• Title/Summary/Keyword: Exotic species

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Radioactive cDNA microarray in Neurospsychiatry (신경정신 의학분야의 방사성동위원소 표지 cDNA 마이크로어레이)

  • Choe, Jae-Gol;Shin, Kyung-Ho;Lee, Min-Soo;Kim, Meyoung-Kon
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.37 no.1
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    • pp.43-52
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    • 2003
  • Microarray technology allows the simultaneous analysis of gene expression patterns of thousands of genes, in a systematic fashion, under a similar set of experimental conditions, thus making the data highly comparable. In some cases arrays are used simply as a primary screen loading to downstream molecular characterization of individual gene candidates. In other cases, the goal of expression profiling is to begin to identify complex regulatory networks underlying developmental processes and disease states. Microarrays were originally used with ceil lines or other simple model systems. More recently, microarrays have been used in the analysis of more complex biological tissues including neural systems and the brain. The application of cDNA arrays in neuropsychiatry has lagged behind other fields for a number of reasons. These include a requirement for a large amount of input probe RNA In fluorescent-glass based array systems and the cellular complexity introduced by multicellular brain and neural tissues. An additional factor that impacts the general use of microarrays in neuropsychiatry is the lack of availability of sequenced clone sets from model systems. While human cDNA clones have been widely available, high qualify rat, mouse, and drosophilae, among others are just becoming widely available. A final factor in the application of cDNA microarrays in neuropsychiatry is cost of commercial arrays. As academic microarray facilitates become more commonplace custom made arrays will become more widely available at a lower cost allowing more widespread applications. in summary, microarray technology is rapidly having an impact on many areas of biomedical research. Radioisotope-nylon based microarrays offer alternatives that may in some cases be more sensitive, flexible, inexpensive, and universal as compared to other array formats, such as fluorescent-glass arrays. In some situations of limited RNA or exotic species, radioactive membrane microarrays may be the most practical experimental approach in studying psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and other complex questions in the brain.

Population structure and habitat use of gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) in Wof-Washa Forest (Gosh-Meda Area), Central Ethiopia

  • Goshme, Birhanu;Yihune, Mesele
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.292-297
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    • 2018
  • Background: Gelada baboon is one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia residing in different highlands. The population structure and habitat use of gelada baboon in Wof-Washa particularly Gosh Meda area was investigated from September 2016 to August 2017. Total counting method was used to collect data on the population status by dividing the study area in to four blocks, namely, Kundi, Arbgebeya, Goshber, and Goshmeda. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The age-sex category and the numbers of geladas found within the different blocks were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and paired t test was also used to analyze the pair wise comparison of the different age and sex categories during both dry and wet seasons. Results: A total of 435 and 471 gelada baboons were counted during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The maximum group size consisted of 178 individuals whereas the minimum group size contained 53 individuals. Out of the total population adult females accounted for 54.7% in the wet and 54.56% in the dry seasons. There was a significant difference among the age-sex categories in both the wet ($F_{2432}=630$, P < 0.05) and dry ($F_{2468}=696.6$, P < 0.05) seasons. The male to female ratio was 1:5.7 during wet season and 1:5.8 during dry season. So that the population will have a better chance to increase in the study area. Conclusion: Wof-Washa Forest could be a good site for eco-tourism activities due to the presence of endemic animals and its scenic beauty. However, the quality of the habitat is decreasing due to livestock grazing, agricultural expansion, and invasion of exotic plants species. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures should be implemented to conserve gelada baboon in particular and other wildlife resources in general.

Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Pinus densiflora and koraiensis and their Applications (Pinus densiflora와 Pinus koraiensis로부터 분리된 생리활성 물질들 및 응용)

  • Kim, Nam Hee;Yoon, Sunkwon;Um, Byung-Hun;Kim, Jung Won
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.32 no.2
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    • pp.132-138
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    • 2021
  • This review investigated the types of physiologically active substances isolated and extracted from Pinus densiflora and koraiensis native to Republic of Korea, and the current status of research on their effectiveness and industrial use. They contain various bioactive substances including essential oils, polyphenols, resins, and stilbene derivatives. In recent, physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cataract prevention, and neuroprotection from extracts of Pinus densiflora and koraiensis have been identified by domestic researchers. The extracts have been used in different industrial fields like food, health functional foods, cosmetics, and household goods, but the high proportion of them is industrially made from exotic species. Therefore, various studies on industrial applicability are needed due to the lack of cases in which the activity is applied to actual products, with respect to the effects that have been scientifically recognized.

