• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in children with IgA nephropathy and Henoch- Sch$\ddot{o}$nlein Purpura (HSP) nephritis combined with proteinuria. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 21 patients who were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis based on percutaneous renal biopsy. Of the 21 patients, 15 were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and 6 were diagnosed with HSP nephritis. They had mild to severe proteinuria at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up. Group 1 (n=7) received methylprednisolone pulse therapy three times every couple of months, and Group 2 (n=14) received oral steroid therapy. The follow-up periods for Group 1 and 2 were 14.0 (9-54) months and 26.5 (14-34) months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the follow-up duration between the two groups. Results: The average age at diagnosis and biopsy was lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2, but it was not significantly different. At admission, all patients in both groups had hematuria and 5 patients (71.4%) of Group 1 and 14 patients (100 %) of Group 2 had proteinuria. Before treatment, there was no significant difference of spot urine protein/creatinine ratio between the two groups. During followup, 7 patients of Group 1 (100%) and 10 patients of Group 2 (71.4%) showed complete improvement of proteinuria and the spot urine protein/creatinine ratio in Group 1 was significantly lower than Group 2. Conclusion: In patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis with proteinuria, methylprednisolone pulse therapy was more effective than oral steroid therapy in the reduction of proteinuria. To investigate the effects on long-term prognosis, large-scale prospective studies are needed.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.49-81
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• 2007

Research in the IS (Information Systems) outsourcing has focused on the importance of legal contracts and partnerships between vendors and clients. Without detailed legal contracts, there is no guarantee that an outsourcing vendor would not indulge in self-serving behavior. In addition, partnerships can supplement legal contracts in managing the relationship between clients and vendors legal contracts by itself cannot deal with all the complexity and ambiguity involved with IS outsourcing relationships. In this paper, we introduce a psychological contract (between client and vendor) as an important variable for IS outsourcing success. A psychological contract refers to individual's mental beliefs about his or her mutual obligations in a contractual relationship (Rousseau, 1995). A psychological contract emerges when one party believes that a promise of future returns has been made, a contribution has been given, and thus, an obligation has been created to provide future benefits (Rousseau, 1989). An employmentpsychological contract, which is a widespread concept in psychology, refers to employer and employee expectations of the employment relationship, i.e. mutual obligations, values, expectations and aspirations that operate over and above the formal contract of employment (Smithson and Lewis, 2003). Similar to the psychological contract between an employer and employee, IS outsourcing involves a contract and a set of mutual obligations between client and vendor (Ho et al., 2003). Given the lack of prior research on psychological contracts in the IS outsourcing context, we extend such studies and give insights through investigating the role of psychological contracts between client and vendor. Psychological contract theory offers highly relevant and sound theoretical lens for studying IS outsourcing management because of its six distinctive principles: (1) it focuses on mutual (rather than one-sided) obligations between contractual parties, (2) it's more comprehensive than the concept of legal contract, (3) it's an individual-level construct, (4) it changes over time, (5) it affects organizational behaviors, and (6) it's susceptible to organizational factors (Koh et al., 2004; Rousseau, 1996; Coyle-Shapiro, 2000). The aim of this paper is to put the concept, psychological contract commitment (PCC), under the spotlight, by finding out its mediating effects between legal contracts/partnerships and IS outsourcing success. Our interest is in the psychological contract commitment (PCC) or commitment to psychological contracts, which is the extent to which a partner consistently and deeply concerns with what the counter-party believes as obligations during the IS project. The basic premise for the hypothesized relationship between PCC and success is that for outsourcing success, client and vendor should continually commit to mutual obligations in which both parties believe, rather than to only explicit obligations. The psychological contract commitment playsa pivotal role in evaluating a counter-party because it reflects what one party really expects from the other. If one party consistently shows high commitment to psychological contracts, the other party would evaluate it positively. This will increase positive reciprocation efforts of the other party, thus leading to successful outsourcing outcomes (McNeeley and Meglino, 1994). We have used matched sample data for this research. We have collected three responses from each set of a client and a vendor firm: a project manager of the client firm, a project member from the vendor firm with whom the project manager cooperated, and an end-user of the client company who actually used the outsourced information systems. Special caution was given to the data collection process to avoid any bias in responses. We first sent three types of questionnaires (A, Band C) to each project manager of the client firm, asking him/her to answer the first type of questionnaires (A).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.127-133
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• 2006

