• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2002.04b
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• pp.69-75
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• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd/dwf3 were Shown to be blocked in $D^4$ reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bri1/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus it is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRI1 could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10643-10646
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• 2015

Background: To study the relationship between mammographic findings and clinical/pathologic features in women with 1-15mm sized invasive breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We investigated a consecutive series of 134 cases diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital in 2007. Mammographic findings were classified into five groups as follows :1) stellate mass without calcification; 2) non-stellate mass without calcification; 3) intermediate suspicious calcification with or without associated mass; 4) higher probability malignant calcification with or without associated mass; 5) focal asymmetry/distortion without associated calcification. Associations between mammographic and clinical/pathological features (menopause status/family history/histologic grade/lymph node status and ER/PR/HER2 status) was analyzed through logistic regression and chi square tests. Results: Compared to the stellate mass without calcification group, higher probability malignant calcification patients were associated significantly with a positive lymph node status, always presenting in patients who were non-menopausal and with a family history of carcinoma. Conclusions: Higher probability malignant calcifications with or without associated tumor masses are associated with clinical/pathologic features of poor prognosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2014

Background Burn infliction techniques are poorly described in rat models. An accurate study can only be achieved with wounds that are uniform in size and depth. We describe a simple reproducible method for creating consistent burn wounds in rats. Methods Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and dorsum shaved. A 100 g cylindrical stainless-steel rod (1 cm diameter) was heated to $100^{\circ}C$ in boiling water. Temperature was monitored using a thermocouple. We performed two consecutive toe-pinch tests on different limbs to assess the depth of sedation. Burn infliction was limited to the loin. The skin was pulled upwards, away from the underlying viscera, creating a flat surface. The rod rested on its own weight for 5, 10, and 20 seconds at three different sites on each rat. Wounds were evaluated for size, morphology and depth. Results Average wound size was $0.9957cm^2$ (standard deviation [SD] 0.1845) (n=30). Wounds created with duration of 5 seconds were pale, with an indistinct margin of erythema. Wounds of 10 and 20 seconds were well-defined, uniformly brown with a rim of erythema. Average depths of tissue damage were 1.30 mm (SD 0.424), 2.35 mm (SD 0.071), and 2.60 mm (SD 0.283) for duration of 5, 10, 20 seconds respectively. Burn duration of 5 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage. Burn duration of 10 seconds and 20 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage, involving subjacent skeletal muscle. Conclusions This is a simple reproducible method for creating burn wounds consistent in size and depth in a rat burn model.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.509-524
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• 2014

The purposes of this study were to develop a program utilizing learning strategies for underachieving middle school students in science and to identify the effectiveness of the program on the ability of using learning strategies and the improvement of science academic achievement. For this study, we developed the program of learning strategies consisting of eleven consecutive lesson plans focusing on the content of 2009 revised national science curriculum and applied the program to three underachieving students in science of 7th grade, who have weaker learning strategies that can be used for science study than other underachievers. After treatments, we analyzed the effectiveness of this program through science learning strategy tests, overall assessments, student-activity sheets, research logs, learning-transcription details, analysis of interviews with students, and observation of classes. According to this study, the enhancement of the ability of using learning strategies was limited because it was difficult for the students to change their fossilized strategies. On the other hand, their overall academic performance was considerably improved since the students became interested in studying science drawing on the learning strategies. Therefore, the program of learning strategies had a positive effect on improving the science underachievers' ability of using learning strategies and academic achievements.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd /dwf3 were shown to be blocked in D$^4$reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bril/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus it is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRIl could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.371-384
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• 2015

