• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2008

Our previous work confirmed that Sph2/LA1029 was a sphigomyelinase-like hemolyisn of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai. Characteristics of both hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of Sph2 were reported in this paper. Sph2 was a heat-labile neutral hemolysin and had similar hemolytic behavior as the typical sphingomyelinase C of Staphylococcus aureus upon sheep erythrocytes. The cytotoxic activity of Sph2 was shown in mammalian cells such as BALB/C mouse lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as human L-02 liver cells. Transmission electron microscopic observation showed that the Sph2 treated BALB/C mouse lymphocytes were swollen and ruptured with membrane breakage. They also demonstrated condensed chromatin as a high-density area. Cytoskeleton changes were observed via fluorescence confocal microscope in Sph2 treated BALB/C mouse lymphocytes and macrophages, where both cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were induced. In addition, typical apoptotic morphological features were observed in Sph2 treated L-02 cells via transmission electron microscope and the percentage of apoptotic cells did increase after the Sph2 treatment detected by flow cytometry. Therefore, Sph2 was likely an apoptosis-inducing factor of human L-02 liver cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.395-398
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• 2007

A total of 114 Salmonella spp. (17.90%) were isolated from 637 fecal swab samples collected in October 2005 and they were from 25 (78.13%) of 32 farms investigated nation-widely in Korea. Salmonella spp. from age group of 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-day olds were 17.61%, 16.98%, 15.72%, and 21.25%, respectively. Nine serovars of Salmonella spp. were identified. The predominant serovars of isolates were S. Typhimurium (including var Copenhagen), S. Agona, S. Derby, and S. Heidelberg by turns. Almost isolates belonged to serogroup B (69.30%). All isolates were resistant to penicillin G and oxytetracycline, and this was considered due to be used as feed additive through the most of pig farms for decades. And also, frequent resistance observed for ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and lincomycin-spectinomycin, which are commonly used in veterinary medicine for decades, indicates an urgent need to utilize these antimicrobials more prudently if their benefits are to be preserved.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2022

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is main causative agent of urinary tract infections. They are classified based on various types of O antigen. UPEC strains commonly possess many genes encoding virulece-associated factors. E. coli strains are generally divided into four main phylogenetic groups. The virulence factor (VF) profiles of UPEC are related with their O-serogroups in each strains. A total of 681 strains of UPEC clinical isolates were collected from Korean healthcare facility (1989: 123 strains and 2010-2014: 558 strains). The UPEC clinical isolates were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. A total of 14 O-serotypes (O1, O2, O4, O6, O7, O8, O15, O16, O18, O21, O22, O25, O75 and O83), 6 virulence factors (papC, fimG/H, sfaD/E, hly1, cnf1 and usp) and phylogenetic groups were identified. The most prevalent O-serogroups were O6 (11.1%) in 1989 UPEC strains and O25 (21.0%) in 2010-2014 UPEC strains. The identified VFs, phylogenetic groups in 1989 UPEC strains and 2010-2014 UPEC strains were fimG/H and B2 group. In this study, O6 serotype was revealed the close relationships with VFs. Also, the distribution of prevalence O-serogroups of UPEC has been changed from O6 to O25 and virulence of UPEC strains was increased during past twenty-one years.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2022

Objective: Male genital tract infections have been associated with infertility, and Escherichia coli has drawn increasing attention as an important bacterium in this context. This investigation aimed to characterize and compare the distributions of O-antigen serogroups of E. coli in the semen samples of fertile and infertile men. Methods: In this case-control study, semen samples were collected from 618 fertile and 1,535 infertile men. The E. coli-positive samples were evaluated in terms of concentration, morphology, viability, and motility parameters according to the World Health Organization 2010 guidelines. Finally, different serogroups of E. coli were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting the O-antigen variations of the bacterium. Results: The prevalence of E. coli among fertile men was significantly higher than among infertile men (p<0.001). The sperm morphology, viability, and motility in the E. coli-positive fertile group were significantly higher than in the E. coli-positive infertile group (p<0.001). E. coli O6 was the most prevalent serogroup found in both groups. However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of different serogroups of E. coil between the two groups (p=0.55). Conclusion: Despite the higher prevalence of E. coli among fertile men, E. coli had more detrimental effects on semen parameters in infertile men. There was no significant difference in E. coli serogroups between the fertile and infertile groups.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2013

