• Title/Summary/Keyword: Quantitative-Risk-Analysis

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Polymorphisms and Functional Analysis of the Intact Human Papillomavirus16 E2 Gene

  • Ekalaksananan, Tipaya;Jungpol, Watcharapol;Prasitthimay, Chuthamas;Wongjampa, Weerayut;Kongyingyoes, Bunkerd;Pientong, Chamsai
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.23
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    • pp.10255-10262
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    • 2015
  • High risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) E2 proteins play roles in transcriptional regulation and are commonly functionally disrupted when the HPV genome integrates into host chromosomes. Some 15-40% of cancer cases, however, contain an intact E2 gene or episomal HPV. In these cases, polymorphism of the E2 gene might be involved. This study aimed to determine polymorphisms of the E2 gene in episomal HPV16 detected in high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinomas and altered functions compared to the E2 prototype. The E2 gene was amplified and sequenced. Two expression vectors containing E2 gene polymorphisms were constructed and transfected in SiHa and C33A cells, then E6 gene as well as Il-10 and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Expression vectors and reporter vectors containing the HPV16 long control region (LCR) were co-transfected and transcriptional activity was determined. The results showed that a total of 32 nucleotides and 23 amino acids were changed in all 20 cases of study, found in the transactivation (TA) domain, hinge (H) region and DNA binding (DB) domain with 14, 5 and 13 nucleotide positions. They mostly caused amino acid change. The expressing vectors containing different E2 gene polymorphisms showed E6 mRNA suppression, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA suppression and IL-10 induction but no statistically significant differences when compared to the E2 prototype. Moreover, promoter activity in HPV16 LCR was not affected by E2 protein with different gene polymorphisms, in contrast to nucleotide variations in LCR that showed an effect on transcription activity. These results demonstrated that E2 gene polymorphisms of episomal HPV16 did not affect transcriptional regulation and suggested that nucleotide variation as well as epigenetic modification of the LCR might play a role in inducing malignant transformation of cells containing episomal HPV16.

From 'Medicalization' to 'Biomedicalization': the Case of Mental Disorder ('의료화'에서 '생의료화'로: 정신장애의 사례)

  • Kim, Hwan-Suk
    • Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.3-33
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    • 2014
  • Over the last forty years, the dominant perspective of social science on medicine has been the medicalization theory. It indicates the social process of expanding power of medical professionals by (re)defining the problems which were treated as non-medical phenomena(e.g. homosexuality, alcoholism, obesity, etc.) into "diseases" and thus the spheres of medical intervention. Meanwhile, rapid technoscientific changes in the medical field owing to the diffusion of biological sciences and information technologies since the mid-1980s and the accompanying emergence of new social arrangements such as bioeconomy and biological citizenship have led to the rise of a new social scientific perspective called the biomedicalization theory. This paper attempts to compare the two theories and assess their merits and demerits as a basic work to deepen the understandings of sociology and STS on contemporary medicine. And it also attempts to analyze their relative relevance through the case of mental disorder. The analysis on the case of mental disorder clearly shows that the medicalization in that area seems to have continuously proceeded since the early 19th centiry to the present. Furthermore, it also seems true that the five central processes of biomedicalization(except for risk surveillance technologies of mental disorder) have been observed and realized since the late 20th century. These results indicate that although medicalization has consistently proceeded, it has not been limited to the quantitative expansion of the medical field but been extended to the qualitative transformation asserted by the biomedicalization theory. Therefore, while the concept of medicalization is valid and significant even today, we can recognize that the concept of biomedicalization allow us to capture the new phenomena which cannot be properly and sufficiently captured by that of medicalization.

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Association of miR-193b Down-regulation and miR-196a up-Regulation with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

