• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.627-636
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• 2016

The causative agent of pandemic cholera, Vibrio cholerae, infects the anaerobic environment of the human intestine. Production of cholera toxin (CT), a major virulence factor of V. cholerae, is highly induced during anaerobic respiration with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) as an alternative electron acceptor. However, the molecular mechanism of TMAO-stimulated CT production is not fully understood. Herein, we reveal that CT production during anaerobic TMAO respiration is affected by glucose fermentation. When the seventh pandemic V. cholerae O1 strain N16961 was grown with TMAO and additional glucose, CT production was markedly reduced. Furthermore, an N16961 Δcrp mutant, devoid of cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), was defective in CT production during growth by anaerobic TMAO respiration, further suggesting a role of glucose metabolism in regulating TMAO-mediated CT production. TMAO reductase activity was noticeably decreased when grown together with glucose or by mutation of the crp gene. A CRP binding region was identified in the promoter region of the torD gene, which encodes a structural subunit of the TMAO reductase. Gel shift assays further confirmed the binding of purified CRP to the torD promoter sequence. Together, our results suggest that the bacterial ability to respire using TMAO is controlled by CRP, whose activity is dependent on glucose availability. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for the regulation of major virulence factor production by V. cholerae under anaerobic growth conditions.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2007

The objective of this research was to review the correlation between microalgae and agricultural water quality. Although microalgae has been considered as an essential factor for control1ing of water ecosystem, little attention has been paid for evaluating of microalgae as an important factor for water quality management. But it can be use to make us know the water pollution state at saprobic system, LTSI (Lake Tropic State Index), DAIpo (Diatom Assemblage Index to Organic Pollution), and AGP (Algal growth potential). In saprobic system, it is used microalgae such as Actinastrum hantzschii var. fluviatile, Asterionella gracillima, Coelastrum microporum, Synedra acus, Dictyosphaerium pulchellum, Micractinium pusillum, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Nitzschia palea for assessment water quality. In addition, they have ecologically significant characteristics such as dominant species, cosmopolitan species, redtide causative species etc. Also, microalgae such as Botryococcus braunii, B. sp., Chlorella vulgaris, C. sp., Phormidium sp., Scenedesmus quadricauda, Selenastrum capricornutum, Spirulina maxima, and S. platensis have an effect on improvement of water quality.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.319-326
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• 2005

It is well known that oxidative stress of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be a causative factor in the pathenogenesis of bone disorder on osteoblast or osteoclast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of oxidative stress, protective effect of glutamate receptor antagoinst against ROS-induced osteotoxicity, secretion of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$ and the expression of c-fos gene in the cultured rat osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Cell viability by MTS assay or !NT assay, activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation (LPO) activity, protein synthesis by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, MTS assay for NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist or AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, measurement for $TNF-\alpha$, and c-fos gene expression were performed after these cells were treated with or without various cocentrations of xanthine oxidase (XO), hypoxanthine (HX), D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), 7-chlorokynurenic acid (CKA), 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), respectively. In this study, XO/HX showed decreased cell viability and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, but it showed increased LPO activity, $TNF-\alpha$ secretion and c-fos expression. APV and CKA incresed protein sythesis and ALP activity. While, CNQX or DNQX did not show any protective effect in LDH activity or cell viability. From these results, XO/HX showed cytotoxic effect in cultured rat osteoblast or osteoclast, and also NMDA receptor antagonist such as APV or CKA was effective in blocking XO/HX-induced osteotoxicity in these cultures.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.146-155
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• 2019

Background/Aims: Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin and an important causative factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease. Recently, paricalcitol (19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2) was shown to exhibit protective effects in kidney injury. Here, we investigated the effects of paricalcitol treatment on IS-induced renal tubular injury. Methods: The fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate was used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) following IS administration in human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. The effects of IS on cell viability were determined using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays and levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2-associated protein X [Bax] and B-cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2]), nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) were determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting. The promoter activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ was measured by luciferase assays and apoptosis was determined by f low cytometry of cells stained with f luorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Annexin V protein. Results: IS treatment increased ROS production, decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. IS treatment increased the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and activated phosphorylation of MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, and Akt. In contrast, paricalcitol treatment decreased Bax expression, increased Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited phosphorylation of MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, and Akt in HK-2 cells. $NF-{\kappa}B$ promoter activity was increased following IS, administration and was counteracted by pretreatment with paricalcitol. Additionally, flow cytometry analysis revealed that IS-induced apoptosis was attenuated by paricalcitol treatment, which resulted in decreased numbers of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Annexin V positive cells. Conclusions: Treatment with paricalcitol inhibited IS-induced apoptosis by regulating MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Akt signaling pathway in HK-2 cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1801-1809
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• 2020

