• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2018

Endophthalmitis is a disease that causes ocular inflammation and has a catastrophic effect on eyesight. Recent studies show that Enterococcus faecalis is rapidly increasing causative bacterium of endophthalmitis. It is predicted that the increased endophthalmitis by E. faecalis is presumable due to the high resistance of E. faecalis to moxifloxacin (MFX), which is a common antibiotic used for eye drop. Because of the need for therapeutic agents to overcome this problem, this study sought to explore the feasibility of developing a combination therapy using Orostachys japonicus. The ethylacetate fraction of O. japonicus (OJA) used in this study. Antimicrobial activity was tested 13 E. faecalis strains including one E. faecalis standard strain, eight clinically isolated E. faecalis strains and four quinolone resistant E. faecalis strains using CLSI antibiotic susceptibility test method. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of OJA was confirmed to be $500{\mu}g/ml$ for all 13 strains. Then we tested for the synergistic effect of OJA to MFX using checkboard test method. The MIC of MFX was $0.25{\mu}g/ml$ for the standard strain and 8 for the clinical isolates, and $16{\sim}64{\mu}g/ml$ for the quinolone - resistant strains. When OJA was mixed with MFX, no synergistic effect was observed in all strains, but the antibacterial activity of OJA remained unchanged. Most ocular other strains can be removed by MFX except the MFX resistant E. faecalis, which can be removed by OJA in combination therapy. Therefore, OJA can be a potential candidate for the combined treatment endophthalmitis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1667-1673
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• 2017

Antibiotics have long been of great benefit for people, both in the medical treatment of human disease and in animal food where they improve the growth performance and feed utilization during animal production. Antibiotics as in-feed supplements affect all stages of pork production, including the gestation, nursing, growing, and finishing stages, although the effects show stage-dependent differences. However, the use of antibiotics in animal feed has become a worldwide concern. This review describes why sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotic additives in animal feed have become an integral part of animal feeding programs for more than 70 years, particularly in pork production. It also discusses the threat of the long-term use of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics in pork production. In recent years, the effectiveness of in-feed antibiotics has tended to decrease. This review analyzes this change from various perspectives. First, the equipment used at pig farms has improved dramatically and is more sanitary. Worldwide, more pig farms use pig farrowing crates, gestation crates, piglet nursery crates, flooring devices, piggery ventilation and cooler systems, automatic pig feeders, piggery heating equipment, and artificial insemination systems. In addition, scientists have replaced the use of antibiotics with organic acids, fermented mash, probiotics, prebiotics, minerals, oligosaccharides, enzymes, herbs/flavors, and protein/amino acids, and have improved management and husbandry techniques. In addition, animal welfare legislation has been aimed at improving the quality of the floors and living space, ensuring that animals have permanent access to fresh water, and setting a minimum weaning age. Finally, the prospects and the possibility of replacing antibiotics in pork production are described, in line with recent research results.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1609-1616
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• 2024

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) consists of opportunistic pathogens known to cause pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals, especially those with cystic fibrosis. Treating Bcc pneumonia is challenging due to the pathogens' high multidrug resistance. Therefore, inhalation therapy with tobramycin powder, which can achieve high antibiotic concentrations in the lungs, is a promising treatment option. In this study, we investigated potential mechanisms that could compromise the effectiveness of tobramycin therapy. By selecting for B. cenocepacia survivors against tobramycin, we identified three spontaneous mutations that disrupt a gene encoding a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of cobalamin (Vitamin B₁₂). This disruption may affect the production of succinyl-CoA by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, which requires adenosylcobalamin as a cofactor. The depletion of cellular succinyl-CoA may impact the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which becomes metabolically overloaded upon exposure to tobramycin. Consequently, the mutants exhibited significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Both the wild-type and mutants showed tolerance to tobramycin and various other bactericidal antibiotics under microaerobic conditions. This suggests that compromised ROS-mediated killing, due to the impacted TCA cycle, underlies the mutants' tolerance to bactericidal antibiotics. The importance of ROS-mediated killing and the potential emergence of mutants that evade it through the depletion of cobalamin (Vitamin B₁₂) provide valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance antibiotic treatments of Bcc pneumonia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2020

