• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2527-2532
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore mechanisms underlying the effects of down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression on esophageal carcinoma (EC) cells. Methods: Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry and annexin V apoptosis assay, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine changes in ultrastructure, while expression of cyclin D1 protein and mRNA was detected by western blot and real-time PCR. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1-2 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. PCNA labeling index (LI) was determined by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared with pGen-3-con transfected and Eca-109 cells, the percentage of G0/G1-phase pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells was obviously increased (P<0.05), with no significant difference among the three groups with regard to apoptosis (P>0.05). pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells exhibited obvious decrease in cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05) and the ultrastructure of Eca-109 cells underwent a significant change after being transfected with pGen-3-CTNNB1, suggesting that down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression can promote the differentiation and maturation. The expression of PCNA and the ERKI/2 phosphorylation state were also down-regulated in pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells (P<0.05). At the same time, the PCNA labeling index was decreased accordingly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of EC Eca-109 cellproliferation by down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression could improve cell ultrastructure by mediating blockade in G0/G1 through inhibiting cyclin D1, PCNA and the MAPK pathway (p-ERK1/2).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2000

The chloroform and methanol (2;1, v/v) extract from an edible plant, Actinidia arguta Planchon, appeared to possess antitumor activity against human leukemias Jurkat T and U937 cells through inducing apoptosis. The substance in the solvent extract was purified by silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Characteristics of the substance analyzed by UV scanning analysis, $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra suggested that the substance belongs to the chlorophyll derivatives-like group. The $IC_{50}$ value of the chlorophyll derivative (Cp-D) determined by MTT assay was $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for Jurkat, $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for U937, and $11.4\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for HL-60m and was more toxic to these leukemias than to solid tumors or normal fibroblast. In order to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity, the effect of the Cp-D on Jurkat T cells was investigated. When cells were treated with the Cp-D at a concentration of $15\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, [3H]thymidine incorporation declined rapidly and wa undetectable in 1h. However, no significant changes were made in the cell cycle distribution of the cells by 24h. The sub-Gl peak representing apoptotic cells began to be detectable in 36h, at which time apoptotic DNA fragmentation was also detected on agarose gel electrophoresis, demonstrating that the cytotoxic effect of the Cp-D is attributable to the induced apoptosis. Under the same conditions, although the protein level of cyclin-dependent kinases such as cdc4, csk6, cdk2, and cdc2 was not significantly changed until 24h, the kinase activity of all c안 rapidly declined and reached a minimum level within 1-6h and then recovered to the initial level by 12h and sustained until 24h. These results suggest that inactivation of cdks at an inappropriate time during the cell cycle progression in jurkat T cells following a treatment with the Cp-D leads to induction of apoptotic cell death.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2012

A 4-year-old girl with Panayiotopoulos syndrome presented with a history of 4 prolonged autonomic seizures. The clinical features of her seizures included, in order of occurrence, blank staring, pallor, vomiting, hemi-clonic movement on the right side, and unresponsiveness. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a slightly high $T_2$ signal in the left hippocampus. Interictal electoencephalogram revealed spikes in the occipital area of the left hemisphere. We analyzed the current-source distribution of the spikes to examine the relationship between the current source and the high $T_2$ signal. The current source of the occipital spikes was not only distributed in the occipital area of both cerebral hemispheres, but also extended to the posterior temporal area of the left hemisphere. These findings suggest that the left temporal lobe may be one of the hyperexcitable areas and form part of the epileptogenic area in this patient. We hypothesized that the high $T_2$ signal in the left hippocampus of our patient may not have been an incidental lesion, but instead may be related to the underlying electroclinical diagnosis of Panayiotopoulos syndrome, and particularly seizure. This notion is important because an abnormal $T_2$ signal in the hippocampus may represent an acute stage of hippocampal injury, although there is no previous report of hippocampal pathology in Panayiotopoulos syndrome. Therefore, long-term observation and serial follow-up MRIs may be needed to confirm the clinical significance of the $T_2$ signal change in the hippocampus of this patient.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 1994

