• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.360-378
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• 1997

Background : Severe acute lung injury(ALI), also known as the adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), is a heterogenous nature of dynamic and explosive clinical synrome that exacts a mortality of approximately 50%. Endotoxin(ETX) is an abundant component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria capable of inducing severe lung injury in gram-negative sepsis and gram-negative bacterial pneumonia, which are among the most common predisposing causes of ARDS. The influx of PMNs into airway tissue is a pathological hallmark of LPS-induced lung injury. And there is a substantial evidence suggesting that cytokines are important mediators of lung injury in gram-negative sepsis. However, the kinetics of phagocytes and cytokines by an exact time sequence and their respective pathogenic importance remain to be elucidated. This study was performed to investigate the role of phagocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in ETX-induced ALI through a time course of changes in the concentration of protein, $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6, and counts of total and its differential cells in BALF. The consecutive histologic findings were also evaluated. Method : The experimental animals, healthy male Sprague-Dawley, weighted $200{\pm}50g$, were divided into control- and ALI- group. ALI was induced by an intravenous administration of ETX, 5mg/kg. Above mentioned all parameters were examined at 0(control), 3, 6, 24, 72 h after administration of ETX. $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6 cone. in BALF were measured by a bioassay. Results : The protein concentration and total leukocyte count(TC) in BALF was significantly increased at 3h compared to controls(p < 0.05). The protein conc. was significantly elavated during observation period, but TC was significantly decreased at 72h(p < 0.05 vs. 24h). There was a close relationship between TC and protein cone. in BALF(r = 0.65, p < 0.001). The PMN and monocyte count was well correlated with TC in BALF, and the correlation of PMN(r = 0.97, p < 0.001) appeared to be more meaningful than that of monocyte(r = 0.61, p < 0.001). There was also a significant correlation between protein cone. and PMN or monocyte count in BALF(PMN vs. monocyte : r = 0.55, p < 0.005 vs. r = 0.64, p < 0.001). The count of monocyte was significantly elavated during observation period though a meaningful reduction of PMN count in BALF at 72h, this observation suggested that monocyte may, at least, partipate in the process of lung injury steadly. In this study, there was no relationship between IL-6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ cone., and $TNF{\alpha}$ but not IL-6 was correlated with TC(r = 0.61, p < 0.05) and monocyte(r = 0.67, p < 0.05) in BALF only at 3, 6h after ETX introduced. In particular, the IL-6 cone. increased earlier and rapidly peaked than $TNF{\alpha}$ cone. in BALF. In histologic findings, the cell counts of lung slices were increased from 3 to 72h(p < 0.001 vs. NC). Alveolar wall-thickness was increased from 6 to 24h(p < 0.001 vs. NC). There was a significant correlation between the cell counts of lung slices and alveolar wall-thickness(r= 0.61, p < 0.001). This result suggested that the cellular infiltrations might be followed by the alterations of interstitium, and the edematous change of alveolar wall might be most rapidly recovered to its normal condition in the process of repair. Conclusion : We concluded that although the role of PMN is partly certain in ETX-induced ALI, it is somewhat inadequate to its known major impact on ALL Alveolar macrophage and/or non-immune cells such as pulmonary endothelial or epithelial cells, may be more importantly contributed to the initiation and perpetual progression of ETX-induced ALI. The IL-6 in ETX-induced ALI was independent to $TNF{\alpha}$, measured by a bioassay in BALF. The early rise in IL-6 in BALF implies multiple origins of the IL-6.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.214-222
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• 2004

