• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.554-561
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• 2001

Immunostimulating exopolysaccharides with anticancer activity produced by Enterobacter sp. SSYL(KCTC 0687BP), isolated from Chinese elm(Ulmus sp.) were investigated. The exopolysaccharide contains molecular weight 100,000 to 1,000,000 Da and total carbohydrates 43.0 to 70.8%, total uronic acid 7.1 7o 12.4%, and total proteins 15.4 to 20.6%. Compositions and contents of sugars in the exopolysaccharides are 10-30% glucose, less than 1% fructose, 10-15% galactose, 8-12% fucose, and 40-70% glucuronic acid. The anticancer immunostimulating activities were examined and proved with regard to both in vitro and in vivo bioassays. In vivo assay, the glycoprotein at the concentration of 0.3 mg/kg showed the best result that median survival time in creased to ca. 138.1% in contrast to control groups.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.441-450
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of elementary gifted students' argumentation and examine the special features of argumentation founded in scientific inquiry. 28 students were selected in the special education center for the gifted in K National University. They were organized 8 groups of 3~4 students and engaged in scientific inquiry activity. The researcher wasn't involved in students' inquiry activity and argumentation except for the guiding and introducing their activity. In the first session, each group carried out the experiment 'Putting a heated can in the water' and then, the students discussed to probe their experimental results and build their explanation. In the second session, each group presented their experiment results and evidence from their experiment justifying their claims, and had questions from other groups. The protocol data during 8 groups' argumentations were analyzed using 'Rubric for Scientific Argumentation Assessment' (Yang et al., 2009) in three domains- the form, content and attitude. As a result, in form domain, almost groups were rated 2 points due to their argument without rebuttal on the subcategory of 'composition', but they got a good grade above 3 points in subcategory such as 'claim', 'ground', and 'conclusion'. In content domain, almost groups got points above 3 points. In attitude domain, there were some striking contrast between each groups. Six groups got good score more than 4 points on the subcategory of openness, but two groups, they alleged and got score below 3 point. While the 6 groups of all got 4 points in the aspect of participation, 3 groups got 3 points lower than because they only just asserted and not interact with other groups. Throughout the argumentation, two features were found that; as time goes by, arguments were refined; Students tended to use their prior to knowledge rather than evidence such as experimental data in making claims and conclusions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2004

The effect of eight varieties of grain and forage type whole crop rice (Oryza sativa L Japonica) each harvested at four stages of maturity were investigated for morphology and yield, proportion of botanical fractions, fermentatability and chemical composition in an $8{\times}4$ factorial experiment. All crops were sown in 1997 at Saitama Prefecture, Japan under identical condition and harvested on 10, 22, 34 and 45 days after flowering in 1998. Total DM yield of forage type varieties was similar to that of the highest yield of grain type varieties. However, while yield of forage type varieties was attributed to higher proportion of straw than head, the reverse was in the case of grain type varieties. Yield in line with the proportion of head increased (p<0.001), but in contrast proportion of straw decreased (p<0.001) with the increase in maturity. Silage fermentability of grain type varieties was better than forage type varieties. Fermentability improved with the increase (p<0.001) in maturity suggesting that the moisture content should be reduced to improve fermentation quality. Forage type varieties contained higher (p<0.001) ash, crude fat (EE), organic cell wall (OCW) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), but contained lower crude protein (CP), organic cell content (OCC), CP in OCC and nitrogen-free cell wall extract (NCWFE) than the grain type varieties. The ash, CP, EE, Oa (60% digestible OCW), Ob (40% digestible OCW), OCW, ADF and acid detergent lignin (ADL) decreased (p<0.001), but OCC and NCWFE increased (p<0.001) with the increase in maturity. It is concluded that stage of maturity not only increases yield and proportion of head, but also improved the fermentation quality and increases quality chemical composition (except CP) of whole crop rice. Forage type varieties may be as good as grain type varieties in terms of yield, but fermentation quality and chemical composition may not be as good as that of grain type varieties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7721-7725
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of religious coping in quality of life of breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from October 2014 to May 2015. A total of 224 women with breast cancer completed measures of socio-demographic information, religious coping (brief RCOPE), and quality of life (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 47.1 (SD=9.07) years and the majority were married (81.3%). The mean score for positive religious coping was 22.98 (SD=4.09) while it was 10.13 (SD=3.90) for negative religious coping. Multiple linear regression showed positive and negative religious coping as predictor variables explained a significant amount of variance in overall QOL score ($R^2=.22$, P=.001) after controlling for socio-demographic, and clinical variables. Positive religious coping was associated with improved QOL (${\beta}=0.29$; p=0.001). In contrast, negative religious coping was significantly associated with worse QOL (${\beta}=-0.26$; p=0.005). Conclusions: The results indicated the used types of religious coping strategies are related to better or poorer QOL and highlight the importance of religious support in breast cancer care.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.179-193
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• 2004

