• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1114-1119
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• 2012

Bacteria are frequently contaminated during the collection and processing procedures of boar semen. Of the contaminants, Stenotrophomonas (S.) maltophilia is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widely distributed in a variety of habitats. Although PCR assays have been developed for the detection of S. maltophilia, they cross-react with some species of Xanthomonas. In this study, we designed a primer set for the detection of S. maltophilia in order to target the chiA (GenBank accession no. NC_010943) gene. The specific PCR products were amplified from S. maltophilia only, not from other tested strains that are frequently found in semen. The detection limit of the PCR was $1.5{\times}10^3$ CFU/ml with pure-cultured S. maltophilia and $1.5{\times}10^4$ CFU/ml with S. maltophilia spiked in semen. Twenty-six (5.9%) S. maltophilia were isolated from 440 semen samples. The PCR results exhibited 98.9% agreement with a comparison of S. maltophilia isolation. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR were 100% and 98.7%, respectively. In the antimicrobial susceptibility test, S. maltophilia isolates were highly susceptible to enrofloxacin and florfenicol, while the majority of them were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, apramycin, ceftiofur, penicillin, and spectinomycin. These results indicated that the PCR using the chiA gene was proven to be reliable and effective for the detection of S. maltophilia with high levels of sensitivity and specificity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2012

In this study, a method was developed using molecular biological technique to distinguish an authenticity of meats for processed meat products. The genes for distinction of species about meats targeted at 12S or 16S genes in mitochondrial DNA and the species-specific primers were designed by that PCR products' size was around 200bp for applying to processed products. The target materials were 10 species of livestock products and it checked whether expected PCR products were created or not by electrophoresis after PCR using species-specific primers. The results of PCR for beef, pork, goat meat, mutton, venison, and horse meat were 131, 138, 168, 144, 191, and 142 bp each. The expected PCR products were confirmed at 281, 186, 174, and 238 bp for chicken, duck, turkeymeat, and ostrich. Also, non-specific PCR products were not detected in similar species by species-specific primers. The method using primers developed in this study confirm to be applicable for composite seasoning including beefs and processed meat products including pork and chicken. Therefore, this method may apply to distinguish an authenticity of meats for various processed products.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5159-5168
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• 2014

The study examined the relationship among metal health, metabolic syndrome and nutrient acceptance according to gender. Implemented until 2010-2012, the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as an original document, was used for the study. The target was problem drinkers with more than 12 points under AUDIT. Regarding mental health, it was classified into stress, depression and suicidal impulse. Metabolic syndrome was defined when three causes of BMI, waist circumference, FBS, HDL and BP were out of the normal range. The nutrient intake was obtained to confirm the energy intake of nine non-nutrients (Nutrient adequacy ratio: NAR) and the proper intake of the average non-nutrient (Mean adequacy ratio: MAR). These variables were analyzed by frequency, cross analysis and multiple regression analysis through SPSS18.0. In the general features, there was a significant difference according to age, occupation and marital status. In mental health, stress, depression and suicidal impulse were examined. Metabolic syndrome was dependant on FBS, HDL and BP. The nutrient acceptance depended on calcium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and MAR. Logistic regression analysis performed on the variables showed significant differences. Stress, depression, and thoughts of suicide was significantly higher in men aged 19-29 years, and women aged 30-49 years. In the case of the male, those who employed have metabolic syndrome more than those who unemployed. In terms of female, those who were belonged into the middle - low economic level have undergone with metabolic syndrome. In the part of a Mean adequacy ratio(MAR), the male who unmarried, employed, were in the middle low economic levelwere higher. In the case of the female, it was higher for those who were in the middle - low economic level. Overall, an effective way of planning the solution regarding mental health, metabolic syndrome and nutrient intake can be found by considering these features.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2017

