• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.328-334
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• 2019

Background: Although the frequency of respiratory viral infection in patients with pulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is not uncommon, clinical significance of the condition remains to be further elucidated. The purpose of this study was to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with influenza and other respiratory viruses. Methods: Clinical data of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with respiratory viruses January 2014-June 2018 were reviewed. Respiratory viral infection was identified by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Among 126 patients who underwent multiplex RT-PCR, respiratory viral infection was identified in 46% (58/126): 28 patients with influenza and 30 patients with other respiratory viruses. There was no significant difference in baseline and clinical characteristics between patients with influenza and those with other respiratory viruses. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was more frequent in patients with influenza than in those with other respiratory viruses (32.1% vs 3.3%, p=0.006). Co-bacterial pathogens were more frequently isolated from respiratory samples of patients with pulmonary ARDS infected with influenza virus than those with other respiratory viruses. (53.6% vs 26.7%, p=0.036). There were no significant differences regarding clinical outcomes. In multivariate analysis, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II was associated with 30-mortality (odds ratio, 1.158; 95% confidence interval, 1.022-1.312; p=0.022). Conclusion: Respiratory viral infection was not uncommon in patients with pulmonary ARDS. Influenza virus was most commonly identified and was associated with more co-bacterial infection and ECMO therapy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.880-884
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• 2001

Rumen microbiology research has undergone several evolutionary steps: the isolation and nutritional characterization of readily cultivated microbes; followed by the cloning and sequence analysis of individual genes relevant to key digestive processes; through to the use of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences for a cultivation-independent examination of microbial diversity. Our knowledge of rumen microbiology has expanded as a result, but the translation of this information into productive alterations of ruminal function has been rather limited. For instance, the cloning and characterization of cellulase genes in Escherichia coli has yielded some valuable information about this complex enzyme system in ruminal bacteria. SSU rRNA analyses have also confirmed that a considerable amount of the microbial diversity in the rumen is not represented in existing culture collections. However, we still have little idea of whether the key, and potentially rate-limiting, gene products and (or) microbial interactions have been identified. Technologies allowing high throughput nucleotide and protein sequence analysis have led to the emergence of two new fields of investigation, genomics and proteomics. Both disciplines can be further subdivided into functional and comparative lines of investigation. The massive accumulation of microbial DNA and protein sequence data, including complete genome sequences, is revolutionizing the way we examine microbial physiology and diversity. We describe here some examples of our use of genomics- and proteomics-based methods, to analyze the cellulase system of Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 and explore the genome of Ruminococcus albus 8. At Illinois, we are using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors to create libraries containing large (>75 kbases), contiguous segments of DNA from R. flavefaciens FD-1. Considering that every bacterium is not a candidate for whole genome sequencing, BAC libraries offer an attractive, alternative method to perform physical and functional analyses of a bacterium's genome. Our first plan is to use these BAC clones to determine whether or not cellulases and accessory genes in R. flavefaciens exist in clusters of orthologous genes (COGs). Proteomics is also being used to complement the BAC library/DNA sequencing approach. Proteins differentially expressed in response to carbon source are being identified by 2-D SDS-PAGE, followed by in-gel-digests and peptide mass mapping by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry, as well as peptide sequencing by Edman degradation. At Ohio State, we have used a combination of functional proteomics, mutational analysis and differential display RT-PCR to obtain evidence suggesting that in addition to a cellulosome-like mechanism, R. albus 8 possesses other mechanisms for adhesion to plant surfaces. Genome walking on either side of these differentially expressed transcripts has also resulted in two interesting observations: i) a relatively large number of genes with no matches in the current databases and; ii) the identification of genes with a high level of sequence identity to those identified, until now, in the archaebacteria. Genomics and proteomics will also accelerate our understanding of microbial interactions, and allow a greater degree of in situ analyses in the future. The challenge is to utilize genomics and proteomics to improve our fundamental understanding of microbial physiology, diversity and ecology, and overcome constraints to ruminal function.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1834-1845
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• 2018

