• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.121-136
• /
• 2019

Objective : To investigate the effect of sihogayonggolmoryeotang (SY) on Single Prolonged Stress(SPS)-induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). Method : To confirm the effects of SY on SPS-induced PTSD, Changes in body weight, sucrose intake open field test(OFT) and forced swimming test(FST)were observed. After behavioral tests, the plasma corticosterone(CORT) from the abdominal aorta, serotonin(5-HT) from prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and striatum, norepinephrine(NE) and dopamine(DA) from hippocampus was measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in hippocampus was measured by RT-PCR. Result : Weight change and sucrose intakes of rats in 14th day after the administration of SY were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared to the SPS group (p<0.05). Numbers of crossing in the central zone in the OFT were significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group (p<0.05) compared with the SPS group. The immobility time of FST was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with SPS group (p<0.05). The change of plasma CORT concentration was significantly decreased in SPS + SY450 group compared with that in SPS group (p<0.05). The change of 5-HT concentration was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group at hippocampus and amygdala compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The concentration of DA was significantly increased in the SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). The expression of BDNF and CREB were significantly increased in SPS + SY450 group compared with the SPS group (p<0.05). Conclusion : SY administration lowered the increase of CORT caused by PTSD and increases the 5-HT concentration and reversed the decreased expression of NE and DA and BDNF and CREB by PTSD. It is postulated that SY is effective in treating PTSD by restoring cognitive function, memory impairment, unstable emotional disturbances.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.445-458
• /
• 2019

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composed of lipid A, core, and O-antigen is the fundamental constituent of the outer membrane in gram-negative bacteria. This study was conducted to investigate the roles of LPS in Burkholderia glumae, the phytopathogen causing bacterial panicle blight and seedling rot in rice. To study the roles of the core oligosaccharide (OS) and the O-antigen region, mutant strains targeting the waaC and the wbiFGHI genes were generated. The LPS profile was greatly affected by disruption of the waaC gene and slight reductions were observed in the O-antigen region following wbiFGHI deletions. The results indicated that disruption in the core OS biosynthesis-related gene, waaC, was associated with increased sensitivity to environmental stress conditions including acidic, osmotic, saline, and detergent stress, and to polymyxin B. Moreover, significant impairment in the swimming and swarming motility and attenuation of bacterial virulence to rice were also observed in the waaC-defective mutant. The motility and virulence of O-antigen mutants defective in any gene of the wbiFGHI operon, were not significantly different from the wild-type except in slight decrease in swimming and swarming motility with wbiH deletion. Altogether, the results of present study indicated that the LPS, particularly the core OS region, is required for tolerance to environmental stress and full virulence in B. glumae. To our knowledge, this is the first functional study of LPS in a plant pathogenic Burkholderia sp. and presents a step forward toward full understanding of B. glumae pathogenesis.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.71-90
• /
• 2019

A new encrusting red alga was found growing abundantly on glass debris items that drifted ashore along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. These included discarded fluorescent tubes, incandescent light bulbs, capped liquor bottles, and ball-shaped fishing-net floats. Field collections and unialgal cultures of the alga revealed that it consisted of two morphological phases: a young loosely aggregated turf and a mature consolidated mucilaginous crust. The turf phase consisted of a basal layer of globose cells that produced erect, rarely branched, uniseriate to multiseriate filaments up to $500{\mu}m$ long with closely spaced cells lacking pit-plugs. These filaments expanded in size from their bases to their tips and released single cells as spores. At maturity, a second phase of growth occurred that produced a consolidated crust, up to $370{\mu}m$ thick. It consisted of a basal layer of small, tightly appressed ellipsoidal-to-elongate cells that generated a mucilaginous perithallial matrix containing a second type of filament with irregularly spaced cells often undergoing binary division. At the matrix surface, the original filaments continued to grow and release spores but often also eroded. Individual cells, examined using confocal microscopy and SYBR Green staining, were found to contain a central nucleus, a single highly lobed peripheral chloroplast without a pyrenoid, and numerous chloroplast nucleoids. Morphological data from field and culture isolates and molecular data (rbcL, psbA, and SSU) show that this alga is a new genus and species which we name Viator vitreocola, "a traveller on glass."

