• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2009

This study was carried out to examine the antimicrobial effects of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) and processed sulfur solution (PSS) against human skin pathogens: Malassezia furfur, M. restricta, Propionibacterium arnes, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. The antimicrobial effects of GSE and PSS were tested by agar diffusion method and micro broth dilution method. As the results, the MIC values of GSE against M. furfur, M. restricta, P. acnes, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were 3.91, 3.91, 0.004, 0.024, and $0.012{\mu}l/ml$, respectively. The MIC values of PSS were 0.03, 0.03, 0.156, 0.003, and $0.012{\mu}l/ml$, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of skin care emulsion products containing 0.5% GSE and 0.5% PSS against human skin pathogens were 5.2, 4.3, 8.0, 9.5 and 12.8 mm, respectively. Refractive index, pH, viscosity and color value of skin care emulsions containing GSE and PSS were measured. According to these results, it was concluded that the GSE and PSS were the promising sources of antibacterial agent which could be useful for skin and hair care products as well as for the alternative medicine development in treatment of certain types of skin ailments.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2016

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) produces enterotoxins known to be a virulence factor. Three isotypes of the B. fragilis toxin (BFT) gene have been identified: bft-1, bft-2, and bft-3. We investigated the presence of bft isotypes in clinical B. fragilis isolates and the antimicrobial resistance of BFT-negative and BFT-positive isolates. Overall, 537 B. fragilis isolates were collected from extraintestinal specimens over 8 years (2006~2013) from a university hospital in Korea. Samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR to identify the bft gene isotypes. Additionally, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 107 B. fragilis isolates (74 BFT-negative and 33 BFT-positive) was examined by the CLSI agar dilution method. PCR revealed a total bft gene detection rate of 30%, while 33% and 29% of blood and other extraintestinal isolates contained the gene, respectively. Among ETBF isolates, the most common isotype was bft-1 gene, followed by bft-2 and bft-3 (bft-1 77%, bft-2 14%, bft-3 9%). Resistance rates (%) for BFT-negative and positive isolates differed in response to various antimicrobial agents, with 3%, 5%, 1% and 38% of BFT-negative isolates and 3%, 6%, 3% an 42% of BFT-positive isolates being resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, and clindamycin, respectively. Interestingly, neither BFT-negative nor positive isolates showed antimicrobial resistance to chloramphenicol and metronidazole. Overall, the proportion of ETBF from blood was similar to that of other extraintestinal sites and the bft-1 gene was the predominant isotype. Higher antimicrobial resistance rates were found in BFT-positive isolates than BFT-negative isolates, but these differences were not statistically significant.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2001

Two attenuated Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV that had been selected from CMV isolates associated with satellite RNA (satRNA) were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper plants. The viruses selected as attenuated strains appeared to be identical serologically and physically to the challenge virus (Mf-CMV), but they were lower in the dilution end-point of infectivity of crude sap than Mf-CMV When symptoms were observed in several indicator plants after inoculation, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were symptomless or showed mild mosaic symptoms while another satRNA isolate Ap-CMV developed severe mosaic symptoms on the leaves as Mf-CMV. The nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs were determined by sequencing full-length cDNA clones. Paf-, Rs2- and Ap-satRNAs were 386, 335, and 347 nucleotides long, respectively, The sequences were then compared with the other known Y-satRNA, revealing that nucleotide sequences of the satRNAs consisted of 5'- and 3'-terminal conserved regions. However variations occurred on the middle regions of the sequences, especially those related to symptom interference, showing significant differences between Paf-satRNA and other isolates. Infectious transcripts of Paf-satRNA and Rs2-satRNA induced mild mosaic symptoms in pepper plants when supported by genomic RNAs of Mf-CMV. Under greenhouse conditions, Paf-CMV and Rs2-CMV were tested for cross-protection effect in pepper and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv, Xanthi nc) plants against Mf-CMV. No symptoms were developed on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV until 3 weeks after inoculation with the virulent strain; however another attenuated isolate, Rs2-CMV, showed less effectiveness in cross-protection. Depending on the concentration of the challenged virus, symptoms sometimes appeared later in the upper leaves. However, in plants challenged with low concentrations (below 0.2 mg/ml) of the challenge inoculum, symptoms caused by the virulent strain did not develop on the plants vaccinated with Paf-CMV. In the field experiments, the number of pepper plants with severe mosaic symptoms in the control plots was progressively increased after transplanting and reached approximately 50% after 50 days. On the other hand, the incidence of mosaic disease appeared very low on the plants that had received the protective inoculation with Paf-CMV.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2004

