• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2018

Isoflavone itself is less available in the body without the aid of intestinal bacteria. In this study, we searched for isoflavone-transforming bacteria from human fecal specimens (n = 14) using differential selection media. Isoflavone-transforming activity as the production of dihydrogenistein and dihydrodaidzein was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography and we found Lactobacillus rhamnosus, named L. rhamnosus vitaP1, through 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Extract from Pueraria lobata (EPL) and soy hypocotyl extract were fermented with L. rhamnosus vitaP1 for 24 and 48 h at $37^{\circ}C$. Fermented EPL (FEPL) showed enhanced anti-tyrosinase activity and antioxidant capacities, important suppressors of the pigmentation process, compared with that of EPL (p < 0.05). At up to $500{\mu}g/ml$ of FEPL, there were no significant cell cytotoxicity and proliferation on B16-F10 melanoma cells. FEPL ($100{\mu}g/ml$) could highly suppress the content of melanin and melanosome formation in B16-F10 cells. In summary, Lactobacillus rhamnosus vitaP1 was found to be able to biotransform isoflavones in EPL. FEPL showed augmented anti-melanogenic potential.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.104-104
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• 2003

As an effort to direct differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES, MB03) cells to dopamine-producing neuronal cells, Nurr1 was transfected using conventional transfection protocol into MB03 and examined the expression of tyrosine hydroylase (TH) after differentiation induced by retinoic acid (RA) and ascorbic acid (AA). Experimentally, cells were transfected with linearized Nurr1 cDNA in pcDNA3.1 (+)-hygovernight followed by selection in medium containing hygromycin-B (150 $\mu$/ml). Expression of Nurr1 mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR and protein by immunocytochemistry in the drug resistant clones. In order to study the effect of Nurr1 protein on the differentiation pattern of ES cells, one of the positive clones (MBNr24) was allowed to form embryoid body (EB) for 2 days and were induced to differentiate for another 4 days using RA (1 $\mu M$) and AA (50 mM) (2-/4+ protocol) followed by selection in N2 medium for 10 or 20 days. After 10 days in N2 medium, cells immunoreactive to anti-GFAP, anti-TH, or anti-NF200 antibodies were 38.8%, 11%, and 20.5%, respectively. After 20 days in N2 medium, cells expressing GFAP, TH, or NF200 were 28%, 15% and 44.8%, respectively but approximately 9% of MB03 expressed TH protein when the cells were induced to differentiate using a similar prorocol, These results suggest that ectopic expression of Nurr1 enhances generation of TH+ cells as well as neuronal cells when hES cells were differentiated by 2-/4+ protocol.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2015

In this study, numerical analysis of curved channel steam-methanol reformer was conducted using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) commercial code STAR-CCM. A pre-numerical analysis of reference model with a cylindrical channel reactor was performed to validate the combustion model of the CFD commercial code. The result of advance validation was in agreement with reference model over 95%. After completing the validation, a curved channel reactor was designed to determine the effects of shape and length of flow path on methanol conversion efficiency and generation of hydrogen. Numerical analysis of the curved-channel reformer was conducted under various flow rate ($10/15/20{\mu}l/min$). As a result, the characteristics of flow and mass transfer were confirmed in the cylindrical channel and curved channel reactor, and useful information about methanol conversion efficiency and hydrogen generation was obtained for various flow rate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2006

This study investigated the characteristics of the biofilm removal by free chlorine or monochloramine. The simulated drinking water distribution pipes on which biofilms had been formed were supplied with tap water containing 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/L of free chlorine or monochloramine residuals. The biofilm removal was characterized by measurement of attached HPC and biomass on pipe surfaces. Chlorine was more effective in both inactivation of attached viable heterotrophic bacteria and removal of biofilm biomass compared to monochloramine. Biofilm matrix was not much eliminated from the surfaces by monochloramine disinfection. Free chlorine residual of 2.0 mg/L was found to be effective in biomass removal. However, biofilm level as low as $10CFU/cm^2$ of attached HPC and $5{\mu}g/cm^2$ of biomass still remained on the surfaces at 2.0 mg/L of chlorine residual. The measurement of biomass appeared to be a useful means in evaluating the characteristics of biofilm removal.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2009

High concentrations of ATP induce membrane blebbing. However, the underlying mechanism involved in epithelial cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in membrane blebbing using Par C5 cells. We stimulated the cells with 5 mM of ATP for 1${\sim}$2 hrs and found the characteristics of membrane blebbing, a hallmark of apoptotic cell death. In addition, 500 ${\mu}M$ Bz-ATP, a specific P2X7R agonist, induced membrane blebbing. However, 300 ${\mu}M$ of Ox-ATP, a P2X7R antagonist, inhibited ATP-induced membrane blebbing, suggesting that ATP-induced membrane blebbing is mediated by P2X7R. We found that ATP-induced membrane blebbing was mediated by ROCK I activation and MLC phosphorylation, but not by caspase-3. Five mM of ATP evoked a biphasic $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ response; a transient $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ peak and sustained $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase secondary to ATP-stimulated $Ca^{2+}$ influx. These results suggest that P2X7R plays a role in membrane blebbing of the salivary gland epithelial cells.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2011

