• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.719-727
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• 2011

Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by Clostridium botulinum, which produces seven (A-G) antigenically diverse neurotoxins (BoNTs). BoNTs are the most poisonous substances known to humans, with a median lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) of approximately 1 ng/kg of body weight. Owing to their extreme potency and lethality, they have the potential to be used as a bioterrorism agent. The mouse bioassay is the gold standard for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins; however, it requires at least 3-4 days for completion. Attempts have been made to develop an ELISA-based detection system, which is potentially an easier and more rapid method of botulinum neurotoxin detection. The present study was designed using a synthetic gene approach. The synthetic gene encoding the catalytic domain of BoNT serotype B from amino acids 1-450 was constructed with PCR overlapping primers (BoNT/B LC), cloned in a pQE30 UA vector, and expressed in an E. coli M15 host system. Recombinant protein production was optimized at 0.5 mM IPTG final concentration, 4 h post induction, resulting in a maximum yield of recombinant proteins. The immunogenic nature of the recombinant BoNT/B LC protein was evaluated by ELISA. Antibodies were raised in BALB/c mice using various adjuvants. A significant rise in antibody titer (p<0.05) was observed in the Alum group, followed by the Titermax Classic group, Freund's adjuvant, and the Titermax Gold group. These developed high-titer antibodies may prove useful for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins in food and clinical samples.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.161-171
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• 1980

A mutant strain having increased productivity of both enzymes, protease and amylase, was obtained from A. flavus KU 153, isolatd from South Korea for its high protease production by successive ultra-violet light irradiation, Two glucoamylases from the mutant strain selected were purified from wheat branculture by successive salting out, followed by dialysis and column chromatography, and their characteristics were compared with those of the wild strain. Glucoamylase production of the mutant selected was increased about 3.3 times compared with the wild strain, and 2.1 times compared with the parental strain, ${\alpha}-amylase$ activity of the mutant selected was about 2 times hugher than that of the wild strain or the parental strain. Protease and cellulase productivities of the muant selected were all alike compared with those of the highly proteolytic mutant, the parental strain. Therefore, it was considered that the back mutation on the protease production did not occurred in the formation process of the glucoamylase producing mutant. Total activities of glucoamylase I and II from the mutant selected were 2.86 and 3.65 times higher compared with those from the wild strain, respectively. Considering the optimal pH-thermal stability and Km-Vmax value of glucoamylase I and II from both strains, wild and mutant, it was deduced that the characteristics of glucoamylase I and II from the wild strain did not altered during the mutation process. Therefore, it was concluded that the selected mutant did not induce the formation of another glucoamylase isozyme, or the changes in the characteristics of the glucoamylase, but induce the productivity of the same glucoamylase I and II by the action of regulatory gene.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2017

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) is a natural bromophenol compound that is most commonly isolated from red algae. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDB on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages. BDB treatment (100 mg/kg) resulted in suppression of the development of AD symptoms compared with the control treatment (induction-only), as demonstrated by reduced immunoglobulin E levels in serum, smaller lymph nodes with reduced thickness and length, a decrease in ear edema, and reduced levels of inflammatory cell infiltration in the ears. In RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, BDB (12.5, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}M$) suppressed the production of interleukin-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in a dose-dependent manner. BDB also had an inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; Tyr 701), two major signaling molecules involved in cellular inflammation. Taken together, the results show that BDB treatment alleviates inflammatory responses in an atopic dermatitis mouse model and RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that BDB may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating conditions involving allergic inflammation such as atopic dermatitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2011

Naegleria fowleri, a ubiquitous free-living ameba, causes fatal primary amebic meningoencephalitis in humans. N. fowleri trophozoites are known to induce cytopathic changes upon contact with microglial cells, including necrotic and apoptotic cell death and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. In this study, we treated rat microglial cells with amebic lysate to probe contact-independent mechanisms for cytotoxicity, determining through a combination of light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy whether N. fowleri lysate could effect on both necrosis and apoptosis on microglia in a time- as well as dose-dependent fashion. A $^{51}Cr$ release assay demonstrated pronounced lysate induction of cytotoxicity (71.5%) toward microglial cells by 24 hr after its addition to cultures. In an assay of pro-inflammatory cytokine release, microglial cells treated with N. fowleri lysate produced TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$, though generation of the former 2 cytokines was reduced with time, and that of the last increased throughout the experimental period. In summary, N. fowleri lysate exerted strong cytopathic effects on microglial cells, and elicited pro-inflammatory cytokine release as a primary immune response.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 1981

