• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.561-571
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• 2017

Prospecting of local grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) germplasm revealed that Tunisia possesses a rich patrimony which presents diversified organoleptic characteristics. However, viral diseases seriously affect all local grapevine cultivars which risk a complete extinction. Sanitation programs need to be established to preserve and exploit, as a gene pool, the Tunisian vineyards areas. The presence of the Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3), Grapevine stem pitting associated virus (GRSPaV) and Grapevine virus A (GVA), were confirmed in a Tunisian grapevine cultivar using serological and molecular analyses. The association between GRSPaV and GVA viruses induces more rugose wood symptoms and damages. For this reason the cleansing of the infected cultivar is highly advisable. Direct and recurrent somatic embryos of cv. 'Hencha' were successfully induced from filament, when cultured on $Ch{\acute{e}}e$and Pool (1987). based-medium, enriched with $2mg1^{-1}$ of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and $2.5mg1^{-1}$ of Thidiazuron, after 36 weeks of culture. After six months of acclimatization, RT-PCR carried on 50 somaplants confirmed the absence of GVA, GRSPaV as well as GLRaV-3 viruses in all somaplants. Ampelographic analysis, based on eight OIV descriptors, was carried out on two years acclimated somaplants, compared to the mother plant. Results demonstrated that the shape and contours of 46 somaclones leaves are identical to mother plant leaves and four phenotypically off-type plants were observed. The healthy state of 100% 'Hencha' somaclones and the high percentage of phenotypically true-to-type plants demonstrate that somatic embryogenesis is a promising technique to adopt for grapevine viruses elimination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.935-940
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of conventional ultrasonography and real time ultrasound elastography in differentiating degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional ultrasonographic and elastographic characteristics of 19 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy in 19 patients, with 30 surgically confirmed PTCs as controls. Based on size, the nodules had been grouped into less than 10mm (group A) and greater than 10 mm (group B). We evaluated conventional parameters and elasticity pattern. Color-scaled elastograms were graded as to stiffness of nodules using an elasticity pattern from I (soft) to IV (stiff). Results: Degenerating cystic thyroid nodules were similar to PTCs in conventional ultrasonographic findings, but the former frequently showed oval to round in shape (group A, 69.2% vs 18.8%, P=0.017; group B, 66.7% vs 7.14%, P=0.017) and punctuate hyperechoic foci (group A, 61.5% vs 0, P<0.001; group B, 50% vs 0, P<0.001). On real time ultrasound elastography, 7 of 13 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules in group A were pattern I, 5 were pattern II, 1 was pattern III. One degenerating cystic thyroid nodule in group B was pattern II, 5 were pattern III. The area under the curve for elastography was 0.98 in group A (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, P = 0.002), and 0.88 in group B (sensitivity 16.7%, specificity 100%, P = 0.014). Conclusions: As a dependable imaging technique, elastography helps increase the performance in differential diagnosis of degenerating cystic thyroid nodule and malignancy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.109-112
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• 2016

We performed a molecular genetic study on the sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA (ITS1 region) gene in 4-day-old adult worms of Macroorchis spinulosus recovered in mice experimentally infected with metacercariae from crayfish in Jeollanam-do Province, Korea. The metacercariae were round, $180{\mu}m$ in average diameter, encysted with 2 layers of thick walls, but the stylet on the oral sucker was not clearly seen. The adult flukes were oval shape, and $760-820{\mu}m$ long and $320-450{\mu}m$ wide, with anterolateral location of 2 large testes. The phylogenetic tree based on ITS1 sequences of 6 M. spinulosus samples showed their distinguished position from other trematode species in GenBank. The most closely resembled group was Paragonimus spp. which also take crayfish or crabs as the second intermediate host. The present study is the first molecular characterization of M. spinulosus and provided a basis for further phylogenetic studies to compare with other trematode fauna in Korea.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