Background: In the studies of the distribution of time to death in trauma patients, the early deaths within several hours after injury were a large component of total trauma deaths. Due to the development of trauma system, overall mortality of trauma was decreased, but trauma is still the major cause of deaths. Material and Method: From January 1994 to December 2003, trauma patients who had been admitted and had expired at tertiary hospital were enrolled. There was a total of 400 cases, a retrospective study was done to determine the distribution of trauma mortality according to the part of the body that were severely injured part and compared the difference between early deaths within 6 hours and late deaths after 6 hours. We also analysed the risk factors of early deaths due to trauma. Result: In severe injury to the head and abdomen, the distribution of mortality was bimodal. But, in severe chest injuries, the distribution was log-shape and most early deaths were almost of trauma related. The average of GCS were 5.86$\pm$4.15 for the early deaths and 8.24$\pm$5.02 for the late deaths (p < 0.05). The AIS of thorax were 2.66$\pm$1.87 for the early deaths and 1.55$\pm$1.76 for late deaths. The risk factors for early mortality were non-EMS transportation (odds ratio 3.474), high AIS (odds ratio 1.491) and GCS (odds ratio 0.859). Conclusion: In trauma patients, the causes of early mortality were severe brain injury and massive hemorrhage. Also severe chest injuries were the major cause of the early deaths in truama. Early diagnosis of chest injury can frequently be missed in the acute trauma setting. Therefore, high index of suspicion, a careful examination, and aggressive surgical treatment are important in multiple trauma patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Background: Bioprosthetic materials have been made using glutaraldehyde fixation of porcine or bovine pericardium during cardiovascular surgery. But these bioprostheses have the problems of calcification and mechanical failure. We determined changes in tensile strength and elasticity of pericardium after glutaraldehyde, solvent, decellularization and detoxification. Material and Method: Tissues were allocated to four groups: glutaraldehyde with and without solvent, decellularization, and detoxification. We studied tensile strength and strain on tissues. We measured the tensile strength of fresh pericardium stretched in six directions (with 5 mm width), and % strain, which we calculated from the breaking point when we pulled the pericardium in two directions. Result: Tensile strength was reduced when we used the usual concentrated glutaraldehyde fixation (n=83, $MPa=11.47{\pm}5.40$, p=0.006), but there was no change when we used solvent. Elasticity was increased after glutaraldehyde fixation (n=83, strain $(%)=24.55{\pm}9.81$, p=0.00), but there was no change after solvent. After decellularization of pericardium, the tensile strength was generally reduced. The decrease in tensile strength after concentrated glutaraldehyde fixation for a long time was significantly greater less than after concentrated solvent (p=0.01, p=0.00). After detoxification, the differences in strength and strain were not significant. Conclusion: After glutaraldehyde treatment of pericardium there is no loss in tensile strength (even though we did the glutaraldehyde, solvent and detoxification treatments LOGIC IS UNCLEAR). Also, these treatments had a tendency to increase elasticity. Although post-treatment decellularization led to a significant loss in strength, this effect could be attenuated using a low concentration of solvent or hypertonic solution.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2009

The effects of temperature variations during storage on the quality characteristics of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) were investigated. In samples stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$, weight losses were almost 2.9- and 3.4-fold higher, respectively, compared to samples stored at $0^{\circ}C$. Soluble solids slightly increased except in the samples stored at $10^{\circ}C$, but acidity decreased over the entire storage period. Firmness decreased with storage time, but the samples stored at $0^{\circ}C$ had a lesser decrease in firmness than the samples stored at other temperatures. Water loss from the muskmelon stalk was most inhibited, and vitamin C content was maintained for the longest period, with storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Mineral contents (Ca, Na, Fe, Mg, K) were best maintained in muskmelon samples stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 15 days, but levels had decreased by 30 days. Microbiological quality was not appreciably different at any storage temperature at 18 days; however, samples stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and $10^{\circ}C$ had deteriorated by 25 days. The results of sensory evaluations indicated that taste was best retained in samples stored at $10^{\circ}C$ for 15 days, although changes in taste were evident at all storage temperatures. When the samples were stored over 22 days at $10^{\circ}C$, retention of texture and overall acceptability were more inferior compared to samples stored at $0^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that storage at $4^{\circ}C$ can be used to reduce deterioration in muskmelons without significant loss of their quality attributes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.169-175
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• 2005

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grape skins, peanuts, and red wine, has been reported to have a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. $Amyloid-\beta$ deposition and senile plaque-associated astrocytes are common neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we have explored the effects of resveratrol on $amyloid-\beta-peptide-mediated$ cytotoxicity in vitro and modulation of cell growth-regulatory gene products in astroglioma C6 cells to elucidate its possible mechanism for anti-cytotoxicity. Exposure of C6 cells to $Amyloid-\beta$ resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition and morphological changes of C6 cells, which were recovered by pre-treatment with resveratrol. The anti-proliferative effect of $amyloid-\beta$ was associated with the induction of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) expression assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis in time-dependent manner in C6 cells. In addition, the pro-apoptotic Bax expression was also up-regulated in $amyloid-\beta-treated$ C6 cells without alteration of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ expression. However, pre-treatment of resveratrol significantly inhibited $amyloid-\beta-induced$ p53, p21 and Bax levels, suggesting that the modulation of p53, p21 and Bax levels could be one of the possible pathways by which resveratrol functions as anti-cytotoxic agent. Our results demonstrate that resveratrol may enhance the protection against $amyloid-\beta-induced$ cytotoxicity by promoting the survival of glial cells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2008

