• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown. Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C. chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1-2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract's inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C. chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the skin irritation toxicity of processed sulfur. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Medvill (Korea), an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate skin irritation toxicity of processed sulfur, we divided the back of six rabbits into two control sites and two test sites. One of each of the two control and test sites was then designated abraded sites and intact sites. In test sites, 0.5 g of processed sulfur was applied to the back of the rabbit for 24 hours, and in control sites, 0.5 g of sterile distilled water was applied in the same way. We observed and evaluated mortality, weight, general symptoms, and skin irritation toxicity. This study was conducted with the approval of the Animal Ethics Committee (Approval number: IAC2020-1549). Results: In all experiments, no dead animals were observed. In all cases, skin coloration was observed at 24 hours after processed sulfur administration. This coloration lasted up to 48 hours and is believed to be the effect of the administration of test substances. Weight measurement indicated that weight was lost 72 hours after administration in three cases, but this is considered an accidental weight change. Normal weight gain was observed in the remaining subjects. In all animals, no skin irritation toxicity was observed, and the primary irritation index (P.I.I) was calculated as 0.0 according to Draize's evaluation method. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that it is relatively safe to apply a processed sulfur to the skin. Further research on this topic is needed to provide more specific evidence.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1860-1870
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• 2022

Objective: The observation that temperate C₃ and tropical C₄ forage silages easily produce large amounts of ethanol or acetic acid has puzzled researchers for many years. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effects of epiphytic microbiota from C₃ forages (Italian ryegrass and oat) on fermentative products and bacterial community structure in C₄ forage (sorghum) silage. Methods: Through microbiota transplantation and γ-ray irradiation sterilization, the irradiated sorghum was treated: i) sterile distilled water (STSG); ii) epiphytic microbiota from sorghum (SGSG); iii) epiphytic microbiota from Italian ryegrass (SGIR); iv) epiphytic microbiota from oat (SGOT). Results: After 60 days, all the treated groups had high lactic acid (>63.0 g/kg dry matter [DM]) contents and low pH values (<3.70), acetic acid (<14.0 g/kg DM) and ammonia nitrogen (<80.0 g/kg total nitrogen) contents. Notably, SGIR (59.8 g/kg DM) and SGOT (77.6 g/kg DM) had significantly (p<0.05) higher ethanol concentrations than SGSG (14.2 g/kg DM) on day 60. After 60 days, Lactobacillus were predominant genus in three treated groups. Higher proportions of Chishuiella (12.9%) and Chryseobacterium (7.33%) were first found in silages. The ethanol contents had a positive correlation (p<0.05) with the abundances of Chishuiella, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Sphingobacterium. Conclusion: The epiphytic bacteria on raw materials played important roles in influencing the silage fermentation products between temperate C₃ and tropical C₄ forages. The quantity and activity of hetero-fermentative Lactobacillus, Chishuiella, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Sphingobacterium may be the key factors for the higher ethanol contents and DM loss in silages.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify the therapeutic ability of a novel toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 agonist, KMRC011, on ulcerative colitis induced by Citrobacter rodentium and dextran sulfate sodium in a C57BL/6N mouse model. Ulcerative colitis was induced in the mice by the oral administration of 1% dextran sulfate sodium in sterile drinking water for seven days ad libitum, followed by C. rodentium infection on the seventh day by intra-gastric administration (DSS-CT group). KMRC011 was administered intramuscularly at both 24 h and 15 min before (Treatment 1 group), and at both 15 min and 24 h after (Treatment 2 group) the C. rodentium infection. The length of the large intestine and histopathological counts were significantly greater and mucosal thickness was significantly thinner in the Treatment 1 group compared to the DSS-CT and Treatment 2 groups. Il-6 and Il-10 mRNA expression levels were upregulated, while Ifn-γ and Tnf-α mRNA expression levels were significantly downregulated in the Treatment 1 group, compared to the DSS-CT group. NF-κB p65 expression level was elevated due to ulcerative colitis in the DSS-CT group, but was significantly downregulated in the Treatment 1 group. Overall, KMRC011 showed protective effects against murine colitis by inhibiting NF-κB signaling.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.955-964
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• 2023

