• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.189-196
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• 2020

The study seeks to conduct an oral stereognosis assessment of the elderly, identify characteristics and confirm the association with cognition, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(IADL), Quality of Life(QOL). Oral stereognosis(OS) was evaluated on 20 senior citizens aged 75 or older living in Gyeonggi-do. Cognition was used as MoCA-K(Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean), IADL as K-IADL(Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), and QOL as GQOL(Geriatric Quality of Life scale). OS decreases accuracy with age, unaffected by the level of education. Shapes with clear edges and broad sides were found to be easy to recognize. OS is related to cognition, IADL and QOL. Through this study, the OS of the elderly could predict the functional level and QOL, including cognition. Therefore, it can be used as a basic research for the physical and mental health management of the elderly through oral lectures, and the development of oral stereognosis tools for the elderly through large scale subjects should be made.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.402-411
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a cognitive enhancement program combined Silbot on cognitive function, depression, and dementia prevention behavior in the elderly complaining of subjective memory decline. The subjects were 170 elderly people living in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, and the study was performed at a welfare center. A total of 20 sessions program using Silbot and physical activity was developed and applied, and were evaluated using the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), Geriatric depression Scale(GDS) , and Dementia Prevention Behavior before and after intervention. As a result of the study, the cognitive enhancement program combined Silbot showed statistically significant changes in cognitive function (t=-4.49, p<.001) and depression (t=2.58, p=.023) in the elderly. Therefore, it is expected that the cognitive enhancement program using Silbot will be a useful program that can enhance the cognitive function of the elderly and reduce depression.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.422-431
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• 2009

The analytical results of wear metals such as Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb in oil samples are compared by portable and bench-top XRF methods as a basic study for the development of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The instrumental parameters such as measurement time of portable and bench-top XRF were optimized using certified reference materials of hydrocarbon oil with 20 wear metals in concentration range from 10 to 900 mg/kg. The analytical results of 20 wear metals in certified reference materials and new/used engine oil samples were compared by empirical and fundamental parameter methods.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2008

In the process of bone remodeling, mineral phase of bone is dissolved by osteoclasts, resulting in elevation of calcium concentration in micro-environment. This study was performed to explore the effect of high extracellular calcium ($Ca{^{2+}}_e$) on mineralized nodule formation and on the expression of progressive ankylosis (Ank), plasma cell membrane glycoprotein-1 (PC-1) and osteopontin by primary cultured mouse calvarial cells. Osteoblastic differentiation and mineralized nodule formation was induced by culture of mouse calvarial cells in osteoblast differentiation medium containing ascorbic acid and ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate. Although Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin are well known inhibitors of mineralization, expression of these genes were induced at the later stage of osteoblast differentiation during when expression of osteocalcin, a late marker gene of osteoblast differentiation, was induced and mineralization was actively progressing. High $Ca{^{2+}}_e$(10 mM) treatment highly enhanced mRNA expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin in the late stage of osteoblast differentiation but not in the early stage. Inhibition of p44/42 MAPK activation but not that of protein kinase C suppressed high $Ca{^{2+}}_{e^-}$induced expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin. When high $Ca{^{2+}}_e$(5 mM or 10 mM) was present in culture medium during when mineral deposition was actively progressing, matrix calcifiation was significantly increased by high $Ca{^{2+}}_e$. This stimulatory effect was abolished by pyrophosphate (5 mM) or levamisole (0.1-0.5 mM), an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor. In addition, probenecid (2mM), an inhibitor of Ank, suppressed matrix calcification in both control and high $Ca{^{2+}}_{e^-}$treated group, suggesting the possible role of Ank in matrix calcification by osteoblasts. Taken together, these results showed that high $Ca{^{2+}}_e$ stimulates expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin as well as matrix calcification in late differentiation stage of osteoblasts and that p44/42 MAPK activation is involved in high $Ca{^{2+}}_{e^-}$induced expression of Ank, PC-1 and osteopontin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3595-3600
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the association between preoperative pathological Ki-67 labeling index and serum tumor marker cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) with clinic-pathological parameters and treatment outcomes in early breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study at 4 cancer centers in Saudi Arabia and Egypt was performed. Data were collected for female patients diagnosed with unilateral early breast cancer between March 2010 and October 2013. Cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgery and radiotherapy were included. NACT included 6-8 cycles of anthracycline and taxane based regimens. Trastuzumab and hormonal treatments were added according to HER2 and hormone receptor status. Baseline serum CA15.3 and pathological Ki67 levels were evaluated and correlated with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 280 pts was included. The median age was 49 years (38-66 y) and median overall survival was 35 (20-38) months (mo). Estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and HER 2 receptors were positive in 233 (83.2%), 198 (70%) and 65 cases (23.2%), respectively. High preoperative Ki67 and CA15.3 were noted in 177 (63.2%) and 131 (46.8%). A total of 45 (16%) patients had distal or local recurrence and 24 (8.6%) died of their disease. Most of the relapsed cases had high preoperative Ki-67 (n=41, 91%) and CA15.3 (n=28, 62%) values. All of the patients who died had a high Ki-67 but CA15.3 was high in 9 (37%) only. Mean DFS/OS in patients with high preoperative Ki-67 was 32 months /32 months as compared to 37 months/35 months in those with normal Ki-67 (p<0.001). Correlation of preoperative CA15.3 and survival was statistically not significant. Conclusions:Preoperative Ki-67 can be a predictive and prognostic marker. Higher levels are associated with poor DFS and OS in patients with early BC.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.258-263
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• 2013

