• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the metabolic status of the spent culture media from embryos of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in comparison with the embryos from healthy fertile women. Methods: Metabolite levels in spent culture media were assessed and compared between embryos from RIF patients (n=35) and oocyte donors as controls (n=15). Protein levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were determined using Western blotting. Concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, and lactate were measured using spectrophotometry. Ionic colorimetric assay kits were utilized to analyze the concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium ions. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the concentrations of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methionine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Results: Glucose consumption and lactate secretion were higher in the control group than in the RIF group. The magnesium concentration was significantly higher in the control group than in the RIF group, but glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations were lower in the control group than in the RIF patients (p<0.05). The levels of IGF-1, sodium, calcium, chloride, methionine, histidine, and phenylalanine did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The metabolic profile of the culture medium of the embryos in the RIF group differed from that of the control group. These findings suggest potential factors that may affect implantation capacity in RIF patients and provide a new perspective on embryo selection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1517-1526
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• 2018

Investigating bacterial diversity and its metabolic capabilities is crucial for interpreting the ecological patterns in a desert environment and assessing the presence of exploitable microbial resources. In this study, we evaluated the spatial heterogeneity of physicochemical parameters, soil bacterial diversity and metabolic adaptation at meter scale. Soil samples were collected from two quadrats of a desert (Thar Desert, India) with a hot, arid climate, very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. Analysis of physico-chemical parameters and subsequent variance analysis (p-values < 0.05) revealed that sulfate, potassium and magnesium ions were the most variable between the quadrats. Microbial diversity of the two quadrats was studied using Illumina bar-coded sequencing by targeting V3-V4 regions of 16S rDNA. As for the results, 702504 high-quality sequence reads, assigned to 173 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at species level, were examined. The most abundant phyla in both quadrats were Actinobacteria (38.72%), Proteobacteria (32.94%), and Acidobacteria (9.24%). At genus level, Gaiella represented highest prevalence, followed by Streptomyces, Solirubrobacter, Aciditerrimonas, Geminicoccus, Geodermatophilus, Microvirga, and Rubrobacter. Between the quadrats, significant difference (p-values < 0.05) was found in the abundance of Aciditerrimonas, Geodermatophilus, Geminicoccus, Ilumatobacter, Marmoricola, Nakamurella, and Solirubrobacter. Metabolic functional mapping revealed diverse biological activities, and was significantly correlated with physicochemical parameters. The results revealed spatial variation of ions, microbial abundance and functional attributes in the studied quadrats, and patchy nature in local scale. Interestingly, abundance of the biotechnologically important phylum Actinobacteria, with large proposition of unclassified species in the desert, suggested that this arid environment is a promising site for bioprospection.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.spc
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• pp.14-19
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• 2009

To obtain the basic data on reclaimed tideland soils, 90 soil samples were collected from 9 tideland reclamation project areas in Korea. The soils consisted of clay (2.0 to 35.0 percents), silt (2.0 to 80.0 percents), and sand (8.0 to 95.0 percents), and were dominantly classified sandy loam and silty loam. The soils had pH of 4.5 to 9.1, organic matter of 0.50 to $19.20g\;kg^{-1}$, total nitrogen of 4 to $1,159mg\;kg^{-1}$, and avaliable phosphorus (as $P2_O_5$) of 3.5 to $147.7mg\;kg^{-1}$. The electrical conductivity in soil saturation-paste extracts (ECe) ranged between $0.62dS\;m^{-1}$ and $31.60dS\;m^{-1}$ and the concentrations of sodium and magnesium ions were higher than those of potassium and calcium ions. The magnitude of the ECe was as low as that of normal level in Nam-Po, Pu-Sa, and Kye-Hwa reclamation project areas having sandy loam texture, but was as high as that of normal level saline-sodic level in Nam-Yang and So-Po reclamation project areas having silty loam texture even though the soils were cultivated more than 10 years as a paddy. Some part of Saemangeum area was surveyed and soil textures were various; some were silt loam and some were sandy loam. The ECe values were very high in topsoil and subsoil.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.19 no.4 s.54
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• pp.76-81
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• 2004

