• Journal of the Chungcheong Mathematical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2021

In this paper, we give an upper bound for the fundamental tone of stable constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in hyperbolic space. Let M be an n-dimensional complete non-compact constant mean curvature hypersurface with finite L²-norm of the traceless second fundamental form. If M is weakly stable, then λ₁(M) is bounded above by n² + O(n^2+s) for arbitrary s > 0.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of repeated use of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics on color stability. Methods: In this study, 2 types of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics were used and they were divided into 4 groups after 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th heat pressing. The L^*, a^*, and b^* values of all specimens were measured using the VITA Easyshade Advance 4.0. These values was used to determine the ∆E value and transparency. IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 24.0, a statistical significance level of 0.05 and one-way ANOVA were used for all data. Results: In all groups, the L^* and b^* values were the lowest in the specimens subjected to the 4th heat pressing and the corresponding a^* value was the highest. All specimens showed ∆E values of ≤3.3, indicating color changes that were not visible with the naked eye, and the color difference increased with the number of repeated heat pressing. The transparency of all specimens decreased as the number of repeated uses increased. Conclusion: According to the number of repeated heat pressing, the color difference of Rosetta SP (HASSBIO) was larger than that of IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar Vivadent), but it was clinically acceptable in all groups. Moreover, transparency decreased as the number of heat presses increased in all groups. According to the above findings, the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic has high color stability due to repeated heat pressing, implying that it can be used in clinical settings regularly.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2021

Quantitative analysis of myxosporean parasites (Enteromyxum leei and Parvicapsula anisocaudata) were performed using real-time PCR on the internal organs (head kidney, body kidney, intestine, spleen, brain, liver, heart, muscle, blood, and eye) of emaciated Paralichthys olivaceus from farm-A. The highest DNA copy number of E. leei was shown in the intestine (1.3 × 10⁸ copies/mg tissue) of emaciatied P. olivaceus and DNA copy number in the other internal organs (1.3 × 10³~4.6 × 10⁵ copies/mg tissue) showed lower than in intestine. From the result of real-time PCR for P. anisocaudata, it was considered mildly infected, due to the low DNA copy numbers of the head kidney (1.3 × 10³ copies/mg tissue) and body kidney (9.1 × 10³ copies/mg tissue). In order to investigate whether myxosporean parasites can be detected in a non-invasive way, quantitative analysis of E. leei and P. anisocaudata from rearing water of three farms were performed by real-time PCR. The DNA copy number of E. leei from rearing water of farm-A and farm-B were 8 × 10⁴ and 5 × 10⁵ copies/L, respectively. However, it was not detected in farm-C. For P. anisocaudata from rearing water, farm-A, farm-B and farm-C showed 0, 2.0 × 10⁶ and 5.1 × 10⁶ copies/L, respectively.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

Repetitive changes in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) triggers egg activation, including cortical granule exocytosis, resumption of second meiosis, block to polyspermy, and initiating embryonic development. [Ca²⁺]i oscillations that continue for several hours, are required for the early events of egg activation and possibly connected to further development to the blastocyst stage. The sources of Ca²⁺ ion elevation during [Ca²⁺]i oscillations are Ca²⁺ release from endoplasmic reticulum through inositol 1,4,5 tri-phosphate receptor and Ca²⁺ ion influx through Ca²⁺ channel on the plasma membrane. Ca²⁺ channels have been characterized into voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (VDCCs), ligand-gated Ca²⁺ channel, and leak-channel. VDCCs expressed on muscle cell or neuron is specified into L, T, N, P, Q, and R type VDCs by their activation threshold or their sensitivity to peptide toxins isolated from cone snails and spiders. The present study was aimed to investigate the localization pattern of N and P/Q type voltage-dependent calcium channels in mouse eggs and the role in fertilization. [Ca²⁺]i oscillation was observed in a Ca²⁺ contained medium with sperm factor or adenophostin A injection but disappeared in Ca²⁺ free medium. Ca²⁺ influx was decreased by Lat A. N-VDCC specific inhibitor, ω-Conotoxin CVIIA induced abnormal [Ca²⁺]i oscillation profiles in SrCl₂ treatment. N or P/Q type VDC were distributed on the plasma membrane in cortical cluster form, not in the cytoplasm. Ca²⁺ influx is essential for [Ca²⁺]i oscillation during mammalian fertilization. This Ca²⁺ influx might be controlled through the N or P/Q type VDCCs. Abnormal VDCCs expression of eggs could be tested in fertilization failure or low fertilization eggs in subfertility women.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.247-256
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• 2021

