• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to clarify the role of HomeoboxA (HOXA) and its related signaling molecules in the decidualization of primary cultured endometrial cells. Methods: Human endometrial tissues were obtained by curettage of hysterectomy specimens from patients with conditions other than endometrial diseases. Tissues were minced and digested with Trypsin-EDTA for 20 min, $37^{\circ}C$. Cells were cultured with DMEM/F12 medium in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 24 hrs. Cells were treated with HOXA10 siRNA and added transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ (10 ng/mL) for 48 hrs to induces decidualization in vitro. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was accomplished to observe the expression of HOXA10, prolactin, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR)-$\gamma$, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt). Results: HOXA10 expression was increased (1.8 fold vs. non-treated control) in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells. Decidualization marker, prolactin, was significantly increased in TGF-${\beta}1$ treated cells compared with HOXA10 siRNA treated cells. Endometrial cell differentiation marker, COX-2 was down-regulated by HOXA10 siRNA even if cells were treated with TGF-${\beta}1$. Wnt4 was down-regulated by treated with HOXA10 siRNA, this expression patters was not changed by TGF-${\beta}1$. Expression of PPAR-$\gamma$ was down regulated by TGF-${\beta}1$ in regardless of HOXA10 siRNA treatment. Conclusion: TGF-${\beta}1$ which is induced by progesterone in endometrial epithelial cells may induces stromal cell decidualization via HOXA10 and Wnt signaling cascade.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.911-920
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• 2016

Norovirus is the most common causative agent of acute gastroenteritis. This study was carried out to investigate molecular epidemiology of norovirus infections from outbreaks in Busan from 2012 to 2015. Total of 581 stool specimens were collected from diarrhea patients in outbreaks in Busan, 71 samples were resulted in positive to norovirus. The data were analyzed according to seasonality, patient, age and gender. Noroviruses were detected most frequently during the winter season from November (25.4%) to February (28.2%). The age group from teens was the most susceptible to norovirus infections. To obtain the molecular genetic information of norovirus, we performed sequencing analyses of the strains detected. Norovirus genotypes have been reported to show high genetic diversity. Four kinds of GI genotypes (GI-1, GI-2, GI-3, GI-5) and five kinds of GII genotypes (GII-1, GII-4, GII-5, GII-6, GII-17) were indentified in outbreaks in Busan. Other previous studies have shown that GII-4 is the most predominant circulating in Korea and worldwide. The most prevalent norovirus genotypes of each year were GII-6 in 2012, GII-6 in 2013, GII-4 in 2014 and GII-6 in 2015. Except for 2014, GII-6 genotype was the most prevalent and predominant in Busan. We described the epidemiological analysis of the noroviruses in outbreaks in Busan. The result of this study will contribute to update the epidemiological data and improve hygiene and public health via sustainable surveillance.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1078-1085
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• 2010

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are bioaccumulative chemicals that are considered to be toxic contaminants based on several epidemiological studies. These chemicals in colostrum were investigated and estimated for their residual consistencies by maternal characteristics like parity and maternal ages. Test subjects were healthy primipara and multipara mothers with a mean age of 31.5 (S.D=3.6) in 2007. Seven isomers of PCDDs, 10 of PCDFs, 4 of non-orthopolychlorinated biphenyls(non-ortho PCBs) and 8 of mono-orthochlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (mono-ortho PCBs) were analyzed by HRGC/HRMS. From the analyzed data, the mean level of total WHO-TEQs was 9.41 pg TEQ/g lipid, which is significantly lower than the level found in individuals from other countries. The main contributors to the total WHO-TEQs with increasing percentages were 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD and 3,3',4,4',5-PCB (#126), and they accounted for more than 60% of the total WHO-TEQs. PCDFs concentrations and total WHO-TEQs were negatively associated with parity (p<0.05), and maternal age was positively associated with total WHO-TEQs (p<0.01). However, the associations with body mass index (BMI) and fish intake during pregnancy were not significant. These results were suggested that parity and maternal age are an important factor affecting the concentrations of PCDD/DFs and dl-PCBs in these specimens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1436-1444
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• 2013

