• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.328-334
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• 2004

There are only limited numbers of reports about long-term results of tricuspid valve replacement(TVR) with bioprosthetic and mechanical prostheses. We analyzed risk factors for tricuspid valve replacement and compared long-term clinical results of bioprosthetic and mechanical valves in tricuspid position. Material and Method: We reviewed 77 cases of TVR, which were performed between October 1978 and December 1996. Mean age was 38.8 15.9 years. Bioprostheses were implanted in 26 cases and mechanical prostheses were implanted in 51 cases. Result The operative mortality was 15.6% and late mortality was 12.3%. Survival for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group at 5, 10 and 13 years was 81.3% vs. 100%, 66.1% vs. 100%, 60.6% vs. 100% (p=0.0175). Free from valve related re-operation for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group at 5, 10 and 13 years was 100% vs. 93.9%, 100% vs. 93.9% and 58.3% vs. 93.9% (p=0.3274). Linealized incidences of valve related re-operation for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group was 2.27 %/patient-years and 1.10 %/patient-years. Risk factor analysis showed that presence of preoperative ascites, hepatomegaly larger than 2 finger breaths, poor preoperative NYHA functional class and number of tricuspid valve replacement were risk factors for early mortality, and the use of bioprosthetic valve and number of open heart surgery were risk factors for late mortality. Conclusion: Long-term survival of mechanical valve was superior to bioprosthetic valve in tricuspid position. We recommend mechanical valve in tricuspid position if the patient can be closely followed up.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.73-85
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• 2017

Background: To compare the quality of life (QoL), the convenience of chemotherapy and satisfaction between colon cancer patients treated with FOLFOX4 and XELOX. Methods: The study was conducted in 26 patients with stage III colon cancer. Patients were received FOLFOX4 (n=17) or XELOX (n=9). QoL, convenience, and satisfaction were assessed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30), Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral neuropathy (QLQ-CIPN) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Chemotherapy Convenience and Satisfaction Questionnaire (FACIT-CCSQ), respectively. Patients completed questionnaires at baseline, at cycle 4 (C4) and cycle 8 (C8) (FOLFOX4) or at cycle 3 (C3) and cycle 6 (C6) visits (XELOX) and at their final visit. Results: In the QLQ-C30, at the final visit, XELOX patients had better functional scores than FOLFOX4 patients (physical: 85.7 vs.60.4, p=0.03; role: 83.3 vs. 57.5, p=0.04) as well as better symptom scores (constipation: 9.5 vs. 40.4, p=0.01). In CIPN, at the C6/C8 visit, XELOX patients had lower motor scale scores than FOLFOX4 patients (3.8 vs. 21.6, p=0.02). Moreover, at the C6/C8 visit, XELOX was more convenient than FOLFOX4 in FACIT-CCSQ (79.7 vs. 55.5, p=0.04). Male patients were especially likely to consider XELOX to be more convenient (90.0 vs. 55.0, p=0.01) and satisfactory (55.4 vs. 26.2, p=0.03) and fewer concern (91.0 vs. 65.0, p=0.03) than FOLFOX4. XELOX patients spent fewer days on hospital visits at C3/C4, C6/C8 and final visit (2.8 vs. 4.2, p=0.01; 2.7 vs. 4.1, p=0.01; 3.0 vs. 4.5, p=0.01). Conclusion: XELOX may be a better adjuvant chemotherapy choice for patients with colon cancer than FOLFOX4 in terms of QoL, convenience, and satisfaction.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of type of culture media (BM, G2, OS, TCM, and MEM) on B6D2F1 mice oogenesis. In the present study, B6D2F1/CrljOri $F_1$ mice were utilized in order to maximize oogenesis. Also we used TCM-199, Dulbecco's medified Eagle's medium (DMEM), embryo culture medium (Fertilization medium, Cleavage medium, Blastocyst medium), G series medium and One step medium. In vitro maturation was highest in BM followed by the order of OS, MEM, TCM and G2 ($90{\pm}2.8%>88{\pm}3.2%>85{\pm}4.9%>78{\pm}10.2%>64{\pm}7.7%$, respectively). To note, the G2 group was statistically different compared to other groups (p<0.05). On the other hand the fertilization rate was highest in the G2 group followed by BM, OS, TCM, and MEM ($87{\pm}7.2%>85{\pm}6.9%>74{\pm}14.0%>71{\pm}13.8%>2{\pm}1.4%$, respectively). The MEM group was significantly lower compared to other groups (p<0.05). The developmental rate was highest in the OS group followed by the G2 group and the BM group albeit no statistical significance was noted ($73{\pm}11.6%>71{\pm}9.2%>66{\pm}10.4%$). Of note, all cells of the TCM and MEM groups were died during embryonic development. The zona hatched rate ($51{\pm}9.8%$ vs. $50{\pm}9.1%$ vs. $47{\pm}7.2%$ for BM, G2, and OS respectively) and attached rate ($45{\pm}12.3%$ vs. $38{\pm}16.1%$ vs. $37{\pm}11.5%$ for BM, G2, and OS respectively) were not different amongst groups. No difference was found in total cell numbers ($74{\pm}13.9$ vs. $64{\pm}9.2$ vs. $76{\pm}6.7$ for BM, G2, and OS respectively), ICM cell numbers ($20{\pm}1.9$ vs. $14{\pm}1.8$ vs. $15{\pm}2.1$), TE cell numbers ($55{\pm}12.5$ vs. $49{\pm}10.7$ vs. $61{\pm}5.9$), % ICM ($30{\pm}2.8%$ vs. $24{\pm}7.0%$ vs. $22.8{\pm}2.2%$) and ICM:TE ratio ($1:2{\pm}0.5$ vs. $1:3.1{\pm}0.8$ vs. $1:3.1{\pm}0.5$) amongst groups. In summary, these results can provide fundamental data to maximize culture condition for in vitro fertilization on B6D2F1 mice.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2012

