Earticle

Interleukin–17E (also known as Interleukin–25) is the distinct member of Interleukin–17 cytokine family, induces the expression of IL–4, IL–5 and IL–13. Economical production of interleukin – 17E has lot of importance in the current day research in several clinical applications. The objective of the study was to optimize the physico–chemical parameters i.e., dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutritional factors i.e., carbon, nitrogen and phosphate sources on production of Interleukin–17E using industrially important salt inducible Escherichia coli GJ1158. The expression levels were not increased beyond 30 % DO in batch fermentation, but expression levels were increased beyond 30 % DO in fed-batch fermentation. The threshold level of dissolved oxygen ranges was 50 % in respect to the IL–17E production. Pulses of nutritional factors i.e., glucose, yeast extract and K2HPO4 enhanced the expression levels in fed batch fermentation at 40 % and 50 % dissolved oxygen ranges. When OD600 of the culture reaches to 74 in fed batch fermentation, culture was induced with 100 mM sterile NaCl and further incubated for next 15 hr. Purification was carried out using Ni – NTA spin column. A final concentration of 98 mg/L of purified IL–17E was obtained using cost effective medium viz., modified M9ON medium. The IL–17E thus produced is tested for its activity. In this study, fed-batch fermentation emphasizes the highest concentration of codon optimized recombinant human interleukin–17E using salt inducible expression host till to date, which manages to satisfy the industrial and clinical requirements.

Objectives. We investigated the normative data on the hearing threshold levels of Koreans with normal tympanic membranes and the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) and nonserviceable hearing using the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) during 2010?2012. Methods. Data obtained from 16,673 participants ≥12-year-of-age with normal tympanic membranes who completed audiometric testing. We defined HL as the pure tone average (PTA) >25 dB hearing level at 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz and non-serviceable hearing as PTA >40 dB hearing level. Results. The hearing levels at some frequencies (0.5, 3, and 6 kHz) did not differ in between the 10’s and 20’s, but the hearing thresholds at all frequencies increased gradually from the 30’s. The hearing thresholds were higher in men than in women at high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz) in the 30’s and older. The prevalence of HL in either ear was 16.5% (estimates of 5.9 million), from 2.4% in the 10’s up to 75.4% in the 70’s and older. The prevalence of nonserviceable hearing in either ear was 6.8% (estimates of 2.5 million) and that of bilateral nonserviceable hearing was 2.5% (estimates of 0.9 million). Conclusion. Hearing loss aggravated from the 30’s at all frequencies and men showed poorer hearing levels than women at high frequencies. Hearing loss was a common condition and the prevalence of non-serviceable hearing in either ear, which needs hearing rehabilitation to help social communication, was 6.8%. Normative pure tone thresholds at each frequency can be used as referent values when counseling patients complaining of hearing loss.

복분자딸기에서 차응애에 대한 경제적피해수준과 요방제수준을 평가하였다. 2008년 5월 7일 접종밀도(성충 0, 5, 10, 20, 40마리/주)에 따른 시기별 발생밀도는 무접종구를 제외하고는 6월 상순까지 점점 증가하다가 이후 감소하는 경향이었고, 접종밀도가 높을수록 더 크게 증가하였다. 차응애 접종밀도에 따른 수량은 접종밀도가 높을수록 감소하였고, 그에 따른 수량감소율은 접종밀도가 높아짐에 따라서 증가하였으며, 2009년 5월 8일 접종밀도(성충 0, 2, 5, 10, 20마리/주)에 따른 시기별 발생밀도와 수량 및 수량감소율도 2008년과 유사한 경향이었다. 차응애 접종밀도와 수량감소율과의 관계를 회귀식을 이용하여 분석한 결과는 2008년 Y = 0.6545X + 3.0425 ($R^2$ = 0.93), 2009년 Y = 0.9031X + 2.0899($R^2$ = 0.96)의 관계식을 얻을 수 있었다. 차응애 접종밀도별 수량감소율과의 관계식에 근거하여 GT값이 전체수량의 5%되는 수량감소율 (Y)을 추정해 보았을 때 복분자딸기에서 경제적피해수준(X)은 2008년 3.0마리/줄기, 2009년 3.2마리/줄기이었고, 요방제수준은 각각 2.4마리/줄기, 2.6마리/줄기이었다. 접종밀도와 방제적기로 고려되는 5월 중순 차응애 발생밀도와의 관계는 2008년 Y = 0.471X + 2.495($R^2$ = 0.95), 2009년 Y = 0.9938X + 3.1858($R^2$ = 0.96)로 회귀식이 성립되었으며, 회귀식에 의하면 복분자딸기 차응애 요방제수준(2008년 2.4마리/주, 2009년 2.6마리/주)에 따른 5월 중순 발생밀도는 각각 2008년 3.6마리/엽, 2009년 5.8마리/엽이었다.

