• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1286-1298
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• 2005

The genus Paenibacillus is a new group of bacilli separated from the genus Bacillus, and most of species have been isolated from soil. In the present study, we collected 450 spore-forming bacilli from the roots of winter crops, such as barley, wheat, onion, green onion, and Chinese cabbage, which were cultivated in the southern part of Korea. Among these 450 isolates, 104 Paenibacillus-like isolates were selected, based on their colony shape, odor, color, and endospore morphology, and 41 isolates were then finally identified as Paenibacillus spp. by 16S rDNA sequencing. Among the 41 Paenibacillus isolates, 23 were classified as P. polymyxa, a type species of the genus Paenibacillus, based on comparison of the 16S rDNA sequences with those of 32 type strains of the genus Paenibacillus from the GenBank database. Thirty-five isolates among the 41 Paenibacillus isolates exhibited antagonistic activity towards plant fungal and bacterial pathogens, whereas 24 isolates had a significant growth-enhancing effect on cucumber seedlings, when applied to the seeds. An assessment of the root-colonization capacity under gnotobiotic conditions revealed that all 41 isolates were able to colonize cucumber roots without any significant difference. Twenty-one of the Paenibacillus isolates were shown to contain the nifH gene, which is an indicator of $N_{2}$ fixation. However, the other 20 isolates, including the reference strain E681, did not incorporate the nifH gene. To investigate the diversity of the isolates, a BOX-PCR was performed, and the resulting electrophoresis patterns allowed the 41 Paenibacillus isolates to be divided into three groups (Groups A, B, and C). One group included Paenibacillus strains isolated mainly from barley or wheat, whereas the other two groups contained strains isolated from diverse plant samples. Accordingly, the present results showed that the Paenibacillus isolates collected from the rhizosphere of winter crops were diverse in their biological and genetic characteristics, and they are good candidates for further application studies.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2010

The locking compression plates-distal femur(LCP-DF) are being widely used for surgical management of the extra-articular complex fractures of the distal femur. They feature locking mechanism between the screws and the screw holes of the plate to provide stronger fixation force with less number of screws than conventional compression bone plate. However, their biomechanical efficacies are not fully understood, especially regarding the number of the screws inserted and their optimal configurations. In this study, we investigated effects of various screw configurations in the shaft and the condylar regions of the femur in relation to structural stability of LCP-DF system. For this purpose, a baseline 3-D finite element (FE) model of the femur was constructed from CT-scan images of a normal healthy male and was validated. The extra-articular complex fracture of the distal femur was made with a 4-cm defect. Surgical reduction with LCP-DF and bone screws were added laterally. To simulate various cases of post-op screw configurations, screws were inserted in the shaft (3~5 screws) and the condylar (4~6 screws) regions. Particular attention was paid at the shaft region where screws were inserted either in clustered or evenly-spaced fashion. Tied-contact conditions were assigned at the bone screws-plate whereas general contact condition was assumed at the interfaces between LCP-DF and bone screws. Axial compressive load of 1,610N(2.3 BW) was applied on the femoral head to reflect joint reaction force. An average of 5% increase in stiffness was found with increase in screw numbers (from 4 to 6) in the condylar region, as compared to negligible increase (less than 1%) at the shaft regardless of the number of screws inserted or its distribution, whether clustered or evenly-spaced. At the condylar region, screw insertion at the holes near the fracture interface and posterior locations contributed greater increase in stiffness (9~13%) than any other locations. Our results suggested that the screw insertion at the condylar region can be more effective than at the shaft during surgical treatment of fracture of the distal femur with LCP-DF. In addition, screw insertion at the holes close to the fracture interface should be accompanied to ensure better fracture healing.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.290-303
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• 2003

