• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate the effect of high expression of XAF1 in vivo or in vitro on lung cancer cell growth and apoptosis. Methods: 1. The A549 human lung cancer cell line was transfected with Ad5/F35 - XAF1, or Ad5/F35 - Null at the same multiplicity of infection (MOI); (hereinafter referred to as transient transfected cell strain); XAF1 gene mRNA and protein expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively. 2. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and annexin V-FITC/PI double staining were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis before and after infection of Ad5/F35 - XAF1 with Western blotting for apoptosis related proteins, caspase 3, caspase - 8 and PARP. 3. After the XAF1 gene was transfected into lung cancer A549 cells by lentiviral vectors, and selected by screening with Blasticidin, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect mRNA and protein expression, to establish a line with a stable high expression of XAF1 (hereinafter referred to as stable expression cell strain). Twenty nude mice were randomly divided into groups A and B, 10 in each group: A549/XAF1 stable expression cell strain was subcutaneously injected in group A, and A549/Ctrl stable cell line stable expression cell strain in group B (control group), to observe transplanted tumor growth in nude mice. Results: The mRNA and protein expression of XAF1 in A549 cells transfected by Ad5/F35 - XAF1 was significantly higher than in the control group. XAF1 mediated by adenovirus vector demonstrated a dose dependent inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. This was accompanied by cleavage of caspase -3, -8, -9 and PARP, suggesting activation of intrinsic or extrinsic apoptotic pathways. A cell strain of lung cancer highly expressing XAF1 was established, and this demonstrated delayed tumor growth after transplantation in vivo. Conclusion: Adenovirus mediated XAF1 gene expression could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells in vitro; highly stable expression of XAF1 could also significantly inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mouse, with no obvious adverse reactions observed. Therefore, the XAF1 gene could become a new target for lung cancer treatment.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

Osmoregulatory capabilities of a euryhaline medaka, Oryzias dancena (Beloniformes; Teleostei), was examined with a particular emphasis on adult and larval viability during direct salinity changes. O. dancena adults were highly capable for hyper-osmoregulation as well as hypo-osmoregulation, as evidenced by no adverse effect on their viability during the direct transfer either from complete freshwater ($0^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$) to $40^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ salinity, or from $70^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ to $0^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. Furthermore, the phased increase of external salinity with acclimation periods allowed them to survive at a salinity as high as $75^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. However, tolerant capability to acute salinity increase in early larval stage was much less than in adult stage, based on the finding that the tolerance range of salinity increase was only $15^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ from freshwater, indicating that the hyper-osmoregulation system might not be fully developed in the early larval stage. On the contrary, the hypoosmoregulation system could be more solidified in O. dancena larvae, as evidenced by their good survival even after direct transfer from $45^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$ to $0^{\circ}/_{\circ\circ}$. Knowledge achieved in this study could form the basis for a wide scope of researches including ecotoxicogenomics and geneexpression assay using this model species.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.274-274
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• 2017

Temperature has an adverse effect for potential growth and development of Codonopsis lanceolata. The present study examined the responses of growth, yield and mineral element contents under temperature variables in C. lanceolata. Plant height exhibited the best result as being 2 m or higher the open field culture, while the growth is the most restricted in the $30^{\circ}C$. The open field culture also had the largest number of leaves in the early stage of growth. The number of leaves and the height tended to be increased with the temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$. The number of branches showed no significance as 32 branches and 26 branches in open field culture and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively. The smallest number of branches was observed in the $30^{\circ}C$ with 15 branches. The leaf color recorded the lowest value in the open field culture unlike the growth above the ground. But all other temperature had no significance with the leaf color value between 50.0 and 52.6. The elevated temperature induced the thinner and shorter diameter and length of root. However, the root diameter was not significantly changed with the change of 1.8 cm and 2.1 cm at open field culture, with $20^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. The fresh weights of the primary root and lateral roots were 6.3 g and 3.1 g, respectively, at the high temperature. The result showed the thickening of the lowest part under the ground as restricted. The fresh weights of the main root and lateral root were the highest on the open field culture, 20.6 g and 12.2 g, respectively. The contents of cellulose were the highest as 4.41% in the $20^{\circ}C$, followed by the open field culture, $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$. The higher temperature reduced the contents of cellulose. Moreover, P showed higher ratio in the high temperature while Ca and Mg exhibited the higher ratio towards the low temperature. On the contrary, minor quantity (less than 1%) of mineral nutrients was observed towards all temperature variables.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.356-356
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• 2017

