• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 2010

Spatial and temporal distribution of Bacillus licheniformis N1 was investigated over time on the leaves, petioles and crowns of the strawberry plants. Bacterial population on the strawberry plants was quantified over time by selective plating. Bacterial population of N1 containing a plasmid pWH43G carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) declined relatively faster on the plant surface as compared to the Strain N1 itself. However, this result was found to be enough to utilize the strain to visualize bacterial colonization on the plant surface. When B. licheniformis N1 was treated together with Silwet L-77 at 0.03%, the bacterial population on plant surface persisted for up to 7 days. B. licheniformis N1 (pWH43G) containing Silwet L-77 was applied on the strawberry plants and the GFP expressing bacteria were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Bacterial persistence was also investigated in a growth chamber and in a plastic house after N1 bioformulation treatment on the strawberry plant. The Strain N1 colonized three different tissues well and persisted over 3 to 5 days on the strawberry plants. They formed bacterial aggregates on plant surfaces for at least 3 days, resulting in a biofilm to resist fluctuating plant surface environment. However, the bacterial persistence dramatically declined after 7 days in all tested tissues in a plastic house. This study suggest that B. licheniformis N1 colonizes the strawberry plant surface and persists for a long time in a controlled growth chamber, while it can not persist over 7 days on the plant surface in a plastic house.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.5 s.174
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• pp.525-534
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• 2005

Adsorption experiments for As(V) and As(III) onto the surfaces of aerobic Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be readily isolated from natural media, were conducted under nutrient-absent conditions. While a small amount of As(III) was adsorbed on the bacterial cell surfaces, As(V) was not effectively removed from the solution through adsorption. The result was likely due to the electrostatic repulsion between anionic compounds of aqueous As(V) and cell surfaces of f aeruginosa. However, the bacteria forming biofilm reduced a large amount of aqueous As(V) to As(III), which indicated that microorganisms in most oligotrophic, natural geologic settings can mediate the behavior of aqueous As. Biobarriers designed to remove the various heavy metals in contaminant plume may practically lead to the enhancement of toxicity and mobility of As.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.467-473
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• 2008

Natural organic matter (NOM) removal by physico-chemical adsorption and biological oxidation was investigated in five slow sand filters with different media depths. Non-purgeable dissolved organic carbon(NPDOC) and $UV_{254}$ absorbance were measured to evaluate the characteristics of NOM removal at different filter depths. Removal efficiency of NOM was in the range of 10-40% throughout the operation time. At start-up of the filters packed with clean sand media, NOM was probably removed by physico-chemical adsorption on the surface of sand through the overall layer of filter bed. However, when Schumutzdecke layer was built up after 30 days operation, the major portion of NPDOC was removed by biological oxidation and/or bio-sorption in lower depth above 50 mm. NOM removal rate in the upper 50 mm filter bed was $0.82hr^{-1}$. It was about 20 times of the rate($0.04hr^{-1}$) in the deeper filter bed. Small portion of NPDOC could be removed in the deeper filter bed by both bio-sorption and biodegradation. SEM analysis and VSS measurement clearly showed the growth of biofilm in the deeper filter bed below 500 mm, which possibly played an important role in the NOM removal by biological activity besides the physco-chemical adsorption mechanism

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.323-336
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• 2010

We evaluated the properties of a fixed-bed column reactor for high-concentration tetrachloroethylene (PCE) removal. The anaerobic bacterium Clostridium bifermentans DPH-1 was able to dechlorinate PCE to cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cDCE) via trichloroethylene (TCE) at high rates in the monoculture biofilm of an upflow fixed-bed column reactor. The first-order reaction rate of C. bifermentans DPH-1 was relatively high at $0.006\;mg\;protein^{-1}{\cdot}l{\cdot}h^{-1}$, and comparable to rates obtained by others. When we gradually raised the influent PCE concentration from $30\;{\mu}M$ to $905\;{\mu}M$, the degree of PCE dechlorination rose to over 99% during the operation period of 2,000 h. In order to maintain efficiency of transformation of PCE in this reactor system, more than 6 h hydraulic retention time (HRT) is required. The maximum volumetric dechlorination rate of PCE was determined to be $1,100\;{\mu}mol{\cdot}d^{-1}l$ of reactor $volume^{-1}$, which is relatively high compared to rates reported previously. The results of this study indicate that the PCE removal performance of this fixed-bed reactor immobilized mono-culture is comparable to that of a fixed-bed reactor mixture culture system. Furthermore, our system has the major advantage of a rapid (5 days) start-up time for the reactor. The flow characteristics of this reactor are intermediate between those of the plug-flow and complete-mix systems. Biotransformation of PCE into innocuous compounds is desirable; however, unfortunately cDCE, which is itself toxic, was the main product of PCE dechlorination in this reactor system. In order to establish a system for complete detoxification of PCE, co-immobilization of C. bifermentans DPH-1 with other bacteria that degrade cDCE aerobically or anaerobically to ethene or ethane may be effective.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2016

