OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine methods of dental caries prevention by investigating the use of compounds of Diospyros kaki (D. kaki) peel, Momordica charantia (M. charantia), and Canavalia gladiata (C. gladiata) extracts to limit the cariogenic traits of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), such as their ability to proliferate and adhere to the tooth surface. METHODS: Broth microdilution and the agar spreading assay were used to determine the antimicrobial effect and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of S. mutans extracts. In order to identify the adhesive ability of S. mutans at varying concentrations, culture plates were first stained with 1 ml of 0.01% crystal violet for 15 minutes at room temperature, and then eluted with 1 ml of EtOH:Acetone (8:2) solution for 15 minutes in a 37℃ incubator. Eluted solutions were then evaluated by use of a spectrophotometer at 575 nm. RESULTS: Experiments were conducted in order to investigate the effectiveness of D. kaki peel, M. charantia, and C. gladiata extracts on limiting the proliferation of S. mutans. The MIC was measured as an indication of whether the antibacterial activity of D. kaki peel, M. charantia, and C. gladiata extracts had a significant bacteriostatic effect on S. mutans. M. charantia extract was effective for growth inhibition on S. mutans at a minimum concentration of 0.25%. From the adhesion ability assay, M. charantia extract had an anti-adhesive effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that M. charantia extract demonstrates antibacterial activity and has an anti-adhesive effect on S. mutans. Due to these properties, M. charantia extract may be used to prevent dental caries.
Adhesives ; Agar ; Canavalia ; Dental Caries ; Diospyros ; Gentian Violet ; Incubators ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Momordica charantia ; Momordica ; Streptococcus mutans ; Streptococcus ; Thiram ; Tooth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among irritants causing gastric ulcer, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) might be pivotal, after which eradication became essential way in either inhibiting ulcerogenesis or preventing ulcer recurrence. Since threonine is essential in either mucus synthesis or cytoprotection, we hypothesized that the dietary threonine from Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) can mitigate the cytotoxicity of H. pylori infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: RGM-1 cells were challenged with 100 multiplicity of infection H. pylori for 6 hours, during which threonine alone or combination with Corynebacterium sp. was administered and compared for anti-Helicobacter, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative, and cytoprotective actions.RESULTS: Threonine alone or combination of threonine and C. glutamicum yielded significant bacteriostatic outcomes. The increased expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, Cox-2, and iNOS mRNA after H. pylori infection were significantly decreased with either threonine alone or the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. The elevated expressions of NF-kB, HIF-1a, and c-jun after H. pylori infection were all significantly decreased with the combination of threonine and broth from C. glutamicum (P < 0.05), leading to significant decreases in 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (P < 0.01). Tracing further host antioxidative response, the attenuated expression of heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2, and dehydrogenase quinone-1 after H. pylori infection was significantly preserved with combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. H. pylori infection led to significant increases in apoptosis accompanied with Bcl-2 decreases and Bax increases, while the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum significantly attenuated apoptosis, in which attenuated EGF, TGF-β, and VEGF were significantly regulated, while β-catenin did not change.CONCLUSIONS: Threonine synthesized from C. glutamicum significantly alleviated the cytotoxicity of H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells.
Apoptosis ; Corynebacterium glutamicum ; Corynebacterium ; Cytoprotection ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Epithelial Cells ; Helicobacter pylori ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Irritants ; Mucus ; NF-kappa B ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxidoreductases ; Recurrence ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach Ulcer ; Thiram ; Threonine ; Ulcer ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) cases has not been reported in Tibetan chickens (TBCs), but it is commonly seen in commercial broilers characterized by lameness. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are important regulators of cellular adaptation to hypoxic conditions. In this study, we investigated the role of HIF-1α,
Anoxia ; Blotting, Western ; Chickens ; Growth Plate ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; Poultry ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA ; Thiram

Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT) is considered the first-line therapy for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections, there is debate on the use of the bacteriostatic drug in serious infections, and recently, there has been an increasing occurrence of acquired resistance to TMP-SXT. In the present study, the effect of efflux pump inhibitors on the susceptibility of TMP-SXT and other antibiotics were investigated in S. maltophilia complex. The sul and/or dfrA genes were identified in only up to 27.8% of all 36 TMP-SXT-resistant S. maltophilia complex isolates. Thus, TMP-SXT resistance in S. maltophilia was not explained completely by the presence of sul and dfrA genes. Carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TMP-SXT by eight to 128 folds in all 14 isolates. In contrast, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), phenyl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (PAβN), and reserpine did not reduce the MIC of TMP-SXT. In addition to TMP-SXT, slight decrease in MICs was observed for tigecycline and piperacillin/tazobactam by CCCP (by two folds) in one isolate. Although efflux pump may play a role in TMP-SXT resistance in S. maltophilia, inhibition of the efflux pump could be done by active proton pore.
2,4-Dinitrophenol ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone ; Korea* ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Protons ; Reserpine ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia* ; Stenotrophomonas* ; Thiram* ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination*

