• 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.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2014

Periodic analysis of local epidemiologic data of prevalent pathogens of blood culture can provide clinicians with relevant information to guide empirical antibiotic therapy. In this study, we analyzed a pattern of change of causative microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance at a tertiary medical center in Chungcheong province from 2003 to 2012, retrospectively. Of 70,258 blood specimens cultured, 6,063 (8.6%) were positive. Among the positive isolates, 95.9% were aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria, 0.1% were anaerobes, and 3.9% were fungi. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (32.9%), Escherichia coli (16.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.4%), and ${\alpha}$-hemolytic Streptococcus (5.9%) were commonly isolated bacteria, and Candida albicans (1.4%) was the most commonly isolated fungi. Enterococcus faecium progressively increased but Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Proteus species gradually decreased over a period of 10 years. The multidrug-resistant microorganisms such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), cefotaxime-resistant E. coli, imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) and imipenem-resistant A. baumannii (IRAB), were significantly increased. Therefore, there is a need for a more strict control of antibiotics and a more updated guideline for the treatment of bloodstream infection.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.478-483
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• 2011

An antimicrobial material was purified from the acidified whole body extract of the jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai by using C18 reversed phase and cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Whole body extract and the purified compound (JAP-1) showed potent antimicrobial activities against a wide range of microorganisms including Escherichia coli D31, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus iniae and Candida albicans, without significant hemolytic activity. Treatment of JAP-1 with trypsin completely abolished all antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that JAP-1 is likely to be a proteinaceous antibiotic. The molecular weight of JAP-1 was determined to be 680.10 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

This study examined Tetraselmis sp. JK-46 isolated from seawater from the East Sea. Deep seawater (DSW) had a greater effect on the growth of Tetraselmis sp. JK-46 than surface seawater (SSW). The crude protein, lipid, carbohydrate and ash contents of Tetraselmis sp. JK-46 cultured with DSW were 27.2, 37.1, 13.2 and 26.3 %, respectively, and these values were similar to the results for samples cultured with SSW. The contents of Mg, Ca, Fe and K in the DSW cultured samples were 7080.3, 1009.6, 251.2, and 2749.7 mg/100 g, respectively. The fatty acid compositions of Tetraselmis sp. JK-46 cultured with DSW and SSW were 53.7 and 49.0 % polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and 25.7 and 30.7 % saturated fatty acids (SFA), respectively. The total amino acid contents of the samples cultured with DSW and SSW were 7392.6 and 6376.0 mg/100 g respectively. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of Tetraselmis sp. JK-46 extracts increased with the concentration of the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. The half maximal inhibitiory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of DSW and SSW cultured samples were 1.2 and 2.6 mg/mL, and 3.1 and 3.3 mg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate fractions of DSW and SSW cultured samples has anticoagulant activity and the activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) were 93.4 and 89.3 sec., respectively. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1996

A phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (MT267-2B) was isolated from the culture broth of actinomycetes isolate MT2617-2 by the extraction with n-butanol and column chromatographic techniques. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was 1057, by the spectroscopic analyses of IR, $^{13}C$-and $^{1}H$-NMR and ESI-MS. The chemical structure of MT2617-2B was found to be a macrolide compound consisted of a hemiketal ring, polyhydroxyl and polymethyl groups, which had a malonate and guanidine group as its side chain. MT2617-2B produced its two isomers having the same molecular weight by standing in methanol solution at room temperature. Therefore, MT2617-2B was identified as copiamycin and niphithricin A, macrolide antibiotics. The values of $IC_{50}$ against PLC-${\gamma}$1 and PLC-${\beta}$1 were 25 and 50${\mu}$g/ml, respectively. MT2617-2B had antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, but not against Escherichia coli.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5787-5791
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• 2014

