• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.474-483
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• 2023

Members of the genus Streptomyces produce more than 70% of antibiotics. The rise in antibiotic resistance globally enhanced the search for novel species with the ability to produce new bioactive compounds. This study was initiated to investigate different regions in Jordan for previously uncultured and rare Streptomyces species capable of producing novel antimicrobial compounds especially active against bacteria resistant to antibiotics. A total of 191 Streptomyces strains were isolated from 26 soil samples collected from different geographic regions in Jordan. Isolates were characterized based on colony and cellular morphology as well as using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. These isolates were screened for their ability to produce antibiotics by the perpendicular-cross streak method, and then tested by well diffusion method against tested pathogens. Fifty-four isolates showed potential to produce antimicrobial products especially active against resistant bacteria, 20.1% of the isolates showed inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, 16.9% against clinical MSSA strains, and 18.0% against MRSA: whereas only 4.2% against Esherichia coli, 3.2% against Klebsiella pneumonia, 2.7% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 10.0% against clinical Candida albicans. Three isolates were selected for further identification due to their antibacterial activity against S. aureus, MRSA, and MSSA. These isolates were identified as follows; Streptomyces aburaviensis DSa3, Streptomyces alboniger SAb7 and Streptomyces misionensis ZAb2, based on cultural, biochemical characteristics and molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.3-7
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• 2014

Purpose SPECT/CT scan to be performed attenuation correction on the basis of CT induce an overestimation of the site due to the beam hardening artifact by metal cover and reduce the images quality. Therefore, this study using a phantom that has been inserted artificial hip joint investigated that effect on the SPECT/CT image causing by metal artifact for varying the parameters of the Attenuation Map. Materials and Methods Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT equipment was used. Artificial hip joint was inserted to SPECT/PET phantom, 17 mm sphere of Bright Streak area in CT image was filled with Tc-99m so that the radiation activity was 8 times compared to background. And then Hot and Background was measured in varying Wide Beam Coefficient on Attenuation Map and RBR (Region to Background Ratio) of Metal and Non-Metal was calculated and analyzed depending on the presence or absence of the hip joint. Results It tended to hot count of Non-Metal and Metal to increase as the value of the manual mode is increased, hot count ratio with the group of both manual mode 0.5 and 0.4 is the best match. Also, in automatic mode, the ratio of RBRNon-Metal and RBRMetal was 1.135, statistically significant difference was not observed in the manual mode 0.5 and 0.4. Conclusion In the automatic mode of Wide Beam Coefficient in attenuation correction map, it was found that it is over-correction by 13.52%, it was possible to minimize the over-correction by the artifact in 0.5 and 0.4 of manual mode. Further studies should be performed in order to apply to a patient with the help of this and it is considered possible to reduce the over-correction by the metal artifact of an artificial hip joint for Hip-Resurfacing Arthroplasty patients, and to improve the diagnostic performance.

• The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 2018

Purpose : To find out the reliability of autorefractometer after laser refractive surgery Methods : We measured and compared spherical and cylinder powers of those undergone LASEK surgery with 1.0 of naked vision after at least 3 months of the surgery with an autorefractometer(CANON Full Auto Ref-Keratometer RK-F1, Japan) and a retinoscope(Streak Retinoscope 18200, WelchAllyn, USA), and also applied spherical equivalent powers. The refractive status before surgery was divided into high, medium, and low myopia according to the results measured using an autorefractometer, and then analyzed again the reliability of the autorefractometer after surgery according to the preoperative refractive status. The agreement of two methods was identified using Bland-Altman(Bland-Altman limits of agreement(LoA)). Results : After the surgery, when comparing spherical, cylinder and equivalent powers in the whole data measured by autorefractometry and retinoscopy significant differences were found(p<0.01). According to the degree of refractive errors, all sort of refractive errors was shown significantly different(p<0.01) except for cylinder power of the medium myopia. In general, the refractive errors especially spherical and spherical equivalent powers by autorefractometry were shown a myopic trend from -0.38 D to -0.53 D. On the other hand, it was shown a hyperopic trend of approximately +0.30 D using retinoscopy. In comparison of two objective refractions, it was shown a myopic trend as $-0.51{\pm}0.45D$(LoA +0.36 D ~ -1.39 D) and compatible. Conclusion : Even though it would be positive in terms of compatibility of the methods, it is necessary that the glasses should be prescribed by subjective refraction since autorefractometry is shown myopic in those undergone the surgery and suffering from myopic regression.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.709-727
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• 2001