The recombinant lysozyme-HJL34 proteins were expressed and purified using commercial Escherichia (E.) coli expression system. Stx2e⁺ F18⁺ E. coli, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Streptococcus (S.) suis, and Clostridium (C.) perfringens strains were isolated from pigs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the recombinant lysozyme-HJP34 proteins were examined by means of the microtiter plate method, according to the NCCLS recommendations. The possibility of its as the alternatives to antibiotics was tested in piglets. The MICs were determined as 75 ㎍/mL, 300 ㎍/mL, 75 ㎍/mL, 35.5 ㎍/m against Stx2e⁺ F18⁺ E. coli, APP, S. suis, C. perfringens, respectively. A total of 25 piglets were divied 5 groups. The piglets in group A~C were fed with commercial feed and those in groups D, E were fed with commercial feedstuff. All piglets in groups B~E were challenged with virulent Stx2e⁺ F18⁺ E. coli, APP, S. suis strains. Groups C and D were treated with antimicrobial from 24 h after challenge. All piglets in group B died within 3 days after challenge. Among 5 piglets in groups C and D piglets, 80% survived after challenge. Among group E piglets, 60% were alive until the end of this study. Therefore, this study indicates that recombinant lysozyme-HJP34 proteins is a suitable possibility as a feed additive for reduction of diseases by bacterial pathogens in piglet feed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1041-1046
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• 2022

Nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase (NDT) is an enzyme that replaces the purine or pyrimidine base of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside. This enzyme is generally used in the nucleotide salvage pathway in vivo and synthesizes many nucleoside analogs in vitro for various biotechnological purposes. Since NDT is known to exhibit relatively low reactivity toward nucleoside analogs such as 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxynucleoside, it is necessary to develop an enhanced NDT mutant enzyme suitable for nucleoside analogs. In this study, molecular evolution strategy via error-prone PCR was performed with ndt gene derived from Lactobacillus leichmannii as a template to obtain an engineered NDT with higher substrate specificity to 2FDU (2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine). A mutant library of 214 ndt genes with different sequences was obtained and performed for the conversion of 2FDU to 2FDA (2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine). The E. coli containing a mutant NDT, named NDT^L59Q, showed 1.7-fold (at 40℃) and 4.4-fold (at 50℃) higher 2FDU-to-2FDA conversions compared to the NDT^WT, respectively. Subsequently, both NDT^WT and NDT^L59Q enzymes were over-expressed and purified using a His-tag system in E. coli. Characterization and enzyme kinetics revealed that the NDT^L59Q mutant enzyme containing a single point mutation of leucine to glutamine at the 59^th position exhibited superior thermal stability with enhanced substrate specificity to 2FDU.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2023

A 12-year-old Standard Poodle presented with intermittent weakness and occasional dyspnea at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital of Kangwon National University. A grade of 4 out of 6 systolic murmur with an irregular tachycardic rhythm was auscultated on both sides of the chest. Systolic blood pressure was 140 mmHg. Panting was noticed in the hospital, but there was no crackle sound. Blood analysis revealed mild increases in liver panel levels (alanine aminotransferase 149 [reference interval, 19-70] U/L; and alkaline phosphatase, 185 [reference interval, 15-127] U/L) and severe increases in cardiac biomarker levels (n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, 4169 [reference interval, 50-900] pmol/L; and cardiac troponin I, 0.22 [reference interval, 0.03-0.12] ng/mL). On electrocardiography, irregularly irregular supraventricular tachycardic rhythm with an f-wave and no distinct p-wave was observed. Generalized cardiomegaly with an enlarged right atrium and left ventricle was confirmed on thoracic radiography. Moreover, hepatomegaly and an enlarged caudal vena cava were observed. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a fibromuscular diaphragm in the right ventricle. Because of the obstructive lesion in the right ventricle, the right atrium and ventricle were enlarged (right atrial area index, 38.82 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.2-10.2 cm²/m²]; right ventricle end-diastolic area index, 14.152 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.9-10.92 cm²/m²]). Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV). Pimobendan, furosemide, enalapril, diltiazem, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) were prescribed, and all symptoms were relieved. DCRV is a right-sided congenital heart defect resembling pulmonic valve stenosis. If symptoms are not severe, medical therapy can be facilitated without surgery or the balloon dilation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.43.1-43.11
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• 2020

