• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.3101-3109
• /
• 2015

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in amino acid synthesis and DNA function. Two common polymorphisms are reported, C677T and A1298C, that are implicated in a number of human diseases, including cancer. Objective: The association between MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotype and haplotype frequencies in risk for lung cancer (LC) was investigated in the Jordanian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 98 LC cases were studied for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, compared to 89 controls taken from the general population, employing the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: The frequency of the genotypes of MTHFR C677T among Jordanians was: CC, 59.6%, CT, 33%; and TT, 7.4% among LC cases and 49.4%, 40.2% and 10.3% among controls. No significant association was detected between genetic polymorphism at this site and LC. At MTHFR A12987C, the genotype distribution was AA, 29.5%; AC, 45.3%, and CC 25.3% among LC cases and 36.8%, 50.6% and 12.6% among controls. Carriers of the CC genotype were more likely to have LC (OR=2.5; 95%CI: 1.04-6; p=0.039) as compared to AA carriers. Smokers and males with the CC genotype were 9.9 and 6.7 times more likely to have LC, respectively ($OR_{smokers}=9.9$; 95%CI: 1.2-84.5, p=0.018; $OR_{men}=6.6$; 95%CI: 1.7-26.2, p=0.005). Haplotype analysis of MTHFR polymorphism at the two loci showed differential distribution of the CC haplotype (677C-1298C) between cases and controls. The CC haplotype was associated with an increased risk for lung cancer (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.4, p=0.037). Conclusions: The genetic polymorphism of MTHFR at 1298 and the CC haplotype (risk is apparently lower with the C allele at position 677) may modulate the risk for LC development among the Jordanian population. Risk associated with the 1298C allele is increased in smokers and in males. The results indicate that a critical gene involved in folate metabolism plays a modifying role in lung cancer risk, at least in the Jordanian population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5237-5242
• /
• 2013

Background: Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation, and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an essential participant in the neoplastic process, promoting proliferation, survival and migration. Platelets can release some growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor, platelet factor 4, and thrombospondin. Such factors have been shown to promote hematogenous tumour spread, tumor cell adhesion and invasion, and angiogenesis and to play an important role in tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of the pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on survival and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Ninety-four patients with non-metastatic NSCLC were included and separated into two groups according to median valuse of NLR and PLR (low:<3.44 or high:${\geq}3.44$ and low:<194 or high${\geq}194$, respectively). Results: Pretreatment high NLR and PLR were associated with significantly shorter disease-free and overall survival rates. Multivariate analysis revealed that the overall survival rates were significantly linked with PLR (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.20-2.91, p: 0.006) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 1.80, CI: 1.14-2.81, p: 0.012) and the disease-free survival rates were significantly associated with NLR (OR: 1.81, CI: 1.16-2.82, p: 0.009) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 2.30, CI: 1.45-3.66, p: 0.001). There was no significant difference between patients with high and low NLR in terms of response to chemoradiotherapy. Similarly, there was no significant influence of the PLR. Conclusions: Pretreatment NLR and PLR measurements can provide important prognostic results in patients with NSCLC and assessment of the two parameters together appears to better predict the prognosis in patients with NSCLC. The effect of inflammation, indicators of NLR and PLR, on survival seems independent of the response to chemoradiotherapy.

• The Journal of Information Systems
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.233-260
• /
• 2008

