• Title/Summary/Keyword: Observed Variables

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Survival Results and Prognostic Factors in T4 N0-3 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients According to the AJCC 7th Edition Staging System

  • Arslan, Deniz;Bozcuk, Hakan;Gunduz, Seyda;Tural, Deniz;Tattli, Ali Murat;Uysal, Mukremin;Goksu, Sema Sezgin;Bassorgun, Cumhur Ibrahim;Koral, Lokman;Coskun, Hasan Senol;Ozdogan, Mustafa;Savas, Burhan
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.2465-2472
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    • 2014
  • Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) published a new staging system ($7^{th}$ edition) in 2009. In our study, we evaluated the survival results and prognostic factors among T4 local advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) patients in a large heterogeneous group, in accordance with this new system. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the files of 122 T4 N0-3 M0 LA-NSCLC patients, identified according to the new staging system, treated at two centers between November 2003 and June 2012. Variables correlating with univariate survival at p<0.20 were later included in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Here, selection of relevant predictors of survival was carried out in accordance with the likelihood ratio formula with p<0.05 regarded as significant. Results: The median age was 60 and the median follow-up period was 17.4 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 18.3 months, the 1 year overall survival (OS) rate was 72%, and the 5 year OS rate was 28%. Statistically significant predictors of survival were (p<0.20) ECOG-PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status), age, T4 factor subgroup, stage and primary treatment in OS univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis for OS ECOG-PS (p=0.001), diagnostic stage (p=0.021), and primary treatment (p=0.004) were significant. In the group receiving non-curative treatment, the median OS was 11.0 months, while it was 19.0 months in the definitive RT group and 26.6 months in the curative treatment group. There was a significant difference between the non-curative group and the groups which had definitive RT and curative operations (respectively p<0.001 and p=0.001) in terms of OS, but not between the groups which had definitive RT and curative operations. The median event free survival (EFS) rate was 9.9 months, with rates of 46% and 19% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. On univariate analysis of EFS rate with ECOG-PS, weight loss and staging, statistical significance was found only for thorax computerized tomography (CT)+18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) use, stage and primary treatment (p<0.20). In multivariate analysis with EFS, only the primary treatment was statistically significant (p=0.001). In the group receiving non-curative treatment, the median EFS was 10.5 months while in the curative operation group it was 14.7 months. When all the primary treatment groups were taken into consideration, grade III/IV side effect swas observed in 57 patients (46.6%). Esophagitis was most prominent among those that received definitive radiotherapy. Conclusions: Independent prognostic factors among these 122 heterogeneous LA-NSCLC T4 N0-3 M0 patients were age at diagnosis, ECOG-PS, stage and primary treatment, the last also being a significant prognostic indicator of EFS. Our findings point to the importance of appropriate staging and a multidisciplinary approach with modern imaging methods in this patient group. In those with T4 lesions, treatment selection and the effective use of curative potential should be the most important goal of clinical care.

Association between Nutritional Knowledge and Dietary Behaviors of Middle School Children and Their Mothers (어머니의 영양지식과 식행동이 중학생 자녀의 식생활에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Jae-Sun;Choi, Young-Sun;Bae, Bok-Seon
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.44 no.2
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    • pp.140-151
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    • 2011
  • Middle-school students (158 boys and 199 girls) and their mothers were asked about nutritional attitudes, nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, and food intake using a questionnaire to examine whether nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviors of mothers affected their children's dietary habits. Nutritional attitude scores (total, 15 points) and nutritional knowledge scores (total, 20 points) of girls were 11.24 and 16.13 points, respectively, which were significantly higher than 10.47 and 15.43 points for boys. Generally, mothers received higher points than their children for all scores surveyed, but the results were not significantly different between boys' mothers and girls' mothers. The mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated from dietary nutrient intakes to assess overall quality of meals. The results showed that girls had a higher MAR than that of boys (0.89 vs. 0.86, p < 0.01). Relationships among variables were examined by Pearson's correlation coefficient within children and between children and their mothers. Significant positive correlations were observed between nutritional attitudes and knowledge in both boys and girls. In girls, positive correlations between nutritional attitudes and dietary habits, nutritional knowledge and dietary habits, and dietary habits and MAR were also sig-nificant. In boys, only dietary habits and MAR were correlated with those of their mothers. Nutritional attitudes, dietary habits, and the MAR of girls' mothers were significantly correlated with nutritional attitude, dietary habits and the MAR of girls. The results indicate that the influence of mothers on dietary behaviors of children was greater in girls than that in boys, suggesting that a gender-specific nutrition education program is needed for middle school students.

