• Title/Summary/Keyword: rapid screening

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Characterising Forages for Ruminant Feeding

  • Dynes, R.A.;Henry, D.A.;Masters, D.G.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.116-123
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    • 2003
  • Forages are the most important feed resource for ruminants worldwide, whether fed as pastures, forage crops or conserved hay, silage or haylage. There is large variability in the quality of forages so measurement and prediction of feeding value and nutritive value are essential for high levels of production. Within a commercial animal production system, methods of prediction must be inexpensive and rapid. At least 50% of the variation in feeding value of forages is due to variation in voluntary feed intake. Identification of the factors that constrain voluntary feed intake allows these differences to be managed and exploited in forage selection. Constraints to intake have been predicted using combinations of metabolic and physical factors within the animal while simple measurements such as the energy required to shear the plant material are related to constraints to intake with some plant material. Animals respond to both pre- and post-ingestive feedback signals from forages. Pre-ingestive signals may play a role in intake with signals including taste, odour and texture together with learned aversions to nutrients or toxins (post-ingestive feedback signals). The challenge to forage evaluation is identification of the factors which are most important contributors to these feedback signals. Empirical models incorporating chemical composition are also widely used. The models tend to be useful within the ranges of the datasets used in their development but none can claim to have universal application. Mechanistic models are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated and incorporate both feed characteristics and use of biochemical pathways within the animal. Improvement in utilisation through the deliberate selection of pasture plants for high feeding value appears to have potential and has been poorly exploited. Use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy is a simple method that offers significant potential for the preliminary screening of plants with genetic differences in feeding value. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy will only be as reliable as the calibration sets from which the equations are generated.

Applications of DNA Microarray in Disease Diagnostics

  • Yoo, Seung-Min;Choi, Jong-Hyun;Lee, Sang-Yup;Yoo, Nae-Choon
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.19 no.7
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    • pp.635-646
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    • 2009
  • Rapid and accurate diagnosis of diseases is very important for appropriate treatment of patients. Recent advances in molecular-level interaction and detection technologies are upgrading the clinical diagnostics by providing new ways of diagnosis, with higher speed and accuracy. In particular, DNA microarrays can be efficiently used in clinical diagnostics which span from discovery of diseaserelevant genes to diagnosis using its biomarkers. Diagnostic DNA microarrays have been used for genotyping and determination of disease-relevant genes or agents causing diseases, mutation analysis, screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), detection of chromosome abnormalities, and global determination of posttranslational modification. The performance of DNA-microarray-based diagnosis is continuously improving by the integration of other tools. Thus, DNA microarrays will play a central role in clinical diagnostics and will become a gold standard method for disease diagnosis. In this paper, various applications of DNA microarrays in disease diagnosis are reviewed. Special effort was made to cover the information disclosed in the patents so that recent trends and missing applications can be revealed.

Comparison of Short-Term Toxicity Tests Based on Feeding Behavior and Temperature Control by Ceriodaphnia dubia (Ceriodaphnia dubia의 먹이섭생 기작과 온도조절에 근거한 급성독성조사법의 비교)

  • Park, Jong-Ho;Lee, Sang-Ill;Cho, Young-Oak
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.48-54
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    • 2004
  • Two methods, a Ceriodaphnia algal uptake suppression test (CAUST) and a new toxicity test based on temperature control (TTBTC) which are based on feeding behaviour and temperature control, respectively, were developed and compared for the adoption as the better methodology for short-term toxicity screening. As previously published by Lee et aI., (1997), the CAUST method is based on the feeding behaviour of C. dubia and requires as little as 1 hour of contact time between C. dubia neonates and toxicant. However, even though CAUST requires only 1 hour of contact time, this method still take many hours for the preparation and measurement. Before the test starts, neonate digestive tracts were cleared by feeding yeast to the daphnids, Neonates were then exposed to toxicant, followed by addition of Scenedesmus subspiatus into the bioassay vessels. Daphnids were examined under the bright-field microscope with the presence of algae (indicated by a green colored digestive tract) or the absence of algae. Uptake indicated no toxic effect, whereas, absence of uptake indicated toxic inhibition. Unlike CAUST, the newly developed method (TTBTC) is based on just temperature control for the toxicity test of C. dubia. Initially, neonates are exposed to toxicants while the temperature of water bath containing media increased to $35.5^{\circ}C$. After 1.25 hour of contact time, the number of the daphnids, either live (no toxic effect) or dead (toxic effect), is counted without the aid of any instrument. In both methods, median effective concentrations ($EC_{50}$ values) were computed based on the results over a range of dosed toxicant concentrations. It showed that TTBTC was as sensitive as the standard 48-hour acute bioassay and CAUST. TTBTC and CAUST were much more sensitive than the I-hour I.Q. test and 30-minute Microtox. This study indicates that TTBTC is an easier and more rapid toxicity test than the standard 48-hour acute bioassay and even CAUST.

