• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1529-1537
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• 2009

To elucidate further the antitumor effects of a natural L-arginine analogue, L-canavanine, the mechanism underlying apoptogenic activity of L-canavanine and its modulation by protein tyrosine kinase $p56^{lck}$ was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. When the cells were treated with 1.25 to 2.5 mM L-canavanine for 36 h, several apoptotic events including mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta\Psi}m$) loss, activation of caspase-9, -3, -8, and -7, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation, and DNA fragmentation were induced without alteration in the levels of Fas or FasL. These apoptotic changes were more significant in $p56^{lck}$-deficient Jurkat clone JCaM1.6 than in $p56^{lck}$-positive Jurkat clone E6.1. The L-canavanine-induced apoptosis observed in $p56^{lck}$-deficient JCaM1.6 cells was significantly reduced by introducing $p56^{lck}$ gene into JCaM1.6 cells by stable transfection. Treatment of JCaM1.6/lck cells with L-canavanine caused a transient 1.6-fold increase in the kinase activity of $p56^{lck}$. Both FADD-positive wild-type Jurkat T cell clone A3 and FADD-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I2.1 exhibited a similar susceptibility to the cytotoxicity of L-canavanine, excluding involvement of Fas/FasL system in triggering L-canavanine-induced apoptosis. The L-canavanine-induced apoptotic sub-$G_1$ peak and activation of caspase-3, -8, and -7 were abrogated by pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), whereas L-canavanine-induced activation of caspase-9 was not affected. These results demonstrated that L-canavanine caused apoptosis of Jurkat T cells via the loss of ${\Delta\Psi}m$, and the activation of caspase-9, -3, -8, and -7, leading to PARP degradation, and that the $p56^{lck}$ kinase attenuated the ${\Delta\Psi}m$ loss and activation of caspases, and thus contributed as a negative regulator to L-canavanine-induced apoptosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1990

Intestinal histopathological changes due to infection with Echinostcma hortense (Trematoda) were studied in rats after experimental infection with the metacercariae. The metacercariae were obtained from the tadpoles of Rana nigrcmaculata, a second intermediate host infected in the laboratory. Total 18 albino rats(Sprague-Dawley) were given 200 matacercariae each and sacrificed on the day 1, 3, 7, 11, 22 or 44 post-infection(PI) Segments of- the small intestine at 1, 3, 5, 8 and 30 cm posterior to the pylorus(PTP) were rejected and studied histopathologically. 1. The flukes were seen to have intruded into the intervillous space in the upper small intestine at early stages(1∼3 days PI), however, they were located mainly in the intestinal lumen at later stages(7∼44 days PI) . The flukes were sucking and destroying the epithelial layers of villi with their oral and ventral suckers. 2. Histopathological changes of the intestine were recognizable in as early as 1∼3 days after infection, and the changes became severer as the infection progressed. 3. The intestinal mucosa was histopathologically characterized by villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia throughout the infection period. Major villous changes were blunting, fusion, severe destruction and loss of epithelial layers of villi. Villous/crypt(V/C) height ratio was remarkably reduced from 3 : 1 in controls to 1 : 1 in severely infected animals. In the stroma of villi, inaamma- tory cell infiltrations, vascular congestion, edema, and/or fibrosis were recognized. The goblet cells were increased in number after 11 days PI. It was revealed in the present study that the pathological changes in the intestine of rats infected with E. hortense were chieay confined to the mucosal layer of the upper small intestine, however, the changes were very severe accompanying remarkable destruction of villi and loss of mucosal integrity, and persistent until 44 days PI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Purpose : Short stature is an important complication that impairs the quality of life in survivors of childhood brain tumors. We studied their final adult height (FAH) to evaluate risk factors for short stature. Methods : We reviewed the medical data of 95 survivors of childhood brain tumors (64 males and 31 females) who had been followed up from 1982 to 2006, reached FAH, and had a more than five year-disease-free survival. Results : Final adult height standard deviation score (FAHTSDS: $mean{\pm}SD$) of the patients was lower than those of general population ($-1.15{\pm}1.72$), HTSDS at diagnosis ($-0.13{\pm}1.57$), and target HTSDS ($-0.49{\pm}0.69$). FAHTSDS of craniopharyngioma patients did not decrease ($0.57{\pm}1.17$), but those of germ cell tumor and medulloblastoma patients were significantly reduced ($-1.20{\pm}1.45$, $-2.70{\pm}1.46$; P<0.05). The patients treated with craniospinal radiation or chemotherapy had lower FAHTSDS ($-1.93{\pm}1.58$, $-2.27{\pm}1.44$; P<0.01). In the spinal irradiation group, the younger the age at diagnosis was, the more the loss of FAH (r=0.442, P<0.01). Growth hormone replacement (GHR) didn't improve FAHTSDS, but starting GHR under 12 years was an independent factor for improving FAH once treatment methods were taken into account (P=0.01). Conclusion : The younger age at diagnosis, spinal radiation and chemotherapy were all important risk factors of height loss, and height gain was expected in patients who received GHR under the age of 12 years. Therefore, regular check-ups of growth and early intervention with growth hormones are needed for high risk groups to improve FAH.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

