• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2013

Lactic acid bacteria are microorganisms that are closely associated with human and/or animal environments, and are categorized as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) organisms due to their ubiquitous appearance in foods and their contribution to the healthy microflora of mucosal surfaces. This study was performed to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria with antagonistic effects against food-borne pathogens. A total of 3,000 acid-producing bacteria were isolated from infant feces, cattle feces, goat feces, dog feces, pig feces, vaginal tracts, vegetables, fruits, Kimchi, Jeotgal, fermented sausages, raw milk, cheese, yogurt, Cheonggukjang, Meju, and Makgeolli cultured on MRS agar with 0.05% bromocresol purple. For the isolation of bacteriocin-producing bacteria, the diameter of the clear zone was measured on MRS agar plates. Twenty-six isolates exhibited strong antibacterial activity against indicator strains such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Lactic acid bacteria were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus hirae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus acidilactici by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The results of this study suggest that the isolates could be used as potential probiotic starters for functional food applications.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.492-500
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• 2015

Our previous report demonstrated successful isolation of soil-borne bacteria that suppressed the potential of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 (IV) causing turfgrass large patch disease when applied to Korean lawngrass (Zoysia japonica). The current study aimed to uncover the mechanisms of this antagonism of Rhizoctonia solani and to define culture conditions for the isolated microbes. We found that two Bacillus isolates, I-009 and FRIN-001-1 strains, produced cellulase and siderophore, but not chitinase, while the Pseudomonas YPIN-022 strain was found to release only siderophore, implying that three antagonistic bacteria commonly interrupt Fe uptake by the large patch pathogen. The I-009 and FRIN-001-1 isolates grew best at 35 and $30^{\circ}C$ in growth medium of pH 5 to 8 for 32 and 28 h, respectively, while optimum growth for the YPIN-022 strain was found at $35^{\circ}C$ at pH 5 to 9 for 24 h. Good growth of I-009 and YPIN-022 over 24 h was obtained in M9 minimal medium supplemented with 1% sucrose, 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% potassium chloride. FRIN-001-1 grew well in M9 medium with 1% mannitol, 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% potassium phosphate dibasic.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 1987

A computer program written to predict blast occurrence based on micro climatic events was developed and tested as an on-site microcomputer in field plots in 1984 and 1985. A microcomputer unit operating on alkaline batteries; continuously monitored air temperature, leaf wetness, and relative humidity; interpreted the microclimate information in relation to rice blast development and displayed daily values (0-8) of blast units of severity (BUS). Cumulative daily BUS values (CBUS) were highly correlated with blast development on the two susceptible cultivars, M-201 and Brazos grown in field plots. When CBUS values were used to predict the logit of disease proportions, the average coefficients of determination $(R^2)$ between these two factors were 71 to $91\%$, depending on cultivar and year. This was a significant improvement when compared to 61 to $79\%$ when days were used as a predictor of logit disease severity. The ability of CBUS to predict logit disease severity was slightly less with Brazos than M-201. This is significant inasmuch as Brazos showed field resistance at mid-sea­son. The results in this study indicate that the model has the potential for future use and that the model could be improved by incorporating other variables associated with host plants and pathogen races in addition to the key environmental variables.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2020

Red pepper, one of the major economic crops in Korea, is being affected by anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum acutatum. To control this disease, an antagonistic bacterial strain, Bacillus subtilis YGB36 identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, physiological and biochemical analyses is used as a biological control agent. In vitro screening revealed that the strain YGB36 possess strong antifungal activity against the pathogen Cylindrocarpon destructans. The strain exhibited cellulase, protease, amylase, siderophore production and phosphate solubility. In vitro conidial germination of C. acutatum was most drastically inhibited by YGB36 cell suspensions (10⁶ cfu/ml) or culture filtrate. Development of anthracnose symptoms was reduced on detached immature green pepper fruits by treatment with cell suspensions, and its control value was recorded as 65.7%. The YGB36 bacterial suspension treatment enhanced the germination rate of red pepper seeds and promoted root development and growth under greenhouse conditions. The in vitro screening of fungicide and insecticide sensitivity test against YGB36 revealed that the bacterial growth was not affected by any of the insecticides, and 11 fungicides out of 21 used. Collectively, our results clearly suggest that the strain YGB36 is considered as one of the potential biocontrol agents against anthracnose disease in red pepper.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichostrongylids, and hookworms). Six species of intestinal protists were identified, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora spp., Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia. Questionnaires and interviews were also conducted to determine risk factors of infection. These analyses together with a prevailing infection level suggested that most of villagers were exposed to parasites in a similar degree due to limited socio-economic differences and sharing of similar practices. Limited access to effective public health facilities is also a significant contributing factor.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2012

