• Title/Summary/Keyword: Space biology

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First Occurrence of a Pleuronectid Atheresthes evermanni (Pleuronectiformes) from the Middle East Sea, Korea (한국 동해 중부 해역에서 채집된 가자미과(Pleuronectidae) 어류 첫기록종, Atheresthes evermanni)

  • Park, Jeong-Ho;Jang, Yo-Soon;Kim, Jin-Koo
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.245-250
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    • 2020
  • Two specimens (407~438 mm in standard length) of a pleuronectid Atheresthes evermanni were collected by a gill-net from the coastal waters off Goseong-gun, middle East Sea of Korea. These specimens are characterized by a large mouth, narrow interorbital space, invisible eye at blind side, long and slender gill rakers, emarginated caudal fin, and almost straight lateral line. This is the first record of A. evermanni in Korean waters; we therefore add it to the Korean fish fauna and propose new Korean name, "Hwa-sal-chi-ga-ja-mi-sog" for the genus and "Hwa-sal-chi-ga-ja-mi" for the species, respectively.

Crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis of the PH-like domain of lipid transfer protein anchored at membrane contact sites from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  • Tong, Junsen;Im, Young Jun
    • Biodesign
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.136-140
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    • 2017
  • Lam6 is a member of sterol-specific ${\underline{l}ipid$ transfer proteins ${\underline{a}}nchored$ at ${\underline{m}ebrane$ contact sites (LAMs). Lam6 localizes to the ER-mitochondria contact sites by its PH-like domain and the C-terminal transmembrane helix. Here, we purified and crystallized the Lam6 PH-like domain from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To aid crystallization of the Lam6 PH-like domain, T4 lysozyme was fused to the N-terminus of the Lam6 PH-like domain with a short dipeptide linker, GlySer. The fusion protein was crystallized under the condition of 0.1 M HEPES-HCl pH 7.0, 10% (w/v) PEG 8000, and 0.1 M $Na_3$ Citrate at 293K. X-ray diffraction data of the crystals were collected to $2.4{\AA}$ resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group $P2_12_12_1$ with unit cell parameters $a=59.5{\AA}$, $b=60.1{\AA}$, and $c=105.6{\AA}$. The asymmetric unit contains one T4L-Lam6 molecule with a solvent content of 58.7%. The initial attempt to solve the structure by molecular replacement using the T4 lysozyme structure was successful.

Purification and preliminary analysis of the ATP-dependent unfoldase HslU from the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus

  • Jeong, Soyeon;Ha, Nam-Chul;Kwon, Ae-Ran
    • Biodesign
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.96-99
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    • 2018
  • The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of abscesses, sinusitis and food poisoning. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has caused significant clinical issues worldwide. The HslU-HslV complex was first identified as a prokaryotic homolog of eukaryotic proteasomes. HslU is an unfoldase that mediates the unfolding of the substrate proteins, and it works with the protease HslV in the complex. To date, the protein complex has been mostly studied in gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we report the purification and crystallization of the full-length HslU from S. aureus. The crystal diffracted X-rays to a $3.5{\AA}$ resolution, revealing that the crystals belong to space group $P2_1$, with unit cell parameters of a = 166.5, b = 189.6, $c=226.6{\AA}$, and ${\beta}=108.1^{\circ}$. We solved the phage problem by molecular replacement using the structure of HslU from Haemophilus influenzae as a search model. The cell content analysis with this molecular replacement solution revealed that 24 molecules are contained in the asymmetric unit. This structure provides insight into the structural and mechanistic difference of the HslUV complex of gram-positive bacteria.

First Record of Adults of Prosimulium and Twinnia (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Korea

  • Kim, Sam-Kyu
    • Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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    • v.36 no.4
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    • pp.285-295
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    • 2020
  • Adults of Prosimulium kiotoense and Twinnia japonensis were collected and reported from Korea for the first time. Since adult black flies are notorious for morphological homogeneity particularly in female, larval and pupal characters have been mainly used to identify them. Adults of P. kiotoense can be identified by the following combination of characteristics: Adult, wing with radial sector (Rs) branched into R2+3 and R4+5; hind leg basitarsus without calcipala; first tarsomere without pedisulcus. Female, claw without basal thumblike lobe; hypogenial valve elongate, convex, heavily sclerotized medially, posterior end touching each other, space between valves rhomboid. Male, claw with basal thumblike lobe; ventral plate keel shaped; gonostylus with 2-3 spinules. Adults and pupa of T. japonensis can be identified by the following combination of characteristics: Adult, antenna with 7 flagellomeres. Female, hypogenial valve broad, posterior end of valve not touching each other; cercus elongate, subquadrate; spermatheca slightly wider and long, round. Male, claw with basal thumblike lobe; gonostylus with 1 spinule; ventral plate flat. Pupa, gill of 16 filaments, arising from 3 swollen stalks; abdominal tergites without spine combs except tergites III and IV with small recurved hooks; terminal spine well developed, wavy shaped.

