• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2014

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified various genetic susceptibility loci for breast cancer based mainly on European-ancestry populations. Differing linkage disequilibrium patterns exist between European and Asian populations. Methods: Ten SNPs (rs2075555 in COL1A1, rs12652447 in FBXL17, rs10941679 in 5p12/MRPS30, rs11878583 in ZNF577, rs7166081 in SMAD3, rs16917302 in ZNF365, rs311499 in 20q13.3, rs1045485 in CASP8, rs12964873 in CDH1 and rs8170 in 19p13.1) were here genotyped in 1009 Chinese females (487 patients with breast cancer and 522 control subjects) using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. Association analysis based on unconditional logistic regression was carried out to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each SNP. Stratification analyses were carried out based on the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. Results: Among the 10 SNPs, rs10941679 showed significant association with breast cancer when differences between the case and control groups in this Han Chinese population were compared (30.09% GG, 45.4% GA and 23.7% AA; P = 0.012). Four SNPs (rs311499, rs1045485, rs12964873 and rs8170) showed no polymorphisms in our study. The remaining five SNPs showed no association with breast cancer in the present population. Immunohistochemical tests showed that rs2075555 was associated with ER status; the AA genotype showed greater association with ER negative than ER positive (OR = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.29-0.99; P = 0.046). AA of rs7166081 was also associated with ER status, but showed a greater association with ER positive than negative (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.04-2.44; P = 0.031). However, no significant associations were found among the SNPs and PR status. Conclusion: In this study using a Han Chinese population, rs10941679 was the only SNP associated with breast cancer risk, indicating a difference between European and Chinese populations in susceptibility loci. Therefore, confirmation studies are necessary before utilization of these loci in Chinese.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6591-6596
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• 2014

Background: This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between methylation of the P14 and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) genes and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify relevant studies that analysed HCC tissues for P14 and MGMT gene methylation status; we then performed a meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between gene methylation and the risk of HCC. Results: Ten studies that assessed P14 gene methylation in 630 HCC tumour tissues and nine studies analysing MGMT methylation in 497 HCC tumour tissues met our inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis revealed that the rate of P14 methylation was significantly higher in HCCs than in adjacent tissues (OR 3.69, 95%CI 1.63-8.35, p=0.002), but there was no significant difference in MGMT methylation between HCC and adjacent tissues (OR 1.76, 95%CI 0.55-5.64, p=0.34). A subgroup analysis according to ethnicity revealed that P14 methylation was closely related to the risk of HCC in Chinese and Western individuals (Chinese, OR 7.74, 95%CI 1.36-44.04, p=0.021; Western, OR 3.60, 95%CI 1.49-8.69, p=0.004). Furthermore, MGMT methylation was not correlated with the risk of HCC in Chinese individuals (OR 2.42, 95%CI 0.76-7.73, p=0.134). The combined rate of P14 methylation was 35% (95%CI 24-48%) in HCC tumour tissues and 11% (95%CI 4-27%) in adjacent tissues, whereas the combined rate of MGMT methylation was 15% (95%CI 6-32%) in HCC and 10% (95%CI 4-22%) in adjacent tissues. Conclusions: These results suggest that the risk of HCC is related to P14 methylation, but not MGMT methylation. Therefore, P14 gene methylation may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7569-7576
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for NPC in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between September 2004 and December 2009 were eligible. Acute and late toxicities were scored weekly according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late radiation morbidity scoring schemes. An especial focus was on evidence of post-radiation brain injury. Also quality of life was analysed according to the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) recommendations. Discrete variables were compared by ${\chi}^2$ test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and generate survival curves. Results: A total of 58 patients with a mean follow-up time of 36 months completed clinical trials.Fifty-seven patients (98.3) achieved complete remission in the primary sites and cervical lymph nodes, with only one patient (1.7%) showing partial remission.The most frequently observed acute toxicities during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were mucositis and leucopenia. Four patients (6.9%) had RTOG grade 3 mucositis, whereas four patients (6.9%) had grade 3 leucopenia. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity. Three (5.17%) of the patients exhibited injury to the brain on routine MRI examination, with a median observation of 32 months (range, 25-42months). All of them were RTOG grade 0. The 3-year overall, regional-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 85%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2017

