• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1263-1267
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• 2014

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in pathogenesis and development of cancer. Recently, many studies have show associations between polymorphisms in the promoter regions of MMPs and risk of gastric cancer. The present meta-analysis was conducted in order to investigate the potential association between four polymorphisms in the MMP gene and gastric cancer risk. Methods: A computerized literature search was conducted in databases of Med-line, Embase, Science Citation Index and PubMed till June 2013 for any MMP genetic association study of gastric cancer. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for each gene under dominant and recessive models, and heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Q test and $I^2$ value. Overall and subgroup analyses according to ethnicity were carried out with Stata 12.0. Results: 14 reports covering 8,146 patients (2,980 in the case group and 5,166 in the control group) were included in the present meta-analysis. We found that the MMP-7 (-181A>G) polymorphism increased the gastric cancer risk in therecessive model (GG vs. AA/AG, OR=1.768, 95% CI =1.153-2.712). For MMP2 -1306 C>T, MMP1-1607 1G/2G, and MMP9-1 562 C>T, there were no associations between these polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer under dominant or recessive models. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that the MMP7-181 A>G polymorphism may contribute to gastric cancer susceptibility. More studies are needed, especially in Europeans, in the future.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 1988

Purification and some properties of alkaline proteinases in the pyloric caeca of skipjack, Katsuwonus vagans, were investigated. Four alkaline proteinases, temporarily designated proteinases I, II, III and IV, were identified from the tissue extract of the pyloric caeca by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 and G-200 gel filtration. Result of disc-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis showed that the purified proteinases II and III were homogenous with the yields of $1.5\%\;and\;1.2\%$, and those specific activities were increased to 33 to 37 fold over that of the crude enzyme solution, respectively. Molecular weight of the proteinases II and III determined by sephadex G-100 gel filtration were 28,500 and 24,200, respectively. The optimum conditions for the caseinolytic activity of the two enzymes were pH 9.6 and $48^{\circ}C$. The reaction rates of the two alkaline proteinases were constant to the reaction time to 80 min in the reaction mixture of $3.4{\mu}g/ml$ of enzyme concentration and $2\%$ casein solution. The Km values against casein substrate determined by the method of Lineweaver-Burk were $0.56\%$ for proteinase II and $0.30\%$ for proteinase II. The proteinases II and III were inactivated under the presence of $Ag^+,\;Hg^{2+},\;Ni{2+},\;Fe^{2+},\;and\;Cu^{2+}$, and but activated by $Mn^{2+}\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ and markedly inhibited by the soybean trypsin inhibitor and N-p-toluenesulfonyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone. Therefore, the proteinases II and III were found to be a group of serine proteases and assured to be trypsin-like proteinases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1288-1295
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• 2012

Exposure to bioaerosols causes various adverse health effects including infectious and respiratory diseases, and hypersensitivity. Controlling exposure to bioaerosols is important for disease control and prevention. In this study, we evaluated the efficacies of various functional filters coated with antimicrobial chemicals in deactivating representative microorganisms on filters or as bioaerosols. Tested functional filters were coated with different chemicals that included (i) Ginkgo and sumac, (ii) Ag-apatite and guanidine phosphate, (iii) $SiO_2$, ZnO, and $Al_2O_3$, and (iv) zeolite. To evaluate the filters, we used a model ventilation system (1) to evaluate the removal efficiency of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Legionella pneumophila), bacterial spores (Bacillus subtilis spore), and viruses (MS2 bacteriophage) on various functional filters, and (2) to characterize the removal efficiency of these bioaerosols. All experiments were performed at a constant temperature of $25^{\circ}C$ and humidity of 50%. Most bacteria (excluding B. subtilis) rapidly decreased on the functional filter. Therefore, we confirmed that functional filters have antimicrobial effects. Additionally, we evaluated the removal efficiency of various bioaerosols by these filters. We used a six-jet collision nebulizer to generate microbial aerosols and introduced it into the environmental chamber. We then measured the removal efficiency of functional filters with and without a medium-efficiency filter. Most bioaerosol concentrations did not significantly decrease by the functional filter only but decreased by a combination of functional and medium-efficiency filter. In conclusion, functional filters could facilitate biological removal of various bioaerosols, but physical removal of these by functional was minimal. Proper use of chemical-coated filter materials could reduce exposure to these agents.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.116-117
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• 2006

