• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2008

The effect of genistein on melanin synthesis was studied using in vitro and in vivo model. Genistein inhibited melanin synthesis in cultured melan-a cells dose dependently. Tyrosinase activity was decreased by genistein treatment in melan-a cells, but genistein did not inhibit tyrosinase directly. Genistein did not affect the expression of tyrosinase in melan-a cells. Genistein inhibited the activity of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase in virtro and the glycosylation of tyrosinase in melan-a cells. The resulting unsaturated glycosylation of tyrosinase makes it unstable and disturb correct transportation. To further clarify the effect of genistein on the melanogenesis, we established UVB-induced hyperpigmentation on the shaved backs of brown guinea pigs. The animals were exposed to UVB radiation once a week for three consecutive weeks. Genistein (1 and 2%) or vehicle alone as a control were then topically applied to the hyperpigmented areas daily. Genistein showed significant lightening effect on the UVB-induced hyperpigmentation in five weeks. Depigmenting effect was prominent in 2% genistein treatment with Fontana-Masson staining. In conclusion, genistein may be a useful agent for skin whitening.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 1989

Molecular property as well as biological activities of bombesin-like substance (BBS-LS) isolated from the skin of B. orientalis in Korea was compared with those of synthetic BBS-14. BBS-LS in the crude extract was applied on a Sephadex G-50, superfine column $(1.6{\times}112\;cm)$. On chromatogram, the first peak (3.5% of BBS-LS) was found ahead of synthetic GRP-27, and the second peak (rest) between synthetic GRP-27 and synthetic BBS-14. The main form of BBS-LS was successfully purified by using a column of alkaline alumina followed by sequential gel-filtrations on a column of Sephadex G-10, fine and a column of Sephadex G-50, superfine. Chromatographic analysis of the purified BBS-LS using a column of Sephadex G-50, superfine and reversed phase HPLC revealed that the main form of BBS-LS in the skin of B. orientalis could be distinctly different from either BBS-14 or GRP-27 in molecular size. The purified BBS-LS exerted biological activities quite identical to those of synthetic BBS-14. The results of the present investigation indicate that the skin of B. orientalis contains BBS-LS composed of two distinct forms. The main form of BBS-LS purified in the present study is heterogenous to both synthetic BBS-14 and GRP-27 in molecular size but identical to BBS in biological activities.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 1982

Staphyylococci are responsible for over 80 per cents of the suppurative diseases encountered in medical practice. They cause most suppurative infections of the skin but may also invade and produce severe infections in any other parts of the body. In order to know the carrier rate of staphylococci between the parahospital workers and in the hospital workers, the author undertook isolation of S aureus from nasal cavity on 68 cases of freshmen, 31 cases of sophomores, and 37 cases of juniors in Busan National University, and 30 cases of nursing students, 30 cases of nurses, 30 cases of nurses in charge of operating room and 30 cases of doctors in Busan National University Hospital. The tested total cases were 256 cases which were 136 Cases in parahospital workers and which were 120 cases in hospital workers. The biochemical characters of S aureus strains isolated were studied on coagulase test, mannitol test, hemolysis test and sensitivity test to antimicrobial agents. The results obtained were as follows: 1. S aureus were isolated 49 cases(29.7%) from nasal cavity parahospital workers and were isolated 67 cases(55.8%) from nasal cavity on hospital workers. 2. Among 40 strains of S aureus isolated from parahospital worker's nasal cavity coagulase positive were 29 cases(72.1%), and coagulase negative were 11 cases(27.5%). And mannitol positive were 29 cases(72.5%), and mannitol negative were 11 cases(27.5%). 3. Among 67 strains of S aureus isolated from hospital worker's nasal cavity coagulase positive were 59 cases(88.1%), and coagulase negative were 8 cases(11.9%). And mannitol positive were 49 cases(73.1%), and mannitol negative were 18 cases(26.9%). 4. The hemolysis test of each erythocytes on coagulase and mannitol positive S aureus isolated were sensitive to rabbit(40 cases: 81.6%), guinea pig(26 cases: 53.6%), sheep(13 case: 26.5%), and were not sensitive to chicken and human erythrocytes, respectively. 5. The hemolysis test of each erythocytes on 10 strains of coagulase and mannitol negative S aureus isolated were not sensitive to all of, erythrocytes. 6. The sensitivity test to the various chemotherapeutic agents was almost sensitive to the strains isolated from parahospital workers, but was almost resistant to the strains isolated from hospital workers.