• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of $Clostridium$ $difficile$ ($C.$ $difficile$) colonization (CDC) and potential neonatal determinants of CDC in hospitalized preterm infants. Methods: Fecal samples were serially collected within 72 h after birth and at 1, 2, and 4-6 weeks of age from preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two different university hospitals. Total bacterial DNA was extracted from each fecal sample from 49 infants, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with primers for the 16S gene of $C.$ $difficile$ and the toxin A and toxin B genes. The correlation between the results of $C.$ $difficile$ PCR assays and the clinical characteristics of the infants was analyzed. Results: The prevalence rates of CDC were 34.7, 37.2, 41.3, and 53.1% within 72 h after birth and at 1, 2, and 4.6 weeks of age, respectively. The toxin positivity rate was significantly higher in the infants with persistent CDC than in those with transient CDC (8/12 [66.7%] vs. 6/25 [24.5%] ($p$=0.001). Among the various neonatal factors, only the feeding method during the first week after birth was significantly associated with persistent CDC. Exclusive breast-milk feeding (EBMF) significantly decreased the risk of persistent CDC compared to formula or mixed feeding (adjusted odds ratio: 0.133, 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.898, $p$=0.038). Conclusion: The prevalence of CDC increased with the duration of hospitalization in preterm infants in the NICU. EBMF during the first week after birth in hospitalized preterm infants may protect against persistent CDC.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.246-254
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• 2023

장염비브리오균은 급성 설사와 같이 수인성·식품매개 질병을 일으키는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 제주지역 해수, 수족관수, 유통 수산물에서 분리한 장염비브리오균을 real-time PCR을 이용하여 잠재적인 독소 유전자 또는 종특이성 유전자(tdh, trh, tlh, toxR)를 조사하고, 이 균주의 유전적인 특성을 PFGE로 분석하였다. 총 245개 시료 중 해수에서 33주, 수족관수에서 7주, 수산물에서 50주로 90주(36.7%)의 장염비브리오균을 분리하였다. 모든 장염비브리오균에서 tdh 유전자는 검출되지 않았지만, tlh 유전자 또는 toxR 유전자는 검출되었다. 또한, 해수에서 3주와 수산물에서 1주 분리된 균주에서 trh 유전자가 검출되었다. 매달 해수를 정량검사한 결과 장염비브리오균은 수온과 양의 상관관계를 가지고 있었다. 90주의 장염비브리오균은 64.0-97.3% 범위에서 유사한 유전자 상동성을 보였다. 이중에서 13개 유형에서 유전자 상동성이 100%였다. 이러한 결과는 일부 독소 유전자를 가진 장염비브리오균이 분리되었고, 해수, 수족관물, 유통 수산물에서 분리된 장염비브리오균 사이에 유전적 유사성이 있기 때문에 식중독 역학조사에 도움이 되도록 지속적인 모니터링이 필요함을 나타낸다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.1015-1019
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• 2003

A 50 day feeding trial was conducted with White Leghorn (WL) laying hens, 42 weeks old, to determine if feeding of varying levels of aflatoxin (AF), ochratoxin A (OA) or their combinations has any effect on their performance and egg quality parameters. Feeding of $T_4$, $T_7$, $T_8$, $T_9$ and $T_10$ caused significant reduction in feed intake of hens. Hen day egg productions were significantly reduced at all the levels of toxins except 0.5 ppm of AF. Maximum reduction in egg production was noticed at 2 and 4 ppm of AF and OA, respectively. Average body weight and egg weight were not affected by toxin feeding. The feed efficiency in terms of net feed efficiency and feed consumed per dozen egg produced was significantly reduced at higher levels of both the toxins and their combinations. Feed consumption for production of 1 kg egg mass remained uninfluenced due to aflatoxin feeding whereas significant increase in the value of the same was noticed at 4 ppm level of OA and combination of 1 and 2 ppm of AF and 2 and 4 ppm of OA ($T_9$ and $T_10$), respectively. Various levels of OA (1-4 ppm) and all the combination of two toxins ($T_8$, $T_9$ and $T_10$) significantly altered the shape index of eggs in laying hens. The shell thickness was significantly reduced by higher level of AF (2 ppm), OA (2 and 4 ppm) and their combination. Albumen index, Haugh Unit and yolk index remained unchanged due to incorporation of toxins in the diet. It is concluded that AF, OA either singly or in combination at higher levels could depress the performance in terms of egg production and feed efficiency significantly. The egg quality parameters i.e. shape index and shell thickness were also significantly affected.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.393-400
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• 2009

