• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.174-178
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• 2002

Primary pulmonary amyloidosis is a rare condition that can be classified into the tracheobronchial, diffuse alveolar septal, and nodular parenchymal type. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is characterized by deposition of fibrilar proteins in the tracheobronchial tree, and it can be subdivided into diffuse and focal varieties. In this report, a case of diffuse tracheobronchial amyloidosis confirmed by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy is presented. The patient was a 43-year old male with a chief complaint of cough and sputum for 20 days and dyspnea for one day. The chest CT scan showed diffusely thickened walls of both the main and lobar bronchi with calcification. The bronchoscopic findings showed nodular lesions of the trachea, a diffuse bronchial stenosis of both the main bronchi and a pinpoint narrowing of the left upper and right middle lobar bronchus. The biopsy showed submucosal deposits of homogenous eosinophilic amyloid materials and an apple-green birefringence under polarizing microscopy following the Congo-red stain.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2013

Three reactive dichroic dyes with 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-triazine moiety were synthesized by reaction between dichroic dyes (such as congo red, direct black 22 or direct black 4) and cyanuric chloride. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films were dyed with the obtained three reactive dichroic dyes. After 400% drawing of the PVA films, their optical properties were compared with an iodine-doped PVA film prepared in the same condition. Durability test was performed at $50^{\circ}C$ in 85% of relative humidity for 120 hrs. We found that compared with the iodine-doped PVA polarizing film, the relative durability of the PVA polarizing film dyed with the reactive dichroic dyes was greatly improved.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.245-254
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• 2022

Cellulases are a group of biocatalyst enzymes that are capable of degrading cellulosic biomass present in the natural environment and produced by a large number of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, etc. In the current study, we isolated, screened and characterized cellulase-producing bacteria from soil. Three cellulose-degrading species were isolated based on clear zone using Congo red stain on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plates. These bacterial isolates, named as HB2, HS5 and HS9, were subsequently characterized by morphological and biochemical tests as well as 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, the bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus cerus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus stratosphericus. Moreover, for maximum cellulase production, different growth parameters were optimized. Maximum optical density for growth was also noted at pH 7.0 for 48 h for all three isolates. Optical density was high for all three isolates using meat extract as a nitrogen source for 48 h. The pH profile of all three strains was quite similar but the maximum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.0. Maximum cellulase production by all three bacterial isolates was noted when using lactose as a carbon rather than nitrogen and peptone. Further studies are needed for identification of new isolates in this region having maximum cellulolytic activity. Our findings indicate that this enzyme has various potential industrial applications.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2002

Research trends in the measurement of foliar uptake of pesticides and the recently proposed action mechanism of the surfactant-induced uptake of pesticides were reviewed with the related reports and studies. Major techniques used in those fields are bioassay, radiotracer techniques with leaves or cuticular membrane. Recently, a new method using Congo Red as a tracer was proposed. The limiting factor in the pesticides uptake into leaves is the waxy layer which consists of the epicuticular and cuticular wax. Physico-chemical parameters such as molar volume, water solubility and partition coefficient of pesticides have limited influences on the pesticide uptake into leaves. Polydisperse ethoxylated fatty alcohol surfactants are well known as the good activator for many pesticides. It is now generally agreed that uptake activation is not related to the intrinsic surface active properties of surfactants such as surface activity, solvent property, humectancy and critical micelle concentration. Recent studies using ESR-spectroscopy revealed that the surfactants have an unspecific plasticising effect on the molecular structure of the wax and cuticular matrix, leading to increased mobilities of pesticides. Penetration of surfactants into waxy layer altered the pesticide mobility in wax and the partition coefficient of pesticide, and then the pesticides penetration into leaves was enhanced temporally. The enhancing effect of surfactant could be significantly different depending on the carbon number of aliphatic moiety and the number of ethoxy group in polyoxyethylene chain of surfactants. It is suggested that the rate of penetration of surfactants should have a significant relationship with the rate of penetration of pesticides.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.248-256
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• 2008

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of 68 Listeria monocytogenes isolates, including 11 reference strains and 57 isolates from imported US beef, domestic meats(beef, pork, chicken meat), raw milk, and milk plants. L. monocytogenes was to evaluate the production of virulence proteins, such as hemolysin(LLO) and lecithinase(LCP), the adsorption of Congo red(CRA), and to detect virulence genes using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). In the study of virulence protein production, 68(100%), 62(91.2%), and 54(79.4%) of the 68 L. monocytogenes strains were positive for LLO production, the LCP test, and the CRA test, respectively, while strains of other species, such as L. innocua, L. gray, L. murrayi, and L. welshimeri, were not. There were no significant differences between L. monocytogenes serotypes and the ability to produce LLO or LCP. L. monocytogenesstrains had very high hemolytic titers(2 to 16 fold), while the other Listeria species, other than L. ivanovii and L. seeligeri, did not. The hemolysin activities of L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, and L. seeligeri usually exceeded 1.0 HU/mg, while those of other Listeria spp. were less than 0.04 HU/mg. In the PCR assay, all of the L. monocytogenes strains contained the hlyA, plcA, plcB, inlA, and inlB virulence genes and produced a product of the expected size. In the PCR of the actA gene, the expected 385-bp product was seen in 39(57.4%) L. monocytogenesstrains, while an unexpected 268-bp product was seen in 29(42.6%) strains. Most L. monocytogenes strains isolated from Hanwoo beef produced the 385-bp actA gene product, while strains of imported US beef usually produced the 268-bp actA gene product. By contrast, no virulence gene products were amplified in the other Listeria spp.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 1978

