• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.715-723
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• 2023

Microbial biofilms are resilient, immune-evasive, often antibiotic-resistant health challenges, and increasingly the target for research into novel therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the effects of a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) on established biofilm. Five microbial strains with known implications in chronic human illnesses were tested: Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans (coagulase-negative, penicillin-resistant), Borrelia burgdorferi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strains were allowed to form biofilm in vitro. Biofilm cultures were treated with NEBB containing enzymes targeted at lipids, proteins, and sugars, also containing the mucolytic compound N-acetyl cysteine, along with antimicrobial extracts from cranberry, berberine, rosemary, and peppermint. The post-treatment biofilm mass was evaluated by crystal-violet staining, and metabolic activity was measured using the MTT assay. Average biofilm mass and metabolic activity for NEBB-treated biofilms were compared to the average of untreated control cultures. Treatment of established biofilm with NEBB resulted in biofilm-disruption, involving significant reductions in biofilm mass and metabolic activity for Candida and both Staphylococcus species. For B. burgdorferi, we observed reduced biofilm mass, but the remaining residual biofilm showed a mild increase in metabolic activity, suggesting a shift from metabolically quiescent, treatment-resistant persister forms of B. burgdorferi to a more active form, potentially more recognizable by the host immune system. For P. aeruginosa, low doses of NEBB significantly reduced biofilm mass and metabolic activity while higher doses of NEBB increased biofilm mass and metabolic activity. The results suggest that targeted nutraceutical support may help disrupt biofilm communities, offering new facets for integrative combinational treatment strategies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.4
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• pp.323-334
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• 2023

The submerged floating tunnel (SFT) infrastructure has been regarded as an emerging technology that efficiently and safely connects land and islands. The SFT route problem is an essential part of the SFT planning and design phase, with significant impacts on the surrounding environment. This study aims to develop an optimization model considering transportation and structure factors. The SFT routing problem was optimized based on two objective functions, i.e., minimizing total travel time and cumulative strains, using NSGA-II. The proposed model was applied to the section from Mokpo to Jeju Island using road network and wave observation data. As a result of the proposed model, a Pareto optimum curve was obtained, showing a negative correlation between the total travel time and cumulative strain. Based on the inflection points on the Pareto optimum curve, four optimal SFT routes were selected and compared to identify the pros and cons. The travel time savings of the four selected alternatives were estimated to range from 9.9% to 10.5% compared to the non-implemented scenario. In terms of demand, there was a substantial shift in the number of travel and freight trips from airways to railways and roadways. Cumulative strain, calculated based on SFT distance, support structure, and wave energy, was found to be low when the route passed through small islands. The proposed model helps decision-making in the planning and design phases of SFT projects, ultimately contributing to the progress of a safe, efficient, and sustainable SFT infrastructure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.5
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• pp.447-458
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• 2024

This study investigated the influence of scale ratio and vertical load on the seismic performance of Puzuo joints in traditional Chinese timber structures. Three low-cyclic reversed loading tests were conducted on three scaled specimens of Bujian Puzuo in Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. This study focused on the deformation patterns and analyzed seismic performance under varying scale ratios and vertical loads. The results indicated that the slip and rotational deformations of Bujian Puzuo were the primary deformations. The scale of the specimen did not affect the layer where the maximum interlayer slip occurred, but it did decrease the proportion of slip deformation. Conversely, the reducing vertical load caused the layer with the maximum slippage and the position of the damaged Dou components to shift upward, and the proportion of slip deformation increased. When the vertical load was decreased by 3.7 times, the maximum horizontal bearing capacity under positive and negative loadings, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation of the specimen decreased by approximately 60%, 58.79%, 69.62%, and 57.93%, respectively. The horizontal bearing capacity under positive loading and energy dissipation of the specimen increased by 35.63% and 131.54%, when the specimen scale was doubled and the vertical load was increased by 15 times.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Purpose: To analyze the clinical result of the arthroscopic reduction and fixation for the displaced tibial spine fractures in children and report the utility of the arthroscopic treatment with the review of the literature. Methods: Between December 2000 and July 2004, five patients (average age 9.1 years) received an arthroscopic reduction and fixation of displaced tibial spine fracture. A male-to-female ratio was 3:2 and mean follow-up was 38.2$(13{\sim}56)$ months. All five patients were classified type III by Movers and McKeever classification. The average period from injury to operation was 4.8 days $(3{\sim}8days)$, the avulsed fragment was reduced by operative arthroscopy and fixated by pull-out suture in 3 patients and by cannulated screw in 2 patients. Postoperatively long leg cast was applied for 2 weeks, and then gradual range-of-motion exercise was permitted. Full weight-bearing ambulation was permitted after 6 weeks. The clinical evaluation was performed by range of motion, Lachman and pivot shift test, KT-1000 arthrometer, Lysholm knee score and the modified Feagin score. Results: All five patients had no symptom and recovered full range of motion of the affected knees. Lachman test was positive finding of 1+ laxity in one patient, the others were negative, and all patients were negative findings for pivot shift test. The result of KT-1000 arthrometric assessment is mean maximum side-to-side differences 1.9 mm. Average Lysholm knee score was 99.4. All patients had excellent results in modified Feagin score. Conclusion: Arthroscopic reduction and fixation of displaced tibial spine fracture in children showed excellent result without complication. Both pull-out suture fixation and cannulated fixation provide an effective treatment option for fixation of the displaced anterior tibial spine fracture.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2001

