• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1253-1261
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• 2022

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection causes dramatic harm to human health as well as to livestock development. As an important virulence factor, alpha-hemolysin (hla) is critical in the process of S. aureus infection. In this report, we found that bavachin, a natural flavonoid, not only efficiently inhibited the hemolytic activity of hla, but was also capable of inhibiting it on transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, further data revealed that bavachin had no neutralizing activity on hla, which did not affect the formation of hla heptamers and exhibited no effects on the hla thermal stability. In vitro assays showed that bavachin was able to reduce the S. aureus-induced damage of A549 cells. Thus, bavachin repressed the lethality of pneumonia infection, lung bacterial load and lung tissue inflammation in mice, providing potent protection to mice models in vivo. Our results indicated that bavachin has the potential for development as a candidate hla inhibitor against S. aureus.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.464-472
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• 2012

To assess the space-time clustering of FMD(Foot-and-Mouth Disease) epidemic occurred in Korea between November 2010 to April 2011, geographical information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis technique was used. Farm address and geographic data obtained from a commercial portal site were integrated into GIS software, which we used to map out the color-shading geographic features of the outbreaks through a process called thematic mapping, and to produce a visual representation of the relationship between epidemic course and time throughout the country. FMD cases reported in northern area of Gyounggi province were clustered in space and time within small geographic areas due to the environmental characteristics which livestock population density is high enough to ease transmit FMD virus to the neighboring farm, whereas FMD cases were clustered in space but not in time for southern and eastern area of Gyounggi province. When analyzing the data for 7-day interval, the mean radius of the spatial-time clustering was 25km with minimum 5.4km and maximum 74km. In addition, the radius of clustering was relatively small in the early stage of FMD epidemic, but the size was geographically expanded over the epidemic course. Prior to implementing control measures during the outbreak period, assessment of geographic units potentially affected and identification of risky areas which are subsequently be targeted for specific intervention measures is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2015

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) subtype H5N8 have occurred in Korea, January 2014 and it continued more than a year until 2015. And more than 5 million heads of poultry hads been damaged in 196 farms until May 2014. So, we studied the spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal patterns of the HPAI epidemics for understanding the propagation and diffusion characteristics of the 2014 HPAI. The results are expressed using GIS. Throughout the study period three epidemic waves occurred over the time. And outbreaks made three clusters in space. First spatial cluster is adjacent areas of province of Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do and Gyeonggi -do. Second is Jeonlabuk-do Gomso Bay area. And the last is Naju and Yeongam in Jeollanam-do. Also, most of spatio-temporal clusters were formed in spatially high clustered areas. Especially, in Gomso Bay area space density and spatio-temporal density were concurrent. It means that the effective prevention activity for HPAI was carried out. But there are some exceptional areas such as Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonggi-do adjacent area. In these areas the outbreak density was high in space but the spatio-temporal cluster was not formed. It means that the HPAI virus was continuing inflow over a long period.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2011

This study was performed to evaluate the microbial contamination level of meat processing in butcher's shops in Seoul from January to November in 2010. A total of 695 samples (112 cotton work gloves, 342 utensils and equipments, 241 meat samples) were collected and the environmental hygiene of 89 butcher's shops was investigated. The aerobic plate count (APC), E. coli and pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. were tested in the samples. As a result, the level of count on APC ranged $0{\sim}2.2{\times}10^6\;CFU/cm^2$ from the utensils & equipments, $1{\times}10^2{\sim}2.7{\times}10^8$ CFU/glove from the cotton work gloves and $1{\times}10^2{\sim}9.3{\times}10^6$ CFU/g from the meat samples. The level of count on E. coli ranged $0{\sim}2.5{\times}10^3\;CFU/cm^2$ from the utensils, $0{\sim}8.6{\times}10^4$ CFU/glove from the cotton work gloves and $0{\sim}1.4{\times}10^5$ CFU/g from the meat samples, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. were detected in 11 samples and 2 samples from the cotton work gloves, utensils & equipments, respectively. The sanitation standard operating procedure (SSOP) was applicated at 49 butcher's shops. In order to improve sanitation of meat in butcher's shops, in this study, applications of SSOP, systemic sanitation education for employees, hygenic control of utensils & equipments, and continuous monitoring for microorganisms will be required.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1320-1329
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• 2016

