• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.102-108
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• 2024

This study was performed to establish the epidemiological features of a food poisoning outbreak that occurred in the cafeteria of a company in Chungcheongnam-do Province, Korea, in October 2020, and to recommend measures to prevent similar outbreaks. Twenty-one patients with acute gastroenteritis, three food handlers, seven cooking utensils, and 12 preserved food samples were subjected to viral and bacterial analyses based on procedures described in the "Manual for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens at Outbreaks". Among 135 individuals who had been served the meals, 21 (15.6%) showed symptoms of nausea and vomiting within an hour of consuming the food. Bacillus cereus were isolated from 11 (52.4%) of the 21 patients, one food service employee, one item of cooking ware, and 12 preserved food samples. In addition, we confirmed the toxin genes CER, nheA, and entFM from the isolated B. cereus strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results indicated that all of the isolated B. cereus strains were closely related, with the exception of strains obtained from one patient and one sample of preserved food. These findings provide evidence to indicate that the isolated B. cereus originated from preserved foods and an unhygienic eating environment. This outbreak highlights that the provision of food in non-commercial food systems must be thoroughly managed. In addition, it emphasizes the necessity for the correct and timely identification of causal pathogens for tracing the cause of food poisoning outbreaks, and the need to preserve food under appropriate conditions. To prevent similar cases of food poisoning, it is necessary to investigate cases based on an epidemiological approach and share the findings.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.666-674
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• 2016

The bacterial strains were screened as potential starters for fermenting low-salt doenjang (a Korean traditional fermented soybean paste) using Korean doenjang based on proteolytic and antipathogenic activities under 6.5-7.5% NaCl conditions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they all belonged to the genus Bacillus. Proteolytic and antipathogenic activities against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Aspergillus flavus, as well as fibrinolytic, amylase, and cellulase activities of the 10 strains were quantitatively evaluated. Of these, strains D2-2, JJ-D34, and D12-5 were selected, based on their activities. The functional, phenotypic, and safety-related characteristics of these three strains were additionally investigated and strains D2-2 and D12-5, which lacked antibiotic resistance, were finally selected. Strains D2-2 and D12-5 produced poly-γ-glutamic acid and showed various enzyme activities, including α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase. Growth properties of strains D2-2 and D12-5 included wide temperature and pH ranges, growth in up to 16% NaCl, and weak anaerobic growth, suggesting that they facilitate low-salt doenjang fermentation. Strains D2-2 and D12-5 were not hemolytic, carried no toxin genes, and did not produce biogenic amines. These results suggest that strains D2-2 and D12-5 can serve as appropriate starter cultures for fermenting low-salt doenjang with high quality and safety.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.281-286
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• 2010

A Pseudomonas fluorescens strain was isolated and found to show antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi and to possess a gene responsible for production of antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol. For the extension of biocontrol range, a gene for an Androetonus australis Hector insect toxin 1 (AaHIT1), one of the most known toxic insect-selective peptides, was designed and synthesized according to the preferred codon usage of Pseudomonas fluorescens, cloned, and transformed into the strain by pSUP106 vector, a broad-host-range plasmid. Bioassays indicated that the engineered strain was able to produce AaHIT1 with insecticidal activity, and at the same time retain the activity against plant pathogen. The experiments for nonplanted soil and rhizosphere colonization showed that, similar to the population of the wild-type strain, that of the engineered strain remained relatively constant in the first 10 days, and the subsequent 50 days, suggesting that AaHIT1 expression in the bacterial cell does not substantially impair its long-term colonization. It is first reported that a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain expressing an active scorpion neurotoxin has dual activity against phytopathogenic fungi and insects, making at attractive for agronomic applications.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.126-138
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• 1996

