• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2019

We analyzed the anthocyanin accumulation, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA) contents and metabolic genes expression in berry skins under high temperature (High T) at veraison, in order to investigate the cause of bad coloration of 'Kyoho' grape due to High T in summer season. The coloration of 'Kyoho' grapes was stopped by High T for 10 days from veraison, and the fruit quality was not affected except skin color. Total anthocyanin of skins was decreased by High T treatment and malvidin and peonidin were decreased compared to control. In berry skins, ABA content did not decrease by High T treatment, but it was rather higher than that of control. GA content was increased about two times compared to the control after 10 days of High T treatment, which caused decreased ratio of ABA/GA. Analysis of expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes showed that the early biosynthetic genes were not affected by High T and the expression of UFGT was decreased by temperature treatment. ABA biosynthetic gene expressions were not affected by High T and the expression of GA20ox1 and GA2ox1/2, which are known to regulate the biosynthesis and inactivation of GA, were increased and decreased by High T, respectively. Therefore, the bad coloration of 'Kyoho' grapes under the High T at veraison was due to inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis of skin, and it was suggested that the anthocyanin biosynthesis was controlled by the ratio of ABA and GA rather than ABA content.

• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.599-603
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• 2021

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems have been established in a broad range of eukaryotic species. Herein, we report the first method for genetic engineering in pyogo (shiitake) mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) using CRISPR/Cas9. For in vivo expression of guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting the mating-type gene HD1 (LeA1), we identified an endogenous LeU6 promoter in the L. edodes genome. We constructed a plasmid containing the LeU6 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (LeGPD) promoters to express the Cas9 protein. Among the eight gRNAs we tested, three successfully disrupted the LeA1 locus. Although the CRISPR-Cas9-induced alleles did not affect mating with compatible monokaryotic strains, disruption of the transcription levels of the downstream genes of LeHD1 and LeHD2 was detected. Based on this result, we present the first report of a simple and powerful genetic manipulation tool using the CRISPR/Cas9 toolbox for the scientifically and industrially important edible mushroom, L. edodes.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.199-208
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• 2023

Background: Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive source for veterinary regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug development. Here we used vitamin C (Vc) to improve the reprogramming efficiency of canine iPSCs, and its functions in the reprogramming process were elucidated. Methods: Retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc (OSKM), and GFP was employed to induce reprogramming in canine fetal fibroblasts. Following transduction, the culture medium was subsequently replaced with ESC medium containing Vc to determine the effect on reprogramming activity. Results: The number of AP-positive iPSC colonies dramatically increased in culture conditions supplemented with Vc. Vc enhanced the efficacy of retrovirus transduction, which appears to be correlated with enhanced cell proliferation capacity. To confirm the characteristics of the Vc-treated iPSCs, the cells were cultured to passage 5, and pluripotency markers including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Tra-1-60 were observed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of endogenous pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog, Rex1, and telomerase) were also verified by PCR. The complete silencing of exogenously transduced human OSKM factors was observed exclusively in canine iPSCs treated with Vc. Canine iPSCs treated with Vc are capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro and have spontaneously differentiated into three germ layers. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize a straightforward method for enhancing the efficiency of canine iPSC generation and provide insight into the Vc effect on the reprogramming process.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.767-780
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• 2008

In this study, the structure and management of social group with each town, leadership with self-action and network with external organizations will be the main topic. Especially, the condition which make a communication with external organizations for localization is examined as an example of Mori village. As rice productivity has more serious problems than 1990s, many farming systems changed from rice productions to different kinds, like grapes. Particularly, this market and field started with the exchange system between local farms and cities because of the complex structure of grape circulation and increasing import for extra income. Extra income of farming is started to increase because of exchange program between local towns and cities. But, those works are concentrated on one or two leaders. It could be a burden for them. So. we need to change this into new system which the work is not concentrated to few leaders but distribute to everyone.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.409-434
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• 2014

This paper estimates household demand for electricity using a micro-level household expenditure data set. A two-stage estimation method where the endogenous block price estimates are obtained from a discrete block choice model is used. This method successfully identifies a downward sloping conditional demand function with the data, while both the usual two-stage method with instrumental variable estimation and the Hewitt-Hanemann discrete-continuous model fail to do that. The paper simulates the impacts of two hypothetical pricing reforms that reduce the number of blocks and make the price gap smaller. It is shown that the reform may increase the overall consumer benefit, but is regressive.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5937-5946
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• 2012

The term endocrine disruptors is used to describe a variety of natural and manmade substances that have the capacity to potentially interfere with and modify the normal physiology of endocrine system either by mimicking, blocking or modulating the actions of natural endogenous hormones. The rising incidence of breast cancer over the last 50 years and the documented higher incidence in urban as compared to rural areas suggest a relationship to the introduction and increased use of xenoestrogens in our environment. The literature has developed over the last decades where initial experiments on endocrine disruptors did not support an involvement in breast cancer, and then evidence mounted implicating various environmental factors including hormones, endocrine disrupting chemicals and non-endocrine disrupting environmental carcinogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Available data support the hypothesis that exposure to endocrine disruptors in utero leaves a signature on mammary gland morphogenesis so that the resulting dysgenic gland becomes more predisposed to develop tumors upon exposures to additional insults later on during life. Exceptionally, exposure to phytoestrogens could be beneficial to human health. Most of the available data are from well developed countries while the developing countries are still understudied regarding these issues. Here, we raise a note of caution about potential role of environmental toxins including endocrine disruptors in breast cancer development and call for serious measures to be taken by all involved parties in the developing world.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.501-507
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• 1991

Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is currently confirmed by the detection of the oocysts or endogenous stages in fecal or tissue samples. Various conventional staining methods and serodiagnostic techniques have been reported, but the latter has far been limited to a few laboratories. Cryptosporidium has recently been reported in mice and chiekens in Korea, but there has been no report on staining methods to the oocysts. The present study was performed by light and scanning electron microscopic observations, and discussed with staining properties of four conventional methods such as dichromate solution floatation method, Carbol fuchsin stain, Auramine-O stain and Giemsa stain method. Cryptosporidial oocysts were isolated from the laboratory mouse. In tissue sections of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and upper colon, numerous very small, basophilic bodies were observed on the border of mucosal epithelial cells. In scanning electron microscopic observations, a few of developmental stages of Cryptosporidium were seen. Two types of thick and thin-walled oocysts were recognized in the intestinal contents. Mean size of its were $5.19{\pm}0.23{\times}4.31{\pm}0.32{\mu}m$ and $5.14{\pm}0.25{\times}4.27{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$, respectively. Carbol fuchsin and Auramine-O stain methods are recommended as the satisfactory ones for the identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Giemsa stain was also recommended as available in the laboratory, because a few of developmental stage fo Cryptosporidium could be seen by it.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.717-725
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• 2020

The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria is economically viable and environmentally safe for mitigating various plant stresses. Abiotic stresses such as flood and drought are a serious threat to modern agriculture. In the present study, the indole-3-acetic acid-producing rhizobacterium R. sphaeroides KE149 was selected, and its effects on the growth of adzuki bean plants under flood stress (FS) and drought stress (DS) were investigated. IAA quantification of bacterial pure culture revealed that KE149 produced a significant amount of IAA. Moreover, KE149 inoculation notably decreased stress-responsive endogenous abscisic acid and jasmonic acid and increased salicylic acid in plants under DS and FS. KE149 inoculation also increased proline under DS and methionine under FS. In addition, KE149 inoculation significantly increased the levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) while lowering the sodium (Na) content in the plant shoot under stress. KE149-treated plants had markedly greater root length, shoot length, stem diameter, biomass, and higher chlorophyll content under both normal and stressed conditions. These results suggest that KE149 could be an efficient biofertilizer for mitigating water stress.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.361-368
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• 2019

The objective of the current study was to determine calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) utilization in 4 different hatchery by-products (HBPs) for broiler chickens. The four different HBPs included infertile eggs (IFE), unhatched eggs (UHE), low grade and dead chicks (LDC), and a mixture (MIX) of 55% IFE, 10% UHE, and 10% LDC with 25% hatched eggshells. A total of sixty four 50-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 8 replicates per treatment. Two birds were placed together in one metabolic cage. Additional 16 birds were used to measure the endogenous losses of Ca and P. A forcefeeding procedure (i.e., crop intubation) was used to measure the apparent and true total tract retention (ATTR and TTTR, respectively) of Ca and P in the 4 HBPs. The results showed that the TTTR of Ca in the UHE was less (p < 0.05) than that in the IFE, LDC, and MIX. The amounts of available Ca in the MIX were greater (p < 0.05) than those in the IFE and UHE, which were greater (p < 0.05) than those in the LDC. The TTTR of P was not different among the 4 HBPs. However, the amounts of available P in the LDC were greater (p < 0.05) than those in the IFE and UHE, which were greater (p < 0.05) than those in the MIX. In conclusion, HBPs contain high amounts of available Ca and P because of high concentrations of total Ca and P with a high utilization rate. Therefore, the use of HBPs in broiler diets can reduce costs on Ca and P supplements.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2011

Environmental risk assessment (RA) is essential prior to the environmental release of GM crops. RA, however, costs at least 7 to 15 million US dollars and requires several years to complete field tests. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that developers of GM crops must consider all criteria for RA at the beginning stage of the development if it aims for commercialization. Previous review papers have pointed out that the "death valley" for the commercialization of GM crops is the screening stage of early GM events since many candidates are given up due to insufficient data on the molecular characterization of a GM event such as inserted gene's copy number, position of inserted site of a chromosome, flanking sequence of recombinant T-DNA, rearrangement of chromosome, and knock out of endogenous gene of host plant. Recently, Rural Development Administration (RDA) in South Korea has launched a Grand National Project named as "Next Generation of BioGreen 21 Project" from 2011 to 2020 and research funding for the development of global GM crops has been allocated to accelerate the commercialization of GM crops. In this regard, I strongly suggest that researchers involved in the development of GM crops for commercialization must conduct RA by themselves at the screening stage of pre-GM event based on the data for molecular characterization.