• BMB Reports
• /
• 제34권4호
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2001

Tryptic activation of the 130-kDa Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4B $\delta$-endotoxin produced protease-resistant products of ca. 47 kDa and ca. 21 kDa. The 21-kDa fragment was identified as the N-terminal five-helix bundle (${\alpha}1-{\alpha}5$,) which is a potential candidate for membrane insertion and pore formation. In this study, we constructed the recombinant clone over-expressing this putative pore-forming (PPF) fragment as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. The partially purified inclusions were composed of a 23-kDa protein, which cross-reacted with Cry4B antibodies, and whose N-terminus was identical to that of the 130-kDa protein. Dissimilar to protoxin inclusions, the PPF inclusions were only soluble when the carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, was supplemented with 6 M urea. After renaturation via a stepwise dialysis, the refolded PPF protein appeared to exist as an oligomer and was structurally stable upon trypsin treatment. Unlike the 130kDa protoxin, the refolded protein was able to release entrapped glucose from liposomes, and showed comparable activity to the full-length activated toxin, although it lacks larvicidal activity These results, therefore, support the notion that the PPF fragment that consists of ${\alpha}1-{\alpha}5$ of the activated Cry4B toxin is involved in membrane pore-formation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• 제23권5호
• /
• pp.12.1-12.8
• /
• 2020

Background: An 8-week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (MW; Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available nutrient-rich feedstuff for rainbow trout fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Methods: Triplicate groups of fish (mean ± SE; 1.11 ± 0.01 g) were assigned to each of the five isonitrogenous and isocaloric practical diets containing graded level of a full fat MW (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28%) at the expense of fish meal (designated as MW0, MW7, MW14, MW21, and MW28, respectively). Results: Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate significantly increased with increasing dietary MW level up to 14% and then declined when dietary MW levels further increased to 28%. Significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and lower feed conversion ratio were found in fish fed with diets containing MW compared to fish fed the control MW0. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly higher in fish fed MW7 diet compared to fish fed the MW0 diet. Fish fed the MW14 and MW28 diets had significantly higher lysozyme activities than those fed the MW0 diet. Conclusions: Overall, the efficacy of MW as promising alternative to fish meal in practical diets for rainbow trout fry has been proved not only in relation to growth rates and feed utilization, but also from the viewpoint of immunopotentiation effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2014

This study aims to determine the effect of a trained dedicated dietitian on clinical outcomes among Lebanese hemodialysis (HD) patients: and thus demonstrate a viable developing country model. This paper describes the study protocol and baseline data. The study was a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel-group design involving 12 HD units: assigned to cluster A (n = 6) or B (n = 6). A total of 570 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients in cluster A were randomly assigned as per dialysis shift to the following: Dedicated Dietitian (DD) (n = 133) and Existing Practice (EP) (n = 138) protocols. Cluster B patients (n = 299) received Trained Hospital Dietitian (THD) protocol. Dietitians of the DD and THD groups were trained by the research team on Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative nutrition guidelines. DD protocol included: individualized nutrition education for 2 hours/month/HD patient for 6 months focusing on renal osteodystrophy and using the Trans-theoretical theory for behavioral change. EP protocol included nutrition education given to patients by hospital dietitians who were blinded to the study. The THD protocol included nutrition education to patients given by hospital dietitian as per the training received but within hospital responsibilities, with no set educational protocol or tools. Baseline data revealed that 40% of patients were hyperphosphatemics (> 5.5 mg/dl) with low dietary adherence and knowledge of dietary P restriction in addition to inadequate daily protein intake ($58.86%{\pm}33.87%$ of needs) yet adequate dietary P intake ($795.52{\pm}366.94$ mg/day). Quality of life (QOL) ranged from 48-75% of full health. Baseline differences between the 3 groups revealed significant differences in serum P, malnutrition status, adherence to diet and P chelators and in 2 factors of the QOL: physical and social functioning. The data show room for improvement in the nutritional status of the patients. The NEMO trial may be able to demonstrate a better nutritional management of HD patients.

