• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2795-2798
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• 2012

Objective: This study is conducted to evaluate the effects of anti-HER-2${\times}$anti-CD3 bi-specific antibodies(BsAb) on HER-2/neuover-expressing human colorectal carcinoma cells. Methods: Growth was assessed by MTT assays after exposure of HCT-116 cells to Herceptin, anti-CD3 and BsAb antibodies. Immunocytochemistry was applied to test the HER-2 level of HCT-116. In a nude mouse model, HER-2${\times}$CD3 BsAb was combined with effector cells (peripheral blood lymph cells from normal human being) for observations on in Vivo growth of tumors. Results: Compared with the control group, using effector cells combined with anti-CD3 McAb, Herceptin or HER2${\times}$CD3 BsAb, tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo was significantly inhibited (P<0.05), most remarkably in the HER2${\times}$CD3 BsAb case. The growth of xenografts with HER2${\times}$CD3 BsAb combined with effector cells was also significantly inhibited when compared with the anti-CD3 McAb or Herceptin groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: HER-2/neu might be a useful target for immunotherapy in colorectal carcinoma, anti-HER2${\times}$anti-CD3 BsAb exerting clear anti-tumor effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.387-393
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• 2016

Background: CYP1A1 is a candidate gene for low-penetrance breast cancer susceptibility, as it plays an important role in the metabolism of carcinogens and estrogens. Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the association between M2 (A2455G, Ile462Val) and M4 (C2453A, Thr461Asn) polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and breast cancer risk among Jordanian women and in subgroups stratified by menopausal status and smoking history. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 112 breast cancer female patients and 115 age-matched controls who underwent breast cancer screening with imaging and showed negative results (BI-RADS I or BI-RADS II). Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP technique. Results: No statistically significant overall association was found between breast cancer risk and CYP1A1 M2 genotypes (p= 0.55; OR = 0.77; 95% CI= 0.32 - 1.83) nor with the M4 polymorphism (p= 0.95; OR= 0.95; 95% CI= 0.51 - 1.88). Analysis of subgroups defined by menopausal status or smoking history also revealed no association with these polymorphisms. Furthermore, the four identified haplotypes (AC; AA; GC and GA) were equally distributed among cases and controls, and haplotype analysis showed a strong linkage disequilibrium of both studied loci in either cases or controls (D'=1). Conclusions: Based on the study results, CYP1A1 M2 and M4 polymorphisms do not seem to play a major role in breast cancer risk among Jordanian females.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.567-572
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• 2010

The objective was to assess the concentrations of Vitamins A and E in blood of growing lambs infected or not with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and fed a diet containing clinoptilolite. Twenty-four male lambs were used. A $2{\times}2$ factorial design consisting of two feeding treatments (B and Z) and two levels of parasitic status, infected (I) and uninfected (U) was used. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of four (n = 6), groups: BU (basal-uninfected), BI (basal-infected), ZU (zeolite-uninfected) and ZI (zeoliteinfected). Lambs of groups BI and ZI were infected with a single dose of 15,000 $L_3$ larvae of GIN. Blood samples were collected from individual animals at the start of the experiment and, thereafter, at 15-day intervals. The average blood serum vitamin A and vitamin E, concentration in lambs (mean${\pm}$SD) was 0.25${\pm}$0.090 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1.59${\pm}$0.769 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Lambs fed Z diet had higher values of vitamin A (p<0.001), but lower values of vitamin E (p<0.01) when compared with those fed B diet.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Objective: The role of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CREB (cAMP response element binding) and VGF neuropeptide has been proved in antidepressant activity of long term saffron administration in the rat hippocampus. In this study we evaluated the role of these proteins in antidepressant activity of saffron in long term administration in the rat cerebellum. Methods: Saffron aqueous extract (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for 21 days to rats. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and cerebellums were separated. The protein levels of BDNF, VGF, CREB and P- CREB in the rat cerebellum were evaluated using western blot analysis. Results: Saffron aqueous extract (80mg/kg/day) caused significant increase in protein level of P-CREB in long term treatment in the rat cerebellum. The increases in the protein levels of VGF, CREB and BDNF were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, our results showed that antidepressant effect of saffron in rat cerebellum might be due to the enhanced phosphorylation of CREB.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.603-623
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• 2015

