• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제79권4호
• /
• pp.274-281
• /
• 2016

Background: Factors associated with the prognosis of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is relatively unknown, than of those with non-small cell lung cancer. This study was undertaken to identify the prognostic factors of SCLC. Methods: The medical records of 333 patients diagnosed with SCLC at tertiary hospital from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized by age (${\leq}65$ years vs. >65 years) and by extent of disease (limited disease [LD] vs extensive disease [ED]). Overall survival and progression free survival rates were determined. Factors associated with prognosis were calculated using Cox's proportional hazard regression model. Results: Most baseline characteristics were similar in the LD and ED groups. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), first chemotherapy regimen, and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) differed significantly in patients with LD and ED. Mean ECOG PS was significantly lower (p<0.001), first-line chemotherapy with etoposide-cisplatin was more frequent than with etoposide-carboplatin (p<0.001), and PCI was performed more frequently (p=0.019) in LD-SCLC than in ED-SCLC. Prognosis in the LD group was better in younger (${\leq}65$ years) than in older (>65 years) patients, but prognosis in the ED group was unrelated to age. Conclusion: This study showed that overall survival (OS) was significantly improved in younger than in older patients with LD-SCLC. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that age, PCI and the sum of cycles were significant predictors of OS in patients with LD-SCLC. However, prognosis in the ED group was unrelated to age.

• 한국항공우주학회지
• /
• 제39권7호
• /
• pp.627-633
• /
• 2011

연료전지 무인기 탑재용 수소발생기의 온도환경변화에 따른 성능평가를 수행하였다. 수소 저장 및 발생을 위해 화학수소화물 중 수소함량이 높고 저장성이 우수한 수소화붕소나트륨($NaBH_4$)을 연료로 사용하였으며, 촉매를 이용한 가수분해반응을 통해 수소를 발생하였다. 수소발생기의 온도환경변화를 위한 저온 및 고온 챔버를 각각 준비하였으며, 온도범위는 $-20^{\circ}C$에서 $60^{\circ}C$까지 $20^{\circ}C$의 간격으로 설정하였다. 20과 25wt.%의 $NaBH_4$ 용액 농도에서 수소발생기의 수소발생률과 반응기와 분리기의 온도변화를 측정하였다. 수소 발생률은 반응주기가 반복될수록 감소하였으며, 저온 환경에서는 높은 수소발생률을 보였지만, 고온 환경에서는 수소발생률이 급격히 감소하였다. 수소발생률의 감소는 촉매유실과 촉매표면의 $NaBO_2$ 도포가 원인으로 확인되었다.

• 전기화학회지
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.57-62
• /
• 2016

The over-discharging phenomena in sodium-nickel chloride batteries were investigated in relation to decomposition of molten salt electrolyte and consequent metal co-deposition. From XRD analysis, the material deposited on graphite cathode current collector was revealed to be by-product of molten salt electrolyte decomposition. In particular, the result showed that the Ni-Al alloys ($Al_3Ni_2$, $Ni_3Al$ and $Al_3Ni$) were electrochemically deposited on graphite current collectors in line with over-discharging behaviors. It is assumed that the $NiCl_2$ solubility in molten salt electrolytes leads to the co-deposition of Ni-Al alloys by increasing metal deposition potential above 1.6 V (vs. $Na/Na^+$). The cell tests have revealed that the composition of molten salt electrolytes modified by various additives makes a decisive influence on the over-discharging behaviors of the cells. It was revealed that NaOCN addition to molten salt electrolytes was advantageous to suppress over-discharge reactions by modifying the characteristics of molten salt electrolytes. NaOCN addition into molten salt electrolytes seems to suppress Ni solubility by maintaining basic melts. The cell using modified molten salt electrolyte with NaOCN (Cell D) showed relatively less cell degradation compared with other cells for long cycles.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.1513-1517
• /
• 2016