Monitoring for the sensitivity of Colletotrichum spp. causing red-pepper anthracnose to chlorothalonil was conducted by the agar dilution method, which were isolated from infected pepper fruits in 1999 and 2002. Among the isolates in 1999 or 2002, their sensitivity to fungicide was fluctuated. Investigating the inhibitory effect of $500{\mu}g/m\ell$ of chlorothalonil on the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum isolates isolated from the infected red-pepper fruits in 1999, the frequency of isolates was 23.4%, which showed 100% of inhibitory effect on mycelial growth, and 29.7% showing below 60%. Isolates in 2002, however, showed 34.6% and 14.8% of inhibitory effect on PDAs including the same concentration of fungicide, respectively, These results showed that the sensitivity of Colletotrichum isolates in 1999 was inferior to that in 2002. According to the sampling region, isolation frequency among isolates in 2002 showing less MIC rather than 1999 was increased in Kyunggi, Kangwon, Kyungbuk and Kyungnam while the frequency of resistant isolates was done in Chungnam, Chungbuk, Cheonnam and Cheonbuk Fungicide monitoring results in this report will be of use on controlling the anthracnose in each region cultivating red-pepper.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2020

Purpose: To compare the polishing characteristics and their influence on Candida albicans adhesion to the recently introduced polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and the conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture resin material. Materials and methods: Specimens from PEKK (Group E) and PMMA (Group M) were made in dimensions of 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness. The specimens were further divided into sub-groups according to the extent of polishing (ER, MR: rough; EP, MP: polished, N = 12 each). The specimens were polished using polishing machine and SiC foil. ER and MR group specimens were polished with 600 grit SiC foil only. EP and MP groups were further polished with 800, 1,000, 1,200 grit SiC foils sequentially. To measure the surface roughness values (Sa) of specimens, atomic force microscope (AFM) was used and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation under 1,000, and 20,000 magnifications was performed to investigate surface topography. The polished specimens were soaked in C. albicans suspension for 2 hours with shaking to promote adhesion. The attached C. albicans were detached from the surface with 10 times of pipetting. The suspension of detached C. albicans was performed by serial dilution to 10³ times, and the diluted suspensions were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar plates using spread plate method. After incubating the plate for 48 hours, colony forming unit (CFU)/plate of C. albicans was counted. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test to confirm significant difference between the groups (α=.05). Results: Average Sa value was significantly higher in MR group compared to other groups (P<.05), meaning that additional polishing steps reduced surface roughness effectively only in the PMMA specimens. There was no significant difference in Sa values between MP and EP groups. In SEM images, PEKK specimens showed numerous spikes of abraded material protruding from the surface and this phenomenon was more significant in EP group. The mean CFU/plate value was the highest in EP group and this was significant when it was compared to MP group (P<.05) which was the lowest. Conclusion: Polishing PEKK using serial SiC abrasive foil may result in higher adhesion of C. albicans. In clinic, this should be considered carefully.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.433-440
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• 2015

Several studies suggest that regular consumption of walnuts may have beneficial effects against oxidative stress-mediated disease such as cancer. The present study reports the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, together with the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of several solvent extracts (methanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) obtained from walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk. MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values of the walnut extracts for 8 human pathogenic bacteria strain were determined using agar dilution method. Antioxidant activity of extracts were assessed using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) assays, EC₅₀ of DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, and determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content and its correlation with DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities. Among the six extracts, ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc Ex) showed the highest antimicrobial activity at 3.2 mg/ml of MICs against Staphylococcus aureus SG511. Total flavonoids and polyphenol contents of EtOAc Ex were 42.48 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g and 223.25 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g respectively. The highest antioxidative potential was shown by the sample extracted with EtOAc Ex (EC₅₀=13.43 μg/ml for DPPH and EC₅₀=41.83 μg/ml for ABTS radical scavenging activity assay). These results showed that J. regia green husk extracts can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antibacterial agents and natural antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.289-292
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• 2008

Trisodium phosphate 12 hydrate and citric acid monohydrate mixture showed the strong anti-sticking effect on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius, which are adhered to glass beads. Each Streptococcus species was shaking-cultured in brain heart infusion broth containing three glass beads. After 18 hr, glass beads were slightly washed into normal saline by three-pin-pointed pincette. Each three glass-beads set was put into reagent -containing tubes, which have 40 mg of bits of weighing paper for gaining brushing effect as similar as brushing one's teeth. The tubes were shaken by vortex mixer for 10 min except non-oral microbe, Streptococcus agalactiae (5 min). The samples were colony-counted by serial agar dilution method. Experiment was repeated three times for each Streptococcus species. The relative ratios of bacterial de-adherence by reagents were calculated in comparison with normal saline control. The de-adherence degree of citric acid-trisodium phosphate-saline mixture (CTS, pH 6.0) against Streptococcus mutans came to an average of 12.5 times compared with normal saline control. Trisodium-saline (TS, pH 8.4) showed the average of 7.5 times, and citric acid-saline (CS, pH 4.6) showed 6.0 times compared to the control group. The bacterial de-adherence degree against Streptococcus salivarius was each 7.2,2.6 and 2.8 times in above reagent sequence in comparison with saline control. CTS and TS showed 2.4 and 3.4 times of anti-sticking effect on Streptococcus mitis respectively, but CS had no anti-sticking effect on this bacterium. CTS, TS and CS showed 0.7, 0.6, and 0.6 times on non-oral microbe, Streptococcus agalactiae, separately compared with saline control. These results show that oral Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus mitis, which are causative of dental caries or subacute endocarditis, may be easily removed from oral cavity by CTS mixture. It is conceivable that our experimental results will enable the development of a new conceptive toothpaste to prevent dental caries or subacute endocarditis after drawing teeth.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2010

