• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.1279-1286
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• 2013

Particle size and metal species are important to both soil microbial toxicity and phytotoxicity in the soil ecosystem. The effects of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs) on soil microbial toxicity, phytotoxicity, and bioaccumulation in two crops (Cucumis sativus and Zea mays) were estimated in a soil microcosm. In the microcosm system, soil was artificially contaminated with 1,000 mg/kg CuO and ZnO NPs and MPs. After 15 days, we compared the microbial toxicity and phytotoxicity by particle size. In addition, C. sativus and Z. mays were cultivated in soils treated with CuO NPs and ZnO NPs, after which the treatment effects on bioaccumulation were evaluated. NPs were more toxic than MPs to microbes and plants in the soil ecosystem. We found that the soil enzyme activity and plant biomass were inhibited to the greatest extent by CuO NPs. However, in a Biolog test, substrate utilization patterns were more dependent upon metal type than particle size. Another finding indicated that the metal NP uptake amounts of plants depend on the plant species. In the comparison between C. sativus and Z. mays, the accumulation of Cu and Zn by C. sativus was noticeably higher. These findings show that metal oxide NPs may negatively impact soil bacteria and plants. In addition, the accumulation patterns of NPs depend on the plant species.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권7호
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• pp.1045-1054
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• 2012

The phylogenetic diversity of the bacteria in hot composting samples collected from three spatial locations was investigated by molecular tools in order to determine the influence of gradient effect on bacterial communities during the thermophilic phase of composting swine manure with rice straw. Total microbial DNA was extracted and bacterial near full-length 16S rRNA genes were subsequently amplified, cloned, restriction fragment length polymorphism-screened and sequenced. The superstratum sample had the highest microbial diversity among the three samples which was possibly related to the surrounding conditions of the sample resulting from the location. The results showed that the sequences related to Bacillus sp. were most common in the composts. In superstratum sample, 45 clones (33%) and 36 clones (27%) were affiliated with the Bacillus sp. and Clostridium sp., respectively; 74 clones (58%) were affiliated with the Clostridium sp. in the middle-level sample; 52 clones (40%) and 29 clones (23%) were affiliated with the Clostridium sp. and Bacillus sp. in substrate sample, respectively. It indicated that the microbial diversity and community in the samples were different for each sampling site, and different locations of the same pile often contained distinct and different microbial communities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.765-774
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• 2021

Although research on the osteal signaling pathway has progressed, understanding of gut microbial-dependent signaling pathways for metabolic and immune bone homeostasis remains elusive. In recent years, the study of gut microbiota has shed light on our understanding of bone homeostasis. Here, we review microbiota-mediated gut-bone crosstalk via bone morphogenetic protein/SMADs, Wnt and OPG/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand signaling pathways in direct (translocation) and indirect (metabolite) manners. The mechanisms underlying gut microbiota involvement in these signaling pathways are relevant in immune responses, secretion of hormones, fate of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and absorption of calcium. Collectively, we propose a signaling network for maintaining a dynamic homeostasis between the skeletal system and the gut ecosystem. Additionally, the role of gut microbial improvement by dietary intervention in osteal signaling pathways has also been elucidated. This review provides unique resources from the gut microbial perspective for the discovery of new strategies for further improving treatment of bone diseases by increasing the abundance of targeted gut microbiota.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.327-337
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• 2007

Plankton communities have close relationships with environmental changes in water columns. Thus, the use of plankton as a biological tool for assessing the marine ecosystem health may be effective. Major issue regarding coastal pollution has been usually recognized as phytoplankton blooms or red tides caused by the eutrophication, an increase in concentration of inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. However, in order to understand the effects of the overall pollution on marine ecosystem, the organic pollutants as well as the inorganic nutrients should be also considered. For understanding the effects of the organic pollution, among the planktonic organisms, heterotrophic bacteria, heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates should be investigated. Generally, there are three approaches for assessing the marine ecosystem health using the plankton taxa or plankton communities. The first one is a community-based approach such as diversity index and chlorophyll a concentration which are common in analysis of the plankton communities. The second is an indiviual-based approach which is to monitor the pollution indicative species. This approach needs one's ability to identify the plankton to species level. The last approach is a bioassay of toxicity, which can be applied to the plankton. A pilot study in Masan Bay was conducted to assess the effects of the inorganic and organic pollution. In this article, a new approach using plankton communities was tentatively presented as a biological tool for assessing the ecosystem health of Masan Bay.

