• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6021-6024
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• 2014

Background: The STK15 gene located on chromosome 20q13.2 encodes a centrosome-associated kinase critical for regulated chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Recent studies have demonstrated STK15 to be significantly associated with many tumors, with aberrant expression obseved in many human malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate expression of STK15 in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) in a Mongolian population. Methods: Two non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of STK15, rs2273535 (Phe31Ile) and rs1047972 (Val57Ile) were assessed in 380 ESCC patients and 380 healthy controls. We also detected STK15 mRNA expression in 39 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and corresponding adjacent tissues by real time PCR. Results: rs2273535 showed a significant association with ESCC in our Mongolian population (rs227353, P allele = 0.0447, OR (95%CI) = 1.259 (1.005~1.578)). Real time PCR analysis of ESCC tissues showed that expression of STK15 mRNA in cancer tissues was higher than in normal tissues (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Our study showed that functional SNPs in the STK15 gene are associated with ESCC in a Mongolian population and up-regulation of STK15 mRNAoccurs in ESCC tumors compared adjacent normal tissues. STK15 may thus have an important role in the prognosis of ESCC and be a potential therapeutic target.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1247-1250
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• 2015

Background: Psoriasis, a common cutaneous disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation with a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population, may be linked to certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported an association between interleukin 10 (IL-10) variant polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris although the results vary according to the population studied. No studies have been performed in the Saudi population. The present study concerned novel variants and other genetic polymorphisms of the promoter and exonic regions of the IL10 gene in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and potential differences in genotype compared to a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and healthy controls with no personal or family history of psoriasis were selected from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Polymorphisms of the IL 10 gene of both groups were genotyped. Results: We observed two novel variants in 5'UTR region of the promoter precursor with higher prevalence of the genotype with both wild-type alleles in patients compared to the healthy control group. The differences at positions -377 and -150 were significantly associated with disease, both the variants conferred strong protection against psoriasis in Saudi patients. Conclusions: This observation provides further support for the importance of the part that IL10 plays in the pathophysiology of this disease. Confirmation of our findings in larger populations of different ethnicities would provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in psoriasis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2006

Using biochemical methods, we determined the potential of local female shrimp populations as breeding stock to select the best adult prawns for improving larval production. As condition indexes, we selected total RNA, DNA, their ratio, and trypsin activity. The DNA content in the pleopods of each local population was similar, i.e., between $0.90{\pm}0.06\;and\;1.02{\pm}0.04(SE){\mu}g/mg$. In comparison, the RNA contents differed markedly between $2.00{\pm}0.09$ and $0.96{\pm}0.08\;{\mu}g/mg$. Therefore, the RNA/DNA (R/D) ratio in the pleopod could be used as a condition index because it represents a biochemical characteristic of the population. The mean pleopodal R/D ratio of the Goheung population was the highest at $2.52{\pm}0.19$, which indicated the best condition. Trypsin activity was influenced little by shrimp condition and more by the amount of food ingested. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and R/D ratio in the gonads provided offsetting information about the instantaneous gonad maturity. The Goheung population had the highest instantaneous GSI, despite some spawning. Based on the condition indexes and time of gonad maturation, the Goheung shrimp population is suitable for use as breeding stock.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2010

Stem-cell therapy has the potential to improve vision in patients with untreatable retinal disease. Various types of cell source including fetal, embryonic and adult stem cells, intrinsic and extrinsic factors for differentiation into retinal progenitors and transplantation mode were discussed in this review. Experimental approaches have successfully induced photoreceptor precursor cells and retinal pigment epithelium. Stem-cell-based therapy is a promising treatment to restore vision in patients with retinal disease, in spite of the challenges.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.159-188
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• 2006

This study attempts to create a longitudinal dataset by linking tdata on the identical individuals across the monthly sample household management lists of the Economically Active Population Survey(EAPS) and the Household Income and Expenditure Survey(HIES). Using the data constructed through such process, the study also tryies to analyze the duration of longitudinal responses and the characteristics of nonrespondents. Between 1998 and 2002, longitudinal response rates had declined to 46% of total EAPS and 34% of total HIES. The fact that nonresponse was not a random phenomenon leads to concerns about the representativeness of the remaining sample. Using Cox's proportional hazard model the study revealed that the duration of longitudinal responses is affected by the ownership of house and the age of the respondent.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.808-813
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• 2006

