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We demonstrated the sensing properties and adsorption mechanism of NO2 molecules of monolayer graphene and multilayer graphene encapsulated ZnO QDs for NO2 gas adsorption. The gas response value of ZnO-multilayer graphene (ZMLG) QDs was approximately 23 % and 7.2 and 25.5 times higher than that with ZnO-monolayer graphene (ZG) and ZnO QDs, respectively. The surface potential change of ZMLG QDs increased up to 14.25 times compared to ZnO QDs and 6.33 times increased compared to ZG QDs. We proposed an accurate adsorption mechanism for the improvement of the detection behavior that is occured by covering the graphene shells into ZnO QDs by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and SKPM measurement. These results are expected to increase the accuracy of gas sensor characteristic analysis.

Functional tendon tissue engineering depends on harnessing the biochemical and biophysical cues of the native tendon extracellular matrix. In this study, we fabricated highly-aligned poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers with surfaces decorated by two of the crucial tendon ECM components, type 1 collagen (COL1) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), through a coaxial stable jet electrospinning approach. Effects of the biomimetic COL1-CS (shell)/PLLA (core) fibers on the tenogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro were investigated. Higher rates of cell spreading and proliferation are observed on the aligned COL1-CS/PLLA fibers compared to that on the plain PLLA fibers. Expression of the tendon-associated genes scleraxis (SCX) and COL1 as well as protein tenomodulin (TNMD) are significantly increased. Introduction of mechanical stimulation gives rise to synergistic effect on tenogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Higher expression of TGF-β2, TGFβR-II, and Smad3 by the cells on the COL1-CS/PLLA fiber substrates are observed, which indicates that COL1-CS/PLLA ultrafine fibers dictate the hMSC tenogenic differentiation through activating the TGF-β signaling pathway. Animal study in rat Achilles tendon repair model corroborated the promoting role of COL1-CS/PLLA in regenerating a tendon-like tissue. Thus, our highly aligned biomimicking fibers may serve as an efficient scaffolding system for functional tendon regeneration.

A pilot scale mercury recovery plant was developed to treat Hg waste by thermal treatment. The capacity of the system was 60 kg/batch and consisted of four units carrying out thermal treatment, dust separation, condensation, and flue gas treatment. The mass balances of Hg from five different wastes in three categories were calculated from Hg recovery data. From the following selected five wastes, Hg-added product, Hg-contaminated soil, byproduct of fluorescent lamp treatment process, and waste sludge from non-ferrous metal industrial process, we recovered 97.5%, 83.61%, 93.07%, 70.25%, and 29.36% of elemental mercury, respectively. Dust interfered during the condensation process, as volatilized Hg vapor was condensed with dust. Hg concentrations in leaching extract of treatment residues from the Hg-added product, Hg-contaminated soil, and the byproduct of fluorescent lamp treatment process were 0.003 mg-Hg/L, 0.0045 mg-Hg/L, and 0.002 mg-Hg/L, respectively, which are below the Korean classification standard of hazardous waste for mercury (0.005 mg-Hg/L). Hg concentration in flue gas was lower than 15 μg-Hg/m3 after passing through the activated carbon trap. Byproducts of the pilot scale system, such as activated carbon and dust can be further treated and converted to Hg free waste.

The therapeutic benefits of curcuminoids in various diseases have been extensively reported. However, little is known regarding their preventive effects on extensive immunosuppression. We investigated the immunoregulatory effects of a curcuminoid complex (CS/M), solubilized with stevioside, using a microwave-assisted method in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressive mouse model and identified its new pharmacological benefits. CTX-treated mice showed a decreased number of innate cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells, and adaptive immune cells (CD4 and CD8 T cells) in the spleen. In addition, CTX administration decreased T cell activation, especially that of Th1 and CD8 T cells, whereas it increased Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) cell activations. Pre-exposure of CS/M to CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice restored the number of innate cells (DCs, neutrophils, and NK cells) and increased their activity (including the activity of macrophages). Exposure to CS/M also led to the superior restoration of T cell numbers, including Th1, activated CD8 T cells, and multifunctional T cells, suppressed by CTX, along with a decrease in Th2 and Treg cells. Furthermore,CTX-injected mice pre-exposed to CS/M were accompanied by an increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), which play an essential role against oxidative stress. Importantly, CS/M treatment significantly reduced viral loads in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2-infected hamsters and attenuated the gross pathology in the lungs. These results provide new insights into the immunological properties of CS/M in preventing extensive immunosuppression and offer new therapeutic opportunities against various cancers and infectious diseases caused by viruses and intracellular bacteria.