Naringin, major citrus flavonoids, has been identified to exert antioxidative, antidiabetic, and lipid lowering effects. In this study, we examined the effect of 0.2 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg naringin supplementation for 3 times/week for 5 weeks on lipid metabolism and antithrombotic capacity in rat. Eighteen five week-old Sprague Dawley(SD) female rats, which had initial body weights of $246{\pm}9g$, were randomly divided into three groups: Control (non naringin group); Low (0.2 g/kg naringin-supplemented group); High (0.5 g/kg naringin-supplemented group). Three groups of rats were supplemented with three experimental diets for 5 weeks and we investigated antithrombotic capacity before sacrifice. Naringin did not significantly alter the body weight gain, relative organ weight. However, the level of serum triglyceride, serum free fatty acid, serum total lipid and serum glucose levels were significantly lowered compared to those of control. The high group (0.5 g/kg naringin-supplemented group) was showed significantly increased bleeding time compared to control group. These results suggest that naringin supplemental diets reduces the level of hypertension, glycosuria and fatness on the female SD rats, when orally administered below the dosage 0.5 g/kg for 5 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.838-847
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• 1999

Based on the results that the extract of Korean mistletoe (KM-110) has immunological and anti-tumor activities and its main component is lectin called KML-U, this study was carried out to investigate the immunostimulatory and anti-tumor activities of FKM-110, fermented KM-110 with lactobacillus, as a basic study for the development of functional food with anti-tumor activity. The amount of lectin after fermentation determined by ELISA was varied with the fermentation time and kinds of lactobacillus. Cytotoxic effects of FKM-110 on the various tumor cells was significant and dependent on the concentration of KML-U and the kinds of lactobacillus. FKM-110 stimulated macrophage and resulted in the secretion of some cytokines such as IL-1 and $IFN-{\gamma}$, but this effect was not correlated with the concentration of lectin. FKM-110 fermented with Marshall Lactobacillus casei showed the most potent antitumor activity in experimental and spontaneous metastasis models. When yoghurt produced with KM-110, Marshall Lactobacillus casei and skim milk was administered orally to mouse, the metastasis of tumor cells was significantly inhibited.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2007

This experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of pork meat quality characteristics exposed to ozone gas for 5, 10, and 15 min and then vacuum packaged during storage for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 day at $4^{\circ}C$. The ozone gas exposed groups of pork loin cuts (OZM) had slightly higher pH value compared to the control at day 0 and 5 (p<0.01). The 15 min exposure of ozone gas groups showed significantly (p<0.01) higher TBARS value than that of control at the day 15 and 20. However, there was no significant difference in all groups at day 0,5, and 10. The CIE $L^*$ and $b^*$ values of OZM showed no significant difference between control and ozone gas treated groups during storage. The loin cut color of ozone gas exposure for 15 min had significantly lower CIE $a^*$ values than the other groups at day 0,5, and 15 (p<0.01). The aerobic plate count and coliform bacteria count of pork loin cuts exposed ozone gas significantly (p<0.01) was reduced at day 0 by about $0.45-1.04\;log_{10}CFU/g$ and $0.26-0.30\;log_{10}CFU/g$, respectively. As ozone gas exposure time extended, the aerobic plate count and coliform bacteria count of OZM were increased at day 0, 5, and 10 (p<0.01). However, there were no significant differences observed among groups at day 20 in the counts of aerobic and coliform bacteria. In conclusion, the meat cuts exposed to ozone gas for 5 and 10 min before packing may be a reasonable packing method regarding the effects of ozone level on meat oxidation, color change and microbial reduction.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1189-1196
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• 1998

Extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology for preparing high-quality ethanol extracts from cultivated Chrysanthemum petals. A fractional factorial design was applied to investigate effects of solvent ratio to sample $(X_1)$, ethanol concentration $(X_2)$ and extraction time $(X_3)$ at $60^{\circ}C$ on dependent variables of the extract properties, such as yellow color $(Y_1)$, carotenoids $(Y_2)$, soluble solids $(Y_3)$, phenolic compounds $(Y_4)$, electron donating ability $(Y_5)$, sensory color $(Y_6)$ and sensory aroma $(Y_7)$. Second-order models were employed to generate 3-dimensional response surfaces for dependent variables and their coefficients of determination $(R^2)$ were ranged from 0.8063 to 0.9963. Optimum extraction conditions for each variable were 115 mL/g, 97%, 18 hr in yellow color, 145 mL/g, 50%, 12 hr in carotenoids, 147 mL/g, 48%, 17 hr in soluble solids, 116 mL/g, 68%, 17 hr in phenolic compounds, 110 mL/g, 98%, 14 hr in electron donating ability, 101 mL/g, 48%, 54 hr in organoleptic color and 109 mL/g, 54%, 4 hr in organoleptic aroma, respectively. The range of optimum conditions at 16hr extraction for maximized characteristics of ethanol extracts was $103{\sim}122\;mL/g$ and $64{\sim}78%$. Predicted values at the optimum condition agreed with experimental values.