• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.85-87
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• 2005

In July 2003, a destructive stem rot occurred sporadically in an exhibition farm on Aster glehni of Hamyanggun, Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Korea. The typical symptoms of the disease were water-soaking, stem rot, wilt or blight. The infected plants were mostly died. White mycelial mats were spread over lesions and sclerotia were formed on stems and near soil line. The sclerotia were globoid or irregular in shape, 1~3 mm in size, and white to brown in color. The optimum temperature for fungal growth was about 30oC. Clamp connections were observed in the hyphae of the fungus grown on potato dextrose agar, and hyphal diameter was 3~8 ${\mu}m$. On the basis of mycological characteristics and test of pathogenicity to host plants, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report on the stem rot of Aster glehni caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-27
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• 2003

In 2002, a stem rot disease was found on Pansy (Viola tricolor) in several road-side flower beds in Jinju City, Gyeongnam province, Korea. The typical symptoms of the disease were stem rot, crown rot, wilt or blight. Upper parts of the infected stems were mostly blighted. White mycelial mats were spread over lesions and the sclerotia were farmed on the stems near soil line. The sclerotia was globoid or irregular in shape, 1.3~4.2 mm in size, and brown in color, The optimum temperature for fungal growth was about 3$0^{\circ}C$. The typical clamp connections were found in the hyphae of the fungus grown on PDA, and hyphal diameter was 3.9~10.4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. On the basis of mycological characteristics and pathogenecity test on host plants, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report on the stem rot of Viola tricolor caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Korea.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2000

Subsequent to an allogenic stem cell transplantation(ASCT) on patients with hematologic malignancy(AML, ALL, CML, multiple myeloma, lymphoma etc.), chronic GVHD(graft versus host disease), which is an immunological reaction, occurs. With treatment results from patients who were diagnosed with ALL(acute lymphocytic leukemia), undergone BMT(bone marrow transplantation) and showed oral and skin lesions due to GVHD, treatment of oral manifestations of leukemia and its general management were studied. 90% of patients with chronic GVHD show change in the oral mucosa causing oral manifestations such as leukoplakia, lichenoid change of the oral mucosa, mucosal atrophy, erythema, ulceration and xerostomia. In treating GVHD, extensive systemic immunosuppression cause bacterial, viral, fungal infection that are fatal, and even if the treatment is successful, the patient is already in a severe immunosuppressed state. Therefore, localized target therapy is preferred. In another words, topical application(rinse, cream, ointment etc.) of cyclosporin and steroid in treating oral chronic GVHD is highly recommended, and the use of PUVA(Psoralen Ultraviolet A) and thalidomide is reported to be effective. In treating such diseases, dental treatment to control pain and prevent secondary infection of oral manifestations is very important. To those patients with systemic diseases who show limited effect by general dental treatment, non-invasive treatment such as the dental laser, in addition to the use of drugs, may be necessary to actively treat pain and help the healing process. For greater results, new effective methods are to be developed for treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2019

In this study, the community structures of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in the roots of Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata were investigated at different altitudes of Mt. Halla. We identified the collected ECM root tips based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis through sequencing of the rDNA ITS regions. From the roots of A. koreana and T. cuspidata, 11 species and 12 species were identified, respectively. The Shannon's index and species evenness and abundance of the ECM fungi were higher in the higher than lower regions, regardless of host plant species, however, the number of ECM root tips showed the opposite pattern. The community similarity among the ECM fungi in A. koreana was significantly higher than that among the ECM fungi in T. cuspidata or than that between A. koreana and T. cuspidata (p < 0.05). These results could be useful for the conservation and management of the habitat of A. koreana, which is threatened with extinction due to increasing ambient air temperature.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.209-218
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• 2009

Bacterial isolates collected from rhizosphere of turfgrass showed strong in vitro antagonistic activities against a number of turfgrass soilborne pathogens such as Rhizoctonia cerealis, R. solani AG-1(1B), Sclerotinia homoeocarpa and Typhula incarnata. In vivo study, four bacterial isolates selected have control values over 60% against one or more turfgrass pathogenic fungi. The antagonistic effects of the bacterial isolates varied depending on fungal species, host plant, and disease pressure, indicating that control effects of the antagonists could be variable depending on field conditions. They were classified as belonging to the genus Pseudomonas species, based on morphological and biochemical characteristics as well as 16S rRNA analysis. The four bacterial isolates are under a study for finding proper cultural conditions and determination formulation type.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.171-177
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• 2019

Parasitic infections have remained a significant burden on human and animal health. In part, this is due to lack of clinically-approved, novel antimicrobials and a lack of interest by the pharmaceutical industry. An alternative approach is to modify existing clinically-approved drugs for efficient delivery formulations to ensure minimum inhibitory concentration is achieved at the target site. Nanotechnology offers the potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs through modification of nanoparticles with ligands. Amphotericin B, nystatin, and fluconazole are clinically available drugs in the treatment of amoebal and fungal infections. These drugs were conjugated with gold nanoparticles. To characterize these gold-conjugated drug, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed. These drugs and their gold nanoconjugates were examined for antimicrobial activity against the protist pathogen, Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Moreover, host cell cytotoxicity assays were accomplished. Cytotoxicity of these drugs and drug-conjugated gold nanoparticles was also determined by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Gold nanoparticles conjugation resulted in enhanced bioactivity of all three drugs with amphotericin B producing the most significant effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii (p < 0.05). In contrast, bare gold nanoparticles did not exhibit antimicrobial potency. Furthermore, amoebae treated with drugs-conjugated gold nanoparticles showed reduced cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. In this report, we demonstrated the use of nanotechnology to modify existing clinically-approved drugs and enhance their efficacy against pathogenic amoebae. Given the lack of development of novel drugs, this is a viable approach in the treatment of neglected diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2021