In order to elucidate the patterns of tissue damage evoked by the scuticociliatids, eighteen fingerlings of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, heavily infected with an unidentified scuticociliatid were histopathologically examined. Skin layer with the underlying musculature were severely necrotized due to the infestation of the ciliates. However in the early lesions, both dermis and myofibres remained relatively intact compared with other surrounding loose connective tissues. Mild damages were found in more dense tissues. One or more scuticociliatids were recognized in the blood and lymph vessels of the loose connective tissues with or without destructive changes. Many of nerve trunks or ganglia were also parasitized with less marked histological damage in the parenchyma. Dura and its adjacent tissues in the spinal cord were severely necrotized with massive accumulation of the ciliates in subdural space. The parasitic invasion in the central nervous system was usually confined to the cortical region. In the gill, variable degenerative changes were occurred due to the invasion of the ciliates recognized in the blood vessels of branchial arches or primary filaments. From these results, it was strongly suggested that the scuticociliatids are very actively penetrated into the deep tissues mainly through the severe destruction of the loose connective tissue components and that the vascular system could play a role in the rapid distribution of the ciliates to the remote tissues or organs.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.476-482
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• 2014

In this study, we analyzed the effect of corn growth on the radar backscattering coefficient. At first, we measured the backscattering coefficients of various corn fields using a polarimetric scatterometer system. The backscattering coefficients of the corn fields were also computed using the 1st-order VRT(Vector Radiative Transfer) model with field-measured input parameters. Then, we analyzed the experimental and numerical backscattering coefficients of corn fields. As a result, we found that the backscatter from an underlying soil layer is dominant for early growing stage. On the other hand, for vegetative stage with a higher LAI(Leaf-Area-Index), the backscatter from vegetation canopy becomes dominant, and its backscattering coefficients increase as incidence angle increases because of the effect of leaf angle distribution. It was also found that the estimated backscattering coefficients agree quite well with the field-measured radar backscattering coefficients with an RMSE(Root Mean Square Error) of 1.32 dB for VV-polarization and 0.99 dB for HH-polarization. Finally, we compared the backscattering characteristics of vegetation and soil layers with various LAI values.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2020

The vertical garden is an environment where plants have many limitations in their growth. In particular, the upper and lower parts of the foundation are characterized by unbalanced moisture distribution. And although it may vary depending on the installation location of the light, generally the base of the light is not in desperate need for plants to grow due to shade. The purpose of this study was to identify the physical characteristics of the vertical garden based on Felt through experiments, classify the location characteristics of the media, and suggest the method of installing the water quantity water frequency, and lighting according to the location characteristics of the foundation. As a result, it was found to be most appropriate to use a 4mm base for the vertical garden and to have an irrigation of about 10 minutes once every 6 hours. In addition, it was found that in order to create a light condition for sufficient growth of plants, light bulbs should be installed at the upper and lower parts of the foundation. As a result of irrigation and lighting tests, the results of the above-mentioned plants need to be referred to in selecting plants that are introduced to vertical gardens, as the results show that the upper part of the foundation has a lower moisture rate and a stronger light than the lower part, and the lower part has a higher moisture rate and a weaker light than the upper part. In the future, we would like to present more accurate methods of selecting and maintaining plants by conducting plant experiments using the underlying characteristics found in this study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.118-118
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• 2002

Programmed cell death (PCD) is thought as a well-controlled process by which unwanted cells are selectively eliminated. During the last decade many researches have elucidated molecules and their interactions involved in cell death by using largely in vitro induction of cell death or survival signals in a more defined manner, While these critical information and novel findings provide us with clearer understanding of mechanisms underlying cell death, it does by no means explain how PCD occurs and which cells or tissues are affected during normal embryonic development in vivo. In this study, we used zebrafish to examine whether the PCD is occurring selectively or randomly in developing embryos by whole mount in situ TUNEL analysis with specific markers for neural cells. The result revealed that the degree and distribution of TUNEL staining varied considerably throughout gastrulation stage, and there was also a number of TUNEL-negative embryos. Most of TUNEL-positive cells were scattered randomly throughout the blastoderm. During the gastrulation stage about 75 % of the embryos analyzed exhibited more than 5 TUNEL-positive cells. As the dorsal epiblast begins to thicken rather abruptly near the end of gastrulation, TUNEL-positive cells were mainly located along the dorsal side. Although there were some variations in TUNEL staining during segmentation and pharyngeal stages, TUNEL staining continued to be localized to the central nervous system, and was also detected in the sensory organs, trigeminal ganglions, and the primary sensory neurons. High levels of the cell death in developing brain between 20-somite and prim-6 stages are thought to play a role in the morphogenesis and organization of the brain. At prim-16 stage, cell death is considerably reduced in the brain region. Dying cells are mainly localized to the prospective brain region where ectodermal cells are about to initiate neurogenesis. As development progressed, high levels and more reproducible patterns of cell death were observed in the developing nervous system. Intensive TUNEL staining was restricted to the trigeminal ganglions, the primary sensory neurons, and sensory organs, such as olfactory pits and otic vesicles. Thus, PCD patterning in zebrafish embryos occurs randomly at early stages and becomes restricted to certain region of the embryos. The spatio-temporal pattern of PCD during the early embryonic development in zebrafish will provide basic information for further studies to elucidate genes involved in. regulation of PCD largely unknown in vivo during vertebrate embryogenesis.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-57
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• 2013

