• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1510-1516
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• 2007

These experiments were carried out to optimize the parameters of electrical activation, methods of parthenogenetic activation and embryo culture in vitro and meanwhile to isolate embryonic stem cells-like (ESCs) derived from porcine parthenogenetic blastocysts (pPBs). These results showed that, as the electric field strength increased from 1.0 to 2.7 kV/cm, the cleavage rate of parthenogenetic embryos increased gradually but the rate of oocyte lysis was significantly increased when using 2.7 kV/cm field strength. The rate of cleavage in 2.2 and 2.7 kV/cm groups was significantly increased in comparison with that of the 1.0 kV/cm group. A voltage field strength of 2.2 kV/cm DC was used to investigate blastocyst development following activation with a single pulse of 30 or $60-{\mu}sec$ pulse duration. The optimum pulse duration was 30-${\mu}sec$, with a blastocyst rate of 20.7%. Multiple pulses were inferior to a single pulse for blastocyst yield (8.0% vs. 29.9) (p<0.05). For porcine oocyte parthenogenetic activation methods, the rates of cleavage (79.0% vs. 59.8%) and blastocysts (19.4% vs. 3.4%) were significantly increased in electrical activation in contrast to chemical activation with ionomycin/6-DMAP (p<0.05). Rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation in NCSU-23 and PZM-3 embryo media were higher than those of G1.3/G2.3 serial culture media, but there was no significant difference among the three groups. The total cell number of blastocysts in PZM-3 embryo culture media containing $5{\mu}g/ml$ insulin was significantly higher than that of the control (no insulin) ($44.3{\pm}9.1$ vs. $33.9{\pm}11.7$). For isolation of PESCs-like, the rates of porcine blastocysts attached to feeder layers and ICM colony formation in Method B (nude embryo culture) were better than those in Method A (intact embryo culture).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to measure the polymerization shrinkage and hygroscopic expansion of resin-based temporary filling materials and to evaluate microleakage at the interface between the materials and cavity wall. Five resin-based temporary filing materials were investigated: Fermit (Vivadent), Quicks (Dentkist), Provifil (Promedica), Spacer (Vericom), Clip (Voco). Caviton (GC) was also included for comparison. Polymerization shrinkage of five resin-based temporary filling materials was measured using the bonded disc method. For the measurement of hygroscopic expansion, the discs of six cured temporary filling materials were immersed in saline and a LVDT displacement sensor was used to measure the expansion for 7 days. For estimating of microleakage, Class I cavities were prepared on 120 extracted human molars and randomly assigned to 6 groups of 20 each. The cavities in each group were filled with six temporary filling materials. All specimens were submitted to 1000 thermocycles, with temperature varying from $5^{\circ}C/55^{\circ}C$. Microleakage was determined using a dye penetration test. The results were as follows: 1. Fermit had significantly less polymerization shrinkage than the other resin-based temporary fill ing materials. Fermit (0.22%) < Spacer (0.38%) < Quicks (0.64%), Provifil (0.67%), Clip (0.67%) 2. Resin-based temporary filling materials showed 0.43-1.1% expansion in 7 days. 3. Fermit showed the greatest leakage, while Quicks exhibited the least leakage. 4. There are no correlation between polymerization shrinkage or hygroscopic expansion and microleakage of resin-based temporary filling materials.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the amount of polymerization shrinkage of dual-cure resin cements according to different polymerization modes and to determine the effect of light activation on the degree of polymerization. Materials and methods: Four kinds of dual-cure resin cements were investigated: Smartcem 2, Panavia F 2.0, Clearfil SA Luting and Zirconite. Each material was tested in three different polymerization modes: self-polymerization only, immediate light polymerization and 5 minutes-delayed light polymerization. The time-dependent polymerization shrinkage-strain was evaluated for 30 minutes by Bonded-disk method at $37^{\circ}C$. Five recordings of each material with three different modes were taken. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Scheffe′test (${\alpha}$=.05). Results: All materials, except Panavia F 2.0, exhibited the highest polymerization shrinkage-strain through delayed light-activated polymerization. No significant difference between light activation modes was found with Panavia F 2.0. All materials exhibited more than 90% of polymerization rate in the immediate or delayed light activated group within 10 minutes. Conclusion: As a clinical implication of this study, the application of delayed light activation mode to dual-cure resin cements is advantageous in terms of degree of polymerization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.467-473
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• 2017

