• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2005

A new disease causing mass mortality of farmed snakehead (Channa arga) has emerged in Korea over the summer of 2005. The affected fish showed no specific external signs with the exception of a distended abdomen and hemorrhaging around the anus. After opening the abdomen, the visceral organs, liver, spleen and kidney, present numerous white nodular structures. Histopathological examination revealed these nodules to be evidence of granulomas in the visceral organs. A Gram-positive, filamentous bacterium was isolated from all of the affected fish. Development of primers for a genus-specific peR assay for Nocardia, following analysis of the sequences of the complete 16S rRNA genes from Nocardia spp. and non-Nocardia bacterial genes, allowed identification of the causative organism as Nocardia. This is the first report of a nocardial infection of fish in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2013

This study is being performed to confirm the container effects during the fermentation processes of kimchi. Kimchi fermentation was prepared in the laboratory with four different types of containers; namely, a traditional Onggi vessel (Korean traditional clay pot, TOV), plastic airtight covered Onggi vessel (PAOV), plastic covered vessel (PCV) and plastic airtight covered vessel (PACV). The kimchi fermentation in the different containers was followed by taking samples at 48 hour intervals for 10 days. In all fermentation containers, the pH changes of kimchi were decreased with fermentation days, while salt content was the same for all types of containers. The number of lactic acid bacteria in kimchi were $1.09{\times}10^8$ $CFU/m{\ell}$ at first. But the TOV, PAOV, PCV, and PACV after fermentation for 10 days were $1.42{\times}10^{10}$, $9.13{\times}10^9$, $4.93{\times}10^9$ and $7.46{\times}10^9$ $CFU/m{\ell}$, respectively. The kimchi fermented in the TOV with the most dominant bacterial species were the following 5 strains: Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. safensis, Lactobacillus brevis and B. pumilus. The use of different types of containers therefore influenced the number of L. brevis and the four Bacillus species. in kimchi, and may influence the characteristics of the fermented kimchi products. The TOV offered the greatest L. brevis numbers and suggested that it could be the best suited for preparing traditional kimchi fermentation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.906-916
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• 2017

To investigate the effects of a single bacterium and a mixture of bacteria as probiotics in loperamide-treated animal models, loperamide (3 mg/kg) was administered to SD rats to induce constipation. The individual lactic acid bacterial doses, Enterococcus faecium (EF), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), Streptococcus thermophilus (ST), Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB), Bifidobacterium lactis (BL), Pediococcus pentosaceus (PP), and a mixture of the bacteria were orally administered to loperamide-induced constipated rats at a concentration of $10^8CFU/kg$ for 14 days. The weights and water contents of their stools were found to be significantly higher in PP, CKDB (mixture of 5 strains except PP), and CKDBP (CKDB+PP) groups than in the normal (constipation not induced) and the control (constipation-induced) groups (p<0.05). The intestinal transit ratio was significantly higher in all probiotic-treated groups than in the control group, and was the highest in the CKDBP group (p<0.05). The mucosal length and mucus secretion were significantly improved in all probiotic-treated-groups, as compared to that in the control group, and the CKDBP group was found to be the most effective according to immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and total short chain fatty acid content analysis (p<0.05). Lastly, PP, CKDB, and CKDBP showed relatively higher Lactobacillus sp. ratios of 61.94%, 60.31% and 51.94%, respectively, compared to the other groups, based on metagenomic analysis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2011

Objectives: To estimate the microbial contaminant load discharged from livestock farms, we randomly selected livestock farmers of cattle, swine, and fowl and collected bacterial strains from domestic animals' feces and compost samples. Recently, as multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria and super bacteria showing resistance to a variety of antibiotics have been reported one after another, the ecological and health hazard of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is emerging as an important issue. Methods: Monitored indicator microorganism constituents were totak coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and aerobic bacteria. The multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria were identified from investigated indicator microorganisms by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: By microbiological analysis, the largest population of aerobic bacteria ($1.5{\times}10^5$ CFU/g) was found in cattle fecal compost, and total coliforms ($1.1{\times}10^7$ CFU/g) and fecal coliforms ($1.0{\times}10^5$ CFU/g) were found primarily in swine fecal compost, while the lowest population was found in fowl fecal compost. Among the 67 strains separated from aerobic bacteria, five strains expressing high antibiotic resistance were selected in each sample. We found the multi-antibiotic resistant strains to be Shigella boydii, Staphylococcus lentus, Acinetobacter sp. and Brevibacterium luteolum. Conclusions: These results suggest that increasing numbers of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment have a close relation to the reckless use of antibiotics with livestock.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2069-2074
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• 2014