The lactobacilli associated with a fermented goat milk product from Tajikistan were isolated to characterize their technological properties and antibiotic resistances in order to assess their suitability for development as starter cultures. In this study, twenty three strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as typical dairy-associated lactic acid bacterial strains, i.e. L. plantarum, L. pentosus, L. delbrueckii, L. helveticus and L. paracasei. These strains were generally susceptible to most antibiotics tested in this study and this allowed a selection of strains as safe starters. The draft genomes of four representative strains were sequenced and the number of contigs of the four assembled genomes ranged from 51 to 245 and the genome sizes ranged from 1.75 to 3.24 Mbp. These representative strains showed differences in their growth behavior and pH-reducing abilities in in vitro studies. The co-inoculation of these Lactobacillus spp. strains together with a yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus MBT-5698, or together with the yeast and an additional Streptococcus thermophilus MBT-2, led to a pH reduction to 3.4 after 48 h. Only in the case of fermentation inoculated with the co-culture, the viscosity of the milk increased noticeably. In contrast, fermentations with single strains did not lead to gelation of the milk or to a decrease in the pH after 24h. The results of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the predominant lactobacilli related to Tajikistani fermented milk products.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.141-147
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• 2017

In this study, a meta-analysis of fecal bacteria in dogs was conducted using 16S rRNA gene sequences that have been recovered from cloning and Sanger sequencing. For this meta-analysis, we retrieved all 16S rRNA gene sequences recovered from fecal bacteria in dogs in the RDP database (Release 11, Update 3). A total of 420 sequences were identified from the RDP database, 42 of which were also recovered from cultured isolates. The 420 sequences were assigned to five phyla, of which Firmicutes was the most predominant phylum, accounting for 55.2% of all 420 sequences. Bacteroidetes was the second most predominant phylum, accounting for 32.1% of the 420 sequences, followed by Actinobacteria (6.4%), Fusobacteria (3.8%), and Proteobacteria (2.4%). The genus Bacteroides within Bacteroidetes was the largest, representing 30.0% of all 420 sequences, while the putative genus Clostridium XI within Firmicutes was the second largest, representing 27.4% of all 420 sequences. A total of 82 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that are putative species were identified from the retrieved sequences. The results of this study will improve understanding of the diversity of fecal bacteria in dogs and guide future studies on the health and well-being of dogs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.720-730
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effects of corn silage as a source of microbial inoculant containing antifungal and carboxylesterase-producing bacteria on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutrient digestibility of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) with different energy levels. Methods: Corn silage was used as a bacterial source by ensiling for 72 d with an inoculant mixture of Lactobacillus brevis 5M2 and L. buchneri 6M1 at a 1:1 ratio. The corn silage without or with inoculant (CON vs MIX) was mixed with the other ingredients to formulate for low and high energy diets (LOW vs HIGH) for Hanwoo steers. All diets were ensiled into 20 L mini silo (5 kg) for 40 d in quadruplicate. Results: The MIX diets had lower (p<0.05) acid detergent fiber with higher (p<0.05) in vitro digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber compared to the CON diets. In terms of fermentation characteristics, the MIX diets had higher (p<0.05) acetate than the CON diets. The MIX diets had extended (p<0.05) lactic acid bacteria growth at 4 to 7 d of aerobic exposure and showed lower (p<0.05) yeast growth at 7 d of aerobic exposure than the CON diets. In terms of rumen fermentation, the MIX diets had higher (p<0.05) total fermentable fraction and total volatile fatty acid, with lower (p<0.05) pH than those of CON diets. The interaction (p = 0.036) between inoculant and diet level was only found in the immediately fermentable fraction, which inoculant was only effective on LOW diets. Conclusion: Application of corn silage with inoculant on FTMR presented an antifungal effect by inhibiting yeast at aerobic exposure and a carboxylesterase effect by improving nutrient digestibility. It also indicated that fermented feedstuffs could be used as microbial source for FTMR. Generally, the interaction between inoculant and diet level had less effect on this FTMR study.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1042-1047
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• 2002

