• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.591-601
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• 2021

Recently it is trend to increase wood use as carbon neutral materials, there is recognized to need necessarily durability improvement of wooden building. It is very rare to report existing on the identification of isolates causing discoloration in domestic weathered wooden building used for long period. The objective of this study was identification of fungi that cause discoloration on the exteriors of weathered domestic wooden buildings in the southern part of South Korea. Our findings can be helpful to establish protection technology for weather deterioration of domestic wooden buildings. Wood chip samples presumed to be contaminated with sapstain fungi were collected from the surface of wooden members used in wooden buildings at Jangheung, Jeollanam-do (two locations, #13 and #14), and Jeju Island (two locations, #31 and #33). The growth of microorganisms was confirmed by performing culture tests for the collected samples, and fungi were isolated, purified, and identified. The results indicated that the fungal strains isolated from wooden buildings #13 and #14 at Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, were 99.83% and 100% homologous to Aureobasidium melanogenum, respectively. For wooden building #31 at Jeju Island (two locations), the fungal strain isolated was 100% homologous to A. melanogenum, which is the same species isolated from the wooden buildings at Jangheung. The fungal strain isolated from wooden building #33 (Jeju Island) had 99.83% homology with A. pullulans, which is commonly found in wood degraded by weather or ultraviolet rays. Our findings can be utilized as a basis for establishing protection technology in domestic wooden buildings.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

Salmonella meningitis is rare yet poses causes significant neurological morbidity in children. Infants, especially those under 3 months of age, and those with immunocompromised states, such as malignancy, malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus infection, are at increased risk for developing Salmonella meningitis. Herein, we describe a case of Salmonella meningitis in a previous healthy 8-year-old girl who presented with high fever, vomiting, and altered mental status. Group D Salmonella species were isolated in cerebrospinal fluid culture, and no abnormal findings were noted in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subset counts were within the normal ranges, and no genetic mutation responsible for primary immunodeficiency disease was detected by next-generation sequencing. The patient's condition improved rapidly with third-generation cephalosporin, and no complications or sequalae developed. Nontyphoidal Salmonella can cause meningitis in immunocompetent children and can be successfully treated with early administration of antibiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.892-901
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• 2022

The rising demand for carotenoids can be met by microbial biosynthesis as a promising alternative to chemical synthesis and plant extraction. Several species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) specifically produce C₃₀ carotenoids and offer the added probiotic benefit of improved gut health and protection against chronic conditions. In this study, the recently characterized Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T produced the rare C₃₀ carotenoid, 4,4'-diaponeurosporene, and its yield was optimized for industrial production. The one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method was used to screen carbon and nitrogen sources, while the abiotic stresses of temperature, pH, and salinity, were evaluated for their effects on 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production. Lactose and beef extract were ideal for optimal carotenoid production at 25℃ incubation in pH 7.0 medium with no salt. The main factors influencing 4,4'-diaponeurosporene yields, namely lactose level, beef extract concentration and initial pH, were enhanced using the Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology (RSM). Compared to commercial MRS medium, there was a 3.3-fold increase in carotenoid production in the optimized conditions of 15% lactose, 8.3% beef extract and initial pH of 6.9, producing a 4,4'-diaponeurosporene concentration of 0.033 A₄₇₀/ml. To substantiate upscaling for industrial application, the optimal aeration rate in a 5 L fermentor was 0.3 vvm. This resulted in a further 3.8-fold increase in 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production, with a concentration of 0.042 A₄₇₀/ml, compared to the flask-scale cultivation in commercial MRS medium. The present work confirms the optimization and scale-up feasibility of enhanced 4,4'-diaponeurosporene production by L. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226^T.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.15
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• 2020

Regenerative therapy holds great promise in the development of cures of some untreatable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) including induced PSCs (iPSCs) are the most important regenerative seed cells. Recently, differentiation of human PSCs into functional tissues and cells in vitro has been widely reported. However, although porcine reports are rare they are quite essential, as the pig is an important animal model for the in vitro generation of human organs. In this study, we reprogramed porcine embryonic fibroblasts into porcine iPSCs (piPSCs), and differentiated them into cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31)-positive endothelial cells (ECs) (piPSC-derived ECs, piPS-ECs) using an optimized single-layer culture method. During differentiation, we observed that a combination of GSK3β inhibitor (CHIR99021) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) promoted mesodermal differentiation, resulting in higher proportions of CD31-positive cells than those from separate CHIR99021 or BMP4 treatment. Importantly, the piPS-ECs showed comparable morphological and functional properties to immortalized porcine aortic ECs, which are capable of taking up low-density lipoprotein and forming network structures on Matrigel. Our study, which is the first trial on a species other than human and mouse, has provided an optimized single-layer culture method for obtaining ECs from porcine PSCs. Our approach can be beneficial when evaluating autologous EC transplantation in pig models.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.219-223
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• 2010

