• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.518-526
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• 2013

Gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are critical to the development and progression of chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic diseases. In this study, the effects of probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on gut-derived lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were evaluated using a human colonic microbiota model. Lactobacillus reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, Bifidobacterium animalis, B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. longum subsp. infantis were identified from the literature for their anti-inflammatory potential. Each bacterial culture was administered daily to a human colonic microbiota model during 14 days. Colonic lipopolysaccharides, and Gram-positive and negative bacteria were quantified. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were stimulated with supernatant from the human colonic microbiota model. Concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-4 cytokines were measured. Lipopolysaccharide concentrations were significantly reduced with the administration of B. bifidum ($-46.45{\pm}5.65%$), L. rhamnosus ($-30.40{\pm}5.08%$), B. longum ($-42.50{\pm}1.28%$), and B. longum subsp. infantis ($-68.85{\pm}5.32%$) (p < 0.05). Cell counts of Gram-negative and positive bacteria were distinctly affected by the probiotic administered. There was a probiotic strain-specific effect on immunomodulatory responses of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. B. longum subsp. infantis demonstrated higher capacities to reduce TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations ($-69.41{\pm}2.78%$; p < 0.05) and to increase IL-4 concentrations ($+16.50{\pm}0.59%$; p < 0.05). Colonic lipopolysaccharides were significantly correlated with TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that specific probiotic bacteria, such as B. longum subsp. infantis, might decrease colonic lipopolysaccharide concentrations, which might reduce the proinflammatory tone. This study has noteworthy applications in the field of biotherapeutics for the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.153-171
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• 2009

In this paper, the analytical fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) is presented using model-based and signal-based methodology with wavelet analysis on signals obtained from sensors and sensor networks. In the model-based FDD, we present the modeling of contact interface found in soft materials, including the biomedical contacts. Fingerprint analysis and signal-based FDD are also presented with an experimental framework consisting of a mechanical pneumatic system typically found in manufacturing automation. This diagnosis system focuses on the signal-based approach which employs multi-resolution wavelet decomposition of various sensor signals such as pressure, flow rate, etc., to determine leak configuration. Pattern recognition technique and analytical vectorized maps are developed to diagnose an unknown leakage based on the established FDD information using the affine mapping. Experimental studies and analysis are presented to illustrate the FDD methodology. Both model-based and wavelet-based FDD applied in contact interface and manufacturing automation have implication towards better quality of life by applying theory and practice to understand how effective diagnosis can be made using intelligent FDD. As an illustration, a model-based contact surface technology an benefit the diabetes with the detection of abnormal contact patterns that may result in ulceration if not detected and treated in time, thus, improving the quality of life of the patients. Ultimately, effective diagnosis using FDD with wavelet analysis, whether it is employed in biomedical applications or manufacturing automation, can have impacts on improving our quality of life.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.341-349
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• 2018

Sargassum horneri is edible brown seaweed abundant along the coasts of Jeju Island, South Korea. In addition to the native S. horneri population, a large amount of S. horneri has been found to invade Jeju Island from the east coast of China. Thus, S. horneri of both Korea (SK) and China (SC) strains now inhabits along with the shore of Jeju Island and have become a threat to the coastal biodiversity. However, they could be used in obtaining functional ingredients for industrial level applications provided an optimized cost effective strategy. In the present study, we compared SK and SC strains for the extraction efficiency, components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of 80% methanolic extracts and their partially purified fractions. According to the results, two strains indicated similar bioactive properties such as DPPH and alkyl radical scavenging activity as well as anti-inflammatory activities on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The yield of 80% methanol extract from SC was higher than SK. However, the yields of the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions from SK were higher than those of SC strain. The major peaks in the high-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms, which was identified as Apo-9 fucoxanthinone, indicated that both methanolic extracts of SK and SC contains major target peaks but with different amounts. This study might be useful for developing functional materials from SC and SK in future.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2021

