• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 1987

The U.S. Forest Service administers the world's largest forestry research organization. From its modest beginning in 1876, some 30 years before the United States national forest system was established, the research branch has devoted its effort to meet current and future information needs of the forestry community of the United States, not just for the U.S. Forest Service. The research branch is one of three major administrative units of the U.S. Forest Service. The others being the National Forest System and State and Private Forestry. Currently the National Forest System comprises 155 national forests, 19 national grasslands, and 18 utilization projects located in 44 states. Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The National Forest System manages these areas for a large array of uses and benefits including timber, water, forage, wildlife, recreation, minerals, and wilderness. It is through the State and Private Forestry branch that the U.S. Forest Service cooperates and coordinates forestry activities and programs with state and local governments, forest industries, and private landowners. These activities include financial and technical assistance in disease, insect, and fire protection ; plan forestry programs ; improve harvesting and marketing practices ; and transfer forestry research results to user groups. Forestry research is carried out through eight regional Forest Experiment Stations and the Forest Product Laboratory. Studies are maintained at 70 administrative sites, and at 115 experimental forest and grasslands. All of the current sciences that composed modern forestry are included in the research program. These range from forest biology (i. e. silviculture, ecology, physiology, and genetics) to the physical, mathematical, engineering, managerial, and social sciences. The levels of research range from application, developmental, and basic research. Research planning and priority identification is an ongoing process with elements of the research program changing to meet short-term critical information needs(i. e. protection research) to long-term opportunities(i. e. biotechnology). Research planning and priority setting is done in cooperation with National Forest Systems, forest industries, universities, and individual groups such as environmental, wilderness, or wildlife organizations. There is an ongoing review process of research administration, organization, and science content to maintain quality of research. In the U.S. Forest Service the research responsibility is not completed until the new information is being applied by the various user group : I. e. technology transfer program. Research planning and development in the U.S. Forest Service is a dynamic activity. Porgrams for the year 2000 and beyond are now in the planning stage.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2011

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the degree of stress and social support among residents in a rural area. Methods: We used the baseline data of the Korean Genomic Rural Cohort (KGRC), a sub-cohort of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (KOGES) that collected data about relationships among environmental, genetic risk factors, and chronic illness in Korean adults since November 2005. The cases chosen for the study included 1737 men and women, aged 40 to 70, living in a rural area of Wonju-city, South Korea. A questionnaire interviewing method was addressed in 2006. The final participants consisted of 1349 participants, of which 589 were male (43.7%) and 760 were female (56.3%). We applied the hierarchical multiple regression analysis with three stages. The first and second stages include socio-demographic and health-related behaviour factors and the third stage includes more social support factors. Results: The main findings revealed that the amount of social support and health-related behaviour significantly influenced the level of stress the subjects reported. The degree of stress was shown to be significantly higher for the following individuals: females, those who were divorced, the bereaved, participants who suffer from chronic disease, and non-exercisers. Low social support was shown to be negatively associated with stress. Conclusion: Social support factors along with socio-demographic and health-related behavior had an influence on stress levels in Korean rural adults. It is necessary to relieve residents from stress through diverse social support programs and healthy living initiatives.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2018

This study examined the seasonal, regional distribution of mosquito vectors related with disease vectors in the Jeju. From March to November, sample were collected from 11 points in four environmentally different sites in Jeju Island. Samples were collected twice a month using a black-light trap and a BG sentinel trap. Overall, five genera and seven species types of 6,042 female mosquitos were collected. Among the collected mosquitos, 4,159 (68.8%) and 1,348 (24.4%) were Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus, respectively, making them the dominant species. Additionally, collection using the black light trap produced 72.8 entities per trap in Jungang-dong service center in the center of the city, which was the highest value, while the lowest amount of 1.4 per trap was recovered from the airport. When the BG sentinel trap was used, the largest recovery was observed in the port, where there were 71.7 entities per trap, while the lowest amount of 28.3 entities per trap was recovered at Gealmae Eco Park. The overall number of mosquitoes collected started to increase from May, and reached the largest value of 1,156 (19.1%) in August. Trapped mosquitoes are created 364 pools of up to 50 grains per pool, by season, by environmental, and by species. When the pools were used, no flaviviral infection was observed upon real time RT-PCR.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2014

