• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.425-431
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• 1997

To examine components of Ganoderma lucidum for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity, the aqueous extracts of its basidiocarps were separated into high-molecular-weight (HMF) and low-molecular-weight (LMF) fractions. These fractions were used in XTT [2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide] antiviral assay which can quantitatively measure cytopathic effects of HIV-1 on CEM, human T lymphoblastoid cell line. The CEM cell line added with serial diluted HMF or LMF was cultured in the absence or presence of HIV-1. The results showed that the LMF of the aqueous extract strongly inhibited cytopathic effect of the target cell induced by HIV-1. When two-fold serially diluted LMF ranging from $40.97{\mu}g/ml$4 to 125.00 .mu.g/ml was added to the virus-free culture system, no toxicity on the target cells was detected in all the concentrations tested. However, when it was added to the HIV-infected culture system, the viabilities of the target cell reached a plateau recovering its viabilities to 71.7% and 82.5% in experiment-1 and -2 at 15.60 .mu.g/ml, respectively. The cell viabilities were then gradually decreased but maintained at more than 50% above 31.20 .mu.g/ml concentration. On the contrary, HMF did not prevent any HIV-induced cytopathic effect at any concentrations tested on this cell line. From these results, negligible toxicities were observed by both HMF and LMF of G. luciolum, and recovery of cell viability in HIV infected target cell was induced only by LMF of the carpophores.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.381-385
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• 2015

In the present study, drop-on-demand two-dimensional patterning of unstained and stained bacterial cells on untreated clean wafers was newly conducted using an electrospray pulsed jet. We produced various spotted patterns of the cells on a silicon wafer by varying the experimental conditions, such as the frequency, flow rate, and translational speed of the electrospray system in a two-dimensional manner. Specifically, the electrospray's pulsed jet of cell solutions produced alphabetical patterns consisting of spots with a diameter of approximately $10{\mu}m$, each of which contained a single or a small number of viable bacteria. We tested the viability of the patterned cells using two visualization methods. This pattering technique is newly tested here and it has the potential to be applied in a variety of cell biology experiments.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.439-446
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• 2006

In this study, the growth kinetics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactic acid production in continuous culture were assessed at a range of dilution rates $(0.05 h^{-1}\;to\;0.40h^{-1})$ using a 2L stirred tank fermenter with a working volume of 600ml. Unstructured models, predicated on the Monod and Luedeking-Piret equations, were employed to simulate the growth of the bacterium, glucose consumption, and lactic acid production at different dilution rates in continuous cultures. The maximum specific growth rate of L. rhamnosus, ${\mu}_{max}$, was estimated at $0.40h^{-1}$I, and the Monod cell growth saturation constant, Ks, at approximately 0.25g/L. Maximum cell viability $(1.3{\times}10^{10}CFU/ml)$ was achieved in the dilution rate range of $D=0.28h^{-1}\;to\;0.35h^{-1}$. Both maximum viable cell yield and productivity were achieved at $D=0.35h^{-1}$. The continuous cultivation of L. rhamnosus at $D=0.35h^{-1}$ resulted in substantial improvements in cell productivity, of 267% (viable cell count) that achieved via batch cultivation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.16-27
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• 1973

An investigation was carried out on a basis of the examination with a view to detecting the degree of microbial contamination for the 82 samples collected from the locally-sold liquid preparations. The results obtained are summarized as follows ; 1. Total viable Bacteria(TVB) per ml. in test sample shows min. 0 and Max. $8.0{\times}10^5$. Among the test samples, 2 items of Herb medicines have shown the highest bacterial contamination degree. 2. The number of unsuitable products are 9(11.0%) of the 82 items tested. Comparing with the study of 1971 (18 or 23.4% of 77 items), this fact suggests that the more than 50% decreasing tendency has come from the technical preventive efforts on bacterial contamination. 3. E. coli, Staph. aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa could not be detected with the test sample. 4. The number of confirmable mycotic contamination in the test samples has been revealed as 17 items (20.7%). 5. Chiefly, the causative organisms of the contamination are proved to be bacilli and fungi broadly distributed in nature. 6. Generally, the neutrality of the pH had greatly increased the number of products unsuitable on the specification of TVB. pH >7.0 No. of unsuitable items 0/4 (0.0%) pH 6.0-7.0 No. of unsuitable items 4/9 (44.4%) pH 4.0-6.0 No. of unsuitable items 5/45(11.1%) pH <4.0 No. of unsuitable items 0/24(0.0%) 7. The viability of general bacteria has shown a rather decreasing tendency in time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.497-506
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• 2014

In this study, crude glycerol was used as a carbon source in the cultivation of wild yeasts, aiming at the production of microbial lipids and citric acid. Forty yeasts of different sources were tested concerning their growth in crude and commercial glycerol. Four yeasts (Lindnera saturnus UFLA CES-Y677, Yarrowia lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4, Rhodotorula glutinis NCYC 2439, and Cryptococcus curvatus NCYC 476) were then selected owing to their ability to grow in pure ($OD_{600}$ 2.133, 1.633, 2.055, and 2.049, respectively) and crude ($OD_{600}$ 2.354, 1.753, 2.316, and 2.281, respectively) glycerol (10%, 20%, and 30%). Y. lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4 was selected for its ability to maintain cell viability in concentrations of 30% of crude glycerol, and high glycerol intake (18.907 g/l). This yeast was submitted to lipid production in 30 g/l of crude glycerol, and therefore obtained 63.4% of microbial lipids. In the fatty acid profile, there was a predominance of stearic (C18:0) and palmitic (C16:0) acids in the concentrations of 87.64% and 74.67%, respectively. We also performed optimization of the parameters for the production of citric acid, which yielded a production of 0.19 g/l of citric acid in optimum conditions (38.4 g/l of crude glycerol, agitation of 184 rpm, and temperature of $30^{\circ}C$). Yarrowia lipolytica UFLA CM-Y9.4 presented good lipid production when in the concentration of 30 g/l of glycerol. These data may be used for production in large quantities for the application of industrial biodiesel.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2016