Economic injury levels (EILs) and economic control threshold (ET) were estimated for the Tea red spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida(Acari, Tetranychidae) in Rubus coreanus Miquel. T. kanzawai density increased until the early-July and thereafter decreased in all plots except the non-innoculation plot where initial density of the mite were different each 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 adults per plant branch on May 7 in 2008. And the occurrence of the densities were increased higher innoculated density than different innoculation density. The yield was decreased with increasing initial mite density and thereby the rates of yield loss was increased with increasing initial mite density. And T. kanzawai occurrence density, yields and the rates of yield loss, where initial density of the mite were different each 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 adults per plant branch on May 8 in 2009 were similar tendency to 2008 year results. The relationship between initial T. kanzawai densities and the yield losses was well described by a linear regression, Y = 0.6545X + 3.0425 ($R^2$ = 0.93) in 2008, Y = 0.9031X + 2.0899($R^2$ = 0.96) in 2009. Based on the relationship, the number of adults per plant branch(EILs) which can cause 5% loss of yield was estimated to be approximately 3.0 in 2008 and 3.2 in 2009. And the ET was estimated to be approximately 2.4 in 2008 and 2.6 in 2009. The relationship between initial T. kanzawai densities and occurrence density of mid-May considering the best spray timing against T. kanzawai was well described by a linear regression, Y = 0.471X + 2.495($R^2$ = 0.95) in 2008, Y = 0.9938X + 3.1858($R^2$ = 0.96) in 2009. Based on the relationship, the number of adults per leaf(ET) in mid-May which can cause 5% loss of yield was estimated to be approximately 3.6 in 2008 and 5.8 in 2009.

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

Purpose: The threshold levels for symptom development of pollinosis vary among studies and countries. This study aimed to determine currently used threshold levels for it. Methods: Oak, pine, Japanese hop, and ragweed pollen samples were collected daily for 8 years from the Seoul and Guri areas. A total of 792 subjects with allergy to these pollens were recruited. The symptom index (SI) was assessed through telephone interviews and allergy questionnaires, and data were analyzed using decision tree. Results: The risk index for oak pollen allergy was “mild” when the pollen count was 0?2 grains/m3, “moderate” when it was 3?11 grains/m3, “severe” when it was 12?28 grains/m3, and “dangerous” when it was ≥29 grains/m3. The risk level for pine pollen allergy was “mild” when the pollen count was 0?4 grains/m3, “moderate” when it was 5?42 grains/m3, “severe” when it was 43?66 grains/m3, and “dangerous” when it was ≥67 grains/m3. For Japanese hop pollen allergy, the risk level was “mild” when the pollen count was 0?8 grains/m3, “moderate” when it was 9?10 grains/m3, “severe” when it was 11?19 grains/m3, and “dangerous” when it was ≥20 grains/m3. Finally, for ragweed, the risk level was “mild” when the pollen count was 0?1 grains/m3, “moderate” when it was 2?6 grains/m3, “severe” when it was 7?33 grains/m3, and “dangerous” when it was ≥34 grains/m3. Conclusions: Revising the threshold levels for the risk index for pollen allergies may be useful for developing pollen prediction models for patients with pollen allergies in Korea.

벼 담수직파재배에서 잡초 경합밀도별 쌀 수량 감소는 새섬매자기의 경우, $m^2$당 24본 이상에서, 미국외풀은 48본 이상에서 유의적으로 낮아졌으며 새섬매자기($m^2$당 192본)와 미국외풀($m^2$당 386본)의 최대 경합밀도에서 각각 43%, 22% 정도 감소되었다. 새섬매자기 발생밀도에 따른 수량 예측 모델식은 Y=531.3kg/(1+0.003931x), $r^2$=0.964, 미국외풀은 Y=547.0kg/(1+0.000792x), $r^2$=0.922으로 나타나 벼에 대한 새섬매자기의 경합력이 미국외풀 보다 약 5.0배 정도 큰 것으로 나타났다. 또한, Cousens(1985) 방법에 따른 초종별 경제적 방제수준은 새섬매자기는 $m^2$당 7.2본, 미국외풀은 34.9본으로 나타나 이에 비해 잡초 발생밀도가 높을 때는 방제하는 것이 경제적으로 유리할 것으로 판단되었다.