  • Mu, Yong-Ping;Tang, Song;Sun, Wen-Jie;Gao, Wei-Min;Wang, Mao;Su, Xiu-Lan
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.20
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    • pp.8893-8900
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    • 2014
  • Dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to be closely associated with tumor development, progression, and carcinogenesis. However, their clinical implications for gastric cancer remain elusive. To investigate the hypothesis that genome-wide alternations of miRNAs differentiate gastric cancer tissues from those matched adjacent non-tumor tissues (ANTTs), miRNA arrays were employed to examine miRNA expression profiles for the 5-pair discovery stage, and the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) was applied to validate candidate miRNAs for 48-pair validation stage. Furthermore, the relationship between altered miRNA and clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric cancer was explored. Among a total of 1,146 miRNAs analyzed, 16 miRNAs were found to be significantly different expressed in tissues from gastric cancer compared to ANTTs (p<0.05). qRT-PCR further confirmed the variation in expression of miR-193b and miR-196a in the validation stage. Down-expression of miR-193b was significantly correlated with Lauren type, differentiation, UICC stage, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer (p<0.05), while over-expression of miR-196a was significantly associated with poor differentiation (p=0.022). Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the UICC stage was a significant risk factor for down-expression of miR-193b (adjusted OR=8.69; 95%CI=1.06-56.91; p=0.043). Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that patients with a high fold-change of down-regulated miR-193b had a significantly shorter survival time (n=19; median survival=29 months) compared to patients with a low fold-change of down-regulated miR-193b (n=29; median survival=54 months) (p=0.001). Overall survival time of patients with a low fold-change of up-regulated miR-196a (n=27; median survival=52 months) was significantly longer than that of patients with a high fold-change of up-regulated miR-196a (n=21; median survival=46 months) (p=0.003). Hence, miR-193b and miR-196a may be applied as novel and promising prognostic markers in gastric cancer.

A Comparative Study of Entrepreneurial Motivation, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Intention between the Students of Experiential Entrepreneurship Class and Theory Centered Class (체험형 창업강좌와 이론형 창업강좌 학습자간의 창업동기, 기업가정신 및 창업의지 비교 연구)

  • Kim, Yong Tae
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.49-58
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    • 2018
  • In recent years, various studies have been carried out on various types of entrepreneurship and comparative activities according to policy efforts and support such as the activation of a bachelor's degree in the establishment of a university, and attention has been paid to the fact that the participation and the educational effect of the students may be different depending on the type. The purpose of this study is to investigate entrepreneurial motivation, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial intention in the case of experiential entrepreneurship class focusing on the theoretical-oriented general entrepreneurship class, And the effect of entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention. The data were collected and empirical analysis was conducted to compare the difference between the two groups. The results of this study are as follows: First, out of the motivation factors of entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship education, achievement desire, human network, self - esteem, etc. We can confirm that the motivation of entrepreneurs is recognized more greatly. Second, the entrepreneurship factor was not significantly different from the perception between experiential entrepreneurship lecture and theoretical entrepreneurship learner. Third, experiential entrepreneurship learner perceived more willingness to start business than theoretical entrepreneurship learner. Finally, among the entrepreneurship motivation factors, among the entrepreneurship education, achievement desire and entrepreneurship factor, the risk sensitivity affects the entrepreneurial will. This study suggests that the direction of entrepreneurial education focused on quantitative expansion and the creation of qualitative effects of entrepreneurship education are needed. In the future, it will provide policy implications for revitalizing experiential entrepreneurship education In addition, it can contribute to the diffusion of research on the effect of entrepreneurship education.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Residues in Greenhouse Soil and Strawberry Organochlorine Pesticides (딸기 시설재배지 토양 및 농산물 중 잔류성유기오염물질(POPs)의 잔류량 - 유기염소계 농약)

  • Lim, Sung-Jin;Oh, Young-Tak;Jo, You-Sung;Ro, Jin-Ho;Choi, Geun-Hyoung;Yang, Ji-Yeon;Park, Byung-Jun
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.6-14
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    • 2016
  • BACKGROUND: Residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effect to human health and the environment. They were designated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by Stockholm Convention. Greenhouse strawberry is economic crop in agriculture, and its cultivation area and yield has been increased. Therefore, we tried to investigate the POPs residue in greenhouse soil and strawberry.METHODS AND RESULTS: Extraction and clean-up method for the quantitative analysis of OCPs was developed and validated by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detector (ECD). The clean-up method was established using the modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe(QuEChERS) method for OCPs in soil and strawberry. Limit of quantitation (LOQ) and recovery rates of OCPs in greenhouse soil and strawberry were 0.9-6.0 and 0.6-0.9 μg/kg, 74.4-115.6 and 75.6-88.4%, respectively. The precision was reliable sincerelative standard deviation (RSD) percentage (0.5-3.7 and 2.9-5.2%) was below 20, which was the normal percent value. The residue of OCPs in greenhouse soil was analyzed by the developed method, and dieldrin, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate were detected at 1.6-23, 2.2-28.4 and 1.8-118.6 μg/kg, respectively. Those in strawberry were not detected in all samples.CONCLUSION: Dieldrin, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in a part of investigated greenhouse soil were detected. But those were not detected in investigated greenhouse strawberry. These results showed that the residue in greenhouse soil were lower level than bioaccumulation occurring.

