• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.460-465
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• 2021

Background: Metastasis and recurrence of primary cancer are the main causes of cancer mortality. Disseminated tumor cells refer to cancer cells that cause metastasis from primary cancer to other organs. Several recent studies have suggested that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with the clinical stage, cancer recurrence, cancer metastasis, and prognosis. There are several methods of isolating CTCs from whole blood; in particular, using a membrane filtration system is advantageous due to its cost-effectiveness and availability in clinical settings. In this study, an animal model of lung cancer was established in nude mice using the human large cell lung cancer cell line H460. Methods: Six-week-old nude mice were used. The H460 lung cancer cell line was injected subcutaneously into the nude mice. Blood samples were obtained from the orbital area before cell line injection, 2 weeks after injection, and 2 weeks after tumor excision. Blood samples were filtered using a polycarbonate 12-well Transwell membrane (Corning Inc., Corning, NY, USA). An indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed with the epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibody. The number of stained cells was counted using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The average size of the tumor masses was 35.83 mm. The stained cells were counted before inoculation, 2 weeks after inoculation, and 2 weeks after tumor excision. Cancer cells generally increased after inoculation and decreased after tumor resection. Conclusion: The CTC detection method using the commercial polycarbonate 12-well Transwell (Corning Inc.) membrane is advantageous in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.214-224
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• 2022

Background: Studies of the prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still limited. This study investigated the prognostic power of CTCs from the pulmonary vein (PV), peripheral blood (PB), and bone marrow (BM) for postoperative recurrence in patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC. Methods: Forty patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC were enrolled. Before resection, 10-mL samples were obtained of PB from the radial artery, blood from the PV of the lobe containing the tumor, and BM aspirates from the rib. A microfabricated filter was used for CTC enrichment, and immunofluorescence staining was used to identify CTCs. Results: The pathologic stage was stage I in 8 patients (20%), II in 15 (38%), III in 14 (35%), and IV in 3 (8%). The median number of PB-, PV-, and BM-CTCs was 4, 4, and 5, respectively. A time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that PB-CTCs had excellent predictive value for recurrence-free survival (RFS), with the highest area under the curve at each time point (first, second, and third quartiles of RFS). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model, PB-CTCs were an independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio, 10.580; 95% confidence interval, 1.637-68.388; p<0.013). Conclusion: The presence of ≥4 PB-CTCs was an independent poor prognostic factor for RFS, and PV-CTCs and PB-CTCs had a positive linear correlation in patients with recurrence.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.148-157
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• 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and is highly dependent on cellular proteins for viral propagation. Using protein microarray analysis, we identified 90 cellular proteins as HCV nonstructural 5A (NS5A) interacting partners, and selected telomere length regulation protein (TEN1) for further study. TEN1 forms a heterotrimeric complex with CTC and STN1, which is essential for telomere protection and maintenance. Telomere length decreases in patients with active HCV, chronic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanism of telomere length shortening in HCV-associated disease is largely unknown. In the present study, protein interactions between NS5A and TEN1 were confirmed by immunoprecipitation assays. Silencing of TEN1 reduced both viral RNA and protein expression levels of HCV, while ectopic expression of the siRNA-resistant TEN1 recovered the viral protein level, suggesting that TEN1 was specifically required for HCV propagation. Importantly, we found that TEN1 is re-localized from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in HCV-infected cells. These data suggest that HCV exploits TEN1 to promote viral propagation and that telomere protection is compromised in HCV-infected cells. Overall, our findings provide mechanistic insight into the telomere shortening in HCV-infected cells.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.3A
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• pp.523-532
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• 2006