The scale and nature of the recent earthquakes in the world and the related earthquake disaster index coerce the concerned community to become anxious about it. Therefore, it is crucial that seismic lateral load effect will be appropriately considered in structural design. Application of seismic isolation system stands as a consistent alternative against this hazard. The objective of the study is to evaluate the structural and economic feasibility of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with base isolation located in medium risk seismic region. Linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses as well as linear static analysis under site-specific bi-directional seismic excitation have been carried out for both fixed based (FB) and base isolated (BI) buildings in the present study. The superstructure and base of buildings are modeled in a 3D finite element model by consistent mass approach having six degrees of freedom at each node. The floor slabs are simulated as rigid diaphragms. Lead rubber bearing (LRB) and High damping rubber bearing (HDRB) are used as isolation device. Change of structural behaviors and savings in construction costing are evaluated. The study shows that for low to medium rise buildings, isolators can reduce muscular amount of base shears, base moments and floor accelerations for building at soft to medium stiff soil. Allowable higher horizontal displacement induces structural flexibility. Though incorporating isolator increases the outlay, overall structural cost may be reduced. The application of base isolation system confirms a potential to be used as a viable solution in economic building design.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.271-274
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• 2000

Gas sensor materials capable of detecting hydrogen gases (H$_2$) or nitrogen oxides (NO$\_$x/, primarily NO and NO$_2$) with high sensitivity have attracted much interest in conjunction with the growing concern to the protection of global environments. Beside conventional sensor materials, such as semiconductors., conducting polymers and solid electrolytes, the potential of sensor materials with a new method for detecting hydrogen gases or nitrogen oxides gas has also been tested. The breakdown voltage of porous varistors shifted to a low electric field upon exposure to H$_2$ gas, whereas it shifted to a reverse direction in an atmosphere containing oxidizing gases such as O$_3$ and NO$_2$ in the temperature range of 300 to 600$^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, it was found that the magnitude of the breakdown voltage shift, i. e. the magnitude of sensitivity, was well correlated with gas concentration, and that the H$_2$ sensitivity was improved by controlling the composition of the Bi$_2$O$_3$ rich grain boundary phase. However, NO$\_$x/ sensing properties of porous varistors have not been studies in detail. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of the composition of the Bi$_2$O$_3$ rich grain boundary phase and other additive such as A1$_2$O$_3$ on the hydrogen gases (H$_2$) sensing properties of porous ZnO based varistors.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2021

