• 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 Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.555-562
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to develop a stable self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for trans-cinnamaldehyde, a known antibacterial and antifungal agent. A simultaneous analytical method was established for quantification of trans-cinnamaldehyde and its degradant, cinnamic acid. Various surfactants were applied to assess their effect on the aqueous solubility of trans-cinnamaldehyde, and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were plotted. Of the various formulations tested, the liquid SMEDDS composed of trans-cinnamaldehyde (oil), Cremophor EL (surfactant) and Transcutol P (cosurfactant) at a volume ratio of 10/70/20, produced the smallest emulsion droplet size (around 23 nm). The stability test determined the superior stability of the trans-cinnamaldehyde SMEDDS with constant trans-cinnamaldehyde content and z-average diameter of emulsion, under accelerated and heat stressed condition. Thus, we believe that this novel trans-cinnamaldehyde SMEDDS formulation has the potential to be applied for the development of trans-cinnamaldehyde medicines in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.433-445
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• 2012

During the course of evolution, animals encountered the harmful effects of fungi, which are strong pathogens. Therefore, they have developed powerful mechanisms to protect themselves against these fungal invaders. ${\beta}$-Glucans are glucose polymers of a linear ${\beta}$(1,3)-glucan backbone with ${\beta}$(1,6)-linked side chains. The immunostimulatory and antitumor activities of ${\beta}$-glucans have been reported; however, their mechanisms have only begun to be elucidated. Fungal and particulate ${\beta}$-glucans, despite their large size, can be taken up by the M cells of Peyer's patches, and interact with macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs) and activate systemic immune responses to overcome the fungal infection. The sampled ${\beta}$-glucans function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on innate immune cells. Dectin-1 receptor systems have been incorporated as the PRRs of ${\beta}$-glucans in the innate immune cells of higher animal systems, which function on the front line against fungal infection, and have been exploited in cancer treatments to enhance systemic immune function. Dectin-1 on macrophages and DCs performs dual functions: internalization of ${\beta}$-glucan-containing particles and transmittance of its signals into the nucleus. This review will depict in detail how the physicochemical nature of ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to its immunostimulating effect in hosts and the potential uses of ${\beta}$-glucan by elucidating the dectin-1 signal transduction pathway. The elucidation of ${\beta}$-glucan and its signaling pathway will undoubtedly open a new research area on its potential therapeutic applications, including as immunostimulants for antifungal and anti-cancer regimens.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.370-379
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• 2020

Econazole, a potent broad-spectrum antifungal agent and a Ca²⁺ channel antagonist, induces cytotoxicity in leukemia cells and is used for the treatment of skin infections. However, little is known about its cytotoxic effects on solid tumor cells. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying econazole-induced toxicity in vitro and evaluated its regulatory effect on the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Using the gastric cancer cell lines AGS and SNU1 expressing wild-type p53 we demonstrated that econazole could significantly reduce cell viability and colony-forming (tumorigenesis) ability. Econazole induced G0/G1 phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, and effectively blocked proliferation- and survival-related signal transduction pathways in gastric cancer cells. In addition, econazole inhibited the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase- 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, which degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Econazole also effectively inhibited the metastasis of gastric cancer cells, as confirmed from cell invasion and wound healing assays. The protein level of p53 was significantly elevated after econazole treatment of AGS and SNU1 cells. However, apoptosis was blocked in econazole-treated cells exposed to a p53-specific small-interfering RNA to eliminate p53 expression. These results provide evidence that econazole could be repurposed to induce gastric cancer cell death and inhibit cancer invasion.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.133-149
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• 1997

