• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2004

Background : It has been well known that bronchiectasis (BE) is a predisposing condition for pulmonary NTM infection, whereas there are some suggestions that BE, especially nodular BE, may be a result of NTM pulmonary infection. This retrospective study was done to investigate the prevalence of NTM pulmonary infection in the patients with BE. Methods : Eight hundred sixty-six patients, who underwent chest CT and sputum AFB examination and had BE detected by chest CT at Asan Medical Center in 2002, were included in this study. They were divided into Group I (bilateral BE, especially in RML, lingular or both lower lobes; 134), Group II (BE accompanied with fibrocavitary lesions commonly found in tuberculosis, usually both upper lobes; 233) and Group III (except Group I, II; 499) according to the radiological findings. Group I was subdivided into Group I+ (62) or Group I- (72) according to the presence or absence of centrilobular nodules, respectively. The sputum AFB examination, clinical and radiological findings were analyzed and compared between groups. Results : The number of patients who had at least one positive NTM culture was significantly higher in Group I+ compared with others (p<0.05); 24.2% in Group I+, 6.9% in Group I-, 9.9% in Group II, 6.0% in Group III and 4.1% in control. The number of patients who had true NTM infection defined by ATS guideline was higher in Group I+ (5, 8.1%) compared with others (p<0.05). In all groups, M. avium-intracellulare comlex was the most common isolates. Conclusion : Even though true NTM pulmonary disease was more prevalent in the patients with nodular BE, especially located in RML, left linguar, or both lower lobes, only a small population of the patients with nodular BE met the ATS diagnostic criteria for NTM pulmonary disease. The other patients in nodular BE group may have subclinical stage of NTM infection or completely different diseases from NTM infection. Long-term clinical studies are needed to clarify this issue.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.447-456
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• 2008

Five effective strains against tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Steinernema carpocapsae (GSN1), Steinernema sp. (GSNUS-10), Steinernema sp. (GSNUS-14), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Hamyang (HbH), and Heterorhabditis sp. (GSNUH-1) were selected among 14 isolates of Korean entomopathogenic nematode in laboratory tests. $LC_{50}$ values of above five strains against tobacco cutworm were various by different nematode strains and developmental stages of tobacco cutworm. $LC_{50}$ value of S. carpocapsae (GSN1) was the lowest by $4.0{\sim}8.3$ infective juveniles (Ijs) and 2nd instars of tobacco cutworm was most susceptible. Pathogenicity of five effective strains against tobacco cutworm depends on nematode strain, concentration, and application times. The most effective strain was determined as S. carpocapsae (GSN1). Two or three times of applications were effective regardless of nematode strain, or concentration. Efficacy of S. carpocapsae (GSN1), Steinernema (GSNUS-10), Steinernema (GSNUS-14), and Heterorhabditis (GSNUH-1) was variable depending on nematode strain, concentration, application times, and host variety. S. carpocapsae (GSN1) was the most effective and inoculation of 100,000 infective juveniles per m2 (720,000 Ijs/7.2 $m^2=1{\times}10^9$ Ijs/ha) resulted in higher efficacy. Three times of application of nematodes led to higher control efficacy than one or two applications. Efficacy of nematodes was higher on Chinese cabbage than cabbage or kale.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2002

