• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.269-275
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• 2022

Betula platyphylla extract includes various materials which showed biological activity such as terpenoids. For this reason, Betula platyphylla extract has been used to alleviate inflammation. In this study, extract of Betula platyphylla was obtained and purified using several solvents and evaluated whether they showed effect on prevention of hair loss. Cell cytotoxicity assay was performed to investigate the effect of extracts on cell proliferation. Western blotting was performed to observe the changes in expression of several related growth factors such as β-catenin, VEGF, IGF1, and cyclin D. Also, 5-α-reductase activity was measured. The ethyl acetate extract was divided into four partial extracts and named as H3-1, H3-2, H3-3, and H3-4. The H3-2 extract showed proliferation activity of human derma papilla cell and increased the protein expression of several related growth factors such as β-catenin, VEGF, IGF1, and cyclin D, comparable to the effect of Ethyl 3,4,5-Trimethoxy Benzoate (ETB)and Lupeol (LPO). Moreover, we found that the fraction H3 was shown to decrease 5-α-reductase activity while ETB and LPO had no significant effect on 5-α-reductase activity.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.182-192
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• 2017

Background: In recent years, introduction of novel immunosuppressive agents and its proper implementation for clinical practice have contributed to improving clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation (KT). Here, we report clinical outcomes of KTs and related risk factors. Methods: From July 1998 to June 2016, 354 KTs (182 from living and 172 from deceased donors) have been performed at Ulsan University Hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of KT recipients, then estimated graft and patient survival rate were estimated and analyzed risk factors using Cox-regression. Results: The median follow-up period was 53 months (range; 3 to 220 months). The mean ages of recipients and donors were 45.0 years (SD, 12.5) and 44.7 years (SD, 13.6) years, respectively. During follow-up, 18 grafts were lost and 5- and 10-year death-censored graft survival was 96.7% and 91.5%, respectively. Biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) occurred in 71 patients (55 cases of acute cellular rejection and 16 of antibody-mediated rejection). Cox-regression analysis showed that BPAR was a risk factor related to graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 14.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.79 to 54.53; P<0.001). In addition, 15 patients died, and the 5- and 10-year patient survival was 97.2% and 91.9%, respectively. Age ≥60 years (HR, 6.03; 95% CI, 1.12 to 32.61; P=0.037) and diabetes (HR, 6.18; 95% CI, 1.35 to 28.22; P=0.019) were significantly related to patient survival. Conclusions: We experienced excellent clinical outcomes of KT in terms of graft failure and patient survival despite the relatively high proportion of deceased donors. Long-term and short-term clinical outcomes have improved in the last two decades.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.449-458
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• 2023

As an adsorption technology for dissolved organic matter, the adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon, GAC, can be applied, but activated carbon whose adsorption capacity is significantly reduced by use is inevitably replaced or regenerated. However, due to the economics of replacement cost, thermal regeneration method is used commercially, but high energy cost and loss of activated carbon occur under high temperature conditions above 800℃. In this study, the Sono-Fenton method, a multi-oxidation technology that combines Fenton oxidation and ultrasonic oxidation, was applied to improve the regeneration efficiency of spent GAC used to treat dissolved organic matter in combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and the regeneration efficiency of spent GAC by oxidant and ultrasonic frequency was investigated. In the applied Sono-Fenton treatment, the highest regeneration efficiency of 68.5% was obtained under the regeneration conditions of Fe²⁺ 10 mmol/L, H₂O₂ concentration 1,000 mmol/L, ultrasonic treatment time of 120 min, and ultrasonic frequency of 40 kHz. And similar efficiency was also obtained at 750 kHz, while ultrasonic waves of other frequencies had poor regeneration efficiency, and the magnitude of frequency and GAC regeneration efficiency did not show a linear relationship. In the case of continuous operation of the GAC adsorption tower with CSOs prepared by diluting raw sewage, about 700 hours of operation without regeneration was possible, and as a result of applying one Sono-Fenton treatment, 40-70% COD_cr removal efficiency was obtained during a total of 1,000 hours of GAC adsorption operation.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Purpose: We conducted a randomized prospective trial (KLASS-07 trial) to compare laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) for gastric cancer. In this interim report, we describe short-term results in terms of morbidity and mortality. Methods and Methods: The sample size was 442 participants. At the time of the interim analysis, 314 patients were enrolled and randomized. After excluding patients who did not undergo planned surgeries, we performed a modified per-protocol analysis of 151 and 145 patients in the LADG and TLDG groups, respectively. Results: The baseline characteristics, including comorbidity status, did not differ between the LADG and TLDG groups. Blood loss was somewhat higher in the LADG group, but statistical significance was not attained (76.76±72.63 vs. 62.91±65.68 mL; P=0.087). Neither the required transfusion level nor the operation or reconstruction time differed between the 2 groups. The mini-laparotomy incision in the LADG group was significantly longer than the extended umbilical incision required for specimen removal in the TLDG group (4.79±0.82 vs. 3.89±0.83 cm; P<0.001). There were no between-group differences in the time to solid food intake, hospital stay, pain score, or complications within 30 days postoperatively. No mortality was observed in either group. Conclusions: Short-term morbidity and mortality rates did not differ between the LADG and TLDG groups. The KLASS-07 trial is currently underway.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2003

