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Crossbreeding and parental lineage influences the diversity and community structure of rice seed endophytes

  • Walitang, Denver I.;Halim, MD Abdul;Kang, Yeongyeong;Kim, Yongheon;Sa, Tongmin
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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    • 2017.06a
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    • pp.161-161
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    • 2017
  • Seed endophytes are very remarkable groups of bacteria for their unique abilities of being vertically transmitted and conserved. As plants attain hybrid vigor and heterosis in the process of crossbreeding, this might also lead to the changes in the community structure and diversity of plant endophytes in the hybrid plants ultimately affecting the endophytes of the seeds. It would be interesting to characterize how seed endophyte composition change over time. The objective of this study is to gain insights into the influence of natural crossbreeding and parental lineage in the seed bacterial endophytic communities of two pure inbred lines exploring contributions of the two most important sources of plant endophytes - colonization from external sources and vertical transmission via seeds. Total genomic DNA was isolated from rice seeds and bacterial DNA was selectively amplified by PCR. The diversity of endophytic bacteria was studied through Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. Diversity between the original parents and the pure inbred line may show significant differences in terms of richness, evenness and diversity indices. Heat maps reveal astonishing contributions of both or either parents (IR29 ${\times}$ Pokkali and AT401 ${\times}$ IR31868) in the shaping of the bacterial seed endophytes of the hybrid, FL478 and IC32, respectively. Most of the T-RFs of the subsequent pure inbred line could be traced to any or both of the parents. Comparison of common and genotype-specific T-RFs of parents and their offspring reveals that majority of the T-RFs are shared suggesting higher transmission of bacterial communities common to both parents. The parents influence the bacterial community of their offspring. Unique T-RFs of the offspring also suggest external sources of colonization particularly as the seeds are cultivated in different ecogeographical locations. This study showed that host parental lines contributed greatly in the shaping of bacterial seed endophytes of their offspring. It also revealed transmission and potential conservation of core seed bacterial endophytes that generally become the dominant microbiota in the succeeding generations of plant hosts.

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Comparision on the Habitual Practice of Dietary Life in Korea and Japan (식생활(食生活) 관행(慣行)에 관한 한.일(韓.日) 양국(兩國)의 비교(比較))

  • Kim, Hye-Ja;Park, Jung-Soon;Haruta, Kazuko
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.11-21
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    • 1994
  • This study was conducted to find out the successive habitual practice of dietary life and all the educational tasks for the purpose of activating with female college students in Korea and Japan. The reesults are as follows. Housewives in both countries prepare ${\ulcorner}the\;same\;menu{\lrcorner}$ for dinner about 65%. ${\ulcorner}The\;rate\;of\;domestic\;manufacturing\;of\;preservated\;food\;{\lrcorner}$ is superior in Korea. ${\ulcorner}Goch'ujang{\lrcorner}$ is made by the 92% of Koreans, ${\ulcorner}Doenjang{\lrcorner}\;89%,\;{\ulcorner}Ganjang{\lrcorner}\;48%,\;{\ulcorner}Oiji{\lrcorner}\;44%\;and\;{\ulcorner}Kimchi{\lrcorner}\;40%.\;{\ulcorner}Umeboshi{\lrcorner}$ is made by the 65% of Japanese, ${\ulcorner}Rakkyo-Zuke{\lrcorner}\;37%,\;{\ulcorner}Kajitsu-syu{\lrcorner}\;40%,\;and\;{\ulcorner}Miso{\lrcorner}$ 27%. Two countries' common seasonings are ${\ulcorner}Ganjang{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}Salt{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}Chemical\;condiment{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}Sugar{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}Pepper{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}Doenjang${\lrcorner}\;and\;{\ulcorner}Vinegar{\lrcorner}$. Koreans use the traditional seasonings, and in addition flavoring vegetables and oil which is Korea's own characteristic. Japanese use western seasonings frequently besides traditional seasonings. ${\ulcorner}Mother's\;representative\;food{\lrcorner}$ as home dish are conscentrated on each count's native food. ${\ulcorner}Kimch'i\;lyu{\lrcorner}$ is made by the 42% of Koreans, ${\ulcorner}Doenjangchigae{\lrcorner}\;39%,\;{\ulcorner}Dakgangjong{\lrcorner}\;31%,\;and\;{\ulcorner}Saongsonmaeuntang{\lrcorner}\;19%.\;{\ulcorner}Misoshiru{\lrcorner}$ is made by the 83% of Japanese, ${\ulcorner}Nishime{\lrcorner}\;76%\;and\;{\ulcorner}Nikujaga{\lrcorner}$ 38%. Korea has more diverse kinds of food. People eat out ${\ulcorner}when\;they\;have\;special\;home \;events{\lrcorner},\;{\ulcorner}when\;they\;would\;like\;to\;do{\lrcorner},\;and\;{\ulcorner}when\;they\;are\;going\;out{\lrcorner}$, It means that to eat out is one of the daily dinning styles. Therefore, for those who are engaged in eating house business it is necessary to form their righteous view of evaluation. Koreans learn more various items of table manner than Japan, which are the symbols of dietary culture. ${\ulcorner}Carriage{\lrcorner}\;and\;{\ulcorner}Eating\;politely{\lrcorner}$ are common items. The extent to which ${\ulcorner}people\;practice\;table\;manner{\lrcorner}$ and to which ${\ulcorner}people\;think\;of\;it\;as\;being\;worth\;practicing{\lrcorner}$ are high in Japan than Korea.

