• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.578-583
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• 2011

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are biochemical markers used to test for liver diseases. Copy number variation (CNV) plays an important role in determining complex traits and is an emerging area in the study various diseases. We performed a genome-wide association study with liver function biomarkers AST and ALT in 407 unrelated Koreans. We assayed the genome-wide variations on an Affymetrix Genome-Wide 6.0 array, and CNVs were analyzed using HelixTree. Using single linear regression, 32 and 42 CNVs showed significance for AST and ALT, respectively (P value < 0.05). We compared CNV-based genes between the current study (KARE2; AST-140, ALT-172) and KARE1 (AST-1885, ALT-773) using NetBox. Results showed 9 genes (CIDEB, DFFA, PSMA3, PSMC5, PSMC6, PSMD12, PSMF1, SDC4, and SIAH1) were overlapped for AST, but no overlapped genes were found for ALT. Functional gene annotation analysis shown the proteasome pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, programmed cell death, and protein binding.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.12.1-12.5
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• 2013

Objectives The role of genetic polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) for lung cancer development was evaluated. Methods Genotypes of the TNF-${\alpha}$ polymorphisms, -1210C>T, -487A>G, -417A>G, IVS1+123G>A, and IVS3+51A>G, were determined in 616 lung cancer cases and 616 lung cancer-free controls. Results After adjusting for body mass index and smoking, each TNF-${\alpha}$ genotype or haplotype composed of five TNF-${\alpha}$ single nucleotide polymorphisms did not show an association with lung cancer risk (p>0.05). The statistical power was found to be 88.4%, 89.3%, 93.3%, 69.7%, and 93.9% for 1210C>T, -487A>G, -417A>G, IVS1+123G>A, and IVS3+51A>G, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of each SNP or haplotype on lung cancer risk were not found to be different according to the cell type of lung cancer (p>0.05). In the repeated analysis with only subjects without other diseases related to inflammation, there was also no association between polymorphisms or haplotypes of the TNF-${\alpha}$ gene and lung cancer risk (p>0.05). Conclusions This study found no association between common variants of the TNF-${\alpha}$ gene and lung cancer risk.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 1997

It is becoming increasingly evident that significant changes in gene expression occur during the course of neuronal differentiation. Thus, it should be possible to gain information about the biochemical events by identifying differentially expressed genes in neuronal differentiation The PC12 cell line is a useful model system to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying neuronal differentiation and has been used extensively for the study of the molecular events that underlie the biological actions of nerve growth factor (NGF). In this study, we report an application of the recently described mRNA differential display method to analyze differential gene expression during neuronal differentiation. Using this technique, we have identified several cDNA tags expressed differentially during neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, one of these clones was cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX I) gene. The differential expression of COX I gene was confirmed by Northern blot analysis as well as RT-PCR. Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA of PC12 cells revealed that COX I is a single gene. Induction of the oxidative enzyme might reflect the energy requirement in neuronal differentiation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.619-625
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• 2012

Since the fuel is always exposed to turbulent flow, the grid strap shows flow induced vibration characteristics that impact on the nuclear fuel soundness. The dynamic behavior of grids in nuclear fuels is quite complex, since two pairs of spring and dimple support are contacted with rods by friction in the limited space. This paper focuses on investigation of the grid strap(test fuel strap, TFS) vibration in one cell. TFS consists of a single spring and double dimples. To identify the grid strap vibration, modal analysis of the strap is performed using finite element method(FEM). Modal testing on a $5{\times}5$ grid structure without rods is performed. The modal testing results are compared to analytic results. In addition, random test considering rod effect is performed about a $5{\times}5$ grid with rods under real contact condition in the air. Finally, the strap vibration of a $5{\times}5$ fuel bundle in investigation of flow induced vibration(INFINIT) facility is measured in real fluid velocity condition without heating. It is shown that modal frequencies from the test are almost equal to those peak frequencies in the INFINIT test.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.117-122
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• 2014

