• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.394-401
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1, a triterpene saponin, is derived from the Panax ginseng root and has potent antiinflammatory activity. In this study, we determined if Rb1 can increase macrophage phagocytosis and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Methods: To measure macrophage phagocytosis, mouse peritoneal macrophages or RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Escherichia coli, and the phagocytic index was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot analyses were performed. Results: Ginsenoside Rb1 increased macrophage phagocytosis and phosphorylation of p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), but inhibition of p38 MAPK activity with SB203580 decreased the phagocytic ability of macrophages. Rb1 also increased Akt phosphorylation, which was suppressed by LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor. Rb1-induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by SB203580, (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol, and small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of $p38{\alpha}$ MAPK in macrophages. However, Rb1-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation was not blocked by LY294002 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of Akt. The inhibition of Akt activation with siRNA or LY294002 also inhibited the Rb1-induced increase in phagocytosis. Rb1 increased macrophage phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized beads but not unopsonized beads. The phosphorylation of p21 activated kinase 1/2 and actin polymerization induced by IgG-opsonized beads and Rb1 were inhibited by SB203580 and LY294002. Intraperitoneal injection of Rb1 increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Akt and the phagocytosis of bacteria in bronchoalveolar cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 enhances the phagocytic capacity of macrophages for bacteria via activation of the p38/Akt pathway. Rb1 may be a useful pharmacological adjuvant for the treatment of bacterial infections in clinically relevant conditions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2019

Background: Glomus intraradices is a species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that, as an obligate endomycorrhiza, can form mutually beneficial associations with plants. Panax ginseng is a popular traditional Chinese medicine; however, problems associated with ginseng planting, such as pesticide residues, reduce the ginseng quality. Methods: In this experiment, we studied the effect of inoculating G. intraradices on several physiological properties and microbial communities of ginseng. UV-Visible Spectrum method was used to detect physical properties. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis method was used to analyze microbial communities. Results: The results indicated that inoculation with G. intraradices can improve the colonization rate of lateral ginseng roots, increase the levels of monomeric and total ginsenosides, and improve root activity as well as polyphenol oxidase and catalase activities. We also studied the bacterial and fungal communities in ginseng rhizospheric soil. In our study, G. intraradices inoculation improved the abundance and Shannon diversity of bacteria, whereas fungi showed a reciprocal effect. Furthermore, we found that G. intraradices inoculation might increase some beneficial bacterial species and decreased pathogenic fungi in rhizospheric soil of ginseng. Conclusion: Our results showed that G. intraradices can benefit ginseng planting which may have some instructive and practical significance for planting ginseng in farmland.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.41.1-41.15
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• 2022

Background: Proliferative enteritis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis undermines the economic stability of the swine industry worldwide. The development of cost-effective animal models to study the pathophysiology of the disease will help develop strategies to counter this bacterium. Objectives: This study focused on establishing a model of gastrointestinal (GI) infection of L. intracellularis in C57BL/6 mice to evaluate the disease progression and lesions of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in murine GI tissue. Methods: We assessed the murine mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses generated in response to inoculation with L. intracellularis. Results: The mice developed characteristic lesions of the disease and shed L. intracellularis in the feces following oral inoculation with 5 × 10⁷ bacteria. An increase in L. intracellularis 16s rRNA and groEL copies in the intestine of infected mice indicated intestinal dissemination of the bacteria. The C57BL/6 mice appeared capable of modulating humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to L. intracellularis infection. Notably, the expression of genes for the vitamin B12 receptor and for secreted and membrane-bound mucins were downregulated in L. intracellularis -infected mice. Furthermore, L. intracellularis colonization of the mouse intestine was confirmed by the immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the contributions of bacterial chaperonin and host nutrient genes to PE using an immunocompetent mouse model. This mouse infection model may serve as a platform from which to study L. intracellularis infection and develop potential vaccination and therapeutic strategies to treat PE.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.88.1-88.13
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• 2020

