• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.447-452
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• 2007

In this study, we compared the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 138 MRSA isolates obtained from adult and pediatric patients (adult, 50; children, 88). The resistance rates against gentamicin, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin were much higher in the adult MRSA isolates than in the pediatric MRSA isolates. The ermC gene, which is responsible for inducible clindamycin resistance, was detected in 52(59.1%) of the 88 pediatric MRSA isolates but in only 5(10.0%) of the 50 adult MRSA isolates. MRSA isolates of clonal type ST5 with an integration of SCCmec type II/II variants was the most predominant clone among the adult isolates, while clonal type ST72 with an integration of SCCmec IV/IVA was the most predominant clone among the pediatric MRSA isolates. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 were prevalent among the adult MRSA isolates but not among the pediatric MRSA isolates. The results of this study demonstrated remarkable differences between adult and pediatric MRSA isolates in terms of their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, SCCmec type, multilocus sequence type, staphylococcal toxin genes, and erythromycin resistance genes.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.683-691
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to identify the coccoidal bacteria present in 188 samples of fermented yaks’, mares’ and cows’ milk products collected from 12 different regions in Mongolia. Furthermore, we evaluated the fermentation properties of ten selected isolates of the predominant species, Streptococcus (S.) thermophiles, during the process of milk fermentation and subsequent storage of the resulting yoghurt at 4℃. Overall, 159 isolates were obtained from 188 samples using M17 agar. These isolates were presumed to be lactic acid bacteria based on their gram-positive and catalase-negative properties, and were identified to species level using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. These coccoid isolates were distributed in four genera and six species: Enterococcus (E.) durans, Enterococcus (E.) faecalis, Lactococcus (Lac.) subsp. lactis, Leuconostoc (Leuc.) lactis, Leuconostoc (Leuc.) mesenteroides. subsp. mesenteroides and S. thermophilus. Among these S. thermophilus was the most common species in most samples. From evaluation of the fermentation characteristics (viable counts, pH, titratable acidity [TA]) of ten selected S. thermophilus isolates we could identify four isolates (IMAU 20246, IMAU20764, IMAU20729 and IMAU20738) that were fast acid producers. IMAU20246 produced the highest concentrations of lactic acid and formic acid. These isolates have potential as starter cultures for yoghurt production.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.105-106
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• 2013

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is classified into the propagating surface plasmon (PSP) excited on flat metal surfaces and the local surface plasmon (LSP) excited by metalnanoparticles. It is known that fluorescence signals are enhanced by these two SPR-fields.On the other hand, fluorescence is quenched by the energy transfer to metal (FRET). Bothphenomena are controlled by the distance between dyes and metals, and the degree offluorescence enhancement is determined by the correlation. In this study, we determined thecondition to achieve the maximum fluorescence enhancement by adjusting the distance of ametal nanoparticle 2D sheet and a quantum dots 2D sheet by the use of $SiO_2$ spacer layers. The 2D sheets consisting of myristate-capped Ag nanoparticles (AgMy nanosheets) wereprepared at the air-water interface and transferred onto hydrophobized gold thin films basedon the Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) method [1]. The $SiO_2$ sputtered films with different thickness (0~100 nm) were deposited on the AgMy nanosheet as an insulator. TOPO-cappedCdSe/CdZnS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs, ${\lambda}Ex=638nm$) [2] were also transferred onto the $SiO_2$ films by the LS method. The layered structure is schematically shown in Fig. 1. The result of fluorescence measurement is shown in Fig. 2. Without the $SiO_2$ layer, the fluorescence intensity of the layered QD film was lower than that of the original QDs layer, i.e., the quenching by FRET was predominant. When the $SiO_2$ thickness was increased, the fluorescence intensity of the layered QD film was higher than that of the original QDs layer, i.e., the SPR enhancement was predominant. The fluorescence intensity was maximal at the $SiO_2$ thickness of 20 nm, particularly when the LSPR absorption wavelength (${\lambda}=480nm$) was utilized for the excitation. This plasmonic nanosheet can be integrated intogreen or bio-devices as the creation point ofenhanced LSPR field.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.609-616
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• 2017

