• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 1983

This study was performed to get the basic information on nitric acid pulping of beech wood. In order to reduce the consumption of nitric acid, alkali pretreated woods were applied to a nitric acid pulping process. It consisted of nitric acid treatment to a high residual lignin content and the subsequent delignification with alkali, required far less chemical than the single stage method. At the first stage of nitric pulping, pulp yield descreased with increasing cooking time and 3 percent of nitric acid was more effective on the delignification of wood than 1 or 2 percent. Alkali pretreatment of wood improved significantly the rate of delignification, and 79 percent of the pretreated yield was good enough for excellent delignification. The dissolution of carbohydrate (mainly xylose) was increased with increasing cooking time, especially at the second stage. It would be considered that carbonyl groups introduced to polysaccharides in wood by nitric acid oxidation caused the degradation of carbohydrates.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 1996

A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the treatment modalities and treatment results in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. From Feb. 1977 to March 1994, 10 patients with the disease were treated at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Six men and 4 women were presented with median age of 57 years. According to AJCC TNM system, all patients except one had advanced T3 and T4 disease. Only one patient had the regional metastasis to lymph node but none of them had hematogenous metastasis on initial admission. One patient(Group 1) was treated with surgery alone, 3 patients(Group 2) were treated with definitive radiotherapy and 6 patients(Group 3) were treated with combination of surgery and radiotherapy. One patient who was treated with surgery alone had experienced a locoregional recurrence 9 months later and 3 patients who were treated with radiation therapy alone had PRs(partial response) followed by the subsequent progression of the local disease. Whereas all patients who were treated with combination of surgery and radiation therapy had CRs(complete response). Among them, only one patient was recurred in the primary site, who was salvaged by reoperation and reirradiation therapy. In conclusion, combination of surgery and radiotherapy resulted in the best treatment modality for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. Improved radiotherapy technique and development of multimodality treatment are needed to improve the local control and the survival rate in patients with advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.240-248
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• 2006

Control of white rot which is one of the most serious apple diseases in Korea has mainly relied on periodical spray of protective fungicides. As the main inoculum source of the disease is pycnidiospores produced in the warts formed on affected stems of apple tree, it can be conceivable that inhibition of spore production might be an effective means for controlling the disease. Inhibitory efficacy of eight selected fungicides against sporulation of the fungus was assessed by counting the number of spores produced at detached warts treated with the fungicides of recommended dilution. They showed diverse effect on sporulation. Carbendazim and azoxystrobin suppressed sporulation almost completely, the former irreversively. Thiram and folpet promoted sporulation as producing much more number of spores than untreated control. Others showed almost no effect on sporulation. Effects of suppression and promotion in the sporulation shown by the fungicides on the control of white rot were examined by incidences of disease and infection at the plots adopted the spray programs of which the fungicide at late May was substituted by carbendazim, azoxystrobin, folpet and thiram, respectively. Disease incidence and infection frequency at the plots sprayed former two chemicals which suppressed sporulation were much lower than those of the plots adopted latter two chemicals and untreated plot at which the fungicide spray was skipped at that time. These facts were reconfirmed in the experiments conducted with carbendazim and thiram, in which 100 fruits were bagged just prior to each spray from late May to late July for elucidating the effect of the two fungicides on the action of subsequent ones. Disease incidence and infection frequency on the fruit bagged just prior to each spray were gradually increased as the seasons going on. The increase rate at the carbendazim plot was much lower than that of thiram. Especially, the fruit infected till late July at the carbendazim plot were almost completely cured by the three fungicides, iminoctadine-triacetate, tebuconazole and samzinwang, a combined formular of iminoctadine-triacetate and difenoconazole, sprayed at late July and hence. In thiram plot, infected fruit were also cured by the 3 fungicides but not remarkable. From these results, it can be concluded that control efficiency of white rot can be greatly enhanced by selecting the fungicide capable of suppress the sporulation of white rot fungus at the season when the mass dispersal of spores is not initiated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6073-6080
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• 2015

