• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.117-130
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• 2024

Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.48-65
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• 2018

The authors of this paper aim to make a record of the construction process, its symbolic meaning, and the changes in the status of the landscape plants at the Pasanseodang according to the Report on the Pasanseodang written by Park Gyu-hyun in 1874. First, the construction of Samgahun Pavilion, which is located in Myo-ri, Habin-myun, Dalsung-gun, Daegu, took about 90 years and spanned the lifetimes of Park Sungsoo, an 11th-generation descendant of Park Paengnyun (1417~1456) through to Park Kyuhyun, a 14th-generation descendant. It was called the shape of dragon, with its head facing the tail (回龍顧尾形), in feng shui. Second, the village of Pahwoe was founded in 1769, the 45th year of the reign of King Yeongjo, by Park Sungsoo for the purpose of socializing with his friends at his thatched home, and was named after his own courtesy name (Samgahun). Park Kwangseok, the second son of Park Sungsoo, built the sarangchae in 1826 and the anchae in 1869 after his marriage (in 1783). Then, Park Kyuhyun, the grandson of Park Kwangseok, built the pond and planted it with lotus flowers, and built the Hayeopjeong in 1874. The Pasanseodang, as the precursor of the Hayeopjeong, may be related with the name of the hillside region behind Samgahun. Third, a quadrangular-shaped pond with a length of 21m and a width of 15m was also built and planted with lotus flowers. In the center of the pond is a small round island that reflects the world view of the Chosun dynasty, i.e. that the sky is round and the landmass is quadrangular. Meanwhile, the name of the Hayeopjeon reflects the value system of aristocrats who lived a life of leisure and artistic indulgence. They called the eastern room "Yeeyeonhun" (怡燕軒) and the western room "Mongyangjae" (蒙養齋), names which embody their wishes for a good life as a member of the nobility and a bright future for one's descendants. Fourth, in Confucian terms, the authors infer the points of view reflected in the kinds of trees that were planted according to Confucian norms (pine tree, lotus, bamboo), the living philosophy of sustainability (willow), the ideology of seclusion and the search for peace of mind (bamboo), and relief efforts for the poor and a life of practicality (chestnut, oak, wild walnut, lacquer). The authors assert that this way of planting trees was a highly effective design feature of landscape architecture that drew on the locational and symbolic significance of the Seodang. Fifth, the majority of the trees that were initially planted withered and were replaced with different species, except for the locust and lotus, at this point. Nevertheless, a review of the process of construction, symbolic meaning, and original architectural landscape of the Samgahun is of value in demonstrating the extended symbolic meaning of their descendants in terms of the practical loss of the function of the Seodang, the values of Feng Sui (red in the east, white in the west, based on the principles of Feng Sui), the function of repelling evils spirits (kalopanax, trifoliate orange), aesthetic and practical values (sweetbrier, apricot, pear, peach, and oriental oak trees), and the prosperity of the family and the timeless value of honest poverty (silk, crape myrtle, and yew trees).

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2003

Bax, a mammalian pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family induces cell death when expressed in yeast. To investigate whether Bax expression can induce cell death in plant, we produced transgenic Arabidopsis plants that contained murine Bax cDNA under control of a glucocorticoid-inducible promoter. Transgenic plants treated with dexamethasone, a strong synthetic glucocorticoid, induced Bax accumulation and cell death, suggesting that some elements of cell death mechanism by Bax may be conserved among various organisms. Therefore, we developed novel yeast genetic system, and cloned several Plant Bax Inhibitors (PBIs). Here, we report the function of two PBIs in detail. PBI1 is ascorbate peroxidase (sAPX). Fluorescence method of dihydrorhodamine123 oxidation revealed that expression of Bax in yeast cells generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and which was greatly reduced by co-expression with sAPX. These results suggest that sAPX inhibits the generation of ROS by Bax, which in turn suppresses Baxinduced cell death in yeast. PBI2 encodes nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). ROS stress strongly induces the expression of the NDPK2 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtNDPK2). Transgenic plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 have lower levels of ROS than wildtype plants. Mutants lacking AtNDPK2 had higher levels of ROS than wildtype. $H_2O_2$ treatment induced the phosphorylation of two endogenous proteins whose molecular weights suggested they are AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. In the absence of $H_2O_2$ treatment, phosphorylation of these proteins was slightly elevated in plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 but markedly decreased in the AtNDPK2 deletion mutant. Yeast two-hybrid and in vitro protein pull-down assays revealed that AtNDPK2 specifically interacts with AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. Furthermore, AtNDPK2 also enhances the MSP phosphorylation activity of AtMPK3 in vitro. Finally, constitutive overexpression of AtNDPK2 in Arabidopsis plants conferred an enhanced tolerance to multiple environmental stresses that elicit ROS accumulation in situ. Thus, AtNDPK2 appears to playa novel regulatory role in $H_2O_2$-mediated MAPK signaling in plants.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2002

