• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2014

Tissue-specific gene expression is regulated by epigenetic modification involving trans-acting factors. Here, we identified that the human MAGEB16 gene and its mouse homolog, Mageb16, are only expressed in the testis. To investigate the mechanism governing their expression, the promoter methylation status of these genes was examined in different samples. Two CpG islands (CGIs) in the 5' upstream region of MAGEB16 were highly demethylated in human testes, whereas they were methylated in cells without MAGEB16 expression. Similarly, the CGI in Mageb16 was hypomethylated in mouse testes but hypermethylated in other tissues and cells without Mageb16 expression. Additionally, the expression of these genes could be activated by treatment with the demethylation agent 5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5'-aza-CdR). Luciferase assays revealed that both gene promoter activities were inhibited by methylation of the CGI regions. Therefore, we propose that the testis-specific expression of MAGEB16 and Mageb16 is regulated by the methylation status of their promoter regions.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.399-406
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• 2020

The R.O.K Army has developed and operated TM to maintain the operation of weapons systems since its establishment. As more modern weapons systems were developed, the more efficient operation was limited by a large quantity. As a countermeasure, the DAPA has operated the IETM using the KAIS TOOL since 2003. However, 16 years later, they were shunned by operators for software instability and other reasons. Based on the results of an operational test and evaluation team of the Army headquarters, the analysis results of software instability, limited compatibility and integration, limited real-time updates, etc. were analyzed. It was confirmed that KAIS development tools were urgently needed. Therefore, in order to solve this current problem for the Army IETM, the first phase of this paper focused on improving the IETM by maintaining the application present, the second of the Army Electronic Technology manual, phase going to propose improvement plans for operational test and evaluation by lining 11 elements of comprehensive logistics support with an electronic technology code.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.146-158
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• 2010

In order to evaluate the characteristics of sediments and pollution by organic matter and metallic elements in intertidal sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea, we measured various geochemical parameters, including the mean grain size (Mz), water content (WC), ignition loss (IL), chemical oxygen demand (COD), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metallic elements (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, As), in intertidal surface sediments. The Mz of the surface sediments ranged from 2.1 to 8.3$\phi$, indicating that the surface sediments consist of various sedimentary facies, such as sand, slightly gravelly mud, sandy mud, and silt. The IL and COD in surface sediment ranged from 0.8 to 5.5% (mean $2.9\pm1.2%$) and from 3.9 to $13.8\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$ (mean $8.5\pm2.6\;mgO_2/g{\cdot}dry$), respectively, which were lower than the values for surface sediment in areas near fish and shellfish farms or industrial complexes. No AVS was detected at any sampling station, despite various sedimentary facies. Most of metallic elements in surface sediments showed relatively good positive correlations with Mz and IL, which imply that the concentrations of metallic elements are mainly controlled by grain size and the organic matter content. The concentrations of metallic elements, except As, at some stations were considerably lower than those in the Sediment Quality Guideline (Effect Range Low, ERL) proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Similarly, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) class indicated that pollution by metallic elements in intertidal surface sediment, except As, was moderate or non-existent. Our results imply that the intertidal surface sediments along the southwestern coast of Korea are not polluted by organic matter and metallic elements and are healthy for benthic organisms.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.518-524
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• 2010

A mannanase gene (man26B) was obtained from a sea bacterium, Paenibacillus sp. BME-14, through the constructed genomic library and inverse PCR. The gene of man26B had an open reading frame of 1,428 bp that encoded a peptide of 475- amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 53 kDa. Man26B possessed two domains, a carbohydrate binding module (CBM) belonging to family 6 and a family 26 catalytic domain (CD) of glycosyl hydrolases, which showed the highest homology to Cel44C of P. polymyxa (60% identity). The optimum pH and temperature for enzymatic activity of Man26B were 4.5 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. The activity of Man26B was not affected by $Mg^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$, but was inhibited by $Hg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},\;K^+,\;Na^+$, and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol, and slightly enhanced by $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$. EDTA did not affect the activity of Man26B, which indicates that it does not require divalent ions to function. Man26B showed a high specific activity for LBG and konjac glucomannan, with $K_m,\;V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ values of 3.80 mg/ml, 91.70 ${\mu}mol$/min/mg protein, and 77.08/s, respectively, being observed when LBG was the substrate. Furthermore, deletion of the CBM6 domain increased the enzyme stability while enabling it to retain 80% and 60% of its initial activity after treatment at $80^{\circ}C$ and $90^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, respectively. This finding will be useful in industrial applications of Man26B, because of the harsh circumstances associated with such processes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2010

In this study, river water-based reference materials (RMs), NIER-I08RW and NIER-I09, for trace metal analysis were prepared and certified for Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu with evaluation of uncertainties. The RMs were confirmed to be homogeneous enough to be used as proficiency testing materials since within-bottle homogenieties of the RMs were lower than 0.3 times of targeted standard deviation of proficiency testing. The RMs were distributed to environmental testing laboratories for the proficiency testing and the variation of Z scores of the proficiency testing results were compared for different assigned values. The relative bias, $B_{relative}$, deviations between reference values and consensus values, were lower than ${\pm}$1 except for cadmium of NIERI08RW. The results showed both values were in a good agreement and only 2.9% of Z scores changed by using a different assigned values such as consensus and reference values.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.152-159
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• 2017