Ardipusilloside-I is a natural triterpenoid saponin, which was isolated from Ardisia pusilla A. DC. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stimulation of ardipusilloside-I on gastrointestinal motility in vitro and in vivo. The experiment of smooth muscle contraction directly monitored the contractions of the isolated jejunal segment (IJS) in different contractile states, and the effects of ardipusilloside-I on myosin were measured in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin using the activities of 20 kDa myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$) phosphorylation and myosin $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase. The effects of ardipusilloside-I on gastro emptying and intestinal transit in constipation-predominant rats were observed, and the MLCK expression in jejuna of constipated rats was determined by western blot. The results showed that, ardipusilloside-I increased the contractility of IJS in a dose-dependent manner and reversed the low contractile state (LCS) of IJS induced by low $Ca^{2+}$, adrenaline, and atropine respectively. There were synergistic effects on contractivity of IJS between ardipusilloside-I and ACh, high $Ca^{2+}$, and histamine, respectively. Ardipusilloside-I could stimulate the phosphorylation of $MLC_{20}$ and $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activities of $Ca^{2+}$- dependent phosphorylated myosin. Ardipusilloside-I also stimulated the gastric emptying and intestinal transit in normal and constipated rats in vivo, respectively, and increased the MLCK expression in the jejuna of constipation-predominant rats. Briefly, the findings demonstrated that ardipusilloside-I could effectively excite gastrointestinal motility in vitro and in vivo.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-59
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• 1991

This study was performed to elucidate the distribution and correlation of immunoglobulin G subclasses with the degree of inflammation in the experimentally induced rat pulp and periapical pathoses. The pulp exposures were made in 108 mandibular 1st molars of 54 rats and the teeth were left open to the oral environment The animals were sacrified at 3, 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after pulp exposure, and examined microscopically and radiographically Seventy one specimens were routinely sectioned at the thickness of 4 - $6{\mu}$ and stained with Hematoxylin - eosin for histologic examination, with toluidine blue for mast cells, and with the primary antibodies against rat IgG subclasses by using the Avidin - Biotin complex method. The following results were obtained: 1. As the degree of inflammation of rat pulp and periapeces intensified, the number of IgG subclass containing cells per unit area, especially IgG2a and IgG2c, decresased. 2. The IgG2c cells were most predominantly found in the lesions with slight inflammation, IgG1 cells in mild or severe inflammation, and IgG2a cells in moderate inflammation. 3. IgG subclass containg cells were more predominantly observed in the periapical granuloma than periapical abscess or cyst(p<0.01). 4. IgG2a containing cells were predominant in pulp inflammation, IgG1 containing cells in periapical granuloma, IgG2a cells and IgG1 cells in periapical abscess, and IgG2a cells were significantly predominant in periapical cyst. 5. The number of IgG subclass containing cells and mast cells in periapical tissue decreased with time lapse after pulp exposure. And correlation index between mast cells and IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b was stastically high.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.639-646
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• 1999

The dental care delivery system and the dental specialty system have a very close relationship each other. Compared to Korea. Western European countries with predominant public sector in dental service have recognized merely 2 or 3 dental specialties, while North American countries with predominant private sector, 8 or 9 ones. It is desirable to adopt the dental specialty system as soon as possible in Korea to encourage scientific development in various dental specialties and qualitative advance in dental service. We, however, have to establish equitable dental care delivery system which can use limited dental resources efficiently as follows. 1. clarifying the different roles in assignments between general dentists and specialists by the amendment of the related laws such as the Medical Act and establishing the organic patient-referral system. 2. adopting the dental specialty system and expanding personnel and equipments so that the dental college hospitals, especially dental divisions of general hospitals, night function as secondary care facilities with specialties. 3. determining the size of dental specialists according to the national needs for dental specialized service's, whose number is to be not more than 10% of the total dentists. 4. transferring the function of accredating dental specialists to the efficient, self-controlled professional organization such as the Korean Dental Association rather than putting it under the governmental control. 5. conducting a comprehensive review of specialty education and practice for re-recognition, and maintaining competence of specialists by re-accredating them periodically. I expect this article to contribute to further discussion about the dental specialty system in Korea in productive and practical way. I am sure that we can Establish this system in the near future when people in every walks of life-the academic circle, the press, the authority concerned, consumer groups and the Korean Dental Association-take part in the discussion with special concern.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2011

Background: Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is characterized by the intensive infiltration of lymphoid cells, the presence of EBV, and the better prognosis over typical adenocarcinoma. Thus, it was assumable that viral latent proteins may be responsible for the recruitment of a certain T cell repertoire to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. Methods: To examine above possibility, EBV gene expression in gastric carcinoma tissues and usage of TCR among the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed. Results: EBV specific DNA and EBERs RNA were detected in 4 out of 30 patients. RT-PCR analysis revealed that all 4 of EBV-positive tumor tissues expressed EBNA1 mRNA and BARTs and LMP2a was detected only one sample out of 4. However, the EBNA2 and LMP-1 transcripts were not detected in these tissues. $CD8^+$ T cells were the predominant population of infiltrating lymphocytes in the EBV-positive gastric carcinoma. According to spectra type analysis of infiltrating T cells, 10 predominant bands were detected by TCR $V{\beta}$ CDR3 specific RT-PCR from 4 EBV-positive tumor tissues. Sequence analysis of these bands revealed oligoclonal expansion of T cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that clonally expanded T cells in vivo might be a population of cytotoxic T cells reactive to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.407-416
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• 2019

