• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evacuate the effect of different types of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds on the formation of human auricular and septal cartilages. All of the scaffolds were formed in a tubular shape for potential application for artificial trachea or esophagus with either 110,000 g/mol PLGA. 220,000 g/mol PLGA. or a combination of both. In order to maintain the tubular shape in vivo, two methods were used. One method was inserting polyethylene tube at the center of scaffolds made of 110,000 g/mol PLGA. The other method involved combination of the two different molecular weight PLGA's. The inner surface of tubular shaped scaffold made with 110,000 g/mol PLGA was coated with 220,000 9/mol PLGA to give more mechanical rigidity. Elastic cartilage was taken from the ear of a patient aged under 20 nears old and hyaline cartilage was taken from the nasal septum. The chondrocytes were then isolated. After second passage, the chondrocytes were seeded on the PLGA scaffolds followed by in vitro culture for one week. The cells-PLGA scaffold complex were implanted subcutaneously on the back of nude mice for 8 weeks. The tissue engineered cartilages were separated from nude mice and examined histologically after staining with the Hematoxylin Eosin. The morphology of the scaffolds were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The pores were well formed and uniformly distributed in the various PLGA scaffolds. After 8 weeks in vivo culture, cartilage was well formed with 110,000 g/mol PLGA. however lumen had collapsed. In contrast. a minimal amount of neocartilage was formed with 220,000 g/mol PLGA, while the architecture of scaffold and lumen were well preserved. Elastic cartilage formed more neocartilage than hyaline. Hyaline and elastic neocartilage were well formed on 110,000 g/mol PLGA with the polyethylene tube, exhibiting mature chondrocytes and preservation of the tubular shape. It was found that 110,000 g/mol PLGA was more appropriate for cartilage formation but higher molecular weight polymer was necessary to maintain the three dimensional shape of the scaffold.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2012

Field experiment was carried out to identify the proper water exchange interval for the rice cultivation on reclaimed saline soil with different nitrogen levels in southwestern area. The nitrogen fertilizer was applied 14, 17 and 20 kg per 10a by ingredient, and intervals of water exchange treated 3, 6 and 9-day periods from transplanting of rice(Oryza sativa var. Cheongho) to maturing stage in Munpo soil series. The salinity levels ranged 0.10~0.24% and 0.24~0.32% of 3-day and 6-day respectively, whileas it ranged 0.35~0.52% for 9-day interval of water exchange during vegetative stage. Water exchange and nitrogen level showed significant effects on the plant growth, yield, and quality. The yield of milled rice on 3-day and 6-day interval of water exchange showed 497 kg/10a and 492 kg/10a and that were significantly higher than that of 9-day interval in 2008 and 2009. Milled rice yield of 9-day interval of water exchange was lower than that of 3-day and 6-day interval of all nitrogen levels. Plant growth and yield components were not significantly different between 3-day and 6-day interval of water exchange of all nitrogen levels. The combination of nitrogen fertilizer level of 17 kg/10a and 6-day interval of water exchange after transplanting might be recommended for maximum yield realization and minimize salt injury at reclaimed medium saline soil in southwestern area.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.93-113
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• 2008

This study presents petrochemistry and $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of subsurface volcanic rock cores from twenty(20) boreholes in the eastern lowland (altitude loom below) of Jeju Island, Handeong-Jongdal-Udo-Susan-Samdal-Hacheon areas, and discusses topography and volcanism in the area. The subsurface volcanic rock cores are mainly basalts in composition with minor tholeiitic andesites and basaltic trachyandesites. Sequences of intercalated tholeiitic, transitional and alkalic lavas suggest that tholeiitic and transitional to alkalic lavas must have erupted contemporaneously. Especially, occurrences of trachybasalts and basaltic trachyandesites at the bases in the area imply that the volcanism in the area was initiated with slightly differentiated alkaline magma activity. The $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of the subsurface volcanic rock cores range from $526{\pm}23ka\;to\;38{\pm}4Ka$. The lava-forming Hawaiian volcanic activities of the eastern lowland can be divided into five sequences on the basis of sediment distribution, whole rock geochemistry and $^{40}Ar/^{39}Ar$ absolute ages of the subsurface volcanic rock cores; stage I-U$(550{\sim}400Ka)$, stage II$(400{\sim}300Ka)$ and stage III$(300{\sim}200Ka)$ during syn-depositional stage of Seoguipo Formation, and stage IV$(200{\sim}100Ka)$ and stage V(younger than 100Ka) during post-depositional stage. In the eastern lowland of Jeju