• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.844-850
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• 2000

The specific binding and internalization of viral particles is an essential step for the successful infection of viral pathogens. In the case of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), virions bind to the host cell via the preS domain of the viral surface antigen and are subsequently internalized by endocytosis. HBV-preS specific receptors are primarily expressed on hepatocytes, however, viral DNA and proteins have also been detected in extrahepatic sites, suggsting that celluar recepators for HBV may also exist on extrahepatic cells. Recently, an EBV-transformed B-cell line was identified onto which the preS region binds in a receptor-ligand specific manner. In this study, this specific interaction was further characterized, and the binding region within the preS protein was locaized. Also the internalization after host cell attachment was visualized and analyzed by fluorescence-labeled HBV-preS1 proteins using confocal microscopy. Energy depletion by sodium azide treatment effectively inhibited the internalization of the membrane-bound preS1 ligands, thereby indicating an energy-dependent receptor-mediated endocytotic pathway. Accordingly, the interaction of HBV-pres! with this specific B-cell line may serve as an effective model for an infection pathway in extrahepatic cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.202-206
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• 2007

The adhesion of Campylobacter jejuni to chicken skin, along with the associated morphological changes under aerobic conditions at 4, 25, and $37^{\circ}C$ and microaerobic ($O_2\;5%,\;CO_2\;10%,\;N_2\;85%$) conditions, were investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and plate counting. The morphological change of C. jejuni from a spiral shape to a coccoid form or VBNC form (viable but nonculturable form) progressed rapidly under aerobic conditions at 25, 37, and $4^{\circ}C$. As regards adhesion, the C. jejuni cells were mostly located in the crevices and feather follicles of the chicken skin, where the cells in the feather follicles floated freely in the entrapped water, even after the skin was rinsed quite thoroughly. CLSM also revealed the penetration of some spiral-shaped C. jejuni cells into the chicken skin. Even after changing their shape at various temperatures, coccoid-form C. jejuni cells were still found in the crevices and feather follicles of the chicken skin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 2023

The global increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has inspired researchers to develop new strategies to overcome this problem. In this study, 23 morphologically different, soil-isolated actinomycete cultures were screened for their antibacterial ability against MDR isolates of ESKAPE pathogens. Among them, isolate BOGE18 exhibited a broad antibacterial spectrum, so it was selected and identified based on cultural, morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. Chemotaxonomic analysis was also performed together with nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, which showed this strain to have identity with Streptomyces lienomycini. The ethyl acetate extract of the cell-free filtrate (CFF) of strain BOGE18 was evaluated for its antibacterial spectrum, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 62.5 to 250 ㎍/ml. The recorded results from the in vitro anti-biofilm microtiter assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of sub-MIC concentrations revealed a significant reduction in biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract also displayed significant scavenging activity, reaching 91.61 ± 4.1% and 85.06 ± 3.14% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), respectively. A promising cytotoxic ability against breast (MCF-7) and hepatocellular (HePG2) cancer cell lines was obtained from the extract with IC₅₀ values of 47.15 ± 13.10 and 122.69 ± 9.12 ㎍/ml, respectively. Moreover, based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, nine known compounds were detected in the BOGE18 extract, suggesting their contribution to the multitude of biological activities recorded in this study. Overall, Streptomyces lienomycini BOGE18-derived extract is a good candidate for use in a natural combating strategy to prevent bacterial infection, especially by MDR pathogens.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.251-255
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• 2017

In this study, we aimed to clarify the wettability and anisotropic flow characteristics of rice leaves as a basic study for engineering applications of anisotropic flow characteristics of rice leaf surface. To investigate the surface structure of rice leaf, the micro grooves and asperities of rice leaves were analyzed and quantified by scanning electron microscope, Confocal laser scanning microscopy, and stylus profilometer. The analysis of the structure of rice leaf surface confirmed that asymmetrical cone - like protrusions in leaf veins were inclined toward the leaf tip. The static contact angle test showed that the contact angle at the midline vein or leaf vein location where the micropapilla is concentrated is about $20^{\circ}$ higher than the leaf blade position. The contact angles of fresh and dried rice leave were also compared. The dried rice leaves showed a contact angle of about $5^{\circ}$ to $15^{\circ}$ higher than that of fresh leaves, suggesting that the volume of the protrusions decreased as the water was removed, thus reducing the contact area with the droplet. In the contact angle history test the hysteresis in the leaf tip direction was found to be much lower than that in the leaf petiole direction. This results can be explained that asymmetrical cone - like protrusions had a significant effect on the droplet flow characteristics through contact angle hysteresis experiment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.9 s.252
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• pp.834-841
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• 2006

In the present wort the Laser-induced Fluorescence (LIF) technique and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) have been combined to measure the temperature distribution across a micro-scale liquid layer as a direct and non-invasive method. Only the fluorescent light emitted from a very thin volume around a focal plane can be selectively detected, and it enables us to measure the liquid temperatures even at the close vicinity of the walls. As an experimental verification, a test section consists of two flat plates (for heating and cooling, respectively) separated by about 240 microns was made, and the methanol mixed with a temperature-sensitive dye, Rhodamine B, was filled in the gap between them. The measured temperature distribution across the gap showed good linearity, which is a typical characteristic of conduction heat transfer through a thin liquid layer. In result, the CLSM-LIF technique proposed in the present study was found to be a promising method to measure the local temperatures in the liquid flow field in microfluidic devices.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2013

Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as modulators of neuronal activity, and are critically involved in persistent pain primarily through spinal mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of NaOCl, a ROS donor, on neuronal excitability and the intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. In current clamp conditions, the application of NaOCl caused a membrane depolarization, which was inhibited by pretreatment with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN), a ROS scavenger. The NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked however by pretreatment with dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl-reducing agent. Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to confirm whether NaOCl increases the intracellular ROS level. ROS-induced fluorescence intensity was found to be increased during perfusion of NaOCl after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF$-DA). NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked by pretreatment with external $Ca^{2+}$ free solution or by the addition of nifedifine. However, when slices were pretreated with the $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, NaOCl failed to induce membrane depolarization. In a calcium imaging technique using the $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive fluorescence dye fura-2, the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was found to be increased by NaOCl. These results indicate that NaOCl activates the excitability of SG neurons via the modulation of the intracellular calcium concentration, and suggest that ROS induces nociception through a central sensitization.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the cutting efficiency of a newly developed microprojection tip and a diamond-coated tip under two different engine powers. Materials and Methods: The apical 3 mm of each root was resected, and root-end preparation was performed with upward and downward pressure using one of the ultrasonic tips, KIS-1D (Obtura Spartan) or JT-5B (B&L Biotech Ltd.). The ultrasonic engine was set to power-1 or -4. Forty teeth were randomly divided into four groups: K1 (KIS-1D / Power-1), J1 (JT-5B / Power-1), K4 (KIS-1D / Power-4), and J4 (JT-5B / Power-4). The total time required for root-end preparation was recorded. All teeth were resected and the apical parts were evaluated for the number and length of cracks using a confocal scanning micrscope. The size of the root-end cavity and the width of the remaining dentin were recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and a Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was no significant difference in the time required between the instrument groups, but the power-4 groups showed reduced preparation time for both instrument groups (p < 0.05). The K4 and J4 groups with a power-4 showed a significantly higher crack formation and a longer crack irrespective of the instruments. There was no significant difference in the remaining dentin thickness or any of the parameters after preparation. Conclusions: Ultrasonic tips with microprojections would be an option to substitute for the conventional ultrasonic tips with a diamond coating with the same clinical efficiency.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.476-482
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• 1998

Growth sensitivity of bifidobacteria on oxygen hindered their industrial applications so that it was necessary to select oxygen-tolerant strains. Studies on their responses to oxygen might facilitate the effective utilization of bifidobacteria in industry. Oxygen-tolerant strain of Bifidobacterium longum JI-1 was able to remove 3% dissolved oxygen within 10 min whilst oxygen-sensitive strain of B. adolescentis, slime non-former, was not. The ability to remove environmental oxygen seemed to be related to the oxygen-tolerance of bifidobacteria. Mutant B. longum ADJ-1 was induced from the B. longum JI-1 under microaerobic atmosphere. There were no differences in sugar utilization pattern, NADH oxidative enzymes and cellular fatty acid compositions between them. The maximal cell density of the mutant was a little bit reduced to 81% of that of the mother strain. However, the mutant formed thick slime layer around its cell. The layer visualized with confocal scanning laser microscopy from the mutant was 6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter but that from the mother strain was only 3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Therefore, the improved tolerances of the mutant might come from the slime layer, indicating the increase of the layer might be one of oxygen tolerance mechanisms for bifidobacteria.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.291-298
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• 2005

To characterize cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ fluctuations under metabolic inhibition, rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to $200{\mu}M$ 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$), and cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ were measured, using Rhod-2 AM, TMRE, and Fluo-4 AM fluorescent dyes, respectively, by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). Furthermore, the role of sarcolemmal $Na^+$/$Ca^{2+}$ exchange (NCX) in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ efflux was studied in KB-R7943 and $Na^+$-free normal Tyrode's solution (143 mM LiCl ). When DNP was applied to cells loaded with Fluo-4 AM, Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity initially increased by $70{\pm}10$% within $70{\pm}10$ s, and later by $400{\pm}200$% at $850{\pm}45$ s. Fluorescence intensity of both Rhod-2 AM and TMRE were initially decreased by DNP, coincident with the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity. When sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted by $1{\mu}M thapsigargin plus $10{\mu}M ryanodine, the initial increase of Fluo-4 AM fluorescence intensity was unaffected, however, the subsequent progressive increase was abolished. KB-R7943 delayed both the first and the second phases of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ overload, while $Na^+$-free solution accelerated the second. The above results suggest that: 1) the initial rise in cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ under DNP results from mitochondrial depolarization; 2) the secondary increase is caused by progressive $Ca^{2+}$ release from SR; 3) NCX plays an important role in transient cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ shifts under metabolic inhibition with DNP.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.670-677
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• 2020

To prevent contamination by Campylobacter jejuni during chicken carcass processing, the effect of emulsifiers on C. jejuni inoculated on chicken skin was investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Among the 8 emulsifiers (SWA-10D, L-7D, M-7D, S-1670, L-1695, P-1670, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80) tested for antimicrobial activity by the paper disk method, 4 emulsifiers (L-7D, L-1695, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80) were screened further. Emulsifier L-1695 showed the largest clear zone at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. The 4 emulsifiers subjected to primary screening were screened for heat and pH stability. In the contact surface test, emulsifier L-1695 showed the lowest log CFU/㎠ value on both stainless steel and ceramic surfaces. When emulsifier L-1695 was applied via general and electrostatic spray methods, the number of C. jejuni entrapped inside chicken skin follicles was significantly reduced in both methods. In conclusion, the emulsifier L-1695 could be employed as a microbial detachment agent in the chicken carcass processing industry.