• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2011

Objective: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has a strong genetic component. Specific gene polymorphisms may be associated with OPLL in several genes which regulate calcification in chondrocytes, change of extracellular collagen matrix and secretions of many growth factors and cytokines controlling bone morphogenesis. Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) may playa role in the pathogenesis of OPLL by intermediate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). The current study focused on coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR5 for a case-control study investigating the relationship between TLR5 and OPLL in a Korean population. Methods: A total of 166 patients with OPLL and 231 controls were recruited for a case-control association study investigating the relationship between SNPs of TLR5 gene and OPLL. Four SNPs were genotyped by direct sequencing (rs5744168, rs5744169, rs2072493, and rs5744174). SNP data were analyzed using the SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, Haploview, and Helixtree programs. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and gender was performed to calculate an odds ratio (OR). Results: None of SNPs were associated with OPLL in three alternative models (codominant, dominant, and recessive models; p> 0.05). A strong linkage disequilibrium block, including all 4 SNPs, was constructed using the Gabriel method. No haplotype was significantly associated with OPLL in three alternative models. Conclusion: These results suggest that Toll-like receptor 5 gene may not be associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament risk in Korean population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7583-7586
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• 2013

Background: Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 acts as a key regulator of many cytokine signaling pathways and its abnormal expression has been identified in several human malignancies, suggesting potential roles in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate any association between the functional SOCS-1 -1478CA>del polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CC) as well as age at onset in a Turkish clinical sample. Materials and Methods: A total of 122 subjects were enrolled in this case-control study (70 CC cases and 52 controls). The SOCS-1 -1478CA>del polymorphism was genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: The odds ratio of the del allele for CC relative to the CA allele was not significantly different between the groups (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.41-1.22, p=0.27). This result did not change after adjustment for age and sex on multivariable regression analysis (OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.59-1.34, p=0.53). When the SOCS-1 -1478CA>del polymorphism was analyzed among CC patients in relation to the age at disease onset, we found no significant differences between subjects with the del/del, CA/del, and CA/CA genotypes. Conclusions: The results of our study did not point towards a major role of the SOCS-1 -1478CA>del polymorphism in the pathogenesis of CC in Turkish subjects.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.182-188
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• 2014

For the dissemination of new and renewable energy, Korean government introduced a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) scheme in 2012 after terminating feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme that was introduced in 2004. With the RPS scheme, 64.7% of its own goal (95.7% in PV and 63.3% in non-PV) was achieved in 2012 and 67.2% of that (94.9% in PV, 65% in non-PV) was achieved in 2013. The deployment of PV systems met the goal very well and that of non-PV did not. Recently, Korean government revised the target year of supplying 10% electricity from new and renewable energy from 2022 to 2024 and released a couple of measures on PV area. Recent studies showed that the bankability of a project plays a key role for PV dissemination. Therefore, the dissemination should be assessed from the point of bankability under the RPS scheme and a little adjustment is necessary to achieve the goal. Especially, installing a small size PV (<100 kwp) system needs a minimum REC price or a FIT scheme. In non-PV area, permission process is a common bottleneck and the related regulation should be eased. In addition, to achieve the long term goal, an implementing scenario has to be prepared. Currently, the portion of the waste-gas energy originated from fossil fuel is too large among the new and renewable energy sources and the portion should be lowered or eliminated in the 10% of electricity supply goal. Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has its own FIT scheme for PV dissemination from 2014 SMG and revised the PV tariff from 50 to 100 won/kwh in effective of 2015. It is worth to spread the other provinces.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.991-1002
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• 1996

