• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.263-278
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• 2013

The silkworm extract powder contain 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a potent ${\alpha}$-glycosidase inhibitor, has therapeutic potency against diabetes mellitus. Therefore, natural products containing DNJ from mulberry leaves and silkworm are consumed as health functional food. The present study was performed to evaluate the safety of the silkworm extract powder, a health food which containing the DNJ. The repeated toxicity studies and gentic toxicity studies of the silkworm extract powder were performed to obtain the data for new functional food approval in MFDS. The safety was evaluated by a single-dose oral toxicity study and a 90 day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats. The silkworm extract powder was also evaluated for its mutagenic potential in a battery of genetic toxicity test: in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay, in vitro chromosomal aberration test, and in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay. The results of the genetic toxicology assays were negative in all of the assays. The approximate lethal dose in single oral dose toxicity study was considered to be higher than 5000 mg/kg in rats. In the 90 day study, the dose levels were wet at 0, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day, and 10 animals/sex/dose were treated with oral gavage. The parameters that were monitored were clinical signs, body weights, food and water consumptions, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weights, and histopathological examination. No adverse effects were observed after the 90 day administration of the silkworm extract powder. The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of silkworm extract powder in the 90 day study was 2000 mg/kg/day in both sexes, and no target organ was identified.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5062-5069
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• 2014

In this study, professional oral care was provided and 3 times a day twice a week by a dental hygienist for 3 months from July 24 to October 25, 2011, to 43 long-term patients in a single nursing facility located at the city of D, and the number of mutans strepococci colonies within the saliva and the level of salivation were then analyzed after 3 samplings with an interval of 1 month to compare the intraoral conditions among the subjects and examine the effects of professional oral care on the Streptococcus mutans population in the intraoral region of long-term patients in a nursing facility. The level of salivation was elevated from 5.8 ml to 6.4 ml after one month and to 7.5mL after two months. The population of bacteria decreased from $6{\times}10^8CFU/ml$ to $3{\times}105CFU/ml$. In terms of the change in the bacterial population in accordance with systemic diseases, the patients with hypertension and diabetes showed a meaningful decrease in the population. As more dental charge and prosthesis are present, the number of bacteria decreased significantly. On account of the close relationship between a professional oral care and the population of Streptococcus mutans at the intraoral region of long-term patients in nursing facilities, various dental health programs should be researched and developed to consider the characteristics of long-term patients in nursing facilities and manage them continuously but effectively.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.357-369
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• 2005

Streptococci are Gram-positive, facultative anaerobes and have no catalase activities. Among mutans streptococci containing ${\alpha}-type$ hemolytic activity, S. mutans is a causative agent for dental caries. As well as acid production yielding the demineralization of tooth enamel, adherence and colonization of S. mutans to the teeth are also important for its virulence. These early colonization are accomplished by the bacterial fibrillar protein, Antigen I/II (Ag I/II) and glucosyltransferase (GTF). Therefore, Ag I/II and GTF are reasonable targets for the development of vaccine against S. mutans GS-5. The ag I/II and gtfD genes from S. mutans GS-5 were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analyses showed the nucleotides sequence of cloned genes had high homology to the sequences previously reported. The sequence alignment of 280 nucleotides between the cloned Ag I/II and the available sequence of the corresponding S. mutans GS-5 showed the perfect match. Comparing with the sequence of gtfD from S. mutans UA159, the corresponding nucleotide sequence of S. mutans GS-5 showed some mismatches and the mismatches introduced changes in four residues out of 105 amino acids, yielding four missense mutations.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1047-1054
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• 2009