In the current study, we explored the effect of LDR on the activation of Nrfs transcription factor involved in cellular redox events. Experiments were carried out utilizing 0.05 and 0.5 Gy X-ray irradiated normal human skin fibroblast HS27 cells. The results showed LDR induced Nrf1 and Nrf2 activation and expression of antioxidant genes HO-1, Mn-SOD, and NQO1. In particular, 0.05 Gy-irradiation increased only Nrf1 activation, but 0.5 Gy induced both Nrf1 and Nrf2 activation. LDR-mediated Nrf1/2 activation was accompanied by reactive species (RS) generation and $Ca^{2+}$ flux. This effect was abolished in the presence of N-acetyl-cysteine and BAPTA- AM. Furthermore, Nrf1/2 activation by LDR was suppressed by PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2. In conclusion, LDR induces Nrf1 and Nrf2 activation and expression of Nrf-regulated antioxidant defense genes through RS and $Ca^{2+}$/ERK1/2 pathways, suggesting new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial role of LDR in HS27 cells.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-377
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• 2014

There are very few studies about soil chemical and biological properties under tropical dry evergreen forest Coromandel Coast, India. The present study was conducted in six tropical dry evergreen forests sites such as Oorani, Puthupet, Vadaagram, Kotthatai, Sendrakillai and Palvathunnan. We measured the quantity of soil chemical, biological properties and selected soil microorganisms for investigating the impacts of soil microbial populations on soil chemical and biological properties. The result showed that total N, P, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, exchangeable K, Olson P, extractable Ca and phosphobacterial population were higher in the soil from Kothattai forest site. Organic carbon, total Mg, extractable Na, soil respiration, ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity, bacterial population, fungi population and actinomycetes population were higher in the soil from Palvathunn forest site. Total K, $NH_4{^+}$-N, $NO_3{^-}$-N, exchangeable K, extractable Ca, extractable Na, azotobacter population, bacillus population and rhizobacteria population were higher in the soil from Sendrakillai. Beijerinckia population, rhizobacteria and soluble sodium were higher in Puthupet forest soil. Total Si, total Na and exchangeable K were higher in soil from Oorani forest site. Total Mo and exchangeable K were higher in the soil from Vadaagaram forest site. The results showed that organic carbon, total N, $NH_4{^+}$-N, $NO_3{^-}$-N, extractable P, extractable Ca, soil respiration and ${\beta}$-glucosidase were significantly correlated with soil microbial populations. Therefore soil microorganisms are important factor for maintaining soil quality in tropical dry evergreen forest.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.512-517
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• 2009

$SO_2$ concentrations in oxy-fuel combustion flue gases increases about three times as high as that of conventional air combustion system owing to the flue gas recirculation for the control of combustion temperature. So the desulfurization reaction is different from that of the conventional air combustion system due to exceptionally high $CO_2$ and $SO_2$ concentration. In this study, drop tube furnace(DTF) system was used to investigate the desulfurization characteristics of limestone in oxy-fuel combustion furnace. The experiments were performed under $O_2/CO_2$ atmosphere to examine the effect of operating variables such as reaction temperatures, Ca/S ratios and inlet $SO_2$ concentrations on the $SO_2$ removal efficiencies. $SO_2$ removal efficiency increased with reaction temperature, Ca/S ratio and inlet $SO_2$ concentration. And the addition of water vapor resulted in about 4~6% of increase in $SO_2$ removal efficiency.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2004

We previously found that bisphenol A (BPA) caused neurotoxic behavioral alteration. Since disturbance of calcium homeostasis is an implicated contributor in the neurotoxic mechanism of environmental toxicants, we investigated whether BPA alters calcium homeostasis. Unlike other neurotoxic agents which cause increase of intracellular calcium level, BPA decreased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ dose-dependently in PC12 cells and cortical neuronal cells regardless of the calcium existence in buffer. BPA at greater concentrations than 100 $\mu\textrm{M}$ reduced cell viability significantly in both types of cells. BPA also suppressed L-glutamate (L-type channel activator, 30 mM) and trifluoperazine (calmodulin antagonist, 30 $\mu\textrm{M}$)-induced increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. BPA further lowered caffeine (RYR activator, 100 $\mu\textrm{M}$)-decreased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, but did not alter dantrolene (RYR inhibitor, 100 $\mu\textrm{M}$), heparin (IP3 inhibitor, 200 units/ml) and xestospongin C (IP3 inhibitor, 5 $\mu\textrm{M}$)-decreased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Cell viability was not directly related to intracellular calcium change by bisphenol A that alternation of intracellular calcium may not be a direct causal factor of BPA-induced neuronal cell death.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.161-164
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• 1979

The effect of acidity and the metal surface area of the Pd loaded zeolite catalysts; prepared from $Ca^{2+}-,\;La^{3+}-,\;NH_4^+-$exchanged Y and dealuminated HY was studied for the reaction of n-butane. The amount of strong acid site determined by the temperature programmed desorption of ammonia increased in the order NaY < CaY < LaY. Total amount of acid site decreased with increasing degree of dealumination, but the portion of strong acid site increased with increasing $SiO_2/Al_2O_3$ ratio. The effective metal surface area determined by the CO adsorption technique was large for those zeolite catalysts having strong acidity. It was found that conversion of n-butane was strongly dependent on the acidity and the effective metal surface area of the catalysts. The fact that the conversion of n-butane was proportional to the effective metal surface area suggests that the dehydrogenation by metallic component is the primary step in the reaction of n-butane.