• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.783-793
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• 2019

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions are perturbed, the ER induces several signaling pathways called unfolded protein response to reestablish ER homeostasis through three ER transmembrane proteins: inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Although it is important to measure the activity of ATF6 that can indicate the status of the ER, no specific cell-based reporter assay is currently available. Here, we report a new cell-based method for monitoring ER stress based on the cleavage of $ATF6{\alpha}$ by sequential actions of proteases at the Golgi apparatus during ER stress. A new expressing vector was constructed by using fusion gene of GAL4 DNA binding domain (GAL4DBD) and activation domain derived from herpes simplex virus VP16 protein (VP16AD) followed by a human $ATF6{\alpha}$ N-terminal deletion variant. During ER stress, the GAL4DBD-VP16AD(GV)-$hATF6{\alpha}$ deletion variant was cleaved to liberate active transcription activator encompassing GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment which could translocate into the nucleus. The translocated GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment strongly induced the expression of firefly luciferase in HeLa Luciferase Reporter cell line containing a stably integrated 5X GAL4 site-luciferase gene. The established double stable reporter cell line HLR-GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$(333) represents an innovative tool to investigate regulated intramembrane proteolysis of $ATF6{\alpha}$. It can substitute active pATF6(N) binding motif-based reporter cell lines.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.391-399
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• 2021

곡면 배열 센서는 빔의 지향 방위에 따라 부 배열이 구성된다. 여기서 부 배열의 센서 선택 방법에 따라 곡면 배열 센서의 성능이 달라질 수 있다. 또한, 곡면 배열 센 서는 형상의 특성으로 인해 빔 지향 방위에 따라 부 배열의 형상이 달라진다. 따라서 빔 지향 방위에 따라 지향지수, 빔 폭 등의 성능이 달라진다. 그러므로 센서 선택 방법을 선택할 때, 빔 지향 방위에 따라 달라지는 지향지수, 빔폭 등의 성능을 고려해야 한다. 본 논문에서는 각 단일 센서의 위치 벡터가 기준인 부 배열을 선택하는 방법과 센서 빔의 지향 벡터가 기준인 부 배열을 선택하는 방법을 사용하였다. 두 가지 방법에 대해 빔 지향 방위별 지향지수와 수평 및 수직 빔 폭의 평균과 분산을 비교 분석하였다. 또한, 두 방법에서 사용되는 센서 수를 고정 하여 비교 분석하였다. 센서 수를 고정하지 않았을 때는 센서 빔의 지향 벡터 기준 방법의 성능이 대부분 높았으나 수직 빔 폭의 성능은 낮거나 비슷하였다. 하지만 센서 수를 고정하였을 경우, 두 방법 모두 성능은 비슷하나 지향 방위별 성능 분산은 줄어들었다.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.145-152
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• 2019

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are transmitted by different groups of hematophagous arthropod vectors that are distributed worldwide and can cause significant health problems for dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the prevalence of selected CVBD pathogens in rural outdoor dogs based on prevention status. Between June 2017 and February 2019, blood samples were collected from 343 clinically healthy rural dogs composing two different groups: systematically managed dogs (SMD; n=92) and personally managed dogs (PMD; n=251). Vaccination and preventive medications were applied strictly following the programmed schedule for the SMD group; in contrast, in the PMD group, they were applied only when requested by the dog owners. Serological and molecular assessments showed that significantly more dogs in the PMD group were infected with B. gibsoni (P<0.001) and D. immitis (P=0.001) than those in the SMD group. These findings suggest that the regular use of preventive medications and environmental controlling efforts contribute to reducing the prevalence of CVBD pathogen infections. In addition, dogs infected with certain kinds of CVBD pathogens could remain asymptomatic, suggesting that continuous monitoring and periodic preventive treatment should be conducted even for clinically healthy dogs.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.20-29
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• 2019

Soy isoflavones have been reported to possess many physiological activities such as antioxidant activity and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. This study investigated the photoprotective effects of soybean extract in human fibroblast cell line and hairless mice model. Human fibroblast was treated with soybean extract before and after ultraviolet B (UVB; 290-302 nm) irradiation. In the soybean extract treated group, the cells showed better resistance to ultraviolet (UV) than control group. The amount of type I collagen recovered from the soybean treated group was higher than the vehicle group exposed to UV-induced damage. Moreover, increased expression of metalloproteinases-1 as a result of UV irradiation was suppressed by the soybean extract. Female mice were orally administered soybean extract and irradiated with UVB light for 8 weeks. The effects of the soybean extract on the skin appearance, collagen deposition and epidermal thickness in the UV-damaged mouse skin were analyzed using histopathological methods. In soybean extract treated group, the skin had a better morphology than that of the control group. Furthermore, the amount of type I collagen was increased and overexpression of MMP-1 was reduced in the soybean extract group compared to vehicle group. Additionally, up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by UV irradiation was suppressed by dietary soybean extract treatment. It appears that soybean extract had a photoprotective effect, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effect, from UV-induced damage in not only human fibroblast, but also hairless mice. We confirmed that these effects were possibly due to promotion of collagen synthesis and inhibition of MMP-1 expression.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.84-91
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• 2021

