• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2009

We evaluated the activity and abundance of the crude-oil-degrading bacterium Nocardia sp. H17-1 during bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil, using real-time PCR. The total petroleum hydrocarbon(TPH) degradation rate constants(k) of the soils treated with and without H17-1 were $0.103\;d^{-1}$ and $0.028\;d^{-1}$ respectively. The degradation rate constant was 3.6 times higher in the soil with H17-1 than in the soil without H17-1. In order to detect and quantify the Nocardia sp. H17-1 in soil samples, we quantified the genes encoding 16S ribosomal RNA(16S rRNA), alkane monooxygenase(alkB4), and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase(23CAT) with real-time PCR using SYBR green. The amounts of H17-1 16S rRNA and alkB4 detected increased rapidly up to 1,000-folds for the first 10 days, and then continued to increase only slightly or leveled off. However, the abundance of the 23CAT gene detected in H17-1-treated soil, where H17-1 had neither the 23CAT gene for the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons nor the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity, did not differ significantly from that of the untreated soil($\alpha$=0.05,p>0.22). These results indicated that H17-1 is a potential candidate for the bioaugmentation of alkane-contaminated soil. Overall, we evaluated the abundance and metabolic activity of the bioremediation strain H17-1 using real-time PCR, independent of cultivation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.236-240
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• 2018

Crop yield is critically related to the physiological responses and disease resistance of the crop, which could be strongly affected by high temperature conditions. We observed the changes in the growth of barley under higher than ambient air-temperature conditions using a temperature gradient field chamber (TGFC) during winter and spring. Before the stem extension stage of barley growth, Cladosporium sp. spontaneously appeared in the TGFC. The severity of disease became serious under warmer temperature conditions. Further, the stomata closed as the severity of the disease increased; however, stomatal conductance at the initial stage of disease was higher than that of the normal leaves. This was likely due to the Iwanov effect, which explains that stressed plants rapidly and transiently open their stomata before longer-term closure. In this study, we tested three optical methods: soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll index, photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm). These rapid evaluation methods have not been used in studies focusing on disease stress, although some studies have used these methods to monitor other stresses. These three indicative parameters revealed that diseased barley exhibited lower values of these parameters than normal, and with the increase in disease severity, these values declined further. Our results will be useful in efficient monitoring and evaluation of crop diseases under future warming conditions.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.105-132
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• 2012

The saga of Megascolides orthostichon (Schmarda, 1861)-the first native worm described from Australasia-continues as its type-locality is unequivocally returned from Hobart, Tasmania to Mt Wellington, Auckland where a brief survey failed to unearth it. Since it has not been seen for 150 yrs, it may qualify under NZTCS or IUCN classification as 'Nationally Critical' if not 'Extinct'. New reports are for exotic Megascolecidae Anisochaeta kiwi sp. nov. and A. kiwi mihi sub-sp. nov. plus addition to the NZ faunal list of Australian Anisochaeta macleayi (Fletcher, 1889) that, due to its wide distribution in Australia and now New Zealand, may be a candidate model-species suitably resilient for eco-toxicological culture and monitoring. For holarctic Lumbricidae, new records are of Dendrobaena attemsi (Michaelsen, 1903) and the Murchieona muldali (Omodeo, 1956) morph or subspecies of M. minuscula (Rosa, 1906), neither lumbricid previously uncovered in Asia/Australasia. Also found for the first time outside its East Asian homeland is Eisenia japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) (which is compared to Japanese E. japonica hiramoto sub-sp. nov. and to E. anzac Blakemore, 2011). Records of these exotics plus recent new native species described by the author-including two, Rhododrilus mangamingi and Deinodrilus orcus spp. novae, herein-raise the numbers of megadriles known from New Zealand to 228 (sub-)species in five families. Preliminary mtDNA COI sequence barcodes are presented. Genus Tokea Benham, 1904 is revived on its lack of dorsal pores, losing or gaining some species with Megascolides M'Coy, 1878. An updated checklist of all 228 New Zealand taxa is appended.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.229-238
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• 2022

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is the most serious soil-borne disease in the world and has become the main limiting factor of watermelon production. Reliable and quick detection and quantification of Fon are essential in the early stages of infection for control of watermelon Fusarium wilt. Traditional detection and identification tests are laborious and cannot efficiently quantify Fon isolates. In this work, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been described to accurately identify and quantify Fon in watermelon plants and soil. The FONRT-18 specific primer set which was designed based on identified specific sequence amplified a specific 172 bp band from Fon and no amplification from the other formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum tested. The detection limits with primers were 1.26 pg/µl genomic DNA of Fon, 0.2 pg/ng total plant DNA in inoculated plant, and 50 conidia/g soil. The PCR assay could also evaluate the relationships between the disease index and Fon DNA quantity in watermelon plants and soil. The assay was further used to estimate the Fon content in soil after disinfection with CaCN₂. The real-time PCR method is rapid, accurate and reliable for monitoring and quantification analysis of Fon in watermelon plants and soil. It can be applied to the study of disease diagnosis, plant-pathogen interactions, and effective management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.465-484
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• 2004

