• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.365-372
• /
• 2019

We have conducted faunistic study of sea lice collected from marine plankton samples of western and southern coasts of Korea. These specimens were identified as Caligus undulatus Shen and Li, 1959, belonging to family Caligidae and order Siphonostomatoida with worldwide distribution. The range extension of C. undulatus is reported in addition to the previously known distributional range from the Northwest Pacific (China, Japan, and Korea), India, Brazil, and Mexico. This species can be distinguished from all previous reports with characteristics such as overall body proportions of both sexes, structure details of mouth appendages, armature of legs, and some variation in body size. The distributional range of C. undulatus is now given with its northern and south hemisphere limit being 40 to $10^{\circ}N$ in the Indo-Pacific and $30^{\circ}S$ in the Southwest Atlantic. This is the first record of its female occurring in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1671-1674
• /
• 2014

Background: To study the clinical presentation of cervical carcinoma correlating with histopathological findings in a tertiary hospital situated in the southern part of India catering to rural and semi-urban populations Materials and Methods: 199 cases histopathologically diagnosed as cervical cancer over a period of one year were considered for the study. Clinical details of the patients were noted with the help of semi-structured proforma. The data was analysed by descriptive analysis using SPSS software. Results: Out of 199 patients, 109 had moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 51 poorly differentiated and 35 well differentiated. Adenocarcinomas numbered only four. 121 cases were in the age group of 40-59 years, 59 in 60-80 years and 19 in 20-39 years. All four cases of adenocarcinoma were seen between 40-59 years. 95 (47.7%) cases were in women who had 4 or more children, 120 presented with white discharge, 89 with bleeding per vagina and 68 had constitutional symptoms. Most of the patients with adenocarcinoma presented with bleeding per vagina. 151 was in stage IIIB, 29 in stage IIB, 14 in stage IVA and 5 in stage IB. Conclusions: Screening of cervical cancer should be emphasised in women with white discharge especially in rural areas for early detection of dysplastic cells and reduce mortality and morbidity in productive age. In addition health education has to be given to women regarding the awareness of hygiene, risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.343-348
• /
• 2017

Cymbidium aloifolium (L). Sw. is an exquisite epiphytic orchid of the Kolli Hills (Eastern Ghats) of Tamil Nadu in Southern India. It is fast disappearing from its natural habitats due to deforestation and low germination rate in natural habitat. In the present study, an attempt was made to germinate the seeds from un-dehisced capsule of Cymbidium aloifolium (L). Sw under in vitro condition. The seed germination and protocorm development were recorded in three different well known media namely Knudson C (KC), Half strength Murashige & Skoog (1/2 MS) and Vacin & Went (VW) media. The highest seed germination of 90% was observed KC basal media after $30^{th}$ days whereas germination percentages were 40% and 30% on 1/2 MS and VW media respectively. The well-developed protocorm were transferred to KC media supplemented with 6-Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) where BAP (1.0 mg/l) and NAA (1.0 mg/l) together were found to be optimum for the highest shoot formation. About 90% of the shoots found to be well rooted after transfer to the KC medium differently supplemented with 1.5 mg/l Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1.0 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Though rooting also took place in the two basic media but the duration was longer when compared with the hormone-supplemented media. The rooted plantlets were hardened and kept under greenhouse conditions which can be relocated in natural habitats.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.729-735
• /
• 2012

The PCR-RFLP method has been useful for detection of known genes and identification of novel genes. In the present study, degenerate primers were designed from five groups of cry1 genes for PCR-RFLP analysis. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates from different regions were evaluated for PCR amplification of various cry1 genes using newly designed primers and cry2 genes using reported primers. PCR analysis showed an abundance of cry1A genes and especially cry1Ac genes in isolates from all regions. RFLP analysis revealed the presence of multiple cry1A genes in isolates from central and southern regions. Unique digestion patterns of cry1A genes were observed in isolates from each region. Few of the isolates represented a digestion pattern of cry1A genes that did match to any of the known cry1A genes. RFLP analysis suggested an abundance of cry2Ab along with a novel cry2 gene in Bt isolates from different regions of India. Sequence analysis of the novel cry2 gene revealed 95% sequence identity to cry2Ab and cry2Ah genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the novel cry2 gene could have diverged earlier than the other cry2 genes. Our results encourage finding of more diverse cry2 genes in Bt isolates. Rarefaction analysis was used to compare cry1A gene diversity in isolates from different soil types. It showed a higher degree of cry1A gene diversity in isolates from central region. In the present study, we propose the use of novel degenerate primers for cry1 genes and the PCR-RFLP method using a single enzyme to distinguish multiple cry1A and cry2 genes as well as identify novel genes.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.36 no.3 s.134
• /
• pp.495-505
• /
• 2003

