• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.398-404
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• 2022

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the plasticizers used in the polyvinyl chloride(PVC) industry. It is known to be easily released into the environment. In this study, we investigated effects of DEHP on growth, metabolic pathway, and virulence gene expression in soil-borne bacterial plant pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum SCC1 using in vitro assays. As a result, DEHP at 20 ㎍ mL^-1 did not affect the growth, cell membrane permeability, or ATPase activity of P. carotovorum SCC1. However, it decreased succinyl-CoA synthase (SCS) activity in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Relative expression levels of virulence genes encoding pectate lyase and pectin were differentially influenced by DEHP treatment. These results suggest that biological characteristics of P. carotovorum might be influenced by DEHP in soil.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2023

Objectives : Oxidative stress is an important cause of many diseases including liver injury. Therefore, adequate regulation of oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in maintaining liver function. Until recently, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Samchulgeonbi-tang (SCGBT). Therefore, the hepatoprotective effect of SCGBT was investigated in HepG2 cells. In this study, oxidative stress was induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and iron. Methods : To analyze the hepatoprotective effects of SCGBT against oxidative stress induced by AA + iron, the cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins and intracellular ROS, glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) were measured. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription activation and expressions of Nrf2 target gene were analyzed through immunoblot analysis. Results : SCGBT increased the cell viability from AA + iron - induced cell death and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis related proteins. SCGBT protected cells by inhibiting ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation against AA + iron induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, Nrf2 activation was increased by SCGBT, and the Nrf2 target genes were also activated by SCGBT. Conclusions : These results suggest that the SCGBT has a hepatocyte protection effect and antioxidant effect from AA + iron induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1179-1188
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• 2023

Escherichia coli, particularly multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, is a serious cause of healthcare-associated infections. Development of novel antimicrobial agents or restoration of drug efficiency is required to treat MDR bacteria, and the use of natural products to solve this problem is promising. We investigated the antimicrobial activity of dried green coffee (DGC) beans, coffee pulp (CP), and arabica leaf (AL) crude extracts against 28 isolated MDR E. coli strains and restoration of ampicillin (AMP) efficiency with a combination test. DGC, CP, and AL extracts were effective against all 28 strains, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5-50 mg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration of 25-100 mg/ml. The CP-AMP combination was more effective than CP or AMP alone, with a fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.01. In the combination, the MIC of CP was 0.2 mg/ml (compared to 25 mg/ml of CP alone) and that of AMP was 0.1 mg/ml (compared to 50 mg/ml of AMP alone), or a 125-fold and 500-fold reduction, respectively, against 13-drug resistant MDR E. coli strains. Time-kill kinetics showed that the bactericidal effect of the CP-AMP combination occurred within 3 h through disruption of membrane permeability and biofilm eradication, as verified by scanning electron microscopy. This is the first report indicating that CP-AMP combination therapy could be employed to treat MDR E. coli by repurposing AMP.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.265-281
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• 2023

Objectives : Ukgan-san plus Citri Pericarpium and Pinelliae Rhizoma (UCP) is used as a traditional herbal formula in Korea and Japan for treatment of fever, fever-induced convulsions, and liver dysfunction and so on. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect and underlying mechanism of UCP against oxidative stress induced by cotreatment of arachidonic acid (AA) and iron. Methods : To evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of UCP against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) were investigated against to the oxidative stress. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target genes were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results : Treatment of UCP increased the cell viability and altered the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as PARP, caspase-9, caspase-3, Bcl-2. UCP also inhibited the GSH depletion, excessive ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA + iron. In addition, the Nrf2 and the Nrf2 target genes activation were increased by UCP. Conclusions : These results indicated that UCP has the ability to protect against oxidative stress-induced hepatocyte damage, which may be mediated with Nrf2 pathway.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.216-226
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• 2024

This study screened the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of three extracts [1% acetic acid (HAc), distilled water (D.W.), and ethanol] from the common stalked barnacle Pollicipes mitella. Among the extracts, the 1% HAc extract showed the strongest antibacterial activity against several bacteria, but exhibited no activity against Candida albicans. To improve the degree of separation of the 1% HAc extract, solid-phase extraction was performed using a C18 cartridge with three solvents (D.W., 60A, and 100A). The 1% HAc 60A eluate showed the strongest antibacterial activity and enzyme, salt, and temperature stability, with no hemolytic activity. In addition, strong DNA-binding ability but no bacterial membrane permeability was observed. These results indicate that the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate may contain antibacterial organic compounds that target intracellular components but not bacterial membranes. In addition, the 1% HAc 60A eluate exhibited potent inhibitory activity to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β) with no cytotoxicity. Therefore, the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate has anti-inflammatory activity. Collectively, our results suggest that the P. mitella 1% HAc 60A eluate can be used as a bioactive source with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2014