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that causes listeriosis mainly in immunocompromised hosts. It can also cause foodborne outbreaks and has the ability to adapt to various environments. Peptide uptake in gram-positive bacteria is enabled by oligopeptide permeases (Opp) in a process that depends on ATP hydrolysis by OppD and F. Previously a putative protein Lmo2193 was predicted to be OppD, but little is known about the role of OppD in major processes of L. monocytogenes, such as growth, virulence, and biofilm formation. Objectives: To determine whether the virulence traits of L. monocytogenes are related to OppD. Methods: In this study, Lmo2193 gene deletion and complementation strains of L. monocytogenes were generated and compared with a wild-type strain for the following: adhesiveness, invasion ability, intracellular survival, proliferation, 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) to mice, and the amount bacteria in the mouse liver, spleen, and brain. Results: The results showed that virulence of the deletion strain was 1.34 and 0.5 orders of magnitude higher than that of the wild-type and complementation strains, respectively. The function of Lmo2193 was predicted and verified as OppD from the ATPase superfamily. Deletion of lmo2193 affected the normal growth of L. monocytogenes, reduced its virulence in cells and mice, and affected its ability to form biofilms. Conclusions: Deletion of the oligopeptide transporter Lmo2193 decreases the virulence of L. monocytogenes. These effects may be related to OppD's function, which provides a new perspective on the regulation of oligopeptide transporters in L. monocytogenes.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2022

Background: The risk of imported infectious diseases has been increasing with the annual rise in the number of international travelers. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the distribution and characteristics of intestinal bacteria isolated in 2019 from residents of Chungcheongnam-do Province with experience of travelling overseas. Methods: Twenty-three former overseas travelers with diarrhea were analyzed to detect viruses and bacteria according to the Manual for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens at Outbreaks. Additionally, antibiotic susceptibility tests and 16s rRNA sequencing were performed. Results: Twenty-five strains of ten pathogens were isolated from 18 samples. Pathogenic E. coli was the most common at 57.7%, followed by Clostridium perfringens (15.4%), Campylobacter spp. (7.7%), and Salmonella spp. (7.7%). The serotype of Salmonella was confirmed as Salmonella Braenderup, II 9,46:g,[m],[s],t:[e,n,x]. Conclusions: It was confirmed that the major enteric bacterial pathogens isolated from overseas travelers in Chungcheongnam-do Province were pathogenic E. coli, as found in other studies. The study on Plesiomonas shigelloides is meaningful in that it is reported as a rare case of infection in Korea. Antibiotic resistance and 16s rRNA analysis were performed, which is expected to provide important basic data for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.74.1-74.15
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• 2023

Background: Antibiotic beads are used to treat local bacterial infections by delivering high drug concentrations to infected tissue. Objectives: This study examined the elution characteristics of metronidazole from metronidazole-calcium sulfate (MCa) and metronidazole-calcium-potassium sulfate (MCaK) beads over 20 days and the antibacterial efficacy of the beads after storage. Methods: The MCa and MCaK beads were prepared by mixing 250 mg of metronidazole and 10 g of calcium sulfate hemihydrate with water and a 3% potassium sulfate solution, respectively. The beads were placed in phosphate-buffered saline for the elution study. The metronidazole eluents were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by a microbioassay. Results: For the 20-day study, the total amount of metronidazole released was greater in the MCa beads than in the MCaK beads by 6.61 ± 0.48 mg (89.11% ± 3.04%) and 4.65 ± 0.36 mg (73.11% ± 4.38%), respectively. The amounts of eluted drugs from the MCa and MCaK beads were higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration at 0.5 ㎍/mL against anaerobic bacteria at both 20 days and 14 days. SEM showed that calcium crystals on the outer surface had dissolved after elution, and thinner calcium crystals were prominent in the MCaK beads. The MCa and MCaK beads exhibited antibacterial activity after setting, followed by storage at room temperature or 4℃ for 21 days. Conclusions: The MCa beads could release more drug than the MCaK beads, but all eluted metronidazole amounts were effective in controlling bacterial infections. Both metronidazole beads could be stored at ambient temperature or in a refrigerator.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Available publications (e.g., theses, scientific reports, books and papers) about the elements of the Egyptian biodiversity during 2000-2018 were collected in a progress scientific report. The publications reported in this bibliography were collected from various sources including: site of the Egyptian Universities Libraries Consortium Portal, accounts of the biodiversity specialists on Research gate, direct contact with the national experts of the Egyptian biodiversity, libraries of some universities and research centers and others. The elements of the Egyptian biodiversity are classified into different categories. Results: Up till now, a total of 20,521 species were recorded in Egypt, of which insects have the highest contribution (48.7%), followed by fungi (12.1%) and vascular plants (11.5%). In a descending order, each of amphibians, viruses, reptiles, mammals, cyanobacteria, bryophytes, and bacteria have a minor contribution (< 1%). Based on the available data, Egyptian biodiversity contributes 1.3% of the world biota, although its area contributes only 0.7% of the world area. At a global scale, the most represented groups are algae (12.22% of the world figure), followed by cyanobacteria (6.08%) and birds (4.70%). On the other hand, the less represented are amphibians (0.14% of the world figure), flora (0.84%) and insects (1.00%). Conclusions: Some suggestions are recommended for preparing a phytoplankton checklist based on the rich available publications; further studies should be carried out on the lichen biodiversity in order to prepare acceptable verified checklist for this important group. In addition, paleo-biologists should work together to publish a book dealing with the Egyptian paleo-biology, such studies will lead to high ranking the Egyptian biodiversity.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.170-174
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• 2012