Background: We sought to determine the association between chronic pain and participating in routine health screening in a low socioeconomic-status (SES) rental-flat community in Singapore. In Singapore, ${\geq}85%$ own homes; public rental flats are reserved for those with low-income. Methods: Chronic pain was defined as pain ${\geq}3$ months. From 2009-2014, residents aged 40-60 years in five public rental-flat enclaves were surveyed for chronic pain; participation in health screening was also measured. We compared them to residents staying in adjacent owner-occupied public housing. We also conducted a qualitative study to better understand the relationship between chronic pain and health screening participation amongst residents in these low-SES enclaves. Results: In the rental-flat population, chronic pain was associated with higher participation in screening for diabetes (aOR = 2.11, CI = 1.36-3.27, P < 0.001), dyslipidemia (aOR = 2.06, CI = 1.25-3.39, P = 0.005), colorectal cancer (aOR = 2.28, CI = 1.18-4.40, P = 0.014), cervical cancer (aOR = 2.65, CI = 1.34-5.23, P = 0.005) and breast cancer (aOR = 3.52, CI = 1.94-6.41, P < 0.001); this association was not present in the owner-occupied population. Three main themes emerged from our qualitative analysis of the link between chronic pain and screening participation: pain as an association of "major illness"; screening as a search for answers to pain; and labelling pain as an end in itself. Conclusions: Chronic pain was associated with higher cardiovascular and cancer screening participation in the low-SES population. In low-SES populations with limited access to pain management services, chronic pain issues may surface during routine health screening.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.34
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• pp.197-217
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• 2014

The 1920s and 1930s ushered in "the golden age" of Chinese comics when the comics flourished. Satirical cartoons in modern Chinese comics were popular due to emotional instability and war caused by foreign powers. Among many popular comics, this paper analyzes in the 1920s and in the 1930s which were made into films and dramas. Chapter Two shows that China in the Republican era of China expanded its consumer culture into some sectors like films, novels, magazines and fashion in the 1920s and 1930s. However, more than any other things, this chapter considers from the historical perspective "the golden age" of comics including comic magazine in the 1930s and a history of comic magazines that gained popularity with conventional and common story. Chapter Three explains that social satire cartoons were in vogue since the May Fourth Movement and anti-imperialistic and semi-feudalistic stories in the 1920s were realized in life. It also says that comics that describes the negative sides of its society were popular. Ye QianYu, a cartoonist, portrayed many facets of Shanghai through : the daily life of the middle and lower classes, bureaucratic corruption and sympathy for the working class. drawn by Zhang LePing describes the unfair social system between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat and the gap between the rich and poor through the main character, the powerless and poor orphan. and lampooned the reality of its time in an objective, witty and humorous way in terms of ethics and economy respectively. The researcher chooses to study and which are very familiar to us, because good cartoons, animations and movies stimulate the feelings about our surroundings.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2015

The endo-polygalacturonase gene (endo-pgaA) was cloned from DNA of Aspergillus niger SC323 using the cDNA synthesized by overlapping PCR, and successfully expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100 through fusing the α-factor signal peptide of yeast. The fulllength cDNA consists of 1,113 bp and encodes a protein of 370 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 38.8 kDa. After induction by galactose for 48 h, the activity of recombinant endo-PgaA in the culture supernatant can reach up to 1,448.48 U/mg. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration column chromatography and subsequently characterized. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified recombinant enzyme were 5.0 and 50℃, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) and maximal velocity (V_max) of the enzyme for pectin were 88.54 μmol/ml and 175.44 μmol/mg/min, respectively. The enzyme activity was enhanced by Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Na⁺, and strongly inhibited by Pb²⁺ and Mn²⁺. The pectin hydrolysates were mainly galacturonic acid and other oligo-galacturonates. Therefore, these characteristics suggest that the recombinant endo-PgaA may be of potential use in the food and feed industries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.590-597
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• 2020

Objective : Covered stenting is an optional strategy for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm, especially in malignant conditions of potential rupture, but the long-term outcomes are not clear. Our aim was to determine if covered stenting is an effective option for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm with promising long-term outcomes. Methods : Self-expanding Viabahn and balloon-expandable Willis covered stents were separately implanted for extra- and intracranial traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm. The covered stent was placed across the distal and proximal pseudoaneurysm leakage under roadmap guidance. Procedural success was defined as technical success (complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery) without a primary end point (any stroke or death within 30 days after the procedure). Long-term outcomes were evaluated as ischemic stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery by clinical follow-up through outpatient or telephone consultation and as the exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery by imaging follow-up through angiography. Results : Five patients with traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm who underwent covered stenting were enrolled. The procedural success rate was 100%. No ischemic stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery was recorded in any of the five patients during a mean clinical follow-up of 44±16 months. Complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and patency of the parent artery were maintained in all five patients during a mean imaging follow-up of 39±16 months. Conclusion : Satisfactory procedural and long-term outcomes were obtained, suggesting that covered stenting is an effective option for traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1245-1252
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• 2012

