• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.274-282
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• 2019

Mercury-resistant ($Hg^R$) bacteria were isolated from heavy metal polluted wastewater and soil collected near to tanneries of district Kasur, Pakistan. Bacterial isolates AZ-1, AZ-2 and AZ-3 showed resistance up to $40{\mu}g/ml$ against mercuric chloride ($HgCl_2$). 16S rDNA ribotyping and phylogenetic analysis were performed for the characterization of selected isolates as Bacillus sp. AZ-1 (KT270477), Bacillus cereus AZ-2 (KT270478) and Bacillus cereus AZ-3 (KT270479). Phylogenetic relationship on the basis of merA nucleotide sequence confirmed 51-100% homology with the corresponding region of the merA gene of already reported mercury-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The merE gene involved in the transportation of elemental mercury ($Hg^0$) via cell membrane was cloned for the first time into pHLV vector and transformed in overexpressed C43(DE3) E. coli cells. The recombinant plasmid (pHLMerE) was expressed and the native MerE protein was obtained after thrombin cleavage by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The purification of fusion/recombinant and native protein MerE by Ni-NTA column, dialysis and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC/SEC) involved unfolding/refolding techniques. A small-scale reservoir of wastewater containing $30{\mu}g/ml$ of $HgCl_2$ was designed to check the detoxification ability of selected strains. It resulted in 83% detoxification of mercury by B. cereus AZ-2 and B. cereus AZ-3, and 76% detoxification by Bacillus sp. AZ-1 respectively (p < 0.05).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.637-647
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• 1999

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the major contributing causes of early graft failure in lung transplantation. It has been suggested that triiodothyronine (T3) may ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury to various organs in vivo and in vitro. Predicting its beneficial effect for ischemic lung injury, we set out to demonstrate it by administering T3 into the in situ canine ischemia-reperfusion model. Material and Method: Sixteen adult mongrel dogs were randomly allocated into group A and B. T3 $(3.6\mug/kg)$ was administered before the initiation of single lung ischemia in group B, whereas the same amount of saline was administered in group A. Ischemia was induced in the left lung by clamping the left hilum for 100 minutes. After reperfusion, various hemodynamic parameters and blood gases were analyzed for 4 hours while intermittently clamping the right hilum in order to allow observation of the injured left lung function. Result: Arterial oxygen partial pressure $(PaO_2)$ decreased 30 minutes after reperfusion and recovered gradually thereafter in both groups. In group B the decrease of $PaO_2$ was less marked than in group A. The recovery of $PaO_2$ was faster in group B than in group A. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant from 30 minutes after reperfusion $(125\pm34$ mmHg and $252\pm44$ mmHg, p<0.05) until the end of the experiment $(178\pm42$mmHg and $330\pm37$ mmHg, p<0.05). The differences in the arterial carbon dioxide pressure, airway pressure and lung compliance showed no statistical significance. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level, measured from the tissue obtained 240 minutes after reperfusion, was lower in group B $(0.40\pm0.04\mu$M) than in group A $(0.53\pm0.05\mu$M, p<0.05). The ATP level of group B $(0.69\pm0.07\mu$M/g) was significantly higher than that of group A $(0.48\pm0.07\mu$M/g, p<0.05). The microscopic exami nation revealed varying degrees of injury such as perivascular neutrophil infiltration, capillary hemorrhage and interstitial congestion. There were no differences in the microscopic findings between the two groups. CONCLUSION T3 has beneficial effects on the ischemic canine lung injury including preservation of oxygenation capacity, less production of lipid peroxidation products and a higher level of tissue ATP. These results suggest that T3 is effective in pulmonary allograft preservation.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2001

Tencel fabric was treated with cellulase and softener. And then Mechanical properties were investigated. Basic characteristic values of clothing wearing were calculated. With the treatment of cellulase and softener treatment, WT, RT, LC, WC, RC of mechanical characteristics were increased, and G, 2HG, 2HG5, B, 2HB were decreased. B/W, $\sqrt[3]{B/W}$, $\sqrt{2HB/W}$, 2HB/B, W/T of Basic characteristic values of clothing wearing were decreased. WC/W, WC/T were increased, Therefore, drapability, crease resistance, pressing softness, air content were improved. In consideration of mechanical characteristics and basic characteristic values of clothing wearing depending on the softener, values of WT, WC/W, WC/T were bigger with the treatment of epoxy and snow softener than with the treatment of cation and blend softener. LC, WC, RC, B/W, $\sqrt[3]{B/W}$, $\sqrt{2HB/W}$, 2HB/B, W/T were bigger with the treatment of cation and blend softener than with the treatment of epoxy and snow softener. Thereofre, with the treatment of epoxy and snow softener, drapability, crease resistance, air content were improved. With the treatment of cation and blend softener, pressing softness were improved.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.164-169
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• 1983

