This study investigated the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Salmonella (S.) typhimurium and Escherichia (E.) coli O157:H7, and skin irritation in New Zealand white rabbits using methanol extracts of Curcuma (C.) aromatica Salisb. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. aromatica extracts against S. aureus, S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 was 0.250, 0.250 and 0.125 mg/ml, respectively, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts against S. aureus, S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 was 0.50, 0.50, 0.250 mg/ml, correspondingly. From the skin irritation test, extremely minor erythema and very slight edema were formed at 24 h after application of the extracts on the skin on abraded lesions of 2 and 1 rabbits, respectively. The primary irritation index score was estimated to be 0.13 indicating non-irritation. In conclusion, this study suggests that C. aromatica extract has the antibacterial activity against major food-borne pathogens and is not irritant to skin.

This study investigated the efficacy of four Brucella (B.) abortus recombinant proteins, namely adenylate kinase (Adk), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk), 50S ribosomal protein (L7/L12) and preprotein translocase subunit (SecB), as a combined subunit vaccine (CSV) against B. abortus infection in BALB/c mice. Immunoblotting assay showed that these four recombinant proteins as well as pcold-TF vector reacted individually with Brucella-positive serum, but not with Brucella-negative serum. The peripheral blood CD4+ T cell population was increased in CSV-immunized mice compared to PBS and pcold-TF vector groups. In addition, CSV and pcold-TF groups displayed induced IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies production compared to PBS and RB51 group, whereas IgG2a titer was higher than IgG1 titer in CSV group. The secretion profiles of IgG1 and IgG2a production together with an enhancement of CD4+ T cell population suggested that CSV did not only induce T helper 1 (Th1) T cell immunity but also humoral immunity. Therein, Th1 T cell immunity is more predominant in eliminating intracellular bacteria B. abortus. Furthermore, CSV immunization significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the spleen as well as the spleen weight in comparison to PBS and pcold-TF groups. Altogether, combination of these antigens could be potential to induce protective immunity against B. abortus infection in animals.

배경/목적: 경피경간담도경 검사(PTCS)는 진단과 치료에 널리 사용되고 있다. PTCS 관련 합병증(담관염, 담관천공, 혈액담즙증)은 드물지 않게 발생한다. 하지만 PTCS와 관련된 합병증의 위험인자에 대한 정보는 제한적이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 이러한 PTCS와 관련된 합병증의 위험인자를 조사하고자 한다. 방법: 2006년 1월부터 2014년 10월까지 3차 의료기관에서 PTCS를 시행한 232명의 환자를 대상으로 연구하였다. 후향적으로 분석하여 최종 212명의 환자가 등록되었다. 환자들은 합병증이 발생한 그룹과 발생하지 않은 그룹으로 나누어 분석하였다. 결과: 112명의 남성과 100명의 여성으로 구성되었으며, 평균 나이는 64.5세였다. 212명의 환자 중 32명(15.1%)에서 합병증이 발생하였고, 담관염(14건, 6.2%), 담관손상(6건, 2.8%), 혈액담즙증(2건, 0.9%) 등이 발생하였다. 단변량 분석에서 고령, 경로 확장을 여러 번 하지 않은 경우, CT에서 간경화가 있거나 간내담관이 늘어나 있지 않은 경우 등은 PTCS와 관련된 합병증이 증가하였다. 다변량 분석에서는 고령과 경로 확장을 여러 번 하지 않은 경우 그리고 CT에서 간내담관이 늘어나 있지 않은 경우가 PTCS와 관련된 합병증을 예측할 수 있는 인자였다. 경로 확장을 2번 이상에 걸쳐서 시행한 환자는 95명(44.8%)이며, 합병증에는 영향을 주지 않았다. 하위그룹 분석에서는 경로 확장 간의 간격이 3일 이하인 경우, PTCS와 관련된 합병증과 관련이 있었다. 결론: 고령의 환자와 CT에서 늘어나 있지 않은 간내담도를 가진 환자에서는 시술 시 주의 깊게 시술해야 한다. 단계적인 경로 확장과 3일 이상의 긴 간격이 PTCS 관련 합병증을 줄이는 데 도움이 될 수 있다.

