• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.277-286
• /
• 2023

Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, is a representative bony fish that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae and the order Scorpaeniformes. It has high ecological and economic value and is widely cultivated in many East Asian countries, including South Korea, Japan and China. One of streptococci, Streptococcus iniae, is Gram-positive cocci with a negative reaction for catalase and oxidase. The Korean rockfish shows clinical signs when infected with S. iniae, such as body darkening, bleeding, enlarged kidneys, blurred eyes, abdominal distension, etc., ultimately leading to death. The Korean rockfish causes significant economic losses every year in South Korea due to streptococcosis. In this study, we identified bacteria from the fish using polymerase chain reaction and conducted analyses of hemolytic activity and biochemical tests using API 20 STREP and API ZYM systems. Results of confirming the hemolytic activity (n=4) observed in alpha-type hemolysis (25%), beta-type hemol- ysis (50%), and gamma-type hemolysis (25%) of isolates. The biochemical test results exhibited sig- nificant variation among S. iniae. Additionally, we performed intraperitoneal injection with S. iniae in the fish and analyzed the phylogenetic tree using housekeeping genes of S. iniae, including cpsD, arcC, glnA, groEL, gyrB, mutS, pheT, prkC, rpoB, and tkt, via multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The lethal dose (LD₅₀) showed strong pathogenicity, such as 3.34 × 10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml for 23FBStr0601 strain and 7.16 × 10 CFU/ml for 23FBStr0602 strain. 23FBStr0603 strain showed relatively low pathogenicity at 1.73 × 10⁵ CFU/ml. The strains 23FBStr0601 and 23FBStr0602, which showed strong pathogenicity, clustered into one monophyletic group. The 23FBStr0603 strain showed weak pathogenicity and formed a monophyletic group with KCTC 3657.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.48-58
• /
• 2024

The oldest and most extensively cultivated form of millet, known as pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Syn. Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke), is raised over 312.00 lakh hectares in Asian and African countries. India is regarded as the significant hotspot for pearl millet diversity. In the Indian state of Haryana, where pearl millet is grown, a new and catastrophic bacterial disease known as stem rot of pearl millet spurred by the bacterium Klebsiella aerogenes (formerly Enterobacter) was first observed during fall 2018. The disease appears in form of small to long streaks on leaves, lesions on stem, and slimy rot appearance of stem. The associated bacterium showed close resemblance to Klebsiella aerogenes that was confirmed by a molecular evaluation based on 16S rDNA and gyrA gene nucleotide sequences. The isolates were also identified to be Klebsiella aerogenes based on biochemical assays, where Klebsiella isolates differed in D-trehalose and succinate alkalisation tests. During fall 2021-2023, the disease has spread all the pearl millet-growing districts of the state, extending up to 70% disease incidence in the affected fields. The disease is causing considering grain as well as fodder losses. The proposed scale, consisting of six levels (0-5), is developed where scores 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been categorized as highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible, and highly susceptible disease reaction, respectively. The disease cycle, survival of pathogen, and possible losses have also been studied to understand other features of the disease.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2024

In the literature, inhalation of cosmetic fragrances, including natural extracts or natural essential oils, has been reported to induce brainwave changes. Angelica gigas (AG) and Cnidium officinale (CO) are widely used in East Asian countries as traditional medicines to improve health, but there have been no previous reports of inhaling their aromas and assessing changes in brain activity through electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. In this study, the scent of natural herbal extracts such as Artemisia princeps var. orientalis (Compositae), AG, and CO was inhaled and evaluated whether emotional state changes were caused by olfactory stimuli, and brain activity was confirmed through EEG records before and after inhaling the scent of natural herbal extracts in subjects aged 20 to 30. We also used an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical activity of the heart during fragrance administration. The test results indicated that inhaling the scents of Compositae, AG, and CO extracts, as well as the positive control lavender, significantly increased the relative alpha power and the alpha/beta ratio of brain waves across the brain regions. The ECG recordings indicated that the inhalation of Compositae fragrance significantly decreased the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio, and that the inhalation of traditional herbal extract fragrances resulted in comfort and relaxation.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.249-259
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Since patients on hemodialysis (HD) are known to be vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many studies were conducted regarding the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in HD patients in Western countries. Here, we assessed antibody response of HD patients for 6 months post-vaccination to identify the duration and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Asian population. Materials and Methods: We compared antibody response of the COVID-19 vaccine in HD patients with healthy volunteers. Patient and control groups had two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and mRNA-1273, respectively. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured before vaccination, 2 weeks after the first dose, 2 and 4 weeks, 3 and 6 months after the second dose. Neutralizing antibody was measured before vaccination and at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after second dose. Since the third dose was started in the middle of the study, we analyzed the effect of the third dose as well. Results: Although antibody production was weaker than the control group (n=22), the patient group (n=39) showed an increase in IgG and neutralizing antibody after two doses. And, 21/39 patients and 14/22 participants had a third dose (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 in the patient group, mRNA-1273 in the control group), and it did not affect antibody response in both group. Trend analysis showed IgG and neutralizing antibody did not decrease over time. Age, sex, and HD vintage did not affect antibody production in HD patients. Patients with higher body mass index displayed better seroresponse, while those on immunosuppressants showed poor seroresponse. Conclusion: Two doses of vaccination led to significant antibody response in HD patients, and the antibody did not wane until 6 months.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.215-226
• /
• 2024

