• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1316-1321
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• 2009

Multiple beneficial properties of Opuntia ficus indica (OPF) are well established. In the present study, we have investigated the immunological role of OPF extract (OPFE) on murine splenocytes. OPFE dose- and time-dependently enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxicity. Our results also showed that the number of $CD4^+$ helper T cells and CD45R/$B220^+$ pan B cells increased markedly, but not $CD8^+$ cytotoxic T cells or $CD11b^+$ granulocytes/macrophages. In addition, OPFE significantly decreased the production levels of T helper (Th) 1 type cytokines, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, although had no significantly differences in those of interleukin (IL)-4, a Th2 type cytokine in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated blastogenic cells. Furthermore, OPFE alone strongly increased IL-4 production and decreased TNF-$\alpha$ production even in the absence of Con A. On the basis of these results, this study suggests that OPFE enhances immunity by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory response, indicating that this extract exerts a marked immunomodulatory effect, confirming its usefulness as therapy for immune-related diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2009

Inflammatory processes of vascular endothelial cells play a key role in the development ofatherosclerosis. We determined the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on LPS-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate their cardioproteerive potential. Cells were pretreated with DHA, EPA, or troglitazone prior to activation with LPS. Expression of COX-2, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and IL-6 production, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity were measured by Western blot, ELISA, and luciferase activity, respectively. Results showed that EPA, DHA, or troglitazone significantly reduced COX-2 expression, $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase activity, and $PGE_2$ and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent fashion. Interestingly, low doses (10 ${\mu}$M) of DHA and EPA, but not troglitozone, significantly increased the activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in resting HUVECs. Our study suggests that while DHA, EPA, and troglitazone may be protective on HUVECs under inflammatory conditions in a dose-dependent manner. However there may be some negative effects when the concentrations are abnormally low, even in normal endothelium.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 1998

We have mapped about 1.5 square degree regions of Lynds 1299, a well isolated dark cloud in the Outer Galaxy (l = $122^{\circ}$, b = $-7^{\circ}$), in the J = 1- 0 transition of $^{12}CO$ and $^{13}CO$ with the 13.7 m radio telescope at Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory (TRAO). We found that there are two velocity components in the molecular emission, at $V_{LSR} = -52 km S^{-1}$ (Cloud A) and -8.8 km $s^{-1}$ (Cloud B), respectively. We have derived physical parameters of two molecular clouds and discussed three different mass estimate techniques. We found that there are large discrepancies between the virial and LTE mass estimates for both clouds. The large virial mass estimate reflects the fact that both are not gravitationally bound. We adopt the mass of $5.6 {\times}10^3 \;M{\bigodot}$ for Cloud A and $1.2{\times}10^3 \;M{\bigodot}$) for Cloud B using conversion factor. Cloud A is found to be associated with a localized star forming site, and its morphology is well matching with that of far-infrared (FIR) dust emission. It shows a clear ring structure with an obvious velocity gradient. We suggest that it may be a remnant cloud from a past episode of massive star formation. Cloud B is found to be unrelated to Cloud A (d = 800 pc) and has no specific velocity structure. The average dust color temperature of the uncontaminated portion of Cloud A is estimated to be 24$\~$27.4 K. The low dust temperature may imply that there is no additional internal heating source within the cloud. The heating of the cloud is probably dominated by the interstellar radiation field except the region directly associated with the new-born B5 star. Overall, the dust properties of Cloud A are similar to those of normal dark cloud even though it does have star forming activity.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.128-134
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• 1991

Previous matrices of potassium ion selective electrodes are generally based on PVC. In this study, however, the electrode membrane was prepared with polyurethane matrix containing potassium tetraphenyl borate as sensing materials and D-18-Crown-6 and 2-nitrophenyl-n-alkylethers as solvent mediator. The average life time of the K$^+$-selective electrode based on polyurethane was 75 days which is significantly longer than PVC based one. The slope factor in linear dynamic range ($1{\times}10^{-1}\;{\sim}\;1{\times}10^{-4}$ M) was 52 mV/decade. The electrode has been successfully applied to find end point in potentiometric titration of K$^+$ with tetraphenyl borate solution in the sea water, even in the presence of several interfering cations$(NH^{4+},\;Na^{+},\;Li^{+},\;Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Cu^{2+}$).

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.229-233
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• 2012

Hemophilia, the most common of the inherited bleeding disorder, is the result of a deficiency of clotting factor. Since bleeding after dental treatment may cause severe or even fatal complications, people with hemophilia must be given special dental care. We report on the diagnosis and treatment of a 9-year-old boy having severe hemophilia visited our department with the chief complaints of pus discharge on the left lower molar region. In the clinical and radiographic examination, periapical abscess and dental caries were diagnosed. Considering complexity of the treatment and complication in the coagulation, it was decided to carry on the treatment under general anesthesia. Clotting factor IX concentrates were intended to provide 50-70% plasma level. Pulpectomy, resin restoration and Stainless steel crown were given under general anesthesia. Several teeth were extracted and the sockets were packed with Surgicel$^{(R)}$ (Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose, Johnson and Johnson Co. Neuchatel, Switzerland) under general anesthesia. Transpalatal arch and lingual arch were given for maintaining the extracted space before discharged. For people with severe hemophilia, factor replacement is necessary before scaling, surgery or regional block injections. Therefore, if several extractions are needed, dental care under general anesthesia would be effective and efficient management.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2014