A field experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of tillage systems and fertilizer management on yield and nutrient uptake in Soybean. The plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of conventional tillage were much higher those observed for no-tillage. Significant differences in plant height were observed under tillage practices combined with fertilizer treatment. However, the greatest plant height (128.47 cm) was observed in conventional tillage with chemical fertilizer, and the lowest (45.4 cm) was observed in the no-tillage with green manure treatment. The highest fresh weight (172.4 g) and dry weight (44.1 g) were observed from the no-tillage chemical treatment in the late flowering stage of soybean. The plant concentration of nitrate was higher (2.29%) in no-tillage with green manure than it was with chemical fertilization. However, nitrogen increased steadily in all treatments, and the highest quantity of total nitrogen (476.7 Kg/ha) was observed in no-tillage with green manure. The N content in the soil decreased gradually just after the vegetative stage. Tillage practices and additional fertilizer application had an adverse effect on the uptake of N, P and K in soybean seeds. The nitrogen concentration in seeds was found to be increased in the no-tillage with green manure treatment. The uptake of more nitrogen induced a better yield. Thus, the no-tillage with green manure treatment had the greatest yield, although no significant difference was observed among foliar-applications and additional fertilization. Additionally, the phosphorus and potassium concentrations in seeds remained the same between the conventional tillage and no-tillage treatments. The results obtained in this study indicate that no-tillage strategies with fertilizers may influence the growth characteristics and mineral uptake in soybean.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2007

Limited coverage for health care services of National Health Insurance(NHI) in Korea has been ongoing policy issue but additional NHI financing through raising contribution or taxes in order to improve coverage faces substantial obstacles. Private health insurance(PHI) is often considered as an alternative financing source to improve coverage. Recent reform that attempted to stretch the role of PHI allowed life insurance companies to provide complementary PHI, indemnity plan which will pay for uncovered services by NHI and out-of-pocket spending for covered services. Although complementary PHI may relieve financial burden of patients, it may significantly raise NHI spending as well as total health expenditure since little out-of-pocket spending may increase utilization of health care. So far, there has not been enough discussion about concerns of potential adverse effect resulting from extended role of PHI. This study investigated potential increase of NHI spending followed by extension of complementary PHI through sensitivity analysis. The amount of NHI spending for services that would be covered by complementary PHI was calculated using 2005 NHI statistics and expected complementary PHI enrollment rate by age and sex. Expected utilization increases were obtained based on price elasticities$(-0.2{\sim}-0.5)$ from previous studies and expected coverage rate$(50{\sim}80%)$ of complementary PHI and then converted to monetary figures. Because coverage rate of complementary PHI has not been determined yet, we employed the sensitivity analysis using coverage rate of $50{\sim}80%$. Findings demonstrate that additional spending for health care services is expected to be $426{\sim}1,702$ billion won, corresponding amount payed by NHI $298{\sim}1,192$ billion won. In conclusion, since complementary PHI may raise NHI spending significantly, there should be an agreement whether this additional cost would be accountable and acceptable in our society. Potential inefficiency resulting from extended role of complementary PHI should be considered since public and private financing do not operate in isolation and there should be more discussion on proper role of PHI in Korea.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.201-210
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• 2016

Delirium is a common symptom in patients with terminal cancer. The prevalence increases in the dying phase. Delirium causes negative effects on quality of life for both patients and their families, and is associated with higher mortality. However, some studies reported that it tends to remain unrecognized in palliative care setting. That may be related with difficulties to distinguish the symptom from others with overlapping characteristics such as depression and dementia, and a lack of knowledge regarding assessment and diagnostic tools. We suggest that accurate recognition with validated tools and early diagnosis of the symptom should be highly prioritized in delirium management in palliative care setting. After diagnosing delirium, it is important to identify and address reversible precipitants such as medication, dehydration, and infection. Non-pharmacological interventions including comfortable environment for the patient and family education are also essential in the management strategy. If such interventions prove ineffective or insufficient to control hyperactive symptoms, pharmacologic interventions with antipsychotics and benzodiazepine can be considered. Until now, low levels of haloperidol remains the standard treatment despite a lack of evidence. Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone reportedly have similar efficacy with a stronger sedating property and less adverse effect compared to haloperidol. Currently, delirium medications that can be used in palliative care setting require more clinical trials, and thus, clinical guidelines are not sufficiently available. We suggest that it is warranted to develop clinical guidelines based on well-designed clinical studies for palliative care patients.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.549-560
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• 2015

