• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.3015-3020
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• 2016

Background: Numerous studies have investigated associations of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) -149 C>T and -579 G>T polymorphisms with gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility; however, the findings are inconsistent prompting the present meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Related studies were identified from PubMed, Google scholar, and SID until 10 October 2015. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations. Results: Eleven studies were included based on the search criteria for CRC and GC related to the DNMT3B 149 C>T (3,353 cases and 4,936 controls) and DNMT3B 579 G>T (1,387 cases and 2,064 controls) polymorphisms. There was no significant association overall between DNMT3B -149 and 579 polymorphisms and the risk of cancer. In the stratified analysis by cancer type, DNMT3B 579G>T polymorphism was associated with the risk of CRC and GC. While the DNMT3B -149C/T polymorphism was related with a significantly increased risk of CRC in two tested models, dominant (GG+GT vs. TT: OR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.38-0.69; P = 0.00, Pheterogeneity=0.69, $I^2=0%$) and heterozygote (GT vs. TT: OR 0.50, 95 % CI 0.37-0.69; P=0.00, Pheterogeneity=0.41, $I^2=0%$), no evidence of any association with GC risk was observed as in the pooled analyses. Conclusions: More studies are needed to assess associations of DNMT3B -149C/T and DNMT3B 579G>T polymorphisms with cancer in different ethnicities with large population sizes to generate comprehensive conclusions.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.488-495
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• 2009

In recent years, an increasing amount of research has been conducted on the yield loss of soybean crop caused by Riptortus clavatus, a serious pest of legumes. The objective of this study were to examine crop damage caused by various population densities of R. clavatus and determine the association of unique growth and seed characteristics with crop damage rate in conventional soybean fields. Major growth responses to R. clavatus were examined. The cultivars that were not as seriously damaged by R. clavatus were Pungsannamulkong, Sobaegknamulkong, Duyoukong, and Sinpaldal 2, but Myeongjunamulkong, Mallikong, and Hwangkeumkong were significantly (P<0.05) damaged. The rate of seed damage caused by R. clavatus was 8.2% in a group of brown colored pubescence, while the rate was 13.0% in a group of the gray colored. Crop damage by R. clavatus clearly more reduced in cultivars with dark hilum colors including dark brown, brown, and grayish brown than those with yellow hilum colors. Concerning pod colors, crop damage was less significant in cultivars with dark brown pod color than with the light brown. Cultivars with short pod length (4.0-4.5 cm) at full seed (R6) stage showed lower seed damage rates by R. clavatus than those with long pod length (>5.6 cm). Therefore, characteristics of hilum, pod, pubescence colors, and pod length were significantly related and linked to the cultivar resistance to R. clavatus.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.402-407
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the habitat characteristics of a reservoir in Gyeongju City, Gyeongbuk, in which a large group of Mauremys reevesii (endangered species Class II and natural monument No. 453 in Korea) was discovered. We examined the biotic and abiotic factors that directly and indirectly threaten the survival of M. reevesii within the habitat. The reservoir where M. reevesii was discovered was built for agriculture and surrounded by submerged trees, dam, forests, reeds, and farmland (paddy field). All of the M. reevesii were found only in the submerged trees on the north side of the reservoir. We found 28 M. reevesii (8 juveniles) and 21 M. reevesii (16 juveniles) from field surveys on May 10th and August 9th, 2018, respectively. A number of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), which threaten the survival of M. reevesii, were also found in and around the reservoir. Moreover, there were signs of excavation of cultural asset, chemical fertilizer, and household garbage, all of which are considered to be major threats to the survival of M. reevesii, all over the reservoir. Newborn turtles in this year were not observed. However, we estimated that natural breeding had sufficiently occurred since we observed many young turtles in the reservoir. Furthermore, the presence of young T. s. elegans individuals can be a persistent problem for M. reevesii as they are competing species. In conclusion, in-situ conservation method should be considered for protecting the endangered turtle and their habitat.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.543-550
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• 2020

