• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.523-530
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• 2008

In this study, the species composition and population genetic properties of the sea slater, Ligia, in South Korea were investigated using mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. Two groups of sea slaters, genetically isolated from each other, a Western Group (WG) and an Eastern Group (EG) were identified. These groups exhibited considerable genetic divergence from Ligia exotica, previously recorded as a species inhabiting this country. These results indicate that there may be two species of Ligia in South Korea, but there is a small probability that both groups are L. exotica. A comparison of their genetic properties indicates that WG has a higher effective population size than EG, and that EG may have experienced a recent expansion, implying that it has a shorter history in South Korea than WG. These findings suggest that the South Korean sea slater populations may have been established as a result of several colonization events that can be traced on a continental scale by phylogeographic studies of sea slaters.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.52-57
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• 2020

Bacterial symbionts are common across insects, including ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, and Cardinium, are closely associated with many aspects of host-insect life. In addition, phage WO plays an essential role in the phenotypic effects of Wolbachia. Although endosymbionts are possible biological control agents, there is a lack of knowledge of their rate of infection of ants in Korea. We tested a range of Korean ant species for the presence of Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Rickettsia, Cardinium, and phage WO by extracting DNA from the ants and using specific primer sets to test the status of infections. In addition, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene of the host ants was amplified to confirm the molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship between the hosts. We found that infection with Wolbachia (29.6% of species) is relatively common when compared with that of other endosymbionts. Only one species was infected with Spiroplasma. Infection with Rickettsia and Cardinium was not detected in the examined ants. Most Wolbachia in ants were infected with phage WO. Although the phenotypic effects of endosymbionts in ants are still unknown, this first survey of endosymbionts in Korea is the first step toward the use of reproduction-manipulating endosymbionts.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2000

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis for 29 populations (n=543) of the wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa, from Korea and Japan was peformed to assess the degree of genic variation and genetic diversity, and to understand the biogeographic pattern of distribution and speciation. A sum of 22 presumptive loci was screened from 17 enzymes and general proteins. Four loci, Aco, Est-3, Me-2, and Pgm, demonstrated high levels of polymorphism. The degree of average genetic variation of R. rugosa was P=22.7% (9.1-40.9%), Ho=0.086 (0.048-0.165) and He=0.090 (0.042-0.168). In the south-eastern region of the Korean peninsula (Chongsong, Yongchon, Ulsan, Kyongju, Pohang, yongdok and Ulchin), a few unique alleles in the Mpi locus were detected and their biogeographic implications were considered. The degree of genetic differentiation among the Korean populations was moderate (S=0.900), whereas the degree of genetic diversity between Korean and Japanese populations was notably high (S=0.687, D=0.293). This result corresponds with the data obtained by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence (Lee et al., 1999) suggesting that the Korean and Japanese R. rugosa might have evolved a specific level of genetic differentiation since their geographic isolation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2009

EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) are used as a resource for human genetic, immunological, and pharmacogenomic studies. We investigated the biological activity of 20 LCL strains during continuous long-term subculture up to a passage number of 160. Out of 20 LCL strains, 17 proliferated up to a passage number of 160, at which point LCLs are generally considered as "immortalized". The other three LCL strains lost the ability to proliferate at an average passage number of 41, during which these LCLs may have undergone cellular crisis. These non-immortal LCL strains exhibited no telomerase activity, decreased EBV gene expression, and a lower copy number of the EBV genome and mitochondrial DNA when compared with immortal LCLs. Thus, this study suggests that sustained EBV viral activity as well as telomerase activity may be required for complete LCL immortalization.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2015

Analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from Ascaris is very important for understanding the phylogenetic lineage of the parasite species. When aDNAs obtained from a Joseon tomb (SN2-19-1) coprolite in which Ascaris eggs were identified were amplified with primers for cytochrome b (cyt b) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene, the outcome exhibited Ascaris specific amplicon bands. By cloning, sequencing, and analysis of the amplified DNA, we obtained information valuable for comprehending genetic lineage of Ascaris prevalent among pre-modern Joseon peoples.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.451-456
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• 2020

