• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.379-384
• /
• 1998

To measure precisely the blood velocity in the skin microcirculation, we have used time domain correlation (called Cross-Correlation) based on the processing of the backscattered RF signal obtained with a wideband echographic imaging transducer, although it is difficulties of adaptation of the pulsed wave system, because of the data processing in real time and the hardware problem. This dedicated technology based on a 20MHz echographic imaging system has been developed. We present how the experimental data, i.e. the backscattered RF signal, have to be analyzed. After RF lines realignment, stationary echo canceling procedure and correlation level control, a velocity profile has been obtained. In-vitro result show that velocity measurements as low as 0.1mm/sec attainable with a 80${\mu}m$ in axial resolution. We have also validated with in-vivo experimentation on the external ear of a rabbit using B-mode sector scanning image and M-mode image of a custom made 20MHz skin image system. The flow of the "auriculares caudales" vein, a microvessel of 600 m diameter, has been detected and studied. This technique will allow a more precise exploration of circulatory troubles in cutaneous pathologies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.1115-1123
• /
• 2016

_L-Asparaginase (E.C. 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme involved in asparagine hydrolysis and has the potential to effect leukemic cells and various other cancer cells. We identified the _L-asparaginase gene (_L-ASPG86) in the genus Mesoflavibacter, which consists of a 1,035 bp open reading frame encoding 344 amino acids. Following phylogenetic analysis, the deduced amino acid sequence of _L-ASPG86 (_L-ASPG86) was grouped as a type I asparaginase with respective homologs in Escherichia coli and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The _L-ASPG86 gene was cloned into the pET-16b vector to express the respective protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Recombinant _L-asparaginase (r-_L-ASPG86) showed optimum conditions at 37-40℃, pH 9. Moreover, r-_L-ASPG86 did not exhibit glutaminase activity. In the metal ions test, its enzymatic activity was highly improved upon addition of 5 mM manganese (3.97-fold) and magnesium (3.35-fold) compared with the untreated control. The specific activity of r-_L-ASPG86 was 687.1 units/mg under optimum conditions (37℃, pH 9, and 5 mM MnSO₄).

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2009

As part of an investigation to identify microorganisms that are biotechnologically interesting for industrial application, we isolated a bacterial strain from Chungkookjang that produces extracellular neutral lipase. In addition, the crude enzyme was characterized. This isolated strain, designated as JKA-3 was identified as Bacillus subtilis JKA-3 based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence. The cells were rod-shaped and $0.6-0.8{\times}2.0-2.3\;{\mu}m$ in size. Optimal growth conditions were $35-40^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0-8.0. The isolate was able to grow in up to 0-10.0% (w/v) NaCl. Optimal activity conditions of the crude lipase fraction of B. subtilis JKA-3 were pH of 7.0 at $35^{\circ}C$. This enzyme was stable in the pH ranging 6.0-8.0.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 2002

The construction of the T-shaped post-column flow cell has been changed to enhance the practicability as a UV-visible absorbance detector for capillary electrophoresis. In this new design, a rectangular cube-shaped inner structure is employed, which completely fits the outer rectangular tubing. This arrangement has greatly facilitated the fabrication of the T-cells. In addition, the volume for the auxiliary flow has been dramatically reduced down to 300 ${\mu}L$, and its volume flow rate is optimized at 4.2 ${\mu}L$/min. The short optical path length in the sheath flows (500 ${\mu}m$ on each side) minimizes background absorption, and thus enhances its performance in low-UV wavelengths. We have optimized the auxiliary flow rate at 50 ${\mu}m$/s, so that migration times are insensitive to the flow rate. This optimization has improved repeatabilities in migration times and peak heights. A double-beam detection scheme using a pair of photodiodes is employed to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2005

The etiologic agents of haemorragic fever with ranal syndrom (HFRS) in Korea are Hantaan and Seoul virus in the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. In order to elucidate the role of maternal immunity to Hantavirus infection in rats, the protective effect of the maternal antibody were studies by using rats experimentally infected with Seoul virus strain HR80-39. Antibody titers of sera and viral antigen against Seoul virus were investigated by indirect immunofluorscence antibody technique (IFA). The dam sera had IFA antibody titers ranging from 1:128 to 1:1,024 after parturition. In fetuses, IFA antibody titers ranged from 1: 16 to 1:64 just after birth, increased to peak titers ranged from 1:256 to 1:1,024 in the 2nd week after birth. Challenged newborn rats had IFA antibody titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:1,024 after inoculation. No viral antigen was detected in lungs or other organs of the newborn rats. The maternal antibody to Seoul virus was transferred prenatally through placenta and postnatally via colostrum from immune dams to their offspring. These results demonstrated that maternal antibody to Seoul virus was quite effective in protecting newborn rats against same virus infection.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2018

