• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2021

Vancomycin response regulator (VncR) is a pneumococcal response regulator of the VncRS two-component signal transduction system (TCS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae. VncRS regulates bacterial autolysis and vancomycin resistance. VncR contains two different functional domains, the N-terminal receiver domain and C-terminal effector domain. Here, we investigated VncR C-terminal DNA binding domain (VncRc) structure using a crystallization approach. Crystallization was performed using the micro-batch method. The crystals diffracted to a 1.964 Å resolution and belonged to space group P212121. The crystal unit-cell parameters were a = 25.71 Å, b = 52.97 Å, and c = 60.61 Å. The structure of VncRc had a helix-turn-helix motif highly similar to the response regulator PhoB of Escherichia coli. In isothermal titration calorimetry and size exclusion chromatography results, VncR formed a complex with VncS, a sensor histidine kinase of pneumococcal TCS. Determination of VncR structure will provide insight into the mechanism by how VncR binds to target genes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.347-353
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• 2022

In this study, the effect of a synbiotic mixture of probiotics and 3% inulin on the growth, non-specific immune response, and mortality due to disease resistance of Paralichthys olivaceus was investigated. The results revealed that an 8-week diet of synbiotic-added feed, had no significant effect on the growth of P. olivaceus, Analysis of the hematological parameters revealed that there was a significant difference in the content of AST, total protein, and cholesterol among the groups, whereas there was no significant difference in the ALT and glucose contents. Further, there was no significant difference in the lysozyme activity of the synbiotic and control group after 8 weeks' feeding. In addition, when the symbiotic mixture was used rather than probiotics alone, the NBT activity of the synbiotic group increased compared to that of the control group. Moreover, when only probiotics were used, the cytokine expression in the spleen of the samples was significantly lower than that in the control group, whereas the expression was significantly higher in the spleen of the synbiotics group. However, there was no significant difference in the cytokine expression in the liver, intestine, and kidney of the three groups. Lastly, after injection for 2 weeks, the mortality rates of the control group towards Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus parauberis, and Streptococcus iniae were 95, 85 and 85%, respectively; those of the probiotics group were 85, 80, and 80%, respectively; and those of the synbiotics group were 80, 80, and 85%, respectively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.470-475
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• 1994

The butanol extract of paulownia tomentosa stem showed antibacterial activity against staphyl ococcus aureus (SG511, 285 and 503), Streptococcus pyogenes (A308 and A77) and Streptococcus farcium MD8b etc. The most active compound of the extractg was identified to be campneoside I, which had a minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of $150{\;}{\mu}g/ml$ against Strptococcus and Staphylococcus species. From such antibacterial activity, the methoxy group of campneoside I was posulated to be the essential element for the antibacterial activity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-276
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• 2000

In the course of surveying the anti-plaque agents for dental caries prevention, the extract of Korean green tea leaves (KGTL) was tested for inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans adhering to glass surfaces in the presence of crude glucosyltransferase (GTase). The extracts of KGTL showed a positive inhibitory activity against GTase. The active compound was purified through Sephadex LH-20 and MCI gel CHP-20P columns. A positive reaction was shown in the anisaldehyde-$H_2SO_4$ test, which confirmed the condensed tannin. The inhibitory compound was identified as 3-galloylprocyanidin $B_3$ through IR, negative FAB-mass, and $^{1}H$-NMR spectroscopic analyses. Acetone extract and 3- galloylprocyanidin $B_3$ of KGTL showed inhibitory effect against GTase. The percent of inhibition was determinated to be 71.84% (P<0.01) with 10 mM 3-galloylprocyanidin B3. The 3-galloylprocyanidin $B_3$, which possessed a galloyl, showed a higher inhibitory activity against glucosyltransferase than monomeric (+)-catechin and procyanidine $B_3$ which had no galloyl group.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2013