Universities have recognized e-Learning Systems as the critical IT resources which contribute to improving the competitiveness of the universities as well as the quality of the traditional class-based lectures. Instructors deliver the main contents in the class. Other supplementary activities like online discussions, sharing of teaching-learning materials, submission of homeworks, communication among the learners and between the instructors and the learners, and so on can be efficiently facilitated using e-Learning Systems. In other words, e-Learning Systems enable a blended learning combined class-based lectures and e-learning in a variety of ways. Nonetheless, compared to the level of implementation of e-Learning Systems, the usage of both the instructors and the learners is not high. Accordingly, this study examines the determinants to affect on the usage of e-Learning Systems from the learners perspective. To draw the key determinants, we review the IS literatures related to adoption or use of the IS like Media Richness Theory (MRT), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Social Influence Model (SIM), and Self-efficacy Model. The variables are drawn out to be expected on the usage of e-Learning like Media Richness, Ease of Use from MRT, TAM and Instructor's Influence, Co-learner's Influence from SIM, and Self-efficacy. To test our model and hypotheses, we have collected data in the class-based lectures using e-Learning System complementary. The results of the test with 192 data are as follows: Firstly, it shows that the Instructor's Influence and the Media Richness are the influential determinants to affect on the Perception of Usefulness of e-Learning Systems. Additionally, the Co-learner's Influence and Ease of Use in order is significant to the Perception of Usefulness. Secondly, as to the degree of use of the e-Learning Systems, the Co-leaner's Influence, the Media Richness, and the Ease of Use are, in that order, the significant determinants. The Perception of Usefulness, also, founded a key factor on increasing the use of e-Learning Systems. On the other hand, the Instructor's Influence is not significant to the use of e-Learning Systems. Finally, it has been found that Self-efficacy is significant to the Perception of Media Richness, Ease of Use, but not significant to the Perception of Usefulness.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.220-229
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The present study was aimed to examine the effect of acellular dermal matrix ($AlloDerm^{(R)}$) grafted to the experimental tissue defect on tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: Male albino rabbits were used. Soft tissue defects were prepared in the external abdominal oblique muscle. The animals were then divided into 3 groups by the graft material used: no graft, autogenous dermis graft, and $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft. The healing sites were histologically examined at weeks 4 and 8 after the graft. In another series, critical sized defects with 8-mm diameter were prepared in the right and left iliac bones. The animals were then divided into 5 groups: no graft, grafted with autogenous iliac bone, $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft, $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft impregnated with rhBMP-2, and $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft with rhTGF-${\beta}1$. The healing sites of bone defect were investigated with radiologic densitometry and histological evaluation at weeks 4 and 8 after the graft. Results: In the soft tissue defect, normal healing was seen in the group of no graft. Inflammatory cells and foreign body reactions were observed in the group of autogenous dermis graft, and the migration of fibroblasts and the formation of vessels into the collagen fibers were observed in the group of $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft. In the bone defect, the site of bone defect was healed by fibrous tissues in the group of no graft. The marked radiopacity and good regeneration were seen in the group of autogenous bone graft. There remained the traces of $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ with no satisfactory results in the group of $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft. In the groups of the $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft with rhBMP-2 or rhTGF-${\beta}1$, there were numerous osteoblasts in the boundary of the adjacent bone which was closely approximated to the $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ with regeneration features. However, the fibrous capsule also remained as in the group of $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ graft, which separated the $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ and the adjacent bone. Conclusions: These results suggest that $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ can be useful to substitute the autogenous dermis in the soft tissue defect. However, it may not be useful as a bone graft material or a carrier, since the bone defect was not completely healed by the bony tissue, regardless of the presence of osteogenic factors like rhBMP-2 or rhTGF-${\beta}1$.

• Water for future
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.17-29
• /
• 1972