The present study examined the cytotoxic effects of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucose (PGG), known as the pentahydroxy gallic acid ester of glucose, in the various human cancer cell lines (A-549, MDA-MB-231, U87-MG, MCF-7 and PANC-1), normal MRC-5 fetal fibroblasts, and dental papilla tissue- derived mesenchymal stem cells (DPSCs). Significantly (p<0.05) lower half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values were observed in the A-549 and MDA-MB-231 cells showing a high proliferation capacity, compared with other cancer and normal cell lines with a relatively low proliferation capacity. The population doubling time (PDT) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the $10{\mu}M$ PGG-treated cell lines than those of untreated control cell lines. The present study demonstrated that the $IC_{50}$ value increases proportionally to the extending PDT. A high cell number with senescence-associated ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity was also observed in the $10{\mu}M$ PGG-treated cells compared with those of untreated control cells. Moreover, the level of telomerase activity was significantly (p<0.05) decreased with $10{\mu}M$ PGG treatment, especially in A-549 and MDA-MB-231 cells showing a high proliferation capacity. Based on these observations, PGG could serve as a potent agent for cancer chemotherapy, as its treatment was more effective in cells with a high proliferation capacity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.428-434
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• 2015

A stockperson has a significant influence on the productivity and welfare of his animals depending on his stockmanship competence. In this study, stockmanship competence (SC) is defined as the capacity of the stockperson to ensure the welfare of his animals by providing his animals' needs. The study was conducted to evaluate the SC of backyard goat raisers and examine its relationship to goat productivity and economic profitability. There were 101 respondents for this study who have all undertaken farmer livestock school on integrated goat management (FLS-IGM). Interview was conducted in Region I, Philippines on September 3 to 30, 2012 and March 4 to 17, 2013. Data on SC, goat productivity and farmer's income were gathered. Questions regarding SC were formulated based on the Philippine Recommendations for Goat Production and from other scientific literature. Housing, feeding, breeding and health and husbandry management were the indicators used in computing stockmanship competence index score (SCIS). Pearson correlation using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was carried out to analyse the relationship between SCIS, productivity and income. Based from the results of the study, a majority of the respondents raised native and upgraded goats. The computed mean SCIS before and after undergoing FLS-IGM were 38.52% and 75.81% respectively, a percentage difference of 65.23%. Both index scores resulted in significant differences in productivity and income. The median mature weight and mortality rate of goats before FLS-IGM was 14 kg and 30% respectively. After FLS-IGM, median mature weight was 19 kg and mortality rate decreased from 30% to 11.11%. Likewise, fewer goat diseases were observed by farmers who were able to undergo FLS-IGM. With regard to income, there was a 127.34% difference on the median net income derived by farmers. Result implies that improved SC could lead not only to increased productivity and income of backyard goat raisers but also to better animal welfare.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.105-119
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• 1990

In order to know the morphological characteristics and changes according to the developmental stage, the comparative observations have been studied by light and electron microscope on the midgut(gastric caecum, stomach) of the grasshopper(Oxya sinuosa Mistshenko). The results obtained are summarized as follow : In light microscopic level, the cuboidal shaped cells of the gastric caecum in the 5th instar nymph are differentiated the columnar epithelium in the adult. A number of pigment granules are appeared in the gastric caecum of the 5th instar nymph, however the pigment granules were absent in the adult. Indistinct or undifferentiated folds of the epithelial layer were appeared in the 5th instar nymph, whereas the well-developed folds were appeared the gastric caecum in the adult. The well-developed muscular layers are seen in the 5th instar numph, however in the adult the muscular layers are appeared thin or a few layers. In electron microscopic level, in the midgut epithelium, a number of well-developed rER, a few lipid droplets, multi vesicular bodies, small vesicles and glycogen granules were found. Two types of the pigment granules in the gastric caecum of the 5th instar nymph were appeared, whereas the whorl-membrane, a few secretory granules and one type of the gastro-entero-endocrine cell were found in the adult midgut. The light and dark cells could be distinguished in the stomach epithelim of the 5th instar nymph.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1708-1716
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• 2013

