• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.317-321
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• 2022

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, wearing face masks is obligatory to prevent respiratory virus transmissions in the community. However, there are few studies of the desirable number of wearing a face mask, and how to store them for reuse. Therefore, in this study, a survey was conducted among 208 healthy adults, and 27 kf-94 masks worn for 1, 2, and 3 days were collected. To estimate the risk of bacterial contamination, we analyzed the extent of bacterial contamination of the BHI medium and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. With an increase in the number of days of using the mask, the degree of bacterial contamination of the used mask gradually increased. As a result of 16S rRNA PCR performed for strain identification, Staphylococcus, known as a pathogenic bacterium, was identified the most. In conclusion, we found that wearing a cotton KF mask provides an optimal environment for microbes, which are related to the skin and respiratory system, to thrive. Therefore, it is also important to reduce the risk of bacterial infection of the face mask with appropriate sterilization methods.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 2009

Caenorhabditis elegans is a free living soil nematode and thus in its natural habitat, C. elegans encounters many different species of soil bacteria. Although some soil bacteria may be excellent sources of nutrition for the worm, others may be pathogenic. Thus, we undertook a study to understand how C. elegans can identify their preferred food using a simple behavioral assay. We found that there are various species of soil bacteria that C. elegans prefers in comparison to the standard laboratory E. coli strain OP50. In particular, two bacterial strains, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus soli, were preferred strains. Interestingly, the sole feeding of these bacteria to wild type animals results in extended lifespan through the activation of the autophagic process. Further studies will be required to understand the precise mechanism controlling the behavior of identification and selection of food in C. elegans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.709-717
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• 2015

Airborne bacteria from hog farms may have detrimental impacts on human health, particularly in terms of antibiotic resistance and pathogen zoonosis. Despite human health risks, very little is known about the composition and diversity of airborne bacteria from hog farms and hog-related spray fields. We used pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes to compare airborne bacterial communities in a North Carolina hog farm and lagoon spray field. In addition, we isolated and identified antibiotic-resistant bacteria from both air samples. Based on 16S rRNA gene pyrosequence analysis, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla in airborne bacterial communities from both hog farm and spray field sites. Within the Firmicutes genera, Clostridium spp. were more abundant in the hog farm, whereas Staphylococcus spp. were higher in the spray field. The presence of opportunitic pathogens, including several Staphylococcus species and Propionibacterium acnes, was detected in both bioaerosol communities based on phylogenetic analysis. The isolation and identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from air samples also showed similar results with dominance of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in both hog farm and spray field air. Thus, the existence of opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria in airborne communities evidences potential health risks to farmers and other residents from swine bioaerosol exposure.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 1989

Bacteria isolated from Cheonsu Bay at 4 seasons were analyzed by numerical taxonomic method. Results of 48 morphological, physiological and biochemical tests showed different adaptability of bacteria to temperature in consequence with sampling season and isolated bacteria were able to survive at various environmental conditions, Identification results revealed that Enterobacteriaceae, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio were dominant genera in geterotrophic bacterial community. For each season, Aeromonas was most dominant in spring and autumn, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae in summer and winter, respectively. Cluster ananlysis was performed and all vacteria were clustered into 29 phenetic groups. Seasonal characteristics were distict in each group. Different physiological characteristics and species compositions for each season contribute to the stability and diversity of environmental ecosystem.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.162-165
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• 2005

