• Journal of Species Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.99-126
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• 2013

Amynthas diffringens (Baird, 1869) is deemed valid yet comparable to A. corticis (Kinberg, 1867) and to A. nipponicus (Beddard, 1893) or A. peregrinus (Fletcher, 1896). Its syntypes tend to more genital markings than usual as shown for variable specimens from Japan, Korea, and Australasia that comply genetically with either of two A. corticis spp. groups. A. diffringens type-locality was UK hothouses yet closest specimens appear in part of A. heteropodus (Goto & Hatai, 1899) (=A. corticis) from Japan. Japanese Amynthas divergens (Michaelsen, 1892) is restored based on its serrate intestinal caeca. Meanwhile, the lectotype of Amynthas pingi (Stephenson, 1925) is deemed a synonym of A. carnosus (Goto & Hatai, 1899) compliant with Kobayashi's (1936) types III & II. Erstwhile A. pingi synonym A. fornicatus (Gates, 1925) is again included, but A. hongkongensis (Michaelsen, 1910) and A. chungkingensis (Chen, 1936) are provisionally retained whilst A. carnosa lichuanensis Wang & Qiu, 2005 is given separate species status. A new Korean taxon is proposed as A. carnosus naribunji sub-sp. nov. and two replacement names are provided: A. zhuya nom. nov. for homonym A. montanus Qiu & Sun, 2012 from Hainan and A. yizhou for A. carnosus sensu Shen et al., 2005 from Taiwan. No attempt is made to fully resolve numerous Japanese synonyms of A. carnosus [eg Ishizuka's (2001) invista, subterranea, subalpina, umbrosa, mutabilis, nubicola, plus A. nonmonticolus Blakemore, 2010] nor Korean synonyms [eg kyamikia Kobayashi, 1934, monstrifera Kobayashi, 1936 and murayamai Kobayashi, 1938, sangyeoli, youngtai (with segments miscounted), kimhaeiensis, sinsiensis and baemsagolensis - all names by Hong & James (2001) plus ?A. sangumburi Hong & Kim, 2002 (its segments miscounted too)] also A. fuscus Qiu & Sun, 2012 from Hainan and Taiwanese monsoonus James et al., 2005 plus A. penpuensis Shen et al., 2003 and A. taiwumontis Shen et al., 2013 syns. nov.. All synonyms remain in the currently defined A. carnosus pending full revisons although several may eventually comply with parts of prior A. corticis s. lato.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1666-1671
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• 2009

In Brassica, S locus glycoprotein (SLG) and S locus receptor kinase (SRK) genes function together for self-recognition in the self-incompatibility response. In addition, a water channel called aquaporins (MOD) is required for the self-incompatibility response. In this study, we isolated the SC-SLG, SC-SRK, and SC-MOD genes from a self-compatible line of B. oleracea. In the self-compatible line, the SC-SLG, SC-SRK, and SC-MOD genes showed the highest degree of sequence similarity with published data and to normal expression by RT-PCR. Therefore, it can be concluded that the SCR/SP11 gene of the B. oleracea pollen may not function and/or that mutations may occur in genes for self-incompatibility that are not linked to the S locus region.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-279
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• 2016

The mechanism by which 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) bypasses cellular senescence was investigated using human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cell replicative senescence as a model. Upon TPA treatment, protein kinase C (PKC) ${\alpha}$ and $PKC{\beta}1$ exerted differential effects on the nuclear translocation of cytoplasmic pErk1/2, a protein which maintains senescence. $PKC{\alpha}$ accompanied pErk1/2 to the nucleus after freeing it from $PEA-15pS^{104}$ via $PKC{\beta}1$ and then was rapidly ubiquitinated and degraded within the nucleus. Mitogen-activated protein kinase docking motif and kinase activity of $PKC{\alpha}$ were both required for pErk1/2 transport to the nucleus. Repetitive exposure of mouse skin to TPA downregulated $PKC{\alpha}$ expression and increased epidermal and hair follicle cell proliferation. Thus, $PKC{\alpha}$ downregulation is accompanied by in vivo cell proliferation, as evidenced in 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-TPA-mediated carcinogenesis. The ability of TPA to reverse senescence was further demonstrated in old HDF cells using RNA-sequencing analyses in which TPA-induced nuclear $PKC{\alpha}$ degradation freed nuclear pErk1/2 to induce cell proliferation and facilitated the recovery of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Our data indicate that TPA-induced senescence reversal and carcinogenesis promotion share the same molecular pathway. Loss of $PKC{\alpha}$ expression following TPA treatment reduces pErk1/2-activated SP1 biding to the $p21^{WAF1}$ gene promoter, thus preventing senescence onset and overcoming G1/S cell cycle arrest in senescent cells.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 2017

