Changes in handwashing and hygiene product usage patterns in Korea before and after the outbreak of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing facial masks are recommended as the first line of protection against COVID-19. Encouraging hand hygiene may be one of the most cost-effective means of reducing the global burden of disease. METHODS: This study uses a web-based questionnaire to evaluate the usage patterns and consumer perceptions of the effectiveness and health safety of bar soap, liquid hand soap, and hand sanitizer products before and after the spread of COVID-19. RESULTS: The results show that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of consumers who primarily use bar soap has decreased from 71.8 to 51.4%, the number of those who primarily use liquid hand soap has increased from 23.5 to 41.3%, and the number of those who use and carry hand sanitizer has increased. The frequency of use, duration of use, and amount used of all three products have increased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Finally, consumer perception of the products' preventive effect against COVID-19 is higher for liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer than it is for bar soap. CONCLUSIONS: Because use of hand sanitizers has increased, public health guidelines must address the potential risks associated them. Our data also show that the public is abiding by the recommendations of the regulatory authorities. As handwashing has become important in preventing COVID-19 infections, the results of our study will support the development of better handwashing guidelines and a public health campaign. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12302-021-00517-8.

Complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. KCTC 12332, a biotechnological potential bacterium.

Hydroxy fatty acids are used in various industries due to their availability, and in particular, Stenotrophomonas sp. has been regarded as a potential candidate for biotechnological applications, including biotransformation that hydrate unsaturated fatty acids into their derivatives. Here we complete the genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas sp. KCTC 12332 which has a size of 4,541,594bp (G+C content of 63.83%) with 3790 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), 67 tRNA and 3 rRNA operons. The genome contains gene encoding oleate hydratase that can convert oleic acid into 10-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

Complete genome sequence of Hymenobacter sp. strain PAMC26554, an ionizing radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from an Antarctic lichen.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, red-pink in color, and UV radiation-resistant bacterium Hymenobacter sp. strain PAMC26554 was isolated from Usnea sp., an Antarctic lichen, and belongs to the class of Cytophagia and the phylum of Bacteroidetes. The complete genome of Hymenobacter sp. PAMC26554 consists of one chromosome (5,244,843bp) with two plasmids (199,990bp and 6421bp). The genomic sequence indicates that Hymenobacter sp. strain PAMC26554 possesses several genes involved in the nucleotide excision repair pathway that protects damaged DNA. This complete genome information will help us to understand its adaptation and novel survival strategy in the Antarctic extreme cold environment.

Complete genome sequence of the xylan-degrading Mucilaginibacter sp. strain PAMC26640 isolated from an Arctic lichen.

Mucilaginibacter sp. PAMC26640 is a xylan-degrading bacterium isolated from the Arctic lichen Stereocaulon sp. Here, we present the first complete genome sequence of Mucilaginibacter sp. strain PAMC26640, which contains several genes involved in xylan utilization. This genome information provides new insights into the genetic basis of its physiology and further analysis of key metabolic genes related to the xylan degradation pathway.

Bioproduction of mushroom mycelium of Agaricus bisporus by commercial submerged fermentation for the production of meat analogue.

BACKGROUND: As worldwide interest in healthy and delicious meat analogues increases, the texture of these products has become an important indicator of quality. Mycoprotein as fungal mycelium could provide a distinctive chewing sensation; however, the unfavorable consumer perception of fungal mycelium demands the production of meat analogues with true mushroom mycelium. RESULTS: The industrial and economical bioprocess was developed using an inexpensive medium (30 g L(-1) sugar cane extract (SCE), 10 g L(-1) NaNO(3) and 5 g L(-1) yeast extract) and A. bisporus Suksung. The SCE was maintained at around 10 g L(-1) to minimize osmotic shock. The maximum mycelium production of 15.0 g L(-1) (dry weight) was reached within 4 days. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed fibrous and directional structure rather than a more typical pellet structure. Meat analogues with mushroom mycelium had better textural properties, being higher in hardness, springiness, and chewiness and with preferable umami characteristics compared to meat analogues utilizing soy protein. The overall acceptance of meat analogues prepared with mycelium and soy protein, and a ground beef patty, were 5, 2 and 10, respectively. CONCLUSION: The development of an industrial bioprocess for A. bisporus mycelium allowed the production of a highly acceptable meat analogue having not only superior textural properties but also umami characteristics when compared to that of soy protein.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of free methionine-(R)-sulfoxide reductase from Staphylococcus aureus.

Free methionine-(R)-sulfoxide reductase (fRMsr) catalyzes the reduction of the free form of methionine-(R)-sulfoxide back to free methionine. The fRMsr protein from Staphylococcus aureus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized at 295 K using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. Diffraction data were collected to 1.7 angstrom resolution from a native crystal using synchrotron radiation. The crystal belonged to the hexagonal space group P6(1)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 89.84, c = 88.75 angstrom, alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees. Assuming the presence of one molecule in the asymmetric unit, the calculated Matthews coefficient value was 2.21 angstrom(3) Da(-1), with a solvent content of 57.1%.