• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2005

Rice blast, which is caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea, is one of the most destructive diseases of rice. To identify genes involving in the signal transduction pathways that mediate rice blast resistance, we screened over 2,000 mutant lines of a highly resistant variety RIL260 that were generated by using a DEB (1, 3-Butadiene diepoxide) treatment method. In the mutant population, the frequency of albino plants was 6.7%, indicating that this population has a high frequency of mutations in the genome. The primary screening identified 29 mutant plants that exhibit a complete or partial loss of the resistance to rice blast. Among them, M5465, the most susceptible line, was subsequently examined by DNA gel-blot experiments using DNA molecular markers of Pi5(t) that has been previously identified as a durable resistance locus in RIL260. The result revealed that a large deletion and rearrangement of genomic DNA occurred in the Pi5(t) locus. The results suggest that DEB can be used as an efficient mutagen to induce large scale mutations in the rice genome. The isolated mutants should be useful for elucidating the Pi5(t)-mediated signaling pathways of rice blast resistance.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of three different surgical approaches in treating a distal radius fracture with dorsal communition. Materials and Methods: From April, 2006 to May, 2009, 49 patients over age of 60years old with unstable dorsal communition distal radius fracture were analyzed. We compared maintainability of reduction by radiological follow-up observations and clinical outcomes using Mayo wrist scores. One-Way ANOVA test was performed to examine the statistical correlation between the methods. Results: All three approaches provided satisfactory post-op reduction results. However, follow-up observations showed significant loss of reduction in the external fixation only group compared to the added bone graft group and the volar anatomical locking plate group (P<0.05). Mayo wrist score was indifferent between the three groups. Conclusion: Treatment of a distal radius fracture with severe dorsal communition using an external fixation only appears to be insufficient in maintaining reduction of a cancellous bone defect.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.629-635
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• 2015

In this paper, we propose the reefer container monitoring system that not only monitors internal temperature, humidity of reefer container but also tracks the real-time location using GPS. It consists of a tag of information of situation using 433MHz RF transmitter(communication), GPS to track the real-time location and a device using WCDMA/GSM communication to transmit information to the server. We tested by applying the proposed system in reefer containers with yellow melons, melons transported from Korea to Singapore to track the location and check the temperature and the humidity. The result of this test is that there is a temperature difference around 1.7 degree depending on the position of inside of container and maintains the humidity stably about 97%. If we apply this proposed system to agricultural marketing, it is possible to get the time that fruits start to decay and minimize the loss of fruits by decaying during shipping.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2012

Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) are hydrophilic and water-soluble components in stratum corneum of the skin. NMFs absorb water from outer environment and enhance the water-holding capacity of stratum corneum and thereby, prevent the dryness and increase flexibility and plasticity of skin. NMFs are mainly composed of amino acids and their metabolites that are produced from the degradation of filaggrin. Here we established a simultaneous quantification method for 22 amino acids in tape-stripped stratum corneum samples using UPLC-PDA. With this method, we analyzed amino acid contents from tape-stripped stratum corneum samples of forearm and forehead regions from 15 healthy volunteers. Amino acid contents of inner (or upper) region were higher than outer (or lower) region of stratum corneum. Amino acid contents of stratum corneum of forearm were higher by 1.5 fold than forehead region. Of note, total amino acid contents were significantly and inversely correlated with trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), an index for skin barrier function. Especially, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala and Thr were determined to positively affect skin mositurizing activities. In conclusion, we could demonstrate that amino acid contents of stratum corneum are closely linked with skin barrier and moisturizing function, providing an important and fundamental methodology for the study of amino acids in skin physiology.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.156-163
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate long-term local control rate and toxicity in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for pituitary adenomas. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients treated with EBRT for pituitary adenoma at Korea University Medical Center from 1996 and 2006. Thirty-five patients had hormone secreting tumors, 25 patients had non-secreting tumors. Fifty-seven patients had received postoperative radiotherapy (RT), and 3 had received RT alone. Median total dose was 54 Gy (range, 36 to 61.2 Gy). The definition of tumor progression were as follows: evidence of tumor progression on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, worsening of clinical sign requiring additional operation or others, rising serum hormone level against a previously stable or falling value, and failure of controlling serum hormone level so that the hormone level had been far from optimal range until last follow-up. Age, sex, hormone secretion, tumor extension, tumor size, and radiation dose were analyzed for prognostic significance in tumor control. Results: Median follow-up was 5.7 years (range, 2 to 14.4 years). The 10-year actuarial local control rates for non-secreting and secreting adenomas were 96% and 66%, respectively. In univariate analysis, hormone secretion was significant prognostic factor (p = 0.042) and cavernous sinus extension was marginally significant factor (p = 0.054) for adverse local control. All other factors were not significant. In multivariate analysis, hormone secretion and gender were significant. Fifty-three patients had mass-effect symptoms (headache, dizziness, visual disturbance, hypopituitarism, loss of consciousness, and cranial nerve palsy). A total of 17 of 23 patients with headache and 27 of 34 patients with visual impairment were improved. Twenty-seven patients experienced symptoms of endocrine hypersecretion (galactorrhea, amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, decreased libido, gynecomastia, acromegaly, and Cushing's disease). Amenorrhea was abated in 7 of 10 patients, galactorrhea in 8 of 8 patients, acromegaly in 7 of 11 patients, Cushing's disease in 4 of 4 patients. Long-term complication was observed in 4 patients; 3 patients with cerebrovascular accident, 1 patient developed dementia. Of these patients, 3 of 4 received more than 60 Gy of irradiation. Conclusion: EBRT is highly effective in preventing recurrence and reducing mass effect of non-secreting adenoma. Effort to improve tumor control of secreting adenoma is required. Careful long-term follow-up is required when relatively high dose is applied. Modern radiosurgery or proton RT may be options to decrease late complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 1997

Cytogenetic observations of loss of the distal portion of the Y chromosome long arm were found to be associated with disrupted spermatogenesis. The existence of a gene involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, the azoospermia factor (AZF), was postulated. In this study, we screened the AZF region including DAZ and DAZH genes and observed the expression pattern of DAZ and DAZH transcript in infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia by using a sequence-tagged site (STS)-based PCR method. PCR primers were synthesized for 11 STSs that span Yq interval 6, SRY, DAZ, and DAZH, functional DAZ homologue on chromosome 3. Microdeletions were detected in 4/32 (12.5%) azoospermic men and 1/11 (9%) severe oligospermic men. Only 2 of 5 patients had microdeletions of Yq that contained the DAZ gene, whereas the other 3 patients had deletions extending from intervals 5L-6F proximal to the DAZ gene on Yq. Testis biopsies of the azoospermic patients revealed a variety from Sertoli cell-only syndrome to testicular maturation arrest. Of 4 men with clinical data available, average testis size was R: 13.8 cc, L: 13.8 cc, serum T was $4.0{\pm}1.25$ ng/ml, LH was $3.63{\pm}1.90$ mIU/ml, and FSH was $8.85{\pm}5.13$ mIU/ml. These values did not differ significantly from the remainder of the patients tested. We could not observed the DAZ transcript in 2 patients, who have no mature spermatozoa. In 11.6% of patients microdeletions of the AZF could be detected. These deletions in the AZF region seem to be involved causing spermatogenic failure. But the frequency of microdeletions proximal to DAZ suggests that DAZ is not the only gene associated with spermatogenic failure.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.522-528
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• 2006

When tooth is displaced within the alveolar bone, it could apply pressure and rupture the apical vessels. Pulpal reaction in such case is affected by the stage of root formation, amount of intrusion and pulpal infection. Determining the need of pulp treatment depends on the pulp vitality. Therefore, periodic vitality tests, coronal color changes and radiographic root resorption signs should be observed through periodic post-trauma follow-up. Pulp necrosis, pulp canal obliteration, external root resorption, root ankylosis and marginal bone loss could result from periodontal injuries. Negative sign changes from positive signs of vitality tests suggest pulp necrosis. In this case, pulp treatment should be held before root resorption occurs. By comparing the following two cases, complications of intrusion and factors producing them could be confirmed, thus we propose to report these two cases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