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.33
• /
• pp.36-67
• /
• 2000

Square-shaped moated burial precincts(方形周溝墓) can be classified into type I that has bridges only at the comers, type II that has bridges at the comers and sides, type III that has bridges only at the sides, type IV that is surrounded by the moat without bridges, type V that has its sides less than those of type I ~ V by 1 or 2, and type VI that has the round-shaped ground. But the time differences among the types are not known yet. For the burial appliances of square-shaped moated burial precincts, there are stone coffins, pit burials and jar burials. The major burial appliances situated in the mound are stone coffins and pit burials, and jar burials are subsidiary appliances that were buried at the shoulder part of the mound or at precincts. According to the case of Gwanchang-ri KM423, grave mounds, which arc closely related with the burial appliances, were built by heaping up the earth in and around the precinct as low as only enough to protect the burial appliances. Considering the relics unearthed in the burial compartment of KM437, the time when square-shaped moated burial precincts were formed is estimated to be the age when Songguk-ri type earthenware and clay stripes earthenware co-existed. It was the early Iron Age when ironware began to sp read in this country. Emerging first in that age, square-shaped moated burial precincts were presumably formed until around the end of BC or the beginning of AD, when KM404 and KM423, which were unearthed with plain earthenware, grey earthenware and ironware, were formed. When analyzing the form of small-sized graveyards in precincts, the unearthed relics and the locations, the people who formed square-shaped moated burial precincts were considered as those who had a culture comprising clay stripes earthenware, which appears newly in the Songguk-ri type earthenware of native, and ironware, and a settled agricultural society based on paddy fields and labor forces of family units.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.66-78
• /
• 2019

In this study, strain KNU17Pc1 was tested for its antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani AG-1(IA), which causes banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) of maize. KNU17Pc1 was tested further for its broad-spectrum antifungal activity and in vitro plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. In addition, the in vivo effects of KNU17Pc1 on reduction of BLSB severity and seedling growth promotion of two maize cultivars under greenhouse conditions were investigated. On the basis of multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), KNU17Pc1 was confirmed as P. chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca. The study revealed that KNU17Pc1 had strong in vitro antifungal activity and was effective toward all in vitro PGP traits except phosphate solubilization. In this study, for the first time, a strain of P. chlororaphis against Colletotrichum dematium, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis, Fusarium subglutinans and Stemphylium lycopersici has been reported. Further biochemical studies showed that KNU17Pc1 was able to produce both types of phenazine derivatives, PCA and 2-OH-PCA. In addition, solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis identified 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the TSB culture of KNU17Pc1, 1-undecene being the most abundant volatile. Moreover, for the first time, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxan (D4), dimethyl disulfide, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and 1-undecene were detected in P. chlororaphis. Furthermore, this study reported for the first time the effectiveness of P. chlororaphis to control BLSB of maize. Hence, further studies are necessary to test the effectiveness of KNU17Pc1 under different environmental conditions so that it can be exploited further for biocontrol and plant growth promotion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.79-90
• /
• 2019

Lichens are generally known as self-sufficient, symbiotic life-forms between fungi and algae/cyanobacteria, and they also provide shelter for a wide range of beneficial bacteria. Currently, bacterial-derived biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is grabbing the attention of many researchers as a promising alternative to non-degradable plastics. This study was conducted to develop a new method of PHA production using unexplored lichen-associated bacteria, which can simultaneously degrade two ubiquitous industrial toxins, anthracene and naphthalene. Here, 49 lichen-associated bacteria were isolated and tested for PHA synthesis. During the GC-MS analysis, a potential strain of EL19 was found to be a 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3-HHx) accumulator and identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on the 16S rRNA sequencing. GC analysis revealed that EL19 was capable of accumulating 30.62% and 19.63% of 3-HHx from naphthalene and anthracene, respectively, resulting in significant degradation of 98% and 96% of naphthalene and anthracene, respectively, within seven days. Moreover, the highly expressed phaC gene verified the genetic basis of $PHA_{mcl}$ production under nitrogen starvation conditions. Thus, this study strongly supports the hypothesis that lichen-associated bacteria can detoxify naphthalene and anthracene, store energy for extreme conditions, and probably help the associated lichen to live in extreme conditions. So far, this is the first investigation of lichen-associated bacteria that might utilize harmful toxins as feasible supplements and convert anthracene and naphthalene into eco-friendly 3-HHx. Implementation of the developed method would reduce the production cost of $PHA_{mcl}$ while removing harmful waste products from the environment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the current trends in experimental studies on the acupuncture moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity. Methods : PubMed was searched for experimental studies about visceral hypersensitivity and acupuncture/moxibustion. Data were extracted and tabulated from the selected articles about experimental method, intervention, result and mechanism. Results : Total 23 articles were reviewed. Chronic visceral hypersensitivity animal model was applied in 17 studies (74%). Visceral hypersensitivity was measured by abdominal withdrawal reflex scoring or/and abdominal electromyogram. Acupoints like ST25, ST36, ST37, BL25, LI11, BL32 and PC6 were treated by electroacupuncture or moxibustion. All articles reported that electroacupuncture or moxibustion treatment is significantly effective in reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Treatment mechanisms were studied, related to mast cell, serotonin (5-HT) and receptor (5-HT3R and 5-HT4R), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), c-fos positive cell, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), purinergic 2X (P2X)2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NR1 and NR2B), prokinectin (PK) 1 and PK2. Conclusions : Evidences on acupuncture/moxibustion treatment for visceral hypersensitivity in animal studies warrant more research on effective acupoins, electro-acupuncture methods and treatment durations.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2019

