• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2006

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the efficacy and side effects of $Ultracet^{(R)}$ in relieving cancer pain in setting. Methods: Sixty-one cancer patients over 18 years old, who had cancer pain with or without medication, were enrolled. Pain and other variables were evaluated before and after treatment with $Ultracet^{(R)}$ for 2 weeks, using Korean version of Brief Pain Inventory. Results: Of 61 patients with assessable efficacy data, the maximum pain intensity(PI) experienced in a day were $5.18{\pm}1.41\;and\;4.82{\pm}1.94$, before and after treatment with$Ultracet^{(R)}$ respectively (P=0.113). The minimum PI experienced in a day were $1.2{\pm}1.05\;and\;0.87{\pm}1.35$, before and after treatment with $Ultracet^{(R)}$, respectively (P=0.038). The average PI experienced in a day were $3.61{\pm}1.01\;and\;3.15{\pm}1.73$, before and after treatment with $Ultracet^{(R)}$, respectively (P=0.022). The current PI were $3.63{\pm}1.25\;and\;2.85{\pm}1.94$, before and after treatment with $Ultracet^{(R)}$, respectively (P=0.003). Regarding the quality of life, only mood changed for the better in 49 patients who were treated with $Ultracet^{(R)}$ alone ($1.98{\pm}1.73\;and\;1.35{\pm}1.15$, before and after treatment respectively; P=0.046). There were five (8.2%) adverse events associated with $Ultracet^{(R)}$ treatment. Conclusion: $Ultracet^{(R)}$ seems effective and safe in ambulatory patients with cancer pain.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2000

The relation between the phase-shift profile fur the intermediate frequencies and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at the poly-Ir/0.1 M $H_2SO_4$ aqueous electrolyte interface has been studied using ac impedance measurements, i.e., the phase-shift methods. The simplified interfacial equivalent circuit consists of the serial connection of the electrolyte resistance $(R_s)$, the faradaic resistance $(R_F)$, and the equivalent circuit element $(C_P)$ of the adsorption pseudoca-pacitance $(C_\phi)$. The comparison of the change rates of the $\Delta(-\phi)/{\Delta}E\;and\;\Delta{\theta}/{\Delta}E$ are represented. The delayed phase shift $(\phi)$ depends on both the cathode potential (E) and frequency (f), and is given by $\phi=tan^{-1}[1/2{\pi}f(R_s+R_F)C_P]$. The phase-shift profile $(-\phi\;vs.\;E)$ for the intermediate frequency (ca. 1 Hz) can be used as an experimental method to determine the Langmuir adsorption isotherm $(\theta\;vs.\;E)$. The equilibrium constant (K) for H adsorption and the standard free energy $({\Delta}G_{ads})$ of H adsorption at the poly-Ir/0.1 M $H_2SO_4$ electrolyte interface are $2.0\times10^{-4}$ and 21.1kJ/mol, respectively. The H adsorption is attributed to the over-potentially deposited hydrogen (OPD H).

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2000

The relation between the phase-shift profile for the intermediate frequencies and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at the poly-$Pt/0.1\;M\;H_2SO_4$ aqueous electrolyte interface has been studied using ac impedance measurements, i.e., the phase-shift methods. The suggested interfacial equivalent circuit consists of the serial connection of the electrolyte resistance ($R_S$), the faradaic resistance $(R_F)$ and the equivalent circuit element $(C_P)$ of the adsorption pseudocapacitance $(C_\varphi)$. The delayed phase shift $(\varphi)$ depends on both the cathode potential (E) and frequency (f), and is given by $\varphi=-tan^{-1}[1/2{\pi}f(R_s+R_F)C_p]$. The phase-shift profile $(\varphi\;vs.\;E)$ for the intermediate frequency (ca. 6Hz) can be used as an experimental method to determine the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (9 vs. E). The equilibrium constant (K) for H adsorption and the standard free energy $({\Delta}G_{ads})$ of H adsorption at the poly-$Pt/0.1\;M\;H_2SO_4$ electrolyte interface are $1.8\times10^{-4}\;and\;21.4kJ/mol$, respectively. The H adsorption is attributed to the over-potentially deposited hydrogen (OPD H).