It has long been recognized that wild vegetation are sort of improving fitness. Many peoples are now ingesting them instead of the vegetables that are grown in green house. In this regard, Parasenecio firmus, which is considered to be one of the rare species in Korea, has been given a lot of attentions as edible green plants recently. Hence it may be necessary to provide the information people who want to commercially cultivate the plants. Regarding appropriate forest stands that are fit for the cultivation. Firstly, we collected the seeds from 4 natural habitats to find out how many seeds are fully matured in the natural conditions. The quality of the seeds collected were found to be very low. However, it appeared as clear differences when screened seeds were grown in covered seed beds over winter. In this case the germination rate of the seeds was 95%, indicating that there may be no difficulty for mass production of plantlets. Secondly, in the field of planting test in an appropriate cultivating site among 6 of forest stands, those in Pinus koraiensis stand were the highest in survival rate, but somewhat low with those in Quercus mongolica and broad-leaved stands. Thus, it was demonstrated that forest stands dominated with conifer like P. koraiensis are more appropriate for the cultivation of P. firums.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.325-339
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• 2022

Endophytes ascertain a symbiotic relationship with plants as promoters of growth, defense mechanism etc. This study is a first report to screen the endophytic population in Waltheria indica, a tropical medicinal plant. 5 bacterial and 3 fungal strains in leaves, 3 bacterial and 1 yeast species in stems were differentiated morphologically and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. The phylogenetic tree of the isolated endophytes was constructed using MEGA X. Silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized from a rare endophytic bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans isolated from the leaf of W. indica. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometer that evidenced a strong absorption band at 408.5 nm of UV-Visible range with crystalline nature and average particle size of 16.4 nm by Particle size analyzer. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum displayed the presence of various functional groups that stabilized the nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction peaks were conferred to face centered cubic structure. Transmission Electron Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope revealed the spherical-shaped, polycrystalline nature with the presence of elemental silver analyzed by Energy Dispersive of X-Ray spectrum. Selected area electron diffraction also confirmed the orientation of AgNPs at 111, 200, 220, 311 planes similar to X-ray diffraction analysis. The synthesized nanoparticles are evaluated for antimicrobial activity against 7 bacterial and 3 fungal pathogens. A good zone of inhibition was observed against pathogenic bacteria than fungal pathogens. Thus the study could hold a key aspect in drug discovery research and other pharmacological conducts of human clinical conditions.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2020

Eranthis stellata Maxim. is a perennial plant that grows around the valley. E. stellata is concerned about the decline in natural habitats due to climate change in KOREA, continues to be observed and protected as an endangered species (Least Concrned, LC). Nevertheless, studies on the characteristics of the seeds of E. stellata are insufficient. So, this study analyzed the morphological characteristics and dormancy types of seeds. Seeds of E. stellata was collected in April at Gyeongsangbuk-do Arboretum and kept at 5 ℃ until using. To investigate the morphology of seeds, an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used. GA3 treated or untreated seeds (4 replicates of 25 seeds each) were observed germination and embryo growth for 1 month at 5 ℃ and 25/15 ℃ (12h day/12h night). The seed surface of E. stellata, light brown, was observed as a common characteristic of Eranthis genus, reticulate. The short axis of seeds was 1.11~1.77mm (average 1.44mm), and the long axis was 1.27~1.91mm (average 1.63mm), which was investigated in a slightly round shape (subglose). While no germination was observed at all conditions, Embryo growth was observed at 5 ℃ both in the control group and with GA3treated groups. Thus, seeds of E. stellata are classified as morphological physiological dormancy (MDP), which requires embryonic development and dormant break at the same time. These results can be useful information for determining morphological physiological seed dormancy and germination, and will be an important basic data for seed propagation of E. stellata as a resource.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.155-196
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• 2007

