• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.826-828
• /
• 2002

In our previous studies, we have cloned and characterized a gene region from Bradyrhizobium japonicum ,which is involved in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we have expanded the sequence analysis of the region and found an additional open reading frame (orf), which appeared to be divergently transcribed from the rfaF gene. Sequence alignment of the orf revealed a significant similarity with rfaD genes of Salmonella typhimurium , Escherichia coli, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These genes encode a heptose-6-epimerase, which catalyzes the interconversion of ADP -D -glycerol-D-manno-heptose to ADP-L-glycero-D-manno-heptose. This divergent organization of the rfaF and rfaD genes is different from that of other Gram-negative bacteria where two genes form an operon. A rfaD- mutant of E. coli was successfully transformed with plasmid constructs containing the rfaD gene of B. japonicum. Novobiocin sensitivity test showed that the rfaD gene from B. japonicum could complement the rfaD mutation in E. coli, which confirms the functionality of the cloned B. japonicum gene.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5799-5804
• /
• 2014

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most widely used and studied method internationally for the local treatment of liver tumors. However, the extension of coagulation necrosis in one RFA procedure is limited and incomplete coverage of the damaged area can lead to a high local recurrence rate. Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of different solutions in enhancing hepatic radiofrequency by establishing a rabbit VX2 liver cancer model. We also determined the optimal solution to maximise effects on the extent of RFA-induced coagulation necrosis. Methods: Thirty VX2 tumor rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups: group A, RFA alone; group B, RFA with anhydrous ethanol injection; group C, RFA with 5% hypertonic saline injection; group D, RFA with lidocaine injection; and group E, RFA with a mixed solution. Routine ultrasound examinations and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the ablation areas were performed after RFA. Then, we measured the major axis and transverse diameter and compared the areas of coagulation necrosis induced by RFA. Results: The mean ablation area range increased in groups B, C and especially E, and the scopes were greater compared with group A. Preoperative application of anhydrous ethanol, hypertonic saline, lidocaine and the mixed solution (groups B, C, D and E, respectively) resulted in larger coagulation necrosis areas than in group A (p<0.05). Among the groups, the coagulation necrosis areas in group E was largest, and the difference was statistically significant compared with other groups (p<0.05). Pathological findings were consistent with imaging results. Conclusions: A mixture of dehydrated alcohol, hypertonic saline and lidocaine injected with RFA increases the extent of coagulation necrosis in the liver with a single application, and the mixed solution is more effective than any other injection alone.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7897-7903
• /
• 2015

Background: To explored the value of 3D C-arm CT (CACT) guidance system in performing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial chemoembolizationon (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinomas. Materials and Methods: RFA of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were performed on 15 patients (21 lesions) with the assistance of CACT guidance system. Technical success, procedure time, complications and patient radiation exposure were investigated. The puncture performance level was evaluated on a five-point scale (5-1: excellent-poor). Complete ablation rate was evaluated after two months follow-up using enhanced CT scans. Results: The technical success rate of RFA procedure under CACT navigation system was 100 %. Mean total procedure time was $24.24{\pm}6.53min$, resulting in a mean effective exposure dose of $15.4{\pm}5.1mSv$. The mean puncture performance level rated for CACT guided RFA procedure was $4.87{\pm}0.35$. Complete ablation (CA) was achieved in 20 (95.2%) of the treated 21 tumors after the first RFA session. None of patients developed intra-procedural complications. Conclusions: 3D CACT guidance system enables reliable and efficient needle positioning by providing real-time intraoperative guidance for performing RFA on HCCs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.564-570
• /
• 2003

The antibacterial mechanism of enterobacter Salmonella typhimurium was studied. The rfa (Waa) gene cluster of S. typhimurium encodes the core oligosaccharide biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among the rfa gene cluster, we recently cloned the rfaE gene, which is involved in ADP-L-glycero-D-manno-heptose biosynthesis. The rfaE mutant synthesizes heptose-deficient LPS, which consists of only lipid A and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO), thus making an incomplete LPS and a rough phenotype mutant. S. typhimurium deep-rough mutants with the heptose region of the inner core show a reduced growth rate, sensitivity to high temperature, and hypersensitivity to hydrophobic antibiotics such as baicalin isolated from the medicinal herb of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Thus, in this study, the cloned rfaE gene was added to the S. typhimurium rfaE mutant strain SL1102 (rfaE543), which makes heptose-deficient LPS and has a deep-rough phenotype. The complementation created a smooth phenotype in the SL1102 strain. The sensitivity of SL1102 to bacteriophages was also recovered to that of wild-type strain, indicating that LPS is used as the receptor for bacteriophage infection. The permeability barrier of SL1102 to hydrophobic antibiotics such as novobiocin and baicalin was restored to that of the wild-type, suggesting that antibiotic resistance of the wild-type strain is highly correlated with their LPS. Through an agar diffusion assay, the growth-inhibition activity of baicalin was fully observed in the mutant SL1102 strain. However, only a half of the inhibitory activity was detected in the rfaE complemented SL1102 strain. Furthermore, the LPS produced by the rfaE-complemented SL1102 strain was indistinguishable from LPS biosynthesis of smooth strains.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.66-71
• /
• 1993

