• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.528-533
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• 2004

The immune system acts to protect the host from infectious agents that exist in the environment and from other noxious insults. The immune system has two functional divisions: the innate and the acquired. Both components involve various factors such as cytokines. A number of methodologies exist to assess aspects of immune function. There are large inter-individual variations in many immune functions even among the healthy. Genetics, age, gender, smoking habits, habitual levels of exercise, alcohol consumption, diet, stage in the female menstrual cycle, stress, history of infections and vaccinations, and early life experiences are likely to be important contributors to the observed variation. While it is clear that individuals with immune responses significantly below 'normal' are more susceptible to infectious agents and exhibit increased infectious morbidity and mortality, it is not clear how the variation in immune function among healthy individuals relates to variation in susceptibility to infection. Oriental medicine is an important factor contributing to immune competence. The author investigated the immune enhancement effects of Bojungikkitanggami-bang (BITB). The forced swimming test (FST) has been used as a screening model for new immune enhancement agents. In the present study, the author investigated the effects of BITB on FST and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose (Glc); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); creatinine; and total protein (TP). The author found that BITB (1 g/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. In addition, the contents of Glc, LDH, BUN, TP in the blood serum were increased in BITB (1g/kg)-fed group. Also, the author investigated the effects of BITB on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. BITB (1 mg/ml) significantly increased the interferon (IFN)-vproduction compared with media control (about 2.2-fold for IFN-γ) at 24 h. However, BITB has not affect the production of IL-2 and IL-4. In addition, BITB increased the protein expression level of IFN-γ in MOLT-4 cells. Thus, BITB may have therapeutic value in generating or enhancing immune function in a clinical setting.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.1219-1225
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• 2014

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenol molecule from green tea and is known to exhibit antioxidative as well as tumor suppressing activity. In order to examine EGCG tumor invasion and suppressing activity against adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), two HTLV-1 positive leukemia cells (HuT-102 and C91-PL) were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of EGCG for 2 and 4 days. Proliferation was significantly inhibited by 100 ${\mu}M$ at 4 days, with low cell lysis or cytotoxicity. HTLV-1 oncoprotein (Tax) expression in HuT-102 and C91-PL cells was inhibited by 25 ${\mu}M$ and 125 ${\mu}M$ respectively. The same concentrations of EGCG inhibited NF-kB nuclearization and stimulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in both cell lines. These results indicate that EGCG can inhibit proliferation and reduce the invasive potential of HTLV-1-positive leukemia cells. It apparently exerted its effects by suppressing Tax expression, manifested by inhibiting the activation of NF-kB pathway and induction of MMP-9 transcription in HTLV-1 positive cells.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.190-203
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• 2003

Background: Dental hygienists are at risk of acquiring infections through exposure to infectious agents. This study explores the frequency of exposure to infectious agents and infection control practices among dental hygienists. Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional survey to examine the exposure to infectious agents and infection control practices among dental hygienists through questionnaire. Data were obtained from 124 dental hygienists attending educational conferences. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors that effect infection control practices in relation to age, completion of infection control education, recognition of their own serum hepatitis Ag/Ab status, the number of one day patients, location of clinics, type of clinics, and career years. Result: Of the 124 dental hygienists, 91.7% were exposed to at least one accident such as needle stick injuries during their practices periods. The health screening coverage rate in dental hygienists was 16.5%. The number of one day patients and career years were important in relation to infection control practices among dental hygienists. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for career years were 5.049 times greater(95% Cl 1.238-20.597) for groups with over 4 career years than under 2 career years. That for the number of one day patients were 0.261(95% Cl 0.071-0.955) lower for through 20 up to 30 patients, 0.531(95% Cl 0.102-2.78) lower for through 30 up to 40 patients and 0.498(95% Cl 0.123-2.017) lower for more than 40 patients than under 20 patients. Conclusion: From these results, prevalence of infection control practices among dental hygienists is related to the number of one day patients and career years. Prevention of cross infection and reduction of future transmission should be a priority to dental hygienists for promotion of infection control and further efforts to educate newcomers on infection prevention should be made.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.689-694
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• 2013

Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis are parasites known to be carcinogenic and causative agents of cholangiocarcinoma in Asia. The standard method for diagnosis for those parasite infections is stool examination to detect parasite eggs. However, the method has low sensitivity, and eggs of O. viverrini and C. sinensis are difficult to distinguish from each other and from those of some other trematodes. Here, we report a multiplex real-time PCR coupled with high resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the differentiation of O. viverrini and C. sinensis eggs in fecal samples. Using 2 pairs of species-specific primers, DNA sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (nad 2) gene, were amplified to generate 209 and 165 bp products for O. viverrini and C. sinensis, respectively. The distinct characteristics of HRM patterns were analyzed, and the melting temperatures peaked at $82.4{\pm}0.09^{\circ}C$ and $85.9{\pm}0.08^{\circ}C$ for O. viverrini and C. sinensis, respectively. This technique was able to detect as few as 1 egg of O. viverrini and 2 eggs of C. sinensis in a 150 mg fecal sample, which is equivalent to 7 and 14 eggs per gram of feces, respectively. The method is species-specific, rapid, simple, and does not require fluorescent probes or post-PCR processing for discrimination of eggs of the 2 species. It offers a new tool for differentiation and detection of Asian liver fluke infections in stool specimens.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.551-558
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• 2020

The flaviviruses are small single-stranded RNA viruses that are typically transmitted by mosquitoes or tick vectors and are etiological agents of acute zoonotic infections. The viruses are found around the world and account for significant cases of human diseases. We investigated population of culicine mosquitoes in central region of Korean Peninsula, Incheon Metropolitan City and Hwaseong-si. Aedes vexans nipponii was the most frequently collected mosquitoes (56.5%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (23.6%), Anopheles spp. (10.9%), and Culex pipiens complex (5.9%). In rural regions of Hwaseong, Aedes vexans nipponii was the highest population (62.9%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (23.9%) and Anopheles spp. (12.0%). In another rural region of Incheon (habitat of migratory birds), Culex pipiens complex was the highest population (31.4%), followed by Ochlerotatus dorsalis (30.5%), and Aedes vexans vexans (27.5%). Culex pipiens complex was the predominant species in the urban region (84.7%). Culicine mosquitoes were identified at the species level, pooled up to 30 mosquitoes each, and tested for flaviviral RNA using the SYBR Green-based RT-PCR and confirmed by cDNA sequencing. Three of the assayed 2,683 pools (989 pools without Anopheles spp.) were positive for Culex flaviviruses, an insect-specific virus, from Culex pipiens pallens collected at the habitats for migratory birds in Incheon. The maximum likelihood estimation (the estimated number) for Culex pipiens pallens positive for Culex flavivirus was 25. Although viruses responsible for mosquito-borne diseases were not identified, we encourage intensified monitoring and long-term surveillance of both vector and viruses in the interest of global public health.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.75-81
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• 2012

Molds cause severe cheese deterioration, even though some white and blue molds are used for the manufacture of Camembert and Blue cheese, respectively. The species of Geotrichum, Moniliella, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Fusarium, Phoma, and Cladosporium are the main fungi that affect contamination during cheese ripening. Once deteriorated by fungal spoilage, cheese becomes toxic and inedible. Fungal deterioration of cheese decreases the nutritional value, flavor profiles, physicochemical and organoleptic properties, and increases toxicity and infectious disease. Fungal contamination during cheese ripening is highly damaging to cheese production in Korean farmstead milk processing companies. Therefore, these companies hesitate to develop natural and ripened cheese varieties. This article discusses the recent and ongoing developments in the removal techniques of fungal contamination during cheese ripening. There are 2 categories of antifungal agents: chemical and natural. Major chemical agents are preservatives (propionic acid, sodium propionate, and calcium propionate) and ethanol. Among the natural agents, grapefruit seed extract, phytoncide, essential oils, and garlic have been investigated as natural antifungal agents. Additionally, some studies have shown that antibiotics such as natamycin and Delvocid$^{(R)}$, have antifungal activities for cheese contaminated with fungi. Microbial resources such as probiotic lactic acid bacteria, Propionibacterium, lactic acid bacteria from Kimchi, and bacteriocin are well known as antifungal agents. In addition, ozonization treatment has been reported to inhibit the growth activity of cheese-contaminating fungi.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.248-258
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• 2012

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important food crops worldwide and yields of potato can be affected by virus infection. While more than 40 viruses have been found in potato, only nine viruses (potato leafroll virus, potato viruses A, M, S, V, X and Y, potato moptop virus and tobacco rattle virus) and one viroid (potato spindle tuber viroid) have a significant economic impact on potato, worldwide. This review describes the geographical distribution of the most important viruses infecting potato and the genes for resistance or tolerance that have been identified against these various infectious agents. In some cases such resistance genes have been found only in other Solanum species. Few genes for resistance to the vectors of these viruses have been obtained and even fewer have been deployed successfully. However, transgenic resistance in potato has been achieved against seven of these disease agents.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.481-488
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• 2008

