• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.893-902
• /
• 2015

Various Lactobacillus reuteri strains were screened for the ability to convert glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) in a glycerol-glucose co-fermentation. Only L. reuteri DSM 20016, a well-known probiotic, was able to efficiently carry out this bioconversion. Several process strategies were employed to improve this process. Co²⁺ addition to the fermentation medium, led to a high product titer (46 g/l) of 1,3-PDO and to improved biomass synthesis. L. reuteri DSM 20016 produced also ca. 3 µg/g of cell dry weight of vitamin B₁₂, conferring an economic value to the biomass produced in the process. Incidentally, we found that L. reuteri displays the highest resistance to Co²⁺ ions ever reported for a microorganism. Two waste materials (crude glycerol from biodiesel industry and spruce hydrolysate from paper industry) alone or in combination were used as feedstocks for the production of 1,3-PDO by L. reuteri DSM 20016. Crude glycerol was efficiently converted into 1,3-PDO although with a lower titer than pure glycerol (33.3 vs. 40.7 g/l). Compared with the fermentation carried out with pure substrates, the 1,3-PDO produced was significantly lower (40.7 vs. 24.2 g/l) using cellulosic hydrolysate and crude glycerol, but strong increases of the maximal biomass produced (2.9 vs 4.3 g/l CDW) and of the glucose consumption rate were found. The results of this study lay the foundation for further investigations to exploit the biotechnological potential of L. reuteri DSM 20016 to produce 1,3-PDO and vitamin B₁₂ using industry byproducts.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Dentin hypersensitivity is a potential threat to oral health. Laser irradiation may provide reliable and reproducible treatment but remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of $CO_2$ or erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy, and to assess mineral content. Methods: Eighteen human single-rooted teeth affected with advanced periodontitis were obtained. Buccal and lingual surfaces were planed to form 36 specimens. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid gel (24%) was applied to remove the smear layer and simulate hypersensitive teeth. The experimental groups were: group 1, control (no irradiation); group 2, $CO_2$ laser (repetitive pulsed mode, 2 W, $2.7J/cm^2$); and group 3, Er:YAG laser (slight contact mode, 40 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz). To evaluate dentinal tubule occlusion, six specimens per group (2-mm thickness) were prepared and observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for calculation of the occlusion percentage. To evaluate the mineral content, six specimens per group (0.6-mm thickness) were used, and then the levels of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In addition, the surface temperature of the specimens during laser irradiation was analyzed by a thermograph. Results: The SEM photomicrographs indicated melted areas around exposed dentinal tubules and a significantly greater percentage of tubular occlusion in the $CO_2$ and Er:YAG laser groups than the control, and in the Er:YAG group than the $CO_2$ laser group. In addition, no significant differences were noted among the experimental groups for the mineral elements analyzed. The $CO_2$ laser group showed an evident thermal effect compared to the Er:YAG group. Conclusions: $CO_2$ and Er:YAG laser are effective in treating dentin hypersensitivity and reducing its symptoms. However, the Er:YAG laser has a more significant effect; thus, it may constitute a useful conditioning item. Furthermore, neither $CO_2$ nor Er:YAG lasers affected the compositional structure of the mineral content.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 1982

Force development of smooth muscle cells is directly regulated by the concentration of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the sarcoplasmic concentration of calcium ion can be modulated by electrogenic Na-K pump. The role of Na-K pump on vascular tone was studied in isolated rabbit renal artery. Helical strips of arterial muscle were prepared from left renal arteries. All experiments were performed in $HCO_3^--buffered$ Tyrode solution which was aerated with $3%CO_2-97%\;O_2$ mixed gas and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. In some experiments, rabbit was injected intraperitoneally $18{\sim}24$ hours prior to the experiments, with a large dose(5 mg/kg body wt) of reserpine, in order to eliminate the catecholamines present in intrinsic adrenergic nerve terminate. Treatment used in this experiment that inhibits Na-K pump was the exposure of strips to K-free Tyrode solution. Contractile response to K free Tyrode solution developed slowly and the time required for maximum contracture was $20{\sim}30$ minutes. This K-free contracture was rapidly relaxed by the addition of potassium to the bathing solution. No K-free contracture occurred in a Ca-free Tyrode solution. But contraction developed rapidly when calcium ion was added to the bathing solution after 30 minute exposure of the strip to Ca-free Tyrode solution. This contracture was completely inhibited by Ca-antagonist, verapamil. The K-free contracture was abolished by ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ blocker, phentolamine, as well as by the catecholamine depletion from adrenergic nerve terminals. Even in reserpinized strip, the exogenous norepinephrine-induced contraction in K-free Tyrode solution was rapidly suppressed by the addition of potassium ion. The results of this experiment suggest that K free contracture develops by norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerve terminals, while the relaxation of K-free contracture is induced by the activation of electrogenic Na-K pump.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.161-170
• /
• 1990

