• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.542-551
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• 2000

In this paper, a novel technique is presented for automatic brain region segmentation in single channel MR image data sets for 3D visualization and analysis. The method detects brain contours in 2D and 3D processing of four steps. The first and the second make a head mask and an initial brain mask by automatic thresholding using a curve fitting technique. The stage 3 reconstructs 3D volume of the initial brain mask by cubic interpolation and generates an intermediate brain mask using morphological operation and labeling of connected components. In the final step, the brain mask is refined by automatic thresholding using curve fitting. This algorithm is useful for fully automatic brain region segmentation of T1-weighted, T2-weighted, PD-weighted, SPGR MRI data sets without considering slice direction and covering a whole volume of a brain. In the experiments, the algorithm was applied to 20 sets of MR images and showed over 0.97 in comparison with manual drawing in similarity index.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2009

The tubby mouse is characterized by progressive retinal and cochlear degeneration and late-onset obesity. These phenotypes are caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the tub gene and are shared with several human syndromes, suggesting the importance of tubby protein in central nervous system (CNS) functioning. Although evidence suggests that tubby may act as a transcription factor mediating G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, any downstream gene regulated by tubby has yet to be identified. To explore potential target genes of tubby with region-specific transcription patterns in the brain, we performed a microarray analysis using the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus of tubby mice. We also validated the changes of gene expression level observed with the microarray analysis using real-time RT-PCR. We found that expression of erythroid differentiation factor 1 (Erdrl) and caspase 1 (Casp1) increased, while p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) and cholecystokinin 2 receptor (Cck2r) expression decreased in the cerebral cortex of tubby mice. In the hypothalamic region, Casp 1 was up-regulated and $\mu$-crystallin (CRYM) was down-regulated. Based on the reported functions of the differentially expressed genes, these individual or grouped genes may account for the phenotype of tubby mice. We discussed how altered expression of genes in tubby mice might be understood as the underlying mechanism behind tubby phenotypes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2008

NELL2, a neural tissue-enriched protein, is produced in the embryo, and postembryonically in the mammalian brain, with a broad distribution. Although its synthesis is required for neuronal differentiation in chicks, not much is known about its function in the adult mammalian brain. We investigated the distribution of NELL2 in various regions of the adult rat brain to study its potential functions in brain physiology. Consistent with previous reports, NELL2-immunoreactivity (ir) was found in the cytoplasm of neurons, but not in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive glial cells. The highest levels of NELL2 were detected in the hippocampus and the cerebellum. Interestingly, in the cerebellar cortex NELL2 was observed only in the GABAergic Purkinje cells not in the excitatory granular cells. In contrast, it was found mainly in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layer that contains mainly glutamatergic neurons. In the dentate gyrus, NELL2 was not detected in the GFAP-positive neural precursor cells, but was generally present in mature neurons of the subgranular zone, suggesting a role in this region restricted to mature neurons.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

We applied an ellipsometric technique to get quantitative information about the thickness and refractive index of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs). The images of ellipsometric constants $\Delta$, $\Psi$ for the nucleus region and for the cell body region of hMSCs were obtained by using an Imaging Ellipsomter (IE) for their in vitro state. A numerical inversion method was applied to deduce the refractive index and the thickness of hMSCs from the measured $\Delta$, $\Psi$. Thus the images of the refractive index and those of the thickness of hMSCs for the nucleus region and for the cell body region are reported.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.449-460
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• 2005

Objectives Aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical use and the efficacy of Frialit-2 implant system. Experimental Methods Fifty nine patients received placement of Frilalit-2 implants(137 implants) in their maxillary anterior and posterior sites(40 and 97 implants). Intraoral & clinical examination, chart review and radiographs were taken from each patient. Results 1. The total implant survival rate was 92.7% after a mean follow-up period of 19.9 months. 2. The implant survival rate placed in anterior region was 97.5%. 3. The implant survival rate placed in posterior region was 90.7%. 4. The implant survival rate placed in atrophic posterior maxilla with advanced technique (GBR, Sinus elevation) was 87.2%. 5. The implant survival rate placed in type N(D4) bone was 82%, while 95.7% in type III (D3), and 100% in type II(D2) bone. 6. Most of the failed implants(7 of 10) were removed during the maintenance stage after prosthodontic treatment. Conclusion It was concluded that Frialit-2 implant could be used satisfactorily in the esthetic anterior region, but the use in the posterior region, especially with poor bone quality and quantity, further studies are needed.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.60-61
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• 1998

