• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2008

Purpose: Cathepsin D(CD) is a lysosomal acid proteinase that is related to malignant progression, invasion, and a poor prognosis in several tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic clinical significance of CD and p53 expression in pretreatment biopsy specimens from patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were treated with preoperative chemoradiation. Materials and Methods: Eighty-nine patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(cT3/T4 or N+) were included in this study. Preoperative chemoradiation consisted of a dose of 50.4 Gy of pelvic radiation and two concurrent cycles of administration of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. Surgery was performed six weeks after chemoradiation. CD and p53 expression in pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor biopsy specimens were assessed by immunohistochemical staining using a CD and p53 monoclonal antibodies. The threshold value for a positive stain in tumor tissue and stromal cells was 1+ intensity in 10% of the tumors or stromal cells, respectively. Results: Positive CD expression was found in 57(64%) of the tumors and 32(35%) of the stromal cell specimens. There was no association with CD expression of the tumor or stromal cells and patient characteristics. There was a correlation between tumor CD expression with stromal cell CD expression(p=0.01). Overexpression of p53 was not a significant prognostic factor. The 5-year overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were not different between tumor CD-negative and positive patient biopsy samples(69% vs. 65%, 60% vs. 61%, respectively). The 5-year OS rates in the tumor-negative/stromal cell-negative, tumor-negative/stromal cell-positive, tumor-positive/stromal cell-negative and tumor-positive/stromal cell-positive biopsy samples were 75%, 28%, 62%, and 73%, respectively. Stromal cell staining only without positive tumor staining demonstrated the worst overall survival prognosis for patients(p=0.013). Conclusion: Overexpression of p53 in rectal biopy tissue was not associated with prognostic significance. In the pretreatment biopsy specimens, an exclusive increase in CD expression in stromal cells without tumor expression was related to poor overall survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2004

Objectives: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common genetic cause of male infertility and presents with 47, XXY mainly or 46, XX/47, XXY mosaicism. It is characterized by hypogonadism and azoospermia due to testicular failure, however, sporadic cases of natural pregnancies have been reported. With the development of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), sperm can be retrieved successfully and ART is applied in these patients for pregnancy. It has been suggested that the risk of chromosome aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome is increased in the sperms from 47, XXY germ cells. Considering the risk for chromosomal aneuploidy in the offspring, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) could be applied as a safe and more effective treatment option in Klinefelter syndrome. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of PGD cycles by using FISH for sex chromosome and autosome in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Materials and Methods: From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2003, PGD was attempted in 8 cases of Klinefelter syndrome but TESE was failed to retrieve sperm in the 3 cases, therefore PGD was performed in 8 cycles of 5 cases (four 47, XXY and one 46, XY/47, XXY mosaicism). In one case, ejaculated sperm was used and in 4 cases, TESE sperm was used for ICSI. After fertilization, blastomere biopsy was performed in $6{\sim}7$ cell stage embryo and the chromosome aneuploidy was diagnosed by using FISH with CEP probes for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18. Results: A total of 127 oocytes were retrieved and ICSI was performed in 113 mature oocytes. The fertilization rate was $65.3{\pm}6.0%$ (mean$\pm$SEM) and 76 embryos were obtained. Blastomere biopsy was performed in 61 developing embryos and FISH analysis was successful in 95.1% of the biopsied blastomeres (58/61). The rate of balanced embryos for chromosome X, Y and 17 or 18 was $39.7{\pm}6.9%$. The rate of aneuploidy for sex chromosome (X and Y) was $45.9{\pm}5.3%$ and $43.2{\pm}5.8%$ for chromosome 17 or 18, respectively. Embryo transfer was performed in all 8 cycles and mean number of transferred embryos was $2.5{\pm}0.5$. In 2 cases, clinical pregnancies were obtained and normal 46, XX and 46, XY karyotypes were confirmed by amniocentesis, respectively. Healthy male and female babies were delivered uneventfully at term. Conclusion: The patients with Klinefelter syndrome can benefit from ART with TESE and ICSI. Considering the risk of aneuploidy for both sex chromosome and autosome in the sperms and embryos of Klinefelter syndrome, PGD could be offered as safe and more effective treatment option.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.128-136
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• 2003

