• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.222-230
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate water quality in terms of microorganisms and identify the antibiotic resistance of Enterococci isolated from the recycling water in floor fountains at three parks and one reservoir in the Gwangju area. Methods: Water samples were analyzed for Enterococci using membrane Enterococcus indoxyl ${\beta}$ d glucoside agar (mEI) as described in USEPA Method 1600. The vancomycin-resistant Enterococci with VanA and VanB were identified by PCR. An examination of the antibiotic resistance of isolates against 14 antibiotics was performed by the disk diffusion method. Results: The drinking water quality criterion was exceeded for total colony counts in 68% of all recycling water samples. The average concentration of total califorms and fecal coliforms was 139,325 and 413 CFU/100 mL, respectively. VanA and VanB were not detected from the isolates. We found the antibiotic resistant Enterococci strains to be E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. mundtii, E. hirae, and E. thailandicus. The isolates were resistant to Rifampin (50%), Erythromycin (25.8%), Tetracycline (10.2%), Nitrofurantoin (8.1%), Minocycline (3.1%), Erythromycin (1.2%), Penicillin (0.7%), Norfloxacin (0.5%), and Teicoplanin (0.5%) among the 14 antibiotics tested. Antibiotic resistance tests for Enterococci from the recycling water of floor fountains resulted in 30.2% showing resistance to two or more antibiotics. Conclusions: These results showed that the multi-antibiotic resistance of Enterococci, E. coli, and others should be investigated continuously in each environment field.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.637-644
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• 2019

This study was conducted to analyze the genetic characteristics of the Jeju dog for preservation and protection. A total of 139 dogs from 7 dog breeds, including the Jeju dog, were genotyped using 16 microsatellite markers. The results revealed 2-18 alleles per locus, with a total of 131 alleles among the 16 markers. Most alleles were identified for FH3381, which had 18 alleles, whereas FH2834 had the fewest alleles, with just 2. When the total mean value was observed, the expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity were higher for than for outgroup dogs, and the PIC values ranged from 0.000 to 0.862, respectively. The phylogenetic tree analysis of the Jeju dog and other dog varieties revealed that the Jeju dog is closest to the Sapsal dog (0.393). The phylogeny between the Jeju and Korean domestic dogs showed that the Jeju dog is most distant from the Dongkyung dog (0.507). Looking at the distribution individually, the Jeju dog is in the same group as the Labrador Retriever and the Sapsal dog. Meanwhile, the Poongsan, Dongkyung, and Jindo dogs and the German Shepherd were in the same group. Genetic information confirmed through the results of this study can be used as basic data to study the genetic characteristics of the Jeju dog.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.341-357
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• 2019

Acanthamoeba, one of free-living amoebae (FLA), remains a high risk of direct contact with this protozoan parasite which is ubiquitous in nature and man-made environment. This pathogenic FLA can cause sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) though these cases may not commonly be reported in our clinical settings. Acanthamoeba has been detected from different environmental sources namely; soil, water, hotspring, swimming pool, air-conditioner, or contact lens storage cases. The identification of Acanthamoeba is based on morphological appearance and molecular techniques using PCR and DNA sequencing for clinico-epidemiological purposes. Recent treatments have long been ineffective against Acanthamoeba cyst, novel anti-Acanthamoeba agents have therefore been extensively investigated. There are efforts to utilize synthetic chemicals, lead compounds from medicinal plant extracts, and animal products to combat Acanthamoeba infection. Applied nanotechnology, an advanced technology, has shown to enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activity in the encapsulated nanoparticles leading to new therapeutic options. This review attempts to provide an overview of the available data and studies on the occurrence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members with the aim of identifying some potential contributing factors such as distribution, demographic profile of the patients, possible source of the parasite, mode of transmission and treatment. Further, this review attempts to provide future direction for prevention and control of the Acanthamoeba infection.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.365-374
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• 2019

Unlike benign tumors, malignant tumors are capable of metastasis, easy to relapse, poor survival, and low quality of life. In Korea, here is a tendency to treat the tumors collectively according to the General Principles of Cancer Chemotherapy(GPCC) of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA). But recently, companion diagnostics(CDx) is recommended rather than unilateral medication because biomarker-based molecular diagnostics is possible to predict the drug response of patients before drug treatment. Not only domestic but also overseas Food and Drug Administratio (FDA) recommends the development of the CDx system at the stage of drug development to ensure the responsiveness and safety of medicines. In this study, I focused on the necessity of CDx development direction as well as CDx development status through literature review. Furthermore I also discussed CDx types according to the molecular diagnostic technology such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization (ISH), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) not only in the approved CDx but also in the developing one by US FDA. And I suggested the technology issue of CDx development process such as a selection of molecular diagnostics at the time of release, a clear understanding of the CDx mechanism, and a convergence of drug with CDx development. The necessity of social insurance system also was proposed for CDx development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.596-606
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• 2019