Vibration is a mechanical cue that can be applied to adipose tissues for the purpose of treating obesity. However, the exact correlation between vibration and other anti-adipogenic pathways, such as development of cytoskeleton and apoptosis, remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the unknown anti-adipogenic effects of vibration with varied frequencies on preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 5% calf serum at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2 in a humidified incubator. Vibration was generated using Arduino Uno microcontroller and vibration motor module with 1 V DC, and applied to preadipocytes for 3 days. Frequency conditions were set to 20, 55, and 90 Hz. Then, the expressions of p38 pathway, ROCK-1, α-actinin, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, 8, and 3 were analyzed with western blot. As a result, p38 pathway was inhibited in 55 and 90 Hz while ROCK-1 and α-actinin were expressed in 20 Hz. Caspase-3, a terminal apoptotic factor, was activated in 20 Hz via extrinsic pathway rather than intrinsic pathway. Results suggest that various frequencies of vibration can inhibit adipogenesis via different pathways which sheds light on future mechanotransduction applications of vibration for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.379-386
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• 1993

This paper describes design of a Chaos analyser and its applications to analysis of nonlinear characteristirs of ECG. The proposed system can easily distinguish chaotic system among the various dynamical systems by chaotic quantitative and qualitative analysis and also chaotic characteristics which represents states of nonlinear dynamical system. And we have also proposed new possibilities to recognize abnormal state of ECG signal using the chaotic characteristics.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.828-835
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• 2008

We present a novel method for eye location by means of a two-level classifier scheme. Locating the eye by machine-inspection of an image or video is an important problem for Computer Vision and is of particular value to applications in biomedical imaging. Our method aims to overcome the significant challenge of an eye-location that is able to maintain high accuracy by disregarding highly variable changes in the environment. A first level of computational analysis processes this image context. This is followed by object detection by means of a two-class discrimination classifier(second algorithmic level).We have tested our eye location system using FERET and BioID database. We compare the performance of two-level classifier with that of non-level classifier, and found it's better performance.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.195-198
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• 2007

In this paper, we introduce a digital cross-polarization and fluorescent color imaging system for quantitative evaluation of skin lesions. We describe the characterization of the imaging systems and the quantitative image analysis methods to show the feasibility for quantitative evaluation of skin lesions. The polarization color image was used to compute erythema and melanin index image which are useful for quantitative evaluation of pigmentation and vascular skin lesions, respectively. The fluorescent color image was used to quantitatively evaluate "sebum" and "vitiligo". In quantitative evaluation of various skin lesions, we confirmed the clinical efficacy of the imaging systems for dermatological applications. Finally, we sure that the imaging systems can be utilized as important assistant tools for the evaluation of skin lesions by providing reproducible quantitative result for widely distributed skin lesions.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.212-230
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• 2001

Recent advances in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in development of many new protein drugs. Due to the unique properties of protein druges, they have to be delivered by parenteral injection Although delivery of protein drugs by other routes, such as pulmonary and nasal routes, has shown some promises, to date most protein drugs are administered by par-enteral routs. For long-term delivery of protein drugs by parenteral administration, they have been formulated into biodegradable microspheres. A number of microencapsulation methods have been developed, and the currently used microencapsulation methods are reviewed here, The microen-capsulation methods have been divided based on the method used. They are: solvent evapora-tion/extraction; phase separation (coacervation);spray drying; ionotropic gelation/polyelectrolyte complexation; interfacial polyumerization and supercritical fluid precipitation. Each method is de-scribed fro its applications, advantages, and limitations.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.335-343
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• 2010

This article presents a review of technologies for an endoscope. The classification according to the clinical applications and the imaging modalities are summarized. The major parts are focused on describing the gastrointestinal endoscope's structures and mechanisms. The details of the image enhanced endoscopic techniques, such as NBI (narrow band imaging), OCT (optical coherence tomography), and EUS (endoscopic ultrasound), are also explained. Finally, the trend of NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) which is new fusion technology in the field of endoscopic diagnosis and surgery is introduced.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2016

3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing technique in which has been used in various commercial fields such as engineering, art, education, and medicine. The applications such as fabrication of tissues and organs, implants, drug delivery, creation surgical models using 3D printer in medical field are expanding. Recently, 3D printing has been developing for produce biomimetic 3D structure using biomaterials containing living cells and that is commonly called "3D bio-printing". The 3D bio-printing technologies are usually classified four upon printing methods: Laser-assisted printing, Inkjet, extrusion, and stereolithograpy. In the bio-printing, bio-inks (combined hydrogels and living cells) are as important components as bio-printing technologies. The presence of various types of bioinks, however, in this review, we focused on the bio-inks which enables bioprinting efficacy using hydrogels with living cells.