• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.718-725
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• 2018

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis in several types of cancer. In this study, the impact of TLR4 activation on apoptotic cell death in gynecologic cancers induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. Cervical cancer cell lines were produced from isolated surgical specimens supplied by Paik Hospital. The primary cultures of normal myometrium and gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, were used to examine the differences in morphological characteristics between normal and cancerous cells. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the relative expression levels of TLR4 gene involved in apoptosis-associated signaling in cervical cancer cells. The cancer cell colonies showed a tendency to reach high levels of confluency compared with normal cells. In addition, an enhanced growth rate and loss of contact inhibition were observed in gynecologic cancer cells compared with normal cells (doubling times of 16.6 hr vs. 26 hr, respectively). The expression level of ITGA5, an alpha-5 integrin marker, was upregulated in normal myometrial cells, but this tendency was not exhibited in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, p53 tumor suppressor gene expression was upregulated, whereas TLR4 and caspase-3 gene expressions were downregulated in cervical cancer cells. Notably, the expression levels of TLR4 and caspase-3 were increased significantly in LPS-treated cancer cells compared with those in non-LPS-treated cells. These results suggest that the TLR4-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway could be suggested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancers.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2015

In a sodium-cooled fast reactor, which is a Generation-IV reactor, refueling is conducted by rotating, but not opening, the reactor head to prevent a reaction between the sodium, water and air. Therefore, an inspection technique that checks for the presence of any obstacles between the reactor core and the upper internal structure, which could disturb the rotation of the reactor head, is essential prior to the refueling of a sodium-cooled fast reactor. To this end, an ultrasound-based inspection technique should be employed because the opacity of the sodium prevents conventional optical inspection techniques from being applied to the monitoring of obstacles. In this study, a ranging inspection technique using a plate-type ultrasonic waveguide sensor was developed to monitor the presence of any obstacles between the reactor core and the upper internal structure in the opaque sodium. Because the waveguide sensor installs an ultrasonic transducer in a relatively cold region and transmits the ultrasonic waves into the hot radioactive liquid sodium through a long waveguide, it offers better reliability and is less susceptible to thermal or radiation damage. A 10 m horizontal beam waveguide sensor capable of radiating an ultrasonic wave horizontally was developed, and beam profile measurements and basic experiments were carried out to investigate the characteristics of the developed sensor. The beam width and propagation distance of the ultrasonic wave radiated from the sensor were assessed based on the experimental results. Finally, a feasibility test using cylindrical targets (corresponding to the shape of possible obstacles) was also conducted to evaluate the applicability of the developed ranging inspection technique to actual applications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2010

Purpose: Although radiation-induced fibrosis is one of the common sequelae occurring after irradiation of skin and soft tissues, the treatment methods are not well standardized. This study aimed to establish the skin fibrosis mouse model by fractionated radiation for the further mechanism studies or testing the efficacy of therapeutic candidates. Materials and Methods: The right hind limbs of BALB/c mice received two fractions of 20 Gy using a therapeutic linear accelerator. Early skin damages were scored and tissue fibrosis was assessed by the measurement of a leg extension. Morphological changes were assessed by H&E staining and by Masson's Trichrome staining. TGF-${\beta}1$ expression from soft tissues was also detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results: Two fractions of 20 Gy irradiation were demonstrated as being enough to induce early skin damage effects such as erythema, mild skin dryness, dry and wet desquamation within several weeks of radiation. After 13 weeks of irradiation, the average radiation-induced leg contraction was $11.1{\pm}6.2mm$. Morphologic changes in irradiated skin biopsies exhibited disorganized collagen and extracellular matrix fibers, as well as the accumulation of myofibroblasts compared to the non-irradiated skin. Moreover, TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in tissue was increased by radiation. Conclusion: These results show that two fractions of 20 Gy irradiation can induce skin fibrosis in BALB/c mice accompanied by other common characteristics of skin damages. This animal model can be a useful tool for studying skin fibrosis induced by radiation.

• Sijohaknonchong
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• v.21
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• pp.143-164
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to clarify that 'Kanghosasiga' is the Ynsijo which has general unification of the content and having general unification is based. on the using one definite frame. although 'Kanghosasiga' used different subject matters that have characteristics of four season in forming one theme. The definite frame is divided into two frames, inner frame and outer frame. Outer frame is common in four works, and it represents the place in which the speaker lives(강호), speaker (이몸), relationship between speaker and the king(군은), the condition of 'kangho' and speaker. And in this paper, the generative condition of phrases is so analyzed that the compression and the simplicity of expression are explained, and the purpose of generative phrases is so analyzed that satisfaction at life is represented. It is considered if it is possible to extended to '태평성대(the happy era)' in the social view. Inner frame is the detail structure of content of the work. Each of the first, second, third of the verses of four works have common structure. After analyzing each content, the characteristic of 'Kanghosasiga' was explained. The first of verses of 'Kanghosasiga' represent gusto of the four season. The second is constructed with 'the clause that functions as instruction' because 'speaker' that is the words that functions as index, and represents in detail gusto of the first. The third is connotative expression connected with the second. The third implies purpose that the writer try to gain private living with formal viewpoint. The structure of the inner frame of 'Kanghosasiga' shows a process; 'introducing season' $\to$ 'gusto about season' $\to$ 'enjoying with season' $\to$ 'peace in mind'. The first of verses of 'Kanghosasiga' is the clue of the second. The second is the reaction of the first. The third has character as estimation of the forepart. The structure of the outer frame can be shown if the structure of the inner frame has '감군은‘(being grateful to king's grace). ultimate purpose of the writer is to praise king's administration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.386-391
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• 1992

