• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.583-595
• /
• 2015

DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases catalyze the folding and remodeling of RNA molecules in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as in many viruses. They are characterized by the presence of the helicase domain with conserved motifs that are essential for ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA interaction, and unwinding activities. Large families of DEAD/DExH-box proteins have been described in different organisms, and their role in all molecular processes involving RNA, from transcriptional regulation to mRNA decay, have been described. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about DEAD/DExH-box proteins in selected protozoan and nematode parasites of medical importance worldwide, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Brugia malayi. We discuss the functional characterization of several proteins in an attempt to understand better the molecular mechanisms involving RNA in these pathogens. The current data also highlight that DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases might represent feasible drug targets due to their vital role in parasite growth and development.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.109-118
• /
• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities of Quercus spp. roots in the limestone area. We identified 45 generd of ECM using next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. Soil chemical composition analysis confirmed soil pH, substitution calcium concentration, total nitrogen content, organic phosphate, and organic matter content. Shannon's Index was calculated according to the changes in soil chemical composition. The results of cluster analysis showed that Sebacina, Tomentella, Tuber, Densospora, Inocybe, Suillus, and Piloderma were the main genera of symbiotic ECM fungi that thrived in soil with high pH and calcium content.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.307-310
• /
• 2009

Fishborne trematode (FBT) metacercariae were investigated in yellowfin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, collected from Shinan-gun and Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do (province), Korea. All collected fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. In all of 15 gobies from Aphae-myeon in Shinan-gun, metacercariae of Stictodora spp. (334 metacercariae/fish), Heterophyes nocens (153/fish), and Heterophyopsis continua (20/fish) were detected. In 2 of 14 gobies from Jido-myeon in Shinan-gun, 8 Echinostoma hortense metacercariae in total were detected. In 15 gobies from Haeje-myeon in Muan-gun, the metacercariae of H. continua were found in 100%, Stictodora spp. in 86.7%, and H. nocens in 6.7% of fish examined. The average numbers of metacercariae per infected fish were 23.3 (H. continua), 416.0 (Stictodora spp.), and 2.0(H. nocens), respectively. The metacercariae of E. hortense found in gobies were elliptical, with 150 ${\times}$ 138 ${\mu}m$, in average size, and had 27 collar spines on the head crown. The above results suggest that yellowfin gobies from 2 localities may be the potential infection sources of FBT. Moreover, it is proved for the first time that the yellowfin goby, A. flavimanus, acts as a second intermediate host for E. hortense.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.188-193
• /
• 2001

To evaluate antimicrobial activities of chongkukjang slime fermented by different strains, growth characteristics were compared using various standard microorganisms with addition of chongkykjang slime. Chonghkjang slime was prepared by fermenting cooked soybean after inoculating with Bacillus circulans K-1, Baciilus spp N-1 and Bacillus subtilis CH-1, respectively. Significant antimicrobial activity was observed by chongkukjang slime on gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus), gram negative bacteria(Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Pseudomonas fluorescens), and yeast (Pichia membranaefaciens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans). In case of B. cereus growth inhibition of 80% was achieved by the addition of chongkukjang slime; on the contrary, to Escherichia coli O157:H7 only 20% inhibition was observed. Slime from Bacillus subtilis CH-1, in particular, inhibition of 40% toward bacteria and yeast, whereas slime from Bacillus circulans K-1, Bacillus spp N-1 showed only 20% inhibition.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.589-596
• /
• 2018

Ticks are the vectors of various pathogens, threatening human health and animal production across the globe. Here, for the first time we detected Ricketssia spp., Borrelia spp. and protozoan in ticks from Poyang Lake region in Jiangxi Province of eastern China. In 3 habitat categories and on 12 host species, 311 ticks from 11 species were collected. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the predominant species, accounting for 55.63%, followed by Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis flava and Ixodes granulatus. Of the collected ticks, 7.07% were positive for tick-borne pathogens, and H. longicornis and H. flava were found to be co-infected with Ricketssia spp. and protozoan. H. flava was the most detected positive for tick-borne pathogens, whereas H. longicornis had the lowest infection rate, and the difference in infection rates between tick species was significant (${\chi}^2=61.24$, P<0.001). Furthermore, adult ticks demonstrated remarkably greater infection rate than immature ticks (${\chi}^2=10.12$, P=0.018), meanwhile ticks on Erinaceidae showed significantly higher positivity than ticks collected on other host species (${\chi}^2=108.44$, P<0.001). Genetic fragment sequencing and analyses showed at least 4 pathogen species presence in ticks, namely Borrelia yangtzensis, Rickettsia slovaca or Rickettsia raoultii related genospecies, Babesia vogeli and Hepatozoon canis or Hepatozoon felis related genospecies. The finding indicates that the abundant ticks can carry diverse pathogens in Poyang Lake region, and pathogen infection is highly related to species, vertebrate hosts and life stages of ticks.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.127-142
• /
• 2007