Several trials and errors were repeated to develop a simplified recipe of amylose analysis using a Rapid Flow Autoanalyzer(Alpkem, RFA-300). The amylose content of rice samples analyzed by the Rapid Flow Autoanalyzer were compared with those of Williams’ and Juliano’s assay. The results by the simplified recipe of RFA amylose analysis were highly correlated with those by Williams’ and Juliano’s method(r=0.95$^{**}$-0.97$^{**}$). The relative amylose content of defatted rice starch was higher than those of non-defatted rice flour, showing very close correlations between those analyzed by three method.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.438-448
• /
• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NT-RFA) using twin cooled wet (TCW) electrodes in patients experiencing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after undergoing locoregional treatments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-arm study of NT-RFA involving 102 patients, with a total of 112 recurrent HCCs (each ≤ 3 cm). NT-RFA with TCW electrodes was implemented under the guidance of ultrasonography (US)-MR/CT fusion imaging. If NT-RFA application proved technically challenging, conversion to conventional tumor puncture RFA was permitted. The primary metric for evaluation was the mid-term cumulative incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) observed post-RFA. Cumulative LTP rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore factors associated with LTP. Considering conversion cases from NT-RFA to conventional RFA, intention-to-treat (ITT; including all patients) and per-protocol (PP; including patients not requiring conversion to conventional RFA alone) analyses were performed. Results: Conversion from NT-RFA to conventional RFA was necessary for 24 (21.4%) out of 112 tumors. Successful treatment was noted in 111 (99.1%) out of them. No major complications were reported among the patients. According to ITT analysis, the estimated cumulative incidences of LTP were 1.9%, 6.0%, and 6.0% at 1, 2, and 3 years post-RFA, respectively. In PP analysis, the cumulative incidence of LTP was 0.0%, 1.3%, and 1.3% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The number of previous locoregional HCC treatments (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.265 per 1 treatment increase; P = 0.004), total bilirubin (aHR, 7.477 per 1 mg/dL increase; P = 0.012), and safety margin ≤ 5 mm (aHR, 9.029; P = 0.016) were independently associated with LTP in ITT analysis. Conclusion: NT-RFA using TCW electrodes is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent HCC, with 6.0% (ITT analysis) and 1.3% (PP analysis) cumulative incidence of LTP at 2 and 3-year follow-ups.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
• /
• 2003.11c
• /
• pp.24-27
• /
• 2003

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as one of the microwave hyperthermia is becoming the treatment of choice for small but inoperable tumors of the liver. In this paper, we designed the applicator composed of semi-rigid coaxial cable antenna with a ring slot for RFA. To optimize the maximum output of radiation with omni direction at 2450 ㎒, we simulated the applicator using Electromagnetic simulation program and analyzed the return loss and the electric field E$\_$tot/ at the near-field region between the simulation results and measurement results. As a result, we obtained the return loss of -29.786 dB at 2450 ㎒ when the applicator was placed between two blocks of a pig's liver, and the measurement results agreed with the simulation results well. Therefore, this applicator using semi-rigid coaxial cable antenna with a ring slot can be used very usefully as the applicator for RFA.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.118-123
• /
• 2014

For multi parameter optimization of Raman Fiber Amplifier (RFA), a simple genetic algorithm is presented in the scenario of a 320 channel Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (DWDM) system at channel spacing of 25 GHz. The large average gain (> 22 dB) is observed from optimized RFA with the optimized parameters, such as 39.6 km of Raman length with counter-propagating pumps tuned to 205.5 THz and 211.9 THz at pump powers of 234.3 mW, 677.1 mW respectively. The gain flattening filter (GFF) has also been optimized to further reduce the gain ripple across the frequency range from 190 to 197.975 THz for broadband amplification.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.201-219
• /
• 2017

With the rapid growth in construction sector, it becomes all the more important to assess the amount of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste being generated and analyze the practices needed to handle and use this waste before final disposal. This serves waste management and disposal issues, paving way to waste utilization in construction industry from the sustainability point of view. C&D waste constitutes a major bulk of total solid waste produced in the world. In this work, an attempt is made to study the performance of concrete using water soaked Recycled Coarse Aggregates (RCA) in replacement levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to Natural Coarse Aggregates (NCA). Experiments were designed and conducted to study the performance of RCA based concrete. Further suitable performance enhancement techniques to RCA based concrete were attempted, to achieve compressive strength at least equal to or more than that for no RCA based concrete (control concrete). Performance enhancement study is reported here for 50% and 100% RCA based concretes. All four techniques attempted have given favorable results encouraging use of RCA based concretes with full replacement levels, to adopt RCA based concrete in structural applications, without any kind of concern to the stake holder. Further attempts have also been made to use Recycled Fine Aggregates (RFA) with appropriate modifications to serve as fine aggregates in mortar and concrete. Using RFA blended with river sand fractions as well as RFA with Iron Ore Tailings (IOT) fractions, have given good results to serve as fine aggregates to the extent of 100% replacement levels in mortars and concretes.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2011.04a
• /
• pp.88-89
• /
• 2011

풍하중이 작용하는 교량의 응답을 구하기 위하여 RFA(Rational Function Approximation)와 같은 시간 영역해석법이 널리 사용되고 있다. 교량 단면의 공기역학적 특성을 정의하는 플러터 계수는 주파수 영역에서 정의되기 때문에, 시간 영역해석을 위하여 inverse Fourier transform을 통해 얻어진 impulse response function을 이용한 중첩 적분법이 제안되었다. 시간 영역해석을 위해서는 플러터 계수에 상관성이 존재해야 함을 밝히고, 최적화 방법을 이용하여 시간 영역 해석을 위한 플러터 계수 산정법을 제안하고자 한다. B/D=20의 구형 단면에 적용하여 제안한 방법의 타당성을 검증하고자 한다.