• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

A study on the electrical characteristic analysis of solar cell diodes under experimental conditions of varying temperature and frequency has been conducted. From the current-voltage (I-V) measurements, at the room temperature, we obtained the ideality factor (n) for Space Charge Region (SCR) and Quasi-Neutral Region (QNR) of 3.02 and 1.76, respectively. Characteristics showed that the value of n (at SCR) decreases with rising temperature and n (at QNR) increases with the same conditions. These are due to not only the sharply increased SCR current flow but the activated carrier recombination in the bulk region caused by defects such as contamination, dangling bonds. In addition, from the I-V measurements implemented to confirm the junction uniformity of cells, the average current dispersion was 40.87% and 10.59% at the region of SCR and QNR, respectively. These phenomena were caused by the pyramidal textured junction structure formed to improve the light absorption on the device's front surface, and these affect to the total diode current flow. These defect and textured junction structure will be causes that solar cell diodes have non-ideal electrical characteristics compared with general p-n junction diodes. Also, through the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements under the frequency of 180 kHz, we confirmed that the value of built-in potential is 0.63 V.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2020

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) have become a major problem in urinary tract infections (UTIs). The purpose of this study was to compare the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants of FQ resistant UPEC between 1989 and 2010-2014. A total of 681 strains of UPEC clinical isolates was collected from Korean healthcare facility in 1989 (123 strains) and in 2010-2014 (558 strains). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of FQs were determined by agar dilution method. QRDRs (gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE) and PMQR determinants (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-Ib-cr and qepA) were analyzed polymerase chain reaction and sequencing method. Among 681 isolates, FQ resistant UPEC were 3 strains (2.4%) in 1989 isolates and 220 strains (39.4%) in 2010-2014 isolates. The rate of the FQ resistant UPEC strains in 2010-2014 isolates was increased than that of in 1989 isolates. UPEC isolates from 1989 and 2010-2014 were shown to carry mutations in gyrA (Ser83 and Asp87), gyrB (Ser464 and Thr469), parC (Ser80 and Glu84) and parE (Glu460, Ser458, Ile464 and Leu445). The most common mutations of QRDRs in 1989 isolates were Ser83Leu and Asp87Gly in gyrA and Ser80Ile in parC (2 strains: 66.7%) while those in 2010-2014 isolates were Ser83Leu and Asp87Asn in gyrA and Ser80Il2 and Glu84Val in parC (88 strains: 40.0%). PMQR determinants were detected only in 2010-2014 UPEC strains (47 strains: 21.4%).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to identify mutations in the quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) of the gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes, and the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes: qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-lb-cr and qepA in 40 nalidixic acid- resistant ($NA^R$) Salmonella isolates isolated from poultry slaughterhouse. The MIC of NA and ciprofloxacin for 40 $NA^R$ Salmonella isolates was $128{\sim}512{\mu}g/mL$ and < $0.125{\sim}0.25{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The Salmonella isolates were resistant to NA (100%), gentamicin (5.0%) and ampicillin (2.5%). All $NA^R$ Salmonella isolates represented point mutation in codons Aspartic acid(Asp)-87 (90%) and Serine(Ser)-83 (10%) of QRDR of gyrA gene: $Asp87{\rightarrow}glycine$, $Ser83{\rightarrow}tyrosine$. No mutations were observed in QRDR of the gyrB, parC and parE gene. Moreover PMQR genes was not found in any of the tested isolates. Our findings showed that DNA gyrase is the primary target of quinolone resistance and a single mutation in codon Asp87 and Ser83 of the gyrA gene can confer resistance to NA and reduced susceptibility ciprofloxacin in Salmonella isolates.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CTX-M β-lactamase and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes, and the pattern of antibiotic resistance in cefotaxime-resistant gramnegative bacteria. A total 126 gram-negative bacteria were isolated from hospitalized dogs and cats between 2018 and 2019. The most predominant isolates were E. coli (n=41), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=25), Proteus mirabilis (n=14), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=9), Sphingomonas paucimobilis (n=7), and Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens (respectively, n=5). Cefotaxime-resistant isolates were identified in 26.2% (33 isolates) of 126 gram-negative bacteria. CTX-M type β-lactamase were found in 15 isolates (10 E. coli, 1 Ent, cloacae and 4 K. pneumoniae, respectively). Among the CTX-M producing gram-negative bacteria, CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-9 were detected in 10 (66.7%) and 5 (33.3%) isolates, respectively. While, CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-8 were not found. PMQR genes were detected in 12 (36.4%) isolates (4 E. coli, 2 Ent, cloacae and 6 K. pneumoniae, respectively), and the predominant PMQR gene was aac(6')-lb-cr (n=9), followed by qnrB (n=8) and qnrS (n=1) alone or in combination. qnrA and qepA were not found. Additionally, 9 (60%) of 12 PMQR positive isolates were co-existence with CTX-M-1 or CTX-M-9. CTX-M or PMQR producing isolates showed highly resistance to penicillins (100%), cephalosporins (100~66.7%), monobactams (72.2%), and non-β-lactam antibiotics (94.4~61.1%) such as quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and gentamicin. These findings showed CTX-M-1, CTX-M-9, aac(6')-lb-cr and qnrB were highly prevalent in cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from companion animals in our region. Moreover, PMQR genes were closely associated with CTX-M type β-lactamase.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2016

