• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• 제4권4호
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2004

An ${\alpha}-Amylase$ was purified to apparent homogeneity from germinating soybean seeds (Glycine max). Enzyme showed high specificity for starch. ${\alpha}-Amylase$ from soybean has optimum pH at 7.6 in the pH range 4.0-10.6. At this pH, the $K_m$ of starch was 2.63 mg/ml and the $V_{max}$ was equal to 52.6 mg/ml/min protein. Optimum temperature of the enzyme was found to be $55^{\circ}C,\;Q_{10}$ equal to 1.85 and energy of activation equal to 12 kcal/mol. Additives like, EDTA reduced the activity of ${\alpha}-amylase$ whereas PMSF enhanced the activity. ${\alpha}-Amylase$ was inhibited by several heavy metal ions.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• 제52권3호
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of kilovoltage- peak (kVp) and the metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on the detection of buccal and lingual peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of titanium-zirconia (Ti-Zr) and zirconia (Zr) implants in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Twenty implant sites were created in the posterior region of human mandibles, including control sites (without dehiscence) and experimental sites (with dehiscence). Individually, a Ti-Zr or Zr implant was placed in each implant site. CBCT scans were performed using a Picasso Trio device, with variation in the kVp setting (70 or 90 kVp) and whether the MAR tool was used. Three oral radiologists scored the detection of dehiscence using a 5-point scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared by multi-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: The kVp, cortical plate involved (buccal or lingual cortices), and MAR did not influence any diagnostic values (P>0.05). The material of the implant did not influence the ROC curve values(P>0.05). In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity were statistically significantly influenced by the implant material (P<0.05) with Zr implants showing higher sensitivity values and lower specificity values than Ti-Zr implants. Conclusion: The detection of peri-implant dehiscence was not influenced by kVp, use of the MAR tool, or the cortical plate. Greater sensitivity and lower specificity were shown for the detection of peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of a Zr implant.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제3권3호
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 1993

Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to separate various types of recombinant hirudins from the culture broth. The wild type hirudin exhibited a retention in Cu(II)-chelated affinity chromatgoraphy since it contained a single exposed histidine at position 51. To obtain a stronger retention on an IDA-Cu(II) column, the hirudin variants were genetically engineered to contain one or two histidine (s) more than the wild type. While the affinity of the variants for IDA-Cu(II) ligand increased in comparison to that of the wild type, the antithrombin activities reduced to a certain degree. Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions were applied separately to the metal chelate column to investigate ligand specificity with respect to protein retention. As a result, the Cu(II) chelated chromatography gave the best resolution for all the hirudins tested and appeared to be the only IMAC that could be used generally for the purification of hirudins with a decreasing pH gradient.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.67-81
• /
• 1997

To determine the concentration and the physiologic role of metal components in blood plasma and seminal plasma in relation to male infertility, the concentrations of twelve metal components in blood plasma and seminal plasma including Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb were measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometery or ion selective electrode analysis. Semen and blood samples were obtained from a total of 110 men including 70 male infertility patients, 20 vasectomized persons and 20 fertility proven volunteers visited to the Male Infertility Clinic of Pusan National University Hospital. The concentrations of Ca, Zn, Mg, Cr and Cd in control group were higher in seminal plasma than in blood plasma, and additionally Pb were higher in infertility group. The concentrations of all metal components revealed no significant difference according to patients' age, resident, occupation, sperm density, motility and hormone level in blood plasma, but some metal components including Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Cd and Pb revealed a significant difference according to each these parameters except patient's age in seminal plasma. The concentrations of Mn, Cd and Pb in the vasectomy persons were higher than in the infertility group III including testicular and epididymal factors, but not in blood plasma. We conclude that the quantitative changes of metal components in the seminal plasma may have effects on not only spermatogenesis and sperm function, but also contribute to diagnostic parameter according to organ specificity of the metal in the male reproduction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제18권4호
• /
• pp.663-669
• /
• 2008