The present study evaluated the repellent activity and the improvements in egg production and mortality rate on laying hens infested with poultry red mites (PRM) administered with a mixture of Korean traditional herbal methanolic extracts (CHE, Foeniculum vulgare : Sophora flavescens : Cinnamomum cassia : Glycyrrhiza glabra = 1:1:1:1, w/w/w/w). PRM numbers per laying hens in CHE-0.5 administered with CHE 0.5 kg/ton feed were significantly decreased compared to those in Non-CHE (control) during overall experimental periods (1st week post-treatment, p<0.05; 2nd week post-treatment, p<0.01; 3rd-4th week post-treatment, p<0.001). In CHE-1.0 administered with CHE 1.0 kg/ton feed, PRM numbers were significantly decreased compared to those in Non-CHE during the whole experimental periods (1st week post-treatment, p<0.01; 2nd-4th week post-treatment, p<0.001). After administration of CHE for 4 weeks, egg production and mortality rate in CHE-0.5 and CHE-1.0 were significantly improved compared to those in Non-CHE (p<0.05). In addition, hematological and blood biochemical parameters in all CHE-treated groups were insignificantly different compared to those in Non-CHE. This study showed that CHE (0.5 and 1.0 kg/ton feed) had a repellent activity on PRM in laying hens and effects on the improvement in egg production and mortality rate of laying hen. CHE could be an effective and safe candidate for the control of PRM and the improvement in egg production and mortality rate of laying hens.

This study was investigated the synergistic antibacterial effects from the combination of sulfamethazine (SMZ) and tiamulin (SMT) against Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) isolated from pigs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index were determined for 10 bacteria from 13 swine farms in Gyeongsangnam province by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards broth microdilution procedure. Antimicrobial agents tested included SMZ, tiamulin and SMT. Against S. Typhimurium and A. pleuropneumoniae, the MIC ranges of SMZ, tiamulin and SMT were 125-500, 15.625-62.5 and 15.625-62.5 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the FIC index ranges of SMT against S. Typhimurium and A. pleuropneumoniae were 0.19-0.38 and 0.19-0.62, respectively. In conclusion, SMT has a high antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium and A. pleuropneumoniae, then the combination may be applied for the treatment of swine diseases caused by S. Typhimurium and A. pleuropneumoniae.

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of the oxidation process of meat. In the instrumental color, redness, yellowness, and chroma showed significant differences during storage period (P<0.05), whereas hue angle increased (P<0.05), but no significant difference in lightness(P>0.05). The results of TBARS increased significantly during storage period (P<0.05). The thiol and carbonyl contents increased significantly during storage period(P<0.05). Metabolites analysis showed that lactic acid, proline, phenylalanine, mannose, talose, lysine, and tyrosine were significantly different with the storage periods (P<0.05). All the samples used in the experiment were able to confirm that sample went through normal oxidation process with indicators and components were increased or decreased. Further research is needed to study the correlation between metabolite materials.

To attenuate and control the spread of infectious disease, a body of research has been conducted to generate safe vaccines and to continue national-level surveillance. However, understanding on viability and persistence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in infected carcasses, and effective disposal approaches are still limited up to date. Here, using HA test and RT-PCR, we assessed active status of AIV and degradation of viral RNA in collected specimens at different sites and time points. First, AIV infectivity was recovered until day 2, and viral nucleic acids persisted to day 14 and 21 in inorganic and organic samples, respectively, in sealed vials incubated at room temperature. Second, AIV was totally inactivated in all examined specimens, and viral RNA was not detectable at all time points tested at least one month post-infection in AIV-inoculated carcasses buried directly in soil or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bin. Lastly, among different burial sites in South Korea, 6 out of 17 sampling sites in Jeonbuk province showed the presence of viral genetic materials, while the rest of the field samples displayed neither the presence of infective AIV nor detectable viral RNA. This study showed a linear relation between time and degradation degree of viral RNA in buried samples suggesting that burial disposal method is effective for the control or at least attenuation of spread of AI infection in infected animals although consistent monitoring is required to verify safety of disposal.

오프라인 공간 이동 게임은 (이하 공간 이동 게임) 정해진 실제 공간에 배치된 여러 퍼즐 문제와의 상호작용을 통해 해당 공간을 탈출하는 게임으로서 전 세계적으로 많은 인기를 끌고 있다. 본 논문은 공간 이동게임을 디자인할 때 도움이 되는 새로운 잠금 시스템을 제안하고자 한다. 해당 잠금 시스템은 여러 개의 스마트폰 장치를 활용하는 것으로, 터치 디스플레이를 이용해 장치 간의 배치를 추정할 수 있는 시스템을 기반으로 한다. 사용자는 공간 이동 게임 내에서 주어진 힌트를 이용해서 다수의 스마트폰 장치를 적절하게 배치한 후 스마트폰들의 배치를 추정할 수 있는 터치 제스처 데이터를 서버에 전송한다. 서버는 각 장치의 배치 상태를 추정하여, 배치 상태가 올바른 지 확인하고 게임을 진행시킨다. 제안한 잠금 시스템에 대해, 사용의 입력을 바탕으로 잠금 시스템으로서의 성능을 평가하였으며, 잠금 패턴을 구분하기 위한 적절한 파라미터를 선정하였다. 또한 이 연구결과를 바탕으로 공간 이동 게임에서 활용될 수 있는 시나리오를 제안하였다. 본 논문을 통해 제안된 새로운 잠금 시스템을 통해 공간 이동 게임에 보다 다양한 시나리오와 트릭이 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