Recently, there has been a considerable increase in the prevalence of CTX-M type extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates worldwide, including Korea. To investigate the ESBL genes in the E. coli strains isolated from a university hospital in the Chungcheong area, a study was conducted using PCR amplification and nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified products to detect the plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in ESBL producing E. coli isolates. The number of CTX-M-14 producing isolates was 25 (16.0%) isolates, and of them, 9 (5.8%) isolates also produced CTX-M-15. All CTX-M type ESBL producing E. coli isolates showed resistance to cefotaxime. Twelve (48%) CTX-M type ESBL producing E. coli isolates contained the PMQR genes, 8 contained qnrS1, and 8 contained aac(6')-Ib-cr. Four isolates harbored both qnrS1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes. In our study, we confirmed that the plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistant determinants-the ESBL and PMQR genes-were distributed in the E. coli isolates. To prevent further spreading of the resistant genes among the E. coli isolates, consistent effort is required to investigate and monitor the resistant genes.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.422-430
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• 2018

The inappropriate and widespread use of quinolones in humans and animals may cause accelerated emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant determinants. In this study, we investigated quinolone resistance mechanisms in a total of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli isolated from swine rectal swabs (N=40) and clinical specimens (N=25). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for investigations of genes and mutations associated with quinolone resistance. In our study, 62 of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli harbored mutations in gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes; of the 65 isolates, 62 (95.4%) had mutations in the gyrA gene, 35 (53.8%) had mutations in the parC gene, 7 (10.8%) had mutations in the parE gene. The 35 isolates harbored mutations in two genes, gyrA and parC. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants were investigated in the 65 isolates. Thirteen of 65 nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli contained the qnrS gene and 10 of those isolates had mutations in the gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes. We confirmed that an important mechanism of quinolone resistance in E. coli isolated from human and swine involves chromosomal mutations in the gyrA, parC, and/or parE genes with increasing use of quinolone for treatment or additives.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2016

