• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.161-170
• /
• 2001

We conducted both the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP analyses for a genetic characterization of Acanthamoeba isolates from contact lens storage cases of students in Seoul, Korea. Twenty-three strains of Acanthamoeba from the American Type Culture Collection and twelve clinical isolates from Korean patients were used as reference strains. Thirty-nine isolates from contact lens storage cases were classified into seven types (KA/LS1 , KA/LS2, KA/LS4, KA/LS5, KA/LS7 KA/LS18, KA/LS31). Four types (KA/LS1 , KA/LS2, KA/LS5, KA/LS18) including 33 isolates were regarded as A. castellanii complex by riboprints. KA/LS1 type was the most predominant (51.3%) in the present survey area, followed by KA/LS2 (20.9%), and KA/LSS (7.7%) types. Amoebae of KA/LS1 type had the same mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns as KA/E2 and KA/E12 strains, clinical isolates from Korean keratitis patients. Amoebae of KA/LS2 type had the identical mtDNA RFLP patterns with A. castellanii Ma strain, a corneal isolate from an American patient as amoebae of KA/LS5 type, with KA/E3 and KA/E8 strains from other Korean keratitis patients. Amoebae of KA/LS 18 type had identical patterns with JAC/E1, an ocular isolate from a Japanese patient. Three types , which remain unidentified at species level, were not corresponded with any clinical isolate in their mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns. Out of 39 isolates analyzed in this study, mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns of 33 isolates (84.6%) were identical to already known clinical isolates, and therefore, they may be regarded as potentially keratopathogenic. These results suggest that contact lens wearers in Seoul should pay more attention to hygienic maintenance of contact lens storage cases for the prevention of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.456-460
• /
• 2011

This study was carried out to compare the pattern of mutant variation and to evaluate the characteristics of mutants obtained by gamma irradiation in rose 'Kardinal'. Forty four rooted cuttings of 'Kardinal' were irradiated at 70 Gy gamma-ray dose from a $^{60}Co$ source to induce mutants in 2002. The irradiated plants were planted in field, and observed spotting of petal color mutants from 2002 to 2004. Four different kinds of mutant twigs with each different color flower were obtained from the irradiated 'Kardinal' with red petal. After being identified to be a stable mutant from 2004 to 2008, each mutant line propagated by cutting was hydroponic-cultured to evaluate the characteristics in the greenhouse from 2008 to 2009. Four mutant lines obtained from 'Kardinal' with red petal (Red group, 44A, 45B) include KA1 with light pink petal (Red group, 55B-55D), KA2 with pink petal (Red group, 63A-63B), KA3 with deep pink (Red purple, N57A-N57C), and KA4 with orange red (Red group, 43A-43B). Diameters of each flower in four mutant lines were different from 'Kardinal'. The line KA1 was 9.5 cm wide, and it showed the smallest diameter when compared to other mutants. While the line KA2 was the largest one with 12.5 cm 'Kardinal'. Petal number per flower was also variable among the mutants. The line KA2 had 39.8 petals being the largest number among the mutants, while the line KA1 was the lowest one compared to 35.5 petals of 'Kardinal'. Petal color was measured by using colorimeter. Brightness (L) measured at each petal of four mutants increased more than 'Kardinal'. CIE Lab values, a and b decreased more than 'Kardinal' at the petal color of three mutants except the line KA4. Characteristics of shoot, leaf, etc. from four mutants were also different from the ones of 'Kardinal'. The line KA1 was shortest in shoot, node and peduncle length, and lowest in prickle number. The reverse side of leaves was reddish green color in 'Kardinal' as well as the line KA4, but green color in the line KA1, KA2, and KA3.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1996.04a
• /
• pp.180-180
• /
• 1996

Previous studies have shown that kainic acid (KA) causes an elevation of hippocampal proenkephalin mRNA level. However, the role of proto-oncogene products, such as c-Fos, c-Jun and Fra proteins in the regulation of KA-induced proenkephalin mRNA increase in the hippocampus has not been well characterized. Thus, in the present study, the effect of cycloheximide (CHX) on KA-induced proenkephalin mRNA and immediate early gene products induction was examined. After pretreating with either vehicle or CHX (20 mg/kg, s.c.) for 30 min, KA (10 mg/kg) was administered s.c. The animals were sacrificed 1,2, or 8 hrs after KA administration. Total RNA and were isolated for Northern blot assay, and proteins were isolated for Western and electrophoretic gel-shift assays. First, we found that CHX inhibited KA-induced proenkephalin mRNA increase without altering intracellular proenkephalin protein level. Secondly, Western blot assays showed that KA increased c-Fos, c-Jun and Fra proteins at 1,2, and 8 hrs and CHX inhibited these immediate early gene products. Finally, electrophoretic gel shift assays revealed that KA increased both AP-1 and ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activities. Furthermore, CHX attenuated KA-induced AP-1 and ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activities. Both AP-1 and ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activities were abolished by cold AP-1 or ENKCRE-2 oligonucleotides, and further reduced by antibodies against c-Fos or c-Jun. Antibody against CREB reduced ENKCRE-2, but not AP-1, DNA binding activity. Our results suggest that on-going protein synthesis is required for elevation of hippocampal proenkephalin mRNA level induced by KA. All c-Fos, c-Jun, and Fra proteins appears to be involved in the regulation of hippocampal proenkephalin mRNA level induced by KA (This study was supported by a grant from KOSEF).

