• Mycobiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.229-237
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• 2010

Members of the genus Aspergillus are the most common fungi and all reproduce asexually by forming long chains of conidiospores (or conidia). The impact of various Aspergillus species on humans ranges from beneficial to harmful. For example, several species including Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger are used in industry for enzyme production and food processing. In contrast, Aspergillus flavus produce the most potent naturally present carcinogen aflatoxins, which contaminate various plant- and animal-based foods. Importantly, the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has become the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen in developed countries, causing invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with a high mortality rate. A. fumigatus produces a massive number of small hydrophobic conidia as the primarymeans of dispersal, survival, genome-protection, and infecting hosts. Large-scale genome-wide expression studies can now be conducted due to completion of A. fumigatus genome sequencing. However, genomics becomes more powerful and informative when combined with genetics. We have been investigating the mechanisms underlying the regulation of asexual development (conidiation) and gliotoxin biosynthesis in A. fumigatus, primarily focusing on a characterization of key developmental regulators identified in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this review, I will summarize our current understanding of how conidiation in two aspergilli is regulated.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.53-54
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• 2018

The European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was discovered at Gyeonggi-do, Korea in 2015 and 2016. The moth has been known as a very harmful pest of ornamental plants worldwide. Larval damages to the Euphorbia milii stems and to the Schlumbergera truncata leaves were detected. After immediate spraying of insecticides, the moth was not found at the greenhouse any more.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2014

Recent episodes of severe air pollution in eastern Asia have been reported in the scientific literature and news media. Therefore, there is growing concern about the systemic effects of air pollution on human health. Along with the other well-known harmful effects of air pollution, recently, several animal models have provided strong evidence that air pollutants can induce liver toxicity and act to accelerate liver inflammation and steatosis. This review briefly describes examples where exposure to air pollutants was involved in liver toxicity, focusing on how particulate matter (PM) or carbon black (CB) may be translocated from lung to liver and what liver diseases are closely associated with these air pollutants.

• ALGAE
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2007

Cochtodinium votykrikoides -related red tide is the most notorious tidal bloom, resulting in mass mortality to marineanimals. This study aimed to test the effect of C. polyknkoides on the lethality to Haliotis discus hannai under con-trolled conditions. The oxygen demand of C. polykrikoides increases to reach its peak duhng the night, while the oxy-gen usage by H. discus hannai was continuously decreased with a threshold of 2 mg L U. The addition of C.polykrikoides did not effect the respiration of the H. discus hannai. However, the usage of oxygen by C. polykrikoidesduhng the night may lead to anoxia in the animal. With aeration, the level of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) was between6.06 and 7.28 mg LU; 90% of abalones survived even with a high concentration of C. potykrikoides (9000 cells mL U).Without aeration (3 mg LU of D.O.), however, the H. discus hannai suffocated immediately. Once 20 hours hadelapsed, all of the abalones were dead. The density of the H. discus hannai population contributed to their mortality.Therefore, aeration during the night and maintaining lower abalone densities is the best way to promote the sur-vivorship of H. discus hannai during a C. polykrikoides red tide.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 1991

Microvel $^{\textregistered}$ double velour graft impregnated with a biodegradable algin was studied as a new vatscular graft. It is impervious to blood but still retains high porosity. This graft does not require preclotting during implantation and has good tissue ingrowth and biological healing properties. Two vascular grafts impregnated with algin (6mm in diameter) were implanted in the aorta of mongrel dogs without preclotting. Two identical grafts were preclctted and served as controls. The grafts were harvested 2 and 4 months postoperatively, and the healing pattern was examined by a light microscope after hemRtoxylineosin staining. It was observed that endothelial cells were incompletely covered on both algin-impregnated and control grafts after 2 month Implantation, while they were fully covered on both grafts after 4 month. There were no significant differences in subendothelial granulation tissue organization and fibrinoid material absorption between the algin-impregnated and control grafts. The algin-impregnated graft did not show any harmful effect on the healing and thus can be a new promising graft which is not necessary preclotting during the implantation.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2017