Oral squamous carcinoma (OSC) cells present resistance to chemotherapeutic agents-mediated apoptosis in the late stages of malignancy. Advances in the understanding of bacterial toxins have produced new strategies for the treatment of cancers. It was demonstrated here that Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PEA) significantly decreased the viability of chemoresistant YD-9 cells in the apoptosis mechanism. Apoptotic manifestations were evident through changes in nuclear morphology and generation of DNA fragmentation. PEA treatment induced caspase-3, -6 and -9 cleavage, and activation. These events preceded proteolysis of the caspase substrates poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45), and lamin A in YD-9 cells. The reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and SmacjDlABLO from mitochondria to cytosol, andtranslocation of AlF into nucleus were shown. While p53, p21 and $14-3-3{\gamma}$ were upregulated, cyclin Band cdc2 were downregulated by PEA treatment. Taken together, PEA induces apoptosis in chemoresistant YD-9 cells via activation of caspases, mitochondrial events and regulation of cell cycle genes.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.660-666
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Er:YAG laser against the intraoral acid producing bacterium of S. mutans. Bacterial pellet containing S. mutans KCTC 3065 was irradiated by Er:YAG laser having a $650\;{\mu}m$ diameter beam by non-contact mode. Irradiated parameters were 50mJ, 10Hz and exposure time were 1s, 3s, 5s, 7s, 9s respectively. We obtained the following results of relative growth rate and acid-producing ability of S. mutans by culturing for 48hrs. 1. The growth rate of S. mutans was decreased in the group of laser irradiation compared to the control group(P<0.01). 2. The growth rate at laser irradiation group of 7s, 9s irradiation time was decreased significantly compared to the laser irradiation group of 1s, 3s, 5s irradiation time, until 12 hours(P<0.05). After 24 hours, all groups of laser irradiation were not found to be statistically different in each other. 3. The acid-producing ability of S. mutans was inhibited for a certain duration by irradiation of laser. In summary, the growth rate and acid producing ability of S. mutans decreased according to laser irradiation. This effect was directly related to the amount of irradiation time. These results suggested that Er:YAG laser had an growth inhibition effect on S. mutans.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of erythrosine sensitized with a conventional halogen curing unit and sub-minimal bactericidal concentration(sub-MBC) of chorhexidine on bacterial viability of Streptococcus mutans in planktonic state. Sub-minimal bactericidal concentration of chlorhexidine was added into wells containing bacteria and erythrosine. The range of concentrations tested for chorhexidine was from 0.0000001% to 0.001%. The irradiation of the bacterial suspensions was performed for 15 sec with a conventional halogen curing unit light. In another set of experiment, the effects of 0.001% chlorhexidine were observed by adding chlorhexidine into wells containing the sub-minimal bactericidal concentration of erythrosine. At the concetration of 0.001% chlorhexidine, there were no antibacterial effects in the absence of erythrosine PDT(p < 0.05). At the concentraton of $1{\mu}M$ erythrosine, there was no photodynamic therapy effect in the absence of chlorhexidine(p < 0.05). But in the presence of sub-minimal bactericidal concentration of erythrosine with light exposure, the addition of 0.001% chlorhexidine increased the bactericidal rate(p < 0.05). A combination of erythrosine PDT with sub-MBC chlorhexidine resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial counts when compared to the case with the absence of chlorhexidine.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.345-354
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• 2000

TGF-${\beta}_1$ is a potent chemotactic factor for inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. It also stimulates the celluar source and components of extracellular matrix and the production of proteinase inhibitors. Collectively, these biologic activities lead to the accumulation and stabilization of the nascent matrix, which is vital to wound healing. The objective of this study is to investigate production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ in vitro fibroblast culture in the presence of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B(SEB) and/or lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and to elucidate the role of TGF-${\beta}_1$ which may be responsible for wound healing. The fibroblasts were originated from facial dermis and hypertrophic scar in 26 year-old male patient. In the presence of LPS($0.01{\mu}g$, $0.1{\mu}g$, $1.0{\mu}g$), SEB($0.01{\mu}g$, $0.1{\mu}g$, $1.0{\mu}g$) respectively, cells($5{\times}10^3ml$) were cultivated in vitro. At 1, 3, and 5 days after incubation, cells were counted. Also, cells($2.5{\times}10^5ml$) were cultivated in EMEM with LPS(0.01, 0.1 and $1.0{\mu}g$), SEB(0.01, 0.1 and $1.0{\mu}g$) respectively and LPS($0.1{\mu}g$) and SEB($0.1{\mu}g$) in combination for 24, 48, and 72 hours respectively. Culture supernatants were harvested at 1, 2, and 3 days after incubation period and triplicate culture supernatants were pooled and TGF-${\beta}_1$ was assayed in duplicate. The results were as follows. 1. In facial dermal fibroblast induced with SEB and LPS respectively or in combination, the suppression of cell proliferation occurred very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. In SEB exposure, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was decreased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. However, in LPS, SEB and LPS exposure, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was increased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. 2. In hypertrophic scar fibroblast induced with SEB and LPS respectively or in combination, the suppression of cell proliferation did not occur at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. In SEB and LPS exposure in combination, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was increased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. However, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ did not occur in SEB and LPS exposure respectively. In conclusion, the concentration of bacterial toxins and the incubation period correlated with cell proliferation and production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ very significantly and both fibroblasts have different phenotype each other in this regard. This data suggest that the significant production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ may develope abnormal wound healing associated with tissue fibroproliferative disorder, such as hypertrophic scar and keloid formation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2014

