• Title/Summary/Keyword: Trial Division

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Comparison of Warm-Needling and Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial (퇴행성 슬관절염에서의 온침과 침의 효능 비교 연구)

  • Min, Woong-Ki;Yeo, Sujung;Kim, Ee-Hwa;Song, Ho Sueb;Koo, Sungtae;Lee, Jae-Dong;Lim, Sabina
    • Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.64-72
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    • 2013
  • Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether warm-needling is more effective than acupuncture in relieving the pain and improving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Methods : 76 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received warm-needling(n=38), while the other group received acupuncture(n=38). Sixteen sessions of warm-needling or acupuncture were conducted on the pain region of each problematic knee over a period of 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC) scores, physical health score based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and the Global Assessment(PGA) was measured. Results : Compared to the acupuncture group, the warm-needling group showed a significant decrease in pain, function, and total WOMAC scores according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. The PGA scores of the warm-needling group also showed a significant improvement compared to the acupuncture group. Conclusions : Warm-needling showed a greater pain relief effect on knee OA compared to the acupuncture group. These findings suggest that warm-needling may be a promising alternative therapy for treating knee OA.

A Study on the Space Planning of Culture Contents Exhibition Hall (Based on case study) (문화콘텐츠 전시관 공간기획에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Kyoung-Nam
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.12 no.5
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    • pp.435-442
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    • 2014
  • This study investigated many factors which had to be considered importantly in space planning for the cultural contents exhibition hall on the basis of establishment cases at this time that cultural contents were considered very importantly in the national economy. It must be a priority to set up the concept of the exhibition space which can encompass exhibition spaces, exhibits, the approach to experience exhibitions and others for the effective planning for exhibition spaces showing cultural contents. Visitors' moving lines should be planned based on that concept setting. It is necessary to reflect human attributes that people detect environmental information and perceive the environment through their sensory organs and plan moving lines considering visitors' cognitive, emotional and psychological factors which they can feel according to the temporal order. In addition, this study led visitors to respond exhibits through their five senses and increased the effects that visitors appreciated exhibition spaces, actively getting out of the way that visitors experienced exhibitions, which might be limited to sight. This study will be able to provide specific space planning methods related to the establishment of cultural industry-based professional exhibition halls which have been increased day by day at this time that culture-based industries are considered to be important. Moreover, it will be helpful in reducing the trial and effort factor in the exhibition hall establishment project.

Prognostic Factor Analysis of Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer from Two Phase III Studies of Second-line Ramucirumab (REGARD and RAINBOW) Using Pooled Patient Data

  • Fuchs, Charles S.;Muro, Kei;Tomasek, Jiri;Van Cutsem, Eric;Cho, Jae Yong;Oh, Sang-Cheul;Safran, Howard;Bodoky, Gyorgy;Chau, Ian;Shimada, Yasuhiro;Al-Batran, Salah-Eddin;Passalacqua, Rodolfo;Ohtsu, Atsushi;Emig, Michael;Ferry, David;Chandrawansa, Kumari;Hsu, Yanzhi;Sashegyi, Andreas;Liepa, Astra M.;Wilke, Hansjochen
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.132-144
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: To identify baseline prognostic factors for survival in patients with disease progression, during or after chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Materials and Methods: We pooled data from patients randomized between 2009 and 2012 in 2 phase III, global double-blind studies of ramucirumab for the treatment of advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma following disease progression on first-line platinum- and/or fluoropyrimidine-containing therapy (REGARD and RAINBOW). Forty-one key baseline clinical and laboratory factors common in both studies were examined. Model building started with covariate screening using univariate Cox models (significance level=0.05). A stepwise multivariable Cox model identified the final prognostic factors (entry+exit significance level=0.01). Cox models were stratified by treatment and geographic region. The process was repeated to identify baseline prognostic quality of life (QoL) parameters. Results: Of 1,020 randomized patients, 953 (93%) patients without any missing covariates were included in the analysis. We identified 12 independent prognostic factors of poor survival: 1) peritoneal metastases; 2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 1; 3) the presence of a primary tumor; 4) time to progression since prior therapy <6 months; 5) poor/unknown tumor differentiation; abnormally low blood levels of 6) albumin, 7) sodium, and/or 8) lymphocytes; and abnormally high blood levels of 9) neutrophils, 10) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 11) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and/or 12) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Factors were used to devise a 4-tier prognostic index (median overall survival [OS] by risk [months]: high=3.4, moderate=6.4, medium=9.9, and low=14.5; Harrell's C-index=0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.68). Addition of QoL to the model identified patient-reported appetite loss as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: The identified prognostic factors and the reported prognostic index may help clinical decision-making, patient stratification, and planning of future clinical studies.

