• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.398-404
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• 2022

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the plasticizers used in the polyvinyl chloride(PVC) industry. It is known to be easily released into the environment. In this study, we investigated effects of DEHP on growth, metabolic pathway, and virulence gene expression in soil-borne bacterial plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum SCC1 using in vitro assays. As a result, DEHP at 20 ㎍ mL^-1 did not affect the growth, cell membrane permeability, or ATPase activity of P. carotovorum SCC1. However, it decreased succinyl-CoA synthase (SCS) activity in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Relative expression levels of virulence genes encoding pectate lyase and pectin were differentially influenced by DEHP treatment. These results suggest that biological characteristics of P. carotovorum might be influenced by DEHP in soil.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.652-663
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• 2023

The rumen fluids contain a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. The various ruminal microorganisms in the rumen provide nutrients by fermenting the forage they eat. During metabolic processes, microorganisms present in the rumen release diverse vesicles during the fermentation process. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the function of rumen extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their interaction with the host. We confirmed the structure of the rumen EVs by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the size of the particles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Rumen EVs range in size from 100 nm to 400 nm and are composed of microvesicles, microparticles, and ectosomes. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans smart animal model, we verified the interaction between the host and rumen EVs. Exposure of C. elegans to rumen EVs did not significantly enhance longevity, whereas exposure to the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus significantly increased lifespan. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed gene expression alterations in C. elegans exposed to rumen EVs, with significant changes in the metabolic pathway, fatty acid degradation, and biosynthesis of cofactors. Our study describes the effect of rumen EV interactions with the host and provides novel insights for discovering biotherapeutic agents in the animal industry.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.204-207
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• 2017

Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome (HHH syndrome) is a neurometabolic disorder with highly variable clinical severity ranging from mild learning disability to severe encephalopathy. Diagnosis of HHH syndrome can easily be delayed or misdiagnosed due to insidious symptoms and incomplete biochemical findings, in that case, genetic testing should be considered to confirm the diagnosis. HHH syndrome is caused by biallelic mutations of SLC25A15, which is involved in the urea cycle and the ornithine transport into mitochondria. Here we report a boy with spastic paraplegia and asymptomatic younger sister who have compound heterozygous mutations of c.535C>T (p.R179^*) and c.116C>A (p.T39K) in the SLC25A15 gene. We identified that p.T39K mutation is a novel pathogenic mutation causing HHH syndrome and that p.R179^*, which is prevalent in Japanese and Middle Eastern heritage, is also found in the Korean population.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.856-864
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• 2023

There are a variety of microorganisms in the animal intestine, and it has been known that they play important roles in the host such as suppression of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, modulation of the gut immunity. In addition, the gut microbiota and the livestock growth performance have long been known to be related. Therefore, we evaluated the interrelation between the growth performance and the gut microbiome of the pigs from 3 different farms, with pigs of varied ages ready to be supplied to the market. When pigs reached average market weight of 118 kg, the average age of pigs in three different farms were < 180 days, about 190 days, and > 200 days, respectively. Fecal samples were collected from pigs of age of 70 days, 100 days, 130 days, and 160 days. The output data of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing by the Illumina Miseq platform was filtered and analyzed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME)2, and the statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). The results of this study showed that the gut microbial communities shifted as pigs aged along with significant difference in the relative abundance of different phyla and genera in different age groups of pigs from each farm. Even though, there was no statistical differences among groups in terms of Chao1, the number of observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and the Shannon index, our results showed higher abundances of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium and Lactobacillus in the feces of pigs with rapid growth rate. These results will help us to elucidate important gut microbiota that can affect the growth performance of pigs.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.39.1-39.11
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• 2024

Importance: Salmonella outbreaks linked to poultry meat have been reported continuously worldwide. Therefore, Salmonella contamination of poultry meats in slaughterhouses is one of the critical control points for reducing disease outbreaks in humans. Objective: This study examined the carry-over contamination of Salmonella species through the entire slaughtering process in South Korea. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, 1,097 samples were collected from the nine slaughterhouses distributed nationwide. One hundred and seventeen isolates of Salmonella species were identified using the invA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction, as described previously. The serotype, phylogeny, and antimicrobial resistance of isolates were examined. Results: Among the 117 isolates, 93 were serotyped into Salmonella Mbandaka (n = 36 isolates, 30.8%), Salmonella Thompson (n = 33, 28.2%), and Salmonella Infantis (n = 24, 20.5%). Interestingly, allelic profiling showed that all S. Mbandaka isolates belonged to the lineage of the sequence type (ST) 413, whereas all S. Thompson isolates were ST292. Moreover, almost all S. Thompson isolates (97.0%, 32/33 isolates) belonging to ST292 were multidrug-resistant and possessed the major virulence genes whose products are required for full virulence. Both serotypes were distributed widely throughout the slaughtering process. Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic analysis demonstrated that seven S. Infantis showed 100% identities in their phylogenetic relatedness, indicating that they were sequentially transmitted along the slaughtering processes. Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides more evidence of the carry-over transmission of Salmonella species during the slaughtering processes. ST292 S. Thompson is a potential pathogenic clone of Salmonella species possibly associated with foodborne outbreaks in South Korea.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.100005.1-100005.15
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• 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a complex genetic basis, presenting both in familial and sporadic forms. The hexanucleotide (G₄C₂) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which triggers distinct pathogenic mechanisms, has been identified as a major contributor to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Animal models have proven pivotal in understanding these mechanisms; however, discrepancies between models due to variable transgene sequence, expression levels, and toxicity profiles complicate the translation of findings. Herein, we provide a systematic comparison of 7 publicly available Drosophila transgenes modeling the G₄C₂ expansion under uniform conditions, evaluating variations in their toxicity profiles. Further, we tested 3 previously characterized disease-modifying drugs in selected lines to uncover discrepancies among the tested strains. Our study not only deepens our understanding of the C9orf72 G₄C₂ mutations but also presents a framework for comparing constructs with minute structural differences. This work may be used to inform experimental designs to better model disease mechanisms and help guide the development of targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, thus bridging the gap between model-based research and therapeutic application.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.403-415
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• 2023

