• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2006

Gap junction is an ion channel forming between adjacent cells. It also acts as a membrane channel like sodium or potassium channels in a single cell. The amino acid residues up to the $10^{th}$ position in the amino (N)-terminus of gap junction hemichannel affect gating polarity as well as current-voltage (I-V) relation. While wild-type Cx32 channel shows negative gating polarity and inwardly rectifying I-V relation, T8D channel in which threonine residue at $8^{th}$ position is replaced with negatively charged aspartate residue shows reverse gating polarity and linear I-V relation. It is still unclear whether these changes are resulted from the charge effect or the conformational change of the N-terminus. To clarify this issue, we made a mutant channel harboring cysteine residue at the $8^{th}$ position (T8C) and characterized its biophysical properties using substituted-cysteine accessibility method (SCAM). T8C channel shows negative gating polarity and inwardly rectifying I-V relation as wild-type channel does. This result indicates that the substitution of cysteine residue dose not perturb the original conformation of wild-type channel. To elucidate the charge effect two types of methaenthiosulfonate (MTS) reagents (negatively charged $MTSES^-$ and positively charged $MTSET^+$) were used. When $MTSES^-$ was applied, T8C channel behaved as T8D channel, showing positive gating polarity and linear I-V relation. This result indicates that the addition of a negative charge changes the biophysical properties of T8C channel. However, positively charged $MTSET^+$ maintained the main features of T8C channel as expected. It is likely that the addition of a charge by small MTS reagents does not distort the conformation of the N-terminus. Therefore, the opposite effects of $MTSES^-$ and $MTSETT^+$ on T8C channel suggest that the addition of a charge itself rather than the conformational change of the N-terminus changes gating polarity and I-V relation. Furthermore, the accessibility of MTS reagents to amino acid residues at the $8^{th}$ position supports the idea that the N-terminus of gap junction channel forms or lies in the aqueous pore.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2002

Purpose : In order to understand in vivo radiation damage modifying of bFGF on jejunal mucosa, bone marrow and the effect of bFGF on the growth of transplanted mouse sarcoma 180 tumor in mice. Materials and Methods : Mice were treated with $6\;{\mu}g$ of bFGF at 24 hours and 4 hours before exposing to 600 cGy, 800 cGy and 1,000 cGy total body irradiation (TBI), and then exposed to 3,000 cGy local radiation therapy on the tumor bearing thigh. Survival and tumor growth curve were plotted in radiation alone group and combined group of bFGF and irradiation (RT). Histologic examination was performed in another experimental group. Experimental groups consisted of normal control, tumor control, RT (radiation therapy) alone, $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF alone, combined group of $3\;{\mu}g$ bFGF and irradiation (RT), combined group of $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF and irradiation (RT). Histologic examination was peformed with H-E staining in marrow, jejunal mucosa, lung and sarcoma 180 bearing tumor. Radiation induced apoptosis was determined in each group with the DNA terminal transferase nick-end labeling method ($ApopTag^{\circledR}$ S7100-kit, Intergen Co.) Results : The results were as follows 1) $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF given before TBI significantly improved the survival of lethally irradiated mice. bFGF would protect against lethal bone marrow syndrome. 2) $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group showed a significant higher crypt depth and microvilli length than RT alone group (p<0.05). 3) The bone marrow of bFGF treated group showed less hypocellularity than radiation alone group on day 7 and 14 after TBI (p<0.05), and this protective effect was more evident in $6\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group than that of $3\;{\mu}g$ bFGF treated group. 4) bFGF protected against early radiation induced apoptosis in intestinal crypt cell but might have had no antiapoptotic effect in bone marrow stem cell and pulmonary endothelial cells. 5) There was no significant differences in tumor growth rate between tumor control and bFGF alone groups (p>0.05). 6) There were no significant differences in histopathologic findings of lung and mouse sarcoma 180 tumor between radiation alone group and bFGF treated group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that bFGF protects small bowel and bone marrow from acute radiation damage without promoting the inoculated tumor growth in C3H mice. Improved recovery of early responding normal tissue and reduced number of radiation induced apoptosis may be possible mechanism of radioprotective effect of bFGF.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of light intensity (100, 200, 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, and natural light) on the growth and the fruit quality of cucumber(Cucumis sativus cv. Hyakunari-3). The results of this experiment indicated that plant height and length of lateral shoots were decreased under low light condition, but it was not significantly different among treatments. Leaf area and root weight were lowest under low light intensity(100 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$), but no significant differences were noted between 200 and 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$. Photosynthesis rate was decreased with reduced light intensity and total chlorophyll contents, root activity and xylem sap were also decreased under low light intensity, but there was no significant difference between 200 and 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$. From the SEM observation the erosion of the guard cells and closed stomata in low light treatment were shown and the size of stoma were small also the stomatal aperture were decreased with reducing the light intensity. Chlorosis in leaves and aborted-liked fruits were appeared under low light condition and Ca and Mg uptake in leaves were decreased by shading in proportion to the decrease of light intensity. Fruit yields were decreased by 65% under 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, and by 80${\sim}$90% under 200 and 100 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, compared to those under the natural light. This low intensity of light caused the sharp decrease in the early harvested yields within two weeks and the fruit yields of lateral shoots were greatly decreased.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-254
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• 2019

