• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.11
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• 2021

Objectives: This study assessed the reliability of digital color measurements using images of resin composite specimens captured with a cellphone. Materials and Methods: The reference color of cylindrical specimens built-up with the use of resin composite (shades A1, A2, A3, and A4) was measured with a portable spectrophotometer (CIELab). Images of the specimens were obtained individually or pairwise (compared shades in the same photograph) under standardized parameters. The color of the specimens was measured in the images using RGB system and converted to CIELab system using image processing software. Whiteness index (WI_D) and color differences (ΔE₀₀) were calculated for each color measurement method. For the cellphone, the ΔE₀₀ was calculated between the pairs of shades in separate images and in the same image. Data were analyzed using 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Linear regression models were used to predict the reference ΔE₀₀ values of those calculated using color measured in the images. Results: Images captured with the cellphone resulted in different WI_D values from the spectrophotometer only for shades A3 and A4. No difference to the reference ΔE₀₀ was observed when individual images were used. In general, a similar ranking of ΔE₀₀ among resin composite shades was observed for all methods. Stronger correlation coefficients with the reference ΔE₀₀ were observed using individual than pairwise images. Conclusions: This study showed that the use of cellphone images to measure the color difference seems to be a feasible alternative providing outcomes similar to those obtained with the spectrophotometer.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.33.1-33.12
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the bleaching efficacy and hydrogen peroxide permeability in the pulp chamber by the at-home bleaching gel in protocols applied on different dental surfaces. Materials and Methods: Forty premolars were randomly into 4 groups: control group no bleaching, only application on the buccal surface (OB), only application on the lingual surface (OL) and application in buccal and lingual surfaces, simultaneously (BL). At-home bleaching gel (White Class 7.5%) was used for the procedure. The bleaching efficacy was evaluated with a digital spectrophotometer (color change in CIELAB [ΔE_ab] and CIEDE 2000 [ΔE₀₀] systems and Whitening Index for Dentistry [ΔWI_D]). The hydrogen peroxide permeability in the pulp chamber (㎍/mL) was assessed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and data were analyzed for a 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results: All groups submitted to bleaching procedure showed bleaching efficacy when measured with ΔE_ab and ΔE₀₀ (p > 0.05). Therefore, when analyzed by ΔWI_D, a higher bleaching efficacy were observed for the application on the groups OB and BL (p = 0.00003). Similar hydrogen peroxide permeability was found in the pulp chambers of the teeth undergoing different protocols (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The application of bleaching gel exclusively on the OB is sufficient to achieve bleaching efficacy, when compared to BL. Although the OL protocol demonstrated lower bleaching efficacy based on the ΔWI_D values, it may still be of interest and relevant in certain clinical scenarios based on individual needs, requiring clinical trials to better understand its specificities.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2020

High-quality and high-phytonutrient watermelon fruits have strong market opportunities besides their health related benefits. Hence, investigating quality and nutritional related traits of watermelon genetic resources could provide important baseline data in breeding for increased lycopene content thereby increasing the marketability of watermelon. To this end, we have examined some fruit morphological traits and lycopene content of 105 genetic resources. The morphological characters were recorded on the field and inside laboratory and lycopene was measured using spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Watermelon fruits have shown a diverse morphological characters. Red and pink fleshed fruits dominated in the entire collections. Fruits with higher thickness of rind were found to exhibit less soluble solid content (SSC). Korean origin fruits were characterized by intermediate SSC while USA, RUS, TJK, TKM, TWN, and URY originated fruits had the highest SSC. The lycopene content varied between 41.37 and 182.82 ㎍/g, 2.81 and 163.72 ㎍/g, and 3.54 and 255.47 ㎍/g using HPLC, UV-Vis, and microplate reader instrumnets, respectively. Red- and pink-fleshed fruits had the highest levels of lycopene content compared to the yellow- and orange-fleshed. Lycopene content had a significant positive correlation with SSC, however, no correlations were detected between lycopene and other quantitative fruit morphological characters.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.11
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of substrate color and interface distance on the color adjustment of 2 single-shade composites, Vittra APS Unique and Charisma Diamond One. Materials and Methods: Dual disc-shaped specimens were created using Vittra APS Unique or Charisma Diamond One as the center composite, surrounded by shaded composites (A1 or A3). Color measurements were taken with a spectrophotometer against a gray background, recording the color coordinates in the CIELAB color space. Illumination with a light-correcting device and image acquisition using a polarizing filter-equipped cell phone were performed on specimens over the same background. Image processing software was used to measure the color coordinates in the center and periphery of the inner composite and in the outer composite. The color data were then converted to CIELAB coordinates and adjusted using data from the spectrophotometer. Color differences (ΔE₀₀) between the center/periphery of single-shade and outer composites were calculated, along with color changes in single-shade composites caused by different outer composites. Color differences for the inner composites surrounded by A1 and A3 were also calculated. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Results: The results showed that color discrepancies were lowest near the interface and when the outer composite was whiter (A1). Additionally, Charisma Diamond One exhibited better color adjustment ability than Vittra APS Unique. Conclusions: Color discrepancies between the investigated single-shade composites diminished towards the interface with the surrounding composite, particularly when the latter exhibited a lighter shade.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.622-633
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various plant-derived carotenoid extracts on growth parameters and skin coloration of golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus). Five groups of fish were fed diets containing carotenoid sources from the petal extracts of the leopard tree (Caesalpinia ferrea), wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), marigold (Tagetes erecta), yellow bells (Tecoma stans), Wedelia chinensis (Wedelia chinensis), along with a control group, each diet had a carotenoid concentration of 0.25 g/kg feed. The diets were based on the same fundamental ingredients and administered for 56 days. Results showed significant differences in growth parameters among the different diets, with wild sunflower and marigold petal extracts proving most effective in enhancing the skin coloration of golden trevally. High yellow (CIE b^*), ranging from 17.2 to 18.8, were observed (Minolta CR-400), compared to only 12.2 ± 0.34 in the control group. Additionally, the carotenoid content in the tissue of the various groups differed significantly (p < 0.05), with the highest level of carotenoids (71.2 ± 2.9 ㎍/g tissue) detected in the fish skin of the dietary marigold flower group (UV-visible spectrophotometry). It is suggested that the petals of wild sunflowers and marigolds can efficiently improve body pigmentation and growth performance in golden trevally, indicating that these plant-derived carotenoids may have potential applications in aquaculture.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.379-391
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• 2024

