• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.529-541
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• 2003

Yukmijihwang-tang has been widely used as an and-aging herbal medicine for hundred years in Asian countries. Numerous studies show that Yukmijihwangtang has anti-oxidative effect both in vivo and in vitro. It has been reported that Moutan Cortex Radicis extract (MCR) was the most effective herb in Yukmijihwang-tang on undifferentiated PC12 cells upon oxidative-stressed with hydrogen peroxide. The purpose of this study is to; 1) evaluate the recovery of neuronal damage by assessing the anti-oxidant effect of MCR on PC12 cells differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF), 2) identify candidate genes responsible for anti-oxidative effect on differentiated PC12 cells by oligonucleotide chip microarray. PC12 cells, which were differentiated by treating with NGF, were treated without or with hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of various concentration of MCR. Cell survival was determined by using MTS assay. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using the H2DCFDA assay The viability of cells treated with MCR was significantly recovered from stressed PC12 cell. In addition, wide rage of concentrations of MCR shows dose-dependent inhibitory effect on ROS production in oxidative-stressed cells. Total RNAs of cells without treatment(Control group), only treated with H₂O₂ (stressed group) and treated with both H₂O₂ and of MCR (MCR group) were isolated, and cDNAs was synthesized using oligoT7(dT) primer. The fragmented cRNAs, synthesized from cDNAs, were applied to Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array. mRNA of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta subunit(CaMKII), neuron glucose transporter (GLUT3) and myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG) were downregulated in Stressed group comparing to Control group. P2X2-5 receptor (P2X2R-5), P2X2-4 receptor (P2X2R-4), c-fos, 25 kDa synaptosomal attachment protein(SNAP-25a) and GLUT3 were downregulated, whereas A2 adenosine receptor (A2AR), cathechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), EST223333, heme oxygenase (HO), VGF, UI-R-CO-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were upregulated in MCA group comparing to Control group. Expression of Putative potassium channel subunit protein (ACK4), P2X2A-5, P2X2A-4, Interferon-gamma inducing factor isoform alpha precursor (IL-18α), EST199031, P2XR, P2X2 purinoceptor isoform e (P2X2R-e), Precursor interleukin 18 (IL-18) were downregulated, whereas MOO, EST223333, GLUT-1, MIF, Neuronatin alpha, UI-R-C0-ja-a-07-0-Ul.s1, A2. adenosine receptor, COMT, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), HO, VGF, A rat novel protein which is expressed with nerve injury (E12625) were upregulated in MCR group comparing to Stressed group. The results suggest that decreased viability and AOS production of PC12 cell by H₂O₂ may be, at lease, mediated by impaired glucose transporter expression. It is implicated that the MCR treatment protect PC12 cell from oxidative stress via following mechanisms; improving glucose transport into the cell, enhancing expression of anti-oxidative genes and protecting from dopamine cytotoxicity by increment of COMT and MIF expression. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the action and mechanism behind the anti-oxidative effects of herbal extract Moutan Cortex Radicis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2003

The Fontan operation has undergone a number of major modifications and clinical results have been improving over time. Nevertheless, during the follow-up period, life-threatening complications develop and affect the long-term outcomes. Surgical interventions for these complications are needed and are increasing. Material and Method: From April 1988 to January 2000, 16 patients underwent reoperations for complications after Fontan operation. The mean age at reoperation was 8.8 :-5.5 years. Initial Fontan operations were atriopulmonary connections in 8 and total cavopulmonary connections in 8. Total cavopulmonary connections were accomplished with intracardiac lateral tunnel in 5 and extracardiac epicardial lateral tunnel in 3. Five patients had variable sized