• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 1998

In the present study, genomic DNAs were purified from Korean isolates (KT8, KT6, KT-Kim and KT-Lee) and foreign strains (CDC85, IR78 and NYH 286) of 1Trichomonas voslnalis, and hybridized with a probe based on the repetitive sequence cloned from T. uqfinolis to observe the genetic differences. By Southern hybridization, all isolates of T. uoSinoLis except the NYH386 strain had 11 bands. Therefore all isolates examined were distinguishable into 3 groups according to their banding patterns; i) KT8, KT6 and KT-Kim isolates had 11 identical bands such as 1 kb, 1.2 kb, 1.6 kb, 1.9 kb, 2.3 kb. 27 kb, 3.2 kb, 2.4 kb, 3.8 kb, 4.9 kb and 6.0 kb, ii) The metronidazole-resistant IR78 strain had the some bands as KT-Lee isolate at bands of 1 kb, 1.2 kb, 1.6 kb. 1.8 kb, 2.1 kb, 2.5 kb, 2.7 kb, 2.9 kb, 3.4 kb, 5.0 kb and 6.0 kb, Bands of CDC85, metronidazole-resistant strain, were similar to those of IR78 and KT-Lee, except that 3.2 kb replaced 2.9 kb. iii) NYH286 particularly had 12 bands and bun patterns were similar to IR78 with a few exceptions as follows; i) 6.2 kb in place of 6.0 kb, ii) 2.0 kb and 2.2 kb instead of 2.1 kb. Through the results obtained, genetic variance of T. uoginnlis isolates was demonstrated by Southern hybridization.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.593-600
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• 1999

The survival rates of Littorina brevicula exposed to experimental concentration regimes of TBTCl, HB and Cd on the large and the small size individuals during 80 days were $80\%$ at 0,9ppb TBTCl, 40 and $25\%$, respectively at 200ppb Hg, and 75 and $45\%$, respectively at 100ppb Cd. The growth rates of the experimental animals exposed to each concentration for 80 days was 0.023mm/day at control, 0.019mm/day at 0.1ppb and 0.014mm/day at 0.9ppb TBTCl, 0.022 mm/day at 5ppb, 0.008 mm/day at 200ppb Hg, and 0.017 mm/day at 5ppb, 0.008mm/day at 100ppb Cd. The respiration rates and excretion rates of the experimental animals exposed to chronic concentration of TBTCl, Hg and Cd were decreased until approximatively 40 days and increased after, Toxic effect of pollutants on L. brevicula was highest at TBTCl. The histological injury of L. brevicula exposed to TBTCl, Hg and Cd was shown at gill, digestive organ and muscle, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 2022

The emergence and dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), particularly the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (KPC-2) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, has been rapidly increasing worldwide and is becoming a serious public health threat. Since the epidemiology and characteristics of these KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae vary according to the region and period under consideration, this study investigated the prevalence of carbapenemases and the epidemiological relationship of 78 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) isolated from a tertiary hospital in Daejeon, from March 2017 to December 2020. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests were identified using the disk-diffusion method. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to determine the carbapenemase genes. In addition, molecular epidemiology was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Among the 78 CRKP isolates, 35 isolates (44.9%) were carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CPKP) and the major carbapenemase type was KPC-2 (30 isolates, 85.7%). The New Delhi metallo-enzyme-1 (NDM-1) and NDM-5 were identified in 4 isolates (11.4%) and 1 isolate (2.9%), respectively. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis showed 10 sequence types (STs) and the most prevalent ST was ST307 (51.4%, 18/35). All the ST307 isolates were KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae and were multidrug-resistant (MDR). In addition, ST307 has gradually emerged during a four-year period. These findings indicate that continuous monitoring and proper infection control are needed to prevent the spread of KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae ST307.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2023

Due to climate change, algal blooms frequently occur not only in Korea but also around the world, and the risk of toxicity of harmful algae has recently been issued. It is known that the representative harmful algae, cyanobacteria, are caused by the intersection of three factors: water temperature, residence time, and nutrients. In this study, water quality simulation was carried out using EFDC, a three-dimensional numerical model, to analyze the variations in water quality due to the decrease of residence time according to the opening of Yeongju Dam in Naeseong-Cheon. In fact, the concentration of chlorophyll-a in Yeongju Dam in the summer of 2021 was significant, exceeding the 'algae warning' for a long time based on the previous algae warning system. On the other hand, as a result of performing the simulation under the condition that the dam gate was completely opened, the concentration of chlorophyll-a was mostly reduced below the 'algae warning' level during the simulation period. It was confirmed that reducing the residence time by restoring the flow of Naeseong-Cheon is a way to immediately reduce algae in Yeongju Dam.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2019

