• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.321-327
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• 2015

Nocardia salmonicida is one of the main pathogens of fish nocardiosis. The purpose of this study was to build a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the rapid and sensitive detection of N. salmonicida. A set of four primers were designed from the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region of N. salmonicida, and conditions for LAMP were optimized as incubating all the reagents for 60 min at 64℃. LAMP products were judged with agar gel electrophoresis as well as with the naked eye after the addition of SYBR Green I. Results showed the sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 1.68 × 10³ CFU/ml (16.8 CFU per reaction) and 10-fold higher than that of PCR. The LAMP method was also effectively applied to detect N. salmonicida in diseased fish samples, and it may potentially facilitate the surveillance and early diagnosis of fish nocardiosis.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.2191-2197
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• 2018

To remove tar and produce environment-friendly $H_2$, one of the promising routes is the sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SESR) process, in which the $CO_2$ sorbent is a key element. We prepared the $CO_2$ sorbents with $Ca_{12}Al_{14}O_{33}$ as carrier with various methods. Their characterizations were examined, and the sample prepared by solgel (SG) method showed the strongest CaO and $Ca_{12}Al_{14}O_{33}$ phases and the most excellent pore structure among all the samples. Then, a thermogravimetric experiment was conducted, and the results showed that the sample prepared by sol-gel (SG) method had the best $CO_2$ adsorption capacity and excellent long-term cyclic stability. Finally, the sorbent was used into the steam reforming experiments of tar. Under the action of the sorbent, the reforming reaction was enhanced in-situ, with the $H_2$ yield and concentration improved obviously, and especially, $H_2$ concentration can reach over 98.85%.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.485-491
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• 2022

Lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (LLTO) is a promising ceramic electrolyte because of its high ionic conductivity at room temperature, low electrical conductivity, and outstanding physical properties. Several routes for the synthesis of bulk LLTO are known, in particular, solid-state synthesis and sol-gel method. However, the extremely low ionic conductivity of LLTO at grain boundaries is one of the major problems for practical applications. To diminish the grain boundary effect, the structure of LLTO is tuned to nanoscale morphology with structures of different dimensionalities (0D spheres, and 1D tubes and wires); this strategy has great potential to enhance the ion conduction by intensifying Li diffusion and minimizing the grain boundary resistance. Therefore, in this work, 0D spherical LLTO is synthesized using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). The USP method primarily yields spherical particles from the droplets generated by ultrasonic waves passed through several heating zones. LLTO is synthesized using USP, and the effects of each precursor and their mechanisms as well as synthesis parameters are analyzed and discussed to optimize the synthesis. The phase structure of the obtained materials is analyzed using X-ray diffraction, and their morphology and particle size are analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 1996

Non-biting midges fchironomidae, Dipteral are one of the largest insect families, which are distributed worldwidely and are found in nearly all types of inland waters. They are known to be aggressive inhalant allergens which cause allergenic diseases. In this study, the crude antigens of Chironomus SavipLumn adults which are most widely distributed in Korea were extracted. and their allergens were analysed with the sera from experimentally sensitized mice. The mice were immunized with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}{\;}or{\;}10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ of the crude antigens, respectively, and the specific serum IgE levels were measured by both ELISA and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) techniques. The highest levels of both total IgE and chironomid-specific IgE were found in the mouse sera obtained after 9 weeks of the first infection with $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}$ crude antigen. The crude antigen was separated into 16-18 protein bands on gel by SDS-PAGE. The crude extract was assessed by SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analysis. One IgE-binding band (65 kDa) was detected by developing with colorimetric substrate, and 4 IgE-binding bands (65, 52, 35 and 25 kDa) by developing with CSPD chemiluminescent substrate. The SDS-PAGE gel of the crude extract of chironomid adults was equally cut into 30 pieces and each of them was eluted to isolate proteins by molecular weight, and the allergenicity of each eluate was assessed by applying P-K test on rats. Proteins of 65, 35 and 15 KDa showed the highest P-K titer (${\times}512$) which was 16 times higher than that of the crude extract (${\times32}$). The P-K titer of 52 kDa protein was also 4 times higher ($128{\times}$) than that of the crude extract, whereas the 25 kDa protein poorly responded, which seemed not antigenic. In conclusion, the present result in mice demonstrated that adults of Chironomus fcuiplumus, a predominent species in Korea, cause allergenic diseases and the main allergens are 65, 52, 35 and 15 kDa proteins, of which 65 kDa protein seems to be a main allergen.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2006