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first identified in 1952 as a causative agent of outbreaks. CHIKV is transmitted by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus. Symptoms after CHIKV infection in human are typically fever and joint pain, but can also include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, polyarthralgia, and rash. CHIKV is an enveloped single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a diameter of approximately 70 nm. The pathogenesis of CHIKV infection and the mechanism by which the virus evades the innate immune system remain poorly understood. Moreover, little is known about the roles of CHIKV-encoded genes in the viral evasion of host immune responses, especially type I interferon (IFN) responses. Therefore, in the present study, we screened CHIKV-encoded genes for their regulatory effect on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), a critical transcription factor for the optimal activation of IFN-β. Among others, non-structural protein 2 (nsP2) strongly inhibited melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5)-mediated induction of the NF-κB pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Elucidation of the detailed mechanisms of nsP2-mediated inhibition of the MDA5/RIG-I signaling pathway is anticipated to contribute to the development of virus-specific therapeutics against CHIKV infection.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2022

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is main causative agent of urinary tract infections. They are classified based on various types of O antigen. UPEC strains commonly possess many genes encoding virulece-associated factors. E. coli strains are generally divided into four main phylogenetic groups. The virulence factor (VF) profiles of UPEC are related with their O-serogroups in each strains. A total of 681 strains of UPEC clinical isolates were collected from Korean healthcare facility (1989: 123 strains and 2010-2014: 558 strains). The UPEC clinical isolates were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. A total of 14 O-serotypes (O1, O2, O4, O6, O7, O8, O15, O16, O18, O21, O22, O25, O75 and O83), 6 virulence factors (papC, fimG/H, sfaD/E, hly1, cnf1 and usp) and phylogenetic groups were identified. The most prevalent O-serogroups were O6 (11.1%) in 1989 UPEC strains and O25 (21.0%) in 2010-2014 UPEC strains. The identified VFs, phylogenetic groups in 1989 UPEC strains and 2010-2014 UPEC strains were fimG/H and B2 group. In this study, O6 serotype was revealed the close relationships with VFs. Also, the distribution of prevalence O-serogroups of UPEC has been changed from O6 to O25 and virulence of UPEC strains was increased during past twenty-one years.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

The most common skin disease, acne, often occurs in adolescence, but it is also detected/observed in adults due to air pollution and drug abuse. One of the causative agents of acne, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) plays a role in the development of skin acne by inducing inflammatory mediators. Torreya nucifera (TN) is an evergreen tree of the family Taxaceae, having well reported antioxidant, anti-proliferative, liver protection, and nerve protection properties. Improvement of these bioactive properties of natural products is one of the purposes of natural product chemistry and pharmaceuticals. We believe biorenovation could be one improvement strategy that utilizes microbial metabolism to produce unique derivatives having enhanced bioactivity. Therefore, in this study, the C. acnes-induced RAW264.7 inflammation model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the biorenovated Torreya nucifera product (TNB). The results showed improved viability of TNB-treated cells compared to TN-treated cells in the concentration range of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL. At non-toxic concentrations, TNB inhibited the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 by suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. TNB also attenuated the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α induced by C. acnes. Furthermore, TNB inhibited the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, a transcription factor known to regulate inflammatory mediators. Based on these results, this study suggests the potential of using TNB as natural material for the treatment of acnes and thus, supporting our postulation of biorenovation as an bioactivity improvement strategy.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2004

