• Title/Summary/Keyword: pilot human study

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Electrochemical Detection of Lead and Cadmium in Human Saliva by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) Analysis: A Pilot Study (양극 벗김 전압전류법 (Anodic stripping voltammetry: ASV)을 이용한 인체 타액 내 납과 카드뮴의 검출: 예비 연구)

  • Kim, Young-Jun;Kim, Cheul
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.347-355
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    • 2007
  • The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences of salivary lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations, using ASV analysis, after various pre-treatment procedures. 10 unstimulated whole saliva samples of non-exposed subjects to Pb and Cd were collected. Each sample was divided into 6 aliquots and centrifugation was performed in only 3 aliquots. After centrifugation, 3 different types of pre-treatment procedures were carried out. Also, these pre-treatment procedures were carried out for another 3 aliquots, without centrifugation. Pre-treated aliquots were analyzed electrochemically, by ASV. The results are as follows: 1. Mean concentration of Pb in saliva after centrifugation was significantly higher than that of non-centrifugation. 2. In the detection sensitivity of Pb in saliva, those of simple dilution technique by HCl and acid digestion technique by nitric acid were significantly higher than that of simple dilution technique by electrolyte. 3. Mean concentration of Cd in saliva after centrifugation was significantly higher than that of non-centrifugation. 4. In the detection sensitivity of Cd in saliva, those of simple dilution technique by HCl and acid digestion technique by nitric acid were higher than that of simple dilution technique by electrolyte. But, there were no significant differences between them.

Development of NCS Based Vocational Curriculum Model for the Practical and Creative Human Respirces (실전 창의형 인재 양성을 위한 NCS 기반 직업교육과정의 모형 개발)

  • Kim, Dong-Yeon;Kim, Jinsoo
    • 대한공업교육학회지
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    • v.39 no.2
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    • pp.101-121
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    • 2014
  • The study aims to develop the NCS based vocational curriculum model for the practical and creative human resources. For effectiveness of the study, the study consists of literature studies of both domestic and international, contents analysis, case study, expert(9samples) consultation and review, and in-depth-interview of the three advisory members. The validity of the developed model is analyzed through mean, standard deviation and contents validity ratio(CVR). The main results of the model development in our study are as follow. First, our NCS based vocational curriculum model for the practical and creative human resources is developed with the analyses of NCS development manuals, training standard utilization and training curriculum organization manuals, NCS learning module development manual and case studies, NCS research report, NCS based curriculum pilot development resources directed toward the high schools and vocational school as well as the domestic and international literature study on career training model like NCS. Second, based on the findings of our analysis in combination with the findings from the consultations with the expert and advisory committee, total 19 sub-factors of each step and domain are extracted. The sub-factors of domain in step 1 are the competency unit, definition of competency unit, competency unit element, performance criteria, range of variable, guide of assessment, key competency; in step 2, they are subject title, subject objectives, chapter title, chapter objectives, pedagogical methods, assessment methods and basic job competence; and in step 2, they are NCS based subject matrix table, NCS based subject profile, NCS based job training curriculum table, NCS based subjects organization flowchart, NCS based job training operation plan. Third, the final model including step 3 NCS based subject profile are developed in association with the linked organizational sub-factors of step 1 and step 2. Forth, the validity tests for the final model by the step and domain yield the mean 4.67, CVR value 1.00, indicating the superior validity. Also, the means of each sub-factors are all over 4.33 with the CVR value 1.00, indicating the high validity as well. The means of the associated organizations within the model are also over 4.33 with the CVR value of 1.00. Standard deviations are all .50 or lower which are small. Fifth, based on the validity test results and the in-depth-interview of the expert and advisory committee, the model is adjusted complemented to establish final model of the NCS based vocational curriculum for the practical and creative human resources.

