• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1154-1162
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• 2015

The emergence of carbapenem resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an increasing problem in many parts of the world. In particular, metallo-$\beta$-lactamases (MBLs) and AmpC $\beta$lactamases are responsible for high-level resistance to carbapenem and cephalosporin. We studied the diversity and frequency of $\beta$-lactamases and characterized chromosomal AmpC $\beta$lactamase from carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Sixty-one carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from patients in a tertiary hospital in Daejeon, Korea, from January 2011 to June 2014. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of four antimicrobial agents were determined using the agar-dilution method. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to identify the various $\beta$-lactamase genes, class 1 integrons, and chromosomally encoded and plasmid-mediated ampC genes. In addition, the epidemiological relationship was investigated by multilocus sequence typing. Among 61 carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, 25 isolates (41.0%) were MBL producers. Additionally, 30 isolates producing PDC (Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase)-2 were highly resistant to ceftazidime (MIC₅₀ = $256{\mu}g/ml$) and cefepime (MIC₅₀ = $256{\mu}g/ml$). Of all the PDC variants, 25 isolates harboring MBL genes showed high levels of cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance, whereas 36 isolates that did not harbor MBL genes revealed relatively low-level resistance (ceftazidime, p < 0.001; cefepime, p < 0.001; imipenem, p = 0.003; meropenem, p < 0.001). The coexistence of MBLs and AmpC $\beta$-lactamases suggests that these may be important contributing factors for cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance. Therefore, efficient detection and intervention to control drug resistance are necessary to prevent the emergence of P. aeruginosa possessing this combination of $\beta$-lactamases.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2017

During an investigation of the biodiversity of bacterial species in Korea, we discovered many indigenous prokaryotic species. A total of 39 bacterial strains in the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from various environmental samples collected from marine organisms, sea water, fresh water, tap water, mud flats, activated sludge, mineral water, tidal flats, soil and decayed plants. From the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.7%) and formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the most closely related species, it was determined that each strain belonged to each independent and predefined bacterial species. There is no official report that any of these 39 Alphaproteobacteria species have been described in Korea. Specifically, 18 species in 11 genera in the order Sphingomonadales, 11 species in 10 genera in the order Rhizobiales, two species in two genera in the order Caulobacterales, six species in six genera in the order Rhodobacterales and two species in two genera in the order Rhodospirillales were found in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2017

Within a comprehensive, widescale investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, 29 bacterial strains in the phylum Bacteroidetes were isolated from diverse environmental habitats that included soil, plant roots, natural caves, tidal flats, freshwater from lakes, and seawater. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (>99.1%) and the formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the closest type species, each strain likely belonged to an independent and predefined bacterial species. There are no publications or official reports of the isolation of these 29 species in Korea. Our study provides strong evidence that seven species in three genera in the order Cytophagales, 15 species in 13 genera in the order Flavobacteriales and seven species in five genera in the order Sphingobacteriales, all within the phylum Bacteriodetes, are new reports of bacterial species in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2017

During a comprehensive investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, a total 31 bacterial strains assigned to the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from diverse environmental habitats including freshwater, seawater, brackish water, ginseng soil, plant roots, natural caves, and tidal flats. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities(>99.1%) and formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the closest type species, each strain was assigned to an independent and predefined bacterial species. Because there were no published or official reports regarding the isolation of these 31 species in Korea, this study identified three species in two genera in the order Caulobacterales, 12 species in 10 genera in the order Rhodobacterales, three species in two genera in the order Rhizobiales, two species in two genera in the order Rhodospirillales and 11 species in seven genera, all in the order Sphingomonadaceae within the Alphaproteobacteria are reported as new alphaproteobacterial species in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2012

To examine genetic divergences of two endemic Sorex caecutiens subspecies from Korea (S. c. hallamontanus in Korean Jeju Island and S. c. annexus in the mainland Korean Peninsula), we obtained partial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences (429 bp) and complete cytochrome b sequences (1,140 bp) from the two Korean subspecies, and we compared these sequences to the corresponding sequences of S. caecutiens, obtained from GenBank. We found that Jeju S. c. hallamontanus is one of three clades within S. caecutiens, with an average Jukes-Cantor distance of 1.57% in the COI sequences and the distance of 2.07% and 11 fixed site differences in the cytochrome b sequences, indicating that Jeju S. c. hallamontanus is one endemic subspecies with concordant genetic distinctness, although further analyses with nuclear DNA sequences are necessary to confirm these findings. However, S. c. annexus from the mainland Korean Peninsula was not divergent from S. c. macropygmaeus from northeastern China and adjacent Russia, indicating that S. c. annexus from the mainland Korean Peninsula is another endemic subspecies with only morphological differences, although it is necessary to reexamine the subspecies status of S. c. annexus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.536-549
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• 2020

