• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2006

Real time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was used to quantify the expression of the botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) gene (cntA) by normalization with the expression of 16S rRNA. The method were confirmed by monitoring the mRNA levels of cntA during growth in five type A strains. In all but one of the strains the expression of cntA mRNA was maximal in the late exponential phase, and approximately 35-fold greater than in the early exponential phase. The concentration of the extracellular BoNT/A complex detected by ELISA was highest in stationary phase. Sodium nitrite and sorbic acid completely inhibited growth at 20 ppm and $4mg\;ml^{-1}$, respectively. CntA expression became lower in proportion to the concentration of sorbic acid, and this reduction was confirmed by mouse bioassay. Our results show that real time RT-PCR can be used to quantify levels of C. botulinum type A neurotoxin transcripts and to assess the effects of food additives on botulinal risk.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.25 no.1 s.80
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• pp.1-5
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• 1997

The cDNA encoding ${\beta}-tubulin$ of Pleurotus sajor-caju was isolated using an internal gene segment probe amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of genomic DNA and by cDNA library screening. The cDNA was consisted of 1560 nucleotides(nt), including a 5'-untranslation region (UTR) of 27nt, an open reading frame (ORF) of 1341nt, and a 3'-UTR of 191nt. The ORF encoded a protein of 446 amino acids(aa), which shows over 80% homology with ${\beta}-tubulins$ of other filamentous fungi. Southern hybridization analysis showed that there were two isotypes of ${\beta}-tubulin$ genes in P. sajor-caju. Through sequence analysis we found that ${\beta}-tubulin$ had a unusual $Cys^{165}$ residue, which might be a significant factor for the insensitivity of fungi to fungicide benomyl.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.154-154
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• 2017

In accordance with the opening of the Korean rice market, this study was focused on establishment of database for discriminating the Korean rice varieties and imported brand rices using DNA markers. In this study, the SNP markers were developed using single nucleotide polymorphisms between the reference sequences of japonica and them of 40 brand rices which collected in Australia, China, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. The developed SNP markers were screened to a total of 360 rices including 320 Korean rice varieties and 40 imported brand rices. We selected polymorphic markers among Korean bred rive varieties and imported brand rices. The selected markers were classified into 3 grades. The markers of A grade produced DNA band in 360 rices of 30~40%, B grades produced in 40~60%, and C grades produced bands over 60% rices. First, we tried to set-up the discriminating system using the minimum SNP markers of A grade. Especially, a set of sixteen SNP markers could identify among Korean bred rice varieties and imported brand rices. Additionally, some SNP markers like NSb for Pib gene, JJ80-T for Pi5 and YL155/YL87 for Pita which linked to resistance genes to blast were used to fingerprinting system. These markers were set-up as multiplex set for enhancing the identification efficiency among rice varieties. Finally, the selected SNP markers would be used to the fluidigm assay to construct the database for elaborate discrimination of rice varieties.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2010

Mercuric chloride, a model nephrotoxicant was used to elucidate time- and dose- dependent global gene expression changes associated with proximal tubular toxicity. Rat kidney cell lines NRK-52E cells were exposed for 2, 6 and 12 hours and with 3 different doses of mercuric chloride. Cell viability assay showed that mercuric chloride had toxic effects on NRK-52E cells causing 20% cell death (IC20) at $40{\mu}M$ concentration. We set this IC20 as high dose concentration and 1/5 and 1/25 concentration of LC20 were used as mid and low concentration, respectively. Analyses of microarray data revealed that 738 genes were differentially expressed (more than two-fold change and p<0.05) by low concentration of mercuric chloride at least one time point in NRK-52E cells. 317 and 2,499 genes were differentially expressed at mid and high concentration of mercuric chloride, respectively. These deregulated genes showed a primary involvement with protein trafficking (CAV2, CANX, CORO1B), detoxification (GSTs) and immunity and defense (HMOX1, NQO1). Several of these genes were previously reported to be up-regulated in proximal tubule cells treated with nephrotoxicants and might be aid in promoting the predictive biomarkers for nephrotoxicity.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2010

Statins are competitive inhibitors of hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and used most frequently to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and to decrease cardiovascular events. However, statins also have been reported to have undesirable side effects such as myotoxicity and hepatotoxicity associated with their intrinsic efficacy mechanisms. Clinical studies recurrently reported that statin therapy elevated the level of liver enzymes such as ALT and AST in patients suggesting possible liver toxicity due to statins. This observation has been drawn great attention since statins are the most prescribed drugs and statin-therapy was extended to a larger number of high-risk patients. Here we employed rat primary hepatocytes and microarray technique to understand underlying mechanism responsible for statin-induced liver toxicity on cell level. We isolated genes whose expressions were commonly modulated by statin treatments and examined their biological functions. It is of interest that those genes have function related to response to stress in particular immunity and defense in cells. Our study provided the basic information on cellular mechanism of statin-induced cytotoxicity and may serve for finding indicator genes of statin -induced toxicity in rat primary hepatocytes.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1085-1099
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• 2019