The solvent-tolerant bacterium Enterobacter sp. VKGH12 is capable of utilizing n-butanol and contains an $NAD^+$-dependent n-butanol dehydrogenase (BDH). The BDH from n-butanol-grown Enterobacter sp. was purified from a cell-free extract (soluble fraction) to near homogeneity using a 3-step procedure. The BDH was purified 15.37-fold with a recovery of only 10.51, and the molecular mass estimated to be 38 kDa. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant ($K_m$) for the BDH was found to be 4 mM with respect to n-butanol. The BDH also had a broad range of substrate specificity, including primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, and aromatic alcohols, and exhibited an optimal activity at pH 9.0 and $40^{\circ}C$. Among the metal ions studied, $Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ had no effect, whereas $Cu^{2+},\;Zn^{2+}$, and $Fe^{2+}$ at 1 mM completely inhibited the BDH activity. The BDH activity was not inhibited by PMSF, suggesting that serine is not involved in the catalytic site. The known metal ion chelator EDTA had no effect on the BDH activity. Thus, in addition to its physiological significance, some features of the enzyme, such as its activity at an alkaline pH and broad range of substrate specificity, including primary and secondary alcohols, are attractive for application to the enzymatic conversion of alcohols.

• 폴리머
• /
• 제24권6호
• /
• pp.802-809
• /
• 2000

Poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA)와 PVA 블렌드막을 제조한 후, ethanol 수용액중에서 막증의 polypeptide 사슬의 2차구조 전이거동에 미치는 용매조성 및 대이온종의 영향과 알칼리 금속 이온 (Li, na, K, Cs)에 대한 투과특성을 조사하였다. 막중 PLG 알칼리 금속염의 helix 형성거동에 있어 대이온 선택성은 Li>Na>K>Cs의 순으로 관찰되었고, 이와 같은 특이성은 탈용매화 에너지와 정전에너지의 감소에 따른 고분자 하전기와 대이온과의 contact ion-pair 형성에 의한 것으로 설명하였다. 또한 PLGA/PVA 블렌드막의 ethanol 수용액 중에서의 알칼리 금속이온의 투과거동을 살펴보면, ethanol 농도가 점차 증가함에 따라 K, Cs의 경우는 투고도가 증가한, Li, Na의 경우에는 감소하였다. K, Cs 이온의 경우 대이온과 염소이온간의 ion-pair (M$^{+}{\cdot}$Cl$^{-}$)형성에 의한 Donnan배제효과의 감소와 중성염 형태로의 분배량 증가때문인 것으로, Li, Na 이온의 경우 막중의 coil-helix 구조전이에 따른 자유체적의 감소와 고분자 하전기와의 상호작용이 증가하여 확산성이 크게 감소하였기 때문인 것으로 생각된다.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• 제51권1호
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device on the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in teeth with different root filling materials. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted human premolars were classified into three subgroups; 1) no filling; 2) gutta-percha; and 3) metallic post. CBCT images were acquired using an Orthopantomograph 300 unit with and without a MAR tool. Subsequently, the same teeth were fractured, and new CBCT scans were obtained with and without MAR. Two oral radiologists evaluated the images regarding the presence or absence of VRF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic tests were performed. Results: The overall area under the curve values were 0.695 for CBCT with MAR and 0.789 for CBCT without MAR. The MAR tool negatively influenced the overall diagnosis of VRFs in all tested subgroups, with lower accuracy (0.45-0.72), sensitivity (0.6-0.67), and specificity (0.23-0.8) than were found for the images without MAR. In the latter group, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0.68-0.77, 0.67-083, and 0.53-087, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between images with and without MAR for the no filling and gutta-percha subgroups (P>0.05). In the metallic post subgroup, CBCT showed a significant difference according to MAR use (P<0.05). Conclusion: The OP 300 MAR tool negatively influenced the detection of VRFs in teeth with no root canal filling, gutta-percha, or metallic posts. Teeth with metallic posts suffered the most from the negative impact of MAR.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• 제54권2호