Background: A combination of rituximab to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) is one of the most effective front-line therapies to treat B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The aim of this trial was to evaluate overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity of R-CHOP-14 compared to R-CHOP-21 in untreated stage III and IV B-cell NHL patients with Iranian ethnicity. Materials and Methods: In phase III trial, patients with previously untreated stage III and IV indolent and aggressive B-cell NHL were randomly assigned by using a minimization method to receive six to eight cycles of either R-CHOP-21 (administered every 21 days) or R-CHOP-14 (administered every 14 days with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor). Results: A total of 143 patients were randomly enrolled in our study (66 patients in R-CHOP-14 group and 77 patients in R-CHOP-21), between 2011 and 2014. The mean follow-up was 45 months at the time of treatment analysis. The 2-year and 5-year PFS rates for the R-CHOP-14 group were 83.6% vs 73.6% and for R-CHOP-21 group were 75% vs 54%. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates for R-CHOP-14 group were 98% vs 89% and for R-CHOP-21 group were 84.4% vs 67.5%. There was a significant correlation for PFS and OS in the two arms. There was no significant difference between adverse events with the two regimens. Conclusions: In our research improved survival was found with CHOP-14 as compared to CHOP-21. It is possible that drug metabolism in different races/ethnicities may be one important factor.

• 산업기술연구
• /
• 제40권1호
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2020

Lithium-ion cells have become the go-to energy source across all applications; however, dendritic growth remains an issue to tackle. While there have been various research conducted and possible solutions offered, there is yet to be one that efficiently rules out the problem without, however, introducing another. This paper seeks to present a fast charging method and system to which lithium-ion batteries are charged while maintaining their lifetime. In the proposed method, various lithium cells are charged under multiple profiles. The parameters of charge profiles that inflict damage to the cell's electrodes are obtained and used as thresholds. Thus, during charging, voltage, current, and temperature are actively controlled under these thresholds. In this way, dendrite formation suppressed charging is achieved, and battery life is maintained. The fast-charging system designed, comprises of a 1.5kW charger, an inbuilt 600W battery pack, and an intelligent BMS with cell balancing technology. The system was also designed to respond to the aging of the battery to provide adequate threshold values. Among other tests conducted by KCTL, the cycle test result showed a capacity drop of only 0.68% after 500 cycles, thereby proving the life maintaining capability of the proposed method and system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.831-835
• /
• 2014

Background: Predictor factors determining complete response to treatment are still not clearly defined. We aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features, risk factors, treatment responses, and survival analysis of patient with advanced nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs). Materials and Methods: Between November 1999 and September 2011, 140 patients with stage II and III NSGCTs were referred to our institutions and 125 patients with complete clinical data were included in this retrospective study. Four cycles of BEP regimen were applied as a first-line treatment. Salvage chemotherapy and/or high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation were given in patients who progressed after BEP chemotherapy. Post-chemotherapy surgery was performed in selected patients with incomplete radiographic response and normal tumor markers. Results: The median age was 28 years. For the good, intermediate and poor risk groups, compete response rates (CRR) were, 84.6%, 67.9% and 59.4%, respectively. Extragonadal tumors, stage 3 disease, intermediate and poor risk factors, rete testis invasion were associated with worse outcomes. There were 32 patients (25.6%) with non-CR who were treated with salvage treatment. Thirty-one patients died from GCTs and 94% of them had stage III disease. Conclusions: Even though response rates are high, some patients with GCTs still need salvage treatment and cure cannot be achieved. Non-complete response to platinium-based first-line treatment is a negative prognostic factor. Our study confirmed the need for a prognostic and predictive model and more effective salvage approaches.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.531-536
• /
• 2007

