• ALGAE
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.217-227
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• 2010

During feeding on algal cytoplasm, some sacoglossans are known to keep the chloroplasts photosynthetically active for days to months in their digestive cells. Korean sacoglossan mollusks containing functional chloroplasts were screened using an in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence measuring system (pulse amplitude modulation, PAM). We collected six sacoglossans feeding on siphonous and siphonocladous green algae (Elysia atroviridis, E. nigrocapitata, E. ornata, Ercolania boodleae, Placida dendritica, Stiliger sp.) and one feeding on ceramiaceaen algae (Stiliger berghi) and performed feeding experiments using 37 algal species. Three species of Elysia showed strong photosynthetic activity for months. However, P. dendritica maintained functional chloroplasts only for several hours after feeding. E. boodleae, S. berghi, and Stiliger sp. showed no photosynthetic activity in any circumstances. Among all species, E. nigrocapitata was capable to tolerate the longest period of starvation for over 4 months. Four 'solar powered' sacoglossans bonded avidly to their specific algal food. Each species attached to and consumed only one algal species when several algae were given together. While they occasionally consumed other algae after prolonged starvation, they always reverted to their specific algae when available.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.787-795
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• 2017

Avoiding ingestion of excessively salty food is essential for cation homeostasis that underlies various physiological processes in organisms. The molecular and cellular basis of the aversive salt taste, however, remains elusive. Through a behavioral reverse genetic screening, we discover that feeding suppression by $Na^+$-rich food requires Ionotropic Receptor 76b (Ir76b) in Drosophila labellar gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs). Concentrated sodium solutions with various anions caused feeding suppression dependent on Ir76b. Feeding aversion to caffeine and high concentrations of divalent cations and sorbitol was unimpaired in Ir76b-deficient animals, indicating sensory specificity of Ir76b-dependent $Na^+$ detection and the irrelevance of hyperosmolarity-driven mechanosensation to Ir76b-mediated feeding aversion. Ir76b-dependent $Na^+$-sensing GRNs in both L- and s-bristles are required for repulsion as opposed to the previous report where the L-bristle GRNs direct only low-$Na^+$ attraction. Our work extends the physiological implications of Ir76b from low-$Na^+$ attraction to high-$Na^+$ aversion, prompting further investigation of the physiological mechanisms that modulate two competing components of $Na^+$-evoked gustation coded in heterogeneous Ir76b-positive GRNs.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.90-93
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• 2002

Phytochrome A (phyA) and phytochrome B (phyB) perceive light and adapt to fluctuating circumstances by different manners in terms of effective wavelengths, required fluence and photoreversibility. Action spectra for induction of seed germination and inhibition of hypocotyl elongation using phytochrome mutants of Arabidopsis showed major difference. PhyA is the principal photoreceptor for the very low fluence responses and the far-red light-induced high irradiance responses, while phyB controls low fluence response in a red/far-red reversible mode. The structural requirement of their bilin chromophores for photosensory specificity of phyA and phyB was investigated by reconstituting holophytochromes through feeding various synthetic bilins to the following chromophore-deficient mutants: hy1, hyl/phyA and hyl/phyB mutants of Arabidopsis. We found that the vinyl side-chain of the D-ring in phytochromobilin interacts with phyA apoprotein. This interaction plays a direct role in mediating the specific photosensory function of phyA. The ethyl side-chain of the D-ring in phycocyanobilin fails to interact with phyA apoprotein, therefore, phyA specific photosensory function is not observed. In contrast, both phytochromobilin and phycocyanobilin interact with phyB apoprotein and induce phyB specific photosensory functions. Structural requirements of the apoproteins and the chromophores for the specific photoperception of phyA and phyB are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.794-802
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of single-shot whole thoracic time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA) to identify the feeding arteries of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and reperfusion of the lesion after embolization in patients with multiple PAVMs. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (8 females and 1 male; age range, 23-65 years) with a total of 62 PAVMs who underwent percutaneous embolization for multiple PAVMs and were subsequently followed up using TR-MRA and CT obtained within 6 months from each other were retrospectively reviewed. All imaging analyses were performed by two independent readers blinded to clinical information. The visibility of the feeding arteries on maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) TR-MRA images was evaluated by comparing them to CT as a reference. The accuracy of TR-MRA for diagnosing reperfusion of the PAVM after embolization was assessed in a subgroup with angiographic confirmation. The reliability between the readers in interpreting the TR-MRA results was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Feeding arteries were visible on the original MIP images of TR-MRA in 82.3% (51/62) and 85.5% (53/62) of readers 1 and 2, respectively. Using the MPR, the rates increased to 93.5% (58/62) and 95.2% (59/62), respectively (κ = 0.760 and 0.792, respectively). Factors for invisibility were the course of feeding arteries in the anteroposterior plane, proximity to large enhancing vessels, adjacency to the chest wall, pulsation of the heart, and small feeding arteries. Thirty-seven PAVMs in five patients had angiographic confirmation of reperfusion status after embolization (32 occlusions and 5 reperfusions). TR-MRA showed 100% (5/5) sensitivity and 100% (32/32, including three cases in which the feeding arteries were not visible on TR-MRA) specificity for both readers. Conclusion: Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA with MPR showed good visibility of the feeding arteries of PAVMs and high accuracy in diagnosing reperfusion after embolization. Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA may be a feasible method for the follow-up of patients with multiple PAVMs.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2019

