• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2015

Recently, $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining has been introduced as a new biomarker protocol for early detection of uterine cervical dysplasia and cancer in liquid-based cytology (LBC). We performed the $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining using a CINtec$^{(R)}$ PLUS kit in a total of 109 LBC cases of cervicovaginal smear and compared its results with those from LBC, HPV hybrid capture II (HC II) test and histological diagnosis. Expression of $p16^{INK4a}$ and Ki-67 was significantly associated with cases of LSIL or higher in cytological diagnosis and cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 or higher in histological diagnosis (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Among forty-six cases of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in LBC, $p16^{INK4a}$ and Ki-67 was expressed in 31 (67.4%), which were positively associated with cases of CIN I lesion or higher in histology. The sensitivity of $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining for finding lesions of CIN 1 or higher was 89.0%, which was higher than LBC. The specificity was 73.5%, which was higher than that of the HC II test. Based on these results, the $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining method can be a useful diagnostic marker for improving the sensitivity of LBC and the specificity of HC II test.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of step-curing mode on polymerization shrinkage and contraction of composite resin restoration. Class I cavities were prepared on the extracted human premolars. The cavities were ailed with Filtek $Z-250^{TM}$ (hybrid resin, 3M ESPE, USA) and Filtek $flow^{TM}$ (flowable resin, 3M ESPE, USA) and cured with one of the following irradiation modes; Halogen 40sec with continuous curing, LED 10sec with continuous curing, and LED 13sec with step-curing. Contraction stress was measured with strain gauge which was connected to TML $Datalogger^{TM}$ (TDS-102, SOKKI, Japan) and resin-dentin interfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope. The results of present study can be summarized as follows : 1. Composite resin restoration showed transient expansion just after irradiation of curing light. Contraction stress was increased rapidly at the early phase of polymerization and reduced slowly as time elapsed (P<0.05) 2. $Filtek\;flow^{TM}$ showed lower contraction stress than Filtek $Z-250^{TM}$ regardless of curing modes. 3. LED step-curing mode showed lowest contraction stress in Filtek $Z-250^{TM}$ compared with other curing modes(P<0.05). 4. LED step-curing mode showed lowest contraction stress in $Filtek\;flow^{TM}$ compared with other curing modes(P<0.05), but difference in contraction stress was not so greate as in $Filtek\;Z-250^{TM}$. 5. Polymerization of composite resin by LED light with step-curing mode and halogen light with continuous ode resulted in better marginal sealing than LED light with continuous mode.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.79-99
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• 2015

The prediction of bankruptcy has been extensively studied in the accounting and finance field. It can have an important impact on lending decisions and the profitability of financial institutions in terms of risk management. Many researchers have focused on constructing a more robust bankruptcy prediction model. Early studies primarily used statistical techniques such as multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) and logit analysis for bankruptcy prediction. However, many studies have demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, such as artificial neural networks (ANN), decision trees, case-based reasoning (CBR), and support vector machine (SVM), have been outperforming statistical techniques since 1990s for business classification problems because statistical methods have some rigid assumptions in their application. In previous studies on corporate bankruptcy, many researchers have focused on developing a bankruptcy prediction model using financial ratios. However, there are few studies that suggest the specific types of bankruptcy. Previous bankruptcy prediction models have generally been interested in predicting whether or not firms will become bankrupt. Most of the studies on bankruptcy types have focused on reviewing the previous literature or performing a case study. Thus, this study develops a model using data mining techniques for predicting the specific types of bankruptcy as well as the occurrence of bankruptcy in Korean small- and medium-sized construction firms in terms of profitability, stability, and activity index. Thus, firms will be able to prevent it from occurring in advance. We propose a hybrid approach using two artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the prediction of bankruptcy types. The first is a back-propagation neural network (BPN) model using supervised learning for bankruptcy prediction and the second is a self-organizing map (SOM) model using unsupervised learning to classify bankruptcy data into several types. Based on the constructed model, we predict the bankruptcy of companies by applying the BPN model to a validation set that was not utilized in the development of the model. This allows for identifying the specific types of bankruptcy by using bankruptcy data predicted by the BPN model. We calculated the average of selected input variables through statistical test for each cluster to interpret characteristics of the derived clusters in the SOM model. Each cluster represents bankruptcy type classified through data of bankruptcy firms, and input variables indicate financial ratios in interpreting the meaning of each cluster. The experimental result shows that each of five bankruptcy types has different characteristics according to financial ratios. Type 1 (severe bankruptcy) has inferior financial statements except for EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) to sales based on the clustering results. Type 2 (lack of stability) has a low quick ratio, low stockholder's equity to total assets, and high total borrowings to total assets. Type 3 (lack of activity) has a slightly low total asset turnover and fixed asset turnover. Type 4 (lack of profitability) has low retained earnings to total assets and EBITDA to sales which represent the indices of profitability. Type 5 (recoverable bankruptcy) includes firms that have a relatively good financial condition as compared to other bankruptcy types even though they are bankrupt. Based on the findings, researchers and practitioners engaged in the credit evaluation field can obtain more useful information about the types of corporate bankruptcy. In this paper, we utilized the financial ratios of firms to classify bankruptcy types. It is important to select the input variables that correctly predict bankruptcy and meaningfully classify the type of bankruptcy. In a further study, we will include non-financial factors such as size, industry, and age of the firms. Thus, we can obtain realistic clustering results for bankruptcy types by combining qualitative factors and reflecting the domain knowledge of experts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.915-921
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• 2001

