• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2022

Growing industrialization leads to severe water pollution. Organic effluents from pharmaceuticals and textile industries released in wastewater adversely affect the environment and human health. Presence of antibiotics used for antibacterial treatment in wastewater leads to the growth of drug resistance bacteria, which is very harmful for human being. Various small organic molecules are used for the preparation of organic dye molecules in the textile industries. These molecules hardly degrade, which is present in the wastewater effluents from printing and dyeing industries. In order to address these problems, photoactive catalyst is embedded in the membrane and wastewater are passed through it. Through this process, organic molecules are photodegraded and at the same time, the degraded compounds are separated by the membrane. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a semiconductor which behave as excellent photocatalyst. Photocatalytic ability is enhanced by the making its composite with other transition metal oxide and incorporated into polymeric membrane. In this review, the degradation of dye and drug molecules by photocatalytic membrane are discussed.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.103-110
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• 2023

People who spend most of their day indoors are continuously exposed to internally and externally generated indoor pollutants. According to a 2022 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the cause of more than 7 million deaths annually worldwide, emphasizing the seriousness of indoor air pollutants. Air pollutants include nitrogen oxides (NOx), formaldehyde (HCHO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have serious effects on the human body. Photocatalyst is a material that can remove these indoor air pollutants. Photocatalysts not only have the ability to remove dust precursors, but also have antibacterial, sterilizing, and deodorizing functions, making them effective in improving indoor air quality. This study suggests areas and methods in which photocatalysts can be applied to buildings. Fields of application include interior and exterior construction materials such as concrete, as well as organic paints and ventilation devices. If appropriate utilization plans are developed, it may be possible to improve the built environment through reduced indoor and outdoor pollutant levels.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.13
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• 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP^-/- mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP^-/- mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP^-/- neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.915-922
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• 2023

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widespread in a variety of environments including fermented dairy products, gastroinstetinal and urogenital tracts of human and animals, plant, soil and water. Leuconostoc mesenteroides DB3 was detected by the strongest antibacterial activities among 24 Leuconostoc strains isolated from Camellia japonica flowers. Acid tolerance of L. mesenteroides DB3 existed up to pH 2.5, but the resistance did not show at pH 2.0, which relatively excellent acid resistance existed. Bile acid tolerance was very stable within the test range to 1.2%. L. mesenteroides DB3 exhibited the optimal growth at 30℃, and showed a slight slow growth when compared with L. mesenteroides KCTC3505, which reached a stationary phase at 18 hr. The pH was changed along with the growth curve, but was maintained above pH 3.98. L. mesenteroides DB3 had higher initial antibacterial activities when compared to L. mesenteroides KCTC3505, but it showed similar activities with the standard strain after the latter part of the logarithmic growth phase. Although lactic acid production in L. mesenteroides DB3 was induced by lower amount in the initial part to the standard strain, it was exhibited by similar amounts after the late logarithmic growth phase. Muicin adhesion of L. mesenteroides DB-3 maintained superior to L. mesenteroides KCTC3505. Both strains showed excellent emulsification ability for kerosene. In summary, we evaluate that L. mesenteroides DB-3 has a high potential for application as probiotics owing to its excellent antibacterial activity, acid resistance, bile acid resistance, and muicin adhesion.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2023

To develop a functional probiotic that inhibits gingipain, a major virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivlais (P. gingivalis), we screened over 30 probiotic strains for their ability to inhibit gingipian activity. We investigated the inhibition of expression of gingipain genes kgp, rgpA, and rgpB as well as gingipain activity, using freeze dried cell-free supernatants of Weisiella cibaria SPM402 (WC402) and Lactobacillus paracasei SMP412 (LP412), both of which demonstrated antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis. Thus, it was verified that kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.02 folds and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.14 folds at a concentration of WC402 10 mg/mL. Meanwhile, at the same concentration of 10 mg/mL of LP412, kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.19±0.08 folds, rgpA expression was reduced by approximately 0.09±0.02 folds, and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.24±0.03 folds. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, Kgp activity was inhibited by approximately 78.65±3.58% (cell associated gingipain, CAG), 82.45±1.22% (cell-free gingipain, CFG) by WC402 and 80.71±2.11% (CAG), and 85.81±0.05% (CFG) by LP412 respectively. Rgp activity was also effectively inhibited by approximately 78.6±1.01% (CAG), 86.78±0.47% (CFG) and 82.93±1.26% (CAG), 88.81±0.36% (CFG) by WC402 and LP412 respectively. Based on these results, W. cibaria SPM402 and L. paracasei SPM412 can be regarded as functional probiotics with the ability to inhibit gingipain activity and exhibit antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.513-518
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• 2018

