• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Many topical agents had been used for contaminated wound treatment. Although antimicrobial ointments were widely used as topical agents, their comparative antibacterial and wound healing effects were largely unreported. The purpose of this study was to compare antibacterial effects and wound healing effects of common topical ointments on infected full thickness skin defect in the mouse. Methods: One full thickness skin defects in the mice (n=60) were developed on the back and left open for twenty-four hours. Sixty mice were divided into four groups: group B (dressing with Bactroban$^{(R)}$, n=15), group I (dressing with Iodosorb$^{(R)}$, n=15), group T (dressing with Terramycin$^{(R)}$, n=15), group G (control group, dressing with dry gauze, n=15). The size of wound defects and the grades of wound healing were evaluated at 4, 7, 10 days, and antibacterial effect was evaluated with restricted zone in Mueller Hinton agar by disk diffusion method. After the wound was left open for twenty-four hours, many Staphylococcus aureus was cultured. The wound defect size was decreased in order of Bactroban$^{(R)}$ (B), Iodosorb$^{(R)}$ (I), Terramycin$^{(R)}$ and gauze dressing group in all days, but difference among experimental groups was not statistically significant. The grade score of wound healing was increased in order of Bactroban$^{(R)}$, Iodosorb$^{(R)}$, Terramycin$^{(R)}$ and gauze dressing group, and the difference was statistically significant. Antibacterial effect for was increased in order of Bactroban$^{(R)}$, Iodosorb$^{(R)}$, Terramycin$^{(R)}$ and gauze dressing group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Topical antimicrobial ointments application was effective against wound infections by S. aureus. Bactroban$^{(R)}$ may be an optimal topical treatment for infected wounds according to this study. However, further study is necessary to evaluate the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial ointments and to search for the mechanisms that explain their effects.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.89-101
• /
• 1996

This study was performed to investigate influence of the changes of head posture on resting electromyographic (EMG) activity in anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius, and on status of occlusal contacts. For this study twenty-nine patients with temporomandibular disorders(TMD) and thirty dental students without any masticatory symptoms were selected as patients group and control group, respectively. EMG activity($\mu$V) at rest was observed in four kind of head postures such as natural or normal head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), downward head posture(DHP), and in NHP and FHP, EMG activity with flat occlusal splint was also checked. BioEMG$^\textregistered$(Bioelectromyograph, Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used to record EMG activity in the above four muscles with eight locations on both sides. The author used T-Scan$^\textregistered$(Tekscan Co., USA) system to investigate the changes of oclusal contats on clenching in the four head postures about number, force, time(duration) and total left-right statistis(TLR, occlusal stability crossing left-right dental arch on clenching). For taking in upward or downward head posture, head was inclined $10^{\circ}$ upward or downward and CROM$^\textregistered$ (cervical-range-of motion, Performance attainment Inc., USA) was used to maintain same posture during the procedure. The results obtained were as follows : 1. For resting EMG activity, anterior temporalis did not show any difference by change of head posture, but masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscle showed higher value of EMG activity in FHP and UHP, and trapezius showed higher value of EMG activity in FHP and DHP. 2. EMG activity of trapezius was higher than that of any other muscles in NHP, FHP, and DHP, but in UHP, the activity was the lowest reversely. 3. Patients group showed higher EMG activity than control group did in all the muscles in NHP. And significant difference between the two groups were also observed in anterior temporalis in FHP, in sternocleidomastoid muscle in UHP, and in sterno-cleidomastoid muscle and trapezius in DHP with higher activity in patients group. 4. There was no change of EMG activity in NHp with splint, but EMG activity in anterior temporalis and masseter was decreased in FHP with splint. 5. In general, status of occlusal contacts was not changed with head posture in all subjects, and difference between patients group and control group was only noted for number and force of tooth contact in UHP and DHP with more value in control group. 6. Correlationship between EMG activity and number ad force of tooth contacts was shown negatively with regard to masseter in NHP, and trapezius in UHP and DHP.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 2010

Medical metal stents inserted to patients with a cardiovascular disease associated with coronary artery system have relatively increased the survival rate. The development of new stents is, however, urgently required due to restenosis and late thrombosis generated in metal stents. To solve these problems, the biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly(L-lactide)(PLLA), and poly ($\varepsilon$-caprolactone)(PCL) were mixed with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which is well known to inhibit the proliferation of neointimal hyperplasia. Subsequently, the ALA-loaded polymers were coated on stainless steel by electrospray. The drug-eluting behaviors from the coated polymers were investigated according to kinds and concentrations of polymers, spray rates, and kinds of solvents. The drug-eluting rate from PCL with the lowest glass transition temperature was the fastest among three polymers and followed by PLGA and PLLA. The surface roughness increased as the spray rate was increased and also the drug-eluting rate was affected by kinds of solvents with different boiling point. It is expected that drug-eluting stent (DES) coated with ALA-loaded polymers can be applied practically for clinical applications by controlling the behavior of drug release.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.9-20
• /
• 2007

