• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 1999

The effects of wounding and jasmonic acid(JA) on polyphenol oxidase(PPO) in tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings were investigated. PPO was strongly induced by wounding or JA, and the response was also shown to be systemically induced by wounding. Mechanical wounding in cotyledon or leaf produced a signal that caused the concentration of PPO to increase in the unwounded cotyledon, in the first leaves but not in the second leaves. Severity of wounding and light intensity also affected wound induced change in PPO activity, JA showed a stimulatory effect on the loss of chlorophyll and the rapid increase in PPO activity. The PPO was clearly more active in the wounded leaves than in controls. The potency and specificity of the JA indicate a close relationship between JA and wound-induced changes in PPO in tomato species. JA and abscisic acid(ABA) acted similarly on both unwounded and wounded leaves, but the amount of PPO in the wounded leaves was always more than the respective controls. The highest increase in PPO activity occurred in woundand JA-induced leaves of seedlings kept under bright lighting. Benzyladenine(BA) completely abolished JA- and ABA-induced PPO activity. The results suggest that JA-induced PPO activity is due to de novo PPO synthesis. Histochemical tests for PPO in stems of wound- and JA -treated tomato plants indicate that PPO was localized primarily, in the. outer .cortex . and xylem parenchyma. It is concluded that exogenously applied JA acts as stress agents and PPO may be a component of the inducible anti-hervivore defense response.

• Mycobiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2013

Sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers are one of the most effective and accurate tools for microbial identification. In this study, we applied SCAR markers for the rapid and accurate detection of Phytophthora katsurae, the casual agent of chestnut ink disease in Korea. In this study, we developed seven SCAR markers specific to P. katsurae using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and assessed the potential of the SCAR markers to serve as tools for identifying P. katsurae. Seven primer pairs (SOPC 1F/SOPC 1R, SOPC 1-1F/SOPC 1-1R, SOPC 3F/SOPC 3R, SOPC 4F/SOPC 4R, SOPC 4F/SOPC 4-1R, SOPD 9F/SOPD 9R, and SOPD 10F/SOPD 10R) from a sequence derived from RAPD fragments were designed for the analysis of the SCAR markers. To evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the SCAR markers, the genomic DNA of P. katsurae was serially diluted 10-fold to final concentrations from 1 mg/mL to 1 pg/mL. The limit of detection using the SCAR markers ranged from $100{\mu}g/mL$ to 100 ng/mL. To identify the limit for detecting P. katsurae zoospores, each suspension of zoospores was serially diluted 10-fold to final concentrations from $10{\times}10^5$ to $10{\times}10^1$ zoospores/mL, and then extracted. The limit of detection by SCAR markers was approximately $10{\times}10^1$ zoospores/mL. PCR detection with SCAR markers was specific for P. katsurae, and did not produce any P. katsurae-specific PCR amplicons from 16 other Phytophthora species used as controls. This study shows that SCAR markers are a useful tool for the rapid and effective detection of P. katsurae.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.617-643
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• 2019

The Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) is a buffer zone set between the southern and northern limit lines established after the 1953 Armistice Agreement. It is an important natural environment conservation area where wild species of animals and plants live. On the other hand, the development pressure on the DMZ will increase when the inter-Korean economic cooperation is activated in the future. As a result, DMZ development should consider not only the economic cost-benefit aspects, but also how to assess and conserve the biodiversity of the DMZ, as well as the recovery costs and budget. This paper develope a sustainable DMZ management model under biodiversity uncertainly by using real option approach. The model is also designed to reflect the political risk and regional specificity of the DMZ. Through empirical analysis, I derive the biodiversity threshold (b^*) that can secure the DMZ investment economy under uncertainty. In addition, through the sensitivity analysis, I derive the factors influencing the biodiversity threshold, and suggest the policy implications for sustainable management of DMZ.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.192-195
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• 2006

