• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.694-707
• /
• 2016

This study investigated the community structure of macrobenthic assemblages in the Taehwa River Estuary, Ulsan, Korea. Macrobenthos were collected with a Van Veen Grab Sampler during February and November 2012. The total species number and mean density were $176species/9.6m^2$ and $1,992inds./m^2$, respectively. Polychaetes were the most dominant faunal group in terms of species (91 species) and abundance ($1,463inds./m^2$). The major dominant species were polychaetes Minuspio japonica ($609{\pm}1,221inds./m^2$), Hediste japonica ($174{\pm}318inds./m^2$), Tharyx sp.1 ($106{\pm}283inds/m^2$), Lumbrineris longifolia ($79{\pm}207inds./m^2$), bivalve Theora fragilis ($114{\pm}272inds./m^2$) and amphipod Grandidierella japonica ($88{\pm}223inds./m^2$). Based on community statistics (cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) ordination), the macrobenthic community was divided into three station groups. Group I(freshwater dominated stations 2-6 with coarse sediment) was characterized by a high abundance of polychaetes Minuspio japonica, Hediste japonica, Capitella capitata, Pseudopolydora kempi, amphipods Grandidierella japonica and Apocorophium acutum. Group II (ecotone, stations 7-9 with mixed sediment) was numerically dominated by bivalve Theora fragilis, polychaetes Cirriformia tentaculata, Tharyx sp.1, Lumbrineris longifolia and Chaetozone sp. Finally, Group III (seawater dominated stations 10-12 with fine sediment) was characterized by a high density of polychaete Magelona japonica. These results showed that changes in salinity gradient and sedimentary characteristics were the main factors behind spatial changes in the macrobenthic communities of the Taehwa River Estuary.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.690-700
• /
• 2012

The experiment was conducted by in vitro fermentation and bacterial community analysis to investigate the reduction of odorous compounds in response to the use of feed additives (FA) during carbohydrate overload in growing pigs. Soluble starch at 1% (control) and various FA at 0.1% Ginseng meal (FA1); Persimmon leaf (FA2); Gingko nut (FA3) and Oregano lippia (FA4) were added to fecal slurry and incubated anaerobically for 12 and 24 h. In vitro parameters and microbial diversity of the dominant bacteria following fermentation were analyzed using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), band cloning and sequencing of the V3 region. Results showed that total gas production increased with the advancement of incubation (p<0.05). pH values of FAs and control groups were decreased except the FA4 group which increased somewhat from 12 to 24 h (p<0.05). Ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) and $H_2S$ gas concentrations were comparatively lower in both stages in FA4 treatment than in the other groups (p<0.05). Hence, $NH_3$-N concentrations in liquid phases were increased (p<0.05) from 12 to 24 h, but the trend was lowest in FA4 than in the other groups at both stages. The total VFA production was comparatively lower and butyrate levels were moderate in FA4 group than in the the other groups during both stages (p<0.05). Indirect odor-reducing compounds such as $NO_2$, $NO_3$ and $SO_4$ concentrations were higher in the FA4 and FA3 than in the other groups at 24 h (p<0.05). After fermentation, ten dominant bands appeared, six of which appeared in all samples and four in only the FA4 treated group. The total number of DGGE bands and diversity was higher in the FA4-group compared to other groups. Additionally, similarity indices were lowest (71%) in the FA4, which represented a different bacterial community compared with the other groups. These findings indicate that $NH_3$-N, $H_2S$ and VFA production was minimal, and pH was also better in the FA4 group than in the other groups. Furthermore, the conversion of odor-reducing indirect compounds or their intermediates was higher in the FA4 group in compared to the other groups. FA4 group generated less odorous products and more indirect products by in vitro fermentation at 24 h, and their microbial pattern appeared to differ from that of the other groups. These findings suggest that this particular FA could change the microbial population, which may have a beneficial effect on odor reduction. It is recommended that the oregano lippia may be supplied to growing pigs as FA along with excess carbohydrate sources to reduce the production of odorous compounds.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2010