The rapid growth of algae occurs can induce the algae bloom when nutrients are supplied from anthropogenic sources such as fertilizer, animal waste or sewage in runoff the water currents or upwelling naturally. The algae blooms creates the human health problem in the environment as well as in the water resource managers including hypoxic dead zones and harmful toxins and pose challenges to water treatment systems. The algal blooms in the source water in water treatment systems affects the drinking water taste & odor while clogging or damaging filtration systems and putting a strain on the systems designed to remove algal toxins from the source water. This paper propose the emerging In-Situ self-diagnosable smart algae sensing device with wireless connectivity for smart remote monitoring and control. In this research, we developed the In-Site Algae diagnosable sensing device with wireless sensor network (WSN) connectivity with Optical Biological Sensor and environmental sensor to monitor the water treatment systems. The proposed system emulated in real-time on the water treatment plant and functional evaluation parameters are presented as part of the conceptual proof to the proposed research.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease that affects 1%-20% of people worldwide. Despite affecting many people, AD current treatments, such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, have not only harmful secondary effects but are also often ineffective. Therefore, natural nontoxic compounds are on high demand for developing new effective AD treatments. Panax ginseng Meyer has been used traditionally for its promising healing and restorative properties to treat many diseases including skin disorders, reason why in this review we want to explore the research performed with AD and P. ginseng as well as determining its potential for new drug development. Previous researches have shown that P. ginseng has positive effects in AD patients such as lower eczema area and severity index, transepidermal water loss, and immunoglobulin E levels and better quality of sleep. In vivo animal models, as well, have shown positive results to P. ginseng and derived ginsenosides, such as the decrease of transepidermal water loss, immunoglobulin E levels in serum, allergy-related cytokines, and downregulation of NF-κB, MAPK, and Ikaros pathways. All of these previous data suggest that P. ginseng and its derived ginsenosides are undoubtedly a nontoxic effective option to treat AD.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.115-126
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• 2023

Understanding the carrying capacity of a habitat is crucial for effectively managing populations of wild boars (Sus scrofa), which are designated as harmful wild animal species in national parks. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size supported by a park's environmental conditions. This study aimed to estimate the appropriate wild boar population size by integrating population characteristics and habitat suitability for wild boars in the Bukhansan National Park using the HexSim program. Population characteristics included age, survival, reproduction, and movement. Habitat suitability, which reflects prospecting and resource acquisition, was determined using the Maximum Entropy model. This study found that the optimal population size for wild boar ranged from 217 to 254 individuals. The population size varied depending on the amount of resources available within the home range, indicating fewer individuals in a larger home range. The estimated wild boar population size was 217 individuals for the minimum amount of resources (50% minimum convex polygon [MCP] home range), 225 individuals for the average amount of resources (95% MCP home range), and 254 individuals for the maximum amount of resources (100% MCP home range). The results of one-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in wild boar population size based on the amount of resources within the home range. These findings provide a basis for the development and implementation of effective management strategies for wild boar populations.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2024

Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from various sources may impact health due to the generation of frequency bands. Broad pulses emitted within frequency bands can be absorbed by cells, influencing their function. Numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated that mobile phones-generally the most widely used devices-can have harmful effects on sex cells, such as sperm and oocytes, by producing RF-EMR. Moreover, some research has indicated that RF-EMR generated by mobile phones can influence sperm parameters, including motility, morphology, viability, and (most critically) DNA structure. Consequently, RF-EMR can disrupt both sperm function and fertilization. However, other studies have reported that exposure of spermatozoa to RF-EMR does not affect the functional parameters or genetic structure of sperm. These conflicting results likely stem from differences among studies in the duration and exposure distance, as well as the species of animal used. This report was undertaken to review the existing research discussing the effects of RF-EMR on the DNA integrity of mammalian spermatozoa.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Over the past decade, there has been global expansion in the advancement of underwater cleaning technology for ship hulls. This methodology ensures both diver safety and operational efficiency. However, recent attention has been drawn to the harmful effects of ship hull-cleaning wastewater on marine animals. It is anticipated that this wastewater may have various impacts on a wide range of organisms, potentially leading to populationand ecosystem-relevant alterations. This concern is especially significant when the wastewater affects functionally important species, such as aquaculture animals and habitat-forming species living in coastal regions, where underwater cleaning platforms are commonly established. Despite this, information on the ecotoxicological effects of this wastewater remains limited. In this mini review, we discuss the adverse effects of wastewater from in-water cleaning processes, as well as the current challenges and limitations in regulating and mitigating its potential toxicity. Overall, recent findings underscore the detrimental effects posed by sublethal levels of wastewater to the health status of aquatic animals under both acute and chronic exposure.