A novel particle removal system for air handling unit (AHU) of subway station was evaluated experimentally. The novel system was designed in order to minimize the maintenance cost by applying axial-flow cyclones. The system consists of multiple cyclone units and dust trap. Based on our previous numerical study, it was found to be effective for removal $1\sim10{\mu}m$ sized dust particles. In this study, we manufactured the mock-up model and evaluated the model experimentally. Liquid and solid test particles were generated for evaluating collection efficiency of the system and the pressure drop was monitored. The collection efficiency was varied from 41.2% to 85.9% with increasing the sizes of particle from 1 to $6.5{\mu}m$ by particle count ratio of inlet and outlet. The pressure drop was maintained constant less than $20mmH_2O$. In addition, the collection efficiency was estimated by total mass for solid test particles. It was found that the collection efficiency was 65.7% by particle mass ratio of inlet and outlet. It shows that present system can replace current pre-filters used in subway HVAC system for removing particulate matters with minimal operational cost.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.180-184
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• 2009

The apoptotic effect of bacteria-derived $\beta$-glucan was investigated in human colon cancer cells SNU-C4 using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3 genes, and assay of caspase-3 enzyme activity. $\beta$-Glucan of 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g$/mL decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with typical apoptotic characteristics, such as morphological changes of chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation from TUNEL assay. In addition, $\beta$-glucan ($100{\mu}g$/mL) decreased the expression of Bc1-2 by 0.6 times, whereas the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 were increased by 3.1 and 2.3 times, respectively, compared to untreated control group. Furthermore, the caspase-3 activity in the $\beta$-glucan-treated group was significantly increased compared to those in control group (P < 0.05). Bacterial derived $\beta$-glucan could be used as an effective compound inducing apoptosis in human colon cancer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2008

Smoke flavors based on the thermal decomposition of wood have been applied to a variety of food products as an alternative for traditional smoking. Despite its increasing use, the available genotoxicity data on wood smoke flavors (WSF) are still controversial. Thus, potential genotoxic effects of WSF in four short-term in vitro genotoxicity assays were investigated, which included the Ames assay, chromosomal aberration assay, micronucleus test and the alkaline comet assay. WSF did not cause any mutation in the Ames assay using five tester strains at six concentrations of 0.16, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 ${\mu}l/plate$. To assess clastogenic effect, the in vitro chromosomal aberration assay was performed using Chinese hamster lung cells. No statistically significant increase in the number of metaphases with structural aberrations was observed at the concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 ${\mu}l/ml$. The in vitro comet assay and micronucleus test results obtained on L5178Y cells also revealed that WSF has no genotoxicity potential, although there was a marginal increase in micronuclei frequencies and DNA damage in the respective micronucleus and comet assays. Taken together, based on the results obtained from these four in vitro studies, it is concluded that WSF is not a mutagenic agent in bacterial cells and causes no chromosomal and DNA damage in mammalian cells in vitro.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.741-749
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• 2008

Many small-scale ponds that serve as ecological habitat, recreation and irrigation are faced to eutrophication problem, which causes aesthetic nuisance and ultimately loss of their functions. Thus accurate evaluation of the trophic state of these ponds is essential to provide rational information to the stakeholders so that they can develop effective management actions. In this study, the trophic state of a small pond (Wonheung) that experiencing water quality degradation due to vicinity land development was assessed using various Trophic State Indexes (TSIs) and statistical analysis including Principal Components Analysis (PCA) based on the field monitoring data obtained from May to December, 2007. The results showed that the pond is under eutrophic state with average total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T-P) concentrations of $708.1{\mu}g/L$ and $59.3{\mu}g/L$, respectively. The factor loading plot obtained from PCA showed distinct two influencing factors, PC 1 and PC 2. PC 1 was grouped by T-P, Chlorophyll a (Chl-a), suspended solids (SS), TN/TP ratio, and transparency that all strongly related to the eutrophication state, while PC 2 by temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity that explains the seasonal water quality variations. The limiting factor was identified as light rather than phosphorus by both T-N/T-P ratio and TSI indexes analysis. The results and methodology adopted in this study can be used for water quality assessment for other small ponds and lakes.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2009

The role of $Cl^-$ channels in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in human salivary gland acinar cells was examined using a whole-cell patch clamp technique. Human tissues were obtained from healthy volunteers or from patients with oromaxillofacial tumors. During the measurements, $K^+$-free solutions were employed to eliminate contamination of whole-cell conductance by $K^+$ currents. When the cells were exposed to a 70% hypotonic solution, outward-rectifying currents, which were not observed in the resting state, were found to have significantly increased both in human labial and parotid gland acinar cells. The amplitudes of the currents were reduced in a low $Cl^-$ bath solution. Furthermore, the addition of $100{\mu}M$ 5-Nitro-2- (3-phenyl propylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) or $100{\mu}M$ 4,4'-diisothio cyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS), known to partially block $Cl^-$ channels, significantly inhibited these currents. Its outward-rectifying current profile, shift in reversal potential in a low $Cl^-$ bath solution and pharmacological properties suggest that this is a $Ca^{2+}$-independent, volume activated $Cl^-$ current. We conclude therefore that volume activated $Cl^-$ channels play a putative role in RVD in human salivary gland acinar cells.