• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2006

This study investigated apoptosis and in vitro development of parthenogenetic preimplantation porcine embryos. In vitro matured oocytes for $42{\sim}44h$ were used. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed by using a terminal deoxynucleatidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end tabling (TUNEL) assay. In experiment 1, oocytes were activated with two electric pulses (CH) of 1.2 kV/cm for $30{\mu}sec$ (E), E + 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) or E + cycloheximide (CH) and cultured in PZM-3 under 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$. In experiment 2, oocytes were activated by E and cultured in PZM-3 or NCSU-23 under a gas atmosphere of 20% $O_2$ ($5%\;CO_2$, in air) or 5% $O_2$ $(5%\;CO_2,\;5%\;O_2\;90%\;N_2)\;at\;38.5^{\circ}C$. Oocytes activated with E+6-DMAP or E+CH showed higher blastocyst rates (36.3% and 32.5%) compared to E alone (27.7%). The frequency of apoptosis according to treatments were 5.3%, 7.7% and 7.1% respectively. Oocytes activated with E alone showed lower (P<0.05) frequency of apoptosis compared to other groups. In experiment 2, parthenotes cultured in PZM-3 showed slightly higher blastocyte rates (28.2% and 29.7%) compared to NCSU-23 (22.6% and 24.4%) regardless of atmosphere. Blastocysts generated in PZM-3 showed lower (P<0.05) apoptosis rate under 20% $O_2$ (9.2% vs 16.9%), whereas those in NCSU-23 had slightly lower apoptosis rate under 5% $O_2$ (14.0% vs 18.4%). This result represents that activation method and culture condition could affect the frequency of apoptosis as well as in vitro developmental rate.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Effect of organo nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) on the polyesterification of adipic acid (AA) with diethylene glycol(DEG) was investigated with p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) (Br${\phi}$nsted acid) and butylchlorotin dihydroxide (Lewis acid) catalyst at 383 and 423 K. The initial [OH]/[COOH] molar ratio was two and the concentration of the catalysts in the reactants was 0.14 mol% based on the total reactants. The kinetics of the polyesterification was interpreted with the conversion data that was calculated from the acid values of the reactant-product mixture. The reaction rate of the polyesterification, which was catalyzed with p-TSA, exhibited the second-order dependency on AA concentration. When Butylchlorotin dihydroxide was used, the reaction rate revealed the first-order dependency on AA concentration. The activation energy of the reactions catalyzed with p-TSA and Butylchlorotin dihydroxide were calculated at 42.2 and 63.8 kJ/mol, respectively. Addition of 5 wt% Cloisite 30B to the reactant significantly diminished the activity of p-TSA, so the reaction rate decreased and the activation energy was calculated at 72.9 kJ/mol. Butylchlorotin dihydroxide catalyst maintained its activity regardless of the addition of Cloisite 30B to the reactant and the activation energy was calculated to 61.8 kJ/mol. Lewis acid catalyst, butylchlorotin dihydroxide, was more effective than Br${\phi}$nsted acid catalyst for the esterification of AA with DEG.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1098-1103
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of ambient temperatures on carcass characteristics of lambs fed concentrate diets with or without $NaHCO_3$ supplementation. A slaughter study was carried on 12 male Black Belly Barbados lambs randomly drawn from a growth trial (35 weeks). The lambs were divided into four equal groups and allotted in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design. The lambs were allotted at random to two dietary treatments of a basal diet (35:65 roughage:concentrate) or basal diet supplemented with 4% $NaHCO_3$ at different ambient temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$) in an environment controlled chamber for 10 days. Lambs were slaughtered for carcass evaluation at about 262 days of age (245 days of growth trial, 7 days adaptation and 10 days of experimental period). Ambient temperature had significant (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.001) effects on meat color from the ribeye area (REA), fat, leg and longissimus dorsi muscles with higher values recorded for lambs in the lower temperature group than those from the higher ambient temperature group. Significant differences (p<0.05) in shear force value ($kg/cm^2$) recorded on the leg muscles showed higher values (5.32 vs 4.16) in lambs under the lower ambient temperature group compared to the other group. Dietary treatments had significant (p<0.01, p<0.01, and p<0.05) effects on meat color from the REA, fat, and REA fat depth ($cm^2$) with higher values recorded for lambs in the $NaHCO_3$ supplementation group than the non supplemented group. Similarly, dietary treatments had significant differences (p<0.05) in shear force value ($kg/cm^2$) of the leg muscles with the $NaHCO_3$ groups recording higher (5.30 vs 4.60) values than those from the other group. Neither ambient temperature nor dietary treatments had any significant (p>0.05) effects on pH, and water holding capacity on both muscles. These results indicated that $NaHCO_3$ supplementation at low ambient temperatures had caused an increase in carcass characteristics leading to significant effect on meat quality.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2020

