• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2023

The foodborne illness is the important public health concerns, and the livestock feces are known to be one of the major reservoirs of foodborne pathogens. Also, it was reported that 45.5% of foodborne illness outbreaks have been associated with the animal products contaminated with the livestock feces. In addition, it has been known that the persistence of a pathogens depends on many potential virulent factors including the various virulent genes. Therefore, the first step to understanding the public health risk of livestock feces is to identify and describe microbial communities and potential virulent genes that contribute to bacterial pathogenicity. We used the whole metagenome shotgun sequencing to evaluate the prevalence of foodborne pathogens and to characterize the virulence associated genes in pig and chicken feces. Our data showed that the relative abundance of potential foodborne pathogens, such as Bacillus cereus was higher in chickens than pigs at the species level while the relative abundance of foodborne pathogens including Campylobacter coli was only detected in pigs. Also, the microbial functional characteristics of livestock feces revealed that the gene families related to "Biofilm formation and quorum sensing" were highly enriched in pigs than chicken. Moreover, the variety of gene families associated with "Resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds" were detected in both animals. These results will help us to prepare the scientific action plans to improve awareness and understanding of the public health risks of livestock feces.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the two most frequently encountered pathogens responsible for chronic wound infections, often coexisting in such cases. These infections exhibit heightened virulence compared to single infections, leading to unfavorable patient outcomes. The interaction among microorganisms within polymicrobial infections has been shown to exacerbate disease progression. Polymicrobial infections, prevalent in various contexts such as the respiratory tract, wounds, and diabetic foot, typically involve diverse microorganisms, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified pathogens. This study aimed to compare the growth patterns of bacteria under a concentration gradient of toxic chemicals, focusing on a Gram-negative strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a Gram-positive strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which signifies the concentration at which bacterial growth is inhibited, was determined by performing broth microdilution and assessing the bacteria's growth curves. The growth curves of both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were confirmed, and the exponential growth phases were applied to calculate the doubling times of bacteria. The MIC value for each toxic chemical was determined through broth microdilution. These results allowed for the identification of disparities in growth rates between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as differences in resistance to individual toxic substances. We expect that this approach has a strong potential for further development towards the innovative treatment of bacteria-associated infections.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.78-78
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• 2022

Food productivity in North Korea is about 50% lower than in South Korea. In order to increase the productivity of major crops, it is necessary to develop early maturing, disease resistance, and high-yielding varieties and apply them early. Since the late 1990s, North Korea has been actively developing potatoes, rice and com as major food crops, and soybeans are considered important as a protein-supplying crop. Domestic cultivated varieties, which are expected to be most adaptable eco-climatologically, are mainly selected from soil with high nutrient soil. It is necessary to test separately for adaptability in low organic soil. So it is very necessary to apply technology to improve soil improvement through rotational crop selection in the middle and long-term. Therefore, this study was conducted to test the adaptability to low organic soils of domestic cultivars and to select varieties. In 2021 there are twenty two (22) varieties of soybeans were grown in low organic soil at the field of Chungbuk National University. This year twenty two (22) varieties of soybeans were also grown in low organic soil at the field of Chungbuk National University. Sowing was done on June 10, the planting distance was 70cm × 15cm, after opening the cotyledons fully, the soybeans were thinned and leaving two plants per hole. In addition, various types of growth characteristics and quantitative components were investigated to evaluate the adaptability to low organic soil of domestic varieties. This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics and quantitative components of soybean varieties grown in low organic soil. The flowering period of 22 varieties of soybeans was about 14 days from July 22 to August 4. The flowers of the beans were white, purple, light purple and the pubescence color was gray and brown where most of them were gray. The highest plant height was up to 130.4 cm and lowest was 20.3 cm, highest stem length was up to 119.5 cm and lowest was 15.3 cm. Highest first pod height (FPH) was up to 34.0 cm and lowest was 3.0 cm. Highest stem diameter was up to 15.76mm and lowest was 1.76 mm. Number of main stem nodes was up to 19 and at least 1. Number of branch was up to 10 and at least 0. The number of pod per plant was up to 121. Bacterial pustule has been spread in soybean field.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.244-252
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• 2023

The timeliness and accuracy of test results are crucial factors for clinicians to decide and promptly administer effective and targeted antimicrobial therapy, especially in life-threatening infections or when vital organs and functions, such as sight, are at risk. Further research is needed to refine and optimize matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based assays to obtain accurate and reliable results in the shortest time possible. MALDI-TOF MS-based bacterial identification focuses primarily on techniques for isolating and purifying pathogens from clinical samples, the expansion of spectral libraries, and the upgrading of software. As technology advances, many MALDI-based microbial identification databases and systems have been licensed and put into clinical use. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to develop MALDI-TOF MS-based antimicrobial-resistance analysis for comprehensive clinical microbiology characterization. The important applications of MALDI-TOF MS in clinical research include specific application categories, common analytes, main methods, limitations, and solutions. In order to utilize clinical microbiology laboratories, it is essential to secure expertise through education and training of clinical laboratory scientists, and database construction and experience must be maximized. In the future, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is expected to be applied in various fields through the use of more powerful databases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2024

