• Title/Summary/Keyword: basal body

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Amelioration of Plasma Glucose and Cholesterol levels in Db/db Mice by a Mixture of Chinese Herbs (Db/db 마우스 모델에 있어서 한약재조성물의 혈당 및 혈장 콜레스테롤 개선효과)

  • Lee, Jai-Heon;Cho, Chang-Woo;Han, Xiang-Fu;Hwang, Ji-Yeon;Kang, Min-Jung;Joo, Hee-Jeong;Kim, Mi-Eun;Seo, Yeong-Ju;Kim, Jung-In
    • Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.225-230
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    • 2008
  • Diabetes mellitus is the fifth leading cause of death among Koreans. Control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia is strongly correlated with decrease in risks for cardiovascular diseases, the most common and fatal diabetic complication. The effects of chronic feeding of a mixture of Chinese herbs on blood lipid profile were measured in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, db/db mice (C57BL/Ks). The Chinese herb mixture was composed of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer,Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Lycium chinense, Morus, Pueraria thunbergiana, Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Schizandra chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Dioscorea batatas, Polygonatum doratumvar. pluriflorum, Paeonia lactiflora, and Rehmannia glutinosa in a ratio of 1 : 0.7 : 0.4 : 0.7 :0.4 : 0.7 : 1.1 : 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.4 : 0.7 :0.7 : 0.9 : 0.9. Methanol extract of the Chinese herb mixture was tested for the inhibitory activity against yeast ${\alpha}$-glucosidase in vitro. The Chinese herb mixture extract inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase by 25.2% at the concentration of 0.5mg/mL. Four weekold male db/db mice (n = 14) were fed AIN-93G semipurified diet or diet containing 10% powder of the Chinese herb mixture for 6 weeks after 1 week of adaptation period. Body weight (39.5 ${\pm}$ 1.6 g) and food intake (4.3 ${\pm}$ 0.6 g/day) of the Chinese herb group were not significantly different from those of the control group (40.4 ${\pm}$ 2.6 g and 4.5 ${\pm}$ 0.6 g/day). Consumption of Chinese herb mixture significantly decreased plasma glucose level (442.5 ${\pm}$ 36.0mg/dL) compared with the control group (489.8 ${\pm}$ 34.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Plasma cholesterol level (159.2 ${\pm}$ 18.4 mg/dL) of the Chinese herb group was significantly lower than that of the control group (185.4 ${\pm}$ 13.7 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Blood glycated hemoglobin (6.3 ${\pm}$ 0.8%) and plasma triglyceride levels (99.4 ${\pm}$ 15.0mg/dL) of the Chinese herb group were not significantly different from those of the control group (6.7 ${\pm}$ 0.7% and 108.8 ${\pm}$ 11.0mg/dL). Thus, the Chinese herb mixture could be useful in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Effect of Dietary Vitamin A on the Status of Antioxidants in Ethanol-Treated Rats (비타민 A 섭취가 에탄올을 급여한 흰쥐의 체내 항산화 영양소 상태에 미치는 영향)

  • 서정숙;양경미;최미정
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.848-858
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    • 1995
  • The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin A on the antioxidant status in ethanol-treated rats. Weaning rats were fed a basal diet until they reached about 160-180g body weight. Thereafter, four experimental groups were fed a liquid diet containing 36% ethanol of total calorie and four pair-fed groups were fed isocaloric sucorse instead of ethanol. Additionally, the liquid diet contained adequate amount of ${\beta}-carotene$, retinyl acetate, or 13-cis-retinoic acid except vitamin A deficient diet. The rats were sacrificed after 7 weeks of feedng periods. Significant decrease in hepatic vitamin E content was found in rats treated with chronic ethanol. However, dietary supplementation of retinyl acetate modified the change to some extent. Total vitamin C content of liver increased in vitamin A-deficient or ${\beta}-carotene$ groups with ethanol feeding. The ratio of reduced/oxidized vitamin C increased in the plasma and liver of ${\beta}-carotene$ group with ethanol feeding. Chronic ethanol intake did not change the total glutathione content of rat liver, but increased reduced glutathione(GSH)/oxidized glutathione(GSSG) ratio. This increase in hepatic GSH after chronic ethanol treatment. The changes of Se content in plasma and liver was not consistant. Fe content of liver increased by ethanol treatment, but this increase reduced in rats fed dietary retinyl acetate or 13-cis-retinoic acid. Fe content of plasma increased in vitamin A-deficient and ${\beta}-carotene$ supplemented groups with ethanol intake.

