• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.318-328
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• 2017

Chitinase-producing Paenibacillus elgii strain HOA73 has been used to control plant diseases. However, the antimicrobial activity of its extracellular chitinase has not been fully elucidated. The major extracellular chitinase gene (PeChi68) from strain HOA73 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli in this study. This gene had an open reading frame of 2,028 bp, encoding a protein of 675 amino acid residues containing a secretion signal peptide, a chitin-binding domain, two fibronectin type III domains, and a catalytic hydrolase domain. The chitinase (PeChi68) purified from recombinant E. coli exhibited a molecular mass of approximately 68 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Biochemical analysis indicated that optimum temperature for the actitvity of purified chitinase was $50^{\circ}C$. However, it was inactivated with time when it was incubated at $40^{\circ}C$ and $50^{\circ}C$. Its optimum activity was found at pH 7, although its activity was stable when incubated between pH 3 and pH 11. Heavy metals inhibited this chitinase. This purified chitinase completely inhibited spore germination of two Cladosporium isolates and partially inhibited germination of Botrytis cinerea spores. However, it had no effect on the spores of a Colletotricum isolate. These results indicate that the extracellular chitinase produced by P. elgii HOA73 might have function in limiting spore germination of certain fungal pathogens.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.7
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• 2020

Introduction: Qūbā (Tinea Corporis) is a very common disease widely prevalent worldwide. 20 - 25 % individuals suffer for this stubborn disease. Unani System of Medicine offers its treatment. There are many pharmacopoeial formulations indicated for various types of dermatophytic infections. In this study clinical efficacy and safety of the topical Unani formulation Marham Kharish Jadeed (a compound drug in the dosage form of an ointment) was assessed and compared with a standard conventional medicine. Materials and methods: A clinical study was conducted on 60 participants of qūbā randomized into test and control groups (n=30 in each group). The participants were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by microscopy of skin scrapings. The efficacy of the Unani formulation was assessed in terms of TSS score and elimination of fungal elements from the skin lesions. The data collected were analyzed statistically. Results and discussion: The study showed that the Unani formulation had comparatively better efficacy clinically than conventional medicine Terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream in terms of reduction of itching, erythema, scaling, peripheral raised margins of the lesion comparing to baseline. In this study, 27 participants in test group and 18 participants in control group were completely cured (≥75% reduction in TSS Score with Mycological Cure) after 4 weeks of treatment. The efficacy of the Unani formulation was found significant statistically. The individual drugs of the formulations having analgesic (Musakkin), blood purifier (Muṣaffi-i-Dam), demulcent (Mulaṭṭif), antifungal (Qātil-i-fafūndῑ), detergent (Jālῑ), refrigerant (Mubarrid) and antiseptic (Dāfi'-i-'Ufūnat) properties might be responsible for the efficacy of Unani formulation. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggested that the Unani formulation was found effective and safe in the management of qūbā. No local and systemic adverse effect was reported during the study.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1980

This study was undertaken to investigate the activity or the water extract of Polygonum aviculare Linne in vitro. Some of the purely isolated strains or dermatophytes were inoculated on Sabouraud's dextrose agar medium containing different concentrations of the Polygonum extracts and their growth was observed for about two weeks at room temperature. Then we measured the sizes of fungal colony grown in various conditions and compared them with those of Sabouraud's medium as control to determine fungistatic effectiveness of the extract. For additional study, slide cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose medium and Sabouraud's media containing 3ml/10ml extract were performed with Epidermophyton floccosum to observe the growth of hyphae, sporulation and other mycological findings. 1. The growth of Epidermo-phyton floccosum was completely inhibited in the media containing 3ml/l0ml Polygonum extract. 2. Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and microsporum canis were completely inhibited in several strains of each specimen and a moderate inhibitory effect was observed in all of another strains in the media containing the 3ml/10ml extract. 3. In the slide culture of Epidormophyton floccosum the hypha was thin and more desiccated. The characteristic macroco-nidia formation was not observed on the media containing 3ml/10ml Polygonum extract as compared with those findings of Sabouraud's dextrose control medium.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.555-562
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to develop a stable self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for trans-cinnamaldehyde, a known antibacterial and antifungal agent. A simultaneous analytical method was established for quantification of trans-cinnamaldehyde and its degradant, cinnamic acid. Various surfactants were applied to assess their effect on the aqueous solubility of trans-cinnamaldehyde, and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were plotted. Of the various formulations tested, the liquid SMEDDS composed of trans-cinnamaldehyde (oil), Cremophor EL (surfactant) and Transcutol P (cosurfactant) at a volume ratio of 10/70/20, produced the smallest emulsion droplet size (around 23 nm). The stability test determined the superior stability of the trans-cinnamaldehyde SMEDDS with constant trans-cinnamaldehyde content and z-average diameter of emulsion, under accelerated and heat stressed condition. Thus, we believe that this novel trans-cinnamaldehyde SMEDDS formulation has the potential to be applied for the development of trans-cinnamaldehyde medicines in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.433-445
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• 2012

