• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3757-3761
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• 2012

Objective: Crocin has been proposed as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the chemopreventive action and the possible mechanisms of crocin against human colon cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay and the cell cycle distribution fractions were analyzed using fow cytometric analysis after propidium iodide staining. Apoptosis was detected using theTUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit with laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, while expression levels of p53, cdk2, cyclinA and P21 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of SW480 cells with crocetin (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mmol/L) for 48 h signifcantly inhibited their proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) signifcantly induced cell cycle arrest through p53-independent mechanisms accompanied by P21 induction. Crocetin (0.8 mmol/L) caused cytotoxicity in the SW480 cells by enhancing apoptosis and decreasing DNA repair capacity in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: This report provides evidence that crocetin is a potential anticancer agent, which may be used as a chemotherapeutic drug.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.96-106
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• 2024

This study aimed to examine the effects of non-face-to-face sleep program combined with aroma necklace on quality of sleep, daytime sleepiness, depression, and stress in insomnia with college students. A nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was used. The experimental group(n=21) underwent non-face-to-face sleep program combined with aroma-necklace while the control group(n=21) received a sleep booklet. Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, and stress were measured to identify the effectiveness of the program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, χ²-test, and independent t-test with the SPSS 24.0 program. In the homogeneity test of the general characteristics and study outcome variables there were no significant differences between the two groups. Significant group differences were found in sleep quality (t=-5.87, p<.001), daytime sleepiness(t=-4.28, p<.001), and depression(t=-4.40, p<.001). No differences were found in the stress. Non-face-to-face sleep improvement program combined with an aroma-necklace was effective in improving insomnia in college students. Nurses can contribute to improving sleep and depression by applying this program to college students experienced insomnia living in various environments.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.568-571
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• 2001

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of storage time and temperature on the in vitro release kinetics of a commercial sustained-release dosage form of theophylline, at different pHs of the dissolution medium. The formulation was stored at $35^{\circ}C$ for 16 months and at $45^{\circ}C$ for 8 months, with a relative humidity of 60%. The in vitro release tests were performed at pHs 2, 4, 6 and 7.4. The mean values of the transport coefficient n, were close to 0.5 in all the conditions tested, which indicates that the transport system is not modified after storage of the formulation at $35^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$. The mean values of the dissolution rate constant ranged from 0.036 to 0.043 $min^{-n}$, under all the conditions tested. Significant differences (${\alpha}=0.05$) were found between pHs 2, 4 and 6, 7.4 for all the model-independent parameters studied. When the formulation was kept at $35^{\circ}C$ for 16 months, the mean percentage of drug dissolved at 8 hours was 25.61% (pHs 2, 4) and, 36.12% (pHs 6, 7.4), representing a 26% and 24% reduction, respectively. Simitar results were obtained after storing the formulation at $45^{\circ}C$ for 8 months, corresponding to 33.3% (pHs 2, 4) and, 22.5% (pHs 6, 7.4) diminution, respectively. The values of the similarity factory $f_2$, obtained were lower than 50, which indicates the lack of similarity among the dissolution profiles, after storing the formulation under the experimental Conditions tested.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Purpose : In order to respond to the needs of society, it is necessary for nursing students to develop into their professional roles and form a higher degree of positive nursing professionalism. This study investigated clinical practice stress, clinical practice satisfaction, academic major satisfaction, and self-esteem among nursing students, and identified factors influencing their nursing professionalism. Methods : The participants of this study were 200 nursing students who used the internet and e-mail, and who understood the purpose and methods of this study. Data were collected from June 21 to July 27, 2021. Data analysis, including the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression, was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results : The mean score was 3.52±.47 for nursing professionalism, 2.99±.56 for clinical practice stress, 3.35±.44 for clinical practice satisfaction, 3.75±.55 for academic major satisfaction, and 3.49±.78 for self-esteem. There were no significant differences in nursing professionalism according to general characteristics. Nursing professionalism was positively correlated with clinical practice satisfaction (r=.36, p<.001), academic major satisfaction (r=.57, p<.001), and self-esteem (r=.41, p<.001), but negatively correlated with clinical practice stress (r=-.41, p<.001). Factors influencing nursing professionalism included academic major satisfaction (𝛽=.39, p<.001) and clinical practice stress (𝛽=-.16, p=.021). These variables explained 36 % of variance in nursing professionalism (F=29.43, p<.001). Conclusion : These findings indicate that academic major satisfaction and clinical practice stress could be considered in effective nursing educational interventions to improve nursing professionalism in nursing students. Therefore, multidimensional efforts are needed to establish educational programs for nursing students aiming to enhance their nursing professionalism. In addition, these findings will be helpful for establishing various emotional control programs for the management of clinical practice stress among nursing students.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6573-6578
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• 2013

