• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.716-728
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• 1999

Whole oil and ketonic fraction (KF) of Leptospermum scoparium have been tested for their antimicrobial activity and combination effect with several antibiotics against various bacterial strains and fungi by using microbiological assay methods. Antibacterial activities of KF against a number of test strains were 2-3 fold stronger than those of whole oil. MICs of the KF were $65~125{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against seven gram positive bacterial strains, $65~250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against 19 methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus strains, and $65~50{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against 14 quinolone resistance strains. However, KF showed little or no activity against gram negative bacteria. MICs of the KF were $16~250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against more than 50% of the anaerobic bacterial strains tested. KF showed the higher antibacterial activity than bacitracin against 10 strains of Bacteroids thetaiotaomicron, or three strains of Bacteroides ovatus, and the more active than ciprofloxacin against one strain of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and three strains of Bacteroids ovatus. The MICs of KF was 63 and $250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, respectively. Antibacterial activities of KF in combination with 19 antibiotics against 14 strains and with four antifungal agents against one fungal strain were determined by paper strip diffusion method. While most of combination showed additivity, KF showed synergism with bacitracin, exfadroxil, cephradin, and meropenem for 29~57% of the strains tested. However, ofloxacin, enoxacin, sparfloxacin showed antagonism with KF for 43~71% of the strains. KF alone and in combination with bacitracin, gentamycin, neomycin, itraconazole, fluconazole, terfinafine and ketoconazole against five bacterial strains or one fungus strain synergistic effect was demonstrated against 33% of strains examined with FIC index value below 0.5 by checkerboard study. Synergistic effect of KF with gentamicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis 329 (QRS) was found by time-kill study.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

Recently, we have shown that some endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, organotins and azoles suppressed steroidogenic enzymes such as P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and aromatase in bullfrog ovarian follicles. In the present study, by using an amphibian ovarian follicle culture system, we examined the effects of these endocrine disruptors on maturation and ovulation of oocytes from Rana dybowskii in vitro. Ovarian fragments or isolated follicles were cultured for 24 h in a medium containing frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or progesterone ($P_{4}$) with or without endocrine disruptors, and oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) and ovulation were examined. Among the organotins, tributyltin (TBT) strongly inhibited both FPH-and $P_{4}-induced$ oocyte maturation ($ED_{50}$:0.6 and 0.7 ${\mu}M$, respectively); however, tetrabutyltin (TTBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) showed only partial suppression, while monobutyltin (MBT) showed no inhibitory effect. All of the organotins suppressed $P_{4}-induced$ oocyte ovulation very effectively at a low concentration, and TBT and DBT exerted an inhibitory effect on FPH-induced ovulation. Among the heavy metals, mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co) were very effective in inhibiting FPH-induced oocyte maturation and ovulation, while lead (Pb), arsenite (As) and zinc (Zn) were less effective. However, all of the heavy metals suppressed FPH-induced oocyte ovulation at a high dose ($100{\mu}M$). Among the azoles, itraconazole (ICZ), ketoconazole (KCZ) and clotrimazole (CTZ) effectively inhibited FPH-induced oocyte maturation and ovulation, while econazole (ECZ), miconazole (MCZ) and fluconazole (FCZ) were considerably less effective. These results demonstrated that the abovementioned endocrine disruptors exhibited differential effects on oocyte maturation and ovulation in amphibian follicles and that the frog ovarian culture system could be used as an effective experimental tool to screen and evaluate the toxicity of various endocrine disruptors in vitro.

• 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.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2020

A new dimer stilbene [Monalittorin (1)] and ten known compounds [engeletin (2), aurantiamide acetate (3), lupeol (4), friedelin (5), quercetin (6), tiliroside (7), rutoside (8), astragalin (9), isoquercitrin (10) and quercimeritroside (11)] have been isolated from the leaves of Monanthotaxis littoralis (Annonaceae). The structures of these compounds were established by interpretation of their data, mainly, HR-TOFESIMS, 1-D NMR (1H and 13C) and 2-D NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and by comparison with the literature. The evaluation of their antimicrobial activities against three bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli S2 (1) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01) and three fungal strains (Candida albicans ATCC10231, Candida tropicalis PK233 and Cryptococcus neoformans H99) using broth micro dilution method, showed the largest antimicrobial activities of EtOAc fraction and compounds 1, 5, 6, 8 and 11 (MIC = 8 - 64 ㎍/mL). In addition, EtOAc fraction presented synergistic effect with Vancomycin and fluconazole against the tested microorganisms.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that primarily causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. It can also cause various infections in immunocompetent patients. Pulmonary cryptococcosis involving the lymph node is relatively rare in immunocompetent patients. In this report, a previously healthy 17-year-old girl presented with high-grade fever and persistent cough. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an anterior mediastinal conglomerate mass that expanded to the right supraclavicular area. Ultrasound-guided gun biopsy revealed histological evidence of cryptococcosis. Immunological screening tests did not identify immunodeficiency. She recovered completely with a combination therapy of amphotericin B and flucytosine for 2 weeks, followed by fluconazole for 8 months. The characteristics of cryptococcosis involving the mediastinal lymph node and the lung should be understood, and the possibility of cryptococcosis even in immunocompetent hosts should be considered.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.593-600
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• 2024