The potential contribution of the internet and mobile phone to smoking cessation seems huge, given that a majority of Koreans now use internet and have mobile phones. The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare developed and has been offering an internet-based smoking cessation program from the January, 2002 and a mobile-based program from the April, 2004. Despite the anticipated effectiveness of internet and mobile-based smoking cessation programs, there is little empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of both types of programs. Therefore, this study intended to evaluate the effectiveness of an internet and a mobile-based smoking cessation program and to provide the basic database for the development of effective smoking cessation strategies for the health promotion for the whole nation. Cessation and satisfaction data were obtained from the 434 participants in both programs. The data were analysed for the comparison of quit-smoking rate and the degree of satisfaction between an internet smoking cessation program and a mobile smoking cessation program. The main results of this study were as follows: 1. For the internet program participants, there were statistically significant differences in cessation rate by gender(P<0.05) and age(P<0.01). In contrast, none of general characteristics provided statistically significant differences in cessation rate for the mobile program participants. 2. For the internet program participants, smoking related characteristics(average smoking amount and the reasons for smoking) didn't have an effect on smoking cessation. But, for mobile program participants, there was a statistically significant difference in cessation rate by the reasons for smoking(P<0.05). 3. The cessation rate was 31.9%(abstinence for the previous 30 days) for internet program participants and 17.8% for mobile program participants.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.741-777
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• 2016

A simplified approach of assessing torsionally balanced (TB) and torsionally unbalanced (TU) low-medium rise buildings of up to 30 m in height is presented in this paper for regions of low-to-moderate seismicity. The Generalised Force Method of Analysis for TB buildings which is illustrated in the early part of the paper involves calculation of the deflection profile of the building in a 2D analysis in order that a capacity diagram can be constructed to intercept with the acceleration-displacement response spectrum diagram representing seismic actions. This approach of calculation on the planar model of a building which involves applying lateral forces to the building (waiving away the need of a dynamic analysis and yet obtaining similar results) has been adapted for determining the deflection behaviour of a TU building in the later part of the paper. Another key original contribution to knowledge is taking into account the strong dependence of the torsional response behaviour of the building on the periodic properties of the applied excitations in relation to the natural periods of vibration of the building. Many of the trends presented are not reflected in provisions of major codes of practices for the seismic design of buildings. The deflection behaviour of the building in response to displacement controlled (DC) excitations is in stark contrast to behaviour in acceleration controlled (AC), or velocity controlled (VC), conditions, and is much easier to generalise. Although DC conditions are rare with buildings not exceeding 30 m in height displacement estimates based on such conditions can be taken as upper bound estimates in order that a conservative prediction of the displacement profile at the edge of a TU building can be obtained conveniently by the use of a constant amplification factor to scale results from planar analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3559-3567
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, there has been considerable research on recycling of agro-industrial waste for production of bioactive compounds. The food processing industry produces large amounts of citrus peels that may be an inexpensive source of useful agents. Objective: The present work aimed to explore the phytochemical content, antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferation, and antigenotxic activities of lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin peels. Materials and Methods: Peels were extracted using 98% ethanol and the three crude extracts were assessed for their total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). Their cytotoxic and mitogenic proliferation activities were also studied in human leukemia HL-60 cells and mouse splenocytes by CCK-8 assay. In addition, genotoxic/antigenotoxic activity was explored in mouse splenocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay. Results: Lemon peels had the highest of TPC followed by grapefruit and mandarin. In contrast, mandarin peels contained the highest of TFC followed by lemon and grapefruit peels. Among the extracts, lemon peel possessed the strongest antioxidant activity as indicated by the highest DPPH radical scavenging, the lowest effective concentration 50% ($EC_{50}=42.97{\mu}g\;extract/mL$), and the highest Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC=0.157). Mandarin peel exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity ($IC_{50}=77.8{\mu}g/mL$) against HL-60 cells, whereas grapefruit and lemon peels were ineffective anti-leukemia. Further, citrus peels possessed immunostimulation activity via augmentation of proliferation of mouse splenocytes (T-lymphocytes). Citrus extracts exerted non-cytotoxic, and antigenotoxic activities through remarkable reduction of CAs induced by cisplatin in mouse splenocytes for 24 h. Conclusions: The phytochemical constituents of the citrus peels may exert biological activities including anticancer, immunostimulation and antigenotoxic potential.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2013