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Effect of Silicate Mineral Filtered Water and Silicate Mineral Additive on Growth Performance and Pork Quality (규산염 광물질로 정수된 급이수 및 사료내 규산엽광물질 첨가제의 급여가 돼지의 성장능력 및 돈육의 품질에 미치는 영향)

  • Kong, C.S.;Ju, W.S.;Kil, D.Y.;Lim, J.S.;Yun, M.S.;Kim, Y.Y.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.46 no.5
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    • pp.743-752
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    • 2004
  • This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of filtered water with silicate minerals on growth performance and pork quality. A total of 64 pigs were allotted at 37.95 kg body weight to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block(RCB) design. Each treatment had 4 replicates and treatments were I) Con(basaI diet). 2) Si-I(consumed silicate mineral filtered water and silicate mineral additive during 4 weeks before market weight), 3) Si-Il( consumed silicate mineral filtered water and silicate mineral additive during 8 weeks before market weight) and 4) Si-I1I(consumed silicate mineral filtered water and silicate mineral additive during 12 weeks before market weight). Silicate complex was added at 0.8% to basal diet. All pigs were allowed to feed and water ad libitum for 12 weeks. During last 4 weeks, average daily gain(ADG) in Si-Il and Si-III group was higher than that in Si-I group(P < 0.05). However overall experimental period, there were no significant differences in growth performance among all treatments. Acceptability of cooked pork at 7th day after slaughter in Si-lII group was higher than that in Con group(P < 0.05). The value of pH of fresh pork at 6 hours after slaughter was lower in Si-I1I group than that in Con group(P < 0.05). TBA values of fresh pork at 14th day after slaughter were lower in Si-II and Si-III groups than Con group(P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that pork quality could be improved when pigs consumed both silicate mineral and silicate mineral filtered water. However, growth performance was not improved by the consumption of silicate mineral filtered water and silicate mineral.

Effects of Supplementation Period and Levels of Fermented Mineral Feed(Power-Mix(R)) on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steer (무기물 사료(Power-Mix(R))첨가 급여 기간과 수준이 거세한우의 육량 및 육질에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Sung-Hwan;Byun, Sung-Hyo;Lee, Sang-Moo;Hwang, Joo-Hwan;Jeon, Byong-Tae;Moon, Sang-Ho;Sung, Si-Heung
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.450-456
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    • 2007
  • This study was carried out investigate the effects of the period of dietary supplementation and the level of fermented mineral feed on daily body weight gain and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steer. The dietary treatments were compared during two supplementation periods (T1:Feeding Hanwoo steers from 18 months to 25 months, T2: feeding Hanwoo steers from 7 months to 25 months), and the diets tested were of four types (0%: normal concentrate as a basal diet, 1%: 1% addition of fermented mineral feed, 2%: 2% addition of fermented mineral feed, and 3%: 3% addition of fermented mineral feed). A Total of 35 Hanwoo steers were allocated into 7 feeding groups. The daily gain of the 0% fermented mineral feed group was lower (0.64 kg) than that of the other groups (1%: 1.08 kg, 2%: 0.90 kg, 3% treatment: 0.75 kg) for the T1 period, and for the T2 period the order was 1% (0.98 kg) > 0% (0.75 kg) > 1% (0.89 kg). The amount of back fat in decreasing order was as follows: 0% (12.0) > 1% (10.8) > 2% (10.2) > 3% fermented mineral feed (7.8 mm) for the T1 period, and for the T2 period the order was C (16 mm) > T1 (13.8 mm) > T3 treatment (12.6 mm). Eye muscle area increased with increased fermented mineral feed levels. The marbling score of the T1 groups was highest with 3% fermented mineral feed (4.2), and of the T2 groups, the highest score was seen with 1% fermented mineral feed (5.6). Meat color and meat maturity were not different among all groups. The grade of meat quantity and meat quality of both the T1 and T2 groups were highest with the addition of 3% fermented mineral feed. The daily income ranged from 2,062 won to 5,265 won in the T1 groups, which were ordered as follows: 1% > 2% > 3% > 0% fermented mineral feed, and of the T2 groups, the 1% group was highest at 6,098 Won, while the 3% group was lowest at 4,590 Won.

