• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 1996

An experimental study was carried out to observe the effects of radiation on the infectivity of metacercariae of Gymnophalloines seoi to C3H mice. Oysters, the second intermediate host, were collected from an endemic area, and non-irradiated control, metacercaria-irradiation, and oyster-irradiation groups were prepared . One hundred metacercariae were infected orally to each mouse, and worm recovery rate was compared by groups at 7th day post-infection. In the metacercaria-irradiation group, the worm recovery rate was significantly reduced at radiation doses higher than 200 Gy, and the number of intrauterine eggs significantly reduced at doses over 50 Gy. In the oyster- irradiation group, 50 Gy significantly reduced both the worm recovery rate and number of uterine eggs. In the two groups, no worm was recovered at 1,000 Gy irradiation. Conclusively, irradiation of oysters with 200-1,000 Gy was effective to control infectivity of metacercariae to C3H mice, and could be adopted as a control measure for gymno-phalloidiasis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1304-1308
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• 2009

To investigate the infection patterns of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Korean pig farms, a total of 4,768 swine sera samples from 159 pig farms were taken twice, in June (n=82) and October (n=77) in 2007. In each farm selected for the survey, 10 samples from breeding pigs and 4 from each of the 5 age groups (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days) were taken, and all serum samples were tested for PEDV by the serum neutralization test. The overall seroprevalence was 62.6% (2,983/4,768), with the highest prevalence in breeding pigs (93.5%, 1,485/1,589). The prevalence showed an increasing trend with increasing age (30.8, 27.2, 44.7, 61.6, and 71.2% respectively in the 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days age groups) (p<0.0001 for $x^2$ trend test). The association between age and PEDV prevalence was similar in both surveys, indicating that the infection of PEDV seemed to be occurring repeatedly in the farms surveyed. This inference could also be explained by the fact that prevalence in sows was very high despite low vaccination coverage, as they are continuously exposed to PEDV in potentially infected farms for a longer period. Based on the neutralizing antibody levels in sows and growing pigs, the majority of farms (91.8%, n=146 farms) were endemically infected with PEDV, and most of pigs seemed to be intensively infected with PEDV at around early growth (41.8%) and weaning (31.5%). On the other hand, serum neutralizing antibodies were not detected in pigs older than 30 days of age in farms classified as having no PEDV infection (n=13 farms), indicating the level of maternal antibody against PEDV is decreased on a non-detectable level before the piglet is 60 days old in the field situation. The results indicated that most farms surveyed in 2007 were affected with endemic PEDV infection. Therefore, a national monitoring and control program for the endemic type PEDV infection needs further attention.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.865-871
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• 2006

Signs of dental discolouration, difficulty in mastication, bony exostosis and debility were observed in cattle from Qingtongxia Ningxia, China where fluoride concentration in drinking water, soil, fodder, serum, bone, teeth, haircoat and urine were significantly higher than the corresponding health site. The problem of fluorosis in beef cattle is attributable to water containing toxic levels of fluoride. The objective of this paper was therefore to evaluate the influence of fluoride on erythrocyte parameters in cattle under high fluoride and low selenium conditions, as well as the protective efficacy of selenium exposure in feedstuff for bovine endemic fluorosis. Sixteen 6 to 7 year-old high fluoride beef cattle were randomly allotted into two groups each with eight cows: high fluoride control group, and supplemented with 0.25 mg/kg selenium per day for 83 days respectively. In addition, eight 6 to 7 year-old normal control beef cattle were selected from a non-high fluoride site. Blood samples were collected on day 0, 30 and 83 for erythrocyte parameters analysis and scanning electronic microscopy. The results indicated that erythrocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume values and $Na^+-K^+$ ATPase activity from affected cattle on the high fluoride site were significantly reduced during the period as compared with the corresponding samples of normal control cattle, a great number of echinocytes were present in peripheral blood, and subsequent anaemia. However, affected cattle exposed to selenium revealed increasable erythrocyte parameters, the extent of elevation in these values being dependent on the duration of supplementation with selenium. These findings suggest that fluoride exposure can cause erythrocyte damage, whereas selenium supplementation can antagonize fluoride-induced generation of free radicals and cumulative effects of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes. Selenium supplementation may help to alleviate the possible hazards associated with bovine endemic fluorosis.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2008

