• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-195
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• 2018

Cryptococcosis, which is caused by the Cryptococcus species complex (including Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii), is well known as one of the most important medical problems. However, the of the Cryptococcus species complex is still limited to pneumonia and meningitis. In particular, the differences in virulence among the five major serotypes of the Cryptococcus species complex are not fully understood. To elucidate the virulence of the Cryptococcus species complex when it is disseminated hematogenously, rats were infected by different strains of the Cryptococcus species serotype, and their histopathological characteristics were compared after infection. The cumulative mortality ratio of rats infected with serotype B strain was slightly higher than in the other experimental groups. In addition, the average recovery of the Cryptococcus species complex from rats infected with serotype B strain was significantly higher than in the other groups in almost all organ samples except spleen. The recovery of the Cryptococcus species complex was associated with the severity of histopathological lesions, including bleeding, inflammation, and tissue damage in all organs. In rats infected with serotype B strain, the virulence was the most severe, especially in the lungs and liver. These results indicate that the pathophysiology of the Cryptococcus species complex infection differs according to serotype.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2016

The chemical compositions of the essential oil extracted from Albizziae julibrissin barks were analyzed by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry spectrometry. Fourteen components were identified, representing 89.23 % of the total oil composition. The analysis of the essential oil revealed that the essential oil contains 14 compounds, accounting for 89.23 % of the total oil. Hexanoic acid was the principal component (41.43 %) of the essential oil, followed by 4,4,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol (11.16 %), palmitic acid (9.00 %), 2-pentylfuran (5.66 %), 2-butyl-2-octenal (4.12 %), linoleic acid (3.10%), amyl hexanoate (3.01%), (E,E)-2,4-decadienal (2.49 %), 2-hexylthiophene (2.47 %), caprylic acid (2.13 %), ${\delta}-undecalactone$ (1.52 %), heptanoic acid (1.27 %), 3,5-octadien-2-ol (0.99 %), and 2-octenal (0.88 %). The acaricidal activity of the A. julibrissin oil was tested against Dermatophagoides farina, D. pteronyssinus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae by the fumigant bioassay. Based on the $LD_{50}$ values, the essential oil exhibited strong acaricidal activities against D. farinae ($LD_{50}$, $4.88{\mu}g/cm^3$), D. pteronyssinus ($2.44{\mu}g/cm^3$), and T. putrescentiae ($1.22{\mu}g/cm^3$). These results indicate that A. julibrissin oil could be a source of acaricidal agents for mite control.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.129-132
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the attraction effects of Sitophilus zeamais and Tribolium castaneum to light emitting diode (LED) trap in granary and compared with the black light bulb (BLB) trap, which is typical used in commercial trap. The red LED trap showed more attractive to S. zeamais and T. castaneum than that of the BLB. Moreover, the external condition of granary was about 1.5 times more attractive to S. zeamais and T. castaneum than the internal condition of granary. These results suggested that red LED trap could be useful to control S. zeamais and T. castaneum in granary.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2018

Rapid and accurate detection methods for Colletotrichum coccodes, an anthracnose pathogen of pepper and tomato, were developed using PCR. A specific primer set, coccoTef-F/coccoTef-R, which was constructed by analyzing tef-$1{\alpha}$ genes from 13 species and 22 strains of Colletotrichum, could specifically detect C. coccodes at a level of 10 ng by conventional PCR method and at 10 pg by real-time PCR. The PCR-based methods were also capable of detecting C. coccodes in pepper and tomato seeds artificially infected with the pathogen. The developed PCR methods can be applied for rapid and accurate inspection of C. coccodes in the seeds intended for export or import.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.76-79
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• 2012

This study provides basic information on morphological characteristics of zoysia mite, Aceria zoysiae and symptom in zoysiagrass for turfgrass management in golf courses. Zoysiagrass mite distributed from Pocheon, Gyeonggii province to Jinju, Gyeongnam province and damaged turfgrasses from spring to fall. Damaged leaf by zoysiagrass mite was rolled unidirectionally and mite damaged leaves in the inside of rolled part. Leaves was turned to yellow and damaged area formed irregular yellow patch.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2019

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is among the top infectious disease priorities in Korea and the leading cause of economic loss in relevant poultry industry. An understanding of the spatial epidemiology of HPAI outbreak is essential in assessing and managing the risk of the infection. Though previous studies have reported the majority of outbreaks occurred clustered in what are preferred to as densely populated poultry regions, especially in southwest coast of Korea, little is known about the spatial distribution of risk areas vulnerable to HPAI occurrence based on geographic information system (GIS). The main aim of the present study was to develop a GIS-based risk index model for defining potential high-risk areas of HPAI outbreaks and to explore spatial distribution in relative risk index for each 252 Si-Gun-Gu (administrative unit) in Korea. The risk index was derived incorporating seven GIS database associated with risk factors of HPAI in a standardized five-score scale. Scale 1 and 5 for each database represent the lowest and the highest risk of HPAI respectively. Our model showed that Jeollabuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollanam-do and Chungcheongbuk-do regions will have the highest relative risk from HPAI. Areas with risk index value over 4.0 were Naju, Jeongeup, Anseong, Cheonan, Kochang, Iksan, Kyeongju and Kimje, indicating that Korea is at risk of HPAI introduction. Management and control of HPAI becomes difficult once the virus are established in domestic poultry populations; therefore, early detection and development of nationwide monitoring system through targeted surveillance of high-risk spots are priorities for preventing the future outbreaks.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.559-565
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• 2018

