• Title/Summary/Keyword: threshold concentration

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Synergistic Effects of Chios Gum Mastic Extract and Low Level Laser Therapy on Osteoblast Differentiation

  • Lee, Ki-Hyun;Kim, Young-Seok;Yu, Su-Bin;Kang, Hae-Mi;Kwak, Hyun-Ho;Kim, In-Ryoung;Park, Bong-Soo
    • International Journal of Oral Biology
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 2016
  • In the present study, we evaluated the effect of CGM on osteogenic differentiation of cultured osteoblasts, and determined whether combination treatment with LLLT had synergistic effects on osteogenic differentiation. The results indicated that CGM promoted proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts at the threshold concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$; whereas, CGM showed cytotoxic properties at concentrations above $100{\mu}g/ml$. ALP activity and mineralization were increased at concentrations above $10{\mu}g/ml$. CGM in concentrations up to $10{\mu}g/ml$ also increased the expression of osteoblast-activated factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix. The CGM ($50{\mu}g/ml$) and LLLT (80 mW for 15 sec) combination treatment group showed the highest proliferation levels, ALP activity, and mineralization ratios. The combination treatment also increased the levels of phosphorylated forms of p38, ATF2, PKD, ERK, and JNK. In addition, the osteoblast differentiation factors including type I collagen, BMP-2, RUNX2, and Osterix protein levels were clearly increased in the combination treatment group. These results suggested that the combination treatment of CGM and LLLT has synergistic effects on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells.

Evaluation of EDTA-based Three Methods to Detect IMP-1 and VIM-2 Type Metallo-${\beta}$-Lactamase-Producing Clinical Isolates of Imipenem Resistant Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas spp.

  • Hong, Seung-Bok;Shin, Kyung-A;Hwang, Seock-Yeon
    • Biomedical Science Letters
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.135-140
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    • 2011
  • We compared three EDTA-based phenotypic screening methods for detecting IMP-1 and VIM-2 type metallo-${\beta}$- lactamase (MBL)-producing isolates of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas spp., EDTA-double disk synergy test (EDTADDST), Etest MBL, and imipenem (IPM)-EDTA disk test. A total of 183 isolates (65 Acinetobacter spp. and 118 Pseudomonas spp. showing IPM resistance), confirmed to MBL genes by PCR, were used. The criteria for MBL production were (i) presence of a synergistic zone between IPM and EDTA disks in EDTA-DDST, (ii) reduction of IPM minimal inhibitory concentration by ${\geq}$ 3 twofold dilutions in the presence of EDTA in the Etest MBL, and (iii) ${\geq}$ 7 mm increase in the inhibition zone around the IPM plus EDTA disks compared with a sole IPM disk in the IPM-EDTA disk test. In this study using 87 MBL-producing and 96 MBL-nonproducing isolates, the sensitivities/specificities of EDTA-DDST, Etest MBL and IPM-EDTA disk tests were 94.3/78.1%, 89.7/91.7%, and 97.7/95.8%, respectively. When the threshold for the increase of the inhibition zone around the IPM plus EDTA disk over a sole IPM disk was altered to ${\geq}$ 5 mm and ${\geq}$ 8 mm for Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp., respectively, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 98.9% and 96.9%, respectively. Of the three EDTA-based phenotypic tests, the IMP-EDTA disk test was superior for detection of MBL-producing isolates.

Quantitative Analysis on Near Band Edge Images in GaAs Wafer (GaAs 웨이퍼의 대역단 영상에 대한 정량적 해석)

  • Kang, Seong-jun;Na, Cheolhun
    • Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.861-868
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    • 2017
  • Near band infrared imaging technique has adopted for imaging EL2 and shallow level distributions in undoped semi-insulating LEC GaAs. This technique, which relies on the mapping of near bandgap infrared transmission, is both rapid and non-destructive. Until now no quantitative analysis has been reported for near band edge region which gives the reverse contrast on EL2 absorption images. This paper presents the spectral, spatial and temperature dependence of photoquenching forward and inverse mechanism in the band edge domain for cells and walls and for direct and inverted contrast conditions during transitory regimes. The difference in the threshold for the EL2w and EL2b defects could be attributed to the contribution of a different electrical assistance due to a different species of impurities. Quantitative analysis results show an increased density of EL2w and a small reduction of EL2b in the region of the walls where there is a high density of dislocations.

