• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.79-90
• /
• 2022

Background: Herbal medicines are popular approaches to capably prevent and treat obesity and its related diseases. Excessive exposure to dietary lipids causes oxidative stress and inflammation, which possibly induces cellular senescence and contribute the damaging effects in brain. The potential roles of selective enhanced ginsenoside in regulating high fat diet (HFD)-induced brain damage remain unknown. Methods: The protection function of Ginsenoside F1-enhanced mixture (SGB121) was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Human primary astrocytes and SH-SY5Y cells were treated with palmitic acid conjugated Bovine Serum Albumin, and the effects of SGB121 were determined by MTT and lipid uptake assays. For in vivo tests, C57BL/6J mice were fed with high fat diet for 3 months with or without SGB121 administration. Thereafter, immunohistochemistry, western blot, PCR and ELISA assays were conducted with brain tissues. Results and conclusion: SGB121 selectively suppressed HFD-induced oxidative stress and cellular senescence in brain, and reduced subsequent inflammation responses manifested by abrogated secretion of IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα via NF-κB signaling pathway. Interestingly, SGB121 protects against HFD-induced damage by improving mitophagy and endoplasmic reticulum-stress associated autophagy flux and inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, SGB121 regulates lipid uptake and accumulation by FATP4 and PPARα. SGB121 significantly abates excessively phosphorylated tau protein in the cortex and GFAP activation in corpus callosum. Together, our results suggest that SGB121 is able to favor the resistance of brain to HFD-induced damage, therefore provide explicit evidence of the potential to be a functional food.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2015

Two recombinant arabinosyl hydrolases, α-_L-arabinofuranosidase from Geobacillus sp. KCTC 3012 (GAFase) and endo-(1,5)-α-_L-arabinanase from Bacillus licheniformis DSM13 (BlABNase), were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and their synergistic modes of action against sugar beet (branched) arabinan were investigated. Whereas GAFase hydrolyzed 35.9% of _L-arabinose residues from sugar beet (branched) arabinan, endo-action of BlABNase released only 0.5% of _L-arabinose owing to its extremely low accessibility towards branched arabinan. Interestingly, the simultaneous treatment of GAFase and BlABNase could liberate approximately 91.2% of _L-arabinose from arabinan, which was significantly higher than any single exo-enzyme treatment (35.9%) or even stepwise exo- after endo-enzyme treatment (75.5%). Based on their unique modes of action, both exo- and endo-arabinosyl hydrolases can work in concert to catalyze the hydrolysis of arabinan to _L-arabinose. At the early stage in arabinan degradation, exo-acting GAFase could remove the terminal arabinose branches to generate debranched arabinan, which could be successively hydrolyzed into arabinooligosaccharides via the endo-action of BlABNase. At the final stage, the simultaneous actions of exo- and endo-hydrolases could synergistically accelerate the _L-arabinose production with high conversion yield.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2013

Neural stem cells are found in adult mammalian brain regions including the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the subventricular zone (SVZ). In addition to these two regions, other neurogenic regions are often reported in many species. Recently, the subcallosal zone (SCZ) has been identified as a novel neurogenic region where new neuroblasts are spontaneously generated and then, by Bax-dependent apoptosis, eliminated. However, the development of SCZ in the postnatal brain is not yet fully explored. The present study investigated the precise location and amount of neuroblasts in the developing brain. To estimate the importance of programmed cell death (PCD) for SCZ histogenesis, SCZ development in the Bax-knockout (KO) mouse was examined. Interestingly, an accumulation of extra neurons with synaptic fibers in the SCZ of Bax-KO mice was observed. Indeed, Bax-KO mice exhibited enhanced startle response to loud acoustic stimuli and reduced anxiety level. Considering the prevention of PCD in the SCZ leads to sensory-motor gating dysfunction in the Bax-KO mice, active elimination of SCZ neuroblasts may promote optimal brain function.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2016

