• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.328-339
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• 2018

Background: Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in patients with comorbidities and advanced age. This study evaluated trends in epidemiology of adult pneumococcal disease in Crete, Greece, by identifying serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of consecutive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from adults during an 8-year time period (2009-2016) and the indirect effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccines 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by E-test and serotyping by Quellung reaction. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as non-susceptibility to penicillin (PNSP) combined with resistance to ${\geq}2$ non-${\beta}$-lactam antimicrobials. Results: A total of 135 S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from adults during the study period. Twenty-one serotypes were identified with 17F, 15A, 3, 19A, and 11A, being the most common. The coverage rates of PCV10, and PCV13 were 17.8% and 37.8%, respectively. PCV13 serotypes decreased significantly from 68.4% in 2009 to 8.3% in 2016 (P = 0.002). The most important emerging non-PCV13 serotypes were 17F, 15A, and 11A, with 15A being strongly associated with antimicrobial resistance and MDR. Among all study isolates, penicillin-resistant and MDR strains represented 7.4% and 14.1%, respectively. Predominant PNSP serotypes were 19A (21.7%), 11A (17.4%), and 15A (17.4%). Erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin resistant rates were 30.4%, 15.6%, 16.3%, 16.3%, and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Although pneumococcal disease continues to be a health burden in adults in Crete, our study reveals a herd protection effect of the infant pneumococcal higher-valent conjugate vaccination. Surveillance of changes in serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance among pneumococcal isolates are necessary to guide optimal prevention and treatment strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.262-267
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• 2013

The purpose of this research is to minimize the loss of nutrients in carrots (Daucus carota var. sativa). A protopectinase was used to enzymatically macerated and separate cells without damage. The enzyme modification group's collection rate was 81% (residue rate 19%), while the grinding process group's collection rate was 56% (residue rate 44%)-an over 20% of collection rate difference. Thus we predicted a big difference in transference number after the process and wastage. In comparing ingredient changes in the enzyme modification group versus the grinding process group, the content of ${\beta}$-carotene (the carrot's main ingredient) showed a change in protection factor (PF) ($2.2{\pm}0.2$ PF, $1.4{\pm}0.4$ PF, respectively), total polyphenol content ($89{\pm}3.42{\mu}g/g$, $64{\pm}4.16{\mu}g/g$, respectively), and total flavonoid content ($68{\pm}2.73{\mu}g/g$, $41{\pm}3.26{\mu}g/g$, respectively). Thus we confirmed that nutrient destruction, due to cell membrane preservation, occurred less often in the enzyme modification process than the mechanical grinding process group. We also measured DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and nitrite scavenging activity. DPPH radical scavenging activity was $87{\pm}0.29%$ and $74{\pm}1.56%$ in the enzymatic modification group compared to the mechanical grinding process group, respectively. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was $44{\pm}0.49%$ and $32{\pm}0.48%$ in the enzymatic modification group compared to the mechanical grinding process group, respectively. Nitrite scavenging activity was $59{\pm}0.53%$ and $46{\pm}0.62%$ in the enzymatic modification group compared to the mechanical grinding process group, respectively. Our results show that cell membrane preservation, via the protopectinase enzyme process, decreases the loss of nutrients and still preserves inherent antioxidants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident professional macrophages that function as the principal immune cells responding to pathological stimulations in the CNS. Activation of microglia, induced by various pathogens, protects neurons and maintains homeostasis in the CNS, but severe activation causes inflammatory responses secreting various neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Allium fistulosum, a member of the onion family, is mainly cultivated for consumption, as well as medicinal use in Oriental medicine. It has been reported that A. fistulosum has various biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-fungus and anti-cholesterol synthesis, however there has been no research about the anti-inflammatory effects of A. fistulosum extracts. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of A. fistulosum as a suppressor of neuronal inflammation by using BV2 microglia cells. As a result, it was found that four kinds of extracts of A. fistulosum effectively reduced the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels, and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the mRNA level in BV2 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the extracts of A. fistulosum attenuated the release of NO markedly, as well as resulting in slight decreases of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production, the effects of which were most significant when treated with ethyl alcohol extract from the whole A. fistulosum. In conclusion, the data indicated that the anti-inflammatory actions of A. fistulosum against BV2 microglia cells is through the down-regulation of iNOS, COX2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, and these effects are expected to help in the protection of nerve tissues by suppressions of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.2 s.112
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• pp.225-236
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• 2005

