• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1841-1848
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• 2006

Insights into gene expression have the potential for improvement of antibiotic yield and the development of robust production hosts for use in recombinant biomolecule production. $Cubicin^{TM}$ (daptomycin for injection) is a recently approved antibiotic active against many Gram(+) pathogens, including those resistant to methicillin, vancomycin, and fluoroquinolones. Daptomycin is produced as a secondary metabolite by Streptomyces roseosporus. A 128 kb region of DNA including the daptomycin biosynthetic gene cluster (dpt) has been cloned. and sequenced. Using a selected array of nucleic acid probes representing this region, we compared the expression levels of the dpt genes between S. roseosporus wild-type (WT) and derived S. roseosporus high-producer of daptomycin (HP). We observed that the majority of the biosynthetic genes were upregulated in HP compared with WT; a total of 12 genes, including those encoding daptomycin synthetase, showed consistently and significantly higher expression levels, at least 5-fold, in HP compared with WT. In contrast, some genes, flanking the dpt cluster, were expressed at higher levels in the WT strain. The expression of housekeeping genes such as S. roseosporus rpsL, rpsG, and 16S (positive controls) and presumptive intergenic regions in the dpt cluster (negative control) were identical in the two strains. In addition, we compared transcription during the early, mid-log, and early-stationary phases of growth in the HP strain. The same set of genes was upregulated and downregulated under all conditions examined; housekeeping genes showed no relative change in expression level over the periods of growth tested. Analyses of this type would be of value in studies of strain improvement and also for the identification of gene regulation processes that are important for secondary metabolite production.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4957-4961
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• 2014

Background: Head and neck cancer without distant metastases is amenable to various modalities of treatment. However, the stage at presentation is a very important determinant for treatment success. The present study was conducted to determine the stage-wise presentation of non-metastatic head and neck cancer patients from the hilly regions in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, India. Materials and Methods: The hospital records for non-metastatic head and neck cancer patients from the only functional cancer centre of the region for the period of two-years (January 2012-December 2013) were included. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was excluded due to its staging system being different. Non-squamous histopathologies were also excluded. Patients hailing from nearby regions of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal were excluded, as were patients from non-hilly regions of Kumaon. Results: Of the 271 patients of head and neck cancer, 27 with distant metastases at diagnosis were excluded from the analysis. Of the 244 eligible patient records, 90.1% (n=222) were male, and 9.9% (n=22) were female. The proportions of patients with carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx and maxillary antrum were 31.9% (n=78), 27.9% (n=68), 20.5% (n=50), 12.7% (n=31) and 1.2% (n=3). A further 5.7% (n=14) were diagnosed as having secondary involvement of neck nodes with unknown primaries. The proportion of patients presenting in stages I, II, III, IVA and IVB were 0.8% (n=2), 2.5% (n=6), 9.4% (n=23), 51.6% (n=126) and 35.7% (n=87) respectively. Conclusions: An abysmally low proportion (3.3%) of non-metastatic head and neck cancer patients presented in the early stages (I and II). A vast majority of the patients (88.1%) presented with stages IVA and IVB. Not only does this reflect a poor therapeutic outlook, but also exposes the dire need for programmes focusing on cancer awareness and early detection in the region.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

We have observed the deuterated methanol, $CH_3OD$, toward the hot core MM1 in the massive star-forming region DR21 (OH) using the Submillimeter Array with a high angular resolution of about 1 arcsecond. The position of the hot core associated with the sub-core MM1a was confirmed to coincide with the continuum peak where an embedded young stellar object is located. The column density of $CH_3OD$ was found to be about $(2{\pm}1){\times}10^{16}cm^{-2}$ toward the MM1a center. The abundance ratio $CH_3OD/CH_3OH$ was measured to be ~ 0.45, which is about the median value for low mass star-forming cores but much larger than those of the massive star-forming cores. The ratio is believed to change depending on, for example, the chemical condition, the temperature and the density of the source. This ratio may further depend on the evolutionary phase especially in the massive-star-forming cores. The sub-core MM1a is thought to be in the very early phase of star formation. This large abundance ratio found in this source indicates that even the massive star-forming cores, during a relatively short period in the very early stage of star formation, may also show a chemical state resulted from the cold and dense pre-collapsing phase, the enhanced deuteration as found in low mass star-forming cores.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.259-277
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• 2014

