• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.313-322
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• 2010

Edible tunicate Halocynthia roretzi, one of the most commercially important aquatic organisms in Korea, has been killed by tunic softness syndrome since last decade. The intracellular protistan parasite observed by the transmission electron microscope in hemocytes of the tunicate was considered to be the causative agent of the mass mortality. The goal of the present work is to examine the characteristic features of the parasite by identifying the 18S rDNA sequences of the parasite. The experiments conducted include amplification of presumptive 18S rDNA from diseased tunicate tissues with UNonMet-PCR and sequencing the product. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis was performed on the presumptive parasite rDNA. A digoxigenin labeled DNA probe was designed on the basis of the sequences of rDNA. Dig-ISH assay was conducted to diagnose the protistan parasite. A PCR using UNonMet-PCR primer generated 595 bp SSU rDNA fragment. Subsequently, PCRs with primer pair expended this sequence to 1542 bp. This is the first partial sequences of SSU rDNA gene to be published on the protistan parasite that has presumed causing the mass mortality of tunicate. Since the Dig-ISH technique demonstrated the presence of infection in hemocytes on the all host tissues, the fragment was confirmed to be the intracellular protistan parasite SSU rDNA. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that the protistan parasite may be a unique eukaryote that is closely related to Apicomplexa.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2016

Apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo-B100) is a major component of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Apo B-100 protein has 4,536 amino acid sequence and these amino acids are classified into peptide groups A to G with subsequent 20 amino acids (P1-P302). The peptide groups were act as immunoglobulin (Ig) antigens which oxidized via malondialdehyde (MDA). The mimetic peptide P1 (EEEMLENVSLVCPKDAT RFK) out of D-group peptides carrying the highest value of IgG antigens were selected for structural studies that may provide antigen specificity. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra were measured for peptide secondary structure in the range of 190-250 nm. Experimental results show that P1 exhibit partial of ${\beta}-sheet$ and random coil structure. Homonuclear (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY) 2D-NMR experiments were carried out for NMR signal assignments and structure determination for P1. On the basis of these completely assigned NMR spectra and distance data, distance geometry (DG) and Molecular dynamics (MD) were carried out to determine the structures of P1. The proposed structure was selected by comparisons between experimental NOE spectra and back calculated 2D NOE results from determined structure showing acceptable agreement. The total Root-Mean-Square-Deviation (RMSD) value of P1 obtained upon superposition of all atoms was in the range $0.33{\AA}$. The solution state P1 has mixed structure of ${\beta}-sheet$ (Glu[1] to Cys[12]) and random coil (Pro[13] to Lys[20]). These NMR results are well consistent with secondary structure from experimental results of circular dichroism. Structural studies based on NMR may contribute to the studies of atherosclerosis and observed conformational characteristics of apo B-100 in LDL using monoclonal antibodies.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2019

The present study was performed to identify the nematodes recovered from the Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius brandtii, from Daejeon Metropolitan City, the Republic of Korea. Total five nematode worms were detected in the body cavities of two out of the twenty birds necropsied, and they were identified using morphological features, light and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and molecular (18S rRNA analysis) methods. The nematodes were all female Diplotriaena manipoli and had numerous eggs at different developmental stages in the uterus. The nematodes were long and slender measuring about 123-145 mm. The eight submedian cephalic papillae were arranged into four large, outer papillae and four small, inner-circle papillae. A pair of amphidal pores were located at the lateral portion of the mouth. The manubrium apex of trident was rounded and three branches of trident were bluntly rounded at the posterior ends. Using 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements, DNA analysis of nematode worms was also carried out, and they were identified to be close to the Serratospiculum tendo based on a phylogenic tree analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular characterization and SEM study of D. manipoli.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2021

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) causes respiratory and intestinal disease in mammals. Although MRV isolates have been reported to circulate in several animals, there are no reports on Korean MRV isolates from wildlife. We investigated the biological and molecular characteristics of Korean MRV isolates based on the nucleotide sequence of the segment 1 gene. In total, 144 swabs from wild animals were prepared for virus isolation. Based on virus isolation with specific cytopathic effects, indirect fluorescence assays, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, only one isolate was confirmed to be MRV from a Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus). The isolate exhibited a hemagglutination activity level of 16 units with pig erythrocytes and had a maximum viral titer of 10^5.7 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀)/mL in Vero cells at 5 days after inoculation. The nucleotide and amino-acid sequences of the partial segment S1 of the MReo2045 isolate were determined and compared with those of other MRV strains. The MReo2045 isolate had nucleotide sequences similar to MRV-3 and was most similar (96.1%) to the T3/Bat/Germany/342/08 strain, which was isolated in Germany in 2008. The MReo2045 isolate will be useful as an antigen for sero-epidemiological studies and developing diagnostic tools.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.361-365
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• 2022

