• International Journal of Reliability and Applications
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2003

A k-out-of-n system with n identical and independent components is considered in which the components takes two types of function: 0 (open-circuit) or 1 (closed) on command (e.g. electromagnetic relays and solid state switches). Components are subject to two types of failure on command: failure to close or failure to open. In our k-out-of-n system, failure of (n-k)＋1 or more components to close causes to the close failure of the system, or failure of k or more components to open causes the open failure of the system. The long-run average cost rate is obtained. We find the optimal k minimizing the long run average cost rate for given n. A numerical example is presented.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2018

Purpose: Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), a bone-specific transcription factor, is a key regulator of osteoblast differentiation and its expression is induced by the activation of BMP-2 signaling. This study examined whether zinc modulates BMP-2 signaling and therefore stimulates Runx2 and osteoblast differentiation gene expression. Methods: Two osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell lines (subclones 4 as a high osteoblast differentiation and subclone 24 as a low osteoblastic differentiation) were cultured in an osteogenic medium (OSM) as the normal control, Zn-($1{\mu}M$ Zn) or Zn+($15{\mu}M$ Zn) for 24 h. The genes and proteins for BMP-2 signaling (BMP-2, Smad-1/p-Smad-1), transcription factors (Runx2, osterix), and osteoblast differentiation marker proteins were assessed. Results: In both cell lines, BMP-2 mRAN and protein expression and extracellular BMP-2 secretion all decreased in Zn-. The expression of Smad-1 (downstream regulator of BMP-2 signaling) and p-Smad-1 (phosphorylated Smad-1) also downregulated in Zn-. Furthermore, the expression of the bone-specific transcription factors, Runx2 and osterix, decreased in Zn-, which might be due to the decreased BMP-2 expression and Smad-1 activation (p-Smad-1) by Zn-, because Runx2 and osterix both are downstream in BMP-2 signaling. Bone marker gene expression, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I (COLI), osteocalcin, and osteopontin were also downregulated in Zn-. Conclusion: The results suggest that a zinc deficiency in osteoblasts suppresses the BMP-2 signaling pathway via the suppression of Smad-1 activation, and this suppressed BMP-2 signaling can cause poor osteoblast differentiation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2013

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of common variants associated with serum liver enzyme homeostasis in population. In the previous study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several genes have been reported to be associated with serum liver enzyme levels in European population. We aimed to confirm whether the genetic variation of SMAD2 (SMAD family member 2) gene influence the serum liver enzyme levels in Korean population. We genotyped variants in or near SMAD2 in a population-based sample including 994 unrelated Korean adult. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relations of genetic polymorphisms in SMAD2 gene with serum liver enzyme levels. By examining genotype data of a total of 944 subjects in 5 hospital health promotion center, we discovered the SMAD2 gene polymorphisms are associated with serum liver enzyme levels. The common and highest significant polymorphism was rs17736760 (${\beta}$=3.51, P=5.31E-07) with glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (GOT), rs17736760 (${\beta}$=5.99, P=1.25E-05) with glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and rs17736760 (${\beta}$=15.68, P=9.93E-07) with gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in all group. Furthermore, the SNP rs17736760 was consistently associated with GOT (${\beta}$=5.25, P=1.72E-06), GPT (${\beta}$=9.97, P=1.16E-05), GGT (${\beta}$=26.13, P=3.43E-06) in men group. Consequently, we found statistically significant SNP in SMAD2 gene that are associated with serum levels of GOT, GPT, and GGT. In addition, these results suggest that the individuals with the minor alleles of the SNP in the SMAD2 gene may be more elevated serum liver enzyme levels in the Korean population.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.293-300
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• 2005