Three strains of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) have been found to cause a lethal disease, referred to as fern leaf syndromes and mild mosaic symptoms in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crops grown in Kuwait. CMV strains were detected and identified based on host range, symptomatology, serology, electron microscopy, and ribonucleic acid (RNA) electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. A high degree of viral genomic heterogeneity was detected among CMV strains isolated in Kuwait, with no apparent correlation to symptomatology in tomato host plants. Two different virus satellites of 'CMV associated RNA 5', designated CARNA 5, were detected in two virus strains that caused both lethal disease and mild symptoms, designated CMV-D1 and CMV-S1 respectively. CARNA5 was not detected in the third CMV strain that caused fern leaf syndromes designated CMV-F. All the three isolated strains were serologically indistinguishable from each other and may belong to one serotype according to Ouchterlony gel diffusion tests. These strains transmitted via aphids (Myzus persicae Sulz) in a non-persistent manner. Physical properties of the virus strains were very similar where thermal inactivation test showed that virus withstood heating for 10 min at $70^{/circ}$, dilution end point was $10^{-4}$, and the longevity in vitro at room temperature was less than 5 days for all virus strains. CMV-D1 and CMV-F were the most devastating diseases spreading in both greenhouse and field-grown tomato where aborted flower buds failed on fruit setting due to the viral infection. This is the first report to isolate three different strains of CMV in Kuwait.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.765-770
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• 2007

Purpose: Peritendinous adhesion is one of the most notorious complication after the flexor tendon injury. In this study, $Alloderm^{(R)}$(LifeCell Corp., Branchburg, N.J.), which is the decellularized human dermal analogue with its intact native basement membrane components, was used for the prevention of peritendinous adhesions following flexor tendon repair. Methods: Thirty New Zealand white male rabbits were divided equally into 3 groups. In all groups, the flexor digitorum profundus of the third finger of the right back foot was cut totally and repaired by modified Kessler suture technique. Following tendon repair, $Alloderm^{(R)}$ was wrapt around the repaired tendon in the first group and sodium hyaluronate gel was sprayed to the operation field in the second group. In the control group, no external material was applied. The right back foot were immobilized for 6 weeks to optimize the formation of adhesion ingrowth. After death, the third finger that repaired tendons and sheaths was removed en bloc. We checked range of motion. and studied histologically for all groups. Results: The experimental groups had better range of motion than the control group. We checked that the range of motion was 73.5 degrees in $Alloderm^{(R)}$ group, 55.9 degrees in the hyaluronic acid group, and 38.3 degrees in the control group. in the histological study, the experimental group had less adhesions compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that $Alloderm^{(R)}$ can decrease peritendinous adhesions following flexor tendon repairs in rabbits. We think the method could be used in clinical cases.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.70-84
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• 2004

This study was carried out to evaluate the body fat breakdown during topical seaweed extract treatment and in combination with the iontophoresis, phonophoresis method to enhance skin absorption of lipolytic compounds. Of 24 female obesity subjects, 7 treated a gel types of seaweed extract only(control group) and 10 treated in combination with the iontophoresis(experimental group I) and 7 treated in combination with the phonophoresis(experimental group II). Topical treatment of each sample was designed for 2 weeks, treated with 2 times a day about $10m{\ell}$ on the abdomen, triceps, thigh and superior ilium, respectively. Experimental group treat with the iontophoresis and phonophoresis during 5 minutes immediately after topical treatment. After one and two weeks of topical treatment, measured body weight, body fat, skinfolds thickness respectively. Then venous blood samples were taken and analyzed serum lipids. The results were as follows; 1) There were decrement of body weight, $\%$ of body fat, superior ilium, triceps and thigh thickness between pre and post treatment in all group. Especially, there were more decrement of body weight, $\%$ of body fat in the iontophoresis treated group. 2) There were decrement in total CHOL, LDL, TRIG and increment in HDL in all group. These phenomena were predominant in the iontophoresis treated group. CHOL decrement in the experimental group were significant after two weeks iontophoresis treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2007

