• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6299-6303
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• 2012

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) has been identified as a putative tumor suppressor with multifunctional roles in the IGF axis. Recently, there have been a growing body of studies investigating the relation between the IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism, circulating IGFBP3 and prostate cancer risk, but their outcomes varied leading to controversy. Hence, it is necessary to perform a meta-analysis covering all eligible studies to shed a light on the association of IGFBP3 A-202C and cancer risk. Finally, we included a total of 11 relevant articles between 2003 and 2010 covering 14 case-control studies including 9,238 cases and 8,741 controls for our analysis. Our results showed that A-202C was a marginal risk factor of prostate cancer (allele contrast: OR=1.08, 95% CI :1.01-1.16; dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.01-1.22; heterozygote codominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.03-1.18; homozygote contrast: OR=1.19, 95% CI :1.03-1.37). Stratification analysis revealed that sample size and control source were two major heterogeneous meta-factors especially in the recessive model (source: Population-based control group :p=0.30,I2=16.7%, Hospital-based control group: p=0.20, I2=30.3%; sample size: Small: p=0.22,I2= 32.8%, Medium: p=0.09,I2=48%, Large p=0.60,I2=0.0%); However, contrary to previous findings, no significance was found in racial subgroups. No significant publication bias was found in our analysis. Considering the robustness of the results and the discrepancy among some studies, there might be some unsolved confounding factors, and further more critical large studies are needed for confirmation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1621-1626
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females worldwide. Many differences exist in clinico-pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients between China and Western countries. This study aimed to analyze clinico-pathological characteristics of breast cancer from central China. Methods: Clinico-pathological information on breast cancer from three hospitals in central China was collected and analyzed. Results: From 1994 to 2012, 2,525 patients with a median age 50 years were included in this study. The 45-49-year age group and invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified accounted for the highest proportions (19.1%, 480/2,525 and 81.0%, 1,982/2,446). Stages 0-I, II and III accounted for 28.0% (682/2,441), 48.4% (1,180/2,441), and 23.7% (578/2,441), respectively. Distribution of N stage showed that N0 accounted for 53.2% (1,344/2,525), and proportion of N0 rose from 51.1% (157/307) in 30-39-year age group to 64.3% (110/171) in ${\geq}$ 70-year age group, with an average increase of 2.1% in each age group. Modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery and simple mastectomy were performed for 71.8% (1,812/2,525), 18.0% (454/2,525), 5.2% (131/2,525) and 2.6% (66/2,525), respectively. Proportions of breast-conserving surgery in age ${\leq}$ 44-year group (68/132, 51.5%) and simple mastectomy in age ${\geq}$ 60-year group (57/89, 64.0%) were higher than in the other age groups. Breast cancers positive for estrogen receptor accounted for 53.0% (1,107/ 2,112). The comparisons among this study and other reports showed higher proportion of younger patients, lower proportion of breast-conserving surgery and positive estrogen receptor patients in China than western countries. Conclusions: Clinico-pathological characteristics in this study demonstrated clear differences between the center of China than Western countries. Additional classification systems should be developed to guide grading of early breast cancer more accurately, especially for N0 patients. Invasive ductal carcinoma is a focus for intensive research.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1589-1595
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• 2014

Objective: Forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) is a member of the winged helix/forkhead box (Fox) family of transcription factors. It has been suggested to regulate tumor vasculature, growth, invasion and metastasis, although it has not been studied in cervical cancer. Here, we analyzed FOXC2 expression in cervical tissues corresponding to different stages of cervical cancer development and examined its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. In addition, we examined the effects of targeting FOXC2 on the biological behavior of human cervical cancer cells. Methods: The expression of FOXC2 in normal human cervix, CIN I-III and cervical cancer was examined by immunohistochemistry and compared among the three groups and between cervical cancers with different pathological subtypes. Endogenous expression of FOXC2 was transiently knocked down in human Hela and SiHa cervical cells by siRNA, and cell viability and migration were examined by scratch and CCK8 assays, respectively. Results: In normal cervical tissue the frequency of positive staining was 25% (10/40 cases), with a staining intensity (PI) of $0.297{\pm}0.520$, in CIN was 65% (26/40cases), with a PI of $3.00{\pm}3.29$, and in cancer was 91.8% (68/74 cases), with a PI of $5.568 {\pm}3.449$. The frequency was 100% in adenocarcinoma (5/5 cases) and 91.3% in SCCs (63/69 cases). The FOXC2 positive expression rate was 88.5% in patients with cervical SCC stage I and 100% in stage II, showing significant differences compared with normal cervix and CIN. With age, pathologic differentiation degree and tumor size, FOXC2 expression showed no significant variation. On transient transfection of Hela and SiHa cells, FOXC2-siRNA inhibition rates were 76.2% and 75.7%; CCK8 results showed reduced proliferation and relative migration (in Hela cells from $64.5{\pm}3.16$ to $49.5{\pm}9.24$ and in SiHa cells from $60.1{\pm}3.05$ to $44.3{\pm}3.98$) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: FOXC2 gene expression increases with malignancy, especially with blood vessel hyperplasia and invasion degree. Targeted silencing was associated with reduced cell proliferation as well as invasion potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6293-6299
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• 2013

