• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2022

Background: Although respiratory tract infection is one of the most important factors triggering acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD), limited data are available to suggest an epidemiologic pattern of microbiology in South Korea. Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2018 across 28 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of COPD were eligible to participate in the present study. The participants underwent all conventional tests to identify etiology of microbial pathogenesis. The primary outcome was the percentage of different microbiological pathogens causing AE-COPD. A comparative microbiological analysis of the patients with overlapping asthma-COPD (ACO) and pure COPD was performed. Results: We included 1,186 patients with AE-COPD. Patients with pure COPD constituted 87.9% and those with ACO accounted for 12.1%. Nearly half of the patients used an inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimen and one-fifth used systemic corticosteroids. Respiratory pathogens were found in 55.3% of all such patients. Bacteria and viruses were detected in 33% and 33.2%, respectively. Bacterial and viral coinfections were found in 10.9%. The most frequently detected bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), and the most frequently detected virus was influenza A (10.4%). Multiple bacterial infections were more likely to appear in ACO than in pure COPD (8.3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.016). Conclusion: Distinct microbiological patterns were identified in patients with moderate-to-severe AE-COPD in South Korea. These findings may improve evidence-based management of patients with AE-COPD and represent the basis for further studies investigating infectious pathogens in patients with COPD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1028-1036
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• 2021

Firefly luciferase (FLuc) can function as an efficient marker in the gene and viral therapies. Nonetheless, its clinical translation has been unaccomplished with the concerns on its exogenous nature and the similarity with human fatty acyl-CoA synthetase. In this study, we aimed to show safety of FLuc by conducting a set of preclinical experiments and a human use. Initially, FLuc permeability across the plasma membrane was investigated by delivering the FLuc-carrying viral vector, OTS-412, or the FLuc recombinant protein. After in vitro infection of OTS-412 into different cancer cell lines, FLuc activity was detected only in the cell lysates, but not in culture media. In addition, recombinant FLuc protein further showed the impermeability against the plasma membrane. Similar result was also observed in the in vivo experiment. After being injected into the VX2 tumor-bearing rabbit, the FLuc exclusively resided within the tumor tissue without being detected in the blood plasma or other organs. Human cancer cell lines originated from various organs were lysed and treated to the FLuc, and none of the human substrates was reactive against the FLuc. As a final step, FLuc recombinant protein was intravenously injected into a human. The luciferase was degraded with the half-life of 20 to 30 minutes in blood, and was untraceable from 1.5 hr after the injection. In addition, the blood plasma was nonresponsive against the fatty acids. Hematological analysis was also comparable between the pre- and post-injection. Altogether, our study collectively demonstrates the safety of the firefly luciferase.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.641-651
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• 2022

The biodiversity research of barley, a functional food, is proceeding to conserve germplasms and develop new cultivar of barley to improve its functional effects. In this study, with 25,104 barley germplasms in the National Agrobiodiversity Center, South Korea, the biodiversity index of species was much lower (1.17) than the origins (24.73) because of the presence of a biased species, Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare, but the species and origin of germplasms were significantly different with regard to genetic traits. In the clustering analysis based on genetic traits, we found that 97% barley germplasms could mostly be distributed between 1~7 clusters out of a total of 15 clusters; 'normal and uzu type', 'lodging', and 'loose smut' were commonly represented in the 1~7 clusters and some clusters showed specific differences in five genetic traits including 'growth habit'. In correlation of each genetic trait, the infection of 'barley yellow mosaic virus' was highly correlated to 'number of grains per spike'. '1000 grain weight' was weakly correlated with seven genetic traits including 'number of grains per spike'. Our analysis for barley's biodiversity can provide a useful guide to the species' phenotypes that need to be collected to conserve biodiversity and to breed new barley varieties.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.305-319
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• 2020

