• Korean journal of dermatology
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.594-602
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• 2018

Background: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is typically a medication-induced acute febrile eruption. Few large-scale studies have reported clinical data regarding AGEP in Korea. Objective: This study analyzed the clinical and histopathological features of AGEP in Koreans to identify recent trends in this context. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 31 patients with AGEP. Age, sex, clinical features, etiologies, laboratory findings, histopathological features, and treatment outcomes were obtained from patients' medical records and photographs. Results: The mean age of onset was 43.6 years, and the male : female ratio was 2.1 : 1. All patients showed non-follicular tiny pustules and erythema. Fever was reported in 13 patients and neutrophilia in 17 patients. Medications were considered the most common etiological contributors. Twenty patients showed drug-induced AGEP, and 11 of 20 patients showed antibiotic-induced AGEP. Serum C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in 93.8% and 77.8% of the patients, respectively. Histopathologically, all patients showed subcorneal or intraepidermal pustules, followed by exocytosis and neutrophilic dermal infiltrate. Twenty-five patients improved within a mean period of 7.5 days after the onset of the skin rash. The percentage of women in the drug-induced AGEP group was significantly higher than that in the non-drug-induced AGEP group. Conclusion: This report describes a large-scale study that analyzed the clinical and histopathological features of AGEP in Koreans and seems to accurately reflect the recent trends in this context. Clinically, it is important to note that the percentage of women in the drug-induced AGEP group was higher than that in groups showing other etiologies of AGEP.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.10
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate discoloration of teeth undergoing regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) using blood clot or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as the scaffolds and different calcium silicate-based materials as the intracanal coronal barriers in an ex vivo model. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight bovine incisors were prepared and disinfected using 1 mg/mL double antibiotic paste (DAP). The specimens were then randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 24) according to the scaffolds (blood or PRF). After placement of scaffolds each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n = 12) according to the intracanal coronal barriers (ProRoot MTA or Biodentine). The pulp chamber walls were sealed with dentin bonding agent before placement of DAP and before placement of scaffolds. The color changes (${\Delta}E$) were measured at different steps. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance. Results: Coronal discoloration induced by DAP was not clinically perceptible (${\Delta}E{\leq}3.3$). Regarding the type of the scaffold, coronal discoloration was significantly higher in blood groups compared with PRF groups at the end of REP and after 1 month (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between PRF and blood clot after 6 months (p > 0.05). Considering the type of intracanal coronal barrier, no significant difference existed between ProRoot MTA and Biodentine (p > 0.05). Conclusions: With sealing the dentinal tubules of pulp chamber with a dentin bonding agent and application of DAP as an intracanal medicament, coronal color change of the teeth following the use of PRF and blood sealed with either ProRoot MTA or Biodentine was not different at 6-month follow-up.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 2019

Purpose : Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a major inorganic bactericidal compound of innate immunity, is effective against a broad range of microorganisms. In particular, HOCl is well-known as a non-antibiotic antimicrobial substance. However, effects of HOCl as an antimicrobial agent are still needed to study these functions against various specific type of microorganisms. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans to cause dental caries and periodontal disease. Experiments were conducted to observe whether HOCl become effective replacement of disinfectant. Methods : To observe antimicrobial effect of HOCl, stabilized HOCl is prepared in the form of a physiologically balanced solution in pre-conditioned and post-conditioned HOCl solution. As a control, commercially available disinfectant MAXCLEAN was used as positive control. Moreover, S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans distribution in gagrin, filtered tap water, and culture media. Cell viability were measured by viable cell count methods and disk diffusion test. Results : Our results showed that treatment of HOCl have no effect against antimicrobial effect compare to control group especially gagrin in disk diffusion test. HOCl tended to reduced viability against S. mutans in group of post-conditioned than pre-conditioned of HOCl solution however, there was no significant difference as well as no effect in A. actinomycetemcomitans. Conclusion : HOCl showed tendency to reduce viability against S. mutans in group of post-conditioned of HOCl solution and no effect of antimicrobial effect. Although HOCl is well known as effective against a broad range of microorganisms, HOCl seems to have diversity following type of species to be used as antimicrobial drug following our results. Therefore, it is necessary to be rigidly controlled and regulated in using HOCl solution clinically.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.989-1001
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• 2020