Bee pollen is a valuable apitherapeutic product and has been known to have diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and even anticancer activity. However, its effect on the immune system is not well studied and is rather controversial. This study intended to elucidate the biological activity of bee pollen on immunity. For this purpose, we used lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding, which shows increased extraction of bioactive components and enhanced biological activity. First, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding significantly increased the proliferation of splenocytes isolated from normal mice. On the other hand, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding dose-dependently reversed splenocyte proliferation by concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide. To clarify the activity of bee pollen on immunity lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding was administered daily to mice for five weeks and isolated splenocytes. In this study, there was no significant difference in the population of immune cells and the size of spleen between bee pollen- and sterile water-treated groups. However, proliferation of splenocyte isolated from bee pollen-administered animals was boosted by both concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, kaempferol, a well-known flavonoid from bee pollen, dose-dependently increased splenocyte proliferation by both Con A and LPS. On the other hand, naringenin, another flavonoid in the bee pollen, dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes by Con A and LPS. Together, these data indicate that bee pollen may be able to prime the immunity to boost immune reaction after inflammation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.178-203
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• 2024

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 1973

Some experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the chemosterilant, hempa, on the biology of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L., and the transmission of the lethal factors in the progeny. One to three days old adult males were fed on the wheat grains treated with concentrations of 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, and $0.5\%$ of hempa water solution. The effects of the treatment on the mortality, longevity, and the performance of oviposition were examined for the Pl generation, and the hatchability and mortality in the postembryonic development were also tested in the $F_1,\;F_2,\;BC_1,\;F_3,\;and\;BC_2$ generations to analyze the inheritance of the lethal factors. The results obtained were summarized as follows. (1) The average longevity of the treated males were ranged from 26.6 to 30.4 days, and indicated no statistical differences. (2) The mortality of the treated males were ranged between $3.3\%\;and\;13.3\%$ and showed no statistical significance. (3) The overall mean number of eggs laid by a female mated to a treated male with concentrations of 0.0625, 0.125, 0.26 and $0.5\%$ were 3.78, 4.05, 3.75 and 3.61 for the respective treatments, and they were not differ significantly from those of control which were 3.60 per female per 3 day period. The unmated female laid 1.91 in the same period, and significantly differ from those in other experimental groups. (4) The overall mean hatchability of the eggs laid by the females mated with males that had been treated with various concentrations of hempa were 86.82, 64.77, 53.47, 40.33 and $24.78\%$ for the respective concentrations of 0, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25 and $0.5\%$. The hatchability decreased with the increasing concentrations. (5) The minimum hatchabilities were obtained from the eggs laid in the period of 10-12 days after treatment, then the hatchability increased showing some recovery. The recovery seemed to be very much delayed for the males which had been treated with the greater concentrations. Such a difference in hatchability might be related with the sensitivity of the developmental stages of the sperms, and broader spectrum in the stages and severer effects seemed to be associated with the increased concentrations. (6) The overall mean of larval mortality in the $F_l$ generation were 6.55, 17.89, 27.40, 35.42 and $52.17\%$ for the respective concentrations of 0,0.0625, 0.125,0.25 and $0.5\%$. And there was a tendency to increase in the mortality with the increase of concentrations. (7) The correlation coefficients between per cent sterile eggs and larval mortality for the experimental plots of 0.125, 0.25 and $0.5\%$ treatments showed r=+0.83 and +0.85, respectively, and it seemed to be close correlation between the lethal effects on the embryonic and post-embryonic developments. (8) Since the $SC_{50}$ of the sterile eggs was $0.133\%$ and $SC_{50}$ of the larval mortality was $0.565\%$, it was considered that tile lethal factors expressed more in the egg stages than the larval stages. (9) The ratio of female to male in the $F_l$ adults showed 100 : 125, 100 : 108 and 100 : 124 for the plots of 0.125, 0.25 and $0.5\%$ treatments, respectively. And it n·as considered that the sex ratio distortions might occur with the higher concentrations. (10) When the F, males originated 1.on the eggs had been laid by p, in the period of 16-18 days after treatment, were crossed to normal females $(BC_1)$ and made sib matings $(F_2)$, the per cent sterile eggs of the $BC_1$ generation were 13.88 and $33.04\%$ , and were 31.01 and $38.73\%$ for the $F_2$generation with the plots of 0.0625 and $0.125\%$ treatment, respectively. And these seemed to be a results of the $F_1$ individuals are carrying some chromosomal aberrations (11) The larval mortality was the highest in the $F_2$ plot and followed the female backcross plot, and the least in the male backcrosses. (12) The proportions of 1st and 2nd instar larvae among the larval development at tile 17th day after oviposition were 10.98, 27.26, 32.98 and $15.73\%$ in the normal female $\times$ normal male, $F_1$ female$\times$normal male, normal $female \;\times F_1$ male and $female \;\times F_1$ male plots, respectively. It was considered that the larval development might be delayed by the treatment in the 2nd generation. (13) Per cent larval mortality and sterile eggs were greater in the $F_2$ sib mating plots $(F_3)$ than both of $F_2$ backcrosses. Therefore, it seemed that some of the recessive lethal mutations might affect in the further generations. (14) The sterility, induced by the treatment of chemosterilant, hempa, was considered as the result of the dominant lethal mutations due to chromosomal aberrations such as translocation and/or deletion. The effects of these lethal factors seemed to be inherited tip to 3rd generation after treatment.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2015