Expression and diagnostic application of nucleocapsid protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (돼지 생식기호흡기증후군 바이러스의 Nucleocapsid 단백질 발현 및 진단적 응용)

  • Park, Hyo-Sun;Hahn, Tae-Uook;Kim, Hyun-Soo;Choi, Kang-Seuk;Lee, Eun-Jeong;Kang, Shien-Young
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.129-137
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    • 2003
  • Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterized by reproductive failures in sows and respiratory problems in piglets. The nucleocapsid(N) protein, encoded by the open reading frame 7 (ORF7) gene, is known to be the most abundant and antigenic protein in PRRS virus. Therefore, it was suggested that the N protein could be a suitable candidate for the detection of PRRS virus-specific antibodies and diagnosis of PRRS. In the present study, the ORF7 gene encoding the N protein was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) in Escherichia coli. The resulting GST-N recombinant protein was used as an antigen for an indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). Expressed GST-N recombinant protein was migrated at 41 kDa and reacted with ORF7-specific monoclonal antibody by Western blotting. In order to increase the specificity of the ELISA for the detection of PRRS virus-specific antibodes, an i-ELISA was developed using an anti-GST antibody as a capture antibody. The sensitivity and specificity of developed i-ELISA were 92% and 96%, respectively. Based on these results, it was suggested that the i-ELISA is a simple and rapid test for screening a large number of swine sera for the anti-PRRS virus antibodies.

Seismic Capacity Evaluation of Low-Rise Reinforced Concrete Buildings in Korea (국내 저층 철근콘크리트 건물의 내진성능 평가)

  • Lee, Kang-Seok;Kim, Yong-In;Min, Kyung-Min
    • Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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    • 2008.11a
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    • pp.241-244
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    • 2008
  • The authors proposed a new rapid-screening method for more reasonably evaluating seismic capacities of medium and low-rise RC buildings controlled by both shear and flexure in Ref. [1]. The method proposed in Ref. [1] was based on relationships between required strengths of each failure system for ductility factors and damage degrees of overall system derived from the view-point of ductility factors. The proposed method was also verified using observed real damage data of low-rise RC buildings caused by past earthquakes. Results indicated that the methodology proposed in Ref. [1] compares well with real damages and is a useful strategy for rapidly identifying low-rise RC buildings having high potential seismic risk. In this study, in order to verify the applicability of the new methodology proposed in Ref. [1] to real RC building systems, seismic capacities of existing eleven low-rise RC buildings in Korea are evaluated based on the new method.

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Detection of Citrus Tristeza Virus by RT-PCR and Status of CTV Infection among Citrus Trees in Cheju Island

  • Oh, Hyun-Jeong;Park, Sung-Hugh;Lee, Se-Yong;Jeon, Gyeong-Lyong;Riu, Key-Zung;U, Zanh-Kual
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.335-339
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    • 1999
  • Citrus tristeza virus(CTV), an aphid-borne closterovirus, is one of the most destructive pathogens of citrus. It has caused rapid decline in growth, stem pitting and death in citrus trees. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed for detection of CTV and investigation of the CTV infection status of citrus and its related cultivars in Cheju island. For RT-PCR based CTV detection, primers were designed to amplify 670bp of coat protein gene. A screening test for CTV in citrus cultivars was conducted from March to July in 1999. Seventy individual citrus trees representing 9 species of 3 genera were tested. The infection rates of CTV for leaves from the years or older trees of late maturing citrus varieties such as Yuzu (C. junos Sieb. ex Tanaka), Navel orange (C.sinensis Osbeck), Kiyomitanger (C. unshiu x C. sinensis), and Shiranuhi ((C. unshiu x C. sinensis) x C. reticulata) were 100%, 80%, 60%, and 60% respectively. The CTV infection rates in Early satsuma mandarins such as 'Miyagawa Early' Satsuma mandarins (C. unshiu Marc. var. Miyagawa) and 'Okitsu Early' Satsuma mandarins (C. unshiu Marc. var. Okitsu) were 100%, and 60%, respectively. CTV was not detected in Cheju native Dangyooja (C. unshiu Marc. var. Osbeck), Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and Kumquat (Fortunella margarita Swingle). In conclusion, RT-PCR assay can be successfully applied to the detection of CTV in citrus trees.

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Discovering Novel Genes of poultry in Genomic Era

  • S.K. Kang;Lee, B.C.;J.M. Lim;J.Y. Han;W.S. Hwang
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.143-153
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    • 2001
  • Using bioinformatic tools for searching the massive genome databases, it is possible to Identify new genes in few minutes for initial discoveries based on evolutionary conservation, domain homology, and tissue expression patterns, followed by further verification and characterization using the bench-top works. The development of high-density two-dimensional arrays has allowed the analysis of the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously in the humans, mice, rats, yeast, and bacteria to elucidate the genes and pathways involved in physiological processes. In addition, rapid and automated protein identification is being achieved by searching protein and nucleotide sequence databases directly with data generated from mass spectrometry. Recently, analysis at the bio-chemical level such as biochemical screening and metabolic profiling (Biochemical genomics) has been introduced as an additional approach for categorical assignment of gene function. To make advantage of recent achievements in computational approaches for facilitated gene discoveries in the avian model, chicken expression sequence tags (ESTs) have been reported and deposited in the international databases. By searching EST databases, a chicken heparanase gene was identified and functionally confirmed by subsequent experiments. Using combination of sub-tractive hybridization assay and Genbank database searches, a chicken heme -binding protein family (cSOUL/HBP) was isolated in the retina and pineal gland of domestic chicken and verified by Northern blot analysis. Microarrays have identified several host genes whose expression levels are elevated following infection of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) with Marek's disease virus (MDV). The ongoing process of chicken genome projects and new discoveries and breakthroughs in genomics and proteomics will no doubt reveal new and exciting information and advances in the avian research.

