• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.179-183
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• 1996

Streptoccus Pneumoniae (pneumococcus), the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, has an ample polysaccharide (PS) capsule that is highly antigenic and is the source of PS vaccine. This investigation was undertaken to optimize the culture conditions for the production of capsulard PS by type 1 pneumococcus. Among several culture media, brain heart infusion (BHI) and Casitone based media were found to support luxuriant growth of pneumococcus type 1 at the same level. Because BHI medium is rather expensive and more complex than the Casitone based media, the Casitone based media was uwed to study optimization of the culture condition. The phase of growth which accomodated maximum PS production was logarithmic phase. Concentrations of glucose greater than 0.2% did not ehnahce growth or PS production. Substitution of netrogen sources with other resources or supplementation of various concentrations of metal ion (with the exception of calcium ion) had adverse affects on growth and PS production. On the other hand, low level aeration was beneficial for increased PS production. Addition of 3 mg/1 concentration of methionine, phenylalanine, and threonine were found to enhance growth and PS production. The synerigistic effect of all the favorable conditions observed in pneumococcal growth assays provided a two-fold cummulative increase in capsular PS production.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2007

This study carried out to investigate the genital tract bacterial flora of Thoroughbred mare in Jeju province during March and July, 2006. The specimens were collected from vaginal ucosa and clitorial fossa using a culture swab (BBL, USA) from 100 Thoroughbred mares. Colonies were selected blood and MacConkey agar plate, and identified as standard biochemical properties using Biolog system (Thermo, USA). In this study, 470 gram-negative strains were isolated more frequently than 249 gram-positive strains. We were Isolated Escherichia coli (19.8%), Proteus mirabillis (14.9%), Enterobacter nimipressuralis (7.4%), Enterobacter mobilis (4.7%), Aeromonas encheleia (4.3%), Pseudomonas aeroginosa (3.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (11.2%), Coagulasenegative Staphylococcus spp. (10.0%), Enterococcus faecalis (9.2%), Enterococcus faecium (8.0%), Actinomyces viscosus (7.2%), Micoroccus diversus(6.8%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis(5.2%), Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (3.2%), Other non-beta hemolytic Streptococcus spp. (2.0%) and many others from vaginal mucosa and clitorial fossa in Thoroughbred mares. No significant bacteria (Taylorella equigenitalis and Klebsiella pneumonia) were isolated from the mare genital tract. In antimicrobial agents susceptibility test, it shows a high sensibility in the antibiotics of the most which excepts the streptomycin and neomycinm, kanamycin, spectinomycin, compound sulfonamides. Especially, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. were visible a high sensibility in the all antibiotics. However, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus spp. and E. coli were showed a high antibiotic resistance patterns. These results may provide the basic information to establish strategies for the treatment and prevention of reproductive disease in Thoroughbred mares in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2011

Fowl cholera is a contagious acute and chronic disease caused by Pasteurella multocida in both domesticated and wild birds. Acute fowl cholera in both chickens and wild birds has recently been documented in Korea, but the chronic form has not been reported in Korea until now. This study describes the first outbreak of chronic fowl cholera in 13-week-old Arbor Acre broiler breeder chickens submitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University in April 2006. The clinical signs of the affected flock of 9,621 chickens were lameness caused by swollen hock joints, diarrhea, ruffled feathers, and an average weekly mortality of 1.0%. At necropsy, purulent or caseous exudates were found in the hock and wing joints, humerus, and eyes, and severe pneumonia and pericarditis were discovered. Eleven bacterial isolates obtained from the liver, joint, infraorbital sinus and sternal bursa of the submitted chickens were all identified as Pasteurella multocida based on their physiological and biochemical characteristics. Five isolates were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility against 21 different antimicrobial agents including ampicillin. All were resistant to kanamycin, neomycin, and streptomycin, and some were resistant to gentamicin. The tested isolates were all susceptible to the other 17 antimicrobial agents. All 11 isolates were capsular serogroup A based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction. In addition, two of five isolates used in the antimicrobial susceptibility test were identified as somatic serotype 1 by an agar gel diffusion precipitin test, while the others were non-typable.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2011

Attacin is an insect antibacterial protein that plays an important role in immune response to injury and infection. In this report, we have isolated and characterized of cDNA encoding for the attacin from the immunized larvae of swallowtail butterfly, $Papilio$ $xuthus$. A full length cDNA of $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin was obtained by employing annealing control primer (ACP)-based differential display PCR and 5' RACE. The complete $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin cDNA was comprised of 949 bp encoding a 250 amino acid precursor. It contains a putative 18 amino acid signal peptide sequence, a 42 amino acid propeptide sequence, and a 190 amino acid mature protein with a theoretical molecular mass of 19904.01 and a pI of 9.13. The putative mature protein of $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin showed 48-52% and 24-30% identity in amino acid sequences with that of lepidopteran and dipteran insects, respectively. Semiquantitive RT-PCR results revealed that the transcript of $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin gene was up-regulated at significant levels after injection with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We sub-cloned cDNA fragment encoding mature $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin into the expression vector, highly expressed in $E.$ $coli$ BL21 cells, and its antibacterial activity was analyzed. Recombinant $P.$ $xuthus$ attacin evidenced considerably antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, $E.$ $coli$ ML 35 and $Klebsiella$ $pneumonia$.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.174-179
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• 1986

