• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.99-107
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• 2009

Naphthalene is bicyclic aromatic compound that is widely used in various domestic and commercial applications including lavatory scent disks, soil fumigants and moth balls. Exposure to naphthalene results in the development of bronchiolar damage, cataracts and hemolytic anemia in humans and laboratory animals. However, little information is available regarding the mechanism of naphthalene toxicity. We investigated gene expression profiles and potential signature genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells after 3 h and 48 h incubation with the IC$_{20}$ and IC$_{50}$ of naphthalene by using 44 k agilent whole human genome oligomicroarray and operon human whole 35 k oligomicroarray, respectively. We identified 616 up-regulated genes and 2,088 down-regulated genes changed by more than 2-fold by naphthalene in HepG2 cells. And in HL-60, we identified 138 up-regulated genes and 182 down-regulated genes changed by more than 2-fold. This study identified several interesting targets and functions in relation to naphthalene-induced toxicity through a gene ontology analysis method. Apoptosis and cell cycle related genes are more commonly expressed than other functional genes in both cell lines. In summary, the use of in vitro models with global expression profiling emerges as a relevant approach toward the identification of biomarkers associated with toxicity after exposure to a variety of environmental toxicants.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.569-581
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• 2023

The morphology and genetic identification of Rasbora lateristriata and Rasbora argyrotaenia between cultivated and wild populations has never been reported. This study compares morphology and cytochrome c oxidase (COI) genes between farmed and wild stock Rasbora spp. in Java and Sumatra island, Indonesia. We analyzed the truss network measurement (TNM) characters of 80 fish using discriminant function analysis statistical tests. DNA was extracted from muscle tissue of 24 fish specimens, which was then followed by polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, fixation index analysis, and statistical analysis of haplotype networks. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis validated the following species: R. lateristriata and R. argyrotaenia from farming (Jogjakarta); Rasbora agryotaenia (Purworejo), R. lateristriata (Purworejo and Malang), Rasbora dusonensis (Palembang), and Rasbora einthovenii (Riau) from natural resources. Based on TNM characters, Rasbora spp. were divided into four groups, referring to four distinct characters in the middle of the body. The phylogenetic tree is divided into five clades. The genetic distance between R. argyrotaenia (Jogjakarta) and R. lateristriata (Malang) populations (0.66) was significantly different (p < 0.05). R. lateristriata (Purworejo) has the highest nucleotide diversity (0.43). R. argyrotaenia from Jogjakarta and Purworejo shared the same haplotype. The pattern of gene flow among them results from the two populations' close geographic proximity and environmental effects. R. argyrotaenia had low genetic diversity, therefore, increasing heterozygosity in cultivated populations is necessary to avoid inbreeding. Otherwise, R. lateristriata (Purworejo) had a greater gene variety that could be used to develop breeding. In conclusion, the middle body parts are a distinguishing morphometric character of Rasbora spp., and the COI gene is more heterozygous in the wild population than in farmed fish, therefore, enrichment of genetic variation is required for sustainable Rasbora fish farming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.1614-1623
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• 2010