From September 1, 2003 to November 30, 2004, 20 mineral water wells were selected for some area in east Europe and the study on their water quality was analized. It revealed that mineral water contained considerable quantity of magnesium ions which helps the smooth activities of vascular muscles, nervous systems and protects skins from allergic reactions. It also lowers cholesterol level and contains high concentration of calcium ions which is one of the vital components of teeth and bone like phosphorus. Thus it is concluded that it is not qualified as boiler feed water as it has overall high degree of hardness by the presence of four times content of $Mg^{2+}\;and\;Ca^{2+}$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2017

Pure Titanium and alloy have been widely used in dental implants and orthopedics due to their excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. However, due to the biologically inactive nature of Ti metal implants, it cannot bind to the living bone immediately after transplantation into the body. In order to improve the bone bonding ability of titanium implants, many attempts have been made to alter the structure, composition and chemical properties of titanium surfaces, including the deposition of bioactive coatings. The PEO method has the advantages of short experiment time and low cost. These advantages have attracted attention recently. Recently, many metal ions such as silicon, magnesium, zinc, strontium, and manganese have received attention in this field due to their impact on bone regeneration. Silicon (Si) in particular has been found to be essential for normal bone and cartilage growth and development. Zinc (Zn) plays very important roles in bone formation and immune system regulation and promotes bone metabolism and growth. Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal found in all tissues and is required for normal amino acid, lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The objective of this work was research on the corrosion behavior of Si, Zn and Mn-doped hydroxyapatite on the PEO-treated surface. Anodized alloys was prepared at 270V~300V voltage in the solution containig Zn, Si, and Mn ions. Ion release test was carried out using potentidynamic and AC impedance method in 0.9% NaCl solution. The surface characteristics of PEO treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated using XRD, FE-SEM, AFM and EDS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2017

Titanium and its alloys have been widely used for biomedical applications. However, the use of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy in biomaterial is then a subject of controversy because aluminum ions and vanadium oxide have potential detrimental influence on the human body due to vanadium and aluminum. Hence, recent works showed that the synthesis of new Ti-based alloys for implant application involves more biocompatible metallic alloying element,such as, Nb, Hf, Zr and Mo. In particular, Nb and Hf are one of the most effective Ti ${\beta}$-stabilizer and reducing the elastic modulus. Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) is known as excellent method in the biocompatibility of biomaterial due to quickly coating time and controlled coating condition. The anodized oxide layer and diameter modulation of Ti alloys can be obtained function of improvement of cell adhesion. Silicon (Si) and magnesium (Mg) has a beneficial effect on bone. Si in particular has been found to be essential for normal bone and cartilage growth and development. In vitro studies have shown that Mg plays very important roles in essential for normal growth and metabolism of skeletal tissue in vertebrates and can be detected as minor constituents in teeth and bone. Therefore, in this study, Si and Mg coatings on the hydroxyapatite film formed Ti-29Nb-xHf alloys by plasma electrolyte oxidation has been investigated using several experimental techniques. Ti-29Nb-xHf (x= 0, 3, 7 and 15wt%, mass fraction) alloys were prepared Ti-29Nb-xHf alloys of containing Hf up from 0 wt% to 15 wt% were melted by using a vacuum furnace. Ti-29Nb-xHf alloys were homogenized for 2 hr at $1050^{\circ}C$. The electrolyte was Si and Mg ions containing calcium acetate monohydrate + calcium glycerophosphate at room temperature. The microstructure, phase and composition of Si and Mg coated oxide surface of Ti-29Nb-xHf alloys were examined by FE-SEM, EDS, and XRD.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.308-314
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• 2017