Purpose : Hyper IgM syndrome(HIGM) is characterized by severe recurrent bacterial infections with decreased serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE but elevated IgM levels. Recently, it has been classified into three groups; HIGM1, HIGM2 and a rare form of HIGM. HIGM1 is a X-linked form of HIGM and has now been identified as a T-cell deficiency in which mutations occur in the gene that encodes the CD40 ligand molecule. HIGM2 is an autosomal recessive form of HIGM. Molecular studies have shown that the mutation of HIGM2 is in the gene that encodes activation-induced cytidine deaminase(AID). Recently, another rare form of X-linked HIGM syndrome associated with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia has been identified. We encountered a patient with a varient form of HIGM2. To clarify the cause of this form of HIGM, we evaluated the peripheral B cells of this patient. Methods : The lymphocytes of the patient were prepared from peripheral blood. B cells were immortalized with the infection of EBV. Cell cycle analysis was done with the immortalized B cells of the patient. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal anti-CD40L antibody. Total RNA was extracted from the peripheral mononuclear cells. After RT-PCR, direct sequencing for CD40L gene and HuAID gene were done. Immunostainings of a lymph node for CD3, CD23, CD40, Fas-L, bcl-2, BAX were done. Results : The peripheral B cells of this patient showed normal expression of CD40L molecule and normal sequencing of CD40L gene, and also normal sequencing of AID gene. Interestingly, the peripheral B cells of this patient showed a decreased population of G2/mitosis phase in cell cycles which recovered to normal with the stimulation of IL-4. Conclusion : We suspect that the cause of increased serum IgM in this patient may be from a decrease of G2/mitosis phase of the peripheral B cells, which may be from the decreased production or secretion of IL-4. Therefore, this may be a new form of HIGM.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.461-465
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• 2005

To determine the cause of wet noodle spoilage, microorganisms isolated from wet noodles were identified and characterized. In addition, the growth inhibitory effects of organic acid mixture (OA: lactic acid 27.8%, acetic acid 12.0%, succinic acid 1.0%) and sodium dehydroacetate (SD) on the isolated strain were estimated in nutrient broth medium. The isolated strain was Gram-positive, rod shaped, motile, and spore forming. Based on physiological characteristics and the API 50 CHB-kit test results for the assimilation of 49 carbohydrates, the isolated strain was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (92.6%), which is able to degrade starch. Decimal reduction times (D-values) at 100, 105, and $110^{\circ}C$ for spores of B. amyloliquefaciens were 8.5, 5.1, and 2.5 min, respectively, and the z-value was $12.8^{\circ}C$. We estimated that B. amylo-liquefaciens isolated from spoiled wet noodles was a thermophilic species having high heat-resistance. Viable cell numbers in wet noodles and broth medium inoculated with B. amyloliquefaciens were decreased by 2-4 log cycles by combined treatment with 0.03 or 0.05% OA and 0.3% SD. These results revealed that OA combined with SD could be used as a potential agent to inhibit B. amyloliquefaciens in wet noodles.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.190-196
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• 2008

The multilayered membrane for lithium rechargeable batteries based on poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) is prepared with the coated layer containing nano-sized filler. The prepared membranes were subjected to studies of mechanical strength, morphology, interfacial stability, impedance spectroscopy, ionic conductivity, and cycle performance. The localized inorganic filler in the PVdF composite membrane rendered mechanical strength much reduced because of its low stretching ratio and it results in around half value of the mechanical strength of highly stretched PVdF membrane. In order to achieve high ionic conductivity and interfacial stability without sacrificing high mechanical strength, coating layer with nano-filler was newly introduced to PVdF membrane. The ionic conductivity of the coated membrane was 1.03 mS/cm, and the interface between the coating layer and PVdF membrane was stable when the membrane was immersed into liquid electrolyte. The discharge capacity of the cell based on nano-filler coated PVdF membrane was around 91% of the initial discharge capacity after 250 cycles, which is an improvement in cycle performance compared to the case for the non-coated PVdF membrane.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.715-722
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• 2010

This paper describes a hardware design of hash function processor which implements Korean Hash Algorithm Standard HAS-160. The HAS-160 processor compresses a message with arbitrary lengths into a hash code with a fixed length of 160-bit. To achieve high-speed operation with small-area, arithmetic operation for step-operation is implemented by using a hybrid structure of 5:3 and 3:2 carry-save adders and carry-select adder. It computes a 160-bit hash code from a message block of 512 bits in 82 clock cycles, and has 312 Mbps throughput at 50 MHz@3.3-V clock frequency. The designed HAS-160 processor is verified by FPGA implementation, and it has 17,600 gates on a layout area of about $1\;mm^2$ using a 0.35-${\mu}m$ CMOS cell library.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.214-218
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• 2011