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes salmonellosis and mortality worldwide. S. Typhimurium infects macrophages and survives within phagosomes by avoiding the phagosome-lysosome fusion system. Phagosomes sequentially acquire different Rab GTPases during maturation and eventually fuse with acidic lysosomes. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a bioactive lipid that is associated with the generation of chemoattractants and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In our previous study, LPC controlled the intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by promoting phagosome maturation. In this study, to verify whether LPC enhances phagosome maturation and regulates the intracellular growth of S. Typhimurium, macrophages were infected with S. Typhimurium. LPC decreased the intracellular bacterial burden, but it did not induce cytotoxicity in S. Typhimurium-infected cells. In addition, combined administration of LPC and antibiotic significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the spleen and the liver. The ratios of the colocalization of intracellular S. Typhimurium with phagosome maturation markers, such as early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1) and lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1), were significantly increased in LPC-treated cells. The expression level of cleaved cathepsin D was rapidly increased in LPC-treated cells during S. Typhimurium infection. Treatment with LPC enhanced ROS production, but it did not affect nitric oxide production in S. Typhimurium-infected cells. LPC also rapidly triggered the phosphorylation of IκBα during S. Typhimurium infection. These results suggest that LPC can improve phagosome maturation via ROS-induced activation of NF-κB pathway and thus may be developed as a therapeutic agent to control S. Typhimurium growth.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.198-205
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• 2021

Objectives: Antibiotics help treat Vaginitis, and prolonged usage of antibiotics can lead to resistance. Methods: This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of two types of lactic acid bacteria using essential oils. After cultivation by adding grapefruit seed extract (GSE), eucalyptus, tea tree, clove bud, cinnamon, lemongrass, thyme, and ginger oils in a specific ratio, pathogenic microorganisms, namely E. coli, C. albicans, and lactic acid bacteria were released. The number of bacteria was measured using a medium suitable for the strains. Results: The essential oils and GSE inhibited pathogenic microorganisms, and the inhibitory concentration of GSE against pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, C. albicans) was confirmed. The non-inhibitory mixing ratio was also confirmed (50 μl of eucalyptus globulus (EG) oil and 50 μl of melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil, TTO) at 200 ppm GSE (pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0)). Conclusion: Essential oils can be considered as an alternative to antibiotics because of their antibacterial properties. They are useful as auxiliary antibacterial agents for patients under long-term antibiotic treatment.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2020

Lyme disease is a common vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Erythema migrans represents the most common manifestation during the early phase of this disease; however, systemic manifestations involving the nervous system, joints, or heart are known to occur. We report a case of Lyme disease accompanied by cardiac complications in a 13-year-old Korean male adolescent. The patient developed annular erythematous lesions on his lower extremities after a field trip during his visit to Connecticut, USA, for a boarding school camp, and his skin lesions were consistent with erythema migrans. Indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis for Lyme immunoglobulin M showed positive results. Electrocardiography revealed a first-degree atrioventricular block, and he was diagnosed with Lyme carditis and received a 4-week course of oral doxycycline. Follow-up electrocardiography performed a week later revealed normal findings, and the patient showed an uneventful recovery. Lyme carditis often presents as an asymptomatic heart block that can progress to an advanced heart block; however, this condition is reversible with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2021

Inflammatory reactions activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria can lead to severe septic shock. With the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria and a lack of efficient ways to treat resulting infections, there is a need to develop novel anti-endotoxin agents. Antimicrobial peptides have been noticed as potential therapeutic molecules for bacterial infection and as candidates for new antibiotic drugs. We previously designed the 9-meric antimicrobial peptide Pro9-3 and it showed high antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria. Here, to further examine its potency as an anti-endotoxin agent, we examined the anti-endotoxin activities of Pro9-3 and elucidated its mechanism of action. We performed a dye-leakage experiment and BODIPY-TR cadaverine and limulus amebocyte lysate assays for Pro9-3 as well as its lysine-substituted analogue and their enantiomers. The results confirmed that Pro9-3 targets the bacterial membrane and the arginine residues play key roles in its antimicrobial activity. Pro9-3 showed excellent LPS-neutralizing activity and LPS-binding properties, which were superior to those of other peptides. Saturation transfer difference-nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to explore the interaction between LPS and Pro9-3 revealed that Trp3 and Tlr7 in Pro9-3 are critical for attracting Pro9-3 to the LPS in the gram-negative bacterial membrane. Moreover, the anti-septic effect of Pro9-3 in vivo was investigated using an LPS-induced endotoxemia mouse model, demonstrating its dual activities: antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria and immunosuppressive effect preventing LPS-induced endotoxemia. Collectively, these results confirmed the therapeutic potential of Pro9-3 against infection of gram-negative bacteria.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.183-186
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• 2022