Recent years have seen an increase in the incidence of candidiasis caused by non-albicans Candida (NAC) species. In fact, C. glabrata is now second only to C. albicans as the most common cause of invasive candidiasis. Therefore, the rapid genotyping specifically for C. glabrata is required for early diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis. A number of genotyping assays have been developed to differentiate C. glabrata sequence types (STs), but they have several limitations. In the previous study, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) has performed with a total of 101 C. glabrata clinical isolates to analyze the prevalent C. glabrata STs in Korea. A total of 11 different C. glabrata STs were identified and, among them, ST-138 was the most commonly classified. Thus, a novel probe-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was developed and evaluated for rapid and accurate identification of the predominant C. glabrata ST-138 in Korea. Two primer pairs and hybridization probe sets were designed for the amplification of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and TRP1 gene. Analytical sensitivity of the probe-based qPCR assay was 100 ng to 10 pg and 100 ng to 100 pg (per 1 μL), which target ITS1 region and TRP1 gene, respectively. This assay did not react with any other Candida species and bacteria except C. glabrata. Of the 101 clinical isolates, 99 cases (98%) were concordant with MLST results. This novel probe-based qPCR assay proved to be rapid, sensitive, highly specific, reproducible, and cost-effective than other genotyping assay for C. glabrata ST-138 identification.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.859-887
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• 2015

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has gained in popularity in recent years since it can assess the performance and condition of instrumented structures in real time and provide valuable information to the asset's manager and owner. Operational modal analysis plays an important role in SHM and it involves the determination of natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes of a constructed structure based on measured dynamic data. This paper presents the operational modal analysis and seismic response characterization of the Tsing Ma Suspension Bridge of 2,160 m long subjected to different earthquake events. Three kinds of events, i.e., short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes are taken into account. A fast Bayesian modal identification method is used to carry out the operational modal analysis. The modal properties of the bridge are identified and compared by use of the field monitoring data acquired before and after the earthquake for each type of the events. Research emphasis is given on identifying the predominant modes of the seismic responses in the deck during short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes, respectively, and characterizing the response pattern of various structural portions (deck, towers, main cables, etc.) under different types of earthquakes. Since the bridge is over 2,000 m long, the seismic wave would arrive at the tower/anchorage basements of the two side spans at different time instants. The behaviors of structural dynamic responses on the Tsing Yi side span and on the Ma Wan side span under each type of the earthquake events are compared. The results obtained from this study would be beneficial to the seismic design of future long-span bridges to be built around Hong Kong (e.g., the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge).

• Mycobiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2013

Diverse fungi are present in Korean traditional meju and they are known to play an important role in fermented soybean products. To determine the origin of the fungi in meju, we examined the mycoflora of soybeans from 10 traditional meju factories. The samples were untreated or treated with sodium hypochlorite, and placed on malt extract agar (MEA), dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18), and dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar (DRBC) medium. A total of 794 fungal strains were isolated and they were identified as 41 genera and 86 species. From sodium hypochlorite untreated soybeans, the genera, Cladosporium (55%), Eurotium (51%), Fusarium (33%), Penicillium (22%), and Aspergillus (exclusion of Eurotium) (20%), were mainly isolated, and Eurotium herbariorum (22%), Eurotium repens (18%), Cladosporium tenuissimum (18%), F. fujikuroi (18%), Aspergillus oryzae/flavus (7%), and Penicillium steckii (6%) were the predominant species. In case of sodium hypochloritetreated soybeans, Eurotium (31%) and Cladosporium (5%) were frequently isolated, but Aspergillus (excluding Eurotium), Penicillium and Fusarium which were frequently isolated from untreated soybeans, were rarely isolated. Eurotium herbariorum (21%), Eurotium repens (8%), and Cladosporium tenuissimum (3%) were the predominant species. Of the 41 genera and 86 species isolated from soybeans, 13 genera and 33 species were also found in meju. These results suggest that the fungi on soybeans may influence the mycoflora of meju.