• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.8 s.88
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• pp.1063-1067
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• 2007

The Bcl-2 family proteins play critical roles in regulation of apoptosis, and the balanced interaction of pro- and anti-death members is a key factor in determining the cell fate. Noxa, a BH3-only Bcl-2-family member, has been originally identified as a target gene of p53. To understand the mechanism by which human Noxa (hNoxa) regulates the cell death, we screened the hNoxa binding partner using the yeast two hybrid screening and found that anti-death protein Mcl-1 binds to hNoxa. The binding of hNoxa to Mcl-1 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation in human colon cancer cell line HCT 116 cells. Mcl-1 significantly inhibited the hNoxa-induced cell death in HCT 116 cells. During the cell death induced by hNoxa, Mcl-1 protein was degraded. Its degradation was inhibited by z-VAD-fmk, a pancaspase inhibitor, suggesting caspase is responsible for Mcl-1 degradation in response to hNoxa. Together, the results indicate that hNoxa binds to Mcl-1 that is degraded by cas-pases during hNoxa-induced cell death.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-89
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• 2009

Reinforced and prestressed concrete (RC and PC) thin walls are crucial to the safety and serviceability of structures subjected to shear. The shear strengths of elements in walls depend strongly on the softening of concrete struts in the principal compression direction due to the principal tension in the perpendicular direction. The past three decades have seen a rapid development of knowledge in shear of reinforced concrete structures. Various rational models have been proposed that are based on the smeared-crack concept and can satisfy Navier's three principles of mechanics of materials (i.e., stress equilibrium, strain compatibility and constitutive laws). The Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) is one such rational model developed at the University of Houston, which is being efficiently used to predict the behavior of RC/PC structures critical in shear. CSMM for RC has already been implemented into finite element framework of OpenSees (Fenves 2005) to come up with a finite element program called Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Structures (SRCS) (Zhong 2005, Mo et al. 2008). CSMM for PC is being currently implemented into SRCS to make the program applicable to reinforced as well as prestressed concrete. The generalized program is called Simulation of Concrete Structures (SCS). In this paper, the CSMM for RC/PC in material scale is first introduced. Basically, the constitutive relationships of the materials, including uniaxial constitutive relationship of concrete, uniaxial constitutive relationships of reinforcements embedded in concrete and constitutive relationship of concrete in shear, are determined by testing RC/PC full-scale panels in a Universal Panel Tester available at the University of Houston. The formulation in element scale is then derived, including equilibrium and compatibility equations, relationship between biaxial strains and uniaxial strains, material stiffness matrix and RC plane stress element. Finally the formulated results with RC/PC plane stress elements are implemented in structure scale into a finite element program based on the framework of OpenSees to predict the structural behavior of RC/PC thin-walled structures subjected to earthquake-type loading. The accuracy of the multiscale modeling technique is validated by comparing the simulated responses of RC shear walls subjected to reversed cyclic loading and shake table excitations with test data. The response of a post tensioned precast column under reversed cyclic loads has also been simulated to check the accuracy of SCS which is currently under development. This multiscale modeling technique greatly improves the simulation capability of RC thin-walled structures available to researchers and engineers.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.163-176
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• 2009

Investigating endophyte distribution, naturally occurring in native grasses, is important for understanding endophyte-grass associations and using the beneficial effects of endophytes in cultivated plants. The goal of this study was to investigate endophytes from natural Festuca spp. in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces of China, and to study the compatibility between the endophytes and turf type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) which is widely used for lawn and athletic fields in that region. Of 628 accessions in F. ovina, 421 had endophytes identified in leaf sheath from on-site microscopic examination. From Festuca spp, three isolates were obtained from the seeds and ninety isolates were obtained from seedlings established from the collected seeds. The isolates from F. ovina and F. stapfii were tentatively identified as Neotyphodium typhinum and Neotyphodiumstarii, respectively. We tested compatibility of the two fungal species with seven tall fescue cultivars, Little Hero, Sub Boy, Eldorado, Arid III, Millennium, Crossfire, and Fawn. N. typhinum or N. starii did not infect 'Fawn' with either seed injection or seed soaking method. The highest infection rate byboth N. typhinum and N. starii was in 'Sun Boy' and 'Eldorado'. There were significant interaction effects between tall fescue cultivar and type of endophyte on infection.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.145-167
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• 2014