The projects of agricultural R&D investments have been evaluated largely on the basis of efficiency better than equity although both criteria are equally critical in that major fund source of agricultural R&D investments is public budget. In this study, I focus on equity aspects by identifying the heterogeneous impacts of public knowledge created by R&D on farm efficiencies by farm income levels using bias-corrected DEA and quantile regression with panel data. The findings indicate that entire farms haven't been likely to be benefited evenly from public knowledge stock created by agricultural R&D, in particular high income farms can have enjoyed relatively more benefits of its in terms of efficiency gain. Those can imply agricultural R&D have functioned in the way analogue to digressive subsidies. In addition, the heterogeneous technological needs different among income level farms turns out to be main underlying factors affecting such the skewed benefit distribution of agricultural R&D over different income level farms.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.62-68
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• 2016

The feeder cable assembly is an automotive part used for telecommunication. If it malfunctions, the control and safety of the automobile can be put at risk. ALT (Accelerated Life Testing) is a testing process for products in which they are subjected to conditions (stress, strain, temperatures, etc.) in excess of their normal service parameters in an attempt to uncover faults and potential modes of failure in a short amount of time. Failure is caused by defects in the design, process, quality, or application of the part, and these defects are the underlying causes of failure or which initiate a process leading to failure. Thermal shock occurs when a thermal gradient causes different parts of an object to expand by different amounts. Thermal shock testing is performed to determine the ability of parts and components to withstand sudden changes in temperature. In this research, the main causes of failure of the feeder cable assembly were snapping, shorting and electro-pressure resistance failure. Using the Coffin-Manson model for ALT, the normal conditions were from Tmax = $80^{\circ}C$ to Tmin = $-40^{\circ}C$, the accelerated testing conditions were from Tmax = $120^{\circ}C$ to Tmin = $-60^{\circ}C$, the AF (Acceleration Factor) was 2.25 and the testing time was reduced from 1,000 cycles to 444 cycles. Using the Bxlife test, the number of samples was 5, the required life was B0.04%.10years, in the acceleration condition, 747 cycles were obtained. After the thermal shock test under different conditions, the feeder cable assembly was examined by a network analyzer and compared with the Weibull distribution modulus parameter. The results obtained showed good results in acceleration life test mode. For the same reliability rate, the testing time was decreased by a quarter using ALT.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2017

Purpose: Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine. Despite this, there have been an increasing number of cases worldwide, and also in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the recent outbreak in the Changwon area. Methods: Patients who visited Changwon Fatima Hospital from July 2015 to March 2016 with respiratory symptoms, including spasmodic cough, cough induced vomiting, inspiratory 'intake' sound (whooping), and a night-time cough for >1 week were included in this study. Respiratory specimens were collected from patients and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detected anti-pertussis immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit test were performed. Patients with underlying diseases, or those who had received a DTaP or Tdap vaccination in recent 1 year were excluded. Results: Pertussis was diagnosed in 37 of 50 patients, two patients were positive according to the PCR, and 37 patients were positive according to serologic tests. The age distribution of the patients was 1 month to 15 years. After administering antibiotics, all patients recovered without complications. Conclusions: A pertussis outbreak occurred in Changwon in 2015 and 2016. This data can provide the basis for further study on the epidemiology of pertussis in Korea.