A total of 25 isolates of Fusarium fujikuroi were obtained from diseased rice plants in Korea from 2006 to 2007 to assess their resistance against fungicides prochloraz and benomyl + thiram. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of F. fujikuroi isolates were examined by agar dilution method. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the fungicides. Out of 25 isolates, six were resistant to prochloraz and three to benomyl + thiram. In addition, the isolates CF245, CF249 and CF337 showed resistant to both fungicides. The progenies ($F_1$ isolates) obtained through two different crosses between sensitive parental isolates(CF202, CF232 and CF179) and resistant parental isolate (CF337) were evaluated for their mycelial growth at different temperatures and resistance against fungicides. Mycelial growth rate of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 was similar to the parental isolates. However mycelial growth rate of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF179 $\times$ CF337 was faster than their parent isolates. In case of prochloraz, distribution ratio of sensitivity(S) to resistance(R) against to the fungicide of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 and CF179 $\times$ CF337 was 86 : 14 and 78 : 22, respectively. In case of benomyl+thiram, all the $F_1$ isolates originated from CF202 $\times$ CF232 were sensitive to the fungicide, however ratio of sensitivity(S) to resistance(R) against to the fungicide of $F_1$ isolates originated from CF179 $\times$ CF337 was 35 : 65.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2002

Purpose : About 41% of obtained group A streptococci in the 1998 was reported as erythromycin-resistant streptococci in Seoul, Korea. The most common T serotype was T12, followed by T4 and T28. We'd like to monitor the serological changes and antibiotic sensitivity test of Streptococcus pyogenes obtained from the patients with pharyngotonsillitis and invasive diseases from 1999 through 2001. Also, it could be proposed to choose the proper antibiotic selection in the area where the rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci is high. Methods : From Jan. 1999 to Oct. 2001, 208 isolates of group A streptococci were collected from inpatients and outpatients with pharyngotonsillitis, scarlet fever, and invasive infections in Seoul and Southern part of peninsula. All isolates were serotyped by T-agglutination, minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) which were determined by agar dilution methods, according to the guidelines of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Results : The most common T serotype was T12(29.8%), followed by T1(23.1%), T4 (14.9%). T1 was prominent serotype compared with previous year. T serotyping, among 25 isolates obtained from the patients with scarlet fever in Southern part of peninsula mostly, was T12, T1, and T4 in order of frequency. All the isolates tested were susceptible to penicillin, cefprozil, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol. However, 23 isolates(14.2%) was resistant to erythromycin and 18 isolates(11.1%) was resistant to clarithromycin. Serotype T12 was found to be the most resistant serotype to erythromycin and/or clarithromycin. Conclusion : High rate of erythromycin-resistant streptococci which surveyed in 1998 were reduced to 14.2% in this study. We should have to further evaluate the reason of decreased resistant strains and consider the resistant strains of streptococci in choosing the antibiotics. There was no serological characteristics according to the types of disease entities. Between the serologic distributions in Seoul and the Southern part of peninsula area are same, we could presume that the serological typing of strains obtained over the country may be not different.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

Fusarium head blight is an important disease of small grains. It is mainly caused by members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC). Barley and wheat growers spray fungicides, especially demethylation-inhibitor fungicides, to suppress the disease. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in the sensitivity of the FGSC population to the triazole fungicide, propiconazole. A total of 124 and 350 isolates of FGSC were obtained from barley and wheat in Jeolla Province during 2010-2016 and 2020-2021, respectively. The species identity and trichothecene chemotypes of the FGSC isolates were determined based on polymerase chain reaction assays targeting translation elongation factor 1-alpha and TRI12 genes, respectively. Sensitivity to propiconazole was determined based on the effective concentration that reduced 50% of the mycelial growth (EC₅₀) using the agar dilution method. Of all isolates, F. asiaticum with the nivalenol chemotype was the most common (83.9% in 2010-2016 and 96.0% in 2020-2021), followed by F. asiaticum with the 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol chemotype (12.1% in 2010-2016 and 2.9% in 2020-2021). The EC₅₀ values of the isolates collected in 2010-2016 and 2020-2021 ranged from 0.0180 to 11.0166 ㎍/mL and 1.3104 to 17.9587 ㎍/mL, respectively. The mean EC₅₀ value of the isolates increased from 3.8648 ㎍/mL in 2010-2016 to 5.9635 ㎍/mL in 2020-2021. The baseline resistance to propiconazole was determined to be 7 ㎍/mL, based on the EC₅₀ value of isolates collected in 2010-2016, and the ratio of resistant isolates increased from 9.7% in 2010-2016 to 28.6% in 2020-2021.