• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2011

Oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) are triterpenoid compound present in many plants. This study examined the antimicrobial activity of OA and UA against Streptococcus downei. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time kill curves. The MIC values of OA and UA for S. downei isolated from the Korean population were $8{\mu}g/ml$. OA and UA had a bactericidal effect on S. downei ATCC $33748^T$ above $2{\times}MIC$, $16{\mu}g/ml$ and $8{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The results suggest that OA and UA can be used in the development of oral hygiene products for the prevention of dental caries.

• Proceedings of the Fisheries Business Administration Society of Korea Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.133-158
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• 2007

This study aims at analyzing the potential of leports-fishing for improving fishing household income. Leports-fishing is a composite concept which is combined with those of leisure, sports and fishing. Korean on-shore resources have also a composite characteristic. The characteristics of the east, west and south coastal waters are quite different in geography, biology and ecology. There is a array of leports-fishing development potentials of utilizing their characteristics. At present, angling forms a main activity of leports-fishing, but coastal seas would be an emerging space for the public. In order for them to be a ground of fun, enjoyment and festivals, there would be necessary to supply a wide range of activities including angling, scuba diving, fish barbecue, ecological experience, fishing experience, cruise, and so forth. As seen in the survey results, the participants have strong desire for fun and enjoyment through leports-fishing activities. The proportion of people participating in one or two times a year amounts to 40 percent. Most coastal places visited are close to medium/large cities and two-days leports-fishing/ tourism accounts for some 77 percent. However, it is shown that conflicts between leports-fishing participants and fishermen are not serious. The results of expenditure function estimation appear that the elasticity of per capita income is very high with 1.2660 and that there are negative relationships between leports-fishing expenditure and transportation/food/lodging costs. Assuming the economic growth rate of 4 percent, it is anticipated that Korean leports-fishing population will increase to 3.18 million in 2010 and 4.07 million in 2015. Korean leports-fishing market potential in 2015, which is calculated based on per capita expenditure on leports-fishing appeared to be 1,400 billion won$\sim$1,600 billion won. The contribution of such market potential is expected to be 62.3$\sim$74.2 percent(934.5 billion won$\sim$111.3 billion won) to the fishing households.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.365-381
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• 2009

The chloroplast DNA sequences of Megaleranthis saniculifolia, an endemic and monotypic endangered plant species, were completed in this study (GenBank FJ597983). The genome is 159,924 bp in length. It harbors a pair of IR regions consisting of 26,608 bp each. The lengths of the LSC and SSC regions are 88,326 bp and 18,382 bp, respectively. The structural organizations, gene and intron contents, gene orders, AT contents, codon usages, and transcription units of the Megaleranthis chloroplast genome are similar to those of typical land plant cp DNAs. However, the detailed features of Megaleranthis chloroplast genomes are substantially different from that of Ranunculus, which belongs to the same family, the Ranunculaceae. First, the Megaleranthis cp DNA was 4,797 bp longer than that of Ranunculus due to an expanded IR region into the SSC region and duplicated sequence elements in several spacer regions of the Megaleranthis cp genome. Second, the chloroplast genomes of Megaleranthis and Ranunculus evidence 5.6% sequence divergence in the coding regions, 8.9% sequence divergence in the intron regions, and 18.7% sequence divergence in the intergenic spacer regions, respectively. In both the coding and noncoding regions, average nucleotide substitution rates differed markedly, depending on the genome position. Our data strongly implicate the positional effects of the evolutionary modes of chloroplast genes. The genes evidencing higher levels of base substitutions also have higher incidences of indel mutations and low Ka/Ks ratios. A total of 54 simple sequence repeat loci were identified from the Megaleranthis cp genome. The existence of rich cp SSR loci in the Megaleranthis cp genome provides a rare opportunity to study the population genetic structures of this endangered species. Our phylogenetic trees based on the two independent markers, the nuclear ITS and chloroplast MatK sequences, strongly support the inclusion of the Megaleranthis to the Trollius. Therefore, our molecular trees support Ohwi's original treatment of Megaleranthis saniculifolia to Trollius chosenensis Ohwi.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.351-357
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• 2009

