• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1751-1760
• /
• 2015

Mucin2 (MUC2), an important regulatory factor in the immune system, plays an important role in the host defense system against bacterial translocation. Probiotics known to regulate MUC2 gene expression have been widely studied, but the interactions among probiotic, pathogens, and mucin gene are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MUC2 in blocking effects of probiotics on meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities. In this study, live combined probiotic tablets containing living Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus were used. MUC2 expression was knocked down in Caco-2 cells by RNA interference. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), which enhances mucin-promoted probiotic effects through inducing production of Sadenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), was used to up-regulate MUC2 expression in Caco-2 cells. The adhesion to and invasion of meningitic E. coli were detected by competition assays. Our studies showed that probiotic agents could block E. coli-caused intestinal colonization, bacteremia, and meningitis in a neonatal sepsis and meningitis rat model. MUC2 gene expression in the neonatal rats given probiotic agents was obviously higher than that of the infected and uninfected control groups without probiotic treatment. The prohibitive effects of probiotic agents on MUC2-knockdown Caco-2 cells infected with E44 were significantly reduced compared with nontransfected Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the results also showed that 5-Aza-CdR, a drug enhancing the production of SAMe that is a protective agent of probiotics, was able to significantly suppress adhesion and invasion of E44 to Caco-2 cells by upregulation of MUC2 expression. Taken together, our data suggest that probiotic agents can efficiently block meningitic E. coli-induced pathogenicities in a manner dependent on MUC2.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.12
• /
• pp.1224-1229
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease, especially in the neonatal period, and it carries a significant degree of mortality and morbidity. Group B streptococcus(GBS) is a common cause of neonatal bacterial meningitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations, treatment results and complications of GBS meningitis. Methods : We analyzed 29 cases retrospectively who had been admitted to the pediatric ward or NICU in Asan Medical Center from May 1990 to January 2002. They had proven GBS in culture or latex agglutination test in CSF. Results : The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.9. There were two cases of early onset type and 27 cases of late onset type. All cases had normal birth weight with full term at delivery. The perinatal predisposing factors were premature rupture of membrane(two cases), and maternal colonization(two cases). The most common presenting symptoms were fever and irritability. Associated diseases were GBS sepsis(21 cases). There was relatively high sensitivity to penicillin derivatives. There were abnormal brain CT or MRI findings in 16 cases(64%), such as infarction, encephalomalatic change, effusion, hydrocephalus, hemorrhage and abscess. The intensive care unit admission rate and the incidence of DIC were higher in the group with complications. Two cases were discharged against advice. Conclusion : We recommend early detection and active treatment in Group B streptococcal meningitis to improve the prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.35-45
• /
• 2002

Seasonal quantitative van Veen grab sampling was conducted to characterize the composition and structure of the benthic polychaete community inhabiting the shellfish farming ground of a coastal bay system of Jiniu Bay (Korea). A total of 132 polychaete species were identified and the polychaetes accounted for about $80\%$ of overall abundance of benthic animals. There was little significant seasonal difference in densities (abundances) of polychaetes, Maximum biomass was obseued in summer (August) and minimum value was recorded in winter (February) and spring (May). Conversely, diversity and richness were lowest in summer, indicating a seasonal variability in the polychaetous community structure, The cluster analysis indicated that such a seasonal variability resulted mainly from the appearance of a few small, r-selected opportunists in spring and the tubiculous species of the family Maldanidae in summer. On the other hand, several indicator species for the organically enriched environments such as Capitelia capitata, Notoniashs Jatericeus and hmbrineris sp. showed high densities during all the study period. Density and biomass of univariate measures of community structure were significantly lower in the arkshell-farming ground of the southern area than in the non-farming sites of the bay, A similar general tendency was also found in the spatial distributions of species diversity and richness. Principal component analysis revealed the existence of different groups of benthic assemblages between the arkshell-farming ground and non-farming sites, The lack of colonization of r-selected opportunists and/or tubiculous species in the former ground seemed to contribute to the spatial differences in the composition and structure of the polychaetous communities. Although finer granulometric composition and high sulfide concentration in sediments of the arkshell-farming ground and low salinity in the northern area were likely to account for parts of the differences, other environmental variables observed were unlikely. The spatial distribution of polychaetes in Jiniu Bay may be rather closely related to the sedimentary disturbance by selection of shells for harvesting in spring.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2015

