• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 2006

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate whether exogenous thyroxine($T_4$) treatment to alcohol-fed dams would ameliorate the detrimental effects of alcohol on the postnatal development of neuropeptide-Y(NPY)-containing neurons of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the offspring. Methods : Time-pregnant rats were divided into three groups. An alcohol-fed group A received 35 calories of liquid alcohol diet daily from gestation day 6; control group B was fed a liquid diet in which dextrin replaced alcohol isocalorically; and alcohol＋$T_4$ group C received 35 calories of liquid alcohol diet and exogenous thyroxine subcutaneously. The features of the growth and maturation of rat brain tissue were observed at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postnatal days via immunohistochemistry. Results : Group C showed prominent NPY immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex compared to group A and B at P7. In group C, NPY-containing neurons were widely distributed in the all layers of cerebral cortex after P14. Also, numerical decreases of NPY-containing neuron were not found according to increasing age in group C. A decrease of NPY-containing neurons, however, was clearly observed in group A compared to group C at P28. In the hippocampus, similar patterns appeared in groups B and C after P7. Especially, in groups B and C, NPY-containing fibers formed plexus in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus at P14. Conclusion : These results suggest that the increase of NPY synthesis caused by maternal administration of exogenous thyroxine may convalesce fetal alcohol effects, one of the effects of the dysthyroid state following maternal alcohol abuse.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2013

The five anti-complementary polysaccharides (MFKF-NP, MFKF-AP1${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and MFKF-AP2${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$) were separated from hot water extracts of fruiting bodies of Fomes fomentarius by two subsequent column chromatography using DEAE-sepharose FF and Concanavalin A-sepharose 4B. The order of anti-complementary activity was MFKF-AP1${\beta}$ > MFKF-AP1${\alpha}$ > MFKF-AP2${\alpha}$ > MFKF-AP2${\beta}$ > MFKF-NP > Polysaccharide Krestine (PSK). Especially, MFKF-AP1${\beta}$ among those showed the most excellent anti-complementary activity (70% of ITCH50 value at $20{\mu}g/ml$). The monosaccharide composition analysis by gas chromatography indicates that MFKF-AP1${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ are a kind of homoxylan consisted mainly of xylose above 97%. Molecular weight of MFKF-AP1${\beta}$, major anti-complementary polysaccharide, was estimated to be about 12,000 by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After the incubation of the serum with MFKF-AP1${\beta}$ in the presence or absence of $Mg^{++}$ and $Ca^{++}$ ions, its anti-complementary activity was investigated. This result indicated that MFKF-AP1${\beta}$ seems to be activator both on the classical and the alternative pathway of complement activation.

• Journal of KIISE:Computing Practices and Letters
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.293-299
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• 2007

Intelligent pipeline inspection gauges (PIGs) are inspection vehicles that move along within a (gas or oil) pipeline and acquire signals (also called sensor data) from their surrounding rings of sensors. By analyzing the signals captured in intelligent PIGs, we can detect pipeline defects, such as holes and curvatures and other potential causes of gas explosions. There are two major data access patterns apparent when an analyzer accesses the pipeline signal data. The first is a sequential pattern where an analyst reads the sensor data one time only in a sequential fashion. The second is the repetitive pattern where an analyzer repeatedly reads the signal data within a fixed range; this is the dominant pattern in analyzing the signal data. The existing PIG software reads signal data directly from the server at every user#s request, requiring network transfer and disk access cost. It works well only for the sequential pattern, but not for the more dominant repetitive pattern. This problem becomes very serious in a client/server environment where several analysts analyze the signal data concurrently. To tackle this problem, we devise a fast in-memory cache manager, called T-Cache, by considering pipeline sensor data as multiple time-series data and by efficiently caching the time-series data at T-Cache. To the best of the authors# knowledge, this is the first research on caching pipeline signals on the client-side. We propose a new concept of the signal cache line as a caching unit, which is a set of time-series signal data for a fixed distance. We also provide the various data structures including smart cursors and algorithms used in T-Cache. Experimental results show that T-Cache performs much better for the repetitive pattern in terms of disk I/Os and the elapsed time. Even with the sequential pattern, T-Cache shows almost the same performance as a system that does not use any caching, indicating the caching overhead in T-Cache is negligible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.831-838
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• 2008

