• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.258-265
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• 2009

A study on livestock environment improving agents was conducted; top two brands (A and B) in the market, bottom two brands (E and F) based on market shares and two newly developed agents (C and D) were measured for viable count and tested for resistance towards antibiotics prohibited against livestock feeds. Test results revealed that the measured viable count of agents A and B matched those on the labels were identical; however agent E lacked information on viable counts nor the intended usage, while the measured viable count of agent F was less than the label-stated count. No correlation was found between the antibiotic-resistance test and market share, and most of the agents excluding B were found to display resistance case of Lincosimides such as Lincomycine and Clindmycin, resistant bacteria were found, with the except of agent B. Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Penillin (type-Penecillins) and Erythromycin (type-Macrolide) were shown to contain resistant bacteria, with the except of agents Band E; the same for Norploxacin (type-Quinoline) and Neomycin antibiotics. Aminoglycosides such as Gentamycin and Streptomycin contained resistant bacteria, excluding agent B. Oxytetracyclin (type-Tetracycline), which is banned for use as resistant bacteria showed the highest sensitivity among the 12 antibiotics, revealed positive results in the test for resistant bacteria; again excluding of agents Band E. These results reveal that many agents contained resistant bacteria despite the fact that they were prohibited; this calls for a more accurate display of the facts and specifications, systematic distributions and strict verification processes of environment improving agents.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2017

The urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most important infections in hospital. The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents and the resulting emergence of resistant microorganisms have made choices regarding antimicrobial therapy more difficult. This study examined the changes in the antibiotic susceptibility to the causative organisms of urinary tract infections to provide useful information on the choice of adequate drugs in the treatment of urinary tract infections. The medical records of 2,707 patients with more than $10^5/ml$ microorganism in urine culture between January 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. The most common pathogenic organism was E. coli (28.1%). In the case of E.coli, there were no differences in frequency from 2010 to 2015 in men, but since 2014, the frequency decreased gradually since 2014 in women. For E. coli, the resistance rates to antibiotics were 72.2% in ampicillin, 44.9% in trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and 41.3% in ciprofloxacin, but the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cephalosporin (5%) had low antibiotic resistance rates. The pathogens of urinary tract infection are becoming diverse and their frequencies are also changing over time. These results suggest that the recommended drugs for UTI should be selected more carefully for in-patients and out-patients.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate spoilage bacteria on organic and conventional fresh produce in Korea. Three samples (perilla leaf, cabbage, and romaine lettuce) of organic and conventional fresh produce were stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 14 days and examined for spoilage bacteria on TSA. Isolated bacteria from organic and conventional fresh produces were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing method. Population of total aerobic bacteria on conventional perilla leaf, cabbage, and romaine lettuce were 7.59, 7.01, and $5.84{\log}_{10}CFU/g$, and populations of total aerobic bacteria were 6.72, 6.15, and $5.85{\log}_{10}CFU/g$, for organic perilla leaf, cabbage, and romaine lettuce, respectively. Major spoilage bacteria of organic and conventional fresh produces were similar however their levels were little different. For example, a major spoilage bacterium resulting the highest level on conventional perilla leaf was Stenotrophomonas maltophilia whereas that was Microbacterium sp. for organic produce. From these results, microflora or spoilage microorganism could be different depending on their cultivation types as conventional or organic produces and this information might be used for developing effective preservation method for different types of fresh produce.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.160-171
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• 2017

