• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The possibility of inadvertent introduction of therapeutic gene expressing viral vectors has raised safety concerns about germ-line infection. Particularly, for indications such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer, the proximity of the point of viral administration to organs of the reproductive system raises concerns regarding inadvertent germ-line transmission of genes carried by the virus vector. To evaluate the safety of in vivo adenovirus mediated gene transfer, we explored the biodistribution, persistance and potential germ-line transmission of p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-CMV-p53). Both male and female Balb/c mice were injected with $1{\times}10^9$ PFU of Ad-CMV-p53. The PCR analysis showed that there were detectable vector sequences in liver, kidney, spleen, seminal vesicle, epididymis, prostate, ovary, and uterus. The RT-PCR analysis for detecting inserted gene, p53 showed that Ad-CMV-p53 viral RNA were present in spleen, prostate and ovary. Direct injected male and female mice of adenovirus vector into testis and ovary were mated and their of offspring were evaluated for germ-line transmission of the adenoviral vector. The PCR and RT-PCR analysis showed no evidence of germline transmission, although vector sequences were detected in DNA extracted from gonadal tissues. Real-time PCR result confirmed a significant decrease of adenovirus in gonad tissues 1 week after injection. We have also analysed the cell specific localization of viral DNA in gonad tissues by using in-situ PCR. Positive signals were detected in interstitial tissue but not in seminiferous tubule in sperm. In the case of ovary, adenovirus signal were localized to the stromal tissue, but no follicular signals were observed. Together, these data provide strong evidence that the risk of the Inadvertent germ-line transmission of vector sequences following intraperitoneal or direct injection into genito-urinary system of adenovirus is extremely low.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.244-250
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• 2008

To evaluate bacteriological water quality, samples were taken from drinking water dispensers placed at S company (S-C) and U highschool (U-H) in Ulsan. The medians of heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) were 53 CFU/ml for the 74 water samples of S-C and 80 CFU/ml for the 36 cold water samples of U-H, and 38% of the S-C and 42% of the U-H samples showed HPC bacterial concentrations higher than 100 CFU/ml. Coliform bacteria were detected from one sample of S-C. To determine the major source of bacterial contamination, water samples were taken daily for $6\sim8$ days from the bottled water containers as well as the faucets of an experimental water dispenser. While the average HPCs in the bottled water containers were 33 CFU/ml for the first and 132 CFU/ml for the 2nd analysis, the HPC concentration in the cold water samples was 1,022 CFU/ml for the 2nd analysis. These results suggest that the majority of bacteria detected in the cold water samples were originated from the biofilms on the surface of water passages within the water dispensers. There was no significant increase in HPC bacterial concentrations within the bottled water container after installation on the water dispenser. We could isolate and tentatively identify 3 genera 6 species of Gram-positive and 7 genera 7 species of Gram-negative bacteria from the plate count agar plates of U-H samples. Among the isolates, 72% were observed as Gram-positive, and Micrococcus spp. was the most abundant with 54% of the total, followed by Sphingomonas paucimobilis with 16%. It appears that most of the HPC bacteria detected in water dispensers originate from indoor airborne bacteria, which may play important roles in the formation of biofilms on the surface of water passages within the water dispensers.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.468-476
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• 2020

We aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of the ready-to-eat (RTE) side dishes collected from traditional markets, supermarkets, and cafeterias in Gyeonggi-do in 2019. A total of 108 samples were analyzed for total aerobic bacterial counts, coliforms and foodborne pathogens depending on place of purchase and cooking methods. Results show that Bacillus cereus was detected in 14 (12.9%) out of 108 samples of side dishes, while no other foodborne pathogens were detected. The mean detected level (range) of total aerobic bacteria depending on place of purchase was 5.8 log CFU/g (3.0 to 8.2 log CFU/g) for traditional markets, 4.3 log CFU/g (2.4 to 7.8 log CFU/g) for supermarkets, and 3.80 log CFU/g (0.0 to 6.8 log CFU/g) for cafeterias, indicating that there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in total aerobic bacterial counts among places of purchase. Among the samples, the highest counts of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms were detected in saengchae (raw vegetables), followed by namul (seasoned herbs, vegetables), bokkeum (stir-fried foods), and jorim (foods cooked in soy sauce). The growth of total aerobic bacteria in seasoned soybean sprouts was inhibited when the sprouts were stored at 4℃ up to 24 h, whereas bacteria rapidly grew at 20 and 35℃ after 3 and 6 h, respectively. These results reveal that storage temperature might play a significant role for the microbiological quality of seasoned soybean sprouts when they are sold in markets. Thus, this study suggests that RTE side dishes should be stored at refrigerated temperature when being sold at markets as well as after purchasing to improve their microbiological quality.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.79-95
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• 2017