Using Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine(DICOM) and a 3D medical imaging program, the characteristics of the external auditory canal(EAC) were compared. Using images of the ears of 63 different male and female subjects of varying age, this study measured and compared EAC transverse axis lengths, internal diameter circumferences, and upper and lower curvature angles. The findings of the study indicated differences in EAC shapes according not only to age and sex but also to the left and right of the same subject. A comparison between the sexes of the subjects (35 males and 28 females) indicated that, on average, the length of the EAC was 4.75mm longer in males. Based on the lower curvature angle, the interior side of the diameter circumference of the EAC was found to be reduced on average by 37.2% compared to the exterior side. Although the upper curvature angle was on average $25.7^{\circ}$ larger than the lower curvature angle, 4 subjects showed a larger lower curvature angle and large differences between the upper and lower curvature angles were observed in 8 subjects of the younger age group (4~14 years old). This indicated changes in EAC curvature shapes during growth. This study presents a method to raise safety and precision by comparing direct measurements taken through physical means and indirect measurements acquired from existing ear samples. This was possible due to technological developments in which 3D medical image representation technology creates images close to reality, and, through further development, this method is expected to be used for standardization research of EAC shapes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5721-5727
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of clustering methods used in the prognostic assessment of categorical clinical data for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in China, and establish a predictable prognostic nomogram for clinical decisions. Materials and Methods: A total of 332 newly diagnosed HCC patients treated with hepatic resection during 2006-2009 were enrolled. Patients were regularly followed up at outpatient clinics. Clustering methods including the Average linkage, k-modes, fuzzy k-modes, PAM, CLARA, protocluster, and ROCK were compared by Monte Carlo simulation, and the optimal method was applied to investigate the clustering pattern of the indices including platelet count, platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and serum aspartate aminotransferase activity/platelet count ratio index (APRI). Then the clustering variable, age group, tumor size, number of tumor and vascular invasion were studied in a multivariable Cox regression model. A prognostic nomogram was constructed for clinical decisions. Results: The ROCK was best in both the overlapping and non-overlapping cases performed to assess the prognostic value of platelet-based indices. Patients with categorical platelet-based indices significantly split across two clusters, and those with high values, had a high risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42, 95% CI 1.09-1.86; p<0.01). Tumor size, number of tumor and blood vessel invasion were also associated with high risk of HCC recurrence (all p< 0.01). The nomogram well predicted HCC patient survival at 3 and 5 years. Conclusions: A cluster of platelet-based indices combined with other clinical covariates could be used for prognosis evaluation in HCC.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2000

It is important to identify modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, because the breast cancer is one of the major causs of mortality among women. Some reported that obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer, but the results are not constant. Many risk factors are related to the duration of estrogenic stimulation of the breast. In general, early menarche and late menopause are positive risk factors. Human breast cancer has different characteristics according to the status of menopause(premenopause and postmenopause). In premenopausal women, about 60% of circulating estrogen is from the ovaries in the form of estradiol, and the remaining 40% is estrogen formed primarily in the adipose(fat) tissue via aromatization of androstenedion from the adrenal glands. After menopause this adipose cell production of estrone is the main source of estrogens and the level of estrone is maintained approximately at premenopausal levels. This study was undertaken to determine the role of body size and body mass index by status of menopause in development of breast cancer using retrospective case/control study. From March 1991 to February 1997 at the Wonkwang University Hospital, the breast cancer cases(n=72) and controls(n=86) were selected. By statistical analysis method, regression analysis, paired T-test and multiple logistic regression were done to estimate the influenced factors same as height, weight, BMI, age at menarche and age at menopause. The following results were obtained : 1. In premenopausal women, age at menarche was showed comparatively high correlation coefficients and BMI was described prominently highly in postmenopause. 2. At the results of multiple regression analysis, age at monarch, BMI and weight were showed as significant variables. In this method, critical factor ($R^2$) was 0.054. 3. Paired samples T-test was undertaken to test mean difference between two groups of cases and controls. The result of test performance showed a significant difference. 4. In comparison with women whose weight less than 50 kg, the ORs for the upper 5th group was 1.82(95% confidence interval). The heaviest women had a higher risk(OR=1.14, 95% confidence interval $1.12{\sim}1.31$, p=0.005). Higher body mass index was significantly associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (OR=1.01, 95% confidence interval $1.08{\sim}l.18$, p=0.05).