The protection of public health In wastewater reclamation and reuse is one of the most important issues. Monitoring data of Escherichia coli were collected from paddy rice plots in 2003 and 2004 experiments. Five treatments were used and each one was triplicated to evaluate the changes of E. coli: surface water, biofilter effluent (secondary level), UV-disinfected water and pond treatment. Microbial risk was quantified to assess human health risk by exposure to E. coli in paddy rice plots, which were irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Beta-Poisson model was used to estimate the microbial risk of pathogen ingestion that may occur to farmer and neighbor children. Monte-Carlo analysis (10,000 trials) was used to estimate the risk characterization of uncertainty. In the following analysis, two scenarios were related to the reduction of risk against direct ingestion and exposure times. Scenarios A and B were assumed that the risk was 1,000 and 10,000 times lower than direct ingestion.'Golfers were assumed to be 0.001 L of reclaimed water by contact with balls and their cloths. Opportunity of contact in paddy rice field with pathogens was more frequent than handing golf balls, because of agricultural activity was practiced in ponded water in paddy rice culture. As a result of microbial risk assessment using total data of experimental period, risk value of E. coli in 2003 and 2004 experiment ranged from $10^{-5}$ to $10^{-8}$ and $10^{-4}$ to $10^{-8}$, respectively. The risk values in biofilter effluent irrigation was the highest, which is $10^{-4}$ in 2003 and $10^{-5}$ in 2004 experiments with scenario A. Ranges of $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-8}$ were considered at reasonable levels of risk for communicable disease transmission from environmental exposure and the risk value above $10^{-4}$ was considered to be attributable to the risk of infection. Irrigation with UV-disinfected water in the paddy field during the agricultural Period showed significantly lower microbial risk than others, and their levels of risk value were within the range of actual paddy rice field with surface water.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

The interest of the people in the radioactive contamination of the water has increased significantly and the study about analysis and management of radioactive materials are being actively conducted. And monitoring spots have been expanded to the range of public water as well as drinking water by publishing the rule of drinking water quality standards and examination in the Environmental Enforcement Ordinance No. 553 of Korea. In this study, US EPA was investigated as the foreign advanced cases and the way that is appropriate for the Korea was sought by analyzing investigate radionuclide, interval and management. As a result, in the selection part of investigate radionuclide, geological survey, status of nuclear power plants and the presence of the use of artificial radionuclides of the Korea should be investigated and additionally after the selection of a few radionuclides, the systems should be extended to cover all possible radionuclides by considering radioactive pollution levels in humans may be exposed due to the annual drinking water. In the part of the investigate interval, the concept(MCL, DL) should be set up for preventing concentration detection of above MCL and it needs to the maintenance and management. For example, when the concentration is more than MCL, it should be investigated on a quarterly and when the concentration is lower than MCL, it should be investigated to each different interval and management. And the US EPA divided the management area and make the roadmap for managing drinking water. The each classified area has been organized to match the state budget and labor force and the individual data have been managed effectively by HPGe, the NaI, TLD and so on.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2000

Bacillus circulans S-1 extracellular pullulan 6-glucanohydrolase (EP) (EC 3.2.1.41) has been characterized with a purified enzyme of 140 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was P-L-N-M-S-Q-P. The enzyme displayed a temperature optimum of around $60^{\circ}C$ and a pH optimum of around pH 9.0. The enzyme was stable to incubation from pH 4.0 to pH 11.0 at $4^{\circ}C$ for 48h. The presence of substrate allowed the protection of the enzyme from heat inactivation. The activity of the enzyme was stimulated by several metal ions such as Mn2+ and Ca2+. The enzyme had an apparent Km of 7.92 mg/ml for pullulan. The purfied enzyme completely hydrolysed pullulan to maltotriose.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.495-499
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• 2014