The oriental plum (Prunus salicina) is one of the most popular fruits in Korea due to its sweet taste and pleasant aroma. The objective of this study was to analyze the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of a puree made using plums stored at low-temperatures. The quality characteristics were determined by estimating total soluble solids (TSS, °Brix), titratable acidity (TA, % citric acid), TSS/TA ratio, pH, colors, sugar content, and sensory profiles. The antioxidant effects were estimated by total polyphenol and flavonoid content and radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the plum puree containing both the flesh and the peel had markedly higher red coloration (a⁎ value) than the puree without the peel, while yellow coloration (b⁎ value) and lightness (L⁎ value) were lower in the puree without the peel than with the peel. The sensory qualities including the plum taste and flavor, texture as well as overall acceptance showed no significant variation between the samples. Meanwhile, the total polyphenol/flavonoid content and radical scavenging activities were significantly improved by the presence of fruit peel and by frozen storage. These findings suggest that frozen plums could be a suitable ingredient for making a puree and concentrate for the food manufacturing industry.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.505-513
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• 2022

In this study, 143 strains of Enterococcus spp. were isolated from inland pollution sources near shellfish farms on the west coast of South Korea. Not all isolated Enterococcus spp. strains possessed vancomycin resistance genes (VanA and VanB). However, since vancomycin-resistance Enterococcus (VRE) have been detected not only in the clinical field but also out in the world, it is possible that the VRE gene may be transferred to other bacterial strains commonly found in coastal waters where seafood is produced. It is important to monitor trends in the appearance of VRE. In addition, antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates were examined in this study. Overall antimicrobial resistance rates were high: ciprofloxacin (32.2% of isolates resistant), chloramphenicol (30.8%), quinupristin/dalfopristin (19.6%), and tylosin (15.4%). Eight E. faecium strains (6.2%), out of the 129 strains assessed, showed multidrug resistance. All multidrug-resistant E. faecium showed resistance to erythromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tetracycline, and tylosin, in all 14 strains. All multidrug-resistant E. faecalis showed resistance to erythromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tetracycline, and tylosin. Both multidrug-resistant E. faecium and multidrug-resistant E. faecalis showed common resistance to erythromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tetracycline, and tylosin.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.57.1-57.11
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• 2020

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) acts as an etiological agent for lameness, neurological signs, and high mortality in pigs. Despite its importance in pig industries and zoonotic potential, little is known about the effects of this pathogen. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of SDSE strains isolated from diseased pigs. Methods: A total 11 SDSE isolates were obtained from diseased pigs. Bacterial identification, PCR for virulence genes, emm typing, and antimicrobial resistance genes, multilocus sequence typing, and antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed. Results: Nine isolates were from piglets, and 8 showed lameness, sudden death, or neurological signs. The isolates were PCR-positive for sla (100%), sagA (100%), and scpA (45.5%), and only 1 isolate amplified the emm gene (stL2764). Eight different sequence types were detected, categorized into 2 clonal complexes and 4 singletons. All the isolates in this study were included in a small cluster, which also contained other strains derived from humans and horses. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the tested beta-lactams were low, while those for macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones were relatively high. PCR analysis of the macrolide and tetracycline resistance genes demonstrated that the isolates carried erm(B) (18.2%, n = 2), mef(A/E) (9.1%, n = 1), tet(M) (18.2%, n = 2), and tet(O) (90.2%, n = 10). Two isolates presented a mutation in parC, which is associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Conclusion: This study provided insight into swine-derived SDSE, as it is related to veterinary medicine, and elucidated its zoonotic potential, in the context of molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance in public health.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.401-410
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• 2023

This study examined the characteristics of eel Anguilla japonica sperm using the CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) system and attempted to provide the composition for artificial seminal plasma by regulating of inorganic elements. Sperm samples were first divided into four groups based on motility and progressive motility: (A) 0-10%, (B) 10-40%, (C) 40-70%, and (D) 70-100%. For observing sperm velocity variations, VCL, which is curve motion velocity, showed the highest values in all groups. The directional factor, beat cross frequency, was lower in higher activity groups, showing an opposite correlation with sperm activity. The head sizes of spermatozoa in higher activity groups were significantly larger than those in lower activity groups. The Na⁺ and K⁺ ions were important in the inorganic composition of seminal plasma in this species. Furthermore, regulating the composition in artificial seminal plasma improved the formula compared to the existing element, exhibiting 120 mM Na and 30 mM K when the sperm was conserved for a long time and 120 mM NA and 40 mM K when the sperm was conserved for a short time.

