• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1980

This study was undertaken to investigate the activity or the water extract of Polygonum aviculare Linne in vitro. Some of the purely isolated strains or dermatophytes were inoculated on Sabouraud's dextrose agar medium containing different concentrations of the Polygonum extracts and their growth was observed for about two weeks at room temperature. Then we measured the sizes of fungal colony grown in various conditions and compared them with those of Sabouraud's medium as control to determine fungistatic effectiveness of the extract. For additional study, slide cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose medium and Sabouraud's media containing 3ml/10ml extract were performed with Epidermophyton floccosum to observe the growth of hyphae, sporulation and other mycological findings. 1. The growth of Epidermo-phyton floccosum was completely inhibited in the media containing 3ml/l0ml Polygonum extract. 2. Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and microsporum canis were completely inhibited in several strains of each specimen and a moderate inhibitory effect was observed in all of another strains in the media containing the 3ml/10ml extract. 3. In the slide culture of Epidormophyton floccosum the hypha was thin and more desiccated. The characteristic macroco-nidia formation was not observed on the media containing 3ml/10ml Polygonum extract as compared with those findings of Sabouraud's dextrose control medium.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.623-629
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• 1996

In order to identify antibiotic substances in the extract of a lichen, Umbilicaria vellea, the extract was chromatographed and two compounds were isolated. Compound I which showed antifungal and antibacterial activities, melted around 129∼132$^{\circ}C$ and showed UV absorption at 217, 265 and 300 nm. It showed a molecular ion at m/z 196. Its molecular formular was confirmed to be $C_{10}H_{12}O_4$ from elemental analysis. From its IR and NMR data it was identified to be ethyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methyl benzoate. Compound II melted around 58∼59$^{\circ}C$ and showed UV absorption at 212, 276 and 282 nm. It showed a molecular ion at m/z 124 and molecular formular was confirmed to be $C_7H_8O_2.$ From the analysis of its IR and NMR spectra it was identified to be 5-methyl-1,3-benzenediol.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2004

Background : IFN-${\gamma}$ is the main effector mediator of the host immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Evaluating the IFN-${\gamma}$ gene expression in response to M. tuberculosis antigens may help in elucidating the host defense mechanism against M. tuberculosis and in the development of a vaccine. Methods : The IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression in the lymphocytes obtained from pleural effusions from tuberculous pleurisy patients (TB-PLC) after in vitro stimulation with whole cell M. tuberculosis(H37Rv), purified protein derivatives(PPD), man-lipoarabinamman (man-LAM), ara-LAM and Antigen 85B(Ag85B) were evaluated. The degree of IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression was determined by a semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results : M. tuberculosis induced the expression of IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA in the TB-PLC in time and dose dependent manners. The PPD and Ag85B induced high levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression in the TB-PLC. However, man-LAM inhibited IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression in the TB-PLC, while ara-LAM did not. Conclusion : IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression in TB-PLC is stimulated by PPD and Ag85B, but inhibited by man-LAM.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

Candida biofilms are organized microbial communities growing on the surfaces of host tissues or indwelling medical devices, and the biofilms show enhanced resistance against the conventional antifungal agents. The roots of Coptidis chinensis have been widely used for medicinal purposes in East Asia. The present study was aimed to assess the effect of C. chinensis aqueous extract upon preformed biofilms of 10 clinical Candida albicans isolates and the antifungal activities which contribute to inhibit the C. albicans biofilm formation. Its effect on preformed biofilms was judged using XTT [2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide)] reduction assay, and metabolic activity of all tested strains was reduced significantly ($57.3{\pm}14.7%$) at $98{\mu}g/ml$ of the C. chinensis extract. The extract damaged the cell membrane of C. albicans which was analyzed by fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide staining. The anticandidal activity was fungicidal, and the extract obstructed the adhesion of C. albicans biofilms to polystyrene surfaces, arrested C. albicans cells at $G_o/G_1$ as well, and reduced the growth of biofilms or budding yeasts finally. The data suggest that C. chinensis has multiple antifungal effects on target fungi resulting in preventing the formation of biofilms. Therefore, C. chinensis holds great promise for exploring antifungal agents from natural products in treating and eliminating biofilm-associated Candida infection.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2010

Phytoncide, essential oil of trees, has microbicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, and deodorizing effect. The present study was performed to examine the effect of phytoncide on Candida albicans, which is a commensal colonizer of the mucous membranes but has become an opportunistic pathogen. C. albicans was incubated with or without phytoncide extracted from Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc.; Japanese cypress) and then changes were observed in its optical density, cell viability and morphology. As concentrations of phytoncide added to the culture medium increased, optical density and cell viability of C. albicans decreased. Minimum inhibitory concentration of phytoncide for C. albicans was observed to be 0.25%, and minimum fungicidal concentration was 0.5%. Numbers of morphologically atypical cells with electron-dense cytoplasm and granules and increased with increasing concentration of the phytoncide. At higher concentrations of phytoncide, compartments and organelles in the cytoplasm became indistinguishable. The overall results indicate that the phytoncide used for this study has a strong antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. Therefore, the phytoncide may be used as a candidate for prevention and therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.92-101
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• 2021

