• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.354-361
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• 2018

This study was carried out to isolate soil bacteria with antimicrobial activity and evaluate antimicrobial substances produced by isolated bacteria. Among many isolates Bacillus subtilis DS660 and Paenibacillus polymyxa DS842 showed high antimicrobial activities against 6 species of microbial residents on human skin and 3 species of pathogenic bacteria. DS660 and DS842 showed 15.3~26.8 and 11.3~27.5 mm of inhibition zone diameter, respectively on nutrient agar medium against most target bacteria and fungi. DS660 and DS842 produced $57{\pm}8$ and $170{\pm}15{\mu}mol/ml$ of siderophore, respectively as an antimicrobial substance. Analysis of ethyl acetate extract of culture supernatants of DS660 and DS842 suggested production of glycolipid biosurfactant which reduced surface tension of culture supernatant of DS660 and DS842 from 60.0 to 40.3 and 30.3 mN/m, respectively. DS660 and DS842 also showed $169.2{\pm}9.9$ and $357.2{\pm}13.7nmol/min/mg$ protein of ${\beta}-1,3$-glucanase activity, respectively, and hydrolyzed cell wall components of 3 bacterial species. These results suggest that B. subtilis DS660 and P. polymyxa DS842 may be utilized as an environment-friendly biocontrol agent against some skin microbes and pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2019

It was reported that there were some cases in which signal was not inhibited but high signal appeared in cerebrospinal fluid on FLAIR(fluid attenuated inversion recovery) of MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in case a person inhales high-concentration oxygen. This study was to prepare basic database. We produced a phantom fixed with agar gel and by using it, obtained the images of the signals of normal saline into which oxygen was injected and normal saline diluted with contrast media by changing the TI(Inversion Time) of FLAIR technique and analyzed them. In the result of FLAIR technique of MRI using Philips Achieva MR 3.0T in Busan P Hospital, the SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) of normal saline into which oxygen was injected was higher than the SNR of normal saline into which oxygen was not injected. However, it was not higher than the SNR of normal saline diluted with contrast media. In the TI 1,800ms, we could obtain the images which do not have the rise of the signal due to oxygen. In the CNR(Contrast to Noise Ratio) of normal saline into which oxygen was injected and normal saline diluted with contrast media as well, it was higher in the TI 1,800ms than in the TI 2,800ms that is mainly used clinically. It is thought that the result of this study could be basic database for studies on change of signal of cerebrospinal fluid as a result of injection of oxygen in FLAIR technique of MRI.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.260-264
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• 2019

An 84-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of pressure sores of the anus. She had a urine catheter when she showed pyuria three times but had no fever. A microscopic examination revealed many grapevine-like Gram positive strains and neutrophils. After 24 hours of urine culture on blood agar, non-hemolytic mucous colonies were found and further enlarged after 48 hours of culture. The capsules were identified after India ink stain. The catalase was positive, but the tube coagulase and latex coagulase were both negative. The S. aureus was identified by Vitek-2 and mass spectrometer Vitek MS V-3 IVD. The strain was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The phenotypically atypical MRSA found in the tube coagulase and latex coagulase were both negative. MRSA often show no beta hemolysis as in this case but are rarely latex coagulase-negative. We report a woman whose urine culture showed non-hemolytic, tube coagulase-negative, and latex coagulase-negative MRSA.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2019

This study investigated the antibacterial effects of BioZone atmospheric plasma (AP) against Bacillus cereus (F4810/72) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) as the major foodborne bacteria on the surface of dried filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) fillets. The fillets were experimentally contaminated with 7-8 log CFU/mL of B. cereus or S. aureus using a spot inoculation method. Bacterial counts were measured by standard plate method on tryptic soy agar, and were significantly reduced with the increase in the treatment time (1, 3, 5 or 20 min) of AP on the fillets (p < 0.05). The reductions of the pathogens by AP treatment ranged from 0.9 to 2.93 logCFU/g for B. cereus and from 1.04 to 2.55 logCFU/g for S. aureus. A reduction of >1-logCFU/g for B. cereus and S. aureus was observed on the fillets treated with AP for >3 min. The differences in color on the Hunter scale (L=light vs. dark, a=red vs. green, b=yellow vs. blue) of the fillets were not significantly different between the nontreated (control) and AP-treated fillets (p>0.05). This study suggested that 3 min of AP could be effective in reducing >90% of the bacteria without causing any concomitant changes in the color of the fillets.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2019

Purpose: We investigated the clinical features and epidemiology of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) from year 2006 to 2015 in Changwon city, Korea. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 69 patients diagnosed with SSSS from year 2006 to 2015. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by agar dilution method. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was phenotypically identified by oxacillin susceptibility testing and genotypically confirmed by the existence of the mecA gene. Results: The median age of patients was 2.0 years (range 0.2-6 years). Three (4.3%), 53 (76.8%), and 13 (18.9%) patients showed the generalized type, the intermediate type, and the abortive type, respectively. Patients occurred throughout the year, but most patients occurred between July and October. MRSA was isolated from 54 of the 60 patients regardless of the clinical types. All patients recovered without any complications. Conclusions: There was a constant occurrence of SSSS patients caused by MRSA in Changwon area during 2006 and 2015. It is needed to constantly monitor the occurrence of patients with SSSS.

