• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.335-345
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• 2022

PURPOSE. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the surface characteristics of a full veneer crown fabricated chairside (CS) from a (Y, Nb)-TZP zirconia block in response to conventional zirconia grinding and polishing. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Zirconia crowns (n = 40) were first prepared and divided into two groups of materials: Labside (LS) and CS, after which each specimen went through a five-step grinding and polishing procedure. Following each surface treatment, surface characteristics were analyzed using confocal laser microscopy (CLSM), average surface roughness (Ra) values were processed from the profile data through Gaussian filtering, and X-ray diffraction pattern analysis was performed to evaluate the monoclinic (M) phase content. Then, a representative specimen was selected for field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), followed by a final analysis of the roughness and X-ray diffraction of the specimens using the independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). RESULTS. In every group, polishing significantly reduced the Ra values (P < .001). There was no significant difference in Ra between the polished state CS and LS. Furthermore, CLSM and FE-SEM investigations revealed that even though grain exposure was visible in CS specimens throughout the as-delivered and ground states, the exposure was reduced after polishing. Moreover, while no phase transformation was visible in the LS, phase transformation was visible in CS after every surface treatment, with the M phase content of the CS group showing a significant reduction after polishing (P < .001). CONCLUSION. Within the limits of this study, clinically acceptable level of surface finishing of (Y, Nb)-TZP can be achieved after conventional zirconia polishing sequence.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.1066-1070
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• 2002

10 male piglets at 5-6 weeks old with similar body weight (BW) were randomly assigned into the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) groups. The animals in EXP received intro-muscular injection with daidzein (DA) at the dose of 0.5 mg DA per kg start BW on day 1. The same procedures were repeated once every 3 days for eight times. The animals in CON received the injection only with same volume of control peanut oil. The animals were weighted on day 14 and 28 and the blood samples were obtained at different stages of the treatment for determining IGF-I levels and blood parameters. At the end of the experiment, the thymus and spleen from all the animals were surgically taken out and weighted. The results showed that BW and average daily gain (ADG) were not significantly different between the groups in term of the whole period, but ADG between days 14-28 was higher in EXP than in CON (p<0.05). On days 18, 21 and 25, IGF-I levels in EXP group were 20.53% (p<0.05), 15.92% (p>0.05) and 23.46% (p<0.05), respectively, higher than those in CON. The weights of thymus and spleen, the ratios of their weights to BW and red blood count (RBC) did not significantly differ between the groups at all stages. White blood count (WBC) in EXP steadily increased from day 22, reached its apex on day 24, which was higher than in CON (p<0.05) and its own levels on day 20 and 22 (p<0.01 or p<0.05), and remained higher on the later time (p=0.058). The results of percentage of T-Lymphocytes also demonstrated similar trend to WBC, but TLymphocyte transformation rate (%) appeared no significant change between the groups. In conclusion, Daidzein could stimulate male piglet growth and elevate serum IGF-I levels at certain stages of the treatment. It could also increase WBC and T-Lymphocyte rates, but had no significant impacts on RBC and T-Lymphocyte transformation rate.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.793-797
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• 2014

To develop a methodology for absolute determination of the surface areal density of functional groups on organic and bio thin films, medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) spectroscopy was utilized to provide references for calibration of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or Fourier transformation-infrared (FT-IR) intensities. By using the MEIS, XPS, and FT-IR techniques, we were able to analyze the organic thin film of a Ru dye compound ($C_{58}H_{86}O_8N_8S_2Ru$), which consists of one Ru atom and various stoichiometric functional groups. From the MEIS analysis, the absolute surface areal density of Ru atoms (or Ru dye molecules) was determined. The surface areal densities of stoichiometric functional groups in the Ru dye compound were used as references for the calibration of XPS and FT-IR intensities for each functional group. The complementary use of MEIS, XPS, and FT-IR to determine the absolute surface areal density of functional groups on organic and bio thin films will be useful for more reliable development of applications based on organic thin films in areas such as flexible displays, solar cells, organic sensors, biomaterials, and biochips.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6979-6983
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• 2013

