• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.958-968
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• 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the important role that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play in the immunological process of hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). An increasing number of studies have shown that certain lncRNAs hold great potential as viable options for diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice. The primary objective of our investigation was to devise an immune lncRNA profile to explore the significance of immune-associated lncRNAs in the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of LIHC. Gene expression profiles of LIHC samples obtained from TCGA database were screened for immune-related genes. The optimal immune-related lncRNA signature was built via correlational analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Then, the Kaplan-Meier plot, ROC curve, clinical analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and principal component analysis were performed to evaluate the capability of the immune lncRNA signature as a prognostic indicator. Six long non-coding RNAs were identified via correlation analysis and Cox regression analysis considering their interactions with immune genes. Subsequently, tumor samples were categorized into two distinct risk groups based on different clinical outcomes. Stratification analysis indicated that the prognostic ability of this signature acted as an independent factor. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to conduct survival analysis, results showed a significant difference between the two risk groups. The predictive performance of this signature was validated by principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, data obtained from gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed several potential biological processes in which these biomarkers may be involved. To summarize, this study demonstrated that this six-lncRNA signature could be identified as a potential factor that can independently predict the prognosis of LIHC patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to assess the test-retest reproducibility of the Short Form Berg Balance Scale (SF-BBS) and the Short Form Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (SF-PASS) among chronic stroke survivors, focusing on their reliability for consistent measurements over time. Design: A cross-sectional study design Methods: Thirty chronic stroke survivors participated in this study, undergoing evaluations with SF-BBS and SF-PASS scales at two different points, separated by a seven-day interval. The analysis focused on test-retest reliability, employing statistical measures such as the Intra-Class Coefficient (ICC_2,1), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimal Detectable Change (MDC), and MDC%, the Bland-Altman plot to assess the limits of agreement and the extent of random measurement error. Results: The study found notable test-retest reproducibility for both SF-BBS and SF-PASS, with ICC values demonstrating strong reliability (0.932 to 0.941, with a confidence interval of 0.889 to 0.973). SEM values for SF-BBS and SF-PASS were reported as 1.34 and 0.61, respectively, indicating low measurement error. MDC values of 3.71 for SF-BBS and 1.69 for SF-PASS suggest that the scales have an acceptable level of sensitivity to change, with reliability metrics falling below 20% of the maximum possible score. Conclusions: The findings suggest that both SF-BBS and SF-PASS exhibit high intra-class correlation coefficients, indicating strong test-retest reliability. The SEM and MDC values further support the scales' reproducibility and reliability as tools for evaluating mobility and dynamic balance in chronic stroke survivors. Therefore, these scales are recommended for clinical use in this population, providing reliable measures for assessing progress in rehabilitation.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.468-481
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Although the clinical consequences of advanced heart failure (HF) may be similar across different etiologies of cardiomyopathies, their proteomic expression may show substantial differences in relation to underlying pathophysiology. We aimed to identify myocardial tissue-based proteomic characteristics and the underlying molecular pathophysiology in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with different etiologies. Methods: Comparative extensive proteomic analysis of the myocardium was performed in nine patients with biopsy-proven non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (3 dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM], 2 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [HCM], and 4 myocarditis) as well as five controls using tandem mass tags combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differential protein expression analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were performed to identify proteomic differences and molecular mechanisms in each cardiomyopathy type compared to the control. Proteomic characteristics were further evaluated in accordance with clinical and pathological