• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2001

In Korea and Japan, dried oak mushrooms are classified into 12 to 16 different categories based on its external visual quality. And grading used to be done manually by the human expert and is limited to the randomly sampled oak mushrooms. Visual features of dried oak mushrooms dominate its quality and are distributed over both sides of the gill and the cap. The 2nd prototype computer vision based automatic grading and sorting system for dried oak mushrooms was developed based on the 1st prototype. Sorting function was improved and overall system for grading was simplified to one stage grading instead of two stage grading by inspecting both front and back sides of mushrooms. Neuro-net based side(gill or cap) recognition algorithm of the fed mushroom was adopted. Grading was performed with both images of gill and cap using neural network. A real time simultaneous discharge algorithm, which is good for objects randomly fed individually and for multi-objects located along a series of discharge buckets, was developed and implemented to the controller and the performance was verified. Two hundreds samples chosen from 10 samples per 20 grade categories were used to verify the performance of each unit such as feeding, reversing, grading, and discharging unites. Test results showed that success rates of one-line feeding, reversing, grading, and discharging functions were 93%, 95%, 94%, and 99% respectively. The developed prototype revealed successful performance such as the approximate sorting capability of 3,600 mushrooms/hr per each line i.e. average 1sec/mushroom. Considering processing time of approximate 0.2 sec for grading, it was desired to reduce time to reverse a mushroom to acquire the reversed surface image.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2018

Environmental stimuli can lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is one of the risk factors for premature skin aging. Here, we investigated the protective effects of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 (50% palmitoleic acid, 7-MEGA) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the HaCaT human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). Our results showed that treatment with 7-MEGA prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced damage significantly increased the viability of HaCaT cells. 7-MEGA effectively attenuated generation of $H_2O_2$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced inflammatory factors, such as prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$). In addition, cells treated with 7-MEGA exhibited significantly decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and increased expression of procollagen type 1 (PCOL1) and Elastin against oxidative stress by $H_2O_2$. Interestingly, these protective activities of 7-MEGA were similar in scope and of a higher magnitude than those seen with 98.5% palmitoleic acid (PA) obtained from Sigma when given at the same concentration (100 nL/mL). According to our data, 7-MEGA is able to protect HaCaT cells from $H_2O_2$-induced damage through inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, 7-MEGA may affect skin elasticity maintenance and improve skin wrinkles. These findings indicate that 7-MEGA may be useful as a food supplement for skin health.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.468-473
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• 2008

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induces cell proliferation in human aortic smooth muscle cells (hAoSMCs), which may be involved in atherogenesis and intimal hyperplasia. Recent studies have demonstrated that $Cl^-$ channels are related to vessel cell proliferation induced by a variety of stimuli. In this study, we investigated a potential role of $Cl^-$ channels in the signaling pathway of LDL effects on hAoSMC proliferation with a focus on the activation of Erk1/2-PI3K/Akt and the subsequent upregulation of Egr-1. $Cl^-$ channel blockers, DIDS, but neither NPPB nor Furosemide, completely abolished the LDL-induced DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Moreover, DIDS, but not NPPB, significantly decreased LDL-stimulated $Cl^-$ concentration, as judged by flow cytometry analysis using MQAE as a $Cl^-$-detection dye. DIDS pretreatment completely abolished the activation of Erk1/2 and PI3K/Akt in a dose-dependent manner that is the hallmark of LDL activation, as judged by Western blot and proliferation assays. Moreover, pretreatment with DIDS ($Cl^-$ channel blockers) but not LY294002 (PI3K inhibitors) completely abolished the LDL-induced upregulation of Egr-1 to the same extent as PD98059 (MEK inhibitors to inhibit Erk), as judged by Western blot and luciferase reporter assays. This is the first report, to our knowledge, that DIDS-sensitive $Cl^-$-channels play a key role in the LDL-induced cell proliferation of hAoSMCs via the activation of Erk1/2 and PI3K/Akt and the upregulation of Egr-1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1447-1453
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• 2022