The nanoemulgel was prepared to induce a synergistic effect along with higher efficacy. Nine sets of macroemulsion were made in which liquid paraffin was stabilized by the two non-ionic surfactants, Tween® 80 and Span® 80. Comparative stability analysis of the macroemulsions was used to determine the effective surfactant concentrations that gave the most stable systems (NE 2, NE3, NE4, NE5). High-speed homogenization was then applied. The final formulation was evaluated for globule size and polydispersablity index, physical properties (color, homogeneity, consistency, syneresis), pH, viscosity, spreadability with 200 g and 500 g weight, conductivity, drug content, stability, skin irritation, antifungal efficacy. Zeta size analysis confirmed the nanosize of the droplets in NE2 (284.8 nm), NE3 (79.89 nm), NE4 (194 nm) but not NE5 (632.8 nm), which was outside the nanoemulsion range. The antifungal assay exhibited zone of inhibition for NE3 (43±1.0 mm) and NE4 (42±1.7 mm), a marketed cream (33±1 mm), fluconazole alone (35±1 mm) and terbinafine alone (35.0±1.7 mm). The zone of inhibition of nanoemulgels increased compared with the drugs when used individually and when compared a placebo.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2009

In recent years, environmental pollution by phannaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the aquatic environment is of great concern worldwide. Recent studies have been reported to occur in a variety of environmental organisms such as surface, drinking and ground water, soils, sediments and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and environmental behavior of fourteen human PPCPs in surface waters of Mankyung River in South Korea. We were conducted to field survey for water quality and PPCPs analysis at November, 2006. PPCPs were analyzed by liquid chromatograph coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS). The concentration of COD was measured to be 2.37$\sim$19.71 mg/L, which was belong to 4$\sim$5 grade in water quality criteria of lake. Station 2 that there is no pollution in upper stream, was appeared to lower concentration. The concentration of TN and TP, that is cause matter of eutrophication, were found to be 7.78$\sim$35.42 mg/L and 0.08$\sim$0.95 mg/L, respectively, which were exceeding 5 grade in Lake water quality criteria. The 11 kind of PPCPs compounds except levofloxacin and triclosan were detected to Mankyung river. PPCPs concentrations of STP(Sewer Treatment Plant) effluents and aquatic environment in Mankyung river have been detected in the range from dozens of ng/L to hundreds of ${\mu}g/L$ that by order of atenolol, carbamazepine, propranolol, Ibuprofen, erythromycin, ifenprodil, clarithromycin, mefenamic acid, fluconazole, indomethacin, disopyramide. PPCPs concentration of Station 1 and 5, which was influenced by Jeonju STP and Wanju STP, was detected high values. Station 2 that there is no pollution, showed lower values. Station 3 which joined Gosan stream and Jeonju stream and station 4 which influenced by stock wastewater was detected to low values.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.700-703
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• 2005

We experienced a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in an immunocompetent patient who presented with uncommon radiological findings. He complained of a dry cough for 3 weeks. The chest X-ray and CT showed multiple, variable sized, and irregular patch consolidations with cavities combined with some ground glass opacities in both lower lung fields. The diagnosis was made histologically via a thoracoscopic lung biopsy. The patient was administered oral fluconazole has since been well.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.511-513
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• 2015

A 12-year-old spayed Pomeranian was presented with a purulent, erythematous mass. The dog also suffered from concurrent hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated through the fungal culture of the mass. Surgical ablation of the mass was performed for the removal of continuous inflammation and fungal infection of deep origin. After histological examination of the mass, severe multifocal pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis were diagnosed. This is the first confirmed case of pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis due to Sporothrix schenckii infection in a dog with concurrent hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus. In addition this is the first case report of sporotrichosis in South Korea.