• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2015

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ (RANK) axis, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) participate in vascular calcification process including atherosclerosis, but their contributions under high glucose (HG) and phosphate (HP) condition for a long-term period (more than 2 weeks) have not been fully determined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of HG and HP levels over 2 or 4 weeks on the progression of vascular calcification in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Calcium deposition in VSMCs was increased in medium containing HG (30 mmol/L D-glucose) with ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate (${\beta}$-GP, 12 mmol/L) after 2 weeks and increased further after 4 weeks. OPG mRNA and protein expressions were unchanged in HG group with or without ${\beta}$-GP after 2 weeks. However, after 4 weeks, OPG mRNA and protein expressions were significantly lower in HG group with ${\beta}$-GP. No significant expression changes were observed in RANKL, RANK, or TRAIL during the experiment. After 4 weeks of treatment in HG group containing ${\beta}$-GP and rhBMP-7, an inhibitor of vascular calcification, OPG expressions were maintained. Furthermore, mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a marker of vascular mineralization, was lower in the presence of rhBMP-7. These results suggest that low OPG levels after long term HG and phosphate stimulation might reduce the binding of OPG to RANKL and TRAIL, and these changes could increase osteo-inductive VSMC differentiation, especially vascular mineralization reflected by increased ALP activity during vascular calcification.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.157-160
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• 2005

To constrain the values of the model parameters for the cosmological models involving the time-decaying $\Lambda$ term, we have computed sets of theoretical predictions for the N-m relation of galaxies as well as the CMB angular power spectrum: three types of variation, viz., ${\Lambda}{\propto} T^{-1},\;a^{-m}$, and $H^n$ are thereby assumed following Overduin & Cooperstock (1998), although we concentrate here on the discussion of the results obtained from the first type. Our results for the N-m relation indicate that the observed excess of the galaxy counts N in the faint region beyond the blue apparent magnitude 24 can be reasonably well accounted for with the value of ${\iota}$ in the range between 0.2 and 1. Furthermore, a comparison of our computational results of the CMB spectra with the observational data shows that the models with a mild degree of the $\Lambda$ term decay, viz., with the value of ${\iota}{\le}$0.4, are favorable. In this case, the age of our universe turns out to be larger than or equal to 14 Gyr, the lower limit inferred from some Uranium datings.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the long-term outcomes and tolerance in our patients who received dose escalated radiotherapy in the early salvage post-prostatectomy setting. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 54 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy subsequently followed by salvage radiation therapy (SRT) to the prostate bed between 2003-2010 were analyzed. Patients included were required to have a pre-radiation prostate specific antigen level (PSA) of 2 ng/mL or less. The median SRT dose was 70.2 Gy. Biochemical failure after salvage radiation was defined as a PSA level >0.2 ng/mL. Biochemical control and survival endpoints were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify the potential impact of confounding factors on outcomes. Results: The median pre-SRT PSA was 0.45 ng/mL and the median follow-up time was 71 months. The 4- and 7-year actuarial biochemical control rates were 75.7% and 63.2%, respectively. The actuarial 4- and 7-year distant metastasis-free survival was 93.7% and 87.0%, respectively, and the actuarial 7-year prostate cancer specific survival was 94.9%. Grade 3 late genitourinary toxicity developed in 14 patients (25.9%), while grade 4 late genitourinary toxicity developed in 2 patients (3.7%). Grade 3 late gastrointestinal toxicity developed in 1 patient (1.9%), and grade 4 late gastrointestinal toxicity developed in 1 patient (1.9%). Conclusion: In this series with long-term follow-up, early SRT provided outcomes and toxicity profiles similar to those reported from the three major randomized trials studying adjuvant radiation therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2000