Prohibitin 1 (Phb1) is a pleiotropic protein, located mainly in the mitochondrial inner membrane and involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and the stabilization of mitochondrial protein. Acetaminophen (APAP) is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter analgesics worldwide. However, at high dose, the accumulation of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) can lead to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we sought to understand the regulation of mRNA expression in relation to APAP and GSH metabolism by Phb1 in normal mouse AML12 hepatocytes. We used two different Phb1 silencing levels: high-efficiency (HE, >90%) and low-efficiency (LE, 50-60%). In addition, the siRNA-transfected cells were further pretreated with 0.5 mM of Sadenosylmethionine (SAMe) for 24 h before treatment with APAP at different doses (1-2 mM) for 24 h. The expression of APAP metabolism-related and antioxidant genes such as Cyp2e1 and Ugt1a1 were increased during SAMe pretreatment. Moreover, SAMe increased intracellular GSH concentration and it was maintained after APAP treatment. To sum up, Phb1 silencing and APAP treatment impaired the metabolism of APAP in hepatocytes, and SAMe exerted a protective effect against hepatotoxicity by upregulating antioxidant genes.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2005

Spindle position checkpoint monitors the orientation of mitotic spindle for proper segregation of replicated chromosomes into mother cell and the daughter, and prohibits mitotic exit when mitotic spindle is misaligned. BUB2 forms one of the key upstream element of spindle position checkpoint in budding yeast, but its functional homologues have not been identified in higher eukaryotes. Here, we analyzed the functions of two putative BUB2 homologues of C. elegans in the spindle orientation checkpoint. From the C. elegans genome database, we found that two open reading frames (ORFs), F35H12_2 and C33F10_2, showed high sequence homology with BUB2. We obtained the expressed sequence tag (EST) clones for F35H12_2 (yk221d4) and C33F10_2 (yk14e10) and verified the full cDNA for each ORF by sequencing and 5' RACE with SL1 primer. The functional complementation assays of yk221d4 and yk14e10 in ${\Delta}bub2$ of S. cerevisiae revealed that these putative BUB2 homologues of C. elegans could not replace the function of BUB2 in spindle position checkpoint and mitotic exit. Our attempt to document the component of spindle position checkpoint in metazoans using sequence homology was not successful. This suggests that structural information about its components might be required to identify functional homologues of the spindle position checkpoint in higher eukaryotes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.1118-1123
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• 2009

Brown-rice hydrolyzates with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were fermented using Leuconostoc mesenteroides (Ln. mesenteroides) KC51 strain at $30^{\circ}C$ for 15 hr. Changes in pH, titratable acidity, viable cell counts and phytate degradation during fermentation were investigated. The acid production was increased with increasing DH of brown-rice hydrolyzate. At high DH (48.2%), the pH and titratable acidity reached to pH 3.41 and 0.82% after 15 hr fermentation, respectively. Regardless of DH of brown-rice, however, the viable cell population of Ln. mesenteroides KC51 was slightly increased to $4.0\sim7.2{\times}10^8$ CFU/g during the 6 hr of cultivation. The phytate content in brown-rice hydrolyzates decreased with increasing DH of brown-rice hydrolyzates. The level of phytate was reduced to around 50% of initial concentration at high DH condition. When the fermented brown-rice was kept at $4^{\circ}C$, pH, titratable acidity and number of viable cells were nearly maintained for 14 days.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.201-208
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate changes in the invasive capacity of gastric cancer cells in vitro after expression inhibition of T lymphoma invasion and metastasis inducing factor 1 (Tiam 1) and underlying mechanisms. Methods: Using adhesion selection, two subpopulations with high ($M_H$) or low ($M_L$) invasive capacity were separated from the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 ($M_0$). Tiam 1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) was transfected into $M_H$ cells with liposomes, and expression of Tiam 1 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and quantitative cellular-ELISA. Changes in the cytoskeleton, invasive capacity in vitro and expression of ras-related $C_3$ botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac 1), integrin ${\beta}1$ and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP 2) between Tiam 1 ASODN transfected $M_H$ cells and non-transfected cells were observed by HE staining, cytoskeletal protein staining, scanning electron microscopy, Boyden chamber tests and cyto-immunohistochemistry. Results: A positive correlation existed between the expression level of Tiam l mRNA or protein and the invasion capacity of gastric cancer cells. After ASODN treatment ($0.43{\mu}M$ for 48 h), Tiam 1 mRNA transcription and protein expression in $M_H$ cells were decreased by 80% and 24% respectively (P < 0.05), compared with untreated controls, while invasive capacity in vitro was suppressed by 60% (P < 0.05). Morphologic and ultrastructural observation also showed that ASODN-treated $M_H$ cells exhibited smooth surfaces with obviously reduced filopodia and microspikes, which resembled $M_0$ and $M_L$ cells. Additionally, cytoskeletal distribution dramatically altered from disorder to regularity with reduced long filament-like structure, projections, pseudopodia on cell surface, and with decreased acitn-bodies in cytoplasm. After Tiam 1 ASODN treatment, the expression of Rac 1 and Integrin ${\beta}1$ in $M_H$ cells was not affected (P > 0.05), but that of MMP 2 in $M_H$ cells was significantly inhibited compared with untreated cells (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Over-expression of Tiam-1 contributes to the invasive phenotype of gastric cancer cells. Inhibition of Tiam 1 expression could impair the invasive capacity of gastric cancer cells through modulating reconstruction of the cytoskeleton and regulating expression of MMP 2.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2007

