Owing to the great demand for portable and wearable chemical sensors, the development of all-solid-state potentiometric ion sensors is highly desirable considering their simplicity and stability. However, most ion sensors are challenged by the penetration of water and gas molecules into ion-selective membranes, causing unstable and undesirable sensing performances. In this study, a hydrophobic ionic liquid-modified graphene (Gr) sheet was prepared using a fluid dynamics-induced exfoliation and functionalization process. The high hydrophobicity and electrical double-layer capacitance of Gr make it a potential solid-state ion-to-electron transducer for the development of potentiometric sodium-ion ( Na+) sensors. The as-prepared Na+ sensors effectively prevented the formation of the water layer and penetration of gas species, resulting in stable and high sensing performances. The Na+ sensors showed a Nernstian sensitivity of 58.11 mV/[Na+] with a low relative standard deviation (0.46), fast response time (5.1 s), good selectivity (K < 10− 4), and good durability. Furthermore, the Na+ sensor demonstrated its feasibility in practical applications by measuring accurate and reliable ion concentrations of artificial human sweat and tear samples, comparable to a commercial ion meter.

Brucellosis is the most common zoonosis worldwide, which is caused by Brucella spp. In humans, it can be mainly occurred by direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated dairy products. This study focused on human brucellosis caused by B. melitensis discovered from Chinese worker in Korea in 2015. We investigated molecular epidemiological evidence to find the infection source. We first performed several PCR methods including 16S rRNA PCR, multiplex PCR and real-time PCR to identify Brucella species. We also conducted MLVA typing for epidemiological trace-back analysis. The isolate from the patient was confirmed to B. melitensis through Brucella-specific PCR. In clustering analysis with B. melitensis from foreign countries, this human isolate was correlated with B. melitensis isolates from humans and sheep in China by 99.9% similarity. Thus, we assumed the brucellosis patient has been already infected in China followed by migration to Korea according to molecular epidemiological analysis with history evidence. Moreover, we suggest it needs to take measures to reduce the risk for intercountry transmission of brucellosis due to the influx of infected people from abroad.

농촌진흥청 개발 품종인 토종벌 신품종(질병저항성 우수계통)에 대해 전남지역에서의 형질특성(봉세발달, 마리당 수밀력, 청소력 등)을 조사하였다. 질병저항성 계통(RS)으로 육성된 토종벌의 유밀기 마리당 수밀력은 들어오는 일벌의 무게가 80.89±8.95mg, 나가는 일벌의 무게가 63.56±8.90mg으로 조사되었고, 비저항성계통(NRS)은 각각 83.22±1.39, 66.67±1.20mg으로 조사되어 RS에서 그 무게차가 0.7mg 더 높았으나 통계적 유의차는 없었다. Pin killed test에 의한 사충제거능력(청소력)은 제거하지 못한 유충잔존율이 RS에서 12시간과 24시간 경과시 14.00±10.39와 7.00±3.46으로, NRS에서는 20.33±14.29, 13.33±10.41%로 조사되었으며, 특히 RS와 NRS의 사충 비제거율이 24시간 경과하였을 때 4.67±2.08, 8.33±7.77%로 RS가 우수한 특성을 보였다. 신규여왕벌 입식 후 봉군세력발달은 NRS에 비하여 RS의 일벌수, 번데기 및 유충수의 발달율이 안정적이고 다소 빠르게 증가하였다.

기후변화, 외래병해충발생, 밀원수 감소 등 여러 요인으로 인해 우리 나라의 양봉농가는 벌꿀생산량 및 농가소득이 감소하는 추세이다. 또한 밀원이 없는 시기에 가축용 사료가 아닌 고가의 식용설탕을 꿀벌의 인공사료로 급여하고 있어 농가는 ‘생산비 상승’과 ‘밀원수 부족’을 국내양봉업이 직면한 가장 큰 문제점으로 지적하고 있다. 이에 따른 양봉농가의 생산비를 절감하고 꿀벌의 생리·생태의 개선효과를 가지는 저가형 당액사료개발을 위해 농산부산물에서 추출한 천연당을 봉군에 적용시험을 추진하였다. 양파(OS-1, OS-2), 양배추(CS-1, CS-2), 바나나(Banana)부산물에서 추출한 천연당의 봉군당 평균먹이소모량(mL)은 설탕당액(대조구) 처리구와 비교시 바나나추출당액 급여구에서 5500.00±0.00, 5133.33±404.15로 유사하였다. 그러나 꿀벌의 봉세발달은 대조구에 비해 21006.7±2137, 17403.3±2257마리로 조사되어 낮은 경향을 나타내었고 수명조사 결과는 큰 차이가 없었다. 농산부산물을 이용한 천연당은 우선 꿀벌의 기호도 향상을 우선으로 개선시켜야 할 것으로 보인다.

