• Title/Summary/Keyword: Micro-organisms

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Prediction of Mammalian MicroRNA Targets - Comparative Genomics Approach with Longer 3' UTR Databases

  • Nam, Seungyoon;Kim, Young-Kook;Kim, Pora;Kim, V. Narry;Shin, Seokmin;Lee, Sanghyuk
    • Genomics & Informatics
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    • v.3 no.3
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    • pp.53-62
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    • 2005
  • MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating gene expression, but their target identification is a difficult task due to their short length and imperfect complementarity. Burge and coworkers developed a program called TargetScan that allowed imperfect complementarity and established a procedure favoring targets with multiple binding sites conserved in multiple organisms. We improved their algorithm in two major aspects - (i) using well-defined UTR (untranslated region) database, (ii) examining the extent of conservation inside the 3' UTR specifically. Average length in our UTR database, based on the ECgene annotation, is more than twice longer than the Ensembl. Then, TargetScan was used to identify putative binding sites. The extent of conservation varies significantly inside the 3' UTR. We used the 'tight' tracks in the UCSC genome browser to select the conserved binding sites in multiple species. By combining the longer 3' UTR data, TargetScan, and tightly conserved blocks of genomic DNA, we identified 107 putative target genes with multiple binding sites conserved in multiple species, of which 85 putative targets are novel.

Effect of Microbe Control and Water Temperature on Early Growth and Yield of Soybean Sprouts (콩 종실의 미생물 제어방법과 수주온도에 따른 콩나물의 초기 생육 및 수율)

  • 배경근;남승우;김경남;황영현
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.47 no.6
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    • pp.453-458
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    • 2002
  • High temperature sterilization method (30min. at $40^{\circ}C$longrightarrow30 min. at $70^{\circ}C$longrightarrow30 min. cooling at $20^{\circ}C$) was evaluated better than that of chloride, ion water, $O_3$ water, and salt water for the controling of micro-organisms at the early stage of sprout culture. Due to the improved germination rate and effective control of micro-organisms at early stage, the method resulted in much lower in the number of micro-organisms, higher in sprout yield, and 2 days longer in quality keeping at market than sprouts prepared by conventional method. There are two methods related with water temperature; constant temperature method (18.5$\pm$ $0.5^{\circ}C$) which keeps the same water temperature during the culture and 3-stage temperature method which changes the water temperature depending on the days after culture. Three-stage temperature method set the temperature at 21$\pm$ $1^{\circ}C$) in the second and third days after the initial acceleration of germination (about 4 hours), at 18.5$\pm$0.5$^{\circ}C$ in the fourth and fifth days, and at 17.0$\pm$ $0.5^{\circ}C$) in the sixth and seventh days. Three-stage temperature method could enhance the resistance power to diseases at the early growth stage, control the growth to standard goods (8-9cm in length and 2.15-2.30mm in width), and keep good body color at the middle or final stage. This method also increased the sprout yield by 6% compared with the conventional method, constant temperature method.

Comparison of Evaluation Methods for Disinfection Efficacy of Contact Lens Care Products (콘택트렌즈 관리용품의 살균력 효능 검사법 비교)

  • Sung, Hyung Kyung;Byun, Hyun Young;Kim, So Ra;Park, Mijung
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.59-67
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: The present study was aimed to compare the results of disinfection efficacy tested by membrane filtration method with dilution-neutralization method to develop the standard methods for evaluating disinfection efficacy of contact lens care products and to provide the result of disinfection efficacy of commercially available contact lens care products in domestic market. Methods: The results of disinfection efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Candida albicans evaluated by membrane filtration method as a FDA standard and dilution-neutralization method as newly being a KFDA standard were compared and the disinfection efficacy of 16 multi-purpose solutions was further evaluated. Results: The disinfectants and contact lens care products having strong disinfection efficacy showed same results in both membrane filtration method and dilution-neutralization method. In case of contact lens care products having weak disinfection efficacy, the number of micro-organisms was not able to count since the colony was aggregated when evaluated by membrane filtration method. However, the number of micro-organisms was able to exactly count when evaluated by dilution-neutralization method. In addition, some commercially available contact lens care products did not meet disinfection standard and especially, their disinfection effect was often weak against Serratia marcescen and Candida albicans. Conclusions: It is concluded that dilution-neutralization method will be useful to evaluate disinfection efficacy since it is possible to count micro-organisms more precisely even with small amount of sample and check the results faster compared with membrane filtration method.

Experimental Studies on Acration in Water

  • Paik, Nam-Won;Chung, Kyou-Chull
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.25-28
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    • 1975
  • The main purpose of the aeration units in activated sludge process is to enable micro-organisms to metabolize the constituents of the waste effectively by supplying sufficient oxygen for their respiration. Normally, aeration is achieved by bringing the mixture of waste and sludge into intimate contact with air. The main type of aeration unit is diffused air unit in which air is injected into the liquid in the form of bubbles. The object of these laboratory studies is to compare the performance of three laboratory scale aeration systems at various depths of submergence, aerating water with and without the addition of a surface active agent.

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Synthesis of N-Substituted 5-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid (N-치환 5-Hydroxyanthranilic acid의 합성)

  • 문정술;이강노;임중기;우원식;박상우
    • YAKHAK HOEJI
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.243-246
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    • 1993
  • Six N-substituted-5-hydroxyanthranilic acids were synthesized by the coupling reaction of 5-tosyloxyanthranilic acid ethyl ester with corresponding acid chlorides. The structure of the obtained compounds was proved by NMR and IR. These compounds did not inhibit the growth of micro-organisms while suppressed HSV-1 replication in vero cell at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml.

