• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1379-1386
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• 2020

Acne is a chronic skin disease that typically occurs in the teens and twenties, and its symptoms vary according to age, sex, diet, and lifestyle. The condition is characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis, sebum overproduction, excessive growth of Propionibacterium acnes, and P. acnes-induced skin inflammation. Interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-6 are predominant in the inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris. These cytokines induce an inflammatory reaction in the skin in the presence of pathogens or stresses. Moreover, IL-1α accelerates the production of keratin 16, which is typically expressed in wounded or aberrant skin, leading to abnormalities in architecture and hyperkeratinization. Orobol (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone) is a metabolite of genistein that inhibited the P. acnes-induced increases in IL-6 and IL-1α levels in human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) more effectively compared with salicylic acid. In addition, orobol decreased the IL-1α and IL-6 mRNA levels and inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa-B kinase, nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha, and mitogen-activated protein kinase induced by P. acnes. Finally, the expression of Ki67 was decreased by orobol. Thus, orobol ameliorated the inflammation and hyperkeratinization induced by heat-killed P. acnes and thus has potential for use in functional foods and cosmetics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.59-67
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• 2021

Objectives : Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins and is known to have anti-inflammatory activity and anti-aging function of the skin, but there is no study on its effect on the skin barrier. This study aim to investigate the positive effect on the skin barrier by confirming the effect of water extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (WEHS) on the tight junction-related gene expression. Methods : The antioxidant efficacy of WEHS was investigated through ABTS and DPPH assays, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium was performed to examine the effect on cell viability. quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis were performed to confirm the effect of WEHS on the expression of tight junction-related genes, and immunofluorescence microscopy was used to confirm the movement of Claudin 1 protein into tight junctions. Results : WEHS showed strong antioxidant activity and induced an increase in both mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin 1 among tight junction-related genes. The strong localization of Claudine 1 protein increased by WEHS to the tight junction was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Conclusions : Hibiscus was confirmed through this study to show antioxidant activity and the function of promoting the expression of the tight junction Claudin 1 gene, suggesting that Hibiscus can be used as a material for the prevention and treatment of skin moisturizing and atopy, which have an important influence on tight junction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Objectives : The application of DNCB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene) can cause cellular immunity allergic reaction such as erythema or edema on NC/Nga mice and combinational function of cells participating in immunity increase inflammatory mediator. In this study, the effects of cypress essential oil on NC/Nga mice have been assessed. Methods : Male SPF NC/Nga mice aged 8 weeks have been used for atopic dermatitis induction skin. 1% DNCB was applied on ears and backs of which hair was removed using clipper on $1^{st}$ day and 0.4% DNCB was applied three times a week for 3 weeks. In this study, cypress essential oil has been treated 1 time a day for 3 weeks after application of DNCB to induce atopic dermatitis on skin for further experiments. Results : This study shows that inhalation or application of cypress essential oil reduced edema in ears and the thickness of epidermis induced by DNCB treatment. And it can be known that treatment of cypress essential oil inhibited mast cell proliferation and reduced IgE level similar to that of the negative control especially when cypress essential oil was inhaled by the mice. Synthetic oil showed the effects lower than those of cypress essential oil. Conclusions : Inhalation or direct application of cypress essential oil on skin reduced IgE level in blood and prohibits the proliferation of mast cell, from which it can be known that cypress essential oil can be effectively used to reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.52.1-52.10
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• 2023

Accurate and efficient microbial diagnosis is crucial for effective molecular diagnostics, especially in the field of human healthcare. The gold standard equipment widely employed for detecting specific microorganisms in molecular diagnosis is quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). However, its limitations in low metagenomic DNA yield samples necessitate exploring alternative approaches. Digital PCR, by quantifying the number of copies of the target sequence, provides absolute quantification results for the bacterial strain. In this study, we compared the diagnostic efficiency of qRT-PCR and digital PCR in detecting a particular bacterial strain (Staphylococcus aureus), focusing on skin-derived DNA samples. Experimentally, specific primer for S. aureus were designed at transcription elongation factor (greA) gene and the target amplicon were cloned and sequenced to validate efficiency of specificity to the greA gene of S. aureus. To quantify the absolute amount of microorganisms present on the skin, the variable region 5 (V5) of the 16S rRNA gene was used, and primers for S. aureus identification were used to relative their amount in the subject's skin. The findings demonstrate the absolute convenience and efficiency of digital PCR in microbial diagnostics. We suggest that the high sensitivity and precise quantification provided by digital PCR could be a promising tool for detecting specific microorganisms, especially in skin-derived DNA samples with low metagenomic DNA yields, and that further research and implementation is needed to improve medical practice and diagnosis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.229-244
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• 2014

Background: Antibiotic skin test(AST) is very useful for the diagnosis of drug allergies to prevent immediate allergic reactions. Although it is a safe and widespread method, it is performed very diversely by doctors and nurses without consistency and it also differs from countries and hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the current practice of AST by nurses in Korea and to compare it to the general guidelines. Methods: During January 1, 2013 to May 20, 2013, the study was conducted as questionnaires and case-based survey. The questionnaires were given to the nurses who were randomly selected in various University Hospitals (University Hospitals N=276, and Medical center N=19). The case-based surveys were given to the nurses who were conducting AST at various wards of a University Hospital (N=130). The analysis and evaluations of the responses were carried out. Results: The response rate for the questionnaires was 97.6% and 130 cases of the actual case-based surveys were collected. There were clear differences between the survey results and the general guidelines, such as the method of skin test (skin prick test was not conducted), the method of patient selection for AST, test drugs, concentration, volume and interpretation of AST. AST conducted by nurses was highly variable and inconsistent, even among nurses who worked in the same wards and hospitals. Manufactured standard concentration antibiotic solution of AST showed consistency of concentration to a certain degree. Conclusion: Although the general guidelines have been published by several countries including Korea, these are not a great help to nurses as they lack details for conducting AST, practical consideration for nurses in the clinical setting, propagation and education. Standardized guideline for nurses should be published and it should be a safe, clear, comfortable and easily accessible protocol. Futhermore, additional antibiotic solutions to standardize skin test should be developed and manufactured. Lastly, it would be the pharmacists role to compare their hospitals antibiotic skin test methods with the standard guidelines and develop a protocol within the hospital for patients' safety, and to strive to consistently implement it.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.210-213
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• 2005

