• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2014

Two bacterial strains, named as LE17 and LE22, were isolated from traditionally fermented soybean products in order to select lactic acid bacteria for the reduction of biogenic amines and harmful bacteria. Both strains were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus by 16S rRNA sequence analysis and additional biochemical tests. The strain LE17 reduced the amines by 13.7% for histamine and by 25.9% for tyramine, when it grew in minimal synthetic media containing 0.1% (w/v) histamine and 0.1% tyramine at $30^{\circ}C$ for 48 h, while the strain LE22 reduced the amines by 23.7% for histamine and by 15.7% for tyramine. Both strains also had broad inhibition spectra against pathogens. Considering their properties, they could be used as starters for industrial soybean fermentation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2019

Previous screening of novel antibacterial agents revealed that some bacterial isolates exhibited antibiotic activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and that they showed antibacterial activity, even against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among these isolates, one bacterial strain, BCNU 1204, was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa using phenetic and phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. The maximum productivities of antimicrobial substances of BCNU 1204 were obtained after being cultured at $35^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0 for 4 d in King's medium B (KMB). Dichloromethane (DCM) and ethylacetate (EA) extracts of P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria. The EA extracts exhibited broad-spectrum activity against antibiotic resistant strains. Fraction 5-2, was obtained by recycling preparative liquid chromatography (LC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and was identified as phenazine-1-carboxylic acid belonging to phenazines using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were $25{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, ${\geq}25{\mu}g/ml$, and ${\geq}50{\mu}g/ml$ for MRSA CCARM 3089, 3090, 3091, and 3095 strains, respectively. P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204 may be a potential resource for the development of anti-MRSA antibiotics. Additional research is required to identify the active substance from P. aeruginosa BCNU 1204.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.186-194
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• 2017

Objectives: A significant concern has been raised about the emerging resistance that is largely caused by the excessive or inappropriate use of antibacterial agents for viral respiratory infections. This study investigated the trend of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and the use of antibiotics. Methods: Utilizing the national level health insurance claims data from 2005 to 2008, we examined encounter days, antibiotic use, and the prescription rate for respiratory tract infections including upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), and otitis media in outpatient settings. The antibiotic use was measured as defined daily dose per 1,000 patients per day (DDD/1,000 patients/day). Results: The visit for URTI increased from 141,693,465 in 2005 to 120,717,966 in 2008 and the visit for LRTI decreased from 61,778,718 to 66,930,122. For RTIs, prescription rates of antibiotics decreased from 65.2% to 58.5% for URTIs and 76.9% to 68.3% for LRTIs from 2005 to 2008. The antibiotic use decreased to 20.85 DDD/1,000 patients/day after a significant increase of 22.01 DDD/1,000 patients/day in 2006. Among antibiotics, J01CR had the highest use- 7.93 DDD/1,000 patients/day followed by J01DC of 3.71 DDD/1,000 patients/day and J01FA of 3.2 DDD/1,000 patients/day. One notable trend is that J01FA presented a continuous increase in antibiotic use from 2.3 in 2005 to 3.26 DDD/1,000 patients/day in 2008. Conclusion: The use of antibiotics had poor compliance to guidelines for RTIs. Despite decrease in the use of antibiotics, prescription rates for URTIs were still about 50% indicating that the delayed prescribing antibiotics (or wait-and-see) were not observed.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

Purpose: The inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in children with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is common. This study evaluated the factors that influence antibiotics use in hospitalized children with viral URTI confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) assay. Methods: The medical records of admitted patients who performed RT-PCR assay for respiratory virus pathogens from January 2013 to November 2014 were examined. The demographic and clinical features were compared between patients who were administered antibiotics at admission and those who were not. We also investigated differences between children who continued antibiotics and those who stopped antibiotics after a viral pathogen was identified. Results: In the total 393 inpatients, the median age was 23 months (interquartile range, 13 to 41.3 months). Antimicrobial agents were prescribed in 79 patients (20.1%) at admission. Patients with acute otitis media (AOM) had higher rates of antibiotics prescription than those without AOM (48.1% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 91.1 (95% confidence interval, 30.5 to 271.7). Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and the proportion of acute rhinosinusitis were also significantly associated with antibiotics use (P<0.001). Among the 44 patients with viruses identified using the RT-PCR method during hospitalization, antibiotic use was continued in 28 patients (63.6%). AOM was statistically associated with continued antibiotic use in the patients (P=0.002). Conclusions: Although the respiratory virus responsible for URTI etiology is identified, clinicians might not discontinue antibiotics if AOM is accompanying. Therefore, careful diagnosis and management of AOM could be a strategy to reduce unjustified antibiotic prescriptions for children with URTI.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.151-163
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• 2010