This study investigated the characteristics of nitrogen removal and microbial community in a lab-scale A$_2$O activated sludge process filled with the fluidized media at an aerebic basin. The change of microbial community was monitored based on quinone profiles of activated sludge according to feeding sewage with/without external carbon source. Low C/N ratio(COD$_{Cr}$/T-N of 1.24) sewage was fed. The obtained results from this study were as follows; Ubiquinone(UQ) in the influent was in the descending order of UQ-8, UQ-10 and UQ-9. Menaquinone(MK) was simpler and much less than UQ. The ratio of UQ/MK was less than 0.41 and the dissimilarity was below 0.26. Without an external carbon source, MK-8 was the dominant species and there were 3 kinds of quinone species and low DQ and EQ values in an anaerobic basin. The ratio of UQ/MK increased to 2.3 in an anoxic basin. In an oxic basin, UQ-7 and UQ-8 were the dominant species. UQ-7 was dominating in suspended microorganisms, while UQ-8 was in attached microorganisms. With an external carbon source addition, MK-8 decreased but UQ-8 increased in an anaerobic basin. So did quinone species, DQ and EQ values. There was also a change in an anoxic basin with the improvement of denitrification. UQ-8 decreased instead, MK-7 and MK-8 increased. UQ/MK ratio decreased 2.3 to 1.4. It means that the dominant species change from Pseudomonas sp. to Bacillus and Micrococcus species. etc. In an oxic basin, UQ-8 replaced UQ-7 in suspended microorganisms and UQ-10 replaced UQ-8 in attached microbials. This seemed related with the growth of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobactor species.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2003

Purpose : This study quantitatively evaluated the apoptosis In human peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry, and investigated the possibility of using this method, with a small amount of blood, and the time and dose dependence of radiation-induced apoptosls. Materials and Methods : Peripheral blood lymphocyes were isolated from the heparinized venous blood of 11 healthy volunteers, 8 men and 3 women, with each 10 ml of blood being divided Into IS samples. The blood lymphocytes were Irradiated using a linear accelerator at a dose rate of 2.4 Gy/min, to deliver doses of 0.5, 1, 2 and S Gy. The control samples, and Irradiated cells, were maintained in culture medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours fellowing the Irradiation. The number of apoptotic cells after the in vitro X-irradiation was measured by flow cytometry after Incubation periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours. We also observed the apoptotic cells using a DNA fragmentation assay and electron microscopy. Results : The rate oi spontaneous apoptosis increased in relation to the time interval following irradiation (1.761 ${\pm}$0.161, 3.563${\pm}$0.554, 11.098${\pm}$2.849, at 24, 48, and 72 hours). The apoptotli cells also increased In the samples irradiated with 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 Gy, In a radiation dose and time interval after Irradiation manner, with the apoptosls being too great at 72 hours after Irradiation. The dose-response curves were characterized by an Initial steep Increase In the number of apoptotic cells for Irradiation doses below 2 Gy, with a flattening of the curves as the dose approached towards 5 Gy. Conclusion :The flow cytometric assay technique yielded adequate data, and required less than 1 mL of blood. The time and dose dependence of the radiation-induced apoptosis, was also shown. It is suggested that the adequate time Interval required for the evaluation of apoptosis would be 24 to 48 hours after blood sampling.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.151-159
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• 2006