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is categorized as premalignant lesion although its malignant potential is a matter of controversy. The objective of this study was to investigate Ki67 expression in OLP, oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Expression of Ki67 was evaluated through immunohistochemistry (IHC) in groups of A (17 cases of epithelial hyperplasia), B (16 cases of OLP), C1 (10 cases of mild epithelial dysplasia), C2 (10 cases of severe epithelial dysplasia), D1 (10 cases of well-differentiated OSCC), and D2 (10 cases of poorly-differentiated OSCC). Results: There was a significant difference in Ki67 expression based on quantitative analysis among the six studied groups as well as group B compared bilaterally with groups C2, D1 and D2 (p< 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between groups B and C1 or between groups D1 and D2 (p> 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study it may not be possible to definitely consider malignant transformation potential for OLP. However, expression of Ki67 was significantly higher in OLP than that of epithelial hyperplasia with no significant difference from that of mild epithelial dysplasia. This should be considered by clinicians to carefully and regularly follow up OLP lesions to detect potential subtle changes at an early stage.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.113-117
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• 2009

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Recently Yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) has been introduced due to superior flexural strength and fracture toughness compared to other dental ceramic systems. Although zirconia has outstanding mechanical properties, the phenomenon of decrease in the life-time of zirconia resulted from degradation in flexural strength after low temperature aging has been reported. PURPOSE. The objective of this study was to investigate degradation of flexural strength of Y-TZP ceramics after various low temperature aging treatments and to evaluate the phase stability and micro-structural change after aging by using X-ray diffraction analysis and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIAL AND METHODS. Y-TZP blocks of Vita In-Ceram YZ (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad $S\ddot{a}ckingen$, Germany) were prepared in 40 mm (length) $\times$ 4 mm (width) $\times$ 3 mm (height) samples. Specimens were artificially aged in distilled water by heat-treatment at a temperature of 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, and $225^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours, in order to induce the phase transformation at the surface. To measure the mechanical property, the specimens were subjected to a four-point bending test using a universal testing machine (Instron model 3365; Instron, Canton, Mass, USA). In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis (DMAX 2500; Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan) and SEM (Hitachi s4700; Jeol Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) were performed to estimate the phase transformation. The statistical analysis was done using SAS 9.1.3 (SAS institute, USA). The flexural strength data of the experimental groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and to detect statistically significant differences ($\alpha$= .05). RESULTS. The mean flexural strength of sintered Vita In-Ceram YZ without autoclaving was 798 MPa. When applied aging temperature at below $125^{\circ}C$ for 10 hours, the flexural strength of Vita In-Ceram YZ increased up to 1,161 MPa. However, at above $150^{\circ}C$, the flexural strength started to decrease. Although low temperature aging caused the tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation related to temperature, the minimum flexural strength was above 700 MPa. CONCLUSION. The monoclinic phase started to appear after aging treatment above $100^{\circ}C$. With the higher aging temperature, the fraction of monoclinic phase increased. The ratio of monoclinic/tetragonal + monoclinic phase reached a plateau value, circa 75% above $175^{\circ}C$. The point of monoclinic concentration at which the flexural strength begins to decrease was between 12% and 54%.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.192-202
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• 2019

Objectives: According to the central limit theorem, the samples in population might be considered to follow normal distribution if a large number of samples are available. Once we assume that toxicity dataset follow normal distribution, we can treat and process data statistically to calculate genus or species mean value with standard deviation. However, little is known and only limited studies are conducted to investigate whether toxicity dataset follows normal distribution or not. Therefore, the purpose of study is to evaluate the generally accepted normality hypothesis of aquatic toxicity dataset Methods: We selected the 8 chemicals, which consist of 4 organic and 4 inorganic chemical compounds considering data availability for the development of species sensitivity distribution. Toxicity data were collected at the US EPA ECOTOX Knowledgebase by simple search with target chemicals. Toxicity data were re-arranged to a proper format based on the endpoint and test duration, where we conducted normality test according to the Shapiro-Wilk test. Also we investigated the degree of normality by simple log transformation of toxicity data Results: Despite of the central limit theorem, only one large dataset (n>25) follow normal distribution out of 25 large dataset. By log transforming, more 7 large dataset show normality. As a result of normality test on small dataset (n<25), log transformation of toxicity value generally increases normality. Both organic and inorganic chemicals show normality growth for 26 species and 30 species, respectively. Those 56 species shows normality growth by log transformation in the taxonomic groups such as amphibian (1), crustacean (21), fish (22), insect (5), rotifer (2), and worm (5). In contrast, mollusca shows normality decrease at 1 species out of 23 that originally show normality. Conclusions: The normality of large toxicity dataset was not always satisfactory to the central limit theorem. Normality of those data could be improved through log transformation. Therefore, care should be taken when using toxicity data to induce, for example, mean value for risk assessment.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2002