Background: Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, is an immunosuppressant used in post-transplantation maintenance therapy. The drug has a narrow therapeutic range and requires periodic therapeutic drug monitoring. Although many studies have reported the effects of intrapatient variability of tacrolimus on survival, rejection, and complications in renal transplant recipients, very few studies have reported these effects in liver transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intrapatient variability of tacrolimus on clinical outcomes after liver transplantation. Methods: Intrapatient variability was calculated using individual, averaged tacrolimus concentrations. Patients were divided into two groups according to their median variability value: high-variability and low-variability groups. The rate of deviation from the therapeutic range, incidence of acute rejection, post-transplant diabetes, incidence of infection, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after transplantation were compared between the groups. Results: Of the total patients (n=82), the high-variability group (n=41) exhibited significantly greater deviation from the therapeutic range (65.92% vs. 56.84%; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in acute rejection or post-transplantation diabetes incidence or eGFR; however, the number of infection in the first 6 months was significantly lower in the low-variability group (0.4 vs. 0.9 times; p=0.039). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of infection significantly increased as intrapatient variability increased (p=0.015). Conclusion: High intrapatient variability in tacrolimus concentrations was strongly associated with an increased frequency of deviation from the suggested therapeutic range and an increased number of infection.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to provide a design and operation technical guideline for meeting the appropriate design criteria to bio-gasification facilities treating organic wastes. Based on the results obtained during the field surveys, the overall design and operation guidelines for bio-gasification facilities, monitoring items, cycle and commissioning period were presented. According to the flow of anaerobic digestion process, Various design factors for bio-gasification facilities were proposed in this study. When designing the initial anaerobic digestion capacity, 10 ~ 30% of the treatment capacity was applied considering the discharge characteristics by the incoming organic wastes. At the import storage hopper process, limit concentration of transporting organic wastes was limited to TS 10 % or less, and limit concentration of inhibiting factor was suggested in operation of anaerobic digester. In addition, organic loading rate (OLR) was shown as $1.5{\sim}4.0kgVS_{in}/(m^3{\cdot}day)$ for the combined bio-gasification facilities of animal manure and food wastes. Desulfurization and dehumidification methods of biogas from anaerobic digestor and proper periods of liquifization tank were suggested in design guideline. It is recommended that the operating parameters of the biogasification facilities to be maintained at pH (acid fermentation tank 4.5~6.5, methane fermentation tank 6.0~8.0), temperature variation range within $2^{\circ}C$, management of volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentration less than 3,000 mg/L, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2401-2405
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• 2016

Background: Both colorectal cancer (CRC) and diverticular disease (DD) are common in the affluent West, and their prevalence is also increasing in the rest of the world with economic development. Both diseases have common epidemiologic characteristics; increasing incidence, more common with advancing age and related to specific dietary changes. However, studies of associations between the two have generated mixed results with some showing positive correlations, whilst others have shown no or negative links. Most of these studies have been from the West with study populations that were predominantly Caucasians. Here the focus was on DD and colorectal neoplasms, including CRC, in Brunei. Materials and Methods: All patients who had undergone complete colonoscopy between 2011 and 2014 were identified and retrospectively reviewed. Patients under the age of 18 years old or had previous colonic surgeries (including previous CRC resection) were excluded. Results: The total number of colonoscopies included in the study was 2,766 (mean age $53.2{\pm}14.8$ years old, male 51.8%), of which DD, CRC and colonic polyps were detected in 17.3%, 4.7% and 28.2% respectively. The proportions of DD, polyps and CRC increased proportionally with age (<30 years, 30-49, 50-69 and ${\geq}70$). Overall, there was no association between the presence of DD and CRC (3.6% vs. 5.0%, p=0.179) but there was a significant association between CRC and left sided DD (p=0.034 by trend). There were also a significant association between presence of DD and polyps (36.1% vs. 28.2%, p=0.001), in particular with right-sided and pan-DD (p=0.001 for trend). Conclusions: Our study showed that the prevalence of DD, CRC and polyps increases with age. There were significant associations between presence of left-sided DD with CRC and right-sided or pan-DD with colonic polyps. This suggests shared risk factors. Further studies are required to assess links in other countries of the Asian Pacific region.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 1998

Purpose : It has been reported that endothelin-1 can be associated with the development of cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity. Levels of endothelin-1 was assayed to determine the effect of cyclosporine A on the plasma and urine levels of this peptide. Method : Nine patients who were less than 15 years of age and were also diagnosed as steroid dependent minimal change nephrotic syndrome were included in this study. Assay of endothelin-1 was done before and 3 months after cyclosporine A treatment. The mean age of the patients was $8.3{\pm}4.6$ years. Result : There was no significant differences in the plasma levels of endothelin-1 before and after 3 months of cyclosporine A treatment ($3.22{\pm}0.39$ pg/mL vs. $3.84{\pm}1.52$ pg/mL, P=0.64). Also there was no changes in the urine levels of endothelin-1 ($21.8{\pm}5.8$ pg/mL vs. $20.3{\pm}3.1$ pg/mL, P=0.30). Conclusion : No significant changes of endothelin-1 levels were found with 3 months of cyclosporine A treatment. Further studies with longer durations will help clarifying the effect.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.13-19
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• 2008