This study examined the fecal samples of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius coreae) captured in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Fecal samples, including the colon and other intestinal organs, were collected and subjected to aerobic culture to investigate the distribution of intestinal microorganisms. Gram staining of the aerobic cultured bacterial colonies from 36 fecal samples revealed the predominant presence of gram-negative bacilli in all samples. Among the 36 samples, gram-negative bacilli were identified in 36 strains (100%), gram-positive cocci in 21 strains (58.3%), and gram-positive bacilli in 15 strains (41.7%), while no gram-negative cocci were observed. The gram-negative bacilli cultured from the 36 samples were identified using the Vitek 2 system, and all were determined to be Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains. In addition, one sample was concurrently identified with E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae strains. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing for the identified E. coli strains did not include all antibiotics, but one strain exhibited intermediate resistance to cefoxitin. No pathogenic bacteria were present in the fecal samples of the scrub typhus-infected rodents, which are vectors for chigger-borne diseases affecting humans and animals.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2010

Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from different regions of Korea were screened for their plant growth promotion and induced systemic resistance (ISR) in tomato and red-pepper. The plant growth promotion on red-pepper and tomato revealed maximum plant height (22.73 cm) on red pepper treated with B. subtilis strain JE 21-1 and 30.18cm in case of tomato treated with B. subtilis strain JE 8-1. There was also significant improvement in root and shoot dry weight in both the plants. The strain JE 21-1 showed better promise for all growth parameters in red-pepper and tomato when compared to other strains and positive check BTH. Different strains screened in square plate method also revealed maximum plant height and leaf width, and suppressed anthracnose on red pepper in case of strain JE 21-1 at $10^6$ and $10^7$ cells/ml when compared to other strains. In all the bacterial inoculations the population was significantly high when compared to untreated check. In plant growth promotion with respect to fruit length and weight, fruit length was maximal in treating with JE 9-4 and ES 2-2, while fruit weight was maximal in treating with JE 3-6, ES4-2, ES2-2 and JE 21-2 on red pepper. In case of tomato, comparatively better fruit weight was in JE 21-1, ES 3-3 and JE 10-2 when compared to BTH and untreated control. The soft rot disease caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum SCCI was completely suppressed in case of transgenic tobacco harboring GUS gene related to PR1a and increased the level of salicylic acid significantly in combined application of JE 9-4 on par with BTH. Thus, this study clarified some potential Bacillus subtilis strains for plant growth promotion and ISR in red-pepper and tomato.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 1991

The thermal resistance of the important microorganisms in takju. Korean traditional turbid alcoholic beverage, was measured and optimun heating time and temperature to achieve the commercial pasteurization of these microorganisms were examined. Most of the vegetative bacterial cells in takju were destroyed by heating at over $60^{\circ}C$, except for the spore forming organisms, which did not actively grow in takju after pasteurization. The important microorganisms for the quality deterioration of pasteurized takju were then appeared to be yeast and molds, and their thermal resistances were measured. The thermal resistances of these microorganisms changed greatly depending upon the heating method. The D values of yeast in takju were 3.5 min at $65^{\circ}C$ and 0.46 min at $80^{\circ}C$ in cap-tube, and 7.1 sec at $65^{\circ}C$ and 2.3 sec at $80^{\circ}C$ in a continuous coil heat exchanger. Those of molds were 2.7 min at 65℃ and 0.25 min at $80^{\circ}C$ in cap-tube, and 3 sec at $65^{\circ}C$ and <1 sec at $80^{\circ}C$ in the coil heat exchanger. The acidity and pH did not change at $30^{\circ}C$ for two weeks after pasteurization by heating in the coil heat exchanger at $65^{\circ}C$ for 17 sec, but the viscosity increased slightly by the heat treatment. Significant differences in sensory quality, especially the formation of burnt smell and bitterness by heating takju for 12D of yeast at $70,\;80\;and\;85^{\circ}C$, respectively, were observed and this resulted in the significant reduction in overall likeness of pasteurized takju. However, when the heating temperature was fixed to $80^{\circ}C$, the overall likeness of pasteurized takju did not affected significantly by the heating time ranging from 8D to 12D of yeast. It was concluded that the optimum pasteurization condition of takju in a continuous heat exchanger was heating at $80^{circ}C$ for 23sec(10D of yeast).