Background : Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) inhibits the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by inducing apoptosis. Methods : In this study, we investigated whether hypermethylation of IGFBP-3 promoter play an important role in the loss of IGFBP-3 expression in NSCLC. We also studied the mechanisms that mediate the silencing of IGFBP-3 expression in the cell lines which have hypermethylated IGFBP-3 promoter. Results : The IGFBP-3 promoter has hypermethylation in 7 of 15 (46.7%) NSCLC cell lines and 16 (69.7%) of 23, 7 (77.8%) of 9, 4 (80%) of 5, 4 (66.7 %) of 6, and 6 (100%) of 6 tumor specimens from patients with stage I, II, IIIA, IIIB, and IV NSCLC, respectively. The methylation status correlated with the level of protein and mRNA in NSCLC cell lines. Expression of IGFBP-3 was restored by the demethylating agent 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5'-aza-dC) in a subset of NSCLC cell lines. The Sp-1/ Sp-3 binding element in the IGFBP-3 promoter, important for promoter activity, was methylated in the NSCLC cell lines which have reduced IGFBP-3 expression and the methylation of this element suppressed the binding of the Sp-1 transcription factor. A ChIP assay showed that the methylation status of the IGFBP-3 promoter influenced the binding of Sp-1, methyl-CpG binding protein-2 (MeCP2), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) to Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element, which were reversed by by 5'-aza-dC. In vitro methylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter containing the Sp-1/Sp-3 binding element significantly reduced promoter activity, which was further suppressed by the overexpression of MeCP2. This reduction in activity was rescued by 5'-aza-dC. Conclusion : These findings indicate that hypermethylation of the IGFBP-3 promoter is one mechanism by which IGFBP-3 expression is silenced and MeCP2, with recruitment of HDAC, may play a role in silencing of IGFBP-3 expression. The frequency of this abnormality is also associated with advanced stages among the patients with NSCLC, suggesting that IGFBP-3 plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis/progression and that the promoter methylation status of IGFBP-3 may be a marker for early molecular detection and/or for monitoring chemoprevention efforts.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.230-237
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• 2004

In this study nitroreductase from Pseudomonas sp. HK-6 capable of degrading 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was characterized. Through a series of purification process including ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sepharose, and Q-sepharose, three different fractions I, II, and III having the enzyme activity of NTRs whose molecular weights were approximately 27 kDa were detected in fractions from HK-6 cells. Specific activity of the three fractions were approximately 4.85 unit/mg, 5.47 unit/mg, and 5.01 unit/mg, and concentrated to 9.0-, 10.1-, and 9.3-fold compared to crude extract, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for the three NTR fractions were approximately 7.5 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. Metal ions, $Ag^{＋}$ , $Cu^{ 2+}$, $Hg^{2＋}$ inhibited approximately 70% of enzymes activities of all NTR, while $Fe^{2＋}$ did not stimulate or inhibit the activities. Monitoring the effect of chemicals on the enzyme activity revealed that those NTR fractions lost enzyme activity in presence of $\beta$-mercaptoethanol, but were a little influenced by dithiothreitol, EDTA and NaCl. The three NTR fractions demonstrated enzyme activities for nitrobenzene and RDX as well as TNT.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2002

The analysis of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzo furans(PCDFs) was performed by using four different gas chromatographic columns (SP-2331, DB-5, DB-17 and DB-DIOXIN). The data reported is pertaining to flue gas, fly ash, ambient air, soil and fish. The difference in quantification of samples according to four columns was observed, it was noted that major difference was observed in the flue gas when compared with soil, fly ash, ambient air and fish. The quantification of the same samples according to four columns it was also found that DB-5 column have the highest concentration whereas SP-2331 column showed the lowest concentration. The quantification of DB-17 column for 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF was found to be twice and three times higher when compared with other columns, whereas the quantification of DB-DIOXIN column for 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD was also found to be over estimated twice when compared with other columns.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.261-279
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• 1997

