• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.20
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• 2022

Vibrio harveyi belongs to the Vibrio genus that causes vibriosis in marine and aquatic fish species through double-stranded DNA virus replication. In humans, around 12 Vibrio species can cause gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal illness). A large amount of virus particles can be found in the cytoplasm of infected cells, which may cause death. Despite these devastating complications, there is still no cure or vaccine for the virus. As a result, we used an immunoinformatics approach to develop a multi-epitope vaccine against most pathogenic hemolysin gene of V. harveyi. The immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes were identified using the hemolysin protein. We developed a vaccine employing three possible epitopes: cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, helper T-lymphocytes, and linear B-lymphocyte epitopes, after thorough testing. The vaccine was developed to be antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic, as well as having a better solubility. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed significant structural stiffness and binding stability. In addition, the immunological simulation generated by computer revealed that the vaccination might elicit immune reactions in the actual life after injection. Finally, using Escherichia coli K12 as a model, codon optimization yielded ideal GC content and a higher codon adaptation index value, which was then included in the cloning vector pET2+ (a). Altogether, our experiment implies that the proposed peptide vaccine might be a good option for vibriosis prophylaxis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제84권3호
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• pp.237-244
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• 2021

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), is a major menace to cast off TB worldwide. Line probe assay (LPA; GenoType MTBDRplus ver. 2) and Xpert MTB/RIF assays are two rapid molecular TB detection/diagnostic tests. To compare the performance of LPA and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for early diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB in acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive and negative sputum samples. Methods: A total 576 presumptive AFB patients were selected and subjected to AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and recent version of LPA (GenoType MTBDRplus assay version 2) tests directly on sputum samples. Results were compared with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). DNA sequencing was performed with rpoB gene for samples with discordant rifampicin susceptibility results. Results: Among culture-positive samples, Xpert MTB/RIF assay detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 97.3% (364/374) of AFB smear-positive samples and 76.5% (13/17) among smear-negative samples, and the corresponding values for LPA test (valid results with Mtb control band) were 97.9% (366/374) and 58.8% (10/17), respectively. For detection of RR among Mtb positive molecular results, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and LPA (after resolving discordant phenotypic DST results with DNA sequencing) were found to be 96% and 99%, respectively. Whereas, specificity of both test for detecting RR were found to be 99%. Conclusion: We conclude that although Xpert MTB/RIF assay is comparatively superior to LPA in detecting Mtb among AFB smear-negative pulmonary TB. However, both tests are equally efficient in early diagnosis of AFB smear-positive presumptive RR-TB patients.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.40.1-40.8
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• 2020

Avian influenza (AIV) outbreaks can induce fatal human pulmonary infections in addition to economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, we aimed to develop a rapid and sensitive point-of-care AIV test using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. We designed three sets of reverse transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP) primers targeting the matrix (M) and hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the H5 and H9 subtypes. RT-LAMP targeting the universal M gene was designed to screen for the presence of AIV and RT-LAMP assays targeting H5-HA and H9-HA were designed to discriminate between the H5 and H9 subtypes. All three RT-LAMP assays showed specific amplification results without nonspecific reactions. In terms of sensitivity, the detection limits of our RT-LAMP assays were 100 to 1,000 RNA copies per reaction, which were 10 times more sensitive than the detection limits of the reference reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (1,000 to 10,000 RNA copies per reaction). The reaction time of our RT-LAMP assays was less than 30 min, which was approximately four times quicker than that of conventional RT-PCR. Altogether, these assays successfully detected the existence of AIV and discriminated between the H5 or H9 subtypes with higher sensitivity and less time than the conventional RT-PCR assay.

