Tooth loss in elderly is mainly caused by alveolar bone loss via severe periodontitis. Although the severity of periodontitis is known to be affected by age, the aging process or the genetic changes during the aging of periodontal tissue cells are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro aging on the change of gene expression pattern in periodontal fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblasts (GF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL) were obtained from two young patients and replicative senescence was induced by sequential subcultivation. When more than 90% cells were positively stained with senescence-associated β-galactosidase, those cells were regarded as aged cells. In aged GF and PDL, the level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB) and p16INK4A protein was significantly decreased and increased, respectively. However, the protein level of p53 and p21, well known senescence-inducing genes, did not increase in aged GF and PDL. Although P27Kip1 and p15INK4B, another cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, were reported to be involved in replicative senescence of human cells, they were decreased in aged GF and PDL. Because senescent cells showed flattened and enlarged cell shape and are known to have increased focal adhesion, we examined the protein level of several integrins. Aged GF and PDL showed increased protein level of integrin α2, αu, and β1. When the gene expression profiles of actively proliferating young cells and aged cells were compared by cDNA microarray of 3,063 genes and were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 7 genes and 15 genes were significantly and commonly increased and decreased, respectively, in aged GF and PDL. Among them, included are the genes that were known to be involved in the regulation of cell cycle, gene transcription, or integrin signaling. The change of gene expression pattern in GF and PDL was minimally similar to that of oral keratinocyte. These results suggest that p16INK4A/RB might be involved in replicative senescence of periodontal fibroblasts and the change of gene expression profile during aging process is cell type specific.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether addition of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) into culture medium during in vitro maturation influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from follicles were cultured in tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) containing pEF. After 48 hr of culture, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. The proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) stage was significantly (p<0.05) increased in oocytes cultured in the media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation than in those without pEF regardless of cumulus presence or absence (54.6% vs 22.5%，51.7% vs 24.2%). The supplementation of pEF during maturation of oocyte enhanced oocytes maturation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Also significant differences (p<0.05) in the percentage of MII oocytes were observed according to exposure period in pEF. Present study suggests that pEF contains a enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation of porcine immature oocytes in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slump sitting postures on the masticatory, neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Eleven healthy adults (age, 23.3±2.7 yrs; height, 174.0±4.1 ㎝; weight, 61.4±6.6 ㎏) participated in this study. The participants were free of injury history and neurologic deficits in the masticatory, neck muscles and upper extremities at the time of participation. The subjects were asked to perform erect and slump sitting postures under the guidance of physical therapists. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the anterior temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, gluteus maximus muscles of 11 adults as they performed visual terminal display work, which are known as the weakened and tightened muscles owing to WRMD. The recorded signals were averaged and normalized to the mean amplitude of the EMG signal obtained during submaximal reference voluntary contractions. The results of study were as follows: The masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique muscles significantly differed in the slump sitting posture (p<.05). The muscle activities of the serratus anterior, middle trapezius muscle, and external abdominal oblique were significantly lower and that of the masseter, upper trapezius, L3 paraspinal muscles were significantly higher. Further research is needed to assess the motor control problems and the function of the deep muscles in posture stability of patients with WRMD.

We fabricated YBCO film using a TFA-MOD method. In order to enhance the reaction kinetics and to control the formation of the second phases, and powders were used as precursors (the so called "211 process"). The films were calcined at and then fired at in a 12.1% humidified atmosphere. We found that the microstructure varied significantly with the firing temperature. The textures of all of the films were similar and mainly biaxial. For the film fired at , the critical current was obtained to be 39 A/cm-width (corresponding critical current density is 2.0 MA/).

Addition of 2.0wt% or 0.3wt%Sn proved to be very effective in improving the permanent magnetic properties of NdFeNbB magnets. additions result in the increase in the Hci and temperature dependence due to formation of (NdDy)-rich phase and grain refinement of phase. This improvement of the coercivity stability of the magnets from the addition of Sn is attributed to the smoothing effect of the Sn addition at the grain boundaries. The magnetic properties, the temperature dependence and Curie temperature of NdFeNbB with and Sn combined addition were found to be considerably improved

Principal peculiarities of technology for applying coatings of metallic powders on internal surfaces of hollow cylindrical parts by centrifugal method with induction heating from internal surface of part are examined. It is shown that most effective checking and regulating method of sintered powder layer is monitoring the high-frequency current generator power upon contactless pickup indications of external surface temperature of rotating part.

A wastewater treatment plant consists of unit processes designed to achieve specific waste reduction goals. However, offensive odors associated with the treatment processes are a constant source of public complaints. The purpose of this study was to statistically determine the process parameters that influence the formation of volatile sulfur conpounds (VSCs) in the secondary treatment system. A statistical model was developed to relate the process parameters to the formation of VSCs in this system. The model established that F{M ratio, sludge blanket depth and SSV60 were the dominant process parameters that would influence the formation of VSCs in the secondary sedimentation basin. This model provides a useful tool for plant engineers to predict and control the VSCs formation in an secondary activated sludge system.