• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2016

Bacterial fruit blotch(BFB) of cucurbits caused by Acidovorax citrulli(Acc) continues to diminish fruit yields. The aim of this study was to address whether two genetically distinct populations of Acc are present in watermelon-growing fields in Korea. For this purpose, we used the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR) profiling and substrate-utilization profiles. According to the results of ERIC-PCR, group I and II strains showed clearly differentiated PCR-based fingerprinting profiles. Differences between group I and II strains included amplification of unique, group-specific DNA fragments such as the 1.3-, 0.28-, and 0.25-kb fragments in ERIC-PCR. Acc stains belonging to group I did not use L-leucine, whereas group II strains did use the substrate. Our results support the genetic differentiation of Acc strains into two groups and demonstrate that Acc strains from both groups are previously existed in watermelon-growing fields in Korea. Information about the genetic diversity of Acc under the present study will help scientists and managers form strategies to control BFB.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 2009

Objective: MicroRNAs (miR) are known to repress target genes at post-transcriptional level and play important roles in development and maturation of cell. However, the expression profiles of miR during ovarian follicle maturation have not been fully elucidated. Here, we designed this study to investigate the expression profiles of miR in oocytes and granulose cells (G-cells) after in vitro culture according to gonadotropins and adding hCG. Methods: Ovaries from 12-day-old mice (C57BL6) were removed and preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in $20\;{\mu}L$-drop of culture media with supplementation of either rFSH, rLH, or rFSH+rLH. After their full maturation, follicles were incubated with rhCG and rEGF. RNA was isolated from oocytes and G-cells, and real-time PCR were performed with primers of miR known to be expressed in the mouse ovary (mmu-miR-16, -miR-27a, -miR-126, -miR-721). Results: FSH+LH group showed the highest ovulation and MII rates among gonadotropin groups. The profiles of miRs in oocytes and G-cells differed according to gonadotropin groups and adding hCG. The profiles of miRs showed divergent changes between oocytes and G-cells. Conclusion: miR expression profiles are altered by gonadotropins and supplementation of hCG during in vitro maturation of murine follicles. Target gene study must be necessary to validate these findings.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.1-11
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• 2004

The limnological characteristics of a coastal lagoon were studied in Lake Hyangho, one of a series of brackish lagoons along the eastern coast of Korea. Phytoplankton community structure, physical factors, and chemical factors were surveyed from May 1998 through November 2002 on a two-month interval basis. Temperature, salinity, Secchi disc transparency, TN, TP, organic matter content of sediment, chlorophyll a concentration, dominant phytoplankton species, and phytoplankton cell density were measured. Salinity gradient was formed between the overlying freshwater stream water and the permeated seawater at the bottom. The chemocline was persistent at the depth of 2 ${\sim}$ 5 m that caused discontinuities of salinity, DO, and temperature profiles. The inversion of vertical temperature profiles with higher temperature in deeper layer was observed in early winter. Secchi disc transparency was very low with the range of 0.1 to 1.1m. TP, TN, and Chl. a concentration in the epilimnion was 0.011 ${\sim}$ 0.238 mgP $L^{-l}$, 0.423 ${\sim}$ 2.443 mgN $L^{-l}$, and 0.7 ${\sim}$ 145.2 mg $m^{-3}$, respectively. Sediment was composed of silt and coarse silt. COD, TP, and TN content of dry sediment were 19.7 ${\sim}$ 73.3 mg$O_2\;g^{-1}$, 0.61 ${\sim}$ 1.32 mgP $g^{-l}$ and 0.64 ${\sim}$ 0.88 mgN $g^{-l}$, respectively. Dominant phytoplankton species were chlorophytes (Ankistrodesmus falcatus) and cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria sp. and Merismopedia tennuissima). The total cell density was in the range of 560 ${\sim}$ 35,255 cells $mL^{-l}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1276-1284
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• 2006

