• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm recovery by counting its colony-forming units (CFUs) and via confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis at different time points following PDT. In PDT, photosensitizer was an erythrosine. S. mutans ATCC25175 biofilms were irradiated using an LED curing light. Chlorhexidine (CHX) was used as positive control. After each antimicrobial treatment, samples were cultured to allow biofilm recovery. Viability was measured by calculating the CFU counts after treatment and after every 3 hours for up to 24 hours. Immediately after treatment, the PDT and CHX groups showed equally significant decreases in S. mutans CFU counts compared to the negative control. After 12 hours of reculture, the PDT group showed no significant difference in the decrease in CFU count compared to the negative control, whereas the CHX group showed significantly lower CFU counts throughout the 24-hour period. Erythrosine-mediated PDT can effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation. However, biofilm recovery occurred earlier in the CHX group after PDT. This study provides insights into the clinical effectiveness of PDT in preventing dental caries.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the far-infrared emissivity of patented ocher quilt cotton fabrics and to investigate the microorganisms that survived the washing of cotton fabrics up to 20 times. Methods: A 16S rRNA assay was performed using a far-infrared radiometer and a single colony in which microorganisms grew in nutrient media. Results: The far-infrared emissivity of ocher quilt was 0.902 (90.2%) at 5~20 ㎛ at 40℃, and the radiation energy was 3.63 × 10² w/m². The number of viable cells was 2.0 × 10² cells/ml in ocher duvet cotton fabric, and no viable bacteria found in regular cotton fabric. The base sequence of 16S rRNA of B-2 strain isolated into single colonies was 1,419 bases, and the base sequence of strain A-4 was 1,284 bases. The base sequence of 16S rRNA of these two strains showed high homology with Bacillus spp. The B-2 bacteria showed high homology with 99.0% of the 16S rRNA sequence of B. aryabhattai EF114313 and 99.0% of the A-4 bacteria of B. bingmayongensis AKCS01000011. Consequently the colony strain B-2 finally identified as B. aryabhattai BJ-2 and A-4 as B. bingmayongensis BJ-4 strain. Concusions: Soil Bacillus strains survived in ocher quilt cotton fabric after 20 washing. The material can be useful because quilt cotton fabric emits a large amount of far-infrared and far-infrared radiation energy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.593-604
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• 2023

The ocean accounts for over 70% of the Earth's surface and is a space of largely unexplored unknowns and opportunities. Korea is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, emphasizing the importance of marine research. The ocean has an extremely complex environment with immense biological diversity. In terms of microbiology, the marine environment has varying factors like extreme temperature, pressure, solar radiation, salt concentration, and pH, providing ecologically unique habitats. Due to this variety, marine organisms have very different phylogenetic classifications compared with terrestrial organisms. Although various microorganisms inhabit the ocean, studies on the diversity, isolation, and cultivation of marine microorganisms and the secondary metabolites they produce are still insufficient. Research on bioactive substances from marine microorganisms, which were rarely studied until the 1990s, has accelerated in terms of natural products from marine Actinomycetes since the 2000s. Since then, industries for bioplastic and biofuel production, carbon dioxide capture, probiotics, and pharmaceutical discovery and development of antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory drugs using bacteria, archaea, and algae have significantly grown. In this review, we introduce current research findings and the latest trends in life science and biotechnology using marine microorganisms. Through this article, we hope to create consumer awareness of the importance of basic and applied research in various natural product-related discovery fields other than conventional pharmaceutical drug discovery. The article aims to suggest pathways that may boost research on the optimization and application of future marine-derived materials.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.470-478
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to monitor the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) produced by human osteosarcoma cell line (MG63) stimulated with Prevotella nigrescens lipopolysaccharides (LPS). and to compare the level of secretion before and after the treatment of calcium hydroxide on P. nigrescens LPS. LPS was extracted and purified from anaerobically cultured P. nigrescens. MG63 cells were stimulated by the LPS (0, 1, $10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$) or LPS($10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$) pretreated with 12.5 mg/ml of $Ca(OH)_2$ for 3 days. Total RNA was isolated from the cell. and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for quantification of MMP-1 and TIMP-1. The results were as follows. 1. MMP-1 mRNA expression at 48 hr was highly increased by stimulation with P. nigrescens LPS. The increase was dose-dependent. 2. When stimulated with ($1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ of LPS. TIMP-1 mRNA expression was highly increased at 24 hr and 48 hr. However. TIMP-1 expression was suppressed at higher concentration ($10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$). 3. When P. nigrescens LPS was pretreated with $Ca(OH)_2$. MMP-1 and TIMP-1 gene expression was downregulated. The results of this study suggest that transcriptional regulation of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 by P. nigrescens LPS could be one of the important mechanisms in bone resorption of periapical inflammation. The result of calcium hydroxide on MMP-1 and TIMP-1 gene expression suppression shows that calcium hydroxide detoxified bacterial LPS and thus should be used the medication of choice for intracanal dressings in root canal infected with black-pigmented bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.92-96
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• 2011

