• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1615-1621
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• 2013

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is related to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the role of MMP-9 expression in breast cancer survival remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to accomplish a more accurate estimation of the association between MMP-9 expression and survival results in breast cancer patients through meta-analysis. Methods: A meta-analysis of published studies investigating the effects of positive MMP-9 expression on both relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed. Relevant literature was confirmed by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) before November 1, 2012. Individual hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled HRs with 95% CIs were used to evaluate the strength of the association between positive MMP-9 expression and survival results of breast cancer patients. Funnel plot and Egger's regression tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis was also conducted. All the work was completed using STATA. Results: A total of 2,344 patients from 15 evaluative studies were finally included. Pooled HRs and 95% CIs suggested that MMP-9 overexpression had an unfavorable impact on both OS (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.41-2.04) and RFS (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.17-2.01) in breast cancer patients. There was no significant heterogeneity observed in the studies reported for OS (P=0.360, $I^2$=8.8%), but not RFS (P=0.002, $I^2$=67%). Publication bias was absent among the studies both in OS and RFS cases (t=-0.54, P=0.605 and t=1.71, P=0.131, respectively). Omission of any single study had little effect on the combined risk estimates on sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that positive MMP-9 expression confers a higher risk of relapse and a worse survival in patients with breast cancer. Larger prospective studies are now needed to evaluate the clinical utility of MMP-9 expression.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 1989

Reduction and equilibrium of vanadium-DTPA (DTPA = diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, $H_5A$) complexes at mercury electrodes are studied in 0.5M $NaClO_4$ aqueous solution at 3.2 < pH < 10.5 and 25$^{\circ}$C. At 3.2 < pH < 5.9, the reduction reaction is $V{\cdot}A^{2-}+H^-+e^-=V{\cdot}HA^{2-}$, while at 5.9 < pH < 10.5 it is $V{\cdot}A^{2-}+H^-+e^-=V{\cdot}A^{3-}$. The stability constants of $V{\cdot}HA^{2-}$ and $V{\cdot}A^{3-}$ are found to be $6.46{\times}10^{9}$ and $3.09{\times}10^{14}$, respectively. V(IV)-DTPA undergoes stepwise complexation as $VO^{2+}+H_2A^{3-}=VO{\cdot}HA^{2+}H^{+}$ and $VO{\cdot}HA^{2-}=VO{\cdot}A^{3+}+H$, where acidity constant of $VO{\cdot}HA^{2-}$- is pKa = 7.15. Stability constants of $VO{\cdot}HA^{2-}$ and $VO{\cdot}A^{3-}$ are found to be $1.41{\times}10^{14}$ and $3.80{\times}10^{17}$, respectively. It is detected that $VO^{2+}-DATA$ is reduced irreversibly to $VO^{2-}$ with the transfer coefficient of $\alpha$ = 0.43. At more cathodic overpotential, the reduction is stepwise as V(IV)${\to}$V(III)${\to}$V(II). The first one corresponds to $VO{\cdot}HA^{2-}+e^{-}{\to}VO{\cdot}HA{3+}$ at 3.2 < pH < 7.2 and $VO{\cdot}A^{3-}+e^{-}{\to}VO{\cdot}A^{4-}$ at 7.2 < pH < 10.5. The second is identical to that of V(III). Diffusion coefficients of $VO{\cdot}HA^{2-}$ and $VO{\cdot}A^{3-}$ are found to be $(9.0{\pm}0.3){\times}10^{-6}cm^2/s$ and $(5.9{\pm}0.4){\times}10^{-6}cm^2/ses$, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 1984