The effects of $H^{+}$ on the arterial contraction and their mechanisms were investigated in the renal artery of a rabbit. The helical strips of isolated renal artery were immersed in the HEPES-buffered or $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution. The contractions induced by agonists (norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin and angiotensin II) or high $K^{+}$ were observed with change of extracellular or intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The contractions induced by norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin, angiotensin II or high $K^{+}$ in HEPES-buffered Tyrode's solution were inhibited by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. The degrees of these effects were most evident in the contraction induced by serotonin and angiotensin II, moderate in those by histamine and high $K^{+}$, and least in those by norepinephrine. Maximal contraction by norepinephrine, histamine and high $K^{+}$ were not influenced by change in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, but influenced in those contration by serotonin and angiotensin II. The attenuated contractions by an acidic pH were not returned to the level of contraction at normal pH (7.4) by elevation of extracellular $Ca{2+}$ concentration. The agonists (norepinephrine, histamine and serotonin)-induced contractions in $Ca{2+}$-free Tyrode's solution were also attenuated by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration and potentiated by decrease in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration. Elevation of $Pco_{2}$ in the $CO_{2}/HCO_{3}^{-}$-buffered Tyrode's solution, which increase the intracellular $H^{+}$ concentration, at constant extracellular pH (7.4), increased the contraction by 30 mM $K^{+}$. From the above results, it is suggested that the decrease in contractions by increase in extracellular $H^{+}$ concentration may be resulted from that $H^{+}$ make the receptors less sensitive to agonists and cell membrane hyperpolarize and then inhibit the $Ca{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca{2+}$ storage site.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.158-170
• /
• 2020

Purpose: We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in Korean children. Methods: Medical records of patients aged 2-18 years and diagnosed with CDI at a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2018 were analyzed. The patients were classified into three CDI groups: community-acquired (CA), community onset-health care facility-associated (CO-HCFA), and healthcare facility onset (HO). Results: The incidence of CDI increased from 1.00 to 10.01 cases per 10,000 admissions from 2009 to 2018 (P<0.001). As compared to the CA group, the HO group had a higher frequency of operation and malignancy as predisposing factors (40.4% vs. 0.0%, P=0.001; and 27.7% vs. 0.0%, P=0.027, respectively), frequency and number of previous antibiotic use (97.9% vs. 31.3%, P<0.001; and 2 vs. 0, P<0.001, respectively), and median postdiagnosis hospital stay (13 vs. 5 days, P=0.008). The CO-HCFA group had a lower median age and higher frequency of malignancy than the CA group (5 vs. 13 years, P=0.012; and 30.8% vs. 0.0%, P=0.030, respectively). As compared to the HO group, the CA group had a higher frequency of abdominal pain and hematochezia (56.3% vs. 10.6%, P=0.001; and 50.0% vs. 10.6%, P=0.002, respectively), inflammatory bowel disease (68.8% vs. 2.1%, P=0.001), and intravenous metronidazole treatment (37.5% vs. 2.1%, P=0.001). Conclusions: With the increasing incidence of pediatric CDI, awareness regarding its epidemiology and clinical characteristics is important to manage nosocomial infections.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.327-334
• /
• 2013

For the development of hardy kiwi wine, we arranged for the post-maturity of hardy kiwi fruit, treated them with calcium carbonate and a pectinase enzyme complex, investigated the resulting physicochemical properties and conducted a sensory evaluation. The period determined for creating post-maturity in the hardy kiwi fruit was determined as 5 days storage at room temperature following maturity. During this time the yield of fruit juice was increased from 22.1% to 53.5% using 0.1% (v/v) cytolase PCL5 for 2 h at room temperature. 0.1% (w/v) calcium carbonate was also added during the process of aging, for the reduction of the sour taste. The fermentation trial of the hardy kiwi wine was prepared using water (25% or 50%), sugar ($24^{\circ}brix$), 0.1% (w/v) $CaCO_3$, 0.1% (v/v) cytolase PCL5, $K_2S_2O_5$ (200 ppm), and yeast ($1.5{\times}10^7$ cell/ml). Fermentation then occurred for 2 weeks at $20^{\circ}C$. The pH value, total acidity, alcohol, and reducing sugar content of the resulting hardy kiwi wines of 25% (v/w) and 50% (v/w) water, were in a range of pH 3.4-3.7, 1.12-1.21%, 14.3-14.4%, and 15-16 g/l, respectively. Citric acid and fructose constituted the major organic acids and the free sugar of the 25% and 50% hardy kiwi wine, respectively. Volatile flavor components, including 10 kinds of esters, 8 kinds of alcohols, 5 kinds of acids, 3 kinds of others and aldehydes, were determined by GC analysis. The results of sensory evaluation demonstrated that 50% hardy kiwi wine is more palatable than 25% hardy kiwi wine.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 1997

