• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2010

Objectives : Sophorae Radix (SR), the dried root of Sophorae Flavescens Aiton, has been used to treat atherosclerosis, arrhythma and skin diseases including scabies and eczema. The present study was examined to evaluate antimicrobial activities of SR extracts against oral microorganism. Methods : Antimicrobial properties of SR extracts were determined by agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Actinomyces viscosus. Analysis of kurarinone from SR extracts was conducted using UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography). Results : The ethanolic extracts of SR showed stronger antimicrobial effect than methanolic extracts, while the aqueous extracts of SR had no activity. In addition, the higher content of kurarinone was found in ethanolic extracts than methanolic extracts. The purified kurarinone from ethanolic extracts showed potent antimicrobial activity with the MIC value of $3.9{\sim}7.8{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion : An ethanolic extract of SR showed antimicrobial properties against several oral microorganisms, and kuranrinone contributed to antimicrobial action of SR. Thus, ethanolic extracts of SR or purified kurarinone should be beneficial for the preparation of the useful agent for treating oral disease including anticaries.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.277-282
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• 2008

Oriental herbs are reported as having potent functions for preventing many types of diseases. They also appear to have positive effects and potential capabilities for skin care. Among the many oriental herbs that are available, we chose to analyze four medicinal herbs, Korean red ginseng, Artemisia capillaries Thunb, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq, and Foeniculum vulgare Mill, because all are popular and considered as favorite medicinal plants in Korea. Extracts of the herbs were obtained by various methods such as using distilled water, ethyl ether, methanol, ethanol, benzene, 1-butanol, and chloroform. Nine phytochemicals were detected in the extracts: maltol, adenosine, b-pinene, menthone, pulegone, limonene, anethole, estragole, and fenchone, which reportedly have multi-functionalities. All phytochemicals were analyzed quantitatively by various chromatographic techniques such as HPLC and gas chromatography-mass (GC-MS) spectrometry. This article also presents the optimum conditions for extracting these 9 targeted phytochemical compounds that were derived from 4 popular oriental herbs, which could be useful for the efficient preparation of each phytochemical.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2010

Objective : Streptococcus pyogenes is a beta-hemolytic bacterium that belongs to Lancefield serogroup A, also known as group A streptococci (GAS). There have been five reported case in terms of PubMed-based search but no reported case of brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes as a result of penetrating skull injury. We present a patient who suffered from penetrating skull injury that resulted in a brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Methods : The patient was a 12-year-old boy who fell down from his bicycle while cycling and ran into a tree. A wooden stick penetrated his skin below the right lower eyelid and advanced to the cranium. He lost consciousness on the fifth day of the incident and his body temperature was measured as $40^{\circ}C$. While being admitted to our hospital, a cranial computed tomography revealed a frontal cystic mass with a perilesional hypodense zone of edema. There was no capsule formation around the lesion after intravenous contrast injection. Paranasal CT showed a bone defect located between the ethmoidal sinus and lamina cribrosa. Results : Bifrontal craniotomy was performed. The abscess located at the left frontal lobe was drained and the bone defect was repaired. Conclusion : Any penetrating lesion showing a connection between the lamina cribrosa and ethmoidal sinus may result in brain abscess caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. These patients should be treated urgently to repair the defect and drain the abscess with appropriate antibiotic therapy started due to the fulminant course of the brain abscess caused by this microorganism.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.116-116
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• 2018

Bioconversion, the enzymatic process by microorganism on organic precursor to desired products. The natural extract is converted into a form that can be easily absorbed into the skin, while scaling up of to higher quantity is possible. Selection of naturally processed raw material rather than chemically processed is preferred. Therefore, fermentation was carried out by mixing Rubus coreanus Miquel, soybean, Zanthoxylum schinifolium as bioconverting materials, the possibility of inflammation, whitening material were checked. In this study, useful microorganisms were isolated from various salted fish, and 16S rDNA sequence was analyzed to confirm their genetic characteristics. Combining the three natural materials using bioconversion technology to study their activity before and after fermentation. To evaluate the antioxidant activity and the active ingredient content the DPPH radical scavenging activity and the total polyphenol content were examined. Raw 264.7 cells were used to evaluate MTT assay, NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production inhibitory activity. Also, to evaluate the whitening activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity and melanin formation inhibitory activity were measured using B16F10 cells. In total 34 strains were obtained from various salted fish. The effective strains useful for the bioconversion process, showed that DPPH radical scavenging ability and polyphenol content were increased in the two kinds of microbial treatment groups compared to the untreated group. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis of the strains showed excellent in Pediococcus pentosaceus B1 in comparison. An increase of up-to 156% in anti-oxidative activity and 141% in polyphenol content was observed after bioconversion. In addition, after mixed fermentation the toxidty of Raw 264.7 and B16F10 cells tended to decrease and a significant increase was observed in anti-inflammatory activity as well. Also, tyrosinase activity and melanin significantly. synthesis decreased significantly.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2011

This study was conducted to establish process conditions for plant-originated lactic acid production using a mixed culture of plant originated lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus sakei B2-16, and Lactobacillus plantarum P23, which were isolated from kimchi, and Bacillus subtilis, which was TP6 isolated from Denjang. Soybean medium was pretreated for 10 minutes at $110^{\circ}C$ and hydrolyzed with 0.2%(w/v) cellulase at $55\sim60^{\circ}C$ for at least 2 hrs. The quality of the final fermentation product was influenced by the inoculation ratio of the Lactobacillus sakei B2-16, Lactobacillus plantarum P23, and Bacillus subtilis TP6. The optimum microorganism inoculation ratio was 1:0.7:0.3, Lactobacillus sakei B2-16: Lactobacillus plantarum P23: Bacillus subtilis TP6, respectively. The sensory characteristics of the product were a refreshing sourness and a soft flavor.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2018

