• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.816-826
• /
• 2015

The present experiment evaluated the influence of moisture level and anaerobic fermentation on aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR). The dynamic changes in chemical composition and microbial population that occur after air exposure were examined, and the species of yeast associated with the deterioration process were also identified in both non-fermented and fermented TMR to deepen the understanding of aerobic deterioration. The moisture levels of TMR in this experiment were adjusted to 400 g/kg (low moisture level, LML), 450 g/kg (medium moisture level, MML), and 500 g/kg (high moisture level, HML), and both non-fermented and 56-d-fermented TMR were subjected to air exposure to determine aerobic stability. Aerobic deterioration resulted in high losses of nutritional components and largely reduced dry matter digestibility. Non-fermented TMR deteriorated during 48 h of air exposure and the HML treatment was more aerobically unstable. On dry matter (DM) basis, yeast populations significantly increased from $10^7$ to $10^{10}cfu/g$ during air exposure, and Candida ethanolica was the predominant species during deterioration in non-fermented TMR. Fermented TMR exhibited considerable resistance to aerobic deterioration. Spoilage was only observed in the HML treatment and its yeast population increased dramatically to $10^9cfu/g$ DM when air exposure progressed to 30 d. Zygosaccharomyces bailii was the sole yeast species isolated when spoilage occurred. These results confirmed that non-fermented and fermented TMR with a HML are more prone to spoilage, and fermented TMR has considerable resistance to aerobic deterioration. Yeasts can trigger aerobic deterioration in both non-fermented and fermented TMR. C. ethanolica may be involved in the spoilage of non-fermented TMR and the vigorous growth of Z. bailii can initiate aerobic deterioration in fermented TMR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5787-5791
• /
• 2014

Background: With increasing survival periods and diversification of treatment methods, treatment of critically ill cancer patients has become an important factor influencing patient prognosis. Patients with cancer are at high risk of infections and subsequent complications. This study investigated the incidence and factors contributing to the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated the incidence of VAP and factors leading to infection in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Results: The incidence of VAP was 2.13 cases per 1,000 days of intubation, and 13 of 288 patients (4.5%) developed VAP. Lung cancer was the most common cancer associated with VAP (N=7, 53.9%), and longer hospital stays and intubation were associated with increased VAP incidence. In the group using a "ventilator bundle," the incidence was 1.14 cases per 1,000 days compared to 2.89 cases per 1,000 days without its use; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.158). Age (${\geq}65$, OR=5.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29-23.95), surgery (OR=3.78, 95%CI=1.05-13.78), and tracheotomy (OR=4.46, 95%CI=1.00-19.85) were significant VAP risk factors. The most common causative organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N=4, 30.8% each), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans (N=2, 15.4% each). Conclusions: The incidence of pneumonia among critically ill cancer patients is highest in those with lung cancer, but lower than among non-cancer patients. The length of hospital stay and time on mechanical ventilation are important risk factors for development of VAP. Although not statistically significant, "ventilator bundle" care is an effective intervention that delays or reduces incidence of VAP. Major risk factors for VAP include age (${\geq}65$ years), surgery, and tracheostomy, while fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and multidrug-resistant organisms were identified as the major causative pathogens of VAP in this study.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.96-99
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this retrospective pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Gabapentin in patients with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Methods: Ten subjects were diagnosed with primary BMS (8 women and 2 men). The mean age was 60.1 years. They had clinical examination to exclude local factors such as the presence of Candida species, xerostomia, lichen planus, etc. They also underwent hematological examination to exclude secondary BMS due to systemic disorders. Pain was assessed by patients on an 11-point numerical rating score system (0 to 10). Gabapentin was administered at a starting dose of 300 mg/day, slowly titrated up to maximum of 1,800 mg/day. All patients were treated for 4 weeks. Results: One half of the patients (n=5) obtained reduction in pain over the treatment period. Four patients reported no reduction in pain symptoms. One patient reported that symptoms were worsening. The average pain score before the treatment was 6.3 and after the treatment was 5.25. No significant relationship was detected between pretreatment and posttreatment pain score. Only one patient noted mild side effect (dizziness). Conclusions: This retrospective pilot study provides no preliminary evidence that Gabapentin has effect in the management of BMS. However, further research (well-designed, randomized, and controlled trial with large sample) would be needed to investigate the efficacy of Gabapentin in treatment of BMS.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.315-329
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the distribution, frequency, sensitization rate, and types of specific allergen in allergic patients. We analyzed allergens of 12,882 allergic patient's serum referred for Medical Laboratory using MAST Allergy Screen Test (Inhalation/food panel) from April, 2010 to March, 2011. Allergen reactivity were not detected in 833/12,882 (6.5%) allergic patients and the other allergic patients had two or more types of allergens of food and inhalant, respectively. In the distribution of the allergen food 73.4% (9,450/12,882 patients) was much higher than the pollen 26.6% (3,432/12,882 patients). The sensitization rate to each allergen showed garlic 26.7%, egg white 21.5% of food allergens, mugwort 24.9%, ragweed short 19.6% of pollen allergens, Candida albicans 10.5%, Alternaria spp. 7.9% of fungus allergens, and showed high sensitized rate to Dermatophagoides farinae 90.2%, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 77.8%, house dust 57% of indoor allergens, respectively. The specific allergens of food allergen, fungus allergen, and indoor allergen were more frequent in young child than adult, but pollen allergens were frequent in adult than young child. In seasonal distribution, the food allergen were frequent in summer and autumn, the pollen allergen in autumn, fungus allergen in spring and in winter, and indoor allergen in autumn and in winter. In conclusion, the mite of Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and house dust showed the highest sensitization rate in specific allergen of allergic patients. The allergens showed difference feature according to the age, region, and types of allergen.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.257-259
• /
• 2005