Background : Hepatocellular carcinomoma is the 3rd most common malignancy and the 2nd most common cause of death in Korea. The prediction of life-expectancy in terminal cancer patients is a major problem for patients, families, and physicians. We would like to investigate the prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma, and therefore contribute to the prediction of the survival time of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods : A total of 91 patients(male 73, female 18) with hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to the hospital between January and lune 1995 were entered into the study, and data were collected prospectively on 28 clinical parameters through medical obligation record. We surveyed an obligation and local district office records, and confirmed the surivival of patients till July, 1996. Using Cox-proportional hazard model, give the significant variables related to survival. These determined prognostic factors. Life regressional analysis was used, there were calculated predicted survival day based on combinations of the significant prognostic factors. Results : 1) Out of 91 patients, 73 were male, and 18 were female. The mean age was $56.7{\pm}10.6$ ears. During the study, except for 16 patients who could not follow up, out of 75 patients, the number of deaths was 57(76%) and the number of survivals was 18(24%). 2) Out of the 28 clinical parameters, the prognostic factors related to reduced survival rate were prothrombin time<40%(relative risk:10.8), weight loss(RR:4.4), past history of hypertension (RR:3.2), ascites(RR:2.8), hypocalcemia(RR:2.5)(P<0.001). 3) Out of five factors, the survival day is 1.7 in all of five, $4.2{\sim}10.0$ in four, $10.4{\sim}41.9$ in three, $29.5{\sim}118.1$ in two, $124.0{\sim}296.6$ in one, 724.0 in none. Conclusion : In hepatocellular carcinoma we found that the prognostic factors related to reduce survival rate were prolonged prothrombin time(<40%), weight loss, past history of hypertension, ascites, and hypocalcemia(<8.7mg/dl). The five prognostic factors enabled the prediction of life-expectancy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and may assist in managing patients with hepatocellular carcinomal.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.99-108
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• 2012

These days, spontaneous ignition phenomena by oxidizing heat frequently occur in the circumstances of processing and storing waste tires. Therefore, to examine the phenomena, in this work, this researcher conducted the tests of fires of fragmented waste tires (shredded tire), closely investigated components of the fire residual materials collected in the processing and storing place, and analyzed the temperature of the starting of the ignition, weight loss, and heat of reaction. For the study, this researcher conducted fire tests with fragmented waste tires in the range of 2.5 mm to 15 mm, whose heat could be easily accumulated, and performed heat analysis through DSC and TGA, DTA, DTG, and GC/MS to give scientific probability to the possibility of spontaneous ignition. According to the tests, at the 48-hour storage, rapid increase in temperature ($178^{\circ}C$), Graphite phenomenon, smoking were observed. And the result from the DTA and DTG analysis showed that at $166.15^{\circ}C$, the minimum weight loss occurred. And, the result from the test on the waste tire analysis material 1 (Unburnt) through DSC and TGA analysis revealed that at $180^{\circ}C$ or so, thermal decomposition started. As a result, the starting temperature of ignition was considered to be $160^{\circ}C$ to $180^{\circ}C$. And, at $305^{\circ}C$, 10 % of the initial weight of the material reduced, and at $416.12^{\circ}C$, 50 % of the intial weight of the material decreased. The result from the test on oxidation and self-reaction through GC/MS and DSC analysis presented that oxidized components like 1,3 cyclopentnadiene were detected a lot. But according to the result from the heat analysis test on standard materials and fragmented waste tires, their heat value was lower than the basis value so that self-reaction was not found. Therefore, to prevent spontaneous ignition by oxidizing heat of waste tires, it is necessary to convert the conventional process into Cryogenic Process that has no or few heat accumulation at the time of fragmentation. And the current storing method in which broken and fragmented materials are stored into large burlap bags (500 kg) should be changed to the method in which they are stored into small burlap bags in order to prevent heat accumulation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2011

