• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.570-573
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• 2009

The debranching enzyme of Nostoc punctiforme (NPDE) is a novel enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,6-glycosidic linkages in starch, followed by the sequential hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,4-glycosidic linkages. The debranching activity of NPDE is highly specific for branched chains with a degree of polymerization (DP)>8. Moreover, the rate of hydrolysis of $\alpha$-1,4-linkages by NPDE is greatly enhanced for maltooligosaccharides (MOs) with a DP>8. An analysis of reaction mixtures containing various starches revealed the accumulation of maltooctaose (G8) with glucose and maltose. Based on the novel enzymatic properties of NPDE, an MO mixture containing more than 60% G8 with yield of 18 g G8 for 100 g starch was prepared by the reaction of NPDE with soluble starch, followed by ethanol precipitation and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The yield of the G8-rich mixture was significantly improved by the addition of isoamylase. In summary, a 4-step process for the production of a G8-rich mixture was developed involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch by NPDE.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.413-425
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• 2022

Objective: We compared appendiceal visualization on 2-mSv CT vs. conventional-dose CT (median 7 mSv) in adolescents and young adults and analyzed the undesirable clinical and diagnostic outcomes that followed appendiceal nonvisualization. Materials and Methods: A total of 3074 patients aged 15-44 years (mean ± standard deviation, 28 ± 9 years; 1672 female) from 20 hospitals were randomized to the 2-mSv CT or conventional-dose CT group (1535 vs. 1539) from December 2013 through August 2016. A total of 161 radiologists from 20 institutions prospectively rated appendiceal visualization (grade 0, not identified; grade 1, unsure or partly visualized; and grade 2, clearly and entirely visualized) and the presence of appendicitis in these patients. The final diagnosis was based on CT imaging and surgical, pathologic, and clinical findings. We analyzed undesirable clinical or diagnostic outcomes, such as negative appendectomy, perforated appendicitis, more extensive than simple appendectomy, delay in patient management, or incorrect CT diagnosis, which followed appendiceal nonvisualization (defined as grade 0 or 1) and compared the outcomes between the two groups. Results: In the 2-mSv CT and conventional-dose CT groups, appendiceal visualization was rated as grade 0 in 41 (2.7%) and 18 (1.2%) patients, respectively; grade 1 in 181 (11.8%) and 81 (5.3%) patients, respectively; and grade 2 in 1304 (85.0%) and 1421 (92.3%) patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, undesirable outcomes were rare in both groups. Compared to the conventional-dose CT group, the 2-mSv CT group had slightly higher rates of perforated appendicitis (1.1% [17] vs. 0.5% [7], p = 0.06) and false-negative diagnoses (0.4% [6] vs. 0.0% [0], p = 0.01) following appendiceal nonvisualization. Otherwise, these two groups were comparable. Conclusion: The use of 2-mSv CT instead of conventional-dose CT impairs appendiceal visualization in more patients. However, appendiceal nonvisualization on 2-mSv CT rarely leads to undesirable clinical or diagnostic outcomes.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.53-56
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• 2001