Antimicrobial agents have been used in poultry for treatment of bacterial infections or additives over the past half century. However, increasing antimicrobial resistance has led to selective pressure for therapeutic use in humans and made treatment of bacterial infection more difficult. In this study, we examined the prevalence of plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistant determinants for resistance to ${\beta}-lactam$, quinolone, and aminoglycoside in Enterobacteriaceae isolates obtained from chickens in Gyeongsang provinces, and correlation between the resistant genes and antimicrobial resistance rate was also assessed. A total of 43 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were recovered from 40 chickens at Gyeongsang provinces in Korea. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to characterize the antimicrobial resistant genes. Of the 43 Enterobacteriaceae isolates tested, 2 isolates harbored $bla_{CTX-M-14}$ gene, and 2 and 5 strains contained qnrS and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes, respectively. A total of 43 isolates displayed a relatively lower susceptible rate ranging between 0.0 and 23.3% to most of the antimicrobial agents, except cefepime, ceftazidime, and cefaclor. We confirmed that plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistant determinants were distributed in Enterobacteriaceae isolates from chickens. Investigation of the genes and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance rate is required to prevent further spreading of antimicrobial resistant genes among Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics used in animal husbandry for disease prevention and treatment have resulted in the rapid progression of antibiotic resistant bacteria which can be introduced into the environment through livestock feces/manure, disseminating antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). In this study, fecal samples were collected from the livestock farms located in Jeju Island to investigate the relationship between microbial communities and ARGs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Illumina MiSeq sequencing was applied to characterize microbial communities within each fecal sample. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), ten ARGs encoding tetracycline resistance (tetB, tetM), sulfonamide resistance (sul1, sul2), fluoroquinolone resistance (qnrD, qnrS), fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside resistance (aac(6')-Ib), beta-lactam resistance (bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M), macrolide resistance (ermC), a class 1 integronsintegrase gene (intI1), and a class 2 integrons-integrase gene (intI2) were quantified. The results showed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant in human, cow, horse, and pig groups, while Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were dominant in chicken group. Among ARGs, tetM was detected with the highest number of copies, followed by sul1 and sul2. Most of the genera belonging to Firmicutes showed positive correlations with ARGs and integron genes. There were 97, 34, 31, 25, and 22 genera in chicken, cow, pig, human, and horse respectively which showed positive correlations with ARGs and integron genes. In network analysis, we identified diversity of microbial communities which correlated with ARGs and integron genes. CONCLUSION(S): In this study, antibiotic resistance patterns in human and livestock fecal samples were identified. The abundance of ARGs and integron genes detected in the samples were associated with the amount of antibiotics commonly used for human and livestocks. We found diverse microbial communities associated with antibiotics resistance genes in different hosts, suggesting that antibiotics resistance can disseminate across environments through various routes. Identifying the routes of ARG dissemination in the environment would be the first step to overcome the challenge of antibiotic resistance in the future.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of quinolone resistant E. coli from retail meat and to characterize the resistant determinants. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, the sequence analysis of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDR), the presences of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and the expression of efflux pump genes were investigated. Of the total 277 retail meat samples, 67 coli form bacteria were isolated. 15 of 67 isolates showed nalidixic acid resistance and 7 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant isolates were also resistant to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin and levofloxacin. 11 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant strains were isolated from chicken, 2 of 15 were isolated from beef and 2 of 15 were isolated from pork samples. 11 of 15 nalidixic acid resistant strains have single mutation at codon 87 (D87N or D87G) in gyrA, 2 of 11 gyrA mutants have double mutations at codon 86 and 87 (L86A and L87I) in parC with mutations at codon 434+445+465 or 429 in gyrB. 2 of 15 resistant isolates harbored qnrS, a PMQR determinant. Over expression of the acrB gene, efflux pump gene (3.93~16.53 fold), was observed in 10 of 15 resistant isolates.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2012

Recently, the prevalence of 16S rRNA methylase conferring high-level resistance to aminoglycosides has been increasing in Gram-negative bacilli globally. We determined the prevalence and genotype of these methylase-producing bacteria, and characterized the co-resistance to ${\beta}$-lactam antibiotics and quinolone in Gram-negative clinical isolates collected in 2010 at a hospital in Korea. Among 65 amikacin-resistant isolates screened from 864 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), 16S rRNA methylase genes were detected from 49 isolates, including Acinetobacter baumannii (43), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2), Proteus mirabilis (2) and Serratia marcescens (1), Empedobacter brevis (1). All of the 16S rRNA methylase genotype was armA and no variant sequences of amplified PCR products for armA were noted. The 16S rRNA methylase producing bacteria showed much higher resistance to aminoglycoside for Enterobacteriaceae and glucose non-fermenting (NF)-GNB and to imipenem for glucose NF-GNB, than the non-producing isolates. All of the 16S rRNA methylase producing Enterobacteriaceae had the extended-spectrum-${\beta}$-lactamase. In addition, two K. pneumoniae concurrently produced both plasmid-mediated AmpC ${\beta}$-lactamase and qnrB gene. All of the amikacin-resistant A. baumannii (43) co-harbored armA 16S rRNA methylase and $bla_{OXA-23}$ carbapenemase. In conclusion, 16S rRNA methylase producing bacteria were very prevalent among GNB in South Korea, and were commonly associated with co-resistance, including carbapenem and quinolone.