Experimental Investigation on Behavior of Rectangular Concrete-Filled Tubular Columns Considering Diaphragms.

Concrete-filled tubular (CFT) columns have been widely used as structural members because CFT columns synergize the advantages of steel and concrete resulting in high strength, high ductility, and large energy dissipation capacity. Numerous studies have been performed to understand the behavior of CFT columns. However, the behavior of CFT columns remains uncertain due to their inelastic behavior and uncertain confinement effects, especially when failure occurs.

Comparison of noise-optimized linearly blended images and noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic images evaluated by dual-source, dual-energy CT in cardiac vein assessment.

Background: The coronary venous system is frequently used as an entry route to the heart and treatment modalities for many cardiac diseases and many procedures. Consequently, evaluation of the coronary venous system and understanding cardiac vein anatomy is crucial.

Purpose: To determine the optimal image set in a comparison of noise-optimized linearly blended images (F_0.

Protective Effects of Radish Extract Against Neurotoxicity in Mice and PC12 Cells.

A variety of natural compounds have been used to reduce the oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer's disease, and many of these defend cells from oxidative stress-induced neuronal toxicity. In this study, the protective effect of radish () extract was investigated in mice and PC12 cells. behavioral tests were completed to examine the protective effects of the extract on amyloid beta (A)-peptide-induced learning and memory impairment in a mouse model.

Synergistic effect of Korean red ginseng and var. against trimethyltin-induced cognitive impairment.

Many edible plant extracts exhibit biological activities. For example, the ethanol extract of var. () inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and red ginseng is well known for promoting health.

2,4-Bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol from Cinnamomum loureirii Improves Cognitive Deficit, Cholinergic Dysfunction, and Oxidative Damage in TMT-Treated Mice.

We previously reported that the extract of Cinnamomum loureirii (C. loureirii) significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and identified 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol (BP) from C. loureirii as a potential AChE inhibitor.

In Vitro Ectopic Behavior of Porcine Spermatogonial Germ Cells and Testicular Somatic Cells.

Embryonic body-like colony formation is a unique pattern in male germ cell cultures, including spermatogonial stem cells. However, detailed information of the colony formation has not yet been sufficiently reported in male germ cell culture. To elucidate the formation of germ cell-derived colony (GDC), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1)-positive pig germ cells were isolated using an immunomagnetic cell isolation method and labeled with red- or green-fluorescent dye.

Subculture of Germ Cell-Derived Colonies with GATA4-Positive Feeder Cells from Neonatal Pig Testes.

Enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells is important for studying their self-renewal and differentiation. Although germ cell-derived colonies (GDCs) have been successfully cultured from neonatal pig testicular cells under 31°C conditions, the short period of in vitro maintenance (<2 months) limited their application to further investigations. To develop a culture method that allows for in vitro maintenance of GDCs for long periods, we subcultured the GDCs with freshly prepared somatic cells from neonatal pig testes as feeder cells.

Ligand-activated PPARδ upregulates α-smooth muscle actin expression in human dermal fibroblasts: A potential role for PPARδ in wound healing.

Background: The phenotypic changes that accompany differentiation of resident fibroblasts into myofibroblasts are important aspects of the wound healing process. Recent studies showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ plays a critical role in wound healing.

Objective: To determine whether the nuclear receptor PPARδ can modulate the differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) into myofibroblasts.

Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of gallotannin-enriched extract isolated from Galla Rhois in ICR mice.

To evaluate the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of Galla Rhois (GR) toward the liver and kidney of ICR mice, alterations in related markers including body weight, organ weight, urine composition, liver pathology and kidney pathology were analyzed after oral administration of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day of gallotannin-enriched extract of GR (GEGR) for 14 days. GEGR contained 68.7±2.

Establishment of major histocompatibility complex homozygous gnotobiotic miniature swine colony for xenotransplantation.

To overcome shortages of human donor organs for organ failure patients, we made a commitment to develop gnotobiotic miniature swine as an alternative organ donor source for xenotransplantation. For this, we have constructed an absolute barrier-sustained gnotobiotic facility. Pregnant sows of gnotobiotic miniature swine, were procured and germfree piglets were obtained by hysterectomy.

Comparison of three selective media and validation of the VIDAS Campylobacter assay for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni in ground beef and fresh-cut vegetables.

In this study, three different selective media, modified cefoperazone charcoal deoxycholate agar (mCCDA), Karmali agar, and Preston agar, were compared for isolating Campylobacter jejuni from artificially contaminated ground beef and fresh-cut vegetables that have different levels of background microflora. Concurrently, an automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for detecting Campylobacter spp. (VIDAS Campylobacter) was evaluated by comparing it with the culture methods.

Autonomic function, voice, and mood states.

Purpose: The present study examined the relationships among cardiovascular autonomic, acoustic, and mood states in resting young subjects.

Methods: A total of 75 college students (men:women = 53:22), aged 19-24 years, were enrolled in this study. Each subject was asked to complete the profile of mood states and to produce a sustained vowel sound (/a/) for 3 s to calculate acoustic parameters.

Depth-extended integral imaging system based on a birefringence lens array providing polarization switchable focal lengths.

An integral imaging system enabling extended depth of field was proposed and demonstrated based on a birefringence lens array (BLA) whose focal length was switched via the light polarization. The lens array system was constructed by combining two different liquid crystal(LC) embedded lens arrays, BLA I and II, which were fabricated by injecting a ZLI-4119 LC and an E-7 LC in between a lens array substrate and an ITO (indium-tin-oxide) glass plate respectively. The BLA I played a role as a convex lens only for the polarization parallel to the ordinary axis of the corresponding LC, but it serves as a plain medium for that along its extraordinary one since the refractive indexes of the lens and the LC are almost identical.

Conservation of the Sapsaree (Canis familiaris), a Korean Natural Monument, using somatic cell nuclear transfer.

A recent emerging technology, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has been considered for conserving threatened or endangered species. Sapsaree is a native breed in Korea and has been designated as a Natural Monument. The aim of this study was to produce a Sapsaree by SCNT for breed conservation.

Evaluation of a chromogenic medium supplemented with glucose for detecting Enterobacter sakazakii.

A commercial chromogenic agar medium (DFI) was supplemented with glucose (mDFI) to enhance the specificity of Enterobacter sakazakii (E. sakazakii) detection. Escherichia vulneris (E.