For the development of a qualitative PCR detection method for genetically modified perilla (Perilla frutescens), perilla species-specific gene, KAS-I (Beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I), was selected and validated as suitable for the use as an endogenous reference gene in perilla. Primer specificity was first tested by the means of qualitative PCR analysis. The primer pair Pfru3-F/R amplifying the perilla endogenous gene, KAS-I, gave rise to an amplicon 95 bp. No amplified product was observed when DNA samples from 15 different plants were used as templates. Qualitative PCR detection method was assayed with vitamin E-enriched GM Perilla developed in Korea. For the qualitative PCR detection method, the construct-specific detection primer pairs were constructed. The primer pair TMTO-F/R amplifying the junction region of TMT (${\gamma}$-tocopherol methyltransferase) gene and OCS (Octopine synthase) terminator introduced in GM perilla gave rise to an amplicon 148 bp.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 2015

The eye irritation potential of drug candidates or pharmaceutical ingredients should be evaluated if there is a possibility of ocular exposure. Traditionally, the ocular irritation has been evaluated by the rabbit Draize test. However, rabbit eyes are more sensitive to irritants than human eyes, therefore substantial level of false positives are unavoidable. To resolve this species difference, several three-dimensional human corneal epithelial (HCE) models have been developed as alternative eye irritation test methods. Recently, we introduced a new HCE model, MCTT HCE$^{TM}$ which is reconstructed with non-transformed human corneal cells from limbal tissues. Here, we examined if MCTT HCE$^{TM}$ can be employed to evaluate eye irritation potential of solid substances. Through optimization of washing method and exposure time, treatment time was established as 10 min and washing procedure was set up as 4 times of washing with 10 mL of PBS and shaking in 30 mL of PBS in a beaker. With the established eye irritation test protocol, 11 solid substances (5 non-irritants, 6 irritants) were evaluated which demonstrated an excellent predictive capacity (100% accuracy, 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity). We also compared the performance of our test method with rabbit Draize test results and in vitro cytotoxicity test with 2D human corneal epithelial cell lines.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.454-464
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• 2019

Salmonellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that threatens both human and poultry health. Tests that can detect Salmonella in the field are urgently required to facilitate disease control and for epidemiological investigations. Here, we combined loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with a chromatographic lateral flow dipstick (LFD) to rapidly and accurately detect Salmonella. LAMP primers were designed to target the Salmonella invA gene. LAMP conditions were optimized by adjusting the ratio of inner to outer primers, $MgSO_4$ concentration, dNTP mix concentration, amplification temperature, and amplification time. We evaluated the specificity of our novel LAMP-LFD method using six Salmonella species and six related non-Salmonella strains. All six of the Salmonella strains, but none of the non-Salmonella strains, were amplified. LAMP-LFD was sensitive enough to detect concentrations of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Pullorum genomic DNA as low as $89fg/{\mu}l$, which is 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. When artificially contaminated feed samples were analyzed, LAMP-LFD was also more sensitive than PCR. Finally, LAMP-LFD gave no false positives across 350 chicken anal swabs. Therefore, our novel LAMP-LFD assay was highly sensitive, specific, convenient, and fast, making it a valuable tool for the early diagnosis and monitoring of Salmonella infection in chickens.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

Objective: The usual seminal profile has been customarily used for diagnosing male infertility based on an examination of semen samples. However, sperm DNA fragmentation has also been causally linked to reproductive failure, suggesting that it should be evaluated as part of male infertility assessments. To compare the ability of the five most widely utilized methodologies of measuring DNA fragmentation to predict male infertility and reactive oxygen species by Oxisperm kit assay. Methods: In this case-control study, which received ethical committee approval, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups (50 patients in each group). Results: The alkaline comet test showed the best ability to predict male infertility, followed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), while the neutral comet test had no predictive power. For our patient population, the projected cut-off point for the DNA fragmentation index was 22.08% using the TUNEL assay, 19.90% using SCSA, 24.74% using the SCD test, 48.47% using the alkaline comet test, and 36.37% using the neutral comet test. Significant correlations were found between the results of the SCD test and those obtained using SCSA and TUNEL (r = 0.70 and r = 0.68, respectively; p< 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation was also found between the results of SCSA and the TUNEL assay (r = 0.77, p< 0.001). Likewise, the results of the alkaline comet test showed significant correlations with those of the SCD, SCSA, and TUNEL tests (r = 0.59, r = 0.57, and r = 0.72, respectively; p< 0.001). Conclusion: The TUNEL assay, SCSA, SCD, and the alkaline comet test were effective for distinguishing between fertile and infertile patients, and the alkaline comet test was the best predictor of male infertility.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2021

