• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.16-25
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. In poultry meat and its association with foodborne illnesses in Gwangju, South Korea. It was found that out of the 307 samples of poultry meat examined, 111 (36.2%) were infected with Campylobacter spp. Among the isolated strains, 102 were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and 14 as Campylobacter coli. The detection rate of Campylobacter spp. was higher in duck meat (63.1%) than in chicken meat (26.0%). In 5 samples (1 chicken, 4 duck), both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were found together. The antimicrobial resistance test showed that 99 strains were resistant to more than one antimicrobial. The most common antimicrobial resistance was seen against ciprofloxacin (84.5%), followed by nalidixic acid (82.8%), tetracycline (44.0%), and gentamicin (2.6%). The isolated Campylobacter spp. were serotyped and the results showed the presence of HS2 (20 strains), HS15 (11 strains), HS19 (9 strains), and HS8 (8 strains). Considering the findings, it is recommended to maintain hygienic practices during the cooking process and to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.233-253
• /
• 2014

Can the stock market really be predicted? Stock market prediction has attracted much attention from many fields including business, economics, statistics, and mathematics. Early research on stock market prediction was based on random walk theory (RWT) and the efficient market hypothesis (EMH). According to the EMH, stock market are largely driven by new information rather than present and past prices. Since it is unpredictable, stock market will follow a random walk. Even though these theories, Schumaker [2010] asserted that people keep trying to predict the stock market by using artificial intelligence, statistical estimates, and mathematical models. Mathematical approaches include Percolation Methods, Log-Periodic Oscillations and Wavelet Transforms to model future prices. Examples of artificial intelligence approaches that deals with optimization and machine learning are Genetic Algorithms, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Neural Networks. Statistical approaches typically predicts the future by using past stock market data. Recently, financial engineers have started to predict the stock prices movement pattern by using the SNS data. SNS is the place where peoples opinions and ideas are freely flow and affect others' beliefs on certain things. Through word-of-mouth in SNS, people share product usage experiences, subjective feelings, and commonly accompanying sentiment or mood with others. An increasing number of empirical analyses of sentiment and mood are based on textual collections of public user generated data on the web. The Opinion mining is one domain of the data mining fields extracting public opinions exposed in SNS by utilizing data mining. There have been many studies on the issues of opinion mining from Web sources such as product reviews, forum posts and blogs. In relation to this literatures, we are trying to understand the effects of SNS exposures of firms on stock prices in Korea. Similarly to Bollen et al. [2011], we empirically analyze the impact of SNS exposures on stock return rates. We use Social Metrics by Daum Soft, an SNS big data analysis company in Korea. Social Metrics provides trends and public opinions in Twitter and blogs by using natural language process and analysis tools. It collects the sentences circulated in the Twitter in real time, and breaks down these sentences into the word units and then extracts keywords. In this study, we classify firms' exposures in SNS into two groups: positive and negative. To test the correlation and causation relationship between SNS exposures and stock price returns, we first collect 252 firms' stock prices and KRX100 index in the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX) from May 25, 2012 to September 1, 2012. We also gather the public attitudes (positive, negative) about these firms from Social Metrics over the same period of time. We conduct regression analysis between stock prices and the number of SNS exposures. Having checked the correlation between the two variables, we perform Granger causality test to see the causation direction between the two variables. The research result is that the number of total SNS exposures is positively related with stock market returns. The number of positive mentions of has also positive relationship with stock market returns. Contrarily, the number of negative mentions has negative relationship with stock market returns, but this relationship is statistically not significant. This means that the impact of positive mentions is statistically bigger than the impact of negative mentions. We also investigate whether the impacts are moderated by industry type and firm's size. We find that the SNS exposures impacts are bigger for IT firms than for non-IT firms, and bigger for small sized firms than for large sized firms. The results of Granger causality test shows change of stock price return is caused by SNS exposures, while the causation of the other way round is not significant. Therefore the correlation relationship between SNS exposures and stock prices has uni-direction causality. The more a firm is exposed in SNS, the more is the stock price likely to increase, while stock price changes may not cause more SNS mentions.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.256-263
• /
• 2007

