• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1080-1087
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• 2008

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and CD14 protein play important roles in the defense against infection of Gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, tissue distribution and polymorphism of porcine LBP and CD14 genes were analyzed. Real-time PCR results showed that the porcine LBP gene was especially highly expressed in liver, while CD14 gene was highly expressed in liver and spleen tissues. A 1,732 bp cDNA fragment of porcine LBP gene and a 1,682 bp genomic DNA fragment of CD14 gene were isolated. Polymorphisms were identified in these two fragments and showed that there were 14 potential SNPs in the porcine LBP gene and 3 potential SNPs in the porcine CD14 gene. Three SNPs, 292G/A (Gly/Ser), 1168G/A (Ala/Thr) of the LBP gene and -61G/A of the CD14 gene, were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Association analyses indicated that polymorphism of the 292G/A locus was significantly associated with porcine immune traits hematocrit (HCT), IgG and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) (p<0.01), and the 1168G/A locus was significantly associated with HCT and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) traits (p<0.05). No significant association was found between the -61G/A locus and immune traits of the pig. Our data indicated that the LBP gene was significantly associated with immune traits of pig. Also, we identified some SNPs which may be useful markers for disease-resistant breeding of pigs.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.1-12
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• 1999

Recently, several new methods for the detection of genetic damages in vitro and in vivo based on molecular biological techniques were introduced according to the rapid progress in toxicology combined with cellular and molecular biology. Among these methods, mouse lymphoma thymidine kanase (tk) gene forward mutation assay, single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and transgenic animal and cell line model as a target gene of lac I (Big Blue) and lac Z (Muta Mouse) gene mutation are newly introduced based on molecular toxicological approaches. The mouse lymphoma tk$\^$+/-/ gene assay (MOLY) using L5178Y tk$\^$+/-/ mouse lymphoma cell line is one of the mammalian forward mutation assays, and has many advantages and more sensitive than hprt assay. The target gene of MOLY is a heterozygous tk$\^$+/-/ gene located in 11 chromosome, so it is able to detect the wide range of genetic changes like point mutation, deletion, rearrangement, and mitotic recombination within tk gene or deletion of entire chromosome 11. The comet assay is a rapid, simple, visual and sensitive technique for measuring and analysing DNA breakages in mammalian cells, Also, transgenic animal and cell line models, which have exogenous DNA incorporated into their genome, carry recoverable shuttle vector containing reporter genes to assess endogenous effects or alteration in specific genes related to disease process, are powerful tools to study the mechanism of mutation in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Also in vivo acridine orange supravital staining micronucleus assay by using mouse peripheral reticulocytes was introduced as an alternative of bone marrow micronucleus assay. In this respect, there was an International workshop on genotoxicity procedure (IWGTP) supported by OECD and EMS (Environmental Mutagen Society) at Washington D. C. in March 25-26, 1999. The objective of IWGTP is to harmonize the testing procedures internationally, and to extend to finalization of OECD guideline, and to the agreement of new guidelines under the International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) for these methods mentioned above. Therefore, we introduce and review the principle, detailed procedure, and application of MOLY, comet assay, transgenic mutagenesis assay and supravital staining micronucleus assay.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

For the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), ultra-rapid real-time PCR methods were developed. The target DNA sequences were used 495 bp HIV-1-specific env gene (gi_1184090) and 294 bp HIV-2-specific env gene (gi_1332355). Ultra-rapid real-time PCR was peformed by $Genspector^{TM}$ (Samsung, Korea) using microchip-based, $6\;{\mu}l$ of reaction volume with extremely short running time in only 2 steps (denaturation, annealing/extension) in each cycle of PCR. Total reaction for 30 cycled ultra-rapid PCR detection including melting temperature analysis was completed in 7 min and 30 sec. The HIV-1-specific 117 bp-long or HIV-2-spe-cific 119 bp-long PCR products were successfully amplified from the minimum of template, $2.3{\times}10^3$ copies of each euv gene using 30 cycled two-steps ultra-rapid PCR. This kind of ultra-rapid real-time PCR method would be useful not only for the rapid-detection of HIV, but also rapid-detection of other pathogens.

