computational approach, revealed a structural weak point in the mesh-type lightweight design applied to the 3D-printed ceramic/polymer composite.

Background Bicycling is an increasingly popular recreation and mode of transportation in korea. Improved understanding of sex and gender-specific differences in epidemiologic features and clinical outcomes in bicycling injuries could help to understand bicycle-related injuries and develop preventative strategies. Aims This study aimed to investigate sex and gender-specific differences in epidemiologic features and clinical outcomes in bicycling injuries. Methods This is a cross-sessional study based on the Emergency Department(ED)–based Injury In-depth Surveillance(EDIIS) database from 23 EDs in Korea. All of injured bicyclists between January 1, 2011. and December 31, 2016. were eligible, excluding cases with unknown outcomes. The primary outcome was intracranial injury and the secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and clinical important injury (admission or in-hospital death). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of gender(male) for study outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders. Results Among 24 306 eligible patients, 19 286 (79.3%) patients were male and 5 020 (20.7%) were female. The rate of helmets use was no diferrence(10.6% in male and 10.2% in female, respectively). Bicycling injuries of male occurred more in child and adolescent, evening and night(all p Discussion and conclusions There were gender-specific differences in epidemiologic features and clinical outcomes in bicycling injuries. Bicycling injuries of male occurred more in child and adolescent and had more severe outcomes than female. Preventative strategies to reduce the bicycling injuries targeting male (esp, child and adolescent male) are needed.

Cancer still represents a major global health problem. All currently available anticancer agents have disadvantages like resistance or side effects. Therefore, introduction of novel anticancer agents is needed. Intrigued by the high success rate for natural products-based drug discovery, we designed and synthesized antiproliferative chemical entities as hybrids of two natural products; 3,5,4′-trimethoxystilbene and 5,6,7-trimethoxyflavone. To probe the spectrum of the synthesized compounds, in vitro evaluation was conducted against nine panels representing major cancer diseases. The results revealed the hybrid analogs 4f, 4h, 4k and 4q as promising broad-spectrum anticancer lead compounds eliciting high growth inhibition of several cell lines representing multiple cancers diseases. Evaluation of the promising lead compounds against normal human cell lines suggested a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Mechanistic investigation of the cytotoxic activity of compound 4f in human cervical cancer HeLa cells showed that it triggers cell death through induction of apoptosis. As a whole, this study presents the natural products hybrid analogs 4f, 4h, 4k and 4q as potential lead compounds for further development of novel anticancer therapeutics.

Nicotinamide (NA), a water-soluble vitamin B3, has been shown to exert cellular-protective effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS). In order to improve the cellular-protective effects of NA, we synthesized a novel compound, nicotinyl&ndash, isoleucine&ndash, valine&ndash, histidine (NA&ndash, IVH), by combining NA with jellyfish peptides&rsquo, IVH. In the present study, we examined the cellular-protective effects of the novel synthetic nicotinyl-peptide, NA&ndash, IVH. We found that NA&ndash, IVH enhances the radical scavenging activity with a robust increase of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like factor (Nrf2) expression in human HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, NA&ndash, IVH protected the cells from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell death. Interestingly, NA&ndash, IVH exhibited an improved wound-healing effect in a high glucose condition, possibly through the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Collectively, our results imply that a novel nicotinyl-peptide, NA&ndash, IVH, has a wound-healing effect in a hyperglycemic condition, possibly by modulating excessive ROS.

Conjugating a phytochemical, a strong antioxidant, with a functional peptide not only compensates for its stability, but also improves its solubility and anti-wrinkle effects, thereby contributing to the possibility of becoming an excellent cosmetic ingredient. Thus, in this study we examined the potential cosmetic use of a phytochemical-peptide derivative using gallic acid, a phytochemical with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. To evaluate the antioxidant and wrinkle-improving efficacy of 5 synthesized gallic acids conjugated with LVH, IVH, KTTKS, YGGFM, and YGGFLRKYP respectively, we observed the expression of genes related to wrinkle improvement using DPPH radical scavenging activity and real-time PCR. As a result, all 5 derivatives had excellent free radical scavenging effects. The expression level of genes involved collagen synthesis also increased, and the secreted peptides during collagen production contributed to their antioxidant and wrinkle improving effects. These results mark the potential use of gallic acid peptide derivatives as a cosmetic ingredient for anti-oxidation and wrinkle improvement.