Objectives : Otomycosis is superficial fungal infection of external auditory canal accompanied with itching, pain, discharge, hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness. And chronic inflammation like chronic suppurative otitis media exacerbates otomycosis. The purpose of this study is to report one case of Korean medical treatment for otomycosis with chronic suppurative otitis media. Methods : This study was conducted with one case of otomycosis with chronic suppurative otitis media patient hospitalized in Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology & Dermatology Clinic of Korean medical Hospital. This patient was treated with Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and venesection. After the treatment, we took picture of external auditory canal by otoscope and evaluated subjective symptoms. Results : After the treatment, this patient had improved condition of external auditory canal and subjective symptoms. Conclusions : This study suggests that Korean medical treatment may be effective for otomycosis with chronic suppurative otitis media.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2015

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional, iron-binding glycoprotein found in physiological secretions of mammals. LF shows antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. In the present study, a gene encoding the N-terminal lobe of human lactoferrin (hLF) was isolated, cloned and expressed in methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris. The recombinant hLF-N (rhLF-N) protein was secreted into the culture medium at the level of $458{\mu}g/ml$ in 3 L fermentor. The size of purified hLF-N was estimated as 35 kDa when analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The rhLF-N was further confirmed by immunodiffusion using the anti-hLF polyclonal antibody. The expression profile analysis by qRT-PCR showed that the relative mRNA expression of rhLF-N was maximal after 2-3 days of methanol induction and reduced gradually at 4 days. The purified rhLF-N showed broad antibacterial activities against the pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, and Salmonella typhimurium. However, rhLF-N showed relatively lower activity when compared to peptides derived from LF. In spite of this weak activity, the rhLF-N expressed in P. pastoris might be more advantageous for the industrial application, because rhLF-N is secreted into the culture medium and the production can also be increased by optimization of culture conditions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2011

In the course of a study in relation to the production of taste, and functional enhancements in root crop chips, which were prepared by soaking dried yam slices in fruit juices, we investigated the physiological characteristics and biological activities of 8 different commercially available juices including; apple, omija (fruit of Maximowiczia typica), grape, wild grape, orange, tomato, red ginseng and black garlic juice. The average water contents, pH, brix and acidity of the juices used were $85.59{\pm}5.80%$, $3.90{\pm}0.64$, $12.19{\pm}4.70%$, and $0.49{\pm}0.19%$, respectively. The polyphenol content of black garlic and grape juice were 1.50 and 1.21 mg/ml, respectively, and those were higher than the average content (0.57 mg/mL) of the juices. Evaluation of anticoagulation activity showed that only omija juice has a strong thrombin inhibition, which is comparable to that of aspirin (1.5 mg/mL). Omija, grape and orange juice all exhibited antibacterial activity, but no antifungal activity. The 8 different juices, and in particular grape and black garlic juice, showed strong antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays, with wild grape juice demonstrating potent nitrite scavenging activity. These results suggest that omija, grape and black garlic juice can be used as soaking solutions to produce taste, and other functional enhancements, for root crop chips.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2001

Antimicrobial and antioxidative activities on heartwood extractives of domestic species were investigated to develop a natural fungicide or preservative. Six flavanones including pinostrobin, eriodictyol, naringenin, pinocembrin, taxifolin and verecundin were isolated from Prunus sargentii which has been selected due to its high antimicrobial and antioxidative activities among the tested species. According to the results of antifungal test, pinocembrin was evaluated as the highest antifungal compound among the test compounds, which showed 80% of hyphal growth inhibition rate. Antifungal activity of pinocembrin was similar to hinokitiol(${\beta}$-thujaplicin), strong antimicrobial compound isolated from Thujopsis dolabrata. Naringenin followed pinocembrin in its antifungal activity. However, verecundin did not show any antifungal activity. No compound was effective in antibacterial activities. As a result of the measurement of free radical scavenging activity, antioxidative activities of taxifolin and eriodictyol were 2 times that of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, and antioxidative index of these compounds were even superior to that of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. In this regard, it could inferred that high antifungal and antioxidative activities of extractives of P. sargentii were derived from pinocembrin, taxifolin and eriodictyol, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2005

Streptomyces natalensis ATCC27448 produces natamycin, a commercially important macrolide antifungal antibiotic. For molecular genetic study of S. natalensis, we have developed a system for introducing DNA into S. natalensis via conjugal transfer from Escherichia coli. An effective transformation procedure for S. natalensis was established based on transconjugation from E, coli ET12567/pUZ8002 using a ${\Phi}C31$-derived integration vector, pSET152, containing oriT and attP fragments. The high frequency was obtained on MS medium containing 10 mM $MgCl_2$ using $6.25\times10^8$ of E.coli donor cells without heat treatment of spores. In addition, southern blot analysis of exconjugants and the sequence of plasmids containing DNA flanking the insertion sites from the chromosome revealed that S. natalensis contains a single ${\Phi}C31$ attB site and at least a secondary or pseudo attB site. Similar to the case of various Streptomyces species, a single ${\Phi}C31$ attB site of S. natalensis is present within an ORF encoding a pirin-homolog, but a pseudo-attB site is present within a distinct site (GenBank accession no. $YP\_117731$) and also its sequence deviates from the consensus sequences of attB sequence.