• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 2019

Of the Acinetobacter spp., A. baumannii (genospecies 2) is the most clinically significant in terms of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. It is difficult to perform Acinetobacter-related taxonomy using phenotypic characteristics and routine laboratory methods owing to clusters of closely related species. The ability to accurately identify Acinetobacter spp. is clinically important because antimicrobial susceptibility and clinical relevance differs significantly among the different genospecies. Based on the medical importance of pathogenic Acinetobacter spp., the distribution and characterization of Acinetobacter spp. isolates from 123 clinical samples was determined in the current study using four typically applied bacterial identification methods; partial rpoB gene sequencing, amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis (ARDRA) of the intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the 16~23S rRNA, the $VITEK^{(R)}$ 2 system (an automated microbial identification system) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A. baumannii isolates (74.8%, 92/123) were the most common species, A. nosocomialis (10.6%, 13/123) and A. pittii isolates (7.5%, 9/123) were second and third most common strains of the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii (ACB) complex, respectively. A. soli (5.0%, 6/123) was the most common species of the non-ACB complex. RpoB gene sequencing and ARDRA of the ITS region were demonstrated to lead to more accurate species identification than the other methods of analysis used in this study. These results suggest that the use of rpoB genotyping and ARDRA of the ITS region is useful for the species-level identification of Acinetobacter isolates.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.249-258
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• 2019

Owing to a distinct environmental regime and anthropogenic effects, freshwater bacterial communities of urban streams are considered to be different from those of large freshwater lakes and rivers. To obtain unrecorded, freshwater bacterial species in Korea, water and sediment samples were collected from various urban streams of the Han River watershed in 2018. After plating the freshwater samples on R2A agar, approximately 1000 bacterial strains were isolated from the samples as single colonies and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. A total of 26 strains, with >98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with validly published bacterial species but not reported in Korea, were determined to be unrecorded bacterial species in Korea. The unrecorded bacterial strains were phylogenetically diverse and belonged to four phyla, six classes, 12 orders, 16 families, and 21 genera. At the generic level, the unreported species were assigned to Nocardioides, Streptomyces, Microbacterium, Kitasatospora, Herbiconiux, Corynebacterium, and Microbacterium of the class Actinobacteria; Paenibacillus and Bacillus of the class Bacilli; Caulobacter, Methylobacterium, Novosphingobium, and Porphyrobacter of the class Alphaproteobacteria; Aquabacterium, Comamonas, Hydrogenophaga, Laribacter, Rivicola, Polynucleobacter, and Vogesella of the class Betaproteobacteria; Arcobacter of the class Epsilonproteobacteria; and Flavobacterium of the class Flavobacteriia. The details of the 26 unreported species, including Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, biochemical properties, and phylogenetic position are also provided in the strain descriptions.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.161-175
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• 2019

During a comprehensive investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, a total of 46 bacterial strains assigned to the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Epsilonproteobacteria were isolated from a diversity of habitats including freshwater, seawater, brackish water, ginseng soil, plant roots, natural caves, and tidal flats. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (>98.7%) and formation of strongly-supported phylogenetic clades with the closest type species, each strain was assigned to an independent, predefined bacterial species. Since there were no published or official reports regarding the isolation of these 46 species in Korea, here we report them as new species to Korea: 34 species in 14 families in the five orders of Alphaproteobacteria, 10 species in five families in the three orders of Betaproteobacteria, one species of Deltaproteobacteria and one species of Epsilonproteobacteria. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2021

To obtain unrecorded freshwater bacterial species in Korea, water and sediment samples were collected from streams, lakes, and wetland of the Han River watershed in 2020. Approximately 800 bacterial strains were isolated on R2A agar after aerobic or anaerobic incubation, and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequences. A total of 28 strains, with ≥98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with validly published bacterial species but not reported in Korea, were determined to be unrecorded bacterial species in Korea. The unrecorded bacterial strains were phylogenetically diverse and belonged to four phyla, eight classes, 13 orders, 19 families, and 25 genera. The unreported species were assigned to Acetobacter, Alsobacter, Mesorhizobium, Prosthecomicrobium, and Microvirga of the class Alphaproteobacteria; Vogesella, Formosimonas, Aquincola, Massilia, Acidovorax, and Brachymonas of the class Betaproteobacteria; Pseudoxanthomonas, Thermomonas, Lysobacter, Enterobacter, Kosakonia, and Acinetobacter of the class Gammaproteobacteria; Sulfuricurvum of the class Epsilonproteobacteria; Mycolicibacterium, Agromyces, Phycicoccus, and Microbacterium of the class Actinobacteria; Paenibacillus of the class Bacilli; Clostridium of the class Clostridia; and Flavobacterium of the class Flavobacteriia. The details of the unreported species, including Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic position are also provided in the description of the strains.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.481-488
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• 2022

