• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2006

Abuse of drugs can elicit compulsive drug seeking behaviors upon repeated administration, and ultimately leads to the phenomenon of addiction. We developed a procedure for the standardization of microarray gene expression data of rat brain in drug addiction and stored them in a single integrated database system, focusing on more effective data processing and interpretation. Another characteristic of the present database is that it has a systematic flexibility for statistical analysis and linking with other databases. Basically, we adopt an intelligent SQL querying system, as the foundation of our DB, in order to set up an interactive module which can automatically read the raw gene expression data in the standardized format. We maximize the usability of this DB, helping users study significant gene expression and identify biological function of the genes through integrated up-to-date gene information such as GO annotation and metabolic pathway. For collecting the latest information of selected gene from the database, we also set up the local BLAST search engine and non-redundant sequence database updated by NCBI server on a daily basis. We find that the present database is a useful query interface and data-mining tool, specifically for finding out the genes related to drug addiction. We apply this system to the identification and characterization of methamphetamine-induced genes' behavior in rat brain.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.1588-1595
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• 2006

In this paper, we proposed a liver extracting procedure for computer aided liver diagnosis system. Extraction of liver region in an abdominal CT image is difficult due to interferences of other organs. For this reason, liver region is extracted in a region of interest(ROI). ROI is selected by the window which can measure the distribution of Hounsfield Unit(HU) value of liver region in an abdominal CT image. The distribution is measured by an existential probability of HU value of lever region in the window. If the probability of any window is over 50%, the center point of the window would be assigned to ROI. Actually, liver region is not clearly discerned from the adjacent organs like muscle, spleen, and pancreas in an abdominal CT image. Liver region is extracted by the watershed segmentation algorithm which is effective in this situation. Because it is very sensitive to the slight valiance of contrast, it generally produces over segmentation regions. Therefore these regions are required to merge into the significant regions for optimal segmentation. Finally, a liver region can be selected and extracted by prier information based on anatomic information.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.203-213
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• 2014

In this study, we proposed a new model with ISOIA (Insect Search by Observation based on Insect Appearance) method based on observation by insect appearance to improve user satisfaction, and compared it with the ISBC and ISOBC methods. In order to test these three insect search systems with AHP method, we derived three evaluation criteria for user satisfaction and three sub-evaluation criteria by evaluation criterion. In the ecological environment, non-experts need insect search systems to identify insect species and to get u-Learning contents related to the insects. To assist the public the non-experts, ISBC (Insect Search by Biological Classification) method based on biological classification to search insects and ISOBC (Insect Search by Observation based on Biological Classification) method based on the inference that identifies the observed insect through observation according to biological classification have been provided. In the test results, we found the order of priorities was ISOIA, ISOBC, and ISBC. It shows that the ISOIA system proposed in this study is superior in usage and quality compared with the previous insect search systems.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1933-1940
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• 1997

The development of CMOS IC chip and external system with optical transmission sytem is proposed in this paper, which deal with 4 subject 4 channel biological signals, receive and transmit biological signals to the external system using LED and infrared light of photodiode. This system decreases the dependency of power supply voltage to the COMS IC chip. A newenforce synchronization technique using infrared bi-directional communication has ben proposed. The telemetner IC with the size of $5.1{\times}5.1mm^2$ has the followingfunctions:receiving of command signal, initialization of internal state of all functional blocks, decoding of subject selection signal, time division multiplexing of 4-channel modulated biological signals, transmission of modulated signals to external system, and auto power down control. To confirm the total telemetry system, electrocardogram is transmitted and received to the external system using optical link.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.170-179
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• 2021

Hulunbuir steppe, one of the four largest steppes in China, has experienced rapidly progressing desertification partly due to overgrazing by livestock. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of various vegetation recovery methods, including the selection of unpalatable plants less affected by grazing livestock. To determine livestock grazing preferences at Hulunbuir restoration sites, we used DNA barcoding methods to analyze fecal materials of horses and cattle grazing on four restored plants: two trees (Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongolica and Populus canadensis) and two shrubs (Caragana microphylla and Corethrodendron fruticosum). Neither of the two tree species were detected in livestock feces, whereas both shrub species were detected at lo w frequencies. There were no significant differences in compositions of species consumed by horses and cattle except that Asteraceae species were more often consumed by cattle. Our results showed that the four plants used for restoration may be classified as unpalatable or less palatable species in the Hulunbuir restoration area. Our results may help inform restoration strategies implemented in restoration areas, especially regarding negative effects of livestock grazing during the initial stage of restoration in Hulunbuir.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.255-264
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• 2016