Background: Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes is believed to be important in the development of many human malignancies. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated that the wild type p53 gene located at 17p13.3, may function as a tumor suppressor gene and that a mutant p53 gene could promote transformation by inactivating normal p53 function in a dominant negative fashion. These broad spectrum of p53 mutation in human cancers provide that mutant p53 and their protein may be potential targets of tumor diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Method: Colony formation was performed to investigate growth suppressional ability. p53 expression pattern was examined by western blot and p53-mediated transactivation ability was assessed by CAT activity. SNU C2A cells were observed in apoptotic aspects induced by etoposide and $H_2O_2$ treatment, detecting sensitivity on agent, DNA fragmentation through agarose gel, chromatin condensation by fluorescence microscope, and cell cycle distribution by FACS. Result: 1) p53 mutant his179arg ($histidine{\rightarrow}arginine$) detected in SNU C2A cells lost transcriptional activity and growth suppression ability, showing dominant negative effect on its wild type p53. 2) Etoposide-treated SNU C2A cells induced apoptosis, exhibiting dramatic reduction of cell growth, DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation formation of apoptotic body and increment of sub-G1 cell fraction. 3) Etoposide and $H_2O_2$-treated SNU C2A cells have no high increase of p53 expression and overexpressed p53 protein changed localization, from cytoplasm to nucleus. Also, p53-mediated transcriptional activity was increased by agents-treatment. Conclusion: SNU C2A cells coexpress wild-type and mutant p53 protein induced apoptosis in the condition on DNA damage, through localizational shift from cytoplasm to nucleus of p53 protein rather than the induction of p53 protein. SNU C2A cells derived mutant p53 his179arg abrogated both the growth supression ability and transactivational activity, showing inhibition effect on transcriptional activity of wild type p53, but did not repress the activity of wild type p53 in SNU C2A cells owing to dominant activity of wild type. These cell condition may provide new gene therapeutic implications leading effective antiproliferation of cell when mutant and wild-type p53 protein were co-expressed in cell.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.154-162
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• 2004

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a negative regulator in tumor growth and angiogenesis, is cell-type specifically regulated and at transcriptional level by external stimuli. Previously, we found that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) suppressed TSP-1 expression in porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cell, but enhanced in hepatoma cell line, Hep 3B cell. A region between -767 and -723 on the tsp-1 promoter was defined as a responsive site to the suppression in PAE cell. eased on the previous results, the molecular mechanism of TSP-1 expression was determined by characterizing interactions between cis-elements and trans-factors using three overlapped oligonucleotide probes, oligo a-1 (from -767 to -738), a-2 (-759 to -730) and a-3 (-752 to -723). The results from electromobility shift assay showed that PMA-induced suppression of TSP-1 transcription in PAE cell might be caused via a negative regulator binding to the region from -752 to -730 and additionally generated by lacking two positive regulators binding to the sites from -767 to -760 and from -752 to -730. Especially, PMA enhanced the binding ability of the negative regulator to the site from -752 to -730 in PAE cell, but anti-c-Jun did not affected its binding ability.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

This review paper discussed the decadal fluctuations in the catch of the common squid, Todarodes pacificus (T. pacificus) by focusing on migration and distribution patterns. Since 1980s, changes in T. pacificus catches were due to climate regime shift in Korean waters. Fluctuation patterns of catches were different between the East Sea and the Yellow Sea. Generally PDO (Pacific Decadal Oscillation) phase shows a negative correlation with strength of warm current to the East Sea. In 1980s when PDO was positive phase (+), T. pacificus catch was higher in the Yellow, but it was lower in the East Sea. In 1990s when PDO was negative phase (-), T. pacificus catch showed opposite trend compared with 1980s. Such spatial and decadal fluctuations of T. pacificus catch were due to its northward migration along with the warm current or southward movement against the current. In the East Sea, strong (weak) warm current period, the current path has been shifted toward the East Sea coast of Korea (central East Sea or the coast of Japan). It has a correlation with PDO. In the positive PDO phase (1980s), the fishing ground was located on the eastern side of Ulleungdo, whereas during negative PDO phase (1990s), they were situated near the southeastern coast of the Korean peninsula. In the 1980s, volume transport passing into the Yellow Sea increased, whereas volume transport in the East Sea decreased. This is one of major reason increasing T. pacificus larvae in the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2003

