In this study, voltage was used as a disturbance factor to investigate the relationship between microbial community and methane (CH₄) production flux in a microbial electrolytic cell coupled anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD). Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) was used to explore the relationship between the CH₄ metabolic flux produced and the microbes. The results showed that both methane production flux and hydrogen production flux changed significantly upon voltage disturbance, while the voltage disturbance had little effect on acetic acid production flux. The maximum CH₄ production flux under 0.6 V disturbance was 0.522±0.051, which increased by 77% and 32%, respectively, compared with that of the control group under 1.0 V (0.295±0.013) and under 1.4 V (0.395±0.029). In addition, an average of 15.7%±2.9% of H₂ (flux) was used to reduce CO₂ to produce CH₄ and acetic acid, and an average of 27.7%±6.9% of acetic acid (flux) was converted to CH₄. Moreover, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae significantly affected the flux of acetic acid. The flux of CH₄ production is positively correlated with the abundances of Petrimonas, Syntrophomonas, Blvii28, and Acinetobacter, and negatively correlated with the abundances of Tuzzerella and Sphaerochaeta. The species that affected the flux of H₂ and CH₄ were similar, mostly belonging to Bacteroides, Clostridium, Pseudomonas and Firmicutes. Furthermore, the interspecies interaction is also an important factor affecting the MEC-AD methanogenesis flux.
Acetates ; Anaerobiosis ; Bioreactors ; Electrolysis ; Methane

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the antifungal effects of neutral electrolysis hydrogen water, an agent known for its oral anti-bacterial effects on the growth of C. albicans in vitro.METHODS: Hydrogen water, denture cleansing agent, and Listerine® were compared to a tap water control. We serially cultured C. albicans KCTC 27239 in SD media to analyze the inhibitory effect of each treatment on growth. We evaluated the data using repeated-measures ANOVA test and one-way ANOVA test, and a significant difference was defined as P < 0.05.RESULTS: Hydrogen water significantly inhibited the growth, but not the biofilm formation, of C. albicans compared to tap water control at 1-, 5-, and 10-minute time points (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The growth of C. albicans was slower in hydrogen water than in tap water, thereby suggesting an inhibitory effect of hydrogen water. Hydrogen water may, therefore, be utilized as an antibacterial and preventive agent without any harmful effect on denture and oral tissues.
Biofilms ; Candida albicans ; Candida ; Dentures ; Detergents ; Electrolysis ; Hydrogen ; In Vitro Techniques ; Water

Tetrodes, consisting of four twisted micro-wires can simultaneously record the number of neurons in the brain. To improve the quality of neuronal activity detection, the tetrode tips should be modified to increase the surface area and lower the impedance properties. In this study, tetrode tips were modified by the electrodeposition of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and dextran (Dex) doped poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The electrochemical properties were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). A decrease in the impedance value from 4.3 MΩ to 13 kΩ at 1 kHz was achieved by the modified tetrodes. The cathodic charge storage capacity (CSC(C)) of AuNPs-PEDOT deposited tetrodes was 4.5 mC/cm², as determined by CV measurements. The tetrodes that were electroplated with AuNPs and PEDOT exhibited an increased surface area, which reduced the tetrode impedance. In vivo recording in the ventral posterior medial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus was performed to investigate the single-unit activity in normal rats. To evaluate the recording performance of modified tetrodes, spontaneous spike signals were recorded. The values of the L-ratio, isolation distance and signal-to-noise (SNR) confirmed that electroplating the tetrode surface with AuNPs and PEDOT improved the recording performance, and these parameters could be used to effectively quantify the spikes of each cluster.
Animals ; Brain ; Dextrans ; Dielectric Spectroscopy ; Electric Impedance ; Electrodes ; Electroplating ; Microelectrodes ; Nanoparticles* ; Neurons ; Rats ; Thalamus