Clinical Utility of Epstein-Barr Viral Load Assay to Diagnose Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients (소아 심장이식 후 림프증식성 질환의 진단을 위한 Epstein-Barr Virus 정량 검사의 유용성)

  • Kim, Joonil;Lee, Jina;Kim, Young-Hwue
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.44-53
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) and to evaluate the association between Epstein-Barr viral load and the development of PTLD in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed children aged <18 years who underwent heart transplantation and quantitative analysis of blood Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia at our institute from January 2006 to March 2015. Clinical characteristics and EBV viral loads were compared according to the presence of PTLD. Results: Over 9 consecutive years, a total of 40 heart transplant recipients, were included. Among 28 children with available EBV viral load measurements, seven patients (25%) had EBV viremia only defined as at least one time of ${\geq}457copies/mL$. PTLD occurred in three recipients (7.5%) 4.3, 6.3, and 17.0 months after transplant and all PTLD cases had preceding EBV viremia. The median age at transplant was 5.3 years (range, 0.5 to 6.0 years) in the PTLD group, compared with 11.9 years (range, 0.3 to 17.8 years) in the non-PTLD group (P=0.021). The median values of the peak EBV levels in the PTLD group were 3,452,170 copies/mL (range, 46,750 to 7,622,910 copies/mL); the peak EBV levels in the non-PTLD group were 3,112 copies/mL (range, 2,250 to 103,000 copies/mL). Conclusions: Younger age at transplant and presence of EBV viremia were associated with the development of PTLD in pediatric heart transplant recipients. A prospective study will be required to determine the blood EBV load for predicting the development of PTLD in these patients.

A Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Aflatoxin-producing Fungus Using an Optimized Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

  • Bintvihok, Anong;Treebonmuang, Supitchaya;Srisakwattana, Kitiya;Nuanchun, Wisut;Patthanachai, Koranis;Usawang, Sungworn
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.81-87
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    • 2016
  • Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is produced by Aspergillus flavus growing in feedstuffs. Early detection of maize contamination by aflatoxigenic fungi is advantageous since aflatoxins exert adverse health effects. In this study, we report the development of an optimized conventional PCR for AFB1 detection and a rapid, sensitive and simple screening Real-time PCR (qPCR) with SYBR Green and two pairs of primers targeting the aflR genes which involved aflatoxin biosynthesis. AFB1 contaminated maize samples were divided into three groups by the toxin concentration. Genomic DNA was extracted from those samples. The target genes for A. flavus were tested by conventional PCR and the PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis. A conventional PCR was carried out as nested PCR to verify the gene amplicon sizes. PCR-RFLP patterns, obtained with Hinc II and Pvu II enzyme analysis showed the differences to distinguish aflatoxin-producing fungi. However, they are not quantitative and need a separation of the products on gel and their visualization under UV light. On the other hand, qPCR facilitates the monitoring of the reaction as it progresses. It does not require post-PCR handling, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination and handling errors. It results in a much faster throughout. We found that the optimal primer annealing temperature was $65^{\circ}C$. The optimized template and primer concentration were $1.5{\mu}L\;(50ng/{\mu}L)$ and $3{\mu}L\;(10{\mu}M/{\mu}L)$ respectively. SYBR Green qPCR of four genes demonstrated amplification curves and melting peaks for tub1, afIM, afIR, and afID genes are at $88.0^{\circ}C$, $87.5^{\circ}C$, $83.5^{\circ}C$, and $89.5^{\circ}C$ respectively. Consequently, it was found that the four primers had elevated annealing temperatures, nevertheless it is desirable since it enhances the DNA binding specificity of the dye. New qPCR protocol could be employed for the determination of aflatoxin content in feedstuff samples.