Background: A number of clinicopathologic factors have been found to be associated with pathological lymph node metastasis (pLNM) in rectal cancer; however, most of them can only be identified by expensive high resolution imaging or obtained after surgical treatment. Just like the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores which have been widely used in clinical practice, our study was designed to assess the pre-operative factors which could be obtained easily to predict intra-operative pLNM in rectal cancer. Methods: A cohort of 469 patients who were treated at our hospital in the period from January 2003 to June 2011, and with a pathologically hospital discharge diagnosis of rectal cancer, were included. Clinical, laboratory and pathologic parameters were analyzed. A multivariate unconditional logistic regression model, areas under the curve (AUC), the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) and the Cox regression model were used. Results: Of the 469 patients, 231 were diagnosed with pLNM (49.3%). Four variables were associated with pLNM by multivariate logistic analysis, age<60 yr (OR=1.819; 95% CI, 1.231-2.687; P=0.003), presence of abdominal pain or discomfort (OR=1.637; 95% CI, 1.052-2.547; P=0.029), absence of allergic history (OR=1.879; 95% CI, 1.041-3.392; P=0.036), and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ (OR=1.540; 95% CI, 1.054-2.250; P=0.026). The combination of all 4 variables had the highest sensitivity (98.7%) for diagnostic performance. In addition, age<60 yr and direct $bilirubin{\geq}2.60{\mu}mol/L$ were found to be associated with prognosis. Conclusion: Age, abdominal pain or discomfort, allergic history and direct bilirubin were associated with pLNM, which may be helpful for preoperative selection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4247-4250
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• 2016

Background: Pax8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 gene (Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$) are important factors in tumors. Several studies have suggested that follicular thyroid cancer may arise from Pax8- $PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement. In order to have a better understanding of the association between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer, we conducted the presenmt meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The information was extracted from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Statistic analysis was performed with Stata12.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. We also performed heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Results: Nine studies including 198 follicular thyroid cancer patients and 268 controls were considered eligible. The frequency of Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement was significantly higher in the follicular thyroid cancer group than in the control group, with a pooled OR of 6.63 (95%CI=3.50-12.7). In addition, through subgroup analysis, the OR between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer was 6.04 (95%CI = 3.18-11.5) when using benign tumor tissues as controls. The OR for the method subgroup was 9.99 (95% CI =4.86-20.5) in the RT-PCR. Conclusions: The final results demonstrated that Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement has significant association with follicular thyroid cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2000

Objectives : This studies were performed to investigate the correlation between the treatment effects and the changes of the thermal differences at the pre and post-treatment by using the digital infrared computer thermographic imaging (D.I.T.I) to the irritable colon syndrome 30 patients. Methods : The extracts of the gwakhyangjunggisan were administerd to the patients by oral method three times per day during four weeks. we selected the Chung-Wan($CV_{12}$), Chunchu($S_{25}$). Hapkok($LI_4$), Naegwan($P_6$), Yongdo($H_4$) acupoints and treated the patients two times per week during four weeks. One week later, we investigated the changes of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$), the symptoms. and the skin temperature changes on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, by using the D.I.T.I. Results : In the correlation between the severity of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and the thermal differences on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, before the treatment, the more the pain was severe, the more the skin temperature was differential significantly. In the correlation between the severity of the symptoms and the thermal differences on Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and Kimun($LR_{14}$) around, before the treatment, the more the symptom was severe, the more the skin temperature was differential significantly. In the changes of the pressure pain around left side of Pokkyol($SP_{14}$), the improved were significantly higher than the unimproved. In the changes of the symptoms, the improved were significantly higher than the unimproved. In the correlation between the changes of the pressure pain around left side Pokkyol($SP_{14}$) and the changes of the thermal differences at the pre and post- treatment, the more the pain was improved, the more the thermal change was widened significantly. In the correlation between the changes of the symptoms and the changes of thermal differences at the pre and post-treatment, the more the symptom was improved. the more the thermal change was widened significantly. Conclusions : Above the results, the treatments was effective and the digital infrared computer thermographic imaging (D.I.T.I) was useful to prove the improvements of the pressure pain and the symptom with the irritable bowel syndrome patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.374-379
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• 2017

