• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.197-207
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• 2012

This study investigated the role of plasmids and their relationship with the multiple antibiotic resistance of 30 Vibrios sp. isolated from molluscs and crustaceans sampled from the Kerala coastal waters of India. The biochemical identification and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined, followed by the plasmid profiles, conjugation and transformation efficiencies. The results showed a considerable difference in the level of bacterial resistance to various antibiotics; while all 30 strains were found to be MAR Vibrios sp. and their resistance patterns varied. All the strains were resistant to amoxycillin, ampicillin and carbeniciliin. 87% were resistant to rifampicin; 74% to cefuroxime; 67 to streptomycin; 53% to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin and 47% to furazolidone and nalidixic acid. In addition to their antibiotic resistance, the plasmid DNA of the MAR Vibrios strains isolated from the molluscs and crustaceans was also studied. Nine strains isolated from crustaceans and molluscs were found to harbor 1-3 plasmids with sizes varying from 5. 98 kb to 19. 36 kb. The average transformation efficiency was about $5{\times}10^{-8}$ and the conjugation efficiency varied from $2.1{\times}10^{-3}$ to $10^{-9}$. A further study of antibiotic resistance patterns may be useful to test the extent of drug resistance in seafoods and help to devise a nationwide antibiotic policy.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.565-574
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• 2011

The development of satisfactory alternatives for supplying the nutrients needed by crops could decrease the problems associated with conventional NPK chemical fertilizers. In this study, the effects of bacterial and fungal effective microorganisms (EM) on the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) were evaluated. This investigation was carried out parrallel with conventional NPK chemical fertilizer and a commercial sold microbial fertilizer to compare between each of their effect. Sterile water and molasses were served as controls. Azotobacter chroococcum effect also was studied either alone or in combination with the effective microorganisms on the growth parameters. In contrast to the bacterial EM, the fungal EM alone without A. chroococcum had a more stimulating effect than fungal EM combined with A. chroococcum. Results showed that seedling inoculation significantly enhanced B. rapa growth. Shoot dry and fresh weight, and leaf length and width significantly were increased by both bacterial and fungal inoculation. The results indicated that the NPK chemical fertilizer deteriorates the microflora inhabiting the soil, while the effective microorganisms either fungal or bacterial ones increased the microbial density significantly. This study implies that both of fungal and bacterial EM are effective for the improvement of the Chinese cabbage growth and enhance the microorganisms in soil. The results showed antagonism occurred between A. chroococcum and each of Penicillium sp and Trichoderma sp in both agar and plant assays. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Dunnett test.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.53-60
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• 2021

Purpose: This study focuses on exploring ways to improve the distribution method of shrimp farming so that it is eco-friendly and increases the distribution of shrimp. Research design, data and methodology: The experimental device installed in a biofloc shrimp culture in one area tested 10 times. Complex odor, concentration of H2S, water quality improvement effected by decomposition of organic substances, and degree of microbial activation measured. The data of the experimental results verified using the T-test technique, and the p value was determined based on the significance probability of 0.05. Results: This experimental device was effective in reducing odor and hydrogen sulfide in shrimp farms. With the improvement of water quality, dissolved oxygen increased due to the microbubble and cavitation action of air ejector and ultrasonic waves. In addition, the cultured microorganisms in the cultured water treated by the experimental device were remarkably proliferated compared to the raw water. Conclusions: The biofloc distribution method has a significant effect on improving water quality and reducing odor substances and will become a new eco-friendly and efficient distribution method for shrimp farming in the future.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.469-477
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• 2021

Safe storage of spent nuclear fuel in deep underground repositories necessitates an understanding of the long-term alteration of metal canisters and buffer materials. A small-scale laboratory alteration test was performed on metal (Cu or Fe) chips embedded in compacted bentonite blocks placed in anaerobic water for 1 year. Lactate, sulfate, and bacteria were separately added to the water to promote biochemical reactions in the system. The bentonite blocks immersed in the water were dismantled after 1 year, showing that their alteration was insignificant. However, the Cu chip exhibited some microscopic etch pits on its surface, wherein a slight sulfur component was detected. Overall, the Fe chip was more corroded than the Cu chip under the same conditions. The secondary phase of the Fe chip was locally found as carbonate materials, such as siderite (FeCO₃) and calcite ((Ca, Fe)CO₃). These secondary products can imply that the local carbonate occurrence on the Fe chip may be initiated and developed by an evolution (alteration) of bentonite and a diffusive provision of biogenic CO₂ gas. These laboratory scale results suggest that the actual long-term alteration of metal canisters/bentonite blocks in the engineered barrier could be possible by microbial activities.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.295-299
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• 2021

Recently, interest in maintenance has been increasing due to the enlargement and aging of infra structures. Therefore, a new paradigm is required to secure and improve the durability of structures differentiated from the past. Accordingly, research on smart concrete incorporating the concept of self-healing into concrete is being actively conducted. In this study, the crack healing performance and durability performance of self-healing concrete applied with a hydrogel containing biomineral-forming microorganisms were evaluated. As a result of evaluating the dispersion of the hydrogel in concrete, it was confirmed that the hydrogel was well distributed in concrete matrix with a dispersion coefficient of 0.35 to 0.46. The crack healing performance evaluation was verified by a water permeability test, and showed a recovery rate of 95% or more at the age of 28 days, confirming the applicability of self-healing concrete. The durability performance of self-healing concrete was evaluated in terms of resistance to penetration of chloride ion and freezing and thawing. Regardless of the mixing of the hydrogel, the same level of durability performance was shown for various compressive strength level. Therefore, it was confirmed that the microbial admixture did not affect concrete durability. In the future, long-term crack healing performance and durability verification studies should be supplemented.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.19-22
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• 2024