The capacity of natural purification was limited by the interruption of natural flow and the problems such as eutrophication were occurred by nutritive salts accumulation in stagnant stream. Moreover, the inflow of non-point sources causes non-degradable materials to increase in stagnant stream. In this study, an upflow biological activated carbon (BAC) biofilm process comprised of anoxic, aerobic 1, and aerobic 2 reactors were introduced for treatment of stagnant stream and SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN, and TP were monitored in the upflow BAC biofilm reactors with continuous cycling. In order to simulate stagnant stream, the lake water of amusement park and golf course were stored as influent in a tank of $2m^3$ and hydraulic retention time (HRT) was changed into 6, 4, and 2 hours. At HRT 4hr and the lake water of amusement park as influent, the removal efficiencies of SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN, and TP showed the best water quality improvement and were 69.8, 83.0, 91.3, 74.1, 74.7, and 88.9%, respectively. At HRT 4hr and the lake water of golf course as influent, the removal efficiencies of SS, $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, $COD_{Cr}$, TN and TP were 78.5, 78.0, 80.2, 74.9, 55.6 and 97.5%, respectively. As the results of polymerase chain reaction - denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), microbial community was different depending on influent type. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that nitrifying bacteria was dominant at HRT 4 hr. The biomass amount and microbial activities by INT-DHA test were not decrease even at lower HRT condition. In this study, the upflow BAC biofilm process would be considered to the water quality improvement of stagnant stream.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating coronary artery disease has been reported. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of breath-hold segmented K-space cine MR imaging for evaluating the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). Materials and Method s : Thirty eight patients with a total of 92 CABGs (36 internal thoracic arteries and 56 saphenous vein grafts) were evaluated using segmented K-space cardiac-gated fast gradient echo sequence (2D-FASTCARD) MR imaging. MR magnitude images were evaluated from the hard copies by two independent observers. A graft was defined as patent if it was seen as a bright small round area on at least two consecutive images throughout the cardiac cycle at a position consistent with the expected location for that graft. Results : MR images were obtained successfully for 23 patients (61%). The sagittal planes were most helpful in visualizing the cross-section of sapheneous vein bypass graft to left circumflex artery branch, whereas the transverse planes were used for identification of internal mammary artery grafts to left anterior descending coronary artery or its branch and identification of saphenous vein grafts to right coronary artery. Forty five grafts were visible using this MR technique, while the grafts were not visible on seven saphenous vein grafts and two internal mammary artery grafts. In two patients showing symptoms of myocardial ischemia, one or two bypass grafts were not visible. Imaging, perpendicular plane to a CABG was important to visualize the flow inside the CABG with maximum sensitivity. Conclusion : Evaluation of patency of the bypass graft was clinically feasible by 2D-FASTCARD MR imaging, whereas any invisible bypass grafts should be further studied by contrast-enhanced MR angiography or by conventional angiography for confirmation of abnormalities.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.281-287
• /
• 2013

A major barrier to progress in pig to primate organ transplantation or cell therapy is the presence of terminal ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyl epitopes on the surface of pig cells. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to establish and cha- racterize mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) derived from ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock out (GalT KO) pig to confirm their potential for cell therapy. Bone marrow (BM)-MSCs from GalT KO pig of 1 month old were isolated by Ficoll-Paque PLUS gradient and cultured with A-DMEM + 10% FBS on plastic dishes in 5% $CO_2$ incubator at 38.5. GalT KO BM-MSCs were analyzed for the expression of CD markers ($CD45^-$, $29^+$, $90^+$ and $105^+$) and in vitro differentiation ability (adiopogenesis and osteogenesis). Further, cell proliferation capacity and cell aging of GalT KO BM-MSCs were compared to Wild BM-MSCs by BrdU incorporation assay (Roche, Germany) using ELISA at intervals of two days for 7 days. Finally, the cell size was also evaluated in GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs. Statistical analysis was performed by T-test (P<0.05). GalT KO BM-MSCs showed fibroblast-like cell morphology on plastic culture dish at passage 1 and exhibited $CD45^-$, $29^+$, $90^+$ and $105^+$ expression profile. Follow in ginduction in StemPro adipogenesis and osteogenesis media for 3 weeks, GalT KO BM-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, as demonstrated by Oilred Ostaining of lipid vacuoles and osteocytes, as confirmed by Alizarinred Sstaining of mineral dispositions, respectively. BrdU incorporation assay showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation capacity of GalT KO BM-MSCs compared to Wild BM-MSCs from 3 day, when they were seeded at $1{\times}10^3$ cells/well in 96-well plate. Passage 3 GalT KO and Wild BM-MSCs at 80% confluence in culture dish were allowed to form single cells to calculate cell size. The results showed that GalT KO BM-MSCs($15.0{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$) had a little larger cell size than Wild BM-MSCs ($13.5{\pm}0.3{\mu}m$). From the above findings, it is summarized that GalT KO BM-MSCs possessed similar biological properties with Wild BM-MSCs, but exhibited a weak cell proliferation ability and resistance to cell aging. Therefore, GalT KO BM-MSCs might form a good source for cell therapy after due consideration to low proliferation potency in vitro.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2013