Island, compositional variations and local occurrences of the subsurface volcanic rocks as well as existences of various intercalated sediment layers (including hydrovolcanogenic clasts) suggest that the volcanism must have continued for long time intermittently and that the land has been progressively glowed from inland to coast by volcanic activities and sedimentation. It reveals that the subsurface volcanic rocks in the eastern lowland of Jeju Island must have erupted during relatively younger than 200Ka of stages IV and V. The results of this study are partly in contrast with those of previous studies. This study stresses the need that previous reported volcanic activities in Jeju Island based on K-Ar ages of volcanic rocks should be carefully reviewed, and that stratigraphic correlation from boreholes should be conducted by quantitative criteria combined with petrography and petrochemstry as well as radiometric studies of volcanic rock cores.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 1996

It has been well known that polyamines ensure the stability of chromatin structure and the fidelity of DNA transcription. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of polyamines on the apoptosis of mouse thymocytes induced by dexamethasone and polyamine synthesis inhibitors. 1) In the histological death findings of thymocytes double-stained with acridine orange and ethidium bromide, the apoptotic and the necrotic fractions (AF; NF) in the control group were $9.4{\pm}4.2%$ and $4.5{\pm}5.3%$, respectively. Dexamethasone $(3\;{\times}\;10^{-8}\;M:\;DX)$ in creased AF upto $52.0{\pm}8.1%$ and did not change NF, but A23187 $(5\;{\times}\;10^{-7}\;M:\;A2)$ increased AF and NF upto $45.0{\pm}8.9%$ and $20.5{\pm}10.6%$, respectively. 2) The thymocyte viability was significantly reduced by DX, DHEA $(1\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M)$, A2, DFMO $(1\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M)$, and $MGBG\;(1\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M)$, respectively. It was, however, little affected by $aminoguanidine\;(1\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M:\;AG)$, $putrescine\;(1\;{\times}\;10^{-5}\;M:\;PT)$, $spermidine\;(1\;{\times}\;10^{-5}\;M:\;SD)$, and $spermine\;(1\;{\times}\;10^{-5}\;M:\;SM)$. 3) The genomic DNA of mouse thymocyte was markedly fragmented by DX and A2, respectively, and to a lesser extent, by DHEA, but was little affected by MGBG, DFMO, AG, and each of polyamines. 4) The DX induced reduction of thymocyte viability was moderately attenuated by DHEA, but little affected by DFMO, MGBC, and AG. However, SM significantly attenuated the viability reduction induced by A2 as well as DX. 5) The thymocyte viability reduction by MGBG and DFMO was significantly attenuated by only SM among three polyamines applied in this study. 6) The thymocyte viability redution by combined treatments of DX with DFMO and MGBG, respectively, was significantly attenuated by SM, and moderately by PT. But the viability reduction by combined treatment of DX with AG or DHEA was not affected by polyamines. These results suggest that polyamines, particularly spermine, might play the inhibitory role in thymocyte apoptosis and the inhibitory effect can be ascribed in part to the increase of polyamine uptake by thymocytes pretreated with DFMO and MGBG.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Environmental characteristics and vegetation of the natural habitats of Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y. Sun were investigated in order to provide the basic data for conservation, restoration, and utilization of this Korean endemic plant. This study was conducted in Anyang, Byeonsan, Geoje, Gyeongju, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. E. byunsanensis was distributed around the altitudes of 84~585 m with a slope degree of $10{\sim}20^{\circ}$, and mostly formed discontinuous populations in north-east part of valleys. Soil analysis showed the mean organic matter of 9.6% and a slightly acidic pH (mean pH of 4.9). The mean gravimetric water content was 16.5%. Correlation coefficients between environmental factors and community characteristics suggested that there was a positive correlation between slope degree and soil water content, between slope degree and soil pH, between soil organic matter and importance value, and between species richness or evenness and species diversity. The vascular plants from 59 quadrats of 7 habitats were identified into 144 taxa. A few species were dominants and similarly distributed in Byeonsan, Jeju, Ulsan and Yeosu. The highest species diversity was found in Geoje (1.43), while Anyang showed the lowest (0.87). Species evenness of Gyeongju and Jeju was bigger than 0.8, but that of Geoje was the lowest (0.59). Dominant species of woody plants in and around the 59 plots were represented by high frequency of Acer pictum subsp. mono, Carpinus cordata, Lindera obtusiloba, and Carpinus laxiflora. The results of this study can provide useful data for conservation and restoration of natural habitats of Korean endemic Eranthis byunsanensis and for the development and growth of this species for ornamental