Background This study investigated the epidemiology and causes of bearing dislocations following mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (MUKA) and determined whether the incidence of primary bearing dislocations decreases as surgeon experience increases. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the bearing dislocations following MUKAs performed by 14 surgeons with variable experience levels. Causes of bearing dislocations were determined based on the surgical records, radiographs, and operator’s suggestion. Using a chi-squared test, the incidence of bearing dislocation was compared between the first 50, the second 50, and the next 100 unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKAs) of each surgeon's cohort. Results There were 67 (3.6%) bearing dislocations from 1853 MUKAs. The mean time to bearing dislocations after index MUKAs was 33 months (range, 1-144 months); 55% of the bearing dislocations occurred within 2 years after the index MUKAs. Primary bearing dislocations (n = 58) were the most common, followed by secondary (n = 6) and traumatic dislocations (n = 3). There was no significant difference in the incidence of bearing dislocation between the first 50 and second 50 UKAs for each surgeon. Two surgeons showed a significant decrease in bearing dislocations in their second 100 UKAs, while the other surgeons did not show a difference between their first 100 and second 100 UKAs. Conclusion Most bearing dislocations after MUKAs were related to technical errors such as component malposition or gap imbalance. This study did not confirm that the incidence of bearing dislocations decreases as the number of cases increases. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

Background There is a high risk of fracture after kidney transplantation (KT). Recipients of KT are susceptible to persistent hyperparathyroidism and other disorders of bone and mineral metabolism. However, the risk factors for fractures after KT remain uncertain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for fracture after KT. Methods A total of 941 recipients of KT were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort study in Korea from 2012 to 2016. The biochemical markers were measured at the time of KT, then annually for 5 years following KT. All fracture events were recorded. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the association of risk factors with fractures. Results Twenty-two fractures had occurred in 20 patients during the study period. Baseline and serial changes of mineral and bone biochemical markers were similar between fracture and nonfracture patient groups. Among the total study population, 104 patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis and 422 patients were diagnosed with osteopenia in a pretransplant bone mineral density test. In a multivariate Cox analysis, pretransplant osteoporosis (HR = 11.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28-60.69; P = .003) and pretransplant osteopenia (HR = 5.21; 95% CI, 1.15-23.57; P = .032) were independent risk factors for fracture in recipients of KT. Conclusions Pretransplant osteoporosis and osteopenia were independent risk factors for fracture after KT. More careful monitoring of bone mineral density before and after KT might be beneficial to predict the risk for fracture after KT.

Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers. In this study, a prostate cancer-specific aptamer, Wy5a, was conjugated to polyethylenimine (PEI) with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker for prostate cancer-specific gene delivery. PEI-PEG-AS1411 was synthesized as a non-specific control. PEI-PEG-Wy5a formed complexes with plasmid DNA in a spherical form with a diameter of 70 nm and a positive surface-charge. In transfection assays, PEI-PEG-Wy5a had higher gene delivery efficiency to PC-3 prostate cancer cells than did PEI-PEG or PEI-PEG-AS1411, but not in other types of cells. The results suggest that PEI-PEG-Wy5a may be useful for prostate cancer-specific gene delivery.

The valuation of urban parks using hedonic pricing has been thoroughly documented in a number of studies set in many cities. Just as the value of existing parks can be estimated by investigating the relationship between housing prices and parks, the value of future parks can also be estimated using this approach. This study recognized that a series of planning processes and land use transitions to create urban parks not only influences the perceptions of real estate buyers but also the quality of the local environment. From the apartment sales data for the Busan metropolitan region of Korea, data on 11,498 sales of apartments within walking distance to planned parks (as well as existing parks) were collected. These data were applied in an analysis comprising three categories describing different planning contexts for the parks: “comprehensive plans,” “implementation plans,” and “completed parks.” A set of explanatory variables representing housing, park, and neighborhood characteristics was selected, with additional remarks regarding the planning specifications that might influence apartment buyers’ perceptions, such as the park type and the age of a plan, as defined in the official plans of the city. The results showed that smaller park types in residential settings were preferred throughout the processes of park planning, while all types were preferred once the processes were completed. The preference in park types is likely associated with the quality of the planning guidelines as well as the size of the project and the duration of planning.

