• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2010

Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.180-190
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• 2000

Background: Genomic instability, which is manifested by the replication error(RER) phenotype, has been proposed for the promotion of genetic alterations necessary for carcinogenesis. Merlo et al. reported frequent microsatellite instability in primary small cell lung cancers. However, Kim et al. found that instability occurred in only 1% of the loci tested and did not resemble the replication error-positive phenotype. The significance of microsatellite instability in the tumorigenesis of small cell lung cancer as well as the relationship between microsatellite instability and its clinical prognosis was investigated in our study. Methods: Fifteen primary small cell lung cancers were chosen for this study. The DNAs extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks with primary tumor and corresponding control tissue were investigated. Forty microsatellite markers on chromosome 1p, 2p, 3p, 5q, 6p, 6q, 9p, 9q, 13q, and 17p were used in the microsatellite analysis. Results: Thirteen(86.7%) of 15 tumors exhibited LOH in at least one of the tested microsatellite markers. Three of 13 tumors exhibiting LOH lost a larger area in chromosome 9p. LOH was shown in 72.7% on chromosome 2p, 40% on 3p, 50% on 5q, 46.7% on 9p, 69.2% on 13q, and 66.7% on 17p(Table 1). Nine(60%) of 15 tumors exhibited shifted bands in at least one of the tested microsatellite markers. Nine cases exhibiting shifted bands showed altered loci ranging 2.5~52.5%(mean $9.4%\pm16.19$)(Table 2). Shifted bands occurred in 5.7% (34 of 600) of the loci tested(Table 2). Nine cases with shifted bands exhibited LOH ranging between 0~83.3%, and the median survival duration of those cases was 35 weeks. Six cases without shifted bands exhibited LOH ranging between 0~83.3%, and the median survival duration of those cases was 73 weeks. There was no significant difference between median survival durations of the two groups(p=0.4712). Conclusion: Microsatellite instability as well as the inactivation of several tumor suppressor genes may play important roles in the development and progression process of tumors. However, the relationship between microsatellite instability and its clinical prognosis in primary small cell lung cancer could not be established.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.304-310
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• 2011

In previous studies, we reported QTLs for grain weight (GW), qGW3 and for spikelets per panicle (SPP), qSPP3 linked to RM60 on chromosome 3 using advanced backcross lines derived from a cross between Oryza sativa ssp. Indica cv. Milyang 23 and O. glaberrima. The O. glaberrima alleles at this locus increased GW and spikelets per panicle in the Milyang 23 background. To further confirm and narrow down the position of the QTLs on chromosome 3, substitution mapping was performed using five lines containing the target O. glaberrima segment on chromosome 3. The size and position of the O. glaberrima segment on chromosome 3 were different in each line. These lines possessed 3-10 non-target O. glaberrima introgressions in the Milyang 23 background. These five lines were evaluated for seven agronomic traits including 1,000 grain weight and spikelets per panicle and also genotyped with seven SSR markers. Four lines were informative in delimiting the position of QTLs, qGW3 and qSPP3. Two lines with the O. glaberrima segment flanked by SSR markers, RM60 and RM523 displayed significantly higher values than Milyang 23 in GW and SPP whereas two lines without that O. glaberrima segment displayed no difference in GW and SPP compared to Milyang 23. The result indicates that two QTL, qGW3 and qSPP3 are located in the interval between RM60 and RM523 which are 1.2-Mb apart. Introgression lines having QTLs, qGW3 and qSPP3 would be useful materials not only to indentify the relationship between these two yield QTLs, but also to develop high yielding variety via marker-aided selection technology.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2002

Background : DNA repair plays a crucial role in protection from cancer-causing agents. Therefore, a reduced DNA repair capacity can increase the susceptibility to lung cancer. The XPC gene contains 15 exons and encodes a 940 amino acid protein that plays a central role in DNA damage recognition of the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which is a major DNA repair mechanisim removing the bulky-helix distorting DNA lesions caused by smoking. Recently several polymorphisms in the XPC gene were identified. In addition, it is possible that these polymorphisms may affect the DNA repair capacity, which modulate cancer susceptibility. The relationship between codon 499 and 939 polymorphisms, and a poly(AT) insertion/deletion polymorphism in the XPC gene, and the lung cancer risk were investigated. Materials and Methods : The genotypes were determined using either PCR or PCR-RFLP analysis in 219 male lung cancer patients and 150 healthy males controls. Results : The frequencies of the genotypes (Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln) among the cases were not significantly different from those of the controls. There was no significant associantion between these polymorphi는 and the lung cancer risk when the analyses were stratified according to age, smoking status and the pack-years of smoking. Moreover, the genotypes had no apparent relationship with any of the histological types of lung cancer. There was a linkage disequilibrium among the Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln polymorphisms. The PAT polymorphism had a strong linkage disequilibrium with the Lys939Gln polymorphism (kappa value=0.87). The XPC haplotypes showed no significant association with the lung cancer risk. Conclusion : These results suggest that XPC Val499Ala, PAT and Lys939Gln polymorphisms are not major contributors to the individual lung cancer susceptibility in Koreans.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.9
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• pp.69-98
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• 2005