Mosquitoes are globally distributed and important vectors for the transmission of many human diseases. Mosquito control is a difficult task and the cost of preventing mosquito-borne diseases is much lower than that for curing the associated diseases. Thus, chemical control remains the most effective tool for mosquito. Due to the long-term intensive use of insecticides to control mosquito vectors, resistance to most chemical insecticides has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between insecticide resistance and target site mutation of L1014 kdr and G119 ace alleles in 5 species/species group of mosquitoes (Aedes vexans, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles spp., Culex pipiens complex, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus) obtained from 6 collection sites. For Anopheles spp., the proportion of mosquitoes with mutated alleles in L1014 was 88.4%, homozygous resistant genotypes were observed in 46.7%, and heterozygous resistant genotypes were observed in 41.8%. For the Cx. pipiens complex and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus species, homozygous resistant genotypes were found in 25.9% and 9.8%, respectively. However, target site mutation of L1014 in the Ae. vexans nipponii and Ae. albopictus species was not observed. Anopheles spp., Cx. pipiens complex, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes were resistant to deltamethrin and chlorpyriphos, whereas Ae. vexans nipponii and Ae. albopictus were clearly susceptible. We also found a correlation between the resistance phenotype and the presence of the L1014 kdr and G119 ace mutations only in the Anopheles spp. population. In this study, we suggest that insecticide resistance poses a growing threat and resistance management must be integrated into all mosquito control programs.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2021

This study surveyed the ecological characteristics of Squalidus gracilis majimae at Nakdong River tributary Sinan Stream from January to December 2020. The species inhabited the riverbed that was mostly covered with gravel and sand. The water depth was 27-158 cm, and the average was rather deep at 54 cm. The stream velocity was slow at 0.41±0.19 (0.24-0.86) m/sec. The gender ratio of females to males was 1:0.73. According to the total length-frequency distribution, the age indicated that the group with less than 50 mm in total length was one year old, the group with 70-69 mm was two years old, and the group over 70 mm was three years old. The total length of sexually mature fishes was 50 mm for females and 60 mm for males. The spawning season was from June to July, and the water temperature was 20.9-23.4℃ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was July. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 1,009 (595-1,630) per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 0.78±0.08 (0.57-0.83) mm. The live foods were S. gracilis majimae Protozoa, attached algae, zooplankton, and aquatic insects. The feeding habits of S. gracilis majimae are omnivorous, but more than 80% of the stomach content was aquatic insects, Chironomidae spp. The larger the size of this species, the greater the amount and frequency of eating aquatic insects, which are animal feeds. The population that ate aquatic insects did not eat vegetable food.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2021

The mixotrophic dinoflagellate Tripos furca causes red tides in the waters of many countries. To understand its population dynamics, mortality due to predation as well as growth rate should be assessed. Prior to the present study, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Noctiluca scintillans, Polykrikos kofoidii, Protoperidinium steinii, and mixotrophic dinoflagellate Fragilidium subglobosum were known to ingest T. furca. However, if other common heterotrophic protists are able to feed on T. furca has not been tested. We explored interactions between T. furca and nine heterotrophic dinoflagellates and one naked ciliate. Furthermore, we investigated the abundance of T. furca and common heterotrophic protists in coastal-offshore waters off Yeosu, southern Korea, on Jul 31, 2020, during its red tide. Among the tested heterotrophic protists, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Aduncodinium glandula, Luciella masanensis, and Pfiesteria piscicida were able to feed on T. furca. However, the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Gyrodiniellum shiwhaense, Gyrodinium dominans, Gyrodinium jinhaense, Gyrodinium moestrupii, Oblea rotunda, Oxyrrhis marina, and the naked ciliate Rimostrombidium sp. were unable to feed on it. However, T. furca did not support the growth of A. glandula, L. masanensis, or P. piscicida. Red tides dominated by T. furca prevailed in the South Sea of Korea from Jun 30 to Sep 5, 2020. The maximum abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the waters off Yeosu on Jul 31, 2020, was as low as 5.0 cells mL-1, and A. glandula, L. masanensis, and P. piscicida were not detected. Furthermore, the abundances of the known predators F. subglobosum, N. scintillans, P. kofoidii, and Protoperidinium spp. were very low or negligible. Therefore, no or low abundance of effective predators might be partially responsible for the long duration of the T. furca red tides in the South Sea of Korea in 2020.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.537-542
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• 2021