Nematode-trapping fungi develop trap and consume nematodes are an important part of the subsoil ecosystem and they share a special predator-prey relationship. Four nematode-trapping species, there with adhesive network, Arthrobotrys oligospora, A. sinensis, A. thaumasia and one with constricting ring, Drechslerella brochopaga were collected from soils in Korea and tested their predacity against 12 different nematode species. They were three feeding groups, plant-parasitic (Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus penetrans), fungivorous (Aphelenchus avenae), bacteriovorous (Betlerius sp. and Diplogasteritus sp. in diplogasterid, Panagrolaimus labiatus, P. multidentatus in panagrolaimid, Mesorhabditis irregularis, Pelodera strongyloides and Rhabditis sp., in rhabditid, and Acrobeloides sp. in cephalobid). Results showed that nematode-trapping fungi successfully captured most of nematodes in Petri dish in the group of plant-parasitic nematodes and rhabditids, moderately and variably in other nematodes in 15 days. But it didn't captured A. avenae and Acrobeloides sp. both belongs to c-p group 2. Numbers of Acrobeloides sp. and A. avenae even increased during the test period. The results of this study indicated that nematode-trapping fungi may have specificity among nematode species.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2013

Purpose: Iron deficiency remains a very common nutritional problem despite the improvement in nutrition and increased understanding of methods for its prevention. Thus, we try to create a new method for screening iron nutrition through infant nutrition history. Methods: Among the children who visited Inha University Hospital from March 2006 to July 2012, 181 children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and 52 children without IDA ranging from 6 to 36 months of age were reviewed in this study. We used the age when they began to wean food, the type of sort weaning foods, the time required for successful weaning, iron content in weaning foods, and the duration of breastfeeding for scoring infant nutrition history based on a questionnaire. Results: The mean score of the IDA group was $7.8{\pm}2.6$ points, which was significantly higher than that of the control group ($5.6{\pm}2.1$) (p=0.000). If we set up the cutoff value at 6 points, this screening has 86.8% sensitivity and 36% specificity. In addition, as the IDA score increased, there was a falling trend of hemoglobin. Conclusion: The IDA score does not have high specificity or high sensitivity. However, this study conveys that those patients who record a high score have low hemoglobin. Therefore, we suggest this score system for screening more IDA patients via nonpainful techniques.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 1999

Specificity of catches has been analyzed to japanese tuna purse seine A principle component analysis was used to improve the efficiency of fishing and increase sustainable production and productivity of Korean tuna purse seine.The result are as follows;From the principal component analysis of the fish catches, the first principal component(Z1) to promote principal component score was skipjack Kastsuwonus Pelamis, LINNAEUS and yellowfin tuna Thunnus Albacares, BONNATERRE (Small : smaller than 10kg) and proportion was 86.8% of total. The second principal component(Z2) to increase principal component score was yellowfin tuna (Large : larger than 10kg) and proportion was 9.5%.On the other hand, fish operating that have caught skipjack and yellowfin tuna (Small and Larger) was not so much. Fish catches for one species raised volume of the catches while catches for multi-species decreased it since principal composition score for one species and both species together has been increased.Fish school could be divided into three groups of schools each of which was associated with drift objects, payaho and ship, school associated with shark, whale and porpoise and school of breezing, feeding and jumping from proportion of principal component analysis for fish catches of school types. However, the biological pattern is different among school associated with ship, payaho and school associated with drift objects for analysis eigen vector. School associated with ship, payaho and school associated with drifting object associated is judged as school which be assembled to vessel and drifted log temporary.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2021