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COMPARISON OF THE GROWTH RATES OF THREE STRAINS OF COMMON CARP, CYPRINUS CARPIO (잉어 3품종의 성장비교)

  • KIM In-Bae;JO Jae Yoon
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.8 no.4
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    • pp.222-224
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    • 1975
  • Three strains of common carp, i. e. , Israeli carp, red-and-white, and golden strains, were stocked in the same pond, and their growth rates were compared with following results: From August 12 to November 21 in 1975, fingerlings of the three strains of common carp, Cyprinus carpo, each weighing about 0.5 g with total length of 2 to 3 cm, were stocked. The pond had an area of $316m^2$ with a mean water depth of 55cm, and the bottom was covered with a 20 to 30 cm thick layer of silt containing a considerable amount of decaying organic materials. Feed given was prepared with equal amounts of fish meal and polished barley, of which, in addition, $10\%$ green grass and $1\%$ table salt were mixed together when prepared into paste feed using a chopper after boiling the barley. Total protein content of the feed was $34.9\%$ in dry state with $5\%$ moisture content. Total feed given was 30.08 kg calculated in dry state to produce 20.588 kg of the common carp fingerlings, thus the feed coefficient being 1.51. By strains, the harvested Israeli carp ranged 98 to 311g each with a mean weight of $172.69g(100\%)$, red-and-white strain 15 to 318g with mean of $104.1g(60.3\%)$, and the golden strain 30 to 268g with mean of $128.7g(74.6\%)$. During the rearing season mean water temperature was $23.9^{\circ}C$ and the assumed main growth period with the water temperature above $15^{\circ}C$ was, upto the end of October, for 80 days with a mean water temperature of $23.9^{\circ}C$. Taking this main growth period as the basis for growth rate analysis, the mean daily increments, expressed as the attained body weight in times of the starting weight, become 1.075786 times (or the Israeli strain, 1.06901 times for the red-and-white strain, and 1.07185 times for the golden strain.

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A Study on the Nutritive Value and Utilization of Powdered Seaweeds (해조의 식용분말화에 관한 연구)

