• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.16-24
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• 2016

A new strain of Pseudomonas sp. was isolated from mercury (Hg)-contaminated sites in Taiwan. This bacterium removed more than 80% of Hg present in the culture medium at 12 h incubation and was chosen for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms of Hg tolerance/removal abilities in this Pseudomonas sp. We used RNA-seq, one of the next-generation sequencing methods, to investigate the transcriptomic responses of the Pseudomonas sp. exposed to 60 mg/L of Hg²⁺. We de novo assembled 4,963 contigs, of which 10,533 up-regulated genes and 5,451 down-regulated genes were found to be regulated by Hg. The 40 genes most altered in expression levels were associated with tolerance to Hg stress and metabolism. Functional analysis showed that some Hg-tolerant genes were related to the mer operon, sulfate uptake and assimilation, the enzymatic antioxidant system, the HSP gene family, chaperones, and metal transporters. The transcriptome were analyzed further with Gene Ontology (GO) and Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COGs) of proteins and showed diverse biological functions and metabolic pathways under Hg stress.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4106-4110
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• 2013

Apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) was isolated and purified from the last larval hemolymph of Galleria mellonella by the KBr gradient ultracentrifugation and gel chromatography (Sephadex G-100). In this paper, we examined that apoLp-III is taken up into the last larval fat bodies in Galleria mellonella. The last larval fat body tissues were incubated at room temperature for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled apoLp-III (FITC-apoLp-III). Fluorescein microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed that the last larval fat body tissues internalize FITC-apoLp-III. The results show that the apoLp-III is taken up by the last larval fat body.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2002

In order to find out the appropriate in vitro method for high correlation with in vivo, we com-pared the sensitivities of phototoxicity (PT) in vitro method between in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells and in 3T3 fibroblast cells derived from Balb/c mice. Both cells were exposed to six known phototoxic chemicals : promethazine, neutral red, chlortetracycline, amiodarone, bithionol, 8-methoxypsoralen, or non-phototoxic chemical, ALS (ammonium laureth sulfate) and then irradiated with 5 J/$cm^2$ of UVA. Cell viability ($IC_{50}$ ) was measured by neutral red uptake (NRU) assay. The ratio of $IC_{50}$ value of chemicals in the presence and absence of UVA was determined by the cut-off value. The phototoxic potential of test chemicals in NRU assay was determined by measuring the photoirriation factor (PIF) with a cut-off value of 5. In both 3T3 and HaCaT cells, all known phototoxic chemicals were positive (over 5 of PIF value), except that bithionol was found to be non-phototoxic to HaCaT cells, and ALS, non-phototoxic chemical was negative. These results suggest that Balb/c 3T3 cell was more sensitive than HaCaT cell to predict phototoxicity potential.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.189-196
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• 2003

In order to evaluate the possible roles of secretory proteases in the pathogenesis of amoebic keratitis, we purified and characterized a serine protease secreted by Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/E2, isolated from a Korean keratitis patient The ammonium sulfate-precipitated culture supernatant of the isolate was purified by sequential chromatography on CM-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200, and mono Q-anion exchange column. The purified 33 kDa protease had a pH optimum of 8.5 and a temperature optimum of $55^{\circ}C$. Phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and 4-(2-Aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl-fluoride, both serine protease specific inhibitors, inhibited almost completely the activity of the 33 kDa protease whereas other classes of inhibitors did not affect its activity. The 33 kDa enzyme degraded various extracellular matrix proteins and serum proteins. Our results strongly suggest that the 33 kDa serine protease secreted from this keratopathogenic Acanthamoeba play important roles in the pathogenesis of amoebic keratitis, such as in corneal tissue invasion, immune evasion and nutrient uptake.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 1971

A pot experiment with an acid sulfate soil from Kimhae was carried out to find out the cause of toxicity in rice plant. The effect of liming on changes in pH, Eh, Al, and $Fe^{2+}$ in soil and leachate was examined at two-week interval during the growth of rice. Also, total $P_2O_5$, $SiO_2$, Fe and Al contents in plants at harvesting stage were determined. In the early stage, the rice plant in the check soil showed the same healthy growth as did in limed soil even at high Al in soil and leachate. Around panicle forming stage, reddish brown mottlings suddenly infested all over the plants when accompanied with strong reduction, and afterward growth was severely retarded, and finally caused the significant difference in yield. During the strong reduction, significant amount of sulfide was formed only in check soils, but no free $H_2S$ was detected. Appreciable Al was still present in soil and leachate, and $Fe^{2+}$ in check soil was lower than that in limed soil, but $Fe^{2+}$ in leachate was slightly higher. Limed soils were more reduced and produced more $Fe^{2+}$ due to increased microorganism activity in the neutral pH. In the leachate, the check showed slightly higher $Fe^{2+}$ concentration but considerably higher than limed one at later stage. Appreciable amount of Al was detected only in check soil and leachate from transplanting to panicle formation stage. Plant tissues at harvesting stage contained very low P regardless of liming. Uptake of Si was markedly increased by liming. Contents of Fe an Al was markedly higher in check than limed one, but difference in Fe content was more drastic possibly due to more Fe uptake in presence of markedly higher $Fe^{2+}$ in soil and leachate at later growing stage. In conclusion toxic symptom in this acid sulfate soil seems to be primarily due to Al when accompanied with low pH and strong reduction. But association with $Fe^{2+}$ toxicity is not completely excluded. In order to differentiate the effect of $Fe^{2+}$ from that of Al more detailed plant analysis at different stage is required.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.312-317
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• 2019