A method to control the luminous colour of a gaseous discharge tube has been investigated by using the saw-tooth wave of which rise-time was controlled by an electronic circuit. The luminous colour of a Ne - Hg lamp was changed from red to blue continuously and vice versa, and it's luminous characteristics are as follows: (a) With D.C. potentials, it showed blue colour and the relative intensity of the colour is increased first and saturated at about 17 mA as the discharge current is increased. (b) When the rise-time of the saw-tooth wave is about 10 $\mu\textrm{s}$, the red colour which is caused by Ne - excitation is dominant, and when about 200 $\mu\textrm{s}$, only the blue colour which is caused by Hg - excitation is shown. (c) With saw-tooth pulse, the relative intensity of blue is increased similarly as that with D.C. potential as the current peak of each pulse is increased, while that of red is increasing continuously and it's intensity shows about twice than blue. (d) The spectrum of red colour contains Ne - excitation lines and Hg - blue lines, but the apparent luminous colour is red because Ne - red lines are more plenty than Hg-blue lines. The spectrum of blue colour presents only Hg-blre lines.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

As the mechanism underlying glucose metabolism regulation by oxymatrine is unclear, this study investigated the effects of oxymatrine on pyroptosis in INS-1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to examine cell pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cell pyroptosis was also investigated via transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Protein levels were detected using western blotting and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-1 activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein (Nrf2) were also assessed. In the high glucose and high fat-treated INS-1 cells (HG + PA), the caspase-1 activity and LDH content, as well as Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, Gsdmd-N, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were increased. Moreover, P65 protein levels increased in the nucleus but decreased in the cytoplasm. Oxymatrine attenuated these effects and suppressed high glucose and high fat-induced ROS production. The increased levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the HG + PA cells were further elevated after oxymatrine treatment, whereas cytoplasmic Nrf2 and Keleh-like ECH-associated protein levels decreased. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional activity of p65 in HG + PA cells was reduced by oxymatrine, whereas that of Nrf2 increased. The results indicate that the inhibition of pyroptosis in INS-1 cells by oxymatrine, a key factor in its glucose metabolism regulation, involves the suppression of the NF-κB pathway and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.4 s.36
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• pp.496-506
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• 1991

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the effect of long term noise exposure on blood pressure among steel mill workers. The workers participated in periodic medical examinations performed from August 27 to September 6 in 1990. Examined were 1,034 workers with high-level noise exposure(average $91.8{\pm}5.2dB(A)$) and 390 workers with low-level noise exposure(average $75.2{\pm}4.6dB(A)$). No significant difference was found in systolic or diastolic flood pressure between the two exposure groups. Prevalence of hypertension (${\geq}160mmHg\;systolic\;or{\geq}100mmHg\;diastolic$) was higher in a younger age group (${\leq}40$ years old) of high-level noise exposure than of low-level noise exposure. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, in younger ages, prevalence of hypertension appeared to be higher in the hearing loss group (${\geq}25dB\;at\;1000Hz\;or{\geq}40dB$ at 4000Hz in at least one ear) than in the normal hearing group. From multiple regression analysis, hearing loss, body mass index, age, alcohol and family history of hypertension were proven to be predictors of diastolic blood Pressure (p<0.02). When regression was performed for each age group, hearing loss was a strong predictor of diastolic pressure in the younger age group (p<0.01).