Objective: We investigated the oral malodor inhibitory effect of Scutellariae Radix (SR), Phellodendri Cortex (PC), Moutan Cortex (MTC) and Magnoliae Cortex (MGC) for the development of a gargle solution. Methods: 1. Against P. gingivalis and Pr. intermedia, the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and the change of viable cells that were exposed to 1% each herbal extract were observed. 2. Deodorizing activity of 2% herbal extract and Garglin $Mint^{(R)}$ against methyl mercaptan were evaluated by gas chromatography (GC). 3. We used the salivary sediment system (SSS) as the malodor model. 4. The clinical examination was repeated 3 times by 2 subjects by $Halimeter^{(R)}$. Baseline VSC of each subject was measured. Then, the control subject gargled with cysteine for 30 sec. After 4 min, subjects would gargle for 30 seconds with herbal extracts (2%) and Garglin $Mint^{(R)}$. Subsequently, the concentration of VSC was measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Results: 1. Against P. gingivalis, MBC of SR, PC and MTC was 0.1%, and MBC of MGC was 1%. Removal time of P. gingivalis was as follows; 5 hr in MGC, 24 hr in SR and PC, and 48 hr in MTC. Against Pr. intermedia, MBC of SR and PC was 0.5%, and MBC of MTC, MGC was 1%. Removal time of Pr. intermedia was as follows; 5 hr in MTC and 24 hr in SR, PC and MGC. 2. Deodorizing effect of herbal extracts against methyl mercaptan was as follows; MGC and MTC had 100%, SR had 82.22%, PC had 66.60%, Garglin $Mint^{(R)}$ had 40.54%. 3. In the experiment using SSS, PC and MTC had statistically significant malodor-inhibitory effects (p<.05). 4. In the clinical examination, PC and MGC had statistically significant inhibitory effects at every elapsed time compared to the control subject. MTC had that until 40 min. SR had that at 0, 4, 8, 20, and 60 min. Conclusions: SR, PC, MTC and MGC have an antibacterial effect and the chemical removable activity of the oral malodor caused by VSC. These four herbs could have potential as effective anti-malodor agents.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2020

The aim of this study is toxicity assessment using two types of sea urchins (H. pulcherrimus, M. nudus) that can representative primary consumers in potential coastal environments pollutants, Zinc undecylenate (ZU), which is used for various purposes, such as pharmaceutical agents and anti-bacterial and anti-fungi. The Fertilization rate and normal embryogenesis rate of H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus were concentration-dependent decreased. Besides, EC₅₀ of fertilization rate with H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus were 11.27 mgl^-1 and 1.48 mgl^-1, and EC₅₀ of normal embryogenesis were 0.94 mgl^-1 and 3.78 mgl^-1. NOEC of normal embryogenesis were 0.20 and 0.78 mgl^-1, respectively. In addition, to find the safety criteria of the ZU on the marine environment. PNEC value was 0.0094 mgl^-1, calculated using the toxicity values of two species of sea urchin derived from this study and the acute toxicity results of the coastal area through literature research. The above results will be used as basic data for establishing environmental protection strategies for marine environmental pollutants.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2015

Bacterial leaf spot, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syrinage, is a very damaging disease to green pumpkin in Gong-ju and Non-san nursery. However, there is no good method to control the disease in Korea. Growth inhibition of pathogen on medium, control efficacy on seedling stage, and seed treatment effect of 6 anti-bacterial pesticides were investigated for selection of the best pesticide for seed treatment and control of the disease. Growth inhibition zone on King's B medium were the largest by oxytetracycline 170 ppm and oxytetracycline 15 ppm + streptomycin sulfate 188 ppm, oxolinic acid 200 ppm, streptomycin 200 ppm were next respectively. Control efficacy of oxytetracycline 1.5% + streptomycin sulfate 18.8% WP and oxytetracycline 17% WP on seedling stage were 71.4% and 49.4%, respectively. Seed treatment of oxytetracycline 15 ppm + streptomycin sulfate 188 ppm on the artificially inoculated seeds inhibits pathogen growth completely from the treated seeds and 96% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. Seed treatment of streptomycin 100 ppm (2,000 dilution of streptomycin 20%) on the artificially inoculated seeds allow 280 cfu/g of pathogen growth from the treated seeds and 60% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. Seed treatment of oxytetracycline 85 ppm (2000 dilution of oxytetracycline 17% WP) on the artificially inoculated seeds allow 80 cfu/g of pathogen growth from the treated seeds and 90% control efficacy on grow-out test of the treated seeds. These results suggested that oxytetracycline 1.5% + streptomycin sulfate 18.8% WP was the best pesticide for seed treatment to control of the bacterial spot disease by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.804-812
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• 2020

The giant mealworm beetle, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been used as a protein source for small pets and mammals. Recently, it was temporarily registered in the list of the Food Code. We previously performed an in silico analysis of the Zophobas atratus transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and identified several antimicrobial peptide candidates. Among them, we assessed the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of zophobacin 1 that was selected bio-informatically based on its physicochemical properties against microorganisms and mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Zophobacin 1 showed antimicrobial activities against microorganisms without inducing hemolysis and decreased the nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, ELISA and Western blot analysis revealed that zophobacin 1 reduced expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We also investigated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β) production through quantitative real time-PCR and ELISA. Zophobacin 1 markedly reduced the expression level of cytokines through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. We confirmed that zophobacin 1 bound to bacterial cell membranes via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides. These data suggest that zophobacin 1 could be promising molecules for development as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2009

The successful treatment of community-acquired pneumonia requires appropriate, empirical antimicrobial therapy. The etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of major pneumonia pathogens can differ by country. Therefore, the ideal treatment guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia should be based on the studies performed in each country. We developed a treatment guideline for community-acquired pneumonia for immunocompetent adults in Korea. This guideline was developed by the joint committee of the Korean Society for Chemotherapy, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, and the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2016

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant(MDR) strain. (+)-Usnic acid(UA) is uniquely found in lichens, and is especially abundant in genera such as Usnea and Cladonia. UA has antimicrobial activity against human and plant pathogens. Therefore, UA may be a good antibacterial drug candidate for clinical development. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of UA against 17 different strains of the bacterium. In this study, the effects of a combination of UA and permeable agents against MRSA were investigated. For the measurement of cell wall permeability, UA with concentration of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA) was used. In the other hand, Sodium azide($NaN_3$) was used as inhibitors of ATPase. Against the 17 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of UA were in the range of $7.81-31.25{\mu}g/ml$. EDTA or $NaN_3$ cooperation against MRSA showed synergistic activity on cell wall. UA and in combination with EDTA and $NaN_3$ could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.