• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.205-208
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• 2004

Neutrophils are important effector cells against protozoan extracellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic colitis and liver abscess in human beings. Apoptotic cell death of neutrophils is an important event in the resolution of inflammation and parasite's survival in vivo. This study was undertaken to investigate the ultrastructural aspects of apoptotic cells during neutrophil death triggered by Entamoeba histolytica. Isolated human neutrophils from the peripheral blood were incubated with or without live trophozoites of E. histolytica and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Neutrophils incubated with E. histolytica were observed to show apoptotic characteristics, such as compaction of the nuclear chromatin and swelling of the nuclear envelop. In contrast, neutrophils incubated in the absence of the amoeba had many protrusions of irregular cell surfaces and heterogenous nuclear chromatin. Therefore, it is suggested that Entamoeba-induced neutrophil apoptosis contribute to prevent unwanted tissue inflammation and damage in the amoeba-invaded lesions in vivo.

• 한국지역지리학회지
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.590-609
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• 2010

본 연구의 목적은 연령별 인구이동의 구조와 공간적 패턴에 대한 이해를 향상시킬 수 있는 다양한 탐색적 공간 데이터 분석(Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis: ESDA) 기법들을 제시하는데 있다. ESDA 기법의 하나로 지역의 연령별 이동성향과 이동구조를 파악하기 위한 도구로 인구이동 피라미드를 고안하였다. 인구이동 피라미드는 연령별 전입, 전출, 순이동 정보를 이용하여 작성되는 그래픽 도구이다. 또한 연령별 인구이동의 공간적 패턴을 파악하기 위하여 다양한 국지적 연관성 측정 지표인 Local Moran's $I_i$, Getis-Ord's ${G_i}^*$와 이를 응용한 AMOEBA 기법을 이용하였다. 사례 분석 결과, 제시한 ESDA 기법들을 이용하여 연령별 인구이동 구조, 연령별 이동의 연관성, 연령별 순이동률의 공간 군집 패턴 등을 확인할 수 있었으며, 연령별 공간 군집 사이의 상응관계를 탐색할 수 있었다. 이러한 정보는 인구이동 현상에 대한 상세한 이해뿐만 아니라 인구이동을 유발하는 지역의 특성을 유추하는데 도움을 준다.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.171-180
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• 1986

단백질 분해효소, neuraminidase 및 EDTA가 아메바의 배양기표면 흡착, 세포표면의 미세구조 및 생화학적 조성에 미치는 영향을 concanavalin A(con A) cytochemistry 및 SDS PAGE에 의해 조사하였다. Con A cytochemistry에 의해 세포표면 바깥쪽의 filamentous(F)층과 안쪽의 amorphous(A)층이 쉽게 구분되었다. Neuraminidase로 처리한 아메바는 대조군에 비해 용기표면 흡착성과 펴짐이 증가하였으며 A층과 F층에 더 많은 con A결합부위가 노출되었다. Trypsin 및 proteinase K로 처리한 아메바는 각각 12시간, 48시간동안 용기표면에 부착하지 못하였으며, proteinase K의 처리는 A층의 con A결합부위 및 모든 glycoprotein을 제거시키는 효과를 낳았으며, trypsin은 세포막의 PAS염색물질에는 아무런 변화를 초래하지 않았으나 A층과 F층의 con A결합부위를 제거하였다. 이들 효소 및 EDTA처리에 의해 세포 표면의 mucopolysaccharide 일부가 분리되었다. 아메바를 monovalent con A로 처리하였을 때도 아메바는 용기표면에 부착하지 못하고 cytolysis되었다. 이상의 결과로 아메바의 용기표면 흡착에는 세포막의 glycoprotein과 A층의 mucopolysaccharide간의 상호작용에 의해서 이루어지는 것으로 보인다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.349-356
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• 2011

The existence of symbiotic relationships between Acanthamoeba and a variety of bacteria is well-documented. However, the ability of Acanthamoeba interacting with host bacterial pathogens has gained particular attention. Here, to understand the interactions of Escherichia coli K1 and E. coli K5 strains with Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and cysts, association assay, invasion assay, survival assay, and the measurement of bacterial numbers from cysts were performed, and nonpathogenic E. coli K12 was also applied. The association ratio of E. coli K1 with A. castellanii was 4.3 cfu per amoeba for 1 hr but E. coli K5 with A. castellanii was 1 cfu per amoeba for 1 hr. By invasion and survival assays, E. coli K5 was recovered less than E. coli K1 but still alive inside A. castellanii. E. coli K1 and K5 survived and multiplied intracellularly in A. castellanii. The survival assay was performed under a favourable condition for 22 hr and 43 hr with the encystment of A. castellanii. Under the favourable condition for the transformation of trophozoites into cysts, E. coli K5 multiplied significantly. Moreover, the pathogenic potential of E. coli K1 from A. castellanii cysts exhibited no changes as compared with E. coli K1 from A. castellanii trophozoites. E. coli K5 was multiplied in A. castellanii trophozoites and survived in A. castellanii cysts. Therefore, this study suggests that E. coli K5 can use A. castellanii as a reservoir host or a vector for the bacterial transmission.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.447-453
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• 2016

Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is widely distributed in the environment, water sources, soil, dust, and air. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene and also fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the distribution and genotypes of the potentially pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba present in water sources in north of Iran. Total 43 Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 77 water samples taken from different water sources within the Mazandaran province in Northern Iran (Sari city and suburbs). Isolates were identified based on cyst and trophozoite morphological characteristics as well genetics. PCR fragments corresponding to the small-subunit 18S rRNA gene were sequenced for 20 of 43 positive isolates. The results revealed that 83.3% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T2 genotype. Our results indicated that Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in Sari city. As the incidence in Iran of amoebic keratitis has increased in recent years, the exact estimation of the prevalence of this amoeba and its predominant genotype may play a crucial role in prevention of the disease. Sari city has several rivers, seashores, and natural recreational amenities, which attract visitors during the year. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba genotypes from water sources in Sari city, Mazandaran province of Iran, and the results suggest that more attention is needed to protect the visiting population and immunocompromised individuals.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.169-175
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• 2019

Naegleria fowleri, a pathogenic free-living amoeba, leads to a fatal infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in human and animals. PAM is an acute, fulminant, necrotizing, and hemorrhagic disease that leads to death in approximately seven days. In this study, we investigate the cytotoxicity of target cells and the secreted molecules of N. fowleri under the non-contact condition. The target cell (U87MG cell) treated with N. fowleri lysates showed no morphological changes and no cytotoxicity. By contrast, the U87MG cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites under the non-contact condition induced morphological changes and reduction in number. When U87MG cells were co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites under the non-contact condition for 30 min, 2 hr, and 4 hr, the levels of cytotoxicity of target cells were 32.3, 35.5, and 37.8%, respectively. Particularly, when the ratio of amoeba to target cells is 10 to 1, the level of cytotoxicity of target cells was 49.7% at 30 min. To show the proteins secreted from N. fowleri under the non-contact condition, we carried out 2D electrophoresis and observed 6 major proteins. Finally, these results suggest that the molecules released from N. fowleri under the non-contact condition induce the cell death and this process is an important step in pathogenesis of N. fowleri.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Acanthamoeba castellanii has ubiquitous distribution and causes primary acanthamoebic keratitis (AK). AK is a common disease in contact lens wearers and results in permanent visual impairment or blindness. In this study, we observed the cytopathic effect, in vitro cytotoxicity, and secretion pattern of cytokines in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) induced by A. castellanii trophozoites and/or cysts. Morphological observation revealed that panked dendritic HCECs co-cultured with amoeba cysts had changed into round shape and gradually died. Such changes were more severe in co-culture with cyst than those of co-cultivation with trophozoites. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed the highest cytotoxicity to HCECs in the co-culture system with amoeba cysts. A. castellanii induced the expression of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL1 in HCECs. Secreted levels of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-8 in HCECs co-cultured with both trophozoites and cysts were increased at an early incubation time (3 and 6 hr). These results suggested that cytopathic changes and pro-inflammatory cytokines release of HCECs in response to A. castellanii, especially amoebic cysts, are an important mechanism for AK development.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권4호
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• pp.229-239
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• 2022

The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/E2). We axenically cultured KFA5 and KFA21. We applied approximately 1×10⁶ to mice's nasal passages 6 times and investigated their pathogenicity. The airway resistance value was significantly increased after KFA5 and KFA21 treatments. The eosinophil recruitment and goblet cell hyperplasia were concomitantly observed in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue in mice infected with KFA5 and KFA21. These infections also activated the Th2-related interleukin 25, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokines gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells. The CD4⁺ interleukin 4⁺ cell population was increased in the lung, and the secretion of Th2-, Th17-, and Th1-associated cytokines were upregulated during KFA5 and KFA21 infection in the spleen, lung-draining lymph nodes, and BAL fluid. The pathogenicity (allergenicity) of KFA5 and KFA21 might not have drastically changed during the long-term in vitro culture. Our results suggested that Vermamoeba could elicit allergic airway inflammation and may be an airway allergen.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.324-327
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• 2012

Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba that causes human infections, and recently the incidence of amoebic keratitis has increased among contact lens wearers. In order to investigate Acanthamoeba contamination of contact lens storage cases, a short survey was performed on 57 contact lens wearers, and Acanthamoeba was found in one contact lens storage case. To diagnose Acanthamoeba, the 18s small subunit ribosomal DNA (18s rDNA) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and subsequently, the isolate was identified as A. lugdunensis. This species was originally isolated from a freshwater pool in France, and was reported recently to be a cause of amoebic keratitis. This observation indicates the need for a large survey to investigate the extent of Acanthamoeba contamination, and suggests that contact lens wearers be aware of the importance of hygiene and of the implications of Acanthamoeba infection.

• 한국원자력학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국원자력학회 2004년도 추계학술발표회 발표논문집
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• pp.1047-1048
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• 2004

Simulation Coated layers of a nuclear fuel particle were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and nano-indentation method to give basic data to estimate 'Amoeba effect' and give an optimum fabrication condition and high quality control. Coated layers on the fuel kernel are in the order of buffer pyrolytic carbon, inner pyrolytic carbon, silicon carbide and outer pyrolytic carbon layers, which average thicknesses are 95, 25, 30 and 28 ${\mu}m$, respectively. Their densities and hardnesses are 1.08, 1.15, 3.18, 1.82 $g/cm^3$ and 0.522, 0.874, 9.641, and 2.726 GPa, respectively. Comparing theoretical density of pyrolytic carbon of 2.22 $g/cm^3$, the relative amount of porosity in each layer is about 52% for buffer, 48% for inner PyC and 18% for outer PyC.