• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.515-519
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• 2018

Triatoma rubrofasciata is a wide-spread vector of Chagas disease in Americas. In this study, we completed the mitochondrial genome sequencing of T. rubrofasciata. The total length of T. rubrofasciata mitochondrial genome was 17,150 bp with the base composition of 40.4% A, 11.6% G, 29.4% T and 18.6% C. It included 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and one control region. We constructed a phylogenetic tree on the 13 protein-coding genes of T. rubrofasciata and other 13 closely related species to show their phylogenic relationship. The determination of T. rubrofasciata mitogenome would play an important role in understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of triatomine bugs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 1998

As a first step for developing universal genetic transformation vector of dilkmoths., we identified the presence of mariner-like element(MLE) which is one of transposable element discovered from many insects to human species, from Bombyx mori, Bombyx mandarina, Antherae yammamai and Antherae pernyi. We used a degenerative primer pair designed from a transposase gene of Drosophila mauritiana and Hyalophora ceropia MLE. As results, major PCR product of 500bp expected as a part of transposase of MLE was detected from all the slkmoths used of this study using these primer. And hybridization assay using pBmoMAR as a probe DNA that was previously cloned from Bombyx mori by the same primer pair, confirmed the presence of MLE from all the silkmoths. This assay showed also that the endogenous MLE in genome of the silkworm is present as high copy number unlikely Drosophila mauritiana which has 10-20 copy number. This data will be a fundamental genetic information for developing mariner-derived vector to transform the silkmoths and other useful insects.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2004

In this study, to construct more effective retrovirus system, we compared four internal promoters (RSV: Rous sarcoma virus, UbC: Ubiquitin C, β-actin, CMV: human cytomegalovirus) in the retrovirus vector by measuring GFP (green fluorescent protein) expression. The effect of WPRE (woodchuck hepatitis virus posttrans-criptional regulatory element) sequence on transgene expression was also investigated. Experiments were conducted with cells derived from three different species (human, pig and chicken) and evaluated the activity of each promoter and the effect of WPRE sequence by fluorometry and Western blotting. In all cells tested, RSV and CMV promoters were superior to UbC and β-actin promoters, and RSV promoter was the best one in chicken cells. The boosting effect of WPRE sequence on GFP expression was evident in human and porcine cells but not in chicken cells.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2010

Fertilization increases the crop productivity and produces high quality seedlings for plantation. We quantitatively measured both physical performances and nutrient responses of Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Fraxinus mandshurica, Pinus koraiensis, and Abies holophylla seedlings, which are commercially planted species in Korea, to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization. We analyzed the growth performances by using Dickson's quality index (QI) and the nutrient status by using vector diagnosis. Nitrogen or phosphorus treatment increased height and root collar diameter growth of F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica, however, did not increase those of P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. The order of QI was N > P > K > control for F. rhynchophylla, P ${\geq}$ N > Control ${\geq}$ P for F. mandshurica, P > Control ${\geq}$ K > N for P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. In F. rhynchophylla, fertilization diluted N concentration in tissues by 5-25% because growth responses were higher than fertilization uptake. P. koraiensis and A. holophylla showed N excess showing "toxic accumulation". F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica showed P deficiency with P fertilization, however, P. koraiensis and A. holophylla showed "luxury accumulation". Vector diagnosis indicated that more fertilization was applicable for F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica, and high fertilization rates were inefficient for P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. Both QI and vector diagnosis can be applied to verify seedling quality in the light of growth responses and nutrient status in fertilization trials.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.615-623
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• 2021

Human sparganosis is a food-borne parasitic disease caused by the plerocercoids of Spirometra species. Clinical diagnosis of sparganosis is crucial for effective treatment, thus it is important to identify sensitive and specific antigens of plerocercoids. The aim of the current study was to identify and characterize the immunogenic proteins of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei plerocercoids that were recognized by patient sera. Crude soluble extract of the plerocercoids were separated using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with immunoblot and mass spectrometry analysis. Based on immunoblotting patterns and mass spectrometry results, 8 antigenic proteins were identified from the plerocercoid. Among the proteins, cysteine protease protein might be developed as an antigen for diagnosis of sparganosis.

• ALGAE
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.239-253
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• 2003

The morphotaxonomic characters of the genus Spirogyra were investigated to clarify their taxonomic category and the variation range among species on the basis of comparative morphological and numerical analyses by unialgal cultures and field samples collected from various freshwater habitats in Korea. 25 characters selected on morphological feature of the species were examined on 568 individuals for morphological comparisons and numerical analyses. Width, length and their length/width ratio of vegetative cell, shape of septum, chloroplast number, maximum width, width, length and their length/width ratio of female gametangium, length of male gametangium, size and shape of zygospore, and cell wall ornamentation of the spore showed a comparatively high vector in principal component analysis. In cluster analysis, 15 taxa analysed were divided into 8 major groups by the average taxonomic distance 1.0 level. Considering the morphology and numerical analysis, Spirogyra crassoidea could not be recognized as an independent species, therefore it was treated as a variety of S. ellipsospora. S. koreana (nom. invalidum), recognized as a new taxon, is under the investigation for its clear taxonomic category.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2015