일반적으로 실제 하천의 EC 값은 일정하게 유지가 된다. 연속식, 반연속식 운전으로 실험한 결과 정상상태(steady state)를 보였다. 연속운전의 경우 유출수의 EC 값은 1.7 dS/m로 일정하게 유지되었으며(유입 EC = 0.1 dS/m) 반연속식운전의 경우 새로운 유입수가 유입됨으로 인해 초기 EC는 약 0.1 dS/m이고 미생물이 황을 산화함에 따라 황산염 이온이 생성되고 EC가 증가하여 30분 후 EC는 약 0.6 dS/m로 측정되었고 장시간 운전하여도 일정한 트랜드의 안정적인 값이 측정되었다. ${NO_2}^{-}-N$가 주입되면서 미생물이 저해를 받아 EC가 감소하는 경향을 보였으며 이를 통해 독성물질 주입여부를 판별할 수 있었다. 독성이 없는 유입수를 다시 유입시켰을 경우 약 4~5시간 후 반응조 내의 미생물이 원상태를 회복하여 유입 전 EC의 값이 다시 측정되었다. 황을 이용한 독성모니터링방법은 다른 여러 조건의 실험을 통해 문제점 파악 및 보완이 필요하지만 연속식 운전, 반연속식 운전 2가지 방법을 통해 독성물질을 신속하게 탐지할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.75-79
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• 2018

배경: 요배양검사는 요로감염 진단을 위한 표준검사로 가장 흔히 의뢰되는 미생물 배양 검사 중 하나이다. 소변 자동분석기는 감염과 관련된 많은 정보를 제공한다. 최근 개발된 Sysmex UF-5000 (Sysmex, Japan)은 유세포분석 방법에 의해 세균, 효모균, 백혈구 등의 입자를 정량적으로 측정하고, 그람 염색성 정보를 제공한다. 저자들은 UF-5000을 이용하여 불필요한 요배양검사를 얼마나 선별할 수 있는지 평가하였다. 방법: 요배양검사가 의뢰된 453 검체 중 비뇨기과/신장내과 의뢰 검체를 제외한 126 검체를 대상으로 요시험지봉검사와 UF-5000으로 검사를 시행하여 요배양검사 결과와 비교하였다. 소변 배양은 집락수가 $10^4CFU/mL$ 이상인 경우 양성으로 판정하였다. 결과: UF-5000의 세균 수 $50/{\mu}L$이하, 효모양 세포 $100/{\mu}L$ 이하를 기준으로 했을 때 분석 대상 요배양의 38.1% (48/126), 전체 요배양 453건의 10.6%를 불필요한 요배양검사로 선별해 낼 수 있었다. 결론: UF-5000에서 산출된 세균 및 효모양 세포의 수로 음성 배양 결과를 예측할 수 있으며 약 10%의 불필요한 배양검사를 줄일 수 있다.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.343-351
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Irrigation water is known to be one of the major sources of bacterial contamination in agricultural products. In addition, anti-microbial resistance (AMR) bacteria in food products possess serious threat to humans. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of foodborne bacteria in irrigation water and evaluating their anti-microbial susceptibility. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surface water (n = 66 sites) and groundwater (n = 40 sites) samples were collected from the Gyeongi and Gangwon provinces of South Korea during April, July, and October 2019. To evaluate the safety of water, fecal indicators (Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes) were examined. E. coli isolates from water were further tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using VITEK2 system. Overall, detection rate of foodborne pathogens in July was highest among three months. The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli (24%), Salmonella (3%), and L. monocytogenes (3%) was higher in surface water, while only one ground water site was contained with pathogenic E. coli (2.5%). Of the 343 E. coli isolates, 22.7% isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials (ampicillin (18.7%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (7.0%), and ciprofloxacin (6.7%)). CONCLUSION: To enhance the safety of agricultural products, it is necessary to frequently monitor the microbial quality of water.