• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2010

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4-EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in Echerichia coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.259-262
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• 2012

We assessed the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and changes in the egg positive rate (EPR) over 1-year time, using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method in 2,347 preschool children in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea in 2008 and 2009. The overall EPR for E. vermicularis was 4.1% in 2008 and 4.5% in 2009. A study population of 389 children was repeatedly examined for 2 years. Within this group, the EPR in 2009 was twice higher than in 2008, and the EPR of the group of 5-7-year-old children was significantly higher than that of other age groups. Moreover, in the group of 5-7-year-old children in 2009, the rates of positive and negative conversion were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than in other age groups. Conclusively, enterobiasis was prevalent during 2008-2009 among preschool children in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, and the increased EPR in 2009 was due to an increase in newly acquired infections among 5-7-year-old children.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.125-130
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative influence of diet and physical activity on obesity. The subjects were 155 adults aged 35-52 years from 24 neighborhood committees in 4 urban districts of Beijing (male : 78, female : 77). They were divided into normal weight, overweight and obese groups according to their BMI. The general information of the subjects was collected by interview-administered questionnaire. Dietary intake was obtained by three-day(two weekdays and one weekend day) food weighted method, physical activity was assessed by a validated combination of data obtained from activity monitors, bicycling information and activity records. There were no significant differences of age, gender, height, educational, family economic level, smoking and drinking between different groups. The proportion of flour intake was higher in obese group compared to normal weight and overweight groups, and that of vegetables is lower in obese group. The physical activity (PAL) was not significantly different between two groups of the normal, overweight and obese groups. After the adjustment for confounding factors using logistic regression model, we found that the proportion of flour intake was positively associated with obesity, while the proportion of vegetable intake was inversely associated with obesity. It is concluded that dietary patterns were associated with obesity and diets composed of more vegetables and less staple combined with physical activities could contribute to obesity prevention.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2009

The quality assurance (QA) is of utmost importance in biobanks when archived biomaterials are distributed to biomedical researchers. For sample authentication and cross-contamination detection, the two fundamental elements of QA, STR genotyping is usually utilized. However, the incorporated number of STR markers is highly redundant for biobanking purposes, resulting in time and cost inefficiency. An index to measure the cross-contamination detection capability of an STR marker, the mixture probability (MP), was developed. MP as well as other forensic parameters for STR markers was validated using STR genotyping data on 2328 normal Koreans with the commercial AmpFlSTR kit. For Koreans, 7 STR marker (D2S1338, FGA, D18S51, D8S1179, D13S317, D21S11, vWA) set was sufficient to provide discrimination power of ${\sim}10^{-10}$ and cross-contamination detection probability of ${sim}1$. Interestingly, similar marker sets were obtained from African Americans, Caucasian Americans, and Hispanic Americans under the same level of discrimination power. Only a small subset of commonly used STR markers is sufficient for QA purposes in biobanks. A procedure for selecting optimal STR markers is outlined using STR genotyping results from normal Korean population.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.507-511
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• 2022

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) often encounter rapidly changing and uncontrolled situations that expose them to various hazards. A law enforcement agency requested an evaluation by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) when multiple LEOs reported illness after executing a search warrant and taking a suspect into custody. NIOSH investigators interviewed LEOs and reviewed medical records, forensic laboratory results for collected evidence, and environmental testing results of samples taken after the operation. Two-thirds (25 of 38) of LEOs who participated in the operation reported ≥1 symptom. Eleven LEOs met a case definition for influenza-like illness (ILI). Members of one unit were more likely to have ILI than non-members (prevalence ratio (PR), 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-13.0; p = 0.01). Influenza vaccination was associated with a lower prevalence of ILI (PR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9; p = 0.02). Preventing employees from working while ill and annual influenza vaccination might prevent similar occurrences.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2022