Background This study compared two fluorescence parameters (fluorescence loss [ΔF] and red fluorescence gain [ΔR]) among three generations of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) systems with the aim of determining the validities of these parameters in the three devices for differentiating the severity of enamel caries. Methods Forty-one extracted human premolars and molars with suspected enamel caries were selected. Fluorescence images of all teeth were obtained using first-, second-, and third-generation QLF systems (Inspektor Pro, QLF-D, and Qraycam, respectively). Fluorescence parameters were then calculated using proprietary software. All of the specimens were also categorized histologically using polarized-light microscopy (PLM) based on histological levels related to the lesion depth into sound enamel (S), caries limited to the outer half of the enamel (E1), and caries involving the inner half of the enamel (E2). The Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni correction was used to compare fluorescence parameters among the three generations of systems. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) at two thresholds (S/E1 for detecting enamel caries lesions and E1/E2 for differentiating the caries severity) were calculated for evaluating the validities of the fluorescence parameters obtained using all three generations of QLF devices. Results ΔF did not differ significantly between the devices at any histological level. In addition, ΔF showed large AUCs at the thresholds of S/E1 and E1/E2 (0.97–0.98 and 0.89–0.90, respectively). On the other hand, ΔR was significantly higher for the third-generation device than for the first- and second-generation devices for E2 lesions (P Conclusions The ΔF fluorescence parameter did not differ between the three generations of QLF devices, and showed high validity values. In terms of ΔR, the devices of all generations also showed good diagnostic performance for quantifying and detecting enamel caries lesions, but the third-generation QLF system produced superior results.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a combination of photocatalysts—hydrogen peroxide at a low concentration (3.5%) and titanium dioxide (TiO2)—activated at a wavelength of 405 nm using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology, and to quantify their tooth-bleaching efficacy using fluorescence images obtained from QLF technology. Materials and methods Forty bovine incisors were extrinsically stained according to Stookey’s method, and were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group). Two bleaching solutions were prepared by mixing 3.5% H2O2 with 0.05% of anatase and rutile TiO2 powders. These solutions were applied to the stained teeth using a microbrush and then irradiated for 15 min at either 306 or 405 nm to activate the bleaching agent. The color difference (ΔE*) was assessed before and after every 5 min of treatment. The ΔE* and the changes in the fluorescence loss (ΔΔF) were obtained from white-light and fluorescence images, respectively. Results All of the low-H2O2/TiO2 treatments caused significant tooth-bleaching efficacy after irradiation at 306 and 405 nm (p 0.05), but the bleaching efficacy was greater with anatase TiO2 at 306 nm and rutile TiO2 at 405 nm. Analysis of the fluorescence images revealed that the ΔF values increased significantly in all groups with the treatment time (p Conclusions Combining low-H2O2/TiO2 with QLF technology at 405 nm has an efficacy of tooth-bleaching as a less harmful and biofriendly method, while the fluorescence images obtained by QLF technology could be used to assess tooth-bleaching.

The effects of surface coating, microbial loading, surface-to-volume ratio, sample stacking, mixing of samples with romaine lettuce, and shaking of the samples on the inactivation of Salmonella contaminating boiled chicken breast (BCB) cubes using in-package atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (ADCP) treatment at 38.7 kV were investigated. Whey protein coating increased the ADCP treatment efficacy in inactivating Salmonella on BCB cubes; the D-value increased from 0.2 to 1.3 min when the initial inoculum concentration increased from 3.8 to 5.7 log CFU/sample. ADCP decontaminated stacked BCB samples uniformly, and shaking during the treatment increased the inactivation rate. The concentrations of chicken protein isolate, water, and soybean oil in a chicken breast model food that resulted in the highest Salmonella reduction (1.7 log CFU/sample) were 20.5%, 68.9%, and 10.6%, respectively. ADCP treatment did not affect the color and tenderness of the model food, irrespective of its composition. The present study indicated that ADCP is a feasible technology to decontaminate prepackaged ready-to-eat meat cube products.

Organic farming has shown better environmental performance than conventional farming in many studies; however, no systematic study into intensive, smallholder farming practices in Asia has been conducted. In this study, the energy efficiencies (EEs) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of organic and conventional soybean production systems in South Korea, and their major contributing factors, based on life cycle assessments (LCAs) are explored. Multi-level regression analyses and non-parametric comparison tests were applied to the data from 60 soybean farms, 30 of each production system. The results show that conventional farming (1.923 energy efficiency) is significantly more energy efficient than organic farming (1.046 energy efficiency). The energy inefficiency of organic farming is attributed to the excessive use of energy for fuel and mulch film, and smaller crop yields. Greenhouse gas emissions are not significantly different between the organic (2045.11 kg CO2 eq/ton) and conventional soybean-farming systems (1657.55 kg CO2 eq/ton). The surprisingly smaller EE and larger GHG emissions associated with soybean production in Korea, compared with those of large-scale farming, necessitates further research on the environmental performance of smaller farms in Asia.

A B2B transaction is a transaction between organizations. However, the ripple effects of a B2B transaction can reach the members of the organization and generate additional economic impact. Enterprise LTE (Long term evolution) is a newly introduced B2B service in the South Korean telecommunications market. While it provides secure and fast telecommunications services to businesses, it can also affect the employees’ utility in the business, since the service provider can provide a variety of additional services to employees who use the same telecommunications provider for their mobile devices. In this study, we empirically analyze how B2B and Enterprise LTE services affect consumer churn-in in the telecommunications market. We estimate consumer benefit based on the additional services provided after the introduction of the B2B service using conjoint analysis. We also estimate consumer switching cost for changing one’s mobile telecommunications service provider using contingent valuation method. By comparing these values, we analyze the switching probability of employees when B2B services are introduced at their workplace. The results show that in order to maximize revenue, considering the revenue gained from new subscribers and from fees for providing additional services, lowering service fees for additional services and maximizing market share are advisable.

