• Plant Disease and Agriculture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1999

Frost injury of crops is closely related to the epiphytic population dynamics of ice nucleation-active (INA) bacteria, and the injury can be reduced by decreasing the INA bacterial population. In order to predict the epiphytic population of INA bacteria on crops, a rapid and accurate detection method has to be developed. In the previous report, we produced some antibodies against INA proteins purified from the outer membrane of INA bacteria. However it was difficult to produce the antibodies because the purification procedures of the INA proteins were complicated, and the final yield was too low. We designed a specific peptide from the N-terminal region of INA protein by computer analysis and synthesized the peptide in vitro in this experiment. The peptide sequence was Asp-Ser-Por-Leu-Ser-Leu-His-Ala-Asp, that is corresponding to the highly conserved region in several INA proteins, with predicted beta turn, coiling, and hydrophilic region. A polyclonal anti-INA peptide antiserum produced specifically recognized INA bacteria as few as 10 colony-forming units (CFU) in the ELISA reactions and did not respond to other non-INA bacteria. Serological specificity of the anti-INA peptide antiserum will facilitate the forecasting of the INA bacterial population dynamics on crops.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2008

Seedling damping-off and bottom rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani are yield limiting diseases of crisphead lettuce. To provide biocontrol measure in the management of the diseases, biocontrol strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa LY-11 was isolated from lettuce rhizosphere and introduced into crisphead lettuce rhizosphere by the seed coating delivery method. Alginate was used as a coating material to generate beads containing $10^6-10^{6.5}$ colony-forming units (CFUs) of viable bacterial cells of LY-11. When seeds germinated from the alginate beads containing the strain LY-11, the bacteria established mostly in plant rhizosphere to maintain at least $10^4$ CFU per gram of plant tissues. Crisphead lettuce seedlings germinated from the entrapped seeds were less affected from damping-off and bottom rot with disease control values of 70.4% and 85.4% respectively. Although P. aeruginosa LY-11 colonized plant rhizosphere and not phyllosphere, the result indicated that bottom rot caused by the foliar inoculation of R. solani was effectively reduced by the rhizobacteria. All data suggested that immobilized rhizobacterial application in seeds by alginate coating could control damping-off and induce induced systemic resistance of crisphead lettuce to reduce bottom rot.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.335-340
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• 2013

This study screened for radio-resistant strains lactic acid bacteria (LAB) by evaluating their capability to survive exposure to ionizing radiation. Ten strains of LAB - Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbruekii, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, and Pediocuccos pentosaceus - were selected and subcultuted twice. The LAB was then further cultured for 3 d at $37^{\circ}C$ to reach 7-10 Log colony-forming units (CFU)/mL prior to irradiation and immediately exposed to gamma rays or electron beams with absorbed doses of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 kGy. Gamma irradiation gradually decreased the number of the tested viable LAB, and the effect was irradiation dose dependent. A similar effect was found in electron beam-irradiated LAB. Radiation sensitivity of LAB was calculated as $D_{10}$ values, which ranged from 0.26 kGy to 0.9 kGy and 0.5 kGy to 1.44 kGy with exposure to gamma and electron beam irradiation, respectively, in all tested LAB. L. acidophilus was the most resistant to gamma and electron beam irradiation, with $D_{10}$ values of 0.9 kGy and 1.44 kGy, respectively. These results suggest that L. acidophilus might be suitable for the preparation of probiotics as direct-fed microbes for astronauts in extreme space environments.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to applicate and evaluate a SYBR Green real-time PCR for the specific detection of Salmonella spp. Specificity of the PCR method was confirmed with 48 Salmonella spp. and 5 non-Salmonella strains using invA gene primer. The average threshold cycle ($C_T$) of Salmonella spp. was $11.83{\pm}0.78$ while non-Salmonella spp. was $30.86{\pm}1.19$. Correlation coefficients of standard curves constructed using $C_T$ versus copy number of Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 showed good linearity ($R^2=0.993$; slope = 3.563). Minimum level of detection with the method was > $10^2$ colony forming units (CFU)/mL. These results suggested that the SYBR Green real-time PCR might be applicable for the specific detection of Salmonella spp. isolates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 1992

The intestinal microflora of humans is an extraordinarily complex mixture of microorganisms, the majority of which are anaerobic microorganisms. The distribution of amylolytic microorganisms in the human large intestinal tract was investigated in various individuals of differing ages using anaerobic culture techniques. A large percentage of the amylolytic microorganisms present belonged to the Genus Bifidobacteria. The number of Bifidobacteria increased significantly at two years of age. Adults and children above 2 years old carried about $0.8{\times}10^9-2.0{\times}10^{10}$ colony forming units (CFU/gram) of amylolytic Bifidobacteria. Among these amylolytic Bifidobacteria, Int-57 was chosen for further studies. Between 65% and 85% of the amylase produced was secreted and the remaining amylase was bound to the cell wall facing the outside. Amylase production could be induced by starch in a stable form. When cells were grown on maltose or glucose, amylase production was much lower than on starch and amylase activity disappeared after 24 hours growth on these media. Partially purified enzymes showed optimum activity at a temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ and at an optimum pH of 5.5, respectively. Heat treatment at $70^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes almost completely inactivated amylase. The hydrolysis products of starch were mainly maltose and maltotriose. Soluble starch, amylose, amylopectin, and $\gamma$-cyclodextrin($\gamma$-CD) were easily hydrolyzed. The rate of hydrolysis of $\alpha$-CD and $\beta$-CD was slower than that of $\gamma$-CD. Carboxymethyl cellulose, $\beta$-1, 3-glucan and inulin were not hydrolyzed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Tetanus is a specific infectious disease, which is often associated with catastrophic events such as earthquakes, traumas, and war wounds. The obligate anaerobe Clostridium tetani is the pathogen that causes tetanus. Once the infection of tetanus progresses to an advanced stage within the wounds of limbs, the rates of amputation and mortality increase manifold. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a rapid and sensitive point-of-care detection method for C. tetani so as to ensure an early diagnosis and clinical treatment of tetanus. In this study, we developed a detection method for C. tetani using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, wherein the C. tetani tetanus toxin gene was used as the target gene. The method was highly specific and sensitive, with a detection limit of 10 colony forming units (CFU)/ml, and allowed quantitative analysis. While detecting C. tetani in clinical samples, it was found that the LAMP results completely agreed with those of the traditional API 20A anaerobic bacteria identification test. As compared with the traditional API test and PCR assay, LAMP detection of C. tetani is simple and rapid, and the results can be identified through naked-eye observation. Therefore, it is an ideal and rapid point-of-care testing method for tetanus.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.7
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• 2019

