• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.229-233
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• 2002

Ferritin is ubiquitous in bacteria, animals and plants. Ferritin is thought to play two main roles in living cells to provide iron for the synthesis of iron protein such as ferretoxin and cytochromes and to prevent damage from radicals produced by iron/dioxygen interaction. To enhance the resistance of potato to Erwinia carotovora, the soybean ferritin gene was introduced into the potato either under CaMV 35S or hsr203J promoter. Potato transgenic plants were screened by PCR analysis using specific primers to the ferritin gene. Expression of ferritin gene under CaMV 35S and hsr203J promoter in potato transgenic plants was confirmed by northern blot analysis. hsr203J promoter known to pathogen inducible in tobacco drives the induction upon Phytophthora infestan in potato and the transcript level of ferritin gene was extremely high after 24 hours post inoculation. One of transformants under CaMV 35S promoter was increased 2.5 fold than untransformant. Each one of transgenic potato containing gene promoter CaMV 35S and hsr203J-ferrtin fusion exhibited tolerance against potato soft rot.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to examine and analyze the infection management status of Jeju-area general hospitals, and in order to convey the importance of infection management, and to determine role plans of medical technologists as infection management staff, the infection management status was examined through surveys targeting 7 general hospitals located in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The infection management of Jeju-area medical institutions showed excellence in that all institutions operated an infection management room, there was dedicated manpower, and hospital infection management guidelines were established and executed. However most institutions were operating their infection management room with only 1 nurse, reporting many difficulties in securing dedicated manpower, microbe-related culture deciphering, frequency of multiple-resistance bacteria, infection statistics, and details on microbe testing. Accordingly, it is believed that the medical technologist who can perform the practical tasks of infection management has sufficient qualification and experience in infection management as per the medical law enforcement regulations, and in operation of an infection management room. If medical technologists (infection control microbiological technologist) with expert knowledge on microbes and infection control nurses can execute the tasks as dedicated personnel, the operation of the infection management room will be more advanced. In addition, for proper infection management in the future, the introduction of a medical system specialized in infection management and full support for infection management of vulnerable small/medium hospitals in addition to general hospitals across the country is considered important.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: The urgency of feeding the world's growing population while combating soil pollution, salinization and desertification requires suitable biotechnology not only to improve crop productivity but also to improve soil health through interactions of soil nutrient and soil microorganism. Interest in the utilization of microbial fertilizer has increased. A principle of nature farming is to produce abundant and healthy crops without using chemical fertilizer and pesticides, and without interrupting the natural ecosystem. Beneficial microorganisms may provide supplemental nutrients in the soil, promote crop growth, and enhance plant resistance against pathogenic microorganisms. We mixed beneficial microorganisms such as Bacillus sp. Han-5 with anti-fungal activities, Trichoderma harziaum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum with organic material degrading activity, Actinomycetes bovis with antibiotic production and Pseudomonas sp. with nitrogen fixation. This study was carried out to investigate the mixtures on the soil microflora and soil chemical properties and the effect on the growth of lettuce and cucumber under greenhouse conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The microbial mixtures were used with each of organic fertilizer, swine manure and organic+swine manure and compared in regard to changes in soil chemical properties, soil microflora properties and crop growth. At 50 days after the treatment of microorganism mixtures, the pH improved from 5.8 to 6.3, and the EC, $NO_3$-Na and K decreased by 52.4%, 60.5% and 29.3%, respectively. The available $P_2O_5$ and $SiO_2$ increased by 25.9% and 21.2%, respectively. Otherwise, the population density of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. was accelerated and the growth of vegetables increased. Moreover, the population density of E. coli and Fusarium sp., decreased remarkably. The ratio of bacteria to fungi (B/F) and the ratio of Actinomycetes bovis to fungi (A/F) increased 2.3 (from 272.2 to 624.4) and 1.7 times (from 38.3 to 64), respectively. Furthermore, the growth and yield of cucumber and lettuce significantly increased by the treatment of microorganism mixtures. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that the treatment of microorganism mixtures improved the chemical properties and the microflora of soil and the crop growth. Therefore, it is concluded that the microorganism mixtures could be good alternative soil amendments to restore soil nutrients and soil microflora.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.495-501
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• 1999