This study was conducted to find the levels of reduction in rice yield and to determine economic threshold levels as affected by densities of Scirpus planiculmis and Lindernia dubia in wet seeding rice cultivation. In wet seeding rice cultivation, yield of rice in densities of S. planiculmis (192 per $m^2$) and L. dubia (384 per $m^2$) was reduced by 43 and 22%, respectively. Relationship between rice yield and densities of weeds were predicted with these equations of Y=531.3kg/(1+0.003931x), $r^2$=0.964 for S. planiculmis and Y=547.0kg/(1+0.000792x), $r^2$=0.922 for L. dubia. According to Cousens' method, economic threshold densities of S. planiculmis and L. dubia were calculated by 7.2 and 34.9 per $m^2$, respectively. This result indicated that yield of rice in wet seeding rice cultivation could be reduced by over economic threshold densities of S. planiculmis and L. dubia.

Objectives. This study was carried out to analyze the hearingthreshold levels and relating factors of 1,048 workers with noiseinduced hearing loss$(D_1)$. Methods. We analyzed the hearing-threshold levels and relating factors of 1,048 workers with noise-induced hearing loss$(D_1)$ examined by the summary reports of specific health examination results of industries and personal reports of specific health examination results reported by 58 specific health examination institutes and 8 secondary pneumoconiosis examination institutes in 1996. Results. Among 1,048 workers at 510 workplaces, male workers were 1,009 (96.3%) and female workers were 39 (3.7%). The mean ages of workers initially exposed to noise and at present were 28.7 and 47.2, respectively. The duration of total exposure was 16.5 years. Average hearing-threshold levels analyzed by three-divided classification of the study subjects were 43.7dB(Lt) and 42.6dB(Rt). Those analyzed by six-divided classification were 50.5dB(Lt) and 48.6d8(Rt). Among workers with noise-induced shearing loss$(D_1)$, 16.3% was unilateral hearing loss and 84.6% was classified to compensation case. 8.8%(Rt) and 10.2%(Lt) of them were suspected to be conductive hearing loss by differences of air-bone hearing-threshold levels. Hearing-threshold levels of workers in manufacturing industry were significantly increased during the short exposure compared with the levels in mining industry. Among manufacturing industries, hearing-threshold levels of workers in trailer and other transportation equipment manufacturing industry were significantly increased. Age and duration of total noise exposure were not significantly related to the average hearing-threshold levels analyzed by three-divided classification. Hearing-threshold levels of female workers were significantly increased during the short exposure compared with those of male workers. Hearing-threshold levels of workers at the high risk group, ages of 20s, 30s and total exposure duration of less than 10 years, were not significantly increased compared with those of the other groups. However, they were exposed at young ages. The 3 leading industries of workers at high risk group were trailer and other transportation equipment manufacturing, automobile manufacturing and assemble-metal manufacturing industries. Conclusions. This study was the first nationwide analysis of the hearing-threshold levels and relating factors of workers with noise. induced hearing loss$(D_1)$. We found the differences of the real number by the statistics of the department of labour and the expected number of worker' s compensations for occupationally-induced hearing loss estimated by this study. According to the results of this study, we should carefully examine the methods to narrow this difference.

To test if exposure history to rifle fire or cannonade training during military duty can induce hearing loss, history of personal military service and histroy of gunshot exposure were asked to 228 male college students with self -administrative questionnaire. Otoscopic examination and Rinne's test were performed if any abnormal finding was detected by pure-tone audiometry. Average hearing threshold levels of 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz and threshold levels at 4,000 Hz were calculated for 112 students who were remained after exclusion of cases with history of ear disease, of ototoxic drug administration, and of neuropsychiatric disease, and mean of those were compared between group of students who have completed military duty (completed group) and group of those who have not (not-completed group), and between group exposed (exposed group) and group unexposed to gunshot sound (unexposed group). Mean of average hearing threshold level and mean of threshold levels at 4,000 Hz of completed group and those of exposed group were higher than those of not-completed group and unexposed group, respectively. Proportion of cases that average threshold level was greater than 40 dB or threshold levels at 4,000 Hz was greater than 50 dB were higher also in completed group and exposed group than in duty not-completed group and unexposed group, respectively Multiple linear regression analysis including age, duration of military service, degree of gunshot sound exposure as independant variables and average hearing threshold level as dependant variable, was performed in order to estimate the effect of age on hearing, and any considerable effect of age on hearing could not be found. In conclusion, hearing impairment can be induced by rifle fire or cannonade training.

Many retailer store managers are experiencing the situation where some customers balk at purchasing products if the stock is low. In this paper, we extend the single period newsvendor model in an environment of customer balking behavior occurring at double threshold inventory levels assuming the chance of sales during balking is a discrete function of inventory level. Our analysis is based on the assumption that only the mean and the variance of demand are known, without assuming any specific distributional form. We derive the explicit general expression of optimal order quantity with unknown distribution of demand with double threshold inventory levels of customer balking. Then, we illustrate the concepts developed here through simple numerical examples and conclude the future research topics under balking situation.