This study analyzed the occurrence pattern of Dolichospermum (= Anabaena) in the Bukhan river from March 2012 to December 2014 in order to identify the genotypes of Dolichospermum. Furthermore, 16S rRNA were analyzed to identify the genotypes of Dolichospermum that occurred in 2015 which were then compared to the reference sequence deposited at NCBI. During this period, the occurrence of Dolichospermum was highly correlated to water temperature. In the year 2012 and 2013, Dolichospermum appeared in Lake Cheongpyeong (CP), Sambong (SB), and Lake Paldang (P2) between July and August. However, in 2014, it appeared in SB and P2, but not in CP. This reduction in appearance was attributed to the decreased inflow to Lake Uiam as a result of low rainfall in 2014 as compared to 2012. In July 2015, the Dolichospermum 16S rRNA genotype was confirmed in five locations; Lake Cheongpyeong (CP), Seojong (SJ), Songchon Sewage Treatment Plant (SC), Joan (P4), and Lake Paldang (PD). Anabaena crassa of spiral clone, A. planctonica of linear clone, and A. circinalis of spiral clone exhibited high genetic similarity with the reference sequence. The 16r RNA genotype showed approximately 3 % sequence variation between the locations and were more similar to each other in locations that were closer.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.432-439
• /
• 2021

Microbial community plays important roles in the culture environment of mud crab Scylla serrata. One of the environmental management efforts for the cultivation of S.serrata is by stabilizing microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycle process. The availability of dissolved inorganic nitrogen in its culture environment under a recirculating system closely relates to the nitrogen cycle, which involves both anaerobic and aerobic bacterial activities. Anaerobically, there are two major nitrogen compound degradation processes, i.e., denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). This study aimed to identify denitrifying and DNRA bacteria isolated from the recirculating cultivation of S. serrata. The water samples were collected from anaerobic filters called close filter system, which is anaerobically conditioned with the addition of varying physical filter materials in the recirculating mud crab cultures. The results showed that three denitrifying bacterial isolates and seven DNRA bacterial isolates were successfully identified. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene of the denitrifying bacteria revealed that HIB_7a had the closest similarity to Stenotrophomonas daejeonensis strain MJ03. Meanwhile, DNRA bacterial isolate of HIB_92 showed a 100% similarity to Bacillus sonorensis strain N3, Bacillus vallismortis strain VITS-17, Bacillus tequlensis strain TY5, Geobacillus sp. strain DB24, Bacillus subtilis strain A1, and Bacillus mojavensis strain SSRAI21. This study provides basic information denitrifying and DNRA bacterial isolates identity which might have the potential to be applied as probiotics in aquaculture systems in order to maintain optimal environmental conditions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2021

Helminth infections are prevalent in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in remote mountainous villages of northern Lao PDR. During the dry season in January 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 remote mountainous villages in Oudomxay province, Lao PDR. Villagers older than 18 years of age who agreed to submit stool samples or undergo an interview, were recruited. Stool samples from 198 individuals were examined by the Kato-Katz method, and a questionnaire surveyed 161 individuals among them. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with the intestinal helminthiasis. An overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 75.8%. Hookworm infection was the most common (63.1%), followed by Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (17.7%), Taenia spp. (15.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0%). Questionnaire analysis revealed sex (male) and absence of latrine to be significant risk factors for hookworm infection and consumption of raw meat for taeniasis. These results suggest that the mountainous area in northern Lao PDR has a different composition of helminth infections from other studies conducted in Lao PDR; a high prevalence of hookworm infection and taeniasis and low prevalence of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides infections were observed. Also, liver flukes or intestinal flukes were similarly prevalent in the mountainous area.