• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.267-273
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• 2016

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder with several clinical presentations. This study was undertaken in the Azeri Turkish population in Iran, to investigate gender differences in the age at onset and diagnosis, age of death, and duration of illness of CF. Methods: The data of 331 CF patients from 2001 to 2015 was surveyed. Parameters including age, sex, ${\Delta}F508$ mutation, age at onset, age at diagnosis, age of death and clinical presentations were evaluated for both sexes, using descriptive analysis. The association of gender with these variables was studied using logistic regression, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS version 18. Odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95% and $p{\leq}0.05$ was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 191 males (57.7%) and 140 females (42.3%), all showing statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Age duration differed between genders. Male and female patients were further under 9 and 4 years, respectively. The occurrence of ${\Delta}F508$ mutation was 0.51 times more in females than in males. Age, diagnosis and sex were closely associated: males were diagnosed at a significantly later age than females (p=0.05). While this compression performed based on clinical presentations, males with respiratory disease had a later median age at diagnosis than females at lifespan (p=0.001). The risk of infertility in males was approximately two times greater than in females (p=0.02). Conclusion: These findings indicate gender differences in CF patients. Future studies are needed to establish other differences and evaluate the causes for the gender variations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.250-258
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• 2014

Due to recent industrial growth and development, there has been a high demand for light and highly durable materials. Therefore, a variety of new materials has been developed. These new materials include carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP or CRP), which is a wear-, fatigue-, heat-, and corrosion-resistant material. Because of its advantageous properties, CFRP is widely used in diverse fields including sporting goods, electronic parts, and medical supplies, as well as aerospace, automobile, and ship materials. However, this new material has several problems, such as delamination around the inlet and outlet holes at drilling, fiber separation, and tearing on the drilled surface. Moreover, drill chips having a fine particulate shape are harmful to the work environment and engineers' health. In fact, they deeply penetrate into machine tools, causing the reduction of lifespan and performance degradation. In this study, CFRP woven and unidirectional prepregs were formed at $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, respectively, in terms of orientation angle. Using a high-speed steel drill and a TiAIN-coated drill, the two materials were tested in three categories: cutting force with respect to RPM and feed speed; shape changes around the input and outlet holes; and the shape of drill chips.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2010

The present study was designed to explore an immunostimulating activity of crude extracts of Macrolepiota procera, and a combination therapy of cisplatin and Macrolepiota procera extracts which can potentiate the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin. For these, water extraction of Macrolepiota procera were performed at $4^{\circ}C$(MPE-4) and $100^{\circ}C$(MPE-100). In experimental metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells, prophylactic intravenous administration of MPE ($80-2,000{\mu}g$/mouse) inhibited tumor metastasis compared with tumor control. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with MPE produced IL-12 as well as induced tumoricidal activity. In an analysis of NK-cell activity, i.v. administration of MPE ($200{\mu}g$/mouse) significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity to YAC-1 tumor cells. The combination treatments of cisplatin ($20{\mu}g$) and MPE ($100{\mu}g$) exhibited prolongation of lifespan in colon26-M3.1 tumor bearing mouse. These results suggested that MPE stimulate immune system non-specifically and application as adjuvant in cancer treatment.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.239-252
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to explore the current status as well as personal views, attitudes, and beliefs regarding daily meal consumption (DM) and food supplement use (FS) in conjunction with the improvement of health condition of the women. Eight focus group interviews were performed and the interview material was condensed systematically with the aim to extract core meanings related to DM, FS, and menopause-associated health. Participants were 40 in number and showed ages ranging from 45 and 60 years with various menopausal status. Current status and beliefs about DM, resources of purchase motivation of FS, types of FS that are currently used, and perceived effects and personal beliefs about FS are discussed. Theme content analysis revealed 3 themes for beliefs about DM, 5 themes for beliefs pertaining FS, and 4 themes for the association between DM and FS. Non-dietary factors such as positive mental attitude and exercise appeared to be also important to maintain good health. The bottom line message from this study may be that proper nutrition through daily meals is essential for good health, while food supplement are used merely to supplement the diet. Findings from this study may deepen our understanding of how women who translate their lifespan through "menopause" perceive the roles and meaning of DM and FS, suggesting health professionals need to monitor and evaluate DM and implement strategies targeting the improvement of daily meal quality of middle and older aged women.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.277-282
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• 2009