findings. Results: The principal component analysis score plot showed that the controls, DCM, and HCM clustered well. However, myocarditis samples exhibited scattered distribution. IPA revealed the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and upregulation of the sirtuin signaling pathway in both DCM and HCM. Various inflammatory pathways were upregulated in myocarditis with the downregulation of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors. The molecular pathophysiology identified by extensive proteomic analysis represented the clinical and pathological properties of each cardiomyopathy with abundant proteomes. Conclusions: Different etiologies of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies in advanced HF exhibit distinct proteomic expression despite shared pathologic findings. The benefit of tailored management strategies considering the different proteomic expressions in non-ischemic advanced HF requires further investigation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.355-363
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• 2003

Purpose: Regional contractility can be calculated using the regional volume change of left ventricle measured by gated myocardial SPECT image and curve of central artery pressure obtained from radial artery pressure data. In this study, a program to obtain the regional contractility was developed, and reproducibility of regional contractility measurement was assessed. Materials and Methods: Seven patients(male:female=5:2, $58{\pm}11.9$ years) with coronary artery diseases underwent gated Tc-99m MIBI myocardial SPECT twice without delay between two scans. Regional volume change of left ventricle was estimated using CSA (Cardiac SPECT Analyzer) software developed in this study. Regional contractility was iteratively estimated from the time-elastance curve obtained using the time-pressure curve and regional time-volume curve. Reproducibility of regional contractility measurement assessed by comparing the contractility values measured twice from the same SPECT data and by comparing those measured from the pair of SPECT data obtained from a same patient. Results: Measured regional contractility was $3.36{\pm}3.38{mm}Hg/mL$ using 15-segment model, $3.16{\pm}2.25{mm}Hg/mL$ using 7-segment model, and $3.11{\pm}2.57{mm}Hg/mL$ using 5-segment model. The harmonic average of regional contractility value was almost identical to the global contractility. Correlation coefficient of regional contractility values measured twice from the same data was greater than 0.97 for all models, and two standard deviations of contractility difference on Bland Altman plot were 1.5%, 1.0%, and 0.9% for 15-, 7-, and 5-segment models, respectively. Correlation coefficient of regional contractility values measured from the pair of SPECT data obtained from a same patient was greater than 0.95 for all models, and two standard deviations on Bland Altman plot were 2.2%, 1.0%, and 1.2%. Conclusion: Regional contractility of left ventricle measured using developed software in this study was reproducible. Regional contractility of left ventricle will be a new useful index for myocardial function after analysis of the clinical data.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2003

Objectives: A new software (Cardiac SPECT Analyzer: CSA) was developed for quantification of volumes and election fraction on gated myocardial SPECT. Volumes and ejection fraction by CSA were validated by comparing with those quantified by Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS) software. Materials and Methods: Gated myocardial SPECT was peformed in 40 patients with ejection fraction from 15% to 85%. In 26 patients, gated myocardial SPECT was acquired again with the patients in situ. A cylinder model was used to eliminate noise semi-automatically and profile data was extracted using Gaussian fitting after smoothing. The boundary points of endo- and epicardium were found using an iterative learning algorithm. Enddiastolic (EDV) and endsystolic volumes (ESV) and election fraction (EF) were calculated. These values were compared with those calculated by QGS and the same gated SPECT data was repeatedly quantified by CSA and variation of the values on sequential measurements of the same patients on the repeated acquisition. Results: From the 40 patient data, EF, EDV and ESV by CSA were correlated with those by QGS with the correlation coefficients of 0.97, 0.92, 0.96. Two standard deviation (SD) of EF on Bland Altman plot was 10.1%. Repeated measurements of EF, EDV, and ESV by CSA were correlated with each other with the coefficients of 0.96, 0.99, and 0.99 for EF, EDV and ESV respectively. On repeated acquisition, reproducibility was also excellent with correlation coefficients of 0.89, 0.97, 0.98, and coefficient of variation of 8.2%, 5.4mL, 8.5mL and 2SD of 10.6%, 21.2mL, and 16.4mL on Bland Altman plot for EF, EDV and ESV. Conclusion: We developed the software of CSA for quantification of volumes and ejection fraction on gated myocardial SPECT. Volumes and ejection fraction quantified using this software was found valid for its correctness and precision.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.486-497
