• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.225-236
• /
• 2013

Among several bacteria examined, an antibacterial-producing Lactobacillus strain with probiotic characteristics was selected and identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Subsequent purification and mode of action of the antibacterial compounds on target cells including E. coli were investigated. Maximum production of the antibacterial compound was recorded at 18 h incubation at $30^{\circ}C$. Interestingly, antibacterial activity remained unchanged after heating at $121^{\circ}C$ for 45 min, 24 h storage in temperature range of $70^{\circ}C$ to room temperature, and 15 min exposure to UV light, and it was stable in the pH of range 2-10. The active compounds were inactivated by proteolytic enzymes, indicating their proteinaceous nature, and, therefore, referred to as bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances. Isolation and partial purification of the effective agent was done by performing ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of the GFC-purified active compound (~3 kDa) was determined by Tris-Tricine SDS-PAGE. To predict the mechanisms of action, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of ultrathin sections of E. coli before and after antibacterial treatment was carried out. TEM analysis of antibacterial compounds-treated E. coli demonstrated that the completely altered bacteria appear much darker compared with the less altered bacteria, suggesting a change in the cytoplasmic composition. There were also some membrane-bound convoluted structures visible within the completely altered bacteria, which could be attributed to the response of the E. coli to the treatment with the antibacterial compound. According to the in vivo experiments oral administration of L. plantarum HKN01 resulted in recovery of infected BALB/c mice with Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2014

This study examined the efficacies of Cynanchum wilfordii and Phlomis umbrosa extracts on serum insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and bone growth by raising rats in vivo. C. wilfordii and P. umbrosa extracts significantly increased serum IGF-I by 42% and 22% than the control, respectively. Treatment with ${\alpha}$-amylase when manufacturing these extracts remarkably increased the concentration of IGF-I by 63% and 36% above the control, respectively. This meant that these extracts, especially ${\alpha}$-amylase treated extracts, maintained a higher level of IGF-I secretion in the treated groups. In addition, increases of 6% in femur length were found after 8 weeks of oral administration with these extracts. These results indicate that C. wilfordii and P. umbrosa extracts have beneficial effects on bone growth via IGF-I.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.712-723
• /
• 2019

Chemically synthesized compounds are widely used in oral hygiene products. However, excessively long-term use of these chemicals can cause undesirable side effects such as bacterial tolerance, allergy, and tooth discoloration. To solve these issues, significant effort is put into the search for natural antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to assess the extracts of foreign native plants that inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. Among the 300 foreign plant extracts used in this study, Chesneya nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract had the highest antimicrobial activity relatively against S. mutans with a clear zone of 9 mm when compared to others. This plant extract also showed anti-biofilm activity and bacteriostatic effect (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC], 1.5 mg/ml). In addition, the plant extracts of 19 species decreased the ability of S. mutans to form biofilm at least a 6-fold in proportion to the tested concentrations. Of particular note, C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract was found to inhibit biofilm formation at the lowest concentration tested effectively. Therefore, our results reveal that C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract is a potential candidate for the development of antimicrobial substitutes, which might be effective for caries control as well, as demonstrated by its inhibitory effect on the persistence and pathogenesis of S. mutans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.160-170
• /
• 2019

The lactic acid bacteria species Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has been used extensively for vaccine delivery. Considering to the critical role of dendritic cells in stimulating host immune response, in this study, we constructed a novel CD11c-targeting L. plantarum strain with surface-displayed variable fragments of anti-CD11c, single-chain antibody (scFv-CD11c). The newly designed L. plantarum strain, named 409-aCD11c, could adhere and invade more efficiently to bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) in vitro due to the specific interaction between scFv-CD11c and CD11c located on the surface of BMDCs. After incubation with BMDCs, the 409-aCD11c strain harboring a eukaryotic vector pValac-GFP could lead to more efficient expression of GFP compared with wild-type strains shown by flow cytometry analysis, indicating the enhanced translocation of pValac-GFP from L. plantarum to BMDCs. Similar results were also observed in an in vivo study, which showed that oral administration resulted in efficient expression of GFP in both Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) within 7 days after the last administration. In addition, the CD11c-targeting strain significantly promoted the differentiation and maturation of DCs, the differentiation of $IL-4^+$ and $IL-17A^+$ T helper (Th) cells in MLNs, as well as production of $B220^+$ $IgA^+$ B cells in the PP. In conclusion, this study developed a novel DC-targeting L. plantarum strain which could increase the ability to deliver eukaryotic expression plasmid to host cells, indicating a promising approach for vaccine study.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.135-146
• /
• 2022

Obesity is closely associated with profound dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Recent reports have suggested that alterations in gut microbiota can be linked to diet-induced obesity. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of Weissella confusa WIKIM51 isolated from kimchi were investigated, as evidenced by: i) reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated adipogenesis-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; ii) suppressed gains in body weight and epididymal fat mass; iii) reduced serum lipid levels, for example, triglyceride and total cholesterol; iv) increased serum adiponectin levels and reduced serum leptin levels; v) downregulated lipogenesis and upregulated β-oxidation-related genes in the epididymal fat; and vi) altered microbial communities. The collective evidence indicate the potential value of W. confusa WIKIM51 as a functional food supplement for the prevention and amelioration of obesity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.927-937
• /
• 2022