A series of experiments over three years was planned for practical application of rhizobia in farms and grass lands in Korea. This is the report for the studies of the first year mainly on the isolation and characterization of rhizobial strains, and on the assessment of their nodulation abilities and nitrogen fixation capacities. 1. Total number of 88 strains for soybean group and 22 st ra ins for pea and vetch group was isolated from nodules which were taken from legumes grown in Daekwanyong, Cheju and various places in Korea. 2. Morphological and cultural characteristics of the strains were studied, and attempts were also made to investigate their antigenic properties and to demonstrate lysogenic strains in these groups. The results were : i) the isolates varied in cultural characteristics on yeast mannitol broth and agar, and in degree of congo reel absorption ; ii) similarities in their antigenic properties were found between/among the strains: G-3/G-9/D216, G-20/G-52 in soybean group; iii) no lysogeny was found in the strains of these groups. 3. Plant infection tests by test tube and bottle method in light room were carried out to elucidate the ability of the strains to nodulate specific legumes and of the capacity of such nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen. The isolates were grouped into non- invasive, ineffective, or effective to the legumes. Those strains which produced effective nodules, supporting similar level of growth as nitrate control, were: P-3, 4 and 8 in pea and vetch group; G-23, 27, and, D-216 in soybean group.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2012

In this study, commercial poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film was dyed with reactive dichroic dyes under mild conditions using organic solvents in stead of strong basic aqueous solution. After drawing of 500% of this PVA film, the polarizing efficiency and the single piece transmittance were measured. The degree of saponification of the commercialized PVA film was determined by using NMR and FT-IR spectromety. The commercial PVA film, with ca. 100% of the degree of saponification determined by NMR spectrometry, was dyed with the reactive dichroic dyes, which have 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-triazine moiety. As a result, we found that the PVA film dyed with the reactive congo red showed relatively good polarization efficiency, and the PVA film dyed with the reactive direct black 22 exhibited relatively good single piece transmittance.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.316-322
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• 2014

Xylanase have been used to convert the polymetric xylan into fermentable sugars from the production of ethanol and xylitol from plant biomass. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify xylanolytic bacterium from herbivore feces and was to used the xylanase for enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass. Xylanolytic strains were isolated from 59 different feces of herbivores from Seoul Grand Park located in Gwacheon Gyeonggi-do. The xylanolytic strains were selected by congo red staining and DNS method. Total 67 strains isolated from the herbivores feces were tested for xylanase activity. Among the strains, H10-1, which has the highest xylanase activity, was isolated from feces of Ceratotherium simum. The H10-1 strain was identified as Bacillus pumilus based on its morphological/biochemical characteristics and partial 16S rDNA gene sequences. Culture conditions of B. pumilus H10-1 such as initial medium pH, incubation temperature and incubation time were optimized for maximum xylanase production. And also xylanase produced by B. pumilus H10-1 was applied for the saccharification of Miscanthus sacchariflorus cv. 'Geodae 1', which was pretreated with 1.5M NaOH. The optimized culture conditions of B. pumilus H10-1 were pH 9, $30^{\circ}C$ incubation temperature, and 7 day incubation time, respectively. This xylanase activity under the optimized conditions was $20.4{\pm}3.3IU$. The crude xylanase produced by B. pumilus H10-1 was used for the saccharification of xylan derived from pretreated 'Geodae 1'. The saccharification conditions were $50^{\circ}C$, 200 rpm, and 5 days. Saccharification efficiency of pretreated 'Geodae 1' by B. pumilus H10-1 was 8.2%.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.10-23
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• 2014

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Guibi-tang (GBT) on neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairment induced by beta amyloid ($A{\beta}$), (1-42) injection in the hippocampus of ICR mice. Methods: $A{\beta}$ (1-42) was injected unilaterally into the lateral ventricle using a Hamilton syringe and micropump ($2{\mu}g/3{\mu}{\ell}$, $0.6{\mu}{\ell}/min$). Water extract of GBT was administered orally once a day (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks after the $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. Acquisition of learning and retention of memory were tested using the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus was observed using cresyl violet and Congo red staining. The anti-apoptotic effect of GBT was evaluated using TUNEL labeling in the hippocampus. Results: GBT significantly shortened the escape latencies during acquisition training trials. GBT significantly increased the number of target headings to the platform site, the swimming time spent in the target quadrant, and significantly shortened the time for the 1st target heading during the retention test trial. GBT significantly attenuated the reduction in thickness and number of CA1 neurons, and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus produced by $A{\beta}$ (1-42) injection. GBT significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-labeled neurons in the hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that GBT improved cognitive impairment by reducing neuronal apoptosis and $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the hippocampus. GBT may be a beneficial herbal formulation in treating cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2008

In order to develop the multi-functional rhizobacteria that can exert positive effect on the growth of plants growing in the coastal sand dune located along East Coast of Korea, rhizospheral bacteria of 11 different plants from this area were isolated 1,330 rhizobacteria. Among these, 23 strains were able to produce auxin and had spectrum of antagonism toward various phytopathogenic microbes. To know the mechanism of this antifungal activity, these 23 strains were subjected to further analyses; 19 strains of these produced siderophore as determined by color reaction on CAS-blue plate, 4 strains produced antifungal cellulase as judged by color change on CMC-Congo red plate, 17 strains were able to utilized insoluble phosphate salts, also determined by clear zone formation on PVK medium. Identification of the strain was assigned to all 23 strains by l6s rDNA sequence analysed, and all were identified to be in the genus of Bacillus and Pseudomonas. One strain of these, denoted Pseudomonas fluorescens IB4-14, showed ACC deaminase activity which is known to be involved in the resistance of environmental stress such as salt and drought. Also, P. fluorescens IB4-l4 showed the germination stimulation and roots growth promoting activity on the in vivo assay of Lysimachia mauritiana Lam. (spoonleaf yellow loosestrife).