Bacteria were isolated from roots of sugarcane varieties grown in the fields of Punjab. They were identified by using API20E/NE bacterial identification kits and from sequences of 16S rRNA and amplicons of the cpn60 gene. The majority of bacteria were found to belong to the genera of Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella, but members of genera Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Rahnella, Delftia, Caulobacter, Pannonibacter, Xanthomonas, and Stenotrophomonas were also found. The community, however, was dominated by members of the Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, as representatives of these genera were found in samples from every variety and location examined. All isolates were tested for the presence of five enzymes and seven factors known to be associated with plant growth promotion. Ten isolates showed lipase activity and eight were positive for protease activity. Cellulase, chitinase, and pectinase were not detected in any strain. Nine strains showed nitrogen fixing ability (acetylene reduction assay) and 26 were capable of solubilizing phosphate. In the presence of 100 mg/l tryptophan, all strains except one produced indole acetic acid in the growth medium. All isolates were positive for ACC deaminase activity. Six strains produced homoserine lactones and three produced HCN and hexamate type siderophores. One isolate was capable of inhibiting the growth of 24 pathogenic fungal strains of Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia spp. In tests of their abilities to grow under a range of temperature, pH, and NaCl concentrations, all isolates grew well on plates with 3% NaCl and most of them grew well at 4 to $41^{\circ}C$ and at pH 11.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.163-172
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to assess hospital foodservice quality and to identify causes of quality problems and improvement strategies. Based on the review of literature, hospital foodservice quality was defined and the Hospital Foodservice Quality model was presented. The study was conducted in two steps. In Step 1, nutritional standards specified on diet manuals and nutrients of planned menus, served meals, and consumed meals for regular, diabetic, and low-sodium diets were assessed in three general hospitals. Quality problems were found in all three hospitals since patients consumed less than their nutritional requirements. Considering the effects of four gaps in the Hospital Foodservice Quality model, Gaps 3 and 4 were selected as critical control points (CCPs) for hospital foodservice quality management. In Step 2, the causes of the gaps and improvement strategies at CCPs were labeled as "quality hazards" and "corrective actions", respectively and were identified using a case study. At Gap 3, inaccurate forecasting and a lack of control during production were identified as quality hazards and corrective actions proposed were establishing an accurate forecasting system, improving standardized recipes, emphasizing the use of standardized recipes, and conducting employee training. At Gap 4, quality hazards were menus of low preferences, inconsistency of menu quality, a lack of menu variety, improper food temperatures, and patients' lack of understanding of their nutritional requirements. To reduce Gap 4, the dietary departments should conduct patient surveys on menu preferences on a regular basis, develop new menus, especially for therapeutic diets, maintain food temperatures during distribution, provide more choices, conduct meal rounds, and provide nutrition education and counseling. The Hospital Foodservice Quality Model was a useful tool for identifying causes of the foodservice quality problems and improvement strategies from a holistic point of view.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.59-68
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a task complexity model combining task design aspects and complexity dimensions and to explain an approach to identifying and organizing task complexity factors based on the model. Background: Task complexity is a critical concept in describing and predicting human performance in complex systems such as nuclear power plants(NPPs). In order to understand the nature of task complexity, task complexity factors need to be identified and organized in a systematic manner. Although several methods have been suggested for identifying and organizing task complexity factors, it is rare to find an analytical approach based on a theoretically sound model. Method: This study regarded a task as a system to be designed. Three levels of design ion, which are functional, behavioral, and structural level of a task, characterize the design aspects of a task. The behavioral aspect is further classified into five cognitive processing activity types(information collection, information analysis, decision and action selection, action implementation, and action feedback). The complexity dimensions describe a task complexity from different perspectives that are size, variety, and order/organization. Combining the design aspects and complexity dimensions of a task, we developed a model from which meaningful task complexity factors can be identified and organized in an analytic way. Results: A model consisting of two facets, each of which is respectively concerned with design aspects and complexity dimensions, were proposed. Additionally, twenty-one task complexity factors were identified and organized based on the model. Conclusion: The model and approach introduced in this paper can be effectively used for examining human performance and human-system interface design issues in NPPs. Application: The model and approach introduced in this paper could be used for several human factors problems, including task allocation and design of information aiding, in NPPs and extended to other types of complex systems such as air traffic control systems as well.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.1684-1690
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• 2014

Estrogen and its receptors are essential hormones for normal reproductive function in males and females during developmental stage. To better understand the effect of estrogen receptor (ER) gene in yak (Bos grunniens), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to clone $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ genes. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the evolutionary relationship between yaks and other species, and real-time PCR was performed to identify the mRNA expression of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$. Sequence analysis showed that the ER open reading frames (ORFs) encoded 596 and 527 amino acid proteins. The yak $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ shared 45.3% to 99.5% and 53.9% to 99.1% protein sequence identities with other species homologs, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ were expressed in a variety of tissues, but the expression level of $ER{\alpha}$ was higher than that of $ER{\beta}$ in all tissues, except testis. The mRNA expression of $ER{\alpha}$ was highest in the mammary gland, followed by uterus, oviduct, and ovary, and lowest in the liver, kidney, lung, testis, spleen, and heart. The $ER{\beta}$ mRNA level was highest in the ovary; intermediary in the uterus and oviduct; and lowest in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, mammary gland, and testis. The identification and tissue distribution of ER genes in yaks provides a foundation for the further study on their biological functions.

• 한국지능시스템학회논문지
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.416-422
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• 2016

수많은 플라스틱이 산업분야에 다양하게 사용되어지고 있다. 또한 많은 양의 플라스틱 폐기물들이 발생하고 있다. 재활용에 대한 연구는 환경오염 뿐만아니라 한정된 유용한 자원이 버려지는 것을 방지하기 위해 중요한 이슈로 부각되고 있다. 이렇기 때문에 폐플라스틱의 재활용은 재사용 관점에서 주목받고 있는 실정이다. 현재 재활용 센터에서는 플라스틱의 재질을 분류하기 위해 NIR 센서를 이용한 플라스틱 자동 분류 시스템을 구축 및 운용하고 있다. 하지만 흑색 플라스틱은 여전히 분류가 되지 않는 도전적인 목표로 남아있다. 카본 블랙이 포함된 흑색 플라스틱의 경우 검정색의 특성상 NIR 장비에서 나오는 빛을 흡수하기 때문에 분류에 어려움이 있다. 본 연구는 NIR 장비 대신 흑색 플라스틱을 분류하는 방법에 대한 연구이다. 흑색 플라스틱의 정성적, 정량적 분석을 위해 Raman 분광법을 사용하였다. 또한 분류기의 인식률을 높이기 위해 데이터를 특성을 분석하고 흑색 플라스틱을 좀 더 확실하게 분류하기 위해 Support Vector Machine(SVM), 주성분 분석법(PCA) 같은 알고리즘을 이용하였다.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.689-698
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• 2016