Augmentin is a formulation of amoxycillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate, a fused beta-lactam molecule produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus. Most clinically important resistance is due to the production by bacteria of antibiotic destroying enzymes. In the case of penicillins and cephalosporins these enzymes are termed beta-lactamase as they destroy the beta-lectern ring of these antibiotics, completely inactivating them. The presence of clavulanic acid extends the spectrum of amoxycillin to include bet On clinical study of the intravenous Augmentin in the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical cases, we selected randomly 30 patients, 21 male and 9 female, age from 13 to 72, in the period from April to December 1985. Among the total 30 patients, 22 were preoperatively infected [11 thoracic empyema, 5 lobar pneumonia, 2 lung abscess, 2 bronchiectasis, one acute pyelonephritis with ureter stone and one rheumatic carditis], and 8 were not infected preoperatively [Table 1, 2]. Of the preoperatively infected group, 11 cases [50%] were culture positive [4 staphylococcus, 3 pseudomonas, 2 Serratia group, and one E. coli], and preoperatively non-infected group [8 cases] revealed expectedly negative findings on bacterial culture. All of the culture positive bacteria were sensitive to Augmentin on disc culture sensitivity test except one case of E. coli. Daily doses of intravenous Augmentin were 2.-1-6.0gm divided in 2-5 injections. Every injection administered [1.2gm at Augmentin dissolved in 20ml distilled water] slowly for more than 20 minutes. Duration of injection was variable according to the clinical conditions from minimum 5 to maximum 31 days. The results of antibiotic treatment with Augmentin and some other antibiotic combinations pre- and postoperatively were subgrouped as EXCELLENT, EFFECTIVE, and FAILURE. Clinical criteria of the therapeutic result were symptomatic, objective and laboratory improvement. 8 cases were excellent, 13 effective, and one failure among the preoperatively infected group, and all 8 cases of the preoperatively non-infected group were effective as pro;hylactive antibiotic therapy. Overall effective ratio was 97% in both subgroup. There was no side effect clinically and laboratory study including liver and kidney function test during and after the I.V. administration of Augmentin. Oral swallow tablets which were administered after discharge from hospital also revealed good effects with some degree of gastrointestinal trouble.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.218-225
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• 2019

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, more than 90 serotypes of which exist, is recognized as an etiologic agent of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Immunization with a pneumococcal pep27 mutant (${{\Delta}}pep27$) has been shown to confer comprehensive, long-term protection against even nontypeable strains. However, ${{\Delta}}pep27$ is effective as a vaccine only after at least three rounds of immunization. Therefore, treatments capable of enhancing the efficiency of ${{\Delta}}pep27$ immunization should be identified without delay. Panax ginseng Mayer has already been shown to have pharmacological and antioxidant effects. Here, the ability of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) to enhance the efficacy of ${{\Delta}}pep27$ immunization was investigated. Methods: Mice were treated with KRG and immunized with ${{\Delta}}pep27$ before infection with the pathogenic S. pneumoniae strain D39. Total reactive oxygen species production was measured using lung homogenates, and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and antiapoptotic protein expression was determined by immunoblotting. The phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was also tested after KRG treatment. Results: Compared with the other treatments, KRG significantly increased survival rate after lethal challenge and resulted in faster bacterial clearance via increased phagocytosis. Moreover, KRG enhanced ${{\Delta}}pep27$ vaccine efficacy by inhibiting reactive oxygen species production, reducing extracellular signal-regulated kinase apoptosis signaling and inflammation. Conclusion: Taken together, our results suggest that KRG reduces the time required for immunization with the ${{\Delta}}pep27$ vaccine by enhancing its efficacy.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2018