• 한국방송∙미디어공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방송∙미디어공학회 2021년도 하계학술대회
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• pp.303-306
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• 2021

이미지 초해상도는 영상 취득 과정에서 센서와 렌즈의 물리적인 한계 등으로 인하여 의해 화질이 저하된 이미지를 더 높은 배율로 복원하는 문제이다. 이미지 초해상도는 딥러닝을 통해 놀라운 성능향상을 이루었지만, 카메라로 촬영된 실제 이미지에서는 좋은 성능을 내지 못하였다. 이는 딥러닝에서는 'bicubic' 커널로 down-sampling된 합성 이미지 데이터를 사용하였던 것과 달리 실제 이미지에서는 'bicubic' 커널을 통한 화질 저하와는 다른 화질 저하, 즉 다른 커널을 통한 화질 저하가 발생하기 때문이다. 따라서 실제 이미지에 대한 성능을 높이기 위해서는 이에 대한 정확한 커널 예측이 필요하다. 최근 주목받기 시작한 이미지 초해상도를 위한 커널 예측은 초해상도를 잘 시켜주는 커널을 직접 찾는 방법[10, 13]과 이미지의 분포와 커널을 통해 다운샘플된 이미지에 대한 분포를 일치시켜주면서 커널을 예측하는 방법[14]으로 나누어져 있다. 그러나 두 방법 모두 ill-posed problem 인 커널 예측 문제를 한 장의 이미지만으로 해결하려는 것이기 때문에 정확한 예측에는 어려움이 발생한다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 두 장의 이미지를 활용한 이미지 화질 저하 커널 예측 방법을 제안한다. 제안된 방법은 두 장의 이미지가 같은 카메라를 통해 촬영되었으며 이때 이미지 화질 저하는 카메라에 의해서만 영향을 받는다는 가정을 기반으로 한다. 즉, 두 장의 이미지는 같은 커널을 통해 저하된 이미지라는 가정을 한다. 제안된 방법은 [14]에서처럼 이미지 분포를 기반으로 한 커널 예측을 진행하며, 이미지 초해상도를 진행하고자 하는 이미지 외에 참고 이미지 또한 같은 커널에서 화질 저하를 시켰을 때 본래의 이미지와 같은 분포에 있도록 학습을 진행한다. 결과적으로 본 논문에서는 두 장의 이미지를 사용하였을 때 더욱 정확하게 커널을 찾을 수 있음을 보여준다. 두 장의 이미지를 활용하는 방식이 한 장의 이미지만을 활용하는 기존의 최고 수준의 방법에 비해 합성된 다양한 커널 데이터셋[14]에서 약 0.17dB 성능 향상이 있었다.

• 한국방송∙미디어공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방송∙미디어공학회 2022년도 하계학술대회
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• pp.205-208
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• 2022

Multi-exposure high dynamic range (HDR) image reconstruction, the task of reconstructing an HDR image from multiple low dynamic range (LDR) images in a dynamic scene, often produces ghosting artifacts caused by camera motion and moving objects and also cannot deal with washed-out regions due to over or under-exposures. While there has been many deep-learning-based methods with motion estimation to alleviate these problems, they still have limitations for severely moving scenes. They also require large parameter counts, especially in the case of state-of-the-art methods that employ attention modules. To address these issues, we propose a frequency domain approach based on the idea that the transform domain coefficients inherently involve the global information from whole image pixels to cope with large motions. Specifically we adopt Residual Fast Fourier Transform (RFFT) blocks, which allows for global interactions of pixels. Moreover, we also employ Depthwise Overparametrized convolution (DO-conv) blocks, a convolution in which each input channel is convolved with its own 2D kernel, for faster convergence and performance gains. We call this LFFNet (Lightweight Frequency Fusion Network), and experiments on the benchmarks show reduced ghosting artifacts and improved performance up to 0.6dB tonemapped PSNR compared to recent state-of-the-art methods. Our architecture also requires fewer parameters and converges faster in training.