• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.339-344
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• 1999

Objective: To evaluate incidence of microbial growth from the tip of the embryo transfer catheter after embryo transfer in relation to clinical pregnancy rate following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Method: This study was performed prospectively at the time of transcervical embryo transfer following conventional in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures. Sixty three patients were enrolled in this study. Microbiological cultures were performed on endocervical swabs and embryo transfer catheter tips. Results: Positive microbial growths were observed from endocervical swabs in 45 (71.4%) women and from catheter tips in 30 (47.6%) women. There was no statistically significant difference seen in the mean number of oocytes fertilized or number and grade of embryos transferred between the group of patients without growth and the group of patients with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. The clinical pregnancy rate were 30.3% in the group of patients without growth and 13.3% in the group with positive microbial growth from catheter tips. This difference in clinical pregnancy rates was statistically significant. Conclusion: Our finding is that microbial contamination at embryo transfer may influence implantation rates. The major questions arising from our finding are whether eradication of endocervical micro-organisms is possible and whether their eradication will improve implantation rates.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.608-613
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• 2010

Electricity generation of microbial fuel cells (MFC) is greatly affected by the kind of feed substrates because substrates would change microbial community of electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) able to transfer electrons to electrode. The effect of different substrates on electricity generation and microbial community of MFC was investigated. Two-chamber MFCs fed with acetate (A-MFC), butyrate (B-MFC), propionate (P-MFC), glucose (G-MFC) and a mixture (M-MFC) of the 4 substrates (acetate : butyrate : propionate : glucose = 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 as $COD_{Cr}$ base) were operated under continuous mode. The maximum power density was found from the M-MFC ($190W/m^3$) which showed the lowest internal resistance ($89{\Omega}$). The maximum power densities of the pure substrates feed MFCs were in order of A-MFC ($25W/m^3$), P-MFC ($21W/m^3$), B-MFC ($20W/m^3$) and G-MFC ($9W/m^3$). In DGGE analysis, the microbial community structure in suspension was quite different from each others depending on feed substrates, while the community structure in the biofilm was relatively similar regardless of the substrates. This result suggests that the feed substrates would affect the microbial community of suspended growth bacteria than attached growth bacteria resulting in difference of electricity generation in MFCs.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of microbial fermentation compost on the growth, yields and components of Altari Radish, and the soil physicochemistry property by cultivating area. microbial fermentation compost, 90kg/10a, 180kg/10a, 270kg/10a, chemical fertilizer plot were used. The results were summarized as follows ; Change of soil microbial after application microbial fermentation compost, The number of bacteria and actinomycetes in developed land showed the increased tendency. The application effects of microbial fermentation compost on the growth and yield of Altari radish were increased by excessive application with all kinds of microbial fermentation compost, especially, treatment plot at 270kg/10a was the highest. Change of components in Altari Radish was not different between treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.53-79
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth promoting effect was measured using hair growth index. As a result, Prunus mume, black bean, Brassica campestris subsp. black sesame and Rubi Fructus showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Prunus mume, Eriobotryae Folium showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of the effect of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT - PCR analyses were performed. However, there were no plant extracts, which have profound effect on the gene expression of several growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another tests for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti -microbial activities. Rubi Fructus showed anti -microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.80-103
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.749-755
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• 1996

From the soil collected from provincial area of South Korea, a microorganisms which have been shown good growth in the minimal poultry feces extract medium was isolated. Supplement of glucose to the poultry feces extract medium helped the complete uptake of soluble protein by microorganism. Uric acid in the poultry feces extract medium could be completely degraded during the microbial growth. Maximum cell growth (3.8 $\times$ 10$^{9}$ CFU/ml) obtained at 36 hours of incubation after inoculation. Uric acid was degraded faster in minimal medium than in the glucose complement medium. VFA (volatile fatty acid), which are known as major compounds of poultry feces odor, were almost removed from the minimal poultry feces extract medium. Glucose supplement to the minimal medium enhanced the growth of microbial cells. Addition of 4% of glucose and 4% of neopeptone to the minimal poultry feces extract medium helped the maximal growth of cells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 2013