A The purpose of this study was to determine the present state of the exercise rehabilitation field, promote elderly sport for all, and present a revitalization program for higher quality of life for the elderly in the coming era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and aged society. Literature review was performed to analyze the actual conditions of the activities for elderly sport for all and the relevant field of exercise rehabilitation, analyze the elderly health and welfare and elderly sport for all programs, and present a plan for revitalizing the field of exercise rehabilitation to promote elderly sport for all. First, it is necessary to reinforce the awareness and promotion of the need and importance of exercise rehabilitation in inducing seniors to participate in sport for all. Second, it is necessary to make it compulsory to place sport leaders for seniors at such places as elderly leisure and welfare centers and promote expertise in managing elderly health guidance efficiently through cooperation with welfare workers. Third, it is necessary to make it compulsory to take exercise rehabilitation and similar subjects in the curriculums of sport for all, elderly sport welfare, and silver welfare sport as well as the subject of volunteering activities at such places as elderly leisure and welfare centers with the aim of giving opportunities for career choice. Fourth, it is necessary to develop characterized exercise rehabilitation programs at senior welfare centers, community centers for the elderly, and elderly classes and employ experts equipped with exercise event and exercise rehabilitation capabilities as itinerant lecturers to contribute to the government's job creation policies through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MOCST) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Fifth, it is necessary to make a greater investment in research and development required for elderly sport for all. Sixth, it is necessary to develop and distribute various exercise rehabilitation treatment videos and guidelines that seniors can use for themselves. This is associated with the fifth one; in particular, it is urgent to devise measures against Coronavirus 19. Seventh, it is necessary to reduce inefficiency and budget waste caused by overlapped tasks by establishing a new elderly sports promotion organization through adjustment by MOCST and MOHW; it is also necessary to increase the functions of organization establishment with the aim of reinforcing the education area, which involves post-retirement health care, exercise rehabilitation, safety accident prevention, and virus.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.896-910
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• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and potentially fatal virus. So far, most comprehensive analyses encompassing clinical and transcriptional manifestation have concentrated on the lungs. Here, we confirmed evident signs of viral infection in the lungs and spleen of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice, which replicate the phenotype and infection symptoms in hospitalized humans. Seven days post viral detection in organs, infected mice showed decreased vital signs, leading to death. Bronchopneumonia due to infiltration of leukocytes in the lungs and reduction in the spleen lymphocyte region were observed. Transcriptome profiling implicated the meticulous regulation of distress and recovery from cytokine-mediated immunity by distinct immune cell types in a time-dependent manner. In lungs, the chemokine-driven response to viral invasion was highly elevated at 2 days post infection (dpi). In late infection, diseased lungs, post the innate immune process, showed recovery signs. The spleen established an even more immediate line of defense than the lungs, and the cytokine expression profile dropped at 7 dpi. At 5 dpi, spleen samples diverged into two distinct groups with different transcriptome profile and pathophysiology. Inhibition of consecutive host cell viral entry and massive immunoglobulin production and proteolysis inhibition seemed that one group endeavored to survive, while the other group struggled with developmental regeneration against consistent viral intrusion through the replication cycle. Our results may contribute to improved understanding of the longitudinal response to viral infection and development of potential therapeutics for hospitalized patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.409-422
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• 2022