The purpose of this study examines the influence of brand concepts(symbolic vs. functional) and thinking styles(holistic vs. analytic) on the attitude toward extension ads.(rational/emotional) and product. The moderating effect of thinking styles was also tested. The results of this study are as follows: I) Brand concepts of parent brand had a significant effect on the attitude toward extension ads.(symbolic: no differences between rational and emotional ads., functional: rational ads. > emotional ads.) and extension product. 2) Thinking styles of consumers also did.(holistic: no differences between rational and emotional ads., analytic: rational > emotional ads.) and extension product. 3) The moderating effect of thinking styles was(rational ads.: symbolicfunctional).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.1010-1016
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• 2000

Effect on the bio-mass and nutrient yield of Lemna perpusilla Torry was studied at two nutrient loading frequencies. Six polythene sinks ($6{\times}2{\times}0.5m^{3}$ area) randomly allocated to two treatments having three sinks in each treatment. Each sink containing $6{\times}2{\times}0.35m^{3}$ water body, was changed either daily with 12.6 kg anaerobically fermented cattle manure (effluent) or with 76 kg efluent at six-day interval. Media Kjeldhal-N (40 vs. 36 mg/L; p>0.05) and $NH_3$-N (9 vs 7 mg/L; p<0.05) concentration were higher in daily charged sinks than those charged at six-day interval. However, temperature ($28.48{^{\circ}C}\;vs.\;28.60{^{\circ}C}$) and pH (6.82 vs. 6.84) were sinilar in both groups of sinks. Biomass (93 vs. $80g/m^{2}/d$) and crude protein (1.24 vs. $1.11g/m^{2}/d$) yield were non-significantly (p>0.05) higher in the daily charged than 6-d interval charged ponds. However, dry matter (4.52 vs. 4.15%), organic matter (83 vs. 84%), crude protein (31.4 va. 29.6%) and organic carbon (47 vs. 47%) content were similar in both daily and 6-d interval charged ponds. There were no apparent relationships between the crude protein content of Lemna and the media Kjeldhal-N or $NH_3$-N concentration apparently due to saturated level of nutrient (N in particular). It was concluded that with the level of effluent used for two treatments, nutrient-loading frequency had no significant effect on the biomass and protein yield of Lemna. Technique described here can be used for year-round duckweed production from fermented cattle manure for feeding poultry/fish in smallholder production system.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.246-257
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• 2021