Although GOCI has potential for land surface monitoring, there have been only a few cases for land applications. It might be due to the lack of reliable land products derived from GOCI data for end-users. To use for land applications, it is often essential to provide cloud-free composite over land surfaces. In this study, we proposed a cloud detection method that was very important to make cloud-free composite of GOCI reflectance and vegetation index. Since GOCI does not have SWIR and TIR spectral bands, which are very effective to separate clouds from other land cover types, we developed a multi-temporal approach to detect cloud. The proposed cloud detection method consists of three sequential steps of spectral tests. Firstly, band 1 reflectance threshold was applied to separate confident clear pixels. In second step, thick cloud was detected by the ratio (b1/b8) of band 1 and band 8 reflectance. In third step, average of b1/b8 ratio values during three consecutive days was used to detect thin cloud having mixed spectral characteristics of both cloud and land surfaces. The proposed method provides four classes of cloudiness (thick cloud, thin cloud, probably clear, confident clear). The cloud detection method was validated by the MODIS cloud mask products obtained during the same time as the GOCI data acquisition. The percentages of cloudy and cloud-free pixels between GOCI and MODIS are about the same with less than 10% RMSE. The spatial distributions of clouds detected from the GOCI images were also similar to the MODIS cloud mask products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to estimate the test-retest reliability and the intratest repeatability in measuring the lumbar range of motion of healthy volunteers with wireless microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) system and to discuss the feasibility of this system in the clinical setting to evaluate the lumbar spine movement. Methods : 19 healthy male volunteers were participated, who got under 21 points at oswestry disability index(ODI) were adopted. Their lumbar motion were measured with IMU twice in consecutive an hour for the test-retest reliability study. Intratest repeatability was calculated in the two tests separately. The calculated intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) were discussed and compared with the those of the previous studies. Results : Lumbar range of motion of flexion $41.45^{\circ}$, extension $16.34^{\circ}$, right lateral bending $16.41^{\circ}$ left lateral bending $13.63^{\circ}$ right rotation $-2.47^{\circ}$, left rotation $-0.61^{\circ}$. ICCs were 0.96~1.00(intratest repeatability) and 0.61~0.92(test-retest reliability). Conclusion : This study shows that MEMS-IMU system demonstrates a high test-retest reliability and intratest repeatability by calculated intraclass correlation coefficients. The results of this study represents that wireless inertial sensor measurement system has portable and economical efficiency. By MEMS-IMU system, we can measures lumbar range of motion and analyze lumbar motion effectively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.25-33
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• 2013

Objectives : To assess the test-retest reliability and the intratest repeatability in measuring the cervical range of motion of healthy subjects with wireless microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) system and to discuss the feasibility of this system in the clinical setting to evaluate the cervical spine musculoskeletal. Methods : 12 healthy people who were evaluated as no- or mild-disability with neck disability index were participated. Their cervical motion were measured with IMU twice in consecutive two days for the test-retest reliability study. Intratest repeatability was calculated in the two tests separately. The calculated intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) were discussed and compared with the those of the previous studies. Results : Cervical range of motion data were acquired and statistically processed: left rotation($61.64^{\circ}$), right rotation($65.12^{\circ}$), extension($61.98^{\circ}$), flexion($52.81^{\circ}$), left bending($39.31^{\circ}$), right bending($41.08^{\circ}$). ICCs were 0.77~0.98(intratest repeatability) and 0.74~0.93 (test-retest reliability) in the primary motion. In the coupling motion, intratest repeatability ICCs were 0.93~ 0.99(transverse primary plane), 0.88~0.97(saggital primay plane), and 0.77~0.93(coronal primary plane). Test-retest reliability of coupling motion were 0.90~0.97(transverse primary plane), 0.00~0.72(saggital primary plane), and 0.04~0.76(coronal primary plane). Conclusions : Several types of range-of-motion devices are now on use in many fields including medicine, but the practicality of the devices in clinical use is questionable for the convenient and economical aspects. In this study, we presented the reliability of cervical range of motion test with the developed wireless MEMS-IMU system and discussed its potential utility in clinical use.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 1997