Two dominant thrips in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivating in greenhouses are Frankliniella occidentalis and F. intonsa in Korea. This study investigated their overwintering physiology. These two thrips were freeze-susceptible and suppressed the body freezing temperature by lowering supercooling point (SCP) down to -15~-27℃. However, these SCPs varied among species and developmental stages. SCPs of F. occidentalis were -25.7±0.5℃ for adults, -17.2±0.3℃ for pupae, and -15.0±0.4℃ for larvae. SCPs of F. intonsa were -24.0±1.0℃ for adults, -27.0±0.5℃ for pupae, -17.2±0.8℃ for larvae. Cold injuries of both species occurred at low temperature treatments above SCPs. Thrips mortality increased as the treatment temperature decreased and its exposure period increased. F. occidentalis exhibited higher cold tolerance than F. intonsa. In both species, adults were more cold-tolerant than larvae. Two thrips species exhibited a rapid cold hardening because a pre-exposure to 0℃ for 2 h significantly enhanced the cold tolerance to a lethal cold temperature treatment at -10℃ for 2 h. In addition, a sequential exposure of the thrips to decreasing temperatures made them to be acclimated to low temperatures. To investigate the overwintering sites of the two species, winter monitoring of the thrips was performed at the greenhouses. During winter season (November~February), adults of the two species were not captured in outside of the greenhouses. However, F. occidentalis adults were captured to the traps and observed in weeds within the greenhouses. F. occidentalis adults were also emerged from soil samples obtained from the greenhouses during the winter season. F. intonsa adults did not come out from the soil samples at November and December, but emerged from the soil samples obtained after January. To determine the adult emergence due to diapause development, two thrips species were reared under different photoperiods. Adult development occurred in all photoperiod treatments in F. occidentalis, but did not in F. intonsa especially under short periods. Tomato spotted wilt virus, which is transmitted by these two species, was detected in the weeds infested by the thrips during the winter season. These results suggest that F. occidentalis develops on weeds in the greenhouses while F. intonsa undergoes a diapause in the soil during winter.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

The planting date of corn for silage has been delayed because of spring drought and double cropping system in Korea. This experiment was conducted to evaluate agronomic characteristics, forage production and feed value of corn at April and May in 2019. Experimental design was a split-plot with three replications. Planting dates (12 April and 10 May) were designated to the main plot, and corn hybrids ('P0928', 'P1543' and 'P2088') to the subplot. The silking days of the early planting date (12 April) was 79 days and that of the late planting date (10 May) was 66 days (p<0.0001), however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. Ear height of the late planting date was higher than that of the early planting (p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in plant height of corn. Insect resistance at the early planting was lower than that of late planting (p<0.05), however, lodging resistance was no significant difference at planting date. The rice black streaked virus (RBSDV) infection of early planting was 3.7% and that of late planting was 0.3% (p<0.001). Dry matter (DM) contents of stover, ear and whole plant had significant difference at planting date (p<0.05). And differences in ear percentages were observed among the corn hybrids (p<0.01). And ear percentages of early maturing corn ('P0928') was higher than for other hybrids. Ear percentage at the early planting date was higher than that at the late planting date (p<0.01). DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields had significant difference at planting date, however, there were no significant differences among the corn hybrids. DM and TDN yields at the late planting (21,678 kg/ha and 14,878 kg/ha) were higher than those of the early planting (13,732 kg/ha and 9,830 kg/ha). Crude protein content at the early planting date was higher than that of the late planting. Acid detergent fiber content of the late planting was lower than that of the early planting date (p<0.01), while there were no significant neutral detergent fiber content difference among the corn tested. Calculated net energy for lactation (NE_L) and TDN at the early planting were higher than those of at the late planting (p<0.01). Results of this our study indicate that the late planting date (May) is better than early planting date (April) in forage yield and feed value of corn. Therefore, the delay of planting date by May was more suitable for use in cropping system.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.331-350
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• 2022

