• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.381-386
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• 2013

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles on the prognosis of patients with post-operative stomach cancer through retrospective analysis. Methods: A total of 128 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of epirubicin, cisplatin or oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil, according to a defined schedule, were divided into three groups according to the number of chemotherapy cycles: Group I (<6 cycles); Group II (6 cycles); and Group III (>6 cycles). Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 20.8% in Group I, 45.0% in Group II, and 42.9% in Group III, with a median follow-up of 43 months. The 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 15.1% in Group I, 40% in Group II, and 40% in Group III. The OS and RFS in Groups II and III were significantly better than in Group I (OS, p = 0.002 and p=0.003; RFS, P<0.001 and P=0.002). There was no difference in OS (p = 0.970) or in RFS (p = 0.722) between Groups II and III. Multivariate Cox hazard analysis determined that the number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles was an independent factor that influenced OS and RFS. Conclusion: Six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy gave encouraging outcomes in patients with resectable gastric cancer. Further prospective randomized controlled investigations are warranted in a multi-center setting.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.432-436
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• 2009

This paper is described that advanced study on network design of remote diagnosis system for power facilities of electric railway. In the field, it is very difficult for worker to diagnosis power facilities including catenary because workers should be maintenance on AC power supply. Therefore, to properly design on remote diagnosis system, we have searched the inside and outside of the country-related technology trends. Also we confirmed that required technologies to design interface technology required for the development of sensor devices and the USN network was designed in accordance with required skills. Throughout variety of requirements, we have development iRFS based ZA sensors and iRFM to receive data of sensor. Also CC2420 is applied as single-chip which used 2.4GHz IEEE802.15.4 compliant RF tranciver designed for low-power and low-voltage wireless applications for ZigBee communication.

• Atmosphere
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.423-433
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• 2017

The spatial and temporal variations in radiative forcing (RF) and mean temperature changes of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as $CO_2$, $CH_4$, and $N_2O$, were analyzed at urban center (Yeon-dong) and background sites (Gosan) on Jeju Island during 2010~2015, based on a modeling approach (i.e., radiative transfer model). Overall, the RFs and mean temperature changes of $CO_2$ at Yeon-dong during most years (except for 2014) were estimated to be higher than those at Gosan. This might be possibly because of its higher concentrations at Yeon-dong due to relatively large energy consumption and small photosynthesis and also the difference in radiation flux due to the different input condition (e.g., local time and geographic coordinates of solar zenith angle) in the model. The annual mean RFs and temperature changes of $CO_2$ were highest in 2015 ($2.41Wm^{-2}$ and 1.76 K) at Yeon-dong and in 2013 ($2.22Wm^{-2}$ and 1.62 K) at Gosan (except for 2010 and 2011). The maximum monthly/seasonal mean RFs and temperature changes of $CO_2$ occurred in spring (Mar. and/or Apr.) or winter (Jan. and/or Feb.) at the two sites during the study period, whereas the minimum RFs and temperature changes in summer (Jun.-Aug.). In the case of $CH_4$ and $N_2O$, their impacts on the RF and mean temperature changes were very small (an order of magnitude lower) compared to $CO_2$. The spatio-temporal differences in these RF values of GHGs might primarily depend on the atmospheric profile (e.g., ozone profile), surface albedo, local time (or solar zenith angle), as well as their mass concentrations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.425-430
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• 2011

Background: High 2-[$^{18}F$] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is a prognostic factor for poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in Stage I. We determined whether the high FDG uptake value of a primary tumor was associated with recurrence and death in patients with resected Stage I and Stage II NSCLC. Methods: We identified consecutive patients who underwent complete surgical resection for Stage I and II NSCLC between 2006 and 2009, who had preoperative PET-CT, and reviewed clinical records retrospectively. FDG uptake was measured as the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for body weight. Patients were divided into two groups based on SUVmax: (i) above or (ii) below the cut-off value (SUVmax=5.9) determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Of 57 patients who were enrolled consecutively, 32 (56%) had Stage I NSCLC and 25 (44%) had Stage II. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients with high (${\geq}5.9$) and low (<5.9) SUVmax were 31% and 57%, respectively (p=0.014). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 39% and 60%, respectively (p=0.029). In univariate analyses, SUVmax (p=0.014), T staging (p=0.025), and differentiation of tumor tissue (p=0.034) were significantly associated with RFS. But, multivariate analyses did not show that SUVmax was an independently significant factor for RFS (p=0.180). Conclusion: High FDG uptake on PET-CT is not an independent prognostic factor for poor outcomes (disease recurrence in patients with resected Stage I and II NSCLC).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.11-24
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• 2022