Tocopherol, carotenoids, and chlorophyll are the primary components of the antioxidative response in microalgae. Conditions of stress, such salt stress, can trigger the processes responsible for the accumulation of tocopherol and carotene. It has been found that the most difficult part of culturing microalgae is keeping it affordable. This study investigated the effects of different salt types and concentrations on the amount of α-tocopherol, carotenoid derivatives, and flocculation efficiency of Euglena sp. Cultures of Euglena sp. was developed under salt stress conditions of NaCl 200 mM and KCl 200 mM. UV-VIS spectrophotometry was used to confirm the presence of α-tocopherol and carotenoid derivatives under thirteen days of salt stress testing. Increasing salinity has a significant effect on Euglena sp., causing spherical cell morphologies with aspect ratio 1.385 ± 0.031 for NaCl 200 mM and 1.414 ± 0.040 for KCl 200 mM. Increasing salinity also slowing down development with specific growth rate value of 0.171 ± 0.006 per day and 0.122 ± 0.029 per day for NaCl and KCl 200 mM, respectively. Nevertheless, the amount of α-tocopherol in Euglena sp. increases with a high salt concentration; algal cells flocculated more successfully when increasing the salt concentrations (NaCl 200 mM and KCl 200 mM) was added. Due to the inhibition of photosynthetic activity in salt-stressed cells, the control group exhibited higher levels of carotenoid derivatives (ranging from 0.5-1 ㎍/mL) and pheophytin a and b (0.0062 ± 0.001 ㎍/mL and 0.0064 ± 0.001 ㎍/mL) than the group treated with salt stress. In conclusion, salt stress was an effective way to raises the concentration of α-tocopherol and significantly reduce the expense of harvesting Euglena sp.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the metabolic status of the spent culture media from embryos of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in comparison with the embryos from healthy fertile women. Methods: Metabolite levels in spent culture media were assessed and compared between embryos from RIF patients (n=35) and oocyte donors as controls (n=15). Protein levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were determined using Western blotting. Concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate were measured using spectrophotometry. Ionic colorimetric assay kits were utilized to analyze the concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium ions. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the concentrations of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methionine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Results: Glucose consumption and lactate secretion were higher in the control group than in the RIF group. The magnesium concentration was significantly higher in the control group than in the RIF group, but glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations were lower in the control group than in the RIF patients (p<0.05). The levels of IGF-1, sodium, calcium, chloride, methionine, histidine, and phenylalanine did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The metabolic profile of the culture medium of the embryos in the RIF group differed from that of the control group. These findings suggest potential factors that may affect implantation capacity in RIF patients and provide a new perspective on embryo selection.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.30.1-30.12
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of polishing systems and surface sealant on the color stability and whiteness index of single-shade resin composites after staining and bleaching. Materials and Methods: Three single-shade (Omnichroma, Charisma Diamond One, Zenchroma) and one multi-shade (Filtek Z250) materials were tested. From each resin composite, 40 specimens were prepared. The specimens were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 10) according to the surface treatments: 1-step polishing, 1-step + Biscover LV, 2-step polishing, and 2-step polishing + Biscover LV. Color differences (ΔE₀₀) were calculated after being immersed in the coffee solution for 12 days. After the staining, the specimens were immersed in a whitening mouthrinse (Crest-3D White) for 12 hours. Whiteness index differences (ΔWI_D = WI_D after staining - WI_D after bleaching) values were recorded. The generalized linear model was used for analysis (p< 0.05). Results: The lowest and highest ΔE₀₀ values were found for Zenchroma and Charisma Diamond One respectively. Sealed groups indicated higher ΔE₀₀ values than nonsealed groups with significant differences (p = 0.008). The lowest and highest ΔWI_D values were found for Zenchroma and Charisma Diamond One respectively. Sealed groups indicated lower ΔWI_D values than nonsealed groups with significant differences (p = 0.022). Conclusions: The use of surface sealant increased the discoloration and showed less whiteness change in resin materials. When the 1-step was compared with the 2-step polishing, the effects on the color stability and whiteness index values of the resin materials were similar.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.1 s.23
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• pp.172-182
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• 1988