The water quality improvement of golf course ponds, as representative stagnant stream channels, was evaluated by applying a biological activated carbon (BAC) process composed of four consecutive activated carbon reactors. The study was performed from autumn to winter in order to evaluate the feasibility of the BAC process under low temperature conditions. In the study, water quality of pond A (target pond) and pond B (reference pond) were monitored. Pond water was pumped into the BAC process, and was then returned to the pond after treatment. The optimal conditions were determined to be 2 hr of empty bed contact time (EBCT) at a temperature above $4^{\circ}C$, in which improvements of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of pond A compared to pond B were 3.62%, 3.48% and 1.81%, respectively. On the other hand, as the temperature was below $4^{\circ}C$, some degree of water quality improvement was achieved even when EBCT were 1 or 0.5 hr, suggesting that the BAC process can be successfully applied for the improvement of pond water quality in winter months. The values of biomass concentration and microorganism activity in each condition were highest where 2 hr of EBCT was applied at a temperature above $4^{\circ}C$, but values were similar throughout all treatment conditions, and thus, adsorption is considered to be the dominant factor affecting process efficiency. From the denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) results, no significant differences were observed among the activated carbon reactors, suggesting that the number of reactors in the system could be decreased for a more compact application of the system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2012

From the end of July 2012, several cases of abortion have been happened at the Korean indigenous cattle farm with 124 heads in Chungbuk province, Korea. Serological tests such as Rose-bengal test (RBT) and standard tube agglutination test (STAT) have been performed according to the standard official protocols of bovine brucellosis and 41 cattle turned out to be brucellosis-positive simultaneously. To find out the main factors of brucellosis outbreaks and spreads, additional serological, etiological and molecular investigation were applied. Totally, 11 B. abortus were isolated from 10 cattle's specimens including lymph-nodes and/or testis, and drinking water in cowhouse. In genotyping by multi-locus VNTR assay (MLVA) using 17 loci markers, the present B. abortus isolates were shown all the same pattern, D1 genotype, which has been reported in Gyeonggi and Gangwon province, Korea. These results suggest that the input of brucellosis might come from neighboring farms directly or indirectly, even if by unknown factor and expansion within farm would accelerate by materials related with aborting cows.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1535-1548
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• 2004

Condensation heat transfer experiments were conducted with the oblong shell and plate heat exchanger without oil in a refrigerant loop using R-l34a, R-407C and R-410A. An experimental refrigerant loop has been developed to measure the condensation heat transfer coefficient h$_{r}$ and frictional pressure drop $\Delta$p$_{f}$ of the various refrigerants in a vertical oblong shell and plate heat exchanger. The effects of the refrigerant mass flux(40∼80kg/$m^2$s), average heat flux(4∼8kW/$m^2$), refrigerant saturation temperature(30∼4$0^{\circ}C$) and vapor quality of refrigerants on the measured data were explored in detail. Similar to the case of a plate heat exchanger, even at a very low Reynolds number, the flow in the oblong shell and plate heat exchanger remains turbulent. A comparison of the performance of the various refrigerants revealed that R-410A had the highest heat transfer performance followed by R-l34a, and R-407C had the lowest performance of the refrigerants tested. The pressure drops were also reported in this paper. The pressure drops for R-410A were approximately 45% lower than those of R-l34a. R-407C had 30% lower pressure drops than R-l34a. Experimental results were compared with several correlations which predicted condensation heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure drops. Comparison with the experimental data showed that the previously proposed correlations gave unsatisfactory results. Based on the present data, empirical correlations of the condensation heat transfer coefficient and the friction factor were proposed.tor were proposed.sed.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2011

Even though the carbon paste electrode bound with mineral oil is useful for research about the characteristics of enzymes, it remains far from practical uses because the lack of mechanical hardness limits its practical use. When the rubber liquefied in toluene was used as a binder of carbon powder in lab, it is confirmed that the mechanical robustness of the electrode is guaranteed. In order to confirm whether it shows quantitative electrochemical behaviors or not, its kinetic parameters, e.g. the symmetry factor (${\alpha}=0.28$), the exchange current density ($i_0=4.06{\mu}A/cm^2$), the capacity of the double layer ($C_d=2.11{\times}10^{-3}F$), the Michaelis constant ($K_M=2.45{\times}10^{-3}M$), and the time constant (${\tau}_B=0.077sec$) were investigated. Our experimental observations prove that the chloroprene rubber is a promising binder for the practical use of a carbon paste electrode.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.937-943
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• 2007

The fish fauna and weight-length relationship in Andong reservoir were investigated from May 2005 to March 2006. During surveyed period, 2,540 individuals 20 species belonging to 7 families were collected. Dominant species were Hemibarbus labeo(19.6%) and sub-dominant species were Carassius cuvieri (19.2%). The korea endemic species were Hemiculter eigenmanni(7.1%), Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (0.1 %), Corroperca herzi (0.1 %) and introduced fishes were Carassius cuvieri (19.21 %) Lepomis macrochirus (4.2%), Micropterus salmoides (0.2%). Dominace, species diversity, species richness, species even-ness were 0.39, 3.16, 2.42, 0.73 respectively. The values of the exponent b in the weight-length relation-ship $W=aL^{b}$ ranged from 2.9162(H. labeo, $R^{2}$=0.9567) to 3.2509(Zacco pla쇼pus, $R^{2}$=0.9928) and the median value was 3.1079, whereas 50% of the values ranged between about 3.05 to 3.20. The Condition factor(K) showed good state of health in the surveyed species (excepts H. labeo and Cyprinus carpio).