• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.337-342
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• 2012

The osseous or osteocutaneous free fibula flap has become the gold standard for most mandibular reconstructions because of its favorable osseous characteristics. However, disadvantages, such as the time-consuming reconstructive step, difficulty in performing the osteotomies to precisely recreate the shape of the missing segment of mandible and poor bone-to-bone contact play a role in making the surgeons look for alternative flaps. With the advent of computerized design software, which accurately plans complex 3-dimensional reconstructions, has become a process that is more efficient and precise. However, the ability to transfer the computerized plan into the surgical field with stereolithographic models and guides has been a significant development in advancing reconstruction in the maxillofacial regions. The ability to "pre-plan" the case, mirror and superimpose natural structures into diseased and deformed areas, as well as the ability to reproduce these plans with good surgical precision has decreased overall operative time, and has helped facilitate functional and esthetic reconstruction. We describe a complex case treated with this technique, showing the power and elegance of computer assisted maxillofacial reconstruction from the University of Michigan, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6445-6449
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• 2015

Background: NSCLC is a disease involving uncontrolled cell growth, which could result in metastases into nearby tissues beyond the lungs. Materials and Methods: The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene expression on metastasis and survival in NSCLC patients. The present case-control study included 100 cases of NSCLC patients and 100 age and sex matched controls. EGFR gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR using serum RNA. Association with NSCLC patient survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: We analyzed EGFR gene expression and observed mean increased gene expression of 13.5 fold in NSCLC patients. Values reflected overall survival of patients with a median of 15.8 months in the cases of <13 fold increased gene expression vs 6.7 months with >13 fold increased EGFR gene expression (p=0.005). Distant metastatic patients with <13 fold increased EGFR gene expression had 7.9 months of median survival time while>13 fold increased EGFR gene expression had only 5 months of median survival time (p=0.03). Non metastatic patients with <13 fold increased EGFR gene expression had 18 months of median survival time as compared to only 7.1 months with >13 fold increased expression. Conclusions: Higher cell free EGFR mRNA expression may play an important role in causing distant metastases and reducing overall survival of NSCLC patients in the Indian population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4001-4005
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• 2012

Backgrouds: The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is composed of patched (PTCH) and smoothened (SMO), two transmembrane proteins, and downstream glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) transcription factors. Hh signaling plays a pathological role in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Methods: To investigate the expression of SMO protein in colon cancer and its association with clinicopathological parameters and postoperative liver metastasis, immunohistochemistry was performed with paraffin-embedded specimens of 96 cases. Relationships between SMO protein expression and clinicopathological parameters, postoperative liver metastasis were analyzed. Results: IHC examination showed that SMO protein expression was significantly increased in colon cancer tissues compared to normal colon tissues (P = 0.042), positively related to lymph node metastases (P = 0.018) and higher T stages (P = 0.026). Postoperative live metastasis-free survival was significantly longer in the low SMO expression group than in those with high SMO expression ($48.7{\pm}8.02$ months vs $28.0{\pm}6.86$ months, P=0.036). Multivariate analysis showed SMO expression level to be an independent prognostic factor for postoperative live metastasis-free survival (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.46-2.82, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Our results suggest that in patients with colon cancer, the SMO expression level is an independent biomarker for postoperative liver metastasis, and SMO might play an important role in colon cancer progression.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.420-427
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• 2019

Introduction: To prevent and manage the societal and economic burden of occupational diseases (ODs), countries should develop strong prevention policies, health surveillance and registry systems. This study aims to contribute to the improvement of OD surveillance at national level as well as to identify priority actions in Turkey. Methods: The history and current status of occupational health studies were considered from the perspective of OD surveillance. Interpretative research was done through literature review on occupational health at national, regional and international level. Analyses were focused on countries' experiences in policy development and practice, roles and responsibilities of institutions, multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. OD surveillance models of Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands were examined through exchange visits. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the peculiarities of legislative and institutional structures, the best and worst practices, and approach principles. Results: Some countries are more focused on exploring OD trends through effective and cost-efficient researches, with particular attention to new and emerging ODs. Other countries try to reach every single case of OD for compensation and rehabilitation. Each practice has advantages and shortcomings, but they are not mutually exclusive, and thus an effective combination is possible. Conclusion: Effective surveillance and registry approaches play a key role in the prevention of ODs. A well-designed system enables monitoring and assessment of OD prevalence and trends, and adoption of preventive measures while improving the effectiveness of redressing and compensation. A robust surveillance does not only provide protection of workers' health but also advances prevention of economic losses.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.229-238
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• 2015

The effects of Sn addition and solution treatment on corrosion behavior were studied in AZ91 magnesium casting alloy. The addition of 5%Sn contributed to the introduction of $Mg_2Sn$ phase, to the reduction in dendritic cell size and to the increase in the amount of secondary phases. After the solution treatment, trace amount of $Al_8Mn_5$ particles were observed in the ${\alpha}$-(Mg) matrix for the AZ91 alloy, while $Mg_2Sn$ phase with high thermal stability was additionally found in the AZ91-5%Sn alloy. Before the solution treatment, the AZ91-5%Sn alloy had better corrosion resistance than the Sn-free alloy, which is caused by the enhanced barrier effect of the (${\beta}+Mg_2Sn$) phases formed more continuously along the dendritic cell boundaries. It is interesting to note that after the solution treatment, the corrosion rate of both alloys became increased, but the Sn-added alloy showed higher corrosion rate than the Sn-free alloy. The microstructural examination on the corroded surfaces revealed that the remaining $Mg_2Sn$ particles in the solution-treated AZ91-5%Sn alloy play a role in accelerating corrosion by galvanic coupling with the ${\alpha}$-(Mg) matrix.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.653-662
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• 2003