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of MA packaging materials on quality and storability of tomato in long distance export condition. We found that the fresh weight loss in perforated film was higher than other breathable films. The fresh weight of tomato (cv 'Madison') packaged with breathable films, such as 5,000 cc, 10,000 cc, $20,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ oxygen permeable films, reduced less than 0.6%, but perforated film that already being used for packaging horticultural crops showed 1.4% fresh weight loss during $5^{\circ}C$ storage for 20 days and then $20^{\circ}C$ storage for last 5 days with 85% relative humidity. The carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration in tomato packages showed proper level for MA storage in $20,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ $O_2$ breathable film treatment at $5^{\circ}C$ storage. Although at $20^{\circ}C$ storage, the carbon dioxide concentration increased sharply, the oxygen concentration decreased remarkably, the change of these gases concentration was the lowest in 20,000 cc film treatment. The ethylene concentration was sharply increased at $20^{\circ}C$ from $21^{st}$ day to $25^{th}$ day after $5^{\circ}C$ storage for 20 day, and the concentration was lower in 20,000 cc film treatment among the breathable film treatments. Until 20 days, at $5^{\circ}C$ storage all treatments did not exceed the marketability. However, the last 5 days during at $20^{\circ}C$, the fruit appeared fungal rots and the quality rapidly decreased. The $20,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ $O_2$ permeability treated tomato performed higher firmness (9.56 N), vitamin C (16.31 mg/100 gFW), and soluble solids ($7^{\circ}Brix$) than other breathable films at final storage day. The results suggest that the $20,000cc/m^2{\cdot}day{\cdot}atm$ $O_2$ permeable film treatment of tomato (cv 'Madison') performed the highest quality and storability of tomato for long distance exporting.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 1999

Nutrient balance during rice cultivation in the paddy of a local area under the environmental protection for drinking water supply was investigated. To compare nutrient balance in the paddy soil applied with different types of fertilization, 7 treatments were selected as followings : Recommended level of chemical fertilizers(R), Conventional fertilization(CF), Fresh cow manure(FCM), Cow manure compost(CMC), Straw compost+reduced chemical fertilizer(SCF), Fresh straw+recommended level of fertilizers(FSC), and no fertilization as control(C). Here, FCM, CMC and SCF were applied at the same level of total nitrogen as recommended in R. Rice yield was the highest in the recommendation(R) and fresh cow manure (FCM) treatments with $6,730kg\;ha^{-1}$(index 100), and followed by SCF (index 98), FSC (index 98), CMC(index 94), and CF(index 94). But statistically significant difference was not recognized among treatments except the control. Nitrogen infiltration loss was high in the simple chemical fertilizer treatments with $63kg\;ha^{-1}$ in CF and $58kg\;ha^{-1}$ in R during rice cultivation, respectively. Nitrogen infiltration loss was decreased below half level of chemical fertilizer treatments with cow manure treatments ($23kg\;ha^{-1}$ in FCM and $27kg\;ha^{-1}$ in CMC) and with reducing chemical fertilizer treatment by adding straw compost ($25kg\;ha^{-1}$). Phosphate was not leached during rice cultivation in paddy soil of a fluvial deposit type, in which oxidation horizon was developed broadly under around 15 cm depth of surface soil. Phosphate balance (A-B) was closed to 0 in all treatments except cow manure treatment (CMC), in which it was $+30kg\;ha^{-1}$ and show the possibility of over accumulation of phosphate by continuously replicated application of cow manure compost. Potassium balance was negative value in all but straw recycling treatment (FSC). It means that potassium was continuously supplied from soil minerals, uptaken by plants or eluted out of soil. In conclusion, by substituting inorganic fertilizer for organic fertilizer or reducing application rate of chemical fertilizer through mixing organic fertilizer, it would be possible to achieve the same rice yield as in the recommendation treatment and to decrease nutrient leaching below half level in rice paddy soil.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.333-340
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• 1998