Seasonal and Spatial Distribution of Soft-bottom Polychaetesin Jinju Bay of the Southern Coast of Korea (진주만에서 저서 다모류의 시 · 공간 분포)

  • Kang Chang Keun;Baik Myung Sun;Kim Jeong Bae;Lee Pil Yong
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.35-45
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    • 2002
  • Seasonal quantitative van Veen grab sampling was conducted to characterize the composition and structure of the benthic polychaete community inhabiting the shellfish farming ground of a coastal bay system of Jiniu Bay (Korea). A total of 132 polychaete species were identified and the polychaetes accounted for about $80\%$ of overall abundance of benthic animals. There was little significant seasonal difference in densities (abundances) of polychaetes, Maximum biomass was obseued in summer (August) and minimum value was recorded in winter (February) and spring (May). Conversely, diversity and richness were lowest in summer, indicating a seasonal variability in the polychaetous community structure, The cluster analysis indicated that such a seasonal variability resulted mainly from the appearance of a few small, r-selected opportunists in spring and the tubiculous species of the family Maldanidae in summer. On the other hand, several indicator species for the organically enriched environments such as Capitelia capitata, Notoniashs Jatericeus and hmbrineris sp. showed high densities during all the study period. Density and biomass of univariate measures of community structure were significantly lower in the arkshell-farming ground of the southern area than in the non-farming sites of the bay, A similar general tendency was also found in the spatial distributions of species diversity and richness. Principal component analysis revealed the existence of different groups of benthic assemblages between the arkshell-farming ground and non-farming sites, The lack of colonization of r-selected opportunists and/or tubiculous species in the former ground seemed to contribute to the spatial differences in the composition and structure of the polychaetous communities. Although finer granulometric composition and high sulfide concentration in sediments of the arkshell-farming ground and low salinity in the northern area were likely to account for parts of the differences, other environmental variables observed were unlikely. The spatial distribution of polychaetes in Jiniu Bay may be rather closely related to the sedimentary disturbance by selection of shells for harvesting in spring.

Assessment of Breast Cancer Knowledge among Health Workers in Bangui, Central African Republic: a Cross-sectional study

  • Balekouzou, Augustin;Yin, Ping;Pamatika, Christian Maucler;Nambei, Sylvain Wilfrid;Djeintote, Marceline;Doromandji, Eric;Gouaye, Andre Richard;Yamba, Pascal Gastien;Guessy, Elysee Ephraim;Ba-Mpoutou, Bertrand;Mandjiza, Dieubeni Rawago;Shu, Chang;Yin, Minghui;Fu, Zhen;Qing, Tingting;Yan, Mingming;Mella, Grace;Koffi, Boniface
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.8
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    • pp.3769-3776
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    • 2016
  • Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. High breast cancer mortality has been attributed to lack of public awareness of the disease. Little is known about the level of knowledge of breast cancer in Central African Republic. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of health professionals on breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 158 health professionals (27 medical; 131 paramedical) in 17 hospitals in Bangui using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis, Person's ${\chi}^2$ test and ANOVA were applied to examine associations between variables with p < 0.05 being considered significant. Results: Data analyzed using SPSS version 20 indicates that average knowledge about breast cancer perception of the entire population was 47.6%, diagnosis method 45.5%, treatment 34.3% and risk factors 23.8%. Most respondents (65.8%) agreed that breast cancer is important in Central African Republic and that family history is a risk factor (44.3%). Clinical assessments and mammography were considered most suitable diagnostic methods, and surgery as the best treatment. The knowledge level was significantly higher among medical than paramedical staff with regard to risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. However the trainee group had very high significant differences of knowledge compared with all other groups. Conclusions: There is a very urgent need to update the various training programs for these professionals, with recommendations of retraining. Health authorities must create suitable structures for the overall management of cancer observed as a serious public health problem.

