• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2010

An alkalophilic microorganism named DK-2386, which produces xylanase, was isolated from soil of Taejo-mountain, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, Korea. The isolated strain was characterized as Gram-positive, with size of 0.4${\times}$2.5 ${\mu}$m, spore forming, anaerobic, catalase positive, possessed with hydrolysis abilities of casein, starch, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, and xylan, reduction of nitrate to nitrite, resistant against lysozyme, urease positive, and motility positive. The color of culture broth was reddish yellow. The strain DK-2386 was identified as Bacillus agaradhaerens by whole cell fatty-acid composition analysis and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. However, it was not identical to Bacillus agaradhaerens 40952 obtained from the Korean Culture Center of Microorganism in its colour of culture broth. Therefore, we have named the newly isolated strain as Bacillus agaradhaerens DK-2386.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1460-1469
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• 2019

The extensive distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a threat to healthcare worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the MDR and molecular patterns of MRSA isolates in children admitted to the two biggest tertiary care pediatric hospitals in northern and southern Vietnam. A total of 168 MRSA strains were collected to determine antibiotic susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentration tests. Antibiotic-resistant genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and multilocus sequence typing were used for the molecular characterization of MRSA. Among the total strains, the MDR rate (51.8%) was significantly higher in the northern hospital than in the southern hospital (73% vs. 39%, p < 0.0001). The MDR-MRSA with the highest rates were "ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicintetracyclines" (35.6%), followed by "erythromycin-tetracycline-chloramphenicol" (24.1%), and "ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicin" (19.5%), showing an accumulative total of 79.3%. The most susceptible antibiotics were rifampicin (100%) and vancomycin (100%), followed by doxycycline (94.0%), meropenem (78.0%), and cefotaxime (75.0%). The SCCmecII strains showed greater resistance to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, meropenem and cephalosporins compared with the other strains. The SCCmecII strains exhibited the highest rate in the tested genes (aacA/aphD: 55.2%, ermA/B/C: 89.7%, and tetK/M: 82.8%). ST5-SCCmecII was the predominant clone in the northern hospital, whereas SCCmecIVa was more pronounced in the southern hospital. In conclusion, our results raised concerns about the predominant MDR-MRSA strains in the pediatric hospitals in Vietnam. The north-south difference in the antibiotic resistance patterns and genetic structure of MRSA suggests different MRSA origins and various uses of antimicrobial agents between the two regions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1052-1061
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to identify duck liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) and demonstrate its antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from 6 to 8-week-old Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized. To confirm the duck LEAP-2 transcript expression levels, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted. Two kinds of peptides (a linear peptide and a disulfide-type peptide) were synthesized to compare the antimicrobial activity. Then, antimicrobial activity assay and fluorescence microscopic analysis were conducted to demonstrate duck LEAP-2 bactericidal activity. Results: The duck LEAP-2 peptide sequence showed high identity with those of other avian species (>85%), as well as more than 55% of identity with mammalian sequences. LEAP-2 mRNA was highly expressed in the liver with duodenum next, and then followed by lung, spleen, bursa and jejunum and was the lowest in the muscle. Both of LEAP-2 peptides efficiently killed bacteria, although the disulfide-type LEAP-2 showed more powerful bactericidal activity. Also, gram-positive bacteria was more susceptible to duck LEAP-2 than gram-negative bacteria. Using microscopy, we confirmed that LEAP-2 peptides could kill bacteria by disrupting the bacterial cell envelope. Conclusion: Duck LEAP-2 showed its antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Disulfide bonds were important for the powerful killing effect by disrupting the bacterial cell envelope. Therefore, duck LEAP-2 can be used for effective antibiotics alternatives.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.416-428
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• 2018

To gain an insight into the function of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in insects during thermal stress, three HSP cDNAs were identified in the transcriptome of adult Heortia vitessoides, one of the most destructive defoliating pests in Aquilaria sinensis (Loureiro) Sprenger forests. The open reading frames of HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 were 1,719, 2,070, and 2,151 bp in length, respectively, and encoded proteins with molecular weights of 61.05, 75.02, and 82.23 kDa, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all three HSPs were highly conserved in structure. Regarding the stage-specific expression profiles, HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 mRNAs were detected in all developmental stages. Regarding the tissue-specific expression profiles, the expression levels of the three HSP genes were different in various larval and adult tissues. Moreover, the expression patterns of heat-stressed larvae, pupae, and adults indicated that HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 were heat-inducible. In particular, HvHsp60 transcripts increased dramatically in larvae and pupae that were heat-stressed at $40^{\circ}C$ and were upregulated in adults that were heat-stressed at $35^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. The expression of HvHsp70 significantly increased in all of the three different developmental stages at $35^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, and $45^{\circ}C$. The expression of HvHsp90 obviously increased at $30^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$ in larvae and could be induced at $35^{\circ}C$ in pupae and adults. The results suggest that HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 play a major role in protecting H. vitessoides against high-temperature stress.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2021