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)-a key part of the extended amygdala-has been implicated in the regulation of diverse behavioral states, ranging from anxiety and reward processing to feeding behavior. Among the host of distinct types of neurons within the BNST, recent investigations employing cell type- and projection-specific circuit dissection techniques (such as optogenetics, chemogenetics, deep-brain calcium imaging, and the genetic and viral methods for targeting specific types of cells) have highlighted the key roles of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and their axonal projections. As anticipated from their primary roles in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, these studies established that the glutamatergic and GABAergic subpopulations of the BNST oppositely regulate diverse behavioral states. At the same time, these studies have also revealed unexpected functional specificity and heterogeneity within each subpopulation. In this Minireview, we introduce the body of studies that investigated the function of glutamatergic and GABAergic BNST neurons and their circuits. We also discuss unresolved questions and future directions for a more complete understanding of the cellular diversity and functional heterogeneity within the BNST.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.184-195
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• 2023

To develop an effective management plan for Ambrosia trifida L., an invasive alien plant in Korea, we assessed the potential of Ophraella communa LeSage as a biological control agent. This involved investigating the host specificity of the herbivore Ophraella communa LeSage, its annual travel distance, and the impact of this insect on the fitness of Ambrosia trifida L. We confirmed the host plant preference of Ophraella communa LeSage. The travel distance of this insect was determined by monitoring its appearance in selected Ambrosia trifida L. communities without these insects at distances of 10, 20, 30, and 100 meters, based on the locations where the presence of Ophraella communa LeSage was observed. The growth, reproductive, and physiological responses of Ambrosia trifida L. were measured according to feeding by Ophraella communa LeSage. As a result, Ophraella communa LeSage fed on only three taxa and moved short distances within a radius of 30 m per year from the host. The feeding behavior of the herbivore had a negative impact on the growth, reproductive, and physiological responses of Ambrosia trifida L. And the plant's growth and reproduction improved with increasing distance from the herbivore. Furthermore, the introduction of herbivores was able to control over 90% of Ambrosia trifida L. when the coverage of the Ambrosia trifida L. group was below 50%. However, the effectiveness of the removal decreased when the coverage exceeded 90%. These results are likely to be utilized by Ophraella communa LeSage as an ecological control agent. It is advantageous to introduce them in spring (May) when the coverage is low to maximize the effectiveness of control.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.370-377
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• 1997

A novel assay method is described for rapid quantitation of reaction rate of sterol ${\Delta}^7$-reductase (${\Delta}^7$-SR) which catalyzes reduction of the ${\Delta}^7$-double bond of sterols. Of six different organ tissues-liver, small intestine, brain, lung, kidney, and testis-. ${\Delta}^7$-SR activity was detected only in liver (2.30 nmol/min/mg protein) and testis (0.11 nmol/min/mg protein). Using a newly developed method which employs diet-induced enzyme proteins and ergosterol as substrate, we assessed both kinetics ($K_m=210\;{\mu}M$, $V_{max}=1.93\;nmol/min/mg$) and inhibition of the rat hepatic ${\Delta}^7$-SR against well-studied cholesterol lowering agents such as triparanol ($IC_{50}=16\;{\mu}M$). 3-$\beta$-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]androst-5-en-17-one (U18666A) ($IC_{50}=5.2\;{\mu}M$), and trans-1.4-bis(2-chlorobenzylaminomethyl)cyclohexane dihydrochloride (AY-9944) ($IC_{50}=0.25\;{\mu}M$). Of the three well-known AY-9944-sensitive cholesterogenic enzymes (i.e., ${\Delta}^7$-SR, sterol ${\Delta}^8$-isomerase, and sterol ${\Delta}^14$-reductase). ${\Delta}^7$-SR was found to be the most sensitive enzyme with a noncompetitive inhibition of this compound ($K_i=0.109\;{\mu}M$). Substrate specificity studies of the microsomal ${\Delta}^7$-SR indicate that the relative reaction rate for 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol are 5.6-fold and 1.6-fold higher than that for lathosterol. ${\Delta}^7$-SR activity was also modulated by feeding rats a diet supplemented with 0.5% ergosterol (>2.6-fold) in addition to 5.0% cholestyramine plus 0.1% lovastatin ($\simeq$5.0-fold). Finally, microsomal ${\Delta}^7$-SR was solubilized by 1.5% 3-[3-(cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and enriched on PEG (0~10%) precipitation, which should be suitable for further purification of the enzyme.