PURPOSE: In the present study, we introduced and evaluated the effectiveness of eyelid margin splitting combined with cilia rotation suture performed in simplified steps resulting in minimized complications in diffuse trichiasis. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed on 31 eyelids of 21 patients with diffuse trichiasis. The patients had trichiasis of more than 1/3 of eyelid margin and received eyelid margin splitting combined with cilia rotation suture at our hospital. The patients did not have eyelid or lid margin abnormalities and were followed up more than 6 months after surgical correction. A telephone survey of the surgical outcomes including cosmetic satisfaction and recurrence was conducted in patients who did not visit at postoperative 12 months. Success was defined as complete resolution of symptoms and acceptable cosmesis at final visit. RESULTS: The patients included 2 males (3 eyes) and 19 females (28 eyes) with an average age of 54.5 ± 18.3 years (range, 19.2–82.4 years). The mean follow-up period was 15.3 ± 5.6 months (range, 10–35 months). Cornea or conjunctiva irritation symptoms by misdirected eyelash were resolved in all eyelids; 3 eyelids with recurred trichiasis required additional electrolysis to remove irritating cilia resulting in an overall success rate of 90.3%. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with diffuse trichiasis, an eyelid margin splitting combined with cilia rotation suture performed in simplified surgical steps showed excellent results resolving irritating symptoms with very low recurrence rate and high cosmetic satisfaction.
Cilia* ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Electrolysis ; Eyelids* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures* ; Telephone ; Trichiasis*

Ovomucoid (OMC) is the most prominent allergen causing hen's egg allergy, containing disulfide (S-S) bonds that may be responsible for its allergic action. As S-S bonds may be reduced during electrolysis, this study was undertaken to evaluate modulation of the allergic action of OMC after electrolysis. Electrolysis was carried out for 1% OMC containing 1% sodium chloride for 30 minutes with a voltage difference of 90 V, 0.23 A (30 mA/cm2). Protein assays, amino acid measurement, and mass spectrometry in untreated OMC and OMC on both the anode and cathode sides after electrolysis were performed. Moreover, 21 patients with IgE-mediated hen's egg allergy were evaluated by using the skin prick test (SPT) for untreated OMC and OMC after electrolysis. The allergic action of OMC was reduced after electrolysis on both the anode and cathode sides when evaluated by the SPT. The modifications of OMC on electrolysis caused the loss of 2 distinct peptide fragments (57E-63K and 123H-128R) as seen on matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The total free SH groups in OMC were increased on the cathode side. Although the regions of S-S broken bonds were not determined in this study, the change in S-S bonds in OMC on both the anode and cathode sides may reduce the allergenic activity.
Egg Hypersensitivity ; Electrodes ; Electrolysis* ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Ovomucin* ; Peptide Fragments ; Skin ; Sodium Chloride

BACKGROUND: Trichiasis is the inward inversion of the eyelash, resulting in painful contact with the cornea, which is a common symptom of patients with leprosy seeking treatment in leprosy outpatient clinics. Recurrence rates are high when trichiasis is treated with conventional methods such as epilation and electrolysis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively a more aggressive surgical technique, lid splitting with lash resection, for trichiasis in long standing leprosy as a pilot study. METHODS: During the past 10 months, we treated 12 leprosy patients (18 eyelids) for trichiasis by splitting the lid margin at the gray line with resection of the eyelash bearing portion to modify the anterior lamellar repositioning. RESULTS: In all patients, pain disappeared immediately and there were no complications. The low number of patients and relatively short follow-up period are study limitations. CONCLUSION: The lid splitting with lash resection for trichiasis in patients with long standing leprosy is a satisfied treatment method functionally and cosmetically.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Cornea ; Electrolysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hair Removal ; Humans ; Leprosy* ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Trichiasis*

OBJECTIVETo improve the occupational health management levels in electroplating enterprises with quantitative classification measures and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational hazards in electroplating enterprises and the protection of workers' health.

METHODSA quantitative classification table was created for the occupational health management in electroplating enterprises. The evaluation indicators included 6 items and 27 sub-items, with a total score of 100 points. Forty electroplating enterprises were selected and scored according to the quantitative classification table. These electroplating enterprises were classified into grades A, B, and C based on the scores.

RESULTSAmong 40 electroplating enterprises, 11 (27.5%) had scores of >85 points (grade A), 23 (57.5%) had scores of 60∼85 points (grade B), and 6 (15.0%) had scores of <60 points (grade C).

CONCLUSIONQuantitative classification management for electroplating enterprises is a valuable attempt, which is helpful for the supervision and management by the health department and provides an effective method for the self-management of enterprises.