This study was conducted with the purpose of examining the suitability of Euphorbia jolkinii Boiss. as cut flower, so that it may be introduced as a new ornamental crop. For this purpose, effect of various holding solutions on vase solution uptake rate, vase life, and relative fresh weight of cut flowering branches of E. jolkinii was examined. After harvest, cut branches were treated with 10, 50, and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS), 0.1 and 0.2 mM of silver thiosulfate (STS), Chrysal, and Floralife. The cut branches of E. jolkinii were placed under the environmental conditions maintained at air temperature of $22.6^{\circ}C$, relative humidity of 45%, and 9/15h photoperiod that was controlled using fluorescent lamps (light intensity of $9.89{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). A holding solution containing $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS was found to be significantly effective for vase solution uptake rate compared to control, $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS, and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS treatments. However, no significant difference was found in vase life between the branches treated with $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ 8-HQS holding solution and branches of the control group. Increasing holding solution concentrations of STS was found to have negative effect on the vase life of cut E. jolkinii branches. Relative fresh weight of cut E. jolkinii branches were significantly decreased by two commercial holding solutions, Chrysal and Floralife. It is expected that these results would aid further studies on utilization of E. jolkinii as cut flower crop.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.232-241
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• 1984

For the purpose of investigating the effect of chemical composition of nitrogenous fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate(dibasic) and aqua-ammonia on growth, yield, efficiency and chemical properties of paddy soil this study was carried out at the same nitrogen concentration through field experiment. The results obtained was summarized as follows. 1. Nitrogenous fertilizers had an effect on plant height at heading stage, plant weight at harvest and No. of spikelet per panicle of rice plants in decreasing order: Ammonium sulfate > Diammonium phosphate > Urea > Ammonia water. But they didn't effect on culm length, spike length, dry matter weight, No. of grain per spike, ripening ratio and weight of 1000 grains of rice plants. 2. The absorbed amount of nitrogen and that of sulfur and nitrogen availability were highest in ammonium sulfate application and lowest in ammonia water application and these were positively correlated with yield. 3. The influence of nitrogenous fertilizers on nitrogen and sulfur efficiency and translocation efficiency was insignificant but that of ammonium sulfate on nitrogen efficiency was higher than that of the others. 4. The effect of nitrogenous fertilizers on a basic chemical properties of paddy soil experimented such as pH, C.E.C, exchangeable cation and organic matter was insignificant. But the sulfur content of ammonium sulfate application and phosphorous content of diammonium phosphate application were higher than that of the others.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.257-262
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• 2006

Purpose: The standard protocol using large volume of oral contrast media may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and contrast-related artifacts in PET/CT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of low dose oral contrast in $^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the whole-body PET/CT images in a total of 435 patients. About 200 ml of oval contrast agent (barium sulfate) was administered immediately before injection of $^{18}F-FDG$. The FDG uptake of intestines was analyzed by visual and semi- quantitative method on transaxial, coronal and saggital planes. Results: Seventy (16%, 113 sites) of 435 images showed high FDG uptake (peak SUV > 4); 50 (74%, 84 sites) with diffuse and 20 (15%, 29 sites) with focal uptake. The most commonly delivered site of oral contrast media was small bowel (n=27, 39%). On PET/CT images, FDG uptake coexisted with oral contrast media in 26 patients (54%, 38 sites) with diffuse pattern and 9 (45%, 9 sites) with focal pattern, and by sites, those were 38 (45%) and 9 (31%), respectively. In small bowel regions, the proportion of coexistence reached as high as 61% (29/47 sites). A visual analysis of available non-attenuation corrected PET images of 27 matched regions revealed no contrast-related artifact. Conclusion: We concluded that the application of low dose contrast media could be helpful in the evaluation of abdominal uptake in the FDG PET/CT image.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.448-452
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• 2015

The bacterial strain that was isolated from chinese cabbage rhizosphere, showed inhibition of yeast growth. This strain was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens BB2 by API 20NE test and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. P. fluorescens BB2 strain produced antibiotics against yeast as a secondary metabolite effectively when the culture was carried out in YM medium with 3% glucose at $20^{\circ}C$. The protein antibiotic of BB2 strain which was concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and n-butanol extraction inhibited the growth of yeast with the minimal inhibitory concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ against Candida albicans KCTC 7965, and the growth of yeast was completely inhibited at $80{\mu}g/ml$. The hydrophilic fraction of n-butanol extraction inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus ATCC 21366, showed orange halo on chrome azurol S plate, which means the fraction contained iron chelating siderophore. The results of crystal violet uptake through the cell membrane showed that membrane permeability was increased about 9% than control, when the concentration of hydrophobic antibiotic against yeast C. albicans was $60{\mu}g/ml$. As a result, the antibiotic produced by P. fluorescens BB2 against yeast Candida is considered antimicrobial peptide, and this is the first report in the genus Pseudomonas.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.199-203
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• 2016

Apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) was isolated and purified from the last larval hemolymph of Galleria mellonella by KBr gradient ultracentrifugation and gel chromatography (Sephadex G-100). After KBr gradient ultracentrifugation, the lipophorin-free fractions were used as the samples for gel chromatography. The purity of the finally purified apoLp-III was confirmed by SDS-PAGE after gel chromatography. In this study, we found that apoLp-III is taken up into the adult testes in Galleria mellonella. The testes were dissected from day-1 or -2 adults in cold Ringer's solution and used for tissue culture. The protein moiety of apoLp-III was labeled with FITC dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature under conditions of continuous stirring for 1 h. The FITC-labeled apoLp-III was purified with a Sephadex G-25 PD-10 column. The tissues of the adult testes were incubated at room temperature for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled apoLp-III. Fluorescein microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed that the adult testis tissues internalize the FITC-labeled apoLp-III. The results showed that apoLp-III is taken up by the adult testes.