Effects of Fermented Diet Using Probiotics from Pine Needle Microbes on Growth Performance, Blood Characteristics, Carcass Traits and Economy of Pigs (솔잎 토착미생물을 이용한 발효사료 급여가 돼지의 성장, 혈액성상, 도체형질 및 경제성에 미치는 영향)

  • Song, Young-Min;Chu, Gyo-Moon;Ha, Ji-Hee;Lee, Hyun-Jong;Kim, Sam-Churl;Kim, Hoi-Yun
    • Journal of agriculture & life science
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    • v.45 no.2
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    • pp.93-101
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    • 2011
  • This study was conducted to investigate the effect of probiotic from pine needle microbes on growth performance, blood characteristics, carcass traits and economy of pigs. One hundred eighty pigs (L${\times}$Y${\times}$D, average body weight=75 kg) were grouped and housed with 15 animals per pen for 3 replications per each treatment. The ingredients and pine needle microbes mixed and fermented on anaerobic condition for 10 days to make the fermented diet. The basal diet was substituted with 0 (CON), 3 (T1), 5 (T2) and 10% (T3) of fermented diet, the pigs were fed for 42 days and slaughtered at the end of the trial to measure the carcass traits. Crude protein concentration of fermented diet on 10 day was higher (p<0.05) than that of on 0 day, while crude fiber concentration and pH were lower (p<0.05). The supplementation of fermented diet did not affect on growth performance and feed intake. Hemoglobin concentration of whole blood in T3 was higher (p<0.05) than that of CON, and hematocrit concentrations in CON and T1 were higher (p<0.05) than that of T2 and T3. The concentration of platelet was higher (p<0.05) in T1 than in T2 and T3. The CON had higher (p<0.05) total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations than the treatments, whereas lower (p<0.05) HDL-cholesterol concentration. Carcass weight and dressing in T1 and T3 were higher (p<0.05) than those of CON and T2. The backfat thickness was higher (p<0.05) in CON and T2 than in T3. The carcass grade and economy improved by supplementation of fermented diet compare to CON. In conclusion, the supplementation of fermented diet using probiotics from pine needle microbes could improve health and meat quality and reduce the feed cost of pigs.

Evaluation of the usefulness of prone position for reducing the image distortion due to respiration in PET/CT (PET/CT 검사 시 호흡에 따른 영상 왜곡 감소를 위한 엎드린 자세의 유용성 평가)

  • Lee, Han Wool;Kim, Jung Yul;Choi, Yong Hoon;Lim, Han Sang;Kim, Jae Sam
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.59-63
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    • 2019
  • Purpose The motion due to respiration of patients undergoing PET/CT is a cause of artifacts in image and registration error between PET and CT images. The degree of displacement and distortion for tumor, which affects the measurement of Standard Uptake Value (SUV) and lesion volume, is especially higher for tumors that is small or located at the base of lungs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of prone position in the correction of image distortion due to respiration of patients in PET/CT. Materials and Methods The imaging equipment used in this study was PET/CT Discovery 600 (GE Healthcare, MI, USA). 20 patients whose lesions were identified in the middle and lower lungs from May to August 2018 were enrolled in this study. After acquiring whole body image in the supine position, additional images of the lesion area were obtained in the prone position with the same conditions. SUVmax, SUVmean, and volume of the lesion were measured for each image, and the displacement of the lesion on PET and CT images were measured, compared, and analyzed. Results The SUVmax, SUVmean, and volume, and displacement of the lesion were $4.72{\pm}2.04$, $3.10{\pm}1.38$, $4.68{\pm}3.20$, and $4.64{\pm}1.88$, respectively for image acquired in the supine position and $5.89{\pm}2.42$, $3.97{\pm}1.65$, $2.13{\pm}1.09$, and $2.24{\pm}0.84$, respectively for image acquired in the prone position, indicating that, for all the lesions imaged, SUVmax and SUVmean were higher and volume and displacement were smaller in the images acquired in prone position compared to those acquired in supine one(p<0.05). Conclusion These results showed that the prone position PET/CT imaging improves the quality of the image by increasing the SUV of the lesion and reducing the respiratory artifacts caused by registration error between PET and CT images. It is considered that the PET/CT imaging in the prone position is helpful in the diagnosis of the disease as an economical and efficient methods that correct registration error for the lesions in basal lung and reduce artifacts.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Yeongweol Group (Cambrian-Ordovician), Taebaeksan Basin, Korea: Paleogeographic Implications (전기고생대 태백산분지 영월층군의 순차층서 연구를 통한 고지리적 추론)