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.593-600
• /
• 2016

The paper presented investigates the effects of kaolinite on strength properties of alkali-activated multi-component cement. The binders of this study was blended of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF) and kaolinite (KA). In this study, the specimens of combination of 20%~70% GGBFS, 10%~60% FA, 10% SF (constant ratio) and 10%~50% KA binder were used for strength properties tests. The water/binder ratio was 0.5. The binders (GGBFS + FA + SF + KA) was activated by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate ($Na_2SiO_3$) was 10% by total binder weight (10% NaOH + 10% $Na_2SiO_3$). The research carried out is on the compressive strength, water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The compressive strength decreased as the contents of KA increase. One of the major reason for this is the low reactivity of KA compared with other raw materials used as precursors such as GGBFS or FA. The presence of remaining KA indicates that the initially used quantity has not fully reacted during hydration. Moreover, the results have indicated that increased of KA contents decreased UPV under all experimental conditions. The drying shrinkage and water absorption increased as the content of KA increase. Test result clearly showed that the strength development of multi-component blended cement were significantly dependent on the content of KA and GGBFS.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 1997

Transmission electron microscopy of an ArGnthnmoebo isolate (KA/LS) from a contact lens case revealed bacterial endosymbionts within cytoplasm of the amoebae. The Acnnthamoebn isolate belonged to the morphological group ll. Based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - restriction fragment leilgth polymorphism (RFLP) of 185 ribosomal RNA coding DNA (rDNA) , the isolate was identified as A. Iwnunensis. Strain typing by isoenzyme analysis using isorlectric focusing (IEF) and mitochondrial (Ent) DNA RFLP revealed that the isolate was closely related with KA/Ll , the most predominant type of isolates from contact lens storage casas, KA/E2, a clinical isolate, KA/W4, previou:fly reported to host endosymbionts. and L3a strains of A. Iwnunensis. The endosymbionts were similar to those of KA/W4 in a.jpects that they were randomly distributed in both trophozoites and cysts, and were rod-shaped bacteri3 measuring approximately 1.38 x 0.50 ㎛. But the number of endosymbionts per amoeba was significantly lower than that of KA/W4. They were neither limited by phagosomal membranes nor included in lacunae- like stnlcture.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2010

This experiment was undertaken to investigate whether methanol extract of fruit peel of Dimocarpus longan Lour. (MEFL) protects against kainic acid (KA)-induced seizure. Oral administration of MEFL (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) increased KA (50 mg/kg)-induced survival rate and latency of convulsion onset, and deceased seizure scores and weight loss induced by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of KA in mice. In addition, MEFL protected against cell death in the hippocampus of rat brain after KA-administration as analyzed by using TUNEL assay in rats. MEFL also significantly blocked seizure-form of electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra induced by KA in rats. MEFL also inhibited elevation of [$Ca^{2+}$]i and increased [$Cl^-$]i induced by KA in cultured neuronal cells. Therefore, it is suggested that MEFL protects against seizure induced by KA, decreasing [$Ca^{2+}$]i.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.287-292
• /
• 2005

Objective : Kainic acid[KA] enhances the expression of nitric oxide synthase, increases nitric oxide[NO], and thus evokes epileptic convulsion, which results in neuronal damage in the rat brain. NO may stimulate cyclooxygenase type-2 [COX-2] activity, thus producing seizure and neuronal injury, but it has also been reported that KA-induced seizure and neurodegeneration are aggravated on decreasing the COX-2 level. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the suppression of NO using the NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester[L-NAME], suppresses or enhances the activity of COX-2. Methods : Silver impregnation and COX-2 immunohistochemical staining were used to localize related pathophysiological processes in the rat forebrain following KA-induced epileptic convulsion and L-NAME pretreatment. Post-injection survival of the rat was 1, 2, 3days and 2months, respectively. Results : After the systemic administration of KA in rats, neurodegeneration increased with time in the cornu ammonis [CA] 3, CA 1 and amygdala, as confirmed by silver impregnation. On pretreating L-NAME, KA-induced neuronal degeneration decreased. COX-2 enzyme activities increased after KA injection in the dentate gyrus, CA 3, CA 1, amygdala and pyriform cortex, as determined by COX-2 staining. L-NAME pretreatment prior to KA-injection, caused COX-2 activities to increase compared with KA- injection only group by 1day and 2days survival time point. Conclusion : These results suggest that L-NAME has a neuroprotective effect on KA-induced neuronal damage, especially during the early stage of neurodegeneration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.04a
• /
• pp.95-95
• /
• 1995