Phytoestrogens are the natural compounds isolated from plants, which are structurally similar to animal estrogen, $17{\beta}$-estradiol. Tectoridin, a major isoflavone isolated from the rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis. Tectoridin is known as a phytoestrogen, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its estrogenic effect are remained unclear. In this study we investigated the estrogenic signaling triggered by tectoridin as compared to a famous phytoestrogen, genistein in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Tectoridin scarcely binds to ER ${\alpha}$ as compared to $17{\beta}$-estradiol and genistein. Despite poor binding to ER ${\alpha}$, tectoridin induced potent estrogenic effects, namely recovery of the population of cells in the S-phase after serum starvation, transactivation of the estrogen response element, and induction of MCF-7 cell proliferation. The tectoridin-induced estrogenic effect was severely abrogated by treatment with U0126, a specific MEK1/2 inhibitor. Tectoridin promoted phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but did not affect phosphorylation of ER ${\alpha}$ at $Ser^{118}$. It also increased cellular accumulation of cAMP, a hallmark of GPR30-mediated estrogen signaling. These data imply that tectoridin exerts its estrogenic effect mainly via the GPR30 and ERK-mediated rapid nongenomic estrogen signaling pathway. This property of tectoridin sets it aside from genistein where it exerts the estrogenic effects via both an ER-dependent genomic pathway and a GPR30-dependent nongenomic pathway.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2017

We examined the effects of environmental factors on zoospore release and germling growth of the green tide alga Cladophora albida under various conditions of temperature${\times}$irradiance (zoospore release), temperature${\times}$irradiance${\times}$ nutrient (germling growth), and a single factor test of salinity. Zoospore release was maximized at $30^{\circ}C$ and $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ in the temperature irradiance experiment and at 34 psu in the salinity experiment. Maximum germling growth was observed at $25^{\circ}C$ with $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ and PES (Provasoli's Enriched Seawater) in the temperature irradiance nutrient experiment, and at 34 psu in the salinity experiment. Germlings grew faster at higher irradiances for a given temperature level, and also grew faster as salinity increased over the range of 5-34 psu. Overall, optimal environmental conditions for zoospore release were $30^{\circ}C$, $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ and 34 psu. Maximal germling growth occurred at $25^{\circ}C$, $100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, PES, and 34 psu. C. albida blooms are most likely to occur under these optimal environmental conditions, as plentiful zoospore release and rapid germling growth lead to population growth.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 2016

Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba, is widely distributed in the environment, water sources, soil, dust, and air. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers with poor hygiene and also fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the distribution and genotypes of the potentially pathogenic species of Acanthamoeba present in water sources in north of Iran. Total 43 Acanthamoeba species were isolated from 77 water samples taken from different water sources within the Mazandaran province in Northern Iran (Sari city and suburbs). Isolates were identified based on cyst and trophozoite morphological characteristics as well genetics. PCR fragments corresponding to the small-subunit 18S rRNA gene were sequenced for 20 of 43 positive isolates. The results revealed that 83.3% of sequenced isolates belonged to the T4 genotype and the rest belonged to the T2 genotype. Our results indicated that Acanthamoeba is widely distributed in Sari city. As the incidence in Iran of amoebic keratitis has increased in recent years, the exact estimation of the prevalence of this amoeba and its predominant genotype may play a crucial role in prevention of the disease. Sari city has several rivers, seashores, and natural recreational amenities, which attract visitors during the year. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba genotypes from water sources in Sari city, Mazandaran province of Iran, and the results suggest that more attention is needed to protect the visiting population and immunocompromised individuals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.259-263
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• 2013