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of yeast culture on the nutrient digestibility, performance and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. Corn-soy basal diets contained 20, 18, and 16% CP and 3,265kcal/kg ME at different growth stages. One hundred and twenty pigs(8wk-old) were allocated into four supplementation levels of yest culture (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4%) in Expt 1. Weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were periodically recorded for 112 days. A metabolic feeding trial was conducted to measure the nutrient digestibility. Physical and chemical characteristics of the Longissimus Dorsi muscle(LM) from the pigs were measured at the end of experiment (Expt 2). In Expt 1, weight gain and feed efficiency were not different among the dietary treatment groups during the overall period. The digestibilities of protein and fiber were greater in 0.1% and 0.2% yeast culture-supplemented groups than in control (P<0.05). However, fat and ash digestibilities were not improved by the dietary treatment. In Expt 2, the LM protein content in 0.1% yeast culture-supplemented group, but not in 0.2% or 0.4%-supplemented group, was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). The LM pH, purge loss, cooking loss and color were not affected by the dietary treatment. The LM shearing force was less in 0.2% yeast culture-supplemented group than in the control group (P<0.05). Other LM physicochemical properties did not differ between the dietary treatment groups. Total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids percentages and total cholesterol content of the LM did not differ across the dietary treatment groups.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2015

In this study, we prepared liquid crystal emulsion composed of amphiphilic substance $C_{14-22}$ alcohol, $C_{12-20}$ alkyl glucoside, behenyl alcohol and studied liquid crystal emulsion of properties and in vitro skin permeation. The results of formulation experiments, the clear liquid crystalline structure was observed in the ratio of $C_{14-22}$ alcohol 0.8%, $C_{12-20}$ alkyl glucoside 3.2%, behenyl alcohol 4% in the formulation. The results of physical property measurements, the viscosity of liquid crystal emulsion and O/W emulsion applied as a control group was respectively $1871.26{\sim}1.15Pa{\cdot}s$, $1768.69{\sim}1.14Pa{\cdot}s$ and the shear stress of O/W emulsion was 178.68 ~ 909.18 Pa, that of liquid crystal emulsion was 190.45 ~ 919.38 Pa. The storage modulus of O/W emulsion was 3428.53 ~ 9157.45 Pa, that of liquid crystal emulsion was 4487.82 ~ 8195.59 Pa. The tan (delta) value of O/W emulsion which means a ratio of viscosity to elasticity was 0.43 ~ 0.19, and that of liquid crystal emulsion was 0.23 ~ 0.25. The water content value on the skin for liquid crystal emulsion was significantly higher from 1 h to 6 h compared with that of O/W emulsion and the transepidermal water loss on the skin was significantly superior in skin moisture loss suppression from 30 min to 4 h compared with that of O/W emulsion. The results of skin permeation using glycyrrhizic acid, the result of skin permeation amount of liquid crystal emulsion for 24 h was $64.58{\mu}g/cm^2$, that of O/W emulsion was $37.07{\mu}g/cm^2$, that of butylene glycol solution was $41.05{\mu}g/cm^2$. Hourly permeability results, it is showed that skin penetration effect of the liquid crystal emulsion increases after 8 h. These results suggest that liquid crystal emulsions are effective for skin moisturizing effect and function as potential efficacy ingredient delivery system for the transdermal delivery.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.302-311
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of castor oil (CSO) as a natural wood preservative. CSO was treated into wood blocks prepared with domestic and imported wood species using a vacuum-pressure method, and then treatability, leachability and decay resistance of the CSO-treated wood blocks were examined. Although CSO was penetrated effectively into wood blocks of all wood species, the CSO-treatability was the highest in Western hemlock, followed by Japanese larch (LA), soft maple and Mongolian oak due to the difference of its anatomical structure. Except for LA, the more retained, the more leached during a saline water-immersing process for 48h. The use of ethanol added to reduce the viscosity of CSO affected negatively the treatability and leachability of wood blocks. Decay resistance, which was evaluated by the weight loss of wood blocks exposed against Fomitopsis palustris (FOP) and Trametes versicolor, of the CSO-treated/leached wood blocks was superior to that of control. Especially, most of wood blocks treated with preserving solution composed of only CSO (CSO-2) did not decayed and showed a very low weight loss against FOP. The decay resistance results from CSO retained in wood blocks after leaching. The retention of CSO could identify using the observation of X-ray microscope. Length of wood strips, which were treated with CSO-2 and then immersed in saline water for 2 weeks, hardly changed in all cutting directions. In addition, weight gain and length-swelling rate of the wood strips were extremely low compared to those of control. These results indicate that moisture resistance of the wood strips was improved by the CSO treatment. It is concluded that the treatment of CSO using a vacuum-pressure method provides the decay resistance and dimensional stability of wood, and thus CSO can be used as a natural wood preservative on various indoor and outdoor circumstances.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2022