A plant-specific gene was cloned from melon fruit. This gene was named downward leaf curling (CmDLC) based on the phenotype of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the gene. This expression level of this gene was especially upregulated during melon fruit enlargement. Overexpression of CmDLC in Arabidopsis resulted in dwarfism and narrow, epinastically curled leaves. These phenotypes were found to be caused by a reduction in cell number and cell size on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the epidermis, with a greater reduction on the abaxial side of the leaves. These phenotypic characteristics, combined with the more wavy morphology of epidermal cells in overexpression lines, indicate that CmDLC overexpression affects cell elongation and cell morphology. To investigate intracellular protein localization, a CmDLC-GFP fusion protein was made and expressed in onion epidermal cells. This protein was observed to be preferentially localized close to the cell membrane. Thus, we report here a new plant-specific gene that is localized to the cell membrane and that controls leaf cell number, size and morphology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.202-202
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• 2011

The research of 3-dimensional (3-D) scaffold for tissue engineering has been widely investigated as the importance of the 3-D scaffold increased. 3-D scaffold is needed to support for cells to proliferate and maintain their biological functions. Furthermore, its architecture defines the shape of the new bone and cartilage growth. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been one of the most promising materials for fabricating 3-D scaffold owing to its excellent mechanical property and biocompatibility. However, there are practical problems for using it, in vitro and in vivo; extracellular matrix components and nutrients cannot penetrate into the inner space of scaffold, due to its hydrophobic property, and thus cell seeding and attachment onto the inner surface remain as a challenge. Thus, the surface modification strategy of 3-D PCL scaffold is prerequisite for successful tissue engineering. Herein, we utilized a mussel-inspired approach for surface modification of 3-D PCL scaffold. Modification of 3-D PCL scaffolds was carried out by simple immersion of scaffolds into the dopamine solution and stimulated body fluid, and as a result, hydroxyapatite-immobilized 3-D PCL scaffolds were obtained. After surface modification, the wettability of 3-D PCL scaffold was considerably changed, and infiltration of the pre-osteoblastic cells into the 3-D scaffold followed by the attachment onto the surface was successfully achieved.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.456-463
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• 2002

Distraction osteogenesis is a well-established clinical treatment for limb length discrepancy and skeletal deformities. Appropriate mechanical tension-stress is believed not to break the callus but rather to stimulate osteogenesis. In contrast to fracture healing, the mode of bone formation in distraction osteogenesis is primarily intramembranous ossification. Although the biomechanical, histological, and ultrastructural changes associated with distraction osteogenesis have been widely described, the basic biology of the process is still not well known. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms in distraction osteogenesis remain largely unclear. Recent studies have implicated the growth factor cascade is likely to play an important role in distraction. And current reserch suggested that mechanical tension-stress modulates cell shape and phenotype, and stimulates the expression of the mRNA for bone matrix proteins. This article presents the hypotheses and current research that have furthered knowledge of the molecular biology that govern distraction osteogenesis. The gene regulation of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins during distraction osteogenesis are discussed in this article. It is believed that understanding the biomolecular mechanisms that mediate distraction osteogenesis may guide the development of targeted strategies designed to improve distraction osteogenesis and accelerate bone healing.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2002

The structural aspects of ervatamin B have been studied in different types of alcohol. This alcohol did not affect the structure or activity of ervatamin B under neutral conditions. At a low pH (3.0), different kinds of alcohol have different effects. Interestingly, at a certain concentration of non-fluorinated, aliphatic, monohydric alcohol, a conformational switch from the predominantly $\alpha$-helical to $\beta$-sheeted state is observed with a complete loss of tertiary structure and proteolytic activity. This is contrary to the observation that alcohol induces mostly the $\alpha$helical structure in proteins. The O-state of ervatamin B in 50% methanol at pH 3.0 has enhanced the stability towards GuHCl denaturation and shows a biphasic transition. This suggests the presence of two structural parts with different stabilities that unfold in steps. The thermal unfolding of ervatamin B in the O-state is also biphasic, which confirms the presence of two domains in the enzyme structure that unfold sequentially. The differential stabilization of the structural parts may also be a reflection of the differential stabilization of local conformations in methanol. Thermal unfolding of ervatamin B in the absence of alcohol is cooperative, both at neutral and low pH, and can be fitted to a two state model. However, at pH 2.0 the calorimetric profiles show two peaks, which indicates the presence of two structural domains in the enzyme with different thermal stabilities that are denatured more or less independently. With an increase in pH to 3.0 and 4.0, the shape of the DSC profiles change, and the two peaks converge to a predominant single peak. However, the ratio of van't Hoff enthalpy to calorimetric enthalpy is approximated to 2.0, indicating non-cooperativity in thermal unfolding.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.443-452
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• 2004