Purpose: To increase the availability of Korean sweet potato (SP), the quality characteristics of the sweet potato pastes (SPPs) and rice madeira cake (RMC) using them were investigated. Methods: Ten different SPPs, orange fleshed Sinwhangmi, Juwhangmi, purple fleshed Sinjami and Yeonjami, Cream fleshed Sinyulmi, Sinchunmi, and newly developed Geonwhangmi, Dahomi, Daeyumi, and Pongwonmi were used. Their pastes were prepared by washed, peeled, steamed, crushed, vacuum packed and stored in a freezer until use. Results: The SPPs and RMC with them were significant difference from different cultivars with color value, rheology and texture properties, and preference test. The SPP showed the highest lightness value in Sinchunmi (55.89) and the highest viscosity in Geonhwangmi (55.33 poise). The RMCs with SPPs had lower values in hardness and chewiness than the RMC without SPP. Overall quality of preference test showed the highest values in RMC with Sinyulmi and Sincheonmi. Conclusion: The best quality of sweet potato shaped rice madeira cake was made using Sinyulmi and Sinchunmi pastes. It is suggested that sweet potato paste is possible to use as the biomaterials for application of processed foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1464-1472
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• 2014

The microbial community structures of two continuous stirred tank reactors digesting turkey manure with pine wood shavings as well as chicken and swine manure were investigated. The reactor fed with chicken/swine wastes displayed the highest organic acids concentration (up to 15.2 g/l) and ammonia concentration (up to 3.7 g/l ammonium nitrogen) and generated a higher biogas yield (up to $366ml/g_{VS}$) compared with the reactor supplied with turkey wastes (1.5-1.8 g/l of organic acids and 1.6-1.7 g/l of ammonium levels; biogas yield was up to $195ml/g_{VS}$). The microbial community diversity was assessed using both sequencing and profiling terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms of 16S rRNA genes. Additionally, methanogens were analyzed using methyl coenzyme M reductase alpha subunit (mcrA) genes. The bacterial community was dominated by members of unclassified Clostridiales with the prevalence of specific clostridial phylotypes in each reactor, indicating the effect of the substrate type on the community structure. Of the methanogenic archaea, methanogens of the genus Methanosarcina were found in high proportions in both reactors with specific methanosarcinas in each reactor, whereas the strict hydrogenotrophic methanogens of Methanoculleus sp. were found at significant levels only in the reactor fed with chicken/swine manure (based on the analyses of 16S rRNA gene). This suggests that among methanogenic archaea, Methanosarcina species which have different metabolic capabilities, including aceticlastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, were mainly involved in anaerobic digestion of turkey wastes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.879-887
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• 2014

Bacteria that mediate the anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (anammox) have been detected in natural ecosystems, as well as various wastewater treatment systems. In this study, sludge from a particular landfill leachate anaerobic treatment system was selected as the incubation seed for anammox microorganism enrichment owing to its possible anammox activity. Transmission electron microscopy observation, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis, and cloning/sequencing techniques were applied to identify the diversity of anammox microorganisms throughout the incubation. During the early stage of operation, the diversity of anammox microorganisms was similar to the original complex microbes in the seed sludge. However, as incubation time increased, the anammox microorganism diversity within the system that was originally dominated by Candidatus (Ca.) Brocadia sp. was replaced by Ca. Anammoxoglobus propionicus. The domination of Ca. Anammoxoglobus propionicus produced a stable removal of ammonia (70 mg-N/l) and nitrite (90 mg-N/l), and the total nitrogen removal efficiency was maintained at nearly 95%. The fluorescence in situ hybridization results showed that Ca. Anammoxoglobus propionicus was successfully enriched from $1.8{\pm}0.6%$ initially to $65{\pm}5%$ after 481 days of operation. Therefore, the present results demonstrated the feasibility of enriching Ca. Anammoxoglobus propionicus from leachate sludge, even though the original cell count was extremely low. Application of this seldom found anammox organism could offer an alternative to current ammonia-nitrogen treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2014