Papillomaviruses infect a wide variety of animals, including humans. The human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular, is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease. More than 200 types of HPV have been identified by DNA sequence data, and 85 HPV genotypes have been well char­acterized to date. HPV can infect the basal epithelial cells of the skin or inner tissue linings, and are, accordingly, categorized as either cutaneous or mucosal type. HPV is associated with a panoply of clin­ical conditions, ranging from innocuous lesions to cervical cancer. In the early 1980s, studies first reported a link between cervical cancer and genital HPV infection. Genital HPV infections are now rec­ognized to be a major risk factor in at least $95\%$ of cervical cancers. 30 different HPV genotypes have been identified as causative of sexually transmitted diseases, most of which induce lesions in the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, as the result of sexual contact. There is also direct evidence demon­strating that at least four of these genotypes are prerequisite factors in cervical cancer. The main aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the pathovirology, diagnostics, vaccines, therapy, risk groups, and further therapeutic directions for HPV infections. In addition, we reviewed the current status of HPV infections in South Korean women, as evidenced by our data.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.309-326
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• 1998

In general, the major causative factor of halitosis is thought to be a sulfated compounds. Clusterin, a sulfated glycoprotein-2(SGP-2), is frequently found in diabetic conditions and cold stress conditions. The same result is werum glucose level to diabeteic and cold stress conditions that founded Clusterin. Therefore, this study was performed to examine Clusterin in the slivary glands under stress conditions before insulin injection I.M. Fourty rats were diveded into 3 groups ; 1) 10 rats of gorup I were selected as a control 2) 15 rats beloning to group II were bathed in cold water for 30 seconds twice a day 3) 15 rats in group III received cold stress and injected I.M. with insulin. The rats were sacrifeced at day 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10 of the experiment and the submandibular glands and parotid galnds were removed. RNAs were purified from the salivary of the salivary glands were subjected to Hematoxillin-Eosin stainings and examined under the light microscope. The obtained results were as follows : 1. With immunohistochemistric method, in normal control goup, Clusterin was moderately stained in the intercalated ductal cell of the submandibualr glands, mild stained in the striated ductal cell of the submandibular glands, heavily stained on the cytoplasm of the intercalated ductal cell in the mucous submandibular glands nad slightrly stained in the intercalated ductal cell of the paroted gland, expressed negativity in the acina cell. 2. With immunohistochemistric method, Clusterin slightly increased in the acina cell of the submandibular glands under stress condition at 3 days after experement, moderately stained at 5 days after experiment so revealed positive response. And hearily in the intercalated ductal cell and mildly lin the acina celluar eytoplasm of the parotid glands under stress condition at 3 days experiment. 3. With immunohistochemistric method, no remarkable differences are found between the normal control group and stress conditioned group that insulin administration was performed before. 4. In the stressor-giving group, Clusterin mRNA was porminently expressed in submandibular gland after 5 days after experiment, in parotid gland after 3 days after experiment, performed in immunoelectrophoresis method. 5. In the insulin-injected nad stressor-giving group, Clusterin mRNA was not observed in all experimental submandibular and parotid gland, performed in immunoelectrophoresis method.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2002

Insomnia describes not only a state of a lack of sleep but also a causative factor for both psychological and physical disorders. Most people tend to underestimate the effects of insomnia on psychological problems, stroke, Sogal or other life-threatening conditions. insomnia may occur when 1) the flow of Jung(精), Ki(氣), Shin(神) and Hyul(血) is not smooth; 2) the five Jang organs and six Bu organs are in disharmony; 3) Shin(身) and Hyung(形) are inconsistently developed; 4) Young and Wi(衛) do not work in concert; 5) and other factors such as age or exposure to Cold are involved. I observed my patients suffering from insomnia according to Hyungsang medicine, which is based on 'Dongyuibogam'(東醫寶鑑). Insomnia due to the problems with Jung, Ki. Shin and Hyul was found in the Shin type(神科) and the Ki type(氣科). When it comes to the organs, sleep disorder significantly correlates to weakened Spleen, Liver and Kidneys. In terms of the inconsistent development of Shin and Hyung, patients who were shortsighted or experienced surgery showed insomnia. Patients exposed to Cold showed false type agitation. With respect to age, while children showed a weakened Gallbladder, the aged had deficient Blood. Sleep disorder caused by disharmony of Young and Wi occurs at dusk or dawn.