We performed the biochemical characteristics, molecular epidemiologocal analysis, and drug susceptibility test on V. vulnificus isolated from environmental sources in Incheon. For this study, 233 strains were isolated from seawater, sediment, shellfish. V. vulnificus isolates were divided into 15 biochemical groups, which were positive for ONPG and Amygdalin test. Among the 209 strains, 206 (98.6%) strains and 110 (52.6%) strains revealed positive for vvhA and viuB gene, and the viuB gene detection rates of V. vulnificus from seawater, shellfish and sediment were 48%, 48.5% and 61.6%, respectively. From disc diffusion test on 175 isolates, most of strains were sensitive to Imipenem (100.0%), Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (98.9%), Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin (98.3%), Ampicillin/sulbactam (97.1%), Ohloramphenicol (96.6%), Cefepime (94.9%) and Ceftriaxone (94.8%), multi-drug resistance rates was 31.5% of seawater, 34.4% of sediment and 29.2% of shellfish. PFGE was performed on 233 V. vulnificus isolates with the objective of investigating the extent of genetic diversity of these isolates in our region. We could find that at least 126 different PFGE patterns were generated according by 90% of similarity and 13 clusters by 58% of similarity. The major cluster was type I (44.6%) during the most of the year, and type J was frequent pattern in June and October. There were 9 distinct PFGE types in July, 8 types in August, 7 types in June, 6 types in September, 5 types in October 3 types in May and 1 type in March.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To assess the value of first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), nuchal translucency (NT) and second-trimester alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin-A in predicting pregnancy complications other than fetal aneuploidy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study in 3,121 singleton pregnancies with integrated testing was performed at Kangnam CHA hospital between January 2005 and December 2006. Baseline characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, and serum marker levels were obtained by review of the medical records. We analyzed the data to identify associations between the integrated screening markers and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS program. Results: In preterm labor and preeclampsia, high AFP, hCG, and inhibin-A levels and low PAPP-A and NT levels were found to be significantly correlated (P<0.05). Elevated second-trimester inhibin-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 2.843), low birth weight (odds ratio 1.446), and preterm labor (odds ratio 1.287), and while decreased first-trimester PAPP-A levels were associated with preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.51) and preterm labor (odds ratio 0.75). Conclusion: First- and second-trimester maternal serum markers screening can be used for predicting high-risk pregnancies.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.64-73
• /
• 2000

There are several candidate genes in genetic study of alcoholism. Among them, allelic associations have been reported between MAOA CA repeat polymorphism and alcohol dependence, recently. And also, several studies have been investigated genotype-phenotype relationships between MAOA CA repeat polymorphism and clinical manifestations. The authors tried to identify differences in allelic frequency of MAOA CA repeat polymorphism between alcohol dependence and controls, and in behavioral trait and clinical characteristics according to MAOA CA repeat polymorphism. We also tried to investigate genotype-phenotype relationships between MAOA CA repeat polymorphism and behavioral trait such as aggression. We examined 49 male patients with alcohol dependence(DSM-IV) who had been admitted in Yong-In Mental Hospital from June 1st 1998 to October 31th 1998. We performed semistructured interview for demographic and clinical characteristics. Self-report questionnaire for BDHI(Buss-Durkey Hostility Inventory) was given to all subject at least 4weeks later after admission. Using polymerase chain reaction and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, MAOA CA repeat polymorphism were observed in 52 male controls and 49 male patients with alcohol dependence. We devided alcoholic patients into two groups according to allelic length of MAOA CA repeat polymorphism ; alcoholics with short alleles(${\leq}$119bp, N=20) and alcoholics with long alleles(${\geq}$123bp, N=29). T-test, ${\chi}^2$-test and Fisher exact probability test were used for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences in frequency of each allele and short and long alleles of MAOA CA repeat polymorphism between alcoholics and controls. But there were significant differences in clinical symptoms and behavioral trait between alcoholics with short and long alleles. In clinical symptoms, alcoholics with long alleles used alcohol more frequently during one month before admission, had much more maximum amount of beer drinking and reported withdrawal seizure more frequently than with short alleles. In contrary, alcoholics with short alleles expressed depressed mood and guilty feeling more frequently and wanted complete abstinence as a treatment goal more frequently than with long alleles. In behavioral trait, alcoholics with long alleles had higher total aggression score and showed much more self-assertive attitude(subscale of expression of aggression) than with short alleles. Allelic length of MAOA CA repeat polymorphism was correlated with self-assertive attitude and accounted for 9% of the variance of self-assertive attitude. And also, predictable variables of allelic length of MAOA CA repeat polymorphism were drinking frequency and self-assertive attitude. Our findings suggest that MAOA CA repeat polymorphism may provide some behavior modifying role especially in self-assertive attitude and indirect symptom modifying role in Korean male alcoholics.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.353-360
• /
• 2009