Disodium disulphite, the HPV chemical, was assigned to Korea in order to implement OECD SIDS program in 1999. It was produced about 3,200 ton/year in 1998. This report evaluates the toxic potency of disodium disulphite based on the environmental and mammalian effects as well as human exposure. Oral $LD_{50}$ in rats is 1,540 mg/kg b.w. and effects was observed to the stomach, liver and the GI track that was filled with blood. For repeated dose toxicity, the predominant effect was the induction of stomach lesion due to local irritation. The no observed adverse effect lever for local (stomach irritation) was about 217 mg/kg bw/day. There is no evidence that disodium disulphite is genotoxic in vivo. No reproductive or developmental toxicty of disodium disulphite was observed for the period up to 2 yr and over three generation. In humans, urticaria and asthma with itching, edema, rhinitis, and nasal congestion were reported. Disodium disulphite is unlikely to induce respiratory sensitization but may enhance symptom of asthma in sensitive individuals. This chemical would be mainly transported to water compartment when released to environmental compartments since it is highly water soluble (470 g/l at 20). Low K oc (2.447) indicates disodium disulphite is so mobile in soil that it may not stay in the terrestrial compartment. The chemical has been tested in a limited number of aquatic species. hem acute toxicity test to fish, 96 hr-$LC_{50}$ was > 100 mg/1. For algae, 72 hr-$XC_{50}$ was 48.1 mg/1. For daphnid, the acute toxicity value of 48 hr-$EC_{50}$ was 88.76 mg/1, and chronic value of 21day-NOEC was > 10 mg/1. Therefore, PNEC of 0.1 mg/l for the aquatic organism was obtained from the chronic value of daphnid using the assessment factor of 100. Based on these data the disodium disulphite was recommended as low priority for further post-SIDS work in OECD.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.219-235
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the change characteristics of boys among the ages of 13 and 18 years. This study is based on the $4^{th}$ to the $6^{th}$ national anthropometric survey(Size Korea) data. Background: Many changes can affect the body characteristics compared withthe past. The significant changes were shown in Pepsi generation according to the report of national anthropometric survey of Korea 1997. Method: The subjects of the survey were 1,899 boys of the $4^{th}$ Size Korea, 1,587 boys of the $5^{th}$Size Korea and 2,317 boys of the $6^{th}$ Size Korea, who were from 13 to 18 years old. The change characteristics were analyzed withanthropometric measurements, height index value and proportion. Results: Stature was increased in 17~18 years old age group of the $5^{th}$ and the $6^{th}$ Size Korea and height items of the lower body showed the tendency to increase as the $6^{th}$ Size Korea over the time. In the case of circumference items, the tendency to increase in the $5^{th}$ and the $6^{th}$ Size Korea was observed. If the $5^{th}$ and the $6^{th}$ Size Korea were compared, there were no changes of other circumference items but chest circumference of the $6^{th}$ Size Korea was decreased in comparison with the $5^{th}$ Size Korea. Waist breadth(natural indentation) was increased in the $6^{th}$ Size Korea in spite of chest breadth was decreased in the $5^{th}$ and the $6^{th}$ Size Korea. And shoulder length, biacromion length and bishoulder length were decreased. The proportion of chest circumference, abdominal extension circumference and hip circumference to waist circumference and the proportion of chest breadth to waist breadth(natural indentation) showed the tendency to decrease as the $6^{th}$ Size Korea over the time. Conclusion: There was no change of stature excluding 17~18 years old. Circumference items showed tendency to increase as the $6^{th}$ Size Korea over the time. Shoulder and chest breadth became narrow. The somatotype changed to board chest with narrow waist in comparison with the previous. Application: In this way, the body size of 13~18 years' old boys changes. If these change characteristics reflects to the school uniform design, research for the pattern development, and etc., these will be able to improve fit and satisfaction of clothes.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.113-116
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• 2010

We report on the growth and characteristics of the structural and optical properties of InGaN nano-structures doped with antimony (Sb) as a catalyst. The use of catalyst has been explored to modify the growth and defect generation during strained layer heteroepitaxial growth. We performed the growth of the InGaN nano-structures on c-sapphire substrates using mixed-source hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The characteristic of samples was measured by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The aligning direction of c-axis of the InGaN nano-structures was changed from vertical to parallel or inclined to the surface of substrates when the Sb was added as a catalyst. The indium composition was estimated about 3.2% in both cases of with or without the addition of Sb in the InxGal-xN structures. From the results of InGaN nano-structures formed with the addition of Sb, we can expect the performance of optical devices would be more improved by reduced piezo-electric field if we use the InGaN nano-structures of which c-axes are aligned parallel to the substrates as an active layer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.286-286
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• 2016