Despite the various effects on the health of Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil (COEO), an adverse effect on the skin has recently been reported. Therefore, in this study, the skin sensitization test of COEO was conducted to confirm the skin safety of the essential oil by the guinea pig maximization test. Guinea pigs were sensitized with intradermal injection of 0.1ml COEO for 24 h. After 1 week, 5% of COEO was treated on the site of injection and 2% of the essential oil was challenged 2 weeks later. The average skin reaction evaluated by erythema and edema on the challenge sites and sensitization rate in the COEO-treatment group at 24 h were 0.0 and 0%, respectively, which are substantially low compared with in the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-treatment group (positive control group) (average skin reaction: 3.0, sensitization rate: 100%) and identical with in the olive oil-treatment group (negative control group), representing a weak sensitizing potential. The average skin reaction and sensitization rate observed at 48 h were 0.0 and 0% in the COEO-treatment group, respectively, and 2.0 and 100% in the positive control group, respectively. It was concluded that 5% of COEO classified to Grade I, induced no sensitization when tested in guinea pigs.

BALB/c mice were vaccinated with Brucella (B.) abortus recombinant protein L27 (50S ribosomal protein L27) cloned into a pMal vector system. L27 was induced, purified and injected intraperitoneally (IP). Mice were vaccinated on 0-, 15- and 35-day. Serum cytokines were evaluated on 36- and 49-day from first vaccination. Mice were intraperitoneally infected with 5×104 CFU of virulent B. abortus 544 on day-50 and sacrificed after two weeks from infection. Bacterial burden from the spleen was quantified and showed a 0.7- and 0.9-log reduction in vaccinated mice in comparison to PBS and MBP (maltose binding protein) groups respectively. Cytokines in the serum demonstrated increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). On the other hand, interleukin 10 (IL-10) was attenuated in the sera of vaccinated mice. This cytokine profile is indicative of a cell-mediated type of immune response which is favorable for the eradication of intracellular infections. The current study showed the potential of another B. abortus ribosomal protein in inducing protective immunity against B. abortus infection.

This study was carried out to investigate the acute oral toxicity of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) essential oil (CBE) in New Zealand white male and female rabbits. Acute oral treatment with the CBE did not reveal any sign of toxicity or mortality in treated rabbits. The body weight of the rabbits was not affected after a single oral administration of the CBE during the 14-day observation period. In both the hematological and blood biochemical analysis, all parameters of the treated group with 2,000 mg/kg body weight of the CBE were not significantly different than those of the control group. Therefore, the lethal dose 50 of the CBE was estimated to be greater than 2,000 mg/kg body weight in rabbits, which indicated that the CBE is non-toxic. In conclusion, this study suggests that oral administration of the CBE is safe on rabbits.

In this study, we examined the protective immunity of a combination of seven Brucella abortus recombinant proteins; superoxide dismutase (rSodC), riboflavin synthase subunit beta (rRibH), 50S ribosomal protein (50s rL7/L12), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (rNdk), malate dehydrogenase (rMDH), arginase (rRocF), and elongation factor (rTsf) cloned in a pMal vector system and expressed in DH5α. Mice groups were immunized thrice with a combined subunit vaccine (CSV-7) at 0, 2, and 5 weeks and subsequently challenged with B. abortus at 5 × 104 CFU at 6 weeks. At four weeks post-infection, the mice were sacrificed and the bacterial burden in their spleens was quantified. Results revealed bacterial log reductions of 0.63 and 0.34 in comparison to PBS and maltose-binding protein (MBP), respectively. Cytokine profiling revealed a marked increase in IFN-γ (interferon-gamma), MCP-1 (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1) and IL-6 (interleukin 6) cytokines at 5-weeks post-immunization. On the other hand, only TNF was heightened at 7-weeks post-immunization. In general, this cytokine profile is consistently reflective of a Th1 immune response, which is beneficial for host immunoresistance.