Background: Recently, bronchial provocation of the airway of atopic asthmatic subjects with inhaled allergen has been shown to produce an initial peripheral blood eosinopenia followed by an eosinophilia occurring approximately 12 to 18 hrs after the challenge. However there are few studies about the change of peripheral eosinophil count (PEC) after bronchial provocation with nonspecific stimuli such as histamine or methacholine. Interestingly our preliminary study demonstrated a notable change of PEC during bronhial provocation with inhaled histamine in some asthmatic subjects. This study was designed to reevaluate our preliminary data and to further investigate the change of PEC during as well as after bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine in bronchial asthma tics. Methods: Sixteen asthmatic subjects participated in this study. Bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine was done between 9 AM and 12 MD. Blood samplings for PEC were done with 5 minutes intervals during the procedure, and repeated at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after the procedure. Results: The results were as follows; 1) The patients were divided into two groups characterized by each pattern in the change of PEC during the procedure. A group (11 of sixten, group I) showed an increasing pattern of PEC and another group (5 of sixteen, group II) showed a decreasing pattern of PEC during the procedure. 2) Group I demonstrated a tendency to maintain continuously higher level of PEC than the baseline value until 48 hours after the procedure. 3) Group II demonstrated a tendency to maintain continuously lower level of PEC than the baseline value until 48 hours after the procedure. 4) There were no significant differences in their clinical parameters including baseline eosinophil count, baseline $FEV_1$, $PC_{20}$ of histamine, and serum IgE level between group I and group II. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the change of PEC produced by inhaled histamine in asthmatic subjects is much different from that produced by inhaled allergen, and that each patient may have their individual characteristics in the change of PEC in response to bronchial provocation with inhaled histamine. Alternatively these findings suggest that eosinophils may be partially involved in the early asthmatic reaction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.661-666
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• 2009

Purpose : To determine the prevalence and clinical features of codetected respiratory etiological agents for acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection at Dankook University Hospital from September 2003 through June 2005. Immunofluorescent staining and culture were used for the detection of respiratory viruses (influenza virus [IFV] types A, B; parainfluenza virus [PIV] types 1, 2, 3; respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]; adenovirus [AdV]). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) detection, and PCR and culture were performed for enterovirus detection. Acid-fast staining and culture were performed for tuberculosis detection. The demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed retrospectively from the patients medical records. Results : Evidence of two or more microbes was found in 28 children: RSV was detected in 14, PIV 3 in 10, AdV in 10, MP in 8, PIV 2 in 8, CT in 4, and PIV 1 in 3. Codetected agents were found as follows: RSV＋PIV 2, 6 patients; AdV＋MP, 4 patients; AdV＋PIV, 3 patients; RSV＋MP, 3 patients; PIV 1＋PIV 3, 3 patients. Distinct peaks of codetected agents were found in epidemics of MP and each respiratory virus. Conclusion : The codetected infectious agents were RSV, PIV, AdV, and MP, with distinct peaks found in epidemics of MP and each respiratory virus. Although advances in diagnostic methods have increased the prevalence of codetection, its clinical significance should be interpreted cautiously.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1996

Antigenic components reacting with IgE and IgG antibodies were localized in muscular layer of adult and of larva, sparganum. But the antigenic components inducing IgG were localized at tegument and parenchyma in addition to muscular layer in adult and sparganum. Also in sparganum, the surface of calcareous corpuscles of parenchyma showed immunoreactivity to IgG antibody. However antigenic components inducing IgE antibody were not localized in tegument and parenchyma, but in adult worm, we observed the immunopositive reaction at the lining of vitelline follicles in mature proglottis and on surface of egg shell within uterus of graved proglottis. By the method of immunogold-labelling, we observed the location of antigenic particles in tegument of sparganum. The density of antigenic particles inducing IgG was higher than that of antigen particles inducing IgE in syncytial tegument, tegument cells. A total of 43 and 36 protein bands were resolved from crude extracts of adult and sparganum, respectively, by SDS-PAGE. 34 bands from crude extracts of adult and larva were migrated to same positions. By EITB, 21 bands of 44 bands in adult were recognized with IgG antibody, and also 21 bands of 36 bands in sparganum. 13 bands of them were common antigenic components both in the adult worm and sparganum. Because 19 bands of 44 bands in adult worm were reacted with IgE antibody, they were IgE antigenic component. In sparganum, 13 bands were IgE antigenic components. 9 bands of them were common antigenic component inducing IgE antibody in both a-dult and sparganum. 3 bands of antigenic component recognized by IgE and IgG antibody were nonspecific antigen in both adult and sparganum of Spirometra erinacei.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.135-151
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• 1977