Bacillus velezensis CJ1, showing significant fibrinolytic activity, was isolated from Myeolchi Jeotgal, a popular Korean fermented seafood. When B. velezensis CJ1 was grown on four different culture media, the culture on the Luria-Bertani (LB) broth showed the highest fibrinolytic activity (102.94 mU/μl) at 48 h. LB was also the best medium for growth. SDS-PAGE of culture supernatant showed four major bands, 38, 35, 27, and 22 kDa in size. Fibrin zymography showed four active bands, 50, 47, 40, and 30 kDa in size. A gene homologous to aprE of the Bacillus species was cloned by PCR. DNA sequencing showed that aprECJ1 can encode a protease consisting of 382 amino acids. The translated amino acid sequence of AprECJ1 showed high identity values with those of B. velezensis strains and other Bacillus species. The aprECJ1 gene was introduced into B. subtilis WB600 using an E. coli-Bacillus shuttle vector, pHY300PLK, and overexpressed. A 27 kDa band corresponding to the mature form of AprECJ1 was produced and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and fibrin zymography. B. subtilis WB600 [pHYaprECJ1] showed 1.8-fold higher fibrinolytic activity than B. velezensis CJ1 at 48 h.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.941-948
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• 2021

Objective: In Japan, approximately 50 breeds of indigenous domestic chicken, called Japanese native chickens (JNCs), have been developed. JNCs gradually became established based on three major original groups, "Jidori", "Shoukoku", and "Shamo". Tosa-Jidori is a breed of Jidori, and archival records as well as its morphologically primitive characters suggest an ancient origin. Although Jidori is thought to have been introduced from East Asia, a previous study based on mitochondrial D-loop sequences demonstrated that Tosa-Jidori belongs to haplogroup D, which is abundant in Southeast Asia but rare in other regions, and a Southeast Asian origin for Tosa-Jidori was therefore suggested. The relatively small size of the D-loop region offers limited resolution in comparison with mitogenome phylogeny. This study was conducted to determine the phylogenetic position of the Tosa-Jidori breed based on complete mitochondrial D-loop and mitogenome sequences, and to clarify its evolutionary relationships, possible maternal origin and routes of introduction into Japan. Methods: Maximum likelihood and parsimony trees were based on 133 chickens and consisted of 86 mitogenome sequences as well as 47 D-loop sequences. Results: This is the first report of the complete mitogenome not only for the Tosa-Jidori breed, but also for a member of one of the three major original groups of JNCs. Our phylogenetic analysis based on D-loop and mitogenome sequences suggests that Tosa-Jidori individuals characterized in this study belong to the haplogroup D as well as the sub-haplogroup E1. Conclusion: The sub-haplogroup E1 is relatively common in East Asia, and so although the Southeast Asian origin hypothesis cannot be rejected, East Asia is another possible origin of Tosa-Jidori. This study highlights the complicated origin and breeding history of Tosa-Jidori and other JNC breeds.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.167-171
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• 2021

Haemonchosis remains a significant problem in small ruminants. In this study, the assay of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with the lateral flow strip (LFS-RPA) was established for the rapid detection of Haemonchus contortus in goat feces. The assay used primers and a probe targeting a specific sequence in the ITS-2 gene. We compared the performance of the LFS-RPA assay to a PCR assay. The LFS-RPA had a detection limit of 10 fg DNA, which was 10 times less compared to the lowest detection limit obtained by PCR. Out of 24 goat fecal samples, LFS-RPA assay detected H. contortus DNA with 95.8% sensitivity, compared to PCR, 79.1% sensitivity. LFS-RPA assay did not detect DNA from other related helminth species and demonstrated an adequate tolerance to inhibitors present in the goat feces. Taken together, our results suggest that LFS-RPA assay had a high diagnostic accuracy for the rapid detection of H. contortus and merits further evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2021