The sprC gene encodes Streptomyces griseus protease C (SGPC), a bacterial chymotrypsin-like serine protease. Because the published data on sprC was not complete, we cloned and analyzed a new DNA fragment spanning downstream to upstream of the sprC gene from S. griseus IFO13350. The cloned 2.3-kb DNA fragment was placed on a high-copy number plasmid and introduced into Streptomyces lividans TK24. Chymotrypsin activity of the transformant was 8.5 times higher than that of the control after 3 days of cultivation and stably maintained until 9 days of cultivation, which dearly indicated that the cloned 2.3-kb fragment contained the entire sprC gene with its own promoter. When the same construct was introduced in the S. griseus IFO13350 (wild strain) and its two mutant strains in the A-factor regulatory cascade, ${\Delta}adpA$ and HO1, the chymotrypsin activity increased fivefold only in the ${\Delta}adpA$ strain. Transcriptional analysis based on RT-PCR revealed that the sprC gene is normally transcribed in both strains; however, earlier transcription was observed in the wild strain compared with the ${\Delta}adpA$ strain. A gel mobility shift assay showed that the AdpA protein did not bind to the promoter region of sprC. All these data clearly indicate that the expression of sprC is not dependent on the AdpA protein, but is distinctly regulated from other chymotrypsin genes composing an AdpA regulon. Earlier morphological differentiation was observed in S. lividans TK24, and S. griseus IFO13350 and HO1, transformed with the expression vector. The transformant of S. griseus ${\Delta}adpA$ formed markedly larger colonies. Antisense repression of sprC resulted in severe decrease of chymotrypsin activity, down to one-third of the control, and delayed morphological differentiation. All these data suggest that SGPC is related to normal morphogenesis in S. griseus.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2006

There has been increasing concern in recent years about the occurrence, fate and toxicity of pharmaceutical products in aquatic environment. Although these compounds have been detected in a wide variety of environmental samples including sewage effluent, surface waters, ground water and drinking water, their concentrations generally range from the low ppt to ppb levels. It is therefore often thought to be unlikely that pharmaceuticals will have a detrimental effect on the environment. This study was conducted to determine the endocrine disruption effects of the several pharmaceutical residues in water using adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). The common antibiotics were used sulfa durgs (sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine) and tetracycline drugs (oxytetracycline and tetracycline). Positive control that was induced Vtg (vitellogenin) in male fish was used $17\beta$-estradiol. Vtg was qualified and quantified through Western blotting and ELISA. After SDS gel electrophoresis, the dominant protein band was identified to molecular weight approximately 205 kDa in whole body samples of vitellogenic female. In female medaka exposed to $17\beta$estradiol, there was no significant difference in total protein induction. In contrast, three to five day exposure of male fish to $17\beta$-estradiol resulted in more than 60.0% increase of total protein compared to that of control males (p<0.01). In case of antibiotics, female fish didn't show significant difference, but male fish was showed significant difference. In addition, Vtg induction in male fish was observed with all the test chemicals. On concentrations greater than 0.1 ppm of sulfamethoxazole, 1 ppm of sulfamethazine, 1 ppm of oxytetracycline and 20 ppm of tetracycline, Vtg induction was increased in a dose response manner. This study is one of the early reports suggesting potential endocrine disruption mechanism of antibiotic pharmaceutical products in aquatic ecosystem. Although the effect concentrations obtained from this study were high as unrealistically as in environments, it is endocrine disruption that we should be considered as one of the important consequences of pharmaceutical contamination at water environment, and warrants due attention in future researches.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2005

This study was conducted to determine the endorcrine disruption effects of the several major pharmaceutical residues in water using adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Four frequently used pharmaceuticals including caffeine, ketoconazole, acetaminophen, and diltiazem were investigated for the vitellogenin(Vtg) induction in the medaka using Western blotting and ELISA. $17\beta$,-estradiol was used as a positive control. Vtg was qualified and quantified through Western blot and ELISA. Following SDS gel electrophoresis, the dominant protein band was identified to molecular weight approximately 205 kDa in whole body samples of vitellogenic female. With female medaka exposed to $17\beta,-estradiol$, no significant difference in total protein induction was noted. In contrast, three to five day exposure of male fish to $17\beta,-estradiol$ resulted in $63.07\%o$, increase of total protein comparing to that of control males (p<0.01). Vtg induction in male fish was observed with all the test pharmaceuticals: At concentrations greater than 1ppm of diltiazem, 2 ppm of caffeine, 4 ppm of acetaminophen, and 10 ppm of ketoconazole, Vtg induction was monotonously increased in a dose dependent manner. This study is one of the first reports suggesting potential endocrine disruption mechanism of common human pharmaceutical products in aquatic ecosystem. Although the effect concentrations obtained from this investigation are environmentally unrealistically high, endocrine disruption should be considered as one of the important consequences of pharmaceutical pollution in aquatic environment, and warrants due attention in future researches.