• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.169-176
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• 2014

A positional scanning synthetic peptide combinatorial library (PS-SCL) was screened in order to identify antimicrobial peptides against the cariogenic oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. Activity against Streptococcus gordonii and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was also examined. The library was comprised of six sub-libraries with the format $O_{(1-6)}XXXXX-NH_2$, where O represents one of 19 amino acids (excluding cysteine) and X represents equimolar mixture of these. Each sub-library was tested for antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against S. gordonii and A. actinomycetemcomitans. The effect of peptides was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two semi-mixture peptides, RXXXXN-$NH_2$ (pep-1) and WXXXXN-$NH_2$ (pep-2), and one positioned peptide, RRRWRN-$NH_2$ (pep-3), were identified. Pep-1 and pep-2 showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria (S. mutans and S. gordonii), but not against Gram negative bacteria (A. actinomycetemcomitans). However, pep-3 showed very low antimicrobial activity against all three bacteria. Pep-3 did not form an amphiphilic ${\alpha}$-helix, which is a required structure for most antimicrobial peptides. Pep-1 and pep-2 were able to disrupt the membrane of S. mutans. Small libraries of biochemically-constrained peptides can be used to generate antimicrobial peptides against S. mutans and other oral microbes. Peptides derived from such libraries may be candidate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of oral microorganisms.

• 대한미생물학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.11-21
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• 1983

Various investigations have been carried out to elucidate the causative relationship between specific oral bacterial species and dental caries since it was first demonstrated that selected streptococoal species produced dental caries in germfree rats when fed a high-sucrose diet. Now, S. mutans is considered to play an important role in the development of dental caries in animals and humans, and only a limited number of species of bacteria other than S. mutans are occasionally found to be cariogenic in experimental animals. In this regard, association of the number of S. mutans in approximal plaque with caries experience (DMFT) was studied from 137 Korean school children($10{\sim}11$ year old). Biotypes of the collected strains of S. mutans were determined, and their relationship with caries status was also examined. The following results were emerged from the study. 1. S. mutans was detected in the plaques of all children. 2. Statistically significant positive correlation(r=0.445, p<0.001) was found between the caries experience(DMFT) and the number of S. mutans in approximal plaques. 3. The number of S. mutans were significantly higher(p<0.001) in plaques removed from carious surface than from sound surface. 4. The most frequent biotype was biotype I(78.8%), followed by IV(33.1%) and V(09.5%). Biotype II was isolated in the plaque of two children(1.7%) only. 5. There was no apparent relation of specific biotypes to carious status.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

Purpose : To observe direct effect of irradiation on cariogenic Streptooccus mutans. Materials and Methods : S. mutans GS5 was exposed to irradiation with a single absorbed dose of 10, 20, 30, and 40Gy. Viability and changes in antibiotic sensitivity, morphology, transcription of virulence factors, and protein profile of bacterium after irradiation were examined by pour plate, disc diffusion method, transmission electron microscopy, RT-PCR, and SDS-PAGE, respectively. Results : After irradiation with 10 and 20Gy, viability of S. mutans was reduced. Further increase in irradiation dose, however, did not affect the viability of the remaining cells of S. mutans. Irradiated 5. mutans was found to have become sensitive to antibiotics. In particular, the bacterium irradiated with 40Gy increased its susceptibility to cefotaxime, penicillin, and tetracycline. Under the transmission electron microscope, number of morphologically abnormal cells was increased as the irradiation dose was increased. S. mutans irradiated with 10 Gy revealed a change in the cell wall and cell membrane. As irradiation dose was increased, a higher number of cells showed thickened cell wall and cell membrane and Iysis, and appearance of ghost cells was noticeable. In RT-PCR, no difference was detected in expression of gtfB and spap between cells with and without irradiation of 40Gy. In SDS-PAGE, proteins with higher molecular masses were gradually diminished as irradiation dose was increased. Conclusion : These results suggest that irradiation affects the cell Integrity of S. mutans, as observed by SDS-PAGE, and as manifested by the change in cell morphology, antibiotic sensitivity, and eventually viability of the bacterium.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.292-303
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• 1998