This study was carried out to elucidate floristic data of Chirisan National Park by performing practical field investigation for 1 year and literatures survey simultaneously in 2004. The data from field study were yielded based on voucher specimens. Total number and components of flora of Chirisan National Park is revealed as 1,825 taxa. Among 1,825 taxa, 708 taxa were identified in this field study, and these were comprised 37 orders, 109 families, 382 genera, 590 species 3 subspecies 95 varities 20 forms. Unconfirmed taxa in field but recorded previous literatures were 1,117 taxa, which consist of 41 orders 130 families 500 genera 901 species 9 subspecies 140 varities 67 forms. In conclusion, there may be provisionally 1,825 (708+1,117) taxa in Chirisan National Park. The 43 taxa were firstly found out in this field study. In the floristic data from field study, the number of Korean endemic plants were 31 taxa, the rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 21 taxa, the taxa that is more than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants which was designated by Korean Ministry of Environment were 40 taxa, and naturalized alien plants to Korea were 27 taxa respectively. Among 1,117 taxa which were not found in this study but recorded in 22 previous literatures, the number of Korean endemic plants were 45 taxa, the rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 45 taxa, the taxa that is more than the third degree among the floristic regional indicator plants which was designated by Ministry of Environment were 121 taxa, and naturalized alien plants to Korea were 31 taxa. It can be inferred that the vegetation of Chirisan National Park was changing by some factors and valuable plant resources were tend to diminishing by such as human interference and developments.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.445-468
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of vascular plants growing at the Mt. Daedun provincial park area in the boundary between Nonsan-si, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do and Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. We collected the vascular plants 9 times from May 2016 to July 2017. The flora of Mt. Daedun was classified as a total of 434 taxa comprising of 95 families, 278 genera, 388 species, 3 subspecies, 38 varieties and 5 forma. Among them, the endemic plants in Korea that the investigation found were 11 taxa including Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold, Clematis trichotoma Nakai, Thalictrum actaefolium var. brevistylum Nakai, etc. It also found rare plant species, as designated by the Korea Forest Service were 6 taxa including 5 grade LC taxa such as Eranthis stellata Maxim., Viola albida Palib., and Scopolia japonica Maxim. and 1 grade DD taxa, Scrophularia koraiensis Nakai. The special floristic plants were a total of 35 taxa such as 9 taxa in degree III (Eranthis stellata Maxim., Stewartia pseudocamellia Maxim., Acer palmatum Thunb., etc.), 7 taxa in degree II (Equisetum hyemale L., Potentilla dickinsii Franch.&Sav., Viola orientalis (Maxim.) W. Becker, etc.) and 19 taxa in degree I (Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai, Cephalotaxus koreana Nakai, Ulmus parvifolia Jacq., etc.) to provide basic data. No taxa in grade V or IV were found. The naturalized plants were 34 taxa including Rumex acetosella L., Phytolacca americana L. and Chenopodium album L., and the percentage of urbanization index was 10.6% while the naturalized plant index was 7.7%.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2016

The sustainability of Iris koreana, a rare and endemic plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, is threatened due to artificial factors such as habitats loss and climate change etc. and internal factors such as changes in biological properties of the habitats etc. but conservation biology research has not been performed in South Korea. The objective of this study is to establish the species conservation strategies by analyzing the characteristics of their habitats, including: 1) Population characteristics, and 2) habitat analysis of the vegetation and abiotic environments. From April to May, 2015, population characteristics [density (stems $m^{-2}$), flowering rate (%) and leaf area size ($cm^2$)] in I. koreana habitats such as Buan1~6 (BA1~6), Jangseong1~2 (JS1~2) and vegetation characteristics (phytosociological research and ordination analysis), and abiotic environments [soil temperature ($^{\circ}C$), soil humidity (%), transmitted light ($mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and canopy openness (%)] were measured. I. koreana was mainly distributed at elevation 50 to 150 m and 2 to $11^{\circ}$ slope. Slope direction was shown as 90 to $193^{\circ}$. The average degree of canopy openness was 11.9%. It showed the highest at BA2 (17.5) and the lowest at JS1 (7.7). The average degree of transmitted light was $6.3mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. It showed the highest at BA2 (10.1) and the lowest at JS1 (3.6). Population density showed average 25.8 (stems $m^{-2}$). It showed the highest at JS2 (19.7) and the lowest at JS1 (9.3). flowering stems showed average 16.9 (stems). It showed the highest at BA3 (35) and the lowest at BA5 (4). Leaf area size was average $94.1cm^2$.