Phytase improves the bioavailability of phytate phosphorus in plant foods to humans and animals, and reduces the phosphorus pollution of animal waste. In order to express a high level of fungal phytase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, various expression vectors were constructed with different combinations of promoters, translation enhancers, signal peptides, and terminator. Three different promoters fused to the phytase gene (phyA) from Aspergillus niger were tested: a galactokinase (GAL1) promoter, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter, and yeast hybrid ADH2-GPD promoter consisting of alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2) and a GPD promoter. The signal peptides of phytase, glucose oxidase (GO), and rice amylase 1A(RAmy1A) were included. Plus, the translation enhancers of the ${\Omega}$ sequence and UTR70 from the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and spinach, respectively, were also tested. Among the recombinant vectors, pGphyA06 containing the GPD promoter, the ${\Omega}$ sequence, RAmy1A, and GAL7 terminator expressed the highest phytase activity in a culture filtrate, which was estimated at 20 IU/ml. An intracellular localization of the expressed phytase activity in a culture filtrate, which was estimated at 20 IU/ml. An intracellular localization of the expressed phytase was also performed by inserting an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal, KDEL sequence, into the C-terminus of the phytase within the vector pHphyA-6. It appeared that the KDEL sequence directed most of the early expression of phytase into the intracellular compartment yet more than $60\%$ of the total phytase activity was still retained within the cell even after the prolonged (>3 days) incubation of the transformant. However, the intracellular enzyme activity of the transformant without a KDEL sequence was as high as that of the extracellular one, thereby strongly suggesting that the secretion of phytase in S. cerevisiae appeared to be the rate-limiting step for the expression of a large amount of extracellular recombinant phytase, when compared with other yeasts.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2008

The goal of this study was to vinify four varieties of grapes, namely Vitis labrusca L (Gerbong), Vitis labrusca B (Campbell Early), Vitis labrusca (Muscat Bailey A) and Vitis hybrid (Sheridan), and to investigate the changes in the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of the red wines during fermentation and post-fermentation. The ethanol content of the four red wines varied only slightly from 11.4%-12.8%, indicating that no significant change occurred during the fermentation and post-fermentation. The total anthocyanin and phenol contents as bioactive compounds were the highest level in the Vitis labrusca B red wine. The antioxidant activity was also the highest of 88.9% after 10 days fermentation in the Vitis labrusca B red wine and showed from only 36.6% to 61.7% in the other red wines, though the range decreased to 33.1%-64.1% during post-fermentation for 120 days at $4^{\circ}C$. Our results show that the vitis labrusca B red wine has the potential to become a functional red wine because of its high antioxidant activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6837-6842
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• 2014

Background: Northern Thailand is a region with a high cervical cancer incidence. Combined high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA testing and cytology (co-testing) has increasingly gained acceptance for cervical cancer screening. However, to our knowledge, data from a population-based screening using co-testing have not been available in this region. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the performance of cytology and hrHPV test in women in northern Thailand. Materials and Methods: Cervical samples were collected for hybrid capture 2 (HC2) testing and liquid-based cytology from women aged 30 to 60 years who were residents in 3 prefectures of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand between May and September 2011. Women with positive cytology were referred to colposcopy, while women with positive for HC2 only were followed for 2 years. Results: Of 2,752 women included in this study, 3.0% were positive in both tests, 4.1% for HC2 only, and 1.3% had positive cytology only. At baseline screening, positive HC2 was observed in 70.6% among cytology-positive women compared with 4.3% among cytology-negative women. The prevalence of positive HC2 or cytology peaked in the age group 35-39 years and was lowest in the age group 55-60 years. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse lesions (HSIL+) were histologically detected in 23.5% of women with positive baseline cytology and in 9.8% of women with positive baseline HC2 only on follow-up. All women with histologic HSIL+ had positive baseline HC2. Conclusions: The hrHPV test is superior to cytology in the early detection of high-grade cervical epithelial lesions. In this study, the prevalence of histologic HSIL+ on follow-up of women with positive hrHPV test was rather high, and these women should be kept under careful surveillance. In northern Thailand, hrHPV testing has a potential to be used as a primary screening test for cervical cancer with cytology applied as a triage test.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2001

Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, cryoprotectant, and freezing-thawing method on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Materials and Methods: Two to eight cell embryos were obtained from oviducts of mated $F_1$ hybrid female mice superovulated by pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Two-step 1,2-propanediol (PROH), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 4-step PROH DMSO were used as cryoprotectant and dehydration and rehydration method of embryos, and slow-cooling or rapid-cooling method was used as frozen program. The survival rates of embryos were measured after thawing and rehydration, and the developmental rates of embryos were compared and observed during culturing embryos for 24, 48, 72, 96 hrs. Results: As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to embryonic stage, the survival rate of 2 cell stage in PROH and DMSO was significantly higher than 4-8 cell (64.5% versus 62.1 %,79.7% versus 73.2%) (p<0.01, p<0.01), but the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH and DMSO were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos for whole culture period (p<0.01) and the development rates of 4-8 cell embryos in PROH were significantly higher than 2 cell embryos in DMSO (p<0.01). As for the survival and development rates of embryos according to cryoprotectant, the survival rate of 2 cell embryo in DMSO was significantly higher than that in PROH (74.4% versus 64.5%) (p<0.01), whereas the development rate of embryos was not differ till 24 hrs. The developmen1 rate from morular to hatching blastocyst, however, was significantly higher in PROH than in DMSO during 48 hr (p<0.01). The survival rate of 4-8 cell embryo was 62.1% in PROH and 73.2% in DMSO. The development rates of embryo in PROH were significantly higher for whole culture periods (p<0.01, 0.05). In respect to the effect of freezing and thawing program on the survival and development rates of embryos, method of slow cooling and rapid thawing was more effective than that of rapid cooling and rapid thawing. Conclusions: The survival rate of embryo in 2 cell stage was higher than in 4-8 cell stage, and PROH appears more effective cryoprotectant than DMSO because PROH showed better development rates of embryos in 2 and 4-8 cell stage. Moreover, slow cooling and rapid thawing method was considered as the best cryopreservation program.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 1990

A sweet corn hybrid, Golden Cross Bantam 70, was grown at 5 plant populations (5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, and 9,000 plants/10a) under the transparent P .E. film mulch to find the best yield evaluation method. Plant population did not affect early plant growth, culm length, ear height, and silking date. However, number of tillers at harvest decreased but leaf area index increased with increased plant population. Marketable ears were divided into two classes; the first grade of which husked ear weight over l50g (unhusked ear weight 230g) and the second grade of which husked ear weight between 100 and 150g (unhusked ear weight between 180 and 230g) according to the whole sale market price. Average length, thickness, and weight of marketable ears over 100g of husked ears decreased with increased plant population. The proportion of ears over 150g decreased with increased plant population. However, total number and weight of marketable ears and gross income per 10a calculated considering weight and number of ears increased with plant population. There were highly positive correlations between gross income and ear number or ear weight per unit area. At high plant populations the number of marketable ears was overestimated but ear weight underestimated compared with gross income. Dry matter yield of stover increased with increased plant population and ranged 755-944kg/10a with 20.7-24.5% dry matter content. Rice black-streaked dwarf virus infection rate was 10.6-14.9%, but it was not related to plant population.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.77-81
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• 2015

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage and toxicities of cryoprotectant on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology. Toxicities of two cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) were investigated using a murine embryo model. Female F-1 mice were stimulated with gonadotropin, induced ovulation with hCG and mated. Two cell embryos were collected and cultured after exposure to either DMSO or EG. Embryo development was evaluated up to the blastocyst stage. The total cell count of blastocysts that were treated with DMSO ($68.1{\pm}24.1$) at the 2-cell stage was significantly lower than that were treated with EG ($81.2{\pm}27.0$) or the control ($99.0{\pm}18.3$) (p<0.001). On comparison of two cryoprotectant treated groups, the DMSO treated group showed a decreased cell count compared with the EG treated group (p<0.05). Both DMSO ($15.4{\pm}1.5$) and EG ($10.2{\pm}1.4$) treated groups showed higher apoptosis rates of cells in the blastocyst compared with the control ($6.1{\pm}0.9$, p<0.0001). In addition, the DMSO treated group showed more apoptotic cells than the EG treated group (p<0.001). The potential toxicity of cryoprotectants was uncovered by prolonged exposure of murine embryos to either DMSO or EG at room temperature. When comparing two cryoprotective agents, EG appeared to be less toxic than DMSO at least in a murine embryo model.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 1999

This study was carried out to clarify several factors affecting embryogenesis from anther culture of nine cultivars in Brassica oleracea L. var. italica and to investigate the characteristics of plants derived from anther culture. Androgenesis from anther culture was elevated on the B5 medium supplemented with 0.1mg/L NAA, 0.1mg/L 2.4-D and 10% sucrose. Embryo production in liquid medium was five-fold higher than solid medium. High temperature treatment at 35$^{\circ}C$ for one day before transfer to culture room maintained at $25^{\circ}C$ had effective to induce embryogenesis of cultured anthers but extended treatment at 35$^{\circ}C$ decreased significantly the percent of embryogenesis. Frequency of embryogenesis from cultured anthers exhibited significant difference from 2.8% in 'Green Valiant' to 21% in 'Haisi' as affected by genotypes. Percent of spontaneously dihaploid among regenerated plants from anther culture was ranged from 62 to 74% as affected by the genotypes. Characteristic in relation to plant height, number of leaves and branches, and size of head from anther-derived plants showed differential variation in 'Rokguray' and 'Haisi'. Among these charaters obtained from two cultivars, five lines were selected for early maturity, long plant height and large head. Selected lines were used as breeding meterials for F$_1$ hybrid.