Larvae of Bradysia agrestis, an insect vector that transports plant pathogens, were sampled from geographically isolated regions in Korea to identify their cutaneous fungal and bacterial flora. Sampled areas were chosen within the distribution range of B. agrestis; each site was more than 91 km apart to ensure geographical segregation. We isolated 76 microbial (fungi and bacteria) strains (site 1, 29; site 2, 29; site 3, 18 strains) that were identified on the basis of morphological differences. Species identification was molecularly confirmed by determination of universal fungal internal transcribed spacer and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences in comparison to sequences in the EzTaxon database and the NCBI GenBank database, and their phylogenetic relationships were determined. The fungal isolates belonged to 2 phyla, 5 classes, and 7 genera; bacterial species belonged to 23 genera and 32 species. Microbial diversity differed significantly among the geographical groups with respect to Margalef's richness (3.9, 3.6, and 4.5), Menhinick's index (2.65, 2.46, and 3.30), Simpson's index (0.06, 0.12, and 0.01), and Shannon's index (2.50, 2.17, and 2.58). Although the microbial genera distribution or diversity values clearly varied among geographical groups, common genera were identified in all groups, including the fungal genus Cladosporium, and the bacterial genera Bacillus and Rhodococcus. According to classic principles of co-evolutionary relationship, these genera might have a closer association with their host insect vector B. agrestis than other genera identified. Some cutaneous bacterial genera (e.g., Pseudomonas) displaying weak interdependency with insect vectors may be hazardous to agricultural environments via mechanical transmission via B. agrestis. This study provides comprehensive information regarding the cutaneous microflora of B. agrestis, which can help in the control of such pests for crop management.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.223-228
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• 2020

Objective of this study was to compared the amount of bacteria in the toothbrush according to the management method of the toothbrush in use and the acidity of intraoral bacteria. Toothbrushes in use in more than one month of 50 healthy adults were collected and the number of bacteria and pH of the toothbrushes were measured. When the number of brushings per day was 4, the pH 4.97 and the microbial numbers was the lowest at 42.16(104×CFU/ml). When the replacement period of the toothbrush was 1 month, the pH 5.35 and the microbial numbers was the lowest at 19.80(104×CFU/ml). When stored in the bathroom, the pH 4.78, and the microbial numbers was highest at 149.46(104×CFU/ml). As a result, in order to block the germs of the toothbrush, it is necessary to develop a method that can easily disinfect the contaminated toothbrush at home. In addition, I think that it is necessary to educate about the proper brush cleaning and storage method when teaching brushing.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2009

Hyporheic zone is an area where hydraulic exchanges occur between surface water and ground water. Such transient area is anticipated to facilitate diverse biogeochemical reactions by providing habitats for various microorganism. However, only a few data are available about microbial properties in hyporheic zone, which would be important in better understanding of biogeochemical reactions in whole streams. The study site is Naesung stream, located in the north Kyoung-Sang Province, of which sediment is sandy with little anthropogenic impacts. Soil samples were collected from a transect placed perpendicular to stream flow. The transect includes upland fringe area dominated by Phragmites japonica, bare soil, and soil adjacent to water. In addition, soil samples were also collected from downwelling and upwelling areas in hyporheic zone within the main channel. Soils were collected from 3 depth in each area, and water content, pH, and DOC were measured. Various microbial properties including extracellular enzyme activities ($\beta$-glucosidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, phosphatase and arylsulfatase), and microbial community structure using T-RFLP were also determined. The results exhibited a positive correlation between water content and DOC, and between extracellular enzyme activities and DOC. Distinctive patterns were observed in soils adjacent to water and hyporheic zone compared with other soils. Overall results of study provided basic information about microbial properties of hyporheic zone, which appeared to be discernable from other locations in the stream corridor.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.2516-2522
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• 2009

The data which analyze the results of blood cultures are crucial basic information of the empirical therapy for patients with infection since the patterns of the species of microorganism isolated from blood and the results of antibiotic susceptibility test vary depending upon patients general features. Especially, in case of ESBL-producing bacteria, there is a close relation with use of antibiotics. Therefore, we carried out the research with the results of blood culture and antibiotic. 1. Total 39,305 cases of blood culture samples were investigated and positive patients of 2,216 (20.0%) were found. Among those, there were 40 patients with ESBL positive, and blood culture positive samples were 4,798 (12.2%). ESBL positive bacteria were found in 86 samples (including double checked culture bacteria). 2. The majority of ESBL producing bacteria were E. coli, K. pneumoniae and K. oxitoca as ordering based on the number. 3. The research showed the results that there were more females than male with the bacterias, more E. coli in over 50 years old aged group than other bacterias, more K. pneumoniae and K.oxitoca in less 1 year old aged group than other bacterias and largest numbers of patients with 13 patients (32.5%) in Chungcheongnam-do province were found. 4. The most common ESBL producing bacteria were E. coli throughout 3 years, but K, pneumoniae and K. oxitoca were also fairly found. Interestingly, E. coli was highly found in over 50 years old patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.853-858
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• 2011