  • Kwon, Y.K.
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.45 no.3
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    • pp.317-333
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    • 2012
  • The Yeongweol Group is a Lower Paleozoic mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequence in the Taebaeksan Basin of Korea, and consists of five lithologic formations: Sambangsan, Machari, Wagok, Mungok, and Yeongheung in ascending order. Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the group indicates that initial flooding in the Yeongweol area of the Taebaeksan Basin resulted in basal siliciclastic-dominated sequences of the Sambangsan Formation during the Middle Cambrian. The accelerated sea-level rise in the late Middle to early Late Cambrian generated a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic slope or deep ramp sequence of shale, grainstone and breccia intercalations, representing the lower part of the Machari Formation. The continued rise of sea level in the Late Cambrian made substantial accommodation space and activated subtidal carbonate factory, forming carbonate-dominated subtidal platform sequence in the middle and upper parts of the Machari Formation. The overlying Wagok Formation might originally be a ramp carbonate sequence of subtidal ribbon carbonates and marls with conglomerates, deposited during the normal rise of relative sea level in the late Late Cambrian. The formation was affected by unstable dolomitization shortly after the deposition during the relative sea-level fall in the latest Cambrian or earliest Ordovician. Subsequently, it was extensively dolomitized under the deep burial diagenetic condition. During the Early Ordovician (Tremadocian), global transgression (viz. Sauk) was continued, and subtidal ramp deposition was sustained in the Yeongweol platform, forming the Mungok Formation. The formation is overlain by the peritidal carbonates of the Yeongheung Formation, and is stacked by cyclic sedimentation during the Early to Middle Ordovician (Arenigian to Caradocian). The lithologic change from subtidal ramp to peritidal facies is preserved at the uppermost part of the Mungok Formation. The transition between Sauk and Tippecanoe sequences is recognized within the middle part of the Yeongheung Formation as a minimum accommodation zone. The global eustatic fall in the earliest Middle Ordovician and the ensuing rise of relative sea level during the Darrwillian to Caradocian produced broadly-prograding peritidal carbonates of shallowing-upward cyclic successions within the Yeongheung Formation. The reconstructed relative sea-level curve of the Yeongweol platform is very similar to that of the Taebaek platform. This reveals that the Yeongweol platform experienced same tectonic movements with the Taebaek platform, and consequently that both platform sequences might be located in a body or somewhere separately in the margin of the North China platform. The significant differences in lithologic and stratigraphic successions imply that the Yeongweol platform was much far from the Taebaek platform and not associated with the Taebaek platform as a single depositional system. The Yeongweol platform was probably located in relatively open shallow marine environments, whereas the Taebaek platform was a part of the restricted embayments. During the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic amalgamations of the Korean massifs, the Yeongweol platform was probably pushed against the Taebaek platform by the complex movement, forming fragmented platform sequences of the Taebaeksan Basin.

Development of Supplemental Equipment to Reduce Movement During Fusion Image Acquisition (융합영상(Fusion image)에서 움직임을 줄이기 위한 보정기구의 개발)