Background: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate patient characteristics, treatment modalities and prognostic factors in Turkish patients with pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2012, 64 patients who presented to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were evaluated. The E/K ratio of the cases was 2.4/1 and the median age was 59.6 (32-80) years, respectively. Some 11 cases (18%) were stage 1, 21 (34.4%) were stage 2, 10 (16.4%) were stage 3, and 19 (31.1%) were metastatic. Results: The mean follow-up time was 15.7 months (0.7-117.5) and loco-regional recurrence was noted in 11 (40.7%) who underwent surgery while metastases were observed in 41 patients (66.1%). The median overall survival (OS) was 11.2 months and the 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates were 41.7%, 9.9% and 7.9% respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 5.2 month and the1, 2 and 5 year DFS were 22.6%, 7.6% and 3.8% respectively. On univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting OS included status of the operation (p<0.001), tumor stage (p=0.008), ECOG performance status (p=0.005) and CEA level (p=0.017).On multivariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting survival included status of the operation (p=0.033) and age (p= 0.023). Conclusions: In the current study, age and operation status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival with pancreatic patients. Thus, the patients early diagnosis and treatment ars essential. However, prospective studies with more patients are needed for confirmation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2006

The intermediate conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channels (SK4, IKCa1) are present in lymphocytes, and their membrane expression is upregulated by various immunological stimuli. In this study, the activity of SK4 was compared between Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cell lines which represent mature and immature stages of murine B lymphocytes, respectively. The whole-cell patch clamp with high-$Ca^{2+}$ ($0.8{\mu}M$) KCl pipette solution revealed a voltage-independent $K^+$ current that was blocked by clotrimazole (1 mM), an SK4 blocker. The expression of mRNAs for SK4 was confirmed in both Bal-17 and WEHI-231 cells. The density of clotrimazole-sensitive SK4 current was significantly larger in Bal-17 than WEHI-231 cells ($-11.4{\pm}3.1$ Vs. $-5.7{\pm}1.15$ pA/pF). Also, the chronic stimulation of B cell receptors (BCR) by BCR-ligation (anti-IgM Ab, $3{\mu}g$/ml, 8∼12 h) significantly upregulated the amplitude of clotrimazolesensitive current from $-11.4{\pm}3.1$ to $-53.1{\pm}8.6$ pA/pF in Bal-17 cells. In WEHI-231 cells, the effect of BCR-ligation was significantly small ($-5.7{\pm}1.15$ to $-9.0{\pm}1.00$ pA/pF). The differential expression and regulation by BCR-ligation might reflect functional changes in the maturation of B lymphocytes.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.91.1-91.12
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• 2018

Objective: To examine the association between tumor grade and survival for women with squamous cervical cancer. Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result program data between 1983 and 2013 to examine women with squamous cervical cancer with known tumor differentiation grade. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess independent associations between tumor differentiation grade and survival. Results: A total of 31,536 women were identified including 15,175 (48.1%) with grade 3 tumors, 14,084 (44.7%) with grade 2 neoplasms and 2,277 (7.2%) with grade 1 tumors. Higher tumor grade was significantly associated with older age, higher stage disease, larger tumor size, and lymph node metastasis (all, p<0.001). In a multivariable analysis, grade 2 tumors (adjusted-hazard ratio [HR]=1.21; p<0.001) and grade 3 tumors (adjusted-HR=1.45; p<0.001) were independently associated with decreased cause-specific survival (CSS) compared to grade 1 tumors. Among the 7,429 women with stage II-III disease who received radiotherapy without surgical treatment, grade 3 tumors were independently associated with decreased CSS compared to grade 2 tumors (adjusted-HR=1.16; p<0.001). Among 4,045 women with node-negative stage I disease and tumor size ${\leq}4cm$ who underwent surgical treatment without radiotherapy, grade 2 tumors (adjusted-HR=2.54; p=0.028) and grade 3 tumors (adjusted-HR=4.48; p<0.001) were independently associated with decreased CSS compared to grade 1 tumors. Conclusion: Our study suggests that tumor differentiation grade may be a prognostic factor in women with squamous cervical cancer, particularly in early-stage disease. Higher tumor grade was associated with poorer survival.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2021