Chronic/cyclic neutropenia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome, Papillon-$Lef{\grave{e}}vre$ syndrome, and $Ch{\grave{e}}diak$-Higashi syndrome are associated with severe periodontitis, suggesting the importance of neutrophils in the maintenance of periodontal health. Various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands are known to stimulate neutrophil function, including FcR-mediated phagocytosis. In the present study, the effect of TLR2 activation on the non-opsonic phagocytosis of oral bacteria and concomitant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human neutrophils was evaluated. Neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood were incubated with Streptococcus sanguinis or Porphyromonas gingivalis in the presence of various concentrations of $Pam_3CSK_4$, a synthetic TLR2 ligand, and analyzed for phagocytosis and ROS production by flow cytometry and chemiluminescence, respectively. $Pam_3CSK_4$ significantly increased the phagocytosis of both bacterial species in a dose-dependent manner. However, the enhancing effect was greater for S. sanguinis than for P. gingivalis. $Pam_3CSK_4$ alone induced ROS production in neutrophils and also increased concomitant ROS production induced by bacteria. Interestingly, incubation with P. gingivalis and $Pam_3CSK_4$ decreased the amounts of ROS, as compared to $Pam_3CSK_4$ alone, indicating the possibility that P. gingivalis survives within neutrophils. However, neutrophils efficiently killed phagocytosed bacteria of both species despite the absence of $Pam_3CSK_4$. Although P. gingivalis is poorly phagocytosed even by the TLR2-activated neutrophils, TLR2 activation of neutrophils may help to reduce the colonization of P. gingivalis by efficiently eliminating S. sanguinis, an early colonizer, in subgingival biofilm.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.8
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• 2018

Objectives: To determine the effect of root canal irrigants on the hydrophobicity and adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) to root canal dentin in vitro. Materials and Methods: Root dentin blocks (n = 60) were randomly divided into 4 groups based on the irrigation regimen: group 1, saline; group 2, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); group 3, 5.25% NaOCl followed by 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); group 4, same as group 3 followed by 2% chlorhexidine (CHX). The hydrophobicity of S. epidermidis to root dentin was calculated by cell surface hydrophobicity while the adherence was observed by fluorescence microscopy, and bacteria were quantified using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health). Statistical analysis of the data was done using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test (p = 0.05). Results: The hydrophobicity and adherence of S. epidermidis to dentin were significantly increased after irrigating with group 3 (NaOCl-EDTA) (p < 0.05), whereas in group 4 (NaOCl-EDTA-CHX) both hydrophobicity and adherence were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The adherence of S. epidermidis to dentin was influenced differently by root canal irrigants. Final irrigation with CHX reduces the bacterial adherence and may impact biofilm formation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1654-1663
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• 2018

Finding a safe and broad-spectrum medication is a goal of scientists, pharmacists, and physicians, but developing and fabricating the right medicine can be challenging. The current study describes the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Fusarium mangiferae. It involves the antibiofilm activity of the nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus. It also involves cytotoxic effect against mammalian cell lines. Well-dispersed nanoparticles are formed by F. mangiferae. The sizes of the nanoparticles were found to range from 25 to 52 nm, and UV-Vis scan showed absorption around 416-420 nm. SEM, TEM, and AFM results displayed spherical and oval shapes. Furthermore, the FTIR histogram detected amide I and amide II compounds responsible for the stability of AgNPs in an aqueous solution. AgNPs were observed to decrease the formation of biofilm at 75% (v/v). DNA reducing, smearing, and perhaps fragmentation were noticed after treating the bacterial cells with 50% (v/v). Additionally, cell lysis was detected releasing proteins in the supernatant. It was also observed that the AgNPs have the ability to cause 59% cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) deaths at 25% (v/v), however, they showed about 31% toxicity against rat embryo fibroblast transformed cell lines (REF). The results of this study prove the efficiency of AgNPs as an antibiofilm against S. aureus, suggesting that AgNPs could be an alternative to antibiotics. It must also be emphasized that AgNPs displayed cytotoxic behavior against mammalian cell lines. Further studies are needed for assessing risk in relation to the possible benefit of prescribing AgNPs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2015