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for automatic segmentation of 3-dimesional brain MR images. In order to segment 3-dimensional brain MR images, we start segmentation from a mid-sagittal brain MR image. Then the segmented mid-sagittal brain MR image is used as a mask that is applied to the remaining lateral slices. Then we apply preprocessing, which includes thresholding and region-labeling, to the lateral slices, resulting in simplified 3-D brain MR images. Finally, we remove remaining problematic regions in the 3-dimensional brain MR image using the connectivity-based thresholding segmentation algorithm. Experiments show satisfactory results.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.289-294
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• 2015

This paper proposes an autonomous machine learning method applicable to the BCI(Brain-Computer Interface) is based on the self-organizing Kohonen method, one of the exemplary method of unsupervised learning. In addition we propose control method of learning region and self machine learning rule using an interactive function. The learning region control and machine learning was used to control the side effects caused by interaction function that is based on the self-organizing Kohonen method. After determining the winner neuron, we decided to adjust the connection weights based on the learning rules, and learning region is gradually decreased as the number of learning is increased by the learning. So we proposed the autonomous machine learning to reach to the network equilibrium state by reducing the flow toward the input to weights of output layer neurons.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2000

A novel serine/threonine protein phosphatase with EF-hand motif, which belongs to PPEF family was partially cloned from rat brain cDNA by employing RT-PCR method. The size of the amplified clone was 1.6kbp. The amplified DNA was subcloned into pGEM-T-Easy vector and the resulting plasmid was maned as pGEM-rPPEF2. The nucleuotide sequence is shared by 88% with that of mouse PPEF-2 cDNA, and the deduced amino acid sequence reveal 92% homology with that of mouse PPEF-2 cDNA. The N-terminal region of the cloned rat brain PPEF contains a putative phosphatase catalytic domain (PP domain) and the C-terminal region contains multiple $Ca^{2+}$ binding sites (EF region). The putative catalytic domin (PP) and the EF-hand motif (EF) regions were subcloned into pGEX4T-1 and were overexpressed in E. coli DH5 as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins. Expression of the desired fusion protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and also by immunoblot analysis using monoclonal antibody against GST. The recombinant proteins were purified by glutathione-agarose chromatography. This report is first to demonstrate the cloning of PPEF family from rat brain tissues. The clone reported here would be invaluable for the investigation of the role of this new type-phosphatase in rat brain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.107-107
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to examine that the efflux transport system for choline from brain to blood is present at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using brain efflux index (BEI) method. ［$^3$H］Choline was microinjected into parietal cortex area 2 (Par2) region of rat brain, and was eliminated from the brain with an apparent elimination half life of 45 min. The BBB efflux clearance of ［$^3$H］choline was 0.12 $m\ell$/min/g brain, which was calculated from the efflux rate constant (1.5${\times}$10$\^$-2/ min$\^$-1/) and the distribution volume in the brain slice (8.1 $m\ell$/g brain). This process was saturable and significantly inhibited by various organic cationic compounds including hemicholinium-3, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and verapamil, by antioxidant, ${\alpha}$-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), and by Alzheimer's disease therapeutics, such as acetyl $\ell$-carnitine and tacrine. In conclusion, this finding is the first direct in vivo evidence that choline is transported from brain to the blood across the BBB via a carrier-mediated efflux transport process.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2000

We investigated the role of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii heat shock protein (rT.g.HSP) 70-full length, rT.g. HSP70-NH2-terminal region, or rT.g. HSP70-carboxy-terminal region in prophylactic immunity in C57BL/6 mice perorally infected with Fukaya cysts of T. gondii. At 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after infection, the number of T gondii in the brain tissue of each mouse was measured by quantitative competitive-polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR) targeting the surface antigen (SAG) 1 gene. Immunization with rT.g.HSP70-full length or rT.g.HSP70-carboxy-terminal region increased the number of T. gondii in the brain tissue after T. gondii infection, whereas immunization with rT.g.HSP70-NHa-terminal region did not. These results suggest that T.g. HSP70-carboxy-terminal region as well as T.g.HSP70-full length may induce deleterious effects on the protective immunity of mice infected with a cyst-forming T. gondii strain, Fukaya.