fenestrations. The reasons for reoperations included residual shunt in 6, pulmonary venous obstruction in 3, atrial flutter in 3, atrioventricular valve regurgitation in 2, Fontan pathway stenosis in 1, and protein-losing enteropathy in 1 Result: There were 3 early and late deaths respectively Patients who had residual shunts underwent primary closure of shunt site (n=2), atrial reseptation for separation between systemic and pulmonary vein (n=2), conversion to lateral tunnel (n=1), and conversion to one and a half ventricular repair (n=1). Four patients who had stenotic lesion of pulmonary vein or Fontan pathway underwent widening of the lesion (n=3) and left pneumonectomy (n=1) In cases of atrial flutter, conversion to lateral tunnel after revision of atriopulmonary connections was performed (n=3). For the atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n=2), we performed a replacement with mechanical valve. In one patient who had developed protein-losing enteropathy, aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries were obliterated via thoracotomy. Cryoablation was performed concomitantly in 4 patients as an additional treatment modality of atrial arrhythmia. Conclusion: Complications after Fontan operation are difficult to manage and have a considerable morbidity and mortality. However, more accurate understanding of Fontan physiology and technical advancement increased the possibility of treatment for such complications as well as Fontan operation itself. Appropriate surgical treatment for these patients relieved the symptoms and improved the functional class, Although the results were not satisfactory enough in all patients.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.328-337
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• 1990

The incividual and combined effects of the chloroacetanilide herbicide pretilachlor and of the safener fenclorim on the growth and selected physiological processes of rice (Oryza sativa L., var 'Lemont')were evaluated under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. Fenclorim applied at rates ranging from 50 to 300 g a.i./ha antagonized the injurious effects caused by 150 to 900 g a.i./ha of pretilachlor on 15-day old wet-sown rice grown under greenhouse conditions. When used rates of 150 g/ha or higher, fenclorim reversed completely the effects of all doses of pretilachlor on rice. When the two compounds were given simultaneously, fenclorim enhanced the uptake of $^{14}C$pretilachlor into rice leaf mesophyll protoplasts measured for 1 hr, indicating that competition for uptake at the protoplast level is not involved in the protective action of this safener. The safener-induced stimulation of pretilachlor uptake was particularly evident when fenclorim was used at concentrations of 10, 20 and $40{\mu}M$. Following 4 hr of incubation, individual treatments with pretilachlor inhibited the in vitro incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into proteins, DNA, and lipids of rice leaf protoplasts only when used at the high concentration of $100{\mu}M$M. Individual treatments with high concentrations (10 or $100{\mu}M$) of the safener fenclorim inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into proteins and lipids of rice protoplasts, but had no DNA synthesis. The combined effects of pretilachlor and fenclorim on the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into these macromolecules of isolated rice mesophyll protoplasts appeared to be additive or slightly synergistic rather than antagonistic. Fenclorim at $1{\mu}M$ antagonized the effects of pretilachlor on total lipids of rice leaf protoplasts. In addition, individual and combined treat-menu with pretilachlor and fenclorim influenced the incoroporation of$^{14}C$acetate into polar lipids, triglycerides and steryl esters of rice leaf protoplas causing a redistribution of carbon in these lipid fractions. However, these effects were not large enough to explain the herbicidal activity of pretilachlor or to account for the protective action of the safener fenclorim. Overall, the uesults of the present study idnicate that the safener fenclorim does not seem to protect rice against pretilachlor injury by antagonizing its effects on protein, DNA, or lipid syntheses.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.109-152