The Effect of Insomnia Severity on Daytime Sleepiness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (불면증 정도가 폐쇄성 수면무호흡 증후군에서의 주간졸림 정도에 끼치는 영향)

  • Nam, Ji-Won;Shin, Byoung-Hak;Shin, Hyeon-Sil;Park, Minji
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.11-19
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    • 2015
  • Objectives: Whether daytime sleepiness is proportional to the severity of sleep apnea in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is controversial. In this study we investigated how insomnia severity affects the association between daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea severity in OSAS. Methods: The present study included 235 male subjects who were diagnosed with OSAS based on clinical history and nocturnal polysomnography. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted among sleep and mood-related self-reported data, polysomnographic data and demographic data of all subjects. Based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the subjects were divided into 2 groups; group A (n = 75; $PSQI{\leq}5$) and group B (n = 160; PSQI > 5). Partial correlation analysis was performed between the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and other data in both groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors which affected the ESS in group A. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed weak or non-existent correlations between ESS and apnea severity data such as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r = 0.148, p = 0.023), apnea index (AI) (r = 0.137, p = 0.036), hypopnea index (HI) (r = 0.058, p = 0.377), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (r = 0.149, p = 0.022) and arousal total index (ATI) (r = 0.129, p = 0.048). Positive correlations between ESS and apnea severity data such as AHI ($r_p=0.313$, p = 0.008), AI ($r_p=0.339$, p = 0.004), ODI ($r_p=0.289$, p = 0.015) and ATI ($r_p=0.256$, p = 0.031) were observed only in group A. Multiple regression analysis showed that AI (t = 2.996, p = 0.004) and BAI (t = 2.721, p = 0.008) were associated with ESS in group A. Conclusion: The correlation between daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea severity was shown only in group A. This result suggests that associations between daytime sleepiness in OSAS and sleep apnea severity will become prominent when controlling for insomnia-related variables.

Exploration of the Relationship Structure of Personal and Social Cognitive Factors Affecting Professional Help-seeking Decisions for Distress among People in Low-income (저소득층의 디스트레스에 따른 전문가 도움추구의 결정에 영향을 미치는 개인 및 사회인지 요인들의 관계구조 탐색)

  • Park, Sunyoung
    • Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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    • v.67 no.2
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    • pp.85-112
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    • 2015
  • This study examined the relationship structure among personal and social cognitive factors contributing to professional help-seeking decisions to relieve distress of those in low-income, then suggested an appropriate model to inform knowledge for better social work practice. Using data of a purposive sampling from 331 low-income people, covariance structural analyses were conducted in two stages of model exploration, one for TPB model and another for its extended model including the level of distress, family support, and willingness. As results, in the path analyses with the observed variables of the basic components of the TPB, subjective norm showed the strongest effect on the intention, following by attitudes towards help-seeking, then behavioral control the least; in turn both the intention, positively, and behavioral control, negatively, contributed to help-seeking decisions. In the second stage of the path analyses with the extended model of the TPB, each of distress and family support demonstrated direct positive effect on each of attitudes, subjective norm, and behavioral control; each of the attitudes, subjective norm, and behavioral control showed positive effect on both intention and willingness; in turn, while intention showed strong positive effect on help-seeking decisions, willingness had no significant effect and behavioral control had negative effect on decisions. There were significant indirect effects of behavioral control on intention through willingness and of willingness on decisions through intention. These results suggested that the TPB model is useful for modeling help-seeking decisions through personal and social cognitions, especially the significance of subjective norm implied the importance of social cognition for the people in low-income with distress. Further, it was implied that the extended model needs to address particularity of those people in low-income and the mechanism shown by behavioral control and willingness implied the importance of practicing respect for the client's autonomy and will for self-support in social work practice.

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A Study on Family Planning Rumors & Practice in Rural Communities (일 농촌지역 가족계획 풍문과 실천에 관한 연구)