1. Objectives We studied the characteristics of pulse wave variables in hypertensive patients and healthy subjects and would develope the program diagnosing Sasang Constitution. 2. Methods Healthy subjects and hypertensive patients were measured with pulse analyzer. In each of healthy and hypertensive group, means of pulse analyzer variables were compared among Constitution. On these bases of these results, decision tree composed of several rules were developed. 3. Results and Conclusions Decision tree with 72.13% accuracy were developed. (1) if h5(Cheok) < 2.325 & Wm/t(Cheok) < 0.238281 then class = Soeumin (2) if h5(Cheok) < 2.325 & Wm/t(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 0.238281 then class = Taeumin (3) if h5(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 2.325 & t1(Chon) ${\ge}$ 0.143 then class = Soyangin (4) if h5(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 2.325 & t1(Chon) < 0.143 & h3/h1(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 0.963601 then class = Soyangin (5) if h5(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 2.325 & t1(Chon) < 0.143 & h3/h1(Cheok) < 0.963601 & sum of pulse pressure(SPP) of Gwan ${\ge}$ 618 then class = Taeumin (6) if h5(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 2.325 & t1(Chon) < 0.143 & h3/h1(Cheok) < 0.963601 & sum of pulse pressure(SPP) of Gwan < 618 & t3(Chon) < 0.209 then class = Soeumin (7) if h5(Cheok) ${\ge}$ 2.325 & t1(Chon) < 0.143 & h3/h1(Cheok) < 0.936601 & sum of pulse pressure(SPP) of Gwan < 618 & t3(Chon) ${\ge}$ then class = Taeumin From above results, we concluded that pulse analyzer is useful instrument to decide Sasang Constitution.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.489-492
• /
• 2008

An 8-year-old male mynah (Gracula spp.) was presented for depression, anorexia, and respiratory distress. The patient's diet consisted of sponge cake and yogurt alone. Physical examination revealed high body condition score (4/5), abdominal distention, and severe orthopnea. Hepatomegaly was observed on abdominal radiographs. The patient died 4 h after presentation, and severe hepatomegaly was observed at necropsy. Based on histopathological findings, the bird was definitively diagnosed with iron storage disease with concurrent hepatic lipidosis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2004

Applications of probiotics to shrimp ponds were carried out to determine their effects on water quality. Fermented solutions consisting of Bacillus spp. and Nitrosomonas spp. were applied to a 4 ha shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) pond from July to September, 2000. In the pond treated with probiotics, daily variations of DO and pH, and concentrations of DIN and DIP were lower than those in the ponds without probiotic treatment. Concentration of phytoplankton was less variable and the number of species was more variable in the probiotic-treated pond than those in the control pond. Variation of bacterial numbers and the number of Vibrio spp. were lower in the treated pond than those in the control pond. It is confirmed that the probiotics can be used to improve water quality of the shrimp ponds.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.71-73
• /
• 2007

For the rapid detection of objective pathogenic bacteria from colon biopsy specimens, multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method was developed. The major objective bacteria in this study were Shiga-like toxin producing E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella spp. Salmonella spp. and Yersinia spp.. To detect simultaneously 7 kinds of pathogenic bacteria in single reaction tube, multiplex PCR system was executed using 6 sets of primers used in single PCR system for the respective bacteria. The results in this research might be applied for the detection of pathogenic bacteria form colon biopsy samples.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.444-455
• /
• 1991

Two kinds of new lectin fractions (LOA-I, LOA-II) were obtained from loach (Misgurnus spp.) meat by 0.15 M NaCl extraction, salt fractionation, ion exchange and hydroxyapatite column chromatographies. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, LOA-I exhibited one major and a few minor bands, but LOA-II exhibited three minor bands. The partially purified loach lectins agglutinated not only erythrocytes of human B and AB type, rabbit, dog, but also murine splenic lymphocytes. Agglutinability was relatively labile at various pH and stable at increasing temperature, but was not affected by tested several metal ions. By the sugar specificity test, D-glucosamine and metyl-$\beta$-galactopyranose inhibited agglutinating activity at a final concentration of 3 mM. The lectins contained relatively high amounts of aspartic acid, valine and leucine, but sulfur containing amino acids, cystein, methionine and isoleucine were not determined. LOA-I, LOA-II lectins were nonmitogenic toward murine lymphocytes.