As an abiotic stress, chilling stress is one of the major factors limiting plant growth and increasing susceptibility to pathogens. Therefore, enhancing stress tolerance in plants is an important strategy for their survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) or nitric oxide (NO) on chilling tolerance in pepper seedlings. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. 'kidaemanbal') seedlings were grown under normal growing conditions ($20/25^{\circ}C$, 15 hours photoperiod, $145{\pm}5{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, fluorescence lamps) for 23 days after transplanting. The solution (3 mL) of 1 mM SA and 0.3 mM NO with surfactant triton 0.1% were sprayed two times a week, respectively. Right after the completion of chemical application, seedlings were subjected to chilling condition at $4^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours under dark condition and then the seedlings were recovered at the normal growing conditions for 2 days. In order to assess plant tolerance against chilling stress, growth characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and membrane permeability were determined after chilling stress imposition. Total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity were measured during the whole experimental period. Disease incidence for pepper bacterial spot and wilt was also analyzed. Pepper seedlings treated with SA or NO were maintained similar dry mass ratio, while the value in control increased caused by chilling stress suggesting relatively more water loss in control plants. Electrolyte leakage of pepper seedlings treated with SA or NO was lower than that of control 2 days after chilling treatment. Fv/Fm rapidly decreased after chilling stress in control while the value of SA or NO was maintained about 0.8. SA increased higher total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity than NO and control during chemical treatment. In addition, increase in total phenolic concentration was observed after chilling stress in control and NO treatment. SA had an effect on the reduction of bacterial wilt in pepper seedlings. The results from this study revealed that pre-treatment with SA or NO using foliar spray was effective in chilling tolerance and the reduction of disease incidence in pepper seedlings.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.107-120
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• 1993

Particulate or soluble stimuli appear to stimulate phagocytic cell's response by the change of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and by the activation of protein kinase C. In contrast, it is reported that activation of protein kinase C could attenuate agonist-stimulated elevation of $Ca^{2+}i$ in neutrophils. PAF elicited an increase of $Ca^{2+}i$ in peritoneal macrophages in a dose dependent fashion and $Ca^{2+}$ extrusion was accompanied. PAF-induced elevation of $Ca^{2+}i$ was not affected by TMB-8, verapamil and TTX. TEA stimulated PAF-induced mobilization of $Ca^{2+}i$ and delayed lowering of $Ca^{2+}i$. Five mM EGTA almost completely inhibited PAF-induced mobilization of $Ca^{2+}i$. After the addition of PAF, membrane permeability was markedly increased up to 5 min and then slowly increased. PAF-induced LDH release was slightly decreased by EGTA plus TMB-8. PAF-stimulated superoxide generation was inhibited by EGTA, TMB-8 and verapamil but not affected by TTX and TEA. PAF-induced elevation of $Ca^{2+}i$, increased membrane permeability and superoxide generation were inhibited by IQSP, chlorpromazine and propranolol. PAF-induced LDH release was significantly inhibited by chlorpromazine and minimally decreased by propranolol. After the pretreatment with PMA, the stimulatory effect of PAF on the elevation of $Ca^{2+}i$ and LDH release in macrophages was significantly decreased. These results suggest that PAF may exert the stimulatory action on peritoneal macrophages of mouse by the elevation of $Ca^{2+}i$ and by the activation of protein kinase C. Preactivation of protein kinase C appears to attenuate the stimulatory action of PAF on macrophage response.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2009

The effects of the treatment of an acidic solution at pH 2 on polyacrylonitrile ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were investigated using a circular cross-flow filtration bench with a membrane module. A substantial reduction in the membrane permeability was observed after 80 hours' treatment of the acidic solution. In addition, the analyses of the sample solutions by ultraviolet/visible absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which were taken from the feed tank as a function of the treatment time, showed that a new organic compound was produced in the course of the treatment. From a thorough search of the mass spectral library we presumed the new compound to be 1,6-dioxacyclododecane-7,12-dione (DCD), one of the well-known additives for polyurethane. Based on further experimental results, including the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and the solid-state NMR spectra of the membranes used for the treatment of the acidic solution, we suggested that the decrease of the permeate flux resulted not from the deformation of the membranes, but from the fouling by DCD eluted from the polyurethane tubes in the filtration bench during the treatment. Those results imply that the reactivity to an acidic solution of the parts comprising the filtration bench is as important as that of the membranes themselves for effective treatments of acidic solutions, for efficient chemical cleaning by strong acids, and also in determining the pH limit of the solutions that can be treated by the membranes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-43
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• 1977