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• 2001

Throughout this paper, I adjusted the study of 'Qian Yi'(錢乙)'s Medical Thought, and the following is the summary. 1. 'Qian Yi' wrote 'Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue'("小兒藥證直訣", edited by 誾季忠), and there were 'Shang Han Lun Zhi Wei'("傷寒論指微"), 'Ying Ru Lun', however those are loss of the record. 2. Qian Yi's 'Zhi Jue'("直訣") was influenced by 'Lu Xin Jing', yet if we compare the quality of 'Sheng Li, Byeng Li, Bang Jae'(生理, 病理, 方劑), 'Lu Xin Jing' cannot be the foundation of 'Zhi Jue'. He took over 'Nei Jing, Shang Han Lun, Jin Gui Yao Lue, Shen Long Ben Cao Jing, Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang'("內經", "傷寒論", "金?要略", "神膿本草經", "太平聖惠方") and put them together to the direct clinical experiences of pediatrics. 3. There is no reference regarding the difficulties of pediatric diagnosis and diseases in 'Huang Di Nei Jing'("黃帝內經") Before 'Bei Song'(北宋), regardless of the lack of data related to pediatric diseases, 'Qian Yi' established the pediatric system in 'Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue' for the first time. 4. In his diagnosis of the pediatric diseases, he 'Si Zhen He Can'(四診合參), also considered in the eye exam seriously. In addition, he closely combined 'Wu Zang Bian Zheng'(五臟辨證), and diagnosis the pediatric diseases. 5. 'Wu Zang Bian Zheng', what Qian established method was based on 'Zheng Ti Guan'(整體觀) in 'Huang Di Nei Jing'. It was based on clinical experiences and established the perspectives of 'Tian Ren Xiang Ying'(天人相應). First of all, he pinpointed 'Zhu Zheng'(主證) clearly. Secondly, he pinpointed the relationships to symptoms and then, he distinguished a generic character of 'Xu, Shi, Han, Re'(虛, 實, 寒, 熱). Finally, he made an induction from genealogical pediatric physiology. 6. 'Qian Yi' took a serious view of 'Ban Zhen'(斑疹), the inadequate field in those days. At that time, he criticized on the habituation of the misuse of medication. He treated separately which 'Ji Jing'(急驚) as 'Liang Xie'(凉瀉) and 'Man Jing'(慢驚) as 'Wen Bu'(溫補). He proposed 'Cong Gan Zhu Feng, Xin Zhu Jing'(從肝主風, 心主驚) theory and formulated 'Jing Feng'(驚風) theory as well. 7. As an opponent of a tendency to misusage of medicine, 'Qian Yi' made out a prescription with pliant medicine. He emphasized on the treatment to 'Gong Bu Shang Zheng, Bu Bu Zhi Xie, Xiao Bu Jian Shi'(攻不傷正, 補不滯邪, 消補兼施) because he had so lucid demonstration to 'Xu Shi Han Re'(虛實寒熱) of the five viscera in the field of 'Bang Yak'(方藥). 8. There were no pediatrics schools at that time, however, the pediatrics was being made up gradually by 'Jin Yuan Si Da Jia'(金元四大家) who was influenced by 'Qian Yi'. He raised an objection to medical treatment using pliant medicine. 'Qian Yi' applied 'Qu Xia'(驅下) treatment using 'Han Liang'(寒凉) medicine. 'Han Liang Pai'(寒凉派) is greatly influenced by Qian. 'Chen Wen Zhong'(陳文中) had a great impact on 'Han Liang Pai' who used a 'Zao Shu Wen Bu'(燥熟溫補) medicine for treatment. Since 'Song Jin'(宋金), he had a tremendous influence on pediatrics treating patients in both 'Han Wen'(寒溫) ways. 9. 'Qian Yi' had an influence on his medical thoughts on future generations, especially to 'Wan Quan'(萬全) of 'Ming Dai', 'Wu Tang'(吳塘) of 'Qing Dai'(淸代) and 'Yun Shu Jie'(?樹珏) of 'Min Guo'(民國). 'Wan Quan' is an advocate of 'You Yu, Bu Zu Zhi Shuo'(有餘, 不足之說)of 'Xiao Er Wu Zang'(小兒五臟) that he revealed Qian's 'Wu Zang Bian Zheng'(五臟辨證). 'Wu Tang' disclosed Qian's 'Xiao Er Ti Zhi Shuo'(小兒體質說) and 'Xiao Er Ke'(小兒科)'s 'Yong Yao Lun'(用藥論), therefore, he uncovered pediatric physiological characteristics through the advocate of Qian's 'Zang Fu Rou Ruo, Ji Gu Nen Qie, Yi Xu Yi Shi, Yi Han Yi Re' (臟腑柔弱, 肌骨嫩怯, 易虛易實, 易寒易熱). 'Yun Shu Jie' developed intrinsic relationships among time, symptom and 'Tian Ren Xiang Ying Guan'(天人相應觀), What 'Qian Yi' stated about them. And also, he developed Qian's 'Di Huang Wan'(地黃丸), 'Xie Qing Wan'(瀉靑丸), 'Yi Huang San'(益黃散) clinical usages as well. 10. Regarding Qian's 'Wu Zang Xu Shi'(五臟虛實), it has an influence on 'Zhang Yuan Su'(張元素)'s 'Zang Fu Bing Ji Bian Zheng'(臟腑病機辨證). 'Di Huang Wan', 'Xie Qing Wan', 'Xie Xin Tang'(瀉心湯), 'Yi Huang San', 'Xie Huang San'(瀉黃散) are the standard prescription of 'Wu Zang Bu Xie'(五臟補瀉). It is under the influence of Qian's treatment. Besides, 'Qian Yi' took a serious view of 'Xiao Er'(小兒)'s 'Pi Wei'(脾胃). 