• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 1999

We investigated whether an aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia root (PTAE) inhibits secretion of inflammatory cytokines from primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. PTAE dose-dependently inhibited the Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$ secretion by astrocytes stimulated with substance P (SP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore also investigated whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from primary astrocytes by PTAE. Treatment of PTAE to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 secretion to the level observed with LPS alone. Moreover, incubation of astrocytes with IL-1 antibody abolished the synergistic cooperative effect of LPS and SP. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated the significantly reduced level of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA was expressed in astrocytes treated with PTAE. These results suggest that PTAE has an antiinflammatory activity on the central nervous system curing some pathological disease states.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2000

The regional distribution and relative frequencies of endocrine cells were studied immunohistochemically (PAP methods) in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the toad, Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor using specific antisera against bovine Sp-1/chromogranin (BCG), serotonin, bombesin, gastrin, substance P (SP), somatostatin, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and secretin. Nine kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. Spherical or spindleshaped immunoreactive (IR) cells were located in the gastric glands of stomach regions, in the basal portion of the epithelium of intestinal tract or esophagus, and in the exocrine or pancreatic islets with variable frequencies. In the alimentary tract, BCG-IR cells were found in the fundus and pylorus with rare and a few frequencies, respectively. Serotonin-IR cells were demonstrated in the whole alimentary tract including the esophagus. Bombesin- and SP-IR cells were restricted to the stomach regions and gastrin-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus. Somatostatin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole alimentary tract except for the large intestine, However, insulin-, glucagon-, PP-, VIP- and secretin-IR cells were not detected in the alimentary tract. In the pancreas of toad, the distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells were similar to those of other mammals. Insulin-IR cells were located in the central portion of the pancreatic islets and interspaces of exocrine portions, and glucagon-, somatostatin- and PP-IR cells were detected in the marginal regions of the pancreatic islets and interspaces of exocrine. However, other IR cells were not found in the pancreas. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of the endocrine cells in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the toad were similar to other anuran species but some differences which might be caused by feeding habits and species specification were also observed.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.361-369
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• 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and chronic pruritus. AD has a complex etiology that includes genetic, immunological, and environmental factors that cause skin barrier abnormalities and immune dysfunctions. Sophora flavescens (SF) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, but little research has been conducted on its anti-AD efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SF extract (SFE) on improving skin barrier function and immune abnormalities, which are the main symptoms of AD. SFE has the capacity to enhance the formation of cornified envelope (CE) that plays an important role in the skin barrier function. In addition, it was confirmed that SFE increased the expression of hyaluronic acid related to skin moisture. The effect of SFE against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which increases specifically in AD lesions, confirmed that SFE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by S. aureus. Furthermore, SFE was shown to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by substance P (SP), the cause of skin neurogenic inflammation. These results demonstrate that SFE could be one of potential candidate agent for the treatment of AD by improving the skin barrier function and immune responses.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2001

An antifungal substance was purified from culture broth of Pseudomonas flulorescens 2112 that showed a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against various phytopathogenic fungi including capsici. The substance was identified as 2,4-diacetylphloro-glucinol basd on NMR analysis. The 2,4-diacetylphloroglcinol showed antibiotic activity in broad acidic range from pH 1.0 to pH 9.0. About 83% of initial activity was remained after incubation for 30min ar $60^{\circ}C$, however, the activity was dropped up to 50% after 30 min incubation in $80^{\circ}C$. When the nucleotides of P. capsici treated with 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol were labeled with[$^{3}$ H]-Adenin, the newly synthesized and radioactive-labeled RNA was significantly reduced than those of untreated P. capsici. indicating that the 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol inhibits RNA synthesis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 2009

For the control of pathogenic microorganisms, Bacillus spp. were isolated from diseased pepper fruits in Korea. Among them, Bacillus sp. IUB158-03 showed high inhibitory effect on mycelial growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides and Botrytis cinerea. The strain was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens IUB158-03 based on its physiological, biochemical characteristics and Microlog analysis. The highest level of antifungal substances by B. amyloliquefaciens IUB158-03 were obtained when the bacterium was cultured in medium containing 2% soluble starch, 3% yeast extract, 0.5% tryptone, 0.5% $NH_4H_2PO_4$, and 1% NaCl (pH 6.0) at $25^{\circ}C$ for 72 hrs. The antifungal substances were purified by butanol extraction, silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. The purified antifungal substance was confirmed $R_f$ 0.27 by TLC. This substance exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cineria, Alternata alternaria of plant pathogenic fungi and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Cryptococcus neoformans of human pathogenic fungi.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2001

An antimicrobially active bacterium which was identified as Bacillus brevis, was isolated from kimchi. The antimicrobial activity was found against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including some pathogens food-spoilage microorganisms, and some yeast strains. The antimicrobial activity was especially strong against Bacillus anthracis and Shigella dysenteriae. The strong activity was observed during an early stationary phase in the culture when incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ with initial medium pH of 6.8. The antimicrobial activity was found to be stable at $90^{\circ}C$ for 30 min and in the pH range of 3-11, and it was insensitive to organic solvents including acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, and methanol. Analysis of the bacterocin on tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel suggested a molecular mass of approximately 4.5-6.0 kDa. The antimicrobial substance was characterized as a bacteriocin, because of its proteinaceous nature and low molecular weight. The bacteriocin could potentially be used as a food preservative, because of its thermostable property and broad antimicrobial spectrum.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.623-625
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• 2000

Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria was isolated from Kimchi using MRS as selective media and Lactobacillus delbruekii subsp. delbruekii as an indicator strain. Strain JC-3 was tentatively identified as Lactococcus latis subsp. lactis through the API test and the bacteriocin produced by JC-3 showed the inhibitory activity against Grampositive pathogens and other lactic acid bacteria. The antimicrobial substance was inactivated by Protamax, Aroase AP-10, Neutrase, R-AMANO and was confirmed to be heating at $100^{\circ}C$. However, it was lost at high pH values showed the highest bacteriocin activity at a culture temperature of $30^{\circ}C$. The bacteriocin was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sep-pak $C_{18}$ cartridge. The apparent molecular mass of the bacteriocin was about 8 Kda, which was determined through the direct detection of bactericidal activity using SDS -PAGE.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.284-288
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• 1996

Among the bacteria isolated from compost piles of cattle excretion in a pasture located at the suburbs of Chunchon city, Pseudomonas aeruginosa KMCS-1 was selected for the test of antifungal substances produced. Six fractions were separated by silica gel column chromatography, and then the antifungal activity of each fraction was assayed against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus nidulans, Coprinus cinereus, and Pyricularia oryzae by paper disc method. Two fractions showed significant suppressive activities against A. nidulans, C. cinereus, and P. oryzae however, their mycelial growth was not affected by neither of these fractions. Inhibitory activities of these fractions to sporulation was assayed at the concentration of 50. 25, 12. 5, and 6.25 $\mu$g/ml and the average inhibition rates against sporulation of A. nidulans, C. cinereus, and P. oryzae were 94.0, 98.3, and 77.9%, respectively. Further purification and analysis of active substances are now being conducted.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2013

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used substance in commercial and industrial applications, yet it must be removed from the contaminated soil and groundwater environment due to its toxic and carcinogenic nature. We investigated bacterial community structure, dominant bacterial strain, and removal efficiency in a TCE contaminated groundwater treatment system using immobilized carrier. The microbial diversity was determined by the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA gene library. The major bacterial population of the contaminated groundwater treatment system was belonging to BTEX degradation bacteria. The bacterial community consisted mainly of one genus of Pseudomonas (Pseudomonas putida group). The domination of Pseudomonas putida group may be caused by high concentration of toluene and TCE. Furthermore, we isolated a toluene and TCE degrading bacterium, named Pseudomonas sp. DHC8, from the immobilized carrier in bioreactor which was designed to remove TCE from the contaminated ground water. Based on the results of morphological and physiological characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain DHC8 was identified as a member of Pseudomonas putida group. When TCE (0.83 mg/L) and toluene (60.61 mg/L) were degraded by this strain, removal efficiencies were 72.3% and 100% for 12.5 h, respectively. Toluene removal rate was 2.89 ${\mu}mol/g$-DCW/h and TCE removal rate was 0.02 ${\mu}mol/g$-DCW/h. These findings will be helpful for maintaining maximum TCE removal efficiency of a reactor for bioremediation of TCE.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.197-211
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• 2000

The pineal body have been known to be affected by superior cervical ganglia, and most of its nerve fibers containing peptidergic neurotransmitters have been considered to be originated from this ganglia. To confirm this relationships, some peptidergic neurotransmitters were identified in both of pineal body and superior cervical ganglia of the Korean native goat, which were divided into two group; breeding season and non-breeding season. The localizations of two catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes; tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), were investigated by immunohistochemistry in the superior cervical ganglia and the pineal body of adult Korean native goats. Substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) were also identified in these organs by immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent methods. In superior cervical ganglia, immunoreactivities for TH and DBH were confirmed in the same ganglion cells. The immunoreactivites for SP, VIP(only in male), NPY and GAL were identified in both of ganglion cell bodies and nerve fibers in the ganglia. CGRP immunoreactivity, however, was observed only in nerve fibers. Most NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive(IR) ganglion cells also contained TH. SP and TH were colocalized in the cell bodies, but not in the nerve fibers. TH immunoreactivity was shown in almost all of ganglion cells in the superior cervical ganglia. The immunoreactivity for NPY had some seasonal variation and was stronger in breeding season than in non-breeding season. In pineal body, lots of TH-IR fibers were observed throughout the parenchyma including the pineal stalk and most of them also contained DBH. SP- and NPY-IR fibers were also immunostained with TH or DBH. But a few SP- and NPY-IR fibers were not colocalized with TH or DBH. Exceptionally, a bipolar neuron-like cell was observed to be immunostained with NPY in the pineal body. A few CGRP and GAL-IR fibers were observed, while VIP-IR fibers were not present. It is concluded that most TH- and DBH-IR fibers as well as the peptidergic immunoreactive fibers of the pineal body might be originated from the superior cervical ganglia. Some peptidergic immunoreactive fibers, however, might be come from other regions of brain. We also suggest that NPY in pineal body plays a important role for pineal function. The seasonal variation of NPY immunoreactivity indicates that the synthesis and use of NPY may be different between in breeding and non-breeding seasons.