Aralia continentalis is widely distributed in Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. A. continentalis has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for various conditions, including analgesia, headache, inflammation, lameness, lumbago, rheumatism, and dental diseases in Korea. Previously, epi-continentalic acid, continentalic acid, and kaurenoic acid as major active biological compounds belonging to the diterpenoid class were identified. To synthesize diterpenoid derivatives with enhanced bioavailability, Fusarium fujikuroi was employed to biotransform diterpenoids due to its known antibacterial activity. This yielded two derivatives of kaurenoic acid, namely 16α-hydroxyent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, with their chemical structures elucidated via NMR analysis. These derivatives exhibited increased polarity compared to kaur- enoic acid, as evidenced by their retention time on preparative HPLC using the ODS-A column and structural modifications. Evaluation of their antidiabetic activity targeting PTP1B, a negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, revealed inhibitory activities of 30.8% and 27.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 4 ㎍/ml. Additionally, both derivatives demonstrated low cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value 18 times higher than kaurenoic acid. Therefore, the augmented water solubility and reduced toxicity of 16α-hydroxy-ent-kauran-2-on-19-oic acid and 2β, 16α-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid, resulting from biotransformation by F. fujikuroi, render them promising candidates for industrial applications.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.201-211
• /
• 2007

The purposes of this study were to examine trends in Korean middle school students' attitudes toward science and the differences in boys' and girls' attitudes toward science as well as to analyze Korean middle school students' attitudes toward science compared to those in Singapore, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, and Japan. In order to achieve these purposes, we analyzed students' survey data on self-confidence in science, interests in science, external motivation for science, and career preference for science collected from TIMSS 1995, TIMSS 1999, and TIMSS 2003. Korean students' interests in science and external motivation for science reduced in TIMSS 1999 and increased again in TIMSS 2003. The amount of change was greater in interests in science. On the other hand, self-confidence in science and career preference for science consistently declined from TIMSS 1995 to TIMSS 2003. Self-confidence in science among boys and girls was similar in TIMSS 1995 and 1999. But self-confidence of girls in science declined rapidly from TIMSS 1999 to 2003, while self-confidence of boys in science remained almost the same. Trends of interests in science were similar between boys and girls; they declined in TIMSS 1999 and increased again in TIMSS 2003. External motivation for science of both boys and girls increased, and the increase among girls was greater. The percentage of boys who wanted to have a job using science consistently declined from TIMSS 1999 to TIMSS 2003, while the percentage of girls declined in TIMSS 1999 and increased in TIMSS 2003 again. The results from an international comparison with other Asian countries having similar cultures showed that Korean students' self-confidence in science, career preference for science of middle school students was the lowest.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.258-265
• /
• 2024

Purpose: To date, there is no region-specific guideline for pediatric endoscopy training. This study aimed to illustrate the current status of pediatric endoscopy training in Asia-Pacific region and identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a standardized electronic questionnaire, was conducted among medical schools in the Asia-Pacific region in January 2024. Results: A total of 57 medical centers in 12 countries offering formal Pediatric Gastroenterology training programs participated in this regional survey. More than 75% of the centers had an average case load of <10 cases per week for both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies. Only 36% of the study programs employed competency-based outcomes for program development, whereas nearly half (48%) used volume-based curricula. Foreign body retrieval, polypectomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and esophageal variceal hemostasis, that is, sclerotherapy or band ligation (endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy and endoscopic variceal ligation), comprised the top four priorities that the trainees should acquire in the autonomous stage (unconscious) of competence. Regarding the learning environment, only 31.5% provided formal hands-on workshops/simulation training. The direct observation of procedural skills was the most commonly used assessment method. The application of a quality assurance (QA) system in both educational and patient care (Pediatric Endoscopy Quality Improvement Network) aspects was present in only 28% and 17% of the centers, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with Western academic societies, the limited availability of cases remains a major concern. To close this gap, simulation and adult endoscopy training are essential. The implementation of reliable and valid assessment tools and QA systems can lead to significant development in future programs.