With the recent accelerated policy-making and interests in new renewable energy, plans to develop and supply the new renewable energy have been devised across multiple regions in Korea. Solar energy, in particular, is being applied to small-scale power supply in provincial areas, as solar cells are used to convert solar energy into electric energy to produce electric power. Nonetheless, in the case of solar power plants, the need for a large stretch of land and considerable sum of financial support implies that the planning step should take into consideration the most suitable meteorological and geographical factors. In this study, the proxy variables of meteorological and geographical factors associated with solar energy were considered in analyzing the vulnerable areas regarding the photovoltaic power generation facility across the nation. GIS was used in the spatial analysis to develop a map for assessing the optimal location for photovoltaic power generation facility. The final vulnerability map developed in this study did not reveal any areas that exhibit vulnerability level 5 (very high) or 1 (very low). Jeollanam-do showed the largest value of vulnerability level 4 (high), while a large value of vulnerability level 3 (moderate) was shown by several administrative districts including Gwangju metropolitan city, Jeollabuk-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gangwon-do. A value of vulnerability level 2 (low) was shown by the metropolitan cities including Daegu, Ulsan, and Incheon. When the 30 currently operating solar power plants were compared and reviewed, most were found to be in an area of vulnerability level 2 or 3, indicating that the locations were relatively suitable for solar energy. However, the limited data quantity for solar power plants, which is the limitation of this study, prevents the accuracy of the findings to be clearly established. Nevertheless, the significance of this study lies in that an attempt has been made to assess the vulnerability map for photovoltaic power generation facility targeting various regions across the nation, through the use of the GIS-based spatial analysis technique that takes into account the diverse meteorological and geographical factors. Furthermore, by presenting the data obtained for all regions across the nation, the findings of this study are likely to prove useful as the basic data in fields related to the photovoltaic power generation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.4107-4107
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• 2001