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.127-133
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• 2004

We have studied the surface micelle formation of polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) at the air-water interface. A series of four PS-b-P2VPs were synthesized by anionic polymerization, keeping the PS block length constant (28 kg/㏖) and varying the P2VP block length (1, 11, 28, or 59 kg/㏖). The surface pressure-area ($\pi$-A) isotherms were measured and the surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) after Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition onto silicon wafers. At low surface pressure, the hydrophobic PS blocks aggregate to form pancake-like micelle cores and the hydrophilic P2VP block chains spread on the water surface to form a corona-like monolayer. The surface area occupied by a block copolymer is proportional to the molecular weight of the P2VP block and identical to the surface area occupied by a homo-P2VP. It indicates that the entire surface is covered by the P2VP monolayer and the PS micelle cores lie on the P2VP monolayer. As the surface pressure is increased, the $\pi$-A isotherm shows a transition region where the surface pressure does not change much with the film compression. In this transition region, which displays high compressibility, the P2VP blocks restructure from the monolayer and spread at the air-water interface. After the transition, the Langmuir film becomes much less compressible. In this high-surface-pressure regime, the PS cores cover practically the entire surface area, as observed by AFM and the limiting area of the film. All the diblock copolymers formed circular micelles, except for the block copolymer having a very short P2VP block (1 kg/㏖), which formed large, non-uniform PS aggregates. By mixing with the block copolymer having a longer P2VP block (11 kg/㏖), we observed rod-shaped micelles, which indicates that the morphology of the surfaces micelles can be controlled by adjusting the average composition of block copolymers.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2011

Accurate process characterization and optimization are the first step for a successful advanced process control (APC), and they should be followed by continuous monitoring and control in order to run manufacturing processes most efficiently. In this paper, process characterization and recipe optimization methods with multiple outputs are presented in high density plasma-chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) silicon dioxide deposition process. Five controllable process variables of Top $SiH_4$, Bottom $SiH_4$, $O_2$, Top RF Power, and Bottom RF Power, and two responses of interest, such as deposition rate and uniformity, are simultaneously considered employing both statistical response surface methodology (RSM) and neural networks (NNs) based genetic algorithm (GA). Statistically, two phases of experimental design was performed, and the established statistical models were optimized using performance index (PI). Artificial intelligently, NN process model with two outputs were established, and recipe synthesis was performed employing GA. Statistical RSM offers minimum numbers of experiment to build regression models and response surface models, but the analysis of the data need to satisfy underlying assumption and statistical data analysis capability. NN based-GA does not require any underlying assumption for data modeling; however, the selection of the input data for the model establishment is important for accurate model construction. Both statistical and artificial intelligent methods suggest competitive characterization and optimization results in HDP-CVD $SiO_2$ deposition process, and the NN based-GA method showed 26% uniformity improvement with 36% less $SiH_4$ gas usage yielding 20.8 ${\AA}/sec$ deposition rate.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.919-926
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• 2013

Experiments were conducted to determine the operating characteristics of a small-scale ORC (organic Rankine cycle) system for various low-temperature heat sources. A small-scale ORC power generation system adopting R-245fa as a working fluid was designed and manufactured. Hot water was used as the heat source, and the temperature was controlled using 110-kW electric resistance heaters that provided temperatures of up to $150^{\circ}C$. An open-drive oil-free scroll expander directly connected to a synchronous generator was installed in the ORC unit. Experiments were conducted by varying the rotational speed of the expander under the same heat source temperature conditions. The factors that influence the performance of the small-scale ORC system were analyzed and discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7221-7227
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• 2013

