• Advances in materials Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2018

Niobium is a candidate base for new alloys devoted to applications at especially elevated temperatures. Elaborating and shaping niobium-based alloys by conventional foundry may lead to mechanically interesting microstructures. In this work a series of charges constituted of pure elements were subjected to high frequency induction melting in cold crucible to try obtaining cast highly refractory Nb-xCr and Nb-xCr-0.4 wt.%Calloys(x=27, 34 and 37 wt.%). Melting and solidification were successfully achieved. The as-cast microstructures of the obtained alloys were characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and their hardness were specified by Vickers macro-indentation. The obtained as-cast microstructures are composed of a body centered cubic (bcc) niobium dendritic matrix and of an interdendritic eutectic compound involving the bcc Nb phase and a $NbCr_2$ Laves phase. The obtained alloys are hard to cut and particularly brittle at room temperature. Hardness is of a high level (higher than 600Hv) and is directly driven by the chromium content or the amount of {bcc Nb - $NbCr_2$} eutectic compound. Adding 0.4 wt.% of carbon did not lead to carbides but tends to increase hardness.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2013

A number of naturally-occurring or synthetic chemicals have been reported to exhibit prostate chemopreventive effects. Synthetic $5{\alpha}$-reductase (5-AR) inhibitors, e.g. finasteride and durasteride, gained special interests as possible prostate chemopreventive agents. Indeed, two large-scale epidemiological studies have demonstrated that finasteride or durasteride significantly reduced the incidence of prostate cancer formation in men. However, these studies have raised an unexpected concern; finasteride and durasteride increased the occurrence of aggressive prostate tumor formation. In the present study, we have observed that treatment of finasteride did not affect the growth of androgen-refractory PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Finasteride also failed to induce apoptosis or affect the expression of proto-oncogenes in PC-3 cells. Interestingly, we found that treatment of finasteride induced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in PC-3 cells. In particular, basal level of Nrf2 protein was higher in androgen-refractory prostate cancer cells, e.g. DU-145 and PC-3 cells, compared with androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells, e.g. LNCaP cells. Also, treatment of finasteride resulted in a selective induction of Nrf2 protein in DU-145 and PC-3 cells, but not in LNCaP cells. In view of the fact that upregulation of Nrf2-mediated phase II cytoprotective enzymes contribute to attenuating tumor promotion in normal cells, but, on the other hand, confers a selective advantage for cancer cells to proliferate and survive against chemical carcinogenesis and other forms of toxicity, we propose that finasteride-mediated induction of Nrf2 protein might be responsible, at least in part, for an increased risk of high-grade prostate tumor formation in men.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.44-47
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• 2002

The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on masculine copulatory behaviour were studied in the middle aged male Sprague-Dawley rats, 9 months old and retired breeders after dosing them with 500 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days prior to test. The test lasted for 30 minutes after a 20 minute adaptation period, was carried out on the 11th day during the dark phase of the light-dark cycle (2000-0700 hours) and in subdued light, using a modified copulation cage but with the presence of a piece of mirror of appropriate size to facilitate observation. Results showed that the mean values of EL-1, EL-2 and EL-3 of the control middle aged male rats were 103.20 sec, 91.21 sec and 80.00 sec but were significantly (p<0.05) increased to 118.40-120.20 sec, 101.24-171.28 sec and 100.42-110.21 sec respectively in the methanol-chloroform, methanol-butanol-water and methanol-butanol treated middle aged male rats. However, further results also showed that PEI-1 and PEI-2 of the control middle aged male rats were 182.30 sec and 257.2 sec but were significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 100.42-121.31 sec and 40.21-132.31 sec respectively in the methanol-chloroform-butanol-water and methanol-butanol treated middle aged male rats. In conclusion, this study showed that although E. longifolia Jack continued to enhance the sexual activity of the middle aged male rats by extending the duration of coitus and decreasing the refractory period between the different series of copulation, but to a smaller degree as compared to sexually active, adult male rats (Ang and Sim, 1997).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1987

To verify the direct effects of the thyroid hormone ($T_3$) on the rabbit heart, $T_3$-Tyrode solution in vitro was perfused on the normal atrial muscles and enzymatically isolated ventricular myocytes of the rabbit. All the experimental procedures were conducted at $35^{\circ}C$ and the same procedures were repeated after Ca. 120 minutes from the beginning of $T_3$-Tyrode perfusion. Compared to the state between the normal Tyrode solution and $T_3$-Tyrode solution, results were observed on the same cells by electrophysiological methods (conventional intracellular recording and whole cell patch clamping) as soon as possible. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Action potential duration (APD) on the left atrial muscle was reduced under the perfusion of $T_3$-Tyrode. 2. Absolute refractory Period was shortened by $T_3$-Tryrode perfusion. (117 msec./114 msec., 90 msec./78 msec.) 3. Maximal Ca currents ($i_{Ca}$) were decreased in single: ventricular myocytes under the $T_3$-Tyrode (2.98 nA) than under the normal Tyrode (6.65 nA) 4. On I-V relation, reversal potential was shifted to lower membrane potential and membrane potential showing maximal $i_{Ca}$was lowered from +10mV to -20mV by $T_3$ effect. 5. Above results were likely to explain that tachycardia in the hyperthyroid state was caused in part by the reduced repolarization phase and the reduced refractory period due to the decrease of the Ca current.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2015