Background: Regardless of countries, the myth that rain makes the body ache has been worded in various forms, and a number of studies have been reported to investigate this. However, these studies, which depended on the patient's experience or memory, had obvious limitations. Google Trends is a big data analysis service based on search terms and viewing videos provided by Google LLC, and attempts to use it in various fields are continuing. In this study, we endeavored to introduce the 'value as a research tool' of the Google Trends, that has emerged along with technological advancements, through research on 'whether toothaches really occur frequently on rainy days'. Methods: Keywords were selected as objectively as possible by applying web crawling and text mining techniques, and the keyword "bi" meaning rain in Korean was added to verify the reliability of Google Trends data. The correlation was statistically analyzed using precipitation and temperature data provided by the Korea Meteorological Agency and daily search volume data provided by Google Trends. Results: Keywords "chi-gwa", "chi-tong", and "chung-chi" were selected, which in Korean mean 'dental clinic', 'toothache', and 'tooth decay' respectively. A significant correlation was found between the amount of precipitation and the search volume of tooth decay. No correlation was found between precipitation and other keywords or other combinations. It was natural that a very significant correlation was found between the amount of precipitation, temperature, and the search volume of "bi". Conclusion: Rain seems to actually be a cause of toothache, and if objective keyword selection is premised, Google Trends is considered to be very useful as a research tool in the future.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1045-1054
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of combining the quantitative parameters of shear wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to breast ultrasound (US) to differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 pathologically confirmed breast lesions in 192 patients were retrospectively reviewed using breast US with B-mode imaging, SWE, and SMI. Breast masses were assessed based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) and quantitative parameters using the maximum elasticity (Emax) and ratio (Eratio) in SWE and the vascular index in SMI (SMI_VI). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of B-mode alone versus the combination of B-mode US with SWE or SMI of both parameters in differentiating between benign and malignant breast masses was compared, respectively. Hypothetical performances of selective downgrading of BI-RADS category 4a (set 1) and both upgrading of category 3 and downgrading of category 4a (set 2) were calculated. Results: Emax with a cutoff value of 86.45 kPa had the highest AUC value compared to Eratio of 3.57 or SMI_VI of 3.35%. In set 1, the combination of B-mode with Emax or SMI_VI had a significantly higher AUC value (0.829 and 0.778, respectively) than B-mode alone (0.719) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). B-mode US with the addition of Emax, Eratio, and SMI_VI had the best diagnostic performance of AUC value (0.849). The accuracy and specificity increased significantly from 68.0% to 84.0% (p < 0.001) and from 46.1% to 79.1% (p < 0.001), respectively, and the sensitivity decreased from 97.6% to 90.6% without statistical loss (p = 0.199). Conclusion: Combining all quantitative values of SWE and SMI with B-mode US improved the diagnostic performance in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2024

Purpose: The concept of a superior approach (SA) involves the use of a tissue-sparing posterior approach (PA), with exposure of the piriformis muscle and gluteus medius/minimus muscles. The objective of this study was to clarify the features of hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) using a SA in regard to early recovery and mid-term outcomes, with a comparison of the outcomes of SA-HAs and HAs using a PA (PA-HAs). Materials and Methods: A total of 120 HAs for treatment of primary femoral neck fracture with a healthy opposite hip joint were performed in our hospital from 2013 to 2018. Propensity score matching in regard to age, sex, body mass index, walking ability before injury, place of residence, time to surgery, and American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status was performed for 79 patients with SA-HAs and 41 patients with PA-HAs. The final analysis included 34 patients who underwent SA-HAs and 34 patients who underwent PA-HAs. Results: The duration of surgery was 57.1 minutes and 72.1 minutes (P=0.001) for SA-HAs and PA-HAs, respectively. The scores for walking ability at postoperative one week were 4.9±1.4 and 4.2±1.0 (P=0.021) for SA-HAs and PA-HAs, respectively. The Barthel index (BI) at the start of rehabilitation was 26.2±18.7 and 17.4±16.3 (P=0.042) for SA-HAs and PA-HAs, respectively. The 4-year complication-free survival rates were 74.2% and 56.3% for SA-HAs and PA-HAs, respectively (P=0.310). Conclusion: SA-HA can be performed without torsion of the muscles and ligaments around the hip joint. Early recovery of walking ability and BI was a significant feature of SA-HAs.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.11-28
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was conducted to systematic review about assessment tools for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) for stroke patients. Methods: Studies tools was administered by using four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and NDSL). For the main key words,"stroke AND activities of daily living AND occupational therapy AND assessment OR evaluation OR measurement"was used. We analyzed the types and frequency of evaluation tools. In addition, the evaluation tools for activities and participation were classified based on the classification criteria of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Results: In this study, 111 studies were analyzed and 30 assessment tools were identified. As the number of studies on stroke patients has been increased recently, the types and frequency of evaluation tools have been also increased. The most commonly used evaluation tools were Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Barthel Index (BI) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). In addition, according to classification based on ICF, we found that the types of assessment tools which assess participation were few. Conclusion: Although there were many kinds of assessment tools, the types of evaluation tools which were used in the research or field were very limited. Using various assessment tools, more research should be conducted to support evidence-based occupational therapy. Evaluation tools for participation also should be developed.