The pattern of programmed cell death(PCD) has been examined during the early developmental period of development in mouse embryos, from embryonic day 4.5(E4.5) to E11.5 Embryos from Balb/c breedings were harvested at various embryonic stages between E4.5 and El1.5. Cell death was analysed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining in tissue sections and whole embryos. At the blastocyst stage(E4.5), a very few apoptotic cells were found in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. In the early egg cylinder stage(35.0-5.5), a few apoptotic cells were detected in the embryonic ectoderm, the embryonic endoerm and the proamniotic cavity. In the advanced egg cylinder stage(E5.5-6.5), TUNEL-posifive cells were observed in the extra-embryonic ectoderm and extra-embryonic endoderm as well as in the embryonic ectoderm, embryonic visceral endoderm and proamniotic cavity. In the streak stage(E6.75-7.75), many TUNEL-positive cells were found in the ectoplacental cone. In contrast, only very few apoptotic cells were found in the chorion and extra-embryonic endoderm in extra-embryonic regions. In intra-embryonic region, a few apoptotic cells were randomly found in the embryonic ectoderm, mesoderm and visceral endoderm. At the early somitogenesis stage(E8.0-8.5), most apoptotic cells were observed in the most cranial portion of neural fold (neural ectoderm and adjacent ectoderm). At the mid somitogenesis stage(39.0-9.5), the otic placode first showed TUNEL-positive at this stage. Small number of TUNEL-positive cells were also first seen around optic placode and branchial arches. Three streams of TUNEL-positive cells were clearly seen in the cranial region at 59.5-9.75. At E10.5, apoptotic cells were localized in the developing eye, the junctional portion of medial nasal, lateral nasal and maxillary processes, the lateral portion of branchial arches, the junction of bilateral mandibular processes, and apical ectodermal ridges of limb buds. At E11.5, apoptotic cells were noticeably decreased in most area, except the developing limbs and several somites in the tail region. In this study, the global temporospatial pattern of PCD throughout early development of mouse embryos was discussed. It may provide the basis for further studies on its role in the morphogenesis of the embryo.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.192-198
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• 2002

Mixed infections of two economically important viruses, Turnip mosaic virus(TuMV) in the family Potyviridae and Ribgrass mosaic virus(RMV) in the genus Tobamo-virus, were studied ultrastructurally on oriental cabbage. TuMV-ACl8 (alpine isolate in Korea) induced chlorotic spots on inoculated leaves of both ‘SSD63’ inbred line known as susceptible to TuMV, and ‘Tambok’ commercial cultivar, known as resistant to the virus, in the early stages of infection. TuMV-C5 (Taiwan isolate) caused severe mosaic and malformation on the upper leaves of ‘SSD63’, and necrotic spots in both inoculated and upper leaves of ‘Tambok’. RMV-CA1 (oriental cabbage isolate from alpine in Korea) induced vein chlorosis, leaf malformation, and midrib necrotic streak in the upper leaves of both ‘SSD63’ and ‘Tambok’. Both oriental cabbages infected with a combination of TuMV-ACl8 and RMV-CA1 showed synergistic symptoms of severe yellowing, severe mosaic, and necrotic spot or vein necrosis on their leaves. A combination of TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1 produced synergistic symptoms only in ‘SSD63’. In ‘Tambok’ infected with the combination of TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1, the number of necrotic spots on the inoculated leaves was one half lesser than that on singly infected with TuMV-C5. A few necrotic spots progressed systemically. In cells infected with a combination of TuMV-ACl8 and RMV-CA1 or TuMV-C5 and RMV-CA1, the particles of the two viruses made nonagon-like rings(NLR); one TuMV particle was surrounded loosely by nine RMV particles. Two unrelated viruses of TuMV and RMV were compacted in the central part of the spiral aggregates(SA) that was induced strikingly in cells by the mixed infections. The SA showed NLR in its center of the cross-sectioned side. Many particles of RMV of Tobamovirus were closely associated with Potyvirus-characteristic cylindrical inclusions. The SAs in the mixed infections were formed easily by the Potyvirus of TuMV-ACl8 or -C5 isolates.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 1987

Experiments were conducted to define the optimal constituents of culture medium and atmospheric condition for growth of Campylobacter pylori. Two clinical isolates were streaked onto various media, incubated in two different atmospheric conditions (microaerophilic condition and carbon dioxide incubator), and growth was assessed semiquantitavely according to relative colony size and extent of growth through the streak. The growth obtained on Campy media, composed of GC agar base plus 1% hemoglobin, 0.2% activated charcoal, 1% IsoVitaleX, vancomycin 6mg/L nalidixic acid 20mg/L and amphotercin 2mg/L, was used as reference. Our conclusions were as follows: Tryptic soy agar base was not acceptable for the growth of C. pylori. As a sole supplementation, GC agar containing 1% hemoglobin was relatively adequate for the growth of C. pylori. The organism grew in both atmospheric conditions, but generally showed a scantier growth in the carbon dioxide incubator than under the microaerophilic condition, however GC agar containing 1% hemoglobin and 0.2% activated charcoal supported well the growth of C. pylori in the carbon dioxide incubator. The authors have found that the GC agar base supplemented with 1 % hemoglobin and 0.2% charcoal was the most satisfactory medium and a microaerophilic condition was optimal atmospheric condition for the growth of Campylobacter pylori in this study.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.15 no.3 s.28
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• pp.137-145
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• 1976

