• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.685-691
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• 1998

In the first of two experiments, chemical composition (Ash, CP and CF contents), nutritive value (in vitro organic matter disappearance "lVOMD" and energy content "ME") and nitrogen retention of chopped date fronds (CDF) as affected by chemical treatment (CT) and storage duration (SD) were investigated. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, arranged in a $3{\times}4$ factorial, with 3 (CT) and 4 (SD) as the main factors using 2 replications / treatment. Three chemical treatments, were used : Control (With zero or no chemical treatment); treatment with 4% urea solution (w /w) and treatment with 4% urea + Date syrup extract (DS). The 4 (SD) were: Control (immediately after opening - without any storage or zero time storage); one month storage period; two months storage period and three months storage period. Both (CT) and (SD) had significant effects (p < 0.05) on CP and ash contents of the CDF, however there were no significant effects (p > 0.05) due to (CT) and (SD) on CF and nutritive value. High retention value (> 80%) for nitrogen was reported for the treated CDF, immediately after opening the incubated material (zero SD). However, nitrogen retention decreased with increasing (SD) to 67% after one month (SD) but tended to stay at a fairly constant level of 67% until 3 months of storage. In experiment 2, the feeding value of treated CDF was evaluated in comparison to Rhodes grass hay, using growing goats and sheep. A $4{\times}2$ factorial design was used (Four roughage sources were used : Rhodes grass hay, untreated CDF, urea-treated CDF and CDF treated with urea + DS with sheep and goats as two animal species, using three animals / treatment). Untreated CDF had a similar feeding value to Rhodes grass hay. However treatment of CDF with urea alone or with urea + DS depressed animal performance of both goats and sheep, apparently due to depression of feed intake (appetite). Feeding untreated CDF decreased feeding cost by 29% and cost/kg gain by 23%. CDF showed a good potential as a cheap local roughage and emergency feed for ruminants in the Sultanate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2335-2338
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate several metabolic changes in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC ) which enhance cardiovascular risk in the western region of Nepal. Materials and Methods: This hospital based case control study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January, 2009 and $31^{st}$ December, 2011. The variables collected were age, gender, BMI, glucose, insulin, HbA1C, CRP, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, f-T3, f-T4, TSH. One way ANOVA was used to examine statistical significance of differences between groups, along with the Post Hoc test LSD for comparison of means. Results: fT3 values were markedly raised in DTC cases ($5.7{\pm}SD1.4$) when compared to controls ($2.2{\pm}SD0.9$). Similarly, fT4 values were also moderately raised in cases of DTC ($4.9{\pm}SD1.3$ and $1.7{\pm}SD0.9$). In contrast, TSH values were lowered in DTC cases ($0.39{\pm}SD0.4$) when compared to controls ($4.2{\pm}SD1.4$). Mean blood glucose levels were decreased while insulin was increased and HDL reduced ($39.5{\pm}SD4.7$ as compared to the control $43.1{\pm}SD2.2$). Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk may be aggravated by insulin resistance, a hypercoagulable state, and an atherogenic lipid profile in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5467-5472
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• 2013

Objective: To construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vectors targeting Livin and Survivin genes, and to explore the impact of co-transfection of Livin and Survivin shRNA expression vectors on the biological behavior of HepG2 cells. Methods: shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors pSD11-Livin and pSD11-Survivin were designed and constructed then transfected into HepG2 cells separately or in combination. mRNA and protein expression in transfected cells was assessed by quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis by TUNEL assay. Results: The Livin and Survivin shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. The relative mRNA expression levels of Livin and Survivin in HepG2 cells co-transfected with pSD11-Livin and pSD11-Survivin were $0.12{\pm}0.02$ and $0.33{\pm}0.13$, respectively, which was significantly lower than levels in cells transfected with either pSD11-Livin or pSD11-Survivin (P<0.05). The relative protein expression levels of Livin and Survivin in the co-transfected cells were also significantly decreased compared to single-transfection (P<0.05). The inhibition rate of cell growth in the co-transfection group was higher than that in the single-transfection groups at 48 h, 60 h, or 72 h after transfection (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate increased to the greatest extent in the co-transfection group relative to any other group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Co-transfection with pSD11-Livin and pSD11-Survivin was more efficient than transfection with either vector alone in reducing the mRNA and protein expression of Livin and Survivin genes in HepG2 cells. Co-transfection also inhibited the proliferation of transfected cells more than the other groups, and induced cellular apoptosis more effectively.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2015