Salmonella is closely related with human health of modern society which has concern increased in livestock goods consumption as well as give economic damage throughout the chicken industry such as farm, hatchery, slaughter house and processing plant. From 2007 to 2011, this study investigated Salmonella prevalence from 200 old hen delivery trucks which deliver old egg-laying hens and broiler breeders in Korea. The prevalence of Salmonella species was 38.0% in old hen delivery truck. Serogroup C1 was the most frequently detected serogroup of Salmonella, followed by the serogroups D1, C2 and B. A total of 25 serotypes were identified and Salmonella infantis was the most frequently isolated serotype. In addition, we applied disinfectant to old hen delivery truck for the reduction of Salmonella contamination. The disinfectant consists of formaldehyde, glutaladehyde and quaternary ammonium compound was applied to the trucks. Salmonella isolation rate was significantly decreased after disinfection from 38.0% to 7.5%. Disinfectant could not effectively reduce Salmonella contamination at a dilution of 1:200 which is recommended by manufacturer, but Salmonella isolation rate was significantly decreased at a dilution of 1:50. Since old hen delivery truck could be a potential vector to carry Salmonella into farms and abattoirs, chicken delivery truck should be disinfected thoroughly and sufficiently to control contamination of farms and abattoirs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were I) to compare the acid resistance (AR) of seven non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups, including O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157:H7 STEC isolated from various sources, in 400 mM acetic acid solution (AAS) at pH 3.2 and $30^{\circ}C$ for 25 min with or without glutamic acid and II) to determine strain survival upon exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.5) at $37^{\circ}C$ for 2 h after acid adaptation in apple, pineapple, orange, and strawberry juices at pH 3.8, $4^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. Results show that the O111 serogroup strains had the strongest AR (0.12 log reduction CFU/mL) which was very similar to that of O157:H7 STEC (P>0.05), compared to other serogroups in AAS without glutamic acid, whereas O26 serogroup strains showed the most sensitive AR. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference of AR among seven serogroups in AAS with glutamic acid. In the SGF study, 05-6545 (O45:H2), 08023 (O121:H19), and 03-4669 (O145:NM) strains adapted in fruit juices at $4^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$ displayed enhanced survival with exposure to SGF for 60 min compared to 06E0218 (O157:H7) strains (P<0.05). In addition, 4 STEC strains adapted in pineapple juice at $4^{\circ}C$ showed enhanced survival with exposure to SGF for 60 min compared to those strains acid-adapted in the other fruit juices. Generally, adaptation at $4^{\circ}C$ in fruit juices resulted in significantly enhanced survival levels compared to acid-adapted at $20^{\circ}C$ and non-adapted conditions. The AR caused by adaptation in fruit juices at low temperature may thus increase survival of non-O157 STEC strain in acidic environments such as the gastrointestinal tract. These results suggest that more careful strategies should be provided to protect against risk of foodborne illness by non-O157 STEC.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2000

Purpose : Salmonellosis including typhoid fever is still prevalent in Korea. Recently it has been reported that the incidence of salmonella gastroenteritis is increasing with a reduction of typhoid fever. We studied the clinical and laboratory features of salmonellosis. Methods : We evaluated the clinical records of 83 patients with salmonellosis who had been confirmed by stool culture from 1994 to 1999. Results : Annual incidence of salmonellosis showed an increasing tendency during recent 4 years. Seasonally, summer(45.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by fall(32.5%). Male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1. In age distribution, 64 cases(77.1%) were under 5 year-old, and 18 cases(21.7%) were younger than 1 year-old. Clinical features included diarrhea(96.4%), fever(91.6%), vomiting(49.4%), bloody stool(42.1%), abdominal pain(40.1%) and tenesmus(12.0%). In serogroups, there was no group A and group B, group C, group D(including 2 cases of S.typhi) and group E were in 41.0%(34 cases), 3.6%(3 csaes), 51.8%(43cases) and 3.6%(3 cases), respectively. In Widal test, 5 cases(13.5%) and 1 case(2.7%) of group B, C and E(total 37 cases) were observed the O titer above 1 : 80 and 1 : 320, respectively. However, in 36 cases of group D, 19 cases(52.7%) and 9 cases(25.0%) were above the O titer 1 : 80 and 1 : 320, respectively. Antibiotics resistant rates to ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol were 23.2%, 10.1% and 51.4%, respectively. Conclusion : Salmonellosis has become a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, especially under the pre-school age. Isolation of salmonella is neccessary for accurate diagnosis of gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. A careful attention of the use of antibiotics is needed to reduce the muilti-drug resistant strains.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.793-802
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• 1998