Acinetobacter venetians V28 was isolated from the intestine of righteye flounder, Poecilopsetta plinthus caught in Vietnam seawater, and the esterase gene was cloned using a shotgun method. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence (1,017 bp) corresponded to a protein of 338 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 37,186. The esterase had 87% and 72% identities with the lipases of A. junii SH205 and A. calcoaceticus RUH2202, respectively. The esterase contained a putative leader sequence, as well as the conserved catalytic triad (Ser, His, Asp), consensus pentapeptide GXSXG, and oxyanion hole sequence (HG). The protein from the strain V28 was produced in both a soluble and an insoluble form when the Escherichia coli cells harboring the gene were cultured at $18^{\circ}C$. The maximal activity of the purified enzyme was observed at a temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ and pH 9.0 using p-NP-caprylate as substrate; however, relative activity still reached to 70% even at $5^{\circ}C$ with an activation energy of 3.36 kcal/mol, which indicated that it was a cold-adapted enzyme. The enzyme was a nonmetallo-protein and was active against p-nitrophenyl esters of $C_4$, $C_8$, and $C_{14}$. Remarkably, this enzyme retained much of its activity in the presence of commercial detergents and organic solvents. This cold-adapted esterase will be applicable as catalysts for reaction in the presence of organic solvents and detergents.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.3-13
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• 2009

90 wild Agaricus strains from China, including 44 Agaricus bisporus strains identified preliminarily by isozyme electrophoresis, were studied by the techniques of SRAP and ISSR. 18 special SRAP bands and 12 special ISSR bands were analyzed, the strains were clustered and a demdrogram was obtained. The results showed that the strains were divided into 2 groups, wild A. bisporus group and the other Agaricus group. It is similar to the result of isozyme electrophoresis. 41 wild A. bisporus strains from Sichuan and Tibet were divided into 4 groups based on their growing places, suggesting the regionally difference of the strains to be quite obvious. Some white wild A. bisporus strains from Xinjiang and Tibet had special patterns, resulting in lower coefficient values with other wild A. bisporus strains. The biological characteristics of three wild A. bisporus strains were analyzed, and the results showed: 1. The wild strains grew slowly on PDA medium with weak appressed mycelia, and grew normally in kernel or fermented cottonseed shell substrate. 2. They grew faster than control strain As2796 under lower temperature of $16^{\circ}C$, and higher temperature of $32^{\circ}C$, with optimum growing temperature of $20-24^{\circ}C$, which was $4^{\circ}C$ lower than that of control strain. 3. In the cultivation with manure compost via twice fermentation, the mycelia grew normally in compost and quite slowly in casing soil, and the fruitbodies occurred less and late with easily opening and low production. 4. The fruitbody was off-white with flat and scaled cap, long stipe and dark gill. The bisporus basidia occupied 70-80% and trisporus basidia 20-30% of the total basidia. 5. Heterokaryotic monospore isolates could fruit in cultivation, and the homokaryotic isolates could cross with those derived from overseas wild A.bisporus strains. 6. The electrophoresis phenotype of isozymes such as esterase etc. belonged to high production type (H type). 7. The RAPD patterns made much difference from those of high production, good quality or hybrid strains, which indicated that the wild strains produce a new kind of RAPD type.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2009

To determine the critical level for optimum maturity of flue-cured tobacco leaves (KF118) at the stalk position from cutter to tips, the reflectance index using ground-based remote sensors and chlorophyll meter were investigated. The sensors estimated were Crop $Circle^{TM}$ (Holland Scientific), Green $Seeker^{TM}$ (Ntech Industries), Spectroradiometer (LICOR, LI-1800), Chlorophyll meter (SPAD502, Minolta), and Field $Scout^{TM}$ Chlorophyll meter (CM-1000, Spectrum). The L, a, b values and greenness for flue-cured leaf were measured and estimated for correlation with sensor's measurement of harvested leaf. On a reflectance curve of 340nm~1100 nm, the reflectance peaks on 550nm and 675 nm for the harvested leaf were lowered as change from light green to darker green. Darker green leaf harvested produced darker flue-cured leaf. The reflectance at 675 nm for flue-cured leaf decreased as greenness increased in the harvested leaf. This result means that the red edge band of 675 nm wavelength is related to the absorbance of chlorophyll for photosynthesis. The greenness of flue-cured leaf showed significantly positive correlation with the entire reflectance indexes for harvested leaf while the L value by colorimeter showed negative correlation with greenness of cured leaf. The critical level for optimum maturity of harvested leaf were less than 22, 135, and 0.43 for SPAD reading, CM-1000 reading, and gNDVI by Crop $Circle^{TM}$, respectively. Consequently, ground-based remote sensing providing a non-destructive real-time assessment of plant greenness could be a useful tool in the selection of optimum maturity of flue-cured tobacco leaves in relation to high quality of flue-cured tobacco.