• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1259-1268
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated antimicrobial peptide from the acidified muscle extract of Mytilus coruscus, which mostly inhabits China, Japan, and Korea, to develop a natural product-derived antibiotics substitution in terms of its abuse and restriction. Antimicrobial peptide was purified by $C_{18}$ reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and was detected as having a molecular mass of 6,701 Da by MALDI-TOF/MS. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified peak was obtained from edman degradation, and 20 identified residues shown 100% identity with the N-terminus region of sperm-specific protein and protamine-like PL-II/PL-IV precursor of Mytilus californianus. We also identified 60 open-reading frame (ORF) encoding amino acids with 183 bp of purified peptide based on the obtained amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of ORF showed 100% and the nucleotide sequence revealed 97.2% identity with the protamine-like PL-II/PL-IV precursor of Mytilus californianus. Synthesized antimicrobial peptide showed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus cereus (minimal effective concentration [MEC], $20.8{\mu}g/ml$), Bacillus subtilis (MEC, $0.2{\mu}g/ml$), Streptococcus mutans (MEC, $0.2{\mu}g/ml$), gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MEC, $5.7{\mu}g/ml$), Escherichia coli (MEC, $2.6{\mu}g/ml$) and fungi, Candida albicans (MEC, $56.3{\mu}g/ml$). In addition, synthesized peptide showed stable activities under heat and salt conditions against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but was inhibited by salt against only C. albicans. With these results, isolated peptide from M. coruscus could be an alternative agent to antibiotics for defending against pathogenic microorganisms, and helpful information to understand the innate immune system of marine invertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the optimal application rate and time of mixed expeller cake (MEC) for the replacement of chemical fertilizer. Dongjin-1, as cultivated rice was used at Fluvio-marine deposit in Honam plain paddy field. Soil chemical properties were improved by the application of MEC. Contents of total nitrogen and organic matter were higher in 70%, 100% plots of basal dressing than standard fertilizer application (SFA) plot. Cation exchangeable capacity was highly increased in 70% plot of basal dressing. Also, the content of organic matter in soil was increased with MEC application. Cation exchangeable capacity, total nitrogen and available phosphate were decreased according to late application time. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil showed high tendency at more application rate of MEC, and nitrogen mineralization at harvest season have finished in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil was increased according to late application time, however it was decreased in the late period of growth. Leaf color value became darker with increased application rate of MEC. Leaf color was dark green in MEC application plots at panicle formation stage, on the other hand, it was light green in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing at heading stage. SPAD reading value of leaf-color was high during the whole growth stage in MEC application plots. More application rate of MEC showed higher tendency of fertilizer nitrogen absorption. Nitrogen use efficiency was the highest in 70% plot of basal dressing. Absorbed amount of fertilized nitrogen was increased in 10~15days before transplanting and nitrogen use efficiency was high according to the late application time. The ratio of perfect kernel and the content of protein on hulled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. The ratio of head rice on milled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. Rice yield increased 4% in 100% and 70% plots of basal dressing compare with SFA ($5.18Mg\;ha^{-1}$) plot respectively. Ear and culm length of rice were long according to the late application time, while the numbers of spikelet and ear were increased and the percentage of ripened grain was decreased. Rice yield was increased 2~5% in all MEC application plots compared to SFA plot and especially, increased 10~15days before transplanting in application plots. The optimal application rate and time of MEC on normal paddy field in plain were concluded that 70% basal dressing and 10~15days before transplanting

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2014

This study was investigated to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from raw milk samples and to further study on the molecular characteristics of the MRSA isolates. Using Staphylococcus Medium 110, Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from raw milk samples and further identification was carried by Vitek2 system. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics were conducted by serial dilution method according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. For the detection of resistance genes and molecular characterization, PCR reaction was performed by gene specific primers and followed by DNA sequencing. Of the 698 milk samples, 94 Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were identified (94 S. aureus/286 Staphylococcus spp.). Of the 94 S. aureus, seven isolates have mecA, a methicillin resistant gene. mecA positive seven isolates were then characterized by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (pvl) gene using PCR. All of mecA positive isolates were resistant to ampicillin and oxacillin, but sensitive to teicoplanin, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin. One of seven isolates was SCCmec type II and six isolates were type IV and all seven isolates were pvl gene negative.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.41-49
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• 2023

This study examined the effect of input substrate concentration on hydrogen production of microbial electrolysis cells. To compare the performance of MEC according to the input substrate concentration, six laboratory-scale MEC reactors were operated by sequentially increasing the input substrate concentration from 2 g/L of sodium acetate, to 4 g/L, and 6 g/L. The current density, hydrogen production, and SCOD removal rate were analyzed, and energy efficiency and cathodic hydrogen recovery were calculated to compare the performance of MEC. The maximum volumetric current density was obtained at 4 g/L condition (76.3 A/m³) and it decreased to 19.0 A/m³, when the input concentration was increased to 6 g/L, which was a 75% decrease compared to the 4 g/L input condition. Maximum hydrogen production was obtained also at 4 g/L condition (47.3 ± 16.8 mL), but maximum hydrogen yield was obtained at 2 g/L input condition (1.1 L H₂/g COD_in). Energy efficiencies were also highest in 2 g/L condition; the lowest result was observed at 6 g/L condition. Maximum electrical energy efficiency was 76.4%, and the maximum overall energy efficiency was 39.7% at 2 g/L condition. However, when the substrate concentration increased to 6 g/L, the performance was drastically decreased. Cathodic hydrogen recovery also showed a similar tendency with energy efficiency, with the lowest concentration condition showing the best performance. It can be concluded that operating at low input substrate concentration might be better when considering not only hydrogen yield but also energy efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2020