To investigate the effect of dietary fiber from mozuku, Cladosiphon novae-caledoniae kylin (C. novae-caledoniae kylin) on the skin care, we measured anti-oxidant activity, anti-microbial activities, tyrosinase activity inhibition and elastic activity. B16F10 melanoma cell (MTT assay) were used to measure cell viability. MC and MI exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphyloccus aureus (S. aureus) and MRSA without antifungal activity. Mozuku extract (MS) showed excellent tyrosinase inhibition effect compared to arbutin as a positive control (to 49% for tyrosine). The wrinkle-improving effect was relatively low. However, wrinkle-improving effect was relatively low. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 89% in a concentrations at $500{\mu}g/mL$. These results indicate that the mozuku extracts may be an effective cosmetic ingredient for skin whitening.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high temperature on the viability of probiotic organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mixed with animal feed under controlled conditions by simulating a farm feed bin in the summer. Following inoculation of probiotics into the feed, the pH and probiotic viability were monitored during an 8-day incubation at room temperature. Sterile and non-sterile feeds displayed different patterns of pH changes, with increased pH in non-sterile feed at 2 days, but a pattern of decreasing pH at 4 days. The viabilities of S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis after mono/co-inoculation were maintained without substantial changes during the incubation, whereas L. plantarum viability tended to decline. In both non-sterile and sterile feeds, the probiotics were maintained or grew without any antagonistic effects. Probiotic viability was also tested upon a shift to high temperature ($60^{\circ}C$). There was no distinct change in pH between sterile and non-sterile feeds after the temperature shift. L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae could not survive at the high temperature, whereas B. subtilis displayed normal growth, and it inhibited the growth of contaminant microbes. Fungal growth was not observed in non-sterile feed 2 days after supplementation with B. subtilis. Therefore, heat resistant B. subtilis could be safely used in feed bins to inhibit microbial contamination, even at high temperatures. The prevention of elevated temperature in feed bins is necessary for the utilization of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae during the summer season.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.651-661
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• 2019

Targeting the pathogen viability using drugs is associated with development of drug resistance due to selective pressure. Hence, there is an increased interest in developing agents that target bacterial virulence. In this study, the inhibitory effect of ciclopirox, an antifungal agent with iron chelation potential, on the microbial virulence factors was evaluated in 26 clinical MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from Alexandria Main University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Egypt. Treatment with 9 ㎍/ml ciclopirox inhibited the hemolytic activity in 70% isolates, reduced pyocyanin production, decreased protease secretion in 46% isolates, lowered twitching and swarming motility, and decreased biofilm formation by 1.5- to 4.5-fold. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that treatment with ciclopirox downregulated the expression levels of alkaline protease (aprA) and pyocyanin (phzA1). Ciclopirox is used to treat hematological malignancies and the systemic administration of ciclopirox is reported to have adequate oral absorption with a satisfactory drug safety profile. It is important to calculate the appropriate clinical dose and therapeutic index to reposition ciclopirox from a topical antifungal agent to a promising virulence-modifying agent agent against P. aeruginosa, a problematic Gram-negative pathogen.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.477-481
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• 2020

Viability plays an important role in the beneficial microbes (probiotics) to produce health benefits. However, this idea has been changed after the invention of the term "paraprobiotics," indicating that non-viable microbes could produce health benefits similar to those produced by live probiotics. Occasionally, it might be dangerous to administer live probiotics to people with weak immunity. In such cases, ingestion of paraprobiotics could be a potential alternative. The definition of paraprobiotics refers to the use of inactivated (non-viable) microbial cells or cell fractions to provide health benefits to the consumer. Paraprobiotics have attracted much attention because of their long shelf life, safety, and beneficial effects, such as modulation of immunity, modification of biological responses, reduction of cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. These features indicate that paraprobiotics may play a vital role in improving the health of the consumer by enhancing particular physiological functions, even though the exact underlying mechanisms have not yet been completely elucidated. In this mini-review, we briefly discuss the historical backgrounds of paraprobiotics and evidence of their health-promoting effects, prophylactic, and therapeutic properties.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2020

Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have become an environmental havoc in last few decades with reported cases of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), lethal effects over aquatic organisms, interference in natural decomposition of organic matter, reduced diversity of microbial communities in different environmental compartments, inhibition of growth of microbes resulting in reduced rate of nutrient cycling, hormonal imbalance in exposed organisms etc. Owing to their potential towards bioaccumulation and persistent nature, these compounds have longer residence time and activity in environment. The conventional technologies of wastewater treatment have got poor efficiency towards removal/degradation of PhACs and therefore, modern techniques with efficient, cost-effective and environment-friendly operation need to be explored. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) like Photocatalysis, Fenton oxidation, Ozonation etc. are some of the promising, viable and sustainable options for degradation of PhACs. Although energy/chemical or both are essentially required for AOPs, these methods target complete degradation/mineralization of persistent pollutants resulting in no residual toxicity. Considering the high efficiency towards degradation, non-toxic nature, universal viability and acceptability, AOPs have become a promising option for effective treatment of chemicals with persistent nature.