Background: Although the tumor-suppressive effects of ginsenosides in cell cycle have been well established, their pharmacological properties in mitosis have not been clarified yet. The chromosomal instability resulting from dysregulated mitotic processes is usually increased in cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on mitotic progression in cancer. Materials and methods: Cancer cells were treated with ginsenoside Rg1 and their morphology and intensity of different protein were analyzed using immunofluorescence microscopy. The level of proteins in chromosomes was compared through chromosomal fractionation and Western blot analyses. The location and intensity of proteins in the chromosome were confirmed through immunostaining of mitotic chromosome after spreading. The colony formation assays were conducted using various cancer cell lines. Results: Ginsenoside Rg1 reduced cancer cell proliferation in some cancers through inducing mitotic arrest. Mechanistically, it inhibits the phosphorylation of histone H3 Thr3 (H3T3ph) mediated by Haspin kinase and concomitant recruitment of chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) to the centromere. Depletion of Aurora B at the centromere led to abnormal centromere integrity and spindle dynamics, thereby causing mitotic defects, such as increase in the width of the metaphase plate and spindle instability, resulting in delayed mitotic progression and cancer cell proliferation. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 reduces the level of Aurora B at the centromere via perturbing Haspin kinase activity and concurrent H3T3ph. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg1 suppresses cancer cell proliferation through impeding mitotic processes, such as chromosome alignment and spindle dynamics, upon depletion of Aurora B from the centromere.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1252-1262
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• 2023

Objective: Microencapsulation technologies have been developed and successfully applied to protect the probiotic bacterial cells damaged by environmental exposure. This study aimed to investigate the effects of microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum MB001 on the growth performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, jejunal histomorphology and cecal microbiome of broiler chickens in a tropical climate. Methods: A total of 288 one-day-old female broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into 4 groups (6 replicates of 12 birds). Treatments included, i) a basal diet (NC), ii) NC + avilamycin (10 mg/kg) (PC), iii) NC + non-encapsulated L. plantarum MB001 (1×10⁸ colony-forming unit [CFU]/kg of diet) (N-LP), iv) NC + microencapsulated L. plantarum MB001 (1×10⁸ CFU/kg of diet) (ME-LP). Results: Dietary supplementation of ME-LP improved average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of broilers throughout the 42-d trial period (p<0.05), whereas ME-LP did not affect average daily feed intake compared with NC group. Both N-LP and ME-LP improved apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and ether extract compared with NC group (p<0.05). The broilers fed ME-LP supplemented diet exhibited a beneficial effect on jejunal histomorphology of villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) of broilers compared to NC group (p<0.05). At the phylum level, Firmicutes was enriched (p<0.05) and Proteobacteria was decreased (p<0.05) only in the ME-LP group. At the genus level, the ME-LP diets increased (p<0.05) the number of both Lactobacillus and Enterococcus compared to NC, PC, and N-LP groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Microencapsulation assists the efficient functioning of probiotics. ME-LP could be potentially used as a feed additive for improvement of cecal microbiota, gut integrity and nutrient utilization, leading to better performance of broilers.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.374-414
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• 2023

As part of a comprehensive investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Republic of Korea in 2022, 156 bacterial strains were isolated from diverse environmental habitats. These strains were assigned to six phyla, namely Acidobacteriota, Deinococcota, Actinomycetota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and Pseudomonadota. Each strain was identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.7%) and the formation of robust phylogenetic clades with their closest reported species. Among isolates, there is one species belonging to the phylum Acidobacteriota, one species belonging to the phylum Deinococcota, 28 species belonging to the phylum Actinomycetota, 19 species belonging to the phylum Bacillota, 19 species belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota, and 88 species belonging to the phylum Pseudomonadota (comprising 34 species of the class Alphaproteobacteria, 20 species of the class Betaproteobacteria, and 34 species of the class Gammaproteobacteria). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, each strain was assigned to independent and predefined bacterial species. Since there were no published or official reports regarding these 156 isolates in Republic of Korea, they are reported as unrecorded species in Republic of Korea. The Gram stain, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristic, isolation source, and strain ID of each species are described in the species descriptions.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.415-429
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• 2023