Quorum quenching (QQ) with a microbial vessel has recently been reported as an economically feasible biofouling control platform in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for wastewater treatment. In this study, a quorum quenching MBR with a ceramic microbial vessel (CMV) was designed to overcome the extremely low F/M ratio inside a microbial vessel. The CMV was prepared with a monolithic ceramic microporous membrane and AHL-degrading QQ bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. 1A1. The "inner flow feeding mode" was introduced, under which fresh feed was supplied to the MBR only through the center lumen in the CMV. The inner flow feeding mode facilitated nutrient transport to QQ bacteria in the CMV and thus enabled relatively long-term maintenance of cell viability. The quorum quenching effect of the CMV on controlling membrane biofouling in the MBR was more pronounced with the inner flow feeding mode, which was identified by the slower increase in the transmembrane pressure as well as by the visual observation of a biocake that formed on the used membrane surface. In the QQ MBR with the CMV, the concentrations of extracellular polymeric substances were substantially decreased in the biocake on the membrane surface compared with those in the conventional MBR. The CMV also showed its potential with effective biofouling control over long-term operation of the QQ MBR.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2014

In the present study, a yeast species isolated from CETP, Vellore, Tamilnadu was identified as Cryptococcus sp. VITGBN2 based on molecular techniques and was found to be a potent producer of acidic diacetate sophorolipid in mineral salt media containing vegetable oil as additional carbon source. The chemical structure of the purified biosurfactant was identified as acidic diacetate sophorolipid through GC-MS analysis. This sophorolipid was used as a stabilizer for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZON). The formation of biofunctionalized ZON was characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activities of naked ZON and sophorolipid functionalized ZON were tested based on the diameter of inhibition zone in agar well diffusion assay, microbial growth rate determination, protein leakage analysis, and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica and fungal pathogen Candida albicans showed more sensitivity to sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON compared with naked ZON. Among the two pathogens, S. enterica showed higher sensitivity towards sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON. SEM analysis showed that cell damage occurred through cell elongation in the case of S. enterica, whereas cell rupture was found to occur predominantly in the case of C. albicans. This is the first report on the dual role of yeast-mediated sophorolipid used as a biostabilizer for ZON synthesis as well as a novel functionalizing agent showing antimicrobial property.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2013

Monacolin K and yellow pigment, produced by Monascus sp., have each been proven to be beneficial compounds as antihypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammation agents, respectively. However, citrinin, a human toxic substance, was also synthesized in this fungus. In this research, solidstate fermentation of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 was optimized by statistical methodology to obtain a high production of monacolin K and yellow pigment along with a low level of citrinin. Fractional factorial design was applied in this study to identify the significant factors. Among the 13 variables, five parameters (i.e., glycerol, methionine, sodium nitrate, cultivation time, and temperature) influencing monacolin K, yellow pigment, and citrinin production were identified. A central composite design was further employed to investigate the optimum level of these five factors. The maximum production of monacolin K and yellow pigment of 5,900 mg/kg and 1,700 units/g, respectively, and the minimum citrinin concentration of 0.26 mg/kg were achieved in the medium containing 2% glycerol, 0.14% methionine, and 0.01% sodium nitrate at $25^{\circ}C$ for 16 days of cultivation. The yields of monacolin K and yellow pigment were about 3 and 1.5 times higher than the basal medium, respectively, whereas citrinin was dramatically reduced by 36 times.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1933-1942
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• 2016

A novel ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase (named PspAG97A) from glycoside hydrolase family 97 (GH97) was cloned from the deep-sea bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. K8, which was screened from the sediment of Kongsfjorden. Sequence analysis showed that PspAG97A belonged to GH97, and shared 41% sequence identity with the characterized ${\alpha}-glucoside$ BtGH97a. PspAG97A possessed three key catalytically related glutamate residues. Mutation of the glutamate residues indicated that PspAG97A belonged to the inverting subfamily of GH97. PspAG97A showed significant reversibility against changes in salt concentration. It exhibited halophilic ability and improved thermostability in NaCl solution, with maximal activity at 1.0 M NaCl/KCl, and retained more than 80% activity at NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 2.0 M for over 50 h. Furthermore, PspAG97A hydrolyzed not only ${\alpha}-1,4-glucosidic$ linkage, but also ${\alpha}-1,6-$ and ${\alpha}-1,2-glucosidic$ linkages. Interestingly, PspAG97A possessed high catalytic efficiency for long-chain substrates with ${\alpha}-1,6-linkage$. These characteristics are clearly different from other known ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolases in GH97, implying that PspAG97A is a unique ${\alpha}-glucoside$ hydrolase of GH97.