The persent study aims at finding out a means of prevention cool spell damages on the hilly areas. The irrigation plots of 24 hour stored water warm water way and warm water plots, cool water way are respectively established to find out water temperature and influnce on the growing rice plants. The results obtained are summed up as follows. 1. Warm water areas consisted of $5 m^2 Q=0.93 1{\ell}/sec$, V=31 cm/sec, S=1/1, 000, L=81.6m, B=5cm, h=6cm, t=4min 33sec, drops=9 areas, are constructed to help the water temperature of $14.5^{\circ}C$ rise to that of $21.6^{\circ}C$. This indicates lower temperature than $23^{\circ}C$ of critical water temperature in irrigation facilities by $1.45^{\circ}C$ and than $26.2^{\circ}C$ of balanced water temperature of Seoul arears by $4.6^{\circ}C$. But this does not give much influance on rice plant cultivation. 2. The rising of water temperature is influened according to the temperature, solar radiation but the water temperature changes according to the heat absorption of organized materials, weather and terraces. The difference of water temperature could be found in the first growing stage. 3. Through the warm water way of water rises to the temperature of $21.6^{\circ}C$ which also rises to the temperature of around $30^{\circ}C$ in the paddy field of submerged irrigation. The rice plants are comparatively free from prolonged cool damage, reproduction abstructive damage. 4. The water temperature in rice field in proportion to temperature influence of weather condition but the water temperature approaches to that of weather in the days of later growing stage and water temperature become lower than the air temperature in the fruit stage. 5. The water in the submreged field is $10^{\circ}C$ warmer than in the warm water way during the first growing stage period but the water temperature in the warm water way is warmer in the later growing stage period. The cool water of $14.5^{\circ}C$ is warmed to $30.1^{\circ}C$ and rice plants cultivation is free from other damages. 6. The 12% increased production or 570.98kg/10a is made cool water plot by rising the temperature of water from $14.5^{\circ}C$ to $21.6^{\circ}C$ making the water run through warm water way. 7. The damage inflicted by the cool water irrigation during the first growing stage period is the obstruction of peak tillering stage and the obstruction of heading the later growing stage period and the obstruction of fruiting and number of panides per fill.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2005

This review explores recent works involving the use of the self-assembled nanoparticles of bile acid-modified glycol chitosans (BGCs) as a new drug carrier for cancer therapy. BGC nanoparticles were produced by chemically grafting different bile acids through the use of l-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC). The precise control of the size, structure, and hydrophobicity of the various BGC nanoparticles could be achieved by grafting different amounts of bile acids. The BGC nanoparticles so produced formed nanoparticles ranging in size from 210 to 850 nm in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH=7.4), which exhibited substantially lower critical aggregation concentrations (0.038-0.260 mg/mL) than those of other low-molecular-weight surfactants, indicating that they possess high thermodynamic stability. The SOC nanoparticles could encapsulate small molecular peptides and hydrophobic anticancer drugs with a high loading efficiency and release them in a sustained manner. This review also highlights the biodistribution of the BGC nanoparticles, in order to demonstrate their accumulation in the tumor tissue, by utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The different approaches used to optimize the delivery of drugs to treat cancer are also described in the last section.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.197-207
• /
• 2013

The gas acceleration test was conducted to identify the deterioration of Korean traditional textiles caused by $NO_2$. Total 20 specimens were prepared using 4 different materials (silk, cotton, ramie, hemp) after dyeing with 5 colors (undyed, red, yellow, blue, black). The specimens were exposed to 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ppm $NO_2$ gas in the test chamber at $20^{\circ}C$, 50% RH for 1 day. Optical, chemical, and physical evaluation was carried out after the exposure. In the case of Korean traditional textile, color difference increased at 1 ppm/day, $NO_3{^-}$ concentration, carbonyl and C-$NO_2$ functional group increased while pH decreased at 10 ppm/day and tensile strength weakened at 100 ppm/day. when it comes to undyed textile, alteration of color difference on silk and hemp cloth, $NO_3{^-}$ concentration and tensile strength on hemp cloth was remarkable. In addition, color difference on blue and yellow textile, $NO_3{^-}$ concentration increase of yellow textile and tensile strength decrease of hemp cloth & ramie cloth were significant. The results suggest that critical $NO_2$ concentration of optical, chemical, and physical damage on Korean traditional textiles are 1ppm/day, 10 ppm/day, 100 ppm/day respectively.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2015