Background: Fascin, an actin-bundling protein forming actin bundles including filopodia and stress fibers, is overexpressed in multiple human epithelial cancers including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Previously we conducted a microarray experiment to analyze fascin knockdown by RNAi in ESCC. Method: In this study, the differentially expressed genes from mRNA expression profilomg of fascin knockdown were analyzed by multiple bioinformatics methods for a comprehensive understanding of the role of fascin. Results: Gene Ontology enrichment found terms associated with cytoskeleton organization, including cell adhesion, actin filament binding and actin cytoskeleton, which might be related to fascin function. Except GO categories, the differentially expressed genes were annotated by 45 functional categories from the Functional Annotation Chart of DAVID. Subpathway analysis showed thirty-nine pathways were disturbed by the differentially expressed genes, providing more detailed information than traditional pathway enrichment analysis. Two subpathways derivated from regulation of the actin cytoskeleton were shown. Promoter analysis results indicated distinguishing sequence patterns and transcription factors in response to the co-expression of downregulated or upregulated differentially expressed genes. MNB1A, c-ETS, GATA2 and Prrx2 potentially regulate the transcription of the downregulated gene set, while Arnt-Ahr, ZNF42, Ubx and TCF11-MafG might co-regulate the upregulated genes. Conclusions: This multiple bioinformatic analysis helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the roles of fascin after its knockdown in ESCC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2014

Hydroxycinnamic acids have been reported to possess numerous pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. However, the biological activity of 1-p-coumaroyl ${\beta}$-D-glucoside (CG), a glucose ester derivative of p-coumaric acid, has not been clearly examined. The objective of this study is to elucidate the anti-inflammatory action of CG in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In the present study, CG significantly suppressed LPS-induced excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$ and the protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. CG also inhibited LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$. In addition, CG significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$. To elucidate the underlying mechanism by which CG exerts its anti-inflammatory action, involvement of various signaling pathways were examined. CG exhibited significantly increased Akt phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, although MAPKs such as Erk, JNK, and p38 appeared not to be involved. Furthermore, inhibition of Akt/PI3K signaling pathway with wortmannin significantly, albeit not completely, abolished CG-induced Akt phosphorylation and anti-inflammatory actions. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that Akt signaling pathway might play a major role in CG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6369-6374
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• 2012

Vitexicarpin (3', 5-dihydroxy-3, 4', 6, 7-tetramethoxyflavone), a polymethoxyflavone isolated from Viticis Fructus (Vitex rotundifolia Linne fil.), has long been used as an anti-inflammatory herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It has also been reported that vitexicarpin can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells. However, there is no report elucidating its effect on human prostate carcinoma cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the apoptotic induction activity of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells and molecular mechanisms involved. MTT studies showed that vitexicarpin dose-dependently inhibited growth of PC-3 cells with an $IC_{50}{\sim}28.8{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33258 staining further revealed that vitexicarpin induced apoptotic cell death. The effect of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells apoptosis was tested using prodium iodide (PI)/Annexin V-FITC double staining and flow cytometry. The results indicated that vitexicarpin induction of apoptotic cell death in PC-3 cells was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that vitexicarpin induction of PC-3 cell apoptosis was associated with upregulation of the proapoptotic protein Bax, and downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings suggested that vitexicarpin may become a potential leading drug in the therapy of prostate carcinoma.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2010

The large amount of tissue culture medium (TCM), which contains some of the active secretory components of Korean wild ginseng (KWG; Panax ginseng) such as saponins, is usually discarded after harvest of KWG. The present study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of oral administration of the TCM-KWG on growth performance and diseases resistance in broiler chickens. A day old broiler chickens randomized in 6 groups (n = 60/groups) were administered orally with 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mL/L TCMKWG through drinking water for 5 weeks and examined the change of weight gain, feed intake and blood components. Also, five weeks old broiler chickens (n = 15/groups) were challenged orally with Salmonella (S.) gallinarum and investigated the mortality in broiler chickens. An average weight gain and feed intake significantly didn't change in TCM-KWG administration groups as compared to control group. The concentration of calcium (Ca), phosphate (Pi) and potassium (K) in serum were increase by TCM-KWG administration in broiler chickens. We also found that oral administration of TCM-KWG through drinking water significantly reduced the mortality in broiler chickens experimentally infected with virulent S. gallinarum. The results of this study indicated that TCM-KWG administration may elevate the resistance on disease and improved the skeleton formation and body homeostasis of chickens, and TCM-KWG can be used as a cost-effective and environmentally alternative additives to control of the disease and growth.