Purpose: Incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of pancreatic fistula (POPF) after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy have not been well investigated in Western patients, particularly those from Eastern Europe. Materials and Methods: A total of 358 D1+/D2 radical gastrectomies were performed by surgeons with high caseloads in a single surgical center from 2002 to 2017. A retrospective analysis of data that were prospectively gathered in an electronic database was performed. POPF was defined and graded according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) criteria. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify potential predictors of POPF. Additionally, the impact of POPF on early complications and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results: POPF was observed in 20 patients (5.6%), according to the updated ISGPS grading system. Cardiovascular comorbidities emerged as the single independent predictor of POPF formation (risk ratio, 3.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.161-8.019; P=0.024). POPF occurrence was associated with statistically significant increased rates of postoperative hemorrhage requiring re-laparotomy (P=0.029), anastomotic leak (P=0.002), 90-day mortality (P=0.036), and prolonged hospital stay (P<0.001). The long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was not affected by POPF (P=0.661). Conclusions: In this large series of Eastern European patients, the clinically relevant rate of POPF after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy was low. The presence of co-existing cardiovascular disease favored the occurrence of POPF and was associated with an increased risk of postoperative bleeding, anastomotic leak, 90-day mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. POPF was not found to affect the long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.142-154
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• 1998

A stirling engine is a mechanism used to convert heat to power and operates on a closed regenerative thermodynamic cycle with compression and expansion of the working fluid at different temperature. The performance of a stilting cycle machine is a function of six independent parameters, namely; (1) speed N(r.p.m), (2) pressure of the working fluid p(Pa), (3) ratio of the temperature in the compression and expansion space ${\tau}(=T_C/T_E)$ , (4) ratio of the swept volumes in these two spaces K, (5) phase angle $\alpha$ and (6) dead volume ratio X. This paper describes the procedure and presents the results of computations carried out to establish the optimum combinations of these six parameters for maximum engine output for the machine acting as a prime mover, over a combined temperature range from $300^{\circ}K$ to $1000^{\circ}K$ and dead volume ratio X ranging from 0.1 to 2.0. The output of a stilting cycle machine can be expressed in terms of nondimensional power in several different ways. Four methods were studied in detail, the parameters optimized and design charts and engine power charts prepared. The results of this paper may be useful as a guide to the likely effects on the performance of some of the important design parameters and regenerator design.

• Electrical & Electronic Materials
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.267-271
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• 1995

The electrical properties of (S $r_{0.50}$P $b_{0.25}$B $a_{0.25}$)Ti $O_{3}$ ceramics were studied. Specimens were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method, and fired between 1300[.deg. C] - 1375[.deg. C], for 2[hr.]. The electrical and structural preperties of specimens were investigated with sintering temperature. Increasing the sintering temperature from 1300[.deg. C] to 1375[.deg. C], average grain size was increased from 2.61[.mu.m] to 4.53[.mu.m]. (S $r_{0.50}$P $b_{0.25}$B $a_{0.25}$)Ti $O_{3}$ specimen sintered at 1350[.deg. C] for two hours showed good dielectric constant(2147) and dielectric loss(1.7[%]) properties at 1[khz]. Sintered density and breakdown field strength were the highest value of 5.75[g/c $m^{3}$], 20[kV/cm], respectively. Dielectric properties with applied voltage were independent of the sintering temperature.temperature.