Background: With increasing survival periods and diversification of treatment methods, treatment of critically ill cancer patients has become an important factor influencing patient prognosis. Patients with cancer are at high risk of infections and subsequent complications. This study investigated the incidence and factors contributing to the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated the incidence of VAP and factors leading to infection in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a cancer center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Results: The incidence of VAP was 2.13 cases per 1,000 days of intubation, and 13 of 288 patients (4.5%) developed VAP. Lung cancer was the most common cancer associated with VAP (N=7, 53.9%), and longer hospital stays and intubation were associated with increased VAP incidence. In the group using a "ventilator bundle," the incidence was 1.14 cases per 1,000 days compared to 2.89 cases per 1,000 days without its use; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.158). Age (${\geq}65$, OR=5.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29-23.95), surgery (OR=3.78, 95%CI=1.05-13.78), and tracheotomy (OR=4.46, 95%CI=1.00-19.85) were significant VAP risk factors. The most common causative organisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (N=4, 30.8% each), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans (N=2, 15.4% each). Conclusions: The incidence of pneumonia among critically ill cancer patients is highest in those with lung cancer, but lower than among non-cancer patients. The length of hospital stay and time on mechanical ventilation are important risk factors for development of VAP. Although not statistically significant, "ventilator bundle" care is an effective intervention that delays or reduces incidence of VAP. Major risk factors for VAP include age (${\geq}65$ years), surgery, and tracheostomy, while fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and multidrug-resistant organisms were identified as the major causative pathogens of VAP in this study.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.315-329
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the distribution, frequency, sensitization rate, and types of specific allergen in allergic patients. We analyzed allergens of 12,882 allergic patient's serum referred for Medical Laboratory using MAST Allergy Screen Test (Inhalation/food panel) from April, 2010 to March, 2011. Allergen reactivity were not detected in 833/12,882 (6.5%) allergic patients and the other allergic patients had two or more types of allergens of food and inhalant, respectively. In the distribution of the allergen food 73.4% (9,450/12,882 patients) was much higher than the pollen 26.6% (3,432/12,882 patients). The sensitization rate to each allergen showed garlic 26.7%, egg white 21.5% of food allergens, mugwort 24.9%, ragweed short 19.6% of pollen allergens, Candida albicans 10.5%, Alternaria spp. 7.9% of fungus allergens, and showed high sensitized rate to Dermatophagoides farinae 90.2%, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 77.8%, house dust 57% of indoor allergens, respectively. The specific allergens of food allergen, fungus allergen, and indoor allergen were more frequent in young child than adult, but pollen allergens were frequent in adult than young child. In seasonal distribution, the food allergen were frequent in summer and autumn, the pollen allergen in autumn, fungus allergen in spring and in winter, and indoor allergen in autumn and in winter. In conclusion, the mite of Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and house dust showed the highest sensitization rate in specific allergen of allergic patients. The allergens showed difference feature according to the age, region, and types of allergen.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.257-259
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• 2005

Although automated continuous-monitoring blood culture systems are both rapid and sensitive, false-positive and false-negative results still occur. The objective of this study, then, was to evaluate negative results occurring with BacT/Alert 3D blood culture systems. A total of 1032 samples were cultured with the BacT/Alert 3D automated blood culture system, using both aerobic (BPA) and anaerobic (BPN) media, and 128 of these samples yielded positive results. A total of 904 negative blood samples were then subcultured in $5\%$ sheep blood agar, eosin methylene blue, chocolate agar, and sabouraud-dextrose agar. Organisms growing on these subcultures were subsequently identified using both Vitek32 (bioMerieux, Durham, NC) and conventional methods. Twenty four $(2.6\%)$ of the 904 subcultures grew on the subculture media. The majority $(83.3\%)$ of these were determined to be gram-positive microorganisms. Fourteen $(58.3\%)$ were coagulase-negative staphylococci, two $(8.3\%)$ were Bacillus spp., one $(4.2\%)$ was Staphylococcus aureus, and one $(4.2\%)$ was identified as Enterococcus faecium. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria spp. were isolated together in two $(8.3\%)$ vials. Gram-negative microorganisms comprised $12.5\%$ of the subcultures, of which two $(8.3\%)$ were found to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one $(4.2\%)$ was Pseudomonas fluorescens. The other isolate $(4.2\%)$ was identified as Candida albicans. We conclude that the subculture of negative results is valuable in the BacT/Alert 3D system, especially in situations in which only one set of blood cultures is taken.