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.3 s.52
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• pp.245-251
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• 2005

Safety is one of the key issue in the regulation of cosmetics. Cosmetic Act deals with it in Korea. The guidance for the testing cosmetic ingredients and their safety evaluation are prepared by Korea Food and Drug Administration. Ultraviolet radiation could Induce skin damage, edema, erythema, photoaging, immune dysfunction and skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation is classified as Group 2A(probably carcinogenic to humans) by International Agenry for Reaserch on Cancer(IARC). The in vitro methodologies for evaluating the toxic potential of ingredients reported in the literature have not yet been sufficiently validated for use in areas other than the study for mutagenicity/genotoxicity, for pre-screening for severe irritancy, for screening of phototoxicity and for evaluating the percutaneous absorption. The 3T3 neutral red uptake photoxicity test (3T3 NRU PT) was accepted as OECD toxicity guideline in 2002. The 3T3 NRU PT is an in vitro method based on a comparison of the cytotoxicitv of a chemical when tested in the presence and in the absence of exposure to a non-cytotoxic dose of UVA/visible light.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.4 s.88
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• pp.587-594
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• 2005

The purpose of seismic design is to ensure the serviceability of buildings against earthquake, which might be occurred during the service life of buildings, and to minimize the loss of life by preventing their failure under strong earthquake. The lack resistance of walls resulting from a tendency toward high-rise apartment buildings with shear walls and use of piloti would lead to a concentration of inelastic behaviors in their weak story. In this study, the seismic performance of reinforced concrete shear wall buildings haying piloti was analyzed by using the evaluation techniques which was proposed by FEMA 273 and ATC-40. The results from comparison with these two techniques are summarized as follows.; The results of elastic analysis method for seismic performance evaluation show that the effect of piloti and building height decrease performance index. In case of shear wall building, the state of insufficient shear stress governs their overall performance and it becomes evident in the case of the buildings with more than 25 stories. For the buildings of piloti, the change of mass, weak story, as well as insufficient shear stress, decrease the performance index rapidly compared with the performance index of the buildings without piloti. The results, obtained from the nonlinear static analysis using capacity spectrum method, indicate that the performance Point increases for the structure having Piloti and high story. Also, deformation limits of buildings satisfy the allowable criteria at the life safety level, but the immediate occupancy level is exceeded in buildings which have more than 25 stories.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.737-750
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• 2015

This study was carried out to construct a DNA profile database for 102 watermelon cultivars through the comparison of polymorphism level and genetic relatedness using genomic microsatellite (gMS) and expressed sequence tag (EST)-microsatellite (eMS) markers. Sixteen gMS and 10 eMS primers showed hyper-variability and were able to represent the genetic variation within 102 watermelon cultivars. With gMS markers, an average of 3.63 alleles per marker were detected with a polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.479, whereas with eMS markers, the average number of alleles per marker was 2.50 and the PIC value was 0.425, indicating that eMS detects a lower polymorphism level compared to gMS. Cluster analysis and Jaccard's genetic distance coefficients using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) based on the gMS, eMS, and combined data sets showed that 102 commercial watermelon cultivars could be categorized into 6 to 8 major groups corresponding to phenotypic traits. Moreover, this method was sufficient to identify 78 out of 102 cultivars. Correlation analysis with Mantel tests for those clusters using 3 data sets showed high correlation ($r{\geq}0.80$). Therefore, the microsatellite markers used in this study may serve as a useful tool for germplasm evaluation, genetic purity assessment, and fingerprinting of watermelon cultivars.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.646-651
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to design a proper evaluation method for analysing the safety management efficiency of coastal ship companies, and to verify these evaluation standards by applying them to a representative company. For this purpose, 5 evaluation items and 14 specific sub-evaluation elements have been determined after collecting practical opinions from a group of expert, which consisted of safety managers in passenger ship companies, public servants as a ship inspector, passenger ship operations managers, etc. Next, the safety management levels of 44 coastal passenger ship companies were evaluated using these standards. Finally, the validity of the proposed evaluation method was verified through comparison analysis between the evaluation results and the ratio of major marine accidents. It was determined that companies with low evaluation levels were saw more major marine accidents than other coastal passenger ship companies, spurring greater interest in safety management. In conclusion, evaluation standards allow coastal passenger ship companies to voluntarily assess their safety management level were established. The result can also be applied to analyse the operation efficiency of coastal passenger ship companies.