Orchids have been propagated vegetatively for a long time without adequate control measures against virus diseases in Korea. As a result, it is presumed that most of the orchid varieties in Korea may have been degenerated. Nevertheless there has been little work on the virus diseases of orchids in Korea. Therefore studies were initiated to isolate an4 characterize the orchid viruses occurring in Korea. The results obtained are summerized as follows. 1. Symptoms of virus diseases on orchid varieties can be grouped 1) mosaic, 2) necrotic streak with mosaic, 3) ring necrosis, 4) chlorotkc ring and 5) necrotic spot. 2. A total of 102 orchid plants representing 4 genera were investigated on the occurrence of Cymbidium mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus by serological agar-gel double diffusion test. The test revealed that approximately $45\%$ of the orchids were infected with Cymbidium mosaic virus. None of the plants were found to be infected with tobacco mosaic virus. 3. Local lesions appeared on the inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor Cassia occidentalis and Datura stramonium 7-12 days after mechanical inoculation with Cymbidium mosaic virus. 4. Physical properties of the Cymbidium mosaic virus determined by inoculation on Chenopodium amaranticolor were as follows: Thermal inactivation Point; $75-80^{\circ}C$, dilution end Point; $10^{-5}-10^{-6}\%$ aging in vitro; 8 days. 5. Three different buffers at pH 7.0 and pH 9.0 were compared for the efficiency of agar-gel double diffusion test with Cymbidium mosaic virus. Phosphate, imidazol and tris buffer at pH 7.0 gave equally satisfactory results. 6. Electron microscopic examination of the Cymbidium mosaic virus revealed rod shaped particles measuring 460-580mu.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2001

Background: To determine the molecular structure of type II collagen-specific T-cell receptors associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We generated CII-specific T-cell lines of 8 RA patients by prolonged in vitro culture with bovine CII (bCII) and the immunogenic peptide (256-270) of human CII. The proliferation response towards CII stimulation was measured from the uptake of 3H-thymidine. Changes in the secretion of Th 1 and Th2 cytokines in the culture supernatent were measured by ELISA. The TCR clonotypes of these T-cells were examined by RT-PCR/SSCP analyses of all 22 $V_{\beta}$ chains. Results: T-cells from patients' tissue exhibited strong proliferation index upon CII stimulation, which was maintained up to 6 months in the culture. The secretion of INF-$\gamma$from these T-cells increased along with the duration of culture time, while the amount of IL-4 production did not show significant changes. The SSCP band patterns of patients' T-cells appear as discrete bands unlike the smeary streak produced from normal samples. Some SSCP bands, each representing selected expansion of a TCR containing certain subtype of $V_{\beta}$ peptides, appeared to be identical in more than one patients. Among these, the expansion of SSCP band representing the $V_{\beta}$ 14 CDR3 region persisted after switching the antigen to the immunogenic human peptide (256-270). Conclusion: CII-reactive T-cells expressing distinct CDR3 motifs are selectively expanded in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients, and their persistent proliferation upon CII stimulation, as well as the production Th 1-type cytokines, may play pivotal roles in RA pathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2007

This study examined the effects of green tea extract supplementation (500 or 1,000 mg/kg b.w. per day) in conjunction with an atherogenic diet (10% coconut oil (w/w), 0.1% cholesterol) on plasma lipid composition, regression of pre-existing foam cells, and on the mRNA levels of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and LDL receptor. Compared to groups fed only with the atherogenic diet, the addition of green tea extract to atherogenic diet-fed groups significantly down-regulated plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, dose-dependently. Supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg b.w. of green tea extract with the atherogenic diet induced significant up-regulation of both HMG-CoA reductase and LDL receptor messenger RNA levels in liver as compared to the group receiving green tea extract supplementation at 500 mg/kg b.w. The F1B hamsters fed the atherogenic diet had greater foam cell accumulation compared to those fed a normal diet, or the atherogenic diet supplemented with green tea extract. Regression of fatty streak lesions was achieved by atherosclerosis in fat- and cholesterol-fed hamsters and this effect was associated with down-regulation of plasma cholesterol and up-regulation of hepatic LDL receptor expression.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.245-249
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• 2012

The small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus) is one of the most important rice pests in Republic of Korea because it damages rice plants not only by sap-sucking but also by transmitting Rice stripe virus (RSV). Outbreaks of RSV are closely related to outbreaks of the small brown planthopper (SBPH). Therefore, it is very important to control SBPH for the management of RSV. Mass-migrating SBPH collected by aerial net traps in June 2011 at Taeanup, Geunheungmyon and Gonammyon in Taeangun were examined for virus carrier status and effects of the pesticide, 'Myungtaja', on the control of RSV. Among 1,217 SBPH trapped, about 7.7% were detected as RSV positive and 4.4% were positive for Rice black streak dwarf virus (RBSDV) by RT-PCR. After the mass migration, pesticide 'Myungtaja' was sprayed once or twice on rice fields and compared to untreated fields. The incidence of RSV was not affected by the frequency of spraying 'Myungtaja' but was influenced by the time of pesticide treatment. Myungtaja' treatment within 5-7 days after mass migration resulted in the most efficient RSV control, resulting in RSV incidence decreased by 87.6% compared to the control. Therefore, we conclude that pesticide spraying for RSV control was most effective when it was done within 5-7 days after mass migration.