• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2016

Purpose: We used technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy to identify factors predictive of renal cortical defects in infants <3 months of age with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on infants <3 months of age with culture-proven UTIs treated at a single center from March 2010 to February 2016. Blood samples were obtained for laboratory evaluation prior to commencement of antibiotic therapy. The therapeutic delay time (TDT) and therapeutic response time (TRT) were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups depending on features of their DMSA scans. We compared the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the two groups. Results: A total of 119 infants (94 males and 25 females; mean age, $56.9{\pm}21.3days$) were included. Cortical defects were evident in the DMSA scans of 47 cases (39.5%). In infants with such defects, the peak temperatures ($38.9{\pm}0.57^{\circ}C$ vs. $38.4{\pm}0.81^{\circ}C$, P=0.001), the absolute neutrophil counts ($8,920{\pm}4,460/mm$ vs. $7,290{\pm}4,090/mm$, P=0.043), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ($6.49{\pm}4.33mg/dL$ vs. $3.21{\pm}2.81mg/dL$, P=0.001) were significantly higher than those in infants without cortical defects. The TDT was also longer in those with cortical defects (P=0.037). Conclusion: We found that a TDT ${\geq}8.5hr$ (odds ratio [OR] 5.81), a peak temperature ${\geq}38.3^{\circ}C$ (OR 6.19), and a CRP level ${\geq}4.96mg/dL$ (OR 7.26) predicted abnormal DMSA scan results in infants <3 months of age with UTIs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2000

Two typess of copolyesters, poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-4-hydroxy-butyric acid)[P(3HB-co-4HB] and poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid)[P(3HB-co-3HV)], with various monomer ratios and different degree of microstructural heterogeneity were synthesized from Ralstonia eutropha H16 and Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava by using ${\gamma}$-butyrolactone and ${\gamma}$-valerolactone, respectively. The two bacteria showed a large difference in the utilization of ${\gamma}$-butyrolactone for cell growth and PHA synthesis. H. pseudoflava synthesized P(3HB-co-4HB) copolyesters with a wide range of 4HB content from 13 to 96 mol% depending on culture conditions, whiel R. eutropha H16 was able to synthesize the copolyesters containing less than 20 mol% of 4HB. An increase in the 4HB content in the P(3HB-co-4HB) copolyesters synthesized by H. pseud-oflava induced an lowering of their melting temperatures as well as their enthalpies of fusion. The increase in the 4HB content, however, increased the rate of degradation by an extracellular P(3HB) depolymerase. NMR spectros-copy and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the P(3HB-co-4HB) copolyesters from H. pseudoflava were generally microstructurally heterogeneous. The P(3HB-co-4HB) copolyesters) synthesized by R. eutropha H16 were rather random copolymers showing less microstructural heterogeneity than those synthesized by H. pseudoflava. The NMR D value analysis suggested that the monomer distribution of the P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymers from the two bacteria were relatively random.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.247-259
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• 2008

Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, one of rapid culture-independent microbial community analysis methods, was used to determine the lactic acid bacterial complexity and dynamics during kimchi fermentation at $15^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$. At both temperatures, the common presence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lc. inhae, Lc. kimchi, Weissella koreensis, W. cibaria, Lactobacillus sakei, Lb. curvatus, Lb. plantarum, Lb. paraplantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis was predicted. Lc. citreum and Enterococcus faecalis were detected at $15^{\circ}C$ and $4^{\circ}C$, respectively. W. koreensis predominated during the mid stage of kimchi fermentation whereas lactobacilli were dominants during later stage. Lb. sakei and Lb. curvatus became dominants regardless of fermentation temperature but the growth of Lb. plantarum, Lb. paraplantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis was restricted at psychrophilic temperature. Some species of leuconostocs were maintained until the later stage of kimchi fermentation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.389-397
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• 2002

Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from kimchi. One isolate producing the most efficient bacteriocin was identified and named Lactococcus lactis B2, based on the biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequences. The B2 bacteriocin inhibited many different Gram positive bacteria including Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus, but did not inhibit Gram-negative bacteria. The bacteriocin was maximally produced at temperatures between $25^{\circ}C\;and\;30^{\circ}C$ and at the initial pH of 7.0. Ninety $\%$ of the activity remained after 10 min of heat treatment at $121^{\circ}C,\;and\;100\%$, after 1 h exposure to organic solvents. The bacteriocin was purified from culture supernatant by ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM Sepharose column chromatography, ultrafiltration, and finally, by reverse-phase HPLC. A 1.58-kb fragment was amplified from B2 chromosome by using a primer set designed from the published nisA sequence. Sequencing result showed that the fragment contained the whole nisZ and 5' portion of nisB, whose gene product was involved in postmodification of nisin. The upstream sequence, however, was completely different from those of reported nisin genes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2009

A $\beta$-agarase gene, agaB34, was functionally cloned from the genomic DNA of a marine bacterium, Agarivorans albus YKW-34. The open reading frame of agaB34 consisted of 1,362 bp encoding 453 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence, consisting of a typical N-terminal signal peptide followed by a catalytic domain of glycoside hydrolase family 16 (GH-16) and a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), showed 37-86% identity to those of agarases belonging to family GH-16. The recombinant enzyme (rAgaB34) with a molecular mass of 49 kDa was produced extracellularly using Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$ as a host. The purified rAgaB34 was a $\beta$-agarase yielding neoagarotetraose (NA4) as the main product. It acted on neoagarohexaose to produce NA4 and neoagarobiose, but it could not further degrade NA4. The maximal activity of rAgaB34 was observed at $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. It was stable over pH 5.0-9.0 and at temperatures up to $50^{\circ}C$. Its specific activity and $k_{cat}/K_m$ value for agarose were 242 U/mg and $1.7{\times}10^6/sM$, respectively. The activity of rAgaB34 was not affected by metal ions commonly existing in seawater. It was resistant to chelating reagents (EDTA, EGTA), reducing reagents (DTT, $\beta$-mercaptoethanol), and denaturing reagents (SDS and urea). The E. coli cell harboring the pUC18-derived agarase expression vector was able to efficiently excrete agarase into the culture medium. Hence, this expression system might be used to express secretory proteins.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2009

The carboxylesterase-encoding gene(bioHs) of a newly isolated strain, Serratia sp. SES-01, was cloned from the genomic DNA library by detecting formation of transparent halo around the colony on LB-tributyrin agar plates. The amino acid sequence of BioHs was highly similar to the members of the BioH enzyme family involved in the biotin biosynthetic pathway; it showed the highest similarity(91%) with that of Serratia proteamaculans. To compare BioHs with other BioH enzymes, the relatively well-known bioHe gene of E. coli was cloned with PCR. After we achieved high-level expression of soluble BioHs and BioHe through the exploration of different culture conditions, the purified BioHs and BioHe enzymes were characterized in terms of specificity, activity, and stability. BioHe was generally more robust to a change in temperature and pH and an addition of organic solvents than BioHs. The two enzymes exhibited a strong preference for carboxylesterase rather than for thioesterase and were optimal at relatively low temperatures($20-40^{\circ}C$) and alkaline pHs(7.5-9.0). The results in this study strongly suggested that both the BioHs and BioHe enzymes would be potential candidates for use as a carboxylesterase in many industrial applications.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1540-1548
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• 2012

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) was isolated from the culture filtrate of the wood log mushroom Stereum ostrea (S. ostrea), grown on Koroljova medium, and then purified by ammonium sulfate [70% (w/v)] fractionation, DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography, with an attainment of 88.6-fold purification and the recovery of 22.8% of initial activity. According to SDS-PAGE the molecular mass of the MnP was 40 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature were found to be 4.5 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable even after exposure to a pH range of 4.5 to 6.0, and at temperatures of up to $35^{\circ}C$ at a pH of 4.5 for 1h. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values for the substrate phenol red were found to be $8{\mu}m$ and 111.14 U/mg of protein, respectively. The MnP also oxidized other substrates such as guaiacol, DMP, and veratryl alcohol. Sodium azide, EDTA, SDS, $Cu^{2+}$, and $Fe^{2+}$, at 1-5 mM, strongly inhibited enzyme activity, whereas $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ increased enzyme activity. The participation of the purified enzyme in the decolorization of dyes suggests that S. ostrea manganese peroxidase could be effectively employed in textile industries.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 1976

