• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.590-609
• /
• 2010

The purpose of the study is to propose and evaluate Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis(ESDA) methods for examining age-specific population migration characteristics. First, population migration pyramid which is a pyramid-shaped graph designed with in-migration, out-migration, and net migration by age (or age group), was developed as a tool exploring age-specific migration propensities and structures. Second, various spatial statistics techniques based on local indicators of spatial association(LISA) such as Local Moran''s $I_i$, Getis-Ord ${G_i}^*$, and AMOEBA were suggested as ways to detect spatial dusters of age-specific net migration rate. These ESDA techniques were applied to age-specific population migration of Daegu Metropolitan City. Application results demonstrated that suggested ESDA methods can effectively detect new information and patterns such as contribution of age-specific migration propensities to population changes in a given region, relationship among different age groups, hot and cold spot of age-specific net migration rate, and similarity between age-specific spatial clusters.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 1986

The effects of proteases, neuraminidase and EDTA on adhesion of amoebae on the substratum, ultrastructure and biochemical composition of the cell surface were studied by concanavalin A (con A) cytochemistry and SDS PAGE. By con A cytochemistry the glycocalyx of the plasmalemma was easily subdivided into outer filamentous (F) layer and the inner amorphous (A) layer. On treatment with neuraminidase, amoebae attached to the substratum and spreaded better than untreated cells exposing the more con A binding sites in A- and F-layer. When the cells were treated with trypsin or proteinase K, cells stayed unattached for 12 and 48 hr, respectively. Con A binding sites of A layer and all of those glycoproteins were removed by proteinase K. On the other hand, trypsin damaged all of the con A binding sites in both A- and F-layer without significant change in PAS-stained profile of the plasmalemma. Some of the mucopolysaccharides of the cell surface were released by these enzymes and EDTA. When the cells were incubated with monovalent con A they did not attch on the substratum and cytolysed. From these results adhesion of amoebae on the substratum appears to be mediated by the interaction of the glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides of the A layer.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.349-356
• /
• 2011

The existence of symbiotic relationships between Acanthamoeba and a variety of bacteria is well-documented. However, the ability of Acanthamoeba interacting with host bacterial pathogens has gained particular attention. Here, to understand the interactions of Escherichia coli K1 and E. coli K5 strains with Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and cysts, association assay, invasion assay, survival assay, and the measurement of bacterial numbers from cysts were performed, and nonpathogenic E. coli K12 was also applied. The association ratio of E. coli K1 with A. castellanii was 4.3 cfu per amoeba for 1 hr but E. coli K5 with A. castellanii was 1 cfu per amoeba for 1 hr. By invasion and survival assays, E. coli K5 was recovered less than E. coli K1 but still alive inside A. castellanii. E. coli K1 and K5 survived and multiplied intracellularly in A. castellanii. The survival assay was performed under a favourable condition for 22 hr and 43 hr with the encystment of A. castellanii. Under the favourable condition for the transformation of trophozoites into cysts, E. coli K5 multiplied significantly. Moreover, the pathogenic potential of E. coli K1 from A. castellanii cysts exhibited no changes as compared with E. coli K1 from A. castellanii trophozoites. E. coli K5 was multiplied in A. castellanii trophozoites and survived in A. castellanii cysts. Therefore, this study suggests that E. coli K5 can use A. castellanii as a reservoir host or a vector for the bacterial transmission.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.447-453
• /
• 2016

Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is widely distributed in the environment, water sources, soil, dust, and air. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene and also fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the distribution and genotypes of the potentially pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba present in water sources in north of Iran. Total 43 Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 77 water samples taken from different water sources within the Mazandaran province in Northern Iran (Sari city and suburbs). Isolates were identified based on cyst and trophozoite morphological characteristics as well genetics. PCR fragments corresponding to the small-subunit 18S rRNA gene were sequenced for 20 of 43 positive isolates. The results revealed that 83.3% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T2 genotype. Our results indicated that Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in Sari city. As the incidence in Iran of amoebic keratitis has increased in recent years, the exact estimation of the prevalence of this amoeba and its predominant genotype may play a crucial role in prevention of the disease. Sari city has several rivers, seashores, and natural recreational amenities, which attract visitors during the year. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba genotypes from water sources in Sari city, Mazandaran province of Iran, and the results suggest that more attention is needed to protect the visiting population and immunocompromised individuals.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2019