The mechanism of acacetin-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells was investigated. Acacetin caused 50% growth inhibition ($IC_{50}$) of MCF-7 cells at $26.4{\pm}0.7{\mu}M$ over 24 h in the MTT assay. Apoptosis was characterized by DNA fragmentation and an increase of sub-G1 cells and involved activation of caspase-7 and PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase). Maximum caspase 7 activity was observed with $100{\mu}M$ acacetin for 24 h. Caspase 8 and 9 activation cascades mediated the activation of caspase 7. Acacetin caused a reduction of Bcl-2 expression leading to an increase of the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. It also caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential that induced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) into the cytoplasm, enhancing ROS generation and subsequently resulting in apoptosis. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced ROS generation and cell growth inhibition, and pretreatment with NAC or a caspase 8 inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK) inhibited the acacetin-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c and AIF. Stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun $NH_4$-terminal kinase 1/2 (SAPK/JNK1/2) and c-Jun were activated by acacetin but extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) nor p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were not. Our results show that acacetin-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells is mediated by caspase activation cascades, ROS generation, mitochondria-mediated cell death signaling and the SAPK/JNK1/2-c-Jun signaling pathway, activated by acacetin-induced ROS generation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 1991

The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of calcium ion as a factor for the maturation of follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes. Follicles were isolated with two sharp needles under a stereomicroscope from mouse(ICR) ovaries which were treated PMSG 5 IU 45 hours previously. Isolated follicles were cultured for 14-16 hours in an organ culture system at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air and in a 100% humidified incubator by treatment of hCG, EDTA and $^{45}Ca^{++}$. Culture medium was Modified Hank's Balanced Salt Sol. (MHBS) and addition of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was made into two doses level 0.4 IU and 0.8IU from the stock sol. and also $^{45}Ca^{++}$ was treated in the culture medium. To explain the role of calcium, calcium chelating agent EDTA was treated to the culture of the mouse follicle-enclosed oocytes. Two observations were made in the present study; nucleus phase and $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake into the oocyte. HCG induced oocyte maturation in the follicle about two folds as much as the control group, whereas there is no difference in oocyte maturation between 0.4 IU and 0.8 IU of hCG. Optimum level of hCG seems to be 0.4 IU/ml in the mouse follicle culture. HCG stimulated $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake into the oocyte of the follicles by two folds. $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake in the control group is about 2.5 folds in comparison of the EDTA(1.71mM) treated group. However, calcium uptake in the EDTA treated groups tends to increase depending on the decrease of EDTA concentration. These observations suggest that firstly, hCG stimulates maturation of the oocyte of the follicle, secondly, $Ca^{++}$ influx is induced by hCG and thirdly, $Ca^{++}$ influx by the treatment of EDTA decreases as a dosage-dependent process. This $Ca^{++}$ uptake may take place by the changes of permeability which was induced by hCG treatment. That is, $Ca^{++}$ influx may trigger the resumption of oocyte maturation. It is further necessary in the future study how this $Ca^{++}$ uptake is induced by hCG and increases permeability of the follicle and oocyte.