N-acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing (AHL-QS) has been shown to regulate many physiological behaviors in Serratia marcescens MG1. In the current study, the effects of AHL-QS on the biosynthesis of acid and neutral products by S. marcescens MG1 and its isogenic ${\Delta}swrI$ with or without supplementing exogenous N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone ($C_6-HSL$) were systematically investigated. The results showed that swrI disruption resulted in rapid pH drops from 7.0 to 4.8, which could be restored to wild type by supplementing $C_6-HSL$. Furthermore, fermentation product analysis indicated that ${\Delta}swrI$ could lead to obvious accumulation for acidogenesis products such as lactic acid and succinic acid, especially excess acetic acid (2.27 g/l) produced at the early stage of fermentation, whereas solventogenesis products by ${\Delta}swrI$ appeared to noticeably decrease by an approximate 30% for acetoin during 32-48 h and by an approximate 20% for 2,3-butanediol during 24-40 h, when compared to those by wild type. Interestingly, the excess acetic acid produced could be removed in an AHL-QS-independent manner. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of genes responsible for acidogenesis and solventogenesis and showed consistent results with those of product synthesis. Finally, by close examination of promoter regions of the analyzed genes, four putative luxI box-like motifs were found upstream of genes encoding acetyl-CoA synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, ${\alpha}$-acetolactate decarboxylase, and Lys-like regulator. The information from this study provides a novel insight into the roles played by AHL-QS in switching from acidogenesis to solventogenesis in S. marcescens MG1.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.277-279
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• 2018

전 세계적으로 Helicobacter pylori의 항생제 내성률은 지속적으로 증가하고 있으며, 기존의 제균 치료에 실패한 H. pylori 감염 환자들에 대한 효과적인 구제요법(rescue therapy)의 필요성 역시 증가하고 있다. 이 연구는 두 개 기관, 공개, 평행 그룹, 무작위 배정 연구로서 불응성 H. pylori 감염 환자들의 구제요법으로 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료(genotype resistance-guided therapy)와 경험적 치료(empirical therapy) 중 어느 것이 보다 효과적인지를 비교하고자 하였다. 2012년 10월부터 2017년 9월까지 20세 이상의 불응성 H. pylori 감염 환자들을 대상으로 하였으며, 불응성 H. pylori 감염은 과거 두 종류 이상의 H. pylori 제균 치료를 받았음에도 불구하고 H. pylori 제균에 실패한 환자들로 정의하였다. 이들에게서 한 군은 14일간의 유전자형 내성을 기반한 순차 치료(n=21 in trial 1, n=205 in trial 2)를, 다른 한 군은 환자들의 과거 제균 치료 종류를 감안한 14일간의 경험적 순차 치료(n=20 in trial 1, n=205 in trial 2)를 시행하였다. 순차 치료법은 첫 7일은 esomeprazole 40 mg과 amoxicillin 1 g을 하루 두 번 복용한 다음, 나머지 7일은 esomeprazole 40 mg과 metronidazole 500 mg, 그리고 1) levofloxacin 250 mg 또는 2) clarithromycin 500 mg 또는 3) tetracycline 500 mg을 하루 두 번 복용하는 것으로 구성하였다. 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)나 gyrase A에 대한 내성 관련 돌연변이 여부는 direct sequencing을 통한 중합효소연쇄반응(polymerase chain reaction, PCR) 검사를 이용하였고, 제균 성공 여부는 요소호기검사를 통해 확인하였다. 일차 결과 지표는 치료 방법에 따른 제균율로 정하였다. Trial 1에서는 tetracycline 대신 doxycycline 100 mg을 사용하였는데, 제균 성공률이 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료군에서는 17명(81%), 경험적 치료군에서는 12명(60%)으로 나타났다(P=0.181). 하지만, 다른 순차 치료군들과 비교하였을 때, doxycycline을 포함한 순차 치료군의 제균율이 현저히 낮은 것으로 나타나서(15/26, 57.7%) doxycycline을 포함한 순차 치료법은 종결하기로 하고, trial 2부터는 doxycycline 대신 tetracycline으로 교체하여 연구를 지속하였다. Trial 2의 intention-to-treat (ITT) 분석 결과, 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료군에서는 160/205명(78%), 경험적 치료군에서는 148/205명(72.2%)으로 두 그룹 간의 통계적인 제균율의 차이는 보여주지 못하였다(P=0.170). 부작용 및 환자 순응도에서도 양 군 간의 의미 있는 차이는 없었다. 따라서, 두 종류 이상 H. pylori 제균 치료에 실패한 환자들이라고 할지라도 기존의 제균 치료력을 바탕으로 적절한 경험적 치료를 시행하는 것은 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료 정도의 효과는 있으며 접근성, 비용, 환자들의 선호도 등의 여러 가지 부가적인 사항들을 고려할 때, 제균 치료력을 고려한 경험적 치료는 간단한 수준의 유전자형 내성을 기반한 치료의 대안으로 받아들여질 수 있을 것으로 제안하였다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2019