  • Cho, Yong Gwi;Pyo, Sung Jae;Kim, Bong Su;Shin, Chae Ho;Cho, Jin Woo;Kim, Chang Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.84-89
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: Patients' movement during long image acquisition time for the fusion image of PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) results in unconformity, and greatly affects the quality of the image and diagnosis. The arm support fixtures provided by medical device companies are not manufactured considering the convenience and safety of the patients; the arm and head movements (horizontal and vertical) during PET/CT scan cause defects in the brain fundus images and often require retaking. Therefore, this study aims to develop patient-compensation device that would minimize the head and arm movements during PET/CT scan, providing comfort and safety, and to reduce retaking. Materials and Methods: From June to July 2012, 20 patients who had no movement-related problems and another 20 patients who had difficulties in raising arms due to shoulder pain were recruited among the ones who visited nuclear medicine department for PET Torso scan. By using Patient Holding System (PHS), different range of motion (ROM) in the arm ($25^{\circ}$, $27^{\circ}$, $29^{\circ}$, $31^{\circ}$, $33^{\circ}$, $35^{\circ}$) was applied to find the most comfortable angle and posture. The manufacturing company was investigated for the permeability of the support material, and the comfort level of applying bands (velcro type) to fix the patient's head and arms was evaluated. To find out the retake frequency due to movements, the amount of retake cases pre/post patient-compensation were analyzed using the PET Torso scan data collected between January to December 2012. Results: Among the patients without movement disorder, 18 answered that PHS and $29^{\circ}$ arm ROM were the most comfortable, and 2 answered $27^{\circ}$ and $31^{\circ}$, respectively. Among the patients with shoulder pain, 15 picked $31^{\circ}$ as the most comfortable angle, 2 picked $33^{\circ}$, and 3 picked $35^{\circ}$. For this study, the handle was manufactured to be adjustable for vertical movements. The material permeability of the patient-compensation device has been verified, and PHS and the compensation device were band-fixed (velcro type) to prevent device movements. A furrow was cut for head fixation to minimize the head and neck movements, fixing bands were attached for the head, wrist, forearm, and upper arm to limit movements. The retake frequency of PET Torso scan due to patient movements was 11.06% (191 cases/1,808 patients) before using the movement control device, and 2.65% (48 cases/1,732 patients) after using the device; 8.41% of the frequency was reduced. Conclusion: Recent change and innovation in the medical environment are making expensive medical image scans, and providing differentiated services for the customers is essential. To secure patient comfort and safety during PET/CT scans, ergonomic patient-compensation devices need to be provided. Therefore, this study manufactured a patientcompensation device with vertically adjustable ergonomic ROM according to the patient's body shape and condition during PET Torso scan. The defects in the basal ganglia images due to arm movements were reduced, and retaking was decreased.

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Effect of Dietary Streptococcus faecium on the Performances and the Changes of Intestinal Microflora of Broiler Chicks (Streptococcus faecium의 급여가 육계의 성장과 장내 세균총 변화에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, K.S.;Chee, K.M.;Lee, S.J.;Cho, S.K.;Kim, S.S.;Lee, W.
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.97-119
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    • 1991
  • Effect of Streptococcus faecium(SF) and an antibiotic, Colistin(Col), supplemented to diets singly or in combination, on the performances and changes of intestinal population of microflora of broiler chicks studied. A total of 252, day-old chicks(Arbor Acre) of mixed sex(M:F=1:1) were alloted into six groups. A diet with no Col and SF was referred as a control diet. The basal diets were added with two levels of SF, 0.04 and 0.08%, singly or in combination with Col 10ppm Another diet was prepared by adding only Col 10 ppm. Numbers of the microorganism in diets added with SF 0.04% and 0.08% were 7$\times$10$^{4}$ and 1.4$\times$10$^{5}$ /g diet respectively The diets consisting of corn and soybean meal as major ingredients were fed for a period of seven weeks . During the feeding trial, fresh excreta were sampled at the end of every week in a sterilized condition to count microbial changes from each dietary group. Microbial changes of large intestine were also measured from nine birds sacrificed at the end of the 4th and 7th weeks each time per dietary group. Excreta from all the groups were also collected quantitatively at the end of 3rd and 6th weeks to measure digestibility of the diets, At the end of 7th week, nine birds from each group were also sacrificed to measure weight changes of gastrointestinal tracts . Average body weight gains of broilers fed the diets added with SF 0.08% (2.37kg) or SF 0. 08%+col 10ppm(2.34kg) were significantly larger than that of the control(2.18kg). The weight gains of the other groups were not statistically different from that of the control Feed/gain ratios of the supplemental groups were better than that of control (P<0.05) except that of birds fed the diet added only with SF 0.04%. Digestibilities of nutrients such as dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and total carbohydrates were not altered by the consumption of the diets added with SF and/or Col throughout the whole feeding period. As expected, the numbers of Streptococci in the excreta from birds fed diets added with SF increased significantly with a statistical difference between groups with SF 0.04% and SF 0.08% most of the time. However. addition of Colistin to the diets supplemented with SF did not give any effects on the number of the microorganism. Numbers of coliforms in the excreta were apparently reduced by feeding the diets added with SF and/or Col(P<0.05). There were, however, no additive effects observed between the two feed additives in this regard when supplementing Col to the SF diets. Distributions of intestinal microflora exhibited exactly the same pattern as those of the excreta. Length of small intestine of the birds fed diets added with SF 0.08% with or without Col 10 ppm became significantly longer with a range of about 10% than those of the birds fed diets without SF. However, the empty weight of the small inestine of the former group was lighter than that of control These changes resulted in a significant reduction in weight/unit length of the intestine of the birds fed diets supplemented with Col and SF singly or in combination. In overall conclusion, diet added with SF 0.08% appeared most effective in improving broiler performances. Colistin added at a level of 10ppm was not beneficial at all in itself or in combination with SF in terms of broiler performances or changes of intestinal microflora population. The efficacy of SF and Col could be attributed to the changes of wall thickness of the small intestine.