Numerical Simulation of Full-Scale Crash Impact Test for Fuel Cell of Rotorcraft (회전익항공기 연료셀 충돌충격시험 Full-Scale 수치모사)

  • Kim, Hyun-Gi;Kim, Sung Chan;Kim, Sung Jun;Kim, Soo Yeon
    • Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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    • v.26 no.5
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    • pp.343-349
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    • 2013
  • Crashworthy fuel cells have a great influence on improving the survivability of crews. Since 1960's, the US army has developed a detailed military specification, MIL-DTL-27422, defining the performance requirements for rotorcraft fuel cells. In the qualification tests required by MIL-DTL-27422, the crash impact test should be conducted to verify the crashworthiness of fuel cell. Success of the crash impact test means the improvement of survivability of crews by preventing post-crash fire. But, there is a big risk of failure due to huge external load in the crash impact test. Because the crash impact test itself takes a long-term preparation efforts together with costly fuel cell specimens, the failure of crash impact test can result in serious delay of a entire rotorcraft development. Thus, the numerical simulations of the crash impact test has been required at the early design stage to minimize the possibility of trial-and-error with full-scale fuel cells. Present study performs the numerical simulation using SPH(smoothed particle hydro-dynamic) method supported by a crash simulation software, LS-DYNA. Test condition of MIL-DTL-27422 is reflected on analysis and material data is acquired by specimen test of fuel cell material. As a result, the resulting equivalent stresses of fuel cell itself are calculated and vulnerable areas are also evaluated.

The Optimal Enrichment Condition of Rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis (소화효소 활성으로 본 rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis의 적정 영양강화 조건)

  • Kwon, O-Nam;Park, Heum-Gi
    • Journal of Aquaculture
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.41-46
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of the study was to suggest the optimal lipid enrichment conditions used digestive enzyme activity of rotifer changing due to water temperature and salinity. The high population growth appeared at the experiment temperature more than 28 degrees highly on the culture temperature(maximum 32 degrees, 1,453 individual/mL). The fecundity was low at high temperature, and the egg ratio was high at low temperature. Population growth of 10 and 15 ppt appeared in most highly, but the fecundity and the egg ratio were high most significantly appeared in natural seawater(32 psu). The digestive enzyme activity by the culture environment mainly showed high activity in natural seawater(amylase exclusion, 15 psu). However, the TAP activity by the water temperature showed highly at the more high temperature, but the amylase and the lipase appeared at low temperature. We carried out the lipid enrichment at 20 degrees and 26 degrees in a condition of the natural seawater. Total protein, the total essential amino acids differed not significantly. The methionine content that was essential amino acids, a total lipid content, unsaturated index of fatty acids, DHA and the DHA/EPA ratio were high significantly each in $20^{\circ}C$ enrichment trial. Therefore, we could suggest the $20^{\circ}C$ and natural seawater for the optimal lipid enrichment condition in aquaculture, because methionine contents, several indexes by the lipid, TG-lipase activity, fecundity and egg ratio are high.