Euiam and Paldang Reservoirs have often been facing water quality problems, such as eutrophication, algal blooms and off-flavors by treated wastewater effluent (TWE) in the North-Han and the Han River basins, but little is examined on the direct biological effect of TWE. This study tested algal growth potential (AGP) of four TWEs discharged into Euiam and Paldang Reservoirs to evaluate water fertility in September 2014 and March and September 2015. Test alga was used Anabaena circinalis isolated from Paldang Reservoir. Mean concentration of T-N and T-P in TWEs was $3,956.7{\mu}g\;N\;L^{-1}$ and $50.8{\mu}g\;P\;L^{-1}$, and the proportion of $NO_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$ to the total fraction was 72.1% and 40.8%, respectively. Both N and P were high in TWEs, but much higher N than P concentration indicates strong P-limitation. As a consequence, the maximum AGP was determined by $PO_4-P$ concentration (r=0.998, p<0.01). Mean AGP value was $15.4mg\;dw\;L^{-1}$ among four effluents indicating its eutrophic condition. Due to the establishment of tertiary (advanced T-P) treatment method in the studied plants recently, P concentration was significantly decreased in TWEs compared to the years prior to 2012. However, P concentration seems to be still high enough to cause eutrophication and algal blooms. Therefore, wastewater treatment to P-free level needs to be considered if effluents are directly discharged into the drinking water resources.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.663-668
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• 2007

This study evaluated the microbial, nutritional, and rheological changes in potatoes, during storage at room, low, and freezing temperatures for 6 months. No significant changes in total aerobic plate counts were observed for any of the samples in the assessment of microbiological quality changes. For the 4 types of frozen potatoes, yeasts and molds were not found until 24 weeks. The sugar contents of the potatoes stored at room and low temperature ($10^{\circ}C$) increased during the first 4 weeks of storage, but then decreased rapidly thereafter; while those in the frozen potatoes did not change significantly throughout the 48 weeks. The vitamin C, B1, and B2 contents of the potatoes stored at room and low temperature had decreased significantly after 4 weeks of storage, however, the levels in the frozen potatoes did not change rapidly. The weight, volume, and hardness of the frozen potatoes changed much less as compared to the potatoes stored at room and low temperature over the 48 weeks of storage. Finally, the cohesiveness of all the samples, except for the frozen mashed potatoes, did not change during storage.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.193-202
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• 2017

This study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 to investigate the effect of transplanting density on panicle production and to analyze the relationship of panicle production with yield traits in the mid-maturing quality rice cultivar 'Haiami' in the mid-plain area of Korea. Number of tillers per square meter increased by reducing planting distance and increasing seedling number per hill. These effects were maintained until maturity and were reflected in the final number of panicles per square meter, although the effect of planting density decreased as rice growth progressed. However, increased panicle number per square meter following dense planting did not improve head rice yield. Panicle number per square meter was negatively associated with spikelet number per panicle and was not correlated with other yield components or head rice yield. Head rice yield was not correlated with head rice percentage but was closely and positively correlated with milled rice yield. Milled rice yield did not increase with grain filling percentage but increased with spikelet number per square meter. Spikelet number per square meter increased with both spikelet number per panicle and panicle number per square meter, although the former had a greater influence. Therefore, we conclude that head rice yield of the 'Haiami' cultivar grown in the mid-plain area of Korea is not improved with an increased panicle number following high planting density but it could be improved with high milled rice yield by increasing spikelet number per unit area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.177-190
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• 2011

