• Bulletin of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.979-991
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• 2022

A special class of exponential dispersion models is the class of Tweedie distributions. This class is very significant in statistical modeling as it includes a number of familiar distributions such as Gaussian, Gamma and compound Poisson. A Tweedie distribution has a power parameter p, a mean m and a dispersion parameter 𝜙. The value of the power parameter lies in identifying the corresponding distribution of the Tweedie family. The basic objective of this research work resides in investigating the existence of the implicit estimator of the power parameter of the Tweedie distribution. A necessary and sufficient condition on the mean parameter m, suggesting that the implicit estimator of the power parameter p exists, was established and we provided some asymptotic properties of this estimator.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2008

We report on two cases of pericentric inversion of X chromosome. The cases were found in a 40-year-old man with azoospermia and in a family of a 38-year-old pregnant woman. The first case with 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.1q27) had concentrations of LH, prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone that were within normal ranges; however, FSH levels were elevated. Testis biopsy revealed maturation arrest at the primary and secondary spermatocytes without spermatozoa. There were no microdeletions in the 6 loci of chromosome Y. For the second case, the cytogenetic study of thepregnant woman referring for advanced maternal age and a family history of inversion X chromosome was 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2). The karyotype of her fetus was 46,X,inv(X)(p22.1q27). Among other family members, the karyotypes of an older sister in pregnancy and her fetus were 46,X,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2), and 46,Y,?inv(X), respectively. The proband's father was 46,Y,inv(X)(p22.11q27.2). All carriers in the family discussed above were fertile and phenotypically normal. In addition, the ratio of inactivation of inv(X) by RBG-banding was discordant between the two sisters, with the older sister having only 4.1% of cells carrying inactivated inv(X) while the proband had a 69.5% incidence of late replicating inv(X). Therefore, we suggest that the cause of azoospermia in the first case might be related to inversion X chromosome with positional effect. Also, the family of the second case showing normal phenotype of the balanced inv(X) might be not affected any positional effect of genes.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 2016

In fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the cdc31 gene encodes a member of the conserved $Ca^{2+}$-binding centrin/CDC31 family, which is a component of spindle pole body. Here, we demonstrate that the S. pombe cdc31p is also a component of TREX-2 complex, which influences mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Repression of the cdc31 gene expression caused growth defect with accumulation of $poly(A)^+$ RNA in the nucleus. On the other hand, over-expression of cdc31 exhibited no defects of both growth and bulk mRNA export, but showed somewhat longer cell morphology. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that Cdc31 interacted with Sac3 and Pci2, the subunits of TREX-2 complex. These results suggest that S. pombe Cdc31 is also involved in mRNA export as a component of TREX-2 complex.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1653-1663
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• 2010

The first gene (${\alpha}$-gal1) encoding an extracellular ${\alpha}$-Dgalactosidase from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii was cloned and characterized. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene consisted of an open reading frame of 1,792 base pairs interrupted by six introns that encoded a mature protein of 452 amino acids, including a 24 amino acid secretory signal sequence. The translated protein had highest identity with other fungal ${\alpha}$-galactosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 27. The ${\alpha}$-gal1 gene was overexpressed as a secretory protein with an N-terminal histidine tag in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Recombinant ${\alpha}$-Gal1 was secreted into the culture medium as a monomeric glycoprotein with a maximal yield of 10.75 mg/l and purified to homogeneity using Hisbinding nickel-agarose affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was maximally active at $70^{\circ}C$, pH 4.5, and lost no activity over 10 days at $50^{\circ}C$. ${\alpha}$-Gal1 followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics ($V_{max}\;of\;240.3{\mu}M/min/mg,\;K_m\;of\;0.294 mM$) and was inhibited competitively by galactose ($K_m{^{obs}}$ of 0.57 mM, $K_i$ of 2.77 mM). The recombinant T. emersonii ${\alpha}$-galactosidase displayed broad substrate preference, being active on both oligo- and polymeric substrates, yet had strict specificity for the ${\alpha}$-galactosidic linkage. Owing to its substrate preference and noteworthy stability, ${\alpha}$-Gal1 is of particular interest for possible biotechnological applications involving the processing of plant materials.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.478-485
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• 2009