Wind-vehicle-bridge (WVB) interaction can be regarded as a coupled vibration system. Aerodynamic forces and moment on vehicles and bridge decks play an important role in the vibration analysis of the coupled WVB system. High-speed vehicle motion has certain effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle-bridge system under crosswinds, but it is not taken into account in most previous studies. In this study, a new testing system with a moving vehicle model was developed to directly measure the aerodynamic forces and moment on the vehicle and bridge deck when the vehicle model moved on the bridge deck under crosswinds in a large wind tunnel. The testing system, with a total length of 18.0 m, consisted of three main parts: vehicle-bridge model system, motion system and signal measuring system. The wind speed, vehicle speed, test objects and relative position of the vehicle to the bridge deck could be easily altered for different test cases. The aerodynamic forces and moment on the moving vehicle and bridge deck were measured utilizing the new testing system. The effects of the vehicle speed, wind yaw angle, rail track position and vehicle type on the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and bridge deck were investigated. In addition, a data processing method was proposed according to the characteristics of the dynamic testing signals to determine the variations of aerodynamic forces and moment on the moving vehicle and bridge deck. Three-car and single-car models were employed as the moving rail vehicle model and road vehicle model, respectively. The results indicate that the drag and lift coefficients of the vehicle tend to increase with the increase of the vehicle speed and the decrease of the resultant wind yaw angle and that the vehicle speed has more significant effect on the aerodynamic coefficients of the single-car model than on those of the three-car model. This study also reveals that the aerodynamic coefficients of the vehicle and bridge deck are strongly influenced by the rail track positions, while the aerodynamic coefficients of the bridge deck are insensitive to the vehicle speed or resultant wind yaw angle.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.5-20
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• 1999

This study was conducted to examine primiparas' perception of delivery experience and identity as the mother("Myself as the Mother" and "My Baby") according to delivery methods such as normal delivery and cesarean section. The result of this study summarized as follows. 1. The primiparas' perception of delivery experience according to delivery methods showed that the primipars who had normally delivered perceives the delivery experience more positively than those by cesarean section(t=4.88, p=0.000). This fact supported hypothesis 1 that "the primiparas group by normal delivery should perceive the delivery experience more positively that by cesarean section." 2. The primiparas who had delivered by cesarean section were more positive in the SD-Self score than those who had normally delivered at the time when four weeks passed after delivered, and there was a significant difference(t=-4.21, p\0.000). Therefore, hypothesis 2-1 that "the primiparas group who had normally delivered should be more positive in the SD-Self 1-2 days and 4 weeks after delivery than one who delivered by cesarean section" was rejected. 3. It was shown that the primiparas who had delivered normally were more positive in the SD-Baby 1-2 days 4 weeks after delivery than those who delivered by cesarean section(after-delivery 1-2 days : t=3.10, p=0.002 and after-delivery 4 weeks : t=2.15, p=0.034). Based on this fact, hypothesis 2-2 that "the primiparas group who had delivered normally should be more positive in the SD-Baby 1-2days and 4 weeks after delivery than those who had delivered by cesarean section"was supported. 4. Primiparas who had delivered by cesarean section appeared to have a positive identity as the mother by showing a more significant difference (t=7.96, p=0.000) 4 weeks after delivery than 1-2 days after delivery. In conclusion, we see that primiparas' perception of delivery experience and identity as the mother were different according to delivery methods. Thus, it is required to devise a nursing in tervention strategy to expand support from the health care system and opportunities to provide pre. post-delivery programs so that primiparas can have a positive perception of delivery experience and a positive identity as the mother. Based on conclusion stated above, the following suggestions are made. 1. As this study compared the perception of delivery experience and identity as the mother between prmiparas who had delivered normally and ones who had delivered by cesarean section, the further study on comparison between multiparas who had delivered normally and ones who had delivered by cesarean section is needed. 2. According to the results of this study, longitudinal study is needed to examine the difference and change in the formation of maternal identity. 3. According to the result of this study, a study is also needed to determine interaction between time for maternal identity and delivery methods.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.326-332
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• 1999

