• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) detect microbial infection and can directly induce innate host defense responses, which are thought to play critical roles in protecting the tubotympanum from infection. However, little is known about the relationship between TLRs, which are related to innate immunity, and immunoglobulins, which are related to adaptive immunity, in recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME). We therefore investigated the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and immunoglobulin in children with OME. Methods: The study population consisted of 72 children with OME, 31 with more than 4 episodes in 12 months or more than 3 episodes in 6 months (otitis-prone group), and 41 with fewer than 3 episodes in 12 months (non-otitis prone group). The expression in middle ear effusion of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA, as determined by Real time- -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM, as determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), were compared between the two groups. Results: Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA was lower in the otitis prone than in the non-otitis prone group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Between group differences in the concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM in effusion fluid were not significant (p>0.05), and there were no correlations between immunoglobulin concentration and the expression of TLR2 and TLR4. Conclusion: Although there was a trend toward lower expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the otitis-prone group, the differences, and those in immunoglobulin concentration, did not differ significantly between the otitis-prone and non-prone groups.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.372-383
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• 1994

Saliva plays an important role in modulating the oral microbial ecology. And it is suggested to influence the initiation and progression of the dental caries. To evaluate the correlations between the salivary antimicrobial agents and the caries susceptibility, the 51 subjects were divided into 3 groups according to caries experience ; caries resistant group, medium caries susceptible group, and high caries susceptible group. Stimulated whole saliva was collected, and the salivary levels were measured for lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory-IgA to Streptococcus mutans. The lysozyme level was estimated using Micrococcus diffusion plate, lactoferrin level was determined with a non-competitive avidin-biotin enzyme immunoassay, and the titer of secretory IgA to Streptococcus mutans was assayed with ELISA. The results were as follows: 1. Lysozyme levels of each group showed no significant difference statistically (p>0.05). 2. The caries resistant group and the medium caries susceptible group had significantly higher levels of lactoferrin than the high caries susceptible group (p<0.05). But no clear difference was observed between the caries resistant group and the medium caries susceptible group(p>0.05). 3. The caries resistant group and the medium caries susceptible group showed relatively higher levels of the secretory IgA to Streptococcus mutans than the pigh caries susceptible group, but no significant difference was observed statistically (p>0.05).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2009

Microbial oxidoreductive systems have been widely used in asymmetric syntheses of optically active alcohols. However, when reused in multi-batch reaction, the catalytic efficiency and sustainability of non-growing cells usually decreased because of continuous consumption of required cofactors during the reaction process. A novel method for NADPH regeneration in cells was proposed by using pentose metabolism in microorganisms. Addition of D-xylose, L-arabinose, or D-ribose to the reaction significantly improved the conversion efficiency of deracemization of racemic 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol to (S)-isomer by Candida parapsilosis cells already used once, which afforded the product with high optical purity over 97%e.e. in high yield over 85% under an increased substrate concentration of 15 g/l. Compared with reactions without xylose, xylose added to multi-batch reactions had no influence on the activity of the enzyme catalyzing the key step in deracemization, but performed a promoting effect on the recovery of the metabolic activity of the non-growing cells with its consumption in each batch. The detection of activities of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase from cell-free extract of C. parapsilosis made xylose metabolism feasible in cells, and the depression of the pentose phosphate pathway inhibitor to this reaction further indicated that xylose facilitated the NADPH-required deracemization through the pentose phosphate pathway in C. parapsilosis. moreover, by investigating the cofactor pool, the xylose addition in reaction batches giving more NADPH, compared with those without xylose, suggested that the higher catalytic efficiency and sustainability of C. parapsilosis non-growing cells had resulted from xylose metabolism recycling NADPH for the deracemization.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2000

The etiology of rheumatic arthritis (RA) is associated with a number of genetic and environmental factors, but is not definitively elucidated. Recently, more attention has been paid to the possibility of microbial etiology in the pathogenesis of RA, because many different infectious agents have been reported to precede the onset or exacerbation of RA. Adenovirus (ADV) may be one cause of persistent or recurrent inflammatory arthritis. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) arthritis is detected frequently in RA patients treated with low dose methotrexate. The demonstration of simultaneous presence of both viral agents of specific viral nucleic acid in synovial fluids from synovitis patients would provide more direct evidence for arthritis etiological relationship, but there are no confirmed results. Therefore, we studied the ability of adenovirus and VZV to establish coinfection and persistent infection in synovial fluid from synovitis patients. The presence of viral agents in the synovial fluid demonstrated by isolation of cell culture, enzyme immunoassay and nested-PCR. The synovial fluids were also investgated for the presence of viral nucleic acid by nested-PCR using specific primer. ADV produced 220 bp and VZV produced 447 bp by each nested-PCR with specific primers. We detected 4/6 cases (66.7%) with persistent infection of ADV and 5/6 cases (83.3%) of VZV with 13 synovial fluids (between 7 to 52 day intervals) from synovitis patients by monoclonal ErA and nested-PCR. 21/28 cases (75%) with coinfection of adenovirus and VZV with synovial fluids from synovitis patients by nested-PCR. ADV and VZV coinfection and persistent infection of synovial fluids may provide a chronic antigenic stimuli to the immune system therefore provoking a continuing inflammatory response and caused the possibility of synovitis and arthritis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1188-1192
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• 2003