The research was investigated to determine the effect of irradiation or blanching either alone or in combination on the shelf-life of juices of Spuriopinella bracycarpar during storages. The juices was made from fresh or blanced Spuriopinella bracycarpar and gamma irradiated at the doses (0.5 kGy to 5 kGy). Microbial growth, color change, vitamin C, and sensory evaluation were evaluated during storage at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$. Blanched juices had little effect on the inhibition of microbial growth compared to that of fresh juices. However, significant reduction of microbial counts was observed in the 0.5 kGy irradiation of both juices and inhibition efficiency was greatly increased when irradiated juices was stored at $4^{\circ}C$ rather than at room temperature. Fresh juices without irradiation were little different from the irradiated fresh juices until 20d storage on color change because the juices was rapidly browned immediately after getting the juices from extractor, but blanched juices showed more bright and clear color than that of fresh juices. However, irradiated blanched juices showed greatly reduced the L, a, and b value compared to the non-irradiated blanched juices during storage. The loss of vitamin C from non-irradiated fresh juices was increased during storage and the irradiated fresh juices had little effect on the vitamin C change compared to the non-irradiated fresh juices. However, blanched juices showed less reduction of vitamin C than fresh juices and the irradiated blanched juices had little difference on the vitamin C change compared to the non-irradiated blanched juices, and both treatment showed less vitamin C loss at $4^{\circ}C$ storage. Fresh juces showed more strong grass flavor and biterness than blanched juices and irradiated fresh juices showed little difference on brightness, grass flavor, bitterness, freshness and acceptability, but irradiated blanched juices had better sensory evaluation on grass flavor, bitterness, freshness, and acceptability than non-irradiated branched juices.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.146-165
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• 1973

Crop damages caused by sulfur dioxide poisoning were studied with respect to physiology of lesion, yield loss and prevention measures. The results are summarized as follows; 1. On the physiology of injury: The sulfur dioxide gas did no: affect the pH and $E_h$ values of the tested leaf juice of plants. Peroxidase activity was inhibited just after sulfur dioxide treatment but gradually recovered to normal after 10 hours. Methanolic chlorophyll solution was instantaneously and irreversibly bleached by the addition of sulfur dioxide gas with no evidence of pheophytin formation. It seems that chlorophyll forms colourless addition product or is reduced to colourless form with either sulfur dioxide gas or sulfurous acid. Chlorophyll in the chloroplast was also bleached by the sulfur dioxide treatment, as in the case of methanolic solution of chlorophyll, except that the rate of bleaching was rather slow, requiring 1-2 hours. It appears that the most inflicting cause of sulfur dioxide gas to plants may be the destruction of chlorophyll by the poisoning gas. 2. On the effects to crop yield: The crop yield losses were proportional to the concentration of inflicting sulfur dioxide gas. The order of tolerence of the crops to the sulfur dioxide gas was as follows - chinese cabbage being the most susceptible; wheat, paddy rice, barley, soybean, welsh onion, radish and chinese cabbage. The crucifer crops were generally found more susceptible than other crops studied. With respect to the growing stages of crops exposed to sulfur dioxide gas, it was found that the flowering stage was the most susceptible fellowed by panicle forming, milky and tillering in the decreasing order of susceptibility. 3. On the preventive measures of yield losses: Soil applications of potassium, wollastonite, lime or spray of lime water were effective to prevent yield losses from sulfur dioxide fumigation of paddy rice, barley, and soybeans. The most responsive treatment was lime water spray for all crops tested. In case of sulfur dioxide fumigated paddy rice, the lime water spray also increased carbon assimilation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.261-268
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• 2004

Osteoporosis is a clinical condition in which the amount of bone tissue is reduced and the likelihood of fracture is increased. It is known that the electrical property of the bone is related to its density, and, in particular, the electrical resistance of the bone decreases as the bone loss increases. This implies that the electrical property of bone may be an useful parameter to diagnose osteoporosis, provided that it can be readily measured. The study attempted to evaluate the electrical conductivity of bone using a technique of electrical impedance tomography (EIT). It nay not be easy in general to get an EIT for the bone due to the big difference (an order of 2) of electrical properties between the bone and the surrounding soft tissue. In the present study, we took an adaptive mesh regeneration technique originally developed for the detection of two phase boundaries and modified it to be able to reconstruct the electrical conductivity inside the boundary provided that the geometry of the boundary was given. Numerical simulation was carried out for a tibia phantom, circular cylindrical phantom (radius of 40 mm) inside of which there is an ellipsoidal homeogenous tibia bone (short and long radius are 17 mm and 15 mm, respectively) surrounded by the soft tissue. The bone was located in the 15 mm above from the center of the circular cross section of the phantom. The electrical conductivity of the soft tissue was set to be 4 mS/cm and varies from 0.01 to 1 ms/cm for the bone. The simulation considered measurement errors in order to look into its effects. The simulated results showed that, if the measurement error was maintained less than 5 %, the reconstructed electrical conductivity of the bone was within 10 % errors. The accuracy increased with the electrical conductivity of the bone, as expected. This indicates that the present technique provides more accurate information for osteoporotic bones. It should be noted that tile simulation is based on a simple two phase image for the bone and the surrounding soft tissue when its anatomical information is provided. Nevertheless, the study indicates the possibility that the EIT technique may be used as a new means to detect the bone loss leading to osteoporotic fractures.