This experiment was undertaken in order to localize the labeled dbcAMP (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) in oocytes whose development has been suppressed by cold dbcAMP for 6 or 19 hours in vitro. Mouse oocytes were obtained from the ovaries of 3-4 week old A strain female mice, by puncturing the Graafian follicles in the modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate salt solution under the dissecting microscope. Those oocytes which have intact germinal vesicle were cultured in the basic culture medium supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cultivation of the oocytes was carried out in a microtube developed by Cho (1974). The cultures were then incubated in a humidified 5% $CO_2$ incubator maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ for 6 or 19 hours (Donahue, 1968). DbcAMP was added to culture medium for a final concentration of 100ug/ml, and $^3H-dbc$ AMP (specific activity 13 Ci/mM) for a final concentration of $40{\mu}Ci/ml$ was also added to the medium. For electron microscopic autoradiography, those oocytes recovered from the culture were washed with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and immediately prefixed in a 2.5% glutaraldehyde overnight and postfixed for 2 hours at $4 ^{\circ}C$ in 1% osmium tetroxide in phosphate buffer with pH 7.4 (Palade, 1952). After fixation, the materials were dehydrated in graded alcohol series and embedded in Epon 812 mixture based on the standard procedures (Luft, 1961). The thin sections $600-700{\AA}$ thick were mounted on the grids of 200 meshes. The grids containing sections were coated with a nuclear emulsion Kodak NTB-3 and stored in a cold dark box (at $4^{\circ}C$) for 3 weeks. After exposure, the samples were developed with Kodak D-19 and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Routine observation was made with Hitachi HU-11E electron microsocope. The results of the observation were as followings: 1. It was found that the labeled dbcAMP penetrated the egg plasma membrane and dispersed at random in the cytoplasm. 2. It was also observed that most of the labeled dbcAMP was attached to microfibrillar lattices portion of the oocyte cytoplasm. There fore, it is presumed that the receptor of the dbcAMP is localized in the microfibrillar lattices of the oocyte. 3. It also seems that some other cell organells such as mitochondria, Golgi complex, cortical granules are not directly related to the action of the dbcAMP. 4. The labeled dbcAMP was neither observed in the membrane nor in the nucleus. Therefore, it seems that there is no relationship between the concentration of dbcAMP and the nuclear membranous permeability. 5. There was no difference in number of dbcAMP particles when oocytes were cultured for 6 hours and 19 hours. 6. However, it was observed that, in same of the oocytes suppressed in germinal vesicle by dbcAMP for 19 hours, cell organells were moved and concentrated to a small portion of the cytoplasm, and that the morphology of the organells greatly changed to an abnormal. form. Therefore, it is supposed that those oocytes were in the process of degeneration. From the above results, it is expected that dbcAMP penetrated the egg membrane and was bound to the receptor which seems to be located in the microfibrillar lattiees portion, and that this dbcAMP-receptor complex inhibited some enzyme system of the oocytes which are essential for the germinal vesicle breakdown.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.236-249
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• 1993

Background: Among the injurious agents to which the lung airspaces are constantly exposed are reactive species of oxygen. It has been widely believed that reactive oxygen species may be implicated in the etiology of lung injuries. In order to elucidated how this oxidant causes lung cell injury, we investigated the effects of exogenous $H_2O_2$ on alveolar epithelial barrier characteristics. Methods: Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells were plated onto tissue culture-treated polycarbonate membrane filters. The resulting confluent monolayers on days 3 and 4 were mounted in a modified Ussing chamber and bathed on both sides with HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The changes in short-circuit current (Isc) and monolayer resistance (R) in response to the exogenous hydroperoxide were measured. To determine the degree of cellular catalase participation in protection against $H_2O_2$ injury to the barrier, experiments were repeated in the presence of 20 mM aminotriazole (ATAZ, an inhibitor of catalase) in the same bathing fluid as the hydroperoxide. Results: These monolayers have a high transepithelial resistance (>2000 ohm-$cm^2$) and actively transport $Na^+$ from apical fluid. $H_2O_2$(0-100 mM) was then delivered to either apical or basolateral fluid. Resulting indicated that $H_2O_2$ decreased Isc and R gradually in dose-dependent manner. The effective concentration of apical $H_2O_2$ at which Isc (or R) was decreased by 50% at one hour ($ED_{50}$) was about 4 mM. However, basolateral $H_2O_2$ exposure led to $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.04 mM. Inhibition of cellular catalase yielded $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.4 mM when $H_2O_2$ was given apically, while $ED_{50}$ for basolateral exposure to $H_2O_2$ did not change in the presence of ATAZ. The rate of $H_2O_2$ consumption in apical and basolateral bathing fluids was the same, while cellualr catalase activity rose gradually with time in culture. Conclusion: Our data suggest that basolateral $H_2O_2$ may affect directly membrane component (e.g., $Na^+,\;K^+$-ATPase) located on the basolateral cell surface. Apical $H_2O_2$, on the other hand, may be largely degraded by catalase as it passes through the cells before reaching these membrane components. We conclude that alveolar epithelial barrier integrity as measured by Isc and R are compromised by $H_2O_2$ being relatively sensitive to basolateral (and insensitive to apical) $H_2O_2$.