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of air pollution on Pinus thunbergii forests surrounding Sasang industrial complex in Korea. The injury index, contents of chlorophyll and mineral elements, and concentrations of water soluble sulfur in needles were investigated at sample plots surrounding industrial complex and compared with those of control far from industrial complex. The results obtained are as follows ; 1. Discoloration of Pinus thunbergii needles was severe in the vicinity of industrial complex, and the older needle age classes was the more severe its injury appeared. Injury index was increased in the vicinity of industrial complex. 2. Water-soluble sulfur concentration was high in the vicinity of industrial complex at all of needle age classes, and those of all plots were higher than that of control. 3. Chlorophyll a contents were lower at surrounding industrial complex than that at control. It was supposed that chlorophyll a was destroyed by air pollutants. Total chlorophyll contents and content ratio of chlorophyll a to b were influenced by decrease of chlorophyll a contents. 4. Phosphorus contents in needles were decreased even in remoted regions with the increase of needle age classes. Colcium contents in needles were decreased near industrial complex at all needle ages classes. 5. There were negative correlation, between injury index and chlorophyll contents, injury index and calcium contents, and there were positive correlation between injury index and calcium contents. 6. Cluster analysis was carried out to divide the injured regions on sample plots. As a result of the analysis, there were devided 3 regions, severe regions(1-8 plots), medium regions(9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17 plot), slight(13, 14, 16, 18, 19 plot and control). 7. The cross section of visible injured needle showed the destruction of mesophyll cell, sclerenchyma cell in the outside of resin duct and endodermis, partially.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2008

Mixed-planting of two rice cultivars, HP ('Hopyeongbyeo') and NP ('Nampyeongbyeo'), having a dissimilar susceptibility to rice blast was practiced for chemical-free control of rice blast in the field. The HP/NP combination was selected for applying under mechanized agricultural conditions. Because they have similar genetic characteristics such as seed germination and heading time, culm length, rice quality and size of rice grains except susceptibility to blast. Incidence of panicle blast was reduced 50.4 % compare with supposed blast incidence by HP/NP mixed-planting when the seeds of two cultivars were combined 1 to 1 as weight. Supposed blast incidence was estimated from reduction of rice blast caused by addition of a resistant cultivar NP. Race diversity of Magnaporthe oryzae was examined for correlation with control effect of HP/NP mixed-planting on rice blast. The population of dominant race KJ-101 was diminished and replaced with various co-existing races and eleven new races were appeared in mixed-planting plot. Total number of race isolated from mixed-planting plot was not largely different from mono-culture. However, detection frequency of the new race was increased and variation of the population size of each race was decreased in mixed-planting plots. It was shown that a biased community with a dominant race (KJ-101 or KI-181) was altered to a balanced one of coexisting races. From these results, it was supposed that the balanced diversity among co-existing races within a community might be correlated to control effect by HP/NP mixed-planting on rice blast. Further more, it should be studied that genetic characteristics of the individual race including a virulence on cv. HP and NP was examined for verifying a correlation of mixed-planting effect and race diversity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2018

Yield prediction model for mixed pasture was developed with a shortage that the relationship between dry matter yield (DMY) and days of summer depression (DSD) was not properly reflected in the model in the previous research. Therefore, this study was designed to eliminate the data of the regions with distinctly different climatic conditions and then investigate their relationships DMY and DSD using the data in each region separately of regions with distinct climatic characteristics and classify the data based on regions for further analysis based on the previous mixed pasture prediction model. The data set used in the research kept 582 data points from 11 regions and 41 mixed pasture types. The relationship between DMY and DSD in each region were analyzed through scatter plot, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis in each region separately. In the statistical analysis, DMY was taken as the response variable and 5 climatic variables including DSD were taken as explanatory variables. The results of scatter plot showed that negative correlations between DMY and DSD were observed in 7 out of 9 regions. Therefore, it was confirmed that analyzing the relationship between DMY and DSD based on each region is necessary and 5 regions were selected (Hwaseong, Suwon, Daejeon, Siheung and Gwangju) since the data size in these regions is large enough to perform the further statistical analysis based on large sample approximation theory. Correlation analysis showed that negative correlations were found between DMY and DSD in 3 (Hwaseong, Suwon and Siheung) out of the 5 regions, meanwhile the negative relationship in Hwaseong was confirmed through multiple regression analysis. Therefore, it was concluded that the interpretability of the yield prediction model for mixed pasture could be improved based on constructing the models using the data from each region separately instead of using the pooled data from different regions.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.51-67