Lactobacillus acidophilus KY 2104 was isolated from 41 healthy korean ($2{\sim}35\;age$, 26 man, 15 woman) feces to use as a probiotic lactic acid bacteria for functional foods, fermented milk and pharmaceutical products. L. acidophilus KY 2104 survived in the presence of acid and bile, and inhibited pathogens. It survived almost 100% in pH 3.0 phosphate buffer for 2 hr, and more than $10^4\;cfu/mL$ in pH 2.0 phosphate buffer when inoculated by $10^7\;cfu/mL$. It was also found to grow in MRS medium containing 0.5% oxgall. L. acidophilus KY 2104 exerted inhibitory effect against enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, when grown with each in associative cultures for 16 hr. As a result of acute toxicity of L. acidophilus KY 2104 in rats, there was no observation on motality, clinical signs, body weights and gross findings in the oral administration.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Objectives Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a human pathogen and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. New antibacterial agents that have not been compromised by bacterial resistance are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity ofethanol extract of Haedokgeumhwa-san (HGH) which prescription is composed of korean medicine against MRSA. Methods The antibacterial activity of HGH extract was evaluated against MRSA strains by using the Disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration; MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test; its mechanism of action was investigated by bacteriolysis, detergent or ATPase inhibitors. The checkerboard dilution test was used to examined synergistic effect of ampicillin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, gentamicin and norfloxacin in combination with HGH ethanol extract. A time-kill assay was performed a survival curve which was obtained by plotting viable colony counts depending on time on bacterial growth. Results The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract (HGH) ranged from 1,000 to $2,000{\mu}g/mL$ against all the tested bacterial strains, respectively. We are able to confirm that HGH extract has potentially strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, fractional inhibitory concentration index of HGH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergy or partial synergism against S. aureus. A time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after 8 hr of treatment with the combination of HGH with selected antibiotics. For measurement of cell membrane permeability, HGH $250{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$ along with concentration of Triton X-100 (TX) and Tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris) were used. In the other hand, N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) and Sodium azide ($NaN_3$) was used as an inhibitor of ATPase. TX, Tris, DCCD and $NaN_3$ cooperation against S. aureus showed synergistic action. Accordingly, antimicrobial activity of HGH was affected by cell membrane and inhibitor of ATPase. Conclusions These results suggest that Haedokgeumhwa-san extract has antibacterial activity, and that HGH extract offers a potential as a natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 1994

Keratinized ginigva has clinical singificance in periodontal health because it plays important roles in resistance to mechanical trauma, to penetration of bacteria, and to tensional stress by muscle attachment. In order to investigate the width change of anterior keratinized gingvial during transitional period, the width of kerainized gingiva on anterior teeth was measured annually in elementary school children with deciduous dentition until the successive anterior teeth were completely erupted. The distance from the gingival margin on mid-portion of crown to mucogingival junction was measured by Boley gauge(Hu-Friedy, U.S.A.) and was recorded as the width of keratinized gingiva. The difference of the width of keratinized gingiva according to sex and dentition was analyzed statistically by Student t-test. Following results were obtained : 1. In deciduous dentition, it was shown that the width of keratinized gingiva on maxillary central incisors($3.28{\pm}0.83mm$) was the widest(p<0.01), and that on maxillary lateral incisors, mandibular central and lateral incisors was $2.69{\pm}0.86mm$, $2.51{\pm}0.71mm$, $2.43{\pm}0.68mm$, respectively. 2. In mixed dentition, it was shown that the width of keratinized gingiva on maxillary central incisors ($5.10{\pm}0.86$) was the widest(p<0.01), and that on maxillary lateral incisors, mandibular central and lateral incisors was $4.35{\pm}0.83mm$, $3.51{\pm}0.60mm$, $3.57{\pm}0.66mm$, respectively. 3. The width of anterior keratinized gingiva was significantly increased after the successive anterior teeth were completely erupted(p<0.001). The width of keratinized gingiva on maxillary central and lateral incisors, and mandibular central and lateral incisors was increased by $1.82{\pm}0.83mm$, $1.65{\pm}0.69mm$, $0.99{\pm}0.39mm$, and $1.14{\pm}0.98mm$, respectively. 4. There was no statistical significance in the difference of the width of anterior keratinized gingiva between male and female(p>0.05).