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Alpine Microorganisms: Useful Tools for Low-Temperature Bioremediation

  • Margesin, Rosa
    • Journal of Microbiology
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.281-285
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    • 2007
  • Cold environments, including polar and alpine regions, are colonized by a wide diversity of micro-organisms able to thrive at low temperatures. There is evidence of a wide range of metabolic activities in alpine cold ecosystems. Like polar microorganisms, alpine microorganisms playa key ecological role in their natural habitats for nutrient cycling, litter degradation, and many other processes. A number of studies have demonstrated the capacity of alpine microorganisms to degrade efficiently a wide range of hydrocarbons, including phenol, phenol-related compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons, and the feasibility of low-temperature bioremediation of European alpine soils by stimulating the degradation capacity of indigenous microorganisms has also been shown.

Bioinspired Metal Surfaces by Plasma Treatment

  • Yu, Ui-Seon;Go, Tae-Jun;O, Gyu-Hwan;Mun, Myeong-Un
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2013.02a
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    • pp.97-97
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    • 2013
  • The exterior structures of natural organisms have continuously evolved by controlling wettability, such as the Namib Desert beetle, whose back has hydrophilic/hydrophobic contrast for water harvesting by mist condensation in dry desert environments, and some plant leaves that have hierarchical micro/nanostructures to collect or repel liquid water. In this work, we have provided a method for wettability contrast on metals by both nano-flake or needle patterns and tuning of the surface energy. Metals including steel alloys and aluminum were provided with hierarchical micro/nanostructures of metaloxides induced by fluorination and a subsequent catalytic reaction of fluorine ions on metal surfaces in water with various ranges from room to boiling temperature of water. Then, a hydrophobic material was deposited on the structured surfaces, rendering superhydrophobicity. Plasma oxidization induces the formation of superhydrophilic surfaces on selective regions surrounded by superhydrophobic surfaces. We show that wettability contrast surfaces align liquid water within patterned hydrophilic regions during the condensation process. Furthermore, this method could have a greater potential to align other liquids or living cells.

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Toxicity evaluation based on particle size, contact angle and zeta potential of SiO2 and Al2O3 on the growth of green algae

  • Karunakaran, Gopalu;Suriyaprabha, Rangaraj;Rajendran, Venkatachalam;Kannan, Narayanasamy
    • Advances in nano research
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.243-255
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    • 2015
  • In this investigation, ecotoxicity of nano and micro metal oxides, namely silica ($SiO_2$) and alumina ($Al_2O_3$), on the growth of green algae (Porphyridium aerugineum Geitler) is discussed. Effects of nano and micro particles on the growth, chlorophyll content and protein content of algae are analysed using standard protocols. Results indicate that $SiO_2$ nano and micro $SiO_2$ particles are non-toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler up to a concentration of 1000 mg/L. In addition, $Al_2O_3$ microparticles are less toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler, whereas $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles are found to be highly toxic at 1000 mg/L. Moreover, $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles decrease the growth, chlorophyll content, and protein content of tested algae. In addition, zeta potential and contact angle are also important in enhancing the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles in aquatic environment. This study highlights a new insight into toxicity evaluation of nanoparticles on beneficial aquatic organisms such as algae.

Feasibility of Early Definitive Internal Fixation of Pelvic Bone Fractures in Therapeutic Open Abdomen

  • Choi, Kyunghak;Jung, Kwang-Hwan;Keum, Min Ae;Kim, Sungjeep;Kim, Jihoon T;Kyoung, Kyu-Hyouck
    • Journal of Trauma and Injury
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.18-22
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: Damage control laparotomy has contributed to improved survival rates for severe abdominal injuries. A large part of severe abdominal injury occurs with a concomitant pelvic bone fracture. The safety and effectiveness of internal fixation of pelvic bone fracture(s) has not been established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate infection risk in the pelvic surgical site in patients who underwent emergent abdominal surgery. Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study was based on data collected from a prospectively maintained registry between January 2015 and June 2019. Patients who underwent laparotomy and pelvic internal fixation were included. Individuals <18 and ≥80 years of age, those with no microbiological investigations, and those who underwent one-stage abdominal surgery were excluded. Comprehensive statistical comparative analysis was not performed due to the small number of enrolled patients. Results: A total of six patients met the inclusion criteria, and the most common injury mechanism was anterior-posterior compression (67%). The average duration of open abdomen was 98 hours (range, 44-98), and the time interval between abdominal closure and pelvic surgery was 98 hours. One patient (16.7%) died due to multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. Micro-organisms were identified in the abdominal surgical site in five patients (83%), with no micro-organisms in pelvic surgical sites. There was no unplanned implant removal. Conclusions: Internal fixation of pelvic bone fracture(s) could be performed in the state of open abdomen, and the advantages of early fixation may countervail the risks for cross contamination.

Food-Web Structures in the Lower Trophic Levels of the Korean Seas (East Sea, West Sea, South Sea, and East China Sea) during the Summer Season: Using Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotopes (하계 한반도 해역(동해, 서해, 남해 및 동중국해)의 하위영양단계 먹이망 구조 : 탄소 및 질소 안정동위원소 활용)

  • Min, Jun-Oh;Lee, Chang-Hwa;Youn, Seok-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.26 no.5
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    • pp.493-505
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    • 2020
  • Food web structures in the lower trophic levels of the seas around the Korean peninsula were investigated in August 2019 using stable isotopes. There were variable ratios of the carbon (-26.18 ~ -20.61 ‰) and nitrogen stable (5.36 ~ 15.20 ‰) isotopes in the particulate organic matter (POM). Most of the organisms ingested micro-POM as a major food source, but this varied spatially. The chaetognaths (3.40 ± 0.61) occupied the highest trophic level. The isotope mixing model showed that the proportions (13 ~ 51 %) of some organisms (i.e., copepods and euphausiids) reflected the relative contributions as major food sources for chaetognaths at each site.