In order to provide some clues for differential diagnosis of trematode infections in fecal examination, the comparative morphology of eggs of 5 kinds of heterophyid flukes (Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Stellantchasmus falcatus and Pygidiopsis summa) and Clonorchis sinensis was studied. The eggs were obtained from distal portion of uteri of worms which were recovered from men after treatment. The characteristic shape and appearance of each kind of eggs were observed in detail under light microscope, and their length and width measured and compared one another. The results are as follows: 1. Eggs of C. sinensis are elongated ovoidal in shape with attenuated anterior end, 25.3~33. 2 (28. 3 in average) ${\mu}m$ long and 14.2~17.4(5.9) ${\mu}m$ wide with length/width ratio of 1.60~2.00 (1.78). They differ from all heterophyid eggs in that they have prominent wrinkling (muskmelon pattern) at their shell surface. 2. P. summa eggs are ovoid to pyriform in shape and characterized by the smallest size of all kinds examined, 19.8~22.9 (21.6) ${\mu}m$ long and 11.1~13.4 (12.1) ${\mu}m$ wide and the ratio 1.63~1.99 (1.78). 3. Eggs of S. falcatus are elongated ovoidal and most slender form, 25.3~29.2 (27.2) ${\mu}m$ long and 11.1~13.4 (12.5) ${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 2.00~2.57 (2.17). 4. Eggs of M. yokogawai are ellipsoid to elliptical in shape with round both ends, 26.9~31.6 (28.5) ${\mu}m$ long and 14.2~18.2 (16.8)${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 1.48~2.11 (1.70). 5. H. continua eggs are oval in shape, sometimes similar to M. yokogawai or H. h. nocen$ eggs, however, the relative breadth is broadest among all kinds, with maximum width at posterior half portion. They are 23.7~27.7 (25.0) ${\mu}m$ long, 15.8~18.9 (16.4) ${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 1. 33~1.75 (1.53). 6. Eggs of H. h. nocens are ellipsoid to ovoid in shape but sometimes more slender than M. yokogawai and have slightly pointed both ends. They are 23.7~29.2 (25.7) p.m long, 14.2~15.8 (15.4) ${\mu}m$ wide, and the ratio 1.50~2.06 (1.67). From the results, it is concluded that eggs, of 5 kinds of heterophyids and C. sinensis can be morphologically differentiated one another, however, careful observation and measurement on sufficient number of eggs are needed.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.121-130
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• 2012

This study is to investigate the removal rates of nutrient in water, the biomass of water plants, and the total amounts of T-N and T-P uptakes by water plants to evaluate the ecological characteristics of the constructed wetland for treatment of livestock wastewater in Yangji-ri, Nonsan-si from June through November 2011. During the experimental period, the monthly plant biomass of constructed wetland in July were the highest as 669.4 kg, while the lowest in November as 200.1 kg. The research showed that the average nitrogen and phosphorus contents in aboveground and underground biomass of Phragmites australis were $21.9{\pm}0.6{\sim}32.1{\pm}1.5mg/g$, $15.1{\pm}5.5{\sim}24.9{\pm}5.7mg/g$, $1.5{\pm}0.3{\sim}2.4{\pm}0.2mg/g$ and $1.6{\pm}0.6{\sim}2.5{\pm}0.6mg/g$, respectively. The maximum amount of T-N and T-P uptake by Phragmites australis were 28.0 kg in July and 2.5 kg in June, respectively, while the minimum amount of T-N and T-P uptake by Phragmites australis were 9.7 kg and 0.7 kg in November, respectively. The removal rates of T-N and T-P in constructed wetland for treating livestock wastewater were 23.0 % and 59.1 %, respectively. The results of this study is expected to deduce the circulation of contaminants and nutrient in the wetland afterwards.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.833-838
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• 2004