Lungs from 109 slaughter pigs with gross lesions indicating enzootic Pneumonia of pigs(EPP) and 16 grossly normal lungs, all originating from seven different herds, were subjected to microbiological examinations. The microbiological studies were included both bacterial and mycoplasmal culture. From lungs of 125 slaughter pigs, 87.2% pigs were pneumonia lesions alone or complexly Mycoplasma spp., pasteurella multocidu(p. multocida), Streptococcus spp., and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniue(A. pleuropneumoniae) were detected in 39.4%, 42.2%, 13.8%, and 3.7% of the pneumonic lungs, respectively. P. multocida was the most frequently isolated organism in pneumonic lungs. Mycoplasmas not isolated organism in 33.9% the pneumonic lungs even If [here are gross lessions mycoplasmas. The amounts of pneumonia in lungs with Mycoplasma spp. alone, a concurrence of Mycoplasma spp. and P. multocida, p. multocida alone, a concurrence of P. multocida and A. pleuropneumoniae, and a concurrence of Mycoplasma spp. and A pleurdpneumoniae were 10.1%, 22.7%, 18.7%, 25%, and 30%, respectively These findings indicated that p. multocida might be involved in the pathogenesis of pneumonia in slaughter pigs. Mycoplasma spp. was also, in this study, associated with higher frequency of pneumonia. The frequency of pigs snout lesion grade 0∼5 inclusive were 27.2%, 28%, 19.2%, 16%, 6.4%, and 3.2% from 125 slaughter pigs. 32(25.6%) pigs were positive and 13~30% in the pigs from seven herds were found to be infected with atrophic rhintis (AR). A total of 46 P. multocida strains In pneumonic lungs were further characterized by capsular serotyping and testing for production of dermonecrotic toxin. 42(91.3%) of strains were capsular A and 4(8.7%) were type D. Out of the type A and type D strains, 86% and 75% were toxigenic, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.197-202
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• 2001

Although several methods have been developed and applied to control swine respiratory diseases, the disease induces severe economic impact to swine industry worldwide. As one of the new trials, application of egg yolk antibody(IgY) was attempted for the purposes and immune response in sera and egg yolk was analysed with ELISA in previous study. In this study, immunological specificity of the IgY was analysed by Western blot analysis. In the analysis of causative agents of atrophic rhinits, B bronchiseptica and P multocida 4D, proteins of 33, 40, 43, 67 and 141 kDa were specifically reacted with IgY Also, 40 and 110 kDa proteins were identified as the major immunogens in P multocida 3A. In A pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2 and 5, 40 kDa and 47 kDa proteins were found to be the major reactive ones. These results suggested that egg yolk antibodies from immunized hens was specific with antigens injected into hens and partially purified antigens, outer membrane proteins and dermonecrotic toxin, were more effective than bacterin for the production of specific antibody.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.113-119
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• 2007

Developmental disability shows life-long behavioral abnormality with no significant physical malformation. This study was undertaken to develop an animal model for developmental disability by using two-factor approach. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial toxin, and NAN-190, a $5-HT_{1A}$ receptor antagonist, were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats on postnatal day (PND) 5 to induce inflammation and an altered 5-HT system, respectively. Long-term alteration of behavior occurred in the drug-treated groups. The LPS-treated group showed impaired motor coordination in the Rota-rod test. The LPS- treated or both LPS and NAN-190-treated groups showed impaired fore-paw muscle power in the wire maneuver test. These groups also showed decreased white matter volume and increased serotonergic fibers. The LPS and NAN-190-treated group also exhibited neurologic deficit in the placing reaction test and impaired equilibrium function in the tilt table test. The results showed that a variety of altered behaviors can be generated by two factor model, and suggested that combination of important etiologic factors and possible underlying defects is a promising strategy of establishing an animal model for developmental disabilities.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.79-82
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• 2000

Saponins, the major component of ginseng root, mediate the pharmacological action of the ginseng. It has been reported that ginseng roots have protective effect against various toxins. In this study, the effects of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) production induced by bacterial toxin was investigated. TNF-$\alpha$ level in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated serum was remarkably reduced by intraperitoneal administration (50 mg/kg)of ginseng total saponin (GTS) into mice. The inhibitory effect against TNF-$\alpha$ production was not significant when GTS was given after the LPS injection, and by oral administration. These results suggested that ginseng root may have protective activity against liver damage accompanying the overproduction of TNF-$\alpha$ and GTS is the active component of ginseng.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제22권12호
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• pp.1361-1365
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• 2001