This study examines the effects of progesterone on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity following thrombin administration. Thrombin is expressed in many diseases which affect neural tissue and is associated with breakdown of the BBB. Progesterone has shown protective effects on the BBB in stroke and traumatic brain injury. Methods Mouse brain endothelial (bEnd.3) cells were treated with progesterone (20 μmol/l) for 24 h before thrombin administration (60 U/ml). BBB permeability was measured by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), because TEER decrease is associated with BBB compromise. Tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin, claudin-5, and zonula occludens-1) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) were analyzed. Results Thrombin decreased TEER and progesterone prevented that decrease. TJ proteins and EPCR were also decreased after thrombin treatment and progesterone treatment blocked that effect. Conclusion: Progesterone can attenuate thrombin-induced BBB disruption by blocking the degradation of TJ proteins and EPCR in bEnd.3 cells.

A sensitive LC–MS/MS method was developed and fully validated for the determination of spironolactone in human plasma using spironolactone-d6 as an internal standard (IS) after one-step liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether: methylene chloride (MC) = 8:2 (v/v). Detection was performed using electrospray ionization in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode by monitoring the transitions: m/z 341.2 → 107.2 for spironolactone and m/z 347.1 → 107.2 for IS. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Cadenza CD-C18 column (3.0 × 100 mm i.d. 3 µm) with an isocratic mobile phase, which consisted of 0.1 % formic acid in water: methanol (30: 70, v/v), with a gradient flow rate as follow: 0–3.2 m, 320 µL/min; 3.2–3.5 m, 320–180 µL/min; 3.5–6.7 m, 180 µL/min; 6.7–7.0 m, 180–320 µL/min. The calibration curve was linear (correlation coefficients were >0.99) over the concentration range (0.5–150 ng/mL). The intraday and interday precisions ranged 0.89–6.00 and 1.20–10.511 %, respectively, and its accuracies ranged 96.90–105.08 and 97.99–104.13 %, respectively. The devised method was successfully applied in a bioequivalence study of two formulations of spironolactone, Spiracton tablet® and Aldactone tablet® in 50 healthy Korean male volunteers following single oral administration.

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are an important group of novel bioactive compounds having immense biotechnological potentials due to their UV screening properties and antioxidant activities. However, their photoelectric properties were not evaluated yet. In the present work two types of MAAs Shinorine and Porphyra-334, were extracted from algae; Chlamydomonas hedlyei and Porphyra yezoensis respectively and its electrical transport properties were investigated upon illumination of UV light. The combination of optical absorption and electron transport measurement of MAAs in a field effect transistor device reveals that these changes are mainly due to the carboxyl group present in MAAs. This study reports a platform technology for the development of novel biochemical–electrical devices.

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the changes in the body balance index when spiral taping is applied to the neck and ankle. The findings are expected to serve as evidence of the usefulness of taping the neck instead of the ankle when ankle taping is not feasible in clinical practice. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy male students at A university were enrolled in this study. Balance measurements were made under three conditions: no intervention, ankle intervention and neck intervention. Static balance was measured with subjects’ eyes open and closed, and dynamic balance was measured with subjects’ eyes closed. [Results] There were significant differences in dynamic balance assessed by the Overall Balance Index (OBI), and the Anteroposterior Balance Index (ABI) with subjects’ eyes open when ankle or neck taping was applied compared to no intervention. The static balance (OBI) of subjects with eyes open showed significant differences from the no intervention condition in both the ankle and neck intervention. The static balance (OBI) with subjects’ eyes closed also showed significant differences in both the ankle and neck interventions compared to the no intervention condition. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that neck taping stimulates the somatic senses around the neck and increase proprioception, resulting in balance improvement similar to that elicited by ankle taping. Further studies with larger sample sizes various experimental conditions should be performed to more systematically and objectively elucidate the effects of neck taping.

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to show the clinical efficiency of korean medical treatments with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture therapy on patient of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Methods : The patient was treated with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping venesection treatment, and herbal medicine. Visual Analog Scale was used to evaluate the improvement of pain after all treatments. Results : Visual Analog Scale was improved from 10 to 2 after korean medical treatment including Bee Venom pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : Korean medical treatments with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture can be effective for improving symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to show the effectiveness of traditional korean medical treatment with Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture. Methods : Twenty five patients were treated by korean medical treatment including Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture. We measured valuation standards such as House-Brackmann Grade(H-B Grade) and Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) to assess the effectiveness of treatments. These valuation standards were measured at admisson and discharge. Results : The results were obtained as below. 1. In House-Brackmann Grade, 60.0% of patients were improved and 36.0% were maintained at the same level. 4.0% of patients were worsen. 2. Average of Numeric Rating Scale was changed from 8.5 to 3.0 after whole treatment. Conclusions : Korean medical treatments including Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopunture can be effective for improving symptoms of facial paralysis.