• Journal of KIISE:Databases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 2014

Copy number variations(CNVs) are a recently recognized class of human structural variations and are associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer. To find important cancer genes, researchers identify novel CNVs in patients with a particular cancer and analyze large amounts of genomic and clinical data. We present a tool called CNVDAT which is able to detect CNVs from NGS data and systematically analyze the genomic and clinical data associated with variations. CNVDAT consists of two modules, CNV Detection Engine and Sequence Analyser. CNV Detection Engine extracts CNVs by using the multi-resolution system of scale-space filtering, enabling the detection of the types and the exact locations of CNVs of all sizes even when the coverage level of read data is low. Sequence Analyser is a user-friendly program to view and compare variation regions between tumor and matched normal samples. It also provides a complete analysis function of refGene and OMIM data and makes it possible to discover CNV-gene-phenotype relationships. CNVDAT source code is freely available from http://dblab.hallym.ac.kr/CNVDAT/.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.259-263
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• 2015

The increasing prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the human population in the Republic of Korea (= Korea) is due to various reasons such as an increase in meat consumption. However, the importance of cats in transmitting T. gondii infection through oocysts to humans has seldom been assessed. A total of 300 fecal samples of stray cats captured around Seoul from June to August 2013 were examined for T. gondii B1 gene (indicating the presence of oocysts) using nested-PCR. Fourteen (4.7%) of 300 cats examined were positive for B1 gene. Female cats (7.5%) showed a higher prevalence than male cats (1.4%). Cats younger than 3 months (5.5%) showed a higher prevalence than cats (1.5%) older than 3 months. For laboratory passage of the positive samples, the fecal suspension (0.2 ml) of B1 gene positive cats was orally inoculated into experimental mice. Brain tissues of the mice were obtained after 40 days and examined for the presence of tissue cysts. Two isolates were successfully passaged (designated KNIH-1 and KNIH-2) and were molecularly analyzed using the SAG5D and SAG5E gene sequences. The SAG5D and SAG5E gene sequences showed high homologies with the ME49 strain (less virulent strain). The results indicated the importance of stray cats in transmitting T. gondii to humans in Korea, as revealed by detection of B1 gene in fecal samples. T. gondii isolates from cats were successfully passaged in the laboratory for the first time in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2000

An epidemiological survey was conducted to investigate fowl typhoid outbreaks in Kyungnam province of Korea. The causative agent, salmonella gallinarum was isolated from 68 chicken samples of tentatively diagnosed fowl typhoid cases occurred during the period from January 1996 to September 1999. Comparative studies were also carried out to evaluate the diagnostic methods for detection of S gallinam The results obtained were as follows; 1. Of the 68 cases of tentatively diagnosed fowl typhoid, 56 (82%) cases were determined as fowl typhoid by biochemical test and pathological findings. The other 12 (18%) cases were determined as paratyphoid. 2. Fowl typhoid outbreaks occur continuously all seasons in the year, however the incidence was remarkably increased from May to September. 3. The frequency of incidence of fowl typhoid in terms of regional distribution was relatively high in egg-laying hens facilities, and the mode of transmission is likely to be either egg-to-egg or lateral transfer by wild birds or rats. 4. All of 18 isolates from 56 cases were identified as S gallinarum by biochemical and serological test. 5. Antimicrobial drug susceptibility test against 18 isolates showed that the isolates were highly susceptible to ASH, CZ, CF and GM (above 90%), whereas those strains were 100% resistant to EM, NA and PC. 6. S gallinarum rfbS gene was targeted to be amplified by PCR for comparative detection of S gallinarum in the experimentally infected chickens. The amplified 720bp DNA fragment, which is specific in D serogroup strains of S enterica subspecies was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. 7. A comparison made between fecal culture and PCR-method revealed that later-method was relatively higher in detection rate than that of former method for S gallinarum. 8. Comparison of currently applied methods, rapid serum agglutination test (RST) and microplate agglutination test (MAT), with experimentally infected chickens were made to evaluate sensitivity of detection by neutralizing antibody titration. Both methods detected neutralizing antibodies from the challenged chickens of 5 day post infection. However, positive reactions were determined after 7 and 9 days post infection by MAT and RST, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2013