Recombinant immunotoxins are hybrid cytotoxic proteins designed to selectively kill cancer cells. A divalent immunotoxins, [B3(FabH1)-PE38]2, was constructed by recombining Fab domain of B3 antibody as a cell-targeting domain and Pseudo monas exotoxin A (PE) as a cytotoxic domain. Monoclonal antibody, B3, is the murine antibody (IgG1k) directed against Lewis Y-related carbohydrate antigens, which are abundant on the surface of many carcinomas. Fab fragment of this antibody was used in this study with the modified hinge sequence where last two cysteines out of three were mutated to serine. PE is a 66 kDa bacterial toxin that kills eukaryotic cells by inhibiting protein synthesis with ADP ribosylation of ribosomal elongation factor 2 (EF2). Fc region of B3 antibody was substituted with the truncated form of PE (38 kDa, PE38) on DNA level. [B3(FabH1)-PE38]2 was formed by disulfide bond between cysteines in the modified hinge region of B3(FabH1)-PE38. Each polypeptide for recombinant immunotoxins was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and collected as inclusion bodies. Each inclusion body was solubilized and refolded, and cytotoxic effects were measured. Divalent immunotoxins, [B3(FabH1)-PE38]2, had ID50 values of about 10 ng/mL on A431 cell lines and about 4 ng/mL on CRL1739 cell lines. Control immunotoxins, B3(scFv)-PE40, had ID50 values of about 28 ng/mL on A431 cell lines and about 41 ng/mL on CRL1739 cell lines. Divalent immunotoxins, [B3(FabH1)-PE38]2, had higher cytotoxic effects than B3(scFv)-PE40 control immunotoxins.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.82.1-82.12
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• 2023

Background: The current conventional serotyping based on antigen-antisera agglutination could not provide a better understanding of the potential pathogenicity of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Brancaster. Surveillance data from Malaysian poultry farms indicated an increase in its presence over the years. Objective: This study aims to investigate the virulence determinants and antimicrobial resistance in S. Brancaster isolated from chickens in Malaysia. Methods: One hundred strains of archived S. Brancaster isolated from chicken cloacal swabs and raw chicken meat from 2017 to 2022 were studied. Two sets of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to identify eight virulence genes associated with pathogenicity in Salmonella (invasion protein gene [invA], Salmonella invasion protein gene [sipB], Salmonella-induced filament gene [sifA], cytolethal-distending toxin B gene [cdtB], Salmonella iron transporter gene [sitC], Salmonella pathogenicity islands gene [spiA], Salmonella plasmid virulence gene [spvB], and inositol phosphate phosphatase gene [sopB]). Antimicrobial susceptibility assessment was conducted by disc diffusion method on nine selected antibiotics for the S. Brancaster isolates. S. Brancaster, with the phenotypic ACSSuT-resistance pattern (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamides, and tetracycline), was subjected to PCR to detect the corresponding resistance gene(s). Results: Virulence genes detected in S. Brancaster in this study were invA, sitC, spiA, sipB, sopB, sifA, cdtB, and spvB. A total of 36 antibiogram patterns of S. Brancaster with a high level of multidrug resistance were observed, with ampicillin exhibiting the highest resistance. Over a third of the isolates displayed ACSSuT-resistance, and seven resistance genes (β-lactamase temoneira [bla_TEM], florfenicol/chloramphenicol resistance gene [floR], streptomycin resistance gene [strA], aminoglycoside nucleotidyltransferase gene [ant(3")-Ia], sulfonamides resistance gene [sul-1, sul-2], and tetracycline resistance gene [tetA]) were detected. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant S. Brancaster from chickens harbored an array of virulence-associated genes similar to other clinically significant and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars, placing it as another significant foodborne zoonosis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (SSIUA) into protein can be achieved in vivo by coexpression of an orthogonal pair of suppressor tRNA and engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) that specifically ligates an unnatural amino acid to the suppressor tRNA. As a step to develop the SSIUA technique in Escherichia coli, here we established a new 2-step screening system that can be used for selecting an ARS variant(s) that ligates an unnatural amino acid to a suppressor tRNA. A positive selection system consists of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene containing an amber mutation at the $27^{th}$ residue, and efficiently concentrated amber suppressible ARS with a maximum enrichment factor of $9.0{\times}10^5$. On the other hand, a negative selection system was constructed by adding multiple amber codons in front of a lethal gene encoding the control of cell death B toxin (ccdB) which acts as an inhibitory protein of bacterial topoisomerase II. Amber suppression of ccdB by an orthogonal pair of Saccharomyces cerevisiae tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) and an amber suppressor tRNA significantly inhibits bacterial growth. This selection system was also able to efficiently remove amber suppressible ARS which could ligate natural amino acids to the suppressor tRNA. Thus, sequential combination of these two selection systems might be able to function as a powerful tool for selecting an ARS variant that specifically ligates an unnatural amino acid to the suppressor tRNA from an ARS mutant pool.