Background: Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7)/interleukin-24 (IL-24), a unique tumor suppressor gene, has killing activity in a broad spectrum of cancer cells. Herein, plasmids producing mda-7 proteins fused to different RGD peptides (full RGD4C and shortened RGD, tRGD) were evaluated for apoptosis induction with a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep-G2. The study aim was to improve the apoptosis potency of mda-7 by tethering to RGD peptides. Materials and Methods: Three plasmids including mda-7, mda-7-RGD and mda-7-tRGD genes beside a control vector were transfected into Hep-G2 cells. After 72 hours incubation, cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. In addition, the rate of apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry using PI/annexin staining. To detect early events in apoptosis, 18 hours after transfection, expression of the BAX gene was quantified by real time PCR. Modeling of proteins was also performed to extrapolate possible consequences of RGD modification on their structures and subsequent attachment to receptors. Results and Conclusions: In MTT assays, while all mda-7 forms showed measurable inhibition of proliferation, unmodified mda-7 protein exhibited most significant effect compared to control plasmid (P<0.001). Again, flow cytometry analysis showed a significant apoptosis induction by simple mda-7 gene but not for those RGD-fused mda-7 proteins. These findings were also supported by expression analysis of BAX gene (P<0.001). Protein modelling analysis revealed that tethering RGD at the end of IL-24/Mda7 disrupt attachment to cognate receptor, IL-20R1/IL-20R2. In conclusion, fusion of RGD4C and shortened RGD peptides to carboxyl terminal of mda7, not only reduce apoptosis property in vitro but also disrupt receptor attachment as demonstrated by protein modelling.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2251-2255
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• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate 10 years of false positive urine cytology records, along with follow-up histologic and cytologic data, to determine the significance of suspicious urine cytology findings. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of urine samples harvested between January 2002 and December 2012 from voided and catheterized urine from the bladder. Among the 21,283 urine samples obtained during this period, we located 1,090 eligible false positive findings for patients being evaluated for the purpose of confirming urothelial carcinoma (UC). These findings were divided into three categories: atypical, indeterminate, and suspicious of malignancy. Results: Of the 1,090 samples classified as false positive, 444 (40.7%) were categorized as atypical, 367 (33.7%) as indeterminate, and 279 (25.6%) as suspicious of malignancy. Patients with concomitant UC accounted for 105 (23.6%) of the atypical samples, 147 (40.1%) of the indeterminate samples, and 139 (49.8%) of the suspicious of malignancy samples (p<0.0001). The rate of subsequent diagnosis of UC during a 1-year follow-up period after harvesting of a sample with false positive urine cytology initially diagnosed as benign was significantly higher in the suspicious of malignancy category than in the other categories (p<0.001). The total numbers of UCs were 150 (33.8%) for atypical samples, 213 (58.0%) for indeterminate samples, and 199 (71.3%) for samples categorized as suspicious of malignancy. Conclusions: Urine cytology remains the most specific adjunctive method for the surveillance of UC. We demonstrated the clinical value of dividing false positive urine cytology findings into three categories, and our results may help clinicians better manage patients with suspicious findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4727-4731
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• 2013

Background: There have been no large-scale population-based studies to estimate the subsequent risk of primary liver cancer (PLC) among patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). This study aimed to provide relevant data. Materials and Methods: The Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database for the years 2000 and 2005 was used. The PLA group were adult inpatients who were newly diagnosed with PLA from 2000 to 2008. The control group was randomly selected and matched with the PLA group in terms of age, sex, and date in which medical treatment was sought other than for PLA. Results: There were 1,987 patients each in the PLA and control groups. In total, 56 had PLC, 48 (2.4%, 601.5 per 100,000 person-years) from the PLA group, and 8 from the control group. After adjusting for potential covariates, the hazard ratio of PLC for the PLA group was 3.4 times that of the control group (95% confidence interval = 1.6-7.3, p <0.001). The PLC risk for the PLA group was significantly higher within the first year after PLA diagnosis (hazard ratio: 35.4) as compared with the control group and became insignificant (hazard ratio: 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 0.8-4.9) more than one year after PLA diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with PLA have a higher rate of PLC than matched controls, especially within the first year after the diagnosis of PLA, suggesting PLA is a warning sign for PLC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.948-956
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• 2000

The effect of high and low level of feed intakes on nutrient digestibility, nutrient losses through methane, energy and protein utilization by goats fed on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pellets based diets was investigated in this study. Twelve castrated Japanese goats were employed in two subsequent digestion and metabolism trials. The goats were divided into three groups, offered three diets. Diet 1 consisted of 100% alfalfa pellet, Diet 2 was 70% alfalfa pellet and 30% corn, and Diet 3 was 40% alfalfa pellet and 60% corn. The two intake levels were high (1.6 times) and low (0.9 times) the maintenance requirement of total digestible nutrients (TON). Rumen ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) level of Diet 1 was lower (p<0.001) compared to Diets 2 and 3, but the values were always above the critical level (I50 mg/liter), The pH values of rumen liquor ranged from 6.02 to 7.30. Apparent digestibility of nutrient components did not show differences (p>0.05) between the two intake levels but inclusion of corn significantly altered the nutrient digestibility. Diet 3 had highest (p<0.001) dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen fee extract (NFE) digestibility followed by the Diet 2 and Diet 1. The crude protein (CP) digestibility values among the three diets were in a narrow range (70.1 to 70.8%). Crude fiber (CF) digestibility for Diet 3 was slight higher (p>0.05) than that for other two diets. When alfalfa was replaced by corn, there were highly significant (p<0.001) increases in DM, OM, EE and NFE apparent digestibility and a slight increase in the CF digestibility (p>0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) in energy losses as methane ($CH_4$) and heat production among the diets but energy loss through urine was higher for the Diet 1. The total energy loss as $CH_4$ and heat production were higher for the high intake level but the energy loss as $CH_4$ per gram DM intake were same (0.305 kcal/g) between the high and low intake level. Retained energy (RE) was higher for Diet 3 and Diet 2. Nitrogen (N) losses through feces and urine were higher (p<0.001) for Diet 1. Consequently, N retention was lower (p>0.05) for Diet 1 and higher in Diets 3 and 2. It is concluded that inclusion of corn with alfalfa increased the metabolizable energy (ME) and RE, and retained N through reducing the energy and N losses. The high level of intake reduced the rate of nutrient losses through feces and urine.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.547-556
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• 2007

