• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.471-475
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• 1998

The aim of the present research program was to develop a strain of gastrointestinal bacteria containing antitumor substances. Fecal samples were collected from neonates and a number of gastrointestinal bacteria were isolated from the fecal samples by applying selective agar for intestinal bacteria. Among 127 isolates, a strain 2B4-1 containing an antitumor substance against stomach cancer, SNU-1, was selected. The strain 2B4-1 was identified as a strain similar to Enterococcus faecalis NCTC 775 with respect to morphological characteristics, growth temperature, salt and acid tolerance, growth under facultative anaerobic conditions and utilization of carbon sources such as arabinose and melibiose and so on. However, it showed some differences such as a negative reaction to hippurate hydrolysis and negative reaction to $\beta$-hemolysis. We assigned to the strain 2B4-1 to Enterococcus faecalis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.110-115
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• 2004

The immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata L. or Ponciri fructus (PF), well known as 'Jisil' in Korea, have been used against allergic diseases for generations, and still occupy an important place in traditional Oriental medicine. Anti-allergic effects of this fruit have been investigated in a few experimental models. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the principal immunoglobulin involved in immediate hypersensitivities and chronic allergic diseases. The effect of an aqueous extract of PF on in vivo and in vitro IgE production was investigated. PF dose-dependently inhibited the active systemic anaphylaxis and serum IgE production induced by immunization with ovalbumin, Bordetelia pertussis toxin and aluminum hydroxide gel. PF strongly inhibited interleukin 4 (IL-4)-dependent IgE production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine whole spleen cells. In the case of U266 human IgE-bearing B cells, Ponciri fructus also showed an inhibitory effect on the IgE production. On the other hand, mast cell hyperplasia can be causally related with chronic inflammation. Stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand of the c-kit protooncogene product, is a major regulator and ohernoattractant of mast cells. Ponciri fiuctus (1 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the SCF-induced migration of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). RPMCs exposed to SCF (50 ng/mL) resulted in a drastic shape change with a polarized morphology while the cells exposed to Ponciri fructus (1 mg/mL) remained resting, with little or no shape alteration. The drastic morphological alteration and distribution of polymerized actin were blocked by pretreatment with Ponciri fructus. In addition, Ponciri fructus inhibited both TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion from RPMCs stimulated with SCF. These results suggest that Ponciri fructus has an anti-allergic activity by inhibition of IgE production from B cells. These findings also provide evidence that Ponciri fructu inhibits chemotactic response and inflammatory cytokines secretion to SCF in mast cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 1993

The native connective tissue attachment of the periodontium is known to be a complex consisting of gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells, gingival epithelial cells, cementum, alveolar bone and extensive extracellular matrix (collagen, glycoprotein and proteoglycans). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural extracts on DNA, collagen and protein synthesis and inhibition of cytokine production in the gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts and gingival epithelial cells. Healthy gingival tissue was obtained from orthodontic treatment patients, and gingival epithelial cells, gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells were isolated and cultured from the samples. After treated with Ginseng protein, Pluronic F-68, Scutellariae Radix, centella asiatica, PDGF, IGF, DNA synthesis, total protein and collagen synthesis, and cytokine production of gingival epithelial cell, gingival fibroblast and periodontal ligamentcells were measured. MTT method for DNA synthesis, Peterkofsky and Dingerman method for total protein and collagen synthesis, and IL-1 ELISA kit for cytokine production were used. The proliferation of epithelial cells was enhanced in Centella asiatica, Ginseng protein, Pluronic F-68 and Scutellariae Radix. The activities of PDL cells were increased in PDGF, IGF, and Pluronic F-68. Higher collagen synthesis was observed in Scutellariae Radix and total protein synthesis was increased in Scutellariae Radix and PDGF. The inhibitory effects on IL-1, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ were observed in all exrracts.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.639-644
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the number of live and dead bacteria attached to, or within, the stratified squamous epithelium lining the tissue side of the gingival sulcus. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients was examined and classified into healthy or diseased sites according to inflammatory status of the gingival tissue. The surface of stratified squamous epithelium was removed by gentle scraping of the gingival sulcus with curettes. The cells were processed in the laboratory by density-gradient centrifugation to separate the epithelial cells from the loose bacteria and debris. The LIVE/$DEAD^{(R)}$ $BacLight^{TM}$ Bacterial Viability Kit was applied and the specimens were observed by an epifluorescent microscope and the number of bacteria was counted. Results: Live and dead bacteria were stained to green and red, irrespectively. Generally, the number of total bacteria in the diseased sites was significantly higher than in the healthy sites. The mean number of detected bacteria in the diseased sites was $58.6{\pm}36.0$ (red bacteria $10.4{\pm}9.2$ / green bacteria $48.2{\pm}30.5$), while it was $1.5{\pm}1.7$ in the healthy sites (red bacteria $0.1{\pm}0.3$ / green bacteria $1.4{\pm}1.5$). The percentage of red bacteria was $17.5{\pm}11.2%$ in the diseased sites and $2.0{\pm}5.8%$ in the healthy sites. Conclusion: The total number of bacteria in the diseased sites was significantly higher than that of the healthy sites. The ratio and the number of red bacteria were also significantly higher in the diseased sites.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.940-946
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• 2008