Analysis of Ecodiversity as the Foundation for Conserving Biodiversity and Its Restoration Strategy (생물다양성을 보존하기 위한 토대로서 생태다양성 분석 및 복원 전략)

  • Lim, Bong Soon;Kim, Dong Uk;Kim, A Reum;Seol, Jae Won;Lee, Chang Seok
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.53 no.4
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    • pp.408-426
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    • 2020
  • This study aims to establish the national strategy for biodiversity conservation by analyzing the current status of ecodiversity as the foundation of biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, this study has another purpose of preparing the measures for conservation and restoration of biodiversity. Ecodiversity was discussed as the basis for conserving biodiversity. Five climate zones and 14 climatic regions, eight plant geographic regions, three massifs and major geologic series, horizontal and vertical topographic conditions, 16 ecoregions, major ecosystems including forest, river and streams, wetlands, coast and marine, agriculture, and urban esosystems, and land use types were discussed as the element of the ecodiversity. In terms of biodiversity conservation, the actual conditions of each ecological unit were reviewed and measures were proposed to reduce biodiversity loss. Destruction and fragmentation of habitat, poor ecosystem management due to socioeconomic changes, the effects of exotic species and chemicals, and climate change were discussed as the major factors causing biodiversity loss. Systematic monitoring based on scientific principles and ecological restoration based on those monitoring results were recommended as measures for biodiversity conservation.

Characters of motile aeromonads isolated from imported ornamental fish (수입 관상어에서 분리한 motile aeromonads의 특성)

  • Jin, Se-yun;Ko, Chang-yong;Lee, Ye-ji;Jung, Yun-hee;Ju, Seong-cheol;Kim, Eunheui
    • Journal of fish pathology
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.89-96
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    • 2017
  • The majority of freshwater ornamental fish are imported and distributed domestically, causing high risk of exposure to exotic pathogens and drug resistant bacteria in Korea. Aeromonas hydrophila is known as a common species of fresh water bacteria and opportunistic fish pathogen, as well as a species causing zoonotic infection. In this study, we isolated motile aeromonads from various imported freshwater ornamental fish and studied the characters of the isolates. Imported freshwater ornamental fish were purchased on day 1 after the fish were deposited in the aquarium. Bacteria were isolated from the liver, kidney and spleen of fish using 0.5% NaCl containing tryptic soy agar medium. Bacteria were grouped on the basis of their morphological characteristics. The colonies with clear zone on starch-ampicillin agar (SA agar) were tentatively identified as Aeromonas spp. Two hundred and twenty-six strains, about 70% of total isolates were assumed to be Aeromonas spp. Nine isolates were further identified based on the result of the API 20E test and PCR using primers specific for A. hydrophila 16S rRNA gene. The isolates were identified as A. hydrophila and the API 20E test showed differences in trisodium citrate, D-sucrose, D-melibiose, amygdalin and L-arabinose availability between the nine isolates and standard A. hydrophila. The susceptibilities of the isolated bacteria to 10 antibacterial agents were confirmed by the disk diffusion method. Isolated strains were found to be resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin and sensitive to florfenicol. However, 7 isolates showed multiple drug resistances to erythromycin, oxytetracycline, nalidixic acid etc. Pathogenicity of the isolates was determined by the artificial challenge test on goldfish (Carassius auratus). Three isolates caused 60 ~ 80% mortality in goldfish within 5 days after the initiation of challenge. These results indicate that multiple drug resistant, highly pathogenic and exotic A. hydrophila can spread to domestic aquarium and the preventive treatment of fish before sale is necessary.

