• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 2008

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common form of human genetic variation. Non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) change an amino acid. Organic anion transporters (OATs) play an important role in eliminating or reabsorbing endogenous and exogenous organic anionic compounds. Among OATs, hOAT4 mediates high affinity transport of estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The rapid bone loss that occurs in post-menopausal women is mainly due to a net decrease of estrogen. In the present study we searched for SNPs within the exon regions of hOAT4 in Korean women osteoporosis patients. Fifty healthy subjects and 50 subjects with osteoporosis were screened for genetic polymorphism in the coding region of SLC22A11 (hOAT4) using GC-clamp PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). We found three SNPs in the hOAT4 gene. Two were in the osteoporosis group (C483A and G832A) and one in the normal group (C847T). One of the SNPs, G832A, is an nsSNP that changes the $278^{th}$ amino acid from glutamic acid to lysine (E278K). Uptake of [$3^H$] estrone sulfate by oocytes injected with the hOAT4 E278K mutant was reduced compared with wild-type hOAT4. Km values for wild type and E278K were $0.7{\mu}M$ and $1.2{\mu}M$, and Vmax values were 1.8 and 0.47 pmol/oocyte/h, respectively. The present study demonstrates that hOAT4 variants can causing inter-individual variation in anionic drug uptake and, therefore, could be used as markers for certain diseases including osteoporosis.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 1997

Three dimensional structures of envelope protein from Korean isolates and Nakayama-NIH strain of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were deduced by a computer program (HyperChem 4.0 Chemplus 1.0) based on the data of the three dimentional structure of Tick-borne encephalitis virus. In the three dimensional structure of envelope protein, neutralizing epitope and T-helper cell recognition site of C-terminal region of Korean isolates were structually similar to those of Nakayama-NIH but the N-terminal region was not. Korean JE isolates were compared with Nakayama-NIH strain by using cross-neutralization antibody test. Neutralizing activities of Korean isolates derived from guinea pigs were higher than those of Nakayama-NIH strain against Korean isolates, although the polyclonal antibody titers of Nakayama-NlH showed 1:160 to 1:640 against Korean isolates. According to the results from three dimentional structures and cross-neutralization analyses, the antigenic difference between Korean JE isolates and Nakayama-NIH strain may be dependent on structural difference of envelope protein.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2010

Characteristics of household wastes production from fishing village in small island was investigated. Investigation was conducted in August and December to represent seasonal characteristics of summer and winter, respectively. Amount of household wastes production was 0.65 kg/capita·day and this is relatively low value compared with nationwide average. Food wastes, papers, vinyl and plastics are major part of combustible portion in household wastes. Composting is inappropriate method as a final disposal method in terms of C/N ratio calculated from elemental analysis. It is recommended that incineration can be appropriate way as a final disposal method of household wastes because low heating value of household wastes is equivalent to that of crude oil. The fraction of food wastes in household is considerably higher than the values obtained from other residential areas in nationwide. Thus, it is evaluated that household composting devices and vermicomposting facilities are necessary to reduce the amount of food wastes. It also can be evaluated that incineration is optimal method as disposal method of household wastes from fishing village except food wastes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.453-461
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• 2001

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma(Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung) is a rare pulmonary malignancy, which is defined as having an admixture of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Pulmonary carcinosarcoma occurs most frequently in males between 50 and 80 years of age. It predominantly affects the upper lobe and/or the principal bronchi, and is associated with a history of smoking. Here, we report a case of pulmonary carcinosarcoma with a left lobe atelectasis due to an endobronchial mass in a 56-year-old male. After a left pneumonectomy, the pathologic stage was IIb ($T_3N_0M_0$). Four months later, an abdominal mass was observed and exploratory laparotomy revealed metastases of the pulmonary carcinosarcoma to the pelvic cavity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1653-1663
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• 2010

The first gene (${\alpha}$-gal1) encoding an extracellular ${\alpha}$-Dgalactosidase from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii was cloned and characterized. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene consisted of an open reading frame of 1,792 base pairs interrupted by six introns that encoded a mature protein of 452 amino acids, including a 24 amino acid secretory signal sequence. The translated protein had highest identity with other fungal ${\alpha}$-galactosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 27. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene was overexpressed as a secretory protein with an N-terminal histidine tag in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Recombinant ${\alpha}$-Gal1 was secreted into the culture medium as a monomeric glycoprotein with a maximal yield of 10.75 mg/l and purified to homogeneity using Hisbinding nickel-agarose affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was maximally active at $70^{\circ}C$, pH 4.5, and lost no activity over 10 days at $50^{\circ}C$. ${\alpha}$-Gal1 followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics ($V_{max}\;of\;240.3{\mu}M/min/mg,\;K_m\;of\;0.294 mM$) and was inhibited competitively by galactose ($K_m{^{obs}}$ of 0.57 mM, $K_i$ of 2.77 mM). The recombinant T. emersonii ${\alpha}$-galactosidase displayed broad substrate preference, being active on both oligo- and polymeric substrates, yet had strict specificity for the ${\alpha}$-galactosidic linkage. Owing to its substrate preference and noteworthy stability, ${\alpha}$-Gal1 is of particular interest for possible biotechnological applications involving the processing of plant materials.