As part of a comprehensive investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in the Republic of Korea, 37 bacterial strains belonging to 36 species were isolated from diverse environmental habitats. These strains were assigned to five phyla, namely Deinococcota, Actinomycetota, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and Pseudomonadota. Each strain was identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.7%) and the formation of definite phylogenetic clades with their closest reported species. Among isolates, there is one species belonging to the phylum Deinococcota, five species belonging to the phylum Actinomycetota, four species belonging to the phylum Bacillota, nine species belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota, and 17 species belonging to the phylum Pseudomonadota (comprising eight species of the class Alphaproteobacteria, one species of the class Betaproteobacteria, and eight species of the class Gammaproteobacteria). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, each strain was assigned to independent and predefined bacterial species. Since there were no published or official reports regarding these 36 species in the Republic of Korea, they have been reported as unrecorded species in the Republic of Korea. Their Gram stain, cell morphology, colony, basic biochemical characteristics, strain ID, and isolation source of each species are described in the species descriptions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.474-483
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• 2023

Members of the genus Streptomyces produce more than 70% of antibiotics. The rise in antibiotic resistance globally enhanced the search for novel species with the ability to produce new bioactive compounds. This study was initiated to investigate different regions in Jordan for previously uncultured and rare Streptomyces species capable of producing novel antimicrobial compounds especially active against bacteria resistant to antibiotics. A total of 191 Streptomyces strains were isolated from 26 soil samples collected from different geographic regions in Jordan. Isolates were characterized based on colony and cellular morphology as well as using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. These isolates were screened for their ability to produce antibiotics by the perpendicular-cross streak method, and then tested by well diffusion method against tested pathogens. Fifty-four isolates showed potential to produce antimicrobial products especially active against resistant bacteria, 20.1% of the isolates showed inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, 16.9% against clinical MSSA strains, and 18.0% against MRSA: whereas only 4.2% against Esherichia coli, 3.2% against Klebsiella pneumonia, 2.7% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 10.0% against clinical Candida albicans. Three isolates were selected for further identification due to their antibacterial activity against S. aureus, MRSA, and MSSA. These isolates were identified as follows; Streptomyces aburaviensis DSa3, Streptomyces alboniger SAb7 and Streptomyces misionensis ZAb2, based on cultural, biochemical characteristics and molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2003

This study was carried out to evaluate the safety of Korean human milk. The microorganisms were identified from human milk of 149 healthy mothers by two collection methods, hand and pump expression. The means of total bacterial counts were 2.33x10$^4$ cfu/mL on the samples collected by the pump expression and 7.83xl0$^3$ cfu/mL on those collected by the hand expression. Therefore, the total bacterial counts of pump expression samples was 9.80xl0$^2$∼3.06x10$^4$ cfu/mL more than that of hand expression samples. The coliform counts of pump expression was 9.36xl0$^3$∼8.57xl0$^4$ cfu/mL more than that of hand expression. However, there was any significant differences of the lactic acid bacterial counts between the two samples collected by each methods. 100 strains of 5 patterns of total bacterial counts were isolated based on the morphology of colony in the standard plate count agar. 13 species were identified among the isolated strains. The dominant species in Korean human milk were Staphylococcus which 7 subspecies identified(81% in the rate of total bacteria, 1.07x10$^4$ cfu/mL). Other species identified were Micrococcus, Bacillus, Providencia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia and Acinetobacter. 36 strains of 6 patterns of lactic acid bacterial counts were isolated based on morphology of colony in the BCP agar. 7 species were identified among the isolated strains. The dominant species of lactic acid bacteria in Korean human milk were Lactobacillus brevis(50.9% in the rate of lactic acid bacteria, 4.72xl0$^4$ cfu/mL). Others species identified(49.1% lactic acid bacteria) were Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Leuconostic lactis and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus.