• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.271-280
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• 2017

Background: Soil microorganisms play key roles in nutrient cycling and are distributed throughout the soil profile. Currently, there is little information about the characteristics of the microbial communities along the soil depth because most studies focus on microorganisms inhabiting the soil surface. To better understand the functions and composition of microbial communities and the biogeochemical factors that shape them at different soil depths, we analyzed microbial activities and bacterial and fungal community composition in soils up to a 120 cm depth at a fallow field located in central Korea. To examine the vertical difference of microbial activities and community composition, ${\beta}$-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, ${\beta}$-1,4-xylosidase, ${\beta}$-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase activities were analyzed and barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes (bacteria) and internal transcribed spacer region (fungi) was conducted. Results: The activity of all the soil enzymes analyzed, along with soil C concentration, declined with soil depth. For example, acid phosphatase activity was $125.9({\pm}5.7({\pm}1SE))$, $30.9({\pm}0.9)$, $15.7({\pm}0.6)$, $6.7({\pm}0.9)$, and $3.3({\pm}0.3)nmol\;g^{-1}\;h^{-1}$ at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively. Among the bacterial groups, the abundance of Proteobacteria (38.5, 23.2, 23.3, 26.1, and 17.5% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) and Firmicutes (12.8, 11.3, 8.6, 4.3, and 0.4% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) decreased with soil depth. On the other hand, the abundance of Ascomycota (51.2, 48.6, 65.7, 46.1, and 45.7% at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 cm depths, respectively), a dominant fungal group at this site, showed no clear trend along the soil profile. Conclusions: Our results show that soil C availability can determine soil enzyme activity at different soil depths and that bacterial communities have a clear trend along the soil depth at this study site. These metagenomics studies, along with other studies on microbial functions, are expected to enhance our understanding on the complexity of soil microbial communities and their relationship with biogeochemical factors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1136-1145
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• 2015

The diverse microbial communities that colonize distinct segments of the gastrointestinal tract are intimately related to aspects of physiology and the pathology of human health. However, most recent studies have focused on the rectal or fecal microbiota, and the microbial signature of the duodenum is poorly studied. In this study, we compared the microbiota in duodenal and rectal samples to illustrate the characteristic microbial signatures of the duodenum in healthy adults. Nine healthy volunteers donated biopsies and luminal contents from the duodenum and rectum. To determine the composition and diversity of the microbiota, 454-pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA was performed and multiple bioinformatics analyses were applied. The α-diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the microbiota in the duodenal samples were higher than those of the rectal samples. There was higher biodiversity among the microbiota isolated from rectal biopsies than feces. Proteobacteria were more highly represented in the duodenum than in the rectum, both in the biopsies and in the luminal contents from the healthy volunteers (38.7% versus 12.5%, 33.2% versus 5.0%, respectively). Acinetobacter and Prevotella were dominant in the duodenum, whereas Bacteroides and Prevotella were dominant in the rectum. Additionally, the percentage of OTUs shared in biopsy groups was far higher than in the luminal group (43.0% versus 26.8%) and a greater number of genera was shared among the biopsies than the luminal contents. Duodenal samples demonstrated greater biological diversity and possessed a unique microbial signature compared with the rectum. The mucosa-associated microbiota was more relatively conserved than luminal samples.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.133-136
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare a conventional culture method and real-time PCR for the detection of Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. enterocolitica) in sausage and in vegetable salad. Food samples inoculated with Y. enterocolitica were enriched in peptone-sorbitol bile-broth, and swabs were then streaked onto cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin agar. Biochemical tests for suspected colonies were performed with an API 20E strip. In parallel, real-time PCR was performed, targeting the 16S rRNA gene using 1 mL of enrichment broth. In sausage, the number of positive samples detected by culture method (49 out of 60) was similar (p>0.05) with that of real-time PCR (50 out of 60). However, the number of positive samples of real-time PCR (26 out of 60) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the conventional culture method (6 out of 60) in vegetable salad. Real-time PCR could be an effective screening tool for detecting Y. enterocolitica, particularly in food samples with high levels of background flora, such as a vegetable salad.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.183-195
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• 2002