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in the chemotherapeutic treatment of this disease have improved the outcomes of DLBCL; nonetheless, many patients still die of DLBCL, and therefore, a better understanding of this disease and identification of novel therapeutic targets are urgently required. In a recent gene expression profiling study, PDE (phosphodiesterase) 4B was found to be overexpressed in chemotherapy-resistant tumors. The major function of PDE4B is to inactivate the second messenger cyclic 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cAMP to 5'AMP. It is known that cAMP induces cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in B cells, and PDE4B abolishes cAMP's effect on B cells. However, the mechanism by which PDE4B is overexpressed remains unclear. Here, we show that the aberrant expression of miRNA may be associated with the overexpression of this gene. The PDE4B 3' untranslated region (UTR) has three functional binding sites of miR-23b, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Interestingly, miR-23b-binding sites were evolutionarily conserved from humans to lizards, implying the critical role of PDE4B-miR-23b interaction in cellular physiology. The ectopic expression of miR-2 3b repressed PDE4B mRNA levels and enhanced intracellular cAMP concentrations. Additionally, miR-23b expression inhibited cell proliferation and survival of DLBCL cells only in the presence of forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, suggesting that miR-23b's effect is via the downregulation of PDE4B. These results together suggest that miR-23b could be a therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance by repressing PDE4B in DLBCL.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2008

Background: Early identification of pathogens can improve the prognosis of patients with ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of performing multiplex PCR for endotracheal aspirates to detect three important pathogens (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and MRSA) in patients with VAP. Methods: The endotracheal aspirates of 24 patients were collected within 24 hours of the diagnosis of VAP for performing multiplex PCR. Forward and reverse primers were designed to target the specific site of each pathogen (the oprL gene for P. aeruginosa, 16S rRNA for K. pneumoniae and the mec gene for MRSA). We analyzed the clinical data of the VAP patients, including the culture reports for the endotracheal aspirates. Results: Twenty-four patients (M:F=18:6, mean age=$70{\pm}11$) with VAP were enrolled. Pathogens were isolated from 11 patients (P. aeruginosa in 2, K. pneumoniae in 1, MRSA in 2, other enteric Gram negative bacilli in 3, S. pneumoniae in 2 and mixed infection in 1). Multiplex PCR detected three cases of P.aeruginosa (2 cases coincided with the culture reports) and four cases of K. pneumoniae (1 matched with the culture report). PCR detected two MRSA cases, which did not coincide with the culture reports. Conclusion: Multiplex PCR of the endotracheal aspirate showed some ability to detect Gram negative bacilli, although caution is required when interpreting the results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2008

The avocado is a widely grown and consumed fruit that is high in nutrients and low in calories, sodium, and fats. In this study, antioxidant activities and induction of apoptosis by methanol extracts from sarcocarp, seed and peel of avocado were investigated in vitro. Contents of total polyphenols in methanol extracts from sarcocarp, seed and peel were 13.89, 137.12 and $223.45{\mu}g/mg$ respectively. Radical-scavenging activities of the methanol extracts were examined by using ${\alpha},{\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. The methanol extracts from the peel of avocado showed higher scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS than those from sarcocarp and seed. Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells mediated by the methanol extracts of avocado was associated with the increase of activation of caspase-3 and caspase-3 target protein, PARP. Therefore, with more researches on identification and action mechanism of active compounds, the methanol extracts from peel and seed of avocado is expected to be a natural source for the developments of functional food and medical agents to prevent human breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2007

Objetives : Identification of target genes for ethanol in neurons is important for understanding its molecular and cellular mechanism of action and the neuropathological changes seen in alcoholics. The purpose of this study is to identify of altered gene expression after acute treatmet of ethanol in rat gliom cells. Methods : We used high density cDNA microarray chip to measure the expression patterns of multiple genes in cultured rat glioma cells. DNA microarrays allow for the simultaneous measurement of the expression of several hundreds of genes. Results : After comparing hybridized signals between control and ethanol treated groups, we found that treatment with ethanol increased the expression of 15 genes and decreased the expression of 12 genes. Upregulated genes included Orthodenticle(Drosophila) homolog 1, procollagen type II, adenosine A2a receptor, GATA bindning protein 2. Downregulated genes included diacylglycerol kinase beta, PRKC, Protein phosphatase 1, clathrin-associated protein 17, nucleoporin p58, proteasome. Conclusion : The gene changes noted were those related to the regulation of transcription, signal transduction, second messenger systems. modulation of ischemic brain injury, and neurodengeneration. Although some of the genes were previously known to be ethanol responsive, we have for the most part identified novel genes involved in the brain response to ethanol.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.30-37
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• 2018