Fusidic acid is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that is effective primarily on gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species. It is often topically applied to the skin, but is also given systemically as a tablet or injection. Allergic contact dermatitis, or urticaria, has been reported as a side effect of fusidic acid treatment, whereas anaphylaxis to topically administered fusidic acid has not been reported previously. A 16-year-old boy visited an outpatient clinic for further evaluation of anaphylaxis. He suffered abrasions on his arms during exercise, which were treated with a topical ointment containing sodium fusidate. Within 30 minutes, he developed urticaria and eyelid swelling, followed by a cough and respiratory difficulty. His symptoms were relieved by emergency treatment in a nearby hospital. To investigate the etiology, oral provocation with fusidate was performed. After 125 mg (1/2 tablet) of sodium fusidate was administered, he developed a cough and itching of the throat within 30 minutes, which was followed by chest discomfort and urticaria. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) dropped from 4.09 L at baseline to 3.50 L after challenge, although wheezing was not heard in his chest. After management with an inhaled bronchodilator using a nebulizer, chest discomfort was relieved and FEV1 rose to 3.86 L. The patient was directed not to use fusidate, especially on abrasions. Here we report the first case of anaphylaxis resulting from topical fusidic acid application to abrasions.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anaphylaxis ; Arm ; Corynebacterium ; Cough ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Emergency Treatment ; Eyelids ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Furosemide ; Fusidic Acid ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pharynx ; Pruritus ; Respiratory Sounds ; Skin ; Sodium ; Staphylococcus ; Thiram ; Thorax ; Urticaria

BACKGROUND: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have increased susceptibility to irritants. Some patients have questions about types of water for bathing or skin cleansing. OBJECTIVE: We studied the pH of water from various sources to give an overview for physicians to recommend patients with AD. METHODS: Water from various sources was collected for measurement of the pH using a pH meter and pH-indicator strips. RESULTS: Bottled drinking still water had pH between 6.9 and 7.5 while the sparkling type had pH between 4.9 and 5.5. Water derived from home water filters had an approximate pH of 7.5 as same as tap water. Swimming pool water had had pH between 7.2 and 7.5 while seawater had a pH of 8. Normal saline and distilled water had pH of 5.4 and 5.7, respectively. Facial mineral water had pH between 7.5 and 8, while facial makeup removing water had an acidic pH. CONCLUSION: Normal saline, distilled water, bottled sparkling water and facial makeup removing water had similar pH to that of normal skin of normal people. However, other factors including benefits of mineral substances in the water in terms of bacteriostatic and anti-inflammation should be considered in the selection of cleansing water.
Baths ; Carbonated Water ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Irritants ; Mineral Waters ; Miners ; Seawater ; Skin ; Swimming Pools ; Thiram ; Water

OBJECTIVES: Doxycycline is commonly used in medicine for its bacteriostatic antimicrobial properties. Recent studies have reported that doxycycline also has anti-inflammatory effects. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 has been found to be involved in the physiological and pathological process of inflammatory airway disease. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C activator, is known to stimulate the expression of MMP and mucin genes in the airway and intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, the effects and signal pathways of doxycycline on PMA-induced MUC5B expression dependent MMP-9 in human airway epithelial cells were investigated. METHODS: In human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, MUC5B and MMP-9 mRNA expression, MUC5B protein expression, and MMP-9 protein activity after the treatment with PMA, MMP-9 or doxycycline were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, gelatin zymography, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: PMA increased MMP-9 and MUC5B expression. MMP-9 increased MUC5B expression. Doxycycline inhibited PMA-induced MUC5B expression, and PMA-induced MMP-9 mRNA expression and protein activity. Doxycycline inhibited phosphorylation of p38 induced by PMA and MMP-9. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that doxycycline inhibited PMA-induced MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production through the MMP-9 and p38 pathways in human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells.
Blotting, Western ; Doxycycline ; Epithelial Cells ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Inflammation ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Mucins ; Phorbols ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; Thiram