흑색 색소를 형성하는 그람음성 혐기성 세균은 급성 임상 증상을 가진 환자의 근관에서 자주 발견되는 세균으로서 세균 및 세균의 성분과 산물이 치근단 병소의 생성과 밀접하게 연관된 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 흑색 색소를 형성하는 그람음성 혐기성 세균 중 가장 발현율이 높은 Prevotella nigrescens가 배양된 세포에 미치는 세포 독성을 연구하고자 하였다. 두 가지 세포주 및 사람의 치은섬유모세포를 일차배양하여 사용하였으며, 세포주에 따른 독성 발현에 차이가 있는지를 비교하였다. P. nigrescens ATCC 33563 표준 균주 및 임상 균주로는 환자의 감염된 근관으로부터 165 rRNA primer를 사용한 중합효소 연쇄반응으로 P. nigrescens 6 균주를 동정하여 사용하였다. 세균배양액, 세균의 초음파 추출단백질 및 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)를 MC3T3-El 조골세포, NIH3T3 섬유모세포 및 치은섬유모세포에 첨가한 후 MTT분석법으로 세포의 활성을 측정하였으며, 세포의 형태학적 변화를 도립현미경으로 관찰하였다. 세균배양액을 100$\mu\textrm{l}$ 첨가한 경우는 세가지 세포주 모두에서 통계적으로 유의하게 세포의 활성을 억제하였다. 세균의 초음파 추출단백질 12.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml 와 25$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml 는 NIH3T3세포에 통계적으로 유의한 세포독성을 보였다. 세 가지 세포주에 대한 LPS의 세포 독성 효과는 첨가된 LPS의 농도 및 균주에 따라 다양하게 나타났다. 심하게 손상된 세포는 세포의 단일층이 수축되고 세포가 응집되었으며 세포가 배양용기의 바닥에서 떨어지는 양상이 도립 현미경하에서 관찰되었다. 본 연구의 결과 P. nigrescens가 숙주 반응을 조절하여 치수 및 치근단 병소의 유발 및 악화에 기여하는 세균으로 작용할 수 있음을 시사한다. 조직과 함께 제거하고 포르말린에서 48시간 고정시킨 후 파라핀에 포매한 다음에 micro-tome을 사용하여 6$\mu\textrm{m}$로 serial section을 시행하였다. 정중선 부위의 시편에 Hematoxylin-Eosin staining을 시행한 후 Olsson, Orstavik 그리고 Mjor 등의 방법에 따라 조직학적 변화를 관찰한 후 slight(1), moderate(2), severe inflammation(3)의 단계로 분류하였다. 얻어진 결과를 통계처리 프로그램인 Jandel사의 Sigmastat을 이용하여 Kruskal Wallis Test로 통계처리를 하였다. 결과 : (Table omitted) 결론 : 1) Pulp Canal Sealer를 제외한 모든 군에서 시간이 지남에 따라 유의성 있게 염증이 감소되는 양상을 보였다(p<0.05). 2) Pulp Canal Sealer는 1주, 2주, 12주에서 강한 염증반응을 보였다. 3) AH 26과 AH Plus에서는 1주, 2주에서 강한 염증반응을 보였으나 12주에서는 염증반응이 감소하였다. 4) 새로 개발된 봉함제 Adseal-1,2는 1주, 2주에서는 가장 약한 염증반응을 보이나 4주, 12주 후에는 AH Plus와 비슷한 수준의 염증 반응을 보였다. 5) Pulp Canal Sealer를 제외한 모든 군에서 인정할 만한 생체친화성을 보였다. 6) Adseal-2가 Adseal-1에 비하여 전반적으로 낮은 염증반응을 보였다. 7) 각 군간 결과의 차이에 통계적 유의성은 없었다(p>0.05).mmunity. Then, a hierarchical language is to defeat its own purpose.중 행정부가 북한에 대해 실시한 포용정책이 어떠한 성과를 거두고 어떠한 문제점을 간과하고 있는가에 대해 논의하고, 대북 정책의 새로운 지평을 논의하는 것을 목적으로 하고 있다. 1) 포용 정책은 세계의

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.356-368
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• 2021

To understand the temporal variation of phytoplankton communities in a coastal area, the biomass and diversity were weekly investigated in the inner bay of Yeong-do, Busan. In the study area, chlorophyll a concentration ranged from 0.43~7.58 mg m^-3 during the study, indicating the study area was in mesotrophic or eutrophic status. The fractions of chlorophyll a occupied by large phytoplankton (> 3 ㎛ diameter) exhibited an average of 80% of total chlorophyll a in this study. Among the large phytoplankton, while Bacillariophyta was the most dominant in spring and summer, Cryptophyceae prevailed in the fall and winter. On the contrary, in the picophytoplankton community less than 3 ㎛ in diameter, Mamiellophyceae was the most dominant in most seasons, Cryptophyceae was relatively high with an average of 17.7 ± 17.6% throughout the year, but seasonal variations were large. Dinophyceae rarely occupied a higher fraction up to 60.4% of the picophytoplankton community. By weekly monitoring at a coastal station for 13 months, it is suggested that phytoplankton communities in coastal waters could be changed on a short time scale. If data are steadily accumulated at the time-series monitoring site for a long time, these will provide important data for understanding the long-term dynamics of phytoplankton as well as the impact of climate and environmental changes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1625-1630
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• 2008

A microorganism capable of producing high level of poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB) from xylose was isolated from soil. The isolated strain J-65 was identified as Bacillus megaterium based on the morphological, biochemical and molecular biological characteristics. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of B. megaterium J-65 were $37^{\circ}C$ and 8.0, respectively. The optimum medium composition for the cell growth was 2% xylose, 0.25% $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, 0.3% $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}12H_2O$, and 0.1% $KH_2PO_4$. The optimum condition for PHB accumulation was same to the optimum condition for cell growth. Copolymer of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyric and ${\beta}$-hydroxyvaleric acid was produced when propionic acid was added to shake flasks containing 20 g/l of xylose. Fermenter culture was carried out to produce the high concentration of PHB. In batch culture, cell mass was 9.82 g/l and PHB content was 35% of dry cell weight. PHB produced by B. megaterium J-65 was identified as homopolymer of 3-hydoxybutyric acid by GC and NMR.