Background: In korea the agricultural community widely uses organophosphorous, and organophosphorous poisonings are increasing every year. We compared change in activity of acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase by organophosphorous and by the interaction of ethanol and organophosphorous. We also compared the effect of reversible anticholinesterase drugs, physostigmine and neostigmine The object of this study is to investigate the effects of several anticholinesterase drugs and on how ethanol influences the activity of cholinesterase. Materials and Methods: Fifteen male university students were randomly selected, and blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein. The acetylcholinesterase in the RBC and the pseudocholinesterase in the serum were extracted and separated. The enzyme activity change was measured by the electrometric method. After adding acetylcholine, the pH change was measured with a pH meter. Results and Conclusion: Our results indicated that reversible anticholinesterase drugs decreased the cholinesterase activity more efficiently than organophosphorous. The acetyl cholinesterase and pseudocholinosterase activity were decreased by ethanol. When ethanol was added, oxime a cholinesterase activator, increased acetylcholinesterase activity but does not increased pseudocholinesterase activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.555-564
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• 2002

Twenty Landrace and twenty Min piglets, with an average initial body weight of 22.4 kg, were randomly divided into 5 groups with 4 animals per group, within each of the breeds. The piglets were housed in individual concrete pens. Each group of the piglets was fed one of 5 diets. The diets contained either 20% raw Argentine soybeans, 20% processed Argentine soybeans ($118^{\circ}C$ for 7.5 min.), 20% raw Chinese soybeans, 20% processed Chinese soybeans ($118^{\circ}C$ for 7.5 min.) or no soybean products (control diet). Faecal samples were collected on days 6, 7 and 8 of the treatment period. Digestibilities of dietary nutrients were determined with AIA (acid insoluble ash) as a marker. After a 17 day treatment, three piglets were killed from each of the groups. Tissue samples of small and large intestine for light and electron microscopy examination were taken immediately after the opening of abdomen. Then, the weight or size of relevant organs was measured. The results show that the digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and fat were higher in Min piglets than in Landrace piglets (p<0.05). The diets containing processed soybeans had a significant higher CP digestibility than the control diet and the diets containing raw soybeans (p<0.05). Landrace piglets had heavier and longer small intestines, heavier kidneys and a lighter spleen than Min piglets (p<0.05). The pancreas of the animals fed the diets containing processed soybeans was heavier than that of the animals fed control diet (p<0.05) and the diets containing raw soybeans. But, the differences between raw and processed soybean diets were not significant. A significant interaction (p<0.05) between diet and pig breed was observed in weight of the small intestine. The Landrace piglets increased the weight in their small intestine when they were fed the diets containing soybeans. In the light micrographs and electron scanning micrographs, it was found that the villi of small intestinal epithelium of animals (especially Landrace piglets) fed the diets containing raw Chinese soybeans were seriously damaged. The transmission electron micrograph showed that a lot of vesicles were located between the small intestinal microvilli of these piglets. The histological examination also indicated that the proportion of goblet cells in villi and crypts in the piglets consuming the control diet was significantly lower (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively) than those of the animals consuming the diets containing raw or processed soybeans.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1104-1110
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• 1999

We condicted two experiments to evaluate the interaction among fumaric acid (FA), protected acids (PA), or no additional acid (NO) and two different levels of acid buffering capacity (BC) in diets for 14-d-old weaned pigs. BC was varied substituting mono-calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate for dicalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. In the high BC diet plus PA, FA was also added. In Exp. 1, 48 gilts were raised for 31 days on the six diets, evaluating growth performance and fecal digestibility. In Exp. 2, 42 gilts were raised. With each diet three subjects were sacrificed after 19 days and four after 38 days. In addition, six subjects were sacrificed at weaning. Growth and carcass performance, ileal digestibility, bacterial populations and pH in the gut were assessed. The piglet performance and stomach, ileal and cecal pH, and empty body composition were not affected by the diets. Empty body composition other than ash content was affected by piglet age (p<0.01). The BC did not influence digestibility. The dietary inclusion of PA improved fecal digestibility of protein (p<0.05) compared to the addition of FA and NO. Ileal digestibility slightly increased with both acid additions (p<0.10), the groups receiving PA showing the higher values. Piglets fed diets with low BC had lower Lactobacillus and E. coli counts in the ileum (p=0.07) and higher Lactobacillus in the colon (p=0.08). Acidified diets tended to reduce E. coli counts in the ileum (p=0.10) and increased Lactobacillus in the colon (p=0.09). The addition in the diet of PA increased Lactobacillus in the ileum compared to the sole addition of free fumaric acid (p=0.07). The addition of protected acids, combined with free fumaric acid in the case of high BC diets, increased protein digestibility and Lactobacillus counts and reduced E.coli counts. Only some changes in the concentration of bacterial population can be expected with a diet of low BC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1373-1377
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• 2016