We investigated selective emitter effect of Porous Silicon (PSI) as antireflection coatings (ARC). The thin PSi layer, less than 100nm, was electrochemically formed by electrochemical method in about $3{\mu}m$ thick $n^+$ emitter on single crystalline silicon wafer (sc-Si). The appropriate PSi formations for selective emitter effect were carried out a two steps. A first set of samples allowed to be etched after metal-contact processing and a second one to evaporate Ag front-side metallization on PSi layer, by evaluating the I-V features The PSi has reflectance less than 20% in wavelength for 450-1000nm and porosity is about 60%. The cell made after front-contact has improved cell efficiency of about in comparison with the one made after PSi. The observed increase of efficiency for samples with PSi coating could be explained not only by the reduction of the reflection loss and surface recombination but also by the increased short-circuit current (Isc) within selective emitter. The assumption was confirmed by numerical modeling. The obtained results point out that it would be possible to prepare a solar cell over 15% efficiency by the proposed simple technology.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.1.1-1.1
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• 2011

Printed electronics based on the direct writing of solution processable functional materials have been of paramount interest and importance. In this talk, the synthesis of printable inorganic functional materials (conductors and semiconductors) for thin-film transistors (TFTs) and photovoltaic devices, device fabrication based on a printing technique, and specific characteristics of devices are presented. For printable conductor materials, Ag ink is designed to achieve the long-term dispersion stability and good adhesion property on a glass substrate, and Cu ink is sophisticatedly formulated to endow the oxidation stability in air and even aqueous solvent system. The both inks were successfully printed onto either polymer or glass substrate, exhibiting the superior conductivity comparable to that of bulk one. In addition, the organic thin-film transistor based on the printed metal source/drain electrode exhibits the electrical performance comparable to that of a transistor based on a vacuum deposited Au electrode. For printable amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs), I introduce the noble ways to resolve the critical problems, a high processing temperature above $400^{\circ}C$ and low mobility of AOSs annealed at a low temperature below $400^{\circ}C$. The dependency of TFT performances on the chemical structure of AOSs is compared and contrasted to clarify which factor should be considered to realize the low temperature annealed, high performance AOSs. For photovoltaic application, CI(G)S nanoparticle ink for solution processable high performance solar cells is presented. By overcoming the critical drawbacks of conventional solution processed CI(G)S absorber layers, the device quality dense CI(G)S layer is obtained, affording 7.3% efficiency CI(G)S photovoltaic device.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1997

An extracellular proteinase of Candida albicans was purified by a combination of 0~75% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 HR molecular sieve chromatography. Its mlecular weight was approximately 41 kDa on SDS-PAGE and isoelectric point was 4.4. The enzyme was inhibited by pepstain A. Optimum enzyme activity ranged from pH 2.0 to 3.5 with its maximum at pH 2.5 and a temperature of 45$^{\circ}C$. The addition of divalent cations, $Ca^{2+}$, Zn$^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, resulted in no significant inhibition of enzymatic activity. However, some inhibitory effects were observed by Fe$^{2+}$, Ag$^{2+}$ and Cu$^{2+}$. With BSA as substrate, an apparent $K_m$ was determined to be 7$\times$10$^{-7}$ M and $K_i$, using pepstatin A as an inhibitor, was 8.05$\times$10$^{-8}$ M. N-terminal amino acid sequence was QAVPVTLXNEQ. Degradation of BSA and fibronectin was shown but not collagen, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin G, or lysozyme. The enzyme preferred peptides with Glu and Leu at the P$_1$ position, but the enzyme activity was highly reduced when the P$_2$ position was phe or pro. This enzyme showed antigenicity against sera of patients with candidiasis.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.381-386
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• 2017

