• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1552-1558
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• 2020

With an increase in the consumption of non-heated fresh food, foodborne shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has emerged as one of the most problematic pathogens worldwide. Endolysin, a bacteriophage-derived lysis protein, is able to lyse the target bacteria without any special resistance, and thus has been garnering interest as a powerful antimicrobial agent. In this study, rV5-like phage endolysin targeting E. coli O157:H7, named as LysECP26, was identified and purified. This endolysin had a lysozyme-like catalytic domain, but differed markedly from the sequence of lambda phage endolysin. LysECP26 exhibited strong activity with a broad lytic spectrum against various gram-negative strains (29/29) and was relatively stable at a broad temperature range (4℃-55℃). The optimum temperature and pH ranges of LysECP26 were identified at 37℃-42℃ and pH 7-8, respectively. NaCl supplementation did not affect the lytic activity. Although LysECP26 was limited in that it could not pass the outer membrane, E. coli O157: H7 could be effectively controlled by adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid (1.44 and 1.14 log CFU/ml) within 30 min. Therefore, LysECP26 may serve as an effective biocontrol agent for gram-negative pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate infection process, symptoms and main component of the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori. larvae and pupa infected with the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps, Paecillomyces tenuipes. The Cordyceps, Paecillomyces tenuipes, was highly infectious to the silkworms. A pathogenicities of Cordyceps, Paecillomyces tenuipes, may be highly virulent because of the low resistance or high susceptibility of the silkworms. The silkworm larva infected with Cordyceps formed phialospores on the phialides at the imperfect stage of the genus Cordyceps, But silkworm pupa infected with Cordyceps formed ascospores in the asci at the perfection stage of the genus Cordyceps. The results of analysis of health silkworm pupa and silkworm pupa infected with Cordyceps were obtained that amino acid, fatty acid, and nucleoside were very different.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.56-62
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• 2011

Zirconium is used in nuclear reactors as a structural material due to its excellent corrosion resistance and to low neutron crosssection. Variation in the distribution and solubility of Zr(IV) with solution pH was obtained. Distribution of Zr(IV) containing species in HCl and $HNO_3$ solution was analyzed by considering the complex formation of Zr(IV) species with the anion of the inorganic acid. Bromley interaction parameter between $ZrO^{2+}$ and nitrate ion was estimated by using the reported data on the solvent extraction of Zr(IV) by Cyanex272 from $HNO_3$ solution. This Bromley parameter can be utilized in calculating extraction isotherm of Zr(IV) and in predicting the separation factor between Zr(IV) and Hf(IV).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.78-83
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• 2006

VISA and VRE are the main causes of surgical infection, urinary tract infections and bacteremia in hospitals. In this study; we selected VISA (Vancomycin Intermediate resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus) isolated from the clinical isolates. One of the isolated strains indicated the high resistance to severel anti-biotics (Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Mupirocin, Synercid, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Lincomycin, Cefotaxim, Meropenem). Antimicrobial activity of Bifidobacterium spp. against VISA and VRE were measured. About $10^4$ cells of VISA or VRE were mixed with 1,5 and 9 ml of Bifidobacterium and the final volume was adjusted to 10 ml with brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. The cell suspension was incubated for 3, 6, 9, and 24 hr, serially diluted and then plated on BHI agar plate. As numbers of Bifidobacterium were increased viable cell count of VISA and VRE decreased. The strongest antimicrobial activity of the Bifidobacterium was observed after 9hr incubation in any mixture, almost completely inhibiting the growth of VISA and VRE.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 1992

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of dietary fat to carbohydrate ratio on plasma glucose. free fatty acid level and hepatic glucokinase activity in normal or insulin treated diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed with 3 different but isocaloric diets for 5 weeks. Diet 1 made to have low fat(4% corn oil and 65.8% corn starch wt/wt) : diet 2 medium fat (12% : 47.8%) : diet 3 high fat (20% : 29.8%) In the normal rats an apparent increase of GK activity was observed from the animal fed low fat diet when compared with other groups. GK activities were decreased in all the alloxan-diabetic rats than the normal rats. When insulin was injected the GK activities in all the livers of alloxan-diabetic rats restored to normal level and GK activity was highest in low fat group. In the entire group significant relationships were seen between the plasma glucose and GK activities(r=-0.6, p<0.001) FFA levels and GK activities(r=-0.63 p<0.001) Both in normal and insulin treated diabetic rats significantly depressed level of hepatic GK activity was observed in the livers of animals fed high fat diet for 5 weeks and depressed level of GK activity may be related to insulin resistance.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.304-307
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• 2007