The field of synthetic biology has emerged in response to the ongoing progress in the life sciences. Advances have been made in medicine, farming, eating, making materials, and more. Synthetic biology is the exploration of using living organisms to create new organisms. By manipulating specific genes to express targeted proteins, proteins can be created that are both productive and cost-effective. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) are employed for protein separation during the production process involving microorganisms. This study centers on Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) to showcase its utility in the food industry and food management. SPE is predominantly utilized as a pretreatment method to eliminate impurities from samples. In comparison to LLE, this method presents benefits such as decreased time and labor requirements, streamlined solvent extraction, automation capabilities, and compatibility with various other analytical instruments. Anion exchange chromatography (AEC) utilizes a similar methodology. Pharmaceutical companies utilize these technologies to improve the purity of biopharmaceuticals, thereby guaranteeing their quality. Used in the food and beverage industry to test chemical properties of raw materials and finished products. This exemplifies the potential of these technologies to enhance industrial development and broaden the scope of applications in synthetic biology.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2012

Five kinds of selective media, such as mannitol salt agar (MSA), Baird-Parker agar (BPA), Baird-Parker supplemented with rabbit plasma fibrinogen (BPA+RPF), CHROMagar Staphylococcus aureus (CSA), and Petrifilm Staph Express count system (Petrifilm), were compared to recommend the optimum selective media for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from agricultural products. Seventy four target and non target bacteria were inoculated on five selective media to analyze sensitivity and specificity. In the recovery test of injured S. aureus cells, S. aureus was exposed to acid (1% lactic acid for 10 min), heat ($60^{\circ}C$ for 90s), and cold ($-20^{\circ}C$ for 1h) conditions. And artificially contaminated agricultural products (iceberg lettuce, green pepper, and cherry tomato) was enumerated on five selective media. The sensitivity of BPA+RPF, CSA, Petrifilm, MSA, and BPA were 100%, 100%, 100%, 90.5%, 90.5%, respectively. In addition, the specificity of BPA+RPF, CSA, MSA, BPA and Petrifilm were 100%, 100%, 84.6%, 75.0%, 67.3%, respectively. However, no difference among five selective media was observed in recovery on injured S. aureus cell and enumeration from agricultural products. This results suggest that BPA+RPF and CSA are the optimum media for detection of S. aureus from agricultural products.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2017

Objectives: To identify bacterial contamination rates of laryngoscope blades and handles stored in emergency crash carts by hospital and area according to the frequency of intubation attempts. Methods: One hundred forty-eight handles and 71 blades deemed ready for patient use from two tertiary hospitals were sampled with sterile swabs using a standardized rolling technique. Samples were considered negative (not contaminated) if no colonies were present on the blood agar plate after an 18-hour incubation period. Samples were stratified by hospital and according to the frequency of intubation attempts (10 attempts per year) using the ${\chi}^2-test$ and Fisher exact test. Results: One or more species of bacteria were isolated from 4 (5.6%) handle tops, 20 (28.2%) handles with knurled surfaces, and 27 (18.2%) blades. No significant differences were found in microbial contamination levels on the handle tops and blades between the two hospitals and two areas according to the frequency of intubation attempts. However, significant differences were found between the two hospitals and two areas in the level of microbial contamination on the handles with knurled surfaces (p<0.05). Conclusions: Protocols and policies must be reviewed to standardize procedures to clean and disinfect laryngoscope blades and handles; handles should be re-designed to eliminate points of contact with the blade; and single-use, one-piece laryngoscopes should be introduced.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2015

The characteristics of As and heavy metals depend on the oxidation/reduction condition of the soil environment. The most heavy metals are immobilized by the reduction condition whereas As, Fe and Mn become more soluble. Therefore this study estimated the stabilization efficiency of the agricultural paddy soil in the vicinity of the abandoned mine using a flooded column test including analysis of the soil solution, contaminants fractionation and rice grain. Limestone and steelmaking slag were used as amendments for stabilization of the contaminated soil. In an analysis of the soil solution, the mobile characteristics of Fe and Mn, which were used as electron acceptors of the microorganisms, were controlled by increasing the pH by adding alkali amendments. This means that the contaminants combined with Fe and Mn can be stable under flooded reduction condition. However, the concentrations of cationic heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) were also decreased without amendments because the carbonates produced from microbial respiration increased the pH of the soil solution. In the amended soil, the specific sorbed fraction of As and carbonates fraction of heavy metals were increased when compared to the control soil at the end of the column test. Especially in heavy metals, the increase of carbonates fraction seems to be influenced by alkali amendments rather than microbial respiration. Because of the stabilization effect in the flooded paddy soil, the contents of As and Zn in rice grain from amended soil were lower than that of the control soil. But additional research is needed because of the relatively higher Pb content identified in the rice grain from the amended.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1999

This study was conducted to screen antitumoral activity by in vitro bioassay method using 60 Korean medicinal and food plants extracted by 80% EtOH. Antitumor activity test was applied by the PKC(protein kinase C) and antibleb formation, PLC (Phospholipase C), and colorimetric tetrazolium assay (MTT assay) methods. Chenopodjum album and black Glycine max showed high antitumoral activity by 73.5% and 81.0%, respectively, against PKC by bleb-forming assay and PKC enzyme assay on human chronic leukemia K562 cell. Black Glycine max also showed 91.2% antitumoral activity in the PLC method and the lowest $IC_{50}$ $value(4.7{\mu}g/ml)$ by MTT method against P-338 cell line. In the effect of the concentration treatment on antitumoral test, the more concentration indicated the more activity value.