Nucleic acid sequencing is frequently used to determine the molecular basis of diseases. Therefore, proper storage of biological specimens is essential to inhibit nucleic acid degradation. RNA isolated from the human pancreas is generally of poor quality because of its high concentration of endogenous RNase. In this study, we optimized the method for extracting high quality RNA from paired tumor and normal pancreatic tissues obtained from eight pancreatic cancer patients post-surgery. RNA integrity number (RIN) was checked to evaluate the integrity of RNA, we tried to extract the RNA with an RIN value of 8 or higher that allows for the latest genetic analysis. The effect of several parameters, including the method used for tissue lysis, RNAlater treatment, tissue weight at storage, and the time to storage after surgical resection, on the quantity and quality of RNA extracted was examined. Data showed that the highest quantity of RNA was isolated using a combination of manual and mechanical methods of tissue lysis. Additionally, sectioning the tissues into small pieces (

An insufficient sensitivity of aptamer-integrated colorimetric gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a common challenge in the detection of environmental chemicals. We report the use of a modified aptamer/AuNP-based sensor in conjunction with a fluorescing single-stranded DNA aptamer for the sensitive detection of bisphenol A (BPA), which is a major endocrine disruptor (EDC). While an anti-BPA single-stranded DNA aptamer was bound with BPA, a weak fluorescence signal was observed upon the addition of SYBR Green-I (SG-I), which is specific to a duplex region of the free aptamer. This reaction was accompanied by a subsequent aggregation of unmodified AuNPs (citrate-stabilized AuNPs) at high salt concentrations, leading to a color change from reddish to purple. In contrast, the absence of BPA elicited a high fluorescence signal from SG-I and produced no color change in the AuNP solution even upon the addition of salt ions. Unlike aptamers that are labeled at their ends with fluorophores, our strategy gave rise to neither a loss of target-binding affinity nor a perturbation of the AuNP colorimetry. Thus, a quantitative analysis with a broad dynamic range was achieved by combining the fluorescent and colorimetric measurements at BPA concentrations ranging over four orders of magnitude. Our approach also yielded a greater detection sensitivity (as low as 9 pg·mL−1) than classical AuNP colorimetry or other aptamer-combined methods Moreover, this method enabled the detection of BPA in a small fraction extracted from thermal paper with a high specificity among EDCs. We anticipate that this approach will facilitate further advances in the design of traditional AuNP colorimetric sensors using different aptamers for chemical sensing in the environmental and clinical fields.

This study tests for the effect of earning potential on commuting time of working husbands and wives in two-worker households in South Korea. The theoretical result obtained by Alonso (1964) and Muth (1969) is that a higher wage has offsetting effects on commuting by increasing both the demand for housing and the time cost of commuting. This study places these offsetting effects in a model of bid-rent for a two-worker household that extends the model presented by White (1977). The basic finding is that an increase in the wage rate increases the worker's commuting time by a small statistically significant amount. The result holds for both husbands and wives. The net effect of a higher wage on commuting time is positive and small. As other studies have found, commuting time is greater for husbands than for wives.

Introduction The aim of this case report was to describe the process of diagnosis and treatment of a cracked tooth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Case report A 43-year-old male presented at our dental clinic with a complaint of cold pain in #17 tooth. A routine oral examination with radiography was performed for evaluation of the oral condition and treatment planning. Additionally, QLF image capture was performed using Qraycam and Qraypen (AIOBIO, Seoul, Republic of Korea), to collect white-light and fluorescence images. The #17 tooth was observed to have a crack line, showing red fluorescence, from the distal to mesial aspect on the occlusal surface. Even though there was no visible root fracture in the radiographic image, bone loss was observed. Therefore, we performed periodontal treatment. One month later, a root canal treatment was performed because the patient still complained of pain in the #17 tooth. During this treatment, one fluorescent image and one white light image set was captured with the Qraypen. A crack line showing red fluorescence was observed, while the line was not visible to the naked eye. After treatment, the patient has had no complaint related to this tooth for 3 years until today. Conclusions Clinically, use of QLF confirmed the presence of a crack before and during a root canal treatment. Therefore, it is postulated that the QLF technology could objectively facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of a cracked tooth.