It is thought that the suggestion of efficient and rational design guideline based on the behavior evaluation of bridge structure system the included cross beam is necessary for the construction efficiency of two-I girder steel bridges. Therefore, in this study, the effects of influence parameters are investigated by the behavior analyses of the bridges, in which the influence parameters are location, spacing and rigidity of the cross beam. For this study, the existed two-I girder steel bridges firstly were selected with the model of case study and the FE analyses for some case models were performed to estimate the action of the cross beam in the bridge. From the analyses, it was estimated that if it consider local stress and load distribution of a floor system, shell and solid elements are compatible to modeling of the cross beams. Also, the efficient design guideline for the cross beam of two-I girder steel bridge was suggested from parameter studies used location, spacing and rigidity of the cross beam.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate depression, anxiety, trauma experience, and suicidal tendency among patients who were hospitalized in a community treatment center and to identify the factors that were associated with each symptom. Methods : A total of 213 patients who were hospitalized in the Tae-reung community treatment center between March 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020 were recruited into this study. A self-report questionnaire or interview by mental health professionals was used to assess PHQ-2, GAD-7, PC-PTSC and P4 screener. In 90 patients who completed the survey, multiple regression modeling was conducted to identify the burden of each psychiatric symptoms and associated demographic characteristics. Results : Female gender was significantly positively associated with GAD-7 score, score of each GAD-7 subscale of 1, 2, 3 or 4 (nervous, control of worry, worry, and trouble relaxing), and sum of GAD-7 subscale scores reflecting cognitive and emotional experience of anxiety (1. nervous+2. control of worry+3. worry+7. afraid). Previous psychiatric history and, number of counseling service used were significantly positively associated with the PHQ-2 score and the duration of isolation was significantly negatively associated with the PHQ-2 score. Conclusion : These results showed that depression and anxiety symptoms were more prevalent in COVID-19 patients at the community treatment center than in the general population. Among the demographic characteristics, female gender was positively associated with cognitive and emotional experience of anxiety. It shows the necessity of an appropriate psychiatric intervention protocol and health-policy preparation for community treatment centers.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.517-528
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• 2024

For numerous tunnelling projects implemented in urban areas due to limited space, it is crucial to take into account the interaction between the foundation, ground, and tunnel. In predicting the deformation of piled foundations and the ground during twin tunnel excavation, it is essential to consider various factors. Therefore, this study derived a prediction model for pile group settlement using machine learning to analyze the importance of various factors that determine the settlement of piled foundations during twin tunnelling. Laboratory model tests and numerical analysis were utilized as input data for machine learning. The influence of each independent variable on the prediction model was analyzed. Machine learning techniques such as data preprocessing, feature engineering, and hyperparameter tuning were used to improve the performance of the prediction model. Machine learning models, employing Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM, LGB) algorithms, demonstrate enhanced performance after hyperparameter tuning, particularly with LGB achieving an R² of 0.9782 and RMSE value of 0.0314. The feature importance in the prediction models was analyzed and P_N was the highest at 65.04% for RF, 64.81% for XGB, and P_CTC (distance between the center of piles) was the highest at 31.32% for LGB. SHAP was utilized for analyzing the impact of each variable. P_N (the number of piles) consistently exerted the most influence on the prediction of pile group settlement across all models. The results from both laboratory model tests and numerical analysis revealed a reduction in ground displacement with varying pillar spacing in twin tunnels. However, upon further investigation through machine learning with additional variables, it was found that the number of piles has the most significant impact on ground displacement. Nevertheless, as this study is based on laboratory model testing, further research considering real field conditions is necessary. This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions inherent in twin tunnelling projects and provides a reliable tool for predicting pile group settlement in such scenarios.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2005

A pilot scale filed model test and 2-D numerical analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of constructing a geogrid-reinforced and pile-supported embankment system over soft ground to reduce differential settlement, and the results are presented hearin. Three-by-three pile groups with varying the space between pile were driven into a layer of soft marine clay and a layer of geogrid was used as reinforcement over each pile group. 2-D numerical analysis has been conducted by using the FLAC-2D(Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) program for same condition of field model test. The settlement, vertical stress, and strain of geogrid due to the construction of embankment were measured at various locations. Based on the field model test and numerical analysis results, pile reinforcement generated the soil arching at the midspan of pile cap and the geogrid reinforcement helps reduce the differential settlement of the soft ground by tensile strength of geogrid. Also for $D/b{\geq}6.0$, the effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement in reducing settlement is negligible.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.2983-2988
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• 2010