We previously have reported that periglomerular calponin expression of the glomerulosclerotic glomeruli in the chronic nephropathy. To investigate the role of calponin during glomerulosclerosis, we examined the detailed localization pattern of calponin in chronic nephropathy rat model using serial morphometric analysis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and chronic nephropathy models were established at 8 and 12 weeks after single intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin (10 mg/kg body weight; n=5). In nephropathy models, 16.3% (8 weeks) and 23.4% (12 weeks) glomeruli showed calponin-positivity at glomerular area. In all these glomeruli, showing various sclerotic changes, calponin-immunoreactivities were present only both the glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs) and periglomerular myofibroblasts (PMFs). However, in the glomeruli with weak calponin-positive, immunoreactivity was mostly detected in PECs, suggesting that calponin may be expressed in PECs earlier than in PMFs in the glomerulosclerotic change. Some calponin-positive PECs invaded glomerular tuft with loop-shaped projection, and around this projection, nestin expression of glomerular tuft were much reduced. These results suggested that calponin-positive PECs may play a key role in the development of glomerulosclerosis, and direct contact with PECs and glomerular tuft may be more important to degenerative changes of glomeruli.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.169-187
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• 2019

This work presents a practical detailed finite element (FE) approach for the three-dimensional (3D) free-vibration analysis of actual aircraft and spacecraft-type lightweight and thin honeycomb sandwich panels. It consists of calling successively in $MATLAB^{(R)}$, via a developed user-friendly GUI, a detailed 3D meshing tool, a macrocommands language translator and a commercial FE solver($ABAQUS^{(R)}$ or $ANSYS^{(R)}$). In contrary to the common practice of meshing finely the faces and core cells, the proposed meshing tool represents each wall of the actual hexagonal core cells as a single two-dimensional (2D) 4 nodes quadrangularshell element or two 3 nodes triangular ones, while the faces meshes are obtained simply using the nodes at the core-faces interfaces. Moreover, as the same 2D FE interpolation type is used for meshing the core and faces, this leads to an automatic handling of their required FE compatibility relations. This proposed approach is applied to a sample made of very thin glass fiber reinforced polymer woven composite faces and a thin aluminum alloy hexagonal honeycomb core. The unknown or incomplete geometric and materials properties are first collected through direct measurements, reverse engineering techniques and experimental-FE modal analysis-based inverse identification. Then, the free-vibrations of the actual honeycomb sandwich panel are analyzed experimentally under different boundary conditions and numerically using different mesh basic cell shapes. It is found that this approach is accurate for the first few modes used for pre-design purpose.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.1037-1051
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• 2024

This paper presents the construction results and design of the UNIST Reactor Innovation platform for small modular reactors as a versatile testbed for exploring innovative technologies. The platform uses simulant fluids to simulate the thermal-hydraulic behavior of a reference small modular reactor design, allowing for cost-effective design modifications. Scaling analysis results for single and two-phase natural circulation flows are outlined based on the three-level scaling methodology. The platform's capability to simulate natural circulation behavior was validated through performance calculations using the 1-D system thermal-hydraulic code-based calculation. The strategies for evaluating cutting-edge technologies, such as the integration of a solid oxide electrolysis cell for hydrogen production into a small modular reactor, are presented. To overcome experimental limitations, the hardware-in-the-loop technique is proposed as an alternative, enabling real-time simulation of physical phenomena that cannot be implemented within the experimental facility's hardware. Overall, the proposed versatile innovation platform is expected to provide valuable insights for advancing research in the field of small modular reactors and nuclear-based hydrogen production.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

