• Title/Summary/Keyword: Low-pressure plasma

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Profile of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Among Employees at a Saudi University

  • Amin, Tarek Tawfik;Al Sultan, Ali Ibrahim;Mostafa, Ola Abdelmoniem;Darwish, Amr Ahmed;Al-Naboli, Mohamed Rashad
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.18
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    • pp.7897-7907
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    • 2014
  • Background: There is paucity of studies defining the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Saudi Arabia despite the surging epidemic of obesity, change in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of NCDs risk factors among employees at King Faisal University in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia and to determine the possible correlates for clustering of NCDs risk factors among them. Materials and Methods: All employees were invited to participate; the World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for data collection which consisted of a personal interview to collect socio-demographic characteristics, NCD history, tobacco use, vegetables and fruit consumption, and physical activity (PA), followed by anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, subjects were finally subjected to biochemical tests with determination of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. Results: Of the surveyed employees (n=691), daily current smokers accounted for 22.7%. 94.9%, 95.1% and 86% consumed < 5 servings per day of vegetables, fruits and both fruits and vegetables respectively, 73% were physically inactive, 64% were overweight or obese, 22.1% had hypertension, and 21.5% were diabetics. Elevated cholesterol levels were found in 36.6%, low high density lipoproteins in 36.8%, and elevated triglycerides in 36.1%. Only 3% had no NCD risk factors, and 57.6% had ${\geq}3$ factors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender (being male, adjusted odds ratio 'aOR'=1.51), aged ${\geq}50$ years (aOR=3.06), < college education (aOR=1.75), current smokers (aOR=2.37), being obese (aOR=6.96) and having a low PA level (aOR=4.59) were the significant positive predictors for clustering of NCD risk factors. Conclusions: Over fifty percent of the studied university's employees had multiple (${\geq}3$) NCD risk factors. Screening and health promotion initiatives should be launched at least targeting the modifiable factors to avert the excessive risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and several types of cancers.

Removal/Recovery of VOCs Using a Rubbery Polymeric Membrane (Rubbery 고분가 막을 이용한 휘발성 유기화학물의 제거 및 회수)

  • Cha, Jun-Seok
    • Membrane Journal
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.173-181
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    • 1996
  • Common volatile organic compounds(VOCs) such as toluene and methanol were removed successfully from N$_{2}$ using a novel silicone-coated hollow fiber membrane module. This novel membrane is a thin film composite(TFC) and was highly efficient in removing VOCs selectively from a N$_{2}$ stream. This membrane had some innate advantages over other silicone-based membrane in that the selective barrier was ultrathin(~1 $\mu$m) and the porosity of the polypropylene substrate was high which leads to a low permeation resistance. The substram was very strongly bonded to the coating layer by plasma polymerization and can withstand a very high pressure. A small hollow fiber module having a length of 25cm and 50 fibers could remove 96~99% of toluene as well as methanol vapors when the feed flow rate was up to 60cc/min. The percent removal of VOCs were even higher when the feed inlet concentration was higher. This process is especially suitable for treating streams having a low flow rate and high VOCs concentration. The permeances of VOCs through this membrane was in the range of $4~30 \times 10^{-9}gmol/sec \cdot cm^{2}\cdot cmHg$ for both toluene and methanol, and nitrogen permeance was between $3~9 \times 10^{-10}gmol/sec \cdot cm^{2} \cdot cmHg$. High separation factor between 10~55 for toluene/N$_{2}$ and 15~125 for methanol/N$_{2}$ were obtained depending on the feed flow rate ranges and feed VOCs concentration levels.

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Research of Diffusion Bonding of Tungsten/Copper and Their Properties under High Heat Flux

