• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2019

Anthropogenic disturbances, including coastal habitat modification and climate change are threatening the stability of kelp beds, one of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems. To test the effect of temperature and irradiance on the microscopic gametophyte and juvenile sporophyte stages of the rare kelp, Saccharina angustissima, from Casco Bay, Maine, USA, we carried out two sets of experiments using a temperature gradient table. The first set of experiments combined temperatures between $7-18^{\circ}C$ with irradiance at 20, 40, and $80{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. The second set combined temperatures of $3-13^{\circ}C$ with irradiance of 10, 100, and $200{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. Over two separate 4-week trials, in 2014 and again in 2015, we monitored gametogenesis, the early growth stages of the gametophytes, and early sporophyte development of this kelp. Gametophytes grew best at temperatures of $8-13^{\circ}C$ at the lowest irradiance of $10-{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. Light had a significant effect on both male and female gametophyte growth only at the higher temperatures. Temperatures of $8-15^{\circ}C$ and irradiance levels of $10-100{\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$ were conditions for the highest sporophyte growth. Sporophyte and male gametophyte growth was reduced at both temperature extremes-the hottest and coldest temperatures tested. S. angustissima is a unique kelp species known only from a very narrow geographic region along the coast of Maine, USA. The coupling of global warming with high light intensity effects might pose stress on the early life-history stages of this kelp, although, as an intertidal species, it could also be better adapted to temperature and light extremes than its subtidal counterpart, Saccharina latissima.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.619-625
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• 2020

Human hookworm infections caused by adult Ancylostoma spp. and Necator americanus are one of the most important tropical diseases. We performed a survey of intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz fecal examination technique targeting 1,156 villagers residing in 2 northern provinces (Preah Vihear and Stung Treng) of Cambodia in 2018. The results revealed a high overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminths (61.9%), and the egg positive rate of hookworms was 11.6%. Nine of the hookworm egg positive cases in Preah Vihear Province were treated with 5-10 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate followed by purging with magnesium salts, and a total of 65 adult hookworms were expelled in diarrheic stools. The adult hookworms were analyzed morphologically and molecularly to confirm the species. The morphologies of the buccal cavity and dorsal rays on the costa were observed with a light microscope, and the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were analyzed. The majority of the hookworm adults (90.7%) were N. americanus, whereas the remaining 9.3% were Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a rare hookworm species infecting humans. The results revealed a high prevalence of hookworm infections among people in a northern part of Cambodia, suggesting the necessity of a sustained survey combined with control measures against hookworm infections.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2022

Rhododendron keiskei var. hypoglaucum (Ericaceae) was recently reported in Korea, with a disjunct distribution on the southern islands of the Korean Peninsula. Although chromosome numbers and ploidy variations are important traits in angiosperms, gaining a clear understanding the cytological features of Rhododendron has been hampered by the small size of its chromosomes. We herein report the chromosome number, karyotype structure, and genome size of R. keiskei var. hypoglaucum for the first time. The chromosome number of the investigated plants was 2n = 26 with x = 13 as the base chromosome number, which is the one of the frequently encountered base chromosome numbers in Rhododendron. The karyotype of R. keiskei var. hypoglaucum is composed of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes similar in length, which ranged from 1.39 to 2.40 ㎛. The DNA 1C-value in all examined accessions was small, ranging from 0.63 to 0.65 pg, further supporting the stable genome size in Rhododendron. These comprehensive cytological results provide a framework for detailed molecular, cytogenetic, and phylogenomic analyses that can be used to interpret the slow species diversification rate in Rhododendron.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.139-148
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• 2022

Saxifraga hirculus is classified as a vulnerable plant species in Europe, and it is confined to base-rich flushes in the British uplands. However, a lack of available information about its conservation status hampers the development of adaptive strategies for its in-situ conservation, especially with respect to grazing. To assess the effectiveness of sheep grazing in maintaining viable populations of S. hirculus, we compared the community dynamics of the vegetation in a base-rich flush over 44 years in two plots: one sheep-grazed under business-as-usual sheep grazing densities and the other fenced to exclude grazing. The plots were established in 1972, and the abundances of all vascular plants, bryophytes, and litter were measured at six intervals until 2016. Our results showed that although the presence of S. hirculus was maintained in both plots over the 44 years, it declined and reached a minimum between 1995 and 2010, when it was close to extinction. Since 2013, Saxifraga has recovered only slightly. Interestingly, the S. hirculus response appeared to be independent of grazing treatment, but it mirrored wider changes in the vegetation composition and structure within the flush over the 44 years. These changes are similar to others reported in broader uplands that have been attributed to a combination of reduced nitrogen and sulfur deposition and global warming. Thus, the simple adaptive management approach of "just managing" sheep grazing appeared ineffectual for preserving the S. hirculus population. S. hirculus showed signs of recovery at the end of the study period within this base-rich flush.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1561-1572
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• 2022