The priorities of siting restriction was derived from quantification of environmental hazard according to industrial classification based on 'Chemical Ranking and Scoring System(CRS)' which is handling the discharge characteristics of 31 industrial classifications regulated from locating at 'Industrial Complex in Rural Area(ICRA)'. CRS that is utilizing the data of 'Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers(PRTR)' is applied to determine human health risk and ecological risk which are calculated by discharged amount and materials $LC_{50}$ according to water, soil and air media based on industrial classification. From this process, exposure assessment and toxicity assessment for integrating the adverse environmental impact and the mitigation effect of environmental risk according to the development of environmental technologies into establishing the rational landuse management method for the 31 industrial classifications regulated from locating at ICRA was analyzed. From the assessment result of the siting restriction removal at ICRA for 31 industrial classifications, based on 2012 year reference 6 industries that includes Manufacture of Guilt Coloration Surface Processing Steel Materials, Manufacture of Biological Product, Manufacture of Smelting Refining and Alloys of Copper, Dyeing and Finishing of Fibers and Yarns, Manufacture of Other Basic Iron and Steel n.e.c., Rolling Drawing and Extruding of Non-ferrous Metals n.e.c. are calculated as having relatively lower environmental hazards, thus it is judged that the siting restriction mitigation at ICRA is possible for the 6 industrial classifications that are not discharging the specific hazardous water contaminants during manufacturing process.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.295-299
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• 2011

Purpose: It is generally believed that alopecia is caused by various factors such as scars, stress, genetical factors, androgens, etc. Androgenic alopecia is one of the most common cause of alopecia and found mainly in males. Propecia (Merck & Co., USA) and Minoxidil (McNEIL-PPC, Inc, USA) were the drugs approved from FDA for treatment of androgenic alopecia. Surgical treatments such as flap, tissue expansion, scalp reduction and hair transplantation can be considered if necessary. Hair micrograft techniques were developed for natural hair shapes and minimal adverse effect. There were attempts to measure the length of the forehead of the Korean young adults. However attempts to classify the shape and location of forehead hairline were rare. This study attempted to find out standard hairlines of young adults in their 20s & 30s and the result would be the guideline of the hairline in hair replacement surgery of male patients in their 40s & 50s. Methods: 200 male adults in 20s and 30s were photographed and measured the length of 11 vertical index lines to determine hairline. The indexes are the distances from hairline to intercanthal midpoint (A), to medial canthus (B), to upper eyelid fissure (C), to lower eyelid fissure (D), to lateral canthus (E) and distance from lateral highest point to medial lowest point, if the hairline is M-shape (F). Additionally, we classified the hairlines into 4 groups, M, horizontal, inverted U and irregular shapes. Results: The most common hairline of male adults in their 20s is inverted U-shape (53.3%), followed by horizontal-shape, M-shape, irregular-shape. In their 30s, inverted U-shape (59%) is followed by irregular-shape, M-shape, horizontal-shape. The M-shape is more frequently found in males in 30s than those in 20s. The mean values of the indexes in their 20s are as follows: A (76.14 mm), B (Rt: 75.78 mm, Lt:76.41 mm), C (Rt: 69.43 mm, Lt: 69.92 mm), D (Rt: 76.92 mm, Lt:77.46 mm), E (Rt: 64.16 mm, Lt: 64.73 mm), F (4.09 mm). Those in their 30s are as follows: A (76.13 mm), B (Rt: 76.114 mm, Lt: 76.02 mm), C (Rt: 69.87 mm, Lt: 70.37 mm), D (Rt: 77.37 mm, Lt: 77.58 mm), E (Rt: 69.63 mm, Lt: 69.85 mm), F (6.14 mm). Conclusion: The knowledge about human body measurement is indispensable to plastic surgeons. In this study, inverted U shape is the most common type of hairline in 30s, and similar distribution is found in 20s. The percentage of M shape in their 30s is elevated more than 10% compared to that in their 20s. The study of hairline shapes and 11 indexes of hairlines can be useful for planning of the hair transplantation and postoperative evaluation. This study being based on photogrammetry, there may be differences between actual distance of curved face and projected distance on flat photographs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2006