Background: Despite the excellent early results after the repair of congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease, the mid-term durability of the repaired valve has still controversies. Material and Method: To evaluate the mid-term results of BAV repair, retrospective review of medical records and echocardiographic data were done. Between 1994 and 2003, twenty-two patients underwent reparative procedure for either regurgitant or stenotic congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Result: Mean age was $41\pm14$ years with male predominance (Male=17, Female=5). The pathophysiologies of the BAV were regurgitation-dominant in 20 (91%) and stenosis-dominant in 2 (9%) cases. Various repair techniques were used for raphe, prolapsed leaflet, thickened leaflet, and commissures; 1) release of raphe in 19 (86%), 2) wedge resection and primary repair in 11 (50%), pericardial patch reinforcement after plication of the leaflet in 6 (27%), and plication of the leaflet in 3 (14%), 3) slicing of thickened leaflet was used in 12 (55%) cases, 4) commissuroplasty in 8 (36%), and commissurotomy in 6 (27%) cases. There was no in-hospital mortality. During the mean follow-up of $38\pm17$ months, one patient underwent aortic valve replacement after developing acute severe regurgitation from dehiscence of the suture on postoperative 2 months. New York Heart Association functional class was improved from $1.9\pm0.6$ to $1.2\pm0.5$ (p<0.01). Left ventricular end-systolic and diastolic dimension (LVESD/LVEDD) were also improved from $45\pm9$ and $67\pm10$ to $37\pm10$ and $56\pm10,$ respectively (p<0.01). The grade of aortic regurgitation (AR) was improved from preoperative $(3.1\pm1.2)$ to post-bypass $(0.9\pm0.7).$ However, the grade at last follow-up $(1.7\pm1.1)$ was deteriorated during the follow-up period (p<0.01). Freedom from grade III and more AR at one, three, and four year were 89.7%, 89.7%, and 39.9% respectively. Conclusion: Midterm clinical result of the BAV repair was favorable. But, the durability of the repaired valve was not satisfactory.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.176-181
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• 2004

Gluconacetobacter hansenii TF-2, an isolate from black tea fungus, was statically cultivated to ferment cellulose gel from citrus juice. The juice prepared by press filtering of peeled citrus fruit contained 135.5 mg of total sugar/mL, 1.23% of total acid, and average pH of the juice was 3.98. The bacterium produced cellulose gel optimally on the surface of culture broth containing 17% of citrus juice and 10$^{\circ}$Brix of total sugar. The optimum temperature was 3$0^{\circ}C$ for producing acetic acid and gel formation. The bacterium could not produce acetic acid on gel formation at 4$0^{\circ}C$. The optimum pH was 3.0∼4.0 but was not significantly different between pH 3.0∼4.0. The cultivation for 18 days under optimal conditions produced gel as 14.2$\pm$0.6 mm of thickness and acids equivalent to 1.90$\pm$0.22% of acetic acid. The pH of culture broth was stabilized at 2.6∼2.8 during the cultivation. Remaining sugar content was 27.1$\pm$4.2 mg/mL of total sugar and 6.9 mg/mL of reducing sugar. The gel productivity was 137.8$\pm$9.7 g/L.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2001

The aims of these study were to diagnose early pregnancy and reproductive disorders by using progesterone concentration and ultrasonography. The measurement of blood progesterone (P$_4$) concentration was conducted to diagnose pregnancy and to detect corpus luteum (CL) or evaluate disorder of CLs. As a result, the incidence rates of reproductive disorders were as follows : SH and EED (41.9%), inacitve ovaries (32.6%), follicullar cyst (9.3%), PCL (7.0%), endometritis (4.7%), pyometra (2.3%) and luteal cyst (2.3%). 61 Cows having P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml(at the insemination) were increased to 1.0 ng/ml $\geq$ 6day after insemination. 50 cows among 61 cows were diagnosed pregnant. 8 cows among 13 HanWoos having P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/mnl 6 day after insemination had non-ovulatory estrus and the others had P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/ml $\geq$ 6 day after insemination, which was the error of estrus detection. All 13 cows were diagnosed non-pregnant. 47 cows diagnosed pregnant after insemination of P$_4$concentration 3.0 ng/ml were examined by ultrasonography at 30 day post-insemination. As a result, 41 cows were diagnosed pregnant (87.2%) but 14 cows having P$_4$concentration 3.0 ng/ml at 21 day after insemination was diagnosed to non-pregnancy. Calving intervals by surveying 100 cows were as follows 11~12 months (20%), 12~13 months (36%), 13~14 months (19%), 14 months $\geq$ (25%), respectively. In conclusion, hormone and ultrasonography help to detect reproductive disorders exactly and diagnose early pregnancy. This study suggest that diagnosis of early pregnancy and reproductive disorder by blood P$_4$concentration and ultrasonography improve reproduction management of HanWoo.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2000