The plethora of genome sequence information of bacteria in recent times has ushered in many novel strategies for antibacterial drug discovery and facilitated medical science to take up the challenge of the increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to current antibiotics. In this study, we adopted subtractive genomics approach to analyze the whole genome sequence of the Fusobacterium nucleatum, a human oral pathogen having association with colorectal cancer. Our study divulged 1,499 proteins of F. nucleatum, which have no homolog's in human genome. These proteins were subjected to screening further by using the Database of Essential Genes (DEG) that resulted in the identification of 32 vitally important proteins for the bacterium. Subsequent analysis of the identified pivotal proteins, using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Automated Annotation Server (KAAS) resulted in sorting 3 key enzymes of F. nucleatum that may be good candidates as potential drug targets, since they are unique for the bacterium and absent in humans. In addition, we have demonstrated the three dimensional structure of these three proteins. Finally, determination of ligand binding sites of the 2 key proteins as well as screening for functional inhibitors that best fitted with the ligands sites were conducted to discover effective novel therapeutic compounds against F. nucleatum.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.373-393
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• 2015

Background: Cellulose is a ubiquitous, renewable and environmentally friendly biopolymer, which has high promise to fulfil the rising demand for sustainable and biocompatible materials. Particularly, the recent progress in the synthesis of highly crystalline cellulose-based nanoscale biomaterials, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), draws significant attention from many research communities, ranging from bioresource engineering, to materials science and engineering, to biological and biomedical engineering to bionanotechnology. The feasibility of harnessing CNCs' unique biophysicochemical properties has inspired their basic and applied research, offering much promise for new biomaterials with diverse advanced functionalities. Purpose: This review focuses on vital issues and topics on the recent advances in CNC-based biomaterials with potential, in particular, for bionanotechnology and biological and biomedical engineering. The challenges and limitations of CNC technology are discussed as well as potential strategies to overcome them, providing an essential source of information in the exploration of possible and futuristic applications of the CNC-based functional "green" nanomaterials. Conclusion: CNCs offer exciting possibilities for advanced "green" nanomaterials, driving innovative research and development in a wide range of fields, including biological and biomedical engineering.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1599-1605
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• 2015

The development of rapid and efficient genome sequencing methods has enabled us to study the evolutionary background of bacterial genetic information. Here, we present comparative genomic analysis of 17 Streptomyces species, for which the genome has been completely sequenced, using the pan-genome approach. The analysis revealed that 34,592 ortholog clusters constituted the pan-genome of these Streptomyces species, including 2,018 in the core genome, 11,743 in the dispensable genome, and 20,831 in the unique genome. The core genome was converged to a smaller number of genes than reported previously, with 3,096 gene families. Functional enrichment analysis showed that genes involved in transcription were most abundant in the Streptomyces pan-genome. Finally, we investigated core genes for the sigma factors, mycothiol biosynthesis pathway, and secondary metabolism pathways; our data showed that many genes involved in stress response and morphological differentiation were commonly expressed in Streptomyces species. Elucidation of the core genome offers a basis for understanding the functional evolution of Streptomyces species and provides insights into target selection for the construction of industrial strains.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.353-365
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• 2016

Objectives : We analysed Gyejibongnyeong-hwan's compatibility principle and investigated biological activities by categorizing with molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level based on Korean study for this formula. Methods : Gyejibongnyeong-hwan's compatibiltity principle was examined by the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy. We looked into studies that presented in Korea from 1956 to 2016 about Gyejibongnyeong-hwan through Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korean medicine information system (OASIS). Then classify into molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level to analyse. Results : According to the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, chief herb is Cinnamomi Ramulus, deputy herb is Persicae Semen, assistant herb is Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix, Poria, and envoy herb is Mel. Biological activities can be detected in transcription factors, enzymes, and inflammatory mediators for molecular level. For cellular level, it can be determined in human uterine endometrial cancer cell, human hepatocarcinoma cell, and human platelets. In mouse and rats for animal level, in overian cystoma, menorrhalgia, quality of life improvement in postmenopausal women, and blood stasis with motor vehicle accident for human level, biological activities was caught. Conclusions : From above results, Gyejibongnyeong-hwan is composed in line with the system of chief, deputy, assistan, and envoy. Biological activities are effective to improvement of menorrhalgia, anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammation, improvement of atherosclerosis, analgesic, anti-convulsion, wound healing, and improvement of liver function.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-23
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• 2011

Weeds are one of the major constraints to crop production in organic farming systems. This paper reviews major results and techniques achieved with physical, cultural, and biological weed control and their perspectives in organic agriculture. Physical methods includes mechanical, thermal, lighting, electrocution, pneumatic, autonomous robot weeding control techniques. Cultural weed control methods includes mulching, tillage, crop rotation, cover crops and crop competition. Physical and cultural weed control techniques are especially important in organic farming crops where other weed control options are limited or not available without use of herbicides. Biological weed control includes mycoherbicides, innundative biological control, broad-spectrum biological control and allelopathy. Successful weed management in organic farming requires well managed integrated systems of mechanical control using newly developed machines, cultural control and biological control methods. Weed management decision-aid models may also needed to develop to provide greater assurance of achieving profitability and appropriate long-term weed management in organic farming in the future.