To investigate effects of phase mask on susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) using voxel-based analyses in normal elderly subjects. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence ran to obtain SWIs in 20 healthy elderly subjects. SWIs with two (SWI2) and four (SWI4) phase multiplications were achieved with positive (PSWI) and negative (NSWI) phase masks to investigate phase mask effects. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using paired t-tests between PSWI and NSWI and between SWI2 and SWI4. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and SWI4 were larger than those between magnitude images and SWI2s. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and PSWIs were larger than those between magnitude images and NSWIs. Moreover, the signal intensities from NSWI2s and NSWI4s were greater than those from PSWI2s and PSWI4s, respectively. More differences of signal intensities between NSWI4 and PSWI4s were found than those between NSWI2s and PSWI2s in the whole brain images. The voxel-based analyses of SWI could be beneficial to investigate susceptibility differences on the entire brain areas. The phase masking method could be chosen to enhance brain tissue contrast rather than to enhance venous blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to apply voxel-based analyses of SWI to investigate clinical applications.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2010

Purpose : To compare the relative values of various fast breath-hold imaging sequences for superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO)-enhanced hepatic MRI for the assessment of solid focal lesions with a 3T MRI unit. Materials and Methods : 102 consecutive patients with one or more solid malignant hepatic lesions were evaluated by spoiled gradient echo (GRE) sequences with three different echo times (2.4 msec [GRE_2.4], 5.8 msec [GRE_5.8], and 10 msec [GRE_10]) for $T2^*$-weighted imaging in addition to T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence following intravenous SPIO injection. Image qualities of the hepatic contour, vascular landmarks and artifacts were rated by two independent readers using a four-point scale. For quantitative analysis, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured in 170 solid focal lesions larger than 1 cm (107 hepatocellular carcinomas, nine cholangiocarcinomas and 54 metastases). Results : GRE_5.8 showed the highest mean points for hepatic contour, vascular anatomy and imaging artifact presence among all of the subjected sequences (p<0.001) and was comparable (p=0.414) with GRE_10 with regard to lesion conspicuity. The mean CNRs were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the following order: GRE_10 ($24.4{\pm}14.5$), GRE_5.8 ($14.8{\pm}9.4$), TSE ($9.7{\pm}6.3$), and GRE_2.4 ($7.9{\pm}6.4$). The mean CNRs of CCCs and metastases were higher than those of HCCs for all imaging sequences (p<0.05). Conclusion : Regarding overall performances, GRE using a moderate echo time of 5.8 msec can provide the most reliable data among the various fast breath-hold SPIO-enhanced hepatic MRI sequences at 3T unit despite the lower CNR of GRE_5.8 compared to that of GRE_10.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the geometry of carotid artery by assessing the images of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and interrelationships between the geometry of carotid artery and clinical factors. Materials and Methods : 216 consecutive patients who performed supraaortic CE-MRA with fast spoiled gradient-echo imaging were included. Their medical records were reviewed for variable information including risk factors predictive of generalized atherosclerotic disease (age, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidema, and smoking), sex, body weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). We reviewed the CE-MRA with carotid origin (3 types), carotid artery tortuosity, angle of internal carotid artery bifurcation, the type of aortic arch branching, and the presence of the coiling of carotid artery. Results : Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that significantly contributed clinical backgrounds for carotid origin were the age and the BMI. With an increase of age at 1, the probability that the type of carotid origin become from type 1 to type 2 was 0.9 times (p=0.004) in right carotid artery (RCA), 0.9 times (p = 0.031) in left carotid artery (LCA), 0.9 times that are likely to be type3 from type 2 (p<0.001) in RCA and 0.9 times in LCA (p=0.009). Increase in BMI at 1 increased odds of becoming type 2 as 1.1 times (p = 0.067) in RCA, 1.1 times (p=0.009) in LCA and increased chance of becoming type 3 as 1.2 times (p = 0.001) in RCA, 1.2 times (p=0.003) in LCA. Mean value of right and left carotid tortuosity were $240.9{\pm}69.0^{\circ}$and $154.4{\pm}55.0^{\circ}$, respectively. Conclusion : The BMI, age, sex and presence of HTN affects the geometry of carotid arteries, the site of origin and tortuosity of carotid artery specifically.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.29-46
• /
• 1970