Potato scab, an important disease that affects developing tubers, causes a major problem in potato cultivation. The major potato cultivation areas in Korea are located in two Northern provinces, Gangwon and Gyeonggi, and two Southern provinces, Jeju island, and South Jeolla. In these areas, potato scab is widely distributed and has caused severe problem in potato cultivation. Therefore, potato-growing areas were surveyed for identification and distribution of potato scab pathogens from 1996 to 1999. Pathogenic Streptomyces strains were isolated from potato scab lesions and six representative Streptomyces species were characterized based on their phenotypic and molecular characteristics including, pathogenicity, physiological and morphological properties, analyses of 16SrRNA genes and 16S-23S ITS region, DNA relatedness, production of thaxtomin A, and the presence of nec1 and ORFtnp gene homologs. Three species were identified as previously described Streptomyces scabies, S. turgidiscabies, and S. acidiscabies, while other three species having distinct phenotypics properties were identified as novel S. luridiscabiei, S. puniciscabiei, and S. niveiscabiei.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.54-59
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to define the immunoreactive specificity of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) heat shock protein (HSP) 60 in periodontitis and atherosclerosis. Methods: In an attempt to define the cross-reactive bacterial heat-shock protein with human self-antigen at molecular level, we have introduced a novel strategy for cloning hybridoma producing anti-P. gingivalis HSP 60 which is polyreactive to bacterial HSPs or to the human homolog. Results: Five cross-reactive clones were obtained which recognized the #19 peptide (TLVVNRLRGSLKICAVKAPG) among 37 synthetic peptides (20-mer, 5 amino acids overlapping) spanning the whole molecule of P. gingivalis HSP 60. We have also established three anti-P. gingivalis HSP 60 monoclonal antibodies demonstrating mono-specificity. These clones recognized the #29 peptide (TVPGGGTTYIRAIAALEGLK). Conclusions: Peptide #19 and #29 of P. gingivalis HSP 60 might be important immunoreactive epitopes in the immuno-pathogenic mechanism of bacterial antigen-triggered autoimmune diseases.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.215-225
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• 2006

Viral and bacterial pathogens of the wild marine fishes were monitored in 176 wild fish and 15 wild shrimp from 13 and 1 species, respectively, which were captured by a trawl net in the southern sea of Korea during June 2006. Viral pathogens that are common etiologically agents to cultured fish in Korea were not isolated. One and 5 bacterial strains were affiliated to the genus Proteus and Pseudomonas, respectively, but these bacteria do not seem to be associated with mortality of aquacultural fish. An extended monitoring on wild marine fishes were necessary for identification of agents responsible for the cultured fish infections.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.732-739
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• 2014

We describe the development of a polymerase chain reaction method for the rapid, precise, and specific detection of the Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) K3a race, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice. The specific primer set was designed to amplify a genomic locus derived from an amplified fragment length polymorphism specific for the K3a race. The 1,024 bp amplicon was generated from the DNA of 13 isolates of Xoo K3a races out of 119 isolates of other races, pathovars, and Xanthomonas species. The assay does not require isolated bacterial cells or DNA extraction. Moreover, the pathogen was quickly detected in rice leaf 2 days after inoculation with bacteria and at a distance of 8 cm from the rice leaf 5 days later. The results suggest that this PCR-based assay will be a useful and powerful tool for the detection and identification of the Xoo K3a race in rice plants as well as for early diagnosis of infection in paddy fields.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2005

Six stains of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria were selected through germinating seed assay and root colonization assay. Among them, SKU-78 strain induced significant suppression of bacterial wilt disease in tomato and pepper plants. Seed treatment followed by soil drench application with this strain resulted in over 60% reduction of bacterial wilt disease compared with the control. It was suggested that SKU-78 strain activated the host defense systems in plants, based on lack of direct antibiosis against pathogen. According to Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology and 16S rDNA sequence data, SKU-78 stain was identified as Bacillus sp. SKU-78.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 1989

Twelve isolates of bacteria obtained from infected onions were classified into genus Erwinia based on diagnostic characteristics. Of twelve isolates studied, five were identified as E. carotovora subsp. carotovora, six as E. rhapontici and one as E. chrysanthemi on the bases of bacteriological properties. Symptoms caused by the genus Erwinia were different to be identified among the species. Therefore, we propose to name the disease of onion caused by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora, E. rhapontici and E. chrysanthemi as "bacterial soft rot of onion".