Modern agriculture has been heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers to meet the food demands of ever increasing population. Progressive depletion of major plant nutrients in soil due to intensive cultivation practices has also necessitated the use of higher dose of chemical fertilizers particularly in soils where the organic matter content is very low. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pressure on agriculturists to enhance per area crop yields has led to fast depletion of fossil fuel resources with concomitant increase in the prices of chemical fertilizers and also led to environmental pollution. Hence, the current trend throughout the world is to explore the possibility of using alternate nutrient sources or increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers by supplementing them with organic fertilizers and bioinoculants comprising largely microbes like, bacteria, fungi, algae etc to enhance nitrogen and phosphates in the soil thus creating a sustainable agricultural environment. Among the different microbial inoculants or biofertilizers, Azospirillum could be a potential candidate due to its non specific host root colonization. It had the capability to fix $N_2$ in wide pH regimes and even in presence of combined nitrogen. Azospirillum inoculation can increase the crop yield to 10-25% and substitute 25% of recommended doses of nitrogenous fertilizers. Apart from nitrogen fixation, Azospirillum is also involved in the root improvement, the activity which was attributed to an increase in the rate of water and mineral uptake by roots. The ability of Azospirillum to produce phytohormones was reported to enhance the root respiration rate, metabolism and root proliferation. They have also been reported to produce polyhydroxybutyrate, that can be used as a biodegradable thermosplastic. A lot of studies have addressed improvements in enhancing its efficiency to fix nitrogen fixation and hormone production.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2007

Statement of problem: A phenomenon of screw-loosening in implant abutment is frequently occurred in a single and multiple implant restoration. Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate an effect of abutment material on screw-loosening before and after a cyclic loading. In a single-tooth implant, different materials of abutment, Type III Gold alloy and Zirconium composite$(ZrO_2/Al_2O_3)$ were used. Material and method: The Gold alloy(Type III) and Zirconium composite$(ZrO_2/Al_2O_3)$ were used to make a superstructure of implant, the one of types of UCLA, Each group was constituted of 5 sample with a 30-degree offset angulated loading platform. The external hexagonal fixture was rigidly hel d in a special holding zig to ensure solid fixation without rotation during the tightening and a cyclic loading. A Titanium-alloy screw was used to connect and controlled to be tighten in 20Ncm torque by a digital torque gauge. A 20 times of consecutive closing/opening cycle were performed to evaluate the immediate torque loss. In 5 sample of each material group, an initial opening torque was recorded during 3 closing/opening cycle, then 2Hz, 200N, 1,000,000 cyclic loadings were performed, then a opening torque was evaluated. Result & Conclusion: 1. In this limited study, titanium alloy screw tightened in 20Ncm, a cold-welding phenomen on was not observed during the 20 times of closing/opening cycle(p=0.11, p=0.18). 2. In titanium alloy abutment screw, repeated opening and closing of the screw caused to progressive decrease of opening torque(p=0.014). 3. The difference in preload of screw between gold alloy abutment and ceramic$(ZrO_2/Al_2O_3)$ abutment was not significant(p=0.78). 4. The difference in torque loss of screw between gold alloy abutment and ceramic$(ZrO_2/Al_2O_3)$ abutment was not significant after 2Hz,200N, 1,000,000 cyclic loading(p=0.92). 5. In titanium alloy abutment screw tightened by 20Ncm, the screw loosening was not significant on each group after 2Hz, 200Ncm, 1,000,000 cyclic loading(p=0.59).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.385-391
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to examine the viability of PDL cells in rat molars by using MTT assay and to verify the MTT assay through the histologic observation. Thirty of Sprague-Dawley white female rats of 4-weeks old with a body weight of about 100 grams were used. Groupings are as follows : Immediate Group : Positive control group(n=10)-after extraction immediately. Dried Group : Negative control group(n=10)-after drying for an hour under warm dry. $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ Group : 1hour $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group(n=10)-after storing in $ViaSpan^{\circledR}{\;}at{\;}4^{\circ}C$ for 1hour. Ten teeth of each group were treated as same as above and replanted to the original socket of experimental animals. After two weeks of replantation. all the experimental animals were sacrificed. And after fixation, extracted maxillary jaw was dimineralized. After it was embedded in paraffin. serial section by $5\mu\textrm{m}$ was carried out and for construction of specimen, hematoxylin-eosin dye was used. The mean MTT measurement of immediate group(positive control) is 2.81 and the mean measurement of dried group(negative control) is 0.98 which is significantt differnt(P<0.05), The mean measurement of $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group is 2.65 and there is significant difference between dried group and $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group(P<0.05), However, there is no difference between immediate group and $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group. The average resorption points of immediate group is 3.03 points. In the dried group, average 6.44 points resorption and 2.68 points showed resorption in the $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group. Unlike with MTT assay, there was no significant difference between the immediate group and $ViaSpan^{\circledR}$ group. The usage of MTT assay as a viable cell marker may give us a better indication of the maintenance of periodontal ligament cell vitality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