The incineration process has commonly used for wastes amount reduction and thermal treatments of pollutants as the technologies accumulated. However, the process is getting negative public images owing to matter of hazardous pollutants emission. Specially dioxins became a main issue and were mostly emitted from municipal solid wastes incineration. In this reason, pyrolysis/gasification/melting process is presented as an alternative of incineration process. The pyrolysis/gasification/melting process, a novel technology, is middle of verification of commercial plant and development of technologies in Korea. But the survey about the pollutant emission from the process, and background data in these facilities is necessary. So in this survey, t is investigated that the behavior of chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols in plasma type pyrolysis/gasification/melting plant of pilot scale. We investigated discharging behavior of each phase of chlorobenzene through each process in the plsasma type pyrolysis/gasification/melting process. From this result, it was found that about 99 percent of particle-phase chlorobenzene was removed, but on the other hand gas-phase chlorobenzene was increased by about 600 percent through heat exchanger, flue gas cooling, system and semi dry absorption bag filter(SDA/BF). Also, this investigation presented that di-chlorobenzene(DCB) tri-chlorobenzene(TCB), tetra-chlorobenzene(TeCB), penta-chlorobenzene (PCB), except mono-chlorobenzene(MCB) and hexa-chlorobenzene(HCB) were increased through the flue gas cooling system and the semi dry absorption bag filter(SDA/BF). It was investigated that concentration of particle-phase chlorophenol was decreased by about 66 percent, but on the other hand, concentration of gas-phase chlorophenol was increased by about 170 percent through heat exchanger, flue gas cooling system, and semi dry absorption bag filter(SDA/BF). Also, it was found that di-chlorophenol(DCP), tri-chlorophenol(TCP), and penta-chlorophenol(PCP) were increased through the flue gas cooling system, and the semi dry absorption bag filter(SDA/BF). It can be considered that small-scale pilot facility and short investigation period might cause the concentration increase through the flue gas cooling system and the semi dry absorption bag filter(SDA/BF). A further study on real-scale pilot facility and accurate investigation may be required.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.90-101
• /
• 2018

Strawberry (Fragaria ${\times}$ ananassa) is a globally-cultivated and popular fruit crop, prized for its flavor and nutritional value. Sweetness, a key determinant of fruit quality, depends on the sugar composition and concentration. We selected eight strawberry cultivars based on the fruit soluble solids content to represent high and low sugar content groups. The average soluble solid content was $13.6^{\circ}Brix$ (Okmae, Geumsil, Aram, and Maehyang) and $2.9^{\circ}Brix$ (Missionary, Camino Real, Portola, and Gilgyung53), for the high and low sugar content groups, respectively. Sucrose was the main sugar in the cultivars with high sugar content, whereas fructose was the main component in the low sugar content cultivars. Fruit starch concentration ranged from $3.247{\pm}0.056$ to $3.850{\pm}0.055g/100g$, with a 12% higher concentration in the high sugar content cultivars. Additionally, we identified 41 sugar metabolism-related genes in Fragaria ${\times}$ ananassa and analyzed the relationship between their transcripts and the sugar accumulation in fruit. FaGPT1, FaTMT1, FaHXK1, FaPHS1, FaINVA-3, and FacxINV2-1 were highly expressed in the high sugar content cultivars, while FapGlcT, FaTMT2-1, FaPHS2-1, FaSUSY1-1, and FaSUSY1-2 were highly expressed in the low sugar content cultivars. In general, a greater number of genes encoding sugar transporters or involved in sugar synthesis were highly expressed in the high sugar content cultivars. Contrarily, genes involved in sugar degradation were preferentially transcribed in the low sugar content cultivars. Although gene expression was not perfectly proportional to sugar content or concentration, our analysis of the genes involved in sugar metabolism and accumulation in strawberries provides a framework for further studies and for the subsequent engineering of sugar metabolism to enhance fruit quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.321-333
• /
• 2013

As environmental sustainability becomes a key consideration in policy-making, more responsible consumption and utilization in daily life concern both health and quality of life. To address inequities in health in relation to environments, waste management has taken more progressive ways, and one of them is biomass-to-energy conversion that utilizes energy recovery from food waste. By extension, a food waste zero-emission system using fermentation and extinction technology gains much attention, so that this study is designed to examine residents' attitudes toward recycling food waste produced at home and toward food waste zero-emission system. Utilizing a survey questionnaire, this research collected data from 400 individual units of multifamily housing estates nationwide, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that food waste generated at home was highly water-contained and produced in the stage of food preparation before cooking while respondents viewed that food waste collection and treatment needed to be improved. It's noted that respondents strongly supported the use of food waste as a energy source and would have the use of the food waste zero-emission system built in kitchen sink. Regression analysis showed that educational attainment of housewives, cooking style, and planning food purchase were statistically significant factors in the attitude of the responded residents toward recycling food waste while none of the factors were in the attitude toward the food waste zero-emission system.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 1993

