• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2013

Anginosus group streptococci (AGS) were classified based on the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) and comprised Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus constellatus. It is known that AGS is a causative factor of oral and systematic diseases. The purpose of this study was to discriminate the 56 clinical strains of AGS isolated from Korean oral cavities using phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and species-specific PCR at the species-level. The 16S rDNA of clinical strains of AGS was sequenced using the dideoxy chain termination method and analyzed using MEGA version 5 software. PCR was performed to identify the clinical strains using species-specific primers described in previous studies and S. intermedius-specific PCR primers developed in our laboratory. The resulting phylogenetic data showed that the 16S rDNA sequences can delineate the S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus strains even though the 16S rDNA sequence similarity between S. intermedius and S. constellatus is above 98%. The PCR data showed that each species-specific PCR primer pair could discriminate between clinical strains at the species-level through phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences. These results suggest that phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and PCR are useful tools for discriminating between AGS strains at the species-level.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.703-708
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• 2006

During infection, the common respiratory tract pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae encounters several environmental conditions, such as upper respiratory tract, lung tissue, and blood stream, etc. In this study, we examined the effects of blood on S. pneumoniae protein expression using a combination of highly sensitive 2-dimensional electrophoresis (DE) and MALDI-TOF MS and/or LC/ESI-MS/MS. A comparison of expression profiles between the growth in THY medium and THY supplemented with blood allowed us to identify 7 spots, which increased or decreased two times or more compared with the control group: tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, lactate oxidase, glutamyl-aminopeptidase, L-lactate dehydrogenase, cysteine synthase, ribose-phosphate pyrophosphokinase, and orotate phosphoribosyltransferase. This global approach can provide a better understanding of S. pneumoniae adaptation to its human host and a clue for its pathogenicity.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.27-35
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to provide the basic data for oral health of infants, through the comparison of Streptococcus mutans activities(the representative bacteria of initial dental caries), in main nutritional foods for infants: breast milk, milk powder, and soya milk. Methods : The study targeted 30 infants and the saliva was sampled after the oral examination. The pH of sampled saliva was measured; and the sample of 'the saliva', 'the saliva and breast milk', and 'the saliva and formula milk' by researcher were produced; and the measurement was repeated 7 times. Results : As a result of examining the change of colony number of Streptococcus mutans by hour, the bacterial activity took in the source of nutrition took place in the first place; and in the group with dental caries, breast-feeding at night occurreds most frequently. Due to the combined activities, such as the increase in the contact time, the existence rate of dental caries appeared high. However, as the improvement of breast-feeding is closely related to the nutrition supply to babies, rather than the improvement of breast-feeding, the 12 hours after the culture in which Streptococcus mutans activities started was considered. Conclusions : In case of breast-feeding at night, it is necessary to remove the dental plaque in the mouth, before 12 hours has passed. Especially, using toothbrush and toothpaste to decrease the occurrence of dental caries, after the eruption of teeth, is recommended for oral administration.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2011

This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity of polysaccharide-based Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine in Specific Pathogen Free (SPF), Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. S. pneumoniae vaccine was administrated subcutaneously each dose level of high (560 ${\mu}g$/rat), medium (280 ${\mu}g$/rat) and low (140 ${\mu}g$/rat) on days 0, 14, 28. The rats were observed for 2 weeks or 4 weeks after the final injection. During this test, there were no significant dose-dependent changes in body weight, water and food consumption. In urinalysis and serum chemistry, dose-related changes were not detected. In hematology, the percent of neutrophils and lymphocytes in white blood cells were changed significantly. According to the measurement of organ weight, only spleen weight was significantly increased in all groups of administration compared to the control group. In the histopathological examination, an antigen-deposit, vacuolated macrophages, infiltrated inflammatory cells and a formation of granulation tissue were observed at the site of an administration. These results are considered as an outcome by immune responses through a vaccination. Consequently, the results of this study demonstrated that S. pneumoniae vaccine has no toxicity when it was administrated subcutaneously three times in 2-week interval at a high dose of 560 ${\mu}g$/rat.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of xylitol and sorbitol mouth rinse on the salivary caries activity levels. Methods: The study subjects were 38 female college students in Gyeongju, Korea. The subjects visited the institution once a week for 4 weeks and the saliva samples were measured for the amount of salivary caries activity levels. The saliva was collected 5 times and incubated in Mitis Salivarius Agar for 48 hours(VS-1203P3L, Vision, Korea) and measured. Results: The Streptococcus mutans CFU decreased by statistically significant amounts as compared to before the experiment within the xylitol group and the sorbitol group(p<0.01). After three weeks of mouth rinse application, Streptococcus mutans CFU of the xylitol group and the sorbitol group showed statistically significant differences(p<0.05). The salivary flow rates within the xylitol group and sorbitol group increased by statistically significant amounts(p<0.01) than before the test. The change in the salivary buffering capacity decreased by a statistically significant amount as compared to before experiment within the xylitol group(p<0.01). Conclusions: The salivary caries activity levels decreased after using xylitol and sorbitol mouth rinse in CFU and the flow rate. The buffering activity levels increased within the xylitol group. Further follow-up studies would be necessary to identify the various effects of xylitol.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.72.1-72.16
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• 2023

Background: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) on the surface of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, coded with gapC, is a glycolytic enzyme that was reported to be a moonlighting protein and virulence factor. Objective: This study assessed GAPDH as a potential immunization candidate protein to prevent streptococcus infections. Methods: Mice were vaccinated subcutaneously with recombinant GAPDH and challenged with S. dysgalactiae in vivo. They were then evaluated using histological methods. rGAPDH of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was evaluated using immunoblotting, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Results: Vaccination with rGAPDH improved the survival rates and decreased the bacterial burdens in the mammary glands compared to the control group. The mechanism by which rGAPDH vaccination protects against S. dysgalactiae was investigated. In vitro experiments showed that rGAPDH boosted the generation of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Treatment of BMDCs with TAK-242, a toll-like receptor 4 inhibitor, or C29, a toll-like receptor 2 inhibitor, reduced cytokines substantially, suggesting that rGAPDH may be a potential ligand for both TLR2 and TLR4. Subsequent investigations showed that rGAPDH may activate the phosphorylation of MAPKs and nuclear factor-κB. Conclusions: GAPDH is a promising immunization candidate protein for targeting virulence and enhancing immune-mediated protection. Further investigations are warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying the activation of BMDCs by rGAPDH in a TLR2- and TLR4-dependent manner and the regulation of inflammatory cytokines contributing to mastitis pathogenesis.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.375-382
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• 2010

본 연구는 임신 및 수유기간 동안 구강위생상태가 불량해질 수 있는 임산부에 있어서 장기간의 자일리톨 섭취가 Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) 집락수에 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 임산부구강건강 예방프로그램에 대상자를 자발적으로 모집하여 두 군(실험군과 대조군)으로 나눈 후 18개월간 추적 조사하였다. 자극성 타액은 오후시간(1:00-3:00 p.m.)에 초기, 6개월, 12개월 및 18개월에 채취하였다. 구강보건행태(잇솔질 횟수와 정기구강검진)에 관한 정보는 설문지를 통해서 얻어졌다. 타액 내 자일리톨군의 연구기간에 따른 S. mutans 평균집락수의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하였으며, 특히 연구초기에 비해 출산 후 6개월, 12개월 및 18개월 모두에서 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 반면 대조군에서는 연구초기에 비해 출산 후 18개월에서만 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면, 자일리톨의 장기적인 섭취는 구강 내 S. mutans 집락수를 감소시킴으로써 임산부들에 있어서도 치아우식증 예방효과가 나타날 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.401-410
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• 2006

치아 우식은 구강 내 미생물에 의해 치아 석회 조직의 일부가 용해되고 파괴되는 감염성 질환이다. 치아 우식의 원인균은 Streptococcus mutans와 같은 Mutans streptococci로 알려져 있고, 이 미생물이 치면에 접착하여 군집을 형성하는 능력이 균의 독성에 중요한 역할을 한다. S. mutans가 치면의 타액성 피막에 부착하는 데에는 AgI/II와 같은 세포표면의 섬유성 단백질을 매개로 한다. 그러므로, AgI/II는 S. mutans GS-5에 대한 백신 개발에 적절한 목표가 된다. 본 실험은 S. mutans GS-5로부터 AgI/II 유전자를 복제하고 염기서열분석을 하였다. 복제된 AgI/II와 앞서 보고된 S. mutans GS-5의 해당 부위의 280개의 핵산은 완벽하게 일치하였다. 복제된 유전자를 두 부위로 절단하여 형질전환을 통해 재조합 단백질인 AgI/IImr을 얻었고, 정제된 재조합 단백질을 쥐에게 주입하여 다클론 항체를 얻었다. 추출된 다클론 항체는 AgI/IImr항원단백질에 반응하였고, 대조군으로 쓰인 단백질에는 반응하지 않았다.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.32-39
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• 2024

This study evaluated the additive impact of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on erythrosine-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm by measuring colony-forming units and applying confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fifty-six bovine incisors, free from dental caries or structural defects, were utilized in this study. Dentin specimens were created by cutting with a low-speed diamond disk under a continuous flow of water, resulting in dimensions of 6.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 2.0 mm. The specimens were categorized into 4 groups: Control, EDTA, PDT, and EDTA + PDT. S. mutans ATCC 25175 was employed to establish biofilm on the dentin specimens. A 17% EDTA solution was applied for 1 min. For PDT, erythrosine served as the photosensitizer. Finally, a light-emitting diode source (385 - 515 nm) was employed in this study. The PDT group exhibited a significantly lower bacterial count than both the control and EDTA groups (p < 0.001). The EDTA + PDT group demonstrated a significantly reduced bacterial count compared to the other 3 groups (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that EDTA enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of PDT on S. mutans biofilm. Even at a low concentration of photosensitizer, the combination of EDTA and PDT yields a significant antibacterial effect.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2018

It is noted that Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) triggers dental caries establishment by two major factors: the synthesis of organic acids, which demineralize dental enamel, and the synthesis of glucans, which mediate the attachment of bacteria to the tooth surface. Therefore, it is noted that the development of a more effective, substantial and safe preventive agent that works against dental caries and periodontal disease is required at this time. For this reason, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of croton seed ethanol extracts on the growth, acid production, adhesion, and insoluble glucan synthesis of S. mutans. In this case, the ethanol extract of croton seed showed concentration dependent inhibitory activity against the growth, acid production and adhesion of S. mutans. Especially, it is important to note that it has produced significant inhibition at the concentration of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ml as compared to the control group. Moreover, these results suggest that the application of croton seed extract may be considered to be a useful method for the prevention of dental caries.