Specific metabolic network responses to mineral starvation are not well-defined. We examined a detailed broad-scale identification of metabolic responses of tomato leaf and root to N, P or K starvation. Tomato plants were grown hydroponically under optimal (5 mM N, 0.5 mM P, or 5 mM K) and starved (0.5 mM N, 0.05 mM P, or 0.5 mM K) conditions and metabolites were measured by LC-MS and GC-MS. Overall, the levels of metabolites (lipids, nucleotides, peptides and secondary metabolites) presented in this paper largely showed mineral- and tissue-specific responses. Most strikingly, G3P (glycerol-3-P), GPC (glycerol-P-choline) and choline phosphate responded differently to a type of mineral; an increase in N or K starvation and a decrease in P starvation. A dramatic increase in the levels of secondary metabolites, in particular, rutin and chlorogenate in both tomato tissues during N starvation were observed. Based on these data, it is necessary to clearly elucidate an unknown event taking place in a variety of abiotic impacts, and we are now studying to expand our knowledge on metabolic- and proteomic-responses using GS-MS and LC-MS.

• Genes and Genomics
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• 제40권12호
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• pp.1287-1300
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• 2018

Hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$), a small bioactive gas, has been proved functioning in plant growth and development as well as alleviation of abiotic stresses, which including promoting seed germination, accelerating embryonic root growth, regulating flower senescence, inducing stomatal closure, and defending drought, heat, heavy metals and osmotic stresses etc. However, the molecular functioning mechanism of $H_2S$ was still unclear. The primary objective of this research was to analyze the transcriptional differences and functional genes involved in the $H_2S$ responses. In details, 4-week-old plantlets in tissue culture of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar 'Zuoyouhong' were sprayed with 0.1 mM NaHS for 12 h, and then transcriptome sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis were used to study the transcriptional differences and functional genes involved in the $H_2S$ responses. Our results indicated that 650 genes were differentially expressed after $H_2S$ treatment, in which 224 genes were up-regulated and 426 genes were down-regulated. The GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis results indicated that the up-regulated genes after $H_2S$ treatment focused on carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and the down-regulated genes were mainly in metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and plant hormone signal transduction. Analyzing the transcription factor coding genes in details, it was indicated that 10 AP2/EREBPs, 5 NACs, 3 WRKYs, 3 MYBs, and 2 bHLHs etc. transcription factor coding genes were up-regulated, while 4 MYBs, 3 OFPs, 3 bHLHs, 2 AP2/EREBPs, 2 HBs etc. transcription factor coding genes were down-regulated. Taken together, $H_2S$ increased the productions in secondary metabolites and a variety of defensive compounds to improve plant development and abiotic resistance, and extend fruits postharvest shelf life by regulating the expression of AP2/EREBPs, WRKYs, MYBs, CABs, GRIP22, FERRITINs, TPSs, UGTs, and GHs etc.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.759-767
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• 2014

Background Infection caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing. Awareness of this infection is crucial yet problematic. Delayed management may lead to destructive results. We empirically treated a series of patients with clinical suspicion of NTM infection prior to the identification of the pathogen. Methods A total of 12 patients who developed surgical site infections between January 2011 and February 2014 were reviewed. Patients with a skin and subcutaneous infection resistant to standard management over two weeks, and previous history of aesthetic procedures within three months were regarded as highly suspected of having an NTM infection. A variety of diagnostic modalities were examined simultaneously, along with starting empirical treatment including a combination of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin, and surgical debridement. Results All wounds healed completely within 4 weeks. The mean follow-up duration was 7.2 months, and none of the patients developed relapse. Specific NTM pathogens were identified in six patients. Eight patients showed caseating granuloma implying an NTM infection. One patient showed an uncommon Stenotrophomonas infection, which was successfully treated. Three patients had no evidence of a pathogen despite repeated microbial tests. Complications such as scarring, pigmentation, and disfigurement were common in all the patients. Conclusions NTM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an unusual skin and soft-tissue infection. We propose an empirical regimen of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin as an efficient treatment option for an NTM infection.