Purpose: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations, molecular features, and treatment status of XLA in Korean patients at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Methods: Fourteen Korean boys with XLA showing serum agammaglobulinemia, non-detectable to less than 2% of peripheral B-cells, and mutation of the Btk gene were enrolled. We observed the clinical features, laboratory findings, status of treatment, and complications in these XLA patients. Results: All XLA patients had a history of recurrent bacterial infections before diagnosis, and 20% of them had a neutropenia. Of the XLA patients 35.7% had a family history of XLA and 75% of their mothers were carriers. Btk gene analysis showed variable gene mutations in Xq22 including 9 amino acid substitutions, 3 frameshifts, 1 premature stop codon, and 1 splice defect. After intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, infection episodes decreased, but complications such as bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis remained. Conclusions: In patients less than 4 years of age with recurrent infection, analysis of serum gamma globulin levels and the Btk gene are recommended for the early diagnosis of XLA and for the appropriate prevention of recurrent infection.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.44-51
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• 2005

Fractional composition and mobility of some heavy metals in sediments from Okdong stream are investigated. The fractional scheme for heavy metals in the sediment was established for five chemically defined heavy metal forms as adsorbed fraction, carbonate fraction, reducible fraction, organic fraction, and residual fraction. The most abundant fraction heavy metals in the sediments is reducible and secondly abundant is organic fraction. Adsorbed fraction is minor part of the total heavy metals. Mobilization of heavy metals in the sediments from Okdong stream occur $19.8{\sim}56.7%$ of total cadmium concentrate. The most abundant fraction of the sediment metal is organic fraction in Cu, Pb metals investigated. Labile fraction of sediment metals are $0.5{\sim}48.5%$ of total Zn, $2.6{\sim}48.1%$ of total Pb, and $0.2{\sim}36.9%$ of total Cu, respectively. Most of labile fraction consists of reducible fraction for Cd, Zn, adsorbed fraction for Pb, reducible fraction for Cu, adsorbed fraction for Ni. The Mobilization of Zn and Cu is most likely to occur when oxygen depletes and that of Pb and Ni occurs when physical impact, oxygen depletion and pH reduction.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.191-196
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• 2019

The edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom Amanita javanica is a valuable species protected by forest law in Korea. However, basic characterization data on its use as an important forest resource has been limited. This study was performed to determine mycelia growth characteristics of the domestically isolated Amanita javanica strain NIFoS 1267 on potato dextrose agar media under diverse culture conditions. Physical factors temperature, pH, and light, as well as chemical factors salts, heavy metals, and pesticides were examined for their effects on the growth of the mushroom strain. The mycelia of A. javanica strain exhibited optimal growth when cultured in dark at 30℃ in media with a pH of 5-6. Normal levels of growth were observed in media containing up to 2% saline. At a heavy metal ion content of 50 ppm, mycelial growth was not affected by arsenic ion but was affected by cadmium and lead ions. In the tests performed with two pesticides used in Korean forests, the growth of the mushroom strain was not affected by the presence of abamectin, but was inhibited in media containing acetamiprid, emamectin benzoate, or thiacloprid. These results are expected to facilitate artificial cultivation of A. javanica as a new commercial product.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.252-258
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• 1999

Tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) was obtained by the direct synthesis of methanol with metallic silicon including copper compound as a catalyst and zinc compound as a promoter. The effects of the preheating temperature and the preparation method of the contact mass on TMOS synthesis were investigated. The composition effects of the contact mass which was composed of metallic silicon with copper catalyst and various metallic halide promoters including Zn, Sn or Cd compound were studied also. The best performance on TMOS synthesis was observed on a mixed bed reactor containing metallic silicon preheated with CuCl as a catalyst and $ZnCl_2$ as a promoter. When Cu/Si = 7 wt %, Zn/Cu = 7 wt % was mixed in a slurry phase and activated into contact mass at $380^{\circ}C$, the average selectivity was 87.2% in the silicon consumption of 69.2% at $220^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different types and levels of prebiotics on intestinal microflora and fermentation products in the in vitro fermentation model. The prebiotcs used in this study were IMO (iso-malto oligosaccharide), CI (partially digested chicory-inulin), RA (raffinose) and CD (cyclodextrin). Experimental diet for growing pigs was predigested by digestive enzymes and this hydrolyzed diet was mixed with buffer solution containing 5% fresh swine feces. Then, the mixture was fermented with or without prebiotics at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% for 24 h. Samples were taken at 24 h, and viable count of micoflora, gas, pH, volatile organic compounds and short-chain fatty acids were determined. The viable count of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in all treatments added with prebiotics in comparison to control without prebiotics. However, the increase of lactic acid bacteria was observed in the prebiotics treatment. Gas production increased as the level of prebiotics increased. The pH values in the fermentation fluid decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing the concentration of prebiotics. The fermentation with prebiotics resulted in the reduction of malodorous compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, indole and skatole. The increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was observed in the treatments with prebiotics. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that the fermentation with prebiotics was effective in reducing the formation of malodorous compounds and increasing lactic acid bacteria and SCFA. These effects depended on the concentration of prebiotics. Moreover, further study is needed to determine whether the in vitro efficacy on the reduction of malodorous compounds and increase of SCFA would also be observed in animals.