• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.291-296
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• 2002

Thanatin, a 21-residue peptide, is an inducible insect peptide with a broad range of activity against bacteria and fungi. It has a C-terminal disulfide loop, like the frog skin secretion antimicrobial peptides of the brevinin family. In this study, we tried to find the effect of a number of amino acids between the disulfide bond. Thanatin showed stronger antibacterial activity to Gram negative bacteria than other mutants, except Th1; whereas, the mutant peptides with deletion had higher activity to Gram positive bacteria than thanatin. An increase in the number of amino acid(s) using the alanine residue decreased the antibacterial activity in all of the bacteria. Th1 with deletion of threonine at position 15 ($Thr^{15}$) showed similar antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, but had higher activity against the Gram positive bacteria. In order to study the structure-function relationship, we measured liposome disruption by the peptides and CD spectra of the peptides. Th1 also showed the highest liposome leaking activity and α-helical propensity in the sodium dodecyl sulfate solution, compared with other peptides. Liposome disruption activity was closely correlated with the anti-Gram positive bacterial activity. All of the peptides showed no hemolytic activity. Th1 was considered to be useful as an antimicrobial peptide with broad spectrum without toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.478-483
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• 2011

An antimicrobial material was purified from the acidified whole body extract of the jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai by using C18 reversed phase and cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Whole body extract and the purified compound (JAP-1) showed potent antimicrobial activities against a wide range of microorganisms including Escherichia coli D31, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus iniae and Candida albicans, without significant hemolytic activity. Treatment of JAP-1 with trypsin completely abolished all antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that JAP-1 is likely to be a proteinaceous antibiotic. The molecular weight of JAP-1 was determined to be 680.10 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 2000

A hemolysin producing strain was isolated from Kum rivet estuary located in west part of Korea. In the process of identification the isolated strain was similar to V. mimicus but did not show characteristics of known Vibrio species; therefore, the strain was designated as Vibrio sp. D9 ( V. kumkang) tentatively and further identification study was carried out by comparing its bacteriological characteristics, Morphologically Vibrio sp. D9 was a typical straight roe with a polar flagellium. Among known Vibrio species no identical strains were found when using automatic bacteria identification system ($MicioLog^(TM)$system, release 4.0, Biolog Inc., USA) which evaluated the ability of metabolizing 95 kinds of carbon and nitrogen sources. Vibrio sp. D9 showed 18 and 13 different responses as compared to V. mimicus and V. cholerae, respectively. Clear hemolysis zones were observed with the strain against human and sheep blood agar plate, Hemolytic toxicity was confirmed by strong vascular permeability and fatal toxicity against mouse was also observed. Thus the strain was a pathogenic vibrio. Growth conditions for Vibrio sp. D9 were salinity of $0{\~}5.0{\%}$, pH of $6.4{\~}9.8$, temperature of $15{\~}41^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.329-334
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• 2020

Background: Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels may have a predictive role in the identification and prevention of hypoxic disorders, as they increase in cases of ischemia of the liver, heart, brain, bowel, and kidney. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the value of IMA levels as a diagnostic marker for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: Sixty newborns who fulfilled 3 or more of the clinical and biochemical criteria and developed HIE as defined by Levene staging were included in our study as the asphyxia group. Neonates with congenital malformation, systemic infection, intrauterine growth retardation, low-birth weight, cardiac or hemolytic disease, family history of neurological diseases, congenital or perinatal infections, preeclampsia, diabetes, and renal diseases were excluded from the study. Sixty healthy neonates matched for gestational age and with no maternal history of illness, established respiration at birth, and an Apgar score ≥7 at 1 and 5 minutes were included as the control group. IMA was determined by double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of a cord blood sample collected within 30 minutes after birth. Results: Cord blood IMA levels were higher in asphyxiated newborns than in controls (250.83±36.07 pmol/mL vs. 120.24±38.9 pmol/mL). Comparison of IMA levels by HIE stage revealed a highly significant difference among them (207.3±26.65, 259.28±11.68, 294.99±4.41 pmol/mL for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively). At a cutoff of 197.6 pmol/mL, the sensitivity was 84.5%, specificity was 86%, positive predictive value was 82.8%, negative predictive value was 88.3%, and area under the curve was 0.963 (P<0.001). Conclusion: IMA levels can be a reliable marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal HIE and can be a predictor of injury severity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2014

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis that can affect many organ systems. Renal manifestations include pyuria, hematuria, proteinuria, tubulointerstitial nephritis, acute renal failure, hemolytic uremic syndrome, or renal scarring. Although its precise pathogenesis remains unknown, it is considered an autoimmune disease. In the literature, it has been reported that KD may develop in conjunction with urinary tract infections. However, many of these previous studies did not use imaging methods such as renal sonograms, dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scans, and voiding urethrocystograms. We report a case of an 8-month old male infant with high grade vesicoureteral reflux, who developed incomplete KD after recurrent pyelonephritis. Acute pyelonephritis can be an early manifestation of KD. Such cases require the evaluation of urinary tract anomalies according to the guidelines for the management of urinary tract infections.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2018

A 6-year-old boy with underlying hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology, atopic dermatitis, and recurrent urticaria visited our hospital because of acute respiratory failure induced by influenza A. Despite mechanical ventilation after endotracheal intubation along with inhalation of nitric oxide, respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia persisted. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) insertion was performed to provide respiratory support. After performing flexible bronchoscopy, we found that thick mucus plugs were obstructing the right bronchus intermedius and the upper lobe orifice. After bronchial washing and removal of the plugs, we were able to wean the patient off VV ECMO and transfer him to the general ward. He was discharged without any neurologic or pulmonary sequelae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2016