The present study examines the effects of 30 mg/kg butachlor on the cyanobacterial diversity of rice fields in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar in India. A total of 40 samples were grouped into three classes [(i) acidic, (ii) neutral, and (iii) alkaline soils], based on physicochemical and principle component analyses. Acidic soils mainly harbored Westillopsis, Trichormus, Anabaenopsis, and unicellular cyanobacteria; whereas Nostoc, Anabaena, Calothrix, Tolypothrix, and Aulosira were found in neutral and alkaline soils. Molecular characterization using 16S rRNA PCR and DGGE revealed the presence of 13 different phylotypes of cyanobacteria in these samples. Butachlor treatment of the soil samples led to the disappearance of 5 and the emergence of 2 additional phylotypes. A total of 40 DGGE bands showed significant reproducible changes upon treatment with butachlor. Phylogenetic analyses divided the phylotypes into five major clusters exhibiting interesting links with soil pH. Aulosira, Anabaena, Trichormus, and Anabaenopsis were sensitive to butachlor treatment, whereas uncultured cyanobacteria, a chroococcalean member, Westillopsis, Nostoc, Calothrix, Tolypothrix, Rivularia, Gloeotrichia, Fischerella, Leptolyngbya, and Cylindrospermum, appeared to be tolerant against butachlor at their native soil pH. Butachlor-induced inhibition of nitrogen fixation was found to be 65% (maximum) and 33% (minimum) in the soil samples of pH 9.23 and 5.20, respectively. In conclusion, low butachlor doses may prove beneficial in paddy fields having a neutral to alkaline soil pH.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.155-156
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• 1998

Screw loosening and subsequent pullout can be attributed to the reduction in bone mineral density in the vertebrae manifested by osteoporosis in which the decrease in fixation strength between the cancellous bone and screw threads are accelerated by repeated loads exerted by patients own weight and activities following the surgery. In this study, the change in pullout strength of the pedicle screws was investigated before and after repeated loads were imparted. For this purpose. Diapason pedicle screws $(6.7\times40mm)$ were inserted onto fresh porcine spine specimens (T1-L5) after bone mineral density was measured using a DEXA. With an MTS, an axial load was applied at a loading rate of 0.33mm/sec until failure to measure the maximum pullout strength. Flexion moment of 7.5N-m was then imparted at 0.5Hz for 2000 cycles. It was found that the maximum pullout strength was exponentially related to BMD regardless of load types ($107.71\;\times\;\exp^{(1.43{\times}BMD)}r^2=0.93$, P<0.0001 without repeated load; ($107.71\;\times\;\exp^{(2.19{\times}BMD)}r^2=0.78$, P<0.0001 with repeated load). The results suggest that the reduction in pullout strength for pedicle screws is far more prominent in osteoporotic spine than in normal spine especially as number of repeated load was increased. More importantly, it was demonstrated that the level of bone mineral density and the activity level of the patient should be evaluated in more detail for successful implementation of pedicle screw systems in spinal surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.989-997
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• 1999