In the development of a nutrient enhanced functional food, kimchi was produced by using high $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing lactic acid bacterium as a starter strain. The strain isolated from kimchi was identified by using an API kit and named Lactobacillus sp. OPK 2-59. Kimchi was produced by 3 methods 1) monosodium glutamate (MSG) added (M group); 2) starter added (S group); 3) MSG+starter added (M&S group). The produced kimchi was fermented for 24 hr in an incubator at a temperature of $15^{\circ}C$ and stored at $0-1^{\circ}C$ to examine its characteristics. The M&S group exhibited a sharper increase in acidity and a steeper fall in pH as well as a higher number of lactobacilli. The M&S group kimchi had 18 mg/100 g (fresh weight, f.w.) of GABA, whereas the M and S group each had 6 mg/100 g (f.w.) GABA. According to functional evaluation, the M&S group kimchi, which has higher GABA, was not significantly different in taste, color, texture, or smell, but the M&S group was generally superior. In summary, using Lactobacillus sp. OPK 2-59 and MSG, a high quality kimchi with increased GABA content can be produced as a functional food.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to isolate probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that produced bile salts hydrolase. One hundred twenty strains were initially isolated from human feces. Based on their resistance of acid, tolerances of bile salts, and inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, five strains were selected. A strain producing highest activity of bile salts hydrolase was identified as Lactoacillus plantarum using API carbohydrate fermentation pattern and 16S rRNA sequences, and named CK102. Lactobacillus plantarum CK102 survived at a level of 1.36${\times}$10$\^$8/ CFU/$m\ell$ in pH 2 buffer for 6 h and showed exhibited excellent bile tolerance. When L plantarum CK102 was cultured with E. coli in MRS broth, no viable cells of E. coli was detected after 18 h fermentation. These results suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum CK 102 may be commercially used for the probiotic culture.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2020

Background: The phenomenon of tree dieback in forest ecosystems around the world, which is known to be associated with high temperatures that occur simultaneously with drought, has received much attention. Korea is experiencing a rapid rise in temperature relative to other regions. Particularly in the growth of evergreen conifers, temperature increases in winter and spring can have great influence. In recent years, there have been reports of group dieback of Pinus densiflora trees in Korea, and many studies are being conducted to identify the causes. However, research on techniques to diagnose and monitor drought stress in forest ecosystems on local and regional scales has been lacking. Results: In this study, we developed and evaluated an index to identify drought and high-temperature vulnerability in Pinus densiflora forests. We found the Drought Stress Index (DSI) that we developed to be effective in generally assessing the drought-reactive physiology of trees. During 2001-2016, in Korea, we refined the index and produced DSI data from a 1 × 1-km unit grid spanning the entire country. We found that the DSI data correlated with the event data of Pinus densiflora mass dieback compiled in this study. The average DSI value at times of occurrence of Pinus densiflora group dieback was 0.6, which was notably higher than during times of nonoccurrence. Conclusions: Our combination of the Standard Precipitation Index and growing degree days evolved and short- and long-term effects into a new index by which we found meaningful results using dieback event data. Topographical and biological factors and climate data should be considered to improve the DSI. This study serves as the first step in developing an even more robust index to monitor the vulnerability of forest ecosystems in Korea.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2006