The effects of endophytic microbial inoculation and temperature on the phenolic content of tartary buckwheat (TP) sprouts were investigated. TP seeds were inoculated with Herbaspirillum spp. at concentrations (%v/v) of 0 (control), 10, 20, and 40% at 20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$ in a growth chamber for seven days. It was observed that the phenolic content (PC) including flavonoid, rutin, and tanin increased with an increase in inoculant rate at $20^{\circ}C$, whereas the PC content increased with an increase in temperature regardless of the inoculant rate. Therefore, it is suggested that increasing the inoculant rate is effective at achieving higher phenolic contents when plants are grown at lower temperatures.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.334-340
• /
• 2006

A compact biosignal monitoring device was developed. Electrodes for electrocardiogram (ECG) and a LED and silicon detector for photoplethysmogram (PPG) were used. A lead II type was arranged for ECG measurement and reflected light was measured at the finger tip for PPG. A single chip microprocessor (model ADuC812, Analog Device) controlled a measurement protocol and processed measured signals. PPG and ECG had a sampling rate of 300 Hz with 8-bit resolution. The maximum power consumption was 100 mW. The microprocessor computed pulse transit time (PTT) between the R-wave of ECG and the peak of PPG. To increase the resolution of PTT, analog peak detectors obtained the peaks of ECG and PPG whose interval was calculated using an internal clock cycle of 921.6 kHz. The device was designed to be operated by 3-volt battery. Biosignals can be measured for $2{\sim}3$ days continuously without the external interruptions and data is stored to an on-board memory. Our system was successfully tested with human subjects.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.178-185
• /
• 2016

Tear is a promising biological fluid for non-invasive health monitoring. It has been studied in the past to be a possible candidate for the diagnosis of certain systemic diseases, such as breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer, and diabetes. However, currently existing methods for collecting and extracting tear from the human eye causes inconsistencies in the biomolecule concentrations of the tear sample due to the irritating nature of the process. In response, we designed and fabricated a microfluidic system embedded soft contact-lens for the purpose of tear sampling. The lens was then tested with artificial tear for its tear sampling capability, and found to be able to find concentration equilibrium within 50 minutes. Additionally, simulation was carried out to further optimize the design so that tear sampling rate matched the natural tear turn-over rate of 1 microliter per minute.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.712-721
• /
• 2016

This experiment was conducted to investigate the endophytic bacterium Herbaspirillum spp effect on seed germination and sprout growth of tartary buckwheat. Inoculant concentration (%v/v) and seed soaking time were applied 10, 20 and 40% and 0, 4, 8, 12 hour, respectively. The experiment was carried out in a growth chamber maintained temperature at 20, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$ without light for 7 days. Results showed that, 10 to 20% (v/v) inoculant concentration by 4 to 8 h seed soaking time at $20^{\circ}C$ temperature increased seed vigor rate and total seed germination rate 80-95% and 90-100%, respectively. On the other and, seed inoculation with Herbaspirillum spp. increased hypocotyl length (13-15 cm), root length (8-11 cm), total fresh weight (135-296 g) and total dry weight (7-10 g), compared to control. It is indicated that sprouts growth and yield depends on inoculation concentrations, seed soaking time and temperature. Therefore, it would be suggested that seed inoculation with Herbaspirillum spp. at concentration of 10 to 20% (v/v), soaking time 4 to 8 h and temperature $20^{\circ}C$ promote seed germinations and sprout growth rate of tartary buckwheat.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8351-8358
• /
• 2016

Electronic cleansing is an image post processing technique in which the tagged colonic content is subtracted from colon using CTC images. There are post processing artefacts, like: 1) soft tissue degradation; 2) incomplete cleansing; 3) misclassification of polyp due to pseudo enhanced voxels; and 4) pseudo soft tissue structures. The objective of the study was to subtract the tagged colonic content without losing the soft tissue structures. This paper proposes a novel adaptive method to solve the first three problems using a multi-step algorithm. It uses a new edge model-based method which involves colon segmentation, priori information of Hounsfield units (HU) of different colonic contents at specific tube voltages, subtracting the tagging materials, restoring the soft tissue structures based on selective HU, removing boundary between air-contrast, and applying a filter to clean minute particles due to improperly tagged endoluminal fluids which appear as noise. The main finding of the study was submerged soft tissue structures were absolutely preserved and the pseudo enhanced intensities were corrected without any artifact. The method was implemented with multithreading for parallel processing in a high performance computer. The technique was applied on a fecal tagged dataset (30 patients) where the tagging agent was not completely removed from colon. The results were then qualitatively validated by radiologists for any image processing artifacts.