Recently, the importance of management and cultivation of grasses has been increased in Korea. Among these cultural practices, the appropriate control of diseases is considered more important than other cultivation techniques such as fertilization and irrigation. The damages of brown patch and large patch caused by Rhizoctonia spp. and Pythium blight caused by Pythium spp. are serious in the major cultivation area of turfgrass in Korea. Since these diseases are difficult to control by agrochemicals, the damages are very serious if these are occured. The periodic spray of agrochemicals, to protect and control these diseases could make some problems of toxicity and environmental pollution as well as rising of non-target diseases. Therefore, the biological methods to control diseases have been required to decrease problems resulted from overuse of agrochemicals, to conserve natural ecosystem, and to control effectively diseases of grasses in the long period. The number of studies about biological control using antagonistic microorganisms have been increased for last half century. However, the application of biological control method has been very limited. In this study, thirteen isolates of R. cerealis, 8 isolates of R. solani and 3 isolates of Phthyn spp. have been isolated from diseased turfgrass in golf course and grass-culture area that have patch and wilting symptoms of zoysia grass and creeping bentgrass. Isolation frequency of R. cerealis and R. solani was high in especially zoysiagrass, while Pythym spp. was isolated from bent grass at low frequency but showed high pathogenicity. Totally, 205 isolates of soil microorganisms were isolated in this study as primary antagonistic microorganism by Herr's triple agar layer plate and dual culture method using rhizosphere of grasses, soil of crop field as the source of antagonistic microorganisms. Among the 205 isolates, 23 isolates were actinomycetes and 182 isolates were bacteria. All of the actinomycetes were isolated by Herr's method. Antagonistic effect of primary isolated microorganisms was tested for in vitro mycelial growth inhibition against pathogenic fungi isolated from grasses and for inhibition of disease occurrence in 24 well tissue culture plate and pot experiment. Then, four isolated of bacteria which are BG23, BG74, BG136 and BG171 were selected as antagonistic microorganisms against soil-born pathogenic fungi of bentgrass.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to simplify the traditional manufacturing method of Jeungpyun by developing a new process for Jeungpyun preparation using meringue and to also investigate the quality characteristics of Jeungpyun made with green tea powder. Methods: The Jeungpyun was manufactured as 4 sample preparations (Jeungpyun: J; Jeungpyun+0.5% green tea: J+0.5% GT; Jeungpyun+1% green tea: J+1% GT; and Jeungpyun+1.5% green tea: J+1.5% GT) through mixing rice flour, meringue, green tea powder (0-1.5%), dry yeast, water, and milk, steaming for 4 min at $180^{\circ}C$ and 3 min at $220^{\circ}C$, and then standing for 1 hr at room temperature. The quality characteristics of Jeungpyun were evaluated based on physicochemical properties, total mold, texture analysis, and sensory evaluation. Results: The pH of Jeungpyun batter was significantly lower in J+1.0% GT and J+1.5% GT than J. The specific gravity, weight, volume, and specific volume of J+0.5% GT and J+1% GT was not significantly different, as compared to J. In color, L value decreased and a and b value increased based on the increase of green tea powder. The antifungal activity was the highest in J+1.5% GT, followed by J+1.0% GT, J+0.5% GT, and J, in order. Samples with added green tea powder showed decreased hardness, as compared with J; its effect was significant in J+1.0% GT and J+1.5% GT after storage for 1 day. In sensory evaluation, the color of Jeungpyun was darkened by the addition of green tea powder. The egg smell and hardness significantly decreased by addition of green tea powder. Based on quantitative description analyses, overall acceptability was the highest in J+1% GT. Conclusion: Therefore, 1% green tea powder was the optimal amount for preparing Jeungpyun with meringue. For simplification of the traditional manufacturing method, Jeungpyun could be produced with meringue and green tea powder, which has potent physiological activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.687-694
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• 2017

