• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2010

The biodiversity of eukaryotic plankton has commonly been used to evaluate the status of aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, an accurate and rapid method for species identification is needed to reveal the biodiversity of environmental water samples. To date, molecular methods have provided a great deal of information that has enabled identification of the hidden biodiversity in environmental samples. In this study, we utilized environmental polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and constructed the 18S nuclear ribosomal RNA clone library from environmental water samples in order to develop more efficient methods for species identification. For the molecular analysis, water samples were collected from the Seonakdong River (Gimhae Bridge) and the coast of Namhae，(Namhaedo). Colony PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR (PCR-RFLP) were then adopted to isolate unique clones from the 18S rDNA clone library. Restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern analysis of the Gimhae Bridge sample revealed 44 unique clones from a total of 60 randomly selected clones, while analysis of the Namhae sample revealed 27 unique clones from 150 clones selected at random. A BLAST search and subsequent phylogenetic analysis conducted using the sequences of these clones revealed hidden biodiversity containing a wide range of taxonomic groups (Heterokontophyta (7), Ciliophora (23), Dinophyta (1), Chytridiomycota (1), Rotifera (1) and Arthropoda (11) in the Gimhae Bridge samples Ciliophora (4), Dinophyta (3), Cryptophyta (1), Arthropoda (19) in the Namhae samples). Therefore, the molecular monitoring method developed here can provide additional information regarding the biodiversity and community structure of eukaryotic plankton in environmental samples and helps construct a useful database of biodiversity for aquatic ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2024

This study aimed to find genetic markers for breed-independent identification of early- and late-feathering chickens. We explored the novel sequences of the ev21-K locus associated with late-feathering and investigated its characterization. Additionally, the genetic transmission pattern of the identified sequences were investigated to understand its potential application in auto-sexing lines. A total of 707 chickens from 5 chicken breeds were employed for the study. The ev21-K locus was identified through a comparative analysis of the ev21 gene and the K gene related to feather development. For analysis of identified loci, specific primers for the target sequences were prepared and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to obtain the products, and then their nucleotide sequences were analyzed. Crossbreeding tests of early-feathering and late-feathering chickens were conducted to examine the genetic transmission patterns of the identified sequences. The results showed that the identified 230 bp ev21-K locus, which named as ev21-related K specific sequences were 99% homology with the ev21 gene. PCR analysis confirmed its presence exclusively in late-feathering chickens. Comparative analyses across tissues, breeds, and ages demonstrated the sequences consistency in identifying late-feathering chickens. Genetic transmission patterns were investigated through crossbreeding tests, revealing sex-linked inheritance and consistent segregation with feathering phenotypes. The inheritance patterns of the ev21-related K specific sequences demonstrated that this locus follows the typical Mendelian inheritance pattern as a dominant gene. In conclusion, the novel sequences of ev21-K locus were a reliable molecular marker for identifying early- and late-feathering chickens across breeds.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2024

In this study, we aimed to determine the various effects of Osmanthus fragrans (O. fragrans) flower extract on the skin in order to utilize it as a cosmetic material. For this purpose, Osmanthus fragrans flower extract (OFFE) of Jeju Island was prepared and used in the experiment. The experiments were evaluated by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and lipid droplet staining assay. First, the OFFE decreased the gene expressions of three representative pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1α) and an inflammation-related enzyme, PTGS2 induced by poly I:C in epidermal keratinocytes. In addition, the OFFE increased the gene expression levels of collagen (COL1A1) and elastin (ELN) in dermal fibroblasts. Further, the OFFE showed the inhibitory effect in sebum production by linoleic acid in sebocytes. Therefore, from this study, it is expected that OFFE can be used as a natural cosmetic material for anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and sebum inhibitory efficacy.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2024

This study aims to establish the scope and statistics of the K-address information industry in Korea, estimating its size and prospects and estimates the economic effects through K-address information industry based on Input-Output analysis. Considering the characteristics and sectoral structure of the K-address information industry, the study delineates the scope and specific sectors, constructing sectoral statistics linked to the KSIC and the Bank of Korea's industrial classification. The study estimates the sectoral industry size, taking into account potential markets. Furthermore, it analyzes the economic impact of each sector within the K-address information industry. To figure out the economic effects, the study conducts Input-Output analysis by setting the K-address information industry as an exogenous sector in the input-output table. The results indicate that the overall size of the K-address information industry is estimated to grow from 406.1 billion KRW in 2021 to 3.65 trillion KRW in 2030. The economic effects of the K-address information industry vary by sector, emphasizing the importance of synergies and integration with related sectors, particularly those with significant inducement effects in high value-added manufacturing and service sectors. Furthermore, the industry's sensitivity to economic fluctuations is evident through the input-output analysis of inter-industry chain effects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.534-546
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• 1997