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• 2016

Geochemical characteristics of the Early Cretaceous igneous rocks from eastern China and the Gyeongsang Basin, Korean Peninsula has been summarized. They have wide range of lithological variation with extrusive picrite-basalt-andesite-trachyte-rhyolite and lamprophyre, and intrusive gabbro-diorite-monzonite-syenite-granite and diabase in eastern China, mostly belonging to the high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonitic series. The volcanic rocks intercalated with the Hayang Group sedimentary assemblages in the Gyeongsang basin are high-K to shoshonitic basaltic trachyandesites. The Early Cretaceous basaltic rocks studied mostly fall within the field of within-plate basalts on the Zr/Y-Zr and Nb-Zr-Y tectonic discrimination diagrams. On a Sr-Nd isotope correlation diagram, basaltic rocks from the North China block (NCB) and the continent-continent collision zone (CZ) between the North and South China blocks plot into the enriched lower right quadrant along the extension of the mantle array. The initial $^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$ ratios of basaltic rocks from the South China block (SCB) are indistinguishable from those of the NCB and CZ basaltic rocks, but their ${\varepsilon}_{Nd}$ (t) values are relatively more elevated, plotting in right side of the mantle array. Basaltic rocks from the NCB and CZ are characterized by low $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb(t)$ ratios, lying to the left of the Geochron on the $^{207}Pb/^{204}Pb(t)$ vs. $^{206}Pb/^{204}Pb(t)$ correlation. Meanwhile, the SCB basaltic rocks have relatively radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions compared with those of the NCB and CZ basaltic rocks. Basaltic rocks from the Hayang Group plot within the field of the NCB basaltic rocks in Sr-Nd and Pb-Pb isotope spaces. Metasomatically enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) is likely to have been the dominant source for the early Cretaceous magmatism. Asthenospheric upwelling under an early Cretaceous extensional tectonic setting in eastern China and the Korean Peninsula might be a heat source for melting of the enriched SCLM. Metasomatic agents proposed include partial melts of lower continental crust delaminated and foundered into the mantle or subducted Yangtze continental crust, or fluid/melt derived from the subducted paleo-Pacific plate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.314-322
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• 1989

For the improvement of nursery condition and the study of eco-physiological characteristics of Pinus koraiensis(2-2) seedlings, the primary productivity was investigated and the growth characteristics and their correlationship were analyzed from May to September in 1987. Seedlings used in this study were grown at the nursery of Experimental Forestry of Kyung Hee Univ. The installation of experimental plots were divided into control plot (100%), 63%, 37% and 19% relative light intensity, and each relative light intensity plots were split into $15{\times}15/m^2$, $12{\times}12/m^2$, $9{\times}9/m^2$ and $6{\times}6/m^2$ plnting density by randomized black design method. To take into account the edge effect of plant population, material were selected from each plot by random sampling at 30 days interval. Each sampled material was divided into leaf and stem drived in a drying oven at the temperature of $85^{\circ}C$ until it had constant weight and weighed. and leaf area was surveyed. Growth analysis for RGR and NAR was done by Blackman method and correlation coefficient were investigated between RGR and NAR by analyzing the dry matter production and growth characteristics of the material, cultivated on the experimental nursery under the condition of different treatment the obtained result were as follows : 1. The increasing rate of dry matter was similar at early stage of growth, but not at late stage. 2. Leaf area growth was the maximum value at 63% relative light intensity and the minimum at 19% RLI 3. The value of RGR was the highest on June under $6{\times}6/m^2$ planting density in 63% relative light intensity, the lowest on September under $12{\times}12/m^2$ of 19% relative light intensity. 4. The change NAR decreased in early stage of growth, while it increased on August and September, The value of RGR on June under $6{\times}6/m^2$ planting density in 100 light intensity was the highest, and on September under $12{\times}12/m^2$ planting density in 19% relative light intensity was the lowest. 5. Regression and correlation between RGR and NAR showed significantly positive.