• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.642-649
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• 2012

The southern coast of Korea is important for the ark shell ($Scapharca$ $broughtonii$) aquaculture, but the productivity was rapidly reduced during the previous decade by mass mortality. To overcome this economic loss, investigations only focused on environmental factors, and microbiological researches were performed insufficiently. In this study, two sites (Gangjin and Jinhae bay) were selected for their high and low rate of mortality, respectively, and the existence of microflora from underwater sediments in the bodies of $S.$ $broughtonii$ was analyzed. We screened the whole body of each sample and chose unique colonies, which exhibit alpha- and beta-hemolytic activity, for identification. The microflora in $S.$ $broughtonii$ was less variable than sediments, and restricted species were isolated. We identified 17 genera of 88 species and 16 genera of 64 species from the two bays, respectively. A major proportion was comprised of $Bacillus$ species, with the $Bacillus$ $cereus$ group being the most common species among the $Bacillus$ strains, while $Paenibacillus$, $Lynsilbacillus$, and $Vibrio$ species were the second most abundant species. At the genus level, there were no significant microbial differences between the two coastal regions. 64 species were isolated from rare site (Jinhae bay), but more species (88) with greater variety were isolated from the frequent site (Gangjin bay). Therefore, it was assumed that the cause of mass mortality lay in the difference in specie-level diversity, and conducting investigations on the diagnosis of pathogenic species by challenging tests using isolated unique species.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

Black tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is known to have more ${\beta}-carotene$, lycopene, and vitamin C than general red-colored tomatoes. In this study, we evaluated the quality properties, antioxidant activities and sensory characteristics of black tomato cookies. Cookies were prepared by replacing 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7% of flour with black tomato powder. Density of black tomato cookies tended to be decreased between control (1.20) and 3% added groups (1.12). pH value was decreased from control (6.66) to 7% added group (5.16). Spread factor and loss rate were increased with increasing amounts of black tomato powder. Hardness was gradually increased from $107.77g/cm^2$ in control to $170.50g/cm^2$ in 7% added group. Color measurement indicated that L-value (brightness) was highest in control (70.46) and lowest in 7% added group (45.23); whereas, a-value (redness) increased while b-value (yellowness) tended to decrease with increasing amounts of black tomato powder. Total polyphenol contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities were directly proportional to the amount of black tomato powder. Consumer preference scores in color and flavor of black tomato powder added group were higher than those of control. Characteristic strength test was not significantly different among the groups. Overall, the results indicated that adding 5% black tomato powder is desirable for making black tomato cookies.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.725-732
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• 2005

This study attempted to investigate if the soy isoflavone, genistein, influences bone metabolism in ovariectomized, 4-week-old female Wister rats. All the rats were divided into sham (SH) and ovariectomized (OVX) groups consisting of OVX-17${\beta}$-estradiol($10\;{\mu}g/kg$ b.w.), OVX-1mg or 5 mg or 10mg of genistein/kg b.w. The rates were allowed ad libitum access to foods and water for 8 weeks. The Results showed that body weight had significantly increased in the OVX group compared to the SH group (p<0.05) and was not different among the OVX-GEN and OVX-ES groups and the OVX group. The liver and uterus weights in the OVX groups were slighter than those in SH group (p<0.05). The kidney weight in the OVX groups was decreased compared to in that in the SH group but was not significantly different among all OVX groups. Femoral length in the OVX groups was longer than in the SH group and was not different. Rats in the OVX groups had higher creatinine levels than those in the SH group and hydroxyproline level did not differ significantly among any of the groups. Serum ALP activity and Ca in bone, feces, urine and serum did not change among the groups. Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased in the OVX groups compared to the SH group and was slightly increased by feeding genistein (p>0.05). Breaking force and stiffness did not change by ovariectomy and feeding genistein. Hence, these results suggested that estrogen may affect bone mineralization in growing rats and that genistein be may involved in the prevention of bone loss. However, more studies are needed to identify the proper mechanism of genistein and bone formation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.452-455
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• 2006