This study was conducted in autumn to determine phosphorus (P) fraction in sediments of Daechung Lake, to elucidate controlling factors for sedimentary P, and to compare with the other areas. For this study, sediment samples were collected at 6 sites only once on November 2014 using ponar grab and analyzed for solid-phase P (Loosely adsorbed, Fe-bound, Al-bound, detrital apatite, and refractory organic P) by sequential extraction. Total phosphorus (TP) was relatively high in front of Daechung Dam and Hoinam where fish farm was run until 1997. The dominant sedimentary P form was Al-bound P, followed by Fe-bound P, which could be released from sediment to water column during suboxic state. Based on principal component analysis, Al-bound P, Fe-bound, and TP were controlled by grain size of sediments. Loosely adsorbed, detrital apatite, and refractory organic P were relatively highly accumulated at the mouth of major tributaries where suspended sediments were delivered. Sedimentary P concentrations in Daechung Lake sediments were not higher than in other lake sediments. Therefore, based on these results, major controlling factors were grain size and input of suspended sediments from tributaries.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2017

Two spaniel dogs were presented with a history of lethargy, weakness, refractory hypoglycemia, and episodic seizure. A pancreatic mass on the distal end of the left limb was identified through screening tests including dualphase CT angiography in each patient. Canine insulinoma was suspected with low blood glucose, low fructosamine, and normal to high serum insulin levels. Exploratory laparotomies were performed, and partial pancreatectomy using an ultrasonic-activated scalpel was achieved without enzyme leakage or fistula formation after surgery. The lesions were definitively diagnosed as insulinoma via histopathologic examination. One dog has been doing well until POD 870 with medication; in the other dog, diffuse hepatic nodules noted during surgery were confirmed as a liver metastasis. This dog died at POD 45. This case report addresses the utility of the ultrasonic scalpel in partial pancreatectomy for the treatment of canine insulinoma and differences in prognosis according to disease stage.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.604-610
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• 1999

Silicide layer structures and morphology degradation of the surface and interface of the silicide layers for he Co/refractory metal bilayer sputter-deposited on the P-doped polycrystalline Si substrate and subjected to rapid thermal annealing were investigated and compared with those on the single Si substrate. The CoSi-CoSi2 phase transition temperature is lower an morphology degradation of the silcide layer occurs more severely for the Co/refractorymetal bilayer on the P-doped polycrystalline Si substrate than on the single Si substrate. Also the final layer structure and the morphology of the films after silicidation annealing was found to depend strongly upon the interlayer metal. The layer structure after silicidation annealing of Co/Hf/doped-poly Si is Co-Hf alloy/polycrystalline CoSi2/poly Si substrate while that of Co/Nb is polycrystalline CoSi2/NbSi2/polycrystalline CoSi2/poly Si.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.5-15
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• 2001

The experiment established optimal conditions for over-carbonization. With the use of the electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis the regularities of carbon deposit formation in process of methane and propane pyrolysis on the zeolites, Kazakhstan natural clays, chrome and bauxite sludge containing metal oxides of iron subgroup, have been studied. In process of over-carbonization the trivalent iron was reduced to metal form. In addition, the carbon tubes of divers morphology had been impregnated with ultra-dispersed metal particles. The kinetic parameters of carbon formation in process of methane decomposition on the zeolite - CoO mixture surface were investigated by method of thermo-gravimetric analysis. The morphology and structure of formed carbon fibrils, with the metal particles fixed at their ends, have been investigated, the formation of branched carbon fibrils pattern, so called octopus, being found. Also, the walnut shells and grape kernel carbonization, their immobilization by the cells of selective absorption of heavy metal and sulfur dioxide ions have been studied. The example of metal-carbon composites used as adsorbents for wastewater purification, C$_3$- C$_4$ hydrocarbon cracking catalysts and refractory materials with improved properties have been considered.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.271-274
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• 2006

Unstable angina is a critical phase of coronary heart disease, with widely variable symptoms and prognoses. Recently, despite the advances in surgical revascularization, catheter-based revascularization and medical treatment, an increasing number of patients with angina pectoris are refractory to medical therapy and; therefore, can not be considered as candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting or interventional angioplasty. These patients are often treated with narcotics for pain relief, and forced to severely reduce their levels of activity and productivity. It has become clear that alleviating the pain caused by myocardial ischemia may be possible by altering the sympathetic afferent nerve fibers. Sympathetic blockade can be produced using high thoracic epidural analgesia. Herein, the case of a patient with intractable angina and poor ventricular function, who received high thoracic epidural analgesia to relieve ischemic chest pain, is reported.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2017

Refractories used in low-rank coal gasification reactors are usually exposed in a highly corrosive $H_2S$ gas at less than $1000^{\circ}C$, and their mechanical properties such as erosion resistance and fracture strength decline with the exposure time. However, the cause of the degradation of the mechanical properties has little reported yet. In this paper, two kinds of castable refractories with different refractoriness had been exposed in a $H_2O/N_2/H_2S$ mixed gas with high $H_2S$ content for 100 hours at $900^{\circ}C$, and the changes of microstructure, crystalline phases and erosion resistance were compared before and after the corrosion test. The weight of the refractories decreases due to the elution of silica in the specimens after the corrosion test. The capillary porosities of the samples are reduced, but the erosion resistance of the samples is fatally weakened after the corrosion test. There also are changes in constituent phases; dmitryivanovite ($CaAl_2O_4$) and amorphous silica ($SiO_2$) disappear, and gypsum ($CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2OS$) and kaolinite ($Al_2Si_2O_5(OH)_4$) newly appear after the corrosion test. It is obvious that the phase change from dmitryivanovite that works as a binding agent in the castable refractory to gypsum is the main reason of the degradation of the erosion resistance, because the mechanical properties of gypsum are much poorer than those of dmitryivanovite.