Rhodococcus sp. strain DK17 possesses three megaplasmids (380 kb pDK1, 330 kb pDK2, and 750 kb pDK3). The alkylbenzene-degrading genes (akbABCDEF) are present on pDK2 while the phthalate operons which are duplicated are present on both pDK2 (ophA'B'C'R') and pDK3 (ophABCR). DK17 with an optimal temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ showed no growth at $37^{\circ}C$. When transferred to $30^{\circ}C$, however, the $37^{\circ}C$ culture began to grow immediately, indicating that $37^{\circ}C$ is not lethal but stressful for DK17 growth. In addition, when exposed to $37^{\circ}C$ even for a short time, a part of DK17 cells lost the ability to degrade o-xylene (a model compound of alkylbenzenes). When two hundred colonies were randomly selected for colony PCR for pDK2-specific akbC, ophC', or pDK3-specific ophC, a total of 29 colonies were found to have lost at least one of the three genes. PFGE analysis clearly showed that all the mutants have different megaplasmid profiles from that of DK17 wild type, which are divided into five different cases: Type I (10 mutants, pDK2 loss and acquisition of a new ~700 kb plasmid), Type II (9 mutants, pDK2 loss), Type III (8 mutants, pDK3 loss and acquisition of a new ~400 kb plasmid), Type IV (1 mutant, pDK3 loss), and Type V (1 mutant, pDK2 and pDK3 loss and acquisition of the ~400 kb and ~700 kb plasmids). The above results showing that growth temperature changes can induce physical changes in bacterial genomes suggest that environmental changes in habitats including temperature fluctuations affect significantly the evolution of bacteria.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1107-1115
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• 2005

Purpose : An outbreak of ESBL-producing Shigella sonnei enteritis was unprecedented not only in Korea but throughout the world in the past. We intended to devise a management guideline for ESBL-producing shigellosis based on analysis of clinical manifestations and response to therapy. Methods : We analyzed 103 patients who were admitted to the hospital with acute GI symptoms and were shown positive result for S. sonnei on stool culture. We performed sensitivity test to the antibiotics and DNA sequencing of ESBL gene in the isolated S. sonnei colonies. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed their clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical and microbiological responses to the antibiotics. Results : Among the clinical manifestations, fever was the most frequent(96.1%), followed by diarrhea(93.2%), abdominal pain(76.7%), headache(71.8%), vomiting(65.0%), and nausea(41.7%). The fever was sustained for average of 2.0 days and diarrhea for 3.9 days. Watery diarrhea was the most common(69%) followed by mucoid(26%), and bloody stool(5%). On peripheral blood smear, leukocytosis was noted in 53.4% of patients, and 78.6% of patients tested positive for serum CRP response. On stool direct smear, 11.7% of patients showed more than 50 WBCs/HPF, and 9.7% of patients between 5 to 20 WBCs/HPF. Stool occult blood was positive in 71% of patients. Production of CTX-M-14 type ESBL was reported for all S. sonnei strains isolated from this outbreak. Microbiological eradication rates to various antibiotics were as follows : 100%(9/9) to ciprofloxacin, 100% 5/5) to azithromycin, 6.9%(5/72) to cefdinir, 0%(0/8) to ceftriaxone, 12.5%(1/8) to ceftizoxime, 0%(0/ 8) to TMP/SMX, 42.9%(3/7) to ampicillin/sulbactam, 20%(1/5) to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and 68.8 %(11/16) to imipenem/cilastatin. Conclusion : It is presumed that azithromycin can be an attractive option for the treatment of ESBL-producing S. sonnei enteritis in pediatric population, given its cost-effectiveness and safety. Although ciprofloxacin is another cost-effective agent, its use in pediatric population may be a bit too premature.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.979-995
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• 1999

This study was investigated to observe the effect of Treponema denticola cell sonicates(TDC) and Treponema lecithinolyticum cell sonicates(TLC) on cytokine secretion and matix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) activation of cultured human gingival fibroblast. Several experiments were performed including $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 ELISA for the effect on the $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 secretion of human gingival fibroblast. Also gelatinase zymography and gelatin dissolubility test for the activation of MMP-2 secreted by gingival fibroblast. The results were as follows. 1. The effect of TDC and TLC on IL-6 secretion of human gingival fibroblast showed statistically significant increase of IL-6 secretion in the TDC and TLC treated group compared to no treatment group(p<0.05) . 2. The amount of $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion was below the lower limit and there was no difference in the $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion of gingival fibroblast between TDC, TLC treated group and no treatment group. 3. The active form of pro MMP-2 with 72 kDa molecular weight was activated in both TDC and TLC treated group and clear band was appeared at 62kDa site on the zymography. 4. Gelatin dissolubility of MMP-2 secreted by gingival fibroblast was higher in TDC and TLC treated group compared to no treatment group(p<0.05). 5. In the TDC treated group, serine protease of T. denticola affect gelatin dissolubility. But in the TLC treated group gelatin was degraded by only MMP secreted by gingival fibroblast. Regarding to the above results, TDC and TLC have an effect on the IL-6 secretion increase of human gingival fibroblast and appears to activate pro MMP-2 which degrades collagen.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2007