NO released by myenteric neurons controls the off contraction induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in distal esophageal smooth muscle, but in the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME, contraction by EFS occurs at the same time. The authors investigated the intracellular signaling pathways related with G protein and ionic channel EFS-induced contraction using cat esophageal muscles. EFS-induced contractions were significantly suppressed by tetrodotoxin ($1\;{\mu}M$) and atropine ($1\;{\mu}M$). Furthermore, nimodipine inhibited both on and off contractions by EFS in a concentration dependent meaner. The characteristics of 'on' and 'off contraction and the effects of G-proteins, phospholipase, and $K^+$ channel on EFS-induced contraction in smooth muscle were also investigated. Pertussis toxin (PTX, a $G_i$ inactivator) attenuated both EFS-induced contractions. Cholera toxin (CTX, $G_s$ inactivator) also decreased the amplitudes of EFS-induced off and on contractions. However, phospholipase inhibitors did not affect these contractions. Pinacidil (a $K^+$ channel opener) decreased these contractions, and tetraethylammonium (TEA, ${K^+}_{Ca}$ channel blocker) increased them. These results suggest that EFS-induced on and off contractions can be mediated by the activations Gi or Gs proteins, and that L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel may be activated by G-protein ${\alpha}$ subunits. Furthermore, ${K^+}_{Ca^-}$ channel involve in the depolarization of esophageal smooth muscle. Further studies are required to characterize the physiological regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ channel and to investigate the effects of other $K^+$ channels on EFS-induced on and off contractions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Purpose: Toxins produced by Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can cause enteritis and diarrhea. Although the number of pediatric CDI cases is increasing, the clinical management of pediatric CDI, including patient characteristics and prognosis, remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the background and clinical course of patients with CDI and evaluate the reliability of diagnostic tests in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children diagnosed with CDI between 2011 and 2021 at the Saitama Children's Medical Center in Saitama, Japan. Results: During the study period, 1,252 C. difficile antigen/toxin tests were performed, and 37 patients were diagnosed with CDI. The main underlying diseases among the patients were hematological and malignant disorders and gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (59.4%). Two patients (5.4%) had an unremarkable medical history. Among the 37 patients, 27 (73.0%) were immunocompromised, 25 (67.6%) had a history of antibiotic use within the past two months, and 6 (16.2%) were negative on the initial test but were positive on the second test. Finally, 28 patients (75.7%) required primary antibiotic therapy only, and two patients with IBD required additional antibiotic therapy as secondary treatment. Conclusion: The number of pediatric patients with CDI is increasing. Both a comprehensive interview, including underlying diseases and history of antibiotic use, and an understanding of the features of clinical examinations should be emphasized to appropriately diagnose and treat CDI.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.205-212
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• 1990

Data used for this analysis were 281 outbreaks of food poisoning, excluding single cases, reported during 1981-1989. Patient size of 10 persons or less occupied 38.0% of the out breaks. The most frequently isolated bacterial pathogen was Vibrio, 35.4% ; followed by Salmonella, 27.2% ; Staphylococcus , 17.7% ; Escherichia coli , 17.7%. Plant toxin occupied 64% of poisonous substances. Sixty-six percent of food poisoning reported in urban area resulted from meals consumed in food consumed at home. Raw and under-cooked seafoods were the major cousative foods in food service establishments. Pork which frequently serviced at home ceremonies wes the major causative food in rural area. Mushroom poisoning generally occurred during regular meals at home.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.165-172
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• 1983