Purpose: Appropriate antibiotic therapy is important in childhood urinary tract infection and the selection of anibiotics is based on antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli. Extended-Spectrum ${\beta}-Lactamase(ESBL)$ is an enzyme produced by gram-negative bacilli that has the ability to hydrolyse penicillins, broad-spectrum cephalosporin and monobactam. There have been many reports of outbreaks of hospital infection by ESBL-producing organism. However, community-acquired infection with ESBL-producing organism are rare. This study was performed to retrospectively identify the incidence, characteristics and risk factors of ESBL (+) E. coli in community-acquired childhood UTI. Methods: In 288 children admitted in Ewha Womans University Hospital with E. coli UTI from Mar 2001 to February 2003, ESBL was isolated. ESBL was confirmed by the utilization of an automatized machine(Vitek GNS 433 card) using liquid medium dilution method according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard. The clinical characteristics, risk factors, antimicrobial resistance and treatment effectiveness were compared with ESBL(-) E. coli UTI. Results: Of 288 E. coli isolates, 31(10.8%) produced ESBL and 93.5%(29/31) occurred in infants younger than 6 month of age(P<0.01). No significant differences were noted in prior antibiotic use, prior admission history and underlying urogenital anomaly. Antimicrobial resistance was significantly higher in ESBL(+) E. coli compared with control patients (P<0.05). Although ceftriaxone showed 100% resistance in ESBL(+) E. coli, bacteriologic sterilization rate after ceftriaxone therapy was higher(96.8%). However, the recurrence rate of febrile UTI within 6 months was higher(25.8%) than control patients(6.6%). Conclusion: Epidemiologic study is required to find out any new risk factors of community-acquired ESBL(+) E. coli UTI and changes in selection of empirical antibiotics should be considered.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2013

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a common cruciferous vegetable, and its aerial parts, called Mu-chung in Korean, have plentiful nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Mu-chung has been used as a kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented dish, and dried Mu-chung is an important component of soups commonly consumed during winter in Korea. Since the advent of the mass production of radish in Korea, with the segregation of farm areas and towns and changing diets, Mu-chung has mostly been discarded instead of utilized. In addition, studies concerning the efficient utilization and useful bioactivities of Mu-chung are still lacking worldwide. In this study, we prepared the ethanol extract of Mu-chung and its subsequent solvent fractions. Antimicrobial, antioxidation, and anticoagulation activities were then evaluated in the hopes of developing a functional biomaterial from Korean radishes' aerial parts. The ethanol extraction yield for hot-air dried Mu-chung was 5.6%, and the fraction yields of n-hexane (H), ethylacetate (EA), butanol (B) and water residue were 25.3, 3.6, 19.4, and 51.7%, respectively. Analysis of total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents showed that the EA fraction had the highest content (97.57 and 152.91 mg/g) amongst the fractions. In antimicrobial activity assays, the H and EA fractions were effective against gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis), but not effective against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The B fraction also exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, suggesting that the extract of Mu-chung has various antibacterial components. In antioxidation activity assays, the EA fraction showed strong DPPH, ABTS and nitrite scavenging activities ($69-222{\mu}g/ml$ of $IC_{50}$), including reducing power. In anticoagulation activity assays, the EA fraction demonstrated strong inhibition activity against human thrombin and prothrombin. Prominent anticoagulation activity was found in aPTT assays; the aPTT of the EA fraction was extended 15-fold compared than that of the solvent control. Our results suggest that Mu-chung is an attractive nutritional food material possessing useful bioactivities, and the EA fraction of Mu-chung could be developed as a functional food ingredient.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2002

GC-l00X is non-corrosive alkaline ionic water (pH 12). It is composed of hydroxyl radicals and supplemented with xylitol. Its antimicrobial activity was examined against 6 major food-borne pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus FRI 913, Salmonella enterica serova Enteritidis ATCC 13076, S. enterica serova Typhimurium Korean isolate, Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17803, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43894 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCTC 1637 at three different temperatures (4$^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ and 36$^{\circ}C$) with or without an organic material (2% yeast extract), respectively. The antimicrobial activities showed over 4 log-reductions (1.0$\times$10$^4$CFU/ml reduction) against all pathogens reacted at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours in the absence of the organic material. The activities showed same results when GC-l00X was diluted with same volume of distilled water or standard hard water (CaCO$_3$300 ppm). Its antimicrobial activity was more effective and quicker in Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. Its washing efficacy against E. coli O157:H7 exposed to the surfaces of tomatoes (grapes) was compared with that of the other sanitizers such as other kitchen synthetic detergent and 100-ppm chlorine water. For the toxicological evaluation of the sanitizers, viable counts of E. coli O157:H7 penetrated into the core of tomatoes after washing products were also compared. The result revealed that GC-100X stock solution and its 5% diluted solution had similar washing effects to 100-ppm chlorine water and more effective than the other kitchen synthetic detergent. This result indicated that GC- l00X had antimicrobial activity and no toxicological side effects, therefore, could be useful for a new sanitizer to use in flood safety and kitchen hygiene.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.397-404
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• 1994

