• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.234-238
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• 2001

Percutaneous laser discectomy has potential advantages over conservative therapy and classical open surgery as a minimally invasive procedure, although clinical experiences are limited. We experienced a patient treated with herniated lumbar discs using Nd：YAG laser. A 55-year-old woman complained of severe back pain with sciatica on L4/5 and L5/S1 dermatome for several months. The MRI finding showed bulging discs at L4/5 and L5/S1. Epidural, transsacral and root block treatments were attempted without effect. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a 14 G biopsy needle was inserted into the L4/5 and L5/S1 disc spaces to the margin of the nucleus pulposus. Laser irradiation for vaporization of tissue was performed at 20 W/second to 1200 J. A laser fiber ($600{\mu}m$) was advanced 1 cm from the tip of the needle. At the end of the procedure, the patient began to feel relief of pain (VAS changed from 9 to 4) and was discharged the same day after staying 2 hours in the recovery room. Antibiotics were administered for prevention of discitis. She had no complaints of pain until the 1-month follow up visit. Percutaneous laser discetomy technique has the disadvantages of expensive equipment, high temperature and amount of vaporing disc tissue is empirical. However, this technique, as one of the therapeutic modalities for disc herniation, provides faster relief from acute attack than conservative management techniques in carefully selected patients with sciatica due to disc prolapse.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2020

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a two-terminal tandem solar cell depends upon the tunnel-recombination junction (TRJ) between the top and bottom sub-cells. An optimized TRJ in a tandem cell helps improve its open-circuit voltage (V_oc), short-circuit current density (J_sc), fill factor (FF), and efficiency (PCE). One of the parameters that affect the TRJ is the buffer layer thickness. Therefore, we investigated various TRJs by varying the thickness of the buffer or intermediate layer (TRJ-buffer) in between the highly doped p-type and n-type layers of the TRJ. The TRJ-buffer layer was p-type nc-Si:H, with a doping of 0.06%, an activation energy (E_a) of 43 meV, an optical gap (E_g) of 2.04 eV, and its thickness was varied from 0 nm to 125 nm. The tandem solar cells we investigated were a combination of a heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) bottom sub-cell and an a-Si:H (amorphous silicon) top sub-cell. The initial cell efficiency without the TRJ buffer was 7.65% while with an optimized buffer layer, its efficiency improved to 11.74%, i.e., an improvement in efficiency by a factor of 1.53.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.10
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• pp.25.1-25.10
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• 2018

The central dogma of gene expression propounds that DNA is transcribed to mRNA and finally gets translated into protein. Only 2-3% of the genomic DNA is transcribed to protein-coding mRNA. Interestingly, only a further minuscule part of genomic DNA encodes for long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are characteristically more than 200 nucleotides long and can be transcribed from both protein-coding (e.g. H19 and TUG1) as well as non-coding DNA by RNA polymerase II. The lncRNAs do not have open reading frames (with some exceptions), 3`-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) and necessarily these RNAs lack any translation-termination regions, however, these can be spliced, capped and polyadenylated as mRNA molecules. The flexibility of lncRNAs confers them specific 3D-conformations that eventually enable the lncRNAs to interact with proteins, DNA or other RNA molecules via base pairing or by forming networks. The lncRNAs play a major role in gene regulation, cell differentiation, cancer cell invasion and metastasis and chromatin remodeling. Deregulation of lncRNA is also responsible for numerous diseases in mammals. Various studies have revealed their significance as biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this review is to overview the salient features, evolution, biogenesis and biological importance of these molecules in the mammalian system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.606-612
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• 2012

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) is one of the six members of IGFBP family, important for cell growth, apoptosis and other IGF-stimulated signaling pathways. In order to explore the significance of IGFBP-5 in cells of the Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat (Capra hircus), IGFBP-5 gene complementary DNA (cDNA) was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the animal's fetal fibroblasts and tissue-specific expression analysis was performed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The gene is 816 base pairs (bp) in length and includes the complete open reading frame, encoding 271 amino acids (GenBank accession number JF720883). The full cDNA nucleotide sequence has a 99% identity with sheep, 98% with cattle and 95% with human. The amino acids sequence shares identity with 99%, 99% and 99%, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis showed that IGFBP-5 has an insulin growth factor-binding protein homologues (IB) domain and a thyroglobulin type-1 (TY) domain, four protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, five casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, three prenyl group binding sites (CaaX box). The IGFBP-5 gene was expressed in all the tested tissues including testis, brain, liver, lung, mammary gland, spleen, and kidney, suggesting that IGFBP-5 plays an important role in goat cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.157-167
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• 2000