'Qian Yi' had an impact on 'Li Dong Yuan'(李東垣) one of the member of 'Bu Tu Pai'(補土派). 'Di Huang Wan', which placed great importance on 'Bu Yi Shen Yin'(補益腎陰), had a great impact on 'Da Bu Yin Wan'(大補陰丸) and 'Jin Yuan Si Da Jia' as well. 11. In a theory of Qian's 'Wu Zang Bian Zheng', though it had been stated clearly in 'Wu Zang Bian Zheng', but he neglected in 'Liu Fu Bian Zheng'(六腑辨證). In prescription field, The problem with the medicine is that it is either toxic or mineral, therefore, we are not able to use those medicine in a clinical testing at the present time.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.293-303
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• 2009

Effects of stress on the low salinity stress were examined in the pacific abalone Haliotis discus discus. Changes in survival rate, hemolymph count, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase: CAT and superoxide dismutase: SOD), respiratory burst activity, phenoloxidase activity, lysozyme activity and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA were measured 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48hours after low salinity treatment with 25, 30, 33 and 35 psu. Survival rates of pacific abalone were 100% at 33 and 35 psu, but 93 and 97% at 25 and 30 psu for 48 hours, respectively. Hemolymph counts decreased in the time elapsed-dependent way at all of the experimental groups. At low salinity, 25 and 30 psu, SOD and CAT activity increased compared to the experimental group of 33 psu. Moreover, respiratory burst activities of the pacific abalone seemed to have no effect on low salinity stress at any experimental group. However, phenoloxidase activity is an important component of the defence against pathogen that was decreased in a reduction of salinity dependent way. Lysozyme activity also immediately reduced at 25 psu experimental group for 48 h. The HSP70 mRNA was weakly expressed at 33 psu, but strongly detectable at 25 psu experimental group. The HSP 70 mRNA expression in gill increased in the time elapsed-dependent way at 25 psu experimental group and then recovered at 48 h. These results suggest that low salinity stress give rise to inhibitory action of immune system as a result of the decrease of phenoloxidase and lysozyme activity in the pacific abalone, especially.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2005

Many studies have shown that the development of mouse early 2-cell embryos in vitro is related with the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ changes. In ICR strain mouse, the development of embryos arrests at early 2-cell stage, but the arrested early 2-cell embryos can be rescued by the addition of $Ca^{2+}$-related materials. Acetylcholine (ACh) increases intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) via the mAChR-PLC-IP3 pathway in mouse oocytes. We examined whether ACh rescues 2-cell block in mouse. In early 2-cell embryos, ACh increased [$Ca^{2+}$]i in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001), and had an effect on rescue of 2-cell block and embryonic development. To identify the signal pathway involved in ACh-induced rescue of 2-cell block, we first applied an agonist of ACh receptor (AChR). Like ACh, carbachol increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) and atropine, an antagonist of ACh receptor, blocked the ACh-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase. In $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, ACh also increased [$Ca^{2+}$]i, indicating that $Ca^{2+}$ increased by ACh is mainly released from the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store. The ACh-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was blocked by PLC inhibitor (U73122), ryanodine receptor (RyR) antagonist (dantrolene), and CaM KII inhibitor (KN-93), but not by IP3R antagonists (xestospongin C). These results show that ACh increases intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration via mAChR/PLC/RyR, and this contributes to the rescue of 2-cell block.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 1999