Purpose: Recently, bacterial contamination of equipment and accessories required for vision correction has become a main causal factor in ophthalmic diseases. Thus, We investigated on both the actual condition of bacterial contamination from glasses of vision correction. Methods: Investigation of microorganisms was carried out with a group of 145 glasses wearers, composed of 36 elementary school students, 37 middle school students, 38 high school students, 10 college students, and 32 aged men. Results: Seventeen species of bacteria are detected from glasses of vision correction: B. cereus, B. licheniformis, Bacillus sp., CNS, Enterococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serretia sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus,, Acinetobacter sp., Enterobacter cloacae, GNR, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among 17 species of bacteria, there are some potential causative agents for keratitis, corneal ulcer, Acute dacryocystitis, Orbital cellulitis, Periphlebitis retinae, Marginal blepharitis, and Acute conjunctivitis. Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis cause keratitis. Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus aureus cause corneal ulcer. Staphylococcus aureus causes acute dacryocystitis, orbital cellulitis, periphlebitis retinae, marginal belpharitis. Streptococcus hemolyticus causes acute conjunctivitis. Conclusions: In summation, it is verified that hazardous, opportunistic and infectious microorganisms exist in glasses for vision correction. Ophthalmic diseases are predicted. Therefore, supplementary research on the development of a cleaning solution to cleanse the infection and of an effective method to remove microorganisms is required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the serotype distribution of group B streptococcus (GBS) isolated from pregnant Korean women using molecular methods. Methods : The study materials included 42 GBS isolates obtained from the vagina and anorectum of pregnant women in Goyang, Korea between 2005 and 2006. Four clinical isolates with known serotypes (Ia, Ib, III, and V) were used for validation of molecular serotyping. We used serotype-specific primers for identification of the serotypes (Ia, Ib, III, V, and VI). To determine the ambiguous serotypes by serotype-specific PCR, sequence analysis of the PCR amplicons which had been amplified with GBS-common primers was used. Results : The serotypes determined by the molecular methods agreed with the previously known 4 serotypes (Ia, Ib, III, and V). The serotypes of all 42 isolates were successfully determined by molecular methods. The distribution of the GBS serotype was as follows in order of frequency: serotype III was found in 12 isolates (28.6%), serotype V was found in 11 isolates (26.2%), serotype Ia was found in 11 isolates (26.2%), serotype VI was found in 4 isolates (9.5%), serotype Ib was found in 2 isolates (4.8%), and serotype II was found in 2 isolates (4.8%). Conclusion : Serotypes III, V, and Ia were the most frequently identified serotypes in pregnant Korean women. Molecular serotyping is useful for surveillance of the serotype distribution of GBS in colonized pregnant women and GBS diseases of neonates.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.180-185
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• 1995

1. Purpose The accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of group A streptococcus should be emphasized concerning about possible development of late sequelae, such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. We would like to know the recover rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci by throat swab culture at the in-patient 2. Methods The throat swab cultures and filled up flow-sheets were undertaken on 619 children who had admitted to hospital, KyungHee university hospital from may 1994 to april 1995 prospectively. At the same time on admission, throat culture was performed. 3. Results The highest recover rate of BHS(Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci)and GAS(Group A Streptococci) were seen in above 10 years old, as 9.1% and 1.9%. BHS were obtained in 39 cases(6.3%) among 619 children while GAS was obtained in 3 cases (0.4%). Among 39 specimens of BHS, 33 specimens were classified as non-grouping streptococcus. 4. Conclusion The poor recovery rate of GAS inpatient compared with normal carrier rate is likely due to possible antibiotic abuse, errors in processing samples, and epidemiologic factors such as seasons and geographic areas. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of non-A,B,C,G streptococcal infections and carriers.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.277-286
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• 2023

Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii, is a representative bony fish that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae and the order Scorpaeniformes. It has high ecological and economic value and is widely cultivated in many East Asian countries, including South Korea, Japan and China. One of streptococci, Streptococcus iniae, is Gram-positive cocci with a negative reaction for catalase and oxidase. The Korean rockfish shows clinical signs when infected with S. iniae, such as body darkening, bleeding, enlarged kidneys, blurred eyes, abdominal distension, etc., ultimately leading to death. The Korean rockfish causes significant economic losses every year in South Korea due to streptococcosis. In this study, we identified bacteria from the fish using polymerase chain reaction and conducted analyses of hemolytic activity and biochemical tests using API 20 STREP and API ZYM systems. Results of confirming the hemolytic activity (n=4) observed in alpha-type hemolysis (25%), beta-type hemol- ysis (50%), and gamma-type hemolysis (25%) of isolates. The biochemical test results exhibited sig- nificant variation among S. iniae. Additionally, we performed intraperitoneal injection with S. iniae in the fish and analyzed the phylogenetic tree using housekeeping genes of S. iniae, including cpsD, arcC, glnA, groEL, gyrB, mutS, pheT, prkC, rpoB, and tkt, via multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The lethal dose (LD₅₀) showed strong pathogenicity, such as 3.34 × 10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml for 23FBStr0601 strain and 7.16 × 10 CFU/ml for 23FBStr0602 strain. 23FBStr0603 strain showed relatively low pathogenicity at 1.73 × 10⁵ CFU/ml. The strains 23FBStr0601 and 23FBStr0602, which showed strong pathogenicity, clustered into one monophyletic group. The 23FBStr0603 strain showed weak pathogenicity and formed a monophyletic group with KCTC 3657.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2006

Purpose : We investigated the causative organisms of bacterial meningitis by age distribution from 1996 to 2005. Methods : Retrospective data were obtained from the medical records with diagnosis of bacterial meningitis or neonatal meningitis from 1996 through 2005. A case was defined by isolation of organism or detection of its antigen by latex agglutination from cerebrospinal fluid. Results : A total of 46 cases(27 neonates and 19 children) were identified. 15 of 27 episodes(55.6%) of neonatal meningitis had a concomitant-positive blood culture. Group B streptococci were the most common bacterial causes of neonatal meningitis(44.4%). Nine of 12 episodes(75.0%) were late-onset infections in neonatal meningitis caused by group B streptococci. 16 of 19 children(84.2%) with bacterial meningitis beyond the neonatal period were younger than 5 years of age(median age, 23 months). Of 19 cases, 8 infections were with Streptococcus pneumoniae, 8 were with Haemophilus influenzae and 3 were with Neisseria meningitidis. Since 2001 there was no case of meningococcal meningitis in this study. Conclusion : In neonates group B streptococci are the most common causative organisms of bacterial meningitis, especially late-onset infections. In infants and young children, the predominant causes of bacterial meningitis are H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae; meningitis caused by the former are likely to decrease after the introduction of the conjugate vaccine for H. influenzae type b.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.72.1-72.16
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• 2023

Background: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) on the surface of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, coded with gapC, is a glycolytic enzyme that was reported to be a moonlighting protein and virulence factor. Objective: This study assessed GAPDH as a potential immunization candidate protein to prevent streptococcus infections. Methods: Mice were vaccinated subcutaneously with recombinant GAPDH and challenged with S. dysgalactiae in vivo. They were then evaluated using histological methods. rGAPDH of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was evaluated using immunoblotting, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Results: Vaccination with rGAPDH improved the survival rates and decreased the bacterial burdens in the mammary glands compared to the control group. The mechanism by which rGAPDH vaccination protects against S. dysgalactiae was investigated. In vitro experiments showed that rGAPDH boosted the generation of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Treatment of BMDCs with TAK-242, a toll-like receptor 4 inhibitor, or C29, a toll-like receptor 2 inhibitor, reduced cytokines substantially, suggesting that rGAPDH may be a potential ligand for both TLR2 and TLR4. Subsequent investigations showed that rGAPDH may activate the phosphorylation of MAPKs and nuclear factor-κB. Conclusions: GAPDH is a promising immunization candidate protein for targeting virulence and enhancing immune-mediated protection. Further investigations are warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying the activation of BMDCs by rGAPDH in a TLR2- and TLR4-dependent manner and the regulation of inflammatory cytokines contributing to mastitis pathogenesis.