When 14 microsatellite (MS) markers were applied in the identifying test for 480 Hanwoo, the discriminating power was estimated as $3.43{\times}10^{-27}$ based on the assumption of a random mating group (PI). This rate is 1,000 times higher than that of 60 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. On the other hand, the power of the 60 SNP markers was estimated as $4.69{\times}10^{-20}$ and $8.02{\times}10^{-12}$ on the assumption of a half-sib mating group ($PI_{half-sibs}$) and a full-sib mating group ($PI_{sibs}$), respectively. These powers were 10 times and 10,000 times higher than those of the 14 MS markers. The results indicated that the total number of alleles (MS vs SNP = 146 vs 120) acted as a key factor for the discriminating power in a random mating population, and the total number of markers (MS vs SNP = 14 vs 60) was a dominant influence on the power in half-sib and full-sib populations. In the Hanwoo population, in which it was assumed that the entire population is the enormous half-sib group formed by the absolute genetic contribution of a few nuclear bulls, there will be only a 10 times difference in the discriminating power between the 14 MS markers and the 60 SNP makers. However, the probability of not excluding a candidate parent pair from the parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given that only the genotype of the offspring ($PNE_{pp}$) was 1,000 times higher as shown by the 14 MS markers than that by the 60 SNP markers. The strong points of SNP makers are the stability of the variation (low mutation rate) and automation of high-throughput genotyping. In order to apply these merits for the practical and constant Hanwoo identity test, research and development are required to set a cost-effective platform and produce a homemade apparatus for SNP genotyping.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2011

Recently the increasing of vinyl and green houses and development of reclaimed land including Saemangeum induced the need for breeding salt-tolerant crops which can survive and grow in high salinity soil. So we try to develop salt-tolerant transgenic chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum.) lines by using anti-porter gene TANHX and HVNHX. Through marker selection and plant regeneration step, we could get 284 putative transgenic chrysanthemum lines. On selected putative transgenic plants, 40 candidates were used for genetic analysis and 30 lines could be made up of target size band on PCR, so about 75% of marker selected lines were decided as real transgenic lines. Selected 284 transgenic lines were also used for salt-tolerance test as a range of NaCl 0.2 ~ 1.2% (300 mM). As a result of salt-tolerance test, 15 selected transgenic lines could live and grow on the continuous supply of 0.8% (200 mM) NaCl solution and another 7 lines were could survive under 1.2% (300 mM) NaCl solution. This salt-tolerant transgenic lines under salt stress also lead a cell alternation especially a guard cell. A stressed guard cell be swelled and grow larger in proportion to NaCl concentration. TTC test for cell viability on transgenic chrysanthemum lines pointed out that more strong salt-tolerant lines can be live more than another under same salt stress. The numerical value of strong salt-tolerant 7 transgenic lines were 0.206 ~ 0.331 under 1.2% NaCl stress, and then it's value is more larger than middle salinity lines' 0.114 ~ 0.193 and non-transgenic's 0.046. And the proline contents as indicated stress compound also pointed out that HVNHX introduced salt-tolerant transgenic lines were less stressed than other under same salt stress. The contents of strong salt-tolerant transgenic lines were 2.255 ~ 2.638 mg/kg and it is much higher than that of middle salinity lines' 1.496 ~ 2.125.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2021