The present paper summerizes the studies on clay mineralogical characteristics of Korean soil, relationship between potassium and clay minerals, potassium release pattern of clay minerals and utilization of clay minerals for soil conditioner and fertilizers, which have been carried out in this laboratory. 1. The red yellow podzolic soil is mostly abundant in the upland of Korea and mainly consists of halloysite and weathered intermediates of mica such as illite and vermiculite. 2. With regard to soil parent material, kaolin mineral occurs abundant in soils derived from granite and granite gneiss. Mica is dominant in basaltic soil. The main clay mineral of the soil, originated from the Tertiary, is found montmorillonite and the volcanic soil of Jeju Island has plenty of allophane as its main clay mineral. 3. It is confirmed that the soil fertility depends on the composition of clay minerals. The red yellow podzolic soil, containing lot of kaolin, shows low productivity while the montmorillonite soil has higher productivity. 4. The release rate of solid phase potassium (micas and fixed potassium) follows the 1st order reaction equation in the equilibrium solution of $IN-NH_4OAc$. The potassium release constant is positively correlated with the mica content of the clay but negatively correlated with the content of $14.5{\AA}$ minerals. On the other hand, the potassium release constant has very high correlation with the ratio(Kex/Kt) of exchangeable potassium(Kex) to total potassium(Kt). 5. It is also found that Kex/Kt has rather high correlation with the content of mica and $14.5{\AA}$ minerals existed in the clay as well as the mica content of the soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1114-1119
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• 2012

This study was conducted to assess the microbial toxicity of ionic silver solution ($Ag^+N$) and silver nanoparticle suspension ($Ag^0NP$) based on the Microtox bioassay. In this test, the light inhibition of luminescent bacteria was measured after 15 and 30 min exposure to aqueous solutions and soils spiked with a dilution series of $Ag^+N$ and $Ag^0NP$. The resulting dose-response curves were used to derive effective concentration (EC25, $EC_{50}$, EC75) and effective dose ($ED_{25}$, $ED_{50}$, $ED_{75}$) that caused a 25, 50 and 75% inhibition of luminescence. In aqueous solutions, $EC_{50}$ value of $Ag^+N$ after 15 min exposure was determined to be < $2mg\;L^{-1}$ and remarkably lower than $EC_{50}$ value of $Ag^0NP$ with $251mg\;L^{-1}$. This revealed that $Ag^+N$ was more toxic to luminescent bacteria than $Ag^0NP$. In soil extracts, however, $ED_{50}$ value of $Ag^+N$ with 196 mg kg-1 was higher than $ED_{50}$ value of $Ag^0NP$ with $104mg\;kg^{-1}$, indicating less toxicity of $Ag^+N$ in soils. The reduced toxicity of $Ag^+N$ in soils can be attributed to a partial adsorption of ionic $Ag^+$ on soil colloids and humic acid as well as a partial formation of insoluble AgCl with NaCl of Microtox diluent. This resulted in lower concentration of active Ag in soil extracts obtained after 1 hour shaking with $Ag^+N$ than that spiked with $Ag^0NP$. With longer exposure time, EC and ED values of both $Ag^+N$ and $Ag^0NP$ decreased, so their toxicity increased. The toxic characteristics of silver nanomaterials were different depending on existing form of Ag ($Ag^+$, $Ag^0$), reaction medium (aqueous solution, soil), and exposure time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.212-221
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• 2011

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are required to meet the reinforced discharge standards which are differentiated as 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 mg-TP/L for the district I, II and III, respectively. Although most of WWTPs are operating advanced biological phosphorus removal system, the supplementary phosphorus treatment facility using chemical addition should be required almost at all WWTPs. Therefore, water quality data from several exemplary full-scale plants operating phosphorus treatment process were analyzed to evaluate the reliability of removal performance. Additionally, a series of jar tests were conducted to find optimal coagulants dose for phosphorus removal by chemical precipitation and to describe characteristics of the reaction and sludge production. Chemical costs and the increasing sludge volume in physicochemical phosphorus removal process were estimated based on the results of jar tests. The minimum coagulant (aluminium sulfate and poly aluminium chloride) doses to keep TP concentration below 0.5 and 0.2 mg/L were around 25 and 30 mg/L (as $Al_2O_3$), respectively, in the mixed liquor of activated sludge. In the tertiary treatment facility, relatively lower coagulant doses of 1/12~1/3 the minimum doses for activated sludge were required to achieve the same TP concentrations of 0.2~0.5 mg/L. Increase in suspended solids concentration due to chemical precipitates in mixed liquor was estimated at 10~11%, compared to the concentration without chemical addition. When coagulant was added into mixed liquor, chemical (aluminium sulfate) cost was estimated to be 4~10 times higher than in secondary effluent coagulation/separation process. Sludge production to be wasted was also 4~10 times higher than secondary effluent coagulation/separation process.