Purpose: Anorectal manometry is a way of investigation for ano-rectal sphincters. In this paper we evaluated the usefulness of anorectal manometry in constipation patients and compared the anal spnincter function in control, constipation and encopresis patients Methods: We analysed the data of anorectal function studies in normal children (control, n=11), children with constipation (constipation group, n=20) and children with encopresis (encopresis group, n=16). Results: The specific manometric parameters in normal children were like as follows; external anal sphinter pressure $21.0{\pm}8.00$ mmHg, internal anal sphicter pressure $30.0{\pm}14.57$ mmHg, conscious rectal sensitivity threshold $11.4{\pm}4.52$ mmHg. The above results were not different from that of previous studies except conscious rectal sensitivity threshold, which was slightly lower than that of others. Internal and external anal sphincter pressure were elevated significanlty in constipation and encopresis groups than in control, which results was the same in conscious rectal sensitivity threshold. But the values of rectoanal inhibitory threshold and percent relaxation of rectoanal inhibitory reflex were not different among control group, constipation group and encopresis group. External sphincter activity was increased during the act of bearing down for defecation in none of the child in control group, in 6 of 17 children in constipation group and 5 of 12 children in encopresis group. Conclusion: With the results of above we could say that complete history taking and physical examination are important in diagnosis of constipation, and we could say also that the anorectal manometry was a valuable tool to understand the physiology of normal defecation and the pathophysiology of constipation and encopresis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 1975

Although considerable research has been done on the blood picture of the horse, hot-blooded and cold-blooded, little work has been made of the blood picture of the army pack horse, Jeju horse. The object of the present investigation was to make good this deficiency, and to suggest standard for the blood picture of army pack horses kept under the regular military training and the ideal feeding in the heart of a mountain. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein through a 15-gauge bleeding needle from 41 males and 28 females, aging 3 to 9 years old. It was taken between seven and nine o'clock in the morning. Animals were handled as quietly as possible to avoid any excitation. No restraint other than a halter was used. Enumeration of erythrocyte, total and differential leukocyte count, determination of hemoglobin in blood, and the value of packed cell volume were male in the usual manner, and erythrocytic constant was calculated by the method of Wintrobe. Erythrocyte count was $7.83{\pm}0.20(4.95{\sim}11.05){\times}10^6/mm^3$(SE). This value was much lower than hot-horses, but slightly higer than the values of cold-horse reported from foreign country. Concentration of hemoglobin in blood was $13.0{\pm}0.33(9.5{\sim}17.8)g/100ml$. This value was much higher than that of cold-horses observed by the other authors, approaching to the values of hot-horses. Packed cell volume was $32.1{\pm}0.92(22{\sim}42)ml/100ml$. This vague was a little higher than that of the other cold-horses. Mean corpuscular volume was $41.5{\pm}1.20(26.6{\sim}59.3){\mu}m^3$. This value matched so well with the other results recorded by various investigators. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were $16.9{\pm}0.43(12.3{\sim}25)$ pg and $41.0{\pm}0.45(29.1{\sim}51.1)g/100ml$, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the values found by the other investigations. Total leukocyte enumeration was $10.5{\pm}0.41(5.6{\sim}17.9){\times}10^3/mm^3$, being considered as normal. And differential leukocyte count of neutrophil was $44.5{\pm}2.23(15{\sim}76)%$, $5,527{\pm}234(2,231{\sim}9,144)/mm^3$, of lymphocyte $50.5{\pm}1.19(19{\sim}77)%$, $4,307{\pm}125(1,456{\sim}11,098)/mm^3$, of monocytel (0~4)%, $105(0{\sim}352)/mm^3$, of eosiophil 3.2(0~14)%, $340(0{\sim}1,232)/mm^3$ and of basophil 0.25(0~3)%, $23(0{\sim}236)/mm^3$. The percentage of the differential count obtained from the present work showed a good agreement with the results of various authors. Of the horses examined monocyte was found from 42 horses, eosinophil from 62 horses and basophil from 10 horses. No significant differences recognized between male and female horses, and the effect of age was not observed between three to nine years old. Judging from the blood picture of the present investigation, it could be stated that the army pack horses on training were kept better than the average farming conditions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.547-561