We report a species of diplostomid fluke recovered from 3 carcasses of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. A total of 107 diplostomid flukes were recovered from the small intestines of Korean raccoon dogs, which were obtained from the Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center. Worms fixed with 10% neutral formalin were subjected to microscopic observation and those fixed in 70% ethanol were used for molecular genomic analysis. The worm was divided into 2 separate parts, forebody and hindbody, with a total length of 3,020-4,090 (3,855) ㎛ and a width of 1,210-1,770 (1,562) ㎛. The boat-shaped forebody has a pair of characteristic tentacular appendage, 2 suckers, holdfast organ, and vitelline follicles. The oval to cylindrical hindbody has reproductive organs. The ovary was round or elliptical and located in the anterior of the testes. Two large testes were slightly segmented and tandemly arranged, occupying almost half of hindbody. The short uterus contained a relatively small number of unembryonated eggs sized 130-140×85-96 ㎛. The partial sequence of 18S rRNA of this fluke was consistent with Alaria alata. Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the diplostomid flukes recovered from the small intestine of Korean raccoon dogs were identified as A. alata (Digenea: Diplostomidae).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.927-937
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• 2021

This study was performed to screen the antimicrobial activities of the extract from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas against skin pathogens and to purify the relevant antibacterial peptide. The acidified extract showed potent antibacterial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but showed no activity against Candida albicans and no significant cell toxicity. Among acne-causing pathogens, the acidified extract showed potent antibacterial activity only against Staphylococcus aureus, and its antibacterial activity was completely abolished by treatment with trypsin or chymotrypsin, and was inhibited by salt treatment. The acidified extract showed strong DNA-binding ability but did not show bacterial membrane permeabilizing ability. Based on antimicrobial activity screening and cytotoxic effects, a novel antibacterial peptide was purified from the acidified gill extract using solid-phase extraction, cation-exchange, and reversed-phase HPLC. The resulting peptide had a molecular weight of 4800.8 Da and showed partial sequence homology with the carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) protein in the hard-shelled mussel. Overall, we purified a novel antibacterial peptide, named cgCAFLP, which is related to carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) protein, against skin pathogens. Our results suggest that the Pacific oyster extract could be used as an additive to control some acne-related skin pathogens (S. aureus).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2282-2291
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• 2024

In this work we study the effects of different factors of dislocation loop on its obstacle strength when interacting with an edge dislocation. At first, the interaction model for dislocation and dislocation loop is established and the full and partial absorption mechanism is obtained. Then, the effect of temperature, size and burgers vector of dislocation loop are investigated. The relation between the obstacle strength and irradiation dose has been established, which bridges the irradiation source and microscale properties. Except that, the obstacle strength of C, Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo and P decorated dislocation loop is studied. Results show that the obstacle strength for dislocation loop decorated by alloy element decreases in the sequence of Cr, Ni, Mn, C, P and Mo, which could be used to help parameterize and validate crystal plasticity finite element model and therein integrated constitutive laws to enable accounting for irradiation-induced chemical segregation effects.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.185-194
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• 2006

A fungal strain of Trichoderma having strong chitinolytic activity was isolated from field soil enriched with crabshell for several years. Based on 5.8S rRNA, partial 18S, 28S rRNA genes, ITS1, ITS2 sequence analysis and morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Trichoderma asperellum and named as Trichoderma asperellum T-5 (TaT-5). The fungus released lytic enzymes such as chitinase and ${\beta}$-1, 3-glucanse, and produced six antifungal substances in chitin broth medium. To demonstrate the protective effect of TaT-5 against damping-off in cucumber plant caused by Rhizoctonia solani, TaT-5 culture broth (TA), chitin medium (CM) and distilled water (DW) were applied to each pot at 10 days after sowing, respectively. Then, the homogenized hyphae of R. solani were infected to each pot at 1 week after TaT-5 inoculation. During experimental period, fresh weight of shoot and root in cucumber plant more increased at TA treatment compared to other treatments. PR-proteins (${\beta}$-1, 3-glucanase and chitinase) activities in cucumber leaves markedly increased at CM and DW treatments, but the activity slightly increased and then decreased at TA treatment at 3 days after infection of R. solani. The activity of PR-proteins activities in cucumber roots at all treatments decreased with time where the degree of decrement was more alleviated at TA treatment than CM and DW. These results suggest that the lytic enzymes (chitinase and ${\beta}$-1, 3-glucanse) and antifungal substances produced by TaT-5 can reduce the pathogenic attack by R. solani in cucumber plants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2002