• Journal of odor and indoor environment
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2018

Mold grows more easily when humidity is higher in indoor spaces, and as such is found more often on wetted areas in housing such as walls, toilets, kitchens, and poorly managed spaces. However, there have been few studies that have specifically assessed the level of mold in the indoor spaces of water-damaged housing in the Republic of Korea. We investigated the levels of airborne mold according to the characteristics of water damage types and explored the correlation between the distribution of mold genera and the characteristics of households. Samplings were performed from January 2016 to June 2018 in 97 housing units with water leakage or condensation, or a history of flooding, and in 61 general housing units in the metropolitan and Busan area, respectively. Airborne mold was collected on MEA (Malt extract agar) at flow rate of 100 L/min for 1 min. After collection, the samples were incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ for 120 hours. The cultured samples were counted and corrected using a positive hole conversion table. The samples were then analyzed by single colony culture, DNA extraction, gene amplification, and sequencing. By type of housing, concentrations of airborne mold were highest in flooded housing, followed by water-leaked or highly condensed housings, and then general housing. In more than 50% of water-damaged housing, the level of airborne mold exceeded the guideline of Korea's Ministry of Environment ($500CFU/m^3$). Of particular concern was the fact that the I/O ratio of water-damaged housing was greater than 1, which could indicate that mold damage may occur indoors. The distribution patterns of the fungal species were as follows: Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp. (14%), Aspergillus spp. (13%) and Alternaria spp. (3%), but significant differences of their levels in indoor spaces were not found. Our findings indicate that high levels of mold damage were found in housing with water damage, and Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium brevicompactum were more dominant in housing with high water activity. Comprehensive management of flooded or water-damaged housing is necessary to reduce fungal exposure.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.443-449
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• 2020

This study was performed to investigate total phenolic contents, anti-oxidant, biological disease-related enzyme inhibitory, and anti-microbial effects of extracts of Lonicera morrowii leaves prepared with water and 40% ethanol. Anti-oxidative activities of the extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner and were very high even at low phenolic concentration. At phenolic concentrations ranging between 50 and 200 ㎍/mL, the water and ethanol extracts inhibited 39.34-76.35 and 47.53-99.83% of xanthine oxidase activity, 30.21-79.06, and 59.40-87.14% of angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and 59.81-80.35 and 36.06-63.58% of α-glucosidase activity, respectively. All inhibitory effect were increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the paper disc agar diffusion assay against seven microbes, L. morrowii extracts had anti-bacteria activities against Helicobacter pylori, Propionibacterium acne but no effect against other bacteria. These results indicate that the extracts from L. morrowii leaves have the possibility to be developed as a physiologically functional source for prevention of adult diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.381-388
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• 2020

Bioluminescence refers to the production and emission of light in living organisms. This phenomenon arises from luciferase-catalyzed oxidation reaction of luciferin. Bioluminescence is widely observed in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some microorganisms and fungi. To date, approximately 80 species of fungi have been reported to be luminous. One such example is Omphalotus japonicus, which is a luminous fungus found in Korea. In this study, we examined the bioluminescence of Omphalotus japonicus mycelia. Light emission was detected at the edges of mycelia grown on solid agar medium. Notably, the intensity of bioluminescence was found to be significantly enhanced following wound induction. The increase in light intensity peaked at 3 h after mechanical damage. We also investigated the effects of extreme temperatures on bioluminescence. Unlike mechanical damage, high and low temperatures repressed the light emission from mycelia. Further investigations are required to reveal the physiological and ecological properties of fungal bioluminescent responses to environmental stresses.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2021

A new cultivar of oak mushroom 'Dadam' was bred from monokaryotic strains of 'GMLE36062-4' and 'GMLE36288-34'. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth of the new cultivar 'Dadam' on potato dextrose agar was 19-22℃. Total cultivation period of the new cultivar, from innoculation to its first harvest, was 135-139 days, similar to that of the control cultivar 'Hwadam'. The pileus color and stipe thickness of the new cultivar were darker and thinner than those of 'Hwadam'. Total yield of 'Dadam' was 621 g per 3 kg substrate, and is higher than that of 'Hwadam' (371 g). In farmhouse field test, it showed that the period of mycelial growth, browning, and fruiting body formation were the same as those of the control cultivar L808. The number of available fruiting bodies of 'Dadam' was 15, and is lower than that of the control (47), therefore, it was possible to save workforce in thinning. The total yield for 2 flush was 480 g for 'Dadam', similar to the 473 g of the control cultivar.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2017

Propolis, natural antibacterial agent, which has been used traditional medicine across the globe, is resinous mixture to include abundant bioactive substances. In present study, we investigated antimicrobial activity according to quality characteristics of propolis collected from 9 different regions in Korea. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring growth inhibition zone using agar well diffusion method against Streptococcus mutans. Constituents analysis of propolis samples were measured through total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and quantitative analysis of major compound (pinocembrin) by ultra performance liquid chromatography. As a result, 9 different propolis (10mg/mL) and pinocembrin (1mg/mL) showed antimicrobial activity that has growth inhibition zone more than 11.9mm on S. mutans. The total flavonoid contents of 8 different propolis excluding Jeju island were in compliance with standard of health functional food in Korea and were found to affect antimicrobial activity on S. mutans when contained over 10mg/g. In addition, when content of pinocembrin in propolis was ranged from 12mg/g to 32mg/g, each propolis excluding Jeju island exhibited antimicrobial activity alike. These results indicate that pinocembrin plays a important role for antimicrobial activity of propolis collected from 8 different regions in Korea, and that it can be used as basic data for standardization of Korean propolis.