• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.356-364
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• 2024

Lymph nodes (LNs) are crucial sites where immune responses are initiated to combat invading pathogens in the body. LNs are organized into distinctive compartments by stromal cells. Stromal cell subsets constitute special niches supporting the trafficking, activation, differentiation, and crosstalk of immune cells in LNs. Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) are a type of stromal cell that form the three-dimensional structure networks of the T cell-rich zones in LNs, providing guidance paths for immigrating T lymphocytes. FRCs imprint immune responses by supporting LN architecture, recruiting immune cells, coordinating immune cell crosstalk, and presenting antigens. During inflammation, FRCs exert both spatial and molecular regulation on immune cells through their topological and secretory responses, thereby steering immune responses. Here, we propose a model in which FRCs regulate immune responses through a three-part scheme: setting up, supporting, or suppressing immune responses. FRCs engage in bidirectional interactions that enhance T cell biological efficiency. In addition, FRCs have profound effects on the innate immune response through phagocytosis. Thus, FRCs in LNs act as gatekeepers of immune responses. Overall, this study aims to highlight the emerging roles of FRCs in controlling both innate and adaptive immunity. This collaborative feedback loop mediated by FRCs may help maintain tissue function during inflammatory responses.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.311-338
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• 2021

This study was investigated to find out the distribution of vascular flora and remarkable plants and its factors and management plan in the forest genetic resource reserve of Mt. Munsu, located in the DMZ and DMZ border area in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do province. The survey was carried out 17 times from April 2019 to October 2020. First of all, in the forest genetic resource reserve of the Mt. Munsu, a total of 444 taxa in 95 families, 276 genera, 395 species, 13 subspecies, 33 varieties and 3 forms. This result was found to be about 9.09% of the total 4,881 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. In addition, endemic plants were classified as 6 taxa. Floristic special and rare plants were identified as 39 taxa and 3 taxa, respectively. Lastly, the invasive alien plants that appeared in Mt. Munsu of the forest genetic resource reserve were observed in 58 taxa. Moreover, the naturalization rate was 13.1% and the urbanization index was calculated to be 18.0%. As a result of comparing the vascular flora at the forest genetic resource reserve on Mt. Munsu identified in this study with previous studies, it was found the number of taxa was decreased compared to the previous studies, despite the fact that the recent survey section was wider and more varies routes were investigated. In particular, it was confirmed that the number of rare and endemic plants decreased significantly, and the number of invasive plants greatly spread to forest roads and hiking trails. Therefore, it is considered that the forest rest year system should be introduced for the conservation and management of native plants in the forest genetic resource reserve.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2008

Pinewood nematode (PWN) trapping by nematophagous fungi, Arthrobotrys conoides, A. dactyloides and A. oligospora and the fungal growth were characterized. The three Arthrobotrys species each was inoculated into the PWN cultured on Botrytis cinera fungal colony on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The effects of temperature, pH, PWN inoculation density and nutrients on the growth of the three Arthrobotrys spp were measured. A. conoides grew fast, 13.9 mm/day while A. dactyloides grew slow, 3 mm/day. PDA medium was the best for the fungal growth at $25^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.5. The Arthrobotrys spp growth was stimulated by 500 nematodes inoculation but not by 1000 inoculation. A. dactyloides did not grow below pH 4.5 and at high PWN density. A. conoides and A oligospora formed trapping organs with thick constricting hyphal network only when PWN present, while A. dactyloides formed the organ with circular hyphae constitutively. A. conoides formed trapping organs faster than A. oligospora did. The nematode trapping hyphae of the fungi penetrated into PNW inside to form many tiny infection bulbs and to digest the nematode. However, A. dactyloides formed a few trapping organs but no trapping was observed. Infection rate of PWN was 95% by A. conoides, 80% by A. oligospora and 92% by the combination inoculation of A. conoides and A. oligospora. In contrast A. dactyloides increased PWN density without infecton. There was no interaction effect in any combination inoculation of the three Arthrobotrys spp. A. conoides enhanced PWN infection rate by rapid hyphal growth and early trapping, while A. oligospora did it by increasing hyphal density. In conclusion A. conoides is the most effective in both hyphal growth and infection, and thus these characteristics can be utilized as a biological control of PWN.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Bacterial blight in rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) greatly reduces the growth and productivity of this important food crop. Therefore, we sought to increase the resistance of rice to bacterial blight by using a NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) transcription factor, one of the plant-specific transcription factors that is known to be involved in biotic/abiotic stress resistance. By isolating the OsNAC58 gene from rice and analyzing its biological functions related to Xoo resistance, phylogenetic analysis showed that OsNAC58 belongs to group III. To investigate the biological relationship between bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and OsNAC58 in rice, we constructed a vector for overexpression in rice and generated transgenic rice. The expression analysis resulting from use of RT-PCR showed that OsNAC58-overexpressed transgenic rice exhibited higher levels of OsNAC58 expression than wild types. Further, subcellular localization analysis using rice protoplasts showed that the 35S/OsNAC58-SmGFP fusion protein was localized in the nuclei. Thirteen OsNAC58-overexpressed transgenic rice lines, with high expression levels of OsNAC58, showed more resistant to Xoo than did the wild types. Together, these results suggest that the OsNAC58 gene of rice regulates the rice disease resistance mechanism in the nucleus upon invasion of the rice bacterial blight pathogen Xoo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1328-1332
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• 2009