Although automated continuous-monitoring blood culture systems are both rapid and sensitive, false-positive and false-negative results still occur. The objective of this study, then, was to evaluate negative results occurring with BacT/Alert 3D blood culture systems. A total of 1032 samples were cultured with the BacT/Alert 3D automated blood culture system, using both aerobic (BPA) and anaerobic (BPN) media, and 128 of these samples yielded positive results. A total of 904 negative blood samples were then subcultured in $5\%$ sheep blood agar, eosin methylene blue, chocolate agar, and sabouraud-dextrose agar. Organisms growing on these subcultures were subsequently identified using both Vitek32 (bioMerieux, Durham, NC) and conventional methods. Twenty four $(2.6\%)$ of the 904 subcultures grew on the subculture media. The majority $(83.3\%)$ of these were determined to be gram-positive microorganisms. Fourteen $(58.3\%)$ were coagulase-negative staphylococci, two $(8.3\%)$ were Bacillus spp., one $(4.2\%)$ was Staphylococcus aureus, and one $(4.2\%)$ was identified as Enterococcus faecium. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria spp. were isolated together in two $(8.3\%)$ vials. Gram-negative microorganisms comprised $12.5\%$ of the subcultures, of which two $(8.3\%)$ were found to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one $(4.2\%)$ was Pseudomonas fluorescens. The other isolate $(4.2\%)$ was identified as Candida albicans. We conclude that the subculture of negative results is valuable in the BacT/Alert 3D system, especially in situations in which only one set of blood cultures is taken.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.218-218
• /
• 2002

Using two drugs, tunicamycin and brefeldin A, which affect protein processing, we investigated the intracellular processing mechanism of secreted aspartyl proteinase 1 (SAPl) of Candide albicans. Three intracellular forms of SAPI were detected by immunoblotting using menoclonal antibody (MAb) CAPl. Their molecular weights were approximately 40, 41 and 45 kDa, respectively. The 41 kDa protein is a glycoprotein and may be the same as the extracellular form judging by its molecular mass. The 40 kDa protein was the unglycosylated form and its molecular mass coincided with deglycosylated SAPl and the 45 kDa protein was also the unglycosylated form. Neither the 40 and 45 kDa proteins were detected in the culture supernatant of C. albicans. These suggested that the 40 and 45 kDa proteins might be intracellular precursor forms of SAPI. These results show that SAPI is translated as a 45 kDa precusor form in the endoplasmic reticulum and the 45 kDa precursor farm undergoes proteolytic cleavage after translocation into the Golgi apparatus, generating the 40 kDa precursor form. This 40 kDa precursor is converted into a 41 kDa mature form through glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. The mature form of the 41 kDa protein is sorted into secretary vesicles and finally released into the extracellular space through membrane fusion. When the glycan region of SAPl was digested with N-glycosidase F, both stability and activity of the enzyme decreased. These results indicate that the glycan attached to the enzyme may, at least in parti be related to enzyme stability and activity.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2009