In these days, the importance of sludge treatment is emerging due to the London Convention, so this study was conducted to propose the alternatives for the improved sludge treatment on the organic wastewater and sewage sludge with JAR test and settling column equipped with stirrer. The minimum coagulant dosage to earn the optimum sludge settling efficiency resulted from 200mg/l and each critical sludge settling interface showed no distinct difference when PAC was dosed over 200mg/l. Accordingly, Clarification Rate(CR) with 200mg/l dosage was calculated to CR=(Ho-Ht) / Ho=1-0.4=0.6 because the critical sludge settling height stopped at 0.4. The settling velocity of sludge interface was decreased with the increase of MLSS concentration but rather increased with MLSS concentration over 1,000mg/l. This resulted from positive effect of interacted coagulation for floc formation by transfer to the zone of compressed settling when MLSS concentration increased over 1,000mg/l. The settling velocity of sludge interface showed $28.66{\times}10^{-3}/min$ for average settling velocity of sewage sludge which is 6.7 times higher than $4.25{\times}10^{-3}/min$ for average settling velocity of organic wastewater sludge. The increasing rate of CR for organic wastewater activated sludge was higher than that of settling velocity under 200mg/l of PAC dosage but settling velocity was higher than CR over 200mg/l of PAC dosage. However, in case of sewage sludge, the differential rate of CR was low when PAC dosage was increased but the settling velocity was suddenly increased with over 200mg/l dosage. Therefore coagulation effect was more efficient to MLSS settling velocity rather than SS removal effect in the supernatant.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 1996

Effects of $17{\alpha}$-methyltestosterone ($17{\alpha}-MT$) in rearing water on sex reversal of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated and optimum conditions as initial treatment time, concentrations and treatment durations of hormone were evaluated in this study. For the study of the optimum initial treatment time, 0 to 20-day-old fry were treated by immersion in a 500 ppb solution of $17{\alpha}-MT$. Desirable results were obtained at 12-day-old fish as $86.4\%$ of male induction rates and this frequency was obviously higher than the other age groups. Twelve-day-old fry were immersed in $17{\alpha}-MT$ solutions at concentrations of $0\~2,000$ ppb for 24 hours for the study of dose dependent relationship between sex ratios and concentrations of $17{\alpha}-MT$, Male induction rates of all treated groups were higher than $80\%$, $X^2$ values against the sex ratio of control group indicate that sex reversal has taken place effectively in all experimental groups (P<0.001). Futhermore, 500 ppb treated groups showed highest male incidence of $86.4\%$. Effects of 5 different durations (0, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours) treated with 1,000 ppb of $17{\alpha}-MT$ were also evaluated. Male induction rate from 0 to 24 hours treated group was increased with treatment durations. However, male incidence of 30-hour treated group ($84.0\%$) was sligthly decreased compare to the 24-hour treated group ($85.2\%$). It is concluded that immersion treatment using $17{\alpha}-MT$ on O. niloticus is possible on sex reversal at low concentration of 500 ppb and short treatment durations within 24 hours with 12-old-day fry.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.356-368
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• 2003

Water quality of effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPS) was reviewed to examine the feasibility of agricultural reuse using USEPA and WHO guidelines. It might meet the guidelines for BOD and SS, however, the most critical microbiological concentration was too high and further treatment is required. The pilot study of three treatments were performed to reduce microbiological concentrations. The UV irradiation was proved to be very effective in disinfection of secondary level effluent, and about 30 mW ${\cdot}$ s/$cm^2$ of dose was suggested to meet the even most stringent USEPA guidelines. Slow sand filter demonstrated effective removal of bacteria, and effluent concentration of total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and E. coli. dropped from about 10,000/100 mL to 300, 200, and 150 MPN/100 mL, respectively, showing over 95% removal. These level of bacterial concentration sufficiently meet the WHO guidelines ($10^3\;{\sim}\;10^5$ FC/100 mL), and could meet the more stringent USEPA guidelines (200 FC/100 mL) if properly applied. Slow sand filter also provided about 50% removal of SS, turbidity, and BOD in addition to bacterial removal. The removal efficiency of pond system was relatively poor, but still showed over 85% removal and effluent concentration of TC, FC, and E. coli was all below 10,000/100 mL. The pond system alone could meet the WHO guidelines, but hardly meet the USEPA guidelines and further treatment might be necessary. Overall, three methods evaluated in the study treat the effluent to meet the WHO microbiological guidelines for agricultural reuse. The UV disinfection and slow sand filter might also could the USEPA guidelines, while the pond system can hardly meet the USEPA guidelines if applied alone. The WHO and USEPA guidelines were made based on data from upland field agricultural system and may not be directly applicable to the paddy field agricultural system. Therefore, national standards for agricultural reuse of reclaimed water should be made considering domestic agricultural systems as well as international guidelines. Also, further investigation is recommended to develop optimum and feasible treatment measures for agricultural reuse of effluent from WWTPs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1265-1272
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• 2015