Vacuum ultraviolet photolysis of ethyl bromide was studied at 104.8-106.7 nm (11.4-11.6 eV) in the pressure range of 0.2-18.6 torr at $25^{\circ}$ using an argon resonance lamp with and without additives, i.e., NO and He. Since the ionization potential of $CH_3CH_2Br$ is lower than the photon energy, the competitive processes between the photoionization and the photodecomposition were also investigated. The observations indicated that 50% of absorbed light leads to the former process and the rest to the latter one. In the absence of NO the principal reaction products for the latter process were found to be $CH_4, C_2H_2, C_2H_4, C_2H_6, and C_3H_8$. The product quantum yields of these reaction products showed two strikingly different phenomena with an increase in reactant pressure. The major products, $C_2H_4$ and $C_2H_6$, showed positive effects with pressure whereas the effects on minor products were negative in both cases, i.e., He and reactant pressures. Addition of NO completely suppresses the formation of all products except $C_2H_4$ and reduces the $C_2H_4$ quantum yield. These observations are interpreted in view of existence of two different electronically excited states. The initial formation of short-lived Rydberg transition state undergoes HBr molecular elimination and this state can across over by collisional induction to a second excited state which decomposes exclusively by carbon-bromine bond fission. The estimated lifetime of the initial excited state was ${\sim}4{\times}10^{-10}$ sec. The extinction coefficient for $CH_3CH_2Br$ at 104.8-106.7 nm and $25{\circ}$ was determined to be ${varepsilon} = (1/PL)ln(I_0/I_t) = 2061{\pm}160atm^{-1}cm6{-1}$ with 95% confidence level.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.570-576
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• 2019

Particulate matter (PM), which refers to the mixture of particles present in the air, can have harmful effects. Damage to cells by PM, including disruption of organelles and proteins, can trigger autophagy, and the relationship between autophagy and PM has been well studied. However, the cellular regulators of PM-induced autophagy have not been well characterized, especially in keratinocytes. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is expressed in the epidermis and is activated by PM. In this study, we investigated the role of the AhR in PM-induced autophagy in HaCaT cells. Our results showed that PM led to AhR activation in keratinocytes. Activation of the AhR-target gene CYP1A1 by PM was reduced by co-treatment with ${\alpha}$-naphthoflavone (${\alpha}-NF$), an AhR inhibitor. We also evaluated activation of the autophagy pathway in PM-treated keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, treatment with PM treatment led to the induction of microtubules-associated proteins light chain 3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1, which are essential components of the autophagy pathway. To study the role of the AhR in mediating PM-induced autophagy, we treated cells with ${\alpha}-NF$ or used an siRNA against AhR. Expression of LC3-II induced by PM was decreased in a dose dependent manner by ${\alpha}-NF$. Furthermore, knockdown of AhR with siAhR diminished PM-induced expression of LC3-II and p62. Together, these results suggest that inhibition of the AhR decreases PM-induced autophagy. We confirmed these results using the autophagy-inhibitors BAF and 3-MA. Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to PM induces autophagy via the AhR in HaCaT keratinocytes.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2019

Background: The market for vitamin drinks is expanding both in Korea and worldwide. However, it was difficult to find studies regarding the possibility of tooth erosion induction due to vitamin drinks. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of tooth erosion caused by a few commercial vitamin beverages on bovine teeth enamel in terms of erosion depth and fluorescence loss. Methods: Three experimental groups (vitamin drinks), a positive control group (Coca-Cola), and a negative control group (mineral water) were established. Each group consisted of 5 specimens obtained from sound bovine teeth. The pH and titratable acidity of beverages were measured. Specimens were immersed in the beverages and artificial saliva for 6 and 18 hours, respectively. This cycle was repeated for 5 days. The depth of the tooth loss caused by tooth erosion (erosion depth) and maximum loss of fluorescence (Max ${\Delta}F$) were measured using the microscope and quantified light-induced fluorescence-digital, respectively. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA were used to compare the erosion depth and Max ${\Delta}F$ of the enamel surfaces. In addition, Spearman correlations were estimated. Results: The pH of the three vitamin beverages ranged from 2.65 to 3.01, which is similar to that of the positive control group. All beverages, except mineral water, had sugar and acidic ingredients. Vitamin drinks and the positive control, Coca-Cola, caused tooth erosion lesions, and showed significant differences in erosion depth compared to mineral water (p<0.05). The vitamin beverages with low pH were associated with high erosion depth and Max ${\Delta}F$. Conclusion: Vitamin drinks have the potential to cause tooth erosion.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.615-629
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• 2021