Listeria monocytogenes is a well-known high-risk foodborne pathogen that grows at refrigeration temperature and is responsible for outbreaks of listeriosis. We report here the incidence of L. monocytogenes in fresh chicken carcasses and present genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes isolates. In this study, 25 g of chicken carcasses from markets in Korea were examined according to the FDA method, and presumptive isolates were confirmed by multiplex PCR assay. L. monocytogenes isolates were analyzed by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis using restriction enzymes, ApaI and AscI, to obtain strain-specific DNA fragments profiles. Antimicrobial resistance of L. monocytogenes strains against generally used antibiotics (Penicillin G, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Vancomycin, Cephalothin, Rifampicin, Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Chloramphenicol) were analyzed by NCCLS protocols to examine the presence of antimicrobial resistance in natural L. monocytogenes. Of a total 274 chicken samples, 81 samples (29.6%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Listeria innocua (50.1%), Listeria welshimeri (6.9%), and Listeria grayi (11.3%) were also detected. PFGE analysis, using restriction enzymes ApaI and AscI, showed 27 pulsotypes of L. monocytogenes. Antimicrobial resistance analysis confirmed the existence of antimicrobial resistance for penicillin G and tetracycline in isolated L. monocytogenes strains.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.232-236
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• 2000

An intravenous pharmacokinetics for a new red cell substitute, PEG-hemoglobin SB1, was studied in SD rats. Total-hemoglobin and its metabolite methemoglobin in the plasma were determined using a spectrophotometer. The limit of quantitation was 0.01g/dL and the C.V for interday assay reproducibility was less than 6%. Upon intravenous administration of anticipated clinical dose, 10 ml(0.7 gHb)/kg, plasma concentration curve of total-hemoglobin was well described by one-compartment model. The $t_{\frac{1}{2}},{\;}CL_{t}$, Vd and $AUC^{0-48hr}$ were $8.23{\pm}0.96{\;}hr,{\;}0.06{\;}{\pm}{\;}0.01 {\;}dL/hr/kg,{\;}0.66{\pm}0.05{\;}dL/lg{\;}and{\;}13.6{\;}{\pm}{\;}1.01g{\cdot}hr/dL$, respectively, in male rats(n=5, $mean{\;}{\pm}{\;}SD$). Those parameters in female rats were $9.21{\;}\pm{\;}2.31{\;}hr,{\;}0.06{\;}{\pm}{\;}0.01{\;}dL/hr/kg,{\;}0.79{\pm}{\;}0.08{\;}dL/kg{\;}and{\;}13.0{\;}{\pm}{\;}2.36{\;}g{\cdot}hr/dL$, respectively. Similar kinetic profiles between males and females were also obtained from other parameters. Small amount of methemoglobin, an oxidative metabolite of SB1, was detected in the plasma of both sexes, where the $AUC^{0-48{\;}hr,m}$ and $t_{{\frac{1}{2}},m}$ were approximately $1.5{\;}g{\cdot}hr/dL$ and 20 hr, respectively. The present work provides a critical kinetic data for the effective clinical applications of PEG-hemoglobin SB1.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2005

Comparing 231 genes on chimpanzee chromosome 22 with their orthologous on human chromosome 21, we have found that 15 orthologs have indels within their coding sequences. It was rather surprising that significant number of genes have changed by indel, despite the shorter time since their divergence and led us hypothesize that indels and structural changes may represent one of the major mechanism of proteome evolution in the higher primates. Human T-complex protein 10 like (TCP 10L) is a representative having indel within its coding sequence. Gene structure of human TCP10L compared with chimpanzee TCP10L gene showed 16 base pair difference in genomic DNA. As a result of the indel, frame shift mutation occurs in coding sequence (CDS) and human TCP10L express longer polypeptide of 21 amino acid residues than that of chimpanzee. Our prediction found that the indel may affect to dramatic change of secondary protein structure between human and chimpanzee TCP10L. Especially, the structural changes in the C-terminal region of TCP10L protein may affect on the interacting potential to other proteins rather than DNA binding function of the protein. Through these changes, TCP10L might influence gene expression profiles in liver and testis and subsequently influence the physiological changes required in primate evolution.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.298-303
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• 2021

Comparative genomic analysis was performed on eight species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-Lactococcus (L.) lactis, Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum, Lb. casei, Lb. brevis, Leuconostoc (Leu.) mesenteroides, Lb. fermentum, Lb. buchneri, and Lb. curvatus-to assess their glutamic acid production pathways. Glutamic acid is important for umami taste in foods. The only genes for glutamic acid production identified in the eight LAB were for conversion from glutamine in L. lactis and Leu. mesenteroides, and from glucose via citrate in L. lactis. Thus, L. lactis was considered to be potentially the best of the species for glutamic acid production. By biochemical analyses, L. lactis HY7803 was selected for glutamic acid production from among 17 L. lactis strains. Strain HY7803 produced 83.16 pmol/μl glutamic acid from glucose, and exogenous supplementation of citrate increased this to 108.42 pmol/μl. Including glutamic acid, strain HY7803 produced more of 10 free amino acids than L. lactis reference strains IL1403 and ATCC 7962 in the presence of exogenous citrate. The differences in the amino acid profiles of the strains were illuminated by principal component analysis. Our results indicate that L. lactis HY7803 may be a good starter strain for glutamic acid production.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.151-163
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• 2015