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an important cash crop in Tanzania as a source of income to cashew growers and provides foreign exchange for the country. Despite its significance, the crop is threatened by fast spreading disease known as cashew Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Field assessment and laboratory tests were conducted to determine incidences of the disease, severity, ecological factors that influence them and explored the pathogen host specificity in six cashew growing districts. The results revealed significant (P<0.001) variation of disease incidences and severity among the studied districts. The results further revealed that there is both positive and negative correlation between the incidence and severity of the disease versus the evaluated ecological factors. The soil pH, soil temperature, air temperature, and relative humidity depicted positive correlation of disease incidence and severity versus ecological factors at ρ=0.50 and ρ=0.60, ρ=0.20 and ρ=0.94, ρ=0.11 and ρ=0.812, ρ=0.05 and ρ=0.771 respectively while nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon depicted negative correlations at ρ=-0.22 and ρ=-0.58, ρ=-0.15 and ρ=-0.94, ρ=-0.19 and ρ=-0.12 respectively. In terms of host range, none of the weed species was found to be a carrier of Fusarium pathogen implying that it is host specific or semi selective. The results revealed that the tested ecological parameters favor the growth and development of Fusarium pathogen. Thus, management of the disease requires nutrients replenishment and soil shading as essential components in developing appropriate strategies for the control and prevention of further spread of the disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 2021

Genetic markers currently used for the discrimination of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies have low efficiency for identification at subspecies level. Therefore, our objective in this study was to select novel genetic markers for accurate identification and discrimination of six L. delbrueckii subspecies based on pangenome analysis. We evaluated L. delbrueckii genomes to avoid making incorrect conclusions in the process of selecting genetic markers due to mislabeled genomes. Genome analysis showed that two genomes of L. delbrueckii subspecies deposited at NCBI were misidentified. Based on these results, subspecies-specific genetic markers were selected by comparing the core and pangenomes. Genetic markers were confirmed to be specific for 59,196,562 genome sequences via in silico analysis. They were found in all strains of the same subspecies, but not in other subspecies or bacterial strains. These genetic markers also could be used to accurately identify genomes at the subspecies level for genomes known at the species level. A real-time PCR method for detecting three main subspecies (L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, lactis, and bulgaricus) was developed to cost-effectively identify them using genetic markers. Results showed 100% specificity for each subspecies. These genetic markers could differentiate each subspecies from 44 other lactic acid bacteria. This real-time PCR method was then applied to monitor 26 probiotics and dairy products. It was also used to identify 64 unknown strains isolated from raw milk samples and dairy products. Results confirmed that unknown isolates and subspecies contained in the product could be accurately identified using this real-time PCR method.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2021

Artemisinin resistance (ART) has been confirmed in Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. Currently, C580Y mutation on Pfkelch13 gene is known as the molecular marker for the detection of ART. Rapid and accurate detection of ART in field study is essential to guide malaria containment and elimination interventions. A simple method for collection of malaria-infected blood is to spot the blood on filter paper and is fast and easy for transportation and storage in the field study. This study aims to evaluate LAMP-SNP assay for C580Y mutation detection by introducing an extra mismatched nucleotide at the 3' end of the FIP primer. The LAMP-SNP assay was performed in a water bath held at a temperature of 56℃ for 45 min. LAMP-SNP products were interpreted by both gel-electrophoresis and HNB-visualized changes in color. The method was then tested with 120 P. falciparum DNA from dried blood spot samples. In comparing the LAMP-SNP assay results with those from DNA sequencing of the clinical samples, the 2 results fully agreed to detect C580Y. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP-SNP assay showed 100%. There were no cross-reactions with other Plasmodium species and other Pfkelch13 mutations. The LAMP-SNP assay performed in this study was rapid, reliable, and useful in detecting artemisinin resistance in the field study.