Chitinase producing bacteria, Arthrobacter nicotianae CH4 and A. nicotianae CH13, were isolated from small crabs by an enrichment culture using chitin as the sole carbon source. Crude chitinases from the two isolated strains, A. nicotianae CH4 and A. nicotianae CH13, were stable in the pH range of $3.0{\sim}9.0$ and in the temperature range of $20{\sim}60^{\circ}C$. The reducing sugar $(GlcNAc)_1$, or $(GlcNAc)_4$, corresponding to over 98% of the enzyme reaction products, was obtained. The production of functional $(GlcNAc)_1$ and $(GlcNAc)_4$ from A. nicotianae CH13 and A. nicotianae CH4, respectively, from the chitinases was useful. The chitinase system of A. nicotianae CH13 was supposed to be endo- and exo-chitinase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2013

Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1 is a microbial pesticide that is very effective against various diseases. Our study was undertaken to evaluate T. asperellum SKT-1 for induction of resistance against yellow strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-Y) in Arabidopsis plants. Disease severity was rated at 2 weeks post inoculation (WPI). CMV titre in Arabidopsis leaves was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 2 WPI. Our results demonstrated that among all Arabidopsis plants treated with barley grain inoculum (BGI) of SKT-1 NahG and npr1 plants showed no significant reduction in disease severity and CMV titre as compared with control plants. In contrast, disease severity and CMV titre were significantly reduced in all Arabidopsis plants treated with culture filtrate (CF) of SKT-1 as compared with control plants. RT-PCR results showed increased expression levels of SA-inducible genes, but not JA/ET-inducible genes, in leaves of BGI treated plants. Moreover, expression levels of SA- and JA/ET-inducible genes were increased in leaves of CF treated plants. In conclusion, BGI treatment induced systemic resistance against CMV through SA signaling cascade in Arabidopsis plants. While, treatment with CF of SKT-1 mediated the expression of a majority of the various pathogen related genes, which led to the increased defense mechanism against CMV infection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the reduction methods for ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) exposure in livestock. Methods: By reviewing domestic and international research reports from Korea and China, reducing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in livestock pens was analyzed in terms of ventilation, deodorant, and feed additives. In addition, exposure limits in Korea and China were examined through a comparison between 'TLV-TWA and STEL under the Industrial Safety and Health Act in Korea' and 'Management Standards for Air of Livestock Pens in China'. Results and Discussion: In order to effectively control hazardous gases and odors in livestock pens, the enhancement of natural ventilation or the addition of ventilation fans at the pollution source are being examined. Deodorants are used as adsorbents or masking deodorants. Additives to feed were zeolite powder, FeSO₄·7H₂O, enzymes, and microbial preparations. Use of feed additives was low-cost and had significant effects compared to other methods. Zeolite was the most commonly used in feed additive in Chinese cases and proved to be low-cost and effective for reducing harmful gases. Enzyme preparations were shown to stimulate the growth of livestock, but were expensive. Conclusions: This study reviewed and examined domestic and international research papers in Korea and China for reducing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations in livestock pens. More diverse research and the development of feed additives are needed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.455-460
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• 2003

Effects of 0.25 and 0.5% citric and phytic acids on color and quality properties of doenjang during fermentation at $30^{\circ}C$ for 80 days were evaluated. As concentration of organic acid and fermentation time of acid-added doenjang increased, acidity, lightness, and antibrowning rate increased, whereas pH, amino nitrogen, and enzyme activity decreased compared to nonacid-added control. Microbial populations of total bacteria, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria were not affected by decrease in pH. Although degree of brown color (p<0.05) could be differentiated, flavor, palatability, acid taste, and overall preference were not significantly different. Browning of doenjang added with 0.25% of either organic acid was inhibited, while quality properties and sensory characteristics were similar to those of the control.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1291-1300
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• 2018

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and exogenous protease supplementation on growth performance, serum metabolites, carcass traits, small intestinal morphology and endogenous protease activity in broiler chickens reared under a tropical climate. Methods: A total of 480 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments in a $4{\times}2$ factorial arrangement. The main effects were CP level (21.0%, 19.7%, 18.5%, or 17.2% from 1 to 21 days and 19.0%, 17.9%, 16.7%, or 15.6% from 22 to 35 days) and protease enzyme supplementation (0 ppm or 500 ppm). All experimental diets were fortified with synthetic feed-grade lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan to provide the minimum amino acid recommended levels for Cobb 500. Results: Reducing dietary CP linearly reduced (p<0.05) growth performance, serum albumin, total protein, and carcass traits and increased (p<0.05) serum triglycerides and abdominal fat. There was no consistent effect of reducing dietary CP on morphological parameters of the intestine and on the pancreatic and intestinal endogenous protease activity (p>0.05). Protease supplementation improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, carcass yield and intestinal absorptive surface area. Conclusion: Protease supplementation, as measured by growth performance, intestinal morphology and carcass yield, may alleviate the detrimental effects of low protein diets in broiler chickens.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.385-393
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• 2016

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causes bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit. Owing to the prohibition of agricultural antibiotic use in major kiwifruit-cultivating countries, alternative methods need to be developed to manage this disease. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect target bacteria and have recently been reconsidered as potential biological control agents for bacterial pathogens owing to their specificity in terms of host range. In this study, we isolated bacteriophages against P. syringae pv. actinidiae from soils collected from kiwifruit orchards in Korea and selected seven bacteriophages for further characterization based on restriction enzyme digestion patterns of genomic DNA. Among the studied bacteriophages, two belong to the Myoviridae family and three belong to the Podoviridae family, based on morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy. The host range of the selected bacteriophages was confirmed using 18 strains of P. syringae pv. actinidiae, including the Psa2 and Psa3 groups, and some were also effective against other P. syringae pathovars. Lytic activity of the selected bacteriophages was sustained in vitro until 80 h, and their activity remained stable up to 50℃, at pH 11, and under UV-B light. These results indicate that the isolated bacteriophages are specific to P. syringae species and are resistant to various environmental factors, implying their potential use in control of bacterial canker disease in kiwifruits.