• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2024

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019(COVID-19) has been one of the worst pandemics of the 21st century. Masks have been used to prevent COVID-19, but there are currently no standards for the long-term use of masks in the Republic of Korea. This study was conducted to assess the microbiological safety of KF94(Korea Filter 94) disposable face masks according to wearing duration by evaluating the bacterial filtration efficiencies of masks worn by research participants. Methods: A commercially available KF94 mask certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS) in the Republic of Korea was selected as the test mask. The research participants(n = 15) wore masks for the durations of one, three, and seven days. Participants also reported several parameters, including wearing time, makeup frequency, and storage. Bacterial filtration efficiencies of the worn masks were measured by a mask bioaerosol filtration tester. Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) was used as the test bacteria and quantitatively measured through the cultivation method. Then, bacterial filtration efficiency was calculated using the formula suggested by the MFDS. Results: All worn masks showed over 99.98% of mean bacterial filtration efficiency for S. aureus. There were no significant differences among bacterial filtration efficiencies of face masks according to wearing duration. There was also no significant difference among bacterial filtration efficiencies among participants. There was no correlation between the results of bacterial filtration efficiencies and reported parameters from participants. Conclusions: In the absence of significant external damage to the mask, the bacterial filtration efficiency of the mask can be maintained even after seven days of wearing. This result suggests that KF94 masks certified by the MFDS can be used repeatedly for about a week without loss of bacterial filtration efficiency.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2022

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst disease outbreaks of the 21th century. Due to a lack of reliable antiviral therapeutics, wearing face masks is recommended to prevent airborne infection originating from virus-contaminated bioaerosols. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the filtration efficiencies of face masks that are commercially available in South Korea for a biological aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and murine coronavirus, a well-known surrogate for human coronaviruses. Methods: We collected six different kinds of commercial masks: two Korea Filter (KF)94 (KF94-1, KF94-2) masks, one surgical (Surgical-1) mask, one anti-droplet (KF-AD-1) mask, and two dust (Dust-1, Dust-2) face masks. S. aureus (ATCC 6538), a well-performing test bacteria and murine coronavirus (ATCC VR-764) were prepared under a suitable culture condition. Then, a mask biological filtration tester was used to examine the microbial filtration efficiencies of masks. Test microorganisms were quantitatively measured via cultivation methods and microbial filtration efficiencies were calculated appropriately. Results: All face masks showed over 99.6% filtration efficiency for S. aureus or murine coronavirus. There were no significant differences among the bacterial filtration efficiencies of the face masks. KF94-1 (99.97±0.08%) and Dust-1 mask (99.97±0.07%) showed the highest (over 99.9%) filtration efficiency for murine coronavirus. KF94-1 or Dust-1 masks showed a significant virus filtration efficiency compared to Surgical-1 mask (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: All the commercially available face masks used in this study can filter S. aureus or murine coronavirus in bioaerosols efficiently, regardless of the mask type. Therefore, our results suggest that wearing a certified face mask is a reliable means to prevent the transmission of infectious airborne diseases via biological aerosols.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.387-400
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• 2023