The arbitrary primer polymerase chain reaction(AP-PCR) and Southern blot restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) were used to genotype the cariogenic pathogen S. mutans in children. Following the morphologic chracteristics of colony on selective medium for S. mutans, total genomic DNA from 155 strains was extracted by conventional methods. Among 155 strains, 143 strains (92.3%) were confirmed S. mutans by PCR with dexA gene and 114 strains were used in this study. Three random sequence 10-base oligonucleotide primers were chosen for AP-PCR. The amplified DNA products were separated electrophoretically in a 2% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide and the banding patterns were compared among different strains. For RFLP analysis, DNA was digested with EcoRI and BamHI, separated on a 0.7 % agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. The membrane was probed with a previously characterised 1.6 kilobases (kb) DNA fragment cloned from gtf B gene of S. mutans. The probe was labeled with isotope[$^{32}P-{\alpha}CTP$], and hybridized fragments were detected with intensifying screen. AP-PCR produced 4-8 DNA bands in the 0.25-10 kb regions and distinguished 9, 10 or 12 genotypes, depending on the specific primer used. Southern blot RFLP analysis revealed 2 hybridization patterns consisting of 1 DNA fragments 450, 500 bp. These results indicate that AP-PCR is more discriminative method for genotyping of S. mutans.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.304-313
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• 2004

천연의 당알콜계 감미료인 자일리톨을 사용하여 자당으로부터 글루캔을 합성하는 효소인 glucosyltransferase(GTF)의 mRNA 발현에 미치는 영향을 Fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH)과 유식세포측정기를 이용하여 분석하여 다음의 결과를 얻었다. 1. FISH분석결과 1% 자당이 함유된 BHI 배지에 1%, 5%, 10% 자일리톨을 첨가하였을 때 gtfB, gtfC 및 gtfD mRNA 발현이 농도 의존적으로 억제되었고, gtfB 보다는 gtfC 및 gtfD의 발현이 더 크게 억제되었다. 2. 유식세포측정기로 분석한 결과 자당의 농도가 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%로 증가함에 따라 gtfB, gtfC 및 gtfD mRNA 발현이 증가하였다. 3. 유식세포측정기로 분석한 결과 자당이 1%함유되었을 때 1%, 5%, 10% 자일리톨을 첨가한 경우 gtfB, gtfC 및 gtfD mRNA발현이 유사하게 억제되었으며, 10% 자일리 톨을 첨가한 경우 gtfB, gtfC 및 gtfD mRNA발현이 가장 크게 억제되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면 자일리톨은 자당첨가에 의한 Streptococcus mutars의 gtf mRNA 발현을 억제하여 항우식효과에 기여하는 것으로 생각된다.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.622-636
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• 1997

Glass ionomer cements, which had been developed in 1972, were widely used as an agent for cementation, base, pit and fissure sealant, and esthetic filling material with the advantages of excellent biocompatibility, anti-cariogenic fluoride release. Specimens were made to evaluate the color change of Glass ionomer cement with a newly developed improved Fuji II Le. Specimens for color change study with cement thickness of 1, 2, 3mm were made and those for the study of color shift pattern were made with the assumption that new mid-shade can be made by mixing of equal amount of both shades in 2mm thickness. After 24 hours in a $37^{\circ}C$ incubator, CIELAB color spaces were evaluated with a spectrophotometer. The results were as follows ; 1. All specimens discolored to dark and blue with an increased thickness in all shades (p<0.05). 2. There were significant $a^*$ space (red-green direction) changes in every A, B, C, D shade series except the relationship between 1mm and 2mm thickness groups in B shade series. But the changes were irregular, i.e., each shade series has its own pattern. 3. Each shade series showed its own specific color shift pattern in all $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$ spaces. 4. B shade series showed less amont of changes in ${\Delta}{\pm}E$ than those of A and C shade series (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in ${\Delta}E$ within each shade series.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.618-627
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• 2004

Purpose: To investigate the dental health status of kindergarten children according to their oral health behavior. Method: The subjects were 172 kindergarten children aged 5. A structured questionnaire was used for dental health behavior and oral health status were examined by dentist and bacteria in salivary. Result: 1. Mean score of oral health behavior of children was 4.69 points (SD1.65) with the highest score being 13. No significant differences were observed according to sex, except using tooth paste. A total 71.5% of subjects brushed their tooth twice a day, 9.9% of them once a day, 18.6% of them three times a day, 19.2% of children brushed their teeth after breakfast and lunch, 89.5% of then after dinner, 5.8% of them before going to bed, 18.6% of children brushed correctly, 79.7% of them used tooth paste with fluorine, 3.5% of them regularly examined oral cavity, 84.4% of them took cariogenic food without any restrain, 67.1% of them were observed with oral cavity by their mother. 2. Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in the saliva was $3.66({\times}106CFU/m{\ell})\;and\;1.05({\times}103CFU/m{\ell})$, respectively. No significant differences were observed according to sex, while lactobacilli were significantly lower in those children who had regular dental examinations. 3. The index of plaque was 1.56 and the boys were significantly higher than the girls. The mean dft was 4.99. No significant differences were observed according to sex, while the children whose oral cavity was observed regular were significantly lower than those who were not observed. Conclusion: As a whole the practice of oral health behavior of the kindergarten children was poor, and regular dental examinations and oral cavity observations affect their dental health status. These results suggest that intensive dental health education was needed not only for the pre-school children but also their parents and teachers.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.405-421
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• 1997