Conventional molecular detection methods cannot distinguish between viable and dead Escherichia coli O157 cells. In this study, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method combined with propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment was developed to selectively detect viable E. coli O157 cells. Four primers, including outer primers and inner primers, were specially designed for the recognition of six distinct sequences on the serogroups (O157) of the specific rfbE gene of the E. coli O157 genome. PMA selectively penetrated through the compromised cell membranes and intercalated into DNA. Amplification of DNA from dead cells was completely inhibited by $3.0{\mu}g/ml$ PMA, whereas the DNA derived from viable cells was amplified remarkably within 1 h by PMA-LAMP. Exhibiting high sensitivity and specificity, PMA-LAMP is a suitable method for evaluating the inactivation efficacy of slightly acidic electrolyzed water in broth. PMA-LAMP can selectively detect viable E. coli O157 cells. This study offers a novel molecular detection method to distinguish between viable and dead E. coli O157 cells.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: The use of radiation and radioisotopes in Korea has been increasing each year, and its impact on economy and industry is expected to be increasing progressively following the development of industrial technology and the expansion of their usage. To establish and supporting policies for industries using radiation and radioisotopes, it is necessary to check the status of related industries accurately, as well as to gather data required to establish plans for industrial development by studying both revenues and economic scale (contributing to revenue). Materials and Methods: To analyze the status of utilization, surveys were carried out on 6,621 organizations engaged in nuclear operations handling radiation and radioisotopes pursuant to the Nuclear Safety Act as of end 2014, on 33,471 medical institutions using radiation generators for medical and diagnostic purposes pursuant to the Medical Service Act, and on 2,218 organizations using radiation generators for animal diagnostics pursuant to the Veterinary License Act. Results and discussion: The overall status of the domestic radiation market including the number of user organizations, that of employees, and the size of distributions (imports, productions, and exports) with which the scale of domestic radiation market can be judged showed a growth trend compared to the previous year, though the number of employees for radiation operation in industrial sector, research sector, education sector, military sector, and power plants (nuclear power plants) and the size of imports was reduced somewhat. Conclusion: It is expected that data acquired through periodic surveys on the status of utilization would be utilized practically in establishing governmental policies related to the promotion of usage of radiation and radioisotopes, and also be utilized widely in cultivating and developing the industry efficiently to invigorate the related industries.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.60-74
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• 2017

To facilitate prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a GIS is widely used for monitoring, investigating epidemics, managing HPAI-infected farms, and eradicating the disease. After the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2010 and 2011, the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) established the GIS-based Korean Animal Health Integrated System (KAHIS) to avert livestock epidemics, including HPAI. However, the KAHIS is not sufficient for controlling HPAI outbreaks due to lack of responsibility in fieldwork, such as sterilization of HPAI-infected poultry farms and regions, control of infected animal movement, and implementation of an eradication strategy. An outbreak prediction model to support efficient HPAI control in the ROK is proposed here, constructed via analysis of HPAI outbreak patterns in the ROK. The results show that 82% of HPAI outbreaks occurred in Jeolla and Chungcheong Provinces. The density of poultry farms in these regions were $2.2{\pm}1.1/km^2$ and $4.2{\pm}5.6/km^2$, respectively. In addition, reared animal numbers ranged between 6,537 and 24,250 individuals in poultry farms located in HPAI outbreak regions. Following identification of poultry farms in HPAI outbreak regions, an HPAI outbreak prediction model was designed using factors such as the habitat range for migratory birds(HMB), freshwater system characteristics, and local road networks. Using these factors, poultry farms which reared 6,500-25,000 individuals were filtered and compared with number of farms actually affected by HPAI outbreaks in the ROK. The HPAI prediction model shows that 90.0% of the number of poultry farms and 54.8% of the locations of poultry farms overlapped between an actual HPAI outbreak poultry farms reported in 2014 and poultry farms estimated by HPAI outbreak prediction model in the present study. These results clearly show that the HPAI outbreak prediction model is applicable for estimating HPAI outbreak regions in ROK.