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important gram-positive pathogens in many clinical situations. Use of vancomycin against methicillin resistant S aureus (MRSA) has been anecdotally associated with treatment failure, which could be attributable to an inoculum effect (IE). Using a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model, we tried to evaluate the in vivo IE of vancomycin against S. aureus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty strains of S aureus were used. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline. Six-week-old specific-pathogen-free, female CD-1 mice weighing 23-27 grams were used. The neutropenic mice received inoculations of 5.02-5.74 log10 CFU/thigh in one thigh (low inoculum, LI), and 7.22-7.73 log10 CFU/thigh in the other thigh (high inoculum, HI) before therapy. The mice were treated with 6 hourly subcutaneous doses of vancomycin (3.125-100 mg/kg) for 24 h. Single-dose serum pharmacokinetics of vancomycin was determined. Dose-response data were analyzed by an Emax model using non-linear regression. Static doses and area under the curve (AUC)/MIC for bacteriostatic effect at each inoculum were calculated and compared. The ratio of static dose and AUC/MIC between HI and LI (IE index) provided the magnitude of IE for each organism. RESULTS: Five methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA) strains and 15 MRSA strains were used. Vancomycin MICs of the 20 strains varied by 4-fold (0.5-2 mg/L). The AUC/MIC ratio was the major parameter determining the efficacy of vancomycin against S aureus . Mean (range) static dose on LI and HI was 20.7 (11.8-35.1) and 136.7 (32.1-314), respectively. The mean IE index of static dose between them was 7.39. Mean (range) of AUC/MIC on LI and HI was 27.0 (6.61-66.6) and 152.3 (46.2-344), respectively, which produced a mean IE index of AUC/MIC of 7.47. The IE indices of the MSSA strains were significantly higher than those of the MRSA strains (11.3 vs. 6.1 on static dose [P=0.018], 11.4 vs. 6.2 on AUC/MIC [P=0.034]). CONCLUSIONS: With a 100-fold inoculum increment of S aureus , at least a 7-fold dose of vancomycin would be required to show the same bacteriostatic effect. Thus, IE as well as MICs is an important parameter in selecting and adjusting a dose and dosage interval along with the resistance profile in the treatment of S. aureus infections. IE to vancomycin observed in the in vivo neutropenic mouse model was more evident for MSSA strains than for MRSA strains.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mice ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Thigh ; Thiram ; Treatment Failure ; Vancomycin

BACKGROUND: Nummular eczema, which is also known as discoid eczema, is defined by its clinical appearance as coin-shaped, circular, or oval lesions with a definite border. The etiology of nummular eczema is obscure, and many causative factors have been proposed, but there are only a few studies of the relevance of contact allergy in nummular eczema in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of allergic contact dermatitis in nummular eczema patients compared with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A total of 86 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients combined with atopic dermatitis and nummular eczema were classed as atopic dermatitis. The group with atopic dermatitis was 32 patients. The group with nummular eczema was 54 patients. We performed patch tests on both groups, and evaluated their clinical features and the results of the patch testing. RESULTS: The patients comprised of 49 males and 37 females. The mean age of group with atopic dermatitis was 21.3 years, and the mean age of group with nummular eczema was 44.2 years. The distribution by age was most prevalent at 10~19 years for the group with atopic dermatitis group and 40~49 years for the group with nummular eczema. The predominant sites of the lesions were the arms (21.0%), trunk (21.0%), legs (16.3%), widespread on the body (15.1%), hands (13.9%), feet (7.0%), face and neck (5.8%). Sixty seven (77.9%) out of 86 patients showed a positive reaction to one or more allergens. The highest sensitization rates were found with: nickel sulphate (45.3%), cobalt chloride (29.1%), potassium dichromate (20.9%), thimerosal (17.4%), neomycin sulphate (15.1%), thiuram mix (14.0%), formaldehyde (14.0%), colophony (12.8%), 4-phenylenediamine mix (11.6%), fragrance mix (10.5%). Comparing the atopic dermatitis and nummular eczema groups, there was no significant difference in the positivity for patch test allergens and frequent antigens. Comparing with clinical manifestation between the group with positive reaction and the group with negative reaction to the patch test in nummular eczema and atopic dermatitis, in the group with positive reaction of patch test, the severity of disease increased. CONCLUSION: This study shows that contact sensitivity is relatively common both with nummular eczema and atopic dermatitis. But, when there is no difference in the positive rate of antigens in patch test, both groups show high positive rate of metal antigens. Also nummular eczema patients with consistent and recurrent symptoms, the possibility of allergic contact dermatitis should be taken into consideration and a patch test must be performed.
Allergens ; Arm ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eczema* ; Female ; Foot ; Formaldehyde ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Leg ; Male ; Neck ; Neomycin ; Nickel ; Patch Tests* ; Potassium Dichromate ; Thimerosal ; Thiram

Minocycline is a semi-synthetic, broad-spectrum, antimicrobial agent that was first introduced into clinical practice in 1967. Its primary indication is for the treatment of acne vulgaris, where its success has been attributed to a combination of its bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory activities. There has been recent interest in minocycline use in the treatment of various other chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases such as Behcet's disease and recurrent apthous ulceration. A well-recognized side effect of minocycline treatment is pigmentation, which has been reported in multiple tissues including skin, nail beds, sclera, bone, the thyroid, and teeth. However, pigmentation of the tongue caused by minocycline is very rare. We report four cases of actual pigmented lesions on the tongue and finger nails due to minocycline therapy, followed by a discussion of minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation.
Acne Vulgaris ; Fingers ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Minocycline ; Pigmentation ; Sclera ; Skin ; Thiram ; Thyroid Gland ; Tongue* ; Tooth ; Ulcer