Background: The opitmal ventilator setting during partial liquid ventilation(PLV) is controversial. This study investigated the effects of various gas exchange parameters during PLV in normal rabbit lungs in order to aid in the development of an optimal ventilator setting during PLV. Methods: Seven New-Zealand white rabbits were ventilated in pressure-controlled mode with the following settings; tidal volume($V_T$) 8 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) 4 $cmH_2O$, inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio(I:E ratio) 1:2, fraction of inspired oxygen($F_TO_2$) 1.0. The respiration rate(RR) was adjusted to keep $PaCO_2$ between 35~45 mmHg. The ventilator settings were changed every 30 min in the following sequence : (1) Baseline, as the basal ventilator setting, (2) Inverse ratio, I:E ratio 2:1, (3) high PEEP, adjust PEEP to achieve the same mean inspiratory pressure (MIP) as in the inverse ratio, (4) High $V_T$, $V_T$ 15 mL/kg, (5) high RR, the same minute ventilation (MV) as in the High $V_T$. Subsequently, the same protocol was repeated after instilling 18 mL/kg of perfluorodecalin for PLV. The parameters of gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics were examined. Results: (1) The gas ventilation(GV) group showed no significant changes in the $PaO_2$ at all phases. The $PaCO_2$ was lower and the pH was higher at the high $V_T$ and high RR phases(p<0.05). No significant changes in the lung mechanics and hemodynamics parameters were observed. (2) The baseline $PaO_2$ for the PLV was $312{\pm}$ mmHg. This was significantly lower when decreased compared to the baseline $PaO_2$ for GV which was $504{\pm}81$ mmHg(p=0.001). During PLV, the $PaO_2$, was significantly higher at the high PEEP($452{\pm}38$ mmHg) and high $V_T$ ($461{\pm}53$ mmHg) phases compared with the baseline phase. However, it did not change significantly during the inverse I:E ratio or the high RR phases. (3) The $PaCO_2$ was significantly lower at high $V_T$ and RR phases for both the GV and PLV. During the PLV, $PaCO_2$ were significantly higher compared to the GV (p<0.05). (4) There were no important or significant changes in of baseline and high RR phases lung mechanics and hemodynamics parameters during the PLV. Conclusion: During PLV in the normal lung, adequate $V_T$ and PEEP are important for optimal oxygenation.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2007

The bacterial diversity inherent to the biofilm community structure of a modified rotating biological contactor wastewater treatment process, referred to as the Rotating Activated Bacillus Contactor (RABC) process, was characterized in this study, via both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. On the basis of culture-dependent methods, Bacillus sp. were found to exist in large numbers on the biofilm (6.5% of the heterotrophic bacteria) and the microbial composition of the biofilms was quite simple. Only three phyla were identified-namely, the Proteobacteria, the Actinobacteria (High G+C Gram-positive bacteria), and the Firmicutes (Low G+C Gram-positive bacteria). The culture-independent partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed a considerably more diverse microbial composition within the biofilms. A total of eight phyla were recovered in this case, three of which were major groups: the Firmicutes (43.9%), the Proteobacteria (28.6%), and the Bacteroidetes (17.6%). The remaining five phyla were minor groups: the Planctomycetes (4.4%), the Chlorobi (2.2%), the Actinobacteria (1.1%), the Nitrospirae (1.1%), and the Verrucomicrobia (1.1%). The two most abundant genera detected were the endospore-forming bacteria (31.8%), Clostridium and Bacillus, both of which are members of the Firmicutes phylum. This finding indicates that these endospore-forming bacteria successfully colonized and dominated the RABC process biofilms. Many of the colonies or clones recovered from the biofilms evidenced significantly high homology in the 16S rDNA sequences of bacteria stored in databases associated with advanced wastewater treatment capabilities, including nitrification and denitrification, phosphorus accumulation, the removal of volatile odors, and the removal of chlorohydrocarbons or heavy metals. The microbial community structures observed in the biofilms were found to correlate nicely with the enhanced performance of advanced wastewater treatment protocols.