Stature estimation is an important process of biological profile analysis for the identification of skeletal remains. In forensic practice, non-long bones might be needed for estimating stature, in case long bones were not recovered or well preserved. This study developed the stature estimation model from dry sterna in a Thai population. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum (CMM) was the best single stature estimation indicator for males and combined sex samples, whereas the sternal area (SA) was the best stature estimation indicator for females in our study. The best multiple regression analysis models of our study were stature equal 122.685+0.182 (CMM)+0.592 (intercostal length between the third and fourth ribs [ICL₃₄]) with a standard error of estimation (SEE) of 6.134 cm for males, stature equal 130.676+0.005 (SA) with SEE of 5.370 cm for females, and stature equal 79.412+0.342 (CMM)+0.506 (corpus sterni width at first sternebra [CSW_S1])+0.794 (ICL₃₄) with SEE of 6.222 cm for unknown sex samples. The results indicated that a sternum can be used for estimating the stature of skeletal remains in a Thai population. However, these models might not be suitable for other populations, especially, in case the suspected stature is over the stature range in our study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2008

The fyn-related kinase (FRK) belongs to the tyrosine kinase family of protein kinases. Recent studies have shown that Frk affects pancreatic beta cell number during embryogenesis and promotes beta cell cytotoxic signals in response to streptozotocin. To investigate the genetic association between FRK polymorphisms and the risk of obesity in Korean population, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FRK gene region were selected and analyzed. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and biochemical data (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein) of blood sample from each subject were also measured. One hundred fifty five healthy control and 204 overweight/obesity subjects were recruited. Genotype frequencies of six SNPs [rs6568920 (+8391G>A), rs3756772 (+56780A>G), rs3798234 (+75687C>T), rs9384970 (+68506G>A), rs1933739 (+72978G>A), and rs9400883 (+75809A>G)] in the FRK gene were determined by Affymetrix Targeted Genotyping Chip data. According to the classification of Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, control (BMI 18 to < 23) and overweight/obesity (BMI$\geq$23) subjects were recruited. For the analysis of genetic data, EM algorithm, SNPStats, Haploview, HapAnalyzer, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used. Multiple logistic regression analysis (codominant, dominant, and recessive models) was performed. Age and gender as covariates were adjusted. For biochemical data, Student's t test was used. The mean value of BMI in the control and overweigh/obesity groups was 21.1${\pm}$1.2 (mean${\pm}$SD) and 25.6${\pm}$2.0, respectively. All biochemical data of the overweight/obesity group were statistically significance, compared with the control group. Among six SNPs, two linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks were discovered. One block consisted of rs1933739 and rs9400883, and the other comprised rs3756772 and rs3798234. One SNP (rs9384970, +68506G>A) showed an association with overweight/obesity in the codominant model (p=0.03). Interestingly, the AA genotype distribution in the overweight/obesity group (n=7, 3.5%) was higher than those in the control group (n=1, 0.6%), which is not found in either Japanese or Chinese subjects. Therefore, the AA genotype of rs9384970 may be a risk factor for development of obesity in Korean population. The results suggest that FRK may be associated with overweight/obesity in Korean population.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.10
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• pp.386-391
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors in children with extracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) treated at a single institution. Methods: Sixty-six children diagnosed with extracranial GCTs between 1996 and 2012 were included in the study. Primary treatment was surgical excision, followed by six cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The survival rates were compared according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Cooperative Group classification used for GCTs in adults to validate the classification guidelines for GCTs in children. Results: The median patient age was 4.4 years. In 34 patients (51.5%), the primary tumor site was the gonad. Extragonadal GCTs were detected in 32 patients. The 5-year overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) were $92.0%{\pm}3.5%$ and $90.4%{\pm}3.7%$, respectively. In univariate analysis, tumor histology, metastasis, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein were not prognostic factors in children with extracranial GCTs. However, EFS was poorer in patients with mediastinal disease (n=12, $66.7%{\pm}13.6%$) than in those with nonmediastinal disease (n=54, $96.0%{\pm}2.8%$) (P=0.001). The 5-year EFS was lower in patients older than 10 years, (n=21, $80.0%{\pm}8.9%$) compared with those younger than 10 years (n=45, $95.2%{\pm}3.3%$) (P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified the mediastinal tumor site as the only independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: The prognosis of children with extracranial GCTs was favorable. However, nongerminomatous mediastinal tumors were associated with poor survival in children. Further research is needed to improve the prognosis of children with malignant mediastinal GCTs.