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by increased susceptibility to chronic and recurrent infections of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails by Candida species. It is a primary immunodeficiency disorder that is difficult to diagnose because of its heterogeneous clinical manifestations and genetic background. A 20-month-old boy who did not grow in height for 3 months was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and he had hepatitis which was found at 5 years old. He presented with persistent oral thrush and vesicles on the body, the cause of which could not be identified from laboratory findings. No microorganism was detected in the throat culture; however, the oral thrush persisted. Immunological tests showed that immunoglobulin (Ig) subclass IgG and cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD4, and CD8 levels were within normal limits. We prescribed oral levothyroxine and fluconazole mouth rinse. The patient was examined using diagnostic exome sequencing at the age of 6 years, and a c.1162A>G (p.K388E) STAT1 gene mutation was identified. A diagnosis of CMC based on the STAT1 gene mutation was, thus, made. At the age of 8 years, the boy developed a malar-like rash on his face. We conducted tests for detection of antinuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies, which showed positive results; therefore, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was also suspected. Whole exome sequencing is important to diagnose rare diseases in children. A STAT1 gene mutation should be suspected in patients with chronic fungal infections with a thyroid disease and/or SLE.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

Background: Despite the rise in the number of domestic indoor climbing gyms, there is a lack of specific hygiene standards and research on the holds installed in them. Holds can act as vectors for microbial transmission through the hands, posing a risk of infectious diseases, especially with damaged skin. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the contamination level and species of microorganisms on holds according to the management methods practiced in indoor climbing gyms and identify effective strategies for reducing microbial contamination. Methods: We investigated factors that may influence microbial contamination of holds, including hold management methods, user information, and hygiene management at three climbing gyms in Seoul. A total of 72 holds were sampled, 18 for each management method of brushing, high-pressure washing, and ethanol disinfection. Samples were cultured on LB and blood agar at 37℃ for 48 hours to calculate CFUs. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA was carried out to identify microorganisms. Dunn-Bonferroni was employed to see the microbial reduction effect of the management method and the difference in microbial contamination by management method and climbing gym. Results: As a result of microbial identification, microorganisms such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus, which were derived from various environments such as skin and soil, were discovered on the surface of the climbing hold. Among the discovered microorganisms, some species had potential pathogenic properties that could cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal disease, bacteremia, and sepsis. All hold management methods were effective in reducing microorganisms (p<0.05), with ethanol disinfection being the most effective (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there are potential pathogens on holds that demand thorough management for microbial prevention. Proposed methods include regular brushing and ethanol disinfection in addition to high-pressure washing with long cycles, which are the existing forms of hold management. Further studies on shoe management are advised to curb soil-derived microorganisms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.574-578
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the antimicrobial effects of natural additives on pathogenic microorganisms in commercial chicken during storage. Chicken skin ($20cm^2$) inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium or Pseudomonas aeruginosa was treated with 2% natural additives, including chitosan, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and garlic, during storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 12 days. A combination of the three natural additives significantly inhibited growth of S. Typhimurium compared to treatment with chitosan, EGCG or garlic alone (p<0.05). This combination also inhibited growth of P. aeruginosa compared to treatment with one or two of the natural additives (p<0.05). These results suggest that combined chitosan, EGCG, and garlic may be used as an antimicrobial agent in commercial chicken during refrigerated storage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2013

The quality of fermented dropwort extract (FDE) and fermented dropwort vinegar (FDV) was assessed for free sugar, organic acid and free and total amino acid content. Major organic acids were lactic acid in FDE and acetic acid in FDV. Free sugars in FDE were fructose and glucose, and those in FDV were fructose, sucrose, and maltose. Aspartic acid was the major free amino acid in both FDE and FDV. Additionally, the main free amino acids in FDE were alanine and ${\gamma}$-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), while those in FDV were arginine and valine. Moreover, to investigate the protective effects of FDE and FDV against oxidative stress induced by t-BHP and $H_2O_2$, C6 cells were treated with FDE or FDV prior to inducing the oxidative damage. FDE and FDV inhibited cell death significantly in a dose-dependent manner. These data imply that FDE and FDV may be effective in neuronal cell protection against oxidative damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1644-1650
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• 2008

The essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is widely used in traditional Australian medicine for skin lesions and infected injuries. In the present study, we investigated the chemical composition, cytotoxicity and its biological activities. The composition of the oil was analyzed by GC-MS. ${\beta}$-Terpinene (20.87%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (17.60%), p-cymene (11.23%), 3-carene (10.40%), trans-anethole (8.47%) and limonene (4.65%) were the major components in the oil. The results tested by MTT assay indicated that the oil showed no cytotoxic effect, at concentrations up to 5%, for less than 3h. The antiradical capacity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity of the essential oil on the 2,20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. The oil was able to reduce the both radicals dose-dependently, and the concentration required for 50% reduction ($RC_{50}$) against ABTS radicals ($1.6{\pm}0.02%$) was slightly lower than DPPH radicals ($2.6{\pm}0.29%$). The direct contact and vapor-phase antibacterial activity of the oil were also evaluated using disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Listeria monocytogenes, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All the Gram-negative bacterial strains tested showed more sensibility to the oil than the Gram-positive strains when compare to the effect of gentamycin. On the other hand, the vapor phase of the essential oil against S. aureus exhibited strongest inhibitory effect.