• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3195-3201
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• 2015

Objectives: To investigate the effects of betaine on HeLa cell growth and apoptosis and molecular mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 20.0, 100.0 mg/ml of betaine were used to evaluate the anticancer efficacy for HeLa cells respectively, and MCF-10A was also detected as a normal diploid cell control. Results: We found that proliferation of HeLa cells was inhibited significantly upon exposure to increasing betaine levels with the MTT test (p<0.05). The percentage of S phase cells in the low dose groups (<5mg/ml) were distinctly higher than in high dose groups, and the rates of Sub-G1 phase were the opposite (p<0.01); A high concentration of betaine (>5.0mg/ml) significantly promoted the apoptosis of HeLa cells (p<0.01). SOD activities of the low dose groups were slightly higher than the control group (p<0.05) and there were obvious synchronicity and correlation among the expression of promoting apoptosis genes Bax, P53, Caspase 3 and apoptosis suppression gene Bcl-2. In response to an apoptosis-inducing stimulus, p53 and cyclin D1 could be activated with blockage of the cell cycle at G1/S or S/G2 checkpoints. Conclusions: Our data showed that betaine could promote HeLa cells proliferation in vitro at low concentrations. In contrast, high concentrations could significantly inhibit cell growth and migration, and induce apoptosis of HeLa cells through caspase 3 signaling and further promoted necrosis. This might imply that betaine exhibits tumoricidal effects and acts as a biological response modifier in cancer treatment by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in a dose and time-dependent manner.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1471-1477
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• 2017

Objective: Since athletic performance is a most importance trait in horses, most research focused on physiological and physical studies of horse athletic abilities. In contrast, the molecular analysis as well as the regulatory pathway studies remain insufficient for evaluation and prediction of horse athletic abilities. In our previous study, we identified AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) gene which was expressed as alternative spliced isoforms in skeletal muscle during exercise. In the present study, we validated two AXL alternative splicing transcripts (named as AXLa for long form and AXLb for short form) in equine skeletal muscle to gain insight(s) into the role of each alternative transcript during exercise. Methods: We validated two isoforms of AXL transcripts in horse tissues by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then cloned the transcripts to confirm the alternative locus and its sequences. Additionally, we examined the expression patterns of AXLa and AXLb transcripts in horse tissues by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Both of AXLa and AXLb transcripts were expressed in horse skeletal muscle and the expression levels were significantly increased after exercise. The sequencing analysis showed that there was an alternative splicing event at exon 11 between AXLa and AXLb transcripts. 3-dimentional (3D) prediction of the alternative protein structures revealed that the structural distance of the connective region between fibronectin type 3 (FN3) and immunoglobin (Ig) domain was different between two alternative isoforms. Conclusion: It is assumed that the expression patterns of AXLa and AXLb transcripts would be involved in regulation of exercise-induced stress in horse muscle possibly through an $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. Further study is necessary to uncover biological function(s) and significance of the alternative splicing isoforms in race horse skeletal muscle.

• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• v.32 no.11_12
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• pp.682-691
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• 2005

We present a two-step evolution system that produces controllable virtual creatures in physically simulated 3D environment. Previous evolutionary methods for virtual creatures did not allow any user intervention during evolution process, because they generated a creature's shape, locomotion, and high-level behaviors such as target-following and obstacle avoidance simultaneously by one-time evolution process. In this work, we divide a single system into manageable two sub-systems, and this more likely allowsuser interaction. In the first stage, a body structure and low-level motor controllers of a creature for straight movement are generated by an evolutionary algorithm. Next, a high-level control to follow a given path is achieved by a neural network. The connection weights of the neural network are optimized by a genetic algorithm. The evolved controller could follow any given path fairly well. Moreover, users can choose or abort creatures according to their taste before the entire evolution process is finished. This paper also presents a new sinusoidal controller and a simplified hydrodynamics model for a capped-cylinder, which is the basic body primitive of a creature.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2008

Recently, people are becoming fatter in most parts of the world. Obesity is regarded as an important risk factor to adversely affect the health of humans, associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, therefore, we tested the short time efficiency and safety of Bangpoongtongsungsan as a drug to decrease body weight in subjects with obesity. A total 48 volunteers (24 man, 24 woman) with body mass index (BMI : weight in kg divided by square of height in meters) of $23㎏/m^2$ participated in clinical study for 12 weeks, from 2008, March 01 to 2008, Jun 30. The subjects was received a dietary supplement of 12 pieces hard capsules per day (4 pieces in one, 3 times in a day) during the clinical study. At the end of clinical study, body weight of subjects was significantly decreased from $72.21{\pm}11.44\;kg$ to $70.53{\pm}11.67\;kg$ (p<0.05). Waist circumferences of subjects were reduced $91.58{\pm}6.43\;cm$ to $85.25{\pm}7.70\;cm$ (p<0.05). Also, a BMI of subjects was significantly decreased $26.07{\pm}2.35\;kg/m^2$ to $25.63{\pm}2.63\;kg/m^2$ (p<0.05). Particularly, a decrease in body weight, waist circumferences, and BMI was more significant in woman than man. But, other biochemical levels including lipid and glucose in plasma had no changes at the end of clinical study. In conclusion, administration of Bangpoongtongsungsan in subjects with high body weight fat could inhibit obesity associated with a decrease in body weight, waist circumferences, and BMI.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 2015

