• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.535-547
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• 2000

Recent findings indicate that mechanical strain (deformation) exerted by the extracellular matrix modulates activation of airway smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, cytoskeletal organization in airway smooth muscle appears to be dynamic, and subject to modulation by receptor activation and mechanical strain. Mechanosensitive modulation of crossbridge activation and cytoskeletal organization may represent intracellular feedback mechanisms that limit the shortening of airway smooth muscle during bronchoconstriction. Recent findings suggest that receptor-mediated signal transduction is the primary target of mechanosensitive modulation. Mechanical strain appears to regulate the number of functional G-proteins and/or phospholipase C enzymes in the cell membrane possibly by membrane trafficking and/or protein translocation. Dense plaques, membrane structures analogous to focal adhesions, appear to be the primary target of cytoskeletal regulation. Mechanical strain and receptor-binding appear to regulate the assembly and phosphorylation of dense plaque proteins in airway smooth muscle cells. Understanding these mechanisms may reveal new pharmacological targets for control1ing airway resistance in airway diseases.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물공학회 2005년도 생물공학의 동향(XVI)
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• pp.324-324
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• 2005

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.209-213
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• 2008

Following the Anthrax bioterrorism attacks in the US in 2001, the Korean government established comprehensive countermeasures against bioterrorism. These measures included the government assuming management of all infectious agents that cause diseases, including smallpox, anthrax, plaque, botulism, and the causative agents of viral hemorrhagic fevers (ebola fever, marburg fever, and lassa fever) for national security. In addition, the Korean government is reinforcing the ability to prepare and respond to bioterrorism. Some of the measures being implemented include revising the laws and guidelines that apply to the use of infectious agents, the construction and operation of dual surveillance systems for bioterrorism, stockpiling and managing products necessary to respond to an emergency (smallpox vaccine, antibiotics, etc.) and vigorously training emergency room staff and heath workers to ensure they can respond appropriately. In addition, the government's measures include improved public relations, building and maintaining international cooperation, and developing new vaccines and drugs for treatments of infectious agents used to create bioweapons.

• 약학회지
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2004

Mancozeb, a polymeric complex of zinc and manganese salts of ethylene bisthiocarbamate (EBDC), is used widely in agriculture as fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Mancozeb can be occupationally and environmentally exposed to human and has been reported to induce estrogenic activity, therein it is considered as an endocrine disrupter, We investigated the effects of acute exposure of Mancozeb on the immune function in mice. After single oral administration of Mancozeb to female ICR mice, the immunopathological parameters (body- and organ-weight, splenic cellularity hematological parameters), mitogen (Con A, PHA+IL-2, LPS)-induced splenocyte proliferation (SP) and splenic IgM plaque forming cell (PFC). WBC and splenic cellularity were decreased, but liver-, kidney-, and spleen-weight were increased when compared with control group. Splenic IgM PFC against SRBC was slightly lowered. Mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen cells from Mancozeb-treated mice was not signifcantly changed ex vivo, however, SP in vitro were significantly lowered in concentration dependent manner. These results indicate that Mancozeb could affect the immune function in mice.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Patients with gingival overgrowth are easily seen in dental clinics. Cyclosporin-A (CsA), a widely prescribed immunosuppressant induces gingival overgrowth in up to 35% of patients with medical history of organ transplantation. The immunosuppressant CsA can transform genetic expression of gingival fibroblasts, resulting in gingival overgrowth. Meticulous plaque control is recommended for treatment of gingival overgrowth. Substitution of the drug or surgical procedures such as gingivectomy and periodontal flaps should be considered after re-evaluation. Azithromycin is often recommended as a supplementary drug to reduce this side effect. Recent studies show that tacrolimus can be a more economic, efficient and safe substitute for CsA.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2021

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a heterogeneous group of chronic, autoimmune subepithelial blistering diseases, predominantly involving oral mucosal membrane. Because of its pathophysiology of autoimmune reaction, MMP-related gingivitis would not respond to conventional periodontal treatments. We present a case of a 65-year-old female with a chief complaint of chronic generalized buccal gingivitis, unimproved after periodontal treatment for four months. Based on the clinical findings, histological examination, and direct immunofluorescence microscopy, it was diagnosed as MMP. The symptoms were relieved with immunomodulatory therapy using corticosteroids and the supportive management of professional plaque control. MMP can cause pathological involvement throughout the oral and other mucosae of the body, thus leading to functional impairment through repeated inflammatory cascades. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is essential to properly manage local and possible systemic complications of MMP.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권10호
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• pp.1621-1628
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• 2015