Previous works have shown the viability of NIRS technology for the prediction of fatty acids in Iberian pig fat, but although the resulting equations showed high precision, in the predictions of new samples important fluctuations were detected, greater with the time passed from calibration development to NIRS analysis. This fact makes the use of NIRS calibrations in routine analysis difficult. Moreover, this problem only appears in products like fat, that show spectrums with very defined absorption peaks at some wavelengths. This circumstance causes a high sensibility to small changes of the instrument, which are not perceived with the normal checks. To avoid these inconveniences, the software WinISI 1.04 has a mathematic algorithm that consist of create a “Repeatability File”. This file is used during calibration development to minimize the variation sources that can affect the NIRS predictions. The objective of the current work is the evaluation of the use of a repeatability file in quantitative NIRS analysis of Iberian pig fat. A total of 188 samples of Iberian pig fat, produced by COVAP, were used. NIR data were recorded using a FOSS NIRSystems 6500 I spectrophotometer equipped with a spinning module. Samples were analysed by folded transmission, using two sample cells of 0.1mm pathlength and gold surface. High accuracy calibration equations were obtained, without and with repeatability file, to determine the content of six fatty acids: miristic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.07% r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.76 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.08% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.65), Palmitic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.28 r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.97 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.24% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.98), palmitoleic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.08 r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.94 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.09% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.92), Stearic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.27 r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.97 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.29% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.96), oleic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.20 r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.99 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.20% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.99) and linoleic (SECV$\sub$without/=0.16 r$^2$$\sub$without/=0.98 and SECV$\sub$with/=0.16% r$^2$$\sub$with/=0.98). The use of a repeatability file like a tool to reduce the variation sources that can disturbed the prediction accuracy was very effective. Although in calibration results the differences are negligible, the effect caused by the repeatability file is appreciated mainly when are predicted new samples that are not in the calibration set and whose spectrum were recorded a long time after the equation development. In this case, bias values corresponding to fatty acids predictions were lower when the repeatability file was used: miristic (bias$\sub$without/=-0.05 and bias$\sub$with/=-0.04), Palmitic (bias$\sub$without/=-0.42 and bias$\sub$with/=-0.11), Palmitoleic (bias$\sub$without/=-0.03 and bias$\sub$with/=0.03), Stearic (bias$\sub$without/=0.47 and bias$\sub$with/=0.28), oleic (bias$\sub$without/=0.14 and bias$\sub$with/=-0.04) and linoleic (bias$\sub$without/=0.25 and bias$\sub$with/=-0.20).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2023

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can exist in both intracellular and extracellular forms in natural ecosystems. When targeting harmful cyanobacteria, extracellular eDNA indicates the presence of traces of cyanobacteria, while intracellular eDNA indicates the potential for cyanobacteria to occur. However, identifying the "actual" potential for harmful cyanobacteria to occur is difficult using the existing sediment eDNA analysis method, which uses silica beads and cannot distinguish between these two forms of eDNA. This study analyzes the applicability of a density gradient centrifugation method (Ludox method) that can selectively analyze intracellular eDNA in sediment to overcome the limitations of conventional sediment eDNA analysis. PCR was used to amplify the extracted eDNA based on the two different methods, and the relative amount of gene amplification was compared using electrophoresis and Image J application. While the conventional bead beating method uses sediment as it is to extract eDNA, it is unknown whether the mic gene amplified from eDNA exists in the cyanobacterial cell or only outside of the cell. However, since the Ludox method concentrates the intracellular eDNA of the sediment through filtration and density gradient, only the mic gene present in the cyanobacteria cells could be amplified. Furthermore, the bead beating method can analyze up to 1 g of sediment at a time, whereas the Ludox method can analyze 5 g to 30 g at a time. This gram of sediments makes it possible to search for even a small amount of mic gene that cannot be searched by conventional bead beating method. In this study, the Ludox method secured sufficient intracellular gene concentration and clearly distinguished intracellular and extracellular eDNA, enabling more accurate and detailed potential analysis. By using the Ludox method for environmental RNA expression and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of harmful cyanobacteria in the sediment, it will be possible to analyze the potential more realistically.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2010

We have developed an in-situ benthic chamber (BelcI) for use in coastal studies that can be deployed from a small boat. It is expected that BelcI will be useful in studying the benthic boundary layer because of its flexibility. BelcI is divided into three main areas: 1) frame and body chamber, 2) water sampler, and 3) stirring devices, electric controller, and data acquisition technology. To maximize in-situ use, the frame is constructed from two layers that consist of square cells. All electronic parts (motor controller, pA meter, data acquisition, etc.) are low-power consumers so that the external power supply can be safely removed from the system. The hydrodynamics of BelcI, measured by PIV (particle image velocimetry), show a typical "radial-flow impeller" pattern. Mixing time of water in the chamber is about 30 s, and shear velocity ($u^*$) near the bottom layer was calculated at $0.32\;cm\;s^{-1}$. Measurements of diffusivity boundary layer thickness showed a range of $180-230\;{\mu}m$. Sediment oxygen consumption rate, measured in-situ，was $84\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d_{-1}$, more than two times higher than on-board incubation results. Benthic fluxes assessed from in-situ incubation were estimated as follows: nitrate + nitrite = $0.18\;{\pm}\;0.07\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ ammonium $23\;{\pm}\;1\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ phosphate = $0.09\;{\pm}\;0.02\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ and silicate = $23\;{\pm}\;1\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.339-353
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• 1994