Porcine edema disease (ED) is a communicable disease of pigs caused by infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) which expresses F18 fimbriae and/or Stx type 2e (Stx2e). While STEC causes a severe illness including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans, it induces damage to the vascular endothelium, which results in edema, hemorrhage, and microthrombosis, leading in high mortality in pigs. In the present study, we cultured Stx2e-producing E. coli field isolates from conventional pig farms that experienced sudden deaths previously with symptoms similar to porcine edema disease, which were further investigated with Shiga toxin profiles. A total of 43 strains were identified from the collected samples by F18 or Stx2e specific PCR. Based on the PCR, 42 isolates out of 43 isolates were proved to carry one of F18 or Stx2e genes and 14 isolates to carry both F18 and Stx2e genes. All of the 30 isolates that harbored Stx2e gene induced the cytopathic effect (CPE) in vero cells and especially, the isolate 150229 produced the highest level of Shiga toxin. Therefore, we identified the virulence genes (F18 and Stx2e) and demonstrated Shiga toxin-producing abilities from porcine edema disease causing E. coli filed isolates. These results suggested that one of the isolates could be a vaccine antigen candidate against STEC through further investigating to elicit an immune response.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2019

A light-emitting diode (LED) is most efficient in terms of economic benefits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of LED lighting intensity on milk production, milk composition, and the immune response of Holstein cows. Thirty-eight lactating cows were assigned to four experimental groups: control group (exposed natural daylight without LED light) and three LED treatment group (50 lux; natural daylight and 6 h LED light of 50 lux intensity, 100 lux; natural daylight and 6 h LED light of 100 lux intensity, 200 lux; natural daylight and 6 h LED light of 200 lux intensity). There was a significant effect on the decrease ratio in milk production in 200 lux group. Lactose was significantly increased in 100 lux than the other LED treated groups. In addition to the hemolytic biochemical analysis, AST and β-HB were significantly increased in the 50 lux than the other groups. Prolactin and IGF-1 levels were significantly increased in 200 lux compared to other groups. Besides, cortisol was significantly higher in 50 lux and lowered in the 200 lux than the control, while IgA and IgG were not significant among the groups. Therefore, it was concluded that LED lighting intensity had some impact on blood parameters and immune responses in dairy cows with increased milk production.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1983

The author studied on the distribution of V. parahaemolyticus among sea water, sea mud, and various marine products in Jeju, Keoje, Namhae, Yockji, Busan, and Masan on the southern seas of Korea from winter in 1981 to summer in 1982. The author studies for the isolated strains to bacteriological identification Kanagawa phenomenon(hemolytic activity) on Modified Wagatuma blood agar plates and serotypes with anti V. parahaemolyticus. The results obtained were as follows:. 1. V. parahaemolyticus was isolated in 713 strains(28.3%) among 2519 total specimens of sea water, sea mud, and various marine products. 2. The isolation rates of V. parahaemolyticus in summer season were higher than in spring and winter season. Above results were 304 strains(32.6%) among 932 specimens in summer, 160 strains (28.1%) among 570 specimens in spring, 149 strains(14.6%) among 1017 specimens in winter, respectively. 3. The hemolysis on Modified Wagatuma agar added human erythrocytes was 66.0% of positive Kanagawa phenomenon, and was 34.0% of negative Kanagawa phenomenon, respectively. 4. The distributions of serotypes of V. parahaemolyticus isolated were from KI to K VIII of K pooling antisera. The results were 6 strains(6.6%) on K 1 of K I, 14 strains(l5.5%) on K 17 of K II, 26 strains(28.8%) on K 28 of K IV. 10 strains(11.1%) on K 32 of KV, 4 strains(4.4%) on K 39 of KV, 8 strains(8.8%) on K 42 of K VI, 2 strains(2.2%) on K 48 of K VII, 1 strain(1.1%) on K 50 of K II and 7 strains(7.7%) on K 55 of K VII, respectively. 5. V. parahaemolyticus was more frequently isolated from sea mud than sea water and various marine prdoucts in winter season. 6. There was no great difference as far as the distribution of V. parahaemolyticus concerned in Jeju, Keoje, Namhae, Yockji, Busan and Masan of the southern seas of Korea.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 1979

Identification of group A $\beta$-phemolytic streptococci is very important to provide an appropriate preventive measure of possible rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. For such purpose bacitracin susceptibility of streptococci because of its simplity has been most widely used despite of its occasional faulty results. Recently, a coagglutination technique was advocated using streptococcal group specific antibodies adsorbed to protein A-containing staphylococci. This study was conducted to evaluate the coagglutination technique using reagents prepared by ourselves. The specificity, reproducibility and stability were ascertained and the following results were obtained. 1. The identification by coagglutination technique using our own reagent gave the same results compared with the Lancefield precipitation technique. The result also agreed with the Phadebact grouping. 2. There were no variation in group A and B identification due to lot difference. However, there were a few discrepant results in group C and G identification which was conducted in different days with different lots of our reagent. 3. The stability of our reagents was less satisfactory compared to the commercial product. An effort to improve the stability was considered necessary. 4. For coagglutination, it was found convenient to use supernatant of Todd-Hewitt broth incubated for 24 hours. Both parafin-ringed slide glass and RPR card gave comparable results and the former could be used when the latter is not available.