Human Skin Safety Test of Green Tea Cell Extracts in Condition of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

  • Kim, Hyun-Kyu;Choi, Sun-Young;Chang, Hui-Kyoung;Baek, Seok-Yun;Chung, Jin-Oh;Rha, Chan-Su;Kim, Beom-Joon;Kim, Myeung-Nam
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.113-116
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    • 2012
  • Various kinds of positive effects of green tea extracts had been studied for long time which included anti-inflammation, anti-aging, and cardiometabolic effects. Although topical steroid and non-steroidal calcineurin inhibitors may control clinical symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis, some of patients also present allergic reaction to these topical agents. Therefore, we have tried green tea extracts for managing this skin disorder with expectation of anti-inflammatory effect without potential side effects including skin irritation and toxic responses. The toxicity test of green tea extract also did not show any sign of irritation in the skin throughout the test period. Moderate severity of allergic contact dermatitis presented satisfactory clinical outcome at second week follow-up which was final visit of outpatient. This result mean that green tea extract has a positive effect for managing allergic contact dermatitis but its potency and efficacy seem to be so not strong enough to control moderate severity allergy skin lesion. In this pilot study, we were able to conclude that green tea cell extracts might be applied for potential anti-inflammatory soaking without skin toxicity.

정보통신표준화 전략계획수립을 위한 방법론연구-표준화대상의 우선순위 결정을 중심으로-

  • 구경철;박기식;송기평;임채연
    • Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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    • 1995.04a
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    • pp.847-864
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    • 1995
  • In this paper we present an integrated methodology for strategic planning in telecommunications standardization. Especially this paper focuses on the method of setting priorities for telecommunications SWAs(Standardization Work Areas) and related SWls(Standardization Work Items). To make a strategic plan for telecommunications standardization in which usually includes prioritization, resource allocation, standardization schedule for each SWA is based on prioritization of SWAs. Our methodology integrated various existing methods including the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and a modified Delphi technique. Recently, rapid technology evolution in telecommunications fields increases the necessity of developing more and more new standards. Also increased complexity of those technologies makes standards more complicated, more specified and more thick than the past ones. As a result, the number of SWAs and SWIs are being increased constantly. Furthermore, rapid telecommunication environment changes such as deregulation, liberalization, privatization, regionalization, and globalization surrounding standardization bring about new challenges and opportunities. Due to all these trends, strategic planning for telecommunications standardization grows more and more important. To cope with these challenges and also to make the more efficient use of the limited standardization resources including time, financial, human resources, we suggest more logical and rational approach that will be a backbone of strategic plan for telecommunications standardization. The telecommunications standardization planning process involves a MCDM(Multi-Criteria Decision Making) process. The Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) is a kind of MCDM approaches. Our method is based on a combination of a modified Delphi technique and an application of AHP(Liberator's spreadsheet model). Analyzed data from Delphi technique is used as inputs to ABP. In addition, we also focus on the technique how to combine group judgments and to handle a large number of comparisons. We present analyzed results including Pilot and Full Scale Survey according to the proposed process. The result of this study will be useful input for telecommunications standardization policy making and practical implementation.

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Effect of lipoaspirate cell autograft on proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts in vitro (지방기질세포 치료가 당뇨섬유아세포의 증식과 교원질합성에 미치는 영향)

  • Song, Sun Ho;Han, Seung Kyu;Chun, Kyung Wook;Kim, Woo Kyung
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.679-684
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: Human lipoaspirate cells are relatively easy to obtain in large quantities without cell culture. The aim of this in vitro pilot study was to determine the effect of cell therapy using uncultured lipoaspirate cells on cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts, which are the major contributing factors in wound healing. Methods: In order to get diabetic fibroblasts, dermis tissues were obtained from foot skin of diabetic patients who underwent debridements or toe amputations(n = 4). In order to isolate lipoaspirate cells, the same diabetic patients' abdominal adipose tissues were obtained by liposuction. The diabetic fibroblasts were co - cultured with or without autogenous lipoaspirate cells using porous culture plate insert. Initial numbers of the lipoaspirate cells and diabetic fibroblasts seeded were 15,000 cells/well, respectively. For cell proliferation assay, two treatment groups were included. In group I, diabetic fibroblasts were cultured with the insert having no cells, which serves as a control. In group II, the lipoaspirate cells were added in the culture plate insert. For collagen synthesis assay, one additional group(group III), in which diabetic fibroblasts were not seeded in the well and only lipoaspirate cells inside the insert were incubated without diabetic fibroblasts, was included for a reference. Results: One hundred to one hundred sixty thousand lipoaspirate cells were isolated per ml of aspirated adipose tissue. After 3 - day incubation, the mean cell numbers in group I and II were 17,294/well and 22,163/well. The mean collagen level in group I, II, and III were 29, 41, and 2 ng/ml, respectively. These results imply that both cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in the lipoaspirate cell treatment group were 28 and 44 percents higher than in the control group, respectively(p < 0.05). Conclusion: Uncultured lipoaspirate cell autografts may stimulate the wound healing activity of diabetic fibroblasts.