Purpose - The distribution of agricultural products is changing due to recent shifts in environmental free trade. Specifically, the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products has weakened as a result of the Korea-China Financial Trade Agreement. Agricultural producers are faced with increasing difficulties and organized production centers are growing in importance daily. To overcome this crisis, agricultural producer organizations are vying for environment-friendly agricultural certifications, Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). In particular, as consumer demand for higher safety grows, farmers are increasing their certification rates. Therefore, this certification system is expected to help strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural producer organizations. Research design/data/methodology - Organized production centers are classified by certification. A survey was conducted with 91 organizations using factor analysis and logistic regression analysis for the examination. The factor analysis results are as follows. Raw material procurement, education·specialization, marketing, joint business, organizing ability, business management, effectiveness, certification, and larger organizations were classified as the nine types of factors. These factors affect the organized production centers and are used in the logistic regression analysis. The purpose of such research and analysis is to suggest a direction for future production center policies. Results - The basic statistical results are as follows: analysis of the producer organizations of 91 sites, average number of members per site of 1,624, and average sales of 25,961 million won. Additionally, the average income per farmer is 175 million won, and the pooling system rate is 53.5%. The factor analysis results are as follows. Factor 1 consists of contract cultivation, ongoing shipment, selection subdivision, traceability, and major retailer management. Factor 2 consists of manual cultivation, specialty selection, education program, and R&D. Factor 3 consists of advertising, various dealers, various sales strategies, and a unified sales counter. Factor 4 consists of agricultural materials co-purchase, policy support, co-shipment, and incentives. Factor 5 consists of the co-selection and pooling system. Factor 6 consists of co-branding and operating by the organization's article. Factor 7 consists of the buy-sell ratio and rate of operation of the agriculture promotion center. Factor 8 consists of bargaining power in volume and participation rate of farmer certification. Factor 9 consists of increasing new subscribers. The logistic regression analysis results are as follows. Considering the results by type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification type and the GAP certification type have a (+) influence. GAP and HACCP certification types affecting the education·specialization factor have a (+) influence. Considering the results for each type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification types on the effectiveness factor have (-) influence; the HACCP certification types on the organizing ability and effectiveness factor have a (-) influence. Conclusions - Agricultural producer organizations should develop plans as follows: The organizations need to secure education for agricultural production; increase the pooling system ratio for sustainable organizational development; and, finally, expand the number of agricultural producer organizations.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2015

This study investigated the analysis of examples that gifted students' realizing the learning objectives through teaching method of the teacher's questions and advice. 6 gifted students were selected to be examined with 'magic square' in class. The teacher emphasized the learning objectives without directly proposing. Whereas, the teacher proposed the learning objectives by questioning and giving advice to students. After the class, the 6 gifted students were surveyed to answer about realizing the learning objectives of mathematics (about contents, process, and attitude in mathematics learning objectives). Mathematical gifted students thought about the process that consists of deductive thinking, analogic thinking, extensive thinking, creative thinking, and critical thinking. But, they underestimated the deductive thinking. So the teacher should develop the questions and advice to teach the mathematical gifted students according to the level of them. The high level of mathematical gifted students were able to realize the value and the importance of the mathematical attitude, while the low level of mathematical gifted students were able to realize them little. For this reason, the teacher should apprehend the level of the students, and propose materials and contents of the learning. The teacher should also make the gifted students realize value, will, and personality of mathematics by questions and advice. Lastly, like it is needed in general classes, there should be a constant researches and improvements about questions of the teacher that are appropriate to each student's learning abilities and cognition ability.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.1032-1040
• /
• 2004

Biological, physical, and chemical hazards in raw manufacturing processes of Saengshik, powdered raw grains and vegetables, were analyzed to identify critical control points (CCPs). In raw materials, total plate and coliform counts ranged 2.82-8.23 and $1.40-6.57\;{\log}_{10}\;CFU/g$, respectively. In final products, total plate counts, except for Lactobacillus spp., were $1.51-7.40\;{\log}_{10}\;CFU/g$. During processing steps, both total plate and coliform counts decreased after washing, whereas no changes were observed after freeze-drying. Physical hazards, such as contents of metal and other contaminants, and chemical hazards, such as moisture content, were assessed. Suggested CCPs for Saengshik were: washing process for controlling microbial contamination, freeze-drying process for controlling moisture content to prevent deterioration and growth of microorganisms, and pulverization process for controlling contamination of foreign substances such as metals. These results will provide guideline to apply HACCP system standards to this product.