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and causes skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). The present study examined the antimicrobial resistance patterns and molecular epidemiological characteristics of MRSA isolated from nasal swabs in clinical patients. SCCmec type of MRSA isolates from clinical patients were analyzed: 24 cases were SCCmec type-II; two cases were type-II/IVa; one case was type-II/V; one case was type-IVa; 11 cases were not-typeable. The mec complex type of MRSA isolates from clinical patients were analyzed: 29 cases were mec complex type A, and 10 cases were not-typeable, but type B was not found in the present study. In conclusion, SCCmec type-II and mec complex type A were the most dominant MRSA subtypes among the MRSA isolates from a nasal swab of patients, and the results were similar to other studies on hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA). These results can not only provide basic data for hospital infection management but also be a good guideline for MRSA infections in the Republic of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.456-464
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• 2005

Antimicrobial drug-resistance is natural response to antimicrobial stress based on selection, which weakens chemotherapy effect. Introduction of large numbers of chemotherapeutic agents to clinical practice has generated strains of microorganisms that survive and multiply in vivo with high-drug concentrations. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacteria found in normal daily life, can be easily ingested through milk vegetables, and meats, etc. MRSA emerged in many port of the world, increasing complex clinical problems. Therefore, new agents are needed to treat MRSA. Glycyrrhiza uralensis was extracted using 80% MeOH to investigate its antimicrobial activity against MRSA stains KCCM 11812, 40510, and 40512 through bacterial measurement, disc diffusion, and O.D. methods, MIC values, MRSA gene expression investigation, and scanning electron microscope observation. Results revealed MecA, Mecl, MecRI, and FemA were the most highly manifested MRSA genes. Methanolic extract of G. uralensis significantly inhibited MRSA and thus could be used in development of antibacteria.

• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.29-38
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• 2021

The Internet including mobile networks is developing to overcoming the limitation of physical distance and providing or acquiring information from remote locations. However, the systems that use video as primary information require higher bandwidth for recognizing the situation in remote places more accurately through high-quality video as well as lower latency for faster interaction between devices and users. The emergence of the 5th generation mobile network provides features such as high bandwidth and precise location recognition that were not experienced in previous-generation technologies. In addition, the Mobile Edge Computing that minimizes network latency in the mobile network requires a change in the traditional system architecture that was composed of the existing smart device and high availability server system. However, even with 5G and MEC, since there is a limit to overcome the mobile network state fluctuations only by enhancing the network infrastructure, this study proposes a high-definition video streaming system in ultra-low latency based on the SRT protocol that provides Forward Error Correction and Fast Retransmission. The proposed system shows how to deploy software components that are developed in consideration of the nature of 5G and MEC to achieve sub-1 second latency for 4K real-time video streaming. In the last of this paper, we analyze the most significant factor in the entire video transmission process to achieve the lowest possible latency.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.673-676
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• 2007

A two-step triplex PCR assay targeting the mecA, femA, and nuc genes was developed for the detection of methicillin resistance genes harbored by some Staphylococcus aureus isolates and for the simultaneous identification of such isolates at the species level. The triplex PCR revealed the presence of the femA and nuc genes in all the S. aureus isolates examined (n=105). Forty-four clinical isolates were mecA positive and no foodborne isolates were mecA positive. The PCR results had a 98 or 99% correlation with the results of PBP2a latex agglutination tests or oxacillin susceptibility tests, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.39-41
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• 2017

Salivary gland tumors comprise almost 5% of head and neck malignancies, and minor salivary gland tumor which account for 10-15% of all salivary gland neoplasm are infrequently malignant. The mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is second most common tumor in minor salivary gland. It usually presents as a painless, rubbery-hard or soft mass, which may be fixed or mobile into the underlying structure. The predilection sites of intraoral MEC are palate, cheek, mandible, lip, and tongue, etc. There are very few published reports of MEC occurred in retromolar trigone. Only one case has been reported so far. Recently, we experienced a-70-year old man with a mass in retromolar trigone, which was finally diagnosed as MEC. We report the unique case with literature review.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term survival outcomes and prognostic factors that affect the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for major salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 44 patients who underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy for primary MEC of the major salivary glands between 1991 and 2014. The median follow-up period was 9.8 years (range, 0.8 to 23.8 years). Results: The overall outcomes at 5 and 10 years were 81.5% and 78.0% for overall survival (OS), 86.2% and 83.4% for disease-free survival, 90.6% and 87.6% for locoregional recurrence-free survival, and both 90.5% for distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Histologic grade was the only independent predictor of OS (low vs. intermediate vs. high; hazard ratio = 3.699; p = 0.041) in multivariate analysis. A poorer survival was observed among patients with high-grade tumors compared with those with non-high-grade tumors (5-year OS, 37.5% vs. 91.7%, p < 0.001; 5-year DMFS, 46.9% vs. 100%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Surgery and postoperative radiotherapy resulted in excellent survival outcomes for patients with major salivary gland MEC. However, high-grade tumors contributed to poor DMFS and OS. Additional aggressive strategies for improving survival outcomes should be developed for high-grade MEC.