• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2010

Genetic instability of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has been suggested as a major factor underlying the rapid breakdown of host resistance in the field. However, little information is available on the mechanism of genetic instability. In this study, we assessed the stability of repetitive DNA elements and several key phenotypic traits important for pathogenesis after serially transferring two isolates though rice plants and an artificial medium. Using isolate 70-15, we obtained a total of 176 single-spore isolates from 10 successive rounds of culturing on artificial medium. Another 20 isolates were obtained from germ tubes formed at the basal and apical cells of 10 three-celled conidia. Additionally, 60 isolates were obtained from isolate KJ201 after serial transfers through rice plants and an artificial medium. No apparent differences in phenotypes, including mycelial growth, conidial morphologies, conidiation, conidial germination, appressorium formation, and virulence, or in DNA fingerprints using MGR586, MAGGY, Pot2, LINE, MG-SINE and PWL2 as probes were observed among isolates from the same parent isolate. Southern hybridization and sequence analysis of two avirulence genes, AVR-Pita1 and AVR-Pikm, showed that both genes were also maintained stably during 10 successive generations on medium and plants. However, one reversible loss of restriction fragments was found in the telomere-linked helicase gene (TLH1) family, suggesting some telomere regions may be more unstable than the rest of the genome. Taken together, our results suggest that phenotype and genotype of M. oryzae isolates do not noticeably change, at least up to 10 successive generations on a cultural medium and in host plants.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.12
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• pp.32.1-32.10
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• 2018

Background: Necdin (NDN), a member of the melanoma antigen family showing imprinted pattern of expression, has been implicated as causing Prader-Willi symptoms, and known to participate in cellular growth, cellular migration and differentiation. The region where NDN is located has been associated to QTLs affecting reproduction and early growth in cattle, but location and functional analysis of the molecular mechanisms have not been established. Methods: Here we report the sequence variation of the entire coding sequence from 72 samples of cattle, yak, buffalo, goat and sheep, and discuss its variation in Bovidae. Median-joining network analysis was used to analyze the variation found in the species. Synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates were determined for the analysis of all the polymorphic sites. Phylogenetic analysis were carried out among the species of Bovidae to reconstruct their relationships. Results: From the phylogenetic analysis with the consensus sequences of the studied Bovidae species, we found that only 11 of the 26 nucleotide changes that differentiate them produced amino acid changes. All the SNPs found in the cattle breeds were novel and showed similar percentages of nucleotides with non-synonymous substitutions at the N-terminal, MHD and C-terminal (12.3, 12.8 and 12.5%, respectively), and were much higher than the percentage of synonymous substitutions (2.5, 2.6 and 4.9%, respectively). Three mutations in cattle and one in sheep, detected in heterozygous individuals were predicted to be deleterious. Additionally, the analysis of the biochemical characteristics in the most common form of the proteins in each species show very little difference in molecular weight, pI, net charge, instability index, aliphatic index and GRAVY (Table 4) in the Bovidae species, except for sheep, which had a higher molecular weight, instability index and GRAVY. Conclusions: There is sufficient variation in this gene within and among the studied species, and because NDN carry key functions in the organism, it can have effects in economically important traits in the production of these species. NDN sequence is phylogenetically informative in this group, thus we propose this gene as a phylogenetic marker to study the evolution and conservation in Bovidae.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.159-184
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• 1988

Race and ethnicity are important factors which influence the elderIy's residential adjustment behaviors, although it is unclear whether this reflects influences unrelated to race and ethnlcity. Culturally, the norm of family supportoften obseved among various minority ethnic groups is likely to provide flexible family suppof for the elderIy. Economically, the life-long hardship ofminority groups is likely to force them to maintain extended family living arrangements simply to reduce expenses via economies of scale. Thecontroversy about the economic need versus the cultural prescription forextended living arrangements remains unresoIved because it fails to articulatethe meaning of family supports among many disadvantaged groups.This study aims to test previous economic and cultural arguments, byexamining ethnic differences iu the eiderIy's responsiveness to their health andeconomic problems. Two hypotheses about cultural influences on the elderly's resideutiai adjustment are examined. First, do elderly minorities receive famiiysupporis for longer periods when they are poor if economic and health status\ulcorner Second, do elderiy minorities receive family supports more often when their health status declines\ulcorner Using the Longitudinal Suvey on Aging from 1984 to 1990. this study employs Markovian multi-state life tables, and discrete and contonuous competing hazard analyses for the transition in living arrangements. The main results provide substantial evidence against the cultural resource thesis. Elderly minorities experience more frequent transition between living alone and living with relatives than white elderly persons when group differences in the extent of mortality and insititutionalization are controlled. The shorter timf of living alone among elderly monorities stems from their greater likehood of joining relatives as well as greater mortality and attrition rates than elderly whites. Coresidence of elderly whites with their relatives is more likely to occur in response to their needs for health care than of elderly whites. it implies that instability. not flezibility. characterrizes elderly minorities living arrangements.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2221-2224
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• 2013

