• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.2 s.142
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• pp.87-94
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• 2007

In this study, we describe Korean isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis infected with double-stranded (ds) RNA virus (TVV). One T. vaginalis isolate infected with TVV IH-2 evidenced weak pathogenicity in the mouse assay coupled with the persistent presence of a dsRNA, thereby indicating a hypovirulence effect of dsRNA in T. vaginalis. Cloning and sequence analysis results revealed that the genomic dsRNA of TVV IH-2 was 4,647 bp in length and evidenced a sequence identity of 80% with the previously-described TVV 1-1 and 1-5, but only a 42% identity with TVV 2-1 and 3 isolates. It harbored 2 overlapping open reading frames of the putative capsid protein and dsRNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). As previously observed in the TVV isolates 1-1 and 1-5, a conserved ribosomal slip-page heptamer (CCUUUUU) and its surrounding sequence context within the consensus 14-nt overlap implied the gene expression of a capsid protein-RdRp fusion protein, occurring as the result of a potential ribosomal frameshift event. The phylogenetic analysis of RdRp showed that the Korean TVV If-2 isolate formed a compact group with TVV 1-1 and 1-5 isolates, which was divergent from TVV 2-1, 3 and other viral isolates classified as members of the Giardiavirus genus.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.355-360
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• 2007

During the traditional production process of yugwa, a Korean traditional oil-puffed snack, three bacterial isolates, 12, 37, and B1 from waxy rice slurry were characterized by using the molecular techniques, and the quality of the yugwa prepared by using three isolates was examined in relation to physical and sensory properties. Isolates 37 and B1 were identified as Lactobacillus sp. by 16S rDNA sequence analysis, while isolate 12 was as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by gyrA sequence analysis. Waxy rice inoculated with isolate 12 demonstrated the lowest hardness and the highest peak and [mal viscosity. Yugwa prepared from isolate 12-inoculated waxy rice indicated the lowest hardness and the highest volume expansion, the key characteristics of yugwa. This result presents the possibility for the use of a starter in the commercial production of yugwa and other rice-based snacks.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2010

We studied on the proteomic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii KI-1 tachyzoites which were originally isolated from a Korean patient, and compared with those of the well-known virulent RH strain using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Two-dimensional separation of the total proteins isolated from KI-1 tachyzoites revealed up to 150 spots, of which 121 were consistent with those of RH tachyzoites. Of the remaining 29 spots, 14 showed greater than 5-fold difference in density between the KI-1 and RH tachyzoites at a pH of 5.0-8.0. Among the 14 spots, 5 from the KI-1 isolate and 7 from the RH strain were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and database searches. The spots from the KI-1 tachyzoties were dense granule proteins (GRA 2,3,6, and 7), hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGRPTase), and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRTase). The spots from the RH strain were surface antigen 1 (SAG 1), L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), actin, chorismate synthase, peroximal catalase, hexokinase, bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHTR-TS), and nucleosidetriphosphatases (NTPases). Quantitative real-time PCR supported our mass spectrometric results by showing the elevated expression of the genes encoding GRA 2,3, and 6 and UPRTase in the KI-1 tachyzoites and those encoding GRA 7, SAG 1, NTPase, and chorismate synthase in the RH tachyzoites. These observations demonstrate that the protein compositions of KI-1 and RH tachyzoites are similar but differential protein expression is involved in virulence.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.571-576
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• 1994

One strain of cellulose-producing Acetobacter was isolated from the traditionally fermen- ted grape vinegar in Korea. The isolated strain, designated as KI strain was identified as the Acetobacter xylinum with respect to physiological and biochemical characteristics. KI produced acetic acid from ethanol, and then decomposed acetate to CO$_{2}$ and H$_{2}$O. When the isolated strain was cultivated statically in broth culture, a thick cellulose pellicle was formed. KI was tolerance of 8% ethanol and 30% glucose, and the isolate was positive in ketogenesis from glycerol, $\gamma$-pyrone from glucose and fructose, and 2-ketogluconic acid from glucose. KI strain possessed straight-chain C$_{18:1}$, C$_{16:0}$, and C$_{14:0}$ fatty acid, and contained ubiquinone Q$_{9}$ and Q$_{10}$ as isoprenoid quinone. DNA base composition of KI strain was 57.6% G+C.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2005

This study was carried out to get information for diversifying of resistant genes to bacterial blight (BB) in Japonica cultivar breeding programs. TWo hundred nine rice varieties were tested for qualitive resistance to four races of BB; HB9101 isolate for race K1, HB9102 isolate for race K2, HB9103 isolate for race K3, and HB01001 isolate for race K3a. Two hundred nine rice varieties were divided into five groups according to their race reaction. Fourteen Tongil-type varieties and ninetyseven Japonica varieties showed susceptible reaction to four races; Kl, K2, K3 and K3a. Thirteen Tongil-type varieties and thirty-one Japonica varieties were resistant to only one race; K1. Nine Tongil-type varieties and one Japonica variety were resistant to two races; K1 and K2. One Tongil-type variety and twenty-eight Japonica varieties were resistant to the three races; K1, K2, and K3. Fourteen Tongil-type varieties and one Japonica variety were resistant to four races; K1, K2, K3, and K3a. A number of Tongil-type varieties showed broad spectrum resistance to four races, while a number of Japonica varieties showed broad spectrum resistance to three races; K1, K2, and K3.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.213-226
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• 2005