Changes in Cell Membrane Fatty Acid Composition of Streptococcus thermophilus in Response to Gradually Increasing Heat Temperature

  • Min, Bonggyu;Kim, Kkotnim;Li, Vladimir;Cho, Seoae;Kim, Heebal
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.30 no.5
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    • pp.739-748
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    • 2020
  • In this study, a method of heat adaptation was implemented in an attempt to increase the upper thermal threshold of two Streptococcus thermophilus found in South Korea and identified the alterations in membrane fatty acid composition to adaptive response to heat. In order to develop heat tolerant lactic acid bacteria, heat treatment was continuously applied to bacteria by increasing temperature from 60℃ until the point that no surviving cell was detected. Our results indicated significant increase in heat tolerance of heat-adapted strains compared to the wild type (WT) strains. In particular, the survival ratio of basically low heat-tolerant strain increased even more. In addition, the strains with improved heat tolerance acquired cross protection, which improved their survival ratio in acid, bile salts and osmotic conditions. A relation between heat tolerance and membrane fatty acid composition was identified. As a result of heat adaptation, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA) and C18:1 relative concentration were decreased. C6:0 in only heat-adapted strains and C22:0 in only the naturally high heat tolerant strain were detected. These results support the hypothesis, that the consequent increase of SFA ratio is a cellular response to environmental stresses such as high temperatures, and it is able to protect the cells from acid, bile salts and osmotic conditions via cross protection. This study demonstrated that the increase in heat tolerance can be utilized as a mean to improve bacterial tolerance against various environmental stresses.

Removal of nitrogen and sulfur odorous compounds and their precursors using an electrolytic oxidation process (산화전리수를 이용한 질소와 황 계열 악취 및 악취전구물질의 제거)

  • Shin, Seung-Kyu;An, Hea-Yung;Kim, Han-Seung;Song, Ji-Hyeon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.223-230
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    • 2011
  • An electrolytic oxidation process was applied to remove odorous compounds from non-point odor sources including wastewater pipelines and manholes. In this study, a distance between the anode and the cathode of the electrolytic process was varied as a system operating parameters, and its effects on odor removal efficiencies and reaction characteristics were investigated. Odor precursors such as sediment organic matters and reduced sulfur/nitrogen compounds were effectively oxidized in the electrolytic process, and a change in oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) indicated that an stringent anaerobic condition shifted to a mild anoxic condition rapidly. At an electrode distance of 1 cm and an applied voltage of 30 V, a system current was maintained at 1 A, and the current density was 23.1 $mA/cm^{2}$. Under the condition, the removal efficiency of hydrogen sulfide in gas phase was found to be 100%, and 93% of ammonium ion was removed from the liquid phase during the 120 minute operating period. Moreover, the sulfate ion (${SO_4}^{2-}$) concentration increased about three times from its initial value due to the active oxidation. As the specific power consumption (i.e., the energy input normalized by the effective volume) increased, the oxidation progressed rapidly, however, the oxidation rate was varied depending on target compounds. Consequently, a threshold power consumption for each odorous compound needs to be experimentally determined for an effective application of the electrolytic oxidation.

Development of Herbal Drink to Improve Aerobic Capacity in Elite Endurance Runners (건각탕(健脚湯) 섭취가 엘리트 장거리 달리기 선수의 유산소성 능력 향상에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Jeong-Pil;Jung, Hee-Jung;Ahn, Kyoo-Seok;Oh, Jae-Keun;Choe, Yeong-Jin
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.563-571
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    • 2006
  • The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of oriental herbal drink to improve aerobic capacity in elite endurance runners. 14 male elite college runners were participated and divided into two group; i ) oriental herbal drink group (OG), ii ) placebo group (PG). All subjects were completed treadmill exercise protocol using GXT at before (B) and after (A) experimental treatment of one week. The V02max, anaerobic threshold (AT) were measured by gas analysis and heart rate (HR) were measure by polar system at pre, max, post, post 30 min and post 60 min. Blood samples were collected to analyze blood components. The V02max were significantly increased in OGA compared to OGB whereas the V02max and AT in OGA were significantly higher than PGA. The blood lactate concentration were shown higher decrease rate in OGA compared to Doth OGB and PGA during recovery whereas LDH and Na were significantly increased in OGA compared to both OGB and PGA. The blood concentrations of CI and K were significantly increased in OGA compared to PGA. There were no significant differences were founded in WBC, RBC, Hct, Hb and other components associated with energy sources(glucose, TG, TC, HDL, LDL, creatinine, CPK). These results suggested that this oriental herbal drink can be administrated to improve aerobic capacity in long distance runners.

Work Environments and Exposure to Hazardous Substances in Korean Tire Manufacturing

  • Lee, Na-Roo;Lee, Byung-Kyu;Jeong, Si-Jeong;Yi, Gwang-Yong;Shin, Jung-Ah
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.130-139
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tire manufacturing work environments extensively and to identify workers' exposure to hazardous substances in various work processes. Methods: Personal air sampling was conducted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexane, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and rubber fume in tire manufacturing plants using the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health Manual of Analytical Methods. Noise, carbon monoxide, and heat stress exposure were evaluated using direct reading instruments. Past concentrations of rubber fume were assessed using regression analysis of total particulate data from 2003 to 2007, after identifying the correlation between the concentration of total particulate and rubber fume. Results: Workers were exposed to rubber fume that exceeded 0.6 mg/$m^3$, the maximum exposure limit of the UK, in curing and production management processes. Forty-seven percent of workers were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. Workers in the production management process were exposed to $28.1^{\circ}C$ (wet bulb globe temperature value, WBGT value) even when the outdoor atmosphere was $2.7^{\circ}C$ (WBGT value). Exposures to other substances were below the limit of detection or under a tenth of the threshold limit values given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Conclusion: To better classify exposure groups and to improve work environments, examining closely at rubber fume components and temperature as risk indicators in tire manufacturing is recommended.