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of enzymes involved in the detoxification of a wide range of chemicals, including important environmental carcinogens, as well as chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study 294 acute leukemia cases, comprising 152 of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 142 of acute myeloid leukemia, and 251 control samples were analyzed for GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms through multiplex PCR methods. Significantly increased frequencies of GSTM1 null genotype (M0), GSTT1 null genotype (T0) and GST double null genotype (T0M0) were observed in the both ALL and AML cases as compared to controls. When data were analyzed with respect to clinical variables, increased mean levels of WBC, Blast %, LDH and significant reduction in DFS were observed in both ALL and AML cases with T0 genotype. In conclusion, absence of both GST M & GST T might confer increased risk of developing ALL or AML. The absence of GST enzyme might lead to oxidative stress and subsequent DNA damage resulting in genomic instability, a hallmark of acute leukemia. The GST enzyme deficiency might also exert impact on clinical prognosis leading to poorer DFS. Hence GST genotyping can be made mandatory in management of acute leukemia so that more aggressive therapy such as allogenic stem cell transplantation may be planned in the case of patients with a null genotype.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.44.1-44.9
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• 2015

Background: Heat shock proteins play an important role in protection from stress stimuli and metabolic insults in almost all organisms. Methods: In this study, computational tools were used to deeply analyse the physicochemical characteristics and, using homology modelling, reliably predict the tertiary structure of the blunt snout bream (Ma-) Hsp70 and Hsc70 proteins. Derived three-dimensional models were then used to predict the function of the proteins. Results: Previously published predictions regarding the protein length, molecular weight, theoretical isoelectric point and total number of positive and negative residues were corroborated. Among the new findings are: the extinction coefficient (33725/33350 and 35090/34840 - Ma-Hsp70/ Ma-Hsc70, respectively), instability index (33.68/35.56 - both stable), aliphatic index (83.44/80.23 - both very stable), half-life estimates (both relatively stable), grand average of hydropathicity (-0.431/-0.473 - both hydrophilic) and amino acid composition (alanine-lysine-glycine/glycine-lysine-aspartic acid were the most abundant, no disulphide bonds, the N-terminal of both proteins was methionine). Homology modelling was performed by SWISS-MODEL program and the proposed model was evaluated as highly reliable based on PROCHECK's Ramachandran plot, ERRAT, PROVE, Verify 3D, ProQ and ProSA analyses. Conclusions: The research revealed a high structural similarity to Hsp70 and Hsc70 proteins from several taxonomically distant animal species, corroborating a remarkably high level of evolutionary conservation among the members of this protein family. Functional annotation based on structural similarity provides a reliable additional indirect evidence for a high level of functional conservation of these two genes/proteins in blunt snout bream, but it is not sensitive enough to functionally distinguish the two isoforms.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2010

As an aging population has increased vastly and nuclear families have been a dominating family type in modern Korean society, the numbers of the elderly who suffer Empty Nest Syndrome and LID (Loss Isolation Depression) syndrome have been accelerated. These syndromes involve psychological instability, melancholy, and lethargy. To make the elderly get out of this phenomenon and live actively, the scheme of converting their existing house into shared housing was set as a hypothetical solution in this study. This study sets out to find out responses of the elderly to alter their own house's function in housing improvement area. A Small Workshop Panel method was used and the elderly aged 55 years upwards took part and they own a detached house in a housing improvement area that is relatively large for the elderly or the elderly couple to live alone. Through the workshop, problems that the elderly have been experiencing within their houses were looked into and responses of the elderly on altering their house to shared housing by introducing developed schematic plans. Although, the first response was negative, positive responses from the house owners were carried out when a visual support i.e. developed shared housing plan was provided. The positive response was based on the fact that subsidies from the government on house renovation and tenants matching programs are supported as shared housing could provide home owners economical support with rents and help them to feel less lonely. This is a way of relieving the elderly from being neglected and supporting them to live and age actively in their later lives. Furthermore, by providing a visual media to the elder residents in housing improvement area, their greater understandings on the development and addressing their opinions were possible. Therefore, more tools that promote elder residents' participation are needed for future housing improvement projects and an aging society.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.205-216
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• 2022