Background : The p53 and retinoblastoma(Rb) tumor suppressor genes are associated with the pathogenesis of several types of human cancer. Substantial proportion of the primary lung cancers or cell lines have been reported to have the p53 and/or the Rb gene mutations. But, so far there is no report on the analysis of the Rb gene polymorphism as one of the genetic susceptibility marker. This study was undertaken to establish the gene frequencies of the polymorphic genotypes of the p53 and Rb genes in Koreans to evaluate the possible involvement of these genotypes as a risk factor of lung cancer. Methods : In this study 145 controls without previous and present tumor history and 128 lung cancer patients were subjected to analysis. The two intragenic polymorphisms of the p53 gene(exon 4/ AccII, intron 6/MspI) and one intron 17/XbaI polymorphism of the Rb gene were analysed by the method of polymersae chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphisms(PCR-RFLPs). The genotype of the intron 3/16 bp repeat polymorphism of p53 was determined by PCR and direct gel electrophoresis. Results : There were no significant differences in the genotype distributions of the p53 gene between lung cancer patients and controls. But heterozygotes(Arg/Pro) of the exon 4/AccII polymorphisms were slightly over-represented than controls, especially in the Kreyberg type I cancer, which was known to be associated with smoking. The intron 3/16 bp duplication and the intron 6/MspI polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium. About 95% of the individuals were homozygotes of the common alleles both in the 16 duplication and MspI polymorphisms, and no differences were deteced in the genotype distributions between lung cancer patients and controls. Overall genotype distributions of the Rb gene polymorphisms between lung cancer patients and controls were not significantly different However, the genotype distributions in the Kreyberg type I cancer were significantly different from those of controls(p = 0.0297) or adenocarcinomas(p = 0.0008). It was noticeable that 73.4% of the patients with adenocarcinomas were heterozygotes(r1/r2) whereas 39.2% of the Kreyberg type I cancer were heterozygous at this polymorphisms. In the lung cancer patients, significant differences were also noted between the high dose smokers and low dose smokers including non-smokers(p = 0.0258). The relative risk to Kreyberg type I cancer was significantly reduced in the individuals with the genotype of r1/r2(odds ratio = 0.46, 95% C.I. = 0.25-0.86, p = 0.0124). The combined genotype distribution of the exon 4 AccII of the p53 and the intron 17 Rb gene polymorphisms in Kreyberg type I cancers were significantly different from dose of controls or adenocarcinomas. The highest odds ratio were observed in the individuals with the genotypes of Arg/Pro and r2/r2(odds ratio = 1.97,95% C.I. = 0.84-4.59) and lowest one was in the patients with Arg/Arg, r1/r2 genotype(odds ratio = 0.54, 95% C.I. = 0.25-1.14). Conclusion : The p53 and the Rb gene polymorphisms modulate the risk of smoking induced lung cancer development in Koeans. However, the exact mechanism of risk modulation by these polymorphism remains to be determined. For more discrete clarification of associations between specific genotypes and lung cancer risk, the evaluations of these polymorphisms in other ethnics and more number of patients will be needed.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 2014

This study analyzes whether the value-added structure of Korean wind power industry exhibits a virtuous cycle through the value chain(VC) within wind power firms and the value system(VS) among the wind power industries, using a regression analysis based on a survey about Korean wind power companies. According to the VC, the government's R&D support is analyzed to have contributed to an increase in the R&D investments of the wind power companies. An increase in corporates' R&D investments has led to an increase in corporates' R&D outputs, and in turn, induced a remarkable increase in the amounts of production. But an increase in production has not led to a decrease in the costs of production, not resulting in an increase in profit rates per sales amount. In addition, while an increase in profit rates is analyzed to have contributed to an increase in production, this did not induce further investments in corporate's R&D. The virtuous cycle of the value chain in Korean wind power firms is, therefore, analyzed to be weak. Next, the VS is analyzed by dividing the whole chain into the system group including rotor blades, gear boxes, and power generators, and the structure group, such as towers. Two groups are analyzed to have mutually positive effects in the processes of the government's support for corporates' R&D, corporates' investment in R&D, R&D outputs, and profit rates per sales amount. Such mutual positive effects are, however, not found in the processes of the amounts of production and the costs of production. These results demonstrates that the value system of Korean wind power industry is not completed. This study has a policy implication to need further efforts to create the virtuous cycle in the VC and VS of Korean wind power industry.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2007

Purpose : Human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene shows an insertion/deletion polymorphism in 16 intron, and three genotypes are determined by whether a 287 bp fragment of the DNA is present or not; II, ID and DD genotype. DD genotype has been suggested as a risk factor of chronic nephrotic disease such as IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy, various cardiovascular diseases and several other diseases. ACE activity increases in acute hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. On the other hand, patients with fatty livers have normal ACE activity. This study was designed to find out the relation between polymorphsims of the ACE genes and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 110 full-term Korean neonates who had hyperbilirubinemia with no obvious causes (serum bilirubin$${\geq_-}12mg/dL$$) and 164 neonates of a control population (serum bilirubin <12 mg/dL). We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to see the allele of the ACE gene. Electrophoresis was done in the PCR products in 1.5 percent agarose gel, and then DNA patterns were directly visualized under ethidium bromide staining. Results : ACE genotypes in the hyperbilirubinemia group are as follows; 26.36 percent for II, 53.64 percent for ID, 20.00 percent for DD, 0.532 for I allele and 0.468 for D allele. These distributions were not significantly different from those in the control group; 24.39 percent for II, 51.83 percent for DI, 23.78 percent for DD, 0.503 for I allele and 0.497 for D allele. Conclusion : In this study, ACE gene polymorphism was detected in the neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and control group. The most frequent genotype was ID. Our results indicate that the ACE gene polymorphism is not associated with the prevalence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2013