This study aims to understand topics of incivility related to COVID-19 from analyzing Twitter posts including COVID-19-related hate speech. To achieve the goal, a total of 63,802 tweets that were created between December 1st, 2019, and August 31st, 2021, covering three targets of hate speech including region and public facilities, groups of people, and religion were analyzed. Frequency analysis, dynamic topic modeling, and keyword co-occurrence network analysis were used to explore topics and keywords. 1) Results of frequency analysis revealed that hate against regions and public facilities showed a relatively increasing trend while hate against specific groups of people and religion showed a relatively decreasing trend. 2) Results of dynamic topic modeling analysis showed keywords of each of the three targets of hate speech. Keywords of the region and public facilities included "Daegu, Gyeongbuk local hate", "interregional hate", and "public facility hate"; groups of people included "China hate", "virus spreaders", and "outdoor activity sanctions"; and religion included "Shincheonji", "Christianity", "religious infection", "refusal of quarantine", and "places visited by confirmed cases". 3) Similarly, results of keyword co-occurrence network analysis revealed keywords of three targets: region and public facilities (Corona, Daegu, confirmed cases, Shincheonji, Gyeongbuk, region); specific groups of people (Coronavirus, Wuhan pneumonia, Wuhan, China, Chinese, People, Entry, Banned); and religion (Corona, Church, Daegu, confirmed cases, infection). This study attempted to grasp the public's anti-citizenship public opinion related to COVID-19 by identifying domestic COVID-19 hate targets and keywords using social media. In particular, it is meaningful to grasp public opinion on incivility topics and hate emotions expressed on social media using data mining techniques for hate-related to COVID-19, which has not been attempted in previous studies. In addition, the results of this study suggest practical implications in that they can be based on basic data for contributing to the establishment of systems and policies for cultural communication measures in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.475-481
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• 2019

The soybean cultivar 'Neulchan' was developed for production of soy-paste and tofu. SS91501-9-1-1 and SS96205 (F₂) were crossed in 1998, and F₃ to F₇ were selected by the pedigree method. A preliminary yield trial (PYT) and an advanced yield trial (AYT) were conducted from 2006 to 2008, and a regional yield trial (RYT) in nine regions was conducted from 2009 to 2011. In the RYT, 'Neulchan' was stable in variable environments and generated high yield. 'Neulchan' was determinate with white flower, light brown pod color, yellow spherical seed, and yellow hilum. Its flowering date and maturity date were Jul. 30 and Oct. 9, respectively. The plant height was shorter than that of 'Daewonkong' (a standard cultivar). 'Neulchan' had the same node number (14), higher first-pod height (12 cm), and lighter seed weight (21.7 g/100-seed weight) than those of 'Daewonkong' (14, 11, and 24.2 g/100-seed weight, respectively). 'Neulchan' had high resistance to bacterial pustule, and its resistance to soybean mosaic virus was similar to that of 'Daewonkong'. The yield and color of 'Neulchan' tofu were similar to those of 'Daewonkong' tofu, but the hardness was lower than that of 'Daewonkong' tofu. The soybean malt scent, fermented soybean yield, and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) of 'Neulchan' were 3, 215%, and 24.6 mg/g, respectively. Its yield in adaptable regions was 307 kg/10a, higher than that of 'Daewonkong'. 'Neulchan' was expected to be cultivated and used widely for soy-paste and tofu production. (Registration No. 4904).

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2019

'Japonica 6' is a japonica rice variety developed from a cross between 'MS11', the beginning variety adaptable to tropical region, and 'IR86743-28-1-4', an elite line of high yield and good plant type by a Korea(RDA)-IRRI cooperative breeding program at IRRI in 2017. The growth duration of 'Japonica 6' is 121 days from sowing to harvest. It is 10 days later than that of the check variety 'MS11'. The culm length of 'Japonica 6' is 70 cm, and 1,000-brown rice grain weight is 26.7 g. It has a shorter culm and a larger grain. size than that of MS11. 'Japonica 6' is moderately resistant to blast disease but susceptible to bacterial blight, tungro virus and plant hoppers. The milled rice recovery rate of 'Japonica 6' is improved than that of 'MS11'. The head rice rate of 'Japonica 6' is significantly higher than that of 'MS11'. Yield of 'Japonica 6' is averagely 3.59 MT/ha of milled rice in 5 areas of the Philippines. The 'Japonica 6' was registered in Philippines and would be adaptable to the diverse regions of tropical Asia (Registration No in Philippines. BPI-NSIC-2017-Rc 484SR).