Mammalian reovirus (MRV) causes respiratory and intestinal disease in mammals. Although MRV isolates have been reported to circulate in several animals, there are no reports on Korean MRV isolates from wildlife. We investigated the biological and molecular characteristics of Korean MRV isolates based on the nucleotide sequence of the segment 1 gene. In total, 144 swabs from wild animals were prepared for virus isolation. Based on virus isolation with specific cytopathic effects, indirect fluorescence assays, electron microscopy, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, only one isolate was confirmed to be MRV from a Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus). The isolate exhibited a hemagglutination activity level of 16 units with pig erythrocytes and had a maximum viral titer of 10^5.7 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀)/mL in Vero cells at 5 days after inoculation. The nucleotide and amino-acid sequences of the partial segment S1 of the MReo2045 isolate were determined and compared with those of other MRV strains. The MReo2045 isolate had nucleotide sequences similar to MRV-3 and was most similar (96.1%) to the T3/Bat/Germany/342/08 strain, which was isolated in Germany in 2008. The MReo2045 isolate will be useful as an antigen for sero-epidemiological studies and developing diagnostic tools.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.354-359
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• 2022

MitoNEET, a mitochondrial outer membrane protein containing the Asn-Glu-Glu-Thr (NEET) sequence, controls the formation of intermitochondrial junctions and confers autophagy resistance. Moreover, mitoNEET as a mitochondrial substrate undergoes ubiquitination by activated Parkin during the initiation of mitophagy. Therefore, mitoNEET is linked to the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy. Mitophagy is the selective removal of the damaged or unnecessary mitochondria, which is crucial to sustaining mitochondrial quality control. In numerous human diseases, the accumulation of damaged mitochondria by impaired mitophagy has been observed. However, the therapeutic strategy targeting of mitoNEET as a mitophagy-enhancing mediator requires further research. Herein, we confirmed that mitophagy is indeed activated by mitoNEET inhibition. CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone), which leads to mitochondrial depolarization, induces mitochondrial dysfunction and superoxide production. This, in turn, contributes to the induction of mitophagy; mitoNEET protein levels were initially increased before an increase in LC3-II protein following CCCP treatment. Pharmacological inhibition of mitoNEET using mitoNEET Ligand-1 (NL-1) promoted accumulation of Pink1 and Parkin, which are mitophagy-associated proteins, and activation of mitochondria-lysosome crosstalk, in comparison to CCCP alone. Inhibition of mitoNEET using NL-1, or mitoNEET shRNA transfected into RAW264.7 cells, abrogated CCCP-induced ROS and mitochondrial cell death; additionally, it activated the expression of PGC-1α and SOD2, regulators of oxidative metabolism. In particular, the increase in PGC-1α, which is a major regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, promotes mitochondrial quality control. These results indicated that mitoNEET is a potential therapeutic target in numerous human diseases to enhance mitophagy and protect cells by maintaining a network of healthy mitochondria.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.18.1-18.7
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• 2022

According to long-term projections, by 2030, the world's population is predicted to reach 7.5 billion individuals, and there will be roughly 27 million new cancer cases diagnosed. The global burden of breast cancer (BC) is expected to rise. According to the Ministry of Health-Iraqi Cancer Registry, cancer is the second largest cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the interleukin-18 (IL18) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -607C/A rs1946518 and -137G/C rs187238 using the sequence-specific amplification-polymerase chain reaction approach. Regarding the position -607C/A, there was a highly significant difference between the observed and expected frequencies in patients and controls (χ² = 3.16 and χ² = 16.5), respectively. The AA and CA genotypes were associated with significantly increased BC risk (odds ratio [OR], 3.68; p = 0.004 and OR, 2.83; p = 0.04, respectively). Women with the A allele had a 5.03-fold increased susceptibility to BC. The C allele may be a protective allele against BC (OR, 0.19). Although position -137G/C showed no significant differences in the CC genotype distribution (p = 0.18), the frequency of the CC genotype was significantly higher in patients than in controls. In contrast, patients had a significantly higher frequency of GC genotypes than controls (p = 0.04), which was associated with an increased risk of developing BC (OR, 2.63). The G allele frequency was significantly lower in patients than in controls (55.0% vs. 76.2%, respectively). This SNP may be considered a common genotype in the Iraqi population, with the wild-type G allele having a protective function (OR, 0.19) and the mutant C allele having an environmental effect (OR, 2.63).