The Development and Application of Office Price Index for Benchmark in Seoul using Repeat Sales Model (반복매매모형을 활용한 서울시 오피스 벤치마크 가격지수 개발 및 시험적 적용 연구)

  • Ryu, Kang Min;Song, Ki Wook
    • Land and Housing Review
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.33-46
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    • 2020
  • As the fastest growing office transaction volume in Korea, there's been a need for development of indicators to accurately diagnose the office capital market. The purpose of this paper is experimentally calculate to the office price index for effective benchmark indices in Seoul. The quantitative methodology used a Case-Shiller Repeat Sales Model (1991), based on actual multiple office transaction dataset with over minimum 1,653 ㎡ from Q3 1999 to 4Q 2019 in the case of 1,536 buildings within Seoul Metropolitan. In addition, the collected historical data and spatial statistical analysis tools were treated with the SAS 9.4 and ArcGIS 10.7 programs. The main empirical results of research are briefly summarized as follows; First, Seoul office price index was estimated to be 344.3 point (2001.1Q=100.0P) at the end of 2019, and has more than tripled over the past two decades. it means that the sales price of office per 3.3 ㎡ has consistently risen more than 12% every year since 2000, which is far above the indices for apartment housing index, announced by the MOLIT (2009). Second, between quarterly and annual office price index for the two-step estimation of the MIT Real Estate Research Center (MIT/CRE), T, L, AL variables have statistically significant coefficient (Beta) all of the mode l (p<0.01). Third, it was possible to produce a more stable office price index against the basic index by using the Moore-Penrose's pseoudo inverse technique at low transaction frequency. Fourth, as an lagging indicators, the office price index is closely related to key macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP(+), KOSPI(+), interest rates (5-year KTB, -). This facts indicate that long-term office investment tends to outperform other financial assets owing to high return and low risk pattern. In conclusion, these findings are practically meaningful to presenting an new office price index that increases accuracy and then attempting to preliminary applications for the case of Seoul. Moreover, it can provide sincerely useful benchmark about investing an office and predicting changes of the sales price among market participants (e.g. policy maker, investor, landlord, tenant, user) in the future.

A Study on the Elaboration of Request for Proposal of Localization Parts using AHP method (AHP 기법을 적용한 부품국산화 제안요청서 정교화 연구)

  • Song, Hyeong-Min
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.35-44
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    • 2020
  • The purpose of this study is to elaborate the request for proposal (RFP) for the localization parts development support project of core parts carried out by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. The RFP is the most important document throughout the localization parts project, including project announcement and developer selection, design and test of the development product, final evaluation, and standardization of the project. However, if the RFP is not established at the beginning of the project, there is an increased risk of business failure due to frequent changes by various reasons. In this study, we recognized the necessity of elaboration of RFP and applied the AHP method for quantitative elaboration. Eight requirements of the RFP related to the mechanical/electrical performance of localized development products and three elaboration methods for each requirement were designed in a hierarchical structure, and each weight was calculated by applying the 5-point scale AHP method. The AHP survey was conducted with 20 developers participating in the localization parts project, and the consistency ratio of the AHP survey result was less than 0.1. The elaboration method with the highest value among the calculated weights is classified, and the analysis results and future research directions of the elaboration method are presented.

Dependences of Ultrasonic Parameters for Osteoporosis Diagnosis on Bone Mineral Density (골다공증 진단을 위한 초음파 변수의 골밀도에 대한 의존성)

  • Hwang, Kyo Seung;Kim, Yoon Mi;Park, Jong Chan;Choi, Min Joo;Lee, Kang Il
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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    • v.32 no.5
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    • pp.502-508
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    • 2012
  • Quantitative ultrasound technologies for osteoporosis diagnosis measure ultrasonic parameters such as speed of sound(SOS) and normalized broadband ultrasound attenuation(nBUA) in the calcaneus (heel bone). In the present study, the dependences of SOS and nBUA on bone mineral density in the proximal femur with high risk of fracture were investigated by using 20 trabecular bone samples extracted from bovine femurs. SOS and nBUA in the femoral trabecular bone samples were measured by using a transverse transmission method with one matched pair of ultrasonic transducers with a center frequency of 1.0 MHz. SOS and nBUA measured in the 20 trabecular bone samples exhibited high Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) of r = 0.83 and 0.72 with apparent bone density, respectively. The multiple regression analysis with SOS and nBUA as independent variables and apparent bone density as a dependent variable showed that the correlation coefficient r = 0.85 of the multiple linear regression model was higher than those of the simple linear regression model with either parameter SOS or nBUA as an independent variable. These high linear correlations between the ultrasonic parameters and the bone density suggest that the ultrasonic parameters measured in the femur can be useful for predicting the femoral bone mineral density.