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSHs) are generally regarded to be a traumatic lesion. It was regarded as a stroke in 17th century, an inflammatory disease in 19th century. From 20th century, it became a traumatic lesion. CSH frequently occur after a trauma, however, it cannot occur when there is no enough subdural space even after a severe head injury. CSH may occur without trauma, when there is sufficient subdural space. The author tried to investigate trends in the causation of CSH. By a review of literature, the author suggested a different view on the causation of CSH. CSH usually originated from either a subdural hygroma or an acute subdural hematoma. Development of CSH starts from the separation of the dural border cell (DBC) layer, which induces proliferation of DBCs with production of neomembrane. Capillaries will follow along the neomembrane. Hemorrhage would occur into the subdural fluid either by tearing of bridge veins or repeated microhemorrhage from the neomembrane. That is the mechanism of hematoma enlargement. Trauma or bleeding tendency may precipitate development of CSH, however, it cannot lead CSH, if there is no sufficient subdural space. The key determinant for development of CSH is a sufficient subdural space, in other words, brain atrophy. The most common and universal cause of brain atrophy is the aging. Modifying Virchow's description, CSH is sometimes traumatic, but most often caused by degeneration of the brain. Now, it is reasonable that degeneration of brain might play pivotal role in development of CSH in the aged persons.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2018

Artificial intelligence, which is based on deep learning, is emerging as a fundamental technology that will bring about future social changes. Artificial intelligence technology in IT is an essential intelligent system, and will overcome the performance limit of computing systems, and is expected to be the foundation for the development of computing environment destructively. The development of artificial intelligence technology in developed countries is a direction toward convergence with brain science. In this article, we will look at the prospect of artificial intelligence as the manifestation of imagination, as well as the technology and policy trends of artificial intelligence both at home and abroad, and discuss the direction of future technology development in terms of fusion with brain science.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.735-742
• /
• 2019

This study investigated a suitable method that could be applied for Asian chain fern [Woodwardia japonica (L. f.) Sm.] to propagate gametophytes and promote sporophyte formation. The gametophytes used in all experiments were obtained from germinated spores in vitro and were subcultured at 8-week intervals. The most appropriate media for gametophyte propagation was identified by culturing 300 mg of gametophyte in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2), and Knop medium for 8 weeks. As a result, fresh weight of the gametophyte was increased by 56.7-fold on MS medium. Moreover, antheridium formation as well as gametophyte growth was improved on MS medium, especially. To improve the sporophyte formation ex vitro, 1.0 g of gametophyte was ground with distilled water and spread on eight combinations onto four different culture mediums, such as bed soil, peat moss, perlite and decomposed granite. Then generation and growth of sporophytes were investigated after cultivation for 10 weeks. As a result of this experiment, peat moss had a promotive effect of sporophyte formation at single-use and mixed culture soils. In particular, a mixture of bed soil, peat moss and perlite in a 1:1:1 ratio (v/v/v) led to the accelerated formation (782.5 ea/pot) and the frond growth of sporophytes. This included increases in length and width of fronds. However, promotive effect of gametophyte growth and sporophyte formation was not found at single-use and treatment with high ratio of bed soil.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1729-1738
• /
• 2019

In sourdough fermentation, lactic acid bacteria perform important roles in the production of volatile and antimicrobial compounds, and exerting health-promoting effects. In this study, we report the probiotic properties and baking characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum SPC-SNU 72-2 isolated from kimchi. This strain is safe to use in food fermentation as it does not carry genes for biogenic amine production (i.e., hdc, tdc, and ldc) and shows no β-hemolytic activity against red blood cells. The strain is also stable under simulated human gastrointestinal conditions, showing tolerance to gastric acid and bile salt, and adheres well to colonic epithelial cells. Additionally, this strain prevents pathogen growth and activates mouse peritoneal macrophages by inducing cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. Furthermore, the strain possesses good baking properties, providing rich aroma during dough fermentation and contributing to the enhancement of bread texture. Taken together, L. plantarum SPC-SNU 72-2 has the properties of a good starter strain based on the observation that it improves bread flavor and texture while also providing probiotic effects comparable with commercial strains.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 2000