Until now, South Korea does not have either fortification or enrichment program as intervention tools although the addition of micronutrients to foods is for the most part not regulated. The aim of this study was to determine which scenario would most effectively reduce the proportion of the population with low iron intake while not putting other population groups at risk of excessive intakes. In order to investigate potential dietary consequences of iron fortification we analyzed 2 day dietary record data (n=3,955) from the 2001 National Nutrition Surveys. The Proportion of the population consuming dietary iron less than the estimated average requirement (EAR) ranged from $12.4{\sim}87.5%$ depending upon gender and age group. Iron fortification at the level of 100% of Recommended Intake (RI) per 100g to breads and instant o. dried noodles was estimated to result in a 15% decrease of proportion of those with iron less than EAR, while putting 1.4 % of the population greater than the Upper Limit (UL). Iron fortification appeared to be the most effective for the $15{\sim}19$ year old age group, showing 39% reduction of iron intake insufficiency. The results suggest that carefully designed fortification or enrichment to staple foods may contribute to increase dietary iron intakes of Koreans, especially for the young population with a high prevalence of iron inadequacy. As the estimation in this study was based solely upon dietary intake data, iron intake from supplements should be considered in further studies.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2021.06a
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• pp.144-144
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• 2021

The rapid urbanization in many Asian countries has taken millions of people from the rural countryside to concentrated megacities, which eventually putting pressure on the existing water resources. The over-growing population and increasing living standard of people in the urban region of developed as well as developing countries such as Korea, China, Japan and India have witnessed a drastic change in terms of domestic water demand for the past few decades. In this study, we used the concept of potential surface water availability in the form of surface runoff for future vulnerability assessment. We focused on 42 megacities having population more than 5 million as per the United Nations (UN) census data 2020. The study shows that 30 out of 42 cities having more than 180L/p/d demand for domestic use based on various references. We have predicted the domestic water demand for all the cities on the basis of current per capita demand up to 2035 using UN projected population data. We found that the projected water demand in megacities such as Seoul, Busan, Shanghai, Ghuanzou are increasing because of high population as well as GDP growth rate. On the contrary, megacities of Japan considered in our stud shows less water demand in future due to decreasing trend of population. As per the past records provided by the local municipalities/authorities, we projected different scenarios based on the future supply for various megacities such as Chennai, Delhi, Karachi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Wuhan, etc. We found that the supply to demand ratio of these cities would be below 75% for future period and if such trend continues then the inhabitants will face serious water stress conditions. Outcomes of this study would help the local policy makers to adopt sustainable initiatives on urban water governance to avoid the severe water stress conditions in the vulnerable megacities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that occurs frequently among women of reproductive age and is a polygenic, multifactorial, endocrine, and metabolic disorder. PCOS is becoming more common as a result of risk factors such as current lifestyle, overnutrition, and stress. The use of traditional herbal medicine is higher among the global population. Hence, this review article focuses on the potential of Nigella sativa to manage women with PCOS. Methods: A literature search was carried out using databases including Medline, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Embase, and Science Direct, as well as reference lists, to identify relevant publications that support the use of N. sativa in the management of women with PCOS. Results: Several clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that the major bioactive constituent of black seed (N. sativa), thymoquinone, has potential for managing women with PCOS. Moreover, N. sativa may help to manage oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in women with PCOS through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: N. sativa has potential for use as a herbal medicine for managing women with PCOS as an integrative medicine along with traditional and modern medicine in conjunction with calorie restriction and regular exercise.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.665-669
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• 2012

Aim: The distribution of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and XRCC3 genotypes was used to assess the potential influence of genetic polymorphisms on risk of colorectal cancer, and interactions with other factors. Methods: a 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted with 485 cases and 970 controls. XRCC1 and XRCC2 genotype polymorphisms were based upon duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pairprimer (PCR-CTPP) method. Results:The XRCC1 399Cln allele polymorphism was found to be associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk, while an non-significant inversely association was noted for XRCC3 241Thr/Thr genotype. We also found that individuals with the XRCC1 399 Gln and XRCC3 241Met alleles had an elevated risk, while XRCC3241Thr/Thr was proctective. Conclusion: This study is the first to provide evidence of importance of XRCC1 and XRCC3 gene polymorphisms for risk of colorectal cancer in the Chinese population.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.335-339
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• 2001

The dynamic model was developed to simulate the photosynthetic rate of Phragmites communis stands in coastal ecosystem. The model was composed of the compartments of both climatic and biological variables. The former were photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD), daily maximum- and minimum-temperature. The latter were combinations of the specific physiological responses of plant organs with the biomass of each organs. The PPFD and air temperature were calculated and using those values, gas exchange rate of each plant organ was calculated at every hour. The carbon budget was constructed using the modelled predictions. Analysis of annual productivity and fluxes showed that yearly gross population productivity, yearly population respiration and yearly net population productivity were 33.4, 21.3 and 12.1 $CO_2ton{\cdot}ha^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, respectively. The final result was tested over two stands, produced promising predictions with regards to the levels of production attained. The model can be used to determine production potential under given climatic conditions and could even be applied to plant canopies with analogous biological characteristics.