• Carbon letters
• /
• v.24
• /
• pp.90-96
• /
• 2017

We demonstrated the sensitivity of optically active single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a diameter below 1 nm that were homogeneously dispersed in cement composites under a mechanical load. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was selected as the dispersing agent to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of SWCNTs in an aqueous solution, and the dispersion state of the SWCNTs were characterized using various optical tools. It was found that the addition of a large amount of DNA prohibited the structural evolution of calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate. Based on the in-situ Raman and X-ray diffraction studies, it was evident that hydrophilic functional groups within the DNA strongly retarded the hydration reaction. The optimum amount of DNA with respect to the cement was found to be 0.05 wt%. The strong Raman signals coming from the SWCNTs entrapped in the cement composites enabled us to understand their dispersion state within the cement as well as their interfacial interaction. The G and G' bands of the SWCNTs sensitively varied under mechanical compression. Our results indicate that an extremely small amount of SWCNTs can be used as an optical strain sensor if they are homogeneously dispersed within cement composites.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1972

The authors made a study on the bacteriological identification about unidentified strains which were roughly screened by local health center, which an epidemic diarrhea was outbreak at Ham Yang Gun, Kyeongsang-Namdo in July 1971. And the authors made an attempt to bacteriological Identification, serotyping with slide agglutination, and determination of the susceptibility of identified strains to various chemotherapeutic agents. The results Were obtained as follows: 1. The isolated strains identified Shigella flexneri type 2b(2 strains) and Salmonella paratyphi B(4 strains). 2. Sensitivity test using with three concentrations chemotherapeutic agents(Paper disk used; Eiken chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan): (1) Shigella flexneri type 2b isolated strains were sensitive to kanamycin, colistin(100%) and penicllin(50%) respectively, but resistant to erythromycin, oleandomycin, leucomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin and sulfadimethoxin(100%) respectively. (2) Salmonella paratyphi B isolated strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin, kanamycin, sulfadimethoxine(100%) and colistin(50%) respectively, but resistant to penicillin, erythromycin, oleandomycin and leucomycin(100%) respectively. 3. Sensitivity test using with multodisk urinary code(Paper disk used; Oxoid, London): (1) Shigella flexneri type 2b isolated strains were sensitive to Bactrim, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic add and gentamicin(100%) respectively, but resistant to chloramhpenicol, tetracycline, sulfadiazine and Fanasil(100%) respectively. (2) Salmonell paratyphi B isolated strains were sensitive to Bactrim, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, gentamicin(100%) and sulfadiazine(50%) respectively, but resistant to Fanasil(100%) and sulfadiazine(50%) respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 1998

The cytologic distinction of carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells can be difficult, especially in specimens containing abundant reactive mesotheilal cells and inflammatory cells with scant carcinoma cells. This study evaluates the usefulness of mucin and immunocytochemistry for discrimination between reactive mesotheilal cells and carcinoma cells, and sensitivity and specificity of these stains for the detection of metastatic carcinoma in serous effusions. Immunocytochemical panel including mucin cytochemistry with the periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) reaction after or without diastase digestion was undertaken on 127 serous effusion specimens with histologically confirmed diagnoses. The specimens including cell smears and cell blocks were stained with PAS and antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), epithelial membrane antigen(EMA), cytokeratln(CK), and vimentin. The sensitivities of these stains for metastatic carcinoma(127 cases) were 49%(46/94) in PAS, 48%(60/124) in CEA, 89%(97/109) in EMA, 88%(93/106) in CK, and 25%(20/81) in vimentin. The sensitivities of stains for reactive mesothelial cells(36 cases) were 19%(7/36) in EMA, 78%(28/36) in CK, and 75%(27/36) in vimentin. The PAS and CEA stains were not reacted with all cases of benign reactive serous effusions containing abundant reactive mesothelial cells. The specificities of stains for metastatic carcinoma(127 cases) were 100% in PAS, 100% in CEA, 81% in EMA, 22% in CK, and 25% in vimentin. The optimal combination of stains for use in a panel was PAS and CEA. Combined results from these two stains yielded an advanced sensitivity of 8% in PAS and 4% in CEA for metastatic carcinoma. EMA was also cosiderably useful for identification of carcinoma cells. CK and vimentin were not suitable for distinguishing between reactive mesothelial cells and carcinoma cells.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 1995