The objectives of this study were to obtain normative data for 45 mother-daughter pairs on spine, femur(neck, ward's triangle, trochanter) and total body BMD (bone mineral density) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometric measurement, body composition, biochemical markers, nutrient intakes and energy expenditure, to determin the interrelations of these factors within each group, to measure familial resemblance for each variable. We observed significantly positive correlations between height, weight, head, hip and calf circumferences, tricep, femur and calf skinfold thickness, total lean body mass(=weight-total fat body mass-bone mineral content), protein and fat intakes, Ca index, serum total protein and albumin of monter-daughter pairs(p<.05-p<.001). Among mothers, age, osteocalcin, higher, weight, Ca and energy intakes were predictors of BMDs. Among daughters, weight and energy intake were predictors of BMDs. The BMD in lumbar spine(r=.48, p<.01), femoral neck(r=.38, p<.05), ward's triangle(r=.36, p<.05) of the mothers were significantly correlated with those of the daughters, after adjustment for mother's age, hight, weight, osteocalcin, Ca and energy intakes and daughter's weight, energy intake. In regression analyses, mother's BMD also were positively associated with daughter's BMD in lumbar spine, femoral neck, ward's triangle. Our findings support that mothers with low BMD tended to have daughters with low BMD. In the age groups studied, as well genetic factors as environmental factors may have an important role in determining BMD. This study suggests that women may successfully enhance their genetically determined BMD through adequate nutrient intakes and weight bearing exercise.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.9 no.2 s.23
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• pp.65-84
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• 2000

The region of Southeast Asia had already experienced rapid urbanization and cultural change before the East Asia region did. None the less, nowadays shophouses and rowhouses still form the major portion of streets in Chinese town in Southeast Asia countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the adaptation process of shophouse and rowhouse in the Southeast Asia region and the architectural characteristics between the middle of 18th and the early of 20th, which Chinese people of the region inherit and develop, for more thorough understanding of cultural adaptability and regionalism of Chinese architecture in Southeast Asia. The common fact found in the Southeast Asia region is that Chinese people in countries of this region gradually started to live densely as a group in a certain zone in city area since they got to play important roles in commerce, trade and service works related with cities, due to European countries' advance into Southeast Asia and their construction of colonial cities in the region. Chinese people in the region utilized residential rowhouse and special shophouse, which is a kind of shop adapted from rowhouses' sitting room or storage, for their commercial and industrial activities in urban areas, which had problems of limited space. They also realized high densities through vertical expansion of space in order to adjust to changing urban structure under execution of urban planning in cities of colonial area and rapid urbanization. Even though residence of Chinese in Southeast Asia was influenced by new political, social, economic and cultural rules of European colonies in Southeast Asia, it has continuously succeeded to the cultural tradition of China, their home country, in terms of planning principle which puts air well in the middle and hierarchial spacial construction method. Appearance of the open connected verandah, designed by Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, can be regarded as one of the architectural characters. Hence, Chinese residence in cities of Southeast Asia can be understood as a new regional architectural culture in the context of European countries' urban planning and urbanization of colonial areas, Immigrants from southern China and their role, their adjustment to urban areas by utilizing mixed type houses of residence and business, cultural tradition of Chinese home country.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 2000

This study purports to review traditional health concepts of Korea by age, and to compare them to health concepts defined in western societies. Furthermore the study offers these results as the basis of construction for Korean nursing theory. Literature for the review were traditional health books published in Korea. These books are Euibangyoochui, Hyangyakjibsungbang, Dongeuibogam, Eiyangpyun, Dongeuisoosebowon, & Hwangjaenaekyung. In addition, articles that studied traditional literature or Korean medical history were reviewed when no publication of a primary source was available. In ancient Korean society, health was viewed as a 'good relationship or harmony with a supernatural subject', 'harmony of earth, water, fire, and air', and a 'long life with no illness'. The treatment aspect of medicine was emphasized in the middle-aged society. The health concepts in the pre-modern society included such concepts as 'jeongkhibojeon', 'adjustment to the nature', 'harmony between yang and yin', 'strengthening of jeongkhishin', 'circulation of owoonyookchi', 'kyungjok mind-body state' and 'jeongshimjeonghang'. Major health concepts in western literature were 'adaptation', 'role performance', 'actualization of human potential', 'adaptation and actualization of potential', and 'comfort'. Traditional health concepts of Korea focus on principles. They deliver abstract meanings, which make their measures uneasy. They believe in holism and unity with nature and especially emphasize the mental aspect. On the other hand, health concepts of western societies focus on phenomena. Their meanings are somewhat concrete, which make their measurements relatively easy. They see a person adapts positively to the environment as an independent being from the environment. These concepts have biopsychosocial aspects with no partial emphasis in the mental aspects. These traditional concepts of health were classified into two main perspectives. One is the unity of heaven & man, and the other is the unity of mind and body. The former perspective is based on the main concept of Chi. The latter has the main concept of ruling of the mind. The two main concepts discussed above need further examination for development of a nursing theory for Korean society. The application of circulation of Chi needs balance and harmony, and the application of ruling of mind needs temperance.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.189-206
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• 2003