Objectives: Irrigants are imperative in endodontic therapy for the elimination of pathogens from the infected root canal. The present study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) with chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) for root canal disinfection. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was obtained using serial dilution method. The agar diffusion method was then used to determine the zones of inhibition for each irrigant. Lastly, forty 6-mm dentin blocks were prepared from human mandibular premolars and inoculated with S. epidermidis. Samples were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 blocks and irrigated for 3 minutes with saline (control), 2% CHX, 3% NaOCl, or 0.1% OCT. Dentin samples were then collected immediately for microbial analysis, including an analysis of colony-forming units (CFUs). Results: The MICs of each tested irrigant were 0.05% for CHX, 0.25% for NaOCl, and 0.0125% for OCT. All tested irrigants showed concentration-dependent increase in zones of inhibition, and 3% NaOCl showed the largest zone of inhibition amongst all tested irrigants (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the CFU measurements of 2% CHX, 3% NaOCl, and 0.1% OCT showing complete elimination of S. epidermidis in all samples. Conclusions: This study showed that OCT was comparable to or even more effective than CHX and NaOCl, demonstrating antimicrobial activity at low concentrations against S. epidermidis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to analyze bacteriological and chemical hazards in minimally processed commercial fish products, including Hwangtae (freeze-dried pollock), dried anchovy, fermented anchovy sauce, and salted and dried yellow croaker. Escherichia coli counts from all samples were below the regulation limits of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Standards on Quality of Seafood and Seafood Products (Food Code). However, the food poisoning bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was detected at levels above $1.0{\times}10^2$ colony forming units (CFU)/g in Hwangtae, dried anchovy, and salted and dried yellow croaker, which are commonly ingested without heating and pose bacteriological hazards. The detection of S. aureus, an organism indicative of poor personal hygiene, which can be introduced by employees and multiply during distribution, indicates the necessity of improving the sanitary control of minimally processed commercial fish products. Histamine was not detected from dried anchovy or salted and dried yellow croaker, but was detected at some of the highest levels in fermented anchovy sauces. This result suggests that efforts to reduce the amount of histamine in fermented anchovy sauces are required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.106-112
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• 2015

Purpose: The long-term administration of antibiotics interferes with bacterial culture in the middle ear fluids (MEFs) of young children with otitis media with effusion (OME). The purpose of this study is to determine whether molecular diagnostics can be used for rapid and direct detection of the bacterial pathogen in culture-negative MEFs. Methods: The specificity and sensitivity of both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to the lytA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae were comparatively tested and then applied for pneumococcal detection in the clinical MEFs. Results: The detection limit of the PCR assay was approximately $10^4$ colony forming units (CFU), whereas that of LAMP was less than 10 CFU for the detection of S. pneumoniae. Both PCR and LAMP did not amplify nucleic acid at over $10^6$ CFU of H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis, both of which were irrelevant bacterial species. Of 22 culture-negative MEFs from children with OME, LAMP positivity was found in twelve MEFs (54.5%, 12/22), only three of which were PCR-positive (25%, 3/12). Our results showed that the ability of LAMP to detect pneumococcal DNA is over four times higher than that of PCR (P<0.01). Conclusions: As a high-resolution tool able to detect nucleic acid levels equivalent to <10 CFU of S. pneumoniae in MEFs without any cross-reaction with other pathogens, lytA -specific LAMP may be applied for diagnosing pneumococcus infection in OME as well as evaluating the impact of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against OME.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1401-1407
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• 2009

Many Lactobacillus strains have been promoted as good probiotics for the prevention and treatment of diseases. We engineered recombinant Lactobacillus casei, producing biologically active canine granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (cGM-CSF), and investigated its possibility as a good probiotic agent for dogs. Expression of the cGM-CSF protein in the recombinant Lactobacillus was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting methods. For the in vivo study, 18 Beagle puppies of 7 weeks of age were divided into three groups; the control group was fed only on a regular diet and the two treatment groups were fed on a diet supplemented with either $1\times10^9$ colony forming units (CFU)/day of L. casei or L. casei expressing cGM-CSF protein for 7 weeks. Body weight was measured, and fecal and blood samples were collected from the dogs during the experiment for the measurement of hematology, fecal immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG, circulating IgA and IgG, and canine corona virus (CCV)-specific IgG. There were no differences in body weights among the groups, but monocyte counts in hematology and serum IgA were higher in the group receiving L. casei expressing cGM-CSF than in the other two groups. After the administration of CCV vaccine, CCV-specific IgG in serum increased more in the group supplemented with L. casei expressing cGM-CSF than the other two groups. This study shows that a dietary L. casei expressing cGM-CSF enhances specific immune functions at both the mucosal and systemic levels in puppies.