Phoma glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel is a pathogenic fungus causing spot diseases of plant leaves and fruits. This fungus is important in plant quarantine of seedlings and fruits in Korea. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and effective diagnostic method for P. glomerata detection in imported plants. The fungal species-specific PCR primers were designed based on the nucleotide sequences of the translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene and their specificity and sensitivity were tested. The designed primers named as PhoGlo-F and PhoGlo-R amplified specifically a 170 bp sized DNA band of the target gene from the genomic DNA of P. glomerata. No amplicon was produced from genomic DNAs of 16 other Phoma spp. and reference fungal species tested. Moreover, PhoGlo-F/PhoGlo-R primers successfully worked with real-time PCR technique. The detection limit of DNA content by conventional and real-time PCR were 10 pg and 1pg of the genomic DNA of P. glomerata, respectively. We believed that the developed makers would be very useful for P. glomerata detection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1401-1409
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to develop a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay for the rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, which causes bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), a serious disease of cucurbit plants. The molecular and serological methods currently available for the detection of this pathogen are insufficiently sensitive and specific. Thus, a novel SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay targeting the YD-repeat protein gene of A. avenae subsp. citrulli was developed. The specificity of the primer set was evaluated using DNA purified from 6 isolates of A. avenae subsp. citrulli, 7 other Acidovorax species, and 22 of non-targeted strains, including pathogens and non-pathogens. The AC158F/R primer set amplified a single band of the expected size from genomic DNA obtained from the A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains but not from the genomic DNA of other Acidovorax species, including that of other bacterial genera. Using this assay, it was possible to detect at least one genomeequivalents of the cloned amplified target DNA using 5 × 10⁰ fg/µl of purified genomic DNA per reaction or using a calibrated cell suspension, with 6.5 colony-forming units per reaction being employed. In addition, this assay is a highly sensitive and reliable method for identifying and quantifying the target pathogen in infected samples that does not require DNA extraction. Therefore, we suggest that this approach is suitable for the rapid and efficient diagnosis of A. avenae subsp. citrulli contaminations of seed lots and plants.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.229-246
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• 1995

The deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) was isolated from the pulp, dentin and enamel of the 4 fresh teeth and the 7 teeth left in room temperature for 10 years. Then it was examed to find out the usefulness for forensic dental medicine. Samples of the tooth-derived DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR), electrophosed for sex determination by detection of X-Y homologous amelogenin gene and D1S80 locus detection. The following results have been achieved. DNA extraction was possible in pulp and dentin of the fresh teeth, so it could be applicatable to detection of X-Y homologous amelogenin gene for sex determination, amplification of D1S80 locus by PCR. Sex determination was possible in pulp and dentin of the teeth left at room temperature for 10 years. Also, possible the detection fo AMP-FLPs to increase PCR cycling up to 40. DNA was isolated from all pulp of the fresh teeth and the teeth left in room temperature for 10 years, and also isolated from the dentin of the fresh teeth, partially isolated(3/7) from the dentin of the teeth left in room temperature for 10 years, but DNA was not isolated from enamel. From the above investigation, DNA extraction, sex determination, amplification of D1S80 locus were successfully accomplished even though the teeth were left for 10 years at room temperature. Therefore, teeth, especially pulp, are highly reliable and applicable as molecular biological samples for individual identification.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.335-339
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• 1999

Citrus tristeza virus(CTV), an aphid-borne closterovirus, is one of the most destructive pathogens of citrus. It has caused rapid decline in growth, stem pitting and death in citrus trees. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed for detection of CTV and investigation of the CTV infection status of citrus and its related cultivars in Cheju island. For RT-PCR based CTV detection, primers were designed to amplify 670bp of coat protein gene. A screening test for CTV in citrus cultivars was conducted from March to July in 1999. Seventy individual citrus trees representing 9 species of 3 genera were tested. The infection rates of CTV for leaves from the years or older trees of late maturing citrus varieties such as Yuzu (C. junos Sieb. ex Tanaka), Navel orange (C.sinensis Osbeck), Kiyomitanger (C. unshiu x C. sinensis), and Shiranuhi ((C. unshiu x C. sinensis) x C. reticulata) were 100%, 80%, 60%, and 60% respectively. The CTV infection rates in Early satsuma mandarins such as 'Miyagawa Early' Satsuma mandarins (C. unshiu Marc. var. Miyagawa) and 'Okitsu Early' Satsuma mandarins (C. unshiu Marc. var. Okitsu) were 100%, and 60%, respectively. CTV was not detected in Cheju native Dangyooja (C. unshiu Marc. var. Osbeck), Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and Kumquat (Fortunella margarita Swingle). In conclusion, RT-PCR assay can be successfully applied to the detection of CTV in citrus trees.