Fungal and Bacterial Community Dynamics in the Rhizosphere and Rhizoplane of in Relation to Soil Properties.

, a rare deciduous shrub native to East Asia, is critically endangered in Korea, yet little is known about its interactions with soil fungal communities. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of fungal and bacterial communities in the rhizoplane (RP), rhizosphere (RS), and surrounding soil (SS) of in its natural habitat on Mt. Cheonseong, South Korea.

Fungal Endophyte from Lithophytic Plants Native to Basalt Coastal Dunes in Gimnyeong and Woljeong, Jeju Islands, Korea.

This study aimed to establish a fungal symbiont culture collection for coastal dune conservation and determine the diversity and distribution of endophytic fungi in rocky coastal dunes at Gimnyeong and Woljeong in the Jeju Islands. Endophytic fungi can promote plant growth and induce systemic resistance to environmental stress and infections in host plants. The native plant species thriving in these habitats play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion.

Microalgae-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: a sustainable approach using extracellular polymeric substances from KNUA204.

Traditional nanoparticle synthesis relies on chemical and physical methods that often involve hazardous reagents, high energy consumption, and environmental toxicity. As a sustainable alternative, biological synthesis utilizes biomolecules in an eco-friendly manner to form nanoparticles. This study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by the microalga KNUA204, highlighting the potential of microalgal biomolecules in nanotechnology.

Taxonomical, Physiological, and Biochemical Characteristics of DSTA20 from Hypersaline Environments of Taean Salt Pond, Republic of Korea.

, a halophilic unicellular chlorophyte, produces bioactive compounds and biofuels applicable to various industries. Despite its industrial significance, comprehensive studies on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the genus remain challenging. In this study, we characterized an axenically isolated green alga from a salt pond in Taean, Republic of Korea, and assessed its industrially relevant traits.

PARK2 as a susceptibility factor for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Background: The genetic signatures associated with the susceptibility to nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) are still unknown. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing to explore gene expression profiles and represent characteristic factor in NTM-PD.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with NTM-PD and healthy individuals (controls).

Structurally Aligned Multifunctional Neural Probe (SAMP) Using Forest-Drawn CNT Sheet onto Thermally Drawn Polymer Fiber for Long-Term In Vivo Operation.

Neural probe engineering is a dynamic field, driving innovation in neuroscience and addressing scientific and medical demands. Recent advancements involve integrating nanomaterials to improve performance, aiming for sustained in vivo functionality. However, challenges persist due to size, stiffness, complexity, and manufacturing intricacies.

Fungal Microbiome of Alive and Dead Korean Fir in its Native Habitats.

A rapid decline of has been reported in most of the natural alpine habitats in Korea. It is generally accepted that this phenomenon is due to climate change even though no clear conclusions have been drawn. Most research has focused on abiotic environmental factors, but studies on the relationships between and soil fungal microbiomes are scarce.

Fungal Load of Groundwater Systems in Geographically Segregated Islands: A Step Forward in Fungal Control.

The fungal distribution, diversity, and load were analyzed in the geographically segregated island groundwater systems in Korea. A total of 79 fungal isolates were secured from seven islands and identified based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. They belonged to three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Chlorophyta), five classes, sixteen orders, twenty-two families, and thirty-one genera.

Worker Protection Scenarios for General Analytical Testing Facility under Several Infection Propagation Risks: Scoping Review, Epidemiological Model and ISO 31000.

Infectious disease is a risk threating industrial operations and worker health. In gastrointestinal disease cases, outbreak is sporadic, and propagation is often terminated within certain populations, although cases in industrial sites are continuously reported. The ISO 31000 international standard for risk management, an epidemiological triad model, and a scoping review were the methods used to establish response procedures (scenarios) to protect workers from the risk of the propagation of a gastrointestinal disease.

Is Age-Predicted Maximal Heart Rate Applicable in Patients With Heart or Lung Disease?

Objective: To compare the predicted and actual maximal heart rate (HRmax) values in the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 1,060 patients who underwent a CPET between January 2016 and April 2020 at our institution's cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center. The following patients were included: those aged >20 years, those tested with a treadmill, and those who underwent symptom-limited maximum exercise testing- reaching ≥85% of the predicted HRmax (62% if taking beta-blockers) and highest respiratory exchange ratio ≥1.

Recent advances in recording and modulation technologies for next-generation neural interfaces.