The uniformed regulations for control of the height of buildings owned by individuals to protect landscape of cultural properties are causing serious social conflicts by limiting the development of landowners. It is urgent need of introducing indicators that can resolve such conflicts and evaluate the regulations of buildings, which can satisfy urban development as well as landscape management of cultural properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to simulate landscape changes according to the Cultural Heritage Protection Act and National Land Planning and Utilization Act by using Unity3D in the Pungnammun Gate(Treasure No. 308) of Jeonju and its surroundings, where architectural cultural property forms the symbolic landscape of the city. Then some items such as view points, target points were introduced and the quantitative evaluation of landscapes was attempted by applying the indicator of 3D Visual Exposure. As a result, the viewing opportunity and viewing area of Pungnammun Gate were not significantly influenced by changes in landscape according to the two laws. However, the change of the height of buildings by the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, which has the greatest development capacity, confirmed the possibility of weakening the identification of the Pungnammun Gate by increasing 3D Visual Exposure of the background buildings more than two times. Finally, it was confirmed that the skyline of Pungnammun Gate was clearly infringed upon development under the National Land Planning and Utilization Act, but the skyline was maintained similar to the current situation in the regulation by the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Thus, this study is meaningful in that the application of 3D Visual Exposure showed the possibility of utilization as an indicator for quantitatively evaluating the protection of view on cultural property and skyline according to the changes of building heights.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis in children is one of the frequently encountered diseases with relatively high admission rate. The aim of this study is to determine the isolation trends of common and emerging pathogens in acute gastroenteritis in children over a 12-month period in a community hospital. Methods: The study group included the children who were hospitalized to Seoul National University Boramae Hospital from April, 2003 to March, 2004 or visited outpatient clinic from April, 2003 to July, 2003 with presenting features of acute gastroenteritis. Stool specimens were obtained within 2 days after the visit and examined for the following pathogens: rotavirus, adenovirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, pathogenic Escherichia coli (E.coli), Campylobacter and Yersinia species. Viral study was done with commercial kits for antigen detection. Identification of the bacterial pathogens was done by culture using selective media. For pathogenic E.coli, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done with the target genes related to the pathogenecity of enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC). Results: The 130 hospitalized children and 28 outpatients were included in this study. The majority of children (>93%) were less than 6 years. Pathogens were isolated in 47% of inpatients and 43% of outpatients, respectively. Rotavirus was the most frequently identified pathogen, accounting for 42.3% of inpatients and 29.6% of outpatients. Nontyphoidal salmonella is the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen (3.9%) in hospitalized children. Pathogenic E.coli (EPEC, ETEC) was detected in 2.1% (2/97) of inpatients and 25% (3/12) of outpatients. EHEC, adenovirus, Campylobacter, Yersinia and Shigella species were not detected in this study. Conclusion: Rotavirus is the most common enteropathogen in children with acute gastroenteritis. Nontyphoidal salmonella and pathogenic E.coli are important bacterial pathogens. Campylobacter species may not be commonly detected organism in hospitalized children with acute diarrhea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2019

Irregular rainfall caused by climate change, in combination with non-point pollution, can cause water systems worldwide to suffer from frequent eutrophication and algal blooms. This type of water pollution is more common in agricultural prone to water system inflow of non-point pollution. Therefore, in this study, the correlation between Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) multi-spectral images and total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a with indirect association of algal blooms, was analyzed to identify the usability of UAV image to identify water quality characteristics in agricultural streams. The analysis the vegetation index Normalized Differences Index (NDVI), the Normalized Differences Red Edge(NDRE), and the Chlorophyll Index Red Edge(CIRE) for the detection of multi-spectral images and algal blooms collected from the target regions Yang cheon and Hamyang Wicheon. The analysis of the correlation between image values and water quality analysis values for the water sampling points, total phosphorus at a significance level of 0.05 was correlated with the CIRE(0.66), and chlorophyll-a showed correlation with Blue(-0.67), Green(-0.66), NDVI(0.75), NDRE (0.67), CIRE(0.74). Total nitrogen was correlated with the Red(-0.64), Red edge (-0.64) and Near-Infrared Ray(NIR)(-0.72) wavelength at the significance level of 0.05. The results of this study confirmed a significant correlations between multi-spectral images collected through UAV and the factors responsible for water pollution, In the case of the vegetation index used for the detection of algal bloom, the possibility of identification of not only chlorophyll-a but also total phosphorus was confirmed. This data will be used as a meaningful data for counterplan such as selecting non-point pollution apprehensive area in agricultural area.