This study was conducted to determine effects of dietary herbaceous peat on in vitro fermentation and milk production in dairy cows. Ruminal pH, gas production, VFA (volatile fatty acid), Ammonia-N, and rumen degradability were examined by the addition of three times over 0, 1, and 5% herbaceous peat with substrate of timothy hay, and the change of rumen fermentation characteristics were evaluated. In 0, 3, 12 and 24 hours cultivation, all treatments did not show a significant difference but the control at 6 hours appeared significantly lower pH compared to 1 and 5% treatments (p<0.05). The gas production of the treatments significantly increased until 12 hours of cultivation compared to control (p<0.05), the rumen ammonia concentration showed a tendency to increase until 24 hours in all treatment groups, and there was no significant difference between treatments. About the rumen degradability, 5% treatment showed higher rumen degradability in all hours than control and 1% treatment (p<0.05). Meanwhile, for in vivo trial, 16 heads of Holstein lactation dairy cows were selected for experiment for four weeks in order to research the change of milk yield, milk compositions and change of somatic cell counts of lactation dairy cows by herbaceous peat feeding. The milk yield of vitamin C and herbaceous peat treatments (T3) was 25.0 kg but the control was 23.2 kg, herbaceous peat treatment (T1) was 23.1 kg, and vitamin C treatment (T2) was 23.4 kg, so there was linear increase effect of milk yield by T3. The partial significance of the milk (fat, milk protein, lactose, MUN and SNF) and change of somatic cell count before and after experiment by the control and treatments about change of milk and somatic cell counts (p<0.05) were recognized. About change of milk in the first half (1~2 weeks) and latter half (3~4 weeks) during four weeks of experiments period, the herbaceous peat supplement treatments showed a tendency of significant decrease of quality of milk protein and SNF. The control and treatments did not show significant change of blood nutrients (total protein, cholesterol, NEFA, BUN), liver function component (AST, GGT) and minerals (Ca, P, Mg) before and after experiment. In summary, it is judged that herbaceous peat feeding for lactation dairy cows would be recommendable based on the results of milk, somatic cell count physiologically.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.342-349
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• 2003

Escherichia coli O157：H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis are food borne pathogens involved in food poisoning in numerous countries. This study aimed to obtain knowledges on the survival of Esc coli O157：H7, Sta aureus and Sal. enteritidis in the yoghurt added with water extract of Omija(Schizandra chinensis). The growth inhibition of Schizandra chinensis extract on the food borne pathogens were measured by total microbial count and effect of growth inhibition was correspondent to the concentration of Schizandra chinensis extract. The highest growth inhibition effect of Schizandra chinensis extract was shown on the Sta aureus followed by Sal. enteritidis and Esc. coli O157：H7. The number of surviving Esc. coli O157：H7 cell(3.55${\times}$10$\^$5/ CFU/mL) was decreased to 1.00${\times}$10$^1$∼3.00${\times}$10$^1$ CFU/mL after 24 hours incubation by the addition of 0.4∼l.0％ of Schizandra chinensis extract in the yoghurt. And also the viable cell counts of surviving Sta. aureus cells (initial inoculum 1.24${\times}$10$\^$5/ CFU/mL) were decreased gradually to 4.00${\times}$10$^2$∼8.50${\times}$10$^2$ CFU/mL after 48 hours of incubation, but the viable cells of Sal. enteritidis were not detected after 24 hours of incubation. Growth of the food borne pathogens was strongly inhibited by the addition and incubation of Schizandra chinensis extract for 48 hours in the yoghurt.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.555-561
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• 2008

Ninety-nine samples of powdered infant formula in a market were collected from the local market and their contaminations for total aerobic bacteria, coliform, FAO/WHO Category A, B, and C pathogens were analyzed. Total aerobic bacteria were detected in 92 of 99 samples (93%) at levels of $1.83{\pm}0.68\;Log\;MPN/g$. These levels were below legal levels specified for infant formulas except for one sample detected by 4.5 Log CFU/g. Coliform was detected in 12 of 99 samples (12%) at levels of $1.26{\pm}1.03\;Log\;MPN/g$ whereas non-detection was required according to the specification of coliform in infant formulas. Escherichia coli was detected in 1 of 99 samples by 0.48 Log MPN/g. Salmonella and Enterobacter sakazakii among Category A weren't detected in all the samples. Enterobacteriaceae, Category B group, were detected in 25 samples of total 99 samples (25%) by $0.83{\pm}1.37\;Log\;MPN/g$. Enterobacteriaceae identified by API 20E were Escherichia vulneris, Es. hermannii, Pantoea spp., Citrobacter koseri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, En. cloaceae. Bacillus cereus among Category C was highly detected in 29 of 99 samples (29%) at levels of $0.69{\pm}0.32\;Log\;MPN/g$ with the most probable number count method, which were below legal levels for the specification of B. cereus in infant formulas. Clostridium perfringens, E. coli O157, Staphyloccus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli were not detected. Contamination level of major pathogens was low and falls within the range of specification of infant formulas. However, Enterobacteriaceae and B.cereus showed the high prevalence and some Enterobacteriaceae causing disease were detected. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the potential pathogens continually and reduce them to improve the microbial quality of non-sterilized powdered infant formulas.