Salt stress is a significant factor limiting growth and productivity in crops. However, little is known about the response and resistance mechanism to salt stress in maize. The objective of this research was to develop an enhanced salt-tolerant silage maize by mutagenesis with gamma radiation. To generate gamma radiation-induced salt-tolerant silage maize, we irradiated a KS140 inbred line with 100 Gy gamma rays. Salt tolerance was determined by evaluating plant growth, morphological changes, and gene expression under NaCl stress. We screened 10 salt-tolerant maize inbred lines from 2,248 M₂ mutant populations and selected a line showing better growth under salt stress conditions. The selected 140RS516 mutant exhibited improved seed germination and plant growth when compared with the wild-type under salt stress conditions. Enhanced salt tolerance of the 140RS516 mutant was attributed to higher stomatal conductance and proline content. Using whole-genome re-sequencing analysis, a total of 328 single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions or deletions were identified in the 140RS516 mutant. We found that the expression of the genes involved in salt stress tolerance, ABP9, CIPK21, and CIPK31, was increased by salt stress in the 140RS516 mutant. Our results suggest that the 140RS516 mutant induced by gamma rays could be a good material for developing cultivars with salt tolerance in maize.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.139-153
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• 1985

The passive tilt has been performed to study the orthostasis on the cardiovascular system. The orthostasis due to upright tilt was demonstrated as follows: the venous return, cardiac output and systemic arteiral blood pressure were decreased, whereas there was concomitant increase of heart rate, through the negative feedback mediated by such as the baroreceptor . Previous investigators have suggested that the tolerance to the orthostasis could he increased by blocking the cholinergic fiber with atropine which prevented vasodilation and bradycardia through the vasovagal reflex during the orthostasis. However, this hypothesis has not been clearly understood. This study was attempted to clarify the effect of atropine on the tolerance of the cardiovascular system to the upright and head-down tilt, and to investigate the change of the blood flow through head and lower leg with Electromagnetic flowmeter in both tilts before and after atropine state. Fourteen anesthetized dogs of $10{\sim}14kg$ were examined by tilting from supine position to $+77^{\circ}$ upright position (orthostasis), and then to $-90^{\circ}$ head-down position (antiorthostasis) for 10 minutes on each test. And the same course was taken 20 minutes after intravenous administration of 0.5mg atropine. The measurements were made of the blood flow(ml/min.) on the carotid artery, external jugular vein, femoral artery and femoral vein. At the same time pH, $PCO_2$, $PO_2$ and hematocrit (Hct) of the arterial and venous blood, and heart rate(HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were measured. The measurements obtained from upright and head-down tilt were compared with those from supine position. The results obtained are as follows: In upright tilt, the blood flow both on the artery and the vein through head and lower leg were decreased, however the decrement of blood flow through the head was greater than the lower leg And the atropine attenuated the decrement of the blood flow on the carotid artery, but not on the vessels of the lower leg. HR was moderately increased in upright tilt, but slightly in head-down tilt. The percent change of HR after the atropine administration was smaller than that before the atropine state in both upright and head-down tilts. Before the atropine state, RR was decreased in upright tilt, whereas increased in head-down tilt. However after the atropine state, the percent change of RR was smaller than that of before the atropine state in both upright and head-down tilts. In upright tilt, venous $PCO_2$ was increased, but arterial $PO_2$ and venous $PO_2$ were slightly decreased. Hct was increased in both upright and head-down tilts. The findings of blood $PCO_2$, $PO_2$ and Hct were not interferred by the atropine. In conclusion, 1;he administration of atropine is somewhat effective on improving the cardiovascular tolerance to postural changes. Thus, atropine attenuates the severe diminution of the blood flow to the head during orthostasis, and also reduces the changes of HR and RR in both orthostasis and antiorthostasis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.111-120
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the colonization rate of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in neonates by different clinical characteristics, to presume the origin of MRSA acquisition, and to identify the risk factors associated with MRSA colonization. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,733 neonates admitted to Seoul Eulji hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 2008 and December 2011. Nasal, inguinal and rectal swab specimens were obtained upon admission and each week until discharge. We classified the route of MRSA acquisition as; hospital associated (HA-MRSA) and community associated (CA-MRSA) according to the case definition. Results: Among 1,733 neonates, 415 (23.9%) were colonized with MRSA. Gestational age, birth weight, delivery type, maternal antibiotics usage before delivery, birth place and care place before admission were influencing factors in colonization of MRSA. The colonization rate was significantly high in neonates without maternal prophylactic antibiotics use before delivery than in the other group (relative risk 2.77, 95% CI 1.88-4.07; P<0.01), and outborns showed higher MRSA colonization rate compared to inborns (relative risk 2.28, 95% CI 1.17-4.42; P=0.015). Conclusion: We identified the neonatal MRSA colonization rate to be 23.9%. We estimated HA-MRSA colonization rate to be 10% (51/511) and CA-MRSA colonization rate to be 36% (309/858). We ascertained that risk factors in MRSA colonization in neonates were prophylactic use of antibiotics in mothers and the birth place.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-226
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• 2000