This study was carried out to breed new variety of Pleurotus nebrodensis. We have collected and tested characteristics of genetic resources from domestic and abroad since 2015. The varieties of P. nebrodensis from China are grown by farmers, but those have been unstable fruiting and are weak against bacterial diseases. To solve this problem, we bred the unique domestic variety 'Uram' of P. nebrodensis and the results of the characteristic test for the new 'Uram' are as follows. The proper temperature for the mycelial growth was 26~29℃ and fruit body growth temperature was 15~18℃. It was similar to the control variety KME65035 of P. nebrodensis in the pileus form of a flat and white color. The number of days required for initial fruting was 5 days for bottle cultivation and 6 days for bag cultivation which was 2-4 days shorter than that of the control variety. The pileus diameter was 32.6-37.0 mm which was smaller but the fruit body length was 130.4 mm, which was longer than those of the control variety. The effective number of fruit bodies was 1.8 in bottle cultivation and 2.9 in bag cultivation, which was more than those of the control variety. The yield rate was 93.3-100%, which was more stable than those of the control variety. In bottle cultivation and bag cultivation, the yield was 173.1 g/bottle (1100 cc) and 283.4 g/bag (1.2 kg), respectively, which was 25-44% higher than those of the control variety 138.0 g/bottle (1100 cc) and 197.4 g bag (1.2 kg). When incubating the parent and control varieties of 'Uram', the replacement line was clear and as a result of mycelial DNA RAPD-PCR reaction, the band pattern was different from that of the parent and control varieties, confirming the hybrid species.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2010

Hanwoo proven bulls have been selected since 1987 and consequently contributed to farmers for the improvement of beef cattle in Korea. The demand for the quality beef production as well as higher production efficiency was erupted after early 2000 as relatively cheap imported beef released. Therefore the pressure on the reformation of selection index for Hanwoo proven bulls have been piled up to furnish with Hanwoo's competitive. A total of 734 progeny test data were analyzed to select traits and their weights in the selection index to meet the beef market requirement. Regression analysis with stepwise selection method was used to select proper trait and its weight for selection index. A series of computer simulation was carried out to compare the currently using selection index with the alternate two selection indices proposed in this study. New selection index using standardized breeding values of Loin eye Muscle Area (LMA), Backfat Thickness (BFT) and Marbling Score (MS) with weight ratio 1:-1:6 was proposed. Results showed higher performance in improving MS and BFT gain by 22% and 31% still holding 86%~89% of genetic gain achieved by current index in Carcass Weight (CW) and LMA when new selection index was fitted. Because, new index has little consideration for production cost, further research should be performed to build selection index including cost and income simultaneously.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.2 s.95
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 2007

Many environmental contaminants including several metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals, have been identified to be phototoxic in the water environment. Concerns regarding photo-enhancement of toxicity of several environmental contaminants have been increasing because of the increased level of ultraviolet irradiation on the earth surface. However, there exist arguments that there might be certain defense mechanisms taking place in the aquatic ecosystem, which may include behavioral characteristics or genetic acclimation. This study was conducted to understand the potential responses of aquatic receptors to several phototoxic metals in the real environment, where long-term acclimation of such organisms to low dose UV-B may take place. For this purpose, water flea Daphnia magna was acclimated to environmentally relevant dose of UV-B (12 to $18uW/cm^2$) for >11 generations. The differences in developmental and life history characteristics, and toxicity responses were evaluated. Acclimation did not affect the daphnids' growth, longevity, and reproduction characteristics such as time to first brood, and brood size: After 21 d, survival of D. magna was not influenced by UV-B acclimation. When the number of young per female was compared. the daphnids acclimated for 11 generations tend to produce less number of neonates than the un-acclimated individuals but with no statistical significance (p>0.05). Four metals that were reported to be phototoxic elsewhere were employed in this evaluation, that include As, Cd. Cu, and Ni. UV-B level being applied in acclimation did increase the toxicity of Cd and Cu, significantly (p<0.05). However, the toxicities of As and Ni were not affected by irradiation of UV-B. Phototoxic responses were evaluated between the acclimated and the un-acclimated daphnids. For Cu, UV-B acclimation led to reduction of the photo-induced toxicity $(p\approx0.1)$ in daphnids. Non-acclimated Daphnia were affected by 50% at 4.18 ug/l Cu. but UV-B acclimated individuals exhibited $EC_{50}$ of 5.89 ug/l. With Cd, UV-B acclimation appeared to increase phototoxicity (p>0.05). With As and Ni, UV-B acclimation did not influence photo-induced toxicity. This observation may be in part explained by the type of reactive oxygen species that were generated by each metal. Similar to UV-B light, Cu is known to generate superoxide anion by acting as redox cycling toxicant. This is one of the first studies that employed_laboratory based UV-B acclimated test species for photoenhanced toxicity evaluation.