ZnO:Li epilayers were synthesized on sapphire substrates by the pulesd laser deposition (PLD) after the surface of the ZnO:Li sintered pellet was irradiated by the ArF (193 nm) excimer laser. The growth temperature was fixed at $400^{\circ}C$. The crystalline structure of epilayers was investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The carrier density and mobility of epilayers measured by van der Pauw-Hall method are $2.69\times10cm^{-3}$ and $52.137cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293 K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of epilayers obtained from the absorption spectra is well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=3.5128eV{\cdot}(9.51\times10^{-4}eV/K)T^2/(T+280K)$. After the as-grown ZnO:Li epilayer was annealed in Zn atmospheres, oxygen and vaccum the origin of point defects of ZnO:Li has been investigated by PL at 10 K. The Peaks of native defects of $V_{zn},\;V_o,\;Zn_{int},\;and\;O_{int}$ showned on PL spectrum are classified as a donors or accepters type. We confirm that $ZnO:Li/Al_2O_3$ in vacuum do not form the native defects because ZnO:Li epilayers in vacuum existe in the form of stable bonds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1063-1072
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• 2012

Effective population size ($N_e$) is an important measure to understand population structure and genetic variability in animal species. The objective of this study was to estimate $N_e$ in Sapsaree dogs using the information of rate of inbreeding and genomic data that were obtained from pedigree and the Illumina CanineSNP20 (20K) and CanineHD (170K) beadchips, respectively. Three SNP panels, i.e. Sap134 (20K), Sap60 (170K), and Sap183 (the combined panel from the 20K and 170K), were used to genotype 134, 60, and 183 animal samples, respectively. The $N_e$ estimates based on inbreeding rate ranged from 16 to 51 about five to 13 generations ago. With the use of SNP genotypes, two methods were applied for $N_e$ estimation, i.e. pair-wise $r^2$ values using a simple expectation of distance and $r^2$ values under a non-linear regression with respective distances assuming a finite population size. The average pair-wise $N_e$ estimates across generations using the pairs of SNPs that were located within 5 Mb in the Sap134, Sap60, and Sap183 panels, were 1,486, 1,025 and 1,293, respectively. Under the non-linear regression method, the average $N_e$ estimates were 1,601, 528, and 1,129 for the respective panels. Also, the point estimates of past $N_e$ at 5, 20, and 50 generations ago ranged between 64 to 75, 245 to 286, and 573 to 646, respectively, indicating a significant $N_e$ reduction in the last several generations. These results suggest a strong necessity for minimizing inbreeding through the application of genomic selection or other breeding strategies to increase $N_e$, so as to maintain genetic variation and to avoid future bottlenecks in the Sapsaree population.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) can be classified as intrahepatic CCA or extrahepatic CCA (eCCA). We intended to analyze and reports the survival outcomes for eCCA. Methods: Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) registry, site recode C24.0, was used to select cases of eCCA from 2000 to 2018. Patients with incomplete data or ages <18 years were excluded. Results: Male (52.69%) and White race (77.99%) predominated. Compared with 2000-2006, survival increased in 2013 (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj]: 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.70; p < 0.01). Surgery with chemoradiotherapy (HRadj: 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.7; p < 0.01) and surgery with chemotherapy (HRadj: 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.83; p < 0.01) improved survival over surgery alone. Compared with surgery without lymph node (LN) removal, surgery of four or more regional LN reduced the risk of death by 58% (HRadj: 0.42, 95% CI 0.36-0.51; p < 0.01). Compared with patients without surgery, patients who underwent bile duct excision (HRadj: 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.94; p < 0.01), simple or extended lobectomy (HRadj: 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.95; p = 0.009), and hepatectomy (HRadj: 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.88; p < 0.01) significantly improved survival. Patients with distal CCA had a 17% higher survival than perihilar CCA (HRadj: 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.92; p < 0.01) and LN dissection was equally beneficial for both subgroups (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Surgery with chemoradiotherapy has a proven increase in the 5-year survival of the eCCA. LN resection, bile duct excision, lobectomy, and hepatectomy have better outcomes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 1988