Barnyard millet Miryang 3 [Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun)] grains have recently been acknowledged for beneficial health properties due to phenolic ingredients and dietary fiber. This study has been conducted on the anti-diabetic activity of barnyard millet Miryang 3 which shows the strongest anti-inflammatory activity among barnyard millet inhabiting in South Korea. When 80% ethanol (EtOH) extract of barnyard millet Miryang 3 grains were orally administered into db/db diabetic mice for 8 weeks (600 mg/kg/day), the glucose level in blood following fasting appeared to be improved compared to the control group. The results of glucose tolerance test and blood lipid profile assay were similar to those of the metformin-administered positive control group. In addition, the level of body weight increase (8.54±2.24) was lower than the level of metformin-administered group (10.36±3.15); however, there was no subtle difference with negative and positive control groups in terms of food efficiency rates. In addition, total cholesterol levels of the 80% EtOH extract-administered group (160.7±7.6) were significantly reduced compared to the diabetic control group (229.3±47.8) and metformin-administered group (176.0±25.6). Consequently, these results show that barnyard millet grains alleviates many of the diabetic symptoms in vivo non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and suggest that barnyard millet grains can be applicable in developing new functional food materials.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2010

Purpose: The static image of nuclear medicine study should be acquired without a motion, however, it is difficult to acquire static image without movement for the serious patients, advanced aged patients. These movements cause decreases in reliability for quantitative and qualitative analysis, therefore re-examination was inevitable in the some cases. Consequently, in order to improve the problem of motion artifacts, the authors substituted the dynamic acquisition technique for the static acquisition, using motion correction. Materials and Methods: A capillary tube and IEC body phantom were used. First, the static image was acquired for 60 seconds while the dynamic images were acquired with a protocol, 2 sec/frame${\times}$30 frames, under the same parameter and the frames were summed up into one image afterwards. Also, minimal motion and excessive motion were applied during the another dynamic acquisition and the coordinate correction was applied towards X and Y axis on the frames where the motion artifact occurred. But the severe blurred images were deleted. Finally, the resolution and counts were compared between the static image and the summed dynamic images which before and after applying motion correction, and the signal of frequency was analysed after frequency spatial domain was transformed into 2D FFT. Supplementary examination, the blind test was performed by the nuclear medicine department staff. Results: First, the resolution in the static image and summed dynamic image without motion were 8.32 mm, 8.37 mm on X-axis and 8.30 mm, 8.42 mm on Y-axis, respectively. The counts were 484 kcounts, 485 kcounts each, so there was nearly no difference. Secondly, the resolution in the image with minimal motion applying motion correction was 8.66 mm on X-axis, 8.85 mm on Y-axis and had 469 kcounts while the image without motion correction was 21.81 mm, 24.02 mm and 469 kcounts in order. So, this shows the image with minimal motion applying motion correction has similar resolution with the static image. Lastly, the resolution in the images with excessive motion applying motion correction were 9.09 mm on X-axis, 8.83 mm on Y-axis and had 469 kcounts while the image without motion correction was 47.35 mm, 40.46 mm and 255 kcounts in order. Although there was difference in counts because of deletion of blurred frames, we could get similar resolution. And when the image was transformed into frequency, the high frequency was decreased by the movement. However, the frequency was improved again after motion correction. In the blind test, there was no difference between the image applying motion correction and the static image without motion. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the static image and the summed dynamic image. This technique can be applied to patients who may have difficulty remaining still during the imaging process, so that the quality of image can be improved as well as the reliance for analysis of quantity. Moreover, the re-examination rate will be considerably decreased. However, there is a limit of motion correction, more time will be required to successfully image the patients applying motion correction. Also, the decrease of total counts due to deletion of the severe blurred images should be calculated and the proper number of frames should be acquired.