The antidotal, anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of physostigmine and procyclidine. the combinational prophylactics for organophosphate poisoning, were evaluated in rats. In comparison with a low protective effect (1.6 fold) of atropine (15 mg/kg) and 2-pralidoxime (30 mg/kg), the traditional antidotes regimen, a marked protection ratio of 7.3 fold was achieved by combinational pretreatment with physostigmine (0.05 mg/kg) and procyclidine (10 mg/kg), which was superior to that (3.5 fold) with pyri-dostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) and atropine (15 mg/kg). Rats exposed to a high dose (10 mg/kg. 2 X $LD_{50}$) of diisopropylfluorophosphate showed severe epileptiform seizures on electroencephalography, resulting in necrotic and apoptotic brain injuries in discrete brain regions under histopathological and TUNEL immuno-histochemical examinations in 24 hr. Such seizures and excitotoxic brain injuries were fully prevented by pretreatment with physostigmine (0.05 mg/kg) and procyclidine (10 mg/kg). in contrast to a negligible effect of pyridostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) and atropine (15 mg/kg). Taken together, it is proposed that the prophylactics composed of physostigmine and procyclidine could be a promising regimen for the prevention of lethality, seizures and brain injuries induced by organophosphate poisoning.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2017

Jeung-pyun, a fermented rice cake, is prepared by fermenting rice sourdough using makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, in the presence of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The goal of this study was to conduct biochemical and microbial analyses of five different rice sourdoughs, each fermented with a different commercial makgeolli, using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. All sourdough samples fermented with different makgeolli for 6.5 h showed different profiles in pH, total titratable acidity, organic acid concentration, and microbial growth. LAB belonging to different genera were identified based on colony morphology on modified MRS and sourdough bacteria agar medium. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of the five sourdoughs showed different bands corresponding to LAB and yeast. 16S/26S rRNA gene sequence analyses of the samples confirmed that the predominant LAB in the five fermented rice doughs was Lactobacillus plantarum, Lb. pentosus, and Lb. brevis. Various other Lactobacillus spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were common in all five fermented samples. This study provides comprehensive and comparative information on the microflora involved in fermentation of rice sourdough and signifies the need to develop effective starters to enrich the quality of jeung-pyun.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2020.08a
• /
• pp.63-63
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the growth of native ferns under indoor light intensities to identify the introduction possibility as in-door ornamental plants. Three evergreen perennial fern species used in this experiment were Coniogramme japonica (Thunb.) Diels, Woodwardia japonica (L. f.) Sm., and Cyclosorus acuminatus (Houtt.) Nakai ex H. Itô. The light intensities were adjusted to 10, 50, 100 and 200 PPFD (µmol·m^-2·s^-1) based on the measurement of the various indoor light quantities. The experiment was conducted for a total of 8 weeks, and the light period (12/12h), temperature (25±1℃), and humidity (55±3%) were maintained during the experiment. The control plant group was grown in glass greenhouse for the same period. As the result of the study, in door C. japonica showed better growth under light intensities of 100, 200 PPFD. However, withering of the plants were observed under all light intensities except the control, which causes an ornamental value decrease. This seems to be related to the increase of DIo/RC value in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. In the W. japonica growth data, the plant height was not significantly different from the control but, the leaf number decreased more than a two-fold. Also, the formed leaves turned brown and showed a poor growth and SPAD value at 200 PPFD had decreased significantly. Growth data of C. acuminatus was not significantly different with the control at all light intensities however, withering was observed at 100 and 200 PPFD. In chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, significant decrease in Pi_Abs and increase in DIo/RC value at 200 PPFD impose that stress caused by the intense light might be the reason of the withering of the plants.