Cloning, expression, purification, and crystallization of Xoo0878, β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (FabH), from Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

  • Ngo, Ho-Phuong-Thuy;Nguyen, Diem-Quynh;Kim, Seunghwan;Kim, Jeong-Gu;Ahn, Yeh-Jin;Kang, Lin-Woo
    • Biodesign
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.35-37
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    • 2019
  • Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a plant pathogen, which causes a bacterial blight of rice. The bacterial blight is one of the most devastating diseases of rice in most of the rice growing countries and there is no effective pesticide against bacterial blight. The β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (FabH) plays a key role in fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and is a promising drug target for the development of antibacterial agents. Xoo0878 gene, a fabH gene, from Xoo was cloned and its gene product Xoo0878 was expressed, purified and crystallized. Xoo0878 crystal diffracted to 2.1Å resolution and belonged to the triclinic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 57.3Å, b = 64.7Å, c = 104.2Å and α = 81.6°, β = 84.7°, γ = 74.4°. There are four monomers in the asymmetric unit, with a corresponding crystal volume per protein weight of 2.65 Å3 Da-1 and a solvent content of 53.6%. Xoo0878 structure will be useful to develop new antibacterial agents against Xoo.

Fatal Peritonitis associated with Pasteurella multocida in an Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus)

  • Kyung-Seok Na;Hyoung-Seok Yang;Won-Hee Hong;Jae-Hoon Kim
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.41 no.1
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    • pp.54-59
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    • 2024
  • A 12-year-old female small-clawed Asian otter (Anoyx cinereus) with a one-week history of anorexia, chills, and abdominal distension was found dead. Grossly, yellowish-brown turbid fluids accumulated in abdominal cavity of the otter, and yellowish thread-like fibrinous materials were found on the surface of abdominal organs. Several variable sized yellowish-white crystalloids were scattered on the medullary space of kidneys. Histologically, diffuse serositis (peritonitis) characterized by the fibrinous exudates, thickened serosal capsule and the swelling of mesothelial cells were observed in the serosa of liver, spleen, stomach, and intestine. Multifocal necrosis, hemorrhage, infiltration of macrophage, and brown pigments were presented in the liver. Isolated bacteria from ascites and fibrinous materials in abdominal visceral surface were white, smooth and convex with characteristic mousy odor on blood agar plate. These bacteria were confirmed as Pasteurella (P.) multocida type A by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Based on the gross examination, histopathologic findings and bacterial experiments, this otter was diagnosed as severe peritonitis associated with P. multocida and necrotic hepatitis.

An anatomical investigation of the suboccipital- and inferior suboccipital triangles

  • Kirsten Shannon Regan;Gerda Venter
    • Anatomy and Cell Biology
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    • v.56 no.3
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    • pp.350-359
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    • 2023
  • The suboccipital triangle (ST) is a clinically relevant landmark in the posterior aspect of the neck and is used to locate and mobilize the horizontal segment of the third part of the vertebral artery before it enters the cranium. Unfortunately, this space is not always a viable option for vertebral artery exposition, and consequently a novel triangle, the inferior suboccipital triangle (IST) has been defined. This alternative triangle will allow surgeons to locate the artery more proximally, where its course is more predictable. The purpose of this study was to better define the anatomy of both triangles by measuring their borders and calculating their areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Pretoria (reference number: 222/2021) and both triangles were subsequently dissected out on both the left and right sides of 33 formalin-fixed human adult cadavers. The borders of each triangle were measured using a digital calliper and the areas were calculated using Herons Formula. The average area of the ST is 969.82±153.15 mm2, while the average area of the IST is 307.48±41.31 mm2. No statistically significant differences in the findings were observed between the sides of the body, ancestry, or sex of the cadavers. Measurement and analysis of these triangles provided important anatomical information and speak to their clinical relevance as surgical landmarks with which to locate the vertebral artery. Of particular importance here is the IST, which allows for mobilisation of this artery more proximally, should the ST be occluded.