Accurate and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis, a disease whose prevalence has been steadily increased, is important for successful treatment. Current laboratory methods for diagnosing dermatophytosis rely on KOH mount and fungal culture method. However, these methods have low sensitivity and are time-consuming (2~4 weeks to diagnosis). In our previous study, a rapid molecular diagnostic assay (PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay, REBA) was developed to identify the following 6 main species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum. However, the REBA required more evaluation to validate its use in clinical examinations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and validate the ability of the PCR-REBA to successfully identify dermatophytes in clinical isolates from dermatophytosis patients. Both conventional identification methods and the PCR-REBA were used to assess the presence of species of dermatophytes in 148 clinical isolates. The results of the two approaches were compared, and discrepancies between the two approaches were resolved by fungal ITS1 sequence analysis. T. rubrum was the most prevalent dermatophyte identified by conventional identification methods (118/148, 79.7%) and the PCR-REBA (131/148, 88.4%). The overall rate of consistency between conventional identification methods and the PCR-REBA was 79.0% (117/148 samples). Fungal ITS1 sequence analysis showed that PCR-REBA results were correct for 93.5% (29/31) of the discrepant samples. The PCR-REBA is rapid, sensitive, and highly specific compared with conventional identification methods. Thus, the PCR-REBA is a potentially useful tool for identifying dermatophytes in clinical settings.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2014

This study aimed to identify changes in the level of neuropeptides among current smokers, former smokers, and individuals who had never smoked, and how smoking habits affect obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Neuropeptide levels, anthropometric parameters, and metabolic syndrome diagnostic indices were determined among male workers; 117 of these had never smoked, whereas 58 and 198 were former and current smokers, respectively. The total sample comprised 373 male workers. The results obtained from anthropometric measurements showed that current smokers attained significantly lower body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and abdominal fat thickness values than former smokers and those who had never smoked. Current smokers' eating habits proved worse than those of non-smokers and individuals who had never smoked. The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the neuropeptides in the case of former smokers was $23.6{\pm}9.2pg/ml$, higher than that of current smokers ($20.4{\pm}6.1$) and individuals who had never smoked ($22.4{\pm}5.8$) (F = 6.520, p = 0.002). The level of adiponectin among former smokers was somewhat lower than that of current smokers, whereas leptin levels were higher among former smokers than current smokers; these results were not statistically significant. A relationship was found between adiponectin and triglyceride among non-smokers (odds ratio = 0.660, ${\beta}$ value=-0.416, p < 0.01) and smokers (odds ratio = 0.827, ${\beta}$ value=-0.190, p < 0.05). Further, waist circumference among non-smokers (odds ratio = 1.622, ${\beta}$ value=0.483, p < 0.001) and smokers (odds ratio = 1.895, ${\beta}$ value=0.639, p < 0.001) was associated with leptin. It was concluded that cigarette smoking leads to an imbalance of energy expenditure and appetite by changing the concentration of neuropeptides such as adiponectin, BDNF, leptin, and hsCRP, and influences food intake, body weight, the body mass index, blood pressure, and abdominal fat, which are risk factors for MetS and cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.155-170
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• 2018

In this paper, mechanisms of gene editing technologies including ZFN, TALENS and CRISPR were briefly discussed with mutual advantages and disadvantages. Classification criteria of gene edited, site-directed mutagenesis (SDN) crops for regulatory purpose were also discussed. The number of studies using CRISPR technology was high and studies conducted on Arabidopsis thaliana and rice were highest, followed by tobacco, tomato, wheat, and corn. It has been applied to a variety of plants such as other grain crops, flower crops, vegetable crops, and fruit trees. The number of studies focused on practical application or commercialization in the future were also increasing yearly, and the scope of studies also expanded to include research on metabolic engineering for mass production of useful proteins or substances, development of disease resistant crops against viruses, bacteria, and fungi, abiotic environmental stressresistant crops, and increased yields. In addition to this, it was revealed that application range is becoming more diversified, including the development of parthenocarpic tomatoes, hybrid rice lines using male sterility and increased shattering resistance Brassica napus. It was also revealed that the number of CRISPR gene edited crops permitted by the USDA(APHIS) increases yearly, to be released in the international seed market soon.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 1987