Objectives: Recurrent caries was partly ascribed to lack of antibacterial properties in composite resin. Silver and zinc nanoparticles are considered to be broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of composite resins containing 1% silver and zinc-oxide nanoparticles on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Materials and Methods: Ninety discoid tablets containing 0%, 1% nano-silver and 1% nano zinc-oxide particles were prepared from flowable composite resin (n = 30). The antibacterial properties of composite resin discs were evaluated by direct contact test. Diluted solutions of Streptococcus mutans (PTCC 1683) and Lactobacillus (PTCC 1643) were prepared. 0.01 mL of each bacterial species was separately placed on the discs. The discs were transferred to liquid culture media and were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 8 hr. 0.01 mL of each solution was cultured on blood agar and the colonies were counted. Data was analyzed with Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Composites containing nano zinc-oxide particles or silver nanoparticles exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The effect of zinc-oxide on Streptococcus mutans was significantly higher than that of silver (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus between composites containing silver nanoparticles and those containing zinc-oxide nanoparticles. Conclusions: Composite resins containing silver or zinc-oxide nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.621-628
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• 2016

Hypertension can be caused by various factors while the predominant causes include increase in body fluid volume and resistance in the circulatory system that elevate the blood pressure. Consumption of probiotics has been proven to attenuate hypertension; however, the effect is much strain-dependent. In this study, a newly isolated Lactobacillus casei (Lb. casei ) strain C1 was investigated for its antihypertensive properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suspension of 11 log colony-forming unit (CFU) was given to SHR (SHR+LAB, n=8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was given as a control in SHR (SHR, n=8) and in Wistar rats as sham (WIS, n=8). The treatment was given via oral gavage for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weekly systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and aortic reactivity function were remarkably improved after 8 weeks of bacterial administration in SHR+LAB. These effects were mostly attributed by restoration of wall tension and tensile stress following the bacterial treatment. Although not statistically significant, the level of malondialdehye (MDA) in SHR+LAB serum was found declining. Increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR+LAB serum suggested that the bacterium exerted vascular protection through antioxidative functions and relatively high NO level that induced vasodilation. Collectively, Lb. casei strain C1 is a promising alternative for hypertension improvement.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cariogenicity of vitamin supplements for children by the Caries Potentiality Index (CPI), pH drop capacity, proliferation rate of Streptococcus mutans. Four vitamin supplements were selected - Noma (NM), Cenovis Kids (CK), Animal Parade (AP), and Character Vitamin (CV). CPI value decreased in the order of AP, CV, CK, and NM. Initial values of all experimental groups showed acidity below pH 7.0. Analysis of the colony forming units of Streptococcus mutans showed that NM and CV resulted a higher proliferation rate (p < 0.05) than CK and AP (p < 0.05). Bacterial activity of the control group was lower than other groups when observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Considering the bacterial activity and acidity of vitamin supplements, it is necessary to pay close attention when children taken the vitamin supplements for their oral health.