This study investigated the experiences of baby boomers' social participation through social contribution jobs after retirement, using content analysis. The baby boomers who participated in social contribution jobs after retirement showed a strong desire to work, and were provided with rewarding and self-development, which resulted in family members viewing job participation positively. In addition, through self-help groups and communities, they shared information for the program and formed a social relationship. However, they expressed dissatisfaction with the instability and discontinuity of the job with low salary, with job interview repeated every year. As for the future direction, it is necessary that jobs utilize the skills and expertise of the baby boomers, the bridging jobs as an income guarantee after retirement, and the promotion of industries with marketability and publicness through institutional and regulatory reform. It is emphasized that the human resources of the retired baby boomers should be actively utilized with the governmental support.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Purpose: Many people recognize the fact that women are basically poor at financial and retirement planning. A small number of scholars have explored the factors and situations that influence the level of awareness of pre-retirement women and men with regards to planning for their retirement years. In most developing countries, including Malaysia, there are more men in the younger segment of the population and more women in the older segment, since women tend to live longer than men due to having jobs of relatively lower risk, their behaviors, and activities. Research design, data and methodology: Given that it is hard to predict whether they will be healthy in old age, women may require additional resources to obtain the care and assistance that they need. The transition from career life into retirement is a long process for people to go through. Some may be able to prepare for the next stage of life, and some may not be able to prepare due to personal reasons. Planning for future retirement is important because it will affect the quality of a woman's life after a certain age. Results: Without proper planning, women may face financial instability, depression, and poor psychological well-being. However, many women are unaware of their financial status or do not know their family's financial status, such as tracking the main income, budget, and expenses, financial commitments and have no proper record of assets owned, loans owed, or updated loan balances. Conclusions: The findings of this research have led to the conclusion that pre-retiree women are likely to regard their retirement savings as sufficient without realizing that they should have at least several types of savings instead of just one, and the grave consequences of not having any savings at all for their retirement years.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2024

The mammalian sirtuin family (SIRT1-SIRT7) has shown diverse biological roles in the regulation and maintenance of genome stability under genotoxic stress. SIRT7, one of the least studied sirtuin, has been demonstrated to be a key factor for DNA damage response (DDR). However, conflicting results have proposed that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor to promote transformation in cancer cells. To address this inconsistency, we investigated properties of SIRT7 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) regulation under DNA damage and found that loss of hepatic Sirt7 accelerated HCC progression. Specifically, the number, size, and volume of hepatic tumor colonies in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injected Sirt7-deficient liver were markedly enhanced. Further, levels of HCC progression markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the absence of hepatic Sirt7, unlike those in the control. In chromatin, SIRT7 was stabilized and colocalized to damage site by inhibiting the induction of γH2AX under DNA damage. Together, our findings suggest that SIRT7 is a crucial factor for DNA damage repair and that hepatic loss-of-Sirt7 can promote genomic instability and accelerate HCC development, unlike early studies describing that Sirt7 is an oncogenic factor.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.382-395
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• 2017

This study attempted to examine how sexually abused women with intellectual disability living in residential care facilities interact with their environment, such as personal life, family and communities, and to identify contextual characteristics and needs of these women. Qualitative case study method was adopted, and data was collected through individual and intake interviews, participant observation and a survey with 11 participants residing in a residential care facility for sexually abused women with intellectual disability. The results showed that participants struggled with stresses and emotional instability affected by traumatic experiences of sexual abuse. Family was a system that sexual abused took place, while the systems of residential facilities protected them from potential dangers and violence. Work and school systems also provided them opportunities of learning and having dreams in the future. However, the community system which participants would live after discharging from the facility, had risk factors vulnerable to sexual violence against participants. In conclusion, this study suggested diverse services and programs, such as professional psychotherapy programs, integrated support programs for victim and their families and provision of professional care facilities.