An epidemiological study was performed to know the infection status of 5. hortense among the human residents and fish intermediate hosts in Chongsong·gun, Kyongsangbuk·do. Out of 263 people examined, 59(22.4%) were positive for the eggs of E. hortense. Total 152 fresh water fishes (9 species) were ellamined, and Odentobutis obscura interrupts, Misgurnus an- guiIZicaudatus and Squalidus coreanus were found to harbour the metacercariae of E. hortense. Juvenile or adult E. hertense were expelled from 35 out of 54 cases treated with pragiquantel. The number of worms Per individual ranged from 1 to 649, with the average burden of 51. The eosinophil count of infected persons ranged 1∼24% (6% in average). The number of eggs per day Per worm (EPDPW) in human host was estimated about 1,478. The results showed that Chongsong-gun is an endemic area of E. hortense.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2000

In the 5'-flanking region of the D-AAT, AspAT and AlaDH gene, I found three or two pairs of sequences(designated as Pl, P2, P3) which show significant similarity to the E.coli consensus sequences of -35 and -10 for promoters. The spacing between -35 and -10 is 16 to 18bp in all the three putative promoters Pl, P2 and P3 which is in good agreement with the preferred spacer length in E.coli and in B.subtilis. Therefore, the putative promoters may also function to increase the efficiency of transcriptional initiation. The most stable, double-helical“Shine-Dalgarno”pairing is formed with a free energy change(ΔG) of -13.0 kcal/mol, -9.6 kcal/mol, -15.8 kcal/mol.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a sensitizer that induces occupational asthma and atopic dermatitis, is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers, high temperature polymer, and surfactants. The aim of this study was to investigative the effects of aqueous extracts of Lonicera japonica Flower(LJFAE) on TMA-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in Balb/c mice. Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was freeze-dried following filteration through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter. Mice were orally administrated with or without LJFE of a different doses(25-100 mg/kg) for 28 days. In the challenge period, mice were externally applied at difference doses of LJFAE one time per day 30 min before TMA treatment. We examined the effects of LJFAE on the the serum levels of IgE and prostagladin E2 (PGE2), the Thl/Th2 cytokine production of spleen cells, ear swelling responses, and the leukocyte infiltration induced by TMA. Results : The orally and externally administration of LJFAE dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of IgE and PGE2 production as well as ear swelling responses and leukocyte infiltration in TMA-induced Balb/c mice. Furthermore, the levels of Thl (TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gammer}$, IL-2)/Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokine production from spleen cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and CD28 mAbs was markedly suppressed by the orally and externally treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppresses the inflammatory mediators and regulates the Thl/Th2 cytokines. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-CHS response effect of LJFAE.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.553-560
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• 1999

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane exposure on the initial healing of the periodontal tissue in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedure. 90 sites selected from 90 patients were treated with gingival flap surgery supported by an e-PTFE membrane. The material included angular bony defects with probing attachment loss of > 5mm or degree II furcation involvement. Treated sites were classified with membrane exposure group and non-exposure group at membrane removal and evaluated healing type. The results were obtained as follows. 1. e-PTFE membrane was exposed at 61 sites (67.8%) among 90 sites. 2. Thirteen sites (14.4%) depicted rapid healing type, 65 sites (72.2%) depicted typical healing type, 9 sites (10%) showed delayed healing type and 3 sites (3.3%) were categorized as adversed healing type. 3. In e-PTFE membrane exposure group, 1 site (1.6%), 51 sites (83.6%), 6 sites (9.8%) and 3 sites (4.9%) showed rapid healing type, typical healing type, delayed healing type and adverse healing type respectively. 4. In e-PTFE membrane non-exposure group, 12 sites (41.3%), 14 sites (48.3%) and 3 sites (10.3%) showed rapid healing type, typical healing type and delayed healing type respectively. Adverse healing type was not observed. 5. The rate of favourable healing between e-PTFE membrane exposure group and non-exposure group was not statistically significant(p=0.56). These results suggest that the prevention of membrane exposure may be important to obtain rapid healing type. However favourable healing could be obtained with stringent infection control program even if membrane was exposed.