Soybean-based food items have been developed as common fermented side dish sauces in South Korea, Japan, and China. Each of these countries, however, has its own fermentation method, including a microorganism-based fermentation process, the mixing of ingredients, the fermentation process, and the mixing of starch. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality characteristics of the commercial product. Fourteen kinds of rice soybean paste (Korea, 2 Japan, 12) were prepared, and their physiochemical properties (ammonium nitrogen, amino nitrogen, amylase, protease, and reducing-sugar contents) were analyzed. JRD-1 was found to contain the highest amount of amino-type nitrogen (426.45 mg%) while KRD-2 showed 316.10 mg%. For the protease activities, the following results were obtained: JRD-9, 695.10 unit/g JRD-11, 671.45 unit/g and JRD-5, 665.03 unit/g. As for the amylase activities, the results that were obtained were JRD-7, 53.65 unit/g JRD-8, 50.71 unit/g KRD-1, 46.52 unit/g JRD-1, 46.29 unit/g and JRD-11, 33.61 unit/g. This research provided information for the quality characteristics of commercial rice soybean paste.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Environmental Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.550-555
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• 2018

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is one of the most effective organizations in evolving international law for the protection and conservation of the marine environment. The IMO, MARPOL(Marine Pollution) 73/78 contains six Annexes that provide an overarching framework for the objectives of the international marine pollution. Annex IV was regulated by 64 th resolution in 2012 to control sea pollution from sewage. In 2014 large-scale wastewater treatment and nutrient removal device was developed with a grant from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. A combined new process of Sequence Batch Reactor (SBR) and Membrane Bioreactor(MBR) was developed to overcome the pollution caused by shipboard sewage. In the present study, shipboard sewage wastewater was treated by mixing and aeration cycle in the newly developed SBR process. Furthermore, during analysis by NGS technique(Macrogen Co., Ltd.), dominant species of bacteria were found in the aeration tank of the Bench-scale wastewater treatment facility. Bacteroidetes and Gammaproteobacteria accounted for 27.1 % of the aerobicbacteria and 16.8 % of the anaerobicbacteria, respectively. Microorganisms play a vital role in shipboard wastewater treatment. A further detailed study is required to understand the precise role of the microorganisms in the wastewater treatment.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1808-1816
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• 2022

Objective: The study of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) has mainly been focused on meat quality and productivity. Recently the field of microbiome research has increased dramatically. However, the information on the microbiome in Hanwoo is still insufficient, especially relationship between vagina and feces. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the microbial community characteristics by analyzing the 16S rRNA sequencing data of Hanwoo vagina and feces, as well as to confirm the difference and correlation between vaginal and fecal microorganisms. As a result, the goal is to investigate if fecal microbiome can be used to predict vaginal microbiome. Methods: A total of 31 clinically healthy Hanwoo that delivered healthy calves more than once in Cheongju, South Korea were enrolled in this study. During the breeding season, we collected vaginal and fecal samples and sequenced the microbial 16S rRNA genes V3-V4 hypervariable regions from microbial DNA of samples. Results: The results revealed that the phylum-level microorganisms with the largest relative distribution were Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria in the vagina, and Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Spirochaetes in the feces, respectively. In the analysis of alpha, beta diversity, and effect size measurements (LefSe), the results showed significant differences between the vaginal and fecal samples. We also identified the function of these differentially abundant microorganisms by functional annotation analyses. But there is no significant correlation between vaginal and fecal microbiome. Conclusion: There is a significant difference between vaginal and fecal microbiome, but no significant correlation. Therefore, it is difficult to interrelate vaginal microbiome as fecal microbiome in Hanwoo. In a further study, it will be necessary to identify the genetic relationship of the entire microorganism between vagina and feces through the whole metagenome sequencing analysis and meta-transcriptome analysis to figure out their relationship.