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of Banhahubak-tang on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Methods : RCTs using Banhahubak-tang on GERD was searched in databases such as EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CNKI, KISS, RISS, ScienceON, and OASIS. RCTs published up to October 8th, 2021 were included. Meta-analysis was performed by synthesizing outcome data, including Total Effectiveness Rate (TER), Reflux Symptom Index(RSI), Reflux Finding Score(RFS), and Incidence of Adverse Reactions. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis. The Cochrane collaboration bias risk assessment scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Results : Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The total effective rate was the most commonly used outcome measure. The meta-analysis revealed that the TER in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(N=2, RR:1.22, 95% CI:1.09 to 1.36, P=0.0004, I²=0%)(N=6, RR:1.22, 95% CI:1.14 to 1.32, P<0.00001, I²=0%)(N=8, RR:1.22, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.30, P<0.00001, I²=0%). On the other hand, RSI(N=2, MD : -4.29, 95% CI: -4.71 to -3.86, I²=94%), RFS(N=2, MD : -3.28, 95% CI: -3.71 to -2.85, I²=96%), and Incidence of Adverse Reactions(N=5, RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.61, I²=0%) in the experimental group were lower than that of the control group. Conclusion : Treatment with Banhahubak-tang was found to be effective on GERD. However the results might be biased because of the poor quality and small sample size of the included RCTs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1615-1621
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• 2013

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is related to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the role of MMP-9 expression in breast cancer survival remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to accomplish a more accurate estimation of the association between MMP-9 expression and survival results in breast cancer patients through meta-analysis. Methods: A meta-analysis of published studies investigating the effects of positive MMP-9 expression on both relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was performed. Relevant literature was confirmed by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) before November 1, 2012. Individual hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled HRs with 95% CIs were used to evaluate the strength of the association between positive MMP-9 expression and survival results of breast cancer patients. Funnel plot and Egger's regression tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis was also conducted. All the work was completed using STATA. Results: A total of 2,344 patients from 15 evaluative studies were finally included. Pooled HRs and 95% CIs suggested that MMP-9 overexpression had an unfavorable impact on both OS (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.41-2.04) and RFS (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.17-2.01) in breast cancer patients. There was no significant heterogeneity observed in the studies reported for OS (P=0.360, $I^2$=8.8%), but not RFS (P=0.002, $I^2$=67%). Publication bias was absent among the studies both in OS and RFS cases (t=-0.54, P=0.605 and t=1.71, P=0.131, respectively). Omission of any single study had little effect on the combined risk estimates on sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that positive MMP-9 expression confers a higher risk of relapse and a worse survival in patients with breast cancer. Larger prospective studies are now needed to evaluate the clinical utility of MMP-9 expression.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2001

The effect of phenol on the change of bacterial community in the effluent water from a wastewater treatment plant was analyzed by PCR and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The fragments of 16S rDNA were amplified by PCR with bacterial primers, where one of the primers was biotinylated at the 5'-end. After digestion with restriction enzymes, HaeIII and AluI, the biotinylated terminal restriction tragments (T-RFs) of the digested products were selectively isolated by using streptavidin paramagnetic particles. The single-stranded DNA of T-RFs was separated by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel and detected by silver staining technique. When 10 standard strains were analyzed by our method, each strain had a unique T-RF which corresponded to the calculated size from the known sequences of RDP database. The T-RFLP fingerprint generated from the effluent water was very complex, and the predominant T-RFs corresponded to members of the genus Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. In addition, the perturbation of bacterial community was observed when phenol was added to the sample at the final concentration of 250 $l^{-1}$. The number of T-RFs increased and the major bacterial population could be assigned to the genus Acinetobacter, Comamonas, Cytophaga and Pseudomonas. A intense band assigned to the putative genera of Acinetobacter and Cytophaga was eluted, amplified, and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of the T-RF showed close relationship with the sequence of Acinetobacter junii.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2014

