• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.355-368
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• 2022

This paper investigates the impact of length and volume fractions (VFs) of banana fibres (BFs) on the mechanical and physical properties of concrete. The mechanical properties were compressive strength, splitting tensile, flexural strength, and bond stress, while the physical properties were unit weight and absorption. The slump test was used to determine workability. The concrete's behaviour with BFs was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Experimental work of concrete mixtures with BFs of various lengths (12 mm, 25 mm, and 35 mm) and VFs (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) were carried out. The samples did not indicate any agglomeration of fibres or heterogeneity during mixing. The addition of BFs to concrete with VFs of up to 1.50% for all fibre lengths have a significant impact on mechanical properties, also the longer fibres performed better than shorter ones at all volume fractions of BFs. The mix10, which contain BFs with VFs 1.5% and length 35 mm, demonstrated the highest mechanical properties. The compressive strength, splitting tensile, flexural strength, and bond stress of the mix10 were 37.71 MPa, 4.27 Mpa, 6.12 MPa, and 6.75 MPa, an increase of 7.37%, 20.96%, 24.13%, and 11.2% over the reference concrete, which was 35.12 MPa, 3.53 MPa, 4.93 MPa, and 6.07 MP, respectively. The absorption is increased for all lengths by increasing the VFs up to 1.5%. Longer fibres have lower absorption, while shorter fibres have higher absorption. The mix8 had the highest absorption of 4.52%, compared to 3.12% for the control mix. Furthermore, the microstructure of concrete was improved through improved bonding between the fibres and the matrix, which resulted in improved mechanical properties of the composite.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.400-407
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• 2023

Background: Rb3 is a ginsenoside with anti-inflammatory properties in many cell types and has been reported to attenuate inflammation-related metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of Rb3 on podocyte apoptosis under hyperlipidemic conditions, which contributes to the development of obesity-mediated renal disease, remains unclear. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Rb3 on podocyte apoptosis in the presence of palmitate and explore its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Human podocytes (CIHP-1 cells) were exposed to Rb3 in the presence of palmitate as a model of hyperlipidemia. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The effects of Rb3 on the expression of various proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Apoptosis levels were determined by MTT assay, caspase 3 activity assay, and cleaved caspase 3 expression. Results: We found that Rb3 treatment alleviated the impairment of cell viability and increased caspase 3 activity as well as inflammatory markers in palmitate-treated podocytes. Treatment with Rb3 dosedependently increased PPARδ and SIRT6 expression. Knockdown of PPARδ or SIRT6 reduced the effects of Rb3 on apoptosis as well as inflammation and oxidative stress in cultured podocytes. Conclusions: The current results suggest that Rb3 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress via PPARδ-or SIRT6-mediated signaling, thereby attenuating apoptosis in podocytes in the presence of palmitate. The present study provides Rb3 as an effective strategy for treating obesity-mediated renal injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2018

Background: Magnesium is one of the effective, safe local anesthetic adjuvants that can exert an analgesic effect in conditions presenting acute and chronic post-sternotomy pain. We studied the efficacy of continuous infusion of presternal magnesium sulfate with bupivacaine for pain relief following cardiac surgery. Methods: Ninety adult patients undergoing valve replacement cardiac surgery randomly allocated into three groups. In all patients; a presternal catheter was placed for continuous infusion of either 0.125% bupivacaine and 5% magnesium sulfate (3 ml/h for 48 hours) in group 1, or 0.125% bupivacaine only in the same rate in group 2, versus conventional intravenous paracetamol and ketorolac in group 3. Rescue analgesia was iv $25{\mu}g$ fentanyl. Postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and fentanyl consumption during the early two postoperative days were assessed. All patients were followed up over two months for occurrence of chronic post-sternotomy pain. Results: VAS values showed high significant differences during the first 48 hours with the least pain scale in group 1 and significantly least fentanyl consumption ($30.8{\pm}7{\mu}g$ in group 1 vs. $69{\pm}18{\mu}g$ in group 2, and $162{\pm}3$ in group 3 respectively). The incidence of chronic pain has not differed between the three groups although it was more pronounced in group 3. Conclusions: Continuous presternal bupivacaine and magnesium infusion resulted in better postoperative analgesia than both presternal bupivacaine alone or conventional analgesic groups.

