Thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP) is a small cationic peptide that exerts potent in vitro microbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of human pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus rattus BHT. Earlier evidence has suggested that tPMP targets and disrupts the bacterial membrane. However, it is not yet clear whether membrane disruption itself is sufficient to kill the bacteria or whether subsequent, presumably intracellular, events are also involved in this process. In this study, we investigated the microbicidal activity of rabbit tPMP toward S. rattus BHT cells in the presence or absence of a pretreatment with antibiotics that differ in their mechanisms of action. The streptocidal effects of tPMP on control cells (no antibiotic pretreatment) were rapid and concentration-dependent. Pretreatment of S. rattus BHT cells with either penicillin or amoxicillin (inhibitors of bacterial cell wall synthesis) significantly enhanced the anti-S. rattus BHT effects of tPMP compared with the effects against the respective control cells over most tPMP concentration ranges tested. On the other hand, pretreatment of S. rattus BHT cells with tetracycline or doxycycline (30S ribosomal subunit inhibitors) significantly decreased the streptocidal effects of tPMP over a wide peptide concentration range. Furthermore, pretreatment with rifampin (an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase) essentially blocked the killing of S. rattus BHT by tPMP at most concentrations compared with the respective control cells. These results suggest that tPMP exerts anti-S. rattus BHT activity through mechanisms involving both the cell membrane and intracellular targets.

Transcriptomic changes in the brain of Limanda yokohamae were investigated to understand the environmental condition of Masan Bay, Korea. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the brain of the flat fish from Masan Bay were identified by comparing those

Gingival overgrowth can cause dental occlusion and seriously interfere with mastication, speech, and dental hygiene. It is observed in 25 to 81% of renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporine A (CsA). CsA-induced gingival overgrowth (CIGO) is caused by quantitative alteration of the extracellular matrix components, particularly collagen. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CIGO remain poorly understood, despite intense clinical and laboratory investigations. The aim of the present work is to identify differentially expressed genes closely associated with CIGO. Human gingival fibroblasts were isolated by primary explant culture of gingival tissues from five healthy subjects (HGFs) and two patients with the CIGO (CIGO-HGFs). The proliferative activity of CsA-treated HGFs and CIGO-HGFs was examined using the MTT assay. The identification of differentially expressed genes in CsA-treated CIGO-HGF was performed by differential display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. CsA significantly increased the proliferation of two HGFs and two CIGO-HGFs, whereas three HGFs were not affected. Seven genes, including the beta subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HB) and testican 1, were upregulated by CsA in a highly proliferative CIGO-HGF. The increased P4HB and testican-1 mRNA levels were confirmed in CsA-treated CIGO-HGFs by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, CsA increased type I collagen mRNA levels and suppressed MMP-2 mRNA levels, which are regulated by P4HB and testican-1, respectively. These results suggest that CsA may induce gingival overgrowth through the upregulation of P4HB and testican-1, resulting in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components.

It has been reported that the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of viridans streptococci vary according to geographical region. Although several studies on the antibiotic resistance of viridans streptococci in foreign countries have been reported, little is known about the distribution of resistance among viridans streptococci in Korea. In this study, 88 isolates of viridans streptococci from Korean students' dental plaque were identified as 12 different species. The susceptibility of these isolates to 8 antibiotics was investigated. The in vitro antibiotic activity of penicillin G, ampicillin, vancomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline was measured by the broth microdilution method. The range of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), MIC50, MIC90, and the percentage of the susceptible isolates were determined. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarius were susceptible to the 8 antibiotics. Isolates with resistance to vancomycin, streptomycin, and amoxicillin were not found. The overall resistance rates of the 88 isolates to penicillin G, ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline were 12.5%, 62.5%, 62.5%, 26.1%, and 26.1%, respectively.

Recently, Choe & Cheng (2002) have demonstrated that multiple magnetic flux systems with closed configurations can have more magnetic energy than the corresponding open magnetic fields. In relation to this issue, we have addressed two questions: (1) how much fraction of eruptive solar active regions shows multiple flux system features, and (2) what winding angle could be an eruption threshold. For this investigation, we have taken a sample of 105 front-side halo CMEs, which occurred from 1996 to 2001, and whose source regions were located near the disk center, for which magnetic polarities in SOHO/MDI magnetograms are clearly discernible. Examining their soft X-ray images taken by Yohkoh SXT in pre-eruption stages, we have classified these events into two groups: multiple flux system events and single flux system events. It is found that 74% (78/105) of the sample events show multiple flux system features. Comparing the field configuration of an active region with a numerical model, we have also found that the winding angle of the eruptive flux system is slightly above 1.5π.

The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) translated into Korea in patients with stroke. It also aims to score the quality of trunk movement and to be a tool for the treatment. The TIS consists of three subscales that static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance and co-ordination. The TIS score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 23. Twenty-five stroke patients (13 males, 12 females) were examined by two physiotherapists. Interrater and test-retest reliability were assessed. Kappa and weighted kappa values for the items of the trunk assessment of the TIS ranged from .67 to 1.00. Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater and test-retest agreement were .95 and .97. Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency range from .87 to .97. The TIS provide reliable assessments for the trunk and are valid scales for measuring trunk performance in patients with stroke. TIS can be used as a guideline for treatment and the assessment of quality of trunk activity.