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• 2015

Objectives In this study, we divided Korean asthma patients into excess syndrome or deficiency syndrome groups according to clinical phenotype. Genetic analysis was conducted to investigate the association of exonic SNPs in the CD46 gene polymorphism with the clinical phenotype based on the differentiation syndrome of the bronchial asthma patients.Methods There were 95 healthy patients (control group) and 53 asthma patients. (The deficiency syndrome group included 24 and the excess syndrome group 29). We searched the exonic areas of the CD46 gene in the NCBI website SNPs with <0.01 minor allele frequency (MAF) and <0.01 heterozygosity. We finally selected two SNPs: rs138843816, Ser13Phe and rs7144, 3’-UTR. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated using SNPStats.Results There were significant differences in the codominant 1 model and the dominant model between the healthy group and the asthma group. There were significant differences between deficiency syndrome group and the excess syndrome group in the genotype frequencies and in the codominant 1 model, the dominant model, and the log-additive model. The allele frequency of rs7144C showed a significant difference between the deficiency syndrome group and the excess syndrome group. Two-SNP haplotype analysis showed a significant difference in frequency in the deficiency syndrome group and in the excess syndrome group. There were significant differences between the healthy group and the excess syndrome group in the codominant 1 model, the dominant model, and the log-additive model. The frequency of the rs7144 C allele exhibited a significant difference in the demonstration. SNP haplotype analysis between the healthy group and the excess syndrome group showed a significant difference in the frequency of the CT haplotype and the CC haplotype.Conclusions The results indicate that two CD46 SNPs (rs138843816, Ser13Phe and rs7144, 3′–UTR) might be associated with the symptomatic excess syndrome in Korean asthma patients.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.212-220
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• 2008

A Pn10 DNA probe was introduced as a Prevotella nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$-specific DNA probe. In that study, the specificity of the Pn10 was tested with only type or reference strains of 5 oral bacterial species. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the specificity of the Pn10 using the wild type strains of P. nigrescens and is to develop the P. nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$-specific PCR primers based on the nucleotide sequence of the Pn10. The specificity of the Pn10 DNA probe was determined by Southern blot analysis. The nucleotide sequence of Pn10 DNA probes was determined by chain termination method. The PCR primers were designed based on the nucleotide sequence of cloned DNA fragment. The data showed that Pn10 DNA probe were hybridized with the genomic DNAs from P. nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$ and KB6. The Pn10 homologous region, KB6-Pn10, of P. nigrescens KB6 was cloned by PCR and sequenced. The Pn10 and KB6-Pn10 DNA fragments were consisted of 1,875 bp and 1,873 bp, respectively. The percent identity of the two was 98.8% and the divergence of them was 0.6%. The two primer sets (Pn10-F-AC/ Pn10-R-AC and Pn10-F-A/ Pn10-R-A), designed base on the nucleotide sequences of Pn10 DNA probe, were specific to the P. nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$. The two PCR primer sets could detect as little as 4 pg of genomic DNA of P. nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$. These results indicate that the two PCR primer sets have proven useful for the identification of P. nigrescens ATCC $33563^T$, especially with regard to the maintenance of the strain.