Ecological Characteristics and Changes of Quercus mongolica Community in Namsan (Mt.), Seoul (서울시 남산 신갈나무림 생태계 특성과 변화 연구)

  • Han, Bong-Ho;Park, Seok-Cheol;Kim, Jong-Yup;Kwak, Jeong-In
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.50 no.2
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    • pp.41-63
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this study is to secure objective and precise data through ecosystem monitoring, to reveal ecological characteristics through comparison and analysis with past survey data, and to accumulate basic data for diagnosing the current situation and predicting changes in the ecosystem. The target site is the 'Quercus mongolica forest on the Buksa-myeon of Namsan', which was designated as an Ecological Landscape Conservation Area (ELCA) of Seoul in July 2006. The research contents are analysis of soil environment change (1986~2016), change of actual vegetation (1978~2016), and change of plant community structure (1994~2016). A total of 8 fixed surveys (400~1,200m2) were established in 1994 and 2000. Analysis items are importance value, species and population, and Shannon's species diversity. The soil environment of Namsan is acidic (pH 4.40 in 2016), which is expected to have a negative impact on tree growth and vegetation structure due to its low capacity for exchangeable cations. Quercus mongolica forest in Namsan is mainly distributed on the northern slopes. The actual vegetation area changed from 49.4% in 1978 → 80.7% in 1986 → 82.4% in 2000 → 88.3% in 2005 → 88.3% in 2009 → 70.3% in 2016. In 2016, the forest decreased by 18% compared to 2009. While there was increased growth of Quercus mongolica in the tree layer from 2009 to 2016, the overall decline in vegetation area was due to logging and fumigation management following the spread of oak wilt in 2012. As for the changes in the plant community structure, Quercus mongolica of the tree layer was damaged by oak wilt, and the potential vegetation that can form the next generation was ambiguous. In the subtree layer, the force of urbanization tree species such as Styrax japonicus, Sorbus alnifolia, and Acer palmatum. was maintained or increased. In the shrub layer, the number of trees and species increased significantly due to the open tree crown, and accordingly, the species diversity of Shannon for woody plants also increased. In Quercus mongolica forest of Namsan, various ecological changes are occurring due to the effects of urban environments such as air pollution and acid rain, the limitation of Quercus mongolica pure forest due to oak wilt, and the introduction of exotic species, thus, it is necessary to establish a management plan through continuous monitoring.

Antioxidant Activity and Anti-inflammatory effects of Sicyos angulatus L. extract (가시박 추출물의 항산화 및 항염증 효과)

  • Kim, Yooun-A;You, Seon-hee
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.536-544
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    • 2017
  • This study was carried out to find out the physiological activity effect of Sicyos angulatus L. extract which is known as an ecosystem disturbance plant and confirm the availability as a functional cosmetic material. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured, and DPPH radical scavenging, intracellular ROS, and its inhibitory effect on the expression Nitric oxide of and COX-2 were evaluated. The content of polyphenol and flavonoid was found to be 3.079 mg(CA)/100g and 72 mg(Q)/100g of Sicyos angulatus L. extract and antioxidant activity through high radical scavenging activity was confirmed. ~Significant cytotoxicity was not observed up to a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7 cells and HDF cells and concentration-dependent inhibition of ROS production in HDF cells, inhibition of high NO production and inhibition of COX-2 protein expression in RAW 264.7 cells were confirmed. Through these results, we found the possibility of use as a functional cosmetic material with excellent antioxidant effect and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of intracellular ROS generation, inhibition of NO generation, and inhibition of COX-2 protein expression.

Studies on Resource Plants of the Mireukbong and Manduksan in Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 만덕산과 미륵봉 일대의 자원식물상 연구)

  • Kim, Young-Ha;Beon, Mu-Sup;Oh, Hyun-Kyung
    • Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.447-458
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    • 2006
  • The resource plants at the Manduksan and Mireukbong was listed 550 taxa: 107 families, 339 genera, 481 species, 1 subspecies, 65 varieties and 3 forms. Among 550 taxa listed was confirmed 323 taxa of edible plants (58.7%), 384 taxa of medicinal plants (69.8%), 267 taxa of ornamental plants (48.5%) and 268 taxa of the others (48.7%). Based on the list of the rare plants by the Forest Research Institute, 4 taxa were recorded in the studied areas; Lilium distichum (Preservation priority order: No. 159), Tricyrtis dilatata (No. 97), Aristolochia contorta (No. 151), Prunus yedoensis (No. 110) and based on the list of Korean endemic plants, 11 taxa were recorded; Cephalotaxus koreana, Carex okamotoi, Lilium amabile, Populus tomentiglandulosa, Salix purpurea var. japonica, Pseudostellaria multiflora, Prunus yedoensis, Forsythia koreana, Paulownia coreana, Weigela subsessilis, Aster koraiensis. Specific plant species by floral region were total 30 taxa; Prunus yedoensis in class V, Wistaria floribunda in class IV, 3 taxa (Spiraea salicifolia, Acer palmatum, Asperula lasiantha) in class III, 3 taxa (Potentilla dickinsii, Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana, Caryopteris incana) in class II, 22 taxa (Pinus koraiensis, Hosta capitata, Chloranthus japonicus, Salix glandulosa, Juglans mandshurica, etc.) in class I. This site needs urgent countermeasures, because there have increased many man-made damages like planting exotic plants, picking wild plants and soil compaction induced by human trampling.