Purpose: To appraise the frequency of cervical cytological abnormalities in a population at normal risk via analysing the archive records of cytology for the period of approximately 9,5 years, comparing them with patient demographic charecteristics, and discuss the results for women under age of 35. Materials and Methods: A total of 32,578 cases of Pap smears were retrieved and analysed from our archive included the Pap tests performed between January 2001 and April 2010 at the Early Cancer Screening, Diagnosing and Education Center by the consent of three pathologists via utilizing the Bethesda System Criteria 2001 and the results were compared with some demographical characteristics. Results: Our rate of the cervical cytological abnormality was 1.83%, with ASCUS in 1.18%, LSIL in 0.39, HSIL in 0.16%, AGUS in 0.07%, squamous cell carcinoma in 0.02%, and adenoarcinoma in 0.006%. Cytological abnormalities were detected mostly in those with higher age, lower parity, and premenopausal period whereas the smoking status was without influence. Bacterial vaginosis (5.6%) was the most frequent infectious finding (Candida albicans 2.7%; Actinomyces sp. 1.3%; and Trichomonas vaginalis 0.2%) detected on the smears. The rate of abnormal cervical cytology was 9.5% among the women aged between 30-34. Conclusions: Early detection of the cervical abnormalities by means of the regular cervical cancer screening programmes is useful to attenuate the incidence, mortality, and morbidity of cervical cancer. Our prevalence of the cytological abnormalities was much lower than the one in Western populations in general but very similar to those reported from other Islamic countries that may be explained by the conservative lifestyle and the lower prevalence of HPV in Turkey. A remarkable rate of abnormal cervical cytology of women aged 30-34 was pointed out in the present study.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1546-1554
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• 2010

A bacterial strain capable of producing extracellular ${\alpha}$-galactosidase was isolated from a sample of sugarcane industrial waste. Microbiological, physiological, and biochemical studies revealed that the isolate belonged to Bacillus sp. Furthermore, based on a 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the new isolate was identified as Bacillus megaterium VHM1. The production of ${\alpha}$-galactosidase was optimized based on various physical culture conditions. Guar gum and yeast extract acted as the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The optimum pH was 7.5 and the enzyme remained stable over a pH range of 5-9. The enzyme was optimally active at $55^{\circ}C$ and thermostable with a half-life of 120 min, yet lost 90% of its residual activity within 120 min at $60^{\circ}C$. One mM concentrations of $Ag^2$, $Cu^2$, and $Hg^{2+}$ strongly inhibited the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase, whereas the metal ions $Fe^2$, $Mn^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ had no effect on the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase activity, and $Zn^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, and $Ca^{2+}$ reduced the enzyme activity slightly. When treated with the B. megaterium VHM1 enzyme, the flatulence-causing sugars in soymilk were completely hydrolyzed within 1.5 h.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 2017

The object of this study is to assess physicochemical and microbiological hazards involved during the processing of shellfish products such as oysters, clam, and mussels. Samples including raw materials, intermediates, and final products in the processing process were collected from seven simple-processed shellfish facilities. In the samples obtained from the facilities, viable cell count and coliform group were detected less than that of the Korean Government guidelines. In addition, the high-risk bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella sp., and Listeria monocytogenes were not identified in raw materials and final products. However, the low-risk pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were detected in some final products. The level of heavy metal content in the final products tested in this study meets the recommendations by the Korean Government standard guidelines. No foreign materials in the final products were also observed. Considering these results, it was concluded that no significant food hazards exists in the processing process of simple-processed shellfish products. However, it is essential to improve the food safety control in the shellfish processing facilities since S. aureus, a personal sanitary indicative bacterium, was continuously detected over seven simple-processed shellfish facilities.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.312-317
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• 2000