Estrogens are considered the major breast cancer risk factor, and the carcinogenic potential of estrogens might be attributed to DNA modification caused by derivatives formed during metabolism. $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), the main steroidal estrogen present in women, is metabolized via two major pathways: formation of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH $E_2$) and 4-hydroxyestradiol ($4-OH\;E_2$) through the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1, respectively. Previous reports suggested that $2-OH\;E_2$ has putative protective effects, while $4-OH\;E_2$ is genotoxic and has potent carcinogenic activity. Thus, the ratio of $2-OH\;E_2/4-OH\;E_2$ is a critical determinant of the toxicity of $E_2$ in mammary cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of berberine on the expression profile of the estrogen metabolizing enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Berberine treatment produced significant induction of both forms at the level of mRNA expression, but with increased doses produced 16~ to 52~fold greater induction of CYP1A1 mRNA over CYP1B1 mRNA. Furthermore, berberine dramatically increased CYP1A1 protein levels but did not influence CYP1B1 protein levels in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, we present the first report to show that berberine may provide protection against breast cancer by altering the ratio of CYP1A1/CYP1B1, could redirect $E_2$ metabolism in a more protective pathway in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2013

Kefir is a unique fermented dairy product resulting from combined lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation of lactose in milk. Kefir is produced by the microbial activity of kefir grains. Kefir has numerous health benefits such as the reduction of cholesterol levels, stimulation of the immune system, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, and improvements of lactose intolerance. Furthermore, kefir is excellent as both a dietetic beverage and for protection against various diseases in small babies. Therefore, kefir has recently been regarded as an important functional dairy food. To date, the majority of research on kefir has focused on the applications of functional kefir using advanced biotechnology methods. The purpose of this review article is to facilitate the recognition of kefir as a novel functional food.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.163-177
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• 2008

Periodontal disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bacterial infectious disease, is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in periodontal disease and widely studied for its role in the pathogenesis of CVD. A previous study demonstrating that periodontopathic P. gingivalis is involved in CVD showed that invasion of endothelial cells by the bacterium is accompanied by an increase in cytokine production, which may result in vascular atherosclerotic changes. The present study was performed in order to further elucidate the role of P. gingivalis in the process of atherosclerosis and CVD. For this purpose, invasion of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) by P. gingivalis 381 and its isogenic mutants of KDP150 ($fimA^-$), CW120 ($ppk^-$) and KS7 ($relA^-$) was assessed using a metronidazole protection assay. Wild type P. gingivalis invaded HASMCs with an efficiency of 0.12%. In contrast, KDP150 failed to demonstrate any invasive ability. CW120 and KS7 showed relatively higher invasion efficiencies, but results for these variants were still negligible when compared to the wild type invasiveness. These results suggest that fimbriae are required for invasion and that energy metabolism in association with regulatory genes involved in stress and stringent response may also be important for this process. ELISA assays revealed that the invasive P. gingivalis 381 increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and the chemotactic cytokines (chemokine) IL (interleukin)-8 and monocyte chemotactic (MCP) protein-1 during the 30-90 min incubation periods (P<0.05). Expression of RANTES (regulation upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, a pattern recognition receptor (PRR), was increased in HASMCs infected with P. gingivalis 381 by RT-PCR analysis. P. gingivalis infection did not alter interferon-$\gamma$-inducible protein-10 expression in HASMCs. HASMC nonspecific necrosis and apoptotic cell death were measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase activity assays, respectively. LDH release from HASMCs and HAMC caspase activity were significantly higher after a 90 min incubation with P. gingivalis 381. Taken together, P. gingivalis invasion of HASMCs induces inflammatory cytokine production, apoptotic cell death, and expression of TLR-4, a PRR which may react with the bacterial molecules and induce the expression of the chemokines IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES. Overall, these results suggest that invasive P. gingivalis may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, leading to CVD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.1
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• pp.124-130
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• 2006

To explore the development of photoprotective mechanisms, chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll and carotenoid content and antioxidant enzyme activity in leaves were investigated at different vitality and leaf development stage of Alnus firma Sieb. et Zucc under tailing condition. The lowest maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) in leaves of high- and low-vitality plants were observed at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, respectively, and the decrease of Fv/Fm in leaves of all plants were almost completely restored at 6:00 pm. Fv/Fm of full-expansion leaves was higher than that of emergence leaves at all measurement time. Chlorophyll, ${\beta}$-carotene and xanthophyll content in leaves of high-vitality plants and in full-expansion leaves were higher when compared to those of low-vitality plants and emergence leaves. Especially xanthophyll contents in both stage leaves of high-vitality plants were higher than 8.7 times and 18.8 times those of low-vitality plants. Only SOD activity was seen significant difference between leaf stage in leaves of high-vitality plants.