• 한국작물학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.179-185
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• 1984

콩에 있어서 알칼리 붕괴도(ADV)의 활용 가능성과 적정검정방법, 품종간 차이와 재배환경의 영향등을 구명하고 아울러 ADV의 유전현상을 추구하기 위하여 국내에서 수집한 재래 밭밑콩, 국내 장려품종 및 외국에서 도입된 소입품종들과 ADV를 달리하는 품종 또는 계통들관의 교배종자를 공시하여 조사 연구한 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 알칼리 붕괴도의 검정을 위한 알칼리 용액은 25~30%의 KOH용액이 가장 적합한 것으로 판단되었다. 2. 종자처리를 위한 알칼리 용액의 온도의 영향은 비교적 적은 편이었으나 대체로 $25~35^{\circ}C$범위가 양호하였다. 3. 종실의 알칼리 용액 중 침지시간은 24시간 정도로서 충분한 것으로 판단되었다. 4. 알칼리 붕괴도의 품종간 차이는 현저하여 수집 재래 밥밑콩 계통은 ADV가 모두 높고 외국도입 소입품종들은 모두 낮았으며 국내 장려품종들은 품종에 따라 현저한 차이가 있어 3품종은 ADV가 비교적 높은 편이었고 1품종은 중정도이었으며 그밖의 품종은 모두 낮다. 5. 알칼리 붕괴성의 유전현상은 저ADV가 단순우성으로 작용하는 단일유전자에 의하여 지배되는 특성임을 알 수 있었다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.334-339
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• 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious and lethal pathogen that poses a threat to the global pork industry. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has placed strict surveillance measures for ASFV. The possibility of long-term survival of ASFV in raw meat or undercooked pork has been reported. Accordingly, the problem of secondary infection in food waste from households or waste disposal facilities has emerged, raising the need for ASFV monitoring of food waste. However, most of the previously reported ASFV gene detection methods are focused on clinical monitoring of pigs. There are very few cases in which their application in waste has been verified. Since ASFV diagnosis requires rapid monitoring and immediate action, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) may be suitable, but this requires conformity assessment for LAMP to be used as a diagnostic technique. In this study, six LAMP methods were evaluated, and two methods (kit and manual) were recommended for use in diagnosing ASFV in food waste.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.19-26
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• 2023

Objectives : Agrimoniae Herba is a herbal medicine widely distributed in Asia and contains flavonoids including catechin, quercitrin, rutin, hyperoside, and quercetin. This study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidant activity and skin barrier function of different solvent fractions (Hexane; methylene chloride, MC; ethyl acetate, EA; n-butanol, Bu; Water) obtained from Agrimoniae Herba. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity of different solvent fractions obtained from Agrimoniae Herba was investigated through total polyphenol contents, total flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity measurements. Then, filament aggregating protein (Filaggrin), Type I collagen, ceramide synthase (CERS) 3, and CERS4 were analyzed to evaluate the skin barrier strengthening effect of different solvent fractions obtained from Agrimoniae Herba on UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Results : As a result of measuring total polyphenol contents, total flavonoid contents, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant activity was found to be excellent in the order of EA > Bu > MC > Hexane > Water. As a result of measuring mRNA gene expression of Type I collagen, Filaggrin, CERS3, and CERS4 after UVB-stimulated was applied to HaCaT cells treated with different solvent fractions obtained from Agrimoniae Herba, it was found to increase significantly in the Bu-treated group. Conclusion : Our findings show that the Bu sample obtained from Agrimoniae Herba has excellent anti-oxidant ability, which increases Type I collagen, Filaggrin, and ceramide synthetase in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells to control the skin barrier improvement effect.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권8호
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• pp.1209-1220
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• 2023

Objective: The use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed has received considerable attention in recent decades. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have remarkable functional properties promoting host health and are major microorganisms for probiotic purposes. The aim of this study was to characterize LAB strains of the chicken digestive tract and to determine their functional properties for further use as potential probiotics in poultry. Methods: A total of 2,000 colonies were isolated from the ileum and cecal contents of the chickens based on their phenotypic profiles and followed by a preliminary detection for acid and bile tolerance. The selected 200 LAB isolates with exhibited well-tolerance in acid and bile conditions were then identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, followed by acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, adhesion to epithelial cells and additional characteristics on the removal of cholesterol. Then, the two probiotic strains (L. ingluviei and L. salivarious) which showed the greatest advantage in vitro testing were selected to assess their efficacy in broiler chickens. Results: It was found that 200 LAB isolates that complied with all measurement criteria belonged to five strains, including L. acidophilus (63 colonies), L. ingluviei (2 colonies), L. reuteri (58 colonies), L. salivarius (72 colonies), and L. saerimneri (5 colonies). We found that the L. ingluviei and L. salivarius can increase the population of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. while reducing Enterobacteria spp. and Escherichia coli in the cecal content of chickens. Additionally, increased concentrations of valeric acid and short chain fatty acids were also observed. Conclusion: This study indicates that all five Lactobacillus strains isolated from gut contents of chickens are safe and possess probiotic properties, especially L. ingluviei and L. salivarius. Future studies should evaluate the potential for growth improvement in broilers.