KCI 2012 and ACI318-11 contains development length provisions for the use of headed deformed bars in tension and does not allow their tension lap splices. In ACI318-11, the confinement factor, such as transverse reinforcement factor, is not used to calculate the development length of headed bars. The purpose of this experimental study is to evaluate the effect of confinement details to the lap splice performance of headed deformed reinforcing bars in grade SD400 and SD500. The confinement details are stirrups and tie-down bars in lap zone. Test results showed that specimens with only stirrups had the brittle failure and could not increase lap strengths, and that specimens with composite confinements by stirrups and tie-down bars had the flexural strengths over than nominal flexural strengths. Stirrups with tie-down bars can have an effect on improvement in lap splice of headed bars in grade SD400 and SD500.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.249-254
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• 1997

ABA-type block copolymers composed of poly(L-leucine)(PLL) as the A component and poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) as the B component were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-leucine N-carboxyanhydride initiated by primary amino group located at both ends of PEG chain. A silver sulfadiazine(AgSD)-impregnated wound dressing of sponge-type was prepared by the lyophilization method. Morphological structure of this wound dressing obtained by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was composed of a dense skin layer and a macroporous inner sponge layer. Equilibrium water content(EWC) of wound dressing was above 10%. It increased with an increased of PEO content in the block copolymer due to the hydrophilicity of PEO. AgSD release from AgSD- impregnated wound dressing in PBS buffer(pH=7.4) was dependent on PEG composition in the block copolymer. Therefore, EWC and release of AgSD can be control by PEG composition. Antibacterial capacity of AgSD-impregnated wound dressing was examined in agar plate against Pseudmonas aeruginosa and Stapplococus aruous. Cytotoxicity of the wound dressing was evaluated by studing mouse skin fibroblast(L929). From the behavior of antimicrobial releasing and the investigation of the suppression of bacterial proliferation, it was supposed that the wound dressing containing antibiotics could protect the wound surfaces from bacterial invasion to suppress the bacterial proliferation effectively. In cytotoxicity observation, cellular damage was reduced by the control led released of AgSD from the LEL sponge matrix of AgSD-medicated wound dressing. In vivo test, granulous tissue formation and wound contraction or the AgSD and DHEA impregnated wound dressing were aster than any other groups.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.600-604
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• 2007

In this study, we first prepared 3 kinds of powders with different molecular masses from the crude protein-bound polysaccharide extract of Agraricus blazei Murill through ultrafiltration, followed by spray-drying. Then, the antitumor activities of the powders were analyzed. Size exclusion chromatography coupled with a multi-angle laser-light-scattering system showed the 3 powders had the following molecular ranges: below 10 kDa (SD-1), 10 to 150 kDa (SD-2), and above 150 kDa (SD-3), representing peak molecular weights of $8.26{\times}10^3,\;9.65{\times}10^4$, and $5.94{\times}10^6\;g/mol$, respectively. All the powders stimulated macrophage RAW264.7 cells to produce nitric oxide, of which SD-2 and SD-3 were superior to the crude extract powder (CP-SD), while SD-1 showed the lowest activity. Similar results were found for their cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, and AGS), where the highest activity was obtained with the SD-2 treatment for 72 hr at $1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$. The MCF-7 cell line was less sensitive to the powders than the other cells. From this research we found that ultrafiltration, in combination with spray-drying, is applicable for preparing protein-bound polysaccharide powders with higher antitumor activities.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.259-265
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• 2018