  • 추수경
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.63-77
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    • 1978
  • Studies pertaining to influential factors on adoption and practice of family planning are very much needed to lower fertility, for family planning has regarded as only one social acceptable means to curb the accelerated population growth. One of the influential factors is known as rumors on family planning methods that hinder the actual practice of family planning. This study generally aimed at disclosing rumors on family planning methods prevalent in rural communities so that one could gain some in sights to cope with the ill effects of rumors to promote family planning Practice in rural communities in Korea. In order to accomplish the general aims this study formulated following four specific objectives; 1. Find out types and frequencies of rumors exposed of contraceptive methods. 2. Find out the relationship between the rumors exposed and socio-economic and demographic characteristics of new village leaders and health workers. 3. Examine the relationship between family planing rumors and family planning practices. The materials for this study were drawn from the two different sets of data gathered in July and Octorber 1977 respectivily by Center for Population & family Planning, Yon sei University. One is current family planning practice among eligible women reaiding in 4 Myuns in Kwang Wha country and the other is Survey on Rumor on family planning method heard by new village leaders and health workers in the four myuns. The four Myuns were divided into 60 small areas. Current family planning practice rate in each small area and as a whole were calculated. The unit of analysis in this study was not the indviduel person but the 55 small areas. Percentage, average, F-Test t-test and a coefficient of correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results of this study could be summarized as follows: 1. Rumors by different method of contraception: Medical complications, gastro-intestinal disorders, and difficulty in usage one most prevalent rumors about oral pills. Around 49% -77% of the 55 areas were often heard and the most frequent rumor was related medical complications of oral pills. Rumors on medical complications and incomplete effect of intrauterines as contraceptive were heard 51-66% of the 55 small areas. Rumors that vasectomy resulted in family problems, for instance infiedelity of spouse were often heard to 44% of the 55 small areas. 2. Rumors by socio-economic and demographic characteristic of new village leader and health workers: Among the demographic characteristics such as sex, age and sex composition of children, sex and age differentials in frequency of rumors heard more observed, Female new village health workers have heard more frequently than male new village leader. (t = 7.137, p> 0.01, d.f. = 53, a coefficient of correlation 0.27, p>0.05) The Younger age group less than 40 years of age have heard rumors of than the group over 40 years old. (t = 7.18, p>0.01, d.f. = 53, a coefficient of correlation 0.27, p>0.05) However, it was not observable that a consistent sex and age differentials in frequency of rumors heard of each contraceptive mettled, But, more female new village health works heard of rumors about intrauterine device than male new village leaders. (t = 0.497, p> 0.01, d.f. = 53, a coefficient of correlatin 0.32, p>0.01) 3. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the frequency of rumors heard and current family planning practices on the whole, However, frequency of rumors heard about vasectomy appeared to have a positive relationship with current practice of vasectomy. A rather consistent pattern of relationship between“requency of rumors heard”and current family practice rate was demonstrated of 10 graphes which showed the relation between the two variagles. The current family planning practice rate in the“never heard”group and “frequently heard”group was equally lower than that in“often heard”group. The relatively consistent ∩ pattern of relationship needs to be farther investigated, for this pattern is different from the relationship that has been assumed to exist between these two variables.

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The Variation of Leaf Form of Natural Populations of Quercus variabilis in Korea (굴참나무 천연집단(天然集團)의 엽형(葉型) 변이(變異))

  • Song, Jeong-Ho;Park, Mun-Han;Moon, Heung-Kyu;Han, Sang-Urk;Yi, Jae-Seon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.89 no.5
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    • pp.666-676
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    • 2000
  • For the study of morphological variation of Q. variabilis natural population in Korea, 19 populations were selected through the country in considering latitude, longitude, and geographical characters. Thirty trees were randomly selected from each population and 60 mature leaves were sampled from each tree. Four characters (leaf blade length, maximum blade width, petiole length, and vein number) were measured, and their ratios (the ratio of blade length to maximum blade width, the ratio of blade length to petiole length, the ratio of petiole length to vein number, upper 1/3 blade width to maximum blade width, and upper 1/3 blade width to lower 1/3 blade width) were calculated. 1. Analysis of variance for all leaf characters were significantly different among populations and among individuals within population. Contributions of variance among individuals within population in all the characters were higher than those among populations. Therefore, selection of plus trees may be preferable to desirable populations for breeding program of Q. variabilis. 2. Among principal component analysis for leaf characters, primary 2 principal components appeared to be major variables for leaf form of Q. variabilis because of the loading contribution of 80.5%. The first contribution component was petiole length/vein number and petiole length ; the second one was upper 1/3 blade width/maximum blade width, upper blade width/lower 1/3 blade width and vein number, respectively. 3. Latitude was positively correlated with blade length/maximum blade width and blade length/petiole length, but negatively correlated with petiole length/vein number, upper 1/3 blade width/maximum blade width, upper 1/3 blade width/lower 1/3 blade width, petiole length, and vein number. But, for longitude and altitude the former two traits and the later five traits exhibited the negative and positive correlation, respectively. 4. Cluster analysis using complete linkage method for leaf characters showed two groups to Euclidean distance 1.6. They were group I of population 1. 4, 5, and 13 and group II of population 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. However, group II was divided again to Euclidean distance 1.3, that is a group including population 3, 7, 10, 14, 15, and 17(group II-1) and the other group comprising population 2, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, and 19(group II-2). This cluster could be mainly observed due to difference among population in aspect (group I : NE, group II-1 : SE, and group II-2 : SW).