Recently a serious outbreak of weed mould caused by a species of Hypocrea occurred in oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) substrates in Korea. The disease was characterized by a rapid infestation of the oyster mushroom substrates by Hypocrea sp. and subsequent inhibition of fructification of the mushroom. In spite of it's serious losses to the oyster mushroom industry in Korea, etiology and ecology of the disease have not been studied. Morphological characteristics of the fungus were examined and molecular characteristics of the fungus were compared with those of the green moulds (Trichoderma spp.) isolated from oyster mushroom bed. Stromata formed superficially on suface of the substrates were pulvinate to effuse or irreguler, initially white but becoming yellowish brown, measuring $6.0{\sim}13.0{\times}3.0{\sim}11.0mm$. Perithecia were globose to subglobose, immersed in stroma, $223{\sim}263\;(Ave.239.9){\times}167.3{\sim}231\;(Ave.204.1){\mu}m$ in size. Asci were unitunicate, cylindrical, nonamyloid, $82.7{\sim}124.8\;(Ave.103.3){\times}4.1{\sim}5.1\;(Ave.4.9){\mu}m$ in size, 16 part-spored. Ascospores were bullet-shaped or somewhat oblong, hyaline, bicellular, roughened or warted, $5.4{\sim}7.4\;(Ave.6.5){\times}3.6{\sim}5.5\;(Ave.4.7){\mu}m$ in size. This fungus readily form the stroma on PDA. Mycelia on PDA nearly invisible and without cottony aerial mycelium. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth of this fungus was $25^{\circ}C$ on PDA and its growth rate was 15 mm per day. This species did not grow at below 10 and above $35^{\circ}C$. Phialides in culture enlarged in the middle and aggregated to penicillate type. They were very variable, shorted ampulliform and occasionally curved when matured, but cylinderical when young, measuring $11.9{\sim}24.3\;(Ave.\;14.7){\times}2.9{\sim}3.9\;(Ave.\;3.4){\mu}m$ when matured and $7.2{\sim}14.0\;(Ave.\;10.8){\times}2.8{\sim}4.9\;(Ave.\;3.5){\mu}m$ when young. Phialosopres were ovoid to ellipsoid, smooth, measuring $3.5{\sim}7.2\;(Ave.\;4.5){\times}2.6{\sim}3.3\;(Ave.\;2.9){\mu}m$. Nineteen isolates of Hypocrea sp. were analyzed on the basis of molecular characteristics and classified into phenotypic groups. On the basis of RAPD, URP-PCR, the fungus was confirm to monoclonal, and was classified as a different taxon from reported species of Hypocrea and Trichoderma and supposed to be a new species not previously reported in literature.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2009

For the environment-friendly control of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, in spring onion fields, we have examined an alternative application method. Twenty-five insecticides registered for spring onion were tested for control effect against the beet armyworm in the laboratory, then the best 9 chemical and a single biological insecticides were selected and compared with 2 new isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis in a polyvinyl house. After that, 4 chemical and 3 B. thuringiensis treatments were used in the field for the control of beet armyworm in the spring onion. Two application methods are used: one is triple treatments with the same chemical and the other is alternative application with different chemicals and B. thuringiensis for 7 days intervals. Indoxacarb WP - chlorfluazuron EC - B.t. var. kurstaki CAB141 and indoxacarb WP - methoxyfenozide + spinosad SC - Chlorfluazuron EC - B.t. var. aizawai CAB109, B.t. var. kurstaki CAB141 showed greater than 78% mortality of beet armyworm larvae and greater than 43% damage decrease in spring onions infested by beet armyworm. These results showed that alternative applications had higher control effect than any other applications. It was suggested that alternative applications with microbial biological agents such as B. thuringiensis might minimize the development of insecticide resistance and might be used as the environment-friendly control of the beet armyworm.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2006

Background : Despite the emerging danger of MDR-TB to human beings, there have only been a limited number of drugs developed to treat MDR-TB since 1970. This study investigated the cross-resistance rate between rifampicin (RFP) and rifabutin (RBU) in order to determine the efficacy of rifabutin in treating MDR-TB. In addition, the results of rifabutin were correlated with the rpoB mutations, which are believed to be markers for MDR-TB and RFP resistance. Methods : The MICs of RBU were tested against 126 clinical isolates of MDR-TB submitted to the clinical laboratory of National Masan TB Hospital in 2004. Five different concentrations ($10-160{\mu}g/ml$) were used for the MICs. The detection of the rpoB mutations was performed using a RFP resistance detection kit with a line probe assay(LiPA), which contains the oligonucleotide probes for 5 wide type and 3 specific mutations (513CCA, 516GTC, and 531TTG) The rpoB mutation was determined by direct sequencing. Results : The rate of cross-resistance between RFP and RBU was 70.5%(74/105) at $20{\mu}g/ml$ RBU(ed note: How much RFP?) Most mutations (86.3%) occurred in the 524~534 codons. The His526Gln, His526Leu, Leu533Pro, Gln513Glu, and Leu511Pro mutations(Ed note: Is this correct?) were associated with the susceptibilty to RBU. Conclusion : Based on the cross-resistance rate between RFP and RBU, RBU may be used effectively in some MDR-TB patients. Therefore, a conventional drug susceptibility test for RBU and a determination of the critical concentration are needed. However, rpoB gene mutation test may be have limited clinical applications in detecting RBU resistance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2008