purposes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate effect and tolerance of external beam radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate and define the optimal radiotherapeutic regimen. Materials and methods : We retrospectively analyzed the records of 60 patients with prostate cancer who were treated with external beam radiotherapy with curative intent in our institution between September, 1987 and March, 2000. Histologic diagnosis was established by transurethral resection or ultrasonography guided biopsy. The major presenting symptoms were a nodule at routine prostatic examination and frequency and urgency of urination, along with dysuria. The median age was 63 years with range of 51 to 87 years. There were 6 patients in Stage A, 20 in Stage 8, 26 in Stage C, and 8 in Stage Dl. All patients were treated with megavoltage equipment producing 10 MV photons. The 4 field pelvic brick technique was used to a dose of 45 Gy or 50.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy per day in 5 to 6 weeks, after which a small boost field was delivered 2.0 Gy per day to a total dose of 66 to 70 Gy. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 8 years. Results : Actuarial 5-year and 7-year survival rates for Stage A, B, C, and D1 were $100\%\;and\;84\%$, $83\%\;and\;72\%$, $67\%\;and\;54\%$, and $v$, respectively. The corresponding 5-year and 7-year relapse free survival rates were $84\%\;and\;84\%$, $77\%\;and\;67\%$, $48\%\;and\;40\%$, and $33\%\;and\;25\%$, respectively. Relapse free 5-year survival rates for Stage B were $80\%,\;80\%,\;and\;50\%$ for well, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumors, respectively. These were $64\%,\;44\%,\;and\;33\%$ for Stage C, respectively. The local control rates at 5 years were $84\%,\;85\%,\;78\%,\;and\;60\%$ for Stage A, B, C, and D1, respectively. Mild to moderate complications were observed in $22\%$ of patients. Severe complications requiring surgical procedures were documented in only $3\%$ of patients. Conclusion : This study confirms that external beam irradiation is an effective and safe treatment for prostatic cancer, providing long-term local control and good survival with acceptable complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 1997

Purpose : Radical gastrectomy is main treatment of gastric cancer. But the result is not satisfactory with surgery alone. Most of pattern of failure remain locoregional recurrence. To improve 5 year survival postoperative chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy has been used. We analyzed patients with stage III and IV stomach cancer who had radical operation and received postoperative radiation therapy combined with or without chemotherapy retrospectively. Material and Method : From March 1985 to June 1993, 68 patients treated with curative resection and received postoperative adiuvant radiotherapy with 36Gy or more were evaluated. Median age was 60 years(range 28-66 yrs) . Patients were followed from 3 to 133 months with median follow up of 48 months. Thirty seven patients had non signet ring adenocarcinoma, 29 signet ring cell, 2 other cell. Patients with stage IIIA, IIIB, IV disease were 19, 25 and 24 respectively Chemotherapy was given to all patients except two. Results : Five-year overall survival and disease-free survival rate were 36.6% and 33.6%, respectively. Prognostic factor affecting survival were assessed. High ratio of jnvolved/dissected Iymph node, signet ring histology showed Poor Prognosis with statistical significance. Presence of residual tumor after surgery, stageIV. split course of radiation therapy, age, number of involved Iymph node, number of Iymph node dissection and grade of tumor affected survival without statistical significance, Type of chemotherapy did not affect survival. Recurrence was documented in 34 patients. High recurrence was seen in omentum and peritoneum with 23.5%, and remnant stomach, anastomosis site, A-loop and I-loop had also high recurrence with 13.2%. In field locoregional recurrence was 20.7% and total distant metastases were 39.7%. Total intraabdominal failure was 47.1% and extraabdominal failure was 13.2%. Treatment toxicity was considered to be acceptable. 22.1% of patients had grade 3 and only 1 patient had grade 4 leukopenia. Six Patients(8.8%) had weigh loss more than 10%. Conclusion : Treatment toxicity was acceptable with combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Locoregional recurrence was relatively low compared to distant failure with addition of irradiation. Peritoneal and omental seeding was high Five-rear surival was increased with combined modality. Radiation may eradicate minimal residual disease and improve survival, To evaluate role of radiation Prospective randomized study employing chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy plus radiation is necessary. Futhermore to reduce intraabdominal failure, role of intraabdominal chemotherapy in addition to combined chemotherapy plus radiation has to be explored.