• 한국습지학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.315-325
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• 2014

월악산국립공원에 발달되어 있는 신갈나무림에서 2012년 5월부터 2013년 4월까지 유기탄소 분포와 순환을 통한 생태계 서비스 가치를 파악하였다. 지상부와 지하부 생물량에 분포되어 있는 유기탄소량은 각각 81.94 및 20.53 ton C/ha 이었으며, 낙엽층과 토양의 유기탄소량은 각각 6.49 ton C $ha^{-1}$, 141.23 ton C $ha^{-1}$ $50cm-depth^{-1}$로 조사되였다. 조사지 신갈나무림의 전체 유기탄소량은 250.19 ton C $ha^{-1}$이었으며, 이중 41.0%가 식물체에 분포하였다. 신갈나무림의 전체 유기탄소량을 원화로 환산하면 약 527만원 $ha^{-1}$의 가치를 갖는 것으로 추정되었다. 조사기간 동안 토양호흡을 통하여 방출되는 탄소량은 7.31 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$으로 이중 미생물호흡과 뿌리호흡을 통해 방출되는 탄소량은 각각 3.58, 3.73 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$이었다. 유기탄소 순 생산량과 미생물호흡량의 차이로 추정했을 때 본 신갈나무림에서 연간 대기로부터 흡수하는 순 유기탄소는 1.61 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$로서, 이를 원화로 환산하면 약 33,000원 $ha^{-1}$의 가치를 갖는 것으로 추정되었다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.1593-1604
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• 2016

Recently, bacterial quorum quenching (QQ) has been proven to have potential as an innovative approach for biofouling control in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for advanced wastewater treatment. Although information regarding the microbial community is crucial for the development of QQ strategies, little information exists on the microbial ecology in QQ-MBRs. In this study, the microbial communities of biofilm were investigated in relation to the effect of QQ on anoxic/oxic MBRs. Two laboratory-scale MBRs were operated with and without QQ-beads (QQ-bacteria entrapped in beads). The transmembrane pressure increase in the QQ-MBRs was delayed by approximately 100-110% compared with conventional- and vacant-MBRs (beads without QQ-bacteria) at 45 kPa. In terms of the microbial community, QQ gradually favored the development of a diverse and even community. QQ had an effect on both the bacterial composition and change rate of the bacterial composition. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla in the biofilm, and the average relative composition of Proteobacteria was low in the QQ-MBR. Thiothrix sp. was the dominant bacterium in the biofilm. The relative composition of Thiothrix sp. was low in the QQ-MBR. These findings provide useful information that can inform the development of a new QQ strategy.

• 환경생물
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.521-527
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• 1999

강진만의 생태계의 변화를 조사하기 위해 1998년 2월부터 11월까지 계절별로 주요인 분석을 수행하였다. 이러한 목적을 위해 영양염류, 수온, 염분도, COD, DO, 종속영양세균, 균류 그리고 분변성 대장균 등의 항목들이 6개의 정점에서 조사되었다. 이들 항목을 상관분석과 주요인분석 등의 통계처리를 한 결과 강진만의 생태계는 계절에 따라 2∼4개의 요인에 의하여 영향을 받고 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 그 중에서 특히 담수유입에 따른 영양염류, 부유물질, 염분도 및 수온의 변화 등이 강진만 생태계에 영향을 미치는 요인으로 나타났다. 그리고 다른 만에 비해 강진만에 미치는 환경요인의 영향은 비교적 적었던 것으로 판단되었다.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.239-244
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• 2015

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by microbial imbalance of the vaginal ecosystem and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. The antibiotic treatment often results in very high recurrence of BV because it disturbs the vaginal ecosystem. The high recurrence rates suggest a need for alternative therapeutic methods and probiotics are being recognized as alternative or additional treatment method for BV. The purpose of this study was to investigate how human vaginal isolates of Lactobacillus spp. inhibit the BV-associated pathogen Gardnerella vaginalis. Results show that selected strains significantly reduced the viability of G. vaginalis. Among these selected strains KLB410 and KLB416 were further selected based on acid/bile tolerance and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing being Lactobacillus plantarum. Further studies are underway to demonstrate that the selected strain can be applied as potential probiotics for recovering vaginal ecosystem.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.1592-1596
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• 2010

To verify the dominance of microorganisms in wastewater biological treatment, PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) was performed as a supplementary support method for screening of the dominant microorganisms from activated sludge. Results suggest that the dominant microorganisms in activated sludge are primarily responsible for strengthening its effectiveness as a biological treatment system, followed by the non-main dominant microorganisms, whereas the non-dominant microorganisms showed no effects. The degree of microbial abundance present on the profile of PCR-DGGE was in line with the treatment efficiency of augmented activated sludge with isolated cultures, suggesting that PCR-DGGE can be used as an effective supplementary method for verifying culturable dominant microorganisms in activated sludge of coking wastewater.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권2_spc호
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• pp.323-336
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• 2024

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) and formate (HCOO^-) are metabolic end products of many primary fermenters in the rumen ecosystem. Both play a vital role in fermentation where they are electron sinks for individual microbes in an anaerobic environment that lacks external electron acceptors. If H₂ and/or formate accumulate within the rumen, the ability of primary fermenters to regenerate electron carriers may be inhibited and microbial metabolism and growth disrupted. Consequently, H₂- and/or formate-consuming microbes such as methanogens and possibly homoacetogens play a key role in maintaining the metabolic efficiency of primary fermenters. There is increasing interest in identifying approaches to manipulate the rumen ecosystem for the benefit of the host and the environment. As H₂ and formate are important mediators of interspecies interactions, an understanding of their production and utilization could be a significant starting point for the development of successful interventions aimed at redirecting electron flow and reducing methane emissions. We conclude by discussing in brief ruminant methane mitigation approaches as a model to help understand the fate of H₂ and formate in the rumen ecosystem.