• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.628-636
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Advanced pancreatic and biliary tract cancers can invade the duodenum and cause duodenal hemorrhagic stenosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of covered self-expandable metal stents in the treatment of cancer-related duodenal hemorrhage with stenosis. Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2016, metal stents were placed in 51 patients with duodenal stenosis. Among these patients, a self-expandable covered metal stent was endoscopically placed in 10 patients with hemorrhagic duodenal stenosis caused by pancreatobiliary cancer progression. We retrospectively analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of the stents by evaluating the technical and clinical success rates based on successful stent placement, degree of oral intake, hemostasis, stent patency, and overall survival. Results: The technical and clinical success rates were 100%. All 10 patients achieved a gastric outlet obstruction scoring system score of three within two weeks after the procedure and had no recurrence of melena. The median stent patency duration and overall survival after stent placement were 52 days (range, 20-220 days) and 66.5 days (range, 31-220 days), respectively. Conclusions: Endoscopic placement of a covered metal stent for hemorrhagic duodenal stenosis associated with pancreatic or biliary tract cancer resulted in duodenal hemostasis, recanalization, and improved quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2014

This study demonstrates a double-path CDI as an alternative of advanced wastewater treatment process. While the CDI typically consists of many pairs of electrodes connected in parallel, the new double-path CDI is designed to have series flow path by dividing the module into two stages. The CFD model showed that the double-path had uniform flow distribution with higher velocity and less dead zone compared with the single-path. However, the double-path was predicted to have higher pressure drop(0.7 bar) compared the single-path (0.4 bar). From the unit cell test, the highest TDS removal efficiencies of single- and double-path were up to 88% and 91%, respectively. The rate of increase in pressure drop with an increase of flow rate was higher in double-path than single-path. At 70 mL/min of flow rate, the pressure drop of double-path was 1.67 bar, which was two times higher than single-path. When the electrode spacing was increased from 100 to $200{\mu}m$, the pressure drop of double-path decreased from 1.67 to 0.87 bar, while there was little difference in TDS removal. When proto type double-path CDI was operated using sewage water, TDS, $NH_4{^+}$-N, $NO_3{^-}$-N and $PO_4{^{3-}}$-P removal efficiencies were up to 78%, 50%, 93% and 50%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.454-464
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• 2018

Black soybeans are used as food sources as well as for traditional medicines because they contain an abundance of natural phenolic compounds. In this study, total phenolic contents (TPCs) of Korean black seed coat soybean varieties Socheongja (SCJ), Socheong 2 (SC2) and Cheongja 2 (CJ2) as well as their antioxidant capacities were investigated. Among them, TPCs were abundantly present in the order of CJ2$H_2O_2$-stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. Our results revealed that treatment with SCJ and SC2 prior to $H_2O_2$ exposure significantly increases the viability of HaCaT cells, indicating that the exposure of HaCaT cells to SCJ and SC2 conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. SCJ and SC2 also effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced apoptotic cell death through the blocking of mitochondrial dysfunction. SCJ and SC2 also attenuated the phosphorylation of Histone H2AX. Furthermore, they effectively induced the levels of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) 1, a potent antioxidant enzyme, which is associated with the induction of nuclear transcription factor erythroid-2-like factor 2 (Nrf2); however, the protective effects of SCJ and SC2 were significantly reversed by Auranofin, a TrxR inhibitor. These results indicate that they have protective activity through the blocking of cellular damage related to oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our study indicated that SCJ and SC2 might potentially serve as novel agents for the treatment and prevention of skin disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.306-313
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• 2014

Nanoporous $TiO_2$ films are commonly used as working electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). So far, there have been attempts to synthesize films with various $TiO_2$ nanostructures to increase the power-conversion efficiency. In this work, vertically aligned rutile $TiO_2$ nanorods were grown on fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) glass by hydrothermal synthesis, followed by deposition of an anatase $TiO_2$ film. This new method of anatase $TiO_2$ growth avoided the use of a seed layer that is usually required in hydrothermal synthesis of $TiO_2$ electrodes. The dense anatase $TiO_2$ layer was designed to behave as the electron-generating layer, while the less dense rutile nanorods acted as electron-transfer pathwaysto the FTO glass. In order to facilitate the electron transfer, the rutile phase nanorods were treated with a $TiCl_4$ solution so that the nanorods were coated with the anatase $TiO_2$ film after heat treatment. Compared to the electrode consisting of only rutile $TiO_2$, the power-conversion efficiency of the rutile-anatase hybrid $TiO_2$ electrode was found to be much higher. The total thickness of the rutile-anatase hybrid $TiO_2$ structures were around $4.5-5.0{\mu}m$, and the highest power efficiency of the cell assembled with the structured $TiO_2$ electrode was around 3.94%.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1128-1133
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• 1998