Changgyeongwon emerged as pleasure grounds following the creation of a museum, zoo and botanical garden in Changgyeonggung Palace during the Japanese colonial period. Pleasure grounds offer space for entertainment and have maintained the image of a paradise apart from reality. This study examined the creation process of pleasure grounds within a royal palace and the following spatial changes. By analyzing the image of Changgyeongwon as an artificial paradise, this study explored its landscape and cultural aspects. Literature reviews on the intention and process showed that the Changgyeongwon pleasure grounds were created as a 'royal garden' for the amusement of Sunjong, as well as 'public pleasure grounds' in the process of colonization. It was one of the first public spaces open to everyone who could afford the entrance fee. The layout of Changgyeongwon was studied by a comparison and analyzation of modern plans and photographs. It was composed of the central museum zone, northern botanical garden zone, and southern zoological garden zone. A conservatory and greenhouse to exhibit and maintain tropical plants were intensively built in the botanical garden zone while an aviary was created on the zoo pond. In the vicinity of the aviary a vivarium was constructed. Museum exhibition facilities included a main building as well as existing buildings, and a western flower garden was created between the buildings. Space for children including a playground and horse-riding course were created in the 1930's. The paradisiacal image and pleasure grounds culture of Changgyeongwon were studied as follows. Firstly, it shows that Changgyeongwon's paradisiacal image where rare animals and exotic plants were open to the public was promoted by the zoo and botanical garden. This led to the creation of new popular leisure activities such as flower appreciation and animal watching. Secondly, Changgyeongwon offered an urban leisure space, symbolizing the 'non-urban nature within the city' where the urban residents could escape from the daily routine. Thirdly, Changgyeongwon was known for its 'fantastic night landscape' by its night opening during the cherry blossom season. This cherry blossom viewing at night sadly degenerated by various shows and drinking, and as a result, an image of a deviant paradise was given to Changgyeongwon. Changgyeongwon contributed to creating a new space with its diverse facilities, and the public embraced the urban culture through experiences of pleasure and entertainment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.28-37
• /
• 2013

This research, which sought to conjecture the formation process of tribal landscape while confirming the method and characteristic of place attachment of the Haeju Oh Family, which is rooted within the village and the Yongwon Pavilion and Garden of Gohak-ri, Mari-myeon, Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, reached the following conclusion based on the interpretation and analysis of cultural and scenic elements such as the names and sculptures nearby the village and Yongwon Pavilion and Garden. This place is where Goohwagong Oh Sue, a Haeju person, settled down. This is also where his descendants were refined while yearning for their ancestors. The Yongwon Pavilion was established in 1964. It can be sufficiently known that this place was managed and maintained as a garden-like place where the spirit of yearning was shared and which was the basis of the life and entertainment of descendants after being the monumental place for Master Oh Guhwa, through stories, documents, nearby facilities, and writings on many rocks. It is clear that the meaning of 'Bang-Hak(訪鶴) and Jung-Hak (停鶴)' which is carved in many places around this area and Gohak-ri, which symbolizes the Hakbong(crane peak), the vein of Wonjak-dong which is one of the Ahneuisamdong(three outstanding scenic places of Ahneui), is a scenic language explaining the ecological settlement and lives of the Haeju Oh Family. When considering the definition of a sense of place as "a 'social device' made by discussions and practice rather than its existing as a substance," the many structures scattered around the village, Yongwon Pavilion Garden, and nearby designations show the monumental place inheritance of tribal group clearly exhibiting the characteristics of a Korean sense of place. Ever since Guhwagon Oh Sue settled down in Guhak-ri, the tribal group of Haeju Oh Family went through a life settlement phase and landscape formation phase by realizing the sense of place. Afterwards, while yearning for ancestors and repeatedly rooting down in the place, territoriality expanded and the place was reproduced. In particular, timber houses and monuments were constructed during the Japanese Colonization Period, and after independence, the Yongwon Pavilion was constructed through place reproduction, and monumental tribal landscape is currently being expressed in various forms to this day. Thus, allowing to reach the conclusion of 'Tribal Landscape of Gohak-ri, Mari-myeong, Geochang-gun,' which we perceive today. The products of territorial expansion formed by the repeating phenomenon of place rootedness and place attachment by tribal groups are in fact the substance of tribal landscape. Through such, it is possible to confirm the true spirit of place attachment and the earnest interest and affection of descendants towards a unique place that is repeatedly constructed and inherited within the group memory.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.261-265
• /
• 2010