Vegetation Status and Characteristics of the Spatial Distribution in Taeanhaean National Park (태안해안국립공원 식생 현황과 공간분포 특성)

  • Lee, Seon-Mi;Myeong, Hyeon-Ho
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.48 no.2
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    • pp.122-128
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    • 2015
  • This study aims to figure out the vegetation status and characteristics of the spatial distribution in Taeanhaean National Park. As a result, vegetation communities were Pinus thunbergii community, Pinus densiflora community, Pinus thunbergii-Pinus densiflora community, Camellia japonica community, Carpinus turczaninowii community, Carpinus turczaninowii-Pinus thunbergii community, Kalopanax septemlobus community, Koelreuteria paniculata community, Robinia pseudoacacia community, and sand dune and coastal wetland vegetation including Vitex rotundifolia community, Elymus mollis community, Calamagrostis epigeios community, Ischaemum anthephoroides community, Zoysia sinica community, Suaeda maritima community, and Phragmites communis community. Landscape types in actual vegetation map were Pinus thunbergii community (3.92%), Pinus densiflora community (1.40%), Robinia pseudoacacia community (0.05%), sand dune and coastal wetland vegetation (0.11%), field (0.46%), seashore (0.24%), thinning area (0.08%), bareground (0.16%), and sea (93.58%). Area of Pinus thunbergii community among vegetation type was $14.797km^2$ (3.92%) and the largest. Stratification structure and species composition of Pinus thunbergii community distributed in the seashore were different as a result of disturbance and human use. On the other hand, we assumed that succession will take place to the potential natural vegetation that is Quercus serrata and Quercus dentata in undisturbed Pinus thunbergii community. Meanwhile, Erechtites hieracifolia was occupied in understory of Pinus thunbergii community around the seashore and Diodia teres was invaded to sand dune vegetation. They may affect on natural species negatively. Therefore, monitoring and management plans are necessary.

Fish Community Characteristics and the Effects of Water Quality on River Health in the Anyang Stream, Korea (안양천의 어류군집 특성 및 수질이 하천건강성에 미치는 영향)

  • Jae-Woo Joo;Myeong-Hun Ko
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.189-203
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    • 2024
  • This study conducted a survey two times at 20 points from April to June and from August to October 2022 to characterize the fish community and reveal the health of the Anyang stream. The survey collected 3,186 individuals belonging to 5 orders, 10 families and 34 species. The dominant species was Zacco platypus (43.4%), followed by Carassius auratus (10.1%), Cyprinus carpio (7.6%), Zacco koreanus (6.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.2%), Oryzias sinensis (5.1%), Pseudorasbora parva (4.7%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.4%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (3.5%), Hemiculter eigenmanni (3.3%), Rhodeus ocellatus (1.4%), and Chelon haematocheilus (1.0%). Among the emerged species, 5 species (14.7%), including Rhodeus uyekii, Squalidus japonicus coreanus, and Odontobutis interrupta, were endemic to Korea, and 4 species (11.8%), including Cyprinus carpio (Israeli type), Lepomis macrochirus, Micropterus salmoides, and Poecilia reticulata, were exotic. The fish community analysis showed that the dominance was higher at the upper reaches of the Anyang stream and decreased downstream, and diversity, richness, and evenness were higher in tributary than mainstream. Stream health (fish assessment index, FAI) was generally poor, as it was rated as moderate (C) at seven sites, poor (D) at eight sites, and very poor (E) at five sites. Water quality was evaluated at eight sites, and it was rated as poor (V) at two sites, slightly poor (IV) at one site, moderate (III) at four sites, and slightly good (II) at one site, indicating that the overall water quality was poor and that the water quality had a significant impact on river health and fish habitat. Moreover, it was found that many weirs without fishways were constructed in the Anyang stream and became an obstacle to fish migration. Therefore, a systematic management plan to improve water quality and add fishways is necessary to improve the stream's health and conserve stable fish habitat.