Convective weather systems such as organized mesoscale convective systems (Mesoscale Convective Complex, MCC and Convective Cloud Clusters, CCC) and much weaker Disorganized Short-lived Convection (DSC) in the region of India and Nepal were analyzed using the Meteosat-5 IR imagery. The diurnal march and propagation of patterns of convective activity in the Himalayas and Northern Indian subcontinent were examined. Results indicate that infrared satellite images of Northern India and along the southern flank of the Himalayas reveal a strong presence of convective weather systems during the 1999 and 2000 monsoons, especially in the afternoon and during the night. The typical MCCs have life-times of about 11 hours, and areal extent about $300,000km^2$. Although the core of MCC activity remains generally away from the Middle Himalayan range, the occurrence of heavy precipitation events in this region can be directly linked to MCCs that venture into the Lesser Himalayan region and remain within the region bounded by $25^{\circ}-30^{\circ}N$. One principal feature in the spatial organization of convection is the dichotomy between the Tibetan Plateau and the Northern Indian Plains: CCCs and DSCs begin in the Tibetan Plateau in the mid-afternoon into the evening; while they are most active in the mid-night and early morning in the Gangetic Plains and along the southern facing flanks of the Himalayas. Furthermore, these data are consistent with the daily cycle of rainfall documented for a network of 20 hydrometeorological stations in Central Nepal, which show strong nocturnal peaks of intense rainfall consistent with the close presence of Convective Weather Systems (CWSs) in the Gangetic Plains (Barros et al. 2000).

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.353-366
• /
• 2016

The effect of different environmental conditions and altitudes on the growth and reproductive characteristics in 12 teak plantations at 4 different blocks (Cauvery canal bank, Topslip and Parambikulam (Tamil Nadu), Nilambur and Wayanad (Kerala) of Southern India was investigated. The annual rainfall and mean monthly temperature of the study areas varied significantly from 1390 to 3188 mm and 16 to $38^{\circ}C$ respectively. The teak plantations in Cauvery canal bank which grow in continuous moisture condition (8-10 months) retain the leaf for longer period due to moisture resulting continuous supply of photosynthates leads to fast and outstanding growth. The girth at breast height (GBH) of 34-years-old tree in canal area was similar to that of 40 to 49-years-old trees in other locations, indicating that teak plantations with regular watering and silvicultural practices may be harvested at the age of 30 years. The leaf fall, flowering and fruiting showed significant variations in different teak plantations due to environmental factors and altitudes. It was found that increase of rainfall enhances number of flowers in the inflorescence in teak. Tholpatty (block-IV) showed more flowering in a inflorescence (3,734-3,744) compared to other plantations (1,678-3,307). Flowering in Nilambur and Wayanad coincided with heavy rainfall resulting low fruitset (1.1-2.3%) probably heavy rainfall ensuing restriction of pollinators for effective pollination. On the other hand, flowering in Cauvery canal bank (Block-I) was not coincided with high rainfall exhibited high fruitset (2-3%). About 66 to 76% of the fruits in different plantations were empty, and it is one of the main reasons for poor germination in teak. The seeds of Topslip and Parambikulam (Block-II) showed higher seed weight, maximum seed filling and good germination indicating that the environmental factors and altitude play significant role in fruit setting and seed filling in teak. In addition, the teak plantations in Topslip and Parambikulam showed good growth suggesting that plantations in the altitude range of approximately 550-700 m may be suitable for converting into seed production areas for production of quality seeds.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2017

Background: Workers laboring in steel industries in tropical settings with high ambient temperatures are subjected to thermally stressful environments that can create well-known risks of heat-related illnesses and limit workers' productivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study undertaken in a steel industry in a city nicknamed "Steel City" in Southern India assessed thermal stress by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and level of dehydration from urine color and urine specific gravity. A structured questionnaire captured self-reported heat-related health symptoms of workers. Results: Some 90% WBGT measurements were higher than recommended threshold limit values ($27.2-41.7^{\circ}C$) for heavy and moderate workloads and radiational heat from processes were very high in blooming-mill/coke-oven ($67.6^{\circ}C$ globe temperature). Widespread heat-related health concerns were prevalent among workers, including excessive sweating, fatigue, and tiredness reported by 50% workers. Productivity loss was significantly reported high in workers with direct heat exposures compared to those with indirect heat exposures ($x^2=26.1258$, degrees of freedom = 1, p < 0.001). Change in urine color was 7.4 times higher among workers exposed to WBGTs above threshold limit values (TLVs). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that high heat exposures and heavy workload adversely affect the workers' health and reduce their work capacities. Health and productivity risks in developing tropical country work settings can be further aggravated by the predicted temperature rise due to climate change, without appropriate interventions. Apart from industries enhancing welfare facilities and designing control interventions, further physiological studies with a seasonal approach and interventional studies are needed to strengthen evidence for developing comprehensive policies to protect workers employed in high heat industries.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.10
• /
• pp.1722-1728
• /
• 2008

The natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) virus infection is reportedly variable, and the long-term outcomes in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B infection are distinct from HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis. However, the molecular virological factors that contribute to the progression of liver disease in the south Indian setting remain largely unclear. We prospectively studied 679 consecutive patients for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and HBV DNA by qualitative PCR. Randomly selected samples were subjected to bidirectional sequencing to reveal core/precore variants. Of the total 679 chronic HBV cases investigated, 23% (154/679) were replicative HBV carriers. Furthermore, amongst the 560 HBV DNA samples analyzed, 26% (146/560) were viremic. Among the 154 HBeAg positive cases, HBV DNA was positive in 118 cases (77%), significantly (p<0.001) higher than the anti-HBe positive (7%) (28/406) cases. Significant increase in liver disease (p<0.01) with ALT enzyme elevation (p<0.001) was observed in both HBe and anti-HBe viremic cases. Interestingly, low frequencies of mutations were seen in the precore region of the HBV strains studied. HBV precore and core promoter variants were less often detected in subjects with "e" negative chronic HBV infection and, therefore, may not have a prognostic role in determining liver disease sequelae in this part of tropical India.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.254-254
• /
• 2017

This study evaluated the grain quality of local brand rice from 6 major rice exporting countries which are anticipated to export their rice to Korea. Recently, with the end of the postponement of rice import tariffs in 2014, Korea is in a very easy environment to import foreign rice. Therefore, the quality evaluation of local brand rice in those countries is needed to secure the quality competitiveness of Korean rice, also to protect the rice industry in Korea. We provided total 38 local brand rice from USA(7), China(16), Australia(4), Thailand(3), Vietnam(5) and India(3), and 2 imported brand rice through MMA from USA and China to find out the status of the grain quality for each country. For the quality evaluation, we analyzed the physicochemical properties, milling and palatability-related characteristics. The amylose content on country average ranged from 24.4(India)~16.2%(Thailand). The protein content was 6.66% by overall average, and was higher in order of India(7.86), Australia(6.80), Vietnam(6.61), Thailand(6.59), China(6.28), USA(5.82). In Toyo glossiness value, it ranged from 75.7~45.2, and the figures in USA and China were the highest level. The head rice ratio ranged from 95.2~72.4%, and the figures in Thailand, USA and China were distinctly high. When we analyze the palatability of boiled brand rice with Chucheongbyeo as check variety by expert panelists, several rice brands from USA and China showed equal or better scores in shape, smell, taste, stickiness, texture and overall score, although most rice brands showed a tendency to decrease significantly in the taste characteristics compared with Chucheongbyeo. From the above results, it can be seen that the grain quality of USA and China rice is very competitive when imported into Korea. The results will provide basic information for the quality control of foreign rice which will be imported into Korea in the near future, also for the quality information which could be applied on the development of high-quality Korean rice varieties. Continuous monitoring about the foreign brand rice is advisable to improve the quality competitiveness of Korean rice.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.55-80
• /
• 2016

Kerala, a southern-west state of India, has been vigorously studied due to its unique development status. Indeed, Kerala shows such a high level of social development as Human Development Index indicates, yet it is suffering from the low level of economic. As a result, scholars have examined a broad range of rationales to understand the 'Kerala Development Model' as discussing historical contexts, social welfare policies, land reforms by Communist Party of India, and so on. Among them, scholars agree that education is one of the most critical factors that led to social development of Kerala. Despite the consensus, there has been lack of research that deeply look into how education has been delivered, what impacts it has on people, and why it contributes to social development in Kerala. This research, thus, would discuss the meanings, values and impacts of education with the capability approach that is originally termed by Amartya Sen. The approach criticize the dominant paradigm of 'development' that is materialistic oriented, instead it emphasizes expanding a range of capabilities of people to reach 'development' that people can act upon what they value and cherish. Based on Sen's perspective, we believe that dimensions of education can be re-defined and expanded in a relation to development.