We have developed a three-axis configurational in situ SMOKE apparatus by which three-dimensional vector magnetization reversal processes are studied for ultrathin Co films grown on a Pd (111) single crystal in the thickness range of spin reorientation transition. This study provides a better understanding of magnetization reversal motions with the knowledge of three components of the magnetization vector at the transition of an easy axis of magnetization from the film normal at 5 ML Co to in-plane at 6 ML Co (ML denotes monolayer). For a 5.25 ML Co, it was observed that a slightly canted magnetization vector from the film normal rotated in the film plane under an applied field direction parallel to the film normal.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.854-861
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters for differentiation of cysts from and solid masses in the anterior mediastinum. Materials and Methods: The development dataset included 18 patients from two institutions with pathologically-proven cysts (n = 6) and solid masses (n = 12) in the anterior mediastinum. We measured the maximum diameter, normalized T1 and T2 signal intensity (nT1 and nT2), normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (nADC), and relative enhancement ratio (RER) of each lesion. RERs were obtained by non-rigid registration and subtraction of precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted images. Differentiation criteria between cysts and solid masses were identified based on receiver operating characteristics analysis. For validation, two separate datasets were utilized: 15 patients with 8 cysts and 7 solid masses from another institution (validation dataset 1); and 11 patients with clinically diagnosed cysts stable for more than two years (validation dataset 2). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated from the validation datasets. Results: nT2, nADC, and RER significantly differed between cysts and solid masses (p = 0.032, 0.013, and < 0.001, respectively). The following criteria differentiated cysts from solid masses: RER < 26.1%; nADC > 0.63; nT2 > 0.39. In validation dataset 1, the sensitivity of the RER, nADC, and nT2 criteria was 87.5%, 100%, and 75.0%, and the specificity was 100%, 40.0%, and 57.4%, respectively. In validation dataset 2, the sensitivity of the RER, nADC, and nT2 criteria was 90.9%, 90.9%, and 72.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Quantitative MRI criteria using nT2, nADC, and particularly RER can assist differentiation of cysts from solid masses in the anterior mediastinum.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.707-716
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate pharmacokinetic variables from contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs) and non-enhancing T2 high signal intensity lesions (NE-T2HSILs) on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four GBM patients who had undergone preoperative DCE MR imaging and received standard treatment were retrospectively included. We analyzed the pharmacokinetic variables of the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) and volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space within the CEL and NE-T2HSIL of the entire tumor. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed using preoperative clinical characteristics, pharmacokinetic variables of DCE MR imaging, and postoperative molecular biomarkers to predict PFS. Results: The increased mean Ktrans of the CEL, increased 95th percentile Ktrans of the CELs, and absence of methylated O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter were relevant adverse variables for PFS in the univariate analysis (p = 0.041, p = 0.032, and p = 0.083, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that PFS was significantly shorter in patients with a mean Ktrans of the CEL > 0.068 and 95th percentile Ktrans of the CEL > 0.223 (log-rank p = 0.038 and p = 0.041, respectively). However, only mean Ktrans of the CEL was significantly associated with PFS (p = 0.024; hazard ratio, 553.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.27-134756.74) in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. None of the pharmacokinetic variables from NE-T2HSILs were significantly related to PFS. Conclusion: Among the pharmacokinetic variables extracted from CELs and NE-T2HSILs on preoperative DCE MR imaging, the mean Ktrans of CELs exhibits potential as a useful imaging predictor of PFS in GBM patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2005

Leaf anthracnose was observed on leaves of Japanese spindle tree in Seoul, Korea from autumn 2003 to spring 2004. The causal fungus was purely isolated from he leaf spot lesions and cultured on PDA. The colony on PDA was cream to orange but blackish in the center n old cultures. Conidia were formed in blackish orange asses and were cylindrical in shape, measured 13-17${\times}$5-7 ${\mu}$m in size. Blackish brown setae were often observed on PDA and ranged up to 100 ${\mu}$m in length. Based on morphological and ITS region sequence analyses, the fungal strain was identified as Colletotrichum boninense. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled by inoculating tree leaves with 1 ${\times}$ $106^6$ conidia per ml in a moist chamber. This is the first study on the pathogenicity, growth and phylogenetic characteristics of C. boninense causing leaf anthracnose on Japanese spindle tree in Korea.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.195-198
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• 2017

Idiopathic brain herniation is a rare condition. We believe that this is the first reported case of idiopathic herniation of the lingual gyrus. The case involves a 57-year-old woman presenting with frontal headache without overt visual symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an idiopathic herniation of the lingual gyrus of the occipital lobe extending into the quadrigeminal cistern. No other adjacent intracranial abnormalities were observed. Although some conditions may be considered in the differential diagnosis, accurate diagnosis of idiopathic brain herniation in medical practice can prevent unnecessary additional imaging procedures and invasive open biopsy in patients with typical imaging findings.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.282-282
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• 2006

Nanoporous organosilicate thin films were realized by the microphase separation of pore generating components mixed with an organosilicate matrix. The refractive index of such nanoporous organosilicate films can be tuned in the range of $1.40{\sim}1.22$. With a nanoporous single layer with n ${\sim}1.225,\;99.85\;%$ transmittance in the visible range was achieved. In order to overcome the limitation on the narrow wavelength for high transmittance imposed by single nanoporous thin films, bilayer thin films with different reflectance for each layer were prepared by inserting high refractive index layer with a refractive index of 1.447. It is demonstrated that the novel broadband antireflection coating with improved transmittance can be easily achieved by the nanoporous bilayer thin films described in present study.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2007

RNA interference (RNAi) is the phenomenon of gene silencing by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in a sequence-specific manner. Reverse genetic approaches using RNA interference (RNAi) have become a major tool for biological researches since its discovery in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In this review, we overview how the RNAi phenomenon was discovered and how the underlying mechanism has been elucidated. We also describe and discuss how RNAi experiments can be performed and how RNAi can be used for genetic studies.