This study, based on physical therapy interventions for menstruation disorders, observed the effect of Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping on dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels. Female college students (n=37) who had >70 points on the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) and >4 points on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were divided into three different groups, the Pilates group (PG, n= 13), Pilates and Taping group (PTG, n=12), Taping group (TG, n=12). Pilates and taping were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-menstruation difficulties were measured through the MDQ. Changes in blood prostaglandin F2α levels were also measured. Changes in pre- and post-menstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly reduced in the PG, PTG, and TG. Changes in pre- and postmenstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels resulted in significant differences in the PTG and TG. Dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly decreased in the TG than in the PTG. These findings suggest that Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping are effective in decreasing menstrual difficulties and pain in female college students.

The understanding of water vapor sorption and equilibrium in food samples is crucial in the formulation of foods and in their storage stability. In this study, the moisture sorption isotherms of yacon powder was measured by using gravimetric method at 25℃, 35℃, and 45℃ under the relative humidity ranging from 11% to 75%, and nine different isotherm models were used to fit the experimental data and to analyze water vapor sorption on yacon powder. The experimental results showed that water vapor sorption for yacon powder followed a type III shape over the humidity range. The BET monolayer moisture contents values were slightly higher than the values predicted by the GAB model. The monolayer moisture content increased slightly as temperature increased. The surface areas for monolayer moisture sorption decreased with increasing temperature and blanching reduced these values. Through quantifying the relative percentage error (E), coefficient of determination (R2), standard error (SE), and root mean square (RMS) of the isotherm models relative to data, Halsey model was identified to be the best-fitting isotherm to describe the water sorption process in yacon powder.

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the effects of thoracic mobilization and manipulation on a patient with upper thoracic pain. The subject had been complaining of upper thoracic pain for the last 4 months. On the X-ray, T3 and T4 spinous process were located on the left side of the vertical axis. First, transverse mobilization was applied from left to right at the T3-T4 and then thoracic manipulation was performed. The intervention methods of mobilization and manipulation were based on the concept of Maitland manual therapy. The subject underwent a total of 20 sessions (five times per week for four weeks). The thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle were measured to examine the effect of the intervention. The thoracic pain score decreased (from 4.0 to 1.5) and the angle of thoracic vertebral rotation decreased (from 7.0º to 4.0º). These results suggest that applied mobilization and manipulation in patients with a primary complaint of thoracic pain decreasing the thoracic pain and vertebral rotation angle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the health conditions of occupation group and hobby group related to visual display terminal (VDT) syndrome. The VDT occupation group was mainly composed of the worker in banks, telephone companies, and general offices. The VDT-related hobby group was composed of high school students, and Internet cafe users. A questionnaire survey was conducted to classify the subjects according to hours of computer usage. The results indicated that the occupation group represented a higher level of subjective symptoms than VDT-related hobby group. In the VDT occupation group, ‘Poor body condition’, ‘Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the neck’‘, Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the back’‘, Feeling stressed out’, and‘ Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the shoulder’ items indicated a high level of subjective symptoms. In the VDT-related hobby group, ‘Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the neck’, and‘ Feeling uncomfortable or pain in the back’ items indicated a high level of subjective symptoms. According to the hours of computer usage, 4-6 hours and 6 hours or more groups represented a higher level of subjective symptoms than 2-4 hours group. These findings suggest that Visual display terminal (VDT) work effects the individual's health conditions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise on the muscle tone, stiffness, ROM, and cervical lordosis in patient with forward head posture( FHP). This study was a case study of a single patient with forward head posture. This study used a ABA' design, A and A' were the baseline phases and B was the intervention phase. The intervention was occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilization exercise. It was administered once daily for 7 days. The therapist kept hands together, and placed the two index fingers under the subject's occipital bone. The subject performed the chin-in exercise with a maximum isometric contraction for 20 sec.The exercise was implemented by performing the movements 10 times as a set and repeating the set three times. The muscle tone was not significantly changed after intervention. However, the stiffness was decreased and lasted the effect lasted without intervention. The cervical flexion angle was increased, but the cervical extension angle was not significantly changed after the intervention. The left and right lateral flexion angles were increased and the effect lasted without any intervention. However, the left and right rotation angles were significantly changed after the intervention. Cervical lordosis increased not from 37° to 41° after the intervention. These results suggest that occipital bone stimulation by cervical stabilizing exercise had a positive effect on cervical stiffness, flexion and lateral flexion ROM, and lordosis in a patient with forward head posture.

Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattodea, sometimes also called Blattaria, of which about 30 species out of 4,600 total are associated with human habitats. About four species are well known as pests. Among the best-known pest species are the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, which is about 30 mm long; the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, about 15 mm long. We researched growing condition of in-vitro(temperature and humidity) for P. americana and B. germanica. The cockroach is divided in three sections; the body is flattened and broadly oval, with a shield-like pronotum covering its head. A pronotum is a plate-like structure that covers all or part of the dorsal surface of the thorax of certain insects. They also have chewing mouth parts, long, segmented antennae, and leathery fore wings with delicate hind wings. The third section of the cockroach is the abdomen. We measured size of head, abdomen, and body length during differential stages. Also, we checked number of egg, size of egg, hatching rates, period of former laying eggs, and laying periods etc.

Vitellogenins (Vgs) are precursors of the major egg storage protein, vitellin (Vn), in many oviparous animals. Insects Vgs are large molecules (200-kD) synthesized in the fat body in a process that involves substantial structural modifications (e.g., glycosylation, lipidation, phosphorylation, and proteolytic cleavage, etc.) of the nascent protein prior to its secretion and transport to the ovaries. However, the extent to which Vgs are processed in the fat body varies greatly among different insect groups. We were cloned Vgs partial genes PaVgs and BgVgs from Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica. Real-time quantitative PCR shows that PaVgs and BgVgs were differential-regulated with aging. In insects, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in detoxification of insecticides. We were cloned GST partial genes PaGST and BgGST from Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica. Real-time quantitative PCR shows that PaGST and BgGST were up-regulated with aging, and the mRNA level of PaGST and BgGST was higher in 4℃ and 37℃ than room temperature. The expression level of PaGST and BgGST exposure to temperature stress suggests that PaGST and BgGST are up-regulated after exposure low and hige temperature treatments.

Jeon-Nam province has the largest number of managed honey bee(Apis cerana) colonies before 2009 years ago, which produce the highest quantity of honey in the Korea; however, almost colony were collapsed by Sacbrood Virus(SBV) in jeon-nam apiaries. We thus conducted a molecular survey of honey bee RNA viruses, Nosema microsporidia, Foul broods and fungal disease(Chalk brood and Stone brood) associated with environmental conditions in apiaries and differential A. cerana hives in Joun-nam province. We found the presence of black queen cell virus (BQCV), Israel Acute Paralysis Virus and Nosema apis. Sacbrood virus(SBV) was detected in the tested samples. Our results demonstrate that honey bee RNA viruses and N. apis are present in joen-nam province apiaries, and some might be related environment conditions(temperature and moisture).

Vital pulpotomy is a very useful method for disarming of canine tooth, tooth fracture, periodontitis, and malocclusion in veterinary dentistry. Calcium hydroxide is the material commonly used as a liner during vital pulpotomy. This creates a mineralized barrier by stimulating osteoblastic hard tissue repair, arrests the inflammatory response, and soothes dentin. However, the powder or mix type calcium hydroxide materials have many disadvantages due to complicated procedures for use and are hard to handle when vital pulpotomy is followed under general anesthesia in animals. This study was conducted in order to compare the effect of mix and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide as a liner in vital pulpotomy. Six beagle dogs underwent hemisection on the mesial root of the mandibular first molar and vital pulpotomy on the distal root of the first molar. On the distal root of the left and right mandibular first molar, mix type (DYCAL®, Dentsply, USA) and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide (VITAPEX®, Morita, Japan) were used as liners, respectively. Radiological evaluation was performed at immediate, 4, 12, and 20 weeks after vital pulpotomy. According to the results, all teeth had well-formed dentinal bridges, and there were no periradicular lucency, lamina dura loss, or anomalies of the pulp cavity. According to these results, on vital pulpotomy in animals, premixed paste type calcium hydroxide was easy to handle and decreased the anesthesia period due to a more convenient application procedure. A further study of many clinical cases is needed for evaluation of side effects and other problems.