Capicua (CIC) is a transcriptional repressor that regulates several developmental processes. CIC deficiency results in lymphoproliferative autoimmunity accompanied by expansion of CD44^hiCD62L^lo effector/memory and follicular Th cell populations. Deletion of Cic alleles in hematopoietic stem cells (Vav1-Cre-mediated knockout of Cic) causes more severe autoimmunity than that caused by the knockout of Cic in CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive thymocytes (Cd4-Cre-mediated knockout of Cic). In this study, we compared splenic CD4⁺ T cell activation and proliferation between whole immune cell-specific Cic-null (Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre) and T cell-specific Cic-null (Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre) mice. Hyperactivation and hyperproliferation of CD4⁺ T cells were more apparent in Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre mice than in Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre mice. Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre CD4⁺ T cells more rapidly proliferated and secreted larger amounts of IL-2 upon TCR stimulation than did Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre CD4⁺ T cells, while the TCR stimulation-induced activation of the TCR signaling cascade and calcium flux were comparable between them. Mixed wild-type and Cic^f/f;Vav1-Cre bone marrow chimeras also exhibited more apparent hyperactivation and hyperproliferation of Cic-deficient CD4⁺ T cells than did mixed wild-type and Cic^f/f;Cd4-Cre bone marrow chimeras. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CIC deficiency at the beginning of T cell development endows peripheral CD4⁺ T cells with enhanced T cell activation and proliferative capability.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2182-2189
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• 2024

The high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer was used to measure the radioisotope in surface water of lakes in a Chinee petroleum industrial area. 92 samples were collected from surface water of three lakes. Activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K in three lakes were measured, distributed in the range of 101.8-209.4, 192.1-224.9 and 335.0-548.9 mBq/L, respectively. Results were all within the limits of WHO and China. Potential environmental and health risks were assessed by calculating some radiation hazard indicators, radium equivalent index, annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, absorbed dose rate, external hazard index, internal hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, activity utilization index and representative gamma index, which ranged 0.38-0.54 Bq/L, 0.06-0.08 mSv/y, 0.23 × 10^-3-0.31 × 10^-3, 0.17-0.24 nGy/h, 1.01 × 10^-3-1.46 × 10^-3, 1.55 × 10^-3-2.02 × 10^-3, 1.16-1.66 μSv/y, 3.13 × 10^-3-4.45 × 10^-3 and 2.60 × 10^-3-3.77 × 10^-3. The results were all at acceptable levels, meaning no impact on human health. The relationship between the electrical conductivity of surface water and the activity concentration of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K was evaluated. The electrical conductivity value was 0.241-0.369 mS/cm, showing a significant correlation coefficient between ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K and electrical conductivity. Multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between the activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K, radiation hazard indicators and electrical conductivity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.299-307
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• 2020

This study reported on the phytoplankton community and seasonal changes in the Seoul passage section and downstream in the Han River in 2012. Field samples were collected monthly from the upper (Paldang), middle (Cheongdam), and downstream(Seongsan) areas of the Seoul passage section. Water temperature, DO, pH, and conductivity were measured at each station. All environmental factors measured were recorded similarly at the three stations. The water temperature ranged from 2 to 30℃ and the dissolved oxygen ranged from 4.8 to 9.1 mg L^-1, showing typical patterns of temperate regions. The phytoplankton cell concentrations ranged from 990 cells mL^-1 (Paldang, December) to 2.9×10⁴ cells mL^-1 (Seongsan, March), and the chlorophyll-a content showed similar patterns to the cell numbers. The phytoplankton community was comprised of 75 genera and 95 species, including 37 diatoms, 29 Chlorophyta, 11 cyanobacteria, and two dinoflagellates. The number of species that appeared seasonally varied greatly, from nine species (Paldang, May) to 35 species (Cheongdam, December). Diatoms were the most dominant in all stations and seasons, except in summer. In contrast, chlorophytes and cyanobacteria showed sporadic high numbers in the summer and fall seasons. Four diatoms Stephanodiscus hantzschii f. tenuis, S. hantzschii, Fragilaria sp., and Aulacoseira spp., a chlorophyte Actinastrum hantzschii, and a cyanobacterium Microcystis sp. were each present in proportions greater than 10%. This study provides fundamental data from phytoplankton communities and environmental factors in the Han River for understanding water quality for long-term environmental monitoring.