Recently, many natural medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential for periodontal tissues. Cortex Eucommiae, Eupoly phaga, Semen Cuscutae, Halloysitum Rubrum have been traditionally used as medicines for treatment of bone disease in Korea. The objective of the present study is to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in human fetal osteoblast cell line (hFOB1) with several natural medicines. hFOB1 added DMEM/F-12 were cultured with dexamethasone as a positive control, and with each natural medicine. ALP activity was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and naphthol AS-Bl staining was performed for morphometry. All of the natural medicines induced a higher ALP activity compared to negative control, especially, Cortex Eucommiae increased an ALP activity in all experimental groups (p<0.05). In naphthol AS-Bl staining, all of the natural medicines of this study increased the stained area compared to negative control. Especially, Cortex Eucommiae and Eupoly phaga showed statistical significance compared to negative control (p<0.05). These results indicate that Cortex Eucommiae, Eupoly phaga, Semen Cuscutae, Halloysitum Rubrum have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblasts.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.908-913
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• 2004

Farfrae Flos has been clinically used for the treatment of asthma in traditional oriental medicine. There is lack of studies regarding the effects of Farfrae Flos on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Farfrae Flos on the regulatory mechanism of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. In Raw 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation, Farfrae Flos water extract inhibited nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner and abrogated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Farfrae Flos water extract did not affect on cell viability. To investigate the mechanism by which Farfrae Flos water extract inhibits iNOS and COX-2 gene expression, we examined the on the phospholylation of inhibitor κBα and production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Results provided evidence that Farfrae Flos inhibited the production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and the activation of phospholylation of inhibitor κBα in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS. These findings suggest that Farfrae Flos can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.441-453
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• 2014

Antibiotics in the diets for poultry were not only used for avoiding and (or) control bacterial infections but for promoting growth of the birds. However, there has been massive concerns of negative effects of antibiotics on human health such as development of antibiotics-resistance bacteria and (or) genes. Subsequently, some of countries (i.e., European Union member of country and South Korea) banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the diets for livestock industries in 2006 and 2011, respectively. Thus, it has become important to develop feeding strategies and feed additives to control and reduce the occurrence of diseases in livestock without using in-feed antibiotics. In this review, therefore, it is attempted to gather information with respect to (1) understanding the digestive physiology and (2) knowledge pertaining to interaction linking feed additives and its physiological and metabolic responses in broiler chickens.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2015

The follistatin (FST) gene encodes a monomeric glycoprotein that plays a role in binding and inhibiting the functions of members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ superfamily. Thus, FST facilitates a wide variety of functions, ranging from muscle growth, to inflammation and immunity. In this study, we sought to characterize an FST counterpart, RbFST, which was identified from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus. The RbFST cDNA sequence (2,419 bp) contains a 933-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a putative amino acid sequence for RbFST (35 kDa). The putative amino acid sequence contains a Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor domain (51-98 residues) and an EF-hand, calcium-binding domain (191-226 residues). Additionally, this sequence shares a high identity (98.7%) with the Siniperca chuatsi FST sequence, with which it also has the closest evolutionary relationship according to a phylogenetic study. Omnipresent distribution of RbFST transcripts were detected in the gill, liver, spleen, head kidney, kidney, skin, muscle, heart, brain, and intestine of healthy animals, with significantly higher expression levels in the heart, followed by the liver tissue. Under pathogenic stress caused by two bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda, RbFST transcription was found to be significantly up-regulated. Altogether, our findings suggest the putative role of RbFST in immune related responses against pathogenic infections, further prefiguring its significance in rock bream physiology.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.215-221
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• 2005

We investigated the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on inflammatory response of iNOS and COX-2 expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide $(LPS;\;10{\mu}g/ml)$ for 24 hours were incubated with increasing amounts of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (1 and 100 nM). LPS was found to induce inflammatory response of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein in VSMC. These processes were affected by male sex steroid hormones. For 3 hours, however, pretreatment of the cells with 100 nM each of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone suppressed LPS induced iNOS and COX-2 protein expression. RT-PCR analysis revealed that testosterone and dihydrotestosterone did not inhibit mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 stimulated by 24 hours of LPS incubation. Proliferation rate was slower in VSMC treated with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Testosterone enhanced androgen receptor expression, and LPS significantly reduced androgen receptor protein expression in VSMC. These results indicate that the expression of both iNOS and COX-2 proteins was suppressed by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in LPS stimulated VSMC and leading to reduction of vascular inflammation.