Inulin fructotransferase from Enterobacter sp. S45 was purified with DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography. The purified enzyme gave a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight was estimated to be 42,800 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme reaction were pH 5.5 and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. $Mg^{2+}$ activated the enzyme activity, but $Fe^{3+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Hg^{2+}$ significantly inhibited. After exhaustive digestion of inulin by the enzyme, DFA III, sucrose, 1-kestose and nystose were produced. Sucrose, 1-kestose, raffinose and melezitose can't be used as substrates by the enzyme, but nystose and 1-F-fructofuranosyl nystose were hydrolysed. The Km and Vmax for inulin of the enzyme were 1.4 mM and $0.196\;{\mu}mole/min$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2013

BACKGROUND: Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important staple food of over half the world's population. This study was conducted to evaluate the possible impact of transgenic rice cultivation on the soil microbial community. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere of GM and non-GM rice cultivation soils. Microbial community was identified based on the culture-dependent and molecular biology methods. The total numbers of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were similar to each other, and there was no significant difference between GM and non-GM rice. Dominant bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere soils cultivated with GM and non-GM rice were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The microbial communities in GM and non-GM rice cultivated soils were characterized using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The DGGE profiles showed similar patterns, but didn't show significant difference to each other. DNAs were isolated from soils cultivating GM and non-GM rice and analyzed for persistence of inserted gene in the soil by using PCR. The PCR analysis revealed that there were no amplified protox gene in soil DNA. CONCLUSION(S): These data suggest that transgenic rice does not have a significant impact on soil microbial communities, although continued research may be necessary.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.31.1-31.12
• /
• 2019

Background: The black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, is the most abundant fish species in the Nakwa (an open lagoon) and Brenu (a closed lagoon) in the Central Region of Ghana. Aspects of the life history characteristics and the ecology of the fish populations in both lagoons were studied to assess the bio-ecological status of this important resource. Methods: Fish samples were obtained from fishermen that fish on the Nakwa and Brenu lagoons using cast, drag and gill nets. The age of the fish was assessed from otoliths analysis and its growth modelled following the von Bertalanffy growth function. Morphometric characteristics of the fish populations were analysed using power regression and ANOVA for parameters comparisons, and Student's t test to determine whether species grew isometrically. The percentage occurrence method was used to analyse the stomach contents of the fish. Results: A total of 382 fish samples from both lagoons were measured, comprising 209 from Nakwa lagoon and 176 from Brenu lagoon. The size and weight of fish samples ranged between 3.9-11.5 cm total length and 1.0-27.3 g for Nakwa Lagoon and 5.6-12.8 cm total length and 3.2-29.8 g for the Brenu Lagoon. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 12.04 cm and K = 2.76/year for the Nakwa Lagoon samples and L∞ = 13.44 cm and K = 3.27/year for Brenu Lagoon samples. Daily otolith incremental rate ranged from 0.01-0.03 mm per day to 0.01-0.02 mm per day for Nakwa and Brenu lagoons, respectively. Stomach content analysis of the fish samples revealed that the species are planktivorous and the range of food varied between the lagoons. Green algae were the most prevalent food item in the stomachs of the fish samples from Nakwa with the frequency of 69% whilst diatoms (80.5%) were most prevalent phytoplanktonic food item for the fish in Brenu lagoon. Conclusions: The estimates of asymptotic length for the species in both lagoons are close to known values of the species length at first sexual maturity and points to intensive fishing pressure. As a consequence, a comprehensive sample-based survey is required in both lagoons to derive estimates of management reference points. The results of the stomach content analysis are beneficial to the construction of diet matrix for ecosystem models of the two systems.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.9
• /
• pp.1233-1237
• /
• 2000

Objectives : In order to evaluate the metabolic changes associated with pericontusional edematous area in mild head injury, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS) was performed in mild head injury patients (initial GCS score 13-15) with focal brain contusion. Methods : Seven head injury patients with initial GCS 13-15(3 males and 4 females : age range 15-65 years, mean age 33 years) have underwent 1H-MRS evaluations. The patients were examined within 7 days after injury(n=7) and 2 months after injury(n=5). The region of interest(ROI) was selected in the edematous area adjacent to traumatic brain contusion upon T2-weighted MR images and a corresponding region of the contralateral hemisphere (ROC, region of contralateral corresponding hemisphere) was examined as well. The metabolic ratios of NAA/Cr and lactate/Cr were compared between ROIs, ROCs and control values. Results : In initial NAA/Cr ratios, the values of ROIs were significantly lower than those of the controls(p=0.009), but there was no difference either between ROIs and ROCs(p=0.410) or between ROCs of patients and the control (p=0.199). In lactate/Cr ratios, the ROIs in all seven patients and the ROCs in two showed increased lactate signals. The lactate/Cr ratios of the ROIs were significantly elevated as compared to those of the ROCs(p=0.02) and the control(p=0.015). In two months follow-up, lactate signals were absent or significantly reduced(p=0.015). In no patients, clinical or radiological deterioration has been observed. Conclusion : Our 1H-MRS results demonstrate that there are significant ischemic changes in pericontusional edematous areas as indicated by elevated lactate signals in the patients with mild head injury. But there were no consistent neural loss or dysfunction in these area. There findings suggest that pericontusional edematous areas can be vulnerable to secondary brain insults even in the patients with mild head injury.