The identification and characterization of pathogenic and zoonotic tick-borne diseases like granulocytic anaplasmosis are essential for developing effective control programs. The differential diagnosis of pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. is important for implementing effective treatment from control programs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in horses in Korea by nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay. Of the 627 horses included in the study, only 1 (0.2%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilumlike Anaplasma spp. was not detected in the study. The 16S rRNA sequence of A. phagocytophilum was similar (99.5-100%) to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA isolated from horses in other countries. PCR adapted to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes failed to generate amplicons, suggesting genetic diversity in these genes. This study is the first molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum in horses in Korea. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection of A. phagocytophilum have been reported in Korea recently. Because of vector tick distribution, global warming, and the increase of the horse industry, horses should be considered as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, and cross infectivity should be evaluated even though a low prevalence of infection was detected in this study. Furthermore, continuous surveillance and effective control measures for A. phagocytophilum should be established to prevent disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1115-1122
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• 2021

Rotavirus (RV), as the main cause of diarrhea in children under 5 years, contributes to various childhood diseases. Valeriana jatamansi Jones is a traditional Chinese herb and possesses antiviral effects. In this study we investigated the potential mechanisms of V. jatamansi Jones in RV-induced diarrhea. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and the diarrhea mice model was constructed using SA11 infection. Mice were administered V. jatamansi Jones and ribavirin. Diarrhea score was used to evaluate the treatment effect. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the level of cytokines. Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR were used to determine protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to detect the pathological change of the small intestine. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was conducted to determine the apoptosis rate. The results showed V. jatamansi Jones promoted MA104 proliferation. V. jatamansi Jones downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in protein level, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. Moreover, V. jatamansi Jones combined with ribavirin regulated interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon γ, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-10, and suppressed secretory immunoglobulin A secretion to remove viruses and inhibit dehydration. V. jatamansi Jones + ribavirin facilitated the apoptosis of small intestine cells. In conclusion, V. jatamansi Jones may inhibit RV-induced diarrhea through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and could therefore be a potential therapy for diarrhea.

• The Journal of Bigdata
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2020

This study was conducted with funding from the government (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) in 2018 with support from the Agricultural, Food, and Rural Affairs Agency, 318069-03-HD040, and is based on artificial intelligence-based HPAI spread analysis and patterning. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is coming from abroad through migratory birds, but it is not clear exactly how it spreads to farms. In addition, it is assumed that the main cause of the spread is the vehicle, but the main cause of the spread is not exactly known. However, it is necessary to analyze the relationship between the vehicles and the facilities at the farms where they occur, as the type of vehicles that visit the farms most frequently is between farms and facilities, such as livestock transportation and feed transportation. In this paper, based on the Korea Animal Health Integrated System (KAHIS) data provided by Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the main cause of HPAI virus transfer is to be confirmed between vehicles and facilities.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.36.1-36.14
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• 2022

Background: Since 2003, the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype has caused massive economic losses in the poultry industry in South Korea. The role of inland water bodies in avian influenza (AI) outbreaks has not been investigated. Identifying water bodies that facilitate risk pathways leading to the incursion of the HPAI virus (HPAIV) into poultry farms is essential for implementing specific precautionary measures to prevent viral transmission. Objectives: This matched case-control study (1:4) examined whether inland waters were associated with a higher risk of AI outbreaks in the neighboring poultry farms. Methods: Rivers, irrigation canals, lakes, and ponds were considered inland water bodies. The cases and controls were chosen based on the matching criteria. The nearest possible farms located within a radius of 3 km of the case farms were chosen as the control farms. The poultry farms were selected randomly, and two HPAI epidemics (H5N8 [2014-2016] and H5N6 [2016-2017]) were studied. Conditional logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that inland waters near poultry farms were significant risk factors for AI outbreaks. The study speculated that freely wandering wild waterfowl and small animals contaminate areas surrounding poultry farms. Conclusions: Pet birds and animals raised alongside poultry birds on farm premises may wander easily to nearby waters, potentially increasing the risk of AI infection in poultry farms. Mechanical transmission of the AI virus occurs when poultry farm workers or visitors come into contact with infected water bodies or their surroundings. To prevent AI outbreaks in the future, poultry farms should adopt strict precautions to avoid contact with nearby water bodies and their surroundings.