Background: To decide the optimal antibiotics and application of chest tube, examination of pleural fluid is fundamental in the management of empyema. Some criteria for drainage of pleural fluid have been recommended but some controversies have been suggested. Recently, newer radiologic methods including ultrasound and computed tomography scanning, have been applied to the diagnosis and management of pleural effusions. We undertook a retrospective analysis of 30 patients with pleural effusion who had CT scans of the chest in order to apply the criteria of Light et al retrospectively to patients with loculation and to correlate the radiologic appearance of pleural effusions with pleural fluid chemistry. Method: We analyzed the records of 30 out of 147 patients with pleural effusion undergoing chest CT scans. Results: 1) Six of the pleural fluid cultures yielded gram negative organisms and three anaerobic bacterias and one Staphylococcus aureus and one non-hemolytic Streptococci. No organism was cultured in ninteen cases(63.0%). 2) The reasons for taking chest CT scans were to rule out malignancy or parenchymal lung disease(46.7%), poor response to antibiotics(40.0%), hard to aspirate pleural fluid(10.0%) and to decide the site for chest tube insertion(3.3%). 3) There was no significant correlations between ATS stages and loculation but there was a tendency to loculate in stage III. 4) There was a significant inverse relationship between the level of pH and loculation(p<0.05) but there appeared to be no relationship between pleural fluid, LDH, glucose, protein, loculation and pleural thickening. 5) In 12 out of 30, therapeutic measures were changed according to the chest CT scan findings. Conclusion: We were unable to identify any correlations between the plerual fluid chemistry, ATS stages and loculations except pH, and we suggest that tube thoracotomy should be individualized according to the clinical judgement and serial observation. All patients with empyema do not need a chest CT scan but a CT scan can provide determination of loculation, guiding and assessing therapy which should decrease morbidity and hospital stay.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first three days in very low birth weight infants. Methods: The medical records of 1,124 very low birth weight infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center between November 1994 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors, and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first 3 days of life in very low birth weight infants were evaluated. Results: Early onset sepsis, as confirmed by positive blood cultures, was present in 17 of 1,124 infants (1.5%). Sixty-four percent of the isolated pathogens were gram-positive bacteria and 35% of the isolated pathogens were gram-negative bacteria. The dominant pathogens of early onset sepsis included Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%), Esherichia coli (23.5%), and Enterococcus (17.6%). Vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.3; P=0.01) was associated with early onset sepsis. The overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4-6.5; adjusted P=0.0039) and mortality within 72 hours of life (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.2-18.9; adjusted P=0.0005) of infants with early onset sepsis were higher than that of uninfected infants. Conclusion: Early onset sepsis remains an uncommon, but potentially lethal problem among very low birth weight infants. Knowledge of the likely causative organisms and risk factors for early onset sepsis can aid in instituting prompt and appropriate therapy, in order to minimize mortality.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 1999

A nationwide survey was conducted to investigate the annual occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis, maternal risk factors in neonatal sepsis, localized infection in neonates, causative organisms in nosocomial infection and the most common causative organism for neonatal sepsis in Korea. Clinical and bacteriological data wele collected from 37 neonatal units to perform retrospective review of the medical records of the newborn infants who were confirmed as having neonatal sepsis and whose blood culture was collected to isolate organisms for one year study period from January to December in 1997. 78,463 neonates were born at 37 hospital in 1997, and 20,869 neonates were admitted to the neonatal units, During this period, 772 episodes of neonatal sepsis were recorded in 517 neonates. The occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis was 0.73%(0~2.95%). Male to female ratio was 1.15:1, and 303 cases(42.1%) were born prematurely. The main pathogens of early onset of sepsis were S. aureus(20%), S. epidermidis(14.4%) and coagulase negative staphylococcus(14. 4%). Gram negative bacilli including Enterobacter spp (7.2%), E. coli(5.1%), Klepstella(4.5%), Pseudomonas(3.7%) and Enterobacter faectum(3.6%) accounted for 24.1% of sepsis. Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus were isolated only in two cases. Common obstetric factors were PROM(21.1%), difficulty delivery(18.7%), fetal tachycardia(5.3%), chorioamnionitis(4.9%), and maternal fever(4.7%). The main pathogens of late-onset sepsis were S. aureus(22.3%), S. epidermidis(20.4%) and CONS(9.9%). There were 6 cases(1.0%) of Candida sepsis, Frequent focal infections accompanying sepsis were pneumonia(26.1%), urinary tract infection(10.5%), meningitis(8.2%), and arthritis(3.6%), S. epidermidis(22.0%) and s. aureus(21.7%) were also the most common pathogens in 373 nosocomial infection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1276-1289
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• 2017