Background: For AVR using conventional prosthetic valves in adult patients with a narrow aortic root, aortic root enlargement is necessary to reduce postoperative pressure gradient across the aortic valve (ΔP). An evaluation of early and mid-term results of aortic root enlargement with AVR and echocardiographic follow up of ΔP and left ventricular function was performed. Method: From Aug. 1991 to Feb. 1998, eighteen patients aged 17 to 59 years(mean, 38$\pm$12 years) underwent Manouguian procedure with AVR. Aortic annular circumstance was enlarged 10.0mm to 18.0mm(mean, 12.6$\pm$6.3mm). Eight patients(44.0%) had NYHA class III status before operation, and seven cases of them underwent concomitant MVR. Valve pathology was ASr in 6 cases, AS in 4 cases, nd ASr+MSr in 8 cases. Replaced valve size was 21mm in 8 cases and 23 mm in 10 cases, and St. Jude Medical mechanical valve was used in 10 cases and Carbomedics in 8 cases. Result: Follow-up duration was 6 to 57 months (mean, 26$\pm$18 months), and total follow-up was 287 patient-year. There were one hospital death and one late death, therefore, actuarial survival rate was 85.7% at 56 months. Peak ΔP wad decreased significantly at postoperative mid-term period as 13$\pm$5mmHg, compared with thepreoperative one (42$\pm$8mmHg) (p<0.01). LVM(gm/$m^2$) was also diminished as 35.8%(115$\pm$36gm/$m^2$)at postoperative mid-term period, compared with preoperative one (179$\pm$56gm/$m^2$)(p<0.05). Conclusion: There were no specific complications related to the procedure. And we could have adequate enlargement of aortic annulus to suitable prosthetic valve that have no effect of patient-prosthese mismatch.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.2496-2503
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• 2018

The short-term stability of high efficiency polymer : nonfullerene solar cells was investigated by employing a quick (ten cycles) current density-voltage (J-V) cycling method. Polymer : nonfullerene solar cells with initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of >10% were fabricated using bulk heterojunction (BHJ) films of poly[(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5b']dithiophene))-alt-(5,5-(1',3'-di-2-thienyl-5,7'-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1',2'-c:4',5'-c']dithiophene-4,8-dione))] (PBDB-T) and 3,9-bis(2-methylene-((3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-6/7-methyl)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2',3'-d']-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (IT-M). One set of the BHJ (PBDB-T : IT-M) films was thermally annealed at $160^{\circ}C$ for 30min, while another set was used without any thermal treatment after spin-coating. The quick J-V scan (cycling) measurement disclosed that the PCE decay was relatively slower for the annealed BHJ layers than the unannealed (as-cast) BHJ layers. As a result, after ten cycles, the annealed BHJ layers delivered higher PCE than the unannealed BHJ layers due to higher and more stable trend in fill factor. The present quick J-V cycling method is simple but expected to be useful for the prediction of short-term stability in organic solar cells.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 2020

This paper presents one of the demonstration projects undertaken during the FP7 EU-funded Anagennisi project (Innovative reuse of all tyre components in concrete-2014-2017) on a full-scale (30 m×40 m, thickness: 0.2 m) Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) slab-on-grade using a blend of manufactured steel fibres (MSF) and Recycled Tyre Steel Fibres (RTSF). The aim of the project was to assess the use of RTSF in everyday construction practice. The Anagennisi partners, Dulex Ltd in collaboration with Gradmont-Gradacac Ltd and University of Zagreb, designed, cast and monitored the long-term shrinkage deformations of the indoor slab-on-grade slab at Gradmont's precast concrete factory in Gradacac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A hybrid RTSF mix (20 kg/㎥ of MSF+10 kg/㎥ of RTSF) was used to comply with the design criteria which included a maximum load capacity of 20 kN/㎡. The slab was monitored for one year using surveying equipment and visual inspection of cracks. During the monitoring period, the slab exhibited reasonable deformations (a maximum displacement of 3.3 mm for both, horizontal and vertical displacements) whilst after five years in use, the owners did not report any issues and were satisfied with the construction methodology and materials used. This work confirms that RSTF is a viable and sustainable solution for slab-on-grade applications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.458-464
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• 2021