  • Yu, Jong-Yull;Lee, Ki-Yull;Kim, Sook-Hee
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.15-37
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    • 1975
  • I. Subject of the study A study on the nutritive value and utilization of powdered seaweeds. II. Purpose and Importance of the study A. In Korea the shortage of food will be inevitable by the rapidly growing population. It will be very important study to develop a new food from the seaweeds which were not used hitherto for human consumption. B. The several kinds of seaweeds have been used by man in Korea mainly as side-dishes. However, a properly powdered seaweed will enable itself to be a good supplement or mixture to certain cereal flours. C. By adding the powdered seaweed to any cereals which have long been staple foods in this country the two fold benefits; saving of cereals and change of dietary pattern, will be secured. III. Objects and scope of the study A. Objects of the study The objects will come under four items. 1. To develop a powdered seaweed as a new food from the seaweeds which have been not used for human consumption. 2. To evaluate the nutritional quality of the products the analysis for chemical composition and animal feeding experiment will be conducted. 3. Experimental cocking and accepability test will be conducted for the powdered products to evaluate the value as food stuff. 4. Sanitary test and also economical analysis will be conducted for the powdered products. B. Scope of the study 1. Production of seaweed powders Sargassum fulvellum growing in eastern coast and Sargassum patens C.A. in southern coast were used as the material for the powders. These algae, which have been not used for human consumption, were pulverized through the processes of washing, drying, pulverization, etc. 2. Nutritional experiments a. Chemical composition Proximate components (water, protein, fat, cellulose, sugar, ash, salt), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine), vitamins (A, $B_1,\;B_2$ niacin, C) and amino acids were analyzed for the seaweed powders. b. Animal feeding experiment Weaning 160 rats (80 male and 80 female rats) were used as experimental animals, dividing them into 16 groups, 10 rats each group. Each group was fed for 12 weeks on cereal diet (Wheat flour, rice powder, barley powder, potato powder, corn flour) with the supplementary levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of the seaweed powder. After the feeding the growth, feed efficiency ratio, protain efficiency ratio and ,organs weights were checked and urine analysis, feces analysis and serum analysis were also conducted. 3. Experimental cooking and acceptability test a. Several basic studies were conducted to find the characteristics of the seaweed powder. b. 17 kinds of Korean dishes and 9 kinds of foreign dishes were prepared with cereal flours (wheat, rice, barley, potato, corn) with the supplementary levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of the seaweed powder. c. Acceptability test for the dishes was conducted according to plank's Form. 4. Sanitary test The heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, Hg) in the seaweed powders were determined. 5. Economical analysis The retail price of the seaweed powder was compared with those of other cereals in the market. And also economical analysis was made from the nutritional point of view, calculating the body weight gained in grams per unit price of each feeding diet. IV. Results of the study and the suggestion for application A. Chemical composition 1. There is no any big difference in proximate components between powders of Sargassum fulvellum in eastern coast and Sargassum patens C.A. in southern coast. Seasonal difference is also not significant. Higher levels of protein, cellulose, ash and salt were found in the powders compared with common cereal foods. 2. The levels of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in the powders were significantly higher than common cereal foods and also rich in iodine (I). Existence of vitamin A and vitamin C in the Powders is different point from cereal foods. Vitamin $B_1\;and\;B_2$ are also relatively rich in the powders.'Vitamin A in ·Sargassum fulvellum is high and the levels of some minerals and vitamins are seemed4 to be some influenced by seasons. 3. In the amino acid composition methionine, isoleucine, Iysine and valine are limiting amino acids. The protein qualities of Sargassum fulvellum and Sargassum patens C.A. are seemed to be .almost same and generally ·good. Seasonal difference in amino acid composition was found. B. Animal feeding experiment 1. The best growth was found at.10% supplemental level of the seaweed Powder and lower growth rate was shown at 30% level. 2. It was shown that 15% supplemental level of the Seaweed powder seems to fulfil, to some extent the mineral requirement of the animals. 3. No any changes were found in organs development except that, in kidney, there found decreasing in weight by increasing the supplemental level of the seaweed powder. 4. There is no any significant changes in nitrogen retention, serum cholesterol, serum calcium and urinary calcium in each supplemental level of the seaweed powder. 5. In animal feeding experiment it was concluded that $5%{\sim}15%$ levels supplementation of the seaweed powder are possible. C. Experimental cooking and acceptability test 1. The seaweed powder showed to be utilized more excellently in foreign cookings than in Korean cookings. Higher supplemental level of seaweed was passible in foreign cookings. 2. Hae-Jo-Kang and Jeon-Byung were more excellent than Song-Pyun, wheat cake, Soo-Je-Bee and wheat noodle. Hae-Je-Kang was excellent in its quality even as high as 5% supplemental level. 3. The higher levels of supplementation were used the more sticky cooking products were obtained. Song-Pyun and wheat cake were palatable and lustrous in 2% supplementation level. 4. In drop cookie the higher levels of supplementation, the more crisp product was obtained, compared with other cookies. 5. Corn cake, thin rice gruel, rice gruel and potato Jeon-Byung were more excellent in their quality than potato Man-Doo and potato noodle. Corn cake, thin rice gruel and rice gruel were excellent even as high as 5% supplementation level. 6. In several cooking Porducts some seaweed-oder was perceived in case of 3% or more levels of supplementation. This may be much diminished by the use of proper condiments. D. Sanitary test It seems that there is no any heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, Hg) problem in these seaweed Powders in case these Powders are used as supplements to any cereal flours E. Economical analysis The price of the seaweed powder is lower than those of other cereals and that may be more lowered when mass production of the seaweed powder is made in future. The supplement of the seaweed powder to any cereals is also economical with the criterion of animal growth rate. F. It is recommended that these seaweed powders should be developed and used as supplement to any cereal flours or used as other food material. By doing so, both saving of cereals and improvement of individual's nutrition will greatly be achieved. It is also recommended that the feeding experiment for men would be conducted in future.