• 대한소아신경학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.204-207
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• 2017

Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria 증후군(HHH 증후군)은 경한 학습장애에서 심각한 뇌증에 이르기까지 다양한 신경학적 증상을 보일 수 있는 신경대사질환이다. HHH 증후군은 임상 증상이나 대사 검사 결과가 뚜렷하지 않아 진단이 늦어지는 경우가 흔한데, 이러한 경우 유전자 검사로 확진하는 것이 중요하다. 저자들은 강직성 하반신 마비를 가진 소아와 무증상의 여동생에서 HHH 증후군을 진단하고 유전자 검사를 통해 SLC25A15 유전자의 c.535C>T (p.R179^*)와 c.116C>A (p.T39K) 변이를 확인하였다. p.R179^*는 일본과 중동의 HHH 환자들에서 흔히 발견되는 변이로 한국인에서도 발견됨을 확인하였고, p.T39K는 HHH 증후군을 유발하는 새로운 변이임을 최초로 보고하는 바이다.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제84권3호
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• pp.536-549
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• 2023

염증성 장질환의 두 가지 주요 질환으로 크론병과 궤양성 대장염이 있다. 염증성 장질환이 의심될 때, 최근에는 장벽과 장벽 밖을 모두 평가할 수 있고 다른 질환과의 감별에도 도움을 받을 수 있어 CT 소장조영술이 초기 영상검사로 널리 사용되고 있다. 염증성 장질환이 의심되는 경우, 크론병과 궤양성 대장염과의 구분이 필요하며 대부분의 경우 어렵지 않게 구분이 되나 그렇지 않은 경우가 있어 이를 염증성 장질환-미분류(inflammatory bowel diseaseunclassified)로 구분한다. 궤양성 대장염의 경우 CT 소견은 비특이적인 경우가 많아 영상검사만으로 다른 질환과 감별하기 어려운 경우가 많다. 크론병의 경우 특징적인 CT 소견이 진단에 도움이 되는 경우가 많으나 이를 모방하는 질환들이 있으며 특히 결핵성 장염은 여전히 크론병과 감별이 어려울 수 있다. 최근에는 크론병과 유사한 다발성 궤양과 협착이 있는 환자의 일부에서 SLCO2A1이라는 프로스타글란딘 수송체를 암호화하는 유전자의 돌연변이가 질환의 원인인 것으로 밝혀져 크론병과 감별하기 위해 유전자 검사가 시행되고 있다.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.293-312
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• 2024

Researchers are actively investigating the potential for utilizing alternative materials in construction to tackle the environmental and economic challenges linked to traditional concrete-based materials. Nevertheless, conventional laboratory methods for testing the mechanical properties of concrete are both costly and time-consuming. The limitations of traditional models in predicting the tensile strength of concrete composited with geopolymer have created a demand for more advanced models. Fortunately, the increasing availability of data has facilitated the use of machine learning methods, which offer powerful and cost-effective models. This paper aims to explore the potential of several machine learning methods in predicting the tensile strength of geopolymer concrete under different curing conditions. The study utilizes a dataset of 221 tensile strength test results for geopolymer concrete with varying mix ratios and curing conditions. The effectiveness of the machine learning models is evaluated using additional unseen datasets. Based on the values of loss functions and evaluation metrics, the results indicate that most models have the potential to estimate the tensile strength of geopolymer concrete satisfactorily. However, the Takagi Sugeno fuzzy model (TSF) and gene expression programming (GEP) models demonstrate the highest robustness. Both the laboratory tests and machine learning outcomes indicate that geopolymer concrete composed of 50% fly ash and 40% ground granulated blast slag, mixed with 10 mol of NaOH, and cured in an oven at 190°F for 28 days has superior tensile strength.