Hormesis is a dose-response phenomenon that is characterized by low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. This biphasic dose-responses have had a long and extensive history in the fields of chemical toxicology, radiation biology and pharmacology. Hormesis has been found from bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, but hormesis in plants has received relatively little attention. Thus principles, occurrence, factors affecting the expression of hormetic responses, and their mechanisms in plants induced by herbicides are reviewed to provide the potentials for crop enhancement. Bromacil, bromoxynil, chloramben, propachlor, terbacil, EPTC, MSMA, and glyphosate at low doses showed stimulatory response in growth. Subtoxic dose of glyphosate increased sucrose content in sugarcane that is used worldwide in sugarcane production. Low dose of protoporphyrinogen-inhibiting herbicides induced increased pathogen defence, and low dose of triazine herbicides improved nitrogen metabolism and increased protein content in some crops. Further researches on potential benefits and risks of hormesis and its mechanism are needed for application of crop enhancement in agriculture.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2006

Acne is a chronic inflammatory follicular disorder of the skin, occurring in specialized pilosebaceous units on the face, and Propionibacterium acnes, a strict anaerobic pathogen, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acne. To develop a reliable and effective anti-acne agent, we have evaluated antibacterial activity of 500 plant extracts, prepared from 335 plants, against P. acnes. Based on the results of disc-paper method, 25 plant extracts, including the extracts of Chloranthus japonicus (aerial part), Sophora flavescens (radix), Evodia officinalis (fructus), Ginko biloba (semem), Morus alba (root bark), Aralia continentalis (whole) and Reynoutria elliptica (radix), were selected as possible sources of anti-acne agent. Among them, the extract of S. flavescens (radix) was finally selected and kuraridin and kurarinone were identified as major active compounds of S. flavescens. These results suggested that medicinal and wild plants could be the potential source of anti-acne agent.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2000

We have determined and analyzed the full-length cDNA sequence of a coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) Korean isolate (CVB3-Korea/97) which has been known as a general human pathogen. The whole genome contains 7,400 nucleotides and has a single large open reading frame with 6,555 nucleotides that encodes a potential polyprotein precursor of 2,185 amino acids. The genome also contains a 5' non-coding region (NCR) of 741 bases and a 3' NCR of 104 bases followed by poly(A) tail. Sequence homologies of nucleotides and deduced amino acids between the CVB3-Korea/97 strain and the prototype (Nancy strain) were 81.7% and 91.5%, respectively. The genes encoding the functional proteins including viral protease and RNA dependent RNA polymerase showed higher homology than those encoding the structural proteins. We have further analyzed the sequences of 5' NCR, VP1 and VP2 of CVB3-Korea/97, which are known as cardiovirulent determining factors at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. Although the CVB 3-Korea/97 strain was isolated from an aseptic meningitis patient without cardiomyopathy, its 234th nucleotide and 165th amino acid were uracil and Asn as same as those of other cardiovirulent strains one. However, the 155th amino acid of VP1, which closely associated with cardiovirulence, was replaced with $Arg^{155}$ by single nucleotide substitution from $A^{2916}$ to $T^{2916}$. Moreover, additional amino acid substitutions were observed in the flanking region of $Asp^{155}$. Taken together, amino acid(s) substitution in VP1 may playa critical role in determining cardiovirulence of the CVB3-Korea/97 strain rather than individual nucleotide replacements in the 5' NCR and/or an amino acid substitution in VP2.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2011

Rust causes significant losses in the yield and quality of various crops. The development of new effective and environmentally benign agents against the pathogen is of great interest. In the course of searching a natural antifungal compound from medicinal plants, we found that the methanol extract of Angelica gigas roots had a potent control efficacy against wheat leaf rust (WLR) caused by Puccinia recondita. The antifungal substance was isolated from the methanol extract by silica gel column chromatography, alumina column chromatography and $C_{18}$ preparative HPLC. It was identified as decursinol angelate by EI-MS and $^1H$-NMR data. In in vivo test, decursinol angelate effectively suppressed the development of WLR and red pepper anthracnose (RPA) among the 6 plant diseases tested. In addition, the wettable powder-type formulation of ethyl acetate extract of A. gigas roots significantly suppressed the development of WLR. The crude extract containing decursinol angelate and the chemical appear to be a potential candidate for control of WLR. In addition, this is the first report on the in vivo antifungal activity of decursinol angelate against WLR as well as RPA.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1182-1187
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• 2003

This study was performed to evaluate the potentiality of Reynoutria elliptica Migo., being used as a folk remedy and a herb medicine for urethritis, cystitis, etc., on growth inhibition of Helicobacter pylori which is known as the ulcerogenic pathogen. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of methanol extract from Reynoutria elliptica Migo, was determined to be 120 ppm for H. pylori and urease activity derived from H. pylori was inhibited over 80% by the extract at 2 mg/mL in urea broth. Among various solvent fraction of the methanol extract, the hexane fraction showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of H. pylori reducing both its growth and urease activity. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs of H. pylori treated with the methanol extract at 2 mg/mL for 3 hr showed that the cell walls and membranes were disrupted so that the cytoplasmic components were leaked from the body. These results suggest that Reynoutria elliptica Migo. possesses a therapeutic potential on the gastric disease caused by H. pylori.