Background : The p53 gene codes for a DNA-binding nuclear phosphoprotein that appears to inhibit the progression of cells from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle. Mutations of the p53 gene are common in a wide variety of human cancers, including lung cancer. In lung cancers, point mutations of the p53 gene have been found in all histological types including approximately 45% of resected NSCLC and even more frequently in SCLC specimens. Mutant forms of the p53 protein have transforming activity and interfere with the cell-cycle regulatory function of the wild-type protein. The majority of p53 gene mutations produce proteins with altered conformation and prolonged half life; these mutant proteins accumulate in the cell nucleus and can be detected by immunohistochemical staining. But protein overexpression has been reported in the absence of mutation. p53 protein overexpression or gene mutation is reported poor prognostic factor in breast cancer, but in lung cancer, its prognostic significance is controversial. Method : We investigated the p53 abnormalities by nucleotide sequencing, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP), and immunohistochemical staining. We correlated these results with each other and survival in 75 patients with NSCLC resected with curative intent. Overexpression of the p53 protein was studied immunohistochemically in archival paraffin- embedded tumor samples using the D07(Novocastra, U.K.) antibody. Overexpression of p53 protein was defined by the nuclear staining of greater than 25% immunopositive cells in tumors. Detection of p53 gene mutation was done by PCR-SSCP and nucleotide sequencing from the exon 5-9 of p53 gene. Result: 1) Of the 75 patients, 36%(27/75) showed p53 overexpression by immunohistochemical stain. There was no survival difference between positive and negative p53 immunostaining(overall median survival of 26 months, disease free median survival of 13 months in both groups). 2) By PCR-SSCP, 27.6%(16/58) of the patients showed mobility shift. There was no significant difference in survival according to mobility shift(overall median survival of 27 in patients without mobility shift vs 20 months in patients with mobility shift, disease free median survival of 8 months vs 10 months respectively). 3) Nucleotide sequence was analysed from 29 patients, and 34.5%(10/29) had mutant p53 sequence. Patients with the presence of gene mutations showed tendency to shortened survival compared with the patients with no mutation(overall median survival of 22 vs 27 months, disease free median survival of 10 vs 20 months), but there was no statistical significance. 4) The sensitivity and specificity of immunostain based on PCR-SSCP was 67.0%, 74.0%, and that of the PCR-SSCP based on the nucleotide sequencing was 91.8%, 96.2% respectively. The concordance rate between the immunostain and PCR-SSCP was 62.5%, and the rate between the PCR-SSCP and nucleotide sequencing was 95.3%. Conclusion : In terms of detection of p53 gene mutation, PCR-SSCP was superior to immunostaining. p53 gene abnormalities either overexpression or mutation were not a significant prognostic factor in NSCLC patients resected with curative intent. However, patients with the mutated p53 gene showed the trends of early relapse.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 1974

