Pulse Shape Discrimination of Nuclear Recoil and Electron Recoil Events With a NaI(Tl) Crystal for Dark Matter Search

Kim, K. W.,Adhikari, G.,Adhikari, P.,Choi, S.,Ha, C.,Hahn, I. S.,Jeon, E. J.,Joo, H. W.,Kang, W. G.,Kim, H. J.,Kim, N. Y.,Kim, S. K.,Kim, Y. D.,Kim, Y. H.,Lee, H. S.,Lee, M. H.,Leonard, D. S.,Oh, S. Y IEEE 2016 IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol.63 No.2

<P>In order to investigate discrimination between nuclear recoil and electron recoil events for the KIMS-NaI dark matter search experiment, we measured the pulse shapes produced by neutrons and gamma rays in a NaI(Tl) crystal. Relatively good pulse shape discrimination (PSD) power due to high light output of recently developed crystals makes it possible to test whether the annual modulation signal observed by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment is caused by nuclear recoil events. We applied the PSD to underground data taken with a 9.15 kg low-background and high-light-output NaI(Tl) crystal for 134 days. Good agreement between underground data and electron recoil events was observed.</P>

ROX Index for High-flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Patients with COVID-19

( Hyung-joo Oh ),( Hong-joon Shin ),( Young-ok Na ),( Hwa Kyung Park ),( Jae-kyeong Lee ),( Bo-gun Kho ),( Tae-ok Kim ),( Yong-soo Kwon ),( Yu-il Kim ),( Sung-chul Lim ),( Min-seok Kim ),( Cheol-kyu P 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2021 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 추계학술대회 초록집 Vol.129 No.0

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the predictability of ROX index for failure of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Methods We retrospectively analyzed medical charts of COVID-19 patients treated with HFNC at two tertiary hospitals from January 2020 to June 2021. Cases who were died or underwent endotracheal intubation were defined as failure of HFNC, which were divided into 2 groups: early failure (≤ 48 h of HFNC therapy) and late failure (> 48 h). ROX index was calculated as SpO2/FiO2/ respiratory rate. Results Sixty-five patients were included, of whom 32 (49.2%) patients were experienced failure of HFNC. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression revealed that duration of HFNC (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence difference [CI], 0.96-0.99); P=0.002), age (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01-1.20; P=0.017), and ROX index at 2 h (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.10-0.55; P=0.001) were associated with failure of HFNC. The cut-off ROX index at 2 h for predicting failure of HFNC was 6.6, with a sensitivity of 78.1%, a specificity of 81.8%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70-0.91; P<0.000). Patients with early failure were 15 (23.0%) and patients with late failure were 17 (26.1%). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ROX index at 2 h for predicting early failure of HFNC showed an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.70-0.91; P<0.000). Whereas, ROX index at 12 h was better predictable for predicting late failure of HFNC (AUC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.91; P=0.001). Conclusions ROX index at 2 h after initiation of HFNC is useful for predicting early failure of HFNC in COVID-19 patients. Whereas ROX index at 12 h is useful for predicting late failure.

Activity of Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Against Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines

Yong Wook Kim,Su Mi Bae,Sung Eun Namkoong,Sei Jun Han,Sang Hee Kim,Yong-Wan Kim,Joon Mo Lee,Byoung Rai Lee,Young Joo Lee,Woong Shick Ahn,Insu P. Lee,Chong Kook Kim 대한암학회 2004 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.36 No.5

Purpose: A constituent of green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is known to possess anti-cancer properties. In this study, the time-course of the anticancer effects of EGCG on human ovarian cancer cells were investigated to provide insights into the molecular-level understanding of the growth suppression mechanism involved in EGCG-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Materials and Methods: Three human ovarian cancer cell lines (p53 negative, SKOV-3 cells; mutant type p53, OVCAR-3 cells; and wild type p53, PA-1 cells) were used. The effect of EGCG treatment was studied via a cell count assay, cell cycle analysis, FACS, Western blot and macroarray assay. Results: EGCG exerts a significant role in suppressing ovarian cancer cell growth, showed dose dependent growth inhibitory effects in each cell line and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The cell cycle was arrested at the G1 phase by EGCG in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells.In contrast, the cell cycle was arrested in the G1/S phase in PA-1 cells. EGCG differentially regulated the expression of genes and proteins (Bax, p21, Retinoblastoma, cyclin D1, CDK4 and Bcl-XL) more than 2 fold, showing a possible gene regulatory role for EGCG. The continual expression in p21WAF1 suggests that EGCG acts in the same way with p53 proteins to facilitate apoptosis after EGCG treatment. Bax, PCNA and Bcl-X are also important in EGCG-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, CDK4 and Rb are not important in ovarian cancer cell growth inhibition. Conclusion: EGCG can inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as in the regulation of cell cycle related proteins. Therefore, EGCG-mediated apoptosis could be applied to an advanced strategy in the development of a potential drug against ovarian cancer. (Cancer Res Treat. 2004;36:315-323)

Novel Balance Tests for Assessing Functional Ankle Instability: Relationships with BMI and Gender

