• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermentation of dietary fiber results in production of various short chain fatty acids in the colon. In particular, butyrate is reported to regulate the physical and functional integrity of the normal colonic mucosa by altering mucin gene expression or the number of goblet cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether butyrate modulates mucin secretion in LS174T human colorectal cells, thereby influencing the adhesion of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and subsequently inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. In addition, possible signaling pathways involved in mucin gene regulation induced by butyrate treatment were also investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mucin protein content assay and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were performed in LS174T cells treated with butyrate at various concentrations. Effects of butyrate on the ability of probiotics to adhere to LS174T cells and their competition with E. coli strains were examined. Real time polymerase chain reaction for mucin gene expression and Taqman array 96-well fast plate-based pathway analysis were performed on butyrate-treated LS174T cells. RESULTS: Treatment with butyrate resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mucin protein contents in LS174T cells with peak effects at 6 or 9 mM, which was further confirmed by PAS staining. Increase in mucin protein contents resulted in elevated adherence of probiotics, which subsequently reduced the adherent ability of E. coli. Treatment with butyrate also increased transcriptional levels of MUC3, MUC4, and MUC12, which was accompanied by higher gene expressions of signaling kinases and transcription factors involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, butyrate is an effective regulator of modulation of mucin protein production at the transcriptional and translational levels, resulting in changes in the adherence of gut microflora. Butyrate potentially stimulates the MAPK signaling pathway in intestinal cells, which is positively correlated with gut defense.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as other plants. Incorporating such plant into soil as green manure is effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. In the absence of green manure addition, the $NO_3$ content, electric conductivity (EC), and K content decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. In the presence of green manure addition, $P_2O_5$ and $NO_3$ contents reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The "survived root ratio" of 2-year-old ginseng significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3%, in the Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus treatment, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the "survived root ratio" in the Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius treatments. The "survived root ratio" of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with the soil pH and a negative correlation with the $NO_3$ contents, and EC. Conclusions: Cultivation of plant form the Chrysanthemum family as green manure, using mainly the rhizomes was effective for the control of root rot disease of ginseng.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.58-63
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• 2009

Background: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 3 protein (Tim-3) expressed on terminally differentiated Th1 cells plays a suppressive role in Th1-mediated immune responses. Recently, it has been shown that N-glycosylation affects the binding activity of the Tim-3-Ig fusion protein to its ligand, galectin-9, but the binding properties of non-glycosylated Tim-3 on $CD4^+CD25^+$T cells has not been fully examined. In this study, we produced recombinant Tim-3-Ig fusion proteins in different cellular sources and its N-glycosylation mutant forms to evaluate their binding activities to $CD4^+CD25^+$T cells. Methods: We isolated and cloned Tim-3 cDNA from BALB/C mouse splenocytes. Then, we constructed a mammalian expression vector and a prokaryotic expression vector for the Tim-3-Ig fusion protein. Using a site directed mutagenesis method, plasmid vectors for Tim-3-Ig N-glycosylation mutant expression were produced. The recombinant protein was purified by protein A sepharose column chromatography. The binding activity of Tim-3-Ig fusion protein to $CD4^+CD25^+$T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: We found that the nonglycosylated Tim-3-Ig fusion proteins expressed in bacteria bound to $CD4^+CD25^+$T cells similarly to the glycosylated Tim-3-Ig protein produced in CHO cells. Further, three N-glycosylation mutant forms (N53Q, N100Q, N53/100Q) of Tim-3-Ig showed similar binding activities to those of wild type glycosylated Tim-3-Ig. Conclusion: Our results suggest that N-glycosylation of Tim-3 may not affect its binding activity to ligands expressed on $CD4^+CD25^+$T cells.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.72-80
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• 2020