G192.8-1.1 has been known as one of the faintest supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galax until the radio continuum of G192.8-1.1 is proved to be thermal by Gao et al. (2011). Yet, the nature of G192.8-1.1 has not been fully investigated. Here, we report the possible discovery of faint non-thermal radio continuum components with a spectral index ${\alpha}{\sim}0.56(S_{\nu}{\propto}{\nu}^{-{\alpha}})$ around G192.8-1.1, while of the radio continuum emission is thermal. Also, our Arecibo $H_I$ data reveal an $H_I$ shell, expanding with an expansion velocity of $20-60km\;s^{-1}$, that has an excellent morphological correlation with the radio continuum emission. The estimated physical parameters of the $H_I$ shell and the possible association of non-thermal radio continuum emission with it suggest G192.8-1.1 to be an~0.3 Myr-old SNR. However, the presence of thermal radio continuum implies the presence of early-type stars in the same region. One possibility is that a massive star is ionizing the interior of an old SNR. If it is the case, the electron distribution assumed by the centrally-peaked surface brightness of thermal emission implies that G192.8-1.1 is a "thermal-composite" SNR, rather than a typical shell-type SNR, where the central hot gas that used to be bright in X-rays has cooled down. Therefore, we propose that G192.8-1.1 is an old evolved thermal-composite SNR showing recurring emission in the radio continuum due to a nearby massive star. The infrared image supports that the $H_I$ shell of G192.8-1.1 is currently encountering a nearby star forming region that possibly contains an early type star(s).

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.415-419
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• 2008

Detecting and correcting defects on LCD glasses early in the manufacturing process becomes important for panel makers to reduce the manufacturing costs and to improve productivity. Many attempts have been made and were successfully applied to detect and identify simple defects such as scratches, dents, and foreign objects on glasses. However, it is still difficult to robustly detect low-contrast defect region, called Mura or blemish area on glasses. Typically, these defect areas are roughly defined as relatively large, several millimeters of diameter, and relatively dark and/or bright region of low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) against background of low-frequency signal. The aim of this article is to present a robust algorithm to segment these blemish defects. Early 90's, a highly robust estimator, known as the Model-Fitting (MF) estimator was developed by X. Zhuang et. al. and have been successfully used in many computer vision application. Compared to the conventional Least-Square (LS) estimator the MF estimator can successfully estimate model parameters from a dataset of contaminated Gaussian mixture. Such a noise model is defined as a regular white Gaussian noise model with probability $1-\varepsilon$ plus an outlier process with probability $varepsilon$. In the sense of robust estimation, the blemish defect in images can be considered as being a group of outliers in the process of estimating image background model parameters. The algorithm developed in this paper uses a modified MF estimator to robustly estimate the background model and as a by-product to segment the blemish defects, the outliers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1599-1603
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• 2015

Background: Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes due to promoter hypermethylation is one of the frequent mechanisms observed in cancers. Hypermethylation of several tumor suppressor genes involved in cell cycle regulation has been reported in many types of tumors including oral squamous cell carcinomas. LATS1 (Large Tumor Suppressor, isoform 1) is a novel tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell cycle progression by forming complexes with the cyclin dependent kinase, CDK1. Promoter hypermethylation of the LATS1 gene has been observed in several carcinomas and also has been linked with prognosis. However, the methylation status of LATS1 in oral squamous cell carcinomas is not known. As oral cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in India, the present study was designed to investigate the methylation status of LATS1 promoter and associate it with histopathological findings in order to determine any associations of the genetic status with stage of differentiation. Materials and Methods: Tumor chromosomal DNA isolated from biopsy tissues of thirteen oral squamous cell carcinoma biopsy tissues were subjected to digestion with methylation sensitive HpaII enzyme followed by amplification with primers flanking CCGG motifs in promoter region of LATS1 gene. The PCR amplicons were subsequently subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis along with undigested amplification control. Results: HpaII enzyme based methylation sensitive PCR identified LATS1 promoter hypermethylation in seven out of thirteen oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Conclusions: The identification of LATS1 promoter hypermethylation in seven oral squamous cell carcinoma samples (54%), which included one sample with epithelial dysplasia, two early invasive and one moderately differentiated lesions indicates that the hypermethylation of this gene may be one of the early event during carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to have explored and identified positive association between LATS1 promoter hypermethylation with histopathological features in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2000