Cross-legged sitting postures are commonly assumed during computer work. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of leg crossing on trunk muscle activity while typing at a computer. Trunk muscle activity was measured in three 8 different sitting postures, in random order. These posture were: normal sitting with a straight trunk and both feet on the floor (NS), upper leg crossing (ULC), and ankle on knee (AOK). The right leg was crossed onto the left leg in both cross-legged postures. Twenty able-bodied male volunteers participated in this study. Subjects typed on a computer keyboard for one minute. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record bilateral muscle activity in the external oblique (EO). internal oblique (IO), and rectus abdominis (RA). The EMG activity of each muscle in the NS posture was used as a reference (100% EMG activity) in relation to the two cross-legged postures. Muscle activity in the right EO. right IO, and left IO was significantly lower in the ULC posture than in the NS posture. In contrast, muscle activity in the right RA was significantly higher in the ULC posture than in the NS posture. Muscle activity in the tight RA was significantly higher in the AOK posture, as compared to the NS posture, whereas activity in the left IO was significantly lower in the AOK posture, as compared to the NS posture. The right-left muscle activity ratios in the EO and IO showed significantly different patterns in the cross-legged postures, suggesting that asymmetrical right-left oblique muscle activity had occurred.

This study was done to evaluate the susceptibility, systemic effect, residual effect and control effect in each developmental stages of biotype Q of sweetpotato whitefly against insecticides, acetamiprid+spinetoram SC and dinotefuran SG. Two insecticides were showed similar activity against the eggs, and showed higher activity in acetamiprid+spinetoram SC against the nymph and adult. In systemic effect, two insecticides have a similar activity. It was showed higher activity in root zone systemic application than leaf zone systemic application. Residual effect was showed higher in acetamiprid+spinetoram SC (92%) than dinotefuran SG (44 %) at seven days after treatment. Control effect was showed all over 90 % activity at tree- and seven days after treatment. Therefore, these insecticides are expected to control the sweetpotato whitefly effectively.

This study was carried out to evaluate toxicities of two formulations (microemulsion, ME and wettable powder, WP) for acetamiprid+etofenprox against aphids (Aphis gossypii), thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) on the cucumber greenhouse and whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci Qbiotype) on the tomato greenhouse. The activities of two formulations were evaluated by testing residual effect and toxicities against eggs, nymphs and adults of whiteflies in the laboratory, and control effect in the greenhouse against whiteflies, aphids and thrips. All trials were tested at the recommended concentration(RC) and a half concentration of RC of each formulation. In the laboratory trials against eggs and nymphs of whiteflies, the effect of ME was more effective than that of WP and showed more than 80% ovicidal activities, and 40%~60% larvicidal activities on the 3rd instars nymph of whiteflies at the recommended and its half concentrations. On the residual effect against the adults of the two whitefly species, WP formulation was more effective than ME and showed more than 70% mortality at the 5th day after treatments of recommended concentrations. In the field trials, the effects of ME against whiteflies and thrips were more excellent than those of WP. On the other hand, the effect of WP against aphids was more excellent. These results indicate that the formulation of insecticide can be played an important role in the control strategy of the pest in field.

DNA-based technology are about to revolutionize the analysis of population structures as well as the determination of individual indentities. Furthermore, the analysis of polymorphic DNA regions make it possible to reach detailed conclusions on family relationships of individual. Microsatellite loci are increasingly used in population genetic and evolutionary studies. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellites consisted of short tandem repeats (usually 1-6 nucleotide) have shown advantages over other markers. We report here the isolation and characterization of nine highly polymerphic microsatellite loci for phylogenetic and population genetic use in silkworm. Comparative analysis of diverse silkworm strains with microsatellite locus revealed several alleles and discriminative heterozygosity values. A list of primer sequences that tag each locus is provided. The usefulness of microsatellite markers can be expected to enhance the classification in silkworm.

We analyzed fault plane solutions of the recent twenty-two earthquakes which occurred from 2004 to 2006 in the central part of the Korean Peninsula by using P- and S-wave polarities along with SH/P amplitude ratios. The fault plane solution shows that strike-slip fault is dominant here, especially for the events with local magnitude equal to or greater than 3.0. However, some events with local magnitude less than 3.0 show normal fault or strike-slip fault with normal components. In the case of strike-slip fault, its orientation is almost in the direction of NNE-SSW to NE-SW almost parallel to the general trend of faults, while the compressional axis of the stress field trends ENE to E-W. The result is almost consistent with the stress field in and around the Korean peninsula, as reported previously. We cannot give any appropriate explanations to the normal faulting events along the western offshore and inland areas whether it is related to the local stress changes or tectonically unidentified extensional structures. Thus, an extension of investigations is desirable to clarify the cause of such phenomena.