Ruminal protozoa, especially entodiniomorphs, engulf other members of the rumen microbiome in large numbers; and they release oligopeptides and amino acids, which can be fermented to ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) by amino acid-fermenting bacteria (AAFB). Studies using defaunated (protozoa-free) sheep have demonstrated that ruminal protozoa considerably increase intraruminal nitrogen recycling but decrease nitrogen utilization efficiency in ruminants. However, direct interactions between ruminal protozoa and AAFB have not been demonstrated because of their inability to establish axenic cultures of any ruminal protozoan. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the interaction between Entodinium caudatum, which is the most predominant rumen ciliate species, and an AAFB consortium in terms of feed degradation and ammonia production along with the microbial population shift of select bacterial species (Prevotella ruminicola, Clostridium aminophilum, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius). From an Ent. caudatum culture that had been maintained by daily feeding and transfers every 3 or 4 days, the bacteria and methanogens loosely associated with Ent. caudatum cells were removed by filtration and washing. An AAFB consortium was established by repeated transfers and enrichment with casamino acids as the sole substrate. The cultures of Ent. caudatum alone (Ec) and AAFB alone (AAFB) and the co-culture of Ent. caudatum and AAFB (Ec + AAFB) were set up in three replicates and incubated at 39℃ for 72 h. The digestibility of dry matter (DM) and fiber (NDF), VFA profiles, ammonia concentrations, pH, and microscopic counts of Ent. caudatum were compared among the three cultures. The co-culture of AAFB and Ent. caudatum enhanced DM degradation, VFA production, and Ent. caudatum cell counts; conversely, it decreased acetate: propionate ratio although the total bacterial abundance was similar between Ec and the Ec + AAFB co-culture after 24 h incubation. The ammonia production and relative abundance of C. aminophilum and P. anaerobius did not differ between AAFB alone and the Ec + AAFB co-culture. Our results indicate that Ent. caudatum and AAFB could have a mutualistic interaction that benefited each other, but their interactions were complex and might not increase ammoniagenesis. Further research should examine how such interactions affect the population dynamics of AAFB.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.427-439
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to investigate differences in microbial contamination according to the duration and environment of mask wearing. Methods: Forty-five participants were recruited from workers in an offices, multi-purpose facilities, and a schools. After wearing of KF94 mask for two. four, and six hours, the microorganisms adsorbed on the outer and inner layers of the mask were inoculated on BAP(Blood Agar Plate), Chocolate agar, and SDA plates. The bacterial count (CFUs: colony-forming units) cultured in each plate was measured and analyzed for changes in filtration efficiency. Results: The microbial contamination of masks worn in classrooms, offices, and multi-purpose facilities showed a significant difference depending on the environment (p<0.000). The measured CFUs increased significantly according to the time wearing the mask. The difference between the inner and outer layers of the mask was also significant (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the filtration efficiency of the masks by duration time (p=0.515). Conclusions: Masks worn by workers in the offices, multi-purpose facilities, and schools showed an increase of microbial contamination with the amount of time wearing the mask. The results indicate that the masks used in daily life may have adverse health effects if they are worn for a long time or reused over several days without the realizing that the masks can be contaminated with biological hazards. Guidelines on the safe threshold time for mask use should be established through further research.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2002

Experiments for the characterization of inactivation were performed in a series of batch processes with the total coliform used as a general indicator organism based on the chlorine residuals as a disinfectant. The water samples were taken from the outlet of a settling basin in a conventional surface water treat- ment system that is provided with the raw water drawn from the mid-stream of the Han River, The inactivation of total coliform was experimentally analysed for the dose of disinfectants contact time, filtration and mixing intensity. The curves obtained from a series of batch processes were shaped with a general tailing-off and biphasic mode of inactivation, i.e. a sharp loss of bacterial viability within 15 min followed by an extended phase. In order to observe the effect of carry-over suspended solids on chlorine consumption and disinfection efficiency, the water samples were filtered, prior to inoculation with coliforms, with membranes of both 2.5$\mu$m and 11.0 $\mu$m pore size, and with a sand tilter of 1.0 mm in effective size and of 1.4 in uniformity coefficient. As far as the disinfection efficiency is concerned, there were no significant differences. The parameters estimated by the models of Chick-Wat-son, Hom and Selleck from our experimental data obtained within 120 min are: log(N/N$\_$0/)=-0.16CT with n=1, leg(N/N$\_$0/)=-0.71C$\^$0.87/ with n 1 for the Chick-Watson model, log (N/N$\_$0/)=-1.87C$\^$0.47/ T$\^$0.36/ for the Hom model, log (MHo)=-2.13log (1+CT/0.11) for the Selleck model. It is notable that among the models reviewed with regard to the experimental data obtained, the Selleck model appeared to most closely resemble the total coliform survival curve.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.864-873
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• 2018