The inhibition efficacy of an extract from Ecklonia cava (E. cava) was studied to determine whether the extract and compounds exhibited inhibitory activity against VHSV in the fathead minnow (FHM) cell line and following oral administration to the olive flounder. Based on its low toxicity and effective concentration, the E. cava extract (Ext) and compounds (eckol and phlorofucofuroeckol A) were selected for further analysis. In the plaque reduction assay, simultaneous co-exposure of VHSV to Ext, eckol and phlorofucofuroeckol A showed a higher level of inhibition than the pre- and post-exposure groups. The antiviral activity in the FHM cell line was time-dependent and increased with the exposure time with the virus and Ext or the compounds. In the in vivo experiments, different Ext concentrations were orally administered to the olive flounder. In trial I, the relative percent survival (RPS) following oral administration of 500 and 50 μg/g/day of Ext was 31.25% and 12.50%, respectively. In trial II, the RPS for 1000, 500 and 50 μg/g/day of Ext was 31.57%, 0% and 0%, respectively. In trial III, the RPS after 1 and 2 weeks (1000 μg/g/day) of exposure to Ext was 26.31% and 31.57%, respectively. Oral administration of Ext (1000 μg/g/day) significantly induced inflammatory cytokine responses (IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ) at 1 and 2 days post-oral administration (dpa). Additionally, IFN-α/β (7–12 dpa), ISG15 (2, 7 and 10 dpa) and Mx (7–12 dpa) were significantly activated in the olive flounder. In conclusion, we demonstrated an inhibitory ability of the E. cava extract and compounds against VHSV in the FHM cell line. Moreover, oral administration of the E. cava extract to the olive flounder enhanced antiviral immune responses and the efficacy of protection against VHSV, resulting in an anti-viral status in the olive flounder.

The characteristics of a flexible write-once-read-many-times (WORM) memory fabricated with monolayered 0-dimensional (0D) CdSe–ZnS quantum dots (QDs) layers sandwiched between two insulating 2-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) multilayers were investigated by electrical measurement method. The hBN/QDs monolayer/hBN structure was fabricated in a vertical stacked structure using a technique which control the formation of the QDs monolayer. QDs monolayer was formed by electrostatic interaction between the negative charge group on the CdSe–ZnS QDs surface and the positive charge group on the hBN surface. The device has a WORM characteristic due to the presence of QDs in the current-voltage (I–V) measurement. When a bias is applied, carriers were initially trapped by tunneling due to the QDs and then a conductive filament was formed in the hBN, which were not detrapped and exhibit characteristics of write-once-read-many-times memory. The maximum ON/OFF ratio of the current for the devices was as large as 4 × 10, and the endurance was 5 × 104 cycles, and a retention time was larger than 1 × 105 s. In order to explain the carrier transport mechanism and conductive filament of the WORM memory device caused by QDs, it through various methods such as I–V fitting data, simulation, and conductive AFM. Unlike the conventional conductive filament mechanism, through random diffusion such as Ag filament, the Au/hBN/QD/hBN/ITO/PET structures implemented a consistent conductive filament using Au metal and QDs active layer.

Noble metal/metal-oxide-based hybrid gas sensors exhibit a low operating temperature, remarkable sensitivity, and fast recovery. As additives, noble metals induce a catalytic sensitization effect, which promotes charge transfer from the metal oxide to the analyte molecules, the so-called spillover mechanism. This suggests that metal catalysts can improve gas sensing performance. Herein, for the first time, non-noble metals are introduced on hybrid metal oxide/graphene fibers as sensitizers to fabricate high-performance chemiresistive sensors. The formation of metal components can be effectively controlled by annealing the metal oxide on graphene. Remarkably, compared with the corresponding metal oxide/graphene fiber sensors without metal components, the metal/metal oxide/graphene fiber sensors exhibit over a 16-fold higher response to NO2 gas as well as effective recovery characteristics. Specifically, the Cu/Cu2O/graphene and Ni/NiO/graphene fiber sensors operating at 150 °C exhibit sensitivities of 18.90 % and 0.82 %, respectively, for 5 ppm NO2 gas. The proposed strategy to achieve flexible graphene fiber chemiresistors by decorating them with non-noble metal and metal oxide nanoparticles opens a new avenue for realizing high-performance devices, such as photovoltaic devices, photocatalysts, and chemical catalysts.

Background Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using natural photosensitive agents is an effective method for preventing oral diseases of bacterial origin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of aPDT, using powdered extracts of Chlorella and Curcuma, on the biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a bacterium that is known to cause dental caries. Methods Commercially available powdered Chlorella and Curcuma extracts were used as photosensitizers. S. mutans, cultured for 2 days, was inoculated (0.1 ml; 1 × 109 CFU/ml) on the surface of a hydroxyapatite (HA) disc and incubated for 24 h to allow the formation of a biofilm. The HA disc with the S. mutans biofilm was immersed in either Curcuma extract (0.5 mg/ml), Chlorella extract, distilled water (negative control), or Listerine (positive control) for 1 min and then irradiated with an LED (Qraycam; wavelength, 405 nm; energy, 59 mW) for 5 min. Results The application of aPDT with Curcuma or Chlorella extract to S. mutans 24-hour biofilms significantly decreased the number of viable cells and the live/dead cell ratio when compared with those in the negative control (distilled water; p Conclusions aPDT using 405 nm light and Chlorella or Curcuma as a photosensitizer has significant antimicrobial effects against S. mutans biofilms. Thus, employing aPDT with natural plant extracts as photosensitizers could be an effective strategy for preventing dental caries but needs to be evaluated in properly controlled clinical trials..