Ultrastructure of the fertilized egg envelope from Melanotaenia praecox, Melanotaeniidae, Teleostei

  • Joon Hyung Sohn;Dong Heui Kim
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.51
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    • pp.3.1-3.6
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    • 2021
  • We examined the morphology of fertilized egg and ultrastructures of fertilized egg envelopes of dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) belong to Melanotaeniidae using light and electron microscopes. The fertilized eggs were spherical with adhesive filament, transparent, demersal, and had a narrow perivitelline space and small oil droplets. The size of fertilized egg was 1.02 ± 0.18 mm (n = 30), and there were two kinds of adhesive filament on the fertilized eggs. The long and thick (diameter 12.22 ± 0.52 ㎛, n = 20) adhesive filaments were only at the area of animal pole, and short and thin (diameter 1.99 ± 0.23 ㎛, n = 20) adhesive filaments were around the long filaments. A micropyle was conical shaped with adhesive filament and located near the animal pole of egg. The outer surface of fertilized egg was rough side. Also, the total thickness of the fertilized egg envelope was about 7.46 ± 0.41 ㎛ (n = 20), the fertilized egg envelope consisted of two layers, an inner lamellae layer and an outer layer with high electron-density. And the inner layer was 8 layers. Collectively, these morphological characteristics and adhesive property of fertilized egg with adhesive filaments, and ultrastructures of micropyle, outer surface, and section of fertilized egg envelope are showed species specificity.

Spatial Distribution and Dynamics of Vegetation on a Gravel Bar: Case Study in the Bangtae Stream (자갈 하중주에서 식생의 공간 분포 및 동태: 방태천의 사례)

  • Pee, Jung-Hun;Kim, Hye-Soo;Kim, Gyung-Soon;Oh, Woo-Seok;Koo, Bon-Yoel;Lee, Chang-Seok
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.215-224
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    • 2013
  • We clarified the background for establishment of vegetation by comparing the spatial distribution maps of vegetation and substrate on a gravel bar in the Bangtae stream located on Inje-gun of Gangwon-do, the central eastern Korea. The total vegetation coverage was higher in the interior and lower in the marginal parts of the gravel bar. Spatial distribution of vegetation on the longitudinal section of the gravel bar tended to be arranged in the order of shrub, subtree, and tree dominated vegetation types from the front (upstream) toward the rear (downstream) parts. Coverage of the herbaceous plants was higher in the central and rear parts and lower in the front and right parts of the gravel bar. Vegetation height was higher in the rear part and became lowered as move toward the front part. Substrate was distributed in the order of boulder, gravel, sand, and boulder from the front toward the rear parts. Ordination of stands based on vegetation data was arranged in the order of annual plant, perennial herb, shrub, and tree dominated vegetation as move from the right to the left parts on the axis I. Species richness was higher in the order of Pinus densiflora community, Phragmites japonica community, Salix gracilistyla community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla community, annual plant dominated vegetation, and Prunus padus for. padus community based on the species rank-abundance curve. The order based on the Shannon's index was some different; diversity of Phragmites japonica community and Salix gracilistyla community, which showed higher dominance degree, were low differently from species richness. In conclusion, it was evaluated that the gravel bar newly established toward the upstream and vegetation dynamics of the gravel bar seemed to follow ecosystem mechanisms of succession. As were shown in the above results, the Bangtae stream corresponded to the upstream and thereby particle size of substrate was big. Therefore, they move by rolling and are accumulated for the upstream. Vegetation types were arranged in the order of woodland, shrub-land and grassland from the rear toward the front parts of the gravel bar and thereby reflected the formation process of the bar. However, the gravel bar is disturbed frequently by not only the running water but also the suspended sand as the dynamic space. Such disturbances cause habitat diversity and consequently led to high biodiversity.

Relationship between Damage by Herbivore and Leaf Production of Oaks in the Burnt Area of the East Coastal Region, Korea (동해안의 산불피해지역에서 참나무 잎 생산량과 초식 피해의 관계)

  • Lee, Kyoung Sin;Hong, Bo Ram;Lee, Kyu Song
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.206-216
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    • 2018
  • We analyzed the effects of spatio-temporal variation in the leaf production of oaks on the density and species richness of herbivores, as well as the consumption by herbivores in the east coastal region of Korea, which is an area that has been damaged by forest fires. The main herbivore that feeds on oak leaves was moth larvae. In mid-August the insect larvae showed the highest density and species richness. Approximately 60.5% of total plant-eating insect larvae were present from August to September 2011. Oak leaf production was at its peak from July to August, and the peak damage caused by herbivores was from August to September. Depending on the investigation timing and site of the survey, oak leaf production, larval densities, and species richness showed large variations. The average production of oak leaves between July and August was estimated to be $0.96ton\;ha^{-1}$. The production of oak leaves during this period also showed spatial variations ranging from 0.34 to $1.89ton\;ha^{-1}$. In August, the consumption of oak leaves by the herbivores showed spatial variations ranging from 0.15 to $1.51ton\;ha^{-1}$. Where oak leaves had a higher yield, they tended to increase in density and species richness of the herbivores. As the production of oak leaves increased, so did the overall consumption and consumption rate by the herbivores. This means that the production of oak leaves is highly related to time and space, and there is a concentration response in which the new individuals gather. Research into the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the food sources and their effects on the higher levels of the food web can help us quantitatively understand and evaluate the structure and functions of the burnt ecosystem that is caused by forest fires.