We investigated the spatial and temporal variation in characteristics and pollution assessment of sediments in the watersheds of Andong-Dam and Imha-Dam, in Korea. Surface sediments were collected from six sites once a year for three years (2015-2017), and analyzed for organic matter (water content, IL, COD, TOC, TN, and TP), grain size, and concentration of trace metals (Al, Li, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, and As). Organic matter generally tended to increase, and was higher in the Andong watershed compare to Imha watershed. Surface sediments were mainly composed of silt. Coarse sediments were mainly distributed at the site adjacent to Andong-Dam, and showed fining after coarsening. Fine sediment were mainly distributed at the site adjacent to Imha-Dam, and were gradually coarsening. Concentration of trace metals generally tended to increase, and was higher for sites in watershed of Andong watershed (PLI > 1) than for sites in Imha watershed (PLI < 1). Trace metals in the study area were considered to be affected by fine sediment (silt), and contamination of trace metals was somewhat affected by Pb, and greatly affected by Zn and As.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.171-173
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• 2018

The poor working conditions of transit drivers not only lead to mental stress and fatigue accumulation of workers, but also to the main causes of mass transit accidents. Stress and fatigue accumulation are closely related to the vital signs because they affect the psychological and physical health. In this paper, we designed a digital garment which can measure driver's health condition by measuring electrocardiogram, pulse rate and body temperature. Also proposed a system that transmits the measured bio-signal to the smartphone app via Bluetooth and transmits the current position of the driver to the server by using the built-in GPS of the smartphone, assuming there is something wrong.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.420-423
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• 2011

Since CKD-712 has been developed as an anti-inflammatory agent, we examined the effect of CKD-712 during TLR4 signaling. Using HEK293 cells expressing TLR4, CKD-712 was pre-treated 1 hr before LPS stimulation. Activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by promoter assay. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38, IRF3 and Akt was measured by western blotting. CKD-712 inhibited the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling triggered by LPS. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38 or IRF3 was not inhibited by CKD-712. On the contrary the activation of these molecules was augmented slightly. The activation of Akt with stimulation of LPS was also enhanced with CKD-712 pre-treatment at lower concentration, but was inhibited at higher concentration. We suggest that during TLR4 signaling CKD-712 inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. However, CKD-712 augmented the activation of Akt as well as Map kinases. Therefore, we suggest that CKD-712 might have a role as an immunomodulator.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.224-252
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate tinnitus of Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ and Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$. Methods : We conducted a study on the original text paragraphs of Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ containing the tinnitus and analysis of Yang, Ma, Zhang, Wang etc. We drew a parallel between tinnitus from Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ and matching diagnoses from western medicine. Results : The results were as follows. 1. Tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$Tong Pyeong Heo Sil Ron <通評虛實論> was similar to the symptoms of diabetes mellitus complication and schizophreniform disorder in western medicine. 2. Liver fire tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ Yuk Won Jeong Gi Dae Ron <六元正紀大論> was similar to the symptoms of psychological distress in western medicine. 3. Phlegm fire tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ Ji Jin Yo Dae Ron <至眞要大論> was similar to the symptoms of meniere's disease and malfunction of autonomic nervous system in western medicine. 4. Blood deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Sa Gi Jang Bu Byeong Hyeong <邪氣藏府病形> was similar to the symptoms of anemia in western medicine. 5. Tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gyeong Geun <經筋> was similar to the myofacial pain syndrome of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the masseter muscle in western medicine. 6. Gallbladder deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gwol Hyeong <厥病> was similar to the symptoms of otitis media and labyrinthitis in western medicine. 7. Kidney deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gyeol Gi <決氣> and Hai Ron <海論> was similar to the symptoms of degenerative auditory organ in western medicine. 8. Tinnitus in Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ showed close relations with the symptoms of the wind character. Conclusion : We analyzed the original text paragraphs of Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ and explanations about tinnitus. Further studies are needed to compare oriental medicine and western medicine diagnoses to develop better treatments for tinnitus.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2013

The species of Corydalis cornupetala Y.H.Kim et J.H.Jeong Which is belong to the Corydaliaceae is only distributed at the Gyaejeong Forest in Gyeongsan. As one of the spring ephemeral plants, this species has limited growing period. The present study is on site characteristics and vegetation structure in the wild habitats of Corydalis cornupetala Y.H.Kim et J.H.Jeong and offers basic information on habitat conservation including recovery plan. The soil texture is silty loam and soil acidity is ranged as pH 5.4~5.9. The electric conductivity was 0.22-0.50 ds/m and soil organic content is ranged as 7.61~15.78 %. Fifty nine vascular plants were identified from 5 quadrats. According to the two way cluster analysis applied by the PC-ORD, the community was classified as Acer ginnala, Vicia amoena and Stellaria aquatica. The habitat of Corydalis cornupetala Y.H.Kim et J.H.Jeong was determined by the dissimilarity indices rather than the species number of appearance. Species diversity was 1.26, and dominance and evenness were found to be 0.08 and 0.92, respectively.