This study aimed to isolate and identify L-(+)-lactic acid-producing bacteria from tree barks collected in Thailand and evaluate the potential strain as probiotics. Twelve strains were isolated and characterized phenotypically and genotypically. The strains exhibited a rod-shaped morphology, high-temperature tolerance, and the ability to ferment different sugars into lactic acid. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, all strains were identified as belonging to Weizmannia coagulans. Among the isolated strains, BKMTCR2-2 demonstrated exceptional lactic acid production, with 96.41% optical purity, 2.33 g/l of lactic acid production, 1.44 g/g of lactic acid yield (per gram of glucose consumption), and 0.0049 g/l/h of lactic acid productivity. This strain also displayed a wide range of pH tolerance, suggesting suitability for the human gastrointestinal tract and potential probiotic applications. The whole-genome sequence of BKMTCR2-2 was assembled using a hybridization approach that combined long and short reads. The genomic analysis confirmed its identification as W. coagulans and safety assessments revealed its non-pathogenic attribute compared to type strains and commercial probiotic strains. Furthermore, this strain exhibited resilience to acidic and bile conditions, along with the presence of potential probiotic-related genes and metabolic capabilities. These findings suggest that BKMTCR2-2 holds promise as a safe and effective probiotic strain with significant lactic acid production capabilities.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2024

Bats serve as vectors and natural reservoir hosts for various infectious viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These pathogens have also been detected in bat feces and can cause severe illnesses in hosts, other animals, and humans. Because pathogens can easily spread into the environment through bat feces, determining the bacterial communities in bat guano is crucial to mitigate potential disease transmission and outbreaks. This study primarily aimed to examine bacterial communities in the feces of insectivorous bats living in South Korea. Fecal samples were collected after capturing 84 individuals of four different bat species in two regions of South Korea, and the bacterial microbiota was assessed through next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results revealed that, with respect to the relative abundance at the phylum level, Myotis bombinus was dominated by Firmicutes (47.24%) and Proteobacteria (42.66%) whereas Miniopterus fuliginosus (82.78%), Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (63.46%), and Myotis macrodactylus (78.04%) were dominated by Proteobacteria. Alpha diversity analysis showed no difference in abundance between species and a significant difference (p < 0.05) between M. bombinus and M. fuliginosus. Beta-diversity analysis revealed that Clostridium, Asaia, and Enterobacteriaceae_g were clustered as major factors at the genus level using principal component analysis. Additionally, linear discriminant analysis effect size was conducted based on relative expression information to select bacterial markers for each bat species. Clostridium was relatively abundant in M. bombinus, whereas Mycoplasma_g10 was relatively abundant in R. ferrumequinum. Our results provide an overview of bat guano microbiota diversity and the significance of pathogenic taxa for humans and the environment, highlighting a better understanding of preventing emerging diseases. We anticipate that this research will yield bioinformatic data to advance our knowledge of overall microbial genetic diversity and clustering characteristics in insectivorous bat feces in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.195-203
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• 2006

An antagonistic strain, Burkholderia MP-1, showed antimicrobial activity against various filamentous plant pathogenic fungi, yeasts and food borne bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). The nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene (1491 pb) of strain MP-1 exhibited close similarity (99-100%) with other Burkholderia 16S rRNA genes. Isolation of the antibiotic substances from culture broth was fractionated by ethyl acetate (EtOAc) solvent and EtOAc-soluble acidic fraction. The antibiotic substances were purified through a silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Four active substances were identified as phenylacetic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetate methyl ester by gas chromatographic-mass spectrum analysis. The minimum inhibition of concentration (MIC) of each active compound inhibited the growth of the microorganisms tested at 250 to $2500{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$. The antimicrobial activity of crude acidic fraction at 1 mg of dry weight per 6 mm paper disc was more effective than authentic standard mixture (four active substances were mixed with the same ratio as acidic fraction) over a wide range of bacterial test.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.610-616
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• 2013

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an emerging detection technology for the amplification of DNA under isothermal conditions. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and reliable LAMP technique for the detection of Cronobacter sakazakii in milk powder. In order to enhance the sensitivity and specificity, LAMP primers targeting outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene of C. sakazakii were designed using Explorer V4 software. Thirty seven C. sakazakii strains and 13 pathogenic microorganisms were used for comparative detection of C. sakazakii using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, and LAMP. LAMP developed in this study could specifically detect C. sakazakii strains without cross-reactivity with other foodborne pathogens. LAMP products amplified from ompA gene of C. sakazakii were digested with with HhaI and NruI enzyme. The specificity of LAMP was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. LAMP could detect C. sakazakii within 1 h without bacterial culture and its detection limit was as low as 1 CFU/mL C. sakazakii in milk. In the comparison of the sensitivity, LAMP showed 10,000- and 100-times higher detection limit than PCR or real-time PCR, respectively. Therefore, this study can conclude that LAMP is a rapid and reliable detection technique for C. sakazakii contaminated in powdered milk.