Plastic pollution has been recognized as a serious environmental problem, and microbial degradation of plastics is a potential, environmentally friendly solution to this. Here, we analyzed and compared microbial communities on waste plastic films (WPFs) buried for long periods at four landfill sites with those in nearby soils to identify microbes with the potential to degrade plastics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of these WPFs showed that most were polyethylene and had signs of oxidation, such as carbon-carbon double bonds, carbon-oxygen single bonds, or hydrogen-oxygen single bonds, but the presence of carbonyl groups was rare. The species richness and diversity of the bacterial and fungal communities on the films were generally lower than those in nearby soils. Principal coordinate analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities showed that their overall structures were determined by their geographical locations; however, the microbial communities on the films were generally different from those in the soils. For the pulled data from the four landfill sites, the relative abundances of Bradyrhizobiaceae, Pseudarthrobacter, Myxococcales, Sphingomonas, and Spartobacteria were higher on films than in soils at the bacterial genus level. At the species level, operational taxonomic units classified as Bradyrhizobiaceae and Pseudarthrobacter in bacteria and Mortierella in fungi were enriched on the films. PICRUSt analysis showed that the predicted functions related to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and xenobiotic degradation were more abundant on films than in soils. These results suggest that specific microbial groups were enriched on the WPFs and may be involved in plastic degradation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2023

Background: There is a global increase in isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The aim of the study was to analyze longitudinal trends of NTM identification and pattern of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Methods: NTM recovery rates, distribution of NTM species identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of NTM at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 52,456 specimens from 21,264 patients were submitted for mycobacterial culture, of which 2,521 from 1,410 patients were NTM positive over five years (January 2016 to December 2020). NTM isolation showed an increasing trend from 2016 to 2020 (p<0.001, test for trend) mainly caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. The vast majority of M. avium complex were susceptible to key agents clarithromycin and amikacin. For Mycobacterium kansasii, resistance to rifampin and clarithromycin is rare. Amikacin was the most effective drug against Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus and Mycobacterium subspecies massiliense. Most of M. subspecies massiliense were susceptible to clarithromycin, while the majority of M. abscessus subspecies abscessus were resistant to clarithromycin (p<0.001). Conclusion: There was an increasing trend of NTM isolation in our hospital. Resistance to key drugs was uncommon for most NTM species except for M. abscessus subspecies abscessus against clarithromycin.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-69
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• 2006

The flora of vascular plants and the vegetation on the tidal flat was investigated in Jebudo located at Hwaseong city of Gyeonggi-do province from 2004 to 2005. Jebudo has been considered to show difference from the flora which is peculiar to island as it became semi-land by free traffic to mainland with the installation of a road which had enabled entry into the Jebudo in 1991 due to sea-splitting phenomenon. The result of the vascular plants in Jebudo were consissted of 305 taxa; 264 species, 38 varieties and 3 forms of 202 genera of 74 families. As a result of examination by distinctive survey areas within Jebudo, a tidal flat(I) region where the halophyte was being spread has been researched as 7 taxa; 7 species of 6 genera of 5 families. The taxa in Godo-Island(II) was reseached as 50 taxa; 39 species, 11 varieties and 42 genera of 24 families. The taxa in Sand dune area(III) was reseached as 61 taxa; 52 species and 9 varieties of 53 genera of 25 families. The most plant species was reseached in Mt. Tapjae (IV) reaseach area among the reseach areaes 136 taxa; 118 species, 17 varieties and 1 form of 108 genera of 55 families. The taxa in Dangje Mt.(V) was reseached as 119 taxa; 105 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 95 genera of 45 familes. The taxa in Dongmi Mt. (VI) was reseached as 100 taxa; 85 species and 15 varieties of 83 enera of 43 families. The taxa in Paddy field(VII) was reseached as 120 taxa; 106 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 86 genera 31 families. Especially, a Crypsinus hastatus community which is a rare plant designated by Korea forest service and a preservation plant designated by the natural environment preservation law (1998) has been discovered at a cliff of Topjae mountain near the ferry located at the northeast side. According to the result of researching halophyte communities which make up the zonation according to the environmental gradient, the communities were being formed in the order of Limonium tetragonum community, Phragmites communis community, Carex scabrifolia community, Triglochin maritimum community and Carex scabrifolia community in accordance with the order of soil particle size with breakwater as their standard.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