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is based on the diversity of human being and medically developed the variation of response to diseases and medicines. The diversity is categorized as four groups Taeyangin, Taeumin, Soyangin, Soeumin according to morphology, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. The phenotypes of Sasang constitutions represent that constitutions may be possessed of the different genetic backgrounds. To clarify the genetic difference among the Sasang constitutions, we performed a genetic analysis with the 3'-UTR polymorphism of ADPRT (rs=8679) as a pooled DNA sequencing method. ADPRT modulates various nuclear proteins by poly(ADP-ribosy)lation and is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, and tumor transformation. This gene is also involved in the recovery of cell from DNA damage and the brain infarction. The allele frequencies of [T/C] polymorphism of ADPRT of Soeumin and Soyangin groups were (T: 0.94/C: 0.06) and that of Taeumin and Taeyangin groups were (T: l.00/C: 0.00). The allele frequency was not showed the difference between constitution groups. This result represented that the [T/C] polymorphism of ADPRT 3' UTR region was not suitable to classify the constitutions. However, this study is the first trial of Sasang classification according to genetic polymorphism and further analysis will be necessarily to classify the genetic difference of Sasang constitution.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4409-4412
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• 2012

Present study was undertaken to estimate and compare erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in oral submucous fibrosis, oral leukoplakia and oral cancer patients and age/sex matched healthy subjects, 25 in each group. Statistically significant (P<0.001) decrease in E-SOD and GPx levels were observed in OSF, oral leukoplakia and oral cancer groups as compared to the control group. Oral leukoplakia group showed lower levels in comparison with OSF (P>0.05). Oral cancer group had the lowest levels amongst the study groups. Imbalance in antioxidant enzyme status may be considered as one of the factors responsible for the pathogenesis of cancer and may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target to reduce the malignant transformation in oral premalignant lesions/conditions.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.4.1-4.6
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• 2010

The most common type of microarray experiment has a simple design using microarray data obtained from two different groups or conditions. A typical method to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two conditions is the conventional Student's t-test. The t-test is based on the simple estimation of the population variance for a gene using the sample variance of its expression levels. Although empirical Bayes approach improves on the t-statistic by not giving a high rank to genes only because they have a small sample variance, the basic assumption for this is same as the ordinary t-test which is the equality of variances across experimental groups. The t-test and empirical Bayes approach suffer from low statistical power because of the assumption of normal and unimodal distributions for the microarray data analysis. We propose a method to address these problems that is robust to outliers or skewed data, while maintaining the advantages of the classical t-test or modified t-statistics. The resulting data transformation to fit the normality assumption increases the statistical power for identifying DEGs using these statistics.

• Carbon letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Isotactic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with triad isotacticity of 0.53, which was determined by $^{13}C$ NMR, using dialkylmagnesium as an initiator, was successfully synthesized. Isothermal treatment of iso-PAN was conducted in air at 200, 220, 250 and $280^{\circ}C$. Structural evolutions and chemical changes were studied with Fourier transformation infrared and wide-angle X-ray diffraction during stabilization. A new parameter $CNF={I_{2240cm}}^{-1}/ ({I_{1595cm}}^{-1}+f^*{I_{1595cm}}^{-1})$ was defined to evaluate residual nitrile groups. Crystallinity and crystal size were calculated with X-ray diffraction dates. The results indicated that the nitrile groups had partly converted into a ladder structure as stabilization proceeded. The rate of reaction increased with treatment temperature; crystallinity and crystal size decreased proportionally to pyrolysis temperature. The iso-conversional method coupled with the Kissinger and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa methods were used to determine kinetic parameters via differential scanning calorimetry analysis with different heating rates. The active energy of the reaction was 171.1 and 169.1 kJ/mol, calculated with the two methods respectively and implied the sensitivity of the reaction with temperature.