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.495-503
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• 1998

The present study investigated the effects of Bisroot, that contains live bacteria (Bacillus polyfermenticus, Bacillus mesentericus, Streptococcus faecalis, & Bifidobacterium breve) and digestive enzymes (protease, lipase), on the growth, body composition and immune response of Nile tilapia fingerlings. One percent of the Bisroot was added to the experimenta feed. All exprimental fish were fed for 60 days. The weigh gains among the experimental fish were not significntly different (P>0.05). Hematocrit value, hemoglobin, total protein, glucose, GOT, and GPT were unaffected by Bisroot treatment. However, it was observed that glucose, GOT, and GPT value in the fish that were fed Bisroot, were lower than the control. The complement activity ($CH_50$) tended to be significantly increased by Bisroot treatment, but not lysozyme activity. Phagocytosis and respiratory burst activities of macrophages in the head kidney were enhanced by Bisroot. Therefore, the Bisroot diet enhances the cellular immune activities were enhanced by Bisroot. Therefore, the Bisroot diet enhances the cellular immune activities of non-specific immune responses. When fish were challenged with a virulent strain of Edwardsiella tarda, the Bisroot treated fish were more resistant than the control. The present results suggest that the introduction of Bisroot into the diet of Nile tilapia could increase their resistance against bacterial infection, reduce fish mortality, and offers economic benefits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.589-595
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• 2011

This work focused on screening and characterizing antibiotic-producing actinomycetes to develop new antibiotics that can overcome the growing resistance of disease-causing microbes. One-hundred actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil samples from Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea using various kinds of actinomycetes isolation media, including a starch casein agar medium and potato dextrose agar (PDA). Among them, strain BCNU 1030 was determined to show strong antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Biochemical, physiological, and 16S rRNA sequence analyses indicated that strain BCNU 1030 belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Strain BCNU 1030 exhibited antibiotic activity against a wide range of bacteria, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BCNU 1030 dichloromethane extract was determined to be $0.78\;{\mu}g/ml$ for MRSA CCARM 3090. Therefore, Streptomyces sp. BCNU 1030 has potential for anti-MRSA drug development.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.351-356
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• 2016

Bacterial blotch caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii is one of the major diseases of oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus. Application of bacteriophages is a very useful tool to decrease the density of pathogens and it has been successful to making disease-free cultivation area, known as phage therapy. Effect of phages on pathogen sterilization is very limited to the specific host strains. Minor variations of the host strains may cause changes in phage sensitivity. The phage-resistant strains of P. tolaasii were isolated and their pathogenic characters were investigated to improve the effectiveness of phage therapy. In the phylogenetic analysis, both phage-resistant strains and the corresponding host strains were identical based on the sequence comparison of 16S rRNA genes. The pathogenic characters, such as hemolytic activity and brown blotch formation, were measured on the phage-resistant strains and no correlation between phage-resistance and pathogenic characters was observed. Nevertheless, pathogenic characters were sometimes changed in the phage-resistant strains depending on the host strains. In order to make the phage therapy successful, the bacteriophages having a wide host range should be isolated.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1735-1743
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• 2010

The full-length genes gyrB (2,415 bp), parC (2,277 bp), and parE (1,896 bp) in Edwardsiella tarda were cloned by PCR with degenerate primers based on the sequence of the respective quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR), followed by elongation of 5' and 3' ends using cassette ligation-mediated PCR (CLMP). Analysis of the cloned genes revealed open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins of 804 (GyrB), 758 (ParC), and 631 (ParE) amino acids with conserved gyrase/topoisomerase features and motifs important for enzymatic function. The ORFs were preceded by putative promoters, ribosome binding sites, and inverted repeats with the potential to form cruciform structures for binding of DNA-binding proteins. When comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of E. tarda GyrB, ParC, and ParE with those of the corresponding proteins in other bacteria, they were found to be most closely related to Escherichia coli GyrB (87.6% identity), Klebsiella pneumoniae ParC (78.8% identity), and Salmonella Typhimurium ParE (89.5% identity), respectively. The two topoisomerase genes, parC and parE, were found to be contiguous on the E. tarda chromosome. All 18 quinolone-resistant isolates obtained from Korea thus far did not contain subunit alternations apart from a substitution in GyrA (Ser83$\rightarrow$Arg). However, an alteration in the QRDR of ParC (Ser84$\rightarrow$Ile) following an amino acid substitution in GyrA (Asp87$\rightarrow$Gly) was detected in E. tarda mutants selected in vitro at $8{\mu}g/ml$ ciprofloxacin (CIP). A mutant with a GyrB (Ser464$\rightarrow$Leu) and GyrA (Asp87$\rightarrow$Gly) substitution did not show a significant increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CIP. None of the in vitro mutants exhibited mutations in parE. Thus, gyrA and parC should be considered to be the primary and secondary targets, respectively, of quinolones in E. tarda.