During tunnel excavation in urban area a systematic monitoring is important for the purpose of determination of support type and quantity, as well as for the control of stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself due to the frequently, and in many cases, abruptly changing ground condition. In Austria absolute displacement monitoring methods have replaced relative displacement measurements by geodetic methods to a large extent. Prompt detection of weak ground ahead of the tunnel face as well as better adjustment of excavation and support to the geotechnical conditions is possible with the help of the improved methods of data evaluation on sites. Deformation response of the ground to excavation starts ahead of the tunnel face, therefore, the deformation and state of the tunnel advance core is the key factor of the whole deformation process after excavation. In other words, the rigidity and state of the advance core play a determining role in the stability of both surface structures and the tunnel itself. This paper presents the results from detailed three-dimensional numerical studies, exploring vertical displacements, vector orientations and extrusions on tunnel face during the progressive advancement for the shallow tunnel in various geotechnical conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Studies
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.315-344
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• 1995

The relationship of information flow and market price formation are central to the basic tenets of financial economics. Whereas information is usually treated as being either public or private(monopolistic), most empirical studies focus on the price effects of public announcements. More recent research has centered more on the role of private information, such as insider trading, in efficient pricing and whether such trading increases investor welfare. Typically, 'insider trading' refers to an officer that trades in his/her company's shares. Insider trading, however, also refers to anyone who generates private, albeit costly, information concerning a stock's fundamental value. Normally, such insider activity is more difficult to ascertain. One way in which negative information is revealed is through short-selling activity, especially the monthly short-interest positions reported by the national stock exchanges. Diamond and Verrecchia(1987) provide a theoretical paradigm that predicts a negative price adjustment upon announcement of n company's monthly short interest, if the short interest displays an unusual increase and is correlated with negative information that is not yet public. Empirical studies of the short-run, negative price effect predicted by Diamond and Verrecchia find mixed results. One explanation is that the time period studied is too short for the market to absorb the informational content of these announcements. One reason is that these announcements are an ambiguous signal that requires more individuals and time to collect and act on the same information before full revelation occurs or before the implicit information becomes publicly known. This 'long delayed reaction' also serves as a motivation for related research on the wealth effect of mergers, share repurchases, and initial equity offerings in which long-run performance differs from the initial, short-run reaction to such announcements or offerings.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.448-452
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• 2007

We examined the contribution of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genotypes and drug interactions to the phenytoin metabolism among 97 Korean epileptic patients to determine if pharmacogenetic testing could be utilized in routine clinical practice. The CYP2C9 polymorphism is a wellknown major genetic factor responsible for phenytoin metabolism. The CYP219 polymorphism, with a high incidence of variant alleles, has a minor influence on phenytoin treated Koran patients. Using a multiple regression model for evaluation of the CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genotypes, together with other non-genetic variables, we explained 39.6% of the variance in serum phenytoin levels. Incorporation of genotyping for CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 into a clinical practice may be of some help in the determination of phenytoin dosage. However, because concurrent drug treatment is common in patients taking phenytoin and many environmental factors are likely to play a role in drug metabolism, these factors may overwhelm the relevance of CYP polymorphisms in the clinical setting. Further investigations with an approach to dose assessment that includes comprehensive interpretation of both pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic data along with understanding of the mechanism of drug interactions in dosage adjustment is warranted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7713-7720
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers. This study aimed to compare the uptake of CRC testing in the general public and in ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey covered 2,327 South Asian and Chinese adults aged over 50, recruited from two separate studies. A structured questionnaires were administered by research staff over the telephone or in faceto-face interviews. Results: The uptake rate of CRC testing among South Asians was significantly lower than that of the general population in Hong Kong. Factors associated with the uptake rate were health professional's recommendation, perception of regular visits to doctor, use of complementary therapy, ethnicity, perceived susceptibility to cancer, presence of chronic illness, and education level. In addition, a significant interaction (p<0.05) between ethnicity and health professionals' recommendations was found, after adjustment for the main independent factors identified. Conclusions: Older people with lower educational attainment, without chronic illness and those have lower perceived susceptibility to cancer may be targeted for CRC testing promotion in the society. In addition, health professionals can play a highly influential role in promoting such testing, particularly among ethnic minorities.