Along with the advancement in neural engineering techniques, unprecedented progress in the development of neural interfaces has been made over the past few decades. However, despite these achievements, there is still room for further improvements especially toward the possibility of monitoring and modulating neural activities with high resolution and specificity in our daily lives. In an effort of taking a step toward the next-generation neural interfaces, we want to highlight the recent progress in neural technologies.

LCCL peptide cleavage after noise exposure exacerbates hearing loss and is associated with the monocyte infiltration in the cochlea.

Unlabelled: Acoustic trauma induces an inflammatory response in the cochlea, resulting in debilitating hearing function. Clinically, amelioration of inflammation substantially prevents noise-induced hearing loss. The Limulus factor C, Cochlin, and Lgl1 (LCCL) peptide plays an important role in innate immunity during bacteria-induced inflammation in the cochlea.

Geographical Isolation and Root-Associated Fungi in the Marine Terrains: A Step Toward Establishing a Strategy for Acquiring Unique Microbial Resources.

This study aimed to understand whether the geo-ecological segregation of native plant species affects the root-associated fungal community. Rhizoplane (RP) and rhizosphere (RS) fungal microbiota of native to three geographically segregated coastal regions (volcanic ocean islands) were analyzed using culture-independent methods: 568,507 quality sequences, 1399 operational taxonomic units, five phyla, and 181 genera were obtained. Across all regions, significant differences in the phyla distribution and ratio were confirmed.

Complete chloroplast genome of MM0003 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The chloroplast genome of MM0003 was completely sequenced. This plastome has 139,597 bp in length and consists of 106 genes including 77 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 26 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 34.

Complete mitochondrial genome of MM0003 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The mitochondrial genome of MM0003 was completely sequenced. This mitogenome has 75,931 bp in length and consists of 62 genes including 32 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 27 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 27.

Complete chloroplast of CCAP 231/1 (chlorellaceae, trebouxiophyceae).

The chloroplast genome of CCAP 231/1 was completely sequenced. This chloroplast genome has 115,638 bp in length and consists of 111 genes including 81 protein-coding, 4 rRNA, and 26 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 35.

Complete mitochondrial genome of CCAP 231/1 (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae).

The mitochondrial genome of CCAP 231/1 was completely sequenced. This mitogenome has 70,061 bp in length and consists of 62 genes including 32 protein-coding, 3 rRNA, and 27 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of the genome is 31.

Fungal Clusters and Their Uniqueness in Geographically Segregated Wetlands: A Step Forward to Marsh Conservation for a Wealth of Future Fungal Resources.

Here, we investigated fungal microbiota in the understory root layer of representative well-conserved geographically segregated natural wetlands in the Korean Peninsula. We obtained 574,143 quality fungal sequences in total from soil samples in three wetlands, which were classified into 563 operational taxonomic units (OTU), 5 phyla, 84 genera. Soil texture, total nitrogen, organic carbon, pH, and electrical conductivity of soil were variable between geographical sites.

Assessment of biomass potentials of microalgal communities in open pond raceways using mass cultivation.

Metagenome studies have provided us with insights into the complex interactions of microorganisms with their environments and hosts. Few studies have focused on microalgae-associated metagenomes, and no study has addressed aquatic microalgae and their bacterial communities in open pond raceways (OPRs). This study explored the possibility of using microalgal biomasses from OPRs for biodiesel and biofertilizer production.

Effect of depleted uranium on a soil microcosm fungal community and influence of a plant-ectomycorrhizal association.

Fungi are one of the most biogeochemically active components of the soil microbiome, becoming particularly important in metal polluted terrestrial environments. There is scant information on the mycobiota of uranium (U) polluted sites and the effect of metallic depleted uranium (DU) stress on fungal communities in soil has not been reported. The present study aimed to establish the effect of DU contamination on a fungal community in soil using a culture-independent approach, fungal ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (F-RISA).

sp. nov. Isolated from Roots of in Korea.

sp. nov. was isolated from the roots of halophyte collected from Seocheon-gun, Korea in November 2015.

Microbial control measures for soft ice cream in franchise brands: A comparative analysis of microbial analysis and manufacturing practices.

The aim of this study was to establish a complementary direction of the franchise food hygiene guideline to control microbial risks. We evaluated current measures of preventing microbial spoilage and ensuring microbiological safety of food in the food franchise industry. Manufacturing practices were assessed using microbiological analyses, third-party food safety audits, and existing hygiene guidelines.