Purpose: It is unclear whether high-definition (HD) imaging improves visibility and diagnostic ability in early gastric cancer (EGC) compared with standard-definition (SD) imaging. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance and visibility scores of HD and SD ultraslim endoscopes in EGC. Materials and Methods: We used HD and SD ultraslim endoscopes to obtain 60 images with similar compositions of gastric environments. Of the 60 images, 30 showed EGC (15 images for each modality) and 30 showed no EGC (15 images for each modality). Seventeen endoscopists evaluated the presence and location of the lesions in each image. Diagnostic ability was compared between modalities. The color difference between a lesion and the surrounding mucosa (ΔE) was measured and compared between the modalities. Results: The ability of HD to detect EGC was significantly higher than that of SD (accuracy: 80.8% vs. 71.6%, P=0.017; sensitivity: 94.9% vs. 76.5%, P<0.001; positive predictive value, 76.2% vs. 55.3%, P<0.001; and negative predictive value (NPV), 94.1% vs. 73.5%, P<0.001). The ability of HD to determine the horizontal extent of EGC was significantly higher than that of SD (accuracy: 71.0% vs. 57.8%, P=0.004; sensitivity: 75.3% vs. 49.0%, P<0.001; NPV, 72.9% vs. 55.9%, P<0.001; and area under the curve: 0.891 vs. 0.631, P=0.038). The mean ΔE was significantly higher for HD than for SD (10.3 vs. 5.9, P=0.011). Conclusions: The HD ultraslim endoscope showed a higher diagnostic performance in EGC than the SD endoscope because it provided good color contrast.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.187-192
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• 2022

Wolfiporia cocos is an edible fungus commercially cultivated in Asia. To investigate metabolic changes of W. cocos mycelia under both light and dark culture conditions, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were performed. In terms of the total amount of sugars, alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, and purines, there no significant differences between the W. cocos mycelia cultivated under light (L) or dark (D) conditions (p < 0.05). However, there were some differences with respect to the production of particular sugars and proteins. The levels of trehalose (L: 17.2 ± 0.3% vs. D: 13.9 ± 1.6%), maltose (L: 0.9 ± 0.1% vs. D: 0.3 ± 0.1%), turanose (L: 0.7 ± 0.2% vs. D: 0.1 ± 0.1%), glutamine (L: 1.6 ± 0.3% vs. D: 0.7 ± 0.2%), and proline (L: 0.3 ± 0% vs. D: 0.1 ± 0%) were all significantly higher under light condition (p < 0.05). In contrast, the levels of galactose (L: 13.7 ± 1.2% vs. D: 17.6 ± 2.0%), aspartic acid (L: 0.6 ± 0.1 % vs. D: 0.9 ± 0.1%), cystathionine (L: 0.6 ± 0.1% vs. D: 0.8 ± 0 %), and malic acid (L: 0.7 ± 0.1% vs. D: 1.2 ± 0.1%) were higher under the dark condition. It is worth noting that the amount of pachymic acid, a pharmaceutically active compound of W. cocos, was 1.68 times greater under the light condition (p < 0.05).

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.54
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• pp.155-182
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• 2014

