• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.184-192
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• 2014

${\beta}$-lapachone is a naturally occurring quinone that selectively induces apoptotic cell death in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; however, its mechanism of action needs to be further elaborated. In this study, we investigated the effects of ${\beta}$-lapachone on the induction of apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. ${\beta}$-lapachone significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, and some typical apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation and an increase in the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed in ${\beta}$-lapachone-treated AGS cells. Treatment with ${\beta}$-lapachone caused mitochondrial transmembrane potential dissipation, stimulated the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by caspase-9 activation, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 downregulation and Bax upregulation, as well as death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by activation of caspase-8 and truncation of Bid. This process was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and concomitant with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The general caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly abolished ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced cell death and inhibited growth. Further analysis demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by ${\beta}$-lapachone was accompanied by inactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. The PI3K inhibitor LY29004 significantly increased ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition. Taken together, these findings indicate that the apoptotic activity of ${\beta}$-lapachone is probably regulated by a caspase-dependent cascade through activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, and that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling may contribute to ${\beta}$-lapachone-mediated AGS cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.883-890
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• 1999

Long term patency of arterial graft has been better than venous graft and redo coronary artery bypass grafting has been increasing, therefore, there has been an increasing need for alternative arterial grafts except internal thoracic artery(ITA). Material and Method: Right gastroepiploic arteries(RGEA) were harvested from 100 patients who had received gastrectomy for gastric cancer or ulcer. ITAs were obtained from 10 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The length of RGEA was measured from the pyloric ring. Items of the morphometric and histologic study at the pyloric ring and sites of the 10cm and 20cm RGEA from the pyloric ring were luminal diameter, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, degree of intimal hyperplasia, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, degree of intimal hyperplasia, intimal thickness index, medial thickness index, and the number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina. Similar items were applied to the proximal site of ITAs. Result: The length of RGEA was 23${\pm}$2.7cm(range 17∼31cm). Comparing the 20cm RGEA with ITA, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, and degree of intimal hyperplasia did not show any difference(p>0.05). However, 20cm RGEA was greater than ITA at the luminal diameter, intimal thickness index, and the number thickness and wall thickness in each site of the RGEA(pyloric ring, 10cm, 20cm) decreased from the pyloric ring to the distal sites(p<0.05). The degree of intimal hyperplasia and the number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina did not show any difference between the pyloric ring and 10cm, however, those of 20cm were smaller than these sites(p<0.05). RGEA had more number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina and rich smooth muscle cells in the media than ITA. Conclusion: The length and diameter of RGEA is good enough to reach most of the coronary arteries. Moreover, long term patency of RGEA may be improved, if anastomosed in the distal site.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2003

How to compare the environmental damage caused by vehicles with different foe]s and drive trains\ulcorner This paper describes a methodology to assess the environmental impact of vehicles, using different approaches, and evaluating their benefits and limitations. Rating systems are analysed as tools to compare the environmental impact of vehicles, allowing decision makers to dedicate their financial and non-financial policies and support measures in function of the ecological damage. The paper is based on the "Clean Vehicles" research project, commissioned by the Brussels Capital Region via the BIM-IBGE (Brussels Institute for the Conservation of the Environment) (Van Mierlo et at., 2001). The VriJe Universiteit Brussel (ETEC) and the universite Libre do Bruxelles (CEESE) have jointly carried out the workprogramme. The most important results of this project are illustrated in this paper. First an overview of environmental, economical and technical characteristics of the different alternative fuels and drive trains is given. Afterward the basic principles to identify the environmental impact of cars are described. An outline of the considered emissions and their environmental impact leads to the definition of the calculation method, named Ecoscore. A rather simple and pragmatic approach would be stating that all alternative fuelled vehicles (LPG, CNG, EV, HEV, etc.) can be considered as ′clean′. Another basic approach is considering as ′clean′ all vehicles satisfying a stringent omission regulation like EURO IV or EEV. Such approaches however don′t tell anything about the real environmental damage of the vehicles. In the paper we describe "how should the environmental impact of vehicles be defined\ulcorner", including parameters affecting the emissions of vehicles and their influence on human beings and on the environment and "how could it be defined \ulcorner", taking into account the availability of accurate and reliable data. We take into account different damages (acid rain, photochemical air pollution, global warming. noise, etc.) and their impacts on several receptors like human beings (e.g., cancer, respiratory diseases, etc), ecosystems, or buildings. The presented methodology is based on a kind of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in which the contribution of all emissions to a certain damage are considered (e.g. using Exposure-Response damage function). The emissions will include oil extraction, transportation refinery, electricity production, distribution, (Well-to-Wheel approach), as well as the emission due to the production, use and dismantling of the vehicle (Cradle-to-Grave approach). The different damages will be normalized to be able to make a comparison. Hence a reference value (determined by the reference vehicle chosen) will be defined as a target value (the normalized value will thus measure a kind of Distance to Target). The contribution of the different normalized damages to a single value "Ecoscore" will be based on a panel weighting method. Some examples of the calculation of the Ecoscore for different alternative fuels and drive trains will be calculated as an illustration of the methodology.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.273-280
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• 2015