The chemical structure of glycolipid of Selenomonas ruminantium cell wall was to be elucidated. The bacterial cells were treated in hot TCA and the glycolipid fractions were extracted by the solvent $CHCl_3\;:\;CH_3OH$ (1 : 3). The extracted glycolipids fraction was further separated by acetone extraction. The acetone soluble fraction was named as the spot A-compound. The acetone insoluble but ether soluble fraction was named as the spot B-compound. These two compounds were examined for elucidation of their chemical structure. The results were as follows: 1. The IR spectral analysis showed that O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids were linked to glucosamine moiety in the spot A-compound. However in the spot B-compound in addition to O and N-acyl acids phosphorus was shown to be attached to glucosamine. 2. It was recognized by gas liquid chromatography that spot A compound contained beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid in predominance in addition to the fatty acid with beta-OH $C_{9:0}$, whereas the spot B compound was composed of the predominant fatty acid of beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ with small amount of beta-OH $C_{9:0}$. 3. According to the paper chromatographic analysis of hydrazinolysis products of the spot A compound, a compound of a similar Rf value as the chitobiose was recognized, which indicated a structure of two molecules glucosamine condensed. The low Rf value of the hydrazinolysis product of the spot B-compound confirmed the presence of phosphorus attached to glucosamine. 4. The appearance of arabinose resulting from. ninhydrin decomposition of the acid hydrolyzate of the spot A compound indicated that the amino group is attached to $C_2$ of glucosamine. 5. The amount of glucosamine in the N-acetylated spot A compound decreased in half of the original content by the treatment. with $NaBH_4$, indicating that there are two molecules of glucosamines in the spot A compound. The presence of 1, 6-linkage between two molecules of glucosamine was suggested by the Morgan-Elson reaction and confirmed by the periodate decomposition test. 6. By the action of ${\beta}-N-acetyl$ glucosaminidase the N-acetylated spot A compound was completely decomposed into N-acetyl glucosamine, whereas the spot B compound was not. This indicated the spot A compound has a beta-linkage. 7. When phosphodiesterase or phosphomonoesterase acted on $^{32}P-labeled$ spot B compound, $^{32}P$ was not released by phosphodiesterase, but completely released by phosphomonoesterase. This indicated that one phosphorus is linked to glucosamine moiety. 8. The spot A compound is assumed to have the following chemical structure: That is glucosaminyl, ${\beta}-1$, 6-glucosamine to which O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids are linked, of which the predominant fatty acid is beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid in addition to beta-OH $C_{9:0}$ fatty acid 9. The spot B compound is likely to have the linkage of $glucosaminyl-{\beta}-1$, 6-glucosamine to which phosphorus is linked in monoester linkage. Furthermore both O-acyl and N-acyl fatty acids contained beta-OH $C_{13:0}$ fatty acid predominantly in addition to beta-OH $C_{9:0}$ fatty acid.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.106-110
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• 2006

Background: Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is an uncommon primary malignancy of the lung, and it accounts for $2{\~}14\%$ of all pulmonary malignancies. According to World Health Organization (WHO) categorisation, BAC is a subtype of adenocarcinoma. The current definition of BAC includes the following: malignant neoplasms of the lung that have no evidence of extrathoracic primary adenocarcinoma, an absence of a central bronchogenic source, a peripheral parenchymal location, and neoplastic cells growing along the alveolar septa. Previous reports had demonstrated a better prognosis following surgery for patients affected by BAC than those affected by other type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aim to analyse Asan Medical Center experiences of BAC. Material and Method: Between 1990 and 2002, 31 patients were received operations for BAC. We analyse retrosepectively sex, age, disease location, preoperative clinical stage, postoperative pathologic stage & complications, survival according to medical record. Result: There were 12 men and 19 women, the average age was 61.09$\pm$10.63 ($31{\~}79$) years. Tumor locations were 7 in RUL, 1 in RML, 4 in RLL, 8 in LUL, 11 in LLL. Operations were 28 lobectomies, 2 pneumonectomies. Postoperative pathologic stage were 12 T1N0M0, 15 T2N0M0, 1 T1N1M0, 1 T1N2M0, 1 T2N2M0, 1 T1N0M1. Mortality were 4 cases ($12.9\%$) and there were no early mortality. Cancer free death was 1 cases, other 3 were cancer related deaths. All of them were affected by distal metastasis and received chemotherapy and each metastatic locations were right rib, brain, and both lung field. The average follow up periods were 50.87$\pm$24.77 months. The overall 3, 5-year survival rate among all patients was $97.1\%,\;83.7\%$, stage I patients overall 2, 5year survival rate was $96.3\%$. The overall disease free 1, 2, 5-year survival rate among all patients was $100\%,\;90\%,\;76\%$ and 2, 5-year survival rate in cases of stage I was $96.4\%,\;90.6\%$. 7 cases ($22.58\%$) were chemotherapies, 1 case ($3.22\%$) was radiation therapy, and 2 cases ($6.45\%$) were chemoradiation therapies. Metastatic locations were 3 cases in lung, 1 case in bone, 1 cases in brain. Conclusion: BAC has a favourable survival and low recurrence rate compare with reported other NSCLC after operative resections.