• 한국사회복지학
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.381-402
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• 2009

본 연구는 사회복지 안팎의 윤리에 대한 관심이 고조되는 현실에서, <사회복지윤리와철학>교과목으로 대표되는 사회복지 윤리교육의 현황과 그 효과성을 조사해 보기 위해 진행되었다. 윤리교육 현황파악을 위해서는 사회복지교육협의회 회원교들을 대상으로 윤리와철학 교과목 개설현황 및 운영 방법을 조사하였고, 윤리교육의 효과성은 윤리적 민감성에 초점을 두어 윤리와철학 교과목 수강 여부와 수강전후의 차이를 비교하였다. 그 결과, 사회복지 제도교육 체제에서 윤리교육에 큰 비중이 주어지고 있지는 않지만, 이런 상황 속에서도 실제 이뤄지는 윤리교육은 윤리적 민감성을 제고하는 효과가 높으며 이는 여타 요인들에 비해 윤리적 민감성에 더 큰 차이를 가져오는 것으로 조사되었다. 이러한 결과는 사회복지 교육에서 사회복지윤리와철학 교과목의 위상 강화와 사회복지윤리와 관련된 인력 양성 및 연구의 필요성을 제시해 주는 것이다.

• 한국철도학회논문집
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.256-261
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• 2011

최근 경부고속철도 자갈도상 구간의 일부에서 침하가 발생되고 이로 인하여 열차의 안전 및 운행속도와 승차감 저하라는 문제가 발생하였다. 따라서 이 문제를 해결하고 KTX 열차 운행을 정상화하기 위한 긴급대책이 요구된 적이 있었다. 본 논문에서는 이러한 현장의 요구에 대처하기 위해 철도노반 단층영상화 기법을 도입하게 되었다. 철도노반 단층영상화 기법은 철도노반의 지반강성을 단층영상의 형태로 가시화함으로써, 잠재적으로 과도한 침하를 유발할 수 있는 철도노반의 연약부위를 찾는데 있어서 현장기술자의 신속한 판단을 가능하게 하는 기법이다. 제안된 기법의 타당성과 적용성을 평가하기 위하여 실제 자갈도상 철도노반과 신설 철도노반 등 두 현장에 적용하여 보았고, SASW, PBT, DCP, FWD 시험결과와 비교하였다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.745-747
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• 2015

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that causes watery diarrhea, is found worldwide and is common in areas with low water hygiene. In February 2014, 866 stool samples were collected from the inhabitants of 2 rural areas in White Nile State, Sudan. These stool samples were assessed by performing modified acid-fast staining, followed by examination under a light microscope. The overall positive rate of Cryptosporidium oocysts was 13.3%. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 8.6% stool samples obtained from inhabitants living in the area having water purification systems and in 14.6% stool samples obtained from inhabitants living in the area not having water purification systems. No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection between men and women (14.7% and 14.1%, respectively). The positive rate of oocysts by age was the highest among inhabitants in their 60s (40.0%). These findings suggest that the use of water purification systems is important for preventing Cryptosporidium infection among inhabitants of these rural areas in Sudan.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4317-4321
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• 2015