Hair loss affects interpersonal relationships and causes psychological stress. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix (CWR) and its effects on dermal papilla (DP) cells. Antioxidant efficacy was examined by ABTS assay. To confirm the effect on cell activity, MTS assay was performed and cell count was directly measured by hemocytometer. The mRNA expression of genes involved in hair formation and hair loss formation was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. CWR has a strong antioxidant activity. Cell viability of DP cells was increased to 118.5% by treatment of 0.5 mg/ml CWR for 24 hours, but the effect on the cell number was insignificant. These results suggest that CWR increases mitochondrial activity without promoting cell proliferation. Treatment of DP cells with 0.5 mg/ml CWR resulted in 48.5% reduction of mRNA expression of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase, a major cause of male hair loss. In addition, mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic pretein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)7, and FGF10, which are closely related to hair growth, was also decreased. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) acts as a cause of hair loss. The excellent antioxidant efficacy of CWR is thought to be able to effectively remove ROS. The dihydrotestosterone produced by type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase in DP cells is a potent inducer of male pattern hair loss. The inhibitory effect of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase mRNA on DP cells induced by CWR may induce a positive therapeutic effect of male pattern hair loss.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.460-473
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• 2017

In order to certificate the contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Nakdong river. Surface sediments were collected of 24 sampling sites (main 14st., tributary 10st.) and analyzed for grain size heavy metals contents. Study area mainly composed of sand (avg. 94.1%) and mean grain size was $1.46{\Phi}$ on average. Heavy metals contents (avg. Al: 12.5%, Zn; 74.4, Cr: 45.3, Li: 26.0, Pb: 17.1, Ni: 10.5, Cu: 7.8, Cd: 0.22 mg/kg) were relatively high contents in the composed of fine sediments. In addition, the results of pearson's correlation coefficient showed that most heavy metals and grain size (silt and clay) were highly correlated. The contents of Zn (6st.) and Ni (1st.) evaluated as moderately polluted, Zn (6st.) evaluated as LEL when compared with sediment quality standard of USEPA and Ontario sediment quality guidelines. Most heavy metals contents were I levels that dose not affected the benthos when compared with sediment pollution evaluation standard of NIER. The results of EX, EF, Igeo and CF showed the contents of Zn, Pb and Cd exceed the background contents and distributing of anthropogenic pollution and evaluated as moderately polluted level. And Nm-08 were relatively high level of contamination in the study area. However as results of PLI (less than 1), all sampling sites were evaluated unpolluted level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.53-53
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• 1999