This study was conducted to reclassify Yongheung series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy and to discuss the formation of Yongheung series in Jeju Island. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Yongheung series were investigated and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. The typifying pedon contains 3.2~3.4% oxalate extractable (Al + 1/2 Fe), less than 85% phosphate retention, and higher bulk density than $0.90Mg\;m^{-3}$. That can not be classified as Andisol. But it has an argillic horizon from a depth of 15 to 150 cm and a base saturation (sum of cations) of less than 35% at 125 cm below the upper boundary of the argillic horizon. That can be classified as Ultisol, not as Andisol or Alfisol. The typifying pedon has 0.9 % or more organic carbon in the upper 15 cm of the argillic horizon and accordingly, can be classified as Humult. It has a clay distribution in which the percentage of clay does not decrese from its maximum amount by 20% or more within a depth of 150 cm from the mineral soil surface, and keys out as Palehumult. Also that meets the requirements of Typic Palehumult. That has 35 % or more clay at the particle-size control section and has mesic soil temperature regime. Yongheung series can be classified as fine, mixed, thermic family of Typic Palehumults, not as fine, mixed, thermic family of Typic Hapludalfs. Most soils distributed in the southern coastal areas in Jeju island which have a humid climate are developed as Andisols. But Yongheung series distributed in this areas and derived from mainly trachyte, trachytic andesite, and volcanic ash are developed as Ultisols.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.330-336
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like environmental endocrine disrupter, on the placental function and reproduction in rats. The mRNA levels of the placental prolactin-growth hormone(PRL-GH) gene family, placental trophoblast cell frequency and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats ($160g{\pm}20g$) were detected by the presence of the copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which marked Day 0 of pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with a sesame oil vehicle. The two remaining groups were injected with 50 or 500 mg/kg B.W/day of BPA, resuspended in sesame oil, on either days 7 to 11 or 16 to 20 of pregnancy, with the rats sacrificed on either day 11 or 20, respectively. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The hormone concentrations were analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the frequency of the placental trophoblast cells observed by a histochemical study. Reproductive data, such as the placental weight and litter size, were surveyed on day 20. The fetal weight was surveyed for 4 weeks after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH gene family, such as placental lactogen I, Iv and II, prolactin like protein A, C and Cv, and decidual prolactin-related protein were significantly reduced due to BPA exposure. The mRNA levels of the Pit-1a and b isotype genes, which induce the expression of the PRL-GH gene family in the rat placenta, were also reduced due to BPA exposure. The PL-Iv and PL-II concentrations were reduced in the BPA exposed group. During the middle to last stage of pregnancy (Days 11-20), a high dose of BPA exposure reduced the frequency of spongiotrophoblast cells, which are responsible for the secretion of the PRL-GH hormones. Reproductive data, such as the placental and fetal weights and the litter size, were reduced, but that of the pregnancy period was extended in the BPA exposed compared to the control group. Conclusions : BPA disrupts the placental functions in rats, which leads to reproductive disorders.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Purpose: Although vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found in cancer patient than in non-cancer patients, there have been little data regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients at the very end of life. We examined vitamin D deficiency in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective chart review of 133 patients in a hospice ward. We collected data regarding age, sex, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, cancer type, physical performance, current medications and various laboratory findings. We investigated factors related to serum vitamin D levels after multivariate adjustment for potential confounders. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL was considered deficient and <10 ng/mL severely deficient. Results: Ninety-five percent of the patients were serum vitamin D deficient. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, non-lung cancer patients, $H_2$ blocker users and non-anticonvulsant users. Elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also associated with low serum vitamin D levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with male gender (aOR 3.82, 95% CI: 1.50~9.72, P=0.005), $H_2$ blocker users (aOR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.61~9.65, P=0.003) and elevated serum ALT levels (aOR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.35~15.19, P=0.015). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, $H_2$ blocker users, and patients with elevated ALT levels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2018

The patchiness of local environments within a habitat is assumed to be a primary factor affecting the spatial patterns of plants, and a randomization procedure is developed for testing the null hypothesis that only spatial association with patches determined the spatial patterns of plants. Chloranthus japonicus (Chloranthaceae) is an herbaceous perennial and a member of the genus Chloranthus in the family Chloranthaceae. The spatial pattern of C. japonicus was analyzed according to several patchiness indices, population uniformity or aggregation under different sizes of plots by dispersion indices, and spatial autocorrelation. Population densities (D) varied from 0.356 to 2.270, with a mean of 1.527. The values of dispersion indices ( at Mt. Ahop were lower than 1 at six plots ($2m{\times}2m$, $2m{\times}4m$, $4m{\times}4m$, $4m{\times}8m$, $8m{\times}8m$, and $8m{\times}16m$), but the two large plots ($16m{\times}16m$ and $16m{\times}32m$) were higher than 1. Thus, the aggregation indices ( were negative at Mt. Ahop, which indicates a uniform distribution. The two large plots ($16m{\times}16m$ and $16m{\times}32m$) had positive CIs. However, the values were not large (0.009 for the $16m{\times}16m$ plot and 0.038 for the $16m{\times}32m$ plot). The mean crowding ($M^{\ast}$) and patchiness index (PAI) showed positive values for all plots.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 1993

Phanerochaete chrysosporium is a white rot fungus which secrets a family of lignin-degrading enzymes under nutrient limitation. Ligninase was extracellularly produced in agitated submerged cultures of P. chrysosporium, SC 26. Addition of veratryl alcohol(4 mM), and benzyl alcohol(10 mM) with 0.1% Tween 20 to the culture medium stimulated ligninase production. However, ligninase was not detected when both treatments of veratryl alcohol and benzyl alcohol without Tween 20 were added to the medium. Addition of 0.1 % Tween 20 to the culture medium had little effect on ligninase activity. The ligninase activity was maximum on day 5-8 for veratryl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol with 0.1 % Tween 20 additive medium.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3675-3686
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• 2016

Moringa oleifera Lam, family Moringaceae, is a perennial plant which is called various names, but is locally known in Malaysia as ''murungai'' or ''kelor''. Glucomoringin, a glucosinolate with from M. oleifera is a major secondary metabolite compound. The seeds and leaves of the plant are reported to have the highest amount of glucosinolates. M. oleifera is well known for its many uses health and benefits. It is claimed to have nutritional, medicinal and chemopreventive potentials. Chemopreventive effects of M. oleifera are expected due to the existence of glucosinolate which it is reported to have the ability to induce apoptosis in anticancer studies. Furthermore, chemopreventive value of M. oleifera has been demonstrated in studies utilizing its leaf extract to inhibit the growth of human cancer cell lines. This review highlights the advantages of M. oleifera targeting chemoprevention where glucosinolates could help to slow the process of carcinogenesis through several molecular targets. It is also includes inhibition of carcinogen activation and induction of carcinogen detoxification, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Finally, for synergistic effects of M. oleifera with other drugs and safety, essential for chemoprevention, it is important that it safe to be consumed by human body and works well. Although there is promising evidence about M. oleifera in chemoprevention, extensive research need to be done due to the expected rise of cancer in coming years and to gain more information about the mechanisms involved in M. oleifera influence, which could be a good source to inhibit several major mechanisms involved in cancer development.