esters of the acid analytes were synthesized using $H_2SO_4$ as the catalyst. Efficiency of derivatization and instrumental molecular-response were compared with herbicides methylated with $BF_3-methanol$(14% W/V), $H_2SO_4-methanol$(33% V/V), and diazomethane. The molecular integrity of TFE-2,4-D, TFE-dicamba, and TFE-mecoprop, in the mixture, was confirmed by the GC/MSD method. The TFE-Esterification efficiency was maximized by adjusting the volume of $H_2SO_4$ the reaction time, and temperature. Optimal efficiency for the herbicide mixture was obtained by adding 1 ml of $H_2SO_4$ and 1 ml of TFE to the dried sample and allowing the reaction to proceed at $22^{\circ}C$ for 8 hr or using 0.5 ml $H_2SO_4$ and 1 ml of TFE at $60^{\circ}C$. For 120 min increasing the temperature and decreasing the reaction time were required for maximum esterification efficiency. The sensitivity of the GC/ECD to the TFE esters was about $2{\sim}20$ times greater than that to the methyl ester derivatives. The herbicides were extracted and esterified to TFE derivatives simultaneously from soil leachates previously spiked with the analytes. Herbicide recovery, peak resolution, and detector sensitivity were excellent without using column cleanup procedures.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.251-258
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the utility of acanthosis nigricans (AN) severity as an index for predicting insulin resistance in obese children. Methods: The subjects comprised 74 obese pediatric patients who attended the Department of Pediatrics at Chosun University Hospital between January 2013 and March 2016. Waist circumference; body mass index; blood pressure; fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels; lipid profile; aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, glycated hemoglobin, C-peptide, and uric acid levels; and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin check sensitivity index (QUICKI) scores were compared between subjects with AN and those without AN. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to investigate the utility of the AN score in predicting insulin resistance. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were compared according to AN severity. Results: The With AN group had higher fasting insulin levels ($24.1{\pm}21.0\;mU/L$ vs. $9.8{\pm}3.6\;mU/L$, p<0.001) and HOMA-IR score ($5.74{\pm}4.71$ vs. $2.14{\pm}0.86$, p<0.001) than the Without AN group. The AN score used to predict insulin resistance was 3 points or more (sensitivity 56.8%, specificity 83.9%). HOMA-IR scores increased with AN severity, from the Without AN group (mean, 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-2.57) to the Mild AN (mean, 4.15; 95% CI, 3.04-5.25) and Severe AN groups (mean, 7.22; 95% CI, 5.08-9.35; p<0.001). Conclusion: Insulin resistance worsens with increasing AN severity, and patients with Severe AN (AN score ${\geq}3$) are at increased risk of insulin resistance.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.310-313
• /
• 2014

We report a way to improve the ability of graphene to operate as a gas sensor by applying single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The sensitivity and recovery of the DNA-graphene sensor depending on the different DNA sequences are analyzed. The different sensor responses to reactive chemical vapors are demonstrated in the time domain. Because of the chemical gating effect of the deposited DNA, the resulting devices show complete and rapid recovery to baseline unlike the bare graphene at room temperature. The application of the pattern recognition technique can increase the potential of DNA-graphene sensors as a chemical vapor classifier.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.3003-3007
• /
• 2015

