• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.357-369
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• 2007

Water fleas are very important organisms in aquatic ecosystem because they are key constituents of food webs as either glazers or foods for predators. Daphnia magna is a representative test species and it has been extensively used in ecotoxicity evaluation. However, Daphnia magna has not been found yet in Korean water environment. There are limitations of using the foreign species such as Daphnia magna to reflect domestic situations in Korea. Consequently it is mandatory to find domestic species suitable for bioassay, and to develop corresponding toxicity test methods using the domestic species. In this study, we widely collected the domestic and foreign toxicity test methods performed by using domestic water fleas in Korea. The 58 test methods were collected from the standard methods (OECD, US EPA, ASTM), government reports, SCI papers and domestic papers. Ten domestic water fleas selected were Bosmina longirostris, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia puex, Moina macrocopa, Moina micrura, Simocephalus mixtus, Simocephalus serrulatus, and Simocephalus vetulus. We suggested the domestic ecotoxicity test methods using domestic water fleas in Korea through providing a range of test conditions, and future directions for toxicity test using water flea. This study could be a useful basis for establishing the aquatic toxicity test methods with domestic organisms in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.393-398
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine how an ornamental fish, such as the fighting fish, Betta splendens would respond to the use of freshwater live-prey, such as rotifers Brachionus calyciflorus and water fleas Moina macrocopa. Ingested quantity, digestive velocity and somatic growth were compared between larvae fed a freshwater rotifer and those fed boiled yolk. Food efficiency and somatic growth were compared between larvae that were fed freshwater water fleas and those fed a micro-diet developed for flounder ($250{\mu}m$, I-hwa Ltd.). The number of rotifers ingested by larvae reached a maximum of 191 per day. However, based on the number ingested per hour and the digestive velocity of consumed rotifers, the maximum ingestible and digestible number of rotifers was calculated to be 272 per day. A maximum of 67 individuals (mean, 49.8 individuals) could be completely digested within the 1-h period from 90 to 180 min after feeding. Somatic growth was enhanced in larvae that were fed rotifers compared to those fed boiled yolk. Larvae exhibited greater growth at rotifer densities of 30 and 40 per mL than at lower densities. Among the water-flea (M. macrocopa and Bosmina sp.) and micro-particle diets, feeding with M. macrocopa resulted in the greatest somatic growth of larvae during the water-flea feeding stage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalent allergens causing canine atopic dermatitis in Daejeon area. Twenty two dogs were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis by an using intradermal skin test (IDST). Allergens used for the IDST included 33 allergen extracts from nine allergen groups: house dust mites (HDM), house dust, moulds, trees, weeds, grasses, insects/fleas, epithelia and others. The 22 purebred dogs with atopic dermatitis enrolled in this study included Shi-tzus (10/22, 45.5%), Yorkshire terriers (5/22, 22.7%), Miniature pinschers (4/22, 18.2%), Pugs (2/ 22, 9.1 %) and Cocker spaniels (1/22, 4.5%). The age of onset of atopic dermatitis ranged from 5 months to 5 years old (median: 1.79 years). The males (12/22, 54.5%) and females (10/22, 45.5%) were almost equal. The number of positive reactions to allergens recorded in each dog with atopic dermatitis was 3 (9/22, 40.9%), 2 (8/22, 36.4%), 1 (3/ 22, 13.6%) and 4 (2/22, 9.1 %), respectively. The most common positive allergen reaction was HDM (52.6%). The other positive allergen reactions recorded were from house dust (17.5%), insects/fleas (15.8%), trees (5.3%), moulds (3.5%), kapok (3.5%), silk (3.5%), epithelia (1.8%), weeds (0%) and grasses (0%), respectively. Positive reactions recorded to Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus were in 53.3% and 46.7%, respectively. The IDST results demonstrate that the most common causative allergens in canine atopic dermatitis in Daejeon area were HDM.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2018

The RNA interference (RNAi) has been considered as an important genetic tool and applied to develop a new living modified (LM) crop trait which is an improvement of nutrient quality or pest management. The RNAi of DvSnf7 has been used for resistance to LM maize and the Western Corn Rootworm which is a major agricultural pest for the US Corn Belt. Most of the environmental risk assessments (ERA) of double strand RNA (dsRNA) have been performed using in vitro transcript products, and not in vivo expressed product. A large amount of dsRNA was required for the acute toxicity assay of water fleas. Therefore development of massive dsRNA purification techniques is critical. Daphnia, a freshwater microcrustacean, is a model organism for studying cellular and molecular mechanism involved in life history traits and ecotoxicology. In this study, we established the massive dsRNA purification method using Escherichia coli and implemented acute toxicity assays to Daphnia magna. As a result, the present RNase A and DNase I, dsRNA was efficiently purified without any special techniques or equipment. Even though purified dsRNA existed during the acute toxicity test, lethality or abnormal behavior were not observed in D. magna. These results indicated that GFP and DvSnf7 dsRNA were not significantly affected to D. magna due to their lack of sequence matching in its genome. The purification method of dsRNA and the acute toxicity assay of water fleas using purified dsRNA would be suitable for the toxicological studies of LMOs to aquatic non-target organisms.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.38.1-38.12
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• 2023