As to the reflection electrode of LCD (liquid crystal displays), silver-copper-gold alloy (hereafter, it is called as ACA (Ag98%, Cu1%, Au1%)) is an effective material of which weathering resistance can be improved more compared with pure silver. However, there is a problem that gold remains on the substrate as residues when ACA is etched in cerium ammonium nitrate solution or phosphoric acid. Gold can not be etched in these etchants as readily as the other two alloying elements. Gold residue has actually been removed physically by brushing etc. This procedure causes damage to the display elements. Another etchant of iodine/potassium iodide generally known as one of the gold etchants can not give precise etch pattern because of remarkable difference in etching rates among silver, copper and gold. The purpose of this research is to obtain a practical etchant for ACA alloy. The results are as follows. The cyanogen complex salt of gold generates when cyanide is used as the etchant, in which gold dissolves considerably. Oxygen reduction is important as the cathodic reaction in the dissolution of gold. A new etchant of sodium cyanide / potassium ferricyanide whose cathodic reduction is stronger than oxygen, can give precise etch patterns in ACA alloy swiftly at room temperature.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.647-653
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• 2020

Stainless steel is used commonly in nuclear applications for shielding radiation, so in this study, three different types of new stainless steel samples were designed and developed. New stainless steel compound ratios were determined by using Monte Carlo Simulation program Geant 4 code. In the sample production, iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), silicium (Si), sulphur (S), carbon (C), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), wolfram (W), rhenium (Re), titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V), powder materials were used with powder metallurgy method. Total macroscopic cross sections, mean free path and transmission number were calculated for the fast neutron radiation shielding by using (Geant 4) code. In addition to neutron shielding, the gamma absorption parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) and half value layer (HVL) were calculated using Win-XCOM software. Sulfuric acid abrasion and compressive strength tests were carried out and all samples showed good resistance to acid wear and pressure force. The neutron equivalent dose was measured using an average 4.5 MeV energy fast neutron source. Results were compared to 316LN type stainless steel, which commonly used in shielding radiation. New stainless steel samples were found to absorb neutron better than 316LN stainless steel at both low and high temperatures.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.507-516
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• 2005

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been isolated and characterized from tissues and organisms representing virtually every kingdom and phylum. Their amino acid composition, amphipathicity, cationic charge, and size allow them to attach to and insert into membrane bilayers to form pores by 'barrel-stave', 'carpet' or 'toroidal-pore' mechanisms. Although these models are helpful for defining mechanisms of AMP activity, their relevance to resolving how peptides damage and kill microorganisms still needs to be clarified. Moreover, many AMPs employ sophisticated and dynamic mechanisms of action to carry out their likely roles in antimicrobial host defense. Recently, it has been speculated that transmembrane pore formation is not the only mechanism of microbial killing by AMPs. In fact, several observations suggest that translocated AMPs can alter cytoplasmic membrane septum formation, reduce cell-wall, nucleic acid, and protein synthesis, and inhibit enzymatic activity. In this review, we present the structures of several AMPs as well as models of how AMPs induce pore formation. AMPs have received special attention as a possible alternative way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. It may be possible to design synthetic AMPs with enhanced activity for microbial cells, especially those with antibiotic resistance, as well as synergistic effects with conventional antibiotic agents that lack cytotoxic or hemolytic activity.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2008

Fluoroquinolones have been widely used since the development of nalidixic acid because of the excellent spectrum of activity, superior tissue penetration, and convenient route of administration. Despite such advantages, the usage in children is limited by concerns of toxicity to cartilage, damage to joints in animal studies, and an increase in antibiotic resistance. However, pediatric use has been increasing under certain circumstances with no report of such adverse effects. Further study is required prior to recommendation for general use of fluoroquinolones in children. The careful administration of fluoroquinolones is recommended only in limited circumstances, such as failure of primary antibiotics and lack of alternative antibiotics.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.471-476
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• 2013

Plants are frequently exposed to numerous environmental stresses such as dehydration and high salinity, and have developed elaborate mechanisms to counteract the deleterious effects of stress. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a critical role as an integrator of plant responses to water-limited condition to activate ABA signal transduction pathway. Although perception of ABA has been suggested to be important, the function of each ABA receptor remains elusive in dehydration condition. Here, we show that ABA receptor, pyrabactin resistance-like protein 8 (PYL8), functions in dehydration conditions. Transgenic plants overexpressing PYL8 exhibited hypersensitive phenotype to ABA in seed germination, seedling growth and establishment. We found that hypersensitivity to ABA of transgenic plants results in high degrees of stomatal closure in response to ABA leading to low transpiration rates and ultimately more vulnerable to drought than the wild-type plants. In addition, high expression of ABA maker genes also contributes to altered drought tolerance phenotype. Overall, this work emphasizes the importance of ABA signaling by ABA receptor in stomata during defense response to drought stress.