Anisakidosis is caused by anisakid nematodes (family Anisakidae) larvae which can cause not only direct tissue damage but also a severe allergic response related to excretory-secretion products. Lots of different species of anisakid larvae, including Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum, Goezia, Pseudoterranova, and Hysterothylacium, cause the anisakidosis. But it is difficult to diagnosis the species of larvae since the morphologies of larval anisakid nematodes are almost indistinguishable. In order to diagnosis the differential infections of larval anisakid nematodes, polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of 18S rDNA - was conducted. Three major species of anisakid larvae including A. simplex, C.ontracaecum spp, and Goezia spp. were collected from mackerel (Scomber japonicus), mullet (Mugil cephalus), founder (Paralichthys olivaceus), eel (Astroconger myriaster) and red sea bream (Pagrus major). PCR amplified 18S rDNA from each species of anisakid larvae was digested with eight restriction enzymes including Taq I, Hinf I, Hha I, Alu I, Dde I, Hae III, Sau96 I, and Sau3A I. The original sizes of PCR amplified 18S rDNA were 2.0Kb in both anisakid larvaes and Goezia. Restrction enzymes including Hinf 1, Alu 1, Hha I, Dde 1 and Hae III cut differently and distinguished the A. simplex and Contracaecum type C'. However, Contracaecum type A showed two different restriction enzyme cutting patterns by Taq 1, Hinf I, Alu 1, and Dde 1. One of the patterns was the same as those of A. simplex, Contracaecum type C' and Goezia and the other was unique. These results suggest that PCR-RFLP pattern by Hinf 1, Alu 1, Hae I, Dde 1 and Hae III can be applied to differential diagnosis of human infection with A. simplex and Contracaecum type C'. Contracaecum type A needs further study of classification by morphological characteristics and genetic analysis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.199-226
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• 2020

Hwangmaesan Mt. (1,108 m) is rich in forest biodiversity and is a part of the Sobaek mountain range located in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsang-do in Korea. Unfortunately, the biodiversity and ecosystem integrity of Hwangmaesan Mt. have recently been threatened by heavy human disturbances. We conducted thirteen field surveys between March and October of 2019 to investigate the vascular flora in Hwangmaesan Mt. Through this extensive survey, we found 628 taxa consisting of 106 families, 349 genera, 554 species, 16 subspecies, 48 varieties, and 10 forma. Based on a comparative analysis between the present findings and former flora reports, our results showed an increase by 28 percent in the number of taxa observed. Of the 628 taxa, dicotyledons made up the largest group (477 taxa, 76.0%) followed by monocotyledons (120 taxa, 19.1%). Endemic plants consisted of 16 taxa, with rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service numbering 14 taxa. Ten taxa were listed on the Red list by the Ministry of the Environment. The floristic target species designated by the Ministry of the Environment numbered 75 taxa, whereas there were 42 taxa of invasive plants.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.125-142
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• 2000

13). Analysis of a purified preparation of eCG revealed that its $\beta$ -subunit consists of 149 amino acids, which was confirmed by the molecular cloning of its cDNA. There seem to be at least four to six, or even as many as 11, O-glycosylation sites on the extended C-tenninal region of the eCG $\beta$-subunit. Interestingly, eCG is a unique member of this family, as it appear to be a single molecule that possesses both LH- and FSH-like activities. Using the cDNA prepared from mRNA extracted from equine placental and pituitary tissues, we cloned the cDNA of eCG $\alpha$- and $\beta$ -subunits and eFSH $\beta$ -subunit. The mRNA expression of each subunit seems to be independently regulated, which may account for differences in the quantities of $\alpha$ - and $\beta$ -subunits in the placenta and pituitary. Thus, eCG is a distinct molecule from the view points of its biological function and glycoresidue structures. Recombinant eCGs including the mutants which lack oligosaccharides will be useful tools for analyzing the structure-function relationships of gonadotropins in the horse as well as other species. Similar experiments will also clarify the proposed structure and biological functions for the glycoprotein hormones. These experimental are now possible, and hopefully a resolution of the existing controversy will be forthcoming in the near future.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.224-255
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• 2022