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A METHOD OF CAPABILITY EVALUATION FOR KOREAN PADDY SOILS -Part 2. The rice yield prediction by soil fertility constituents and other characters (한국(韓國) 답토양(畓土壤)의 생산력(生産力) 평가방법에 관한 연구 -2 보(報)·비옥도(肥沃度) 구성인자(構成因子) 및 기타(其他) 특성(特性)에 의(依)한 쌀수확량(收穫量)의 추정(推定))

  • Hong, Ki-Chang;Maeng, Do-Won;Kazutake, Kyuma;Hisao, Furukawa;Suh, Yoon-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.15-23
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    • 1979
  • In the first paper of the series the five soil fertility factors were evaluated by means of principal component analysis and varimax method. They are interpreted as representing, 1) skeletal available phosporus status, 2) organnic matter status, 3) salt status 4) base status, and 5) free oxide status. In order to resynthesize such fragmented information for the overall soil fertility evaluation, the method of multiple regression analysis was adopted, using the five factor scores and yield data for Korean paddy soils as independent and dependent variables respectively. As test of linear models with different combinations of independent variables the results of t-test of regression coefficient were revealed that the organic matter status (FII) has no relevance to the yield of paddy and that the free oxides and salt supply has by it self only an insignificant contribution to the yield. The multiple correlation coefficient (R) revealed its multiple regression analysis was as low as 0.43. Introduction of quadratic terms to the linear model bettered the result. Thus multiple correlation coefficient (R) was increased as 0.59. Therefore, a coefficient of determination 0.35 was obtained by a quadratic model with interaction terms among the five fertility constituents. Generally we think that the fertility factor has more contribution to raise the rice yield in paddy and that the failure of yield prediction by fertility factor scores was caused by one of follows; 1) the roughness of the yield inspection, and 2) missextraction of fertility constituents. The second step in this study, assuming that the residuals by multiple regression analysis were due to factors other than soil fertility, we can now proceed to predicting the yield from the field characters with the classified fertility groups by means of Hayashi's theory of quantification No. 1. Such variables as fertility groups (FTYG), water availability (WATER), soil drainage (DRNG), climatic zone (CLIZ), surface soil's stickiness (STCKT), surface soil's dry consistence (DCNST), and surface soil's texture (FTEXT) are taken up as the explanatory variables. The quantification appears reasonable; the well to extremely well in soil drainage, very sticky of surface soil, inefficiency in water availability, coarse texture, and very hard to extremely hard dry consistence in soil are detrimental to the rice yield. The R was as high as 0.90 for the set of variables. But the given explanatory variables in this study were not quite effective in explaining rice yield. The method developed seems to be promising only if properly collected data are available. Conditions that should be satisfied in the yield inspection obtained from common cultivator for the purpose of deriving a prediction equation were put forward.