전계방출을 이용한 평판 표시장치는 CRT가 가진 장점을 모두 갖는 동시에 얇고 가벼우며 낮은 전력소모로 완벽한 색을 구현할 수 있는 차세대 표시장치로서 이에 대한 여국가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 여기에 사용되는 음극물질로서 실리콘이나 몰리 등을 팁모양으로 제작하여 사용해 왔다. 하지만 잔류가스에 의한 역스퍼터링이나 화학적 반응에 의해서 전계방출 성능이 점차 저하되는 등의 해결해야할 많은 문제가 있다. 이러한 문제들을 해결하기 위하여 탄소계 재료로서 다이아몬드, 다이아몬드상 카본 등을 이용하려는 노력이 진행되어 왔다. 이중 유리화 비정형 탄소는 다량의 결함을 가지고 있는 유리질의 고상 탄소 재로로서, 전기전도도가 우수하면서 outgassing이 적고 기계적 강도가 뛰어나며 고온에서도 화학적으로 안정하여 전계방출 소자의 음극재료로서 알맞은 것으로 생각된다. 유리화 비정형 탄소가루를 전기영동법으로 기판에 코팅하여 전계방출 소자를 제작하였다. 전기영동 용액으로 이소프로필알코올에 질산마그네슘과 소량의 증류수, 유리화 비정형 탄소분말을 섞어주었고 기판으로는 몰리(Mo)가 증착된 유리를 사용하였다. 균일한 증착을 위해서 증착후 역전압을 걸어 주는 방법과 증착 후 플라즈마 처리를 하는 등의 여러 가지 방법을 사용했다. 전계방출 전류는 1$\times$10-7Torr이사에서 측정하였다. 1회 제작된 용액으로 반복해서 증착한 횟수에 따라 표면의 거치기, 입자의 분포, 전계방출 측정 결과 등의 차이가 관찰되었다. 발광이미지는 전압에 따라 변화하였고, 균일한 발광을 관찰하기 위해서 오랜 시간동안 aging 과정을 거쳐야 했다. 그리고 구 모양의 양극을 사용해서 위치를 변화시키며 시동 전기장을 관찰하여 위치에 따른 전계방출의 차이를 조사하여 발광의 균일성을 알 수 있었다.on microscopy로 분석하였으며 구조 분석은 X-선 회절분석, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy 그리고Auger electron spectroscope로 하였다. 증착된 산화바나듐 박막의 전기화학적 특성을 분석하기 위하여 리튬 메탈을 anode로 하고 EC:DMC=1:1, 1M LiPF6 액체 전해질을 사용한 Half-Cell를 구성하여 200회 이상의 정전류 충 방전 시험을 행하였다. Half-Cell test 결과 박막의 결정성과 표면상태에 따라 매우 다른 전지 특성을 나타내었다.도상승율을 갖는 경우가 다른 베이킹 시나리오 모델에 비해 효과적이라 생각되며 초대 필요 공급열량은 200kW 정도로 산출되었다. 실질적인 수치를 얻기 위해 보다 고차원 모델로의 해석이 필요하리라 생각된다. 끝으로 장기적인 관점에서 KSTAR 장치의 베이킹 계획도 살펴본다.습파라미터와 더불어, 본 연구에서 새롭게 제시된 주기분할층의 파라미터들이 모형의 학습성과를 높이기 위해 함께 고려된다. 한편, 이러한 학습과정에서 추가적으로 고려해야 할 파라미터 갯수가 증가함에 따라서, 본 모델의 학습성과가 local minimum에 빠지는 문제점이 발생될 수 있다. 즉, 웨이블릿분석과 인공신경망모형을 모두 전역적으로 최적화시켜야 하는 문제가 발생한다. 본 연구에서는 이 문제를 해결하기 위해서, 최근 local minimum의 가능성을 최소화하여 전역적인 학습성과를 높여 주는 인공지능기법으로서 유전자알고리즘기법을 본 연구이 통합모델에 반영하였다. 이에 대한 실증사례 분석결과는 일일 환율예측문제를 적용하였을 경우, 기존의 방법론보다 더 나운 예측성과를 타나내었다.pective" to workflow architectural discussions. The vocabulary suggested

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1345-1352
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• 2016

The hindgut of horses is an anaerobic fermentative chamber for a complex and dynamic microbial population, which plays a critical role in health and energy requirements. Research on the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses has not been reported until now as far as we know. Mongolian horse is a major local breed in China. We performed high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes V4 hypervariable regions from gut fecal material to characterize the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and compare them to the microbiota in Thoroughbred horses. Fourteen Mongolian and 19 Thoroughbred horses were used in the study. A total of 593,678 sequence reads were obtained from 33 samples analyzed, which were found to belong to 16 phyla and 75 genera. The bacterial community compositions were similar for the two breeds. Firmicutes (56% in Mongolian horses and 53% in Thoroughbred horses) and Bacteroidetes (33% and 32% respectively) were the most abundant and predominant phyla followed by Spirochaete, Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, and Fibrobacteres. Of these 16 phyla, five (Synergistetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, TM7, and Chloroflexi) were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. At the genus level, Treponema was the most abundant genus (43% in Mongolian horses vs 29% in Thoroughbred horses), followed by Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Anaeroplasma, which were detected in higher distribution proportion in Mongolian horses than in Thoroughbred horses. In contrast, Oscillibacter, Fibrobacter, Methanocorpusculum, and Succinivibrio levels were lower in Mongolian horses. Among 75 genera, 30 genera were significantly different (p<0.05) between the two breeds. We found that the environment was one of very important factors that influenced horse gut microbiota. These findings provide novel information about the gut microbiota of Mongolian horses and a foundation for future investigations of gut bacterial factors that may influence the development and progression of gastrointestinal disease in horses.