To treat wastewater efficiently by a one-step process of nitrogen removal, a new bacterial strain producing $N_2$ gas from ${NH_4}^+$ under an aerobic condition was isolated and identified. The cell was motile and a Gram-negative rod, and usually occurred in pairs. By 16S-rDNA analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Enterobacter asburiae with 96% similarity. The isolate showed that the capacity of $N_2$ production under an oxic condition was approximately three times higher than that under an anoxic condition. Thus, the consumption of ${NH_4}^+$ by the isolate was significantly different in the metabolism of $N_2$ production under the two different environmental conditions. The optimal conditions of the immobilized isolate for $N_2$ production were found to be pH 7.0, $30^{\circ}C$ and C/N ratio 5, respectively. Under all the optimum reaction conditions, $N_2$ production by the immobilized isolate resulted in reduction of ORP with both the consumption of DO and the drop of pH. The removal efficiencies of $COD_{Cr}$, and TN were 56.1 and 60.9%, respectively. The removal rates of $COD_{Cr}$, and TN were the highest for the first 2.5 hrs with the removal $COD_{Cr}/TN$ ratios of 32.1, and afterwards the rates decreased as reaction proceeded. For application of the immobilized isolate to a practical process of ammonium removal, a continuous operation was executed with a synthetic medium of a low C/N ratio. The continuous bioreactor system exhibited a satisfactory performance at 12.1 hrs of HRT, in which the effluent concentrations of ${NH_4}^+$-N was measured to be 15.4 mg/L with its removal efficiency of 56.0%. The maximum removal rate of ${NH_4}^+$-N reached 1.6 mg ${NH_4}^+$-N/L/hr at 12.1 hrs of HRT(with N loading rate of $0.08\;Kg-N/m^3$-carrier/d). As a result, the application of the immobilized isolate appears a viable alternative to the nitrification-denitrification processes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2011

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide and the emergence of this strain has become a major clinical problem. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA and their genetic characteristics in 69 S. aureus isolated from humans and animals. In human isolates, higher antimicrobial resistance rates were observed against penicillin (80.6%), followed by erythromycin (11.9%) and tetracycline (9.0%). All of them were susceptible to clindamycin, enrofloxacin, novobiocin, pirlimycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. The resistance patterns in animal isolates were similar to those of human isolates. Two (2.9%) MRSA strains were isolated from human (n = 1) and animal (n = 1), and these isolates were confirmed as carrying the mecA gene. One isolate originating from human was resistant to 7 drugs and the other isolate derived from animal was resistant to 11 drugs. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) variant IIIB was identified in animal isolate but SCCmec type of an isolate from human was not exactly determined. Two MRSA isolates showed unrelated PFGE pattern between them. Our results indicated although the frequency of MRSA isolates from humans and animals was low, a continuous surveillance and monitoring should be called for to prevent the contamination and spread of MRSA in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first time that SCCmec type variant IIIB was detected from animals in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

Toxoplasma gondii KI-1, a recent new isolate from Korea, shows similar pathogenicity and infectivity to mice compared to the virulent RH strain. To understand characteristics of host immunity, including immune enhancement or suppression, we investigated proliferative responses and phenotypes of spleen cells. In addition, kinetics of IFN-${\gamma}$, a Th1 cytokine, was examined in BALB/c mice up to day 6 post-infection (PI). Intraperitoneal injection of mice with $10^3$ KI-1 tachyzoites induced significant decreases (P < 0.05) in proliferative responses of spleen cells. This occurred at days 2-6 PI even when concanavalin A (con A) was added and when stimulated with KI-1 antigen, suggesting suppression of the immunity. $CD4^+$ T-cells decreased markedly at day 2 PI (P < 0.05), whereas $CD8^+$ T-cells, NK cells, and macrophages did not show significant changes, except a slight, but significant, increase of $CD8^+$ T-cells at day 6 PI. The capacity of splenocytes to produce IFN-${\gamma}$ by con A stimulation dropped significantly at days 2-6 PI. These results demonstrate that intraperitoneal injection of KI-1 tachyzoites can induce immunosuppression during the early stage of infection, as revealed by the decrease of $CD4^+$ T-cells and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2013

An effective leavening yeast was isolated from raisin broth. The isolate was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae by comparing the homology of 18S rDNA ITS sequences and named as S. cerevisiae MF10003. S. cerevisiae MF10003 showed a 1.9-fold and 3.1-fold increase in $CO_2$ production and leavening ability, respectively, compared with the wild yeast S. ellipsoideus KCTC7243, and the dough had a rich and volatile flavor. When glucose, sucrose, fructose, and maltose were added to the culture broth as a carbon and energy source, $CO_2$ was produced in 4 hr.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-166
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• 2005

New PCR primers (N=18) were designed for the isolation of complete SSU to LSU rDNA sequences from the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense. Standard PCR, employing each primer set selected for amplifications of less than 1.5 kb, successfully amplified the expected rDNA regions of A. tamarense (Korean isolate, HY970328M). Complete SSU, LSU rDNAs and ITS sequences, including 5.8S rDNA, were recorded at 1,800 bp, 520 bp and 3,393 bp, respectively. The LSU rDNA sequence was the first report in Alexandrium genus. No intron was found in the LSU rRNA coding region. Twelve D-domains within the LSU rDNA were put together into 1,879 bp (44.4% G+C), and cores into 1514 bp (42.8% G+C). The core sequence was significantly different (0.0867 of genetic distance, 91% sequence similarity) in comparison with Prorocentrum micans (GenBank access. no. X16108). The D2 region was the longest in length (300 bp) and highly variable among the 12 D-domains. In a phylogenetic analysis using complete LSU rDNA sequences of a variety of phytoplankton, A. tamarense was clearly separated with high resolution against other species. The result suggests that the sequence may resolve the taxonomic ambiguities of Alexandrium genus, particularly of the tamarensis complex.