Purpose : It has been reported that deep neck abscesses are recently increasing again. We analyzed pediatric cases with deep neck abscesses during the last several years to contribute to the treatment of the disease. Methods : The clinical data of 30 children under 16 years of age with deep neck abscess from February 2001 to July 2006 were analysed retrospectively. Results : The mean age was 9 years (2-16 years), and the male/female ratio was 19/11. Abscesses in the peritonsillar space were most common (57%), followed by the retropharyngeal (30%) and parapharyngeal (13%) spaces. Upper respiratory infection in 10 cases (33%), dental infection in four case (14%), cervical lymphadenitis in three case (10%) and sinusitis in two case (6%) contributed to the development of deep neck infections. The frequent symptoms were fever in 16 case (53%), sore throat in 15 case (50%), poor oral intake in 10 (33%), odynophagia in eight (27%), and neck pain in eight (27%). Unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy and displacement in 15 case (50%) were most common. Neck mass in 13 patients (43%), neck stiffness in three (10%) and trismus in three (10%) were also found. Bacteria were isolated in 8 among 10 pus cultures; Streptococcus species 7 and Micrococcus luteus 1. All of those bacteria except Micrococcus luteus were sensitive to penicillin G. Surgical intervention was applied to 12 cases (40%), and the remaining 18 patients (60%) were treated with antibiotics only. There were no differences between the two groups in the duration of admission and antibiotic treatment. No complicated cases were observed. Conclusion : Peritonsillar abscesses were most frequent. Upper respiratory infection was the most common predisposing factor, followed by dental infection and sinusitis. Symptoms of respiratory tract obstruction were not found. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus species. Deep neck abscesses in children, if diagnosed at the early stage, possibly can be treated by antibiotics only, without surgical intervention.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2000

Purpose : A great deal of youngsters suffer from otitis media, for which antimicrobials are frequently prescribed. Increased antimicrobial resistance forces physicians to judiciously use antimicrobial agents in treating patients with acute otitis media. There have however been few references with regard to otitis media in Korean children, and authors proceeded investigation to look for the causative agents of otitis media in Korean children and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods : The study included 65 patients younger than 15 years old who had been cared at the department of pediatrics and otolaryngology in Hanyang University Hospital from July 1994 to June 1999, and diagnosed of otitis media with otorrhea which contained microorganisms isolated in otorrhea culture. The medical records were reviewed for demographic data, isolated organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Results : Among 65 patients, 37(57%) were boys and 28(43%) girls. Distribution of the patients was reciprocal to the age of the patients; 27 patients(41.5%) were younger than 1 year old, 24(36.9%) were 1 to 3 years old with the average of 2.9 years of age. Staphylococus aureus was isolated in 32 patients(49.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae in 19 patients(29.2%) Haemophilus influenzae in 9 patients(13.8%), Streptococcus oralis in 3 patients(4.6%), Moraxella catarrhalis in 1 patient(1.5%). The isolated microorganisms were not different whether patients had cleft lip/palate or not. The antibiotic resistance rates of S. aureus were ${\geq}90%$ to erythromycin, imipenem, cephalothin, and clindamycin, 86.2% to oxacillin, 25% to chloramphenicol, 12.5% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole(TMP/SMX), and 0% to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The antibiotic resistance rates of S. pneumoniae were 71.4% to penicillin and greater than 60% to erythromycin, tetracycline, TMP/SMX, 7.1% to chloramphenicol, and 0% to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The antibiotic resistance rates of H. influenzae were 55% to ampicillin and TMP/SMX, and 0% to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, imipenem and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion : With otorrhea culture, the causative organisms of otitis media appear to be S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. The high antibiotic resistance rates of the isolated organisms should affect the choice of antibiotics in treating patients with otitis media. Prospective investigations utilizing tympanocentesis in microbiologic studies are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.244-253
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• 2012

The effect of fermented Rhus verniciflua stem bark (FRVSB) extract on the microbial count, enzyme activity, concentrations of free amino acids and organic acids, and physiochemical properties of doenjang (soybean paste) was evaluated during brine fermentation. The FRVSB extract increased the total free amino acid concentration by 1.3-3.1-fold on the $42^{nd}$ day of brine fermentation. After the filtration of brine, the following microbial counts were obtained in the doenjang: bacteria, $0.3{\times}10^8-12.0{\times}10^8$ cfu/g; mold, $3.0{\times}10^4-21.0{\times}10^4$ cfu/g; yeast, $1.0{\times}10^4-2.0{\times}10^4$ cfu/g; Escherichia coli, not detected; and Bacillus cereus, $3.0{\times}10^2-25.0{\times}10^2$ cfu/g. The FRVSB extract addition enhanced the protein and starch degrading activity by 13.8-26.0% and 16.1-35.1%, respectively. The extract increased the total free amino acid content by 1.4-3.0-fold. Lactic acid, acetic acid, and pyroglutamic acid were the predominant organic acids in doenjang. Moreover, the proximate composition, pH, moisture, ash, salt, and amino nitrogen content were increased.