• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2009

Flos Sophora japonica L. (Leguminosae), commonly called scholar tree, is a well-known traditional medicine used for the treatment of bleeding and as an antihemorrhagic agent. This research was conducted to determine biofunctional activities of Flos Sophora japonica extract. Methanolic extract from Flos Sophora japonica was partitioned by using organic solvents, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. Ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity ($RC_{50}=3.13{\mu}g/mL$) among the fractions. In antimicrobial activity assays, ethyl acetate soluble fraction was effective to bacterial inhibition, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, with minimum inhibitory concentrations in $125{\mu}g/mL$. In anticomplementary activity assays, water soluble fraction was the most effective exhibiting 21% inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1184-1189
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• 2002

Allii sativi Bulbus(garlic) have been shown to possess medicinal value, in particular, antimicrobial activity. In this study, we compared the efficacy on some pathogenic bacteria and fungus among several different extracts(water, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, chloroform) of Allii sativi Bulbus. Animal pathogenic bacteria and fungus(S. gallinarium: KCTC 2441, S. flexneri: KCTC 2361, E. cloacae: KCTC 2006, K. pneumonia: KCTC 2208, C. albicans: KCTC 1940) were used to test by measurement of minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) and disc diffusion. Allii sativi Bulbus were cut and mixed with water at 37℃ about 24 h and filtered, and several different solvents(hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol) were respectively added to separate the fraction of each solvent. The antimicrobial(bacteriocidal) and antifungal effect were apparently shown from water extract, hexane and ethyl acetate extract against using strains(Staphylococcus gallinarium, Shigella flexneri, Enterobacter doacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans). Especially, the water extract showed the superior efficacy. And the clear zone size of water extract (11～27 mm) was greater than that of gentamycin, hexane extract and ethyl acetate extract against S. gallinarium. S. flexneri, K. pneumonia and C. albicans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) of water extract appeared to around 2.0～7.5 ㎎/㎖ against S. gallinarium, S. flexneri, E. cloacae and K. pneumonia. The greater activity was shown by water extract because the MIC of water extract for C. albicans observed in very low concentration(<1.0 ㎎/㎖) compared to hexane(5.0 ㎎/㎖) and ethyl acetate(10.0 ㎎/㎖). Therefore, these results exhibited that water extract of Allii sativi Bulbus have stronger antimicrobial activity than hexane and ethyl acetate extract, and may be useful as topical medicine of superficial infections causing C. albicans as well as antifungal agents.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.350-359
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• 2020

Pathogenic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are attractive targets for anti-infective agents because their catalytic active sites are different from those of human ARSs. Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic that specifically inhibits bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), resulting in a block to protein synthesis. Previous studies on Thermus thermophilus IleRS indicated that mupirocin-resistance of eukaryotic IleRS is primarily due to differences in two amino acids, His581 and Leu583, in the active site. However, without a eukaryotic IleRS structure, the structural basis for mupirocin-resistance of eukaryotic IleRS remains elusive. Herein, we determined the crystal structure of Candida albicans IleRS complexed with Ile-AMP at 2.9 A resolution. The largest difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic IleRS enzymes is closure of the active site pocket by Phe55 in the HIGH loop; Arg410 in the CP core loop; and the second Lys in the KMSKR loop. The Ile-AMP product is lodged in a closed active site, which may restrict its release and thereby enhance catalytic efficiency. The compact active site also prevents the optimal positioning of the 9-hydroxynonanoic acid of mupirocin and plays a critical role in resistance of eukaryotic IleRS to anti-infective agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4457-4461
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• 2016