This study was conducted to isolate antilisterial strains of the Bifidobacterium isolates from the infant feces. The bifidobacteria were isolated anaerobically on BL agar and screened for their inhibitory activity on the MRS-cysteine medium against three foodborne pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the 52 bifidobacterial isolates, 5 strains(A24, Bl, B6, B10, and Bl2) were finally selected based on their stronger antilisterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes than other isolates tested. Morphologically, all the isolates were typically shown Y-and V-shaped under electron microscopic examination. Each isolate was primarily subjected to identification by a polymerase chain reaction(PCR) using a genus-specific primer designed for targeting the 16S rRNA gene sequence, and confirmed the primary identification data using an API-kit(Biomeriuex, France), commercially available product for identification based on biochemical and physiological traits. Of the isolates with antilisterial activity, strain A24 was finally confirmed as the Bifidobacterium longum A24.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.7-20
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study wasto examine the effects of Kamijihwang-tang (KJHT) extracts on immune cells and cytokines in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (four times a week) for asthma induction. Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations of KJHT (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extracts and cyclosporine A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice lung, PLN and spleen were removed and immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometer, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ were analyzed by real-time PCR, serum histamine was analyzed by ELISA kit. Results: $CD3^+$, $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+/CD69^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$, $B220^+/IgE^+$, and $CD3e^+/DX5^+$ cells in lung, PLN, and spleen of the KJHT group (400 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. $CD3e^+/CD69^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$, and $CD3e^+/DX5^+$ cells in lung, PLN, and spleen of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg), CD3+, $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$ cells in lung and PLN of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg) and $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung and spleen of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin-2, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in lung tissue of the KJHT groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. Histamine in serum of the KJHT group (400 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that KJHT can be utilized effectively in treating asthma because it significantly reduces inflammatory cells and cytokines.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.862-868
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• 2014

Certain Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains have the ability to cause diarrheal disease. Five types of diarrheagenic E. coli have been identified, including EHEC, ETEC, EPEC, EAEC, and EIEC. To detect these five diarrheagenic types rapidly, we developed a one-step multiplex PCR (MP-PCR) assay using nine primer pairs to amplify nine virulence genes specific to the different virotypes, with each group being represented (i.e., stx1 and stx2 for EHEC, lt, sth, and stp for ETEC, eaeA and bfpA for EPEC, aggR for EAEC, and ipaH for EIEC). The PCR primers were constructed using MultAlin. The sensitivity and specificity of the constructed multiplex PCR primers were measured using DNA isolated from diarrheagenic E. coli strains representing each group. The limits of detection were as follows: $5{\times}10^1CFU/ml$ for EHEC, $5{\times}10^3CFU/ml$ for ETEC expressing lt and sth, $5{\times}10^4CFU/ml$ for ETEC expressing stp, $5{\times}10^2CFU/ml$ for EPEC, $5{\times}10^4CFU/ml$ for EAEC, and $5{\times}10^2CFU/ml$ for EIEC. To confirm the specificity, C. jejuni, C. perfringens, S. Typhimurium, V. parahaemolyticus, L. monocytogenes, Y. enterocolitica, B. cereus, and S. aureus were used as negative controls, and no amplification was obtained for these. Moreover, this kit was validated using 100 fecal samples from patients with diarrhea and 150 diarrheagenic E. coli strains isolated in Korea. In conclusion, the multiplex PCR assay developed in this study is very useful for the rapid and specific detection of five diarrheagenic E. coli types. This single-step assay will be useful as a rapid and economical method, as it reduces the cost and time required for the identification of diarrheagenic E. coli.