뇌신경 변성 / 퇴행과 관련된 중요한 병인론 중의 하나는 변성 과정에서 형성된 유리기(free radical)로 인한 항산화계의 평형 소실로 알려져 있다. Aspalatone (APT)의 예상되는 항산화 효능을 검정하기 위하여 본 실험에서는 Kainic acid (KA) 유발 뇌변성 모델을 적용하였다. KA 모델은 변연계의 간질성 경련과 신경세포 변성에 대하여 재현성 있는 병변 모델을 제공해 주며, 이와 같은 신경세포의 병독 기전에 산소 유리기가 관여함이 강력히 시사되고 있기 때문이다. KA 투여로 인하여 지속적이고도 전형적인 간질성 경련이 관찰되고 1일 이내에 높은 치사율을 보였으나 APT으로 인하여 그 간질성 경련 행위와 비율이 억제되고 KA 유발 치사율도 억제되었다. 최종 KA 투여 3일 후에 얻어진 흰쥐 해마 및 대뇌 피질에서 항산화 효소인 Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat.), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) 및 과산화지질의 지표인 Malondialdehyde (MDA)를 검정하였다. 대조군에 비하여 KA는 뇌조직의 SOD-1을 유도하였으나, Cat.와 GSH-PX의 활성은 현저히 유도되지 않았고, 반면에 MDA 치는 현저히 증가하였다. 즉, Cat., GSH-PX와 같은 $H_2O$$_2$중화제가 동반 유도하지 않는 SOD의 유도는 세포내 축적되는 $H_2O$$_2$로 인하여 Fenton/Haber-Weiss 반응을 가속화하여 과산화지질화를 촉진함을 시사한다. APT 병용 투여로 SOD는 현저히 유도되지 않았으나 특히 Cat.가 현저히 유도되어지고 MDA는 억제되었다. 이와 같은 생화학적인 결과는 다음의 형태학적인 소견과 일치한다. Fos 관련 항원 (FRA)와 SOD-1을 면역세포화학 (Immunocytochemistry)적 방법으로 이중 표식 (double-labelling) 하였다. FRA는 KA로 인한 신경세포의 자극에 대한 지표로 응용하였고, SOD-1은 퇴행성 뇌질환에서 산화적 손상의 지표로 사용하였다. KA 투여로 해마의 dentate gyrus (DG) 내에 강한 면역환성 (immunoreactivity)이 나타났고 pyramidal cell layer (PCL)와 glia에 SOD-1이 강하게 염색되었다. APT 병용 투여로 상당수의 경련이 일어나지 않은 흰쥐는 해마의 DG에 FRA가 경미하게 염색되었고, PCL에 SOD-1도 경미하게 나타났으나, 경련이 나타난 쥐에서는 KA만을 투여한 흰쥐와 구별되지 않았다. 이상의 APT의 항산화 효과는 KA로 인한 뇌세포 변성 개선에 중요한 인자로 작용할 것으로 사료되나, 보다 명확한 APT의 기전을 검색하고 직접 임상에 응응하기 위하여는 보다 다양한 실험 조건이 보완되어야 찰 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.905-914
• /
• 2008

The paper studied the scheme of applying the MPEG-4 SVC signal to the Ka band satellite broadcasting system through the JSCC system to resolve the rain fading problem generated when providing the Ka band HDTV satellite broadcasting service. The Ka band satellite broadcasting system is based on the VCM mode of the DVB-S2, and the SVC signal is considered as one of the spatial scalability, the SNR scalability and the temporal scalability. The JSCC system jointed all the layers of the source coding system and the channel coding system, and allocated bit rate to source coding and channel coding for each layer to get the optimum receiving quality. The layers are consists of a base layer and an enhancement layer, and the bit rate of each layer is affected by the SVC signal. The applicability of the three SVC signals to the Ka band satellite broadcasting service is analyzed with respect to the rain fading, and the scheme of applying the most excellent SVC to the service is considered.

• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2008

The study discussed the link analysis for the Ka band satellite broadcasting service in Korea with respect to the transmission schemes based on the DVB-S2 standard. To analyze the effect of the rain fading to the link budget, we estimated the rain attenuation from the measured rainfall intensity in Korea. We analyzed the link budget for the Ka band transponders of Koreasat-3, and DirecTV BSS-99W, and showed the possible link availability with the DVB-S2 transmission schemes for each transponder. Based on the link analysis of the available satellites with the Ka band transponders, we suggested the required EIRP for the satellite which will be employed for the Ka band satellite broadcasting service in Korea.