The in vitro cytoprotective and anti-oxidative effects of ursodeoxycholic acid, a major active compound from bear's gall were investigated in mouse brain microglia. In the present study, we wished to scrutinize the potential role of UDCA as an anti-neurodegenerative agent in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. This concept was supported by the multiple preliminary studies in which UDCA has an anti-inflammatory effect in microglial cells. In the study, we found that $7.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ UDCA was effective in the protection of cells from $H_2O_2$ damage, a reactive oxygen, and the resuIt was coincided with the anti-apoptotic effect in DAPI staining. Moreover, the metal-catalyzed oxidation study showed that UDCA has antioxidant effect as much as ascorbic acid at $50{\sim}100\;{\mu}g/mL$. In conclusion, these study results suggested that neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease probably caused by over-expressed beta amyloid peptide in elderly people can be controled by UDCA through an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effect. The evidences showed in the study may be references for more in-depth in vivo and clinical studies for a candidate of anti-neurodegenerative therapy in the near future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2015

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection in the world (~14.7%). Around 10-15% of HCV-infected persons will advance to cirrhosis within the first 20 years. The incidence of HCC is expected to grow in the next two decades, largely due to HCV related cirrhosis, and detection of HCC at an early stage is critical for a favorable clinical outcome. No simple reliable non-invasive marker has been available till now. B2M, a non-glycosylated polypeptide composed of 99 amino acids, is one of the components of HLA class I molecules on the surfaces of all nucleated cells. It has been reported that the level of serum B2M is elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV-related HCC when compared to HCV-negative patients or healthy donors. Determining the clinical utility of serum B2M as a marker for disease progression in Egyptian patients with HCV related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross sectional study 92 participants were included in 4 equal groups: Group (1) non cirrhotic chronic HCV; Group (2) HCV related liver cirrhosis; Group (3) HCC on top of HCV,; and Group (4) healthy controls. History taking, clinical examination, routine labs and abdominal ultrasound were conducted for all patients, PCR and Metavir scores for group (1) patients, and triphasic CT abdomen and AFP for Group (3) patients. B2M levels were measured in serum with a fully-automated IMX system. Results: The mean serum B2M level of Group (1) was $4.25{\pm}1.48{\mu}g/ml$., Group (2) was $7.48{\pm}3.04$, Group (3) was $6.62{\pm}2.49$ and Group (4) was $1.62{\pm}0.63$. Serum B2M levels were significantly higher in diseased than control group (p<0.01) being significantly higher in cirrhosis ($7.48{\pm}3.04$) and HCC groups ($6.62{\pm}2.49$) than the HCV group ($4.25{\pm}1.48$) (p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between B2M Level and ALK, total and direct bilirubin and INR (p<0.05), and a significant inverse correlation between B2M level and albumin, total proteins, HB andWBCS values (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between B2M level and viral load or Metavir score, largest tumour size or AFP (p>0.05). The best B2M cut-off for HCV diagnosis was 2.6 with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. The best B2M cut-off for HCC diagnosis was 4.55 which yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values of 74%, 62%, 39.5, 87.8% respectively (p-value <0.01) while best cut-off for cirrhosis was 4.9, with sensitivity 74 % and specificity 74%.The sensitivity for HCC diagnosis increased upon B2M and AFP combined estimation to 91%, specificity to 79%, NPV to 95% and accuracy to 83%. Conclusions: Serum B2M level is elevated in HCV related chronic liver diseases and may be used as a marker for HCV disease progression towards cirrhosis and carcinoma.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.19-27
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• 2003