Compartment models, a type of mathematical model, have been widely applied to characterize the changes in a dynamic system with sequential events or processes, such as the spread of an epidemic disease. A compartment model comprises compartments, and the relations between compartments are depicted as boxes and arrows. This principle is similar to that of the system dynamics (SD) approach to constructing a simulation model with stocks and flows. In addition, both models are structured using differential equations. With this mutual and translatable principle, this study, in terms of SD, translates a reference SEIR model, which was developed in a recent study to characterize the transmission of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in South Korea. Compared to the replicated result of the reference SEIR model (Model 1), the translated SEIR model (Model 2) demonstrates the same simulation result (error=0). The results of this study provide insight into the application of SD relative to constructing an epidemic compartment model using schematization and differential equations. The translated SD artifact can be used as a reference model for other epidemic diseases.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to evaluate the stiffness of mortar-filled sleeve bar splice using estimation method of failure mode in the sleeve reinforcement splice. To attain this goal, we analyzed the test results of 261 actual-sized mortar-filled sleeve splice specimens. The study results showed that the estimation method of the failure mode in mortar-filled sleeve bar splice made an effective estimate of the stiffness in this bar splice with the exception of specimens with SD500 bars and smooth pipe sleeve. Especially, of the specimens with cast sleeve or uneven pipe sleeve in the range of reinforcement fracture using the estimation method of the failure mode in mortar-filled sleeve splice, specimens over 98% with SD400 bars and all specimens with SD500 bars had the stiffness capacity of higher than "A" class of AIJ code in monotonic loading. In addition, of the specimens in the range of reinforcement fracture using the estimation method of the failure mode in mortar-filled sleeve splice, all specimens with SD400 bars and SD500 bars had the stiffness capacity of higher than "A" class of AIJ code in cyclic loading.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2020

This study conducted a horticultural therapy program for trainees entrusted to the Juvenile Classification Review Center in order to fill the educational gap while providing emotional stability during the one-month period of commissioned education. The effects of horticultural therapy were examined by the pretest and posttest changes of the emotional items such as anxiety, self-esteem, self-efficacy and stress index. As the research method, this study used the one-group pretest-posttest experimental design on 16 female trainees of commissioned education staying at the Juvenile Classification Review Center in the juvenile reformatory located in A city. The horticultural therapy program was carried out in four sessions: two on flower arrangement and two on planting. The scores before and after the horticultural therapy program were measured using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) to examine the effects of horticultural therapy on the reduction of anxiety for the adolescents staying in the Juvenile Classification Review Center. The results show that there was significant decrease in the mean of anxiety from 62.5 (SD = 6.8) to 57.6 (SD = 8.1) points after the program (p = .002). There was no significant change in self-esteem, which was 76.9 (SD = 11.2) before the horticultural therapy and 78.3 (SD = 8.7) after the therapy (p = .420). In self-efficacy, there was no significant change from 72.9 (SD = 10.9) before and 75.1 (SD = 11.0) after horticultural therapy (p = .178). In order to examine the physiological changes in such emotional functions, this study measured the stress index using the uBioMacpa as the tool. The result of the measurement showed that there was a significant change in the mean from 33.8 (SD = 2.3) before to 31.1 (SD = 2.2) after the horticultural therapy (p < .001).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.29-37
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• 2019

Objectives : Bang-poong (Saposhnikovia divaricata; SD) was traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Bang-poong and related species including SD, Glehnia littoralis (GL), and Peucedanum japonicum (PJ) possess neuroprotective effects and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Methods : Roots of SD, GL and PJ were extracted with distilled water (DW) or 70% ethanol (EtOH). We assessed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities of the extracts. To examine neuroprotective effects, we measured cell viability in PC12 or HT22 cells after treatment of the extracts with $H_2O_2$ or amyloid-beta ($A{\beta}$). To assess anti-neuroinflammatory effects, we measured the nitric oxide (NO) levels after treatment with the extracts and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglial cells. In addition, we performed AChE inhibition assay to explore effects of the extracts on the cholinergic system. Results : DW and EtOH extracts of SD, GL and PJ showed mild DPPH free radical scavenging activities. Also, DW extracts of GL and PJ showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. In LPS-activated BV2 cells, EtOH extracts of SD, GL and PJ exerted inhibitory effects on NO production. Meanwhile, DW extracts of SD, GL and PJ inhibited the $A{\beta}$-induced cell death in HT22 cells. In addition, DW and EtOH extracts of GL exhibited remarkable inhibitory activities on AChE. Conclusions : We demonstrated that SD, GL and PJ exert anti-oxidative, anti-neuroinflammatory and AChE inhibitory activities. These results indicate that SD, GL and PJ could be potential candidates for neurological disorders.