Summary Objectives The present study sought to determine how basic motor skills, such as agility, and the brain's reaction to perception handling are affected by the pressure level of compression pants. Equipment and methods Twelve subjects wore three different compression pants and undertook sidestep tests to evaluate agility. For the analysis of movement-related cortical potentials, electroencephalography was conducted while participants performed an exercise involving the pressing of a foot-operated switch in response to randomly repeated sound stimuli. Results When wearing the CG2 model pants, the pant that applied the highest pressure among the three, enhanced agility (P

This study examines elevated/subway and bus ridership for the five cities in the U.S. with the largest elevated/subway systems. Data on individual trips to work from the 2010 Census are employed. The New York elevated/subway system is by far the largest system and carries 18.4% of the trips to work in the New York metro area compared to an average of 6% of trips in the metro areas of the four next-largest systems (Chicago, San Francisco-Oakland, Boston, and Washington, DC). The New York system has 245 service miles compared to an average of 92 miles for the other four and almost twice as many stations per mile as the other four. Log-odds analysis of the individual trips shows that the New York elevated/subway system carries an estimated over 40% of the work trips by certain groups of commuters. In contrast, the empirical results for the bus systems are roughly similar across the five metropolitan areas. Bus riders make up 7.7% of commuters in metro New York compared to an average of 4.7% for the other four metro areas. Unlike the elevated/subway systems, bus systems cover nearly all of these metro areas with some level of service. Log-odds results show that elevated/subway ridership increases and bus ridership decreases with income, and unmarried commuters (both female and male) are more likely to use either form of public transit.

The precise diagnosis of dental caries and determination of their severity are very important when planning for treatment. Low diagnostic power of traditional methods such as radiographic and visual-tactile examinations could increase in the ambiguity of clinical decision about some borderline lesions. The aim of this study was to identify the extent of dentin lesions by using Qraypen (AIOBIO, Seoul, Korea), a device that utilizes QLF technology, at the dentin level through representative 2 cases in this study. In the first case of chronic and deep dentin caries, the fluorescence loss and strong red fluorescence were still detected from the lesions when observed by Qraypen after removing the suspicious lesions using conventional methods. It was possible to gradually remove red fluorescent area until it reached an almost invisible state. In addition, from the second case of acute and secondary caries, it was difficult to detect the crack using conventional diagnostic methods. Based on the result of the Qraypen examination, we could verify the presence of the crack and its severity which had progressed into the pulp as a distinct red fluorescence. In conclusion, the QLF technology could be applied not only to detect dentin caries but also to provide evidences for determining extent of caries removal non-invasively and objectively.

Salvia plebeia R.Br. (SPRB) is a natural resource that exhibits various biological activities. However, its effects on inflammatory diseases are not yet well characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of a compound derived from SPRB on interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. The chemical structure of active compounds isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of SPRB were elucidated by comparison with spectroscopic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) data in the literature, which resulted in the identification of 22 known compounds. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for potentially higher inhibitory effects on IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in Hep3B cells using a luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-STAT3, p-ERK, and p-JAK2 in IL-6 induced U266 cells were regulated in the presence of cirsimaritin from SPRB by western blot assay. Based on these findings, we suggest that SPRB has the potential to inhibit IL-6-induced STAT3 activation and should be considered in functional food and pharmaceutical applications.

Immunosuppression (IS) protocols should be individualized according to the individual recipient's immunity to minimize adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative levels of CD8+ T lymphocytes could be used as a guide for the introduction of IS.Sixteen adult liver transplantations in our institute were retrospectively analyzed. The immunosuppressive agents were temporarily withheld for 8 patients with a lower (10%) preoperative percentage of CD8+ cells after transplant (classified as group A). In this group, postoperative immunosuppressive agents had never been used until acute rejection was suspected. Another 8 patients receiving classic IS were classified as group B. We collected their demographic features and analyzed the clinical courses.The postoperative IS-free period of group A was 5 to 120 days (median, 31 days). Our data showed an inverse correlation between CD8+ levels and the severity of liver disease. Although the IS-free protocol did not present a lower incidence of infection-related events, most of them were effectively treated with antibiotics. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall patient survival rates were not different between those with a short-term IS-free period and those with regular IS (87.5% vs 100%, 75% vs 100%, and 62.5% vs 87.5%; P = .468). No patient died of graft failure due to acute rejection.Postoperative immunosuppressive agents can be safely withheld for a period of time to preserve proper immune responses against infections in very sick recipients guided by using the CD8+ levels.