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2016

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been increased and become a public health concern worldwide. Many bacterial infections can be sequentially treated with different types of antibiotics. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the changes in survival, antibiotic susceptibility, mutant frequency, ${\beta}$-lactamase activity, biofilm formation, and gene expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae after exposure to sequential antibiotic treatments of ciprofloxacin and meropenem. Treatments include control (CON; no addition), 1/2 MIC ciprofloxacin addition (1/2CIP), 2 MIC ciprofloxacin addition (2CIP), initial 1/2 MIC ciprofloxacin addition followed by 1/2 MIC meropenem (8 h-incubation) and 2 MIC ciprofloxacin (16 h-incubation) (1/2CIP-1/2MER-2CIP), initial 1/2 MIC ciprofloxacin addition followed by 1/2 MIC meropenem (8 h-incubation) and 2 MIC meropenem (16 h-incubation) (1/2CIP-1/2MER-2MER), and initial 1/2 MIC ciprofloxacin addition followed by 2 MIC ciprofloxacin(8 h-incubation) and 2 MIC meropenem(16 h-incubation) (1/2CIP-2CIP-2MER). No growth of K. pneumoniae was observed for the 2CIP throughout the incubation period. The numbers of planktonic cells varied with the treatments (7~10 log CFU/ml), while those of biofilm cells were not significantly different among treatments after 24-h incubation, showing approximately 7 log CFU/ml. Among the sequential treatments, the least mutant frequency was observed at the 1/2CIP-1/2MER-2CIP (14%). Compared to the CON, 1/2CIP-2CIP-2MER decreased the sensitivity of K. pneumoniae to piperacillin, cefotaxime, and nalidixic acid. The highest ${\beta}$-lactamase activity was 22 nmol/min/ml for 1/2CIP-1/2MER-2CIP, while the least ${\beta}$-lactamase activity was 6 nmol/min/ml for 1/2CIP-2CIP-2MER. The relative expression levels of multidrug efflux pump-related genes (acrA, acrB, and ramA) were increased more than 2-fold in K. pneumoniae exposed to 1/2CIP-1/2MER-2MER and 1/2CIP-2CIP-2MER. The results suggest that the sequential antibiotic treatments could change the antibiotic resistance profiles in K. pneumoniae.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2004

Three experiments were conducted to determine utilization of Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone as the dietary additive for growth and immune stimulant in juvenile olive flounder. In the feeding trial, four diets were formulated to contain 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone per kg diet (SGS$_{0}$ , SGS$_{0.5}$, SGS$_{1.0}$ , SGS$_{2.0}$ ). Fish averaging 5.0$\pm$0.04 g (mean$\pm$SD) were fed one of four experimental diets in triplicate groups for 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, hematosomatic index, condition factor and survival among fish fed all the diets. In chanlenge test, fish were infected by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 $m\ell$ bacterial suspension with Edwardsielia tarda per fish after the feeding trial. Fish fed SGS$_{0.5}$ diet have a significantly higher cumulative survival rate than did fish fed the other diets (P<0.05). In the anti-mold test, Asprrgiilus niger, Penicillium pinophiltfm, Chaeromium globosum were inoculated with Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone using ASTM G-21 method. The amount of Α. niger, Ρ. pinuphiium. C. globosum didn't increase in Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone for 4 weeks for the test period. Therefore, these results indicate that 0.5% Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone per kg diet could increase immune resistance in juvenile olive flounder and Song-Gang(equation omitted) stone could be used as the anti-mold additive in fish feed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and to compare the causative uropathogen and antibiotic susceptibility between the first and recurrent UTI episodes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children with VUR who had recurrent UTI. Group 1 included patients in whom the same pathogen caused the first and recurrent UTI episodes. Group 2 included patients in whom different pathogens caused the first and recurrent UTI episodes. Results: During a 13-year study period (2005-2018), 77 children with VUR experienced at least one episode of UTI. Among these, 47 patients (61.0%) had recurrent UTI. Of the children with recurrent UTI, 19 (40.4%) were in group 1 and 28 (59.6%) were in group 2. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated uropathogen (n=37; 39.4%) in both episodes of recurrent UTIs, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=18; 19.1%), Enterococcus faecalis (n=14; 14.9%), and Enterobacter aerogenes (n=7; 7.4%). Although the difference was not significant, the rate of resistance to the antibiotics ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole increased in patients with the second episode of E. coli recurrence in group 1, and that to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem increased in children with the second episode of E. aerogenes recurrence in group 1. Conclusions: When selecting empirical antibiotics for recurrent UTI in children with VUR, it is important to consider that the pathogen and antimicrobial susceptibility of the previous UTI are not always the same in recurrent UTIs.