The release, sampling and analytical methods have been developed and tested for perfluorocarbons (PFCs) atmospheric tracers in order to gain insight into the atmospheric transport and dispersion over the urban conditions of Seoul, Korea. Although PFCs tracer experiments provide unique opportunities to test local and urban scale of transport and dispersion, no previous experiment with PFCs has been conducted in Korea. PMCH and PDCH were chosen as targeted tracers in our study due to their extreme low ambient concentrations and great sensitivities among various PFCs. For PFCs release system, a set of micro-metering pump, electronic balance, vaporizing furnace and high speed blower was constructed for precise and accurate release of tracers. The precision of released rate by this system was estimated to be 1%. Samplings of PFCs were carried out by fabricated portable air samplers with micro pumps and rotameters into glass tubes packed with 150 mg of Carboxen-569. The uncertainty of these sampling system was maintained below 14%. PMCH and PDCH were quantified in GC/ECD with preconditioned injection system to eliminate the interference compounds using traps and subsequent catalytic conversion system prior to column separation. Three intensive field test were undertaken during the springtime of 2002 to 2004 in eastern part of Seoul. Daily background samples were collected to characterize the background levels of PMCH and PDCH prior to their release. The observed background concentrations of PMCH ranged from 3.5 to 10.1 fL/L and varied randomly in location and time in this study. Its mean and standard variation of background concentration ($6.8{\pm}1.9\;fL/L$) are higher than those ($3.2{\sim}5.8\;fL/L$) of other historic tracer studies. Identified uncertainty for background PMCH was $1.7{\sim}2.0\;fL/L$ using this analytical system. Combined relative uncertainty in determining the tracer's concentrations was estimated as 17%. However, its background concentrations and uncertainty in concentration determination were found to be low and stable enough for tracer study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.334-339
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• 2007

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generate during electrical activation of oocytes which has detrimental effects on embryo survival when overwhelmed. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of L-ascorbic acid, a novel water soluble antioxidant, to reduce the ROS level in developing embryos and their subsequent effects on embryo development in vitro. The compact cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 4 IU/ml pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) for 44 h. After maturation culture, the denuded oocytes were activated with a single DC pulse of 2.0 kV/cm in 0.3 M mannitol solution containing 0.5 mM of HEPES, 0.1 mM of $CaCl_2$ and 0.1 mM of $MgCl_2$ for $30{\mu}s$ using a BTX Electro-cell Manipulator. The activated oocytes were cultured in modified North Carolina State University-23 (mNSCU-23) medium for 168 h. The level of $H_2O_2$ in each embryo was measured by the dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA) method at 48 h after activation. The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher when culture medium was supplemented with 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (31.2 and 38.7%, respectively) compared to non-supplemented (16.1%) group. Accordingly, significantly more cells in blastocyst were found for 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (50.0 and 56.4, respectively) compared to 0 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (36.5 and 39.8, respectively). L-ascorbic acid reduces the $H_2O_2$ level in developing embryos in a dose-dependant manner. The $H_2O_2$ level (pixels/ embryos) was 191.5, 141.0, 124.0 and 163.3 for 0, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid, respectively. So, we recommend to supplement 50 or $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid in porcine in vitro culture medium.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.969-976
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• 2009

Use of oocytes from prepubertal animals for in vitro embryo production holds potential application for reducing generation intervals and increasing genetic progress through embryo transfer. The objective of these studies was to compare the effect of three sperm pretreatments (prior to in vitro fertilization) and seven embryo culture protocols on fertilization rate and (or) subsequent development of in vitro fertilized embryos derived from oocytes harvested from ovaries of 1-6 month old prepubertal Boer goats in China. Cleavage rates were highest for embryos fertilized with heparin-treated versus calcium ionophore- or caffeine-treated sperm. Similar rates of blastocyst development were observed using heparin- and ionophore-treated sperm, which were higher than obtained with caffeine-treated sperm. No differences in cleavage or blastocyst rates were observed following embryo culture in basal medias (synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF), Charles Rosenkrans 1 (CR1) or tissue culture medium-199 (TCM-199)) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cumulus or oviductal cell co-culture did not enhance cleavage or blastocyst rates relative to culture in SOF+10% FBS. Replacement of FBS in SOF medium with 0.3% BSA increased cleavage rates, but did not increase rates of blastocyst development. Sequential culture in SOF+0.3% BSA followed by SOF+10% FBS increased blastocyst yield versus continuous culture in SOF+10% FBS and tended to increase blastocyst yield versus continuous culture in SOF+0.3% BSA. These results demonstrate a pronounced effects of sperm pretreatments and in vitro embryo culture systems on rates of blastocyst development and provide a potential protocol (sperm pretreatment with heparin and sequential embryo culture in SOF+0.3% BSA followed by SOF+10% FBS) for generation of the significant numbers of in vitro produced blastocysts from oocytes of prepubertal Boer goats necessary for application of embryo transfer in rural regions of China for distribution of Boer goat genetics.