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, as diagnosed using a liquid-based cytology technique, in pregnant women attending the Antenatal Care (ANC) clinic at Siriraj Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 655 first-visit pregnant women who attended ANC clinic at Siriraj Hospital during June to November 2015 study period. After receiving routine antenatal care, cervical cytology screening was performed with the Siriraj liquid-based cytology technique. All specimens were reviewed by a certified cytopathologist using Bethesda System 2001 criteria. Patients with abnormal PAP results characterized as epithelial cell abnormalities were referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further management according to ASCCP Guidelines 2012. Results: Mean age of participants was $28.9{\pm}6.2$ years. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.0-4.7). Among this group, there were ASC-US, ASC-H, LSIL, HSIL for 12(1.8%), 2(0.3%), 7(1.1%) and 1(0.2%), respectively. In 633 specimens of the normal group, infection was identified in 158 specimens (24.1%) which were caused by Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis. Regarding patient perception about the importance of cervical cancer screening, although most women perceived screening to be important, 54% of participants had never been screened for cervical cancer. Rate of loss to follow-up in the postpartum period was as high as 41.8%. Conclusions: Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in pregnant women attending the ANC clinic at Siriraj Hospital was 3.4%. Inclusion of cervical cancer screening as part of antenatal assessment can help to identify precancerous lesions or cervical cancers in patients who might otherwise not be screened, thereby facilitating early treatment and improved patient outcomes.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.494-499
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• 2010

We have been focussing on discovery of natural compounds that have immunoregulatory activities for many years. In the present study, we investigated if chlorogenic acid (CRA), a polyphenolic compound, has an immunoadjuvant activity. Prior to examining the immunoadjuvant activity, effect of CRA on proliferation of T- or B-lymphocyte was determined. Results showed that CRA enhanced the proliferation of those lymphocytes in dose-dependant manner (P<0.05), and the proliferation enhancement by CRA was appeared to be more effective to B-cells than to T-cells. Based on these observations, it was tested with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Candida albicans cell wall (CACW) as antigenic sources if CRA has an immunoadjuvant activity. In experiments, BSA alone or a mixture of BSA plus CRA was injected intraperitoneally to mice (BALB/c strain). For a negative control, mice were given only diluent (DPBS) by the same route. In other experiment, CACW was tested by the same way as did with BSA. Three weeks after the first immunization these animals were boosted. Antisera collected from the mice one week after the booster were analyzed by ELISA. Results displayed that the induction of anti-BSA antibody was increased in mice that received the mixture of BSA and CRA as compared to anti-BSA induction in BSA only-given mice groups (P<0.05). In case of CACW, a similar observation as did with BSA was made, resulting in that there was app. 40% increased production of the anti-CACW antiserum from the combination (CACW plus CRA)-received mice as compared to antiserum induction from CACW alone-given animals. Taken all together, these data indicate that CRA has an ability of enhancing antibody production regardless of nature of antigenic sources. Presumably, activation of B-cell proliferation by CRA may plays an important role in the immunoadjuvant activity of the polyphenolic compound.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.34-54
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• 2006

The effects of four extracts of medicinal herbs, Rubus coreanum, Acorus calamus, Morus alba and Rehmannia glutinosa on hair growth activity and acnes control were investigated. In the course of screening natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Rubus coreanum has the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of these extracts to the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. The growth of dermal papilla cells and mouse vibrissae hair follicle cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by treatment of these extracts. Furthermore these extracts do not possesspotent inhibitory effect on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity and anti-bacterial effect on Escherichia coli , Propionibacterium acnes, Pityrosporum ovale, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, and Candida albicans. RT-PCR analysis showed that these extracts did notinduce mRNA levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in dermal papilla cells. These results suggest that Rubus coreanum has hair growth promoting effect. However, the effects of these materials on the hair growth promotion are not mediated through inhibition of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity, stimulation of hair follicle cells and expression of growth factors in the dermal papilla cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.188-195
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• 2012

To produce rapidly the traditional Kanjang soy sauce-like product with rich flavors, lactic acid bacteria of Enterococcus spp. isolated from Chungkukjang was used as one of starter cultures. Among 119 Enterococcus spp., eight strains were selected by protease-secreting activities and identified as four E. faecium, three E. faecalis, and one E. gallinarium. The strains showed low resistances toward eight antibiotics and had no resistant genes to the vancomycin. Especially, E. faecium O24 was cultivated well on 5% NaCl medium that was selected for further study as the starter. E. faecium O24 grew well on the steamed soybean and the counts increased by ten times overnight, which produced mostly 80 mg% glutamic acid and aspartic acid as the seasoning amino acids on the product. Various organic acids including principal lactic acid were also produced. Flavors of maltol and guaiacol, typical soy-sauce flavor, were produced in the mixed cultures of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Candida versatilis. Therefore, E. faecium O24 could be a starter of soybean fermentation for soy sauce-like product with rich flavors rapidly.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.223-233
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• 2018