Schisandra nigra Max., a dioecious plant native to Jeju Island in Korea, is cultivated on a small scale for fruit production. As fruit-producing female individuals are generally considered to be more valuable than male, early identification of plant sex at the seedling stage is important. In this study, a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker associated with a female-specific region in the genome of S. nigra was investigated. Of 120 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, one primer (OPB-03) consistently amplified a 749 bp band in female plants. The female-specific PCR product was isolated and cloned, and the nucleotide sequences were then determined. Southern hybridization performed using the female-specific fragment as a probe produced positive signals only in genomic DNA from the female plants. This result revealed that the 749 bp segment of DNA was present in the genome of female plants but absent in the genome of male plants. A SCAR primer pair was designed based on the RAPD marker to amplify a 436 bp fragment in the genomic DNA of female plants. This primer pair amplified the expected size of DNA fragment in female plants and four monoecious individuals collected from a natural population. The SCAR marker identified in this study can be used to distinguish female-flowering individuals at the seedling stage.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.601-608
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• 2021

This study surveyed the ecological characteristics of Squalidus multimacultus at Taehwa River tributary Cheokgwa Stream from January to December 2020. The species inhabited the riverbed that was mostly covered with sand. The water depth was 25-164 cm, and the average was rather deep at 68 cm. The stream velocity was slow at 0.21±0.26 (0.16-0.43) m/sec. The gender ratio of females to males was 1:0.99. The age according to the total length-frequency distribution indicated that the group with less than 50 mm (29.4 - 49 mm) in total length was one year old, the group with 50 - 69 mm was two years old, the group with 70 - 89 mm was three years old, and the group over 90 mm was four years old. The total length of sexually mature fishes was 40 mm for both males and females. The spawning season was from July to August, and the water temperatures was 23.8 - 25.4℃ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was August. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 1,395 (648 - 2,201) per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 0.67±0.24 (0.62 - 0.83) mm. The live foods were of S. multimacultus attached algae, zooplankton, aquatic insects, and Mollusca. The feeding habits of S. multimacultus were omnivorous, but more than 95% of the stomach content was plant-attached algae. The larger the size of this species, the greater the amount and frequency of eating aquatic insects, which were animal feeds. The population that ate aquatic insects did not eat vegetable food.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2023

To prepare for the threat of a future epidemic in the post-COVID-19 era, research based on the one-health concept (i.e., the health of humans, animals, and the environment as "one") is essential. Cross-species infections are being identified as a result of the high infection rate and viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. The possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to mink has been determined. In addition, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to cats through contact has been considered possible. The data so far show that livestock and poultry are less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, if infections are established through a new mutation, the resulting diseases are expected to have enormous ripple effects on various fields, such as human food security, the economy, and trade. In addition, there are concerns about the endemic prospect of SARS-CoV-2 and the high accessibility of companion animals. This is because the evolution of the virus likely occurs in animal hosts. Once SARS-CoV-2 is established in other species, they might serve as intermediate hosts for the re-emergence of the virus in the human population. Thus, it is necessary to ensure a rapid response to future outbreaks by accumulating research data on the animal infection of SARS-CoV-2. These data can have implications for the development of animal models for vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, in this study, epidemiological reviews were analyzed, and response strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals were presented using the One-health approach.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.44.1-44.13
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• 2022

Brugada syndrome (BS) is an autosomal dominant inheritance cardiac arrhythmia disorder associated with sudden death in young adults. Thailand has the highest prevalence of BS worldwide, and over 60% of patients with BS still have unclear disease etiology. Here, we performed a new viral metagenome analysis pipeline called VIRIN and validated it with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data of HeLa cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma. Then the VIRIN pipeline was applied to identify viral integration positions from unmapped WGS data of Thai males, including 100 BS patients (case) and 100 controls. Even though the sample preparation had no viral enrichment step, we can identify several virus genes from our analysis pipeline. The predominance of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) viruses was found in both cases and controls by blastn and blastx analysis. This study is the first report on the full-length HERV-K assembled genomes in the Thai population. Furthermore, the HERV-K integration breakpoint positions were validated and compared between the case and control datasets. Interestingly, Brugada cases contained HERV-K integration breakpoints at promoters five times more often than controls. Overall, the highlight of this study is the BS-specific HERV-K breakpoint positions that were found at the gene coding region "NBPF11" (n = 9), "NBPF12" (n = 8) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) "PCAT14" (n = 4) region. The genes and the lncRNA have been reported to be associated with congenital heart and arterial diseases. These findings provide another aspect of the BS etiology associated with viral genome integrations within the human genome.