Detecting heterogenic tumor cells that are traveling in our body through blood stream for the tumor metastasis is one way for cancer prognosis. Due to the heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), further identification of tumor cell types should be accompanied with CTCs isolation from blood cells in peripheral blood sample. Both negative enrichment and recollection of isolated CTCs are required in the downstream analysis, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and massive equipment required. To solve these limitations, we have developed a simple and disposable spiral shape microfluidic channel that can separate all CTCs from blood cells, and at the same time, can identify the types of CTCs based on epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression level. Two different types of tumor cells, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, both from the same origin of breast carcinoma cells, were used to demonstrate the functionality of the developed system. The spiral channel system could capture the EpCAM positive and negative CTCs with 96.3% and 81.2% purity, respectively, while both EpCAM positive and negative CTCs were differently positioned along the microfluidic channel. The average selectivity of EpCAM positive and negative CTCs is 6.1:4.8. In addition, the throughput of the system was optimized at a sample flow rate of 150µl/min. The developed system successfully demonstrated its potential to identify biomarkers, including EpCAM, for detecting the heterogenic CTCs.

Certain photosynthetic marine organisms have evolved mechanisms to counteract UV-radiation by synthesizing UV-absorbing compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). In this study, MAAs were separated from the extracts of marine green alga Chlamydomonas hedleyi using HPLC and were identified as porphyra-334, shinorine, and mycosporine-glycine (mycosporine-Gly), based on their retention times and maximum absorption wavelengths. Furthermore, their structures were confirmed by triple quadrupole MS/MS. Their roles as UV-absorbing compounds were investigated in the human fibroblast cell line HaCaT by analyzing the expression levels of genes associated with antioxidant activity, inflammation, and skin aging in response to UV irradiation. The mycosporine-Gly extract, but not the other MAAs, had strong antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Furthermore, treatment with mycosporine-Gly resulted in a significant decrease in COX-2 mRNA levels, which are typically increased in response to inflammation in the skin, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, in the presence of MAAs, the UV-suppressed genes, procollagen C proteinase enhancer (PCOLCE) and elastin, which are related to skin aging, had increased expression levels equal to those in UV-mock treated cells. Interestingly, the increased expression of involucrin after UV exposure was suppressed by treatment with the MAAs mycosporine-Gly and shinorine, but not porphyra-334. This is the first report investigating the biological activities of microalgae-derived MAAs in human cells.

We previously reported the strong inhibitory potency of N-phenyl-N'-(4- benzyloxyphenoxycarbonyl)-4-chlorophenylsulfonyl hydrazide (PBCH) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in macrophages. Herein, we characterized PBCH as a microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitor and evaluated its anti-inflammatory effects using in vivo experimental models. PBCH inhibited PGE2 production in various activated cells in addition to inhibiting the mPGES-1 activity. In the ear edema and paw edema rat models, PBCH significantly reduced ear thickness and paw swelling, respectively. Besides, in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model, PBCH decreased paw swelling, plasma rheumatoid factor (RF), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio. Furthermore, while PBCH reduced the plasma prostaglandin E metabolite (PGEM) levels, it did not affect the plasma levels of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Our data suggest that PBCH downregulates PGE2 production by interfering with the mPGES-1 activity, thus reducing edema and arthritis in rat models.

A 69-year-old woman with 6 years history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and asymptomatic interstitial lung disease (ILD) began taking adalimumab for ongoing arthritis despite intakes of sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment. ILD progressed noticeably after 10 weeks of starting adalimumab. We discontinued adalimumab and added methylprednisolone 40 mg, and the patient's clinical findings gradually improved. The beneficial and adverse effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors on RA associated ILD are unclear but this case reports adalimumab could abruptly exacerbate known ILD. We emphasize cautions on the use of adalimumab, one of the TNF-α inhibitors, in elderly RA patients with preexisting ILD.