This study isolated and purified the antimicrobial peptide McSSP-31 from an acidified hemocyte extract of a Mytilus coruscus. The antimicrobial peptide was purified by using a $C_{18}$ reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peptide was determined to be 3330.549 Da by matrix assisted-laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrophotometer (MALDI-TOF/MS). The N-terminus of a 14 amino-acid sequence was identified as P-S-P-T-R-R-S-T-S-R-S-K-S-R by Edman degradation method. The acquired sequence showed a 93% similarity with the sperm-specific protein Phi-1, which is from M. californianus. The identified open-reading frame (ORF) of peptide was 306 bp encoding 101 amino acids, which was analyzed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), cloning and sequencing analysis. We compared the full sequence with other known proteins that reveal the sperm-specific protein Phi-1 (93.5%) of M. californianus. Synthesized antimicrobial peptide (McSSP-31) showed antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria including B. subtilis, S. mutans, S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria including E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and fungi, C. albicans. Also, synthesized peptide showed strong antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains, including S. aureus. The cytotoxicity of the peptide was determined by using the HUVEC human cell line. The peptide did not exhibit any significant cytotoxic effects on the normal human cell line, and it had very low hemolytic activity with flounder hemoglobin. The results demonstrated that peptide purified from the hemocyte of a M. coruscus exhibits antibacterial activity against various bacteria and has the potential to be an alternative antibiotic agent.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

In this study, the antimicrobial activity of niaouli leaf extracts was evaluated against skin flora. The skin flora used for experiments were three gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and two gram-negative, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa( P. aeruginosa), and the yeast, Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale). The bioassay applied for determining the antimicrobial effects of niouli leaf extracts or fraction included the disc diffusion assay and broth dilution assay. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 50% ethanol extract on B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. acnes, E. coli and P. aeruginosa were 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00%, 0.13% and 0.25% respectively and the MIC values of water fraction were 0.25%, 0.25%, 4,00%, 0.25% and 0.25%. P. ovale did not show antimicrobial activities. The MIC values of methyl paraben used as positive control indicated 0.25%, 0.25%, 0.25%, 0.13% and 0.50%. Also, Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 50% ethanol extract were 2.00%, 2.00%, 1.00%, 0.50% and 2.00% individually and the MBC values of water fraction were 0.50%, 0.25%, 4.00%, 0.50% and 1.00%. The MBC values of methyl paraben indicated 1.00%, 0.500%, 0.50%, 0.50% and 1.00%. These results showed that water fraction was as good as methyl paraben except for P. acnes. The 50% ethanol extract also showed activity similar with it. Thus, it is concluded that the 50% ethanol extract/fraction of niaouli could be applicable to cosmetics as a natural preservatives effective in antimicrobial activity against skin flora.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2003

Background : The surfactant protein A(SP-A) is important in the regulation of surfactant secretion, synthesis and recycling. Since the acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is usually viewed as the functional and morphological expression of a similar underlying lung injury casued by a variety of insults and since abnormalities in surfactant function have been described in ARDS, the authors investigated the different effects of endotoxin and thiourea on the accumulation of mRNA encoding SP-A. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were given 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal endotoxin from Salmonella enteritidis and 3.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal thiourea and sacrified at different time periods. Results : 1) SP-A mRNA was significantly increased 67.0% in 6 hours and 73.4% in 24 hours after 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment respectively(P<0.005, P<0.005). 2) SP-A mRNA significantly decreased 32.9% in 24 hours after 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment(P<0.05). Conclusions : These results indicate that the differential regulation of surfactant protein A in vivo is evident and suggest that surfactant protein A might be differentially regulated during different kind of insults of lung injury at different time periods without altering lung wet to dry ratios.