Lentils (Lens culinaris) are a nutritious and popular food throughout the world. This review provides an overview of the nutritional and functional properties of lentils. Lentils have high nutritional value: high protein, high fiber, low fat, and a variety of minerals. The addition of lentils to other foods could enhance their health benefits. Additionally, there is no decrease in the amino acid content in lentils when cooked; rather, the amino acids increased and the phytic acids decreased. Lentils are generally known to have biomedical functions including antioxidative, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and thrombolytic properties. The data presented here show that fermentation would increase the amount of bioactive substances in the beans. Therefore, fermentation techniques could be a new approach to produce lentil-based foods. They are also eco-friendly, cost-effective, and feasible processes. This review has suggested a future development of new lentil-related foods using traditional fermentation technology.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.349-357
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• 2011

Inhibitors of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) kinase activity may prove useful to therapeutically intervene in cancer and to treat other proliferative diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitive effects of two compounds named 63013 and 63033 possess a [1,4]-dioxino quinazoline structure that links the alkoxy side chains together and their structural characteristics are considered to allow better solubility than the dialkoxyquinazoline derivatives. The EGFR kinase activities of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, stimulated by EGF were inhibited by treatment with 63013 and 63033 in a dose-dependent manner respectively. Consistent with the compound-mediated EGFR kinase suppression, the major EGF-related downstream target molecules, such as MEK1/2, MAPK p44/42, AKT and STAT3, were also suppressed by both compounds. Interestingly, both compounds led to cell growth inhibition at a lower concentration than that of Gefitinib (Iressa$^{(R)}$). Collectively, our study showed that both compounds may have good therapeutic potential as an EGFR kinase specific inhibitor to treat EGFR-related diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.295-300
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• 2009

Statement of problem: As the number of elders is growing with the advancement of medicine, partially or fully edentulous patients have increased. Medically compromised conditions are common in the older population so that it should be taken into account in prosthetic treatment planning as well as their economic conditions. In the older patients, removable prosthesis has been preferred to implant prosthesis. However, cast metal based removable partial dentures also has several limitations. Purpose: In this report, we present several cases of Valplast$^{(R)}$ flexible denture which were fabricated in patients who had medically compromised conditions or whose remaining teeth showed a relatively poor prognosis. Results & Conclusion: This article describes an alternative treatment for a partially edentulous patient with mouth opening limitation, after cancer surgery, compromised general condition and questionable remaining teeth. In these patients, Valplast$^{(R)}$ flexible denture was used because of its unique characteristics and the results were all satisfactory. Patients had 1-2 check-up and there were no postoperative pain or fracture of denture up to now.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2002

Background : The lung is the most common site for a metastasis of extrapulmonary malignant tumors. however, reports on an endobronchial metastasis are rare. An endobronchial metastasis is defined as a documented extrapulmonary neoplasms metastatic to the segmental or more proximal central bronchus within a bronchoscopically visible range. The purpose of this study was to define the clinical characteristics of an endobronchial metastasis of extrapulmonary malignancies. Materials and Methods : The clinical features and treatment outcomes of 27 endobronchial metastatic cancer cases were reviewed from June, 1991 to May, 2001 in the Severance Hospital. Results : The patients' age ranged from 18 to 75. There were 17 men and 10 women. The primary tumors included the colorectum in 7, the uterine cervix in 4, the stomach and the breast in 3 patients each, and an osteosarcoma in 2 patients. The main complaint of most patients was coughing and a chest X-ray revealed a hilar mass, a parenchymal, and an atelectasis. The mean recurrence interval time was 45.5 months. The median and mean survival times were 10 and 12.3 months, respectively. Conclusion : An endobronchial metastasis is an ominous finding, and is associated with advanced-stage diseases. It requires differential diagnosis with a primary bronchogenic carcinoma. If atypical clinical features are present or an atypical cell type is discovered by a biopsy of the lesion in the lung mass, the appropriate diagnostic studies should be undertaken.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.208-218
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• 2015