Balance is an ability to have major effects on theperformance of all activities in daily living to main -tain the body in equilibrium(1, 2). Balance is a com -plex motor control work that include the integrationof sensory information, processing by the nervoussystem, and biomechanical factors(3). Three func -tional elements, that is, support by the muscu -loskeletal system which is the biomechanical aspectof the body, motor functions including motor coordi-nation, and integrated actions of sensory functionsare necessary for normal balance responses tooccur(4). The body can maintain balance only wheninternal force(muscle contraction, etc.) acts againstpostural changes caused by external forces(gravity,inertia, ground reaction forces, etc.)(5).The gluteus medius muscle is a representative hipjoint abductor muscle and is an important antigrav -ity muscle. This is a fan-shaped muscle extendingfrom the crista iliaca of the pelvis to the greatertrochanter of the femur which beings to contract atthe end stage of the swing phase, contracts maxi-mally during the mid stance phase. It contractsefferently to prevent the pelvis from dropping duringthe swing phase(6). If the gluteus medius muscle isweek or the beginning of hip joint abduction move -ments is suppressed, hip hiking deformation willoccur. Therefore, if the gluteus medius muscle isweakened or suppressed, walking will be damaged orrestricted(7). Patients with weak gluteus mediusmuscles cannot maintain pelvic stability, become tohave problems in walking as a results, and graduallydevelop low back pain, buttock pain, and greatertrochanter bursitis, etc. When the low back pain offemales with weak gluteus medius muscles wasidentified through physical tests and the weak glu -teus medius muscles were treated with appropriaterehabilitation programs, the pain of patients withweak gluteus medius muscles was graduallyrelieved(8). The gluteus medius muscle is maximallyactivated when the hip joint is abducted or internallyrotated. The gluteus medius muscle's isotonic abduc -tion and internal rotation movements in single limbsupport are very effective in the early stage of neu -romuscular rehabilitation. Therefore, those move -ments should be made very importantly in the earlystage of rehabilitation and rotation and functionalmovement patterns should be added to the hipjoint(9).

We examined the potential of the iPad 2 as a teleradiologic tool for evaluating brain computed tomography (CT) with subtle hemorrhage in the conventional lighting conditions which are common situations in the remote CT reading. The comparison of the clinician's performance was undertaken through detecting hemorrhage by the iPad 2 and the clinical liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor. We selected 100 brain CT exams performed for head trauma or headache. Fifty had subtle radiological signs of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), while the other 50 showed no significant abnormality. Five emergency medicine physicians reviewed these brain CT scans using the iPad 2 and the LCD monitor, scoring the probability of ICH on each exam on a five-point scale. Result showed high sensitivities and specificities in both devices. We generated receiver operating characteristic curves and calculated the average area under the curve of the iPad 2 and the LCD (0.935 and 0.900). Using the iPad 2 and reliable internet connectivity, clinicians can provide remote evaluation of brain CT with subtle hemorrhage under suboptimal viewing condition. Considering the distinct advantages of the iPad 2, the popular out-of-hospital use of mobile CT teleradiology would be anticipated soon.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of kinesio tape applied to chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients on anticipatory postural control and cerebral cortex potential. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty patients whose low back pain had continued for more than 12 weeks were selected and assigned to a control group (n=10) to which ordinary physical therapy was applied and an experimental group (n=10) to which kinesio tape was applied. Anticipatory postural control was evaluated using electromyography, and movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) was assessed using electroencephalography. Clinical evaluation was performed using a visual analogue scale and the Oswestry disability index. [Results] According to the analysis results for anticipatory postural control, there were significant decreases in the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle and the external oblique muscle in both groups. Among them, the TrA of the experimental group exhibited the greatest differences. According to the results of a between-group comparison, there was significant difference in the TrA between the two groups. There was also a significant decrease in the MRCP of both groups. In particular, changes in the movement monitoring potential (MMP) of the experimental group were greatest at Fz, C3, Cz, and C4. According to the between-group comparison, there were significant differences in MMP at F3, C3, and Cz. Both groups saw VAS and ODI significantly decrease. Among them, the ODI of the experimental group underwent the greatest change. [Conclusion] Kinesio tape applied to CLBP patients reduced their pain and positively affected their anticipatory postural control and MRCP.

This study investigated the effect of increasing numbers of training sessions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on trainees' attitude and CPR quality.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for hospital employees was held every year from 2006 to 2010. Participants were recruited among the trainees in 2010. The trainees' attitudes toward CPR were surveyed by questionnaire, and the quality of their CPR was measured using 5-cycle 30:2 CPR on a manikin. Participants were categorized according to the number of consecutive CPR training sessions as T1 (only 2010), T2 (2009 and 2010), T3 (from 2008 to 2010) and T4-5 (from 2006 or 2007 to 2010). The trainee attitude and CPR quality were compared among the 4 groups.Of 923 CPR trainees, 267 were enrolled in the study. There was significant increase in willingness to start CPR and confidence in chest compression and mouth-to-mouth ventilation (MTMV) with increasing number of CPR training sessions attended (especially for ≥ 3 sessions). There was a significant increase in mean compression depth and decrease in percentage of chest compressions with depth of less than 38 mm in the T3 and T4-5 compared with the T1 and T2. No-flow time decreased significantly, and the percentage of MTMV with visible chest rise increased, as the number of training sessions increased.Repeated CPR training improved trainees' attitude and CPR quality. Because the number of training sessions increased (≥3), the willingness to start CPR and the confidence in skills increased significantly, and chest compression depth, no-flow time, and MTMV improved.