During the course of evolution, animals encountered the harmful effects of fungi, which are strong pathogens. Therefore, they have developed powerful mechanisms to protect themselves against these fungal invaders. ${\beta}$-Glucans are glucose polymers of a linear ${\beta}$(1,3)-glucan backbone with ${\beta}$(1,6)-linked side chains. The immunostimulatory and antitumor activities of ${\beta}$-glucans have been reported; however, their mechanisms have only begun to be elucidated. Fungal and particulate ${\beta}$-glucans, despite their large size, can be taken up by the M cells of Peyer's patches, and interact with macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs) and activate systemic immune responses to overcome the fungal infection. The sampled ${\beta}$-glucans function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on innate immune cells. Dectin-1 receptor systems have been incorporated as the PRRs of ${\beta}$-glucans in the innate immune cells of higher animal systems, which function on the front line against fungal infection, and have been exploited in cancer treatments to enhance systemic immune function. Dectin-1 on macrophages and DCs performs dual functions: internalization of ${\beta}$-glucan-containing particles and transmittance of its signals into the nucleus. This review will depict in detail how the physicochemical nature of ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to its immunostimulating effect in hosts and the potential uses of ${\beta}$-glucan by elucidating the dectin-1 signal transduction pathway. The elucidation of ${\beta}$-glucan and its signaling pathway will undoubtedly open a new research area on its potential therapeutic applications, including as immunostimulants for antifungal and anti-cancer regimens.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.370-379
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• 2020

Econazole, a potent broad-spectrum antifungal agent and a Ca²⁺ channel antagonist, induces cytotoxicity in leukemia cells and is used for the treatment of skin infections. However, little is known about its cytotoxic effects on solid tumor cells. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying econazole-induced toxicity in vitro and evaluated its regulatory effect on the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Using the gastric cancer cell lines AGS and SNU1 expressing wild-type p53 we demonstrated that econazole could significantly reduce cell viability and colony-forming (tumorigenesis) ability. Econazole induced G0/G1 phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, and effectively blocked proliferation- and survival-related signal transduction pathways in gastric cancer cells. In addition, econazole inhibited the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase- 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, which degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Econazole also effectively inhibited the metastasis of gastric cancer cells, as confirmed from cell invasion and wound healing assays. The protein level of p53 was significantly elevated after econazole treatment of AGS and SNU1 cells. However, apoptosis was blocked in econazole-treated cells exposed to a p53-specific small-interfering RNA to eliminate p53 expression. These results provide evidence that econazole could be repurposed to induce gastric cancer cell death and inhibit cancer invasion.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.133-149
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• 1997