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Ecophysiological Characteristics of Chenopodiaceous Plants - An Approach through Inorganic and Organic Solutes - (명아주과 식물의 생리생태학적 특성 - 무기 및 유기용질을 통한 접근 -)

  • Choo, Yeon-Sik;Song, Seung-Dal
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.397-406
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    • 2000
  • In order to clarify the ecophysiological characteristics of Chenopodiaceae which widely distribute on saline and arid habitats, we collected 10 chenopodiaceous plant species, examined their inorganic and organic solute patterns, and confirmed several common physiological characteristics. In spite of high soil Ca/sup 2+/ contents, chenopodiaceous plants had a little water-soluble Ca within cells, but contained high contents of acid-soluble Ca particularly as a result of Ca-oxalate formation. These plant species also showed accumulation of inorganic ions such as K/sup +/, NO₃/sup -/ and Cl/sup -/, and Na/sup +/especially in saline habitats instead of K/sup +/ Meanwhile, with respect to nitrogen metabolism they retained high N contents in leaves, but showed very low amino acid contents. Additionally, they contained very little proline known to act as a cytoplasmic osmolyte. To ascertain whether this physiological characteristics in the field also can be found under controlled conditions, 7 chenopodiaceous plants (Atriplex gmelini, Corispermum stauntonii, Salicornia herbacea, Suaeda aspayagoides, Suaeda japonica, Chenopodium album var. centrorubrum, C. serotinum) were selected and cultivated under salt treatments. As well as field-grown plants, selected plant species showed similar solute pattern in growth experiment. In summary, the family of Chenopodiaceae represents the following physiological properties; high storage capacity for inorganic ions (especially alkali cations, nitrate and chloride), oxalate synthesis to maintain lower soluble Ca contents within cytoplasm, and low contents of amino acids. In addition to some characteristics mentioned above, the physiological plasticities of Chenopodiaceae which can properly regulate their ion and solute pattern according to soil conditions may enable its representative to grow in dry sand dune and salt marsh habitats.

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Chemical Properties of Rainwater in Suwon and Taean Area during Farming Season (수원 및 태안지역 영농기 강우의 화학적 특성)

  • Lee Jong Sik;Jung Goo Bok;Shin Joung Du;Kim Jin Ho
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.250-255
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    • 2004
  • This study was carried out to investigate the chemical properties of rainwater in the Suwon and Taean areas. Rainwater was collected during the farming seasons of 2002 and 2003. The number of samples collected in Suwon and Taean were 69 and 71, respectively. These were analyzed for chemical composition. The pH of samples collected in April was higher than those collected after June. The most common range of rainwater pH was 5.0-5.6 in Suwon and 4.5-5.0 in Taean during investigation periods. The neutralization capacity of rainwater acidity by $Ca^{2+}$ and N $H_4$$^{+}$ was decreased during the rainy season. The EC of rainwater was lower during the rainy season. Cation concentrations in rainwater were N $H_4$$^{+}$ > $H^{+}$ > $Ca^{2+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ > $K^{+}$ in Suwon and $Ca^{2+}$ > N $H_4$$^{+}$ > $H^{+}$ > $K^{+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ in Taean. In the case of anion, the order was sol > N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ > C $I^{[-10]}$ in Suwon and S $O_4$$^{2-}$ > C $I^{[-10]}$ > N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ in Taean. The mean values of sulfate in rainwater were 130 $\mu$eq $L^{-1}$ in Suwon and 117 $\mu$eq $L^{-1}$ in Taean. The ratio of non-sea salt sulfate to sulfate (nss-S $O_4$$^{2-}$ > S $O_4$$^{2-}$) was 89% and 88%. This implies that the major origin of sulfate in rainwater might be anthropogenic.ht be anthropogenic..

Stability of the Fat Ingredients of Deep Fried Instant Noodles, Biscuits, and Cookies (라면, 비스킷, 및 쿠키속의 유지성분(油脂成分)의 안전성(安定性)에 관한 연구(硏究))

  • Hu, Tae-Ryun;Kim, Dong-Hoon
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.24-29
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    • 1974
  • Deep fried instant noodles, biscuits, and cookies were prepared, using the same beef tallow as their fat ingredient. In addition to wheat flour and beef tallow, the common and major ingredients, the deep fried instant noodle contained 1.5% salt before frying, the biscuits 20.0% sucrose and 10.0% nonfat milk solid before baking, and the cookies 20.0% sucrose before baking. The three products and a portion of beef tallow, which was to be used as control, were stored in an incubator at $47.0{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$. The peroxide value and the free fatty acid value of the control and the extracted fat were determined regularly during the storage period. The fat incorporated in the biscuits exhibited far greater stability to rancidity development than that of the control with regard to both peroxide value and free fatty acid value development. However, the fat incorporated in the deep fried instant noodles and the cookies showed much poorer stability than that of the control. Factors like a deep frying process and/or the presence of a significant amount of salt in the deep fried instant noodles appeared to promote the rancidity development of the fat incorporated in the product. On the other hand, Maillard type browning reaction products in the biscuits seemed to retard effectively the rancidity development of the fat incorporated in the product.