A thermostable chitosanase gene from the isolated strain, Bacillus sp. CK4, was cloned, and its complete DNA sequence was determined. The thermostable chitosanase gene was composed of an 822-bp open reading frame which encodes a protein of 242 amino acids and a signal peptide corresponding to a 30 kDa enzyme in size. The deduced amino acid sequence of the chitosanase from Bacillus sp. CK4 exhibits 76.6%, 15.3%, and 14.2% similarities to those from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus ehemensis, and Bacillus circulans, respectively. C-terminal homology analysis shows that Bacillus sp. CK4 belongs to the Cluster III group with Bacillus subtilis. The size of the gene was similar to that of a mesophile, Bacillus subtilis showing a higher preference for codons ending in G or C. The functional importance of a conserved region in a novel chitosanase from Bacillus sp. CK4 was investigated. Each of the three carboxylic amino acid residues were changed to E50D/Q, E62D/Q, and D66N/E by site-directed mutagenesis. The D66N/E mutants enzymes had remarkably decreased kinetic parameters such as $V_{max}$ and k$\sub$cat/, indicating that the Asp-66 residue was essential for catalysis. The thermostable chitosanase contains three cysteine residues at position 49, 72, and 211. Titration of the Cys residues with DTNB showed that none of them were involved in disulfide bond. The C49S and C72S mutant enzymes were as stable to thermal inactivation and denaturating agents as the wild-type enzyme. However the half-life of the C211S mutant enzyme was less than 60 min at 80$^{\circ}C$, while that of the wild type enzyme was about 90 min. Moreover, the residual activity of C211S was substantially decreased by 8 M urea, and fully lost catalytic activity by 40% ethanol. These results show that the substitution of Cys with Ser at position 211 seems to affect the conformational stability of the chitosanase.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.258-263
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• 2000

2-Hydroxy-6-oxo-6phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate (HOPDA) hydrolase catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of HOPDA to bemzpate and 2-hydroxypenta-2, 4-dienoate (HPD) during microbial catabolism of biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyls. A HOPDA hydrolase gene (pcbD) was isolated from the genomic library of Pseudomonas sp. P20 and designated as pCNUO1201; a 7.5-kb XbaI DNA fragment from Pseudomonas sp. P20 was inserted into the pBluescript SK(+) XbaI site. E. coli HB101 harboring pCNU1201 exhibited HOPDA hydrolase activity. The open reading frame (ORF) corresponding to the pcbD gene consisted of 855 base pairs with an ATG initiation codon and a TGA termination codon. The ORF was preceded by a rebosome-binding sequence of 5'-TGGAGC-3' and its G+C content was 55 mol%. The pcbD gene of Pseudomonas sp. P20 was located immedeately downstream of the pcbC gene encoding 2,3- dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase, and approximately 4-kb upstream of the pcbE gene encoding HPD hydratase. The pcbK gene was able to encode a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 31,732 containing 284 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the HOPDA hydrolase of Pseudomonas sp. P20 exhibited high identity (62%) with those of the HOPDA hydrolases of P. putida KF715, P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707, and Burkholderia cepacia LB400, and also significant homology with those of other hydrolytic enzymes including esterase, transferase, and peptidase.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of direction (pitch and roll) on the perception of support surface rotation while standing. Thirty young healthy subjects participated in this study. Support surface was rotated at an unexpected instant in a very slow speed (0.2 deg/s). The direction of support surface rotation was randomly chosen among pitch (forward and backward) and roll (right and left) directions. The experiment was performed with eyes open and closed. Perception performance was evaluated by the perception threshold, defined as the rotation angle of the surface at the instant when a subject recognized that the support surface was moving. Results showed that the perception threshold was smaller for roll directions than pitch directions irrespective of vision and gender (p < 0.01). This indicates that the perception of support surface rotation is more sensitive in roll direction than in pitch direction. Among three sensory functions related to postural perception, the effect of vestibular and visual functions on the direction difference of the perception should be little because of the very slow surface rotation and independence on visual conditions. Therefore, the direction dependence of perception would have been affected mainly by the somatosensory function.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.210-215
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• 2007