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical results after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring tendon and Ligament Anchor (LA) screw Materials and Methods : 103 patients (104 cases) who were followed up at least more than 2 years after ACL reconstruction were included in this study. The average period of follow-up was 36 months. The clinical results such as physical examination and Lysholm knee score and instrumented anterior laxity test with Telos were evaluated. Results : The Lysholm knee score was 57.9 in average preoeratively and improved to 95.2 in average at follow up. On the Lachman test, there were mild (+) instability in 46 cases $(45\%)$, moderate (++) in 33 $(31\%)$, severe (+++) in 25 $(24\%)$ preoperatively. 90 cases $(87\%)$ were converted to negative and 14 $(13\%)$ to mild at follow up. On Pivot-shift test, there were negative (-) instability in 22 cases $(22\%)$, mild (+) in 62 $(59\%)$, moderate (++) in 12 $(11\%)$ and severe in 8 $(8\%)$ preoperatively. 87 cases $(84\%)$ were converted to negative and 17 $(16\%)$ to mild at follow up. On instrumented anterior laxity test with $Telos^{\circledR}$, side to side difference on 20 lb was $13.4{\pm}5.6$ (7-25) mm in average preoperatively, and was decreased to $3.6{\pm}1.5$ (1-6) mm in average at follow-up. Complications were quadriceps muscle atrophy in 27 $(30.0\%)$, saphenous nerve paresthesia in 19 $(18.3\%)$, anterior knee crepitus in 13 $(12.5\%)$ and over-penetration of screw through lateral femoral cortex in 5 cases $(4.8\%)$. Conclusion : ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon and LA screw was one of the choice of graft and fixatives in restoring knee stability and in improving clinical results with little complications such as anterior knee pain.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of the function and stability of ACL reconstruction using the flexible reamer. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 98 patients who taken ACL reconstruction using the flexible reamer from March, 1999 to May, 2004. And the follow-up period was more than 12 months in all cases. We used the subjective tests including Lysholm knee score and 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) subjective knee score, and the objective tests such as anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, and KT-2000 arthrometer to evaluate the clinical results. Results: In the range of motion of the affected knee, the extension deficit more than 5 degree was 8 cases preoperatively and 1 case postoperatively. The flexion deficit more than 5 degree was 12 cases preoperatively and 2 cases postoperatively. The mean Lysholm knee score was 61.3 point(${\pm}3.5$ SD) preoperatively and 87.7 point(${\pm}2.0$ SD) postoperatively. The mean 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) subjective knee score was 49 point(${\pm}3.3$ SD) preoperatively and 84 point (${\pm}2.2$ SD) postoperatively. 93 cases were more than grade II in Lachman test preoperatively and 5 cases postoperatively. 71 cases were more than grade II in pivot shift test preoperatively but 89 cases were negative postoperatively. The mean maximal manual difference by KT-2000 arthrometer was 6.8 mm(${\pm}1.9$ SD) preoperatively and 1.8 mm(${\pm}0.8$ SD) postoperatively. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction using the flexible reamer achieved the ideal isometric point of femur and anatomic graft placement, so we could obtain good results, especially in rotational stability.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose was to evaluate the early result of revision of failed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Materials and Methods : From August 1997 to February 2002, this report presents the findings of 18 patients who had revision surgery for failed ACL reconstruction. There was an average of 39 $(7\~120)$months from index procedure to the time of revision. Allografts were used in 14 $(78\%)$cases and autografts were used in 4 $(22\%)$cases and the revision procedures were assisted by arthroscopic technique. The majority of chief complaints were instability in 16 $(89\%)$cases. Sixteen $(89\%)$ cases had 1 previous reconstruction, 2 $(11\%)$ cases had 2. Before and after revision, patients were evaluated by Lachman test, pivot shift test, KT 2000, radiographs, Lysholm score and HSS score and subjective satisfaction. Results : Average length of followup was 27 $(12\~60)$months. Preoperatively, all cases were positive in Lachman test and pivot shift test. After revision the majority of cases were negative. Objectively improving stability was confirmed by KT 2000 and all average KT 2000 was 7.75 $(3.5\~12.5)$mm preoperatively and 2.36 $(1.0\~6.0)$mm at final followup. Lysholm score and HSS score were also improved from 72.6 $(66\~77)$ and 72.5 $(68\~78)$ preoperatively to 89.2 $(80\~92)$ and 88.2 $(81\~92)$ at final followup. Most $(89\%)$ of patients were satisfied with their results. The most common causes of failed ACL reconstruction were malposition of femoral tunnel in 11 $(61\%)$cases. Conclusion : Arthroscopic revision ACL surgery with adequate graft for failed ACL reconstruction was successful in objectively and subjectively improving stability. However, considering the most common causes of failure after ACL reconstruction were errors in surgical technique, it is important that the primary ACL reconstruction should be performed with correct surgical technique.