The aerial part of Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura has traditionally been used for inflammation, infectious disease, cancer, pyretic, diuretic, liver protective effect, and choleretic purposes in Korea. We investigated that the essential oil induces apoptosis in KB cell as evidenced by Hoechst-33258 dye staining, flow cytometry (cell cycles), and DNA fragmentation for nuclear condensation and Western blotting for activation of caspases-3, -8, -9, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. In the present study, we found that the essential oil could induce apoptosis in KB cells, as characterized by DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and PARP cleavage. The efficacious induction of apoptosis was observed as a dose-dependent. The essential oil-induced apoptotic cell death was accompanied by up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2. The essential oil also caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol. These findings indicate that mitochondrial pathways might be involved in the essential oil-induced apoptosis and enhance our understanding of the anticancer function of the essential oil in herbal medicine.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2017

A comparative study was performed on the passivating abilities of surface films generated on lithium titanate (LTO; $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$) electrodes during pre-cycling at two different rates. The surface film deposited at a faster pre-cycling rate (i.e., 0.5 C) is irregularly shaped and unevenly covers the LTO electrode. Owing to the incomplete coverage of the protective film, this LTO electrode exhibits poor passivating ability. Additional electrolyte decomposition and concomitant film deposition occur during subsequent charge/discharge cycles. As a result of the thick surface film, severe cell polarization occurs and eventually causes cell failure. However, pre-cycling the Li/LTO cell at a slower rate (0.1 C) improves cell polarization and capacity retention; this occurs because the surface film uniformly covers the LTO electrode and provides strong passivation. Accordingly, there is no significant film deposition during subsequent charge/discharge cycling. Additionally, self-discharge is reduced during high-temperature storage.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제25권6호
• /
• pp.813-818
• /
• 2004

A systematic study of microbial fuel cells comprised of thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thermoglucosidasius has been carried out under various operating conditions. Substantial amount of electricity was generated when a redox mediator was used. Being affected by operation temperature, the maximum efficiency was obtained at 50$^{\circ}C$ with an open circuit voltage of ca. 0.7 V. While a small change around the optimum temperature did not make much effect on the cell performance, the rapid decrease in performance was observed above 70$^{\circ}C$. It was noticeable that fuel cell efficiency and discharge pattern strongly depended on the kind of carbon sources used in the initial culture medium. In the case of B. thermoglucosidasius, glucose alone was utilized constitutively as a substrate in the microbial fuel cell irrespective of used carbons sources. When B. licheniformis was cultivated with lactose as a carbon source, best charging characteristics were recorded. Trehalose, in particular, showed 41.2% coulombic efficiency when B. thermoglucosidasius was cultured in a starch-containing medium. Relatively good repetitive operation was possible with B. thermoglucosidasius cells up to 12 cycles using glucose as a carbon source, when they were cultured with lactose as an initial carbon source. This study demonstrates that highly efficient thermophilic microbial fuel cells can be constructed by a pertinent modulation of the operating conditions and by carefully selecting carbon sources used in the initial culture medium.

• 한국세라믹학회지
• /
• 제52권2호
• /
• pp.103-107
• /
• 2015

The effective glass frit composition used to absorb laser energy and to seal commercial dye-sensitized solar cell panel substrates has been previously developed using $V_2O_5-TeO_2$-based glass with 10 wt% ${\beta}$-eucryptite as a CTE controlling filler. The optimum sealing conditions are provided using a 3 mm beam, a laser power of 40 watt, a scan speed of 300 mm/s, and 200 irradiation cycles. In this study, the feasibility of the developed glass frit is investigated in terms of the sealing strength and chemical durability against the commercial iodide/triiodide electrolyte solution and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode in order to increase the solar cell lifetime. The sealing strength of the laser-sealed $V_2O_5-TeO_2$-based glass frit is $20.5{\pm}1.7MPa$, which is higher than those of thermally sealed glass frit and other reported glass frit. Furthermore, the developed glass frit is chemically stable against electrolyte solutions. The glass frit constituents are not leached out from the glass after soaking in the electrolyte solution for up to three months. During the laser sealing, the glass frit does not react with the FTO electrode; thus, the resistivity of the FTO electrode beneath the laser-sealed area remains the same.