In this study, Zea mays L., which were discarded after harvesting in Korea, were collected and used for experiment. The Zea mays L. were dried in the shade and ground before being extracted using two solvents. Subsequently, DPPH, ABTS, the total flavonoid content and the total polyphenol content were measured to analyze antioxidant activity. The diameter of clear zone was measured by using the paper disc diffusion method. The results showed that the ethanol extract had a slightly higher antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The total polyphenol content was measured using gallic acid as standard, and CE(ethanol extract) was found to contain $31.2{\pm}5.2mg\;GAE/g$ of polyphenols, indicating a considerably high activity. When DPPH radical scavenging ability was measured, CE was found to have $4.6{\pm}0.9%$, $6.4{\pm}0.5%$, $22.9{\pm}0.6%$ and $83.2{\pm}0.2%$ at different concentrations of $1{\mu}g/mL$, $10{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, with a dependent tendency at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and a considerably high activity at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. This study is expected to be used as preliminary data to develop new natural antioxidant, antibacteria raw materials, as only little research has been undertaken on Zea mays L., which are mostly discarded after harvesting, while many studies have been so far conducted on corn and corn silks.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to characterize the lactic acid bacteria found in makgeolli in terms of bacterial identity and gastric compatibility. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from commercial raw makgeolli and separated into six strains that are resistant to gastric acidity and bile acid. These strains were identified by analysis of their 16S rDNA, as Lactobacillus plantarum BSM-2 and EHJ-1, Lactobacillus casei GSM-3 and EHJ-2, Lactobacillus brevis BSM-3 and Pediococcus pentosaceus TJH-1. All strains exhibited adhesion to intestines, showing that they were probiotic. We also found that L. plantarum BSM-2 had excellent resistance to bile acid as well as antioxidant activity. Taken together with its antibacterial properties and ability to lower cholesterol, our data suggest that L. plantarum BSM-2 was the most beneficial probiotic among the six strains.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2013

In this study, we evaluated the ability of various disinfectants to suppress the growth of microorganisms in fresh-cut products and organic vegetable. The growth of more than 50% of B. cereus isolates were suppressed by 50% ethanol, 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, 0.4% sodium hypochlorite or 1% calcium oxide. E. coli generally showed high susceptibility to concentration of 10% ethanol, 0.4% sodium hypochlorite and 1% calcium oxide. Eighty percent or more of S. aureus isolates exhibited resistance to ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite, but the isolates were susceptible to concentrations of 1% calcium oxide. All isolates evaluated in this study were sensitive to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and growth in the presence of $2.0{\mu}g/mL$ of BAC was completely inhibited. These pathogens showed widely different susceptibilities to different organic acids. Greater than 0.5% acetic acid and 2% and higher concentrations of malic acid and tartaric acid inhibited the growth of 60% of the isolates of B. cereus. Two percent acetic acid and tartaric acid inhibited 50% of the S. aureus isolates. Seventy percent of the E. coli isolates were resistant to malic acid and susceptible to 1% acetic acid and 10% tartaric acid. The antibacterial effects of the various sanitizers evaluated in this study were not only dependent on the type of disinfectant but also on the pathogen. Thus, it is important to select a sanitizer that is safe and effective at removing specific types of microorganisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.656-663
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• 2011

Licochalcone, a major phenolic constituent of the licorice species Glycyrrhiza inflata, a constituent of licorice, exhibits various biological properties, including chemopreventive-, antibacterial-, and anti-spasmodic activities. Recently, Licochalcone E (LicE) was isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflate, however its biological functions have not been fully examined. In the present study, we investigated the ability of LicE to regulate inflammation reactions in macrophages. Our in vitro experiments using murine macrophages, RAW264.7 cells, showed that LicE suppressed not only nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ generation, but also the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Similarly, LicE inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6. The underlying mechanism of LicE on anti-inflammatory action correlated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B. Our data collectively indicate that LicE inhibited the production of several inflammatory mediators and might be used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.355-364
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• 2016

This study was initiated to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanol extract (ME) and hot water extract (HWE) obtained from the fruiting bodies of medicinal mushroom, Phellinus gilvus. The free radical scavenging activity of ME from P. gilvus on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were 93.65% at 2 mg/mL, which was comparable with the positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 96.97%) at the same concentration. The ferrous ion-chelating ability of ME and HWE was significantly higher than that of BHT at all concentration levels. The antimicrobial assay of ME was performed against six bacteria and one species of fungus. ME exhibited antibacterial activity against 5 out of 6 bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; whereas, ME did not show antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacterium Vibrio vulnificus and fungal species Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ME against 5 strains of bacteria, such as S. aureus, S. mutans, B. subtilis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, was 100, 100, 50, 100, 200 mg/mL, respectively. The results suggest that good antioxidant and microbial activities of P. gilvus fruiting bodies might be used for natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.