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the expression patterns of foreign gene that controlled by tuber-specific patatin promoter in transgenic potatoes. Potato leaf disc cultured in vitro were transformed by the Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 containing pBl121 or pATGUS from potato cv. Desiree. In order to select the transgenic lines, gene-specific primers deduced from the NPTII were synthesized and used for polymerase chain reaction. The down part of the putative transgenic potatoes was transplanted weekly onto sucrose-enriched medium to accelerate the microtuber formation. RNA gel blot analysis was performed on the total RNAs obtained from tuber that had been harvested at a week interval. Also, histochemical assay was observed in the explants transformed with either pBI121 or pATGUS. Results showed that the transgenic plant containing pATGUS expressed GUS transcripts mainly at the tuber, not in stem, with the highest expression level in 5 weeks-grown microtubers. In contrast to pATGUS plants, the transformed plants with pBI121 showed an equal expression pattern throughout the whole developing stages. Consistent with RNA gel blot analysis, histochemical GUS staining and enzyme activity exhibited pATGUS transcripts were at the highest level in 5 weeks cultures. From these results, we suggest that the best stage to analyze the foreign gene introduced by patatin promoter into potato plants is at 5 weeks cultures after tuber formation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2003

Cyclin I plays a pivotal role in the regulation of G1-S transition and could consequently be a deregulated molecule in tumors. The activity of the cdk2-cyclin E complex is increased by degradation of cdk inhibitor p27kip1. Little is known about the expression and prognostic significance of cyclin E and p27 in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Material and Method: The expression of cyclin E and p27 in eighty-one cases of resected stage I NSCLC tissues and its relation to major clinico-pathological factors, including histology, differentiation, size of tumor, pleural invasion and survival rate were studied and analyzed. Immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies specific for cyclin E and p27 were performed by ABC method. Result: Expression rates of cyclin E and p27 in stage I NSCLC tissues were 29.6% and 28.4% respectively. Cyclin E was expressed higher in cases of pleural invasion(p=0.04), and p27 was expressed higher in diameter of tumor less than 3cm(p=0.015). The 5-years survival rate was lower in cases of Positive expression of cyclin E than in cases of negative expression of cyclin E(44.4% vs 68.2%, p=0.015), and the 5-years survival rate was 72.2% in positive expression of p27 and 56.2% in negative expression of p27(p=0.09). The 5-years survival rate was higher in negative expression of cyclin E and positive expression of p27 than in cases of positive expression of cyclin I and negative expression of p27 (73.5% vs 36.3%, p=0.0029). In multivariate analysis, expression of cyclin I was an unfavorable prognostic factor(RR=3.578, p=0.006) and p27 was a favorable prognostic factor(RR=0.183, p=0.019) independently. Conclusion: Cyclin E and p27 may play a pivotal role for the biological behavior of stage I NSCLC, so that the expressions of cyclin I and p27 nay be new prognostic markers.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.672-683
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• 2004

Background: The treatment results of the advanced lung carcinoma is not satisfactory with the present therapeutic modalities: surgical resection, anti-cancer chemotherapy, and radiotherapy or combination therapy. To predict the prognosis of the non-small-cell lung carcinoma, TNM classification has been was as the basic categorization; however, it has been not satisfactory. It is necessary to consider the causes and the prognosis of the lung carcinoma from another points of view rather the conventional methods. We intended to find out the relationship between the major apoptotic factor, p53 gene and the prognosis of the patient with lung carcinoma. Material and Method: Three hundreds and fifty-nine patients with lung carcinoma who underwent surgery were analysed. We observed p53 protein accumulated in the cellular nuclei. The p53 protein was detected by immuno-histo-chemical method. We collected information of the patient retrospectively. Result: p53 protein densities were observed in 40% in average as a whole. The protein density was 44 percent in man, 25 percent in woman, 49 percent in the squamous cell carcinoma, and 38 percent in the adenocarcinoma. There were significant correlations between the p53 protein density and the mortality in the squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.025), follow-up duration in TNM stage I group (p=0.010), and follow-up duration in the lobectomy patient group (p=0.043), and tumor cell differentiation (p=0.009). p53 protein densities were significantly different between the lobectomy and the pneumonectomy group (p=0.044). Conclusion: The authors found that p53 protein had some correlations with the prognosis of the lung cancer partially in some factors. We suggest the p53 protein density could be used as a marker of prognosis in the non-small-cell lung carcinoma.