FCEV uses 250 ~ 450 V instead of using 12 V battery. High voltage vehicle can cause electric shock, fire and explosion accident. Therefore, it has potential factors that can cause hazard of safety for users. United states of America and Europe legislate regulations such as ECE R100, FMVSS 305 for regulating electrical safety during driving or after collision. The company manufacturing high voltage components must do advanced R&D about Method for improving and confirming the safety of high voltage. We develop the specific hardware components of high voltage wiring system for the power train system and power supply system of Hyundai Motors FCEV. This paper shows test method of insulative performance for securing the electrical safety of high voltage components such as power cable, connectors and buss-bar, and proposals the guide line value for human safety of FCEV according to the test result of our development components.

Various techniques for endoscopic thyroidectomy have been introduced in the past decade, and the cosmetic superiority of these techniques has been universally acknowledged. We developed the endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) and have performed more than 500 operations. The aims of this study are to analyze the surgical outcomes and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of BABA endoscopic thyroidectomy. Between February 2004 and March 2008, 512 patients with thyroid diseases underwent BABA endoscopic thyroidectomy. The criteria analyzed were clinicopathologic characteristics, types of operation, operation time, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage on the basis of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), results after radioactive ablation therapy, and recurrence of disease in these patients. Of 512 patients, 397 had a malignant tumor and 115 had benign thyroid disease. Eight patients were diagnosed with Graves’ disease, and nine patients underwent completion thyroidectomy. Three cases were subjected to open thyroidectomy due to uncontrolled bleeding. Mean operation time was 151.2 ± 38.1 min for total and near-total thyroidectomy, and 141.7 ± 50.1 min for subtotal thyroidectomy and lobectomy. Regarding postoperative complications, transient hypocalcemia occurred in 31.1% of patients and permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 4.2% of patients. Transient hoarseness occurred in 20.3% of patients, and permanent vocal cord palsy occurred in 1.7%. Mean hospital stay after operation was 3.34 ± 0.8 days (range 3–7 days), and mean follow-up period was 57.1 ± 17.6 months (range 38.5–71.7 months). There were eight cases of recurrent thyroid carcinoma, and no mortality has occurred up to the present time. Endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo-breast approach is a safe and effective method that gives good surgical completeness, a low rate of postoperative complications and recurrence, and an excellent cosmetic result. Therefore, this method is a good choice for patients with surgical thyroid diseases.

Ethnopharmacological relevance : Lonicera japonica Thunb and Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE have been used for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases, cold and infective diseases in many countries, including Korea and China. Aim of the study : This study aimed to assess the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of n-butanol fraction (WIN-34B) prepared from dried flowers of Lonicera japonica and dried roots of Anemarrhena asphodeloides as potential novel treatment of osteoarthritis. Materials and methods : Anti-nociceptive activities of WIN-34B (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were measured using acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin-induced paw licking, hot plate, radiant heat tail-flick, carrageenan-induced paw pressure, and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activities of WIN-34B (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were assessed using acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced paw edema, and croton oil-induced ear edema. Anti-osteoarthritis effect of WIN-34B was analyzed using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis animal model. Results : WIN-34B exhibited better anti-inflammatory activity than that of celecoxib in carrageenan at the dose of 200 mg/kg and croton oil-induced paw edema and ear edema at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. WIN-34B exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects on vascular permeability. WIN-34B also exhibited significant anti-nociceptive activities in the late phase of formalin-induced paw licking and writhing response model in mice. In radiant heat tail-flick and carrageenan-induced paw pressure tests, WIN-34B at the dose of 400 mg/kg and at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg presented similar activities to indomethacin and celecoxib. Compared to indomethacin WIN-34B at 400 mg/kg showed similar or better anti-nociceptive activities after 1 and 2 h of theraphy in the hot plate test and better anti-nociceptive activity than that of celecoxib in Hargreves test. In the MIA-induced osteoarthritis animal models, WIN-34B at 400 mg/kg exhibited similar or better anti-nociceptive property than that of celecoxib throughout the pain measurement periods. Conclusion : When compared to celecoxib, WIN-34B exhibited similar or better anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in osteoarthritic animal models, which may become a potential novel treatment for osteoarthritis.