북극 다산기지가 있는 니알슨 인근 해역인 Kongsfjorden만은 일부 해역이 해빙으로 덮혀 있는 반폐쇄적인 만으로 수심이 평균 200m 이상 된다. 이곳 북극 지방은 하절기 라도 태양의 고도가 낮아 해색위성분야의 극지활용에 대한 가능성 여부도 명확하게 알려져 있지 못하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 북극 다산기지가 위치한 스발바드 군도의 니알슨 주변 해역(Kongsfjorden 해역)을 중심으로 2006년 8월 현장관측된 자료들을 유사한 시기의 한반도 주변 해역에서 현장관측된 자료들과 비교/분석하여 해양환경적 특성과 해수광학적인 특성이 어떤 차이가 있는지를 비교 분석하였다. 또한 북극 지방에서 인공위성을 이용한 해색위성자료의 극지활용이 가능한지를 검토하였다. 해수의 광 특성으로, 니알슨 주변 해역의 ${\alpha}^*_{ph}(440)$ 최대값은 $0.1m^2/mg$으로 한반도 주변해수의 ${\alpha}^*_{ph}(440)$ 최대값보다 약 2배정도 높게 측정되어 플랑크톤의 광 흡수효율이 중위도보다 상대적으로 높은 것으로 분석되었다. ${\alpha}^*_{ss}(440)$ 값은 $0.04-0.1m^2/g$으로 동중국해와 유사하며，한반도 주변해수보다 높은 값을 나타냈다. 이것은 Kongsfjorden 해역의 부유물질(SS) 구성성분이 동중국해와 유사한 무기광물 입자로 주로 구성되어 있음을 보여주고 있다. ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$ 값은 $0.08-0.25m^{-1}$로 한반도 주변해수의 ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$이 값과 유사하고 연안해역의 ${\alpha}_{dom}(400)$ 값보다 낮은 값을 나타냈다. $E_d(460)$의 평균값은 Konsfjorden 해역 $40mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 동중국해 $120mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 황해남부 $110mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 남해연안 $100mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$, 진해만 $100mW/cm^2/{\mu}m$이었다. 이와 같은 현장관측결과를 토대로 분석한 북극 다산기지 주변 해역의 해수광학적인 환경 특성은 용존유기물의 흡광도를 기준으로 볼 때 대양(Open Sea)의 광 특성과 유사하였다. 또한 북극지방에서 태양의 해수 입사 광량은 중위도의 약 40%정도이지만 해색위성자료의 극지활용이 가능하다고 판단되었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2009

$Ca^{2+}$ and calmodulin (CaM), a key $Ca^{2+}$ sensor in all eukaryotes, have been implicated for defense responses of plants. Eukaryotic CaM contains four structurally and functionally similar $Ca^{2+}$ domains named I, II, III and IV. Each $Ca^{2+}$ binding loop consists of 12 amino acid residues with ligands arranged spatially to satisfy the octahedral symmetry of $Ca^{2+}$ binding. To investigate the altered gene expression and the role of CaM in ginseng plant defense system, cDNA clone containing a CaM gene, designated PgCaM was isolated and sequenced from Panax ginseng. PgCaM, which has open reading frame of 450 nucleotides predicted to encode a precursor protein of 150 amino acid residues. Its sequence shows high homologies with a number of other CaMs, with more similarity to CaM of Daucus carota (AAQ63461). The expression of PgCaM in different P. ginseng organs was analyzed using real time PCR. The results showed that PgCaM expressed at different levels in young leaves, shoots, and roots of 3-week-old P. ginseng. In addition, the expressions of PgCaM under different abiotic stresses were analyzed at different time intervals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.439-442
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• 1999

An animal health monitoring system in Gyeongnam area (near-Chinju) was studied to evaluate the environmental risk factors, physical examinations and 4 disease entities(abomasal displacement, traumatic reticulopericarditis ＆ -peritonitis, milk fever and lameness) in 40(34 in second year)dairy herds (total 1253 dairy cattle). In feeding environments, we examined housing system, forage percentage in ration, stall types, playground, cleanness of stall. In housing system, most of herds (60%) have tie-stall types and 36 herds are open-type housing. The forage ratio of ration was less than 50% in most of herds (67%). 39 herds had their own playgrounds and the frequency of playground cleanness was irregular, Physical examinations included the T(temperature), P (pulse), R (respiration), abnormalities of superficial lymph nodes, claw examination and total CBC with blood from tail veins. T, P, R are within normal limits (T : 38.1$\pm$0.6$^{\circ}C$, P : 84.6$\pm$12.9/min., R : 24.0$\pm$7.6/min. ,respectively), the swelling of lymph nodes were shown in 13 cattle and overall claw trimming was required in 3 herds. In blood examination, 23 cattle showed leuko-cytosis and 7 cattle showed low RBC and hemoglobin level, the other cattle were within normal limits (WBC : 8.90$\pm$2.06 10$^3$/ul., RBC : 6.36$\pm$1.02 10$^{6}$ ul, Hb : 9.83$\pm$ 1.20 g/dl PCV : 27.43$\pm$5.67 %, respectively). In 4 disease entities, we found some metallic foreign bodies in men of 13 cattle, which had predisposing factors of traumatic reticulopericarditis and reticuloperitonitis, 13 abomasal displacement, 51 milk fever and lameness in 39 cattle.