Objective: To explore the application of multiplex nested methylated specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Materials and Methods: Serum and fresh tissue samples were collected from 114 EOC patients. RUNX3, TFPI2 and OPCML served as target genes. Methylation levels of tissues were assessed by multiplex nested methylated specific PCR, the results being compared with those for carcinoma antigen 125 (CA125). Results: The serum free deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) methylation spectrum of EOC patients was completely contained in the DNA spectrum of cancer tissues, providing an accurate reflection of tumor DNA methylation conditions. Serum levels of CA125 and free DNA methylation in the EOC group were evidently higher than those in benign lesion and control groups (p<0.05). Patients with early EOC had markedly lower serum CA125 than those with advanced EOC (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in free DNA methylation (p>0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and positive predicative value (PPV) of multiplex nested methylated specific PCR were significantly higher for detection of all patients and those with early EOC than those for CA125 (p<0.05). In the detection of patients with advanced EOC, the PPV of CA125 detection was obviously lower than that of multiplex nested methylated specific PCR (p>0.05), but there was no significant difference in sensitivity (p>0.05). Conclusions: Serum free DNA methylation can be used as a biological marker for EOC and multiplex nested methylated specific PCR should be considered for early diagnosis since it can accurately determine tumor methylation conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.90-90
• /
• 2017

Regulation of seed dormancy is important in many grains to prevent pre-harvest sprouting. To identify and understand the gene related to seed dormancy regulation, we have screened for viviparous phenotypes of rice mutant lines generated by insertion of Ds transposon in a Korean Japonica cultivar (Dongjin) background. One of the mutants, which represented viviparous phenotype, was selected for further seed dormancy regulation studies and designated dor1. The dor1 mutant has single Ds insertion in the second exon of OsDor1 gene encoding glycine-rich protein. The seeds of dor1 mutant showed a higher germination potential and reduced abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity compared to wild type Dongjin. Over-expression of Dor1 complements the viviparous phenotype of dor1 mutant, indicating that Dor1 function in seed dormancy regulation. Subcellular localization assay of Dor1-GFP fusion protein revealed that the OsDor1 protein mainly localized to membrane and the localization of OsDOR1 was influenced by presence of a giberelin (GA) receptor OsGID1. Further bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis indicated that OsDOR1 interact with OsGID1. The combined results suggested that OsDOR1 regulates seed dormancy by interacting with OsGID1 in GA response. Additionally, expression of OsDOR1 partially complemented the cold sensitivity of Escherichia coli BX04 mutant lacking four cold shock proteins, indicating that OsDOR1 possessed RNA chaperone activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.218-223
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute pyelonephritis in children is of special importance in order to prevent serious complications. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in children with acute pyelonephritis. Methods: Eighty-seven patients between 1 month to 12 years old with urinary tract infection (UTI) were divided into 2 groups based on the result of 99m-technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan: acute pyelonephritis (n=37) and lower UTI (n=50) groups. White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (Neutl) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, platelet count, and serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations of both groups were measured and compared. Results: There was a significant difference between two groups regarding WBC count, Neutl count, ESR, and CRP concentration (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the two groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations was not significant (IL-6, 60 and 35.4 pg/mL and IL-8, 404 and 617 pg/mL, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of serum IL-6 and IL-8 for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis were 73%, 42% and 78%, 32%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of serum IL-6 and IL-8 were less than those of acute phase serum reactants such as CRP. Conclusion: This study showed that there was no significant difference between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels. Therefore, despite confirming results of previous studies, it seems that IL-6 and IL-8 are not suitable markers for differentiating between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2000

To investigate the mechanism of smooth muscle contraction induced by emptying of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores, we measured isometric contraction and $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ influx. $CaCl_2$ increased $Ca^{2+}$ store emptying- induced contraction in dose-dependent manner, but phospholipase C activity was not affected by the $Ca^{2+}$ store emptying-induced contraction. The contraction was inhibited by voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonists dose dependently, but not by TMB-8 (intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blocker). Both PKC inhibitors (H-7 and staurosporine) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid) significantly inhibited the contraction, but calmodulin antagonists (W-7 and trifluoperazine) had no inhibitory effect on the contraction. The combined inhibitory effects of protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and genistein, together with verapamil were greater than that of each one alone. In $Ca^{2+}$ store-emptied condition, $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ influx was significantly inhibited by verapamil, H-7 or genistein but not by trifluoperazine. However combined inhibitory effects of protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and genistein, together with verapamil were not observed. Therefore, this kinase pathway may modulate the sensitivity of contractile protein. These results suggest that contraction induced by emptying of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores was mediated by influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channel, also protein kinase C and/or tyrosine kinase pathway modulates the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile protein.