Habit is the description of the outer appearance of a crystal. If the environment of a growing crystal affects its external shape without changing its internal structure, a different habit results. Crystal habit and the internal structure of a drug can affect bulk and physicochemical properties, which range from flowability to chemical stability. A polymorph is a solid crystalline phase of a given compound resulting from the possibility of at least two different arrangements of the molecules of that compound in the solid state. Chemical stability and solubility changes due to polymorphism can have an impact on a drug's bioavailability and its development program. During crystallization from a solution, crystals separating may consist of a pure component or be a molecular compound. Solvates are molecular complexes that have incorporated the crystallizing solvent molecule in their lattice. When the solvent incorporated in the solvate is water, it is called a hydrate. To distinguish solvates from polymorphs, which are not molecular compounds, the term pseudopolymorph is used. Identification of possible hydrate compounds is important since their aqueous solubilities can be significantly less than their anhydrous forms. Conversion of an anhydrous compound to a hydrate within the dosage form may reduce the dissolution rate and extent of drug absorption. An amorphous solid may be treated as a supercooled liquid in which the arrangement of molecules is random. Amorphous solids lack the three-dimensional long-range order found in crystalline solids. Since amorphous forms are usually of higher thermodynamic energy than corresponding crystalline forms, solubilities as well as dissolution rates are generally greater. A study on crystal form includes characterization of (l)crystal habit, (2)polymorphism, (3)pseudopolymorphism, (4)amorphous solid.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.411-417
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• 2017

Background: Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Regel) H. Hara shows vegetative growth with radical leaves during the first year and shows reproductive growth with cauline leaves and bolting during the second year. In addition, the shape of the plant varies within the same species. For this reason, there are limitations to classifying the species by visual examination. However, there is not sufficient genetic information or molecular tools to analyze the genetic diversity of the plant. Methods and Results: Approximately 34.59 Gbp of raw data containing 342,487,502 reads was obtained from next generation sequencing (NGS) and these reads were assembled into 357,211 scaffolds. A total of 84,106 simple sequence repeat (SSR) regions were identified and 14,133 primer sets were designed. From the designed primer sets, 95 were randomly selected and were applied to the genomic DNA which was extracted from five plants and pooled. Thirty-nine primer sets showing more than two bands were finally selected as SSR markers, and were used for the genetic relationship analysis. Conclusions: The 39 novel SSR markers developed in this study could be used for the genetic diversity analysis, variety identification, new variety development and molecular breeding of A. triphylla.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.423-427
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• 2019

Coenurosis is an important zoonotic helminthic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. This parasite typically infects the brain of the intermediate hosts, including sheep, goat, cattle and even humans. We report a case of T. multiceps infection in a yak confirmed by clinical symptoms, morphological characteristics, and molecular and phylogenetic analyses. The coenurus was thin-walled, whitish, and spherical in shape with a diameter of 10 cm. The parasite species was identified as T. multiceps by PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA, cox1 and nad1 genes. Three gene sequences all showed high homology (all above 97%) with the reference sequences from different hosts. Moreover, phylogenetic reconstructions with the 3 published Taenia gene sequences confirmed that the Qinghai yak isolate was closely related to T. multiceps. Although there are advanced diagnosis and treatment methods for coenurosis, early infection is difficult to diagnose. Importantly, the findings of yak infection case should not be ignored due to its zoonotic potential.