The principal aim of this field study was to determine the concentrations and emissions of gaseous contaminants such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the different types of pig buildings in Korea and allow objective comparison between Korea and the other countries in terms of pig housing types. This field study was performed from May to June and from September to October in 2002. Pig buildings investigated in this research were selected in terms of three criteria; manure removal system, ventilation mode and growth stage of pig. Measurements of concentration and emission of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were done in 5 housing types and the visited farms were 15 sites per each housing type. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were measured at three locations of the central alley in the pig building and emission rates of them were estimated by multiplying the average concentration($mg/m^3$) measured near the air outlet by the mean ventilation rate($m^3/h$) and expressed either per pig of liveweight 75kg(mg/h/pig) or per area($mg/h/m^2$). Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the pig buildings were averaged to 7.5 ppm and 286.5 ppb and ranged from 0.8 to 21.4 ppm and from 45.8 to 1,235 ppb, respectively. The highest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the mechanically ventilated buildings with slats; 12.1 ppm and 612.8 ppb, while the lowest concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were found in the pig buildings with deep-litter bed system(2.2 ppm) and the naturally ventilated pig buildings with manure removal system by scraper(115.2 ppb), respectively(p<0.05). All the pig buildings were investigated not to exceed the threshold limit values(TLVs) of ammonia(25 ppm) and hydrogen sulfide(10 ppm). The mean emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide per pig(75kg in terms of liveweight) and area($m^2$) from pig buildings were 250.2 mg/h/pig and 37.8 mg/h/pig and $336.3mg/h/m^2$ and $50.9mg/h/m^2$, respectively. The pig buildings with deep-litter bed system showed the lowest emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide(p<0.05). However, the emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from the other pig buildings were not significantly different(p>0.05). Concentrations and emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were relatively higher in the pig buildings managed with deep-pit manure system with slats and mechanical ventilation mode than the different pig housing types. In order to prevent pig farm workers from adverse health effect caused by exposure to ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in pig buildings, they should wear the respirators during shift and be educated sustainably for the guideline related to occupational safety.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2007

This study was to investigate single and repeated-dose toxicities of Tensolin-$F^{(R)}$, an anti-wrinkle agent, in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats or ICR mice. In single-dose oral toxicity study, the test materials were administered once by gavage to male and female SD rats at dose levels of 0 and 2,000 mg/kg. No dead animals and abnormal necropsy findings were found in control and Tensolin-$F^{(R)}$ treated group. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose of Tensolin-$F^{(R)}$ was considered to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg in rats. In the 4-week repeated oral toxicity study, the test material was administered once daily by gavage to male and female ICR mice at dose levels of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 4-weeks. In the results, no abnormality was observed in mortality, clinical findings, body weight changes, food and water consumptions, opthalmoscopic findings, necropsy findings, histopathological findings. In hematological analysis, there was a trend of increase in reticulocyte at male 25 mg/kg, although such changes were in normal ranges. On the other hand, there was a trend of decrease in hemoglobin at female 50, 100 mg/kg, such changes were in normal ranges. In addition, serum biochemical parameters including sodium, BUN and chloride increased at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Relative organ weights of right testis, brain, lung and left epididymis were increased in 100 mg/kg groups of male rats in contrast to not change in female groups. However, these changes of relative organ weights, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were not accompanied with related signs such as histopathological changes or clinical findings. In conclusion, 4-week repeated oral dose of Tensolin-$F^{(R)}$ to ICR mice did not cause apparent toxicological change at the dose of 25, 50, 100 mg/kg body weight. Consequently the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for Tensolin-$F^{(R)}$ in ICR mice following gavage for at least 4-week is higher than 100 mg/kg/day.