To confirm the therapeutic effect of the water extract from Ecklonia cava (WEE) against PM_2.5 induced systemic health damage, we evaluated gut health with a focus on the microbiota and metabolites. Systemic damage in mice was induced through PM_2.5 exposure for 12 weeks in a whole-body chamber. After exposure for 12 weeks, body weight and food intake decreased, and WEE at 200 mg/kg body weight (mpk) alleviated these metabolic efficiency changes. In addition, PM_2.5 induced changes in the length of the colon and fecal water content. The administration of the WEE at 200 mpk oral dose effectively reduced changes in the colon caused by PM_2.5 exposure. We also attempted to confirm whether the effect of the WEE is mediated via regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice with PM_2.5 induced systemic damage. We examined changes in the fecal microbiota and gut metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and kynurenine metabolites. In the PM_2.5 exposed group, a decrease in the abundance of Lactobacillus (Family: Lactobacillaceae) and an increase in the abundance of Alistipes (Family: Rikenellaceae) were observed, and the administration of the WEE showed a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota. In addition, the WEE effectively increased the levels of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). Furthermore, kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is a critical neuroprotective metabolite in the gut-brain axis, was increased by the administration of the WEE. Our findings suggest that the WEE could be used as a potential therapeutic against PM_2.5 induced health damage by regulating gut function.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.16.1-16.20
• /
• 2022

The gastrointestinal tract is the first organ directly affected by fasting. However, little is known about how fasting influences the intestinal immune system. Intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) capture antigens, migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, and provoke adaptive immune responses. We evaluated the changes of intestinal DCs in mice with short-term fasting and their effects on protective immunity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Fasting induced an increased number of CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs in both small intestinal lamina propria (SILP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN). The SILP CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs showed proliferation and migration, coincident with increased levels of GM-CSF and C-C chemokine receptor type 7, respectively. At 24 h post-infection with LM, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial burden in the spleen, liver, and mLN of the short-term-fasted mice compared to those fed ad libitum. Also, short-term-fasted mice showed increased survival after LM infection compared with ad libitum-fed mice. It could be that significantly high TGF-β2 and Aldh1a2 expression in CD103⁺CD11b^- DCs in mice infected with LM might affect to increase of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells. Changes of major subset of DCs from CD103⁺ to CD103^- may induce the increase of IFN-γ-producing cells with forming Th1-biased environment. Therefore, the short-term fasting affects protection against LM infection by changing major subset of intestinal DCs from tolerogenic to Th1 immunogenic.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.60-69
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of digital models from 3 dimentional (3D) optical scanner and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: We obtained digital models from 11 pairs of stone casts using a 3D optical scanner and a CBCT, and compared the accuracy of the models. Results: The error range of average positive distance was 0.059 - 0.117 mm and negative distance was 0.066 - 0.146 mm. Statistically (P < 0.05), average positive distance was larger than $70{\mu}m$ and shorter than $100{\mu}m$, and that of negative distance was larger than $100{\mu}m$ and shorter than $120{\mu}m$. Conclusion: We concluded that the accuracy of digital models generated from CBCT is not appropriate to make final prostheses. However, it may be acceptable for provisional restorations and orthodontic diagnoses with respect to the accuracy of the digitalization.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.90-97
• /
• 2000

There are various kinds of factors associated with the formation of dental plaque in oral cavity such as nutrient molecules and chemical agents. The factors influencing the formation of insoluble glucan by Streptococcus sobrinus and its replication were examined on orthodontic wires. The results were as follows: 1. Insoluble glucan was well produced in the media initially adjusted at pH 7.0 than pH 5.5 or pH 8.5 like bacterial replication. 2. The synthesis of insoluble glucan and bacterial replication were significantly increased in the media containing 2.5% yeast extract. The formation of insoluble glucan was inhibited by 10 folds in the media containing 20% of sucrose than 1.25%, but the replication of bacteria was increased by 20 folds. 3. Insoluble glucan was significantly formed at a concentration of 1.0mM of calcium chloride, 40mM of potassium chloride, 0.1mM of magnesium chloride, while the replication of bacteria was little influenced by them regardless their concentration. 4. The formation of insoluble glucan and bacterial replication were significant in the media containing 10mM of sodium bicarbonate, but both were completely inhibited at 100mM or above. The production of insoluble glucan and the bacterial replication were largely decreased at 10mM of Tris while insoluble glucan was formed in abundance at 100mM of Tris. 5. The synthesis of insoluble glucan and the bacterial replication were inhibited at 10mM or above of sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.255-268
• /
• 2010

Objectives : In the field of dental hygiene, infections pose a serious problem. This issue has left many patients and dental staff exposed to microbes with potentially far-reaching effects. The purpose of this study was to find solutions which could improve Dental health policies and promote improved methods for the control of infections. This survey was conducted between March 3, 2008 and March 30, 2008, in the metropolitan area. The research was carried out in dental clinics and dental hygienists were surveyed through a questionnaire. Methods : Collected data was examined using the SPSS 14.0 program, using frequency, mean and standard deviation analysis, T-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe's test and Duncan's test. Further analysis was given using Logistic Regression. Results : The Performance of Infection Control by dental hygienists in Dental Clinics was shown at $2.96{\pm}0.42$. Disinfection, sterilization and the wearing of masks is high at $3.65{\pm}0.64$, $3.64{\pm}0.65$. The perception of the importance of infection control is higher among dental hygienists than dentists. Of the dental hygienists surveyed, 83.9% were exposed to at least one accident while at work. Age and years of experience were important in relation to infection control practices. The rate of infections and the number of accidents experienced related to the dental hygienists performance of infection control. The performance of infection control is influenced by the dental hygienists own perceptions, and the perceptions of their dentists. The dental hygienist's working conditions and their beliefs related to infection control were shown to influence their performance of infection control practices. Conclusion : At the conclusion of this investigation, it was determined that systematic refresher training of infection control should be delivered through further education and various media. Dental health care workers should be encouraged to practice these action items presented in the training. For successful implementation of infection control in every dental health-care setting, it is highly demanded that effective safe-guard tools, strategic support and standardized action items against infection problems are developed.