Purpose: The vegetative state is a clinical condition with complete unawareness of self and environment, but with preservation of brain - stem functions. Vegetative patients may have nosocomial infections in their wounds, like pressure sores and infected craniums after cranioplasties. Usually flap surgery is necessary for those wounds, but decision of undergoing surgery is difficult because of various adverse conditions of vegetative patients. We share our experience of several successful flap surgeries in vegetative patients, and evaluate obstacles and requirements to get satisfactory results. Methods: From December 2005 to September 2008, a total of 4 vegetative patients underwent surgeries. In 2 patients with infected artificial craniums, scalp reconstructions with free flaps were performed. In other 2 patients with huge pressure sores with sepsis, island flap coverage of wounds was done. Retrospective study was done on hospital day, vegetative period, number of surgeries done, underlying diseases, causative bacteria, and contents of informed consent. Results: Mean hospital day was 14 months and mean vegetative period was 17.5 months. Patients underwent average of 4.5 surgeries under general anesthesia. There were several underlying diseases like hypertension, DM, CHF and chronic anemia. MRSA(Methicilin - resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) was cultured from every patient's wounds. Informed consent included a warning for high mortality and a need of attentive familial cooperation. Conclusion: There are three requirements for doing flap surgeries in vegetative patients. First, to prevent aggravation of brain damage and underlying diseases by general anesthesia, multidisciplinary team approach is needed. Second, operation should be beneficial for prolonging patient's lifespan. Third, because postoperative care is very difficult and long hospitalization is needed, detailed informed consent and highly cooperative attitude of family should be confirmed before operation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1455-1462
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• 2012

As the size of a wind turbine increases, the mechanical structure has to have an increasing mechanical stiffness that is sufficient to withstand mechanical fatigue loads over a lifespan of more than 20 years. However, this leads to a heavier mechanical design, which means a high material cost during wind turbine manufacturing. Therefore, lightweight design of a wind turbine is an important design constraint. Usually, a lightweight mechanical structure has low damping. Therefore, if it is subjected to a disturbance, it will oscillate continuously. This study deals with the active damping control of a wind turbine tower. An algorithm that mitigates the mechanical loads of a wind turbine tower is introduced. The effectiveness of this algorithm is verified through a numerical simulation using GH Bladed, which is a commercial aero-elastic code for wind turbines.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-162
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• 2012

The Chinese windmill butterfly, Atrophaneura alcinous, is an important butterfly for exhibition in butterfly garden. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of temperature on A. alcinous in the laboratory. Development of A. alcinous reared on leaves of Aristolochia contorta was investigated at five constant the laboratory condition (20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and $30^{\circ}C$) and at relative humidity of 60% with a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D). Temperatures have been suggested as an important determinant of developmental rate, lifespan and mortality in invertebrates. As the temperature increased, the length of the developmental period gradually decreased. The developmental time (pupation) from egg hatching to pupation was respectively 25.8, 23.6, 19.6, 15.5, and 12.9 days at the temperatures of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and $30^{\circ}C$. And pupation was respectively 40.0, 30.0, 63.4, 50.0, 23.3% at the temperatures of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and $30^{\circ}C$. The developmental threshold temperature estimated for egg-to-pupae was 10.8, with a thermal constant of 230.4 degree-days. Therefore, the optimal developmental temperature for A. alninous was determined to be $25^{\circ}C$. To compare the effects of the total duration of chilling on the termination of diapause, larvae were subjected to a temperature of $8^{\circ}C$ from 60 to 120 days. The rate of termination of diapause was significantly higher at 60 days compared to other incubation period.

• Archives of design research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2003

Out of the OECD countries, Korea is showing the fastest growth of elderly population. Taking into account the rate of increase of the elderly and average lifespan, we can deduct that the future society will be an elderly society . Therefore, the market in Korea targeted to this group will quickly increase into a large market. Leading nations already into the elderly society , have actively pursued studies into silver generation product design and compared to these countries, Korea is far behind them. There is an immediate need for a detailed overall study on the design of products used daily by the elderly, This study has based its focused on the elderly society and silver generation products and was accompanied by thorough interview research method through questionnaires. The result showed that the Korean elderly were very aware about silver generation industry. However, they Pointed out that there are many Problems regarding silver generation products. Therefore, a need for a new design reflecting more of the lifestyle of the elderly is required. Also, there is an immediate need for development of more comfortable products and a well-structured system that enables easy access to these products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1269-1279
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• 2014

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains are plant pathogenic bacteria that can cause serious blight of rice, and their virulence towards plant host is complex, making it difficult to be elucidated. Caenorhabditis elegans has been used as a powerful model organism to simplify the host and pathogen system. However, whether the C. elegans is feasible for studying plant pathogens such as Xoo has not been explored. In the present work, we report that Xoo strains PXO99 and JXOIII reduce the lifespan of worms not through acute toxicity, but in an infectious manner; pathogens proliferate and persist in the intestinal lumen to cause marked anterior intestine distension. In addition, Xoo triggers (i) the p38 MAPK signal pathway to upregulate its downstream C17H12.8 expression, and (ii) the DAF-2/DAF-16 pathway to upregulate its downstream gene expressions of mtl-1 and sod-3 under the condition of daf-2 mutation. Our findings suggest that C. elegans can be used as a model to evaluate the virulence of Xoo phytopathogens to host.