Melanogenesis is the production of melanin from tyrosine by a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, in which tyrosinase and DOPA oxidase play key roles. The melanin content in the skin determines skin pigmentation. Abnormalities in skin pigmentation lead to various skin pigmentation disorders. Recent research has shown that the expression of EMP2 is much lower in melanoma than in normal melanocytes, but its role in melanogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of EMP2 in the melanogenesis of MNT1 human melanoma cells. We examined TRP-1, TRP-2, and TYR expression levels during melanogenesis in MNT1 melanoma cells by gene silencing of EMP2. Western blot and RT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of TYR and TRP-2 were decreased when EMP2 expression was knocked down by EMP2 siRNA in MNT1 cells, and these changes were reversed when EMP2 was overexpressed. We verified the EMP2 gene was knocked out of the cell line (EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9) by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the expression levels of TRP-2 and TYR were significantly lower in the EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9 cell lines. Loss of EMP2 also reduced migration and invasion of MNT1 melanoma cells. In addition, the melanosome transfer from the melanocytes to keratinocytes in the EMP2 KO cells cocultured with keratinocytes was reduced compared to the cells in the control coculture group. In conclusion, these results suggest that EMP2 is involved in melanogenesis via the regulation of TRP-2 expression.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.355-361
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• 1993

Since May 1991, authors have conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility and evaluate the effect of concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy with 5-FU and Cis-platinum for locally advanced cervical cancer (stage IIB-IVA). Radiation therapy consisted of external irradiation to whole pelvis (4140 cGy/23 fx) in 4.5 weeks followed by high dose rate intracavitary radiation therapy (HDR ICRT) to deliver a dose of 30 to 35 Gy to A point in 6 to 7 fractions. After the intracavitary radiation therapy, parametrial boost was delivered for B point dose of 60 Gy in Stage IIB and 65 Gy in stage IIIB. 5-FU (1000 $mg/m^2/24hr$ for 96 hour iv infusion) and Cis-platinum (20 $mg/m^2/day$ IV bolus for 3 days) were given during the second week of external RT and the second course chemotherapy administered at the first HDR ICRT with the same method as the first chemotherapy. Sixteen patients (10 stage IIB,4 stage IIIB,2 stage IVA) were registered to this protocol. Among these 16 patients, two refused treatment after 2 fractions of external irradiation, and one could not continue intracavitary irradiation because of treatment related genitourinary toxicity. So 14 patients were evaluated for toxicity and 13 patients were evaluated for response analysis. Five of 14 patients developed grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity but 4 of them recovered at the completion of treatment. One stage IIIB patient with inguinal lymph node metastasis who received higher dose of radiation in spite of initial poor performance status did not recover from gastrointestinal toxicity at the completion of treatment. And she died of distant metastasis at one month after the completion of treatment. Two of 14 evaluable patients showed weight loss, more than $10\%$ of initial weight. One patient developed grade 3 leukopenia. In this study, the average total treatment period of completely treated patients was 75 days and three of them took more than 80 days (84, 84, 89 days). Toxicities were generally acceptable and there were no treatment related death. At the last follow-up, complete response was achieved in $62\%(8/13)$ and especially of nine patients with stage IIB, eight patients showed complete response. This study suggests that concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy (5-FU and Cis-platinum) is tolerable and effective. Further follow-up is needed to determine whether this protocol will have a favorable impact on survival and to evaluate the late effect on normal tissues. In future, prospective randomized trials are needed to compare the standard radiation therapy alone with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.25-33
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• 2007

In this paper, the high isolation and wideband 94 GHz MIMIC(Millimeter-wave Monolithic Integrated Circuit) single balanced cascode mixer was designed and fabricated. Also, we designed and fabricated a 3 dB tandem coupler which has a high isolation and wideband characteristic. The single balanced resistive mixer which does not require an external IF balun was designed using the 0.1 ${\mu}m$ InGaAs/InAlAs/GaAs metamorphic HEMT(High Electron Mobility Transistor). The DC characteristics of MHEMT's are 665 mA/mm of drain current density, 691 mS/mm of maximum transconductance. The current gain cut-off frequency($f_T$) is 189 GHz and the maximum oscillation frequency($f_{max}$) is 334 GHz. A 94 GHz single balanced cascode mixer was fabricated using our 0.1 ${\mu}m$ MHEMT MIMIC process. From the measurements, the fabricated couplers showed wideband characteristics. The conversion loss of single balanced cascode mixer was 9.8 dB at an LO power of 10.9 dBm. The LO to RF isolation of single balanced cascode mixer was 29.5 dB at 94 GHz. We obtained in this study a higher LO-RF isolation compared to some other single balanced mixers.