Chungkookjang fermenting Bacillus subtilis 028-1 strain suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus sp. LS2, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans. B. subtilis 028-1 strain produced antibiotic effectively in the medium of 2% soybean meal and 1% maltose as a disaccharide, when the shaking was continued 15~18 h and the pH of culture medium was maintained under 6.5. The antibiotic activity was optimized when the initial pH of the culture medium of test strain was adjusted with weak alkali, was remained after 20 min of boiling and for more than 1 month in room temperature, and was weakened slowly by the digestion of chymotrypsin and papain. The molecular weight of the antibiotic was identified between 500 and 1,000 dalton by dialysis, and antibiotic substance was considered as not surfactin but a member of iturin family because of the absence of fibrinolytic activity.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2008

We investigated the biological activities of ethanol extract from the seawater algae, Chlorella elliposidea C020 such as antibacterial activity, anti-oxidant activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity and hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Extract was obtained from various solvent, methanol, ethanol, acetone and ethanol + acetone (1:1, v/v%), 95% ethanol proved to be best extraction solvents. The contents of ethanol extract were higher in freeze-dried sample than that in frozen-thawing. Antibacterial activities of ethanol extract showed strong inhibitory effect against Bacillus subtilis PM125, Bacillus licheniformis and fish pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus KCTC2471 and Edward tarda NUF251. However, this extract didn't worked against antifungal activity against Candida albicans KCTC1940. And, ethanol extract was without hemolytic activity against human erythorocytes. The ethanol extract showed 75% of free radical scavanging effect on 2.0 mg/mL using DPPH method. In tyrosinase inhibition assay of ethanol extract, $IC_{50}$ (Inhibition Concentration) was measured as 10.87 mg/mL. Conclusionally, ethanol extract of Chlorella elliposidea C020 has good candidate for bioactive materials.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.292-296
• /
• 2006

The antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts from 17 seaweeds was screened using a paper disc method and using three human skin pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Candia albicans. The serial extraction of Neorhodomela aculeata was also conducted using four different solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each extract was examined for the three pathogens. Of the 17 seaweeds, the MeOH extracts of Ulva conglobata, N. aculeata and Symphyocladia latiuscula showed antimicrobial activities. For the extracts from N. aculeata and S. latiuscula, the inhibition zones were more than 10 mm in diameter against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, and >7mm for C. albicans. The inhibition zone of U. conglobata treatment was about 8 mm for S. aureus only. The MIC of each N. aculeata extract ranged from 8 to 32 mg/mL against the three human skin pathogens, and the lowest value (8 mg/mL was with the methanol extract. These results suggest that the MeOH extract of N. aculeata might be useful for developing new antibiotics against human skin pathogens.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.642-647
• /
• 2010

This study examined the antimicrobial activity of Myagropsis yendoi (MY). The antimicrobial activity of ethanol and aqueous MY extracts were measured using a paper disc assay. The MY ethanol extract had the best antimicrobial activity. It inhibited the growth of Candida tropicalis and Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Listeria innocua, L. monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus at 4 mg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the MY ethanol extract ranged from 0.1 to 0.5%. The MY ethanol extract inhibited the growth of B. subtilis and L. innocuaat concentrations of 0.15% and 0.1%, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the MY ethanol extract was not affected by heating at $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min or pH 2.10. Therefore, the main substances responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the MY ethanol extract are believed to be stable with changing heat and pH.