Background: Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline Bartonella infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by Bartonella henselae. Objectives: This study investigated the status of Bartonella infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approaches, profiling the CD4:CD8 ratio and the risk factors associated with Bartonella infection in shelter cats. Methods: Bartonella deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene, followed by DNA sequencing. Bartonella IgM and IgG antibody titre, CD4 and CD8 profiles were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Results: B. henselae was detected through PCR and sequencing in 1.0% (1/101) oral swab and 2.0% (1/50) cat fleas, while another 3/50 cat fleas carried B. clarridgeiae. Only 18/101 cats were seronegative against B. henselae, whereas 30.7% (31/101) cats were positive for both IgM and IgG, 8% (18/101) cats had IgM, and 33.7% (34/101) cats had IgG antibody only. None of the eight shelters sampled had Bartonella antibody-free cats. Although abnormal CD4:CD8 ratio was observed in 48/83 seropositive cats, flea infestation was the only significant risk factor observed in this study. Conclusions: The present study provides the first comparison on the Bartonella spp. antigen, antibody status and CD4:CD8 ratio among shelter cats. The high B. henselae seropositivity among shelter cats presumably due to significant flea infestation triggers an alarm of whether the infection could go undetectable and its potential transmission to humans.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2016

Dracunculiasis, otherwise known as guinea worm disease (GWD), is caused by infection with the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. This nematode is transmitted to humans exclusively via contaminated drinking water. The transmitting vectors are Cyclops copepods (water fleas), which are tiny free-swimming crustaceans usually found abundantly in freshwater ponds. Humans can acquire GWD by drinking water that contains vectors infected with guinea worm larvae. This disease is prevalent in some of the most deprived areas of the world, and no vaccine or medicine is currently available. International efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis began in the early 1980s. Most dentists and maxillofacial surgeons have neglected this kind of parasite infection. However, when performing charitable work in developing countries near the tropic lines or other regions where GWD is endemic, it is important to consider GWD in cases of swelling or tumors of unknown origin. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical criteria, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and prevention of dracunculiasis. It also summarizes important factors for maxillofacial surgeons to consider.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-85
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• 2000

Wetlands are generally thought to be among the most fertile and productive ecosystems of the world. They provide a variety of ecological functions to the landscape. In recent years there has been considerable research activity to generate more scientific documentation on the ecological functions of wetlands. Many pollutants released to the environment settle and accumulate in the silt and mud called sediment on the bottoms of wetlands. Contaminated sediment can cause adverse effects to aquatic organism and eventually to ecological system. Sediment toxicity test with water fleas has been done by standardized preparation method of pore and elutriate water methods described in the literature for the need to protect Woopo wetlands. The results of Daphnia magna, Ceridaphnia dubla and Simocephalus sp. toxicity test were compared and discussed in terms of the relative sensitivity and discrimination abilities with both pore and elutriate water obtained from the sediments of Woopo wetlands.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.256-256
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• 2006

The design and synthesis of novel biomolecular materials, based on mimicking the properties of molecules found in nature, is providing materials with unusual properties. Resilin serves as an energy storage material in insects and facilitates flight, jumping (in fleas, froghoppers etc) and sound production (cicadas, etc). Resilin is initially produced as a soluble protein and in its mature form is crosslinked through formation of dityrosine units into a very large insoluble polymer. In the present study, we have synthesized a recombinant form of resilin that can be photochemically cross-linked into a resilient, rubber-like biomaterial that may be suitable for spinal disc implants. This material is almost perfectly elastic and its fatigue lifetime in insects must be >500 million cycles.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.155-158
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• 2021

To study the effects of hormones and neurotransmitters, zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a great substitute for water fleas (Daphnia). The zebrafish is an ideal vertebrate model because it has a transparent embryonic stage. It is easy to get consistent heart rate measurements in embryonic zebrafish when treating them with hormones and neurotransmitters. To observe the heart rate, two to three embryonic zebrafish are anesthetized with MS-222 and then transferred to a glass slide specifically designed for heart observation and easy application of various chemicals. After the heartbeats are counted for 2 minutes, apply either 100 µM epinephrine or 100 µM acetylcholine to the zebrafish. Wait 5, 10, and 20 minutes and count the heartbeats at each time point. All procedures are repeated three times. The final results are averaged and analyzed by using statistical methods. The above method which we have developed is practical enough for high school students to measure the heart rate in zebrafish under various conditions and to analyze the data set.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.61-64
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• 2017

We described a human case of zoonotic dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum (Eucestoda: Dilepidiidae), rarely occurring in China. The mother of a 17 month-old boy noted the appearance of small white and active worms over a month period in her son's feces, but the boy was asymptomatic except mild diarrhea. We observed 3 tapeworm proglottids resembling cucumber seeds in his stool sample. Microscopically, each proglottid had 2 genital pores, 1 on each lateral edge, and numerous egg capsules in the uterus. The patient was successfully treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel. Adult worms were recovered in the diarrheic stool after praziquantel treatment and purgation. His family had household pet dogs for several years, and he might have acquired the infection by ingestion of infected fleas of his pet dogs. A history of dog or cat pets and flea bites may be important clues to diagnosis of D. caninum infection. The infected pets should also be treated.