The study for a effect of monitoring on bovine mastitis was conduced for improvement of raw milk from Jan. to Dec. in 1996. Sampling the milk of 367 cows(1, 406 quarters) from 5 herds in Inchon and were carried out California mastitis test(CMT), somatic cell count(SCC), isolation of pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity tests. The results were summarized as follows, 1. The number of bovine mastitis was 177 cows(48.2%) and 371 quarters(26.4%) : clinical mastitis : 25 cows(6.8%), 32 quarters(2.3%) and subclinicsl mastitis : 152 cows(41.4% ), 339 quarters(24.1%). Incidence rate of mastitis by season were Summer 52.0%, Fall and Winter 48% and Spring 41%. Incidence rate of mastitis by quarters were Summer 30%, Fall 28%, Winter 25% and Spring 21%, respectively. 2. In the distribution of CMT degree by quarter, CMT positive(CMT$\pm$) of 1, 406 quarters milk were 50.1% (704 quarters). The ratio of CMT positivity by quarter were left front quarter 55.8%, right front quarter 48.9%, right hind quarter 48.6% and left hind quarter 47% The ratio of CMT positivity by season were Summer 54.1%, Fall 49.7%, Spring 48.5% and Winter 48% 3. The highest mean SCC by season among 5 herds was "A" herd. Mean SCC (cell/ml) of A herd were Summer 2, 032, 000cells/ml, Fall 1, 109, 000cells/ml, Winter 782, 000cells/ml and Spring 577, 000cells/ml. The lowest mean SCC by season among 5 herds was "E" herds. Mean SCC of E herd were Summer 1, 064, 000cells/ml, Spring 795, 000cells/m1, Fall 429, 000cells/ml and Winter 400, 000cells/ml. Mean SCC of the other herds by season were little difference. 4. The milk samples of "A" herd were collected from 10 cows. In 3 seasons, mean SCC of No. 2 and 3 cows were than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 1 season, mean SCC of No. 6, 7 and 8 cows were than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. The more than mean SCC 1, 000, 000cells/ml of cows by season were distributed Summer 4 cows, Winter 3 cows, Spring and Fall 1 cow respectively. The milk samples of "B" herd were collected from 14 cows. In 3 seasons, mean SCC of No. 1 cow was more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 2 seasons, mean SCC of No. 5, 9 and 14 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 1 season, No. 3, 6 and 7 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. The more than mean SCC 1, 000, 000cells/ml of cows by season were distributed Fall and Winter 4 cows respectively, Summer 3 cows and Spring 1 cow. The milk samples of "C" herd were collected from 18 cows. In 2 seasons, mean SCC of No. 16 cow was more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 1 season, mean SCC of No. 1, 2, 6, 7, 13, 15 and 18 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml respectively. The more than mean SCC 1, 000, 000cells/ml of cows by season were distributed Summer 5 cows, Fall 3 cows, Spring 2 cows and Winter 1 COW. The milk sampes of "D" herd were collected 24 cows. In 3 season, mean SCC of No. 14 cow was more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 2 seasons, mean SCC of No. 14 and 18 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 1 season, mean SCC of No. 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20 and 21 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. The more than mean SCC 1, 000, 000cells/ml of cows were distributed Fall 15 cows, Spring and Winter 4 cows respectively and Summer 3 cows. The milk samples of "E" herd were collected from 27 cows. In 2 seasons, mean SCC of No. 6, 7 and 21 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. In 1 season, mean SCC of No. 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 16 and 23 cows were more than 1, 000, 000cells/ml. The more than mean SCC 1, 000, 000cells/ml of cows were distributed Spring and Fall 5 cows respectively, Summer and Winter 2 cows, respectively. 5. The rate of isolated pathogenic microorganisms from bovine mastitis were summarized as follows : Staphylococcus sp 168 strains(45.8%), Streptococcus sp 82 strains(22.3%), Gram(-) sp 45 strains(12.3%), Gram(＋) sp 51 strains and the other sp 21 strains(5.7%). 6. The highest of antibiotic sensitivity test of each microorganism was summarized as follows : Staphyolcoccus sp - cephalosporin 76%, gentamicin 55%, Streptococcus sp - ampicillin 61%, cephalosporin 63%, Gram(-) sp - gentamicin 58%, Gram(＋) sp - cephalosporin 63%, The other sp - cephalosporin 90%. Microorganisms showed the highest sensitivity(68%) to cephalospsorin. Microorganisms showed the highest sensitivity(68%) to cephalospsorin.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.579-583
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• 2012

The purpose of this paper is to suggest IDE (Incremental Displacement Estimation) algorithm for the previously proposed visually servoed paired structured light system. The system is composed of two sides facing with each other, each with one or two lasers with a 2-DOF manipulator, a camera, and a screen. The 6-DOF displacement between two sides can be estimated by calculating the positions of the projected laser beams and rotation angles of the manipulators. In the previous study, Newton-Raphson or EKF (Extended Kalman Filter) has been used as an estimation algorithm. Although the various experimental tests have validated the performance of the system and estimation algorithms, the computation time is relatively long since aforementioned algorithms are iterative methods. Therefore, in this paper, a non-iterative incremental displacement estimation algorithm which updates the previously estimated displacement with a difference of the previous and the current observed data is introduced. To verify the performance of the algorithm, experimental tests have been performed. The results show that the proposed non-iterative algorithm estimates the displacement with the same level of accuracy compared to the EKF with multiple iterations with significantly less computation time.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.625-632
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• 2014

The u-health service is using portable device such as smart device and it consists of small computing device. The u-health service carry out same performance with desktop computer. We designed message structure based on Bluetooth HDP. This message structure is used to transmit patient's biometric data on the smart device of medical team, patient and family over the mobile network environment. ISO/IEEE 11073 PHD standard was defined based on the method of communication between the agent and the manager. And We are confirmed the reliable transmission of biometric data at the smart device by implementing the android OS based patient information monitoring application to check the status of patient for medical team, patient and family.