To improve the functionality of black garlic drinks, black garlic extract (5%) and five herb extracts (1%) were mixed in 70:30 (v/v) ratios as BHF1, and BHF2 was prepared using a 3X concentration of BHF1. After the black garlic and herb formulas (BHFs) were administered over the course of five weeks in rats by interval running training, the lipid profiles and the antioxidant enzyme activities were tested. The total phenolic content of the BHFs were significantly higher in BHF2 than they were in BHF1, and their antioxidant activities were dependent upon the total phenolic content. No significant difference was found in the total serum protein levels among the rats in the Ex-con group by interval running training and the rats in the BHFs-fed groups. However, the albumin level was significantly higher in the Ex-BHF2 to Ex-con group. AST and ALT activities significantly decreased in the BHFs-fed groups compared to the Ex-con group. In terms of changes in the serum lipid profiles, no significant difference was found between the specimens that underwent interval running training and those that did not undergo interval running training. Triglyceride levels, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HTR levels in the serum were significantly decreased in the Ex-BHF2 to Ex-con group. No significant difference was found in the total lipid levels in the livers of the BHFs-fed groups and the Ex-con group. The triglyceride levels and total cholesterol levels in the Ex-BHF2 group were significantly lower compared to another group. Hepatic catalase activity was significantly increased in the Ex-BHF2 group, but SOD and GSH-px activities were significantly increased as the concentration of the BHF. The antioxidant enzyme activities by supplementation of BHFs increased; thus, three intakes of BHF each day could improve antioxidant status against different types of oxidative stress.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.419-426
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference of bone mineral density according to distal radius rotation and to develop the supporting tool to measure rotation angles. Materials and Methods : CT scanning and the measurement of BMD by DXA of the appropriate position of the forearm were performed on 20 males. Twenty healthy volunteers without any history of operations, anomalies, or trauma were enrolled. The CT scan was used to evaluate the cross sectional structure and the rotation angle on the horizontal plane of the distal radius. The rotational angle was measured by the m-view program on the PACS monitor. The DXA was used in 20 dried radii of cadaveric specimens in pronation and supination with five and ten degrees, respectively, including a neutral position (zero degrees) to evaluate the changes of BMD according to the rotation. Results : The mean rotation angle of the distal radius on CT was 7.4 degrees of supination in 16 cases (80%), 3.3 degrees of pronation in three cases (15%), and zero degree of neutral in one case (9%), respectively. The total average rotation angle in 20 people was 5.4 degrees of supination. In the cadaveric study, the BMD of the distal radius was different according to the rotational angles. The lowest BMD was obtained at 3.3 degrees of supination. Conclusion : In the case of the measurement of BMD in the distal radius with a neutral position, the rotational angle of the distal radius is close to supination. Pronation is needed for the constant measurement of BMD in the distal radius with the rotation angle measuring at the lowest BMD and about five degrees of pronation of the distal radius is recommended.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.761-769
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• 2014

Ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) has been developed to overcome the low strengths and brittleness of conventional concrete. Considering that UHPC, owing to its composition and the use of steel fibers, develops a compressive strength of 180 MPa as well as high stiffness, the top flange of the steel girder may be superfluous in the composite beam combining a slab made of UHPC and the steel girder. In such composite beam, the steel girder takes the form of an inverted-T shaped structure without top flange in which the studs needed for the composition of the steel girder with the UHPC slab are disposed in the web of the steel girder. This study investigates experimentally and analytically the flexural behavior of this new type of composite beam to propose details like stud spacing and slab thickness for further design recommendations. To that goal, eight composite beams with varying stud spacing and slab thickness were fabricated and tested. The test results indicated that stud spacing running from 100 mm to 2 to 3 times the slab thickness can be recommended. In view of the relative characteristic slip limit of Eurocode-4, the results showed that the composite beam developed ductile behavior. Moreover, except for the members with thin slab and large stud spacing, most of the specimens exhibited results different to those predicted by AASHTO LRFD and Eurocode-4 because of the high performance developed by UHPC.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

Recently, the number of high-rise buildings being built in Korea by major construction companies for residential and commercial use has been increasing. When constructing a high-rise building, it is necessary to apply massive amounts of concrete to form a mat foundation that can withstand the huge load of the upper structure. However, it is of increasing concern that due to limitations in terms of the amount of placing equipment, available job-sites and systems for mass concrete placement in the construction field, it is not always possible to place a great quantity of concrete simultaneously in a large-scale mat foundation, and for this reason consistency between placement lift cannot be secured. In addition, a mat foundation Is likely to crack due to the stress caused by differences inhydration heat generation time. To derive a solution for these problems, this study provides test results of a hydration heat crack reduction method by applying placement lift change and setting time control with a super retarding agent for mass concrete in a large-scale mat foundation. Mock-up specimens with different mixtures and placement liftswere prepared at the job-site of a newly-constructed high-rise building. The test results show that slump flow of concrete before and after adding the super retarding agent somewhat Increases as the target retarding time gets longer, while the air content shows no great difference. The setting time was observed to be retarded as the target retarding time gets longer. As the target retarding time gets longer, compressive strength appears to be decreased at an early stage, but as time goes by, compressive strength gets higher, and the compressive strength at 28 days becomes equal or higher to that of plain concrete without a super retarding agent. For the effect of placement lift change and super retarding agent on the reduction of hydration heat, the application of 2 and 4 placement lifts and a super retarding agent makes it possible to secure consistency and reduce temperature difference between placement lifts, while also extending the time to reach peak temperature. This implies that the possibility of thermal crack induced by hydration heat is reduced. The best results are shown in the case of applying 4 placement lifts.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2006