Depending on season, mixed wastewater can show great deviations in terms of the influent ratios of tannery and seafood-wastewater. Increases in the ratio of tannery wastewater in influent water also result in increases in the concentration of chromium, which decreases the ratio of BOD/T-N so that the removal efficiency of organic and nitrogen pollutants in biological wastewater treatment deteriorates. No substantial differences occur in the ratios of Eubacteria/total bacteria as the ratio between tannery wastewater and seafood wastewater changes in the influent water. In contrast, the cell numbers and activities of Eubacteria and total bacteria significantly decline with increasing ratios of tannery wastewater in the influent water. Stable removal of organic and nitrogen pollutants by biological wastewater treatments leads to dominance of Proteobacteria groups in all biological treatment basins. In aeration and oxic basins, ${\gamma}$-Proteobacteria account for approximately 21% of the Eubacteria groups, at $1.9{\times}10^9{\sim}2.0{\times}10^9$ cells/mL, while in an anoxic basin, ${\beta}$-Proteobacteria account for approximately 19% of the Eubacteria groups, at $1.3{\times}10^9$ cells/mL. However, a substantial decline in dominance of approximately 11% occurs for ${\gamma}$-Proteobacteria in aeration and oxic basins and about 1% for ${\beta}$-Proteobacteria in an anoxic basin. Mixed wastewater that undergoes extensive property changes of the influent water shows an efficiency of biological treatment that is greatly influenced by the ratio of dominant Proteobacteria groups.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.186-192
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• 2002

Special attention has been paid to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for athlete doping control because it stimulates the endogenous production of testosterone and epitestosterone without increasing the T/E ratio which is a doping indicator for the exogenous administration of testosterone. Even though the IOC banned the use of hCG, a detection method has not been decided upon since there are a variety of immunoassay kits available on the market. We evaluated three kits in terms of their performance characteristics. The assay value of the control sample varied depending on the kit, resulting in 198 mIU/ml for the MAIA kit, 172mIU/ml for the IRMA kit, and 143 mIU/ml for the MEIA kit. Considering the IOC inter-lab distribution of results(55-312 mIU/ml) using 27 different kits and the mean value (178$\pm$56 mIU/ml), all three kits are within the range of －15.8% - ＋5.6% of the mean value, which proves them useful for the hCG assay. The MEIA kit resulted in lower hCG values because it detects only intact hCG molecules, in contrast to the other two kits which detect intact hCG and -hCG together. However, it is suitable for screening purposes because of its advantage of being an automated system. When 123 urine samples of athletes were analyzed in 22 batches using this system, the variation of control values fell within $\pm$ 10% of the mean values, and an specimens tested negative with hCG values less than the detection limit of 2 mIU/ml.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2016

Triclosan is an antimicrobial or sanitizing agent used in personal care and household products such as toothpaste, soaps, mouthwashes and kitchen utensils. There are increasing evidence of the potentially harmful effects of triclosan in many systemic and cellular processes of the body. In this study, we investigated the effects of triclosan in the survivability of cultured rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Cortical cells from embryonic day 14 rat embryos were isolated and cultured in vitro. After stabilizing the culture, triclosan was introduced to the cells with concentrations ranging from $1{\mu}M$ to $50{\mu}M$ and in varied time periods. Thereafter, cell viability parameters were measured using MTT assay and PI staining. TCS decreased the cell viability of treated NSC in a concentration-dependent manner along with increased expressions of apoptotic markers, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, while reduced expression of Bcl2. To explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCS in NSC, we measured the activation of MAPKs and intracellular ROS. TCS at $50{\mu}M$ induced the activations of both p38 and JNK, which may adversely affect cell survival. In contrast, the activities of ERK, Akt and PI3K, which are positively correlated with cell survival, were inhibited. Moreover, TCS at this concentration augmented the ROS generation in treated NSC and depleted the glutathione activity. Taken together, these results suggest that TCS can induce neurodegenerative effects in developing rat brains through mechanisms involving ROS activation and apoptosis initiation.