The in vitro antibacterial activity of DWP20418 (1R, 5S, 6S)-6-[1-(R)-Hydroxyethyl)-l-methyl-2-[(2S,4S)-2-(piperazinylcarbonyl)-1-(R)-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine-4-thio]carb apen-2-em-3-carboxylic acid), a new carbapenem antibiotic, was compared with those of imipenem (IPM) and meropenem (MEPM). DWP20418 was comparable or slightly more superior to MEPM against gram-positive bacteria, and it showed more potent activity to IPM against gram-negative bacteria. DWP20418 was particularly active against MRSA, and its $MIC_{90}$ of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, low methicillin-resistant S. aureus and high methicillin-resistant S. aureus were 0.391, 25 and 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. With a view of $MIC_{90}$, DWP20418 was comparable than the other carbapenems against P. aeruginosa and E. coli isolates. The activity of DWP20418 was not affected in the presence of $Mg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+}$ or horse serum. But inoculum size and alterations in pH of medium affected its antibacterial activity. DWP20418 showed rapidly bactericidal activity within 1h, and regrowth was not observed even incubation of 24hrs at the concentrations near the MIC.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2013

A bacterium producing a fibrinolytic enzyme was isolated from Cheonggukjang. The bacterium was identified as a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by 16S rDNA analysis and designated as B. amyloliquefaciens HC188. The optimum culture medium appeared to be one containing 0.5% (w/v) maltose and 0.5% (w/v) soytone. Bacterial growth in the optimal medium at $37^{\circ}C$ reached the stationary phase after 27 h of incubation and the fibrinolytic enzyme showed optimum activity at 24 h. The enzyme was purified by 20-80% ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM Sepharose fast flow ion exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200HR column chromatography. Its specific activity was 38359.3 units/mg protein and the yield was 5.5% of the total activity of the crude extracts. The molecular weight was 24.7 kDa and the amino acids of the N-terminal sequence were AQSVPYGVSQIKAPA. The fibrinolytic enzyme activity had an optimum temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ and an optimum pH of 8.0, and the enzyme was stable in the ranges $20-40^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0-8.0. Enzyme activity was increased by $Ca^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ but inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, EDTA, and PMSF. It is suggested that the purified enzyme is a metallo-serine protease.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 1994.11a
• /
• pp.3-7
• /
• 1994

In this study, to improve sintering condition, anisotropic Property(k$\_$t//k$\_$p/) of electromechanical coupling coefficients, and hydrostatic piezoelerlric constants d$\_$h/ and g$\_$h/, MnO$_2$impurity was added to the (Pb$\_$0.76/Ca$\_$0.24)[(Co$\_$$\frac{1}{2}$W$\_$$\frac{1}{2}$/)$\_$0.04/Ti$\_$0.96/]O$_3$ System ceramics for hydrophone. And the structural, electrical properties of them were investigated. As a results. tetragonality was decreased with MnO$_2$ additives and density was the highest value of 7.06(g/㎤) at H2-3 specimen. Electromechanical coupling coefficients of H2-3 specimen were k$\_$t/=49 and k$\_$p/ 0, which exibited the hightest hydrostatic piezoelectric constants of d$\_$h/=64.52[10$\^$-1/C/N] and g$\_$h/=35.92[10$\^$-3/ Vm/N].

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.235-246
• /
• 2009

The analyses of minor and trace elements in glass debris were performed using LA-ICP-MS in order to identify manufacturers using real commercial samples. At first, a calibration curve was made using standard glass samples of NIST 610, 612, 614 and 616. $^{29}Si$ was used as an internal standard, and the ratios of metal/Si for each metal were compared with their concentrations. Based on elements in each sample and standard materials, 24 metals were quantified and the LOD in analysis, according to the blank sample, was in the range of 0.11 mg/kg (Ti)-4.91 mg/kg (Ca). Eleven samples from two manufacturers were collected and five sub-samples were taken from each sample for analysis. 15 elements (Co, Ce, Ca, Mn, Sr, Ba, Li, Rb, U, La, Th, Na, Al, Zr and Hf) were selected to identify manufacturers because some elements (Cu, Cr, Cd and Ni) were below the detection limit and some elements (Ti, Pr, Mg, Nb, Nd) were absent in the analysis of standards and others (Pb and Sn) had a problem of homogeneity. The attempts to identify manufacturers and the manufacturing period were performed through a triangular diagram. In the manufacturer discrimination by discriminant analysis, a canonical discriminant function was made based on Mn, Ce and Rb, and each sample could be identified.