Comparison of Taste and Odor in Raw Water from the Main Daecheong Reservoir and Its Regulating Reservoir Downstream (대청호 원수와 하류 역조정지 원수에서의 이취미 비교)

  • Bae, Byung-Uk;Lee, Yu-Jeong;Lim, Mun-Gu
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.598-602
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    • 2008
  • The Daecheong Reservoir is the largest multi-purpose reservoir in the Keum River basin. This water supply is subject to some of the most serious taste and odor (T&O) problems in the region. The intensity of T&O events increased due to eutrophication during the 1990s. In this study, the temporal occurrence of T&O in raw water from the main Daecheong Reservoir and its regulating reservoir was compared using both an instrumental method (CLSA+GC/MS) and threshold odor number (TON) test from April to December 2006. In addition, biofilms on the submerged macrophytes and rocks were analyzed for two typical T&O causing compounds, Geosmin and 2-MIB. The maximum concentration of Geosmin in the main reservoir was almost two times higher than that in the regulating reservoir. Interestingly, 2-MIB was only detected in water samples from the main reservoir. In the case of T&O causing compounds present in the biofilm on the submerged macrophytes and rocks, the regulating reservoir had lower concentrations compared to those of the main reservoir. It was found that both Geosmin and 2-MIB were detected from the biofilms much earlier than from the water samples. This result suggests that the occurrence of T&O compounds in the biofilms could be used as an early warning indicator of an imminent T&O outbreak in the water body.

Identification the Key Odorants in Different Parts of Hyla Rabbit Meat via Solid Phase Microextraction Using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

  • Xie, Yuejie;He, Zhifei;Lv, Jingzhi;Zhang, En;Li, Hongjun
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.719-728
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    • 2016
  • The aim of this study was to explore the volatile compounds of hind leg, foreleg, abdomen and Longissimus dorsi in both male and female Hyla rabbit meat by solid phase microextraction tandem with gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and to seek out the key odorants via calculating the odor activity value and principal component analysis. Cluster analysis is used to study the flavor pattern differences in four edible parts. Sixty three volatile compounds were detected, including 23 aldehydes, 4 alcohols, 5 ketones, 11 esters, 5 aromatics, 8 acids and 7 hydrocarbons. Among them, 6 aldehydes and 3 acids were identified as the potential key odorants according to the ratio of concentration and threshold. The contents of volatile compounds in male Hyla rabbit meat were significantly higher than those in female one (p<0.05). The results of principal component analysis showed that the first two principal component cumulative variance contributions reach 87.69%; Hexanal, octanal, 2-nonenal, 2-decenal and decanal were regard as the key odorants of Hyla rabbit meat by combining odor activity value and principal component analysis. Therefore volatile compounds of rabbit meat can be effectively characterized. Cluster analysis indicated that volatile chemical compounds of Longissimus dorsi were significantly different from other three parts, which provide reliable information for rabbit processing industry and for possible future sale.

Calcium Modulates Excitatory Amino Acid (EAA)- and Substance P-induced Rat Dorsal Horn Cell Responses

  • Shin, Hong-Kee;Kang, Sok-Han;Chung, In-Duk;Kim, Kee-Soon
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.35-45
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    • 1999
  • Excitatory amino acid (EAA) and substance P (SP) have been known to be primary candidates for nociceptive neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, and calcium ions are implicated in processing of the sensory informations mediated by EAA and SP in the spinal cord. In this study, we examined how $Ca^{2+}$ modified the responses of dorsal horn neurons to single or combined iontophoretical application of EAA and SP in the rat. All the LT cells tested responded to kainate, whereas about 55% of low threshold (LT) cells responded to iontophoretically applied NMDA. NMDA and kainate excited almost all wide dynamic range (WDR) cells. These NMDA- and kainate-induced WDR cell responses were augmented by iontophoretically applied EGTA, but suppressed by $Ca^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},$ verapamil and ${\omega}-conotoxin$ EVTA, effect of verapamil being more prominent and well sustained. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ antagonized the augmenting effect of EGTA. On the other hand, prolonged spinal application of EGTA suppressed the response of WDR cell to NMDA. SP had triple effects on the spontaneous activity as well as NMDA-induced responses of WDR cells: excitation, inhibition and no change. EGTA augmented, but $Ca^{2+},\;Mn^{2+}$ and verapamil suppressed the increase in the NMDA-induced responses and spontaneous activities of WDR cells following iontophoretical application of SP. These results suggest that in the spinal cord, sensory informations mediated by single or combined action of EAA and SP can be modified by the change in calcium ion concentration.

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