여의동,김승주,임홍철,황명회,박세현,김학준,Patankar, Harshad P.,Yeo, Eui-Dong,Kim, Seung-Joo,Lim, Hong-Chul,Hwang, Myong-Hoi,Park, Se-Hyun,Kim, Hak-Jun 대한족부족관절학회 2012 대한족부족관절학회지 Vol.16 No.2

Purpose: To design novel balance tests to assess FAI and evaluate whether these tests are affected by BMI or gender, with the goal of developing reliable FAI assessment tests that are not influenced by these factors. Materials and Methods: Participants included 20 young, healthy volunteers, 12 males and 8 females, with a mean age of $24{\pm}4$ years and a mean BMI of $23{\pm}2.28$. None of the subjects had known ankle instability. The following tests were assessed in each participant: single leg balance (SLB), percentage of leg press (PLP), single leg cycling (SLC), one leg squat (OLS), multiple direction reach-front/back/side (MDR-F/B/S), single leg hop (SLH), two leg jump (TLJ) and side step (SS). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 software program with ANOVA and t-test used. Results: When grouped by BMI, we found that despite differences in BMI, the performances of all subjects were equivalent except for the one-leg-squat test, for which the mean ratios for underweight ($1.69{\pm}0$), normal weight ($1.05{\pm}0.19$), and overweight ($0.93{\pm}0.30$) individuals were significantly different (p=0.02); ratios for SLB (p=0.273), SLC (p=0.903), PLP (p=0.664), MDR-F/B/S (p=0.498, 0.908, and 0.503, respectively), SLH (p=0.332) were not significantly different. When calculated according to gender, we found that the OLS (p=0.013) and MDRS (p=0.034) were significantly different, while parameters for all the remaining tests were not affected. Conclusion: We found that the SLB, PLP, SLC, MDR-F/B, and SLH ratios were unaffected by BMI or sex and, therefore, are reliable parameters for assessing ankle instability.

The role of Nerve Growth Factor on Corneal nerve regeneration after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis.

Joo, Myung-Jin,Kim, Jae-Ho,O'Brien, Terrence P. 인제대학교 백병원 2002 仁濟醫學 Vol.23 No.5

Objective : To determine if topically administered nerve growth factor(NGF) plays a role in accelerating the recovery of corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK). Methods and Material : A prospective double-masked study comparing the effect of topical NGF or balanced salt solution on corneal sensitivity after LASIK in rabbits. Pre and postoperative corneal sensitivity were assessed using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Results : Eyes that were treated with topical NGF demonstrated an earlier and faster recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK(p=0.0071). A statistically significant difference in corneal sensitivity was found between the topical NGF and control group at the postoperative time points of 2 weeks(p=0.0098), 3 weeks(p=0.0309), and 4 weeks(p=0.0276). Conclusion : Our results suggest that topically administered NGF plays a significant role in accelerating corneal reinnervation after LASIK.

Cerebral Vasospasm Affects Arterial Critical Closing Pressure

Varsos, Georgios V,Budohoski, Karol P,Czosnyka, Marek,Kolias, Angelos G,Nasr, Nathalie,Donnelly, Joseph,Liu, Xiuyun,Kim, Dong-Joo,Hutchinson, Peter J,Kirkpatrick, Peter J,Varsos, Vassilis G,Smielewski SAGE Publications 2015 Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism Vol.35 No.2

<P> The effect of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on critical closing pressure (CrCP) has not been fully delineated. Using cerebral impedance methodology, we sought to assess the behavior of CrCP during CVS. As CrCP expresses the sum of intracranial pressure (ICP) and vascular wall tension, we also explored its role in reflecting changes in vascular tone occurring in small vessels distal to spasm. This retrospective analysis was performed using recordings from 52 patients, diagnosed with CVS through transcranial Doppler measurements. Critical closing pressure was calculated noninvasively using arterial blood pressure and blood flow velocity. Outcome was assessed at both discharge and 3 months after ictus with the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The onset of CVS caused significant decreases in CrCP ( P=0.025), without any observed significant changes in ICP ( P=0.134). Vasospasm induced asymmetry, with CrCP ipsilateral to CVS becoming significantly lower than contralateral ( P=0.025). Unfavorable outcomes were associated with a significantly lower CrCP after the onset of CVS (discharge: P=0.014; 3 months after SAH: P=0.020). Critical closing pressure is reduced in the presence of CVS in both temporal and spatial assessments. As ICP remained unchanged during CVS, reduced CrCP most probably reflects a lower wall tension in dilated small vessels distal to spasm. </P>

Comparative efficacy of topical Imipenem, versus topical gatifloxacin in the treatment of experimental Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis in rabbits