A 50-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic and complained of fever, poor oral intake, and weight loss. A chest X-ray demonstrated streaky and fibrotic lesions in both lungs, and chest CT revealed multifocal peribronchial patchy ground-glass opacities with septated cystic lesions in both lungs. Cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lymphocyte-dominant leukocytosis, and further analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a predominance of cytotoxic T cells and few T helper cells. Video-assisted wedge resection of the left upper lobe was performed, and the histologic examination was indicative of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was orally administered for 3 weeks; however, the patient complained of cough, and the pneumonia was aggravated in the follow-up chest X-ray and chest CT. Molecular studies demonstrated mutations at codons 55 and 57 of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene, which is associated with the resistance to TMP-SMX. Clindamycin-primaquine was subsequently administered for 3 weeks replacing the TMP-SMX. A follow-up chest X-ray showed that the pneumonia was resolving, and the cough was also alleviated. A positive result of HIV immunoassay and elevated titer of HCV RNA indicated HIV infection as an underlying condition. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) during the course of treatment, and the molecular study of DHPS mutations. Additionally, altering the anti-PCP drug utilized as treatment must be considered when infection with drug-resistant P. jirovecii is suspected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of TMP-SMX-resistant PCP described in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.43-50
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• 1996

We experienced a case of nephropathy in chronic lead poisoning. The patient was 43-year-old male who has been working in secondary lead smelting plant for 14 years. On admission, blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg and the others were non-specific. In past history, he received chelating agent administration for lead poisoning irregularly and medicated for gout, and the blood lead concentration was $180.0{\mu}g/dl$ on 2 months before admission. Smoking habit has been 1 pack per day for 15 years and drinking habit has been 1 bottle of Soju per day but less flow. In liver function test, AST/ALT were 27/28 IU/l and $\gamma-GT$ was 456 IU/l. In blood test, Hb : 11.5 g/dl, Hct : 34.0% and basophilic stipplings were found in peripheral blood smear. Chest PA was normal and abdominal ultrasonographic finding was non-specific except fatty liver. In the test of lead exposure indices, $PbB:83.0{\mu}g/dl,\;PbU:28.3{\mu}g/l$, and blood ZPP was $300.0{\mu}g/dl$. And in renal function test, BUN : 31.4 mg/dl, blood creatinine : 2.7mg/dl, blood uric acid. 9.1 mg/dl, urinary albumin : 100.0 mg/g creatinine, urinary $\alpha_1-microglobulin$ : 120.5 mg/g creatinine, urinary $\beta_2-microglobulin$ : $183.8{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and 24 hours urinary creatinine clearance was 31.9 ml/min. The ultrasonoguided renal biopsy showed the global sclerosis of glomerulus, moderate atrophy and loss of tubule, and interstitial fibrosis in light microscopy. There were diffuse losses of brush border of proximal tubule in electronmicroscopy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2005

Bioflavone quercetin is thought to have an important role to inhibit bone loss by affecting osteoclastogenesis and regulating a number of systemic and local factors such as hormones and cytokines. In this study, we examined how quercetin acts on cytokine production and mineralization of osteoblast in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha $(TNF-{\alpha})$ which has been known to play a pivotal role in bone metabolic diseases. Quercetin inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-6 in differentiated MC3T3-E1 cells. As indicated by the markers that are characteristics of the osteoblast phenotype, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition, quercetin treatment slightly prevented the $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ dramatic inhibition of differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. Further, quercetin inhibited the production of nitric oxide induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that quercetin inhibites $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ secretion of inflammatory cytokines in differentiated MC3T3-E1 cells without any cytotoxic effects.