Topical anesthetics are commonly used in oral & maxillofacial surgery to control pain in the oral cavity mucosa before local anesthetic injection. These anesthetic agents come in many forms, developed for different usages, to minimize adverse reactions, and for optimal anesthetic efficiency. Earlier studies have revealed that these agents may also limit the growth of microorganisms in the area of anesthetic application. Many topical anesthetic agents show different levels of antimicrobial activity against various bacterial strains and Candida. The dosage of local anesthetic agent used in some clinical preparations is too low to show a significant effect on microbial activity. Efficiency of antimicrobial activity depends on the local anesthetic agent's properties of diffusion within the bloodstream and binding efficiency with cytoplasmic membrane, which is followed by disruption of the bacterial cell membrane. The antimicrobial properties of these agents may extend their usage in patients to both control pain and infection. To develop the topical local anesthetic optimal usage and antimicrobial effect, a collaborating antiseptic agent may be used to benefit the local anesthetic. However, more research is required regarding minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of topical local anesthetic agents with drug interaction between anesthetics and antiseptic agents.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.145-152
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• 2000

In order to select an effective antibiotic substance against oral resident bacteria, we were isolated from soil and texonomically analyzed. Seven hundred and eighteen strains were isolated on humic acid- vitamin agar(HV agar) and 220 strains were on methanol medium from three each paddy forest, field and riverside soil samples. So, during the screening of antibiotics from soil, we isolated microorganisms showing powerful antagonistic activity against oral resident bacteria. Microorganism was tested against 25 strains of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Among them, No. 248 strain exhibited the most strongly growth inhibition. So, the taxonomical analysis the isolated strain was found to be unknown Actinomyces sp. and was named No 248. A production of the antibiotics from No. 248 begins at the early exponential phase developed at the 72th hour under the optinum conditions. The property of No. 248 antimicrobial compound was very stable under acid(pH 3.0) and alkali(pH 10.0) treatment, but it was instable in heat treatment at $120^{\circ}C$. For the improvement of antibiotic activity, two mutants were isolated from strain No. 248 by the treatment of mutagenic agents, NTG and hydroxylamine. As a result, the mutant strains excreted the potent antibiotics to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2069-2074
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• 2014

Purpose: To appraise the frequency of cervical cytological abnormalities in a population at normal risk via analysing the archive records of cytology for the period of approximately 9,5 years, comparing them with patient demographic charecteristics, and discuss the results for women under age of 35. Materials and Methods: A total of 32,578 cases of Pap smears were retrieved and analysed from our archive included the Pap tests performed between January 2001 and April 2010 at the Early Cancer Screening, Diagnosing and Education Center by the consent of three pathologists via utilizing the Bethesda System Criteria 2001 and the results were compared with some demographical characteristics. Results: Our rate of the cervical cytological abnormality was 1.83%, with ASCUS in 1.18%, LSIL in 0.39, HSIL in 0.16%, AGUS in 0.07%, squamous cell carcinoma in 0.02%, and adenoarcinoma in 0.006%. Cytological abnormalities were detected mostly in those with higher age, lower parity, and premenopausal period whereas the smoking status was without influence. Bacterial vaginosis (5.6%) was the most frequent infectious finding (Candida albicans 2.7%; Actinomyces sp. 1.3%; and Trichomonas vaginalis 0.2%) detected on the smears. The rate of abnormal cervical cytology was 9.5% among the women aged between 30-34. Conclusions: Early detection of the cervical abnormalities by means of the regular cervical cancer screening programmes is useful to attenuate the incidence, mortality, and morbidity of cervical cancer. Our prevalence of the cytological abnormalities was much lower than the one in Western populations in general but very similar to those reported from other Islamic countries that may be explained by the conservative lifestyle and the lower prevalence of HPV in Turkey. A remarkable rate of abnormal cervical cytology of women aged 30-34 was pointed out in the present study.