  • Li, Jun;Yang, Jianfeng
    • Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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    • 2011.05a
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    • pp.14-14
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    • 2011
  • W (tungsten)-alloys will be the most promising plasma facing armor materials in highly loaded plasma interactive components of the next step fusion reactors due to its high melting point, high sputtering resistance and low deuterium/tritium retention. The bonding technology of tungsten to Cu alloy was one of the key issues. In this paper, W/CuCrZr diffusion bonding has been performed successfully by inserting pure metal interlay. The joint microstructure, interfacial elements migration and phase composition were analyzed by SEM, EDS, XRD, and the joint shear strength and micro-hardness were investigated. The mock-ups were fabricated successfully with diffusion bonding and the cladding technology respectively, and the high heat flux test and thermal fatigue test were carried out under actively cooling condition. When Ni foil was used for the bonding of tungsten to CuCrZr, two reaction layers, Ni4W and Ni(W) layer, appeared between the tungsten and Ni interlayer with the optimized condition. Even though Ni4W is hard and brittle, and the strength of the joint was oppositely increased (217 MPa) due primarily to extremely small thicknesses (2~3 ${\mu}m$). When Ti foil was selected as the interlayer, the Ti foil diffused quickly with Cu and was transformed into liquid phase at $1,000^{\circ}C$. Almost all of the liquid was extruded out of the interface zone under bonding pressure, and an extremely thin residual layer (1~2 ${\mu}m$) of the liquid phase was retained between the tungsten and CuCrZr, which shear strength exceeded 160 MPa. When Ni/Ti/Ni multiple interlayers were used for bonding of tungsten to CuCrZr, a large number of intermetallic compound ($Ni_4W/NiTi_2/NiTi/Ni_3T$) were formed for the interdiffusion among W, Ni and Ti. Therefore, the shear strength of the joint was low and just about 85 MPa. The residual stresses in the clad samples with flat, arc, rectangle and trapezoid interface were estimated by Finite Element Analysis. The simulation results show that the flat clad sample was subjected maximum residual stress at the edge of the interface, which could be cracked at the edge and propagated along the interface. As for the rectangle and trapezoid interface, the residual stresses of the interface were lower than that of the flat interface, and the interface of the arc clad sample have lowest residual stress and all of the residual stress with arc interface were divided into different grooved zones, so the probabilities of cracking and propagation were lower than other interfaces. The residual stresses of the mock-ups under high heat flux of 10 $MW/m^2$ were estimated by Finite Element Analysis. The tungsten of the flat interfaces was subjected to tensile stresses (positive $S_x$), and the CuCrZr was subjected to compressive stresses (negative $S_x$). If the interface have a little microcrack, the tungsten of joint was more liable to propagate than the CuCrZr due to the brittle of the tungsten. However, when the flat interface was substituted by arc interfaces, the periodical residual stresses in the joining region were either released or formed a stress field prohibiting the growth or nucleation of the interfacial cracks. Thermal fatigue tests were performed on the mock-ups of flat and arc interface under the heat flux of 10 $MW/m^2$ with the cooling water velocity of 10 m/s. After thermal cycle experiments, a large number of microcracks appeared at the tungsten substrate due to large radial tensile stress on the flat mock-up. The defects would largely affect the heat transfer capability and the structure reliability of the mock-up. As for the arc mock-up, even though some microcracks were found at the interface of the regions, all microcracks with arc interface were divided into different arc-grooved zones, so the propagation of microcracks is difficult.

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Exercise Prescription and Dietary Modification for Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Degenerative Disease II. On Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension (성인병의 예방과 치료를 위한 영양과 운동처방 II. 고혈압과 동맥경화에 미치는 영향)

  • 백영호
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.231-240
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    • 1999
  • Regular exercise is effective in preventing coronary disease such as angina pectoris and infarction, inside it can lower the blood pressure and aids in weight control and release of stress. Risk factors of arteriosclerosis is hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and excessive smoking. Arteriosclerosis begins at young age worsens with age, particulary in male. For people with risk factors of arteriosclerosis, it is important to prevent arteriosclerosis-related disease with dietary, living pattern and exercise prescription. Dietary fibers promote exercise of the digestive tract and shortens the time food remains inside the digestive tract. It can prevent obesity, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis and colin cancer by blocking the absorption of cholesterol. Various vegetables and sea foods are lichen unsaturated fats and prevent the absorption of cholesterol inside the digestive tract. Essential fatty acids and unsaturated fats which are contained in vegetable oils, promotes metabolism while preventing absorption. In fruits, pectin water-soluble fiber, is present and lowers the level of cholesterol. By consuming foods that low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and rich in unsaturated fats, aliomentotherapy alone can reduce the plasma cholesterol by 10~l5$\%$. For ideal exercise, it should be aerobic with intensity of 60~80$\%$ HRmax, duration of 15~60min/day. The frequancy of 3~6/week is desirable the better exercise prescription is endurance aerobic exercise. To get more effect exercise, exercise consistency is very important.