Naegleria fowleri, a pathogenic free-living amoeba, leads to a fatal infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in human and animals. PAM is an acute, fulminant, necrotizing, and hemorrhagic disease that leads to death in approximately seven days. In this study, we investigate the cytotoxicity of target cells and the secreted molecules of N. fowleri under the non-contact condition. The target cell (U87MG cell) treated with N. fowleri lysates showed no morphological changes and no cytotoxicity. By contrast, the U87MG cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites under the non-contact condition induced morphological changes and reduction in number. When U87MG cells were co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites under the non-contact condition for 30 min, 2 hr, and 4 hr, the levels of cytotoxicity of target cells were 32.3, 35.5, and 37.8%, respectively. Particularly, when the ratio of amoeba to target cells is 10 to 1, the level of cytotoxicity of target cells was 49.7% at 30 min. To show the proteins secreted from N. fowleri under the non-contact condition, we carried out 2D electrophoresis and observed 6 major proteins. Finally, these results suggest that the molecules released from N. fowleri under the non-contact condition induce the cell death and this process is an important step in pathogenesis of N. fowleri.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2019

Acanthamoeba castellanii has ubiquitous distribution and causes primary acanthamoebic keratitis (AK). AK is a common disease in contact lens wearers and results in permanent visual impairment or blindness. In this study, we observed the cytopathic effect, in vitro cytotoxicity, and secretion pattern of cytokines in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) induced by A. castellanii trophozoites and/or cysts. Morphological observation revealed that panked dendritic HCECs co-cultured with amoeba cysts had changed into round shape and gradually died. Such changes were more severe in co-culture with cyst than those of co-cultivation with trophozoites. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed the highest cytotoxicity to HCECs in the co-culture system with amoeba cysts. A. castellanii induced the expression of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL1 in HCECs. Secreted levels of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-8 in HCECs co-cultured with both trophozoites and cysts were increased at an early incubation time (3 and 6 hr). These results suggested that cytopathic changes and pro-inflammatory cytokines release of HCECs in response to A. castellanii, especially amoebic cysts, are an important mechanism for AK development.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.229-239
• /
• 2022

The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/E2). We axenically cultured KFA5 and KFA21. We applied approximately 1×10⁶ to mice's nasal passages 6 times and investigated their pathogenicity. The airway resistance value was significantly increased after KFA5 and KFA21 treatments. The eosinophil recruitment and goblet cell hyperplasia were concomitantly observed in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue in mice infected with KFA5 and KFA21. These infections also activated the Th2-related interleukin 25, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokines gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells. The CD4⁺ interleukin 4⁺ cell population was increased in the lung, and the secretion of Th2-, Th17-, and Th1-associated cytokines were upregulated during KFA5 and KFA21 infection in the spleen, lung-draining lymph nodes, and BAL fluid. The pathogenicity (allergenicity) of KFA5 and KFA21 might not have drastically changed during the long-term in vitro culture. Our results suggested that Vermamoeba could elicit allergic airway inflammation and may be an airway allergen.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.324-327
• /
• 2012

Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that causes human infections, and recently the incidence of amoebic keratitis has increased among contact lens wearers. In order to investigate Acanthamoeba contamination of contact lens storage cases, a short survey was performed on 57 contact lens wearers, and Acanthamoeba was found in one contact lens storage case. To diagnose Acanthamoeba, the 18s small subunit ribosomal DNA (18s rDNA) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and subsequently, the isolate was identified as A. lugdunensis. This species was originally isolated from a freshwater pool in France, and was reported recently to be a cause of amoebic keratitis. This observation indicates the need for a large survey to investigate the extent of Acanthamoeba contamination, and suggests that contact lens wearers be aware of the importance of hygiene and of the implications of Acanthamoeba infection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.1047-1048
• /
• 2004

Simulation Coated layers of a nuclear fuel particle were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and nano-indentation method to give basic data to estimate 'Amoeba effect' and give an optimum fabrication condition and high quality control. Coated layers on the fuel kernel are in the order of buffer pyrolytic carbon, inner pyrolytic carbon, silicon carbide and outer pyrolytic carbon layers, which average thicknesses are 95, 25, 30 and 28 ${\mu}m$, respectively. Their densities and hardnesses are 1.08, 1.15, 3.18, 1.82 $g/cm^3$ and 0.522, 0.874, 9.641, and 2.726 GPa, respectively. Comparing theoretical density of pyrolytic carbon of 2.22 $g/cm^3$, the relative amount of porosity in each layer is about 52% for buffer, 48% for inner PyC and 18% for outer PyC.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics B
• /
• v.31B no.3
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 1994

In this study under the distributed system for efficient distribution resource completely symmetic global scheduler was designed and implemented to obtain the general global scheduler, that is load balancing as sharing objectives. To balance the system's load efficiently each node must be designed to get right decision-making. Thus we considered computing time to estimate fault such as delay on communication network, communication period and other decision-making. Load balancing mechanism which suggested in this study was implemented in the distributed system which IBM PC/AT linked to and composed with Ethernet. The target operating system was composed of IBM PC/AT as a basic construction in which proper type of UNIX operating system were ported and communication layer chose communication type implemented from Amoeba. The method of IPC employing layered multilevel access method to avoid inefficient protocol using direct communication mode guarantees rapid response due to short ready time for IPC.