Background Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) induces angiogenesis and collagen synthesis to promote tissue healing. Although acetic acid soaks normalize alkali wound conditions to raise tissue oxygen saturation and deconstruct the biofilms of chronic wounds, frequent dressing changes are required. Methods Combined use of NPWT and acetic acid irrigation was assessed in the treatment of chronic wounds, instilling acetic acid solution (1%) beneath polyurethane membranes twice daily for three weeks under continuous pressure (125 mm Hg). Clinical photographs, pH levels, cultures, and debrided fragments of wounds were obtained pre- and posttreatment. Tissue immunostaining (CD31, Ki-67, and CD45) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]; procollagen; hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha [HIF-1-alpha]; matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1,-3,-9; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]) were also performed. Results Wound sizes tended to diminish with the combined therapy, accompanied by drops in wound pH (weakly acidic or neutral) and less evidence of infection. CD31 and Ki-67 immunostaining increased (P<0.05) post-treatment, as did the levels of VEGFR, procollagen, and MMP-1 (P<0.05), whereas the VEGF, HIF-1-alpha, and MMP-9/TIMP levels declined (P<0.05). Conclusions By combining acetic acid irrigation with negative-pressure dressings, both the pH and the size of chronic wounds can be reduced and infections be controlled. This approach may enhance angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in wounds, restoring the extracellular matrix.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 1997

This research aims to remove nitrogen in the piggery wastewater by combined process with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and biofilm process. For the effective denitrification. anaerobic and anoxic reactors were connected to a reactor. The effluent of aerobix reactor was recycled equally with influent in the upper filter of anaerobic reactor for denitrification and outlet of UBF reactor was connected to the settling tank with $1.5{\;}{\ell}$ capacity and the settling sludge was repeatedly recycled to UASB zone. The organic loading rate of total reactor was operated from 0.4 to $3.1kgCOD/m^{3}/d$ and it was observed that the removal rate of TCOD was 80 to 95 percentage. Ammonia nitrogen was removed over 90 percentage in the less volumetric loading rate than $0.1{\;}kgN/m^{3}/d$. But because of non-limitation of organic materials, it was reduced to 70 percentage in the more volumetric loading rate than $0.6{\;}kgN/m^{3}/d$. But denitrification rate was observed 100 percentage in the all of loading rate. This is caused by the maintenance of optimum temperature, sufficient carbon source, and competition of electron acceptors. The results of COD mass balance at the $1.21{\;}kgCOD/m^{3}/d$ was observed with the 71.7% percentage of influent COD. It was revealed that the most part of organic materials was removed in the aerobic and the anaerobic reactor because 38.4 percentage was conversed into $CH_{4}$ gas and 11 percentage was removed in the aerobic reactor with cell synthesis and metabolism. Besides, 5.7% organics was used to denitrification reaction and 3.7% organics related to sulfate reduction.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.196-204
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• 2018

The anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactor (AFBR) treating synthetic wastewater to simulate domestic sewage was operated under GAC fluidization to provide high surface area for biofilm formation. Although the AFBR achieves excellent COD removal efficiency due to biological activities, concerns are still made with nutrient such as nitrogen remaining in the effluent produced by AFBR. In this study, forward osmosis membrane was applied to treat the effluent produced by AFBR to investigate removal efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) with respect to the draw solution (DS) such as NaCl and glucose. Permeability of FO membrane increased with increasing DS concentration. About 55% of TN removal efficiency was observed with the FO membrane using 1 M of NaCl of draw solution, but almost complete TN removal efficiency was achieved with 1 M of glucose of draw solution. During 24 h of filtration, there was no permeate flux decline with the FO membrane regardless of draw solution applied.