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.297-301
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• 2001

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the extent of heavy metals(As, Pb, Cd, Hg)accumulated in sediments of the Kwangyang Bay, and to investigate bioaccumulation of heavy metals(As, Pb, Cd, Hg) in shellfish(Ruditapes philippinarum) commonly found in the intertidal zone of the Kwangyang Bay. The data was also compared with that of Namhae and Kohung intertidal zones, which were regarded as control stations in this study. Substantial geographical variations in heavy metal concentrations in the sediment samples were found. However, heavy metal concentrations in the sediment collected from the intertidal zones of Yochon(stations I, J) and Myodo(stations G, H) close to Yochon Industrial Area exhibited relatively higher heavy metal concentrations, compared to those from other intertidal zones(stations A, B, C) adjacent to POSCO at Kwangyang Bay. In addition, stations A, B, C showed lower heavy metal concentrations in the sediments than controls(K, L). The annual mean concentrations of the heavy metals in the shellfish from the stations(G, H, I, J) were significantly higher than those from other stations(A, B, C, D, E, F). Nevertheless, heavy metal accumulation in sediments was not reflected in bioaccumulation of heavy metals in shellfish, probably indicating that interactions between the heavy metals in sediment and shellfish might be poor in the current study area, Kwangyang Bay.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.641-648
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• 2003

Changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured in rats administered with $HgCl_2$ to investigate the in vivo cytotoxic effects of mercury and examine the usefulness of these changes as indicators of mercury exposure and diagnosis of mercury poisoning. Rats were given once intraperitonealy $HgCl_2$(0.13. 0.32. 0.8 and 2 mg/kg b.w) and the changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured at the time of 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$. Plasma DNA contents began to increase from 2 hours after the administration of $HgCl_2$ in all the treatment groups significantly compared to control with dose-dependent pattern. The levels of plasma DNA reached to peak at 48 hours as 2.77, 7.60, 15.46 and 16.51 times higher than control in each treatment group of 0.13, 0.32, 0.8 and 2 mg/kgb.w, respectively and remained to be higher until 72 hours after the administration. The values of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and glucose of serum were increased, however the values of alkaline phosphatase, total protein and triglyceride were decreased. These changes of increase and decrease showed dose-dependent pattern but the starting time, maintenance and magnitude of change were various and characteristic according to serum biochemical indices. Among the changes of serum biochemical values, those of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen were apparently and significantly increased compared to control from 2 to 72 hours by the administration of 2 mg/kg $HgCl_2$. This study demonstrates that plasma DNA and serum biochemical values such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen and etc. are valuable as biomarkers for mercury exposure assessment and diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.705-715
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• 2013

The response of the freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris to mercuric ion ($Hg^{2+}$) stress was examined using chlorophyll a fluorescence image analysis and O-J-I-P analysis as a way to monitor the toxic effects of mercury on water ecosystems. The levels of photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, decreased with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II(Fv/Fm) changed remarkably with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration and treatment time. In particular, above $200{\mu}M\;Hg^{2+}$, considerable mercury toxicity was seen within 2 h. The chlorophyll a fluorescence transient O-J-I-P was also remarkably affected by $Hg^{2+}$; the fluorescence emission decreased considerably in steps J, I, and P with an increase in $Hg^{2+}$ concentration when treated for 4 h. Subsequently, the JIP-test parameters (Fm, Fv/Fo, RC/CS, TRo/CS, ETo/CS, ${\Phi}_{PO}$, ${\Psi}_O$ and ${\Phi}_{EO}$) decreased with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration, while N, Sm, ABS/RC, DIo/RC and DIo/CS increased. Therefore, a useful biomarker for investigating mercury stress in water ecosystems, and the parameters Fm, ${\Phi}_{PO}$, ${\Psi}_O$, and RC/CS can be used to monitor the environmental stress in water ecosystems quantitatively.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.363-376
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• 2003

The purpose of this research was to investigate the property of sensibility of silk fabrics by the linen-like finishing-used polyurethane resin. Subjective evaluations of preference and related sensory descriptors were estimated. Also, related physical and psychological variables were measured. And their correlations were investigated. The value of EM, WT, WC, MIU, and qmax of silk fabrics treated with polyurethane resin decreased and LT, B, 2HB, G, 2HG, 2HG5, and SMD increased. Physical variables which affected on the preference of summer fabrics are B, 2HB, G, 2HG5, qmax, MIU and LT. It was confirmed that silk fabrics treated with polyurethane resin were preferred as a summer fabric. Individual sensibilities that had effects on the preference of summer fabrics were softness including rough and cold. The intensities of weight value on sensory descriptors, which were related with the preference in summer environments, were in following orders: cold, rough, slippery, flexible, stiff and damp. There was no relationship between the subjective evaluation of preference and related sensory descriptors on the fabric and comfort sensation of fabric was derived from psychological variables