In order to develop an appropriate cultural practice for a newly bred 2-rowed, waxy, naked barley cultivar 'Duwonchapssalbori' in the southern region, 2 varieties, 3 seeding dates, 4 seeding rates were designed with 2 replications. The heading and maturity dates of 'Duwonchapssalbori' were' earlier than 'Saessalbori by 2-5 and 4 days, respectively. Culm length of 'Duwonchapssalbori' was 60 to 66cm with lodging resistance. Grain yields of both varieties were 4.28-4.33 ton/ha in the plot of Oct. 20 seeding, 4.11-4.18 ton in the plot of Oct. 28 seeding, and 3.7-13.89 ton/ha in the Nov. 5 seeding. Grain yield with different seeding rates highly significantly fitted with secondary polynomial equations in the plots of Oct. 20 and Oct. 28 seedings ($R^2$=0.84-0.85), showing the greatest yield with seeding rate of 140kg per ha. However, the grain yield with various seeding rates in the plot of Nov. 5 seeding showed simple linear regression ($R^2$=0.71), showing the seeding rate over 160kg in the case of later seeding to be optimal. Number of spikes per $m^2$ significantly contributed to grain yield, and fitted to simple linear regression ($R^2$=0.881-0.891), suggesting that plenty of early stands should be established at early seedling stage for high grain yield. Young spikes of 'Duwonchapssalbori' in the plot of Oct. 20 seeding elongated with linear increments since Feb. 10 (6.7mm), and showed rapid increment since March 7 (15.1mm). However, elongation of young spikes of 'Saessalbori' began from March 15 with slow increments. From these studies, the optimum seeding date and seeding rate in 'Duwonchapssalbori' were Oct. 20-28 and 140kg per ha for high grain yield in the southern regions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2018

Fast economic growth and urbanization of China have been causing air pollution not only over its domestic but transboundary atmosphere. Recent high fine particle pollution episodes in China made the government move toward more stringent air pollution control policies - which are mostly fuel switching and emissions control. In this research, we tried to understand characteristics of Chinese emissions and their change by analyzing its emissions inventory by year, sector, and region. From the inter-comparison of existing bottom-up emission inventories, we found relatively good agreements (<20% difference) for $SO_2$ and $NO_x$, but 30% or more discrepancies for some pollutants. Inter-comparison with top-down $NO_x$ emissions estimates also showed 20~50% differences by year. The regional distribution and inter-annual changes of emissions revealed different stages of energy/fuel mix and policy penetration. Early increase of pollutants emissions in the eastern part of China might give strong influences to the Korean peninsular in early 2000s but, more stringent control in that region would help improving air pollution in Korea in near future.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2000

In this study, we showed a comparison and analysis making use of DWI(diffusion weighted image) using early diagnosis of cerebral Infarction and with the classified T2 weighted image, FLAIR images signal intensity for brain infarction period. period of cerebral infarction after the condition of a disease by ischemic stroke. To compare 3 types of image, we performed polynomial warping and affined transform for image matching. Using proposed algorithm, calculated signal intensity difference between T2WI, DWI, FLAIR and DWI. The quantification values between hand made and calculated data are almost the same. We quantified the each period and performed pseudo color mapping by comparing signal intensity each other according to previously obtained hand made data, and compared the result of this paper according to obtained quantified data to that of doctors decision. The examined mean and standard deviation for each brain infarction stage are as follows ; the means and standard deviations of signal intensity difference between DWI and T2WI for each period are $197.7{\pm}6.9$ in hyperacute, $110.2{\pm}5.4$ in acute, and $67.8{\pm}7.2$ in subacute. And the means and standard deviations of signal intensity difference between DWI and FLAIR for each period are $199.8{\pm}7.5$ in hyperacute, $115.3{\pm}8.0$ in acute, and $70.9{\pm}5.8$ in subacute. We can quantificate and decide cerebral infarction period objectively. According to this study, DWI is very exact for early diagnosis. We classified the period of infarction occurrence to analyze the region of disease and normal region in DW, T2WI, FLAIR images.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.623-629
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• 1999

The definition of fascial spaces are latent spaces between fascial planes. If infections which spread from dental origin to soft tissue are mild, they are restricted by fascial planes. But, when infections are severe, fascial spaces are often used as a natural pathway which spread to the deep cervical region. If they are not treated at early stage, they may result in the fatal complications as followings; airway obstruction, septicemia, cerebral abscess, and thrombophlebitis etc. The early treatment of fascial space abscess is very important for young children. These case reports present the successful result of fascial space abscess treatment through intracanal drainage without surgical excision. It is proven that the treatment through intracanal drainage has some benefits to the surgical excision, which are as follows: 1) It is economic to the patients or their parents avoiding admission. 2) The treatment procedure is more simple. 3) Childrens can avoid the fearful environment.