The accepted mechanism explaining the accelerated growth following periosteal resection is that the periosteum serves as a mechanical restraint to restrict physeal growth. To test the veracity of this mechanism we first utilized Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging to measure differences of periosteal fiber alignment at various strains. Additionally, we measured changes in periosteal growth factor transcription. Next we utilized SHG imaging to assess the alignment of the periosteal fibers on the bone both before and after periosteal resection. Based on the currently accepted mechanism, we hypothesized that the periosteal fibers adjacent to the physis should be more aligned (under tension) during growth and become less aligned (more relaxed) following metaphyseal periosteal resection. In addition, we measured the changes in periosteal micro- and macro-scale mechanics.30 seven-week old New Zealand White rabbits were sacrificed. The periosteum was imaged on the bone at five regions using SHG imaging. One centimeter periosteal resections were then performed at the proximal tibial metaphyses. The resected periosteal strips were stretched to different strains in a materials testing system (MTS), fixed, and imaged using SHG microscopy. Collagen fiber alignment at each strain was then determined computationally using CurveAlign. In addition, periosteal strips underwent biomechanical testing in both circumferential and axial directions to determine modulus, failure stress, and failure strain. Relative mRNA expression of growth factors: TGFβ-1, -2, -3, Ihh, PTHrP, Gli, and Patched were measured following loading of the periosteal strips at physiological strains in a bioreactor. The periosteum adjacent to the physis of six tibiae was imaged on the bone, before and after, metaphyseal periosteal resection, and fiber alignment was computed. One-way ANOVA statistics were performed on all data.Imaging of the periosteum at different regions of the bone demonstrated complex regional differences in fiber orientation. Increasing periosteal strain on the resected strips increased periosteal fiber alignment (p0.0001). The only exception to this pattern was the 10% strain on the tibial periosteum, which may indicate fiber rupture at this non-physiologic strain. Periosteal fiber alignment adjacent to the resection became less aligned while those adjacent to the physes remained relatively unchanged before and after periosteal resection. Increasing periosteal strain on the resected strips increased periosteal fiber alignment (p0.0001). The only exception to this pattern was the 10% strain on the tibial periosteum, which may indicate fiber rupture (and consequent retraction) at this non-physiologic strain. Increasing periosteal strain revealed a significant increase in relative mRNA expression for Ihh, PTHrP, Gli, and Patched, respectively.Periosteal fibers adjacent to the growth plate do not appear under tension in the growing limb, and the alignments of these fibers remain unchanged following periosteal resection.The results of this study call into question the long-accepted role of the periosteum acting as a simple mechanical tether restricting growth at the physis.

Glucosyl stevioside was synthesized via transglucosylation by dextransucrase from Leuconostoc citreum KM20 (LcDexT), forming α-d-glucosyl stevioside. A production yield of 94% was reached after 5days of LcDexT reaction at 30°C. Glucosyl stevioside induced a 2-fold improved quality of taste and sweetness, compared to stevioside. After 15days of storage at 25°C, 98% of glucosyl stevioside in an aqueous solution was present in a soluble form, compared to only 11% for stevioside or rebaudioside A. Furthermore, glucosyl stevioside exhibited a similar or improved stability in commercially available soft drinks, when compared to stevioside and rebaudioside A. These results suggest that glucosyl stevioside could serve as a highly pure and stable sweetener in soft drinks.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a new method using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) was appropriate for the diagnosis of oral malodor by quantifying the fluorescence of tongue coating.This study examined 103 healthy subjects who have an oral malodor as a main complaint. The levels of oral malodor were measured by organoleptic scores (OLS) and volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels. The fluorescent tongue coating images captured by QLF-D were quantified as the integrated fluorescence score (IF score) by multiplying the intensity and area of fluorescence. The correlations between the fluorescence parameters and OLS as well as VSC levels and the diagnostic accuracy of the IF score were evaluated.The IF score of tongue coating showed a significant positive correlation with the OLS (r=0.54, p0.01) and the VSC levels (r=0.49, p0.01). This score was significantly differed with the level of oral malodor (p0.001), and its AUC was 0.72 in identifying the patient with definite oral malodor (≥OLS 2).A new method quantifying tongue coating fluorescence detected by QLF-D can be used to diagnose oral malodor and assess its severity in the clinical practice.

The early noninvasive detection of crown microleakage is very important for tooth maintenance and preservation. A crown margin in a subgingival position combined with the obscuring effect of a ceramic crown make it difficult to diagnose microleakage using traditional methods such as visual-tactile examinations and radiography. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology for diagnosing microleakage in an all-ceramic crown noninvasively. In this study the red fluorescence glow was detected through a crown wall using the Qraycam QLF device (AIOBIO, Seoul, Republic of Korea). No abnormalities were detected by a visual examination, whereas the Qraycam device revealed both strong red fluorescence and fluorescence loss in suspicious lesions, which were confirmed after crown removal. It was possible to determine that the carious lesions inside the crown were related to bacteria-induced microleakage. After performing caries removal and crown reattachment, the red fluorescence glow was no longer detected. QLF examinations made it easy to identify the presence of microleakage in an all-ceramic crown noninvasively based on red fluorescence. These findings indicate that QLF technology can be effectively applied to provide objective evidence for detecting microleakage and diagnosing carious lesions inside an all-ceramic crown noninvasively.