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Geology of Athabasca Oil Sands in Canada (캐나다 아사바스카 오일샌드 지질특성)

  • Kwon, Yi-Kwon
    • The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2008
  • As conventional oil and gas reservoirs become depleted, interests for oil sands has rapidly increased in the last decade. Oil sands are mixture of bitumen, water, and host sediments of sand and clay. Most oil sand is unconsolidated sand that is held together by bitumen. Bitumen has hydrocarbon in situ viscosity of >10,000 centipoises (cP) at reservoir condition and has API gravity between $8-14^{\circ}$. The largest oil sand deposits are in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The reverves are approximated at 1.7 trillion barrels of initial oil-in-place and 173 billion barrels of remaining established reserves. Alberta has a number of oil sands deposits which are grouped into three oil sand development areas - the Athabasca, Cold Lake, and Peace River, with the largest current bitumen production from Athabasca. Principal oil sands deposits consist of the McMurray Fm and Wabiskaw Mbr in Athabasca area, the Gething and Bluesky formations in Peace River area, and relatively thin multi-reservoir deposits of McMurray, Clearwater, and Grand Rapid formations in Cold Lake area. The reservoir sediments were deposited in the foreland basin (Western Canada Sedimentary Basin) formed by collision between the Pacific and North America plates and the subsequent thrusting movements in the Mesozoic. The deposits are underlain by basement rocks of Paleozoic carbonates with highly variable topography. The oil sands deposits were formed during the Early Cretaceous transgression which occurred along the Cretaceous Interior Seaway in North America. The oil-sands-hosting McMurray and Wabiskaw deposits in the Athabasca area consist of the lower fluvial and the upper estuarine-offshore sediments, reflecting the broad and overall transgression. The deposits are characterized by facies heterogeneity of channelized reservoir sands and non-reservoir muds. Main reservoir bodies of the McMurray Formation are fluvial and estuarine channel-point bar complexes which are interbedded with fine-grained deposits formed in floodplain, tidal flat, and estuarine bay. The Wabiskaw deposits (basal member of the Clearwater Formation) commonly comprise sheet-shaped offshore muds and sands, but occasionally show deep-incision into the McMurray deposits, forming channelized reservoir sand bodies of oil sands. In Canada, bitumen of oil sands deposits is produced by surface mining or in-situ thermal recovery processes. Bitumen sands recovered by surface mining are changed into synthetic crude oil through extraction and upgrading processes. On the other hand, bitumen produced by in-situ thermal recovery is transported to refinery only through bitumen blending process. The in-situ thermal recovery technology is represented by Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage and Cyclic Steam Stimulation. These technologies are based on steam injection into bitumen sand reservoirs for increase in reservoir in-situ temperature and in bitumen mobility. In oil sands reservoirs, efficiency for steam propagation is controlled mainly by reservoir geology. Accordingly, understanding of geological factors and characteristics of oil sands reservoir deposits is prerequisite for well-designed development planning and effective bitumen production. As significant geological factors and characteristics in oil sands reservoir deposits, this study suggests (1) pay of bitumen sands and connectivity, (2) bitumen content and saturation, (3) geologic structure, (4) distribution of mud baffles and plugs, (5) thickness and lateral continuity of mud interbeds, (6) distribution of water-saturated sands, (7) distribution of gas-saturated sands, (8) direction of lateral accretion of point bar, (9) distribution of diagenetic layers and nodules, and (10) texture and fabric change within reservoir sand body.

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