• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4777-4781
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the efficacy and safety of different doses of thalidomide (Thal) plus dexamethasone (Dex) as the initial therapy in elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Clinical data of 28 elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM who underwent the TD regimen as the initial therapy were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the maximal sustained dose of Thal: lower dose (group A) and higher dose (group B). The overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AES) were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 28 patients were followed up with a median of 18 months. The ORR was 60.1%. The median response time and PFS were 2.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. The mean sustained dose of Thal in group B was significantly higher than group A (292.9 mg v 180.4 mg, P=0.01). There was no significantly difference in ORR (57.1% v 64.3%, P=1.00) and PFS (9.63months v 17.66 months, P=0.73) between groups A and B. During the follow up, only five patients died (<40%) and, therefore, median OS values were not available. It is estimated, however, that the mean survival time in the two groups was 35.6 and 33.4 months (P>0.05), respectively. All of the patients tolerated the treatment well. The incidence of AES in patients with a grading above 3 in group B was significantly higher than in group A (P=0.033). Conclusions: The TD regimen results in a high response rate and manageable AES as the initial therapy in elderly patients with MM. TD should be considered as the front line regimen for the treatment of elderly patients with MM in areas with financial constraints. The clinical response can be achieved at a low dose Thal with minimal toxicity.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2009

The marketing environment has become competitive to an extent that requires firms to target their products at markets that span national boundaries. However, competitive clout cannot be achieved in global consumer markets unless firms thoroughly understand and adequately respond to the core values and needs of those consumers. Brand equity is one of the most important assets to a company. Especially in sportswear markets, brand equity is the crucial value added to a product by its brand name. Factors such as country of origin also influence customer's attitude towards brand equity. Therefore, this paper discusses the relationship between country of origin effect and brand equity, and how they influence consumers' loyalty for respective brands. This paper focused on the sports shoes market, because it is an increasing area of opportunity for world manufacturers. The objectives of this study were the following. (1) Test the effect of country of origin on brand equity. (2) Test how brand equity influences consumers' brand loyalty. (3) Find whether there are differences in the effects of country of origin and brand equity among the three countries. (4) Find whether there are differences in the effects of country of origin and brand equity among the different lifestyles. Based on the review of literature results, the hypotheses are concluded as the following: H1-a: Country image has positive influence on country of origin. H1-b: Product perception has positive influence on country of origin. H2-a: Perceived quality has positive effect on brand equity. H2-b: Perceived price has positive effect on brand equity. H3: Country of origin has positive effect on brand equity. H4: Brand equity has a positive impact on brand loyalty. Research model was constructed (see Fig. 1). After data analysis, the following results were concluded: sports shoes purchase behavior showed significant differences among Korean, Chinese, and American consumers for favorite brand, purchased brand, purchased place, information usage, and favorite sports games. The results of this study also extend the research of the relationship among country of origin, brand equity and brand loyalty to the sports shoes market. Brand equity was proven to have a significant relationship with brand loyalty for all countries. The factors which can influence brand equity are different for different countries. The third finding of this paper is that we identified different three lifestyles, adventurer, follower, and laggard, for Korean, Chinese and American consumers. Without the nationality boundary, seeing the emergence of a new group of consumers who have similar preferences and buy similar brands is more important. All of the consumers consider brand equity to keep their brand loyalty. Perceived price is the only factor which can influence brand equity for adventurers; brand is more important for them. The laggards were not influenced by any factor. All of the factors expect perceived price are important for the followers. Marketing managers should consider brand equity when introducing their brand into a new market. Also localization is the basic strategy that all the sports shoes companies should understand. But as a global brand, understanding the same characteristics for each country is more important to build global strategy.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.458-463
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• 2009

In this study, white ginseng water extract (WGWE) solutions were analyzed to set up the functional saponin content and quality optimization condition. The highest saponin content among the total white ginseng extracts was 8.32 mg/10 ml which was extracted at $75^{\circ}C$ for 18 hours. In addition, the saponin content decreased according to the increased extraction temperature and time. The highest content of $Rb_2$ and Re was 0.89 mg/10 ml, 0.82 mg/10 ml at $75^{\circ}C$ for 18 hours which decreased according to the increased extracted temperature and time. The highest content of $Rg_3$ was 1.67 mg/10 ml at $95^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours which decreased according to the increased time. The turbidity, sweetness and reducing sugar content were increased according to the increased extracted time at $75^{\circ}C$, $85^{\circ}C$, $95^{\circ}C$, but pH were decreased according to the increased extracted time. Therefore, the most appropriate white ginseng extracting method have to extracted the proper temperature for saponin content at first time in combination with raise the temperature for taste at second time.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2015