• 한국강구조학회 논문집
• /
• 제15권3호
• /
• pp.299-311
• /
• 2003

점진적 소성화를 고려한 공간뼈대구조의 극한강도를 평가하기 위한 비선형 유한요소 해석법을 제시한다. 유한한 회전각의 2차항 까지 고려된 개선된 변위장을 도입하여 결과적으로 축력뿐만 아니라 휨모멘트 그리고 비틂모멘트에 의한 비선형 효과를 모두 고려한다. 탄-소성 해석을 위하여 소성힌지 개념을 도입하고 비선형 해석방법으로 하중 및 변위증분법을 이용한다. 잔류응력 분포에 의거한 초기항복함수를 정의하고 축력뿐만 아니라 모멘트의 함수로 표현되는 소성영역함수를 사용하여 flow rule과 normality condition을 적용하여 탄-소성 강도매트릭스를 도출한다. 계산시간이 빠른 기존의 소성힌지 해석기법을 사용하는 동시에 소성영역의 진전효과를 효율적으로 나타내었다. 요소의 소성화 진행정도를 나타내는 파라미터를 도입하고 여러 가지 강도감소모델을 사용하여 극한해석을 수행하여 그 결과를 소성영역해석, 쉘요소를 이용한 정밀해석 그리고 실험결과와 비교하였다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.104-109
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Regurgitation is a common physiological phenomenon in infants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new anti-regurgitation (AR) formula (Novalac), thickened with an innovative complex including fibres, on the daily number of regurgitations and to assess its impact on stool consistency and frequency. Methods: Infants younger than five months, presenting at least 5 regurgitations per day were recruited in this trial. The efficacy of the new formula on regurgitation (daily number and Vandenplas score), stool frequency and consistency were assessed at day 14 and 90. Growth data were recorded at each study visit. Results: Ninety babies (mean age $9.6{\pm}5.8weeks$) were included in the full analysis data set. The mean number of regurgitation episodes at inclusion was $7.3{\pm}3.4$. In all infants, regurgitations improved after 2 weeks. The daily number of regurgitations decreased significantly ($-6.3{\pm}3.3$, p<0.001) including in those previously fed a thickened formula ($-6.2{\pm}3.0$, p<0.001). There was no significant change in stool consistency at day 14. After 3 months, 97.5% of infants had formed or soft stools. Growth was appropriate with a slight increase of weight-for-age z-score (from $-0.5{\pm}1.0$ to $-0.1{\pm}0.9$) and no change of weight-for length z-score ($-0.1{\pm}1.1$ to $-0.1{\pm}-1.1$). Conclusion: The new AR formula thickened with an innovative complex is very effective in reducing the daily number of regurgitations without having a negative impact on stools consistency.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• 제39권3호
• /
• pp.164-171
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Designing in situ models for caries research is a demanding procedure, as both clinical and laboratory parameters need to be incorporated in a single study. This study aimed to construct an informative guideline for planning in situ models relevant to preexisting caries studies. Materials and Methods: An electronic literature search of the PubMed database was performed. A total 191 of full articles written in English were included and data were extracted from materials and methods. Multiple variables were analyzed in relation to the publication types, participant characteristics, specimen and appliance factors, and other conditions. Frequencies and percentages were displayed to summarize the data and the Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: There were many parameters commonly included in the majority of in situ models such as inclusion criteria, sample sizes, sample allocation methods, tooth types, intraoral appliance types, sterilization methods, study periods, outcome measures, experimental interventions, etc. Interrelationships existed between the main research topics and some parameters (outcome measures and sample allocation methods) among the evaluated articles. Conclusions: It will be possible to establish standardized in situ protocols according to the research topics. Furthermore, data collaboration from comparable studies would be enhanced by homogeneous study designs.

• 한국환경교육학회지:환경교육
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.74-90
• /
• 2000

The environmental quality in Korea was significantly deteriorated though the past economic development period. Even though the government has spent huge sum of resources on the policies and projects to improve the environmental quality, it is much removed from what the people hope for. To solve the environmental problems effectively, pollutants generated at source should be kept as minimum as possible, and possible, and pollutants from source be controlled before leaving the sources, and most of all, environmental strategies and systems be established and enforced properly. So, it is not too much to say that nation's environmental quality is entirely dependent on the education and training of the environmental managers such as environmental employees for air, water, and noise discharge facilities, technicians at environmental plants, and environmental officers of central and local governments. Regimes for the improvement of the education and training for environmental managers are suggested into four categories-educational institute, circular of the study, training contents and trainees. Referring to the improvement of integrated institute, and to improvement on educational institute, it is necessary to investigate the feasibility of integrated institute, and to recommend the inclusion of the local colleges and universities, and environmental societies. For the improvement on training courses, it is necessary that the non-obligatory course be expanded, and the courses be developed in such a way to meet the needs from the field. As for the improvement on training contents. It is suggested that the practical training on size be strengthened, and also full time environmental specialist and integrated committee be required to develop the effective circular and selection of proper lectures. Finally, environmental education for high ranked officers of autonomies, and international courses for developing countries are suggested.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제9권3호
• /
• pp.373-395
• /
• 2015