Changes in the area of geo-ecosystem $(62^{\circ}09'S,\;58^{\circ}31'w)$ reflect climatic changes in the South Shetland Islands. Air temperature and deglaciation will increase. The ice-free space area at the SSSS 8- (ASPA 121) site has enlarged threefold during the last 21 years, thus creating conditions for inhabitation and succession. Wind, water and snow play important roles in transportation of geochemical components. They distribute nutrients, mineral substances, seeds, fragments of plants and animals, etc. Plant and animal colonization is patchy and it happens at random in an 'island' - like manner. The colonization pattern is dependant, to a high degree on physical factors. The newly uncovered ice-free areas are at first inhabited by a vascular plant known as the Deschampsia antarctica. The border of the land-oasis with Admiralty Bay is the place where the processes related to animal feeding at the sea and reproduction on the land take place. Bird colonies and pinniped lairs form centers of fertilization surrounded by high chemical gradients dependent on the direction of the flow of nutrients $(e.g.\;NH_4)$. During the last 25 years, the numbers of penguins in this region have decreased, and thus the amount of materials excreted on land has diminished. The numbers of fur seals change in multi-annual cycles, and their migration into this area is related to the E1 $Ni\~{n}o$ phenomenon. The numbers of elephant seals in the area did not change. Organic matter deposited by the sea onto the shore are a source of nutrients and deficient chemical elements on land. Mineral matter is washed out into the waters of Admiralty Bay. These processes change seasonally, and multi annually. Negative effects on the environment at Arctowski Station induced by man are slight, but noticeable nevertheless. Physical processes have the largest influence on the living conditions and distribution of plants and animals, and as a consequence, on the functioning of the geo-ecosystem in the coastal-shore zone of the Maritime Antarctic.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.350-356
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• 2008

Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Cheonghyul-san has been known to be effective for the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antiobesitic prescription, and composed of four crude herbs. In male ob/ob mouse with severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hypergiycemia, hyperlipidemia, the acting mechanisms of Cheonghyul-san were examined. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Cheonghyul-san per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Cheonghyul-san extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA+HAE, GSH and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Cheonghyul-san lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level was increased, in Cheonghyul-san treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were inhibited in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the generation of ROS in the kidney. Finally, MDA+HAE level was increased and the GSH level was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were improved in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. The results suggested that Cheonghyul-san exerted the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging ROS, regulating the MDA+HAE and GSH levels in the ob/ob mice.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2010

Glutathione S-transferase is known to play a crucial role in detoxification in many cases. To develop a herbicide detection biosensor, we in this study attempted to immobilize glutathione S-transferase enzyme on solid supports, polystyrene and agarose, and Na-alginate. These matrixes were attractive materials for the construction of biosensors and might also have utility for the production of immobilized enzyme bioreactors. We also compared the activities of glutathione-S-transferase immobilized OsGSTF3 and free OsGSTF3. The specific activity of the free enzyme in solution was 3.3 higher than the immobilized enzyme. These results suggest that 50% of the enzyme was bound with the catalytic site in polystyrene-alkylamine bead and immobilized enzymes showed 80% remaining activity until 3 times reuse.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.508-514
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• 2013

Taste-active compounds (e.g., amino acids and nucleotides) play an important role in contribution to the gustatoty sensation of food. The current study aimed to examine the differences in taste-active compounds between different beef muscles, breeds and aging periods. We have chosen the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles of Hanwoo breed and longissimus dorsi muscle of Angus breed for the investigation of the aforementioned compounds. Hanwoo muscles were aged for 7 or 28 d, and Angus samples were aged for 28 d at $4^{\circ}C$. Results revealed that 8 out of the 18 detected free amino acids (FAA) showed significant (p<0.05) differences between the two Hanwoo muscles. Twelve FAAs showed aging effect (p<0.05) in which the amounts of 8 FAAs significantly increased as aging time increased. Inosine 5-monophosphate (IMP), hypoxanthine (Hx) and inosine showed significant (p<0.05) differences between the Hanwoo muscles, aging resulted in an increase in amounts of these nucleotides. Hanwoo beef had significantly (p<0.05) higher total amount of sweet amino acids than the Angus ones in that 15 amino acids showed differences (p<0.05) between the two breeds. Amounts of guanosine 5-monophosphate (GMP) and Hx were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Angus beef. Current study indicated that muscle type, breed and aging period had large variations in free amino acid and nucleotide contents, which may subsequently affect the taste attributes of cooked beef.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2000

Infection of Vero cells with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) resulted in a series of changes in intra-cellular free calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$. A significant and maximal decrease $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was observed at 4 hours postinfection (hr p.i.) in HSV-1-infected in Vero cells. Inactivation of HSV-1 with UV irradiation and heat treatment abolished HSV-1-induced decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ at 4 hr p.i. in Vero cells. And the degree of the decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was dependent on the amount of input virus. Taxol, which stabilizes the polymerization of microtubule blocked HSV-1-induced decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ at 4 hr p.i., suggesting that microtubule may mediate the transport of HSV-1 nucleocapsid to the nucleus of infected cell. Treatment of HSV-1-infected Vero cells with metabolic inhibitors such as cycloheximide, cordycepin, or acyclovir partially reversed the decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ at 4 hr p.i.. Thus, it is suggested that HSV-1 induced decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ at 4 hr p.i. in Vero cells may play an important role in the multiplication of HSV-1.