The distribution of slide coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitic milk samples was investigated mainly according to Kloos and Schleifer's classification scheme, and toxigenic and enzymatic characteristics of these strains were also examined. One-hundred-and-twenty-one strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated were classified into 8 species. Of these species, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staph. xylosus, Staph. haemolyticus and Staph. simulans were more frequently found in bovine mastitic milk samples, and toxin and enzyme production of these species were observed in relatively high frequency. Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus was isolated from the 4 quarters with clinical mastitis included in this investigation. By the use of Baird-Parker and Pelzer's classification system, 44.6% and 18.2% of the strains could not be classified in any subgroup, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권7호
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• pp.1014-1021
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• 2019

In the bacterial community, unicellular organisms act together as a multicellular being. Bacteria interact within the community and programmed cell death (PCD) in prokaryotes is a sort of altruistic action that enables the whole population to thrive. Genetically, encoded cell death pathways are triggered by DNA damage or nutrient starvation. Given the environmental and bacterial diversity, different PCD mechanisms are operated. Still, their biochemical and physiological aspects remain unrevealed. There are three main pathways; thymineless death, apoptosis-like death, and toxin-antitoxin systems. The discovery of PCD in bacteria has revealed the possibility of developing new antibiotics. In this review, the molecular and physiological characteristics of the three types of PCD and their development potential as antibacterial agents are addressed.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.74-83
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• 2003

Microcystin, stable compounds with circular heptapeptides, is presented inside cyanobacterial cell. So far, over 30 types have been known to exist and microcystin-LR, RR among them are the most potent toxin compound. By this reason, a strong oxidant, ozone was used in this study to remove the microcystins produced by cyanobacteria. Removal efficiency of microcystin at M water treatment plant was also evaluated. Microcystin concentration was determined by protein phosphatase inhibition assay. The results showed that dissolved microcystin in raw water detected in the range of 0.011-0.028 ㎍ Microcystin-RR equivalent/l. Above 98% of microcystin was removed through overall treatment system. Therefore, the water treatability of M treatment plant seemed to be excellent. Removal efficiency of microcystin according to unit process varied as characteristics of raw water such as DOC, UV/sub 254/ and turbidity. Removal efficiency of microcystin by ozonation was investigated in laboratory according to contact time and ozone dose. Dissolved microcystin was increased by twice fold according to ozone contact time, but increased by fifth fold according to ozone dose. So, changing of ozone dose more affected microcystin release than changing of ozone contact time. Behavior of microcystin by ozonation was similar to that of DOC, and residual ozone concentration gave influence to removal ratio of microcystin. In conclusion, single ozone treatment wasn't effective on microcystin removal in case of water containing a lot of cells. Therefore, it's more effective to use ozonation process after the removal of cyanobacterial cells in advance.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.230-235
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• 2005

For the acellular pertussis vaccine with a high immunogenicity, the concentration, composition and characteristics of acellular pertussis antigens are the crucial points to be considered. Nevertheless, it has not been proved yet whether or not the polymerization degree, one of the characteristics of formalin-detoxified acellular pertussis antigens, has an influence on vaccine potency. Thus, in the present study, the correlations among detoxification conditions of acellular pertussis bulks, their polymerization degrees and their immunogenicities were examined. In addition, the relative importance of pertussis toxoid in vaccine immunogenicity was also investigated. Results show that a lower lysine concentration during detoxification induces highly-polymerized antigens, the immunogenicity has a great dependency on the polymerization degree of antigens, and also pertussis toxoid has a relatively stronger influence on the immunogenicity than other antigens. Accordingly, in the aspect of the potency of detoxified acellular pertussis vaccine, it can be demonstrated that the polymerization of antigens and its degree are the major factors affecting the immunogenicity along with a relatively high content of pertussis toxoid