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

In the past, rice bakanae was considered an endemic disease that did not cause significant losses in Korea; however, the disease has recently become a serious threat due to climate change, changes in farming practices, and the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains. Since the bakanae outbreak in 2006, its incidence has gradually decreased due to the application of effective control measures such as hot water immersion methods and seed disinfectants. However, in 2013, a marked increase in bakanae incidence was observed, causing problems for rice farmers. Therefore, in this review, we present the potential risks from climate change based on an epidemiological understanding of the pathogen, host plant, and environment, which are the key elements influencing the incidence of bakanae. In addition, disease management options to reduce the disease pressure of bakanae below the economic threshold level are investigated, with a specific focus on resistant varieties, as well as chemical, biological, cultural, and physical control methods. Lastly, as more effective countermeasures to bakanae, we propose an integrated disease management option that combines different control methods, including advanced imaging technologies such as remote sensing. In this review, we revisit and examine bakanae, a traditional seed-borne fungal disease that has not gained considerable attention in the agricultural history of Korea. Based on the understanding of the present significance and anticipated risks of the disease, the findings of this study are expected to provide useful information for the establishment of an effective response strategy to bakanae in the era of climate change.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2000

Background : The occurrence of lung complications after allogenic bone marrow transplantation(BMT) has been reported as 40-60 percent. The risk factors for lung complications are whole body irradiation, high dose chemotherapy, graft versus host disease, old age and CMV infection. The prevalence of graft versus host disease is less in Korea than in Western countries, but frequency of CMV infection is higher. Therefore, the pattern of lung complications may be different in Korea from those in Western countries. Methods : A retrospective cohort study was performed on one hundred consecutive adult patients who underwent allogenic bone marrow transplantation from December, 1993 to May, 1999 at Asan Medical Center. Lung complications were divided into two groups by the time of development, within 30days (pre-engraftment) and beyond 30 days (post-engraftment), and then subdivided into infectious and non-infectious complication. Infectious complications were defined as having the organism in blood, BAL fluid, pleural fluid or sputum, or compatible clinical findings in patients, which improved with antibiotics or an anti-fungal therapy. Result: 1) Eighty three episodes of lung complications had occurred in 54 patients. 2) Within thirty days after BMT, non-infectious complications were more common than infections, but this pattern was reversed after 30 days. After one year post-BMT, there was no infectious complication except in cases of recurrence of underlying disease or development of chronic GVHD. 3) Among the non-infectious complications, pleural effusion (27 episodes) was most common, followed by pulmonary edema (8 episodes), bronchiolitis obliterans(2 episodes), diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (1 episode) and bronchiloitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (1 episode). 4) The infectious complications were pneumonia (bacterial: 9 episodes, viral: 4 episodes, fungal : 5 episodes, pneumocystis carinii : 1 episode), pulmonary tuberculosis(3 episodes) and tuberculous pleurisy (3 episodes). 5) Lung complications were more frequent in CMV positive patients and in patients with delayed recovery of neutrophil count. 6) The mortality was higher in the patients with lung complications. Conclusion : Lung complications developed in 54% after allogenic BMT and were associated with higher mortality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 1992

Pinus koraiensis (Pk), P. rigida (Pr) and P. rigida ${\times}$ P. taeda (Pr. t) seedlings in a bare-rooted nursery were artificially inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) and Thelephora terrestris (Tt) to test long term effects of ectomycorrhizal inoculation on host growth. Mycelial inocula of Pt and Tt were mass-cultured in vermiculite-peatmoss mixture and introduced into fumigated nursery soil before seed sowing. Bare-rooted, inoculated seedlings at one to four years of age were outplanted to the field with $P_2O_5$ content of 25 ppm in soil. At the time of outplanting, Pk seedlings(4 years old), Pr seedlings(2 years old), and Pr.t seedlings(1 year old) all infected by Pt were significantly taller by 28%. 26%, and 77%, respectively, than controlled seedlings infected by natural population of mycorrhizal fungi in the non-fumigated plot. Ten years after inoculation or six to nine years after outplanting, Pk seedlings inoculated with Pt were significantly taller by 9% Pr.t seedlings significantly taller by 18%, and Pr slightly Caller by 2%(not significant) than controlled seedlings, suggesting that the stimulatory effect of Pt on host growth gradually declined or became minimal after outplanting. Tt failed to stimulate host growth either in the nursery or in the field, and the survival rate of outplanted seedlings was not different among fungal treatments. Considerable loss of the infected root system during lifting the seedlings for outplanting would be the primary cause of the reduced effect of Pt in the field. Pt infected more than 90% of the fine roots in the fumigated nursery during the first growing season, but Pt assumed to fail to compete successfully with natural population of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the field. It is necessary to select other mycorrhizal fungi which adapt well in both nursery and field.