Surface finishes of PCB laminates are important in the solder joint reliability of flip chip package because the types and thicknesses of intermetallic compound(IMC), and compositions and hardness of solders are affected by them. In this study, effects of surface finishes of PCB on the low cycle fatigue resistance of Sn-based lead-free solders; Sn-3.5Ag, Sn-3.5Ag-XCu(X=0.75, 1.5), Sn-3.5Ag-XBi(X=2.5, 7.5) and Sn-0.7Cu were investigated for the Cu and Au/Ni surface finish treatments. Displacement controlled room temperature lap shear fatigue tests showed that fatigue resistance of Sn-3.5Ag-XCu(X=0.75, 1.5), Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-0.7Cu alloys were more or less the same each other but much better than that of Bi containing alloys regardless of the surface finish layer used. In general, solder joints on the Au/Ni finish showed better fatigue resistance than those on the Cu finish. Cross-sectional fractography revealed microcracks nucleation inside of the interfacial IMC near the solder mask edge, more frequently on the Cu than the Au/Ni surface finish. Macro cracks followed the solder/IMC interface in the Bi containing alloys, while they propagated in the solder matrix in other alloys. It was ascribed to the Bi segregation at the solder/IMC interface and the solid solution hardening effect of Bi in the $\beta-Sn$ matrix.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2001

The ectopic expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH and luteinizing hormone(LH) in several tissues is a quite intriguing phenomenon. Recently, the presence of GnRH and its receptor has been clearly demonstrated in rodents and human mammary gland. In this context, one can postulate that the presence of local circuit composed of GnRH and LH in the gland. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether there is a correlation between the LH expression in rat mammary gland and physiological status during the process of mammary differentiation. LH contents in mammary gland from cycling to weaning rats were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). In cycling rats, changes of the LH level in both serum and mammary gland showed similar pattern as the highest level in proestrus and the lowest level in diestrus II stage. While the serum LH levels were fluctuated from pregnant through involution stage, a sharp decline of mammary LH contents was observed in the lactating rats. This decrement was recovered in involuting rats to the level of proestrus stage. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the transcriptional activities of the mammary LH and GnRH were increased from diestrus I stage to estrus stage, and the increased levels were maintained in pregnant, lactation and involution stages. To test the hypothesis that the alteration in mammary LH expression might be steroid-dependant, ovariectomy(OVX) and steroid supplement model was employed. As expected, supplement of estradiol(E$_2$) after OVX remarkably decreased serum LH level compared to that in serum from vehicle-only treated rats. Likewise, administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced the mammary LH content. The present study demonstrated that (i) the LH expression in mammary gland could be altered by some physiological parameters such as estrous cycle, pregnancy, lactation and involution, and (ii) ovarian steroid especially estrogen seems to be one of major endocrine factors which are responsible for regulation of mammary LH expression.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 1999

