• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.2359-2366
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• 2022

Selecting graphite grades with superior irradiation characteristics is important task for designers of graphite moderation reactors. To provide reference information and data for graphite selection, the effects of irradiation on three fine-grained, iso-molded nuclear grade graphites, ETU-10, IG-110, and NBG-25, were compared based on irradiation-induced changes in volume, thermal conductivity, dynamic Young's modulus, and coefficient of thermal expansion. Data employed in this study were obtained from reported irradiation test results in the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR)(ORNL) (ETU-10, IG-110) and high flux reactor (HFR)(NRL) (IG-110, NBG-25). Comparisons were made based on the irradiation dose and irradiation temperature. Overall, the three grades showed similar irradiation-induced property change behaviors, which followed the historic data. More or less grade-sensitive behaviors were observed for the changes in volume and thermal conductivity, and, in contrast, grade-insensitive behaviors were observed for dynamic Young's modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion changes. The ETU-10 of the smallest grain size appeared to show a relatively smaller VC to IG-110 and NBG-25. Drastic decrease in the difference in thermal conductivity was observed for ETU-10 and IG-110 after irradiation. The similar irradiation-induced properties changing behaviors observed in this study especially in the DYM and CTE may be attributed to the assumed similar microstructures that evolved from the similar size coke particles and the same forming method.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7459-7465
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• 2014

Background: A prior study showed blood type A/AB to be associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) compared to subjects with blood type O. However, the relationship between ABO blood groups and prognosis of NPC patients is still questionable. In addition, whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with prognosis of NPC patients with different ABO blood groups is unclear. Materials and Methods: We conducted univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses based on a consecutive cohort of 1,601 patients to investigate the above issues. Results: There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between different ABO blood groups (p=0.629), neither between A vs. non-A blood groups (p=0.895) nor AB vs. non-AB blood group (p=0.309) in univariate analyses and after adjusting for other factors. Interaction tests revealed that high immunoglobulin A against Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen (VcA-IgA) level was associated with a favorable prognosis in male patients with UICC stage II disease who had an A blood type (p=0.008), compared with those with non-A blood type. In addition, male patients with an A blood group with a high blood lymphocyte level showeda tendency towards better survival in UICC stage III (p=0.096). Conclusions: ABO blood group status is not associated with the prognosis of patients with NPC. Additionally, blood group A male NPC patients with high VcA-IgA level or high blood lymphocyte counts might be correlated with a favorable prognosis in UICC stage II or III, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.651-657
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• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.