To reveal the association between blood selenium level and the gastric diseases, 180 persons received the gastrofiberscopic examination at the outpatients department of the two university hospitals from July to September 1987, after the exclusion of the persons having the esophageal varix, were randomly selected. Their general characteristics such as age, sex and educational level and so on, were inverstigated. Five mi venous blood was collected from each subjects and stored at $0^{\circ}C$ in heparinized vaccum tube. The blood selenium level was measured by the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the procedure of data analysis, five subjects having benign tumor and anomaly of the stomach, were also excluded. The mean blood selenium levels of the $155.5{\mu}g/{\ell}$ among gastritis cases, the $154.8{\mu}g/{\ell}$ gastric ulcer and the $133.0{\mu}g/{\ell}$ gastric malignancy were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that of the $173.3{\mu}g/{\ell}$ among normal controls. In men the mean blood selenium levels .among gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric malignancy cases were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that among normal controls. In females, the mean blood selenium levels among gastritis and gastric maligancy cases were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that among normal controls($169.7{\mu}g/{\ell}$), but that among gastric ulcer cases($177.7{\mu}g/{\ell}$) was not significantly higher. In the logistic analysis, coefficient of the blood selenium level was -0.0436(p<0.05 : odds ratio 0.957) for gastritis, -0.0197(p=0.17 : 0.981) for gastric ulcer, -0.4876(p<0.05 : 0.614) for gastric malignancy and -0.0411(p<0.05 ; 0.960) for gastric diseases including the gastritis, the gastric ulcer and the gastric malignancy. These data support the hypothesis that the gastric diseases are to be associated with the low selenium level but, for the gastric ulcer, the further research is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.560-566
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• 1998

Background: Bovine pericardial bioprosthesis treated with glutaraldehyde (GA) is one of the most popular prosthetic materials, but late calcific degeneration after implantation is a problem that remains unsolved. For the purpose of mitigating the calcific degeneration, we added MgCl2 into the 0.625% GA solution to compete with calcium for binding to the free aldehyde from GA and pretreated with the surfactants like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100 before GA fixation for preventing the phospholipid infiltration into the pericardial tissue, the first step of the calcific degeneration. Material and Method: 40 square-shaped pieces of bovine pericardia were fixed in 0.625% GA solution with 4g/L MgCl2 6H2O as a control group (group 1). 40 pieces pretreated with 1% SDS were also fixed in the same GA solution (group 2) and other 40 pieces pretreated with 1% Triton X-100 were prepared with the same method (group 3). After 1 month of fixation these were implanted into the belly of 40 Sprague-Dawley subdermally and extracted 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months after implantation. With atomic absorption spectrophotometry we measured the deposited calcium amount. Result: 1 month after implantation we could not find any differences between the three groups, but by the 2nd month calcium deposition was 0.921$\pm$0.121 mg/g in group 1, 0.481$\pm$0.037 mg/g in group 2 and 1.369$\pm$0.200 mg/g in group 3. By the 3rd month it was 0.786$\pm$0.080 mg/g in group 1, 0.584$\pm$0.054 mg/g in group 2 and 1.139$\pm$0.188 mg/g in group 3, and on the 6th month 1.623$\pm$0.601 mg/g in group 1,0.501$\pm$0.043 mg/g in group 2 and 1.625$\pm$0.382 mg/g in group 3, with statistical significance in group 2(p<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with SDS showed meaningful calcium mitigation effects on subcutaneously implanted bovine pericardium in the rat models but the neutral type surfactant, Triton X-100, had no positive mitigation effect in this experiment.