Effect of Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid from Gestation to Adulthood on Spatial Learning Performance in Rat (임신기부터 성장기 동안 Docosahexaenoic Acid 보충에 의한 흰쥐의 공간기억력 개선 효과)

  • Lim, Sun-Young
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.17 no.10
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    • pp.1400-1405
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    • 2007
  • The effect of supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid into n-3 fatty acid deficient diet on improvement of loaming related brain function was investigated. On the second day after conception, Sprague Dawley strain dams were subjected to a diet containing either n-3 fatty acid deficient (Def) or n-3 fatty acid deficient + docosahexaenoic acid (Def+DHA). After weaning, male pups were fed on the same diet of their respective dams until adulthood. Motor activity and Morris water maze tests were measured at 10 weeks old. In motor activity test, there were no statistically significant differences in moving time and moving distance between the Def and Def+DHA diet groups. The n-3 fatty acid deficient with DHA (Def+DHA) group exhibited a shorter escape latency, swimming time and swimming distance (P<0.05) compared to the n-3 fatty acid deficient group (Def) but there was no difference in resting time and swimming speed between the experimental diet groups. In memory retention trial, the number of crossing of the platform position (region A) was significantly greater than those of other regions for the Def+DHA group. However, the Def group swam randomly without preference for the provisions platform location, indicating poorer memory retention. From those results, supplementation with DHA into the n-3 fatty acid deficient diet improved the spatial loaming ability in rats as assessed by Morris water maze test.

Sanguinarine Increases Sensitivity of Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells to TRAIL-mediated Apoptosis by Inducing DR5 Expression and ROS Generation (AGS 인체 위암세포에서 DR5의 발현 및 ROS 생성의 증가를 통한 sanguinarine과 TRAIL 혼합처리의 apoptosis 유도 활성 촉진)

  • Lee, Taek Ju;Im, Yong Gyun;Choi, Woo Young;Choi, Sung Hyun;Hwang, Won Deok;Choi, Yung Hyun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.24 no.9
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    • pp.927-934
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    • 2014
  • Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid originally derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, has been shown to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but not most normal cells and has shown efficacy in a phase 2 clinical trial, development of resistance to TRAIL by tumor cells is a major roadblock. Our previous study indicated that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of sanguinarine sensitized TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human gastric carcinoma AGS cells; however, the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we show that sanguinarine sensitizes AGS cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis as detected by MTT assay, agarose gel electrophoresis, chromatin condensation and flow cytometry analysis. Combined treatment with sanguinarine and TRAIL effectively induced expression of death receptor (DR) 5 but did not affect expression of DR4 and mitogen activated protein kinases signaling molecules. Moreover, the combined treatment with sanguinarine and TRAIL increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, N-acetylcysteine, ROS scavenger, significantly recovered growth inhibition induced by the combined treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that sanguinarine can potentiate TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through upregulation of DR5 expression and ROS generation.

The effects of the 16-weeks' combined exercise program on metabolic syndrome and autonomic nerve system of low-level physical strength group (16주 복합운동프로그램을 통한 저체력군 고등학생의 대사증후군 지표와 자율신경계의 변화)

  • Han, Jin-Man;Lee, Kyeong-Jun;Yang, Jeong-Ok
    • Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.787-796
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    • 2012
  • The aim of this study is to closely examine the changes in their metabolic syndrome index and autonomic nerve systems after the 16-weeks's combined exercise program is carried out on low-level physical strength group (PAPS 4-5 level students). They were divided into two groups; exercise training group (15) and control group (15). This program consisted of five-times-a-week's warm-ups, main activities and warm-downs and it takes 50 minutes per trial. Through SPSS 19.0, all averages and standard deviations of dependent variables were calculated. We first performed Shapiro-Wilk's normality test of the variables. Before verifying the effect of combined exercise program, we tested the equality of means of the variables between combined-exercise-programmed-group and control group through a two-sample t-test and carried out a paired t-test to check if the changes in the variables of two groups before and after 16 weeks are statistically significant. Every statistical test is performed at a significance level of ${\alpha}$=.05. The results are as follows. When it came to metabolic syndrome index, there were statistically meaningful changes in waist measurement, triglyceride, glucose with empty stomach and HDL-C. Also, when it came to autonomic nerve system, there were meaningful changes in all variables. Consequently, it seems that the 16-weeks combined exercise program has positive effects on low level physical strength students.