Electroplating ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health

Nitric acid is a typical strong acid that is colorless, corrosive, and flammable. It is often used for industrial purposes, such as refining, metal cleaning, and electroplating. In Korea, some cases of chemical pneumonitis from nitric acid poisoning have been reported, but to our knowledge, there have been no reports of diarrhea caused by nitric acid poisoning. A 42-year-old man visited a nearby hospital because of continuous diarrhea, coughing, and dyspnea after inhaling nitric acid fumes at his workplace the previous day. He was transferred to our hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. He showed tachypnea and hypoxemia in our emergency department. Initial chest radiographs showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates and ground glass opacity in both lungs. The patient showed improvements in clinical symptoms and on chest radiographs after receiving oxygen and mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, and systemic glucocorticoid therapy. After 20 days he was discharged and showed no symptoms and sequelae on his 1-year follow-up.
Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cough ; Diarrhea ; Dyspnea ; Electroplating ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Lung ; Nitric Acid ; Oxygen ; Pneumonia ; Respiration, Artificial ; Tachypnea ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo clarify the effect of aluminum exposure on the cognitive function in electrolytic workers and the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among them by prevalence survey, and to investigate its influential factors.

METHODSSixty-six retired workers from the electrolysis workshop of an electrolytic aluminum plant were selected as an aluminum exposure group, while 70 retired workers from a flour mill in the same region were selected as a control group. MCI patients were screened out by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); the blood aluminum level was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the influential factors for MMSE scores and the correlation between blood aluminum level and MCI prevalence.

RESULTSThe aluminum exposure group showed a significantly higher blood aluminum level than the control group (25.18 ± 2.65 µg/L vs 9.97 ± 2.83 µg/L, P < 0.01). The total MMSE score of the aluminum exposure group (26.13 ± 2.57) was significantly lower than that of the control group (27.89 ± 1.91) (P < 0.05), particularly the scores on time and place orientation, short-term memory, calculation ability, and language skill (P < 0.05). The detection rate of MCI was significantly higher in the aluminum exposure group (18.2%) than in the control group (5.7%) (P < 0.01). The main influential factors for MMSE scores were gender, age, education level, and blood aluminum level. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the MCI prevalence was significantly correlated with blood aluminum level in the study population (OR = 1.168, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to aluminum can cause cognitive disorders in electrolytic workers and may be one of the risk factors for MCI. Advanced age, male, low education level, and high blood aluminum level may be high-risk factors for cognitive impairment.

Aged ; Aluminum ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Cognition Disorders ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Electrolysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Occupational Exposure

BACKGROUND: Muscle relaxants induce vascular smooth muscle relaxation by inducing synthesis of the prostaglandins that influence vasomotor tone. However, the effects of muscle relaxants on endothelial cells and tissues following injury by reactive oxygen species (ROS) are unclear. We tested the effects of the muscle relaxants vecuronium and rocuronium on impaired acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation following induction of ROS in rabbit aorta in vitro. METHODS: Isolated rabbit abdominal aortic ring segments were pretreated with vecuronium or rocuronium at 10(-4), 3 x 10(-4), 10(-3) or 3 x 10(-3) M, with or without inhibitors of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (diethyldithiocarbamate; DETCA, 0.8 mM) or catalase (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole; 3AT, 50 mM). All groups of aortic rings were then exposed to ROS generated by electrolysis in the organ bath medium (Krebs-Henseleit solution). The effects of vecuronium and rocuronium on ROS-induced impairment of relaxation induced by ACh (10(-6) M) were assessed. RESULTS: Aortic rings treated with vecuronium or rocuronium at 10(-4), 3 x 10(-4), 10(-3) or 3 x 10(-3) M preserved the capacity for ACh-induced endothelial relaxation following ROS exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with DETCA partially inhibited the protective effects of vecuronium and rocuronium on ACh-induced relaxation (P < 0.001), but pretreatment with 3AT had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle relaxants protected the endothelium in isolated rabbit abdominal aorta from free-radical injury in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that vecuronium and rocuronium may act as superoxide anion scavengers.
Acetylcholine ; Antioxidants* ; Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Baths ; Catalase ; Electrolysis ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Muscles* ; Prostaglandins ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Relaxation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides ; Vecuronium Bromide