This study was carried out to examine the changes in vascular flora in the first and second surveys targeting 32 outstanding forest wetlands in Jeonnam area including Gwangju metropolitan city, and based on this, establish a future monitoring system and effectively manage the excellent forest wetlands. The survey investigated the area seasonally every 4-5 years from 2015 to 2021. The change of flora of 32 excellent forest wetlands in Jeollanam-do increased from 103 families, 311 genera, 496 species, 16 subspecies, 38 varieties, 6 varieties, 556 taxa, to 111 families, 362 genera, 599 species, 16 subspecies, 51 varieties, 8 varieties, 674 taxa. Remarkable plants such as Red list and plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula increased also. However, Nepeta cataria and the like are exterminated locally, so an in situ and ex situ conservation strategy must be established. In the case of plants categorized according to wetland preference, the distribution ratio of such wetland plants slightly decreased and the distribution ratio of such terrestrial plants lightly increased for absolute wetland plants. It is necessary to prepare countermeasures for the terrestrialization of forest wetlands and to develop research techniques that can distinguish boundaries. In addition, the forest wetland should be systematically managed and supervised by designating it as a Forest Genetic Resources Reserve that can effectively conserve it.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.48-59
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• 2014

This study was carried out to present raw data on managing the restored urban stream by studying the naturalized plants distributed in Gaeumjeong Stream, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The results were as follows. The numbers of naturalized plants were summarized as 45 taxa including 17 families, 36 genera, 43 species and 2 varieties. The invasive alien plants were 2 taxa including Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Lactuca sativa. The following summarizes the attributes of the naturalized plants. Most of the plants commonly originated from Europe and North America. The 5 naturalized degree that was widely distributed and had many individual was the most common. Until 1921, after the opening of 1 period was the most common in the introduced period. Section 12 had the highest NI at 41.9%, and the lowest, at 20.5%, in sections 9 and 19 were analyzed. Section 1 had the highest UI at 6.2%, whereas, the lowest, at 2.5%, was calculated in sections 19 and 20. Section 2 showed the highest DI at 16.7%. The first results of the analysis of the causes for the invasion of naturalized plants on the riverside and waterways, and physical factors and maintenance are directly affected. Second, sewage, muddy water and sediment deposits this naturalized plant caused by a chemical factor. Third, it is thought that invasive alien plants are irregular as it happens in biological factor. The proposed management plan naturalized plants, the first, disturbance caused by species management is a young object is removed immediately before flowering scape to eliminate or suppress the propagation of physical methods will be needed. Second, the fact that the national spread of native plant species and planting management does not provide space for the growth is very important. Third, agricultural land is disturbed by agricultural practices by interfering with the action of naturalized plants because the source of the river should be prohibited in agriculture. In the future, if we studied the naturalized plants distributed in restored streams located in Changwon-si, the characteristics of change in the ecosystem impact is expected to be beneficial.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-378
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• 2019

We investigated the flora of vascular plants in Mt. Papyeong which is located in the northern part of Paju and the border of western DMZ through 13 surveys from April 2016 to August 2019. The vascular plants of Mt. Papyeong include 410 taxa; 361 species, 9 subspecies, 36 varieties, and 4 forms from 257 genera of 91 families. Among 410 taxa, we characterize endemic species, rare and endangered plants, floristic regional indicator plants, and climate change adapted plants in Korea. Specifically, there are 9 Korean endemic plants designated by Korea National Arboretum and 6 taxa by Korean Ministry of Environment. According to IUCN evaluation, there are 13 rare and endangered plants in Mt. Papyeong. On the other hand, 2 taxa were listed in a red list suggested by Korean Ministry of Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants include 46 taxa which are composed of 2 species of IV degree, 13 taxa of III degree, 11 taxa of II degree, and 20 taxa of I degree. Also, 27 naturalized plants were identified, and the percentage of Naturalized Index (NI) and Urbanization Index (UI) were 6.58%, and 8.43%, respectively. We hope that this investigation provide a valuable data for applying the further studies on the biodiversity and strategy of conservation of environment in the DMZ and Paju areas.