The objectives of this paper are to investigate states of these open dumping landfills for managing, utilizing and stabilization of a municipal solid waste landfill site in environmentally secure conditions. The result of the physical analysis of the landfill showed that it is composed of between 29.72-63.84% organic matter, 32.88% vinyl plastic. The environmental assessment of the landfill site confirmed that the landfill is at a maturation phase due to 0.18 of $BOD_5$/CODcr of leachate. VS and FS of TS Was respectively 30.37%, 32.34% and C/N ratio was 21.8. Surface water around landfill was BOD 10.7 mg/g, SS 37.8 mg/g, E-Coli 31,157(MPN/$100m{\ell}$) and Ground water was $COD_{Mn}$ 1.13-1.38 mg/g, $NO_3-N$ 1.025-4.075 mg/g. Leachat indicated T-P 0.002-0.028 mg/g, $NH_3-N$ 4.0-21.0 mg/g. The soil contamination of around landfill didn't appear as below of the regulation of Soil Environment Conservation Act. The Landfill Gas was $CH_4$ 13.25%, $CO_2$ 6.17%, H2S and CO was not detected. Also Surface Water was not detected $CO_2$, $CH_4$, $H_2S$, CO.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.693-699
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• 2005

Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in maintenance dialysis patients. Indeed, diabetic patients with chronic renal failure are considered to be at increased risk of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status and markers of inflammation of hemodialysis patients with and without type 2 diabetes. We compared nutritional parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation in 30 type 2 diabetic patients and age-matched 30 non-diabetic patients with hemodialysis. Serum albumin was significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes $(3.45\pm0.43g/dL)$ than in non-diabetic patients $(3.64\pm0.36 g/dL)$ (p<0.05). In contrast, the concentration of serum CRP was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes $(1.42\pm1.8mg/dL)$ (p<0.05). There were significant negative-relationships between serum albumin and CRP level in both diabetic (r=-0.553, p<0.01) and non-diabetic (r=-0.579, p<0.01) patients. In diabetic patients, serum albumin level was significantly correlated with hemoglobin (r = 0.488, p < 0.01) and hematocrit (r=0.386, p < 0.01). Diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetic patients showed a significant (p < 0.01) increased serum triglyceride (TG) $(153.1\pm80.1mg/dL\;vs\;101.6\pm62.4mg/dL)$ and decreased serum HDL cholesterol $(36.89\pm13.48mg/dL\;vs\;47.00\pm14.02mg/dL,\;P<0.05)$. There were significant correlations in the intake of calorie and serum albumin levels in both diabetic (r=0.438, p< 0.05) and non-diabetic (r=0.527, p<0.05) patients. Serum CRP level was negatively correlated with calorie (r= -0.468, p < 0.05), protein (r=-0.520, p < 0.01) and fat intakes (r=-0.403, p < 0.05) in diabetic patients and calorie (r=-0.534, p<0.05) and protein intakes (r=-0.559, p<0.05) in non-diabetic patients. The prevalence of protein malnutrition and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease were significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients than in non-diabetic hemodialysis patients. Thus, we can suggest that the higher comorbidity and mortality rate in diabetic hemodialysis patients are partially explained by malnutrition and inflammation.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.293-300
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the change in usage and clinical outcomes of using a humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) in preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with gestational age <32 weeks born at our neonatal intensive care unit from January 2008 to March 2011 was performed. First, data were compared between Era 1 (January 2008 to February 2009) and Era 2 (March 2009 to March 2011) to describe the increased usage of HHFNC. Second, the patients (gestational age 25-30 weeks) were divided into two groups to compare clinical outcomes. nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and HHFNC groups who received either NCPAP or HHFNC as a respiratory support within 14 days of birth. Results: Compared to Era 1, HHFNC usage increased from 10 to 55% in Era 2, whereas NCPAP usage decreased from 40 to 5%. No difference in pulmonary or adverse outcomes including the incidence of reintubation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), days on oxygen and a ventilator, and other outcomes was observed between the HHFNC and NCPAP groups. Days to reach full feed (32.2${\pm}$16.7 vs. 24.7${\pm}$10.2, P=0.05) and regain birth weight (20.9${\pm}$16.9 vs. 17.2${\pm}$4.3, P=0.04) decreased in the HHFNC group. Conclusion: HHFNC was feasible and did not differ in respiratory and other outcomes, but days to reach full feed and regain birth weight decreased in the HHFNC, when compared with the NCPAP. An additional prospective multicenter designed study is needed to better define safety and efficacy of HHFNC.