Samples showing mosaic symptom of cowpea (Vigna sesquipedalis) with vein banding, chlorotic spot, vein yellow were collected from Chinju areas in Korea, Two viruses were distinguishable by stability in sap, host range, and relations with cells and tissues were examined under an electron microscope, Blackeye cowpea mosaic(BICMV) was sap-transmissible to 7 plant species in 2 families, Of the plants, only leguminous species were systemically infected. This virus was inactivated by heating at $50-65^{\circ}C$ for 10 min, by diluting at $10^{-4}-10^{-5}$, and aging at room temperature for 1-6 days. Preparations examined under the electron microscope by direct negative staining method(DN -method) always showed particles of flexuous filament bout 750nm in length and cytopasmic inclusions. Cytoplasmic inclusions and virus particles were also confirmed to present in the cytoplasm of a mesophyll cell by ultrathin sections of BICMV infected cowpea leaves. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was transmitted by sap- inoculation on inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa producing local lesions, but non-inoculated upper leaves of Nicotiana glutinosa, Cucurbita pepo and Vigna sesquipedalis producting systemic mosaic symptoms. Electron microscopic examination of virus preparation by direct negative staining showed spherical particles of about 30nm in diameter. In ultrathin sections of CMV infected tissues, virus particles of crystalline array were found in the vacuole and a large number of virus particles were found in the cytoplasm and the plasmodesmata of mesophyll cells.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2011

This study was conducted to control the seed borne pathogens (Alternaria spp.) of carrot and to examine the seed germination rate by using 13 environment friendly agricultural materials instead of conventional chemicals for organic cultivation. The growth inhibiting effects on pathogens showed the different responses according to each agricultural material and effective 7 materials against seed borne pathogens were selected. Among 7 materials, the carrot seeds sterilized with plant extracts, Tanger Stop and Land Saver were not germinated at all. The germination rate of seeds sterilized with other materials showed the similar levels with reference chemical (Benlate-T) and non-treated seeds. Infection rates of seeds sterilized with seaweed extract, Bellopper for controlling A. radicina and plant extract, Ssial-100 for A. dauci were similar or low infection rate compared with reference chemical. The germination rate and root length of seeds sterilized with Bellopper and Ssial-100 was similar or superior to those of chemical sterilized seeds. The optimal condition seemed to be a little bit different depending on the concentration of materials. As a result, the sterilization of carrot seeds by using the environment friendly materials could be effectively utilized as a technology to inhibit the infection of seed-borne pathogens.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.847-854
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• 2004

Allergy is a multi-factorial disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. As the number of allergy-affected people is increasing in developed countries, there is an increasing interest in genetic predisposition to the allergy. A number of genes and chromosomal region have been identified to be linked to allergy including rhinitis, asthma and atopy. In order to understand the genetic background for the allergy-affected people, we investigated genetic predisposition among students enrolled in Busan Science Academy. Among 138 students, about 30% students had some allergy-related disorder including rhinitis, asthma and atopy. We analyzed several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within two genes, Inter-leukin-4(IL-4) and Interleukin-4 receptor(IL-4R), which are involved in the induction of allergy reaction with the Th2 immunity. For 96 samples obtained from students, we analyzed 9 SNPs including -590 C/T and -34 C/T in IL-4, and I75V, Q576R, E375A, e406R, 5411L, S761P and S727A in IL-4R. From the analysis, these SNPs showed slight differences among normal and allergy-affected students, but these differences was not enough to predict the predisposition to the allergy. In contrast to previous reports, we could not find SNP(s) related with allergy. These results suggest that genetic tests recently performed in Korea widely have to be reassessed for its validity of genetic predisposition. [Supported by grants from MOST]

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary 1% garlic extract on nonspecific immune responses and fish diseases (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus, Vibrio anguillarum, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda) resistance in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Fish were fed a commercial diets supplemented with 1% garlic extract for 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks feeding experiment, the artificial infection was made by V. anguillarum, S. iniae, E. tarda and VHSV. And the cumulative mortality was monitored for 2 weeks after artificial infection. The cumulative mortalities decreased in all experiments except for group of E. tarda compared to control group. We observed significantly higher levels of the hematocrit, glucose, total protein, lysozyme activity and the macrophage activity in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the experiments of drug sensitivity and MIC using the three bacteria (V. anguillarum, S. iniae and E. tarda), 1% garlic extract was more effective than the previously reported fermented garlic powder. These results suggested that garlic extract can increase the disease resistance of olive flounder against V. anguillarum, S. iniae and VHSV and the ability of nonspecific immune responses.