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Serum Ferritin and Risk of the Metabolic Syndrome in Some Korean Rural Residents (농촌 지역 주민의 혈청 Ferritin 수준과 대사증후군과의 관련성)

  • Ryu, So-Yeon;Kim, Ki-Soon;Park, Jong;Kang, Myeng-Guen;Han, Mi-Ah
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.115-120
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    • 2008
  • Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ferritin and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,444 adults over age 40 and under age 70 that lived in a rural area and participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study (KRGCS). The MS was defined as the presence of at least three of the followings : elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose, or abdominal obesity. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence of the MS by sex were calculated for quartiles of serum ferritin using logistic regression analysis. Results : The MS was more common in those persons , with the highest levels of serum ferritin, compared to persons with the lowest levels, in men (37.1% vs. 22.4%, p=0.006) and women (58.8% vs. 34.8, p<0.001). In both sexes, the greater the number of MS components presents, the greater the serum ferritin levels. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, and menopausal status, the OR for metabolic syndrome, comparing the fourth quartile of ferritin with the first quartile, was 2.21 (95% confidence interval; CI=1.26-3.87; p-trend=0.024) in men and 2.10 (95% CI=1.40-3.17; p-trend=0.001) in women. However, after further adjustment for BMI, hs-CRP, and ALT, the ORs were statistically attenuated in both sexes. Conclusions : Moderately elevated serum ferritin levels were not independently associated with the prevalence of the MS after adjusting for other risk factors. Further studies are needed to obtain evidence concerning the association between serum ferritin levels and the MS.

Antihypertensive Effects of Casein Hydrolysate in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (자연발증고혈압쥐에서 카제인 가수분해물의 혈압강하효과)

  • Kim, H.S.;In, Y.M.;Jeong, S.G.;Ham, J.S.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.483-490
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    • 2002
  • The aim of this study was to determine if a low-molecular weight casein hydrolysate has an anti- hypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Prior to the in vivo experiment, the casein hydrolysate was confirmed to be resistant to gastrointestinal digestion by confirming the retention of its potency as an inhibitor of angiotensin I-concerting enzyme after incubation with pepsin, trypsin, or chymotrypsin. The in vivo anti-hypertensive effect of the hydrolysate was determined by the tail cuff method. Following an oral administration of the hydrolysate solution, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by 12.9% (-28.9mmHg; P<0.05) at 3 h after the administration at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight. When the hydrolysate was administered as an emulsion with 30% egg yolk, its anti-hypertensive effect was even more greater at the same dose(-30.8mmHg or -15.9%; P<0.01). In a 50-day long-term trial where the casein hydrolysate was administered once a day, the SBP-lowering effect of the hydrolysate was apparent (P<0.05) from day 35 through the end. Moreover, organ weights and plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities of the administered SHR were not significantly different from those of controls at the end of the long-term trial.

Thiopental Prevents A Beta-Endorphin Response to Cardiopulmonary Bypass (체외순환전 투여된 Thiopental이 Beta-endorphin치 변화에 미치는 영향)

  • Song, Sun-Ok;Carr, Daniel B.;Park, Dae-Pal;Jee, Dae-Lim;Kim, Sae-Yeon
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.350-358
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    • 1997
  • We studied the effects of adding a single bolus(500 mg) of sodium thiopental to a continuous infusion of low-dose fentanyl on plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity(iBE) responses to cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in 28 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting or valve procedures. Thiopental was injected just prior to the initiation of CPB. The iBE levels and the hemodynamic indices such, as mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance were measured before CPB, at 30 min and again at 60 min after the initiation of the bypass. The results were as follows. After the initiation of CPB, iBE levels increased at 30 min and 60 min(P=0.006, P=0.004 respectively) in the control group, but not in the thiopental group. There were significant differences in the changes of iBE levels between the groups(F=8.7, G-G=0.002, P=0.001). The hemodynamic indices were similar in both groups. In conclusion, pretreatment with thiopental just before the initiation of CPB prevents the stress-induced beta-endorphin response to CPB.