Extrusion cooking treatment was compared with autoclaving/cooling treatment for formation of enzyme resistant starch of high amylose corn starch (HACS). Effects of barrel temperature $(100^{\circ}C,\;120^{\circ}C,\;140^{\circ}C)$ and feed moisture content (25%, 35%, 45%) on extrusion processing in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder under fixed screw speed (100 rpm) were investigated by measuring enzyme resistant starch (RS) yield. RS yield were estimated by in-vitro pancreatin digestion method and enzymatic-gravimetric method using termamyl. Barrel temperature and yield of RS were negatively correlated and feed moisture content and yield of RS was positively correlated as determined by in-vitro pancreatin method. The highest yield (38.4%) of RS was obtained from HACS extrudate processed at the barrel temperature of $100^{\circ}C$ and the feed moisture content of 45%, while the yield of RS by 5 times of autoclaving/cooling was 25%. The yield of RS by in vitro pancreatin digestion method was 20.7% with high amylose corn starch and 8.2% with ordinary corn starch (CS), respectively, under the same extrusion condition (barrel temperature $120^{\circ}C$, feed moisture content 35%). At the same condition, the yields of RS by enzyme-gravimetric method were 14.6% with HACS and 6.8% with CS, respectively. The yield of RS increased during the storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks and the highest yield (60%) was obtained by the storage of HACS extrudates extruded at $100^{\circ}C$ and 45% feed moisture content.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 1986

Because of the drastic development of nuclear industries, the contamination of natural environments by the disposal of radioactive materials which are released from nuclear facilities have aroused a considerable concern in relation to agricultural practices. Therefore the present investigation, through pot experiment, was performed to find out the aspect of the uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plants and its distribution in them in five different types(physicochemical and minerallogical properties) of paddy soils. The results obtained were as follows; 1) Visual toxic symptoms on the growth of rice plant due to treatment of $Sr^{90}$ up to $40{\mu}Ci/10㎏$ in a pot were not observed even though uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plant was proportionally increased with the $Sr^{90}$ treatment. 2) Distribution of $Sr^{90}$ in the rice plant was the highest in the leaves (84.5%) followed in the order by stems (13.5%) and rough grain (2.0%). The ratio of $Sr^{90}$ to Ca was higher in the leaves (872) and stems (667) than in the rice grain (89). 3) $Sr^{90}$ absorption in the rice plant ranged $0.15{\sim}0.30%$ at harvesting time. Uptake of $Sr^{90}$ by rice plants decreased by the increase of soil pH and exchangeable canons in the soils, but $Sr^{90}$ uptake increased when nitrogen, organic matter and clay content in soil was high, and uptake of this nuclide in the rice plant was higher with low Illite and Vermiculite content in the soils.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.254-264
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was carried out to confirm clinical values and limitations of postoperative radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma, to evaluate various prognostic factors which may affect to the treatment results and to use these results as fundamental data for making a new treatment strategy. Methods and Materials:. A retrospective analysis was peformed on 64 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, seen between 1988 and 1999 at Pusan National University Hospital. Most of patients were treated by laryngopharyngectomy and neck dissection followed by conventional fractionated postoperative radiotherapy on surgical bed and cervical nodal areas. Results: The five-year overall survival rate and cause-specific survival rate were 42.2 percent and 51.6 percent, respectively. Univariate analysis of various clinical and pathologic factors confirmed the overall stage, TN-stage, secondary primary cancers, surgical positive margin, nodal extracapsular extension, total radiation doses as significant prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinomas. But in multivariate analysis, TN-stage, surgical positive margin and extracapsular extesion were only statistically significant. Conclusion: In resectable cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, combined surgery and postoperative radio-therapy obtained good treatement results, even though sacrificing the function of larynx and pharynx. But in advanced and unresectable cases, with respect to survivals and qualify of life issues, we were able to confirm some limitations of combined therapy. So we recommend that comparative studies of recent various chemo-radiotherapy methods and advanced radiotherapy techniques with these data should be needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.87-94
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• 2018

We present the case of long-term observation of a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by advanced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) resulting from underlying congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD). A 20-year-old woman was admitted for prolonged proteinuria despite conservative treatment for CLD. She was diagnosed with CLD and started taking KCl salt supplementation from the time of birth. Mild proteinuria was first found at 12 years of age, which progressed to moderate proteinuria at 16 years of age. At 16 years of age, CKD stage 2 with FSGS was diagnosed based on the initial assessment of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and kidney histology. On admission, we re-assessed her renal function, histology and genetic analysis. GFR had deteriorated to CKD stage 4 and renal histology revealed an advanced FSGS combined with tubulointerstitial fibrosis. A homozygous mutation in the SLC26A3 gene (c.2063-1G>T) was found by diagnostic exome sequencing and may have been inherited from both parents. CLD patients can be more vulnerable to renal injury, which may also cause progression of renal failure. Therefore, even if there is an early diagnosis and adequate salt supplementation, close monitoring of renal function and tailored treatment should be emphasized for renal protection and favorable CLD prognosis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to better understand the illness experiences and palliative care needs in community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 11 patients (and three family members) among 28 patients contacted. Interviews were led by the principal investigator in her office or at participants' home depending on their preference. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed by a research assistant. The interviews were analyzed by two independent researchers using a conventional method. Results: Participants' ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (nine men and two women). Three themes were identified: (1) same disease, but different illness experiences; (2) I am in charge of my disease(s); (3) preparation for disease progression. Participants were informed of the name of their disease when they were diagnosed, but not provided with explanation of the diagnosis or meant or how to do self-care to delay the disease progression, which increased the feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness and anxiety. Taking medication was considered to be the primary treatment option and self-care a supplemental one. Advanced care plans were considered when they felt the progression of their disease(s) while refraining from sharing it with their family or health care professionals to save their concerns. All participants were willing to withhold life-sustaining treatment without making any preparation in writing. Conclusion: Education on self-care and advanced care planning should be provided to community-dwelling persons with cardiometabolic diseases. A patient-centered education program needs to be developed for this population.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.