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a dielectric insulator with a two-dimensional (2D) layered structure. It is an appealing substrate dielectric for many applications due to its favorable properties, such as a wide band gap energy, chemical inertness and high thermal conductivity[1]. Furthermore, its remarkable mechanical strength renders few-layered hBN a flexible and transparent substrate, ideal for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics in applications. However, the difficulty of preparing high quality large-area hBN films has hindered their widespread use. Generally, large-area hBN layers prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) usually exhibit polycrystalline structures with a typical average grain size of several microns. It has been reported that grain boundaries or dislocations in hBN can degrade its electronic or mechanical properties. Accordingly, large-area single crystalline hBN layers are desired to fully realize the potential advantages of hBN in device applications. In this presentation, we report the growth and transfer of centimeter-sized, nearly single crystal hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) few-layer films using Ni(111) single crystal substrates. The hBN films were grown on Ni(111) substrates using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). The grown films were transferred to arbitrary substrates via an electrochemical delamination technique, and remaining Ni(111) substrates were repeatedly re-used. The crystallinity of the grown films from the atomic to centimeter scale was confirmed based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Careful study of the growth parameters was also carried out. Moreover, various characterizations confirmed that the grown films exhibited typical characteristics of hexagonal boron nitride layers over the entire area. Our results suggest that hBN can be widely used in various applications where large-area, high quality, and single crystalline 2D insulating layers are required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1371-1382
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• 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate expression of mRNAs in many biological pathways. Liver plays an important role in the feed efficiency of animals and high and low efficient cattle demonstrated different gene expression profiles by microarray. Here we report comprehensive miRNAs profiles by next-gen deep sequencing in Angus cattle divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) and identify miRNAs related to feed efficiency in beef cattle. Two microRNA libraries were constructed from pooled RNA extracted from livers of low and high RFI cattle, and sequenced by Illumina genome analyser. In total, 23,628,103 high quality short sequence reads were obtained and more than half of these reads were matched to the bovine genome (UMD 3.1). We identified 305 known bovine miRNAs. Bta-miR-143, bta-miR-30, bta-miR-122, bta-miR-378, and bta-let-7 were the top five most abundant miRNAs families expressed in liver, representing more than 63% of expressed miRNAs. We also identified 52 homologous miRNAs and 10 novel putative bovine-specific miRNAs, based on precursor sequence and the secondary structure and utilizing the miRBase (v. 21). We compared the miRNAs profile between high and low RFI animals and ranked the most differentially expressed bovine known miRNAs. Bovine miR-143 was the most abundant miRNA in the bovine liver and comprised 20% of total expressed mapped miRNAs. The most highly expressed miRNA in liver of mice and humans, miR-122, was the third most abundant in our cattle liver samples. We also identified 10 putative novel bovine-specific miRNA candidates. Differentially expressed miRNAs between high and low RFI cattle were identified with 18 miRNAs being up-regulated and 7 other miRNAs down-regulated in low RFI cattle. Our study has identified comprehensive miRNAs expressed in bovine liver. Some of the expressed miRNAs are novel in cattle. The differentially expressed miRNAs between high and low RFI give some insights into liver miRNAs regulating physiological pathways underlying variation in this measure of feed efficiency in bovines.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), a wasp species, has attacked honey bee populations and affected the beekeeping industry in Korea over the past 15 years. However, little research has been done with this invasive species. In this study, we investigated the intestine bacterial microbiota of Asian hornets and honey bees to design an attractive trap for Asian hornets. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genomic DNAs isolated from the intestine microorganisms of Asian hornets and honey bees were utilized to amplify bacterial 16S rDNA for the comparative sequence analysis. The next generation sequencing analysis identified that the orders Flavobacteriales as the most abundant intestinal microorganisms in Asian hornets, showing a clear difference compared to honey bees in which Aeromonadales are dominant. We also report five newly identified 16S rDNA sequences of Asian hornet intestinal bacteria. According to the sequence blast search, these five bacteria belong to the genera Thalassomonas, Caedobacter, Vampirovibrio, Alkaliphilus and Calothrix. CONCLUSION: While Asian hornets and honey bees show similar intestine bacterial diversity, the relative ratio of bacterial populations is different. providing useful information to design pest control agents specifically targeting Asian hornets.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.142-148
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• 2002

Although ionizing radiation (IR) has been used to treat the various human cancers, IR is cytotoxic not only to cancer cells but to the adjacent normal tissue. Since normal tissue complications are the limiting factor of cancer radiotherapy, one of the major concerns of IR therapy is to maximize the cancer cell killing and to minimize the toxic side effects on the adjacent normal tissue. As an attempt to develop a method to monitor the degree of radiation exposure to normal tissues during radiotherapy, we investigated the transcriptional responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) following IR using cDNA microarray chip containing 1,221 (1.2 K) known genes. Since conventional radiotherapy is delivered at about 24 h intervals at 180 to 300 cGy/day, we analyzed the transcriptional responses ex-vivo irradiated human PBL at 200 cGy for 24 h-period. We observed and report on 1) a group of genes transiently induced early after IR at 2 h, 2) of genes induced after IR at 6 h, 3) of genes induced after IR at 24 h and on 4) a group of genes whose expression patters were not changed after IR. Since Biological consequences of IR involve generation of various reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus oxidative stress induced by the ROS is known to damage normal tissues during radiotherapy, we further tested the temporal expression profiles of genes involved in ROS modulation by RT-PCR. Specific changes of 6 antioxidant genes were identified in irradiated PBL among 9 genes tested. Our results suggest the potential of monitoring post-radiotherapy changes in temporal expression profiles of a specific set of genes as a measure of radiation effects on normal tissues. This type of approach should yield more useful information when validated in in vivo irradiated PBL from the cancer patients.