Objectives In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Maneung-hwan (MEH), which is prescribed by practitioners of oriental medicine for use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The antibacterial activity of MEH against MRSA strains was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test. The mechanism of action of MEH was investigated by bacteriolysis using detergents or ATPase inhibitors Additionally, mRNA and protein expression were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, respectively. Results The MIC of MEH was 25~1,600 ㎍/mL against all the tested bacterial strains. We showed that MEH extract exerts strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, the fractional inhibitory concentration index of MEH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergism or partial synergism against S. aureus. The time-kill study indicated that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after a 24-h treatment with MEH and selected antibiotics. To measure the cell membrane permeability, MEH (3.9 ㎍/mL) was combined with Triton X-100 (TX) at various concentrations N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) was also tested as an ATPase inhibitor. TX and DCCD cooperation against S. aureus exhibited synergistic action. Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity of MEH in the context of cell membrane rupture and ATPase inhibition was assessed. Additionally, the expression of genes and proteins associated with resistance was reduced after exposing MRSA to MEH. Conclusions These results suggest that MEH possesses antibacterial activity and acts as a potential natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the fate of tetracycline resistant bacteria (TRB) and tetracycline resistant genes (TRG) according to the spatial and operational wastewater treatment factors. As part of the effort, TRB and TRG of water samples at each unit processes of three different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were analyzed over seven month study periods. With the data about different spatial and operating conditions of these WWTPs, TRB and TRGs, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to find out any general correlation trend. Based on the statistic analysis results, the extent of TRB concentration in the activated sludge (TRBAS) is much related to the TRB concentration in primary clarifier effluent (TRBPE). Also, the study results indicated that the fate of TRB and TRG are significantly affected by the SRT variations.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.342-344
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• 2020

Bacterial osteomyelitis-or bacterial infection of the bone-is common in reptiles. Unfortunately, its treatment is challenging despite advances in diagnostic and medical technologies. Herein, we present the case of a sexually mature female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with left forelimb elbow joint stiffness. We diagnosed the reptile with a eft elbow joint traumatic structural abnormality based on gross examination and evaluation of radiographs. Treatment with clindamycin and cephalexin for bacterial infection failed and the reptile died. Necropsy revealed the causative bacteria as Morganella morganii. Treatment of osteomyelitis is typically focused against Staphylococcus aureus as it the most common cause of traumatic bone infection. However, M. morganii, the causative bacterium in this case, has a natural resistance to clindamycin and cephalexin. Recently, these bacteria have begun to appear in clinical reports, more commonly as the causative organisms of bone infections. M. morganii should be considered as a potential cause of infection. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment in such cases should be based on bacterial culture and susceptibility tests.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-302
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• 2024

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition leading to recurrent respiratory infections. Despite the use of antibiotics and other standard treatments, managing bronchiectasis remains challenging due to the frequent recurrence of airway infections and concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Given these challenges, traditional Korean medicine (TKM) has gained attention due to its potential to reduce the frequency of respiratory infections, possibly minimizing the need for antibiotics. Case report: A 59-year-old female with bronchiectasis experienced recurrent pneumonia and was treated with antibiotics for over 2 weeks without any significant improvement in clinical symptoms. She received comprehensive Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine (Sikyungbanha-tang combined with Bigwabojungikki-tang-gami), acupuncture, and Chuna manual therapy, for pulmonary rehabilitation. Post-treatment, clinically meaningful improvements were observed in symptoms, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and bronchopneumonic lesions on chest X-rays. Conclusion: This case suggests that complex traditional Korean medicine treatments for recurrent chronic airway inflammation due to bronchiectasis can lead to clinically significant improvements in symptoms and help to prevent recurrence.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2023

