• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2023

Objective: Although intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a way to deal with in vitro fertilization failure, 3% of couples still experience repeated fertilization failure after attempted ICSI, despite having sperm within normal parameters. These patients are a challenging group whose sperm cannot fertilize the egg during ICSI. Unfortunately, no test can predict the risk of fertilization failure. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) and transition nuclear proteins (TNPs) are essential factors for chromatin packaging during sperm maturation. This study aimed to assess PLCζ1 and TNP1 expression in the sperm of patients with fertilization failure and the correlations among the DNA fragmentation index, PLCζ1 and TNP1 gene and protein expression, and the risk of fertilization failure. Methods: In this study, 12 infertile couples with low fertilization rates (<25%) and complete failure of fertilization in their prior ICSI cycles despite normal sperm parameters were chosen as the case group. Fifteen individuals who underwent ICSI for the first time served as the control group. After sperm analysis and DNA fragmentation assays, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed to compare the gene and protein expression of PLCζ and TNP1 in both groups. Results: DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in the fertilization failure group. The qRT-PCR and Western blot results demonstrated significantly lower PLCζ and TNP1 gene and protein expression in these patients than in controls. Conclusion: The present study showed that fertilization failure in normozoospermic men was probably due to deficient DNA packaging and expression of TNP1.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10217-10223
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• 2015

Hyperactivated ${\alpha}2$-6-sialylation on N-glycans due to overexpression of the Golgi enzyme ${\beta}$-galactoside: ${\alpha}2$-6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-I) often correlates with cancer progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study was aimed to determine the association between ST6Gal-I expression and the risk of recurrence and survival of patients with localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) following surgery. We retrospectively enrolled 391 patients (265 in training cohort and 126 in validation cohort) with localized ccRCC underwent nephrectomy at a single center. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunostaining of ST6Gal-I. Prognostic value and clinical outcomes were evaluated. High ST6Gal-I expression was associated with Fuhrman grade (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and the University of California Los-Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) score (p=0.004 and p=0.017, respectively) in both cohorts. Patients with high ST6Gal-I expression had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) than those with low expression in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis, ST6Gal-I expression remained associated with OS and RFS even after adjusting for the UISS score. Stratified analysis suggested that the association is more pronounced among patients with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score. High ST6Gal-I expression is a potential independent adverse predictor of survival and recurrence in ccRCC patients, and the prognostic value is most prominent in those with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5713-5718
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• 2013

Background: DNA methyltransferase-3a (DNMT3a) plays significant roles in embryogenesis and the generation of aberrant methylation in carcinogenesis. This study aimed to investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DNMT3a gene and risk of Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric atrophy and gastric cancer. Methods: The subjects comprised 447 patients with gastric cancer; 111 individuals with gastric atrophy and 961 healthy controls. Two SNPs (rs1550117 and rs13420827) of the DNMT3a gene were genotyped by Taqman assay. DNMT3a expression was analyzed in cancer tissues from 89 patients by tissue microarray technique. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among healthy controls, risk of H.pylori infection was significantly higher in subjects with the rs1550117 AA genotype, compared to those with GG/AG genotypes of DNMT3a [OR=2.08, (95%CI: 1.02-4.32)]. However, no significant correlation was found between the two SNPs and risk of developing gastric atrophy or gastric cancer. In addition, no increase in DNMT3a expression was observed in the gastric cancer with H.pylori infection. Conclusions: This study revealed that DNMT3a rs1550117 polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk of H. pylori infection, but did not support any evidence for contributions of DNMT3a rs1550117 and rs13420827 to either gastric atrophy or gastric cancer. The biological roles of DNMT3a polymorphisms require further investigation.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the maspin gene expression from osteosarcoma and to determine whether its expression correlates with clinical course of the cancer. Materials and Methods: Between 2001 and 2006, 39 patients who were diagnosed and treated surgically for osteosarcoma were included in the present study. We estimated the maspin gene expression from osteosarcoma tissue samples using RT-PCR. And we examined the correlations between the maspin expression and clinical data (post-chemotherapeutic response, local relapse or metastases). Results: Maspin was over expressed in 21 cases of 39 osteosarcoma tissues. There were significant correlations between maspin expression and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, distant metastases & metastasis-free survival. In multivariate analysis, maspin low-expression was significant risk factor for distant metastases. Also, there was significant difference in metastasis-free survivals between maspin hi- expression group ($69.0{\pm}10.5%$) and low-expression group ($25.4{\pm}13.0%$). Conclusion: The degree of maspin expression in osteosarcoma was significant risk factor for distant metastases and predictive factor for metastasis-free of overall survivals. Maspin may be a useful biologic marker in evaluating the prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma and could be used as a therapeutic target clinically.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2014