Purpose: p53 is one of the most commonly mutated genes in human tumors. The aim of this study was to analyze p53 mutation in gastric cancer and its correlations with the clinicopathologic variables to clarify the usefulness of p53 mutation as a prognostic factor. Materials and Methods: Specimens from 331 patients with gastric cancer who underwent a gastrectomy between March 1999 and April 2001 at the Kyungpook National University Hospital were used. p53 gene mutations were assessed by using a polymerase chain-reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. The correlations between p53 gene mutation and clinocopathologic parameters were analyzed. Results: p53 mutations were found in 66 (19.9%) tumors. Among those 66 cases, mutations were seen in 23 tumors at axon 5, in 8 at exon 6, in 21 at exon 7, and in 17 at exon 8. Two mutations were shown in 3 tumors. Thiriy-six (23.1%) of 156 intestinal-type tumors and 19 (13.1%) of 145 diffuse-type tumors showed p53 gene mutation (P=0.007). The frequency of p53 gene mutation didn't show any significant differences according to age, sex, stage, location, or gross type. Exon 5 mutations showed more frequently in intestinal-type tumors than in diffuse-type tumors (9.7% vs. 2.8%, P=0.024), and p53 mutation were more frequent in lymph nodes metastasis group than lymph nodes non-metastasis group with statistical significance (25.0% vs 15.6%, P=0.034). The five-year survival rate showed no statistically significant difference with p53 mutation (P=0.704). Conclusion: p53 mutations assessed by PCR-SSCP had little value as a prognostic factor after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detecting the lymph node (LN) metastasis of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: 119 patients (M : F=89 : 30; mean age: 64) with gastric cancer were referred for preoperative FDG-PET/CT scanning and spiral enhanced abdominal pelvic CT from June 2006 to July 2008, and these were the subjects of our study. All the patients underwent curative radical gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. A final diagnosis was made for all the patients by the histology of the surgical specimens. Results: Both PET/CT and enhanced CT showed similar sensitivity for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (32.6% vs 39.5%, respectively). PET/CT was more accurate than enhanced CT for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (67.2% vs 63.0%, respectively), and PET/CT showed better specificity (86.8% vs 76.3, respectively) and a better positive predictive value (PPV) (58.3% vs 48.6%, respectively). PET/CT showed better specificity (98.0% vs 88.2%, respectively) and accuracy (79.4% vs 73.9%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting early gastric cancer. PET/CT showed better specificity (64.0% vs 52.0%, respectively), a better PPV (60.9% vs 57.1%), a better negative predictive value (NPV) (48.5% vs 46.4%, respectively) and better accuracy (53.6% vs 51.8%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting advanced gastric cancer. Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT is more usefulness than enhanced CT for making the preoperative diagnosis of regional LN metastases from gastric cancers.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.324-335
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of the color components of light-cured composite resin before and after polymerization on degree of conversion (DC) and biaxial flexural strength (FS). Materials and Methods: Four enamel shades (A1, A2, A3, A4) and two dentin shades (A2O, A3O) of Premisa (Kerr Co.) and Denfil (Vericom Co.) were evaluated on their CIE $L^*,\;a^*,\;b^*$ color components using the spectrophotometer before curing, after curing and at 7 day. The DC of same specimens were measured with Near-infrared spectrometer (Nexus, Thermo Nicolet Co.) at 2 hr after cure and at 7 day. Finally, the FS was obtained after all the other measurements were completed at 7 day. The correlations between each color component and DC and FS were evaluated. Results: The light-curing of composite resin resulted in color changes of Premisa in red-blue direction and Denfil in green-blue direction. The DC and FS were affected by product, time and shade (3-way ANOVA, p < 0.05) and product and shade (2-way ANOVA, p < 0.05), respectively. Premisa only showed a significant correlation between the DC and CIE $a^*$ component - before and after polymerization (Pearson product moment correlation, p < 0.05). The FS of Premisa showed significant negative correlations with CIE $a^*$ and CIE $b^*$ components. Conclusions: The DC and FS of the light-curing composite resin were affected by the color components of the material before and after polymerization.