There has been increasing attention and research in various nanoparticle applications. Nanoparticles have been used for a variety of purposes in different departments including but not limited to cosmetics, food, machinery, and chemical. A highly sought-after field to use nanoparticles, especially natural or artificial silver nanoparticles (SNPs), is the utilization of their significant antimicrobial properties in daily items such as fabrics, indoor air filters, and, water filtration units where abundant bacterial and fungal growth are inevitable. These applications of SNPs, however, have enabled continuous human exposure and hence paved the way for potential SNP toxicity depending on exposure method and particle size. This potential toxicity has led to researches on safer antimicrobial solutions to be utilized in textile and filtration. In this context, products of natural origin have gained expanding interest due to their eco-friendly, cost-effective, and biologically safe properties along their promising antibacterial and antifungal activities. Natural product-applied fabrics and filters have been shown to be comparable to those that are SNP-treated in terms of ease production, material durability, and antimicrobial efficiency. This article summarizes and assesses the current state of in vitro and in vitro toxicity of SNPs and discusses the potential of natural products as an alternative.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Background: Leukocyte reduction filters are widely used to prevent transfusion reactions caused by leukocytes in blood components. Commercial filters are not sufficient for removal of leukocytes for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease; therefore, irradiation of blood components was performed using expensive equipment. Techniques using an aptamer substituted for antibody have been developed and are available in clinical areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the aptamer filter system and to evaluate its efficiency and the possibility of its clinical application. Methods: Aptamers targeted to CD45 were selected by the Postech Aptamer Initiative. The aptamer filter in which aptamers attached to beads were bound to leukocytes and removed by magnetic field was developed. Filtration of 14 units of leukoreduction-red blood provided by Korean Red Cross Blood Services was performed using aptamer filters. Leukocyte removal rate and red cell recovery rate were evaluated and bacterial culture was performed. Results: After filtration using the aptamer filters, 45.6% of leukocytes were additionally removed and the red cell recovery rate was 92.8%. No growth in the bacterial culture was observed. Conclusion: In order to apply the cell depletion technique utilizing an aptamer to blood filter system, we developed and evaluated the aptamer filter system. Through improvement of the binding efficiency of the aptamer and the filtering process, and application of the various aptamers for other different cells, we suggest that this technique can be applied in the clinical area, such as a substitution for the irradiation process for TAGVHD prevention.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.325-329
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• 2018

This study developed a rapid detection method for Bacillus cereus in fresh-cut cabbages. Fresh-cut cabbage samples were inoculated at 1-, 2- and 3-Log CFU/g, and pathogens were enriched in tryptic soy broth containing 0.15% polymyxin B at $30^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$, and $42^{\circ}C$ to determine the detection limit and appropriate enrichment temperature for multiplex PCR detection. Enriched bacterial cells in enrichment broth were collected in a hydrophobic filter prior to DNA extraction for multiplex PCR. Filters were resuspended in distilled water, and DNA was extracted from the suspension. DNA samples were further analyzed by multiplex PCR. Detection limit of multiplex PCR was 5-Log CFU/mL. B. cereus cell counts were higher (P < 0.05) at $42^{\circ}C$ than other temperatures. Detection rate of 1-, 2-, and 3-Log CFU/g inoculated samples were 60%, 80%, and 100% after enrichment respectively. However, when enriched samples were filtered with hydrophobic membrane filter, detection rates became 100%, regardless of inoculation level. Results indicate a combination of enrichment with hydrophobic filtration improves rapid detection efficiency of B. cereus in fresh-cut cabbage by multiplex PCR.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2022

The effect of coated polyester (PET) textiles with metal oxide, chitosan, and copper ion on the antibacterial and antiviral activities was evaluated to investigate the applicability of multi-coated PET textiles as antiviral materials. Compared to coated PETs with a single agent, multi-coated PETs reduced the loading amount of coating materials as well as the contact time with bacteria for a bacterial cell number of < 10 CFU/mL, which was not detectable with the naked eyes. Metal oxides generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as free radicals by a catalytic reaction, and copper ions can promote contact killing by the generation of ROS. Chitosan not only enhanced antibacterial activities due to amine groups, but enabled it to be a template to load copper ions. We observed that multi-coated PET textiles have both antibacterial activities for E. coli and S. aureus and antiviral efficiency of more than 99.9% for influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2. The multi-coated PET textiles could also be prepared via a roll-to-roll coating process, which showed high antiviral efficacy, demonstrating its potential use in air filtration and antiviral products such as masks and personal protective equipment.