• The Journal of Small Business Innovation
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.53-68
• /
• 2016

Motivation and activities for technological learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity are driving forces of economic development in Asian countries. In the early stages of technological development, technological learning and entrepreneurship are efficient ways in which to catch up with advanced countries because firms can accumulate skills and knowledge quickly at relatively low risk. In the later stages of technological development, however, innovation and creativity become more important. This study aims to identify a) the factors (learning capabilities) that influence technological learning performance and b) barriers to enhancing innovation capabilities for the creative economy and organizations. The major part of this study is related to learning capabilities in the post-catch-up era. Based on a literature review and observations from Korean experiences, this study proposes a technological learning model composed of various influencing factors on technological learning. Three hypotheses are derived, and data are collected from Korean machine tool manufacturers. Intense interviews with CEOs and R&D directors are conducted using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, such as correlation and ANOVA are then carried out. Furthermore, this study addresses how to enhance innovation capabilities to move forward. Innovation enablers and barriers are identified by case studies and policy analysis. The results of the empirical study identify several levels of firms' learning capabilities and activities such as a) stock of technology, b) potential of technical labor, c) explicit technological efforts, d) readiness to learn, e) top management support, f) a formal technological learning system, g) high learning motivation, h) appropriate technology choice, and i) specific goal setting. These learning capabilities determine firms' learning performance, especially in the early stages of development. Furthermore, it is found that the critical factors for successful technological learning vary along the stages of technology development. Throughout the statistical and policy analyses, this study confirms that technological learning can be understood as an intrinsic principle of the technology development process. Firms perform proactive and creative learning in the late stages, while reactive and imitative learning prevails in the early stages. In addition, this study identifies the driving forces or facilitating factors enhancing innovation performance in the post catch-up era. The results of the preliminary case studies and policy analysis show some facilitating factors such as a) the strategic intent of the CEO and corporate culture, b) leadership and change agents, c) design principles and routines, d) ecosystem and collaboration with partners, and e) intensive R&D investment.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.95-99
• /
• 2004

Objectives: Although many studies on seasonal variations in mood and behavior have been carried out in foreign countries, no such study has previously been undertaken in Korea. The goal of this study was to estimate the frequency of seasonal variations in mood and behavior among Korean medical students. Methods: 297 medical students from Korea University College of Medicine participated in this study. The subjects were surveyed with a Korean translation of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and their responses were evaluated for seasonal patterns of mood and behavioral change, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder (S-SAD), derived from the case-finding criteria of Kasper et al. Results: The mean global seasonality score was 6.6 (SD=3.6). 83.5% (N=248) of the subjects reported some changes in behavior and mood associated with the seasons. Only 3.7% (N=11) reported no behavioral changes across the seasons. Total prevalence rates were 15.2% for SAD, and 2.7% for S-SAD. The estimated frequencies were 3.0% for summer SAD, 2.7% for summer S-SAD, 11.4% for winter SAD, and 5.8% for winter S-SAD. The prevalence rates for winter SAD or S-SAD were higher than the prevalence rates for summer SAD or S-SAD. Conclusion: These results suggest that seasonal variations in mood and behavior are common among Koreans. The higher prevalence rate of winter SAD or S-SAD than summer SAD or S-SAD is consistent with most western studies and stands in contrasts to studies in other Asian countries, such as Japan and China.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.387-391
• /
• 2008

Green tea is popular plants in Asian countries and has become more widespread in western countries due to its taste characteristics and health benefits. Apart from green tea leafs, however, the use of root and seed of green tea tree has not intensively been investigated yet. In this study, the contents of mineral, vitamin, total amino acid, free amino acid, and total polyphenol (catechin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid) of the root and seed of green tea tree were analyzed for the development of healthy foods. For minerals, potassium contents were 1,052 and 1,480 mg/100g-dry weight of root and seed, respectively. The order of mineral contents were as follows: K > P > Ca > Mg > Na > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu in root and K > P > Na > Ca > Mg > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn in seed. For vitamins, vitamin C contents were 5.72 and 6.05 mg/100g-dry weight of root and seed, respectively. The presence of more various kinds of vitamins were observed in seed than in root. For total amino acids, the contents were 1,651 and 4,335 mg/100g-dry weight of root and seed, respectively. The total amino acid contents of seed and root were higher than those in commercial green tea products. Especially the phenylalanine contents were 16 and 139 mg/100g-dry weight of root and seed, respectively whereas phenylalanine was not found in commercial green tea products. Concerning free amino acids, the bitter tasting amino acids such as arginine, valine and tryptophan were more abundant in root and the sweet tasting ones such as glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid, and serine were more abundant in seed. The total polyphenol contents were 237 and 81 mg/100g-dry weight of root and seed, respectively. The polyphenol contents in root were three times higher than that in seed so root may be a better source for antioxidant ingredients than seed. Among many polyphenols, catechin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid were the top three major components.