An active compound, triterpene saponin, astersaponin I (AKNS-2) was isolated from Aster koraiensis Nakai (AKNS) and the autophagy activation and neuroprotective effect was investigated on in vitro and in vivo Parkinson's disease (PD) models. The autophagy-regulating effect of AKNS-2 was monitored by analyzing the expression of autophagy-related protein markers in SH-SY5Y cells using Western blot and fluorescent protein quenching assays. The neuroprotection of AKNS-2 was tested by using a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridium ion (MPP⁺)-induced in vitro PD model in SH-SY5Y cells and an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model in mice. The compound-treated SH-SY5Y cells not only showed enhanced microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and decreased sequestosome 1 (p62) expression but also showed increased phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-Erk), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and phosphorylated unc-51-like kinase (p-ULK) and decreased phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) expression. AKNS-2-activated autophagy could be inhibited by the Erk inhibitor U0126 and by AMPK siRNA. In the MPP⁺-induced in vitro PD model, AKNS-2 reversed the reduced cell viability and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels and reduced the induced α-synuclein level. In an MPTP-induced in vivo PD model, AKNS-2 improved mice behavioral performance, and it restored dopamine synthesis and TH and α-synuclein expression in mouse brain tissues. Consistently, AKNS-2 also modulated the expressions of autophagy related markers in mouse brain tissue. Thus, AKNS-2 upregulates autophagy by activating the Erk/mTOR and AMPK/mTOR pathways. AKNS-2 exerts its neuroprotective effect through autophagy activation and may serve as a potential candidate for PD therapy.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.181-191
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• 2023

Objectives: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally, and excessive added sugar consumption has been identified as one of the contributing factors. In the context of IBD, it is essential to explore functional sweeteners that can improve metabolic health and minimize the risk of IBD-related symptoms. This review article aims to shed light on the effects of natural mono- and di-saccharides as alternative sweeteners, specifically focusing on potential benefits for IBD. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases with articles published after the year 2000. The search terms 'IBD', 'added sugar', 'sweeteners', 'mono-saccharide', and 'di-saccharide' were combined to retrieve relevant articles. A total of 21 manuscripts, aligning with the objectives of the study, were selected. Papers focusing on artificial or high-intensity sweeteners were excluded to ensure relevant literature selection. Results: Multiple studies have emphasized the association between the high consumption of added sugars such as simple sugars and the increased risk of developing IBD. This is suggested to be attributed to the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine productions and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Consequently, there is a growing demand for safe and functional sweeteners, in particular mono- and di-saccharides, that can serve as alternatives for IBD patients. Those functional sweeteners regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and Intestinal barrier protection, and restore microbiome profiles in various IBD models including cells, animals, and humans. Conclusions: Understanding these mechanisms resolves the link between how sugar consumption and IBD, and highlights the beneficial effects of natural alternative sweeteners on IBD when they were administered by itself or as a replacement for simple sugar. Further, exploration of this relationship leads us to recognize the necessity of natural alternative sweeteners in dietary planning. This knowledge could potentially lead to more effective dietary strategies for individuals with IBD.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 1995

This study was carried out to find optimum concentration of germanium compounds and pH of medium on the induction and growth of callus from A. keiskei and P. ginseng and to intend to increase Ge. absorption by calli while those calli were subculturing on MS medium. Callus from a. keiskei was rarely induced under light condition. Under dark condition, callus in­duction from A. keiskei was good up to 5ppm, retarded at 50ppm of $GeO_2$, or C. E. Ge. O., and rarely done at 100 ppm of $GeO_2$ but was somewhat well at 100 ppm of C. E. Ge. O. The induction and growth of callus was good in order of pH 5. 7 > pH 5. 4 > pH 6. 0 Under light condition, the growth of callus induced from P. ginseng was poor at $1{\sim}10\;ppm$ of $GeO_2$, or C. E. Ge. O., but shooting from callus occurred frequently. Under dark condtion, the growth of callus from A. keiskei was good up to 5 ppm of $GeO_2$, or C. E. Ge. O. and was rarely done at 50 ppm of $GeO_2$, but was somewhat well even at 100 ppm of C. E. Ge. O. Shooting from callus occurred frequently in a. keiskei, especially at pH 5.7. The growth of callus from P. ginseng was poor at 10 ppm of $GeO_2$, or 50 ppm of C. E. Ge. O. Under dark condition, the amount of Ge absorption by callus induced from A. keiskei was much high­er than that from P. ginseng. The amount of Ge. absorption by callus treated with $GeO_2$, was higher than that treated with C. E. Ge. O.