• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a tobacco specific nitrosamine found only in tobacco products. The ability to monitor biomarker concentrations is very important in understanding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). In this study, an efficient and sensitive method for the analysis of NNK in dust was developed and validated using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Dust was collected with filter paper soaked in methanol. The standard solution and dust sample were diluted with 100 mM ammonium acetate and extracted using dichloromethane. Our calibration curves ranged from 25 to $10^4pg/mL$. Excellent linearity was obtained with correlation coefficient values between 0.9996 and 1.0000. The limit of detection (LOD) was 5 pg/mL ($S/N{\geq}3$) and the retention time was 10 min. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 25 pg/mL, and the acceptance criteria was the rate of 98-103% (80-120% at levels up to $3{\times}LOQ$). The coefficient of variations (CV) was 2.8%. Accuracies determined from dust samples spiked with four different levels of NNK racurves ranged that from 25 to 104 pg/mL. Excellent linearity was obtained between 92.1% and 114%. The precision of the method was acceptable (5% of CV). The recovery rates of the whole analytical procedure at low, medium, and high levels were 105.7-116.5% for NNK. The carry-over effects during LC-MS/MS analysis were not observed for NNK. This manuscript summarizes the scientific evidence on the use of markers to measure ETS.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2019

Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix is cultivated in Korea and China and is traditionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we developed and validated a quantitative analysis method for S. miltiorrhiza Radix using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Identification was performed using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For quantitative analysis, we used seven marker compounds. Separation conditions for HPLC were optimized using an ODS column with gradient conditions of 1% formic acid in distilled water and 1% formic acid in acetonitrile, with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and a detection wavelength of 280 nm. This method showed good linearity ($R^2=0.9998$), precision (relative standard deviation ${\leq}3.3%$), accuracy (recovery of 94.16-102.89%), limit of detection ($7.53{\mu}g/mL$), and limit of quantification ($23.71{\mu}g/mL$). This approach successfully quantified marker compounds in S. miltiorrhiza Radix. The individual marker compounds were identified by comparing the molecular masses and retention times with does standard compounds. Marker compound contents of S. miltiorrhiza Radix were investigated with different cultivation regions. Seven marker compounds were detected and quantified in all samples. Among them, salvianolic acid B showed the highest contents and it ranged from 4.13 to 7.15%. The salvianolic acid B content (7.15%) of marker compound was the highest in Bonghwa, and the tanshinone IIA content (1.90%) was the highest in Pohang. The results of marker compounds and developed method were intended to provide a favorable reference for the study of S. miltiorrhiza Radix from different regions of Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1521-1530
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• 2023

An α-L-rhamnosidase gene from Thermoclostridium. stercorarium subsp. thermolacticum DSM 2910 (TstRhaA) was cloned and expressed. The maximum TstRhaA activity of the protein reached 25.2 U/ml, and the molecular mass was approximately 106.6 kDa. The protein was purified 8.0-fold by Ni-TED affinity with an overall recovery of 16.6% and a specific activity of 187.9 U/mg. TstRhaA activity was the highest at 65℃ and pH 6.5. In addition, it exhibited excellent thermal stability, better pH stability, good tolerance to low concentrations of organic reagents, and high catalytic activity for p-nitrophenyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (pNPR). Substrate specificity studies showed that TstRhaA exhibited a high specific activity for rutin. At 60℃, pH 6.5, and 0.3 U/ml enzyme dosage, 60 g/l rutin was converted to 45.55 g/l isoquercitrin within 150 min. The molar conversion rate of rutin and the yield of isoquercitrin were 99.8% and 12.22 g/l/h, respectively. The results suggested that TstRhaA could be used for mass production of isoquercitrin.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2010

Oxygen depleted water mass can damage aquatic animals not only in direct way but also in indirect way by generating toxic substances including occurrence of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which are also highly detrimental to animal life in the water mass. An oxygen dissolution device was developed, which makes turnover of the oxygen rich (over 20 mg/L) surface water down to the bottom where hypoxia is evident and tested the device in terms of oxygen recovery in the oxygen depleted bottom water. the device with turnover rates of $3.6\;m^2$/min at the liquid oxygen injection rate of 48~26.3 L/min could recover dissolved oxygen level to 7~25 mg/L at depth 7 m to lead to the dissolution level of over 90% by the supply of liquid oxygen. The running advantage of the device is that it does not require any auxiliary tank and higher energy for operation. Therefore, it can be highly useful device to relieve damages to the farmed animals in the oxygen depleted waters.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2014