Development of In Vitro Culture System for Male Germline Stem Cells in Porcine (돼지 웅성 생식선 줄기세포의 체외배양기법 개발)

  • Kim, Yong-Hee;Kim, Byung-Gak;Lee, Yong-An;Kim, Bang-Jin;Kim, Ki-Jung;Lee, Myeung-Sik;Im, Gi-Sun;Ryu, Buom-Yong
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.171-177
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    • 2009
  • Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs) only are responsible for the generation of progeny and for the transmission of genetic information to the next generation in male. Other in vitro studies have cultured SSCs for proliferation, differentiation, and genetic modification in mouse and rat. Currently, information regarding in vitro culture of porcine Germline Stem Cell(GSC) such as gonocyte or SSC is limited and is in need of further studies. Therefore, in this study, we report development of a successful culture system for gonocytes of neonatal porcine testes. Testis cells were extracted from $10{\sim}14$-day-old pigs. These cells were harvested using enzymatic digestion, and the harvested cells were purified with combination of percoll, laminin, and gelatin selection techniques. The most effective culture system of porcine gonocytes was established through trial experiments which made a comparison between different feeder cells, medium, serum concentrations, temperatures, and $O_2$ tensions. Taken together, the optimal condition was established using C166 or Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast(MEF) feeder cell, Rat Serum Free Medium(RSFM), 0% serum concentration, $37^{\circ}C$ temperature, and $O_2$ 20% tension. Although we discovered the optimal culture condition for proliferation of porcine gonocytes, the gonocyte colonies ceased to expand after one month. These results suggest inadequate acquirement of ingredients essential for long term culture of porcine GSCs. Consequently, further study should be conducted to establish a successful long-term culture system for porcine GSCs by introducing various growth factors or nutrients.

Effects of a Mixture of Eugenol, Thymol and Malate on Growth Performance, Beef Quality and Liver Function in Hanwoo Finishing Steers Fed a High-Concentrate Diet

  • Kim, Do-Hyung;Kim, Kyoung-Hoon;Choi, Chang-Weon;Kwon, Eung-Gi;Hong, Seong-Koo;Lee, Sang-Cheol;Seol, Yong-Joo;Yeo, Joon-Mo;Kim, Wan-Young;Keum, Jong-Soo;Lee, Sung-Sill;Oh, Young-Kyoon
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.52 no.6
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    • pp.505-511
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    • 2010
  • Thirty six Hanwoo steers (average BW, $564.5\;{\pm}\;25.7\;kg$; average age, approximately 23 months) were used to evaluate the effects of a mixture of eugenol (14%), thymol (1%) and malate (85%) on growth performance, beef quality and liver function in Hanwoo finishing steers fed a high-concentrate diet. A feeding trial was conducted for 7 months in National Agricultural Cooperative Federation farm located in Anseong, Korea. Steers were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: control (without additive supplementation), treatment 1 (0.05% additive of concentrate), treatment 2 (0.1% additive of concentrate). The results of this study showed that initial and final BW averaged 564 and 755 kg, respectively, and BW gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) for steers fed the additive mixture than for those fed no mixture (0.78 and 0.79 vs. 0.69 kg/d, respectively). Serum aspartate aminotransferase in the T2 treatment was decreased during the 24 to 31 months of age. Although supplementation of additives resulted in no substantial effect on carcass characteristics, it had a potential effect to improve feed efficiency and AST concentration in Hanwoo finishing steers fed a high-concentrate diet. In conclusion, a mixture of eugenol, thymol and malate has shown promise in improving feed efficiency and liver function in the finishing phase of Hanwoo steers.