The information of contrast media concentration on target organ is very important to get reduce the side effect and high contrast imaging. We investigated alternation of signal intensity as a function of the modality of Gd-based contrast media on spin echo and ultra short time echo (UTE) of T1 effective pulse sequence at 3T MRI unit. Gadoxetic acid, which is a MRI T1 contrast medium, was used to manufacture an agarose phantom diluted in various molarities, and sterile water and agarose 2% were used as the buffer solution for the dilution. The gold standard T1 calculation was based on coronal single section imaging of the phantom mid-point with 2D Inversion recovery spine-echo pulse sequence MR imaging for testing of phantom accuracy. The 1-2mmol/L and 7mmol/L was shown the maximum signal intensity on spin echo and UTE respectively. We confirm the difference of contrast media concentration which was shown the maximum signal intensity depending on the T1 effective pulse sequence.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.708-714
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• 2002

A new leaf blight was found on the perilla leaves at the major perilla-cultivating areas such as Kangdong in Busan and Miryang in Kyungnam province. Symptoms of the disease initially appeared on the edge of perilla leaves showing black necrosis and drying, and the infected leaves were finally fell down. The SD1 isolate showing strong pathogenicity and forming abundant conidial spores on the diseased lesions was isolated. Among the tested media, mycelial growth was abundant on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) medium at $25^{\circ}C$ under dark condition, but conidial formation was greater on V8A (V-8 juice A8ar) medium than that on PDA medium. Optimal temperatures for mycelial growth and conidial formation on PDA medium were respectively $25^{\circ}C$ and 3$0^{\circ}C$. The rate of conidial germination and the elongation of germ tube were more effective in 10% tomato juice than those in PDB (Potato Dextrose Broth) and sterile water. In 10% tomato juice, the rate of conidial germination and the length of germ tube were 100% after incubation for 24k and 535.2${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ after incubation for 36hr, respectively. According to the result of pathogenicity, it revealed that conidial suspention with 10% tomato juice was the most effective for pathogenicity test showing as 100% of disease incidence, and the symptoms caused by artificial inoculum were same as those of naturally infected perilla. In this study, the SD1 isolate according to the results of morphological characteristics, the incubation characteristics and pathogenicity was firstly identified A. alternata, and named as leaf blight of perilla.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was carried out to analyze the single dose toxicity of ShinEumHur (SEH) pharmacopuncture injected into the muscles of Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The SEH pharmacopuncture was made in a clean room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (K-GMP). After the mixing process with sterile distilled water had been completed, the pH was controlled to between 7.0 and 7.5. All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of SEH pharmacopuncture, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mL, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 1.0 mL, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rate, weights, clinical signs, mean hematology parameters, mean clinical chemistry, necropsy and histopathological findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. No significant changes in weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs or tissues. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that treatment with SEH pharmacopuncture is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.