Statistical Optimization for Monacolin K and Yellow Pigment Production and Citrinin Reduction by Monascus purpureus in Solid-State Fermentation

  • Jirasatid, Sani;Nopharatana, Montira;Kitsubun, Panit;Vichitsoonthonkul, Taweerat;Tongta, Anan
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.364-374
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    • 2013
  • Monacolin K and yellow pigment, produced by Monascus sp., have each been proven to be beneficial compounds as antihypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammation agents, respectively. However, citrinin, a human toxic substance, was also synthesized in this fungus. In this research, solidstate fermentation of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 was optimized by statistical methodology to obtain a high production of monacolin K and yellow pigment along with a low level of citrinin. Fractional factorial design was applied in this study to identify the significant factors. Among the 13 variables, five parameters (i.e., glycerol, methionine, sodium nitrate, cultivation time, and temperature) influencing monacolin K, yellow pigment, and citrinin production were identified. A central composite design was further employed to investigate the optimum level of these five factors. The maximum production of monacolin K and yellow pigment of 5,900 mg/kg and 1,700 units/g, respectively, and the minimum citrinin concentration of 0.26 mg/kg were achieved in the medium containing 2% glycerol, 0.14% methionine, and 0.01% sodium nitrate at $25^{\circ}C$ for 16 days of cultivation. The yields of monacolin K and yellow pigment were about 3 and 1.5 times higher than the basal medium, respectively, whereas citrinin was dramatically reduced by 36 times.

A Pilot Study Exploring Temporal Development of Gut Microbiome/Metabolome in Breastfed Neonates during the First Week of Life

  • Imad Awan;Emily Schultz;John D. Sterrett;Lamya'a M. Dawud;Lyanna R. Kessler;Deborah Schoch;Christopher A. Lowry;Lori Feldman-Winter;Sangita Phadtare
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.99-115
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: Exclusive breastfeeding promotes gut microbial compositions associated with lower rates of metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Its cessation is implicated in increased microbiome-metabolome discordance, suggesting a vulnerability to dietary changes. Formula supplementation is common within our low-income, ethnic-minority community. We studied exclusively breastfed (EBF) neonates' early microbiome-metabolome coupling in efforts to build foundational knowledge needed to target this inequality. Methods: Maternal surveys and stool samples from seven EBF neonates at first transitional stool (0-24 hours), discharge (30-48 hours), and at first appointment (days 3-5) were collected. Survey included demographics, feeding method, medications, medical history and tobacco and alcohol use. Stool samples were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Alpha and beta diversity analyses and Procrustes randomization for associations were carried out. Results: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the most abundant taxa. Variation in microbiome composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.001). Palmitic, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids were the most abundant lipids. Variation in lipid composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.040). Multivariate composition of the metabolome, but not microbiome, correlated with time (p=0.030). Total lipids, saturated lipids, and unsaturated lipids concentrations increased over time (p=0.012, p=0.008, p=0.023). Alpha diversity did not correlate with time (p=0.403). Microbiome composition was not associated with each samples' metabolome (p=0.450). Conclusion: Neonate gut microbiomes were unique to each neonate; respective metabolome profiles demonstrated generalizable temporal developments. The overall variability suggests potential interplay between influences including maternal breastmilk composition, amount consumed and living environment.

Restricted Blood Flow Exercise in Sedentary, Overweight African-American Females May Increase Muscle Strength and Decrease Endothelial Function and Vascular Autoregulation