Chlamydia possesses a conserved 7.5 kb plasmid that is known to play an important role in chlamydial pathogenesis, since some chlamydial organisms lacking the plasmid are attenuated. The chlamydial transformation system developed recently required the use of plasmid-free organisms. Thus, the generation and identification of plasmid-free organisms represent a key step in understanding chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms. A tricolor immunofluorescence assay for simultaneously detecting the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 and whole organisms plus DNA staining was used to screen C. muridarum organisms selected with novobiocin. PCR was used to detect the plasmid genes. Next-generation sequencing was then used to sequence the genomes of plasmid-free C. muridarum candidates and the parental C. muridarum Nigg strain. We generated five independent clones of plasmid-free C. muridarum organisms by using a combination of novobiocin treatment and screening plaque-purified clones with anti-Pgp3 antibody. The clones were confirmed to lack plasmid genes by PCR analysis. No GlgA protein or glycogen accumulation was detected in cells infected with the plasmid-free clones. More importantly, whole-genome sequencing characterization of the plasmid-free C. muridarum organism and the parental C. muridarum Nigg strain revealed no additional mutations other than loss of the plasmid in the plasmid-free C. muridarum organism. Thus, the Pgp3-based immunofluorescence assay has allowed us to identify authentic plasmid-free organisms that are useful for further investigating chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.408-412
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• 2004

For the evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of Korean Oldenlandiae Herb (OH) and Radix (OR), our experiment was performed with methanol extracts of Korean Oldenlandiae Herba and Radix. After administration of methanol extracts of Korean OH and OR for 7 days, Balb/C mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells. Four days later, splenic leukocytes were isolated and immunological experiments were performed. Rosette forming cells and plaque forming cells were significantly increased in Korean OH and OR treated mice compared with PBS treated control. Korean OH and OR also enhanced T and B lymphocytes, macrophage and natural killer cells by flowcytometric analysis. LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 levels were increased by OH and OR compared with untreated control. These results suggest that Korean OH and OR have immunomodulatory activity through regulation of cell-mediated immune and humoral immune response.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate and compare treatment of intrabony defects with the use of decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft in combination with a calcium sulphate barrier to collagen membrane. Methods: Twelve patients having chronic periodontal disease aged 20 to 50 years and with a probing depth >6 mm were selected. Classification of patient defects into experimental and control groups was made randomly. In the test group, a calcium sulphate barrier membrane, and in control group, a collagen membrane, was used in conjunction with decalcified freeze-dried bone graft in both sides. Ancillary parameters as well as soft tissue parameters along with radiographs were taken at baseline and after 6 months of surgery. Parameters assessed were plaque index, modified gingival index, probing depth, relative attachment level, and location of the gingival margin. A Student's t-test was done for intragroup and a paired t-test for intergroup analysis. Results: Intragroup analysis revealed statistically significant improvement in all the ancillary parameters and soft tissue parameters with no statistically significant difference in intergroup analysis. Conclusions: The study concluded that a calcium sulphate barrier was comparable to collagen membrane in achieving clinical benefits and hence it can be used as an economical alternative to collagen membrane.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.160-170
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• 2024

Erwinia amylovora is a plant pathogen that causes fire blight on apples and pears. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that selectively infect specific species of bacteria and are harmless to animal cells, have been considered as biological control agents for the prevention of bacterial pathogens. In this study, we aimed to use bacteriophages that infect E. amylovora as biocontrol agents against fire blight. We isolated bacteriophages Fifi044 and Fifi318 infecting E. amylovora, and characterized their morphology, plaque form, and genetic diversity to use as cocktails for disease control. The stabilities of the two phages were investigated at various temperatures and pH values and under sunlight, and long-term storage experiment was conducted for a year. To evaluate whether the two phages were suitable for use in cocktail form, growth curves of E. amylovora were prepared after treating the bacterial cells with single phages and a phage cocktail. In addition, a disease control test was conducted using immature apples and in vitro cultured apple plantlets to determine the biocontrol effects of the phage cocktail. The two phages were morphologically and genetically different, and highly stable up to 50℃ and pH value from 4 to 10. The phages showed synergistic effect when used as a cocktail in the inhibition of host bacterial growth and the disease control. This study demonstrated that the potential of the phage cocktail as a biocontrol agent for commercial use.