Background: Antibiotics are widely used to treat animals from infections. After fertilizing, antibacterials can remain in the soil while adversely affecting the soil microorganisms. The concentration of oxytetracycline (OTC) in the soil and its effect on the soil microbial community was assessed. To assess the impact of OTC on the soil microbial community, it was added to the soil at concentrations of 50, 150, and 300 mg kg^-1 and incubated for 35 days. Results: The concentration of OTC added to the soil decreased from 150 to 7.6 mg kg^-1 during 30 days of incubation, as revealed by LC-MS. The deviations from the control values in the level of substrate-induced respiration on the 5th day of the experiment were, on average, 26, 68, and 90%, with OTC concentrations at 50, 150, and 300 mg kg^-1, respectively. In samples with 150 and 300 mg kg^-1 of OTC, the number of bacteria from the 3rd to 14th day was 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than in the control. The addition of OTC did not affect the fungal counts in samples except on the 7th and 14th days for the 150 and 300 mg kg^-1 contaminated samples. Genes tet(M) and tet(X) were found in samples containing 50, 150, and 300 mg kg^-1 OTC, with no significant differences in the number of copies of tet(M) and tet(X) genes from the OTC concentration. Conclusions: Our results showed that even after a decrease in antibiotic availability, its influence on the soil microbial community remains.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2012

Background: As Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has increased in Korea, its relevance to infants, toddlers, and adolescents has magnified as well as. However, it is difficult to perform the serological test and PCR test routinely for diagnosis in actual clinical practice. Thus, the authors conducted this study to help clinicians do presumptive diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia using clinical, radiological, and hematological findings. Methods: The study population consisted of 224 children between 1 month and 14 years old, hospitalized for radiographically confirmed pneumonia. Patients were divided into two groups of 100 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, as diagnosed using the ELISA method. Groups with negative result in Mycoplasma IgM antibody test were classified into the viral group (98 patients with respiratory virus) and the bacterial group (46 patients with the bacteria detected in the blood sputum culture or antibiotic treatment except macrolide improved the patient's condition). These groups were compared and analyzed using clinical, hematological, and radiographic differences and scoring system. Results: Clinical, hematological, and radiographic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia have shown the intermediate level results between bacterial pneumonia and viral pneumonia. In terms of scoring system, the mean score of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia was 4.23, which was the intermediate level between bacterial pneumonia (mean score=6.67) and viral pneumonia (mean score=1.48). Conclusion: Results suggest that the combination of the scoring system information can increase the accuracy in the diagnosis even if they may have difficulties on diagnosis, because clinical manifestations, hematological, and radiographic findings are nonspecific.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.19-19
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• 1982