Objectives: Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is a specific biomarker that rises after bacterial infection, and levels of PCT are known to correlate with the severity and mortality of patients with pneumonia and sepsis. However, the usefulness of PCT levels in acute pyelonephritis is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using the PCT level as a predictive test for bacteremia in acute pyelonephritis. Methods: Between January 2012 and June 2013, 140 patients diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis were admitted to Haeundae Paik Hospital. Serum PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) levels at pre- and post- treatment were measured. Blood and urine cultures were obtained from all patients. The levels of PCT, CRP, and WBCs were each compared between the blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative groups to assess their effectiveness in predicting bacteremia. Results: Pre-treatment PCT level was 0.77 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.42-1.60 ng/mL) in the blood culture-negative group and 4.89 ng/mL (95% CI: 2.88-9.04 ng/mL) in the blood culture-positive group, and the increase between the two groups was statistically significant. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PCT level for prediction of bacteremia was 0.728. A cut-off value of 1.23 ng/mL indicated a sensitivity of 79.0 % and specificity of 60.0 % for PCT level. Conclusions: Serum PCT level is a useful predictive test for bacteremia in acute pyelonephritis. Through the early detection of bacteremia, serum PCT level can help estimate the prognosis and predict complications such as sepsis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative cultures, and to investigate factors predicting pathogen-positive culture results in patients of acute poisoning with suspected aspiration. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute poisoning admitted to an intensive care unit between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively studied. Respiratory specimens were collected from the enrolled patients at the time of the suspected aspiration. We compared the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative culture results and analyzed the causative pathogens. Results: Among the 526 patients, 325 showed no clinical features that could be attributed to aspiration, and 201 patients had clinical features suggestive of aspiration. Of these, 113 patients had pathogen-positive culture, 61 were negative, and the specimens of 27 patients contained poor-quality sputum. In univariate analysis, patients with a positive culture showed a longer time to culture from ingestion (p=0.01), faster heart rate (p=0.01), and higher partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) (p=0.02) than patients with negative culture. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PaO₂/FiO₂ (adjusted odd ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.008; p=0.005) was a significant risk factor for pathogen-positive culture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PaO₂/FiO₂ was 0.591 (95% CI, 0.510-0.669, p=0.05). Gram-negative pathogens (GNPs) were predominant and at least one GNP was observed in 84 (73.3%) patients among those with pathogen positive culture. Conclusion: We failed to find any clinical factors associated with positive culture results. Antibiotics that cover GNPs could be considered when deciding the initial antibiotic regimen at the time of suspected aspiration.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.21
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• 2022

As far the current severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), respiratory disease is still the biggest threat to human health. In addition, infectious respiratory diseases are particularly prominent. In addition to killing and clearing the infection pathogen directly, regulating the immune responses against the pathogens is also an important therapeutic modality. Sirtuins belong to NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylases. Among 7 types of sirtuins, silent information regulator type-1 (SIRT1) played a multitasking role in modulating a wide range of physiological processes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, cell apoptosis, autophagy, antibacterial and antiviral functions. It showed a critical effect in regulating immune responses by deacetylation modification, especially through high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a core molecule regulating the immune system. SIRT1 was associated with many respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 infection, bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, and so on. Here, we reviewed the latest research progress regarding the effects of SIRT1 on immune system in respiratory diseases. First, the structure and catalytic characteristics of SIRT1 were introduced. Next, the roles of SIRT1, and the mechanisms underlying the immune regulatory effect through HMGB1, as well as the specific activators/inhibitors of SIRT1, were elaborated. Finally, the multitasking roles of SIRT1 in several respiratory diseases were discussed separately. Taken together, this review implied that SIRT1 could serve as a promising specific therapeutic target for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was to analyze serious bacterial infections in infants younger than three months of age and to review the direction of treatments for these patients. Methods : 378 febrile infants with a rectal temperature ${\geq}38.0^{\circ}C$ visited from Jan. 2001 through Dec. 2002 were retrospectively studied. Infants with the following criteria belonged to the low risk group. WBC $5,000{\sim}15,000/mm^3$, WBC negative in urine stick test and negative for nitirite test, CSF WBC < $10/mm^3$ and negative in CSF gram stain, negative chest X-ray, stool WBC <5/HFP(high power field), and focal infection. If any of the above criteria were not met, they belonged to the high risk group. SBI was defined as a positive culture of urine, blood or CSF. SI was defined as aseptic meningitis or pneumonia including above laboratory tests of SBI. SBI patients were separately compared with two groups, high risk and low risk. Results : Of the 378 infants that were tested 216(57.1%) were in the high risk group and 162(42.9%) in the low risk group. Among 105 SBI(27.8%) and 172 SI(45.5%), there were 98 urinary tract infection(25.2%), 10 bacteremia(2.6%), 2 bacterial meningitis(0.6%), and 77 aseptic meningitis(22.8%). There were 76 SBI(35.2%) from the high risk group and 29 SBI(17.9%) from the low risk group identified. The results of the sensitivity(72.4%), the specificity(48.7%), the negative predictive value(82.1%) and the positive predictive value (35.2%) were calculated. Conclusion : Even though the probability of SBI in the low risk group is insignificant, it should still be considered in febrile infants younger than 3 months of age. I believe the CSF study is necessary because of the moderate high incidence of abnormal finding in our study.