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important crops of the world. With the completion of the soybean genome sequence, the Korean soybean core collection consisted of 430 accessions with genetic and phenotypic diversity was constructed in recent year. The availability of genome sequences and core collection will result in the crop improvement by molecular breeding using the various accessions and genome editing approaches. Efficient tissue culture techniques, such as haploid production, protoplast culture and plant regeneration from various organs are essential for the successful molecular biological approach and crop improvement. However, soybean is still considered to be recalcitrant in tissue culture because of the low frequency of regeneration and limitation of available responsive cultivars. In this study, we discuss the recent studies of tissue culture technology and methodology for efficient tissue culture to genetic improvement and application of molecular biotechnology in soybean.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2007

DNA extracted from ancient bones of Cervidae animals was examined to identify the species and to determine the phylogenetic relationships to those from extant cervids. Abundant ancient bones were excavated from Kumsung archaeological site in Jeju Island, Korea, and were identified as Cervidae animals based on morphological features of their antlers and lower mandibles. Their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) was partially sequenced and subsequently compared with those previously reported in database. The results confirmed that the ancient sequences are lineage of Cervidae. On the phylogenetic trees constructed using the sequence diversity of the CR sequences of family Cervidae, the ancient DNA sequences were found on distinct clusters. The ancient sequences were located in the subfamily Capreolinae cluster, and six ancient sequences were closely related to those of extant Korean roe deer in Jeju Island and Korean Peninsula. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that the roe deer inhabited Jeju Island in ancient times. However, there is no evidence for the existence of subfamily Cervinae, including Sika deer, while it has been described in several historical records. The results suggest that this finding could contribute to understanding of the origin and phylogenetic relationships of extant and ancient roe deer on Jeju Island.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2005

Dyers woad leaf (Daqingye) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as anti-pyretic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent against infectious diseases. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005) records that Dyers woad leaf should be derived from the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fort., but the leaves of Polygonum tinctorium Ait., Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek. and Clerodendron cyrtophyllum Turcz. have also been used as substitutes of Dyers woad leaf in different regions of China. The leaf morphologies of these four species show a close resemblance, and based on their morphological appearance, it is difficult to identify them. Here, molecular genetic methods were developed as a target to identify different members of Dyers woad leaf. The 5S-rRNA spacer domain was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNAs isolated from I. indigotica, P. tinctorium, B. cusia and C. cyrtophyllum, and the nucleotide sequences showed a great diversity. In addition, random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis was also used to distinguish the members of Dyers woad leaf. These molecular methods could be used as a tool in authentic identification of Dyers woad leaf.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2018

Cryptic species complexes are increasingly recognized in phycological research, obscuring taxonomy and raising questions about factors influencing speciation. A recent exploration of kelp genetic diversity on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia revealed the existence of a new species, Saccharina druehlii, which is cryptic with Saccharina sessilis. This suggests that molecular investigations further north may be required to elucidate the taxonomy and evolutionary history of this lineage. Although, for several decades, S. sessilis was considered a single highly variable species, its taxonomy has been far from straightforward. In particular, Hedophyllum subsessile (Areschoug) Setchell is now recognized as a synonym of S. sessilis in North America, but as a growth form of Saccharina bongardiana in Far East Russia. To resolve this taxonomic confusion, we sequenced mitochondrial (CO1-5P) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer) markers of S. sessilis populations from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA. Interestingly, none of our sequences matched S. sessilis sensu stricto. Instead, CO1-5P sequences from populations in the central and eastern Aleutians matched exactly S. druehlii with increasing sequence divergence occurring westward. Samples from Attu, the western-most island, composed a genetic group that clearly represents Kjellman's concept of Hafgygia bongardiana f. subsessilis and is distinct enough from S. druehlii and S. sessilis to potentially constitute a distinct species. Therefore, Saccharina subsessilis comb. nov. is proposed for this entity. Our results suggest the existence of a species complex at the crown node of S. sessilis and thus further investigation of Saccharina in Alaskan waters should be conducted to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this fascinating lineage.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.553-563
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• 2019

Investigations related with factors influencing root and crown rot are rare and mainly related to farming practice and soil management. The main objective of this study was to examine broader range of factors influencing stem-base infestation of winter wheat in the field conditions. The effect of spatial distribution of infected plants on disease index (DIs) assessments was also investigated. Analysis of factors influencing DIs of crown rot of wheat demonstrated significant influence of the growing seasons (P < 0.001) and extreme fluctuations in winter temperatures (P < 0.001). In addition to that, localities together with their interaction with the growing season also significantly influenced DIs (P < 0.001). Aggregation of infected plants influenced variability of DI estimations, and it was pointed out that more extensive investigation should be conducted on broad range of DI in order to establish sampling method giving uniform sampling precision. Fusarium graminearum was shown to be predominant Fusarium species in Serbia (72.6%) using sequence-characterized amplified region analysis. Interestingly F. oxysporum was isolated in higher frequencies (27.4%) than it was reported in the literature. Given that there were no reports on the diversity of Fusarium species causing crown rot of wheat in Serbia, this study presents first report on this important subject. It also indicated that more attention should be focused on combined effects of abiotic and biotic factors influencing stem-base infestation of winter wheat. This knowledge will contribute to better understanding of factors influencing root and crown rot of wheat which would ensure sustainable disease management in the future.