Acute viral meningitis and myositis are rare complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. A 71-years-old immunocompetent man, who presented with lower back pain radiating to the left lower extremities, developed vesicles on the L5 dermatomal area. The next day, he had complained of aberrant vesicles on the trunk, face and scalp, with generalized myalgia, headache and dizziness. He was confirmed with VZV meningitis and myositis, as demonstrated by the presence of VZV DNA in the blood and cerebral spinal fluid using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. PCR has been used in patients with a VZV infection associated neurological symptoms, and provides a useful tool for the early diagnosis of VZV-associated neurological disease. The patient was treated with bed rest, with intravenous acyclovir for the VZV infection, and intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia for pain management and the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. When he visited the outpatient department 3 months later, the skin lesion, leg pain, headache and myalgia had all improved, without sequelae. Here, this case is reported, with a discussion of the relevant literature on its diagnosis and management.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.221-225
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• 2011

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that has temporary and reversible enzymatic effects on the matrix of connective tissue. When added to local anesthetics in pain treatments, it enhances their infiltration and dispersal into tissues. It is widely used in anesthesia for ocular, dental, and plastic surgery. Reports of drug hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase are rare and are usually confined to peribulbar or retrobulbar anesthesia during ophthalmic surgery. However, few reports exist on adverse drug reaction after epidural injection. We have observed two patients experiencing anaphylactic shock caused by hyaluronidase following epidural injection. Most of the patients with a hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase had one previous uneventful injection containing hyaluronidase, implying that sensitization had taken place. However, hypersensitivity occurring at the first administration is possible. A positive skin test can help establish the diagnosis. Although rare, the possibility of an allergic reaction to hyaluronidase should be considered even in patients with no known previous exposure.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

The objectives of this research were to improve the film-forming properties of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus skin gelatin (CSG) by cross-linking with transglutaminase (TG), determine and optimize the TG reaction time, and characterize the mechanical and barrier properties of CSG edible film. Cross-linking of CSG was performed by TG for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min at $50^{\circ}C$, and the reaction was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The color and mechanical and barrier properties of edible films fabricated with CSG cross-linked with TG were characterized. Gelatin yields from the extraction ranged from 18.2% to 23.3%. SDS-PAGE exhibited dark bands at 120 and 250 kDa, indicating successful TG-mediated cross-linking. The color of CSG film was not affected by TG cross-linking. The tensile strength of CSG films cross-linked with TG decreased from 42.59 to 21.73 MPa and the percent elongation increased from 42.92% to 76.96% as reaction times increased from 0 to 40 min. There was no significant difference in water vapor permeability of CSG films.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.4 no.1 s.6
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• pp.25-29
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• 2004

Anaphylactic reactions to anesthetic drugs could potentially produce life-threatening immune-mediated crisis. Most published reports are associated with neuromuscular blockers and anaphylactic reactions to inhalation anesthetics are rare. A 25-year-old male patient with no significant medical history and no previous abnormal drug reaction was scheduled for orthognathic surgery under general anesthesia. After uneventful anesthetic induction and nasotracheal intubation, generalized urticaria and erythema were detected during the maintenance period with $O_2-N_2O$-enflurane. No severe changes of vital signs and no ventilation problem were accompanied. The operation was cancelled and the cutaneous lesions were faded away during the recovery with 100% $O_2$. The skin-prick and intradermal tests showed that he was hypersensitive to all halogenated inhalation anesthetics including enflurane and not to intravenous anesthetics and neuromuscular blockers. The re-operation was safely carried out under intravenous anesthesia with propofol-fentanyl-vecuronium. We report this case of intraoperative anaphylactic reaction to enflurane with literature review.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.154-160
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• 1994

The antigenicity of the aqueous extract of red ginseng (ARG) was evaluated using the following assay procedures : 1. active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) in guinea pigs, 2 active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA) in guinea pigs, 3 passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in guinea pigs, 2.active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA) in guinea pigs, 3. passive cutanepous anaphylaxis (PCA) in guina pigs with serum for guina pigs sensitized with ARG and 4. passive hemagglutination (PHA) with serum from guinea pigs sensitized with ARG. 1. ASA : No anaphylaxis reaction was observed in any of the sensitized guinea pigs by elictitation with ARG. 2. ACA : No skin reaction was observed in sensitized guinea pigs after intrademal injection of ARG. 3. PCA in guinea pigs : PCA titer of sera from all the sensitized animals was less than 10 in eliciation with ARG. 4. PHA reaction : When eythrocytes coated with challenge antigen were added to sensitized sera, the hemagglutination titer was less than 1. These results suggest that ARG has no antigenicity under the conditions used. And the dose levels of ARG employed in the present experiment were confirmed not to suppress immune reactions.