Measurement and analysis of the physical status (height, body weight, breast girth, sitting height. length of leg, length of thigh, thigh girth, crural length, length of arm, brachial length, antebrachial girth and skinfold thickness), physical types and the growth were made to the 360 Korean middle and high school boys aged between 12 and 17 years in Taegu City. The physical status was evaluated and expressed as dispersion and the Physical type as percentage of each status to height, and the growth was analysed by the growth formula. The results are as follows; 1) The increase of the volumes of Physical status was slowest between 12 and 13 years and fastest between 13 and 14 years in general. 2) The increase of the volumes of thigh girth and antebrachial girth showed a linear pattern until 16 years. 3) The coefficient of variation was largest in skinfold thickness $(16.3{\sim}28.4%)$ followed by body weight $(10.0{\sim}14.3%)$, antebrachial girth $(4.8{\sim}19.60%)$ and length of thigh$(6.3{\sim}13.6%)$. The coefficients of variation in all the other status were similar $(4{\sim}7%)$. 4)The physical indices of body weight, breast girth, sitting height, length of thigh, thigh girth, antebrachial girth and skinfold thickness increased as age increased while the others decreased except the brachial length, which showed no significant change. 5) Ratio of growth quantity was largest in body weight followed by skinfold thickness, and the others were all similar. 6) Growth rate and specific growth rate decreased in the all the status analysed as age increased except in the skinfold thickness in which an increase was noted. 7) Growth gradient was increased along the increase of age in breast girth, sitting height, crural length, brachial length and in skinfold thickness. However a decrease was observed in the other status except in the body weight which was decreased until 15 years of age and increased thereafter.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.8
• /
• pp.1025-1031
• /
• 2013

From a 95% ethanolic extract of H. diffusa, four marker compounds (HD1~HD4) were isolated, which were relatively unique and exist in comparably high contents. The structures of marker compounds were identified as digitolutein (1), 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (2), (E/Z)-6-O-p-coumaroyl scandoside methyl ester (4:1 mixture) (3), and (E/Z)-6-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl scandoside methyl ester (4:1 mixture) (4), respectively, on the basis of $^{13}C$ and $^1H$-NMR analyses. The calibration curves of marker compounds showed high linearity, as their correlation coefficient ($R^2$) were in the range of 0.9991~0.9999. In addition, the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were $0.03{\sim}0.07{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.099{\sim}0.231{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The intra-day/inter-day precision and accuracy were 0.23~2.00%/0.25~1.16% and 94.60~108.44%/94.73-110.23%, respectively. The optimal HPLC conditions for the simultaneous quantification of HD1~HD4 were as follows: stationary phase; Merck Chromolith RP-18e ($100{\times}4.6mm$, $5{\mu}m$), column temp.; room temperature, UV detection at 280 nm, flow rate; 2.0 ml/min, injection volume; $10{\mu}l$, mobile phase; start with the mixture of 80% solvent A ($H_2O$ containing 0.5% acetic acid) and 20% solvent B (methanol containing 0.5% acetic acid) and gradually decrease solvent A to 40% in 9 min., then retain this condition to 18 min. Under the HPLC condition, the four marker compounds 1~4 were successfully separated without any interference of other constituents. The results obtained in this study are expected to be helpful for the development of nutraceutics and natural medicines and for the quality control of this plant.