Applications of chitosan are related to molecular weight and degree of deacetylation(DOD) of chitosan completely. The molecular weight and DOD were greatly affected by the concentration of solution time and temperature. The degree of demineralization was not significantly different at $50^{\circ}C\;and\;70^{\circ}C$ after 30 minutes. Deproteinization decreased as process time increased. The nitrogen content was reached to 6.92% after 90 minute at $80^{\circ}C$, which is similar to theoretical nitrogen content of chitin. The DOD was 82.84% after 2 hours reaction and increased as the reaction time increased in the process. Viscosity and molecular weight are increased as recycling number of concentrated NaOH solution increased. Chemical, biological and physical properties of chitosan depend on the DOD and molecular size of the molecule. Tensile strength of the films from acetic acid solutions was between $28.9{\sim}33.6$ MPa and was generally higher than that of the films from lactic acid. Elongation of the films from lactic acid was between $97.0{\sim}109.7%$ and was generally higher than that of the films from the acetic acid. Water vapor permeability of the films prepared from lcetic acid solutions was between $1.9{\sim}2.3ng{\cdot}m/m^2{\cdot}s{\cdot}Pa$ and was generally higher than that of the films from the acetic acid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.401-407
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to know the differences of MR spectra, obtained from normal volunteers by variable TE value, through the quantitative analysis of brain metabolites by peak integral and SNR between 1.5T and 3.0T, together with PRESS and STEAM pulse sequence. Single-voxel MR proton spectra of the human brain obtained from normal volunteers at both 3.0T MR system (Magnetom Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) and 1.5T MR system (Signa Twinspeed, GE, USA) using the STEAM and PRESS pulse sequence. 10 healthy volunteers (3.0T:3 males, 2 females; 1.5T : 3 males, 2 females) with the range from 22 to 30 years old (mean 26 years) participated in our study. They had no personal or familial history of neurological diseases and had a normal neurological examination. Data acquisition parameters were closely matched between the two field strengths. Spectra were recorded in the white matter of the occipital lobe. Spectra were compared in terms of resolution and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and echo time(TE) were estimated at both field strengths. Imaging parameters was used for acquisition of the proton spectrum were as follow : TR 2000msec, TE 30ms, 40ms, 50ms, 60ms, 90ms, 144ms, 288ms, NA=96, VOI=$20{\times}20{\times}20mm3$. As the echo times were increased, the spectra obtained from 3.0T and 1.5T show decreased peak integral and SNR at both pulse sequence. PRESS pulse sequence shows higher SNR and signal intensity than those of STEAM. Especially, Spectra in normal volunteers at 3.0T demonstrated significantly improved overall SNR and spectral resolution compared to 1.5T(Fig1). The spectra acquired at short echo time, 3T MR system shows a twice improvement in SNR compared to 1.5T MR system(Table. 1). But, there was no significant difference between 3.0Tand 1.5T at long TE It is concluded that PRESS and short TE is useful for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS, our standardized protocol for quantification of the brain metabolites at 3.0T MRS is useful to evaluate the brain diseases by monitoring the systematic changes of biochemical metabolites concentration in vivo.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2002

Purpose : We intended to decrease late CNS reaction after radical radiotherapy for an intracranial germinoma by using combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and involved-field radiotherapy. The efficacy in terms of its acute toxicity and short-term relapse patterns was analyzed. Materials and Methods : Eighteen patients were treated with combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy between 1995 and 2001. The chemotherapy regimen used was the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 9921A (cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, VP-16, vincristine) for 5 patients younger than 16 years, BEP (bleomycin, VP-16, cisplatin) for 12 patients, and EP (VP-16, cisplatin) for 1 patient. The radiotherapy covered the whole craniospinal axis for 5 patients, the whole brain for 1, and the partial brain (involved field) for 12. the primary lesion received tumour doses between 3,960 and 5,400 cGy. Results : The male to female ratio was 16:2 and the median age was 16 years old. The tumors were located in the pineal gland in 12 patients, in the suprasellar region in 1, in the basal ganglia In 1, in the thalamus in 1. Three patients had multiple lesions and ventricular seedings were shown at MRI. In 3 patients, tumor cells were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and MRI detected a spinal seeding in 2 patients. The response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was complete remission in 5 patients, partial remission in 12, and no response in 1. However, after radiotherapy, all except 1 patient experienced complete remission. The toxicity during or after chemotherapy greater than or equal to grade III was remarkable; hematologic toxicity was observed in 11 patients, liver toxicity in none, kidney toxicity in none, and gastrointestinal toxicity in one. One patient suffered from bleomycin-induced pneumonitis. Radiotherapy was therefore stopped and the patient eventually died of respiratory failure. The other 17 are alive without any evidence of disease or relapse during an average of 20 months follow-up. Conclusion : A high response rate and disease control was experienced, which was the same as observed other studies and the morbidity from chemotherapy-induced toxicity was similar. With these results, the results from adjuvant chemotherapy and involved-field radiotherapy cannot be concluded to be equal to those from extended-field radiotherapy. The long term follow-up study on later complications are required in order to draw definite conclusions on the optimal management with minimum side effects.