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Improvement of in vitro Sun Protection Factor Measurement (In vitro SPF 측정법 개선에 관한 연구)

  • 안성연;배지현;이해광;문성준;장이섭
    • Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.129-133
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    • 2004
  • The major advantage of the in vitro test is that it is a rapid, objective and cost-effective screening methodology. In vitro tests can provide a formulation tool to identify new fillers that are optimized by combinations of old ones and they can be used to pre-screen protective formulas prior to in vivo testing in humans. Therefore, the accuracy of in vitro SPF measurement is very important. In this study, improvement of application method of samples was tried to improve the accuracy of in vitro SPF measurement. The outer part of Transpore$\^$(R)/ tape was used to apply samples as the substrates and the standard drying time was set at 15 min. The new method, topical applications at light scan areas, results in more accurate and reliable results. This result suggests that more accurate prediction system can be established for in vivo SPF with in vivo SPF measurement.

A Simple Method for the Assessment of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Korean Wheat Seedlings Inoculated with Fusarium graminearum

  • Shin, Sanghyun;Kim, Kyeong-Hoon;Kang, Chon-Sik;Cho, Kwang-Min;Park, Chul Soo;Okagaki, Ron;Park, Jong-Chul
    • The Plant Pathology Journal
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.25-32
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    • 2014
  • Fusarium head blight (FHB; scab) caused mainly by Fusarium graminearum is a devastating disease of wheat and barley around the world. FHB causes yield reductions and contamination of grain with trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) which are a major health concern for humans and animals. The objective of this research was to develop an easy seed or seedling inoculation assay, and to compare these assays with whole plant resistance of twenty-nine Korean winter wheat cultivars to FHB. The clip-dipping assay consists of cutting off the coleoptiles apex, dipping the coleoptiles apex in conidial suspension, covering in plastic bag for 3 days, and measuring the lengths of lesions 7 days after inoculation. There were significant cultivar differences after inoculation with F. graminearum in seedling relative to the controls. Correlation coefficients between the lesion lengths of clip-dipping inoculation and FHB Type II resistance from adult plants were significant (r=0.45; P<0.05). Results from two other seedling inoculation methods, spraying and pin-point inoculation, were not correlated with adult FHB resistance. Single linear correlation was not significant between seed germination assays (soaking and soak-dry) and FHB resistance (Type I and Type II), respectively. These results showed that clip-dipping inoculation method using F. graminearum may offer a real possibility of simple, rapid, and reliable for the early screening of FHB resistance in wheat.

Assessment of hazardous substances and workenvironment for cleanrooms of microelectronic industry (전자산업 청정실의 작업환경 및 유해물질농도 평가)

  • Chung, Eun-Kyo;Park, Hyun-Hee;Shin, Jung-Ah;Jang, Jae-Kil
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.280-287
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    • 2009
  • High-tech microelectronics industry is known as one of the most chemical-intensive industries. In Korea, Microelectronics industry occupied 38% of export and 16% of working employees work in microelectronics industry. But, chemical information and health hazards of high-tech microelectronics manufacturing are poorly understood because of rapid development and its penchant for secrecy. We need to investigate on chemical use and exposure control. We Site-visits to 6 high-tech microelectronics manufacturing company which have cleanroom work using over 1,000kg organic solvents (5 semi-conductor chips and its related parts company, 1 liquid crystal display (LCD)). We reviewed their data on chemical use and ventilation system, and measured TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) and carbon dioxide concentration. All cleanroom air passed through hepa filters to acheive low particle levels and only 1 cleanroom uses carbon filters to minimize the organic solvents exposures In TVOC screening test, Cleanroom for semi-conductor chips and its related parts company with laminar down flow system (e.g. class 1~100) showed nondetectable level of TVOCs concentration, but Cleanroom for liquid crystal display (LCD) with conventional flow system (e.g. class 1,000~10,000) showed 327 ppm as TVOCs. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for Jig cleaning, LC Injection, Sealing processes were 18.488ppm (n=14), 49.762 ppm (n=15), 8.656 ppm (n=14) as arithmetric mean. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for LCD inspection process was 40ppm (n=55) as geometric mean, where the range was 7.8~128.7ppm and weakly correlated with ventilation rate efficiency(r=0.44, p<0.05). To control organic solvents in cleanrooms, chemical and carbon filters should be installed with hepa filters. Even though their volatile organic compounds concentration was not exceed to occupational exposure limits, considering of entrance limited cleanroom environment, long-term period exposure effects and adverse health effects of cleanroom worker need further reseach.