Background: Calcific degeneration is the major cause of clinical failure of glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked bioprosthetic tissues implanted in the body and necessitates the reoperation or causes death. Surface modification of biologic tissues using sulfonated polyethyleneoixde (PEO-SO3) has been suggested to significantly enhance blood compatibility, biostability and calcification-resistance by means of the synergistic effect of highly mobile and hydrophilic PEO chains and electrical repulsion of negatively charged sulfonate groups. This study was designed to evaluate the anticalcification effect of surface-modification of biologic arteries by direct coupling of PEO-SO3 after GA fixation and changes of calcification according to the implantation period through the quantitative investigation of the deposited calcium and phosphorous contents of the biologic arterial tissues in the canine circulatory implantation model. Material and Method: Total of 16 fresh canine carotid arteries were harvested from eight adult dogs and divided in to GA group(n =8) and PEO-SO3 group(n=8). Sulfonation of diamino-terminated PEO was performed using propane sultone. Canine carotid arteries were only crosslinked with 0.65% GA solution in GA group and modified by direct coupling 5% PEO-SO3 solution after GA crosslinkage for 2 days and stabilized by NaBH4 solution for 16 hours in PEO-SO3 group. In both groups the resected segment of bilateral carotid arteries were reconstructed. Reconstructed segments of the two groups were analysed the quantities of calcium and phosphorous contents after 3(n=4) and 6(n=4) weeks in vivo. Result: After implantation of 3 seeks, PEO-SO3 group showed significantly less depositions.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.304-313
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution in bone and displacement distribution of the miniscrew according to the length and number of the miniscrews used for the fixation of miniplate, and the direction of orthodontic force. Methods: Four types of finite element models were designed to show various lengths (6 mm, 4 mm) and number (3, 2) of 2 mm diameter miniscrew used for the fixation of six holes for a curvilinear miniplate. A traction force of 4 N was applied at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ to an imaginary axis connecting the two most distal unfixed holes of the miniplate. Results: The smaller the number of the miniscrew and the shorter the length of the miniscrew, the more the maximum von Mises stress in the bone and maximum displacement of the miniscrew increased. Most von Mises stress in the bone was absorbed in the cortical portion rather than in the cancellous portion. The more the angle of the applied force to the imaginary axis increased, the more the maximum von Mises stress in the bone and maximum displacement of the miniscrew increased. The maximum von Mises stress in the bone and maximum displacement of the miniscrew were measured around the most distal screw-fixed area. Condusions: The results suggest that the miniplate system should be positioned in the rigid cortical bone with 3 miniscrews of 2 mm diameter and 6 mm length, and its imaginary axis placed as parallel as possible to the direction of orthodontic force to obtain good primary stability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 1987

A green house experiment was conducted to find out the acetylene reducing and $N_2$-fixing activity from photosynthetic and aerobic heterotrophic nitrogen fixing microorganisms in submerged paddy soil under different agricultural locality, soil series, soil texture, soil type, and drainage condition in which samples taken from without nitrogen treatment plot of NPK trials on 16 sites of the farmer's field. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The highest acetylene reducing activity was observed at 7 days after incubation in the light condition (photo synthetic microbes+heterotrophic bacteria) while it was observed at 35 days incubation in the dark condition (heterotrophic bacteria). 2. Among the soil series, photosynthetic nitrogen fixing activity was pronounced more in Jangae, Ogcheon and Hwadong series while lower was obtained in Buyong and Daejeong series. Aerobic heterotrophic nitrogen fixing activity was high in Buyong and Daejong series. 3. Estimated amount of $N_2$-fixation from acetylene reducing activity was equivalented to 3.0 mg in light condition and 4.9 mg/100g/105 days in dark condition. 4. Among the agricultural locality, photosynthetic nitrogen fixing activity was high in rather warm southern part while heterotrophic nitrogen fixing activity was predominated more in mountainous area and Chungcheong continental. 5. Photosynthetic nitrogen fixing activity was predominated in high productive soil while aerobic heterotrophic nitrogen fixing activity was pronounced more in crose coarse sandy soil. 6. The soils properties of high photosynthetic nitrogen fixing activity were constituted of poorly or imperfectly drained clay or clay loam soil while heterotrophic nitrogen fixing activity was pronounced more in well to moderately well drained sandy or sandy loam soil.