The security industry for civilians (Private Security), was first introduced to Korea via the US army's security system in the early 1960's. Shortly after then, official police laws were enforced in 1973, and private security finally started to develop with the passing of the 'service security industry' law in 1976. Korea's Private Security industry grew rapidly in the 1980's with the support of foreign funds and products, and now there are thought to be approximately 2000 private security enterprises currently running in Korea. However, nowadays the majority of these enterprises are experiencing difficulties such as lack of funds, insufficient management, and lack of control over employees, as a result, it seems difficult for some enterprises to avoid the low production output and bankruptcy. As a result of this these enterprises often settle these matters illegally, such as excessive dumping or avoiding problems by hiring inappropriate employees who don't have the right skills or qualifications for the jobs. The main problem with the establishment of this kind of security service is that it is so easy to make inroads into this private service market. All these hindering factors inhibit the market growth and impede qualitative development. Based on these main reasons, I researched this area, and will analyze and criticize the present condition of Korea's private security. I will present a possible development plan for the private security of Korea by referring to cases from the US and Japan. My method of researching was to investigate any related documentary records and articles and to interview people for necessary evidence. The theoretical study, involves investigation books and dissertations which are published from inside and outside of the country, and studying the complete collection of laws and regulations, internet data, various study reports, and the documentary records and the statistical data of many institutions such as the National Police Office, judicial training institute, and the enterprises of private security. Also, in addition, the contents of professionals who are in charge of practical affairs on the spot in order to overcomes the critical points of documentary records when investigating dissertation. I tried to get a firm grasp of the problems and difficulties which people in these work enterprises experience, this I thought would be most effective by interviewing the workers, for example: how they feel in the work places and what are the elements which inpede development? And I also interviewed policemen who are in charge of supervising the private escort enterprises, in an effort to figure out the problems and differences in opinion between domestic private security service and the police. From this investigation and research I will try to pin point the major problems of the private security and present a developmental plan. Firstly-Companies should unify the private police law and private security service law. Secondly-It is essential to introduce the 'specialty certificate' system for the quality improvement of private security service. Thirdly-must open up a new private security market by improving old system. Fourth-must build up the competitive power of the security service enterprises which is based on an efficient management. Fifth-needs special marketing strategy to hold customers Sixth-needs positive research based on theoretical studies. Seventh-needs the consistent and even training according to effective market demand. Eighth-Must maintain interrelationship with the police department. Ninth-must reinforce the system of Korean private security service association. Tenth-must establish private security laboratory. Based on these suggestions there should be improvement of private security service.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate sweets of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTT1), cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and cytoehrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) on lung cancer development. Methods: Ninety-eight lung cancer patients and 98 age-sex matched non-cancer patients hospitalized in Chungbuk National University Hospital form March 1997 to August 1998, were the subjects of this case-control study. Direct interview was done and genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 were investigated using multiplex PCR or PCR-RFLP methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. Effects of the polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1, lifestyle factors including smoking, and their interactions on lung rancor were statistically analyzed. Results: GSTM1 was deleted in 67.01% of the cases and 58.16% of the controls, and the odds ratio(95% CI) was 1.46(0.82-2.62). GSTT1 deletion was 58.76% for the lung cancer patients and 50.00% for the controls[OR:1.43(0.81-2.51)]. The frequencies of lle/lle, lle/Val and Val/Val of the CYP1A1 polymorphisms were 59.18-18%, 35.71%, and 5.10% for the cases, and 52.04%, 45.92%, 2.04% for the controls, respectively. Risk of lung cancer was not associated with polymorphism of CYP1A1 ($x^2trend=0.253$, p-value>0.05). The respective frequency of c1/c1 c1/c2, c2/c2 genotypes for CYP2E1 were 50.00%, 42.86%, 7.14% for the lung cancer patients, and 66.33%, 30.61%, 3.06% for the controls $(x^2trend=5.783,\;p<0.05)$. c2 allele was a significant risk factor for lung cancer. We also observed a significant association of cigarette smoking history with lung cancer risk. The odds ratio(95% Cl) of cigarette smoking was 3.03(1.58-5.81). In multiple logistic analysis including genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1, and smoking habit, only snaking habit came out to be a significant risk factor for lung cancer. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 are not so strongly associated with lung cancer as lifestyle factors including cigarette smoking.