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Assessment of Hemodynamic Properties of Trileaflet Polymer Heart Valve Manufactured By Vacuum Forming Process (진공성형을 이용한 삼엽식 고분자 심장판막의 제작과 혈류역학적 성능평가)

  • Kim, K.H.;Hwang, C.M.;Jeong, G.S.;Ahn, C.B.;Kim, B.S.;Lee, J.J.;Nam, K.W.;Sun, K.
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.27 no.6
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    • pp.418-426
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    • 2006
  • In the artificial heart application, productivity and hemodynamic properties of artificial heart valves are crucial in successiful application to long term in vivo trials. This paper is about manufacture and assessment of trileaflet polymer heart valves using vacuum forming process(VFP). The VFP has many advantages such as reduced fabrication time, reproducibility due to relatively easy and simple process for manufacturing. Prior to VFP of trileaflet polymer heart valves, polyurethane(Pellethane 2363 80AE, Dow Chemical) sheet was prepared by extrusion. The sheets were heated and formed to mold shape by vacuum pressure. The vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves fabrication is composed of two step method, first, leaflet forming and second, conduit forming. This two-step forming process made the leaflet-conduit bonding stable with any organic solvents. Hydrodynamic properties and hemocompatibility of the vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves was compared with sorin bicarbon bileaflet heart valve. The percent effective orifice area of vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves was inferior to bileaflet heart valve, but the increase of plasma free hemoglobin level which reflect blood damage was superior in vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves Vacuum formed trileaflet polymer heart valves has high productivity, and superior hemodynamic property than bileaflet heart valves. Low manufacturing cost and blood compatible trileaflet polymer heart valves shows the advantages of vacuum forming process, and these results give feasibility in in vivo animal trials in near future, and the clinical artificial heart development program.

Usefulness of Plasma Procalcitonin to Predict Severity in Elderly Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

  • Kim, Ji Hye;Seo, Joo Wan;Mok, Jeong Ha;Kim, Mi Hyun;Cho, Woo Hyun;Lee, Kwangha;Kim, Ki Uk;Jeon, Doosoo;Park, Hye-Kyung;Kim, Yun Seong;Kim, Hyung Hoi;Lee, Min Ki
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.74 no.5
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    • pp.207-214
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    • 2013
  • Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly. Several studies have reported the clinical usefulness of serum procalcitonin, a biomarker of bacterial infection. However, the association between the levels of procalcitonin and the severity in the elderly with CAP has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of procalcitonin as a predictor of severity and mortality in the elderly with CAP. Methods: This study covers 155 CAP cases admitted to Pusan National University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2010. Patients were divided into two groups (${\geq}65$ years, n=99; <65 years, n=56) and were measured for procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell, confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, 65 years or older (CURB-65) and pneumonia severity of index (PSI). Results: The levels of procalcitonin were significantly correlated with the CURB-65, PSI in totals. Especially stronger correlation was observed between the levels of procalcitonin and CURB-65 in the elderly (procalcitonin and CURB-65, ${\rho}$=0.408 with p<0.001; procalcitonin and PSI, ${\rho}$=0.293 with p=0.003; procalcitonin and mortality, ${\rho}$=0.229 with p=0.023). The correlation between the levels of CRP or WBC and CAP severity was low. The existing cut-off value of procalcitonin was correlated with mortality rate, however, it was not correlated with mortality within the elderly. Conclusion: The levels of procalcitonin are more useful than the levels of CRP or WBC to predict the severity of CAP. However, there was no association between the levels of procalcitonin and mortality in the elderly.

Astragaloside IV Prevents Obesity-Associated Hypertension by Improving Pro-Inflammatory Reaction and Leptin Resistance

  • Jiang, Ping;Ma, Dufang;Wang, Xue;Wang, Yongcheng;Bi, Yuxin;Yang, Jinlong;Wang, Xuebing;Li, Xiao
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.244-255
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    • 2018
  • Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + ${\alpha}$-bungaratoxin (${\alpha}-BGT$) group (As IV+${\alpha}-BGT$ group). As IV ($20mg{\cdot}Kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of ${\alpha}7nAChR$, inhibitor of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ kinase subunit ${\beta}/nuclear$ factor ${\kappa}B$ ($IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of ${\alpha}7nAChR$. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated ${\alpha}7nAchR$ and suppressed $IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$ signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of ${\alpha}7nAChR$ selective antagonist ${\alpha}-BGT$ could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesityassociated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased ${\alpha}7nAchR$ expression.