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. Cervical cancer is significantly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The prevalence of HPV infection is influenced by geography, immune status, sexual history and genetic factors. For example, geographically, HPV prevalence varies from 1.5% to 39%. However, little is known about the relationship between HPV prevalence and age. An analysis of HPV prevalence by age will help determine when high-risk groups are exposed to HPV. Such an analysis could also demonstrate a correlation between specific HPV genotypes and age. In addition, the analysis might clarify the optimum age for using vaccines. In this study, HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among Korean and Chinese women are analyzed by age. The REBA HPV-ID$^{(R)}$ assay (YD diagnostics, Yong-in, Republic of Korea) was used for detecting HPV genotypes in uterine cervical liquid-based cytology samples from 533 women from Korea and 324 from East China (Western Shandong province. Women with severe dysplasia such as SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma) and HSIL (High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) groups were primarily in their 40s and 50s, whereas women with mild and moderate dysplasia (ASCUS and LSIL groups) were primarily in their 30s and 40s. Women with HPV genotype 16 and 18 infections were primarily in their 40s. The results suggest that HPV infection is associated with certain age groups in the Korean population.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.761-767
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) on anti-oxidative function and pork quality. After feeding a corn-soybean meal-based diet for two weeks, 48 pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Chinese\;Black Pig$) were assigned randomly to four groups. Pigs in Group 1 were maintained under non-stress conditions, whereas pigs in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were aggressively handled for 25 min to produce stress. Pigs in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received intramuscular administration of saline (control group; CON), 0 (negative control group; NCON), 0.8 (low dose group; LOW), and 1.6 (high dose group; HIGH) mg rabbit liver Zn-MT per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 3 and 6 h post-injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) while decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver. These responses were greater (p<0.05) at 6 h than at 3 h post Zn-MT injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) hepatic SOD mRNA levels in a time and dose-dependent manner and decreased (p<0.05) serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities (indicators of tissue integrity). Zn-MT administration decreased (p<0.05) lactate concentration and increased (p<0.05) pH and water-holding capacity in the longissimus thorasis meat. Collectively, our results indicate that intramuscular administration of Zn-MT to pre-slaughter stressed pigs improved tissue anti-oxidative ability and meat quality.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.253-264
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• 1990

The purpose of this study was to estimate the distribution of absorbed doses of each important organs of head and neck region in panoramic radiography. Radiation dosimetry at internal anatomic sites and skin surfaces of phantom (RT-210 Humanoid Head & Neck Section/sup R/) was performed with lithium fluoride (TLD-100/sup R/) thermoluminescent dosimeters according to change of kilovoltage (65kVp, 75kVp and 85kVp) with 4 miliamperage and 20 second exposure time. The results obtained were as follows; Radiation absorbed doses of internal anatomic sites were presented the highest doses of 1.04 mGy, 1.065 mGy and 2.09 mGy in nasopharynx, relatively high doses of 0.525 mGy, 0.59 mGy and 1.108 mGy in deep lobe of parotid gland, 0.481 mGy, 0.68 mGy and 1.191 mGy in submandibular gland. But there were comparatively low doses of 0.172 mGy and 0.128 mGy in eyes and thyroid gland that absorbed dose was estimated at 85kVp. Radiation absorbed doses of skin surfaces were presented the highest doses of 1. 263 mGy, 1.538 mGy and 2.952 mGy in back side of first cervical vertebra and relatively high doses of 0.267 mGy, 0.401 mGy and 0.481 mGy in parotid gland. But there were comparatively low doses of 0.057 mGy, 0.068 mGy and 0.081 mGy in philtrum and 0.059 mGy in middle portion of chin that absorbed dose was estimated at 85kVp. According to increase of kilovoltage, the radiation absorbed doses were increased 1.1 times when kilovolt age changes from 65kVp to 75kVp and 1.9 times when kilovolt age changes from 75kVp to 85kVp at internal anatomic sites. According to increase of kilovoltage, the radiation absorbed doses were increased 1.3 times when kilovolt age changes from 65kVp to 75kVp and 1.6 times when kilovoltage changes from 75kVp to 85kVp at skin surfaces.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.443-448
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• 2007