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Calculation of Surface Heat Flux in the Southeastern Yellow Sea Using Ocean Buoy Data (해양부이 자료를 이용한 황해 남동부 해역 표층 열속 산출)

  • Kim, Sun-Bok;Chang, Kyung-Il
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.169-179
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    • 2014
  • Monthly mean surface heat fluxes in the southeastern Yellow Sea are calculated using directly observed airsea variables from an ocean buoy station including short- and longwave radiations, and COARE 3.0 bulk flux algorithm. The calculated monthly mean heat fluxes are then compared with previous estimates of climatological monthly mean surface heat fluxes near the buoy location. Sea surface receives heat through net shortwave radiation ($Q_i$) and loses heat as net longwave radiation ($Q_b$), sensible heat flux ($Q_h$), and latent heat flux ($Q_e$). $Q_e$ is the largest contribution to the total heat loss of about 51 %, and $Q_b$ and $Q_h$ account for 34% and 15% of the total heat loss, respectively. Net heat flux ($Q_n$) shows maximum in May ($191.4W/m^2$) when $Q_i$ shows its annual maximum, and minimum in December ($-264.9W/m^2$) when the heat loss terms show their annual minimum values. Annual mean $Q_n$ is estimated to be $1.9W/m^2$, which is negligibly small considering instrument errors (maximum of ${\pm}19.7W/m^2$). In the previous estimates, summertime incoming radiations ($Q_i$) are underestimated by about $10{\sim}40W/m^2$, and wintertime heat losses due to $Q_e$ and $Q_h$ are overestimated by about $50W/m^2$ and $30{\sim}70W/m^2$, respectively. Consequently, as compared to $Q_n$ from the present study, the amount of net heat gain during the period of net oceanic heat gain between April and August is underestimated, while the ocean's net heat loss in winter is overestimated in other studies. The difference in $Q_n$ is as large as $70{\sim}130W/m^2$ in December and January. Analysis of long-term reanalysis product (MERRA) indicates that the difference in the monthly mean heat fluxes between the present and previous studies is not due to the temporal variability of fluxes but due to inaccurate data used for the calculation of the heat fluxes. This study suggests that caution should be exercised in using the climatological monthly mean surface heat fluxes documented previously for various research and numerical modeling purposes.

Anti-calcification Effects in Decellularized and Variously Fixed Bovine Pericardium (소심낭 절편의 무세포화와 알코올 전처치를 포함한 여러 고정 처리법 시행 후 석회화 경감 효과 관찰 연구)

  • Hwang, Seong-Wook;Kim, Yong-Jin;Kim, Soo-Hwan;Choi, Seung-Hwa
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.43 no.3
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    • pp.235-245
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    • 2010
  • Background: Our goal was to evaluate anti-calcification effects of decellularization and diverse fixing methods including preincubation of the bovine pericardium with ethanol. We also assessed changes in mechanical properties. Material and Method: Harvested bovine pericardium was decellularized with 0.25% sodim dodecysulfate and then treated with 5 methods of fixation: (1) 0.5% glutaraldehyde (GA) for 14 days, (2) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (3) 0.5% GA for 5 days, 2% GA for 2 days, 0.25% GA for 7 days, and then 70% ethanol for 2 days, (4) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA and 70% ethanol for 2 days, and 0.25% GA for 7 days, (5) 0.5% GA for 5 days, a mixture of 2% GA, 65% ethanol, and 5% octanediol for 2 days and then 0.25% GA for 7 days. All treated bovine pericardia were tested for histological variables, lipid content, and mechanical properties including tensile strength and thermal stability. A total 10 kinds of differently treated bovine pericardia were implanted into rat subdermis and harvested 8 weeks later. Harvested pericardia were evaluated for calcium content. Result: No protein denaturation was observed microscopically after decellularization. There was a 32% mean decrease in tensile strength index after decellularization in the bovine pericardium group fixed. Octanediol preincubation attenuated the decrease in tensile strength and maintained thermal stability. TG and cholesterol were not affected by decellularization but were decreased by organic solvent. Calcium content was decreased after decellularization, and organic solvent preincubation decreased calcification in the non-decellularized bovine pericardium group. Conclusion: Decellularization and organic solvent preincubation have anti-calcification effects but decellularization may cause mechanical instability. A method of decellularization and fixation that does not cause damage to matrices will be needed for evaluation of the next step in using tissue-engineering for replacement of cardiac valves.