Anodic film formation behavior of AZ31 Mg alloy was studied as a function of NaOH concentration in 1 M $Na_2CO_3$ + 0.5 M $Na_2SiO_3$ solution under the application of a constant anodic current density, based on the analyses of voltage-time curves, surface appearances and morphologies of the anodically formed PEO (plasma electrolytic oxidation) films. The anodic film formation voltage and its fluctuations became largely lowered with increasing added NaOH concentration in the solution. Two different types of film defects, large size dark spots indented from the original surface and locally extruded white spots, were observed on the PEO-treated surface, depending on the concentration of added NaOH. The large size dark spots appeared only when added NaOH concentration is less than 0.2 M and they seem to result from the local detachments of porous PEO films. The white spots were observed to be very porous and locally extruded and their size became smaller with increasing added NaOH concentration. The white spot defects disappeared completely when more than 0.8 M NaOH is added in the solution. Concludingly it is suggested that the presence of enough concentration of $OH^-$ ions in the carbonate and silicate ion-containing electrolyte can prevent local thickening and/or detachment of the PEO films on the AZ31 Mg alloy surface and lower the PEO film formation voltage less than 70 V.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 1985

Loss of cationic zeolites saturated with different ions, sodium, potasium, ammonium, magnesium and calcium ions, and changes of hydraulic conductivity were investigated in labortory. The 0.5 to 1mm sands and the zeolite particles passed 0.1mm sieve were used in the column tests. The amount of zeolite particle loss was in order of Na- > K- > $NH_4-$ saturated zeolites, and little loss was observed from Mg and Ca saturated zeolites. The loss of zeolite particles was mainly due to dispersion in solution, which was prominant when 0.01N dilute mono ionic solution and distilled water were percolated. The results also showed that the changes in hydraulic conductivity were greater in the columns where the loss of dispersed zeolite particles was higher.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.13
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• pp.37-44
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• 2012

White crystals on 46 costumes excavated from Shim Su-Ryun(1534 - 1589)'s tomb were examined their characterization and distribution. In 36 of such samples, white crystals with different shape and hardness were found. The formation of crystals did not correlated with a kind and use of textiles. However, crystals were found in the back side than the front of costume, specially around the marks of shrouding dead body. White crystals from 7 textiles were investigated by EPMA, XRD, or FT-IR. The composition of white crystal was analysed by EPMA and the structure characterization of crystals was used by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectroscopy was applied to check if non-crystalline compounds were also present. Mg and P were detected as the main element of white crystals and these compounds were identified a struvite and newberyite, the inorganic mineral magnesium ammonium phosphates. Struvite precipitation are influenced by many factors including concentration of Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and PO₄^3- ions, pH, and temperatures. It is assumed that magnesium, phosphorous, ammonia, a base material of struvite comes from decomposition product of human body. Tomb covered with lime, a unique triple-structure in Joseon period offering the basic condition, an anaerobe in a coffin, and high magnesium concentration of outer coffin with lime can be inferred as important factor for precipitation of crystals.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.583-590
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• 2006

In this study, an organic solvent tolerant bacterial strain was isolated. This strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain S5, and was shown to degrade BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-Benzene, and Xylene). Strain S5 generates an organic solvent-tolerant lipase in the late logarithmic phase of growth. Maximum lipase production was exhibited when peptone was utilized as the sole nitrogen source. Addition of any of the selected carbon sources to the medium resulted in a significant reduction of enzyme production. Lower lipase generation was noted when an inorganic nitrogen source was used as the sole nitrogen source. This bacterium hydrolyzed all tested triglycerides and the highest levels of pro-duction were observed when olive oil was used as a natural triglyceride. Basal medium containing Tween 60 enhanced lipase production to the most significant degree. The absence of magnesium ions ($Mg^{2+}$) in the basal medium was also shown to stimulate lipase production. Meanwhile, an alkaline earth metal ion, $Na^+$, was found to stimulate the production of S5 lipase.