Human taeniasis was investigated in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) between 2000 and 2011 as part of the nation's helminthiasis survey. A total of 55,038 inhabitants, including 29,846 school children, were examined using the Kato-Katz and scotch-tape anal swab method, and morphological observation of adult worms. Molecular identification of Taenia tapeworms was performed by multiplex PCR or DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Taenia eggs were present at a rate of 1.5% (845/55,038) in the subject population. Adult tapeworms were identified as T. solium or T. saginata by analyzing the collectable stool specimens (n=126). Three specimens identified as T. solium were found in Luang Prabang, while the remaining 123 specimens, which were T. saginata, were found in Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouane, Luang Namta, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Saysomboune, Saravane, Savannakhet, Xayaboury, Xekong, Xieng Khouang Province, and Vientiane Municipality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.331-339
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• 2008

The genetic structure and diversity of 15 Chinese indigenous chicken breeds was investigated using 29 microsatellite markers. The total number of birds examined was 542, on average 36 birds per breed. A total of 277 alleles (mean number 9.55 alleles per locus, ranging from 2 to 25) was observed. All populations showed high levels of heterozygosity with the lowest estimate of 0.440 for the Gushi chickens, and the highest one of 0.644 observed for Wannan Three-yellow chickens. The global heterozygote deficit across all populations (FIT) amounted to 0.180 (p<0.001). About 16% of the total genetic variability originated from differences between breeds, with all loci contributing significantly to this differentiation. An unrooted consensus tree was constructed using the Neighbour-Joining method and pair-wise distances based on marker estimated kinships. Two main groups were found. The heavy-body type populations grouped together in one cluster while the light-body type populations formed the second cluster. The STRUCTURE software was used to assess genetic clustering of these chicken breeds. Similar to the phylogenetic analysis, the heavy-body type and light-body type populations separated first. Clustering analysis provided an accurate representation of the current genetic relations among the breeds. Remarkably similar breed rankings were obtained with all methods.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4 s.92
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• pp.395-404
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• 2000

The gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic Index (HSI), egg size distribution, gonad development and reproductive characteristics of venus fish, Aphyocypris chinensis, were examined during March 1997- March 1998 in agricultural waterways of the Sedo-myun, Puyo county, Chungnam Province, Korea. Annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following five successive phases by monthly changes in GSI and the characteristics of ovary: quiescent phase (January- February), secondary growing and mature phase (March-May), ripe and spawning phase (June-July), degenerating and resting phase (August-September) and primary growing phase (October-December). The hepatosomatic index (HSI) showed clear seasonal pattern with two separate peaks. However, it exhibited a negative correlation to changes of GSI values. The regression analysis suggested that fecundity showed a strong positive linear relationship ($r^2\;=\;0.91$, n = 34) with body weight. The sex ratio of female to male was 1.4 : 1 in the natural population during the study. The minimum reproductive size of female and male venus fish was 38 mm and 33 mm in fork length, respectively.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2005

A chitinolytic bacterium, Chromobacterium sp. strain C-61, was found strongly antagonistic to Rhizoctonia solani, a causal agent of damping-off of eggplant. In this study, the biocontrol activity and enzymatic characteristics of strain C-61 were compared with its four Tn5 insertion mutants (C61-A, -B, -C, and -D) that had lower chitinolytic ability. The chitinase activity of a 2-day old culture was about $76\%,\;49\%\;and\;6\%$ level in C61-A, C61-B and in C61-C, respectively, compared with that of strain C-61. The $\beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase$(Nahase) activity was little detected in strain C-61 but increased largely in C-61A, C61-B and C61-C. Activities of chitinase and Nahase appeared to be negatively correlated in these strains. Another mutant, C-61D, produced no detectable extracellular chitinase and Nahase. The in vitro and in vivo biocontrol activities of strain C-61 and its mutants were closely related to their ability to produce chitinase but not Nahase. No significant differences in population densities between strain C-61 and its mutants were observed in soil around eggplant roots. The results of SDS-PAGE and isoelectrofocusing showed that a major chitinase of strain C-61 is 54-kDa with pI of approximately 8.5. This study provides evidence that the biocontrol activity of Chromobacterium sp. strain C-61 against Rhizoctonia solani depends on the ability to produce chitinase with molecular weight of 54-kDa and pI of 8.5.