Recently, radiation therapy is used in the CT existing conventional two-dimensional radiation image, and set the size and location of the tumor in a manner that the image is going to change the treatment plan. After using the simulation using CT, radiation therapy it is four-dimensional or three-dimensional treatment made possible. and radiation therapy became the more effective ever before. High technology radiation therapy such as the treatment of SRS,IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, is a need to try contemplating the possibility to apply appropriate analysis and situation, so it has its own characteristics. and then it is believed that it is necessary to analyze and try it worries the proper applicability of the situation. The configuration of the various treatment that is applicable in many hospitals is necessary to try to determine how to practically apply the patients. Critical organs surrounding tumor give a small dose to avoid side effects and then the tumor has the therapeutic effect by providing a larger dose than before the radiation treatment.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 1991

In order to know the influence of mast cells on the mammary tumor development, the growth of the mammary carcinoma, the numerical changes and the morphological findings of mast cells appeared in the tumor were microscopically observed in the rat treated with DMBA and each chemical of histamine, heparin, pyrilamine or cimetidine. The results observed were summarized as follows: The tumor induction time that represented the number of days elapsing between the 3rd DMBA administration until a first tumor became $10{\times}10mm$ in diameter was $42.5{\pm}4.7$ days, and the mean number of tumor mass per rat was $3.4{\pm}1.2$ in the DMBA-treated group. No significant difference was apparent in the tumor induction time of the histamine-treated group, heparin-treated group or pyrilamine-treated group compared with the control group, but in the cimetidine-treated group the tumor induction time was $61.8{\pm}10.6$ days (p<0.005). The mean number of tumors per rat was $2.1{\pm}0.9$ in the cimetidine-treated group in contrast to $3.4{\pm}1.3$ in the control group (p<0.005). Numerical changes of mast cells were observed according to the development of DMBA induced mammary tumors that were separated into three major classes of tumors. The numbers of mast cells in all the experimental group were inclined to increase significantly according to the mammary tumor development (p<0.005), and the histamine-treated group, heparin-treated group, or pyrilamine-treated group were nearly similar to the control group. But the mast cells in the each stage of tumor development were more numerous in the cimetidine-treated group than in the control group (p<0.005). There were not significant in the numerical changes of mast cells among the experimental groups on each stage of carcinomas separated by early stage, middle stage and late stage. In the morphological characteristics of mast cells, the degranulation was not detectable from the hyperplasia stages to the early stage of carcinoma, but its degranulation was observed at the middle stage of carcinoma. Most mast cells were nearly degranulated at the late stage of carcinoma. The histamine treated group, pyrilamine-treated group and cimetidine treated group did not differ from the control group in morphological changes of mast cells, but the degranulation was shown mild in the heparin-treated group. And the degranulation gave rise to the depletion of intercellular matrix via exocytosis all the experimental group. From above results, it is supposed that mast cells inhibit the tumor development and that the inhibition is not caused by a single-factor, but by a complex activities of mast cell mediators.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.192-197
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• 2012

With the advent of DNA microarray technologies, researches for disease diagnosis has been actively in progress. In typical experiments using microarray data, problems such as the large number of genes and the relatively small number of samples, the inherent measurement noise and the heterogeneity across different samples are the cause of the performance decrease. To overcome these problems, a new method using functional modules (e.g. signaling pathways) used as markers was proposed. They use the method using an activity of pathway summarizing values of a member gene's expression values. It showed better classification performance than the existing methods based on individual genes. The activity calculation, however, used in the method has some drawbacks such as a correlation between individual genes and each phenotype is ignored and characteristics of individual genes are removed. In this paper, we propose a method based on the ensemble classifier. It makes weak classifiers based on feature vectors using subsets of genes in selected pathways, and then infers the final classification result by combining the results of each weak classifier. In this process, we improved the performance by minimize the search space through a filtering process using gene-gene interaction information and the mRMR filter. We applied the proposed method to a classifying the lung cancer, it showed competitive classification performance compared to existing methods.