Plumbagin, a hydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinone compound from plant metabolites, exhibits anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal activities via modulating various signaling molecules. However, its effects on vascular functions are rarely studied except in pulmonary and coronary arteries where NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibition was suggested as a mechanism. Here we investigate the effects of plumbagin on the contractility of skeletal artery (deep femoral artery, DFA), mesenteric artery (MA) and renal artery (RA) in rats. Although plumbagin alone had no effect on the isometric tone of DFA, $1{\mu}M$ phenylephrine (PhE)-induced partial contraction was largely augmented by plumbagin (${\Delta}T_{Plum}$, 125% of 80 mM KCl-induced contraction at $1{\mu}M$). With relatively higher concentrations (>$5{\mu}M$), plumbagin induced a transient contraction followed by tonic relaxation of DFA. Similar biphasic augmentation of the PhE-induced contraction was observed in MA and RA. VAS2870 and GKT137831, specific NOX4 inhibitors, neither mimicked nor inhibited ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ in DFA. Also, pretreatment with tiron or catalase did not affect ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ of DFA. Under the inhibition of PhE-contraction with L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker (nifedipine, $1{\mu}M$), plumbagin still induced tonic contraction, suggesting $Ca^{2+}$-sensitization mechanism of smooth muscle. Although ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ was consistently observed under pretreatment with Rho A-kinase inhibitor (Y27632, $1{\mu}M$), a PKC inhibitor (GF 109203X, $10{\mu}M$) largely suppressed ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$. Taken together, it is suggested that plumbagin facilitates the PKC activation in the presence of vasoactive agonists in skeletal arteries. The biphasic contractile effects on the systemic arteries should be considered in the pharmacological studies of plumbagin and 1,4-naphthoquinones.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2020

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is concerned with promoting oral infection due to its low antibacterial activity. To overcome this, the nanoparticles of Ag-MSN, nGO, and CNP were mixed with MMA liquid in a weight ratio of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0% compared to resin powder using Orthocryl from Dentarum, a calibration resin, and then instructed by the manufacturer. Accordingly, a specimen for calibration was prepared by mixing PMMA: MMA (1.2: 1) ratio, and physical properties of the calibration resin, antifungal experiments, and statistical analysis were performed. As a result of antibacterial experiments, the antibacterial properties of Ag-MSN increased. In nGO, the antibacterial adhesive effect increased hydrophilicity, not a change in surface roughness. The higher the CNP concentration, the higher the antibacterial activity. This suggests its potential usefulness as an antibacterial dental material for orthodontic devices and temporary restorations.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2015

PURPOSE. Xerostomia can diminish the quality of life, leads to changes in normal chemical composition of saliva and oral microbiata, and increases the risk for opportunistic infections, such as Candida albicans. Various artificial salivas have been considered for patients with xerostomia. However, the knowledge on the antifungal and antiadhesive activity of artificial saliva substitutes is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate influence of two artificial salivas on the adhesion of Candida albicans to the polymethylmethacrylate disc specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two commercial artificial salivas (Saliva Orthana and Biotene Oral Balance Gel) were selected. 45 polymethylmethacrylate disc specimens were prepared and randomly allocated into 3 groups; Saliva Orthana, Biotene-Oral Balance gel and distilled water. Specimens were stored in the artificial saliva or in the sterile distilled water for 60 minutes at $37^{\circ}C$. Then they were exposed to yeast suspensions including Candida albicans. Yeast cells were counted using ${\times}40$ magnification under a light microscope and data were analysed. RESULTS. Analysis of data indicated statistically significant difference in adhesion of Candida albicans among all experimental groups (P=.000). Findings indicated that Saliva Orthana had higher adhesion scores than the Biotene Oral Balance gel and distilled water (P<.05). CONCLUSION. In comparison of Saliva Orthana, the use of Biotene Oral Balance Gel including lysozyme, lactoferrin and peroxidase may be an appropriate treatment method to prevent of adhesion of Candida albicans and related infections in patients with xerostomia.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.245-251
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• 2018

In this study, Coffea arabica ethanol extract (CAE) was tested for possible functional cosmetic agent. Whitening effect was measured by tyrosinase inhibition assay, and anti-oxidant activity was checked by SOD-like activity. SOD-like activity of CAE showed $94.8{\pm}6.2%$ at $500{\mu}g/mL$. The anti-bacterial activities CAE was evaluated against three different gram-positive bacteria and six gram-negative bacteria including MRSA strains. CAE exhibited in vitro broad spectrum antimicrobial activities of gram-negative bacteria without antifungal activity. CAE was strong exhibited against MRSA CCARM3561. The tyrosinase and L-DOPA inhibitory activities of the CAE lower than those positive control arbutin. CAE reduced melanin contents of B16-F10 melanoma cell in a dose dependent manner and decrease about 89.2% at a concentration $100{\mu}g/mL$. These result highlight the potential of coffee extract as a naturally active and non-toxic antibacterial suitable for cosmetic applications.