Mycelial growth of Lentinula edodes on solid or liquid culture media supplemented with differentconcentrations of oak wood vinegar varied depending on the types of wood vinegar or mushroom varieties used.Oak wood vinegar obtained from traditionally carbonizing kiln (TWV) inhibited mycelial growth of L. edodes atthe dilution level of less than $5{\times}10^{-2}$, but stimulated at $10^{-3}$ to $2{\times}10^{-3}$. Wood vinegar from mechanicallycarbonizing kiln (MWV) inhibited at $10^{-3}$, but stimulated at $2{\times}10^{-3}$. In liquid culture media, both wood vinegarinhibited at $5{\times}10^{-2}$, but stimulated at $2{\times}10^{-3}$. Sanjo-302-ho grown in liquid culture media at $2{\times}10^{-3}$, and Sanrim 2and 3-ho grown at $4{\times}10^{-3}$ showed relatively high degree of wood decay (DWD) and growing ability within wood(GAWW) when these isolates were inoculated onto oak wood logs. TWV completely inhibited mycelial growth ofgreen mold fungi, Trichoderma species, tested at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ dilution level, while MWV inhibited at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ to $5{\times}10^{-2}$dilution level. For Diatrype stigma, TWV inhibited mycelial growth at the dilution level of less than $5{\times}10^{-2}$, whileMWV did 80% of mycelial growth at $10^{-2}$, and 100% at $5{\times}10^{-1}$ dilution level. Fresh and dry weight of fruitingbodies harvested after soaking of wood logs into wood vinegar solutions with different concentrations werecompared, and were the highest at $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level. Storage test of fruiting bodies at $10^{\circ}C$ for 10 daysshowed that fruiting bodies harvested after soaking in the solution with $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level showed the bestfreshness by general test and color changes. In addition, shear force value of L. edodes fruiting bodies measuredby using texture analyzer showed that $2.5{\times}10^{-2}$ dilution level was the best concentration for keeping flesh texture.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.463-472
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• 2002

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a major role in stimulating the synthesis and release of the principal osteoclast-activating cytokines, namely, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ from immune cells. Although rnonocytes/macrophages are the main producers of these cytokines, recent evidence has indicated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have the ability to release IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Calcium hydroxide has been shown to be an effective medicament in root canal infections, reducing the microbial titre within the canal. It has been proposed that the therapeutic effect of Ca(OH)$_2$ may also be the result of direct inactivation of LPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether treatment of Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS with calcium hydroxide alters its biological action as measured by human PMN secretion of IL-1 and TNF-$\alpha$, and it was compared with Escherichia coli LPS. P. endodontalis ATCC 35406 was cultured in anaerobic condition, and LPS was extracted using the hot-phenol water extraction method and purified. Purchased E. coli LPS was also purified. 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of each LPS in pyrogen free water were incubated with 25mg/ml Ca(OH)$_2$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 7 days. The supernatants were subjected to ultrafiltration, and the isolates were lyophilized and weighed. PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by centrifugation layered over Lymphoprep. The cells were resuspended (4$\times$10$^6$ cells/ml) in RPMI 1640 followed by treatment with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ incubator. The supernatants of cells were collected and the levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL=1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows ; 1. The levels of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, TNF-$\alpha$ from PMN treated with each LPS were significantly higher than those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p<0.05). 2. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with each untreated LPS (p<0.05), while they were not significantly different from those released from unstimulated PMN of the control group (p>0.05) 3. The levels of secretion for all three cytokines were affected in a dose-dependent manner in PMN stimulated with each LPS (p<0.05), but not in PMN stimulated with each calcium hydroxide treated LPS (p>0.05). 4. The levels of all three cytokines released from PMN stimulated with p. endodontalis LPS were significantly lower than those released from PMN stimulated with E coli LPS (p<0.05).