Background: Prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer are routinely investigated in the primary tumors to guide further management. However, it is proposed that the expression may change during the disease progression, and may result in a different immune profile in the metastatic nodes. This work aimed to investigate the expression of breast prognostic biomarkers in primary tumors and in its axillary nodal metastasis, to estimate the possible discordant expression. Materials and Methods: 60 paired primary and axillary nodal metastasis samples were collected from patients with primary breast cancer with positive nodal deposits, diagnosed at the Maadi Military Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, during the year 2013. ER, PR and HER2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in all samples Results: 48.3% of the included cases showed concordant results for both ER and PR receptors between the primary tumor and its nodal metastasis while 51.7% showed discordant results and the discordance level was statistically significant. On the other hand, 70% of the cases showed concordant Her2 results between the primary tumors and the nodal deposits, 30% showed discordant results and the difference was significant. Conclusions: The study indicated that the discordance in ER and PR receptor expression between the primary breast tumor and their nodal metastasis may be significant. The possible switch in the biomarker status during the disease progression is worth noting and may change the patient therapeutic planning. So, whether the treatment selection should be based on biomarkers in the lymph node is a topic for further studies and future clinical trials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.825-828
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the five-year survival among patients with cervical cancer treated in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Methods: One hundred and twenty cervical cancer patients diagnosed between $1^{st}$ July 1995 and $30^{th}$ June 2007 were identified. Data were obtained from medical records. The survival probability was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was applied to compare the survival distribution between groups. Results: The overall five-year survival was 39.7% [95%CI (Confidence Interval): 30.7, 51.3] with a median survival time of 40.8 (95%CI: 34.0, 62.0) months. The log-rank test showed that there were survival differences between the groups for the following variables: stage at diagnosis (p=0.005); and primary treatment (p=0.0242). Patients who were diagnosed at the latest stage (III-IV) were found to have the lowest survival, 18.4% (95%CI: 6.75, 50.1), compared to stage I and II where the five-year survival was 54.7% (95%CI: 38.7, 77.2) and 40.8% (95%CI: 27.7, 60.3), respectively. The five-year survival was higher in patients who received surgery [52.6% (95%CI: 37.5, 73.6)] as a primary treatment compared to the non-surgical group [33.3% (95%CI: 22.9, 48.4)]. Conclusion: The five-year survival of cervical cancer patients in this study was low. The survival of those diagnosed at an advanced stage was low compared to early stages. In addition, those who underwent surgery had higher survival than those who had no surgery for primary treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5281-5286
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• 2013

Purpose: Prostate cancer caused by the abnormal disorderly growth of prostatic acinar cells is the most prevalent cancer of men in western countries. We aimed to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and explore small molecule drugs for prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: The GSE3824 gene expression profile of prostate cancer was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database which including 21 normal samples and 18 prostate cancer cells. The DEGs were identified by Limma package in R language and gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. In addition, potential regulatory microRNAs and the target sites of the transcription factors were screened out based on the molecular signature database. In addition, the DEGs were mapped to the connectivity map database to identify potential small molecule drugs. Results: A total of 6,588 genes were filtered as DEGs between normal and prostate cancer samples. Examples such as ITGB6, ITGB3, ITGAV and ITGA2 may induce prostate cancer through actions on the focal adhesion pathway. Furthermore, the transcription factor, SP1, and its target genes ARHGAP26 and USF1 were identified. The most significant microRNA, MIR-506, was screened and found to regulate genes including ITGB1 and ITGB3. Additionally, small molecules MS-275, 8-azaguanine and pyrvinium were discovered to have the potential to repair the disordered metabolic pathways, abd furthermore to remedy prostate cancer. Conclusions: The results of our analysis bear on the mechanism of prostate cancer and allow screening for small molecular drugs for this cancer. The findings have the potential for future use in the clinic for treatment of prostate cancer.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.629-634
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• 2000

저 염 세우젓을 제조하기 위하여 식염농도를 각각 10%, 15% 및 20%로 조절한 새우젓에 감마 선을 조사한 후 15$^{\circ}C$에서 발효시키면서 아미노태 질소, 휘발성 염기태 질소, trimethylamine 및 단백질분해효소의 할성변화를 조사하였다. 감마선 조사직후 아미노태 질소, 휘발성 염기 태 질소, trimethylamine 함량 및 단백질 분해효소 활성은 감마선 조사에 의해 영향을 받지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 발효기간 동안 아미노태 질소, 휘발성 염기태 질소 및 trimethylamine 함량은 증가하였으나, 효소활성은 발효 4~5주까지 계속 증가하다가 점차 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 특히 15% 식염첨가와 10kGy의 감마선 조사 및 20% 식염첨가와 5~7.5kGy 이상의 감마선 조사를 병용처리한 새우젓의 경우, 30% 식염성 염기태 질소, trimethylamine 함량 및 단백질분해효소 활성이 비슷한 수준으로 발혀기간 동안 적정 수준 의 함량 및 활성을 나타내었다.