The effect of a microbial decontamination system that integrates antimicrobial washing and in-package atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (ADCP) treatment on mandarin preservation was studied. A 0.2 % highly activated calcium oxide (CaO) aqueous solution and slightly acidic electrolyzed water containing 0.5 % fumaric acid (FS solution) were tested as antimicrobial washing solutions. ADCP treatment was applied to mandarins packaged in commercial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers at 26 or 27 kV for 1, 2, 3, or 4 min. Penicillium digitatum disease incidence on mandarins was lowest (77.1 %) after ADCP treatment at 27 kV for 2 min. P. digitatum disease incidence on untreated mandarins or those treated with ADCP after washing with CaO solution, FS solution, or CaO solution and FS solution consecutively was 97.3 %, 64.3 %, 87.1 %, or 80.0 %, respectively. ADCP treatment after washing with CaO solution (CaO-ADCP treatment) did not affect the appearance of mandarins, but altered the glossiness of the sensory attributes of mandarins (p

Pathogenic dental plaque with deteriorated bacterial homeostasis around the gingival margin induces gingivitis. This study evaluated the applicability of red fluorescence (RF) properties of interdental plaque in screening for gingival health status.This cross-sectional study examined 178 teeth of 40 healthy subjects who had not lost both their first and second molars in at least one quadrant. Three groups (healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis) were identified based on the periodontal health status (bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment loss) and plaque accumulation level (plaque index) in the interdental site between the first and second molars was evaluated. This interdental plaque between the first (distal surface) and the second molar (mesial surface) was collected using dental floss. A quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology was used to assess RF emitted from the interdental plaque. The RF properties of the interdental plaque were quantified by fluorescence intensity (R/G value) and area (%). The RF variables were compared between the groups.The RF variables of the interdental plaque (R/G value and area) were significantly higher in the gingivitis and periodontitis group compared to the healthy group (p0.0001, p=0.001), but there was no significant difference between the gingivitis and periodontitis groups. Significant correlations were identified between R/G value and bleeding on probing (r = 0.49, P0.01) and between R/G value and visual plaque index (r = 0.59, P0.01) for each tooth.Interdental plaque obtained by flossing and its red fluorescence quantified by QLF technology could be used as a potential indicator of gingivitis.

Introduction A diagnosis based on traditional methods can differ under the same tooth condition. Additional diagnostic tools are required to overcome this limitation. QLF technology is a viable method for detecting residual caries and is increasingly being used to detect dentin-level residual caries. In this study we used the Qraypen (AIOBIO, Seoul, Korea) to investigate the usefulness of the QLF technology for diagnosing controversial cases. Case 1 A 31-year-old man presented with pain in the left mandibular first molar. The old restoration and severe dental caries were removed as much as possible using traditional visual and tactile senses. The area of treatment was photographed using the Qraypen. We concluded that endodontic treatment was preferable based on the Qraypen findings combined with diagnostic information. Case 2 A 67-year-old man presented with discomfort in the first molar on the right mandible. Most of the existing restoration and carious debris were removed. Black discoloration was observed around and within the crack line, but with no red fluorescence. Based on the results of these examinations we decided that a minimally invasive dentistry approach was appropriate. Conclusion Using QLF technology is more objective and accurate than other methods of determining the removal end point and detecting healthy marginal dentin for successful restoration.

To investigate the distinguishing features of artefactual stenosis from true stenosis at the genu of the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) on time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).Both TOF MRA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were performed in 65 patients with 74 vessels who demonstrated artefactual stenosis in 43 patients with 50 vessels and true stenosis in 22 patients with 24 vessels. The following findings of the signal loss were compared between the two groups: (1) margin, (2) darkness, (3) the presence of bilaterality, (4) the presence of tandem arterial stenosis, (5) the location of the epicentre, and (6) length.In five out of the six evaluated items, statistically significant differences were present between the two groups (p0.00 in all five items). Artefactual stenosis more frequently showed signal loss with ill-defined margins (47/50), less darkness compared to the background darkness (46/50), the absence of tandem arterial stenosis (35/50), epicentre at the genu (34/50), and shorter length (2.57 ± 0.68 mm). No significant difference was noted in the presence of bilaterality of signal loss between the two groups (p=0.706).Several MRA features can be useful for suggesting artefactual stenosis rather than true stenosis at the genu of the petrous ICA on TOF MRA.