Methanotrophic denitrification under a non-aerated condition (without external supply of oxygen or air) was investigated in a bioreactor coupled with a membrane diffuser. Batch experiment demonstrated that both methane consumption and nitrogen production rates were not high in the absence of oxygen, but most of the nitrate was reduced into $N_2$ with 88% recovery efficiency. The methane utilized for nitrate reduction was determined at 1.63 mmol $CH_4$/mmol $NO_3{^-}$-N, which was 2.6 times higher than the theoretical value. In spite of no oxygen supply, methanotrophic denitrification was well performed in the bioreactor, due to enhanced mass transfer of the methane by the membrane diffuser and utilization of oxygen remaining in the influent. The denitrification efficiency and specific denitrification rate were 47% and 1.69 mg $NO_3{^-}-N/g\;VSS{\cdot}hr$, respectively, which were slightly lower than for methanotrophic denitrification under an aerobic condition. The average concentration of total organic carbon in the effluent was as low as 2.45 mg/L, which indicates that it can be applicable as a post-denitrification method for the reclamation of secondary wastewater effluent. The dominant fatty acid methyl ester of mixed culture in the bioreactor was $C_{16:1{\omega}7c}$ and $C_{18:1{\omega}7c}$, which was predominantly found in type I and II methanotrophs, respectively. This study presents the potential of methanotrophic denitrification without externally excess oxygen supply as a post-denitrification option for various water treatment or reclamation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2003

This study was performed to determine the effect of green tea on the late biological effect (survival, hematological change, carcinogenesis) of mice irradiated with 3 Gy of gamma-radiation. There was little difference in body weights between normal and irradiated mice. Survival rate were decreased in irradiated mice and the survival rate and mean survival time of the groups treated with green tea were far better than the irradiation control group. An elevation of mean number of total leukocyte or lymphocyte counts was seen at week 12 of the group treated with green tea. Stimulated recovery by the extract from green tea was also observed in thrombocyte. Main gross findings of irradiated mice were appeared as enlargement of spleen, thymus and liver, tumorous nodules in lung and cyst or mass in ovary. Microscopically, there were various findings including hematopoietic and lymphoid tumor, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and cancer of other lesions. Green tea reduced the incidence of tumor development. Further studies are needed to characterize better the protective nature of active compounds.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1210-1217
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• 1999

This study was carried out to develop a newly designed ovum pick-up(OPU) instrument for ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration in cows. This new instrument consists of out- & inner-layer stainless pipes and a grip with a trigger(hand) switch. Some gauge types of disposable needles and tubes can be attached to this inner pipe. With this instrument, while grasping an ovary with one hand, the other hand can handle in apiration and vacuum on/off with the least assitant's help. With this instrument the mean recovery rate of bovine follicular oocytes was 45.2%. In recovered oocytes, usable oocytes(Grade I & II) were 30.4% and this rate meant 1.4 oocytes per ovary. For 30 days after initial aspiration with this instrument, some adverse effects such as adhesion, hemorrhage, hematoma and other mass formation in/with ovaries were also examined by rectal examination, ultrasonographic and endoscopic images. Adhesion was found in one ovary 1 week after aspiration, and hemorrhagic lesion was found 1-2 days and petechia were found 3-5 days after aspiration and there was no remarkable adverse effects. It was found that this instrument could be applicable and safe for ovum pick-up in cows.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

This study presented an analytical method for detecting radium in soils using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC). The isotope ²²⁶Ra was extracted from soil using the fusion method and then separated from interfering radionuclides using the precipitation method. Radium was coprecipitated as sulfate salts with barium (Ba) and then converted into Ba(Ra)CO₃, which is soluble in an acidic solution. The isotope ²²²Rn, the decay progeny of ²²⁶Ra, was trapped in a water immiscible cocktail and analyzed by LSC. The pulse shape analysis (PSA) level was estimated using ⁹⁰Sr and ²²⁶Ra standard solutions. The figure of merit was the highest at PSA 80, while the alpha spillover was the lowest at PSA 80. The counting efficiency was 243 ± 2% in a glass vial. This analytical method was verified with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference materials, including IAEA-312, IAEA-314, and IAEA-315. The recovery ranged from 60–82%, while the relative bias between the measured value and the recommended value was less than 10%. The minimum detectable activity was 2.1 Bq kg⁻¹ with dry mass 1 g, the background count rate of 0.02 cpm, the recovery rate of 70% and counting time of 30 min.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2008

The ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii were collected from the Jinhae bay in Kyungnam, Korea from April 2006 to October 2007. To assess how much they have tolerance against hypoxia under the compound condition of temperature and salinity, survivorship, oxygen consumption rate and external features of Scapharca broughtonii were measured, The 7 days-$LC_{50}$ of dissolved oxygen (DO) for Scapharca broughtonii at $15^{\circ}C$-ordinary sea water and $26{\pm}1$ psu was 1.98mg/L (confidence limit: 1,45-2.39 mg/L) and 2.63mg/L (confidence limit: 1.76-3.37mg/L) respectively. Whereas 3 days-$LC_{50}$ at $25^{\circ}C$-ordinary sea water was 3.89mg/L (confidence limit: 3.36-4.55 mg/L) and 4 days-$LC_{50}$ at $25^{\circ}C-26{\pm}1$ psu was 3.74mg/L (confidence limit: 3.19-4,43 mg/L). Oxygen consumption rate with each experimental group was decreased during the period exposed to hypoxia. To recovery, they were replaced to ordinary and oxygen consumption rate was increased a little, but all died, The color of the umbo of shell in Scapharca broughtonii was changed dark during hypoxia. These data will provide important fundamental information for examining the causes of mass mortality of shellfish in the summer.