We evaluated the aquatic ecosystem of Keum-Ho River through applications of the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblages and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) during June-November 1999. Overall IBI values ranged from 13 to 37 with mean of 23 (n=25, Std. error= 1.16), indicating a "Poor" or "Very Poor" condition according to the criteria of Karr (1981) and U.S. EPA (1993). The values of mean IBI declined at the rate of $0.22km^{-1}$(($r^2$=0.91, p< 0.05) along the longitudinal distance from the headwaters to the down-river. Reduced IBI values at down-river (St. 4 and 5) were attributed to the decreases in riffle benthic species and the relative abundance of insectivore and increases in tolerant species, anormalies and exotic species. Spatial pattern in IBI agreed with QHEI values, which showed a linear relation ($r^2$=0.998, p< 0.001) with mean number of species. Field measurements of conductivity and pH, indicators for variation of conservative ions, showed that the river water was diluted up to 30% by summer precipitation and surface run-off from the watershed, resulting in physical and chemical instability during the monsoon. For these reasons, average IBI values during monsoon and postmonsoon decreased more than 20% compared to pre -monsoon. Before the perturbation of the system (i.e., pre-monsoon), values of QHEI were inversely correlated (r=-0.99, p< 0.0001) with realtive abundance of native omnivore and were positively correlated (r=0.87, p=0.05) with relative abundance of native carnivore. These results indicate that spatial degradation of habitat quality modified the species richness and trophic structure, producing decreased IBI values. (Biological integrity, IBI, Monsoon, Habitat, River, Korea)bitat, River, Korea)

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.467-473
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• 1996

Although a polypyrrole shows better electrical conductivity, 100∼400 ${\Omega}^{-1}cm^{-1}$, than other organic conducting polymers, its electrical conductivity will be worsen in the presence of the oxygen due to its easy oxidation. On the other hand, polythiophene shows better stability in the air while its electrcal conductivity is poor compared to the polypyrrole. We succeed to develope the mixed polymer electrode that is stable in the air and shows a good redox characteristics. The mixed polymer electrode has been prepared by the electrical polymerization of polypyrrole on the Pt electrode as 1.70 C$cm^{-2}$ and then coating with polythiophene as 0.34 C$cm^{-2}$. The polymerization rate of polythiophene was $3.89{\times}10^{-8}$ at the bare Pt electrode and $6.07{\times}10^{-8}cms^{-1}$ at the mixed polymer electrode. And the standard rate constants of each electrode were $5.16{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;3.94{\times}10^{-4} cms^{-1}$ respectively. Also, the electrocatalytic rate of the polypyrrole polymer electrode was $3.45{\times}10^{-3}cm^3mol^{-1}s^{-1}.$ We found the immobilized layer at the modified electrode acted as an electrocatalyst. Finally, this polymerization process at the Pt electrode was the electron transfer controlled, but that the mixed polymer electrode was the diffusion and charge transfer controlled.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Background: Acinetobacter infections are difficult to treat as they often exhibit multiple resistance to the antibiotics that are currently available for the treatment of pneumonia. Colistin is active against gram-negative bacteria, including the multiple drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species. However, intravenous administration of colistin was abandoned because of its nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The aims of this study were to examine the efficacy and safety of colistin administered by aerosol in the treatment of pneumonia caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from Dec. 2006 to Aug. 2007 who had been diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and had been treated with nebulized colistin. Results: 31 patients received aerosolized colistin. The average duration of the treatment was $14{\pm}7$ days and the daily dose of ranged from 225 mg to 300 mg. All patients received concomitant intravenous antimicrobial agents. The average length of the stay in the ICU was $34{\pm}21$ days and in the hospital $58{\pm}52$ days. The overall microbiological eradication was observed in 25 patients (80.6%). 14 of these (56%) were cured, and 11 (44%) were infected with other microorganisms. The overall crude mortality of the ICU was 48%. Nephrotoxicity and significant bronchial constriction did not occur in any patient during neublized colistin treatment. Conclusion: Nebulized colistin may be a safe and effective option in the treatment of pneumonia due to MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Its role in therapy warrants further investigation in comparative studies.