This study was carried out to develop and validate predictive models of E. coli O157:H7 growth. Growth data of E. coli O157:H7 in Paprika were collected at 12, 24, 30 and $36^{\circ}C$. The population increased into 3.0 to 3.8 log10 CFU/g within 4 days, then continued to increase at a slower rate through 10 days of storage at $12^{\circ}C$. The lag time (LT) and maximum specific growth rate (SGR) obtained from each primary model was then modeled as a function of temperature using Davey and square root equations, respectively. For interpolation of performance evaluation, growth data for a mixture of E. coli O157:H7 were collected at time intervals in paprika incubated at the different temperatures, which was not used in model development. Results of model performance for interpolation data demonstrated that induced secondary models showed acceptable goodness of fit. Relative errors in the LT and SGR model for interpolation data (18 and $27^{\circ}C$) was 100%, which show acceptable goodness of fit and validated for interpolation. The primary and secondary models developed in this study can be used to establish tertiary models to quantify the effects of temperature on the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in paprika.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2004

A plasmid pSDK-l containing the Escherichia coli phosphofructokinase-l gene (pfkA) was constructed, and transferred into extremely acidophilic Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Tt-7 by conjugation with the aid of plasmid RP4 at a frequency of $10^{-5}$ per recipient. This plasmid was stable in A. thiooxidans. The pfkA gene from E. coli could be expressed in this obligately autotrophic bacterium, but the enzyme activity (21.6 U/g protein) was lower than that in E. coli (K12: 85.9 Dig protein; DF1010 carrying plasmid pSDK-l: 96.6 U/g protein). In the presence of glucose, the Tt-7 transconjugants consumed glucose, leading to a better growth yield.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1013-1022
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• 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread soil endophytic fungi, forming mutualistic relationships with the vast majority of land plants. Biochar (BC) has been reported to improve soil fertility and promote plant growth. However, limited studies are available concerning the combined effects of AMF and BC on soil community structure and plant growth. In this work, a pot experiment was designed to investigate the effects of AMF and BC on the rhizosphere microbial community of Allium fistulosum L. Using Illumina high-throughput sequencing, we showed that inoculation of AMF and BC had a significant impact on soil microbial community composition, diversity, and versatility. Increases were observed in both plant growth (the plant height by 8.6%, shoot fresh weight by 12.1%) and root morphological traits (average diameter by 20.5%). The phylogenetic tree also showed differences in the fungal community composition in A. fistulosum. In addition, Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed that 16 biomarkers were detected in the control (CK) and AMF treatment, while only 3 were detected in the AMF + BC treatment. Molecular ecological network analysis showed that the AMF + BC treatment group had a more complex network of fungal communities, as evidenced by higher average connectivity. The functional composition spectrum showed significant differences in the functional distribution of soil microbial communities among different fungal genera. The structural equation model (SEM) confirmed that AMF could improve the microbial multifunctionality by regulating the rhizosphere fungal diversity and soil properties. Our findings provide new information on the effects of AMF and biochar on plants and soil microbial communities.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.971-988
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• 2023

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing solubles from shredded, steam-exploded pine particles (SSPP) on growth performances, plasma biochemicals, and microbial composition in broilers. The birds were reared for 28 days and fed basal diets with or without the inclusion of SSPP from 8 days old. There were a total of three dietary treatments supplemented with 0% (0% SSPP), 0.1% (0.1% SSPP) and 0.4% (0.4% SSPP) SSPP in basal diets. Supplementation of SSPP did not significantly affect growth or plasma biochemicals, but there was a clear indication of diet-induced microbial shifts. Beta-diversity analysis revealed SSPP supplementation-related clustering (ANOSIM: r = 0.31, p < 0.01), with an overall lower (PERMDISP: p < 0.05) individual dispersion in comparison to the control group. In addition, the proportions of the Bacteroides were increased, and the relative abundances of the families Vallitaleaceae, Defluviitaleaceae, Clostridiaceae, and the genera Butyricicoccus and Anaerofilum (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the 0.4% SSPP group than in the control group. Furthermore, the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) also showed that beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcus albus and Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum were identified as microbial biomarkers of dietary SSPP inclusion (p < 0.05; | LDA effect size | > 2.0). Finally, network analysis showed that strong positive correlations were established among microbial species belonging to the class Clostridia, whereas Erysipelotrichia and Bacteroidia were mostly negatively correlated with Clostridia. Taken together, the results suggested that SSPP supplementation modulates the cecal microbial composition of broilers toward a "healthier" profile.