This is a report of 2 cases of human hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus ortleppi in Vietnam. The patients were a 12-year-old male (case 1) having a cyst of 10.0×9.0 cm size in the lung and a 50-year-old female with a 3.0×3.3 cm-sized cyst in the heart. Eosinophilia was 33.7% in the male and 45.8% in the female patient. C-reactive protein was increased to 16.5 mg/L in the male and 18.2 mg/L in the female. Both patients were positive for ELISA at OD=2.5 and 3.1, respectively. Echinococcus protoscolices were collected from the cysts by amniocentesis and surgery. The protoscolices were identified as E. ortleppi by morphology and analysis of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) gene sequence. Both patients were cured by surgical resection of the hydatid cyst combined with albendazole medication. The E. ortleppi infection in lung is the second report, and the other in the heart is the first in Vietnam.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.612-616
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• 2006

The protective effect of water extract of ash tree leaves (ALE) against oxidative damages was investigated in paracetamol-induced BALB/c mice. Biochemical analysis of anti-oxidative enzymes, immunoblot analyses of hepatic cytochrome P450 2El (CYP2E1), and the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$) were examined to determine the extract's protective effect and its possible mechanisms. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: normal, paracetamol-administered, and ALE-pretreated groups. A single dose of paracetamol led to a marked increase in lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA). This was associated with a significant reduction in the hepatic antioxidant system, e.g., glutathione (GSH). Paracetamol administration also significantly elevated the expression of CYP2E1, according to immunoblot analysis, and of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in liver. However, ALE pretreatment prior to the administration of paracetamol significantly decreased hepatic MDA levels. ALE restored hepatic glutathione and catalase levels and suppressed the expression of CYP2E1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ observed in inflammatory tissues. Moreover, ALE restored mitochondrial ATP content depleted by the drug administration. These results show that the extract of ash tree leaves protects against paracetamol-induced oxidative damages by blocking oxidative stress and CYP2E1-mediated paracetamol bioactivation.

• Quantitative Bio-Science
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2018

This study was performed to investigate the cytoprotective effects of Stachys riederi var. japonica ethanol extract (SREE) to control oxidative stress induced by UVA-irradiation by examining antioxidant capacity and gene expression of cytochrome c using human dermal fibroblasts. The total polyphenolics and flavonoids in the SREE were 41.2 and 25.4 mg/g, respectively. At concentrations of 500 and $1000{\mu}g/mL$, the electron-donating ability of SREE was 48.6% and 82.0%, respectively, and the 2,2'-azino-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was 62.3% and 78.8%, respectively. These findings showed that SREE has a fairly good antioxidant capacity. As determined by an MTT assay, the maximum permissible level for treating SREE to human dermal fibroblasts was shown to be over $200{\mu}g/mL$. SREE ($200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly decreased cytochrome c mRNA and protein expression by 31.1% (p<0.001) and 38.8% (p<0.01), respectively. These findings suggest that SREE may protect human skin cells against mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, SREE seems to be a natural antioxidant to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by UVA-irradiation.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.85-94
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• 2021

A pig-specific real-time PCR assay based on the mitochondrial ND5 gene was developed to detect porcine material in food and other products. To optimize the performance of assay, seven commercial TaqMan master mixes and two real-time PCR platforms (Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus and Bio-rad CFX Connect) were used to evaluate the limit of detection (LOD) as well as the PCR efficiency and specificity. The LODs and PCR efficiencies for the seven master mixes on two platforms were 0.5-5 pg/reaction and 84.96%-108.80%, respectively. Additionally, non-specific amplifications of DNA from other animal samples (human, dog, cow, and chicken) were observed for four master mixes. These results imply that the sensitivity and specificity of a real-time PCR assay may vary depending on master mix and platform used. The best combination of master mix and real-time PCR platform can accurately detect 0.5 pg porcine DNA, with a PCR efficiency of 100.49%.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.577-581
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• 2020

A 22-year-old Thai man from the Northeast region presented with acute eye swelling, itching, and discharge on his left eye. He was suspected of having gnathostomiasis and treated with albendazole and prednisolone for 3 weeks. Nine months later, he was treated with high-dose oral prednisolone for the preliminary and differential diagnoses with thyroid-associated orbitopathy and lymphoma. He had been administered prednisolone intermittently over a few years. Then he developed a painless movable mass at the left upper eyelid and recurrent pseudotumor oculi was suspected. The surgical removal of the mass was performed. A white pseudosegmented worm revealed a definite diagnosis of ocular sparganosis by a plerocercoid larva. Molecular diagnosis of the causative species was made based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Proper technique of extraction and amplification of short fragments DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue successfully identified parasite species. The result from the sequencing of the PCR-amplified cox1 fragments in this study showed 99.0% sequence homology to Spirometra ranarum. This is the first report of S. ranarum in Thailand.