Lichens, a symbiotic organism of fungi and algae, cause serious damage to national heritages of stone master piece and costly trees for gardening. The present study was conducted to screen effective fungicides against lichen-forming fungi to control the biological agents deteriorating stone heritages and trees. Five commercial fungicides (Fenarimol EC, Etridiazole EC, Iminoctadinetriacetate SL, Difenoconazole+lminocatadinetriacetate ME and Difenoconazole+Azoxystrobin SC) were tested against the lichen-forming fungi (LFF) isolated from seven saxicolous (Caloplaca sp., Ramalina sp., Xanthoparmelia sp., and Xanthoria sp.,) or corticolous (Parmelia sp.,) lichen species. Preliminary screening test showed that no LFF could grow on the MY (malt-yeast extract) agar medium amended with the recommended concentrations of each fungicide. Further screening was conducted at 1%, 10% and 20% of the recommended concentrations of the fungicides. After 7 week incubation at $15^{\circ}C$ in the dark, Difenoconazole+Iminocatadinetriacetate ME and Difenoconazole+Azoxystrobin SC completely inhibited the fungal growth of all the tested LFF, even at 1% of the concentration. Two fungicides of Fenarimol EC and Iminoctadinetriacetate SL exhibited a moderate inhibition activity at the lower concentrations. Etridiazole EC was less effective in the fungal growth inhibition than the other four fungicides. The results suggested that lichens colonizing on precious stone heritages and trees can be eradicated by applying Difenoconazole+Iminocatadinetriacetate ME and Difenoconazole+Azoxystrobin SC even 1% of the recommended concentrations. Selected fungicide application at such a low concentration will facilitate the chemical use to prevent and preserve stone heritages from biological deterioration induced by lichens and the allied microbes.

• 보존과학연구
• /
• s.34
• /
• pp.64-81
• /
• 2013

It is not easy to define the priority criteria of the need of conservation treatment for stone cultural heritage, although many of them have been treated and restored over the past decade. This study approached the correlation between damage grade and the need of conservation treatment based on damage diagnosis of stone cultural heritage carried out from 2001 to 2005. The number of Third-graded (from First to Fifth-grade) stone heritage in deterioration was the highest among state-designated stone cultural heritage. The Fourth-graded stone cultural heritage (143 in total) was mostly influenced by high physiochemical deterioration, whereas the Fifth-graded ones (61 in total) was dominantly affected by biological colonization. It was estimated that total 211 stone cultural heritage were treated for conservation and restoration from 2002 to 2011. They were usually cleaned (total 134, 26.1%), joined and consolidated, and maintenance works as shelter construction, drainage installation and surrounding cleaning were carried out for some of them. The number of conservation intervention increased with the high deterioration grade, and the case number of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. By age, the stone cultural heritage in Three-kingdom Period were treated the most, and other heritage in Unified Shilla, Goryeo and Joseon showed an approximate ratio. The stone cultural heritage fallen in the fifth-grade in deterioration demonstrated the highest ratio, approximately 80% of conservation intervention. These results can be used as preliminary data to define the emergency criteria for conservation intervention policy.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.266-273
• /
• 2009