PURPOSE. To integrate extra-oral facial scanning information with CAD/CAM complete dentures to immediately rehabilitate terminal dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ten patients with terminal dentition scheduled for total extraction and immediate denture placement were recruited for this study. The patients were submitted to a facial scanning procedure using the in-office PritiMirror scanner with bite registration records in-situ. Definitive stone cast models and bite records were subsequently submitted to a lab scanning procedure using the lab scanner (iSeries DWOS; Dental Wings). The scanned models were used to create a virtual teeth setup of a complete denture. Using the intra-oral bite records as a reference, the virtual setup was incorporated in the facial scan thereby facilitating a virtual clinical evaluation (teeth try-in) phase. After applying necessary adjustments, the virtual setup was submitted to a CAM procedure where a 5-axis industrial milling machine (M7 CNC; Darton AG General) was used to fabricate a full-milled PMMA immediate provisional prosthesis. RESULTS. Total extractions were performed, the dentures were immediately inserted, and subjective clinical fit was evaluated. The immediate provisional prostheses were inserted and clinical fit, occlusion/articulation, and esthetics were subjectively assessed; the results were deemed satisfactory. All provisional prostheses remained three months in function with no notable technical complications. CONCLUSION. Ten patients with terminal dentition were treated using a complete digital approach to fabricate complete dentures using CAD/CAM technology. The proposed technique has the potential to accelerate the rehabilitation procedure starting from immediate denture to final implant-supported prosthesis leading to more predictable functional and aesthetics outcomes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2006

It has been reported that liver is a very important organ to xenotransplantation. Pig is known to be a most suitable species in transplantation of human organs. However, the physiological function of pig hepatocytes is not clear elucidated. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to be a mitogen in various cell systems. Thus, we examined the effect of EGF on cell proliferation and its related signal cascades in primary cultured pig hepatocytes. EGF stimulates cell proliferation in a dose (>1ng/ml) dependent manner. EGF-induced increase of $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation was blocked by AG 1478 ($10^{-6}M$, an EGF receptor antagonist) genistein and herbymycin A (tyrosine kinase inhibitors, $10^{-6}M$), suggesting the role of activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF receptor. In addition, EGF-induced increase of $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation was prevented by neomycin $(10^{-4}M)$, U73122 $(10^{-5}M)$ (phospholipase C [PLC] inhibitors), staurosporine ($(10^{-8}M)$, or bisindolylmaleimide I $(10^{-6}M)$ (protein kinase C [PKC] inhibitors), suggesting the role of PLC and PKC. Moreover, EGF-induced increase of $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation was blocked by PD 98059 (a p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase [MAPK] inhibitor), SB 203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor), and SP 600125 (a JNK inhibitor). EGF increased the translocation of PKC from cytosol to membrane fraction and activated p42/44 MAPK, p38 MAPK and JNK. In conclusion, EGF stimulates cell proliferation via PKC and MAPK in cultured pig hepatocytes.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2003

In this study, plant regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation Kentucky bluegrass(Poa pratensis L.) were evaluated. Three different types of calli were produced depending on the combinations of growth regulators. They were non-friable brown or gray-colored callus (type I), compact, friable and yellow or white-colored callus (typeII), and soft, watery translucent callus with differentiated structure (typeIII). The highest regenerable organogenic callus (typeII) was obtained on the medium containing 1mg/L, 2,4-D and 0.1mg/L BA. Additionally, the production of typeII calli increased significantly when AgNO$_3$ was added to the callus induction and growth medium. The highest frequency of multiple shout formation from typeII callus was obtained on MS medium containing 1mg/L BA and 1mg/L Thidiazuron(TDZ). The organogenic calli(typeII) were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 harboring the binary vector pIG121Hm with $\beta$-glucuronidase gene, and various factors were found to influence the transfer-DNA delivery efficiency. The highest transient GUS activity was observed on typeIIcallus. In the present work, we reported the first transient GUS activity of Kentucky bluegrass mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Our system may contribute to genetic improvement for breed-recalcirtrant grass species, Kentucky bluegrass.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6507-6512
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations of CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms with the risk of developing esophageal cancer (EC). A case-control study was carried out in a Chinese population in which 157 hospital based EC cases and 157 population based healthy controls with 1:1 match by age and sex were included. PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) were used to detect genotypes in case and control groups. For the CYP1A1 Ile/Val polymorphism, comparing with wild genotype Ile/Ile, both the heterozygote genotype Ile/Val and the combined variant genotype Ile/Val+Val/Val increased the risk of esophageal cancer (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.19-3.54, OR: 1.86, 95%CI: 1.11-3.12). No significant association was found between the CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism and EC. According to analysis of combined genotypes, the TC/AG combined genotype which contained both variant alleles of these two polymorphisms increased the risk of developing EC (OR: 2.12, 95%CI: 1.16-3.85). Our results suggested that genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 may increase the susceptibility to EC.