The objectives of this study were to analyze structures of fish community and the ecological health using a multi-metric fish model, the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) in the Backje Weir of Geum River during two periods namely before-the-fishkill ($B_f$) and after-the-fishkill ($A_f$). The total number of fish species observed were 32 and among them 10 species (35%) were Korean endemic species. The exotic species observed were 3 which decreased by 0.4% after-the-fishkill ($A_f$). The dominant species were Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis (13%) at the Bf period and Squalidus japonicus coreanus (17%) at the Af period in the Backje Weir. At after the fishkill ($A_{f-I}$) total biomass was about 10 times lower than the biomass before-the-fishkill ($B_f$). The biomass of Carassius auratus decreased 98% after-the-fishkill and as time passed by the biomass recovered to nearly 100%. Similar decrease in the biomass occurred in the population of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, while Rhinogobius brunneus population increased. According to the structure analysis of fish community, species richness index, evenness index and species diversity index were high but after-the fishkill, the values of indices decreased. Tolerant species (64%) dominated the fish community, and the sensitive species (2%) were rare, indicating the degradation of the ecosystem. According to analysis of the multi-metric model (IBI), the mean model value of the fish community in Backje Weir was estimated as 17.5 indicating a "fair condition".

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.403-411
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• 2007

The purpose of the study was to evaluate fish community, based on conventional at Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H'), and ecological health, based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblage in the eight sites of Nakdong River during June${\sim}$August 1999. Total number of species sampled was 19 species, and two sensitive species of Zacco temminckii (51%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (28%) dominated the fish community. Also, trophic guild analyses showed that insectivore was 87% of the total and omnivore was rare, indicating that the ecological health is well maintained in the system. The pattern of spatial variation in the diversity index(H') was very similar to patterns of the species number and individual number, whereas the pattern of H' was not matched with the tolerance and trophic guild data. The diversity index (H') showed highest (1.56) in Site 6 where the proportion of sensitive species and tolerant species was minimum and maximum, respectively, and where the insectivore and omnivore were minimum and maximum. In other words, the diversity index was not matched at all with the trophic and tolerant guilds, indicating that the conventional index did not reflect the ecological characteristics of fish community in the system. In the mean time, the ecological health (IBI) averaged 33.5 (n=8), indicating "good${\sim}$fair condition" and the IBI values matched with trophic and tolerance guilds. Maximum IBI occurred in Site 2 where the sensitive and msectivore species were nearly maximum, and the tolerant and omnivore species were almost minima, indicating that IBI values were closely associated with the ecological functions and health conditions. Overall data suggest that the conventional diversity index may not effective for a evaluation of fish community, and that in contrast the IBI approach may be a useful tool for diagnosis of stream community.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.617-627
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• 2006

The wild plants of the studied area in the Gosan recreational forest was listed 327 taxa: 99 families, 252 genera, 289 species,1 subspecies, 34 varieties and 3 forms. Based on the list of the rare plants by the Forest Research Institute, 2 taxa were recorded in the studied areas; Lilium distichum (Presevation priority order: No. 159), Aristolochia contorta (No. 151) and based on the list of Korean endemic plants, 4 taxa were recorded; Cephalotaxus koreana, Carex okamotoi, Salix purpurea var. japonica, Weigela subsessilis. Specific plant species by floral region were total 21 taxa; 2 taxa (Asperula lasiantha, Lonicera subhispida) in class III, 4 taxa (Lilium distichum, Potentilla dickinsii, Caryopteris incana, Ligularia fischeri) in class II, 15 taxa (Hosta capitata, Alnus hirsuta, Ribes mandshuricum, Cayratia japonica, Vaccinium oldhami, etc.) in class I. The naturalized plants in this site were 12 families, 28 genera, 31 species, 1 varieties, 32 taxa and naturalization rate was 9.8%. So, wild plants disturbing ecosystem like Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior have been increasing and it needs continuing control and conservation measures on the plant ecosystem.