Introduction : Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is shown to common in patients with OSA and may become evident or worsened when treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Whether this is due to im proved sleep continuity. adverse nocturnal body positioning, uncovered by CPAP, or due to the CPAP stimulus is still debat-ed. We hypothesized that the increase in PLM activity following CPAP is associated with more supine-sleeping tendencies when being treated with CPAP. In the present work, we compared differences in the PLMD index (PLMI) and sleeping position of patients with sleep disordered breathing before and after CPAP treatment. Method : We studied 16 patients (mean age 46 yr, 9M, 7F) with OSA (11 patients) or UARS (5 patients) who either had PLMD on initial polysomnogram (baseline PSG) or on nasal CPAP trial (CPAP PSG). All periodic leg movements were scored on anterior tibialis EMG during sleep according to standard criteria (net duration; 0.5-5.0 seconds, intervals; 4-90 seconds. 4 consecutive movements). Paired t-tests compared PLMD index (PLMI), PLMD-related arousal index (PLMD-ArI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and supine sleeping position spent with baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. Results : Ten patients (63%) on baseline PSG and fifteen patients (94%) on CPAP PSG had documented PLMD ($PLMI{\ge}5$) respectively with significant increase on CPAP PSG(p<0.05). Ten patients showed the emergence (6/10 patients) or substantial worsening (4/10 patients) of PLMD during CPAP trial. Mean CPAP pressure was $7.6{\pm}1.8\;cmH_2O$. PLMI tended to increase from baseline PSG to CPAP PSG, and significantly increase when excluding 2 outlier (baseline PSG, $19.0{\pm}25.8/hr$ vs CPAP PSG, $29.9{\pm}12.5/hr$, p<0.1). PLMD-ArI showed no significant change, but a significant decrease was detected when excluding 2 outlier (p<0.1). There was no significant sleeping positional difference (supine vs non-supine) on baseline PSG, but significantly more supine position (supine vs non-supine, p<0.05) on CPAP PSG. There was no significant difference in PLMI during supine-sleeping and nonsupine-sleeping position on both of baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. There was also no significant difference in PLMI during supine-sleeping position between baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. With nasal CPAP, there was a highly significant reduction in the RDI (baseline PSG, $14.1{\pm}21.3/hr$ vs CPAP PSG, $2.7{\pm}3.9/hr$, p<0.05). Conclusion : This preliminary data confirms previous findings that CPAP is a very effective treatment for OSA, and that PLMD is developed or worsened with treatment by CPAP. This data also indicates that supine-sleeping position is more common when being treated with CPAP. However, there was no clear evidence that supine position is the causal factor of increased PLMD with CPAP. It is, however, suggested that the relative movement limitation induced by CPAP treatment could be a contributory factor of PLMD.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Purpose: To determine the value of the appearance of the high signal intensity halo sign for detecting carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on maximum intensity projection (MIP) of time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA), based on high signal intensity on magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo (MPRAGE) sequencing. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 carotid arteries in 65 patients with magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) positive on carotid plaque MR imaging were included in this study. High-resolution MR imaging was performed on a 3.0-T scanner prior to carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Fast spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted axial imaging, TOF, and MPRAGE sequences were obtained. Carotid plaques with high signal intensity on MPRAGE > 200% that of adjacent muscle on at least two consecutive slices were defined as showing IPH. Halo sign of high signal intensity around the carotid artery was found on MIP from TOF MRA. Continuous and categorical variables were compared among groups using the Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Of these 78 carotid arteries, 53 appeared as a halo sign on the TOF MRA. The total IPH volume of patients with a positive halo sign was significantly higher than that of patients without a halo sign ($75.0{\pm}86.8$ vs. $16.3{\pm}18.2$, P = 0.001). The maximum IPH axial wall area in patients with a positive halo sign was significantly higher than that of patients without a halo sign ($11.3{\pm}9.9$ vs. $3.7{\pm}3.6$, P = 0.000). Conclusion: High signal intensity halo of IPH on MIP of TOF MRA is associated with total volume and maximal axial wall area of IPH.