The selected five plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, WR8-3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), WR8-6 (P. putida), WR9-9 (P. fluorescens), WR9-11 (Pseudomonas sp.), and WR9-16 (P. putida) isolated in the rhizosphere of watermelon plants were tested on their growth promotion and control effect against gummy stem rot of watermelon. Strains, WR8-3 and WR9-16 significantly increased stem length of watermelon, and there was a little increase in leaf area, fresh weight and root length when strains, WR8-3, WR9-9 and WR9-16 were treated. Generally, seed treatment was better for plant growth promotion than the soil drench, but there was no significant difference. Seed treatment and soil drench of each bacterial strain also significantly reduced the mean lesion area (MLA) by gummy stem rot, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments. At initial inoculum densities of each strain ranging from 10$^6\;to\;10^{15}$ cfu/g seed, approximately the same level of disease resistance was induced. But resistance induction was not induced at the initial inoculum density of 10$^3$ cfu/g seed. Resistance was induced by treating the strains, WR9-9, WR9-11 and WR9-16, on all of four watermelon varieties tested, and there was no significant difference in the decrease of gummy stem rot among varieties. Populations of the strains treated initially at log 9-10 cfu/g seed, followed with a rapid decrease from planting day to 1 week after planting, but the population density was maintained above log 5.0 cfu/g soil until 4 weeks after planting. Generally no or very weak in vitro antagonism was observed at the strains treated excepting WR9-11. Rifampicin-resistant bacteria which had been inoculated were not detected in the stems or leaves, which suggesting that the bacterium and the pathogens remained spatially separated during the experiment. This is the first report of rsistance induction in watermelon to gummy stem rot by PGPR strains.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2013

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by the filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum is one of the most severe diseases threatening the production of small grains. Infected grains are often contaminated with mycotoxins such as zearalenone and trichothecences. During survey of contamination by FHB in rice grains, we found a bacterial isolate, designated as BN1, antagonistic to F. graminearum. The strain BN1 had branching vegetative hyphae and spores, and its aerial hyphae often had long, straight filaments bearing spores. The 16S rRNA gene of BN1 had 100% sequence identity with those found in several Streptomyces species. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS regions showed that BN1 grouped with S. sampsonii with 77% bootstrap value, suggesting that BN1 was not a known Streptomyces species. In addition, the efficacy of the BN1 strain against F. graminearum strains was tested both in vitro and in vivo. Wheat seedling length was significantly decreased by F. graminearum infection. However, this effect was mitigated when wheat seeds were treated with BN1 spore suspension prior to F. graminearum infection. BN1 also significantly decreased FHB severity when it was sprayed onto wheat heads, whereas BN1 was not effective when wheat heads were point inoculated. These results suggest that spraying of BN1 spores onto wheat heads during the wheat flowering season can be efficient for plant protection. Mechanistic studies on the antagonistic effect of BN1 against F. graminearum remain to be analyzed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.531-537
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• 1993

A study was carried out to define the relationship between the N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase(NAGase) levels and isolated pathogenic bacteria in 379 quarter fore milk of mastitis suspected samples collected in this clinics. All samples were tested the NAGase, California mastitis test(CMT), Somatic cell count(SCC) and bacterial culture. Except 111 from 379 samples, 268 bacteria-positive quarter fore milk samples were classified into the latent and mastitis infection group by SCC($500,000cells\;per\;m{\ell}$), and the mean NAGase levels($nmol/min/m{\ell}$) of each isolated pathogen in mastitis infection group were Staphylococcus aureus 3.067, Coagulase-negative staphylococci 4.083, Staphylococcus aureus 3.594, Str. uberis 3.513, Str. dysgalactiae 1.640, E coli 4.441 and gram negative rods 4.560, respectively. Most of the relationship between mean SCC and NAGase in each pathogen group were highly significant using a student t test(p<0.05). When the mastitis pathogens were classified into minor(Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium sp.) and major pathogen group(Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Str. uberis, Str. dysgalactiae, gram negative rods), the NAGase levels were higher at major than minor pathogen group. On the other hand, when the mastitis milk samples were classified by SCC($500,000cells\;per\;m{\ell}$) and by the presence of pathogen(IDF scheme), the NAGase levels were also higher at the mastitis than latent infection. The possibility of combining SCC and NAGase data in order to give the more difinitive diagnosis is discussed.