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the acid resistance and antimicrobial effect of fluoride-laser combined application. Recently extracted third molars were used. $5{\times}3mm$ of the buccal and lingual specimens were exposed and incipient artificial carious lesions were formed by keeping them in the artificial cariogenic solution for 5 days. They were divided into five groups and treated with fluoride and laser according to the predetermined regimen. The acid resistance was compared between groups by chemical quantitative analysis of the calcium and phosphorous released into the test solution after single or combined application of fluoride and laser. The antimicrobial effect of each group was analyzed by counting the number of colony forming units after microbial incubation. The results from the present study can be summarized as follows; 1. Experimental groups showed lower values in calcium and phosphorous contents as well as in $CFU/m{\ell}$(colony forming units) than control group. Combined application groups showed lower values than single application groups. 2. Acid resistance and antimicrobial effect by fluoride and laser treatment were confirmed in this study. 3. Based upon the above-mentioned results of this study, it can be assumed that the use of laser-fluoride combined application may provide the child and adolescent patient population with antimicrobial effect as well as acid resistance. Further studies using various materials and experimental conditions are being encouraged.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.116-126
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• 1998

Numerous chemical agents have been developed to reduce the activity of cariogenic bacteria. Of these, chlorhexidine is acknowledged as the most effective. Gel and mouthrinse have been the traditional method of its application in the mouth. It has been reported that chlorhexidine varnish has prolonged inhibitory effect on the number of streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque. Recently, chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant have been developed to promote prolonged anticariogenic effect of chlorhexidine. Products containing 10% chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant have been developed to prevent caries by reducing the number of streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant on streptococcus mutans in the primary dentition. Children with primary dentition containing no active carious lesion were divided into two groups. To the experimental group (n=11), chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant ($Chlorzoin^{(R)}$, Knowell Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. Canada.) was applied once a week for four weeks according to the manufacturer's instruction. Only oral prophylaxis was performed on the control group(n=7). Caries activity was measured after using $Cariescreen^{(R)}$SM (Knowell Therapeutic Technologies, Inc. Canada,) to incubate streptococcus mutans before and 5, 12, 24 weeks after initial varnish application. The following results were observed.; 1. There was statistically significant decrease in the number of streptococcus mutans in the experimental group for 5 weeks(P<0.01), 12 weeks(P<0.05) after the initial application. but, by 24 weeks significant difference had disappeared. 2. As the inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine varnish and polyurethane sealant application is not everlasting, reapplication at 12-24 weeks should be needed.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.291-296
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• 2007

Insoluble glucans synthesized by Streptococcus mutans enhance the pathogenicity of oral biofilm by promoting the adherence and accumulation of cariogenic bacteria on the surface of the tooth. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Leuconostoc spp. on the in vitro formation of S. mutans biofilm. Three strains, Leuconostoc gelidum A TCC 49366, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris A TCC 19254 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides ATCC 8293, were used in this study. They exhibited profound inhibitory effects on the formation of S. mutans biofilm and on the proliferation of S. mutans. The water-soluble polymers produced from sucrose were most strongly produced by L. gelidum, followed by L. mesenteroides ssp. cremoris and L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides. The mean wet weights of the artificial biofilm of S. mutans were also significantly reduced as a result of the addition of the water-soluble polymers obtained from Leuconostoc cultures. According to the results of thin-layer chromatographic analysis, the hydrolysates of the water-soluble polymers produced by Leuconostoc were identical to those of dextran T-2000, forming predominately ${\alpha}-(1-6)$ glucose linkages. These results indicate that dextran-producing Leuconostoc strains are able to inhibit the formation of S. mutans biofilm in vitro.