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.393-408
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• 2005

We developed and compared two automatic algorithms for moving object detections in the YSTAR-NEOPAT sky survey program. One method, called starlist comparison method, is to identify moving object candidates by comparing the photometry data tables from successive images. Another method, called image subtraction method, is to identify the candidates by subtracting one image from another which isolates sources moving against background stars. The efficiency and accuracy of these algorithms have been tested using actual survey data from the YSTAR-NEOPAT telescope system. For the detected candidates, we performed eyeball inspection of animated images to confirm validity of asteroid detections. Main conclusions include followings. First, the optical distortion in the YSTAR-NEOPAT wide-field images can be properly corrected by comparison with USNO-B1.0 catalog and the astrometric accuracy can be preserved at around 1.5 arcsec. Secondly, image subtraction provides more robust and accurate detection of moving objects. For two different thresholds of 2.0 and $4.0\sigma$, image subtraction method uncovered 34 and 12 candidates and most of them are confirmed to be real. Starlist comparison method detected many more candidates, 60 and 6 for each threshold level, but nearly half of them turned out to be false detections.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.673-683
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• 2014

This study was conducted to establish an efficient screening method to identify cucurbits resistant to powdery mildew. Powdery mildew fungus was obtained from a single lesion of infected cucumber leaf in 2010 at Daejeon. The fungus was identified as Podosphaera xanthii race 1 based on morphological characteristics and resistance responses of four melon differentials. Development of powdery mildew caused by the fungal isolate on 34 commercial cultivars of cucumber was investigated at three plant growth stages in a greenhouse. The degree of resistance of cotyledons of each cultivar to the fungus was not correlated with that of whole plant, but powdery mildew occurrence in the first true leaf was highly correlated with resistance at the level of the whole plant. Based on these results, the first true leaf of cucurbit cultivars can be used for screening of resistance to powdery mildew. In addition, variation of resistance of commercial 12 cucumber and 26 melon cultivars to the powdery mildew fungus due to different growing seasons was tested. In the case of cucumber, the resistance response in some cultivars was influenced by growing season. The resistant cultivars showed higher resistance in the warm season than in the cool season. By contrast, the resistant melon cultivars demonstrated strong resistance in all the tested growing seasons. Interestingly, the tested powdery mildew pathogen, a member of P. xanthii race 1, was not pathogenic on seven cultivars of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). To follow up on this, diverse race 1 isolates of P. xanthii should be collected and tested.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.118-124
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• 2003

For the rapid detection of various pathogenic microorganisms from food sample, various kinds of kits have been developed and commercially available in the markets. With the advantages of speed, accuracy and easiness, the market of these kits has gradually increased for the QC and QA field of food company as well as testing facilities or laboratories. In this study, the characteristics such as the detection limit and the sensitivity of immunochromatographic type of rapid detection kit (Donga Co, Korea, D-kit) for E. coli 0157:H7 developed by monoclonal antibody were examined and also the possibility of application of the kit to food samples was evaluated. The reference kits used for comparison study were Reveal E. coli 0157:H7 (Neogen Co., USA, R-kit) and VIP EHEC kit (Biocontrol Inc., USA, V-kit) occupying major market share. In the detection limit test with the E. coli 0157:H7 reference, both R-kit and D-kit showed a distinct positive reaction in $10^4$/ml and weak positive reaction in $10^3$/ml, whereas V-kit showed a same reaction in 105/ml. Also, it was identified that the culture treated with heat showed more sensitivity than no heat treated culture. The sensitivity test was conducted against 22 isolates of E. coli 0157:H7, 7 strains of non-O157:H7 verotoxin-producing E. coli, 40 strains of E. coli with different O and H antigen type, and 38 strains of non-E. coli Enterobacteriaceae, and all of the test strains except three were showed exactly three were showed exactly the same reaction against three kinds of the tested kits. All the three kinds of kits showed a positive reaction against E. coli O157:H19, E. coli O148:H18 and Salmonella galinarium. We suppose that there might be a similarity in serological property between these three strains and O157:H7. From the test results, it can be concluded that there is (was) no difference between the D-kit developed in this study and R-kit or V-kit based on the detection limit and sensitivity.