Four Chamaecyparis obtusa plantations of 6, 9, 14, and 20 years were studied to investigate biomass, net production and nutrient distribution. There was wide difference in DBH and height growth of the stands according to site and soil conditions. Total biomasses of the stands of 14 years and 20 years located in gentle slopes and good soil conditions were 96.2t/ha and 145.0t/ha, and total net productions of those were 22.4t/ha/yr and 23.5t/ha/yr, respectively. Total biomasses of the stands of 6 years and 9 years located in steep slopes and poor soil conditions were 0.7t/ha and 14.0t/ha, and total net productions of those were 0.3t/ha/yr and 4.7t/ha/yr, respectively. As stand age increased, the ratios of stem wood and branches to total biomass and total net production increased, while the ratios of leaves to total biomass and total net production and the ratios of roots to total biomass decreased. Concentrations of N, P, K and Mg were greatest in the leaf and concentration of Ca was greatest in the stem bark. As stand age increased, N concentrations of the stem bark, branch, dead branch and root and K concentration of the branch decreased, while Ca concentration of the stem bark increased. Nutrient contents of the whole tree were great in order of N, K, Ca, Mg and P.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2000

Red muscardine (P. fumosoroseus), first observed on silkworm in Korea, was examined on its cultural characters, infection process, and symptoms. The fungus on PDA medium was grown to 44 mm in diameter in 14 days. Conidiaphore ws 1.45$\mu\textrm{m}$ in diameter, producing 4 to 6 phialides (5.9$\mu\textrm{m}$${\times}$1.8$\mu\textrm{m}$) in cluster. Elliptic conidia wre hyaline and 2.9${\times}$1.3$\mu\textrm{m}$ in size. Diseased silkworm showed typical symptoms of muscardine while becoming stiff. On 3 to 4 days after inoculation of P. fumosoroseus conidia upon the surface of silkworm, it was observed that the silkworm moved and ate less in rearing bed, and amorpnous dark spots of 1∼2 mm appeared on the surface o thorax, abdomen, spirace, and etc. Corrected mortality reached up to 97% at 9th day after inoculation.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1992

To elucidate nutrient cyclings such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in mongolian oak(quercus mongolica) forest, nutrient elements of precipitation, throughfall, outflow, soil, various plant organ and litter were determined at mt.nambyeongsan, pyeongchang-gun, gangwon province in central part of korean peninsula. Annual precipitation input, throughfall and outflow of nutrientswere 10.3, 8.6 and 4.2 kg/ha for the N, 0.11, 0.24 and 0.02 kg/ha for the Pand 1.3, 10.9 and 1.2 kg/ha for the K, respectively. Inseasonal changes of nutrient concentrations, N, P and Kconcentrations which were rich in young leaves decreased steadily until autumn and decreased abruptly during autumnal yellowing. The standing N, P and K concent were 565, 37 and 257 kg/ha for standing phytomass of overstory, 33, 3 and 18 kg/ha for understory, 132, 3.6 and 14 kg/ha for litter on ground including deadwood and 20, 752, 14 and 420 kg/ha for the soil, respectively. The amounts of annual uptake, reture and retain were 174.2, 57.2, 117.2 kg/ha for the N, 9.9, 3.5, 6.4 kg/ha for the P and 73.2, 30.3, 42.9 kg/ha for the K, respectively. Reabsorption efficiency, ratio of the nutrient amount reabsorbed into woody organs to that in the mature leaves before shedding, was 71%(or 99.8 kg/ha in the amount), 69%(or 5.1 kg/ha) and 57%(or 33.1% kg/ha) and recycling coeffciently made with which the large amount of nutrients is absorbed through roots during growing season(UPTAKE) and reasorbed from the leaves before shedding(RETAIN) but the small amount of nutrients is returned through litterfall(RETURN).