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study examined the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool, sharpening filters, and their combination on the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in teeth with metallic posts using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Twenty single-rooted human premolars - 9 with VRF and 11 without - were individually placed in a human mandible. A metallic post composed of a cobalt-chromium alloy was inserted into the root canal of each tooth. CBCT scans were then acquired under the following parameters: 8 mA, a 5×5 cm field of view, a voxel size of 0.085 mm, 90 kVp, and with MAR either enabled or disabled. Five oral and maxillofacial radiologists independently evaluated the CBCT exams under each MAR mode and across 3 sharpening filter conditions: no filter, Sharpen 1×, and Sharpen 2×. The diagnostic performance was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. These metrics were compared using 2-way analysis of variance with a significance level of α=5%. Intra- and inter-examiner agreement were assessed using the weighted kappa test. Results: Neither MAR nor the application of sharpening filters significantly impacted AUC or specificity (P>0.05). However, sensitivity increased when MAR was combined with Sharpen 1× and Sharpen 2× (P=0.015). The intra-examiner agreement ranged from fair to substantial (0.34-0.66), while the inter-examiner agreement ranged from fair to moderate (0.27-0.41). Conclusion: MAR in conjunction with sharpening filters improved VRF detection; therefore, their combined use is recommended in cases of suspected VRF.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• 제47권1호
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the diagnosis of incipient furcation involvement with periapical radiography (PR) and 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging protocols, and to test metal artifact interference. Materials and Methods: Mandibular second molars in 10 macerated pig mandibles were divided into those that showed no furcation involvement and those with lesions in the furcation area. Exams using PR and 2 different CBCT imaging protocols were performed with and without a metallic post. Each image was analyzed twice by 2 observers who rated the absence or presence of furcation involvement according to a 5-point scale. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the observations. Results: The accuracy of the CBCT imaging protocols ranged from 67.5% to 82.5% in the images obtained with a metallic post and from 72.5% to 80% in those without a metallic post. The accuracy of PR ranged from 37.5% to 55% in the images with a metallic post and from 42.5% to 62.5% in those without a metallic post. The area under the ROC curve values for the CBCT imaging protocols ranged from 0.813 to 0.802, and for PR ranged from 0.503 to 0.448. Conclusion: Both CBCT imaging protocols showed higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity than PR in the detection of incipient furcation involvement. Based on these results, CBCT may be considered a reliable tool for detecting incipient furcation involvement following a clinical periodontal exam, even in the presence of a metallic post.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.454-460
• /
• 2007

Enzymatic properties and substrate specificity of recombinant $\beta-glycosidases$ from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus shibatae (rSSG), were analyzed. rSSG showed its optimum temperature and pH at $95^{\circ}C$ and pH 5.0, respectively. Thermal inactivation of rSSG showed that its half-life of enzymatic activity at $75^{\circ}C$ was 15 h whereas it drastically decreased to 3.9 min at $95^{\circ}C$. The addition of 10 mM of $MnCl_2$ enhanced the hydrolysis activity of rSSG up to 23% whereas most metal ions did not show any considerable effect. Dithiothreitol (DTT) and 2-mercaptoethanol exhibited significant influence on the increase of the hydrolysis activity of rSSG rSSG apparently preferred laminaribiose $(\beta1\rightarrow3Glc)$, followed by sophorose $(\beta1\rightarrow2Glc)$, gentiobiose $(\beta1\rightarrow6Glc)$, and cellobiose $(\beta1\rightarrow4Glc)$. Various. intermolecular transfer products were formed by rSSG in the lactose reaction, indicating that rSSG prefers lactose as a good acceptor as well as a donor. The strong intermolecular transglycosylation activity of rSSG can be applied in making functional oligosaccharides.