Twenty-eight of 44 Indian Ceropegia species are endemic and their survival is threatened. As a step towards conservation, we implied in vitro methods for the sustainable propagule production in C. hirsuta, C. lawii, C. maccannii, C. oculata and C. sahyadrica. Effects of explant, growth regulators, sucrose and photoperiod were studied. High frequency microtuber production was achieved with the seedling-apical buds, grown on MS medium containing 4-6 mg $1^{-1}$ BAP, 3-8% (w/v) sucrose, under continuous illumination. Each microtuber, when subcultured proliferated to form a cluster of secondary microtubers. Every primary and secondary microtuber bore at least one shoot-bud and a root primordium. Each tuber (formed with any of the significantly effective treatments) weighed more than 500 mg, enough to plant directly in non-sterilized soils. Microtubers could be produced and proliferated round the year. Proliferation could be solely attributed to in vitro procedures as these plants bear solitary tubers in vivo. Microtubers could be sprouted in vitro to prepare ready to pot plantlets. As, this novel method succeeded for all five species, though they belong to different eco-physiological backgrounds, we recommend its implementation in the conservation programs for a broader range of Ceropegia species, supported by other integrated strategies.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2018

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa, located on tropical and subtropical climate zones with abundant biological resources. According to the latest version of the Flora of Taiwan, there are 4339 species of vascular plants including 1054 endemic species. First, Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides), named after its native island of Taiwan, have been isolated more than 500 secondary metabolites, including lignans, terpenoids, steroids, and flavonoids. Several of the metabolites are reported to have antibacterial, antifungal, antimite, antitermite and antitumor activities. In order to investigate plant secondary metabolic diversity toward industrial applications, we established deep transcriptome resources for non-model plants and fungi to produce terpenoid metabolites of economic importance. Second, many plants of Lauraceae have been utilized in folk medicine for their exciting bioactivities. The twigs and leaves from 27 tree species of Lauraceae grown in Taiwan were performed to evaluate potential bioactivity. The leaves of Cinnamomum osmophloeum are traditionally used in folk medicines, and many biological activities have been identified, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitermite, antidiabetic, antihyperuricemia, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, C. osmophloeum has nine chemotypes with various secondary metabolite profiles. In order to efficiently produce active compounds, we established the genetic markers to identify the chemotype plants. Finally, Cinnamomum kanehirae is the host of the medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea. Several in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that A. cinnamomea possesses a diverse range of biological activities. Because of the potential pharmacological application, we established the transformation system to enhance the triterpenoid contents production.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.448-452
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• 2001

Coccidioidomycosis is a common infectious disease in southwestern North America, which is caused by the soil fungus, Coccidioides immitis. Due to the mobility of the modem population, increasing numbers of cases are being diagnosed outside the endemic areas. Moreover, diagnosis in non-endenmic areas may be delayed or confused due to its rarity. Here we report a case of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in an immigrant. The patient presented with unexplained pulmonary symptoms. A history of recent travel to or immigration from an endemic area may suggest coccidioidomycosis. In addition an early tissue biopsy is helpful in establishing this diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2018

The olfactory organ of Korean endemic fish Microphysogobio yaluensis are described anatomically and histologically, focused on relationship to its habitat and ecology. The paired olfactory organs are located at the dorsal snout, and externally consist of two semicircular nostrils and single nasal flap. They internally have rosette structure with 22 to 24 units of lamellae and the raphe inside the olfactory chamber. The lamella is made up of the sensory and the non-sensory epitheliums. The sensory epithelium has olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells and basal cells whereas the nonsensory epithelium has stratified epithelial cells, ciliated non-sensory cells and mucous cells with acidic and neutral mucins. These structures might be considered that M. yaluensis has the olfactory organ which corresponds to the high sensitivity for its habitat and ecology, and is usable as a taxonomic key.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1989

Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) using crude worm antigen of adult Paragonimus westermani was performed for human patients sera to identify the species-specific components. Crude antigen was obtained by homogenizing and centrifuging 24-week old adult worms at 10,000 rpm for 60 minutes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, PH 7.2) containing: Phenyl methyl sulfonyl auoride (PMSF). Gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) was performed and blotted electrophoretically onto a sheet of nitrocellulose paper. The sheet was cut into strips and exposed to sera diluted 1 : 200 with PBS. SDS-PAGE showed 26 protein bands ranging 229 to 10 kDa. Of them 229, 91, 60, 50, 35∼31, 27, 25, 21, 17, 11 and 10 kDa components showed positive reaction with serum antibody of patients with p. westermani. Sera of patients infected with Clcnorchis sinensis reacted with 35∼31, 19, and 11 kDa bands. Human sera from cysticercosis and diphyllobothriasis cases showed non-specific cross reactions with 229, 35∼31, 27, 25 and 17kDa bands. Protein bands of 91, 60, 21 and 10kDa showed strong positive reaction without cross reactions with sera from other helminthic infections.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2014

Mankyua chejuense is a native endangered plant distributed only in Gotzawal, a forested wetland, in Jeju Province, Korea. In order to determine the optimal environmental conditions for the growth and development of M. chejuense, we investigated the above- and below-ground growth responses and survival rate to various soil texture (sand and clay), water regimes (flooding and non-flooding), and $CO_2+T$ (ambient and elevated) conditions. All of the treatments had significant effects on aboveground growth parameters, while only the water regime and $CO_2+T$ treatments influenced belowground growth. The survival rate of M. chejuense was about twice higher under the sand, non-flooding and elevated $CO_2+T$ conditions than clay, flooding and ambient $CO_2+T$ conditions. These results indicate that M. chejuense grows in well-drained sandy soil conditions and elevated $CO_2$ concentration and temperature situations. Thus, there is a need to maintain M. chejuense under constant non-flooding soil conditions by implementing appropriate soil drainage strategies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.1
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• pp.38-58
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• 2013

The existence of endemism in many parts of the world is an important factor for conservationists. Conservation can only be carried out under national legislation, and national endemics, which have very limited ranges, fully depend on the effort and success of conservation. A total of 523 vascular plant taxa were listed in the latest national checklist by Ministry of Environment in 2005, while the 'Creation and Furtherance of Arboretums Act' including a national endemic list (appendix 4-1) was established by Korea Forest Service and was legislated as a law in late 2011. This legislation by Korea Forest Service on endemism of Korean vascular plants have required much attention because of discrepancies of nomenclature, taxonomic bias and inflation. Examining data for both lists proposed by Ministry of Environment and Korea Forest Service, of the total of 360 legislated taxa, around 286 taxa are shared with the list of Ministry of Environment, of which about 80% have been found as common taxa. Around 67(18.7%) are typographic errors, and 14 taxa (3.9%) are recorded as illegitimate and invalidly published names. Through this analysis 12 taxa (3.4%) were found in China as well as in Korea and these are thought to be non Korean endemic taxa. Taken together, the legislated list displayed 1/4 (24.9%) errors out of the total list. Only 59 taxa (16.5%) are identified as national endemic species. The remainder are either unresolved candidates (73 taxa, 20.4%) or synonyms (196 taxa, 54.7%) status. It must be noted, that the concept of endemism very much depends on the knowledge of the species concept, taxonomic bias and geographical range of a species. Also, the most major nomenclatural problem tend to be more stable if the information on database about Korea Plant Name, which is managed by Korea National Arboretum are well updated year to year. These exaggerated numbers underscore the urgency for regional conservation planning and implementing effective strategies to preserve these real endemic taxa into the future.