• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.329-335
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• 2004

To develop a biomarker for the monitoring of the contamination of estrogenic endocrine disrupters in the aquatic environment, reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of vitellogenin (Vg) mRNA expression was optimized in Bombina orientalis, a Korean red bellied toad species. Based on partial cDNA sequences of both Vg and beta actin genes of B. orientalis, specific primers for RT-PCR of Vg and beta actin mRNAs were developed. Semiquantitative RT-PCR of the Vg mRNA in liver was optimized using a beta actin mRNA as an internal control in both sexes. In female RT-PCR using $1\;\mu{g}$ of the liver cDNA resulted in a linear increment in the PCR product of Vg from 18 to 34 cycles of amplification. In male, on the contrary, the RT- PCR product was first detected at 30 cycles of amplification and a linear increment was observed from 30 to 40 cycles of amplification, suggesting that male B. orientalis expresses minute amount of Vg mRNA which is a $2^{-12}$ equivalent of female. In conclusion, the optimized protocol for semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of Vg mRNA level in B. orientalis male liver will be useful for the environmental monitoring the xenoestrogen contamination in the freshwater environment in Korea.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.215-219
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• 2016

The problems of tuberculosis and its drug resistance are very severe. Therefore, rapid and accurate drug susceptibility assay is required. Recently, there has been an increased understanding of the genetic mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) drug resistance as well as advancement of molecular technologies. While many gene mutations correlate well with drug resistance, many genes do not show a strong correlation with drug resistance. For this reason, the current study assessed the utility of rpoB mRNA as a target to detect live mycobacteria. In this study, RT-PCR targeting of rpoB mRNA in BCG treated with rifampin was performed. Conventional RT-PCR and real-time PCR targeting rpoB mRNA as well as 85B mRNA was performed to determine whether these two methods could distinguish between viable and non-viable MTB. The levels of rpoB and 85B mRNA detected by RT- PCR were compared in parallel with colony forming unit counts of BCG that were treated with rifampin for different periods of time. The data suggests that that even though both mRNA levels of rpoB and 85B decreased gradually when rifampin-treatment increased, the rpoB mRNA seemed to represent live bacteria better than 85B mRNA. This study clearly indicates that RT-PCR is a good method to monitor viable cell counts in the liquid culture treated with the anti-tuberculosis drug.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2012

A simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor for simultaneous and quantitative detection of ranitidine (RT) and metronidazole (MT) was developed, based on a poly(thionine)-modified anodized glassy carbon electrode (PTH/GCE). The modified electrode showed the excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of both RT and MT in 0.1M phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The peak-to-peak separations (${\Delta}E_p$) for the simultaneous detection of RT and MT between the two reduction waves in CV and DPV were increased significantly from ca. 100 mV at anodized GCE, to ca. 550 mV at the PTH/GCE. The reduction peak currents of RT and MT were linear over the range from 35 to $500{\mu}M$ in the presence of 200 and $150{\mu}M$ of RT and MT, respectively. The sensor showed the sensitivity of 0.58 and $0.78{\mu}A/cm^2/{\mu}M$ with the detection limits (S/N = 3) of 1.5 and $0.96{\mu}M$, respectively for RT and MT.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.233-236
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• 2018

A multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) assay was developed for the detection of the recently reported viruses, Cherry virus A (CVA), Little cherry virus 1 (LChV-1), and Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2), in cherry plants in Korea. Eight sets of primers were designed for each virus and their specificity was tested by using various combinations of mixed primer sets. From the designed primer sets, one combination was selected and further evaluated to estimate the optimum temperature and detection limits of the mRT-PCR. A newly developed mRT-PCR assay was also tested using 20 cherry samples collected in the field. This mRT-PCR assay may be a useful tool for field surveys of diseases and the rapid detection of these three viruses in cherry plants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.122-129
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• 2004

In an effort to develop the biomarker for monitoring the contamination of xenoestrogen in the freshwater environment of Korea, reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was optimized in Hearisarsus Iaseo, Based on the homology of the VTG cDNA sequences between the common carp and zebra fish, a set of PCR primers for VTG mRNA amplification for H; labo was designed. VTG mRNA level in livers from female and male fishes was analyzed by RT-PCR following single injection of 17 beta estradiol($E_2$ 10 mg $kg^{-1}$ B.W.). As an internal control, beta actin mRNA was amplified. One us of total liver RNA was subjected to RT-PCR. In female the amount of PCR productof VfC gradually increased in the range from 16 to 34 cycles of amplification. On the contrary, in control male, PCR product first detected at 32 cycles of amplification and linearly increased up to 40 cycles of amplification. In $E_2$ injected male liver, the VTC mRNA level was similar to that in the female. Taken together, this result suggests that liver of male H. labo expresses minute amount of VTG mRNA which are2-l6 equivalent of female and that induction of VTG mRNA occurs in male liver after estrogen treatment. In conclusion, the optimized protocol for RT-PCR analysis of VTG mRNA expression in liver of male H. labo will provide the environmental monitoring method for the xenoestrogen contamination in the rivers in Korea.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.363-366
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• 2017

Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) have been identified as an important causative agents for an economically important disease of winter barley in Korea. In this study, a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) method was used for the simultaneous detection. Three sets of virus-specific primers targeted to the capsid protein coding genes of BaMMV, BaYMV and BYDV were used to amplify fragments that were 594 bp, 461 bp, and 290 bp, respectively. Several sets of primers for each target virus were evaluated for their sensitivity and specificity by multiplex RT-PCR. The optimum primer concentrations and RT-PCR conditions were determined for the multiplex RT-PCR. The mRT-PCR assay was found to be a better and rapid virus diagnostic tool of specific barley diseases and potential for investigating the epidemiology of these viral diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-21
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential mechnism of vasodilation of alcohol steamed Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (ART) and Rhei Tangutici Radix et Rhizoma. (RT) in rat thoracic aorta. Methods : Rat aortic ring preparations were mounted in organ baths with oxygenated (95% $O_2$-5% $CO_2$) Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solutions at $37{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ and subjected to contractions or relaxations. Results : ART exerted vasorelaxation on phenylephrine(PE)-induced contraction in a dose dependent manner. Vasorelaxation effects of ART and RT were endothelium-independent. In the $Ca^{2+}$-free high KCl (60 mM) baths, the contraction of aortic rings induced by accumulative addition of $Ca^{2+}$ (0.3-10.0 mM) was significantly reduced by pre-treatment with both ART and RT for 10 min. The magnitude of vasodilatation was biggerin ART. Moreover, verapamil ($0.001{\mu}M$) and diltiazem ($10{\mu}M$), voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockers, attenuated the relaxation effect of ART but not that of RT. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with RT ($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) significantly reduced the contraction caused by PE but not that of ART. $K^+$ channel inhibitors such as glibenclamide (Gli, $10^{-5}M$), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.2 mM) significantly reduced the ART's vasorelaxation efficacy, but not that of RT. However, the relaxation effects of ART and RT were not inhibited by pre-treatment with indomethacin ($10^{-5}M$), and atropine ($10^{-6}M$). Conclusions : These results suggest that the endothelium-independent relaxation is due to inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ influx via the suppression of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracelluar store in RT but via both voltage operative $Ca^{2+}$channel blockage and $K^+$ channel activation in ART.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2004

Marginal Zn deficiency is prevalent through the world and yet human zinc status has not been properly assessed due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic indicator. One potential possibility for zinc status assessment using Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT)-mRNA, has been proposed. The purpose of the present study was aimed to show whether measurement of mononuclear cell (MNC) MT mRNA, using a competitive-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (competitive-RT-PCR) assay, could indicate zinc status in human subjects. In this study, MNC MT-mRNA expression was measured using a competitive-RT-PCR to compare before and after 14 days of zinc supplementation (50 mg Zn/das zinc gluconate). RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers which were designed to amplify both a 278 bp segment of the human MT-2A cDNA and a 198 bp mutant competitor cDNA template from MNCs, were prepared. MT-2A mRNA was normalized by reference to the housekeeping gene, $\beta$-actin, mRNA for which was also measured by competitive-RT-PCR. There was considerable inter-individual variation in MT-mRNA concentration and yet, the mean MT-2A mRNA level increased 4.7-fold after Zn supplementation, as compared to before Zn supplementation. This MT-2A mRNA level was shown as the same pattern and, even more sensitive assay, compared to the conventional plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) Zn assessment in which plasma and RBCs zinc levels increased 2.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively (p<0.05). We suggest that MT competitive-RT-PCR can be a useful assessment tool for evaluating human zinc status.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.636-644
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• 1995

Comparison of bioavailabflity (BA) of three brands of ranitidine (RT) tablets has been studied m rats. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharniacolunetics of RT tablets in the rat and to coinpare phannacolunetic parameters of three brands of RT tablets. In addition, it was investigated whether plasma RT concentrations m humans can be predicted from pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in rats. RT was administered intravenously in dose of RT.HCI 10mg/kg and orally in dose of RT.HCI 50mg/kg as solution or crushed sample of thablets. Plasma RT concentrations were determned by HPLC. Plasma RT concentrations as a function of time were fitted to two compartment model. Plasma RT concentrations declined with a terminal half life ($t_{{1}/2{\betha}}$) of 40.9 min. The plasma RT concentration-time curve showed two peak plasma concentrations following an oral administration of solution or crushed sample in rats like humans. No significant difference among pharmacokinetic parameters was observed except $T_{max2}$ (p<0.05). The BA for crushed sample A, B and C were found to be 54.6 40.7 and 40.0%, respectively. Equivalence of $C_{max1}$ and $T_{max2}$ were guaranteed in this study. However, it was concluded that three brands of RT tablets are bioequivalent, taking the following characteristics of RT into consideration;(1) rapid onset of the effect is not required, (2) $C_{max1}$ and $T_{max2}$ do not seem to influence the effectiveness of the drug during a long-term treatment by the usual administration of twice a day. Results from this study were combined with plarmacokinetic data for RT in dogs and humans to develop a basis for interspecies scale-up of the disposition characteristics of the drug. there were similarities in the general disposition of the drug. Allometric relationships were sought between pharmacokinetic parameters nd species body weight. Significant interspecies correlations were found for total body clearance($Cl_{t}$) and steady state volume of distribution ($Bd_{ss}$). Thus, plasma RT concentrations in humans can be predicted from pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in rats.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2015

For real-time precise positioning, IGS provides ephemeris predictions (IGS ultra-rapid, IGU) and real-time ephemeris estimates (real-time service, RTS). Due to the RTS data latency, which ranges from 5 s to 30 s, a short-term prediction process is necessary before applying the RTS corrections. In this paper, the real-time performance of the RTS correction and IGU prediction are compared. The RTS correction availability for the GPS satellites observed in Korea is computed as 99.3%. The RTS correction is applied to broadcast ephemeris to verify the accuracy of the RTS correction. The 3D orbit RMS error of the RTS correction is 0.043 m. Prediction of the RTS correction is modeled as a polynomial, and then the predicted value is compared with the IGU prediction value. The RTS orbit prediction accuracy is nearly equivalent to the IGU prediction, but RTS clock prediction performance is 0.13 m better than the IGU prediction.