This study aimed to find the possibility of interactions between the Doctrine of the Mean and evolutionary biology. Between the two disciplines, there exists a huge gap such as "traditional era vs. modern times" and "humanities vs. natural science." However, this paper assumed that an analysis of their similarities and differences would allow us to find the possibility for them to interact and communicate with each other. For this purpose, the author proposed a three-step approach to studies of the following topics: human nature in step 1, validity of reasons to live in step 2 and biologically affinitive relations in step 3. The present study in step 1 pays attention to the similarities and differences between genes and in-ui-ye-ji (a set of four Confucian values: benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom). This step discusses the issues of ri (principle) and ki (generative force) in Zhu Xi's theory vs. genes and vehicles in evolutionary biology, innate goodness vs. altruism of genes and in-ui-ye-ji vs. epigenetic rules. In step 2, attention is paid to the similarities and differences between natural selection and shi zhong (時中). They are discussed in terms of the upset of the law of nature vs. mutation, changes vs. evolutions and shi zhong vs. natural selection/adaptation. Step 3 focuses on the similarities and differences between species diversity and li-yi-fen-shu (one li and its many aspects). The discussion in this step addresses the issues of part or whole vs. li-yi-fen-shu, biological affinity vs. single energy and ecosystem vs. "the earth moves orderly, and everything thereon flourishes." If these studies are conducted as planned, a new direction can be set for Zhu Xi's neo-Confucianism. Further, the interaction between humanities and natural science will pave the way for us to overcome asymmetry between different disciplines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2929-2937
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• 2015

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) produces nitric oxide and genetic polymorphisms of NOS3 gene play significant roles in various processes of carcinogenesis. The results from published studies on the association between NOS3 G894T and NOS3 intron 4 (4a/b) polymorphisms and cancer risk are conflicting and inconclusive. However, i n order to assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed with PubMed (Medline), EMBASE and Google web searches until February 2014 to select all published case-control and cohort studies. Genotype distribution data were collected to calculate the pooled odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the strength of association. A total of 10,546 cancer cases and 10,550 controls were included from twenty four case-control studies for the NOS3 G894T polymorphism. The results indicated no significant association with cancer risk as observed in allelic (T vs G: OR=1.024, 95%CI=0.954 to 1.099, p=0.508), homozygous (TT vs GG: OR=1.137, 95%CI=0.944 to 1.370, p=0.176), heterozygous (GT vs GG: OR=0.993, 95%CI=0.932 to 1.059, p=0.835), recessive (TT vs GG+GT: OR=1.100, 95%CI=0.936 to 1.293, p=0.249) and dominant (TT+GT vs GG: OR=1.012, 95%CI=0.927 to 1.105, p=0.789) genetic models. Similarly, a total of 3,449 cancer cases and 3,691 controls were recruited from fourteen case-control studies for NOS3 4a/b polymorphism. Pooled results indicated no significant association under allelic (A vs B: OR=0.981, 95%CI=0.725 to 1.329, p=0.902), homozygous (AA vs BB: OR=1.166, 95%CI=0.524 to 2.593, p=0.707), heterozygous (BA vs BB: OR=1.129, 95%CI=0.896 to 1.422, p=0.305), dominant (AA+BA vs BB: OR=1.046, 95%CI=0.779 to 1.405, p=0.763) and recessive (AA vs BB+BA: OR=1.196, 95%CI=0.587 to 2.439, p=0.622) genetic contrast models. This meta-analysis suggests that G894T and 4a/b polymorphisms of NOS3 gene are not associated with increased or decreased risk of overall cancer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.433-439
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the effect of breed on the chemical composition of first (PUR1) and second (PUR2) generations of $Purun{\tilde{a}}$ young bulls, and to compare both generations with different genetic groups: CAN vs. ANG; CAR; and CHA vs. CAR. Thirty bulls were used. The animals from the PUR2 and CHA vs. CAR genetic groups featured higher (p<0.05) moisture percentage in comparison to the PUR1, CAR and CAN vs. ANG groups. The moisture percentage was similar (p>0.05) between PUR2 and CHA vs. CAR animals. The same was observed among the PUR1, CAR, CAN vs. ANG and CHA vs. CAR animals. There was no difference (p>0.05) among genetic groups for ash, total lipids and total cholesterol. The PUR1, CAR and CAN vs. ANG specimens had higher (p<0.05) crude protein percentages as compared to PUR2 and CAN vs. CAR animals. The fatty acid profile was different (p<0.05) among genetic groups. However, the percentages of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-6, n-3, PUFA:SFA, and n-6:n-3 were similar (p>0.05) among genetic groups.