Background: We vigorously reviewed patients' operation record who had adhesion of the Denonvilliers' fascia and found out most of these patients had prostatic bleeding after prostatic gland biopsies. We examined the magnitude of prostatic bleeding and frequency after biopsies and the relationship with oncological outcomes. Materials and Methods: A total of 285 patients were selected for the final analyses. Inclusion criteria were as follows: receiving MRI three weeks after biopsiesand laparoscopic radical prostatectomy within 300 days after biopsy. We divided the patients into two groups with (group A) or without (group B) prostatic bleeding. We examined the magnitude of prostatic bleeding after biopsies and the relationship with operation time (OT), positive surgical margin (PSM), biochemical recurrence (BCR) and other factors. Furthermore, we created a logistic-regression model to derive a propensity score for prostatic bleeding after biopsies, which included all patient and hospital characteristics as well as selected interaction terms, and we examined the relationship with PSM and BCR. Results: In all patients, the OT in the group B was shorter than the group A (p < 0.001). Prostatic bleeding was associated with PSM (p=0.000) and BCR (p=0.036). In this propensity-matched cohort, 11 of 116 patients in the group B had PSM as compared with 36 of 116 patients from group A (match-adjusted odds ratio, 4.30; 95%CI confidence interval, 2.06 to 8.96; P=0.000). In addition, eight of 116 patients in group B encountered BCR, as compared with 18 of 116 patients in group A (match-adjusted odds ratio, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.03 to 5.96; P=0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis in the propensity matching cohort showed a significant biochemical recurrence-free survival advantage for being free of prostate bleeding after biopsies. Conclusions: Our findings in the present cohort should help equip surgeons to pay attention to careful excision especially for those who experienced deferred prostatic bleeding.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3961-3968
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• 2015

Background: Variants of human papillomavirus (HPV) show more oncogenicity than do prototypes. The HPV16 Asian variant (HPV16As) plays a major role in cervical cancer of Asian populations. Some amino acid changes in the E6 protein of HPV16 variants affect E6 functions such as p53 interaction and host immune surveillance. This study aimed to investigate activities of HPV16As E6 protein on modulation of expression of miRNA-21 as well as interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) 1, 3, 7 and c-fos. Materials and Methods: Vectors expressing E6 protein of HPV16As (E6D25E) or HPV16 prototype (E6Pro) were constructed and transfected into C33A cells. HCK1T cells expressing E6D25E or E6Pro were established by transducing retrovirus-containing E6D25E or 16E6Pro. The E6AP-binding activity of E6 and proliferation of the transfected C33A cells were determined. MiR-21 and mRNA of interesting genes were detected in the transfected C33A cells and/or the HCK1T cells, with or without treatment by culture medium from HeLa cells (HeLa-CM). Results: E6D25E showed binding activity with E6AP similar to that of E6Pro. Interestingly, E6D25E showed a higher activity of miR-21 induction than did E6Pro in C33A cells expressing E6 protein. This result was similar to the HCK1T cells expressing E6 protein, with HeLa-CM treatment. The miR-21 up-regulation significantly corresponded to its target expression. Different levels of expression of IRFs were also observed in the HCK1T cells expressing E6 protein. Interestingly, when treated with HeLa-CM, IRFs 1, 3 and 7 as well as c-fos were significantly suppressed in the HCK1T cells expressing E6D25E, whereas those in the HCK1T cells expressing E6Pro were induced. A similar situation was seen for IFN-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\beta}$. Conclusions: E6D25E of the HPV16As variant differed from the E6 prototype in its activities on epigenetic modulation and immune surveillance and this might be a key factor for the important role of this variant in cervical cancer progression.