Comprehensive results from cyclic plate loading at a diameter of 300 mm supported by layers of geocell are presented. The plate load tests were performed in a test pit measuring $2000{\times}2000mm$ in plane and 700 mm in depth. To simulate half and full traffic loadings, fifteen loading and unloading cycles were applied to the loading plate with amplitudes of 400 and 800 kPa. The optimum embedded depth of the first layer of geocell beneath the loading plate and the optimum vertical spacing of geocell layers, based on plate settlement, are both approximately 0.2 times loading plate diameter. The results show that installation of the geocell layers in the foundation bed, increase the resilient behavior in addition to reduction of accumulated plastic and total settlement of pavement system. Efficiency of geocell reinforcement was decreased by increasing the number of the geocell layers for all applied stress levels and number of cycles of applied loading. The results of the testing reveal the ability of the multiple layers of geocell reinforcement to 'shakedown' to a fully resilient behavior after a period of plastic settlement except when there is little or no reinforcement and the applied cyclic pressure are large. When shakedown response is observed, then both the accumulated plastic settlement prior to a steady-state response being obtained and the resilient settlements thereafter are reduced. The use of four layers of geocell respectively decreases the total and residual plastic settlements about 53% and 63% and increases the resilient settlement 145% compared with the unreinforced case. The inclusion of the geocell layers also reduces the vertical stress transferred down through the pavement by distributing the load over a wider area. For example, at the end of the load cycle of the applied pressure of 800 kPa, the transferred pressure at the depth of 510 mm is reduced about 21.4%, 43.9%, 56.1% for the reinforced bases with one, two, and three layers of geocell, respectively, compared to the stress in the unreinforced bed.

• 한국자기학회지
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.81-84
• /
• 2009

상관효과 U가 전자구조와 자성에 미치는 영향을 검토하기 위하여 대표적 자성물질인 철의 덩어리, 단층 및 사슬 구조에 대해 연구하였다. 이를 위하여 U = 3 eV로 택하여, 총 퍼텐셜 보강 평면파동 에너지 띠 방법을 이용하여 LDA+U 및 GGA+U 근사 하에 전자구조 계산을 수행하였다. 비교를 위하여 LDA 및 GGA를 이용한 계산도 수행하였다. 그 결과 U의 효과를 포함시켰을 때 덩어리 철의 경우 자기모멘트가 $0.3{\mu}_B$ 증가하여 실험값이나 LDA 및 GGA 계산에 비해 과다하게 계산되는 것으로 나타났으나, 단층이나 사슬의 경우는 그렇게 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이로부터 전자구조 계산 시대상 계에 따라 U의 효과를 적절히 고려하여야 함을 알았다.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2011

Insect lysozymes are basic, cationic proteins synthesized in fat body and hemocytes in response to bacterial infections and depolymerize the bacterial cell wall. The c-type lysozyme of the insect Spodoptera litura (SLLyz) is a single polypeptide chain of 121 residues with four disulfide bridges and 17 rare codons and is approximately 15 kDa. The full-length SLLyz cDNA is 1039 bp long with a poly(A) tail, and contains an open reading frame of 426 bp long (including the termination codon), flanked by a 54 bp long 5' UTR and a 559 bp long 3' UTR. As a host for the production of high-level recombinant proteins, E. coli is used most commonly because of its low cost and short generation time. However, the soluble expression of heterologous proteins in E. coli is not trivial, especially for disulfide-bonded proteins. In order to prevent inclusion body formation, GST was selected as a fusion partner to enhance the solubility of recombinant protein, and fused to the amplified products encoding mature SLLyz. The expression vector pGEX-4T-1/rSLLyz was then transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS for soluble expression of rSLLyz, and the soluble fusion protein was purified successfully. Inhibition zone assay demonstrated that rSLLyz showed antibacterial activity against B. megaterium. These results demonstrate that the GST fusion expression system in E. coli described in this study is efficient and inexpensive in producing a disulfide-bonded rSLLyz in soluble, active form, and suggest that the insect lysozyme is an interesting system for future structural and functional studies.