MRSA is Staphylococcus aureus resistant to β-lactam antibiotics, and is a worldwide infectious disease. Even with the discovery of new antibiotics, resistance develops rapidly, so new alternatives are needed. Jakyakgamcho-tang (JGT) is a combination of Jakyak and Gamcho, and has been mainly used as an antispasmodic and analgesic in oriental medicine. This study was conducted to find out whether there is an effect on MRSA in relation to the anti-inflammatory effect of JGT and the antibacterial effect of Jakyak and Gamcho found in previous studies. In this study, in order to investigate the antibacterial activity of JGT and the combined effect of existing antibiotics, after extracting JGT with 70% EtoH, the disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), drug combination effect (FICI), and time-kill analysis (Time-kill assay), metabolic inhibition, Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis were used to confirm the antibacterial activity mechanism of MRSA of JGT. As a result of the experiment, all of MRSA showed antibacterial activity in JGT's disc diffusion method, and the MIC was 250-1000 ㎍/mL. When existing antibiotics and JGT were combined with drugs, most had synergy or partial synergy. In addition, it was confirmed that the degree of bacterial growth was suppressed over time when simultaneous administration for 24 hours. JGT showed a synergistic effect when administered together with the ATPase-inhibitor DCCD, suggesting that it affected the inhibition of ATPase. As a result of observing the expression of PBP2a, and hla protein in the JGT-treated group and the untreated control group through wstern blot, it was confirmed that the protein expression of the JGT-treated group was significantly suppressed, and the expression levels of mecA, mecR1 and hla genes were also suppressed during JGT treatment. was observed by qRT-PCR. Combining the results of the experiment, it can be seen that JGT has antibacterial activity in MRSA, and when combined with existing antibiotics, the effect was increased compared to treatment with the drug alone. This suggests that JGT can be an alternative to treatment for antibiotic resistance of MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 1987

A total of 204 strains of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus isolated from piglets suffering from exudative epidermitis and healthy pigs were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. The growth of all isolates of Staph. hyicus subsp. hyicus tested was inhibited by cloxacillin(Cx) at a concentration of $0.8{\mu}g/ml$ and by cefazolin (Cf) at a concentration of $0.4{\mu}g/ml$, and by gentamicin and methicillin at a minimum inhibitory concentration of $3.2{\mu}g/ml$. Of total isolates obtained from the diseased and healthy pigs, 69.6% were resistant to penicillin G, 53.4% to tetracycline, 11.8% to kanamycin and 0.5% to chloramphenicol, with considerable variations among farms in the occurrence of resistant strains and resistance patterns to the drugs. By application of Cx or Cf which was active to the organism, piglets exposed to infection were successfully protected from the disease, but piglets suffering from already severe exudative epidermitis did not respond to treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.109.1-109
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• 2003

From the PMMV (pepper mild mottle virus)-inducible ESTs differentially expressed in Capsicum chinense PI257284, we isolated a full-length cDNA (CcPHZF： Capsicum chinense phenazine), encoding a phenazine biosynthesis protein which catalyzes the hydroxylation of phenozine-1-carboxylic acid to 2-hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid. Phenazine compound has been known to exhibit broad-spectrum of antibiotic activity against various species of bacteria and fungus. The entire region of CcPHZF is 879 bp in length and the open reading frame predicted a polypeptide of 292 amino acids. The homolog of CcPHZF is not Present in database except clones of AC004044 and NM100203 from Arabidopsis with 58 and 59％, respectively. Genomic Southern analysis indicated that the pepper genome contains a single copy of CcPHZF. The CcPHZF was strongly induced in the pepper leaves 3 days after PMMV treatment, when HR occurs on the leaf surface. Characterization of CcPHZF is underway to investigate if the CcPHZF is related to disease resistance against pathogens.