A cellulase fraction (F IV-1) purified to about 8-folds was obtained from crude cellulase prepared from the wheat bran culture of S.atra. The partial purification of the enzyme was made by DEAE Sephadex and Sephdex cloumn chromatography in conjuction with ammonium sulfate precipitation. After stading at various pH's for 22 hours at $20^{\circ}C$, F IV-1 was most stable at pH 5.0 but when the enzyme fraction was stood for 74 hours, the point of pH stability was raised to around pH 6.0-7.0. After heating at various temperatures for 1 hour, F IV-1 was most stable at $20^{\circ}C$. The optimal enzyme activities of F IV-1 were seen at pH 6.0 and $50^{\circ}C$. The optimal concentrations of $Zn^{++}\;and\;Ca^{++}$ for the activities of crude cellulase were 6 and 4 mM respectively, but $Ca^{++}$ inhibited the enzyme activity at concentrations below 2 mM and above 6mM. Both $Cu^{++}\;and\;Mn^{++}$ ions inhibited cellulase activities and a ocmplete inactivation of crude cellulase was achieved at concentratioins of 5 and 2 mM of ions respectively. When Na-CMC was used as substrate, the Km values of crude cellulase and F IV-1 were calculated to be $5{\times}10^{-4}\;and\;2{\times}10^{-5}mM$, and V values 32 and 1.35 mmoles/hour, respectively. The Ki values of $Mn^{++}$ for crude cellulase and F IV-1 were found to be $8{\times}10^{-2}\;and\;3{\times}10^{-2}\;mM\;while\;those\;of\;Cu^{++}\;were\;at\;2{\times}10^{-1}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-1}\;mM\;respectively.\;Both\;Mn^{++}\;and\;Cu^{++}$ showed competitive inhibition with substrate.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2015

Onggi, described as a 'breathing' type of pottery' has significantly influenced the traditional food culture of Korea. It is known that Onggi is an optimal type of storage for fermented foods such as soy sauce, salted seafood, and Kimchi, as air or liquid can penetrate through the body of this material. These foods gain flavor due to the breeding of aerobic bacteria at the beginning of the fermentation process. In this study, Onggi materials from five regions, Gangjin, Yeoju, Ulsan, Yesan, and Jeju, were collected and analyzed to determine their chemical and physical properties before and after sintering. The differences in the raw materials of other mining regions are examined in terms of their chemical and mineralogical compositions, specific surface area, particle size, and particle distribution. Among them, the Gangjin raw material has the greatest mean particle size of $92.29{\mu}m$, as well as the widest particle size distribution. Differences in the levels of $SiO_2$ and $Fe_2O_3$ are shown among Onggi raw materials. However, the crystalline phases formed after sintering are identical, except for the Jeju samples. At all sintering temperatures tested here, Gangjin Onggi showed the greatest porosity, leading to complete air permeation through the body within 90 minutes. These results taken together indicate that air permeation is strongly related to the pore structures in the Onggi body. This is assumed to affect the fermentation behavior.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-399
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• 2013

The effect of solution temperature and nitrogen form on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism was investigated in hydroponic culture. Cucumber plants were grown for 35 days in a greenhouse at three constant solution temperatures ($15^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, and $25^{\circ}C$) within a natural aerial temperature ($15-30^{\circ}C$). Four nitrate:ammonium ($NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$) ratios (10:0, 8:2, 5:5, and 2:8 $mmol{\cdot}L^{-1}$) at constant nitrogen (N) concentration of $10mmol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ were applied within each solution temperature treatment. Results showed an increasing solution temperature enhanced plant growth (height, dry weight, and leaf area) in most N treatments. Dry weight accumulation was greatest at the 10:0 $NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$ ratio in the $15^{\circ}C$ solution, the 5:5 ratio in the $20^{\circ}C$ solution and the 8:2 ratio in the $25^{\circ}C$ solution. Photosynthetic rate (Pn) response to solution temperature and $NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$ ratio was similar to that of plant growth. Probably, the photosynthate shortage played a role in the reduced biomass formation. Increasing solution temperature enhanced the nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and further reduced shoots nitrate content. Our results indicate that the optimal ratio of nitrate to ammonium that promotes growth in hydroponic cucumber varies with solution temperature.