Tungsten disulfide (WS₂), a typical 2D layerd structure, has received much attention as a pseudocapacitive material because of its high theoretical specific capacity and excellent ion diffusion kinetics. However, WS₂ has critical limits such as poor long-term cycling stability owing to its large volume expansion during cycling and low electrical conductivity. Therefore, to increase the high-rate performance and cycling stability for pseudocapacitors, well-dispersed WS₂ nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofibers (WS₂-CNFs), including mesopores and S-doping, are prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and sulfurizaiton. These unique nanocomposite electrodes exhibit a high specific capacity (159.6 F g^-1 at 10 mV s^-1), excellent high-rate performance (81.3 F g^-1 at 300 mV s^-1), and long-term cycling stability (55.9 % after 1,000 cycles at 100 mV s^-1). The increased specific capacity is attributed to well-dispersed WS₂ nanoparticles embedded in CNFs that the enlarge active area; the increased high-rate performance is contributed by reduced ion diffusion pathway due to mesoporous CNFs and improved electrical conductivity due to S-doped CNFs; the long-term cycling stability is attributed to the CNFs matrix including WS₂ nanoparticles, which effectively prevent large volume expansion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 1997

On the precontracted rabbit cavernosal muscle strips with phenylephrine ($5\ast10^{-6}$M), Increasing concentrations of acetylcholine (10-7, 10-6, 10-5, 10-4M) showed relaxation effect dose-dependently in control group ($10^{-7}$M : 15.32%, $10^{-6}$M : 35.44%, 10-5M : 59.45%, 10-4M : 76.54%). After 3 months administering Korean red ginseng, the relaxation action of acetylcholine was significantly increased ($10^{-7}$M : 34.18%, $10^{-6}$M : 56.35%, $10^{-5}$M : 75.33%, $10^{-4}$M : 89.86%). Relaxation effect of Korean red ginseng was significantly increased after 3 months administering Korean red ginseng. Intracavernous pressure response to electrostimulation wan 107.52 cm$H_2O$ in control group and significantly increased to 138.34 cm $H_2O$ after 3 month administering Korean red ginseng. With these results, we can confirm that long-term administration of Korean red ginseng enhances the erectly capacity and that its action is mediated by endothelium derived relaxing factor and peripheral neurophysiologic enhancement.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.297-302
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• 1990

Retention of mono-substituted phenols in reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been studied based on the linear solvation energy relationships using the solvatochromic mobile phase parameters, ${\pi}_m^{\ast}, {\alpha}_m$ and ${\beta}_m$. It has been observed that retention behavior of phenols in RPLC were well represented by regression equations vs. solvatochromic mobile phase parameters even though the equations may be incomplete due to lack of an explicit cavity term. Dependence of retention of monosubstituted phenols on the mobile phase properties were varied depending on the type of the organic cosolvent in the mobile phase, e.g., ${\beta}_m$ and {\alpha}_m$ in methanol-water system, but ${\pi}_m^{\ast} and ${\beta}_m$ in THF-water system. It has been suggested that retention of phenols in methanol-water system is controlled by the solvophobicity of the mobile phase.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and nicotinic acid (NA) on sperm viability during liquid storage at $18^{\circ}C$ in miniature pigs. $10{\mu}M$ LC and 30 mM NA, combined LC and NA (LN) were treated in fresh semen for 3, 7, and 10 days. In results, sperm survival increased in NA- and LN-treated semen on 7 and 10 days (p<0.05), mitochondrial integrity of live sperm increased in LN-treated semen on 7 days (p<0.05), but not NA-treated semen. In addition, we examined the acrosome reaction of sperm in miniature pigs. LC and NA did not influence on acrosome reaction of boar sperm. In conclusion, LC and NA effectively maintained the viability and quality of sperm during long-term storage in miniature pigs, suggesting that the combined LN may be useful for improving the semen extender for long-term liquid storage in pigs.