Salmonellosis caused by a number of serotypes of Salmonella is an infectious, acute or chronic, zoonotic disease and characterized by enteritis and diarrhea, septicemia in animal. In these studies we investigated the prevalent serotypes of Salmonella causing animal salmonellosis in Korea and the 71 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated from materials such as mesenteric lymph nodes, fecal samples from slaughtered animal. With the identification test results, the most prevalent serotypes were, in order, S stanley 31 strains (43.7%), S typhimurium 19 strains (26.8%) and S montevideo 11 strains (15.5%), respectively. And we could establish the method for detection of antibodies to broad variety of Salmonella serotypes. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) antigen extracted from Salmonella was more sensitive and specific than outer membrane protein antigen from that for detection of Salmonella antibody by using an indirect ELISA. The optimal concentration of antigen was 100ng/ml of LPS, the dilutions of conjugate and serum were 1 : 1,000~2,000 and 1 : 200~400, respectively. The mix LPS-ELISA which was used by mixing LPS from S typhimurium (group B), S choleraesuis (group C) and S enteritidis (group D) were more rapid and effective than that used LPS from individual strain for detection of Salmonella serogroup O4, O7 and O9 antibody at the same time. We could obtain the high values of optical density ($0.73{\pm}0.32$) by mix LPS-ELISA on the farm which had occurred salmonellosis, but very low values of $0.17{\pm}0.06$ on the negative farm of salmonellosis. So, the mix LPS-ELISA may be used to monitor the serological surveillance for the presence of infection with a number of serotypes of Salmonella and would be useful for prevention and control of salmonellosis in animal.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 1999

As a basic experiment to enhance the symbiotic utility of atmospheric nitrogen on soybean, host affinities and serological distribution of Bradyrhizobium japonicum indigenous to five Korean upland soils were measured. Based on nodulation, the symbiotic affinities between indigenous B, japonicum and eight soybean cultivars were remarkably different among soil inocula. On the whole, the averaged affinities of B. japonicum populations to soybeans were favorable in order of Goseong > Milyang > Suweon soils, but those in Iksan and Namjeju soils were not, especially for Danweonkong, Jangkyeongkong, and Eunhakong soybean cultivars. Regression analyses between nodules mass and shoot dry weight of soybean yielded model with $R^2=0.51$ for Goseong, $R^2=0.45$ for Milyang, $R^2=0.38$ for Iksan, $R^2=0.28$ for Namjeju, and $R^2=0.24$ for Suweon soils. B. japonicum from sampled soils were serologically fell into more than seven serogroups such as YCK 117(34.1%), YCK 141(6.5%), YCK 321(6.5%), YCK 445(4.7%), YCK 338(2.9%), YCK 150(1.2%), YCK 258(0.6%). The dominant serogroup YCK 117 was distributed 51.9 for Namjeju, 45.8 for Goseong, 41.7 for Iksan. 34.2 for Sueveon, and 11.1% for Milyang soils.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1988

Though the cultivation history of soybean in Korea is relatively long, taxonomical study on symbiont nodule bacteria, Rhizobium japonicum is not carried out yet systematically. This work was for the taxonomical study on Korean native R. japonicum by recognizing isolates seroimmunologically as well as for the elucidation of its affinity with host soybean variety. Twenty seven isolates from 13 soybean cultivars cultivated at Seoul National University's experiment field and 6 strains of R. japonicum preserved in our laboratory have been tested. Tube agglutination test, agglutinin adsorption test, and gel immune diffusion test were used. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Twenty five isolates and strains of R. japonicum among 33 were classified into 4 serogroups and identified as indivisual serotype. 2. Two isolates isolated from Hill and Milyang cultivars, 2 isolates from Bangsa and Jangbaek, and 4 isolates from Paldal, Sae-al, and Jangbaek were identified as the same serotype respectively. 3. Seroimmunological tests may be adapted for the elucidation of the affinities between the strains and soybean cultivars as well as strain recognition and systematic classification of Korean native R. japonicum.