Melting temperature shift ($T_m-shift$) is a new detection method that analyze the melting curve on real-time PCR thermocycler using SYBR Green I fluorescent dye. To establish a $T_m-shift$ method for the detection of Ancylostoma ceylanicum and A. tubaeforme in cats, specific primers, with GC tail of unequal length attached to their 5' end, were designed based on 2 SNP loci (ITS101 and ITS296) of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. The standard curve of $T_m-shift$ was established using the standard plasmids of A. ceylanicum (AceP) and A. tubaeforme (AtuP). The $T_m-shift$ method stability, sensitivity, and accuracy were tested with reference to the standard curve, and clinical fecal samples were also examined. The results demonstrated that the 2 sets of primers based on the 2 SNPs could accurately distinguish between A. ceylanicum and A. tubaeforme. The coefficient of variation (CV) of $T_m$- values of AceP and AtuP was 0.07% and 0.06% in ITS101 and was 0.06% and 0.08% in ITS296, respectively. The minimum detectable DNA concentration was $5.22{\times}10^{-6}$ and $5.28{\times}10^{-6}ng/{\mu}l$ samples of AceP and AtuP, respectively. The accuracy of $T_m-shift$ method reached 100% based on examination of 10 hookworm DNA samples with known species. In the clinical detection of hookworm in 69 stray cat fecal sample, the $T_m-shift$ detection results were consistent with the microscopic examination and successfully differentiated between the 2-hookworm species. In conclusion, the developed method is a rapid, sensitive and accurate technique and can provide a promising tool for clinical detection and epidemiological investigation of cat-derived hookworms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.653-659
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-aging efficacy in terms of suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells by adding the ethanol extracts of Josaengheogchal (JE) and Shintoheug rice (SRE). In the electron-donating ability and ABTS radical-scavenging assays, we observed that both JE and SRE had scavenging activities and in a collagenase inhibition assay, both extracts showed inhibition effects of over 73% at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. The expression of MMP-1 and -3, when the extracts were treated with UVB $50mJ/cm^2$, irradiated human HaCaT keratinocytes, was analyzed by western blotting and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that MMP-1 and -3 proteins and mRNAs were downregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in response to both extracts. Therefore, we expect that these compounds have a potential for the use as functional ingredients with anti-aging effects in the cosmetic and food industries.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.71-86
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Gardenia jasminoides for. grandiflora extracts' (GAJ) anti-inflammatory effect on RBL-2H3 mast cells and OVA/alum-sensitized mice. Methods In this study, IL-4 and IL-13 production was measured via ELISA analysis, and mRNA expressions of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 were analyzed by real-time PCR. In addition, MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 transcription factors were examined using western blotting, and ELISA was used to understand IgE, IL-4, and IL-13 production in ovalbumin-allergic mice in in vitro study. Results As a result of this study, 1. GAJ were observed to suppress the mRNA expression of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 in comparison to PMA 50 ng/ml, ionomycin $0.5{\mu}M$ (PI) control group. 2. GAJ also inhibited the IL-4, IL-13 production in comparison to PI control group. 3. Western blot analysis showed decrease on the expression of mast-cell-specific transcription factors, including MAKPs (ERK, JNK, p38) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. 4. Orally-administered GAJ group in OVA/alum induced Balb/c mice showed decreased level of OVA-specific IgE in the serum. This group also has shown decreased the level of IL-4, IL-13 in the splenocyte culture supernatant. Conclusions Obtained results suggest that GAJ may regulate the allergic inflammation by transcription factors MAKPs (ERK, JNK, p38) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines in mast cells and OVA/alum-sensitized mice.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.775-787
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate for the natural methane emission inhibitor as a feed additive no adversely effect on rumen fermentation. Five different Control (Wheat barn (0.05 g), MRA(Methane Reduction Additive)-1 (Allium fistulosum L. (0.05 g)), MRA-2 (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (0.025 g) + Wheat barn (0.025 g) mixed), MRA-3 (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (0.025 g) + Wheat barn (0.025 g) mixed), and MRA-4 (Allium fistulosum L. (0.02 g) + Tannic acid (0.02 g) + Wheat barn (0.01 g) mixed) contents were used to perform 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h incubation for in vitro fermentation. Ruminal pH values were ranged within normal ruminal microbial fermentation. Dry matter digestibility was not significantly different across the treatments during the whole fermentation time. Also, the result of microbial growth had no adversely effect on during the whole fermentation time. At 24 h, methane emission was significantly lower (P<0.05) than all treatments except to MRA-1. Especially, MRA-4 carbon dioxide emission was significantly lower (P<0.05) than control at 9, 24 and 48 h incubation. In addition MRA-4 propionate concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) than control at 24 h incubation. The result of RT-PCR Ciliate-associated methanogens were significantly lower (P<0.05) at MRA-1, MRA-3 and MRA-4 than control at 24 h incubation. Based on the present results, MRA-4 could be suggestible methane emission inhibitor as a natural feed additive.