Apoptosis is a natural cell suicide mechanism to maintain homeostasis. However, many of the diseases encountered today are caused by aberrant apoptosis where excessive apoptosis leads to neurodegenerative disorders, ischemic heart disease, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, etc. A variety of antiapoptotic agents have been reported to interfere with the apoptosis pathway. These agents can be potential drug candidates for the treatment or prevention of diseases caused by dysregulated apoptosis. Obviously, world-wide pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are gearing up to develop antiapoptotic drugs with some products being commercially available. Polymeric drug delivery systems are essential to their success. Recent R&D efforts have focused on the chemical or bioconjugation of antiapoptotic proteins with the protein transduction domain (PTD) for higher cellular uptake with antibodies for specific targeting as well as with polymers to enhance the protein stability and prolonged effect with success observed both in vivo and in vitro. All these different fusion antiapoptotic proteins provide promising results for the treatment of dysregulated apoptosis diseases.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제61권3호
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• pp.28.1-28.4
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• 2021

A 1-year-old castrated mixed-breed dog presented with diffuse, purple lesions arranged in an irregular patchy pattern, with a slight elevation on the right hindlimb extending from the tarsus joint to the upper region of the thigh. Dermatological examinations and fungal and bacterial cultures revealed no infectious agents. The therapeutic response to antibiotics and antifungal agents was negative. A histopathology examination of the lesion revealed vascular proliferation with vasodilation and numerous varying-sized vessels. Mast-cell-dominated perivascular cuffing was also noted. The dog was diagnosed with cutaneous angiomatosis due to diffuse lesions and the histopathology findings of hemangioma.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물공학회 2003년도 생물공학의 동향(XII)
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• pp.40-44
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• 2003

Soil-borne infectious disease including Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani causes severe damage to plants, such as cucumber. This soil-borne infectious disease was not controlled effectively by chemical pesticide. Since these diseases spread through the soil, chemical agents are usually ineffective. Instead, biological control, including antagonistic microbe can be used as a preferred control method. An efficient method was developed to select an antagonistic strain to be used as a biological control agent strain. In this new method, surface tension reduction potential of an isolate was included in the ‘decision factor’ in addition to the other factors, such as growth rate, and pathogen inhibition rate. Considering these 3 decision factors by a statistical method, an isolate from soil was selected and was identified as Bacillus sp. GB16. In the pot test, this strain showed the best performance among the isolated strains. The lowest disease incidence rate and fastest seed growth was observed when Bacillus sp. GB16 was used. Therefore this strain was considered as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The action of surface tension reducing component was deduced as the enhancement of wetting, spreading, and residing of antagonistic strain in the rhizosphere. This result showed that new selection method was significantly effective in selecting the best antagonistic strain for biological control of soil-borne infectious plant pathogen. The antifungal substances against P. aphanidermatum and R. solani were partially purified from the culture filtrates of Bacillus sp. GB16. In this study, lipopeptide possessing antifungal activity was isolated from Bacillus sp. GB16 cultures by various purification procedures and was identified as a surfactin-like lipopeptide based on the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high performance liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS), and quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) ESI-MS/MS data. The lipopeptide, named GB16-BS, completely inhibited the growth of Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium sp., and Botrytis cineria at concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L, respectively. A novel method to prevent the foaming and to provide oxygen was developed. During the production of surface active agent, such as lipopeptide (surfactin), large amount of foam was produced by aeration. This resulted in the carryover of cells to the outside of the fermentor, which leads to the significant loss of cells. Instead of using cell-toxic antifoaming agents, low amount of hydrogen peroxide was added. Catalase produced by cells converted hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Also addition of corn oil as an oxygen vector as well as antifoaming agent was attempted. In addition, Ca-stearate, a metal soap, was added to enhance the antifoam activity of com oil. These methods could prevent the foaming significantly and maintained high dissolved oxygen in spite of lower aeration and agitation. Using these methods, high cell density, could be achieved with increased lipopeptide productivity. In conclusion to produce an effective biological control agent for soil-borne infectious disease, following strategies were attempted i) effective screening of antagonist by including surface tension as an important decision factor ii) identification of antifungal compound produced from the isolated strain iii) novel oxygenation by $H_2O_2-catalase$ with vegetable oil for antifungal lipopeptide production.