Joo, Myung-Jin,Kim, Jae-Ho,O'Brien, Terrence P. 인제대학교 백병원 2002 仁濟醫學 Vol.23 No.5

Purpose : To assess in vivo efficacy of topical imipenem, a highly potent β-lactam antibiotic, and gatifloxacin, a fourth generation fluoroquinolone against ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa experimental keratitis. Methods : Experimental bacterial keratitis was created in rabbits by corneal intrastromal injection of ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection proceeded for 12 hours, after which either imipenem(5 mg/ml), gatifloxacin(3 mg/ml) or balanced salt solution(BSS: control) was applied topically hourly for 12 hours. Rabbits were then euthanized. Corneas were trephinated and then homogenized prior to plating with serial dilutions for quantitative bacteriology. Colony counts were performed at 24 hours to determine antibiotic efficacy. Results : Overall, comparison of therapy with three groups are significantly different(p=0.0002). Imipenem was found to be statistically significantly more effective in reducing colony counts than gatifloxacin against ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa keratitis(p = 0.0060). Conclusion : Both antibacterial agents were superior in decreasing colony counts compared to controls(p=0.0002). Topical imipenem may have clinical applicability as an alternative to fluoroquinolones in treatment of ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

Bioavailability of indomethacin-saccharin cocrystals.

Jung, Min-Sook,Kim, Jeong-Soo,Kim, Min-Soo,Alhalaweh, Amjad,Cho, Wonkyung,Hwang, Sung-Joo,Velaga, Sitaram P Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain 2010 Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology Vol.62 No.11

<P>Objectives??Pharmaceutical cocrystals are new solid forms with physicochemical properties that appear promising for drug product development. However, the in-vivo bioavailability of cocrystals has rarely been addressed. The cocrystal of indomethacin (IND), a Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drug, with saccharin (SAC) has been shown to have higher solubility than IND at all pH. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the in-vitro dissolution and in-vivo bioavailability of IND-SAC cocrystals in comparison with IND in a physical mixture and the marketed product Indomee®. Methods??Scale-up of the cocrystals was undertaken using cooling batch crystallisation without seeding. The chemical and physical purity of the up-scaled material was verified using high-performance liquid chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction. The IND-SAC cocrystals and IND plus SAC were mixed with lactose and the formulations were placed into gelatin capsules. In-vitro dissolution studies were then performed using the rotating basket dissolution method. The intrinsic dissolution rate of IND and IND-SAC cocrystals was also determined. Finally, a bioavailability study for the formulations was conducted in beagle dogs. The plasma samples were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography and the pharmacokinetic data were analysed using standard methodologies. Key findings??The bulk cocrystals (i.e. scaled-up material) were chemically and physically pure. The in-vitro dissolution rate of the cocrystals was higher than that of IND and similar to that of Indomee® at pH 7.4 and pH 1.2. The in-vivo bioavailability of the IND-SAC cocrystals in dogs was significantly higher (ANOVA, P??lt;??.05) than that of IND but not significantly different from Indomee® (ANOVA, P??gt;??.05). Conclusions??The study indicates that the improved aqueous solubility of the cocrystals leads to improved bioavailability of IND. Thus, the cocrystals are a viable alternative solid form that can improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.</P>

Understanding internal backgrounds in NaI(Tl) crystals toward a 200 kg array for the KIMS-NaI experiment

Adhikari, P.,Adhikari, G.,Choi, S.,Ha, C.,Hahn, I. S.,Jeon, E. J.,Joo, H. W.,Kang, W. G.,Kim, H. J.,Kim, H. O.,Kim, K. W.,Kim, N. Y.,Kim, S. K.,Kim, Y. D.,Kim, Y. H.,Lee, H. S.,Lee, J. H.,Lee, M. H.,L Springer-Verlag 2016 European Physical Journal C Vol.76 No.4

Rehabilitation Intervention for Individuals With Heart Failure and Fatigue to Reduce Fatigue Impact: A Feasibility Study

Young Joo Kim,Jennifer C. Radloff,Patricia A. Crane,Linda P. Bolin 대한재활의학회 2019 Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine Vol.43 No.6

Objective To investigate feasibility of recruitment, tablet use in intervention delivery, and use of self-report outcome measures and to analyze the effect of Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy versus Health Education interventions for individuals with heart failure-associated fatigue. Methods This feasibility study was a block-randomized controlled trial involving 23 adults, blinded to their group assignment, in a rural southern area in the United States. Individuals with heart failure and fatigue received the interventions for 6 weeks through videoconferencing or telephone. Participants were taught to solve their fatigue-related problems using energy conservation strategies and the process of Problem-Solving Therapy or educated about health-related topics. Results The recruitment rate was 23%. All participants completed the study participation according to their group assignment, except for one participant in the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. Participants primarily used the tablet (n=21) rather than the phone (n=2). Self-report errors were noted on Activity Card Sort (n=23). Reported fatigue was significantly lower for both the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy (p=0.03, r=0.49) and Health Education (p=0.004, r=0.64) groups. The Health Education group reported significantly lower fatigue impact (p=0.019, r=0.48). Participation was significantly different in low-physical demand leisure activities (p=0.008; r=0.55) favoring the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. Conclusion The recruitment and delivery of the interventions were feasible. Activity Card Sort may not be appropriate for this study population due to recall bias. The interventions warrant future research to reduce fatigue and decrease participation in sedentary activities (Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03820674).