Wuchereria bancrofti, Dirofilaria immitis, and Dirofilaria repens are filarial nematodes transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles genera. Screening by vector dissection is a tiresome technique. We aimed to screen filarial parasites in their vectors by single and multiplex PCR and evaluate the usefulness of multiplex PCR as a rapid xenomonitoring and simultaneous differentiation tool, in area where 3 filarial parasites are coexisting. Female mosquitoes were collected from 7 localities in Assiut Governorate, were microscopically identified and divided into pools according to their species and collection site. Detection of W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens using single PCR was reached followed by multiplex PCR. Usefulness of multiplex PCR was evaluated by testing mosquito pools to know which genera and species are used by filarial parasites as a vector. An overall estimated rate of infection (ERI) in mosquitoes was 0.6%; the highest was Culex spp. (0.47%). W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens could be simultaneously and differentially detected in infected vectors by using multiplex PCR. Out of 100 mosquito pools, 8 were positive for W. bancrofti (ERI of 0.33%) and 3 pools each were positive for D. immitis and D. repens (ERI 0.12%). The technique showed 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity. El-Nikhila, El-Matiaa villages, and Sahel Seleem district in Assiut Governorate, Egypt are still endemic foci for filarial parasites. Multiplex PCR offers a reliable procedure for molecular xenomonitoring of filariasis within their respective vectors in endemic areas. Therefore, it is recommended for evaluation of mosquito infection after lymphatic filariasis eradication programs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2014

There are 60 species of blood-feeding land leeches, 50 species belonging to the family Haemadipsidae and 10 species belonging to the family Xerobdellidae. Despite recent papers on the land leeches, their taxonomic identification is not fully understood, especially at a species level. In Korea, there have been no historical records of the terrestrial leeches, but recently an unrecorded blood-feeding land leech was discovered at Gageo-do (Island), Korea. Molecular analysis was used to identify the species of 29 leeches collected from Mt. Dock-Sil in Gageo-do. Conventional PCR was conducted using nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genetic marker. The 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the leeches share 99.9% identity with Haemadipsa rjukjuana (inhabiting Taiwan), and the CO1 sequences revealed that the leeches are very close to H. rjukjuana (inhabiting Taiwan). The CO1 sequences were separated into 2 categories, 1 with 94.6% and the other with 94.3% similarity to the H. rjukjuana L00115A (inhabiting Taiwan). This new finding of the land leech is the first record in Korea. In addition, the north range of the distribution of the blood-feeding leech (Hirudiniformes: Haemadipisidae) should be reconsidered including Korea.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 1990

Nematodes and insects associated with dead trees were surveyed on the 238 dead trees belonging to 19 tree species in Pusan, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Chunnam, and Chonbuk provinces from April to September of 1989. Pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was found only in Pusan but B. mucronatus was collected at Chinju and Chinhae. The 13 nematode species in 9 genera were identified. Out of them, Diplogasteroides dimidius, Rhabdontolaimus adephagus, R. janae, Mikoletzkya diluta, M. ruminis, M. langcaudaa, Parasitorhabditis hylurgi, Panagrolaimus concolor, Panagrodontus dentatus, Prothalonema intermedium, and marcrolaimus canadensis were recorded for the first time in Korea. Insects collected from dead trees were 5 orders, 9 families, 25 genera, and 27 species. of them, the Coleoptera were the most collected insects by the 3 families, 19 genera and 22 species. The Scolytidae were 12 species in 10 genera. Hypothenemus eruditus was firstly collected from Campylotropis macrocarpa, Lespedeza maximowizi, Forsythia ovata, Meliosma oldhami, Securinega suffruticosa, Broussonetia kazinoki, and Cornus walteri. The maximum number of pine wood nematode was separated from the abdomen of Monchamus alternatus, the pine woodnematode vector. The maximum number of nematodes per an adult of M. alternatus was 127,535, minimum 2,616, and average 42,817.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.439-447
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• 2018

Adult mosquito surveillance was conducted from 2013 through 2014 at four cattle sheds, a wild bird refuge, and two residential areas located in Gyeongnam Province in the Republic of Korea. Adult mosquitoes were collected in black light traps from April 1, through November 30. Mosquito surveillance was conducted to figure out population densities of vector mosquitoes, possibly invaded mosquitoes and identify various virus infections at the selected sites. A total of 107,466 females comprising 14 species and 7 genera were collected from 2013 to 2014. The most common species collected were Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (63.8%), Anopheles sinensis s.l. (18.9%), Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) (7.7%), and Culex pipiens Coquillett (5.1%). Trap indices (TIs) varied widely for species over their range, due to geographical distribution and degree of association with rural and urban communities. The most collected An. sinensiss.l. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus appeared at a cow shed in Hapcheon (TI 347.5) and a pigsty in Daejeo-1-dong, Busan (TI 1,040.8), respectively, due in part to their situation near breeding sites such as rice paddies. The bi-weekly population densities for mosquito species were variable for each of the years, apparently as a result of variable annual weather conditions. None of the mosquito species collected tested for the flavivirus including Japanese Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Zika Virus infections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were positive.