The electrochemical characteristics and performance of redox flow battery using the soluble lead has been evaluated. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on the materials to evaluate deposition and dissolution of lead and lead dioxide. In the negative region, a reduction peak is not observed, and on the reverse scan, on-set voltage is observed at -0.47 V(vs SCE). In the positive region, the distinct peak is observed on the forward and reverse scan. The charge/discharge experiments were carried out graphite electrode in the beaker cell. The charging(deposition) of lead occurs at around 0.5 V(vs SCE) and discharging(dissolution) of lead occur at around 0.25 V(vs SCE). The potential difference is about 0.25 V. The charging(deposition) of dioxide lead is at 1.77 V(vs SCE) and discharging(dissolution) is at around 0.95 V(vs SCE) during first cycle. On subsequent cycles, the charging of dioxide lead starts at below 1.5 V(vs SCE), after a period the voltage increase to 1.7 V(vs SCE). The voltage of discharging is stable at around 1.0 V(vs SCE).

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.42 no.8 s.338
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• pp.11-16
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• 2005

This paper proposes a bit manipulation accelerator (BMA) having application specific instructions, which efficiently supports scrambling, convolutional encoding, puncturing, and interleaving. Conventional DSPs cannot effectively perform bit manipulation functions since かey have multiply accumulate (MAC) oriented data paths and word-based functions. However, the proposed accelerator can efficiently process bit manipulation functions using parallel shift and Exclusive-OR (XOR) operations and bit jnsertion/extraction operations on multiple data. The proposed BMA has been modeled by VHDL and synthesized using the SEC $0.18\mu m$ standard cell library and the gate count of the BMA is only about 1,700 gates. Performance comparisons show that the number of clock cycles can be reduced about $40\%\sim80\%$ for scrambling, convolutional encoding and interleaving compared with existing DSPs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5327-5332
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• 2012

In this review, we describe the patterns of known immunological components in breast milk and examine the relationship between breastfeeding and reduced risk of breast cancer. The top risk factors for breast cancer are a woman's age and family history, specifically having a first-degree relative with breast cancer. Women that have a history of breastfeeding have been shown to have reduced rates of breast cancer. Although the specific cause has not been elucidated, previous studies have suggested that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer primarily through two mechanisms: the differentiation of breast tissue and reduction in the lifetime number of ovulatory cycles. In this context, one of the primary components of human milk that is postulated to affect cancer risk is alpha-lactalbumin. Tumour cell death can be induced by HAMLET (a human milk complex of alpha-lactalbumin and oleic acid). HAMLET induces apoptosis only in tumour cells, while normal differentiated cells are resistant to its effects. Therefore, HAMLET may provide safe and effective protection against the development of breast cancer. Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their babies because the complex components of human milk secretion make it an ideal food source for babies and clinical evidence has shown that there is a lower risk of breast cancer in women who breastfed their babies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2017

Objective: We investigated whether the insemination method (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]) affected morphokinetic events and abnormal cleavage events in embryonic development. Methods: A total of 1,830 normal fertilized embryos were obtained from 272 IVF and ICSI cycles that underwent ovum retrieval culture using a time-lapse system (Embryoscope) from June 2013 to March 2015. All embryos were investigated by a detailed time-lapse analysis that measured the developmental events in the hours after IVF or ICSI insemination. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding clinical outcomes (p>0.05). ICSI-derived embryos showed significantly faster morphokinetics than those derived from conventional IVF, from the time to pronuclear fading to the time to 6 cells (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found from the time to 7 cells to the time to expanded blastocyst (p>0.05). There were no differences in abnormal cleavage events between the two groups (p>0.05); they showed the same rates of direct cleavage from 1 to 3 cells, 2 multinucleated cells, 2 uneven cells, and reverse cleavage. Conclusion: The morphokinetics of embryo development was found to vary between IVF- and ICSI-fertilized oocytes, at least until the 6-cell stage. However, these differences did not affect the clinical outcomes of the embryo. Additionally, no significant differences in abnormal cleavage events were found according to the fertilization method.