The train control system used in Gyeongbu-line is classified in ATC, IXL and CTC. Domestic railway signaling systems are being developed by electrification. In these systems the electrification of interlocking reaches 57% and the safety equipments of railway crossings in trackside devices have completed their development into an integrated system. Block systems of all the existing sections have not yet electrified and integrated so that they need a number of complement in terms of construction and maintenance. For ABS currently used in existing domestic lines, and LEU being installed in Gyeongbu and Honam lines, although a train is controlled by the signaling information of the same train in the same location, the system is separately installed so that the same information is separately divided and transmitted at the each distinct system. Therefore, in the conventional ABS and LEU, there are a lot of duplicate installed compartments such as lamp detection and a power supply unit. Hence, we have a lot of problems: for maintenance, a lot of manpower and costs need to be invested and the overall manufacturing costs get higher, as well as the construction costs by duplicate. Therefore, this paper suggest design to develop an integrated electronic Block Control Unit by the integration of the currently used ABS, and communication and electronic technology. We are to monitor and manage the block systems in the corresponding station by integrating. And we are to transmit information together with LEU, which is an ATS wayside transmitter.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1729-1735
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• 2004

A total of 140 weaning pigs were used to determine the effects of digestive enzyme supplementation to corn-soybean meal diets on growth performance, physiological changes of small intestine, microorganisms and pH in the gastrointestinal tract. Two kinds of enzyme complex (A, B) were used in this experiment. Pigs were allotted in a completely random design (CRD) to five replicates with four pigs per pen. Diets and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. Treatments included 1) Control: without enzyme supplementation, 2) Enzyme A 0.05%, 3) Enzyme A 0.10%, 4) Enzyme A 0.15%, 5) Enzyme B 0.05%, 6) Enzyme B 0.10%, 7) Enzyme B 0.15% in the diets. A total of 24 crossbred barrows 25.78${\pm}$0.55 kg BW fitted with simple ileal T-cannulas were used to evaluate the effect the enzyme addition on the nutrient digstibility. Pigs were allotted 4 treatments (No enzyme, enzyme A 0.05%, enzyme A 0.1%, enzyme A 0.15%), 6 replicates according to a completely random design (CRD). Another digestibility trial was followed for enzyme complex B. Twenty pigs, average 31.92${\pm}$0.37 kg BW, fitted with simple ileal T-cannulas for digestibility trial. Neither enzyme A nor enzyme B affected on fecal or ileal digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, crude fat and crude ash (p>0.05). The apparent fecal digestibilities of all the nutrients were higher in total feces collection method than in indirect method. At the end of feeding trial, 21 pigs were slaughtered for examining the morphological changes of small intestine and the concentration of microorganisms in the ileum and the colon. Growth performance, intestinal morphology and pH of ileum and colon were not affected by the either enzyme complex supplementation (p>0.05). These results suggested that enzyme complex A and enzyme complex B were of no benefit to early-weaned pigs when corn-soybean meal based diet was provided.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2005

To search probiotic microorganisms, we isolated Lactobacillus sp. from kefir, The Lactobacillus sp. strain showed $99.5\%$ of identity to species Lactobacillus rhamnosus by API kit. Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed high resistances to acidic environment, which grew well even at pH 2.0 and $1.0\%$ bile salt Enzyme activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus was higher in amylase ($0.673\;{\mu}mol/min/mg$) than that in xylanase ($0.288\;{\mu}mol/min/mg$), cellulase($0.117\;{\mu}mol/min/mg$) and phytase($0.269\;{\mu}mol/min/mg$). Especially, the Lactobacillus rhamnosus showed high heat stability which remained $1{\times}10^6\;CFU/ml$ at $60^{\circ}C$. The maximum numbers of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on growth owe was reached at 24 h fermentation and pH was decreased to 4.6. The resistances of Lactobacillus rhamnosus to acidic pH and bile salt were better than that of Lactobacillus acidophilus used as control. When Lactobacillus rhamnosus was cultured with E. coli in MRS broth, E. coli was disappeared after 18 h. These result suggest that the isolated Lactobacillus rhamnosus has a useful probiotics properties.