In this study, we aim to describe kinematic characteristics of Korean /l/-flapping in two speech rates (fast vs. comfortable). Production data was collected from seven native speakers of Seoul Korean (four females and three males) using electromagnetic midsagittal articulometry (EMMA), which provided two dimensional data on the x-y plane. We examined kinematic properties of the vertical/horizontal tongue tip gesture, the vertical/horizontal (rear) tongue body gesture, and the jaw gesture in an /i/-/i/ context. Gestural landmarks of the vertical tongue tip gesture are directly measured. This serves as the actual anchoring time points to which relevant measures of other trajectories referred. The study focuses on velocity profiles, closing/opening spatiotemporal properties, constriction duration, and constriction minima were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows. First, gradiently distributed spatiotemporal values of the vertical tongue tip gesture were on a continuum. This shows more of a reduction in fast speech rate, but no single instance of categorical reduction (deletion). Second, Korean /l/-flapping predominantly exhibited a backward sliding tongue tip movement, in 83% of production, which is apparently distinguished from forward sliding movement in English. Lastly, there was an indication of vocalic reduction in fast rate, truncating spatial displacement of the jaw and the tongue body, although we did not observe positional variations with speech rate. The present study shows that Korean /l/-flapping is characterized by mixed articulatory properties with respect to flapping sounds of other languages such as English and Xiangxiang Chinese. Korean /l/ flapping demonstrates a language-universal property, such as the gradient nature of its flapping sounds that is compatible with other languages. On the other hand, Korean /l/-flapping also shows a language-particular property, particularly distinguished from English, in that a backward gliding movement occurs during the tongue tip closing movement. Although, there was no vocalic reduction in V2 observed in terms of jaw and tongue body height, spatial displacement of these articulators still suggests truncation in fast speech rate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2307-2309
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• 2016

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease in which early lymphoid precursors proliferate and replace the normal hematopoiesis. It has distinctive clinical and biological features. In respect to adult ALL, available data from Pakistan are limited. Therefore we reviewed the demographical and clinicohematological profiles along with FAB stratification of adult patients with ALL presented at our hospital. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 51 adults (${\geq}15years$) patients with ALL were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014. Results: The mean age was $23.8{\pm}12.9years$ with the median age of 18.0 years. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The major complaints were fever (60.7%), generalized weakness (47.0%), overt bleeding (19.6%) and weight loss (13.7%). Physical examination revealed lymphodenopathy as a predominant finding detected in 43.1% followed by splenomegaly and hepatomegaly in 23.5% and 21.5%, respectively. The mean hemoglobin level was $9.0{\pm}2.75g/dl$ with a mean MCV of $82.2{\pm}15.4fl$, a mean total leukocyte count of $31.1{\pm}64.0{\times}10^9/l$, a mean ANC of $2.1{\pm}3.0{\times}10^9/l$ and a mean platelet count of $71.7{\pm}85.7{\times}10^9/l$. According to FAB classification, 47.1% were L1 type, 45.1% L2 and 7.8% L3 variant. Conclusions: Clinico-pathological features appeared comparable to published data. Febrile illness associated with lymphodenopathy was the commonest presentation. FAB classification revealed a predominance of ALL-L1 variant in Pakistani adult patients with ALL.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.3309-3312
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• 2010

D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU and L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU are F-18 labeled nucleoside analogue which have been efficiently synthesized in order to be a PET imaging probe. D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU and L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU were compared as PET imaging agents using HSV1-TK gene expressing tumor-bearing mice. Their cellular uptake profiles were also compared using MCA and MCA-TK cell lines. D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU demonstrated higher cellular uptake and higher accumulation in MCA-TK tumor regions than L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU. On the other hand, L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU showed higher MCA-TK/MCA ratio of %ID/g than that of D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU. L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU can be utilized as a good candidate for HSV1-TK PET imaging. It can be used for antiviral drug evaluation.