  • Bond, Vernon;Curry, Bryan Heath;Kumar, Krishna;Pemminati, Sudhakar;Gorantla, Vasavi Rakesh;Kadur, Kishan;Millis, Richard Mark
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.23-28
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: Exercise with partially restricted blood flow is a low-load, low-intensity resistance training regimen which may have the potential to increase muscle strength in the obese, elderly and frail who are unable to do high-load training. Restricted blood flow exercise has also been shown to affect blood vessel function variably and can, therefore, contribute to blood vessel dysfunction. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that unilateral resistance training of the leg extensors with partially restricted blood flow increases muscle strength and decreases vascular autoregulation. Methods: The subjects were nine normotensive, overweight, young adult African-Americans with low cardiorespiratory fitness who underwent unilateral training of the quadriceps' femoris muscles with partially restricted blood flow at 30% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) load for 3 weeks. The 1-RM load and post-occlusion blood flow to the lower leg (calf) were measured during reactive hyperemia. Results: The 1-RM load increased in the trained legs from $77{\pm}3$ to $84{\pm}4 kg$ (P < 0.05) in the absence of a significant effect on the 1-RM load in the contralateral untrained legs (P > 0.1). Post-occlusion blood flow decreased significantly in the trained legs from $19{\pm}2$ to $13{\pm}2mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P < 0.05) and marginally in the contralateral untrained legs from $18{\pm}2$ to $16{\pm}1mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P = 0.09). Changes in post-occlusion blood flow to the skin overlying the trained and the contralateral untrained muscles were not significant. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that restricted blood flow exercise, which results in significant gains in muscle strength, may produce decrements in endothelial dysfunction and vascular autoregulation. Future studies should determine whether pharmacopuncture plays a role in treatments for such blood vessel dysfunction.

An Investigation of Supporting North Korea Vocational Training by Interchange and Cooperation Scenarios (교류협력 단계별 북한 직업훈련 실행 시나리오 구축 방안)

  • Kim, So-young;Lee, Young-Min;Lee, Woo-Young
    • Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.73-79
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to explore the supporting scenario to promote vocational training in North Korea in terms of cooperation level. To this end, we have embarked on a regional and industry based vocational training program by predicting the political and social situation of North Korea and staging three scenarios systematically. These scenarios were designed originally based on the Futures Group methodology. The first scenario is to establish a technical training center in one area, focusing on the electrical, electronics, and clothing sectors. The second scenario is to set up a pilot campus of vocational training college in one region by selecting the electric, electronic, and automobile industries as its main industries. The third scenario is to establish five vocational training college campuses in North Korea, focusing on electricity and electronics, IT manufacturing, telecommunications, heavy industry, and women-specialized industries. We suggested the followings: First, establishing goals and strategies for North Korean vocational training and establishing road maps. Second, the North Korean vocational training governance system needs to be established. Third, R & D infrastructure for vocational training needs to be established. Fourth, HRD and HRM system in North Korea vocational training field needs to be established. In addition, the role of public and private employment services centers to provide them should be strengthening.

Development of instrument for measuring Home Economics-Pedagogical Content Knowledge(H-PCK) (가정교과교육학 지식(H-PCK)의 측정도구 개발)

  • Lee, Seung Jin;Yu, Nan Sook
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.35-56
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    • 2017
  • The purposes of this study were to develop an instrument to examine the latent domains to measure H-PCK and verify the reliability and validity of the instrument. To accomplish these purposes, instrument item development, content validity, pilot study, and main study were conducted. The results were as follows. First, based on a review of extant literature, 29 items for H-PCK were developed. Seven items were deleted from the original instrument after determining content validity by 10 in-service Home Economics teachers, which resulted in the 22 items of 3 domains(Knowledge of perspective on Home Economics Education(KP), Knowledge of Home Economics curriculum(KC), Knowledge of Home Economics instructional strategies(KI)). Second, data were collected from 137 Home Economics teachers via mail survey for pilot study to establish reliabilities for each individual domain and across the domains based on Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ and item-total correlation. The result showed good reliabilities in the cut-off value of .7 and .5 for Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ and for item-total correlation respectively. Third, the main study was performed with 220 Home Economics teachers via e-mail survey and the reliability and validity tests were conducted. The reliability test results showed good reliabilities. The model for confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) provided a good fit to the data (e.g., CFI=.92, RMSEA=.06, SRMR=.05) to evaluate construct validity. The three domains of KP, KC, and KI demonstrated the acceptable convergent and discriminant validities in each individual domain and over domains. Thus, the instrument in this study may be utilized to measure H-PCK. Finally, criterion-related validity was performed to examine the extent to which the three domains are related to teacher efficacy with Pearson correlation (${\rho}$). It was relatively highly correlated at ${\rho}=.7$. In addition, the higher H-PCK the Home Economics teachers had, the higher teacher efficacy they had. The final instrument consisting of 22 items from 3 domains were determined through the entire procedure.