Pathogenesis of otitis media was studied in an animal model of rats from a histopathological and biochemical point of view. Basic anatomical outline, and distribution and type of normal epithelial cells of the rat bulla were described as a background study. Pseudomonas otitis media was developed in rats by inoculating $10^{9}$ bacteria into the tympanic bulla. Histopathologic change of the mucoperiosteal layer showed acute stage of infection from 3 days to 3 weeks, and it became chronic after 4 weeks animals through 12 weeks. Enzyme profile in the extracts of the inflammatory middle ear tissue was studied. The levels of three enzymes, PZ-peptidase, LDH, and lysozyme were much higher in the middle ear tissue than in the corresponding sera as might be expected. Tissue/serum ratios of the enzyme activities were 13-38 for PZ-peptidase, 63-177 for LDH, and 18-94 for lysozyme. Possible role of the PZ-peptidase and possible origins of the three enzymes detected in the tissue were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : Peritonsillar abscess is one of the most common illnesses m the ENT field, though its prevalence has been drastically reduced with the development of antibiotics and appropriate early treatment. We analyzed recent clinical characteristics of peritonsillar abscess and compared them with ones of 7 and 14 years ago respectively. Materials and Methods : Sixty-six cases of peritonsillar abscess from 2006 through 2008 were investigated retrospectively and compared with results of 7 and 14 years ago on various clinical factors. Results : Peritonsillar abscess was prevalent in men in their 20s and 30s. Mean period from symptom onset to visit to hospital tended to decrease(5.2 days) but admission days has increased(7.4 days). Body temperature on admission was lower than that of previous studies($36.4^{\circ}C$). Bacteria were isolated in 26 cases(74.2%) out of 35 cases in which culture had been performed. The most common cultured organism was a-hemolytic streptococcus and $\beta$-hemolytic streptococcus that had been most frequently cultured 14 years ago wasn't detected in this study. Conclusion : We found some changes of clinical features in peritonsillar abscess when compared with previous researches. Although there were some differences in cultured organism, antibiotics used commonly-cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, quinolone - were still effective for their eradication.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Background: Piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) is an antibiotic against a broad spectrum of gram-positive, gram-negative, and aerobic and anaerobic strains of bacteria. Due to changes in its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters by TZP-treated patients' renal functions and obesity, it is important to administrate and monitor TZP based on their renal functions and Body Mass Index (BMI) levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriateness of administration doses of TZP based on renal functions of obese cancer patients in a tertiary hospital. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted with obese cancer patients with $BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$ in a tertiary hospital, Korea from September 2004 to August 2014. Data were collected through Electronic Medical Record (EMR) which contained laboratory data and TZP dosing of each patient. Results: Among 7,058 patients during the study period, 102 prescriptions were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and classified by their renal functions. Although TZP should be used based on patients' renal functions to adjust its dose, its initial dose and dosing interval were consistently used without considering patients' renal functions on a regular basis. Especially, in the comparison with FDA dosing standard of TZP, approximately twice patients with $20mL/min{\leq}CrCl{\leq}40mL/min$ received domestically 4.5 g instead of 2.25 g as the TZP starting dose. Conclusion: The appropriate doses of TZP were administered to almost all of obese cancer patients; however, the recommended TZP dose was different between Korea and other countries by twice the amount. Further related studies are necessary to clearly determine the results, to optimize TZP treatment for obese patients with cancer in clinical practice, and to design and develop new TZP formulations for them in pharmaceutical industry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.341-345
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal polyps are common in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern region. The present study aimed to determine any correlation between Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and colorectal polyps in the Thai population. Materials and Methods: A total of 303 patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy with colonoscopy for investigation of chronic abdominal pain participated in this study from November 2014 to October 2015. A diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis was made if the bacteria were seen on histopathological examination and a rapid urease test was positive. Colorectal polyps were confirmed by histological examination of colorectal biopsies. Patient demographic data were analyzed for correlations. Results: The prevalence of colorectal polyps was 77 (25.4%), lesions being found more frequently in Helicobacter pylori infected patients than non-infected subjects [38.4% vs. 12.5%; Odds Ratio (OR) (95% CI): 2.26 (1.32 - 3.86), p < 0.01]. Patients with Helicobacter pylori - associated gastritis were at high risk of having adenomas featuring dysplasia [OR (95% CI): 1.15 (1.16 - 7.99); P = 0.02]. There was no varaition in location of polyps, age group, sex and gastric lesions with respect to Helicobacter pylori status. Conclusions: This study showed that Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal polyps, especially adenomas with dysplasia in the Thai population. Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis may benefit from concurrent colonoscopy for diagnosis of colorectal polyps as a preventive and early treatment for colorectal cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2099-2103
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• 2016

Background: The gold standard diagnosis of H. pylori related gastritis is evidence of bacteria on histopathological examination of gastric mucosa. Our aim was to study the correlation between gastric mucosal morphology and histopathological severity of H. pylori related gastritis. Materials and Methods: Division was made on morphological features into:Type 1, showing regular arrangement of red dots; Type 2, showing cleft-like appearance; Type 3, with a mosaic appearance; and Type 4, having a mosaic appearance with focal or diffuse hyperemia. Results: Types 1 and 2 gastric mucosal morphologies were statistically significant in predicting an H. pylori negative status (137/145, p<0.01), while Types 3 and 4 were significant a positive status (139/155, p<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Type 3 and 4 morphologies for predicting H. pylori positive were 94.6%, 89.5%, 89.7% and 94.5%, respectively, with a good correlation with inflammation grading (p<0.01). Conclusions: Our study suggests that gastric mucosal morphology can be reliably identified using conventional white light source gastroscopy with good correlation between findings and inflammation grading.