Rice blast is the most destructive disease threatening stable rice production in rice-growing areas. Cultivation of disease-resistant rice cultivars is the most effective way to control rice blast disease. However, the rice blast resistance is easy to breakdown within years by blast fungus that continually changes to adapt to new cultivars. Therefore, it is important to continuously monitor the incidence of rice blast disease and race differentiation of rice blast fungus in fields. In 2020, a severe rice blast disease occurred nationwide in Korea. We evaluated the incidence of rice blast disease in Yeoju and compared the weather conditions at the periods of rice blast disease in 2019 and 2020. We investigated the races and avirulence genes of rice blast isolates in Yeoju to identify race diversity and genetic characteristics of the isolates. This study will provide empirical support for rice blast control and the breeding of blast-resistant rice cultivars.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.182-193
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• 2022

Turfgrass, the most widely grown ornamental crop, is severely affected by fungal pathogens including Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, Rhizoctonia solani, and Magnaporthe poae. At present, turfgrass fungal disease management predominantly relies on synthetic fungicide treatments. However, the extensive application of fungicides to the soil increases residual detection frequency, raising concerns for the environment and human health. The bacterial volatile compound, 2,3-butanediol (BDO), was found to induce plant resistance. In this study, we evaluated the disease control efficacy of a combination of stereoisomers of 2,3-BDO and commercial fungicides against turfgrass fungal diseases in both growth room and fields. In the growth room experiment, the combination of 0.9% 2R,3R-BDO (levo) soluble liquid (SL) formulation and 9% 2R,3S-BDO (meso) SL with half concentration of fungicides significantly increased the disease control efficacy against dollar spot and summer patch disease when compared to the half concentration of fungicide alone. In field experiments, the disease control efficiency of levo 0.9% and meso 9% SL, in combination with a fungicide, was confirmed against dollar spot and large patch disease. Additionally, the induction of defense-related genes involved in the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling pathways and reactive oxygen species detoxification-related genes under Clarireedia sp. infection was confirmed with levo 0.9% and meso 9% SL treatment in creeping bentgrass. Our findings suggest that 2,3-BDO isomer formulations can be combined with chemical fungicides as a new integrated tool to control Clarireedia sp. infection in turfgrass, thereby reducing the use of chemical fungicides.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.179-182
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• 2003

Effect of potassium phosphonate on control of potato late blight was evaluated at two fields in Jeju island. The chemical showed 82.5% control value in field located at low seacoast with 100 m elevation, while dimethomorph copper oxychloride showed 75.9 % control value. However, its control value was only 40% in another field located at mid-hilly area with 300 m elevation, in which environmental conditions of high hummudity and often rainfall were favorable to the disease development. Application intervals of the phosphonate from 7 to 15 effectively suppressed the disease and did not show statistically different control values among the spraying intervals. Results indicated that phosphonate similarly or more effectively controls potato late blight than fungicide, however, its control value could be vared according to enviromental conditions for the disease development and 15-d spraying intervals ware sufficient to suppress ther disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.181-192
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• 2023

Cystatin C, a low-molecular-weight protein synthesized by cells, is being explored as a valuable biomarker for assessing renal function in veterinary medicine. Although the relationship between cystatin C and heart disease remains unclear, some studies suggest a possible association. This retrospective case-control study aimed to investigate the role of cystatin C as a biomarker for heart disease and its correlation with diuretic use in veterinary clinical practice. A total of 39 dogs were included in this study, comprising 9 control dogs without a predisposition to heart disease and 30 dogs in the study group diagnosed with heart disease. Among the 30 dogs with heart disease, 18 exhibited symptoms indicative of heart failure. Results showed significantly higher cystatin C levels in the heart disease group compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed among different stages of heart disease severity in the control group. Furthermore, cystatin-C showed statistically positive correlations with BUN (r=0.478, P<0.01), creatinine (r=0.506, P<0.01), and furosemide (r=0.338, P<0.05). Diuretics are essential for managing congestive heart failure, and the observed associations between cystatin C and furosemide suggest potential impacts of diuretic use on renal function in dogs with heart failure. Monitoring renal function markers, such as cystatin C, can aid in predicting and managing potential renal complications, ultimately improving the overall health and quality of life of dogs with heart disease.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.685-688
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular features of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis strains circulating in Beijing, China. Twenty out of 23 strains belonged to ST 4821. The causative serosubtype for meningococcal meningitis was P1.12-1,16-8. All of the strains expressed class 3 PorB protein. Among the five pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns observed, pattern III predominated.