The government is planning to expand the bio-gas supply as a method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions to deal with climate change. By means of a policy instrument, the government is considering an introduction of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whose targets include bio-gas. This paper attempts to look into the economic effects of expanding the bio-gas supply by applying an input-output (I-O) analysis using a 2011 I-O table. The bio-gas supply sector consists of liquefied petroleum gas supply sector and city gas supply sector, based on the tenets of introducing the RFS. The production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, and employment-inducing effect of the bio-gas sector are analyzed. The supply shortage effect and the price pervasive effect are also investigated. The results show that the production or investment of 1.0 won in the bio-gas supply sector induces the production of 1.0539 won and the value-added of 0.1998 won in the national economy. Moreover, the production or investment of 1.0 billion won, supply shortage of 1.0 won, and a price increase of 10.0% in the bio-gas supply sector touch off the employment of 0.5279 person, 1.6229 won, and an increase in overall price level by 0.0183%, respectively.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.515-551
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• 2014

Recently, there has been a debate as to whether bioethanol should replace some portion of gasoline for fuels in South Korea, as energy security as well as climate change issues are rising as a significant national agenda. However, a considerable amount of subsidy will be required to compensate for the higher price of bioethanol-blended gasoline. In this context, government subsidy will obtain justification only when the positive social gains from consuming bioethanol for fuels can exceed the negative social costs. Through a nation-wide choice experimental survey, we examine if South Koreans have a positive value as well as non-linear preferences on substituting bioethanol for gasoline. The results reveal that the willingness to pay for purely domestic bioethanol-blended gasoline within 10% is about 52 KRW; Koreans have concave preferences on the blending ratio of bioethanol to gasoline. The turning point of the blending ratio of bioethanol was 6.5%. Also, we found inverse U-shaped curve between income and bioethanol choice probability and the turning point of the income was calculated as 250~299million KRW. Politically conservative propensity advocates uses of bioethanol blended gasoline, but awareness on bioethanol or more weights on environmental conservation have significantly negative effects on the choice of bioethanol. However, the design of the survey questionnaire is incompatible with the RFS of Korea and assumes orthogonality among the following four interrelated attributes: (i) domestic or offshore procurement of feedstocks in the case of domestic production, (ii) domestic production or import of bioethanol, (iii) the blending ratios, and (iv) the retail price increases. In addition, the results of model estimation and of model selection test are not definite. Hence, the results in this study should not be directly applied to the design of the specifics of the Korean RFS. Hence, the results in this study require cautions in applying to the design of the Korean RFS policy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 1998

The present study was primarily carried out to characterize the properties of the spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons that project from the upper cervical spinal segments to the midbrain. It was also investigated whether these neurons received convergent afferent inputs from other sources in addition to cervical inputs. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from neurons antidromically activated by stimulation of midbrain. Recording sites were located in lamina $I{\sim}VIII\;of\;C1{\sim}C3$ segments of spinal cord. Receptive field (RF) and response properties to mechanical stimulation were studied in 71 SMT neurons. Response profiles were classified into six groups: complex (Comp, n=9), wide dynamic range (WDR, n=16), low threshold (LT, n=5), high threshold (HT, n=6), deep/tap (Deep, n=10), and non- responsive (NR, n=25). Distributions of stimulation and recording sites were not significantly different between SMT groups classified upon their locations and/or response profiles. Mean conduction velocity of SMT neurons was $16.7{\pm}1.28\;m/sec$. Conduction velocities of SMTs recorded in superficial dorsal horn (SDH, n=15) were significantly slower than those of SMTs recorded in deep dorsal horn (DDH, n=18), lateral reticulated area (LRA, n=21), and intermediate zone and ventral horn (IZ/VH, n=15). Somatic RFs for SMTs in LRA and IZ/VH were significantly larger than those in SDH and DDH. Five SMT units (4 Comps and 1 HT) had inhibitory somatic RFs. About half (25/46) of SMT units have their RFs over trigeminal dermatome. Excitabilities of 5/12 cells and 9/13 cells were modulated by stimulation of ipsilateral phrenic nerve and vagus nerve, respectively. These results suggest that upper cervical SMT neurons are heterogenous in their function by showing a wide range of variety in location within the spinal gray matter, in response profile, and in convergent afferent input.