Purpose : To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the antithrombin-III (AT-III) level in the children with acute lung injury (ALI), we analyzed several early predictive factors of death including AT-III level at the onset of ALI and compared the relative risk of them for mortality. Methods : Over a 18-month period, a total of 198 children were admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit and 21 mechanically ventilated patients met ALI criteria, as defined by American-European consensus conference, i.e., bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ lower than 300 without left atrial hypertension. Demographic variables, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, underlying diseases, as well as Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III (PRISM-III) scores and Lung Injury Score (LIS) at admission were collected. AT-III levels were measured within 3 hours after admission. These variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors and entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate their independent prognostic roles. Results : The overall mortality rate was 38.1% (8/21). Non-survivors showed lower age, lower lung compliance, higher PEEP, higher oxygenation index (OI), lower arterial pH, lower $PaO_2/FiO_2$, higher PRISM-III score and LIS, and lower AT-III level. PRISM-III score, LIS, OI and decreased AT-III level (less than 70%) were independently associated with a risk of death and the odds ratio of decreased AT-III level for mortality is 2.75 (95% confidence interval; 1.28-4.12) Conclusion : These results suggest that the decreased level of AT-III is an important prognostic factor in children with ALI and the replacement of AT-III may be considered as an early therapeutic trial.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2001

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the Pine Bark Spent Liquor (PBSL) inclusion, prepared by alkaline sulfite-anthraquinone cooking, on Pellet durability index (PDI) of practical diets and performance of broiler chicks and laying hens. Fourteen treatments with four replications were assigned for PDI test in Experiment 1. Control, 10% Wheat(W10), 20% Wheat(W20), 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00% PBSL, 0.1, 0.2% commercial pellet binder A(CPB A) or B(CPB B), W10 plus 0.1% CPB A or B were used for PDI test. PDI was measured by PDI tester (Oriental Motors, Japan). The control diet was based on corn and soybean meal with no wheat or pellet binders inclusion. The PDI of the PBSL or other commercial pellet binder treatments were significantly higher than control groups(P<0.05). It was shown 95.9, 95.9, 95.8, and 95.7 in W10, 0.5% PBSL, 0.2% CPB A or B treatments, respectively. Thus, those treatments were applied to Experiments 2 and 3. In experiment 2, 200 male broiler chicks (Cobb$\times$Cobb) were allocated to the control, W10, PBSL 0.5%, 0.2% CPB A and B with four replications. Starter diets contained 3,169, 3,149 kcal/kg ME and 21% CP, and finisher diets were fed at the level of 3,192, 3,172 kcal/kg ME and 19W% CP. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) were weekly measured for 5 wk and the number of intestinal anaerobes were examined at the end of experiment. The weight gain of chicks fed PBSL was not significantly greater than control groups, but was significant different compared to that of W10 or 0.2% CPB A treatments (P<0.05). FCR of chicks treated with PBSL or other pellet binders tended to improve compared to that of control.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Recently, the uses of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) for radiation treatment simulation and planning which is used for intensity modulated radiation therapy with high technique are increasing. Because of the increasing uses of MDCT, additional doses are also increasing. The objective of this study is to evaluate the absorbed dose of body and skin undergoing in MDCT scans. In this study, the exposed dose at the surface and the center of the cylindrical water phantom was measured using an pencil ionization chamber, 30 cc ionization chamber and TL Powder. The results of MDCT were 31.84 mGy, 33.58 mGy and 32.73 mGy respectively. The absorbed dose at the surface showed that the TL reading value was 33.92 mGy from MDCT. These results showed that the surface dose was about 3.5% from the MDCT exposure higher than a dose which is located at the center of the phantom. These results mean that the total exposed dose undergoing MDCT 4 times (diagnostic, radiation therapy planning, follow-up et al.), is about 14 cGy, and have to be considered significantly to reduce the exposed dose from CT scan.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2003

Laccase produced by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus SCH-3 isolated from Korea was partially purified using ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography, The laccase was produced as the predominant extracellular phenoloxidase during primary metabolism. Neither lignin peroxidase nor manganese-dependent peroxidase were detected in the culture fluid. In order to examine the effect of inducers in laccase production, 2,5-xylidine was added in the culture of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus SCH-3. Addition of 2,5-xylidine enhanced 25-fold laccase production. Purified laccase was a single polypeptide having a molecular mass of approximately 66 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and carbohydrate content of 9%. $K_{m}\;and\;V_{max}$ values for laccase with ABTS [2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)] as a substrate (Lineweaver-Burk plot) was determined to be $44.4{\mu}M\;and\;56.0{\mu}mole$, respectively. The optimal pH for laccase activity was found to be 3.0. The enzyme was very stable for 1 hour at $60{\circ}C$. Half-life ($t_{1/2}$) of the enzyme was about 10 min at $80{\circ}C$. Spectroscopic analysis of purified enzyme indicated that the enzyme was typical of copper-containing protein. Substrate specificity and inhibitor studies for laccase also indicated to be a typical fungal laccase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the P. cinnabarinus SCH-3 laccase showed 94% of homology to the N-terminal sequences of laccases from P. cinnabarinus PB and P. coccineus.