Plastic surgery around the eyes is usually performed under local anesthesia, using a mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine. Blindness is a rare but devastating complication after the injection of local anesthesia in this region. Most cases reported to date have been caused by occlusion of the ophthalmic artery or central retinal artery. In this case report, however, we present a highly unusual case of blindness caused by corneal edema after a local anesthetic injection. A patient visited the emergency room with a laceration on the eyebrow, and local anesthesia was injected before suturing. Immediately after the injection, severe corneal edema developed, making it impossible to observe the structures in the anterior chamber in detail or check the light reflex and visual acuity of the naked eye. An antibiotic (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) and high-concentration steroid eyedrops were promptly applied. High-concentration steroids were also administered orally. On day 13 post-injury, the visual acuity of the naked eye improved to 1.0, and no recurrence of corneal lesions was observed. Although the cause of corneal edema after the local injection could not be conclusively identified, we hope that this report will help raise clinicians' awareness of this complication and appropriate treatment methods.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1286-1300
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of sodium long chain polyphosphate (SLCPP) and effect of dietary supplementation of SLCPP on growth performance, organ characteristics, blood metabolites, and intestinal microflora of broilers. Antimicrobial activities of SLCPP were observed against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica ser. Pullorum, Shigella sonnei, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in agar well diffusion assay. In addition, SLCPP demonstrated good anti-biofilm activity against K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, to investigate the dietary effect of SLCPP, a total of 480 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to three dietary treatment groups (4 replicates per group, 40 birds in each replicate): an antibiotic-free corn-soybean meal basal diet (NC); basal diet + enramycin 0.01% (PC); and basal diet + 0.1% SLCPP (SPP). The experiment lasted for 35 days. Results showed that birds fed with SLCPP had higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the grower phase (days 7 to 21) (p < 0.05). Except for blood urea nitrogen, all other blood biochemical parameters remained unaffected by the dietary supplementation of SLCPP. Compared to the control group, lengths of the duodenum and ileum in the SPP group were significantly shorter (p < 0.05). Moreover, counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total aerobes, and Streptococcus spp. in jejunum as well as LAB in cecum were increased in the SPP group than in the PC group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that dietary supplementation of SLCPP might promote the growth of broilers in their early growth phase.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.587-595
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• 2022

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis, Agave fructans, and symbiotic of both encapsulated on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood parameters, and immune status in broiler chickens, and to compare these with diets including antibiotic growth promoters and without additives. Methods: A comparative experimental study was carried out with 135 male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each trial was divided into 5 equal groups. Control group (CON) received a standard diet without growth promoter; GPA, a standard diet with colistin sulfate and zinc bacitracin (0.25 g/kg of feed); PRE, a standard diet with 1% Agave fructans; PRO, a standard diet with Bifidobacterium animalis (11.14±0.70 log CFU/g); SYM, a standard diet with B. animalis and Agave fructans. Results: A significant decrease in food consumption was found for the GPA, PRE, and SYM, compared to the CON group. The results show a better feed conversion index in PRE and GPA with respect to the CON group with the highest conversion index. Interestingly, the weight of the gastrointestinal tract shows a statistically significant difference between GPA and PRE groups. Moreover, the length of the gastrointestinal tract of the GPA group was less than the PRE group. In the total leukocyte count, there was a statistically significant increase in the GPA group compared to the CON, PRE, and PRO groups, and the heterophiles-lymphocytes index was lower in PRO. Regarding the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreased in PRO compared to CON and PRE, while IL-1β increased in the SYM group. Conclusion: Alternative treatments were shown to achieve similar productive results as growth-promoting antibiotics and showed improvement over diet without additives; however, they have immunomodulatory properties and improved the development of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the treatment of growth-promoting antibiotics.