• Solar Energy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-28
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• 1995

In this study, the history of Korean traditional Ondol was investigated and the latent heat materials and bioceramics were selected to develop the latent heat storage-bioceramics Ondol system based on the Korean traditional Ondol(sensible heat storage type), and the thermal characteristics of Ondol were analyzed experimentally The results could be summarized as follows; 1. Korean traditional Ondol has been originated in "Whaduk" which had been utilized continuously for about $2{\times}10^6$ years from the Old Stone Age to the Bronze Age, and Korean traditional Ondol using in these days has been utilized for about 976 years from the Koryu Dynasty to the Modern Ages. 2. $Na_2SO_4{\cdot}10H_2O(SSD)$ was selected as latent heat material for the latent heat storage Ondol. 3. Ondol unit was filled with the latent heat material of 0.63 kg and the dimension of Ondol unit was $400mm{\times}400mm{\times}27mm(width{\t\imes}depth{\times}height)$. 4. The comfortable surface temperature($23{\sim}29^{\circ}C$) of the latent heat storage Ondol was lasted 5 hours at the room temperature of $16{\sim}18^{\circ}C$, whereas that of sensible heat storage Ondol was lasted only 1.0 hours in the same conditions. 5. For the thermal effect of bioceramics, the Ondol air temperature i.n case of bioceramics treatment on the pannel was higher than that of without bioceramics treatment.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.34.1-34.1
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• 2009

A great deal of attention has been focused on ZnO nanowires for various electronics and optoelectronics applications. in the pursuit of next generation nanodevices, it would be highly preferred if well-ordered ZnO nanowires of lower dimension could be fabricated on silicon. Before the growth of nanowires, silicon substrates were selectively etched using silicon nitride as masking layer. Vertical aligned ZnO nanowires were grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on patterned silicon substrate. The shape of nanostructures was greatly influenced by the micropatterned surface of the substrate. The aspect ratio, packing fraction and the number density of nanowires on top surface are around 10, 0.8 and $10^7\;per\;mm^2$, respectively, whereas the values are 20, 0.3 and $5\times10^7\;per\;mm^2$, respectively, towards the bottom of the cavity. XRD patterns suggest that the nanostructures have good crystallinity. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the single crystalline growth of the ZnO nanowires along [0001] direction.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2016

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach is a very rare disease. However, the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of gastric SCC are controversial and remain to be elucidated. Herein, we report a case of primary gastric SCC of the remnant stomach after subtotal gastrectomy. A 65-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to epigastric discomfort and dizziness. He had undergone subtotal gastrectomy 40 years previously for gastric ulcer perforation. Endoscopy revealed a normal esophagus and a large mass in the remnant stomach. Abdominal computed tomography revealed enhanced wall thickening of the anastomotic site and suspected metachronous gastric cancer. Endoscopic biopsy revealed SCC. Total gastrectomy was performed with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy. A 10-cm tumor was located at the remnant stomach just proximal to the previous area of anastomosis. Pathologic examination showed well-differentiated SCC extended into the subserosa without lymph node involvement (T3N0M0). The patient received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with 6 cycles of 5-FU and cisplatin regimen, and he is still alive at the 54-month follow-up. According to the treatment principles of gastric cancer, early detection and radical surgical resection can improve the prognosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.297-305
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• 1982

Environmental conditions of fungal growth on Korean rice grain, Milyang No.23, were studied and optimum treatment conditions of the selected fumigants for controlling fungal deterioration of rice were investigated The results are as follows. 1. Most of the fungi grew well above 80% relative humidity and 19% moisture content within 10-30 days. But at 12.5-13.0% moisture content of grains, only Aspergillus candidus, Asperillus versicolor, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichothecium roseum were developed within 2 months. The other fungi were only detectable for their mycelial growth under microscopic observation. 2. Among the ten fumigants tested to control the fungal growth on the rice, ethylene oxide was found to be the most effective at a leve1 of 16 mg/$\ell$ for 48 hrs treatment and the next was methyl bromide (32 mg/$\ell$), acrilonitrile and methyl iodide (64 mg/$\ell$). The other fumigants, such as ammonia, methyl formate, ethyl formate, carbon dioxide and propionic acid were found less effective under the tested conditions.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.216-221
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• 2014

Background: Mental health complaints are quite common in health care employees and can have adverse effects on work functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate an e-mental health (EMH) approach to workers' health surveillance (WHS) for nurses and allied health professionals. Using the waiting-list group of a previous randomized controlled trial with high dropout and low compliance to the intervention, we studied the pre- and posteffects of the EMH approach in a larger group of participants. Methods: We applied a pretest-posttest study design. The WHS consisted of online screening on impaired work functioning and mental health followed by online automatically generated personalized feedback, online tailored advice, and access to self-help EMH interventions. The effects on work functioning, stress, and work-related fatigue after 3 months were analyzed using paired t tests and effect sizes. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight nurses and allied health professionals participated at pretest as well as posttest. Significant improvements were found on work functioning (p = 0.01) and work-related fatigue (p < 0.01). Work functioning had relevantly improved in 30% of participants. A small meaningful effect on stress was found (Cohen d = .23) in the participants who had logged onto an EMH intervention (20%, n = 26). Conclusion: The EMH approach to WHS improves the work functioning and mental health of nurses and allied health professionals. However, because we found small effects and participation in the offered EMH interventions was low, there is ample room for improvement.