Suction piles have been widely used as foundations and anchor systems in offshore industry, and recently, it have been tried to be used as foundations for offshore wind turbines. Many researches have shown that stiffness of a foundation could effect dynamic responses of a offshore wind turbine so that appropriate modeling application of wind turbine foundations is recommended. In this paper, we calculate a stiffness matrix of a suction foundation through 3D FEM analysis and compare the results with the ones calculated by conventional formula for estimating stiffness of shallow foundations. And then we carry out integrated load analysis for the evaluation of dynamic responses and natural frequencies of the structure using the calculated stiffness matrix. The results shows that the effect of load in the mudline is not large, but in the case of assuming the foundation as a fixed support, the natural frequency is over-estimated up to 10%. Therefore, considering stiffness of foundations is recommended when you evaluate the natural frequencies of wind turbine structures.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-115
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• 1994

The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient method for the quick determination of multiple isocenters plans to provide optimal dose distribution in sterotactic radiosurgery. A Spherical dose model was developed through the use of fit to the exact dose data calculated in a 18cm diameter of spherical head phantom. It computes dose quickly for each spherical part and is useful to estimate dose distribution for multiple isocenters. An automatic computer search algorithm was developed using the relationship between the isocenter move and the change of dose shape, and adapted with a spherical dose model to determine isocenter separation and cellimator sizes quickly and automatically. A spheric81 dose model shows a comparable isodose distribution with exact dose data and permits rapid calculations of 3-D isodoses. the computer search can provide reasonable isocenter settings more quickly than trial and error types of plans, while producing steep dose gradient around target boundary. A spherical dose model can be used for the quick determination of the multiple isocenter plans with 3 computer automatic search. Our guideline is useful to determine the initial multiple isocenter plans.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.79-97
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• 2010

Objectives : The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Jajun-maum-dom-movement program on the attention and hyperactivity of middle school students, Methods: Jajun-maum-dom-movement program was applied to 14 middle school students for 8 weeks, To measure the improvement of attention and decrease of hyperactivity, these tests were used - ADHD Diagnostic System(hereinafter ADS), Parent's Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale(hereinafter ACRS), Teacher's Korean ADHD Rating Scale(hereinafter K-ARS). For each variable in the 3 test methods, the results of before and after program were measured and then, the results were assessed by paired t-test, Interrelations between the resulted values of 10 variables were analyzed in these three groups: scores before program, scores after program, and change in scores before and after program, Among 10 variables, for variable showing significant difference by t-test, it was assessed by ANCOVA whether change in scores before and after program is affected by the grade and gender. Results: As for the changed score between before-the-program and after-the-program, in the ADS test, it was found that there is a significant effect in the "commission error" which is one of the indices showing the degree of hyperactivity, and "sensitivity(d')" which is one of the indices showing attention, and it was found that there is a significant effect in ACRS and K -ARSC total), Among the correlations of the 4 variables, "ACRS" and "K-ARSC total) ", which show the comprecessive criteria, have the positive correlation of significance in before-the-program, after-the-program and the changed score between before-the-program and after-the-program, However, there was no specific correlations among sub-variables about attention or hyperactivity, and in all of 4 variables, there was no significant degree of change according to grade or gender. Conclusions : As the results of assessment by ADHD Diagnostic System, Parent's Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale, Teacher's Korean ADHD Rating Scale to study the effects of Jajun-maum-dom-movement program on attention and hyperactivity, it is known that the program is helpful for improvement of attention and decrease of hyperactivity for the participated students.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2002

The combination of radiation technique with an in vitro culture system was initiated to develop salt tolerant rice. We established an in vitro culture system to select tolerant lines against salt stress. NaCl tolerant cell lines were selected from the callus irradiated with gamma ray on N$_{6}$ medium with 1.5% NaCl and 2 mg/L 2,4-D. Regenerants (M$_1$) were obtained from the tolerant callus which was cultured for 30 days auxin-free medium. The M$_2$seeds were harvested from M$_1$plants on an individual plant basis. Thirty seedlings from each 450 M$_2$lines were transplanted in a field and total 5,000 M$_3$lines were harvested with an average 90 percent of fertile grain. M$_3$lines were utilized for selection of salt tolerance. Salinity-tolerant lines (225) were selected among 5,000 M$_3$lines. Of the 225 lines tested, the morphological traits of two lines (120-10 and -11) were far superior to control (Donagjinbyeo) in agromomic traits such as plant height, root length and no. of roots. Control and tolerant lines were analyzed by RAPD markers. Three polymorphic bands were presented in only tolerant lines, demonstrating a genetic difference between control and the tolerant lines. Such tolerant lines could be used as genetic resources to improve salt tolerance.e.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.300-304
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• 2012

In order to research changes of asparagine content according to stage after harvest to storage, it was analysed asparagine content of potato tuber and potato sprout. The results of the asparagine content in potato cultivars after harvest ranked in cv. Superior, cv. Gahwang, cv. Atlantic and cv. Goun in descending order. The content of asparagine in potato was approximately 1300 mg/100g (D.W.) The changes the asparagine content according to storage condition and the difference of asparagine between tuber and sprout can be summarized as follows. In the asparagine content of potato cultivars, Little variation in the content was observed while potato tubers were stored at $4^{\circ}C$. However, after 3 months of storage at $10^{\circ}C$, the content increased by 9.7%, indicating that the content increases as the storage temperature and period increases. The content of asparagine also increased during sprouting of potato tubers. In the sprout, the proximal region contained 21% higher content of asparagines than the distal region, which suggests that the sprout develops with the increasing of the content of asparagines.