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A Diagnostic Algorithm after Newborn Screening for 21-hydroxylase Deficiency (선천성 부신 과형성증(21-hydroxylase 결핍)의 신생아 선별 검사 후 진단 알고리즘)

  • Cho, Sung Yoon;Ko, Jung Min;Lee, Kyung-A
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.70-78
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    • 2016
  • 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), most common form of congenial adrenal hyperplasia, is categorized into classical forms, including the salt-wasting (SW) and the simple virilizing (SV) types, and nonclassical (NC) forms based on the severity of the disease. Newborn screening for 21-OHD has been performed in Korea since 2006. $17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) is a marker for 21-OHD and is measured using a radioimmunoassay or a fluoroimmunoassay. Premature and low birth weight infants are likely to give false positive 17-OHP findings, therefore, cutoff values for these infants should be determined based on gestational weeks or birth weight. ACTH simulation test is helpful when the 17-OHP shows equivocal increase, and it is gold standard for diagnosis of NC type. Recently, liquid chromatography linked with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for rapid, highly specific, and sensitive analysis of multiple analytes. Molecular analysis of CYP21A2 is useful for confirming diagnosis of mild SV or NC type, predicting prognoses, and genetic counseling. In order to make newborn screening for 21-OHD more efficient, early detection of boy with SW type, early determination of girl with ambiguous genitalia, detection of NC type, and overcoming of false positive in premature and low birth weight infants should be considered. Above all, early treatment should be started when the patient is suspected as having 21- OHD clinically before confirming the diagnosis to prevent adrenal crisis. Here, author reviewed recent articles of guideline and proposed guideline for 21-OHD.

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Biology and Health Aspects of Molds in Foods and the Environment

  • Bullerman, Lloyd-B.
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.359-366
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    • 1993
  • Molds are eucaryotic, multicellular, multinucleate, filamentous organisms that reproduce by forming asexual and sexual spores. The spores are readily spread through the air and because they are very light-weight and tend to behave like dust particles, they are easily disseminated on air currents. Molds therefore are ubiquitous organisms that are found everywhere, throughout the environment. The natural habitat of most molds is the soil where they grow on and break down decaying vegetable matter. Thus, where there is decaying organic matter in an area, there are often high numbers of mold spores in the atmosphere of the environment. Molds are common contaminants of plant materials, including grains and seeds, and therefore readily contaminate human foods and animal feeds. Molds can tolerate relatively harsh environments and adapt to more severe stresses than most microorganisms. They require less available moisture for growth than bacteria and yeasts and can grow on substrates containing concentrations of sugar or salt that bacteria can not tolerate. Most molds are highly aerobic, requiring oxygen for growth. Molds grow over a wide temperature range, but few can grow at extremely high temperatures. Molds have simple nutritional requirements, requiring primarily a source of carbon and simple organic nitrogen. Because of this, molds can grow on many foods and feed materials and cause spoilage and deterioration. Some molds ran produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins, which are toxic to humans and animals. Mold growth in foods can be controlled by manipulating factors such as atmosphere, moisture content, water activity, relative humidity and temperature. The presence of other microorganisms tends to restrict mold growth, especially if conditions are favorable for growth of bacteria or yeasts. Certain chemicals in the substrate may also inhibit mold growth. These may be naturally occurring or added for the purpose of preservation. Only a relatively few of the approximately 100,000 different species of fungi are involved in the deterioration of food and agricultural commodities and production of mycotoxins. Deteriorative and toxic mold species are found primarily in the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Trichothecium, Trichoderma, Rhizopus, Mucor and Cladosporium. While many molds can be observed as surface growth on foods, they also often occur as internal contaminants of nuts, seeds and grains. Mold deterioration of foods and agricultural commodities is a serious problem world-wide. However, molds also pose hazards to human and animal health in the form of mycotoxins, as infectious agents and as respiratory irritants and allergens. Thus, molds are involved in a number of human and animal diseases with serious implication for health.

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