Purpose : To compare the image quality and ligament traceability in ankle images obtained using Volume Isotropic Turbo Spin Echo Acquisition (VISTA) MRI with and without fat suppression. Materials and Methods: The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in images from a phantom and from the ankle of a volunteer were compared. Ten ankles from 10 non-symptomatic volunteers were imaged for comparisons of contrast ratio (CR) and ligament traceability. All examinations were performed using VISTA sequences with and without fat suppression on a 3T MRI scanner. The SNRs were obtained from images with subjects and without subjects (noise-only). Contrast ratios from images of the 10 ankles were acquired between fluid and tendon (F-T), F-cartilage (C), F-ligament (L), fat (f)-T, f-C and f-L. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently scored the traceability of 7 ligaments, in sagittal, axial and coronal images respectively, based on a 4-point scale (1 as not traceable through 4 as clearly traceable). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the CR. Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-squared test were used to compare the ligament traceability. Results: The SNRs did not differ significantly between the two sequences except in bone marrow. VISTA SPAIR showed the higher CR only in F-T (p = 0.04), whereas VISTA showed higher CR in f-T (p = 0.005), f-C (p = 0.005) and f-L (p = 0.005). The calcaneofibular ligament traceability with VISTA was superior to that obtained with VISTA SPAIR (p < 0.05) in all planes. Conclusion: VISTA showed significant superiority to VISTA SPAIR in tracing CFL due to the superior CR between fat and ligament.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate the microbial diversity in symptomatic and asymptomatic canals with primary endodontic infections by using GS FLX Titanium pyrosequencing. Materials and Methods: Sequencing was performed on 6 teeth (symptomatic, n = 3; asymptomatic, n = 3) with primary endodontic infections. Amplicons from hypervariable region of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene were generated by polymerized chain reaction (PCR), and sequenced by means of the GS FLX Titanium pyrosequencing. Results: On average, 10,639 and 45,455 16S rRNA sequences for asymptomatic and symptomatic teeth were obtained, respectively. Based on Ribosomal Database Project Classifier analysis, pyrosequencing identified the 141 bacterial genera in 13 phyla. The vast majority of sequences belonged to one of the seven phyla: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochetes, and Synergistetes. In genus level, Pyramidobacter, Streptococcus, and Leptotrichia constituted about 50% of microbial profile in asymptomatic teeth, whereas Neisseria, Propionibacterium, and Tessaracoccus were frequently found in symptomatic teeth (69%). Grouping the sequences in operational taxonomic units (3%) yielded 450 and 1,997 species level phylotypes in asymptomatic and symptomatic teeth, respectively. The total bacteria counts were significantly higher in symptomatic teeth than that of asymptomatic teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusions: GS FLX Titanium pyrosequencing could reveal a previously unidentified high bacterial diversity in primary endodontic infections.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate the relation of the gastric epithelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and genotypes of H. pylori in children. Methods: Histologic grading by updated Sydney system, PCNA immunostaining, TUNEL method and the genotypes (cagA, picB and iceA) by PCR were performed in H. pylori positive (N=20) and negative (N=20) gastric biopsy specimens. Results: PCNA index was significantly different between H. pylori positive children ($77.4{\pm}13.12$) and H. pylori negative children ($52.3{\pm}12.20$) (p=0.000). There were positive correlations between PCNA index and H. pylori density (r=0.624, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.460, p=0.005) and chronic inflammation (r=0.433, p=0.009). Apoptosis index of H. pylori positive children ($0.70{\pm}0.411$) was significantly higher than of H. pylori negative children ($0.14{\pm}0.201$) (p=0.000). Positive correlations between apoptosis index and H. pylori density (r=0.691, p=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.585, p=0.000) and chronic inflammation (r=0.535, p=0.001) were noted. As PCNA index increased, apoptosis index significantly increased (r=0.527, p=0.001). The positive rates of genotypes were cagA 90%, picB 75%, iceA1 60% and iceA2 15%, respectively. There were no significant correlations between the status of the genotypes and PCNA index, apoptosis index, the endoscopic findings and the histologic findings. Conclusion: PCNA index and apoptosis index in H. pylori positive children were higher than in H. pylori negative children but were not related to H. pylori genotypes. This study suggested that correlatively increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis are important to pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in children.