Cigarette smoke is considered a major risk factor for vascular diseases. There are many toxic compounds in cigarette smoke, including acrolein and other ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehydes, which are regarded as mediators of inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that acrolein, an ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehyde in cigarette smoke, induces inflammatory mediator expression, which is known to be related to vascular diseases. In this study, we investigated whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) water extract suppressed acrolein-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Acrolein-induced COX-2 expression was accompanied by increased levels of phosphorylated p38 in HUVECs and KRG inhibited COX-2 expression in HUVECs. These results suggest that KRG suppresses acrolein-induced COX-2 expression via inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. In addition, KRG exhibited an inhibitory effect on acrolein-induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by annexin Vepropidium iodide staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Consistent with these results, KRG may exert a vasculoprotective effect through inhibition of COX-2 expression in acrolein-stimulated human endothelial cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Environmental toxicants such as toxic metals can alter epigenetic regulatory features such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression. Heavy metals influence gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms and by directly binding to various metal response elements in the target gene promoters. Given the role of epigenetic alterations in regulating genes, there is potential for the integration of toxic metal-induced epigenetic alterations as informative factors in the risk assessment process. Here, we focus on recent advances in understanding epigenetic changes, gene expression, and biological effects induced by toxic metals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6019-6026
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and HBV-related diseases and whether these polymorphisms influence its expression in the Guangxi Zhuang population. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 129 chronic HBV infected (CHB) patients, 86 HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) patients and 160 healthy controls in our study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were used to detect IL-18 gene -607C/A, -137G/C polymorphisms, and an ELISA kit was employed to determine serum IL-18 levels. Results: No correlation was found between the -607C/A polymorphism and risk of HBV-related disease. For the -137G/C polymorphism, the GC genotype and C allele were associated with a significantly lower risk of CHB (95%CI: 0.32-0.95, p=0.034 and 95%CI: 0.35-0.91, p=0.018) and HBV-related LC (95%CI: 0.24-0.89, p=0.022 and 95%CI: 0.28-0.90, p=0.021). A similar decreased risk was also found with the A-607C-137 haplotype. With respect to IL-18 expression, it was significantly lower in both patient groups, but no association was noted between the two polymorphisms in the IL-18 gene and its expression. Conclusions: Our study indicated that the -137C allele in the IL-18 gene may be a protective factor for HBV-related disease, and serum IL-18 level may be inversely associated with CHB and HBV-related LC.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.391-404
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• 2024

The development of science and technology brings abundance and convenience to human life, but it also brings risks. The risks caused by science and technology are universal and far-reaching, affecting the lives of humans, and they are living in an uncertain VUCA era where humans cannot predict when and where they will encounter risks. In order to respond to these risks, it is necessary to increase the level of citizens' risk awareness through risk education. It is necessary to discuss the role of science education in helping citizens to judge and respond to risks scientifically and objectively. On the other hand, in the process of judging and assessing risks, citizens are affected by the frames and ways in which risk information is expressed, a phenomenon known as the "Framing Effect". In this study, we categorized the factors that cause the framing effect, and based on the categorization, we compared and analyzed the frames of risk expression presented in the 2015 revised curriculum science textbooks. For this purpose, we categorized the factors that cause the framing effect by looking at papers published in KCI and SSCI journals with keywords "Framing Effect", and extracted the risk expression texts in textbooks and analyzed them according to the categories. We were able to derive eight factors causing framing effect and categorize the relationship between the factors in a 5x5 matrix. The differences in the frequency of risk expressions by subject in the 2015 revised science curriculum were related to the nature of the subject and the achievement standards, and the differences in the frequency of risk expressions could be identified by the categories of framing and presentation methods. This study is significant in that it examines the way risk is expressed by science subjects based on the factors that cause the framing effect and suggests the importance of the framing effect in risk education.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.33-39
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• 2019

in 2010s, many factories are operating without any safety guarantees due to the aging process. Although it is difficult to fundamentally solve the problem of aging process and equipment, Prevent risk by risk assessment in advance. This study targets the corrosion caused by sulfur in the piping in the CDU(Crude Distillation Unit) process desulfurization equipment and conducts the risk assessment by RBI(Risk Based Inspection) referring to API RP 581. RBI expresses the risk by combining frequency and consequence, and creates a risk matrix based on these expression. In this study, the hole size of the pipe was selected as Small and Medium, and the sensitivity of the frequency was selected as 'Low'. You can refer to the Risk Matrix created from the standard to evaluate the risk of corrosion of sulfur from pipes in the piping and to plan future accident prevention. Similarly, prevention of aging in a similar way can prevent large and small incidents that are not visible.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1234-1242
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• 2004

Purpose: This cross-sectional study was designed to identify anger-expression types of adolescent women and investigate the relation between the identified anger-expression types and their problem behaviors and health status. Method: One hundred ninety nine high school freshmen were recruited from September to November, 2003. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, 2-test, ANOVA, and Duncan's multiple comparison test. Result: Three anger-expression types in adolescent women were found; Anger-out/in, Anger-control/in, and Anger-control type. Adolescent women with frequently using the anger-out/in type and with higher state anger reported more delinquent behaviors, more health risk behaviors, and higher psychosomatic symptoms. However, adolescent women with lower state anger and frequently using the anger-control type reported more depression scores. Conclusion: There is a need to further clarify the relationship between anger-expression type sand depression in adolescent women. The findings suggest the necessity of a development of the program for lowering the anger level and controlling the unfavorable anger expression types such as the anger-out in.