Recently, the importance of management and cultivation of grasses has been increased in Korea. Among these cultural practices, the appropriate control of diseases is considered more important than other cultivation techniques such as fertilization and irrigation. The damages of brown patch and large patch caused by Rhizoctonia spp. and Pythium blight caused by Pythium spp. are serious in the major cultivation area of turfgrass in Korea. Since these diseases are difficult to control by agrochemicals, the damages are very serious if these are occured. The periodic spray of agrochemicals, to protect and control these diseases could make some problems of toxicity and environmental pollution as well as rising of non-target diseases. Therefore, the biological methods to control diseases have been required to decrease problems resulted from overuse of agrochemicals, to conserve natural ecosystem, and to control effectively diseases of grasses in the long period. The number of studies about biological control using antagonistic microorganisms have been increased for last half century. However, the application of biological control method has been very limited. In this study, thirteen isolates of R. cerealis, 8 isolates of R. solani and 3 isolates of Phthyn spp. have been isolated from diseased turfgrass in golf course and grass-culture area that have patch and wilting symptoms of zoysia grass and creeping bentgrass. Isolation frequency of R. cerealis and R. solani was high in especially zoysiagrass, while Pythym spp. was isolated from bent grass at low frequency but showed high pathogenicity. Totally, 205 isolates of soil microorganisms were isolated in this study as primary antagonistic microorganism by Herr's triple agar layer plate and dual culture method using rhizosphere of grasses, soil of crop field as the source of antagonistic microorganisms. Among the 205 isolates, 23 isolates were actinomycetes and 182 isolates were bacteria. All of the actinomycetes were isolated by Herr's method. Antagonistic effect of primary isolated microorganisms was tested for in vitro mycelial growth inhibition against pathogenic fungi isolated from grasses and for inhibition of disease occurrence in 24 well tissue culture plate and pot experiment. Then, four isolated of bacteria which are BG23, BG74, BG136 and BG171 were selected as antagonistic microorganisms against soil-born pathogenic fungi of bentgrass.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to simplify the traditional manufacturing method of Jeungpyun by developing a new process for Jeungpyun preparation using meringue and to also investigate the quality characteristics of Jeungpyun made with green tea powder. Methods: The Jeungpyun was manufactured as 4 sample preparations (Jeungpyun: J; Jeungpyun+0.5% green tea: J+0.5% GT; Jeungpyun+1% green tea: J+1% GT; and Jeungpyun+1.5% green tea: J+1.5% GT) through mixing rice flour, meringue, green tea powder (0-1.5%), dry yeast, water, and milk, steaming for 4 min at $180^{\circ}C$ and 3 min at $220^{\circ}C$, and then standing for 1 hr at room temperature. The quality characteristics of Jeungpyun were evaluated based on physicochemical properties, total mold, texture analysis, and sensory evaluation. Results: The pH of Jeungpyun batter was significantly lower in J+1.0% GT and J+1.5% GT than J. The specific gravity, weight, volume, and specific volume of J+0.5% GT and J+1% GT was not significantly different, as compared to J. In color, L value decreased and a and b value increased based on the increase of green tea powder. The antifungal activity was the highest in J+1.5% GT, followed by J+1.0% GT, J+0.5% GT, and J, in order. Samples with added green tea powder showed decreased hardness, as compared with J; its effect was significant in J+1.0% GT and J+1.5% GT after storage for 1 day. In sensory evaluation, the color of Jeungpyun was darkened by the addition of green tea powder. The egg smell and hardness significantly decreased by addition of green tea powder. Based on quantitative description analyses, overall acceptability was the highest in J+1% GT. Conclusion: Therefore, 1% green tea powder was the optimal amount for preparing Jeungpyun with meringue. For simplification of the traditional manufacturing method, Jeungpyun could be produced with meringue and green tea powder, which has potent physiological activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.687-694
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• 2017

Plumbagin, a hydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinone compound from plant metabolites, exhibits anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal activities via modulating various signaling molecules. However, its effects on vascular functions are rarely studied except in pulmonary and coronary arteries where NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibition was suggested as a mechanism. Here we investigate the effects of plumbagin on the contractility of skeletal artery (deep femoral artery, DFA), mesenteric artery (MA) and renal artery (RA) in rats. Although plumbagin alone had no effect on the isometric tone of DFA, $1{\mu}M$ phenylephrine (PhE)-induced partial contraction was largely augmented by plumbagin (${\Delta}T_{Plum}$, 125% of 80 mM KCl-induced contraction at $1{\mu}M$). With relatively higher concentrations (>$5{\mu}M$), plumbagin induced a transient contraction followed by tonic relaxation of DFA. Similar biphasic augmentation of the PhE-induced contraction was observed in MA and RA. VAS2870 and GKT137831, specific NOX4 inhibitors, neither mimicked nor inhibited ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ in DFA. Also, pretreatment with tiron or catalase did not affect ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ of DFA. Under the inhibition of PhE-contraction with L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker (nifedipine, $1{\mu}M$), plumbagin still induced tonic contraction, suggesting $Ca^{2+}$-sensitization mechanism of smooth muscle. Although ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$ was consistently observed under pretreatment with Rho A-kinase inhibitor (Y27632, $1{\mu}M$), a PKC inhibitor (GF 109203X, $10{\mu}M$) largely suppressed ${\Delta}T_{Plum}$. Taken together, it is suggested that plumbagin facilitates the PKC activation in the presence of vasoactive agonists in skeletal arteries. The biphasic contractile effects on the systemic arteries should be considered in the pharmacological studies of plumbagin and 1,4-naphthoquinones.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2020

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is concerned with promoting oral infection due to its low antibacterial activity. To overcome this, the nanoparticles of Ag-MSN, nGO, and CNP were mixed with MMA liquid in a weight ratio of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0% compared to resin powder using Orthocryl from Dentarum, a calibration resin, and then instructed by the manufacturer. Accordingly, a specimen for calibration was prepared by mixing PMMA: MMA (1.2: 1) ratio, and physical properties of the calibration resin, antifungal experiments, and statistical analysis were performed. As a result of antibacterial experiments, the antibacterial properties of Ag-MSN increased. In nGO, the antibacterial adhesive effect increased hydrophilicity, not a change in surface roughness. The higher the CNP concentration, the higher the antibacterial activity. This suggests its potential usefulness as an antibacterial dental material for orthodontic devices and temporary restorations.