Use of plant growth promoting symbiotic and non-symbiotic free-living beneficial bacteria as external source of nitrogen is a major research concern for sustainable crop production in the $21^{st}$ century. In view of this, an experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to determine the effects of inoculation with Methylobacterium suomiense CBMB120, a plant growth promoting (PGP) root and shoot colonizer on red pepper, for the purpose of reducing external chemical nitrogen fertilization. Amendments with organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer in the form of NPK were made at dosages of 50%, 75% and 100%, at 425 and $115kg/ha^{-1}$ measurements. The soil type used was loam, with a pH of 5.13. The growth responses were measured as plant height at 19, 36 and 166 days after transplantation and final biomass production after 166 days. It was found that inoculation with M. suomiense CBMB120 promotes plant height increase during the active growth phase at 19 and 36 days by 14.17% and 10.03%, respectively. Thereafter, the bacteria inoculated plantlets showed canopy size increment. A highly significant inoculation effect on plant height at p<0.01 level was found for 100% level of organic matter and chemical amendment in red pepper plantlets after 36 days and 19 days from transplantation. Furthermore, there was a significantly higher (10.30% and 6.84%) dry biomass accumulation in M. suomiense CBMB120 inoculated plants compared to un-inoculated ones. A 25% reduction in the application of chemical nitrogen can be inferred with inoculation of M. suomiense CBMB120 at with comparable results to that of 100% chemical fertilization alone. Enumeration of total bacteria in rhizosphere soil confirms that the introduced bacteria can multiply along ther hizosphere soil. Large scale field study may lead to the development of M. suomiense CBMB120 as an efficient biofertilizer.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.390-402
• /
• 1995

Bimonthly sampling was carried out over the period February 1983 to April 1985 at two stations in Kwang-yang Bay, Korea, in order to study the temporal changes of benthic ploychaete communities. In addition, an important focus of the study was the large-scale reclamation and dredging operations that were taking place for industrial purposes during the study period. The muddy station, located on the main channel, showed high mud content (94%), whereas the sandy station, situated on the north channel of Myodo, demonstrated mud content of 42%. At the muddy station, the number of species and individuals were highest in the early sampling stage, but markedly declined in October 1983, and then gradually increased as in the early state. At the sandy station, the number of species highly oscillated during the entire period. The density was affected by the pectinated Lagis bocki showing particulary high density in February 1983 and 1984. However, the high density in the winter time did not occur in February 1985. The analysis of similarities and clusterings between communities were carried out to evaluate temporal changes in community structure. Significant changes occurred during the study period in the community structures at both stations, but each maintained different patterns of species dominance over time. At the muddy station, this transitionary phase was found in October 1983 but in December 1984 at the sandy station. Comparisons with earlier communities suggest that faunal changes in the dominant species composition occurred from Lumbrineris longifolia to Heteromastus filiformis over this time period. The colonization of this opportunistic pioneer, H, filiformis, seems to manifest environmental disturbances in this bay area.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.116-122
• /
• 1999

Purpose : Despite of development of neonatal intensive care, infections, especially catheter-related infection, have been a major problem in newborns on intensive care. Catheter-related infection is closely related to skin colonization so that skin disinfection is crucial to protect newborns from the infection. Cotton balls of seventy percent alcohol made by hospital frequently open to air so that composition of alcohol may be easily evaporated. We hypothesized that 10% povidone would have better disinfection compared to 70% alcohol and normal saline. Methods : The effect of skin disinfection was evaluated in newborn infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) of Hanyang University Kuri Hospital by a skin swab culture before and after disinfectant exposure. Before skin disinfective preparation, the peripheral intravenous catheter insertion sites were swabbed for culture with sterile cotton moistened with normal saline. Cotton balls of 70% alcohol(Alcohol group, n=20) or 10% povidone and 70% alcohol(povidone group, n=20) were randomly selected. Normal saline swabs were used for controls(n=10). After swabbing, the skin swab culture was done on same sites with same procedure. Results : Before skin disinfection, culture-positivity was shown in 9 of 20 leases of alcohol and povidone groups, respectively and in 8 of 10 cases of the controls. After skin disinfection, culture-positivity was still shown in 3 of 9 cases of the Alcohol group, in 2 of 9 of the Povidone group, and in 6 of 8 cases of the controls. Disinfective effect was significantly different among the 3 groups(p=0.0387). The povidone group had significantly better disinfection than the controls(p=0.0156), but the alcohol group was not significantly different from the controls. Conclusion : The cotton balls of povidone had similar effect of disinfection compared to those of alcohol, but better disinfection than the controls. A disinfective effect of the cotton balls of alcohol was not, however, significantly different from the controls. We suggest that purity of alcohol, quality control of cotton balls of alcohol, and disinfection method should be reevaluated.